Analia leaned back in her chair, the warmth of the room settling into her bones as she sipped from a glass of wine. The soft glow from the lamps bathed the living room in a comfortable light, casting long shadows across the worn furniture. The air was filled with the subtle hum of conversation, though there was an undercurrent of tension that lingered from earlier. They had gathered here, in the familiar comfort of her and Raleigh's quarters, to unwind after a day that had felt particularly long. The easy banter of close friends mixed with the weight of the looming decisions about the Jaeger program.
She watched Raleigh out of the corner of her eye as he leaned against the counter, his posture relaxed but his gaze sharp, ever attentive. Even after all these years, he had that presence about him, the kind that commanded a room without saying a word. Analia turned her focus back to Mako, who sat across from her, deep in thought.
"So how long until all this is shut down?" Analia asked, swirling the last bit of wine in her glass. Her tone was casual, but her question carried weight. She needed to know where Mako stood on Liwen's drones, especially after today's presentation.
Mako's expression tightened slightly as she set her glass on the table, her dark eyes reflecting the light. "I don't trust the tech. Not yet, at least," she admitted, her voice calm but with a trace of hesitation.
Analia caught the subtle shift in Mako's tone, and it only confirmed her own feelings. She didn't like it either—the idea of Jaegers being piloted remotely, without the deep connection and trust that came from the drift. She could feel Jake shifting beside her before he spoke, his casual tone at odds with the weight of the conversation.
"It looks pretty good to me," Jake said with a shrug, lifting his beer to his lips. Analia didn't miss the faint smile that tugged at the corner of his mouth, as though he was intentionally provoking Mako just a little.
Mako didn't flinch. She met Jake's gaze, her voice steady. "Remote systems can be hacked or compromised. That's my concern."
Analia nodded in agreement, her eyes flicking back to Jake, who was now leaning back in his chair, seemingly course he'd be quick to back the tech,Analia thought, though she kept her expression neutral. She decided to press Mako further.
"You've got the key vote, right?" Analia asked, leaning forward slightly. "It's your decision."
Mako sighed softly, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass. "I wish I could just go ahead and approve them. Nearly half the council is backing Liwen. They aren't going to like my decision."
Raleigh, who had been quiet for most of the conversation, finally spoke up. His deep voice cut through the soft murmur of the room. "So you've decided to tell them no?"
There was something reassuring in the way Raleigh said it, as though he was prepared to back Mako no matter what. Analia noticed the way Mako's shoulders seemed to relax ever so slightly at his question.
Mako nodded slowly. "Until I have better sound of mind that the tech is reliable, yes," she said firmly, her resolve clear now. "But I have a special request."
Analia exchanged a glance with Raleigh, who raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "Anything for you, Mako," he said, the fondness in his voice unmistakable.
"Permission to have Gypsy Avenger as honor guard tomorrow at the Summit," Mako said, her tone respectful but firm, as if she knew she could rely on Raleigh's support.
Raleigh's answer was immediate, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Permission granted," he said, then turned his attention to Jake, his tone shifting to a more playful one. "Pentecost, you're hopping in a Jaeger. Ana, think you can handle this punk?"
Analia smirked, setting her glass down as she leaned back in her chair. She caught Jake's mock-offended expression, and it only deepened her amusement. "Punk? Who are you calling...?"
"We'll be just fine," Analia interrupted, flashing Jake a teasing grin. "Though I don't think he's gonna like what he sees in my head."
They all laughed, the tension in the room momentarily easing, though Jake's expression turned slightly disgusted as he shot her a glance. "Don't worry," she added with a wink. "I've gotten good at burying things I don't want my co-pilot to see."
Jake groaned, taking a long swig of his beer before muttering, "Great. Just what I wanted—mystery brain stuff."
The playful banter was cut short as Mako shifted the conversation again. "When does Nate leave to join his co-pilot?" she asked, her tone serious once more.
Raleigh leaned against the counter, crossing his arms over his chest as he considered the question. "In a couple of days," he answered. "We need him to finish up his reports here, and then he's off the hook."
Analia, already thinking ahead to the next day's schedule, chimed in. "Can he step in for us tomorrow for training?"
"I'll let him know," Raleigh replied with a nod.
As Mako and Jake rose to leave, Mako offered a brief, quiet farewell while Jake shot Analia a smirk on his way out. Once the door closed behind them, the room felt noticeably quieter. Analia exhaled softly, grateful for the calm after the long day.
Raleigh turned to her, his expression softer now that it was just the two of them. "How are things with Jake?" he asked, his voice low and filled with concern.
Analia sighed, leaning back into the cushions of her chair. "He's testy," she admitted, her gaze distant for a moment, "but I think we came to an agreement."
Before Raleigh could respond, a small voice interrupted from down the hall, soft but eager.
"Mom, can I come out of my room now?"
