Private Just Another Day at the Office

[Vara Rasha]

THE FOUNDLING
Kestri | Icy Plains, Forests
TAG: Yuri Maji

Run, Sally, Run!​

"Ugly up close. I think losin' the armour would help a lot." He fired back with a chuckle, bumping his helmet against hers.

She huffed a laugh. Something warm and feral crossed the crimson gaze underneath the visor. <”You’re lucky I got this stupid bucket on,”> a snarl preceded her quip. Vara leaned down to meet Yuri in the middle. Their helmets knocked together. A dull thud rose above the sharp howls of the wind for a single beat.

A strike meant to break bones softened in their intimacy. Warmth bled through steel.

Love, forged in violence.

Feeling him draw away, Vara began to straighten off of him. In the same heartbeat, a sound caught her sharp ears. She stilled at an instant as the familiar sound threaded to her focus. Gunmetal rasped against the leather of a pistol holster. Her brows shot up, but her grin widened. The muzzle bit into her flank a breath after. A growl rolled from her throat, heated and daring.

"And you're a lot easier to hit from here."

A wild cackle ripped from her core. Locs flailed side to side as she shook her head. <”Ohhhh, you karkin’ skan-..”> A sudden, concussive blast caught her mid quip. Her breath drove out of her lungs in a sharp gasp. The world smeared as she felt the wind at her mane.

A flame flickered from her crimson gaze.

She recovered fast.

The Foundling caught the ground with the heel of her boots. Her jetpack flared. She tipped forward. Snow misted before her as she scraped across the icy earth. A kneel marked the end of her gauche landing. Her visor rose from the ground to meet Yuri’s. The rookie faced the glare of his pistol muzzle with an amused chuckle.

"Ya better start flyin', sis!" He called out to her, already taking aim at her to urge her forward.

She met his incentive to move with bullheaded resolve. Her arms stretched to her sides in a silent gesture of mockery.

Daring, where an outsider would have shivered in fear and been taken aback; where she would have flinched just a few months ago.

But she was no longer a stray.

The Harpy pivoted. The icy earth gave way with a crunch under her soles as she faced the treeline. A leap from a kneel carried her to the air. Her jetpack roared to life in the same breath. With surgical precision, she soared towards the treeline and disappeared amidst the tall, snow covered pines. He’d have to blink to track her silhouette. The Harpy zipped past, over and under branches and trunks. Her eyes searched for the flagpole he had cleverly hid on the other side.

A smug smile peeled her lips.

He was not wrong.

Even she could do this. The groove came to her; she could feel it in her bones.

But now was not the time to celebrate. The sharp whines of his blaster pistols brought her focus to a new edge. Her pupils flared as a spark lit them. Caught under a cascading rain of snow, splintered chunks and branches, the Foundling pressed on.

Then came his voice. Sharp and firm.

:: Slow is smooth, smooth is fast. But slow's also easier to hit. Better move, schutta, I like a challenge. :: He spoke over the comms, only his voice was devoid of the usually playful tone.

He was met with a cackle over the comms, matching his insanity. <::”Y’couldn’t hit the broadside of a bantha if it was two feet in front of ya, scughole!::”> She played with fire, fully aware. <::”C’mon!”::> She leaned skyward in her search for the flag. The altitude data surged before her eyes as she took to the second layer of the canopies. Her hand shot for her holster in the same breath while she weaved between branches and blaster fire.

Her other hand reached for the nearest tree. The howl of her jetpack cut in the same breath. Claws dug into the trunk and she spun, bleeding her momentum to a sudden halt. A pained groan poured from her lips as her energy tugged at the socket of her shoulder. Her soles pushed into the pine’s body. Hanging from the tree, she drew and leveled the pistol, and squeezed the trigger.

Bolts slammed at a trunk before him. The wood groaned in protest, and began a sharp descent towards Yuri to swat him out the sky.

Two could play this game.

​

 

[Yuri Maji]

The chase was on, Yuri was hot on her heels as she tried to evade him and the surroundings. She managed to steer clear from his onslaught pretty decently, but he wasn't going to let her slip away so quickly. He shifted to chase after her, except a shot surged toward him and slammed into a nearby tree. Yuri shifted to break his speed while the branch tumbled towards him, though it still caught him and broke his momentum entirely. He settled on a nearby branch to briefly reset his jetpack before taking off into the canopy once more.

