𝐖𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘, 𝖺 𝗀𝗅𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋𝗌 𝖺𝗅𝖻𝗎𝗆

i feel so cold and i long for your embrace

The thunder rolled low in the distance, a promise of the storm not yet done.

The Iron Lion's landing zone was soaked, the muddy ground slick and chaotic as rebels rushed around, some cheering, some limping, some carrying the wounded.

And in the middle of it all, Nancy jumped off the hover transport, rain drenching her already-ruined hoodie. Her eyes scanned the mess of figures, breath shallow, adrenaline still high from the mission.

"Where is he—"

She spun, desperate until a flash of brown hair, a familiar voice, his voice—

"Nancy!"

And then she was running. Sprinting through the mud, heart pounding, the cold no match for the fire in her chest.

Thomas was already halfway to her when they collided, arms wrapping tight, spinning slightly from the impact. Rain poured down, soaking them both, but they didn't care.

Nancy's face was in his neck, hands clutching his jacket like the world might take him if she let go.

"I thought—"

"I know."

Thomas didn't let her go. His hands cupped the back of her head, his lips brushing her wet temple.

"You're freezing," he murmured.

"I don't care."

Silence passed, broken only by the storm. Their breathing synced. Her prosthetic clicked faintly as she shifted, pressing even closer.

"I heard the blast," Thomas finally said, his voice cracking just a little. "And you weren't on comms. Nancy, I thought—"

"I'm here," she said, pulling back just enough to look at him. "I'm here."

And then she kissed him.

Hard. Fierce. Wet from the rain and the tears she refused to admit were hers.

Behind them, Gally whistled through his fingers. "Alright, lovebirds! Either kiss or help me haul gear!"

Nancy flipped him off mid-kiss.

Frypan passed with a crate. "Five ration bars say Thomas starts crying when they get inside."

Aris whispered, "I'll double it if Nancy does first."

And above all the chaos and teasing, under the pouring sky, Thomas and Nancy held on to each other like it was the only thing they'd ever do right in a broken world.

★