Ask Misadventures

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc was surprised at the boldness Jaikus displayed, though it reminded him exactly why he was so drawn to the man. He still felt that pang from where Jaikus bit his lip, deciding that he wanted more of that. Jaikus would also see the slight look of surprise on Emryc’s face when he casually groped him. Emryc was clearly not used to others being bold with him like this unexpectedly. But then in many ways Jaikus was like that from day one even the first time they met on Serenno.

In fact, as if to give a subtle nod to that day, the Force coiled around Jaikus’ neck as Emryc kissed him. He followed up by returning the favor from earlier and biting hard into the man’s lip, holding it to nibble against it before releasing again. He released the Force hold right before Jaikus spoke about how Emryc liked him being loud, a grin gracing the half Sephi’s face, “I love it, in fact,” He murmured quietly. He paused briefly before he continued, "And I love it when you get a little demanding."

Emryc leaned in when Jaikus moved to kiss him again, never getting enough of the man. One hand traveled down his back, gently tracing over his rear instead of grabbing possessively as he normally would. When Jaikus stepped back, Emryc was about to mention the ruins when the other man abruptly tugged him down. As usual, Emryc purposely didn’t resist, dropping on the ground directly beside Jaikus. For a moment he blinked up at the sky which appeared that much closer. Wisps of cloud hovered close above them as fog.

The half Sephi tilted his head to look at Jaikus when he mentioned he had liked it. It was reassurance he didn’t even know he needed, especially as he was still surprised at his own actions. Emryc rolled over so he hovered slightly above the other man, gazing down at him. He grinned at his words, “Nonsense,” He answered, “I’m a gentleman. I’ll carry you across of course,” Emryc made no move to get up, however, simply enjoying this quiet moment seemingly away from everything.

It wasn’t Emryc’s nature to talk just to fill space. As he stared at Jaikus, there were many things swirling through his mind. For that moment, he simply focused on the emeralds and the way the sun reflected against them. He could simply lay here and kiss the man for hours even if the mountain floated up and away into space.

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

Jaikus couldn’t help but smile just then, catching the clear look of surprise that was plastered across the half-Sephi’s face in response. The casual groping was a bold move, and yet it was one that he gave no deeper thought. It was an almost possessive gesture that the Axxilan did almost instinctively, pushing back any preconceived roles that the half-Sephi might've been accustomed to.

The Axxilan let out a small gasp when he felt the Force coil around his throat, his hot breath brushing against the other man’s lips. He immediately recognized the move from all those months ago on Serenno, and couldn’t help but grip the back of the half-Sephi’s head a bit firmer in response. The bite to his bottom-lip sent a jolt through the Axxilan’s body just as well, causing his heart being just a bit faster in his chest. Since the hospital, it was a gesture that Jaikus had increasingly come to enjoy.

He listened as spoke, a grin tugging at the corners of his lips. He pressed into the kiss for a moment longer before speaking. “Maybe I ought to be demanding more often then,” He growled the words, leaning down to kiss briefly against the half-Sephi’s neck. He trailed kisses for a moment, grazing his teeth gently. “Show you how much I want you.”

When Emryc rolled over to hover above him, Jaikus moved to wrap both arms loosely around the back of the half-Sephi’s neck. It was a move that was came almost instinctive by this point, and one that came completely naturally - as if his hand had always belonged there. Despite the very matter-of-fact way that the half-Sephi spoke, Jaikus couldn’t help but smile a bit wider when he heard Emryc say that he would carry Jaikus, a subtle red tinge brushing against his cheeks. “Will you now?” He raised a brow, a mischievousness burning in his eyes.

“Just as long as you don’t throw me into the water this time.” He quipped, playfully making reference to the last time Emryc carried him, back on Telos.

There was a long pause as the two of them laid back on the grass, and Jaikus didn’t immediately rush to fill the voice. For a few moments, the Axxilan wanted to do nothing but stare up at the man before him – cherishing the feeling of being wrapped in his arms. The ruins and everything else in the galaxy seemed so distant just then, thoroughly unimportant when compared to the current moment. Hours could pass and the Axxilan would want to remain exactly where he was.

A thousand different thoughts raced in the man’s mind in that moment. A few more moments would pass, and Jaikus finally shifted from where he was laying. He propped himself up on his elbows, leaning up to meet capture the half-Sephi’s lips. His hand shifted from the back of Emryc’s neck, coming to tenderly cup the man’s cheek.

“You make me happier than I can put into words, Emryc,” His eyes briefly closing as he spoke, a tenderness lacing his every word. “Almost losing you back there..” The Axxilan paused, once more pressing his forehead against the half-Sephi’s. “..Was my worst nightmare made a reality.”

@Sreeya

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc blinked at the flush on Jaikus’ face. Carrying him across seemed like the obvious course of action, and he wasn’t sure why it invoked any kind of reaction at all. He simply stared at Jaikus, clearly perplexed. His expression shifted to a smile at the memory of tossing him in the frigid lake. That day seemed so far away now, and it had been when he first heard that ridiculous laugh. That laugh that made him smile involuntarily behind his mask.

He had gotten entirely comfortable and familiar with the feeling of Jaikus’ arms around his neck. Every way the other man held him felt as if that’s where Emryc belonged. He was taken out of his thoughts when Jaikus leaned up to kiss him again and he happily obliged. He didn’t miss how everything felt much more tender and affectionate between them lately. Emryc didn’t realize when that shift occurred, but it was one he wanted to submit to time and time again.

Yellow tinted silvers gazed down at Jaikus as he spoke, the normal blank expression replaced by hints of surprise. For a moment, Emryc said nothing, staring silently down at Jaikus as the other man cupped his face. He thought back to when he had been falling into the chasm, and the sliver of terror he felt. But that terror was only short lived. Because he had seen Jaikus tossed safely onto the ledge. He had felt an odd sense of calm even as he frantically attempted to slow his descent.

The half Sephi’s reaction likely would have surprised Jaikus as their foreheads touched. Emryc grinned, chuckling softly, “You’ve been dragging me back from death since our first adventure together,” He recalled Telos where he failed to make the jump and Jaikus had jumped down with him, he recalled when he had been kidnapped and Jaikus tore through the bounty hunting haven and he had a strong suspicion he was alive even today because of the other man. He would never forget those eyes and the way the Force hummed within Jaikus in its unbridled glory.

Emryc pulled back slightly to gaze down at the Axxilan, “Since when did it become your worst nightmare?” He quipped lightheartedly with a grin, clearly not as concerned about his own fate as the other man was.

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

True to his nature, Jaikus had been entirely genuine and candid when he spoke. Though the anxiety of that moment had long passed by this point, it was clearly something that stuck with the Axxilan even now – unable to compartmentalize such things in the same way that the half-Sephi often did. The thought of losing Emryc was one that cut deeper than he could ever imagine, wounding him in ways that no physical weapon could. It was a sense of dread that eclipsed anything he had felt since meeting the man on Serenno.

