#Brosna

[unteriors]

Carrigeen (Brosna), County Kerry.

[stairnaheireann]

#OTD in 1870 – Bartholemew (Batt) O’Connor is born in Brosna, East Kerry.

Although not a direct participant in the 1916 Rising, Batt O’Connor was sentenced to be shot by British authorities but was sent to Wandsworth Jail and later Frongoch internment camp in North Wales. During the War of Independence he ran a number of safe houses and hid funds and documents for the IRA. He was a strong proponent of Collins going to London for the Anglo-Irish Treaty talks and…

[dystopicjumpsuit]

Martyrs and Kings AND ZOMBIES!!!

A/N: I'm so excited to share this spooky, sexy one-shot sequel to Martyrs and Kings! I've been planning this fic for months, and I hope y'all love it. Quick note: obviously, this fic contains spoilers for M&K; however, it was beta-read by my partner who has not (yet) read the original fic, and they said it worked as a stand-alone story, so if you haven't read M&K yet and don't mind spoilers, read on!

This fic is dedicated to the amazing @clonemedickix in gratitude for all the love and support that you've shown me and so many others in the fandom. Thank you so much for everything you do, and particularly thank you for your feedback on the field medicine. You are a rock star!

One final caveat: I am a horror wimp, but I did my best. Please don't expect Stephen King 💜

Pairing: Post-stasis Kix x OFC Dr. Maree Finnall

Rating: M (minors DNI)

Wordcount: 5k (this just made M&K 10% longer lol)

Warnings and tags: peril; suspense; violence; blood and injury; gore; medical procedures; adult language; SMUT; oral sex; face-sitting; Kix activating my competence kink like no other. IMPORTANT: an additional content warning is listed at the end of the fic due to spoilers. If you have triggers, please check the end of the fic for the BOLD PINK TEXT before reading.

Summary: The crew of the Meson Martinet goes after the score of a lifetime and discover that they may have bitten off more than they can chew.

Suggested listening:

Martyrs and Kings chapter 1 | Masterlist | Sign up for my tag list

“B1.5-series battle droids are a myth,” Kix said firmly. “You’re wasting your time.”

“The good doctor doesn’t share your opinion,” Quiggold argued.

Sidon Ithano, as usual, said nothing, his crimson helmet swiveling slowly toward Maree. Kix turned to her as well, his jaw set, his eyes full of confidence that she would back him up. Kriff it. She absolutely hated being caught in the middle of this argument.

She cleared her throat. “There’s… some debate in the academic community about their existence, actually. If they ever were created, they were never deployed at any recorded battle—and it’s a good thing, too.”

“Why is that, exactly?” Reeg Brosna asked.

He was sprawled on the bench of the dinette, his arm draped around Orys Brenko as the research assistant perked up immediately.

“Is it true that they used nanodroids to retrofit original B1-series droids?” Brenko asked, his face flushing dark green with excitement.

“That is one theory,” Maree said circumspectly, keenly aware of Kix’s scrutiny. “According to contemporary sources—and noting that those sources are unreliable at best—the B1.5s had significantly upgraded blaster resistance. There was another rumor as well, even less credible.”

“What rumor?” Reveth interrupted, leaning forward over the table, drawing Ithano’s attention subtly.

“They said the B1.5s could keep going even if you blasted their processors,” Kix cut in before Maree could reply. “It was a stupid story the commandos made up to scare the shinies.”

“But what if it wasn’t?” Brosna asked. “Indestructible battle droids? They’d be worth a fortune.”

“Even if they don’t exist, the haul from a Techno Union stronghold could set us up for life,” Reveth pointed out. “I say we go after it.”

Squeaky grunted his agreement, predictably. The Gamorrean was always guaranteed to follow the pretty Twi’lek’s lead. Reveth could have suggested a nude spacewalk, and Squeaky would have thought it was a grand idea. Brosna and Brenko voted in favor as well. Kix voted against, and Maree did as well, purely out of solidarity. Privately, she was consumed with curiosity about the B1.5s, and she couldn’t deny that the possibility of such a groundbreaking discovery was alluring in the extreme.

Quiggold voted in favor, and Ithano abstained, and so it was decided: the crew would send a team to scout the Techno Union stronghold, and if they found anything worthwhile, the rest of Ithano’s small fleet would join them.

“We’re gonna need your expertise, Doc,” Reveth said to Maree. 

“Absolutely not,” Kix snapped.

Maree glanced at him in surprise. It was unlike him to try to overrule her choice, and she didn’t care for it. “Reveth is right, Kix. I’ll be able to identify the highest-value items, and I have a good idea of what’s in demand.”

Kix looked away, clearly unhappy, but recognizing that he’d overstepped. “Fine. But if you’re going, I’m going, too.”

“We’ll need you to stay and command the fleet from the Scorpion while the captain is away,” Quiggold interjected.

“Fuck that,” Kix growled. “Brosna is my first mate—he can take command from the Scorpion. When it comes to Maree’s safety, I outrank everyone on this ship.”

“Brosna doesn’t have the experience—” Quiggold began.

“Agreed,” Ithano said, his deep voice cutting through the buzz of conversation and debate in the Martinet’s galley. “Quiggold, command the fleet from the Martinet. Brosna, take the Scorpion. Reveth, Squeaky, you’re with us.”

The captain’s decision was final, and within a few hours, Kix, Maree, Reveth, Squeaky, and Ithano had boarded the Scorpion’s shuttle Stinger and departed for the desolate moon where the Techno Union base had sat untouched for over fifty years.

“Fifty credits says we find nothing,” Kix said.

“I’ll take that bet,” Reveth replied.

Squeaky grunted his agreement. Ithano said nothing.

“Maree, you want in on this action?” Reveth asked.

“Kix and I have a private bet on the side,” Maree said with a mischievous twinkle as Kix shot her an inscrutable look.

Reveth smirked. “Sounds like fun.”

“Oh, it will be,” Maree replied. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a flash of crimson as Ithano moved through the shuttle. On impulse, she leaned in and whispered in Reveth’s ear cone.

Reveth’s eyes widened as her mechanical hand instinctively settled on Maree’s waist. “Damn. You and Kix want a third for that?”

Ithano’s helmet whipped to the side as he suddenly became very interested in the conversation. Maree suppressed a laugh.

“What do you think, Kix?” Maree asked with faux innocence. “Can Reveth play with us?”

Kix eyed her with a perfectly neutral expression that warned Maree he knew exactly what she was up to. “You gotta win that bet if you want to call the shots.”

“You’re on,” Maree replied immediately.

Ithano’s helmet swiveled from Maree, to Reveth, to Kix, and back to Reveth, but he said nothing. Kix merely turned back to the navigation controls and continued to pilot the shuttle toward their destination.

The old Techno Union stronghold was on a remote, swampy moon, and the dense vegetation had grown thickly over the past five decades. Kix was forced to set the shuttle down several klicks from the decrepit base. He didn’t like it. He didn’t kriffing like any of this. It was too far; they’d be too exposed; their progress would be too slow in the mud. He glanced at Maree and felt his anxiety spike.

How the kark am I supposed to protect her out there?

He double-checked her gear as she suited up, adjusting the fit of her holster for a quicker draw. He quickly inspected her blaster before handing it to her.

“What’s going on?” she asked quietly. “You’re on edge.”

He shook his head. “I don’t have a good feeling about this mission.”

“It’s not the first time we’ve gone into one of these old strongholds,” she pointed out. “We’ll be okay.”

He nodded. “Yeah. Yeah. You’re right. Just… Keep your eyes open.”

“I will,” she promised. “And I know you’ll watch my back. Just like I’ll watch yours.”

He traced his fingertips along her jaw as he pulled her closer to himself. He couldn’t feel her soft warmth through his armor, but her nearness felt comforting regardless. He kissed her gently, threading his fingers through the hair that she wore in loose braids. 

She looked so different now than she had the first time he’d met her two years earlier; her elegant wardrobe replaced with sturdy, practical clothing meant to withstand rough field work and the occasional blaster fight. But underneath, she still smelled like tea and honey and home. She was still the same—still his Maree.

“If you’re finished sucking the lips off her face, can we get going?” Reveth teased. “Droids aren’t gonna find themselves.”

Despite Kix’s misgivings, the trek to the derelict base was uneventful. Squeaky stayed with the shuttle in case they needed a quick extraction, while Ithano, Reveth, and Maree hacked their way through the underbrush along with Kix. It was slow going, and the swamp was creepy as hell, but eventually they made it to the plastcrete and durasteel structure.

There was no power to the base, so they cut their way through the sealed exterior blast doors. Once inside, the group fell silent as they made their way through the dusty, cobwebbed hallways. The base was pitch black inside, illuminated only by their own torches, and once again, Kix felt the simmering anxiety in his gut begin to roil.

“Something’s been living in here,” Reveth muttered, training the beam of her flashlight on a tangle of debris that was unmistakably a nest for something… large.

Kix didn’t respond, but he reached out and pulled Maree closer to himself, then drew one of his DC-17s. Ithano brought up the rear, his blaster rifle ready.

“Control center should be just ahead,” Maree whispered. “Reveth might be able to restore power from there.”

“We’ll be karked if she can’t,” Kix replied quietly.

“Happy thoughts, Kix,” Maree murmured.

