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blueserapharts · 1 month ago

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Bad Dreams & Keshri Berry Pancakes

A/N: Another Ka'el x Astra fic comin' in hot! This one was fun to write, did it in like an hour or so this morning cause I was feeling it. Enjoy, lovelies! Don't forget, my fic requests are open for anyone.

The Hesperides was silent. A rare feat, given the hustle and bustle of the day. But when the hours wound to the late beginnings of the evening? That was when the busy space station and all their activities began to become a low hum instead of a loud, clustered roar.

This particular evening had been blissful for one resident of the Hesperides. Astra Novus Collins, the barely new owner of the Milky Way Diner. It'd been a while since she'd first arrived at the station.

Ever since her first day that ended so perfectly with the brunette being treated to drinks by her new roommates Roswell and Setteth, along with all the wonderful new people she'd met during that first day on the Hesperides, she could honestly say if you ever asked her that she'd never been happier in her entire life.

Astra didn't have much to complain about. Since moving onto the Hesperides, she'd found herself more at ease. No longer did she have to stress over the looming eyes of her emotionally distant father pushing her to be a model woman for the Collins family name. Nor did she have to sit through her mother's infernal squawking as she complained to her only daughter about how she did her hair that day.

No more academic stresses, no more limitations on what she could and couldn't enjoy.

She was simply free to live how she chose and that's exactly what she did.

Most often, it ended up being her and Roswell hanging out during the nights, be it out at La’ro’s bar, Wayfarer's Rest, or simply sitting and chatting in the common area of their block while doing mundane things, such as Astra herself reading a book or doing her nails while Roswell tinkered away with a droid or some device from their workshop.

Her daily routine now was working in the Diner by early in the morning, getting off later in the afternoon for a short break to utilize how she wished, then returning to her room for the evening or going for drinks with either or both of her roommates.

And Astra wouldn't trade that for anything, Roswell was fantastic company.

The lunch breaks she took typically meant she'd forgo actually eating at first and would instead head to the Agdeck to chat with Aedar and allow him to show her the plants and, most recently, the glowshrimp those on the Hesperides working there were cultivating. To her, it was completely incredible.

She'd even place an order or two now and again when she found something she was low on or that she wanted to attempt cooking with. And ever the sweetheart, Aedar was happy to provide.

Other times, on select days, she'd see Saria in the clinic for routine check ups as her body and brain adjusted to life on the Hesperides and the different hours than that of the Helios system. Her most recent visit showed she was adapting just swimmingly and she confidently attributed the success to Saria herself for being so helpful throughout the transition.

And on unique days when she wasn't seeking out the company of one of her new friends, who she was still having a tedious time acknowledging that they were her friends as they'd all almost unanimously agreed to that first day at Wayfarer’s Rest (apart from La’ro, perhaps, but she sensed he liked her more than he let on), one of them would find her.

Just like earlier that afternoon when she exited the diner for her lunch break, her bag slung over her shoulder, brushing flour off her apron, and locking up the diner door. Only to be taken aback by hands suddenly covering her eyes. Very familiar feeling hands, warm and soft and covered with fur.

“Guess who?” an equally familiar voice playfully laughed in her ear. She knew that gorgeous laugh anywhere and couldn't fight the smile that quickly rose to her lips at the realization of who was behind her.

“Ka’el!” she'd shouted before turning to throw herself into the Ka’ettri’s body, arms locking around her neck. Ka’el had laughed and wrapped her up in her arms and tail, clutching the brunette tightly to her larger frame. “What are you doing here? You weren't supposed to be back for a whole other week!”

Which was true, she'd told Astra that herself before leaving a week prior. “Well, I may or may not have come back early to spend some time with my favorite girl,” she shrugged, hoisting Astra off the ground by her waist and relishing in the surprised squeal that tore itself out of her throat. Her hands and arms repositioned themselves to hold her girlfriend with her arms round the backs of her thighs.

“Had a guy cancel his order on me and my schedule was suddenly wide open. Is that okay?” Astra stared at her incredulously with her mouth agape like she'd just asked her the dumbest question known to any galactic species ever before playfully swatting her jacket-clad shoulder. “Of course it's okay! It's more than okay!” she'd laughed as though that was the most obvious thing ever.

Then, just before Ka’el could playfully wince at her smack and tease her about the muscle tone she'd been gaining from working in the diner, Astra simply leaned forward to press their lips together with her hands lifting from her back to cup the Ka'ettri's face.

Ka’el's teasing words died on her tongue before they could be uttered and she'd leaned eagerly into the contact she'd missed so much after a week away. She was absolutely whipped for this woman. And Astra? Well, she wasn't much better.

That leads us to this evening, the peaceful, blissful night following that wonderful afternoon surprise. Astra had fallen asleep in Ka’el's bed aboard her ship, the Starblazer, and had been in comfortable slumber nearly the entire night.

Until her hands unconsciously reached out for Ka’el only to find her partner’s spot empty and cold beside her.

