// He has done it again. We haven't even been here for a centar, and already he has found someone. They are wrapped around each other and acting as if they are the only two people in the room. Why does it still hurt so much to see him like this? You would think that after all these years I would be immune, but it still hurts every time. I have loved him since we met at the Academy, but even though he is my best friend and knows me better than anyone, he has never noticed. The only thing that has ever held his heart is flying. Many people have tried, but whenever it looks like getting serious, he runs away. For a while I thought Cassiopeia was going to be the one that tamed him, but he stayed true to form.

I have tried to get on with my life, but I haven't been very successful. I could never love anyone enough because my heart was already taken. The only reason I sealed with Serina was because I thought Starbuck was dead. She knew I loved him more than her, so she took advantage of his absence. When he reappeared on Kobol, I almost blurted it out in relief that he was alive. Instead I hugged him tight. I could feel Serina's disapproval, but I didn't care. He was alive and that was all that mattered.

When Serina was killed, I couldn't help but feel relief. Just before she died, she told me that she knew I loved him. She was upset that he had won, and she wanted to tell him. If she hadn't been dying at the time, I would have been yelling at her. As it was, I had to take several deep breaths to stop myself. I didn't really care for her that much as I found her to be too pushy and manipulative. Boxey though, is a different story. I really do like the kid. Sometimes he reminds a little of Starbuck, and I fantasize about him being "our" child... Even though it's physically impossible. He is great with Boxey, even if he does keep teaching him to gamble! I keep wishing that we were a family, but I will have to settle for him as my best friend.

If there is one good thing that has come about since Serina's death, it is the fact that Starbuck now spends even more time with me. He thinks that I am still grieving and is always trying to get me to go out more. He thinks that I don't date anyone because I'm still mourning, but it is because I only want him. I'm just lucky that Boxey hasn't found out yet. If he ever does, it will be hell. He would tell Starbuck, and then I would lose my best friend. I couldn't stand that.

I think I will call it a night. I can't stand to watch him with her any more. I don't know whether to tell him I'm leaving or not. I want to speak to him, but I don't want to see *her*. Maybe I should try to catch his eye and wave goodbye as I leave.//

Apollo started making his way to the exit, unaware that Starbuck had been watching him the entire time. He had mastered the art of watching Apollo without him knowing. It was something he had been doing since he had met him back in the Academy. He had fallen instantly in lust with him, and over the years, the lust had developed into love. He had fallen deeply for his best friend, but he never did anything about it because Apollo had never given any indication that he had the same feelings. He was relieved every time Apollo broke up with a girlfriend, because he could spend more time with him. He wanted him to be happy, but at the same time he wanted him all to himself. When Apollo started dating Serina, he felt his heart breaking. He realized that this one was serious. They had hated each other instantly, but acted civil to each other while around Apollo. Serina recognized him as a potential rival, and went out of her way to avoid him. The pain he felt when he returned from the Cylon Basestar to find Apollo married was indescribable. When Apollo hugged him though, he was confused. He thought he saw more than friendship in his eyes, but it was gone so fast he wasn't sure. The relief he felt when Serina died still made him feel guilty. He should not feel pleasure at her death because it hurt Apollo, but he did. It was a great excuse to spend more time with him. He went around often to help with Boxey and to cheer up Apollo. Boxey was a wonderful child, and Apollo was a great father. Starbuck knew that he wasn't going to have children of his own, and he liked to fantasize that Boxey was his and Apollo's son... that they were a real family. He wanted that more than anything, but didn't think it was possible. Instead he hid behind meaningless relationships. Everyone thought he was a womanizer, incapable of making a commitment, but they didn't realise that he had given his heart away years ago. Even Apollo didn't know any different.

The last few sectars Apollo had been sending out conflicting signals, and so Starbuck had been watching him even more than normal. Tonight, he was more open than ever before. He was almost able to read his thoughts. He had done his normal trick of latching onto someone, but he was still watching Apollo. As he watched, he felt his hope rising. Apollo looked at him with such open longing that Starbuck was having trouble paying attention to his pickup. When he saw Apollo heading for the exit, he knew he had to follow. He tried to pull away from his companion, but she wouldn't let go.
"Where are you going? I thought you were going to stay with me tonight," the girl whined.
"I need to speak to someone."
"You mean you want to chase after your 'boyfriend'" she replied acidly.
"What do you mean by that?" The sudden venom in her voice stung him.
"Exactly what I said! You were just using me to make your poofter boyfriend jealous." Her face was bright red with hatred and fury. "People like you should be shot!" Starbuck didn't care what she said about him, but she was badmouthing Apollo and that made him furious.
"Don't you talk about Apollo that way," Starbuck hissed menacingly. "If it wasn't for him, you would have been killed by Cylons long ago. People like you make me wonder why we bother!" With that, he stormed away from her and exited the room. People were looking at him, but he didn't notice. He was still furious, and now he definitely needed to speak to Apollo.

