Greetings from Earth

A/N: This crossed my mind after Greetings from Earth… This is only the first part, I'll continue further with Starbuck getting lost in the caves and Apollo's reaction to it, but please review! One last thing: My mother tongue isn't English, it's German, so if there are any mistakes, please tell me! Now enjoy!

Apollo felt uneasy listening to Sarah's confession. He'd suspected that she liked him more than she should, but he didn't give her the real reason why he couldn't return her love. It was because someone had already claimed his heart… and had been granted with it. Their love lasted for yahrens now, even though they had only acted on it shortly after Serina's death. She'd been a nice woman, lovely even, the only thing was Apollo hadn't really loved her. He'd grown fond of her, yes, but he couldn't give her his heart. Her death had shocked him for sure, once more he'd been shown how dangerous and short life could be. It had caused him to act on his feelings for Starbuck.

Flashback

Starbuck and Apollo were in the Celesterial Dome in the middle of the night, both lost in their own thoughts. Starbuck was considering that he'd noticed they'd grown even closer and that there was more touching than usual from Apollo's side, a hand on his arm or his shoulder, a quick hug he had to break because the Captain made no attempt to, more time spent together.

Apollo meanwhile was trying to find the courage to tell Starbuck what he resolved to do. In his mind he'd done it often enough, imaging how it would be: his confession and then a sweet, gentle kiss… But if not, what if Starbuck didn't feel the same? Once he'd experienced that and it was too awkward to even think about. If that was how it would be with them, Apollo wasn't sure he could take it. Starbuck broke the silence:

"What are you thinking about?"

"About you."

Apollo answered truthfully, cocking his eyebrows and put an arm casually around Starbuck's shoulder, trying to use some of the flirt coaching his friend had given him back at the academy. He met Starbuck's eyes, holding his gaze.

"And you? You seemed deep in thought…"

"About you, too."

Starbuck had noticed the flirting gesture and was slightly surprised. Apollo rarely flirted and if he did it meant he wanted this person, the Lieutenant knew that. And now he flirted with him! The Captain was nervous, being sure Starbuck had understood his gesture. How would he react? The blonde was calm, he wanted Apollo, yes, but he didn't want to rush it. This moment was too important to mess it up. He searched in his friend's eyes for reassurance and what he found was promising: trust, friendship and if he wasn't mistaken love, even lust and desire. Surely his own eyes reflected these deep emotions, never before had he allowed anyone to get to know him that well and to gain his trust. With Apollo it had been different from the start… Right at this moment, they both leaned forward as if drawn by an invisible powerful force and their lips collided. The kiss wasn't as Apollo had imagined it, it was hot, passionate, loving and full of sexual tension. When they broke up because of their need for air, the brunette saw Starbuck wanted to continue as much as he did. Without a word, he pulled him with him to his own quarters. Boxey was at a sleepover, they wouldn't have to be careful not to wake him up.

That night Apollo taught Starbuck what love meant and made sure he'd never forget it.

Flashback End