The brunette's eyes fluttered open as her brain registered the absence of her girlfriend's distinct warmth next to her in bed, blinking sleep away from her eyes and looking around as she held the sheet against her chest. The clock's time near the bed read that it wasn't even three system hours into the morning yet. But, regardless, her love was nowhere to be seen.

She was used to waking up alone when Ka’el was away. She was used to waking up alone, period. But waking up alone in her girlfriend's bed when she was meant to be with her? That was new and Astra didn't like it one bit.

“Ka’el?” she called out, her voice hoarse and raspy from sleep. But the sound of her soft cry was only met with silence.

She wasn't on the ship.

Astra's brows pinched as she groggily slid herself out of bed until her bare feet hit the cold metal floor. She let go of the sheet and stepped over to pull on Ka’el's shirt that'd been discarded on the floor earlier that night, the oversized garment covering down to her thighs.

The Ka'ettri’s scent still lingered on the cloth, something that comforted Astra just a little bit with her lover's presence absent.

“I know I left a pair of shorts here,” she grumbled as she walked to find the overnight bag she'd left in the ship over a week ago and soon found exactly what she needed. A pair of plain black sleep shorts with three silver stars embroidered on the hip.

Slipping them up her legs, the woman carefully made her way through the dark of the Starblazer, checking the cockpit first just in case. Astra then walked to the door and carefully stepped out into the familiar hanger of the Hesperides.

Her hand lifted to brush the wild strands of brown hair back over her forehead, looking around for any sign of her partner who was meant to be in bed with her.

Until she spotted a familiar tail against the ground behind the backside of the ship.

There she is, Astra mentally sighed in relief at the recognition of Ka’el's familiar appendage before cautiously walking across the pristine white floor to silently peek around the corner when she'd reached the end of the ship's length.

Her girlfriend sat leaned against the Starblazer, head back and eyes shut. But the distinct twitch and lift of her ear indicated she heard Astra's approach and those golden eyes opened before she could even speak. “Astra?” she hummed, confusedly turning her head towards her to better see her as she walked plainly into view.

Ka’el tried not to flush at the sight of her girlfriend wearing her shirt as a nightdress. It was all kinds of attractive but she couldn't focus on that now. Her large hand reached over to caress her calf tenderly as she stared up at her and cocked her head to one side. “What're you doing out of bed, Sugar? You alright?”

Astra just glared at her in that non serious way that made it resemble more of a pout, folding her arms beneath her chest. “I should be asking you that, Ka’el,” she grumbled like a very grumpy kitten before that expression softened to one of concern. “I went to snuggle up to you and you weren't there. Your spot’s gone cold. What's wrong, darling?”

The Ka’ettri fought off a purr, melting just a little bit at being called ‘darling’ by the woman who had her wrapped so tightly around her pinky finger, she may as well have been choking dark purple in the face as we speak.

But she pushed out an answer, calm and nonchalant regardless. “Nothing, just couldn't sleep real well for some reason. I came out here to get some air. Didn't wanna wake you.”

Astra gave her a look that said almost perfectly, ‘A little late for that, now isn't it?’ which almost got a laugh out of the Ka’ettri before she found her lover nudging her shoulder and bicep with her shin. “Scooch over, big girl,” the brunette huffed. “Come on. Move.”

Ka’el's brows shot up as she wiggled aside to make room when she noticed her lowering down to sit next to her, shoulder to shoulder. Until, of course, Astra took it upon herself to lift the larger woman's wrist in her hand and wrapped the strong arm of her girlfriend around her before cuddling into her side.

“You look stupid when you lie,” the human mumbled sleepily as she pressed her nose against the side of Ka’el's chest just before her partner laughed. “Do I?” she prompted, leaning down to brush her nose against her partner's hair.

Astra just nodded. “Impossibly stupid,” she whispered with a smile in her voice before lifting a finger up to playfully poke her cheek, which only made Ka’el grin more. The same hand came to rest gently atop her chest, lovingly caressing her thumb against the fabric of her sleep shirt.

“Now, what's really up with you? I can't try to understand or help if I don't know what's wrong, darling.” The Ka'ettri melted again, closing her eyes and curling her tail against Astra's hip and letting it lay over her bare legs. A sigh left her before she finally relented.

“I just had a nasty dream is all,” she said softly into the brunette's messy hair. “Shook me up enough that I couldn't go back to sleep.” Her eyes opened again as her girlfriend craned her head up to meet her gaze. Gold mingled with powder blue as they had so many times since Astra had arrived. Ka’el knew for sure she'd never get tired of looking into those eyes.

The hand on her chest came up to cup her fur covered cheek, something Ka'el couldn't help lean into. Her touch was always so caring and warm. Astra made it hard not to fall into her at every little chance. She had since the day they met.

“Love, you could've woken me up, I wouldn’t have minded,” she whispered in a way that made her furry ears twitch and falter just barely enough to notice. “Heavens know you've done the same for me. Remember that nightmare I had the first time we slept together on your ship?”

Ka’el winced softly. She did remember. How could she ever forget? She'd never seen Astra so terrified, but she wasn't scared in the way most people were. She'd jolted up so quickly, it'd woken Ka’el up immediately. The sound of her quickened breaths still rang in her ears at the memory. The rapid rushing of her heartbeat she could see thrumming in her neck.

