Dinners and Surprises

[Andraste]

Andraste wasn’t in the best mood. She had been spending a lot of time on Alderaan in an effort to get involved in the political situation there. She was making a lot of headway, but it involved a lot of mental games and public relations. The Republic voting to attack one of its own world was a goldmine, and she couldn’t resist. There had never been a bigger opportunity to make the Sith Empire look like saints by comparison – at least the Empire didn’t attack its own worlds.

Outside of the exhaustion from running around in the Deep Core, she also hadn’t seen Elix during that entire time. Andraste despised being away from her little boy, and she had blown up her handmaidens’ comms back on Serenno multiple times to check in on him. She knew he was fine, but it still gave her a lot of anxiety to be away from him. To give herself a break from things, however, she agreed to meet with Kravos on Taris. She hadn’t been on the planet before, but she was liking it so far.

Andraste had no idea why he wanted her to meet him here, but she could recognize they hadn’t seen one another in far too long. Out of her husbands, she saw him the very least, and she often wondered where they stood emotionally through it all. Andraste didn’t know what to expect, but she arrived at the restaurant he had asked her to meet him in.

For once, she was here earlier, and she took the turbolift up to the top of the building. It was a restaurant that overlooked the city on a level that slowly rotated to offer quite the view. Andraste was led to a table near the back, and she took a seat and ordered herself a drink. Even here people were going out of their way to ensure the service she received was top notch. She ignored it for now, having grown desensitized to being treated like a celebrity. Gone was the young Jedi girl that would have balked at all this attention. The other patrons all around her kept shooting glances at her and whispering among themselves.

 

[Darth Kravos]

Darth Kravos waited as the turbolift carried him up to the upper levels of the building. The restaurant was only available to the rich and famous, and the two Sith certainly qualified as that now. The cost of a building in the upper levels of Taris cost an arm and a leg to eat at, but the Dark Lord didn't even bat an eye at the cost anymore.

The doors to the lift opened and Kravos appeared, dressed not in his armor, but in civilian clothes with a single saber hilt hidden on his belt. His amber eyes were all the more pronounced and the veins on his face had become all the more pronounced the deeper into the Dark Side he had delved. She would immediately notice it, and in many circumstances he would have cast an illusion to hide the effect, but he didn't feel like faking around her. She was the one person he didn't bother putting up a front for, she knew the monster she had married.

People quickly came and went from the table and he smirked slightly at the sight of the staff being extra attentive and a little bit nervous around her. He walked up and placed a hand on the back of her head, leaning down to place a long kiss on her lips before taking a seat. It feels like ages since we've seen each other, he said, Your other husbands must be keeping you busy, he said. He had historically had that jealous streak that was worse than most of her other husbands, and although it still remained slightly, he'd grown accustomed to the thought.

As soon as he took his seat, he noted something about her. He'd known her longer than anyone else and could sense when something troubled her. As soon as he looked at her and sensed her presence, he could tell she was disturbed by something. You don't need to worry about work tonight. Put it all behind you, he told her smoothly. How is the baby? he asked, wondering if that was what had her so tense.

 

[Andraste]

Andraste was flipping through the menu, marveling at all the different options here. She was beginning to see why this was such a ritzy place. She sensed Kravos moments before he arrived, though he moved quicker than she could look back. She felt him touch the back of her head before he leaned in and kissed her. In truth, she missed this desperately, and it didn’t hit her till his lips pressed against hers. Andraste allowed it to linger, running her fingers gently against the beard on his face, “It’s always ages in between when we see each other.”

She watched him take a seat, a smile forming on her face at his little quip about her other husbands. Andraste knew that he strongly disliked her being married to others. Out of everyone, he had the most jealous streak and had lashed out against both of her other husbands before. She couldn’t entirely blame him, though at this point she assumed he had his own lovers to keep him occupied. Finding out that Siris had taken a lover had irked her a lot more than she expected, and she purposely chose never to broach the topic with her husbands to avoid inciting her own jealousies.

“Actually,” She took a sip of the rich, aged wine she ordered, “It’s Elix that I’ve been running off to see during all my free time. That tiny little human has the most powerful hold over me,” She smiled then, and it was a strange smile on her lips that was oddly more human than anything else about her. It was the smile of a mother fawning over her child, “I constantly check in on him when I’m away too. He's doing well. It'll only be a matter of time before he starts throwing things around with the Force..."

