Sagitta exhaled as she was hanging upside down on a bar. Wearing shorts and sports bra, it was obvious she was working up the sweat. Her hair was up in a bun. Clenching her muscles she starts to do more hanging sit-ups.
It was late. Which was why Cole was up.
Sleep wasn’t coming to him and at a time like this he’d at least be able to burn off some energy without worrying about others. Cole knew his paranoia was getting.. worse. But it was hard to ignore it when surrounded by unknowns.
At least the training rooms would be-
The tell tale noise of someone panting from exertion was audible when he opened the door to the area. He almost turned away on instinct but forced himself to continue on, eyes firmly set on the training dummies.
He spent several seconds forcefully ignoring the other person, placing his things down and slipping off the jacket he was wearing over a vest. He placed it with his other things, and stole a glance across the room to-
Sagitta?
Cole didn’t stare. But he certainly paused and only after a moment looked back down to his things.
What the actual kriff was going on with this woman. She kept appearing. She wasn’t even just a new mercenary hanging around, she was Arconan.
The shock was quickly worn away into wariness. A hiss of suspicion bore through, tension. It was a foul thing.
Still, he called across the room with as smooth of a tone as possible, “We really have to stop meeting so randomly.”
Of course, the Mirialan didn’t pay that much attention to her surroundings. From her home ship to the barracks at the Citadel and now here. Still, she missed her family but she knew this was all part of her life now.
And yet, she couldn’t sleep.
‘We really have to stop meeting so randomly.’
“Huh?” Sagitta looked around upside down and gasped at seeing Cole.
COLE!?
“Cole!? What are you-WAH!” Sagitta yelped as she slipped out of the bars and fell onto the ground with a thud. This distraction made her forget to keep her legs tight to avoid her falling. “Ouch…” She grumbled as she properly sat up and looked at him, slightly surprised. “W.. what are you doing here?”
Cole watched as she looked, up, gasped, started talking.. and then his gaze followed her journey to the floor and winced ever so slightly at the sound of the impact.
But the Mirilan seemed alright so he didn’t approach.
“I.. live here. I assume the same of you, now at least.” If she was visiting, it was still a massive coincidence that were both in Arcona if nothing else. But from the late time and the place he found her in, it was an easy set of dots to fill in.
It was strange she hadn’t mentioned it when they met on the drug bust. He had said he was with the DDF, after all.
Sagitta rubbed the back of her head to make sure she didn’t damage herself that badly.
“You live here? Whoa! When? I just moved in! That’s one of the reasons why I can’t sleep. Nothing to do with being lost. I’m perfectly capable of finding my own room thank you very mu- DDF. OHHHHH!” She sighed as she facepalmed herself. Smooth Sagitta.
Cole let the silence hang for a few seconds. Truly, he had no idea quite how to handle this. She was lost, clearly. Not that he’d know where her room was. So.. he stuck with pretending that she wasn’t acting mildly irrationally. Mildly.
“Around a year, now.” He answered, once she finished facepalming, “Did they not give you a key with the number on it?”
“Oh! Yes! You’re right! It’s right over…” She patted herself down. “Um.” Her brows furrowed as she got up and went over to her bench where there was a folded up jacket and pants. “A year! That’s very exciting! Do you like being here? Is it lonely? Do you get along with everyone on here? I haven’t got to meet everyone yet obviously.” She checked her pants pocket and nothing.
“I know you guys have bunch of available rooms but L'ara insisted I move in with her so we’re bunk buddies! That is, if you count my hammock as a bunk.” She checked her jacket pockets. “Oh. Frack. Wait, do you know which one is L'ara’s room?”
He was not answering those questions. Alas, from the last encounters with Sagitta, he doubted he’d need to unless she randomly remembered later.
“I do.” Cole confirmed, though he didn’t pick any of his things up. Once she went to bed he still wanted to train. He stood still, hands busying themselves with clasping at his back rather than actually fidgeting. “Left side of the elevators to the residential floor. It has her name on it, I believe.”
Sagitta one hundred precent noticed. She was asking him questions that she sort of considered to be important. Her arms crossed as she was trying to figure out Cole.
Part of her was concerned and worried. Does he hate living here? Or his crew mates? Should he even be here? She knew what he was capable of but it didn’t bother her. What bothered her was his dodge of her questions and made her second guess joining the Voidbreakers II crew. Or him being part of it. Though he was here for a year… so it can’t all be that bad. Right?
Right!
Pink irises bore into his blue hues and she could take the hint.
She has a big family after all. “Alright, thank you! I’ll find it after all! If not, at least I could learn by exploring! More adventures! Maybe I could find a closet or something for me to hide in. You know, in case one of those space storms pop up… heh” She puts on her pants and grabbed her jacket. Her fear of storms had gotten worse since the kidnapping because they liked to flip the switch on her. “It was very good seeing you, Cole. So! Right side of the elevators, I got this.”
Cole watched her dress, though it was less akin to the kind of watching he’d done on the morning after their first introduction and more wariness. He wasn’t even sure what of.
