Ask The Best Laid Plans

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc was often surprised by the type of company he preferred. As a quiet, detached individual he often believed he preferred the same. He often kept the company of droids, only able to tolerate so much interaction with others. However, he unwittingly found himself more and more in the presence of individuals almost entirely opposite of him. He would never admit it, but he liked the overt expressions, the uncontrolled giggles, the absurd tantrums and inexplicable theatrics. And he liked the furious blushing and vibrant things that very rarely afflicted himself.

The half Sephi didn’t miss the way Jaikus suddenly shifted to face him, moving slightly closer. In comparison, Emryc didn’t move from his seat, his back still leaning against the trunk of the tree. He moved to cross his arms over his chest, his legs stretched out before him casually with one foot over the other. He eyed Jaikus with a mixture of amusement and interest, the silvers never shifting from their piercing gaze. His eyes had the uncanny ability to peel away the threads slowly and meticulously the longer anyone gazed into them. Whether Jaikus liked Emryc looking at him or not, the half Sephi was certainly doing it now. As much as he wanted to delve into his own mind, he shut down his thoughts. He focused simply on the now.

A faint grin brushed his lips as he spoke, “Are you going to do a trick?”

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

Whether Jaikus had expected it or not, Emryc’s full attention was on him now, and he wasn’t about to slink away from it. The half-Sephi had a knack for effortlessly leaving the Axxilan flustered and tripping over his words, and from his earlier stammering it was clear tonight was no different – and yet he never broke eye contact. Though the wordage had been playful, he had been entirely candid about liking when Emryc looked his way.

The flush against his cheeks never faded in its intensity, and one could practically hear the way his heart drummed against his chest when Emryc asked his latest question. The faint grin from the half-Sephi was not missed by Jaikus, nor was the subtle change of position. He noted the way the man’s arms crossed over his chest and spread out in front of him. While Jaikus had subtly moved himself closer, it was clear Emryc had every intention of staying exactly where he was.

For the briefest of moments, Jaikus had taken to reading in further to those subtle changes in body language – something he often did when it came to Emryc. Did the half-Sephi mean it as a lack of interest in what Jaikus was doing? Or, perhaps, it was an invitation for the Axxilan to make the first move. The tone of the question and the intensity of his gaze all but confirmed the latter in Jaikus’ mind, whether he was correct or not remained to be seen.

“Perhaps I just might. I do have a few up my sleeve,” He finally mustered a response to the question, just as he began to rise up from where he was sitting. In the past, Jaikus’ flirtations had been spoken from behind the veil he often seemed to wear around most people. Confident and bold, but largely superficial - a warmth that never seemed to be reflected behind his eyes. His tone now was markedly different. While playful, there was something exceptionally genuine behind the mixture of thrill and nervousness that laced his every word.

Where his previous movements had been subtle, Jaikus moved boldly now. Rather than lingering on the opposite side of the fire, the Axxilan took slow, measured steps to close the distance. As he moved, he hooked his thumbs into the beltloops of his jeans, tugging down ever-so-slightly as he sauntered to where the half-Sephi was leaning back comfortably.

For a few seconds, Jaikus stood to the left of the half-Sephi, looming large over him. Should he continue to look up, he would see the playful smile plastered across the Axxilan’s lips. The redness that still burned across the bridge of his nose. The way his eyes vibrantly glinting against the light of the campfire, streaks of viridian dancing just below the surface. After only a few seconds of standing there, Jaikus sunk down and sat on his knees. Once more eye level with the half-Sephi, he shifted his weight to lean against a tree.

“Any requests?” He grinned, his face tilted down slightly but eyes cast upwards to never break the contact.

@Sreeya

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc could see each and every little thing Jaikus did. The silvers were fixed on the other man, watching his every move as he rose from his seat. He had full view to see that not so subtle tug at his pants as the thumbs hooked into the belt loops. Emryc grinned slightly, reminded of the time when he had pulled the man close by his belt loops. Jaikus had been exceptionally bold on the dancefloor when they had first met, and that had even been while Raze had been at the forefront.

Truth be told, the dynamic Emryc began to have with Jaikus was vastly different now. He didn’t quite understand the other man or his own actions towards him. He didn’t understand why he bothered to make him an insect repellent paste or why his touch lingered against his skin longer than needed. He didn’t understand why the man occupied his thoughts more than he ever wanted. Some of those thoughts began to seep into his psyche through cracks in the walls he had put up.

Emryc watched Jaikus as he walked over and sat down on his knees. The half Sephi gazed at him as he asked his question, staring at him for a few seconds. It was difficult to read Emryc’s expression, but there was no denying the vibrant fire in his normally frosty gaze.

After a moment, he moved to stand while facing Jaikus. The tall, imposing half Sephi towered over the other man while he was still on the ground on his knees. Emryc somewhat mimicked Jaikus’ earlier gestures, his hands coming to rest along the waistband of his shorts with the thumbs dipping inside. The half Sephi’s head tilted slightly as he grinned, the mint stem twirling between his lips.

Without warning, he turned and completely bolted in the other direction. As he did so, Jaikus would be able to see a hoodie tossed off, followed by an undershirt. Emryc disappeared into darkness by the time the rest came off. A moment later, there was a tremendous splash as half Sephi plunged into the river.

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

Moments of silence passed as Jaikus watched Emryc’s face carefully for a response to his question, a dark brow arching upward and citrine eyes glinting with newfound eagerness. When the half-Sephi rose to his feet, Jaikus responded by shifting his position as well. Rather than lean lazily against the tree, Jaikus propped himself up straight – head tilted up towards the man in front of him.

With the half-Sephi looming above and Jaikus on his knees, the Axxilan couldn’t help but flash a toothy grin at the rather suggestive position they were now in – eyes very briefly looking ahead before flicking back up towards the half-Sephi. When Emryc dipped his thumbs beneath his waistband, Jaikus not-so-subtly bit the bottom of his lip. He brought a hand up from the ground, drawing upwards until he reached the shorts that Emryc was wearing. Boldly, Jaikus pinched the hem of the shorts between two fingers, very lightly tugging down on them suggestively.

And then the man bolted.

The sudden maneuver completely caught Jaikus off guard – leaving him sitting on his knees, fingers now pinching nothing but the air. For a few long moments, Jaikus sat there with stupid look plastered across his face, watching as Emryc disappeared into the darkness. Had he crossed a line? The half-Sephi had suddenly fled the area in the past, but he’d never quite run before. What’s more, Jaikus quickly realized that not only was he running away, but he was undressing as he did so.

