Honey! I'm home!

[Will]

Huang simply handed the woman the cats. He hated the damnable things. Angry little buggers.

''All in the service of the Republic.'' He smiled weakly.

The vans rolled up, a horde of news teams piling out. Huang rolled his eyes. They were a plague on society, these reporters, probing all the time.

Huang rushed after her, joining her in the alley.

''It's more fun if we help though.'' He grinned.

''Ah, to be one of those superheroes. I'd definitely be 'Noir Shock', the one whose words can level mountains. '' He said.

He closed his eyes as Val unleashed her healing energy on him, soothing his wounds.

''Well, I'm a willing subject. And in need.''

 

[Sreeya]

"It's okay, you can be my superhero."

Val had to laugh at how cheesy the line sounded. The healing took no time, though it would still sting for a bit. She pulled him down, still gentle, and kissed him. She savored every moment she had with him, regardless of how out of place it was. As she pulled back, Val rolled up his sleeves, getting to work on healing the scratches there.

"I can't believe how bad those cats got you."

She had to bite back from laughing. The felines really did a number on him. However, it was nothing she couldn't handle. Val finished with his right arm, moving to his left. As she turned it over, she spotted an intricate tattoo on his inner forearm. It was that of a cross, one that hadn't been there before. Having marveled at all the artwork on his body countless times, she immediately paused, confusion etching her features.

"When did you get this? Seems a bit different than your usual designs.."

Val absentmindedly continued healing him, though her eyes remained on the new tattoo. It was beautiful, though markedly different from his others.

 

[Will]

''Dear, I may vomit.'' Huang's grin was still plastered on his face.

He bent in, kissing her. He savoured that moment, where they were truly alone with each other. He tugged her lip as they pulled apart.

''Animals just don't like me. Never have.'' Huang sighed.

Huang looked down to where Val was indicating. There, on the underside of his left forearm, the cross. The mark he had gotten when he'd found Val and Raziel again. He flushed slightly, gladly hidden by his dressings.

''I er...got that when I met you and found out about Raziel... Something more permanent... Because you're surname's cross...''

He didn't tell her he got it also because he crushed that block she had given him when she first left him.

 

[Sreeya]

Val couldn't understand why he looked flushed all of a sudden. She finished healing his arm, glancing up confused. When he explained, her eyes widened.

"Really? It's...for me?"

She grasped his wrist again, taking a closer look at the tattoo. Val couldn't put into words how much meaning this held for her. He had gotten a permanent symbol of his feelings towards her, something that would be a part of him for the rest of his life. Val could only stare at the design, running her thumb over it.

"It's amazing...just perfect."

She turned to him and pulled him into a tight hug, abruptly. Val held him for a moment before loosening her grip, realizing he was still recovering from injuries. She smiled apologetically.

"Sorry..I'm just still in shock. I don't even know how to tell you how much this means to me."

Val looked down at her own forearm, grinning.

"Think my first tattoo is gonna be a crow."

She leaned in for another kiss, fighting back the urge to press him against the wall behind him. Her hands locked with his, as she pressed against his body. She remembered to be light and gentle this time.

 

[Will]

''A crow? How Gauche.'' Huang joked. He kissed her again, taking her up in his arms for a moment.

He set her down, wrapping his arm around her.

''Come on, I know a place.''

* * *

The gibbous moon shone down on the lake, it's reflection rippling slightly as a breeze caressed the water beneath. It was here, in the dead of night, that Huang took Val.

It was a week or so since the fire now, and a rigorous regimen of force healing and Kolto had returned Huang's face to almost normal, a line crossing the bridge of his nose, another scar added into the fine criss-cross covering his whole body.

''You remember when we first went out? We went base-jumping, then had a swim in a lake. I can assure you there's no Bantha or mental farmers here.''

He held in his hand a container. Inside was a selection of food, some in heated containers, other kept cool.

A picnic under the moon.

''Swim or eat first?''
​

 

[Sreeya]

Val was surprised at how adventurous Huang had been lately. Usually, it was her idea to go on 'dates', but he had been organizing things lately, much to her delight. As usual, they had found a place for Raziel to be looked after while they spent some time together. It was getting to be routine, and she was sure a few people whispered about spotting them together. Val ignored it for now, focused on enjoying whatever time she had with Huang. She knew it would only be a matter of time before he was off to fight in another battle.