While Jaikus wasn’t entirely sure how the half-Sephi would respond to what he’d said, the reaction he’d received certainly surprised him. Emerald eyes fluttered open, suddenly a bit wider than usual as he stare up at the man, noting the grin plastered across Emryc’s face and the way he chuckled. He blinked a few times in response, listening as the half-Sephi spoke.

The Axxilan blinked a few more times, though a grin progressively began to tug at his lips. “Yes, well.. Your wonderful little habit of falling from damn-near every ledge we encounter certainly has something to do with that.” He chuckled softly. Jaikus was completely aware of the irony of that statement, given his own clumsy habits, but didn’t seem deterred.

Despite his lighthearted quip, Jaikus couldn't help but he drawn back their past adventures - still clueless to what had truly occurred back at the cave. He thought back to the moment when Emryc has missed the ledge on Telos, and how he had jumped down after the man without a second thought. He thought back to holding the half-Sephi, blooded and unconscious, when the darkness and the creatures seemed to be closing in all around them. He thought back to each and every time that the two of them had brushed with death since Telos.

Despite constantly seeming to find themselves in such situations, the half-Sephi's most recent brush with death by far the closest, and was one that stuck with Jaikus above the others, effecting him in ways he never expected.

Jaikus tilted his head slightly when Emryc pulled back, a faint smile still brushing against his lips. The Axxilan lingered on the last question the half-Sephi had asked, silent for a few moments after that. Without warning, Jaikus abruptly pulled used his arms to pull himself up off the ground, grabbing hold of Emryc. Just as he had done back at the campsite, the Axxilan shoved his entire weight against the half-Sephi, hooking his leg as he rolled to the left. Catching the man off guard, Jaikus rolled until he loomed over the top of Emryc, legs planted on the ground on either side of the man’s torso. Jaikus placed his hands firmly onto the Half-Sephi’s shoulders just then, using a bit of his weight to hold him there.

Despite the rather compromising position, there was something different that burned behind those emeralds. There was a tender, affectionate look in his eyes, meeting those yellow-tinted silvers with characteristically unwavering intensity. Jaikus leaned down just then, his face lingered a few inches from the half-Sephi.

“Since I realized, that you mean the galaxy to me.”

@Sreeya

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc was caught off guard when Jaikus abruptly spun them around. The half Sephi actually looked to the side to see if Jaikus was accidentally rolling them off the edge of the cliff entirely. He relaxed when he confirmed they weren’t in any danger before looking back at the other man. The surprise was clear on his face, though it was no secret that this was certainly a view Emryc had grown to enjoy quite a bit. His hands came up to graze along the sides of Jaikus’ bare thighs.

While initially he wondered if Jaikus was already, to his surprise, ready to go again, he could see this was something else entirely. Emryc saw the tenderness in his eyes and an expression that suggested this was no trivial matter. Jaikus was entirely serious, pressing down on Emryc and keeping him in place and ensuring he had his full attention.

The half Sephi was dead silent when Jaikus spoke, blinking a few times. The words repeated in his mind several times over. His heart began to pound against his chest and he appeared at a loss for words. Jaikus lingered on Emryc’s mind far more than he ever cared to admit. The man found a way to weave past all his barriers even when Emryc thought this was an avenue he didn’t want to explore. He had been reeling from the entire chapter that came before this, and yet somehow he naturally found himself desiring Jaikus in all the ways he could desire another.

While Emryc tended to blurt things out here and there without thinking about it, he was at a loss now when facing it directly. Jaikus would see the half Sephi’s face take on that red tint again as he blinked a few more times. Emryc cleared his throat, his heart still pounding against his chest.

“Well..” He muttered quietly, still surprised from the words, “..What do you intend to do about that?”

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

Jaikus was silently pleased to have caught Emryc off guard, successful in rolling the man over and pinning him below. While the half-Sephi was more than capable of overpowering the Axxilan at any point, a growing part of Jaikus knew that by now, that wasn’t going to happen.

He felt the grazing along the sides of his thighs, a gesture that elicited clear goosebumps along the Axxilan’s still-bare skin and caused his heart to be a little bit faster. It was a touch that he had come to crave from the other man, and it was clearly one that he enjoyed now. For the moment, though, Jaikus did not reciprocate with any teasing of his own - his demeanor serious yet tender.

He pressed his weight down onto the half-Sephi’s shoulders, intent on maintaining the man’s full attention for the time being. Instead of immediately going at it again like Emryc initially thought, Jaikus leaned in close and spoke those simple-yet-profound words – genuine and unwavering as he always was.In ways that Jaikus could never have predicted, Emryc had come to occupy a place within the man’s heart. More and more, the man lingered on Jaikus’ mind, where the thought of departing seemed agonizing, and he longed for every moment spent together. The half-Sephi brought out a side of him that few people every saw, breaking past any noble demeanor or practiced persona.

The Axxilan had been truthful when he told Emryc that he made him happy, one of the few people truly did.

As he spoke, Jaikus met the half-Sephi’s eyes with unwavering intensity – not once looking away as he spoke. The ruins and any other reason for coming to this strange planet were forgotten, melting away into a distant memory. Jaikus could clearly hear the irritated bleating of Mr. Goat off in the distance, who was very clearly getting tired of the two men taking centuries to reach the temple, and yet paid it no mind. The world could collapse all around them and the mountains around them could fall from the sky, and none of that would urge Jaikus to look anywhere but those yellow-tinted silvers.

He blinked a few times after he spoke, staring down at the half-Sephi for a moment. Jaikus could tell the man was at a loss for words, and he clearly noted the red tint that burned against the half-Sephi’s cheeks, knowing damn-well that it had nothing to do with the cold. When the man finally responded, the Axxilan didn’t response immediately.

Without warning, Jaikus finally leaned down to close that last bit of distance between them – pressing his lips to Emryc’s. He lingered there for a long while, savoring the tender embrace and the taste of the other man against his lips. When Jaikus finally pulled back from their embrace, he took a moment to gaze down at the half-Sephi beneath him – emerald eyes glinting and a smile brushing against his lips.

“What do I intend to do about that..” He repeated, his voice soft and gentle.

“I once told you, that I would gladly take any door of its hinges.” He began, once more pressing his forehead lovingly against the half-Sephi’s in their usual gesture of affection. He kept one hand firmly pressed against the half-Sephi’s shoulder, while the other lifted away to find the half-Sephi’s own. He laced their fingers together firmly. “You mean the galaxy to me, you make me happy in ways no one else does, and I want to be with you, Emryc. Unapologetically, and with my whole self.” He paused, exhaling against the other man’s lips. “To be yours and not look back.”

He drew back for a moment, pausing to gaze down at those yellow-tinted silvers. “If that is something you want too.”

@Sreeya

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc knew his response was not the best. Ever since the Raze and Emryc merge, he was far more aware of when he was saying nonsense things. Raze had a lot of flaws, but that side of him was a straight shooter and didn’t suffer any bullshit. Emryc spoke bullshit, Raze didn’t. His jumbled mess of a reply had Raze internally scoffing at him and he just knew it. Externally the half Sephi blinked several more times, just waiting for Jaikis to roll his eyes and slide off. To lose his patience.