The space storms. He exhaled softly, “There’s some rooms in the middle of the ship that are muffled. Not intentionally but…” The Human trailed off for a moment before picking back up at her incorrect repeat. She’d end up in his room if she did that. “Left.”
Another pause. Kriff it. She wasn’t a danger just by being on the damned ship, it’d be fine. For the better to keep up friendliness. It was less likely to turn poorly than avoiding her-
“I want to train a little but if you didn’t mind staying a while I could show you the way.”
“What rooms? I mean, if our rooms are muffled, that’s good. It’s just… I don’t want anyone else to know. Especially L'ara. It’s a stupid fear.” She rubbed her arms. Wait. Why was she telling Cole this?! She doesn’t break down for others and always put on a tough face. “Left! Right. Okay, left.”
Then he offered to show her the way. She didn’t want to be a bother! “Um.” Though getting some sleep did sound good and she knew she wasn’t going to get any sleep if she was still lost. “Okay! Thank you, Cole” She smiled and then offered him something else.
“We can spar if you want. I can take hits.” Sagitta smirked at him.
Cole considered it, but she had proved herself to be a decent fighter on the drug bust. If reckless. Fighting was something comfortable at least, a spar was comfortable rather than continuing conversation. And it wasn’t just beating the kriff out of a dummy.
So, the Human nodded, “Sure.”
He moved towards the centre of the room, oddly not getting into any obvious specific stance, as he decided to try and get some gauge on how well she’d handle herself in melee, “Do you do hand to hand training?”
Sagitta smiled before placing her jacket on the bench and took off her pants once again. Barefooted, she stood in front of Cole with slight distance but close enough for her to grab if she wanted to.
“Yes. One of the first things Buir taught us.” She shifted her foot back and kept her front knee slightly bent and ready to move when she needed to. “Let’s go.”
Cole nodded and stepped forward. His footwork was light, but non-specific. He swiped at her with an open hand, but wasn’t close enough to actually strike. Whether it was purposeful or not would be up to Sagitta herself, as his face belayed no shock at the failure nor any satisfcation. Just a cold focus not all so dissimilar from what she saw of him when executing the goons left behind in the drug bust.
Her arm went up to block the swipe and she stepped forward. If he wasn’t going to take her seriously, she would show him. Her free arm went for an attempted elbow strike at his jaw.
Cole raised his hand, catching her elbow but not before it caught him in the jaw. It made his teeth clack together, but he managed to redirect most of the energy and using his other arm aimed to jab her stomach.
Her elbow was still held by his hand as she slid down her hand at his arm at the same time he was going down for the punch. Stepped back to nearly avoid the punch, her hand grasping his wrist as she attempted to yank him forward for a swift knee contact to his abs.
He had underestimated her.
Oh well.
Cole let her pull him forward, grimacing swlightly as she kneed him in the stomach but using the fact that she didn’t have both legs on the ground to swing his own. Twisting, he swept his foot behind her leg with intent to make her back up away or fall over.
Sagitta felt the contact and she was hoping that she wasn’t being too rough. Distracted with concern, she didn’t move back in time as she fell back onto the mat. With a determined grunt, Sagitta’s leg moved in hopes to lock with his legs and bring him down with her.
Cole stepped sideways, deftly avoiding her legs. It was close, but getting to the ground with her wasn’t ideal in a fight. With another step and no hesitation, the Human moved to pin her wrist under his foot.
It wouldn’t win the fihgt, but it.. wasn’t precisely a normal fight. Sparring.
Sagitta quickly brought her wrist to her chest as she rolled out of the way and crouched upwards to stand up. Her arms attempt to grab around his waist and if successful, she would throw him back onto the mat.
Cole’s foot landed on air. But shadow step teachings had taught him to remain light on those feet, and stepped just far enough back that her grasp wouldn’t actually give her a grip on him. He tried to use her sudden closeness against her, bending to wrap his arms around her torso in an attempt to throw her to the side.
Sagitta felt his arms around her and landed on the mat with a harsh thud causing her to grunt from the impact of her side. She attempted to strike at the back of his knee with her palm to make him bend the knee.
Cole stepped over her arm, before twisting once more with intent to place his foot on her chest.
Sagitta grabbed his foot and used her body as well as her weight to lift herself up and twisted his leg to try to attempt to make him finally land on the mat
He’d had a good run of it thus far, but as she grasped his leg Cole finally lost his balance. He managed to avoid landing too harshly, rolling wtih the momentum. But the momentum made it hard to accurately place a follow-up strike, going wide for a grasp at her wrist to stop her from getting up.
Sagitta was distracted by Cole landing. Wait. Why was she worried about him? He can take care of himself. The distraction nearly cost her when he tried to grab her wrist as she get it out of reach. Twisting her body, she attempts to straddle Cole and grab his arm to put it in a lock.
Cole didn’t have time to get up and Sagitta was quickly on him. She had his arm in a grip and was pressing to lock them down.
So he swung to punch her in the shoulder grabbing his arm in a aim to loosen her grip.
