— Amber eyes met with green, Talia sliding her hand up Ivy's back, over her shoulders and into her hair.

She'd carefully comb through the red locks, fingertips brushing against the skin of her scalp.

It was soft and silky in her warm hands.

— You can see the aurora interacting with the atmosphere, the distant stars. Sometimes, depending on where you are, you can see other planets or even nebulae."

— I've had to have seen them in the wild maybe once."

She turned over onto her side so she was facing the other woman.

"Do you think they'd look good over on the desk?"

Talia watched as she moved to lay down, and after a moment of consideration, the Spartan would also lower herself back to lay down on the bed with Ivy.

"Succulents sound like they would be nice. I might have seen them a few times before. With all the planets I've been to, —

"Which ones would you recommend? I can see what I can do about getting a hold of them."

Talia would return the squeeze, rubbing her thumb against Ivy's fingers

"I had to get one that is a bit on the larger side to accommodate for my height. I can't say I have any complaints there."

Talia felt her skin tingle underneath the kiss, a blush rising to her cheeks.

"I've considered plants, I just would need some that would do okay with long periods of absence. Especially with the work I do. I wouldn't want to get something I can't care for properly."

"I would appreciate that. I haven't the slightest idea how to, that's not exactly something they went over in training."

Her hand would search for the botanist's, the large fingers gently lacing between her own.

"What do you think would make this place feel more lively?"

— "I think part of my issue is not knowing what I would want to have up and around in my room. I don't really think much about decor."

"Well. Cozy enough. I don't have too many personal artifacts. But that might change over time."

She'd glance over at her sitting area and bed, most of it was standard issue UNSC furnishings.

Talia moved around the edge of her bed and sat down on the side of it, placing her hands into her lap.

—

The Beta carried her through corridor after corridor, all the way to her personal quarters.

As she approached the room, Talia adjusted her hold on Ivy, keeping her close as she managed to open the door.

Passing through the doorway, it would be now that she places the woman back down onto her feet.

"We'll go to my place."

Talia gently pressed her forehead against Ivy's, arms moving to scoop the botanist up into something of a bridal carry.

A soft grin tugged at the corners of her mouth.

"Let me lead the way for you."

The Spartan leaned forward, bringing her face closer to Ivy's. Her eyes lowered, forehead less than a few centimeters away from her.

Her lips were just a breath away from Ivy's, her words above a whisper.

"Would you like to join me for the evening?"