Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Kazuda Xiono stopped dead in his tracks, something in the air catching his attention.

It was another morning on the run from the first order aboard the colossus. Kaz had woken up from his bunk in Jarek Yeager’s hanger. He’d showered, dressed and his next mission was to go grab a cup of caff and find something to eat before the rest of his day continued.

But all thoughts abruptly ceased when he caught the most delightful aroma floating in the hanger air.

“Hay, guys… what’s that awesome smell?” The dark haired human asked aloud.

There was a loud clatter as Neeku squeaked softly and dropped the box of parts he was holding all over the floor.

“I don’t smell anything.” Yeger said, frowning over at the Nikto as the reptilian quickly scrambled to pick up all the bits and bob’s he’d dropped.

“I agree. There is no smell in the air at present. Apart from the normal miasma of the work bay. Grease, ozone, old food, stinky boots, scorched metal and body odour. Just normal, very unpleasant, not at all nice smelling, body odour.” Neeku blabbered quickly, throwing things haphazardly into the box.

“It’s definitely not B.O. or boots.” Kaz said, hands on his hips and sniffing again. “How can you guys not be smelling that! It’s amazing!”

Kazuda started walking around the work bay, nose in the air, like a lurker hound following a trail, going too and frow, trying to pinpoint where it was coming from.

“Can you describe it?” The older human asked, curious himself about the apparent mystery smell only the resistance spy could detect.

“It’s kinda...,” Kaz paused, closing his eyes and took a long, deep breath. Racking his brain to try and put into words the incredible sent currently tormenting him. “It’s kinda rich… Sweet and… creamy? A little salty and buttery all at once- Like-like-like- OH! That’s it!” He exclaimed, clicking his fingers at finely hitting on what it reminded him off.

“What is it?” The bearded man asked.
“It’s just like the fancy Bantha milk hot chocolate I use to have at home on treat days!” Kaz sighed, reminiscing on the last time he’d enjoyed such a tasty delight. “Man, I love those things!”

Yeager in turn lifted his nose to the air and gave an experimental sniff or two. Again frowning when he couldn’t smell anything out of the ordinary, let alone something as delicious as Kaz was making it out to be.

“Your sure your nose is working right, kid? I don’t know where you’re getting that cuz I really can’t smell anything.” The older man said.

“Are you sure yours is?” The younger man teased back. “You are missing out! Mmmm, man that smells Sooooo good!” Kaz said, lost in the unexpected delight. Closing his eyes again so he could focus on the smell, he walked a few steps more following the sent... It was getting stronger. “Where is it coming from?!” He muttered to himself.

With his eyes closed, distracted and Kaz being his usual clumsy self; he walked straight into something solid. He cried out in surprise as he bounced off and stumbled back; but intern was also hit with an intense burst of that sumptuous aroma.

It took a moment of flailing arms to steady himself. He then realised that Neeku, and the box of stuff he was carrying, was what he’d walked into. His friend’s dark black eyes wide and staring at him like a small animal caught in a tanks path.

“Whoa! Sorry buddy! Didn’t mean to bump into you.” Kaz apologised immediately.
“That is alright Kaz, but it would be best if you looked to where you are going.” The Nikto said stiffly and started to hurriedly walk past him. Kazuda,s nose flared as that lovely hot chocolaty smell got stronger the second Neeku passed him.

Was that lovely smell wafting around coming from Neeku?!

“Wait! Neeku! Is that you?” Kaz exclaimed, reaching out to gently grab the Niktos arm to stop him. Neeku froze on the spot.
“I-I do not know to what you are referring to Kazuda.” Neeku said. Standing stiff as a durasteel beam. Kaz came closer to his friend. Confirming to himself that the aroma was indeed coming from the reptilian being. The delicious smell only getting stronger the closer he got.

“It is you! Wow, Did you like, change your shower wash or something?” Kaz asked. Unable to stop himself sniffing the addictive air around Neeku.
“That-That is not me.” The other said firmly, leaning slightly away from the humans inquisitive nose. “You are very much mistaken.”

“Nope, It is definitely coming from you, buddy.” Kaz chuckled.

“NO! You do not smell anything Kazuda Xiono!” Neeku suddenly cried out angrily. Wrenching his arm out of Kaz’s hand. “No! No! You do not!”

“Hay! Chill out Neeku! I’m not teasing you or anything! I’m not trying to be mean! It’s a compliment! Honest! You smell really, really nice! Its good! I like it!” Kaz smiled kindly. That answer only seemed to make the Nikto more aggravated.

“NO! You do not! You do not like it! I do not want your compliments!” Neeku snapped, “Please keep your olfactory senses closed around my person! That smell is not for you to enjoy!”

Neeku scowled up at him a moment longer before he stomped off and out of the hanger. Kaz was left scratching his head in dismay.

The two human males were left utterly bewildered. They sheared a puzzled look but both shrugged it off as just another odd Neeku quirk.

Chapter Text

Neeku was growing claws.

That shouldn’t have been a surprise to anyone. After all he was a Kadas’sa’Nikto, and that subspecies of Nikto did naturally grow impressive sets of claws to aid in their home environment.

Yet Neeku had always kept his own oddly short. Filing and clipping them down to an almost non-existent length. When Kazuda had asked about it before, Neeku had simply explained that it just made it easier for him to work with delicate machines, wires and circuitry. His fingers having much more dexterity and sensitivity without the sharp and hardened keratin.

But now, for some unknown reason, he had started to let them grow out. And they had grown rapidly. In only a few days the young male Nikto had a full set of very hard and very sharp talons.

He adapted quickly to them, though there were a few grumbles here and there as he adjusted. Having to re-learn how to do even simple tasks with his new nails.

Neeku unconsciously started tapping them together or against surfaces. Mostly while he was reading or in deep concentration. The little tippy tap sound of hard keratin rhythmically drumming against things became a regular sound around the workshop and Colossus stations as he worked.

Neeku also started running and scratching his claws and fingertips along surfaces. Seemingly just to enjoy the feeling and sound they made. Wood and material appeared to be his favourite sound and sensations, but that was scarce at the best of times on a spaceship. But when he did find some, he went almost giddily feral and pawed relentlessly at the object. Often having to be pried away from the surface before the damage done was too grate.

Yeager and Doza had both tried to gently tell him to knock it off. As the Young mans clawing of walls and soft furnishings was starting to leave ineradicable marks everywhere on the ship. It was like someone had let a wild Nexu lose on board.

But after three dozen attempts to correct the behaviour, they both eventually gave up and just decided to let the Nikto do as he wanted. After all, Neeku was indispensable to the running and maintenance of the colossus, having taken on the unofficial role as the ships chief engineer.

Doza decided to just put the damage down as natural wear and tear. It was a small price to pay to keep their chief mechanic happy.

Kaz caught himself eyeing his friends hands on more than one occasion. Watching the long slender and clever green fingers, now adorned with their sharpened tips, as they worked. They looked like they could do some real damage if Neeku ever decided to use them in anger.

But Kazuda dismissed the notion with a dismissive internal laugh. His friend was the kindest, most gentle person he had ever known. He was generous and sweet and would aid anyone in need. He barely ever raised his voice in anger, there was no way he’d ever raise a claw. It was strange seeing such vicious and deadly looking adaptations on such a gentle being.

In fact… Kazuda didn’t think he’d ever seen Neeku really, really mad at anyone. He was just so placid and laid back. The human briefly wondered what it would take to drive his friend into such a fit of rage. But he honestly just couldn’t imagine his best friend ever being pushed that far.

But Kaz wasn’t sure if he was entirely on board with this new feature of his Nikto friend. The sound those sharp claws made as Neeku ran them along every available surfaces made the dark-haired young man shudder in a way he couldn’t quite explain.

Chapter Text

Neeku placed a hand on Kaz’s back, as he lent over the other to reach for a tool.

The pair were working in the bowels of the Colossus on some faulty panel that was somehow affecting numerous and seemingly unrelated systems abord the giant ship.

The touch didn’t faze Kaz in the slightest. In fact, it was a comfortable, welcome, cool weight on his back. They often worked closely together in cramped spaces, on ships, maintenance tubes or equipment. Getting squished close together and casual touches between them were just the norm as they worked.

The human enjoyed the comradery he felt when he worked like this with Neeku. He was never grate when it came to the technical side of fixing things. Since coming to the Colossus, Kaz felt like he learnt a lot by watching and listening to his friend as they worked a problem out. It helped that Neeku was always delighted to explain anything Kaz asked about. He never belittled him or made him feel embarrassed about asking about something he didn’t know.

Working together was made even more pleasant recently by the sweet fragrance that now apparently accompanied the Nikto wherever he went.

Neither Kaz or Yeager had brought up the subject of the smell since the incident in the hanger. No one else seemed to had pointed it out or commented about it either, so they had just let it be.

Neeku clearly felt a little self-conscious by it and the humans didn’t want to make him feel bad or insecure over something so trivial. So they just pretended that it wasn’t there. Or at least Kaz did, seeing as he was apparently the only one that could smell anything.

After all, Kaz really did love the sweet, creamy scent; and whatever it was that made him smell so good, it would be a crying shame if Neeku changed it.

Distracted as he was by the lovely aroma drifting around him and the complex work in front of him; he wasn’t at all prepared for the way Neeku’s hand slid up his neck. His cool fingertips just touching his short, clipped hairline before sliding down his back.

Neeku’s palm remained a solid weight and firm pressure, but his fingers curled as he moved down. Making the new claws rake slightly through his hair and over the sensitive skin of his neck. As the hand travelled down, claws caught on the thin material of Kaz’s black top. Teasing the human’s skin beneath with the tempered sharpness of the Niktos talons.

Kaz actually stopped breathing for a moment. His whole body reacted intensely to the sensation, he shuddered bodily. But not out of disgust or fear…

The sensation felt… nice. Really, really nice actually.

As in, nice enough to make his heart quicken and his nether regions wake up at the unexpected thrill.

But the touch was gone almost as soon as it started along with Neeku. The Reptilian retreating to the other side of the cramped alcove to continue working on his section with no acknowledgment of what just happened.

Kazuda cast a baffled look over his shoulder, Neeku clearly didn’t realise what he’d inadvertently done as he was humming to himself and getting on with his task. It wasn’t surprising, his friend was overly touchy at the best of times and so sweetly innocent. Kaz was100% positive that he was oblivious to how a touch like that could be construed.

The human took a long breath, shook his head and went back to work. Trying not to think too deeply as to why he reacted so scandalously to his friend’s clearly innocent touch

Trying very hard to ignore the ghost of those claws that lingered on his skin.

Chapter Text

There was something on Kazuda’s pillow.

The human had just gotten out of the shower, his dark hair still a little damp and sticking to his forehead. Currently topless as in his haste to get the days grime off him, he’d forgotten to take a clean shirt with him into the fresher.

At first, he hadn’t noticed it sitting there. He was far more focused on looking for clothes. the chill that now permeated the garage since they started travelling through space was quite unpleasant at times.

Kaz shuddered a little from the cold, the fine hair on his body standing up to try and trap some heat. His nips currently looked and felt like rivets on the underside of an ice freighter!

The human had crouched down to rummage around in the draw under his bunk. It was where he kept most of his spare clothes and essentials.

As he looked for a clean top, or at least one that wasn’t too whiffy, his eyes caught sight of the object laying in the centre of his pillow.

Thoughts of his top and the cold air around him momentarily forgotten as he stood and picked up the curiosity.

It was a leather and bead bracelet. Comprising of three braids altogether. The two on the outside were black and were simple three strand plaits. The middle braid was far more complicated.

A six strand braid of dark green leather and a patterned dark grey material which had an iridescent sheen: all expertly woven together.

There were five stone beads of a beautiful swirling light green and black that had been incorporated into the dark green and grey braid. The colours mimicking his signature jacket perfectly. The band would tighten over the wearer by pulling on the tail ends of leather cord to draw it shut.

It was absolutely beautiful.

But this wasn’t the first time Kaz had found something placed on his bunk.

The resistance spy had started finding an array of little things appearing on his pillow over the past week. Pretty rocks, sweets, snack bars, interesting little machine parts, novelty little trinkets and juice packs.

He’d been enjoying the surprise little treats in his down time and he’d started putting the little non-edible collection of things on the shelf, next to his mangled trophy.

But they had all been little insignificant things. This was much more substantial. It probably cost a lot of credits. The craftsmanship alone was exquisite.

There could only be one person doing it and Kaz was pretty sure he was right on who the culprit was. The question was, why was he doing it?

He’d not brought up the little things. But this was too much for him not to talk about.

Kazuda turned round to look for his friend. He saw Neeku peeking out from behind the wall of the alcove to his own bunk. He’d clearly been watching the human but quickly ducked away with a soft ‘eep!’ when Kaz spotted him.

That reaction only made the resistance spy all the more puzzled.

“Neeku? Did you put this here?” Kaz asked. The Nikto remained hidden behind the wall out of sight. There was a long moment of silence before a small tentative reply.

“Yes.”

Kaz moved to the side of his friend’s bunk. That delicious Bantha hot chocolate smell was very strong here. The bedding of Neeku’s bunk apparently soaked it up like a sponge.

The human recently found himself just hanging out on the Niktos bunk with him just so he could slyly enjoy the sent wafting around him along with his friend’s company.

He found Neeku huddled in the far corner. Legs drawn up to his chest and looking for lack of a better word... Guilty. The reptilian was purposefully not looking at him and scratching at a grease spot on the knee of his yellow work overalls.

“Neeku, is this for me?” The human asked holding up the bracelet. The reptilians black eyes shifted quickly to look at him before flitting away. He remained silent,but nodded. “That’s- wow- that so kind of you! Thank you!” Kaz grinned, admiring the bracelet again. Turning it over in his hands, running his fingers over the leather and cool stones. “It’s fantastic!”

“Do you like it?” Neeku asked softly. Hopefully. Looking at him timidly.
“Yeah! Of course I do! It matches my jacket perfectly!”
“The colour choices were intentional for that very reason.” Neeku admitted.

“That’s just-so awesome! Where did you even get it? Somewhere in the market?” Kaz asked. He didn’t think he’d ever seen any of the stalls that sold jewellery having anything like the bracelet. And definitely nothing of this quality.

“Though some of the materials were indeed bought in the marketplace... I was the one that made it.” The Nikto said shyly.

Kazuda looked at his friend in shock. Not just because he was blown away once again by just how multi talented Neeku was, but he didn’t think anyone had ever hand made him anything before. Especially nothing this beautiful.

“Neeku-That’s... I can’t-That’s-that’s so amazing! But why? I don’t deserve anything this nice.” The human asked.

“But you do Kaz! You are my bestest friend! And I wanted to make you something to show that.” Neeku said earnestly, his dark eyes shining brightly up at him.

“I-I don’t know what to say! Thank you so much! I-I love it!” Kaz grinned, he was genuinely very touched and lost for words by the Nikto’s unfettered kindness and generosity.

“Really?!” Neeku smile widened, scrambling out of the corner of his bunk at last to stand beside the human. Looking happier than Kaz had ever seen him.

“Yeah! Really! You are super talented, buddy! An artisan as well as a genius mechanic.” Kaz complimented. “What kind of leather is it anyway? And what are these stones?”

Neeku became even more excited at the chance to talk about his work. Bouncing on the spot with giddy glee, dark eyes sparkling with joy.

“Oh! There are two types of leather in fact! The black outer braids are Taun Taun and the Dark green is Bantha! The leather actually comes from my family’s heard! I asked them to send me some especially for this.”
“Your family’s Banthas?” Kaz said in amazement. “That’s so cool!”
“The stone is semi-precious Green Maw-sit-sit all the way from Naboo. And most important of all, the grey textured strips in the central Bantha braid are pieces from my last year’s molt!”

That last sentence made Kazuda’s whole brain come screeching to a halt. The smile on his face faltering slightly.

“What do you mean by your last years... molt?” He asked suspiciously. Neeku’s smile only grew bigger and pointed to the middle braid again.

“See here? The grey. I incorporated strips of my own shed epidermis! Kadas'sa'Nikto molt every year to keep our skin healthy and to accommodate for our growth! I did so to give the braid added texture and colour! It also adds a pretty sheen when it catches the light! See!” He smiled proudly, turning Kazuda’s hand slightly to see the shimmer.

Kaz re-examined the bracelet a little more closely. Sure enough, on closer inspection, the pretty iridescent textured strips, were thick grey scaly skin.

Kaz didn’t quite know what to make of it.

“Neeku? Why do you have bits of your old skin just… hanging around?” Kaz asked slowly, dumfounded. The human wasn’t quite sure if he really wanted to know the reason why.

“For eating!” The reptilian replied cheerfully. “I have a box full! It is highly nutritious and full of filament keratins and corneous beta proteins! It is considered very wasteful and irresponsible just to throw it away. It makes for a good energy boosting snack in times of need!”

“Right... Of course, it does.” The human nodded. Kaz shouldn’t have been the slightest bit surprised by the answer. This after all, was the same person who had eaten the body of his deceased yet beloved pet; and someone who would happily kiss a gods awful smelling troublesome critter from the deep.

“I cant believe you used your own skin… That is... Kinda disgusting.” Kaz said, pulling a bit of a face with a snort. “I mean, it’s really sweet of you an all... But still, that’s kinda gross.”

Kazuda regretted it the moment the words left his mouth. He meant it to be just a harmless little tease. But as soon as he saw the sweet, ecstatically happy look on Neeku’s face fall, Kaz knew he’d fucked up royally.

Neeku looked so utterly heartbroken, on the verge of tears. As if Kaz had just punched him in the gut and then spat in his face for good measure.

“Oh... I am... sorry. I did not realise my gift of best friendship would disgust you so.” Neeku said quietly, crumpling in on himself. Stepping away from Kaz and wrapping his arms around his body.

“On Kintan, your molt is only ever to be eaten by yourself. It is a part of you, a deeply personal belonging. To give any of it away, even the smallest piece, is considered a profound gift. But… you are human and… I understand that you do not value such things. You don’t have to wear it, if it and I repulse you so much...”

Oh he had kriffed up so frelling bad, Kaz thought as he panicked.

“No! No! Neeku! I’m sorry! That’s not what I meant! Not at all!” Kaz tried immediately to fix his mistake, but the Nikto only drew further away from him.

“Please Kazuda, you do not have to spare my feelings... As your words have made your own quite clear.” The reptilian sounded so very upset as he got back onto his bunk. Resuming his previous position, huddled in the corner, looking like a beaten tooka kitten.

“Neeku, I’m so sorry! I was being a big dumb mouthed idiot! I wasn’t thinking about what I was saying.” Kaz tried to apologise again, he felt absolutely awful.

“That is a habit you have Kazuda.” Neeku agreed sounding miserable and a little bitter, hugging his knees tightly and not looking at the human. “I shouldn’t have been foolish enough to anticipate any other reaction from you. Other than for you to trivialise my precious gift to you.”

Kaz’s stomach twisted in the most awful guilt he’d ever felt in his life.

Looking between his best friend and the beautiful gift he’d been given. How could he be so unthinking and ungrateful? Why couldn’t he just keep his brain and trap shut!

It didn’t matter what it was made of! His friend, the best friend he’d ever had, spent credits on him for the materials. Took time out of his busy days and made him something so beautiful and personalised. Had gone so far as to have things sent from his home and use something so deeply personal to himself, to make it extra special.

Neeku had given Kaz something that was deeply meaningful and culturally significant for a Kadas’sa’Nikto. And the human had turned his nose up and called it disgusting like the high-class insensitive snobs and aristocrats he’d been around all his life back home on Hosnian Prime.

The human felt like such a dick-headed sleemo.

Kaz sat down on the edge of Neeku’s bunk. He shimmied over enough to be in front of his friend so he could attempt to look him in the eye. But the reptilian was pointedly not looking at him at all and seemed very tense at his proximity. The human placed a hand on Neeku’s forearm. Trying to ignore the others flinch at his touch.

“Hay... Look... I’m really, really sorry, buddy.” The young man said gently. “I didn’t understand before the importance of what you gave me. You’re right, I’m Human. I didn’t get how special it was. But that’s no excuse, I shouldn’t have been so ignorant. Now that I do know, I love it even more!”

“You do not mean that.” Neeku muttered dejectedly into his knees.
“No! I do! I do love it! You took the time to make something for me! After all the effort and meaning you put into it. How could I not?! I meant what I said before, it’s really beautiful.”

He slipped the band over his left hand and tightened the cords to fasten it around his wrist. The polished stones felt cool and smooth while the leather was soft and warm. The dark materials contrasting wonderfully against his light skin.

“There! See! It looks Great on me! But you’ve done it now, we are best friends for eternity. No matter what happens, or how far apart we are; I’m always going to know you’re with me. Because I’ll literally will have a bit of you with me!” Kaz grinned, showing Neeku how well it sat on his wrist. “And just so you know… This thing is now never coming off! The only way someone is getting it off me, is if they chop my hand off!”

That at last, managed to get a soft snort and a little smile from the Nikto. The human again rested his hand on his friend’s arm and gave him a warm smile.

“I’m honestly going to Treasure it forever. Can you forgive me for being my usual big dumb-dumb idiot self?” Kaz asked.

To his relief, Neeku’s little smile remained, and he nodded. Yet he still looked sad and dejected. Kaz knew he really needed to hammer home how serious he was about everything he said.

The human scooted even closer to Neeku, leaning over and wrapped an arm around the Nikto. Giving the reptilian being a tight, meaningful hug. Resting his cheek against the others to avoid getting spiked by his facial crest.

Neeku was always so happy to give out hugs. He was very open and giving with his physical affection. Often at time’s, a little too giving. But that was all part of his charm. He also never, ever turned down anyone who wanted to hug him. Enthusiastically reciprocating any and all affection.

Which now made it even more devastating to Kazuda when his friend froze solid at his touch. Neeku seemed to stop breathing and started to tremble against him, in what Kaz could only interpret as distress. It made Kaz feel even worse about everything he’d said.