His pistols came up to return fire in an attempt to keep her suppressed and moving once again. His shots went wide as before, but this time closing in to hit a lot closer than before. For the moment his HUD still maintained a lock, but the amount of interference was going to make it difficult. Thermals were out of the question, but it gave him an edge against her.

He wasn't going to use it now, but it helped to keep a lock on her.

:: We're nearin' ten minutes. At this rate you're gonna sleep outside. :: He teased, keeping to the canopy to break her line of sight. More blaster bolts were flung her way in an attempt to prevent any pause or room for adjustment. He was trying to coach her into the trees around them. The only pause in his onslaught came when he touched down on a branch and flicked the empty power cells from his pistols. He took his time to reload his pistols and get moving again, hoping she would try to move on him.

:: Tick tock, sis. :: He muttered, slotting a cell into War with a smug grin behind his visor.

Vara Rasha

 

[Vara Rasha]

THE FOUNDLING
Kestri | Icy Plains, Forests
TAG: Yuri Maji

Run, Sally, Run!​

He hit the brakes.

Just in the nick of time, Yuri pulled away. The thick branch swished past him. The torn off wood continued to plummet. A plume of white misted from the ground in the same breath as a thud echoed in the woods. The Harpy’s lips curled to a delighted grin. Stealing his momentum, she had bought herself time.

But the hard earned edge he got over him did not last.

‘War’ howled sharply in the icy breeze. Each squeeze of the trigger sent blaster bolts whipping past her. His aim tightened. Shots drew closer.

Yuri expertly got the reaction he sought from her.

Driven by instinct, she pulled away. The young woman masked herself behind the tree trunk. Her mind raced. Her snout flared with each sharp breath. Claws dug deep in the wood, she felt the strain of her own weight at her digits.

She could not keep this up.

Despite herself, Vara recognized her man’s edge. The girl wanted to match his skill, but just as ferocious as she was, she was only a Foundling, and he was the seasoned instructor.

She was in his element.

The matter swiftly concluded in her head. Focus on the flag. The leather of her holster crackled as she sheathed her pistol.

And she let go.

The ground rushed up to meet her in the free fall. She whipped to the side. Her visor faced the ground as she pulled her arms tight to her sides. Her jetpack ignited a heartbeat later. The surge carried her towards more of the vegetation.

And he was hot on her heels.

Gold-yellow blaster bolts pursued her. The Foundling reacted on impulse. The blaster bolts had the right of way, and she steered herself opposite to them; sharply, when they drew far too close for comfort. He drew her deeper into the thicket with ease.

:: We're nearin' ten minutes. At this rate you're gonna sleep outside. :: He teased, keeping to the canopy to break her line of sight.

Bated breath bled into the comms. It was all he drew out of her.

Yuri offered her no respite.

Denied breath to properly react, the vegetation whipped and slashed at her. Branches splintered, wood slammed against the plates of her armor, some threading through gaps that allowed for unimpaired movement. Sores and slashes began to score her. A snarl rolled from her throat. The Harpy’s heated cackle preceded a retort. <::”Y’karkin’ fleabag!”::> Vara spat. She rolled her weight to the side. The wide trunk of the tree skidded past her chestplate.

Close! MUCH too close!

But then, she heard it.

The sound of respite threaded into her focus.

Silence.

Crimson eyes flared. A deeper grin peeled back her lips.

The fleabag was reloading!

Vara took the opportunity without hesitation. Her helmet visor rose up to face the canopies. The shift in her posture carried her upwards. Her arms shot forth, shielding her faceplate out of instinct, and before she knew it…

The last of the branches splintered. Bone chilling winds welcomed her more harshly.

She drew her hands away from her visor as she rose higher. Her gaze snapped around wildly, looking for the objective in a hurry. The triangular piece of red contrasted against the white of the snow. Right there!

So close, yet so far away!

But now she knew where to move. Her bearings gathered, an improvised plan set into motion.

Her weight tipped forward. Satisfied with her momentum, she cut her thrust without hesitation. In a freefall once more, she drew the soles of her boots groundward. Her posture narrowed. In the same breath, the vambrace was brought up. A tap of a digit, and she switched to “JUMP” mode.

The brush soon swallowed her.

She would take the trees. Branch to branch.

