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sinisterexaggerator · 18 days ago

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Stars Above! | Cad Bane

Chapter 17

Explicit: Semi-slow burn, gratuitous smut /pwp, canon-typical violence, rough sexual elements, angst, Tatooine Slave Culture.

This chapter: No warnings, just Cad being an ass.

Word count: 2.5k+

Notes: Maybe one day they will be on the same page!

[ Ao3 ] - [ Masterpost ]

《 Previous chapter ||

Zulara did not exit the refresher when Cad Bane did, hanging back to luxuriate, as for her water was scarce. Her desert home had little in the way of moisture without it costing a small fortune, as Kayson was not that generous. Money was something she never had much of, though she wouldn’t take advantage, partially choosing to stay behind to give the man a chance to dress, for the Duros said he had important business to attend to.

She could hear him shuffling about his quarters, dreaming, wishing she could join him in that cozy bed of his, though loose items would have to be removed, such as credits and excess clothing, the girl hoping he would return to her once he had finished with his comm call.

And what business did he have, she wondered. He had only just recovered. His run-in with the rancor should not be so easily dismissed. He needed more time to heal, in her opinion, yet they had only newly met—she could tell that he was obstinate and that he would most likely shoot down her suggestions.

Would he listen if she pleaded? Would he throw her out if she begged him to stay put? Would his little droid even allow her to get close?

Finally, she cut the shower off, listening out for noise, though she heard none. It seemed Bane had already left the room, leaving Zulara to dry herself and to put back on her dirty clothes, because she had nothing else to wear. It was unfortunate.

Though the girl wished to, she decided against lingering, giving Bane’s bedchamber one more cursory glance before she exited.

“There you are!” Todo exclaimed. It seemed he had waited for her all this time, though upon Bane’s direct orders, she was unsure. Perhaps he simply had it out for her, acting as her shadow, making sure she did not stray into private rooms or down secret corridors. “I am surprised you are still alive,” he offered haughtily.

Zulara did not respond, for maybe she was too, not knowing what to expect once she had crossed Bane’s threshold. Despite this, she kept on moving down the hall; Todo followed. He was determined to not give her one ounce of peace, the halfling thought.

“And just where are you off to now? Bane told me to keep an eye on you,” he informed her warily.

So, he still did not trust her. Zulara supposed maybe he never would, but could he be blamed? Though she knew little of Bane’s past, what she had learned caused deep concern within her, and not simply the fact Hondo had said he was a murderer, but because the man was all alone and chose to be. How could she make him betray his instincts?

And the Duros was not wrong; Zulara had a target on her back. For him not to know she was the one who had escaped him still ate away at her. She was sure that he would find out one day, about her and Kayson, about their operation. She played with fire and would lie to herself about the possibility of being burned up until the time the flames consumed her, anything to spend one more day in the hunter’s company.

“I need to finish the repairs I started,” Zulara proffered humbly, her voice soft against a backdrop of eerie silence. She wondered which door Bane had disappeared behind, though she dare not search him out; she would wait until he came to her, Todo huffing as she ambled onward.

“Very well. But don’t try anything! Bane will know,” Todo countered, as if she was the enemy.

---

Though his anger had somewhat dissipated, Bane found himself needlessly agitated. For one, he hated surprises, even pleasant ones, the presence of the girl causing his thoughts to swirl, to plague his mind with frivolous things unrelated to his work. Yet, he could not say he was annoyed.

Pushing everything aside, he would call Tour Aryan, blue fingertips manipulating screens, finding the appropriate application that would dial her frequency. It would ring and ring, though Bane would not give up. He would agitate her with his incessant summons until she picked up the comm.

It took three times, but the governess finally answered, a glass of something in her hand. It appeared she had been entertaining guests at her large mansion in Bestine—she ought to consider herself lucky Bane hadn’t crashed her party.

“Cad Bane,” she began, having had one too many, yet she still held her dignity as a dignitary in all her finery. She gave him a tightlipped smile in greeting. “I hope this is important, I have Captain—"

“—Shut up and listen” Bane spat, causing the governess to recoil with her dry martini, though now she was all ears despite herself, her tiny holo flickering in the darkness of the cockpit.

“You have my attention,” she said, disdain reading across all her features. Bane could give a shit what the governess thought of him, he’d drop her as a client if she continued to disrespect him. Kark the fact she was Imperial; the job itself was their little secret. If nothing else, he had the dirt on her, why she’d asked him to work for her having nothing to do with her higher ups and everything to do with her.