As he told her to put work aside, Andraste had to roll her eyes. She remembered the last time he had taken her out for a getaway weekend, and she was still caught working, “You know I can never just sit around idly. Not when I have an Empire to run,” Andraste looked up as their waiter arrived, ordering her meal before she continued, “So have you been continuing your little abomination adventures?” She quirked an eyebrow at him, her tone flat and not indicative of whether she was displeased or not.

 

[Darth Kravos]

I know, I don't like it, he stated bluntly as she mentioned that it was always ages between them seeing each other. Even when they had seen each other it was to level Jedi temples and maneuver ships instead of having dinner and making love. He would have been lying if he'd said he didn't miss it. It was well known that he didn't love that she had other husbands, and it had taken quite some time before he'd begun to seriously consider taking someone on the side for himself, but the long, lonely nights were not enjoyable.

He watched as she seemed to light up at the mention of her son. It was odd and humorous to see the most terrifying woman in the galaxy turn into a fawning mother. But he had always known her better than that, and he didn't typically see the woman the galaxy had come to fear. I'm sure he will be. I'll have to get a saber in his hands soon so we can go out and fight abominations together, he said jokingly, though he was sure she wouldn't like that idea at all.

Have you ever known me to quit anything? he asked as she asked if he'd been continuing his abomination adventures. He'd seen incredible success in the area, and whether or not she approved, it would be a nice card to have up their sleeve... even if they never used it. Just in case we ever need it. Call it insurance, he said as his voice grew deadly serious. He was always planning for the future and unseen or terrifying outcomes that would see them all killed.

He sat back and waved his hand in the air after a moment more. But enough of work, he said as he poured a glass of wine for himself and refilled her glass. He took a sip and savored the flavor. Once upon a time he had wondered if he was developing a drinking problem, but that felt like another life ago, and he still enjoyed a good glass of wine.

Delicious, he said, before moving slightly closer to the topic that he'd actually brought her here for: besides just the excuse of wanting to see her again. What do you think of Taris? he asked, turning to glance out the window. The view was even more exquisite than he had imagined.

 

[Andraste]

Andraste coughed and almost choked on her wine as he mentioned Elix going off to fight abominations. The image was mortifying, and her eyes were wide with shock. She had to beat herself over the chest a few times to down the wine, shooting Kravos a dirty glare, “That’s not funny,” She said with a deadpan tone, not even a little entertained at the thought of her son anywhere near an abomination.

She rolled her eyes as he mentioned about ‘insurance’. He always had some excuse on why he should continue to do his research on them, “Where the hell would you even unleash them? They’re just as likely to eat up our Imperials as they are our enemy. They’re about as useful to have as allies as Vin was, may she rest easy in the Force,” Andraste lifted her glass in honor before taking another sip. After a moment, her food arrived – a local delicacy that smelled absolutely delicious.

Andraste began to dig into her meal as Kravos asked about Taris. She paused to look out the glass windows all around, marveling at the cities that stretched out for miles, “I love it,” She declared finally, “It reminds me a bit of Coruscant. I miss that place often, though I know I can’t wander around there willy nilly,” Andraste turned back to look at him, “Do you come here often? I was surprised when you picked here instead of one of our bases.”

After a moment, the waiter arrived with an order of cinnamon rolls. Andraste grabbed one for herself, looking at Kravos, “What? Just because you don’t order them for me anymore doesn’t mean I still don’t enjoy them,” She gave him a playful wink as she took a bite.

 

[Darth Kravos]

While Andraste may not have been amused at Kravos's idea to take Elix to fight abominations, he found it quite humorous himself. He was happy to turn that child into as much a warrior as he was himself. He was sure Andraste would hate that idea, so it would all have to be seeekrit. Ah, yes, Andraste's hatred of abominations. They had hit on that again, but it wasn't unexpected. They could unleash them a great many places, and the Black Hand in particular could use them for a slew or reasons. His mind ticked through the possibilities.

Kravos began eating his own meal, having ordered some meat and potatoes that were top notch. Absolutely delicious. He was glad to hear she enjoyed the planet and almost laughed when she said that she figured they would meet at one of the bases. It was true, he typically wanted to meet at a place like that, but in this case... he was getting tired of that.

