Ask For The First Time In Forever

[Ezra Thorne]

This time, Ezra insisted they take one of his luxury yachts. As a result, Dash was treated to a fancy ship complete with multiple entertainment rooms, a pool and a gym (Dash would notice Ezra was actually following a fitness routine). In truth, continuing on this quest was providing a much needed distraction from the reality that he was going to join the Jedi. The war was in full force and the ISC and his father were all over the news. His parents were irritated that he was whimsically taking off here and there without warning, but it was how Ezra coped with stress. By running from it.

He ran from it further by delving himself into the galactic cup games, finding himself glued to a big screen virtually the entire journey over. The ship had droid crew members outside of him and Dash. Ezra was zoned out the whole time, munching on snacks while he cheered on his favorite team. Anxiety nagged at the back of his mind and he was less chatty than even his usual.

Eventually, the ship jumped out of hyperspace and made for the surface of the planet. Droids piloted them down to a safe landing, Ezra finally getting ready and gathering his things. As before, he was more than prepared with high quality gear and supplies.

The first thing Ezra noticed as he stepped off the ramp was how hot it was. He grimaced as the hot sun glared down, and he put on a billed hat on his head. The second was that the planet looked dead and barren. He almost began to miss Kashyyyk.

Ezra glanced down at his chrono, pressing a few buttons, “Okay so our heading is about a one mile walk in..that direction,” He pointed at what appeared to be a volcano in the distance, “That can’t be right.”

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

"Again". The droid threw another water balloon in the air and Dash flicked his wrist idly, freezing it solid before it hit the deck, shattering into pieces. He was making a terrible mess, but he didn't really care. It wasn't like Ezra would notice.

They hadn't wasted much time between Rhinnal and Kro Var, but something big had happened to the other teen in those few days, Dash could tell.

It could be the war. Papa Thorne was getting a lot of mentions on the news and that couldn't be much fun for Ezra. Not that the President ever actually gave a quote, it was just hours and hours of pundits, analysing what Emryc's motionless facial expressions today might mean for liberty tomorrow.

But Dash didn't think it was that. Ezra usually managed to keep his head up despite all the pressure his family name brought. But this trip he had done nothing but watch football, eat snacks and, strangely, work out. Dash had tried joining in all three, with only partial success, sneaking a smooch in past a potato chip or getting two words out the guy between reps.

After a while, he'd given up, playing games with the droids instead. He was getting better at the ice stuff, now he had worked out positive feelings made it flow best. But now the atmosphere with Ezra was even ruining that.

He had thought they were pretty tight, maybe they still were, but Ez's head was wandering somewhere else. Dash was not much better, anxious about what they were going to find on Kro Var. Later that day, as he got ready to disembark, he made a pact with himself to find them both while they were out there. He was going to wake that boy up.

He trampled down the ramp a little too loudly, opting to hike in shorts, boots and very little else, a billed hat perched at an angle on his blonde head. The rest was in his pack.

"Oh he speaks!" he said cheerily, striding past Ezra on the heading he had set. "Well I'm walking toward the volcano, so you can come save me or leave me to perish". He turned, walking backwards and waving his arms in feigned distress, pulling a cheeky grin.

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra was still staring in confusion at the volcano when Dash came prancing down the ramp. The effect was instant, Ezra’s eyes visibly widening at the state of his attire. For a moment he forgot how to speak or form intelligent thought, struck by the lack of clothing. His face turned hot and he watched Dash walk backwards. Ezra quickly cleared his throat and shook himself out of his daze.

“You’re the Jedi. Shouldn’t you be rescuing me?” He asked with a scoff as he began to walk as well. Ezra couldn’t keep his eyes off Dash, trying to focus on the map but suddenly being drawn to the arch of his back, the curve of his rear in those shorts, the muscles of his - Ezra wiped off beads of sweat from his brow. Damn, it was really hot here.

The planet was so barren that there was absolutely nothing visible for miles in any direction. There was an eerie silence except for the clanking of his droids keeping up pace behind them. He had expected everything to be ice related, so a hot volcanic planet seemed bizarre.

