Private You Deserved More Than Vanishing

[Braze]

TAGS: Zee Caromed

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Braze brightened at the sight of Zee's reaction, clearly pleased that the gift had been well received. Slipping the strap of his bag through the crook of his arm, he carefully lifted the necklace from its resting place. With practiced fingers, he stepped forward and reached around to secure it at the nape of Zee's neck, making sure the delicate chain rested comfortably and wasn't too snug.

"I'm glad you like it," he murmured, a soft smile tugging at his lips. "I wasn't sure if something like this would suit your style."

He gave the tiny clasp a gentle twist, fastening it with care before stepping back to admire the result.

"There."

A moment later, he slid a hand into the folds of his robe and retrieved a small compact. Flipping it open, he revealed the mirror inside and held it out for Zee to see.

"If you want to take a peek at how it looks on you," he offered.

 

[Zee Caromed]

The necklace was fancy as all hell, and it didn't match anything Zee had on. But he didn't hate clashing a little bit, especially not when it was such a thoughtful gift. A meditation crystal was a nice thing to have, especially one in the same shade as the eyes of the boyfriend who'd made it. "I love it." Zee promised as he appraised his reflection, turning this way and that to check the angles. Luckily his top had a relatively loose collar, which meant that the silvery necklace could be properly shown off.

Zee took Braze by the hand and thanked him with a quick kiss.

"I promise you, my style is fluid enough to accommodate this." He giggled, resuming their walk hand-in-hand. "I will find the time and space to show it off. It's a good reason to go to balls, I suppose."

Zee didn't have much jewelry. Sure, he likely had more than most guys his age - that was a given - but aside from some rings, bangles, and earrings? He didn't have much in the way of finery. After spending the night with Braze, he suspected the Jedi had a thing for body jewelry, so that was likely about to change. He'd have to do some shopping. He also had a hunch that Braze was big into giving gifts. That would likely inflate his options a little.

They reached the Mud Duck. Zee idled about while Braze packed a bag and a droid.

​

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Zee Caromed

Braze smiled at the little peck and happily took Zee's hand and walked the rest of the way.
"That's good to know. If there's anything specific you have interests in I'd be happy to learn more about what you find asthetically pleasing."
He greeted Gidgit as he was met at the door and smiled.

"We're going on a little Adventure together Gidgit. Zee said it was alright to go to his place for a little bit. "

He packed his meal away and didn't take long picking out a few sets of almost entirely black clothing from an array in a closet he had onboard. He had everything separated by color and even had a few figurines up top on a shelf in the closet under plexiglass box casings, mostly out of sight. One section of the closet had a considerable amount of black; the other had a variety of flowing-styled robes, Qipao, Hanfu, and more, made from softer silk-like materials and often adorned in elegant patterns. There was a smaller selection of casual attire, but it did exist.​

[Gidgit]
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A soft fluttering trill echoed through the entry corridor as Gidgit zoomed forward on his tiny repulsors, mechanical 'wings' flailing just a little too dramatically as Braze stepped aboard. He scanned over Zee Caromed with his optic lens.

SYS PROTOCOL INITIATED: GUEST GREETING — SPECIAL COMPANION EDITION

"Look who's returned! Welcome home Master Braze! Aaaand.... Greetings, Venerated Guest! I hope your bonding encounter was optimized for joy, and at least one meaningful glance!"

He turned to Braze as he spoke, "OHHH!! An adventure?!" Gidgit fluttered midair with a delighted trill. His optics blinked twice in exaggerated excitement. "You know how I love unscheduled excursions with minimal risk assessments!"

His shell panels twitched open for ventilation, emitting a cheerful chirr-click sounds. The droid did a full circle mid-air before hovering down gently beside Zee.

The small lady bug looking droid hovered closer to Zee and stage-whispered with an audible whirr,

"He smiled on the way out. That never happens...So?" he chirped sweetly. "Did he woo you properly or must I issue a stern lecture on courtship etiquette?"

 

[Zee Caromed]

"You must be Gidget. Hello!" Zee chuckled, providing his shoulder as a convenient place to land if the droid preferred a roost to hovering excitedly about. "Braze had so many wonderful things to say about you!" The Mandalorian cooed affectionately. "I promise minimal risk. Snacks, relaxing, and domesticity abounds. I'll do my absolute best help you to keep our boy out of trouble."

