The alarm was going to go off soon but Cole remained in bed, arm looped over Sagitta and letting himself rest a little longer even if sleep wasn’t an option anymore. It didn’t help that he was nervous.
Going home was usually a cause for excitement for the Farrow, but today he was going to ask Sagitta to go with him. It was going to be interesting but he let himself hope that it would be in a good way. If she said yes, that was. If not, then it’d be fine.
When she started to shift, as one does when beginning to wake up, he moved with her to give her space to get up straight away if she wanted to.
Sagitta grumbled softly as she gently started to stir. “Mmm.” She wrapped an arm around his torso before she leaned up a bit and gave him a kiss. Not too long after Sagitta got up and started to stretch. Got out of bed, headed to the bathroom, and started to brush her teeth before standing at the doorway and looking at Cole before removing the toothbrush, “Got any plans today?” She then resumed brushing her teeth while Cole responded.
Maybe today she could do some more training in. Or go out on a run with Clawless.
Cole had gently returned the kiss, before properly shifting to let her go.
While she was in the bathroom he’d started getting dressed for the day, already on his feet and pulling on pants when she came back out.
“Yeah, actually. I’m going to head home for the weekend. It’s been a while.” He hesistated. Glancing over at her as he buckled his belt. “You could come if you wanted to.”
Sagitta went to the sink as she pouted a bit. He was going home again. At least he’ll come back.
‘You could come if you wanted to’
Sagitta laughed softly as she started to brush her hair. “What, do I have to be blindfolded,” the Mirialan teased Cole, having no idea that he was being serious.
“Only if I was kidnapping you. Which.. If you don’t want to come I’m not going to force you.” His voice sounded more confused than anything else, picking his shirt up but not putting it on yet as he shifted to move past her into the bathroom.
Sagitta paused. “Oh you’re-” She quickly stepped out of the way. “You’re serious.” Her heart skipped a beat as she walked out of the bathroom and sat on the edge of the bed. Her brows furrowed.
“Wait, I have a lot of questions. Do you want me to join your family? Do they want me to join your family? Is this just a meet and greet? I-” She stopped.
Can she control herself around Trevor? She doesn’t know everything but she knew enough. At least her adopted father had the decency to train her when she was much older. Maybe she should go. For Cole. Part of her knew she was also curious about the family and the inner workings. Her biological father was one but she doesn’t know of the workings of the family.
“Okay. I would love to go with you. Let me go get dressed and packed… I can bring my weapons, right? Or do they have to be packed?”
Though Cole might know deep down inside even if it was no weapon, Sagitta would always have a knife on her somewhere.
Oh she thought it was a joke. That.. The nerves reemerged but it was easy enough to steady them, busying himself with cleaning his teeth and face as she started the question train. That was expected at least. Her family had told her to avoid people like him, groups like he was in. It made complete sense that it’d spark queries.
“They would certainly prefer it and I wouldn’t mind though I’m not going to ask you to do anything you don’t want to either. This would just be.. meeting my father. Likely some of my friends too though they may be busy. And yes, you can bring your weapons. Best that you openly carry, rather than packing them. You’re visiting with me, not as an individual. You have nothing to hide. Most people walk around with some form of weapon on them.”
Cole let himself smile slightly, peering out of the bathroom toward her before continuing cleaning up. He was glad she’d said yes. It was nervewracking. The last girl he brought home… Well. Kriff it. This was different. His father was already aware there was someone, he could deal with it.
“Mmm. Open carry huh?” She paused, wondering if she has her blaster holster with her. “That makes sense.” Sagitta watched him dressed and cringed. Maybe she should put on something nicer. There was something she had but she wasn’t sure if it was over the top.
Screw it. It was Cole’s family. First time meeting. Buir had mentioned many time first impressions are important. Might as well.
“When do we leave?” She asked.
Sagitta wasted no time. Her hair was up in a braided updo with few strands loose on purpose to have her keep her playful personality. She looked professional. At her hip rested her blaster and her lower back has her beskar dagger. It’ll have to do. Everything else was packed. “Okay, I think I’m ready.” She started to fidget a little bit.
By the time Cole came out the bathroom she was done. So was he, in his usual style. A dark blue shirt today, fully button up and the collar folded properly all the way round. Black slacks. His holster was on his hip, another strung over his back that, upon exiting the bathroom, he used to settle his sniper rifle into.
Then he noticed the outfit.
Woah. Cole grinned slightly, albiet a touch confused. “That’s- You look great. You don’t usually dress up though, you didn’t have to.”
“I want to. First impressions are important. Can’t just roll in with a top that’s barely a bra and old pants.” She winked at Cole. “If I want to be real here, this is similar to what I wear just more… professional. Maybe more supportive on the girls. The lady at the store really helped me. Besides, you dress up every day. I figured that might be a habit you picked up from your family. So, I wanted to do right by good first impression.” She grabbed her comm and sent out a notification that she was on weekend leave to make sure she doesn’t get any missions this weekend while they were at his family’s place.
Sagitta grabbed her bag. “Okay, I think I got everything…” She patted down a bit. Her nervousness was noticable.
Dress up? Cole looked down at himself. “This is just my normal…” He trailed off, before shaking his head. He supposed his normal was a bit more than most on the Voidbreaker he supposed. “Yes. I suppose it is something of a habit. It’s never felt like dressing up to me.”
Grabbing his own bag, it wasn’t difficult to notice the nervous ticks. Her double and triple checking everything. He moved over to her, taking her chin with his thumb and forefinger and stretching up enough to kiss her. “I can’t guarantee my father will like you, but the others will. You have nothing to worry about.”
Sagitta rose an eyebrow when Cole was going to start on the ‘normal’ clothes again. But he trailed off and caught himself. “Right! It’s your normal.” She smiled softly.
His hand taking her chin caused warm chills to go down her skin and she had goosebumps. How does he do that every single time? She smiled and returned the kiss. He helped give her some confidence she didn’t know she needed.
“Let’s do this.”
He nodded, leading the way.
A matter of hours and a hyperspace jump later, they were landing at the primary base of Cole’s family. It was large complex, guards posted visibly at any access points. Large spotlights faced both inward and out. The complex was set toward the edge of a city, the streets almost seamlessly turning into the base. It it wasn’t for the tall walls, topped with barbed wire and patrolled by guards, it’d be difficult to tell where they were supposed to landing or how it even differed from the rest of the buildings around it. As they began to slow, a landing pad on top of one of the smaller buildings became visible. Cole briefly left his seat beside Sagitta to speak with the pilot and be on the communicators as they got permission to land before returning.
“We’re here.”
He remained stood for the landing, grasping onto the overhead railing beside Sagitta. Once they were on the ground, the bay opened allowed the pair to walk off of ship. There was no greeting party, just a guard.
She nodded to Cole, “Farrow. Where’s the pilot?”
“Lonin. Still disengaging some of the controls.”
“Who’s this?”
“My guest.”
The guard nodded, glancing over Sagitta skeptically but otherwise disregarding the Mirialan in favour of heading onto the ship.
Cole looked to Sagitta, giving her a gentle nod before beginning to the lead the way off of the landing pad and down into the main building.
“This is primarily storage and space for thoroughfare. My father will be expecting us so we’ll be heading into our building.”
Even on a normal return alone he’d make sure to greet his father before going anywhere else. Less out of a enthustiastic need to see him but it was procedure for everyone else as well and a sign of respect. If his own son didn’t respect Trevor, then why would anyone else.
As usual, Sagitta talked up a storm on the way there but she does her best to engage Cole into the conversations. When he left to go to the pilot, she glanced out of the window.
‘Holy Kriff….’ Sagitta grimaced. But she was right as rain when he came back. She nodded as she got up and followed Cole. A guard.
Odd.
But if she really looked around there’s more security than just a guard.
Sagitta smiled and gave her a little wave but was looked up and down. Right. Different territory. She rested her hands on top of each other. The Mirialan followed Cole and she honestly didn’t know that his father knew that she was on the way. That would be for the best. With a setup like this, it’s not a good idea to show up unannounced.
“Our building?” She asked as she glanced over, “I’m guessing sort of headquarters? Smart. Dont want to sleep in the same place you work at. Too vulnerable…” She smiled, “That’s why in Adventures of Sagitta, she had two places. A ship she worked at with her crew but her home was never close to her ship. To keep things separate. And to give the crew the morality they need to remember they have a life.”
Cole nodded, “In a way. It’s still on the complex. This is our life. So it’s not seperate but if anyone decided to try and destroy us by air and managed it, it’s best that people don’t sleep in the buildings that would appear to be priority targets.”
He didn’t mind the remarks, but he kept his eyes ahead.
They passed through another building, one that bustled with activity. Some people nodded to the youngest Farrow, most of which he didn’t return except one. A Chiss who approached and Cole slowed his step for.
“He’s not going to like the guest Cole.” The Chiss smiled despite his words. Red eyes looked Sagitta over, but the smile remained genuine, albiet tense.
“Does he ever Corvo?” Cole deadpanned, placing a hand on Sagitta’s shoulder, “This is Sagitta. We’re on our way to go greet him now.”
The tension did not go unnoticed.
And it was making her more nervous.
What did she sign up for? No. She took in a deep breath. ‘Cole will take care of me. He won’t let anything happen to me.’ Sagitta reminded herself to put her paranoia aside. It didn’t help that she wanted to put her hand on her blaster’s grip but herself against many others.
It would not bode well. The logical side of her brain kicked in and she refrained from doing so.
A Chiss approached them and Cole seemed to slow down so Sagitta followed. Great. Her pink hues glared at Cole for a bit. He didn’t warn her that this may not go well. Her glare broke when she gave the Chiss a softer look. She returned the friendly smile and nodded towards him, “It’s nice to meet you, Corvo.”
“And you.” Corvo bowed his head slightly before looking back to Cole, “Chin up.”
Cole smiled ever so slightly as the Chiss returned to the group he’d been with prior, seamlessly reentering whatever conversation he’d left. Letting his hand drop from Sagitta’s shoulder, Cole started leading the way again and only once they were out of ear shot speaking, “He is my father’s second in command.”
He could see the nerves building in her, but wasn’t sure how to actually help. Not openly. Smiles came easier around her but such things were… ill-advised here. The complex was safe enough, but with such a large group weaknesses were still liable to be exploited. They could go to his room after maybe… Maybe.
They soon left the larger building and on this side there was only a couple of people. A small group smoking Tabacc. They waved, Cole returning the nod before heading into the smallest building they’d thus far come across. It was still very military, as were the others, in that the walls lacked any decoration. There were minimal distinguishing marks other than occassional signs in Aurabesh across the entire complex and it was no different here. One or two doors were left open, one of which containing a living room. It was minimal in what was there but had the usual basics one would expect. Holoscreen, couches, seats. Books.
They went up a floor, a short set of stairs taking them to a digitally locked door.
Cole swiped a key and opened the door for Sagitta to pass through before following himself, taking the lead once more once it was properly shut.
“Don’t ask too many questions until we’re out, ok? I’ll answer anything, just not in front of my father okay?”
His voice held no sign of how nervous he felt. Cole looked as he often did when walking around Arcona. Back straight, shoulders tensed and chin raised ever so slightly.
Sagitta’s smile became warmer and less fake towards Corvo when she saw how he made Cole smile. That was good. She nodded. “I see,” responded Sagitta to Cole explaining who Corvo was. She would ask more but her nerves had got the best of her. Pink hues glanced around as she was taking it all in. Barely any decorations. How surprising.
Sagitta couldn’t help but felt better that she did dress up more professionally than usual with how everyone dressed. No wonder why his clothes seemed so normal to him. The door slid open and Sagitta took a step in and waited for Cole. She slightly frowned but nodded. “Okay. I’ll do my best.”
All she could do was hope that he wouldn’t talk smack about Cole. Or herself. Mainly Cole. Her hands remained in front, overlay on top of each other as she was walking straight but her chin relaxed along with her shoulders.
Cole nodded before knocking and opening the door after a gravelly voice responded. It was a smaller room than the one that had been visible before. An office, with a desk centred in the room but shifted back towards the back wall with a window alighting the room from the right. There were shelves on the walls, documents labelled with dates and names. The only thing of personal note was a pict frame that was facing towards the seat.
And Trevor Farrow. He was at the desk, placing aside a data pad and rising to his feet. His eyes were similar to Cole’s, not as bright of a colour but still a vibrant blue. In fact they did look quite similar, though Trevor was a larger man. Taller, broader. Despite clearly being past his prime, white hair peppering black hair and wrinkles already long since formed, the man was muscled. Visibly fit. There was no hesistation or shake to his movements. He wore similar clothing to Cole, though with a less ‘fancy’ jacket on.
“Cole.” His voice was as grizzled as he was.
“Sir.” Cole bowed his head, before turning slightly to gesture to his partner, “This is Sagitta. I’m sure you’re aware I brought her.”
“I am.” The eldest Farrow walked around the desk, his focus primarily on the Mirialan woman. His eyes scanned over her, no leer to his stare. In fact there.. was little to his stare at all. Sagitta could have been meeting the eye of a droid, for all the emotion they held. He held out his hand to her to shake, “Trevor Farrow, as I’m sure I’ve been introduced.”
A glance to Cole earned him a slight nod from his son.
Now the Mirialan knows whose genes Cole mainly inherited from. Trevor seemed more built, though she assumed that since Cole does more hand-to-hand and had an aptitude for shooting, he may have been more trained for the latter than the former. Though Cole’s eyes were much more vibrant than Trevors’. His mother maybe? Right. She had never asked him about his mother. Guilt twisted at her heart. He heard much about her family and she knew little of his.
At least she’s at a location where all that could change.
She doesn’t feel any emotion from him. Not even his body language. Almost as if she was talking to a droid. She gave him a friendly smile before grasping his hand and shaking it. Along with a single nod of her head, “Yes sir, pleased to meet you.”
His grip was firm, but he didn’t squeeze or do anything untoward before it was withdrawn.
“I do have a few questions for you, Sagitta.” He spoke, heading back round the desk and picking up the data pad. “You work with the Brotherhood but what is it preceisely you do?”
as Sagitta’s arm rested at her side. “I can’t tell you everything, sir. But I can say I am a recon officer for my crew. If we happen to go on a mission by space, I’m the first one they send out in a pod to break orbit while the rest of them get ready. Once I land, I’m to do quick recon on the ground for my team to eventually later catch up. However, if it’s rescue recon, I’m to get to my destinated area as soon as possible with a partner or on my own and try to save as many lives as possible or halt the battle until others arrive.” Nervousness had gotten a better grip on her, “I am also a Mandalorian for Clan Armis and I do some missions for them on the side as well,” added Sagitta before she cleared her throat. Her cheeks were slightly tinted from embarrassment.
“Sir.”
Trevor glanced to Cole who gave no reaction. Though interally the younger Farrow was… conflicted. It was tame for Sagitta in terms of rambles, but it was- She wasn’t one of them. She could afford to talk to much. It’s okay.
In that moment of worry for Cole, Trevor had already looked back to Sagitta. “A Mandalorian? Rare to see one so far from their clan. Are the weapons you carry all the ones you bear? Any.. other abilities we should be aware of?”
Sagitta eyebrows furrowed for a moment. “Yes, sir. My Buir believed it was best for us to spread our wings and not stay at the nest. We can’t learn everything from each other and the same people all the time so it’s best to go out and learn and bring back what we learned. To grow. To expand.”
Then she was getting frustrated, “No, sir. For my weapons, it depends on where I am going. I try to research or know the area and bring what would work. No need to overpack more than necessary.”
‘Any other abilities?’
Her body tensed. Her teeth bit on her inner cheek. She knew how Cole felt about the Force and hell, she was not even comfortable with it herself.
She didn’t want to lie and complicate things.
“I’m a Force user.”
Trevor gave her a long look before nodding, “And what are you general abilities? I understand most Force Users have a wide range that they can manifest but there’s usually prefered skill sets.”
Cole shifted slightly. It was a normal set of questions but he felt bad for Sagitta. She didn’t seem to really… embrace her abilities like some did. But he didn’t speak.
She felt exhausted.
Why did she feel tired?
It wasn’t even afternoon yet for kriff’s sake.
“Yes sir. Healing, barrier, sense, and amplifications are the ones I used the most. I’m-” She stopped for a moment. “Hm. The term is Arcanist. I have the ability to track whoever I wish to track if I have an article of their item. And the ability to use the Force to replenish my energies.”
Oddly, she started to doubt herself. Was she really that good? She was made Recon Officer but was it because of who she was or what she can do with the Force?
“Well at least you’re not like the last Force User that someone tried to bring in.”
“The.. lightning one?” Cole asked, hesistant on his recollection. It had been a while since anyone had really attempted to recruit in one of the Force.
Trevor nodded, sighing slightly, “Yes that one. Blew out the electricity on half the complex showing off.”
Cole grimaced, shaking his head, “Yeah that was an interesting few days.”
Trevor grunted. He typed a few things on his data pad, the silence thick for a few moments before looking back up at the pair. “The flight was fine?”
“Yes sir.”
“Good. How’s your training been going Cole?”
“Well enough, no major improvements but they have been incremental and present. My most recent mission with the Arconan forces was a success.”
Trevor nodded, “Good. Any news in particular with them?”
“Nothing of note. The Children of Mortis are moving again but not as.. externally as they did before. It’s strange but all that is being shared are at best rumours.” Cole sighed, “Though portals.. into other realms are among the stronger whispers.”
Trevor raised an eyebrow and Cole shrugged. The elder Farrow shook his head, “I’ll see you both dinner, yes?”
“I’ll let you know if that changes.”
Trevor nodded, waving a hand for them to leave. Cole started to, glancing to Sagitta to see if she was following.
Sagitta grimaced at the word lightning but she was happy to be quiet when Trevor and Cole started to talk to each other.
That was odd. She was happy to be quiet. She quickly followed Cole and didn’t even say goodbye which was usual for her. Once they were out of earshot, she glared at Cole. “What the kriff?”
Blessings in disguise.
At least Cole was nothing like him.
Cole had led her down the corridor, not back through the security door but further past it. He looked surprised at the minor outburst, placing his hand on a door handle.
He frowned, not sure how to respond and simply looking at her in confusion.
Was this an in room or not in room comment? That was good for what it was.
Sagitta was even more confused at Cole’s look. She took in a deep breath and shook her head. “Sorry…” She muttered softly, “I’ve never been on such a hot seat. Been kidnapped once and even then I wasn’t even questioned that much.” She exhaled slowly. A reassuring smile formed on her lips. “I’m okay.” Her body shifted as she almost leaned forward to give him a kiss on his cheek.
Then she remembered. She was a guest. She wasn’t sure what entirely that meant on his family’s base. So instead, she brought her hands behind her back and her right hand held her left wrist.
“So I’m guessing we’ll go for a walk?”
“No.” Cole opened his door, “Thought.. we could take a few minutes. This is my room.”
She still seemed stressed, so maybe best to let her say whatever.. she wanted to say sooner rather than later. Sagitta had shifted, as if to kiss him and while a part of him wanted to return the motion and complete he… wasn’t sure. At least in privacy he could actually respond how he wanted to.
Sagitta frowned but then nodded. Maybe it was for the best. Stepped into his room, she grinned and looked around. Simple.
Cole was anything but. “I’m okay. I just… wasn’t expecting that kind of question. I mean I did expect what I do, any parent would ask that one but not in-depth or my Force abilities.” She gritted her teeth at the last comment. She almost went up to run her finger through her hair but remembered she had it done so instead her hands slid to the side of her neck as she interlaced her fingers behind her neck. “I… don’t think I met someone with almost no emotions like him. So it may have unnerved me.”
Cole closed the door behind them, coming up behind her and slipping his arms around her waist. He knew the contact would help.
“Those were all normal questions. It’s one of the less intensive briefings I’ve seen him ask for. We have a few Force Users, we encourage them in fact but if something happened people could blame you. Or it could have been you and either way we wouldn’t know.” Cole did his best to reassure her, though his next words weren’t as cool and confident as the rest had been. “He has emotions. It’s just hard to tell without practise.”
His arms went around her waist, and she just felt her body relaxed. Her shoulders dropped as she sighed softly and rested her head back on his shoulder. Her eyebrow rose. So Trevor asked the questions to everyone. It made her feel a bit better.
“Mmm. You sure do know how to calm me down. Makes sense about the Force Users. I’m glad you guys have a few.” She smiled softly. “Yes. Of course, I don’t mean completely shut down.” She would pry more but she’s trying to respect the boundaries that aren’t meant to be crossed.
“I’m sorry.” She tried to explain. “My family, we wear our emotions on our sleeves. We’re loud. Well, some of us but I’m sure once you get to know them, it gets louder.” She turned and smiled at Cole, her hand on his cheek. “Wait till you meet mine, hmm?”
Her lips curved down slightly, “Did I do okay? I don’t even know what he thinks of me. I’m guessing if I’m safe in your room, it’s all good?” Sagitta chuckled.
“I’ll likely be as unsure as you are. We.. don’t. Any moments that we would have are all in private. People will exploit our weakness. Even allies might. There was very few that can be truly trusted. Corvo is one but…” Cole trailed off, sighing and leaning into her head before turning his head to kiss her hand, taking it in his own after, “You did fine. He’ll likely see you as a capable fighter but not a threat. I can’t imagine it ever going much better.”
He pulled back, “The fact he mentioned a previous example is a good sign actually. He wouldn’t have if he didn’t approve in some way. Likely due to you being Mando'a. We don’t mix with them, but we commonly return their beskar to them if we end up with it in a conflict. It’s a neutral but.. pleasant enough relation.”
The Mirialan gave Cole a soft smile when his lips were placed on her hand. Sagitta grimaced when Cole brought up people exploiting weakness. It’s why she keeps fighting and she will always keep fighting. “Capable fighter, hmm?” She pondered for a moment. Maybe she should try to get some spars in while they stay.
Besides, she knows she would need it. If she doesn’t get to be active with something over the weekend, her energy would just burst. She smiled and nodded, “I’m glad. Beskar is important. To some of us at least.” The one sheathed on her lower back was especially important to her. Her first Beskar. A dagger sure, but she was good with close combat and it was deadly in her hands. Not to mention, excellent for hiding. She would hate it if she lost it. Then she exhaled and grinned at Cole from ear to ear, “Okay! Next adventure?” Her eyebrow rose at him.
