Satellites

[Kaile Vera]

[SIZE=9pt][member="Asmus Janes"][/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Grateful and feeling a tinge of guilt when Asmus didn’t probe any further, Kaile took the offered plate and set it on top of the counter beside her. She would place the plate of fruit beside it, feeling immensely blessed to not only be able to indulge in fruit - [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]so expensive [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]- but also in a hot, steaming plate of breakfast. The scent of seared meat and the spices mixed within made her mouth water. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Once again, a small facet of the bubbly girl she hid behind would reveal itself as she began to eat with gusto. Food was never a problem for her; well at least when she wasn’t depressed out of her mind like the time she first met Asmus back on the Quin. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Quin[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]There was a slight ache there, thinking back. One that likely wouldn’t ever fade. It had dulled throughout the years, but still lingered like the ache an old woman feels in her bones on a stormy day. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Mighty grateful,” Kaile added in between bites, choosing to break her wandering thoughts with words. A stark contrast to when she seemed to clam up. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“This is good.” she added, brown eyes glancing up to meet the Wraith’s. She caught him staring at her then. It was as if he couldn’t help himself stealing moments when he could. As if taking mental snapshots for his memory. Or more aptly now that he had the cybernetic implant, recording.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Is your implant active?” she inquired in a small gesture. The fact that she hadn’t seen ‘red crayon’ flash over her own hud display indicated that it wasn’t, but it was a safe topic of conversation. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Sort of. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Kaile wasn’t sure if she would be okay if it was indeed on and he was actually recording her. Hypocritical of course, considering what she did for a living. Part of her liked the idea. The other well… wasn’t sure if Asmus would do the same as she often did herself. Become weak with the need to have just a little bit of him with her, to watch his little boy smile at hidden times. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Stupid[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt], she told herself, [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]also considered stalking. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]If Asmus really knew how often she’d done that… well. [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]Reckon, even I would think it a little weird. [/SIZE]

 

[Asmus Janes]

He canted his head to one side as if the question confused him. An operation, several days of recuperation and training on the implants and he had almost forgotten them because of what was happening right now.

His hand went to the back of his neck. The ports were just below the neckline of most clothes but even when visible they were barely visible. His fingers traced the slight swelling beneath the artificial skin that seamlessly blended in with the real.

“Oh, no! It mostly works but I've been giving it a rest.”

Asmus gave a little shrug. There was an almost guilty smile that lasted for just a second. “I didn't mean to stare.”

His demeanour suggested that despite being caught out he would do it again. Funny, the way they had finally decided to acknowledge the situation. Illuminated, exposed, no hiding. He still had the image of her looking back up at him fresh in his mind.

Asmus slightly adjusted his position. The robe was poor coverage if he let himself get overexcited.

“I know I need to practise more. I will. Did you want a drink?” He asked.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]

[SIZE=9pt]“It’s okay,” but was it? Truth be told, Kaile couldn’t help but feel herself react to his appraisal. Her lids fell forward and she tried to focus on the meal in front of her. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“It can be hard,” she began, explaining, another forkful of food coming to her mouth. Chewing quickly only to add,” gettin’ used to the interface,” came her clarification. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Took me a bit to get used to,” she admitted, her right leg starting to sway side to side. With the short length of the robe, it wasn’t difficult for the smooth expanse of Kaile’s leg to reveal itself amidst the slow rock of her right leg. From the simple motion, the bare expanse if Kaile’s leg feeling the cool brisk of air along her calf. Within seconds, the hem of the robe she wore began slipping back, sliding away until it revealed the smooth line of her thigh. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Mine are ocular among other things. But I can turn them on and off with a thought.” Plus the other iborg dermals she wore that can literally help her pass through shields. [/SIZE]

 

[Asmus Janes]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

Hyper aware of Kaile, Asmus noticed the shift of the robe. If she swung that leg out even a fraction further he would see the slight dip on the inner thigh that came just below where they met.

When they had been interrupted they had only been awake a few minutes. At the time he had still be half awake. The sense that they needed to finish what they had started was becoming more acute. Like a warmth that spread across his skin, a slight tightening in his chest.

“It was almost easier hooking into a sim with it for the first time that trying to recall data. Maybe used to trying different ways to fly a ship.

