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Chapter Text

Riley patiently observes as Master Laswell inputs last notes into her datapad. He’s been summoned to explain some points from his latest report but fortunately it seems like Master Laswell is satisfied with his clarifications.

“Thank you, Knight Riley,” she finally says, looking up from the datapad. “That will be all. Get some rest,” she advises. “I know you don’t like to be idle so the Council will be looking for a new assignment for you soon but a few days in the Temple will do you some good.”

Riley thinks that debatable but he stops himself from commenting. The other remark on his tongue, however, he does voice out loud.

“Assignment on my own or paired up again?” he can’t fully keep the irritation out of his tone in the second part of the query.

“I know you prefer to work alone,” Master Laswell gazes at him with patience and a little bit of playful familiarity. “But you do get better results working with a partner.”

Riley grinds his teeth and has to make himself loosen up his jaw before he speaks again.

“I thought my missions with a partner brought more complaints than results.”

“They used to,” Laswell admits. “Not since we started pairing you up with Knight Tavish.”

Upon hearing the Zabrak’s name, unprompted, an image of a handsome face with dark markings and a grin full of sharp teeth blooms in RIley’s mind. Kriff .

The silence stretches and Laswell smiles knowingly at him and asks: “Anything else?”

“No, thank you, Master.”

He leaves Laswell’s chambers and heads towards his own quarters. He purposefully slides into less frequented corridors, hoping to meet as little people as possible. He is tired after the latest assignment and he has little patience right now for the looks he usually gets and the whispers that follow.

Knight Riley is well aware of his reputation and even though he himself worked for a lot of it, at some point it took off on its own and nowadays it can get exhausting at times. The majority of the Council treats him like a ticking bomb. Masters are pretty much the same with their variness since years ago he came back to the Temple from a standard mission without his own mentor. Most of the other Knights misunderstand why he’s still at that rank despite his age, spreading ridiculous rumours among themselves about the reason for it. Other, more reasonable Knights, recognise Riley’s aversion to mingle and remain professional on shared assignments and leave him alone outside of them. Padawans and younglings fear his features alone, the unusual dark tone of the blue of his headtails, the one badly scarred, broken montral, and the white markings on his face reminiscent of a skull that are a shock to even other Togrutas.

In recent years, Riley himself added to this behaviour. Never debunking any rumours, never seeking out any friendships, going as far as adding dark paint to his face to make the markings even more prominent. 

But then, there’s Knight Jon Tavish.

Since the very beginning of their first shared mission, he’s been engaging in friendly banter, initiating casual touches, and overall treating Riley as if the other Knight wasn’t known as a Master-killer who the Order is still keeping among them just because it’s easier to have an eye on him that way.

It took Riley two days of being confined to one small ship in hyperspace on their first joint assignment to ask about it.

“Why are you like this?” he snaps at last. When the other Jedi only blinks in confusion at him, Riley specifies: “Why are you being so nice ? Most people are afraid of me.”

“You haven’t provided me with a reason to be afraid of you,” Tavish replies as if that was the obvious answer. “You didn’t try to kill me in my sleep, I think I would’ve noticed.”

Riley huffs with irritation.

“My face is usually enough.”

Something changes in Tavish’s gaze that Riley can’t pinpoint.

“I’ve been treated like a mindless predator before I even could speak a word just because I’m a Zabrak,” Tavish muses. “Would be really hypocritical of me to do that to others… Also, I think your face markings are actually really pretty.”

Whatever retort Riley was preparing dies in his throat as his mind goes completely blank at the sudden compliment.

Riley shakes himself out of the memory, vexed with himself that he’s been recalling that mission again. Jon Tavish keeps taking him by surprise and Riley usually hates that, but something about the way the other Knight treats him… It’s addicting. It’s also crumbling the foundations Riley has built his life on since he had lost his Master.

After Shephard betrayed him, tried to kill his own Padawan when Riley was too clever for his own good and uncovered some of his Master’s treacherous plans, after he made Riley kill in defence of his own life… Si Riley has shut off from the world.

When Riley returned to the Temple missing a Master, he needed a lot of patience, effort, and perseverance to get back into shape. Both in the Force after his master-apprentice bond was severed in the most brutal of ways; and physically as he had to learn to move and fight with a disability. Montrals are more than just aesthetics in Togruta’s anatomy, they allow them to hear and sense movement… Shephard knew what he was doing when he attacked his Padawan. Riley was the one who came out alive of that fight despite that loss but the rehabilitation was a time-consuming process.

Once he was back to the ability level he left the Temple with before the betrayal – he didn’t stop to step back into his Jedi path and take the Trials as if nothing had happened, but he kept training. He didn’t want to be simply as good as before anymore, he wanted to become deadly . Not in a “I’m about to fall to the Dark and go on a killing spree” way, but in a “I will never be vulnerable again” way.