“I think there is a cave system there,” He said as he gazed out towards the volcano. Dash wouldn’t be able to make it out just yet - another Sephi trait Ezra often didn’t appreciate, “Jadis’ summer home, I suppose,” He said, trying not to openly stare at Dash whenever he addressed him.

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

Thankfully, mercifully, Ezra started following. Dash thought he saw life in those silver eyes again, but whether he did or not he was glad he could at least get the other teen's attention out here. Dash 1, football 0.

"I actually did rescue you" Dash said, turning back to look the way he was going "a couple of times actually. So it's definitely my turn to be the damsel in distress". He shrugged his bare shoulders nonchalantly, but the straps of his pack were already beginning to rub. His little stunt was going to cost him.

"Seems unlikely...." he replied, squinting in the distance. This really didn't seem like a place Jadis would come, knowing her as they increasingly did. Sunlight glinted in his eye, reflected off Ezra's shiny chrono. "But this is it now" Dash said, thinking aloud "a lot of time has passed. It might have been totally different back then. The book did say something about winter here ending when she died".

He trailed off, not liking to think about the dying bit. Dash knew he would die eventually, like everyone, but he seemed bound to this woman in some way and she died here.

Fissures in the ground were increasingly common as they walked on, eventually turning into narrow chasms wider than a speeder and running under the mountain.

"Surely if there's anything here it must be hidden underneath?" Dash surmised, holding his hand over a canyon edge "but how is it even hotter down there?".

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

“Maybe you don’t need saving because I’m so good at my job,” He gave Dash a wink. Ezra looked at all the fissures and grooves on the ground, feeling the heat below. Up ahead, there were several geysers. The terrain was dangerous, and his droids beeped every now and then to warn them of atmospheric changes.

He wasn’t convinced it was something underground, but he knew they would find a clue soon. As Dash hovered his hand over a fissure, Ezra spotted what looked like water. He began to follow the path of the water through the zig-zagged lines cut deep into the ground.

Eventually, the path led to a hot spring. Ezra stretched and grinned, “Ah yeah, now this is my kind of adventure,” He eyed the water wistfully, thinking about a nice, relaxing spa day. However, he knew they had work to do. Ezra peered through the water and spotted the familiar snowflake markings on the wall that attached to the mountains. Of course, it was underwater.

“Get in there and do your thing,” He said, pointing to the markings. Naturally, this meant Dash would have to get into the warm pool. Ezra didn’t jump in just yet. Maybe he would get lucky and a doorway would open to drain the pool.

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

Dash followed Ezra along the edge of the fissure, tracking it along the hard ground as the incline began to rise. He could see water at the bottom now, seemingly what Ezra was also following. One day, Dash was going to spot something before Ezra did, the other teen had a curious way of being ahead all the time.

He supposed the hot spring should not be a surprise in a place like this, but it looked strangely tranquil, here at the foot of the mountain. The waters were almost clear enough to see through between the bubbling geysers.

"You did seem to enjoy our Thyferra paddling" Dash replied, returning the wink this time. The impetuous spirit that had seized him today toyed with trying to push Ezra into the spring, like when he pulled him off the sailboat. But something told him you did not get the jump on Ezra the same way twice.

"My thing?" he repeated, cocking his head with an unimpressed look. Is that what they were calling it now. "But I'll get my shorts wet". He ran a finger down the inside of the waistband, as if about to drop them, but then just laughed and dropped his pack instead. Throwing off his shoes, he strode out into the water. He had seen the markings and knew it probably had to be him. The shorts would dry quick enough in a place like this anyway.

The water was warm and relaxing, gentler than the baking sun and fortunately free of that horrible smell some springs had. Dash found it was about neck high for him at its deepest point in the centre, but it was more like chest level around the outside. Reaching the markings, he felt them gingerly with his hand, deep channels carved ages ago, the many points of several snowflakes. They seemed so out of place here, in hot waters on an desert world. But perhaps they still meant something.

