[closed/open] wake me up, i'm fever dreaming

[onlydoubts]

WHO: bodhi rook + open
WHERE: the porter, a park, a bar and around
WHEN: may 22nd, after bodhi gets ported back in
WHAT: a reunion, resettling after being gone a week
WARNINGS: probable talk of the usual business when it comes to star wars

( .arrival - closed to Luke Skywalker )

[ it's only been a matter of moments to Bodhi, when he steps out of the porter a week after being sent -- out. A simple blink and you miss it -- he'd gone to sleep in his own bed with Ace snoring next to him -- what had seemed like only seconds ago, and then he's gone. Here. Surprise and confusion at the situation eventually ebbs into realization and acceptance, there's a new mark in his file, and according to his phone he's lost a week.

A week.

This is not the first time he'd been sent away, it likely wont be the last. Unlike Jyn, or Cassian - or Kaytoo, he always seemed to come back after a little while. Bodhi doesn't give into falling into that particular spiral of thoughts, not here or now. He just wants to get home, see his dog, find Luke and let him know he's back, see if Poe had returned yet and get back to work.

He steps out of the building and into the bright afternoon sunlight, standing on the stairs, looking at his phone and noting he had a few new messages... ]

(. around - may 23rd )

[ If Bodhi is honest, there's always a feeling of needing to readjust. Despite the fact that he technically really hadn't gone anywhere, he'd been - well, wherever it is that they go. For him, it wasn't like he'd been sent home to live out more events, he doesn't have that option. Already reunited with Ace, already seen Luke, already found out that Poe was still gone. He'd been gone a few days when Bodhi himself followed, and if he'd be coming back any time soon he didn't know. 

Spending a few hours around the city, simply walking around. Making a few stops in some of the stores. By that time it's gotten late, and he chooses a bar to get a basket of chicken strips and a drink or two. The strips he mostly winds up ignoring, anyways and he has a little more than two drinks, a glum partner to the person sitting on the stool next to him.

It's after midnight when he finally leaves, swaying a little on his feet. He should go home. But he winds up sitting on a sidewalk bench, staring up at the stars. Where so many of his friends had gone back to.

Force, he misses them so much. ]

( .wildcard )

[ ooc: hit me @ rogueone on plurk if you'd like to plot something else or just slam into me with it here. ] 

Comments

[darkov]

[it's not the wisest thing for a fifteen-year old to do, but so few are quite like Martin Darkov: the night, even without the glaring street lamps, doesn't blind him. he was made for it.

were this months ago, he'd not be brave enough for this. he'd not trust his memory to guide him back to the safety of the house. he'd fear every sound, every exaggerated shadow, and even his own heartbeat.

things change...really fast in this world, don't they.


a bag of tea and coffee rustles as he walks, himself on his way back after this late-late trip. it made sense at the time: he saw empty boxes, no one else was awake, the grocery money was already laid out for the next day...it'd make things easier for everyone, he thinks. he hopes.

really, he just wants to believe he's doing something of value; watching everyone suffer is suffering in of itself.

not far from the government housing block, he sees the outlined shape on the bench in the dark. were this closer to the store or bus stop, it'd be easy to hustle by, but...but the closer strangers are to home, the more worrisome it is.

except that's no stranger: even as Martin slows his pace in debate over whether to detour or hustle, once the glare off a nearby lamp gets out of his way, he sees Bodhi's familiar profile.

he's back...? or is it another dream-trick?]

...Is that you?

[onlydoubts]

[ it's late out, but there are still people out. Not many, just enough - mostly coming from the same place that Bodhi had come from earlier. He doesn't pay them mind, and he in turn doesn't really give them any of his attention either.

Maybe he should go home, he's still got to get to the Porter to get back to his own city -- it's just right now he just doesn't feel like leaving. There's something odd, about having not been for a week and suddenly slipping back into existence. There's a routine, and even if it'd only been a short time for him (literally, the blink of an eye), his mind is aware of the time passed so things feel... odd. Like he needs to get back into the habit, and rhythm of things again.

(This is not a normal pattern of behavior for Bodhi Rook, but if you ask him, it's well deserved).

Bodhi doesn't understand it, either. Face still tilted up, looking at the stars without seeing them any longer. Still wondering about the people who leave. When he hears the sound of footsteps, he doesn't think much, to look behind him. If he's in danger, it'll be an opportunity for him to test out his new ability --

-- instead, it's a voice he knows, and he blinks, turning and seeing a familiar face. His mouth quirks into a tiny smile. ]

Hey. Yeah, it's me. Guess I'm back now.

Taking a nightly stroll?

