EVE Online may not seem like the likeliest place for romance, but love is often found where you least expect it.  Earlier this year, we tasked our EVE community with writing love-themed fanfiction. Now we’re ready to share the three excellent winning stories. Without further ado, here are three tales of love written by the Just About EVE Online community:

First place - Love: Lost and Found by AlexGoesTheWorld 

The winner of our romantic fanfiction bounty is AlexGoesTheWorld with a heartfelt tale about lovers who were once star-crossed, but found a way to be together. Alex explained that "relationships are not always perfectly smooth and nice, there are always moments where bonds are tested. This piece is about the aftermath of one of those moments, where the relationship had strained to breaking point.”

The metal floor was neatly polished, reflecting the stark lights from above.

Heeled black boots sat upon it, casting a dark shadow. Only a moment was spent for adjustments, to become fully accustomed to clothing and gravity, to check the appearance, to steady the mind. They headed for the door, into the room beyond and out in the corridors. The steps were self-assured, they had a destination, they had an objective.

Corridors and elevators alternated as they made their way from the docking bays to the living quarters on the higher levels. They crossed busier areas, where other boots and shoes shared the polished floors, before they headed into the residential areas. Those were quieter; people were either at work, sleeping, or keeping quiet. Living in space, where the sun always shined, made the concept of day and night quite fluid and personal.

The boots stopped in front one of the many doors in that living block. The door read: L2016K15. Level 2016, block K, number 15. A grid of numbers and letters was easier to maintain than using names of people, people that could come and go in a matter of hours.

There was a breath.

A slight shuffle of feet. They turned to leave. They took a pair of steps away from the door before they stopped.

There was another breath, deeper.

They hadn’t come all this way only to run away. Again.

They had come all this way to face their errors.

They retraced those steps, standing once again in front of that door. An anonymous door for everyone but them.

They breathed as a hand hovered on the doorbell.

It hovered. Doubt. Fear. Determination.

They breathed.

They pushed it.

The doorbell rang.

It took a moment before the door slid open, revealing a woman. Lean under the oversized dark T-shirt, with dark almond eyes and chiselled features. Behind her was a small apartment, with a viewport out of which the stars shone.

Her eyes were as inquisitive as her tone; she wasn’t expecting visitors “Hello, what can I d…” The words caught in her throat when she recognized the visitor.

Them.

Of all the people, them.

“I’m back.” They whispered.

The whisper carried a history: the anger of mistakes, the longing for something past, the pain of the loss, the emptiness of the incompleteness.

There was stillness.

Nothing moved.

Nothing could be heard.

Even the environmental systems of the station had suddenly gone quiet.

Even the stars outside the viewport didn’t blink as everything held their breath.

Emotions played on the young woman’s face: surprise, anger, pain, longing, hope.

She felt like she had been sent spinning without direction, like a lone container ejected from a ship. The station itself felt like it had started spinning under her feet.

She felt herself falling but then, she didn’t hit the cold metal floor: arms encircled her, warm arms had reached for her, real arms.

There was warmth, warmth in the body that pulled her close.

She shivered.

She knew that hold.

She knew that warmth.

She had missed them.

She had longed for them.

She held them and they held her back.

Lips met.

Emotions that had been relegated to the loneliest corners of the mind rushed out in the open, once again free to be.

They kissed. Deeply.

The station disappeared around them and what remained was one and the other. What remained was a love that had been ignored, negated for too long.

“I… I… didn’t think you would… come back…” she whispered softly. When Eliaxia had left, it had felt like she would not come back. At first, she had felt strong, she didn’t need her, she could well go on without her, there were so many people in the cluster, she could find someone else at any time. And yet, she found herself missing the warmth, missing the presence, she felt like she had lost a part of herself and she had lost it forever.

“I’m sorry.” Eliaxia whispered back. Rage had consumed her at the time, she had stormed out of their apartments vowing to not come back, she was done with it all. And yet, she hadn’t been done with it at all. In the loneliness of space, when the stars were far away and only asteroids and space rubble surrounded her, she had seen Madia’s face hovering there. Her mind had drifted back to her, back to those moments where life felt complete, where she had felt complete, where she had felt human.

Madia reached to cup Eliaxia’s face, a face she had come to know, every wrinkle, every mark, clone perfect and yet imperfect. “It’s… it’s okay,” she whispered. She felt like the sun could shine again, she felt like she was on the verge of being again, she just needed to extend herself and lean into it. A dark thorn spoke out of hatred from the darkest recesses of her mind: why should she forgive? Why should she admit her own errors? She chose to ignore the dark voice; she wasn’t going to make the same mistake again.

“Please come in.” it had suddenly dawned on Madia, just as it did on Eliaxia, that they were standing, half bent and kissing, right in the middle of the corridor.

