I Wish I Was the Moon

[Celeste Rigel]

Celeste settled onto the cushion next to Coren, she pulled the blanket over again to cover both of their legs this time. She felt the mild tug of fatigue from the healing session, but the amulet had been a great help to save some of her energy. Glancing to the side, she couldn't help but feel... fond of him. Somehow, she felt a bit better now.

There was a light gleaming at the end of the dark tunnel. Though she would still need to navigate her way to the end, through the pain and grief – she knew that this sadness wouldn't last forever. It was reassuring, to say the least.

For the first time in days, she felt a pang of hunger.

“It looks good,” She said, offering a small smile. Leaning forward, she lifted her meal from the table and set it onto her lap. Celeste began to eat with tiny, dainty bites. But, she soon began to dig in with her fork and take some decent bites. “Mmm,” She nodded her approval and took a sip of wine to wash it all down.

There was a small pin-prick of guilt, but the sting was enough to make her pause.

Another wave of tears threatened... but she did her best to keep it at bay.

[member="Coren Starchaser"]

 

[Coren Starchaser]

Over them both, that was a bit of a surprise for Starchaser. Really, that felt a bit nicer. And the way she was able to heal him… It didn’t always feel with that level of connection. Probably for the best, because it left a bit of an itch in his mind. A good one,mind you, but still, an itch. He looked over at her with a smile. Idly, he wondered what she had felt, was it a connection in the Force he was feeling? Did it have to go away?

It was something he hadn’t felt for… years, really. Not that many, 2, 3? How long had it been?

“Well, I figured we could hit every group this way.” He smiled, watching her eat. When he felt that she was actually going to, y’know, eat, and not just pick, he grabbed a plate of a few meats and root vegetables.

He wasn’t going to be the one who asked what he could do, he knew what he could do. Be there and help her. Be a companion, and try to not ruin any of her moods. And maybe make her smile as best he could. “Anything on for a flick, or music?” Just not the news.

[member="Celeste Rigel"]

 

[Celeste Rigel]

Celeste continued to nibble, silently working to quell the guilt. But, she was slowly coming to realize that she was going to have to live with it as best she could. Of course, it would get better with time, but she suspected that it would always be there in the back of her mind.

Still, she glanced at Coren.

That feeling was still on her mind, too. It might have been brief, but it was unlike anything she'd experienced before. It left her wanting more, and she scolded herself for such a thought.

“Oh,” She took a bite, and then a sip of wine. “Let me see.” Lifting the remote, she pointed it at the screen. It flickered to life, with the bright colors and annoyingly loud sounds of children's programming. Celeste's finger was quick to advance channels.

A comedy show, a crime drama, and a romance – all of which she surfed past. It landed on a movie, what sort it was? She had no idea. The last time she tried to watch a full movie... she'd probably fallen asleep halfway through.

“I don't know what's on,” She said, handing the remote to Coren.

Celeste took one more sip of wine, and a last bite of food before settling in on the couch. Nestled somewhat at Coren's side, she pulled the blanket up to her chin.

[member="Coren Starchaser"]

 

[Coren Starchaser]

Was there guilt? Should there be? The man was only enjoying her company at the moment, and doing what he could to help her out. He knew her husband was a recent passing, and she would need to overcome that, but for now? He was going to be here for her, however she needed. The man had wished that things had been different, but that was old news.

He didn’t need the noise, or the visual, but he wasn’t sure if it might help her. There was a time where he knew that sitting in a quiet room was not what someone needed. After a loss of a comrade it was hard, after the loss of a partner? It would be even worse. Looking at her as the light from the screen changed, he was smiling softly.

She was a very beautiful woman, even if she was sad at the moment. He was watching her, but doing his best to not come across as completely staring.

“Could some music work?” He smiled at her. It’d be a point to keep it so they wouldn’t be focusing too much on anything, but who knew, maybe the music would stir some good feelings in her. He shifted the way he was sitting to allow her to nestle a bit closely, looking at her glass and his.

[member="Celeste Rigel"]

 

[Celeste Rigel]

The warmth was what she noticed most, sitting there on the couch next to Coren. Sure, she did have a blanket... but it was much more than that. There was a steady sense of security, and she would lean on him until she was stronger.

“Sure,” Switching to music, she began to scroll through the playlists. Celeste finally found something relaxing and pressed play. She drew a soft breath, listening to the lyrics. She seemed to sink further into the couch cushion, blanket, and Coren's side.

After a moment or two, she lowered her head to Coren's shoulder and let it rest there.

“For some reason,” She started, quietly. “This song goes great with wine.”

A faint flicker of a smile. Celeste closed her eyes, her breaths grew slower, deeper. For the first time in days, she felt like she could actually sleep comfortably. She had a feeling that Coren's company had something to do with it, but she kept that sentiment tucked away.

“Tell me more...” She started, drowsily. “About that moon of ours.”

It was something they had joked about at the beach, a private place all their own. And now, she needed that kind of hope.

[member="Coren Starchaser"]

Spoiler

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfEPvebGGJM

 

[Coren Starchaser]

The pair did seem to be getting awfully cozy. The thought was that maybe he was helping her, but he was just wishing that he could help her out. The man did have a few thoughts that felt they were intrusive at the current moment. There were feelings for her, and he knew they were there, and came rushing back when she and he were connecting more formally since he started taking his trips to visit the Jedi on Kashyyyk, to keep them united with the other Jedi in the galaxy, a feat he was proud of, and a task he stood behind.