“Well. Even if it wasn’t the right thing to do, having a clan of beskar clad mandos storming your door over their birthrights isn’t ideal.” Cole chuckled, stepped away slightly and placing his bag down and weapons down by the desk.
“What are you thinking? Exploration? Might help over the weekend if I get pulled into something if you already have an idea of how to get around. Feel free to just.. put your stuff down anywhere here.”
Sagitta laughed softly as she shook her head. He was right. Having a storm of Mandalorians at your doorstep would not be ideal. They were also tough bastards and hard to put down.
She would know. She’s one of them.
She looked around and simply placed her bag by the foot of his bed. That’ll do for now. She rose her head and there was a place on the wall that got her attention. Curious, she approached it and smiled softly. Her fingertips traced each different one. Then she recognized another picture. Trevor. Younger at least. Cole really does look like him but the other boy? Must be Graham. Then there was Corvo and Trevor and Sagitta choked back a laugh. She recognized that ‘old man’ attempt at a selfie.
Cole approached quietly, coming up beside her and seeing the look on her face.
“Don’t tell my father I have that still. Corvo gave it to me so he could prove he’d gotten rid of.” The Human chuckled, before it softened into a sigh and pointed gently to the one of him and the other man. “That.. was my brother. Graham. I can’t remember what we were celebrating but we drank too much that night.”
He didn’t want that to sit there. It wasn’t time to.. no. No. It was years ago now. He kissed her cheek, “There isn’t too much to do in the complex, but once you’re at least a little familiar with the surroundings maybe we could go into the city itself.”
Sagitta cleared her throat when the need to laugh went away. “I won’t tell him,” promised Sagitta. Then he pointed to another picture and she was right. It’s his brother.
“I’m sorry.” Her voice was soft and gentle. She smiled at the kiss on her cheek and nodded.
“Let’s be real here, show me the training room and I’m ready for the city.” Her love for sparring and athletics things doesn’t go unnoticed.
Cole chuckled ever so slightly, “I suppose it probably all looks the same to you. The training rooms are toward the top of the building we passed by Corvo in. Shooting range is on the ground but the gym space and any melee focussed is on the upper floors there. Do you want to take anything with you? We do have plenty of equipment.”
Sagitta frowned. Well. So much for paying attention. “I must’ve been so nervous being here that I didn’t even recognize the rooms.” Sagitta shook her her head.
“No, we can just go to the city! I wanted to know where the rooms were in case you get called away somewhere private and I could just train.” She smiled and then considered it for a moment. With a deep sigh, she went to her bag and got out her black belt. Putting it on, she grabbed her lightsaber and placed it on the hilt.
“Okay!” She patted Cole on the butt once. With a playful smile, “I’m ready to go to the city!”
“It’s mostly what in them that make the differences.” Cole shrugged but didn’t argue the point. “Sure, there’s some sights to see. Musuem, displays, stuff like that. It’s quite busy on weekends, traders sometimes come in to put up stalls as well.”
He still did not know how to react to butt pats. So.. he didn’t.
Sagitta pondered it for a minute. Traders? She could get some new things! Museums, absolutely not. They could be cool or boring. Depending.
“Let’s go to the stalls! See if there’s any new weapons I could buy. Or I’m always down to buy some fruits too.” Sagitta was now back to her regular self as she seemed practically bounce by the door but she patiently waited for Cole to take the lead.
Several hours later the pair returned. Cole hadn’t purchased anything, but had been more than content to wander with Sagitta as she made her purchases.
He took her upstairs initially, to let her drop off the items though Cole himself lingered at the door. He had a blaster pistol on him, and had throughout the entire trip, but was otherwise unarmed.
Sagitta snuck in some few bites and shared with Cole if he wanted any. When they arrived, she realized it was dinner time and was nervous all over again. Placed the bags on the desk and made sure they wouldn’t roll off, she nodded at Cole,
“Dinner time! Is it usually a bunch of people or just select few?” Sagitta was curious who or what to expect at dinner.
“Oh it’ll just be us. It’s.. only really me and Father and Corvo who live in this building. There’s a few rooms for trusted guests coming through. I more often than not eat in the main building with everyone else, not too dissimilar to how the Voidbreaker functions, but here it’s just family and guests.”
He stayed in the doorway, at some point while they were out he’d rolled up his sleeves and was now working to undo that.
Sagitta offered to unroll his sleeves if he allows her along with buttoning them at the cuff.
“Okay. That sounds good. I would like to get to know them more. Not quite sure how but I’ll figure it out.” She looked at him, “Do I still look okay?”
Cole would finish the sleeve he was working on before letting her fix the other.
“You still look great.” Cole confirmed. “Yes. I should imagine it’ll be the same likewise.” Once his sleeve was back to normal he gave her hand a squeeze and stepped back out of the doorway. “Are you ready?”
Sagitta smiled and let him take her hand as she squeezed back. “I am. It’s just dinner, what could possibly go wr-“ she stopped herself. There was a lot of tales in Adventures of Sagitta that would prove her wrong.
“Yes, I am ready.” She didn’t want to accidentally jinx the dinner somehow.
Cole appreciated her not finishing that sentence. He nodded and led the way downstairs. The smell of food was noticable as they approached one of the rooms on the other side from the entrance.
It was a small dining room, a table large enough to easily seat six. The door was already open and a few dishes set out already. Trevor was placing a dish down into the centre of the table. Corvo was already sitting, to the left hand side of the head of the table and noticed the pair walking in.
“Evening.”
Cole nodded in greeting to both of them, “Corvo. Father.”
Trevor returned the nod, moving to the head of the table. Cole led the way over, standing on the right side closer to where Trevor was but not sitting yet as Trevor began to his plate and Cole followed suit, giving Sagitta a small gesture that she could follow suit.
“How was the city?” Trevor asked.
By the stars. How does that happen? The moment she was in the room it was like she was in trouble with her family. A small child who broke something very important. The tension and the seriousness. Sagitta followed Cole’s lead.
Sagitta got the hint and started to fill up her plate with the food. The clinking of the silverware was burrowed deep in her mind.
This was going to be a quiet dinner.
‘How was the city?’
Maybe not.
“Oh! It was wonderful! I especially love it when traders are in! There’s something about the stalls that brings more life and uniqueness. That reminds me of-“ she stopped. Sagitta set her plate down after getting few decent food onto the dish.
Cleared her throat softly, “It - ah, it was lovely, sir. Thank you.”
Cole finished filling his plate before sitting down. He didn’t.. know what to say. She sounded so nervous but he couldn’t just sit there and gently reassure her…
Corvo sighed at her cutting off, looking at Trevor, “Look what you did.”
Trevor sighed. Deeply. In the way one would when reacting to something they had reacted to many a time before.
Corvo let out a small laugh, shaking his head, “You needn’t stem yourself quite so much Sagitta. It’s dinner, not an interview.” His gaze remained on the eldest Farrow who just shook his head and started eating. “Someone needs to talk. You’re no better.” The Chiss aimed a fork at Cole as he stood to fill his own plate.
Cole blinked, not expecting to be dragged into it and sheepishly eating a bite. Despite the mild unease of handling Sagitta being in the mix, Cole was at ease. Despite the serious and almost tense atmosphere, his shoulders had relaxed. The small details he usually held so close were allowed to loosen. Not to fall.. never that. But there was breathing room that he never felt comfortable having on thr Voidbreaker.
Corvo began to start again but was cut off by Trevor, “Let’s not bicker in front of a guest. She said it was lovely. The traders are often are I hear. That is enough.”
Acquiesing with a slight nod, Corvo quietened for the rest of filling his plate.
Cole piped up in the gap, “It was a good walk, it’s encouraging to see the city in such a positive mood after recent years.”
Sagitta looked at Corvo in surprise at first then a small giggle. She nodded at Corvo to let him know that she understood. The moment he pointed the fork at Cole and accused him that he was no better another laugh escaped from her lips. Her hues glanced over at Cole.
‘He’s more relaxed here than at the Voidbreaker II,’ Sagitta silently mused. Soon, her shoulders relaxed a bit more. All she had to do was to remind herself that she was safe here with him. A small smile as she nodded, “It was.” Then she blinked before looking at Cole, her eyebrows raised, “Recent years?” Then her curious eyes went over to Trevor.
Then she realized something. Positive mood. “Oh! You don’t have to explain,” Sagitta quickly added. “Was trying to make a bit of small talk. My… family is rather loud and boisterous so this is uh-” She pondered for a bit before smiling at them and looking down at her plate as she scooped up a piece of food, “Challenging environment.” Sagitta wasn’t going to lie and she wasn’t going to start now. Sagitta took a bite of the food. Mm. Not bad.
Cole glanced over to his father and Trevor gave Cole a nod as he continued eating.
“It’s normal conversation here, don’t worry. We’ve been having some issues with the Children out here, actually. Not as.. prominently as with the Brotherhood. Or we were at least. They were recruiting, trying to paint us as restricting the Force users in the group to encourage them to switch. We.. don’t do that so they were struggling. It was tense for a while but since the focus has shifted to bigger things we’ve been mostly left alone. We held up well against them and made it not worth the resources.” Cole explained, “But it left its mark for a while. We hold a lot of power in the city so having a lot of positive activity is generally a good marker for overall morale.”
Sagitta grimaced at the mention of the Children. She hasn’t had experience yet with them but her Aunt Siv was captured by them as she was captured by the Collec-
Flashback of her screaming and the pain hit her for a second.
Sagitta dropped the fork as it clattered onto the plate. She cleared her throat and shook her head. The Mirialan grabbed the fork as if nothing happened, she took in a deep inhale. “I’m glad the focus has shifted. Has there been any kidnappings?” She questioned, her voice full of concern. She paused for a moment. She had lost her appetite. The fork was set down by the plate. “They’ve been um. Taking people and even creatures for… experiments. I haven’t looked into it so I am not sure if there’s been an uptick or a stagnant.” While she had some disagreement on the whole Family business thing, to her, people were people. No matter what.
Cole looked to Sagitta. He knew her. She didn’t just randomly drop things. He wanted to reach out but.. not. Here. It wasn’t appropriate.
Trevor’s gaze focussed on her. “Two.”
Cole frowned, tearing his gaze away from Sagitta to Corvo who had grimaced at the mention of kidnappings. “Why wasn’t I informed?”
“It was when they attacked Selen. It was more important you stayed there than come home to deal with an issue we could handle.” It was Trevor who responded, his tone holding no room to be argued against despite barely changing. Whatever he felt about the situation was indiscernable. “We managed to retrieve one of them. The other was already turned. They no longer have that facility. It’s part of why they saw continuing efforts against us a waste of resources. Bigger focusses elsewhere and we take appropriate measures to insult.”
Sagitta cringed at hearing there were two that were captured but honestly? Two wasn’t that bad. She had heard of much worse numbers. Her hands went under the table as she scratched her arm once. Right. She stopped while interlacing her fingers together. One was rescued and the other… was a lost cause.
“What’s their name?” She spoke up and looked at Trevor. “The one that was lost, what was their name?” She was sure that the funeral and all the arrangements had been done but she wanted to at least know their name for her own little personal Kote Ky'ram.
Trevor spoke after a moment, “Marcus.”
Cole sighed, leaning back in his chair, “Santiago?”
Trevor nodded.
Cole shook his head, “How is his wife? Didn’t they have kids.”
Corvo filled in, “He did. They’re still around. Mourning, obviously but they’re safe.”
Sagitta thanked Trevor as she had nothing else to say. Cole seemed to know him as her eyes glanced at him. She wanted to unlock her fingers and hold his hand. Her muscles tensed.
Kriff. Marcus had a wife and kids too. That was all part of her job. She knew it, there’s always loss but it never made anything easier. Her eyes bore into her food.
She really couldn’t eat another bite. With a soft clear of her throat, “Um.” She gave them soft smile. “May I wrap this up and take with me as leftovers?” She figured change of topic would be good.
Trevor glanced her over but didn’t speak.
An awkward silence followed for a few moments before Corvo filled it in, giving the younger Farrow a meaningful look. “Cole why don’t you help her out?”
Cole, as if on reflex to the suggestion, stood with a slight nod, “Yeah we can go.”
Trevor’s gaze held for a few moments longer before he simply continued eating.
The pause was killing her. Her body was so tight. Her hues glanced over to Trevor’s for a moment and got a bad vibe and his gaze was not helping.
Sagitta glanced away as she remained steadfast. ‘Is he bothered by my questions? Maybe I should be less nosy. Or talk less. Kriff.’
Sagitta stood with Cole as she frowned softly but said nothing for now. She grabbed her plate, thanked both Trevor and Corvo and followed Cole.
Cole had grabbed his own plate, nodding to the pair before leading the way out. It wasn’t until they’d gotten up to his room that he let himself frown.
That. Was not a good turn out.
But he decided to let her speak before anything else, not even knowing where to start. He was stuck between the person he was around her, and the person he had to be here. A Farrow. It.. wasn’t going to mix well. These lives of his.
Cole worked to clear his desk so one of them could eat at it.
Sagitta was more than happy to get into his room as she started pacing. She needed to run. Fight. Something. Her nerves were going crazy.
“What am I doing wrong? I’m trying to talk less. Was I being too nosy? Was it disrespectful of me to ask for Marcus’ name? I’m not angry, it’s the Children of Mortis fault and I know that. Did I use the wrong kriffing fork!?” She continued to pace in his room.
Cole took her plate off of her before she dropped it and placed it beside his on the desk. Thankfully whenever words failed him, Sagitta kept talking long enough to catch up.
He stood beside the desk, “You asked to leave. Left the dinner simply because someone died nearly a year ago. Being part of a group like this, you come in knowing the risks and while that one was epseically awful, people die.” Cole sighed. “There was only one fork, Sagitta.”
Sagitta stopped as she grimaced. Kriff.
“I’m aware people die. It’s part of my job. That’s not what got to me. I asked to leave because-” She stopped. It didn’t matter. She already made one wrong impression. Who knew how much more she did. All because she couldn’t take the memories of her being-
“I need to spar. I’m losing my mind here, Cole.” She free her hair and shook out her purple hair. Those memories needed to be shoved back down and not come back out while she’s here if she can help it. She took off her jacket. “I need to do something. And.. yes there was one fork, I was just… frustrated. A stupid rant really.” She mumbled now embarrassed.
“Because what?” Cole asked quietly.
Sagitta bit on her cheek. Right. He doesn’t know. It was before they got together.
“Children of Motris and the Collective were busy. I was taken by the Collective.” Her voice was firm and tight. She didn’t want to say anything else. Her hand went to rub her arm as she ended up scratched it once.
“I’m lucky to be honest. They didn’t know for sure if I was a Force User or not. A bounty hunter took me to them and they had to see if the bounty hunter was right about me being a Force user. They just stabbed my thigh, messed with the muscles and elect-” She stopped and sat at the edge of the bed. Her eyes bore into the door. “The others had it worse..” She mumbled softly.
Cole walked over, sitting beside her and wrapping an arm around her. His hand gripped, holding her in such a way to stop her from scratching. Just in case.
“Kriff.” He spoke after a long few moments. “Bounty… your father?” It would make sense. But it was another blow. One on top of the other. “Either way that- They hurt you Sagitta. They shouldn’t have.” His tone gained an icy edge for a moment before he forced himself to calm a little.
She was a lot better at words than him. For these situation.
“But we shouldn’t tell my father that. It wouldn’t change his opinion on it.” He paused, hoping she wouldn’t really focus on that. “We should eat before we spar.”
If you were alive, you should act as if you are. A moment of weakness was worse. Cole wouldn’t place that on Sagitta, that was for those who were apart of their circle. A Farrow. But his father wouldn’t see it that way.
Sagitta sighed softly as she leaned slightly and rested her head on his shoulder. Her eyes went down to his hand holding hers.
Sagitta shook her head slightly. “No. Well. We don’t know. There was other factors in play. We’re not sure. I’m not sure.”
Sagitta recoiled slightly at hearing that it won’t do anything for his father. Kriff. She really messed up.
Wait. What did he mean by that? She opened her mouth to say something but he added about them eating before sparring. It helped her forget what she was going to say. For now. “How about we spar, to get the nerves out, and then I’ll eat?” Sagitta hoped that Cole would agree to it.
He considered her before sighing softly and nodding. It’d be cold but he had a microwave at least so that was solveable.
“Sure. There’ll be other people there, but less than during the day.” He kissed her cheek, lingering there for a moment and resting his forehead against the side of hers before shifting to get up once more. “I’ll use what we have there, so ill get these covered yeah?”
He gestured to the plates.
As long Trevor wasn’t there, she wouldn’t be bothered. A smile when his lips pressed against her cheek as she rested her forehead against his. Then she returned a kiss on the other side of his cheek. Sagitta nodded at his comment about the food. She grabbed her bag with a soft smile, “That sounds good.“ Placed the bag on the bed she started to dig into it and found her workout pants. Quickly, she removed her pants and then slipped on the gym pants. Her new professional top will have to be fine.
Cole got the plates under some wrap, leaving them on the desk for now and only switched his shirt to a thinner dark red work out top. It was close to a regular t-shirt but breathable. He didn’t like the work out style of clothing but he couldn’t reason training in normal clothes this particular evening.
Before they left, he took a moment to squeeze her hand, speaking softly to her, “Just because you didn’t get the worst doesn’t mean it didn’t happen to you.”
While everyone had to keep up appearances here, there was no disparity over who got hurt with what. If you got hurt well.. then you got hurt. Being kidnapped was being kidnapped. They were bad things. Even for a mandoa.
He led the way back into the larger building where they originally met Corvo. It wasn’t a long trip to the upstairs, an elevator positioned in the centre of the building that seemingly had once been an office block. They stepped out of the room that house the elevator into what was primarily empty space. Other than the structural walls, it was completely open concept. Overhead lights kept everything well lit. The windows were all covered though there was plenty of ventilation. There were a few points that held various equipment, primarily melee weapons though weights and similar strength building equipment were present.
A few areas were partitioned out, a layer on the floor that suggested it was softer than the metallic flooring the rest of the building offered. Cole led them to one of the further sparring areas, though none of them were in use.
It was quiet, though a few people were going through various manevoures and training exercises. Some were paired and a few had comlinks in their ears and were likely listening to something or another.
Cole didn’t bother to pick up a weapon. He still needed to work on melee afterall, so unless she wanted one he was happy to stick to normal sparring.
Right before they left, the Mirialan was surprised at Cole stopping her for a moment. Her throat got tight as she nodded softly. This wasn’t the time and it sure as hell wasn’t the place. Sagitta followed while putting her hair up into a messy bun on the way.
Pink hues scanned the room quickly and she didn’t see Trevor. Kark. Why was that man getting to her?
Once they got onto the sparring mat, Sagitta grinned. “It’s your home.” Her playful smirk and love for sparring was here. “You make the first move.”
“Alright.”
Cole waited until they were both in position before stepping forward, following the teachings of shadow step and swung a swift kick towards her legs.
Sagitta stumbled back but regained her posture by attempting a spin kick at Cole’s side.
Cole grimaced, too busy appraoching to have time to move out of her way in time. It was a sharp hit, partially winding him but not preventing the Human from grabbing her leg and tugging her towards him with it.
One of the training pairs had noticed. Still.. mostly training but watching Cole and Sagitta. They didn’t know the Mirialan but she was sparring with one of the Farrows themselves.
Sagitta exhaled sharply when she didn’t bring back her leg fast enough as he pulled her towards him. Moved fluidly, her hand clenched into a fist at the side of his ribs.
It sent him side ways slightly, making him exhale sharply, struggling to regain it. Kriff. He didn’t let himself visibly react but that would bruise. Still, Cole had kept hold of her leg and lifted it, intended to slam her onto her back.
Sagitta grunted as her back slammed on the mat. Her other leg bought back to side kick him at the side of his knee in hopes to get him down with her.
He caught it and pushed it back, shifting to try and pin her legs down with his foot.
Sagitta grunted as she moved her feet to wrap around one of his ankle and twisted her body to make him finally go down. One of her favorite things about Cole was that, like her, he doesn’t give up easily. The moment she heard his body hit the floor she quickly attempted to get his leg into a lock.
Cole managed to raise his head to avoid smacking it too harshly on the floor. The pads reduced impact but he knew from experience that concussions could happen.
He managed to slip out of the leg lock, sitting up and shifting forward in an attempt to wrap his arm over her head to pin her.
Sagitta exhaled sharply as she tried to squirm her way out but he was quicker. She tapped on his arm to let him know he got this point.
Cole let go once he felt the tap, shifting backwards and smoothly up onto his feet. His ribs.. ached slightly at the movement.
He placed a hand on them, “You got a good few hits in.”
Sagitta rested her head back on the mat as she waited for Cole to scoot back. When he does, she hopped up and grimaces. “I’m sorry, was I going too far?” She murmured softly, for only Cole to hear unless someone was standing behind her. “Want me to heal you?”
He shook his head slightly, just enough for her to see. That’d be worse than the bruise he’d earned.
“Want to go again? Add weapons to the mix?”
Sagitta nodded softly. “Okay, we can.” She looked around for the fake weapons that they could use.
There were some nearby.
“You can choose. Grab two.”
Sagitta grabbed twin knifes. Then she went back to the mat. She handed one of them to Cole. Once he grabbed it, she smiled at him before standing before him.
Her shoulders rolled back as she stretched her neck quickly. Her gripped changed the position of the knife, she was holding them both defensively as the wrong side of the blade rested by her arm.
Cole settled into a stance well, nodding for her to begin this time.
He didn’t really use blades, so it was going to be interesting and mostly him… just using his strength against her.
Sagitta stepped forward, her right arm going upwards, and aimed for a slash at his chest.
Cole underestimated the length of the dagger, feelings the blunted blade impact him and not hesistating to respond back. It was an ungraceful movement, but he motioned to ‘stab’ at her arm to try and disarm her.
Sagitta grimaces as he struck a nerve, her hand involuntary opening as she spun, her left hand catching the fake knife and attempted to stab at his side. She could feel a bruise forming at the ‘stab’.
Kriff what is her problem with my ribs.
Cole hissed slightly through his teeth as she landed again, shifting to try and stab into her stomach to make her keel slightly.
Sagitta stepped back from the stomach stab before stepping forward and attempting to have the knife slightly pressed up against his neck.
Cole tried to parry but his grip was wrong. He about dropped the damn thing and came to a stop as she pressed the blade against his neck.
