A Hopeful Surprise

[Koil Solus]

Her expression said it all. But her words added to the mutual feelings even more. Keira's gentle voice seduced him even further. The Mandalorian reached behind himself, beginning to removed his his many trappings. Koil was way ahead of her.

Smiling at her understandable struggled he set aside some of his weapons on the counter beside them without even looking. "Let me worry about my armor. Just keep kissing me." Koil would continue to remove his plates. They began to fall to the ground or end up on counter tops, tables and chairs. The Echani's steps would have Keira slowly backpedaling towards the bed.

By the time the time they arrived he had begun pealing off his body glove. Underneath his array of tattoos and scars were visible. The most recent, the spider web he had received from Darth Victress the most prominent. But Koil only stopped in his own undressing long enough to help Keira. When they both seemed to be matched in their lack of clothing he reach behind her and onto the bed, pushing any of his bags and equipment onto the floor where it clattered.

Before getting onto the bed he returned to staring into Keira's eyes. Koil did not want to forget this moment. He wanted to remember everything about her, everything about what they shared as long as he lived. Her face held in his hands for a brief period before they began to trace down the curves of her body and brought her to waiting bed.

@Sreeya

 

[Keira Zale]

---​

She hadn’t held anything back, and neither had he. It was a whole different kind of dance they shared as the music from the living room continued to play all night. Keira became lost in the touch, taste, smell, sights and sounds of him, and she couldn’t get enough. It was unbridled passion she didn’t know she had for him, and it was the quenching of a thirst after she had been parched for some time.

At some point, they had fallen asleep together, the world around them moving on as it always did. The shimmering lights in the city below gave way to the first rays of sunlight that rose over the horizon. It was not a concern for her, not when she was still so comfortable just where she was.

She couldn’t tell if it was mid morning or afternoon by the time she stirred awake. Keira hadn’t wanted to let him go even then, and found herself nuzzled against his chest. She had been lulled to sleep by the gentle rise and fall of his chest and the subtle sounds of his relaxed breathing.

Keira blinked her eyes open and didn’t move from where she was, her hand curled up on his body. She had been up close and personal with all the artwork on him, but she had no idea what any of it mean. Keira leisurely traced a finger along one of the tattoos on his arm, “What do these all represent?” She asked quietly, the sleepiness not quite having yet left her voice.

She found herself caring about very little outside of him that very moment. Keira crossed many lines with him, and she had no idea what kind of impacts it may have on their reputation or the galaxy at large. None of that mattered for now except for this moment right here with him.

 

[Koil Solus]

For the first time in a long time he slept peacefully. Former nights he had nightmares or rather, one nightmare that had plagued his mind. But Koil felt relief from that terror and it was not something he had taken for granted. His arm wrapped around her naked body. Together they shared the sheets to cover their decency. The music had long since fallen silent and only the occasional murmur from either Keira or Koil could be heard by the other.

Keira's body was warm and comforting, making him want the moment of semi-conscious comfort to continue on forever. From the bed the mandaloiran could feel her steady breathing and know when she began to wake which caused him to subconsciously stir as well. The only movement he made was to look down at Keira's morning, or maybe technically afternoon expression. Her hair was a mess but it looked indeering.

Shifting his gaze towards his own tattoos he looked at which ones caught her attention. "The symbol of House Solus is a badger and I have ah-" He stopped with his mouth stretching open to yawn before continuing. "-A few of those." There was one on his left forearm along with a slightly more macabre badger skull on his shoulder. They seemed self explanitory.

His eyes did the pointing for now, not wanting to disturb the position they shared. "The hands are more duality. One had the dark claws that can pierce and claw while the other is a softer, purer touch. But they both are holding onto one another, unwilling or able to let go of the other."

"I think one of my older ones is the eye on my neck." It was easy for someone to miss even when he had his armor off. Right now his hair was fairly short but in the past he had gone weeks without any haircut and made it harder to see even from behind."I always try to keep a look out, not wanting anything to sneak up on me. It sounds kind of dumb when I say out out loud." Regardless of how much hair he had, he was still wary of what might be trying to sneak up on him. Koil chuckled slightly, feeling Keira's hand against his chest as he laughed at himself.