By the time Starbuck had made his way to Apollo's quarters, he had calmed down again. He hesitated outside the doors as he prayed that he wasn't making a mistake. He loved Apollo so much, and he couldn't bear the thought of not having him in his life. He was still standing there, undecided, when the door slid open to reveal a startled Apollo.
"Hi 'Pol."
"Hello Starbuck... what are you doing here? I thought you had found other 'entertainment' for tonight." Apollo tried to keep his voice even, but some of the hurt came through.
"I wanted to speak to you... I *need* to speak to you."
"I have to go pick up Boxey, but we can talk later if you want."
"Yeah... that would be good. I'll come with you to pick up Boxey."
"Okay."

They walked together to Athena's, chattering about work, but avoiding any personal subjects. It was comfortable, and neither wanted to be anywhere else. When they reached Athena's quarters, Boxey came barreling out.
"Starbuck... Starbuck!" He yelled before launching himself at him. Starbuck found himself with an armful of squirming Boxey.
Athena laughed as she watched the happy reunion. The three of them looked so good together. She wondered if they would ever see sense and just admit that they loved each other. If they didn't do it soon, she may have to take matters into her own hands!

Boxey had finally been put to bed, and Starbuck knew it was time to speak to Apollo. He was getting nervous, and didn't know how he could tell Apollo how he felt.
"Well... what is it that you wanted to talk to me about?" Apollo asked. He could see that Starbuck was nervous, and that made him feel nervous also.
"I don't know how to tell you this..." Starbuck trailed off. He had no idea how to say what he wanted to. Before he could think of what to say, he found himself blurting out a question.
"Do you love me 'Pol?" He watched as Apollo's face drained of all color.
//Oh Sagan, he knows how I feel. I am going to lose my best friend. I can't live without him...//
"I need to know 'Pol..." Apollo couldn't refuse Starbuck anything, and so he answered.
"Y...y... yes," he stammered quietly. He couldn't look up, as he knew he had lost everything. He was so wrapped up in his misery that he almost missed Starbuck's reply.
"Good!"
Apollo's head snapped up in shock. He couldn't believe what he had just heard.
"What did you just say?" He questioned.
"I said good!"
"You... you... mean..." Apollo stammered.
"Yes 'Pol... I love you too." Starbuck leaned forward and kissed Apollo gently. For a moment Apollo was too shocked to respond, then he relaxed and started to kiss Starbuck back.

When they broke apart, they just stared at each other in awe.
"I never thought you could ever love me like this," Apollo said quietly.
"I have loved you for years 'Pol."
"Then why didn't you say anything earlier?"
"Because I thought you only liked women. Also, you never gave me any hint that you loved me."
"That's because I thought the same things about you."
"We've both wasted so much time."
"It wasn't completely wasted. We were together."
"Love you 'Pol."
"Love you too Starbuck."

They kissed again. It started out gentle, but soon passion took over and they were both lost in each other. This time when they broke apart for air, Apollo started pulling Starbuck off the sofa.
"Bedroom... now..."

They stumbled towards the bedroom, kissing and caressing as they moved. As soon as they reached the room, clothes went flying and they collapsed on the bed, naked with arms and legs entwined. Hands and mouths were everywhere as they explored the familiar but unfamiliar territory. Both men were hard, and it didn't take long before they both toppled over the edge, yelling each others names.

