(no subject)

[imthepilot]

[From here]

There rooms are a bit of a mess. Bodhi spend all night cooking and as much as he cleans as he goes, there's still a lot left to do. But it can wait. He puts the last ingredients away to be made into something else tomorrow.

He turns to Galen, shedding his jacket. "That was enjoyable. I missed markets like that."

Comments

[galen_erso]

"The Guardians that I used to know -- or rather, Lyra used to know -- on Jedha before the Empire were very different," Galen says. "That's probably why I'm disappointed that they're not helping you. Because the ones she met, would have."

He returns the kiss, softly and lingering.

[imthepilot]

"They did a little. When I was young. They handed out food when it could be spared. And set up schools for those who wanted to learn. Back then I was too busy with my younger siblings."

He keeps sharing kisses, unhurried and comfortable. Or heading back to comfortable anyway. "You and Lyra knew Jedha in a better time."

[galen_erso]

"We did," Galen says. "But it reminds me that a lot of people would say I'm too old for you. That I am abusing the emotional need of a very lovely young man..."

[imthepilot]

Bodhi draws back rather sharply at that. "Who says that?" He demands, a spark of anger in his eyes. "What right do that have to say that?"

[galen_erso]

"Nobody has said as much to my face, but it was implied, back on Eadu in our co-worker's reaction to the rumours about us," Galen says. "I don't think the Guardians have as yet added that bit to their general disapproval of me, though."

[imthepilot]

"I don't care what they think." He pulls Galen close and kisses him possessively. "I'm not some cadet with sand still in his jets. I fell in love with you because of you. Not some emotional manipulation."

[galen_erso]

"While we had to be in hiding," Galen points out, sensibly, between kisses, "we had no way of disabusing them of whatever notion they had about us."

[imthepilot]

Bodhi is the one who laid a man out for commenting on them. "We're here. And here we don't have to hide anything."

[galen_erso]

"And so we can reclaim our own narrative, like any couple would," Galen says. "Because no couple lives in a vacuum. Not even Lyra and I did when we were farming on Lah'mu."

[imthepilot]

"I don't know how to do that." Bodhi admits shyly. Even though Galen knows this is his first actual relationship. "How to be a couple."

[galen_erso]

"Plant a balcony together?" Galen suggests. "Use the same bathroom? We're already there, most of the way."

But he kisses Bodhi, gently, in acknowledgement of that shyness.

[imthepilot]

"Share a bath?" Bodhi suggests, just as shyly.

[galen_erso]

"Yes, absolutely!"

[imthepilot]

Bodhi shares one last loving kiss before standing up and offering Galen his hand. He didn't realise till then how bone tired and emotionally wrung out he feels. Once Galen's up, Bodhi melts into a hug. It's been a very long day. A soak is just what he needs. Or so he hopes. He's never been immersed in water like this before.

[galen_erso]

Galen holds him, lending the slight pilot his strength. "My Bodhi," he whispers.

[imthepilot]

"My Galen." He whispers, wrapping his arms around Galen's waist. "Don't let me drown. I've heard that can happen." He takes Galen's hand and drifts towards the bathroom.

[galen_erso]

"I will take good care of you," Galen promises. "Always."

[imthepilot]

"I know." Bodhi smiles softly, closing the door to keep the cats out.

He leans against the wall near the door, pulling Galen into a soft kiss before starting to undress him. It's not like it was on Eadu - the frantic rush to get each other naked. More gentle, more comfortable. Like something they could spend the rest of their lives doing.

[galen_erso]

Galen gives a soft moan and lets him, not trying to get Bodhi naked yet. He's mostly unchanged to when Bodhi knew him in life -- hairy, a bit scruffy, well-built but entirely utilitarian. There might be a tad more salt in the salt-and-pepper of his chest hair.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi takes his time - touching softly, gently. Remembering and relearning. He strokes Galen's chest hairs, carding his fingers through it ever so gently, careful not to pull. "I missed- the simplicity of touch."

[galen_erso]

Galen reaches out to stroke Bodhi's cheek, his chin, his neck and his throat.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi closes his eyes and relished the touch, "Galen." He breathes, the word on his lips like a prayer.

"Undress me? Please?"

[galen_erso]

Galen's hand slips deeper, and the other comes up to open Bodhi's collar.

[imthepilot]

He breathes a slow sigh, leaning back against the wall and letting Galen touch him, strip him. Letting the scent and warmth of his lover replace darker memories.

[galen_erso]

Galen leans in to kiss Bodhi's collarbones once they are bare, pushing the fabric off his shoulders as he does so.