Putting his palm flat against the rock, he let the cold rear inside him spreading out from his fingers across the stone. The water fizzed and steamed and after a moment the markings flared to life with that familiar blue light. The rock face parted violently all of a sudden, two long joined ridges coming apart. Dash realised with joy it was an entrance, moments before he felt the litres of water in the pool begin to rush through the opening, pushing him, dragging him with them.

He grabbed the rock either side, trying to brace his feet against the opening to keep steady but it was growing wider all the time.

"Really need saving anytime now!" he shouted over his shoulder, hoping Ezra was paying attention and not playing games on his Nalphone.

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra took a preemptive step back as soon as Dash mentioned Thyferra. He didn’t forget how the Jedi had casually yeeted them both right off the edge of his boat. While in the past, Ezra would have gotten flustered and looked away at Dash hooking his fingers inside his waistband, he had since been subjected to plenty of teasing from the other teen. As a result, Ezra confidently crossed his arms over his chest, silently staring Dash down to see if he would actually do it.

“Go on then, take 'em off,” He called with a jut of his chin, grinning when Dash didn’t.

As Dash began to inspect around the rock, Ezra quickly lost interest and did exactly as predicted - popped out his NalPhone. He was checking Limmie scores and seeing how his Onderon team was doing. He was missing some key Cup games and he wanted to at least keep up with the scores. He was a bit slow on the uptake as the water began to rush, and he was suddenly met with the sight of Dash almost being swept away.

“Don’t you want to go that way?!” He asked, met with a similar dilemma to that stupid ice elevator. Dash was irritated by his instincts to yank him off back there, but wasn’t this the same concept? Ezra growled in frustration as he jumped into the rapidly depleting pool.

“Hold onto me,” He said as he planted his hand at the side of the wall. If Dash did as asked, Ezra tilted back and planted his feet against the wall, calling on one of the few tricks he could actually control. He pressed off and shot back through the air with the aid of the Force, traveling a wide distance to land with a thud on the ground, Dash atop him.

“You’re a pain in the ass, you know that?” Ezra scowled at the blond before rolling to get up, glancing down at his soaked clothes. Worst of all, his NalPhone was wet too. He glanced up at the newly created entrance, the water having vanished. Ezra took out his handy dandy flashlight, still prepared from the last time.

“Just once I’d love to explore some shady ruins that are adapted to my height,” He noted as he hunched down to fit through the entrance. At first glance, it was a tunnel, but it began to descend down in the form of natural steps. Perhaps there was merit to Dash’s initial theory after all.

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

Ezra's rescue was a little hesitant, but in the end he got Dash out of danger pretty damn quick. Holding onto the other teen proved a good move when he leapt backwards, taking them both away from the breach and clear of the whole pool. Dash was impressed, Ezra seemed to be getting more confident in his use of the Force all the time, without anyone showing him how.

But the other teen was still was not happy. "You said do my thing!" Dash pleaded "and I did! Were you hoping nothing would happen?!" He wandered after Ezra into the dripping cavern entrance. Why did he always end up in wet clothes on these dates.

They shuffled down the steps under the dim glow of Ezra's flashlight and Dash found himself grabbing Ezra's midriff more than once to steady himself in the semi-darkness. They seemed to be descending for a long time, the young Padawan half expected them to emerge at the planet's core.

He was not far off, when they finally reached the bottom they stepped out into a vast cavern of ice - ice that should not be possible given the fire and heat above them. But nothing about Jadis Charn had been normal.

A faint blue light, not unlike the aura on Rhinnal, stirred in the walls and ceiling. Something glinted on a rocky outcropping in the mid distance, something bright and blue and pulsing with power. Dash felt a curious feeling in his bones, like he needed to scale that hill, to see and touch whatever was up there. It called to him, radiating a weird energy that got straight under his skin. It made him feel strong.

"We've done it again" he said, rounding on Ezra "found something no one else could. Whatever it is, you and me deserve it don't you think?" he pressed himself up against the other teen, feeling momentarily woozy, his bare skin not even cold despite the ice all around.

He leaned in to kiss Ezra, but then something moved behind him in the dim blue light. Cracking ice and a yawn three hundred years old were the only warning they had as the frost golem awoke to defend its charge.

