Star Crossed

The pilot

Bodhi was back. At last!

My eyes widened; this was the reason why Galen had eventually decided to break our agreement and passed my threshold. The plan was unravelling at last! Hope bloomed in my chest, and with it, uncertainty. Would Bodhi accept to defect and help us? Would he sell us? Would the overload be timely enough to allow us to flee? So many unknowns ... but not a choice in sight.

"Is it ready?", I asked.

Galen nodded, his eyes unfocused; he was probably reviewing the calculations in his head.

"I'll call Bodhi to my quarters tomorrow night."

People would assume I had resumed my sex friendliness given my spat with Dr Erso. Strangely, I who had always ignored actively rumours felt sick at the prospect of the pilot's hands upon my skin. The time of unattached, wild sex was over.

I reached for Galen and hugged him tight. When I found the courage to release him, I expected him to leave. Instead, he unbuttoned his uniform, and shed his clothes to lay beside me. And even though it killed out our defence, I couldn't help but shudder when his frame settled against mine. One last moment in heaven before entropy – chaos – took over our life.

Galen's hands descended upon my shirt, unbuttoning it slowly and I shifted to face him.

"I..." The words didn't want to come out; they burnt my throat. The scientist gently hummed, dropping a kiss to my temple to allow me to gather my thoughts. When I found I couldn't voice my deepest concerns, he eventually pulled away, and levelled me with an interrogative gaze.

"Yes?"

I sighed when his fingers parted the garment, caressing the bump tenderly. Our baby was sleeping, but the feeling of Galen's hands upon my bare skin causing me to shiver. Another kiss, landing upon my lips, had me melting in his arms. The question was still there, hanging at the back of my thoughts, overthrown by feelings. Back arching to meet my lover, hands buried in his hair, nose diving in the crook of his neck. I allowed myself to get lost in his presence, to be happy once more, even if our time was short.

Our bodies mingled with soft passion. Careful, and slow, Galen worked me to completion, his lips worshipping every piece of skin he could reach. As if he'd never touch me again. I whimpered, careful not to cry out, overwhelmed by sensations that seemed exacerbated by pregnancy. Nerves on fire, every single piece of me came alive, his sturdy frame diving into mine. Panting, I surrendered to the waves of pleasure that infused my whole belly, crawling up my spine. My peak was deep, profound and totally mind-blowing. Head thrown back, I sucked in a breath when I felt my lover twitch inside me, spilling his own pleasure with a barely contained grunts.

Galen eventually sagged over my lithe frame, mindful not to crush me when my legs locked behind him. Both our hearts drummed against our ribcage, an overwhelming symphony of heavy breaths, and strong "thud thud" perfectly synchronised. My little feet caressed the back of his thighs; I never wanted to let go. Would we remain intertwined forever if I was strong enough to keep him locked?

Then I felt him; our little boy, banging against my womb to make his presence known. The gentle tap tap seemed to reach to his father, and I smiled; even if Galen didn't feel it, he was already dedicated to this new life. My little bump fit so snuggly against his toned stomach, that baby pressed against us both, protected from the world by two loving parents.

The words came, at last, without the filter of a mind too stunned to function.

"Galen? What does love feel like?"

The scientist lifted his head to take a peek at me. Cheeks reddened, hair in disarray, his eyes sparkled like fireworks when he gazed down upon me with adoration.