He paused, almost acting on instinct. If he was really about to die here he wouldn’t be stopping or surrendering.
Cole let the blade press harder, it’d be a deadly but not immediately lethal wound if it was real, but shifted to slam his knee into her crotch.
A few snickers were audible from the pair watching.
Not that Cole reacted, rubbing the spot she’d pressed the knife against.
Sagitta stifled a yelp as she exhaled sharply and turned to walk it off. Her pink hues then noticed the few that were watching them.
No matter. She was feeling better and good. After few more walks, she could feel the sting still but she’ll heal.
“You choose for our last one?” Sagitta asked him, wondering if he would go back to hand to hand combat, bladed weapon, or something else entirely.
“You can keep or lose the blade, I think I’ll return to just the usual.”
He tossed his dagger to the side and slipped into a more combat ready stance, giving her time to choose.
It was difficult to tell if he noticed the people watching. He certainly wasn’t paying them any attention.
Sagitta pondered for a moment before tossing the dagger to the side as well.
When they were ready, the Mirialan quickly dropped and swung her legs in attempt to trip Cole onto the ground.
Cole had started to twist out of the way but was slow on the move. His side twinged, painfully. It was enough that he didn’t have time to evade and ended up on his back. Again.
He tried to bring her down with him and kicked out at her legs.
Sagitta tried to move back but it wasn’t enough time as she landed on him. Without missing a beat Sagitta attempted to straddled him and slide her arm underneath his neck to put him in a choke hold.
He knew it was coming and redirected her arms with relative ease, before using a move he had once when they first met and using his back and hip to try and flip them, aiming to pin her arms under herself.
Sagitta grunted as she broke off from him midway through the flip. Sagitta attempted to scramble back and kick him in the jaw.
He caught her leg and pulled closer wrapping his arm over it and using his other hand to try and force her torso down and pin her fully.
Sagitta exhaled sharply as she struggled with him. Her eyes went to the dagger she tossed and it was out of the reach. She sighed as she tapped his arm.
“You won all three.” She almost sounded disappointed but she smiled at him. She was always impressed. Close combat was not his weakness.
She considered punching him but they had enough. Sagitta waited for him to free her.
“No I didn’t.” Cole stated plainly. He shifted to stand, mulling over the fights and offering his hand to her to bring Sagitta to her feet.
“You won the one with the knives. I would have been dead if it had been a real blade. If it was a real situation, all I achieved by kneeing you was giving anyone else a chance to land a hit before you recovered.”
Sagitta grabbed his hand as she stood up. She pondered for a moment, “True.” She seemed to be more relaxed and sweaty. Sagitta can always go down for more but her arm was tingling and she wasn’t sure how his ribs were.
“I’ll put the daggers up. Get us some water?” She wasn’t sure if there was an area where they can get water from or one of those water fountains with cups. Cole can correct her on that while she picks up the daggers.
“Sure.”
It was then, he looked over to the two who had been watching, as Sagitta walked away, “If you’re training to watch people die, you’re doing a fine job.”
They both had already started to turn and were quickly visibly uncomfortable. Whatever they mumbled was too quiet for Cole to hear as he walked to the water [thing] but it had the intended effect. He filled up two cups before heading back to where their things were.
Sagitta grabbed the other one and placed them back. “Hmmm.” She looked more carefully at the ranges and assortments of the weapons. Her hand instinctively went to her lower back and she could feel it still sheathed. A bit of a comfort for her.
Sagitta heard footsteps as she smiled, “Ah. Thank you.” She drank the water from the cup and sighed contently. “How’s your ribs?” She questioned.
“They’ll bruise but it’s nothing I wouldn’t expect from a spar.” He responded, waving a hand to dismiss the concern. “Your arm will be similar yes?”
Sagitta chuckled softly, “Well. I’m sure ribs help protect the organs and bruised means hard to breath and discomfort. A bruised arm is just…there. I can heal you?” Sagitta asked again. She assumed he denied the healing earlier because they were busy with sparring.
“No, no it’s fine. Really.” Cole shook his head, smiling slightly, “Thank you though.”
He glanced round before icy blue met pink once more, “Ready to head back?”
Sagitta frowned but she nodded. She was still working on respecting his boundaries.
“Ugh, yes!” She exclaimed as she walked quickly and spun around once, “I’m famished now.” She was ready to inhale the food that was waiting for her. Maybe a fruit or two.
Cole followed after her, it wasn’t hard to find the elevator and within a few minutes they were back in the home buildings.
Sagitta pondered for awhile. Was it because Cole was uncomfortable with the Force? Or something more. Last time they really had any interaction with it, Cole wanted her out.
Not that she blamed him. If someone invaded her mind like that- she sighed softly as she free her purple hair from the bun she had earlier and run her fingers through it.
They went up the stairs and there was Trevor. Her body tensed up again. He tilted his head to the side and wanted to talk to Cole. Sagitta knew better than to argue. “I’ll wait for you in your room.” She walked past Trevor, not even looking at him.
Once she was in his room, she sighed. It’s nothing. Maybe some business or mission talk. She could go heat up the food but she figured it might be the best to wait.
Cole watched her go, looking to his father.
Trevor started to walk to his office and Cole followed closely behind, stepping into the room and off to the side as his father went behind the desk. He knew that there was a question to come, part of him wanted to just ask his father to spit it out. But he had to be patient. He looked to one of the shelves, the books had been the same for the last 15 years at least and Cole knew them well. He made sure it wasn’t a habit to look at them, but after so many times even irregularly he already knew the titles.
Trevor watched him and eventually spoke. “She’s weaker mentally than the last one. Less focussed. Though more flexible, moldable. Better fighter, though that may be reflective of age. She’d need to learn to contain her outbursts.”
“She’s not one of us.”
“Does she plan to be?”
“She’s a Mandalorian. Her clan is flexible but she’s not shown interest and I wouldn’t expect her creed would allow her to do much of the things we do.”
Trevor let out a long breath.
Cole continued, “She’s Arconan though. As long as she remains aligned with the clans and so do we, there’s no reason for her to join us.”
“Even so, if she doesn’t learn she becomes your weakness. Even if she won’t reflect on the group directly, you choosing someone who can’t stand to eat over the word of a normal occurence will not be appropriate. It’s dangerous enough having ties like that, if she’s so easily upset what stupid thing would you do for her.”
Cole closed his eyes for a moment, before turning away from the books and to his father. “Don’t bring Zuza into this.”
“You let her kill your brother.” It took all of Cole’s resolve to not react. He turned his gaze away as Trevor continued, “You continue to do so though at least now it would be a stupid move.”
“It would. Nor would I allow such a thing to happen again. Sagitta isn’t as wild as Zuza was.”
“No. Just don’t forget to manage your weaknesses Cole. We all have to. It keeps us safe.”
Cole sighed but nodded, asking after an unsteady moment, “So.. overall you like her?”
“Neutral. I will trust your judgement Cole, for now. I certainly have less doubts than I have in the past.”
“Then that’s enough.” Cole turned to leave and Trevor didn’t stop him, just watching as his son exited. He sighed, letting his eyes fall close. Trevor knew it was hard, that he was hard on him but dammit he couldn’t lose another son.
Cole had his own moment on the other side of the door, staring at the wall for a tense few moments before forcing the tension away and walked to his room. A few moments later he was stepping in, closing the door behind him.
He’d expected Sagitta to be eating already, looking slightly surprised to see the plates where they’d been left.
“You didn’t have to wait.”
Sagitta heard the door open as she quickly looked up. No expression on his face. She rose from the bed.
Figured he would have no tell tale emotions.
She smiled and shook her head, “I don’t mind waiting.” She gently grabbed his hand and stroke his cheek with her other hand. “Is…everything okay?”
He gripped her hand back, letting himself lean slightly into her touch with a slight smile.
“He wanted to give an assessment of you. He has his complaints but he’s neutral. So yes, it is okay.”
Cole had the mask up as perfectly as he could. But the fact he had it held so tightly when in private with her.. he didn’t think that would be something she’d pick up on.
Sagitta was honestly surprised that Trevor felt neutral towards her. She thought after that dinner, that was that.
Yet, she couldn’t shake that nagging feeling. That pull as if there was something else.
Her lips curved into a frown. “There’s more isn’t there.”
She always knew.
He didn’t know how to answer her. They promised not to lie each other but… Cole didn’t want to tell her that. That he was supposed to essentially train her to act like them, or put something in place so that he doesn’t react if she gets hurt.
It was so kriffing hypocritical-
Cole clenched his jaw, placing his hand on her upper arm, “There always is. But it’s nothing out of the usual. It’s okay.”
Sagitta felt his face harden. Another dodge. Her hand slides off of his face as she took a step back.
’You promised-‘
Her hand removed from his.
Dropped it entirely, she didn’t want to argue with him, not here. Where it could complicate things. “I’ll go heat up the food for us.” She went to the desk and grabbed the plates for her to go out and heat them up in the microwave.
He stood there watching. She had the food in the microwave before he moved, sitting on the edge of the bed.
Then words tumbled out, like there were too many things in his arms and something had finally fallen. “He’s worried you’ll get hurt, and I’ll get killed trying to protect you because you can’t grin and bear it. People.. might target you. If they’re after me. In his head, you have to handle it like he would, or me, or Corvo. But we’ve been training for this for… Well. His father trained him, he trained me. Your family isn’t like that-” Cole cut off, rubbing the bristly scruff on his cheek. “I shouldn’t.. say more. But that was. That was it.”
Sagitta listened. She frowned as he was done. The microwave beeped. Opened the door she grabbed the plate and gave it to Cole’s. She grabbed hers and sat down on the bed by him.
Then a soft smile, “No. My family isn’t like that. We use emotions to fuel us and to protect us.” Her hues glanced down at her plate. How was she not hungry again already?
She turned her head and kissed Cole on his cheek. “We’ll get through. Maybe one day he’ll see that while I’m not trained by you guys, I’m capable and strong in my own way. And to protect you. Despite how dinner went.”
He took the place, murmuring a thanks. He ate a bite of the food, foot tapping slightly. Was it because so many of them were Force users? Maybe that.. made it so being emotive was ok. If it was a part of their being. That.. felt wrong to even think though.
Cole had to stop himself laughing at the idea of his father changing his view, but the clear disbelief was audible when he responded, “He won’t.”
He froze, realising how that may have sounded and.. tried, “Not- He may see you’re capable and strong. But.. not in any way that’s different to how he sees things. Damned man hasn’t changed his mind on anything as long as I’ve known him. But that’s fine, because you’re not one of the group. I can handle my father.”
He smiled, trying to be encouraging.
Sagitta paused at the outburst that he won’t. Cole quickly explained and put her mind at ease. “People can amaze you, but don’t worry. I won’t hold my breath. I’ll just keep on being me and will try to remember to respect your space more here.” She gave Cole a reassuring smile. Well. She did promise she would eat so she started to eat.
Cole didn’t want to put her off the meal again, so just smiled even though.. why would she need to respect his space more. He.. they shouldn’t have to. Maybe it was the year he’d spent mostly living away from home, but he felt.. fidgety about it all.
Still, he tucked into the meal as well, finishing fairly quickly as he hadn’t lost his appetite at any point. He leant back when done, waiting for Sagitta to finish to take the plates to the sink and clean them.
Sagitta practically inhaled her food. “It’s good.” She smiled at him. Oh. So he inhaled his food as well. “I guess we both were really hungry.” Sagitta chuckled softly. She noticed by his posture so she gave him her plate.
“Want some fruit? If yes which one?” She asked him as she got up and went to the bags they got from the trader stalls this morning.
It wasn’t until she got to the desk she realized how drained she was.
Cole stood with them, heading to the mini kitchen bit and cleaning the dishes. It was more storage space than an intended kitchen, but he made it work.
“Sure, I’ll take a Muja fruit.”
Sagitta nodded as she grabbed it and an apple for herself. Back onto the bed, she plopped back and started to eat the apple while the Muja fruit rested on her stomach for him to take.
He took a minute, drying the plates before coming out of the kitchen and taking off the gym shirt before sitting beside her and taking the fruit off her belly.
It still felt off for some reason. He didn’t know why though. Everything felt as it normally did at home yet… this time the normal felt off. Nothing was different here. Was it Sagitta? Had he changed? He stayed sat up as he ate.
The pause did not go unnoticed. She swallowed the apple she was chewing on and looked at Cole. “Hmm? What is it?” She tilted her head to get a better look at him.
“I don’t know.”
It was true. He took another bite of the fruit. “Are.. you okay?”
“Honestly? No. Cole, remember how it was when you had to be away from home for awhile?” She sat up and gave him a smile, “I’ll adjust! I always learn well. Don’t worry. Just give me time to find my footing. I didn’t do well when I moved to the barracks at first. Or voidbreaker II.” She nodded before taking another bite of her apple. “Besides, you aren’t going to get rid of me that easily.” She playfully winked at him and hope to lighten the mood.
“We’re only here for a couple days.” Cole chuckled, but wrapped an arm loosely round her side. “Seriously, though. You’ve.. I knew you would be tense but it’s more than I expected.”
Sagitta considered it for a moment. She threw the core away and it landed into the small trash can. Her head rested on his shoulder.
“….I think the Force is trying to warn me about Trevor. Not like horrible but… a bad vibe? Maybe, I don’t know.” Sagitta smiled sheepishly, “I’m sorry. I’m not well versed on the Force.”
He finished the last bite of his, wiping his hand on his pants. The gave her side a slight squeeze as she moved closer before wrapping further around her.
That. Made sense though made him uncomfortable. Would his father do something to Sagitta?
“Do you mean like a prediction or just a.. sense? Cause if you’re going off of personality, I’m surprised you didn’t get the same from me. I’m glad but we aren’t good people here. Part of the job. He’ll do terrible things. Has. The Children aren’t the first he’s destroyed entire facilities of because of an insult.”
“Hmm.” She tried to figure out the difference. Was it a prediction? A sense?
Sagitta smiled towards Cole. “Honestly maybe it did try. I don’t know. I don’t listen to it but it has come in handy at the last minute …such as blasters aiming at me.”
Sagitta busted out laughing at the last sentence. “Okay, here’s where our family has one thing in common and possibly the only thing. Wait till you meet mine. I’ll see if I can get them to tell stories of what they did when someone disrespected their creed. Or really, attempt to harm one of their foundlings.” She smiled softly, “We may not have a city to take care of but we do have a family and friends we fiercely protect. And Aunt Siv destroyed one of the Children of Mortis facility herself, I believe.”
“Well.. at least we have something in common at least.” Cole chuckled, “I’ll make sure to not mess with your aunt Siv but… Well. I can’t say much to abate any worries about my father. Just that he won’t do anything to you. Thankfully Corvo is around more than he isn’t as well.”
He kissed the top of her head.
Sagitta nodded softly. She believed him. “I’m not too worried. I’ll try to be less tense. It was driving me nuts anyways.”
A grin when he kissed on her head as she cuddled up closer to Cole.
“If you can’t just.. give me a nudge. I’d rather not have to spar with you like that every night so you can eat.”
He rubbed her side slowly, happy to stay like that for a small while.
“It’s good to be back.. I won’t make you come again if you don’t want to but it’s. It’s nice being somewhere I know.”
Somewhere where how he acted was normal. Even if the normal felt weird it was nice to not be treated like a robot or untrustworthy based on just.. his level of professionalism.
Sagitta gave him an apologetic smile, “Yes. I promise I’ll eat and give you a nudge or something if I feel like I’m losing my nerves.”
His touch on her side sent her warmth and helped her relaxed more. Quiets her mind. “I won’t mind coming here now and then.” She definitely had goals here now. Cole was much more at ease here so she would work on her own confidence around Trevor, somewhat.
“I could try to spar with the others here. Work on my weaknesses too.”
“That would be fun to watch. You wouldn’t be short for sparring partners either. Those two earlier were new recruits. I didn’t recognise them and that’s fine but.. they haven’t learned all the lessons yet clearly. If someone does that tomorrow, one of us is fighting them whether they want to or not.” He spoke as if amused, but there was no jest to his words.
Cole shifted to lay down, moving so she could go with him and they could have a proper cuddle.
“What lessons?” She asked out of curiosity as she moved a bit out of the way to give him room before cuddling up against him.
“General courtesies. Don’t openly laugh at people, espeically your bosses’ son.” He reeled off before continuing, “But also… being so openly blatant about watching. Everyone’s usually keeping an eye on each other, but staring? It’s unprofessional. They also were awful in their positioning. I could hold a stance better than that when I was seven. It’s more.. common sense than things actually taught but if they don’t pick up on it they won’t last here.”
Sagitta was honestly surprised at the issue of staring. Wasn’t watching a good way to learn? Besides doing it yourself.
She had a lot to learn around here.
‘Seven.’
Right. Trevor started him really young. Sagitta took on a deep breath and exhaled slowly, her body relaxing against his. The way he talked about it too, he really was raised in this. Exhaustion hit her hard. “Hmmm. Guess we’ll see tomorrow.”
Cole felt her relaxing and pulled her a little closer before settling down himself on his back. Thankfully she was on his other side.
It was dark, only a lamp on across the room on the desk but the bruises were already forming. Oh well. Cole closed his eyes, leaning his head on hers.
Sagitta grimaced when she woke up. Good stars, she was so sore and stiff. Her eyelids opened and she figured she didn’t move that much. That explained it. Once she moved away and rolled to her side, she could feel Cole stirring. He didn’t wake up fully. Huh. He really was comfortable here.
Her joints popped as she stretched. An exhale of relief escaped. Sagitta went to brush her teeth real quick and started to get dress for her morning run.
Once she found her com and put it on her ear so she could listen to music, Sagitta silently left the room and went for a run around the compound and to get a better layout of this place.
Cole woke up not long after she left. By the stars his side ached. It wasn’t fully to the point where breathing hurt but he definitely couldn’t completely inhale or exhale. Twisting hurt too. It had been bearable but the second day of healing was often the worst for these. Kriff.
He headed to his make shift kitchenette, which did have a mini fridge/freeze, and made an icepack from some icecubes and a towel. He changed what was on his bottom half, and then cleaned up wiht one hand mostly occupied trying to reduce the swelling.
Sagitta mostly kept to herself. Though she was tempt to see if she could climb the tall building,
Might not be the best idea
———————
Headed back in, she was ready for a shower. She opened the door and blinked at the ice pack. Closed the door behind her, “Cole.. are you sure - do you want me to heal you?” At this point Sagitta may wrestle with him while trying to heal him damn it.
Cole started. Then he stopped and barely in more than a mumble-
“Yeah.. might.. yeah go on then. Just let me finish-” he raised the toothbrush before continuing. His cheeks flushed slightly.
Once done brushing his teeth, he stepped back and asked, “How was the run?”
It wasn’t a hard guess to make.
Sagitta was relieved he didn’t continue with his stubbornness. She approached him and gently placed her hand on his side as it started to glow. The Force healing had removed the discomfort and discoloration. “It was good. Had to refrain from climbing buildings. Didn’t know what others would think of that.”
He breathed a sigh of relief before chuckling and giving her a gently kiss to the side of her head.
“You really do hit hard.”
He had to contain a snort of laughter, sighing in an attempt to be expasperated.
“Not well of it considering most of them don’t know you. I’m glad you refrained.”
She slightly leaned her head over to his when he gave her a small kiss. Sagitta cringed slightly. “I’m sorry…I really am. I’ll try to hold back next time.”
She chuckled, “That’s what I figured.” She stopped healing and checked over him to make sure he was fully healed. Satisfied, she pecked him on the lips before removing herself to shower.
“No it’s good. You fought well. And I would have managed, but if we’re sparring today I’d rather be at my best. Nor do I want you to hold back around me. Its the point of sparring.”
He poked at his side. Huh. It really was fully healed.
“That.. I’ve been healed with the Force before but it always amazes me..” He spoke it quietly, shaking his head before leaving the bathroom to finish getting dressed. It was a true statement, it felt unreal to him oftentimes. It had saved his life more than once.
Sagitta nodded. Cole wasn’t wrong. It was the point of sparring. “I won’t,” promised Sagitta. Sagitta grinned as she started to get undressed and noticed him poke at his side. She paused in her undressing. Did she miss a spot?
Even though he spoke it quietly, she still caught what he said. The Mirialan turned on the water and hopped into the shower. There were a few things she was grateful to have from the Force, especially the healing. “So… what are your feelings towards the Force,” asked Sagitta over the water while she wash her body. She spoke loud enough for Cole to hear.
Cole frowned slightly, pulling a shirt on over his shoulders and starting the process of buttoning up.
He spoke loud enough she could also hear him, “I think its no different to my guns, just a lot more versatile. My feelings would depend. The Force has saved my life before and in those moments I’ve been grateful. But its also been used to try and kill me. It just depends on what you do with it for me.”
Sagitta listened. He had a good point. She frowned at the last sentence. The water turned off when she was done as she dried up with a towel. Wrapped her body in it. She stepped out and approached Cole.
“I’ll never intentionally hurt you.” Her eyes and voice was full of promise as her hand went up to his face. Her thumb brushed over at his slightly scratchy beard. Sagitta leaned down a bit, she kissed him deeply on the lips. She pulled back with a warm smile as her arms went behind his neck.
’Maybe I should be trained in it after all. So I don’t lose control. Like training how to shoot a gun.’ Her forehead touched his.
Then a playful smirk, “Got some time for a bit of fun?” She purred softly but she her expression was calm and soft which meant if he said no, she would not be hurt.
He met her lips, arms winding around her waist. When she pulled back he met her gaze. Cole had no doubts about that. No without intervention from something else. Sagitta had proven already that.. he could trust her with that.
He rested his forehead against hers, chuckling slightly, “Of course I do. Even if I just finished getting dressed.”
He moved one hand to up to her shoulder, sliding it to the side of her neck and using the grip to pull her down to his lips once more.
Cole shifted from over her to flop down beside the Mirialan. The only issue with this, was that now he’d much rather spend the day with her than anything else.
His gaze cast over to hers and he smiled.
They couldn’t. But it was a nice thought.
Sagitta smiled at his gaze as her eyebrow rose. “Is that familiar gaze I see?” She giggles as she snuggled up against Cole for a moment. She kissed him on the cheek and slowly went down to the neck before pulling away.
“Now I’ve worked up an appetite.”
