#denaus

[fafayayarhen]

Have you considered

France x Austria

Austria x England

Austria x Russia

and much more?

AS A MATTER OF FACT YES I DIDDLY DOODLY HAVE ANON, hear ye as one of the connoisseur of APH Austria we have this knack of multi-shipping our princess for reason that he makes such good material for it backed by the historical precedent, never forget Matthias Corvinus' "Where Mars gives other kingdoms, Venus gives to thee," in regards to the Habsburgs' renowned marriage strategy!

✨ Now buckle up anon ✨

France x Austria : historically the most disastrous and problematic and terrifying nightmare fuel for the rest of the continent. In fact, some 80% of the conflict had been because of these bitches' rivaling houses having beef with each other. Think the popular pretty girl VS the other popular pretty girl type of dynamic but when they're working together it's both the worst thing possible for everyone and each other because both will stab the shit out of one another. I love them.

It's very possible on a more intimate level the two are able to get along for the fact they're very much two sides of the same coin and are simply dressed differently is all. Both would know the worst of each other and their most vulnerable, I feel their intimacy and bed related activities would be wild — smth smth sex is the rawest form of expression to relinquish control and they'd delve into it. Romantic wise I can see the two being the type to go, "Love doesn't suit our rotten souls."

England X Austria : they're quite an interesting one to me! Anon and everyone will notice a pattern here that I go more for a historical basis route and damn it it's because I remember them better than having to go search through canon material sO — anyhow, Anglo-Austrian relation is a real thing as much as it was quite a... Unique situation between the two. There were the Austrian Anglophiles who insists an alliance with them is efficient to oppose the French (it's always the French)

As much as both had the knack of not fulfilling their end of the bargain to each other as promised because of "changing circumstances". Like we saw in that one episode where England upped and left Austria be during the war of the Austrian succession because he just wanted to beat up France, yeah? That example was demonstrated several more times between the two in the course of their supposed alliance. Roderich and Arthur would have this dancing around one another type of thing going on because they strike me as the type to be more calculative before ever getting personally close when both were the huge superpowers in that time period. And given the British and Spanish had already existing beef whilst the Spanish and Austrian Habsburg branch were united as is, you can see the conflict of interest that created the "they'll be good if we need to kick the French but also our Spanish relatives are important but hurm,"

Personally it was that incident during when the Spanish forces were trying to recapture Gibraltar from the English that lends to this complex dynamic because they asked helped from the Austrians for support only for, whatever REASON, they backed the English forces. This was in the 1700s I believe? I'd like to think England may have bedded the pretty Austrian for that LMFAO.

Russia X Austria : Whew. Okay this one has been quite the guilty pleasure for me ngl. Smth about the domineering force that was the Russian empire, the menacing bear that is Vanya and considering the number of fairly decent alliances the Austrian maintained with their Russians (partitions, holy league, etc.) Roddi and Vanya would have an amicable relationship. I'd think Roderich would have had the sense of walking on eggshells around this person for reason he can just tell at first glance to thread carefully or be at the mercy of whatever Russia would choose to impose of him.

Something like a faux compliance from the most dangerous beast for the pretty sweetling, giving Roderich this false sense of control that maintains the apparent "harmony" of the relationship. They're actually so interesting ngl that I'm sure there's a number of pretty good historical references to grow them with!

Honourable mentions that have been lingering in the back of my mind that aren't the big popular ones —

• Turkiye X Austria : COFFEE CULTURE!! also coughs they have the kind of enemies to lovers vibe I dig

• Poland X Austria : wouldn't you know it that not only during the partitions were the Austrians most lenient towards their polish citizens but consider many times, they had been allies too — I believe marriage arrangements between their monarchs were planned as well but unfortunately couldn't come to fruition

• Netherlands X Austria : Okay here we go babes before they were Netherlands they were the low countries and under whose house if not the HRE and then the Habsburgs by way of claim through marriage to the Spanish for inheritance, and if not ship material why did they have good relations including an Austrian monarch marrying into the Dutch to help them fix up governance and they flourished? Also tallest man bagging the prettiest princess who was once married to his rival (Spain) is the single funniest addition to this

• Denmark X Austria : Listen. I haven't seen many touch into this but not only do they share actual pastry influence with each other, during the second Schleswig-Holstein conflict, it was by the Prussians recruiting the Austrians they managed to beat the Danish and I imagined it was the princess straight up stabbing the shit out of Denmark that had the Dane be horny at first sight and well, when you're the winner of the war you'd want to get your spoils, no?