“You know, you look really good in my robe,” he added. His throat bobbed as he barely managed to keep his hands to himself. Asmus tried to calm himself, knowing he was just letting him work himself up.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]

[SIZE=9pt]There was something in Asmus’ voice that prompted Kaile to glance up, brown eyes latching onto the gold-flecked jade green. One didn’t have to be a Lorrdian to read the way he his fingers gave a subtle twitch and the manner that his eyes seemed to drift over her bare shoulder where the robe hung loosely, down over her chest, then lower still where her knee had slowly come to a pause with its light sway. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Warmth spread across her skin that had nothing to do with the afternoon sun that bled through the vast windows behind her and from the solar windows overhead. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]There would always seem to be nuances of synergy that ran between them. Had been ever since she first met him. Here and now, it only seemed to grow more. In that instant, a mischievous thought crossed her mind, glinting across her eyes before she dipped her head. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Her lids fell to look at the soft robe and how it hung on her figure. That bare shoulder gave a rolling shrug, her knee once again commencing it’s enticing sway only this time, Kaile took note of exactly where Asmus’ eyes went flickering to. “It’s a little big… reckon it does the job though,” she added, the corner of her mouth twitching up. Extending her arm, she took another fat strawberry, the front of her robe dipping a bit to reveal those scattered constellations of freckles that painted her skin. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Aren’t ya gonna eat?’ she asked, glancing back at Asmus with a small gesture of the berry she held. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Their amazin’... Don’t wanna know how much they cost, but really juicy.”[/SIZE]

 

[Asmus Janes]

Asmus bit on the corner of his bottom lip and gave a subtle shake of his head. She was well aware of what was going through his mind right now. His eyes fell to where the robe had partial exposed to swell of her cleavage before returning to the bowl of fruit.

“Grown on Eriadu so they aren't too expensive. A nice change from food that just came out a frozen, vacuum sealed bag.”

He wanted rid of that robe, to have nothing between them again. It was sweet agony being deliberately teased so. Asmus finished a mouthful of his meal, leaving the fruit for her.

Dimple appeared on one cheek as he fought against a smile.

“If it's too big…” he slipped off his chair. Just half a step sideways out him behind her. Her gaze didn't follow him at first, but he wondered what thoughts went through her mind. When he spoke again his voice was low, breath warm on her exposed shoulder.

“Just pull it…” between finger and thumb he took the robe, dragging it back up her shoulder inch by inch. The palm of his hand dragged across her skin first. “Tight.” The last word was right by her ear. Then she would feel a kiss against her shoulder, right at the base of her neck before he pulled the robe up the last few inches.

Asmus took his chair again, reaching for one of the berries from the plate. This time he swivelled to face her more easily as he took a bite. His eyes rolled, not part of any act to tease but because it had been months since he had bitten into fresh fruit too.

“Worth it.”

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]

[SIZE=9pt]Ohhh, he had done that [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]on purpose![/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]A delectable shiver had swept up and along Kaile’s skin where Asmus had pressed his kiss upon the nape of her neck. The tiny hairs there and along her arms stood on end, goosebumps elicited by Asmus’ touch. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Kaile recognized the distinct signs of a playful challenge. It was on the flash of that devilish dimple, in the way the corner of his mouth had to hold back the amused twitch. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Reckon it is,” Kaile replied, watching him eat his food with more than ample enjoyment and satisfaction. Maybe it was seeing Asmus thoroughly enjoy his meal or perhaps it was the seemingly [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]normal[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] manner that they were eating a late breakfast here. It could have been a number of things, but perhaps more aptly it was because Asmus was here. Sitting beside her on that stool. No artifice or play - [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]well, [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]Kaile thought to herself, [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] save the one where he’s tryin’ to one up me. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]A bit of berry juice clung to Asmus’ lower lip, and the Lorddian ate her own berry, chewing slowly while gesturing with a sticky finger along her lips,” you got a bit there,” she began, growing mischief in her brown eyes, tousled hair swaying with her slight movement. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Along here,” she added, leaning forward, closing the distance between them as if she were going to wipe off the drops with her finger. Instead, Kaile went stretching closer, until the tickle of her hair was by his face, along his chin. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Right...,” her voice matched the husky murmur he had used just seconds before, her sweet, berry-infused breath just barely fanning his cheek. Their eyes met for a few growing tensioned filled moments, those freckles that were barely visible across her nose and cheeks like grains of sand against her slightly pink skin. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Where it seemed as if she were going to kiss him, her hand instead came up, the gingerly sweep of her fingertips grazing over his damp lower lip and removing the excess juice. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]...here.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]There was no hiding the minx of her smug expression then. [/SIZE]

 

[Asmus Janes]

Anticipation built as he expected to feel her tongue sweep across his lips. His half-closed eyes opened wide and then narrowed a fraction as she sat back with that smug smile. Admission hadn't even realised that his fingers had curdled up into his palms. He could hear his heart inside his own head now.