Sagitta felt the punch but it was more of a love tap for her. A playful smirk spread on her lips, “Say mistress, please,” Sagitta joked, the tone in her voice gave that hint. She attempt to free one arm and wrap it to behind Cole’s head to further the head and arm lock.
It was somewhat distractnig having her weight across his waist. It also didn’t help that she matched him rather well and instead of treating her like a threat from the immediate get go, he had given her more hits.
She managed to lock his upper body mostly, but there was still his legs. The other option was headbutting her but he didn’t really want to do that. So he twisted his hips and pulled his leg up to try and dislodge her. To shove her off.
Now she knows how weak you are
Sagitta almost lost her balance on Cole as she had to remove one arm to place on the mat to keep her balance. So he wasn’t the kind for friendly banter, but that’s okay. Not everyone likes to do it. Yet she couldn’t ignore the nagging feeling. While she tries to slide off of him and have her side on his chest and bring his arm closer to her torso to keep it from being used to punch her, she tries to use the Force Sense at the same time and she couldn’t focus enough to get a hint of what’s going on.
Cole managed to pull himself backward, flat against the floor for a moment and evading Sagitta’s arm. In the following moment he got his arm free enough to shove it up into her shoulder, in an attempt to force her to leg of him and give a window for freedom.
Sagitta huffed under her breath in frustration when she somehow missed the bloody headlock. She felt that push on her shoulder and caused her to lose balance. She tried to regain it by rolling to her side but ended up plopping like a fish. Her forehead pressed against her arm as she quickly wiped the sweat from her brows before rolling onto her back. Arched her back, she kicked out her legs in the air and did a jump… only to land on her heels and lose balance as she fell back and hit the mat with a thud.
Cole didn’t hesistate, sweating himself but not bothering with wiping it away as oppurtunity came about.
He swung himself round, getting up enough take advanatge of her landing on her back to sit on her torso, grasping for her wrists to just pin her. No fancy holds.
Of course. Falling back would only leave her open as she felt his weight on her with a bit of a huff. His hands grabbed her wrists as she struggled a bit before pink hues looked up at his. “What’s eating at you, Cole?”
He was breathing a little heavier from the exertion, keeping her hands pinned. Blue met pink, and other than a slight frown he managed to control the shock at her asking that so.. randomly. It threw him off, despite the fact he managed to maintain his usual demeanour.
He leaned back, but didn’t let go of her hands just yet. It could be a trick to win the spar, would be a pretty smart idea honestly, so he remained prepared for it.
“What do you mean?”
An exhale. If this was another situation, she would be excited. But she wanted to help. He was part of the Voidbreaker II crew. Her new home. And she would do what she can to help others. He leaned back but the grip on her hands were firm.
Her muscles relaxed as her brows furrowed, trying to think. “I could be wrong, but-” She paused. “Maybe it’s the way you fight and I’m not used to your style. But if I didn’t know any better… You’re frustrated or angry. I’m not sure which.”
Her smile formed, warm and friendly. She wiggled underneath him a bit, “I always find sparring fun, so could just be me.”
Kriff. It wasn’t a tactic, it was genuine. Somehow that was worse. With her allowing herself to relax, Cole let go of her hands, bringing an arm to wipe the sweat off his forehead as he got to his feet, stepping to the side so she could do the same.
“It’s training for me. Fun sometimes but mainly a means to an end.” He answered slowly, so as to not let the quiet last too long but battling internally into how.. or what to say to that. An outright lie would only work against him and any deflection would still potentially lead back to it. Kriff. “I’m not angry, if that’s what worries you.”
“Ah. It took me a while to be able to flip that switch. The difference between sparring and fighting for your life.” Sagitta knew all that too well. Especially since she sucked at dodging. And the kind of man her father was.
He got up from her as she sat up as well. Her legs crossed as she leaned back with her hands resting on the mat.
Pieces were coming together for her, slowly and she can’t figure out the puzzle. “You’re a massive jigsaw puzzle, you know that, Cole?”
She smiled and laughed softly, “I would hope I didn’t anger you! I just exist!” She smiled warmly then sighed softly. Though, sometimes just her existing had peeved some people cause she can’t shut up.
“Well, I’m not going to force you to say more than you wish to. I will say this, do you want to go for another round?”
“You do more than exist from what I’ve seen of you.” Cole chuckled, one who simply existed wouldnt throw thsemlves into the middle of a group of enemies after all.
He looked at her as she stated her intention to back off though, as if he didn’t understand what she was saying at first. In a way, he didn’t. But after a moment, and realising that she was really ok with just letting it go, he smiled just slightly and nodded, “You want to stay in hand to hand or try the the training out?”
He’d prefer hand to hand, but it was important to cover weaknesses.
“You are exactly right. I do more than just exist. I bring the shine in sunshine! Wait.. how does the saying go…” She muttered softly, tapping her finger on her lips as she tried to remember. Where did she learn the saying before? Was it in one of her favorite books?
‘Hand to hand or try the training out?’