It wasn’t until the Axxilan heard the splash did he finally understand what had happened. When the realization hit him, his earlier doubts faded into the back of his mind, replaced instead by amusement playing vividly across features.

Game on.

Without a word, Jaikus sprung to his feet and sprinted in the same direction Emryc had – and just like him, immediately began disregarding articles of clothing as he went. First to go were the ridiculous sneakers he wore – multi-colored shoes knocked off and tossed haphazardly out of sight. Next were his socks and tanktop, followed by a brief struggle with the jeans. By the time he had disregarded his undergarments, he had made it to the river – hesitating momentarily at the waters edge. Not only was it dark, but the water looked absolutely freezing.

Oh, fuck it.

Swallowing down his hesitation, Jaikus threw cautious to the wind. Taking a few steps back, Jaikus gave himself a running start – leaping from the shore and plunging into the river with a loud splash.

@Sreeya

 

[Emryc Thorne]

The river was illuminated by the bright moonlight and the stars above. When Jaikus came up from his jump into the water, he would see Emryc in the distance with the water up slightly above his navel. The low lighting was enough to reveal his muscled torso but also the intricate scar that spanned across his entire chest. It was a vividly clear mark left by lightning from when he fought and slayed the King of Korriban. His arms and shoulders had many old scars, his body conditioned from years of combat and military training.

He eyed the other man quietly, running his fingers through his wet hair. Jaikus generally had a habit of being far too stubborn to stay behind, but Emryc certainly hadn’t expected him to follow him into the river. The sight of the noble in the cold waters out in the middle of a forest was likely one neither of them would ever have imagined. Emryc couldn’t help but grin at the other man, though he made no moves toward him.

“I’m surprised you’re here instead of stomping around or setting the entire forest ablaze,” He called out to Jaikus before sinking into the water down to his shoulders. He kicked back from the rock he was standing on to get into deeper water and float, his gaze still on the other man.

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

Dramatically giving himself a running start before leaping into the water, Emryc would catch just a glimpse of Jaikus’ tanned figure before it vanished with a splash. The Axxilan came back up only a few seconds later, immediately gasping as his face breached the surface of the water. It was just as cold as Jaikus was expected, and it took him a while to become accustomed to the temperature.

Bringing a hand to brush the dark curls from his eyes, only then did Jaikus’ gaze finally settle upon the half-Sephi. Against the dramatic backdrop of the moonlight, the man looked even more alluring than he usually was. Citrine eyes drank in the sight of the muscled chest and toned stomach, silently counting the scars that had been left across his body over the years. Something about the sight of the old wounds very briefly saddened him somewhat, but the thought didn't linger long in Jaikus' mind.

When Emryc finally broke the silence and spoke, the Axxilan couldn’t help but laugh from across the way. “Oh, I thought about it!” Jaikus replied, speaking between giggles. The half-Sephi had witnessed the man’s tantrums first-hand on multiple occasions at this point, but this time there had been no irritation from Jaikus, clearly enjoying the little game the Emryc had decided to play. “Considering where you left me, I can’t help but feel I would’ve been just a tad bit justified!”

Before Emryc had a chance to respond to that last comment, Jaikus dipped below the water’s surface once again, vanishing from sight. For several long seconds, the half-Sephi would be alone in the river, with only the sound of the rushing current to fill the silence all around him. As suddenly as he’d vanished, Jaikus resurfaced close to where Emryc was floating after roughly twenty seconds – very purposefully splashing the man as he came up from the water. Turning to look at him, the half-Sephi would see a wide smile plastered across the man’s face – eyes glinting in the moonlight. A vivid shade of green that threatened to overtake the yellow.

Much closer now, Emryc would be given a clear view of Jaikus’ leanly muscled torso against the low light, leaning against some of the rocks so that the water only came up to the middle of his stomach. Where the half-Sephi’s body was marked with scars from years of military training and combat, Jaikus’ tan skin remained largely unblemished.

“I like to keep you in suspense.” He grinned, flicking a bit more water in the half-Sephi's direction.

@Sreeya

 

[Emryc Thorne]

For a few moments Emryc tilted his head back as he floated, staring up at the brilliant moon and the endless stars that stretched across the galaxy. He could even make out the faint outline of the capital ship from earlier looming just beyond the atmosphere. He grinned as he heard Jaikus speak, finding the man easing back into his personality to be more pleasant than he cared to admit. Emryc hadn’t even realized that he had been missing it while Jaikus was in a mood from his lack of food.

By the time Jaikus came up near him, Emryc was upright again, gazing at the other man. Though his torso was bare for the half Sephi to see, his gaze remained instead on eyes that looked more emerald than gold. When the water was splashed his way, it stopped short of reaching him. The water was eerily suspended in mid air before colliding with Emryc, the powerful Sith Lord taking command of the elements around him.

Emryc’s gaze never left Jaikus’ as he moved slightly closer towards the other man. There was no smile on his face, his eyes as piercing and calculating as ever. The water that was suspended fell back into the river with a gentle splash. He stepped forth towards Jaikus to where the man would feel compelled to back up against the rocks behind him.

The half Sephi thought back to their earlier moment and Jaikus’ words. Emryc calmly stared at the other man before speaking, “Is that all you wish from me?” The low baritone rumbled without a single bit of intention betrayed. He spoke as he gazed into green eyes, not citrines, “Then why does your heart thunder against your chest when I am in your presence?”

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

When the water splashed towards Emryc was caught in mid air, Jaikus couldn’t help but roll his eyes slightly, still meeting the half-Sephi’s gaze with his playful grin. Whatever irritation had followed him since that night at the hotel was well-and-truly gone by now, the Axxilan back to his usual self. He even briefly considered meeting Emryc’s utilization of the Force with some of his own, but ultimately decided against initiating the childish game for the moment. Instead, he took the opportunity to stare deeply into those silver eyes, a warmth existing behind those emerald eyes that rarely seemed to radiate through the citrines.

When Emryc suddenly began to close the distance, Jaikus took a couple steps backwards – not to get away from the man, but merely to find more solid ground against the rocks behind him. Once his feet were firmly planted, Jaikus did not move from his perch – allowing the Half-Sephi to get as close as he so desired. While there was no smile on Emryc’s face, the one in Jaikus’ never faded – just as upbeat and bright as it had been back at the hotel or during their dalliance in the snow. Instead of slinking away, Jaikus merely tilted his head up slightly to look at the man before him. His gaze was warm, and it was unwavering. It was confident.