It was a shame he hadn't been able to meet the droid the last time he'd been here. If it'd even been built/bought then.

Zee leaned in to return the stage whisper, cupping his hand over his mouth to 'direct' it. "No lecture required." He assured Gidget, glancing playfully in Braze's direction. He knew Braze could hear him at this distance. "I'm pretty thoroughly woo'd. Possibly even courted, though I don't know - it might be too early to say this is a proper courtship."

"What do YOU think, Gidget?" Zee asked innocently, his finger at his lips. "You look like you've got a pretty solid S/R Sensor and Pressure-detection suite from how smoothly you're flying. Can you peer into his biometric data? Do you think Braze is out for my hand and heart?" The Mando asked, sighing like a wistful maiden from a holodrama while leaning against a doorframe. "Or does he just love me for my body and my superior taste in noodle establishments? Please - I must know!"

Zee couldn't keep the wicked grin from his face, thuroughly teasing his partner through the droid. "My heart aches at the uncertainty, Gidget. Is our beloved knight a man of honor and valor? Or is he a blackguard possessed of venal desires?"
​

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Zee Caromed

Gidgit emulated an overly dramatic gasping sound.

"About me? Me?! I am a pretty amaaaaazing assistant, aren’t I? That’s why my designation is Gidgit! It stands for:

General
Integrated
Droid for
Guidance,
Interaction, and
Technical Support!"

He gave a pleased little spin in midair, wing-shells fluttering proudly, then whirred thoughtfully to himself.

"Thank you. I think I like the way you said it… though he is very prone to finding trouble! That’s gonna be a difficult task! Are you sure you have the right programming for that one? I also hope he lets you."

He floated lazily in a slow orbit around Zee, clearly listening with interest as the Mandalorian spoke.

"Oh my circuits! A proper courtship?! How does that work? I am unfamiliar with Mandalorian culture... Are there forms? Ceremonies? Helmet-polishing rituals?"

A high-pitched flutter escaped his frame as his optics brightened.
"He is gallant and brooding, and only slightly emotionally firewalled! He even lets me initiate hugs 12% of the time now!"
He paused, venting softly, as if seriously considering the implications.

"Oh! Well, I’m not technically supposed to access private emotional biometrics without formal authorization and a situational ethics override but… buuuut…"

Gidgit twirled midair again, optics blinking in gleeful mischief.

"I might’ve already been monitoring his data~ Just a little! Just enough to track micro-expressions, stress levels, tone modulation, and heartbeat fluctuations whenever he looks at you."

He paused, repeating with a bright chirp,

"He is gallant and brooding and only slightly emotionally firewalled! He even lets me initiate hugs 12% of the time now!"

Then, a quick shift in tone as he leaned in like he was sharing a secret:

"Also~ he and Valor kinda-sorta don’t get along... I think Valor probably dislikes him a whoooole lot more now."

Braze finished gathering what he needed and returned to Zee's side. " Thank you gidgit... I think that is quite enough. " He said seemingly mildly frusrtaighted by that last bit as if Gidgit was sharing too much.

He reached out and gently booped Gidgit's photo receptor before smiling at Zee. " I'm all packed up and ready to go. And I am open to talking about... us. " He offered looking Zee over curiously.

 

[Zee Caromed]

Zee flashed a teasing grin and took Braze by the arm. "Helmet-polishing rituals." He teased. "Very important Mandalorian courtship practices."

As they strolled out of the Mud Duck, Zee didn't bother to hide the little bounce in his step. Gidgit was cute, and his mind was already filled with all the things he could do with a cute droid aboard the ship. Maybe teach him some tricks? Give him a swanky new paintjob? He was kind of just excited to get see how Braze's handiworked looked from the inside, but he wouldn't open Gidgit up without a reason or permission. That'd be horrifically rude, and a breach of hospitality. He wouldn't want to be anything but a model host.

"If you like." Zee offered warmly as they left the Duck and made their way towards the smaller sections of the starport. "I know how I feel about you, and that's enough for me. If you'd like to apply a label to 'us', I'll wear it with pride." He explained as he squeezed Braze's arm. "But I don't need one to be happy - even if I think Gidget would be happier knowing what to classify me as in relation to you."

