FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Stargazing had become one of Tay-Ir Naull pastimes ever since the avian had been a hatchling. He could vividly remember the first time he escaped his clutch to explore, during a clear evening in the high slopes of Nedij. As his parents frantically searched the hut looking for the missing child, Tay had wandered onto the doorstep, frozen in awe at the vast sky and the countless pinpricks of light that reached so impossibly far. Back then, he believed that was when he felt the stirrings of the Force, calling out to him and beckoning him to explore the vastness of space- to find what they held. Every day since then, stargazing had become a simple, easily-accessible joy.

Until recently.

It was with a feeling of hollowness that Tay stood inches away from the mag-con field separating him from the vacuum of space. The pull that had prompted him to search the stars for the one thing he wanted most was no longer there; he felt astray, a sensation that his place in the universe had been cast into the unknown once more, and in that state he felt more vulnerable than he ever had before, his arms crossed in front of him and shoulder hunched close. His right hand flexed and clenched, then relaxed and ached. When last he had looked out into the field of light and vastness of nothingness, there had been a warm paw in that same talon. At the time, he had not realized he had been holding it; now, he was painfully aware of its absence.

So immersed in despondency, he almost didn't hear the soft footsteps behind him. Thinking perhaps one of his pilots or the hangar staff was moving around and trying not to bother him, he paid it not attention- until a voice broke the silence.

"I was hoping I'd find you here."

Tay perked up and turned to the voice, his eyes falling on a guilty-looking Trianii male. A flash of anger and fear coursed through the avian as he backed up a step, his tailfeathers bumping against the mag-con field and reminding him that he had no place to go. It had been nearly a week since Tay had sprinted out of the male-designated showers, leaving a stunned Pakka to watch him leave. Though he had seen the feline throughout the ship, he'd made no attempt to talk to him- and he did not feel the desire to do so now.

Pakka hesitated a few moments in silence before reaching out. "Can we--"

But Tay reacted instinctively- scared that the feline would try to grab him, he sidestepped away and backpedaled. "I don't want to talk to you," the avian hissed, his heart racing. "Just leave me alone!"

"Tay, I need to--"

"I don't want to hear your accusations!" he snapped, curling his talons into fists. "I don't need to hear another person lying to me!"

"I'm not here to accuse you of anything," Pakka said firmly, holding his paws up and looking hurt. "I came to apolo--"

"Shut up!" Tay cut him off, feeling a burn along his eyes as they threatened to blur his vision with tears. "You think an apology is going to fix everything!?"

"No, I don't!" Pakka said emphatically. "But you deserve an apology and an explanation- you deserve to be told the truth! And you deserve to hear me tell you that I was wrong to even think that you'd try to control me," he said, his ears pinned back sadly. "Tay... I felt so awful for what I'd said, I would die to take it all back. But I swear to you that I only did it because I was afraid."

"Afraid of fucking what?! What is it you really want!?" the avian shouted, wiping his eyes impatiently.

Pakk lowered his paws, looking at the floor- and without warning, he dropped to his knees and bowed his head. "What I really want... is to start again. I want to go back to after Doma left, to hold you close and tell you I didn't believe a word he said. I want to continue what we had, to be the_happiest_ I've ever been while on assignment because I met you. And I want to continue that bond, so that one day I can say 'I love you, Tay-Ir Naull', after a lifetime of experiences with you."

The bowing alone was confusing to Tay- but it was Pakka's words which hit him with all the energy of a Force push, causing him to nearly lose balance. "You... what?"

"I won't blame you if you feel in your heart that I don't deserve a second chance," Pakka continued, raising his head to look the Nediji in the eyes, his own filled with pain and regret. "But if we can't start again, if what we had was just a brief moment of warmth that I crushed with my ignorance, then all I want is the chance to explain myself. Please... I beg you to allow me that much, at least."

Of all the things Tay expected to hear from Pakka, he never imagined it would be something so heartfelt and emotional as what he was hearing now. For the last week, he had run the scenario countless times in his head, cringing every time he heard the Trianii's voice in his mind- whether it be admonishment for his sexual preferences, a lazy excuse meant to calm him down, or flat out hatred centered around the fear of Tay controlling his mind through the Force. But now, to see Pakka on his knees and begging Tay to give him the chance to explain himself, it was clear that he had failed to understand the Trianii properly.

It took nearly a minute of shocked silence to find his voice, but Tay finally spoke he could not suppress a note of hopefulness. "Do you really mean that?"

"With all my heart, yes," Pakka said without missing a beat.

Cautious and hopeful all at once, Tay hesitantly stepped forward and held his talon out to the commander.

Tay's private quarters were exactly identical to the quarters Pakka was staying in, apart from a port-side shift in position of all the room's amenities; a head at the back of the room, a small sink and food synthesizer unit near the entrance, a ship-connected console, and a full-sized bed in the middle of it all. The only real difference Pakka could see was a meditation mat at the foot of the bed, and the fact that it looked mildly disheveled. A pang of guilt rent through the Trianii as he wondered if Tay had been confining himself to his quarters for nearly the entire time, refusing to take care of himself.

"Sorry for the mess," Tay apologized quietly, gesturing to a small table next to the viewport. "Do you want something to drink? I have some packets of shig to calm us both down, but I also have a case of net'ra gal I've been meaning to crack open."

"A cup of shig would be great," the Trianii replied with a sigh, taking a seat. "Thank you again for giving me this chance."

"Well... don't thank me just yet," Tay cautioned him as he pulled a couple of mugs out from the cupboard and poured boiling water from the faucet. A pair of small tisane bags and spoons floated next to him as he returned to the table and set down the steaming mugs. "I haven't forgiven you yet, and I'm not gonna lie- I still feel sore about everything. But since I'm sensing your sincerity, I'm willing to at least listen."

Pakka nodded, taking one of the tea bags and spoons and submerging them into the filled mug. "I need to start by saying that I'm sorry for what I had said; for having the ignorance to ask you if you were controlling my mind and forcing me into doing something I would never have done. With everything happening in a short period of time, Doma bringing up my past, fearing he had hurt you in any way, it just... I failed to recognize that I kissed you. That I made a decision to kiss you. And I don't regret that for a moment."

"You say that," Tay said skeptically, "but I thought you understood me better than to ask me something that would question how I felt about you. You seemed ready to believe Doma's words after hearing them once, without any sort of context, even though he attacked me first."

"I should have asked for context. No, I shouldn't have asked anything at that point," Pakka corrected himself, his shoulders slumped as he struggled to articulate. "More than anything, I should have gone back and made sure you were okay. I was just too scared of the implications of what Doma said that... I didn't think clearly at the time. And I know how lame that sounds, but it's true."

"What really scared you?" Tay pressed, frowning. "I know you were scared, and I thought it was of me. But you're talking like you trusted me only moments earlier, and yet saying that the entire situation spooked you when Doma accused me of controlling your mind. So... what's going on?"

Pakka hesitated for a moment, clasping his hands together and wishing the shig would steep quicker. But it didn't take long before he forced himself to continue. "It... has to do with what happened to me a long time ago, when I was a cub."

"You mentioned you were captured by the Corporate Sector Authority, while we were talking about General Solo," Tay recalled, cocking his head. "How do they factor in?"

"They didn't just capture me," Pakka emphasized roughly, squeezing his paws together. He paused, sighed and shook his head. "I'm sorry... it's hard to talk about. But I swear I'm going to tell you even if it breaks me again. I thought I got over it a long time ago, but in that moment... the worst scars I've ever suffered in my just reopened, without warning. And I wasn't prepared for it."

Tay leaned forward, reaching out and putting his talon on Pakka's paws. "I'm here to listen, Pakka. If it really is that bad, then you have my full attention."

"I told you that I was on Fibuli when the CSA showed up with an invasion force. Strategically, it was one of the best points for them to hit, with the world being so remote and yet functioning as the source of meat-based foods, as well as the cultural center for our fighting arts. They probably felt that conquering the planet would be a blow to our morale, demonstrating that our best warriors wouldn't be able to stand up to the expansionist manifesto of the CSA."

"They didn't fight us directly, not at first. The opening shots of their 'annexation' were orbital bombardments that we weren't prepared for. Because the Trianii Rangers have no capital ships, our orbital defenders had little to throw against their larger vessels, even when pulling Rangers from other planetary defense patrols. They were on the surface in a matter of days, which is when the real battle was fought. They were well-armed, but they were there to conquer a people ready to die for their homes, so the resistance was significant for a month. When the CSA managed to assassinate several of the planet's matriarchs, however, the Trianii lost morale and were pushed back. I was in Knanan City at the time, with my family fighting on the frontlines every day. There was always a fear that something awful would happen to them. And about two months into the battle, it finally did."

"The CSA made a final push for Knanan City and sent in waves of Espo walkers. The Rangers fought bravely and tenaciously, but it took a week of battle for them to finally issue a planet-wide evacuation. In the ensuing chaos, the CSA landed their troops in the city and cut off many families. My father told me later that my mother had tried sacrificing herself with explosives, and he thought she had been killed in the attempt, forcing him to flee to gather me up and make for one of the few remaining spaceports left open. But while my mother was unconscious and injured, she was picked up by some stragglers and evacuated off-planet. At the same time, the CSA breached the spaceport's defenses and cut my father and I off from rescue. He didn't want to risk my life, and so he surrendered, hoping it would at least save me."

Pakka paused, suddenly aware that he was trembling violently and wondering when that had started. A pressure around his wrist caused him to look back up into Tay's sad, violet eyes, but the trembling seemed to abate from his touch, though he found it difficult to speak. Taking a moment to pick up his mug and stir the tea, he set the bag aside and took a sip, the sweet citrus flavor seeming to help him relax his throat and allowing him to continue.

"They didn't kill us immediately, but forced us into one of their transports and deposited into one of their camps. I was separated from my father within hours, leaving me bawling for my parents along with other cubs whose parents had met any number of fates. But as terrible as the separation was, the worst-off of us were the catatonic cubs; ones who not only knew their parents were dead, but who had been there to witness the moment they expired from torture. It was from those cubs, some of them half my age, that I learned that the CSA would administer the Burning to their captives, torturing them for information. Do you know this torture?"

