I'd always liked the sound of the hyperdrive, the way it felt to enter one of the hyperlanes, leaving everything behind, flying through a calming stability as we headed back home. We just left Christophsis, and we were now traveling towards Yavin IV, hoping we won't have any more days ahead of us where we have to deal with them... And their issues. As for Dhar, he was already executed on Mandalore by the time we got back to Christophsis, where his family was stripped of most power and relegated to... background characters. But at least they weren't exterminated and had a chance to start over. I don't know how that will go, but that's up to them. I just hope the others learned their lessons... The Force won't guide us here for a second time, I think.
Of course, the moment we were set on course to back home, Vila had insisted I stay in my bunk. Doctor's orders, she'd said. Well... We didn't have a doctor, but that didn't stop her from playing the role of one. By now, my right arm was taken care of, ending in smooth synth-wrap just below the wrist, but sometimes a dull ache did run through it where the intact nerves still remembered what should be there. Sometimes it even made me feel like the Dark Saber was going through it again. But I could deal with it; it wasn't the worst kind of pain. At least, however weird it was, I felt myself reconnected to the Force again. The fear I experienced on the Rakatan world was gone... even from my subconscious, and now everything was back to how it should be, even if I lost a hand in the process.
"Kael," She appeared in the doorway carrying a bowl of broth as I was thinking about all that had happened, "Sit up. You need something that isn't just a ration."
"I can feed myself." I smiled, watching her come in and sit next to me.
"Eh?" She arched an eyebrow at me, "With what hand?"
"Left. I only lost one."
"You'd spill it all over the sheets, and then I'd have to clean it." She shook her head, "So technically, I'd still be feeding you. Nope, we are not doing that. Open up!"
I sighed and gave up. I knew when to retreat, after all, so I opened my mouth and let her put the spoon in. Honestly, the broth tasted great. I don't know what she did with it, but it was not too hot, just hot enough, and just salty enough. Everything was just... good. I was letting her go for the second spoonful when HK's voice drifted in from the doorway.
[Observation: If one more bowl of organic slurry is consumed in my presence, while both of you look like sad puppies, I will eject myself from the airlock for mercy.]
"Thank you for your concern, HK," Vila called, without looking back over her shoulder, "Nobody said you can watch."
[Clarification: Concern is not the word I would use, Meatbag Vila. Disgust fits better.]
"She is right, though," I chuckled, nearly choking on a mouthful of soup. It seems we also won this joust, as HK had nothing to add and was enjoying his completed body while he shuffled away. I think he was occupied with polishing himself, as the parts from Mandalore were much shinier than the rest of his body, and it bothered him greatly.
"Better?" Vila asked, after the food was gone, and she closed the door to my cabin.
"Almost worth losing the hand for."
"Idiot," Her expression softened, eyes dropping to the wrapped stump I had now. "Don't joke like that."
"I'm not upset about it," I said, pulling her eyes back on my face. "Honestly, I'm just grateful to have gone through it. I feel complete again."
"..." She studied me for a moment, as if trying to gauge whether I actually believed that or was I just trying to make her feel better. "Still," she murmured, "you're allowed to be angry. Or scared."
"I know, but I'm neither. I am honest, Vila."
"I know," She shook her head. "And you are weird for it!"
"Heh," I smiled faintly. "Is that a complaint or a compliment?"
"Maybe both."
The silence that followed it, as we just looked at each other, wasn't awkward at all. It was comfortable, but it broke when Vila set the empty bowl aside and reached for the bandage on my arm.
"Let me check it."
"Vila—"
"No arguing." She ordered as she pulled it into her lap.
The wraps came away in slow, careful movements, and I had to acknowledge that the stump itself was a bit... sensitive. I couldn't tell if it was because not all of the nerves were burnt, but many got ravaged and damaged, or if it was through the Force that I was feeling it. Sometimes it all felt like it was being mixed together.
"Mhm. Good... You heal fast," she said, checking the actual skin.
"Perks of good genetics and stubborn willpower."
"Mostly stubborn willpower," she declared, smiling. "Too bad healing meditation can't regrow limbs." She ran her thumb over the edge of the wound, gentle enough to be careful, but it still made me shiver. "Does it hurt?"
"Sometimes. Not when you touch it. Mostly when I forget about it and then it suddenly decides to bam, make me re-experience it all."
"..." Her gaze met mine, looking into my eyes, holding my stump. "Then remember I'm here. It should help."
[Announcement: We are approaching the re-entry corridor. Six hours at best before we arrive.] HK's voice came through the internal comms, [Also, I am initiating a 'privacy mode' to prevent any further displays of organic sentimentality. You may thank me later.]
"He had to interrupt, huh?" Vila smirked. "But... You hear that? He's giving us privacy. That's new."
"And we have six more hours."
"Then we shouldn't disappoint him."
"Huh?" I asked, blinking my eyes.
She just leaned closer, close enough that I could feel her breath brush against me. Then, her hand found my shoulder, sliding down the fabric of my tunic until her fingers brushed the back of my neck.
"You've been through worse," she said softly, by now sitting in my lap, continuing to undress me, "But not everything has to be endured alone."
"Um..." I swallowed, getting a bit nervous... but also excited, "You think I don't know that?"
"I think you try too hard... Just accept me already."
She whispered while her forehead rested against mine. I could smell the starfruit soap clinging to her skin... She had a bath just before she came to me, yet I did not... ugh... Hauh...
"Vila…" I started, but I couldn't say more.
"Shh." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "For once, stop thinking."
