A/N: Voss is my favourite class story planet, both due to the fascinating lore and to the gorgeous sights. I was very happy rediscovering some of its charm in the newest update. Add that single flirt line the update provides into the mix and boom! here we go again ^^'
It is a truly beautiful place to be this time of the year. Any time of the year, to be honest. Ornate buildings and sculptures among yellow-red trees and golden grass, underneath orange skies, do make for a breathtaking scenery - even if sad exceptions spoil the landscape. This not a holiday resort for sure, not by any means. Holiday resorts usually do not have post-bombardment repairs ongoing across whole of the planet surface.
"Don't think I've seen this place so peaceful before," Commander sighs. Wish it could stay this way.
Theron squeezes her hand in agreement. "Yeah. Even with Czerka mercs popping out of nowhere, it's still something entirely else than what Vaylin has left behind."
"Common enemies tend to bind people just temporarily, don't they? Wonder how long it takes for the Voss and the Gormak to start fighting each other again. Probably before they're even done with the rebuilding process properly."
Theron squeezes her hand again, but says nothing. He recognizes that bitter tone in her voice easily, just like she can recognize it in his.
"I've been here before, you know. Before - everything. Before Zakuul, before -us-."
Theron nods. Of course he knows. He had investigated Captain's background thoroughly before enlisting her for fight against the Revanites. He had openly admitted to gathering a staggering amount of official and unofficial data on her activities - reports from Voss included.
"I've seen what they've been doing to each other. They probably still do, away from the capital. Any truce over that many generations of fighting is a fragile thing. I'd love to be optimistic, but seen too many of those already. Like the coalition against Revanites, like the Alliance, like anything good we were ever a part of, this won't last long. And they're not even aware of Malgus and his crazy plans to shred the galaxy to pieces... No matter if they're set on destroying each other again, we need to protect them somehow, too."
Precisely speaking, The Three did not mention names of anyone else but just Malgus and herself. Whether they were right or wrong with any part of the vision yet remains to be seen; but as things are now, there really doesn't have to be anyone else directly involved. There doesn't have to be -we- anywhere, in any of that, at all. There will be, though. Wherever Commander goes, Theron follows. As already proven numerous times, they do work best when acting together, not separated. One left behind, to be kept out of harm's way, is an idea sure to backfire. And it's not just the two of them who's included in the -we-; there's also Lana, there's the old smuggling crew, the whole of Odessen staff, even the Mandalorians and the Jedi. Still, it might not be sufficient against the threat.
"Malgus is well aware that nobody's capable of creating united task force solid and skilled enough to stop his lunacy - whatever it actually is. Has to be something Force-related, no matter how you look at it. But I don't need the Force to know there's more of death coming. More of tough decisions. Enormous amounts of destruction and pain if we fail, if any of us fails..."
The woman shudders. She doesn't really know how to describe things normally hidden at the back of her head. Even the nightmares, so much more apparent, are not something she's ever comfortable to discuss. No, she really doesn't know how to express her darkest feelings just like that, upfront and aloud. A letter would've been an easier solution, Commander smirks - and it's but a split second before Theron sweeps her into a fierce embrace, any notion of letters immediately forgotten. Just this gesture alone makes her thoughts calmer, her mind clearer. She feels truly whole and herself when in these arms. This gentle yet steady touch anchors her back in the reality, each time anew. Stars, the world would've been such a dreadful place without this one man... He's her love, he's her life - and as such, he deserves even the ugliest of truths.
"I'm tired, Theron, so very tired. And I'm so very, very scared," she eventually whispers into the man's battered jacket. It might be like if she doesn't really want him to hear her, but this had to be finally said - somewhere, somehow. A tiny shuttle pad under watchful Voss eyes is about just as a good place as any.
He hears her well though, and his embrace tightens. The man clears throat trying to say something, so her heart skips a beat. She tenses and waits for - she doesn't really know what for, exactly, but braces for impact anyway.
"I - I'm scared too. Scared of losing you. Scared of world falling apart. Scared of not being able to prevent either of that."
At the confession, tension leaves the woman's body and she sags heavily against her lover. Theron gathers her closer and sighs. "I wish I knew how to be selfish. Honestly, would love nothing more than to just snag you and retire somewhere far from this mess. But we can't just leave everything behind and watch it burn, can we?"
Lightheaded with relief that his feelings mirror hers after all, Commander can't suppress a nervous giggle. "Of course we can't just run away. We'd hate ourselves and each other if it would ever come to that. That's just not -us-." She lifts her head to look the man into face. He's watching her intently; not angry, not disappointed, just sad, like she is. Her partner is listening about her pains and telling about his own. Why'd she ever doubt that? She seems to be cursed with so many issues, insecurity atop of everything else.
"Tell me, aren't we cursed or something? Can't we for once not be in the very center of a galaxy-wide cataclysm, and not trying to be a cure for it, either?"
Theron snorts lightly. "Yeah, it is a bit overwhelming. It's hard to believe how many times things are focusing on you, how many times everything depends on you. But you handle it all just like that, all in a day's work, not a burden - and I love you for that, among other things. Just remember, -you- are not alone with this. -We- are not alone. Whatever it is about this time round, we are going to make it. We have good reasons to fight, don't we?"
"Too many to count," the woman agrees and cuddles closer.
When their lips slowly touch, serious moment turns into a tender one - and then gets interrupted by a sudden whimpering coming somewhere from the ground level, near their feet. If there ever was a perfect moment for a facepalm, this would be it... Reality is calling again, this time in the form of a very little - and always very hungry - mawvorr pup. Finally getting attention of the humanoids nearby, creature starts to jump around their legs, inviting to play. Or, more likely, asking for food again. They need to cut the intimacy short just to keep some semblance of a balance; unless they'd like to fall flat on their faces thanks to the lively puppy.
"Come, we need to find a place on Odessen for that new pet of yours. Let's hope it's not a specimen unique enough to make Doctor Oggurobb interested," Theron laughs. "How about a picnic on the beach later? I can take care of the food. And then we could have a drink and watch the Rishi sunset together."
His warm smile is infectious, it had been from the very first day they'd met. Returning it is as natural as is breathing; even if any smile would seem to be difficult, given the serious conversation that just took place. "No objections here. Can't wait to come back home and kiss the cook," she beams at him with a playful eyebrow wriggle. "Now give me a hand and help catch this little guy, would you?"
Theron complies, chasing the critter around her and laughing all along. She swears she'll never get bored of that sound.
They'll fight tooth and nail for the little galaxy of their own they're creating.