Good sleep, great morning, she got this day in the bag. She rolled off of the bed and started to get dressed. “When I’m not here, what do you usually do everyday?” Sagitta was curious on his daily life and it would help her to get an idea of what to expect today.
He grumbled slightly when she moved away but only hesitated a few moments before following her lead and actually getting up.
“On a morning like this, id grab breakfast from the main building, sit and eat. Usually with a few mates but they’re on a mission right now apparently. So, with whoever. And then train. Speak to Corvo, get briefed on whats going on. Sometimes there’s meetings I should attend sometimes theres not. There might be one today with there being a mission running but I will need to leave you behind for that. Then.. well. Something productive afterwards.” Cole shrugged.
Zipped up her pants she sat on the bed to wrap her blaster holster on her thigh. “If you need to go on a mission, I’ll be okay. I could read. Or train.” She gave Cole a reassuring smile.
“I can’t be assigned to any right now. Technically Arcona is my mission. Which will be why I wasn’t informed of what happened last year.” Cole sighed, “Itll just meetings if I am pulled away, they rarely last too long.”
He finished dressing, “Ready?”
Once she said yes, he began to lead the way.
Sagitta nodded. Would make sense she’s not part of meetings but she does feel a bit bad for Cole when he brought up that he didn’t know about the kidnappings till last night. Threw on her jacket, Sagitta was back to her normal attire. Her hand went to lower back to make sure it was properly sheathed. “Ready.” Sagitta started to follow Cole.
It was less than an hour later when the pair, having gotten breakfast first, stepped out of the elevator into the training room once more.
There was a lot more people. Definitely still space but in comparison to the bare handful the previous night it was chaotic on a first glance. Most of the sparring mats were taken.
Cole looked to Sagitta, “What were you thinking?”
Sagitta tilted her head towards Cole as she glanced around again. “I don’t have a preference. Well-“ she caught herself. Of course she does.
“Outdoor stuff, sparring or shooting range.” She smiled at him, “You know. The usual.” She had to hold back to mention of what they did this morning, figuring that this wasn’t the place or time.
“Well.. you mention you wanted to try sparring some of the others. If we go over there people will take interest.”
Cole led the way toward the mats.
Sagitta nodded, “I did.” She followed him. She had almost forgotten. This would be good for her to learn more.
People noticed them.
They had barely been stood by there for a minute when, upon finishing a spar, one half of a pair walked over.
“Farrow. Ma'am.” He gave them both a nod. “You two lookin’ fer a round?”
“I’m not yet.” Cole responded.
Sagitta heard Cole’s response as she nodded to the male, “I am.” She took off her blaster holster with her blaster and handed it to Cole. Safety first.
“Ma'am, what do you prefer?”
“Oh! Um. You choose.”
The male nodded before going over to the weapons and grabbed two bo staff. Sagitta tensed. Kriff. Bo Staffs were definitely her weakness. Well. She did want to work on her weak areas. He handed her the bo staff as Sagitta thanked him. Does anyone even use Bo staff outside of battle? Though this would be good for her just in case she found a pipe or something laying around if she didn’t have her weapons on her.
Pfft. If she didn’t have weapons on her.
He made the first move by having the bottom of the bo staff swung for her ribs. Sagitta stepped forward and blocked the bo staff as the sound of the contact would be heard. She pushed the bo staff away from her as it slid off while she attempted to jab at his thigh. He maneuvered it away and returned the jab at her ribs which struck, causing her to take in a deep inhale. Sagitta didn’t stop. She used this to whack the end of hers at his jaw.
He also saw the opening and the bo staff went straight up and hit her in the jaw causing her to stumble back. He swung the bo staff at her knees and it was a clean hit as she fell onto her back. She jabbed another one at his stomach which he grunted softly and moved back when her bo staff went for another jab. He whacked her in the legs which caused her to grimace.
That taught her a lesson to not have her body exposed like that. Quickly, she rolled away. And got back on her feet. She could feel the whacks of the bo staff burning her body. She was going to be sore by the end of the day.
The next few rounds, it was obvious Sagitta was picking up and learning quickly but she was having her ass handed over to her. At the last round, the bo staff was pressed up against her neck as she exhaled sharply.
The male backed up and let Sagitta get up. Kriff. She had a few welts and bruises forming but she was not done yet. Now she wanted to bring it back to her domain.
“Hand to hand?” She asked, smirking softly.
The male rose his eyebrow, looked at her up and down, and looked over at the young Farrow as if asking permission to continue.
Cole nodded, watching from nearby though there was a small group with him now. Itd seem like he was distracted if it wasn’t for how quickly he responded.
He gave Sagitta a slight smile. Cole was watching. But he couldn’t ignore people either so was engaging in quiet conversation. He knew some of the people, who were making small talk about his time with the Dajorran Confederacy. Most people didn’t know it was in fact Arcona they worked with. Not yet. He responded with queries on their actions, but despite the generic chatter was noting the spar. The lack of skill Sagitta had with the weapon but her capability to learn quickly and on the fly. It was admirable, even though she lost.
The male then nodded as they both tossed their bo staff away. Sagitta made the first move with a hook but he caught it. Her arm then bent and surprised him with an elbow strike right at his nose. He grimaced and one of his fists went for her ribs which made contact. Sagitta used the same elbow and struck at one of the nerves in his arm which made him almost yelp but he stifled it.
With this opportunity, Sagitta grabbed his arm and threw him onto his back before moving fluidly and putting his arm into a lock. The male gritted his teeth and patted the mat, not expecting her to be this good.
The second round was more brutal. She was getting tired and exhausted especially with her ass getting kicked from the earlier spar. He won the second one.
The third round ended with her on his back and her arms tightly around his neck. He jumped and landed on the mat as Sagitta inhaled sharply from the impact. Her arms tightened and her legs were still around his torso. He patted her arm as she released her grip.
Overall, she got two rounds in for hand-to-hand. The male got up and extended his hand as she took it and got up. She wiped the blood from her lips with the back of her hand.
“Kriff. You were good.” She smiled and extended her arm. The male grunted with an agreed nod as he grasped her arm and it was a bit of a mutual respect grasp. Sagitta started to try to stretch to get the blood going and heal her injuries faster as she looked over at Cole and didn’t want to bother him in his group. So she went to get herself some water. She was moving a bit slowly.
Cole was proud of her. He couldn’t openly cheer, nor much else in the open like this. But seeing her excel… well. It felt good to see her like that, and know others would see the same.
The male wasn’t fairing much better than Sagitta, his nose bleeding still though he did approach the group and spoke loudly enough for her to hear, “I hope she kicks your ass like that too.”
Cole smirked, “She does. You held up well. Go get cleaned up.”
He nodded, grinning slightly before heading off to do that. It had been the plan anyway but, fighting a Farrows girlfriend was a weird situation. Best to exercise caution.
Well.
Those that knew the rules.
At the water [thing], Sagitta would hear some snickering from some faces that would be recognisable as those from the night before. A larger group, but the two from last night were among them.
Sagitta smirked at hearing the male and she wanted to shout that she really does but Cole had that covered. He also can kick her ass too.
She heard snickers as she glanced over and rose her eyebrow. No laughing openly. She remembered that. Though she disagreed. She finds joy and no harm in laughter, to an extent. Her hues glanced over to the mat where she was and they would’ve been in perfect position to watch if they wanted to. Took a sip of the water as she glanced over the larger group. Curiosity got the best of her, “What are we laughing about?”
They quietened as she actually approached, one of them detaching. She knew where this was going go and decided to go keep training instead.
One of the ones from the night before was in the front of the group, and he slipped his hands into his pockets, “Nothing much really. Just working out if our dear Farrow is really so good if you can beat him. The other guy, whatever but.. well. No offence to ya duck, but..” he waved a hand at her, a pitying grin on his face.
Coles group had quietened when the young Farrow left them, as he crossed the room slowly toward them. Seriously. Who recruited these clowns?
Sagitta was startled at his words. Did they not pay attention? Cole had beaten her thr- twice last night. Sagitta’s eyes narrowed. It was one thing to want a challenge and to improve and another to talk smack, “If you really think that, why don’t you challenge him instead in some corner like a bunch of laandur rats.” She suggested. Then to the rest of the group, slightly protective.
“Well?”
And if any of you karkers try to jump in, I will as well. Force and all. Even out the odds.
There was a moment before a few of them nervously laughed.
Cole came up beside Sagitta, placing a hand on her shoulder and pulling her back ever so slightly. He made sure to meet her eye, hoping that she would stay out of any fight about to occur. They were challenging him. It was his call to respond. And he would. The room quietened.
“Its a good question.”
“Maybe I will!” The leader of the little group stepped forward. One or two others moved forward with him. “After all, ya spent a year now over in Dajorra. Maybe you got s-”
The leader of the group hit the floor as Cole slammed his fist into his temple.
The group split, 2 of them back the kriff away and 3 of them stepping forward to back their friend.
One rushed forward, trying to catch the Farrow in the head but was redirected and sent off balance. The other two came at once, Cole taking a blow to the side but managing to kick the legs out from under the other who’d failed to land a hit. They grabbed for Cole’s ankle, almost bringing him down when he stepped back to avoid a punch but he managed to pull free.
Cole ducked another blow, having waited it out, using the lower position to land a hit into her stomach. The woman keeled back, hissing but kicking in response.
She landed it, but didn’t pull away in and was thrown into the one Cole had kicked down. He had been just about to stand, but was forced back to the floor under her weight.
The one who had punched first held up their hands and backed away when Cole turned towards them.
It was as Cole turned back to the ones on the floor that he realised the little leader of the group had regained his feet. He slammed a punch into the side of Cole’s head, snapping his head to the side. But Cole didn’t flinch, curling his hand back into a fist and punching the other in the throat. They reeled back, curling over themselves as they choked and didn’t have time to respond when Cole grabbed them by the hair. He drew his hunting knife and pressed the tip of it against the back of their neck.
The man whimpered, already haggard breathing increasing in pace.
“No no- im sorry- I swear I didn’t mean to- well- no hut i won’t do it again! I’m sorry! Please-”
Cole lifted the knife, flipping it in his hand and bashing it into the back of the cowards skull. Once he was unconscious, Cole let him drop to the floor face first with an uncomfortable sounding thud.
Icy eyes glanced over the room before focusing on those who had been part of the fight. The ones who had backed off would be ignored, but the few involved…
“Whoever recruited these idiots should hope they know nothing more than they should. If they do, they won’t be the only loose end being tied off.” His voice was cool, but the words weighed down on the already tense room.
If he could feel it, Cole wasn’t showing it. He crossed back over to Sagitta, pausing to murmur, “Shooting range,” to her before continuing toward the elevator.
Sagitta felt a hand on her shoulder but she didn’t budge. It wasn’t until he pulled her slightly back that they made eye contact. She bit her cheek. She knew that look. Buir. He gave her the same look many times and she was certain that she had used that look herself. She gave him a small nod to show that she understood. Cole handed her blaster and the holster back. She grabbed it and started to strap it back to her thigh as Cole threw the first punch.
The fight went. Sagitta knew he was capable but seeing this was different. She took a few steps back to make sure she had a good range and did not end up being in the crossfire.
Her breath caught when Cole drew his knife. She couldn’t move. Surely he won’t kill him… just for talking smack? In a swift movement, he ended up using the tip to make the man unconscious as she hid her grimace. Cole’s words rang through the room and her ears.
Kriff. She really didn’t know what to think. She knew things are run differently here and Cole had really shown that. Part of her wanted to heal them. They - hopefully - had learned their lesson now.
Sagitta’s warm pink hues met with his icy ones as he murmured for them to go to the shooting range. She nodded as she turned around to follow him. She knew better than to argue or ask if he was okay in front of others at this point. Silently, the sore Mirialan followed the Human to the elevator.
He stepped in and waited for her before pressing the button to head down.
“Well. That was annoying.” He grumbled, rubbing his jaw slightly as elevator made its way down.
Cole was a little nervous. Not because of the fight, it couldn’t have gone better really. But because she hadn’t.. seen that of him before. Hed told her he wasn’t a good person, that they took extreme measures. Cole couldn’t even be sure if she recognised what he meant by tying off loose ends. Not knowing what she’d think worried him.
‘That was annoying.’ She looked over at him before leaning back against the cold elevator. It felt nice against her bruised skin.
“Does…this happen often?” She asked gently.
“Not very.” Cole responded shortly, sighing, “Usually around changes. Me being absent and not visible leaves room for question. When I first started taking on full missions as a leader it happened. When.. When Graham died they did too. Any major changes, or moments that could be perceived as a weakness or a flaw get tested. Recruits are more likely to than anyone else, most of the people there have seen me prove myself before. Its best for them they challenged me and not my father though. He would have killed him.”
Sagitta figured that makes sense. She was always a follower so she didn’t have problem when there’s a change of hands or leaderships but she does remember her teammates attitude towards it.
‘He would have killed him.’
Sagitta looked at him in shock, “He what??! I get there’s need for rules and - they are people too! No one is going to be a perfect little obedient solider right off the bat!!”
“Everything has risks. Showing mercy or even killing. He could have someone back home that would become a dangerous enemy. Showing mercy could gain loyalty or respect…as long they weren’t too humiliated. I just-“ She stopped quickly.
This was his life. This was all he knew all these years. Just like how her life was different and she was certain Cole would had some things they disagreed on or would be uncomfortable with.
‘They know what they’re signing up for.’
Her jaw tightened and she was afraid if she said anything else, it would complicate things. She needed to cool her thoughts first.
The elevator doors open.
Cole wanted to ask just what. But he wasn’t a fool either and even if he was this wasn’t the place. She was seeing who he really was. It wasn’t surprising issues were cropping up with that discovery.
So he didn’t respond, simply leading the way to the shooting range which was situated on the roof of the training building. There weren’t any nearby buildings, so unless for some reason someone was using a high power sniper rifle, any missed shots would dissipate long before they had a chance to strike falsely. The direction the targets were set in was strictly set as a no fly zone except in dire emergencies.
The range itself was just a series of targets. There was one that shot up clay discs that was in use, but mostly they were a mix of mechanically moving or completely stationary targets. All set at different distances.
Cole led her over to the selection of guns. There was one slugthrower in the mix, and a good variety of different range and power levels of blaster.
There was a fence around the edge of the roof.
Cole had grabbed a general assault blaster, going to a station beside her and settling.
He nodded to her when he noticed Sagitta looked. Others were up here shooting already. But he cared less up here. It was something of a safe place, one to focus and just refine an already polished skill set. Finding minor improvements and goals and achieving them.
Sagitta started firing.
‘Ba'jur, beskar'gam, Ara'nov, aliit, Mando'a bal Mand'alor An vencuyan Mhi’
Sagitta ran to Buir’s room and doesn’t find him. The young girl let out a wail of fear before familiar arms scooped her up. It was storming and Sagitta was terrified. Her fear had escalated since the death of that Mandalorian.
Without even checking how many times she had fired, she had more, so she continued.
‘W-what’s a fish-honor…?’ Buir’s face softened. He was trying to think of how to explain the man’s death to her. ‘Vibrant Sun, we have a Creed. Some rules I do not follow. But he-’ There was a pause. Was she even ready for this? His sun. Her smile brightened his day. With a deep sigh, ‘The red man. He harmed the foundlings. He broke the Creed and dishonored us all. I’m sorry you had to see that.’
Sagitta stopped shooting as she set the blaster down. Why did it take her years for her to see this? Those cover up of the small bodies by using towels and blankets that were bigger than the body they were covering.
The Mandloarians, including her Buir were crestfallen. They had failed with those foundlings.
The Creed.
The Honor.
Were they really that different?
Cole was struggling to focus. Which was irritating.
He missed the first two shots.
It forced the Human to take a pause, giving the weapon an overall maintanence check despite knowing that it was his own distaction that cause the miss. Sagitta… Stars, that woman seemed to make him question and worry over things he’d never had to before. She was great, but sometimes…
Sometimes it was hard to meet her in the eye knowing that they were so different.
The rest of his shooting went passably enough and while it eased the nervous tension, when he got up it was to grab another clip rather than to stop entirely.
Sagitta inhaled softly as she pushed the button underneath her station and the target that was stationary got closer to her. Hmm. Not bad. Her hues glanced over to the moving one. She was going to try that one next. She set up the sniper and blinked. Whoa. What. She smiled softly, “Okay, this rifle is good. I’ll give you that much.”
She peered into the scope and smirked. Yea. This rifle was kick ass. Once the target started moving she fired shots into it.
The moving target stopped when the button was pushed and her aim was slightly better. Much better than the Voidbreaker last time they went to the shooting range together.
She had been working hard. And it was finally paying off.
Cole continued. He was improving, the focus and familiarity of shooting mostly easing him. Though it wasn’t perfect by far. The Farrow was glad that most people up here paid less attention to those in the other target areas than the people in the melee training room.
Still, Cole took each shot with the careful precision he had been taught to perform.
Sagitta noticed Cole was still focused so she left him alone. The Mirialan made sure the blaster and sniper were switched back to safety, she put them up in the same place she had found them.
Walked to a fence behind the shooters, and she glanced out at the horizon.
A woman came out of the elevator, glancing round and spotting Cole.
A minute later, he was packing up and approaching Sagitta, “I’ve got to go for a meeting, I’ll meet up with you later?” He spoke softly, still.. worried but other than speaking a little quieter he didn’t let it show.
Sagitta gave him a reassuring smile and nod. “Yes. I’ll meet you at dinner tonight.”
Once he left with the woman, she glanced out for a bit longer before heading back inside. She pushed the button for the elevator. She could go outside and walk around for a bit. Find a nice place to rest while she heals… but she wasn’t sure how that would look to others. His room might be safer. Sagitta sighed. She’ll heal tonight instead.
Pain was a blessing after all.
Sagitta grinned, just overall in a decent mood as she found herself at the main floor that has the doors for her to go outside.
A certain Chiss was across the way, and spotted the flutter of green hair.
Corvo glanced between his papers, and the door to the outside and followed after her. If she was with Cole, then he wanted to know than a safety debriefing. Trevor was like his brother, which came with being often annoyed with him like a sibling would be.
So he came up beside the young woman, making sure to walk loudly so he’d be aware of his presence. “Sagitta. How are you finding it?”
Sagitta felt like she was being followed so she glanced behind and her smile got a bit wider at seeing Corvos. She even seemed relieved. Someone she was comfortable with around here. Besides Cole.
“It’s… different,” Sagitta answered honestly. “How long have you been working with Tr- the Farrows?”
“Since… Well. I’ve worked for the Farrows since I was a boy. My parents were part of them before I was born. Trevor was born into it as well. We’ve known each other our whole lives.” He answered smoothly, keeping pace with the younger woman.
“How did you and Cole meet? I’ll admit, I wasn’t expecting him to bring anyone home.”
Sagitta nodded. So did Corvo had a hand in raising Cole? Or did Trevor mainly do that? And where was Cole’s mom or what happened to her?
Her cheeks immediately felt hot and she could feel the creep down to her neck as she cleared her throat and chuckled softly. “We… were dealing with a situation. He helped me. A lot. I accidentally got his clothes dirty afterwards so I offered to get them clean. I felt so bad. It was such a nice set of clothes, compared to the ones I ever wear. So I was trying to convince him for us to get a hotel so I can get them cleaned - kark, he’s not wrong, it does sound like something else now I said that out loud.” She laughed at the memory, her smile was warm and caring.
“He still refused so I had to come up with this… stupid elaborated plan to get him out of his clothes which involved me spilling some juice on him. He finally complied and handed me his clothes.”
She remembered his laugh at the doorway when he noticed her reaction when she had finally discovered how sketchy that all did seem. “He laughed. I smiled. We had um -” She coughed softly, not wanting to go into details.
“I didn’t think I see him again. Imagine our surprise that out of everywhere we constantly saw each other a bit more. We started to train at one of the places I worked at. Sparred. We both had been through quite a bit.” Flashbacks were passing for her. When they sparred, no strings, her being reckless, both of them with the virus. Then finally, both of them agreed on strings.
Was it the right decision?
Her smile faded for a moment. Only for a moment.
Corvo snorted when she got to the point. That was- He coughed and then laughed softly enough it wasn’t interrupting, covering his mouth and containing them quickly afterwards. Stars, it was almost romantic in a horrible romance drama holovid sort of way.
Once he contained himself, he let out a long breath, still smiling but not missing her hesistation entirely.
“It sounds like it with everything that group has been going through. Wow. I.. Well. You two seem happy together. For what little I’ve seen.”
Sagitta’s grin returned. “Yea. We’ve been through a bit. We’ll just keep on going through some more, hmm?” She smiled at Corvo. Then she rose an eyebrow, slightly intrigued. “Honestly, that’s the … kind of question I expected from his Bu- Dad.”
“Do you still expect that kind of question from Trevor?” Corvo asked, meeting her gaze with a look that spoke to the fact he already knew the answer.
“No. Honestly, I did not know what to expect when I first arrived. Despite ..our relationship, Cole is still very private about his life. I found out about Graham from-” She stopped. Figured it was best she never said it. She cleared her throat. “No.”
Corvo frowned. There were very few people who knew what had really happened that day. The only one of them who wasn’t Cole who wasn’t on the compound was…
“Is she dead?”
His voice was tight. The softness had immediately drained.
Sagitta continued walking but her expression changed. It was stoic. She didn’t show or reveal anything. She didn’t know which answer was safe. Zuza was her teacher and then a teammate. Someone she looked up to. She knew that not answering may give him the answer. It was a risk she had to take, she has no idea what Corvo thought of the situation.
He exhaled slowly, “I suppose that was a stupid question. She’d be alive or Cole would have told us she was there.”
Corvo clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth, before shaking his head and letting the topic pass. “Trevor cares for very few things in his life. Cole is one of them. Take from that what you will but Cole isn’t too different. What he cares for, he cares for deeply.”
Sagitta was relieved when the topic had passed. Sagitta listened as she nodded. Of course, she would hope that Trevor cared for Cole. Her father was the one that tried to kill her and from what she knows of, Trevor hasn’t done anything like that to Cole.
She gave him a reassuring smile and nodded that she understood. “If it’s any consolation, I care for Cole. Very deeply.” It was why she was still here and didn’t run off. She was settling in and started to get the hang of their rules and their hierarchy.
Serpens…
Her arms crossed her chest as she frowned. Did she hear something? She felt a bit of a ‘chill’ down her spine. Her eyes glanced behind her for a moment but she spotted nothing. She rubbed her arms. Maybe she was just really sore and bruised from the training earlier.
