#ace!raleigh

[skull-bearer]

mako and raleigh getting civil unioned or married in secret and this changing nothing about their super awesome platonic bros dynamic?

It’s a quiet little ceremony, just them, and Herc; they needed witnesses, and Mako suggested the two scientists- Raleigh cannot say he exactly likes them, but Mako grew up with them and they aren’t likely to go running to the press;

The last thing they need is more paparazzi attention paid to their relationship, but legally it’ll be so much easier like this.

Raleigh- wouldn’t mind too much, in fact, he wouldn’t mind making a bit more of a fuss; a nice dress, a little reception for their friends-

But Mako wants something small, and he can feel how happy she is, getting this quickly out of the way;

Herc goes through the script, they give the usual answers and- it’s done. Raleigh smiles, slips the ring on his finger, Mako puts hers on a chain around her neck, smiles at him;

Raleigh feels something warm inside him, some- confidence, reassurance through this ceremony;

Because they are no ceremonies for close friends, no concept, even now, of friends as the closest and best relationship; and maybe part of his had been worrying Mako would become closer to someone else;

Mako takes his hand, gives him a half-annoyed, half-amused look, and he knows she heard that; she nudges into him as they walk out, he nudges back, she nudges harder, and they break out laughing.

[skull-bearer]

Raleigh helps Mako get ready for a booty call.

Mako look over her dresses; they’re old, bought on whims or half-hearted wishful thinking; she can’t remember when she last wore one;

She sighs and closes the door; Raleigh is giving her dress uniform a quick steam; the crisp lines of the cloth gives her a brief flash of dissatisfaction;

“Feel like a change?” Raleigh puts in, giving the uniform a shake to get the excess steam out;

Mako pauses, then opens the closet again, “Which is the best?”

Raleigh comes to stand next to her, trails his hand over the simple cut of the dresses; “You look good in blue;”

Blue, blue, always blue- uniform blue, hair blue, Kaiju blue; Mako touches the streak in her hair and wonders- but no, not until it’s over, then she can change;

“Never mind,” she turns back to the uniform, “It always look good;”

“You look good in everything;” Raleigh gives her his smile- that sweet, lopsided smile;

Mako smiles, picks up the dress uniform;

Blue today, but one day, when the war is over- the rainbow will open to her, and she will wear red, gold, purple and pink.