Sagitta shook her head as she stood up. “Best way to learn is with actual people. It’s one of the reasons why I’m excited to be here! I hope I get to spar with each one of you. Can cover a lot of things. For example, it was getting my ass kicked so many times in sparring that I learned, I’m quite resilient.”
Sagitta quickly moved forward and she did it a bit slowly to make sure he knows it was coming and went for a kick by having her shin meet the side of his body.
“Sparring with people is important.” Cole agreed, watching her approach. The kick was expected, she moved slowly enough, but still tired from the previous round he didn’t move out of the way in time.
But the momentum of the kick gave him the oppurtunity to step in and attempt a jab with the side of his hand at the side of her neck to stun her.
Sagitta grimaced as the jab hit her neck, but she quickly grabbed his torso. Brought her foot down, she flung him over her side and down to the floor and grabbed his arm in an attempt lock.
Cole grunted as he hit the floor, landing on his side with Sagitta entrapping his arm still up into the air. Kriff. If he tried anything with his legs or free arm itd likely achieve nothing but…
He gritted his teeth, and in a motion that made his shoulder spike in pain, yanked grasping Sagitta’s arm with his trapped hand in an attempt to pull her down with him.
Sagitta was caught off guard as she grunt when she landed on the mat. Without missing a beat, she quickly rolled over and wraped her arm around his neck, but not tight.
And, of course. The Mirialan could not stop herself
“Piggyback!”
“Oof”
The air was partially knocked out of him, and being on his stomach with her on his back and a arm around his neck made it take a few seconds longer to recover that.
Once he had, he chuckled ever so slightly, “Well. That was faster.”
Sagitta laughed gently as she exhaled. She gently rolled off of him and laid on the mat. “Cole, can I ask a favor?”
She looked over at him, waited for his blue eyes for her to look at.
Cole shifted, but remained on his stomach for the moment, getting his arms underneath his chest and resting like that.
He looked to the side, a slight frown creasing his features, “..I can’t say I can do it, but you can ask.”
“Since I’m bunking with L'ara, I really don’t want her to know about…” She glanced around, made sure no one had sneaked in while they trained.
She exhaled sharply. “About the stupid fear.” Gritted her teeth, she look over at him. “If… we’re in a storm somewhere, can I stay in your room? We don’t have to do anything. No strings attached, just… I don’t want anyone to know.” Then she smiled as she rolled over to her belly, their shoulders touched as she nudged him playfully. “You can say no. I’ll be okay! I can use the opportunity to snatch a closet and make it a little hideaway.”
Cole’s expression didn’t really change, considering her before nodding ever so slightly. He.. wasn’t certain if she recalled that it had freaked him out too, but either way she was unlikely to use it against him. Other than usual restlessness, he couldn’t figure much of a reason to not.
After nodding, he cleared his throat, “If I’m in there, yes. I.. don’t spend much time on board though so I might not always be.” He frowned, “I can show you those rooms I mentioned. They’re meant to be a quiet space, studying and kriff, but it works for that too if you don’t wanna stay in your room.”
Sagitta smiled at Cole again. “Thank you. I understand. I… remember yours. After all it was one of the reason why you didn’t push me off.” She stuck her tongue out at him playfully. She saw no offense to it. “And yes! I would love to see those rooms, but first!”
She shifted by him and held out her hand. Fingers clutch into a fist, but with the pinky sticking out, “I tell no one about your fear and you tell no one too. Promise?” She figured that it was already unspoken rule between them but why not make it more personal and if not a bit childish?
Well, that answered that question.
But first?
Cole looked down at her fist, wondering what in the galaxy she was doing for a moment before she said promise. Ah. Pinkie.. promises. For some reason more meaningful among children than normal promises. Were you supposed to damage the finger if you broke the promise? He copied the motion however, curling the rest of his hand into a fist and leaving the pinkie sticking out.
He realised he had no idea what to do from there so just held his hand close to hers.
“I promise.”
Sagitta smiled as she squeezed his pinky slightly. “Perfect! Okay.” She let go of his pinky and placed it back on the mat. “So. Do you wish for another round?”
Oh. Squeeze. Right that made more sense.
“Could do. Though if you weren’t tired before you will be now. Should.. probably find where L'ara’s room is for you.” He offered, “I’m fine either way, if you want to another round.”
Sagitta laughed before getting up and extended her hand for him to grab. “I never tire. In fact, I can do this all day. Let’s go.” She smirked at him.
Cole got to his knees, taking her hand though not putting much weight on it to stand up.
“You can hm?” He raised an eyebrow, a small mischevious smile crossing his face for a moment before shaking his head, amused, “One more round then. We are one to one on winning.”
Her hand grasped his before releasing. Another hand rested on her hip as she listened for his decision.
Score!
Sagitta had made him smile.
She couldn’t make him laugh, but that smile was good enough. One step at a time. “Deal.” With a twirl and a step back, she waited for him to be ready. When he does so, she quickly dropped and spun her legs on the floor to hit his ankles and make him fall.