The senator’s son hated himself for unintentionally hurting the other young man’s feeling so deeply. Criticising not only his lovingly handmade gift; but also, inadvertently disrespecting his people’s entire culture like the snobby rich-kid dickhead he tried so hard not to be.

He really was a kriffing bastard of a sleemo.

“Thank you Neeku.” Kazuda said softly, squeezing a little tighter. Trying to convey his sincerity. “I do, absolutely love the bracelet. I really mean it. I’m so very, very lucky to have you as my best friend. I really don’t deserve to have such a wonderful, kind and caring person like you in my life. but I’m glad I do.”

Kaz held his breath. Hoping his words would be accepted.

Slowly, tentatively, Neeku returned the hug. His knees dropped and he lent into the humans embrace. Arms sliding carefully around Kaz’s still naked upper body. Scaly palms coming to rest gently on the centre of the humans bare back. The Nikto pressing his face against Kaz’s. His wide nose brushing into the soft, warm spot just below the mammals earlobe.

The moment Kazuda felt Neeku sigh deeply and his tense body relax into him, Kaz let himself breathe in relief. Knowing that even though he may have been a dick, he hadn’t fucked up too badly. And that everything would be alright between them.

“You are forgiven for your unintentional transgression Kazuda. Even though you sometimes say or do the wrong thing... I know you are not a malicious person at hart. I know you didn’t mean it. You are still a very good friend. You are my best friend, Kaz,” Neeku said softly.

His breathing tickling the fine hair on the human’s neck in a strangely enjoyable way. The smell of warm creamy hot chocolate now so potent in the air around them he could almost taste it in his mouth.

“And… I want you to know, that your friendship means such a great deal to me Kaz. Far more then you will ever know.” Neeku said softly. Tightening his hold just enough to let his claws gently press into the Humans soft skin.

Kaz frowned a little. Why did that sound so strangely... Ominous?

Why did his skin tingle pleasantly where the others clawed fingertips gently clung or where Neeku’s lips just ever so lightly brushed against his neck as he spoke?

And… Was it just because he was still topless and his skin chilled from the vast emptiness of the cold garage air... Or did Neeku’s reptilian skin, which normally felt cool to the touch, now feel abnormally warm against him?

Chapter Text

Neeku had become unusually quiet.

The chatty and talkative Nikto, who was normally always so exuberant and cheerful, had suddenly become un-characteristically quiet and distant with everyone. Reclusive and sullen. Not at all his normal self.

It concerned not only Yeager and Kaz, but everyone who knew the mechanic. Everyone from Aunt Z, all the Aces to even Captain Doza. They all started picking up on the strange withdrawn behaviour.

The only person Neeku seemed to want to be around or even talk to was Kazuda.

When the mechanic was near the resistance spy, Neeku was his normal self. Bubbly and happy and oh so talkative. All it took was the other young man entering the room; then Neeku would brighten and become something like his normal self. But as soon as Kaz left or turned his attention away from the Nikto; Neeku became quiet again and looked so very unhappy.

Kaz couldn’t help but be aware of the strange behaviour. He also was noticing how restless his friend had become. Neeku was always somewhat busy, but he could easily relax and wined down after a busy day. He also never seemed to have any problems sleeping before.

Yet now, in moments of what should be peace he was distracted, fidgety and agitated. His clawed hands tapping or scratching at any available surface almost constantly. He’d clack the sharp talons together in what appeared to be a from of stress relief or self soothing.

The reptilian’s sleep was plagued with unease as well. Since Kazuda had known him, Neeku had always slept soundly in his bunk. The Nikto could apparently sleep through pretty much anything once he got into the REM stage.

But now Kaz would often be woken up to hear his friend murmuring and muttering in his sleep. Sharp claws unconsciously tearing at the bedclothes. Tossing and turning, talking in his native language or a mix of all the ones he knew.

It was one of the few times Kaz wish he’d taken another language course at school, then just his native Hosnian and the mandatory basic and Binary.

There were more then a few times in the dead of night, when he had been woken up, that the dark-haired human swore blind he herd his own name being mumbled from the other’s lips through his fidgety, uneasy sleep.

Along with the strange quiet behaviour around others, Neeku seemed even more clingy then normal. But only towards Kaz.

Ever since Kazuda had first met the reptilian, he had realised that he was a very tactile person. Touches and hugs given freely and frequently. Kazuda had found it a little disconcerting when he’d first arrived on the Colossus. But he’d quickly become accustomed to his friend’s physical personality.

Kaz, in all honesty, had really come to enjoy the hugs and closeness of their relationship. How easy touch and friendship had come to them. Sure, there were times when Neeku drove Kaz right up the wall in frustration. Often when he took things far too literally. Or when some of The Kadas’sa’Nikto’s personal habits un-nerved him.

Like the way he preferred to eat live food when he could. Kaz had witnessed many Gorg’s being devoured whole and still squirming. Often time screeching and crying out as they were consumed. Neeku would eat them with such glee and relish. All the while his sweet face would have viscera and blood dripping from his mouth.

Kaz didn’t think he’d ever really get over that part of his friends’ personality.

But he told himself that was just who Neeku was and in honesty… He wouldn’t change his brilliant if somewhat overly literal and slightly gory friend for anything.

It was just now, all that physicality and ravenous appetite seemed to be turned up to a whole other insane level.

Neeku now was eating anything and everything in sight. When he wasn’t working or sticking close to Kazuda, he was eating.

Mostly meat, but really anything with high protein and carb count seemed to be his preferred staple. Everyone had also noticed he was doing so with a lot more ferocity then normal. Tearing into his live prey with a vehemence that was almost too frightening and unsettling to watch.

It was like he was a Wampa fatting up for winter hibernation.

On top of that, the Nikto was also using any and all excuses to touch or be close to Kaz.

Holding onto the sleeve of his jacket as they walked side by side. when they went to Aunt Z’s, he would sit so close next to him that their shoulders pressed together. When they worked together, Neeku used every opportunity to either lean over or on him. His hands lingering and reluctant to leave his body. Those solid sharp claws being felt even through his clothing.

Not that Kaz minded too much about it. He kinda liked the constant contact to a degree, he’d never had a friend that felt that comfortable around him before. It was nice. And it also meant that the human could surreptitiously enjoy that lovely, sweet smell that wafted Around his friend when they were so close.

The Nikto seemed to be never more than a few feet away from the human if he could help it. He looked so relieved ever time Kazuda would reappear from whatever he’d been doing and would immediately stick to his side like glue. It was as if he didn’t want to let Kaz out of his sight for fear of something bad happening to him.

And if things couldn’t get any stranger, if anyone got too close to Kaz, even if they just so happen to be standing near him; Neeku would be right there to get between them. Inserting himself like a barrier between the human and the other person. A not so subtle, and bizarrely out of character snide comment too shoo people away, was also was shot the unsuspected persons way.

In some cases, Neeku would literally drag Kaz away from people if he deemed them to be invading his space or monopolising his time. Which was anything more than five minutes…

Everyone was really starting to worry about their friend and this sudden unusual obsession with Kazuda. Neeku just looked like he was on a knife edge all the time. In danger of falling if anything pushed him too far.

Others had asked him if he was alright, but the mechanic had told them all that nothing was wrong and would quickly shut down any further questions, no matter how much they tried to persist. Actually getting annoyed and angry at them if they pushed too far.

Seeing as Neeku was pretty much normal around Kaz, Yeager and the others petitioned the former navy pilot to try his best and find out just what was going on with the Kadas’sa’Nikto.

Kaz did try and broach the subject with his best friend, but he got the same response. Neeku just looked curiously puzzled and told him the same. That he was fine, nothing was wrong, and he didn’t know why everyone was so worried about him.

Kaz started questioning his own and everyone else’s sanity.

Maybe there really wasn’t anything wrong with Neeku and he along with everyone else was just imagining it.

But Kaz couldn’t shake the feeling in his gut that he was missing something. Something important… Something that his friend was keeping from him on purpose…

Chapter Text

The Colossus had received a SOS call for assistance.

After making contact with the pilot and deeming it to be safe to offer assistance, Doza had the Colossus rendezvous with the stranded single person vessel in the middle of nowhere.

Once they made sure that there was no trap laid by the first order and it really was just an ordinary person in distress, Doza authorised the pilot and her ship to be brought on board for repairs.

The Ship was running on almost no power and the Aces had to help guide it into Yeager’s garage.

Yeager and Kaz were sent down to inspect and assess just what help would be needed. Captain Doza trusting Yeager’s judgment, and he knew the other man could assess whether or not their guest was going to cause potential trouble for the ship and its on the run population.

Kaz was gathering diagnostic equipment at the back of the garage and Neeku had disappeared somewhere.

Neeku was supposed to already be there, but oddly the two humans couldn’t find him. It wasn’t like the Nikto to abandon his duties. But considering Neeku’s recent odd behaviour and the fact he was having to look after more and more of the Colossus’s systems, in the grand scheme, not being where he was supposed to be should have been expected.

Yeager waited patiently as the old, but sturdy flyer was guided in through the barrier and settled with a thunk onto the garage floor. Moments later, the back hatch opened, and the pilot disembarked down the small ramp.

She was a tall, green Kadas'sa'Nikto, middle aged and quite a stunning sight.

Her scales were glossy and a deep emerald green. Her horned face crest was beautifully symmetrical around her lovely face. The bony protrusions at the ends sharp and polished to a high shine. Her eyes the characteristic fathomless glossy black all Nikto of her sub species had. The long claws on her hands were painted in a bright fancy designs and clearly sharpened more than nature intended. Her lips painted in a dark blue-black.

She wore a tight flight suit and long embossed leather coat, that emphasized her full, rounded and plump figure. She also wore a scarf around her head of bright sunrise colours of orange red and yellow. The tails of cloth torn and braided into many long strands of intertwining colour almost made it look like plaited hair.

As she walked down, a small BD droid unit scampered around her feet. It was painted with yellow, reds and oranges with hints of green to match its mistress. It beeped and chirped in something of a disgruntled way, as if it were telling her off for some transgression. She tapped the droid with her foot gently and made a shooshing sound as she walked over to the human Male.

“Greetings, welcome to the Colossus. I’m Jarek Yeager.” The bearded human said with a welcoming tone and smile as the woman approached.

“Hello to you as well. The names Laval Caxiu. And this little git is Bobby.” She said indicating to the little droid, who beeped at in an annoyed response. “Thank you so much for answering my call and letting me come abord. I was really starting to panic. The last thing I wanted was the First Order picking me up.”

“You don’t need to worry, we are definitely no fans of the first order and plan to stay away from them.”
“Thank the Ashla for small favours.” She sighed in genuine relief. “I just hope my luck continues and you can help me out. I’m knackered and in a bit of a pickle.”
“We’ll do all we can to help you out ma’am.” Jarak assured her.

“I hope you like a challenge. The power just will not stay on! Every time I fix something, another system goes down. I was lucky to be able to get any signal out at all. I’ll pay whatever it takes to get her up and running. I love this old girl, but she’s a little worse for wear.” Laval said, looking fondly at her ship before chuckling. “Heh, a bit like me!”

“My team will get right to it.” Yager said with a smile, getting a good feeling from the friendly Nikto woman. He ultimately deemed her not to be a threat to the ship or crew. Turning, he called out to the younger man. “Kaz! Hook the ladies ship up and start running diagnostics. Let’s see what we got.”

“You got it, Yeager!” Kaz called out, picking up his tool kit and data pad. “Don’t worry ma’am, well get your ship in top working order before you know it.” Kazuda reassured her confidently as he strode up to join them.

The moment the reptilian woman saw the young human male, her face lit up like Coruscant on a life day evening.

“Well, hello there. Aren’t you a sweet little treat for these famished eyes.” She smiled at Kaz. The dark-haired young man frowned in puzzlement, actually looking around the bay briefly for who she could be talking too.
“Who? Me?” He asked dumbly, pointing at himself.

“Awww. Young, dumb and oh so cute. My favourite combination.” The female Nikto chuckled, stepping closer to the younger human. Her smile just letting a glint of teeth show past her dark lips. A clawed hand rose to tilt Kaz’s chin up gently with the side of a finger.

Kaz found himself looking up into her inky black eyes and grinning sharp tooth’s smile. The droid on the ground peering at him and beeping curiously.

“What’s your name pooki? I don’t think I caught it.” She asked, turning his head slightly so she could look him over.
“I-um-I’m- My name is Kazuda Xiono, Ma’am.” He said, too shocked to stop the older woman from doing what she wanted.

“Such a pretty name for such a very pretty boy.” She cooed, moving closer. “Well, Kazuda Xiono. How’s about after you’re done with work for the evening; I come back, buy you a drink and then I take YOU out for a joy ride, my tasty little honey pie?” She purred, leaving little to her meaning. “I’m sure a young handsome hot blood like you has more than enough energy to do a day’s work… and then have a lot of adult fun… All… night… long.”

“Well-i-ha-I um- that’s-I-ugh-” Kaz stammered, blushing a deep pink. Looking like a nuna caught in speeder lights at the blatant propositioning. “Oh wow-Tha-haha-that’s ah really… really nice offer-but um- I-Well-I Umm- you see-ugh-!”

“Oh don’t be shy! I promise I’ll be gentle, and I’ll teach you all manner of fun things you’ve never even dreamt of. Whaddya say baby-cakes?” She grinned salaciously at him, her double set of sharp incisors biting into her bottom lip.

Yeager, though highly amused at the situation Kazuda found himself in and his subsequent floundering, was not so cruel as to let the poor lad get potentially eaten alive and taken advantage of by the aggressively horny older woman.

But that didn’t mean he wasn’t going to tease him about it later though…

The bearded man was just about to step in and rescue Kaz, when someone beat him too it.

Neeku appeared seemingly out of nowhere, in a streak of yellow and green. Knocking the woman’s hand violently away from Kaz; pushing the other young man harshly back and away from her as he stepped between them.

Neeku glared up at the older woman, his teeth bared in a vicious snarl. His own clawed hands curled, poised for what looked like an attack. His dark eyes narrowed and glinting dangerously. An actual honest to God low threatening growl emanating deep in his throat.

He hissed something at her in their native tongue. Its meaning lost on the humans, but the tone didn’t sound pleasant. It sounded absolutely threatening.

Laval for her part, didn’t look at all angry or offended at the violence, she just looked… surprised.

A brief movement of her head showed she was looking between Neeku and Kaz. She then said something in their language, poised like a gentle question. Neeku replied with another venomous hiss and threatening step forward.

“Oh! I am dreadfully sorry young one. My mistake.” She said, hands up in a placating manner and backing way off.
“Yes! Your mistake! We will fix your ship. But you will take your droid and leave the garage now! Go now! Stay away and do not come back until you are told to return!” Neeku ordered harshly.

“Of cores, I honestly meant no offence. Sorry for the misunderstanding.” Laval said backing up towards the exit her hands still up, Bobby the droid following after her. “Shame though... Would have rocked your world Pooki.” The older woman called playfully, winking over at Kaz.

Neeku became absolutely incensed at her, letting out an animal like snarl, grabbing one of the tools from the kit Kaz had and hurling it at her. She managed to just weave out of its way. It hit the floor with a loud clang and Neeku spat something at her that clearly wasn’t at all nice judging by the context and tone.

“Okay! Okay I’m going! Relax youngling, I was just teasing! Call me when you have some idea what needs to be done.” She said, apparently not at all fazed by the other Nikto’s unwarranted anger.

The droid latching onto her coat and nimbly climbing up to her shoulders. He on the other hand wasn’t so chill and looked back. Beeping something very rude at them as they left.

The three men were now left in the garage, the only sound that could be herd was Neeku’s harsh low growling and heavy breathing as he glared at the door where the woman had left.

“Neeku! What in the world was that all about?!” Yeager cried. Not really angry at the talented mechanic, more just utterly shocked and concerned at the normally welcoming young man’s aggressive behaviour.

The male Nikto didn’t seem to be listening to his boss. Didn’t even acknowledge his presence. He whirled round on Kaz. His normally sweet, kindly face twisted in absolute rage.

“You are not to go near her Kazuda Xiono! Do you understand me!!”
“Neeku-?” Kaz tried, lost for words and dumbfounded by his friends behaviour.

“I am serious Kaz! You must stay away from that woman! She may be extremely fertile and very beautiful, but you are to stay far, far away from her! Do you understand me?!” He snarled, grabbing the human’s arms and shaking him rather hard.

“Ow! yes! I get it! She’s bad news! I’ll steer clear of her!” Kaz winced at the tight grip. Even through his jacket, he could feel the sharp claws digging into his biceps.

“Promise mem, Kaz!” Neeku demanded harshly, his dark eyes cold and harsh.
“Alright! I promise! I won’t go anywhere near her!” The human relented, mostly just to try and get Neeku to stop holding him so tight.

“You must keep your promise, Kazuda! I will know if you do not!” The Nikto male warned him with narrowed eyes. “You are not for her! I will not have that slutty, slutty temptress of a woman defiling you in such filthy carnal ways!”

“Seriously, I promise! Ow! Cross my heart! If I see her, I’ll run the other way.” He assured his growling friend.

After a long moment, Neeku quietened down and let go of Kaz. He took the data pad and the toolbox from the human’s hand.

“I shall begin the diagnostic.” He announced, turned and walked over to the ship, as if nothing had happened. Leaving the two human men to gawk after him.

“What in the world was that about?” Kaz whisper-shouted to Yeager, rubbing his arms. He was sure he was going to have bruises from how tight his friend had held him.

“In all the years working for me… I have never seen Neeku act like that.” Yeager said softly, deep worry etched on his lined brow, watching the Nikto as he worked. “Something is really, really wrong here. This isn’t like him.”

“Yeah, no kidding!” Kaz muttered. “We gotta find out what going on with him Yeager!”

The two humans watch with growing concern, their fears being finally confirmed and that despite his reassurances, they were all clearly not imagining things...

Something was dangerously with Neeku.

Chapter Text

A few days later, the Aces were gathered in their lounge. Celebrating after a hard-won victory over some very aggressive marauders that had tried their luck in attacking the Colossus.

The Aces were quickly deployed and the battle was unexpectedly tough. The marauder Pilots were skilled and their tactics tricky to anticipate. For a while the Aces held their own, but soon they were starting to get picked off one by one.

The unknown party appeared to just randomly swarm a single target without warning; and then hound them relentlessly till they were taken out. The tactic worked surprisingly well.

Freya, Griff and Tora had all been disabled. It had been down to Kazuda’s quick thinking and a rather insane plan that was responsible for saving all their asses. It involved a towline and some absolutely, reckless stunt flying.

Waiting for the pack to pick on him, Kaz let them get as close as he dared before he let out his tow line. He then gunned his engines, yanked the controls hard and spun wildly in semi-controlled chaos. The thick durasteel cable and it’s weighted end tearing the other ships apart like a rabid lurker hound with a monkey lizard; as the resistance spy affectively whipped the shit out of their enemies.

It was more than enough to change the tide of battle. Kazuda taking out a good chunk of the marauders ships while scattering and disorientated the others. It allowed the former Navy pilot; in collaboration with Bo and Hype, to send the rest of the enemy squad packing.

Once the coast was clear and they were all safely back aboard, the Colossus pilots decided to take a well-earned moment to celebrate their win. After all the minor injuries were patched up and their ships repairs underway; The Aces all reconvened in their swanky lounge.

Kaz opting to take Neeku with him to the gathering as a plus one. As it looked like the mechanic was going to have an all-out panic attack if the human left him behind in the garage to go be with other people that were not him.

Also, given the way he had been acting lately, Yeager had deemed it best if Neeku wasn’t left alone for too long without supervision. Kaz wholeheartedly agreed with the older man. The spy was also hoping that perhaps being around their friends might help get Neeku back to his old self.

Luckily enough, the other Aces had no qualms and were more than happy to include the Nikto in their celebrations when Kaz had brought him along.

Everyone pretty much loved Neeku anyway and they were all just as concerned about his recent withdrawn behaviour as much as Kaz and Yeager.

Things had been going great, they’d all had a few drinks, and food was being passed around. Neeku was, like usual now, stuck to Kazuda side like glue. But he seemed to be at least enjoying the festivities and listened avidly to Kaz as he was explaining how he came up with the crazy plan.

Telling everyone that the idea had come from something he’d seen years ago, from one of the really ancient antique holo-movies that his mother used to love watching with him when he was a kid.

Everything had been going so well, at least until Hype, ever the show stealing glory hog, jumped up and took over centre stage. Retelling just how everything had gone down in his own way, with him mostly in the middle and the star of it all.

It caused a lot of eyes to roll in the group, and more than a few comments about Hypes ability to make everything about himself. Kaz even saw a rather annoyed glare being shot his way from Neeku. But everyone had learnt long ago, to just indulge Hype and his inflated ego.

It was far quicker to just let the Rodian have his braggy moment of attention and then they could just carry on with their evening festivities when he was done.

As Hype was winding up his elaborate self-centred story, drink in hand he turned to Kaz with a grin.

"I mean, ha! I know I’M a dare devil of a pilot, but you should have seen yourself Kaz! I’ve never seen anyone pull a mynok shit crazy stunt like that! Not in all my days!”

“Ah well, it wasn’t that big of a deal.” The human said humbly, with a shrug. “I’m just glad it worked at all, and my ship didn’t tare itself apart in the process.”

“I hear ya, but it does explain one nagging question I’ve had since I’ve known you.” Hype smirked. Kaz looked up at him with a confused frown.

“Hun? Waddya mean?”

“I’ve always wondered why you’ve got, like, no balance and you’re always landing on your damn face,” The Rodian grinned at him, poking him in the forehead with his wide tipped finger. “It’s cuz your brains must be scrambled from all the nutzo flying you do!”

That comment made almost everyone laugh or chuckle. Kaz felt his cheeks go a little pink from his constant clumsiness being once again pointed out in front of everyone. It had been a character trait throughout his whole life which had always brought him nothing but problems and ridicule. It looked like things were not going to change any time soon.

“Yeah, that would explain a lot.” Griff chortled into his drink.

“Seeing as he’s always hitting his head or face on the floor, are we sure Kaz doesn’t have a form of permanent concussion or brain damage?” Freya smiled mischievously.