However, the man simply stared back, fire in those emeralds as they refused to look away. Emryc could still feel the pressure against his shoulders from the way Jaikus gripped him. The Axxilan always knew what he wanted, and he knew how to give voice to it. He knew a lot of things were running through his mind right then, and the same held true for Emryc. His chest rose and fell, his heart still beating rapidly as he eyed the other man. The yellow tint never left his eyes, glinting under the sunlight as a reminder that the monster Jaikus faced was never truly gone. The Axxilan knew exactly who he was looking at as he thought about his choices and what to say next.

Jaikus leaned in to kiss then and Emryc embraced the man close, taking a long moment to savor that taste. Sensitive ears meant he could hear Mr. Goat that much more clearly in the background and he actively tuned it out. Emryc couldn’t help the way his body reacted as he passionately kissed the other man, his hand traveling up Jaikus’ thigh. The half Sephi blinked up at him when he pulled back, listening to him as he finally spoke.

His mind immediately went back to that lake on Keldooine. He thought about when Jaikus mentioned taking the door off the hinges even when Emryc had spelled out that he was a monster. Jaikus, more than perhaps anyone else in his life, understood the volatile nature of Raze if he were ever unchained. Jaikus, more than anyone else, knew to respect Raze but to keep a distance. Jaikus, unlike the others, didn’t seek to draw Raze out because he understood that he was a monster. The Axxilan had never made demands of him, had only mentioned what was on his mind. As he did the same once more, Emryc quietly listened.

There was a moment of silence after Jaikus finished speaking, Emryc’s expression difficult to read. His fingers were entwined with Jaikus’, yellowed silvers gazing into emeralds. The half Sephi reflected on the words for a long moment, seconds ticking by. Mr. Goat bleated angrily and distracted himself by eating all the grass around the ruin entrance.

Emryc finally moved, at last pushing back against how Jaikus had him pressed down. It was a testament to how easily the half Sephi could overpower him if he ever wished. Emryc moved to sit up, gazing down at the other man that was now on his lap with his legs still around him. The half Sephi’s free arm was loosely wrapped around Jaikus’ torso. Emryc grinned faintly as he looked at him.

“Are you asking me out, Mr. Altaris?” He asked for no reason than to see the inevitable flush to the Axxilan’s face. Emryc lifted Jaikus' chin slightly and leaned in to steal a quick kiss, never getting enough of it. He drew back and exhaled softly, staring into the other man’s eyes.

There was a time when the words would have terrified him. He had expected ugly memories and pain to come flooding, but they didn’t. It was just this moment right here with Jaikus and nothing else. His own internal thoughts surprised him. Barriers he thought were there were nowhere to be seen. Anxieties he expected never surfaced. The disgust he expected from Raze didn’t manifest. Because the two sides had enough of an understanding of one another now.

“I do want it,” He said finally, after a while. He pulled the man close, raising their entwined fingers to kiss his knuckles. Emryc’s gaze was lowered for a moment as he murmured quietly, “....And I want to be yours….only yours…” When he looked up there was a curious expression on his face. Clearly he hadn’t expected himself to say those words. They were words he had never uttered once for as long as he had been alive. And yet they spilled out so easily for this man. This man that came out of nowhere and tore every door off their hinges before Emryc ever knew what hit him. This man that to Emryc became something he never had before, had never known he craved so much before, and who was everything the half Sephi needed and desired. And Emryc wasn’t afraid to admit that to himself. And he wasn’t afraid to admit that aloud to Jaikus.

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

Despite whatever self-doubts Emryc might’ve had, Jaikus didn’t at all seem perturbed by his fumbled response. His face never change, emerald eyes fixated onto yellow-tinted silvers as if the rest of the world around them had ceased to exist. Even as Emryc spoke a jumbled mess of a reply, Jaikus couldn’t help but smile down at him – a look of genuine affection burning behind those emeralds. It didn’t seem to matter how the half-Sephi seemed to fumble his response, and for him the Axxilan had all the patience in the Galaxy.

True to himself, when Jaikus spoke, he did so exactly how he felt and without reservations – a sense of tenderness seeming to lace each and every softly spoken word. A thousand and one different thoughts seemed to race through his mind, and yet he let the words pour passed his lips without giving them any additional consideration. Though it had taken him since Telos to fully figure out, he knew how he felt about the other man, and he knew exactly what he wanted to say.

There was a clear moment of silence after he finished speaking, Emryc’s face difficult to read. Internally, Jaikus wasn’t sure how the half-Sephi would react to his words. After their conversation at the hospital, the Axxilan knew about everything that had happened between Emryc and Morgan. He knew the highlights and the pitfalls of that relationship, the beautiful and the ugly. Most of all, he knew where everything had gone wrong in that chapter of the half-Sephi’s life, and the pain that Emryc had suffered as a result.

Not once since they had met had Jaikus compartmentalized or hidden his true feelings. He had been unapologetic and genuine every step of the way, and that certainly was true now. Even still, Jaikus knew that this was uncharted territory between them. He stood firm, and yet a part of him braced for whatever reaction his words would elicit, preparing to see Emryc recoil away from what had been said, or withdraw back into himself.

Instead, Jaikus felt as Emryc easily lifted himself up off the ground, sitting up with the Axxilan still positioned in his lap. It was a testament to the half-Sephi’s physical strength, but most of all it was a testament to the fact that he had allowed the Axxilan to keep him there – willingly listened to everything he had to say. With their shifted position, Jaikus once more brought a hand to wrap loosely around the half-Sephi’s neck. His fingers coiled gently within the man’s hair, keeping their faces mere inches from each other through it all.

Comfortably sat within the man’s lap, Jaikus took a moment to stare at the half-Sephi. He noted the grin that brushed against Emryc’s lips, and when the man finally spoke for the first time emerald eyes widened slightly in response. The question was clearly one that caught the Axxilan off guard, a flush of dark crimson suddenly burning against his cheeks. For all of his confidence and boldness, Emryc had an uncanny ability of leaving the Axxilan completely flustered, rendering him incapable of response.

Jaikus opened his mouth to speak, though fell silent when Emryc titled his chin upwards, leaning in to steal a kiss. Emerald eyes fluttered closed in that moment, tenderly pressing into the half-Sephi for a moment. He stared when the half-Sephi pulled back, listening when the man finally spoke his response.

It was then Jaikus turn to be silent for a moment. Emerald eyes never broke contact with yellow-tinted silvers, silently staring as the evening sun seemed to glow against the man’s molted iris’. In the distance, Jaikus heard every angry bleat from Mr. Goat, and yet he didn’t seem to pay attention to it. He didn’t want to think about anything but this moment, or anyone but the half-Sephi before him now. He clearly noted the curious look on Emryc’s face, as if he had been as surprised by the words as Jaikus. The Axxilan couldn’t help but smile wide just then – genuine warmth and happiness reflected behind that expression - one that only Emryc had been successful in drawing out of him.