Right. Happy thoughts. Spiced biscuits. Unlimited bacta. Maree’s tits. More credits than I’ve ever seen in my life. The Scorpion. Weapons caches. Maree’s thighs. Maree’s thighs on my shoulders. Maree’s thighs framing my face while she rides—uh, weapons caches.

“Control center,” Reveth called under her breath as she reached a sealed doorway.

They pried it open enough to squeeze through. Kix went first, sweeping his light across the room as he scanned for threats. Reveth followed, then Maree and Ithano. Reveth headed straight for the control console and plugged in her small power unit and began to fiddle with the controls.

“Happy thoughts,” Kix mumbled, returning to the doorway to keep watch over the pitch-dark corridor.

Within a few moments, Reveth let out a quiet, triumphant huff as the control console flickered to life, dimly illuminating the room. She went to work immediately, interfacing her datapad with the ancient console.

“Damn. Main power cells are depleted,” she said. “I’ll try to at least get emergency lighting turned on.”

“Why would the power be depleted if the base has been abandoned for decades?” Maree asked. “The Techno Union had extraordinarily advanced power cells that were capable of storing energy far longer.”

“Unless something used it,” Reveth said.

Kix swiveled his head to stare at the Twi’lek.

“Like what?” he bit out.

She shrugged. “Dunno. But we might find out as soon as I get the data decrypted.”

A distant, deep hum sounded, and red light flickered on throughout the base.

“Nicely done,” Maree told Reveth.

“Let’s get the data and get the kriff out of here,” Kix growled, hating every minute of their time in the farking spooky base.

“Working on it,” Reveth snapped. “Think you can do it faster?”

Ithano glanced between Kix and Reveth, then moved to join Kix at the doorway, blaster rifle raised. “What is it?”

“Not sure,” Kix replied quietly. “Something doesn’t feel right.”

Ever reticent, Ithano merely nodded and took up position across from him. Kix nodded in silent gratitude that the pirate captain didn’t question his instincts. Then again, the Crimson Corsair hadn’t survived this long by ignoring his gut. 

Kix’s eyes darted to Maree again. She leaned over the console, scrolling rapidly through the data files, searching for any hint of the information they sought. He turned back toward the hallway, his eyes scanning it watchfully.

“No kriffin’ way,” Maree gasped.

“What?” Kix and Reveth demanded in unison.

“You just lost a bet, my love,” Maree told Kix.

“Wait, really?” Reveth asked. “It’s real?”

“‘Project Ophio,’” Maree read, her voice low and hurried. “Principal investigator Vamb Tebrem. Project number T327H1138X99. Primary focus of study is to develop experimental NM-K reconstitutors with the purpose of enhancing the durability and combat acumen of extant B-1 series assets…” Her voice trailed off as she leaned closer to the console, flicking through the data hurriedly. “Project director reported a 62% success rate in the initial efficacy trial; however the experimental reconstitutors were prohibitively expensive to manufacture, and the unpredictability observed in field tests was not adequately resolved—what field tests?”

“You catch any of that?” Reveth asked Kix.

He shrugged. Maree’s voice had dropped to an inaudible murmur as she scrolled through the data, then opened another data file. A quiet chime sounded from the console, drawing Reveth’s attention.

A glowing hologram appeared over the console: wave after wave of battle droids locked in combat a group of clone commandos who should have been able to easily defeat the B-1s. But the droids just kept going. Nothing could stop their advance as they overwhelmed the commandos’ positions and tore them to pieces. Kix swallowed hard, hearing the screams of the dying commandos, unable to take his eyes off the hologram. Maree slapped a button on the console and the sound paused abruptly as the holo froze.

“Holy kark,” she breathed.

“What?” Reveth asked. “Is that not normal?”

“No,” Kix said grimly. “We need to get out of here.”

“Uh, about that…” Reveth said.

Ithano swiveled his head toward the Twi’lek. “What?”

“Opening that holofile triggered an alert in the system,” Reveth said. “Hopefully it’s nothing?”

“Time to go,” Kix growled.

“Yeah,” Maree said, her voice shaky. “Yeah, I think you’re right.”

“At least let me download the records,” Reveth argued, jamming a data spike into the console.

They all froze as a distant but unmistakable crash echoed through the base, followed by a rhythmic thumping.

“What is that?” Maree whispered.

“Clankers,” Kix said grimly, drawing his second blaster. “Seal the blast doors.”

“We’ll be trapped in here!” Reveth objected.

Maree stared at Kix. “Can’t we make it out before—”

A light flashed, and her body jerked as a blaster bolt smashed into her. She went down hard, and Kix barely had time to register what was happening before a firestorm of blaster bolts exploded into the room. He whirled back to the entrance and returned fire at the wave of battle droids that was advancing at high speed toward his position. Ithano was firing as fast as he could, but the droids weren’t dropping.

“Get those kriffing doors sealed!” Ithano bellowed.

Reveth had ducked down behind the console for cover as Maree scrambled to join her out of the line of fire. Reveth frantically worked the controls from her position on the floor, but she wasn’t fast enough. A single droid made it through before the doors slammed shut. The clanking and pounding of the army of droids battering against the blast doors was deafening. The lone battle droid charged across the command center.

“Kill it!” Kix shouted. “Fuckin’ kill it!”

Reveth, Ithano, and Kix unleashed a torrent of blaster bolts, but the karking thing wouldn’t go down, even as its components began to fail and fly off its body. It was headed for the console. It was headed toward Maree. Desperately, Kix launched himself at its mangled, skeletal form, tackling it as he locked his arms around and tore its head off with a sickening screech of twisting metal.

But the fucking thing kept moving, shambling toward the console. Kix growled and yanked out his vibroblade, slashing through the droid’s joints until nothing remained but a pile of scrap, and then he sprinted toward Maree, launching himself over the control console. 

“Maree!” Kix yelled hoarsely.

Her face was sweaty and contorted with pain as she clutched her hand around her upper arm, but she gave him a tight smile. “I’m all right.”

The blaster hole in her jacket sleeve was still smoking, and Kix felt sick as he saw blood covering her hand, oozing from a wound that should have been cauterized by the plasma bolt. 

“Let me see,” he ordered. 

She moved her hand, and he cut the sleeve away quickly, adrenaline coursing through his veins. Oh, fuck, it’s bad. It’s bad, and I don’t have my kit.

“We have to get out of here,” Reveth rasped.

Kix dug frantically through his pouches, finding only a few small bacta patches and a vial of spray bandage. He didn’t have a choice. It would have to do, at least until they could make it back to the Stinger. 

He shoved the jacket sleeve and vibroblade toward Reveth. “Cut that into strips. Wide ones.”

He drenched the blaster wound with spray bandage, then grabbed the first strip Reveth cut from the jacket sleeve and quickly tied it around Maree’s arm near her shoulder. “Do you have a stylus on you?”

“Always,” Maree said, her voice tense with pain. She pulled the stylus out of her pocket and handed it to him, carefully avoiding looking at the charred, bloody wound. “Why is it bleeding so much?”

Kix tied the ends of the cloth strip around the stylus and twisted to tighten the makeshift tourniquet, securing it as he replied in an artificially calm tone. “Sometimes it happens. Move just wrong—the cauterized scab opens—blood.”

He ripped open the bacta patches and arranged them carefully over the injury, covering it as well as he could before wrapping the rest of the fabric strips around them to secure them in place. Finally, he looked up into her eyes, inadvertently smearing her own blood on her cheek as he cupped her face.

“I’m not losing you today.” His words were firm, but tremor in his hands was undeniable, and his pulse thundered in his ears.

She smiled at him through dry, ashen lips, and he kissed her forehead, then helped her carefully to her feet. Reveth had pulled up a schematic of the base, and Ithano joined them at the console, pausing to squeeze Kix’s shoulder briefly.

“We don’t die so easily,” the captain said in his deep, rasping voice.

“Not today, anyway,” Reveth cut in. “I found an escape route.”

“Please tell me it’s not the ventilation shaft,” Maree said unsteadily.

“It’s always the ventilation shaft,” Reveth replied.

Maree’s shoulder screamed with agony as she crawled through the ventilation shaft. She gritted her teeth to hold back the whimper of pain that hovered at the base of her throat. The ventilation shaft was filthy and cramped, and their progress was torturously slow as they navigated as silently as possible to their destination. The conduit wouldn’t take them all the way out of the base, so they would have to make a run for the main entrance when they got close. The only way they stood a chance of escaping was to not draw the attention of the battle droids.

She followed Kix through the labyrinthine ductwork, crawling laboriously on her knees and one hand. Her injured arm had burned like fire when Kix first applied the tourniquet, but now her arm was completely numb—and equally useless. At last, they found the access hatch to the main corridor. Kix dropped down first, and then Maree realized exactly how difficult this was going to be with only one functional arm. 

“Just drop,” he whispered. “I’ll catch you.”

She took a deep breath and slid out of the maintenance hatch, feet first. Panic flashed in her mind briefly as she plummeted through the air, but Kix was true to his word, catching her before she could hit the ground. He set her down quickly and checked to make sure her bandage was still in place as first Reveth and then Ithano dropped down into the corridor.

They sprinted for the exit. Maree’s lungs burned and her vision blurred around the edges as she gasped for breath. Kix looked back at her sharply and reached for her hand, dragging her along behind him. By some miracle, the droids hadn’t detected them yet, and she could see the main entrance of the base. She forced herself to keep running, even as she stumbled and nearly went down, kept upright only by Kix’s strong grasp.