Tay shook his head, looking shaken by the name alone. "No. And I'm not sure I want to know. But I will listen all the same."

Pakka closed his eyes tight, trying to hold back memories. "It involves taking a blaster and setting it to its lowest power setting, then firing at a captive to sear the flesh of their bones. Typically they will start with the legs to prevent escape, then the arms. It is a torture that does not fail to get information from prisoners- assuming there is any to be gained. Were it not bad enough, it was common practice to force other prisoners to watch. If only to spare the victim of pain, even the loyalest Trianii Ranger would break their oath out of grief and compassion. I suppose the CSA thought it would be effective to their aims if they subjected the cubs to witness such horrors, as well. Soon, even I was struck catatonic by their brutality."

Tay gaped at him, horrified. "I... I had no idea. That's... I'm so sorry you had to see that while you were still so young."

Pakka shook his head, feeling hot tears streak down his face. "That was the least of my torture, if you can believe that. I never saw my father get subjected to the Burning, but I assumed that this was his fate as a Trianii Ranger. But because I was the child of two Rangers, a special kind of hell was reserved for me and dozens of others. The real torture began with their... 'rehabilitation'- a term they used for trying to turn Trianii Ranger children against their own parents."

Tay's eyes widened. "How?"

"Kidnapping us and performing blood tests was the first step, using captured medical database information to confirm our lineages to Ranger cadets and officers. It was a trivial matter for them to find images of our parents, using them in their experiments to recondition us." Pakka swallowed, his eyes glazing over as the distant, fuzzy memories of horrors long past become terrifyingly clear. Even now he could see a white-clad human with red spectacles leaning in over him; could feel the prick of needles in his neck; could hear the sound of his scared breathing in a mask fitted over his muzzle. "Twenty-hour long procedures with hour-long punishments. The patient is stripped naked, shaved of most of their body fur, restrained on a table in a room where screaming will damage your hearing, and shown a life-like holoprojected image of their parents. They chose to show me my mother, looking safe and sound. The moment I screamed out for her, they inflicted their first punishment- a dose of mnemiotic boosters and an ear-splitting klaxxon telling me to call my mother 'nair'sonjo', distorting her facial features until they were bestial and terrifying for a cub my age to look at. When the klaxxon went silent, the torturer came in and told me in a disgustingly kind voice that I would learn to comply- or I would be punished again and again."

"Each torture would last almost exactly an hour; deafening sounds, sensory deprivation, horrible food, injecting me with neural toxins that would cause pain along my nerves... I... I don't even remember half of what they did to me," Pakka admitted, trembling violently again. "They... they dumped me in a vat of green dye," he choked out. "J-just... out of n-nowhere, for saying no, when I outright ref-- refused to call my mother 'nair'sonjo'. I looked like a f-freak, and my mind was following. I f-found out l-later that I was in that place for nearly three months... b-before.... before..."

"Hon... hon, stay with me."

Pakka suddenly snapped back to reality, his memories dissolving and the room coming back into focus. His breathing was labored, as if he'd been running for miles, and a cold sweat had flowed from his skin to the end of his fur. Tay was no longer sitting in front of him, and a squeeze on his paw caused him to jump. The avian Jedi was on his knees, holding the Trianii's paw with his face stained with tears and eyes filled with sadness and pity. Tay rubbed his paw soothingly, then reached up and grabbed Pakka's cup, gently clasping his paws around it.

"Drink, Pakka," he said quietly. "It'll help you."

After taking a deep, shaky breath, the feline nodded and obeyed, his shaky paws lifting the mug to his lips. The muscle-relaxing beverage seemed to unclench his throat again, a warmth blooming in his stomach as it ceased to ache and cramp. For several minutes, Pakka remained silent, trying to steady his breathing. Tay's touch helped in ways the Trianii could not properly articulate in words, somehow feeling like a jamming signal that prevented his memories from resurfacing and tormenting him as they had done. But Pakka was not yet done, and he steeled himself to reach the finish.

"Fibuli... had fallen to the CSA," he started through a cracked voice. "But the Trianii Rangers weren't content to let it go. They started raids to hit prisoner camps and supply lines, resupplying and rescuing our people, and it was then the CSA started moving its programs off-planet. They put the project on hold so they could transport their victims into CSA territories, but by then my mother was leading raids on nearby prisoner camps, where she knew I would be held if I were still alive. She almost didn't make it in time to save me. It took an ion missile to knock out the transport, and twenty minutes of fighting before the CSA threw down their weapons. My mother was without mercy that day- she personally executed every single human that surrendered with a vibrodagger, slitting their throats. Then she saw me, screamed my name, and scooped me up in her arms."

"Thank the Force she found you," Tay whispered, but Pakka shook his head.

"That... wasn't the end of my nightmare. I tried to call her mother. But the damage had been done. The first word out of my muzzle... was 'nair'sonjo'- the Trianii word for 'monster'."

He had never told anyone else about his past, though it would have been easy enough to look up his history as one of the many victims of the Project: Feral- the CSA cub-centric program meant to demoralize the Trianii by breaking the minds of their victim's children. Every Trianii Ranger knew better than to mention the program to its victims, to keep it out of conversation. And yet, talking about it to someone he cared about, someone willing to listen to his past and hold his paw while he talked, made the excruciating task much easier than he ever believed possible; though still difficult enough that it took several more minutes of mournful silence and another swallow of shig for him to continue.

"I didn't speak for nearly half a year after that," Pakka admitted quietly. "I didn't trust myself to speak. My mother grieved that I had been twisted by the CSA. It should have been the happiest day in my life, after months of pain and horror; instead, it ended up being a cruel reminder that the CSA had much to answer for, that I would carry a tremendous scar from cubhood till my death, and that my father was still missing. It wasn't until we met Rekkon, and then Han Solo, that we found where he was being kept. But seeing my father again, and having my family whole... it helped the healing process. My parents were given a full year's reprieve from duty so we could all recover, helping me adjust to a normal life, and I started speaking about a month later."

He swallowed. "But I never forgot what they did to me. I never have. It took me years before I stopped having nightmares of my mother's face distorting, hearing the word being forced from me. By law, I'm not even allowed to be assigned on missions that involve the CSA in any capacity- they don't want to risk me relapsing or losing my head out of hatred for them."

Tay squeezed his paw again, looking torn. "You weren't afraid of me," he said softly. "You were afraid of having your mind tampered with again."

Pakka trembled and nodded. "Trianii have learned throughout history to hate slavery and enslavement; to be shackled to someone and be told they are your master is the purest loss of agency a person could have. But the deepest violation, the cruelest form of slavery, is having your own will shattered and your mind controlled. Few Trianii know what that's truly like." He closed his eyes and shivered again. "I do."

Tay reached up and placed a talon on his shoulder, a pleading look in his expression. "Pakka... do you believe me when I say that... that I'd never--"

"I don't just believe that you would never control me," Pakka cut him off, taking Tay's talon in his paw. "I know that you would never control me. But in a moment of panic and vulnerability, I just... forgot who you were." He looked back up into Tay's eyes, and finally managed to smile. The anguish and pain of revisiting terrible memories seemed to wash away as he remembered he was in the presence of someone who made him genuinely happy. "I talked to Kajex and Locke, for perspective. They told me that Jedi can trick the mind and senses through the Force, but they also told me that they're taught not to, unless it's desperately needed and the greater good calls for it. Even if you could, I know now that you would never do it for me. Tay..."

"You don't need to say anything more," Tay told him, the tears returning. "I believe you. I forgive you. I didn't understand you nearly as well as I thought. If I had... I wouldn't have run away. I'm sorry that I never gave you a chance."

"I don't blame you for that," Pakka insisted, reaching out and cupping the Jedi's face gently. "I_love_ you. I love you for you, and for how you have never failed to make me smile. I love you for your willingness to bond with others; for your tenacity and skill in combat; for your compassion towards everyone, even those who deserve little; and for your wide-eyed wonder and perspective of the universe and all that it can hold. I would never be ashamed of saying that to you, and the only thing stopping me from shouting it across the universe is the knowledge that it could undo the alliance the Trianii and Jedi have made." He slid out of the chair and onto his knees in front of Tay. "But if you wish it of me... then the moment it ceases to be an issue, I will broadcast it across the stars and _gladly_hold my head high."

Despite his tears, Tay gave him a trembling smile in return. "F... fuck... I guess I _did_find what I was looking for, in the end," he whispered.

They acted in unison, leaning in with open arms, beak and muzzle meeting smoothly and gently. No longer was there doubt in Pakka's mind, no shock to numb his senses as he shared his conscious decision to kiss Tay; his deliberate movements only brought the Nediji closer to him. Within moments they were swathed in heat, their minds ignorant of the universe around them and focused singularly on each other. Pakka's thick tail snaked around the avian's waist and squeezed firmly, purrs rolling through his chest and muzzle into Tay's upper body. Before long, the avian broke off with a watery chuckle.

"What's wrong?" Pakka asked.

"Nothing's wrong," Tay laughed, sniffling and wiping his face. "I'm completely fine right now. It's just that I like your purring. It's cute and makes me feel... safe, if you can believe it. When I fell in love with you, it gave me hope anytime I heard you purr, but to actually feel it when I'm in your arms- it just makes me feel good all over."

"You brought it out of me, Tay," Pakka said warmly, wiping his face as well and nuzzling the bird. For several more minutes the couple said nothing, content to hold each other close and enjoy the warmth shared between them, with Tay nuzzling his black beak into Pakka's neck and sighing as he took in the feline's affection.

After a while, Pakka began rubbing Tay's back, generating quiet chirrups as he did. "You feel tense," Pakka noted.

"So do you," Tay replied. "I'm just... happy and excited all at once. The _shig_isn't really doing anything for me." He breathed in deeply, letting out a sigh. "I need a hot shower... I feel gross."

