'Well, David, I suppose this is goodbye. For now.' She turned in the water to look at him, smiling around the mouthpiece of the smaller rebreather she had had to resort to when she had lost the first one. 'I have many challenges ahead of me. I have a peace to broker, and a warzone to infiltrate. I hope we will meet again.'

'I feel as though we will, Ambassador. I have enjoyed swimming alongside you.' David's eyes were less distant, less professional than when they had first met. She could feel his sincerity.

'As I have you... this ship has been a wonderful, calming distraction for me. In here I have forgotten the worries outside.' She smiled, drifting closer to him, one hand coming up to his shoulder, gripping him to keep them close together.

'You have seemed more languid the more time you have spent here, Ambassa-' David began, but Keyah silenced his thought with her other hand, placing a finger on his nose.

'Call me Keyah.'

'... Keyah. I am glad I could provide some relief. I wish you all the best...' His eyes wandered uncertainly.

She took a deep breath, and pulled her rebreather from between her teeth, casting it off to drift next to them, breathing forgotten for the moment. She kissed him, then, her lips meeting his, and their hands came around each other, and despite the cold water and her extended time in it, she felt warmth suffuse her. Strength.

'Goodbye, David.' She thought as their lips finally parted. She felt a faint tugging in her lungs, but paid it no mind, feeling the last tensions drain from her muscles. She grabbed the rebreather from where it floated, and then let herself drift backwards, kicking downwards towards the airlock beneath them, closing her eyes and slowly breathing out in satisfaction, bubbles drifting slowly up to the top of the room.

'Goodbye, Keyah...' When she opened her eyes again, he was gone, and she was left to drift into the airlock and return to the station outside, alone. She smiled to herself, placing the rebreather back in her mouth and taking a slow breath as she waited for the water to drain out, and for the outer door to cycle.

She had to meet aquatic races more often.

--

The third and final (for now) image of the series, again by Genniidrominda. A miscommunication ended up having her draw two images for the series at once, and the fourth artist dropped out due to heavy load, and so this is all for now. Not that I'm complaining, because for a sketch, this is definitely one of the better looking underwater kisses I've seen.

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Artwork by  Genniidrominda