Ask About Time

[Leon Baudelaire]

Leon held his tank top in his mouth as he peered down at the reopened wound in his side. Peetwo hopped up onto the counter and scanned the injury, “Hey, what in the hell—” a puff of compressed air fired a tiny green capsule from a port on the BD unit’s back and instinctively he caught it.

Baudelaire blinked, “Is this a stim?'”
Peetwo twittered proudly.
“Have you always been able to do that?”
Peetwo’s warble was a little less confident.
“...And you’re just now sharing this with me?”
Peetwo didn’t say anything, he just nodded.
Leon’s face lit up, “Dude, talk about perfect timing!”
Peetwo did his little celebratory dance and Baudelaire laughed.

He looked down at his blood stained shirt and sighed, “Man, that’s the third one this week,” he signed while injecting himself with the stim. Leon peeled the shirt off, tossing it into his hamper, then settled in at his workstation. He had Anton Vari’s lightsaber taken apart on the table and was working on adjusting the emitter— Was his boarding ramp being lowered?

“What the hell?” he muttered, immediately starting to pool the power of the force into his palm. He called Daybreak into his free hand and held a finger to his lips warning Peetwo to stay quiet. Leon was still on Serenno and right now he was wondering if he’d fucked up by over staying his welcome. He stretched his mind out through the ship and his consciousness brushed across— Disbelief stampeded across his features.

“No way,” he said, shaking his head, nearly convinced he was in some force illusion, but… like… what if? No, that was crazy, right? This had to be a joke. Someone was fucking with him for sure

Leon’s door hissed opened.

Confusion and excitement wrestled for control of his expression, for a split second before his usual grin settled on his face. He leaned against his door frame crossing his arms over his chest his while his eyes landed on that silver gaze he adored.

"Hey, Jayna."

@Altaris

 

[Jayna Thorne]

Of all the people that Jayna expected to arrive on Serenno, Leon wasn’t at the top of her mental list. Even still, the Heiress couldn’t deny the surge of glee and excitement upon realizing the Knight was on that very planet. After all, it had been weeks since their last outing together back on Teta - the risk and dangers of that mission still fresh in her mind. For just that night, there was a chance they might actually be able to see each other without risk of injury or an overarching objective to accomplish.

Having left the party at Castle Serenno, Jayna promptly tracked Leon’s ship down to the Carannia Spaceport. She was still dressed in her midnight blue gown from the party, hair tied up and accented with an ivory hairpin, fashioned into the shape of a jasmine in bloom. She had no qualms standing out within the spaceport, arms folded casually over her chest.

Standing at the base of the Freebird, Jayna watched as the durasteel ramp extended to meet the ground. Of course, it was the figure that stood at the top of that ramp that captured her attention - bringing a clear warmth and affection to her silver eyes. A feat that few could accomplish.

“Hey Le,” She said with a half smirk, unable to help how her eyes lingered on his shirtless frame. “Didn’t think you would make it off Serenno without a visit, did you?” She began to step up the ramp to meet him, one hand pulling the skirt of her from getting caught beneath her feet. She only made it half-way to the Knight before her attention shifted to the injury on his side.

“..What happened?” Her eyes narrowed at once. Despite the calmness to her voice, Leon would be able to decipher the concern that pierced her icy gaze. She continued to step forward to meet him, her fingers hovering only a few inches above the wound at his side.

 

[Leon Baudelaire]

Leon’s emerald eyes drank in Jayna’s beauty, “Ya know a lot of people would see this as a red flag,” he quipped, smirk spreading in anticipation as she drew near. Baudelaire was glad he was leaning against the frame of his boarding ramp, because she had him swooning. Also, he couldn’t believe he let her call him, Le.

He put a little pout in his voice while teasing, “Honestly, you seemed pretty pre-occupied on the dance floor,” his feigned hurt cracked as he laughed, “So, maybe I did...”

Leon stood up straighter, a little challenge in his expression, as she stepped up to him. The floral aroma of her delicate perfume punctuated her arrival, as her gaze fell on his pesky side wound. Leon sucked in air involuntarily as Jayna’s hand hovered just above it. Truthfully he was super ticklish and wasn’t trying to reopen the damn thing while giggling like a little girl.

“Uh, I got stabbed by a cultist— ” he said with a shrug. The Cult of the Headless Snake was really turning out to be a pain in the ass, but that wound wasn’t the only one visible across his mottled skin. Leon’s torso was littered with scars. Some small, some… well, some not small. He had blaster burns on his right shoulder. Deciding to shift her attention he reached out and slipped a piece of hair just behind her ear, “...But that’s not important,” that same hand gingerly traced her jaw.

He reveled in her undivided attention.

Then let go and took a step back, receding behind the weird relationship they’d started.

“So, what’s the job this time?” he asked, deciding to get ahead of any disappointment he was going to feel when she told him why she was really here, “Actually, come in,” he said chin jutting into his ship, “You can break my heart inside— You look stunning by the way,” he teased as he held his arm out for her to take.

In the back of his mind he really hoped she wasn’t about to ask him about the Savior of Castle Serenno, Leon had been doing his best to forget that guy, but every time he did, the memory of that icy presence that seemed so familiar fell over him like a blanket.

@Altaris

 

[Jayna Thorne]

“Never too occupied for you,” Jayna said without missing a beat, flashing just the hint of a smile towards Leon. There was something about the Knight that always put her inexplicably at ease - and left her looking for ways to spend time with him, even if she never said it aloud. Whatever ambition or political motivation had brought her to Serenno was - for that night at least - put completely to the side.