Thankfully, Val didn't have to dress up too much for this occasion. The incident with the fire left her hair in a mess and her dress was ruined thanks to that ridiculous cat-obsessed woman. She had no idea where he was taking her, though she knew it would be a pleasant surprise. As he lead her to a lake, Val had to grin. As if reading her thoughts, he mentioned the last time they were near a lake. Val had to laugh out loud at the memory. The image of Bantha chasing him while he was in his undies was still vivid.

"That was a fantastic day! Poison Ivy or not..."

She weighed his words, grinning.

"Swim, of course!"

Val walked over and put her toe into the water, wincing at how cold it was.

"Okay...there's only one solution to this."

She quickly walked around, walking up to an elevated area overlooking the lake. There were trees and vines hanging from them. Val quickly stripped of her clothing and took an abrupt running start. She grabbed a hold of a vine and swung outwards, letting out a playful cry before letting go. She flipped in the air before splashing right in the middle of the lake. Val came up moments later, gasping.

"Good...gods.. this is cold... GET IN HERE!"

 

[Will]

As ever... the direct approach. Simple. No elegance. Huang smiled, placing the hamper on the ground, removing his overcoat. He strode up to the overhang, taking his time, no rush or urgency in his movements. Slowly, he stripped down to his underwear, taking up a diver's pose.

He leapt into the air, twenty, thirty feet. As he reached the apex, he backflipped, spinning. As he descended toward the lake, he twisted and turned, before hitting the surface of the water, using the force to barely disturb it.

He splashed back up, rocketing into the air, spraying water all around him, expertly moving it toward Val with the force. He fell back into the water, paddling over to Val.

''It is cold, yeah.'' He agreed, a playful smile skittering across his face.

 

[Sreeya]

Val coughed and sputtered as he made the water splash his way. She scowled at him, though it was gone by the time he waded over to her. For now, she decided to keep from retaliating. She flipped over onto her back, looking up at the moon that hung above. For a moment, she said nothing, simply reveling in the peaceful setting. She had begun to adjust to the temperature, finally comfortable. Val cast a sideways glance at Huang.

"I wish... we could be like this in the open."

She knew he would understand her meaning. Nothing in the Jedi codes suggested affection was forbidden, but she knew that their relationship was a dangerous one, mainly given his position within the Order. Val moved closer to him, placing her arms around his neck. His yellow eyes were almost luminescent, piercing through the dark night. She smiled before pulling him in for a kiss. It was more passionate than the quick kisses they often shared. She took the time to nibble on his lip, taste the metallic piercings and press in closer to delve in even more. It was a long moment before she withdrew, a smile on her face.

"I'm always afraid that this war is going to tear us apart. We're both warriors, and soon I'll join the fight once again. I'm terrified of losing you."

 

[Will]

''Perhaps we could.'' Huang murmured after she pulled away from him. He still held her close, welcoming her warmth in the cold lake.

The Jedi were allowed to feel affection, to love. But to grow attached... that was danger. In effect, it promoted promiscuity. Huang had never seen it in that regard, of course. But his relationship with Val had changed his views drastically.

''There is just one thing I ask before I continue, however.''

This one question had been preying on Huang's mind ever since.

''When you left... Who did you go to?''

He stared deeply into her eyes, his gaze fixing on her, and her alone.

 

[Sreeya]

His words confused her. Perhaps they could? Could what? However, that thought was removed as soon as he uttered the question she had been dreading. He had been exceptionally good about skirting around the topic, though she could tell it always bothered him. When he asked her, Val had to sigh, withdrawing from him. Silence hung in the air, though it lacked the serenity it held moments before. Although the night was beautiful and peaceful, her mind was suddenly swimming with thoughts. Val absentmindedly swam over to the edge of the lake, climbing out to dry off. She waited for Huang to join her before speaking.

"I...didn't go to anyone."

That was true. However, it was the bit after that which Huang had reasons to be bothered about.

"..I found out I was pregnant and I ran to a midrim world. It was Malastare. It was there that I.."

She looked up and bit her lip. Would he abandon her as Caed had? She almost lied, but her love for Huang was too powerful to allow it. Val looked away, unable to meet his piercing gaze.

"It was there I ran into a man I was once in love with. Caed Ultor was his name. He was the reason I was so harsh when we first trained together. That was months after he had abandoned me. I found him again on Malastare, and in an attempt to forget you, which I deemed the best course of action, I tried to reconcile with him. I tried to forget you ever existed, because I believed you could never accept me when you found out I was with child. I thought it would ruin you."