When Emryc spoke, there was that familiar redness against Jaikus’ cheeks that even the low light did not mask. The air was frigid against his wet body, and yet there was a heat beneath his skin like a contained inferno. “As exciting as that might be, I think..” He spoke softly, his voice more genuine than it was playful. “..You already know that getting in your pants is not all I desire from you.”

There was no question in Jaikus mind that lust wasn't his primary motivator – eager as he might’ve been back at the campfire. But then, why did his heart pound as it did now? Perhaps the more important question, what did Jaikus want from the half-Sephi, if not that? It was that same question that had tugged at his mind since departing Telos. It had been enough to drag him all the way to Keldooine and had been a constant source of confusion since leaving the hotel.

For the first time, Emryc had made a point to press that question – but that didn’t mean Jaikus had any more of a straight-forward answer. The underlying reason why alluded him, but only now was Jaikus slowly coming to a conclusion. Perhaps, the underlying reason why didn’t matter so much as the so much as the feeling itself. “I much prefer to see you as you are watching some Huttball game. Why? Perhaps for the same reason you enjoy hearing my stupid laugh, or why you spent over an hour to make that ointment.”

He was completely exposed, both physically and emotionally, and yet there was a confident assurance behind his words. “Perhaps my heart thunders as it does simply because I enjoy to be around you, and to see you as you are.”

@Sreeya

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc expected him to practically implode from his words. The man had withdrawn into himself during several instances before when he was put on the spot. It had almost become a game for Emryc to invoke that furious flush across Jaikus’ face. This time, however, the Axxilan met him head on and plainly shared his thoughts. The half Sephi was caught off guard, but his expression didn’t change. The glow of the moon contoured his sharp features, his lips etched into that familiar stoic while his eyes burned into Jaikus. Instead of the frigid cool, the silvers had intensity that almost rivaled the vibrant presence of Raze in his eyes.

He had danced rather suggestively with the man before, but that seemed like centuries ago. If he wanted to, he could vividly recall the feel of his hips, the way Jaikus grasped the back of his neck, the way he pressed into him. But all of that paled to the way the man appeared before him now, and it had nothing to do with his lack of attire. He was undressing far beyond the layers of clothing he shed. He was unapologetic, but Emryc knew it took an enormous amount of courage.

Emryc stepped even closer till his palms pressed against the rocks to either side of Jaikus. With the half Sephi’s height and reach, while he was much closer, there was still a bit of distance. His wet hair was matted against his face, beads of water still trailing down against his jaw and neck. Jaikus would feel the faintest brush of heat from Emryc standing close to him against the cool water.

“Your eyes,” He stated almost abruptly, “You forgot to mention that I like your eyes when they are green,” Was the man even aware of this happening? Emryc was surprised by his own words, but they had left him before he could spend an eternity dissecting and analyzing. Suddenly being his normally meticulous self seemed entirely tedious and exhausting.

Jaikus hadn’t denied a single thing. He hadn’t attempted to hide behind humor or deflections. The man faced him directly and boldly owned it. His last words lingered on Emryc’s mind for several seconds. Did Jaikus see him as he was? His thoughts were flooded with unpleasant memories. He saw glimpses of the Axxilan's bloody face and the fear in his eyes as recently as in the hotel hallway. He felt that same compulsion and inability to look at him again.

His gaze fell for the first time from Jaikus’, though he didn’t move back from his hands still against the rocks with the Axxilan between them.

“I am still that man that harmed you on Telos,” He said with distaste clear in his voice, “That is still a part of me.”

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

When Emryc stepped closer and planted his palms against the rocks, Jaikus remained firmly where he was standing. He did not move to close the distance that the half-Sephi maintained, but nor did he widen it. He was confident – almost defiant in his stance – and would not back away now.

His thick curls of dark hair matted down to his forehead and fell in lazy strands in front of his eyes, though he never broke contact with the silvers. His smile had never died in its intensity either, genuine and unwavering and worn without any sense of hesitation. It had taken more courage than he cared to admit to be so candid, and yet doing so seemed to awaken a newfound strength and assuredness in himself. Despite his shameless staring at Emryc in the past, none of that seemed to matter at the moment, with Jaikus almost able to forget just how exposed they were.

The subtle change in the half-Sephi’s eyes was not lost on Jaikus, the usually frigid and blank stare replaced with striking intensity. Rather than melting away as he often did, Jaikus almost seemed to thrive in the intensity of those silver eyes, as if comfortably basking in the warmth of the sun. It was hard to tell whether it was the stare, or the faint heat radiating from Emryc’s body, that elicited goosebumps across Jaikus’ forearms.

When Emryc cut in abruptly to mention the color of his eyes, Jaikus blinked at him, suddenly looking a bit surprised. Up until this point, he hadn’t even been aware of the change that occurred when he was at his happiest. Jaikus was entirely oblivious to the unnatural citrine’s melting away to reveal the green he had been born with, nor did he know just much the half-Sephi liked it. “My eyes,” He repeated, his words almost giddy. There was something about the way Emryc had blurted it out that filled Jaikus with delight. “And is there anything else I forgot to mention?” He gave the man a moment to answer before speaking again himself. “I also quite like your hair when it isn’t gelled. And the way you laughed back at the hotel.”

It was only when Emryc’s gaze abruptly fell for the first time did Jaikus allow a frown to tug slightly at his lips. For the first time in a long time, Telos had been pushed to the back of his mind – the Axxilan having solely been living in the moment. Up until now.

It took Jaikus a while to come up with a response to what had been said, his thoughts lingering on that fateful day. Immediately, there was a distinct pain that flashed across Jaikus’ features when the memory of those terrible visions resurfaced. The faces of that family of five was one of the only things Jaikus actively tried to bury and compartmentalize from the entire experience, though it had been to no avail. The temple had torn open a wound long forgotten, and it was one that felt just as raw as when it had been new. In addition to his own visions, Jaikus saw Raze. Split-second anxiety washed over him as he he saw flashes of bloodied fists and animalistic eyes looming over the top of him. He saw not the silvers he’d become accustomed, but instead sickening yellows. Could Jaikus ever see those animalistic, yellow eyes without feeling some instinctual fear?