He tugged her arm over his shoulder and wrapped his arm around her waist to support her, but he didn’t slow his pace. “We have to keep going, love. We can’t stop now.”

“I know,” she wheezed. “So close…”

She could hear the clanking of droids behind them, and she pushed herself as hard as she ever had in her life to keep running. They cleared the entrance, and Reveth tossed a few magnetized thermal detonators onto the ceiling of the base. 

Keep running, don’t stop, keep going.

The explosion knocked them off their feet, but the rubble of the collapsed ceiling blocked the main entrance. It wouldn’t hold back the droids for long, but it bought them time—so long as they kept moving. Kix was up first, pulling Maree with him as Reveth and Ithano scrambled to their feet.

They ran for the trees as Reveth commed Squeaky. “We need a pickup, now!”

“He can’t get to us in the jungle!” Kix said. “We have to find a clearing where the shuttle can land.”

They dodged through the trees, trying to avoid the worst of the swampy ground, but the dense underbrush slowed their progress and steered them on a circuitous route. Out of the corner of her eye, Maree saw movement in the earth. The ground shifted and began to swell.

“What the kriff is that?” she demanded.

“Keep running, don’t look back,” Kix urged.

“No, what is that?” she repeated.

She saw a flash of pale, bonelike metal alloy, and then a battle droid erupted from the earth.

“Fuck!” she screamed.

All around them, the skeletal forms of B1.5 droids began to emerge from the swampy ground, punching their way to the surface and dragging themselves up from the mud. Kix released Maree and drew both of his blasters, opening fire without hesitation. Maree, Reveth, and Ithano followed suit, for all the good it did them. The droids simply wouldn’t go down; even if they took so many hits that they started to fall apart, they still somehow shambled on in a grotesque parody of their normal precise movement.

They had no choice but to keep running and hope that they could at least slow some of the droids down. She could hear the roar of the shuttle overhead, but the vegetation was too dense for Squeaky to pick them up. The Gamorrean’s indistinct, frantic squealing sounded from Reveth’s comlink.

“He said there’s a clearing about a klick southwest!” Reveth yelled.

It might as well be on the other side of the planet, Maree thought hopelessly. There were simply too many droids; they were advancing relentlessly, and the terrain was too hostile to cross it with any speed. Holy shit, we’re all going to die here.

Her mind darted to the holorecord of the field test—a kriffing gruesome euphemism for such carnage. It had been a complete massacre. The terrified screams of the commandos as the droids tore them to pieces; the spray of blood and viscera: the images were branded irrevocably in her memory. It was a horrific way to die, and they were about to find out firsthand. 

Panic clawed at her, closing her throat and making her shots go wild. Her legs felt sluggish, and her feet became unsteady, but Kix never let her fall, even as he fired ceaselessly at the pursuing droids.

“We’re almost there,” he grunted. “Keep running, sweetheart, you can do it.”

“Kix, go,” Ithano ordered. “Get her to the Stinger.”

“No!” Maree exclaimed. “We’re not leaving you!”

Kix ignored her protests, bending over and tossing her over his shoulder as he ran. His plastoid armor cut into her thighs and belly, and she squirmed to try to get away.

“Put me down! Go back!”

Kix ignored her and raced for the clearing where the shuttle hovered just above the ground, ready to take off as soon as the crew were safely aboard. He dropped Maree in the copilot seat and turned to Squeaky.

“Don’t let her follow me.”

He sprinted to the back of the shuttle and jumped out, making for the treeline.

“Kix!” she screamed, lurching out of her seat.

Squeaky didn’t hesitate. He thrust her back into the chair with a stern grunt, then secured the safety harness to make sure she didn’t try to run again. She could hear blaster fire and shouting outside the ship, and she tugged desperately at the harness. Squeaky grunted again to order her to take control of the ship, and he lumbered toward the rear hatch, blaster ready.

Her heart hammered as she took the controls. Please, please, please. The distraught prayer echoed in her mind, silently beseeching the Force. I can’t lose him. Not like this. She felt utterly helpless as the deafening roar of Squeaky’s blaster fire pounded through the ship. Mercifully, she soon heard the pounding of boots on durasteel, and then Ithano launched into the pilot’s seat and punched the controls, hurtling the shuttle away from the planet.

“Kix?” she asked frantically.

“I’m here,” he said, dropping to his knees next to Maree’s chair and wrapping his arms around her. “I’m here.”

“I’m here, too, thanks for askin’,” Reveth said as she flopped into her seat.

Kix stood and quickly released the safety harness, tugging Maree out of the chair and burying his face against her neck.

“Holy kark, I can’t believe we all made it out,” Reveth said. “I was sure Maree was toast.”

Maree laughed, and Kix glared at the Twi’lek. “Not kriffin’ funny.”

“It’s kinda funny,” Reveth insisted.

Kix shook his head and drew Maree out of the cockpit and back to the tiny med bay at the rear of the shuttle. “Med bay” was putting it generously; it was really just a bunk and a large emergency medkit, but it had everything he needed to treat her shoulder. He administered a stim shot, cleaned and redressed her wound, and removed the tourniquet. He worked efficiently, and she didn’t see any of the distress that had clouded his eyes back at the base—of course, they weren’t fending off a horde of unkillable zombie droids this time, either.

“What’s the verdict, doctor?” she asked with a tiny smile.

He stroked his fingers over her forearm gently. “You’ll live. Gonna have a kickass scar, too.”

“Will you kiss it better?” she asked, fluttering her eyelashes.

He smiled wryly as he leaned in and pressed his lips softly against hers. “Don’t ever do that to me again.”

“I’ll do my best. At least I’m finally going to have an exciting story to tell Baba and Eema.”

His eyes widened. “Oh, kriff, your mothers are going to kill me!”

The Stinger docked with the Meson Martinet first, and Squeaky, Reveth, and Ithano disembarked, then Kix piloted the shuttle to his own ship, the Scorpion. Brenko and Brosna were waiting next to the airlock when Kix and Maree emerged from the shuttle.

“Well, did you find the B1.5s?” Brosna asked.

“Yeah,” Kix replied grimly.

“Ha!” Brosna laughed triumphantly. “Pay up, Captain!”

“You’re still acting captain,” Kix retorted. “Now get your ass back up to the bridge until I relieve you.”

“Wait, you’re not taking command right now?” Brosna asked.

“Nope,” Kix replied, dragging Maree to their quarters.

The door hissed shut behind them, and Kix slapped the control panel to lock it. He was on Maree instantly, devouring her in a searing kiss as he unzipped and pulled off her jacket, carefully avoiding the large bandage on her shoulder. Once he had her top removed, he dropped his mouth to her throat and kissed a trail of hot, open-mouthed kisses down her body as he knelt in front of her. 

His hands roved over her urgently, clutching her body close to him. She tangled her fingers in his hair as he tugged down her trousers, and then he plunged his tongue into her ravenously. Her body jerked, and she cried out, losing her balance. He caught her with ease, then pulled her toward the bed.

“Kix,” she panted. “Don’t you at least want to get naked?”

“I can’t wait,” he groaned. “Sit on my face.”

“Oh, fuck,” she gasped.

“I’m planning to,” he said, lying on his back. “On my face. Now.”

She knelt, hovering over his mouth, staring down into his eyes. He gazed back up at her, sliding his hands up her waist to cup her breasts, before dropping them to her thighs and yanking her body downward.

“Kriff!” she exclaimed as his tongue slid deeply into her cunt, then his lips closed around her clit.

He held her in place as he feasted on her, his groans vibrating against her sensitive flesh. The sensation was overwhelming. She writhed, nearly toppling over, then leaned back to brace her hands on his ribcage. He ate her like he was starving, like she was the last thing he would ever taste, and he fully intended to savor every drop.

“Kix—fuck—gods—” she moaned, her hips finding a subtle rhythm even as his strong hands gripped her, preventing her from moving more than a few centimeters.

He murmured quietly against her in between the kisses and licks and nibbles—soft, nearly inaudible whispers of fear and adoration and lust. “... taste so fucking good… love you so much… thought I was going to lose you… never letting go… so kriffin’ scared… want you so bad…”

He released her thigh and reached his hand around to massage her clit. All the muscles in her core began to tense as pleasure spooled tightly in her body, but her orgasm remained tantalizingly just out of reach. She leaned back, groping blindly for his cock. She fumbled with his belt and eventually just slid her hand beneath the waistband until she wrapped her fingers around his rigid shaft.

He grunted at the contact, his hips thrusting up off the mattress. His hand strayed away from her clit to press his palm flat against her lower belly, and pressure was exactly what she needed. She convulsed with a sob, and he redoubled his efforts, tongue-fucking her through her orgasm. Distantly, she felt the thrusting of his cock against her hand, and then a rush of hot, sticky cum on her fingers.

She crumpled to the bed, and he pulled her tightly against him, kissing the backs of her thighs as she slowly came back to herself. After a few moments, he shifted, curling up behind her, tucking his thighs behind her legs as he drew her body close to his and buried his face in her hair.

“I love you,” she murmured.

He kissed the side of her neck, just behind her ear, dragging his tongue slowly across her skin as he slid his hand up to play with her breast. “Love you. Never scare me like that again.”

