Private Between Port Nowhere and the Next Bad Idea

[Choli Vyn]

Interacting with: Trextan Voidstalker
Armor- x x x x x | Gear x x x x x x x | Weapons x x x x x


It was there in Trextan's eyes.

In the way he looked at her for those slow, heated seconds before Choli saw him rein himself in. Deciding not act on whatever had bloomed in his mind, he swallowed hard and his attention bore right into her.

There was no way Choli couldn't feel it. It made that familiar spark of awareness as much as the memory of the way he looked at her when he kissed her.

Food. Right. Food.

"There is a small bazaar nearby. A few street vendors. Fresh food and a few hot plates. They take credits or barter, so that works well." she told him, telling herself to just look at the datapad in front of her and not at him.

Looking at him would distract her. Distracting her would lead to kissing. And then before they knew it, she'd have him slammed against the bulkhead next to the hyperdrive and then they'd both be smearing grease over areas they shouldn't.

"Got any particular cravings?"

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

TREXTAN

For one long, stunned second his mind simply blanked. Then it flooded with everything he had been trying and failing to keep leashed.

He pictured her again, moving with that same deliberate patience she used on every stubborn bolt and coupling. The faint metallic tang of engine grease mixing with the clean salt of her.

He swallowed again, the sound audible in the close confines of the engine room, and forced his gaze away from her mouth long enough to stare at the console readout like it held the secrets of the galaxy.

"Cravings," he repeated. He rubbed the back of his neck with his organic hand, leaving another faint smear of grease there without noticing.

"Yeah. A few."

He risked a glance back at her. She was still focused on the datapad, but he could see the faint flush creeping up her neck, the way her fingers had gone still on the keys for half a heartbeat. She felt it too. Of course she did.

"Street food sounds perfect," he managed. He tried to drag his thoughts back to something resembling civility.

"Something spicy, maybe. And a beer."

He stepped half a pace closer without meaning to. Close enough that the heat of her body brushed his in the cramped space. His eyes dropped to the smudge of oil on her cheek again, then lower to the curve of her collarbone where her shirt had shifted from bending over the console.

"Unless," he added quietly. The words coming out before he could stop them, "you have something else in mind to satisfy an appetite first."

He did not touch her. He instantly regretted the question, but it couldn't be taken back. His gaze lifted to meet hers again, dark and unguarded, waiting to see if he could pick out those stormy colours in the darkness.

 

[Choli Vyn]

Interacting with: Trextan Voidstalker
Armor- x x x x x | Gear x x x x x x x | Weapons x x x x x

It was the way Trextan's voice had curled around the words a few that had Choli pause, fingers lightly hovering over the screen. She told herself to breathe, and most certainly, not to look over at him.

"I am sure we can find something spicy. Did not realize you enjoyed spicy." something new.

"A beer is a given," she added, the corner of her mouth quirking up. At least, until the tiny hairs along her arms and the nape of her neck gave a slight twitch at the sudden warmth of Trextan's proximity as he brushed closed.

Choli felt her breath hitch, only for her to catch her breath with what followed afterward.

She finally lifted her gaze to meet his, and in those few seconds, she went through the mental pros and cons of how to answer next.

Losing herself in Trextan was easy.

It had been easy three years ago, and she learned that it still was. It was as much of a good thing as a bad thing, a temptation as much as a concern.

Where was the line? How much to cross? And was it too early to?

"Guess that depends... what is on the menu."

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

TREXTAN

Trextan felt the shift in the air the moment her gaze lifted to meet his. Those indigo eyes held steady, searching, and he knew she had caught every layered meaning.

His pulse thudded low and steady in his ears. He kept his expression soft. She had been on his mind a lot since they had parted ways. He had made plenty of mistakes and it was too easy to start imagining ways a conversation would go to make up for those moments.

But that wouldn't change things, he knew that now. They just had to be.

He let the silence stretch for a heartbeat. Then he exhaled slowly, the sound almost lost.

"A little spicy," he admitted. This time he literally referred to food.

He did not move closer. He stayed exactly where he was. It was close enough that she could feel his warmth, far enough that she could step away if she chose. His organic hand flexed once at his side. He drew it up close to her cheek, palm open.

"As for the menu," he continued, letting a small, crooked smile curve his lips, "I am not in any rush to decide the whole thing tonight. We can start with whatever looks good."

He paused, gaze steady on hers, letting the next words come out softer and more deliberate. He wasn't the a bashed youth any more. There was a deliberate intensity on his eyes.

"But if the mood turns toward something more... I would like that too. Slowly. Whatever you feel comfortable with."

