They’ve made it to Meridian - gaining each other along the way.
Last full chapter. Look guys, I made it!
Enjoy ♥ There will be a short Epilogue as well but not yet lol.
Huge thanks to @kittenkakt for all the betaing she’s done on this fic, and @wafflesrock16 for always being a big support ♥♥ Congrats again my friend!!
Also on AO3!
“Rainer - Rainer, wake up!”
“Hmmmwhaaa?”
“Rainer,” she pauses, her grin brilliant when his eyes finally slit open, “We’re here.”
The arrival announcement goes off overhead just as he comes fully conscious, sub-vocals purring at the excitement rolling off of his amicae.
“We’re here.” he echoes, loving the way her eyes light up, thrilled that the trip through space hadn’t wracked her nerves so badly this time.
Probably because, finally, they were reaching the place she’d wanted to be all along.
Maybe a month after their stay on the Nexus, Rose had received an email from Pathfinder Ryder herself: from what she’d heard and the research she’d done, she believed Rose and her team to be a good fit for Meridian, but wished to conduct an interview herself.
So they’d set up the small holo-grid they kept for such times in the living room, all gathered around, and made the call.
Right from the beginning, it was clear that this was going to work perfectly; Pathfinder Ryder was every bit as casual and inquisitive as people said she was, and she explained the interview was more of a formality than anything else.
“I need to prove I’m not ‘playing favorites.’ Ryder had said, rolling her eyes, “I went through hell to save this Cluster, I think I’m allowed to invite who I like to Meridian, but whatever.”
Rainer liked her - especially because of her relaxed her tone made Rose, an easy conversation forming between them.
It had been especially entertaining when the Pathfinders husband and three children had appeared in the holo alongside her, wanting to investigate the newcomers as well.
“We’ll need some time to build your labs - if you can start emailing me specs for what you’d like, we’ll get working on it. I know the perfect area for it - not right in the heart of the Remnant structures, but close enough for there to be plenty of variety to work on.”
“That sounds more than perfect, Pathfinder Ryder.”
“Please, call me Aria. And consider yourselves officially invited to Meridian. We’ll talk soon!”
True to her word, once she’d had the specs the Pathfinder had gotten her crews working - it would be a bigger complex, custom this time, since it would be all four of them going permanently, so far as they knew.
Parents were told, packing began, and with every emailed update from Ryder, Rose had gotten more and more excited, anxious to be there.
And then, four months later, Ryder had called: Your lab is ready, and transports been arranged. Get ready.
So here they are, Rose pressed right to the glass of their window to stare at the mysterious planet rising up below them, vibrating against his side when Rainer wraps an arm around her.
The Nomad is packed in the cargo bay, loaded up with all the important things they’d needed to bring - most of their equipment and furniture had been left on Eos, ready for the next crew to acquire. Jaal had a bit too much fun furnishing things for you - you’re more than welcome to change things. Blame the kids for anything ridiculous.
“Les’go, Princess.” Rainer hums at her as they draw in close to the port, tugging her to her feet, “The future awaits.”
Rose laughs and gives his hand a squeeze, taking the lead as the excitement grips her anew, meeting up with Malee and Naermi in the cargo bay.
They all share a grin as the ship finishes its landing and the loading doors swing down, revealing a familiar group of people waiting to greet them.
Aria strides forwards with her boys on either side of her, Jaal trailing behind with their daughter in his arms.
Rose holds her hand out to shake and lets out a little gasp when she’s pulled into a half-hug instead, the Pathfinder laughing and giving a half-grin.
“Welcome to Meridian, friends - and welcome to the family, really. I may have bumped you ahead of most of the other colonists.” Aria grins, winking, “You came highly recommended - and my kids were too excited to meet you, so I couldn’t say no.”
“They were-?”
“Can you teach me to be a sniper?!” the turian boy at her side is suddenly talking to him, and Rainer has to swallow a startled squawk at the eagerness pinned on him.
“Uh, sure, kiddo. S’long as yer parents dun’mind.”
“In a couple of years, Adrian - I’m sure Rainer can show you all his tricks, then.”