This attitude has driven him for a while now, through the Trials he finally did pass and further on, and it’s been working out just fine . Then Knight Tavish walked into his life and made Riley feel vulnerable again with easy smiles and redundant comments. At this point Riley doesn’t know if he’s more terrified, annoyed, or thrilled with that development.

If he could just avoid the ridiculous Zabrak, maybe he could just forget all this and go back to the way he was before Tavish. But the Council keeps putting them together, Laswell clearly thinks the partnership is good for Riley. 

Riley can’t help but agree with that assessment. He’s just not sure if he’s ready to get better. If he’ll ever want to.

ж

They were supposed to rest in the Temple for at least a few rotations but barely two days pass when Riley gets urgent summoning to see the Council. 

When he arrives, Knight Tavish is already there. They must be really spread thin at the moment since only Mace Windu and Kat Laswell greet them, the only other Master attending is Yoda’s hologram.

“Thank you for arriving on short notice,” Master Windu greets them both and then gets right to the point; Riley likes that about him. “We have just been informed that Master Price and Knight Garrick have missed three check-ins while on their assignment. We want to send you to follow their trail and find out what happened.”

Riley startles at the news, he can’t help it. Master Price may be the only person in the Order beside Tavish that managed to break through his walls and made some impact in his cold heart since he became the Master-killer. And now Price is MIA? That’s not like him, especially if he’s with his apprentice. The man is reckless sometimes but never stupid and always prioritises his companion’s safety. Something really wrong must have happened.

“We’ll set off right away,” Tavish’s voice cuts through Riley’s shock. The Togruta gives a sharp nod in agreement.

“Excellent,” says Laswell. “You’re the only team on our hands right now who we believe is able to handle this. We’ll send all the information we have directly to your datapads, you can study their former reports on the way.” Her worried stare lingers first on Tavish and then moves with matching intensity to Riley. “Good luck.”

“Our friends bring home,” Yoda seals the briefing.

Both Knights bow before the Council and leave with slightly hurried steps. 

“I only need to grab my bag and I’ll be heading to the ship,” Tavish says. Riley hums in agreement.

“Yes, I will meet you there soon.”

They’re waiting together for the elevator back to the levels where the living quarters are located and there’s something bothering Tavish, he keeps stealing glances at the Togruta in a way that means he has a question.

“Out with it, Jonny.”

He opens his mouth and for a moment just mouths the beginning of the question before he actually voices it. “Master Price,” he finally says. “Your reaction when you heard he’s missing, I’ve never seen you like this before.”

Kriffing Jon Tavish and his observations and caring enough to notice and ask about it.

Riley lets out a little sigh. The elevator arrives then and they both enter it in silence but Tavish keeps looking at him expectantly.

“When my Master was gone,” he makes himself say in the steadiest tone possible. “I was still a Padawan. After what happened… Not many who could take me on wanted to do it even though I was really close to Knighthood. Price was the one who took a chance on me and led me to Trials.”

Tavish nods in understanding and then puts his hand on Riley’s shoulder. He doesn’t know whether to move away from the warmth or lean into it so he ends up standing motionless, staring at the ridiculous Zabrak in front of him, captivated by the blue eyes. No one really looks at him with such affection the way Tavish does; Riley is never taken aback by looks of disgust or fear anymore, but this ? This steals his breath away.

“We’ll find them and bring them home,” he says with a determination so vehement that Riley actually believes him.

ж

After studying all the files the Council provided them with, it definitely doesn’t feel like they know significantly more about the situation. It all started when another team came across rumours about a Force cult collecting artefacts which potentially could be really dangerous when used by someone without proper training. Price took the assignment, he loves the danger and thanks to the psychometry provided by his Kiffar descent, he’s always an asset on missions involving investigations like this.

The search for the Force cult was arduous effort, Price and Garrick have been working on it for three weeks already when the radio silence started. They’ve been sending reports every two rotations and there has been no word from them for the last six days. From the analysis of the reports, Riley and Tavish pinpoint the missing Jedi’s location to the planet Elkeenar and manage to extract two possible leads in two different cities: the capital, Keel, and a former mining colony called Neagos.

“Oh karking hell,” the Zabrak exclaims after checking Elkeenar's map. “The cities are on two different sides of the planet. If we want to be sure the trails don’t go cold, we should probably split up.”

Riley grinds his teeth. As much as he keeps saying he prefers working alone – and he does – he doesn’t like the thought of letting Tavish go alone following a trace that potentially led to having two other Jedi missing. On the other hand, it’s already been six days, almost seven with how long their journey to Elkeenar is taking now, so they really should be covering as much ground as possible and as fast as possible. 

“I’ll take this one,” Tavish marks Neagos on the map. “You take the ship, drop me here, and then go to the capital. It’ll be better to stash the ship in a bigger location. Sounds fine?” he looks to Riley for confirmation. They’re both Knights but the Togruta is older and has more experience in the field.

