As the night settled over Heatsun's base, the warmth of family reunions lingered in the air.
Darren and Maria, having forced their way here with some Resistance members, refused to let go of their parents, clinging tightly to Sheila and Dr. Aron in a heartfelt embrace.
Darren: "We missed you so much, Mom! Dad!"
Maria: "You're always away... but we finally found you!"
Even the battle-hardened Sheila softened at their touch, kneeling down and ruffling Maria's hair.
Sheila: "You little brats... I told you to stay put."
But there was no real scolding in her voice-just relief. Dr. Aron, normally composed, let out a rare chuckle, wrapping his arms around both of them.
Aron: "I suppose there's no stopping you two."
The Resistance members standing nearby awkwardly saluted.
Resistance Soldier: "They wouldn't take no for an answer, sir... They forced us to bring them."
With two extra people suddenly joining the base, there was a new problem: space.
That night, as everyone prepared to rest, it became clear that the already limited number of beds was now stretched even thinner. Sheila and Aron, realizing the inconvenience, tried to take responsibility.
Sheila: "We're probably making things harder for you. We'll take the kids and leave for the night."
But Heatsun raised a hand, stopping her.
Heatsun: "Nonsense. We'll manage. You're important here, and besides-family should stay together."
Even Moonsalt nodded in agreement.
Moonsalt: "It's been a long time since we've had a full house. It might be cramped, but we'll make it work."
Henry and Marie, lounging casually nearby, laughed.
Henry: "You're talking like it's a problem! Marie and I share a bed all the time, so even if we swap, it doesn't make a difference."
Marie: "Exactly! It builds character!"
But while everyone else seemed to be settling in, there was one glaring issue-
Tim and Rei were bedless.
Moonsalt, after counting the available beds, suddenly clapped her hands together.
Moonsalt: "Oh! We have a shared bed as a reserve. Tim and Rei, you two can take that one."
The room went silent.
Tim and Rei froze.
Heatsun, seemingly unaware of their reactions, nodded.
Heatsun: "Yes, yes. It should be comfortable enough. You two can adjust."
Rei: "Wait, wait-what?"
Tim: "You're saying we have to-"
Henry, lounging on his own bed, smirked.
Henry: "What's the problem? Marie and I share a bed too. No big deal."
Marie: "Yeah, we don't mind swapping if you want, but that doesn't change anything."
Rei's face twitched slightly.
Tim rubbed the back of his neck, looking increasingly flustered.
Then, Jim, who had been quietly resting, suddenly spoke up from his bed.
Jim: "Oh... that's probably the bed my parents used to share before this base was created. I faintly remember as I was 4-5 years old that time."
That did not help.
Tim and Rei both stared at Jim, their expressions a mix of shock and exasperation.
Rei facepalmed.
Rei: "You're telling me we have to sleep on your parents' old bed?!"
Jim, barely able to move due to his injuries, simply shrugged.
Jim: "It's a bed, isn't it?"
Tim groaned.
Tim: "This is going to be a long night."
As the others began settling in, Tim and Rei reluctantly approached the shared bed, standing awkwardly beside it.
The battle against Blooma was one thing... but this? This was a whole new kind of challenge.
Tim and Rei stood awkwardly in front of the shared bed, neither making the first move.
Around them, the others had already settled into their respective places. Henry and Marie were casually lying on their shared bed as if this was the most normal thing in the world. Sheila and Dr. Aron were busy making sure Darren and Maria were comfortable, while Heatsun and Moonsalt were watching over the still-injured Jim.
Tim: "Alright... I guess we don't have a choice."
Rei: "We don't. But if you snore, I'm throwing you off."
Tim rolled his eyes and sat on the bed, testing it. It was surprisingly comfortable-not that it made things any less awkward. Rei sighed and sat on the opposite side, keeping as much distance as possible.
The bed was big, but knowing that this used to be their mentor's shared bed made things... weird.
Jim, from his own bed, smirked slightly.
Jim: "You two are overthinking this. Just sleep."
Tim: "Easy for you to say."
Henry: "Oh, come on. If you guys are so uncomfortable, just consider it... Celestic Warrior bonding."
Tim and Rei both glared at him.
Henry: "Okay, okay, I'll shut up."
Marie: "I think it's cute."
Rei: "Nobody asked you."
As the base quieted down, the only sounds were the soft breathing of sleep.
Tim and Rei lay on opposite sides of the bed, staring at the ceiling.
Neither could sleep.
Both had been through grueling training, a brutal battle, and had saved an entire planet. And yet, somehow...
This was the part messing with their heads.
After what felt like an eternity, Rei sighed.
Rei: "You're tense."
Tim: "You think?"
A pause.
Then, to his surprise, Rei let out a small chuckle.
Rei: "It's kinda funny. We just fought a nightmare and nearly died, but this... this is what's got us acting weird."
Tim thought about it, then smirked.
Tim: "Yeah. That's dumb."
There was another pause before Rei shifted slightly, finally getting comfortable.