"You look fine to me," Pakka said, releasing Tay and allowing him to get up. "But it would probably do you good, yeah."

The avian stared at him a few moments, a blush on his face. "I also don't want to be alone right now," he murmured, holding his talon out. "If it's okay..."

The Trianii stared back up at him for a few moments, before breaking into a smile and, with Tay's help, getting back up to his feet.

"I don't feel like being alone either."

For once, the Inspired had a surplus of hot water on hand- a welcome result of many Knights and Padawans conducting group missions in the region. Rivulets poured down Pakka's trained body, soothing the tense muscles around his shoulders and back, calming the shivers and aches that his talk with Tay had generated. But as relaxing as the shower was, it was the Nediji in his arms that provided the most comfort. As the two held each other, kissed, nuzzled, and shared in closeness, Pakka could only feel at peace with his situation, though every minute or so he would squeeze Tay a little tighter and purr a little deeper, every time drawing his bare sheath against Tay's genital slit and causing both of them to shiver pleasantly.

It was where he wanted to be the most, and he wasn't about to let it go.

"Hey... you can ease up a little," Tay chirruped quietly, smiling up at him. "I'm not going anywhere, not with you pressing me up against the wall- so you don't have to squeeze so much."

"I'm sorry," Pakka purred, licking his cheek affectionately. "I'm just trying so hard not to mess this up that I want to focus on just _showing_that I love you. I don't want to say anything, I'm scared I'll say something stupid again and drive you away."

"There's nothing you can say that'll make me stop feeling the way I do about you," Tay replied, pressing his beaktip against the feline's nose playfully. "Nothing I won't try to understand and forgive you for, anyway. Just be you- that's what made me fall in love with you in the first place."

"Just that? I'm nobody special," Pakka insisted quietly.

"You are to me," Tay told him, before leaning in and kissing him again.

Spurred on by the kind and heartfelt words, Pakka returned the kiss twicefold, his purring deep as he drew his paws down Tay's body and pressed him against the wall. His fingers dug through the avian's feathers and massaged his sides, making him sigh pleasantly into the Trianii's muzzle. With their bodies so close, their loins brushing together intimately and steaming-hot water pouring over their heads, it was hard to imagine the scene as anything but primal; his senses felt more magnified, every touch zapping his nerves and every drawn breath filled with the scent of two horny males. A gentle roll of his hips caused Pakka's sheath to grind against Tay's slit, making him break the kiss off as he let out a shivering chirrup. Now vulnerable, Tay could do nothing to keep the feline from sliding his fingers over his abs, until they reached his slit and traced delicately along the entrance, drawing a trembling moan from him; the effect was so powerful that Tay's feathers seemed to puff up before relaxing.

Confident that Tay was enjoying the affectionate attention, he got to his knees and held him in place, rubbing his hips and ass firmly. Tay panted, clearly turned on by the teasing, even though he looked a bit embarrassed as the feilne stared at his genital slit. "I know it's not... like most dicks you would see on most humanoid guys. I-it's probably weird to you."

Pakka shook his head, beaming up at the bird. "Most humanoids don't have typical parts, but I like yours. It's like a cunt with a cock inside. It's different, yeah, but it's also pretty sexy. I kinda wonder how far it goes," he mused, leaning in and nuzzling the slit, causing Tay to let out an excited chirp- his tongue flicked out and brushed against it, eliciting a breathy moan. "And how far you'll let me go."

"I'm... not stopping you yet," Tay chirred blissfully. "Why don't you see for yourself?"

But Pakka was certain he'd had permission even before Tay had given it to him, and the moment he stopped speaking he had already buried his muzzle between his legs. In moments, his pleasantly coarse tongue was scraping against the swollen lips of his lover's genital slit, teasing the crevice with lazy lapping that traced up and down. Almost at once, Tay was moaning and gasping from the oral treatment, reaching above him and clinging to an overhead shower safety bar as his legs trembled and spread open for the Trianii. With easier access Pakka went all in with his efforts, pressing his mouth against the slit and kissing it deeply, his tongue plowing past the swollen netherlips. Almost immediately he was met with the taste of precum, the flavor familiar after his previous male encounters with Kajex and Locke; but there was a hint of sweetness to Tay's natural lubrication that the wolves lacked as his lashed is tongue within his cleft, as a surge of slickness seemed to moisten the slit even more.

After only a minute of oral attention Pakka could feel Tay's precum dribbling down his chin; at roughly the same time his tongue scraped against something along the the top of Tay's inner walls, a tongue-like appendage that twitched with every slurp Pakka gave it. All it took was a firm lick against the length for him to be certain that what he'd discovered was the Tay's cock, if his sudden high-pitched chirp was any hint. Another lash at the organ and Pakka could feel it extend against his tongue, throbbing gently as the Trianii worked on coaxing it out.

But even as he worked Tay's slit over as skillfully as possible (a task that was thankfully no different from orally pleasing a female), Pakka's paws were not idle. One paw had traced up Tay's ass, massaging and groping it shamelessly while tracing a finger along the inside and teasing the tight hole beneath his tailfeathers; an act that earned another passionate chirrup and series of gasps. His other paw reached between his own legs and grabbed his cock, which had become painfully swollen just from treating his lover to his oral worship. Within the first few strokes he had to pause and catch his breath, feeling so incredibly horny that it was clear he would not last long were he to continue. Even keeping an unmoving grip on his thick tool wasn't helping, every powerful throb of his cock sending waves of bliss through his member.

He drew back as Tay's member finally reached its full length, allowing him to get a much better look at his lover's cock than he had a week earlier; a full seven inches in length with respectable girth, shaped much like a smooth, pink tube with subtle veins running along the length, tapering into a narrow tip from which precum was leaking out from. He placed a paw on the base of Tay's shaft and squeezed gently, finding that despite the simple look, it was as rigid as any other cock the Trianii had handled, even if that total only amounted to three others. Despite that, Tay still moaned from the contact, shifting his hips forward and thrusting the length through Pakka's palm.

"I feel like I need to make up to you," Pakka told him softly, looking up at him with a grin. "We lost a lot of time over this misunderstanding, and I want to make things right- so I'm right where I need to be, on my knees and ready to service you. Do you want this, Tay?"

"By the Force, yes," he gasped in response.

The Trianii said nothing else in reply, focusing his efforts and attention on Tay's thick prick. Drawing on everything he'd seen and experienced from female lovers and his playful romp with the Surnahm twins, he grabbed Tay's hips, leaned in and drew his textured tongue along the shaft, starting at the base of his cock and slowly dragging upwards as the bird started to shiver and moan. The thick, throbbing cumvein running up the underside of Tay's shaft distended slightly as it pumped a lazy gout of precum from the tip and trickled down, the sweet lubricant spreading along Pakka's tongue as he teased the last few inches, flicking the tip of his cock and causing Tay to chirp in surprise. Confident that he was doing well he placed his paw back on the cock and started to pump the base of Tay's shaft, before leaning in again and wrapping his muzzle around his cock, lashing his tongue around the pulsating flesh and swirling it around the tip.

Tay reacted passionately, gasping and moaning from the oral attention and thrusting his hips towards Pakka, matching the Trianii's firm strokes in pace and intensity. The flow of precum was enough that it took only a minute of this to leave Pakka's paws slick and sticky with it, his muzzle stained with his lover's lubricant; a heady aroma seemed to spike the feline's senses and arousal, prompting him to use his free paw to pump his aching cock. As Tay's moans and chirps grew louder and higher in volume, Pakka drew his paw away from the bird's cock and began to bob his head along his shaft, moaning as he swallowed up more than half his length each time.

"F-fuck," Tay gasped, "please don't stop, Pakka!" But it was an unnecessary request, as the Trianii was far too horny to stop by this point. Between the taste of Tay's cock and precum, the feel of his own throbbing cock being pumped in his paw, and the knowledge that his lover was loving every moment of intimacy, Pakka couldn't imagine ever wanting to stop. With his chest swelling with love for the Jedi and pride in doing a great job, Pakka redoubled his efforts, intent on making sure Tay's first orgasm at the Trianii's paws being one he would enjoy.

To that end, the paw that had been stroking Tay's length now traced up the back of the avian's leg, along the curve of his ass, and in between the round cheeks, zeroing in on the tight hole. With his finger already slick with Tay's precum, his forefinger slid into the avian's ass effortlessly, though not without him noticing- Tay arched his back and cried out, backing into the paw and forcing Pakka's second finger to slide in. The avian began to gasp rapidly and Pakka drew back, to make sure everything was alright; but it took only one look at Tay's face for him to know the bird was about to blow.

Knowing he only had seconds left at best, Pakka acted quickly, pumping his cock at double the speed and growling as the overwhelming need to cum started to consume him. Putting as much attention towards Tay, he leaned in as far as he could and took all seven inches of Tay's cock into his muzzle, groaning as he felt part of it slide down his throat repeatedly with Tay's hips trembling and thrusting erratically. At roughly the same time he curled his fingers inwards and slid them deeper, feeling around for the avian's prostate and finding it only moments later; a firm bump only a few inches in. Dimly aware that were he in the right mindset, he'd be amazed to have found it so quickly, he pressed into the bump and massaged the surface with quick rubs of his fingers, looking up at Tay as he cried out and writhed, clinging to the overhead safety bar and thrusting a final time.

Pakka drew back just in time, gasping as he felt Tay's cock throb powerfully and expand, channeling thick gouts of cum through his length and into Pakka's muzzle. Unprepared for the flow, the Trianii only managed to swallow the first sweet load of spunk before pulling back, moaning loudly as he felt the deluge of shower water and avian cum splatter against his face. The sensations and taste proved too much for him, and in a moment he found himself arching his back, his balls clenching and throbbing as his barbed cock pumped hot globs of cum into the air, splattering onto the floor of the shower and slowly floating into the drain. A deep sensation of pure satisfaction coursed through every nerve in his body as he panted and leaned into Tay's waist, kissing and slurping his lover's length as the flow tapered off into nothing. After nearly a minute Pakka looked up to Tay, nearly asking if he'd enjoyed it.

