Corellia: 18 BBY
"Mythos"
Nakoa Sen

She was dying. He had killed her. He didn't know how or when or why, but it didn't matter. He held Lesia's hand again as it went limp. She exhaled one last time.

Nakoa blinked his eyes open. Salty tears coated his cheeks. Les leaned over him, her forehead wrinkled with worry. She had blindfolded herself again.

"I'm fine," he whispered.

She grabbed a wet rag and dotted it across his forehead. He closed his eyes briefly. The coolness felt nice. He was so hot, but cold shivers raced down his spine. He was still nauseous, but not as much as before.

"Were you dreaming again?" Les asked. He nodded. "The same dream?" He nodded once more. She laced her hand with his for a moment. "I'm right here. I'm not dying." Nakoa sighed, trying to push away the terror from his dream.

His gaze followed her as she continued to wipe the sweat from his forehead. Nakoa drew in another deep breath, feeling calmer. "Where's Oni?"

"She said Ketei had another bounty for her. I asked if she wanted my help but she said no."

"I'm glad you're here."

Les smiled, then turned away. "I have food if you're hungry." She held up a small tray of food. Nakoa bit his lip. He was starved, but the sight of the food made his stomach roll.

He tried to push the nausea aside and took the tray. He took a bite of fruit, letting it ease his nausea further. "Is this fresh?" Nakoa asked.

Les nodded. "I went out yesterday and Oni brought some jogan fruit when she came back."

"That was yesterday? I thought that was today."

"No, you slept all night and most of the morning."

Nakoa ate some more, then took the water canteen she offered him. "Why did Feton kiss you?" He asked, almost surprising himself.

Les tilted her head. "I'm not really sure. It wasn't exactly a kiss. He just kissed the corners of my mouth."

"Is he actually interested in you?"

"I don't think so." She thought for a moment. "I think he did it just to make you jealous."

"Why?"

Les shrugged. "Who knows? Feton Ralius seems to be about as random as they come." She stood and removed his now empty tray. "You should try to sleep more."

Nakoa nodded and watched her leave the room. He laid back and pushed his blanket away more, still feeling hot. He closed his eyes and soon drifted off to sleep.

Corellia: 18 BBY
"Mythos"
Lesia Mirri

Nakoa didn't wake again for the rest of the day. The next morning when she went to check on him, he seemed to be sleeping better. Les grabbed some more food and returned to his room after blindfolding herself.

Nakoa grabbed her arm, gently guiding her towards his bunk. Not that he needed to, but he didn't know that. Les handed him the food and he dug in.

"Feeling better today?" She asked.

"Yeah, surprisingly," he replied. Les pressed her hand against his forehead. It was still a little warm, but not as bad as it had been. "Tell me something," Nakoa said after a moment.

"Like what?"

"Tell me something you've never told anyone else."

She tapped her chin with a finger. "That's tricky. I told Cole quite a few things."

Nakoa flicked a piece of fruit at her with a grunt. Les chuckled and tossed it in her mouth. "Don't tell me about him yet," he said. "I'm still trying to get past Feton."

She raised her eyebrows. She'd known he was jealous. It was still strange to hear him somewhat admit it. "All right. I'll tell you about him later." Les thought for a minute. Finally, something came to mind. "When I was little, I decided that if I had a daughter, I wanted to name her Muja after the fruit."

"Muja?" Nakoa laughed.

"My favorite thing to eat for breakfast was muja sauce on waffles," Les explained. "I was maybe ten when I decided this, ok?"

"So would you still name your daughter that?"

"No," she scoffed. "That's a terrible name for a child."

"I agree." She heard him set the tray aside. Les held up a small pill bottle. Nakoa groaned. "I hate medicine."

"Me too but it should take your fever down more." Nakoa sighed but took the vial. "Now it's your turn. Tell me something you've never told anyone else."

"I guess since we're talking about kids..." Nakoa went silent for a bit. "I've always wanted a big family. I think it's because growing up, I really only had Ketei after my parents were killed. I don't like feeling lonely."

"How many kids do you want?"

"Three or four?" Les nodded, then frowned as Nakoa continued. "I don't really think that's an option though unless I forsake the Creed."

"Why?" Les sensed the quizzical look he threw her way.

"No one can see my face, remember?"

"Right but," Les inclined her head, feeling her cheeks flush as she spoke, "technically, no one would have to see your face for you to have kids."

"You mean..."

"Just leave the helmet on?"

Les looked away, her face burning. Nakoa laughed after a moment. "How many girls do you think would be all right with that?"

I wouldn't mind, Les thought. She gasped at her own thought. Her cheeks grew even hotter.

"I guess we'll see," Nakoa said. He yawned a bit and laid back down. Les stood and left the room, hoping he'd sleep and forget what she'd said.