“It is, though I’m not going to believe you on your word. Standing up for him when you didn’t have to earlier did a lot though. We have a lot of security cameras.” He tacked on the latter part, to try and placate any concerns before they popped up.
Sagitta paused for a moment. Of course, they would have a lot of security cameras. Why wouldn’t they? “I’m… glad.” She smiled towards Corvo. “I should head in. There are some things I need to do on my datapad before I go to dinner.” She wanted to check on Castor. She hasn’t heard from him in a while. She turned around and wouldn’t mind if Corvo continued to walk with her and make conversation.
“Well, I’ll let you get on your way then. If you have any.. questions do reach out Sagitta. This was interesting.” He gave what was almost a small bow, and watched for a moments after she started to walk away before heading back towards the main headquarters building.
Sagitta smiled as she nodded. “Yes, I will. Thank you, Corvo.” Without thinking, her arms went around him as she hugged him gently. By the stars, she was sore but she always will take touch over pain any day. With a wave, she headed back into the main headquarters and find her way to Cole’s room.
Sagitta headed to dinner as she gave Cole a smile. “Evening, sir. Sirs? Sirs.” She cleared her throat as she grabbed a plate and started to add some food onto her plate.
Corvo had stiffened, not AT ALL expecting that but after a moment giving her a pat on the shoulder. What a strange woman.
Cole choked back a small laugh as he sat down with his plate. Trevor was still stood, gathering his food but didn’t comment.
Cole smiled ever so slihgtly to her as she started serving herself, “Evening. Have a good afternoon?”
Sagitta nodded softly. “Went for a walk and had a lovely chat with Corvo. I hope the meeting wasn’t too dull?” She asked Cole but wouldn’t mind if Trevor answered.
“No. It was mainly a briefing on what I’d missed initially, and then some current ongoings. Nothing exciting, but good.” Cole answered. “Corvo? Explains why he wasn’t at the meeting.”
He looked to his father who met his gaze, “I’d suppose so. Though he does choose to read the briefings afterward sometimes. For less important meetings.”
Cole nodded, “I think I’ve seen him reading them afterwards either way. They aren’t his favourite thing.”
Sagitta nodded, “I’m glad.” She gave him a smile as she took a few bites and listened to the men interacted as to why Corvo wasn’t at the meeting. If she had a choice, she would chose what Corvo chose. She would read it later.
Or let’s be real here, forgot
“I don’t blame him,” mused Sagitta. “I would prefer to read for the less important ones as well.”
“It’s useful to save time, I would have sent Cole the briefing after but he hasn’t seen the others in some time.” Trevor filled in, resuming eating once he had.
Cole smiled slightly to her, “I.. don’t mind them but yes. It’s important you’re there more often than not. And I have not been for a while. I think it went well, though I doubt anyone had any questions about if I changed at all after this morning.
Trevor nodded in agreement.
Cole seemed to straighten a little, before refocussing, "What did you and Corvo speak about?”
Sagitta nodded gently. It was a good point. Though she was glad that this morning had helped Cole avoid being questioned if he changed. She took a bite and heard Cole’s question. She smirked softly and swallowed the food. Her cheeks were slightly warm, “How we met. At the hotel. The whole thing. How I came up with this stupid idea of how to get you out of your-” Sagitta stopped when she remembered that his father was sitting right there. She cleared her throat before eating another bite.
Cole had been about to cut her off. His father was fully aware he was an adult but no.
Thankfully, she stopped and Cole relaxed back into his chair. “I’m sure he enjoyed that story.” Cole’s voice was slightly strained, though more with amusement than anything else. “Well, I’m glad it was a good conversation overall.”
Trevor glanced between the pair. Well. That was the most obvious cut off ever. He continued eating.
Cole continued, having glanced over and thoroughly aware that his father wasn’t an idiot. “No one else gave you any trouble did they?”
Sagitta shook her head. “It’s been a pretty quiet day. Went back to your room and messaged my family and see how they were doing. If I didn’t get my ass handed to me this morning, I would’ve trained some more.” She smiled at him softly. She should give him updates on her family, especially Castor but that can wait until they were back in his room.
“I think there was even ass handing.” Cole commented, smiling slightly once more before continuing his meal.
It wasn’t long before the pair were back upstairs, in Cole’s room once more. He closed the door behind them before crossing over to his desk and pulling up his data pad. He.. had a couple things to do still. Not urgently, but he wanted to get them done if Sagitta didn’t have any protests or other ideas.
He’d make it up to her after either way.
Sagitta smirked as she pinched her fingers to show ‘a little bit’ to Cole.
When they arrived he went to his datapad the moment they entered. Maybe work things. That was fine. She was going to shower and finished getting clean up.
Once done and freshly clean, Sagitta was on her datapad as she nervously tapped it with her finger, waiting for something.
Cole was about finished when she came out, noticing the tapping.
It continued,
He looked over from the data pad, “Is.. everything ok? Your family?”
Sagitta looked over at him. Her expression was of uncertainty. “I’m not sure. I haven’t heard Castor in few days. I know he has to lay low a lot but it’s been awhile. Not like I can send him kriff ton of messages….” Then she shook her head. “I’m sure he’s fine. Maybe on a mission.”
“He’ll have to be playing the game very carefully.. I’m not surprised if they have him busy.”
Cole stood though, crossing to the bed and sitting beside her. “You’ll hear it when he responds.”
Sagitta frowned. She hated this but Castor volunteered and it’s not like she can stop him. Save from taking him and his family to a new home and away.
Pink hues met with his blues as she nodded with a smile. “You’re right.” She put her datapad aside.
He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close and kissing the side of her head.
“I try to be. Today was better it seemed, to me at least. I.. I am sorry. About. Earlier. Or you having to see that at least. It’s not normal for you and it’s easy to forget when we’re here.”
It felt awkward to say, but he’d been worrying about it. This was the only real resolution he could think of.
Sagitta didn’t protest as she was being lured towards him. A deep inhale. His musk. Comfort. Safe. Alive. Real.
“Today was better,” she agreed. She tenderly looked at him and she shook her head.
“No, don’t apologize,” her voice was soft and tender. “I realized there’s some things that we may not agree on for our upbringing and the ah…Creed for me and I think rules mmm no. Hierarchy. For you. I realized that at the shooting range. Next time I’m uncomfortable I’ll turn around and leave the room. Would that be okay? If not…I’ll learn.”
He grimaced.
“It..” Cole trailed off before starting again. “You aren’t one of us. So yes, you could leave.”
It hung on the air for what felt like too long before he spoke again, in a softer tone, “I did think there’d be issues. With this specifically. Ever snice you mentioned when your buir started training you. It’s a different life here. I’ve done.. things. Necessary things but I doubt your creed would agree with all of them.”
Sagitta paused for a moment. She didn’t want to complicate things more. Yes she wasn’t one of them but she would fight…if the mission was reasonable or if Cole asks. Maybe she should avoid leaving the room.
Sagitta nodded. “You’re right. It wouldn’t. But I’m not doing them myself and you aren’t one of us. We’ll figure it out. I think, despite the few hiccups, everything is good so far.” She smiled reassuringly at him.
“I think so too.” He spoke softly. But there was doubt in his face. He let it show for once. For a moment only before he regretted it and forced it away.
Everything had been good once before. Then it hadn’t been at a cost he hadn’t been able to even predict.
He didn’t doubt that they were good now, but there was worry of the future. At what point would it be too much for her? Or for her family.
Sagitta smiled as she turned her head and kissed his jawline softly.
“Well I want to sleep good tonight so…” she stared to heal her injuries from this morning. “I’m guessing tomorrow will be the same and we leave in the evening?”
“Evening or midday. Depends on if we want to eat here again. I’m not too partial.” He leaned into her touch slightly, “I’ve only got one thing left that I want to do here before heading back out so it’s as flexible as you are. My father won’t mind either way so long as he knows before food starts cooking.”
Sagitta smiled as she gave him another kiss at his jawline and to his neck. “Mmm. That sounds good. Food isn’t too bad here. I don’t mind.” She looked at him and stopped healing. “What’s the thing?” Sagitta asked out of curiosity.
“I.. it’s silly. Really. But I just..” Cole struggled to gather his words, sighing before just kissing her lips for a long few moments. When he pulled away he murmured, still holding her close, “I’ll show you. Better than me explaining ok?”
Now she was confused. Cole? Doing something silly? Sagitta returned the kiss, her hand stroking his cheek gently. She slid the hand to run through his hair softly. He broke free first and pulled her close. She squinted at him. “O-okay.” This… was so odd. Almost unlike Cole. The man was direct-forward though he does have his moments and she does try to bring those moments in. Speaking of moments -
“You really had to hold back a laugh when I was trying to figure out the Sirs, did you?” Sagitta smirked playfully. She was glad that even here, she could get him to smile or laugh. It was all she ever wanted to see from him.
He closed his eyes when she ran a hand through his hair, leaning into the touch.
He chuckled ever so slightly, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone struggle that much with it.”
Sagitta laughed and then playfully pouted, “I’m not used to it, okay, sir” She shifted over and straddle him softly. If he allows her, she smirked softly as she leaned down for another deep kiss, her hand running through his hair again.
Sagitta wanted to do something more challenging. So when they go to the training room, she requested two this time. Both of them against her. There was slight hesitation but a female and a male stepped up.
And it was harder. She had to use the Force as a bit of help with precognition but she refused anything more. Honestly, with those two, Sagitta had to learn how to block more which she was shit at. But she doesn’t stop.
Last round. They were 2 for 2 because she got lucky with one and smart with the second. They both went for a kick and were surprised when Sagitta rolled toward them instead of back. She struck at the male’s kneecap as he grimaced and went down to one knee. The female attempted to hook-punch Sagitta but she brought her arm up in time. The male grabbed her from behind and put her in a headlock. She grabbed the female’s arm and kick her in the knee to give herself some time with the male. The crack could be heard as Sagitta flinched slightly when the female contained a yelp of pain. She can heal her later.
Sagitta dug in her heels and force him back and kept on trying to roll back and it made his arm uncomfortable so he had no choice but to release or his shoulder was going to go out too. The female surprised Sagitta when she got punched she did not see coming. The male spun his leg and Sagitta was on her back. The male grabbed her ankle for a lock as the female straddled her.
Sagitta grunted in frustration. She moved her feet fast and ended up using the heel of her foot to kick him in the face. The female was trying to pin her arms and Sagitta let her before going up with a headbutt. The female grimaced as she stumbled back, holding her temple. Sagitta felt a kick at her side as she tightened her torso. Kriff. Rolled to her side a few times, she hopped back up. Her pink eyes glanced at the female. Possible fractured or dislocated knee and maybe a concussion. She was down for now.
Sagitta went for a kick which the male caught and his elbow went straight down on her knee, causing her to grimace as their gap closed quickly. Using her elbow, she struck him in the jaw, one of her favorite moves as he grimaced and his fist met at her rib which was the wrong move as another went right for her jaw. She was on the mat and his foot slammed on her back as she exhaled sharply and patted on the mat with her hands up. The male removed his foot as he plopped onto the mat.
Quickly and concerned, Sagitta went over to the female, “Will you let me heal you?”
She was breathing hard, checking her injuries tentatively. Someone had already approached with a medikit but they both looked to Sagitta quizzically before the female shrugged.
“Sure?”
Sagitta smiled as she focused. Her hands glowed as she tried to remember what Siv had taught her when it comes to resetting bones and then to heal afterward or it would be all wrong. “Okay. This will… sting for a moment.” Her palms struck the kneecap into place and then warmth. The pain and swelling was gone. “Alright. It should be good. Just discoloration now. Move it around and see how it feels?”
She grimaced, fingers gripping against the floor, before relaxing.
She waved it back and forth, slowly testing the range of motion before nodding.
“Feels tense, but good. Thank you ma'am.”
She got up, the male helping her to do so.
‘Ma'am’
This still feels weird but she nodded at them both with a smile. She got up wiped the sweat from her forehead with her arm and made her way over to the water dispenser. Sagitta exhaled. She was a bit frustrated but at least here, she was able to train with them more than a time. Voidbreaker II, people were too busy. Maybe it was time for her to join a gym where there’s more people she could train with instead of 1 on 1. So she could somewhat hold her own. She had no idea what Serpens was planning. Threw the cup into the trash, she looked around for Cole. Cole was busy at the moment. So she went to an empty spot on the mat and away from others. She wanted to be sure she wouldn’t get in the way and started to stretch to keep her muscles from being too stiff and tight.
Cole had been in the midst of his own spar. It was a close win, more lucky that the other didn’t expect him him to let himself fall to the floor when they kicked at him. Instead of him being stunned and knocked aside, he’d been able to up from beneath and push him from below, unbalancing and quickly ending the fight from there.
He shook hands with them, before glancing round the room. They’d been here for a while now, most of the morning was gone. Seeking out Sagitta didn’t take too long, she was tall and while there was a mixture of species she still stuck out.
“Hey.”
He came up beside her, “How’d your fight go? I didn’t get to see much.”
Sagitta smiled as she turned to look at him. “Hi.” Then she got up from the mat. “It… was good. they got 3 out of 5. I … sort of accidentally dislocated her knee but she let me set it and heal so it should be okay now.” She almost went for a hug but then remembered so she stood where she was. “How was yours?”
“Up against two, that’s impressive.” He remained where he was, looking out toward the pair who had dispersed. The male was back into it though the woman was heading for the elevators. Understandable. Even if it was healed, most wouldn’t want to test that.
“I won majority, the last one was very close though. I managed to pull something of a trick, could have gone very wrong but it worked out in favour for me. Sounds like we had a good time of it at least.”
Sagitta nodded. “I’m just trying to be prepared… for anything really.” Her eyes followed his as she watched the pair leave.
Her lips curved up into a smile, not surprised that he won. “If you’re going to help me with my father, I think we should spar as a team, figure out our weak sides, body cues, stuff like that.”
“That would be smart.” He agreed, before asking more for clarification than anything else specifically. “We’re you thinking now?”
Sagitta lips pursed as she squinted at Cole. “I wanted to know what this silly thing is first though.” She had to refrain from pouting, she wasn’t sure how he would take it to that display in the training room.
She’s very curious and she wanted to know what Cole has up in his sleeve.
“But yes, we can now.”
Cole hesistated. “I’d.. yeah. I can show you. Or-” He shifted slightly in place before tilting his head toward the elevator and starting to move. She’d taken him calling it silly the.. wrong way. But neither did he know how to explain it out loud.
He wouldn’t really want to spar after this, but she’d understand.
Sagitta noticed the hesitation. Now she was confused but she followed him.
He took them back to the building he and his father lived in. Cole was quiet on the walk, not that that was particularly unusual for the Human. It was a short walk up the stairs and toward his room and… past it.
To the next door along.
He opened the door, stepping inside and leaving it open for Sagitta to follow and close it behind herself.
It was a bedroom, similar to Cole’s in how it was set up except for a few key differences. The walls were covered in posters and photos. Graham featured in many of them, Cole in some. There was one placed quite prominently near the entrance, a gap left around it and easy to spot, of Trevor with a woman who was holding a baby. Trevor wasn’t quite smiling, but there was a look in the man’s eye of something happy. Pride, maybe. The woman was leant against him, pure joy openly written across her features. She had hazel eyes and light hair. The posters were of various things, music, movies being the primary ones. It was messy, no particular organisation and that messiness spread to the room as a whole. The bed was unmade. The area Cole used as a kitchenette had a punching bag in it and some other small scale equipment.
The room was covered in a layer of dust.
Cole stood in the middle of it for a moment, awkward, vulnerable. Then he moved, sitting on the very edge of the bed. He didn’t feel the need to tell her what this was. But he explained why.
“When I’m about to leave I. Well. I say goodbye. To him too. It’s stupid really.” He sighed deeply. He knew Sagitta wouldn’t mock him. Nor see it as weak. But it felt like it. But neither could he reason just going off alone for a while without an explanation and leaving her to it in a strange place.
Sagitta really thought for a minute that they were going back to his room but instead, it was the door next over. He entered so she followed and made sure to close the door behind her. Her hues glanced around to look at the room while he stood there in the middle. Ah. She recognized the male.
Graham.
He moved and sat by the bed as she looked at the pictures some more. She nodded to show that she heard him and understood what he was saying. “I’ll say goodbye too.” Her eyes glanced back to the picture. She felt a bit bad for disliking Trevor so much. If she had that much joy, he would’ve surely loved her. What happened to her? She wasn’t going to ask. Especially not now. One thing she realized about Cole was that over time she gets pieces and more importantly, when he was ready.
“Your mom?” She asked, her voice was soft. When Cole gave her any confirmation she smiled as she looked at the photo and before looking at others. Trying to gauge Graham’s age before Zuza had to-
She stopped. She couldn’t finish it. But judging by the pictures it was cut off around their age.
A chill went down her spine.
She ignored it. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both. I’m Sagitta, Cole’s-” She stopped for a moment before a smile, “Girlfriend. I’ll do everything I can to take care of him. I’ll make sure that he laughs and smiles. I’ll see you both again sometime.” Sagitta approached Cole with a warm smile. Her hand went through his hair while she leaned down and gave him a soft kiss on his head. “I’ll wait for you in your room.” She turned to the door and left, made sure to close the door silently.
Cole had nodded, not needing to look to know what picture she was looking at.
Hed been looking at the floor, debating just leaving at the quiet. It was.. probably too much. Kriff. This was s-
Sagitta spoke. He watched her, and had no words for it. His chest clenched, throat closing and it was all he could do to just contain himself. Watching her approach.
Cole closed his eyes at the touch, almost glad for the excuse too as he felt tears starting to build. They weren’t as grief stricken as he thought they’d be. There was a quiet relief to them. To sharing the burden.
He remained there for several minutes, eyes closed. Cole didn’t speak. Hed spoken many words to Graham before. Enough that even if his brother could hear them hed be telling Cole to kriff and stop bothering him by now.
He laughed, slightly. Getting up to leave and pausing only to touch the photo for a moment, wipe the wetness from his face before heading to his room to catch up with Sagitta.
He crossed over to her, hesitating but speaking softly, “Hey..”
Sagitta smiled like she always do with Cole but this time it was more soft and gentle. Pink hues darted around the hallway. It was empty. Her hands gently grasped the edges of his shirt as she pulled him into a quick hug before letting go. “Hi.”
He didn’t have time to return it, not expecting it but taking her hand and leading her into his room.
Then Cole turned and took her into his arms, letting himself relax int othe contact as well for once, one arm wrapped around her waist and the other curling up from her side to the back of her shoulder. He rested his head on her shoulder.
It was a lot more sudden, closer than the hugs he usually gave. Contact like that wasn’t.. his norm but for once he couldn’t really deny that Sagitta’s way of handling things was the right way this time.
The Human grasped her hand and lead her into his bedroom. Was there more that needed to be said that couldn’t be said in the hallway? When they got inside, she was slightly surprised by Cole’s movements.
Sagitta arms wrapped around him tightly as she held him close to her. One wrapped around his back and the other at the back of his neck as her hand gently rested on his head. Her head leaned against his head softly. Her fingers ran through his hair at the back of his head.
He let out a soft sigh. A few seconds ticked past before he slowly started to shift, letting his hands slip away to her waist. Cole clenched his jaw for a moment, not meeting her eyes.
It was a private moment but there was that gnawing that this was too much. He’d shown her too much. He trusted her but at the same time it was uncomfortable. Whether his father or Corvo had worked it out that was what he was doing or not he wasn’t sure. If they knew it’d be- It was different not but…
It was such a relief but it came with the caveat of knowing he’d bared too much to the light. He shouldn’t have done that. Kriff.
It had been years, you shouldn’t have to throw yourself into someone’s arms over it. Shouldn’t have to in the first place but waiting years to do it just.. makes it worse. More vulnerable. Weaker. He’s right about what her softening you.
He cleared his throat, stepping away and letting a gap form properly between them. Cole was… fairly sure he was being ridiculous but. He didn’t know.
“We.. should probably get ready to go.”
His hands were removed from her waist. The way he did it was odd. Just like that, she felt like she got ripped off of a super-glue floor. It was painful and it hurt. She exhaled sharply mostly in surprise.
One second he was right here. In her arms. The warmth and the moment of strength and purity. The next second he was gone. Distant. Hyperspace and eons away from her.
He wasn’t looking at her in the eyes. Sagitta wanted to reach out but she stopped. He’s in mourning. That’s all it was. Sagitta nodded as she leaned in to give him a gentle kiss on the cheek and started to finish packing up her stuff.
He nodded, packing up his own things before the pair headed back to Dajorra.
———–‐—-
A few months later.
The Voidbreaker crew were mostly on a mission, leaving the luxury vessel oddly empty for a day. Usually fairly busy halls were practically unpopulated bar Cole and Sagitta. Cole was rarely comfortable amongst the full crowd and cafeteria trips were often to go rather than sticking around to chat, but with the room entirely empty it hadn’t been difficult to convince him to sit there and eat.
He had blue noodles, and was contently making his way through them as Sagitta chattered her way through her own meal.
She was a welcome noise, and one he paid attention to as often times while it was barely connected stories there were sometimes quite poignant moments among them, or things she’d mention off handedly that he’d make mental note of for later. For surprises.
Sagitta had a bit of noodles with meat and of course, a plate of fruits like she always did. “So for some reason, the memory came back to me. When I was aiming at the target, I suddenly remembered Buir helping me with my first kill.” She smiled softly, “I think he did a good job. I was a little sad but I knew it had to be done. It helped a lot that I was a bit older and already understood the concept of death. I wasn’t quite the age to have my emotions all sorted out, but after Asani and I got attacked, Buir didn’t have a choice but to train us.” She paused for a moment, “I think I was 15 or 16 with my first kill… hmm” She pondered for a moment, trying to remember.
“..who was your first kill?” Cole asked, recalling her mentioning the attack before. She was 12 when her and her sister decided to demand the training. It made sense that that would follow soon after.
Hed almost just blurted his out in return, but the more time he spent with Sagitta the more.. he realised that the way he was raised wasn’t ideal for most people. She hadn’t reacted well to a few of the things he’d mentioned in the past.