He stopped short, noticing the look of pure love in Tay's violet eyes as he smiled back down at him.

Without warning, Tay's fingers slipped off the overhead safety bar and he chirruped in fear and surprise. Pakka's heart skipped a beat, but his reflexes were on point, his tired arms reaching out and grabbing onto the avian just as his tired legs gave way, catching him before he hit the floor. With his heart racing, he held Tay steady and upright. "Are you alright?!"

Tay nodded, panting and swallowing nervously. "Y-yeah, I'm... I'm okay," he managed to say. "It's just... I've never cum that hard before. I'd heard about prostate orgasms, but... I never actually experienced one."

"I'm sorry," Pakka told him, feeling guilty for not thinking ahead. Having experienced one himself, he was aware of how exhausting it could be, and he cursed himself for trying something like that so soon when he should have known better. "I should have waited until we were someplace a bit safer."

But Tay shook his head, still smiling broadly. "No, don't you dare apologize for that performance, kitty," he chirruped quietly, leaning in and hugging Pakka tightly. "I loved every second of it. For someone who's never had sex with another male before, I'm actually kind of surprised how well you did."

Pakka knew Tay was saying this to boost the Trianii's confidence, but the guilt remained, even as the pair nuzzled and kissed. "Actually," he started to say with great reluctance, "that was true until about yesterday."

Tay cocked his head. "What do you mean?"

Pakka swallowed, leaning back against the wall and allowing Tay to sit in his lap. "I went to look for some perspective about Jedi and their ability to alter people's minds. Since Syrra was out taking Doma back to his pyorn, I decided to talk to the Surnahm twins, like I told you earlier. Because of them, they helped me figure out what was in my head and heart- it's because of them that I decided to reach out to you and apologize."

"Okay, I get that," Tay replied, looking confused. "But that doesn't answer what you meant about being intimate with another male. Was there someone else?"

"No! No one else!" Pakka said emphatically. "Er... I mean... I'm not in love with anyone else. But because it was late, and because I wanted to avoid the showers since that's where we fought, Kajex offered his ship's communal showers and I ended up falling behind to talk to Vesii and Syrra." He grinned sheepishly. "They thought I wasn't coming after all and, well... I suppose it's enough to say that their love as brothers is deeper than what you'd expect from most siblings, and that it's normal for their species."

Tay's eyes widened. "Wow... really?" Pakka nodded and the avian laughed. "I mean, I knew the Black Tomb pack were pretty intimate with each other, but they told me they weren't all blood-related. I never figured a typical Kanj'Isha would be incestuous."

"Neither did I," Pakka chuckled.

"So then what happened?" Tay pressed with a look of curiosity.

"I want to say right now," Pakka interjected, "that I consider them good friends and future family members- how I feel about them is not how I feel about you. When they caught me, they weren't angry at me having watched them. They offered to... show me what it's like." He swallowed and looked away, ears pinned back in shame. "I wanted to know more about myself, explore things about myself I didn't know, and at the same time learn what I'd have to do to get you off, in the event that everything panned out between us. And... I admit it- I enjoyed having sex with both of them."

He looked up, expecting to see Tay looking hurt or furious- and was surprised to see Tay smiling again.

"I can't fault you for wanting to know more about yourself," Tay told him, rubbing his talon through Pakka's chestfur. "Sometimes the most amazing things we can learn about the universe around us is finding things out about ourselves we never knew. That's not all, either. You've been honest and good to me this whole time, Pakka, and my connection to the Force, the bond we've started between us, is what tells me that even though you've been intimate with other guys, you do love me. You didn't even try to lie about what you did- you respected me enough to be straightforward about it, even though you thought it might make me angry, or hurt."

"And you're not?" Pakka asked, bewildered.

"Not for a moment," Tay chirruped sweetly, leaning in and nuzzling the feline. "You were scared and confused, just like I was, and you wanted answers about your own attraction to males. Besides," he added with a giggle, "you really put it to good use. I can't be mad at that."

"Thank the Force," Pakka sighed, feeling relieved. "I really want this to work between us, I didn't want to make you angry so soon after making up with you."

"Hell, if anything I'm a little jealous," Tay admitted, blushing hard. "I've seen them in the buff before, and they qualify in my book as handsome studs that few could compare to- at least, until you came along. Sooo..."

Pakka cocked his head. "What?"

"... What were they like?" Tay murmured softly, a wild smile on his beak. "I've seen their sheaths, but I've never gotten to see their cocks before."

"Tay... it's weird in the best way possible, and I'm not sure how I can truly describe them." He grinned. "If you're ever willing, I might be able to set something up with them sometime- I'm sure they won't object."

"Shit... I'm tempted to say yes, if you're okay with that," Tay giggled again, hiding his face in Pakka's neck. "I'm just... I can't believe everything today. I'll want to talk about everything later. Right now I just want to have this with you- for however long we both have left."

Pakka smiled, nuzzling his lover and sighing as the two held each other. "I've got nowhere to be today. We don't have to finish right here."

"Good," Tay chirred, touching his beak against Pakka's nose affectionately. "Because I still don't want to be alone."

Despite the intense climax Pakka had experienced it was easy for him to get his wind back after a few minutes of cuddling with his avian lover. But Tay, who was not as skilled as Kajex in restoring endurance through the Force, required Pakka's help in cleaning himself off and getting into the body dryer, which took longer than normal as the Trianii kept him on his feet. When they finally stepped out of the dryer, it was with Pakka carrying Tay to the bed very much as if he were carrying a bride into their hotel room, the weak-kneed Nediji blushing hard and hiding his smiling face in the feline's neck until he was set down gently.

"You know, despite you being a well-trained and disciplined soldier, I had a feeling you might have been something of a romantic beneath it all," Tay chirred softly, smiling up at Pakka as he got into the bed with him.

"I try to be, when the situation calls for it," Pakka purred back, pushing the Nediji onto his back, leaning in and nipping at his affectionately. "How are you feeling?"

"Better, now that I'm dry and in bed... but I'm not 'done,' if I have to be honest," Tay whispered, as he pulled Pakka closer so he was between his legs. As he did so, his talon slipped down and slid around Pakka's partially thickened prick, generating a strained growl from the Trianii as he began to stroke it back to its true length. "Now that I've seen what your cock looks like, I want to know what it _feels_like."

"I gathered as much," Pakka groaned, thrusting once into Tay's hand until the base was in his tight grip. "Just point me where you need it." A shiver passed through him as the avian obliged, angling his cock around until it was between his legs and pointed directly at his genital slit. Pakka raised an eyebrow as Tay let go of his cock and tried to pull him in, forcing the feline to flex his hips to prevent penetration. "In there?" he asked.

"It'll feel amazing for both of us," Tay promised, his talons holding onto the Trianii's upper arms.

With his every nerve in his body feeling extra sensitive and his heart kicking around in his chest with all the force of a turbolaser, Pakka found himself lowering and rolling his hips forward, his tapered cocktip spearing between the avian's netherlips and sliding through the slick orifice in one smooth motion. Tiny tingles of bliss zapped through his prick as each fleshy barb disappeared into Tay's slit; though it was obvious the sensation was more intense for the avian as he flinched and jumped each time one caressed past his swollen outer folds, made undoubtedly much better given how thick the Trianii was and how deliciously tight Tay's hole felt clenching around his girth. In many ways, Pakka realized, it was almost completely similar to him burying his cock into a woman; but as he hilted the avian and caused him to chirrup in erotic ecstasy, he realized the key difference was he was sharing the moment with someone he was deeply in love with, causing him to lean in closer and muffle Tay's moan with a deep kiss.

With beak and muzzle locked, arms and hands clinging to one another, Pakka drew his hips back halfway and slid his soft-barbed prick back into its rightful place, back and rump flexing as he started to pound away at Tay's slit. No sooner than the third thrust, Tay started to gasp and moan into the Trianii's muzzle, using what limited movement he could manage to lift his hips up and meeting his lover's thrusts, the intense friction burning their loins. The avian Jedi arched his back, writhing beneath Pakka as his body was wracked with intense pleasure, his talons digging into the feline's back. All the while, Pakka's hips pistoned and rocked back and forth, spearing his throbbing flesh into Tay's clenching tunnel.

Every thrust that followed plowed past the smooth, velvet-like interior of Tay's genital slit, the inner-walls fluttering and squeezing around him. Halfway in the thick shape of his avian cock could be felt sliding along the top of the Trianii's flesh, the two rods grazing past each other as if trapped in a masturbation sleeve. While he could not encourage the tool to leave its incredibly warm and snug depths, Pakka could feel the throbbing length expand and lengthen as the minutes wore on, drooling more precum along his shaft and making the orifice much tighter. By now, the slick luster of their combined cock-lube made each movement slicker and easier to move in, though Tay kept flexing his abs and bearing down around the Trianii's girth, making each barb along the length scrape satisfyingly throughout his inner walls, each nub removing itself past his swollen lips with a pleasant plucking-like sensation.

The kiss ceased, yet the affection continued as Pakka busied his lips on Tay's neck, purring deeply as he nipped and licked the avian's neck and shoulders. Through it all, his hips never slowed, repeatedly plunging into his slit again and again. A chirrup passed through his beak and Pakka drew back, staring down into the Nediji's beautiful violet eyes; the avian smiled up at him even as he gasped and moaned lightly. For a few moments the Trianii paused, panting as he drank in the sight of his trembling lover, basking in the warmth that only two active bodies could make. Tay's slit clenched again and Pakka hissed, shuddering as the grip around his cock squeezed, sending a deliciously hot jolt of pleasure through his balls. By now, the orifice was slick and drooling with a cocktail of their precum, with Tay so aroused that Pakka could now feel his throbbing, still-sheathed length frotting against his own. When his thrusts returned it was with renewed vigor, Pakka's hips working furiously to bring his lover to climax.