[superprofesseur]

FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 (From Thursday 20 July to Sunday 20 August). Knockout stage (Round of 16) today on Monday 7 August 2023 –  Sydney (Australia) :

Australia (2) vs (0) Denmark

Goals :

Caitlin Jade Foord  29'

Hayley Emma Raso  70'

VISA Player of the Match : Caitlin Foord (Australia)

Stadium Australia, Sydney

[wvsteria]

cassandra dimitrescu & aellyn denau @vcndetta

"you've got quite some power now don't you?." cass remarked as she watched the girl. "now, what is it called that you do again?"

[mcrcki]

@vcndetta said : our muses are impersonating nobles ( aellyn and vesta )

"this dress is so stuffy, aellyn!" vesta half whispered half growled at their cousin, pulling at the sleeves a little bit more as they struggled to even walk in the giant gown. "how come yours isn't as kriffing poofy as mine?"

[withinthem]

∘⡊ ☾ ˚⊹ starter for: aellyn denau. (@vcndetta)

"Do I have something on my face?" Perhaps the staring was an accident, but Wattson worried a bit.

[hws-lceland]

Who do you ship Denmark with?

A. A lot. But here's some I really like !

DenNor: :] I know it is predictable or whatever but their relationship is so special to me and is a big comfort ship and has been for so long I was talking about this on discord last night but the way Denmark loves Norway is just so sweet and genuine and it makes me so happy. And makes me want to cry. I also really like their history I think it makes it a very interesting pairing, though I am not the best when it comes to talking about historical stuff so I will leave that for now. I don't think it's a perfect relationship I think they have had their ups and downs but it works out.

I also think their dynamic is so funny is litterally this post

NedDen/DenNed !! : They're like college frat bros who are in love they're besties 4 life . I have a hard time explaining this in a way that I am satisfied with but they have a very very close friendship that is very intimate and romance/relationship wise their relationship is both. Very intimate but also very casual. Ned is generally the first guy Den goes to when he needs to talk to someone, especially during times where he might not be on the best terms with Sweden or the other Nordics. They get wasted and high together and bond over bike rides and having dumb stupid hair

Gutters is what initially got me shipping them and that definitely definitely influenced how I see their relationship.

Also I think it's funny their shipname is a palindrome

And those are like. My big two. Those are canon to me.

DenSu: I really love densu but my brain is too scrambled to be able to write a lot about it right now. I like the rivalry. I also like when they are just two old gay guys sharing a cigarette watching the sunset. Idk I want to talk more. About it because I DO have thoughts but I can't think my thoughts . Right now. But this one is also canon. to me also . Probably Top 3 Denmark ships .( I will have to come back to talk about this one another time.)

DenPru: Sorry to my one mutual who hates this ship (lighthearted) I just think they're fun. I don't have a whole lot of serious thoughts on it but I like that they're like Alfred's weirdo uncles. They're sad pathetic drinking buddies together.

DenEst: I have nothing to contribute to this one but man. I read someone in discord talking about their history together and I was hooked. It's very interesting!

DenIta: I thought about this one one time while I was high and I was like. Oh man I'm so smart. And then it just kind of stuck. Definitely a crack ship but one I have fun with.

It's basically like that one meme "This is Denmark. Denmark loves his personal space. This is Veneziano, he also loves Denmarks personal space."

And I am done typing now

[dystopicjumpsuit]

Martyrs and Kings - Chapter 12

Everything is Fine. Really.