Of course, Jayna’s gaze promptly settled upon the injury that Leon had received at the hands of the Cultists. Her expression didn’t change, but her jaw set into a firm line nevertheless. Seeing him injured brought her a level of discomfort that she wasn’t accustomed to. Her gaze briefly flicked up to the other injuries he bore, and it was only then that the hints of a frown tugged at the corners of her mouth.

“It’s important to me,” She said lowly. Her gaze flicked up once more - feeling goosebumps run across her body when Leon brushed his fingers against the edge of her jawline. Every bit of her attention belonged to him, and the Heiress couldn’t help but lean in ever-so-slightly - gazing deep into those verdant green orbs.

She only broke away when Leon stepped back - receding from the closeness she had grown far more fond of then she’d ever admit. The Heiress stared back at Leon with a completely blank expression, blinking a few times when he mentioned what the mission was this time around. What the real reason was that she’d come to see him.

There was a small tilt of her head as Leon extended his arm for her. And it was the heartbreak comment that elicited a roll of her eyes. “Oh shush up,”

Without warning, Jayna grabbed ahold of his arm and began to pull Leon further into his own ship. It was perhaps the first time she’d stepped into the Freebird ever, but she managed to find her way through the corridors and towards the lounge. It didn’t take long for Peetwo to peak around the corner, his characteristic chime catching her attention.

“Is there a medpack around here, little guy?” The question was met with a chirp from the droid, who promptly scampered off in that direction. Jayna promptly looked back to Leon unamused. “This looks like it is going to get infected.”

She waited until the droid returned with some supplies, promptly pointing for Leon to plant his ass in a chair. “The mission is a trip down to the pier. Just the two of us for once,” She said nonchalantly, pulling out a few Bacta patches and bandages. “If you want..”

 

[Leon Baudelaire]

Leon’s smile widened as Jayna rolled her eyes. He was pretty sure he’d never get tired of annoying her. She took his arm and he felt his skin prickle at her touch. A shiver ran down his spine, oh man…. He was in trouble.

Jayna dragged him into his own ship, leading the way like she knew exactly where she was going. Her words were still bouncing around his thick skull, “It’s important to me.” Guess that answered their little running joke, You worried about me, Heiress? he thought, and then realized how much that scared him.

It was easy to brush off his feelings for her or let her go when he was convinced there was no way in the galaxy she could possibly feel the same way about him, but that one little comment still stood out in his mind. The small pout across her delicate features as she’d said it, the small purse in her lips as she leaned in ever so slightly, the look in her eyes when he’d backed away.

Way to miss a moment there, Le, he thought.

She sat him down in the lounge and asked Peetwo to fetch a medpack. The adrenal stim he’d taken earlier was starting to kick in and the area of the wound was pretty numb, suddenly he wondered if there was an expiration date on stims.

Jayna leveled him with a look and he felt himself sit up a little straighter, “Nuh-uh,” he replied heroically. She gestured toward a chair pointedly and he decided it was in his best interest to comply. Besides, it was super hot when she got all bossy.

The tinny pitter-patter of Peetwo’s little feet announced his return where he confidently displayed The Freebird’s Yellow Box emergency kit. Leon started to laugh, “Close bud, under my captain’s chair, orange box.”

Peetwo looked at the yellow box then back to Leon as if he were trying to decide if Leon was messing with him. His photoreceptor scanned the bold white lettering and it flinched as if struck. It’s eye looked to Leon accusatorily as if the Adumarian had switched the boxes without the little droid knowing, then it snatched the box it had brought and took off to find the other.

A moment later the little BD unit was back, and this time with the right pack.

Baudelaire reclined in the seat she’d put him in so it would be easier to get to his side, he didn’t miss her proficiency as she moved in and began working on the wound. He was just about to comment on how proficient she was when she absolutely floored him.

“What?” he replied. Shock colored his words. He could have relieved that moment a million times and never guessed what she’d just said. The Pier? Just the two of them? What? WHAT?!

“I’d love too,” he managed. His voice was soft, almost timid. A stark contrast from the braggadocious nature The Adumarian was known for.

“Guess, I’ll need a shirt,” he said, a coy smile tugging at his lips. Once she was finished he’d stand and say, “I’ll just be a sec, make yourself at home.”

Thankfully he’d just restocked his fridge before taking this bartending gig, then he remembered the bottle of vodka in his freezer, “If you play your cards right, I might make you the best espresso martini you’ve ever had,” he said, before finally tearing himself from her gaze and slipping into his room. He’d look calm, cool, and collected, well, as calm, cool, and collected as Leon ever looked, until his door slid shut behind him.

Panic immediately set in as the reality of his situation settled on his shoulders, he was actually going on a date. Like a real date. WITH Jayna. He felt like he was going to be sick. He splashed some water on his face and ran his hands through his hair. He quickly pulled on a black collared shirt and brown pants There was a joke in there somewhere about her not being able to see him bleed or shit himself in this get up, but he decided to work it out when the most beautiful woman in the galaxy wasn’t waiting on him.

Leon caught a glimpse of himself in his mirror since his growth spurt most of his clothes had become rather form fitting. The shirt clung to his chest and biceps making him feel a little uncomfortable, but it wasn’t on the Dash, Ferrin, and Ezra level of tight, so he took that as a win. Finally, he picked up Daybreak. It had been years since he’d been anywhere without the weapon. He placed his lightsaber on the workbench in his room, next to Alton’s disassembled one. Felt weird not having it on him, but he would get used to it.