“Agreeable,” he nods. He can’t say any of it is fine but this is the most reasonable course of action in this situation. “Good thinking with stashing the ship.” 

The situation is dire but the Zabrak’s face still lights up at the praise, it always does. Tavish’s sharp teeth make an appearance when a small smile blooms on his face and Riley is possessed by a sudden need to learn what they would feel like against his tongue.

Force help him, he’s getting worse. He has a mission to do, for fuck’s sake.

“Let’s get to work,” he clears his throat and inputs the coordinates for Neagos as their first landing point on the planet to make himself tear his gaze away from Tavish.

ж

Riley absolutely hates Elkeenar and this whole damned mission. It’s been one whole day and he already despises the dry air, the dust covering every surface, the city’s shopkeepers who are obviously in the cult’s pocket, and most of all he hates how worried he is about Tavish. 

This morning the other Knight commed him saying he’s going dark because he has a good lead that requires stealth. Riley knows Tavish is more than capable of pulling his plan off but apparently the Zabrak has already claimed a much bigger piece of the Togruta’s heart than he previously thought. This is the first time when they’re on an assignment with the potential danger level that high and separated on top of that – Riley is very much uneasy about this.

Riley shakes his head, banishing the thoughts of Tavish, and refocuses on the mission. He’s got a trail of his own to follow. Of all the people he interviewed, one of them who apparently wasn’t paid off yet did confirm seeing a Kiffar in a hat accompanied by a Twi’lek with brownish-red skin. Riley navigates the city’s narrow alleys, looking for a hatch leading to the underground web of tunnels. It should be somewhere around here according to both Price’s last report and Riley’s interview.

He takes another turn with a growing frustration, soon he’ll be going in circles.

Then he almost walks into Master Price.

“Si?” the Kiffar huffs out in surprise. He’s panting and leaning heavily on his apprentice. Garrick doesn’t look in good shape either but it’s apparent that Price took most of it – whatever happened to them.

Riley immediately moves to support Price’s weight and unburden the Twi’lek.

“We came looking for you,” Riley explains. “You haven’t checked-in in a week.”

“It’s been a bad week,” Price chuckles dryly.

“Let’s get you to the ship,” Riley urges as he steers them in the right direction. The explanations can come later, with the state Price and Garrick are in, first they have to get to a secure location.

“Did you say we ? Is Jon with you?”

Of course Price immediately assumed Tavish is his mission partner.

“He’s in Neagos, we wanted to cover more ground,” Riley explains. He feels the Kiffar tense against him.

“You have to comm him, get him to retreat,” Price says with urgency. “They’re all over Elkeenar  and they have artefacts that affect Force users, they want to kriffing study us like we’re one of their treasures.” 

“We were cut off from the Force for days ,” Garrick adds in a haunted voice when Price needs to take a breath. “We only escaped today cause whatever shit they used on us was moved last night.” 

“We all have to get back to the Temple and come back with a bigger team to deal with these maniacs,” Price commands. 

Riley really hates this planet.

“Tavish went dark,” he says through gritted teeth. “He wanted to sneak into their potential hideout.”

Price lets out a streak of curses.

They manage to get to Riley’s ship without trouble, thank the Force. After boarding, they immediately take off into the planet's orbit to come up with their next steps.

They're crowded in the ship’s tiny medbay, taking care of whatever surface wound they can dress for now, when Riley announces his decision out loud.

“You can’t really land in Neagos, only outside of it. You’ll drop me off there and I’ll grab Tavish. Are you well enough to wait for us in orbit?”

“Are you out of your mind? We just told you how dangerous the cult is,” Garrick sputters, looking up from where he was applying bacta to his arm. Not many dare to talk back to Riley like this but with the Togruta’s weakness towards Price, by extension Garrick got to know him better than most. They’re not close, not really, but friendly enough for this kind of impolite discussion.

Price doesn’t join his apprentice's outburst, just narrows his eyes at Riley, observing, assessing. Whatever he sees is enough.

“Yes, we can wait.”

Garrick throws his Master a surprised look but doesn’t protest. Soon, they’re out of the medbay and Garrick is piloting the ship back to the surface.

“We’ll be waiting for your signal,” Price confirms as Riley gets ready to disembark, checking that both his lightsaber and his blaster are in place. “Bring him back.”

“Affirmative.”

“And be careful, Si.”

“No promises.”

Riley doesn’t wait to see the ship leave, he immediately takes off towards Neagos centre. Tavish didn’t really tell him much about his plan but if the cult was using underground tunnels in the capital, it’s the best clue he has here as well.

He’s barely breached the city when his comm crackles to life.

“Knight Riley, are you there…?”

Tavish! The bastard is alive but his voice is trembling in a very disturbing way. Riley grabs his comm so abruptly he drops it to the ground.

“Si…? Fuck, are you there?”

Riley finally wraps his hand securely around the damned thing and responds. “Jonny! I’m here. Are you injured?”

“I’m not a medic,” comes the vague reply. So he definitely is.