She laughed quietly. “Aye, aye, Cap’n. What’s gotten into you, anyway? You were acting protective before we even left the Martinet.”

He lay silently for a moment, breathing in the scent of her hair, before he replied. “You’re late.”

She blinked. “What?”

“You’re… your cycle, it’s like clockwork. And—you’re late,” he said hoarsely.

She swallowed. “Oh.”

The original comic panel that inspired this story! This was from Star Wars Adventures Ashcan. Alas, this comic was never published, so I am once again filling in the gaps in canon.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT WARNING: mention of possible pregnancy.

[madmax76d]

Superman - Official Teaser Trailer (2025) David Corenswet, Rachel Brosna...

[izzybella1807]

Starfel: Love and Betrayal | An Aphverse fanfic

𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐫𝐛

Princess of Starfel, Grace Brosna has the life anyone would dream of. When she meets the palace guard, Laurance Zavhl, it doesn't take long for her to fall in their love. But their love is short lived when Grace is told that she is arranged to marry Prince Xavier. But she vows that she won't marry him and together, Laurance and Grace get rid of Xavier and his evil ways. Follow them in this royal adventure in Starfel: Love and Betrayal.

Coming soon!

[theirishaesthete]

Setting an Example

Drayton Villa in Clara, County Offaly dates from 1849 when built for Lewis Goodbody at the time of his marriage to Rebecca Clibborn. The Goodbodys were a Quaker family who had moved into this part of the country in 1825 and established a number of industries in the town, including a milling business and a jute factory, taking advantage of the river Brosna, The original block was of three bays and…

[mousedroid-hoojib]

Reeg Brosna

Reeg Brosna was a member of the pirate crew of the Meson Martinet under the command of the Crimson Corsair, Sidon Ithano.

Recipe:

3D print of a character designed in MakeHuman and articulated to 18 POA in Tinkercad, featuring "Triangle Alien Head" by 4ADuel and “Ithorian Civilian (Star Wars Legion Scale)” by McAnultyMiniatures

material

Tamiya "Dark Grey", "Metallic Brown", "Flat White", "Semi Gloss Black", Citadel "Waaagh Flesh", "Mournfang Brown", "Averland Sunset" paints

[pdhshattered-reflections]

Phoenix Drop High: Shattered Reflections | Part 1: Chapter 5

Would You Go to the Dance With Me?

Grace and Dante were still traumatized from the night before. They had lost their house and everything in it. Dante, Gene and Maria wondered who on earth would do such at thing but Grace knew exactly who did it. Their father. Grace knew that he would be back, and back for revenge. But the thing was, she couldn't prove it was him which meant she couldn't do anything about it.

Anywho, the Brosna's have been given a three bedroom apartment until their house gets rebuilt which they hope will be soon. Since it only has three bedrooms, the boys are sharing one while Grace and Maria have their own one.

As the two siblings entered the gates of the middle school, they were swarmed by a group of fangirls and fanboys. "Oh my Irene! Grace, are you okay?! I heard what happened last night!" One boy cried.

"I can be your date to the dance if that would make you feel better!" Another cried.

"Or even better! I can kiss you to make you feel better!" Cried a third. Grace tried to walk away but they continued to surround her, not allowing her to. Next thing she knew, she felt someone grab her waist and pull her to the side. "Wow, those guys really like you," came a familiar voice.

Grace looked up to be met with a pair of baby blue eyes and a warm smile. It was Laurance. Grace smiled, "Says the one! You've got a whole group of fangirls chasing after you." The two looked to their left where a group of fangirls were squealing Laurance's name before glaring at Grace who was still being held by Laurance. Grace didn't realise that Laurance had his arms wrapped around her waist while holding her in close to his chest.

Next thing they knew, the bell had rung. "So, you ready to get to class?" Laurance asked, looking down into Grace's ocean blue eyes. Grace nodded and the two walked to their first class of the day - Math - which they had together.

★★★

"Goal!" Grace cheered as her teammates surrounded her. Since Grace and Laurance were captains of the girls soccer team and boys soccer team, the two decided to have the two teams play against each other and the girls had won now, thanks to Grace's goal.

Grace was the star player on the girls team. She was well known as a good player around other middle schools and was nearly unmarkable. Many girls were told to not let her get the ball at all but that was no use, Grace would get it anyways.

"Hey! Some goal!" Laurance said happily as he gave Grace a high five before pulling her into a hug, causing a lot of the girls watching and on the team to glare. But Grace didn't care, Laurance was a close friend of hers and she wasn't going to let a load of immature glares stop that.

"Thanks! What can I say? I guess the girls really are better than the boys," Grace giggled. Laurance smiled, the sound of her laugh was music to his ears. He watched as her beautiful light brown hair slightly blew in the wind and her ocean blue eyes sparkle in the sunlight. He had fallen in love with one of his closest friends, but did she love him back?

This was the day. This was the day that Laurance was going to ask her to be his date to the dance. As long as Garroth hasn't already asked her, that is. Laurance knew that Garroth also likes Grace, he knew that Garroth also wants to ask her to the dance, so Laurance was praying that he wasn't already.

The two walked over to the bleachers where they had set their sports bags down on the bench. They began to change from their football boots to their runners since the match was over. Laurance looked over at Grace as she slipped on her black runners. Her light brown hair fell beautifully over her shoulders as her eyes sparkled in the sunlight.

"So, have you got a date to the dance, yet?" Laurance asked, hopeful that he answer would be no. He wasn't sure if it would be though, Laurance knew that a lot of the guys in eight grade had already asked her and he was praying that she hadn't said yes to any of them. "Nope," she began before looking up at Laurance. "I mean, a lot of guys have asked me but I didn't want to go with any of them."

"Is there anyone you would wanted to go with?" Laurance asked, hopeful that her answer would be him. "Well... There is one guy that I'm hoping will ask me but I doubt that he will..." Laurance's heart began pounding in his chest. Who was it that she was talking about? Was is Garroth? Could it be him, Laurance? Well he had to find out, didn't he?

He turned to Grace, watching as she took off her other football boot and slipped on her other runner. He was going to ask her. He was going to ask her to be his date to the dance. He was ready to be rejected although he prayed that he wouldn't be. He prayed that he, Laurance Zavhl, was the boy that Grace was talking about.

"Well... um..." Laurance began as he noticed Grace shifting her glance to him. Her ocean blue eyes sparkled in the sunlight while her beautiful light brown hair blew in the gentle wind. Laurance loved her. He really loved her and there was no denying that. He just hoped that she loved him back or even just agreed to be his date to the dance. Laurance took a deep breath before continuing, "I was wondering if you would like to be my date to the dance..."

Grace was speechless. But in a good way. 'Is this really happening?!" She thought to herself before her lips curved into a smile. It was really happening. The guy she really liked had just asked her to the dance. What would her answer be, though? Obviously a yes!

"...Look, it's okay if it's a no I-"

"Laurance, it's a yes!" Laurance was speechless. Had she just said yes? Had Grace really just said yes?! Laurance was exploding inside but tried hard to keep his cool in front of the girl he like. "But what about that guy that you hoped would ask you?"

"Laurance, that guy is you!"

"M-Me?"

"Yes you, silly!"

A smile spread across Laurance's face. So he was the guy that Grace had wanted to go with. Laurance was beaming, he was extremely happy. Nothing could make him happier, or could it? "Hey, I was wondering..." Grace began, snapping Laurance back into reality. "...I was wondering if you would like to be my date to the karaoke on Thursday?"

Laurance could only smile at her request. "Of course." Grace smiled. The two sat there, smiling and gazing into each other's eyes for what felt live ever until they were rudely interrupted. "Hey Grace!" called a familiar voice. Grace spun around only to see Katelyn coming towards them. "Amazing job out there, girl!" Katelyn said happily before high fiving Grace.

Grace smiled. "Thanks! You played amazing Katelyn!" she began before turning to look at Laurance with a smile. "We really hammered those boys into the ground!" Laurance could only smile. He loved seeing her happy, even though they weren't dating (yet!). He was thrilled to be going to the dance with her and she was thrilled to be going with him.

There was a moment of silence as the two gazed into each other's eyes, once again. Well, that was until Katelyn broke it. "Um, what is all this mushy stuff going on between you two?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "Umm... nothing-" Grace stuttered before Laurance cut her off.

"Grace is my date to the dance and also the karaoke on Thursday," he said, taking Grace's hand into his own. Katelyn's jaw touched the floor. She was shocked but extremely excited for her friend. "OH MY IRENE! GRACE! WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?!" she squealed, pulling Grace into a tight hug.

"Well uh... Laurance just asked me like 5 sec-"

"I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU! ESPECIALLY SINCE NICOLE IS GOING WITH DANTE!" Grace raised a brow, "Nicole is going with Dante?" Katelyn nodded. Next thing they knew, there was a loud honk of a car horn to their left. The three looked over to see an angry Maria peering out the car window.

"Grace, get in the car! We have to go! You'll see your boyfriend again tomorrow!" Maria called out the car window causing Grace to blush like mad. "Mom! Was that really necessary? And he's not my boyfriend!" Grace yelled back, noticing Dante and Gene in the car, cracking up laughing.

"Or is he?" Gene laughed from the passenger seat. "GENE!" Grace yelled before turning to her two friends. "I'll see you guys tomorrow," she said as gave Laurance a warm smile while picking up her sports bag. Laurance returned the gesture as Grace ran off to her car, sitting in the back next to Dante who was still gigling.