Sagitta smiled softly and was a bit sad. “A female.” She exhaled. “She was responsible for turning villagers against each other. They were killing each other and grabbing for money. If we haven’t stopped her, she would’ve turned them into her soldiers, and expanded her army of hers, all by using fear. Control. Famine, diseases, she even poisoned the livestock. Hungry and angry people turn against each other. It was all a game to her.”
“Last I checked, the village is doing well and prospering so it… helped.” She glanced up at Cole, “What about you?” She asked while taking a bite of her food.
“A good cause then.” He mused, poking at the noodles and pausing.
“He was a rival to my father. They had been fighting for part of the city for years. It all came down to one conflict where the leader of the other group was captured. It was a long fight, I was too young to take part but we were close. I think Corvo was with us, watching over everything.” He hesitated slightly, deciding to let her ask that if she wanted to know. “When it was all done, we were brought down to see the kill that ended the fight overall. My father gave me his blaster to do it with. It was.. a bit ceremonial really, but that was the point he was making. Having me do it just allowed me to see what death looked like properly. Up close. It meant once I started missions, it was less of a shock.”
“Too young?” Sagitta asked as she took another bite and listened some more. Ah, Corvo was there? She really liked Corvo. He even started to get used to her random hugs. “Do you mean around 12? or 13?” Sagitta asked him, not able to imagine doing it in the pre-teen years.
Well she asked. He hesitated before just sighing, placing his fork down.
“Eight.”
Sagitta’s brows furrowed when he hesitated. Her hair started to stand on all ends and goosebumps formed.
‘Eight.’
CRACK
The dull bright fluorescent light that was above them completely shattered. Droids moved quickly to clean up and even took away their food cause of hazards. Sagitta was trying to control her breathing. She knows Cole hated any scenes or emotional situations in public so she was doing all she can to keep it down.
Sure the mess hall was empty but anyone can walk right-
The droids were beeping and asking Cole and Sagitta to please be removed from the table.
She took another breath. ‘Hold it in, hold it in, ho-’
“What. The. Kriff. Cole. By the stars! I was playing with dolls and hide and seek with Asani. No child should - UGH” She knows it’s not his fault. It all came down to one man she loathed and cannot wait for the day he dies of natural causes.
Course, if someone offs him on a mission that would be great but she doesn’t want Cole to go on the path of revenge. The very same path she had been on for almost a year now. Her voice sounded strained, “Did you not have a childhood? Laughter? Stories? Hide and seek? Tea parties with im-”
She aggressively bit her lip. The droids beeping were increasing because they were wanting them to move out of hazardous way. Her hand released from the grip she didn’t know she had on the seat, her knuckles were right.
‘Kriff that bastard. If I could I would karkin’ kriffin’ kill him.‘
She started marching down right the hallway and heading to their room.
Cole had already moved. The crack of the light fixture was new, he’d about jumped out of his seat then. With the droids coming, he’d gotten up, shifting uncomfortably as she ranted. This.. was still somehow worse than he thought itd be. No one else had questioned except-
‘Trevor he’s just a boy-’
Cole followed after her, the food was contaminated and his appetite was mostly sated anyway. Not that he’d really want to eat anymore either way.
“We didn’t have time for that stuff.” He spoke as they walked through the halls, him a few paces behind her. “Especially back then, there was so much conflict. I had to learn. It was just.. how it worked for our family. Its not normal but it was necessary. I wouldn’t have survived growing up as a Farrow if he hadn’t taught me what he did. Its not the same situation as yours.”
Sagitta stopped walking. Her eyes bore ahead. Her jaw was so tight that it looked like she was going to break her own teeth. “He. had. a choice.” Her voice was painfully strained. “Growing up as a Mando had its risks too! Buir made sure we had a childhood and pushed off our training! Of course, it’s not the kriffin’ same situation but he still had a choice. And we can take care of ourselves now, if he really loved his children he would find the balance between being a kid and learning how to take care-”
She growled under her breath.
“It always came down to him, Cole. Everything he’s done to you. I despite him. I will continue my appearances and respect him but I do not want that life for our future children.” Sagitta blurted out without thinking.
She looked shocked.
Wait.
Since when children was on her mind? They haven’t even had that talk yet.
“He didn’t-” Cole started to defend him. He didn’t know why he was getting angry but he felt it brewing.
For a moment at least.
Our future children.
The effect was immediate. The shock. No panic or fear but just shock. One that softened into guilt. Into a mixture of things really.
Of course he didn’t want that life for a child. But.. it didn’t make his situation different. Did it? Cole.. didn’t know how to process it. How to answer any of it.
Everything hes done to you.
Our future..
He opened his mouth once. Then twice. But both times he quickly closed it again, the words sticking in place. What words, really? Cole couldn’t find them, not any that weren’t defending his father or.. or what. How did he respond to that?!
Cole.. he had always wanted his own family. Kriff it was.. heartwarming in a way that she wanted that too but- kriff.
Eventually he managed to produce a sentence, if nothing else than to buy time, “We should go to the room.”
Sagitta was in shock as well. It didn’t help watching Cole’s reaction as she just watched him as if she was a deer stuck in headlights. She didn’t know why it came out. She adores children and does want one or two or three or- of her own but-
Had she been keeping it stowed away?
Oh no. What if he doesn’t want a family of his own? What if he doesn’t want children? Fear started to grow in her. Was this… going to break their relationship? Kriff. They should’ve had this conversation when they became serious.
Sagitta nodded in agreement as she resumed walking to their room.
Once they were in their bedroom, she sat on the edge of the bed, slightly still in shock. “I… I don’t know why I said it. Don’t get me wrong, I do want a family. W-with you. But I felt like it’s not - well it’s - the timing I guess?” Sagitta was slowly getting over the shock of saying it. She was legit tongue-tied. If they were ever going to have the talk, now was the time unless Cole asks her for this to be discussed later.
It was enough time to know which part of the conversation to focus on. Which one to lead with and push on.
Cole sat beside her, placing a hand on Sagitta’s knee and releasing a slow breath, a slight laugh following it, “You really do pick your timings,” Shaking his head he continued, “I would want a family with you too. Though not here or now. I don’t think I’m ready and certainly not while living here. Nor. No, nor living back home either. I do agree with you. In terms of the future. It was necessary for me, I stand by that but we can make sure it’s safe for us, however many that us contains.”
Sagitta gave him a weak smile, “I do have that tendency…” She murmured while her hand placed on his and squeezed it. Then she slipped her hand underneath his so they could interlace their fingers. Her shoulders dropped in relief when he mentioned that he wanted a family too, but it wasn’t the right time. “I’m not ready either. I’m better about making sure people come with me on missions, yes, but there’s still too much danger with Serpens alive. Castor informed me that he’ll kill any children I have so it’s a risk I cannot take while that man breathes.” She took in a deep breath but she was relieved that he was aware that his home was not a place to raise a child. Or here for that matter.
Her head leaned over and rested on his shoulder. “I’m sorry for my anger… it’s just..” She stopped for a moment, “I wish nothing but happiness for you and to hear you didn’t really ever have it… it makes me angry.” Her voice dropped to a bit softer, “And heartbroken.”
“..I was happy.” Cole frowned, saying the words but that flicker of doubt was becoming more of a steady flame. No more than candle, but steadier than it ever had been. “Not all the time. But… It doesn’t matter. I’m okay. Once Serpens is dead, we can talk about this again. Find the right time. Make sure we’re both.. ready for something like that.”
His hand squeezed hers and he leant his head on hers, letting his eyes close.
Sagitta nodded softly. He would felt it on her shoulder. Maybe she shouldn’t assume until she gets more information.
But that kriffin’ bastard had him kill at a karking age of eigh-
Stop.
Sagitta takes in a deep inhale. “Sounds good. Serpens first and we can talk again.”
“I’m glad that it’s. That it’s a talk we will have.” Cole smiled slightly, turning his head to press a kiss to the top of her head.
————–Few Months Later—————-
Things were better. Well, enough for Sagitta to be comfortable alone on the compound without Cole. With a soft groan, she glanced over to her side and finds Cole gone. Right. Mission. She felt groggy and a bit more off than usual. There had been a little paranoid voice in the back of her mind but it can’t be. She had been very meticulous about her BC… and possibly the only thing she’s strict about.
‘Just take the stupid test. Get it out of your mind.’
She scooted to the end of the bed. She had been nauseous for a few days but they weren’t bothering her that bad. Just cutting her appetite a bit. ‘I’ll take it later. It might be nothing.’
She was a few days late. But it had been a stressful few days with her missions lately. Sagitta got up and started to get dressed. She put her curly hair up in a ponytail. Going out for a walk sounded nice. She didn’t want to do any sparring on an upset stomach. Opened the door, Sagitta jumped as one of Trevor’s men was about to knock on it.
“Farrow wants to see you, Ma'am.”
Sagitta paused. This… was unusual. She had never had a meeting with him nor did he request her presence, alone. Even during meal times they would chat a bit and move on. Usually, if he wanted to hand her a mission, it was Cole and Sagitta both to go. Though she knew it wouldn’t look good if she denied it especially since she’s a guest at his home and it would not be well for her to be disrespectful because she doesn’t straight up like him.
Then fear struck in her heart.
Did something happen to Cole?
Without hesitation, she nodded. “Okay. Thank you.” And quickly made her way to his office. Once there, she entered, “You wanted to see me, sir?” Her heart was pounding against her chest. Was Cole okay? Was he safe? Did something happen? She kept a stoic look before him to avoid him disliking her more.
Trevor was standing at the desk, looking at one of the datapads on the side of it when she came in. He looked at her.
“There’s a mission occuring Northside of the city. Nothing major, just a small shipment drop off that I’d ask you attend with a few of the men.” He paused for a moment, “You may take your equipment if you like, the others will be though don’t be expecting to use them. They’ll be leaving in twenty minutes.”
Sagitta listened.
… That’s it?
This was odd. But she does also want to get on his good side. With a nod, “Yes, Sir. I’ll do it.” With a nod, she headed back to her room.
‘Just take the karking test. Get it over with.’ With a sigh, she didn’t have enough time. After using the bathroom, she quickly put on some black slacks and a T-shirt. If her armoring up wasn’t needed, that’s fine but she was still going to take her weapons.
Right. The test. She was strapping on her knife sheath around her as she walked to the sink and froze.
Double lines.
Wait. No.
Her heart pounded rapidly and fast. She couldn’t breathe. Her eyes lit up. She was so excited. She’s pregnant.
Scared. Terrified. Happy. Joyous. Petrified.
“No, not now.” She breathed, she barely had time! Kriff!
Maybe she should cancel the mission. Sagitta groaned loudly in Cole’s room. She knew it would not look good. ‘Small mission, won’t take long.’ Sagitta reminded herself as she put her blaster in her thigh holster. The Mirialan was running out of time so she grabbed her earpiece comm to communicate with Trevor’s men, bolted out of Cole’s room, closed the door, and ran to the speeder that waited for her outside with a few of Trevor’s men in it. ‘Focus on the mission, deal with the feelings later.’
And yet… anyone who looks at her face would see that she almost seemed practically glowing and having a very good day. Her smile was showing everything good.
If anyone took particular notice it was hard to tell, though the mood of the group was far from dreary. It was mostly newer members, though that ranged anywhere between a year or two with the group to one of the ladies making up the 6 people Sagitta was travelling with, who had only joined a month prior.
There was nerves, but they were chatting far more casually than many of the men did and overall seemed excited for a reason to prove themselves in front of allies.
The speeder journey wasn’t a long one, the north side of the city held a lot of less used areas and the group stopped in an area of old residences. They weren’t occupied, it was hard to tell why as many of the homes were still functional if completely wiped clean of any evidence of being lived in. A few were destroyed, but most it was empty buildings and alleyways.
“We should be meeting up just on the house on the just left of the next corner. In case there’s a trap, we should go through the houses here. They’ll know we’re here already but if they’re pulling funny business-”
“Kriff Daneels, it’s a drop off. Who’s gonna fuck with Farrow on his own turf, while getting money off of him for gear.” A younger man cut off one of the more experienced ‘recruits’, who gave the Hapan a glare.
The newest recruit cut in, peering between them both sheepishly, “Let’s go?”
Making sure Sagitta was with them, they entered the house to the left. If they kept going through the next houses and gardens they’d soon arrive at the correct house without being spotted directly.
Except…
Sagitta exhaled softly and listened to them. It was odd to come up here. The buildings weren’t functional at all. Sagitta paused for a moment, she almost suggested for her to take point because of her barrier but she didn’t this time.
She was scared for her child.
Kriff. This was a karkin’ bad idea. Sagitta followed them including the ‘leader’ of the group as they make it to the last house. Everything seems to be clear and okay. The houses were vacant and creaky. But… why did everything feel so wrong.
“Hold.” Sagitta calls out to the group. Her brows burrowed. “Something… is not right.” She wasn’t sure if any of them were Force Users are not. Or maybe it’s just anxiety. She went up against the wall and peeked into the window as she took in a sharp inhale, “Dead body, lay low.” She muttered quickly.
Great. So much for small mission. It was never krifin-
Focus. The team lay low as she gestures for three of them to go around back and for herelf and other two to go through the door. The three nodded and disappeared around the corner while crouching down. Sagitta’s hand grasped her blaster’s grip as she pulls it out of the holster and switched the safety off. “I’ll go first in case I need to use my Force, okay?” While they weren’t her men they were human beings and she would take care of them.
Sagitta’s hand reached out and opened the door.
The door slowly opened and if you were inside, you would see no one standing in the doorway. Sagitta quickly peeked in and crouched down low for them to enter. Her team was coming in from the back, she could hear them. She snapped her fingers at the two and gestured for them to watch her back while she checks the body.
They nodded.
Sagitta remained low as she checked the body. She could only see the back but she could tell it was a Mirialan due to the green skin. Her fingers went to check for pulse. Nothing. She grabbed the arm and rolled him towards her and Sagitta’s hand went up to her mouth in horror.
“C-castor?”
At hearing her say a name the two closed in. Watching the entrances to the room, backs to her but.. kriff. Something was wrong.
The one closest was the Hapan, who whispered under his breath, “If you know him, we should extract. Something’s wrong-”
He cut off as a blaster went off and across the room the other to the pair dropped. More shots went off and the Hapan moved to try and protect them both but the figure spoke from the other side of the door.
“Surrender and you will live.”
Sagitta rapidly nodded in agreement until blaster went through the room as she heard blaster’s sounds. Rapid footsteps from upstairs. They were surrounded. The pair were down but still alive.
Sagitta frowned, what did they mean by surrender and they will live?
“Going have to be a bit more clear,” spat Sagitta.
Then another voice. “Put down your weapons, we just want the Mirialan. We’re under orders not to kill the rest of you unless needed.”
Her heart stopped. Why? Why did they want her? On Farrow’s grounds? The big man doesn’t even like her, they would be better off trying to capture Cole and not her.
Sagitta glanced at the Hapan and tilted her head to the door. “Go. I’ll be fine.” She would be damned if any of them dies because of her. “Your teammates need you,” Sagitta reminded him, “Take them and go.” He finally agreed as the rest of them helped the two to get out, leaving Sagitta alone. She doesn’t want newbies to die like this.
Her eyes glanced around, surrounded. Her heart was pounding against her chest and her body was shaking. Her eyes remained determined and absolved.
Sirius had come into view. She had seen him before in pictures. “Hiya Sis! Dad got a bone to pick with you, come on.” Sagitta froze. If he’s here that means-
What was going on? How did they know she was here? Did they trick Trevor into a shipment? The men gestured for her to follow the path that they formed. Sagitta bit her cheek as she complied. For now.
Sagitta exhaled sharply at seeing the familiar man before her. Emotions stirred. Rage. Anger. Hatred.
“Buir got you good didn’t he.” She smirked. Serpens glared at her. “I always knew that we’ll meet but didn’t think you’ll do it in such a cowardly way.”
Then Serpens smiled. “You never did stop talking.” Then his head nodded to a man in the circle as Perseus stepped in and cold clock her in the jaw. The men spread out into a circle as Sagitta and Perseus were about to fight.
Sagitta was going to use a barrier but was surprised when she couldn’t sense the Force. ‘Kriff!’ She ducked Perseus’ punch as she kicked him in the side. Her eyes frantically looked for a way out. Then a yelp as he punched at her ribs which had her respond with a knee to his torso and a punch to his temple. He only staggered for a moment.
Her eyes told her everything.
She’s trapped.
She’s really trapped.
‘Please…’ Sagitta begged to the emptiness beyond.
—-Few Minutes later—–
Sagitta grabbed her dagger awhile ago and Perseus was given one by one of the karkin men. Both were tired and weary but it was obvious that Perseus was winning. He went forward for a stab and Sagitta flipped back, ignored the pain her body was screaming as she kicked the dagger out of his hand. Perseus made the stupid move to try to et it. Sagitta jumped on his back, her dagger at his throat-
Sudden pain at her sides as she wailed and released her grip on Perseus. Sirius had taken a shot at her.
Her hand held at her side, the room was spinning. Everything was screaming at her to protect, to run, but where?
Sagitta tried to get her breath and to stand quickly but her body couldn’t.
Perseus didn’t hesistate to use the gap. Another shot rang out but Sagitta didn’t feel the pain of it. It struck instead Perseus, the bolt of red striking him in the temple and sending him to the ground with a look of shock as his dying expression. The thud of his body hitting the floor broke the sudden momentary silence.
The group moved. Sirius was still focussed on the fight, but as more shots rang out, more people arriving and attacking Serpen’s men, chaos ensued on the small street.
Trevor watched from the end of the street, slowly approaching with weapons in hand and his eyes on Serpens. If the man tried to escape throguh the only real exit he had, he’d have to face down Trevor. Not that Trevor was alone, a few guards either side of him. Everything was going to plan bar the fact the enemy had suppressive Force Users. Hypocritical, but even as the fighting began concentration was being broken. He wasn’t too concerned.
——- Back at the Compound
Cole had arrived back a few minutes prior. It had.. been a stupid mission to be sent on and the youngest Farrow was frustrated. Seriously, him being there made it a lot faster but it would have been perfectly fine without him there. None of them were injured, it was barely even a gang. Just a bunch of drug addicts banding together and causing some trouble.
He went back to his room, not necessarily expecting Sagitta to be there but frowning when he realised her weapons weren’t there. She… never usually took them for training.
A sudden sensation ran through him. Something was wrong. Very wrong. He checked the bathroom just in case and- The pregnancy test was still on the side. Two lines. She was- Kriff she was pregnant! They. They hadn’t spoken about having a kid due to Serpens but if she left it out then…
Any joy was immediately choked. The previous concern turning into anxiety. It gripped at him. Where was she then? Surely she’d have been waiting. To tell him. Why would she take her weapons-
He stepped out. There was a mission happening north side. One of the other men had mentioned it and he’d wondered why he hadn’t been told. But why? Why-
Corvo was approaching him as he stormed toward a speeder.
He didn’t stop, commanding one of the others nearby to get ready to go. The Chiss grabbed him by the shoulder, “Cole, where are you going?”
“Is Sagitta north side?”
Corvo withdrew his hand. His face darkened, “Don’t.”
Cole snarled, shoving Corvo back and clambering into the speeder.
Whatever the kark was going on, Corvo confirmed where she was. He just had to hope he’d there because whatever she-akk shit his father had planned happened. He doubted it, but.. maybe he could still protect her. His hands shook ever so slightly, so he grasped his assualt rifle. Gripping onto it tightly.
Chaos increased.
Serpens’ men vs Trevor’s men.
Serpens’s eyes widen at seeing Perseus being shot. His head snapped. With a growl, he took a blaster and aimed at Trevor. “Sirius! Trevor’s head.”
“Yes sir!” Sirius said as he ran into a building to get onto the second floor.
The world was spinning. Sagitta was pushed by one of the fallen men as she scrambled to lean against a house. Her eyes stared at the dead body. She felt nothing.
She felt everything for Castor. His wife… his two girls.. Her teeth gritted as she grabbed one of the dead men’s blaster.
She’ll frickin kill Serpens’ herself. Sagitta struggled as she rose, her head spinning as she almost fell forward but ended up stumbling as she took the path where she saw her father take.
The dust started to settle. They both had lost a lot of men but Serpens’s more than Trevor’s. After all, Trevor wouldn’t bring all of his men into this silly little thing.
Serpens laughed and then, “You used her for bait, didn’t you?” snarled Serpens. Sirius was now at the second floor, his rifle aimed right for Trevor, without missing a beat, he squeezed but-
The man’s neck snapped.
He was aiming, squeezing, but as he did the Force came into play. One of Trevor’s men had spotted the threat and with a twist of their hand the nerves were severed as the none cracked, snapping through them. The shot fired, but it landed in the street, missing anything of importance.
Trevor kept approaching though did raise his rifle. He fired at Serpens, not bothering with speeches. There was no need to deny or confirm anything to a dead man, after all.
There was still fighting even as it quietened. The tide was in Trevor’s favour but he wasn’t foolish enough to assume it was over until Serpens was dead.
After what seemed like an eternity, Trevor finally got his kill. Serpens lay dead in the street. Serpens’ men stopped and knelt down to surrender. Their hands locked behind their heads.
Sagitta panted. Her head pounded. Blood dripped from different cuts. The burn at her side really bothered her. Who knows how many bones are damaged or broken. She heard Serpens. Trevor used her for bait. They put her and her child in danger. Due to this whole planning, they discarded Castor and possibly his family. Whose hands was it really? Whose hands were soiled by Castor’s blood?
Cole’s and her child would never be safe with a man like him still alive.
The Mirialan had a new target.
For a moment, anger cleared her blurry eyes. She took an aim at Trevor-
He noticed it a moment before it was too late. Trevor managed to step out of the way of it mostly, but it caught him in the shoulder.
His gaze turned to her. He’d lost his blaster some point during the fight but he pulled a blade out.
An eyebrow raised, waiting to see if she was really that stupid. He didn’t know why she would but, he wasn’t going to let some crazy girl ruin things after such a certain victory.
Cole was running. They’d arrived toward the end of the writing but he didn’t know where Sagitta was. Kriff what if she- Why in the stars beyond had his father thought this was a good- It clicked on seeing one of the brothers. He didn’t know which one but they were dead. Serpen. Had he attacked but no.. Sagitta was chosen to be- He felt cold. Anger. Fear. What had his father done.
The Human ran through the echoes of chaos, and spotted the purple hair of Sagitta. She shot at his father. He was drawing a blade. No. No no no no- Serpens was dead on the floor, he knew what had happened, but no. No!