“Keep your blood in, you’ll need every drop.” Riley is aware he’s talking nonsense but he feels almost dizzy with relief just from hearing Tavish’s voice.

“Kark, I wish that was the biggest problem,” Tavish mumbles. “Si… I can’t feel the Force,” his voice breaks with desperation. “It hurts every time I reach out.”

Riley wraps his free hand around his lightsaber as his blood boils with rage.

“I found Price, he says it’s temporary, you’ll be fine, Jonny. You just need to get to safety.”

Zabrak’s sigh of relief is audible even through the comm.

“You’ll need to improvise to survive.”

Chapter Text

“Where are you?” Riley asks as he tucks himself into a side alley so he can focus on the conversation with Tavish. “Are you able to give me a location?”

“No, I got turned around underground when I started running,” the Zabrak admits with irritated huff. Riley swears under his breath. They chose to use the untraceable comms for this assignment so if Riley tries to meet Tavish halfway, they may miss each other altogether and this will turn into an even bigger mess.

“Will you be able to find your way to the landing spot when I dropped you off?” 

There’s a longer pause but then: “Yes, I should be…”

“Good. I’ll be waiting here,” Riley says, leaning heavily against the nearest wall. He wishes he could do more.

“Be careful, the cult is looking for me, they’re probably all around the city now.”

“Let’s worry about you,” the Togruta reminds him of the priorities.

“So you do like me,” Tavish’s voice is amused even if still shaky. Damn him.

“I like you alive,” Riley dodges. “Do you still have your lightsabers?”

“Yeah, but– My head is karked, Si, I’m so dizzy that without the Force, they’re just very dangerous, fancy swords.”

“That will have to do, Jonny,” Riley insists and then takes a big breath. He doesn’t want to say the words waiting their turn on his tongue but he has to. “They’re after you and they won’t be merciful, you can’t be either,” he says in a stern voice. He can’t have Tavish not get out of this in one piece because he’s too kind ; he can’t be a peacekeeper right now, he has to be a survivor. “Price told me the cult is torturing Force sensitives,” he adds, hoping that will be enough to make Tavish realise what has to be done.

“I’ve seen some unprecedented amounts of fuckery in their hideout,” Tavish reports unexpectedly. “There were bodies… Kids.” The Zabrak's voice is determined when he speaks next. “Negotiations are not an option for them.”

RIley nods even though the other Jedi can’t see him. “Stick to the edges and stay low,” he advises. “Without the Force, you have to fall back to your natural instincts… You have better hearing and sense of smell than most species, if you don’t trust yourself with the lightsabers, use your horns. We’re predators, Tavish, take advantage of that.”

“Speaking from experience?”

Riley can hear that Tavish wants to make it sound playful but there’s strain in his voice that he can’t erase. The Togruta wishes he could be there by his side, be Tavish’s weapon and bring him to safety; replace that tension with certainty that he’s getting out in one piece. But all he can offer is his words so he decides to do something he hasn’t done in years. He opens up, bares himself so that Tavish wouldn’t feel all alone .

“When my Master attacked me,” Riley says and a phantom pain seems to pierce his montral at the memory. “I was just a Padawan, Jonny. He was better trained with a lightsaber, more attuned with the Force… I relied on the only advantage I had to get out of there alive, that he was a Human and I’m a Togruta.”

Tavish ponders it for a few seconds. “Is that why you always carry a blaster despite having a lightsaber? Insurance for every occasion after having the Force was not enough… I’m starting to get it.” Riley hums in agreement. He’s taken by surprise when the other Knight speaks again: “I’m happy you’re the one who survived,” the raw honesty of Tavish’s words punches the air out of him. Riley heard it before that he was lucky to be the one to return from that mission but no one said it so openly before that they’re glad to have him in their life. “Kriff!” Tavish’s distressed whisper immediately brings him back to the danger at present. “I hear them coming. Out for now.”

Riley tries meditating while he waits. Since he became a Master-killer, he’s built walls around himself in the Force. While he doesn’t really welcome other Force users poking at him in the Force or even sensing him, he still enjoys meditating by feeling the life surrounding him. Focusing on the energy flowing through the plants and the creatures grounds him in a way that no other type of meditation does. Combat meditation, while also highly preferred by him, is more about letting go for Riley. Connecting with all that life, that’s by some regarded as lesser but remains so robust and diverse, it reminds Riley that he’s part of this world still and why he wants to be its peacekeeper.

Riley has been focusing on some kind of rodent creatures huddling for warmth in the neighbouring alley when his comm crackles back to life.

“There were two of them,” Tavish reports. “I managed to sneak up on them… I didn’t need a clear head to put the ‘saber against the first’s back and turn it on. The other heard me then but I used your advice about the horns. Once he was struck down, I repeated the ‘saber move.”

“Good work, Jonny. Keep yourself in one piece.” 