“Don’t know what kinda shit yer tryin’ te pull’,” Cad Bane began, “but don’t appreciate bein’ left in de dark on yer lil’ agreement with de Hutts.”

“What exactly do you mean?” Tour asked, thinking back to their conversation at Chalmun’s Cantina. It was true, she had not elaborated on the details, but she had not thought anything would come of it.

Bane kicked forward from off his chair; he had been reclining casually, but now his latent fury forced him to lean forward, his face appearing large and foreboding on Aryan’s end. “De kind where ye need permission te conduct yer business,” the hunter snarled.

Tour took a dainty sip of the expensive gin that filled her glass. “I did not think it would be an issue, what with your renown skills of stealth,” she brazenly admitted; it was an underhanded insult and Bane was privy to it.

Bane’s voice lowered an entire octave, his anger calm, but fierce. Tour would not get away with this. “Don’t need te explain how Ah figured out yer dishonest. Clients who ain’t transparent don’t last, if ye catch my drift.”

“Is that a threat?” Tour stood up straight, attempting to look more intimidating.

“It’sa ‘ye better fix dhis,’ or Ah ain’t liftin’ another finger, and Ah’m keepin’ de advhance,” the gunslinger clarified. “My persuaders will do de rest,” Bane added, though not elucidating as to what he truly meant by that.

“That will not do, I—"

“—Ain’t no negotiatin’!” Bane interrupted. “Naht takin’ on more heat, fer ye. Ain’t paid me enough fer dhat.”

“I am paying you more than enough to—"

“—Naht in my book! De Hutts ain’t te be trifled with, ye hear? Either ye werk it out, or ye cahn find yerself someone fool enough te play yer games,” the hunter hissed. He did not wait for a response but immediately cut the comm; he would not work until Tour Aryan did her job.

---

Zulara had done her best to repair Bane’s unique gadgetry, making sure to clean up any mess, not wanting him to find a single item out of place. She had oiled and polished it, attempted to buff out any scratches, leaving his gauntlet as good as new, and the girl exhausted—maybe he wouldn’t fault her for taking a short nap.

Not knowing what to do, or where to turn, she once more laid her head down on the workbench among his tools. She committed herself to the arms of slumber, feeling safe here, knowing Bane would never hurt her.

Todo tsked, though he failed to interrupt her. Even though he had a heart, none beat inside his metal chassis. The droid now understood just how much she had accomplished within the past two days, not once deserting Bane, cooking for him a meal, caring for him, and he would reward her by leaving her undisturbed, though it was possible his master wouldn’t.

The door slid open; Todo was roused to full attention. He approached Bane cautiously, not wanting him to think he wasn’t doing a good job—he had only told him to watch.

“Shh, Bane, she is sleeping,” Todo whispered softly. Cad Bane was not amused, his mouth quirking, though he kept quiet as he approached, his boots made soundless, the hunter silent as his skills allowed.

The Duros gazed at her, studied her, with her dainty hands tucked beneath her head, her cheek pressed against shades of rose and lavender. Her breathing was slight, though even. His fingers fondled her raven hair. He admired her; how comfortably she rested when he was near, a thing so rare. No one dare close their eyes with him around.

“Hm, so she is,” he muttered beneath his breath. Todo eyed him, taking note of the way he touched her.

“She has been observing you very carefully since you were brought onboard,” the droid informed him. Bane had been so out of sorts he hadn’t thought to ask how he had been returned to his home sweet home, though he had many, and none at all; he was always on the move.

“Supposin’ ye had a hand in dhat,” he guessed; Todo was more than just his companion. He served many a purpose, often when he found himself in danger. Without the droid, it was possible he might already be dead, especially after encountering that damned child, the son of Jango, his accursed adversary, Boba Fett—Todo had been his sole rescuer when all others had abandoned him.

“No, actually it—”

A comm cut in, one not under Cad Bane’s ownership. Static filled the tiny space, then the voice of none other than that blasted brat, that half-grown man he had last encountered at Jabba’s Palace.

He addressed the woman sleeping soundly; Bane’s eyes broadened more and more with every word—right before they narrowed.

“Zulara … it’s Fett,” the youth began, causing Cad Bane to grit his fangs, “did the old man kick the bucket yet, or what?” he asked.

