( nsfw open )

[skittys]

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[whistles_loudly]

[He's done it before with Tango.]

They could, but that sounds like changing your already good plan for the weekend. I could always go out on Sunday.

[unas]

Plans are meant to be adaptable. And they don't see you much either.

( and whilst she did take the horses out sometimes it was never the same as when he did or they both did. he had a connection with them she wouldn't )

[whistles_loudly]

I think they're used to it, at least a little, and I'm glad they like you.

[It hadn't been that way with the very few other women he introduced them to. Reflecting back on it? He should have listened to the horses.]

They must know I love you.

[unas]

It took me a while to get used to them.

( which he knew, he'd been there with her each moment. she hadn't been spooked by them but after never seeing a horse before coming to his ranch it had been an experience.

but the horses had been gentle with her, careful about her caution, as gently encouraging as he'd been. it had taken a long while before she'd ridden one but they'd been ready then.

maybe they did know, maybe they'd also known how much she'd loved him )

They know you well. Probably better than I do.

[whistles_loudly]

You did really well with them.

[There's a fondness there, that she actually took all that time to learn something that he loved even if it was something new and a little scary at first. It meant a lot to him.]

They might, I certainly talked to them enough. Might've even mentioned you a few times over the years.

[unas]

( she laughs slightly )

You still do.

( she might have heard him in the barn a couple of times as she'd been passing, always keeping quiet to not disturb him. it was sweet and she liked hearing the little whispers )

[whistles_loudly]

They're good listeners.

[He is just a little embarrassed that she'd heard, not that he was going to change anything.]

[unas]

And good gossips. They've given away a few of your secrets.

( now she really is just teasing. but he was right, they were good listeners, she'd had her own conversations with them when he'd been gone )

[whistles_loudly]

Oh yeah? [he's so amused] What have they told you?

[unas]

Do you really want to know?

( she pushes herself up just enough to kiss him, hoping to distract him )

Or shall I let you have your secret?

( that she supposedly knows )

[whistles_loudly]

[At this point, he just wants to see what she makes up. But he tries his best to make that kiss a good one.]

You don't have to tell me, but I'm interested.

[unas]

( and it really is a good kiss, one that has her smiling after, brain a little frozen with just how good it was. give her a few seconds.

after which she settles back on his chest, content )

They told me how different this year would have been if I wasn't here. How happy we both are.

[whistles_loudly]

I have said that to them a lot.

[And he found it to be true too. Now that Una's here, everything's different. He was happy to be there, and the ranch wasn't just a place to be until the next mission.]

Before that they'd just hear about how much I wanted to get back out into space.

[unas]

I think they're glad that you're around more to. And they've got my company when they really miss you.

( which was never the same, he was the favourite, but it amazed her how much they did like her, how well they'd taken to her )

And they've helped me a lot, given me something to do when you're not here. Starting over, starting a planet life... isn't easy.

( some days she really does consider getting an actual job instead of using her skills around the nearby ranches )

[whistles_loudly]

Especially on a planet that isn't yours.

[He was there at the beginning, when she got booted out of the fleet, how lost losing the one thing you dedicated your life to could make someone. He was just starting to handle being planet bound for the next few years, and he still had the opportunity to go back out there someday.]

I'm glad you're happy being here, at least.

[If she wanted to go do something else, he wouldn't stop her of course. That was the last thing he ever wanted to do, hold Una back. He'd support anything she wanted to do.]

[unas]

That's because of you.

( she tips her head up again to look at him. she's told him this many times before but she'll keep telling him it )

You made it easier. You helped me figure it out, gave me a home... and you. You make me happy.

[whistles_loudly]

Love you.

[There was nothing else he could think to say after that, other than the truth. Someday, maybe, he'd actually ask if she wants to get married, but right now it seems like this is working out for them.]

It's one of the reasons I was always so eager to get back on the ship.

[unas]

( she pauses, venturing a slightly dangerous topic )

If we hadn't been to Talos IV... this might never have happened.

( they'd never yet crossed that boundary on the ship and una wasn't about to be the one to start it off )

Our lives changed in many ways.

[whistles_loudly]

[He shakes his head a little. Talos was awful, he still has nightmares. In some ways he thought it would be worse for Una. They told him her private private thoughts. That's worse in his book.]

Talos IV was not at all the way I would have liked to find any of that out. I didn't want to say anything back then. Your private thoughts were yours. I had no business knowing them unless you wanted to tell me about it.

I'm glad we're here now and I'm glad Starfleet is keeping everyone away from that planet.

[unas]

It's not how I would have told you... but I also doubt I ever would.

( she draws herself up now, sitting across his hips so that she can really see him and be seen )

I spent my days afraid of being found out -- by Starfleet, but also by you. I never expected or thought that you'd love me.

[whistles_loudly]

[He nods a bit.]

You weren't the only one who thought about it. Maybe that's why they picked you.

[He had no idea why they also picked Colt. He thought she was cute back then, nothing more than that. Una is much more his type.]

I couldn't do anything about it back then, even if I wanted to. Starfleet is a bunch of gossips. I didn't want to do anything that would damage your chances at your own command. I thought ignoring it, and not putting it in my report was best.

[unas]

( she pauses, leaning down to kiss him. it's responses like this that make her heart hurst with how much she loves him. he thought so much about her even before they got together.

nothing about talos and beyond had ever been what she'd expected. things had gone horribly but with one amazing difference. him )

I love you, more than I can ever tell you.

( she kisses him again, long and slow, hands running through his hair )

[whistles_loudly]

[He knows how much she loves him, if only because he feels the same way. He can't imagine his life without her in it. And it might be the first time he actually has the one person he can't live without.]

Good thing we feel the same way, isn't it?

[When her hands are in his hair, she gets a happy sound.]

[unas]

We were very lucky.

( she kisses him slowly before adding on )

Getting to see you, spend that time with my best friend... even if we weren't together I loved those days.

( because some people spent so long searching for love and there they just had it, with the person beside them )

[whistles_loudly]

We did have a pretty good time back then.

[At least he tried his best to make it fun. Combined with the Yorktown's crew? It was probably one of his best command experiences too.]

You know, Phil still owes me a bottle of Merlot.