Private Red Dwarf

[Trextan Voidstalker]

TREXTAN

Her words hit him like a match thrown onto dry kindling. Prove it.

It wasn’t a soft invitation. It was sharp, edged with anger and the weight of everything unsaid between them. But it didn’t scare him off. It lit him up.

His jaw tightened, fighting the instinct to just crush his mouth to hers and let that be the answer. That wasn’t enough. Even if it was what he wanted most of all. All those missed opportunities crashed over him like a wave. He thought of the times they had spared, more often literally than verbally, and what that had always led to.

She was his first and only love. There was a piece of her that he had kept close to him. They had grown together. She had shaped him.

Trextan leaned in until their foreheads almost touched, his voice a low growl meant only for her.

“I’m here. With you. Not chasing the past. Thinking about you. Just… you. Always you.”

He let the words linger for just a moment. He was given a close up view of the cosmic display as the indigo of her eyes deepened. His right hand grasped her waist, fingers flexing against the frabic of her tunic. His left was against the warmth of her cheek. He held her with capable hands. His eyes didn't change colour, but they painted a picture of how he wanted to hold her.

And then he did what she dared him to: he closed that last inch. His lips hovered just over hers, close enough that he could feel the heat of her breath. Teasing, tempting.

He could have whispered a questions as he trembled with restraint, but he challenge demanded an answer. He held her with purpose and anchor them in now. He pulled he body flush to his. There were echoes of memories, but this moment was it's own.
They were different.

His lips touched hers with careful intent, a lingering brush that tested the waters. He didn't even brace against the strong possibility of a forceful rejection.

But the second her mouth yielded — just a fraction, just enough — restraint slipped its leash. The kiss deepened, slow turning hungry, his hand finally sliding to the small of her back to draw her closer.

 

[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's breath hitched the moment his hand closed on her waist, the other cupping her cheek with a gentleness that betrayed the growl in his voice. That low rumble -- always you -- cracked something open inside her.

Heat bled through her skin at every point of contact, her body alight with that electric hum she had never been able to quiet around him. Those indigo eyes of hers hooded, lashes lowering as if she could hold the moment steady, but then his mouth was on hers.

The kiss wasn't clumsy like it had been years ago, all nerves and awkwardness. It was warm, sure, insistent, pulling the past into the present until she couldn't tell where one bled into the other.

A shudder rolled through her, and that was it; she was done for.

Blast it, she had missed him. Missed this.

Her arms slid up around his shoulders, coiling tight, pressing herself flush against him with no hesitation. Her mouth yielded, yet, but then claimed, taking control with a hunger sharpened by three years of absence. She breathed him in, devoured him, lost herself in the taste of him.

"HEY! Stop blocking the exits and get a karking room!"

The shout cracked through the haze like a blaster shot. Choli tore her mouth from his, breath ragged, lips bruised, blinking rapidly as the heavyset Barabel told them to scram.

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

TREXTAN

His heart was pounding. The shift hadn't been subtle. Once the wall came down she had claimed him. Feth it all, if he didn't want to let that play out as far as it possibly could. Until they could bask in the glow of how she had completely possessed him.

"HEY! Stop blocking the exits and get a karking room!"

The shout didn't even register until Choli drew back. They separated just enough to see the hulking Barabel glowering at them. For a second, all he could do was breathe sharp, ragged breathes, her taste still clinging to his lips. He still had a hand taking a firm grip of her backside.

Then he laughed. A low, surprised sound, rough at the edges. He couldn’t help it.

“Guess we’re in the way,” he murmured, voice pitched just for her. His thumb still grazing the edge of her cheek, his other hand gave a finally squeeze before he forced himself to let go. He looked into her eyes. Desire was still there, coiling under the surface.

Choli’s arms slipped from his shoulders, though the heat of her pressed against him lingered like a brand. Her indigo eyes still burned. She blinked fast, trying to pull herself together.

Trextan didn’t give her the chance. He caught her hand, fingers lacing with hers in a grip that left no room for argument, and tugged her out of the Barabel’s path.

They spilled into the street. The night market alive with light and noise and everything was bathed in the warm red afterglow of their dying star. But all he saw was her. Her flushed cheeks, kiss-swollen lips and the stubborn tilt of her chin that couldn’t disguise how fast she was breathing. They shouldn't have done that there, but they hadn't chosen the moment. It had chosen them. It was always the same. A abandoned mine, a hospital, his uncles veranda...