Apollo woke to the feel of a warm body entangled with his. Memory of the previous night flooded through his mind, and he couldn't wipe the grin off his face. They had made love several times throughout the night, and Apollo was feeling rather tender this morning.
//Starbuck loves me! He is mine!//
He tightened his arms around his love and felt Starbuck stir. Blue eyes opened and met green. The love that was displayed took Apollo's breath away.
"Morning love," Apollo whispered before kissing him.
"Mmmmmm... morning... now that is so much better than an alarm," Starbuck replied before kissing Apollo again. The kiss deepened, and was just starting to get interesting when they were interrupted by a brown haired whirlwind otherwise known as Boxey.
"Daddy... Daddy... they're talking about you and Starbuck on IFB...Uh... Hello Starbuck. What are you doing here?"
Starbuck went red and was looking for something to say when Apollo jumped in with a reply.
"I was just about to ask Starbuck to move in with us before you came in."
"Are you gonna get sealed? Will Starbuck also be my dad? I'd like that... I'd like Starbuck to live with us. Ben in my class has two dads... he's lucky."
Starbuck was speechless, and just kept looking at both Apollo and Boxey.
"I think that sounds like a good idea... Starbuck... will you marry me?" Apollo was surprised to see tears form in Starbuck's eyes, and for a moment he was worried that he had ruined everything. Next thing he knew, his arms were full of Starbuck again.
"Yes 'Pol... I'd love to marry you!" He kissed Apollo, forgetting that Boxey was watching.
"Yuck... cut the mushy stuff." Boxey said as only a child can.
This just caused Starbuck and Apollo to giggle uncontrollably. When they had calmed down again, Starbuck remembered what Boxey had said as he ran in.
"Boxey... what where they saying about us on IFB? We haven't done anything for a while."
"A lady was talking about Starbuck and saying that he was a liar because he pretends to like ladies. Then she said that he was a... poofter... and that he was just like you daddy. She said that you shouldn't be in charge any more as it was wrong. What is it that's wrong daddy?"
"Nothing is wrong Boxey. It is just that some people don't believe that two men or two women should love each other."
"Why not?"
"They believe the whole reason for marriage is to have children, and because two men can't have babies, then they think it is wrong."
"They're just silly," Boxey answered confidently.
"I couldn't have said it better myself!" Starbuck added. "Did they say who the lady was?" Starbuck was curious. He had an idea who it was, but he wanted to make sure.
"I think her name was Lola."
"I thought so. She was the woman from last night 'Pol. She wasn't happy when I left her to follow you, and said some things to me along those lines."
"I never saw that... Oh Sagan... my family... they will have seen the news too. We'll be hearing from them very soon... Boxey could you go into the other room? I need to talk to Starbuck."
"Sure... you just want to get all mushy again." Boxey replied as he ran out of the room.
When he left, Apollo turned to Starbuck.
"Come here love," Apollo said as he opened his arms. Starbuck immediately snuggled to him.
"What are we going to do now?" Starbuck asked, unsure.
"What do you mean?"
"What are you going to tell your family? Maybe I should go before they get here."
"No! *We* are going to tell them the truth. They are your family too." Starbuck still didn't look sure, so he continued. "I love you, and we are going to be sealed. I am not going to let go of you now that I have finally got you. Also I am not going to deny *us*!"
"I love you too 'Pol. It is just hard to believe this is all true. I was hoping we might have some time to enjoy this before we were exposed to scrutiny, but it just hasn't worked that way."
"I know love. Everything has happened so fast, but I want you by my side as we face this."
"I'll be there 'Pol, but I think we should get dressed now. I don't really want to see your father when I am naked in bed with you!"
"Good idea... that sight is reserved for my eyes only from now on."

Starbuck and Apollo quickly cleaned up and changed, arriving in the living room just as Boxey was letting Adama in. Starbuck was feeling nervous, so that when Apollo grabbed his hand and held on, he held back tightly. Adama took one look at the two of them, and knew that the broadcasts were right.
"I see that the reports are true," Adama stated.
"We haven't seen them, but from what Boxey told us, some of it is true *now*," Apollo replied.
"What you mean *now*?" Adama had picked up on the emphasis Apollo had put on the previous sentence.
"When she formulated her opinions of us, it wasn't true. We have both loved each other for years, but it wasn't until last night that we admitted it."
"She said it because I wouldn't spend the night with her, and she presumed I was playing with her to make Apollo jealous." Starbuck added.
Adama just looked at the two of them and both started squirming under the scrutiny. When he finally spoke again, they jumped due to the tension.
"What are your intentions regarding my son?" He asked while staring at Starbuck.
"I love Apollo more than anything. We are going to be sealed, and I will be helping to raise Boxey." Apollo squeezed his hand and smiled at his statement. It helped to calm Starbuck's nerves at having to face the Commander.
"How do I know you are serious? You are not exactly famous for commitment."
"I have loved Apollo for years. It is because of this love I have never had a relationship that lasted. I was waiting for Apollo and no one else even came close to measuring up to him. I know my track record looks bad, but this is forever."
Adama could see the sincerity in Starbuck's eyes, and he felt himself relax. It was obvious that they loved each other very much, and he now felt confident that Starbuck wasn't going to hurt Apollo and Boxey.
"I believe you Starbuck." He smiled to himself as he saw the relief in the young pilot's eyes. "Welcome to the family son." He walked over to Starbuck and hugged the startled man. He had thought of Starbuck as a son ever since Apollo had started bringing him home, and now it would be official.
"So when are you going to get sealed?"
"Uh... we don't know yet. This has all happened so fast. I only asked less than a centar ago!" Apollo replied.
"I would suggest that you do it soon. You realise that Starbuck is going to cop most of the attention from everyone, and that it won't be good?"
"Yeah... I know. As long as I have Apollo, I can put up with anything," Starbuck replied quietly.
"I'll be here love. You can't get rid of me now." Apollo then gathered Starbuck into his arms and kissed him. They forgot about the other people in the room until Adama cleared his throat loudly, and Boxey complained of the Mushiness! They broke apart reluctantly and just smiled at the others.