After a pause, Jaikus finally moved. He squeezed the half-Sephi’s hand tightly, tilting his head to capture the man’s lips once more. It was an embrace that Jaikus was in no rush to end prematurely, the grip on the back of the half-Sephi’s neck tightening a bit almost possessively, exhaling softly into the other man’s mouth. When he finally broke the connection, he did so only long enough to speak, a smile brushing against his lips as he pressed his forehead to Emryc. “Then I’m yours, Emryc Thorne.” He whispered, exhaling softly against the other man’s lips.

“Only yours.”

He paused there for a long moment before leaning back in, stealing another quick kiss - clearly something he could never get enough of from the half-Sephi. Those simple words seemed to replay in Jaikus’ mind over and over again, causing his cheeks to burn bright and his heart to thunder against his chest. They were words he did not expect to hear, and they were words that filled him with delight in ways he couldn’t explain.

The Axxilan lingered against the half-Sephi's lips for only a moment more before pulling away, instead beginning to kiss along the side of Emryc's face and neck. He grazed his teeth against the skin lightly, moving upwards until he reached the man's sensitive ear. Without warning, Jaikus tilted his head forward, biting down gently and nibbling on the fluted earlobe. There was a renewed fire in his eyes, a grin once more tugging at the corners of his lips. The hand on the back of Emryc's neck slide downward, fingernails dragging across the skin.

He spoke softly, his voice vibrating against that sensitive ear. "Since you plan on carrying me anyway, maybe the ruins can wait just a bit longer."

@Sreeya

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc couldn’t help but smile when Jaikus had that familiar flush on his face. Clearly it was a game both men liked playing against one another to invoke that. He held Jaikus a little bit tighter, letting him know with unspoken words just how cherished he was. The half Sephi had countless flaws. Half of him was an unfeeling monster. And yet even that part was channeled into desiring the Axxilan in every way he knew how. His previous experiences had taught him how to accept and understand this, but he hadn’t known then that it had been for Jaikus.

He was largely silent as he saw the expressions play out on Jaikus’ face, catching that wide smile that always filled him with warmth. Everything those cheesy Holomovies depicted that he never watched suddenly came true whenever he was with this man. Emryc entwined their fingers, leaning into every kiss that Jaikus wanted.

The man’s words echoed within his mind, manifesting into reality what had only been lingering vaguely in his thoughts. His own desire to be entirely monogamous was a complete surprise to him, and he was still not entirely sure what it was about Jaikus that incited that shift. He simply knew, both as Raze and Emryc, that there was no desire physically or otherwise to be with anyone else.

When Jaikus began to move near his ear, Emryc groaned softly, “Jai you know what that does…” His tone was almost a pleading one, wondering if Jaikus was intent on simply teasing him. His body shifted and reacted almost at once as the bite came against his ear, the Axxilan nibbling against it. Emryc’s body arched the slightest bit, feeling a weakness and strength in himself all at once. His ears were exceptionally sensitive and his weakness in many ways. Emryc went almost limp in Jaikus’ arms, though desire burned hotter than ever.

However, Emryc didn’t act until Jaikus finally spoke. The half Sephi’s ear twitched against the sensual attention it was getting as he moved his hand to slide up Jaikus’ back. His fingers curled into Jaikus’ hair, tugging his head back so he looked up at the sky. Emryc leaned in to kiss along his jawline before tracing them down to his collarbone. His other hand withdrew from holding Jaikus’, sliding down the front of the man’s torso. Emryc didn’t stop there, continuing down below the waist as he pressed himself closer to the Axxilan. He grasped and maneuvered as he pleased, leaning forth to continue his kisses as he kept Jaikus tilted slightly back with a firm grip on his hair. As he prepared to experience Jaikus for the first time when the man was his.

The ruins could wait.

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

In that moment, Jaikus couldn’t help but smile in that wide, ridiculous way – emerald eyes glinting bright against the gentle rays of sunlight. Those simple-yet-profound words seemed echoed and repeated in his mind, drowning out every other thought and filling him with warmth in ways that nothing physical ever could. It never seemed to matter what they were doing, so long as they were together. In ways Jaikus couldn’t explain, the problems of the galaxy seemed to fade away whenever Emryc was near.

It was something that Jaikus had never expected when he met the man all those months ago back on Serenno, and in many ways it surprised him even now. In those moments together, Jaikus had come to cherish the half-Sephi in ways he couldn’t quite put into words. He desired the half-Sephi in all the ways that he could desire someone. To be with the man – to call Emryc his and have him do the same – was something that made the Axxilan happier than he ever thought it would.

When Jaikus finally broke from their tender embrace and began to work his way along the half-Sephi’s neck, there was something different that glinted behind those emeralds. Renewed desire burned in his eyes and laced into each bold action, intent on showing the half-Sephi just how much Jaikus wanted him.

The Axxilan couldn’t help but grinned devilishly when he heard the pleading tone of the half-Sephi’s voice. He knew exactly what he was doing when he honed in on Emryc’s ear, having long-since realized that little weakness. He distinctly felt every reaction that manifested across the half-Sephi’s body, each those soft groans serving to encourage his actions. “I do..” He whispered, his hot breath fanning out across the Emryc’s olive-tinted skin.

Jaikus gasped lightly when Emryc gripped his hair tugged his head back, his breath manifesting as a cloud of pale frost as it passed his lips. It was a gesture that caused the Axxilan’s heart to thunder a bit faster in his chest, the red tint never seeming to fade from his cheeks. Each and every kiss seemed to send a jolt across his skin, and his breath seemed to quicken in response. He felt as Emryc’s hand dipped low and grasped, eliciting a soft moan from the Axxilan in response. It was a gesture that elicited an obvious reaction from the Axxilan, his entire body shifting with anticipation and burning desire. Desire for a man that was, for the first time, his.

He kept his eyes trained up to the sky, watching as the hazy clouds drifted past. “Emryc..”

---​

While Jaikus certainly hadn’t been in a rush to get to the ruins thus far, by this point the Axxilan could only be described as positively lethargic. He had only been half-serious about being carried the rest of the way to the ruins, but at this point, he wouldn’t have objected if Emryc lived up to the promise.

Ever conscious of the cliff nearby, the two of them hadn’t traveled far from that particular patch of grass where the Axxilan had pulled them down originally. By this point, Jaikus was once more sprawled out on top of the half-Sephi, laying his chest pressed to the man – having long-since abandoned his shirt. There was a clear sheen of sweat that lined his skin, his body still burning hot despite the frigid temperatures.

For a long moment, the Axxilan seemed content to do nothing but lay exactly where he was, listening to the gentle rise-and-fall of the half-Sephi’s chest and having yet to quite separate from him. In the distance, the protests of Mr. Goat had grown significantly more demanding – the animal clearly irritated that the two of them had yet to make their way over to the mountain’s summit. The sound seemed to carry for miles over the mountains, yet the Axxilan barely seemed to notice the rage-filled bleating.