"F-fuck!" Tay cried out. "Pakka, I'm so close...!"

Pakka slowed down as a grin spread across his face. "Need a moment to catch your breath?"

"No," Tay moaned, chest heaving as he drew in deep lungfuls of air. "I just... I wasn't expecting it to be _this_good..."

"It's exactly like I had dreamed it," he groaned, staring down at Tay.

Tay's smile faltered, his eyes widening. "... What?"

Pakka stared at him, his heart skipping a beat. Tay's reaction could have meant anything; but the Trianii was almost certain now that what he'd experienced in his sleep had been more than just a dream. Before the bird could bring himself to press further, Pakka had drawn back and grabbed Tay's legs, growling dominantly as he spread them apart and lifted them high, before bearing his body down on the avian and pinning him into place with his superior weight and strength. Tay gasped from the change in position and found himself crying out in bliss as the feline began to rut him hard, hammering his hard cock into his depths with enough power to force choked out moans from the avian. Every erotic shock caused a tingle in his balls, an ache building in them as they slapped heavily against Tay's round butt- an ache the feline forced himself to ignore, growling as he fought against his own endurance.

He didn't need to wait long- what little endurance Tay had left seemed to crumble away in the face of the Trianii's powerful erotic assault, and with a strained cry the avian arched his back. Searing-hot cum flooded his genital slit, drenching his cock with thick, pearly-white spunk and splashing out around his girth, staining his balls. He had to pull back quickly to avoid his length being trapped in the avian's clenching tunnel, gasping as he drew his hips back and pulled his cock free from the cum-filled hole. With Tay's legs still up in the air and spread to either side, Pakka stared down at the oozing hole, marveling at how similar it looked to a freshly bred pussy, and had to mentally shake his head clear as he steeled himself to finish exactly where he wanted.

Tay panted, tears streaking his face. "I... that was..."

"I'm not done yet," Pakka panted, angling his cock against Tay's tailhole and leaning in close. "I want to cum in you."

"Please... cum in me," the bird whimpered pleadingly, cupping Pakka's cheeks. "D-don't hold back."

With his cock still slick with a milky-white sheen of hot cum, Pakka found it remarkably easy to slide his thick Trianii cock into Tay's ass, reducing him to gasping moans once more. The moment Pakka hilted his entire length into the Nediji's backside, he was certain he would not last long. Straining against his own waning endurance, he focused on Tay's eyes staring into his lover's gaze as he struggled to form words in the midst of his breeding, the ache in his balls and the hot shocks of gratification coursing through his loins as he hammered his prick into Tay's tailhole, making it nearly impossible for him to speak. His paws reached out and clasped Tay's talon's, pinning them down as their fingers entwined. The urge to speak grew, and for a moment Pakka feared he would blow his load before he'd be able to muster the strength and clarity to say what he needed.

"It's okay."

Pakka stopped short.

"Say it here, in your mind," Tay suggested telepathically, smiling as tears streaked down his face. "You don't need to scream it to the stars anymore... just tell me here, where only we can know it."

The Trianii's throat tightened as he managed to smile back. In lieu of words, he stared into his lover's eyes and let free his words into his own mind.

"I love you, Tay-Ir Naull."

"I love you too, Pakka."

A beautiful ache of desire and joy burned in Pakka's chest as he kissed Tay once more, grinding his hips into his lover's ass as he rode out the rest of his endurance. Tay's legs wrapped around his waist, and in return, Pakka's strong prehensile tail wrapped around Tay's waist, forcing the Trianii to roll his hips in smooth, powerful circular motions that caused his cock to squeeze against Tay's prostate. A powerful clench at the base of his cock was all it took to rob him of his remaining endurance, prompting him to break the kiss and snarl as he claimed the avian as his own.

His impressive orbs clenched and throbbed as they channeled their payload into his loins, his cock expanding powerfully to accommodate the flood of Trianii spunk pumping through his length. The ache in his balls transitioned into pure ecstasy as he groaned, pouring hot seed into his lover's ass, flexible back arched as he ground his hips against Tay as gout after gout of his essence poured into his lover's lower belly. Several seconds passed in which Pakka's body was rigid and flexed, muscles aching as they held in place until at last his flow slowed- once it did, his entire body relaxed, draping over Tay's body weakly as a violent shudder passed through him.

For several minutes the couple could do little more than pant and gasp for air, though Pakka managed to find enough strength to roll off of Tay and onto his side. Eyes closed, he blindly reached out with his paw until it slid into Tay's hand, holding it gently as they pair started to get their breath back. When he finally managed to open his eyes, it was to the sight of Tay smiling at him, staring back.

"Did you find... what you were looking for?" Tay panted quietly.

"I'm certain I did," Pakka replied, smiling back.

In the hour that followed there were no words between the two, content as they were to hold each other silently and bask in their reforged love. Much of it was spent with the two cuddling and dozing off together, exhausted from two intense orgasms each. But eventually, as they chirred and purred together, the silence was broken as Tay ran his talon along Pakka's strong chest.

"So... I'm almost scared to ask," Tay said, "but what happens now? I mean... where does it go from here?"

The question did not baffle Pakka, as he had been curious as to what would transpire from their new relationship. For about half a minute he mulled it over, before finally answering. "Well... if you want me to inform anyone else about our relationship," he started to say, but Tay shook his head.

"No, I understand that it... it would be a bad idea," Tay interjected with a sigh, nestling in closer as Pakka gave him a gentle squeeze. "I wish we didn't have to hide it from anyone."

"I don't like the idea of hiding it either," Pakka admitted, "but we still need to consider our duty. That said, I wouldn't worry so much about it- once it's all said and done, I'll be open about it when asked. And besides, if it helps, Kajex and Locke already know. Vesii knows too, but thankfully she was more open-minded."

"I thought you were in a relationship with her," Tay asked, confused. "Wasn't she angry?"

"I used to be in a relationship with her," Pakka acknowledged, "but I also told you her eyes are on the horizon, and she understands that my heart is not hers to have- if anything, she was _supportive_for the both of us. We haven't been intimate since before we were assigned to different tri-sectors, but you don't have to worry about me chasing tail--"

"Wait, hold on," Tay cut him off. "Ah... I mean... let's not be hasty or anything."

The Trianii blinked. "Huh?"

"I mean... I wouldn't do anything to prevent you from being unhappy," Tay said brightly, blushing and smiling. "You've already had sex with females before- you're not going to stop liking women just because you're in love with me, right?"

Pakka hesitated. "... Is this a test?" he asked.

"I just want you to be honest, both with yourself and me," Tay said, smiling sincerely.

The Trianii chuckled nervously. "Okay... then I honestly believe that I am bisexual, and I'm comfortable with that fact. I also believe in being faithful, though- so you don't have to worry about me chasing tail."

"Especially if I give you permission," Tay chirruped playfully, nuzzling the surprised feline. "I'd be open to the idea."

The Trianii grinned and leaned in, kissing Tay's forehead. "I never took you for being that open. I guess we still need some more time to understand each other a little more."

"Probably," Tay agreed, sighing as he sat up. "And on that note, I think _you_deserve an explanation for _my_reaction."

Pakka frowned, sitting up and pulling Tay into a hug. "Hon?"

The avian swallowed. "I've forgiven you for everything. I love you so much, and I feel like that's never going to change; but it hurt so bad when you asked your question. And while I understand now why you reacted so badly, I never explained why _I_reacted so badly- why it hurt me so much."

"Who hurt you?" Pakka asked, cupping Tay's face. "Did they do as I did?"

Tay hesitated, then nodded. "I told you I was ostracized, and that I chose exile rather than remain in the company of those who couldn't stand me- people who would call me an abomination. I was in love, once. His name was Aello, and he was a handsome bird to me. He and I were deeply intimate, and we'd professed our love to each other, promising that we would someday leave Nedij and be together as we traveled the stars." He shook his head. "But obviously, that didn't pan out. As secretive as we tried to be, we were caught."

Pakka winced. "And they, like my people, didn't approve of it."

"It was all the worse since my affections were directed to the elder's son," Tay continued. "I bravely admitted my love, since at that point I'd made enough money to buy my own ship, intent on having Aello come with me. But... I hadn't anticipated that his shame would be so bad that he'd deny me, enough that he'd lie about me." He shuddered, closing his eyes. "Everyone knew I was Force-sensitive, but just like most cultures they didn't really understand what that meant, opting to base their perceptions on misinformation. And among that misinformation was that Jedi could control minds. All the elder had to do was ask if Aello was in his right mind, and that was all it took for him drive the lie in- to suggest that I had been controlling his mind through the Force and made him do things he never would have done."

Pakka's heart sank at the words. "Tay... I'm so sorry. Someone like you didn't deserve that. I understand now why that would hurt you so bad- but I swear to you I will _never_suggest that of you ever again."

"Thank you," Tay told him, managing to smile. "It hurt a lot, I won't deny that. But I think if I ever met Aello again, I would forgive him, and thank him."

"For lying about you?" Pakka asked incredulously.

"He_did_ hurt me," Tay acknowledged. "But my love for him was what drove me to buy a starship. If I hadn't done that, I wouldn't have traveled the stars and gotten to see so many awesome things throughout the universe; I wouldn't have joined the Jedi Praxeum and learned how to use the Force, while putting my abilities to use helping people in need; and I wouldn't have been assigned to this ship and ended up meeting a handsome, strong, sexy Trianii male who loved me for who I am... and who is also completely capable of fucking me into a state of pure ecstasy."

At that, Pakka burst out laughing. "I mean... when you put it _that_way," he chuckled, as Tay laughed with him.

After a bit, the two settled down, leaning against each other and staring out the viewport into the stars.

"What about after?" Tay asked. "I don't like to think of it, but... at some point, I'll return to Yavin 4, and you'll go back to your duties as a Trianii Ranger."