"The tapestry next to the eye, going down onto my back...that I just thought was pretty cool. It's an epic work of art and is a one of a kind." It was not easy to see with the two of them facing one another but it was larger than it looked. The ink extended down past his left shoulder blade to a third of his back. Several intertwining sea creatures with a single echani vibro sword running through them was the work of art. Koil had thought about expanding on it but it was just so pretty as it was he did not want to muddle it by adding to it.

"These days technology can be a hindrance just as soon as it can be a helpful tool so I got a skull to remind me of that." There were a few others that existed but the last one Koil spoke about was the one on his abdomen near the first scar from force lightning he had recieved. His tone a little bit more somber when he spoke about it. "That one's in mando'a and says the date of when the Empire attacked Mandalore. It says to never forget." The Silent Badger remembered everything from that day.

Leaning in a little closer he also pulled Keira tighter towards his body. His lips found their way to her forehead. The ink on his body was more than a reminder of the atrocities the Empire had perpetrated. It made Koil want to never neglect what he had in the present time. Right now that was enjoying his time with Keira. For now, his ghosts would stay away.

"When I'm not kicking ass and taking names I'm actually a tattoo artist." Koil realized he had never mentioned that to Keira. At least he did not remember bringing it up. "Maybe I'll give you a discount. Maybe." A sly grin krept across his face as he joked with her. The Echani could not really picture what kind of tattoo suited the woman. Then again, she had surprised him already a few times.

@Sreeya

 

[Keira Zale]

Keira remained silent as he told her the story of all his tattoos, each one having its own thought and origin story. She marveled at them, pausing to trace her fingers over them as he pointed to them. It was oddly comforting to go through this, and each tidbit of information revealed more about him. He had a lot more complexities to him than she could ever have imagined, and it only fascinated her even more.

She smiled as he pulled her closer, his lips brushing against her forehead. The questions she had about how he may have felt about her were answered in the way he held her and the affection he showed. Without the helmet and his tender touches, she knew he was getting attached like she was. Keira didn’t know where this was going, or whether it would cause them problems later. None of that mattered for now.

When he mentioned tattoo discounts, Keira couldn’t help but laugh. She was quite pathetic when it came to handling pain, and she was terrified of needles. Nonetheless, she felt comfortable and bold around him, and she wasn’t afraid of him seeing her just as she saw him.

Keira rolled over so she straddled his abdomen, gazing down at him. The sheets fell away from her body so he could admire it from where he lay. Her body was smooth and thin, and there were no scars or any hints of her ever having seen battle. It was a stark contrast to his body, her hands coming to rest on his stomach.

“And where would you put tattoos on me?” She grinned down coyly at him, unashamed of being so bold. Two worlds had collided, and she couldn’t turn away now.

@Darasaurus

 

[Koil Solus]

The shift in position was not unwelcome. Koil rolled onto his back as she moved to sit on top of him. The visage of Keira was back lit by light of the city landscape. An expression of confidence and daring on her playful face. Koil could not help but look at her in her entirety.

The naked Mandalorian gave a soft laugh and was more than happy to indulge her. There were other ways of getting tattoos that did not require needles at least. They still hurt but some people had objections to sharp objects and Koil's specialty was with more traditional tattooing methods. His hand began to softly move along the unblemished skin. Koil's mind returning to their heated passion before they had slept. "Nothing too big." His fingers slowly touched the side of her hip before moving down to her thigh. "Sometimes adding too much ink just ruins a canvas." It was his way of saying Keira was just beautiful as she was.

Raising a single index finger he traced it down the center of her chest between her cleavage. "Somewhere that others seldom see." Koil knew that she would probably not go for a tattoo that was visible in her normal attire. "That way maybe it would a secret between us. Something I knew was always there, even when nobody else could see it." Maybe that was selfish of him to want.

After saying that he felt like he was ready to go another round between the sheets. Instead he just grabbed her legs and squeezes in an attempt to tickle her. In a swift motion he turned the tables and had her back on the bed where he continued to tickle and squeeze her playfully. It felt like he had satisfied a deep seated hunger that had been gnawing at him for ages. The man would stop after a bit, his grin persisting as he bent down to give Keira another kiss. This was the happiness he had been searching for without even realizing it.