He released Braze's arm and brushed his bangs back, grinning. "Though we should probably discuss the more boring expectations, here at the advent of date three and moving sharing our lives for awhile. Such as - are we exclusive? Open, but with communication? What happens if you get me pregnant?" Zee asked curiously, eyes wide - though that last bit was just to mess with the Droid. "Important things to know!"
​

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Zee Caromed

"I have designated you as the High-Voltage Heartthrob~" Gidgit declared cheerfully, his voice chirpy with glee before dimming into standby. The little droid had climbed up onto Braze's shoulder, her grabbers clicking gently into the fabric like miniature talons. With a soft pulse of blue light, his photoreceptor flickered, then powered down, his judgment apparently rendered.

Braze smiled faintly at that, a little amusement in his step as they walked side by side. "I've been told communication is the cornerstone of a healthy relationship…" he mused aloud, then glanced sidelong at Zee with a brighter expression. "But if it's boring, we could always spice it up. Make a game of it~" His voice lifted playfully, like the idea had just opened a new door in his mind.

Zee had mentioned labels, expectations, the kind of things most people saved for private moments and pillow talk.

He tilted his head thoughtfully. "A label, huh?" he echoed. "What labels are even on the table~?" he asked with a smirk. "Whatever we are… I'm enjoying it so far... But I value freedom, loyalty, and honesty. In that order."

He said giving Zee a small glimpse in to how he thought and perhaps giving something away.

When Zee made that ridiculous joke about pregnancy, Braze blinked, then let out a low laugh, brow lifting with playful disbelief.
"I didn't think it worked like that…" he drawled. "I must've missed something~"

 

[Zee Caromed]

"A label, huh?" he echoed. "What labels are even on the table~?" he asked with a smirk. "Whatever we are… I'm enjoying it so far... But I value freedom, loyalty, and honesty. In that order."

"Boyfriend, girlfriend, partner, chum. Situationship." Zee listed offhand, grinning right back. "I'd be fine with any or none. I'm very flexible. But! Since we both enjoy what we've got going on, no reason to make any big changes on a winning formula."

Of all possible answers, it was probably the one that pleased him the most. Zee communicated this by rewarding Braze with a quick kiss as they walked. "If you ever decide you need more or less definition than what we've got, let me know." He requested gently. "I swear to do the same." Zee sealed the oath by drawing a small 'X' over his heart.

Zee's Puddlejumper was a considerable step down from the Mud Duck. A squat, brickish little super-light freighter, the ship had clearly seen a fair bit of conflict and trauma over the years. Blaster scars marred the hull, and there were clear signs were Zee had repaired (or attempted) to repair something by hand with less than comprehensive knowledge or tools. The inside was cozy, though most of the ship was taken up by shelves and boxes full of parts and prototypes and trinkets, shelves of anarchist literature, medical supplies, or reference books.

Zee's room, while relatively compact, was cozy and clean. His wardrobe was fairly limited, comprised mostly of casual-wear jeans and skirts, band shirts, and a handful of more formal pieces. He owned thee pairs of shoes total - steel-toed combat boots, a pair of worn-out old sneakers, and some strappy heels.

​

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Zee Caromed

Braze followed along and found a little spot to set his bag down. His tone turned sing-song as he bent to lift the small droid.

"Gidgit~? Could you please re-organize my encrypted archive? Sort by priority, cross-reference by threat level, and re-index the ones marked 'don't touch this or we die.' Make it cute, too yeah?"

With exaggerated care, he perched Gidgit atop his bag like royalty being placed on a throne.

The droid gave a delighted whirr.

"TASK ACCEPTED~! You'll have a fully indexed, threat-tagged, glamorized archive in approximately: 3 hours!"

Braze chuckled softly at that, already turning his attention elsewhere. His gaze swept the room briefly before settling on Zee. A more subdued smile played at the corners of his mouth.

"That should keep Gidgit busy enough for a little private chat~" he murmured, voice lowering just a bit. "So... what label do you think you might enjoy the most?"

The question was gentle, Braze seemed genuinely curious about getting in to preferences, boundaries, and the shape of something forming between them.

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