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra said nothing when Dash pleaded with him, his face difficult to read. He wasn’t convinced that doing any of this was a good idea, and this Jadis person sounded like bad news. Everything she touched was hidden and perhaps for good reason. She had been run out by villagers, and she clearly exacted revenge on anyone that pursued her. However, he was in no mood to get into a debate with Dash on why this was a bad idea, not when they came this far.

He was cautious about his footing, catching Dash a few times as they descended. Ezra’s neck began to hurt from constantly hunching to get through the low ceilings. They arrived in a familiar ice cavern and Ezra knew this was once again Jadis’ work.

It was so prominent that even Ezra felt that pulse. Now he knew it was no mystery thing, it was the Force. It felt similar to Ellora where he felt empowered. The energy didn’t feel negative, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss. Ezra turned to look at Dash, noting he seemed slightly off. He wrapped his arms around the other teen, glancing down at him.

“I don’t know about all this..” Ezra finally vocalized grumpily, “What if something bad happens to you?”

His Sephi ears came into play again as he heard movement behind him. He whirled around to spot the frost golem, the sight causing his eyes to widen. Ezra stepped back a few steps, never having seen anything like this before.

The beast was surprisingly agile, closing the distance easily due to its size. Before Ezra could move out of the way, one of its giant arms came swinging to collide with him. The teen was sent sailing in the opposite direction, hitting an ice wall with a thud.

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

Ezra's words were prophetic. Moments ago the golem had seemed like part of the icy wall, but it detached its great limbs in a shower of snow, lumbering into view. It placed itself between them and the pulsing blue light on the hill, so big there was almost nowhere to run.

Too quickly it swiped a huge arm at them, knocking Ezra flying across the chamber and into the wall. "No!" Dash shouted, fear and worry blazing in his chest. The golem moved as if to reach for the fallen teen, but Dash shouted again and ran at the creature.

The golem twisted its massive head, crude empty sockets boring into him. It swung around, but Dash was already ducking, pulling his saber from his pack and throwing himself into a slide tackle between the golem's legs. It had been a while since he had felt the hilt in his hand, but adrenaline and fear made him find his old confidence. He ignited the blue blade mid-slide, slashing viciously at the golem's leg.

His blade found it's mark and cut through the ice like a steaming knife through butter, shearing the bottom section of the leg clean off. The golem roared with rage, stumbling and putting a misshapen hand down to steady itself.

Dash was back on his feet, having reached the far side of the cavern where Ezra had fallen. He tried to get to him, but massive cold fingers suddenly grabbed him from behind.

"Talk to me Ez!" Dash shouted nervously as the golem lifted him up in its fist "you laid down on the sofa all the way here. This is not the time for zoning out on me again!".

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra was dazed, pain racking his entire body. He was getting tired of this. He was getting tired of getting hurt, of being tossed so easily, of feeling useless. His head throbbed painfully, but he slowly began to peel himself up to sit. He glanced up in time to see Dash’s impressive display with a lightsaber while the golem began to charge towards Ezra. He couldn’t remember the last time he saw Dash waving about a saber. What was with this teen and keeping useful skills locked away?

He groaned in pain, shakily getting to his feet as he heard Dash. He thought the golem was down and he waited for Dash to close the distance. The shouting caught him off guard, his eyes widening. Zoning out? Again? Had he zoned out? There was a pang of guilt as he looked at the other teen while he quickly replayed the entirety of the ship ride over, all those times Dash had made an effort and Ezra was basically a potted plant.

All his thoughts were interrupted when he realized the golem was alive, its massive fist closing around Dash. Ezra jumped up to his feet, ignoring the pain. He was done being useless. He was done pretending he was just a civilian, an average person. He knew he had it in him, it was just a matter of invoking it. All he could feel now was fear and anger, and something about this place magnified everything he felt.