“Oh my god! Could you imagine if Kaz wasn’t constantly tripping over or dropping everything!” Tora teased playfully. “He’d actually be dangerous! In a competent way!”

More laughter ensued.

Though Kaz knew it was just them giving him some good natured ribbing, he was acutely aware of the low unhappy rumble emanating from the sour faced Nikto beside him. The young man cleared his throat and thought it best he try and defuse the situation before it got too malicious.

“Yeah, yeah! Laugh it up guys. But you all didn’t think it was so funny when I was saving your butts, did ya?” Kaz said with a mock Scowl.

“Aww! Come on! You know we’re just playing with ya!” Hype laughed, flopping down on the seat next to the human. “Kaz my man, jokes aside. No word of a lie, you are one crazy son of a Rathtar? I’m just glad you’re on our side!” The green ace laughed, flinging an arm around Kaz’s neck and pulled him into a light comradery side hug.

Kazuda floundered a little at the unexpected friendly move. But found himself quickly laughing along with Hype. Kaz had a brief moment of absolutely joy, enjoying the friendship he was forging with Hype and the other aces. He was really starting to feel like one of them…

At least Kazuda was, until all hell broke loose mere seconds later.

Hype was ripped off Kaz and thrown over the low table sitting between them all. The table tipped over, food was scattered into the air and drinks spilled onto the floor. The dull thump of Hypes body hitting the deck seemed ridiculously loud to everyone, who were all still frozen in their seats; wondering what the hell just happened.

The next thing the Rodian pilot knew, was that a hissing ball of wiry limbs, snapping jaws and dangerous claw’s were atop him and he was suddenly fighting for his life.

“AAAGH! Help! Kriff! Get offa me!” Hype shrieked. Struggling to keep Neeku’s clawed hands above and away from him. The snarling Nikto clearly trying to go for the pilots big, panicked eyes.

The other Aces swooped into action seconds later. It took the efforts of Bo, Griff and Freya to try and get the wildly flailing mechanic under control and off the Rodian. But they were not quick enough, as Neeku managed to break loose, out of everyone’s hold and strike out at his target.

He managed to land a few hard swipes across the other reptile’s chest and arm. Ripping through the flyte suit with ease and tearing at the delicate skin beneath. Hype cried out in blinding pain as the claws sunk deep into his flesh.

“GET HIM OFF ME!” Hype screeched again, as the other aces, all but threw Neeku across the room.

Kaz stepped in between them all, immediately grabbing his friend tight. Placing a forearm against his chest, Kaz pushed Neeku back as far as he could across the room. But the resistance spy was struggling to keep the Nikto from breaking free and jumping the ace pilot again. He was snarling and yelling viciously at Hype in a mix of about four different languages.

Griff and Tora helped Hype up, the Rodian’s hand pressing against the torn blood soaked front of his clothing. Even though he was in a great deal of pain he glared at his attacker.

“Oh you wanna go?! We can go! I’m down!” He snarled back at him.

“NO! Hype! Stop! We need to get you to the medbay!” Tora cried, using nearby bar rags to try and stem the bleeding from his arm and chest. All the while, Kazuda was still trying to control his incensed friend.

“Neeku! Neeku stop!” Kaz cried, shoving him hard against the chest, shocked at how strong his wiry friend was. But Neeku’s dark eyes were fixated on Hype in the most murderous of glares.

“Kazuda! Get him out of here!” Bo shouted at last.

Immediately seeing the wisdom in that course of action, Kaz’s gloved fingers grabbed a handful of yellow overalls and seize the back of Neeku’s collar. It took all his strength and effort to wrangle the still hissing and swearing Nikto out of the lounge and out into the hallway.

“YEAH! You better get outta here you crazy Kriffing bastard!” Hype shouted after them as the doors slid shut.

For good measure, Kazuda didn’t stop outside the lounge. He physically manhandled his still furious best friend down the hall and into the nearest turbolift. Only when the doors were shut and they were moving did the human dare to let the Kadas’sa’Nikto go.

“Neeku! What the fuck was all that?!” Kaz cried, himself out of breath from all the exertion.

The Nikto was still breathing hard and growling lowly. He started pacing back and forth in the small space like some kind of caged animal. Remaining infuriatingly silent and not looking at Kazuda.

“Neeku! Just-talk to me! What the hell has gotten into you?!” Kaz demanded, grabbing the Nikto’s arm to stop him moving. Not so much angry at him, but just so concerned by his friends continued violent behaviour towards others.

Neeku was not just worrying him now... This drastic change in him was really starting to scare Kaz.

Neeku finally looked at him with his fathomless black eye’s. They were always so hard for Kaz to read, even on his best of days. Now it was almost impossible.

He searched them for answers, but got nothing. Only that the green Nikto seemed to be fighting internally with himself over something huge.

“He was touching you!” Neeku hissed suddenly through gritted teeth.

“What are you talking about?!” Kaz gawped at the answer.

“He had you in a headlock!” Neeku snapped back. “He was hurting you!”

“That was a hug!” Kaz said, frowning in disbelief at what he was hearing.

“He was insulting you!” Neeku raged, almost as angry as he had been at the Nikto woman Laval. “He was saying horrid mean things to you! Making fun of you in front of others and then he dares touch you like it is nothing! NO! I was not going to let him do that to you!”

It took a moment for Kazuda to try and wrap his brain over what his best friend was saying.

“Neeku-were-were you… trying to protect me?” The human asked gently.

“Yes!” the Nikto barked. “He was hurting you!”

“Nooooo! Neeku, Buddy...” Kaz sighed in exasperation. But Neeku carried on with his rant.
“He is always so mean to you! For no reason! He has no right to your attention or to put hands all over you!”

“His hands weren’t all over me?” Kaz said pulling a rather disturbed face.

“They were! People keep trying to get close to you and I do not like it! No, I do not!” Neeku rambled; his hands balled into tight fists.

Was that really the reason? Was that why his friend was acting so crazy? Because Neeku wanted to protect him from all perceived slights against him? It sounded so simple and ridiculous all at once. Which… Could genuinely be the case, seeing as Neeku did have a habit of taking things far too literally.

Still Kazuda couldn’t shake the feeling that explanation wasn’t right. His gut told him that wasn’t the whole truth. Not by a long shot.

Neeku looked like he wanted to say more but was biting his tongue. He still looked like he was raging mad, and Kaz didn’t want to risk stoking the fire any further with more probing questions.

He’d try and talk to Neeku about what had happened later when he was calmer. Right now, he had to get him away from the tower and cool him down completely.

The human sighed deeply, placing a hand on his reptilian companion. He felt Neeku tense for just a moment under his touch before he started to relax.

“Come on, buddy... Let’s go back to the garage and hang out for a bit. We can watch some bad holo movies. Have a few drinks and pig out on junk food. Just you and me. How’s that sound?” He offered with a gentle smile.

The look on Neeku’s face changed instantly. The bloodthirsty snarl disappeared and the Neeku Kaz knew, once again returned to full force. His face was like the sun as he smiled at Kaz. His big black eyes sparkling with pure happiness.

“Oh yes! I would very much like that, Kazuda!” The mechanic cried, practically bouncing up and down on the spot. “We can sit on my bunk!”

As the doors of the lifts opened, Neeku took Kaz by the hand and all but dragged him back towards the garage. Babbling cheerfully about what they should watch together and about all the tasty things he had stashed away for just such an occasion.

Acting as if nothing had happened and he hadn’t just committed a physical and bloody assault on one of their friends.

The human allowed himself to be pulled along, he smiled and listened to his best friend, but too many thoughts were spinning wildly around in his head.

When he’d get the chance, Kaz would contact Tora and find out if Hype was alright. And also find out just how pissed the Rodian was at Neeku. The Ace pilot could easily press charges on his friend for his unprovoked attack. He was well within his rights to do so.

Kaz didn’t think Hype would get him arrested… but he wasn’t 100% sure.

Those wounds Neeku inflicted looked quite nasty and there had been a lot of blood.

One thing was abundantly clear to Kazuda right now…

He needed to have a serious talk with Yeager about how much of a threat Neeku had just become to the other residents of the Colossus; and just what the hell were they going to do about it.

They needed to find out why this was happening and how to fix it. And fast; before Kazuda’s best friend ended up hurting someone far worse than just giving them a few bloody scratches.

Chapter Text

The last straw came not even a day later from the incident with Hype.

Neeku attacked Yeager.

Everything had been so completely normal up until then. At sometime during the late morning, the garage owner and spy ended up having a pretty in-depth conversation. Talking about how life doesn’t turn out the way you plan; and how hard it was right now on everyone on board being on the run from the first Order.

The older, darker skinned man had done nothing more that offer wise advice, a fatherly reassuring smile and a sympathetic warm hand on Kazuda’s shoulder. It was nothing more than what Yeager had done dozens of times before.

Yet apparently, today the attention was far too much for Neeku’s liking.

The Nikto seemed to pop out of nowhere, and just like with Hype, launched himself at his boss with frightening ferocity. Managing to latch onto Yeager’s arm and for all intent, seemed to be trying to tear it off at the socket.

Luckily for the old rebel pilot, Yeager’s years of combat experience and his flexibility let him twist out of his jacket and the insanely solid, tight grip that Neeku had him in.

Though the older man didn’t get out completely unscathed, as the reptilian’s claws had punctured through the leather and left deep scratches that bled along his arm where he’d wrenched himself free.

Again, Kaz had to physically get between his boss and his best friend to stop the attack from going further. Kazuda hauling the reptile away to another part of the ship to get Neeku to calm down.

Again, Kaz asking Neeku, almost desperately now, why he had attacked their boss and friend. This time, the Nikto didn’t have an explanation. Not even a poor one. He simply remained tight lipped and refused to say why he’d done what he did. No matter how much Kaz pleaded with him to just tell him what was going on.

Neeku again said there was nothing wrong with him. That he was fine. That everything was fine.

Which it clearly wasn’t the case.

When they eventually returned, Yeager was understandably weary. Neeku ground out an apology to the older human. Though the cold black glare that accompanied it said something completely different.

That unnerved Yeager more than anything. How the young man he’d known for so many years, who had been nothing but kind-hearted and sensitive; whom he trusted implicitly, Was now looking at him like he just slaughtered his entire family.

That final act of unprovoked hostility, just proved that Neeku could not be trusted to be around people with whatever was happening to him. Not even people who knew and cared for him the most.

He was now a potential danger to everyone and he had proven that he could and would violently and dangerously lash out if he felt threatened… or if he felt anyone had threatened Kazuda.

A few hours later, after a few urgent but discreet calls and messages sent between the old rebel and Captain Doza, a plan was in place.

The Nikto mechanic was sitting on the canopy of Lavals ship, one of the panels open and wires strewn about as he worked in fixing it’s various problems.

Yeager and Kaz had a staged conversation about Doza wanting a job done. Kaz announced loudly that he’d go see to it and left the garage before Neeku could say anything or jump down and go with him.

The Nikto could only watch him like a hawk as he left until the doors swished closed.

The garage became quiet, though there was a certain tension in the air as Neeku started muttering and mumbling things under his breath. Aggravating himself with every passing minute. The poor ships internals getting the brunt of his frustrations as he ripped out wires and other components.

After about 20 minutes, Yeager tentatively approached the Kadas’sa’nikto. he was working fastidiously away on the old ship with far more aggression then was necessary.

“Neeku, looks like I’m gonna need your assistance with something.” Yeager called up to him, thankful for the distance between them after their previous encounter.
“Why?” The mechanic asked, sounding annoyed at being interrupted.

“There’s an issue with one of the guest quarters in the tower. Doza wants it fixed right away as he’s got an important guest coming to join us.” The human explained casually.

“I am currently busy Yeager.” Neeku grumbled, continuing to solder components. “I must get this temptress of a woman’s ship fixed so she can leave the Colossus. I do not want that alluring yet vile trollop here longer than she has to be.”

“Right.” Yeager agreed hesitantly. The human cleared his throat, as it was clear he was going to need to resort to using the one and only thing he knew would get Neeku to cooperate wholeheartedly.

“Look, I know your busy, Neeku, but I really need your help on this. It’s really important. I already sent Kaz up there, but you know he’s still not great when it comes to anything too technical. I thought I’d send you up so the two of you can work together on this.” Yeager explained.

The moment he mentioned the spy’s name, Yeager saw the change in the Nikto’s demeaner; as if a switch was being flicked. Neeku stopped what he was doing to now pay the older man his full attention. The happy Nikto the human had known, briefly returning.

“Kazuda will be there?” Neeku asked, looking down at him excitedly.

“Yeah, Kaz really, really needs your help on this. Got a frantic message from him a moment ago.” Yeager said with a smile. “He said he’d really appreciate it if you went up to give him a hand.”

“Very well then! That slutty woman’s ship can wait. I can make the time, because Kaz needs me.” Neeku proclaimed, clambering quickly down from the top of the ship.

“Come on then, I’ll show you where it is and I can take these tools up with you.” Yeager said, picking up a toolbox. It was a somewhat reasonable excuse as to why he had to show the mechanic the way around a ship he knew better then anyone.

Luckily for him, Neeku did not appear to be at all suspicious of his reasons. But Yeager remained cautious, keeping a sensible distance between himself and the unpredictable young man behind him as they left the garage.

The human escorted the Nikto through the ship and up to the tower. Past the armed security droids and into the upper halls where the guest suites were located. All the while, Neeku absolutely unaware of what was actually taking place.

The old rebel had cleared it all with Doza beforehand. After his quiet but urgent calls to the captain, Doza was more than ready to follow Yeager’s plan. As captain it was his job to protect the residence of the Colossus from any threat, even one from within. Once he had heard what had happened to one of his Aces and too Yeager himself, there was really nothing left to discuss.

They were going to use one of the guest suites in the tower as a makeshift, but comfortable, holding cell. Four-Dee had already gone ahead and made it so Neeku couldn’t hotwire the doors and brake out. Every other possible escape rout was sealed shut. The room was now completely isolated from the outside. The only way in or out was the corridor panel and a hastily added lockable drop hatch for supplies like food and water to be given.

Yeager just hoped the last part of this plan went as smoothly as the last.

“Well, here we are.” The human announced cheerfully as they arrived at the designated room. The older man’s heart racing a little as he opened the door. He just needed to get Neeku inside without any fuss and shut the door. “In ya go kid. Kaz is waiting.” Yeager smiled reassuringly at the Nikto.

As Yeager lied to him, the sweetly happy expression on Neekus face was almost too painful for the human to look at.

The young mechanic obediently stepped into the room and looked around. It was a spacious and quite luxurious guest suite. One of the best.

It had a private fresher with both tub and shower. A comfortable sunken lounge area in the middle and large holo display unit. A unit for making hot drinks and small easily warmed food items. A huge comfortable bunk with many pillows and blankets and a large floor to ceiling window, looking out into the vastness of space. The starfield looking magnificent as they moved slowly through the void.

But it was only then that Neeku realised that it was empty. Suspiciously so.

“Yeager, Where is Kaz?” Neeku asked, frowning deeply and looking all around the room for any sign that the spy was or had ever been in the room. “You said he would bee here. But he clearly is not.”

The male Kadas’sa’Nikto turned to see that his boss had remained firmly outside the room. The older humans expression was grim and remorseful.

“I’m sorry son. But until you start being honest with us and tell us what’s wrong, or until we can figure it out on our own; you’re gonna have to stay in here.” Yeager said firmly. The brown skinned man saw the realisation dawning on the Nikto’s green face.

Confusion turning into understanding; then quickly into fear and steaming straight onto sheer burning anger.

“What?! No! There is nothing wrong with me! You cannot do this!” Neeku snarled; his teeth bared, fists balling up.

“Neeku, this is for your own good, and everyone else’s! It’s not safe for you to be out here with everyone! You gotta understand that!” Yeager tried to reason with him, but it was futile.

“You cannot keep me here, Yeager!!” The mechanic snapped viciously. “I will not be trapped in here by you!”

The human cursed and scrambled back as a snarling Nikto moved with lightning speed across the room and lunged for him. Yeager slamming the control panel just in time. Only just before those sharp claws neared his face and gouging out his eyes. The sturdy durasteel door slid shut. The sound of sheering metal as the Nikto’s talons dug into the back of the barrier.

The old pilots heart was racing in his chest, but after a moment he breathed a sigh of relief. Knowing that now, himself and everyone else on board were safe for the time being.

Unfortunately, Neeku clearly didn’t have the same sentiment and really didn’t appreciate being imprisoned. The Nikto could clearly be herd yelling bloody blue murder from within. Along with the sounds of violent clawing at the door like some vicious animal.

“Yeager?! What is going on?!” Doza demanded as he came round the corner. His daughter and Hype following along. The Rodians arm currently bandaged and in a sling as a result from his own run in with Neeku.

“I really wish I knew.” Yeager huffed, suddenly feeling all his years.
“What have you got in there, Man?! A rabid Wompa?!” Hype gawped at the door that was being battered from the other side, enough to make the entire unit shake on its runners.

“That’s Neeku.” The former rebel told them. Their faces all dropping in shock.

“That’s Neeku in there?!” Tora looked distraught, wide eyes looking at the rattling door.

Just then, Kazuda arrived, skidding round the opposite corner before jogging up to the group.

“You got him in?” He asked, looking relieved. But only for a moment as an unhinged scream emanated from inside and the whole door shook as it was attacked again.

“Whoa.” Hype stared at the room. His big eyes only getting bigger in something close to fear. Quickly coming to the realisation that he got off pretty lightly from his attack with only a few deep painful scratches.

“Only just,” Yeager admitted. “He only left the hanger because I told him you were going to be here. He went to attack me again when he realised you weren’t inside and that it was a setup.”

“Maybe I should have been the one to bring him up after all? Neeku would have listened to me.” Kaz lamented softly.

Conversation stopped suddenly, all looking at the room as now a muffled desperate call of the resistance spy’s name where clearly herd. Neeku now sounded so scared and desperate. Begging for Kaz, and Kaz alone, to let him out. A complete contrast to how he was only moments ago.

“What the hell is going on with him?!” Hype asked folding his other arm, if some what tentatively across his chest, expecting an answer from someone.

Unfortunately, neither Kazuda or Yeager could give him one.

“He’s been acting so weird for the past few weeks.” Kaz said, his voice so full of concern.

“Not to mention how overly obsessed he’s been with you recently Kaz.” Yeager added.

“Yeah, we’ve all noticed that too.” Tora nodded with a somewhat awkward expression.

“You have?” The spy asked, looking a little embarrassed. “I thought it was just me thinking he was a little more clingy.”

“Kinda hard not to,” Hype said flatly. “Dudes been stuck to you like a Mynok on a rusty ship.”

“Yeah, and some of the looks he’s been giving people who even just look at you have been down right murderous !” Tora said.

“We need to sort this out.” Doza declared. “We need Neeku! He is integral to keeping us going. We cannot afford to be without his skills for a prolonged period. But we certainly can’t have him out and attacking people!”

“I know Doza, but he’s not talking to us! Not even to Kazuda. He’s keeping whatever it is to himself. Maybe he doesn’t even realise whats going on. Either way, none of us have even an idea what we are dealing with here and we don’t have anyone to ask about this.” Yeager sighed, hands on his hips

“Wait! Laval!” Kaz cried suddenly as a flash of memory crossed his brain.

“Who?” Doza questioned with a frown.

“She’s the woman we picked up from the distressed call! we’ve been working on her ship!”

“What about her?” Tora shrugged.

“She knows what’s going on! I know it! I mean- At least- I Think she might.” Kazuda explained. “She’s a Nikto, the same kind as Neeku.”

“Kaz, just because people are the same species, doesn’t mean she’s gonna know anything.” The Rodian scoffed at the younger human male.

“No, you don’t get it. When she came aboard, Neeku went absolutely feral on her too! Attacked her as well! But weirdly, she wasn’t angry at him at all! Laval ended up apologizing to him for upsetting him! I have a gut feeling she can help us! Or at least, point us in the right direction!”

“It’s worth a shot. We have nothing else to go on.” Yeager said rubbing his hairy chin in thought. “Go on Kaz, see if you can find her and if she’d can shed some light on this whole mess. Laval’s more likely to talk to you anyway… Seeing as she did take quite a shine to you.” Yeager smirked, unable to let the opportunity to tease the young man go.

“Ugh! Don’t remind me…” The young man groaned, turning on his heal and running down the hall to begin his search.

He just hoped it wouldn’t take long to find Laval, and that she would indeed be able to tell him what was going on with his best friend.

Chapter Text

Kazuda ran through the halls of the Colossus like a headless nuna.

Checking every bar, hang out and food place he could find. Asking everyone he came to about the pretty Kasada’sa’Nikto woman with the scarf of sunrise colours on her head and BD unit with a matching paint job.

Plenty of people had seen her around, but each one pointed him in a different direction.

After what felt like hours with no luck, Kazuda yelled out and kicked a bulkhead in sheer frustration. He regretted it immediately as he just ended up hurting his toes. He let out another annoyed curse as he jumped around in pain.

After a moment he ended up leaning against the same offending wall, needing the support. Hands in his hair, he closed his eyes and racked his brain.

“Come on Kazuda! Think! If I were her, where would I go?!” He questioned himself aloud. “If I were a super flirty and horny lady where on this ship would I go?”

It hit him almost like lightning. That was the key, he quickly realised.

She was aggressively flirty and clearly on the look out for some intimate company if her interaction with him was anything to go by.

There was only one place on the whole of the Colossus that anyone could go and would be guaranteed to not spend a night alone. As long as they had enough credits to spend that is.

Kazuda made a bee-line for the nearest turbolift, got in and hit the button for one of the lowest public levels of the ship. He just hoped his hunch was right.

He arrived quickly at the floor he needed, when the doors slid open, he stepped out into the unusually dark hallway. Kaz navigated winding corridors, following the bright, illuminated signage that lined the walls, pointing him towards his destination.

The young man arrived at an establishment he knew all about but had never thought he’d ever set foot in. The place he hoped to finally find the woman he was so desperately looking for.