“Maybe it’s better.” For all the weight of the moment, Eliaxia couldn’t stop a small smile pulling at her lips. She didn’t care much, she had grown up in the Gallente Federation, kissing in the streets was nothing, but she knew Madia came from a different way of life, and it mattered for her.

They stepped into the apartment and Eliaxia suddenly felt like she had taken a step back in time. Memories flooded back: all the times they had talked sitting on that same couch, all the times they had cooked on that same stove, all the times that they had laid on the bed, whispering to each other naughty desires, silly jokes, and hidden secrets.

The apartment hadn’t changed… and yet it had. It was more subtle. The touch of Madia was still there, from the spices in the kitchenette, to the banner of her house hanging from the wall. However, she knew it missed her own touch: the space electro posters on the wall, the mug on the nightstand, the apron with “Gallente: spicy and hot” hanging by the kitchen.

Madia tugged her away from her musings by pulling her closer once again. Their hands intertwined and Eliaxia was surprised to find her lover still wearing the silver and dark green ring, the one she had gifted her that time, on the balcony overlooking Caille.

“You didn’t throw it away.” she whispered, amazed: she had thought Madia would have thrown the ring into space after she had left. She couldn’t have blamed her.

“I tried but I always stopped short of it.” came the soft reply. Madia had tried, she even hid it in the deepest drawer she could find and yet, she found herself wearing it again. It had been the only connection left to the one person she had loved with all herself.

“Does it mean you still love me?” the Gallentean girl asked with a smile: her lightly playful tone hid trepidation, hid the hope that the answer would be yes, the hope that she could amend her mistakes and be whole again.

“I still love you… I always did.” there was no tremble in those words. There was acceptance and forgiveness, there was hope and passion, there was the offer of a new beginning.

“I love you too.” Eliaxia felt a weight raise from her heart, she felt the darkness at the corner of her view recede, she felt the light shine again, and she promised herself she would amend her mistakes and not repeat them.

They felt whole again.

They found love again.

Second place - Eclipsed Hearts: A Tale of Two Souls in New Eden by Sturmer

Sturmer brings home second place with his spin on the classic Romeo & Juliet Shakespearean tale. He explained he "spent several evenings immersed in the book of an exceptionally famous English poet and consulted the Oxford dictionary to enrich the story with archaic words", which certainly adds to the style and flourish of this romantic tale set on Eclipticum.

Prologue

In the boundless cosmos unfolds a tale, ancient as the void itself. On the planet of Eclipticum, the fourth jewel in the crown of Kor-Azor Prime, the story takes root. This world, bathed in the warm glow of perpetual twilight, boasts woods that whisper ancient secrets and spacious oceans mirroring the endless sky. It is a realm where warm nights enfold everything in a gentle embrace, and the heart of the Kor-Azor family beats strong. The saga of two entwined destinies begins.

Act I: A Chance Encounter

In the resplendent halls of House Kor-Azor, where shadows and light dance upon ancient walls, a grand assembly gathers. The majestic palace, the heart of the Kor-Azor domain, stands with its massive bronze doors, adorned with the imagery of Doriam II's reign, a tribute to the former Amarrian emperor from their lineage. These doors, a symbol of power and history, open to welcome guests from across the cosmos.

It is here, amidst this confluence of power and grandeur, that the envoys of the Triglavian Collective make their rare appearance. Among the delegates is Romeo, a figure enshrouded in the mystique of the Svarog Clade. His presence, a blend of mystery and strength, draws many curious glances.

Destiny, ever the masterful weaver, intertwines the paths of two souls under this gilded roof. Juliet, the radiant niece of Ersilia Kor-Azor, resides within this tapestry of nobility and intrigue. Their eyes meet, igniting a spark, marking the beginning of a love story destined to become an inferno that could either illuminate or consume worlds.

Act II: The Whispering Souls

Beneath the velvet cloak of night, secret gardens on Eclipticum, bathed in ethereal moonlight, become a haven for clandestine rendezvous. In this serene oasis, away from the prying eyes, Romeo and Juliet find refuge in each other's presence.

Romeo, a being of three souls harmoniously entwined, unveils the enigma of his existence to Juliet. Her eyes, wide with wonder, drink in his tales. He speaks of distant worlds, the collective consciousness of his people, and the profound depths of Triglavian society. Each word, each revelation, draws them closer in a bond of mutual fascination and understanding.

Their meetings blossom into a love pure and profound. It's a connection as gentle as a virgin touch, a testament to the quiet power of love that grows in the hidden corners of their hearts.

Act III: A Lament of Love

In ancient halls, where faith and legacy twine like ivy, a whisper of forbidden love stirs. Juliet, a rose of noble stock, and Romeo, from distant stars, kindle a flame that dares to defy the edicts of Amarr's creed.