He didn’t have enough breath to yell, just desperately running, some of his father’s men trying to stop him but getting shoved aside. Most of them didn’t question it and just stepped out of the way if they were in it.
Sagitta growled. The blaster stopped working. She tossed it aside and reached for her dagger. Her bruised hand gripped it tightly. Anger and protecting her child were feeding her and putting the pain away. She stepped in to do a fake swipe and attempt to sneak in a punch with her other hand.
He grabbed her wrist, yanking her forward toward him and-
Cole broke between them, elbowing his father under the armpit, enough to hurt but no chance of doing actual damage. He grabbed Sagitta’s wrists, walking her backwards, trying to put space.
“Sagitta! No. No.”
His voice lowered for the second one, the fear plain in his eyes if not the rest of his face.
Trevor stared at his sons back, holding his side for a moment before straightening, remaining stood where he was.
“Cole.”
Cole stiffened, waiting until Sagitta stopped struggling before starting to turn to his face his father.
Sagitta gasped at the sudden appearance of Cole. She grimaced as she walked backward while he pressed her to do so, her wrists hurt. Her eyes full of anger soften into fear and worry. Why was he stopping her? Doesn’t he get it? Trevor would be better off dead.
“He set me up as bait…” She whispered. She wanted to fall into his arms and cry. “Castor is dead…” She whimpered, gasping unable to breathe, and then-
Pain
The baby
The Force struggled to break through. She was full of emotions so it wasn’t clear until the intensity increased and she finally got the message.
The pain spread through her torso. It was almost like cramps but far worse. She yanked her wrists back. Her expression full of worry and fear.
Kriff.
She doesn’t want him to know.
She had no choice.
Sagitta knelt down as she immediately started to heal her lower torso. Her breathing was quick and fast.
Her eyelids closed ‘Come on, come on…’
Trevor noticed it. That.. was specific. Huh. Cole was being protective. More so. She was… Well. It was no confirmation but it was suspsicious. He had a bigger concern.
Cole could feel his hands shaking slightly, curling them into fists to hide it.
Trevor spoke again. “Cole. Stand aside.”
Cole raised his chin slightly, shaking his head. Trevor took a step forward but Cole stood firm.
The men were watching. Trevor’s eyes narrowed and his next words were yelled, barely inches from Cole’s face. “Move!
Yet Cole didn’t flinch. He didn’t do anything. Standing as a silent blockade between the two people he cared most for in the galaxy. He was going to lose them both no matter what he did but he couldn’t.. he couldn’t let them die.
Trevor knew he could easily have her killed. Cole was one man. But if he didn’t back off, Cole never have any hope of leading the family. If he had any at all, now really. He stepped back, disgust on his face.
Sagitta flinched at Trevor’s yell as she looked up at Cole’s back. He was firm. Her body started shaking. She looked around at the men.
Her hands glowed brighter as her shoulders dropped and she let out a relieved sigh. She swallowed, her voice strained with joy and fear, “The baby’s okay…” She continued to heal. She doesn’t want Cole to get hurt. If Trevor really wanted to, they already would’ve been dead the moment Cole didn’t move.
There was a reason why Cole or Sagitta wasn’t shot yet.
“It’s okay, Cole.”
The baby. So she was. Trevor shifted, wheels turning in his head. His son had proven weak. Maybe… Just maybe.
Cole didn’t respond to Sagitta. It wasn’t okay. “Just let her go home.”
It wouldn’t be the first lie Trevor told today. He nodded, taking another smaller step back. Not too far.
Cole relaxed slightly, turning toward Sagitta again finally. The word that the baby was ok, the relief, finally set in as he stepped back so he could start to crouch, to help her up, “Come on, we can just.. get you on a ship home. I’ll send your-”
Trevor had tilted his head toward the guards. They were approaching. Why- Cole turned to question it but was sent stumbling to the side as Trevor punched him directly in the jaw.
As the guards moved to grab Sagitta, to stop her from being able to intervene and disarm her, Trevor grabbed Cole by the shoulder. He didn’t yell, but the anger radiating off of the man was palpable. Cole didn’t know what to do. He raised his arms, trying to get away, to defend himself, but before long there was only so much he could without going on the offensive.
He couldn’t.
Sagitta had a bad feeling.
He just threw her into this as bait and took his karking sweet time to save her. If he really cared, he would’ve done something.
Sagitta shook her head, “No, something is-” She froze and cried out as Cole was punched. Sagitta snarled loudly and went to jump Trevor, but his guards were quick to grab her and took away her dagger. Her blaster was already gone. She elbowed one of the guards back, and struck him in the jaw, “You kriffin bastard! Coward!” She spat at Trevor’s feet as she was being dragged away, “Cole! Fight ba-” her mouth was covered by one of the guard’s hands as she grimaced when they put both of her arms in a painful arm lock behind her and needed the help of two men.
Focus, come on, Focus. Sagitta was fighting to focus but all they had to do was tighten the arm lock. Her jaw tightened as she was doing everything to focus. To call upon the Force.
He heard her call out but-
“Father-” He ducked another swing but Trevor was kick to follow up and he was slammed in the stomach as he straightened up. Cole stumbled back, panic on his face. He redirected another blow, again and-
Trevor pulled a faux move and clocked Cole in the temple. He hit the ground. And then he started kicking. Stomping until there was a sharp crack. Cole tried to get up, to grab a leg or- but a rib went and he gasped in pain, eye widening. It was then when Trevor stopped. Staring down on his son with a glare of indifference.
He turned away from Cole, “Make sure he doesn’t die. For her, bring her back to the compound. Makes sure she’s healthy, kept seperate.”
The guards glanced between each other but weren’t going to question it as they started to try and drag Sagitta off, towards where they’d all parked up before hand. It wasn’t.. too far.
One of them wandered over toward Cole, a small glow at their hand.
Sagitta flail but everytime she moved pain increased. Her eyelids closed. She couldn’t watch it anymore until a sickening crack.
Her hands started to spark with a bit of electricity.
‘No.’ She didn’t know the risks of the Dark side for their child so she couldn’t. She choked back a sob and was relieved that he wasn’t going to kill Cole.
‘…healthy, kept separate.’
Her eyes narrowed. What the kriff did he want?! To play with them like some karkin toys?! Sagitta fought less as they get her to the speeder. She was full of anger and had to fight from losing her mind.
——————
Sagitta was on the bed with cuffs because she wouldn’t stop fighting. They did an ultrasound without her karkin permission and she ended up frying it.
Until they sent a suppressor and now she can’t use the Force.
The door open and -
“Did you know?” Sagitta asked Corvo, “did you know he was going to use me as a bait for Serpens?”
Corvo froze momentarily at the imemdiate accusation but sighed, waving his hand for anyone else left in the room to leave. He sat far enough she couldn’t reach him, but still at least.. close.
“Yes. I didn’t think he was going to let you be attacked, but I knew.”
Sagitta glared at him for a moment before slightly relaxing back. She doesn’t know if she could even trust him. She was warming up to Corvo but then-
Sagitta grimaced. She wanted to be with Cole and left everything out. Instead she shoved the emotions back for now.
“Is Cole okay? Where is he? What does Trevor want from us?”
Corvo bit the inside of his cheek.
“His ribs are broken. Concussion at least. There was.. more. Trevor allowed them to heal enough it wouldn’t kill him but he’s not.. moving for a while. You know where he is, I’m not supposed to tell you really. In terms of what he wants…” He sighed slowly and shook his head, “Currently? He wants Cole back under control. He hasn’t spoken much about you. Not that I think I could tell you if I did know. You’re likely to be here for a while.”
‘Oh Cole…’
Sagitta grimaced as a tear fell. She raised her arm to wipe it away but was met with the clanging resistance. Her face leaned down to her shoulder instead and wiped it away.
“Cole was never his to control. Cole is his own man, with his own decisions and mind. He is not an akk.” She turned her head away from Corvo. Her eyes welled with tears and she couldn’t bare to look at him right now.
Corvo looked sad, almost pitying, “Your life isn’t your own in this world. Sadly, you’ve been dragged into it for a while at least it looks like. I am sorry about that. If I’d have known you were..”
He sighed, “Well. I’d have done my best to put a stop to things. You shouldn’t have attacked him though. That.. That has complicated things.”
“I didn’t know either.” She whispered softly. “I found out. Right before the mission.”
Sagitta bit her cheek. “Wish I got him in the chest instead of the shoulder. I wanted him gone so I would never have to worry about his grip over Cole or his hands on our child.” Then she looked over at Corvo. “You both do realize my family and my job will come looking for me, right?”
“You shouldn’t have done it. But yes it is known, about your family.” Corvo said, “He wasn’t planning for this. He will be now. I can’t tell you what is.. going to happen in the months to come but I will.. I’ll be trying. Because this is too far.”
He shifted, getting to his feet, “I doubt you’ll see anything of Cole. I’ll be doing my best by him as well but there’ll be.. less I can do for him. There will be an end to this. I just can’t guarantee what it will look like.”
They’d fixed his ribs enough that once he’d coughed a few times all of the blood had come up. It was all they did for him. One of the guards had tried to put a bandage around the wrist that had been dislocated and been ordered against it. It was back in place but with nothing to hold it there. Just enough that it could heal.
He’d been left in his room on the bed.
Cole had managed to shift so he was somewhat comfortable. Initially he tried to sit up and undress. To do something but his ribs had screamed in agony. He hadn’t been able to breathe for several seconds. At least it felt like it. Every breath hurt but for those seconds it was choking. Gasping.
So he was laid there, unable to move, still in his armour. They’d disarmed him, the weapons left on his desk. He couldn’t move. It was the inability to move that had always bothered him.
Panic pulsed through him. Even now, he kept getting stuck in situations where he couldn’t move. Where decisions were being made around him and he was trapped. Useless. His hands hadn’t stopped shaking and it was getting worse. Kriff, he couldn’t even protect Sagitta from his own father. His father, who he’d spent his life trying to echo. Trying to make him proud.
It had never been possible had it?
Tears stung at his eyes and he had to hold back it from progressing any worse out of fear of suffocating to death. He had to fix this. Somehow. At least to get Sagitta out. Cole wasn’t sure there was a way to fix anything else. He’d probably die. But he found he was okay with that. It wasn’t like he could run away from this. There’d be no where to go without isolating Sagitta and she’d be better off with her family. Her family who’d likely blame him for this. Kriff he blamed himself for this. They were more likely follow her if he was there.
It’d take time, more than the time to heal, but he had to make it right. For now he’d have to play his father’s game. As he always had. For what little good it had done.
Sagitta bit her cheek. He didn’t have to repeat himself. She can’t see the karkin’ future and she wanted Trevor gone. Emotions stirred and Sagitta fought to keep it back, her jaw getting tighter.
‘I’ll be trying.’
Sagitta paused before she rested her head back.
‘see anything of Cole’
Her hands clenched into fists. No. She can’t be here for months or even years without not being able to see Cole. Her heart quickened as the heart monitor frantically beeped. Her eyelids closed as she struggled to calm down. There was nothing else she could ask or say to Corvo.
Since the men were excused when Corvo entered, she used a bit of amplification and broke the handcuffs. Sagitta rolled to her side and her back facing Corvo.
Has Trevor won control over her now?
She knew even if she tried to run now she would be taken down quickly and may make things worse for Cole. Trevor would do that to her. Was that why they both were alive? Trevor’s control over both of them? Her hands went up to grab the pillow and she couldn’t take it anymore and started to cry into it.
Castor. What of his family? Her family, what was Trevor planning? Will they know anything? Their child, what’s their future? Were they going to be raised here despite Cole and Sagitta both not wanting that kind of future?
She cried for Cole the most. She needed him. She wanted to heal him and apologize. To hold him close and talk with him. Her chest and heart hurt so bad. She can’t do anything to help him. She had to watch and hear Trevor hurt him. Her body started to shake. She had been fighting to keep her emotions down and now the dam had broken.
A muffled wail echoed in the medic room.
Corvo had stood when she broke the cuffs, a sudden movement of someone preparing for attack. But then she grabbed a pillow and cried.
The Chiss let his shoulders drop, shifting his chair close enough that he could place a hand on the woman’s shoulder when he sat down again.
No words were exchanged. Corvo couldn’t say anything to make things worse or better, just hope that the man hed been calling his brother all these would listen to some kind of reason. Maybe he could be drawn back across the line.
—-First Week—-
Each day was more brutal than the next. She was alone in this kriffin’ room with no news of Cole. Corvo could only have so much time during the day to help her out. He visited often and sometimes he can’t. Food was handed to her. Guard posted outside of her door. Sagitta had to request long sleeve shirts to stop her from aggressively scratching her arms.
It didn’t help that Corvo answer was always the karkin’ same when she asked about Cole. ‘Condition remains the same.’
Usually, she wouldn’t care about her arms but now she was caring for another. Her hands went to her belly as she sat down after pacing around the room for a while. She had been nauseous lately but nothing severe. Her eyes glanced over the datapad. Maybe it was time for another recording.
With Corvo’s help, she got several things downloaded for her to watch some movies. And even got camera in. The Mirialan still couldn’t communicate with the outside world. Was she really going to be trapped here for the entire seven months? Her hands paused at the record button. Right. She placed the datapad down and went to the bathroom.
She doesn’t look that bad. Okay. Deep inhale. She went back to the datapad and set it up. With a bright smile, she hit record, “Hi! Okay! Buir here! So, I’ve already told you about your aunties and late Uncle Graham. Well, what bit I know of him. Maybe you can ask Uncle Corvo or your dad more about him when you get older. Now I think I’ll tell you how your dad and I met.” She laughed softly, “Don’t worry! It’ll be a small one okay? So it was storming, I hope you remember that your momma mentioned she’s scared of storms. Your dad happened to be there and he helped me get through my fear. Just a complete stranger. I want you to always remember my ad’ika, there’s always goodness and happiness in this galaxy. Little kindness can go a long way.” Then she laughed again, “Maybe this should be in the pre-teens category for you to watch hmmm?”
Then a shake of her head, “But I was so scared that I ruined your dad’s clothes. So I wanted to help him in return. By cleaning his clothes. I think your dad laughed a lot that day.” Her hand immediately went to the pause button as she couldn’t fight back the tears anymore. Her head went between her arms as she sobbed. She was terrified that she may not get to be around or even alive after her child was born so she wanted to leave something.
It would all be up to Corvo if he would give it to the kid when she finally asks him.
Or if he could keep her word and help her out. Or maybe Cole could do something? Her family…?
Anyone?
Breathe in. Hold. Breathe out.
Letting the breath out was a relief. Each one a moment of releasing pressure before inevitably he had to inhale again, lungs pressing against his ribs. It was hard to tell where the damage precisely was but the pain flared through his entire chest.
Cole had only managed to get up when someone came in each day with food. Each time it was a pathetic process where each movement drew hissing breaths from him, flinching which just made it worse. The second day, one of his friends who they’d sent in helped him put bandages around his wrist. They technically weren’t allowed too but it was already obvious it was healing wrong and at least it was something. Thankfully each day they helped him to the kriffing bathroom too, but that just made the helplessness worse. By the time whoever was sent in left each day, Cole was left exhausted, heaving in pain and barely able to think. Eventually the pain would ease but nothing else would.
Sometimes he’d even manage to sleep.
Sometimes. The rest of it Cole spent most of stuck staring at the walls of his room, his own haggard breathing his only company outside of his own thoughts. His own thoughts that had gone rampant. He had no idea what they’d done with Sagitta. He had no idea of anything that was going on outside of his room. It was maddening. Once or twice he tried to stand and ended up just sat up on the edge of the bed trying to not gag as the pain in his chest radiated across his body. After the second attempt he accepted that this was just.. going to be it for a while.
It fitted. He couldn’t protect anyone, not even himself. Cole had always known his life wasn’t exactly his own, it was part of this life. Yet… Yet. It still felt like a failing. One that may have cost him Sagitta. Their child too, if the embryo had survived the initial conflict. He didn’t know.
It was the end of that week when someone more than just one of the normal members of the group visited Cole. Trevor himself entered the room, with one of the usual healers who Cole knew well. They had the Force and had been around since he was a teenager. They didn’t say a word, walking ahead of Trevor and placing their hands on Cole’s chest. He’d almost jumped, or at least would have if he was able. Any expectation of being healed had disappeared when Trevor walked away from him initially.
It wasn’t a perfect job and Cole barely had time to mumble thanks before they left the room, maintaining distance with Trevor when they passed the elder Farrow. The door shut with a finite click. They hadn’t touched his wrist. It was still bandaged at least.
Cole sat up tentatively. He still ached, but it was nothing in comparison to what it was moments before. Icy eyes gazed wearily up into Trevor’s. His father looked no different. Remove the events from a week ago and all Cole would question it why his father was in his room.
It wasn’t a week ago.
Trevor broke the silence. “You have an hour to prepare yourself for a combatative mission. We already have men at Serpen’s territory, you’re going to join them.”
Cole looked away but he nodded. It wouldn’t be all of it.
“If you reach any of Serpen’s direct family, they are to be given a choice to leave willingly. If they resist in any way, kill them. If you disobey orders, there will be consequences for more than just yourself.”
Cole curled his hand into a fist but he didn’t move, just asking in a hoarse voice, “Is she okay?”
“Yes. So is the child. One hour, Cole.”
Trevor started to turn to leave but, “How long for?”
“However long it takes.”
Footsteps, then the door opened. It closed.
Cole stood, shaky on his feet but finally properly undressing and getting in the shower. He sat down after he was clean, bringing his knees to his chest and using the sound of the water to cover up the following sobs.
She was alive. The kid was too.
But at the same time they were reliant on him obeying. They were trapped. Trapped. He- He couldn’t let it stay that was but the bitterness of the world bearing down on him was too much for those moments. He let the water wash over him, clearing the tears away. Clearing away everything so he could hold on tighter for however long it took to fix this.
By the time he was dressed once more, his armour cleaned, weapons prepared, the only remnant of the outburst was a slight redness to his eyes.
It was difficult to carry things with the damaged wrist, leaving him relying on the weaker arm but he was functional enough. The perfect little solider with bags under his eyes and a hollow in his heart. Cole passed Corvo on his way out. The Chiss started to talk, trying to catch his attention. He slowed his step.
“I’ll do my best by her.”
Cole almost started to respond before catching himself, taking a deep breath but nodding. It was best they didn’t speak long, then. Corvo inclined his head slightly, anger burning in the red gaze but Cole knew it wasn’t at him.
He walked across the compound, meeting no one’s gaze. He’d be back before too long. Once his father thought he was obeident again.. at least enough. Then. Then he could fix this. Whatever it took to do so.
The door knocked. Sagitta took in a deep breath as she rose her head and wiped the tears around with her hands. The Mirialan cleared her throat, she got up from the bed. “Come in.”
It was Corvo. She smiled softly at him, “Hey-” Then she stopped. He was more frowny than usual. Kriff, he had some more wrinkles on that forehead of his. Her heart skipped a beat.
“Is Cole okay?”
“He was healed today, but he’s been sent out to help with taking over the territory.”
Finally. Some news. But she was worried. He was healed just now? That karkin’ bast-
But… “That’s not why you are frowning.”
He let out a deep sigh. “No. Trevor finally spoke on his actual plans, which is that he wants to raise the child. Essentially to… to try and do it ‘right’.” Her heart stopped. She bitterly looked away. She knew, that he had a reason to keep her alive. If he wanted to damage Cole, all he had to do was to kill her. Kriff. Cole and she wanted to wait and did not want this future for their child. Then that bastard was going to turn their kid, a CHILD, into a kriffin’ perfect little-
“…..And where do I fit in?” Sagitta looked over and watched as his expression got sadder and he couldn’t even look at her. “Corvo.” Her voice was firm. “Corvo.”
“You’ll either leave willingly or die,” Corvo replied.
Sagitta bit her cheek and felt her throat tightening. She cleared her throat. “I think we both know what that answer will be,” whispered Sagitta. Corvo nodded.
Sagitta shook her head, “I … kind of had that feeling.” Sagitta explained her plan with the recordings and added that she promises she won’t talk bad about Trevor, or any at all really. As she talked about her reading different books and it may help the child to sleep. She saw Corvo struggle so her arms wrapped around him as she pulled him into a tight hug. She wanted to tell him that it’ll be okay. Everything would be okay.
But…
Nothing would be okay.
The moment Corvo had delivered her news that she can go outside and walk around as long she followed the rules. Do not go upstairs. Do not escape. No weapons. Always have an armed guard with her. And no technology.
Sagitta agreed. She was hoping if she behaves perfectly well, Trevor might spare her and let her at least be a mother as long as she agreed to his terms and conditions. Though she wasn’t sure how Cole would take it. When Corvo left, Sagitta wasted no time and dashed out of the door, looked over to the guard, “Let’s go.”
She ran out of the building and just ran. The fresh air flowed through her curly locks. The warmth of the sun kissed her skin. The pounding of her feet hit the ground below. She, for a moment, felt like she was free. Her heart pounded against her chest widely. With a laugh, she stopped. Her hands were over her knees to catch her breath. She could hear the guard struggling to breathe as she laughed harder.
“I am so sorry,” smiled Sagitta. “I’ll make sure we’re at the same pace.”
The guard wheezed as he gave her thumbs up. Sagita sat down where she was and just laid back on the ground.
She was outside for hours.
The next several weeks had been a bit easier. The morning runs had helped so much. She still felt so alone. Few guards do small talks with her and sometimes, one or two would have the nerve to sit down with her at meal times but most of the time, her world was quiet. Save for the occasional hugs with Corvo, she had no touch. Every time she ran outside or stay outside, she would glance over to the building and her eyes would rest where Cole’s room might be. The windows were insanely heavily tinted so she never knew if he ever sees her. But if he happened to look out, he would know she was there.
It was dinner time and Sagitta was sitting alone. She was feeling heavily nauseous so she just pick the food with her fork.
“May I sit down,” a voice asked. Sagitta looked up and was facing a female. The same female that was with her from couple of months ago when Trevor had set her up. Corvo confirmed that the new recruits had no idea what was going on so she doesn’t hate them.
And they were just doing their jobs. Sagitta gave her a small nod and the female sat down and two more joined. She was slightly surprised.
“Morning sickness, huh?” One of them asked.
“Yes. Thankfully it’s just nausea and not puking but it does make food very off-putting.”