The worst part for Ka’el was perhaps seeing Astra entirely disassociated. That was when she realized her girlfriend's reaction to fear was exactly that. Not screaming, not panicking or crying. She’d simply gone numb and unresponsive.

Astra was non verbal for a good ten minutes and looked right through Ka’el when she tried to get her attention, pleading with her to speak, to tell her what was wrong, until she quickly realized she wouldn't. Couldn't.

That night, Ka’el had held her until she was right enough to finally talk. And when she did, the Ka’ettri diligently tended to the few things she'd asked for; some water and a near back-breaking cuddle. She eventually whispered out what she'd dreamed of when she thought her lover had fallen asleep.

Ka’el wouldn't, and couldn't, ever forget that night even if she tried.

Astra felt Ka’el nod as she laid her face back in her hair before threading their fingers together from the hand wrapped around her upper body. “Yeah, Sugar, of course I remember,” she whispered. “You scared the shit outta me.”

The brunette just chuckled before giving her lover's hand a squeeze. “Yes, I know,” she murmured, lifting their entwined hands to kiss Ka’el's knuckles. “But, to my point, you helped me when I had a bad dream. You know I'd do the same for you, right?”

“Yeah, Sugar, but-” Ka’el started, unable to finish before Astra suddenly stood up and yanked her girlfriend by the hand to try and pull her up. “Uh-uh, no ‘buts’ except yours up off this floor,” the plump human woman smiled.

“Come on. I'm feeling rather peckish and I just remembered the keys to the diner are in my bag inside.”

And that's exactly where they ended up. The soft sizzling of pancakes cooking in the pan snapped Ka’el out of her quiet thoughts as she leaned her forearms against the countertop, watching her girlfriend cook with her hair pulled back into the laziest bun on the nape of her neck.

A cup of cold water sat near her, dripping condensation onto the planet shaped coaster it rested on. Astra had given it to her the second she fixed it up and the Ka’ettri had taken all of three long swigs of it before it was half finished and sat back down to be forgotten while she zoned out.

Now she was staring at her girlfriend as she hummed a little tune to herself, flipping a pancake over with her spatula and peering over to the Keshri berries she'd pulled out and snapped off the stem to top the stack of fluffy hotcakes that already had the same sweet tasting berries cooked into them once they were ready to be pulled off the pan.

For a woman who'd been so nervous about taking over the diner no more than a month or so prior, Ka’el was rather proud to see her girlfriend so effortlessly in her element now.

“Have I told you tonight just how gorgeous you are?” the Ka'ettri mused, smiling at the flush that creeped its way up to Astra's cheeks. Her girlfriend hardly spared her a glance before checking the underside of the pancake she was monitoring before replying. “Once or twice, I believe, dearest. Now, hush, you flirt, and let the chef focus. Unless you want burnt pancakes.”

Ka’el chuckled at the playful wave of Astra's spatula directed at her face and laid her cheek down on her arms, perfectly content just to watch her cook and admire her in silence. Hair sloppily tied with a blue scrunchie, wearing her shirt that was definitely a bit too long on her, and that pretty pink blush on her makeup-less face coupled with the dim lighting of the diner’s kitchen.

She could safely say Astra had never looked more beautiful.

Soon enough, she was snapped out of her adoring trance as a plate of Keshri berry pancakes was placed in front of her arms before Astra gave the top of her hand a loving squeeze, passing her a fork. “Eat up, love,” she hummed. “Mine are nearly done.”

And back to cooking she went, Astra smiling as she felt her lover's gaze linger on her before hearing the sound of the fork against the plate, cutting into the stack of pancakes, and the delighted groan that followed that first bite.

The pair were soon enough sat next to each other on the counter stools, Astra's head leaning against Ka’el's shoulder while they ate their late night meal in comfortable silence. It was perfect and the Ka'ettri was already starting to forget the nightmare that'd jolted her awake earlier in the evening.

“Thank you for this,” she whispered, pressing a soft kiss to Astra's temple which made her smile against her. “Of course, Starlight,” the brunette hummed as she took the larger woman's hand and squeezed. The nickname shook Ka’el and she nearly fell over from how quickly it made her cheeks flare with a blush.

“I'd do anything for you. I love you.”

The care and affection in her girlfriend's voice resulted in rare tears pearling at Ka’el's eyes before she tried desperately to silently blink them away. She took another forkful of pancakes into her mouth, choking down the lump in her throat when she swallowed. Her tail lifted to curl around Astra's waist before her own head leaned down to lay atop hers.

“Yeah. Right back at you, Sugar.”

The pair found themselves back on the Starblazer that night after the dishes were washed and the diner was locked up, contently snuggled up in one another's arms, legs tangled beneath the sheets, and pressed as close to one another as they could possibly be.

And both of them found their sleep blissfully dreamless, the only thought in their minds as they fell asleep was how much they'd give for more nights just like this one.

God these two are so fun to write, I'm crying and holding them both in my corner ong, love 'em so much, okay bye.

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