[darkov]

[it's so strange. it's still just so strange -- people vanishing, coming back. not out for a hunt, not like Olvoski. just...one day, they never come back. like Anderson. or they do. like Rex. like Bodhi, here.

how is he supposed to feel? he's not sure. all he knows is he feels a little ache in his chest. Bodhi is back...and soon, Cassandra will be gone.

he'll figure that out as he goes. in the meanwhile, he lifts his arm a little to show the bag.]

I...I had to get some things. For the house.

[he hesitates, walking closer, stopping just short of the bench. it really is him -- alive. unhurt. not sick.

maybe he should just feel relief.]

...Welcome back.

[onlydoubts]

[ He almost remarks that it's a little late for a trip to a store, but he hardly has room to talk, out here on this bench after midnight like it's the middle of the day. Bodhi sits up a little straighter, eyes gleaming a little in the lamplight.

Ace is not present with him at this time, hence the fact that there's no angry barking dog coming straight at Martin. ]

Oh.

[ Notes the bag. ]

Thanks. It's... good to be back.

[ It's not like there's anything for him, elsewhere or otherwise. But he doesn't say that, either. ]

You okay?

[darkov]

[he hesitates at that, looking momentarily lost. his expression clouds over to something grimmer as he looks down.]

Things are...not good. Not right now. And I don't know what to...really do about it.

[onlydoubts]

[ Bodhi's expression falls. He scoots over on the bench, and gestures for Martin to sit down next to it.

I should've checked in sooner. ]

Is there anything -- do you want to talk about it?

[darkov]

[obediently, Martin moves to sit, placing the bag behind his feet so he can fold his hands in his lap, his gaze still downcast.]

I-it's Cass. Cassandra. She's...she's dying. [he hesitates.] And...sick. She got some of my blood on her, and it's...making things worse.

bar

[ralltiir]

[ Akobi doesn't often indulge in drink. And on the rare occasion that he does, he usually does so in the privacy of his home. However, his home is currently under renovation after it caught fire earlier this month, so that option is unavailable to him. He instead decides to find a bar to drown his sorrows for the evening, not wanting to bring alcohol into Helix Station and mix work with indulgence.

He's sitting at the bar when a familiar face comes up a few seats over and orders a basket of chicken strips. Akobi hasn't eaten yet, so he pipes up, ] Make that two.

[ As the bartender nods and turns to relay their orders to the kitchen, Akobi gets off his stool and brings his glass of whiskey down to sit next to Bodhi. ]

Evening. Haven't seen you around in a while. How have you been faring?

[onlydoubts]

[ Bodhi casts a glance over at Akobi as the other man settles himself down to sit next to him, giving him a slight nod. It had been a while, if his memory served correctly. The last time he'd seen him had been --

-- that house. He clears his throat slightly. ]

I just got back, actually. Ported out for a week, but otherwise [ he shrugs ] I'm alright.

And you?

[ralltiir]

Ah. A visit home.

[ As far as Akobi is aware, Bodhi has the rest of his Rebel life to live, back in their galaxy. Unlike him. If he ported out, that would be it for him. ]

I've been, ah... throwing myself into the job, I suppose. During that whole mess with the dreams coming to life, I accidentally caught my hab unit on fire, so I've been staying overnight at Helix Station while the place is under repairs.

[onlydoubts]

No, not quite. [ Bodhi's smile is tight. Akobi, he guesses, isn't aware of his fate. He doesn't volunteer the information right away. ] New power, actually.

Throw something at me.

[ Testing it in a public place, while nearing intoxication might not be a wise course of action, and yet. Well, it's not dangerous to anyone else at least. ]

Force, I'm sorry. That one really was a big mess, huh? Glad it's over.

[ralltiir]

Thank you. I am as well.

[ Get that agreement out of the way so that now he can focus on his incredulity. ]

"Throw something" at you? You've got to be joking.

[onlydoubts]

It doesn't have to be anything big. A bunched up napkin is fine. I guess the powers that be were tired of me dying, and having to bring me back- [ wait, was that too flippant? maybe just a little bit. Bodhi frowns. ]

Anyways, I'm supposed to be able to shield myself from harm. Something like that.

sidewalk bench

[obediences]

[ Luther's taken to long walks at night, too. At first it was restlessly patrolling Maurtia Falls, to figure out how safe that place was or wasn't; then it just became the sheer enjoyment of being able to walk and walk and walk. Stretch his legs, take in the scenery. His world no longer narrowed to the span of a single city block and locked doors.

He's about to keep walking past the man on the bench, but there's a wistfulness in the way Bodhi's looking up at the stars that Luther knows so, so well. And then he recognises Bodhi himself. Of all things— He'd spilled a drink on this guy, on the moon. ]

Hey. Uh. We've met, right?

[ A little sheepish. ]

[onlydoubts]

[ Bodhi only tears his gaze away from the sky when he hears the voice behind -- speaking to him. Even in the flurry of action and disaster that had unfolded on the moon base, he does remember the encounter.