Well played

There was nothing to be gained by pretending to be completely unaffected. He didn't even attempt to hide the slight tremble of his lower lip and the sharp exhalation of breath.

Why fake stoicism when there was escalation to be getting on with.

“Thank you,” he said with a widening grin. She was still pulling her hand back when his fingers gently wrapped around her wrist. His expression turned to mock concern.

“Oh dear, you must have got some…”

He watched her very carefully as he bent towards the wrist. There was no backing out on his part as he opened his mouth and pressed his lips against the sensitive skin on the inside of her wrist. Asmus pulled his lips together, dragging across smooth skin, before releasing her hand. He left a rapidly cooling, moist spot in his wake.

“Better…” he said, looking at where there had never been any fruit juice.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]

[SIZE=9pt]There was no hiding the hitch in Kaile’s breath or the slight tremble that came from her fingers either. The image of Asmus’ dark head dipping down to press his open mouth against her wrist brought back a flood of memories. Of when he set her on top of his bed, the way he came crawling over her until he was close enough to touch. His head dipping down to cover and taste every inch of—[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]Reckon you got it all?” Kaile replied, food and berries forgotten momentarily in the heated moment. It was a game. A silly game neither would have been allowed to play back on the Subversion. Back in that ‘verse of responsibility and decisions that could likely pull them apart. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Yet here, with the gentle clasp of Asmus’ fingers around her wrist, Kaile could let go of it. It was temporary. She knew it. Dreaded it. But she couldn’t quite let go of it right now. Asmus made her not want to. Tempted her. A guilty pleasure in the sea of gold flecked jade eyes and his dimpled, little boy smile. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Maybe I should stop by the sonic to be sure…”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Like [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]that[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] didn’t paint a specific set of memories and flashbacks in motion. A tiny refresher, barely enough room for them both. Her thigh on his shoulder, muffled, strained cries of pleasure elicited from her lips. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Granted, Kaile didn’t realize that tiny Sonics weren’t really a thing in this home. Asmus had made sure of that. [/SIZE]

 

[Asmus Janes]

Asmus was temporarily muted by the same memories as Kaile. It was strange to think how tentative they had both been. It was freeing to be here. Away from everything so they could really indulge in their feelings. There were still barriers between them. Areas not to cross into. One step at a time she would open up to him.

“Don't have sonics I'm afraid,” he said. His voice was calm, but there was something in his demeanour that suggested he was going somewhere. He rolled a small berry between his fingers.

“There is only water I'm afraid, so it can't be wasted.” If Kaile had been watching his fingers she might have seen him try to hide bursting the small berry between his fingers.

“Need to be really dirty first!” He laughed as he slid off his chair and tried to draw lines of purple berry juice on her face. Regardless of whether she managed to fend him off he span her seat towards himself, grabbed her firmly and lifted her up and into his arms. Giggling and trying to nip playfully at her neck, he took small steps towards the lounger just a few feet away.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Asmus Janes"]




[SIZE=9pt]“Hey!” Came Kaile’s cry of objection, her eyes growing wide and hand coming off to try and bat Asmus’ hand away. However, as he had already caught one wrist, it was difficult to do so when he used the other to attempt the smear across her face, Kaile barely managed to move her head back. It didn’t prevent the lines of sticky, purple juice that went over her upper cheek and caught in her hair. Asmus hadn’t counted on that so those dark strands went curling around his fingers. Pulling them away quickly would result in a painful tug. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Not that the Wraith was looking to do that, instead he has stepped forward, catching the Lorrdian in his embrace in a fit of mock objections and laughter. It was a haphazard waltz, with short steps he led Kaile back, one full of twists and attempts of getting him back amidst the rush of feeling his lips against her neck. Shivers ran down her spine, excitement making her blood rush again through her veins. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Two satellites. Gravity. Impact. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Kaile still had her own half eaten strawberry in her other hand, so it would be with no surprise that Kaile curled her own fingers tight, until the sticky red juice clung to her fingers. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Laughter bubbled up, and Kaile’s stained hand came up to score against Asmus’ stubbles cheek, legs tangling, their robes rubbing against one another. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Light. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Food was left forgotten in the rise of their playful skirmish. Eyes twinkling, and head thrown back, they were like two kids at horseplay. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Alone but content under that light. [/SIZE]