And yet, that image in his mind hardly seemed to resemble the man before him now. “..I don’t blame you for what happened on Telos. It affected us both. The things I saw – what it tried to use against me..” He shook his head, stubbornly pushing it from his mind. Instead, he lingered longer on the last thing Emryc had said.

After a long while, Jaikus boldly brought a hand to brush against the half-Sephi’s torso. It was a gentle, tender gesture – one of comfort, rather than desire. “Perhaps it is a part of you, but it is not your entirety.” He began, emerald eyes unwavering as ever. “Perhaps that is a part of the man you are, and yet you are also the man who threw himself in front of me. The man who pulled me from the darkness rather than leaving.” His words were softly spoken, though they carried a sense of finality – as if there was no arguing with the conclusions that Jaikus had made in his mind.

Only now did the smile return to his lips. “I see you for all of who you are. And I trust you still, Emryc.”

@Sreeya

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc’s gaze was lowered and he stared at nothing even with Jaikus standing right before him. His mind was entirely elsewhere, and he imagined the Axxilan looked terrified while they discussed this topic. The half Sephi’s hands withdrew from the rocks, but he didn’t step back. He wanted to give Jaikus room to move away from him. Seconds passed, and the man remained firmly where he was.

He was far away until he felt that touch against his torso. Jaikus’ fingers sent jolts through him that fanned out throughout his entire body, melting beneath the surface of his skin where his blood ran hot. It was enough for his gaze to rise to meet emeralds again, finding that unwavering familiarity. There was no fear there even as Jaikus spoke of Raze and how he was a part of Emryc. Was the man truly brave? Or was he simply a fool? Was it ultimately more empowering to be a fool?

He hadn’t given much thought to his own actions back on Telos. Why had he thrown himself in front of Jaikus? Was it the crushing guilt from what he had prior to that? The man before him invoked things from him that he didn’t quite understand. It began from when he stood in his defense and had taken care of him when he was injured. As a man of his size and reputation, others seldom behaved like this. Looking at Jaikus suggested that he was just as lost. But he was so damn confidently and proudly lost. The realization almost brought out a grin, but he suppressed it.

Emryc’s gaze remained locked on Jaikus’ for a moment before he stepped closer, ensuring that the man could definitely feel the heat from his body. He didn’t shy away from the Axxilan’s touch, moving into it to close the distance just a bit more. Did Jaikus realize how imperfect Emryc was? Did he know how broken he was? With his smile and unblemished skin, with a torso that told the story of a posh and wealthy upbringing? Could he ever know?

Did it matter?

The half Sephi leaned in slightly closer, one of his hands gingerly resting against the Axxilan’s waist. Emryc angled his head so his lips teasingly brushed very lightly against the side of Jaikus’ face. He traced along the side of his jaw, his warm breath brushing against the cool skin as he arrived closer towards his lips. That quiet baritone murmured softly while pressed against his skin, “Say my name again.”

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

Jaikus did not miss the way that Emryc had dropped his hands from the wall, presenting an opening to leave without any obstacle to block him. The ability to walk away was there, and yet Jaikus did not utilize it. He did not move hardly at all – only breaking his stillness to bring his hand to rest against Emryc’s chest. His eyes, tilted up to face the man, were unwavering in their intensity and yet carried with them an unmistakable warmth.

His words were genuine and candid – more candid than Jaikus usually ever allowed himself to be. The justification for myriad of his actions was something that had lingered in the back of his mind for weeks now, ravenously gnawing for an answer. Why did he feel the instinctive need to leap to the man’s defense – from the duel against the mysterious Sith on Telos, to their escape from the compound – whenever in danger? Why did he stay by the man’s side while he was unconscious, tending his wounds? Why did the thought of him flailing around in the snow back on Telos fill Jaikus chest with such warmth and comfort?

The search for answers to those questions had brought him to Keldooine initially, but for the first time none of it seem to matter to him. The reasons why he felt as he did, or behaved as he did, were no longer of any importance. Jaikus was completely lost within the sea of his own emotions, and yet kept his head defiantly – proudly, even – above the waves.

When the half-Sephi closed the distance that still remained and brought a hand to rest against Jaikus’ waist, the man could immediately feel the heat radiating beneath the Axxilan’s bronze skin. He could feel the shiver that ran like electricity up Jaikus’ spine and caused cheeks to flush a deep shade of scarlet, breath hitching ever-so-slightly when the half-Sephi traced along his jaw. It was not so dissimilar to the way Jaikus looked when he had been flustered in the past, but only this time he did not withdraw into himself.

The hand which had brushed against Emryc’s skin lingered there for a moment before slowly moving upwards. Delicate fingernails grazed across the half-Sephi’s muscular figure, tracing the contour of his chest until they came to wrap around his shoulderblade. His grip was tender and gentle, pulling their bodies a touch bit closer. It was a far cry from the way he left scratches and ferociously gripped onto the man back on Serenno. Meanwhile, Jaikus' right leg moved beneath the water - rising up slightly and hooking around the half-Sephi's thigh.

“Emryc..” He spoke softly, his sultry voice reverberating against the other man’s skin. The Axxilan tilted his head forward then, just barely brushing his lips against the half-Sephi’s.

@Sreeya

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Jaikus couldn’t see this likely from where he was, but that soft murmuring of his name resulted in the half Sephi’s fluted ears slanting and rotating the slightest bit. He hadn’t heard the name on the man’s lips the entire time they had known each other and it sent fire through him against the chill of the river and the cool air. Emryc’s fingers sank gently into Jaikus’ hip, the grip almost possessive in nature as the Axxilan wrapped an arm around his shoulder.

Emryc felt the man adjust his leg to hook around his, the action tugging him closer and eliciting a soft exhale from the half Sephi against Jaikus’ lips. His other hand came around the Axxilan’s back, fingertips tracing up the center of his spine till his hand slid along the back of his neck and up into his hair. Fingers curled into the soft hair, though only gingerly to avoid hooking into the curls.

The sound of his own name on Jaikus’ lips echoed within his thoughts as he finally closed that last bit of distance. Emryc tilted his head and met the man’s lips with his own, sinking against the other man and tasting him for the first time. The half Sephi tugged him closer with the gentle grip to the back of his head. For all the ways Emryc had been devastating before, he was just as gentle now, tenderly kissing the other man as the world around them melted away. The chill of the air was forgotten as he drew in Jaikus’ warm breath. The sounds of the trickling water and brush of wind was drowned out by the soft hum from the other man against his lips. It was a taste he hadn’t known he wanted. It was that warm hearth amidst the frigid blizzard of Telos. It was the oasis in the middle of the barren Korriban desert. It was the war and the galaxy stopping for just that moment to allow Emryc to forget Raze and all the ways he was shattered.

