Conversations with dead people

[imthepilot]

The bar is too busy tonight. There's too much going on. Too much noise, too many people messing about. And those doll things - Bodhi shudders.

Instead he takes Galen's hand draws him towards the outside door. It's a clear night and cool without being cold. A light jacket and Galen's hand in his is enough to keep him warm.

"I never knew moonlight on water could be so... beautiful."

Comments

[galen_erso]

"You met our daughter?" Lyra says. "And you still..."

She pauses.

"How many years after I died?"

[imthepilot]

"I fought along side her." Bodhi answers, unsure that's what she wants to know but unwilling to ask what she means by And you still...

He looks to Galen for confirmation. "Fifteen year?"

[galen_erso]

Galen nods, caught between awe and awkwardness, and momentarily struck almost speechless.

"How long have you been with my husband?" Lyra asks Bodhi, quite calmly.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi reaches for Galen's hand, chin held high. "Four months standard before my death. Six months since."

Lyra shook her head and looked at Galen. "He can't be any older than Jyn, Galen." It's a chide but not a harsh one.

[galen_erso]

"Not much, but it doesn't matter,* Galen says. " He's a grown man and an equal. He fits with me as only you fit before. The Force gave him to me to put paid to Vader's and Krennic's gigantomanic project."

[imthepilot]

Bodhi huffs softly at the comment, amused to be referred to as a grown man.

Lyra cocks her head, studying Bodhi again. But she keeps talking to Galen, or to her self. "You found a way, then? Fifteen years. How many died for Orson's hubris. I meant to kill him."

[galen_erso]

"Billions," Galen says. "After all our deaths, before the monster was destroyed, Vader shot it at Alderaan."

[imthepilot]

Lyra took an involuntary step back. "Alderaan?"

Bodhi lowers his eyes. "And Scarif. And Jedha."

[galen_erso]

"The Holy City, not the entire moon," Galen says, "which almost makes it worse. It's where Bodhi is from."

He comes to stand beside Bodhi and touch his hand.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi takes his hand and squeezes. "There are two other survivors. Other than that-" His voice breaks and he stops.

[galen_erso]

"No survivors," Galen says softly. "They died on Scarif."

They are all dead. That is the dilemma. It's not like Teja and his people.

[imthepilot]

"They chose to fight." Bodhi shakes his head. "They died heroes too. But they found their way here."

He looks from Lyra to Galen. "I'm sorry Jyn hasn't."

[galen_erso]

"We are all dead," Lyra says, shaking her head. "And I am going to go and find her, rather than stay and face the very dilemma I used plague my mum about when I was a little girl."

[imthepilot]

Bodhi feels a sob catch in his throat and swallows it. He was afraid he's have to fight for Galen. Or worse, he'd let go, for Galen's sake. But Lyra seems to have chosen for them.

"Lyra-"

She shakes her head tightly, silencing him.

[galen_erso]

Galen's hand shivers in Bodhi's. He feels torn in two.

He opens his mouth to speak, but falls silent at her gesture as well.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi turns and hugs Galen, shaking. "Talk with her." he whispers into Galen's ear. "I'll wait inside. As long as I need to, I'll wait for you."

He lets go and turns to walk away, the moonlight catching tears in his eyes.

[galen_erso]

Galen catches his hand, then turns to face Lyra again.

But she is already gone.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi turns too, seeing only air where Lyra had been. There's nothing he can do but wrap his arms around Galen and hold him, letting the tears fall.

[galen_erso]

And Galen clings to him, sobbing as well.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi guides them to the rock, never letting go of Galen. He can't let go. Not yet. Not now. Not after that.

[galen_erso]

Galen sits close beside him and holds on, shivering.

[imthepilot]

"I love you, Galen. So much." His voice is rough and thick with emotion.

[galen_erso]

"Bodhi," Galen manages, clinging. "Bodhi. Yes. I thank the Force that you exist."

[imthepilot]

Bodhi pulls back just far enough to kiss Galen, desperately. He wants to apologise for keeping Galen from Lyra but- but he isn't sorry. Doesn't regret keeping hold of Galen's hand. Doesn't regret that Galen chose him.

[galen_erso]

Galen holds him and kisses him and stops trembling, only to start shivering.

It's getting cold out there.