Corellia: 18 BBY
"Mythos"
Nakoa Sen

This time, his sleep was dreamless. It was nice. Nakoa woke again, several hours later. He didn't feel so unbearably hot anymore. After a moment, he stood and stretched. He waited to see if any nausea would come, but it didn't.

Nakoa crossed the room to his refresher and started the shower. He made it quick, in case Les came in again. His face flushed, recalling their conversation from earlier. She had never answered his question, but from the look on her face, he thought he knew what she would've said.

He stepped out of the shower and pulled his flight suit on, then grabbed his helmet. Nakoa flipped it over in his hands with a grimace. I hate wearing this when my hair is wet, he thought. Still, he tossed it on and left his room.

Music played in the ship's lounge. Nakoa paused in the door and watched Lesia. She was wearing the red outfit from Feton. Her feet never missed a step. He smiled as she caught sight of him. She waved him in and he sat down close by.

"How are you feeling now?"

"Better. Your medicine helped."

"Good." Les continued dancing. "Oni contacted me. She'll be back tomorrow."

Nakoa just nodded. Les danced some more. Finally, she switched her music off and sat down. She began massaging her ankles. Nakoa slid off his seat and took her other ankle gently. He rubbed his fingers over the scarred skin.

Les drew in a sharp breath suddenly. He glanced at her and lightened the pressure he'd been applying. "How is your side?"

"All better." Nakoa's cheeks grew warm, recalling the feeling of her hands against his stomach. He continued to watch her.

"What?" She asked with a nervous laugh.

"Nothing." He dropped his gaze. You're beautiful. You're sweet. I'm in lo...he stopped the thought and bit his lip. I'm...Nakoa looked at her again. "I'm falling in love with you."

Her hands stilled. "What?"

Panic filled his mind. I didn't mean to say that out loud. Kriff, what do I do? Nakoa pulled his hands away from her. "I...I mean...uh..."

"Nakoa, did you really just say that?" He forced himself to meet her gaze. She didn't look mad. She didn't even look scared. She looked...hopeful.

He drew in a shaky breath and nodded. "I'm falling in love with you," he said again. "I didn't mean to. It just started to happen. When you zoned out after I asked about Mygeeto, it began. I don't know why. It just kept growing and especially after everything that happened with Feton..." Nakoa gritted his teeth, realizing he'd begun rambling. "I can't say that I love you yet, but I'm falling in love with you."

Les was silent for several minutes. His heart raced faster, the longer she just sat there. She leaped to her feet, suddenly. "Give me a minute," she whispered. She bolted from the room and sealed her cabin door.

Nakoa yanked his helmet off and dropped his head back against the table. "I just ruined it, didn't I?"

Corellia: 18 BBY
"Mythos"
Lesia Mirri

Les paced around her room, gripping the sides of her head. Her heart fluttered with excitement. "He's falling in love with me," she whispered to herself. She'd been completely caught off guard when he'd said it. He had been too, as though he hadn't meant to say it.

She heard a thump and cast her senses out. Nakoa's face was blurred from her mind and his helmet sat on the ground next to him. She drew herself back in. Lesia took several deep breaths and tried to stop shaking. She heard Nakoa's door hiss shut.

Les blindfolded herself once more and left her room. She entered Nakoa's. She didn't need to see him to know where he was. His anxious presence pointed a straight path towards him.

"Les, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you or anything," he began.

She sat down beside him, trying to think of something to say. Subconsciously, her hand drifted towards his hair. "Describe yourself to me."

"Huh?"

"What color is your hair?" Lesia threaded her fingers through his thick locks. From the feel of it, his hair was medium length and somewhat wavy.

"It's dark brown," he replied.

"And your eyes?" She skimmed her fingers down the sides of his face.

"Also brown."

"Be specific."

"Chestnut brown," Nakoa said. "You already know my skin tone."

She said nothing, but continued to run her fingers over his features. Les heard him swallow. She leaned forward, her breath skimming across his jawline. He smelled good, a mixture of smoke and rain. Nakoa stiffened and caught her wrist as her thumb brushed over his lips.

He cupped her cheek with his free hand and pulled her closer. Les felt herself fall weak as he pressed his lips against hers. If she tried to stand, her legs would most certainly give out. Nakoa kissed her again.

She had no idea what it meant. It was different from the first time Cole had kissed her. She'd known immediately what that meant. It had meant they'd look out for each other. They would be strong for each other. They would make sure the other got through each battle alive. It hadn't been deep, but it had been meaningful. This, however, felt both deep and meaningful.

Nakoa released her wrist and she felt him run a hand over her makeshift blindfold. Les pulled back briefly. "No, don't take that off."

"Why not?"

"I don't want you to make that decision in the moment," she replied. "I know what that means for you. I want you to be absolutely certain."

Nakoa nodded. "All right. Not yet, then." She nodded too and let him kiss her again.