Halo 3: ODST Operation Cup o' Doom

Chapter Eleven

Sunlit mornings, shared meals, late-night conversations on the balcony... all of it blended into a rhythm so natural that they sometimes forgot it was temporary.

But time, as always, marched forward.

And before any of them were ready, the final week arrived.

Their houses—once lively and loud—now sat half-packed. Boxes stacked in corners. Furniture slowly disappearing. The balcony lights Aria had hung flickered softly in the dusk, their glow a reminder of how much life these walls had witnessed.

On the morning of departure, the quiet felt heavier.

Kayla knocked on Aria's door, already in partial uniform. "You ready?"

Aria swallowed. "Almost."

Muhmep appeared behind Kayla, arms crossed, trying (and failing) to look indifferent. "I hate packing."

"You hate emotions," Kayla corrected.

Muhmep sighed. "That too."

The shuttle horn sounded in the distance.

It was time.

Aria stepped out of their house one last time. Her gaze lifted instinctively toward Rha's door.

He was already there—standing tall, armored again, helmet under his arm. He looked every part the warrior he was... but his eyes softened the moment they met hers.

"You look ready, my dear," he said quietly.

"Are you?" she asked.

He stepped closer, lowering his forehead to hers—a gesture she had come to treasure. "No."

Her throat tightened.

Kayla and Muhmep pretended not to listen. George wept loudly into Yuri's shoulder. "IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL AND SO SAD!"

Yuri patted him. "We're literally just going back to work, George."

Rha' brushed a hand along Aria's cheek. "We knew this day would come."

"I know," she whispered. "But it doesn't make it easier."

He exhaled, mandibles flexing with quiet emotion. "Our time here was peace. A luxury. But I want you to remember—our bond does not end because shore leave does."

She blinked back warmth in her eyes. "Promise?"

"On my honor," he said.

The shuttle's engines roared to life.

Muhmep tugged on Kayla's sleeve. "We have to go."

Kayla nodded, though her own eyes glistened. "Come on, Aria."

Aria turned toward the shuttle, but Rha' caught her hand one last time, fingers curling around hers with gentle force.

"Aria."

She looked back.

He held her gaze, unwavering. "Out there, we resume duty. Discipline. Roles." He squeezed her hand. "But nothing—nothing—changes what we are."

Her heart steadied.

She squeezed back. "I'll see you on the ship, Rha'."

He nodded once. "Always."

They boarded.

The hatch closed.

The beach houses grew smaller and smaller as the shuttle rose into the sky, until the coastline vanished completely beneath the clouds.