He was about to reveal why he had asked her here before the cinnamon rolls arrived. The sight actually made him give a warm, genuine smile. It reminded him of who they had been a lifetime ago and it was completely different now. I see I've been swiftly replaced, he quipped. I have missed you, he said with a sigh. He wasn't there to buy her cinnamon rolls anymore and ever since they had married it seemed like he barely saw her.

I don't want to go months without seeing you anymore, he stated, looking out the window. I miss my wife, and I want to buy a place here. Together. For just the two of us, he told her. Building an Empire had consumed both of their lives, but they both still needed each other.

 

[Andraste]

Andraste kept munching away on her cinnamon roll, happy as a clam to have her overly sweet snack. She looked at him then, surprised to see the warm smile that suddenly appeared from watching her down the roll. Andraste observed him curiously, not used to seeing smiles like that on his usually grumpy face. She couldn’t help but smile back, “I’m surprised,” She muttered, “You seem to love abominations and shady adventures so much, I figured you’d be too preoccupied to miss me,” She reached a hand over to grasp his, entwining their fingers, “I miss you as well, Kal,” She sighed, “Sometimes I wonder if you still love me the same way as we are apart so much. I don’t feel like we are even close to the same people anymore, so could we love one another the same?”

As he began to speak about how he despised being apart for months, she couldn’t help but agree. Part of the reason was because of his jealousy issues. Could he stand the thought of her other husbands visiting her or being around her? Andraste withheld from bringing that as a point, hearing him out. She was surprised when he ended with wanting to buy a property here. Her eyes widened in surprise, “Here?” Andraste looked out over the cityscape again, marveling again at the sight, “But you’re always moving. Would you find time to spend at a stationary place?” She looked at him again, “And….it’d involve being around a baby,” She smiled sadly at him. He had only seen Elix when he had been born and the child was almost a year now. It hit her just how little he managed to see her. Could she truly blame him for falling out of love or settling in with a different lover?

“I’d love a place for us,” She finally declared, “Just make sure it’s something you can actually come home to. You are far busier than I am. Where were you thinking?"

 

[Darth Kravos]

Kravos was a bit taken aback by her reaction to his proposal, and for a moment he wasn't sure what to make of it. Even as he wrapped his fingers around hers, the words she said were... not what he had anticipated. Had she stopped loving him in the time they'd been away? He wasn't the same man he had once been. He had once been vulnerable and hurt, driven mad by jealousy and pained by betrayal all too easily. He had felt its sting from her and Cregan, and assumed he would feel it again. But unlike before, he didn't lose his mind at the first signs of trouble. His face remained flat and unchanged as he listened to her.

Do you regret marrying me? he asked after a moment more. It was asked in almost the same way that one would ask what was for dinner. He barely felt as though he could move on to where to live until he had that question answered, though he was fairly confident her answer would be "no." She did, however, seem surprisingly hesitant about the two of them getting a place. It certainly did seem like he was the least of her husbands sometimes, but then, how much of that was his own fault as well?

I'd come home if I had a home to come to, he said. There was an element of truth to that. The two of them had never truly had a place of their own, and he couldn't help but imagine that it didn't help the cause. Siris and Andraste had a home as did Cregan and Andraste, but the two of them had either had rendezvous on ships or in bases across the galaxy. I was thinking one of the penthouses here. Somewhere we both liked, but I'm open to suggestions, he said.

 

[Andraste]

Andraste couldn’t hold back the surprise that came across her face the moment he asked the question so directly. Her lips parted and she had trouble formulating words for a moment, her fingers extracting from his. Andraste met his gaze, her expression darker now, her animalistic eyes meeting his, “I fear that you do,” She admitted. She had changed drastically, and so had he. She didn’t know who she was anymore, and she certainly wasn’t the girl he cherished so long ago.

“Sometimes I do wonder what I’m doing with three husbands and how I expect all three to remain loyal to me,” She laughed bitterly, taking a sip from her wine, “And now that I am Empress, I begin to wonder if I represent an idea more than a woman to love. Is it possible to love Andraste? I doubt it,” Andraste had given this a fair bit of thought as she saw her own growth and change as she became more and more powerful.