Pakka nodded, nuzzling the bird. "True. But I'll wait for you all the same. There's no reason I can't visit, if possible- I have a cousin that works with you, after all." He smiled at Tay. "After finding what I was looking for, I'm going to work as hard as I can to keep it."

"I suppose that's all we can do," Tay agreed, smiling again. "And enjoy ourselves while we're able."

A month later

"Tay, watch your port!!!"

The call of the Force had triggered Tay's reflexes the same moment the shout blasted into his eardrums, causing the Nediji pilot to wrench his stick to the right just as an explosion rang out to his left. He cursed as he narrowly avoided the burning TIE interceptor, his X-wing pitching away. The craft burst like an egg moments later, the nearby blast cooking Tay's rear deflector shield slightly and causing the cockpit to jostle as he regained control. With a silent curse of relief he opened his communications again.

"Lode 5, how's your wings?" he shouted, opening fire and shattering another TIE fighter before swooping into formation with two Kiree starfighters, piloted by Trianii Rangers.

"My bird's in the dirt," a female voice coughed. "Managed a safe landing, but I'm clipped here."

"You have a lightsaber and the Force, pilot!" Tay called out. "Get to the Trianii Ranger's command hub and help out in the fight!"

"On it, sir!"

His heart was hammering, not merely from the exhilaration of the fight. Only hours earlier, Master Moarn had evacuated all the civilians from the Inspired and ordered Lode Squadron to be ready to launch. The brief hyperspace jump gave them only enough time to be told that Pouma V had been attacked by the Imperial Remnant star destroyer. It had been bad enough to rush to the scene and find half the city in flames, but upon linking up with the orbital defense patrols they had to contend with the swarms of TIE fighters allowing the Remnant to land throughout the city. Worse, it was soon reported that the entire Trianii Ranger officer staff had fallen in the opening minutes of the fight. It took all his willpower and focus to keep himself from letting fear creep into his heart- he could still _feel_Pakka through the Force.

For now. That could change any moment.

"Fang 3, I'm right behind you," Tay called out, his keen eyes spotting several new ships pouring from the assault ship. "Check point oh-four-seven, do you see that?"

"Copy, Lode Leader," came the calm reply from the acting squadron leader. "Bombers entering the fracas, heading south- they mean to hit the Inspired."

With a frustrated growl Tay checked his sensors- the star destroyer's turbolaser batteries had taken moderate damage in its exchange with the Dreadnaught-class ship, but its surface batteries were deflecting brash pilots from getting too near. Nevertheless, he quickly noticed their fighter screen was patchy. Taking a deep breath and steeling his nerves, he pulled the throttle back and zipped ahead. "They're spread thin, this is our best chance to intercept- Fang 3, Lode 4 and 6, follow me and let's drive the spear into them!"

"On your tail, Lode Leader- Fang 7 and 9, cover us!"

All five fighters broke off from the fight and darted past the Remnant's weakened perimeter, juking and swerving to avoid the gunners overhead. Two of the Trianii starfighters shot past Tay and pitched starboard as several TIE fighters peeled from the screen to intercept, leaving them wide open. With targets acquired the remaining three fighters opened up, missiles and torpedoes streaking with all speed to their prey. A tremendous blast ended half of the bombing group, while a fourth tumbled out of the air and smashed into one of the still-standing buildings down below.

The remaining two had the good sense to deploy their chaffs, avoiding the carnage altogether, but for all the firepower they possessed they were lacking in speed. Even their reinforced hulls could not stand up to the barrage of their laser cannons, and before either ship could open their weapons on the Inspired, they were reduced to flaming scraps of durasteel.

"Excellent work, Knight Tay," a voice in Tay's headset remarked approvingly. "It looks like they wanted to end the fight with a parting shot."

Tay frowned. "End the fight? What do you mean?"

Before Master Moarn could answer, another voice burst out on the comms. "Commander, they're pulling away!"

Tay perked up and brought his ship around, reducing his speed; with wide, disbelieving eyes, he watched what remained of the Remnant's TIE fighter squadrons, less than half their maximum force, filed back into the star destroyer's enormous hangar. A few Trianii starfighters did not let them go without a fight, mercilessly shooting down stragglers. One brash pilot seemed intent on following them in, perhaps to smash his ship into the hangar and cause as much damage as possible; but a single shot from a turbolaser glanced off their ship and sent it limping away, unable to continue the fight.

A roar filled the skies and Tay watched as the star destroyer's engines engaged and propelled the ship forward. Snarls of anger and victory filled the comms as the Trianii Rangers swore and shouted in their native language; from his brief time learning the language with Pakka, Tay could hear the hatred of their words, the jeers for the Empire to come back so the fight could be finished. He swallowed and set a direct line to the Inspired.

"Master Moarn... permission to land at the Ranger headquarters and help," he requested, his nerves beginning to tingle.

"Tay, Knight Syrra told me to inform you that your friend, _Sinth_Pakka, is injured; but he is alive and recovering while guiding the efforts of the Rangers on the surface," Moarn told him patiently. "I am aware that you are worried for his well-being, but I need your help for now."

Frustrated though he was that he would not be able to see Pakka so soon, he nodded and sighed. "I understand, Master Moarn."

"The worst of the day is over," Moarn told him kindly. "You will see him soon."

An hour later

Tay kept pace behind Master Moarn, looking up at the former temple the Trianii Rangers had converted into a command center- part of the top level had a gaping hole in it from where one of the Imperial Remnant's escape pods had landed, being utilized as a makeshift drop pod. Around him where groans, whimpers, weeping and wailing from the injured and grieving all around him, though they were nothing compared to the raw pain that seemed to make the air stifling for the Jedi. He swallowed, his heart filled with with an aching pain that empathized with those who had suffered- no matter how hard he had fought in the skies, the battle on the ground had been much more intense and damaging. Even the Trianii matriarch they were escorting would not hide the pain she was feeling, the beautiful ebony-pelted noblewoman looking at the injured around her as they entered the ziggurat.

Almost immediately they were greeted by a familiar face; Knight Syrra stepped forward looking tired, but alive, despite having suffered what seemed to look like a stab wound to her midsection, her robes stained with her own blood despite the injury having been healed. Despite how dirty she looked, the matriarch did not hesitate to approach and embrace her.

"Jedi Syrra," she sighed in relief, "it's good to see you alive."

"And you," Syrra replied softly, hugging her back. "How are things at the market vault?"

"I've sent several Jedi to the location already," Master Moarn informed them, squeezing Syrra's shoulder comfortingly. "They are being taken care of as we speak. I apologize deeply for not sending at to the surface sooner, Syrra, but even with Captain Olraa's aid it was far too risky to send our shuttles down."

Syrra glanced to Tay and he nodded. "We were _swarmed_up there," he acknowledged. "We didn't lose any pilots today, but they threw everything they had in their hangars at us- the Trianii Rangers lost plenty of theirs in the sky. Excellent pilots, but..." he sighed. "There's only so much you can do against a full compliment of Imperial starfighters and gunboats."

"I'm sure every one of you fought as hard as you could," the matriarch insisted. "We cannot linger overmuch on what we've lost- we must focus on what we have left, and discuss why this even happened in the first place."

A Trianii Ranger interrupted and gestured them to follow, leading them deeper into the complex- but Tay hung back, looking around at the triage area. He'd been told Pakka had been injured, but he was nowhere to be seen among the grieving and injured population around him. After a few moments he spotted a familiar face, a red-furred Trianii female with white hair helping to carry medical supplies into place.

"Vesii! Vesii, I need to talk to you!" he shouted above the din, waving his hand. She perked up and looked around, spotting him and waving him over.

"Knight Tay, it's good to see you're still alive," she sighed in relief as he approached, setting her crate down. "We lost so many Trianii today, and the Antarian Rangers even lost one of their own out there; I was worried you might have bought it in the skies."

"I'm glad you're safe too," he replied, swallowing. "What about Pakka? Is he alright?" he asked.

She gave him a knowing smile and gestured for him to follow. "I'm about done moving supplies here- come with me and I'll take you to him."

It took only a few minutes to reach the top floor of the command center, during which neither Tay nor Vesii spoke- the Jedi remembered that she knew of his relationship with Pakka, and probably felt that it would be best not to speak and risk revealing part of that relationship to anyone else. Nevertheless, once they reached to room a pair of taller Rangers blocked the doorway.

"Cadet Vesii, Sinth Pakka has requested only officers and qualified technicians be permitted into this room," one of them said firmly.

"I brought a Jedi up here to oversee his injuries," she explained smoothly. "Jedi Syrra is busy downstairs tending to the others, but Pakka is her cousin, and she insists he be examined for her peace of mind."

"I'm sorry, but my orders were clea--"

"It's alright, Gotred," a voice behind him said. "Send them in, both of them."

The Ranger glanced behind him and nodded, stepping aside. "Good enough, then, come on in- just mind the equipment, we're still working on fixing it."

Tay entered, spotting Pakka sitting next to a console and an IV stand without his upper armor on, looking exhausted. He twisted his chair around and faced the pair as they approached- it was easy to see the bloody bandaging around his midsection and the IV line in his arm, a twinge of fear passing through Tay as he got to his knees next to the Trianii commander.

"I'm glad you're alive," Tay muttered, his eyes burning as tears threatened to fill them. "I almost thought neither of us would make it through this."

Pakka managed a smile. "I'll be alright, Bluebird," the Trianii assured him as their hands touched. "I took a shot to the stomach, but Syrra got to me quick."

"Do you need more bacta, Commander?" Vesii asked, keeping her body between the couple and the guards so that they would not see the couple's affections.

"I'll be fine," Pakka whispered, as Tay laid his head in his lap and the Trianii started to stroke through his crest. "I just... want this moment here."

"Well, I said I'd support you- and here I am," the cadet replied, smiling peacefully.

"Thank you," Tay said huskily.

"Think nothing of it," Vesii replied kindly. "After so much pain today, I'd never deny either of you a moment of warmth."