"Was that really necessary?" Grace asked, rolling her eyes at her family. Gene just turned and nodded, still cracking up laughing. Grace sighed, "Mom, please just drive." And with that, Maria put her foot on the peddle and the sped off.

Laurance felt a bit of sadness as he watched them drive off but he knew that he would see Grace the next day. "Anyways, see ya later dork," Katelyn said as she grabbed her duffle bag and walked off, leaving Laurance alone. He honestly couldn't wait for the dance, and now he was more excited since he was bringing the girl he loved as his date.

_________________________________________________________

The family sat around the table in their small apartment, eating dinner. Grace wanted to tell her family that she was going to the dance with Laurance so that's what she was going to do. Maria placed her plate at the head of the table before sitting down to eat. "So, how was everyone's day?"

While Dante and Gene began talking about their day, Grace completely zoned out, thinking about the dance. She was so excited, especially since Laurance had asked her. She couldn't help but wonder what her family would think of it. She knew that her mother would squeal with excitement, Gene would be really happy since he already knew that she liked Laurance, and Dante probably would be happy as well. Hopefully.

"Grace?" Maria said, snapping Grace out of her thoughts. "Hm?" Grace hummed as her mother looked across the table to her. "How was your day?" Maria asked. Grace looked across to her two brothers, Gene was raising an eyebrow while Dante was stuffing his face with food.

Grace took a deep breath. "Laurance asked me to the dance." Maria's eyes lit up in excitement, "OH MY IRENE! HE DID?! WHAT DID YOU SAY?!" Grace only smiled at her mother's excitement. "I said yes of course. He's also my date to the karaoke on Thursday night."

Maria began squealing with excitement, once again. "So, are you two dating then?" Gene asked with a smirk. Grace rolled her eyes, "No. He's my date to the dance and that's all." Gene nodded unconvinced, "Right."

"WE MUST BUY YOU A DRESS!" Maria squealed. "I'LL TAKE YOU TO THE MALL TOMORROW AFTER SCHOOL AND WE'LL FIND YOU A DRESS THAT WILL MAKE LAURANCE FAWN OVER YOU!" Grace only smiled, "Thanks Mom, I would like that."

★★★

Thoughts filled Grace's head as she lay in bed that night. She was happy. She was extremely happy. She couldn't believe that the boy she really liked had asked her to the dance. Laurance had always been an amazing friend to her and had always been there for her. She was so happy that he had finally asked her to the dance.

Between her father leaving and her house being set on fire, everything was rough. But now, things were finally starting to get better. Her crush had asked to the dance and he was also her date to the karaoke night. She was so excited and there was no one she would rather go with.

[mcd-whispersofdestiny]

Diaries: Whispers of Destiny | Part 1 - Chapter 4

★★★ Ⅳ ★★★

It had been a few days since Gene's execution and Grace and Dante's parents still weren't over it. They were still quite angry at Grace and Dante who also still felt very guilty. Although they were upset about his death, they were ashamed of him, ashamed of what he was planning to do. Carter and Maria decided that they were going to leave the village with their two remaining children.

It was dark outside when the family went to leave the village. "But mom, I don't want to leave," Dante whined as they neared the gates. "I'm sorry Dante, but we have to," Maria said, pulling him into a hug. Grace still felt very guilty, she felt as if this was entirely her fault, even thought it wasn't. She didn't mean for her older brother to be executed, but it was done now and there was no going back

That's when the quartet heard a scream from the village square. Maria and Carter exchanged worried glances before they all rushed over to see what was going on. As soon as they arrived to the village square, they saw a Shadow Knight, killing half of the village. This wasn't just any Shadow Knight, this shadow knight had black hair and looked identical to Gene. That's because, it was Gene.

Grace's eyes widened as thoughts rushed through her head, 'Gene had come back as a shadow knight. But how? I never expected Gene to be ruthless enough to come back as a Shadow Knight.'

The lord came running in with a group of guards but Gene took them all down in seconds, including the lord. He smirked when he laid eyes on Lady Melody, before killing her. Carter gasped as he saw what his son had become. He picked up a sword that had been dropped by one of the guard, and ran over attempting to kill Gene.

Gene smirked as he saw Dad coming and killed him in one shot. "NOOO!" Dante screamed as his father fell to the ground. Tears flooded Dante's eyes as I pulled him into a hug. Gene's eyes flashed red, he had gotten his immortality which meant there was no stopping him now.

Gene's lips spread into an evil smile when he laid eyes on Dante, Grace and Maria. He smirked as he used his power to wipe Mom and everyone else's memory. "NOO! MOM!" Grace screamed as she fell to the floor, unconscious. Grace put her arm in front of Dante, attempting to protect him while Gene began to walk towards the two remaining Brosna children.

Dante behind her. "Not speaking to me huh? Well this is all your fault after all," he smirked. Grace shook "Didn't expect to see me again, did you?" Gene laughed. Grace stayed silent, glaring at him and keeping her head, "This is not my fault, you are the bad person here and you deserved what happened to you!"

She had felt guilty before but she didn't anymore. Especially after seeing him kill her father and wipe her mother's memory. Grace now hated him more than ever before and she was going to do everything in her power to protect her younger brother, who she loved with all her heart

Next thing Grace knew, Gene had grabbed her wrist and threw her against a wall. As she opened her eyes, everything was blurry and she felt really dizzy. She tried to stand up but her legs just wouldn't let her. She fell back down to the ground and pain shot through her head.

That's when Gene drew his sword as he walked towards to Dante. Dante had froze to the spot, unable to move in fear. Grace began to panic when she saw a sword lying on the ground next to her. Grace quickly lifted herself off the ground and grabbed the sword, running towards where Gene was about to kill Dante.

Just as Gene was about to strike Dante, Grace rushed in, clashing swords with him. Gene smirked, "Not bad, but still not enough to beat me." Next thing Grace knew, Gene had slid his sword down the blade of hers, pushing it into the top of her left arm. Grace screamed in pain as she fell to my knees, clutching her arm.

The pain was unbearable for her, it was the most painful thing that had ever happened to her. She started to feel lightheaded before noticing that she was kneeling in a pool of blood. Gene smirked as he raised his sword above his sister about to strike again.

Even though her arm was in so much pain, Grace quickly picked up the sword that she had dropped, clashing swords with Gene once again. Gene smirked as he pulled his sword away before plunging his foot into my stomach and sent me flying backwards against a wall.

He stood in front of Dante before pushing him to the ground and laughing hysterically. "I'm going to leave you both here to rot. No one will remember you, not even our mother. Someone needs to remember," he said as he turned around jumping on top of a building. "So long, traitors!" And with that, he was gone.

Grace lifted herself off the ground and screamed as pain shot through her arm. Dante rushed over to her pulling her into a tight hug. "It's okay, we'll get help," Dante said softly. Tears streamed down Grace's face from the pain. Grace loved Dante with all her heart, she couldn't have asked for a better younger brother.

That's when the two noticed that people started to wake up, including their mother. "Mom!" Dante cried in happiness as he began to run over to her until Grace grabbed his arm, stopping him.

"Dante, she can't remember us, remember?" Grace reminded him. Tears filled Dante's eyes, once again. "Oh yeah..." Grace knew she needed to do something, she knew needed to get them to some sort of safety.

Tu'la was the biggest region of the three, there were so many places we could go but she couldn't think of any. That's when she remembered their uncle, Derek, who lived in Gapalan, another village in Tu'la. But the only thing was, Gapalan was the other side of Tu'la, but it was the only place she could think of think of to go.

"Dante," Grace  said softly, grabbing his attention. "Quickly run back home and grab some of the essentials before we leave." Dante raised an eyebrow, "Where are we going." Grace took a deep breath, "Somewhere far away from here." Dante nodded as he ran back towards our house to grab the essentials. Grace sighed as she watched him run into the night. 

This was going to be a long journey.

[starfel-loverandbetrayal]

Starfel: Love and Betrayal | An Aphverse fanfic - Blurb

𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐫𝐛

Princess of Starfel, Grace Brosna has the life anyone would dream of. When she meets the palace guard, Laurance Zavhl, it doesn't take long for her to fall in their love. But their love is short lived when Grace is told that she is arranged to marry Prince Xavier. But she vows that she won't marry him and together, Laurance and Grace get rid of Xavier and his evil ways. Follow them in this royal adventure in Starfel: Love and Betrayal.

Coming soon!

[celtic-cd-releases]

https://saibhreasceoil.com/

https://www.facebook.com/saibhreasceoil

https://saibhreasceoil.bandcamp.com

[stairnaheireann]

#OTD in 1870 – Bartholemew (Batt) O’Connor is born in Brosna, East Kerry.

#OTD in 1870 – Bartholemew (Batt) O’Connor is born in Brosna, East Kerry.

Although not a direct participant in the 1916 Rising, Batt O’Connor was sentenced to be shot by British authorities but was sent to Wandsworth Jail and later Frongoch internment camp in North Wales. During the War of Independence he ran a number of safe houses and hid funds and documents for the IRA. He was a strong proponent of Collins going to London for the Anglo-Irish Treaty talks and…

[dystopicjumpsuit]

Martyrs and Kings - Epilogue

Rating: Mature/18+/Minors DNI

Pairing: Kix x archivist/historian OFC

Wordcount: 1.2k

Warnings: sensuality

A/N: What's that sound? It's my heart breaking to finally say goodbye to Kix and Maree. Thank you to all my readers who've stuck with me this long! I love you all.