Rei: "Goodnight, Tim."
Tim closed his eyes.
Tim: "Goodnight, Rei."
And for the first time in a long while, the Celestic Warriors finally got some well-earned rest.
The next morning, as the first rays of sunlight slipped into Heatsun's base, a few Resistance members were already moving around.
Henry, stretching his arms after waking up, glanced around only to pause when he saw Tim and Rei still asleep in their room.
Except...
They were unconsciously embraced, with Tim's arm draped over Rei's waist and her face nestled close to his chest.
Henry blinked. Then smirked.
Henry (whispering): "Marie... you gotta see this."
Marie, who was just yawning nearby, looked at where Henry was pointing. Her eyes widened before she grinned mischievously.
Marie: "Oh, this is gold."
Jim, still bandaged up, walked nearby when his stare fell in their room. He tilted his head, raising an eyebrow.
Jim: "Huh. Guess they got too comfortable."
Henry was about to tease them when suddenly...
Moonsalt entered.
She looked around, noticing everyone was awake. Then, her eyes fell on Tim and Rei. Her expression softened before she let out a knowing smile.
Moonsalt: "Well, well... I guess they're closer than we thought."
Heatsun, walking in behind her, chuckled.
Heatsun: "Ah, young warriors. This reminds me of when we were younger, Moonsalt."
Hearing their voices, Tim and Rei stirred. Slowly, their eyes opened. At first, they didn't notice anything. Then...
Tim felt something warm against him.
Rei felt a strong arm around her.
Their eyes snapped open at the same time.
Realization.
Then-
Rei: "WHAT THE-?!"
Tim: "WHY ARE YOU-?!"
They quickly separated, sitting up and looking away from each other. Their faces were red as they tried to process the situation.
Henry (grinning): "Slept well?"
Marie: "You two looked so peaceful."
Tim and Rei (in unison): "SHUT UP!"
Jim just shook his head.
Jim: "You two make things more complicated than they need to be."
After their morning embarrassment, Tim and Rei pushed it aside and focused on training.
They practiced intensively, fine-tuning their Celestic Resonance and working on further amplifying their Celestic Blast.
Their attacks were getting faster, stronger, and more synchronized. Even Sheila, watching from the side, nodded approvingly.
Sheila: "You two are improving fast. I wouldn't be surprised if you surpass all expectations."
Tim and Rei shared a glance, feeling their progress.
But that night, as they lay in their respective beds, their minds drifted back to something else.
Their confession and kiss in Yamark.
The moment they nearly lost each other against Cannibal Deadbeat.
Back then, things had been uncertain. But now?
Rei sighed, staring at the ceiling.
Rei (thinking): "Do we... still feel the same way?"
Tim, across the room, clenched his fist slightly.
Tim (thinking): "That kiss... did it mean more than just the moment?"
Neither of them had answers.
But they both knew one thing-
They couldn't ignore it forever.
The Next Morning...
As the morning sun rose over Heatsun's base, the usual hustle of the Resistance began again. But today, it wasn't just about training or strategy-there was an undercurrent of change in the air.
Darren and Maria, still excited to be near their parents, ran up to Tim and Rei, who were finishing breakfast.
Darren (grinning): "You two look like you're meant to be together!"
Rei nearly choked on her food, and Tim stiffened.
Rei: "H-Hey! Where did you get that idea?"
Maria (innocently): "It's so obvious! You both always train together, fight together, and now you even sleep together-"
Rei and Tim froze as Jim, standing nearby, burst out laughing despite his still-healing injuries.
Jim (smirking): "Well, well, I guess it's official now. Even the kids see it."
Rei turned red, while Tim rubbed the back of his head.
Tim: "T-That's not-! Look, let's just focus on more important things, alright?"
Jim, who looked visibly better than yesterday, tried standing up straight and walking around. He stretched his arms and tested his mobility, nodding in satisfaction.
Jim: "I think I might be able to help in the next battle."
But before he could say anything else, Aron suddenly grabbed his shoulder.
Aron (sternly): "No, you won't."
Jim turned, confused.
Jim: "Come on, Doc. I feel fine."
Aron (crossing his arms): "I don't care how you feel. Until I say you're fully healed, you're not stepping into battle."
Jim sighed, rubbing his forehead.
Jim: "Man, you're strict."
Sheila (grinning): "That's why we trust him."
Nearby, Jeromy, now fully recovered, was packing up his things.
Tim: "Jeromy? What are you doing?"
Jeromy was looking a bit distant.
Jeromy: "I will be heading back to train the Celestic Justice squad, tomorrow."
Rei (surprised): "Already? You just recovered."
Jeromy smiled slightly, but there was a weight behind his eyes.
Jeromy: "We don't have much time left. If Dark Void's forces strike again, the Celestic Justice squad needs to be ready."
Tim and Rei exchanged glances but didn't stop him.
Tim (nodding): "Do what you have to, Jeromy."
Jeromy gave them a thumbs-up as he kept track of what he was forgetting.