Rating: T (rating varies by chapter; mature content will be tagged)

Pairing: Kix x archivist/historian OFC

Wordcount: 2K

A/N: We've officially caught up to AO3, so from here on out, new chapters will post on Sundays. ♥️

Warnings: mild sensuality; mentioned violence; Star Wars swearing

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Weeks passed, and Hosnian Prime’s frigid, crystalline mornings gave way at last to the soft, warm breezes that heralded the arrival of spring in Republic City. Maree returned to her normal assignments, and if she was slightly quieter and more reserved than usual, none of her colleagues had the bad manners to mention it. 

Kix did not contact her.

She told herself it was to be expected. He was hardly the first hookup who’d ever left in the middle of the night and never commed her again. It wasn’t like they were committed. They weren’t even dating, really. She couldn’t truly fault him for unloading his trauma on her; after all, she’d invited him to do so. 

His overwhelming sorrow had confirmed the truth she’d long suspected—he was a clone trooper. She had so many questions about what had happened to him, but all she knew was that he’d somehow survived in stasis. She didn’t even know his CT number. The worst part was that she understood why he had so jealously guarded his identity. Even now, professional curiosity enticed her to contact him, to pepper him with questions about his experience during the Clone Wars, but she couldn’t bring herself to do that to him. He wasn’t just some research subject; he was a living, breathing, hurting, grieving person who deserved respect and dignity and space to process everything he’d lost. 

So no, she didn’t blame him. But she did miss him.

Every time she uncovered some small, fascinating detail about a battle that had long since ended, she had to stop herself from reaching for her commlink to send it to him. Every time she glimpsed a tall man with dark, curly hair and a neat beard, her heart beat a little faster until her brain caught up to the reality that it wasn’t him. Every time she lay awake in the darkness, remembering the weight of his body pressed against hers, she wondered if he was thinking about her, too.

To distract herself, she made a determined effort to get out of the office and actually do the things she enjoyed outside of work. She went to her favorite park by the beach and basked in the sun while reading a trashy holo-novel. She took long walks under the blooming citrom trees. She bought fresh flowers for her office desk. She ate a picnic in Senate Square. She did not visit the Hanging Gardens. And when she went home each night, she lay in bed and stared at the ceiling for hours.

A few weeks after Maree returned to Hosnian Prime, Orys Brenko knocked shyly on her open office door, datapad in hand. He looked nervous, and Maree sprang into recruitment mode, introducing him to the interns and leading him on a tour of the archive. He departed the library with shining eyes, a determined set to his chin, and a freshly signed datapad. His visit reminded Maree of why she had joined the Archive in the first place, before the shine had worn off and she realized she’d be spending more time filing reports and managing schedules than actually studying history. She wondered when the passion and excitement that she used to feel for her work had turned into exhaustion and disillusionment.

Dr. Tane stopped by her office one day to celebrate Rik Denau’s official dismissal, and mentioned that Dr. Harik was already angling for the disgraced archivist’s old position. Truthfully, Maree had forgotten all about that unpleasantness. Nevertheless, Tane and Valsi insisted on going out to celebrate the occasion. Maree didn’t want to go out. She wanted to go home and crawl into bed and stare at the ceiling. But the combined forces of Tane and Valsi were irresistible, and ultimately Maree decided that it was easier just to go along with their plans.

It was worth it, in the end, to see Tane growling out a Herglic rage-metal song at a karaoke bar as Valsi watched, slack-jawed. The two ended up going home together at the end of the night, after getting increasingly handsy with each round of cocktails. 

“Use protection!” Maree called after them as they stumbled out of their shared taxi. “I don’t want to know what a Pantoran Zabrak looks like.”

Valsi flipped her the avian and went right back to sucking Tane’s face off. 

“There’s not enough eye-bleach in the galaxy to unsee that,” Maree grumbled to the droid taxi driver.

When she stumbled into her flat, the light on her commlink was flashing with an unread message indicator. She opened it as she chugged a large glass of water, reading with bleary eyes.

To: Dr. Maree R. Finnall  From: Kix  Subject: [none]  Maree,  I’m sorry for the way things ended. I knew it was better if I didn’t drag you into my life. I don’t know how you figured it out, but can’t say I’m surprised. I know you have questions, and I feel like I owe you some answers.  

