CWDP 2017: Eiko

[iprotectyou]

The wooden slats on the bench in the sauna dig into Baze's thighs, but he doesn't mind at all. He melts in the heat so wet he feels like he's swimming while sitting.

He knows he's dreaming, but the whole thing feels so real. In the nature of dreams, Chirrut isn't with him, and then he is. Baze opens his eyes, and tastes emotion: peace and contentment. They taste of watermelon and hard candy, respectively. He smiles at his friend, and raises his hand to wave.

Then, her. She isn't with them, and then she is, wearing a yellow, polka-dotted swimsuit.

"Baze? Chirrut?" Eiko says, and Baze's heart leaps in his chest. She picks at the two-piece. "What's this thing?"

Comments

[idontneedluck]

Chirrut clings as he does so rarely, keening softly at the pain of it. He didn't tell her he was sorry he wasn't there, wasn't thinking of her when she died. He didn't tell her he was sorry he never found her, never knew to search until he knew she was gone.

He hopes she knows anyway.

[iprotectyou]

Baze has only seen Eiko twice in the last twenty years: a few, brief moments before she died, and a few, brief moments now, in a dream that was more than a dream. It's not enough. It never will be. He could dream of her for the rest of his existence, and he'd still be greedy for her presence. How cruel Milliways is, to give them a taste of her, and to take her away again.

Still. Baze is glad that he and Chirrut had that taste.

Baze cries himself hoarse. Taking a cue from Eiko, he gently scratches Chirrut's scalp.