Boundless

To Build a Nest

Ah'kaedh's commanding deck was lit up with four huge maps projections right in the middle of the room, each focusing on different areas of Thedus. Tiny vivid dots, of varying colors, pointed to the position of tags. The main screen displayed a 5th map on it.

Seated on Ah'kaedh's chair, tablet in hand, back at the dull task of analyzing data, Lance's form was starting to show signs of weight loss.

Hunter and Girl were (almost) alone now. The first to depart was Kivar, accompanied by Lar'jar. An hour ago, 6 days later, was Setg'n'kah's turn, taking Sila and Ho'kan with him.

(Poor Charlie, he had to be the exception).

Ah'kaedh entered the deck, the deliberate sound of his steps alerted Lance of his presence. She noticed some sort of calmness irradiating from him, that she had experienced only during their time at Seizei.

Enforcers were allowed to travel alone, which suited Ah'kaedh's introverted personality; part of him could finally breathe with the others gone.

The Yautja placed a bowl with fruit in the panel in front of Lance - the Hunter was treating his Girl almost like one would handle an injured untamed creature, leaving the food close by, giving Lance time to process the impending hand feeding.

The Hunter tilted his head, glancing over the maps, analyzing the baits' positions, patterns to their movements. When Lance looked over to check what the hell he was eyeing, he plucked the tablet from her hands.

"Hey!"

Lance's main task now is to verify, identify and catalog every ooman ship leaving the planet. By the end of the first week, after the Hive's bombing, the last authorized dropship departed from Thedus. There was no licensed transportation taking people off the planet anymore.

(Since the Spacebridge was overloaded).

Only illegal landings and departures were happening. The authorities couldn't do much (understandable given the ongoing crisis), but to deny access to the Spacebridge's docks.

The Girl was keeping tabs in more than a dozen underworld's channels. Lance was listening for anything that could identify the crew, cargo, employers... but what she was praying for was distress calls.

The hunt for Rot'gar was bound to be a painful endeavor.

Ah'kaedh looked down at her, mandibles clicking in the face of her indignant expression, placing the tablet away from her grasp.

"Yeah, mister, very funny", she grumbled.

He touched her neck lightly, still chuckling, stepping aside. Lance got up from his chair, being picked up almost immediately. Ah'kaedh sat down with his Girl already snug on his lap.

One by one, Ah'kaedh removed the bobby pins holding a braided bun at the base of her cranium. Lance sighed, relaxing; like some humans, she enjoyed having her hair and scalp touched, the resulting tingling sensation so relaxing it would even make her sleepy on occasion.

The Enforcer nuzzled her head, purring instinctively, gently combing her hair with his fingers.

***

Ah'kaedh's large, hard, warm frame rested curled around his Girl's soft, smaller, vulnerable one. They had spent the last many hours huddled together in their nest of furs, relishing in their intimacy.

Once the desperate need for each other subsided, sex became a form of staying deeply connected.

The Enforcer sought more than give and take pleasure; the bond they shared, Ah'kaedh could melt into it. Lose himself in her flesh, her scent, her moans, her heart beat.