With a nervous breath, he opened his door and stepped back into the lounge. “Shall we, Heiress?”

A few minutes later…

They were strolling the city streets of Carannia. The vaulted structures and cylindrical towers seemed to stretch into the heavens as a low cloud cover masked their peaks from view. The haze adopted the undulating colors of neon holo ads painting the miasma in hues of blue, pink, and purple. The smell of the sea blew in from there destination on the coast and mixed with the bouquet of jasmine and lilies that adorned Jayna. Leon stole every glance he could at her. She looked like she’d literally just stepped out of a movie. They were surrounded by people, but she was the only one he could see.

Occasionally, their eyes would meet and they’d look away pretending they weren’t looking at one another, deciding he probably needed to say something rather than just bashfully stealing glances, he asked, “What's your favorite color?”

@Altaris

 

[Jayna Thorne]

Jayna didn’t waste any time once Peetwo returned. The Thorne Heiress immediately opened the box and began to pick out some medical supplies - everything necessary to adequately clean and dress the injury at Leon’s side. Despite her spoiled upbringing, Jayna had been lectured in the basics of what to do in an emergency - a consequence of her paranoid and overprepared parents.

Before long, the Heiress placed a Bacta patch over the cleaned area - immediately soaking into the wound with a cooling effect. It would help to regenerate the cells and flesh over the wound, with little scarring to show for it. After a moment she sat backwards, glancing down at her own handiwork before meeting Leon’s gaze. Before she could make some smart commment, however, Jayna focused on his own reaction to the date.

There was no preventing the smile that worked it’s way onto her lips - genuine and unadulterated, like few times before. The Heiress wasn’t going to vocalize just how giddy the prospect made her, nor the faint sense of relief that Leon was actually interested in the idea of their little seaside excursion. Instead, Jayna merely smiled as he rose up and left the room, glancing over to give PeeTwo a pat while she waited.

Without even thinking about it, Jayna idly ran her fingers through her styled hair - fixing a few strands back into place, in addition to brushing down the folds and wrinkles in the front of her dress. She’d been especially careful not to get blood on the fabric while dressing Leon’s injuries, continuing to preen and fuss over her appearance until the man walked back into the room.

The second he returned, Jayna glanced up to admire the new attire - taking a few steps towards him. “You look dashing,” She said with a small tilt of her head, taking the opportunity to stare back at the Adumarian for far longer than was necessary. Her arm wrapped around his own, slender fingers intertwining with his own digits at once.

“After you,” She said with a smile.


As they approached the harbor, Jayna couldn’t help but admire the view all around them. The sea lazily lapped at the edge of the coast - brushing against the pier and stone structures that had stood for a century or more. Perched above the cliffs above, the impressive facade of a castle loomed over them - likely the home of some aristocrat or wealthy patron, overlooking the rolling water beyond. Of course, the Heiress couldn’t help how her gaze inevitably retured to Leon every few seconds.

The way that his lips tugged upwards whenever their eyes met. The scent of his cologne. The glint behind those verdant eyes, all the more brilliant reflected against the city lights. It was endearing and kept her attention far more than Leon would likely ever know. Certainly more than she’d ever vocalize.

“A particular shade of green,” She said with the hint of a smile, staring back at his verdent eyes as the words left her lips. Her fingers tightened around his own, her thumb running across the top of his hand.

“So,” She tilted her head towards him. “What did bring you all the way to Serenno?” She asked. “Didn’t realize Jedi were in the business of catering,” She teased, giving him a nudge with her arm.

 

[Leon Baudelaire]

As Jayna patched him up he stifled a sad little whimper when she applied the bacta cream. Awwwww, he’d really earned that scar, he thought. Adumarian’s were barbaric as shit when it came to healing practices. Leon normally went out of his way to avoid modern methods unless it was life or death, buuuuuuuuut he guessed this was a special occasion.

It was strange having someone care that he was hurt and it surprised him how much he’d missed that.

Leon laughed when she commented on his clothing, “Funny you should say that, Dash is the one who made me buy this,” then he corrected, “Well, it’s the only outfit I’d agree to buy,” he laughed.

They’d stepped off the main strip of the city and onto a more secluded dock which was perfectly fine with Leon because their surroundings were almost as beautiful as Jayna.

Jayna’s answer immediately made his cheeks burn. “Lucky me,” managed with a smile, “Truth be told, I’ve become particularly enamored with silver lately…” he said trailing off, enjoying her touch. He found himself stepping toward her, desire emboldening him as he free hand wrapped around the small of her back drawing her in. Their lips were close enough to feel one another’s breath— CRASH!!!

Leon flinched, whipping around instinctively moving to protect Jayna— only to see a tabby cat scurrying away from a tipped over trash can.

So, close….

As they resumed walking, Jayna asked the one thing he’d hoped she’d forgotten. Leon squeezed his eyes shut and his nose scrunched up as a flat embarrassed smile reluctantly spread across his face.

“Well, Jedi don’t exactly make a ton of money…” he began, his eyes finding the wooden planks below suddenly very interesting. He ran a hand through his hair and sighed, “...And I met this amazing girl who I really wanted to take out, sooooo," he said picking at his "X" shaped scar, "I picked up a side gig,” he admitted reluctantly.