@Sreeya

 

[Keira Zale]

Keira looked down at him as he traced along her skin, his words making her smile. She could never get enough of his touch, and every little gesture had emotion behind it. Keira kept her gaze on his eyes, still getting used to the red hues that were so different from any human eyes. Everything about him was very far removed from any man she had been with before, and she only wanted to learn more.

As she sat there feeling his fingers brush over the surface of her skin and teasingly near where she wanted him to touch her, she felt that familiar desire growing again. Before she could do anything, he abruptly tickled her, and she yelped in surprise, laughing as she fought back against the attempts. They tumbled in the sheets as she was spun back on the bed, and she miserably failed to tickle him back.

Keira was smiling widely by the time he stopped, returning the kiss as he leaned in. She gazed up at him, wrapping her body around his as her hand came up to brush a few strands of his hair away from his forehead, “I want to keep seeing you, Koil,” She said quietly. Keira didn’t know what this was, or if he were interested in a relationship. She didn’t know if there were cultural barriers he couldn’t cross.

She didn’t know if their people would be at war one day. All she knew was that she wanted him, and it bothered her that there was so much uncertainty with that.

 

[Koil Solus]

Koil's smile never left his face. He was happy to hear Keira laugh and see her share his own happiness. "I want to keep seeing you, Keira." He said in the same way she had. Afterwards he moved to the side so they were laying next to one another once again.

The Mandalorian did not need anything like the force to know how Keira felt. Worrying was unavoidable and it was another thing the two of them had in common. Koil was surprised he had not done more of it in the time they had spent together so far. She was the Chancellor of the Republic. He was a War Councilor to the Mandalorians. Keira had a hand in helping those in need while Koil's got dirty killing his enemies. They were from two different worlds yet here they were together.

"Is it wrong that I don't want to leave this bed?" The Echani took a deep breath causing his chest to swell. The air felt cool compared the warmth their two bodies radiated beneath the sheets. But Koil knew it could not last forever. It was more than just the pleasure of being on a soft bed that he did not want to lose.

The man's stomach grumbled loud enough for him to wonder if Keira heard it. His eyes looking down at himself. The two of them had not eaten anything since the festival the other day. A fair amount of things had happened since then and some time had passed along with it. "I guess I never did make you anything. Want me to make you something?" Some of the groceries were still in the refrigerator. Maybe they would be able to talk some more with a full stomach. One step at a time.

@Sreeya

 

[Keira Zale]

She smiled when he returned the sentiment, though she immediately felt the loss of warmth when he rolled to the side. Keira laid there for a moment, thinking about everything that had happened, and where things might go. She had to grin when he mentioned not wanting to leave the bed, “Well there are plenty of things to do here, after all,” Keira gave him a playful wink before chuckling softly.

Her mind began to wander elsewhere before she faintly heard his stomach growl, causing her to laugh again. His words caused her to nod as she rose to sit up, trying to flatten her hair down from the frizzy mess it was. They had completely forgotten about food, and she felt hunger coming back to her now.

Keira set her feet on the ground and looked down, her smile fading as she saw the remnants of his armor. She saw a blaster and what looked like thermal detonators. They reminded her that he was still someone that would be risking his life every day, and his path was one of war. Was that something she could learn to live with?

She saw the scuff marks on the armor, thinking of the times someone had gone in with the intent to end his life and had come so close. Those plates, the thin layers, were all that stood between him and a weapon that could snuff out his life in an instant. Did he ever think he was going to return when he left for a mission?

Keira sighed softly, realizing that falling for him had its own very high price. However, she didn’t want to think about that now, and she turned to him with a grin, “Since you’re volunteering, I think I’ll watch and provide moral support,” She said coyly, “But first…”

She walked over to his side of the bed and tugged at his hand to get him up, “Let’s get cleaned up,” Keira turned and walked towards where his bathroom was, fully intending to shower with him. She couldn’t get enough of him, and the steam and closeness made for a perfect setting for yet another round.