It was called the Playground, a large bar and lounge that doubled as the stations one and only brothel.

It was a public secret. Everyone knew about it. Doza turning a blind eye to it’s goings on for years. Mostly because a place where the Colossus’s residents and visiting traders could go to ‘relieve’ some pent-up tension and stress, instead of causing trouble; was generally seen as very good for overall ships harmony.

The establishments owner; a rather cantankerous old Lasat lady, paid Doza a generous amount in rent for the privilege of running her business as she saw fit. The Brothel owner made sure that the place caused no trouble at all for Doza or it’s residence. She ran a very tight ship, with strict rules of conduct and took no nonsense from anyone. No matter how big or mean looking they were.

The few times when trouble did happen, the madam sorted it out herself. Quickly and quietly with the help of her rather effective droid and organic bouncers.

She didn’t cause Doza trouble, so he didn’t make life difficult for her, her workers or her patrons. It was quite a harmonious arrangement for everyone involved.

As Kazuda neared, he could hear music and the noise of people having a good time.

He’d never been anywhere near a place like this. Not even during the academy or navy days. A few friends had tried to get him to tag along when they had gone to other such establishments in the past; but he’d always made excuses and declined. In the end they stopped asking, much to his relief.

The glow of the display sign filled the hall and bathed everything in pink, green and yellow light. The old fashioned Neon sign shone brightly above the door, it featured a pink male and green female Twi’lek on a see-saw. Their lekku waving as they bounced up and down.

Below that, by the actual door was a bouncer. Not a droid but a huge Iktochi Male. the horns either side if his head were large and intimidating. Etched intricately with swirling patterns. The man had Muscles on muscles. He eyed Kaz for a moment with a calculating eye before demanding ID.

The Young man fished the card out his pocket and handed it over. After a quick scan to confirm who he was and record his entry, the bouncer gave the identachip back and opened the door for him. The sound of music and laughter got louder without the barrier.

The resistance spy took a breath and steeled his resolve before entering the establishment. Kazuda thought he knew what he was expecting, his preconceptions about what brothels must look like filled his head.

Dark, grotty, dirty places were sordid things happened. But as he took a moment to look round, he found that the Playground was... Actually rather nice inside.

The place was dimly lit. But it was more a cosy vibe and not the dark and dingy feel he was expecting. Sumptuous furnishings adorned the large open and very comfortable looking lounge and bar area. It had an upper level with even more seating that overlooked the lower section. It was spotlessly clean, the smell of sweetness and wood drifting in the air. The whole room gave off the vibe of one of the high end posh hoity-toity clubs his farther had tried taking him to on Hosnian Prime.

There were a few poles dotted around the bar for dancers and a larger raised stage area. At present it was empty, but it was undoubtedly where acts would perform for the clientele. Kazuda briefly wondered what kind of shows a brothel; as apparently upscale as this one would put on.

What it would be like to come watch one live.

It was surprisingly busy, even for this time of the day. The atmosphere lively but very relaxed. All beings having a good time and being far friendlier with each other in public then Kaz was use to seeing. Enough to make him blush intensely...

People were all over the place. Some of whom the former navy pilot recognised and knew from around the ship, others not so much.

Like the guy who ran the shoe stall in the market, who was getting a lap dance from a very pretty yellow skinned Twi’lek woman. The little, big headed maintenance guy who buffed the halls was playing some kind of game with a gorgeous green skinned Falleen man on one side and a lovely red hued Devaronian woman on his other.

Kazuda was shocked to even see Bo in a quiet corner. A drink in his hand and a scantily clad, handsome dirty blond human man perched in his lap. The Kel-Dor, clearly hadn’t noticed Kaz enter. He seemed to only have eyes, and hands, for the man with him. The human was stroking the yellow Aces head tenderly and smiling at him gently.

There were others present, who Kazuda guessed were brothel employees; judging by their provocative clothing. Walked around, serving drinks or ‘seeing’ to the other patrons needs. They eyed him up as he walked by. Silently beckoning and inviting him over with seductive smiles and flirty gestures. Each one undressing him with their eyes…

Kaz felt weirdly naked and exposed even though he was fully dressed and the only skin showing was his neck and face. It made his skin crawl from the way they looked at him… As if he were a juicy piece of meat on a butcher block and they were all alley Tookas, just waiting for the opportunity to be the one to snag him.

He tried to ignore them all as he looked around. Scanning the room for his illusive quarry. Brown eyes desperate to find the one person he needed.

Kaz was about to give up hope till he spotted the distinctive sunshine colours of Laval’s head scarfs at the back of the bar, tucked away in a little alcove booth. Her BD droid dancing around on the table in front of her. The spy’s heart suddenly leaping with relief.

“LAVAL!” He cried loudly without thinking. Drawing everyone’s attention and not just the woman’s. She looked up with a frown at the commotion and her expression turned to one of surprise. Finding the young human male she’d met in the hanger quickly weaving his way between tables and dodging people to get to her.

“Oh wonderful…” The woman sighed, downing the rest of her drink as Kaz came to a halt beside her booth table.

“Laval! I’m so glad I found you! I need to talk to you!” The young man said quickly.

“Look sweetie, as lovely as it is to see you, I don’t want any trouble. I didn’t mean to step on the little one’s toes. It was an honest mistake. So if you don’t mind, seeing as you are off the table, I’m going to go find someone who I can put ON a table.” She said, getting up to leave.

“No please! Wait! Don’t go! I really need to talk to you! It’s important! Pleeeease!” Kaz begged. Hands together and looking up at her with the best sad tooka kitten eyes he could muster. The ones that had always work on his mother and aunts. He just hoped it had the same effect on Laval.

She scowled at him for a long moment, her black eyes and scaly face stony and hard to read. But the adorable, slightly pathetic expression on the young mans face was clearly enough to make her resolve crack and crumble to dust.

“Ugh! Alright, fine! Sit down. Whatever it is, you got five minutes Honey-pie.” The droid Bobby, who was still on the table, beeped at her in a mocking tone. She cast him a brief withering look. “What! You know I never could say no to cute boys with big brown eyes.” She muttered sliding back into the booth and flipping the long, platted strands of cloth over her shoulder.

Bobby scuttled over to stand by his mistresses side. So the two organic beings didn’t have to look over him to talk. He chirped and burbled, tilting his head this way and that as he looked curiously at the young human.

“Thank you! Oh thank you so much.” Kaz sighed in relief, slipping into the seat opposite her. “I’ve been looking for you for hours!”

“Okay enough with the thanks. Just tell me what’s so important that I need to risk having your cute little Krayt dragon come after me with something more dangerous than a hyper spanner?” She asked, Kaz looked at her with a very puzzled look.

“Wh- Krayt Dragon? Hyper-? Oh, do you mean Neeku?” Kaz asked, with a frown.

“That’s his name? Humm, another pretty name for another very pretty young man.” Laval mused with a salacious smile.

“Actually, it is him I need your help with.” Kazuda’s expression became troubled as he set about his explanation

“Laval, something is really, really wrong with Neeku. He’s-he’s not himself! He’s acting absolutely crazy! He won’t talk to me! I don’t know what’s going on with him! But I think you might do.”

“Listen, baby cakes. I’m not a Nikto-human relationship counsellor.” She sighed tiredly. “What ever trouble is going on between you and your cute little boy toy is none of my business. Though if it’s a sex question, I might be able to offer you boys a few pointers. I have, after all, had myself a few very satisfied human lovers in the past.” The woman chuckled, giving Kazuda a playful wink.

“Sex question?” Kaz balked, thoroughly confused. “Boy toy?! What are you talking about? I came to ask if you might know why my best friend has suddenly become a raging psycho over the past few weeks!” It was now the Niktos turn to look puzzled.

“What?”

“You saw what he was like in the garage, he’s not like that! He’s normally so kind and sweet and gentle! But things have only gotten worse! We now have him locked in a room because he tried maiming a friend for giving me a hug and attacking my boss for putting a hand on my shoulder! What did you think I was here for?!”

Laval’s flippant but flirty demeanour changed instantly, and she sat up straight. She scrutinized Kazuda very hard for a moment before her face dropped as she came to some sort of sudden clarity.

“By the Ashla… It’s-You don’t know what’s happing, do you?”

“NO! that’s why I’ve came to you! Please! I know you know what’s going on with him! He won’t tell us! We’re all really worried about him! We need your help!” Kaz cried in desperation, wanting to pull out his hair.

What was the woman not understanding?!

Laval suddenly let out a very loud and very despondent groan. Her elbows on the table and she put her head in her hands.

“Just how do I keep finding myself in these positions…” She muttered with a deep rumble, rubbing her eyes. Bobby laughed heartily in binary, his melodic little chirps seemed to make Laval even more annoyed and she scowled at him. “Oh don’t you start.” He just laughed harder.

She huffed and muttered something under her breath Kaz didn’t catch before She suddenly called over to the barman.

“Hay, gorgeous! Can I get two drinks over here? Strongest you got! Better make them triples!”
“You got it darling.” The handsome Pantoran man said, immediately setting about fulfilling the order.

“Oh! that’s- nice of you but, I really don’t need a drink.” Kaz said politely.

“Trust me sweetie. Your gonna need it for the conversation we’re about to have.” She assured him as the waiter droid came to place the glasses on the table.

“What even is this?” The human asked, recoiling a little by the smell drifting up from the glass. It was so overwhelming it was enough to momentarily distract him from his mission. The liquid so dark it was almost black, but where the light hit it, there was a hint of red. It looked like Droid oil. Judging by the odour, it could probably be used as engine fuel.

“I dunno what it is… but it’ll get you off your face really quick.” Laval chuckled. Taking a deep inhale of the vapour.

“Look, do you know what’s going on with Neeku or not? Can you help me?” He pressed, desperate for answers and getting a little frustrated with her antics. He needed to know if the woman was just wasting his time.

“I think I have a pretty good idea.” She snorted, taking a sip of her drink. “Tell me Pumpkin. Have you known you’re friend Neeku long?”
“A while now. He was actually the first person I met when I came to the Colossus”

“And you two are close?”
“Well, we weren’t at the start but,” Kaz paused for a second, taking the glass in his gloved hands to give them something to do. He swirled the dark liquid in the glass around. It was thick and clung to the glass as it moved. “He’s actually become a good friend. The Very best even.”

Laval smiled softly at him. In an almost motherly way.

“You sure he’s not more to you?” She asked gently.
“What! No!” Kaz spluttered, cheeks flushing. “No, He’s-he’s my friend. Just a friend. A good friend! That’s all.”
“And he feels the same way?” The Nikto woman asked.

“Of course he does.” Kaz said quickly.
“Are you sure about that?” Laval smirked a little.

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure.” The young man said dismissively. Remembering vividly the time when, in a moment of pure joy, Kaz announced he could kiss Neeku. Only to have the Nikto point blankly say that he did not feel that way about him.

That had stung in a way Kazuda had never really unpacked. In the end he just put it down to his ego being a little bruised by his friends down right rejection. After all, Why wouldn’t he want to kiss him? He didn’t think he was that bad!

“Well... I wouldn’t be so sure.” The reptilian woman snorted, drawing Kaz’s attention as she sipped her drink again.
“Hun? i-I don’t-”

“How much has he changed?” Laval continued, cutting him off quickly. “Has he been extremely aggressive to others for seemingly innocent interactions? And in contrast overprotective of you and only you? Does he not like it when you talk with anyone but him? Has he been wanting to be close to you? Like, all the time? Touching you more? Wanting to monopolize your time?” The woman listed off. Kaz could only nod along as she went.

“Alright... Have you seen him scratching at walls and things with his claws? Eating anything in sight? Noticed any really lovely smells recently that only you seem to be able to pick up on? A smell that you particularly find absolutely irresistible? One that gets stronger when your near him? Has Neeku been particularly nice to you lately? As in giving you nice little presents? Has he given you something recently that’s especially pretty and personal?”

Kaz’s breath caught in his throat, his hand going immediately to the bracelet hidden beneath his glove and sleeve. True to his word, since Neeku gave it to him, the human had not taken it off. His fingers curled around it and pressed it lightly into his skin. Feeling the warm leather, the intricate textures of shed skin and cool smooth stones.

“Yeah-yes! All of that! Everything you’ve just said!” He cried. Hope springing forth inside him. Once the woman listed off all off his friend’s recent odd behaviour, he knew that she was the right person to talk to. “Please tell me! what’s happening to him? Is he sick? Is he contagious? Is it going to affect the whole ship? Is it a pandemic?! Do we all need to go into lockdown?”

“Oh save me from younglings.” Laval groaned, loudly throwing her head back momentarily and rolling her eyes. “They are so cute yet so bloody naive.” Bobby only made a low fart sound in response.

Laval took a deep breath as if to gather strength and looked at Kaz calmly.

“You don’t need to worry your pretty little head, darling. Rest assured, nobody else will be affected by what’s happening to your Neeku. It’s definitely not contagious.”

“Pheeew! That’s a relief!” Kaz sighed, relaxing into the bench a little. Grateful that this wasn’t going to turn into a ship wide pandemic.

“But honey-pie... I Hate to be the one to drop this truth bomb on you. But- your best friend wants to be more than just your good friend.” She said gently.

“What? I don’t understand.” The human said with a deep frown.

“Clearly.” Laval muttered. Again she gave him an almost motherly smile. “All of those things you said he’s been doing, is evidence that points to only one possible thing.”

“To what? What’s going on with him?” The human lent forward in anticipation of the answer he so desperately sought.

“Your friend wants to fuck you.” She said bluntly. “Or more likely wants you to fuck him, repeatedly, in every conceivable way. So, congratulations! Sexy times inbound for you.” The woman smiled and raised her glass at him.

Kazudas jaw hung open.

He stared at Laval as his brain and seemingly everything around him came to a sudden screeching standstill.

Chapter Text

Kazuda stared open mouthed at the Kadas’sa’nikto woman.

His brain quite literally having to take a few moments to reboot Itself.

“Wha-what did you say?!” Kaz stammered.

“You heard me.” Laval said with a slight amused smirk.

Yes. Kaz had herd her. But he absolutely couldn’t believe what had just come out of her mouth.

The human had to have had something in his ears; or the music and noise around them must have distorted her words. Or Laval was just being a absolute butt-hole of a person and teasing him in a time of desperation.

“What the-! You-you did not just say what I think you did!” Kaz spluttered in denial.

“Yeah, cupcake, I did.” She said all too calmly.

“Why the hell would you say such a thing?!” He demanded angrily. “I’m not messing around Laval! This isn’t funny! This is serious! My best friend is in trouble, and I came to you for help!”

“And I’m glad you did, because clearly you lot here do not know the first thing about Kadas’sa’Nikto. Otherwise you’d know that your apparent best friend is in the grip of a rather dangerously intense Heat cycle! One that he’s obviously been hiding from you for weeks!” She said a little sternly back. Her tone and expression telling Kaz that she was indeed serious.

“A Heat Cycle?” The human repeated. Picking up on the key information.

“Yes, our kind go through a yearly heat that drives us to find a partner and mate. Normally they are quite mild and just make us super horny for a while. But every so often, It will become a super intense and all-consuming need to find a mate, and fuck like it’s the end of the universe. That’s why he’s been eating so much. Building up an energy reserve for extended energetic mating.” Laval explained simply.

The human male just stared at her open mouthed. The woman shrugged nonchalantly.

“It’s a biological throwback to help us maintain the species numbers by ensuring that we breed. The chemical imbalance in our brains and bodies literally drive us insane in the process. That’s the answer to your question of why he’s been so crazy of late.” She said.

“But why the hell are you saying he wants me?!” Kaz cried, trying to take on the information.

“Because it’s clear that he’s chosen you! Everything you’ve said he’s been doing, points to the fact that he’s subconsciously fixated his need onto you. Clearly, I can’t blame him. You are rather tasty…” She smirked, her dark eyes glinting at him.

“No. No! This- this-You’ve gotta be mistaken!” Kaz tried to argue, Laval was having none of it.

“Oh for kriffing sake! Do you remember our little meeting in the hanger? He told me to keep my sleemo hands off and to stay the fuck away from you, because you were his!”

Kazuda replayed the memory of what had happened the day Laval arrived. The way Neeku had swooped in and stood firmly between them. So protectively and clearly ready for a fight. He remembered the coldness of his growling voice. The threatening tone dripping from the unknown words he spoke to her.

“Is... Is that really what he said to you?”

“Yes! That’s why I apologised and backed off, and the confusion when you came in.” The woman said with a shrug. “I thought you two were together.”

“No… No were not. Not anything like that.” Kazuda said, his voice soft and his eyes wide.

“Well… Sorry to drop it on you like that, but I don’t think being delicate is the way to go with you. You don’t seem to get subtle.” She smirked a little. “But hay, bright side! Your little Neeku really wants to ride you like a Bantha.”

The human sat back, is shoulders hitting the booth’s walls. For a few seconds he was silent and had a dumbfounded look on his face.

Kaz then picked up the drink with a slightly shaky hand… Then threw his head back and downed it all in one big gulp.

He started coughing and spluttering almost immediately. It was far, far stronger than anything he normally ordered. The liquid tasted terrible, like earwax and shoe polish with a weirdly medicinal taste. It burnt all the way down to his stomach and made his head spin from the vapour alone.

Yep. Definitely could be used as engine fuel, Kaz thought. In fact engine fuel probably tasted better than whatever that was.

“You okay there, sweetie?” Laval asked, a slight hint of concern in her voice. Kazuda hung his head and shook it in denial as he tried clearing his throat.

“No! You’re wrong! There’s gotta be a mistake! We’re not... He’s never- He’s told me, point blank, that he doesn’t feel that way about me!” The human spluttered, his voice a little horse from the alcohol and coughing.

“Thats still probably true.” Laval shrugged nonchalantly. “He clearly does have a lot of affection for you, probably even has a degree of physical attraction. But that doesn’t mean he’s remotely interested romantically in you.”

“You can’t have one and not the other!” Kaz stated confidently.

“Pfffh! Oh don’t bantha-shit me! You can’t sit there and tell me you yourself have never known someone who was strictly just a friend for whatever reason; but you also happened to think was hot as fuck? Everyone has a friend like that!”

Kaz squirmed a little in his seat, rubbing at the soreness of his throat… And trying not to thinking about a few people in the past he had himself felt that way about. Not about Synara…

“But- How you can be sure? Of any of it?!” Kaz said.
“Because, as I said, all the evidence is right there, Buttercup! Everything you admitted he’s been doing are classic signs! It all shows that your Neeku has gone into a Heat cycle. And clearly a pretty potent one at that.” Laval assured him.

“That sweet smell only you could pick up on. That’s pheromones. He’s been producing a nice little cocktail blend to attract you and only you as a mate. Bless him. What does it smell like by the way?” Laval asked with an intrigued look.

“Is that really important?!” The human sighed.

“Not really, sweet cheeks. Just curious as to what gets you going.” She grinned back at him. Bobby chuckled beside her.

“Please be less curious.” Kaz said flatly, really not in the mood for her aggressive flirting right now. “So just so I’m getting this straight,” Kaz said slowly rubbing his temple. “All the violence? All the weird behaviour; Is because Neeku wants to have - sex with Me?!” Kaz asked, still in utter disbelief that the situation he was in.

“Yep.” She answered instantly.

“But… WHY! I Just- I don’t understand! Why me?! Of everyone on this damn ship?! Why pick me?!” He cried, looking to the older woman for answers.

“Well… You said it yourself. You’re his best friend. He feels close to you. He instinctively knows he can let his guard down and be vulnerable around you. That he’ll be safe. It’s quite common on Kintan for us Kadas’sa’Nikto to mate with close friends during bad heats. You should be really flattered. That’s a genuine sign of trust and affection from our kind.”

The human male just looked at her with a somewhat stricken and panicked expression. Laval gave a long sigh, seeing the young man before her in the grips of such a clearly unprepared for crisis.

“Listen poppet, all jokes aside. This is quite a serious matter, and I understand why you’ve all been so taken back by what’s been happening. This is really not something covered in cultural classes at school.” She said, her tone becoming gentle, warm and strangely motherly as she launched into a full explanation, Kazuda sat and listened intently.

“This thing your friends going through… It’s not his fault and not something he can control. It’s just- a quirk of our species. It’s one very powerful ancient biological drive that we haven’t completely evolved out of. Heats make us act on our baser instincts. Like I said, most of the time, its mild and it’s just makes us a bit more horny. So we just go out and get laid. But occasionally, a heat gets so intense and every instinct and emotion we have goes up to a million! Our bodies and emotions get all skewed and out of wack!”

“It’s a chemical imbalance that drives us to find a mate. We don’t really control who we pic, but it’s usually either someone we feel attracted or close to. It becomes an all-consuming and maddening instinct to find that partner and mate to breed. As you’ve just found out, we Nikto, no matter how normally placid and gentle we can be; become extremely dangerous if we feel someone is moving in on someone we consider ours. Hence the rather spicy reception I got and the attacks on your friends.”

“Once we’ve chosen a mate, we will focus all our attention on them. All our needs and desires rise up and make us pursue the one we want the most with quite frankly a dangerous level of obsession. We will try and entice and attract our chosen mate with pheromones, touches and little meaningful gifts.”

“As well as showing how strong and capable we are at protecting a potential mate from harm. We become extremely jealous and possessive. Dangerously hostile to anyone who even comes near our chosen one. We will fight for them and protect them from any perceived threat.”

“These types of heats literally drive us Nikto clinically crazy. On Kintan, there are actual laws that state that someone who kills another during a severe Heat cycle can not be charged or convicted for murder as they are seen as clinically unwell. So… Your other friend and boss got off pretty lucky. Don’t go and let people blame Neeku too much for all his outbursts and behaviour right now. He really can’t help it.” Laval explained gently.

“It can make you go that far? Far enough to kill someone?” Kaz asked, softly, his warm brown eyes wide as he absorbed all the new information.