Analia's entire demeanor softened at the sound of her daughter's voice. She turned toward the hallway, smiling as Grace's little face peeked around the corner. "Yes, of course, sorry, honey," Analia said, setting her glass aside and opening her arms. Grace came running over, her small arms wrapping around Analia as she scooped her up into a hug.
"How was your day?" Analia asked, pressing a kiss to Grace's forehead. "Did you get your homework done?"
Grace nodded enthusiastically, her bright eyes sparkling. "Yeah. Dad helped me with it earlier."
Analia raised an eyebrow, glancing playfully at Raleigh. "Oh, did he now?"
Raleigh shrugged, grinning. "I had time before Shao got here for her presentation."
Analia chuckled, shifting Grace in her arms. "Good. Well, it's almost time for bed, so why don't you go get ready, and I'll be in to get the bath started in a minute."
"Okay!" Grace hopped out of her arms, her energy still bubbling over. She paused at the doorway, turning back with a mischievous grin. "But only if Dad reads to me tonight."
Raleigh laughed, shaking his head in amusement. "Deal," he said.
As Grace disappeared down the hall, Analia couldn't help but smile as she watched her go. "Sometimes I wonder just how old she is," she mused, shaking her head in disbelief.
Raleigh chuckled, leaning back against the counter. "Yeah, she's growing up fast."
Analia's mind wandered to their son. "Have you been down to see Ezra lately?"
Raleigh shook his head. "I was planning to go down and see him tomorrow morning before training."
Analia laughed softly, imagining the scene. "He's going to hate you for waking him up."
"Oh well," Raleigh said with a grin, clearly unbothered.
Analia stretched, standing from her chair. "I'm going to get her to bed. You go change, and I'll send her in when we're done."
Raleigh nodded, giving her a soft kiss on the cheek before heading off to change. Analia watched him go for a moment, her heart feeling lighter. She made her way down the hall to Grace's room, feeling the warmth of her family settle around her, a steady reminder of what truly mattered.
Analia lay in bed, the soft glow of the bedside lamp casting shadows across the room. She could hear the muffled sound of Raleigh's deep voice as he read to Grace in the next room, the cadence of his words soothing and familiar. Despite the comfort of the moment, Analia couldn't shake the tension that had settled between her and Raleigh lately, a distance that seemed to grow with each passing day.
The bedroom door opened softly, and Raleigh slipped inside, closing it behind him with a gentle click. He moved quietly, trying not to disturb the peaceful stillness of the room. As he slid into bed beside her, Analia could feel the warmth of his body, the weight of him shifting the mattress.
"She's out like a light," Raleigh murmured, his voice low and rough with exhaustion.
Analia hummed softly in response, her gaze still fixed on the ceiling above. She felt Raleigh turn towards her, his hand coming to rest gently on her hip beneath the covers. The simple touch sent a shiver through her, a reminder of the intimacy they once shared so easily.
"Hey," Raleigh whispered, his breath warm against her ear. "You okay?"
Analia sighed, finally turning to face him. In the dim light, his blue eyes were soft with concern, the faint lines at the corners deepening as he searched her face.
"Just tired," she murmured, offering him a faint smile. It wasn't entirely untrue, but it wasn't the whole truth either. The weight of the day, of the decisions looming ahead, seemed to press down on her chest.
Raleigh's hand slid from her hip to the
Raleigh's hand slid from her hip to the small of her back, gently pulling her closer. Analia let herself be drawn into his embrace, her body molding against his familiar planes and angles. She could feel the steady thrum of his heartbeat, the rise and fall of his chest as he breathed. For a moment, the world narrowed to just the two of them, cocooned in the warmth of their bed.
Raleigh nuzzled into the crook of her neck, his stubble rasping lightly against her skin. "I know things have been tense lately," he murmured, his lips brushing her pulse point. "I'm sorry if I've been distant."
Analia's breath hitched at the contact, desire beginning to unfurl low in her belly. It had been too long since they'd been this close, since they'd taken the time to just be together, to reconnect. She tilted her head, granting Raleigh better access as his lips trailed along her neck, his teeth grazing her sensitive skin.
"I've missed you," she breathed, her fingers sliding into his hair, nails lightly scratching his scalp. "I've missed this."
Raleigh hummed against her throat, his hand slipping beneath the hem of her sleep shirt to splay across the bare skin of her back. "Me too," he murmured, his touch igniting sparks along her nerve endings. "Let me make it up to you."
He shifted, rolling her beneath him as he captured her lips in a searing kiss. Analia melted into the kiss, her lips parting to grant Raleigh deeper access. His tongue slid against hers, teasing and tasting, reigniting the smoldering embers of her desire. She arched up into him, her body responding to his touch as if no time had passed, as if they'd never drifted apart. Their make out session continued well into the night, ending with them sweaty and tangled in the sheets.
If this chapter reaches 100 comments I will post the deleted steamy scene.