Work Text:
Moving on?
“You did what?” Boil’s tone had been elevated to a high pitched squeak after hearing the news Waxer had been harbouring for a few days. Hiding from him more likely!
“I’ve… enlisted… with the Coruscant Guard.” Waxer was almost apologetic in his tone, repeating the news for the second time even if he was pretty sure Boil had heard him just fine.
“Why would you do that?” After all, it had not been something they had discussed at all. At least not as a couple. But something Waxer had simply decided to do most likely without too much in thinking or hesitation as per his usual modus operandi seemed to be. Having started to irk Boil for sure.
“They need people into their ranks now that the clones are moving on. It’s a policing kind of a job, not soldier duty.” Waxer tried to defend his choice. The job being safe and all. As now that the war was over, the clone troopers were free to decide their own fates, their own futures and that meant picking up their own jobs too. “I’ll make a perfect fit with them. It’s easy credits.”
Boil’s eyes were wide. The fury in there speaking volumes. It wasn’t the job itself which made Boil angry. Well, part of it was. But the fact that Waxer had made a decision on his own, without asking Boil. As it was assumed, now that they were a couple and all, that they would make life altering decision together as well. Hadn’t they shared everything else so far? Well, they were still on Kamino. Undecided on where to move. The galaxy an open oyster to pick and choose from. But…
Waxer wasn’t really sure why Boil was so angry at him. As it was, they had not discussed their life after GAR. Well, not really. Not much any way. Sure, there had been some ideas thrown up in the air. The option to remain in the army reserves on the table there. There had also been mentions about a farm and some livestock. But Waxer wasn’t really the farmer type nor was Boil in Waxer’s opinion. So, Waxer really could not see what the issue here was. At all. He had made a good choice, right?
As it was, Waxer had made a few… assumptions. Assuming things. Perhaps too hastily though? And guess that was his mistake. Even if he did not realise it.
“And you said yes because someone asked you to join them?” Boil sounded snide, sarcastic even.
“Well, yes. I did.” Waxer wasn’t getting the issue present there though. It had been a quick but good decision to make.
There was a spell of silence between them, both staring at the other. Boil practically boiling, while Waxer was feeling less assured what was going to happen to them. Had he made a mistake after all?
“So, guess you will be moving to Coruscant then.” Boil sounded clipped and he certainly wasn’t a happy camper after finally breaking the awkward silence.
Hearing the words from his partner. Them hitting hard with Waxer, the realisation, the meaning of them could not have been more clearer. Waxer, had definitely made a mistake.
“I um no. Well, yes, but.. I had assumed…” Waxer swallowed audibly, the words suddenly getting stuck in his throat. Feeling the trickling sweat on his forehead, panic on the rising.
“You, had assumed?” Boil wasn’t letting things slide this time around. No. He put his foot down for sure. Having been too lenient, letting Waxer decide for the most part up and until now. The littlest things true, and guess Boil should have said something earlier. But this was way to big to simply let slide.
“Yes.” Waxer’s response a mere whisper.
“Well, you assumed wrong.” Boil wasn’t going to have this conversation, not now. He was too angry and Waxer did not even seem to realise what it was he had done wrong. It wasn’t about the job or even the place he would be moving to. It was simply Waxer having assumed and then decided for both of them without involving Boil at all.
Boil walked out of their quarters, leaving Waxer standing there, mouth ajar, tears prickling behind his eyes. It wasn’t their first fight by far. But this, this was a big one. Boil having left without even putting up a fight? Which was certainly new. As usually, when they disagreed, they had fought. Mostly with words and then, made up. In the most loving and passionate way possible.
But now? Boil had simply walked out without any further words?
Was this it for them?
*
It had been a few days since Boil had walked out on Waxer.
Boil was sharing a bunk room with several other vod’e, having not wanted to stay in their shared quarters after Waxer spilling the beans on him taking a job on Coruscant. As a Guard no less!
Boil had been going through the motions of his current duty. Cataloging and other kind of paper work. Mostly administrative stuff as it was. After all, the war had ended, there was no more soldier duties for any of them. The army as it had been in the process of being shut down for the most part. The severance pays waiting for the troopers, those leaving and most of them were.
Boil though as of yet, was undecided. His dreams for the future still open and unclear. And now, the rug had certainly been pulled from under him, killing those few dreams he had had. For the two of them. Him and Waxer.
As it was, Waxer had made his choice. Taken on a new job. On Coruscant.
They had not talked at all since Boil having walked out on Waxer that night. Guess it had been a bad thing to do. But, Boil had been angry. As it was just one too many in a long line of infractions as Boil called them which Waxer had made. His supposed partner not taking Boil’s wishes into consideration.
Was this it for them?
Boil wasn’t sure. He still loved Waxer, deeply so. But, there were so many things wrong with their relationship. Granted it was all new for them, both learning as they were moving along with it. Still, taking a job on another planet without talking it through with is partner? Well, it was reckless and guess, this was the problem all along. They were simply too different.
Boil sighed heavily, continuing with his work.
*
“Hey.”
“Hey.”
“So, you’re all packed then?” Boil could see the duffle bag stuffed to the hilt, the zipper hardly keeping it in check. Having come to the quarters they had shared upon request from Waxer, the two still not speaking to each other since that night they had… separated?
“Yeah… I am. Leaving first thing tomorrow morning.”
“Well, guess I should wish you happy trails then?” Boil was still irked, but it was Waxer’s life, so guess he could not really object to him wanting to move on?
Waxer looked, disappointed. He had, well, hoped… Inviting Waxer to their once shared quarters they could talk maybe? Reconcile even? But it looked like Boil had made up his mind too. And not for the benefit of Waxer.
“I… thanks.” Was all Waxer managed. As sometimes, Boil could be too thickheaded for his own good. In Waxer’s opinion.
“Well, then, guess this is it.” Boil sounded like he had made up his mind for good. About the two of them.
Waxer’s mouth opened and closed. He was baffled, totally surprised. No, more like shocked. All his wishes and hopes flushed down the refresher drain. It seemed that Boil had made up his mind. That this was the end for them. Really the end and not just some lovers tiff to reconcile.
“I… you can come and visit.” Yeah, it was a dumb suggestion for sure. But Waxer did not dare spilling his guts now. Seeing how determined Boil looked and sounded.
“I think I better not.” Boil said only. “But, it was… fun while it lasted.” Lame! Lame to the umpteenth potency. Karking hell!
“Yeah… fun.” Waxer managed only.
This conversation wasn’t really going the way either of them had hoped. At all.
Boil let out a nervous smile and then with a wave of a hand, he was gone. Leaving Waxer there, all alone, with his packed bag. Ready to leave the past behind. Heading towards Coruscant.
To be continued…