Work Text:
Kosmo, heart piece in hand, walked up slowly to Nova’s body. Stepping up to the pedestal, he took a long look at the husk that was once his love.
(That will be his love again, because this will work. Putting the heart inside will bring her back to life. They will be together again. She’ll be by his side again.
This had to work. This had to.)
Kosmo fitted the heart into her chest and closed the plate. He took a couple steps back.
(This had to work this had to work this had to work oh please work—)
Nova’s eyes brightened, her machinery starting up with a whir. Kosmo’s breath shuddered. Alive. She was alive. It worked. He did it.
Even if she didn’t remember, this was enough. It was enough to have her here with him. Not as a lifeless head or as a bunch of bits and pieces scattered across the stars — stuck in unreachable places or held possessively by strangers — but as Nova. This was enough. This was enough.
(…He says that, but deep down, his heart lurches and aches at the thought of a Nova who doesn’t remember him.
Of a Nova who looks at him blankly, without a trace of fondness or care in those brilliantly piercing eyes. Of a Nova who glances at the shelf and sees only random bits and bobs instead of cherished little moments in time.
Of a Nova who doesn’t love him.
How could he cope? How could he live with only a corpse of his love by his side, the Nova who laughed and played pranks on him and adored dangerous things lost forever because of his naivety?
How could he live with that?)
Nova took a couple steps forward, head tilting down and eyes focusing on him. Kosmo’s hands trembled.
( Please, please remember, Kosmo begged, tears pooling in his eyes. Please, please don’t forget me. )
…
…
…After a few dazed blinks, Nova’s lips slowly curled into a small smile. Kosmo’s breath hitched, tears finally overflowing onto his cheeks. He launched himself into her chest, squeezing her like she’d explode into pieces again if he didn’t hold on tight enough. He let out a heavy sob.
Nova gently closed her arms around him, stroking the back of his head in a way she hadn’t for so long. Kosmo sobbed louder.
“I missed you,” he choked, “I missed you so, so much. I’m—I’m so sorry. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay,” she murmured, her familiar staticy voice tearing Kosmo apart even more. Alive, alive, alive— Nova pressed a kiss onto his forehead. “It’s okay. I’m here now. I’m here. It’s okay.”
Kosmo wept into her chest as Nova continued to whisper sweet comforts to him, rubbing soothing circles and nuzzling into his head
He was so glad that his Nova had come back to him.
(He was so, so glad.)