Excited to have the attention off him he turned the question back to her, “What about you miss, socialite, what were you doing there?”

He was actually asking because he’d become kind of invested in her ambitions since deciding to help her out on Atale. Everything in him wanted to warn her about what he’d felt from the Savior of Castle Serenno, but he could do that later. Right now, he just wanted to be a normal guy.

Just ahead the pier could be seen stretching out into the rolling waves. A single dim lit bulb illuminated the end and as the lead up was blanketed in darkness. The stars above blazed like tiny precious gemstones. Finally, over his embarrassment, he tugged her close and wrapped his arm around her shoulders as they lazily made their way to the end of the pier.

@Altaris

 

[Jayna Thorne]

“Is that a fact?” Jayna said in response to the silver comment, her lips tugging further into a genuine smile. There was something about the Knight had immediately put get at ease - allowing all the troubles of her family or the Galaxy to melt away. It all too easy to find herself lost in those verdant green eyes, until only that moment remained. Until the picturesque pier and the both of them were the last things on the Galaxy.

Jayna kept her eyes fixed upon his own - feeling the hand that laid against the small of her back, pulling her close. She felt the brush of his own breath against her own, eliciting goosebumps across her arms and shoulders. Her own hand drew up his toned bicep, wanting nothing more than to close that distance between them.

Until the crash - further down the alley - drew them back to the present.

Her jaw set ever-so-slightly as the moment was interrupted. There was always something to ruin the moment at the worst time, and she couldn’t help but sigh ever-so-slightly as they continued walking along the pier. For a while, she snuggled against him a bit - listening as he answered her question from before. She couldn’t help but pause at his words - a bit of surprise flashing across her features.

And for just a moment, Jayna merely stared back at Leon - lost in her own thoughts. Finances had never been a consideration for the Thorne, but the fact that the Knight took on work and odd jobs - just to afford taking her out - wasn’t lost on her. It was touching in ways that Jayna didn’t put into words, though it was evident enough by the expression that pulled across her features.

She heard the question from him, but opted not to answer. Instead, Jayna could only think about everything that had led them to that moment - the words that had seemed to linger between them, without ever being said. Interrupted before they could.

There was a long moment of silence, until Jayna finally stepped towards the front of Leon. Her hand came up to brush against his cheek, her thumb running across the X-shaped scar he bore. “Nothing that matters right now,” She said simply. He would get his answer - but in that moment, Jayna didn’t want to think about politics or her own ambitions. She just wanted to be in that moment with him. Jayna closed the distance between them - bringing her face mere inches away from his own, close enough to feel his breath brushing against her own. To catch hints of his cologne, and stare back into his vivid eyes.


Assuming he didn’t pull back, Jayna leaned forth to finally capture his lips - her fingers wrapping around the back of his neck to hold him close. To kiss him tenderly and savor that embrace, for however long it lasted.

 

[Leon Baudelaire]

His question hung in the air as she stopped. The attention he’d hoped to evade landed on hims like a target. He felt her pause and felt a pang of anxiety shoot through him. He couldn’t bring himself to look her in the eye. The moment started to drag and he started to worry he’d ruined the mood. On his heels, Leon ran a hand through his hair while fumbling through an explanation on how he was gonna get a side gig anywa— Jayna stepped in.

He stopped talking.

Their eyes were locked on one another. Her fingers gingerly traced the scar on his cheek and he started to pull away, but stopped. His jaw clenched, but he let himself lean into her touch. His hand found it’s way back to the small of her back and he pulled her into him. Her voice was barely louder than a whisper as she spoke, and he decided to put a pin in their conversation for later.

“Is that right,” he replied in a similar tone. She leaned in and he met her. As her hands slipped around his neck, his free hand slid up her side resting on his hip with a firm grip. She captured his lips and he melted. Her lips were soft and sweet. Leon’s life wasn’t filled with fond memories, but right then he knew he finally had a moment worth revisiting. He reveled in the press of their bodies feeling her against him. The tang of salt water mixed with a bouquet of Jasmine. Then reluctantly their lips parted. He nipped at her bottom lip playfully. His heart was beating a parsec a minute. All he wanted to do was pull her back in…

He’d always found her beautiful, but now as he looked at her he realized he’d never truly understood the definition of the word. Her moonlight eyes locked on his. Her pale skin and raven hair illuminated by the stars as if the cosmos had come together just to accentuate her, but what really got him was the small smile he never saw her use with anyone else.

“ Well done Heiress, I have no idea what we were talking about,” he said jokingly, “ I’m going to need a lot more of those in the future, so I hope you know what you’ve gotten yourself into, I’m very needy,” His mischievous little smirk, the one he saved for the galaxy. The one he was known for… was nowhere to be found. She’d stripped his mask and only left him with his actual smile.

“ C’mon, I wanna see what kissing you is like over there,” he chuckled, nodding to their destination.

@Altaris

 

[Jayna Thorne]

For just that moment, the Galaxy around them came to a standstill.

As her manicured nails curled into his hair, Jayna leaned forward to capture Leon’s lips for the first time - sinking deep into the comfort and warmth of that intimate embrace. She felt the goosebumps that rushed across her shoulders and arms, and couldn’t help the way that she seemed to melt into his touch - pressing back against the hand positioned on her hip. There were no thoughts of her ambitions to be Empress, or the friction within her own family. There was no mission or ulterior motive. It was just them. Just the moment that she had carved since their first meeting on Ithor.