His thumb finalky brushed against her cheek. It invited her to tilt into the warmth of his hand.

"Just the kind of things we used to enjoy. Or the full meal."

Trextan tilted his head slightly, the smile turning warmer, almost shy despite the heat still simmering behind his eyes.

"For now, though? Food and catching up sounds perfect."

He stepped back half a pace at last, giving her space to move past him toward the ladder, but he kept his gaze on her. His look was open, patient, and unmistakably wanting. The invitation was there, clear and gentle. The slightest twitch in his hand was enough to let her know that if she didn't lead them, that space between them would vanish.

 

[Choli Vyn]

Interacting with: Trextan Voidstalker
Armor- x x x x x | Gear x x x x x x x | Weapons x x x x x

Choli didn't move at first.

His hand was warm against her cheek, thumb brushing just enough to send a small, treacherous ripple down her spine. Her eyes stayed on his, searching that crooked smile like it might suddenly confess which menu he actually meant.

Food. Probably food. Mostly food.

Maybe...

Choli parted her lips, then pressed them ogether again as the corner of her mouth twitched.

"You are terrible at subtle, you know that?" she murmured, giving a slight shake of her head as her hand came up, catching his wrist lightly. Not pushing it away. Not pulling it closer either. Just holding it there for a second while she studied him like he'd just proposed a very dangerous flight plan.

"Full meal," she repeated quietly, one brow lifting, letting the word linger. A faint flush crept across the bridge of her nose over her olive skin, though the look she gave him held a spark of challenge.

"You mean dinner," she added. "Actual food. With plates and everything."

She let that linger for a few beats. Then she leaned forward just enough for her forehead to almost bump his chest before slipping past him toward the ladder.

"Because if you meant the other thing," she tossed back over her shoulder, voice dry, "you are gonna have to let a girl eat first."

Her boots rang against the ladder as she climbed toward the galley, pausing halfway to glance down at him.

"And Trex?"

A crooked grin tugged at her mouth.

"You are the one who said slowly. Do not start gettin' impatient now."

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

TREXTAN

Trextan watched her go with that same crooked smile still lingering on his face.

For a second he did not move, her warmth still ghosting against his hand where she had caught his wrist.

"Yeah..." he said, bringing one hand up to rub at the back of his neck. He met her eyes and then glanced at the floor.

He felt an instinct to apologise, but she hadn't asked for that. She had slipped the small warning after teasing. Instead he took a deep lungful of cool air and set off after Choli.

"I'll do better," he said, though he offered one last wicked smile. "But a full course always comes with lots of appetisers."

He pushed away from the wall, boots hitting the ladder rungs with steady, hollow knocks as he climbed up after her.

"Still not subtle..." he chuckled.

He grabbed a rag and cleaned himself up quickly. The weather was reasonably pleasant outside. He set his hand cannon on his hip. He didn't expect to need the weapon, but it was a good statement to pickpockets and thieves.

"How long til you reckon she's ready to fly again?" he asked as they set out towards the exit from the docking bay. A group of small droids skittered past with refuelling gear towards a new arrival.

 

[Choli Vyn]

Interacting with: Trextan Voidstalker
Armor- x x x x x | Gear x x x x x x x | Weapons x x x x x

Choli slowed a step when he mentioned appetisers.

Don't react.
Don't react.

But the pilot's shoulders twitched anyway, and the Epicanthix shot him a sideways look.

"It is fine. I do not mind it." she added a bit more honestly. She hopped down the last rung of the ladder and wiped her hands on a rag hanging off a console hook. The ship hummed underfoot, steady but not quite satisfied yet.

"Couple more tweaks," she said, nodding toward the engine compartment behind them. "Power regulator still runs a little hot if you push the burn too hard. Hyperdrive motivator's stable though."

She came to a slow halt and then patted the bulkhead affectionately.

"She's tough," Choli added. "Not fast like a racer, but she'll haul half a market district if you stack it right. Living quarters in the back too. Bunks, tiny galley, sonic and fresher that mostly behaves."

She started toward the ramp, boots ringing lightly on the deck.

"Figure one decent cargo run'll tell me if she's ready," she continued, only to pause to glance back a smirk creeping in.

"And before you ask -- yes, you can come along."

Then the Waren tilted her head toward the open ramp and the busy hangar beyond.

"C'mon," she added, moving to secure the Sunfire before they left. "Maybe we can come up with an idea on where to take the Sunfire for her test flight."

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

TREXTAN

Trextan followed her through the ship with an easy stride. In a way, he felt he was getting into the rhythm of the ship. It really did feel like hers and you could breathe more than in the cramped confines of the Verree.

