Disclaimer: Saban and Disney's, not mine
Notes: Takes place post-series, spoilers apply. Sequel to 'Starlight'.
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There were a lot of things Trip loved about the Walker household. How they made him feel like he had lived there all his life ever since his first visit. How the ceilings were high enough for Circuit to fly around and not have to worry about bumping into heads. But what he loved most of all (next to getting to spend the nights in Katie's arms, of course) was that every room had a mind-boggling amount of candles. He watched as they flickered on the night table, not ready just yet to leave Katie's side to blow them out. Natural light, especially something that involved fire was rarely seen on Earth anymore, but it was as much as a presence here in this house as the people themselves. It reminded him a little of his own home...
No. I'm not thinking about this. He curled into Katie, trying to focus on what was there for him right now, not the doubts about his... their future. This is one of the few times I'm not convinced I'll ruin Katie's life if I marry her, I am not going to destroy that by worrying about things I can't change. But it was too late, and he could remember all too clearly everything his mother had told him back on Xybria.
Not that she actually spoke any of it out loud. No, the daughter of a Shaman and one of the village leaders would never stoop to that. Instead her voiced echoed in his mind almost on a regular basis throughout the evening meal.
So. This is the one you're forsaking your people, your birthright over.
Does anyone else know you're running away with an off worlder? Like your grandfather, perhaps?
She'll never know you, the real you. How can she?
He should have thought right back at her why she was wrong, especially since it was so obvious when it was just him and Katie under the stars that night, but that night he ran away. There was no logical reason to pretend that he hadn't.
Slowly, Trip turned away from Katie and the light. He loved her. He needed her more anything. But... if this was how he would handle their problems, he didn't deserve her.
I'm sorry...
"...Trip?" He could feel her arms wrap around him, chin resting on his scalp. "You 'kay? I thought I heard you talking in your sleep."
There was only one explanation for that... but no, that was impossible. "No. I wasn't."
He could hear the surprise in the still sleepy voice. "You sure? I could've sworn I heard you griping about your mom again."
Then again, maybe...
"Hey." She was leaning over him now, frowning. "You gonna answer me or not?"
"Yeah, afraid so. Guess she rattled me more than I thought." He closed his eyes. "I am sorry, for what it's worth."
"Don't be." Grinning now, Katie leaned over to blow out the now half-melted candles before settling back down with him again. "First off, if all we have to deal with is your mother, we're luckier than most couples. Second..."
He felt a kiss against his neck. "It's going to take a lot more than for me to let you go."
He wanted to thank her for lifting the weight he'd been carrying for what felt like forever, but she was already snoring again. So he decided a kiss good night would do for now and drifted off himself, content in the knowledge that the next time his mother or anyone else, really, asked him what he'd made this choice he knew exactly what to say.