The bond they share, tender yet tenacious, casts a shadow over House Kor-Azor. Their love, a delicate bloom in the garden of tradition, becomes a silent challenge to the pillars of Amarrian belief. In the eyes of their world, this union is a tempest lurking, a quiet storm threatening to unsettle the foundations of faith and station.

Yet, in the stillness of their embrace, bounded by the looming spectre of societal decree, they find a refuge of rarest kind. Each touch, each whispered vow, a quiet rebellion against the gales of expectation, a testament to love's unyielding power.

Act IV: The Unravelling

In the labyrinth of Romeo's soul, where three consciousnesses dwell in a delicate harmony, a storm brews. The love he harbours for Juliet, a light in the darkness, now threatens to fracture the equilibrium that defines his very existence. Each soul, once in symphony, now echoes with discord and doubt.

As the external pressures of societal norms and traditions mount, so too does the turmoil within. His love for Juliet, pure and defiant, clashes with the intrinsic nature of his Triglavian being. The harmony that once governed his tripartite existence wavers under the weight of his affections and the expectations of his people.

Romeo stands at a precipice, his heart a battlefield where love and duty vie for supremacy. The struggle, unseen yet palpable, rages within him, threatening to unravel the very threads of his being. He grapples with the possibility that his love for Juliet might not only challenge the world outside but also jeopardise the fragile harmony that sustains him.

In this maelstrom of inner conflict, Romeo finds himself torn, his once unshakeable resolve now a flickering flame. The path before him is fraught with peril, a journey through uncharted realms of heart and mind.

Act V: Star-Crossed Resolution

As the cosmos wheels in its endless dance, the saga of Romeo and Juliet reaches a profound crescendo. Within the sanctum of their hearts, a transformation unfolds, a testament to the power of love to conquer the tumultuous seas of doubt.

Juliet, once a maiden of unwavering adherence to the traditions of her lineage, now stands radiant, a beacon of change. Her love for Romeo, a flame kindled in defiance of ancient creeds, has reshaped her very being. In his gaze, she finds not just a lover, but a mirror reflecting a version of herself, brave and unbound by the rigid chains of her past. Her belief, once anchored in the doctrines of Amarr, now sails on the winds of a new dawn, guided by the stars of her own heart's compass.

Romeo, a being of tripartite soul, has found harmony within the tempest of his existence. The discord that once threatened to tear him asunder has been quelled, not by force, but by the gentle touch of Juliet's love. His three consciousnesses, once at war, now sing a harmonious melody, a symphony composed in the light of their shared bond. In Juliet, he sees not just a beloved, but a saviour who has guided him through the labyrinth of his own soul to a place of peace and unity.

Together, they stand, not as mere lovers, but as embodiments of transformation. Their love, once a fragile bud in the garden of uncertainty, now blooms resplendent, a testament to its purity and endurance. In each other's arms, they find not just solace, but a victory over the trials that once threatened to rend them apart.

In this quiet denouement, the world outside with its expectations and judgments fades into the background. For Romeo and Juliet, the journey has been one of not just uniting their hearts but also rediscovering themselves. Their love, now sure and steadfast, shines as a reminder that true love is not just a momentary spark, but a flame that can illuminate the darkest of paths.

Epilogue

The tale of Juliet and Romeo, similar to a new discovery, hovers at the brink of the known and the unknown. Within the rigid structures of the Amarrian Empire and the enigmatic folds of the Svarog Clade, their love stands as an example of nascent change. The halls of House Kor-Azor, once unyielding in tradition, now whisper of a new dawn. Yet, as stars hold secrets yet untold, so too does the future of these star-crossed lovers remain a mystery. We, the silent witnesses, wait with bated breath, for their story is not an end but the beginning of something new, a journey we yearn to see unfold in the cosmic dance of New Eden.

Third place - Untitled by FirestormGamingTeam

Finally, we have FirestormGamingTeam with an untitled story all about "how a situation can change a thought, an opinion, even the feelings of people who are sworn enemies."

Fire danced across the night sky. She looked up and saw lights. They were a nomadic people, small in number, following the seasons across the planet's surface to survive. She watched a few moments more then turned and re-entered her tent.

In orbit around the planet, a Comet-class frigate and a Firetail danced a dangerous game, trading blaster fire with autocannon fire, shields long gone, both now relying on armour and repair modules to stay alive. A warp tunnel opened and a Concord Marshall appeared, quickly firing a single burst at both ships, sending them both crashing toward the planet's surface, appearing as two comets lighting up the night sky.

Captain Eric Slova woke, a single alarm slamming into his brain. Quickly coming to his senses, he removed himself from the cockpit, ignoring the pain to quickly gather his plasma rifle and rations in case they became necessary, and exited his Comet. He glanced behind him at the burning wreckage and left the crash site.

