It is the last night before assignments go out. Tomorrow, the cadets will be officers, proudly bearing the colors of their division, beaming off to ships and starbases across the galaxy.
However, for tonight they're still in the cadet barracks. The underclassmen's quarters are quiet as they frantically prepare for their final exams. The upperclassmen's exams are over, pass or fail. This is their last night together, free of rank and the duties it brings and they relish it. All order has been forgotten, any attempt to keep the peace abandoned.
Music booms down the hallway, mingling with shouts and laughter. Most of the doors along it are open, and cadets run and jump, and dance between them, drinks or friends, or both in hand, and inside things are even more chaotic. It's a giant party, and the whole graduating class is invited.
Not that everyone showed up. Behind some closed doors, quiet students - some human, some alien - try to catch some sleep before the big day to varying success. Others hold more intimate gatherings with close friends, extending their tearful goodbyes through the night, laughing and reminiscing, and some goodbyes are more intimate still.
Behind one door, a couple of young women shriek with laughter as they bombard each other with regulation pillows, their beds exploded into a pillowfort across the floor—a celebration of true friendship. They tussle, rolling over the blankets with easy abandon, only coming to a stop before they run into a bed, lying with one nearly on top of the other.
Laughter slowly fades into fits of giggles, though wide, bittersweet grins remain.
"I can't believe it's almost time," one says.
"Just a few hours," the other replies, biting back laughter. "I am really going to miss you."
"Me too."
There is a tentative pause as their eyes meet, really meet, and then they both close the distance for a kiss.
Writer's Month - word: kiss | setting: crossover
AUgust - Space Academy
Flufftober (catch-up August) - Pillow Fight