Gale groans and stretches, follows Thom into the bar. It's a been a long, long day of training and flight sims and Gale needs to kick back in a serious way. Thom settles on a stool and Gale follows suit, gestures at the bartender to give him something hard and strong. Gale rolls his shoulders while Thom surveys the room, eyes sweeping over the various people crowded inside.
"Hel-lo," he remarks and Gale turns, follows Thom's gaze to a pair of girls in the far corner. His eyes immediately catch on a shock of blonde and the pretty smile that goes with it and his mother's voice chimes in his head, don't stare Gale, it's rude, but he can't seem to look away.
sorry Ma
He's still admiring when Thom slides off his stool and starts to head over.
"Where are you going?" Gale asks, though he's pretty sure he already knows.
"To say hi," Thom replies with a grin and Gale figures he should follow, be Thom's wingman and all.
(it has nothing to do with the blonde)
(definitely not)
There are two blondes at the table and Gale's eyes are drawn to the one on the right, just like they have been all night. Her friend notices them coming and nudges her, whispering something behind her hand. The girl on the right looks over as her friend giggles, smiles a little shyly and Gale finds himself smiling back.
"Good evening, ladies," Thom greets, tries his best to sound charming.
"Hi," the one on the left pipes up, eyes bright in a way that seems to suggest she finds Thom somewhat attractive. Well, there was bound to be someone in the galaxy that did.
"Thom, and this is my wing mate Gale," he introduces and Gale nods in greeting.
"Delly," she replies, eyes lighting up, "You're a pilot?" Thom flashes her his best smile.
"You bet," he says, settling into one of the table's vacant seats. Delly claps her hands together.
"That's so exciting! It must be amazing, being so close to the stars..." she trails off, voice dreamy and Thom nods.
"It's incredible," he begins and Gale stops listening. The girl with no name tugs on his sleeve and he looks down, can't help but be fascinated by the faint pink of her cheeks.
"You can sit down too, if you want," she offers, gesturing at the seat beside her.
"Sure, thanks," he agrees and slides into the chair, hopes he sounds casual and unconcerned.
"I'm Madge, by the way," she says, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
Madge, he repeats in his head, has no idea what's to come.
"Gale," he replies and she starts to grin.
"I know, your friend introduced you," she says, a hint of laughter in her voice.
"Right," Gale mutters, feels like an idiot. Madge bites her lip to keep down her smile.
"A pilot, huh?" she queries, nice enough not to dwell on his airhead moment. "I don't think I could do that, squeezed in a tiny cockpit, I'd get claustrophobic," she says wrinkling her nose.
He probably shouldn't find that so cute.
"Nah, you barely notice. It's almost like there's nothing there at all, just planets and stars and space, all around you."
"How poetic," she laughs, spins the straw in her drink.
"Oh yeah? And how about you?" he asks and her eyes flash, blue as Osarian's glittering oceans
"You name it, I do it," she tells him and he raises an eyebrow. She smirks, a challenge in the corners of her mouth and he's never been one to back down from a challenge.
"Well, now I'm curious," he says, leaning forward. She shifts a little closer, eyes dancing.
"Navigation, communications, personnel. I'm a girl of many talents," she answers, a playful edge to her voice that makes his blood run warm. He grins and opens his mouth but never gets the chance to speak, Delly's voice cutting him off.
"We were actually about to play a round of sabacc," she informs them, smile bright and Thom grins.
"Got room for one more?" he asks, a suggestive note in his tone that makes Delly giggle.
"Mmm, I guess I could fit you in," she answers and Gale almost rolls his eyes. Thom actually found a girl who enjoys his flirting. Leevy is never going to believe this.
"And how about you? Fancy playing a hand?" Madge asks and Gale looks over at her, the way her hair glows warm and gold in the dim lights, the deep, deep blue of her eyes, the perfect twist of her very pink lips.
(he never stood a chance)
"I've probably got a round in me," he tells her and she smiles, makes his insides do very funny things.
He's a goner.
(but that's okay)
(better than okay)
