[P&L] "You're going to love it here."

As Cygnus stepped off the spacecraft, she let out a sigh of relief. The fresh air was a welcomed change, and she stretched out as her paws it solid ground. She turned back to look to her companion as he stepped down the bay, giving him a soft smile.

“Already feeling better?” He teased, looking to her with a small grin.

She nodded. “It’s always the last week of an expedition when I start to feel the most antsy, don’t you ever get tired of the canned air?”

Ophiuchus nodded in agreement as they walked along the spacecraft landing zone, exiting into the terminal. After some back and forth, they managed to hail a shuttle.

“You’re real lucky my family’s willing to keep you this time.” Cygnus said playfully. “Ma prepped the guest room and everything.”

He feigned a sadness in his expression. “Whatt? We aren’t going to share a room like last time?” He sighed out. “I thought you loved me.”

She punched him in the arm, face flushed. “Save it.” She matched his feigned and dramatic expression. “You’ll live.”

The shuttle took them from the small spacecraft port to the train station, packed with all sorts of people coming to and from in a large crossing of cars and shafts. Cygnus consulted the timetables with a great sense of familiarity, remembering all the mornings and afternoons she’d navigate the clustered square to find her way home. School, trips, work… it made her heart swell. She was happy to be home.

“They’re cooking a big meal tonight.” She then said as they weaved through the walkways towards their train, tickets in hand. “So, be ready.”

“I haven’t eaten a crumb.” He grinned. “I’ve been hearing all about this famous cooking of theirs from you for months. I’m ready to be blown away.” As they boarded the train, they found comfortable seats by the window, sitting together as they chatted. “—It better be a 10-course meal with live music.” He then teased.

“You’re gonna get what you get from the famous Allario Chefs.” She warned, pointing a finger to him. “This isn’t some fancy-shmancy 5-star restaurant at some resort planet. It’s real food.”

“You sound like a bumpkin.”

She gasped. “I do not. It’s real, homegrown cooking. Local ingredients, family recipes. It’s way better than any galactic Michelin star cooking. That stuff is for the reporters and the rich folks; this is for real people.”

He nodded wisely with a cheeky grin on his face. “Right.” He chuckled. “I totally get it. I don’t doubt it for a second.”

Cygnus knew he was playing, but she couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “You’ll be eating your words here soon.”

The train ride took them out of the city and into a more scenic rural countryside, farmland and tiered terraces filled the windows with gorgeous views of nature. Cygnus missed this. Her home, where she grew up. It was always her perfect little slice of the universe to come home to, and now she could share it with Ophiuchus. The rolling hills of ranch land, animals grazing on sweet grass… the bright blue sky that danced with squashy-soft clouds. It was exactly as she remembered it from years ago, coming home from schooldays.

“You’re going to love it here, I just know it.” She said softly, eyes fixated outside.

Ophiuchus didn’t follow her gaze, eyes transfixed on her instead. “Yeah, I think I will.” He replied quietly.