~Creative Space~

If you had remembered what day it was today, then you certainly wouldn't have worn your red sweater. You would have worn anything else. Literally anything else but that.

But it was too late to go back home and change. You brace yourself as you enter your office tower in the city. While on the transit train, you couldn't help but be bombarded by ads and displays along the way - Constant reminders of the special day it was today. A day that you had forgotten.

It wasn't hard to remember. The corporations made sure of that. Rather, it was easy for you to forget because the day bore no special significance to you.

Love Day was a day meant to celebrate romantic love on your planet. It wasn't meant only for couples, who proudly wore red to signify their taken status - singles got in on it too, as the day was also a fun day for those who were 'ready to mingle' to advertise openly without shame by donning green clothing. Those in more complicated relationship statuses wore yellow to signify 'proceed with caution'...and those who were less inclined to advertise their relationship status always wore neutral colors on Love Day.

So ironically, you trudge into your office, red sweater announcing to the world: Stop! I'm taken. But you weren't.

There was someone. But you weren't together, exactly.

----

Months ago, the 501st made stop on your planet. Their blue and white armor wasn't a completely unusual sight. There were always clone battalions coming and going from the city during the war. Your planet's close proximity to Coruscant and its manufacturing and ship repair facilities made it a popular stop for Republic forces rotating to and from the battlefront.

So on one particular day during your lunch break, you noticed one of them in your office tower’s ground floor cafe with you. Sitting to observe, you saw him for the first time - the man you eventually learned was named Kix.

It took some time sitting there, quietly watching him, but you did gain enough courage to talk to him. He was taking an unusually long time going through the caf garnishes at the cafe. Perhaps he was unfamiliar with the syrups and creamers available for self-service and needed some help. You can't imagine that the Republic provided anything but the basic dirty-water tasting caf available for the clones. You wanted to show him how good it could be.

"So uh.... do you need some help?" you asked shyly, giving him your friendliest smile. Kix turned to you with his mouth full of something to say, but he just smiled instead. A quiet "Maybe" escaped his lips, the warm cafe lights reflected in the darkness of his bourbon-hued eyes.

"That one's rather plain," you had said, motioning toward the syrup bottle next to his hand.

"Really? It looks good though," he replied, turning back to you with that dazzling smile.

This earned a small laugh from you. "Well, you can't go just by looks. You gotta taste it first," you had said, reaching for a stir stick. Gently taking the bottle from his hand, you squeezed out a few drops onto the stick. You balance the thick syrup on the flat part of the stick and bring it up to his lips.

Maintaining his smirk, Kix took the stick into his mouth, tasting the syrup that you called 'rather plain.'

"It's good!"

"You don't think it's kind of plain?"

"Hmmm.. wait till you try this one!"

... and so went your afternoon. Chatting away and learning things about each other.

And one afternoon turned into two. And then three. And five. And then it became a regular thing where you would see each other whenever he was on your planet. And then you talked while he was away.

But you never agreed on anything official. You knew you had feelings for him. But did he have feelings for you? You weren't sure.

----

"Ohh, someone's got a boyfriend?" You hear one of your coworkers tease. Oh the joys of working being slightly older than your coworkers. They always seem immature.

"Yeah. I forgot what day it was," you toss over your shoulder. A phrase you had prepared on the tip of your tongue the moment you realized you had made a mistake in your wardrobe choice today.

You make your way to your desk, and your cubicle mate, Korr, turns when they notice you. Closer to them than you were with your other coworkers, they lean over to you before speaking. "So, are you and that guy... official now?" they ask. "Oh... no..," you mutter. "We're not like that. We haven't had that talk yet," you admit.

You had never had a real boyfriend before. And you weren't sure how things transitioned from dating into a real relationship. So this was all uncharted territory for you. And it made you uneasy. So you never brought it up with Kix no matter how much you wanted to. And you had wanted to since you knew Love Day was coming up. If you had someone this year, it would be the first time that happened in your life. It would have been perfect timing since Kix was on your planet just the week prior.

The work day goes on, and you continue to be assaulted by prying questions from your coworkers. "Doing anything special tonight with your boyfriend?" and "Awww, did he do anything sweet for you today?" and "What do you have planned for this evening?" All questions you had no answers to since you didn't actually have someone special. Today was just another day, you thought. You and Korr work in silence together. They knew you well enough to respect your privacy.

The long morning dragged until early afternoon when you finally take a break for lunch to the cafe on the ground floor of your tower - the place where you had met Kix. Upon returning from lunch you notice something on your desk. As you approach, you see a cloud of delicate blossoms gathered in a vase centered on your workstation. Korr lets you know they were delivered to your desk while you were downstairs at the cafe.

