Alice never thought she'd get to be with Rain, yet here she is, cuddling contently in her quarters aboard the Arcadia.

It's not quite what she imagined about ten years ago when things were normal, but she's not complaining. How can she possibly?

Rain is pressed against her back like the body of a padlock, her toned arms locked firmly around her middle as if they were its shackle. She's almost absurdly far up on the pillow. As if she wants to feel as though she's bigger than Alice, settled in a position she'd never be able to achieve while they're both standing—with her chin resting on the crown of her head.

Simultaneously, Rain is cuddled against Alice's front and encircled by her arms. She has her face completely buried against her chest (sometimes Alice wonders how she can breathe like that), legs tangled with hers, and calloused hands placed on her hips, tracing mindless patterns with her thumbs.

Alice can't recall the last time she felt so at peace. So comfortable. Safe.

Rain shifts, her chin leaving the top of Alice's head. Instead, her cheek finds her temple and rests against it, her warm breath skating over the shell of her ear as she whispers, "Why're you lettin' this hippie interrupt our alone time?"

"Dude, you know I can hear you, right? I'm literally right here," Rain says, her voice slightly muffled into the fabric of Alice's top.

"Yeah, I sure fuckin' hope you hear me and take the goddamn hint," Rain fires back.

"I came in here first." Fingers grip Alice's hips.

"I knew her before you did." The arms around Alice's midsection tighten a hair. "You shoulda pissed off when I showed up."

A scoff. "You met her... What? Not even thirty minutes before I did? And you were tryin' to kill her!"

"I was brainwashed by a supercomputer back then."

"I'll hand it to ya... That's a unique excuse."

"Listen here, you lil'—"

"Both of you cut it out," Alice murmurs, not even bothering to open her eyes. She can almost ignore how Rain and Rain hate each other.

They're making progress, though.

"...Tree huggin' loser."

"Ice-cold bitch."