He can hear that Tavish is panting heavily but not from physical strain – it sounds more like someone on the verge of a stress-induced attack. Stabbing someone in the back isn’t a walk in the park for someone who’s been taught to appreciate all life. Especially after Tavish has already been unbalanced by losing his connection with the Force. 

“While waiting for you I’ve been reading on my datapad about anti-gravity,” Riley says casually and makes the silence reverberate between them for a moment. “It’s impossible to put down.”

The Zabrak lets out a choked sound that’s half chuckle and half surprised exhale.

“Oh stars,” he complains but his breathing sounds more level. There’s a pause and then a small gasp. “I see a speeder.” 

Riley starts pacing the length of the alley he’s hiding in.

“The speeder is busted, fuck,” Tavish reports after a moment.

“Does it have any baggage compartments? Anything you could use in there? Stims?”

“Good thinking, lemme check.” 

The Togruta manages to finish another round around the alley when Tavish speaks again.

“No stims or weapons, only a bottle of spotchka.”

“Keep it,” Riley advises. “May come in handy.”

“I’m thinking what you’re thinking, Si,” the Zabrak replies. Then there’s a sound of a fabric ripping and Riley feels his mouth curl into a little smile. “One makeshift incendiary ready.”

“Use it wisely,” Riley says but then he can’t help but ask, “Did you rip your poncho for it?” 

“Yeah, it was my favourite,” Tavish complains. Riley can see that pout in his mind. “You’ll have to go shopping for a new one with me after this.”

“Deal,” Riley replies. “Just get your arse here in one piece.”

“Taken a shine to me, then?” Tavish teases again.

"Not in the slightest," Riley blatantly lies . He's been known if the little chuckle at the other end is any indication. Stars , he wishes he'll get to hear it in person soon.

"I'm going interior, there's some kind of abandoned building," the Zabrak reports. "Maybe I'll lose them if I get off the streets." There's a pause, some sounds of opening doors. "The Order must return here and take care of these sleemos … "

The statement is followed by a startled intake of breath and an impressive set of whispered swear words, not all of them in Basic. Riley stops in his tracks, tensing all over. He shuts his jaw forcefully, doesn't dare speak in case it brings unwanted attention.

"Just a tooka, jumped right in front of my face, scared the living daylights out of me," Tavish says at last. Riley makes himself take a slow deep breath as he listens in on the sounds of the Zabrak moving through the building. They’re both on the edge and that’s not good. He makes himself stop pacing and leans against the wall again, looking up at the grey sky. The evening is transforming into night and Riley really wishes they’re going to be out of here before darkness envelopes the city.

"Why are tookas excellent bosses?" the Torguta asks once it’s apparent he won’t extinguish the restlessness that already settled into his bones.

Tavish sighs resignedly. "Why are they?"

"They have great litter-ship," Riley serves the punchline, keeping his voice deadpan.

“One more like this and I’m ditching ya arse here and looking for a vagabond smuggler to seduce to take me out of here,” Tavish threatens even though there’s amusement colouring his voice. With that smile of his, Tavish would probably achieve that without much effort.

A tang of jealousy flooding Riley’s chest is not something he expected or welcomes, but there’s nothing he can do to cease its spread once the vision of Tavish flirting with a dashing spacer invades his mind. 

Sithspit, Riley is fucked . After not allowing anyone to get close to him for so long, somehow Tavish has snaked past all the walls he’s built to keep people away, without Riley noticing the breach. Now, it seems like it’s too late.

“Oh, this was a perfect shortcut,” Tavish speaks again over the comm, unaware of Riley’s internal crisis. “I should be in your location in a couple of minutes.”

“Good, don’t get in trouble now,” Riley almost growls in response. He cannot wait to be out of this planet. Once he’s back in the Temple, he’s going to shut himself away in the most remote meditation room possible and delete the damned Zabrak out of his mind along with his fanged smile.

“Too late, there’s someone behind me,” Tavish reports. He sounds exhausted. “I’m going to cut them off with the incendiary and make a run for it.”

“Go for it, I’m waiting.”

When Tavish finally walks into the Torguta's view, Riley immediately runs into the direction of the other Knight, lightsaber still deactivated but at the ready in his hand. 

"Good to see you, Si," Tavish pants once they're level.

"You said you're not hurt!" is Riley's response once he takes in the Zabrak’s state. His right arm is covered in blood, skin torn nastily in multiple places. The yellow of his face has an ashen quality to it, the shade that’s usually radiating warmth now all drained by the fatigue and blood loss.

"No, I said that the biggest problem is that I can’t feel the Force," Tavish corrects. Riley lets out an unintelligible sound of frustration that's more of a grunt. Then he hands Tavish his blaster and turns towards the two cultists who have finally caught up after the incendiary has delayed them earlier.