“I don’t know why they call it morning sickness,” One of them chimed in, “We have it 24/7”
Sagitta realized she was sitting at a table of women who had been pregnant and are moms. Her heart hurts. She won’t be able to know the joy of raising a child but she wasn’t going to let them know. Sagitta was certain no one knew of what was to become her after she gives birth. Except for Trevor and Corvo. They started chatting up a storm, even when the meal times were over, they were still talking.
“Oh and don’t be embarrassed during labor.” One of them mentioned. Sagitta looked surprised.
“Do you mean it’s because everyone can see-”
“Oh, please! No. That didn’t bother me, it was the pooping.” All the women were in an uproar of laughter, Sagitta included after looking horrified for a moment.
They all said good night and Sagitta went to bed as the guards rotated and the night guard sat down on the chair by her door.
After cleaning up, she lay on the bed in the dark. Being happy here was so hard. But she had to. She can’t just be miserable or it would consume her.
Being happy was draining.
Was she even happy? Every single kriffin night and every morning before she goes out, she always cries. And she’s so exhausted. She had to stay strong and hold onto the hope that Trevor, by some miracle changes his mind, he dies, or she somehow gets out with Cole.
Breakfast arrived and she was getting food. She noticed the table where she sat last night had the same women and they waved her over. Sagitta nodded to let them know she would be joining them. Sagitta noticed there were a bit more people than usual this morning. She headed towards the table until -
“…did not expect that from Cole actually.”
Sagitta froze at Cole’s name. They had been not mentioning him at all for a long time. She looked at the men that mentioned Cole. “Didn’t expect what?” They looked at each other, a bit hesitant. Then one of them shrugged.
“We cleared out Sunarro’s territory. The female, ah, I think Serpens’s wife? Well, orders are to give them the choice to leave or be killed. He killed her outright.”
“… Huh, that’s new.” one of them chimed in, who wasn’t at the mission.
“If you ask me, the woman looks like she was about to attack Farrow but we can’t say for sure. Took care of her nice and clean, Mr. Farrow should be proud. Sent the two ah, yea, there were twin boys, pretty young. Horribly malnourished if you ask me. They didn’t resist Farrow so he suggested they go to Selen and seek out some Clan. Wasn’t really paying attention.”
Sagitta didn’t know what to think of this. The table had fallen silent. She cleared her throat and gave them a small grin, “Thank you.” She told Cole everything her parents and family did to her. Was this his way of tying up loose ends? She had so many emotions going on that she was a zombie walking towards the table. Relief? Anger? Her twin brothers….
“Are you okay?” One of the females asked. Sagitta shook her head, snapping out of it for now.
“Ah yea!” She waved her hand, “Sorry, was in a whole other galaxy there,” chuckled the Mirialan. They continued the conversation.
Cole hadn’t returned until everyone else had. They had wandered into the caferteria but he had been side lined by his father requesting his presence in his office. It had been a normal debriefing.
Trevor didn’t trust his son, but Cole had proven that he was still capable as a leader. There was only so much Cole could be prevented from doing while viewed so positively, espeically after being on the ground in taking over Surrano’s territory for as many weeks as he been. While it was effective in keeping Cole busy, it had given Trevor a disadvantage in control.
It was over the following months that Cole started to piece together a plan. First was establihsing routines. From his window, if he woke early enough, he could see Sagitta running with a guard beside her. The guard changed but as the week passed the timing didn’t. He couldn’t always check, but it was consistent enough. Sagitta also seemed to always eat at the cafeteria, though that information had been garnered by a misstep from Corvo. He wasn’t entirely sure it was an accidental misstep, but he couldn’t trust the Chiss too much. It seemed at least he’d kept his promise.
There were timings set. Guard rotations were easy to find as why wouldn’t Cole know them? He always had beforehand, there was no reason that would change now.
As long as he didn’t kriff this up, it was going to be easy to get off of the compound. The hard part was getting off planet before anyone noticed they had gone.
Two weeks before he planned to make the final move, Cole went out into the city. It was a risky move, but it was one he could play off as frustration. He headed to a few places before going the port. Credits exchanged hands, enough that no questions were asked, and he had a small shuttle with hyperdrive capabilities ready for him to pick up. He warned that he’d take a bit of time to get there, but the salesmen assured him it’d be ready and waiting for whenever he deemed it time.
He hated dealing with them but flying out from the compound would mean they’d be shot down before they ever reached the atmosphere.
Cole was glad he’d given himself two weeks once he returned that evening, after making sure to get a few drinks at a bar beforehand. He tried to enter the cafeteria, partially hoping for a chance to see Sagitta but as much just wanting to avoid another night stuck in isolation. Another part of him knew that if it was public, his father would be forced to stem whatever reaction he may have.
Before the youngest Farrow made it fully past the doors he could hear the footsteps. Before he could glance around the room to try and spot Sagitta, a hand grabbed his damaged wrist and pulled.
Cole turned, his whole body stiffening with the effort to not cry out. The wrist was fully healed now, but the bones had fused together wrong. He wasn’t sure in what exactly, but from the constant shake in that hand and the sharp pains he’d get from it suggested nerve damage of some kind. One of the medics had looked at it. It would require being broken again to fix it, in surgery. If it had been requested on his behalf, it hadn’t happened.
His eyes met with his fathers, who continued to grip Cole’s wrist. Squeezing just enough to communicate that he knew why Cole was in the caferteria. He started talking and Cole could at least relax at the fact that that meant he didn’t know about the plan.
“You can’t just wander off into the city.”
Cole didn’t respond, just staring back as steadily as he could. His hand twitched involunatrily and he tasted blood as he bit down on the inside of his cheek to prevent that sound from escaping.
“Don’t do it again.”
Trevor let go, stepping back but not breaking eye contact, “With me. Now.”
Cole nodded and when Trevor began to walk back toward their building, he had to force himself to not look behind him.
Soon. Kriff, it was going to be soon.
Trevor didn’t want to meet, he just sent Cole into his room.
Soon.
“I thought I was going to die when I saw him come into the room wearing a karkin’ gas mask to change our daughter’s diaper-”
The women laughed hard. Sagitta was slowly warming up the hearts of Trevor’s men and women.
“Count yourself lucky! At least he did something! When it was my wife’s turn to change the diaper, she disappeared. Poof.” Another women commented.
Sagitta was laughing and looked up for a moment. Everything froze. She saw Trevor pulling Cole and Cole’s jaw was tight.
Her eyes lit up. ‘Cole!’ Her heart skipped a beat. He was gone as fast as they appeared.
‘That kriffin’ bast-‘ Sagitta was going to get up but she was grabbed by one of the women at the table.
Everyone on the compound do know they needed to be separated. Sagitta’s frustrated eyes went over to the female as she sadly shook her head. Sagitta bitterly bit her cheek as leaned back against the chair in anger.
Just for a moment, her heart became alive again to only wail in pain.
Sagitta’s cleared her throat, “I should go.” She got up and headed to her room followed by the guard that was on duty.
Couple of weeks later…
Sagitta finished washing her face as she turned off the water and dried it off. Leaned back, she looked at the mirror. There was a small but noticeable bump. A sad smile curved on her lips as she gently rubbed her belly.
Maybe she could try to get a meeting with Trevor and come up with some agreement. She had behaved very well for the last three months, it had to count for something… right?
But first, it was time for her morning run. She opened the door and nodded her head at the guard, who had gotten better at running because of Sagitta and they took off for the run.
Cole peered out the window, seeing the fleck of purple hair go past for a moment before starting to pack his equipment. He wouldn’t be able to armour up without it being suspicious, but he’d be able to wear his backpack without question so long as it didn’t look too full. It limited what he could take but…
He paused, staring for a few moments at his things and prioritising weaponry over all else. Likelihood was, he was either going to be back here or dead within the next 48 hours at absolute maximum. He still packed a change of clothes. Cole even went under his bed, pulling out a box he had stored beneath the top layer of flooring and taking out the pictures within. He left some behind, some cards. But there were pictures of his family in here. A card with his mother’s handwriting on it. Her name. They were placed in a side pocket of the bag. He could leave it with Sagitta, at least there’d be.. Well.
Kriff. Tears welled up in his eyes and he had to pause packing for a few seconds before finishing up.
The rest of the day went normally, he ate in his room as he had the last few months but that gave him the ability to see when Sagitta returned to the building. It was still dinner time in here, he wouldn’t have long to act but while the kitchen was active and his father and Corvo were eating there was a window of oppurtunity.
Slipping downstairs, he crossed the hallway. To the far end.
Cole hoped he had the right door, pressing the handle and stepping inside as quickly as it clicked open to swing it shut once more.
The guard was there. Before she could react he was at her back, knife to her throat and about to silence the threat before it could ruin everything for them.
‘Guard.’
Sagitta jumped at the sudden Force intervention and turned just in time to see the door open. The silver coloration of the knife up against the guard’s neck. Her hand reached to his wrist, “No.”
Her body started to tremble at seeing the sight of him. Just him being here. What was he doing? What was going on? “She’s a mom. Spare her. Knock her out or something, but spare her…”
The guard sharply exhaled as her hands rose to show she wouldn’t fight back.
He hesistated, which gave enough time for Sagitta to speak. Cole slowly drew the blade away, turning it in his hand and bashing it into the side of her head to knock her out.
Cole didn’t let her thud to the floor, catching her and lowering before pocketing the knife and going to Sagitta. Her stomach… Kriff she was- Emotions surged but they didn’t have time, he pulled her into a hug but was already talking, “We have about five minutes of leeway, you need to pack what you need. We’re leaving.”
He pulled away, looking at her. She looked healthy, but there was a strain at her eyes that spoke deeper. Not that Cole looked much better. Hugging him back, the thickness of bandages under his clothes would be detectable and the bags under his eyes were worse than ever.
Sagitta was going to catch her but Cole had beaten her to it. He pulled her into a hug which she happily accepted. “Cole what-” Five minutes.
Bandages. What the kriff. She needed to heal him but he pulled away as she grimaced. The hug was too short but her heart started to pound. Adrenaline was rushing. She quickly got her bag and packed a change of clothes. She had nothing else. They took everything away from her and she can’t risk bringing the datapad in case of tracking. Then she froze. She doesn’t want them to get caught. She can’t stand it if he gets hurt. “Cole, Trevor - I” The fear was evident.
“I know. You’ve got to stay calm. We should be able to just walk out. There’s new recruits on watch right now. They don’t know my face. My father is eating, so long as we’re quiet leaving the building it should be easy to get out of the compound. I have a ship waiting in the city, if everything goes right we’ll be on it long before they realise we’re gone. Is that everything?”
The mask was on. There wasn’t room for anything but it until they were on the ship.
When they were in the city he’d be able to contact the Voidbreaker II and then it’d just be waiting to see if they made it. It had autopilot, at least. He wasn’t exactly the best flier.
Sagitta took in a deep breath and steeled her nerves. She hasn’t been on a mission in a while but she managed. Her hand went over her belly as she nodded. “I understand.” She threw the strap of her backpack over her shoulder. “Yes. They took my weapons, armor, and everything I had. So… this is all I had. Let’s go.”
Cole nodded, pausing for a moment. He wanted to close the gap, to hold her dammit, but once she was ready he turned toward the door again, opening it and stepping out.
He was right about the timing. Other than raising the hood of his hoodie while they walked through the more active area so people wouldn’t recognise him, exiting the compound itself was relatively easy. The recruits glanced to each other, confused but not recognising the youngest Farrow. They were in the city before all too long. Not that Cole’s paced slowed. Other than pauses to check on Sagitta and make sure she was with him, he pressed on. Through most of the walk, he kept her on his left, his right hand tucked into a pocket. It wasn’t really a conscious movement, but it didn’t take much to cause it to hurt and the last thing he needed was Sagitta to pause out of worry for him.
Sagitta walked by him. Her hands were interlocked together as she then moved it up and started to rub her arm slightly before it went back to her sides. She had so much to tell him. But they were in a hurry and on the move. Pauses and stops would mean risks and she wasn’t not going to make a mistake this time. Her breathing was steady and still and her left arm was slightly shaking.
It was a decent length walk to get to the port. But it was uneventful. Even if their absence had been discovered already they wouldn’t work out the plan until they were off world. He sent the message he’d drafted days ago to both the Voidbreaker’s captain, Zig and Wulfram. Sending to both Doon and Zig would make it certain the Voidbreaker would be in the right place. Wulfram.. well. He imagined the family had been going haywire. They’d all be there for, and she’d need them too.
Cole kept expecting something to go wrong. Each shadow and unfamiliar face was a threat. A risk. He wanted to fight through it all but no. No. That wasn’t the way today. And it worked.
The plan worked.
Upon arriving at the dock, it took mere minutes before they were on board and ready to go. It was fully fuelled up. The people running the place didn’t question anything, he’d padded their pockets enough for that.
The flight into atmosphere was just as smooth. A quick hyperspace jump once they were clear got them to where he.. he turned on the autopilot.
It wasn’t certain yet, but the liklihood of things going wrong now… It was unlikely. Cole was hesistant to accept it but after a minute of peaceful flying, he finally got up from the seat to go to Sagitta.
Sagitta kept an eye out and was doing her usual friendly smile to the passersby. They got into the ship and … they got out.
They are actually out.
Her shoulders dropped and her breathing became ragged. Movement. She got up from her seat so fast as she pulled Cole close, gave him a deep kiss before breaking away, and sobbed into his shoulder and holding him so tight and so close. His warmth. His scent. He was here. He’s really here. “I’m so sorry-” She gasped between sobs. “I’m so sorry”
His arms wrapped around her, pulling her tight, kissing her back when she leaned into it. He didn’t want to let her go when she pulled from the kiss but the sobs broke free from her and he just held her.
“You have nothing to be sorry about.” He breathed, barely containing himself. His right hand shook slightly but he ran it through her hair anyway, holding her head there. Holding her as close as he could.
For as long as he could.
“If anything, I should be. It-” He let out a shuddering breath, shaking his head, “He’s my kriffing father. I should have known, I- I was meant to protect you and-”
He cut off. Cole was struggling to find the words and the more he stumbled the worse he felt. Best to just not. He kissed the top of her head, just glad that she was free. That their child was going to be free. Kriff.
Sagitta shuddered as she was doing all she can not to break down more. “No…” She murmured, “I should’ve never attacked…” Sagitta grimaced. She had time to replay the fight in her head. She should’ve never gone after Serpens her Trevor. Sagitta was carrying a child and instead of going into a house and heal, she went after them cause her emotions took control. Her hands gripped the back of his hoodie sweater tightly.
‘protect you and-’
Sagitta shook her head. “We were meant to protect each other and our son.” She exhaled with a small sniff, her emotions calming down. “We’re safe now, because of you. We’re free. All of us.”
“Our son?” His voice cracked slightly, whatever calming he’d been trying to do completely undone. For a moment he could forget the end of the plan. This time he couldn’t contain the tears, kissing the side of her head as a soft sob escaped him, his body shaking slightly with the effort to stop those that wanted to follow.
He should have been there when she found out. For any of the symptons she’d had. It wasn’t fair. But the moment passed and he couldn’t spend the time crying. He hated crying as it was, it was less bad in front of her but they didn’t have as much time.
Not that Cole knew how to tell her that, glad she couldn’t see his face so he could hide it a little longer.
Sagitta swallowed and muster the energy to fight through the tears without her voice breaking, “Yes.” Her arms gripped him tighter. Her body continued to tremble and it got worse as his body shook too. Her hand went to his hair as she ran her fingers through his hair and gripped the back of his head tightly and kept him close to her.
She hated that Trevor and Corvo knew before Cole. She hated everything about that compound.
But it doesn’t matter because-
she was not letting him go ever again.
They stayed like that for.. well Cole wasn’t counting. He eventually pulled back, sniffing and wiping at his eyes with the sleeve of the hoodie. He.. didn’t really like the hoodie but it was less noticeable than armour or a proper jacket. He moved his hand from her hair to her cheek, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips before pulling back again. There were words he wanted to say, but he couldn’t do that to her now, tearing his gaze away before they spilled.
He let his hand drop, hoping she assumed the shaking was..situational. She didn’t need to be worried. He glanced toward the cockpit. There weren’t meant to arrive yet anyway, but it was something to look towards for a moment.
Sagitta hands slid his side as she smiled warmly. A first real smile in so long. His lips met with hers and she returned. She exhaled slowly when he pulled away and his hand dropped. She felt the firmness of his bandages so her hands tenderly tugged at his hoodie, “Take it off.” Her voice was hoarse from all the crying.
He hesitated but does so.
Once he does, she grimaced as she checked over him by lifting his shirt. Dressings. Bandages. Her hand gently slid down his arm as she gently touch his wrist, “Oh, Cole…” Her eyes watched him. She sighed softly, “Sit down, please. On the floor. I got one chance to do this right.” She gently pushed him back to the metallic wall and there was a corner there for entry to the cockpit. Cole surprisingly complies and sat down on the floor. Sagitta sat down too but differently. Her back was against his chest. Her body would be between his legs and his face would be behind hers or on her shoulder. Either one. She moved over and grabbed his left arm and placed it on her belly. Some distraction for him she hoped. “I’m going have to break this.” She wouldn’t be surprised if he bites her shoulder or try to push her off. Which was why she had her back against his chest.
She got one shot and she was not going to kark it up. Grabbed his right arm, “Ready?”
She waited. It didn’t matter if he was or wasn’t. This kind of deformity would be causing him discomfort and pain. Using the Force to help her she slammed his wrist against the corner of the entryway, the crack of the bones echoed in her mind and she wanted to cry but she cannot. Her heart hurts. “Bit longer, you got this Cole,” She breathed as she used the palms of her hands to set the bones correctly and then, warmth. Pain started to fade.
“I’m so sorry…” She tenderly kissed his wrist once it was healed as an apology.
Cole hadn’t been sure what she was going to do. It was.. weird. Usually the Force just required touch-
She grabbed his right arm.
He didn’t have time to react, to move before the crack of the wrist echoed through the ship, and he hissed through his teeth. It was testament to his training, years of holding his resolve that stopped him reacting violently or screaming.
However he had shifted up, Sagitta still holding his arm which was in too much kriffin pain for him to yank out of the way, and in moments the pain faded as the Force healed it.
He pulled it away then, holding his wrist close to him defensively, the other habd grasping it and after a few tense seconds he moved from where he’d stood and sat on one of the actual seats.
“You- you really didn’t have to do that.”
Sagitta grimaced. Guilt shredded at her soul. They were finally together and she had to hurt him. “I’m sorry… I don’t think we could find a hammer? Kriff, I think a hammer would’ve been worse… And the bones set wrong, I had to break it to set it right again.” She looked apologetic as she stood up and sat down on the chair by him.
She wanted more touch. More hugs. More kisses.
But she felt a gap already.
Why was there a gap? Her heart pounded against her chest and it was painful. She wasn’t sure if it was because of the guilt or something else that was to come.
“…Cole? I’m sorry, I should’ve explained what I was going to do instead of acting on it.” She’s full of remorse and really believed the sudden distance was because of her harming him.
“No. No its okay I just-” he sighed putting his left hand on her knee. He still held the other close. Cole could feel it was better, kriff he’d almost gotten used to the ache already, but it was more instinctual than an active choice.
“It just.. it wasn’t necessary-” he cut off again, forcing himself to inhale and exhale. Slowly. As if calm to create calm. “You didn’t need to, because in all liklihood I’m going to be back at the compound or.. worse. Soon. Were going to the Voidbreaker together yes, but if I stay with you Sagitta, I don’t know if Arcona will protect me. It was my kriffin fault, I wouldn’t blame them. But if they don’t, then that gives him a way to put you both in danger again. Once you’re safe, I’m going to head off. I don’t know where but my father will likely already know what ship we left in. It won’t be long until he finds the trail and its best the ship and I aren’t anywhere near you. I have to protect you this time. It.. its the only way I can think of that guarantees he’ll leave you alone.”
Sagitta smiled softly as his hand rested on her knee. She placed hers on top of his and gave a squeeze and waited for him to talk. If he would.
But then he did. And it was not what she wanted to hear.
“No. Cole… don’t.” She whispered, clearing her throat. She needed to think logically. Have Cole see logically. How!? If she can’t even think logically. She cleared her throat. Come on. She got this.
“The truth is that your father used you against me and us against you. That’s what we’ll tell them. It’s the truth after all. Arcona WILL protect you. It wasn’t your fault. I’m the one that attacked Trevor because he set me into a trap, that’s what we’ll tell them. He held us, prisoners, at his compound. Kriff, Cole, he hurt-”
She stopped. Emotions were invading her attempt at a logical thought. Kriff.
“We were held prisoners and you, Cole, you’re the one that got all three of us out.”
Kark it. Brain reasoning wasn’t working.
“I finally have you in my arms, don’t you dare to rip that away from me again.” She choked while her hand desperately clinged onto his.
Ironically it wasn’t the reasoning or logic that swayed him. Words were forming, agreements, trying to make her see it was necessary.
‘Don’t you dare rip that away from me again’
All of them crumbled.
It was a 50/50 shot on who was right and as selfish as it was he wanted to be there. With their kid. With her.
He turned his hand over, interlocking their fingers.
“I can’t let him hurt you again. But… well kriff. I hope you’re right about arcona.”
He sighed, shifting a little to pull her into his arms again.
Hed probably given in way too easily but dammit she- kriff he’d hurt her enough. It was enough pain. Theyd have to face what was to come another day.
Hed see another day.
The relief washed through him and he kissed the side of her head again.
His hand turned and she tightly squeezed his fingers with hers. Sagitta shoulders dropped as she exhaled with relief and was more than happy to lean into him, her face buried into chest and her arms wrapped around him.
“He won’t hurt us. He’s not stupid to take on the entire Clan of Arcona. If he is, well. We’ll cross that bridge when it happens.”
She took in a deep inhale. He’s real. He’s really here.
A kiss on the side of her head as she smiled softly. She pulled away only to have room for her to slightly to peck him on the lips and then -
“I love you.”
“I love you too.” He murmured, without hesitation before resting his forehead against hers.
He wanted to cry again, but as the emotional release started to pass he couldn’t quite let himself do it. So he chose to just kiss her instead, holding her cheek with his other hand and letting him lose himself for a few moments just enjoying being with her. In the same room. Beside her. For all the time that they missed, trying to make up for it.