“Just…do what I ask!” He shouted at himself as he threw his palm out at the golem, looking right past Dash. All of his emotions manifested rapidly and Dash would feel a massive pulse in the Force. There were cracks as streaks began to zig-zag and trace all along the golem’s body. Small fissures began to appear on the surface of its body, digging in deeper especially along all the joints. The golem began to roar, dropping Dash as the knuckles of its massive fingers began to develop those cracks.

Through it all, Ezra remained focused, his gaze stuck on the golem. There was a whirlwind of emotions around him that manifested in the Force heeding his command. Doing as he asked.

There was a thunderous noise as the entire golem shattered to pieces, bursting into a thousand shards and breaking along every fault line created. The entire thing imploded and was crushed inward, collapsing into a heap of ice chips. It was a display of the Force far more powerful than any trained padawan should have been able to conjure.

Ezra had no chance to process what he did. His eyes rolled to the back of his head as he felt intense weakness take him, and he collapsed again.

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

Dash squirmed in vain in the golem's grip, straining to break free of its hold. But it was hopeless, the thing was too big and too strong and would not let go. It was slowly crushing the breath from him.

He was distantly aware of Ezra getting to his feet. Thank the Force. At least the other teen was alive. Dash shook himself, trying to find enough air to speak, to shout something meaningful to Ezra before he blacked out. But he couldn't get the words out.

He felt limp, leaning over the thick frozen fingers holding him. He saw Ezra brace up, throwing out a hand toward the golem as if commanding the Force.

Then it was the golem's turn to brace. It convulsed, loosening its grip just enough for Dash's vision to stop blurring. For a second, the Padawan feared all Ezra had done was distract it for a moment. Then the golem shook violently, dropping Dash to the ground as earsplitting cracks began to crisscross its body. Then, in a single moment, it shattered into a thousand pieces, scattering across the chamber.

Dash was aghast, but there was little time to marvel as he saw Ezra slump down. He reached the other teen's side just in time to cup his head before he hit the floor.

"You did amazing Ez" he breathed, laying him down gently. Those silver eyes were closed now, but the restful look on those sharp, perfect features had the same effect on Dash. He still felt the pull of the light on the hill, the tug of destiny that called him up there. But there was a stronger pull from the man in his arms. One he would choose everytime.

"We're safe now" he said softly, pulling out a heavy fleece from his pack. He wasn't cold, even down here and shirtless as the day he was born, but he draped the heavy garment over Ezra. He snuggled in next to him, holding him close. The other teen's breathing was deep, but contented and he set his head in the crook of his neck.

They would face whatever was next, but together.

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra was dead to the world for a time being. His face was missing that slight scowl or moody look, no smug expression or elitist air about him. It was a look of peaceful contentment, and it almost looked strange on him. There was no telling what was going on in his mind, but the Force was whirling within him. It was the first time he had actively opened himself to it and had asked for its aid. And the Force had answered.

He was cold, his breath coming out in wisps even as Dash put the fleece over him and snuggled against him. For several minutes, the two simply laid there in silence, Ezra subconsciously pressing closer to Dash through the cold. After some time, Ezra’s eyes finally blinked open as he felt strength returning.

He looked down in surprise, seeing that familiar blond hair and feeling the warmth of Dash pressed up against. Ezra hugged him tighter, looking around curiously, “Couldn’t have whipped out your lightsaber sooner?” He asked Dash, very similar to the quip he made back on Kashyyyk. However, he hugged the other teen close, relieved that they were both okay. He took a moment to gaze into those blue eyes -in all the cheesy ways they reminded him of those endless ocean waves he loved so much. He could stare into them all day and sail endlessly without ever looking back.

Ezra shook himself out of his thoughts, wincing as he rose to stand. He handed the fleece to Dash, “Aren’t you cold?” He asked in wonder, surprised to feel Dash’s warm skin. His own skin was cool to touch and his breath was foggy.

He began to make his way up the hill, preparing for some other nonsense to get in the way. However, to his surprise, he only came upon an elevated platform with an artifact atop it. It was blue, and it pulsed with energy. He knew at once that it was what they had been hunting.