Riley’s lightsaber comes to life with a hiss. The purple glow is almost comforting as right now it means Riley can at last do something. He steps in front of Tavish, covering him. There are only two adversaries to be taken care of – a Human and a Twi'lek – and Riley really has no patience for this nuisance anymore. He just wants to leave Elkeenar with Tavish, Price and Garrick alive and breathing, and then have a breakdown over the Zabrak in peace. 

At least the Order will have two of these maniacs less to worry about when they’re back to deal with the cult and end their experiments. The Togruta extends his hands and uses the Force to pull one of the cultists towards him, the Human flails but can’t stop the movement. He shouts out a threat but it gets cut off with a wet gurgle once the purple blade penetrates his stomach. 

Riley lets the body fall to the ground and when he looks up towards the remaining Twi'lek, he’s in the middle of taking something out of his jacket. Then a blaster bolt swishes from behind the Togruta and hits the Twi’lek in the shoulder, making him drop whatever item he wanted to use. Riley shoots a quick glance towards Tavish, who’s still standing at the ready to fire the blaster again, and then leaps towards the cultist. He makes a Force-assisted jump over the Twi’lek, making a turn in the air that allows him to land facing the man’s back. The Twi’lek tries to lean down to retrieve the item, but after a swing from the Togruta’s lightsaber, he collapses to the ground next to it.

After checking that no more cultists are coming, Riley takes out his comm again and changes the frequency to reach Price in orbit. Once he gets the confirmation that the Jedi Master is on his way, he leans down to snatch the item Twi’lek tried to use. The Order will study it once they’re back on Coruscant.

Riley approaches Tavish and frowns at his state once again. 

“Always a pleasure watching you work, Knight Riley,” Tavish says with a tired smile, he’s slightly swaying from side to side. He extends Riley’s blaster back to him but the Togruta takes it only to slip it behind the Zabrak’s belt.

“Keep it for now,” he says and then grabs Tavish’s uninjured arm to throw it over his own shoulder, so that he can take part of the other Jedi’s weight as they start walking towards the landing zone.

“You know what,” Tavish breathes out. He’s practically clinging to the Zabrak by now. “I hate this planet.”

ж

Riley is definitely not walking around the corridors surrounding the Halls of Healing because he wants to see Tavish alive and well after treatment without actually visiting him.

After they left Elkeenar and arrived back at the Temple, Riley escorted Tavish, Price, and Garrick to the healers and then left to give the Council a primary report on the situation. After being dismissed and told to rest, he went along with his plan to find a remote place to meditate Tavish away from his mind.

He was unsuccessful. Instead of focusing on the flow of the Force, Riley kept thinking back to the hyperspace journey back to Coruscant. How Price and Riley tried to stabilise the Zabrak with whatever medical supplies they had access to onboard, how bad the wounds on Tavish’s arm looked when they cleaned them… How Tavish’s hand grabbed Riley’s robe and wouldn’t let go even when he passed out. Fortunately, the Zabrak was feeling better when they landed, even said he’s starting to sense the Force again, but he still needed healers’ attention.

And here Riley is now, not even a full rotation since their return, brought on by all these thoughts he was supposed to extinguish. Creeping in the vicinity of the Halls of Healing and pretending he’s not here on purpose.

There’s a sound of doors opening and he manages to slip into a side corridor without being spotted. He doesn’t want to impose himself onto Tavish, the other Knight had to endure the Togruta on Elkeenar in an intensity he didn’t ask for. Riley just wants to make sure the Zabrak is okay… Then he hears voices he didn’t expect and he leans out a little bit from his hideout.

"Master Tavish, Master Tavish!" The younglings are all yelling over one another as if it was possible for the Zabrak not to notice a flock of them running towards him. From his spot, the Togruta can see three of the younglings crowding the other Knight and half of Tavish himself, a glimpse of the warm yellow skin with much healthier glow compared to the state he was in when Riley left the Zabrak with the healers.

"Hi, wee ones," Tavish says, his voice tired but joyful. It now comes back to Riley that Tavish has mentioned he’s regularly helping around the creche and working with the younglings. He must know them personally.

"Are you okay?" a pantoran girl asks, she’s conspicuously staring at the Zabrak’s right arm. Riley can’t see it but there must be extensive dressings considering how messed up it was back on Elkeenar. Even with Zabrak's natural rapid healing, it’s going to need bacta and time to be back to full health.

"I'm fine, the healers patched me up, I'll be good as new soon," Tavish reassures his companions.

"Is it true you were on a mission with Master Riley?" the girl asks again. "He's scary," she adds in a loud whisper.

"Oh, come on, don't be like that," Tavish chastises in a soft voice. "Just because he's big and has unusual markings doesn't mean he's scary. He's just grumpy," the Zabrak says in a way that Riley knows is accompanied with that smile of his that should be predatory and intimidating but is charming. "The only scary thing about Knight Riley is how bad his jokes are," he adds in a tone that implies he’s sharing a secret.