“Oh yes. My last nasty heat, the guy I wanted, I nearly killed his sister because I thought she was getting between us. It got pretty messy.” Laval snorted with a light chuckle. As if it were just a vaguely funny anecdote and not a story of attempted murder.

Kaz nodded absently, accepting the explanation but still feeling so utterly overwhelmed by it all. He just hoped their other friends, especially Hype, would be understanding.

“All right, So how do you stop this heat thing?” Kaz asked. At that Laval smiled.

“Ah! Luckily, there is, a really simple and easy solution that’ll break the heat in just a few days. A week or two at most.” The Nikto woman said confidently. Kaz felt relief wash over him. That was just what he wanted to hear.

“Thank the makers! What is it?!” He asked eagerly.

“Go fuck him.” Laval said crudely. But there was no hint of it being a tease or a joke. She said it as if that was just… obvious! The dark haired male stared at her as if she just sprouted another head.

“That’s your solution?!” Kaz squawked. His high pitch drawing a few eyes from around the brothel bar briefly.

“You asked! And that is the simplest, safest and most efficient way to deal with a Kadas’sa’Nikto Heat Cycle. It’s the way our kind have dealt with it since the dawn of our kind. So my advice darling, is to just go with it! Get down and dirty. Go have some fun!” She smiled with a flippant wave of her hand as if it were no big thing,

“I-I can’t do that!” Kazuda gave a scandalous cry.

“What not? He’s a real cutie. Positively adorable by our peoples standers. Besides, I thought you said he was your friend?” Laval said with a frown.

“He is!” Kaz yelled again.

“Then go help him out.” She looked confused as if he were the unreasonable one. “He’ll thank you for it when he’s back in his right head!"

“I can’t sleep with Neeku!” The human cried out again, not understanding why the woman wasn’t getting how absurd the suggestion was.

“I’m not saying sleep with him,” Laval said back sarcastically. “I’m saying you should go into that room, wherever you’ve got him stashed, and fuck like Lurker hounds. It’s just sex afterall.” She said dismissively.

“Just sex?!” The human spluttered in indignation.

“Yeah! Wild mad, hot heat sex. It’s honestly the best kind. Inhibitions go right out the airlock! He will be very accommodating. You’d get him to do anything you like! You wouldn’t even need to worry about contraception because there’s absolutely no chance you’ll get each other up the duff! So bonus! You boys can get nice and messy with it! I can guarantee you’re gonna love that!” She said as if that were some kind of wired incentive.

“This-this is insane!” Kaz shook his head. It hurting from stress and now the alcohol. He put his head down on the table and rubbed at his temples. “You’re saying I should just- just go and take advantage of my friend!”

“I am not saying that in the slightest!” Laval snapped, looking mildly pissed. “As I said, he would be grateful for your help. One of the reasons his subconscious picked you was because you’re his friend! For our kind, unconditional sex with a close friend During Heat is pretty normal. It’s not seen as a big deal. Friends fuck, friends all the time. It’s Like- asking someone to help move a moisture condenser. It doesn’t really mean anything.”

“Yeah, well, humans don’t do that!” Kaz hissed at the woman. “Sex is... different to us! It’s… supposed to be special…” The Nikto woman gave him a withering look.

“Well, la-de-da! The universe save us from silly human morals and standers!” She scoffed, sitting back to sip at her drink. “And there was me thinking you’d be open minded and sensitive to others cultural needs.”

“No! I mean- yes, I am but... Laval-I can’t do that! I just- can’t! Surely there’s gotta be another way to deal with this that doesn’t Involve us having sex!”

The attractive green Nikto female was silent for a long moment as she sipped her rocket fuel of a drink. She seemed to think on her words before speaking next.

“Well If you’re so against letting yourself have a little fun while helping a friend out… there is the other alternative way, I suppose.” She said slowly, swirling her drink in it’s glass.

“HA! I knew it! You were holding out on me!” Kaz exclaimed. Smacking his hand on the table and looking ecstatic. The violent action making the glasses and Bobby rock on the table. A new hope blooming in his chest and the building headache momentarily forgotten.

“It’s not a great alternative.” She said, looking not at all enthusiastic about this option. “You’d have to keep him confined to that room and just… Let the heat burn out on its own.”

“Okay! fine, grate! We’ll do it that way. Thanks for your help.” Kaz said, quickly getting up to leave, but Laval stopped him from going too far with a solid clawed hand on his forearm.

“I’m not finished cupcake.” She said firmly. “Sit down, you need to understand what will happen if you choose to do that instead.”

“Hun?” Kaz frowned.

“It’s… not going to be pleasant for your friend, doing it that way.”

“What do you mean?”Kazuda asked, sliding back into the booth to listen to the woman.

“Heats the like the one Neeku is in, are really painful. It’s one of the reasons we get so crazy.” She said, looking uncomfortable as if remembering a very unpleasant time. “Those chemical imbalances I mentioned, causes severe fever like symptoms and pain. Lots and lots of pain. Heats hurt really bad. And I’m talking about so bloody painful, that you rip your skin off to try and make it stop.”

“Are you serious?” Kaz gawped at her.

“As a hyper drive explosion. It’s... honestly awful. Physical pleasure combat and alleviate the fever pain. Hence the desperate need to mate, and then mate continuously to stop the pain until the heat breaks.”

“You mean, he’s gone so crazy, not just because he wants me... but Because he’s in pain?” Kaz asked gently, the revelation tearing at his hart.

“Likely has been for weeks and has been hiding it. Probably because he thinks it’ll hurt your friendship or something stupid like that.” Laval scoffed. “But you think he’s crazy now? You just wait to see what happens in a few days when he realises he’s locked in, and your not going to go be with him. He will scream and yell and tear that room you have him in apart!”

The humans face was trying to be stoic but his warm brown eyes broadcast his horror. Flashes of the noises already coming from Neeku’s temporary holding cell echoing in his head.

“But- He’ll be alright, won’t he?” The human inquired, praying the answer would be favourable.

“Eventually... But it’s going to be hell for him before that comes. Neeku won’t eat, or drink or sleep if he’s left to his own devises. He’ll just- rant and rave and hurt; till eventually he’s burnt up and collapses from exhaustion and his body shuts down.”

“When that happens the heat will Break. He won’t be crazy or horny for you anymore… but he’s going to need a long time to recuperate. He’ll be out of commission for at least a fortnight in a med bay. Stuck on a nutri-drip and a shit-ton of pain killers.”

“That sounds... absolutely awful.” Kazuda murmured softly, looking harrowed at the thought of his friend going through such anguish.

“It is Sweetie. Take it from someone who knows. I’ve gone without once before. Never again. I think I’d rather die then go through it even for a minute. I nearly did if I’m honest.” She muttered, shuddering at the memory.

“Whaddya mean? You nearly died?!” Kaz demanded, fear gripping his very soul.

Laval shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Bobby scuttled closer and rubbed his head against her arm. He warbled softly and sadly at his mistress, offering her some comfort. Clearly, he’d been with her during that time and was not happy about what happened. Laval gave the BD unit a gentle pat on the head and sighed.

“It’s been widely known and documented that some unlucky people can and have died from a heat’s needs not being met. I was nearly one of them. I came very close to not pulling through. The physical and mental stress and toll on the body is immense and the fever just burns them up from the inside, till there is nothing left. Hence the reason why we Nikto prioritise helping each other out when it does happen.”

“How long does it take? For the heat to burn out by itself.” Kaz asked. Laval shrugged.

“Depends from person to person. But Neeku is young, he looks healthy and fit. It might take a while. Especially if this is his first serious one.” She paused and looked to be doing some mental maths for a few moments. “Maybe… a month.”

“A MONTH!” the human squawked.

“Give or take, if you’re lucky.”

“We can’t lock Neeku up to suffer like a rabid mastiff for a month!” Kaz yelled indignantly.

“Hay! I don’t want you to either! But Those are your options sugar pecks.” She huffed back. “Wish I had better news for you. Look, at the end of the day, it’s your decision. No one is gonna force you into doing something like this, or think less of you if you don’t. Your ways are not ours. Probably another reason why he’s kept it from you.”

“There has to be some other way! There has to be!” Kazuda muttered to himself, his head spinning and his emotions swinging wildly.

“Sweetpea, this has been a part of our species since the dawn of our race. You think if there was an alternative way to stop it, that didn’t involve suffering or sex, we would have found a way and used it by now?”

“No... No, no, no! This isn’t happening!” Kazuda muttered, his chest feeling tight and his head spinning from panic.

Laval smiled at him sympathetically.

“It’s tough, I get it, and… I can see that you really don’t want to spoil your friendship you have. But it doesn’t have to you know. Sometimes a roll in the grass with a close friend can bring people together, in ways you’d never thought!” She smiled, trying to be helpful, launching into another anecdote.

“My friend Iknara and I have never been so much closer since her heat. We had a little fun together, it was a blast. I don’t want to be her life partner by any means, but I tell you, I love her and I would bury a body or die for that woman. This doesn’t have to be a bad thing to happen to you both.”

Unfortunately, her words were falling on def ears, the young man was clearly shell shocked by all his new found knowledge and now in the middle of a crisis of a moral dilemma.

“I-i-i gotta go...” Kaz stammered, his brain so full and loud he didn’t know what to do. The one thing he did know however, was that he needed to get out of here. He needed to go somewhere quiet.

He needed time to think.

“Hay, hunny bun, wait a sec!” Laval, shifted half out of the seat to catch his arm before he could run off, pulling him back. Kaz, his ever-graceful self, now with added booze brain, lost his footing, stumbled back and all-but ended up sprawled face first in the Nikto woman’s lap. The young man went instantly red in the face with embarrassment at the position he now found himself in.

“Now you’re being a tease to me, brown eyes. What would Neeku think if he saw you like this with me?” Laval teasingly chuckled as she grinned down at him.

He’d properly rip your throat out. Kaz inner voice said unhelpful.

“I-I-” The human stammered, not knowing what to say or do. He was just far too overwhelmed with everything right now. “Laval, Please, I don’t want-”

“Oh, relax pooki. I’m not gonna try anything.” The woman tutted, “I just wanted to wish you luck and offer a few words of advice, before you ran off.”

“Advice?”

“Yeah, should you decide to put those rigid morals of yours aside and go for it with your Neeku.”

She pulled him up and he floundered like a fish out of water. Not knowing where to put his hands as he was practically dragged up over her voluptuous body, so they were face to face.

Laval looked at him with her pretty big black eyes. Fathomless and mysterious, just like Neeku’s. He swallowed thickly as she cupped his face, the sharp red claw of her thumb ran carefully and gently over the soft skin of his cheek.

Kaz froze, when she then lent down in what he alarmingly thought was going to be a kiss. But instead, the Nikto turned her head to rub her cheek gently against his. Her scales feeling smooth and cool against his hot flushed skin.

She let out a soft little rumble from her chest. Almost like a tookas purr as she spoke softly directly in his ear, her voice low and salacious.

“Little tid bit for you darling. Scratching and biting is a real turn on for us. It’s not considered a good mating if a little blood isn’t drawn. But our scales are tough and thick… So pick a soft spot where your human teeth can cut. Like a wrist, soft belly… or a throat.”

She placed a soft kiss onto his cheek before pushing him off her and onto his unsteady feet.

The young man wobbled as he regained his balance, he was understandably tense, flustered and a little lightheaded from the potent alcoholic drink in his system.

“Good luck dumpling, and hay, if it doesn’t work out with your friend, but you do fancy a little Nikto fun. You know where to find me. Better run along now.” Laval cried far too cheerfully. Grinning encouragingly at him and raising her glass. Bobby Buzzed and whistled encouragingly at him beside her.

Kaz nodded absently. With his head spinning, he turned and stumbled in something of a daze out of the brothel.

Chapter Text

Kazuda staggered down the dimly lit hall, his head buzzing.

He needed some time to think. Time to process all the information he had just learnt from Laval regarding Neeku and the condition he serious was now suffering.

He walked aimlessly around for a while on the lower deck in a daze before falling into a quiet, out of the way, very dark corner.

The human backed up against the wall and slid down the bulkhead till his butt hit the deck. He pulled his legs up, lent his elbows on his knees and held his hung head between his hands. Trying desperately to slow down his breathing and regain control of his spinning brain and racing heart.

Kazuda’s best friend. The best friend he’d ever had in his life. Had feelings for him more than just simple friendship. That he apparently held some kind of unspoken attraction towards him.

Neeku Thought so much of him as a friend; felt so comfortable and safe around him; that when this heat thing kicked in, Kaz had become the soul focus of his desire out of everyone else on the Colossus.

The sweetest, kindest, most gentle and innocent soul Kaz had ever known; wanted him so much that he turned into a vicious Feral beast if someone so much as looked the wrong way at him.

Kaz started re-evaluating every interaction he’d ever had with the green Nikto. Analysing every conversation they had ever had, trying to remember if he’d ever seen a hint of that secret attraction.

Every touch. Every look. Every smile. Every hug.

For the life of him he couldn’t, because all Kaz could think about, all that kept ringing in his ears was when Neeku had said he didn’t feel that way about him.

It all seemed at such odds. That statement had seemed so definitive. But then… He had taken a few moments to think about it first before answering…

When had things changed? Or had his friend just always felt that way about him and just not acted on it?

Kaz was still trying hard to wrap his head around it all. The concept that it was possible Neeku genuinely did not want anything other than friendship... Yet still found him physically and sexually attractive. It just boggled his poor brain.

And were Kaz’s own strange feelings he’d been having recently around Neeku, been all down to those damn pheromones the Nikto was pumping out? That sweet irresistibly delicious smell that had indeed drawn him to his friend. Had that been enough to bring down his guard and allow the reptilian to do as he wished? To literally cling to him nearly every second of the day?

Had those Pheromones been solely responsible in making him not mind the closeness or what he thought were overly friendly, yet innocent touches.

Kaz groaned. His head hurt and his heart were a jumbled mess of conflicting emotions. It didn’t help that the drink Laval had given him still made his throat and nose burn as it continued to sit heavily in his stomach.

His best friend was in trouble. Neeku was hurting and in pain. And the only thing that could potentially stop it all was Kaz crossing far over a boundary he’d never even thought about.

He didn’t know whether to laugh hysterically in mirth or cry unconditionally in panic.

Kaz didn’t know how he was supposed to feel or even deal with the weight of all the things he now knew that bore down on his shoulders. The pressure almost unbearable. The ramifications of each seemingly impossible choice was devastating.

He could either take Laval’s advice and go to Neeku. Go ‘BE’ with him. Put his personal feelings and morals aside for a while and take care of his friend’s needs. It would mean fundamentally changing their relationship forever… Possibly detrimentally.

The Nikto and his people might not think sex between friends as anything meaningful; But Kaz wasn’t sure if he could handle that kind of shift in their dynamic.

He’d never been good at staying ‘Just friends’ with his ex-lovers. It had always been the same story. Kazuda would get too attached, too quickly. He’d go over the top, give too much till eventually he drove the other person away. Even with casual hook ups. He still invested his emotions far too much.

Every time he would be devastated when they told him they were done or didn’t want anything more. That they didn’t think the relationship between them would go anywhere.

He then tended to distance himself till they just never saw each other. Almost acting as if the other person didn’t exist. Because if he didn’t, just being near them would bring up too many feelings. Longing and loss for the brief affection they had shared.

Re-affirming to him once again… He wasn’t good enough For anyone. Not even enough for someone to stick around and screw.

Kaz shuddered in his own emotional turmoil complicating the situation even more.

What if he made the decision to help and it just made things too awkward for him to stay on the Colossus? What if once the heat broke, he couldn’t handle working with Neeku and being near him? So much so, that the only choice was for him to leave?

The colossus was the first place he’d really felt accepted… really wanted by anyone…
He would be devastated if he messed up things so badly that he couldn’t stay.

Alternatively, Kazuda could just do nothing. Take the other route and let Neeku deal with this heat on his own. But that option would inevitably send the green Nikto straight to the med-bay after days of maddening agony and suffering. Then it would take weeks for him to recover, or it may even cause him to-

Kazuda’s breath caught in his throat and his chest tightened and he shuddered again. He couldn’t think about the other possible outcome of the latter choice. If Neeku didn’t make it through the heat, Kazuda would never, ever forgive himself. Not when he could have helped. And what if people then blamed him for being able to prevent it but instead chose to do nothing, and let their friend die?!

He didn’t want to lose Neeku… but what the hell was the right choice?!

Kaz Made a soft pitiful whining sound. He knew he couldn’t stay here long. No matter how tempting it was just to hide away from the looming problem.

He had to get back and let everyone know what was happening. But did he even have the right to disclose the potentially embarrassing medical condition Neeku was currently suffering to others?

Whatever he was going to say, he had to come up with it fast. Because people were going to have questions and would want answers.

Chapter Text

Kaz took a deep breath as the lift doors opened and he walked into Doza’s large office.

He’d comm’d Yeager after picking himself off the dark corridor floor, to see where he was. The older man had informed Kaz that he was in the captain’s office. As he entered, Kaz saw four sets of eyes on him. Hype and Tora had apparently stuck around and were still with them. Both Ace’s obviously concerned for the Nikto mechanic’s wellbeing.

Everyone was looking hopeful and expectantly at the resistance spy. It made him feel sick to his already queasy stomach.

“So Kazuda? Did you find the person you were looking for?” Doza asked, a hopefulness in his voice.

“Yeah… Yeah I found her alright.” The young man said softly, unable to help the apprehension gnawing in his gut.

“Well? What did she say? Did you find out anything from her?” Tora asked quickly.

Kaz cast a look around at all the people watching him and he had to look away. He couldn’t look at any of them.

Just how was he supposed to explain all this? That their friend and acting chief engineer was currently medically horny insane? And the only thing that would cure it; without putting Neeku in the med-bay for at least two weeks or even potentially kill him; was for Kazuda to go in the room they were keeping him in and fuck his brains out.

Kaz steeled his nerve, he kept his eyes downcast and told them the story he had come up with while riding in the turbolifts.

“Ugh, Well… It’s... it turns out it’s a sickness. But, it’s not contagious at least. It’s not going to affect the rest of the station.” Kazuda reassured them all.

“Well that’s a relief. I wasn’t looking forward to some type of virus loose on the ship making everyone go that crazy.” Yeager said. The relief on everyone’s faces was short lived as Kazuda ploughed on.

“Yeah, but right now Neeku’s in a pretty serious situation. This thing he’s going through is gonna make him really, really ill.” Kaz said.

“How ill?” Doza asked, his lined face full of concern. Kaz shifted uncomfortably on the spot. The words catching in his throat.

“He-it could be deadly for him.” The young man admitted. The gathered all looking at him in utter shock at the sudden harsh news.

“Are you sure about that Kazuda?” The captain asked gravely.
“I got it from a very reliable source. I believe what she said is all true. Neeku is really sick.”

“But-there’s gotta be something we can do, Kaz?!” Tora cried desperately. “Some medicine or treatment or just- something! We have to help him?!”

“No! that’s the thing! We cant! There is nothing we can do. There is no cure!” Kaz said mournfully. “It’s apparently just something Kadas’sa’Nikto go through! Laval said it was a weird quirk of their species! We just have too… wait and let it burn out on its own.”

His gut twisted at even saying it. It felt like he was betraying Neeku’s privacy and letting him down by not helping him right away all at once.

“Oh my god! Poor Neeku!” Tora cried, her hands over her mouth and her eye’s watered. Hype placed a gentle comforting arm around her shoulders.

“Dude, is there seriously nothing we can do for him?” The Rodian asked, his big star filled eye’s turning soft with compassion. Kaz shook his head.

“No. The best thing we can do is keep him quarantined and keep him safe. It’s messing with his mind right now and making him act violent. It’s not safe for him to be out or around anyone. He really can’t help the way he is right now.” Kaz said to the tall reptilian. “So, please don’t be mad at him for what he did to you, Hype. He really couldn’t help himself.”

“Ah… It’s nothing, He’s just lucky, I like him so much.” Hype said with a half smile, considering what he just herd, he’d be an ass if he didn’t forgive the younger mechanic.

“Come on Kaz, let’s go see if we can do anything to make him a bit more comfortable.” Yeager sighed deeply. “We’ll keep you posted Doza with any further news.”

“Please do, yeager. If he needs anything, just let me know.” The moustached man offered.

The old rebel nodded, then he and the former republic navy pilot entered the lift. The doors shut and they were soon on their way. The two men were silent, both looking at the door In front of Them.

“That was very diplomatic of you.” Yeager said gently, folding his arms. “But what’s really going on son? What did Laval tell you?”

Kaz released the tension and let his shoulders slump, casting his eyes down to his boots again. Of course he couldn’t fool Yeager. Honestly, He really didn’t have the energy to fight or deny it.

“I don’t know where to start. And… I don’t want to go spreading all Neeku’s personal problems around. I-I just don’t know what to do about what I know, Yeager?” The dark-haired human stammered, wrapping his arms around himself.

The bearded man could clearly see how stressed Kazuda was. His whole body was tense and ridged.

“It’s okay Kaz.” Yeager reassured him gently. “You know I care about Neeku too. I want to help, but I need to know exactly what we’re dealing with. You know I’m good at keeping secrets. I’ll keep Neeku’s too. You clearly need some help dealing with what you know. So how about you start from the beginning, and then together we’ll figure out a solution?”

“There are only two solutions Yeager… and each one is karking awful.” The younger Man said, looking distraught as they both left the turbolift.

The floor they exited on happened to be the recreational level of the tower. The older human quickly stuck his head into the aces lounge. Finding it currently unoccupied, the pair took the chance to have a quiet conversation in there.

Kaz practically fell into one of the armchairs. His head going immediately into his hands and his whole body hunching over to try and alleviate some of the stress he was feeling. The former rebel took the chair opposite. Kaz not seeing the very worried look on his brown face.

“Alright, Kaz. Tell me everything.” He said gently, his voice warm, fatherly and exuding as much confidence and comfort as he could. It took a few moments and a somewhat shuddery breath from the younger man; but eventually Kazuda started to talk.

Though he didn’t move from his position. Finding it easier to say what he needed to without having to look the other man in the face.