It only took a moment to be ready, and as soon as he was she swinging. Neither of them were hesistating on attacks.
Which was fine by him and he went for a jab to her stomach.
Her abs tighten and her stomach was hit as she exhaled slowly. She can take hits. This was fine. Her hand went back and she was aiming to hook punch at side.
He managed to side step the punch, and used being more to the side of the Mirilan to jab his elbow into her ribs.
Sagitta grunted in pain before turning her body and using that momentum in an attempt to punch at his jaw.
Cole caught her hand, pulling her forward with it and bringing his knee up to impact her stomach.
Sagitta shifted her foot but she wasn’t fast enough. “Frack,” She panted as her free arm went to hook underneath his leg and attempt to flip him onto his back.
Cole was still letting go of her arm and dind’t have the time to readjust before she was once against grappling at his leg, pulling out under him and dropping the Human onto his back with another thud.
That was all gonna hurt tomorrow.
He brought his legs together and kicked at her, trying to strike her stomach to at least force her to back away a little so he could get up.
Sagitta grimaced as the contact was made at her stomach. The Mirialan stumbled back a bit, which gave Cole time to get up. Exhaled again, she smirked bringing her arms up. “I can do this all day.” She repeated as she waited for Cole to make the move.
Quickly regaining his feet, Cole wasn’t so sure he could. Not without an actual threat anyway.
He stepped forward, swinging to strike her shoulder.
Sagitta quickly dodged and went for a uppercut punch at his stomach.
He dodged, but in trying to swing his elbow into her ribs again Cole overbalanced.
Sagitta dropped down to swing and make him lose complete balance as she quickly went to straddle him on his stomach. She reached for both of his wrists in an attempt lock and kept her head back to avoid any headbutts.
She managed to grab his wrists, but he wasn’t completely down yet.
Cole pushed his legs, bucking his hips up in an attempt to shove her off over his head. A bit dangerous, but with arms comprormised it was what he had to work with.
Sagitta gasped and she was too tired to roll properly and twisted her body, landed on her shoulder roughly right by his head. She didn’t want to hurt him that bad. However, he would be met with the soft pillows of her chest as she groaned softly. She was going to be bruised in the morning. Sagitta attempted to roll on her back, not realizing that she had his wrists still as he was now straddling her.
Then she started laughing.
Cole was pulled with her, still at chest height initially. As much as he appreciated the cushion there, he did do his best to shuffle out of the way, rolling sideways off of her but still having his wrists captured.
At her laughing, he couldn’t help but smile. He didn’t laugh, but he relaxed and shook his head in amusement.
“I think that’s your win.”
Sagitta exhaled softly as she released his wrists and smiled. “Mmmm. I felt like that one was yours. Let’s be real here, Cole.” She muttered softly. Obviously tired and sore.
She wasn’t going to let him know that though. Nope!
“Another round?” Her voice was rather sleepy. The smirk played on her lips as she sat up and looked at Cole, her chest slightly heaving while she catch her breath.
“Mm. Sure.” He commented, moving to sit up and then stand. He stretched his shoulder, it was will still a little tender from the first round and the following two rounds had not helped. He looked down at her, “I think we’re done.”
Cole offered his hand to her, “Are you going to be able to get into a hammock?”
The sudden switch was concerning.
Sagitta grasped his hand and used most of her weight to get up but she did use a bit of his help. “Are you sure? I’m sure I could go for more! I think. Yea. I definitely can.” Then the question about her being able to get into her hammock.
“Um. I guess we’ll see! Yea. I should be able to get into my hammock. No problem.” She confidently smiled as she made her way to the bench while stretching and moving around. This was also her way to figure out the extent of her injuries.
Bruises and soreness tomorrow. Though that doesn’t bother her. She enjoyed sparring and was able to develop, hopefully, a good friendship with one of the team members.
To her, they were important. Every single member of this crew. She’s to trust them to get her back because Sagitta will always have their back.
Grabbing her pants, she considered putting it on for a moment. Nah. She’ll put it on later. Hooked the jacket and pants over her arm, she glanced back towards Cole.
Damn. Why does the man have to be so fine?
“Okay! I’m ready.”
Cole grabbed his things, slipping his jacket over his shoulder rather than putting it on and getting sweat on it.
He nodded, walking over to her and then past towards the door. As he opened it, he glanced behind himself to make sure she was following.
Sagitta followed Cole. “Thank you, Cole. For the sparring and the offer of your room if… that thing happens.” She smiled as she sighed looking around. “I have to admit, I didn’t expect this kind of ship and I was informed this is a battle ship… and we have quite the luxuries.”
“It’s used like a battleship but it is a luxury ship originally.” Cole spoke, leading her towards the elevators. He looked at her, his own smile having faded now but he seemed comfortable. “You’ll be comfortable here at least, i assume.”
“Ah! It seems I have more exploring and learning to do then. After all, I just arrived.”
