“Corbin?”

The heavy gunner looked up from the workbench, and the splayed out parts of her heavy bolter. The familiar sight of Apothecary Addivaria brought a welcoming smile to her face, and she turned away from the weapon.

“Hey, Addi-” She stopped, noting the mournful expression on her friend’s face. “Everything alright?”

The Apothecary shook her head. “I saw the rosters. You’re being transferred to I Battalion?”

Corbin’s smile dropped a measure, but she kept her tone light. “Aethan was told to bring his best squad with him... S’pose I should be flattered.” She paused, eyeing Addi. “You think he’s makin’ a mistake?”

Addi shifted, casting her eyes down. She didn’t answer. Corbin tilted her head, feeling a twinge of hurt.

“... C’mon, don’t insult me here.” The veteran let an edge of annoyance come into her voice as she half-turned back to her workbench. “I know me and Raana go at eachother’s throats sometimes, but-”

“-It’s not that,” Addi interrupted, looking back up at Corbin. Her dark eyes were puffy and red-rimmed. “I don’t care if you and Raana fight, or don’t fight. I couldn’t care less.” She hesitated, a shade of color tinging her pale cheeks. “I... just can’t bear you leaving, Corb.”

Corbin’s demeanor softened, a blush touching her own cheeks. She’d always been sweet on the Apothecary, ever since they were Inductii - but had never found the nerve to tell her. She turned back to face the Apothecary.

“Addi...”

Addivaria closed the gap between them, pressing her lips to Corbin’s. The veteran was stunned, though not too much to return the frantic kiss.

“I love you, Corbin.”

“Aw, Addi...” It was Corbin’s turn to blush, feeling her eyes brim. "Love you too. More than anything." She kissed the Apothecary once more, this time with tenderness. "You could'a told me sooner, goob."

Addi let out something between a sob and a laugh, resting her head on Corbin’s shoulder. “I suppose even an Astartes can get nervous.” She paused to rummage through a pocket in her fatigues, fishing something out to present to the veteran. It was a silver chain that bore a tiny aquila, made from brass. The charm had the telltale tang of gunpowder on it - likely shaped from part of a bolter’s shell-casing. “Take this with you, Corb. So that you’ll come back to me.”

Corbin closed her own hand around the trinket, enveloping Addivaria’s hand in hers.

“I’ll come back to you, Addi. That’s a promise.”

(Submission for @40kartweek - lil bit of Corbin/Addi fluff for the ‘Distance’ Prompt.

Mild feels because this is about a year prior to Istvaan V D:)