He could only kiss the man for a few moments before his mind was suddenly afflicted with an assault he couldn’t have foreseen. No amount of mental fortitude could have stopped this as it came from within. For all the ways he wanted to keep going with Jaikus, other thoughts crashed and roiled within the chaotic seas of his psyche. For the ways Emryc wanted to see Jaikus bite his lip again, he saw the tender golden eyes and a warm fanged smile. For all the ways Emryc wanted Jaikus to gasp out his name, he heard Morgan’s soft voice singing to him till he fell asleep. For all the ways he wanted to spend his time here, he thought of a man with a trilling laugh that packed his favorite foods and fussed over him. That was likely fussing this very moment. It was a blow to his mind and chest he couldn’t have seen coming, and it cut him worse than any weapon ever could. It hadn’t come from Raze this time. It had come from him. From Emryc. It made him sick to his stomach.

The half Sephi slowly pulled back from the kiss, his heart pounding against his chest. Jaikus would be able to see the shift in dynamic almost immediately. Emryc lowered his gaze for a moment before he gingerly stepped back slightly. He looked at Jaikus as if he had seen a ghost. As if he had been asleep and had just awoken. However he did not run or walk away. He remained there, staring at the other man for a moment before he spoke.

“Jaikus…” He uttered quietly, “I hurt everyone I ever go down this path with,” That familiar pain was back in his voice, “I bring nothing but pain and agony. At this point I’m not sure I can even say it’s accidental,” Emryc looked away for a moment, “This is not a door you want to open with me,” He stepped back even more, but he still did not run. He wanted Jaikus to understand he wasn’t going to abandon the other man. It was possibly the first time there was anything remotely close to a streak of fear in Emryc’s face. His hand grasped the hand Jaikus had wrapped around his shoulder.

“Because…” He sounded almost defeated as he layered his hand over Jaikus', dragging the other man's hand across his chest where he would be able to feel the very erratic pounding, “Because you do the same to me even if you can't hear it,” He gave a hollow chuckle as he looked away, releasing the Axxilan's hand. It was something he never thought he would admit. It was something he hadn’t faced in a very long time, and certainly not since he had met Morgan. It was a scenario he never thought he would face, “And that’s dangerous. For you and I both.”

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

When Emryc closed that final bit of distance between them, he would be able to feel the small gasp that escaped from Jaikus and vibrated against their lips. The Axxilan tilted his head upwards to meet the man’s height, sinking gingerly against his tender kiss. Electricity bristled across his skin as he began to savor the taste of the other man against him for the first time, a sensation he never knew he wanted. His fingers dug a bit deeper into Emryc’s shoulder then, the leg hooking around his thigh and tugging just a bit tighter, as if desperate to close any distance between them. His other hand rose and came to rest the palm against Emryc’s muscular chest, gingerly brushing against his pectoral and trailing downward before dipping below the water.

The world around him suddenly melted away and vanished, the frigid chill of the air replaced by a warmth more comforting than any campfire. It was a feeling Jaikus had not faced in a very long time, all of his superficial flirtations and dalliances seeming to pale in comparison to the present moment. For all the ways Jaikus had been bold and daring, he was just as gentle and tender. He could’ve stayed exactly as they were for the rest of his days.

And then Emryc began to pull away.

When Emryc began to pull back, Jaikus’ lips lurched forward a bit – trailing him for a moment as he moved. It was an instinctive, almost desperate move, as if begging not to beat the contact that Jaikus never knew he needed until this moment. It wasn’t until the half-Sephi took his step back did those emerald eyes flutter open, widening slightly at the expression painted across the man’s face.

Jaikus could see the hesitation laced across Emryc’s face, and in that moment, began to mimicked it. For the briefest seconds, Jaikus felt more exposed and self-conscious than he had this entire time. His thoughts began to race with split-reason consideration, each conclusion worse than the last. Was it something he said, that drove Emryc away? Had he been too bold, and his actions crossed a boundary he didn’t know was there? Or perhaps the half-Sephi had finally opened his eyes and been repulsed by something about the man exposed before him..? The flush in Jaikus’ cheeks never faded, but for the first time it seemed to reflect a hint of embarrassment that hadn’t existed before.

The expression on Jaikus’ face did not fade until the half-Sephi began to speak. There was no outburst or tantrum that followed, but instead the Axxilan listening quietly and attentively as Emryc spoke. He noted the way that even though he stepped back, Emryc did not flee the scene as he often did. He remained by Jaikus’ side. The expression of fear painted across the half-Sephi’s face was one that shocked Jaikus to his very core.

His thoughts could help but linger on the mention of others Emryc had walked down this same path with, realization suddenly slamming into the Axxilan with the velocity of a proton torpedo. His thoughts were drawn back to Serenno, a new sense of understanding beginning to paint over that night.

He remembered the way that Tiamat had loutishly snatched Deva away from Emryc out of the blue. At the time, he had imagined it as the redheaded woman attempting to steal the lovely woman away from Emryc for her own, but now it began to appear as the other way around. He remembered the way that Stolas had tried to cut into their dance almost before it had begun, as well as some of the conversations the two of them had following the party. It was a puzzle that Jaikus had never been able to piece together before, but now it was painfully obvious. The dots began to connect behind his eyes, and the realization twisted knots in Jaikus’ stomach.

As they so often did, the emotions battered Jaikus in tumultuous waves, each playing out behind his eyes in rapid succession, each battling for dominance across his face. Above them all, there was a pronounced sense of pain that lanced through his chest, stinging him and cutting deeper than any lightsaber could. It was the pain of finally grasping something so precious, only to feel it slipping through his fingers beyond his control.

And yet, among that raging sea of emotions, there was no anger. It took Jaikus a long while to formulate a response to what had been said. He stood there like a statue, his chest slowly rising and falling against the faint illumination of the moonlight.