Some of the younglings giggle, some openly express their doubt that Knight Riley would ever jest. Riley doesn’t even really mind they’re talking about him – and actively ignores the warmth that kindled in his chest upon hearing Tavish negate his reputation like this. He could watch Tavish interact with the kids for hours.

“Come on,” a new voice joins in. Not a youngling, someone Riley couldn’t have seen from his hideout. He recognizes Master Shaak Ti’s voice, she must be the one taking care of the kids’ right now. “We should let Master Tavish go so he can rest.”

The younglings voice their disappointment but dutifully say their goodbyes and start walking away, then Master Ti passes Tavish with a nod, encouraging the kids to keep going. But one of them still lingers, a tiny Human with red hair who seems the youngest of the bunch. He’s stubbornly looking up at the Zabrak.

“‘I’m really okay, Cal,” Tavish crouches down to be more level with the tiny Human and reaches out to tousle the kid’s hair. “I’ll visit ya in the creche tomorrow. Now go join your friends!”

Cal nods enthusiastically and finally runs off. The Zabrak stares after the departing younglings, as if waiting for them to gain enough distance before he goes his own way. Riley can’t help his curiosity to see the reason for this delay and hangs back along with the other Knight. 

He somehow didn’t expect what actually comes once Tavish is alone.

“I know you’re there, Si,” Tavish announces loud enough to make sure Riley hears him.

Riley swears under his breath and leaves his hideout. He approaches the other Knight, finally fully taking him in.

He really does look better, there are still lines of exhaustion on his face but the ashen shade to his skin is all gone. As Riley expected, almost his whole right arm is covered in dressings, the sterile white contrasting with the yellow and the dark tattoos. 

“I was just––” Riley starts but immediately stops himself when one of Tavish’s eyebrows rises in amusement. The Togruta sighs. “It’s good to see you not bleeding out over my robes.”

“You know how to make a guy feel appreciated,” Tavish chuckles. Riley’s fingers burn with the need to follow the lines his face markings make when he’s smiling.

Some of that desire must be visible in Riley’s eyes because the next moment Tavish takes a look to the left and then right, and after confirming it’s only them in the corridor, he takes a step closer until there’s barely any distance left between them. Riley finds himself unable to move, just observe, as one of the Zabrak’s hands loosely wraps around his lekku. Then, just as he releases a sharp breath at the touch, Tavish rises to his tiptoes and leaves a soft kiss on Riley’s lips.

“Thank you for helping me back there, Si,” he whispers against Riley’s mouth and then, after still getting no reaction from the other Jedi, he starts moving back with a little disappointed smile. 

The Torguta finally unfreezes and, before Tavish manages to fully withdraw, gathers him in his arms. Riley leans down to close the distance again, capture these lips with hunger he didn’t think himself capable of. Tavish’s hand around his lekku tightens just the littlest bit as he reciprocates the kiss.

“We shouldn’t be doing this,” Riley states, while still keeping the Zabrak in an encompassing embrace with no intention of letting go.

“Jedi shouldn’t be wearing war paint either,” Tavish quips, while lightly running his fingertips over the dark pigment covering Riley’s face. His hand’s journey continues lower, where it strokes over the Togruta’s lip, and then drops to his collar to pull him back into a kiss.

Riley doesn’t protest. He kisses the Zabrak back, deepening it, and then raises his own hand to feel the softness of Tavish’s hair. The other Knight hums in approval but then, when Riley wraps his fingers around one of Tavish’s horns, he lets out a startled gasp and bites the Togruta’s lip. Riley isn’t sure if he wants to complain or ask him to do it again.

But Tavish withdraws from the kiss completely and wraps his own hand around Riley’s wrist. “If you want to do that , we really shouldn’t be in public,” he says a little breathlessly and Riley immediately moves his hand away. “The bases of the horns are… very sensitive.”

“Noted,” Riley confirms and wraps his arm back around the Zabrak’s waist.

“I wouldn’t mind when it’s just the two of us, though,” Tavish winks at him and Riley has never felt so frustrated by and drawn to a person before.

“We’ll get back to it when you’re fully recovered,” Riley decides. 

This is all moving in a direction he didn’t anticipate, even if he definitely likes this development, so it will probably do them both good to slow down. Just for a little bit.

ж

Riley has been staying away from the Room of the Thousand Fountains in the last few years. Not because he didn’t like it, he always enjoyed meditating in the greenhouse as a youngling. He never really analysed the reason for his recent refusal to visit, but thinking about it now, it was probably part avoidance of other Jedi and part punishing himself.

Presently he’s tucked away in one of the more remote corners of the greenhouse where there’s more shadow, surrounded by the plants that prefer little sunlight even though they’re still vibrant and blooming in a plethora of colours. Despite the exquisite flora around him, Riley’s gaze keeps coming back to the Zabrak sprawled on the grass next to him. Tavish’s head is resting on Riley’s thigh, one of his horns pressing against his leg in a way that will probably slightly bruise but the Togruta doesn’t dare move. Tavish has been sleeping for almost half an hour now, nestled on his side with the injured arm cradled against his chest. He seems peaceful.