She thought about him coming home if he had a home to come to, and she couldn’t help but think about Lothal or even Alderaan. Kal had been the only case where she didn’t have a home with her husband. She began to wonder where he saw himself in the totem pole, and the gears began to turn in her head, “It never seemed to align with your interests,” Andraste thought about his change to becoming Kravos, “Your love has been your work, your passion bringing down our enemies. You have gained a reputation for yourself as the galactic boogeyman,” Andraste shook her head, “The entire galaxy fears you – perhaps even more than they fear me. You had even me fooled, Kal. I never thought you had even the slightest desires to have a home with me. But I’d love to try it with you….but we can’t invite darkness into it,” She thought back to when she had approached him at his chambers and how he had laid out what she was signing up for, “Despite how intoxicating it is.”

 

[Darth Kravos]

Stolen​

He listened to every word she said. Each one was evaluated with a face of stone. Whatever parts of him were vulnerable or open to pain, hurt, or fear, had been forcibly ripped from him a long time ago. The thing that remained was a hollow being who had lost most of what he had once been. He had fought his entire life to earn the love of a woman and it seemed he'd never been able to achieve it. Somehow even with a marriage to bind them together, they were further apart now than they had ever been.

The world played a different tune for him now, and he didn't know where it would take him. He'd been swept up in the current of building an Empire. He had wanted to give her an Empire and it had cost everything in the process. What did he really have to show for it? A growing corruption? A being that had taken everything that had once been Kal Vox? A woman he was married to who... may have loved him fourth most in the galaxy? If he could have gone back to that moment on Ossus, he wondered if he would have chosen the same again.

And then she reached the end of her words. She told him she couldn't have darkness in her home and it struck him as the oddest of all. It was a nail that seemed to sing when the hammer struck it and called out above all else that she said. His left hand had a single finger draw small circles on the table and he looked tense despite the fact that his face never flinched. Amber eyes met her own yellow, animalistic gaze as if he could look beyond her. She had seen the worst he had to offer. He'd butchered and slaughtered for the Empire in the most brutal manner. He'd done what he promised and filled the graves the Empire was built on, and in doing so, he'd alienated everyone else in his life.

He sat in silence long enough for things to grow uncomfortable. The dark aura was enough to make the skin crawl on other patrons and he was vaguely aware of people looking around the restaurant in discomfort. Her baby had changed her, and in Kravos's mind that was as simple as it was. I think you made a mistake marrying me, he stated flatly. The words alone she'd just said were enough to tell him that. He'd told her what he was and it was all he would ever be. It would only worsen with time, and it was now clear that it would strangle the life out of whatever they had once had.

I don't think I'll ever be what you want, he said, and it was a statement that had much more to it than he could simply state. She'd always wanted others more than him, and the more she turned her mind to family, the less of a place he would have in her life. Perhaps he'd truly married the Empire.

 

[Andraste]

They had a penchant for coming to this. They came here multiple times before. It tore them apart, they rebuilt, and then it tore them again. There was no way around it, and nothing they could do to stop it. She didn’t understand him in many ways, and he didn’t understand her. They were drawn back to one another, they made passionate love, they fought and coldly backed off from one another. It was a vicious cycle, and it seemingly never ended. And that was exactly why Andraste’s expression remained unchanged when he dropped the verbal bomb that he did.

As silence hung, there was nothing but the sounds of her fork scraping along the plate as she quietly continued to eat for a moment. She didn’t even look at him as she ate her meal, letting the moment hang even after he finished speaking. Unlike him, her aura remained the same, her expression impossible to read. He had glossed over everything she had said and turned things back to himself. He was once again being selfish, but she wasn’t going to bother pointing that out for him again.

“Don’t be dramatic, Kal,” She finally spoke as she reached for another cinnamon roll, “You were never someone to fit into the mold of what I wanted. It was when you tried to force that that I didn’t want you. I thought we discussed this already and I made myself clear,” She licked the icing off her fingers, “But if you’d truly like a divorce, then by all means, I won’t stop you. Bring me the papers and I’ll sign them. I’m sure we can handle this amicably,” She turned to gaze at him again, her expression matching his, just as devastating, just as icy, “I’m not going to play games with you. You tell me your wishes and I will honor them. If you simply want to remain my Dark lord and I your Empress, then so it shall be.”