The message continued, detailing how Kix had uncovered a conspiracy against the Jedi, how he had been apprehended and frozen in stasis by the Separatists, and how he had been found and revived the previous year by a pirate crew. Maree’s hand tightened on the glass as she read and reread the message, until she let out an abrupt scream and flung the glass across the kitchen to shatter against the wall.

“God damn it!” she wailed. “Why didn’t you just tell me?”

The next morning, she strode into the library with a resolute expression. Let’s find out who you really are. 

In between Judiciary assignments, she began to requisition large numbers of data chips related to Clone Wars-era trooper records and combat reports. She cross-referenced hundreds of files, staying in her office late into the evenings, hunting for a single name that simply did not appear. She changed tactics. Using the list Kix had sent her, she searched for recurring groups of troopers. Still, there were thousands of possibilities. For weeks, she analyzed the data with single-minded determination, but the longer she searched, the more frustrated she grew. Without a CT number, it was like hunting for a ghost.

Late one evening, Maree was startled by a chime at her office door. As far as she knew, everyone had gone home for the day, and Teejay would have locked up hours earlier. She checked her security holofeed and was surprised to see Valsi waiting outside the door, tapping an impatient foot. Maree hit the control panel to admit her.

“Valsi, what are you doing here so late?” Maree asked.

“I could ask you the same thing,” the Pantoran said. 

“Just busy,” Maree said. “How did you know I was still working?”

“Teejay ratted you out,” Valsi said. “You know that droid hates it when your routine gets disrupted.”

Maree muttered something about snitches and ditches, and Valsi sauntered into her office, coming to a dead halt when she witnessed the chaos inside. Stacks of datapads towered precariously on every available surface. Three separate holoprojectors displayed reams of data. There were even pages of actual paper stuck to the walls and connected by strings, covered in handwritten notations.

“Dank farrik, Maree, what have you gotten yourself into?”

“Special research project,” Maree said.

“What kind of project?” Valsi demanded.

“The kind that I’m failing at,” Maree said miserably. “I keep thinking I’m so close, and then it turns out to be a dead end, or the completely wrong thread, and the whole damn thing comes unraveled.”

“Slow down. What’s coming unraveled?” Valsi asked.

“Everything!” Maree exclaimed. “Without his trooper number, I can’t know for sure, and there are thousands—literally thousands, Valsi—of possibilities.”

“Whose trooper number?” Valsi asked, bewildered.

“I—I—just a clone I’m trying to identify,” Maree stammered.

Valsi shook her head. “I haven’t seen you get like this since you were in the throes of your doctoral thesis. What’s the rush?”

Maree’s jaw dropped. She stared at Valsi, her eyes wide.

“My thesis,” she said. “Saleucami. Of course!”

She scrambled across the room to her desk and searched frantically through the holoprojection. Valsi followed at a much slower pace, a bemused expression on her face.

“When was the last time you slept, Maree?”

“Hmm?” Maree asked, not looking away from the report she was scanning. “Oh, it doesn’t matter.”

“I think it does,” Valsi said. When Maree failed to acknowledge her, Valsi shrugged and wandered over to the kitchenette to raid Maree’s supply of biscuits. “Hey, do you think I could get Tane to dress up as Maul and do a little role-play? That man definitely knows how to use his lightsaber.”

Maree didn’t hear the cheeky question. She narrowed her search parameters again and again, until only a few dozen trooper numbers remained. Snatching up a datapad with Kix’s list, she ran one last analysis. A single trooper ID flashed.

CT-6116. 

She opened the personnel file. MISSING IN ACTION - PRESUMED DEAD scrolled across the top in red letters. She enlarged the holo of the trooper’s face and spotted a familiar tattoo.

“I found him,” she whispered. “Oh, my gods, Valsi, I found him.”

“Found who?” Valsi mumbled around a mouthful of spiced biscuit, dusting crumbs off her fingers.

Kix had been a miserable bastard since he returned to the Meson Martinet. Reveth had exchanged a meaningful I-told-you-so glance with the ship’s Gabdoran first mate Quiggold when the clone arrived looking like he could single-handedly murder the entire First Order. The crew stayed out of his way, waiting for his mood to blow over. After weeks, it showed no signs of improvement, and even Captain Ithano’s patience was beginning to wear thin—or so Quiggold maintained. None of the rest of the crew could detect any change in the captain’s stoic posture.