Sagitta gave Cole a reassuring nod and smile, “I’m not worried. I usually blend in pretty good over time or annoy a lot of people, no in between,” chuckled Sagitta. She’s aware that she can’t always get along with everyone but she’ll never apologize for being herself.
“You won’t annoy anyone here. I..” he trailed off, considering what he was about to say.
“Dont take me being.. less than social as a negative against the crew. I have bad history with one of the people who visits a lot and didn’t make a good first impression. Its a unique situation, you’re coming in of your own regard.”
A bit.. too personal even then Cole felt, but it explained the situation better than just ignoring it. And at least partially answered one of her original questions to him.
Aha! A piece for Cole’s jigsaw puzzle. “That is true. I’ll keep that in mind. I would offer to help you build up some kind of trust because I believe it’s important if we’re a crew but..” She smirked at him, “With how well you spar, you don’t need me.” And he’s a grown-ass man, Sagitta. You can’t help everyone.
Something she was painfully learning. The elevator doors opened and she stepped in.
“Cole, I-” She stopped herself and shook her head.
“Okay. This is going to be some kind of cheesy cliche thing and I believe I have told you at the hotel. I don’t want you to forget it. You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore before you decide to be happy. If being part of the crew doesn’t make you happy, you should do something about it I think. But I don’t know your situation so I’ll leave it as that.” Sagitta bitterly laugh as she rested her head back. “But I am being a hypocrite right now.”
She joined House Qel-Droma to get away from her family.
Cole shrugged, stepping into the Elevator beside her and pressing the button for the residential floor.
He spoke quietly, but firmly. “Its more complicated than simply being able to leave, yes.”
He let it hang for a moment before continuing, hoping to move off away from discussing himself. Hed given her a.. piece of her puzzle or whatever, that was enough. There was finding familiarity, it did not mean showing weaknesses. He was incredibly vulnerable, if anyone knew itd be all tk easy-
“A hypocrite in what way?”
Sagitta paused for a moment. “I had a choice. To be part of my Buir’s force. My father I mean. He’s part of the other House. Or be part of House Qel-Droma. Things are not okay with my family. So I ran here instead of facing my evils.”
Ah.
“I see.” Cole mused before shrugging, “Its not like you can’t ever see them again. Or change your mind. If this is you running away, you’re doing poorly.”
Sagitta busted out laughing and stepped out when the elevator doors opened. “You’re right. I should’ve hyperjumped to many planets away and disappeared entirely. Now there’s a thought. Could give myself a whole new identity. That would be an adventure for sure!”
“Harder than you think. The galaxy is smaller than it seems sometimes.” Cole shrugged, following her out and leading toward her door, “But the further the better, in theory yes.”
Maybe he was considering it a little too seriously. Oh well.
“You’re giving me ideas, Cole.” Then she paused, “In everything I’ve read or heard, the demons always catch up. I mean I found out my father is alive and not dead. And he put a hit-”
She stopped. She almost revealed too much. Clearing her throat she shook her head. “Oh! This is familiar. Okay, we’re on the residential floor and if I remember right our room should be riiiiiighhhht-” She smiled at seeing the door. “Here!”
Her father did what?! Cole frowned, but she cut off and he couldn’t exactly question anything with how much he was dodging.
What kind of parent did that? His father wasn’t the kindest but…
He shook it off internally, following her the rest of the way to her door.
“That it is. You got your key code?”
“Yes! That one I actually remember” Sagitta pushed the number for the key code as the door slid open. L'ara wasn’t in the room. Then her muscles relaxed while her shoulders dropped at seeing her hammock. “Man, that looks soooo comfortable right now.” She made her way over to the hammock and attempted to get in. She overdid it. Sagitta yelped as she clung to the fabric while it spun. When it stopped, the Mirialan was thrown to the ground below.
With a defeated sigh, “I’ll just sleep on the floor. This is fine.”
Cole watched, his gaze following her attempt ipward, and then toward the ground. He winced and the impact but otherwise just stayed in the doorway watching.
He watched her lay there in failure, and couldn’t help sigh before offering- “…I’m right across the hall. No strings.”
Sagitta heard his offer as she considered it.
But she was tired. The floor wasn’t that bad…? Maybe. She could always steal L'ara’s bed but she didn’t want to deal with a rude awakening.
Yet she knew that she would have trouble sleeping. If she wasn’t on a bed or a hammock, there was no way she could sleep.
“Okay, but I want to shower. I feel so sticky and gross.” She sighed as she pushed herself up. “You can stay here and wait or I’ll find your room. I don’t take long!” With a tired smile, she took off her top while heading to her dresser. Bruises were forming in certain places. Grabbing clean clothes the Mirialan made her way to the bathroom while removing her shorts on the way to the bathroom.
Five minutes after, Sagitta stepped out with a clean t-shirt and boy shorts. Her arms were working on drying her hair as much as possible. Threw the towel on one of the chairs, she was so ready to sleep. “Okay! I’m ready!”
Cole had sat on Lara’s bed to show his intent of waiting, and spent the few minutes checking over some intel on his data pad.