 

[Darth Kravos]

There were a great many things that he would never understand about her, and time and again they were trapped in their vicious cycle. Neither of them were innocent of it. His finger continued to draw its circle on the table as she seemed to easily talk about desert. The style their conversation was held in was enough to be nearly comical.

Don't be dramatic, Andraste, he turned her words around with an icy smile. He didn't bother pointing out that he'd not once said he wanted a divorce. She was smart enough to know that, and he wasn't going to play that game. If anything, it was she that seemed unhappy with him. He'd come here with hope of instigating spending more time with her.

Have you ever known me to quit on anything? he asked for the second time that night. Have you ever known me to quit on you? he asked. They'd had their spats, their fights, their conflicts, and their separations, but he'd never truly left her before. He was always there when she needed him. She brought out the best and worst in him. They were hot and cold to an unbelievable degree, but there was something about her that he was addicted to.

I want you, and I want a place to be with you, but I will always be me, he said, making it as simple as he could. He was twisted to the core and had told her as much when they'd married. Jealous, possessive, violent, but also fiercely protective of her to a level that was dangerous.

I am yours. I've always been yours. And I will remain yours to the last of my days, he repeated to her once again. But have I ever told you that you're the most maddening woman I've ever met? he asked, recognizing the deep irony that he was also one of the most difficult people he knew.

 

[Andraste]

Andraste had to chuckle as he turned her words back around on her. She ordered herself another glass of wine when the waitress felt brave enough to walk over to their table again. She turned to look at Kravos, hearing him out once more. In truth, she had half expected him to give up on their marriage. She had no idea what to expect from him anymore.

“No, you are the only person that has never quit on me,” She answered before he moved on. There was no denying that. He was there from the very beginning, through every chapter and painful memory of her life. He knew her from a time she barely recognized anymore. Andraste heard him as he kept going, declaring how he wanted her, but how he would always be him. She knew what he was saying, and it had been foolish to expect anything else. This couldn’t be a home where she could bring her child and this wasn’t a home where she could entertain many guests. But it would be a place for just them, a place where she could feel liberated in a way she never did anywhere else. A place where she didn’t have to apologize, where she didn’t have to think about how she came across, a place where she could give into the monster that she kept chained at all times. The thought was exhilarating, and she despised how badly she wanted it.

By the time he finished speaking, she was grinning again, drinking from her wine, “Would you have me any other way?” Her gaze lingered on his for a moment. There was no denying that he found how difficult she was enticing, just as it was true for him. He was difficult to crack, as so many women vying for his attention were quickly learning. Even for the woman married to him, he was difficult. Andraste had to laugh at the realization, wondering how much of it was her rubbing off on him.

“I believe you have negotiated your terms effectively,” She said at last, “We will get this home and we will be our kriffed up and twisted selves in it. Then you can have your way with me on every surface and make our neighbors blush,” She took a long drink, “Just don’t expect me to have dinner waiting on the table when you come home.”

 

[Darth Kravos]

There was something about the two of them that had always been different. Whenever they were together there was a wild and dangerous streak to them each that couldn't be ignored, and it always seemed so much more prominent when they were in the same room. They brought it out in each other in a way that no one else did.

For all the years he had known her, he still couldn't quite judge her reaction to his words. Was she angry? Disappointed? Expecting this? He couldn't be sure, but he wasn't going to apologize. As much of an enigma - and an inconsistent enigma at that - as he was, there were some things about him she could always take to the bank, and one of those was he would always be there and he would always want her. No matter how twisted he was - they were - that wouldn't change.

No, he said with a shake of his head as she asked if he would want her any other way. There was something primal and intoxicating about being with her and it appealed to all the worst parts of him. All the parts that had taken over and now ruled the majority of his actions.

He gave the faintest grin as she talked about how their home would be. It was precisely what he'd told her that day on Junction, even if (at the time) he'd had no idea they would be married so soon after. He sipped his wine as well, silent for a moment. All your worst parts that you don't want the rest of your family to see will always have a place there. Somewhere safe where you never have to pretend to be something you're not, he said. It was the unique quality to their relationship. No other place could they be as raw as they were when they were together.

His fingers reached across to her hand, tracing the veins and tendons on the top of her hand as he spoke. I want it all, he said, looking up at her eyes now with an almost animalistic fire in his eyes.

