Welcome home.

[imthepilot]

With Galen finally being released from the Infantry today, Bodhi has pulled out all the stops to make sure their rooms are ready. The bar has been very helpful, providing him with everything he needs to make it work for them.

The rooms are large and airy, open planned living and dinning. Thick carpets and warm colours make it homely and comfortable.

The bar has made sure Bodhi's kitchen has all the appliances he's use to and a big pantry. All the lovely hardwood benches and lots of storage.

The bedroom faces out onto the balcony, just as the living room does, giving them a view of the lake and the gardens. There's an office and workshop for Galen too, ready to be set up the way he wants it.

And a bathroom with a water fresher big enough for two, and of all things - a spa bath.

The balcony has been lined with pots, one wall lined with climbing frames, ready for creeps, flowers and climbing legumes. The kitchen window is also lined with little pots of fresh herbs.

Bodhi opens the door for Galen, biting his lip and hoping Galen likes it.

Comments

[imthepilot]

Bodhi looks up at him, reaching up to stroke Galen's cheek. He chuckles softly as Myrrh puts a paw on his head to keep him still while she grooms.

[galen_erso]

It's some hours, actually until the sun goes down, and Galen's stomach grumbles while his face is split by a huge yawn.

"Dinner and bed?" he suggests to the drowsy Bodhi and the equally drowsy cats.

Myrrh looks quite hopeful at the word 'dinner'.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi isn't in the mood to cook, oddly enough. But the freezer section of the cooler is well stocked with pre-made meals he's frozen off. "Do you have a preference?" He asks, getting up and lifting the yawning Kyber onto the cushions.

He steals soft kiss before padding towards the kitchen, trailed by cats. They get fed first. That's a lesson he learnt early. Sated cats are less likely to get underfoot while cooking.

[galen_erso]

"Some spicy soup with beans in it?" Galen suggests. "With some bread?"

Of course, just ordering anything is up is out of the question, he notices with a fond smile at the well-stocked freezer.

[imthepilot]

"I can do that." He pulls out some boxes of premade soup and starts to heat them, adding spices and fresh beans. "I don't have any fresh loaf bread made. Will flat bread do? I have some of that made but it will need some toasting to warm it up."

[galen_erso]

"That sounds wonderful," Galen says. "Like heaven. Which is almost where we are."

He more or less does realise that the pun isn't very good, but now, he has all the time in the world to perfect his jokes.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi glances down at his scars as he cooks, suddenly hesitant and coltish. "I guess it is." Now. Up until now, it has been hell. But he doesn't want to upset Galen with that. Instead he focuses on putting together a meal.

[galen_erso]

Galen sits on their little kitchen table and avidly watches Bodhi as he moves.

Yes, he realises that it was terrible for Bodhi before he arrived, but he will try and make it good from now on.

[imthepilot]

It doesn't take long before Bodhi's bringing bowls and plates to the table, trying to discourage Kyber who is trying to climb Galen's leg to investigate the people food.

[galen_erso]

Galen hops off the table and wipes it with his sleeve, taking the kitten down with him.

"Cats an people off the table when food is on it," he says.

[imthepilot]

"Kyber! Come away." He fetches a toy from the shelf and tosses it. Kyber yowls and chases after it, happily distracted.

"Sorry, I'm trying to teach him."

[galen_erso]

"He is still learning," Galen says, sitting tamely on a kitchen chair.

[imthepilot]

"We all are. I usually eat alone outside on the balcony. Or I use to. I'd rather this."

[galen_erso]

"We will find out how things work best for us," Galen says. "We had some time to grow a routine, but that was a bit stifled by the Imperial science station around us."

[imthepilot]

"You had your work and I was with the medic or cooking. Or working out. I guess I could get back into that."

He eats slowly, a little mechanically. He does notice the soup needs more white chilli for his tastes but not enough to add some.

[galen_erso]

Galen likes the soup just fine as it is.

"I will be making things," he says,"and so might you, if different things. And then, when we are done for the day, we can come home to each other."

[imthepilot]

"I don't think there's much call for my cooking here but... maybe I can grow things. Maybe sell my herb and produce to the bar?"

[galen_erso]

"People still seem to treasure hand-made, real food," Galen says. "Like that baker. And there's even a competition I have heard people talk about."

[imthepilot]

"Maybe I should talk to her." He answers thoughtfully. "It would give me something to do."

[galen_erso]

"It might give you something to be enthusiastic about," Galen says. "You never had a chance to do purely what you want and what you are good at. Only what would feed you and your sisters."

[imthepilot]

"Or to cook with such a range of ingredients. Andrew introduced me to cooking programs from his world. Some of the ingredients were familiar but others were utterly different." There's an almost childish not of happiness in his voice.

[galen_erso]

"Like what?" Galen asks.

[imthepilot]

"Potatoes. They're a root vegetable that seems to grow plentifully all over Earth. And they seem to be very, very versatile."

[galen_erso]

"What can you make from them?" Galen asks.

[imthepilot]

"Fried and salted as a snack food. Baked as a side with meat. Or steamed or boiled then mashed with milk or butter it makes a smooth paste that can be eaten as is or baked as the topping of a pie."