 

[Asmus Janes]

There was an honesty to this. On the Subversion they had been mixing profession and personal as two separate states. Half the damned crew seemed to know about them, thanks to certain indiscreet Zeltrons. Yet every evening she would hide her thoughts and pretend they were just work colleagues. One evening he had been given little more than a subtle nod when he had asked if he could stay over again.

Stepping across the room, they had moved out of range of more ammunition and Kaile had more berry juice over her hands. He was losing, turning his head back and forth to try and avoid the onslaught.

He laughed as her calves hit the sofa. It wasn't a chuckle or a polite titter. It was a full laugh, if occasionally muffled by her robes. There hadn't been the space to fill with laughter like this when he had been with her on the Subversion.

The corner sofa was set out to face the view. With the sun out in full the floor to ceiling windows were cut into three by colours. The pale yellow of the fresh sand intersecting the bright blue ocean. The sky was so clear it seemed to merge into the horizon of the ocean.

Asmus didn't even look at the view. It had been his favourite thing about the house, but now she was here. Giggles and games turned quickly to whispered promises and hushed moans. They were going to earn that shower.

---

Eschewing work, they spent the afternoon on the beach.
Asmus was very rarely still. His hands and his features were expressive, always in motion. To Kaile it made him an open book. There were two exceptions to this. The first she had already seen. In the cockpit he was in his element and would become quite still as he ran through his mental routine.

Now she saw the second situation. It was almost the opposite. He was outside and away from everything here. As he settled down into the sand he propped himself up on his elbows. Half-lidded eyes watched the slow ebb and flow of the tide. All that moved was his chest as he took slow, shallow breaths. A low, content murmured came from his chest.

---

They had several days together at the house. Her notion of keeping to a professional demeanour had been discarded quickly enough.

They'd collided back together back on the Subversion, but they'd both followed more than led. The beachouse become a time of more open exploration of each other. There had been quiet times, nestled in a pile of blankets on the floor at night with half empty champagne glasses beside them. And there had been louder times, with Kaile meeting the rising tide with her voice as the water lapped around her wrists. Sometimes their isolation had been interrupted, left giggling, out of sight behind the sofa, sharing a beer and waiting for a stranger to finish their stroll down the beach. Any pretence of personal space between them had gradually evaporated.

---

On the final evening he had arranged a fire out on the sand. Asmus had kept it fed as darkness fell but it had slowly faded through the evening. Now there was just a pile of glowing embers. They gave off barely enough heat to warm his bare toes. The sea brought a chill wind in with the tide. They could retreat to the house soon, he thought. An idea had struck him. A flash of memory that he had held dear for years. No one had ever really taken Asmus and his ways seriously, but he had known in that moment that Kaile had.

She stirred as he shuffled closer, perhaps almost drifting asleep. Her arms were cold. He rubbed them with warm palms briefly before wrapping her up in his arms and pulling her close to his chest. She nuzzled back into him and Asmus could feel that he wasn't the only one to find some peace in the solitude of this beach. But there was something he had to show her, to break the most comfortable silence he'd ever immersed himself in.

Leaning her back onto him, asmus placed his chin on her shoulder. She turned as if expecting a kiss, but instead just felt the breath of his voice over her cheek.

“Do you remember…” he murmured softly. “...when you asked about my favourite constellation?” She didn't reply, but he could feel understanding just by their contact. They'd both switched off their implants for the evening. No comms, no information stream and no private messages. Tomorrow they att need a merchant ball and started the work investigating the families that were still supporting the First Order.

He brought up his arm and pressed himself close, cheek to cheek.

“There it is,” be sighed. He tried his best to lead her gaze and trace it out on the sky. “The Watchkeeper and his Treasure. Coruscant sits in the middle of the horde he guards there. His legs and then his great bow.”

Asmus let his arm fall, letting it drape over her. He sighed. He also smiled as he nuzzled into her neck. There has always been uncertainty in the Quintessence. After she had left it had slowly been answered more firmly in his mind. They were here looking at his first stars together.

For years he had thought that impossible.