 

[Andraste]

Andraste couldn’t help but grin at him, knowing that they were dipping back into their familiar elements. There were few places that they could find common grounds, and their relationship was entirely unique. She believed his first love was the Empire, and then her. There was no room for anything else, and it would remain that way. Andraste closed her eyes, imagining their home just the way he described it.

“Do you remember back when I used to fear it? The first time it ever manifested?” She was referring to the warehouse when she had been a teen still. The monster had existed even then and it came out and made an appearance. He could have turned her in then, could have had her exiled. It had been far before he had ever been in love with her, and yet something stayed his hand. She looked at him again, feeling his hand above hers.

She saw the hunger in his eyes and couldn’t help but chuckle, “Come on, let’s not turn this into that one time at Svallos’ palace,” That wasn’t a memory she would forget anytime soon. After their bill was paid, she rose from her seat, looping her arm through his. The entire restaurant collectively heaved a sigh of relief as they left, which only served to make her laugh.

“So take me to where you had in mind,” Andraste looked at Kravos, “I know you. You’ve done every single bit of research before I ever showed up here and before I ever gave you an answer.”

 

[Darth Kravos]

He gave a nod as she asked if he remembered when her darkness had first manifested. Things had changed completely since then, but there was a part of him that wondered if it still scared her a bit. Perhaps not in herself anymore, but in him at least. He'd seen the way she had looked at him after some of the things he had done and he couldn't blame her. He'd long ago resigned himself to playing the part of the monster for the Empire, and what was scariest about it was that he was exceptional at it.

Of course I remember, he said. It had been unnerving at the time for both of them. The two had begun walking a path that had led them here. In a way, it had all begun there in that half-forgotten warehouse. He could have turned her in, but he hadn't. How much different would things be now? He certainly wouldn't be here. And he wouldn't have changed his decision.

The thought had crossed my mind, he admitted as she referenced what had happened in Svallos's palace. But I decided perhaps this wasn't the time. Besides, don't pretend you didn't enjoy yourself, he said with a knowing look as he rose and took her arm in his and led her toward the turbolift.

You know me so well, he told her as she said he no doubt had somewhere in mind. As the turbolift began its descent, he gave her a kiss before leaning back with an ironic smile. I think you make people uncomfortable, he said as he referenced the almost palpable tension that had dissipated quickly when they left. He said it specifically for the irony that if either of them was the more - at least physically - obvious issue, it was him. But of course, he was going to shift it onto her.

He led the way to their vehicle parked below and it quickly tore off into the night to their destination.

---​

The location they stopped at was a massive skyrise that seemed to reach up into space itself. It had an exquisite view of upper Taris and Kravos had... well, he'd not booked a realtor for them quite yet. He wanted the two of them to be able to see it on their own and had spent a considerable sum to let it be shown with just the two of them first. Of course, a woman was at the ready nearby to come and tell them everything about the property. She was quite eager to see the multi-million credit penthouse.

I was thinking here, he said as they made it to the upper floor. The words were said almost as if it was no big deal despite the location being obscenely expensive. He was still walking arm in arm with her and glanced down to see her reaction.

 

[Andraste]

Andraste had to grin, “I enjoyed it quite a bit, though it did distract me from talking to the future Grand Mogul of the Hutts,” The notion seemed preposterous now, but she wasn’t surprised at the least. She followed him to the turbolift, nonchalantly humming to herself as she walked past the various people that grew nervous at her presence. It was more awe than it was fear, and that suited her just fine. She knew people didn’t know what to make of her – she was supposed to be evil, and yet the Empire had been known to treat people within it quite well.

She returned the kiss Kravos offered, even pinning him lightly back against the wall of the lift. Some of her desire for him relayed through, and she couldn’t deny she missed him. Andraste tugged lightly on his lower lip as he pulled back, not wanting to separate from him. His words made her laugh, and she eyed him curiously, “Do I make you uncomfortable?”

She followed him towards the penthouse, her eyes widening, “This entire floor?” She gasped in surprise, taking it all in. She may have had the Grand Count palace or even the palace on Korriban, but none of those places were truly private. Andraste took in sight of the city scape and the gorgeous views all around. To think that she could have this all with just Kravos was breathtaking.