Val hated saying this, hating bringing up the truth. She wanted everything to be perfect, as they had been, and now the past had reared its ugly head.

"We decided to move away from the Jedi worlds, attempting to have a life together. However, I realized he could never accept Raziel. Because of him, what we had was completely gone. I could tell Caed hated Raziel long before he was born. It was something I could not cope with. Ultimately he left me again and I went to Cularin to spend time by myself. I wanted to raise Raziel somewhere he would be loved and cherished, not looked down upon as a bastard."

Val finally met his gaze. She felt tiny and weak, though she tried to remain strong outwardly.

"Can you...can you ever forgive me for leaving?"

 

[Will]

Huang sat on the bank, his feet still in the water, as he listened to Val explain what she had done while she had left him. He could have kept quiet, but something like this would have festered and corrupted, bursting forth in a darker manner. It was still not his favourite thing to hear. It was from the time he had felt betrayed, hurt and alone. Before he had clamped down on all his emotions, for a time, reverting to his old self, the closed, cold Sword Master of the order, punishing with impunity those who stepped outside of the codes and tenants.

Caed Ultor, son of the disgraced Grandmaster. Knight. Former Bogan. It explained a lot. Why she had been so bitter when they had first met. Why she had been alone when he found her and Raziel. He almost felt sorry for her, to resort to going back to such an individual, who had caused her such pain in the past. But, the man had obviously tried, and failed to seduce her again. He had had his chance, and wasted it. It strengthened his resolve for what he planned next.

He smiled when she asked if he forgave her.

''I'm here, am I not? I forgave you on Cularin, Val. I simply wanted to know.''

 

[Sreeya]

Val was holding her breath after her question, watching his face for any indications of his thoughts. Unfortunately, he was better than anyone at hiding and suppressing everything. His face betrayed absolutely nothing. Val had to be left in the dark. However, a smile broke on his face, much to her surprise. His words made her smile. It felt as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Val couldn't help but pull him into a tight embrace.

"I love you, Huang. I...always want to be with you.."

The last few words were a shock even for her. She had spoken without thinking. What had the words meant? Val knew she was in a place with Huang where she could never turn back. Did he feel the same? As usual, she had no idea. His vagueness confused her to no ends. Val pulled back, though her attention was drawn away instantly. She glanced down to see two raccoons had seen fit to dig into their food, one happily munching away. Val looked surprised, not having sensed any creatures in the area. A third raccoon showed up, highly irritated. Huang had been conveniently sitting right next to a sandwich the raccoon had claimed as its prize. The sight infuriated it and the raccoon immediately attacked Huang. It attempted to claw up and latch onto his face, trying to rake across his chest as much as possible.

Val, in the meantime, was too shocked to do anything right away. Huang wasn't kidding when he mentioned that animals hated him. And now he had invoked the wrath of woodland creatures...

 

[Will]

As they broke their embrace, Huang sighed, deeply.

''Val. There's something I've been thinking about for a long time. I've tried to reconcile it with the Tenants. I can't. But I no longer care.''

He took her hands in his own. His heart raced.

''Val...will y-''

THWACK.

An angry ball of fur struck his face, almost knocking him over. It chattered as it clawed him, it's tiny paws raking deeply into the recently healed flesh of his face.

Another collided into his chest, tearing at him. He cursed, grabbing at them. He got up, pulling them off of him, throwing them into the lake. Blood spilled down his chest.

''I'm going to need healing again.'' He sighed.

 

[Sreeya]

Val had to jump back, still in complete shock at the abrupt turn of events. She reached over and yanked a third raccoon off him before it could claw away. After what seemed like hours, all of them were thrown off, two landing in the lake. They hissed and screeched, but quickly scampered off. Val could only stare at Huang for a long moment, unable to form words. As she thought about what happened, she bit down on her lip, trying desperately to keep from laughing at the absurdity of the situation.

"Are you...are you okay?"

Val took her sleeve and wiped the blood off his face, applying a quick heal. Thankfully, these new wounds weren't as bad as the ones he had already sustained. After he was healed, Val smiled at him, still doing her best not to laugh. She glanced around to make sure nothing else would terrorize them for a moment before her mind lingered back to what he had begun to say. Something about ignoring the tenets and something he had been thinking about for a while?

"What were you saying? Will I..?"