The fingers of her other hand trailed downward, hooking into his belt loops in order to tug him close against her body. It betrayed all the want and desire that had smoldered beneath the surface, hidden beneath the veneer of her icy and deadpan exterior. In ways that she couldn’t explain, Leon cut through every wall and safeguard like a hot knife through butter. It left her vulnerable and exposed - and it unearthed a side of the Heiress that few people in the Galaxy would ever see.

As their lips broke, Jayna couldn’t help the slightly dazed expression that was left across her face - in stark contrast to her usual countenance. Her silver eyes tilted to meet Leon’s own, just as the tender smile began to pull at the corners of her mouth. There was no snark or hints of amusement behind the expression. It was genuine and true, and Leon was one of the few capable of drawing it out. Her fluted ears twitched and flicked like Leon had never seen before, and would have swiveled entirely if she shared any more of her father’s Sephi heritage.

She stared back at him - listening to every word he said. The Heiress knew precisely what she’d gotten herself into, and every part of her wanted to embrace it. Without a word, Jayna leaned forward once more, stealing a second kiss just as he finished speaking. It was the only answer she had for his statement, and spoke volume above any lengthy proclamation.

“I’ll be doing that whenever I want,” She whispers against his ear, tugging his hips close for just a moment more, before finally releasing him. Her silver gaze fell upon the pier ahead, spotting a sailboat that was anchored to the wooden planks not far.

“Jedi ever teach you how to sail?” She asked, jutting her chin in that direction.

 

[Leon Baudelaire]

Their parting lips left star crossed lovers drunk with passion’s swoon. His eyes came to focus on hers and suddenly he was baptized by moonlight. Her smile was radiant in the pale light. Her fluted ears fluttered and he made a mental note that that was a good sign. He wanted her. Everything in him wanted her. Which scared the shit out of him. So, obviously he had to try and deflect his feelings by rambling. As soon as the last syllable left his mouth their lips were back together. His eyebrows arched as a smile spread across his face while they kissed.

He was in trouble. She had him wrapped around her finger. He let her pull him in, and slipped his hand up her back, finger tips carefully skimming her skin. The words she whispered made the hair on the back of his neck stand up.

“Promise?” he asked with a cocked eyebrow and a playful smile.

He watched her look down the pier nodding toward a sailboat. His brow furrowed, “They did not,” he admitted. “But with the right motivation, I’m a quick study.”

Leon followed her down the pier, their pace straddling the line between walking and running as they made their way to the boat. Leon vaulted the rail into the boat and turned to offer a hand to Jayna. Once they were both on the boat he’d ask, “Are we about to steal someone’s boat?” As he untied the skiff from the pier and gave it a gentle shove.

The Sailboat drifted away from the dock and into the canal. The lights of the city were fading, the artificial neon glow giving way to the pale light of the moon reflecting off the water's undulating surface.

@Altaris

 

[Jayna Thorne]

Even as the moments ticked by, Jayna couldn’t help the little smile that lingered against her lips, still on cloud night as they progressed across the pier. It was the scent of his signature cologne that filled the air - notes of tobacco and vanilla - and the feeling of his arms wrapped around her. She’d never vocalize just how much she wanted that moment to last, though Leon would certainly feel the way that she pressed back and snuggled against his arm.

It wasn’t until they approached the boat that Jayna turned her attention to the path ahead of them - accepting his hand before leaping into the sailboat. The Heiress quickly began to undo a few of the tie-downs that kept the boat anchored to the pier, arching a brow towards the Knight when he asked the question. Was that even a question?

“They’ll never even know it’s gone,” She said with a simple shrug, tilting her head a bit. “Don’t tell me your getting cold feet already, Baudelaire.” Jayna said with a small roll of her eyes. She had no qualms calling the Knight out if he started to go chickenshit on her. Fortunately, his lack of hesitation pushing off from the pier seemed to dispel some of those fears.

“My family loved doing things on the water,” She said, guiding the sailboat through the canals. After a few minutes of doing it herself, Jayna gestured for Leon to scoot over to where she was sitting - laying her own hands over the top of his own, placed on the tiller to steer. “Thyferra is filled with islands and archipelagos. Most of our family holidays and vacations were around the ocean,” Ezra was far better with the water sports than she was, but the Heiress had a basic grasp of sailing nevertheless. She’d grown to love the water just as well.

“Tell me about where you grew up.”

 

[Leon Baudelaire]

“Ya know I’m starting to think you’re a bad influence, Heiress,” he said, resting his hands on his hips as he watched the boat drift away from the dock. Did he feel bad they were stealing someone’s ship? Yes. Was he going to try and not sink the damn thing, also yes. So, this was more like borrowing than stealing right? Besides, anyone able to afford this thing was probably at the party he’d worked earlier and honestly, aside from Jayna the rest of the people there had kinda sucked.

He’d repent or whatever light siders had to do when they felt bad about shit later.

“Cold feet? The only reason I have a ship is because me and your brother stole mine from a Black Sun Enforcer,” he laughed, crossing his arms over his chest. His chin lifted in a little challenge as he watched her roll her eyes.

Leon hadn’t been totally honest when she’d asked if he knew how to sail. The type of boat they were on was way nicer than the primitive ships he’d fished off on Ellora, but now that he’d taken a few seconds to get his bearings he was confident he’d be able to figure this out, too bad for the Heiress, he was more interested in making her work than flexing his knowledge. His mischievous little smirk settled on his lips as she settled in and began guiding the ship.