He looked up once she came back out and stood up, “let’s go then.”
He opened the door for her and then followed her through, crossing the short space to his room tucked in thr corner.
He opened it, stepping in and holding the door open for Sagitta to follow.
“I need to shower as well, but feel free to go ahead.”
Once she was in the room, he let the door close and stepped into the bathroom with a clean pair of boxers in hand. Moments later, the water was running.
Coles room was.. practically empty. Other than clothes in his closet and a few select items including a back pack on the desk, the only way you’d know someone lived here was the fact the bed was unmade.
Sagitta nodded. “Don’t blame you.” She plopped onto his bed and grunted slightly in pain, forgetting one of the love taps was at her ribs. With a deep inhale, she smiled while laying on her belly. Her head rested on the pillow with her arms underneath it. Her hand gripped the sheet underneath.
It was hard for awhile. She always slept on her belly with her weapon in hand. Asani always slept on her back.
Sagitta felt sad for a moment but exhaustion took over. The comfort of her holding the sheet under the pillow gave her that ‘safe’ feeling.
Cole took a few minutes, mainly to give his shoulder some time under the cool water to hopefully prevent it from bruising too badly. That.. hadn’t been his best idea. Oh well.
The Human stepped out after several minutes, in a clean pair of boxers. Shed taken the pillow, but was over wise well placed to let him slip in beside her. He could live without a pillow.
Which is what Cole did, unsure if she was asleep already so being careful as he slipped into the bed beside her. He faced away, conscious of the fact he’d been.. not in a great mood. It usually made his sleep worse. It wouldn’t be great if she made him jump in his sleep and he could easily reach to deal with the threat. Slight.. regret pulsed through him but it was far too late now, and he simply settled in to sleep.
Sagitta jolted a bit as he got into bed as she sighed with relief. “Right. Sorry.” She smiled as she scooted away and realized she took the only pillow. “Hmm.” That was no good. Sagitta rubbed her face a bit as she yawned, “I can see three options,” she was almost incoherent but he would be able to understand. “I rest my head on your chest, you rest your head on mine, or I go to my room and get my pillow.”
Cole was already settled with his elbow under his arm, “I’m alright, you should sleep. You barely sound awake.”
As sweet as itd be, itd also be less than ideal if… well.
Sagitta frowns as she sighed softly. “Too tired to argue. You’re lucky,” mumbled the Mirialan before she dozed off again.
Cole chuckled ever so slightly to himself, before slowly allowing himself to relax and falling to sleep.
It was some hours later when he sat up suddenly, a growl escaping him. He leant so far he almost fell off of the bed as his hand grasped for a blaster he kept under the mattress. Night blind, his eyes searched fruitlessly for whatever enemy there was. He put his leg to the floor, balancing on it as he remained otherwise sat on the edge of the bed.
Theyre watching you, its right there, it’ll strike if you don’t act now, move-
He stayed, frozen in place, waiting.
Sagitta awoke with a startle at hearing the growl. Her hand gripped for her weapon but there was nothing there. Only sheets. Right.
How long were they asleep for? What was he frantically looking for?
“Cole?” Her hand reached out to touch his arm.
Cole jumped, stepping off of the bed and almost falling over. It was a sudden movement, but he remained silent other than harried breathing.
Even as he steadied himself, Cole turned toward the bed, raising the blaster half way before the voice registered and he stopped himself, aiming back down toward the floor.
His gaze returned to the darkness of the rest of the room, not sure if it was actually safe to say anything in return. But surely-
“Kriff.”
Sagitta gasped at his sudden movements. “What the-“ she stopped when she heard him say kriff. She didn’t know what to say or do. She can’t see clearly enough to what’s going on. Why did he say Kriff?
But she knows night terrors and the perception of reality it messes up on. All those scars. Savi mentioned about his family being gone. Maybe he’s having one?
“You’re safe. I’m here. You’re on voidbreaker II and we are in your room.” Her voice remained calm and gentle as she hopes this would bring him back to reality and out of the terror.
“Come back to bed, Cole.”
To trust.. or not.
Cole had no reason to distrust her, but as his eyes adjusted to the room he could see well enough to know she was right. He hesitated still, but after a moment flicked the safety back onto the blaster and sat down, shoving back under the mattress.
He worked to control his breathing, returning to reality as the moments passed and once he was sure it had all been in his head, his shoulders realised and Cole mumbled, “Sorry I..”
He sighed, rubbing a hand across his jaw, “Sorry.”
There was a pregnant pause and Sagitta would be lying if it wasn’t making her nervous. Wait. What was that at his hand? After what seemed like forever, the flick sound of the safety confirmed she wasn’t seeing things. His weight was back on the bed.
Sagitta’s hand gently rested on his back before sliding her arm to around his torso as he would feel a tug from her for him to lay down. “Sorry for what? Messing up our beauty sleep?” She joked softly. Then a small pause.
“I get them too. You don’t need to apologize what you can’t control. Now, come on. I’m still tired.”