Almost begrudgingly, Jaikus finally moved after a few more seconds, lifting his head up off the half-Sephi’s torso. He leaned forward, planting lazy kisses along the curvature of the man’s chest and trailing upwards, crossing the man’s collarbone and finally arriving at his neck.

The Axxilan zero’ed in on bite-mark that had been left against the Emryc’s flesh. He gave extra attention to that spot in particular, running his togue across the bruise and planting a few tender kisses to the skin.

He finally tilted his head up to meet those yellow-tinted silvers. “Seems I’ve cut into your very busy schedule after all.” Jaikus spoke, a playful grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.

@Sreeya

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc was surprised, but entirely pleased that Jaikus was up for this again. He was also exhausted, though not as sweat lined as the other man this time. His chest slowly rose and fell, and for a moment he laid there with his eyes closed. His breath exhaled into soft wisps of smoke from the chill. He was missing his shirt as well, his arms loosely wrapped around Jaikus. His hands lazily trailed up and down along his back, fingers tracing along the curve of his spine.

He felt Jaikus finally shift, trailing kisses up his chest and towards his neck. Emryc groaned softly as Jaikus teased the bite mark with his tongue, followed by feathery kisses. His hands traveled further down the Axxilan’s back, tracing over his rear where he playfully gripped him. Emryc opened his eyes at last, grinning up at the sky.

“Well I’ve cleared out my entire schedule for you,” He said quietly, his mind reflecting on the many surprising ways that was suddenly true. Emryc brought his hands up to rest along the Axxilan's hips, shifting his own a bit just to tease the man. He tilted his head slightly to kiss along the side of Jaikus’ jaw, affectionate and light.

He pulled back to gaze up at the emeralds again. Emryc drew one of his hands back to brush aside one of the curls that fell over Jaikus’ eyes. He gazed at the man for a moment, his face difficult to read then.

“I wish to be with you as Emryc Thorne,” He said after a while. Both men knew exactly how much weight that name carried across the galaxy now. This was new and dangerous territory for him, but he knew he wanted it, “It...may bring scrutiny on you,” Emryc exhaled, looking away, “So I understand if you’d rather keep it discreet,” He could never been seen openly affiliating with Sith after all. It would have to be Jaikus making the adjustments. He knew it was selfish of him to even ask.

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

Jaikus lingered on the half-Sephi’s neck for a while, affectionately giving attention to the mark that he had left against the man’s skin. He felt as the half-Sehi’s hands moved across his still-bare figure, and couldn’t help but gaze up at the man playfully, exhaling softly against the skin when Emryc shifted his hips. It was a gesture that got a clear reaction from the Axxilan, and he immediately reciprocated by rolling his own hips lightly, grinding his body against the half-Sephi.

Instead of taking it any further, Emryc spoke, and the words brought a brief flush of red to the Axxilan’s cheeks. He knew it was a statement that was true in more ways than one, and Jaikus couldn’t help but smile warmly in response. He tilted his head slightly, leaning into each kiss that the half-Sephi planted against his jaw.

The Axxilan couldn’t help but giggle softly when Emryc reached up, brushing away one of those loose ringlets of hair. His mind was instantly transported back to a time when the sight of it wouldn’t given the Axxilan up a wall, immediately rushing to fix his dark locks back into their prim-and-proper style. More than with anyone else in his life, Jaikus felt that he could be completely himself around Emryc. While it likely was completely trivial to anyone else, the gesture of wearing his hair naturally was a subtle reflection of that fact.

The Axxilan shifted a bit just then, propping his chin up on Emryc’s chest. It was clear that his full attention on the man when he broke the silence once again, emerald eyes fixating on yellow-tinted silvers.

Jaikus’ face never changed as Emryc spoke, but it was clear that he was paying attention. There was an unspoken understanding of the gravity of what was being said. The Axxilan was not ignorant. He knew the well enough media attention that would come if and when they were seen together. His face was one that would likely be plastered on every tabloid for weeks to come. Normally, such notoriety would’ve been something Jaikus avoided at all costs. And yet, no such anxieties or fears swelled within him.

More than that, Jaikus knew that Emryc could never be seen with a Sith. There were adjustments would need to be made, and they were Jaikus’ to make. Perhaps to Emryc’s surprise, they were adjustments that the Axxilan found himself wanting to make without second thoughts.

In many ways, Jaikus’ devotion to the Sith Order was all he’d ever known. It certainly had been since he had become an acolyte, where every goal and ambition where filtered through the lens of the Sith banner. Even as a boy, his family’s near-religious devotion to the Sith was one that had been ingrained in the Axxilan for as long as he could remember.

And yet it was the exact same Order that Jaikus found himself shying away from in many ways - refusing to take on a more prominent role within the Empire, or allow himself to enter the spotlight, where his talents as a Diplomat could be utilized.

Despite the playful teasing, the title of ‘Moff’ or anything similar was something that twisted knots in Jaikus’ stomach for reasons he couldn’t explain. Emryc spoke of being discreet, and yet more than ever, it was his duties and association with the Sith that Jaikus wished to keep discreet. Not anything he had with the man before him now.

Jaikus stared for a moment, watching as Emryc looked away. Without a word, the Axxilan brought his hand up from the side of the half-Sephi’s torso, cupping the man’s cheek with his palm. Slowly but surely he tilted the man’s face back towards his own, meeting those yellow-tinted silvers with unwavering intensity.

“To hell with being discreet. And to hell with whatever scrutiny I may get.”

He leaned forward, pressing his forehead to Emryc’s lovingly. That wide smile had worked its way back onto the Axxilan’s lips, a sense of determination lacing his every word. “I wish to be with you. As Emryc Thorne.” He paused for a moment, affectionately planting a kiss to the man’s cheek.

“And I’ll face whatever comes, as long as you’re right there with me.”

@Sreeya

 

[Emryc Thorne]

This was all territory he was unfamiliar with, and something he hadn’t desired before. Emryc was always a private man by nature. Media constantly accused him of being overly private about anyone in his social circle outside of his corporate connections. And yet he had no desire to file Jaikus away into the shadows or keep his distance. He adored the man and saw him as an equal, and there was no grand destiny or expectation placed on him. It made Emryc that much more comfortable to be with Jaikus in ways he hadn’t expected.

He gazed back at him when Jaikus tilted his head back, looking into the emeralds that vibrantly spoke far more than his words ever did. Emryc couldn’t help but smile at the fiery response, that stubbornness in the other man something he had grown to cherish. He closed his eyes briefly as their foreheads touched, listening to the Axxilan’s quiet words. He believed them without an ounce of doubt. He knew Jaikus enough to know he was stubbornly resolute in every way. If he stated it, he would back it up in every way he knew how. In many ways Emryc envied him and his unwavering resolve. He embraced his fears just as easily as his passions.

The half Sephi moved without warning, rolling them so he was on top without breaking apart from him. Emryc gazed down at the emeralds, one of his hands digging into the grass to prop himself up, the other sliding along one of Jaikus’ legs to wrap it around his waist. He grinned down at the other man.