By the time they came out again, the water had begun to cool. Keira dried off and wrapped herself in a towel, realizing that she only had yesterday’s clothing to wear. Shrugging, she walked with him to the kitchen, laughing as she remembered the burned appetizers.

“So, what do I get to eat today?” Keira said as she sat on a barstool across the counter.

 

[Koil Solus]

At the obvious offer to return to the more lewd acts they had previously engaged in Koil could not help but hesitate. A smile etched across his face. It would certainly keep either of them from worrying about being cold. But maybe they would return to that later. For now he was hungry and he knew Keira was as well.

She tried to return to her former appearance but Koil did not think she was any less attractive as she was. It made him run a hand through his own white hair in an attempt to return to some semblance of his earlier appearance. He got up at the behest of Keira's hand. The Echani's hand drifted down to his own jaw, feeling the beginning of some stubble he would need to shave in the near future. That would have to wait.

Soon enough every surface in the luxurious bathroom was filled with steam. Eventually they got around to actually cleaning up. But not before they had spent a fair share of time testing the sound proofing of the bathroom. Even the water supply from the large building seemed to begin to struggle to keep up.

Koil dried himself off quickly and walked to grab his underwear shortly after. Goosebumps raised along his arms and legs for the time being but he figured it would pass in a few minutes. The War Councilor came prepared with a few changes of clothes for his own purposes and he debated whether or not telling Keira to see if she wanted to wear something for the time being. For now she seemed rather comfortable in her towel and Koil did not mind the eye candy.

"Well...I had planned for more of a late lunch or dinner meal actually so I guess..." He opened up the refridgerator and began pulling things out. "Nerf steak, some eggs, and hashbrowns." There were several other ingredients that no longer factored into the meal but that did not need mentioning. He was happy to still cook for the two of them. It would take awhile for the steak to cook properly. "How do you like your meat?" He asked and began making a pot of coffee. Keira was maybe more of a tea person so he put on some water just in case.

@Sreeya

 

[Keira Zale]

Keira watched him get to work, admiring him from where she was. She rested her chin on her hands as she waited for him, “First of all, I want to keep seeing the tattoos so I’m gonna implement a no shirt policy for you,” She said with a mock serious tone. She thought about his breakfast options and her stomach seemingly growled on cue.

“Almost rare steak,” Keira said with a nod, more than excited at the prospect of bantha steak. She was a coffee fiend, so she was thankful for him putting a pot on. Keira switched the Holo on, always one to keep abreast of current news. It was a replay of Leandros and his war declaration and the various different reacts around the galaxy.

Keira grimaced at the thought, watching as the news switched to Mandalorians as a whole. There was that footage of Koil killing the Sith Lord once more, and Keira turned away from the Holo to look at him, “Are….are you going to go back out there?” She asked with a slight bit of hesitation.

The thought had been on her mind since she had looked down at his weapons. The war was just beginning, and his people would go all in very shortly. The Sith were backed into a corner, and the Jedi were out there. She thought of Teran and other Jedi that she hated the thought of falling. More than anything, Keira hated the thought of Koil endangering himself yet again. She had despised it even back when he had volunteered to rescue the hostages.

 

[Koil Solus]

The man quirked a smile at her desire to see his body shirtless. "Well at least I can wear my helmet." he joked. It would be an odd sight for Koil to be walking around shirtless with only his his helmet on. Then again that sounded like something he would see in a charity calendar. I think I'll keep THAT fund raiser idea to myself.

Hearing that she liked her stake close to rare affirmed his appreciation. It was a small thing but people that overcooked their meat just seemed like they could not appreciate a good steak. While he worked on the food he kept an ear out for the food. The War Councilor occasionally looked over to get a visual for what what going on in terms of news.

Keira was discomforted by the words Leandros spoke. Then new Mand'alor had various views that strayed from the Silent Badger. Still, the Echani kept those to himself for the time being. But the scantly clad Chancellor asked him a more direct question about Koil's own intentions. Koil took a deep breath and exhaled in turn before replying. His smile was replaced with a more neutral expression though his broad back was turned towards Keira while he worked over the stove. Koil knew his answer but just wanted to make sure he said it with the right words. "I... can't forget about it."