“Let me try,” Ezra said quietly as he looked at Dash. He looked back at the box, concentrating for a moment. Instead of saying it aloud, he extended his hand and focused on asking the Force. After a few seconds of nothing, the box began to move and shift in place. Ezra’s hand trembled a bit, but he kept his focus, the holocron slowly lifting from its perch and slowly floating over. He rapidly felt his energy begin to drain, so he eventually snatched it out of the air to hand it to Dash. The markings suggested that only Dash could likely open it.

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

Ezra's body seemed to wake up before his face, but Dash didn't mind that. The other teen hugged him tight instinctively and Dash lapped it up. They had been on the road for a long time, on and off, and it was amazing to just lay there together, for a long while. Any gripes Dash might have had about the way to Kro Var evaporated, as nothing against the warmth of Ezra's chest.

True to form, Ezra awoke with a quip. Dash would have expected nothing less. "Whipped out my lightsaber?" he repeated, blue eyes flashing with mischief as he looked at the sleepy Ezra. "Well it's only good for certain things".

The other teen came around fully eventually and they made their way up the hill together. Ezra's question about the cold worried him more than he knew. "No I'm fine" he answered. It was true, it felt like a spring day down here to him. It made no sense at all, but it was too regular an occurence to bother him anymore. Besides, he was sure it meant nothing.

When they reached the top, they were faced with an altar or sorts. Atop it sat an ornate blue chest, outwardly calm but swirling inwardly with a ferocious blue light. Dash didn't have the first clue what it was, but he knew it was hers. Jadis had placed it here, hidden deep and protected by a golem. There was no doubting its importance.

Then Ezra was putting that hand out again, pulling the box from its perch with only a slight effort. Dash watched wordlessly, slightly stunned when the other teen just handed the chest to him. It hummed in his arms, feeling both alien and familiar at the same time. He wanted to understand it desperately.

But then he looked up at Ezra, seeing the toll that had been exacted behind that stony exterior. He did not know what this thing contained and he would not risk any more danger. To either of them, but particularly to the other teen.

"Good job" he said, noting how Ezra had wrestled the thing from its perch with no difficulty "I guess we got what we came for. What'd you say we get out of here?"

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

The journey back consisted of Ezra throwing out multiple theories about what the Holocron contained. First Dash had to explain what a holocron even was, “Maybe it teaches you how to make one of those ice monsters,” He explained, “You should make one to set on Leon,” Ezra said gleefully, picturing Leon being chased half a mile by an angry ice golem. Despite being tossed around quite a bit, he was in better spirits from a feeling of accomplishment. It had been difficult and chaotic to get the artifact, and he hoped it would pay off ultimately.

The two walked up the ramp of his ship, and he was ecstatic to see the familiar sights, knowing there was no danger here. Ezra set his backpack down and was about to wander back to his quarters. However, he glanced over to look at Dash. He thought about the day, he thought about how many times they faced danger together, and most of all he thought about that passive aggressive zone out comment Dash made.

There was a curious look on his face as he looked at Dash, his expression difficult to read. However, those silver eyes were suddenly ablaze and teeming with life. He stepped forth and closed the distance between him and Dash, pushing the other teen back into the wall behind him. Ezra leaned in to capture his lips, kissing him with renewed passion.

This time, his hands didn’t simply hold Dash, his fingers tracing down Dash’s bare, defined torso. His cool fingers traced along his warm skin, sliding down towards his hips where his fingers just barely dipped into his waistband. Ezra drew back from the kiss, silver eyes piercing and looking right through him, “I want you,” He declared, his voice quiet, and yet rumbling with magnitudes of confidence.

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

They trapesed back to the ship, retracing their route in pretty good cheer. Dash still had no idea what he was carrying, though his best theory was that it was a holocron of some kind or another. Of course, Ezra had no idea what a holocron was, so Dash enjoyed the brief sense of superiority he felt while he explained it.

"What's Leon done wrong?" he asked rhetorically. Dash could think of plenty of other people he would rather set an ice golem on. One particular smug blue face crossed his mind. He could not imagine commanding powers like ice golems and the rest anyway, but if he ever did the flirtatious Pantoran Ferrin would be first on his list.