“How the fuck do you always get me spitting these cheesy lines?” He couldn’t help but chuckle. Another way Emryc knew Jaikus was different was from the way he drew out the half Sephi’s very informal manner of speaking. He had run in the spice ring circles since he was a teenager and began to talk like them for years. He always toned it down over time into something far more polite and formal. All of that naturally fell away simply from being himself around Jaikus, something that usually couldn’t be drawn out without years of history.

The playful grin remained on his face as he leaned in to kiss Jaikus again. He didn’t stop there, pressing his hips in and beginning to move again. The hand that was resting against Jaikus’ leg traveled around to rest briefly against his stomach before venturing down to below the waist. Mr. Goat screeched in the backgroud and Emryc didn’t care, moving not too unlike the way he did on Serenno but with far more passion and no clothing in the way.

It was a surprise, given the luck the men had, that the weather managed to hold up the entire time. There was no abrupt storm, just sunshine and wisps of clouds with the air carrying a tinge of frost. It felt as if the two had been on that floating platform for hours. Emryc finally extracted himself away from Jaikus, his hair entirely matted and slick with sweat. Both could desperately use a shower, but there were no options nearby. The men had to make do with whatever supplies they had and Emryc began to get dressed again.

He gazed over at the path ahead, the platforms having shifted slightly as they hovered. It was more of a zig-zag than a straight path now. Emryc packed up his backpack and tossed it over his shoulders. He also grabbed Jaikus’ pack and clipped it to his, now carrying both. He stood up and rolled his shoulders and stretched a bit, staring at the journey ahead.

“You good, babe?” He asked casually, not even realizing he used a term of endearment. He was looking down and adjusting his chrono before hopping around on his feet to make sure he was nimble. Carrying all that weight and hopping meant he had to really focus. He called on the Force as well. No fuck ups this time. If he screwed up, they both went down.

Once Jaikus was dressed, Emryc didn’t even give the man a chance to bring up jumping on his own. The half Sephi casually scooped him up bridal style, preferring this far more than having him on his back and tilting his weight backwards. Emryc glanced down at Jaikus with a grin, “Prepare to enjoy a real life experience of those sappy Holomovie scenes you like so much.”

With that, took a running start and leapt off the edge, landing easily on the first platform. He didn’t stop there, getting into a rhythm as he ran and leapt, using the Force to aid his jumps. Once he was jumping, his focus was strictly on what he was doing. He had a firm grip on Jaikus, concentrating on getting them safely across. Visibility grew far worse from the low hanging clouds and he had to pause for a moment to close his eyes and revert to using Force sight.

“Trust me,” He said simply, knowing the other man would see nothing but thick clouds. He held Jaikus a bit tighter, taking a moment to focus. With that, Emryc jumped into the thick clouds, going entirely by the shape he could make out with Force Sight.

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

Jaikus spoke, it was clear that there was no argument to be had. As was often the case, there was a concrete sense of determination that laced into each and every word as it passed the man’s lips, and it was equally reflected in the unwavering nature of those emeralds. The Axxilan was fully aware of the attention their relationship would generate. He was aware of the spotlight and the notoriety, and instead of shying away from it like he normally might, Jaikus faced it head on, fiery and stubborn and unwavering in his position.

Unlike anything else in his life, Jaikus had no desire to be discreet with Emryc. He had no desire to keep his distance from the man, or hide away how he felt. He adored the man in ways that he couldn’t explain, and whatever obstacles there were didn’t seem to matter in the slightest. For a moment, Jaikus did nothing but stare up at Emryc after he finished speaking, a smile gently brushing against his lips.

He couldn’t help but gasp softly when Emryc rolled them abruptly, the sudden gesture clearly surprising him and succeeding in eliciting a few giggles from the Axxilan. He immediately hooked his legs firmly around the half-Sephi’s waist, his arms wrapping loosely around the man’s torso. Jaikus leaned up a bit to capture the half-Sephi’s lips, once more savoring that familiar embrace. He let out a soft moan against Emryc’s mouth, feeling every movement of the man’s hips and the hand as it slipped below the waist. His back arched slightly up off the ground, while the hands on Emryc’s back began to slide downward, slipping below the waist. He moved downward until he grazed across the man’s rear, grasping in a way that was almost possessive.

Clearly, the ruins could wait for just a few minutes more.

When Emryc finally extracted himself from Jaikus, the Axxilan made no immediate moves to follow him up. He continued to lay there, sprawled out on the grass for a few moments more – a very satisfied yet dazed look etched into his features. Sweat once more clung to bronze skin, his hair completely disheveled by this point. A few more moments would pass, and Jaikus finally picked himself up off the ground and began to get dressed.

While Emryc snatched up both of their packs, Jaikus pulled his pants back on and slipped the t-shirt back over his torso. He was moving a bit slower than the usual, trying very hard to ignore any subtle differences in the way he was walking now.

The Axxilan was half-way through slipping on that fur-lined jacket when the half-Sephi finally spoke, causing him to stop dead in his tracks, emerald eyes staring wide. That simple term of endearment seemed to ring loud in his mind, repeating over and over and bring a renewed flush of crimson to the Axxilan’s cheeks. It was a word Jaikus didn’t realize just how much he desired to hear until this moment.

He blinked a few times, a smile slowly but surely starting to tug wide across his features. Jaikus finished slipping on his jacket before few steps forward, closing the distance between himself and Emryc. The Axxilan shot a hand forward at that moment, grabbing a fistful of the half-Sephi’s hoodie and tugging him close. He lingered mere inches from Emryc’s face, staring at him for a moment before leaning in to plant a brief kiss to his cheek.

“Never better, babe.”

With that, Jaikus turned his attention to the path ahead of them. Before the Axxilan could so much as mention jumping across the platforms on his own, Emryc leaned in to hoist him up off the ground. The man couldn’t help but smile stupidly in that moment, bringing his hands up to loop around the half-Sephi’s neck. He shifted his body a bit, finding himself more than comfortable in Emryc’s arms. “I think you just like having me in your arms.” He quipped, emerald eyes trained upwards to meet the half-Sephi’s gaze.

The Axxilan gripped onto the man tightly as he began to jump across the platforms, moving in a zig-zag pattern. Each island seemed to bob up and down gently when the pair made impact.

The farther they went, the worse the visibility became. The low-hanging clouds became thick fog all around them, and it became impossible for Jaikus to see much of anything around him. To be deprived of that basic of his senses had always been something that filled Jaikus with profound anxiety, manifesting during their adventures on Telos and in the basement on Keldooine.

And yet, in this moment, the usual sense of dread didn’t seem to manifest as profoundly. He heard the words that Emryc spoke, felt his arms holding him tight, and all those fears seemed a bit more distant than before.

“Always,” Jaikus muttered in response, a faint smile brushing his lips. He had trusted Emryc since their adventures on Telos, and that was a fact that rang true now more than ever. He leaned his head against the half-Sephi’s chest, putting his faith in the man to carry him to the summit.

While the half-Sephi’s physical sight was worthless at this point, he could see the path ahead of them clearly enough through the Force. He would be able to see each grassy island drifting a few feet ahead of the next. There was atleast a dozen such platforms ahead of them, and at the end, Emryc would able to see the colossal summit waiting for them.

