The Runaway {Hunter} (WATTYS 2022)

Chapter 55

Ready for a chapter that I wrote a month ago and absolutely love? :))

~

The group had finally caught a break. They were stuck on a beautiful planet on the outer rim. Tech had to do some emergency repairs on the Marauder, before they went back to Cid. Cora opened the door to the ship, taking a deep breath in. The air felt clean and calm. It was warm as the sun shone down on her, causing her to squint her eyes at its gaze. She heard Omega shuffle next to her, stepping out of the ship, her eyes looking at the environment around her.

The planet was green, lush with wildlife and giant trees. The sky was bright blue, clouds rolled through as a slight breeze graced through the trees. It was calm.

Omega brushed her hand through the grass as they landed near a valley, it lay void from any large trees. Cora stepped down off the ship and closed her eyes, listening to the soft howl of the wind in the trees. She felt relaxed.

"Come on." Omega said causing Cora to open her eyes.

Omega ran off in front towards the valley with no trees. Cora jogged after her, leaving her helmet on the table in the ship. Her feet crunched on the sticks and leaves on the ground. She followed Omega until they reached the valley. The grass was green and vibrant, small flowers peppered the ground as Omega laughed. Her arms opened wide as she swung herself around. She was happy.

Cora couldn't help but feel the same. The Senator raced forward and scooped the young girl up, swinging her around as she laughed and yelled with joy. Cora giggled at her child like nature as she leaned into the same behaviour. She placed Omega down, but Omega pulled her down with her. The two lay on their backs, looking up at the clouds, their laughter fading as their breathing was heavy.

After a moment Cora sighed and closed her eyes. But it wasn't her usual stressed sigh. It was a sigh of being content. A soft smile graced Cora's lips as she lay there, soaking up the sun. She forgot about the need to fight. She forgot about the Empire. She forgot about the worrying feeling of everything lift from her chest. She felt free again.

Omega looked at her friend and smiled. The two still held each other's hand. Omega sat up and picked at the flowers. Cora felt her change and opened her eyes, her hand on her chest as Omega picked at the flowers.

Cora sat up and watched the girl for a moment. Omega picked a few blue ones, turning to Cora and leaning closer, placing them in her braid. Cora smiled down at the girl, as she started to pick flowers. She laced their stems together as Omega smelled the yellow ones that were nearby. Once a few different colours were laced and tied together, Cora leaned over and placed them on Omega's head.

Omega's fingers brushed the flower crown that Cora made for her, a smile painting her face. Cora smiled and brushed her hand on Omega's face. Something her mother did when she was young. It was a soft tender show of affection, between a mother and daughter relationship.

Omega leaped forward and wrapped her arms around Cora. This time it didn't shock her. Cora leaned into the hug, resting her head on hers, rubbing small circles around the girls back. They let each other go, Cora looking down to her. No words were exchanged between the two, they didn't need it. Omega knew that Cora was there for her. She always would be.

"Thank you." Omega whispered.

"For what?" Cora tilted her head.

"For being there for me. For not leaving me." Omega looked up.

Cora looked at her face, she brushed a part of Omega's hair back, her hand resting on her cheek.

"I'm not going anywhere, kid." She said holding Omega's face.