I'll Find You

[Munin]

[member="Spark Finn"]

He smiled for a moment.

"I know." She was right in a way, the people that he dealt with on a daily basis weren't exactly the most kind. More than half the time when he did anything he had tow orry about his thumbs getting cut off for one reason or another. The Black Sun weren't exactly known for their hospitality.

A small frown pulled on his lips.

"Let's not worry about that right now." He insisted. "You have a new home to see."

Munin said with a small smile. "And a bed to get into."

Spark still needed all the rest she could get.

 

[Spark Finn]

[member="Munin"]

"Okay," she said quietly. Hands trembled slightly as she slipped on her favorite dark gray hoodie. Even Munin remembered to bring it. Thoughts of the station exploding filled her mind and a shiver ran through her gangly form.

#dontthinkaboutit

Thar slicer inched closer to Munin, gripping her hands tightly so he wouldn't see how weak she felt.

"I don't want you to feel like you have to do this stuff alone. The house. All that."

She frowned.

 

[Munin]

[member="Spark Finn"]

The shuttle gently swooped down into the orbit of the planet, rocking the vessel slightly as Munin tried to watch Spark as carefully as he could. It was at a time like this that he wished he had a better sense of the world, or rather a better sense of Spark herself. She was injured, he could tell that much, but he was worried about more than just that.

The fact was she went through a lot, working for the Alliance and playing the hero took a toll on the woman he loved and in all honesty he hated to see her in a state that was just...frail. It scared him, and he would have liked nothing more than to just keep her at home all the time. It was a pipe dream of course, he knew that Spark would never just be able to sit and do nothing, but it was something he secretly wished for. Though doing so was probably hypocritical.

"I know." He told her with a quiet smile, reaching out and taking her hand.

"It's something I like doing." Munin told her. "To surprise you."

He just liked seeing the look on her face.

 

[Spark Finn]

[member="Munin"]

Fingers entwined with his. An uncertain smile wove its way on her pallid lips. She'd never met anyone like him. Coren had gotten her a ship. Munin?

Two houses.

And she could rely on him. She still remembered how he'd scared her when he admitted he'd loved her so quickly. Still. Where would she be now if he hadn't?

They were like-minded. Both slicers in a way. Relying on information.

#nerdy

"Okay," she said quietly. "Let's go look."

She was ready for sleeping in and caf on the couch with a datapad in her lap for the next few weeks.

#recovery

 

[Munin]

[member="Spark Finn"]

The shuttle set down, this time not on a cliffside but instead in a small wooded clearing.

Munin had learned from his mistake. Though the cliff-house had been beautiful it had also been exposed. The place had been in the middle of the edge of a massive rock outcropping among what was essentially nothing. He had seen to it that it was protected, but it had been obvious.

Far too obvious.

This time their home had been built within the forest, covered with massive trees but allowed natural sunglight. The environment around them was encompassing, and only a mile from where their new home lay was a massive fresh water lake. They would be more hidden here, and the shield generator within the house itself would serve as more than ample protection if they were ever found again. At least for long enough that they could make their escape. "Here."

He said as they stepped off the ship.

"This way." Munin began to slowly take Spark down a worn path, leading her to their new home.

 

[Spark Finn]

[member="Munin"]

Converse-clad feet transitioned from metallic plating to the soft, dirt ground of a forest floor. Scents of pine and something musty tickled the edge of her freckled nose. The Alliance slicer leaned into Munin, finding the walk more difficult than it should have been. Legs felt all wobbly. Frustration flickered across her brow.

Any wilderness scene usually made her nervous. #urbanjunglegirl

But she was too tired to dwell too much on her insecurities.

"It's very...," she searched for the right word, stopping to rest for a second. "Quiet." Not in a bad way. Then again, there were plenty of insect and avian sounds drifting on the light breeze weaving through the trees. Very foreign for Spark. Besides what she was used to on the homestead with Gabe and Avalore.

Offering a tired smile, she began walking again.

 

[Munin]

[member="Spark Finn"]

It was different, he would be the first to admit that, but this time he had wanted to make sure they would be safe.