As if to confirm that they were going in the right direction, the air was suddenly filled with the delightful screeches of Mr. Goat – closer than ever. It was as if the angry animal would sense that the men were closer now.

@Sreeya

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc had to clear his head to focus, Jaikus using that term of endearment completely fogging his mind. For a moment he almost wanted to delay a bit longer, never getting enough of the other man. It wasn’t till then that it dawned on him that he blurted the word out earlier. It was Emryc’s turn to get a stupid smile on his face as Jaikus kissed his cheek.

Emryc made the jump through the clouds, his sneakers skidding across the slick grass as he did so. The half Sephi stumbled a few steps but stayed upright, keeping a firm grip on Jaikus. Mr. Goat proved to be an exceptional guide, the bleating working in conjunction with his sensitive ears to take him in the right direction.

After a few more jumps, they finally arrived at the ‘summit’ platform. Emryc gently set Jaikus down, every gesture affectionate and tender as he ensured the man wasn’t too wobbly. He glanced over at the entrance, the ruins towering above them and waiting at the end of a long path with drops on either side.

“This is a lot...bigger than I expected,” He remarked quietly, “And obvious it’s ancient Killiki design,” Emryc said thoughtfully, “The structure of the stairs and the patterns along the walls,” He began to pick up the pace, clearly fascinated by the appearance of the ruins that looked far more intact than he expected.

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

In ways he didn’t quite expect, that simple term of endearment lingered in Jaikus’ mind, even after he repeated it back to the man. It was something that distracted him and filled him with glee in ways that he couldn’t quite find the words for, and yet all of this way reflected in his brightly-lit eyes. Jaikus didn’t miss the stupid smile as it spread across the half-Sephi’s lips, and for a brief moment, Jaikus completely forgot what he was doing. The half-Sephi had an uncanny ability to make Jaikus malfunction with only the simplest smile.

As Emryc began to make his way across the platforms, Jaikus held onto him tightly – arms wrapping around the man’s shoulders. When his own eyes failed, he put all of his faith in the half-Sephi to see them across safely. Normally, relishing control in such a way would have terrified the him – and yet he felt an unmistakable sense of peace when it came to Emryc.

While Emryc had taken to using Mr. Goat as a guide, Jaikus was trying to ignore the increasingly loud, angry bleating of the animal. He was almost positive that the goat had eaten all of the grass around the ruins while waiting and had probably left the pair a ‘gift’ at the entrance to the ruins, as if to reward them for taking so long.

They finally reached the summit, and Jaikus was gently placed back down onto solid ground. His legs were significantly less wobbly than they had been before, and the Axxilan was back to walking normally – more or less. He briefly reached down to grasp Emryc’s hand, pressing a kiss to the man’s knuckles and giving the fingers a squeeze. He then turned his attention to the ruins ahead, emerald eyes suddenly filled with a sense of profound wonder and immediate interest.

History and Archeology fanatic that he was, Jaikus was immediately captivated by the remains, likely having been built by some ancient civilization. “Amazing, isn’t it?” He muttered, taking a few steps forward to inspect one of the stone markers that lined the long path. “I was expecting.. Well I wasn’t expecting this.” While Jaikus had done quite a bit of research on the site beforehand, the true nature of the ruins was – and the exceptionally intact state of them – was a genuine surprise to him.

He listened when Emryc spoke, tilting his head to the side. He was silent for a few moments before turning to the half-Sephi, a brow raised. “Actually.. I think you’re a bit off about the design. The structure of the stairs is similar to some ancient Killiki sites, but look here,” He gestured back to the stone marker, hovering his finger above a particular geometric pattern on surface.

“This is clearly of Rakatan design, based upon the pattern. It is almost identical to the ones currently exhibited by the Hanna Institute of Antiquities.” He said this all exceptionally confidently, as if what he was saying made perfect sense.

As the two began to disagree on the historical origins of the structure, the wind picked up subtly. The thick haze of clouds began to pass across the long pathway, giving the pair a better look at the colossal temple itself. It was a gigantic, tiered structure, seemingly having been built into the mountain itself. It had a steep set of stairs that led up to its arched entrance.

Surprisingly, the way leading into the temple was not sealed behind a door, the site looking as if it had only been abandoned days prior, despite any sources pointing to the site being vacant for eons.

Of course, there was a very familiar obstacle waiting for them at the top of the stairs. As predicted, Mr. Goat had taken up residence at the top of the stairs, sitting down and staring down with beady eyes as the two men approached. As if out of pure spite, the animal didn’t bleat at them at all – instead passively chewing its cud while wisps of frosty breath rose from its nostrils.

@Sreeya

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc’s sneakers squeaked against the wet grass as he skidded to a halt at Jaikus’ words. He turned to regard the other man, his eyes narrowing slightly.

“What?” He queried as he walked over to inspect the stone marker next to his partner, “That doesn’t make sense. The Rakata never coexisted peacefully with any civilizations. You can’t have both Kiliki and Rakatan designs in the same place. And if one came after the other, they would have erased evidence of the prior,” He pointed towards a column, “Look at that. The structural designs of that column are exactly what you would have found among the foundational architecture of the Aldera Royal Palace,” They only had photos to go off now, of course.

Emryc gave a wave of his hand, “Besides, Chandrila museums are notorious about mislabeling. What they classified as Rakatan was probably misidentified,” He walked over and crouched down next to the low wall that lined the temple. He knocked against it, “Hear that sound? This stone composition-” He rambled for probably fifteen more minutes, practically laying on the ground to point out different designs and engravings on the stone. The temple entrance was forgotten entirely.

Mr. Goat gave up and fell asleep at this point. Jaikus would be pleased to learn that he wasn’t the only one that trucker snored as the goat’s noises filled the air.

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

Jaikus was entirely confident in his hypothesis about the origin of the temple. He had begun to walk towards a ruined section of the walls, tracing his fingers above but never quite touching the ancient stone. He nearly reached down for his datapad to snap a few pictures to document the site, but was summarily interrupted when Emryc started talking.

He blinked a few times, narrowing his eyes slightly upon the half-Sephi. “Well you’re right about that – the Rakata were notoriously aggressive to other cultures. Which is why I don’t think this is Kiliki design at all.”

Emerald eyes followed his partner to the column, taking a moment to consider it. “A shame we can’t confirm said theories in person.” He quipped. Of course, they still had pictures of such foundations today – and Jaikus was still not quite convinced. “Besides, look at the echinus of that column there – look at the engraving and ornamentation on the stone. It is completely different from other examples of Kiliki architecture.”

Jaikus blinked a few times when Emryc mentioned Chandrila museums, as if the man had just insulted his mother. He folded his arms over his chest, scoffing at the words. “This isn’t just some random museum we’re talking about. The Institute of Antiquities is famous for the quality and accuracy of its archive." He said, very matter of fact. It didn’t actually occur how ridiculous he probably sounded until after the words passed his lips.