The spy recounted to his boss all that the female Nikto had told him. Or at least, the most important bits. That Neeku was sick with his kinds breeding cycle. That he’d apparently been hiding it for weeks. He told Yeager how the condition was affecting him physically and mentally.

Told the older human what the ‘treatment’ was, and what would happen if he didn’t get it.

Kaz decided to leave out the more intimate and embarrassing parts, like the biting during sex thing. He figured Yeager really didn’t need to know that bit.

The former Rebel listened intently, and asked questions when he needed clarification. At the end, the man had a few more grey hairs as he ran a hand over his face. He let out a very loud and very tired puff of air through his lips.

“Well... That’s a thing.” Yeager said steadily. Kaz was surprised, he thought his boss would have a more visceral reaction to what he’d been told.

Kaz had expect shock or maybe even a little disgust. But the older man just seemed to accept the truth of the situation.

“Just-what the hell are we gonna do?!” Kaz cried forlornly, at last looking up at Yeager. Stress making his voice crack.

“Apparently, there’s not much we can do according to Laval. And as you’ve said, each choice kinda sucks.” The old rebel agreed, rubbing his forehead.

“You’re not gonna tell me to go and- and take advantage of my best friend? That’s basically what she told me to do!” Kaz said, a little anger and frustration creeping into his voice. Yeager shook his head. Looking at the pilot with sympathy.

“Of course not! I mean, if you wanted to, I wouldn’t stop you. But that’s your decision, Kaz. No one can ask you or has the right to say you should do something you’re not completely comfortable with. Especially something like this. Regardless of the situation. I’m certainly not going to guilt you into doing anything either.”

“Thanks Yeager.” Kaz said softly. Feeling slightly better now after getting everything off his chest and knowing that his boss was ultimately on his side whichever way he fell.

“We’ll keep this between us,” Yeager said. “But we will need to inform medical. Just in case anything gets out of hand and there is an emergency. It sounds like they’re going to need to be ready. If what Laval said is true, Neeku’s going to need to spend some time in there after all this is over.”

That awful knot of guilt in the pit of Kazuda’s stomach twisted tighter. Almost to the point he couldn’t stand it.

“He’s gonna be in so much pain Yeager. This is gonna hurt like hell for him if we leave him to deal with it by himself.”

“I know, kid. But all we can do is look after him as best we can. Make sure he’s safe and that he doesn’t get out and hurt anyone or you.” At that, Kaz frowned deeply.

“Why would he hurt me?”

“Neeku is not in his right mind. If he got his act together and managed to get out, He’d likely come after you. He might not take no for an answer and unintentionally hurt you in a way that can’t be forgiven.”

Kazuda hadn’t even considered that. He was so concerned with Neeku’s well-being and safety, that he was completely overlooked his own. Kaz couldn’t believe that his best friend might be so far gone that he would hurt him.

But the memory of the way Neeku had so roughly grabbed and shook him after meeting Laval resurfaced. The harshness and the pain of it had only been dulled by shock of the action. The way his friend had grasped him, so possessively. The look in his eyes. For a moment he hadn’t recognized that it was Neeku.

“I-i hadn’t... thought... Dank farrik...” Kaz ran a hand through his hair, gripping the dark strands hard enough to hurt, he let out a sorrowful whine and crumbled in on himself. Great, now he had to worry about his genius mechanic best friend escaping from his confinement and coming after him in a horny rage.

As if things couldn’t get any worse.

Yeager lent over and gave the younger man a reassuring pat on the shoulder and a comforting fatherly smile.

“Hay, Take it easy. It’s all okay. We’ll get through this. Everything’s going to be alright.” The old rebel said gently. “We’ll keep everyone else safe; and I’ll make sure your safe. I’m not going to let anything happen to either of you. We’ll make him as comfortable as possible in there and hope for the best.”

Kaz could only nod absently. His head a whirling maelstrom of thoughts. Yeager’s calm reassurance did little to lift any of the current heavy weight currently sitting on Kazudas chest.

Chapter Text

Later that evening, Kaz was sitting on the floor by the door of Neeku’s makeshift prison.

He couldn’t bring himself to leave his friend alone. It still felt too much like abandoning Neeku in his time of real need. Like he was just callously washing his hands of the whole situation.

The human had foolishly tried talking to Neeku through the comm, thinking that perhaps he could calm him… But that only just made things dreadfuly worse.

The Nikto was first elated to hear Kazudas voice. Told him how Yeager had tricked him into the room and that he couldn’t get out. Asking quickly if Kaz could open the door.

The spy felt awful as he gently told his friend that he wasn’t allowed to let him out. Keeping the fact he knew what was really going on to himself, he told Neeku that it was orders from the Captain because of what he done to Hype and Yeager.

Neeku was suddenly beside himself, started begging Kazuda to let him out. That everything was just a big misunderstanding, that he just wanted to make sure Kaz was safe… That all he wanted was to protect him.

He was practically sobbing promises to the human through the audio system, that he’d be good and behave for Kaz if he just let him out.

Those whining please made the humans chest and gut twist in weird, strange, uncomfortable ways…

In the end Kaz told Neeku that he wasn’t going to release him. That he was sorry, but his friend had to stay put. Saying that unleashed a whole new tantrum from within. The Soft gentle please turned into violent harsh demands for freedom. Shouting that Kaz was making a mistake. That no one had the right to keep him locked up against his will. That Kaz was in danger and needed him by his side.

Kazuda herd enough, knowing the truth, he couldn’t take any more. With an aching heart he apologised to his friend, said that he was leaving and shut off the comm. The Nikto screamed his name, started throwing things inside the room and at one point seemed to be attacking the door like a rabid mastif. Desperate to get out to him.

But Kazuda hadn’t gone, he couldn’t bring himself to leave him alone. He sat silently on the floor and listened to it all. For hours. Agonized over every roar of fury and flinching at every loud crash or bang.

It was beyond distressing for Kazuda to hear. His sweet and gentle friend was going insane because he was in pain, desperate to have Kazuda near him... Because he wanted to be WITH him...

And there was nothing Kaz could do about it!

But that wasn’t true, a torturous little voice Inside his head kept reminding him…

There was an easy way he could help him. Stop this rage and insanity and eventually Neeku’s future hospitalisation. All it would cost him was putting some human morals and feelings aside for a week or so.

He just had to go inside and fuck his sick best friend who right now couldn’t even think straight.

In a burst of utter frustration Kazuda let out a wordless yell. Flinging his arm out he hit the wall beside him with a loud metallic thwack.

His chest tightened in anguish, as the chaotic noise inside the room that had not stopped for hours suddenly went silent. A few seconds later he heard Neeku call his name.

Asking if he was there. Softly. Gently. Hopefully. He sounded so lost. So desperate.

Kazudas voice stuck in his throat. Answering him would only make things even worse. So he remained silent. After a minute or so, the rage filled nikto tornado started up again.

The young man sitting on the floor, just wanted to cry. He felt so awful for Neeku and hated himself for not being a better friend and being able to help him in the way he needed. He just… didn’t have it in him to do it…

Cee-bee rolled up beside him and warbled softly. She sounded just as fretful for Kaz as she was for Neeku.

Kaz gave her a sad, half hearted smile and patted her head. He bowed his own between his knees as the indistinct unhinged yelling and noise from inside the room continued on.

The spy didn’t know how long he’d been there lost in thought; but was a while before he was dragged out of his own head when something tapped his boot. Kaz looked up to see Bobby, Laval’s droid, before him. The little brightly painted BD unit chirped at him cheerfully. His flat head tilting to look up at him.

“Hay there, what is it little guy?” Kaz asked quietly. Hopefully low enough that Neeku wouldn’t hear him above his own screaming.

Bobby made a series of whistles before backing up. Seconds later a blue tinted holo message started, being projected by the bipedal droid. It was Laval.

“Hay pooki. started feeling a little guilty just sending you off like I did. You looked really out of your depth.” She said gently. “So, because I’m such a nice gal, I put together some helpful reading material and vids for you. So you can know what to expect, whichever direction you may choose to go. Hope it helps. Best of luck hunny bun.”

Bobby deactivated the recording, chirped again and opened the little storage space in the side of his head. Kaz reached over and picked out a Data rod. For the first time that day, he felt something close to happy.

“Thanks Bobby. Say thank you to Laval for me too. I appreciate all the help.” Kaz told the Little Droid.

The BD unit, nodded an affirmative, chirped and then hurried away down the bright hallway. His little feet tapping lightly on the deck as he went.

Cee-Bee beeped curiously as Kaz briefly looked the Rod over. Pulling out his pad from the inside pocket of his jacket, he plugged it in. He was both eager and a little apprehensive at what Laval would consider ‘helpful’ information. Looking at the table of contents, Kazuda was shocked to say the least. In more ways than one.

Just as she promised, lots of helpful information on how to make a Kadas’sa’Nikto going through heat without a partner more comfortable. Medication safe to use to help try to ease and calm. Advice on what environmental setting to keep them in to put less stress on their already over worked bodies.

Medical advice for aftercare and biology notes about Nikto reproduction. specifically, their sub species. A rough time scale of symptoms and progression to track when it should be over and safe to let them out of confinement.

Grimly, as Laval had said, even the most optimistic prediction gave estimates of a month or more which would eventually end in the sufferer being taken to a Medi-centre to recuperate from a total biological system meltdown.

However… On the other side of that practical info coin, Was a whole lot of material Kazuda was sorely not prepared for.

A basic guide to interspecies sex, subcategorise Human/Kadas’sa’Nikto. The subcategories covering everything from how to attract a Nikto for a mate, to courtship, onto foreplay and to actual intercourse.

There were also some very explicit videos that made his cheeks burn just looking at the thumbnails and titles. All human and Nikto pairings. No doubt in an effort to either give Kaz some pointers or an attempt to titillate him.

Considering the sender, it could very well be a bit of both.

He pointedly did not venture into the more explicit side. Instead Kaz focused on reading what he could do to make his friend as comfortable as possible where he was right now.

Kaz was grateful to the woman. Yeah, she was aggressively flirty towards him but… She was clearly a fundamentally kind and good hearted person. Everything she’d sent him was informative and useful. She had no obligation to answer any of his questions earlier or supply any of this further information.

He sat quietly and read his pad, as Neeku continued to rage inside his prison cell. Kazuda committing every useful scrap to memory. Determined to do something to benefit his best friend, no matter how small.

Chapter Text

Two days later, Kazuda was still outside of the temporary prison cell that held his best friend. Relentlessly pacing back and forth along the hallway.

It had only been a few days since his talk with Laval and Bobby’s delivery of useful information. Sadly, even with the helpful information, things had not gotten any better.

Neeku was still going mad in the isolation of the secure room. He just didn’t seem to stop or slow down for more then a few minutes. Kaz had started timing each period where the Kadas’sa’Niktos cries stopped.

The longest pause had been barely 15 minutes.

Even though muffled, the human could hear his name being bellowed and cursed and everything in-between.

The human herd Neeku begging and sobbing in anguish. Furious threats and demands; along with just incoherent yelling. Hearing his best friend in such a state was driving HIM insane.

They had lowered the lighting and temperature in the room as the guide suggested. The dim lighting as not to stress the Nikto eyes and the cooler temperature would help with the heat of the reptiles fevered body.

But it only helped so much.

Yeager had even sorted out laced food and drink with the medical team. Medication mixed in to try and ease Neeku’s symptoms. For two days they had been giving him food; But each tray had been untouched and left in the slot.

But still they kept trying.

Kazuda desperately wanted to talk to Neeku, to try and comfort and encourage him to eat something. But after the last time, he knew that even the slightest indication he was even there, would only make things worse for the suffering Nikto

Kaz wanted to yell and slam his forehead into the opposite wall in utter frustration. But he restrained himself in fear of alerting Neeku of his presents.

Laval and all her offered information was all horribly correct...

Neeku was inevitably going to starve himself to the point of collapse.

And there was nothing they could do to stop it...

Well... Almost nothing...

“Kaz?” Came a gentle accented voice the young spy knew very well. Kazudas thoughts stopped as he looked up to see Synara coming towards him down the brightly lit hall; carrying another food tray.

“Oh, Hay Synara.” The human mumbled, not feeling up to giving her even a half hearted smile.

“Yeager asked me to bring Neeku up some lunch.” She said.

“Thanks, but he’s not touched anything we’ve given him so far. I doubt this one will be different. He’s just not eating.” The human lamented.

The purple skinned woman frowned. Concern knitting her brow.

“Now that is very unlike him. Is that part of this sickness he has?” She asked, eyeing the door as the sound of something being thrown and broken sounded from within.

The human gave a deep sigh. Of course, news about Neeku being ill had spread around the ship like wildfire. Everyone understandably loved their acting chief engineer and were of course worried for him.

He could only thank the heavens that nobody really knew just what the illness was. Or if they did they were thankfully keeping quiet about it.

“Yeah, if he keeps this up he’s gonna starve himself.” Kaz acknowledged. “It’s one of the symptoms of his... Condition.”

The human sighed, leaning against the wall and rubbing his neck. He just felt so drained, useless and ultimately like a really shitty friend. He didn’t see the observant look the woman was given him.

“Kaz, how long have you been here?” Synara asked putting the tray down on the floor.

“Pretty much since we put him in there.” The human sighed again, scrubbing at his eyes till he could see stars. “I only left to get Neeku some fresh food this morning. I got him a Gorg. A purple one, cuz those are his favourite. I hoped he might be tempted with that. But that was no good either. I use the fresher and then I came right back.”

“Well, that explains why you look like shit.” She said, folding her arms with a little smirk .

“Aw, gee, thanks.” He said sarcastically with a withering look. But he really didn’t feel like raising to even defend himself from criticism.

“Kaz, why don’t you go take a brake.” Synara said softly, a gentle hand on his arm. “All joking aside, You look absolutely exhausted.”

“No. No, I gotta stay here.” Kaz said firmly, shaking his head. “I need to be here. Just in case something happens... I can’t leave him like this.”

He needs me. Kaz thought.

But the extent of that need made his stomach twist into strange knots he could never explain to Synara. The Mirialan woman looked at him with a gentle, kindly expression.

“Your, loyalty to Neeku is admirable, Kaz.” She said. “But he’s not going anywhere and you’re not going to do him any good if you run yourself into the ground, are you? Your going to end up in the med bay right next to Neeku if you keep this up.”

“Synara... It’s not that simple. I-I just can’t abandon him!” Kaz cried, feeling all the pent-up guilt in the pit of his stomach almost made him want to puke.

“You are not abandoning him.” She said firmly.
“Then why does it feel like it?” He muttered angrily.

“Kaz, I’m not one to pry into others business, but from what I’ve herd... From what I know... He’s gonna need your help while he recuperates after this is done with.”

“But Synara-” He started, but was swiftly halted in his tracks.
“No buts! I’ll stay here and watch over him. Just so you can feed yourself, take a shower and get some sleep. You’ll feel better once you do. I promise.”

“But-”

“I am not taking no for an answer.” She said with a narrow eyed look as she folded her arms. Clearly meaning business. “I promise I’ll call you if anything changes. Do yourself and Neeku a favour and go get some rest.”

Kazuda opened his mouth to protest again, but ultimately wilted under her stern gaze. His shoulders slumping in defeat.

“Thanks Synara.” The human mumbled. “Just-Just call me if he needs anything.”

“You have my word Kaz.” She reassured him. “Go get some sleep.”

Kaz took one last look at the locked door before turning and trudging off down the hallway towards the nearest turbolift.

The sound of his best friends muffled yells ringing in his ears.

Chapter Text

Kaz took Synara’s advice.

He returned back to Yeager’s hanger, had a shower and tried to eat something.

The young man begrudgingly did feel better after getting cleaned up. The warm water easing the aches in his muscles from all the tension he’d held over the past few days. The change into soft, comfortable clothes suitable for sleeping did feel comforting.

But Kazuda only picked at the tray of food he’d half heartedly warmed up for himself. Even though he chosen his favourite meal out of all the packs, his appetite just wasn’t there.

His mind was far too preoccupied with other things.

Kazuda was alone in the quiet and dimly lit hanger. Yeager was up on the bridge with the Captain. They were discussing courses and possible places for the Colossus to resupply. He was going to be there for hours, discussions like that always took forever.

The resistance spy pushed his now cold tray away with a huff and rubbed at his face. His brain felt like it was full of static. Perhaps Synara was right and a nap would help make him feel better. Help him clear his head.

Kaz sluggishly hauled himself up from the table and over to his cot. He sat down heavily on the edge, rubbing his neck and trying to quiet his thoughts enough for him to even attempt to sleep. His eyes drifted around aimlessly till they landed on the data pad by his pillow.

It was the one that held all the information Laval had given him about Kada’sa’Nikto Heat and mating habits.

Was it curiosity or just sheer desperation to help his friend that made him pick it up and decide to look at it again?

Perhaps a desire to maybe miraculously stumble upon something that could help Neeku in his time of need. Something Kaz had perhaps missed…

He swung his legs up as he lay back against the firm foam mattress. Puffing up the pillow behind himself to get comfortable, he activated the padd.

The question was, where did he look?

He’d already read all the safe for work stuff a hundred times. Kaz had steered clear of the more explicit information. But now, in his desperation, he found himself compelled to look at the rest of the content the older Nikto woman had given him.

Kazuda dithered for a moment but ultimately made up his mind. Told himself that reading the rest wasn’t anything more than just one friend trying to help another.

Before he could think better of it, he accessed the rest of the files.

The human figured the best place to start was reading about basic Kadas’sa’nikto mating habits and reproductive Biology.

It was all equal parts informative, fascinating and downright shocking to him.

Kazuda quickly realising just how little he knew about his friend or even Neeku’s entire species as a whole.

One of the most interesting topics he found was on how Green Nikto used colour to attract a mate.

When in the grip of heat, Kadas’sa’ Nikto will develop bright colouring over their heads, backs, shoulders and arms. Even sometimes extending to the legs. The vividness depending on the severity of the individual’s heat.

It was a visual indicator to others that they were sexually available and wanting to mate. Another one of their kind’s genetic throwbacks from their ancient animal ancestors.

During this time Green Nikto tended to wear more revealing clothing to display the pigmentation. Or alternatively remain covered if they were trying to avoid attention.

Kazuda huffed in frustration. Of course no one had noticed this on Neeku. He had kept himself covered from head to toe to keep his condition a secret.

Now that he thought about it, Kaz remembered that Neeku had been unusually fussy about his jumpsuit and not even changing out of it to sleep. Thus, avoiding questions being asked or someone figuring it out themselves.

Kaz racked his brain, trying to remember if he’d ever seen even a hint of colour on the back of Neeku’s neck or around the inside of his collar.

Maybe? Possibly? Had he just subconsciously dismissed the sight as nothing? A trick of the light? Not that it did any good worrying about it now, he huffed to himself.

Kazuda continued on reading on the subject. Finding it fascinating that Kadas’sa’nikto would also make it a point to wear the same colours that pigmented their skin during heats in normal day to day life. It wasn’t worn to just attract a potential sexual partner, but often just to garner positive attention, make a statement or to make themselves feel attractive.

It was effectively the Niktos equivalent of a well-endowed woman wearing a low cut top.

Those colours being bright reds, yellows and oranges.

The resistance spy let out a soft snort, that now explained why Laval wore such elaborate and eye-catching headwear. Her woven, multi coloured headscarf was the colours of a warm sunset. It all fit with her personality. The Sexually confident and vivacious older woman that she was. Flashing those bright colours to everyone, displaying her confidence and vitality.

But then something hit Kaz like a brick wall.

Neeku wore predominantly yellow overalls, with bright orange accents at the shoulders. His boilersuit giving him such a vibrant, almost out of place look among the otherwise dull Colossus residence.

Kaz had always thought the choice had been made to match the fireball logo, but after what he’d just read…

Neeku was basically doing the same thing as Laval!

All this time, Neeku had been wearing that bright eye-catching jumpsuit, Because it wasn’t just practical, it also made him feel attractive at the same time.

Neeku wore it to feel sexy.

The notion kind of blew Kazudas brain a little.

Yet Kaz had to admit, the brightness of the yellow colour really did make the greenness of his scales pop... It did look good on him.

The colour combo enlisting thoughts of sunshine and lush green fields to the human.

Kazuda couldn’t help but continue to read on. Wanting to find out more and quickly finding that he had only scraped the tip of this mountain.

Kadas’sa’Nikto along with the other Nikto subspecies, used non-verbal sound to communicate. Especially during mating and under the influence of a heat cycle.

Clicking, chirps, rumbles, growls, hisses and purrs. A whole variety of sounds were used to woo, entice and seduce. Some even to ward off potential threats. There were a few example audio recordings in the files.

The noises sounding like they should be coming from a wild jungle animal rather than a sentient being. Kaz was 90% sure he’d heard Neeku quietly make at least half of them. Either at other people when he was angry or at him when he was happy.

As the humans interest further grew, he made a rather surprising and intimate discovery about Neeku.

Like many other reptilians; instead of external genitals; both male and female Kadas’sa’Nikto had a singular cloaca opening which gave access to all lower body functions and protected all reproductive organs.

What was even more mind boggling to the human, was finding out that all Green Nikto, were Hermaphroditic. Possessing both male and female reproductive organs. Meaning that both sexes could either sire offspring or be impregnated.

It wasn’t uncommon for a mated couple to both be pregnant at the same time. Which commonly led to exceptionally big family units. As a single Nikto clutch could have anything from 8 to 12 eggs.

Kaz had to take a moment to process all of that information.

He’d just wrongly assumed that Neeku was configured just like he was. Not that he’d ever really thought about his friends’ genitals before. But in general, Kaz always just presumed everyone was built like him till he was told or found out otherwise.

The galaxy was a stunningly diverse and fascinating place he reminded himself.

With the new information buzzing in his brain, it took a few moments to gather his thoughts before accesses the section that covered interspecies mating.

It wasn’t going to harm anyone if he read about it, he told himself. Justifying that it never hurt to learn new things and become a little less ignorant.

It was rather dry and medical. Explaining how it basically worked between Nikto and other species, specifically humans.