He was quick to put the chest down as soon as they made it inside the ship, glad for a breather not just from the physical burden of the holocron but the weight of worry that was starting to build around it.

That was when Ezra pushed him against the bulkhead and kissed him hard. Dash yielded to it instantly. It was all he had been waiting for.

When Ezra looked at him, when he said I want you, it was all the Rhinnalian wanted to hear. "Oh I know" Dash replied, eyes alive with a new fire "but enough talking. Show me".

He jumped up, locking his legs around the other teen's midriff and pressing his lips against Ezra's own. They were delicious, as always, and he straddled his counterpart passionately, pressed between the durasteel wall and Ezra's perfect hot body. His shorts rode up high, but who gave a damn.

He was done with shorts and done with waiting.

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

---​

“What do you mean this never happens?”

He practically hissed the words. Ezra couldn’t even decide whether to be mad or pleased with himself. They had ended up back in his room, and he forgot about the quest and everything else. He was caught up in everything Dash, their bodies woven together. He was lost in the heat, the passion and desires. And of course the bubbling feelings that were entwined through it all. Their clothes were in a pile on the floor and those infamous shorts were nowhere to be seen.

Ezra's face was flushed, and he was still coming down from a high. He had ventured into territory he never had with another boy before. However, he wasn't allowed to bask in the afterglow just yet. He was on his back and he gazed up at Dash, the other teen perched atop him after a rather satisfying time. Except it didn’t all go as planned because his chest now sported severe frostbite from where Dash had planted his hands. It began with a thin layer of ice, but it settled into an icy burn that hurt like hell. They were burns in the shape of Dash’s hands. It took tremendous willpower not to toss Dash, so he did calm breaths instead. He was too terrified to touch his own chest, so his hands settled on the other teen’s thighs.

“This is going to go away, right?”

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

Dash was somewhere else. He was hot and panting, his blonde hair matted on his sweaty brow and the wake of their passion still rippling through him. If we was not planted so firmly atop Ezra, he might have fallen out of the bed.

The other teen was everything he expected and more. Not just in body, but everything else. Dash had enjoyed one or two encounters with boys before, but nothing like this. He had lived this, connecting with Ezra on another level. They had come a long way from sniping in the woods, when he had seen only a silver-eyed dork so grumpy it was cute. A spark they couldn't ignore had pulled them together, obliterating anything in between. Now they knew each other deeply. All of each other.

He looked down at that perfect little face, all hot and flushed, and thanked his lucky stars for the thousandth time.

Which made what he had done all the harder to bear. Dash traced the edge of the burns on Ezra's chest as tenderly as he could, trying to wish them away. The other teen was the last person in the galaxy he would want to hurt.

"Yeah of course, I'm sure they'll go away" he said quickly. "I'm so sorry Ez, I've never done this before". Dash had never expected anything like this, even though he had felt an intense desire that was totally new. He prayed it would not ruin anything, particularly as he most definitely wanted to do this again. Like, often.

"There will be something in your medbay to help them heal. I'll just have to control myself better" he breathed, laying his hands on Ezra's own on his thighs "unless you're into leaving marks on each other".

@Sreeya

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Leaving marks on each other? One of his brows rose curiously, silently wondering what other kinds of things the teen was into. He made a point to discover every single one. As much as the burns were uncomfortable, he could hardly take his eyes off Dash. He looked like a perfect ice king, confidently sitting upon his throne in all his meticulously chiseled glory. There was a light flush to his pale skin and other little love bruises Ezra had left on him without even realizing.

“I’ll take it as a compliment,” Ezra declared at last, flashing a smug grin. However, he did need to do something about the burn. He very reluctantly helped Dash move off him, rolling out of bed to grumpily go apply some bacta, “Don’t go anywhere,” He called out to Dash.