When the Martinet went into battle, Kix threw himself into the action with unrestrained bloodlust, tearing through enemies with abandon. At one point, after witnessing the clone rip off a bounty droid’s head with his bare hands, even Ithano gave the tiniest shake of his helmeted head. This was tantamount to a blistering rebuke from the pirate captain—or so Quiggold maintained.

“We gotta do something,” Quiggold declared after Kix had retreated to his quarters late one night. “I knew it was a mistake for him to go chasing after answers, I just knew it. He must have found out something terrible. And now that poor kid has gone and dug up all those bad memories, and what good did it do him?”

“He called me a karking laserbrain when he was patching me up yesterday,” Reeg Brosna complained, shaking his head sadly. “It’s not like I asked to get shot.”

Squeaky grunted his agreement as he joined the group, handing out a fresh round of ale and shoving Reveth’s feet off the table. Unbothered, the Twi’lek put her boots back up immediately.

“I think it’s girl trouble,” she declared.

“And what makes you say that?” Reeg asked, tapping his bottle to hers and taking a long drink.

“Hasn’t wanted a fuck since he got back,” Reveth said, sipping her own ale.

The Arcona choked and spewed his drink across the table, causing Squeaky and Quiggold to rear back with exclamations of disgust and wipe the droplets of ale off their faces. Captain Ithano did not react, except to direct a long look at the Twi’lek mechanic. (This was practically a declaration of love and an offer of marriage—or so Quiggold maintained. Reeg and Squeaky accused him of trying to rig the betting pool.)

“Maybe he’s too sad to screw,” Reeg suggested.

“Because he’s been such a barrel of laughs for the past year?” Reveth asked. “No. It’s girl trouble. And I think I know who’s responsible.”

She set a small projector on the table and turned it on to display a publicity holo she’d found on the NRGL’s Holonet site. The rest of the crew fell silent as they observed a woman in an elegant blue gown standing very close to a familiar tall, bearded man, resting her hand on his arm. The frozen figures in the image were laughing as they gazed into each other’s eyes.

“Aye, that’d do it,” Quiggold observed.

---

Chapter 13

Tagging: @blueink-bluesoul @secondaryrealm @spicy-clones @wings-and-beskar @523rdrebel @goblininawig @merkitty49 @anxiouspineapple99 @sinfulsalutations @arcsimper5 @starrylothcat @clio3kantarella @cloneloverrrrr

[hiddenwashington]

@vcndetta said : dee (abigail blyg, addison montgomery, aellyn denau, etc) is requesting a hiatus from 8/18 - 8/29 ( just have a very busy week and a half coming up so just in case i'm not able to do much in that time )

hiatus granted!

[irresistiibles]

@vcndetta asked: ❛ i’m the best worst thing that hasn’t happened to you yet. ❜ ( aellyn denau and mei nianqing )

"i can't tell if you're attempting to compliment yourself or give me some sort of a warning." he didn't often admit to being confused, but when it happened because of someone speaking in an unclear manner that was fine. "either way i think the title of best worst thing to happen to me is locked in for life." at least he sure hoped it was. he was far too old for a new mess.

[cin-vhetin-mandoad]

Full name: Ketzal Vala Amar

Home world: Kenari

Childhood: Parents were miners on Kenari, both died when she was young and she doesn't have any memories of them. Ketzal was picked up by a group of Mandalorians when they caught her trying to steal food from their ship. They had been delivering mining equipment and she was a little rabbid kid, willing to fight the biggest one of them, unafraid of their size. 

Main source of income: Bounty hunter for a powerful family on Malastare, the Denau family. They own one of the largest underground podracing rings on Malastare. The track is notorious for its rough terrain, lack of rules, and nearly impossible survival rate.

Ketzal hunts unwilling participants for this highly illegal podracing ring. She is paid handsomely for every warm body she brings in and even more credits float her way if they manage to survive the races.

