They had done it.
In the span of a day, two lombaxes had overthrown a galactic empire. Nefarious was enjoying a stint deep in the waters of Ardolis where he was in constant company. The galaxy was busy celebrating and breathing a sigh of collective relief, with planet wide parties springing up all over.
And a few would wonder as they partied the night away, where were those two heroes? And how were they celebrating?
Well, the answer was far more tame than most of them would ever guess. Sure they'd done their fair share of celebrations and sharing of libations, but that quickly faded as they drifted to the fringes of the little camp on Sargasso that hummed and buzzed with activity. Together they found and settled upon a grassy mound, the party a distant memory if only just for a moment.
There they rested and gazed up at the sky as they quietly ruminated on the possibilities that tomorrow may bring and the brighter futures that followed. No words were shared as nothing needed to be, they were content to sit there, in a simple and fulfilling silence.
Rivet hugged her knees to her chest, tail curled around her to the side while she stargazed, looking up and tracing the constellations the Morts had taught her as a girl. Her eyes eventually drifted to Ratchet sitting beside her, relaxed and leaning back on his hands. Her gaze lingered and the smile that was gracing her face before grew.
It was natural, afterall, to not just ponder on the future of the galaxy, but also on a more personal level. Where would they go from here and would it be together? She couldn't be sure. But she was sure that for right now, she was happy to just be here. With him.
Her eyes traced the outline of his face, gently lit by the stars. It was her first experience seeing someone else like her, and dare she say it he was quite handsome. His longer chin and muzzle framed in rough scruff. His longer straighter ears and wider stronger jaw. She found herself staring at all of it, unable to stop herself.
His head tilted and he caught her staring, turning to try and meet her gaze but she quickly looked away. She could see him smile at her out of the corner of her eye though, and couldn't keep one from her own face.
He looked away, the thoughts in his mind a mystery to her, but his lingering smile told her her gaze wasn't unwelcome. So who would blame her if she pressed her luck?
Ratchet tore his eyes from Rivet before the heat on his cheeks could spread. He'd caught her admiring him, admittedly because he had been about to do the same to her. He couldn't resist the urge to steal a glance at the beauty sitting beside him on the hill.
Her soft features, the shining hope in her eyes and her little tuft of hair flitting in the breeze all stole his breath from his lungs for the brief moment he had seen them. That she had been doing the same thing to him made his heart flutter as well, and the smile on his face grew while he redirected his attention.
Once again he looked up to the sky, the unfamiliar stars above mesmerizing to him. Almost as much as she could be.
He heard the grass beside him ruffling and figured she was shifting herself around or maybe standing up. Then he felt a weight press against his side, warm and soft as she settled in right next to him. His eyes went wide and his tail and ears stiff in shock. She seemed unsure of how far to go, but after just a moment he wanted more.
He shifted his weight more towards her, pressing more into the weight she had rested against him. She took the signal and rested her cheek on his shoulder, her head coming to rest in the crook of his neck like a puzzle piece, fitting perfectly. He nuzzled his cheek against her as well as he could, desperate to feel more of her against him.
Clank and Kit came to find them later, but found it impossible to interrupt them when they did.
They watched as Rivet pointed out and traced constellations for Ratchet who pulled her closer with every one, both laughing at the stories the morts had told her behind all of them.
Their tails swished with interest and joy, before Rivet's draped across hers like a fluffy blanket. They had no idea if it was intentional, but the last thing they did that night was photograph the pair from behind.
Silhouetted by the night sky, Ratchet's arm around her…
And their tails as intertwined as their destinies