“No i- its..” He began, but stopped with a heavy sigh, relinquishing himself to her arm and shifting to lay down again.
He almost shot her. But if he started talking, Cole wasn’t sure if he’d have the will to stop, so best to not. So the mercanary settled for laying back down on his side again, intending to return to the same position as before. It had worked out.. ish.
“Ah no. Absoutely frackin not.” She used what she had to make him lay on his back, his head would be resting on the pillow. She rested her head on his shoulder. Her leg went on top on one of his as her arm rested across his torso.
“I’ve been shot. A lot. I would like to prolong as much as I can before I get shot again.” She snuggled up to him and sigh contently, “and I’ll frackin stab you if you shoot me.” She chuckled.
Surely she’s joking.
Right?
“…I was trying to avoid punching you.” He commented, barely audible but feeling some need to defend himself.
Cole hadn’t fought the yank back, though he had tensed. It took a little to relax, mainly the realisation that itd be a lot more effort to resist than not and this.. wasn’t bad. Just not ideal.
“…there’s a knife under the mattress, under the top edge past our heads.” His voice was a little more audible, though whether or not he was joking was just as difficult to tell.
Sagitta paused for a moment as she started laughing and her hand went up and stroke the side of his face a bit.
“We’re just messed up, remind me to show you the hidden pockets my hammock has.” She removed her hand from his cheek and her arm went back to resting on his torso. “Well, thank you. I’ll keep that in mind. Now, let’s get our beauty sleep.”
That was weird.
She. Laughed? He could see the amusement in but her to straight up laugh-
Well alright then-
“Noted… and yeah.” He shifted, just to slip his arm under her, wrapping around so his hand rested on her side just below the ribs. The other he left on his own stomach.
This was definitely a lot more comfortable.
It was several hours later when the flickers of the Voidbreakers day mode lighting crept under the door. Jt wasn’t much, but it was enough with Cole’s jnternal schedule that he slowly stirred from sleep.
Sagittas presence almost confused him, but it was overwhelmed by the memories of earlier that night. Karking hell. Shame almost made him roll over to return to sleep, tk evade himself for a while, but Cole forced himself to stay put and simply wait to be more awake.
Once he was, he started the gentle process of untangling from Sagitta. She was.. certainly something. He hoped that they remained.. in whatever weird friend with benefits but not acquaintanceship this was. Still, he had to get up, and after a minute he was free enough to start moving to stand.
Sagitta relaxed when his arm went around to rest on her. With a soft sigh, she was going to sleep better for a few reasons. One, there was finally touch. It took Sagitta a while but she realizes she doesn’t do well without touch for a while. Two, she’s a light sleeper so if this kriffin’ human decided to pull the blaster on her again, she would be able to try to keep him down.
Hopefully, he won’t have another night terror.
And that she won’t have hers. It didn’t take long for her to fall back asleep.
Sagitta sighed and stirred when Cole started to move around to get up. She was more than happy to let him go. He wasn’t making fast movements so he was awake and she could tell that it was ‘morning’ by her internal clock temperature. With a soft grumble, she rolled over to her back, half of her body resting on the wall. Her eyelids stay closed.
Sagitta felt a pang of sadness. Every morning, if they didn’t have a job that morning, he would cook for them. Every. Frackin. Morning. The moment Cole stood, she sighed as she plopped back onto her belly.
“Mine.” She muttered, indicating she was taking up the bed for now. Of course, if he asks, she would happily give him back his bed. Sagitta exhaled. She knows she wasn’t going to be able to go back to sleep. There’s sleeping in and waking up at a time and unable to go back to sleep. She had hit the latter. Her head turned to look at Cole’s direction.
“No strings.” She reminded him from last night, “If you’re up for some morning fun, I would be down for that.” With a soft chuckle. “No pun intended… maybe.”
Cole glanced down as, with his presence leaving the bed, Sagitta expanded to take up the space. He raised an eyebrow, but otherwise just shook his head in mild amusement. He had begun to head to the bathroom, hand on the door handle when she spoke.
The Human turned his head toward her, the bemusement growing. He felt pretty rough, but there were worse things… people? to do in a morning. It wasn’t like he had any actual plans.
“No strings.” Cole spoke, agreeing and walking back toward the bed, tucking some of her hair out of Sagitta’s face and behind her ear. “Though you’ll need to unlatch from the sheets if that’s the plan.”
Sagitta smirked as she turned sideways and hook her legs around his hips with the sheets still on her.
With a playful smile, she looked up at him.
“Make me.”
“Okay.”
Cole hooked his arms under her butt and lifted, picking Sagitta up and turning. He walked a few steps before pressing her back to the wall.
“How’s that?”
Sagitta quickly wrapped her arm around his neck when he lifts her, causing her to gasp, and a soft moan escaped from her lips when her back was up against the wall. Her cheeks flush with muddy red color while her hands stroke his cheek. She liked feeling the rough stubble on his face. Leaning down, she pressed her lips against his for a kiss. It was getting deeper and more passionate before she pulls away. Almost if teasing.
“That’ll work.”