As the moonlight seeped through the small cracks in the base, a quiet tension filled the air. Tim and Rei lay beside each other on the shared bed, just as they had the previous night. But this time, there was no teasing, no embarrassment-just an unspoken weight between them.
Tim exhaled, staring at the ceiling.
Tim: "Rei... I can't deny it anymore."
Rei turned her head slightly, her eyes searching his. She had been trying to suppress it, but even in the dim lighting, it was clear from her expression-she felt the same.
Rei: "Tim..."
Tim continued, his voice quieter now.
Tim: "We've fought against so much... but Dark Void is different. We have no idea what his real power is. We'll fight with everything we have, but..." (his fists clenched) "...there's absolutely no guarantee we'll win."
Rei's gaze darkened. She had been thinking the same.
Rei: "There are... uncertainties."
She took a deep breath before looking back at him.
Rei: "You know, I probably would have been killed by Dark Void back then."
Tim frowned at her words.
Rei (softly): "You could've escaped. You could've left me behind and escaped with Henry and Marie when things got bad. But instead... you tried to sacrifice yourself for me."
Tim's jaw tightened.
Tim: "Because I would've hated myself if you had died in the hands of the one who was using you as a puppet."
There was a silence between them.
Then-
Tim (firmly): "Don't talk about the 'what ifs' so casually."
Rei blinked, slightly surprised at the intensity in his voice.
Tim: "We're in this together. No matter what happens, I won't abandon you. And don't forget-while I was assumed dead, you fought on your own. You defeated the elite commanders by yourself. You carried on."
Rei looked away for a moment, but Tim wasn't done.
Tim (softly): "You're strong, Rei. Stronger than you know."
Then, before he could second-guess himself, he moved closer and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a hug.
Tim: "...I don't know if we'll make it out alive."
His voice was barely above a whisper now.
Tim: "I don't know if we'll have to make a sacrifice. I don't know if we'll be lost forever. But..."
Rei tightened her grip around him, feeling his heartbeat against her own.
Rei: "...I'm scared too."
There was nothing more to say. The fear, the uncertainty-it was all real.
But right now?
Rei closed her eyes, pressing her forehead against his shoulder.
Rei: "If there's a chance we won't make it... then at least... I want to be straight with my feelings."
Tim's breath hitched slightly.
Slowly, he leaned in-
And Rei did the same.
The screen faded to black.
The Next Day...
The first rays of sunlight filtered through the cracks of Heatsun's base, casting a golden glow over the sleeping warriors. The air was still, a calm before the inevitable storm.
Tim stirred slightly, feeling an unfamiliar warmth against him. As he opened his eyes, he realized Rei was nestled against his chest, her arms loosely wrapped around him.
For a moment, he simply stared at her, the memory of last night lingering in his mind.
"We may not make it... but at least I want to be straight with my feelings."
Then, his face turned pure red as he remembered what they did after that.
Tim tried to suppress his redness as he let out a breath and gently ran a hand through her hair, taking in the rare moment of peace. But it didn't last long.
"Ehhhh?! Look at them!!"
Tim's eyes shot open wider as he turned his head.
Standing right beside the bed, staring at them with amused grins, were Darren and Maria.
Darren (smirking): "They totally look like they're meant to be together!"
Maria (nodding): "They were even cuddling! They must be in love!"
Tim felt heat rush to his face as he quickly tried to move, but Rei was still half-asleep, shifting slightly and gripping onto him tighter.
Tim (thinking, panicking): Oh no. Oh no, no, no, no-
Then-
"Hmm...?"
Rei's voice was drowsy as she slowly opened her eyes, immediately realizing where she was and how close they were.
Rei (blinking): "...Tim?"
Then-her eyes widened.
Her gaze darted to Darren and Maria, then back at Tim.
A deep, red blush spread across her cheeks.
Rei: "W-Wait-this isn't-!!"
But before she could say anything else, Henry and Marie walked in, yawning.
Henry: "What's with all the noise-?"
Then they saw Tim and Rei.
Then they saw Darren and Maria pointing at them.
Then-
Marie (grinning): "Ohhh... so that's how it is, huh?"
Tim: "...IT'S NOT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE!"
Rei immediately sat up, but her blush was only getting worse as Henry and Marie exchanged teasing looks.
Jim-who had been leaning on the wall nearby-cleared his throat, looking slightly better than yesterday.
Jim (smirking): "I dunno, Tim. It kinda looks like what it looks like."
Tim groaned, covering his face.
Rei (gritting her teeth, still blushing): "...Can we just-get past this already?!"
Sheila, who had just entered, raised an eyebrow at the commotion.
Sheila: "...What in the universe is going on here?"
Darren smirked.
Darren: "Tim and Rei are totally in love."
Tim choked on air.
Rei looked like she was about to die from embarrassment.
Sheila (smirking): "...Oh? Now this is interesting."
Tim and Rei simultaneously groaned, as the entire base erupted into laughter.