Ezra returned some time later, his chest already looking better. He knew he wasn’t done yet, but the sight of Dash draped across his bed set his entire body on fire yet again. This time, Ezra had no qualms with staring or letting his desires manifest. He closed the distance, nudging Dash onto his back as he hovered above him to kiss him. Ezra had grown addicted to the feeling of the teen’s legs around his hips and that feeling of being desired so much. He broke from the kiss to trace his lips along Dash’s neck and towards his collarbone, nibbling here and there affectionately.

He paused briefly this time, giving Dash a look before he flipped the other teen on his stomach. Ezra leaned down to kiss along his ear and along the back of his shoulder, “Let me try,” He whispered, not unlike when pulled the holocron to himself. Plus, now there was the added benefit of Dash only being able to freeze the bed.

Ezra was surprisingly tender, following all of Dash’s cues. His emotions, as before, wove into every action. He got lost in every movement, every sigh, every moan, every taste and sensation that sent him over the edge. It was all new to him, and he had to catch himself a few times.

After they finished, Ezra found himself on his side, holding Dash close while looking at him. One of Dash’s legs was draped over him, Ezra’s hand lazily tracing along the thigh and the curve of his rear. They were sweaty and messy, but he didn’t care, and thankfully there were no ice incidents this time. Their hair was slick and matted, Ezra’s chest still raising and falling as he eased back into his normal breathing. He quietly looked at Dash, still just as lost in those blue eyes. A part of him felt a pang of guilt in case he potentially hurt the other teen in his inexperienced eagerness, but he was far too embarrassed to ask about it.

“If I were to….ask the Jedi about training me..” Ezra had no idea why this was the topic that came to mind, but he blurted it out as he stared at Dash while caressing him affectionately, “Would we be able to keep doing this?” He didn’t qualify what 'this' was. Did he mean the adventures? Did he mean sex? Did he mean exploring a relationship with Dash? All of it?

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

Who was he kidding. Where would Dash go and why would he want to anyway. He lay fidgeting contentedly until Ezra came back, noticing for the first time how luxurious the sheets were.

The other teen returned seemingly ready for round two. Dash smiled hungrily, blue eyes flashing up at Ezra. He needed no persuading and kissed him back eagerly, his own heart racing. It almost tickled as the other teen's lips worked down his neck, making him smile and bite his lip.

Ezra's hands turned him over and Dash tried to look over his shoulder excitedly. But those lips were at his neck again, making him shudder as they traced down and across his shoulder. The shallow gashes he had got on Kashyyyk were healed now and Ezra's kisses on the new skin were perfect and poetic.

Dash gripped the pillow a little as Ezra moved in, though more in anticipation than anything else. There was something in Ezra's words and the care with which he moved that suggested this might be his first rodeo, but Dash was not worried one jot. Some things just flowed; he and Ezra were one of those, and flow they did. Pressed together, merging almost from two into one, they could feel what each other wanted, what they needed. He could even feel Ezra's heartbeat, racing in tandem with his own.

Dash didn't think he could tell the other teen how out of this world it was, not for a while. He would be insufferable if he knew. But, in truth, there was not much hiding it. Dash made a lot of noise, all good, but more than the droids bargained for. He was sure he heard them talking worriedly outside the door at one point.

When they were done, they just laid there together, wrapped in bliss and looking into each other's eyes. Those two silver pools were still exotic to Dash, but where he had once seen harshness he now saw only warmth. He and Ezra understood each other so well now, it felt like they were speaking without words.

When Ezra did speak, his questions were almost too big for Dash to wrangle with there in that perfect harmony. "Why are you thinking of joining?" his brow creased, though the answer it seemed was obvious "I should think so" he answered "and if not then I'll leave". It was a flippant remark but the way Dash was feeling here in this bed he wouldn't like to do an accounting of Ezra and the Order right now. The latter might not come out well. "No seriously it would be fine though, emotion isn't a sin or anything, we're allowed to be with people".

Dash's own words caught him out and he let out a little laugh. "Speaking of which, before you go thinking about the Jedi" he said, clearing his throat and affecting an over the top formal tone "Ezra Thorne, how would you feel about being my boyfriend?".

They were naked and more entwined than most married couples, but that didn't stop him pulling a silly face to go with the voice and waiting for his answer.

@Sreeya