​

 

[Yuri Maji]

Surrounded by the serene and pleasant silence of the forest, with only the wind and snow to keep him company, Yuri carefully listened for Vara's movements as he reloaded his weapons. War was snapped shut with a flick of his wrist and holstered, allowing him to reload Peace with the same calm motions.

Glancing up, he switched to his thermal vision to track Vara through the brush and canopy. She was finally moving for the objective instead of trying to fight back, but he wasn't going to let her move around that easily. With the lock established, he fired the two missiles from his jetpack to terrorize her a little more... though they seemed to struggle badly in the brush. One detonated prematurely against a tree, while the other managed to get close enough to blow up in the canopy... no doubt creating a shower of shrapnel overhead as she tried to leap from tree to tree.

Peace snapped shut in preparation to take off... but Yuri didn't move. He stayed perched atop a branch, casually leaning against the tree while waiting for Vara to move. She was expecting him to move, to block her. He was in a prime position to do exactly that.

He stayed right where he was.

She was going to have to get back somehow. Hell, she still didn't know what to do once she reached the flag. A beaming grin lingered behind Yuri's visor, a myriad of thoughts swirling on how he could intercept and inconvenience her further. He felt a little bad for it... but this wasn't the place for feelings. The whole point of the exercise was pressure. Time, placement, opposition, the pettiness of said opposition... it was all irritating, frustrating and problematic. But if a Mandalorian could work around all of that, fly good and still complete the mission in time?

They could fly anywhere, through anything.

The Hound shifted his position, using his grappling line to move further back into the forest and burrow himself into the canopy of a tree.

Vara Rasha

 

[Vara Rasha]

THE FOUNDLING
Kestri | Icy Plains, Forests
TAG: Yuri Maji

Run, Sally, Run!​

The forest swallowed her.

Whether through beginner's luck or talent yet unseen, the Harpy wove between thick branches and blade-sharp treetops, untouched in her descent. Air lashed between her teeth in quick pulls of breath, cutting through the din as the frigid air tore at her locs and mane.

A heavy branch surged up to meet her. Her knees bent on instinct, springy. The jetpack snarled to life a heartbeat later.

Momentum died in an instant. Her stomach lurched as she planted the soles of her boot. A crackle, and fractures webbed along the wood under the strain, but the branch held.

A perfect landing.

But there wasn’t a moment to bask in silent pride.

She had a race to win.

A quick glance ahead, another thick branch stood out amongst the rest. Just a few trees away. Her path forward laid bare, she jumped. The branch under her shook and splintered behind her. Snow sprinkled down on her armored form as she reached the apogee of her leap. Thrusters lit with a flash of flames for a heartbeat, and carried her higher.

A tight jump.

Crimson eyes flared. She’d overshot!

Vara scrambled to shift her trajectory as a shrill whistle tore towards her.

She twisted over her shoulder, ears perked. A breath left her, maw agape. A brief flash of fiery orange filled her vision, but the shockwave reached her not. Its fuse had burned too quickly.

But the second warhead struck home.

A yelp ripped from her throat as the canopy above her disintegrated. Splinters and shrapnel rained down on her. Balance ripped away, Vara fell face down. Her hands clawed at the air as she watched a branch surge up. <”No no no!”> Crimson eyes squeezed shut as steel clashed and scraped against wood. A sharp puff of air filled the commlink in the same heartbeat.

Arms wrapped around the branch as pain throbbed from her chest. She felt her heart drum against her ribcage as she opened her eyes. Mane stood on end, she immediately peered down, fearful she might see branches jutting from her core.

A relieved sigh poured from her snout a heartbeat after. Only a bruise.

That was going to leave a mark.

<”Hnngh-..!”> She pulled herself up and over the thick branch she dangled from. A quick press of the button at her vambrace, flight mode engaged.

The thrusters kicked alive once more.

She surged to the skies, and pierced through the top shroud of the woods’ canopy. Arms and legs tucked in, the Foundling bolted towards the banner. A stone throw’s away, a hand shot forth. A heartbeat later, the pole bit into her palm as Vara snatched it. She leaned her weight to the back, bringing her feet forward and parallel towards the ground.

She skidded to a halt amidst a billowing cloud of snow. Her laughter rang sharp over the commlink. <”I did it! I won, scughole! Am the motherkarkin’ BEST! Y’HEAR ME!?”> Overcome with joy, she swirled around, waving the flag back at the treeline.

But she was only met with silence.