Baudelaire slid in next to her and let his hand land on her thigh, while his free hand rested behind his head. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky. The void of the open sky stretched as far as the eye could see. Tiny pin-prick stars were scattered like millions of diamonds across a mottled blue velvet canvas. There was a warm summer breeze blowing in, but the water was practically still as glass.

Jayna shared memories of Typherra and beach vacations pulling his attention from their picturesque surroundings to her supple lips. He knew deep in his heart he’d never be able to truly understand her upbringing and that she'd never be able to understand his, but that was the fun of this, wasn’t it?

“That sounds amazing,” he said wistfully as he tried to imagine her experience. His life before the Jedi had been a fucking nightmare. Even now he was avoiding what he knew he had to do. He had to go home. He needed answers, he pushed his bullshit to the side at her touch. She had him switch with her and let him take the tiller. Her hand lingered on his and he felt her guide or correct as they went.

She was so cute.

Then she asked about where he’d grown up. He felt a joke start to well up in him, his auto-defense for anything uncomfortable, but he stopped it. He didn’t want to hide himself from her. Besides, there was more to Adumar than his pain.

“I was born in a little ranch town twenty clicks from the planet’s capital Cartan. My earliest memories are rolling fields as vast as the sea before us, but I wasn’t there long,” he skipped the part where his Uncle had been an inquisitor and killed his parents, “I moved in with my Uncle in the city and we lived in an area called the Downunder, a subterranean city where lower income families are kept,” he was suddenly feeling self-conscious about his upbringing, “You’d hate, but like, secretly love the Downunder.”

“The caf scene there is out of control. Best shop in the city is Berney’s. There’s tons of live music, everything from grunge to classic, and don’t even get me started on the food.” he swooned, “My gods you could eat at a different place for every meal and still never try every option,” he laughed. “I’d love to take you there some time, if you wanted, or whatever…” he said.

“Your turn,” he said, fixing her with as much of his attention as he could while guiding the boat.

@Altaris

 

[Jayna Thorne]

“I am flattered that you’re only just coming to that conclusion, Master Jedi,” Jayna said with a hint of amusement, leaning her arms over the side of the sailboat. She enjoyed the cool mist that brushed past them along the canal, just cold enough to elicit goosebumps along the skin. The paper lanterns and festive lives cast a myriad of colors across the water, illuminating Leon in shades of blue and lilac.

For several moments, Jayna had nothing profound or conversational to add - allowing her silver eyes to sweep across the horizon. Even still, Leon would likely recognize that she was paying attention to everything that he was saying, committing every detail to memory. The Heiress rarely was the type to ask questions about anyone or their history, but she found herself inexplicably interested in the man before her.

“Then I’ll hold you to it,” She said after a pause, allowing her silver gaze to flick back towards him. It was clear that she found his life and history more interesting than her nonverbal demeanor let on, and had every intention of making good on the offer to see more of it. Or perhaps it really was just the promise of good Caf that got the Heiress moving in that direction.

Of course, Jayna couldn’t help the prolonged pause that followed when Leon threw the question back at her. Despite asking the question of him, the Heiress simply wasn’t accustomed to talking about herself or attempting to drum up interesting facts to the vague question. She blinked a few times, shrugging a bit.

“It is largely what you could guess,” She finally said. “The family owns an estate on Thyferra where we grew up. Spent most of our time there or in private schools in the capital,” Most of what Jayna said was public knowledge. Paparazzi and reporters had been on her and her twin practically since birth, despite both of her fathers rather aggressively taking measures to ensure their privacy.

“After joining the Consortium, Thyferra only became more popular. Capital has just about anything you could ask for. Countryside has rainforests and tropical destinations.”

“Ezra eventually went off to private school on Coruscant and I was admitted at Naboo,” She said. The preparatory academy she attended was one of the finest in the Galaxy, and most considered it a stepping stone directly into Theed University where she attended these days.

She eventually jutted her chin ahead. “Canal empties out into the sea just that way.”

 

[Leon Baudelaire]

The entire time he spoke, he drank her in. He’d abandoned the shy glances and meek smiles. He watched the goosebumps run across her skin as she dipped her hand into the water. She’d asked him something incredibly personal but spent his whole schpeal looking anywhere other than at him, which was weird, and left him feeling kinda vulnerable.

“I’ll hold you to that,” she said. The look in her eyes belying her true interest.

He scoffed playfully, “Wow, you really will do questionable things for good caf.”

Baudelaire felt himself recede behind his tried and true veneer, it wasn’t totally up, he was doing his best, but this was new and terrifying. It had taken months for he and Ezra to become best friends and she was asking things he’d only recently shared with his friends. Her hesitance didn’t really help his sudden self-consciousness, so he shifted his attention back toward the water in front of them. His verdant eyes scanning the canal. He was aware the twins didn’t exactly share things easily and wanted her to feel safe. Like she could talk freely without judgement or prying eyes. So, of course when she was ready to speak he was ready to listen.

Jayna detailed the general aspects of her upbringing and he found the juxtaposition between them fascinating. She was right of course, he was pretty aware of most of what she said, but he’d only ever heard it from Ezra’s point of view.

“When did the “super soldier” training start?” He asked. Leon had been trained in sword fighting his whole life. It had been the one thing he and his Uncle could relate on, well that, and the fact that they were both Force Sensitive.

