[The green is a welcome sight after all that sad sad purple. More head rubs! Rhys leans in to give him another little kiss.]
You're gonna have to be careful working in the greenhouse. All that green hair, smelling all flowery you might start attracting bees.
It's...
It's important.
Yes! Yes, I'm fine.
...I'm right outside your cabin.
[Knock knock.]
"Hi."
She's almost vibrating with nerves, her hands laced together tightly.
"...I graduated."
Rose yelps and grabs him around the waist, spinning him up and around like he weighs nothing.
"Just now! I - I didn't think it was going to happen, but I was talking to Ford, and I - I think I was just scared to let it happen? And now I...I'm not not scared, but I need to try."
Rose sets him down, gently, and puts her hands to his shoulders.
"I've got to go home. My son, the other Gems...I know it didn't go well when we last talked, but I wasn't ready to listen to them. Not really. And I love them. If they'll give me another chance, I want to take it."
She's tearing up.
"...I just wish I could take you with me."
"...I don't know what mind of mom I am yet," she admits. "But I want to be good. I'm going to do everything I can."
She cups his face in her hands, kisses his forehead.
"And when you're done here, you know you have a home with me, right? If you ever need it, or want it. You're one of the most special people I've ever known."
She smiles back, then hugs him again, more gently this time.
"It would be so nice. I could never have managed being here without you, Beetlejuice. Thank you for being my friend."
"You're right," she says, startled. "I'll ask. There has to be someone on board who can make that happen, right? Or the Admiral. I bet it doesn't matter to him where he sends people home to."
"I'll be thinking of you," she promises, and kisses his cheek this time. She leaves the cool of her tears behind. "I miss you already."
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