"Curious..." you mutter, thinking this must be a joke from your coworkers.

The blossoms give off a lovely perfume, an exotic scent as beautiful as the planet of their origin. These were no ordinary blossoms. You retrieve the note to see what you're sure is someone else's name. Someone who's cubicle number closely matches yours which would explain the mis-delivery. Who would give you such an ornate gift for Love Day of all days?

You open the small envelope attached to the vase and see a handwritten note from someone familiar to you:

Hey Sweetheart. Sorry I couldn't be there for Love Day. I wanted to give these to you in person. Thanks for making my life special. I can't wait to see you again. I hope these make your day a little brighter - Kix

A warm feeling spreads across your chest and your eyes begin to brim with happy tears. No one had ever done anything so sweet for you on Love Day or any other day for that matter. No one had ever called you a pet name like "sweetheart" before. No one had ever told you that you made their life special, or that they couldn't wait to see you again. Is this what it is like to be loved?

You wipe your tears before anyone sees, and settle down at your desk to get back to work. Korr says nothing because they know you're just as surprised as they are. But you can tell they are happy for you.

The typically clinical quiet of the military hospital on Coruscant is alive with giggles and shushes. Clusters of care attendants and nurses whisper behind charts and grin, teeth flashing.

 I and the other battle-forged medics trapped at the hospital for routine retraining try not to let our eyes roll. The cause for all this commotion is clear. The 501st is on planet. No battalion has as much swagger, as much pull and sway with the ladies as the 501st. Full of arrogant, charming, heavy-flirts who are known to have a good time when on leave, the 501st has all the available medical staff preening, ready for one single month of fun while they platoon is on Leave.

 “I wonder who’s gonna get the most attention this time.” Mathia comments over the stack of folders we’re sorting through.

 “Hm. Rex? Or is he old news now?” I reply.

 She shakes her head full of golden ringlets, “I hear he’s too strict now. What about Hardcase?” 

I snort in response, “There’s a joke in there somewhere.” 

We laugh. Both Mathia and I had just been sent to retraining after we had completed our three years of one-off medic missions. We would go to different planets with a different platoon each time for solo missions to learn the art of providing medical assitance in battle. Now that we are tried and tested, its time to await our official battalion assignments. So here at the hospital, in Coruscant’s shiny city, we wait for our new orders. The waiting is grueling, a constant wonder of which battalion’s boys we will be patching up next. Atleast there’s always the busy work. Retraining on old routines, sorting paperwork, inventory stocking. 

A gaggle of nurses come by to drop off a new stack of folders to sort.

“Did you hear? The 501st is in town!” A young woman, barely old enough to volunteer for the hospital service nearly swoons as she says it. 

Mathia takes her cue to dig for more information- “Oh expecting anyone special?” The girls all giggle and a brave one comes forward.

 “Fives!”

They erupt into more giggles and a blush blows across each of their faces. 

I wish I could hold back my shock, but I breathe a quiet, “Fives?” They all nod and hurry off, laughter lingering behind them. Fives is the most head strong and flirtatious of the group.

He’s the 501st’s golden boy.

 I should know.

 I do my best not to let my own face heat in a blush. 

A bell rings above us, and I give a sigh of relief. It’s time to leave. In our medic's uniforms, Mathia and I gather our things and make for the streets.

 “Wanna get a bite to eat?” She asks, knowing my answer as my stomach rumbles. I try to let the cool air clear my thoughts.

 I had met Fives a year ago when I filled in as their medic on a month long mission. It had been instant chemistry. Magnetic. His smile, his charm, his humor. I fed off his energy, and he fed off mine. We became quick friends, and the flirting was endless. Casual and comfortable and low stakes. Until… After the mission was completed, and the boys were all celebrating at camp before being shipped out the next morning, in a moment of pure unadulterated joy, he and I kissed. Just a kiss, but it’s stuck with me. I catch myself thinking of the feel of his lips on mine during cold, late or lonely nights. I hadn’t seen him in the year since, he and his platoon having shipped out before I even woke up the next day. 

“Hello? Are you even listening to me?” Mathia snaps her fingers in my face as we walk. I go to respond when suddenly I run headfirst into something much more solid than myself and end up on my ass on the cold ground. 

“Look out there! You okay, sweetheart?” 

A warm and strong  hand helps me up and I dust myself off before looking up.

 “Yeah sorry I…”

 I stop. 

His eyes sparkle in the lights of the street and it's like I’ve traveled back in time.

 “I didn’t see you there.” I finish. He probably doesn’t even remember me. My traitorous heart is skipping beat after beat and I feel my face flush.