She grasped his hand and gave it a squeeze, “I love it, Kal,” She smiled as she took it all in. After a moment, she turned to look at him, “Will you truly be here to enjoy it? I only want to do this if you’ll come home to me.”

 

[Darth Kravos]

The Dark Lord smiled slightly as she asked if she made him uncomfortable. Always and never, he said. It was the perfect illustration of their relationship. She managed to infuriate him and drive him crazy. Both unnerve him and drive him mad with desire all at the same time. He wouldn't have changed the contradictions one bit if he could. She was every bit the perfect woman for him.

He could tell she wanted him as he wanted her. He savored the kiss and her possessive actions. It made his heart beat just a bit harder and lit a fire inside him. He had missed her so much more than he had even realized.

As she looked out at the room that would be theirs, he watched her every movement and reaction. He wanted to know what she thought of it. He didn't want anything sugar coated or different than her true thoughts. This entire floor, he said with a nod and pointed to the half-floor just above them, And the second floor. He liked his privacy and it was nice to be able to pick a location where he didn't have to worry about responsibility. As much time as he spent at Junction, it wasn't a home. It was a base and a place where he had constant work hanging over him.

She made her way toward him and grasped his hand with a smile. He turned to stand face to face with her, taking both of her hands in his and looking down to meet her gaze. I will, he said with a nod. If you are, he added. If she wasn't here with him then there was nothing for him except a nice view. She was what would make it his home. I want to be with you. Away from everything and everyone else. Can we do that? he asked her.

He leaned down and kissed her, longer this time and more passionately. His hands came up to either side of her face. I want to come back to you. To us, he told her after a long moment.

 

[Andraste]

“And the second floor?” She marveled as she looked up, taking it all in. He had really outdone himself this time. Andraste had to take the time to walk around and really appreciate how stunning the place was. He had put a lot of thought into this, and it had all been without her really giving any input. She came back around and grasped his hands by the time she spoke, and she heard him speak in turn. As she looked at him, she saw the passion in his eyes, the conviction in his words.

“Then be with me,” She murmured as she leaned into his kiss, grasping fistfuls of his hair. Andraste wasn’t apologetic about her actions, and she pressed closer to him, “We can do it,” She reassured him, “All you’ve needed to do was ask,” In many ways it was true, “All you needed to do was demand. I signed my life over to you, did I not?” Andraste clutched his hair as she traced kisses down the side of his jawline and down towards his neck, “You need only ask for that which you are already owed.”

She didn’t stop there, pushing him back onto the sofa that was behind him. Andraste hiked her dress up so she could bring her legs up to sit on his lap, facing him. She pinned him against the headrest behind him, leaning in to capture his lips again in a passionate and deep kiss. It was a testament to how much she yearned for him, and he wasn’t alone in that. She didn’t care that they didn’t own this home yet, and she didn’t care that they were fighting only moments prior. All of those thoughts left her mind as she pressed against him and had this moment where she had him to herself without anything getting in the way.

 

[Darth Kravos]

Theme (Explicit)​

Kravos was thoroughly pleased with her reaction to what he had done. He had put a fair amount of time into finding this apartment and making sure it had everything he wanted. Bringing her here had been something he was unsure of, but it was clear she loved it as much as he did. It was their space and for them alone.

Her words were intoxicating to him. She had that affect on him in a way that no one else could or ever would. Their relationship had always had a raging passion and he was fairly certain that that was part of why they always fought so often, but they always came back together. I'm going to have you, he finally said. It wasn't a question, it was the demand she referenced and he wouldn't take "no" for an answer.

He savored the feeling of her lips traveling down his jaw as his hands ran up her sides. A moment later, he was back on the sofa, watching as she climbed atop him. His eyes traveled over her pale skin before she leaned down to recapture his lips. Something inside of him snapped and his fingers clawed into the back of her dress, pulling her up against him. He kissed her with wild passion, savoring the taste of her in his mouth and fully exploring her.

You are always mine, he said between kisses, gasping for breath. He had known he missed her, but every touch brought back the memory of just how much he had missed her. All at once he began to hate the months that they spent apart. I don't want to be separated, he told her as his lips began to trace down to the base of her neck. It was the sum of what he felt: he didn't want to be separated from her for months at a time. Even if they had an Empire to tend to he wanted to do it side-by-side not across the galaxy from each other.