Start here | Previous chapter | Masterlist | Sign up for my tag list

Six standard months later

“Safe travels, Dr. Finnall,” Brenko said. “While you’re away, I’ll finish cataloging the rest of the artifacts from Hisseen.”

“Have I told you lately that you’re my favorite research assistant?” she asked.

“I’m your only research assistant,” he pointed out. “See you in a couple weeks.”

Maree waved farewell and went to load a few last-minute items into the Meson Martinet’s shuttle. Reveth helped, lifting the heaviest bags with ease with her powerful mechanical arm.

“I still think it’s a mistake for you to go to headquarters of the New Republic Rangers,” Reveth grumbled. “What if the Spinward Patrol recognizes the shuttle and disintegrates you?”

“They wouldn’t dare,” Maree said. “The Rangers are even more scared of Baba than Kix is.”

“I never said I was scared,” Kix objected, entering the shuttle with his small satchel. 

“You didn’t have to,” Reveth said. “We could all tell.”

The Twi’lek exited the shuttle and sealed the hatch as Kix muttered under his breath. If he’d been worried that Reveth and Maree would resent each other based on their history with him, those fears paled in comparison to the reality that the two had become fast friends who told each other everything and held weekly holo-sabbac nights with Valsi. It was frankly unfair. Maree was already conducting a stealth campaign to convince Valsi and Tane to leave the Archive and join the crew.

Truth be told, the Martinet was starting to feel a little crowded, but Ithano had a plan. He was building a fleet from old Separatist ships that Kix helped him locate, and a few nights earlier, Quiggold had casually mentioned the possibility of making Kix the captain of a cruiser. If Ithano decided to go through with it, there would be more than enough room for Maree’s growing collection of Seppie junk—er, “artifacts of incalculable historic value and significance.” 

Of course, he wasn't sure how much Brenko might object to being pulled away from the Martinet. He had a tendency to flush to a deep emerald green whenever he spoke to Reeg Brosna, and the Arcona frequently had a dazed, starry-eyed expression that had nothing to do with his ocular biology. Maree’s tactics had been completely unsubtle as she seized any opportunity to throw the two together. If Ithano did make Kix a captain, he wouldn't be surprised if Maree tried to get Reeg installed as first mate.

He launched the shuttle, and Maree began to input the coordinates for Adelphi.

“I still can’t believe you stole Brenko to be your research assistant,” Kix said.

“I am a pirate, after all,” Maree said with a shrug as Kix flipped the lever, and the shuttle jumped into hyperspace.

“You have two PhDs,” Eema said severely as she opened every window in the house to let out the billowing smoke. “How is it possible that something as simple as baking cookies eludes you?”

“It wasn’t covered in my coursework,” Maree said, gagging on the acrid scent of charred sugar.

She dumped the tray of scorched biscuits into the sink and turned on the water to put out any remaining embers.

“I’m impressed that this batch actually caught fire,” Baba said in a much milder tone. “How did you manage that?”

“I got distracted,” Maree said, heat rising in her cheeks.

She shot an accusatory glance at Kix, who was leaning against the wall and looking rather pleased with himself.

“Ugh, in my kitchen?” Eema demanded.

“Right in front of your salad,” Baba confirmed with a twinkle.

“Oh, stars, Moms, we weren’t doing that!” Maree exclaimed.

“Not this time, anyway,” Kix said.

“Traitor,” Maree grumbled. “Remind me why I brought you here, again?”

“Because you wanted me to charm your mothers enough that your Baba wouldn’t blow our ship out of the sky,” Kix said. “Do you think it’s working?”

“It was probably working better before I turned the kitchen into a smoldering ruin of despair and regret,” Maree said.

“As if his masculine wiles would work on us,” Eema snorted.

“Maree seems to like them,” Baba said. “No accounting for taste, I suppose.”

She winked at Kix, and he grinned back at her. Despite Maree’s reservations, Baba had taken a single look at Kix and practically adopted him on the spot. The two drank spotchka and swapped war stories, and Baba gleefully told Kix a few of the more embarrassing anecdotes from Maree’s childhood. One night, they sat on the front porch and spoke quietly for many, many hours, long after Maree and Eema had gone to sleep, and when Maree awoke the next morning, she found Kix curled up next to her, his face completely relaxed and looking more at peace than she had ever seen him.

When Maree had somewhat nervously broached the topic of piracy, Baba simply laughed and asked, “Did you think everything I did back in my Ranger days was strictly legal? Sweetie, this is the Outer Rim. If I went chasing every pirate and smuggler that crossed my path, I’d never get a night’s sleep again.”

Eema had been slower to warm up to Kix. She’d been polite and welcoming, of course, but she withheld judgment until she had a chance to see how luminously happy the clone made Maree. 

That night, Kix confessed to Maree that Eema terrified him. “I thought you said Baba was the one we had to worry about.”

“I said Baba might kill us,” she corrected him as she climbed into bed. “Eema will just make us wish we were dead.”

“Great,” Kix replied. 

He slid under the covers next to her, and she snuggled close to his body, resting her head on his bare shoulder and draping her leg over his thighs.

“She’ll come around,” Maree promised. “She’s just not used to the idea of me being in a relationship.”

“Have you never brought anyone home to meet them before?” he asked, kissing her forehead.

Maree shook her head. “This is uncharted territory for all of us.”

“I feel better already,” Kix said drily.

“I know how to make you feel better,” she said mischievously, stroking her hands down his abdomen.

He squirmed away. “Are you insane? What if they hear us?”

“What’s wrong? Is the big, strong, fearsome warrior afraid of a couple of retirees?”

“Yes!” Kix said frankly. “You know we clones have genetically enhanced survival instincts.”

“I guess you’ll just have to use your genetically enhanced stealth abilities and be very, very quiet,” she said, sliding down his body.

“Oh, kriff,” he gasped as she licked up the inside of his thigh.

“Shhh,” she soothed, snaking a hand up his chest to rest reassuringly over his heart. “We don’t have to do anything if you don’t want to.”

“Now that I think about it, we clones were also taught not to fear death,” he said, tangling his hands in her hair and guiding her head toward his stiffening cock.

“Such a heroic sacrifice,” Maree whispered, drawing him into her mouth.

Kix bit back a groan as he sank into her soft warmth. “Anything for the Republic.”

[nikuske]

New brooch in stock available in my shops. Link in my bio. . . . . #soutache #buyhandmade #customwork #soutachejewelry #etsycrafts #soutachemania #handmadejewelry #personalizedchristmasgifts #customgifts #custommade #smallshop #musthave #oorbellen #sperky #brosna #jewelry #broocg #mothersday #etsyartist #etsyart #april #happycustomer #buyart #bijoux #instafashion #art (na mieste Germany) https://www.instagram.com/p/CclLw5zI_K9/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[izzybella1807]

Diaries: Whispers of Destiny | Part 1 -Chapter 1

Part 1 ★★★ Ⅰ ★★★

"Ha ha! I beat you," Dante cried as Grace lifted herself off of the damp grass. The two were in the meadows of Boboros, having make believe fights with wooden swords. They would go out there almost every day, mainly to get away from the village and have some time to themselves

Boboros was a Tu'lanian village where Grace and Dante lived with their family. Dante was the youngest out of the family, just two years younger than Grace. First came Gene who was eighteen, then came Grace who was fourteen and then came Dante, who was twelve.

Grace never liked Gene though, Dante would look up to him but Grace hated him. Grace new that Dante obviously never saw the real Gene, but she did. Grace loved Dante though. He's the little brother that she have dreamed of.

The two would often play together, tell each other stories and have make believe fights with wooden swords. Grace would do anything for her younger brother, she would sacrifice her life to protect him if she had to.

Grace smiled as she stood up off the damp grass. "You won't beat me this time!" Grace said, picking up her wooden sword off of the damp grass and held it, ready to fight again. The two of them dreamed of being guards when they got older. They wanted to be able to protect the innocent and fight off the bad.

Grace always thought Dante was an odd kid, but she loved him, either way. She don't know what she'd do without him. Gene was the head guard of the village but Grace knew that he didn't deserve that position. Gene had done a lot of bad things to get the position of the head guard and both Dante and Grace knew that.

Dante and Grace clashed swords and then stepped back from each other. "I'm gonna win!" Dante cried as he ran towards his older sister.

Grace smirked, "That's what you think!" Dante came at Grace, swinging his wooden sword at her but she deflected his shot. The fight went on for a while until Grace knocked Dante's sword out of his hand and he fell to the ground.

Grace smirked as she pointed my sword at him. "You were saying?" she giggled. Dante rolled his eyes at his sister, "You only won because you're two years older and  taller that me." Grace rolled her eyes, "I'm only three inches taller, it's not that much." "You're still taller!" Dante cried making Grace giggle.

"Dante, Grace! Dinner's ready!" their mother called from their house. Grace smiled as she gave Dante a hand up from the ground. "Race ya!" Dante cried as he sped off. "Hey! I wasn't even ready!" Grace giggled before she followed after her younger brother.