It was rather self-explanatory. The long and short of it was that Dick goes in hole. And depending on individual preference, depended on whether the Nikto partner wanted to mount or be mounted.

But more often than not they were the ultimate switches and took pleasure in both ways of mating.

More importantly, it told Kaz that it was physically safe for Humans and Nikto to have intercourse. Neither party was in danger of getting torn apart by the other genitals. They were compatible for having fully penetrating and more importantly, pleasurable sex.

Kaz had herd some gruesome horror stories of failed interspecies relations while he was in the new republic naval academy. Where the two partners were wholly incompatible and left each other in a medbay rather than bliss.

Even so, there was a few advisory notes within the material.

The first stating that contraception between Nikto and other races was not entirely needed; it was more to prevent STD’s than unwanted pregnancy.

Nikto could only breed with other types of Nikto.

Crossbreeding with different species was never successful. Even the few recorded incidences of some initial fertilization, nothing ever lasted past a few weeks and was naturally aborted with little complications. the genetics involved were just too incompatible and never resulted in anything viable.

The information backing up what Laval had told him about them being able to have messy fun.

Kazuda squirmed a little, feeling his face burn slightly at the illicit thought before quickly moving on.

The second advisory stated that partners who lent towards rougher sex would be better fits for Nikto. Due to the reptilian’s instinctual tendency to bite and claw in the throes of passion.

Kaz chewed on his lip, he’d never had what would be considered ‘rough’ sex in his life. All of his previous lovers had been rather… Vanilla. He’d never really thought too much about exploring in more adventurous territory when it came to being intimate.

The young man was usually just overjoyed for anything he got.

As he thought over it, Kaz recalled all the time’s Neeku had run a hand along his back or arm. Or the few times he surreptitiously glided his fingers over the human’s hip or thigh.

The sensation of his friend’s firm but gentle hand contrasted with the slight scrape of dangerous sharp claws had inexplicably made the humans heartbeat that much quicker. Cause a peculiar little flutter in his chest. Made his breath catch in his throat... And an unexpected and guilty tingle in his gut…

Every damn time.

Sudden intrusive and shocking thoughts about how it would really feel to have Neeku’s hands run over his bare skin started to spring up in his mind.

Then Kazudas brain, for some reason, brought up all the time’s Neeku chowed down on whole live Gorg’s like they were nothing more than gummy chews.

Sharp teeth and strong jaws ripping through the small creatures with ease. Often, while they were still very much alive. Flesh and soft bone standing no chance against a gleefully ravenous Nikto.

Now that Kaz looked back on it... He realised that every time Neeku would treat himself to a Gorg, the human found himself watching avidly. Initially, it had been in sheer horror. He’d never seen anyone eat anything that was still vigorously moving or squealing in fear.

Then it had turned into morbid fascination. Watching as his Nikto friend savoured every morsel, humming happily in delight as he ate…

Kazuda found he often couldn’t take his eyes off Neeku’s mouth as he ate. Teeth, stained with blood and the Nikto’s dark tongue flicked out, licking every drop of blood and gore from his green lips with utter relish.

Neeku would often get so messy he’d lick his hands clean. His long tongue wrapping around each of his fingers to consume every last drop of blood.

Just how would it feel to have his friends’ sharp teeth against his own neck? The human thought. Or feel Neeku’s hot wet tongue lick him as if he was going to be his next snack?

Kazuda shuddered in shocking excitement. Felt something dark in his chest and gut stir.

He was realising that perhaps… Maybe… There had been something else that had drawn him to watch his friend so closely… Something he’d never even understood.

He allowed his thoughts wander further…

Would Neeku be into rough sex like the supposed rest of his kind? Neeku certainly had the strength and hidden ferocity to possibly be like that.

An unexpected but thrilling excitement ran through him at the notion of his normally sweet gentle friend being so forceful and demanding in bed.

The heat that was stirring in his belly was growing. The familiar feelings of arousal prickling at all his nerves.

Was Kaz actually starting to contemplate this?

He’d been so adamant that he wouldn’t do what Laval suggested. Because He was sure he couldn’t. That he didn’t feel that way towards his friend…

But… if he didn’t feel even a little something more for his friend… Then why was the thought of Neeku’s hands and mouth on his body suddenly turning him on?

Kaz was confused, scared and now horny, all at the same time. A cacophony of feelings and emotions buzzing in his brain.

The humans stared at the pad… His hand moved to hover over one of the videos.

Dare he look?

It wouldn’t at all be the first dirty holo he’d ever watched... Far from it.

Perhaps... It could be a test of sorts...

To see if these feelings that were springing up were just from stress or if they were actually something he could act on. A fleeting horny thought was one thing… But could he really picture himself doing anything like that with Neeku?

Hell, if he couldn’t even watch a porno vid and get off on it showing someone who looked like his friend, there would be his answer.

If it gave him the ick, well then, it would confirm that he really wasn’t capable of helping his friend out in such a way. There really would be no point in fretting about it further. That those dark thoughts were indeed just intrusive spontaneous things to be ignored.

It would be better to know for certain. He told himself this was the logical option.

But on the other hand… What if Kaz liked what he saw?

What if he wanted more?

He swallowed thickly at the lump in his throat. There really was only one way to find out.

Chapter Text

Kazuda Xiono was feeling conflicted.

Many warring emotions about what he was about to do were bouncing around inside him. Kaz felt guilty…. Yet at the same time, also oddly thrilled. Excited by the almost taboo subject of seeing if he could be sexually aroused by someone like his best friend.

Kaz almost felt like he was a little schoolkid again, sneaking off to go peep at the pretty older girls that used to attend parties with their parents at his home when he should be studying.

But that was absolute innocence compared to what he was about to do.

Even though Kaz was alone in the hanger, and that it was highly unlikely anyone would come to the garage; he turned the volume down on the pad till it was only just loud enough for him to hear.

Even so, when the video started, the cheesy porno music intro sounded to him like he was playing it at full blast over the ships intercom.

The young man, in guilt riddled panic, looked frantically around for a few seconds. It took a while to reassure himself that he was still very much alone on his bunk and that the whole population of the Colossus wasn’t about to descend in and berate him for watching porn.

The humans racing hart refused to slow completely down though. From either fear or excitement, he couldn’t quite tell. Eventually he turned his attention back to the screen.

Kazuda found that the first recording was already in full swing. A very beautiful ebony coloured human woman, with short closely clipped hair and large ample breasts was centre of the screen. The male green Nikto sat behind her, was thick set and sturdy looking. Dark, almost black scars marring his deep green, scaly skin.

Kaz felt his cheeks burn hot as the two were already in the throes of passion as soon as he set eyes on the recording. No build up or foreplay apparently, just right into the nitty gritty.

But then he might have missed it from the paranoia of potential interlopers.

The man was sat back on his haunches while the woman had her back pressed against his chest. She was straddled over his thick thighs. Long legs spread wide and her most intimate area on clear display for the viewer.

One of his clawed hands cupping and fondling her soft breasts. His face pressed against her shoulder. The Nikto’s member sliding in and out of the human as they moved together at a steady even pace.

Kazuda found his eyes were completely glued to the screen. His mouth drying a little at the sight.

He had seen human genitals plenty of times, that wasn’t new to him; that’s not what drew his avid attention.

It was the Kadas’sa’Nikto that had him curious. It was one thing to see another species genitals illustrated or pictured in medical text. It was another to see it being used the way it was meant to be.

From what he could see, the male’s organ was almost as white as snow compared to his deep green scales and the woman’s dark brown skin. It slid in and out of the human repeatedly, the clearly thick phallus disappearing far into the woman’s body.

After a few minutes he pulled out completely making her whine softly at the loss. Kazuda’s eyes widened in shock. He had never seen a dick like it before.

The shaft was so long and very thick. Glistening wetly in the light, almost looking like marble with the dark veins beneath the almost ghostly white flesh.

It had a unusual, but very intriguing shape. The head was exceptionally wide, with a large opening and soft little barb at the tip. With smooth little nodules and inviting bumps along its length that ignited arousal within the young human spy.

It was just so big! Kaz was astounded that it even fit inside the woman.

The human found himself wondering silently, just how good would it feel to ride something like that?

Kaz watched on as the Nikto slowly angled himself and pressed back inside the woman. The thick length disappearing slowly till she was stretched tightly over the wide base. She gasped softly, her dark eyes fluttering closed in delight as they begun moving together again at a leisurely pace.

Slick, wet sounds of sex filling the young man’s ears as his eyes drank in the sights before him. He found himself turning the volume up a few bars to hear them better.

The Nikto man turned his head, kissed along her Neck and shoulder before opening his mouth and biting at the junction of her body. He let out a gentle rumbling throaty sound of delight.

Though not deep, the bite was still enough to draw blood. His sharp double incisor teeth nicking the woman’s delicate dark flesh easily. Thick red blood trickled over the humans skin from under his lips.

She hissed at the initial pain but it morphed into a low needy moan. The reptilian man proceeded to tenderly kiss the wound he’d made.

His dark tongue soothing the little cuts, licking away the running drops of her crimson blood. One of the woman’s hands reached up to fondle and stroke his facial crest and bald scaled head affectionately as she kissed his cheek.

They kept going with their intimacy. Gradually speeding up till they were both panting and crying out. One of the human woman’s hands gripped his arm tightly while the other wove her fingers between the gaps of the horns around his face; holding on for what seemed like dear life. His hands gripping her tight enough for his claws to puncture her skin. More blood welling up from the tiny wounds.

Her cries were loud and almost delirious as she climaxed. Shuddering and convulsing in her partners grasp. After a few more thrusts inside her, he soon followed, letting out a loud animal like snarl, jerking hard as he came deep inside her.

The last images Kaz saw were of the Niko’s twitching cock as it slipped free of her stretched and quivering opening. Runny cum that was tinted a light blue, dripped from the end of the softening member and flowed out of the now happily smiling woman.

He nuzzled her injured neck… purring happily, his hands petting over her body tenderly. Almost lovingly.

She smiled brightly and kissed his face sweetly, rubbing her nose playfully against his cheek. The Postcoital interactions were all so compellingly affectionate.

The camera moved from the couple and focused entirely on her messy used cunt and his dripping twitching cock before the screen went dark.

Kaz swallowed thickly.

Fuck.

That had been hot as all hell… and he was more that a little aroused after watching.

After a few moments of chewing at his bottom lip, debating whether to carry on, he opened the next one with a slightly wobbly hand.

This recording was of a female Nikto and male human.

The man was nude, big and muscular. With tanned skin and blond hair. While the reptilian woman was much smaller and slim by comparison; she had a dominating alluring confidence and sex appeal that radiated from her. The females scales were bright, lush green and her dark eyes were surrounded by bright colourful makeup. Red slowly fading to orange and then yellow.

She was as naked as the human male before her. Though she had no mounds like mammals would on her chest, the scale pattern and colouring of her body creating the optical illusion of small, rounded breasts.

Kaz found himself studying the shapes and the way they interlocke. They were beautiful and fascinating... His fingers strangely becoming itchy. Curious to know what they felt like under his fingertips; the way the man on the screen was discovering.

His hands tracing the shapes in symmetrical trails. She seemed to like it alot, sighing under his caresses. But after a few moments, she shoved him down to sit on the bed with a low growl. He looked up at her with adoring and lustful eyes.

They kissed and petted each other. Her clawed fingers raking over his scalp and fisting in his hair. His hands roamed over her body, short nails scratching hard against her scales, making her rumble and trill softly.

He ended up on the bed, laying on his front almost forced into the position by the woman as she manhandled him about. His hips up, being supported by a pillow.

Kazuda watched, almost breathless as she was clearly going to be the one penetrating her human male partner. Confirming for Kazuda what all the medical text stated about Kadas’sa’Nikto having both sets of genitalia to be true.

Her dick was much like the previous male Niktos. Though her’s was slimmer, it was just as intricate and appealing. And it made Kaz shift on his bunk as a familiar, all too pleasant sensation started to crawl under his skin.

The white erect flesh dripped, and shone with slickness. The scaly woman rubbed between the supple globes of the laying mans soft fleshy bottom. He groaned and wriggled beneath her. Grinding back encouragingly. Silently begging for more.

Kazudas head was nearly imploding. His blood now running hot and starting to pool heavy in his groin. She pressed against his hole and slipped inside after a teasing pause.

The blond man gasped and moaned hotly as she slid herself inside the human man. Only stopping when her hips were tightly pressed against his supple and squishy backside. She let out a soft rumble of pleasure as she rocked against him gently.

The Niktos clawed fingers scratched lightly up and down the mans broad back, leaving pink welts before she started to thrust into him.

She fucked him slowly at first, gentle rocking in and out, but interspersed her rhythm with short bursts of fast hard plunges that left him gasping breathlessly and whining. She’d return to her slow leisurely pace before things got to intense.

The tanned skinned man was soon moaning in delight with every deep insertion if her dick and rough sweep of her hands.

Every so often she’d lean down to kiss and bite at his back. Leaving either heavily bruised or bloody little bite marks in her wake. As she did, the blond squirmed, hissed and whimpered. But always begged for more... For her to bite harder...

All the while she told him how pretty he was. How sexy he looked. How lovely the sounds he made were… And the reptilian woman told him, in a sultry, low voice, just how much she was looking forward to filling him with cum…

It made Kazuda shift restlessly on his bunk as his body reacted so positively to all the images and words playing for him.

He’d never been so thoroughly dicked down by someone, like the way she was doing to the other man. The thought of it igniting a burning flame in him that was growing with every second he continued to watch the pair on his screen

Kaz was really starting to come round to the idea of letting someone just go all out on him the way she was.

It all just looked so good...

Kazuda was left briefly wondering if Laval had chosen this recording specifically to tell him just what she would of done; if she’d had managed to get her hands on him.

He swallowed thickly at the thought. Laval was beautiful. Confident and clearly sexually interested in him… Maybe he shouldn’t have been so scared of her in the first place?

The resistance spy was coming to realise that Laval also wasn’t at all kidding about biting and drawing blood being a thing for her people. Both the humans in the recordings he’d seen, ended up covered in scratches, some deep enough to bleed. At the same time being peppered with various bite marks that all bruised and bled.

Yeah, Kaz knew this was porn and he knew everything was always exaggerated in vids like this. But even so, every Nikto had bitten their partner, many times and at the moment of climax itself, their sharp teeth cutting soft human flesh like a vibroblade through cloth. Leaving shallow bloody wounds that they would then lovingly lap at. Crimson fluid staining their lips and teeth.

Even though it looked like it hurt… The humans looked to be in utter sexual euphoria. Seemingly enjoying the pain that mixed with their pleasure.

Kaz wondered how that could be possible to like the pain… but he also couldn’t at all deny how his body was reacting positively to everything he’d saw.

Kazuda was left wondering if Neeku would be like the Nikto in these videos?

Dominating. Possessive. Passionate.

He almost couldn’t comprehend the possibility. The Neeku Kazuda knew was just so gentle and sweet… But the Neeku that he had seen emerge during the last few weeks was evidently more than capable at being as aggressive, demanding and forceful.

The thought was… quite thrilling…

Those questions were briefly abandoned as all too quickly for the spy’s liking, the pair on his screen were chasing their end. The woman having pinned the human man down by his shoulders. Pushing him into the mattress beneath him as she growled and ploughed into his willing warm body over and over again.

He was panting hard, fists balled tight in the sheets of the bed. A look of utter delirious pleasure on his face as he was thoroughly fuck by the green scaly woman.

He begged and whined as she worked him over, and she spoke sweet and filthy little praises to him as she moved inside the mammal beneath her.

The man cried out, his voice choked and horse as he finally came. His body clenching and arching as she rode him through his orgasm.

Only seconds later the green Nikto growled and threw her head back with a shout, reaching her own completion. Not long after, she pulled out completely, and hoisted his hips up; spreading his cheeks open for the camra and cooing softly at the sight.

The last images on the screen was of the tanned skinned human on his knees. his stretched hole on full display, bluish tinted cum dripping from the stretched opening. The thick fluid running over his trembling thighs and hairless balls. His own dick could be seen through his legs. His own spilt body fluid smeared over his skin and sheets.

As soon as it was finished, Kazuda quickly moved onto the next recording. There was absolutely no hesitation this time.

He really wanted to see more...

The last recording was of a male human and male Kadas’sa’Nikto.

Kazudas heart started to race. His mouth almost watering now with anticipation.

They were both young men… maybe a little older than Kaz and Neeku were.

In fact... They even sort of looked like Them.

The human was light skinned, clean shaven and had short dark hair. The Nikto had a lean body, bright green scales and a sweet, innocent looking face.

Again... Kaz just knew Laval had likely chosen this one for those very reasons. As if to give the human spy a teasing glimpse into what it could be like if he were to take the leap and go be with his friend...

The reptile was on his back, legs spread, the fingers of one hand parting the thicker, green outer scales of his slit. Exposing the inner soft white flesh and an opening that glistened invitingly. Practically dripping onto the bed beneath. His phallus nowhere to be seen, it clearly was still sheathed within him. His other hand lazily trailed sensual pattens over his body as he looked up at the dark hair male.

The human playmate, eagerly crawled between the Niktos long legs. The man’s cock was large, hard and very ready for action. Beads of precum, already welling at his rounded tip.

The Human lent over the Nikto and the pair shared a deep, passionate kiss. The reptiles hands running over the mammal’s warm body greedily. His claws pressing just enough to lightly scratch the human’s skin.

The light skinned man pushed green legs further apart, almost to the point of pinning them flat to the mattress.

Kazuda chewed on his own bottom lip; watching the other human male avidly as he sat up, getting into position. The recorded man began rubbing his length over the other beings intimate and inviting opening. Coating himself in the copious amounts of wet slick there. The green Nikto in turn made a soft whining noise, bucking his hips encouragingly.

The dark haired man licked his lips, taking hold of his rock-hard cock and lined himself up with the waiting hole. The nameless reptilian gave a low purring rumble from his chest, his taloned fingers lightly scratching up the mammals’ forearms.

The handsome man on the screen held the others hips down. Then, with an almost brutal, hard thrust, drove inside with a resounding slap as their bodies came together.

The Nikto beneath him cried out. Throwing his head back and teeth bared in a loud long wail. His back bowing beautifully. The moment actually causing Kazuda to hold his breath in erotic awe.

After only a moment of pause, the human pulled out and started to thrust hard. Each strike making a resounding smack of contrasting skin and scales and a sloppy wet squelch of suction.

Sex between this pair was much rougher. Harder, faster… far more passionate...

Bodies intertwining and moving against one another. Lustful breathy words, curses, moans and gasped shared between them with their vigorous undulations.

Kazuda watch the two men fuck on his little screen avidly. The sound of their moans and hisses of pain and delight as they moved together filled his ears. The rhythmic, wet sticky slap of their bodies coming together over and over again as the thick, human cock slid in and out of the Niktos soft and welcoming opening.

Kaz couldn’t tare his eye’s away.

His whole body tingled, alight and worked up from all the intimate sights he’d seen. He couldn’t help his hand now drifting down to his own neglected cock. It had steadily been growing fat and hard as he watched everything. And now the trapped throbbing member was utterly impossible to ignore and demanding immediate attention.

At first, Kaz just placed firm pressure with just is palm against himself. But it wasn’t nearly enough .

Chewing his bottom lip hard, he felt a hot wave of heavy guilt and fiery arousal and he hastily shoved his hand under his waistband.

Hot and stiff in his own hand, his tip damp. Pre-cum leaking profusely from his arousal. Kaz hissed softly as he rubbed the pad of his thumb over the head. Shuddering almost violently at the sensation, the spy was soon stroking his dick in time with the other humans thrusts into the Nikto.

It was a little rough, having not nearly as much lubrication for a good wank as he’d normally use. But bizarrely; the slight discomfort only seemed to make it better.

He started to picture himself there in that recording… replacing the human male with Himself as he moved his hand in time with them. Letting himself imagine having that other body under him. A form that was covered in tough, thick cool scales instead of delicate, soft, warm skin he was used too.

As the video played on, Kaz found himself closing his eyes. Not just to concentrate on his hand’s movements better... But because his mind was wandering of its own accord.

Gradually the nameless Nikto stranger from the recording he was picturing under him, morphed steadily into Neeku.

Kazuda started to imagine, just how it would feel to have Neeku touch him as he had so many times before… but without the barrier of clothes between them.

How would Neeku’s skin feel against his ungloved palms and fingertips? Would he be rough or smooth?

He could almost feel the ghost of his friends claws on his thighs, his familiar breath on his neck. Hear his friends voice speak his name. Softly-beggingly- into his ear. Smell the enticing sweetness that now clung to his green skin.

Kazuda groaned. Just what would it be like to be bitten in the middle of such a tryst like the other Nikto had done to their partners? How much would it hurt? And why was the thought of the pain making him squirm in delight?

What would the sensation of Neeku’s sharp teeth grazing at his throat feel like? Would he scratch his claws down his back hard enough to bleed? Or be gentle and teasing… Just hard enough to leave red welts in their wake.

All these explicit thoughts made the spy breathless and left his dick throbbing and leaking profusely in his hand. The sound of sex in his ears as his mined and body raced.

What would it really feel like to have Neeku under him?

Willing. Wanting. Arms holding him and legs entangled tight. Moving against him and around him so desperately.

Would his reptilian body feel warm or cool around his cock? Would it be different when he wasn’t in heat?

Would hearing Neeku cry and curse out loud in pleasure rather than anger while he fucked him soundly be as exhilarating as his brain was suggesting?

The spy gripped the side of his bunk hard, back arching off the bed as his hand worked over himself faster. A light sweat on his brow, the crest of complete bliss approaching fast. The sounds of sex coming from the recording fuelling his lustful thoughts.

Just how would it feel to experience Neeku’s body moving around him? To be wrapped tightly in his friends’ limbs; hear the Nikto screamed Kazuda’s name to the stars as Kaz drove his dearest friend to utter ecstasy?

Kaz thought about just how deliciously filthy and sweet it would be to cum deep inside his best friend.