“Emryc..” Jaikus finally spoke, just as he reached a hand forward, taking hold of Emryc’s hand once again. He laced his fingers around the half-Sephi’s and held firmly, the other hand soon thereafter layering over the top. “I am not scared of being hurt by you, nor do I fear the danger of taking that step forward. You make me smile and feel in ways I can’t explain, and knowing you feel the same.. I would gladly take that door off its hinges. I want that..” Just as Emryc had been, Jaikus’ words were entirely genuine - allowing himself to be completely vulerable and exposed. There was no denying what it was he wanted, and there was no reason not to admit it now.

"But..” He muttered quietly.

“..I don’t wish, to be some source of conflict for you. Nor I don’t wish,” He paused. “..To damage what may already exist.” There was almost a guilty tone to his voice, coupled by a knowing look behind his eyes. The dots had all begun to connect in Jaikus’ mind and he could not deny the faint pang of guilt that had settled into his stomach, as if he had blissful begun to tread where he shouldn’t have.

Jaikus’ grip on the other man’s hand loosened slightly, though it did not release entirely. He remained exactly where he was, unwavering, and yet he was giving Emryc the opportunity to walk away. “..I wish to be in your life, Emryc Thorne. I don’t ask anything of you, nor do I expect you to change yourself on my account.”

“I want to be near you. Even if..” He sighed, his eyes falling to his feet for the first time. “Even if it cannot be in that way.”

@Sreeya

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc saw the flurry of emotions play out across the other man’s face. He expected an outburst, he expected to be thrown back, he expected Jaikus to storm off. He expected every scenario in the book except for the one that played out. The half Sephi glanced down where Jaikus grasped his hand and laced their fingers. Emryc didn’t pull away, feeling the warmth of the Axxilan’s other hand layer atop it. This was far more difficult to process than the expected outbursts or any rage. Emryc had started on a path inadvertently and he had pulled back abruptly while the other man was completely vulnerable. And yet Jaikus was not furious with him.

The half Sephi listened quietly as Jaikus spoke, his gaze still where their fingers were intertwined. He was frozen in place, his face betraying the surprise he felt. Silvers finally moved to gaze back at the other man, meeting the warm emeralds that were Jaikus’ very own as he had been born with. Emryc stood in silence for a few moments after he was done speaking, processing the words he couldn’t have expected in a million years.

I would gladly take that door off its hinges.

Those were words Emryc wouldn’t forget anytime soon. They came from a man that had seen some of the worst sides of him. The half Sephi considered the rest of what he said, thinking back to all the times he could simply coexist with the other man. He thought of how he managed to draw out a laugh from the normally frosty half Sephi. He thought of when the man had pelted him with snow or when he had jumped down when Emryc missed clearing the platforms in the temple. There were countless moments that stuck with Emryc, and almost none of them had to do with his physical attraction to Jaikus. That was exactly what made this far more complicated and difficult.

Emryc thought of all the rules he always abided by, all of the structure and discipline he had followed to the very last word. Were rules being imposed on him now? By who? Were they rules from Morgan or rules fro him? The half Sephi didn’t even realize that he still hadn’t relaxed his grip where he held the other man’s hand. His gaze slowly returned to their hands again where his thumb idly brushed along Jaikus’ own.

“As long as you accept the consequences,” He muttered very quietly. He spoke for Jaikus, but also himself.

---​

The rest of the night passed without event, both men understanding there were certain boundaries not to be crossed. Emryc wasn’t in the habit of sleeping near others, and he meditated restoratively while Jaikus slept. Even the man’s obnoxious snoring was not enough to break the half Sephi’s deep focus. Breakfast, unfortunately, also consisted of fish. After freshening up and chewing more mints, the two were ready to get back on the road.

Through it all, Emryc’s demeanor was back to his quiet and stoic nature. There was a lot on his mind, but he often chose to compartmentalize. From Jaikus’ perspective, he would appear normal, and almost slightly at ease. The guilt tore at the pit of his stomach, but Emryc had a habit of placing guilt on the backburner. Guilt was an emotion he had repeatedly trained himself out of, and he had countless lashes on his back as a permanent reminder.

After walking in silence for a while, somehow the topic of the movie back at the hotel came up. One way or another it managed to hook Emryc into conversation. A lively debate was sparked because Jaikus fell asleep and Emryc couldn’t hear any dialogue and was distracted by the infected, leaving the ending somewhat a mystery.

“Look,” Emryc stated almost grumpily, “You don’t know what you’re talking about. The older woman could never be the killer because she was not the one that left the Holo recording. It was obviously the mother because it was the investigator's mother. She had insight no one else would have had,” He debated, “I don’t even know how you can argue this when you knocked out before we were even halfway in.”

They were walking along a main road that was a clear path to the new compound. It was visible in the distance, but they still had a bit of distance left. Neither men were aware that their talking was slowly getting a collection of infected in the forests around and behind them.

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

Jaikus did not speak for a long while after what he said. He had been entirely open and vulnerable with Emryc, and there was not much else he could say add that would further the point he was making. Even if the half-Sephi had pulled back from the path they had inadvertently began down, there was no anger from Jaikus for it.

The last thing Emryc said gave him a bit of pause. Was Jaikus prepared to accept the consequences of going down this path, whatever they might be? Was that something that Emryc even wanted? Was that something Jaikus wanted, knowing what he did now, with the subtle pangs of guilt that settled into his stomach? The answer did not come immediately.

A long pause passed, the sound of the rushing current and nocturnal wildlife filling the void between them. After what felt like an eternity of silence, Jaikus brought his hand, the one that had been layered gingerly over the top of both his and Emryc’s, to rest against the half-Sephi’s face. He tenderly stroked his thumb across Emryc’s cheek, a smile tugging lightly at the corners of his mouth. There was a sense of resolve in his eyes now.

“As I said. Off it’s hinges.”

---​

Night had passed and morning had come without further excitement. Despite their tender moment at the lake, Jaikus gave the half-Sephi space for the rest of the night – allowing the man to process all that had happened before broaching the topic once again. In the meantime, Jaikus lived up to his words. For everything that Emryc was, for everything that he might’ve felt, Jaikus would simply enjoy the other man’s company. He would coexist regardless of what came next.

By some miracle Jaikus had been able to pick up the pieces of his ensemble as the wandered back through the dark forest to where their camp was, plucking multi-colored sneakers out of bushes and yanking his undergarments off of the branch where they’d haphazardly been thrown.

While Emryc meditated, Jaikus slept for the first time in what felt like ages – sprawled out on his side, using his own bicep as a pillow, and snoring loud enough to wake the dead. When morning came and breakfast was served, unseasoned as it might’ve been, the Axxilan seemed to enjoy the meal as much as the first time. Seafood was something he enjoyed by default, and there was something to be said about eating it so fresh.