Forget, more like he had a commitment he had to fulfill to himself. It was a duty to his people even if it was not personal. It was their...no... it was his way way of life. Koil knew that part of him was going to need to see the job through and get justice. IT, that meant a dozen things in its own right. The crimes against his people. The danger the Sith posed towards the galaxy, even beyond Mandalorians. The wrongs the dark siders had commited had to be answered for. Koil hissed realizing his hand had touched a hot part of the pan a moment too long while he contemplated his darker thoughts.

The War Councilor looked over his shoulder at Keira. His finger raised to his lips and sucked on it for a moment. Koil knew he was just flesh and blood. He could die just as easily as those he was after. But now part of him stared at something else he had never had before. Staring at the worried expression of Keira had his heart fluttering, worrying what might happen to her if he died tomorrow. How would he feel if people came after her because they knew he cared for her.

The pale skinned man served up the food onto two plates. "Breakfast..." Toast popped up simultaniously. He moved the respective portions onto the plates. "... is served." A slight smile on his face as he placed the plate across towards Keira. Mugs of coffee were poured for each of them as well. "Hopefully it isn't too bad." He added humbly.

@Sreeya

 

[Keira Zale]

She could tell he stiffened up at her question, and she couldn’t blame him. She felt mildly guilty bringing it up, but it came from a place of concern. Keira remained silent for a moment, pondering his answer. She chewed her lip, knowing exactly what it meant. He would be risking his life every single day, and he would be going up against the worst and most powerful in the galaxy.

Keira heard him hiss and step back, and she moved from her seat towards him. She realized he kept his hand on the heat too long, having gotten lost in his thoughts. Keira grabbed his hand in hers, looking down where it was red as she gently brushed a thumb over it.

“Where will you go next?” Keira looked up at him, much closer now than across from the counter. She held his hand in both of hers, thinking about whether he would even answer her or not, “And how do I know I’ll see you again?” She despised even having to ask that. It was easy to watch from afar the news of war because it never directly impacted her.

Keira couldn’t deny she was falling for him, and that made her think many times about what she was getting into. Battle would be his reality as long as he lived, but would he let her in or shut her out from that side of him entirely?

 

[Koil Solus]

♠ THEME ♠​

His eyes looked up into her's as her hand grabbed his damaged hand. The soft and caring touch making him forget everything else for a moment while her concern for his well being was clear. Koil did not like making Keira worry. They had known one another for a relatively short period of time but he could not help but feel so strongly towards her.

"I don't know." the Silent Badger answered honestly. He had yet to plan out his next target. Who would he track down and kill next? What Mandalorian stronghold would be attacked by the enemies of the Mand'alor? These were questions he could not answer even if he wanted to.

The reddened finger pulled from Keira's grasp and was brought to the side of her head. Koil swallowed knowing the answer that followed might not be what she wanted to hear. But it was the best he could do without lying. "I don't make promises I can't keep. But I want to see you again. I... I want you, Keira Zale.

After saying that Koil knew what to really say. "I might be fool for saying this and I understand if you you don't feel the same. I might risk heartbreak, death and anything else today or tomorrow. But I want you to know how I feel. I want you to know because you're worth the risk. I think...I love you." His eyes dropped for a moment but raised back up to look at the woman in front of him. Koil was not going to look away. He wanted to stare into her eyes so she knew he meant it. "You've stolen my heart Keira, and I want you to keep it. My heart is your's."

The Echani's chest was pounding. The pain his hand was all but gone. His own confession was hammering inside his own head. All he could do was hold her close and wait. Koil did not care about what people thought if they learned about them. Maybe that was reckless but his passion was too strong. He was done holding back.

@Sreeya

 

[Keira Zale]

Theme​

Keira hated this topic, and she hated the reality she faced with him. She had unexpectedly fallen for him harder than she had ever anticipated. The Holo news kept going on behind them, and she could barely hear it anymore. She heard the uncertainty in his voice, and she knew he was struggling with grasping the reality as well.