The Duros snatched the comlink from off the table; the device had been resting next to Zulara’s head; He threw it to the ground, the sudden onset of his anger unable to be restrained. His boot pulverized it into dust, causing the girl to wake abruptly.

“Bane?” she questioned weakly.

“Get up,” Bane demanded, grabbing a hold of the back of the chair she sat in. Zulara stood quick enough that she missed being dumped out on the floor. The hunter reached for her; he squeezed her cheeks together roughly.

“What are ye doin’, talkin’ te Fett?” he hissed.

Zulara’s two-toned eyes had widened in disbelief; she whimpered as she used both hands to try and tug him loose. He budged only slightly; the way she chose to answer would dictate what happened next. “I was helping him—”

“—Helpin’ him!?” Bane seethed; his green blood was boiling. How long had this girl been in with Fett behind his back, perhaps planning an attack, or to sabotage his ship. The thought of it was more than enough to piss him off. He would not hear reason when he lost his temper.

Todo would be the first to know; he made a motion with his arms. The droid would attempt to intervene on her behalf, though if he knew his master, which he did, it was already too late. “Bane! It is not what you think!”

Cad cast a glare that was cold enough to freeze his circuits. Todo shut his trap. He wrung his tiny hands as he glanced up to Zulara with those blazing yellow eyes of his.

Zulara finally seemed to understand. That boy was Cad Bane’s mortal enemy, and her words had been ill-chosen. “Yes, but—”

“—Get out,” Bane growled. He was madder than an angry Hoth hog; he would have to scour every inch of his karkin’ ship, search for hidden things. Bombs, detonators, loose wiring.

“Wait, please!” Zulara begged. “I only wanted to make sure—”

“—Dhat Ah was dead? Dhat it?” the Duros sneered. “Off with ye! And don’t let me see yer face again,” he spat, taking up her wrist to guide her out. “Yer lucky Ah don’t kill ye.”

Tears drifted down Zulara’s cheeks as she broke free and turned to flee. Bane felt nothing. He followed her as she descended, making sure she exited before locking all the doors, before retracting the boarding ramp, and setting the alarms.

What he was shocked to see was an indignant droid, holding something, that thing he thought had broken beyond repair—his right wrist gauntlet—but it was wholly new again, or at least upon inspection.

Before he could take it back and refit it to his arm, Todo dropped it onto the ground.

“What de kark de ye think yer—"

“—That girl fixed this for you,” Todo informed him. Bane simply stared at him, so he continued. “If you had listened, you would know that Boba was the one who dragged you home—with Zulara’s help.”

Bane crossed his arms, then caught a whiff of something. He did not want to believe what he had heard with its many implications; all the strange things it made him feel. He vaguely remembered part of the ordeal—the instance he had demanded she go home, for one. “What’s dhat smell,” he asked, puzzled.

“I do not know, but I observed Zulara cooking something earlier. Ingredients she bought with her own money, might I add, in case you wish to accuse her of stealing,” Todo offered flippantly.

Bane’s forehead crinkled as he scowled, then he turned toward the little kitchen that resided just behind the housing for the ion engines. Todo was not done sharing his two credits, following shortly behind his master, his tone marginally disrespectful, though it would be best not to push his luck, if he had any left.

“I am sure it tastes delightful,” Todo started. “And another thing! You should feel terrible! She stayed by the bacta pod the whole time you were in recovery; prepared you a meal; fixed your broken gauntlet—all without expecting anything in return! And for you to treat her as such, why—”

“Cahnnit!” Bane snapped, though he had heard him loud and clear. He approached the pot of stew that simmered, lifting up the lid.

The smell that rose engulfed his senses—but how could he know it was safe to eat? As if reading him like an open book, archaic, Todo announced his thoughts. “And do not think for a moment she would poison you after all that trouble! I, for one, think you should apologize to her. No one is ever nice to you, and—"

“Go do somethin’ productive and leave me be!” the Duros rasped.

“Fine. But I think it is good to have … friends,” Todo benignly stated on his way out.

Bane braced himself. He took a taste with a spoon that had been left behind, resting on the counter. He cursed beneath his breath, as it was one of the most delicious things he had ever sampled.

#Cad Bane #Cad Bane x OC #Star Wars #Fanfic #My writing #Stars Above #Original characters #Original female characters #longfic #Todo 360 #Tatooine #Rise of the Empire era #Post Bad Batch #Boba Fett #Bounty Hunters #Imperials #Empire

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