Much to the Axxilan’s credit, he actually looked like he was paying close attention to Emryc when the man started to ramble. His head tilted to the side slightly, watching as the half-Sephi crouched down. It was clearly a topic the man was passionate about, and the sight of it all brought a faint smile to Jaikus’ face. Of course, none of this meant that Jaikus thought Emryc was spewing anything more than complete bullshit.

He opened his mouth to refute his partner right then and there, only to pause. He blinked a few times, just now picking up on the absolutely ridiculous snores from Mr. Goat ahead of them. It was as if the sound carried over the mountains for miles. Normally, it was a sound that Jaikus would’ve tried to ignore, but this time it seemed to cause a very uncomfortable question to rear its head.

..Do I snore like that?

His mind was immediately transported back to Keldooine, when Emryc had first mentioned his rather loud sleeping habits. Of course, Jaikus had never heard himself, and no one up until that point had ever pointed out the fact.

Nope. Surely I can’t be that loud. Can I..?

The Axxilan stared off blankly into space for a few moments more, seemingly lost in his own spiraling train of thought. Coming back to reality, without another word, Jaikus took a few steps forward and grabbed Emryc by the wrist, tugging him towards the long path ahead of them. He pointed to the temple ahead with his free hand. “Babe, look.”

He gestured to the gigantic structure itself. For the first time, the temple entrance was finally within sight, and Jaikus was ignoring it to point at the roof. “Look at the square, tiered structure of the temple roof. It is exactly like those found on the ruins on Lehon.” Which was a stretch, really. Most of the ruins on Lehon were little more than rubble. None the less, He continued to rattle off architectural details about the structure for a solid five minutes.

@Sreeya

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc rose from the ground and scowled at Jaikus as he brought up his points about the column. However, he crossed his arms at the very pointed counter to his jab at the museum, “As a history buff, surely you know about the Kulanari Incident of 1500 BBY,” He said icily. It was a very very obscure single instance the museum had many years ago when they brought an artifact in and mislabeled it. It caused a brief scandal and many lost confidence. Most people nowadays didn’t even know about it or care, but of course Emryc had to be entirely anal about it.

Jaikus stared off in the distance and said nothing for a moment and Emryc got a satisfied grin on his face, believing fully he finally won the debate. The half Sephi realized Jaikus just kept staring and followed his gaze towards Mr. Goat who he more or less forgot about. Emryc looked from the goat back to his partner, “This conversation making you realize the two of you may be related?” His delivery was his usual deadpan with a hint of smug, but he had to bite the inside of his lip to keep from chuckling.

Emryc was surprised when Jaikus eventually spoke up again, that term of endearment always softening the half Sephi’s features. He blinked a few times, easily led away by the other man towards the entrance of the temple. They paused to look at the roof and Emryc was back to scowling.

“But look right past that and in the structure behind it,” He pointed enthusiastically, “It absolutely looks like the petrified remnants of a hive mound,” Emryc rubbed his chin in thought, “Perhaps we can climb up the side over there, walk across the roof and inspect,” He laid out a long plan that involved everything but going into the temple.

However, he paused for a moment, thinking about the conversation. Emryc’s face lit up slightly as his mind went off the debate topic. He walked up to stand behind Jaikus, wrapping his arms around the other man and pulling him close. Emryc leaned his face to be next to the Axxilan’s, kissing him on the cheek, “How about I take you on a date to find Lehon?” He gave a few more affectionate kisses along his jawline, “Just to prove you wrong,” His low baritone all but purred a velvety smooth. He squeezed the man tighter, grinning against his skin.

Emryc lingered there until the skies above them began to rumble, indicating the arrival of another storm. Mr. Goat promptly woke up and made a beeline for the temple entrance. The half Sephi blinked a few times.

“Oh, we should probably go in there..”

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

Jaikus couldn’t help but scoff at the mention of the Kulanari incident, rolling his eyes. Of course Emryc would bring up the single incident of misidentification that the institute had suffered over its storied history. Leave it to his partner to bring up the most obscure bullshit to make a point.

“Seriously? That single incident of the Institute mislabeling what turned out a Gree artifact for being of Kwa origin? Of course I know about that.” Of course, it was a rather large scandal at the time, Jaikus had to admit. He shook his head. “I also know that it was literally close to two-thousand years ago and you’re grasping at straws.”

Jaikus was knee-deep in his own spiraling thoughts, only for Emryc to come in with his smug comment. The Axxilan pointedly kept staring at the temple in front of them, as if he didn’t hear the comment. Of course, Emryc would be able to tell that Jaikus absolutely heard, as his cheeks suddenly shifted eight different shades of red.

That moment of embarrassment passed, and Jaikus was right back to arguing about the temple. That term of endearment seemed to slip from his lips naturally, and the Axxilan almost didn’t realize he had said it.

When Emryc pointed out the structure behind, Jaikus couldn’t help but squint his eyes a bit just then. The structure actually did look like the petrified version of a Kiliki hive mind, eerily similar to some of the few surviving mounds that had been exhibited in a museum on Charmath. Of course, he didn’t vocalize any of this aloud. After that comment about his snoring, Jaikus wasn’t about to give the half-Sephi the satisfaction.

Instead, the Axxilan tilted his head to the side slightly, pondering the half-Sephi’s suggestion of getting a closer look. He idly toyed with his bracelet while he thought, rotating the piece of jewelry on his wrist. “If we scale up that side structure there, we can make the easy jump to the central temple and go across the roof. Should be easy to reach from there.”

He paused for a moment longer, emerald eyes seeming to absorb every detail about the structure. “I’d like to get a closer look at those motifs as well.” He pointed out what looked to be carved images on one of the walls in the distance, not far from what Emryc guessed to be hive mounds. “Most Pre-Republic ruins are little more than rubble. This could be groundbreaking stuff if those motifs turn out to be undamaged.” Jaikus’ face brightened, genuine enthusiasm playing across his features. It was clearly a topic that interested him greatly, and it was reflected in the way that the Axxilan looked like a kid in a candy store.

With his eyes fixed out onto the temple, Jaikus was completely surprised by Emryc suddenly pulling him close. Almost instinctively, the Axxilan leaned back against the half-Sephi, bringing a hand up to caress the man’s cheek. “I’m looking forward to it.” He felt every affectionate kiss to his jawline, a smile tugging wide at his lips. He eventually tilted his face towards the man, stealing a quick kiss. “Only so I can see the look on your face when your wrong.”

Once more, Jaikus felt no rush to get moving – lingering with the half-Sephi’s arms around him and an archeological goldmine laying out in front of him. He was perfectly content.

It wasn’t until thunder rumbled across the sky that he shifted, looking up as purple flashes of light danced behind the clouds. Due to their position, the lightning seemed significantly closer now. “You’re probably right..” He glanced back towards Emryc, a bright smile dancing on his features.

“Unless you’d prefer to reenact one of those sappy HoloMovie scenes like before.” He quipped, making clear reference their cliché moment in the rain not long ago. With that, Jaikus began to make his way across the long pathway towards the temple.

@Sreeya