JP – Lt. Cmdr Hopper & Lt. Richards: Cosmic Duet (Part 6)
Robin Hopper
((Flashback, Six days earlier, Forest Trail Campsite))
Nathan stood at the edge of the campsite, watching the sun set over the lake as he sipped the coffee he had brewed over the fire. He turned around and looked over the campsite, logs and rocks surrounded the prebuilt stone fire pit to use as seating, and their tent sat a few meters beyond the fire. He moved back within the ring of warmth that the fire emitted and took a seat on one of the logs.
Richards: Well, was I right? Do you love it?
Robin looked up from her spot on a log by the fire, a mug of hot chocolate cupped in her hands, a cozy flannel blanket wrapped around her shoulders, and a tired smile on her face.
Hopper: I like the part where I sit and drink cocoa. ::Chuckling:: My legs and back are going to need some time before I can convince them I like the hiking in, carrying all our gear, part.
Nathan shrugged and chuckled. It had been a long hike, but that was part of the adventure camping in the park.
Richards: You get used to it after a few trips.
She took another sip of her warm drink as the cold breeze drifted off the lake under the last light of the setting sun, the moon creeping into view through the netted canopy of pine and fir trees. Somehow, even though she had still seen so little of it, all told, and despite the fact that they were, by all accounts, practically the same size, Earth still felt so vast in comparison to her home world…
Robin patted the log beside her, beckoning Nate to join her.
Hopper: You know, nobody really does this on Theta VII. Camping that is. A few diehards, maybe, but the nature there feels so… I dunno, ‘manufactured’, I guess – just how they used to do things back in the day. This all feels so… ancient. Timeless. I can definitely see why you love it.
Nathan took up his spot next to Robin, taking a sip from his coffee. He looked around at the surrounding trees, and listened to the relative silence for a moment.
Richards: It's hard to find anything better, really. Being able to get away from everything. Nothing to really distract you.
Hopper: I’ll say this though. I didn’t know it, but I really missed the quiet. The kind of quiet that lets you think big thoughts.
She glanced up at the darkening sky, the first bright stars beginning to peak through the veil of Earth’s atmosphere. Nathan took another sip from his coffee, tilting his head to look Robin. The light from the fire flickered and danced across her face, giving a beautiful glimmer to her eyes as she looked towards the night sky.
Hopper: I used to sneak out after dark, make my way into the middle of the fields, where there were no lights at all and, late at night, even the most distant sounds were quiet. Just me and the breeze and the stars. I would just lay there and stare up at the sky and think about what was out there, what was waiting for me… ::Her gaze drifted down and met his, the dim light of the sun, and the moon, reflected like pale dots in his eyes:: …I never imagined someone like you.
Richards: ::Warm smile:: Life is full of surprises.
Scooting closer, Robin took his free hand in hers, and leaned her head against his shoulder. The quiet air, coloured by the gentle crackles of the fire, was warm, and inviting, and secure. If her mind weren’t ablaze with thoughts, kindled by that big open sky, and the light in his eyes, and the feeling of his hand, holding hers… she might have felt compelled to drift off to sleep. But there was no chance of that, not now. She continued to stare into the fire as she spoke.
Hopper: When we go back, I… I don’t want us to be a secret anymore.
Richards: :: Eyebrow raised:: You sure? ::Chuckling:: A lot of work went into hiding this.
Hopper: ::Small smile:: I can be pragmatic, but at some point I’ve gotta just face reality, don’t I? I think we’re in it now, aren’t we? All the way in, I mean. No take-backsies at this point. Why hide that?
She was right, Nathan admitted to himself. They had come so far, even just in their visit back to Earth. Why hide it back on Amity?
Richards: ::Nodding:: You have a point.
Hopper: Besides, I want people to know that I own you now.
She looked up at him with an impish smirk and gave him an aggressively-affectionate peck on the cheek.
Hopper: Mine.
Nathan scoffed, looking down at her with faux offense before laughing and planting a kiss on Robin’s forehead.
Richards: No point in trying to argue. ::Sly smirk:: I'm yours.
Hopper: Guess I can pull the brand out of the fire then… ::Mischievous chuckling::
Nathan gave her a quick squeeze before resting his head on top of hers.
Richards: ::Quietly:: I could get used to this.
Hopper: So could I.