His hand brushed the bulkhead once as he passed, feeling the faint vibration running through the Sunfire’s frame. Ships had personalities. Wardens learned that early. This one had a stubborn pulse.

He watched the way Choli patted the bulkhead, the quiet affection in the gesture not lost on him.

"She’ll hold," he said simply.

As they set out into the main space port dock crews were shouting and a loader droid rattled past with a crate stack that looked precarious.

They passed several guards who looked relaxed as they headed out into the main thoroughfare of shops and food stalls.

He wanted Choli. Despite the light teasing he would have happily seen her back to her cabin and spent the day in grease and sweat becoming completely reacquainted.

All of those thoughts vanished as he smelled the mix of foods being grilled, fried and smoked.

"We can head to the trader market, see if anyone wants a simply short haul."

Trextan glanced over at her.

"I assume the commander likes getting paid."

 

[Choli Vyn]

Interacting with: Trextan Voidstalker
Armor- x x x x x | Gear x x x x x x x | Weapons x x x x x

They both stepped into the bustle of the market lane, the air thick with spice smoke, frying oil, and the sharp tang of starport fuel. It made her grin without meaning to.

"Commander definitely likes getting paid," she said, glancing sideways at him. "Commander also likes eating, so priority orders are still under review," she added as she nudged his elbow lightly as they walked past a stall where something red and sizzling snapped on a grill. She slowed, the pilot thinking back on the last time she'd been called that. Seemed forever ago.

" It has been some time since I heard someone call me that," she admitted, the rank she had at Rogue seeming like a fever dream. She glanced over at Trextan just to catch the look in his eyes. Only this time she laughed, as one of the sure things to get him distracted from anything, was food. Her boots slowed near a stall stacked with flatbread wraps and steaming skewers.

"Alright," she said, pointing at the menu board. "You pick the appetiser, since you were so invested in the concept earlier."

A small, teasing smirk tugged at her mouth as she folded her arms.

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

TREXTAN

Trextan's eyes widened. He crossed his arms in an almost defiant manner.

"I thought food would mean... An amnesty on metaphor, but so be it," Trextan laughed.

"You’ve given me too much responsibility," he muttered under his breath. "Since we haven't shared an appetiser in some time."

His eyes moved from the skewers to the flatbread wraps, then to something sizzling at the edge of the grill that looked questionably alive a few minutes ago.

"Alright," he decided at last, stepping forward and tapping the edge of the counter. "Two of those..."

He gestured vaguely at the skewers. He didn't know what flavour they were, but they were more red than the others.

"...and anything green?"

The look he received was all the answer he needed.

"Flat bread and that dip to share then."

Trextan glanced back at Choli, one brow lifting slightly.

"I think Vee was never gonna respect me because I didn't have a rank."

 

[Choli Vyn]

Interacting with: Trextan Voidstalker
Armor- x x x x x | Gear x x x x x x x | Weapons x x x x x

Choli watched the exchange with the vendor, arms folded and one hip cocked, trying very hard not to laugh at the way Trextan had just negotiated himself into mystery meat.

"Bold strategy," she said lightly as the skewers hit the grill with a hiss. "Order the reddest thing on the menu and hope it doesn't bite back."

She leaned in a little closer to him while the vendor slapped flatbread onto a heated plate.

"And you say I make risky flight plans." she gave another smirk but approved anyways. When he mentioned Vee, Choli tipped her head, studying him with a crooked smile.

"Yeah?" Choli said. "Three years with him I am sure would have built some respect."

The vendor shoved the wrapped skewers and bread into Trextan's hands. But before Trextan could move, Choli plucked one of the skewers right out of the bundle before he could protest, blowing lightly on the steam.

"Unless you want a rank?" she added, glancing up at him as she took a bite. "You are technically the Captain of the Verree now."

She chewed thoughtfully, then pointed the skewer toward the market lane where traders shouted over cargo manifests.

"ANd didn' tyou have a rank when you wer with the Justicars?"

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

TREXTAN

"Vee is a very old and stubborn droid," Trextan laughed. "We get on fine, but after three years he would still instantly recognise you as in charge."

He was hoping he wouldn't regret this food tomorrow.

When she brought up the Justicars, his expression shifted. It was subtle, but she would see it. Less amused. More distant and thoughtful.

"The military wasn't ever really me," he said. That was nothing she didn't know.

He grinned after a moment. These were old pains that he needed to let go.

"Maybe I need a new title! The Great Voidstalker. The Second Pair of Hands. The Master of Surviving Bad decisions.

"Maybe I shouldn't be in charge of naming anything."