He leaned close as they wove through the crowd, his mouth brushing just by her ear. “We should go back and get some water.”

That would be the sensible thing. Take a moment and cool down. Make sure they were on the same page.

He saw the twitch at the corner of her mouth, the spark that said she was just as undone as he was.

"Or we have a room...but... " he hissed. But he couldn't wait.

He tugged her into a shadowed side street. The noise dulled, the shadows thickened
Before she could throw another challenge at him, he pressed her back lightly against the wall, his body close but not crushing. His forehead resting against hers.

“You taste the same,” he whispered, the words slipping out before he could stop them. His thumb traced the corner of her mouth, lingering on the bruise his kiss had left. He realised that he didn't want to pin her. He wanted her to shove him off and then pin him to the wall.

“Tell me to stop and I will.”

But stars help him, he prayed she wouldn’t.

 

[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's back hit the wall, the cool stone biting through the haze of heat that still burned in her veins. His forehead rested against hers, his thumb grazing her mouth like he couldn't stop touching her. In her floaty state, it blended past with present. Memories flooded and superimposed over the thrum of his low voice. His words, you taste the same, set her pulse hammering so hard it almost hurt.

Her eyes, deep indigo now, flicked over his face. The sharp line of his jaw, the mouth that had just stolen her breath, the confusion and need swirling in his gaze. Her chest rose and fell too fast, her whole body taut with wanting and resisting all at once.

But feth, she was done resisting.

Her hands fisted into his shirt, hauling him closer, her voice a rough whisper against the space between their mouths.

"Shut up and kiss me."

Then she yanked him down, closing the last sliver of space, her lips crashing against his with a hunger that left no room for hesitation, as if the years apart had been nothing but fuel for this fire.

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

TREXTAN

When her eyes were that colour of indigo they seemed to draw him on. It was so easy to fall into their depths. Trextan held himself at the precipice.

The words hit him. Shut up and kiss me. It wasn't a small nudge to send him into the abyss. It was a shove.

If the push wasn't enough, she pulled too. Her grip was firm, commanding. Her mouth colliding with his.

Whatever control he'd been holding onto unraveled in an instant. Her lips were hungry and demanding. He met her with equal fire. His hand slid around her waist. The other threaded fiercely into her hair around her knot angling her mouth so he could taste her deeper and slower, as if trying to make up for every moment lost in those years apart.

In the scant privacy of the alley, they burned together. Her fists bunched tighter in his shirt, and he groaned against her lips. The sound raw and unguarded. The wall at her back grounded them both, but it wasn't enough. He needed more, he needed her closer. She would feel the warmth of his hand, skin-to-skin, slide upwards and over her belly and ribs. The ache in his chest was soothed by the proof that she still wanted this, still wanted him. But he still wanted more.

He broke from her mouth just long enough to breathe. He would have spoken. He would have told her how many times he'd thought about having her back. About doing this again. This time he did as he was told and shut up.

And then he kissed her again. He kissed her like she hadn't been kissed before. He moved against her and she would feel the weight of him. It was as familiar and reassuring as it was exhilarating and new.

 

[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 melted into him, every brush of his mouth unraveling the last threads of restraint she had left. Feth, she was lost. THe world outsside that narrow alley fell away until it was just heat, breath, and the wild crash of her pulse. Her fingers twisted tighter in his shirt, dragging him closer, like she could fuse them back into what they used to be.

And then a faint, high pitched ringing at the edge of her hearing. At first she shoved it aside, refusing to let anything intrude. She kissed him harder, ignoring it. But the sound only sharpened, louder, insistent, until it stabbed through the haze.

Her comm.

The thought snapped in clear, and she let out a muffled groan against his lips. Tempted to ignore it, oh was she eve r so tempted, but the damn thing just wouldn't stop.

Finally, she tore her mouth from his, gasping as the cool air hit her swollen lips.

"Comm," she rasped, tipping her head back against the wall, breath hitching. "Someone's calling."

HEr hands fumbled clumsily until she found the device clipped at her belt. She thumbed it on, voice hoarse as she tried to answer, only to be cut off by Ren's shrill complaint blasting through the speaker.

"Hey! Where are you guys at?! Did you get my ice cream yet?!"

Choli winced, shutting her eyes as her face flushed hotter for an entirely different reason now.

"...pfassk me," she muttered under her breath. Right. Icecream. For Ren.

They were supposed to be back at the ship soon.

Breathing harshly, Choli tried to collect herself, uttering out in a low, "Hey Ren... yeah... heading back soon."