As they began their travels once more, the Axxilan noticed that Emryc’s demeanor once more began to resemble his stoic and quiet self. It was a familiar sight for Jaikus, and it was something he had steadily begun to find comforting to be around. Similarly, Jaikus seemed to have returned to his normally upbeat and conversational self. It was a stark difference in personalities, and yet it was not one that seemed to cause them to clash in any sort of way.

When the topic of the movie finally did come up, Jaikus brightened at the conversation that very quickly turned into a debate.

“Oh, you’re out of your mind,” Jaikus declared, very much rolling his eyes at what Emryc was saying. The half-Sephi’s was more than likely correct in his logical assumption, but Jaikus had formed a conclusion in his mind, and it was exceptionally unlikely he was going to budge on it. “That decrepit old harridan was conveniently at the scene of every one of the killings.” Two of the four, anyway. Jaikus had been asleep for the last two murder scenes. “And her alibi was terrible for every single one of them. “out for groceries” and “going for a stroll”. Like hell. Even if the mother had insight, she was nowhere near the scene of the crimes.”

Jaikus’ eyes narrowed slightly. “Besides. Anyone who wears that much floral print objectively isn’t trustworthy – as I’m sure you’d agree.” He was very clearly referencing to the two granny-looking infected who had rushed Emryc earlier. There was a very playful grin plastered across Jaikus’ face now. Embroiled in their lively discussion, he hadn’t even noticed the cluster of infected that had begun to steadily trail them. The forest had cleared almost entirely by this point and the compound up ahead of them was clear. This also meant that they were no longer hidden from sight behind the thick brush.

“And I seem to recall something about my snoring blocking out the dialogue. So, I really don’t see how you can be so vehement about this.”

@Sreeya

 

[Emryc Thorne]

Emryc’s face didn’t dramatically shift in expression like Jaikus, but the Axxilan could read him enough to see subtle microexpressions. The half Sephi was getting progressively more perturbed by the counter arguments presented to him. Emryc was about to argue back when Jaikus quipped about the floral print incidents. The half Sephi couldn’t help the beginnings of a grin as his mind reverted back to the strange encounters he had with not one but two infected grandmas.

“I think we can at least agree the method of killing was subpar,” He stated matter of factly, “Why poison when you can simply bounce a knife off someone’s head?” Emryc was having the toughest time maintaining a straight face, “Or perhaps drown them in three inches of water?” He followed up with a cough to mask the laugh that crept up. He pointedly avoided looking at Jaikus, thoroughly entertained by the memory now that they weren’t in danger of dying.

Which was, of course, not true at all. Emryc’s sensitive ears picked up a soft growl. He paused and looked at Jaikus with a scowl.

“You just ate,” He remarked icily before the growl erupted even louder. The half Sephi turned around and could see a massive group of infected behind them. It was far too many to engage without being overwhelmed. They had begun to sprint full speed towards the two men. Emryc gathered up the Force and sent a massive, concussive blast at them. While this toppled the first wave back and tripped them, it would only buy them a bit of time.

Emryc turned and began to bolt towards the compound, ducking to the side to get out of direct sight. They had a chance to make it to the compound, but they would have to completely book it and take a curved path through the forest. The half Sephi kept glancing to the side to see if Jaikus was keeping up, genuinely concerned about the man managing to trip at an inopportune moment.

The constant glances cost the half Sephi as he eventually collided directly with a tree. With his massive form barreling at it, the thin trunk snapped with a pathetic crack. The half Sephi stepped back slightly dazed as he rubbed his forehead. He barely dodged an infected launching itself at him, pulling the jagged trunk of the broken tree forward so the infected impaled itself on it. Emryc quickly kept running, hoping Jaikus didn’t see that shockingly embarrassing exchange from the normally serious and rigid man.

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

Jaikus watched the half-Sephi with keen eyes after he spoke, a dark brow arching in the other man’s direction. He knew he wasn’t likely to elicit a full-fledged laugh from the man, but the Axxilan had slowly begun to learn how to pick up on the subtle twitching of lips that betrayed the beginning of a grin, or the coughs that desperately tried to stifle laughter. It was enough to bring a smile to Jaikus’ lips when he said his joke about the older women hit their mark.

“Yes, poisoning is one of the less—” He cut himself off as Emryc began listing the less-than-serious alternatives. Memories of his exceptionally valiant attempt to dispatch the advanced infected flooded back to the surface, as well as an entirely sensible reaction to swallowing a mouthful of that horrific, terrible brown water.

Rather than being irritated by the situation, as he most certainly had in the moment, Jaikus simply rolled his eyes and waved a hand in Emryc’s direction. “Very funny. First of all, that was entirely appropriate – that water was disgusting.” An exceptionally important fact to mention, in Jaikus’ mind. “And second of all, you can laugh all you want, but I also seem to recall someone screaming “Get the granny, get the granny!” and it wasn’t me.” Jaikus followed up his retort with a fit of characteristic giggling, flashing the half-Sephi a toothy grin.

Too amused by the conversation, Jaikus did not pick up on the growling at first. He raised a brow at Emryc when he spoke, confusion plastered across his face. “Yes..? I did. I even was nice enough to thank you for that exceptionally bland—”

Any sense of confusion was quickly dispelled when the growl grew loudly – only then becoming audible to the Axxilan. His head snapped back just in time to see Emryc send a concussive blast towards the horde of infected, granting them only of time to begin booking it towards the compound. Jaikus spun on a heel and began to sprint alongside Emryc, managing to keep pace with the man as they carved through the forest – weaving between trees and other obstacles in their path. It was, quite frankly, a miracle that Emryc hadn’t collided with something in his path already, nor Jaikus trip when he wasn’t paying attention.

“Before you say a damn thing, it was not my snoring.” He snapped towards the half-Sephi, narrowly ducking beneath a low-hanging branch in his path.

Moments of running past as Jaikus kept his eyes trained forward, fully aware that the infected were only seconds away from rending the flesh from their bones. The only thing that gave Jaikus even momentary pause was the sound of Emryc colliding full force into that tree. The Axxilan watched in a mixture of genuine concern for the half-Sephi’s forehead and amusement as the tree snapped pathetically, only for the half-Sephi to weaponize it against one of the infected.

