(no subject)

[imthepilot]

{From here}

Bodhi takes Galen's hand and walks back through the door and back into the base. The cerebration is in full swing, happy shouts echoing from the hall. They run into only one other person on their way to Bodhi's room. The young lieutenant who had escorted Galen earlier.

Nika salutes, eyes drifting from Bodhi's face to their joined hands and back again. "Sir, Dr Erso."

"Lieutenant." Bodhi acknowledges, his voice a tense growl. Ready to deck the young man for a word out of place.

Instead the young man stutters shyly. "Sir?" He starts uncertainly. "I hope- have a good night, sir. You- you've earnt it."

Bodhi relaxes a little, resting his metal hand on the youth's shoulder. "As have you, lieutenant. Now go and enjoy yourself."

The boy nods, freckled cheeks warming with a blush. "Sir, yes sir." There's something about the way he steps aside to let them pass, watching them go. A crush perhaps? Or something more like hero worship?

Bodhi doesn't speak again till they're inside his room, the door firmly closed.

Comments

[galen_erso]

"I'd like to offer a scholarship in memory of my daughter," Galen says. "Give some young women displaced by war a chance to achieve something. Is that something we could discuss to implement once we have the science outpost running?"

[imthepilot]

Mon Mothma's expression softens. "That is most certainly something that can be arranged. And as you don't appear to have any assets with which to fund it, I shall do so in your name. Yours and Jyn's."

[galen_erso]

"I suppose I will be paid?" Galen says. "I thought I'd use some of that money."

[imthepilot]

She nods, almost apologetic. "You will have an income, yes. Not as generous as the Empire I fear. I'll make the necessary arrangements."

"Now, if you will excuse me, Dr Erso. There is much to be done."

[galen_erso]

Galen stands, and nods.

"Thank you for everything, Councilwoman," he says. "I have proposals to write and ideas to hatch."

And Bodhi to wait for, and a new life to start.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi returns in the early hours of the morning, dressed in the uniform of an x-wing pilot. He lets himself into their room, quietly careful not to wake Galen. If he's there, of course.

[galen_erso]

He is there, and there is also a data pad of freshly written proposals, a pair of slightly muddy walking shoes in a corner, a large mug of caf seven eightths empty, and a bottle of water.

And Galen, curled up on the he bed in his jumpsuit.

[imthepilot]

There's something rather endearing about the view. Galen looks so relaxed.

Bodhi moves silently around the room, tidying up Galen's notes, emptying the caf and topping up the water.

Removing the black band from his upper arm, he changes out of his uniform.

He come over to the bed, dressed in soft pj pants and gently shifts Galen off the blanket so he can drape it over the sleeping man, curling up next to him.

[galen_erso]

Galen snuggles up to him, mumbling.

Then, suddenly his voice is awake, and breathlessly happy. "Bodhi! It's all real, and we're here. I got a job."

[imthepilot]

Bodhi's hair and skin smells of engine fuel and booze. Although he hasn't been drinking himself. He kisses the back of Galen's neck and shakes his head. "Yes, it's real. And we're here. What does Mothma have you doing?"

[galen_erso]

"Help start a science station right here, to rebuild after the war, and find a way to salvage the kyber and other resources from the debris of the Death Stars."

[imthepilot]

"I spoke to Councilwoman Mothma about her plans for Delta Base." Bodhi's voice is tight and controlled. He isn't sure what to makes of it yet.

[galen_erso]

"With you and me both here," Galen murmurs. "Apart from the missions she still has for gou and your team."

[imthepilot]

Bodhi is silent, holding Galen close and pressing his nose softly to Galen's shoulder.

"You're alright with that? With me as Base commander."

[galen_erso]

"I am," Galen says. "We will have to occasionally debate other scientists over your impartiality with resources, but that is usual with scientists. They bicker."

[imthepilot]

"I can handle that." Bodhi answers confidently. "And I don't imagine there will be too many projects running at once. Not all from here."

"But you and me?"

[galen_erso]

"You run the base, I run the science," Galen says. "I'm sure we can work together very well. The Force paired us up, after all. No, the only problem I can see is other people objecting because we're married or something like that."

[imthepilot]

Bodhi eases back a touch, rolling Galen over to look at him. The shades are still open, the dappled light from two of New Kisge's sister moons shining over them.

"Mothma told you. I'm sorry. I should have spoken to you about it. It seemed- prudent, to make a formalised statement. It meant if something happened to me, you would still have status here. As my widower, you would be protected and provided for, even if you weren't given a job."

[galen_erso]

"Prudent," Galen agrees. "Can we have a little celebration later?"

He cranes his neck to kiss Bodhi. "I love you. I want to be with you, and everybody can know."

[imthepilot]

Bodhi returns the kiss, intently. "We can have a proper wedding, if you will have me." It's not a proper proposal, and Bodhi is apologetic about that. But nothing about their situation is proper.

[galen_erso]

"Oh yes, we can," Galen says.

One more advantage of the Empire's defeat.

"Then let's. Yes. Absolutely. Yes, I will marry you."

[imthepilot]

Bodhi cups Galen's cheek and drawn him in to a very slow, very loving kiss.

"I love you, Galen. I know I don't say it as readily as I use to. But I mean it."

"I let go of you. Because I had to. Because you were dead and letting go was my only way to keep on living. But I have you back. And that's going to take time to get use to. But now I have you, I don't intend to let go again."

It seems like the most words Bodhi has said in a string for years.

[galen_erso]

Galen says nothing. He pulls Bodhi close and kisses him, overcome with feeling.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi holds him, burying his face in Galen's neck. Just holding him, breathing in Galen's living scent.

Galen smells more like himself now. Warm skin, soft hair, a little of the green scent of Delta Base. Not the sour smell of the cell Galen was taken from.

[galen_erso]

"My husband, the base commander," Galen murmurs, as if trying out the words.