It's been a little while! Let me know what you think...

Mira and Baxium both woke up before the sun rose. Neither wanted to wake up so early, so they both pretended to stay asleep. Though Mira wanted to know what was on the news, the feeling she had in her gut kept her curiosity from waking Baxium up.

But she couldn't go back to sleep.

Turning over, she saw Baxium's sleeping face. He exhaled through his nose as he pulled her closer to him, and she cuddled up to his broad chest. The warmth of his embrace wasn't enough to keep the bad feelings at bay, and she felt more and more like she should just leave and avoid the situation all together. She knew one way or another, though, it would just catch up to her.

She wiggled her way out of his arm, and Baxium watched with half-lidded eyes as she left the room. He sighed and rolled over to face the nightstand his phone was charging on. He opened his e-mail to re-read the message he had recieved from his father. Both he and his brother would be drafted should the threats against Homeworld become true. He knew his duty and had no intention of betraying his home, but he didn't know how to tell Mira. He wished he didn't have to.

Mira, meanwhile, sat on the couch staring out the window. Something was very wrong with Baxium, but she didn't know what. She gathered that Homeworld was in danger, but there was more to her boyfriend's behavior than him just being concerned. Would he have to leave to fight? Would he be out there on the front lines? She couldn't bear to think about anything more. She let out a gentle sigh and let herself fall into a laying position on the couch, just as Baxium walked in.

The room was dimly lit with the earliest sign of a rising sun, and Baxium was taken with how beautiful she looked simply laying there in his shirt. With a smile, he walked over. "Trouble sleeping?"

She avoided looking at him, scared that he would tell her what she wanted to know and scared that it wouldn't be what she wanted to hear. "Yeah, I guess..."

Baxium's smile faded as he realized what was really the matter. "Are you thinking about the news story from yesterday?"

Mira nodded. She wanted to steal a peek at a story on her phone the day before, but couldn't bring herself to do it when she had time alone. Now, she was too worried to even hear it from Baxium despite her raging curiosity.

"It is technically tomorrow," Baxium said as he sat on the floor next to her. "I'll tell you now if you want."

"Is it anything good?"

"...Not really," Baxium said after a pause.

"Then I don't want to know." Mira rolled over and faced away from him. "At least not right now."

"I understand," he replied softly. They stayed that way for a moment, hoping for time to stay still as sunlight crept along the floor and furniture. The room was a brilliant and soft yellow when Baxium stood up, gently kissed Mira's head, and headed for the kitchen. The familiar sounds of him cooking gave Mira something else to focus on besides the looming doom she felt.

Threats of War for Triceraton Homeworld

The headline flashed in her head again. Maybe it wasn't that big of a deal, maybe it was all a misunderstanding. Maybe Baxium would be okay. She sat up and watched Baxium as he cooked. The way he moved and sometimes swayed his hips in a little dance brought a smile to her face. She decided to join him in the kitchen.

"Whatcha cookin?" she asked as she peered around him.

He smiled and leaned down to kiss her. She giggled and gently pushed him away, but not before returning with a kiss of her own.

"Eggs and bacon."

"Ooh, yummy," she said with a smile before moving to take out some bread for toasting. "You can't have eggs without toast," she said to herself. Baxium watched her for a moment, his smile never fading until he turned back to the stove. He was still going to have to tell her.

They ate together in almost silence, though they were comfortably sitting on the couch with Mira resting against him. As their plates emptied, the foreboding feeling Mira had grew. Baxium placed his plate on the coffee table and waited until Mira did the same.

"Babe," he started, quietly.

"Yeah?" she asked, as nervous as she had ever been around him.

"About that news story..." Mira waited for him to continue. "I don't know a lot of the details, but I know that someone we used to trade with when the old Republic was in charge is making threats of war. That's what the story was about."

"...What does that mean for you?" She avoided looking at him as she anticipated his answer.

"I have to go," he said quietly. "I wish I could stay, but I can't. My brother's going, too."

"Going? To do what, exactly?"

"To fight, if it comes down to it. I hope it doesn't, but that's my job. I can't leave Homeworld defenseless."

"You're not their only defense, you know," Mira grumbled.

He smiled and held her closer to him. "I know, love. But it's my duty as a Triceraton. I can't bring shame to myself, my family, or my kind. Can you understand that?"

Mira closed her eyes to fight back any of the terrible emotions she was feeling. "I can. When are you leaving?" Baxium could hear the disappointment and sadness in her voice, and simultaneously he could feel his own heart breaking.

"Tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?"

He nodded solemnly.

Mira choked back all of the feelings she was feeling. "They can't just take you out on such short notice," she argued.

"They can," he said. "It is my job, after all. I'm like always on call."

It took her a moment to feel confident she wouldn't break down before she sat up on her knees and turned to face him. "You'd better be safe or I'll kill you," she threatened. Though the look on her face was determined, Baxium could see right through it to the pain and worry.

"I will be," he whispered as his hand cupped the back of her head. She collapsed on him, wrapping her arms around his neck as he pulled her into his lap. He kissed her and kissed her in a constant nuzzle that almost put her back to sleep. She squeezed him hard, as if the harder she squeezed, the longer he would be with her. Tears threatened to fall, but she faught them off for as long as she could while he was holding her.

"I'll come back, babe. I promise."

Mira remained as she was as his words sunk in. He knew by now that she didn't take promises lightly. The strength of his arms around her told her that he meant every word he said. They stayed like that for a long time, holding each other and allowing time to pass. They didn't move until they heard Ryan open his door to come out. They allowed themselves to fall into a more comfortable position as they continued cuddling on the couch. Though she was upset about Baxium leaving her, Mira wanted to spend as much time with him before he had to leave.

WELL THERE YOU GO THANKS FOR READING