When Private Elena Anderson came to, she was lying face down in the sand. Lifting her head, she coughed and spat sand out of her mouth, before looking around at the remains of her Firetail, realising she'd been thrown out of the cockpit when it crashed. The lack of smoke was noticeable, but those thoughts were quickly taken over by dizziness as she fell to her knees. Taking a deep breath, she rose to her feet and moved to her ship. Elena grabbed her handgun from the cargo bay, stashed some ration packs in her pockets, and climbed a nearby hill to gain a better bearing of her situation.

Eric had been walking for hours when he spotted Elena in her republic uniform, limping and using her rifle as a walking aid. He quickly squatted behind cover to observe from a distance and while taking a small sip of water, he was instantly struck by her beauty. Wide eyes and a sense of purpose to her movements, he sat and watched while taking a sip of water. As she neared his position, he took aim with his rifle, rose to his feet, and ordered her to stay still.

Elena had no time to react. Her leg was killing her and she was out of water; even if she had time to react, she lacked the ability to do so effectively. She stopped dead in her tracks, looked Eric in the eye, and grinned. "It's not as if I can run now, is it sir?". She let her bag of supplies and rifle fall to her side before collapsing in pain herself. After a few moments, her vision went black. She welcomed the darkness.

As soon as she fell, Eric ran to her side as his training had taught him to always treat prisoners with respect, especially when they need help. Blood was pooling around her leg, so he ripped off her hastily made bandages and recoiled in shock at the deep gash in her thigh, with shrapnel lodged inside. He hurriedly opened his first aid kit and began tending to her wound.

As Elena woke, she struggled to focus on her surroundings. She slowly realised she was in a wooden structure of some sort, with a pot simmering a few feet away, but more importantly, she was alone. Her outer layer of clothing had been removed, but it took a while before she realised there was a distinct lack of pain from her leg, which was now only mildly throbbing as opposed to the agony she felt before she passed out.

She was beginning to relax until she heard a noise to her left. Her eyes darted and spotted a man wearing a Gallente uniform entering the room. A quick glance and she recognised him as the enemy soldier who was pointing his rifle at her when she lost consciousness. Eric stretched out his hands: "I mean you no harm. I've checked both of our ships, both transponders and tracking beacons are dead. You've been out for two days recovering but essentially, we're stuck here. Together."

The quickened pace of her heartbeat when Eric entered the room began to slow down again. "As they say, peace between us. Do you have any food? I'm very hungry," Elena asked, a slight tinge of desperation in her voice. He saw her eyes fixate on the simmering pot as she spoke, so he nodded and filled a cup with the liquid inside. "It's just soup, but it will do the job for now." He handed it to her tentatively; the knowledge that women of the Republic were wild and capable of instant violence is instilled in his people from a young age.

Somewhat surprisingly, her response was to laugh, which sounded like the chime of a bell and made him inadvertently smile. Despite the dirt, her laugh helped him realise once again just how beautiful she was. "The women of the Republic are no different to women from anywhere else, sir," Elena explained. "Be not afraid, we serve different masters but we are both stuck here together. Unless you plan to end my life, it's time to put our differences aside and work together to survive." She gestured for him to take a seat next to her. 

As they both let their guard down, they began to talk about their lives, quickly realising they had a lot in common. As evening beckoned and the sky darkened, the temperature dropped. Eric pulled a blanket from his pack. "If you have no objections, we need to stay warm and I have but one blanket. So I think we need each other to survive here." She felt her pulse quicken slightly, then gulped and nodded her head. He pulled the blanket over them. Both survivors were out like a light, with the events of the day leaving them emotionally and physically depleted.

In the weeks that followed, while no rescue came, they established a shelter suitable for long-term survival. With a fire pit on the go and Elena almost back to full strength, they started hunting for food. Both knew the chances of rescue from here on were slim, but they stayed hopeful, for hope was all they had. As time passed, they learned more about how to work together and started to see each other as allies, not adversaries.

Eventually, they began to trust each other. This developed into affection, before growing deeper still and transforming into love. These two warriors, once enemies, became shipwrecked lovers. They overcame barriers they could've never dreamed of when taking off in their long-destroyed ships many moons ago.

Two years on, a passing transport ship spotted the pair and landed planetside to rescue them. Rather than return to their homes however, they settled as a couple in a new world. Elena looked out across the field at her husband, a former Gallente officer, sitting in their garden, holding their son. Had it not been for a signal alerting her to his presence, where would she be now? Would she be happy? Fate was fickle after all, she thought.

Some text has been edited for brevity and clarity. You can find the original bounty here. Image credit: Razorien on Flickr