How ironic.

“Tyferra is beautiful, I didn’t get to stay long because I was breaking into your aunt’s lab, but what I did get to see was awesome,” he said casually as he angled the boat toward open water.

The moon hung over the open water. It’s beams danced across the gently lapping waves as they drifted away from the neon hues of the city.

“Why me?” He asked, “I’m not complaining, but…” he shrugged, “Don’t you think I’m gonna be a pain in the ass?”

He knew what she wanted to be. Or had a vague idea. You don’t carry a name like Thorne and end up as a school teacher. You changed history. Leon was… he was nothing. A kid born into poor family from an irrelevant planet. He was a stereotypical story in a galaxy that chewed up the weak and spit them out. He knew why he and Ez we’re friends, but he couldn’t for the life of him figure out why Jayna cared.

@Altaris

 

[Jayna Thorne]

Though she said nothing about it, Jayna didn’t miss the subtle changes in Leon’s body language. The way that he almost subconsciously shifted around in the boat, and ran fingers through his wavy hair. The way that his verdant eyes cast across the glistening water, staring off at anything except meeting her own gaze. It alluded to the nerves that still existed, and the fact that it was new territory of them both. By contrast, the Heiress allowed little to manifest on the exterior - maintaining her typically inexpressive demeanor. By this point, though, Leon would realize that was simply the default state of being for both twins.

Her dark brow arched when Leon mentioned ‘super soldier’. The Heiress paused for a moment before shrugging her shoulders a bit, a smirk gradually tugging at the corners of her mouth. “When I was around five or six.” She said, “My father is a Teras Kasi expert. He believed that both me and Ezra should be trained and know how to defend ourselves in the Galaxy - and saw to it that we were.”

“I’ve tried to pick up training with a blaster on my own.” She continued. Ezra was Force Sensitive and already a skilled Jedi. It was a prowess that Jayna would never be able to replicate - but the Heiress was committed that she would never be helpless. She had all the resources at the Galaxy at her fingertips, and she needed only to utilize them.

Jayna blinked a few times. “You broke into Auntie Tia’s lab?” The Heiress couldn’t help the shock that briefly manifested across her expression. She could practically hear her infamous redhead aunt screeching at the top of her lungs, especially if they’d managed to damage one of the experimental hypergates. “I don’t envy you..” She muttered.

Of course, it was the final thing that Leon asked that properly caught Jayna’s attention. Why him? It wasn’t a question that the Thorne had given a second thought, beyond knowing how Leon made her feel and her own instincts about him. It wasn’t something she reconsidered, no matter how much Emryc or anyone else didn’t seem to approve. Why the man himself seemed to repeat those doubts was something she didn’t quite understand.

Without giving an answer, Jayna leaned forth to capture Leon’s lips once more - lingering there for a brief moment. As she drew back, the Heiress met his verdant gaze, bringing a hand up to brush away a few strands of his hair. “Stop doubting yourself,” She said simply. There was no complicated or complex answer as to why Jayna ‘chose him’. Whatever Leon’s own doubts or reservations about himself, it was clear that Jayna didn’t share them.

 

[Leon Baudelaire]

Leon’s verdant gaze was locked on the shifting sea as she spoke. A smile tugged at his lips as he pictured toddler versions of Jayna and Ezra wearing Teras Kasi gi’s. “That’s really cute,” he commented.

His training had started at about the same time and was way more focused on weapons than hand to hand. Adumar was still a place where honor duels took place. Knowing how to use a Blastsword was the only class leveler on the planet.

“I can help with that,” he offered when she mentioned training with a blaster, “But from what I remember you’re not a bad shot.”

The shock that registered on her face put a smile on his face, “Yup. Even used one of her weird hypergate things. It was super trippy.”

In all honesty, he was still processing everything that had happened during that “event.” The vision’s they experienced of Mortis. The conversation with The Father. The truth of his past. It felt like every step he took forward ended up knocking him two steps back.

“She was surprisingly cool about it,” he chuckled. Tia still terrified him, but he’d survived her on two accounts, so he just assumed she had a soft spot for him.

His question hung between them. The moon painted a pale reflection across the water, he suddenly wanted to be anywhere else, then she kissed him. Each time her soft lips touched his was like a dream come true. He felt the worry and indecision slough off like armor he didn’t need anymore. She pulled back and brushed a few curls from his face. A move he’d fallen in love with back on Sullust.

Jayna’s words elicited a scoff, “Just like that?”

He’d let go of the tiller once they’d entered open water. The nearest boats were pinpricks of light on the distant horizon. He slipped an arm around her back and pulled her into him. He rested his head on hers taking in the scent of jasmine and lilac from her perfume.

“So, now what? You’ve got me out here in the middle of the ocean, in a stolen boat, I’m defenseless and vulnerable,” he gasped in mock surprise, “Are you trying to take advantage of me, Heiress?” he asked as a coy smile spread across his lips.

His free hand gingerly ran across her back. Then it occurred to him, “This is the only way we could be alone wasn’t it.”

Leon was good at playing the fool, but he was far from stupid. He’d picked up on the ISC’s increased surveillance back on G’ween, but had been so busy at the time, he hadn’t been able to figure out how to get them to knock it off, now that he and Jayna were together, it would only get worse. That was a price worth paying.