A week and a half later

It had been years since Pakka had last visited his aunt and uncle's estate, though he was surprised at how little had changed- Baarok Manor was still as impressive as ever, the tall spires of stone and expansive land around it sparking fond memories of a better childhood, one still recovering from the horrors of his torture, but finding new life and healing among loved ones. In that context, he realized how fitting it was for him to return; for while the Battle of Navio City was still fresh in the minds of the Trianii, those present at the estate were there to celebrate a better day to wash away to grief and pain from a week earlier. Syrra and her packmates had decided this would be the best opportunity to follow through with their union ceremony, and had invited everyone they could to attend- Pakka was pleased to learn how opened-minded much of the guests were, treating people of different backgrounds and beliefs with respect. Best of all, he didn't have to hide his relationship with Tay from anyone.

Except his parents. Something that was about to change.

He felt Tay squeeze his paw. "Nervous?" the bird asked with a small smile.

"A little," Pakka admitted with a chuckle, as the pair stood in the crisp morning light at the back of the central courtyard. "No matter what they say or do, I'm going to be with you. I just hope they approve- it would make a lot of things easier. It's hard enough coming out to your parents; but they're _also_my commanding officers."

"Who knows, maybe they'll just make you drop and give them twenty," Tay teased, leaning in and nuzzling the Trianii. The pair stared across the courtyard, where a Trianii couple with pelts similar to Pakka's were mingling with a few of Syrra's and Kajex's Ranger friends at the other side of open space. "Is that them?" he asked.

"That's them," Pakka acknowledged, taking in a deep breath and squeezing Tay's talon firmly. After a few moments he straightened up and led the way, guiding his companion with hope in his heart. "Alright... let's do this."

They strode the full length of the courtyard, pausing only slightly at the middle as Tay chuckled. Half a second away from asking what was funny, Pakka stopped short as he felt Tay touch upon his mind. "Think maybe someday it'll be us here, instead of your cousin?" he asked telepathically.

Pakka blushed furiously, but failed to hide his smile. "C'mon, don't do that- I'm so close to losing my nerve here." A pause, before stopping short and turning to the bird, staring back at his smiling face. All the fear seemed to pass away from him, the avian's smile once again succeeding in bringing warmth and joy.

"... But... yeah. Someday."

It was difficult to Pakka to decide, upon reflecting over the entire day, what had been the most interesting part of the day. Certainly, the wedding of Kajex and Locke Sunahm to their loved ones, Syrra and Keris, had been the center of attention; but it had not come without interesting interruptions and unexpected guests. His aunt, Matriarch Bast, who was known to have very little love for Syrra's new husband had arrived and unexpectedly granted the pair her blessings; several of his cousins, Syrra's siblings, also showed up to attend, and there was a moment in the ceremony where he was certain that one or two of them would have shouted their disapproval- yet they remained silent throughout, raising no objection and allowing the union to commence.

That had been interesting enough, and certainly there was great applause and approval when the couples kissed, finally bonded by law and ceremony. Nevertheless, the following dinner proved to have its own interesting moments as well. Key among them was the unexpected news that two of his cousins, Alisya and Ra'Tasum, would be coming with Syrra back to Yavin 4 to train at the Jedi Praxeum- news that caused the Black Tomb pack to howl in celebration as it meant one of their own, a kind-hearted wolf named Tegrim, would be able to spend time with his lover. And while it was news that caused one of his own sisters to storm out in anger (Pakka never did like Mehti), Bast raised no objection, and most of the gathering expressed their approval.

But these were points of the day that had been most interesting, which were not of importance to the Trianii commander, at least not once they were over and done with. Most of the day had been spent on him trying not to think about his parents confused and troubled reaction to him introducing them to Tay, and informing them that he was in a relationship with him. While they were polite and kind, even suggesting that Tay be among the sword-handlers to hold his lightsaber up in honor of the married couples, they had said little else, enjoying the rest of the celebration instead. While Pakka had been worried at the lack of discussion, Tay had only shaken his head and smiled, telling him to relax- which had worked.

Until Tay was nowhere to be found.

He strode through the halls, peering around every corner and keeping an eye out for the bird's bright-blue feathers- in a manor of wood and stone, he would be next to impossible to miss. He'd come across some of the Black Tomb pack, Master Moarn, Talrik and even Kajex, but none of them had seen where they'd gone to. In a moment of clarity he had remembered that one of Kajex's crew, Miles, was a Miraluka, and could see through the Force; it was at this point Pakka started making his way back to the reception, still keeping his eyes out for his Nediji boyfriend. It was in the hallway leading to the dining hall that he was forced to stop short, as an older, well-trained Trianii female stepped out of one of the nearby doors, right in front of him with her arms crossed.

Years of training kicked in as he stopped short and stood at attention, head held up as his mother held up her paw with a smirk. The moment passed and Pakka sighed, relaxing- she had a tendency to sneak up in front of him to get his attention, causing him to seize up formally.

"Looking for someone?" Ataurre asked.

"Yeah, I'm looking for Tay," Pakka sighed. "I'm not sure where he went, he said something about needing to talk to someone just as they were serving dessert- he told me to stay up and enjoy."

"You should have listened to your lover, cub," she replied, cocking an eyebrow. "But you don't need to worry about him, he's with your father at the moment."

"What is he telling him?" Pakka asked, suddenly filled with dread. "You... you're not telling him to stay away from me, are you?"

The older Trianii sighed and shook her head. "Son, you wound me with that suggestion. I thought you understood your father and I better than that."

"You didn't seem keen on wanting to talk about us when I told you we were together," Pakka said, feeling frustrated. "I'd at least have wanted one of you to say something positive or negative, something _honest_about how you feel about it!"

Ataurre winced and nodded. "I thought that might have troubled you. So that's why I'm here. I wanted to apologize for not reacting so enthusiastically to your news, and explain why your father and I seemed quiet after your telling us."

In another time and place, Pakka was certain he would have stormed off and not wanted to hear his own mother's answer; yet after his relationship with Tay, he had learned the importance of having a full understanding of the people he cared about. With a deep breath, he managed to nod.

"Good," she said, gesturing to the room next to her. "Come in here with me, we can talk in private- no need to have your miserable cousin Mehti hearing about _your_relationship and trying to tarnish your good name."

Hoping he wasn't making a mistake, he followed her into what appeared to be a reading room, brightly lit by an overhead aperture that reflected the light of the setting sun throughout the space. Atuarre took a seat at one of the nearby chairs, waiting until he was seated next to her before speaking.

"First off- I want to congratulate you and Tay for your relationship," she started, smiling sincerely. "I always suspected that you might have stuck with Cadet Vesii, but you're the only one who truly knows your heart- if it beats for a heroic Jedi Knight and pilot, then I think you could do _a lot_worse."

"Thank you," Pakka said, feeling some relief. "So... you don't mind that I'm in a relationship with another male?"

"To be honest, I can't say I blame you- he's exotically handsome for a non-Trianii," she said with a laugh. "As it is, I'm not surprised. It came to my attention that you _might_be attracted to male when a couple of reports were transmitted to me, concerning a former Trianii Ranger named Doma."

The name immediately sparked a flame of anger in him. "That son of a bitch..."

"Oh, I agree," Atuarre nodded. "When I dismissed his reports and approved your recommendation to have him expelled from the Rangers, he actually sought me out, all so he could spew his worthless, mean-spirited bile at me- or attempt to, at least. He was halfway into his second sentence when I broke his jaw and had him arrested for harassing an officer," she chuffed, looking satisfied. "Nobody talks shit about my cub, especially a violent, inept cadet washout."

"Thank you," Pakka said gratefully, managing a smile. "I wish I could have pummeled him myself, but I didn't want a disciplinary investigation being launched."

"Cub, you're my soldier," Atuarre reminded him, holding a finger towards him for emphasis. "You follow my orders. And the first thing I taught you is to not let some bigger cat push you around. You put the fear in him somehow, and you made the right move having him ejected. Moreover, you stood up for someone you were in love with- so I'm assuming that your relationship is deep enough that you'd be willing to risk your career for him, if not your own life."

"I already have," Pakka told her, clasping his paws together. "First mission together, he saved my life- not three minutes later, I saved his, without a second thought." He hesitated. "After an initial misunderstanding, I told him about... about what happened to me. About Project: Feral," he elaborated. "And he accepted me, forgave me for making a mistake. I've shared so much with him at this point, that even though I can't use the Force like he does, I _know_in my heart that he's the one I want to spend my life with."

Atuarre smiled. "And you have my blessing for that, cub. I want you to be happy. If this Jedi can give you that, then I'm not going to stand in the way for even a moment. Your father is telling Tay the same thing- that we want you to both be happy."

"I was worried... that wasn't the case," Pakka admitted, feeling less weighed-down. "I _really_wanted to talk to you guys about it."

"And I'm sorry we didn't get around to it," she replied, looking guilty. "But given the circumstances, it troubled both your father and I a bit. You might have seen us talking to a couple of Kajex's older friends, the Antarian Rangers?" Pakka nodded and she continued. "Ranger Captain Mathias Barnn, and recently reactivated Ranger Lieutenant Ray, wanted to speak with us about recent events, since they'd learned from your cousin Syrra and her mate that we were higher-ranked officers among the Trianii Rangers."

"About what?" Pakka asked, curious.

"Before I tell you," she said, "I need to know what it was you intended to do when Tay leaves."

There was a long pause in which Pakka didn't answer- in the midst of so much violent chaos, a near death experience for him, a period of recovery and bonding with his boyfriend, and a wedding involving his cousin, the thought of having to be separated from Tay had not even registered until his mother had said it. An awful feeling of loss overwhelmed him, almost as if the Nediji had already left and was millions of lightyears away.

"I... didn't really even think about it," he admitted quietly, his throat tightening.

"Well, then if you don't have a plan," Atuarre said, sitting up and folding her arms as her tone became stricter, "then I suppose your commanding officer will need to kick your ass in gear and _tell_you what you're going to do. Meaning that task falls to me."