Keira looked up at him as he touched the side of her head. The next words he uttered gave her pause, her face betraying her shock. Her heart pounded so hard against her chest that she could swear he could hear it. He didn’t look away or grant her the mercy to do so. He kept that same intense gaze on her, and she knew he wasn’t flippant about the words.

There was nothing but silence for a moment, and her mind was thrown into complete chaos. They came from completely different worlds, and they slammed into one another and caused cracks in both. He tore through her defenses just as she had done to him. She was rooted in place, completely stunned by his words, still processing them.

“Why would you tell me that before you leave and potentially never come back?” She asked barely above a whisper, “Why would you tell me that when the wars could destroy the galaxy and our people could kill one another?” Keira bit her lip, emotions threatening to creep over. She didn’t want to feel as strongly as she did for him, and she selfishly wanted him to stop being the very thing that fundamentally made him who he was. Was that not who she fell for to begin with?

Keira didn’t pull away from him, but she looked away, “We’re not supposed to love one another..” She whispered softly, though her heart wasn’t in it. She didn’t believe what she said, but she desperately wanted to avoid the truth.

 

[Koil Solus]

The tone of Keira's voice said she was vulnerable and confused by what he had said. Koil's admittance was not easy to process and he could not blame her for her response. The Echani would be more surprised if she had not reacted that way.

He had already felt the kind of heartbreak Keira was afraid of and could understand why she was afraid of getting close to someone like him. But Koil was going to shy away from his own feelings for the woman in front of him. The Silent Badger always thought ahead. His mind contemplating worst case scenarios. But every bad situation still had Koil imaging himself with Keira. He did not want to lose her. Never being with her was worse than than the possible trials ahead. She's worth it

"I'm afraid. I'm terrified of what tomorrow might bring. He was not proud to admit that. Koil wanted to tell Keira that he was strong enough to survive anything. He wanted to reassure her that he could defeat any enemy no matter what so that she did not have to worry about him.

Dropping his hand he brought both together to hold her's. Keira's fingers were soft compared to his own. The pale skin of his own had markings of wear and tear contrasting even further with the unblemished surface of the daintier hands belonging to the Chancellor. "But I'm not going to let that fear control me." Keira was the first person he was being straightforward with. She saw a side of him nobody else had and he did not mean just what was under his helmet.

Keira's eyes moved away from his and Koil dropped his own gaze shortly after. Gently, he pulled her closer and wrapped his arms around her into an embrace. All he could do in that moment was be honest with her and hold her. "Maybe we aren't meant to. But I don't care." Even if they were not meant to fall for one another that did not change the facts. The Echani's stubbornness would not give up his feelings for Keira and that was much a part of him as his inked skin. His mind was set and there was no changing it.

Outside the sky was slowly adjusting with the time of day. The news in the background had been forgotten but still played. Their breakfast was getting cold on the counter. Mugs of coffee rose with steam. But Koil stood there, in his underwear holding the towel wearing Keira for a few moments longer before loosening his hug and letting her go if she wanted to part.

@Sreeya

 

[Keira Zale]

Keira was lost in her own thoughts when he spoke in response. She glanced at him when he admitted he was terrified. How could he go on day by day afraid of the next and still carry forward? Where did the bravery come from? How did he go in knowing he had things to lose? Where could she find that kind of courage?

She glanced down where his hands grasped hers, noting the callouses and the clear signs that he led a much rougher life than she would ever know. Keira had no words, and thankfully he had some more for her. He boldly said what she was thinking - that she didn’t want to care. She didn’t want to let fear govern her. She had overcome fear when she stood in front of the Protectorate and told them they were no more. She overcame fear when she took on the role of Chancellor.

And now she would have to do it again to admit that she loved Koil.

Keira leaned into him as he embraced her, her body fitting easily against his like a puzzle piece. She cherished his warmth, and the way he pulled her in tight. Without the armor there, she could hear his heart beat as she pressed her face against his chest. Keira closed her eyes and remained there, not wanting to let him go.

“Maybe I love you back....and maybe that'll get me in a lot of trouble...,” She said quietly, keeping her eyes closed. It took a moment before she pulled back and looked up at him, “But what will you do if your Mand’alor orders you to slay me?” The fear was clearly there. He had easily declared war on the Jedi. Despite she and Leandros having an understanding, she found him unpredictable.