The big day had finally arrived. Starbuck and Apollo were going to be sealed in front of the majority of the fleet. During the last two sectons, they had been besieged by nearly everyone. IFB had hounded them constantly, the council had asked to see them, and nearly everyone they had met had given their opinion. Starbuck had suffered a lot of criticism, but they had battled through together. Nearly all of the warriors were one hundred percent behind their Captain and Starbuck. The notable exceptions were Sheba and Bojay, but that was to be expected. A small group of religious zealots tried to say that Apollo and Starbuck were not fit to raise Boxey, but that failed when it became obvious that the Commander supported his sons. Others still, doubted that Starbuck would actually go through with the ceremony. The ceremony itself was going to be televised live to the entire fleet so that all of those who wished to could witness their joining. The council and the majority of the warriors would be there to witness the event in person.

Boxey was running around excitedly, and generally getting underfoot. Apollo was nervous, and Starbuck was in a state of disbelief. He couldn't believe that all of his dreams were about to become true. He kept expecting to wake up and find that it all had been a dream. A pair of strong arms wrapped around him, and a kiss was placed under one ear.
"It's not a dream my love," Apollo whispered. "Very soon we will *legally* belong to each other."
Starbuck relaxed back into Apollo and smiled.
"I know, but I can't help waiting for the other shoe to drop. I love you so much 'Pol." He turned in Apollo's arms so that he could kiss him.
"Ok you two, cut it out. It's almost time for the ceremony." Athena said as she entered the room where they were waiting. She just laughed when both men grumbled "Sisters!"

Finally it was time. The two men moved out into the main room and took their positions. They stood side-by-side with their backs facing the window.
Adama started the ceremony.
"Will the protectors of Starbuck consent to relinquishing their responsibilities to Apollo, the man to whom he has consented to be married?"
"Yes," chorused the whole of Blue Squadron with big smiles on their faces.
"Will the protector of Apollo consent to relinquishing his responsibilities to Starbuck, the man to whom he has consented to be married?"
"Yes," replied Boxey.
The box containing the sacred medallion was then passed to Adama, who reverently removed it. As it was being removed, the two men faced each other and joined hands.
Adama continued.
"The words I am about to speak are the most powerful in the universe. They seal a union between these two men, which is not only for now, but for all the eternities."
Starbuck had tears in his eyes as he gazed at Apollo. Everyone watching marveled at the love that they could see shining from both men. It was beautiful and inspiring.
Adama wrapped the medallion and chain around their joined hands. He smiled at his two sons before continuing with the ceremony.
"Apollo... Starbuck... under the eyes of God, bound by the symbol of the Lord of Kobol, I declare you sealed." As Apollo leaned in to kiss Starbuck, a huge cheer went up from all those in attendance.
When the kiss finally ended, the two men continued to stare at each other in wonder.
"We made it love," Apollo whispered.
"It's hard to believe we're really married." It was only just starting to sink in that this was real.
"I know. I love you Starbuck."
"Love you too 'Pol... so much."
They kissed again, oblivious to the cheers and whistles from their guests. No one else existed for them at the moment. It had taken a long time to get to this point, but they had finally made it. They were both looking forward to a long and happy life together. This was truly the first day of the rest of their lives!

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