Giving his hand a gentle squeeze, Robin chewed her lip nervously. There was something else. A feeling that she’d been holding onto for some time now. It didn’t seem fair to keep that in anymore either, not from him, not from anyone in the universe. But that confession carried with it so much anxiety – worry for how he’d take it, worry that she might regret saying it, worry that maybe all the doubters were right. Was her sister right about her? Was his mother? Was Robin, herself, right in fearing that she would only wind up making a mess of things?
Ultimately, did any of that really matter?
Hopper: There’s something else… Something I want to ask you. Well, something I really ought to tell you, I mean.
Richards: Of course, you can tell me anything, ::Smiling:: Kino.
She swallowed. Best to just say it, put it out there, and get it over with. Turning to look at him, Robin’s lip quivered ever-so-slightly as she spoke.
Hopper: Nate, ever since we’ve met… There was something between us. A little ‘magic spark’ or something. ::Shrug:: I didn’t know what to call that before. But now, now that I know you – I mean, really know you – and I’ve seen what life is like without you here, beside me, and how much better it all is when we’re together… ::Sigh:: I think I’d be lying if I didn’t…
Nathan watched her carefully, a smile never leaving his face. He got the feeling he knew what she was trying to to say, and the butterflies in his stomach took flight once again. He gave her hand a squeeze, in hopes of helping calm her nerves.
Richards: It's okay.
She shut her eyes and took a deep breath, and in that breath, she found herself transported back to the first big turning point in their relationship. She opened her eyes.
Hopper: You remember, on our first date, you told me… You told me you could see yourself falling in love with me?
Nathan chuckled. He definitely remembered that. A moment he both regretted and was thankful for. That moment might have closed some doors at the time, but the door that led to them becoming friends and growing closer had flung open. Who knew that it would eventually lead right back to that original door.
Richards: Yeah. I remember.
Hopper: Do you… Do you still think you could fall in love with me?
Nathan gazed into her eyes, drinking in the deep blue and almost getting lost. Did he think he could still fall in love with her? There was only one true answer to that question that he honestly hadn't even truly been honest with himself about until that moment…
Richards: I never stopped.
((End flashback))
Richards: I love you.
Hopper: You are so cheesy… ::Blinking slowly, a smirk growing on her face:: And I love you too.
She chuckled, the words still stirring fluttering butterflies in her chest, even at the thought of them. Nathan leaned down, pressing his lips to hers. It had been a few days since they finally admitted to each other that they had fallen, but each time still felt like the first. He pulled away from the kiss with a smile on his face.
As the song faded out, and the band’s lead singer took a brief break to encourage everyone to head to the bar, drink some water, and grab the last of the desserts before they were cleaned up by the caterers, Nathan and Robin stood, wrapped in each other’s arms, for a moment.
Hopper: I swear, if you propose right now–
Richards: Would you say yes?
Hopper: ::With quiet intensity:: YOU WOULDN’T.
Richards: ::Eyebrows raised, laughing:: No, I'm not going to propose.
Hopper: Thank God. ::Amused eye roll:: You know the gossip is going to be unstoppable when we get back. Those junior officers are relentless and, now that we’re just ‘going public’ it’s going to be all, “when are they tying the knot?” and “when are they having babies?” ::Shaking her head:: Are you prepared for that?
Nathan really wasn't sure how to answer that question.
Richards: ::Shrugging:: I'm sure it will be fine. ::Chuckling:: Do you think you are ready for it?
Hopper: No. But, if I’m going to stumble my way through that, I guess I’m happy it’ll be with you. Let’s just, you know, agree to take our time and enjoy where we’re at. Deal?
Richards: ::Nodding enthusiastically:: Deal.
Hopper: Good boy. Now… One more dance and then we should help with the clean up.
She pulled him back onto the dance floor and began to sway slowly to the sweet gentle song the band had started up, a herald of the winding down of the festivities, and – on another scale – the end of their visit… The long journey home before them. The trip had been transformative, in more ways than one, and there was no doubt in their minds that whatever was going to come next for them would be the start of a ‘new era’ in their relationship.
Hopper: You know, whatever the universe throws at us… I’m grateful to have someone like you. And to be yours.
Nathan smiled as he held her close, swaying to the notes of the final song. Everything felt right.
Richards: You'll always have me, Kino. Always.
END
Lt. Cmdr Robin Hopper
Chief Science Officer & Second Officer
Amity Outpost
V239806K11
&
Lt. Nathan Richards
Chief of Operations
Amity Outpost
A239905NR1