 

[Koil Solus]

Koil felt his own heart beat reverberate against Keira's head. Her body felt like it was meant to be held by him. But she was not completely comforted. There would always be worry. He lived a dangerous life and both of them lived in uncertain times.

Keira struggled to admit she felt the same as him. The man could not blame her. Acknowledging her one's own feelings was one of the hardest things a person could do. But she asked a question that Koil did not have an answer to right away mostly because he had not even thought of it.

Leandros and Koil had a complicated relationship. Maybe if he had been asked the same question a few years back Koil would have a simple answer. But the Silent Badger had been a different man back then as well. If Mand'alor the Crusader ordered him to kill Keira it would leave Koil with few options. The pale fingers of the Echani tightened for a moment as he was lost in contemplation before remembering he held Keira.

One thing was for certain. Koil would not kill Keira. Death, he could choose to die instead of killing her. But then she would still be killed by some other Mandalorian most likely. Running away, they could live in hiding. But then Keira would be abandoning her people, the Republic not to mention Koil would be doing the same. He would be labeled a dar'manda. The Silent Badger, despite his secretive ways, did not want a life of running and hiding for either of them. Challenge him, Koil could challenge Leandros for the title of Mand'alor. That meant he would end up killing Leandros. Despite their differences the War Councilor was not sure he could bring himself to killing his brother either under such circumstances.

Koil swallowed as he thought about the last option. Marriage, Koil doubted even Leandros would ask him to kill Keira if he knew she and Koil were married. There were other implications to that too. His crimson eyes raced back and forth as if looking for the immaterial answer in his own mind. "I'd refuse." He brought his lips to the top of her still slightly damp hair to give her a gentle but reassuring kiss.

He had his final answer but did not know if the details were right for that time. Would she even say yes? If she did would it be just for the sake of our survival? He did not want to pressure her or sway an answer because of anything like that. If Keira said yes to something like that he wanted it to be because she felt the same way.

@Sreeya

 

[Keira Zale]

Keira knew she put him in a tough place. His whole life he had been raised to follow his culture and his people. He had been raised to trust and follow his Mand’alor. And now she was putting him on the spot to question all of that. It wasn’t fair, and she almost opened her mouth to retract the question entirely.

However, he was elsewhere entirely when he thought. His grip on her tightened, and his eyes looked as if they saw things she couldn’t. Even with his crimson eyes, she began to be able to tell when he was present and when he wasn’t. She saw a world of emotions play out in him just from the slightest little twitches on his face to the way his breathing changed, and to the look in his eyes.

When he finally spoke, she found herself surprised. Keira said nothing for a long moment, feeling his tender kiss at the top of her head. She pulled him tighter, never wanting to let him go. He only uttered two words, but they carried tremendous weight. The words were probably more earth shattering to her than his confession of love, as it truly revealed just how much he cared for her.

Keira looked up at him and smiled faintly, pain in her eyes that acknowledged how difficult this would be for them both, “Then I am yours, Koil,” She said quietly, finally leaping off the edge she had been standing on.

 

[Koil Solus]

He had waited, thinking about what kind of confession he had just made. It was a day for revelations and not just fro Koil. In the depths of his heart he had both hoped and believed Keira felt the same as he had. But it still brought joy to him to hear her say it out loud.

Looking down at Keira afterwards he smiled and embraced her more tightly with perhaps a more overzealous hug than necessary. A few more moments of the two holding one another continued before Koil lossened enough and pulled away. "Come on. You're breakfast is getting cold and so is your coffee." They had said how they felt, expressed their feelings in more ways than one. Now he just wanted to continue to enjoy their time together even if that was just a simple home cooked meal.

The War Councilor's jaw opened wide as a yawn slowly came out. He was not feeling a great high or rush in that moment that risking his life or well being sometimes brought. The Echani did not have a buzz of any kind that alcohol or drugs temporarily brought. It was just a sense of contentment. That was the type of happiness he sought out. It was the closest feeling of equal parts peace and enjoyment that Koil could have hoped for since he knew he was cared for and had something to live for.

♠ End Thread ♠​