The woman blinked.

Then it dawned on her. <”Oh, no,”> A snarl ripped from her chest. A chuckle followed. <”No, no, no. You son of a karkin’ nerfherder are you going to-... Motherkarker!”> A heated barrage of slurs followed in a heartbeat, enough to make a seasoned spacer blush. Her boots stomped as she slowly moved towards the distant treeline. <”You’re a fine piece of work, y'know that? Karkin' unbelievable dude!”> A chuckle poured from her snout, unmistakably warm.

She couldn't bring herself to be mad at him for long.

Especially when she easily understood the why.

Live rounds, explosives, and now this sudden change of win conditions… Their enemy wouldn’t play fair.

So why would he?

She rolled her shoulders, the visor glowering at the trees. <"Alllright, scughole. I'll play your game,">She shifted her grip on the metal flagpole. The Foundling reached for her backplate. The metal snapped into place a moment later, magnetized against her back beside the jetpack.

Turning towards the ship, she took to the skies without falter. Her armored silhouette grazed the treetops, flying low and fast over them. Mischief flashed bright in her eyes under the visor.

She had no clue where he was hiding. If he was smart, which he very much was, he’d be waiting for her in the trees.

But if she could smoke him out, maybe she could buy herself some time.

She decided to gamble.

Cutting towards the frigate on the other side of the forest, her hands shifted. Digits curled around a pair of thermal detonators. Snapped free from the clutches of her chestrig in one smooth motion, Vara primed them with the press of her thumbs. Their fuse burned quickly.

She flung them down.

The metal spheres disappeared into the forest. A heartbeat later, twin thunderclaps tore the air. The trees rocked and shuddered as a fiery orange blossomed through the canopy for a fleeting second. Vara smiled beneath the visor.

Somewhere below, he would have to run.

​

 

[Yuri Maji]

He didn't even have to break the twist to her, she came to the conclusion by herself. But there was no response or reaction to her journey back to the ship. Only pure silence. Yuri had long since abandoned the area to mess with her mind a little more, instead waiting by the ship as he watched the stopwatch in the corner of his HUD.

There was, however, one last surprise waiting for her.

On his way back, he planted various thermal detonators throughout the last stretch of trees, all of them interlinked with his vambrace while his repulsor droid quietly hovered in the canopy.

Explosions went off in the forest, no doubt an attempt from Vara to flush him out. Yuri smirked under his visor. It was working. Eventually his droid got a lock on her and silently followed to watch her movements. Once she neared the final stretch, Yuri tapped his vambrace and caused a chain reaction through the last section of trees. Trunks were blown out to fall around, taking other trees down as they went to create one last gauntlet for her to conquer before she could reach the freighter.

At the end of the challenge was Yuri, leaning against the ship with a cigarette in hand and a toothy grin to meet his girl. "Twenty minutes. Could've been worse." He remarked with a chuckle. At least it was over for the day, he had that reassurance to give her. With open arms he beckoned her to him and pulled her into a reassuring hug. "You survived without gettin' a stick through your gut. That's a solid start. Let's take a look at you." He continued, leading her into the ship.

Once inside, he set her jetpack aside and sat her on the galley's couch to inspect her wounds. "And? How's it feel?" He nodded to the jetpack as he asked.

Vara Rasha

 

[Vara Rasha]

THE FOUNDLING
Kestri | Icy Plains, Forests
TAG: Yuri Maji

Run, Sally, Run!​

Zilch.

Instead of meeting her shot for shot like she thought he would, Yuri offered only eerie silence. Calmness quickly replaced the twin howl of explosions from a moment ago. The cold air lashed between her fangs. Her breathing was the only thing that cut through the din of bone-chilling breeze. There wasn’t a single mocking quip over the comms.

It was as if the entire forest held its breath.

Treetops swept under Vara as her visor shot from one part of the forest to the other. Her snout worked the air back and forth. Her brows knit, mane stood on end.

What was this now?

The answer to her question came at an earth shattering explosion.

A ball of flame flashed right from the first canopy. Snow covered trees smudged into a swirl of whites and dark greens in an instant. Her breakfast threatened to spill from her maw. The blade-sharp treetops and thick branches surged up to strike, ripping her balance away as if an invisible hand swatted her down.

A gasp tore from the Foundling’s lips, spilling onto her helmet vocabulator. The back of her mind burned.

Instinct took over.