"GOOD! And it better not be melted by the time you get here!"

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

TREXTAN

"Comm, yes," he agreed, but his brain moved slowly to identify the sound.

Trextan leaned back. His breath was ragged and his lips tingle.

He groaned low in his throat, jaw tightening as she fumbled for the device. Her voice was hoarse when she answered, and then came the shrill complaint blasting through the speaker.

“Ice cream?” Trextan echoed under his breath, disbelieving. He leaned forward and turned his face into her shoulder to muffle the laugh that broke out — half frustration, half pure incredulity. Of all the karking times.

He could felt the hot flush of her embarrassment even before he lifted his head again.

"We're on our way," he said into the comm before it clicked silent. It left only the pulse of the market and the rasp of their breathing. He tried to slow his heart with a deep breath.

"Ice cream," he repeated with a shake of his head.

He leaned back and looked down at her. The sight damn near undid him all over again. Flushed cheeks, lips kiss-bruised, eyes still dark as midnight. There was another fleck of colour swirling in.

A crooked smile tugged at his mouth. He had to help straight her blouse

"Better be good ice cream."

He wouldn't let her go. He knew that given a little time and cool air her thoughts would run wild. He smiled at her.

Trextan pushed off the wall, reached down, and caught her hand. Not lightly. Not tentative. Grounding her in the lingering charge between them. She was wilful and independent but this was something they had to work out together, not alone.

His fingers laced through hers with a grip that said he had no intention of letting go, and he tugged her out of the alley before she could think to argue.



"Hey, ice cream! Three flavours and not yet melted!" Trextan called out as they stepped back into the warden. Even if their plan was limited, he'd had time to think about what to say. They would get water, cool down and they would talk.

 

[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 followed Trextan back through the market, the hum of voices and neon lantern glow feeling distant compared to the buzzing still under her skin. Her cheeks hadn't cooled, not really, and she kept her gaze forward, quiet as she went through the motions to get back to the ship, Trextan's hand still warm and solid within her own. Whether it was the alcohol or that karking kiss, she couldn't tell. Maybe both.

By the time they reached the Aurora, she was glad for the ramp's familiar hiss and the ship's metal belly swallowing them whole. Chloe met them at the hatch, her warm smile flickering into something more knowing the moment her eyes swept over them both. Her brows arched, but she didn't comment. Ren of course, was squealing with delight, already grabbing at the bag to see what was bought.

"I have some plates and forks ready," Chloe said easily. Then, with a faint smirk, "You guys want some too?"

Choli shook her head quickly, placing the ice cream on the counter.

"I'm good. Pretty full. But… I need some water." Her voice was low, a little hoarse still as she headed for the galley.

"Yeah, reckon water would do you some good," Chloe replied, her blue eyes flicking between them before landing on Trextan, as if to say you too.

Once there, Choli gave an exhale, rubbing the back of her hot neck before reaching for a glass. Water. That was safe. Cold and grounding. She didn't trust herself to want anything else.

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

TREXTAN

Trextan had expected a knowing glance from. Chloe. He hadn't expected the look that told him to go with Choli. Did she have some magic sense to know exactly what had happened?

He trailed Choli into the galley, leaning against the doorway as she poured the water. She didn’t look at him — not yet.

Trextan let the silence hang for a beat, then said quietly: “That kiss… that er, wasn’t just the drinks talking. Not for me.”

He pushed off the frame, stepping closer, voice low and steady.

“Sorry, I should give you a minute to cool off,” he said. He knew that Choli didn't like being told what to do and that fire that had burned hot in his favour could also burn him.

He gave her space to get a glass of water for herself. He knew the strength of what she felt. He could have kissed her again right now and she would have responded. But he didn't want her to react on instinct. He knew the feelings were there. He hadn't planned on this. Now they had to make sure - with clear heads - that they were on the same page.

Trextan walked up, offered her a small smile, and poured a glass of water for himself. He hadn't realised how thirty he was until he took a first gulp. They took seats and he waited for her to set her own thoughts straight.

 

[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 kept her eyes on the glass as the filtered water filled, the cool splash steady against the metal cup. Her hands were steady, but the heat in her cheeks hadn't gone anywhere.

That kiss. Feth, she could still feel it.

She took a long swallow, letting the water burn its way down, trying to use it to wash off the taste of him that still clung to her lips. It didn't work. Her eyes flicked sideways at him, catching the quiet steadiness in his tone.