“Fives?”

“Sophie? I.. I had no idea you would be here. It’s been a long time.”

At first it seems like he’s going to sweep me into a hug, which a year ago would have been expected. Then, instead, he places a hand on my elbow and the heat is searing.

“It’s so good to see you.” 

 “It’s good to see you too, Fives.” I say. 

Mathia’s eyes fly between the two of us and a look of understanding flashes in her face. She nearly vibrates as she says, “We were just going to get some food. You hungry?” 

I elbow her hard and Fives laughs.

 That laugh. I swear for a moment I’m back in that camp, on that night. Fire roaring, embers floating up into stars. He and I dancing around and around, laughing until we can’t breathe and until… I blink. 

“You’re welcome to join us.” I say, and I really mean it. 

He stretches his arm behind him and scratches the back of his head. “I just got on planet and we have meetings, but I appreciate the offer.”

 I nod, trying not to let disappointment creep in, and give him a little wave as Mathia and I turn to go. I feel so stupid. Why did I invite him? I’m nothing more than a distant name he remembered when he saw my face.

 He catches my wrist. 

“But.” He almost stutters. “Caf? With me, tomorrow? Maybe you can show me the best spot in town? My treat.” 

Shocked, I smile. 

“Sure. Meet you here in the morning.” Is all I can manage, and then I turn on my heels and nearly drag Mathia behind me up the street. 

—

Minutes later we sit at a booth in our favorite restaurant and she slams her hands on the table, rattling the silverware.

 “What. Was. That”.

“Nothing.” I reply. And truly it was just that- nothing. So, I tell her the story. 

We knew each other for a month. We were friends. Maybe even just friends of convenience. The kiss was an accident, and he likely didn’t remember it. I was shocked he even remembered me.

For all the fun we had poked at the nurses this morning for their fawning and squealing, Mathia tops them in her high pitched response. I shush her. 

“It’s just caf. Just to catch up I’m sure.” 

She grins wickedly at me and shakes her head. “Do you how many people would absolutely die just for that wrist grab he did? My  knees nearly buckled for you. He’s the one everyone’s talking about, and he wants to get caf with you!”

I shrug my shoulders. “I just don’t think it’s going to be what you’re imagining. Besides, I don’t like a gold rush. All eyes are on him, so one wrong move and all eyes are on me, and I’m not about that.”

Mathia nods and continues to hype herself up, “Since when have you ever been shy? You weren’t shy when you kissed him at that war camp!” 

“He kissed me. Not the other way around.”

I define, and she flutters her feet under her chair.

“Even better!” 

I go back to my small, Republic sanctioned apartment and don’t even bother to flick on the lights before I crash into my bed. Fives is here, on planet. I ran into him, literally. On this giant city-planet, he just happened to be right in my path on the day he arrived. More than that, he remembered me. I wonder just how much he remembers, how much the alcohol and chaos might have erased that night a year ago. Before I can even change clothes, I’m asleep on top of the covers of my bed, a smile on my face. 

— Cheers float in the chilled atmosphere, our breathing giving life to ghosts that float around us, mingling with the smoke of the bonfire. They did it. The 501st saved the planet of Mondrilla from the incoming Separatist threat. So now we celebrate. Cheap alcohol smuggled in by the more rowdy clones is passed around the fire, and food is spread around on makeshift tables made of ammo storage. I and the two other medics, a man and a woman, join in the clone’s revelry. The Jedi, figures I’d only seen in passing shadows, sit on the outskirts of the fire, talking quietly and observing. Rex is drunk, and his attempts at telling jokes leave us all laughing. Echo is arguing with a clone I don’t recognize over spilled rations and drinks and somewhere a radio kicks to life. Crackling, distant music gets many clones on their feet, clapping and shuffling about. Almost immediately, the other two medics are swept up in dances, and I watch from the rim of my cup as I sway to the music alone. I would dance, but observing is so much more fun. Seeing the bright, happy faces, seeing the energy pass from one brother to the next. A warm body stands next to me, knocking his cup into mine. “Cheers, Soph.” Fives smiles and downs his drink, clearly already feeling the effects. His cheeks are a warm red and his smile is lazy. I down my drink. We’re talking, laughing. Then suddenly I’m twirling, and we’re dancing. How did we end up here? The stars above me swirl as I spin and laugh. Fives’ arms are warm around me, and he lifts me up. He’s gazing up at me, eyes beaming and I can’t help but grin back down at him. I’m lowered to the ground, and we aren’t spinning anymore but the world around me continues to. It happens so fast. Our lips meet in a crash, heat flooding me, as I smile through the kiss.---