Her spin came to an end as she sharply leaned her weight counter-rotation. Sight restored in the same moment, her eyes widened as a treetrunk filled her vision. Her weight dipped to the left out of reflex.

Purely by the seat of her pants, the wide trunk shot past her with a thunderous sweep, a hairsbreadth away from her armored form. Her recovery came swift. Her jetpack lamented in a strained howl as she wrenched her weight in counter to her path, wrestling back into balance.

Her maw split to a wide grin. Metal gleamed through the brush. The finish line!

But he wasn’t finished with her.

What followed made that very clear.

Explosions rumbled through the forest. Trunks and branches splintered as the blastwave took her in a crushing embrace. <”Hrrnngh-... Nnnngh!”> A groan rolled from her throat.

She pressed on, not one moment to take a pause.

A shower of splinters and shrapnel. Trees gave way in protest, threatening to take her under them in their plummet, but the foundling proved sharper in her wits. In control of her balance, she weaved. Her armored form ducked under branches, shot and leapt over toppling trunks and slinked past obstacles. Her heart slammed against her ribs with each echoing boom. Hands rose up sharply, vambraces facing the blast. The corner of her lips wrinkled as she snarled. Just a little bit further!

The treeline thinned.

And before long, the forest spat her out.

The chaos was behind her.

Only the howl of her jetpack and the wind accompanied her.

Her weight tipped towards their freighter. Yuri’s silhouette stood out, leaned against the landing strut at the bow. On her final heading she leaned back, her feet brought forth. Ground firm under her soles she skidded to a halt, flames of the thrusters smothered in the same breath.

"Twenty minutes. Could've been worse." He remarked with a chuckle.

Her breast plate rose and fell amidst sharp pulls of breath. She slowly walked up to him, the emotionless visor held his gaze as she reached for the flagpole magnetized to her backplate. Her grip slipped once. Her gauntlet felt heavier than usual as she jerked the flagpole free and sank it firmly into the frost.

The little triangular red flag fluttered triumphantly in the wind.

But he had put her through it.

Leaves, splinters and smaller branches stuck out from her tousled mane, body glove tattered in most places. Damp heat pooled everywhere. She felt the subtle warmth of it embrace her. Blood flowed freely, it dripped onto the frost at her feet from gashes and tears, unnoticed by the Harpy.

He closed the gap between them, and pulled her into a hug. Vara welcomed him without hesitation. Arms curled around him as she pressed her chestplate flush against his. Her jaw rested atop his shoulder. Digits clawed at his backplate. Digits tingled. Not cold. They strangely felt distant.

"You survived without gettin' a stick through your gut. That's a solid start. Let's take a look at you." He continued, leading her into the ship.

<”I don’t know how,”> She began. A voice low and rough rumbled from her throat. <”And I don’t know when, but I will get you,”> The woman shifted in his embrace, her gaze searched for his eyes. <”Somehow.”>

A chuckle came after.

Unceasing, it turned into a full on laughter quickly. Her arm over his shoulder, she let him take her up the ramp. She paused briefly to allow him take her jetpack off. A groan escaped her maw as the cushions of the couch softened her fall a moment later.

Then, the world narrowed.

Her fur damp with her own hot blood, the Harpy discovered more and more of her wounds as she inspected herself. The numbness peeled away. Heady, a giggle escaped her lips. Her grip caught the rim of her helmet. With a jerk, she slipped it off.

"And? How's it feel?" He nodded to the jetpack as he asked.

“Feels like I’d set a planet on fire for a joint right now,” Vara barked with laughter. Her grin faltered as something crackled under her breastplate. “Oooh God it burns,” her maw snapped shut as her gaze wearily shifted from one corner to the other, before settling back onto Yuri. Her hands balled into fists, keeping a yelp at bay. “Bacta. Now.” Something soft flickered through her eyes. She let him see it.

A voiceless plea.

​

 

[Yuri Maji]

Helping her up to the freighter, Yuri couldn't help but chuckle at her determination. "Eh, give it a few months. This ain't a one and done deal." He remarked, depositing her on the couch. He briefly left to retrieve a medkit before working on stripping her armour down and undoing her body glove.