★★★

Dante and Grace were sitting down eating their dinner when the front door opened someone let out an angry groan as they came inside. "Gene is that you?" Maria called from the kitchen of the old, tattered house. "Yeah," came a reply as Gene walked into the kitchen.

Grace noticed a wound at the top of his right cheek, which was bleeding. Blood had dripped onto his armour and covered his hands. "Oh my Irene! Gene! What happened?!" Maria cried as she tried to wipe Gene's cheek with a cloth.

Gene put his hands on his mother's shoulders. "Mom, I'm fine, trust me," he assured her. She stopped for a second before shaking her head, "Gene Brosna, you are not okay! You're cheek is bleeding! If it wasn't for your father, you would not be head guard!" Maria cried as she pushed Gene onto an empty chair at the table.

"Mom-" Gene began. "No! You will let me clean this and patch it up!" Maria cried, cutting across him. There was silence before Gene sighed, "Fine." Maria turned around to the cabinet, her light blue hair flying everywhere as she opened cupboard after cupboard looking for band-aids.

Grace glared at Gene as she spooned a fork-full of mashed potatoes into her mouth. "What are you looking at?" He asked, glaring across the table at his younger sister. Grace smirked, "Oh, just that nasty slit on your cheek. It's such a pity that it's not on your chest, right over your heart."

"Grace Brosna!" Maria yelled at her daughter, turning around from the cabinet, with multiple band-aids in her hands. "You will apologise to your brother now!" Grace glanced over at Gene who was smirking at her, waiting for an apology. "I'm still waiting," he said slyly. Grace looked back at her mother who raised a brow at her, telling her to apologise.

Grace smirked to herself before standing up and pushing her half-full plate of mashed potatoes, into the middle of the wooden table. "No," Grace said as she walked towards the stairs, hitting Gene on the back of his head on the way.

"Grace Anne Brosna! Get back here this instant!" Maria yelled as her daughter walked towards the stairs. Grace turned around to see Gene rubbing the back of his head and Dante with his mouth full of mashed potatoes, quietly watching the whole thing.

Grace smirked at her older brother before happily skipping up the stairs and into her old tattered room. It was a small room with purple walls and a single bed covered in a purple blanket. There was a window with a table underneath it and a dyed-purple, bearskin rug lay in the middle of the floor. As you can tell, Grace's favourite colour is purple.

Grace picked up her small, purple, leather bag, putting her wooden sword and a few other things in it. She opened the window, pulled a rope out from under her bed and lowered it down the opened window. Grace was about to climb out the window when there was a knock on her old, wooden bedroom door. She froze on the spot. If her mother found out she was sneaking out she would be in so much trouble.

The door slowly creaked open and a head covered in dark blue hair, peaked in. It was Dante. "Can I come in?" He asked. Grace let out a sigh of relief and nodded as he walked through the doorway, quietly closing the door behind him.

"What happened back there?" Dante asked his older sister, before noticing that his sister was holding her leather bag with her wooden sword poking out of the top of it. He also noticed the open window, and the rope hanging out.

Grace ignored her brother's original question and told him where she was going. "I'm going down to our hideout in the forest, are you coming?" she asked him. Dante eagerly nodded, before rushing into his room, grabbing his blue leather bag and filling it with a few things, including his leather sword.

The two quietly climbed down the rope and ran down the old street towards the forest, where they found their small hideout in in the tree's. No one knew about their hideout apart from the two siblings, it was their little secret. Dante and Grace often came down to the hideout, to get away from everyone else. Although they were siblings, Dante and Grace were best friends. They would tell each other everything, and do everything together. The two couldn't imagine life without each other.

Dante and Grace stayed down in their hideout until it started to get dark. They headed back to their house and snuck inside, climbing up the rope that had been left hanging out of the slightly open window. Grace lay in her bed and stared at the ceiling before her tired eyes began to close and she soon fell asleep.

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Hope you enjoyed the first chapter! Please give feedback!! I take constructive criticism but please no hate!!

Thank you for reading and see you all in the next chapter! Byeee

- Izzy -

[greaterawarness]

What's Left Ch. 2 "The Ghost"

(Kix is left 50 years in the future struggling to move one. He stays with Sidon Ithanos and his crew because they need him to decode the memory core they stole from a Separatist ship, and he needs them to survive.

With the memory core stolen and the identity of the thief revealed the Corsair crew is sent to Lothal to seek help to retrieve their stolen memory core.)

It felt like Kix had just been kicked in the head. Rex… father… Rex… father… those words play on repeat as his thoughts flounder while trying to make sense of it all. He tilts his head and shifts in his seat while staring at Maz. He blinks a few times, opens his mouth, shuts his mouth. He then shifts again, holds up a finger, opens mouth, pauses, shuts mouth, puts finger away.

“You broke him,” Reveth stares at Kix. She turns to face Sidon. “She broke our clone.”

Maz places a hand on the table towards Kix. “Breathe, child.”

He finally realizes he was holding his breath and lets out a long exhale. Once he swallows and regains himself, he manages to force a few words out, “Rex… you know him. Is he alive?”

Something in Maz’s eyes shift. She slides her hand off the table to rub her knuckles thoughtfully. Her eyes are staring down. “No, I’m afraid he passed many years ago.”

Kix feels his throat constrict. He stares at the stained table and nods. “The age acceleration.”

Maz’s eyes flick to him and then quickly away.

“Do you know where we can find him?” Quiggold speaks trying to keep the conversation on track. He reaches for the puck and slides it back into his pocket. “He has something of ours.”

Maz rubs her forehead tiredly. She shakes her head with a hand going up with the raise of her shoulders. “I don’t unfortunately. He stopped returning my message’s some years back.”

Then, under her breath, Kix hears her whisper, I’m just glad he’s alive.

“So, this was a waste…” Pendewqell mutters into his drink. Reveth shoves her empty plate away so she can perch her chin on her cybernetic arm. Some specs of green paint are still stuck to the chrome metal. Maz stares at Reveth with a quizzical eye.

“The paint on your arm,” Maz leans on the table and nods at Reveth, “Where did you get it?”

Kix thinks he sees Reveth turn a deeper shade of red. She didn’t exactly like talking about her defeats.

“That kid came in and thought the Shrike needed a new paint job,” She says with a tight jaw and then adds under her breath, “and us for that matter…”

Maz lets out a short hm. She pushes her chair away from the table, “Show me.”

They lead Maz out to the Shrike. Staring at it now, Kix and can see the black residue from the blast that made the ship lurch when the lights went out the second time. He couldn’t tell how bad it actually was but figured it couldn’t be too bad considering it got them to Takodana in one piece. When they make their way into the ship, Kix can still smell the chemicals of paint. Maz lifts a hand to her small chin and looks around. Reeg walks over to the control panel.

“We have to shut the lights off if you want to see it.” He says. She gives him a nod and the ship goes dark. Just like before the neon paint sprayed throughout the ship lights up. Maz lets out another hm and walks through the corridors admiring the artwork. He hears Quiggold huff.

“This is going to take forever to clean.” Quiggold mutters from the back.

“Well, his technique is improving.” Maz says at last.

“Oh good, at least his technique is improving.” Reeg grumbles earning a snort from Squeaky. The lights come on stinging their eyes from the sudden brightness. Sidon meets Maz’s gaze. She slips her glasses off to give them a shine from her shirt.

“There is someone who might know something about his whereabouts, but I can’t be certain,” She slips her glasses back on and holds a finger up at them, “but I do not give this information out freely.”

“What’s your price?” Sidon speaks making the crew fall silent. Maz stares at him.

“When you find him, you bring him to me. As unharmed as possible.”

Maz and Sidon stare at each other a moment longer before Sidon nods. “Very well.”

“Good,” she places her hands on her hips. “There is a pilot that is currently working out of Lothal. He might be able to point you in his direction. I will send you his information.”

“Thank you,” Quiggold says as they start to lead Maz off the ship. when she’s walking down the ramp Quiggold calls out to her, “this kid we’re after, he got a name?”

Maz pauses after stepping onto Takodana soil. She glances up at them. “He goes by Fives.”

The ship flies through hyperspace turning their view into thousands of streaks of passing stars. Kix inspects his blaster mostly so he’s not just staring at the ship walls. His mind reels. Rex is a father. His stole a Seppie memory core. His name is Fives. Kix falls back in his chair with a sigh. He rests the back of his head on the headrest so he’s staring up at the ship ceiling. It doesn’t seem quite real to Kix. Not that much did nowadays. It’s not like clones couldn’t have kids but he’s never known anyone to actually do it. Of course, they never had many chances to form real relationships with anyone outside of the army. He thinks back to a time when Jesse was convinced that he was love with a yellow twi’lek. She had broken it off after the first date. He had gotten over her by convincing Hardcase to throw eggs off of the barracks building with him. He can still hear Wolffe yelling when they accidently pelted the Commander in the back of the head. Before, that memory would have made Kix smile. Now it just sends aches through his chest.

“We’ll be dropping out of hyperspace in 3… 2…” Quiggold counts off until the bright streaks fade, and the image of a planet appears before them. Kix leans forward taking the planet in. Kix had never been to Lothal before. He felt like he should feel excitement or maybe even nerves of going somewhere new. But he felt nothing.

“Maz says our contact can be found on the outskirts of Lothal City.” Squeaky announces without looking up from his datapad.