When she shifted the holo to the music, he was smiling. Feeling her almost snuggle into him, he slid his arm around her shoulder, trying to not place too comfortably on her waist, that just felt maybe pushing the limit. His hand was up on her arm though, trying to provide as much comfort as he could. The aura he was exuding was hopefully providing that.

“It does.” He said softly, sipping his glass. There was a soft shift in the way he moved when she said ‘moon of ours’. That kind of response was a bit of a surprise, but he also knew that it was the discussion they had a few times before.

“I’m thinking we find one on the Rim. Somewhere out of the way, away from all this war.” He smiled. “Warm, but not too warm, a pleasant moon. A ring around the outside, making for great vistas. Maybe a signature in the Force, calm, light. Maybe it keeps us all away from the war.” The Jedi smiled, pulling her a little closer.

[member="Celeste Rigel"]

 

[Celeste Rigel]

Celeste sank into the warmth. She let Coren's aura wrap around her, and his arm, too. Nestled there at his side, a faint smile formed on her lips as she listened. Just like before, she pictured it all in her mind. She could see a pleasant sky and vibrant surroundings. There was a peaceful aura, one of light. A place far away from war, far away from violence.

It was exactly what she needed at the present time.

“...Sounds nice,” She said, her voice a soft whisper. Her eyes remained closed, and she let her mind remain in this place of comfort. Being so close to Coren was a gentle reprieve from the deep sense of loneliness she had been experiencing. Celeste shifted slightly, her hand came to rest atop his chest again.

The Jedi healer said nothing as she began to fall asleep. But, she had wanted to ask him to stay close, at least for a little while. Deeper she sank, finally giving herself over to slumber. And, her mind was blissfully clear. Her breaths were deep and restful and fell gently against the side of Coren's neck.

Good night...

[member="Coren Starchaser"]

 

[Coren Starchaser]

It was odd for Coren to be the one who was the one who was more caring than the one who was being cared for. The warrior was the one to defend, but not the one who would provide a certain level of assistance to everyone. The moon, he could look out on the galaxy, help those who really needed it, the ones who came to them for protection, healing, and guidance. The Jedi would almost enjoy that. Maybe with the right company, a small praxeum, and warriors to take the fight from him.

He always looked for someone who could assist him.

“Doesn’t it?” He smiled, taking a few ships, making homes out of that, keeping the world mobile, small prefabricated structures, or the ruins of old. Wherever worked for them. He was not going to be too picky. And he was going to be doing what he could to protect the world, and all on it.

Like he was protecting her now. When he felt her fall asleep. After a few moments, he did make the choice to pick her up, a fighter, he had the strength and was carrying her to the bed. “You ok to sleep, Cel?”

[member="Celeste Rigel"]

 

[Celeste Rigel]

Celeste didn't even stir when Coren lifted her from the couch. When she heard his voice beckon, it took her a moment to realize that she was, indeed, in his arms. Still, she did not mind. In fact, her mind already began to drift back to sleep. But she did manage a small, distant sound, “Mmm,” as an acknowledgment.

And when she was placed into bed, covers and all, she rolled onto her side.

While the bed was comfortable, it lacked warmth. Still, it felt quite so empty that she began to wake. The bed just did not have that cozy quality that she'd found so welcoming on the couch. Before Coren could get too far, she reached for his hand.

“Stay...” She whispered, “Just for a little while? Until I fall back asleep.”

Her sad eyes fluttered open for a moment to find Coren.

[member="Coren Starchaser"]

 

[Coren Starchaser]

Getting her set up in the bed was simple, the man was a soldier and he wasn’t stressing on carrying her. Not that he was the strongest of people, but he was able to do this. And he wasn’t going to let her sleep on the couch. Not if he could help it. Making sure she was tucked in, he smiled. It just felt right doing it this way, but she turned over and he was watching her.
“You sure?” He saw her eyes and that just about melted him. He was wanting this under many different circumstances, the last because of how they were thrown together and privately like this.

When he didn’t hear any sign she was unsure, he did make himself a bit more comfortable before sliding into the bed. He lay behind her and slid an arm around her waist, just being a body there to help her feel better.

“Wish there was more I could do.” He whispered.

[member="Celeste Rigel"]

 

[Celeste Rigel]

As Coren slid beside her, she nestled her head into the pillow. In her recent state of sadness and sleeplessness, she didn't even question that another man was now in her bed. Of course, she hadn't meant it that way, not now. And at the moment, her mind did not even dare venture into the future.

There was only the present – warmth and comfort and familiarity. As his arm draped around her waist, she let her eyes close once more. A strong wave of sadness hit her, but she tried to fight it. It was a battle that she would ultimately lose, the tears dripped slowly down her cheeks and spilled onto the pillowcase.

“This means more than you know,” She whispered back.

Celeste sniffled a few times but eventually calmed. She let her breaths become deep and slow, mirroring the calm of Coren. And, she let sleep pull her down finally, surrounded by Coren's protective presence.

The next time her eyes opened, it was light outside her window.

She blinked, using the next moment or two to gain her bearings. Had she slept the entire night through? A hand slowly reached up and ran through her hair, and she turned just slightly to find that Coren was still there at her side. Celeste drew a soft breath and held it. She watched him for a moment, chest rising and falling. She let her gaze linger on his features, peaceful in slumber.

Still curled up together, she took in his scent as she nestled just a bit closer so that their noses almost touched.

[member="Coren Starchaser"]