Before he could comment on her various injuries, she pleaded for bacta. Yuri gave a nod and injected a bacta shot into the crook of her neck along with a painkiller, allowing the two of them to work on patching her up. Bandages, plasters and a lethal amount of bacta quickly found a spot somewhere on her body. "Yeah... this is gonna take a few days." He remarked as he tightened another bandage around her bare chest. "On the bright side... this is a good excuse to check ya out." He flashed a wink, standing up to plant a kiss on her head. For a finishing touch, he left her on the couch for a few moments as he disappeared into her room.

He finally emerged with a joint in hand. "Only time you're gettin' to smoke onboard, so you better savour it." He sat down beside her and slipped the roll between his lips as his flamethrower's ignition sparked to life. With a few puffs to get it started, he passed it to Vara and blew a plume of smoke into the air.

The drug slowly picked up, relaxing his body and mind beside her. It had been nearly two years since he smoked or snorted anything and it showed with widened eyes and a stupid grin.

"Oh boy..." He muttered, slowly tossing one part of his armour aside after the other to get more comfortable. "You can have tomorrow off." He quipped as an arm gingerly wrapped around his girl to draw her close.

Vara Rasha

 

[Vara Rasha]

THE FOUNDLING
Kestri | Icy Plains, Forests, Freighter
TAG: Yuri Maji

Heart to Heart​

Pain.

Vara’s jaw clenched, digits dug into the cushions as her lips peeled back to a labored smile. Something softer replaced the desperate plea in her eyes as Yuri nodded and leaned in. A small groan left her with a breath as she leaned her head to the side, presenting him the crook of her neck.

Then came the pinch. The pinprick found purchase with tautened muscle. A breath later, the sting of the auto-injector melted away into her hide already set aflame with pain.

Relief followed.

The girl’s snout flared as she drew a breath, jaw slackened. The sharp outlines of her muscles softened under the tight embrace of her body glove. Clenched fists uncurled and relaxed. The woman sank further into the couch.

A chuckle rolled from her throat, low and rough as the bacta and morphine worked their magic. ”Vor entye, cyar’ika.” Then she leaned forward. A crack and pop from her core accompanied the motion. She stilled, listening to the creaks and protests of her own body.

Her eyes widened as she felt something scrape and poke against her, threatening to rip her breath from her.

The realization pulled a hearty giggle from her. Dreamy crimson eyes found Yuri’s. “Might need to see the doc again… Ribs grow back, right?” with a chuckle, the girl threw him a jab, her fist harmlessly glancing off his shoulderplate.

She almost came to regret the gesture.

A hand went to clutch her chest, as if she could nurture the wound. Her core seized as she held a coughing fit at bay.

“Haahhh… Kark..” A snarl, barely a breath, poured from her lips as her eyes settled back upon her man. With his help, she began to shed parts of her armor. One by one they settled on the galley table and the floor.

She peeled down her body glove, tying the sleeves around her hip as she looked down at the crop tank top hugging her breasts. Once a clear gray, it was now soaked in her sweat and blood. A venomous hiss escaped her lips as she reached for a bacta laced gauze.

Deft hands set to work.

Before long, the shrapnel and splinters digging into her flesh like stubborn fleas were pulled out, wounds cleaned, closed and wrapped up in dressing.

"Yeah... this is gonna take a few days."

“Mmnnh!” A gasp left her lips as he went to tighten another set of gauze around her chest. “By the Manda could you be any more heavy handed!?” Her brows knit as she snarled. In the same breath, her knuckles dove for his gut, hard enough to discomfort him.

Her annoyance died as quick as it flared. The warmth in her laughter was unmistakable. “You’d make for a terrible karkin’ nurse,” The Foundling shook her head, settling back into the cushions.

"On the bright side... this is a good excuse to check ya out."

The woman scoffed. ”As if you’d ever need an excuse for that,” His words stole another giggle from her. Vara winked back as she reached out to his arm. Her digits caressed and kneaded his muscles as she felt his lips melt against her brow, stealing a breath from her.

The woman pulled back, and leaned back into the couch as Yuri shifted and got up. Her neck draped over the back rest, her eyes followed him with her world upside down. A small noise left her snout as she saw him disappear into her room. Curious. Her ears perked up in silent intrigue.

She didn’t use that much anymore after they became official. She just had some clothes and weapons in there.

And her stash.

Her eyes widened at the realization at the same time Yuri emerged with a joint in his hand.

"Only time you're gettin' to smoke onboard, so you better savour it."