@Altaris

 

[Jayna Thorne]

“Just like that,” Jayna whispered softly against the side of Leon’s ear, her face lingering especially close to her own. The Heiress, - whether through learned behavior or due to her Sephi heritage - never had a problem with compartmentalizing the worst of her doubts and anxieties. She couldn’t fathom why the man sitting across from her couldn’t see what she did.

Jayna felt the arm that slid around her back - and almost instinctively moved towards Leon in response. The side of her head rested against his muscular head, savoring the scent of his cologne with every breath in through her nostrils. The gentle lapping of the waves could be heard all around them, illuminated by silvery streams of moonlight that pierced through the cloudy sky. It faint scent of rain was on the horizon, but it was distant from where their boat drifted. She could have stayed just like that for hours without end - rising and falling with every rolling wave, with every breath that Leon took.

For all the ways that they had teetered on the edge - for all the ways that they had danced around what they were to each other.. Jayna could feel herself falling headfirst, and wasn’t quite prepared where it would take her.

It was only when Leon spoke that Jayna lifted her head, drawing back ever-so-slightly to look up at him. His words only caused the smile on her lips to widen into a playful one, the glint of desire burning brightly behind her silvery eyes. Without hesitation, Jayna leaned in a bit closer to his own face - shifting in the boat so that one hand traced up the top of his thigh, while the other pulled him in by the fancy shirt that he picked out for their date. “Maybe I am,” She whispered suggestively, arching her brow towards him.

The Heiress didn’t offer a response to his revelation about the boat.. But the expression she wore made it obvious that she’d considered that fact prior. She knew exactly the type of security and surveillance that was on them at all times. And she knew exactly how to afford them both a bit of privacy when it mattered. “But what I want now..” She continued, her breath brushing against the edge of his ear - fingers splayed across his chest.

Without another word, Jayna drew backwards and rose to her feet, bringing her hands up to undo the silk gown she wore. With ease, the Heiress began to slip out of the garments that she’d worn to that party on Serenno - leaving the silk and jewelry in a pile on her side of the boat. For the first time around Leon, she had only what little she wore underneath. And there she stood, allowing the gentle rays of moonlight to shine down against her bronze skin.

“Is to go for a swim,” She finally said, unable to keep the smile from her lips. Without another word, Jayna stepped backwards and dove towards the endless blue waters that surrounded them - splashing below the surface with a practiced dive. Moments would pass before she resurfaced once again, swimming just a few strokes away from their boat.

Though she said nothing, the desire she felt hadn’t dissipated in the least. She jutted her chin towards Leon, as if daring the Knight to follow wherever she led.

 

[Leon Baudelaire]

Leon’s smirk spread into a smile as Jayna pulled him in. The breathy words she spoke into his ear were driving him wild. He wanted her, and it took every ounce of discipline he had to keep himself in place while she ran the show.

Then she stepped back. Confusion would flit across his love drunk expression. Then she undressed. His heart had been hammering at the pace of a parsec per second, but as the soft crunch of her silken dress hit the deck, his heart beat made the leap for hyperspace.

Baudelaire was speechless. His mouth hung open like a fool as he struggled to process what he was seeing. The pale moonlight accentuated Jayna’s beauty. It spilled across her curves like a sheer veil. He snapped too and locked eyes with her as she laid the bait. Leon’s only response was to wet his lips in anticipation.

Jayna dove in.

Leon sprang up from the seat trying to undo and pull off everything all at the same time. He slipped and landed flat on his back feeling the wind drive from his lungs, yet he found the inspiration to persevere. Finally, free from his outerwear he turned just as she broke the surface.

He wasn’t sure why but he immediately crossed his arms practically striking a pose as he looked at her. She dared him to follow and his mischievous little smirk spread into a smile. He hit a button on the console and the heavy durasteel anchor dropped into the water as Leon dove in.

He wasted no time finding her. Baudelaire came up beside her, following right along. He turned over on his back floating along, eyes locked on her. He arched his brows in challenge as if to say, “Now what?”

@Altaris

 

[Jayna Thorne]

Jayna couldn’t help the involuntary gasp that escaped from her lips - goosebumps spreading across her bare skin at once. The ocean water was frigid, and it took the Heiress a few moments to fully acclimate herself to the drop in temperature. Strands of raven-dark hair were slicked down to her face haphazardly, a far cry from the intricate and proper way that Jayna kept herself styled at all times.

As she stared back at the boat, the Heiress merely watched as Leon stripped off his own clothes - shamelessly taking a moment to stare back at the Knight and his toned physique. Weeks ago, she would’ve only stolen glances and danced around any deeper feelings - but that was far behind them. There was a freedom that came with calling Leon her own - and it was liberating and terrifying all at once.

The smile only tugged wider when the Knight struck a pose on the boat, earning a tilt of her head, “Don’t stop now,” She said with a wink, her voice taking on a playful tone. Nevertheless, she swam backwards a few strokes - allowing Leon enough breadth to dive into the cold water without being completely engulfed by the splash.

For just a few moments, Jayna marveled at the setting around them. There was not a single sentient soul around them for miles - with only the gentle sway and lapping of the waves to fill the air. The outcropping of a few, small islets could be seen only a few meters off in the distance - dotted with a few trees and sparse vegetation.

As Leon resurfaced with his question, Jayna only leaned in a bit closer - her finger hooking the waistband of whatever little he was still wearing. “I’m sure we can figure something out,” She said with a smirk, tugging the Knight closer to where they floated in the water.