“Lothal City on the planet Lothal? Very original.” Reeg mutters from his seat. Sidon stays standing with his arms crossed not saying a word. They lower the ship into the planet’s atmosphere and manage to lock on to some coordinates. They lower the Shrike down a short way from the base of a communication tower where Maz said the pilot would be. Everyone geared up like they were planning on going in blasters blazing. Kix couldn’t blame them. Fives made quick work to them; they weren’t about to let it happen again. The Corsair crew, named after one of Sidon’s many nicknames, had a reputation to uphold. Maz had said to bring Fives back as unharmed as possible. Kix guessed the kid would be lucky if he was still breathing by the time they delivered him to Maz.

Kix slips his helmet on before stepping off the Shrike’s ramp. Part of him wanted to take in the sunlight and enjoy the gentle breeze over the rolling landscape, but he needed to be as prepared as the others. He hasn’t gotten used to wearing his helmet with a full beard yet. Having hair on his head was annoying enough but the itchiness that stretches along his jaw was beyond irritating. He gives a few uncomfortable twitches and follows the others. While approaching the communication tower it was clear that the structure next to it was as new addition. The walls were a little to bright compared to the faded paint on the tower. When they reach the building, they can hear people mulling around inside. Reveth creeps up to the corner next to the garage opening and begins to signal for the others. Before any stealth maneuvers can be done, Sidon walks straight past her. She lowers her hand and gets to her feet with a frown. They may have prepared for a fight, but Sidon must not be expecting it. Or maybe he knows something they don’t?

They find themselves walking straight into the garage. Inside is a light freighter with clear wear and tear from years of possible battle. Kix keeps a tight grip on his blaster and follows their captain further inside before movement from the lowered freighter ramp gives them pause. A large… something walks down the ramp and readies her blaster. She’s covered in purple fur and Kix can’t place the species. He first thought Wookie but that doesn’t seem right.

“You’re trespassing on private land.” She calls out. Sidon doesn’t move but the rest of the crew tenses up. Sidon holds his hand silently towards Quiggold, and Quiggold carefully reaches into his pocket and retrieves the puck with the image of Fives. He hands it to their captain.

“I’m looking for your captain. Maz Kanata told us he could help us track this man down.” Sidon tosses the puck towards the woman. She catches it in her large hands but doesn’t take her eyes off them until the image of Fives lights up. Her eyes widen and then narrow. She curses under her breath and lowers her blaster making the crew lighten up. She gives a slight nod and disappears into the ship. They wait until they see two figures emerge from the ramp. A man stands with the puck in his hand. His eyes are locked on Sidon who still doesn’t move. The man has green hair that is pulled back into a low ponytail and Kix thinks he can see some green on the tips of his ears.

“The Crimson Corsair, I’ve heard much about you.” The man says from the ramp. Sidon nods his head slightly. The man glances down at the puck before meeting the captains gaze and tossing his chin towards the ship, signaling them to follow. They keep their guard up but enter the light freighter all the same. Inside, they’re led to a sitting area where a man sits playing Dejarik with a blue nautolan. When the man with green hair walks by, he shuts it off. The man sitting frowns and then stands surprised by the Corsair crew entering the small room. The nautolan stares at them from her seat with an unreadable expression.

“On behalf of myself and my crew, welcome to the Ghost,” The man with green hair stands on the other side of the room. The purple something stands next to him still wearing a deep frown. Now that the man who was playing Dejarik is standing, Kix can make out the Mandalorian armor. Kix gets a sour taste in his mouth. “I’m Jacen Syndulla, captain of this ship.”

“Syndulla, eh? Any relation to the pilot that helped start the rebellion?” Quiggold muses next to Sidon.

“She’s my mother, actually.” Jacen nods slightly. Quiggold doesn’t say anything else, just mumbles a few incoherent words of slight amazement. The Mandalorian stands next to Jacen with his arms crossed and eyes narrowed. Kix doesn’t take his eyes off him and feels his hands tighten on his blaster. Jacen cuts the tension with a sigh and lights up the puck revealing the image of Fives. “So, you’re looking for Fives? Why?”

“He has something of ours.” Quiggold answers. The Mandalorian rolls his eyes, and the purple woman shakes her head with a sigh. Jacen tosses the puck to Sidon who catches it seamlessly.

“Unfortunately, I don’t know where he’s at. He used to fly with us but… we had a few disagreements that led to him leaving.” Jacen shrugs his shoulders with eyes darting to the left. The Mandalorian snorts.

“That’s an understatement.” The Mandalorian shifts his weight with an eyeroll. Jacen eyes him slightly but keeps going.

“If Maz sent you then I feel inclined to help. She doesn’t give information about the family to just anyone.” Jacen studies the crew intently. Kix tilts his head. It’s because of him. Because Kix is a clone and a friend of Rex. Kix lets out a short sigh and steps forward. The Mandalorian sizes him up, ready to attack the second Kix steps out of line. Kix slings his blaster over his shoulder and reaches up to pull his helmet off. There’s a slight hiss from the seal of the helmet and then the soft gasp of the Ghost crew. Kix steadies his helmet in his hands staring at it to compose himself before lifting his eyes to the others. The faces of the woman, Jacen, and Mandalorian soften into shocked and almost sad expressions.

“Karabast…” the woman breathes with her shoulders relaxing. The Mandalorian, now lowering his guard, seems much less menacing from before. The nautolan still stares with an unreadable expression. Jacen blinks a few times with his jaw slightly dropped.

“Are you a… son of a clone?” he asks carefully. Kix swallows and steadies himself before speaking.

“No,” his voice sounds odd, as if it wasn’t him speaking at all. Everyone is staring at him, waiting for his response. He finds himself telling Jacen and his crew everything. How he tried to warn General Skywalker about the chips, getting captured by the Seppies, waking up 50 years later to this. When he’s done, he feels lightheaded. He hasn’t spoken this much since they first pulled him from his stasis pod. Jacen runs a hand through his green hair, digesting everything Kix has said.

“You really fought beside Rex in the Clone Wars?” the purple woman asks. Kix nods.

“Yeah, he was my captain. There was no one I trusted more.” Kix feels his chest tighten. The Mandalorian stares at the ship floor with his lips pressed into a tight line. Jacen places his hands on his hips.

“Alright then,” Jacen says finally, “we’ll help you find Fives.”

“Are you sure?” The Mandalorian snaps his head towards Jacen. Jacen pats his shoulder.

“Yeah,” Jacen gives a soft smile. He opens his mouth to say more but is interrupted when something hard rams into Kix’s legs. He stumbles forward, catching himself on the Dejarik table nearly running into the nautolan woman. He looks back to see a small orange droid fussing at him with its droid arms flailing in the air.

“Cut it out Chopper!” Jacen barks. The droid grumbles and speeds towards Jacen, nearly hitting him, and disappears through the ship doors. Jacen shakes his head. “Sorry about that, he’s a bit…” when he can’t find the right word he just goes “Eh?”

Kix rubs his bruised legs completely taken off by the droid’s sudden attack. Pendewqell gives a sudden snort, “That’s great and all, but how can you help us if you don’t know where he is?”

“I may not know where he is, but I do know a place he frequented when he was still a part of my crew.” Jacen crosses his arms with a smile. The Corsair crew looks to Sidon for his opinion.

“Kix, Reveth, and Pendewqell will accompany you. The rest will stay behind to repair the Shrike.” Sidon puts one hand on his hip. Jacen nods agreeing but the Corsair crew tenses. At least Reeg and Squeaky do. Kix couldn’t blame them. Repair the ship really meant cleaning all the paint off the walls. Sidon leads most of the crew back to the Shrike, leaving Kix, Reveth, and Pendewqell. With it just them now, Jacen walks over and claps the back of Kix’s shoulder. Kix tenses under the sudden touch.

“Glad to have you on board!” Jacen gives a wide smile. Kix can only manage a nod and follows him to the ships bridge. The droid is plugged into the side of the ship, so Kix makes sure to give it a wide berth. The purple woman takes a seat in the copilot chair and the Mandalorian and nautolan take seats behind them.

“Where are you taking us?” Reveth asks, still keeping her guard up. Pendewqell stands next to her looking just as tense.

“Fives used to frequent a bar called Qal Tic on Coruscant. He and the owner are,” Jacen pauses awkwardly before saying, “close. If anyone knows where Fives is its him.”

“What makes you think he’ll just willingly give us Fives location?” the woman asks while prepping the ship for flight.

“Fives pissed off the Crimson Corsair. If that doesn’t make him reveal where Fives is, then nothing will.” Jacen gives the woman a wink. “Besides, he’s not my only lead.”

She rolls her eyes. Kix finds a seat behind the Mandalorian when the Ghost begins to take off. Pendewqell claims a seat behind the silent nautolan and Reveth is determined to keep standing. When the Ghost starts to leave Lothal’s atmosphere the Mandalorian turns to him.

“So, you really knew Uncle Rex back in his prime?” the Mandalorian arches a brow at him but wears a smile. Kix nods. Uncle?

Kix shifts uneasily in his seat. “So how did you know Rex?”

“He was good friends with my parents back when they were taking the Empire down. He used to babysit me, Jacen, and Azil.” He nods towards Jacen and the purple woman.

Kix nods. “Got a name?”

The Mandalorian extends a hand for him to shake, “Caleb Bridger.”