Ketzal comes into contact with the clones of the GAR after her employers requested a clone for their ring, but after spending some time around them at 79s she declined to bring them in. They were already servants to one cause and pulling them into the ring didn't sit right with her. (Although she almost made an exception for Crosshair who was a total jerk to her.)

This put a substantial ding, not only in her pocket but also in her reputation with the family.

Role in the Canon Universe: -IN PROGRESS-

Role in her own timeline: -HERE-

Character Playlist on Spotify!

[wvsteria]

soren palpatine & aellyn denau @vcndetta

soren mentally cursed himself once he had regained his memories. there was his fiance. he hated that term. they weren't a good match for each other. something he had only done to appease his father. but he had to set the record straight. "aellyn." he said once approaching her. "we need to talk."

[mcrcki]

people were just coming out of the kriffing woodwork now, weren't they? first their dad and jud, now aellyn? it wasn't as if she should be surprised.. she was also brought back from their world, and kriff, she was brought back from the dead how many times now? but still.. "aellyn, hi. i didn't know you had been brought here too."

@vcndetta for aellyn denau

[spaceman-spaetzle]

i found it holy fucking shit (also for some reason i signed with my non-hetalia art tag kdsjnfkdjs)

anyways... den dragging aus to a comic con

part 2 under the cut!!!

[koolkat9]

hey I once got a request for Denmark x Austria and its somewhere in my notes, and I dare not think about the shit I wrote in that fic

Oof that would be an interesting pairing though.

[dystopicjumpsuit]

Martyrs and Kings - Chapter 3

Best Bad Decision Ever

Rating: T (rating varies by chapter; mature content will be tagged)

Pairing: Kix x archivist/historian OFC

Wordcount: 2.1k

Warnings: pure, unadulterated fluff; alcohol use; Maree makes a baffling choice

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

“That’s the best idea I’ve heard all day,” Kix said.

This is possibly the worst idea I’ve had in years, Maree thought. She was under no delusions that the office gossip chain would be any kinder than Denau, though it would likely be couched in passive aggressive little barbs. She doubted anyone would have raised an eyebrow if Kix had only been a client, but his appearance at the gala would certainly fuel speculation that she was pursuing him out of mercenary considerations. 

It was unavoidable now. Kix’s confrontation with Denau had undoubtedly already ignited a maelstrom of swirling rumors. Disappearing with him for hours immediately afterward would only make the pair more conspicuous. The problem was, she couldn’t quite bring herself to care. She’d been drawn to him from the moment he walked into her office, and every shred of caution flew out of her head the instant he took the blow that was meant for her. It was not so much the fact that he had protected her specifically as the unwavering sense that he would have stepped in to protect anyone who was being targeted by someone bigger and stronger. It was wildly attractive.

Besides, she rationalized, he was only staying in the Hosnian system for a few days, which meant that there was no possibility that he’d be interested in anything long-term. It was perfect. Any scandalized whispers among the staff would die down once he was gone. And Maree would be free to continue her life without interruption, just the way she always did.

They wandered a circuitous path through the garden, passing the bottle back and forth and chatting amiably about nothing in particular. By the time they reached the large central fountain, the wine was gone, and they transitioned seamlessly to the bottle Kix had carried, which turned out to be Pamarthen Port in a Storm.

He took a long drink and then passed her the bottle. She took a generous sip and immediately sputtered.

“That is some high-octane hooch,” she coughed.

“You didn’t know what it was when you grabbed it?” he asked, amused.

“Nope, that’s half the fun,” she said. “One time I made it all the way back here and found out I’d snagged a bottle of Renan Irongut. You cannot imagine the hangover.”

She shuddered delicately, and Kix chuckled.

“My feet are killing me,” she said. “Let’s sit here for a while.”

“On the ground? Your dress is going to get dirty,” Kix objected.

“So’s your suit. We’ll match!” she said.

“We already match,” he pointed out.

She looked down at their complementary outfits and laughed. “So we do. But who wore it better?”

“You,” he said immediately.