"I tried to make is similar." He told her as they began to walk up to the door, a quick blue flash of light springing over them as they were scanned. Half a heartbeat passed and then the front door slowly folded upon in front of them. He glanced at Spark for a second and then lead her inside, the main hall sitting there. It was similar to their old home, the one that he had built before. Everything was bright, well lit, and extremely spacious.

For a moment Munin stood there, just looking around.

"There's three bedrooms." He told her. "A pool and hot tub."

She'd liked those in the old place. "The living room has a fireplace."

That was a new addition, but something he thought she'd enjoy.

 

[Spark Finn]

[member="Munin"]

Blue eyes beneath glass lenses flitted about the large space. It wasn't too large. #stillfelthomey

It was instantly familiar. He had followed the design from their old place almost exactly. Instead of windows looking over a cliff and sea, they instead saw the dense woods and...looked like a lake in the distance. Head swiveled as she saw the fireplace and the sofa just in front with a few reading chairs. Blankets were draped across the backs and an area throw rug provided warmth and softness within the otherwise modern space.

And her boyfriend had done all this?

Lips parted slightly in wonder before she turned to Munin and managed to close her mouth. A small smile curved its way on her lips. "I love it." Slowly, she folded into Munin, arms wrapping around him.

"Do we have any BBQ chips?" She murmured against him.

 

[Munin]

[member="Spark Finn"]

It wasn't done yet.

There were still components that needed to be installed, mainly holo-net receivers and databanks, but at least the house was done. They would be living in a bit more rustic of a situation for a little bit, but right now Munin didn't think that would be a problem. Spark seemed far too tired for anything else. "I think so."

He placed a kiss on top of her head.

They hadn't supposed to have come here for another few weeks, but Munin had packed plenty of food aboard the ship they'd come on. He hadn't known exactly what had been wrong when he'd first received the signal so he'd pretty much prepared for anything.

"I can go get them." He said softly. "If you want to lay down."

 

[Spark Finn]

[member="Munin"]

A sheepish and partially shy smile crept across her face. She definitely had her favorites. Comfort food, really. Though. She'd always had a bigger appetite than Munin. Probably more unhealthy too. Not sure where it all went.

#badhabits

The gangly blonde leaned against Munin a moment longer, feeling safer than she'd felt since they were forced out of their first home. "Okay," she pulled away slowly and began padding toward one of the rooms. "Wait. Which is our room?"

Or did he want his own space?

 

[Munin]

[member="Spark Finn"]

"Up the stairs." They had been sleeping in the same room for what felt like months now.

Munin liked it. It was something he quite honestly looked forward to when they were about to meet up and actually get to spend time together. He enjoyed it more than slicing, more than getting those tiny unreachable morsels of information. He just liked spending time with her.

"To the left." He gently squeezed her. "That's our room."

The others? Well he'd thought it was better safe than sorry. "Though I guess if you don't like that one we can pick one of the others...but they don't have bathrooms attached to them."

Mostly because of architectural challenges.

 

[Spark Finn]

[member="Munin"]

She was silently relieved. Sometimes jobs kept them apart for weeks at a time. Mostly they could come back together like there was no separation at all. But sometimes it was harder. Took more to get back into any semblance of a routine.

She leaned into him, letting her arm linger around him a second longer. Head tipped back, looking at that staircase and gulped. Her body was so weak. But she didn't want Munin to see. But she probably couldn't make it up those stairs alone so she hesitated.

#whenstairsarehard

 

[Munin]

[member="Spark Finn"]

Munin didn't really need much of an indication to help Spark.

He knew that she was still recovering, and although he would save her the pride of being completely carried up the stairs it was fairly easy for the slicer to gently wrap his arm around her a bit tighter and pull her close. Gently they ascended the stairs together, going at an easy pace so it was more simple for Spark to follow along.

"There should be blankets and sheets." He told her quietly.

Again he hadn't really expected them to show up here so soon, but that was alright. Munin had made sure he'd be prepared.

"Should be comfortable." He smiled. "Provided you think there's enough pillows."