Unfortunately for Jaikus, this meant that his eyes were not trained ahead of him. Just as he was beginning to wonder if Emryc more resembled a Rancor rather than a Gundark, he felt his foot catch beneath an exposed root from one of the trees. Catching him entirely off guard, Jaikus fell forward – landing face-first into the dirt and knocking the air from his lungs. It left him dazed for a few seconds, only narrowly rolling out of the way of an infected that lunged toward him.

Scrambling to his feet, Jaikus coughed and sputtered as he continued running, very purposefully not looking at Emryc at the moment. “Not a fucking word.” He hissed.

@Sreeya

 

[Emryc Thorne]

The next time Emryc glanced over, Jaikus abruptly dropped and faceplanted on the ground. This was business as usual so the half Sephi focused on the dangers around him instead. An infected launched itself at Jaikus who rolled to the side. Before the infected could turn on the Axxilan, Emryc coiled the Force around it and bodily tossed it back into another two, toppling them all back like an impressive bowling strike.

The half Sephi kept running with Jaikus after he peeled himself off the floor. At a certain point he glanced down and opened his mouth, “Watch out fo-” And promptly shut it when Jaikus told him to do so. As a result, the Axxilan casually splashed through a filthy puddle as they ran, Emryc keeping perfectly silent the rest of the way. Jaikus’ shoes certainly changed color after that.

Their methods to go deeper into the forest worked in the end, and they were left with nothing but stragglers behind them. This took nothing but a few bursts with the Force or some head smashing before the two were finally cleared. Emryc had been athletic all his life, but he was genuinely surprised that Jaikus was able to keep up during the entire run, though he certainly wasn't having a good time.

They eventually arrived near the gates of the compound and Emryc raised his hands to approach it. The men on the walls had their blasters pointed, one of them scanning the horizon for infected before another one announced to them.

“Have you been bitten or scratched anywhere? Do you have a fever or any rashes?”

“No!”

“State your names.”

“I am President Emryc Thorne of the Independent Systems Consortium,” Emryc called out firmly, “I’m certain you have some people in there right now that will do some very bad things to you if you don’t let me in.”

The men on the wall looked visibly nervous, suddenly whispering excitedly to one another. One of them grabbed a set of macrobinoculars to look at Emryc. The half Sephi had a very polite finger gesture waiting for the man as he stared through the magnified view. The man visibly panicked and whispered a bit more before speaking into his radio. Not even a moment later, D3 droids began to emerge on the wall, accompanied by soldiers wearing ISC uniforms.

The churning of heavy machinery erupted as the heavy gate was lifted to allow the two men inside. Once Emryc stepped in, he was greeted by an entire force of droids standing at the ready, along with a battalion of armed soldiers. Looming casually above orbit was a TE-1 Destroyer armed with a fleet of starfighters. If there were any Hutt mercenaries or leaders here, they certainly made themselves scarce.

A woman dress in a formal suit with heels strode over to Emryc down an entire row lined with D3 droids on either side. She didn’t even look at Jaikus.

“President Thorne,” She said, “We are so relieved to find you safe. I will recall all the search parties at once."

“Have the civilians been evacuated?”

“Yes sir, every last one from this compound and the other one we know of,” She took in his state of attire, “We have a ship prepared for just you with a full medical staff and-”

“Give it to him and take him where he needs,” Emryc pointed a thumb at Jaikus and strode past her towards one of the military vessels.

“Uh- Certainly sir, who is this?”

The half Sephi turned to look at her, stuffing his hands in his hoodie pockets with a slightly amused grin before he stepped onto the ramp of the military ship. His answer would confuse her for days, “We were roommates.”

@Altaris

 

[Jaikus Thorne]

(Time-Skip~!)​

Tatooine. Firmly nestled within the heart of ISC territory, it was a planet known for its unforgiving desert environment and exceptionally scarce population. And yet on days like today, its cities seemed to be overflowing with visitors like never before. The annual Podracing Championship was well into full swing by this point, drawing in thousands of men and women from across the Outer Rim the city of Mos Espa to spectate the games taking place within the Grand Arena.

Close to two weeks had passed by now since the events on Keldooine, Jaikus and Emryc having parted ways at the compound where ISC forces were waiting. In the initial aftermath of the event, the media had been dominated by stories of President’s Thorne’s heroic efforts to assist the fleeing civilians admist the chaos of the indiscriminate bombing by the Hutts and the compound being overrun by infected. One tabloid even captured the image of Emryc going so far as to abandon his own shuttle to get others to safety. Conveniently, those same disaster reporters and camera feeds had seemingly been turned in every other direction when the President made his escape from the overrun compound, having never caught a glimpse a glimpse Jaikus clinging to the back of his speeder, nor the man that Emryc stole the vehicle from in the first place.

Conveniently.

With the entire experience well behind them and the media frenzy having just begun to die down, the championship on Tattooine would've been the first real opportunity for a bit of leisure time away from the cameras and the reporters. Jaikus had arrived on Tattooine only a few hours prior - his borrowed starship touching down within the spaceport of Mos Espa. While it was certainly a step above a bloody Huttball game, Podracing was not exactly Jaikus’ preferred way of spending his leisure time. That said, the promise of a certain half-Sephi being in attendance of the championship game had been enough to coax the man all the way from his penthouse on Axxila – even going so far as to pay extra for a rather exclusive seating ticket.

Weaving his way through the crowds of roaring fans, Jaikus began to make his way through the stadium. While many of the attendants had taken to wearing eccentric outfits and obnoxious hats to mark the occassion, Jaikus opted to style himself as he most often did. The Axxilan wore a pair of black dress pants and a tightly-fitting button-up with floral designs, the first few buttons left open to reveal the upper curvature of his toned chest. His outfit was accessorized with a silver chrono on his wrist, as well a woven leather bracelet on the other.

Thankfully for Jaikus, it did not take him long to spot the man he was looking for amongst the crowds. Climbing the stairs towards the VIP section, Jaikus slipped past the guards with a quick flash of the exclusive pass he was flaunting.

Emryc would hear the man before he saw him, the Axxilan’s familiar voice calling out from the left. “It’s certainly isn’t as exciting as your favorite genre of movies, but I suppose there is something rather enjoyable about these races.” A quick glance would reveal Jaikus weaving between the rows before coming to take a seat near the half-Sephi. There was already a grin beginning to tug at the corners of his mouth.

“Hello, roomie.”

@Sreeya