“That’s awesome!!”
“Welcome to Meridian, my friends!” Jaal comes up beside his wife, voice booming as all Angara’s seem to, grin wide and welcoming, “We have everything ready for you! It was quite fun to arrange, truly. Our little Senri here helped quite a bit!”
“Helped!” Senri chirps, her voice a sing-song, and Rose nearly melts at his side.
“I’m sure we’ll love it.” Rose says, smiling at the child and earning a cheer in return.
“If you’re comfortable driving, you four can follow in your Nomad - it’s about a twenty minute drive, since we have to navigate through some of the rougher terrain.”
“Sure, let us squeeze in and we’ll be good.”
Aria nods, and each group heads for their respective vehicles - Rose starting her trusty Nomad up and driving it down off the ships ramp, following after the Pathfinders own vehicle once it started to move.
Their group chatted idly as they drove - Rose mostly focused on the road and navigating the unfamiliar terrain, Naermi and Malee chattering about all the new bugs they could possibly find, Rainer pointing out little things as they passed.
“Hey - Ah think thas’ th’ Pathfinders private settlement.” he points as they drive past an area with maybe six houses and a small waterfall, secluded and well hidden, “Ah’m s’prised she’d put us any’where near ’er own place.”
“Well… we’re ‘family’ now, apparently they like us.” Rose shrugs, lips quirked up as she continues to drive - eyes going bright as they exit into what is clearly their own space maybe five minutes later, pulling up alongside the Pathfinders Nomad.
“Wow.” Malee gasps from the back seat, and Rainer echoes that statement.
They don’t do anythin’ in halves here.
Their new lab is two full, two story buildings connected by a glass walkway on the main level. There’s an entrance on the front of each building - something they’d requested, so that they could have their own privacy, as could Malee and Naermi - and he can just make out Remnant structures in the background, easily within walking distance.
“Well.” he says after a moment, shooting Rose a look, “Shall we?”
She grins back, unbuckling herself, “Let’s go.”
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The Pathfinder and her family give them a full tour of the new facilities, going over every safety feature and extra feature, which rooms had what, how to access communications and backups should they need to.
By the time they say goodbye, and Malee and Naermi have disappeared into their own half of the lab, Rainer’s ready to grab Rose and go curl up for a nap.
There’s one last thing he wants to do before that, though.
“This is amazing - I still can’t quite believe this is real.” she says as he steps up behind her, leaning easily back against him as he wraps long arms around her torso.
Rainer hums against her hair. “Is it everythin’ yah imagined?”
“Better, really - I’ve got you, after all.” Rose puts her arms over his, sighing in content, “Life is pretty fucking good right now.”
“Ah’m glad. Gimme yer hand fer a sec, will yah?”
“Hmm?”
He doesn’t hesitate, this time - just lifts her left hand and slips the little band he’d been fiddling with onto her finger, lining it up with the promise ring he’d given her at Christmas - a matching set that fit perfectly together.
Rose holds her hand out in front of her for a moment, and he can feel the amusement rolling off of her when she says “Just how long have you been planning this, Mr. Vakarian?”
“Oh, y’know.” Rainer chuckles, purring and nuzzling against her hair again, “Since Ah realized yah were th’best damn thing that’d ever happened ta meh.”
“Aw, you big softie.”
“Hush, you.” he chuckles again, humming, “Marry me, Rose?”
She scoffs, squirming in his grip in order to turn around and pin him with bright amber eyes, “Like that’s even a question - you’re never getting rid of me, Rainer.” Then, softly, “Yes.”
Rainer smirks, bending to kiss her, a touch Rose returns all too happily - brushing his forehead against hers when he pulls away.
“Y’know.” she whispers after a moment, voice almost teasing, “We’ve got lots of room now… I was thinking of uh… applying to the Cheir program. Maybe. If my husband-to-be is on board, at least.”
He doesn’t even try to hide the burst of subvocals that escape him at that, and Rose’s laughter is worth every moment of surprise.
“Ah think ah’d like that.” he says once she’s stopped laughing, and her smile makes everything worth it.