Pakka blinked, sitting up in confusion. "Wha--"

"Here are the details, cub," she cut in. "The Imperial Remnant bloodied out lips and we're not_going to let that offense stand. As per Matriarch Bast's suggestion, the _yu'nar of every Trianii core world and nearly every settlement has restricted the presence of the New Republic and Jedi Order from operating in our territory. And while the Trianii Rangers will abide by those restrictions... that doesn't_mean that interested ranking officers can't send their own Rangers_beyond our system."

Pakka brightened. "Wait... you mean--"

"I'm not done yet," she interjected again, and he shut up on command. "I've decided to take on an offer from one of the captains of the renowned Antarian Rangers. Their ranks still need to be bolstered with capable, brave men and women; while we could use some of their techniques and connections to outfit our Rangers more effectively. I've no doubt that any of our own trained Rangers would fit among their number, and I had considered eventually sending several cadets under the command of myself and your father, to fulfill this purpose." She smiled widely. "And who better to be the first Trianii/Antarian transfer in this agreement than my own son?"

"You really mean it?" Pakka asked, excited enough at the prospect that his tail couldn't remain still.

"You took a shot to the body little more than a week ago, but rather than sit there and die you took control of the situation and saved hundreds of lives, my son," Atuarre said proudly. "You exemplify what is best about the Trianii Rangers, melding your fury with mercy and your commands with compassion. There is a darkness in the universe that will require courage and skill to defeat, but while the Jedi are willing to fight it, they will need strong allies to overcome it." She leaned forward. "I wasn't going to volunteer you for the task, initially. But when you told me that you were in love with a Jedi, it seemed like you would end up volunteering yourself for the job the moment you heard about it. _That_is what troubled us, the idea that you would risk your life to be with someone you loved. But your father and I agreed that it's not our place to tell you 'no,' and that we should encourage you to do what your heart tells you."

"I... I don't know what to say," Pakka said,

"You_should_ be saying 'yes ma'am,'" she chided him. "This is not an offer. I am giving you an order, and I expect you to follow it."

At that, Pakka sat up straight. "Yes, ma'am," he said back more forcefully, cuffing his chest in a salute. He tried to hold back his smile, failing. "But... why?"

She smiled back. "You remember Captain Solo, yes?"

He nodded. "How could I forget?"

"Losing your father to the CSA, knowing he was imprisoned and possibly being tortured, marked one of the worst years of my life, cub. Protecting you, taking you with me while we searched for him, was difficult. Han Solo didn't need to help us, and had his Wookiee friend not been captured I would not have blamed some for accusing him of refusing to lend his aid. But I strongly believe he was a good man, even back then- moreso after everything I'd heard he's been up to in the last few years. We needed his cunning, his courage, and his absurdly wild ideas to get your father back and rescue everyone. And he wasn't the first outsider to lend their aid. Kajex's own fathers did the same many years back, and while they died defending our people, I'm certain they never regretted their efforts for a moment." She reached out and squeezed Pakka's paw. "It's time one of us Trianii started giving back. And I think you know that, too."

Pakka nodded. "I do."

"And if it keeps you with someone you love, all the better," she added, cupping his face affectionately. "This Tay may be a Jedi, and that may make him powerful, but he will need your strength and courage. Lend it to him, so that the two of you will live to see brighter days, and spend them together. Take it from someone who regrets not accepting one's love sooner- you don't want to wait. When the opportunity comes, grab it with both paws and cling to it desperately."

With her kind words resonating through him, Pakka looked her in the eyes and smiled. "I will, Mother. Thank you."

She smiled back, getting to her feet. "Good. You leave tomorrow morning. Have your shit packed and ready to board the _Inspired's_shuttle. Oh... and don't tell your boyfriend about this."

"Why not?" Pakka asked. "He'll be ecstatic to hear it."

"I'm sure he will- which makes it a better idea to spring it on him as he's about to leave. I made sure to tell your father _not_to tell your boyfriend about this plan, as something of a pleasant surprise. Spend tonight as if it's the last night you'll have with him, a night he'll never forget- one that'll leave him _sore_in the morning," she purred slyly. "It'll make it so much better tomorrow.

Pakka laughed, his cheeks stinging with a blush. "I'll give him my best, then."

"Good," she said approvingly. "Now, let's get out of here and see if they've still got cake left."

"Yes ma'am," he replied with a chuckle, following her out of the reading room.

"Almost done, Mat?" Ray asked, leaning against the shuttle's forward landing strut. "The kids are piled in and ready to go- Moarn might be a Jedi Master, but it's rude to keep _anybody_waiting for so long."

It had been decades since Mathias Barnn had interacted with members of his unit, and while this was only true because most of them were dead, it was comforting for him to know that at least Ray hadn't changed in most respects. Always willing to take control and make sure a job got done, always looking for something fresh to do; and usually impatient as a result. While most of the crew was already on the ship and waiting to return to the Inspired, there were a few stragglers left that needed time before they left. By now the _Gold Rush_was likely halfway across the galaxy, with the newlyweds taking their sweet time getting back to the Yavin 4; and while it was true that the rest of the _Inspired_were not being granted an extended leave period, it was also true that there was no pressure involved.

"We're not in a hurry, Ray," Captain Barnn chuckled. "We're only five minutes behind schedule, and we're just missing a couple of passengers. See, here comes our co-pilot," he said, watched as Knight Tay approached with his sleeveless flightsuit donned and a headset around his neck- in one of his talons was a small, comfortable-looking pillow.

"Sorry for the delay," he sighed, his pace somewhat awkward as he winced, "but Doctor Baarok was giving me some... well, it's not important what he gave me," he muttered, trailing off.

"Boyfriend being a literal pain in your ass?" Ray guessed with a grin, gesturing to the pillow.

"Wha- no-- shut up!" he squawked, looking away with an embarrassed expression. "It's... last night was intense, that's all. I won't be able to see Pakka again until... I don't know when. Assuming either of us is alive," he added with a sigh, shivering. "So he made last night special for me, is all." He looked up at the ship. "Are we ready to go?"

"We're just waiting on one more," Ray told him, climbing into the ship. "I'll get the ship warmed up."

"Well I'm here now," Tay said impatiently, climbing up the shuttle ramp. "We better set off."

"No, you were second to last," Captain Barnn explained. "We've still got one more joining us."

The avian stopped short and frowned. "Do we? They better hurry their ass up, then."

"Their ass is here," a voice said from nearby, prompting Tay to jump in surprise. His violet eyes fell on Pakka, wearing his Trianii Ranger uniform under a brown bomber jacket, a blaster rifle slung over one shoulder and a traveling bag in his other paw.

"You're late, Ranger," Captain Barnn observed firmly.

"Yes sir, sorry sir," Pakka replied apologetically as he stopped at the base of the ramp and saluted the dark-skinned human. "Had to say goodbye to my folks before shipping out."

"Fair enough," Barnn chuckled. "A few extra minutes to say farewell ain't gonna get anyone killed. Good to have you onboard, Ranger."

Tay stared at the feline in shock, his eyes filled with confusion. "You... why are you... what's going on? What's with the jacket?"

"Oh, I did tell you last night?" Pakka said, with an obvious expression of feigned surprise. "Orders from my superior officers- I'm a transfer to the Antarian Rangers, under their payroll and command, now. Captain Barnn here was more than happy to accept my application without question- so I'm in," he said proudly, patting the lapels of his bomber jacket.

"You're... an Antarian Ranger?" Tay asked, looking dazed.

"That I am, Bluebird," Pakka grinned. "And right now, my current assignment is to provide security for this shuttle and it's Jedi co-pilot." He looked around. "Which... I guess is you?"

"Then... what the hell was last night!?" Tay cried out as Pakka drew near. "You and I... you were acting like I wasn't ever going to see you again- what was it supposed to be?!"

"Great sex," Pakka answered without a beat, smiling down at the avian. "I wanted this to be a surprise for you, to show you that I know where I want to be, that I've found exactly what I wanted in this universe. Now that you've become a part of my life, I want to be a larger part of yours. This is my shot to be at your side and fight, to watch over you when you need me- if you'll have me."

Several seconds of stunned silence followed before Tay answered, lunging at the Trianii Antarian Ranger and kissing him deeply. Behind him, several voices from within the shuttle shouted and cheered the couple on as they shared a moment of deep love for everyone to see. When Tay finally did break the kiss, his face was red and his eyes were blurry with tears- but he was smiling broadly.

"You dick," he said with a watery chuckle, wiping his eyes. "Doing this to make me so happy and emotional. How fucking dare you."

"I'm sorry, Bluebird," Pakka purred, nuzzling him. "Forgive me?"

"Always," Tay sniffled, nuzzling back.

For a full minute, the two held each other tight and allowed themselves a moment, clearly trying to stretch it out as long as possible. It ended when Captain Barrn cleared his throat, regarding the couple with a smile. "Much as I don't want to break up this little scene," he told them, "if we're all here now then we should get moving- you two will have plenty of time to talk when we're back on the Inspired."

Tay wiped his eyes and nodded with a laugh. "Yes sir, I'm on it." He hesitated and gave Pakka one more quick kiss, before jogging up the ramp with a bounce to his step, leaving the Trianii to sigh pleasantly as he picked up his bag again.

"Sorry for the delay, sir," he said, smiling sheepishly.

But Captain Mathias Barnn had no negative opinions on the scene in the slightest. Watching the Jedi and Ranger share a moment of love had triggered pleasant, peaceful memories from what seemed like a lifetime ago. And while the decades since had been hard on him, it was those memories that reminded him of better days.

He shook his head, waving it off. "No need to apologize, Ranger. If anything, you and your bird reminded me of two friends of mine."

"Who's that?" Pakka asked curiously, shouldering his bag.

Barnn chuckled and thumped Pakka on the back, guiding him up the ramp. "Come on up and I'll tell you all about them. They were a Trianii Ranger named Kane, and a Human Jedi named Bran..."

And though they had many adventures, hardships, and victories thereafter;

this is where the story of their budding love must end.

May the Force be with them.