Alliance Base 17, Sophie is 22

To give Beth full credit, they cheerfully let me blabber about how nice it has been living with Abigail on Flauraan for ages before using it to pivot the conversation.

“Speaking of living with our loved ones, Steve and I have an announcement.” Beth says then rushes on before anyone can react, “We’re thinking of finding our own place. Now I know what you're all thinking; Beth, haven't you been in love with Steve for years? Didn't you two have a terrible disastrous date and decided you'd be better off as friends? Isn't living together gonna be kind of weird? Well fuck you guys, you don't understand the depths of our relationship.”

Me, Mickey and Robyn exchange alarmed looks.

Steve looks like he's regretting this conversation. “Nobody was thinking that Beth.” He says flatly.

“You guys living together sounds perfect.” Mickey says and I agree happily.

“Well, you'd think one of the benefits of not being in a romantic relationship would be getting to enjoy living alone, but to each their own.” Robyn says dryly.

“Feelin’ the love, Rob.” Steve responds.

Robyn pats him lightly on the side, which is about the closest to a hug I’ve ever seen her do. “So you’d be looking for a place on Staphas?”

Beth nudges me. “Sophie, let’s go raid the kitchen.” I nod dutifully and we leave behind the others to discuss the Staphan housing market.

It’s weird to be back at the base that was my home for years and years, as a visitor. I still work for the Alliance, but the days of our team working together day in and day out are over, and I haven’t quite accepted it. This part still feels the same though, as Beth and I reach the break room and open the cupboards to see what this cycle’s brand of snack is.

“So my latest set of housemates are moving on, and I don't fancy the idea of living on my own.” Beth says to me, face obscured by their rummaging. Their voice drops a bit. I realise that the kitchen raid was just a cover for them to talk to me in private. “Besides, Steve wants to be there for me, in case something happens and there's no one around.”

I remember Steve refusing to leave Beth's bedside during the war, even once they were awake and stable. Since they got injured, they’ve rebuffed most offers of assistance, so it makes me feel a lot better to know that they’ll at least let Steve look after them.

We sit down at the nearest table as Beth continues to talk, almost absentmindedly. “You know, I wouldn't have asked him to move in with me. I wouldn't have dreamed that'd be something he'd want. Maybe just me being pessimistic after all the pining I've done, but I was honestly happy to live on my own. Not the first time my housing plans have changed and I’ve been left in the lurch anyhow. But when Steve found out, he- well he insisted on moving in with me. That sounds bad but he was such a gentleman about it.” Beth lets out a dreamy sigh that reminds me of the early days of our friendship when they just had a crush on Steve and I didn't understand any of it. “I never could have imagined I'd be where I am now. How much he cares about me. It's honestly better than if we'd dated. And like, we've discussed it. He's happy for me to date people, and of course I'm happy for him to as well. I'm personally going to do everything in my power to try to get him and Mickey to hook up. I think it would do them both good.”

I laugh a little at that, unsure how serious they are being. “It's nice to see you so happy, after everything that happened. It makes sense for you two to be together.”

They grin. “We've become extensions of each other anyhow, it's incredibly sweet. I mean even back before our date I was used to carrying him around and grabbing things and just generally doting on him, but now he’s insisting on doing things for me in return. Ordering my medications, upgrading my implant, helping me fill out my disability forms. Making sure I eat. I couldn't ever in my life have dreamed up someone as wonderful as him. I really hit the money with that crush.”

“Steve is such a good guy.” I enthuse, joining Beth in their fond consideration of him. “He’s always sending me info about parts for my arm or reminders to get it serviced, or even just to take it off before bed. He's really thoughtful.”

“Of course he does that.” Beth sighs again. Then they look right at me and squeeze my hand. “I'm so lucky. To know all of you.”

“Me too.” I smile at them, even though a part of me is sad because I know we’re not going to be together as much as we used to be. “This team is one of the best things to ever happen to me.” I say, and to my horror my voice is all choked up.

Beth wrestles me into a hug and I bury my face in their shoulder and try not to think about how much everything is changing.