“I beg to differ.” She plopped to the ground and let out a relieved sigh. “That’s better. Whoever made those shoes should be arrested for sentient rights violations. ‘Cruel and unusual’ doesn’t begin to describe them.”

Kix sat next to her, lowering himself to the ground with considerably more grace than she had.

“Shall I give you a foot massage?” he offered.

“Uh, probably better not,” she said. “I was walking in only my stockings through the entire library. Force alone knows what’s on those floors.”

“Whatever it was, I guarantee I’ve seen worse,” he said.

“Maybe some other time,” she said.

He leaned his back against the wall of the fountain as she took another sip and grimaced. The liquor burned going down, and she was starting to feel an agreeable numbness in her fingertips.

“You ever bring other people back here?” he asked.

“Apparently it’s frowned upon to hide and drink alone, so yes,” she said. “Usually Valsi. Also Tane, a couple of times. They hate these functions as much as I do.”

“Valsi? Is that Dr. Corruss?”

“Mm-hmm,” she said. 

“I thought you said academics were boring.”

Her head was beginning to spin. Apparently, Port in a Storm worked quickly.

“Valsi and I are the exceptions that prove the rule. We’ve been best friends since university, and she’s been right by my side, cheering me on through every bad decision I’ve ever made.”

“Is that what this is?” Kix asked, passing the bottle back to her. “A bad decision?”

“That remains to be seen,” she said with a crooked little smile, and took another drink.

“What about Tane?” he asked casually.

Maree shrugged. “I don’t know him that well. He only joined the Archive a year ago. I had no idea he had such a bloodthirsty streak. We usually just argue about something pointless, like whether the DC-15A carbine or the DC-17 was the superior blaster.” 

Kix smiled. “And which side do you take?”

“Whichever side Tane doesn’t. The point isn’t really to win the debate; it’s just to get him worked up until he starts ranting,” Maree said. She shifted to face him. “Is your shoulder as comfortable as it looks?”

He quirked an eyebrow at her abrupt change of subject. “I’ve never tested it. Why don’t you find out and let me know?”

She hummed happily and snuggled into his side, resting her head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her and dragged his thumb in lazy circles on her hip, pulling the silky fabric of her gown between his fingers in a hypnotic motion.

“It’s an excellent shoulder pillow,” she said. “Ten out of ten, would cuddle again. I can write you a letter of recommendation, if you’d like, for your future prospective cuddle partners. I write excellent letters of recommendation. All the interns ask me for them. Half of my job is writing letters of recommendation.”

A lock of hair worked itself loose from her updo, and Kix brushed it softly away from her face.

“You’re fun when you drink,” he said.

“Are you saying I’m boring when I’m sober?” she demanded with mock offense.

“Not at all, but I have to admit I wasn’t expecting you to be a clandestine garden snuggler when I met you. You seemed so serious about your work.”

“That’s because I am serious about my work,” she said. “My work takes up all of my seriousness, so I don’t have any left over for the rest of my life. Besides, I don’t snuggle just anyone in my secret garden. Only the ones who throw themselves into danger to defend me.”

Kix snorted. “I was hardly in danger. That idiot couldn’t even land a punch.”

“Maybe not on you,” she said sincerely, “but I don’t know the first thing about fighting, and he could have seriously hurt me if you hadn’t stepped in. Thank you.”

He squeezed his arm tighter around her and leaned his cheek onto her hair.

“I wouldn’t let anything happen to you,” he said.

Maree’s heart fluttered. He said it with such confidence, as if it were the most natural and obvious thing in the galaxy. She didn’t doubt him for a moment. It was a heady feeling, and she stifled it before she could get carried away. She was definitely feeling the effects of the alcohol and the lingering pulse of adrenaline. 

“You should come back here in the daylight,” she said, steering the topic in a less fraught direction. “There are some really incredible plant specimens.”

“I’ve seen some wild plants in the Outer Rim,” he said. “Plants big enough to swallow a man whole, and they do it, too.”

“Is that where you’re from? The Outer Rim?”

“Sometimes,” he said vaguely. “I travel a lot for work.”

“What do you do for work?” she asked.

“Asset retrieval.”

“‘Asset retrieval’? As in, bounty hunting?”