 

[Spark Finn]

[member="Munin"]

"Okay," she said quietly as they got to the top. She was out of breath - even with his help. #shameful

Color seeped into pale cheeks. Slowly, she pulled away from Munin, seeing the door for their new room. Fingers lingered in his and gave him one last squeeze. "I'll be okay," she reassured him quietly. Plus, she really wanted those chips. #priorities Stomach grumbled to echo her unspoken thoughts.

A twisted smile flashed across her face before she turned and shuffled off to the room. Converse-shoes would slip off. Favorite grey hoodie came off. She kept on her jeans and cotton tea and pulled back the blankets and sheets, quickly slipping inside.

#definitelyenoughpillows.

She stacked two of them up at her back so she'd be partially sitting up, blues beneath glass lenses keyed back to the door, waiting for her boyfriend and her favorite snack. Still. There was a huge floor-to-ceiling window of the dense forest where this home was nestled and beyond some of the trees she could just make out the blue waters of a lake. It was beautiful.

 

[Munin]

[member="Spark Finn"]

The window of course could become shaded with just a few words, but right now he had a feeling Spark wasn't all that interested in learning about all the features of their new home.

What mattered right now was that she was safe, they were home, and she could get some rest. His own wants were basically just that Spark got better, and hopefully eventually tell him what had actually happened. He wouldn't pry, he never did, but half that sector had been torn up. "Get some rest."

Munin said as he kissed her forehead.

Perhaps in the morning he would make her breakfast and they could wander down to the lake. It would probably take her days to get back to her usual strength, but hopefully eventually she'd be able to make it around to see their new home. He had planned all of this out quite ahead of time and his one hope was that she loved it.

There was still the slight fear that she wouldn't.

"We'll eat tomorrow morning." He said, then slowly smiled. "I'll get you your chips too."

 

[Spark Finn]

[member="Munin"]

She did finally get her chips.

Weeks later, she was able to move around on her own without getting so tired. She was able to climb the stairs. Weariness still echoed in her bones and nothing felt quite normal. But she'd made it strides from where she was. On this particular afternoon, she'd packed a small backpack with her datapad, a blanket, and some snacks and took one of the paths through the woods towards a small beach around the massive lake.

It was the most exercise she'd done in a long time. And she'd take it slow.

#biggirlpantson

"You brought the umbrella right? In case it rains," the blonde slicer looked up at Munin expectantly.

 

[Munin]

[member="Spark Finn"]

Munin glanced up at the sky.

There was not a single cloud or anything of the sort obstructing the sun, in fact he was pretty sure it was the brightest day they'd yet to experience here on their little sanctuary. Nevertheless he smiled slightly and gave Spark a slightly amused look. ”Sure.”

He hadn't actually.

Munin was pretty confident that if it rained theyd be able to make it back to the house or the forest before they got seriously wet. Plus they were going to the lakeside anyway and they were probably going to swim, so that would mean they were gonna be wet anyway.

Thus no umbrella necessary.

”Dont worry about it.” He told her with a broad smile. ”It won't rain.”

 

[Spark Finn]

[member="Munin"]

Her lithe form came to a full stop on the single-person trail that was edged by trees and tall grasses on either side. She would stop right in front of Munin, not really taking into account if he'd be able to stop himself in time before running into her.

The second she stopped, she spun on her heels #converse, to face him.

"You probably just jinxed us. What about the sun umbrella?"

Of course, she knew her boyfriend had stolen all this stuff.

 

[Munin]

[member="Spark Finn"]

He hadn't stolen all of it.

Some of it had been gifted and other bits had been purchased, granted with money gained in a technically illegal manner...but that didn't really matter all that much. It was semantics, especially considering that there were worse ways to get money. "I brought sunscreen."

Munin told her.

"Two bottles." With high SPF. "One of them sprays."

She liked those more, easier to apply.

 

[Spark Finn]

[member="Munin"]

"Mun," she bleated. "No sun umbrella?" Thin lips frowned as she glanced behind him and up the trail. They'd come too far to go back. She'd recovered a lot but not that much to do a double hike.

"I'm going to fry."

#lobsterface

Freckled-nose scrunched up in distaste. Towel shifted along her shoulder. Turning, she began to walk again. "Maybe I'll find some shade."