"Yeah. I know," she admitted finally, her voice low, almost reluctant. Forthright as ever, even when her chest felt tight.

She set the cup down and leaned against the counter.

"But you're right. Cool heads. Otherwise…" Her mouth pressed into a line, eyes shifting darker, somewhere between smoky grey and deep blue.

"Otherwise we're just going to end up crashing into the same mess as before."

She exhaled, rubbing at her temple. "So. We figure it out. No rushing."

But even as she said it, her traitorous heart thudded louder, reminding her how hard it would be to keep that promise.

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

TREXTAN

The ship was oddly quiet when it was on the ground. He was acxurtomed to the hum of a ship constantly wrapping around them like a blanket.

"Agreed," he began, voice soft but fearless. "No rushing."

He caught her gaze, steady and sure. His hand slid along the counter until the outside of his little finger brushed against her wrist, a quiet promise in the touch.

"I want us. If we're going to do this, I'll move at your pace. I'll talk, I'll listen," he paused, breath catching in his chest.

He gaze drifted across her. He almost didn't trust himself to look at her. The depth of longing he felt was far stronger than he might have imagined it to be.

"But I don't want to fight the pull. I don't want to reset the clock," Trextan took a breath and set out his position. "But I'd like to pick up from where we were. Not the same, you know but..."

He was more articulate and confident than he had been, but he struggled to exactly express what he meant.

"I'd like to kiss you again, but we just draw a line there for now. Take time to figure it out."

He finally managed to divert his thoughts to what that would look like. They couldn't go back onto the Veree and travel again right away. That would just go exactly the same way within a day. He wanted a stable foundation to build something stronger.

 

[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 tipped her head back as she leaned back against the counter, staring at the ceiling for a moment. The alcohol left her thoughts scattered, but not enough to shut her up.

"Trextan… I've got too many things running through my head right now," she said, voice hoarse but steady in that blunt way of hers.

"I can't even tell up from down. And… let's be honest, this isn't even our ship. We're on Chloe's. That's already enough to make things complicated."

She huffed out a breath, lips quirking tiredly as her flushed cheeks still gave her away.

"Maybe that's for the better though. Gives us space to not do anything dumb tonight."

Her eyes flicked toward him, darker than usual but thoughtful.

"We should probably sleep on it. Talk after. Let our heads and our bodies cool down."

She gave a small shrug, drained the last of her water, and added with a commentary that didn't quite hide her nerves, "Besides… I don't think Chloe's galley table is the place to be figuring this out."

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

TREXTAN

Trextan watched her drain the glass, the flicker of nerves in her eyes belying the bluntness of her words. She wanted space, time and a cooler head. He could respect that. Stars, after everything he had to. He knew what she would be feeling now because he was feeling it too. A few minutes didn't make that kiss go away. Force, that had been a good kiss.

Trextan took a breath. He tried to absorb what she was saying. He had - upon reflection - asked her to set out how she was feeling before giving her a full explanation.

He gave a deliberately slow but firm nod.

"Yeah. Sleep on it. More than once if you need," he said.

They were on Choe's ship. He wondered briefly if she found this amusing or felt like she had a stake on what happened to them both. After all, he thought, she had heard from each of them independently for some time.

Ah.

He hadn't thought before that Chloe could read between the lines between what each of them said to her on their own. That probably gave her perspective.

But being supportive of them didn't mean wanted to hear them figuring it out together. Trextan glanced at the table. He glanced at Choli. Warmth flushed his cheeks.

"Yeah I'm just gonna stand over..."

Trextan gave her a little bit more physical space too. It wasn't just for her. He didn't entirely trust himself either. He smiled at Choli, appreciating her cut of humour in the tension.

"You know how I feel," he said. Sleep wasn't going to change that, even if it might give him a chance to consider how to address those feelings.

 

[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 rolled the empty cup between her palms, mulling over his words. Part of her wanted to lean into them, to let herself believe that maybe this was a path worth stepping back onto. Another part of her, that the cautious one, the one that had learned the hard way what hope could cost,wondered if it was the right move at all.

Her lips pressed thin, then finally she gave a small nod. Those color shifting eyes of hers blending into a hue that indicated that she was feeling an equal turmoil about it.

"Okay," she said quietly. Simple, blunt, but not dismissive. It was the best she could offer while her head still spun and her chest still felt too tight.

Her hazel eyes lifted toward him, softer now, her mouth tugging at something almost like a smile, before adding quietly, the words floating between them amidst the hum of the recycled air.

"I know."