There's still a spot on that shirt (actually, there was a few -- singes from near misses with a blaster that obviously was not ever going to come out, so he let the rest stain too). ]

We have.

[ He raises a brow. ]

Luther, was it? With the drink -- you're not going to spill anything on me, are you?

[ There's no heat behind it, he's teasing, really. Just a little bit drunk now, don't mind him. ]

[obediences]

Yeah. And you were Bodhi. [ Luther's good with names; he hasn't had to memorise all that many in his life, so he files them all away as possibly tactically relevant. It helps, moments like this. ] And god, hopefully not. I feel like I owe you a drink to make up for it. But you're probably at the tail end of your night right now, huh?

[ A glance up at the night sky, remembering those curious shooting stars in April. ]

Any meteors out tonight?

[onlydoubts]

That's me. [ A lazy smile. Bodhi is good with names and faces, even if there are times his memory slips through his fingers like cupping water. ]

Next time. Next time - as right now I am ... definitely at the end of my night. More might be a bad idea.

[ At his question, Bodhi takes a deep breath and inclines his head again. Despite the nod, his answer is a little different. ]

No. There's nothing. Can barely even see the stars.

[obediences]

That's too bad. I love the stars. [ It might sound frivolous, but by the way Luther cranes his head up and just looks at them, there's a similar longing buried in his eyes. Not exactly the same as Bodhi's, not for lost friends, but— ]

Did you know that the stars aren't visible at all from Luna, two weeks out of every month? You can only see them when you're on the dark side of the moon. Otherwise, there's too much light. Makes the sky completely empty. Pitch-black.

[ It had been an eerie sight, his first time. Like the whole universe had been wiped away. ]

[onlydoubts]

That sounds... unsettling. Being so much closer to them and still unable to see. [ stars are there for more than just the way they look, as a pilot, not seeing them meant something wrong...

... like flying out of the ashes of Jedha. ]

You were on the moon before the visit to the base?

[faithfulson]

[ As soon as Bodhi steps out, before he even has a chance to get a good look at the messages he had on his phone, he would get to hear a dog barking. In the next moment, Ace was barreling for him, practically jumping up on him to try and lick his face. ]

[ Luke wasn't that far behind, an almost serene expression on his face as he watched the reunion. He could wait his turn, especially with how precious it was to see Ace so happy. ]

[onlydoubts]

[ He's just barely had a chance to put away his device before Ace is on him, the dog all too happy to see him after the week he'd been away. Bodhi's face splits in a wide smile as he kneels down for the dog to place his paws on his shoulders and happily lick at him.

Laughing, he gives the dog a scratch behind the ears. ]

Missed you too, buddy.

[ When he looks up, he's not actually that surprised to see Luke -- after all, who else could manage to be here so quickly? But relief, joy -- all mingle within. I'm here. Giving Ace another scratch, he stands to face him. ]

Hey.

[faithfulson]

[ He sees him look at him, address him, and the dull ache from the last week hits Luke hard in the chest. ]

Hey.

[ It's not enough; there's so much more he wants to say. ]

I...

[ But words aren't working the way they're supposed to, and he feels that Jedi resolve, that expectancy to be calm and collected in any situation crumbling in his hands. He tried one more time before giving up, instead stepping forward to close the distance between the two of them. He was reaching out with both hands in the next moment, cupping Bodhi's face in his hands before pressing his lips against his. ]

how dare u!!

[onlydoubts]

[ Bodhi stands, a small, peaceful look on his face as Luke falters with his words and crosses the space between them. He opens his mouth to say something teasing but the words are lost as Luke's lips press against his in a kiss.

Oh. Surprise has him freezing in place.

Warmth spreads in his chest -- his body and mind both choose then to restart, and Bodhi presses himself closer, to return the kiss. Hands coming to rest on Luke's shoulders. Gentle but with no small amount of longing.

Nevermind that they're standing out in the open just outside the porter, or that the week had only been a matter of moments for him.

He's home. ]

muahahaha

[faithfulson]

[ Luke let out a happy noise into the kiss, his thumbs absently stroking Bodhi's cheeks. He wanted the kiss to last a lot longer than it did, but air was an unfortunate requirement for living. Still, he didn't move very far, resting his forehead against his. ]

I missed you.

[ If that wasn't obvious. ]

[onlydoubts]

Sorry. [ Even if it couldn't be helped, he'd had no control over his port out, but hates it nonetheless.

Although, here - Luke's hands on his face, still closely intertwined. Close enough Bodhi could reach out and kiss him again --

He does, smiling - just a brush of his mouth against his cheek this time. ]

Though if this is the welcome back I have to look forward to, maybe I should get ported out more often.