So I did, letting her lean in for a kiss and push me onto my back. I let her guide my arm, beginning to undress her, while her fingertips traced the lines of muscle over my torso. Her lips were hotter than ever but soft, never wanting to release me, and I realized I'd been waiting for this without admitting it to myself. The moment I did that, our kiss deepened, and the ache where my hand had been seemed to dissolve completely. There was no stopping it now, and I did not want to stop either. We had six hours... and I wanted to bring the best ouf ot it.
...
....
...
We were lying there, she on top of me, her fingers tracing idle circles on my chest in the dim lights, which made her eyes twinkle.
"Was it... Good?" she asked, incredibly shy, which was not like her... but it just made her even cuter.
"It was perfect."
"Hehehe, good answer~! It was good for me too... Who knew you could be ferocious when you want~? I liked that..."
"Says you?" I chuckled, tickling her sides, "You bit me. Multiple times!"
"You liked it!" She nudged me with her knee. "I felt it react... Ahahaha~! Don't even try to deny it! When we connected so deeply, I felt everything."
"Ugh... Don't tell that to everyone, though." I murmured, pursing my lips, feeling my face flush.
"I won't. Those experiences are ours. Just ours... Nobody else's business!"
"Good." I whispered, leaning down and kissing her gently, "Well... now that we graduated from one thing... we should also graduate from being Padawans."
"Heh!" She tilted her head. "When we get home, they'll make it official."
"Think we'll get separate quarters?" I asked suddenly.
"Maybe." Her smile turned into a pondering look, but then into a little mischievous grin. "That'd be a shame, though. I've gotten used to having you within arm's reach."
"Funny. I've only got one arm left." I joked back, making her roll her eyes.
"Gee," She groaned. "You're impossible."
"Admit it... You'd miss it if I wasn't."
"Maybe." She leaned in again, voice dropping to a whisper. "But don't make me say it out loud. Anyway! I will ask for a joint chamber!"
[Announcement: An hour until arrival.]
"Well, he turned off the privacy mode," I muttered, making Vila furrow her brows.
"If we even had one. Anyway... better to start dressing up!" She climbed over me, standing and stretching, all naked, letting me watch everything. "What?" She grinned, looking back over her shoulder, shaking her waist, "Like what you see?"
"Of course," I nodded, "I love it."
"Good." She winked, flicking her lekku, "Being honest makes you look cute~!"
"Let's go!" I stood up too, slapping her butt, making her jump, "If we make HK wait, he will start blackmailing us with video recordings."
"Wait!" She shuddered, her eyes going wide, "You don't think..." She gasped.
"Nah. I don't think we have feeds inside the room." I grinned, watching her deflate from her sudden anxiety, fanning herself, "I would have sensed that we are being watched."
"Better be..." She muttered, pursing her lips, heading towards the showers, pulling me along.
...
....
...
Later, when the stars shifted from hyperspace lines to pinpricks and Yavin IV appeared ahead of us, we were sitting in the cockpit, beginning our approach.
HK was sitting at the scanners behind us, humming... Well, at least I'm glad he is in a good mood.
[Statement: I trust you two enjoyed your privacy. I was able to complete fourteen system diagnostics while pretending not to listen.]
"Pretending?" I asked, watching as Vila stiffened again, one hand moving towards her lightsaber, her lekku twitching like crazy.
[Correction: Failing to listen. The ship has thin bulkheads, and you two were as loud as if there were two rancors fighting for food somewhere in the ship.]
"NO, WE WERE NOT!" Vila shrieked, her voice turning about four octaves higher than usual, making me fear the ship's windows were about to crack.
[Advisory: Choking–]
"Aaaaand stop!" I cut in, "Zip it, rustbucket. Push those memories down, right next to the rest? Understood? I got you back to full assembly, don't make me regret it."
[Observation: Organic rise of killing instinct detected. I will begin recalibrating expectations for imminent disaster.]
"Do that," Vila growled, now her voice back down to a baritone, "Because I'm about to start slicing and dicing..."
[Honest Promise: My recorders were offline at that time. There is no proof that I actually heard anything if someone tries to access my memory core.]
"Keep it that way..." She continued, her purple skin almost pink by now.
I just shrugged, holding the controls as the ship began its descent through Yavin's atmosphere, shaking lightly as re-entry plasma painted the hull in amber-colored streaks. For the first time since losing my hand, I wasn't thinking about what was gone, so I didn't even notice I was doing it all with one hand. And it didn't even hurt... heh. Maybe Vila was right; I only had to think of her to make it go away... Ugh. Clear head, Kael. Clear head. Refocusing, I kept the ship stable as we approached the landing pad. It seems I am still a good enough pilot as we arrived without issues, and the landing gear touched down with a comfortable hiss.
"Welcome home, Knight-to-be," she murmured, taking a deep breath.
"I do hope we count as qualified!" I smiled, "Ahhh... It feels good to be back."
"They better be making us pass!" She glanced sideways at me, her eyes bright. "Or I will start complaining!"
Before I could ask what her plans were, she leaned over and kissed me again, soft, quick, filled with giggles. Then she stood and headed for the hatch, leaving me grinning after her, unable to hide it, as HK clanked up beside me.
[Commentary: You appear to be malfunctioning, Meatbag Kael. Excessive smiling detected. It makes me sick.]
"Get used to it, HK."
[Statement: Doubtful. My tolerance for emotional noise is limited. I require better filters. Please acquire them for me.]
He stomped off toward the cargo bay, muttering about upgrades he now needs, mostly to block out his hearing, sight, and other sensors while we were traveling... Huh... Maybe he did hear us... Oops.