“Not that I’m aware of,” he said. “At least, not yet.”

“I can introduce you to the head librarian if you’re interested in expanding into the overdue library book retrieval market,” she offered.

He laughed. “I’ll keep it in mind if I ever need a career change. So tell me about these plant specimens.”

“I don’t think they keep any man-eaters here. I could be wrong, but if they do, they’d be in a secure containment tank like the other deadly plants.”

“Amazing how something so beautiful can kill you so easily,” he observed.

“And in such creative ways,” she agreed. “There’s a rumor—I don’t know if it’s true or not, but I heard that a couple years ago, two of the botanists got exposed to a toxic pollen with some—uh—let’s say unique properties.”

He shifted to look down at her.

“What kind of properties?” he asked, intrigued.

She shot him an impish look from under her lashes, then stretched up to whisper in his ear.

“No way!” he exclaimed.

“I swear to the gods,” she laughed. “I mean, it might just be a rumor, but every time they ran into each other for months after that, they both looked like they wanted one of those man-eating plants to swallow them.”

“What happened to them?” he asked.

“That’s the best part,” she giggled. “They got married.”

Kix guffawed. “Do you think the pollen caused them to act on their existing feelings, or do you think they developed feelings for each other after the incident?”

Maree shrugged. “We’ll never know. Supposedly, the Archive director had the plants destroyed so there wouldn’t be any other incidents. If the story is actually true, that could have been a huge liability for the library.”

“All’s well that ends well, I suppose,” he said.

They talked and laughed and snuggled late into the night, and the level of liquid in the bottle dropped lower and lower until at last it was empty.

“I should get you home,” he sighed into her hair.

“Mmm, big day tomorrow,” she agreed. “It won’t be as fun as this.”

“Do you think the gala is still going strong?” he asked.

“I don’t know, but I’m not risking it,” she said. “I’ll take you out the staff entrance. It’s closer than the main entrance, anyway. We can get a taxi from there.”

She put her shoes back on and Kix helped her to her feet.

“Ugh, I should have just left them on in the first place,” she said. “I think they hurt worse now than they did before.”

“Come here,” Kix said.

“Hmm?” she asked.

“Put your hands around my shoulders.”

“Mr. Kix, are you trying to seduce me?” she giggled as she obeyed.

“When I do, you won’t need to ask,” he said.

He picked her up by the waist and swung her up onto the wide stone ledge surrounding the fountain.

“What are you doing?” she squeaked.

He turned to stand in front of her so she was facing his back.

“Hop on,” he said. “I don’t know where I’m going, so you’ll have to navigate.”

“Or I could walk,” she pointed out.

“Could you, though? Really?”

“Yes,” she grumbled. “It just wouldn’t be very fun.”

“Well, I happen to think this is very fun, so climb on my back and tell me where to go from here.”

“Fine,” she said, hiking up her skirts so she could wrap her legs around his midsection. 

He hoisted her onto his back, and she whooped with laughter as she clung unsteadily to his shoulders. He gave her a little boost to settle her more securely.

“Ready?” he asked.

“Onward, noble steed!” she exclaimed.

He carried her effortlessly through the darkened library, following her directions to the letter. She marveled at his strength. He didn’t even break a sweat, and she was not exactly light as a feather. Before many minutes had passed, they exited the building and she slid off his back as they hailed a taxi. 

“Where to?” asked the droid driver.

Maree gave it her address as they settled into the back seat. The night air was frigid, and she had neglected to retrieve her cloak from the coat check before they embarked on their garden excursion. She leaned closer to Kix for warmth, and he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her securely against his body. They didn’t speak during the ride, and Maree drifted pleasantly. When the taxi pulled to a stop in front of her building, Kix told the droid to wait while he walked her to her door.

“This is me,” Maree said.

She was sorely tempted to invite him in, but her lingering tatters of professionalism won out in the end. 

“Thank you for getting me home safely,” she said instead. “You’ve been watching out for me all night.”

“It was my sincere pleasure,” Kix said. “Until tomorrow, Maree.”

“Good night, Kix,” she said.

---

Chapter 4

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