The spy let out a loud, shuddering cry as he was tipped over the edge. The human came hard in his hand, the sensation so intense it made him curl up on himself. Thick ropes of pearly white erupting from him and making a mess of his sleep-ware and hand.

The intense pleasurable wave racked him to the bone with it’s shocking intensity. Enough to make him forget how to think or even breathe. It felt like he was spinning headfirst down a black hole.

As it slowly ebbed away, Kaz flopped back against his pillow. Breathing hard, feeling light an euphoric and pleasingly relaxed. Better then he’d felt in days...

He lay there for what almost seemed like hours, looking up at his alcove ceiling in the dim hanger. The porno was still going on the pad, but it had been long forgotten in favour of his own fantasy. Now was nothing but low background noise.

After what seemed like a long time, the fog and rush of endorphins gradually seeped away, and a calm, post nut clarity made Kazuda start to see things far more clearly. With a new logical, perspective.

Would it be such a sacrifice of his morals to go help his friend in his time of need? Neeku was his dearest friend, who clearly and desperately wanted and needed Kazudas help? The Nikto had singled him out specifically because Neeku felt that he would be completely safe with Kaz when he was at his most vulnerable.

Neeku was his best friend. A best friend who Kaz just discovered he found physically appealing enough to have a really good wank over as the human thought about fucking him hard.

So clearly, Kazudas feelings for Neeku were perhaps a little more complicated than just simple friendship.

If he were to think about the whole situation logically and practically as well. The Colossus needed Neeku back. It needed their acting chief engineer. They all couldn’t afford to have him be out of commission for weeks on end. Too many people were counting on him.

It really was better for all involved if Kaz put aside his own culture and boundaries and instead embrace his friends.

If only for a short while.

Perhaps he was more capable of going through with it for Neeku after all; Kazuda thought steadily, feeling and odd waves of inexplicable calmness, and a steadily growing anticipation within him

Chapter Text

After a much-needed long nap following his rather intense wank and revaluation; he thought some more over another tray of food.

Kaz had come to a final decision.

He was going to go into that room and help Neeku through his heat.

When Kaz told Yeager what he had decided, the older human was reluctant to let him go. Not because he didn’t respect Kazudas decision or that he thought it was the wrong thing to do; it was because the old pilot was mostly worried about Kaz’s overall safety.

Neeku had become aggressive, physically violent and highly unpredictable now. The Nikto was far stronger than the human spy. What if Kaz found himself in a suddenly unsafe or dangerous position, he would be locked in a makeshift cell that he couldn’t get out of with someone who wasn’t currently in their right state of mind and who could really do some damage if something set him off.

Yeager was also concerned of the effect the situation would undoubtedly have on the two young men’s relationship after all was said and done. What Kazuda was proposing could cause irreproachable damage to their friendship. This was something they really could not really forget about, once all was said and done.

Kaz acknowledged all of Yeager’s concerns, they were more than valid. The Younger man understood better than anyone what he would be risking if he followed this path. Both long and short term.

Yet the spy stated to his boss that he had to go and help his friend. No matter the cost. Kaz realised that he just couldn’t live with himself if he continued to sit idly by and ignore his best friends suffering. Not when he could so easily help.

But having said that, it didn’t mean Kazuda wasn’t open to advice or solutions to make the trip into the horny Krayt Dragons cave a little safer. Just in case things did get out of hand and Kaz found himself way in over his head.

Yeager, the smart wingman that he was, quickly came up with some safety measures that would work to be both be discreet and keep Kaz safe if things went south for any reason.

The older man insisted that they place a subdermal communicator on him. Just in case of an emergency and he couldn’t reach an actual communicator for some reason. Also suggesting an implanted bio transmitter to monitor his life signs. If the worst should happen; if his heart rate spiked beyond normal boundaries or ceased altogether, medical would be alerted and help would be there within moments.

They also discussed a few verbal code words to use over the comm while in the cell, as well as taking a messaging device so Kaz could discreetly text Yeager in emergency or for any supplies or necessity’s he may need.

Not long after the details were hammered out, the two humans made their way to medical. The doctors, who were already aware of the situation regarding the currently captive Nikto; agreed to help with the failsafe measures. The medics in full support of Kasudas decision, as in their opinion it was the best, healthiest and safest way for the hurting Nikto to deal with his heat.

Kaz yelped like a stuck puffer pig when the medi bot jabbed him with the delivery needle. Not once but twice. The small wounds would heal in a day, Kazuda just hoped he’d get used to the sensation of foreign objects under his skin. That the itching would die down and wouldn’t drive him complete potty.

The Colossus medical team put together a well stocked med kit for the young spy. Full of bacta patches, gel, a few medical scanners to monitor Neekus condition and a lorry load of stims cleared for Kaz to use by the medical team.

If what the material Laval supplied was anything to go by or what the Doctors were saying, any human would find it hard to keep up satisfying a heated suffering young Nikto without stimulants.

After receiving instructions and guidance on how to use the Medical scanners and what to look out for, how to safely use the stimms, and with a final check of the failsafe subdermal com and monitor; the medics handed over the medi-case, wished the young man good luck and sent Kaz on his way.

Kazuda was now taking deep breaths to settle his nerves as he stood before the door of his friend’s makeshift isolation chamber. His steadfast boss beside him, a pensive expression on his dark, lined brow. Yeager still didn’t look entirely happy about Kaz going in there, but he held his tongue as after all, the former Navy pilot was a grown man and it was ultimately his decision to make.

Kaz tested the subdermal comm link one more time. Located behind his ear, close to the shell. He felt the internal vibration, letting him know it was in standby. Four long taps and help would be there quicker than a wamp rat down a pipe.

The timing of the pairs arrival at the room couldn’t have been better, because the hallway was oddly quiet.

Clearly Neeku was taking one of his breaks between his insane ranting and trashing of the room. It was probably the best opportunity for Kaz to get in and not risk the heat crazed engineer trying to break out.

“You ready?” Yeager asked, his voice warm and gentle.
“As I’ll ever be.” Kaz admitted, a few butterflies fluttering in his stomach.
“Just... Be safe, okay. The moment you get onto any trouble, or you feel unsafe, just call and I’ll come running.”

“Thanks, I’m sure I’ll be fine.” Kaz said offering a smile he hoped would put the older man at ease. The dark-skinned man did not look at all convinced, but he remained silent. Kaz could see the trepidation in his dark eyes.

Regardless of his misgivings, Yeager placed a hand on the younger man’s shoulder and gave it a final, fatherly pat before he unlocked the door. Kazuda hurried in quickly, as to not risk Neeku going for an escape.

As soon as Kaz stepped over the threshold, the door quickly slid shut with a hiss and the spy found himself in cool darkness.

Chapter Text

It was dark inside the makeshift holding cell.

The only available illumination was from the stars on the other side of the large bulkhead window and the dim running lights around the room ceiling and floor. It gave the room a soft cool, almost icy, glow to go along with the chilly temperatures. The room had been set to 16 degrees Celsius. By no means freezing, but the air bit slightly at his far warmer skin.

Kaz remained just on the other side of the now tightly locked door and took in his surroundings as best he could in the low light.

All the furniture was upturned and in disarray. Things broken, shredded and torn a sunder. It looked like a wild animal had been let loose in there.

The air around him, though cool, was filled and hung heavy with that ever so enticing sent of velvety Bantha milk hot chocolate. It seemed to surround Kazuda in what felt like a thick, sweet blanket. He couldn’t help himself but breathe deep and savour the smell. It was so heavily concentrated in the confined space it was almost enough to make his head spin.

But the most disturbing thing about the room was not the carnage... It was that the room was so deathly silent.

Concern building rapidly, the human spy put the case down on the floor and took a few cautious steps into the large room.

What if something had happened to his friend since last he was outside? What if he had collapsed from heat fatigue much sooner than had been predicted?

“Neeku? Are you- are you in here?” Kaz called gently.

The human froze when he heard a strange deep rumble come from somewhere he couldn’t quite pinpoint. Followed by a unnerving clicking and the sound of movement. But Kazuda’s eyes had still yet to adjust to the darkness.

“Neeku?” The young man called again, squinting into the darkness, trying to make out any shape that remotely resembled his friend. He was so busy looking, he didn’t notice the movement from the pile of debris behind him till it was too late.

“AAAAAGH!” Kaz cried out in fright as a pair of strong hands grabbed him, spun him around, then shoved him hard to the floor, knocking the wind out of him.

The dark haired young man let out a deep ‘oofph’ as a weight dropped onto his gut and could do little as his wrists were forcibly wrenched up and pinned above his head.

It all happened so fast it took a few disorientated moments for the human to comprehend the position he now found himself in. But when he did, and saw who had grabbed him, he was shocked almost beyond words.

“N-Neeku?!” Kaz squeaked, looking up into the face of his heat suffering friend.

The human had never seen Neeku so... exposed.

The mechanics yellow jumpsuit had been stripped away from his torso. The fabric torn, practically shredded, hanging around his waist. The bottom half only being held up loosely by the brown pouched belt fastened around his slim middle.

The reptiles ever present headgear was now gone. Revealing Neeku’s bare, bald head and the trail of larger prominent, slightly darker scaled plating that run back over Neeku’s scalp; starting from just behind his facial crest.

Those impressive scales were normally well hidden under his friend’s headgear. Them along with the frankly striking, sinewy muscle definition of Neeku’s torso and upper limbs that his clothes concealed. Clearly having been gained from all the years of manual labour working in Yeager’s garage and around the Colossus.

Kazuda could just make out the patterning and variation of colour of the green scales on his chest and arms in the dim light. He could even see the flush of bright colours on his skin. The vivid red, orange and yellow that bled and faded into one another over his shoulders and arms.

A visual sign that the Nikto really was in full blown heat.

Kaz felt warmth on his cheeks at the sight of his friend. But as intriguing as it was, Kaz could help but be hyper aware of the expression on the Niktos face.

Neeku looked kriffing mad.

His lips pulled back over his double incisor teeth in a snarl. Neeku’s dark eyes were hard, almost murderous. An expression Kaz would never have believed could appear on his kind sweet friends face.

“H-hay buddy... How you doing?” Kaz asked gently with a weak smile. He would have palmed his own face himself if his hands weren’t being restrained. That was probably the dumbest question he could have asked.

Neeku actually growled at him in response. A dangerous, low animal like sound that came from deep in his chest and throat. Baring his teeth even further as his nostrils flared. Neeku’s glassy black, obsidian eyes narrowed at the human below him in a look that was equal parts mad and curious.

Without a word, with his hands still tight holding the humans wrists, Neeku slowly lent down and sniffed at him.

Kaz became deathly still. Unconsciously holding his breath as he felt his friends unusually warm, moist breath roll over his flesh.

The reptiles finned face invading the space between Kazudas head and neck. Coming in so close that scales of his nose just ruffled the fine covering of hair on the humans skin.

The closeness from the not quite touch, of Neekus mouth and his dangerous sharp teeth so close to his vulnerable throat, was absolutely titillating the spy in a way Kaz couldn’t completely fathom.

The whole thing was stirring that dark and hungry something inside the human he was only just discovering was lurking there within him.

The Nexsu like growl that erupted from the Nikto’s chest was startling. It was a very angry sounding noise that Kaz found thrilling as much as terrifying.

“You have been with her.” Neeku said finally in a cold low voice.

“Who? I don’t-” Kaz frowned, swallowing the thick lump in his throat.

“Laval!” Neeku spat in disgust as if her very name was unpalatable. “You have been with her!”

“How-? That was days Ago! I had a shower and everything! How the kriff can you smell her on me?” Kaz gawped on astonishment.

That evidently was definitely not the thing to have said as the Nikto’s grip on him tightened almost painfully, and he snarled viciously at him again .

“You promised me you wouldn’t see her!”

“It was nothing! I just went to talk to her!” Kaz said, wincing at the tight grip. “Ow!”

“You are a Liar! She has scented you!!” Neeku spat back, that deep, chesty rumble reverberating down into the humans own body.

Kaz felt his stomach drop. Remembering something from all the reading material about how Nikto used glands in their cheeks to mark their chosen mates with individual scents. An olfactory warning and declaration that they were taken.

Laval was an absolute bitchy shit stirrer!

Kaz was going to kick her when he got out of here! She knew exactly what she was doing! She had to have known that Neeku would pick up her sent. What kind of game was she playing?

“I am going… to rip… her karking THROAT OUT!” Neeku roared, letting Kaz go as he started to scramble off the human. “Several times! Till she is laying lifeless and cold on the decking!!”

Kaz reacted swiftly and grabbed the Niktos arms, trying to keep him from getting up and going berserk. He didn’t want to be caught in the middle of one of his friend’s rampages. The human might not be able to stop him if it got too far.

“NEEKU! Stop!” Kaz cried wrestling with him to try and keep him where he was. Even if he was still on his back and it meant keeping the Nikto right on top of him. “Will you just-STOP and listen to me for a second?!”

“She has no right to touch you Kazuda! She does not know you! She does not care for you! You are not hers! You can not be with her! You can not!” Neeku ranted on, trying to pull away from him.

“I don’t want to be with her!” The human yelled out, trying to get his friend to listen as they struggled against each other. “I’m not with her! I’m here! I’m right here with you!”

His words seemed to have some sort of effect, as the Niktos savage struggling lessened a little, but he was still agitated and twitchy. Torn between wanting to listen and go off and try to maim the woman for her apparent slight against him.

“Neeku! Buddy! Look at me! I’m right here! Forget about Laval! Your right, she doesn’t care! She did it to piss you off! But she doesn’t matter! I only went to talk with her!”

“You did more then talk! Her sent is all over you!” Neeku snapped, trying to yank himself free again. But the Human held on tight, deathly aware of his friends sharp talons flexing so dangerously close to his face.

“I know, I know! It was an accident! I’m sorry! I didn’t know what she was doing!” The pilot tried pleeding. Neeku only seethed angrily.

“Then she should know better! She shouldn’t touch what isn’t her’s! I warned her! I told her not to go near you!” The mechanic growled deeply, a distinct dangerous, hiss underlying his words.

The way Neeku was talking was stirring things up within the human. How was it that his normally gentle friend, being so aggressive, threatening and possessive be this exciting for him.

Kaz had to force distracting thoughts aside as he tried to defuse the tension between them. There was no way he was going to try and engage Neeku in anything remotely intimate while he was this angry and worked up. If he did he was likely to end up getting really hurt, and that was not how Kazuda wanted things to go.

“I know, I’m sorry, But I needed to talk to her! I needed to find out what the hell was going on with you!” The human said.

“There is nothing the matter with me Kazuda!” Neeku ground out through a snarl and gritted teeth.

“Oh, now who’s lying!” Kaz snapped back, his turn to get angry at his friends continuing denial. “Look at you! Look at what you’re doing! What you’ve done! I know you’re in heat Neeku! And you’ve been hiding it for week’s!”

Neeku froze instantly, His dark eyes widened in horror at finding out that his secret was no longer so. The Nikto then shook his head violently, swore under his breath and tried to get up, pulling against the humans grip in desperation rather than fury.

“No! No, no, no! You-You did not need to know that!” Neeku stammered as he frantically tried to get off the spy. “That was not for you to know! She should not have told you! It was not her place to do so! You are human! My predicament is not for you to be involved in!”

“But I am involved aren’t I!” Kaz yelled back at him. His gloved hands readjusting to hold him more securely, one hand gripping the shredded waist of his overalls and the other around one of Neeku’s wrists. refusing to let him move away. “You want me! I know you’re heats focused on me!”

Neeku continued to struggle against him, but now simply just to try and get away from him and not to go murder his kinsman.

“No, no, nononononono!” He muttered in distress. “You-you shouldn’t know! You didn’t need to know! I can deal with it on my own!”

“Clearly you can’t Neeku! This heat is driving you crazy! You attacked Hype and Yeager! And you were only going to hurt yourself or others if you carried on by yourself!”

“I wouldn’t! They all just-just... They all just had to stay away from you!” Neeku ground out, hanging his head, his whole body shaking with repressed emotion. “I just-You don’t understand-!”

“I didn’t then, but I do now.” Kaz said, looking up at him, trying to convey his sincerity. “You’re my friend Neeku. My best friend! I know what’s happening to you and I don’t want you to be in that kind of pain. Not for weeks on end. Not when I can so easily help you!”

Suddenly, the Kadas’sa’Nikto stilled.

“What?” Neeku’s voice was quiet, anger seemed to gradually melt away and his focus now solely on the human beneath him. Kazuda looked back at him, looked up into those glistening black eyes and took the step off the cliff.

“I know what you need, what exactly you want from me. You need to mate and- and I want to help you through this Neeku.”

“Kazuda…” Neeku said looking and sounding so utterly distraught. The human could see the conflict raging in his obsidian eyes. “No! Yo-you should leave! You do not know what you are saying!” He said pulling harshly away.

“I do! I understand completely. And it’s alright, Neeku. You don’t need to be afraid… I want to be here.” Kaz smiled softly up at his friend. Brown eyes warm with affection for the Nikto above him. His hands easing their firm grip into a gentle hold.

“No! Kaz! No, you can’t mean- you don’t mean that!” The Nikto whined. No long trying to get away and was clearly Fighting a losing battle with himself.

“Ssssh,” Kaz soothed, his voice gentle and reassuring. “It’s alright buddy. it’s all okay. Trust me. It’s all going to be okay. I’m here now and If you still want me, you can have me. The way you want, For as long as you need me. We’re gonna get through this together.”

The human saw a myriad of emotions cross his friends face, till at last he just looked like he was about to cry. His dark eyes glistening and bottom lip quivering as Kaz felt Neeku’s whole frame instantly relax atop him.

All the tension, anger and fight suddenly leaving him and the mechanic just slumped forward against the human in utter defeat. Neekus forehead coming to thump against Kazuda’s shoulder and his balled-up hands on his chest.

The reptile shook in something that could only have been both exhaustion and utter relief. It took Kaz a little off guard by how sudden the shift in his friend temperament was.

“Neeku?” He ventured gently.

“I’m sorry… I am so… so sorry... my dearest friend…” Neeku whined sadly. His hands, once clawed and dangerous, now so gentle, begun pawing at the human. “I Tried… so hard to ignore it… I hoped it would go away like all the other times... But it didn’t! it only got worse! I have never… experienced it this badly before... It’s never ever been like this...” Neeku practically sobbed.

“Oh hay, ssssh, it’s okay buddy.” Kaz soothed gently, rubbing his gloved hand over Neeku’s back in an effort to comfort him. Even through the leather, the Niktos body felt so abnormally hot. “I’m sorry I didn’t know what was going on sooner.”

A low rumble sounded from the others chest. But this time… the sound was definitely not one of aggression.

The human could feel the vibration reverberating throughout Neeku’s body as he arched almost involuntarily into Kazuda’s touch. Kaz found the reaction... enticing.

“I feel… so much… too much.” Neeku murmured, his forehead resting against the humans shoulder while his whole body trembled. “My body… hurts… all over… it burns… and my hearts ache… everything-just-HURTS- so much… for so long...”

“Awww, Neeku... You should have said something buddy.” Kaz said softly, continuing to pet his friend gently. “I would have understood.”

“I was afraid that you wouldn’t.” Neeku confessed shakily. “You are human and sometimes you do not understand other peoples ways. I feared I would lose you as a friend Kazuda. I have known that to happen between friends of different species when this happens between them… I did not want that to happen to us…”

The resistance spy really didn’t have much to say to that. Neeku was right after all.

There were so many times where he’d inadvertently offended another person or race with his lack of knowledge or understanding. Always unintentionally of course, but it still happened. Neeku’s gift of the bracelet was a prime example.

If he were absolutely honest, if Neeku had just come out and told Kaz what was wrong from the start… Kazuda really wasn’t sure how he would have reacted.

Probably just a badly as he always did…

But that didn’t matter now. There was no point in wondering about what might have happened. The only thing he could do was apologise for his lack of understanding and let them move on. Because they were both here now, set on this path. One which Kaz was willing to walk and end where ever it took him.

“I’m sorry, Neeku- I’m sorry I wasn’t a better friend to you. I wish I’d known how to help you from the start. I should have come to you sooner. It’s been killing me seeing you like this and being in so much pain.” Kaz told his suffering friend, meaning every word.

“Kazuda…” Neeku murmured softly, wide nose nuzzling along the humans neck and jaw with intent. Kaz could only make a soft surprise noise, shocked at just how much he was liked the feeling.

“You- you really understand what is happening to me? What I need? What I want?” Neeku asked, a straining hesitance in his voice. The Nikto drew back slightly, enough to rest his forehead against the humans.

A surprisingly tender and affectionate gesture. Such a shift from the previously manic and raging beast the Nikto had been only minutes ago.

“I got a pretty good idea buddy.” Kaz replied quietly. A note of humour lacing his words, trying to lighten the mood .

“It is a lot to ask... too much to ask of you. I did not, still do not, want to guilt you into a situation you find... undesirable.” The Nikto murmured softly, a distinct waver in his voice. “You are human, I was certain- that you would never even consider mating with me... but-You still do not have to be here Kazuda… if you want to… you-you should go…”

The human sighed, his heart going out to his friend. Even now, in his most desperate time of need, his friend was still trying to protect him. Neeku was giving Kaz a way out before things went too far.

Maybe before all the drama, it was true, the human spy probably wouldn’t have never even entertained the idea of being intimate with his best friend.

That just... Wasn’t ever going to happen...

But now… After everything he’d learnt, after all that he seen, after finding out just how much Neeku needed him, after all the sordid thoughts and feelings that had been woken up inside him, Kaz had no intention of backing out now.

“Neeku, I have thought about this a lot… and I’ve made my choice.” Kaz said firmly, his hands coming to rest on the Reptiles back, pulling him against him gently in a light embrace.

Nervous energy tying up his gut as he dared speak what he wanted.

“Like I said, I wanna help you through this Neeku. I’m here because I am your friend and I want to be the one to ease your pain… you chose me because you thought you’d be safe with me. Let me show you, that you were right to think that… Let me be the mate you need…”