No way he actually meant that! Her laughter burst out sharp and disbelieving. Her eyes left him not once as he sat down beside her.

Vara’s jaw dropped as she watched her man place the joint between his lips, and deftly lit the tip with the small ignition of his vambrace mounted flamer. He toked the joint, breathing life to it with each pull before shifting to pass it over.

A million thoughts swirled in her mind as he breathed out a plume of white smoke. She looked at him, then at the joint, before her gaze settled back on his mug. He smiled, dreamy and woozy.

The decision settled quietly in her mind.

The moment was too pleasant to ruin. She was going to savor this, as he told her to.

But that did not mean she wasn’t going to kick his karkin’ ass over it tomorrow.

Her brows knit as she reached out and plucked the joint from between his fingertips. It quickly found its place at the crook of her lips. The woman took a drag as she inched closer and helped him shed pieces of his armor.

And her worries went away with it.

"Oh boy..."

"You can have tomorrow off."

His words earned him a giggle. Euphoria and relief replaced dark and troubling thoughts with each toke. Before long, the mutt shared the same woozy expression as her man. Her eyelids half-lidded over crimson eyes as she shifted. Pain quickly became a distant, abstract concept. A hand reached out for her vambrace. A press of the button sent a soft tune drifting through the galley.

Her weight sat atop his lap as she straddled him now. Digits clung softly upon his shoulders, the joint hanging loosely from her lips. She reached up to it as she took a hefty drag. Caught between her knuckles, she drew it away and leaned down.

Her chest pressed flush against his as she nuzzled his cheek. A soft growl rolled from her core. ”You’re gonna need the week off when I’m through with you,” Scorching affection veiled the whispered threat. Brushing past, her lips found his a moment later. She cradled the back of his head in her palm. Her mouth tipped into a crooked smile, lips pulling back just enough to show teeth. ”You’re my favorite sin.” Her maw parted, and she breathed out. The plume of smoke poured from her lips in the same breath she pulled Yuri into a deep kiss.

If they were doing this, they’d do it her way.

Indulging, yet measured.

​

 

[Yuri Maji]

All Vara would receive in the wake of her cries and protests were snickers and a parsec-long grin, Yuri was obviously enjoying the torment. But it was necessary, they both knew that. There was no easy or gentle way to plug wounds and crunch everything back into place, at least the Bacta would begin to fix the worst of the damage until they get back to Tor Valum.

She knew it. And she would do exactly the same for him.

Her touch and crimson eyes drew his gaze back to her. Her gratitude was clear, though he knew she would be far more happy with his plans for her. The joint's effects were immediate on both of them. It the pain wasn't gone with an injection, the narcotic would certainly smooth her nerves out just like it was doing for him. The world spun and blurred around him as he shed his armour and undid his body glove to hang loosely around his hips. The only focus point for him was his girl nestled against him, and the spliff between her lips.

He raised his arm as she leaned over for her vambrace, making sure she didn't overdo it with her movements. In short order a song began to fill the room, earning a pleasant hum from the Hound. His eyes closed to appreciate the moment of peace, the clarity of his thoughts and the feeling of her smooth pelt in his palm.

At least until he found her suddenly sitting in his lap with her chest resting against his. His eyes fluttered open and a toothy grin met her threat as he rested hands on her hips. His mind was slow to formulate words in the moment, though action came easy. He drew a deep breath in and leaned forward to meet her in a deep, smoking kiss. "You're brave. Makin' threats like that when you're this battered..." He mumbled as he pulled away, plucking the smoke from her fingers for another drag.

With the state she was in, it wasn't smart to play around like this. But logic was quickly shelved as his hands shifted along her pelt to pull her tank top away. "My favourite vice..." He continued, holding her against him as he stood up to carry her to the bedroom.

---

It was early morning when Yuri stirred awake. Still mixed up from the previous day's escapades, he took a few seconds to gather his memories and spare a glance at his girl. After a quick check over her bandages, he left her behind to find some pants and a jacket. Naturally she was tucked in against the cold ship before Yuri left her to find another analgesic injector.

He lazily wandered around the ship in search of a medpack for a few minutes, finally returning to inject her to ease the pain before it woke her up. He set the injector aside and leaned in to plant a kiss on her cheek, leaving her to sleep in as he quickly ran through the shower before making his way to the cockpit.

They needed to get her to a bacta tank. They wasted too much time already with their escapades.

Vara Rasha