While Diesel was speaking, he jerked his chin in dismissal at the handful of humans seated around the bonfire. They dispersed but not before shooting curious looks in Kira's direction that she pretended not to see.
When they were gone, Diesel beckoned her to take a seat next to him. Graydon hung back as Kira crossed the short distance and lowering herself into the camp chair.
Time had carved grooves into the deep brown of Diesel’s skin. The stubble on his chin and jaw had stray pieces of gray in them. He was only three years older than Raider, but it looked closer to a decade.
Diesel was studying her in the same fashion she was him. "Damn, it's good to see you, Nixxy. I had a feeling you'd come back here."
"Better late than never, I guess."
"Yes, I suppose it is," Diesel agreed softly.
Kira cleared her throat. "Your companion informed me of the memorial."
"It's nice. I think the rest would have approved."
Kira had no doubt about that. They'd have gotten a laugh at the idea of something being erected in their honor. There would have been teasing regarding how very sentimental everyone was being. Then they would have thanked those involved with a sincerity that would have made things very awkward for a couple of minutes.
"You should visit it before you leave. Pay your respects. I think it would be good for you."
Kira looked away. "You always were too smart for my peace of mind."
"Someone had to keep you lot from accidentally killing yourselves."
Kira's snort held a tired amusement. "If that's what you want to tell yourself."
Diesel's smile broadened, the goofy expression vanquishing the heavy atmosphere that had threatened to ruin the moment.
"What are you doing on Rothchild anyway?" Kira asked.
From what she remembered, Diesel was from Merit. She was surprised that he hadn’t returned home after the war.
That's what they'd been fighting for, after all. Their homes.
Diesel's expression was wistful as he trained his gaze on the moon. "I thought about going home. Somehow, it just felt wrong. You know?"
His question didn't require a response.
Diesel touched the spot where his legs ended. "This place had already claimed a piece of me. It seemed only fitting I give it the rest."
"So, you stayed."
"And so, I stayed."
Silence settled between them. The kind that was bought from the pain of shared experience and an understanding that spanned years of serving by the other's side.
"Brie tells me you're here for the All Father."
"Yeah, about that." Kira shifted to level an astounded look on Diesel. "I didn’t expect you to be the type to let Odin stay here. Let alone make use of the Vega."
That ship would have meant every bit as much to him as it did her. For him to let someone make use of it, a stranger at that, was puzzling.
Diesel leaned on the arm of his chair. "Interesting fellas, those two."
"Two?"
"Twins. A man and a woman." Diesel took a sip out of the insulated coffee mug he held. "They thought we wouldn't notice, what with them being nearly identical and all."
Diesel tapped the skin under his eye with a cocky grin.