There’s nowhere else Riley would rather be than here.

He knows that what they’re playing at is dangerous. But he also knows that they can do this. Attachments are forbidden for Jedi but that’s a simplification that’s often misinterpreted by the outsiders. Healthy bonds are encouraged, the Jedi are built on the relationships between Masters and their apprentices; the whole Order is a community. Physical relationships are not forbidden in any shape or form. As long as their attachments are not the controlling force in their lives, as long as being galaxy’s peacekeepers is the goal that’s above all, no one is going to shun them. Being Jedi is a choice and both Riley and Tavish want to follow that path.

Riley knows that if he had to choose between lives of the innocent and Tavish, he would choose the former. It would kill him inside, revert him back to that closed off being terrified by vulnerability that he was after his Master’s betrayal, but he would keep to the Jedi way. Being able to wield the Force is a privilege but also a responsibility, he can’t call himself a Jedi if he ever allows his emotions to lead to harm of others.

He’s sure Tavish would make the right choices every time, too, whatever happens between them. Riley knows Tavish is going to be one of the best of the Jedi.

He perceives the new presence in the Force first before hearing the approach; an instinct he developed once his hearing was handicapped by the loss of his montral. It's Master Price, fortunately moving stealthily across the flora. When he takes a seat next to Riley, the Zabrak doesn't stir. Riley can feel Tavish is still asleep in the Force – another change in his life caused by the other Knight. Ever since his Master's betrayal, Riley has been closing himself off in the Force. He would use it to sense other living beings around but keep the emphatical aspect of that perception strictly restricted. He can't really pinpoint the exact moment when he started opening up to Tavish but right now his presence in the Force is constant and welcome.

“The Masters are gathering a group to go back to Elkeenar to deal with the cult,” he reports in a quiet voice. “I’ve recommended you two stay and recover, there are other teams who have returned in full health from their missions and are available now.”

Riley’s hand twitches where it’s spread over Tavish’s chest, where he can feel both of his hearts beating. 

“Thank you,” he whispers back. He’s truly grateful. He knows Tavish would go if the Council asked, even without being fully healed both physically and in the Force.

“I heard him talk with Ky," Price says, changing the subject without any warning as he observes the sleeping Zabrak with a paternal warmth that makes Riley look away. "He wanted to ask for an apprentice and then he got assigned to a first mission with you… He hasn't breached the topic since."

"Get on with it, pass your judgement," Riley grumbles. Price lets out a small chuckle.

"I don't intend to judge any of you, I want to make sure you're aware that he wants to be there for you. It's not only Laswell pairing you up on assignments, it's his choice to be available for them."

Riley simply studies Tavish’s sleeping form without offering any words in return. As he’s observing the rhythmical rise and fall of his shoulders, something aches in his own chest.

"I'm really glad to see you open up again, Si," Price's voice has that same tenderness he was looking at the Zabrak with moments ago, so Riley doesn't dare cross their gazes. After a pause he adds pointedly: “Don’t fuck it up, you two make a good pair.”

At that comment, Riley does look up. There’s a mischievous glint in Price’s eyes that makes the Togruta wonder if by ‘a good pair’, the Kiffar means them as a team on missions or if he somehow knows about the latest development in their relationship. He doesn’t ask. He knows Price wouldn’t disapprove as long as they know what they’re doing – and from his comment it seems like he does trust them not to let this turn into something dangerous. He’s unconventional in his own Jedi way too; Riley knows for a fact that if he wasn't, he’d already be on the Council.

Master Price gets up from the grass but shoots them one last glance before walking away.

“Take care of each other,” he says. “No Jedi should be alone.”

Riley watches him walk away while Tavish sleeps on, none the wiser of their visitor. The Togruta allows himself to fall into meditation, letting himself be enveloped by the tranquillity of the slowly growing plants and the rhythmic beat of the Zabrak’s hearts. He feels deeply peaceful in a way he hasn’t experienced in ages. Vulnerable, opening himself up in the Force to feel Tavish’s presence, but safe, no longer solitary in the prison of his own making.

When Tavish rouses some time later, he turns from his side to a position where he’s lying on his back and stretches. Riley exits his meditative state slowly to join him, and when he opens his eyes, the Zabrak is gazing up at him.

There’s tenderness in these blue eyes that Riley isn’t used to seeing while others look at him. He consciously stops himself from looking away and Tavish’s lips slowly curl into a smile.

It’s terrifying to be exposed like this but he wants Tavish to know he is appreciated. He’s not sure how to transform it into words or actions yet, but he puts the feeling into the Force, lets Tavish feel how content he is at the moment. The Zabrak’s smile widens, and then after a heartbeat, turns into something a little bit more feral as he shows more of his sharp teeth and a new playfulness blooms over his face.

“You promised me a new poncho.”