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KASHYYK
Cal had been surrounded by machinery and the smell of fumes for too long. It was not until leaving Bracca that he remembered how much he adored the purest forms of nature.
The fresh air, the openness, the peace. Bracca had been a suffocating experience that made him believe he didn't deserve more. It made him think that cold, metal coffin of a planet would one day be his tomb. But at this moment, this moment of peace as he stretches out his arms to the brisk morning air as the dawn slips into view, he’s grateful for his freedom. With his hands on his hips, he looks at the green mass stretching for miles. The beauty is remarkable.
The view from the bungalow, a gift from Tarfful himself, symbolized Kashyyk's liberation from the Empire. It had been waiting for the perfect moment to be appreciated, which finally arrived when Cal and Merrin, with a few days' break in mind, departed Koboh on the Mantis. They had built their home on Koboh while still helping where they could with the hidden path to safeguard those still hunted by the Empire. But now, it was nice to be away from it all.
Leaning in the arched doorway, Cal's eyes fell upon a sleeping Merrin. The covers had been pushed down to the edge of the bed. Shockingly, Merrin moved around a bit in her sleep. Right now, she’s curled up on her side, her arms resting above her head. She looks peaceful, serene even. He wouldn't wake her just yet. Instead, he rummages through his bag to retrieve a small relic from the past. He settles himself on the bed's edge, reaching out and from within. Cal stifles a chuckle when the holocron plays old recordings during his days as a Padawan. His voice sounds so nazely; he can’t believe how much. The freckles on his face were so bright in particular light he looked almost red.
“Master Yoda's lessons are really confusing. Sometimes, I wonder if he even knows what he’s talking about.”
He remembers this recording. He had been officially old enough to begin saber drills with Master Yoda. Another recording starts to play. His past self is excited because he has heard that a few Masters will soon be looking for apprentices. The war is nearing its third year's end, and there are rumors that it will quickly end.
Cal had been anxious to fight. He can only see it now as childish, naive, and eager to take his place in the war. War is no place for a child, soldier or not, Jedi or not.
Cal is pulled from his thoughts when a set of toes nudges his lower back. The Jedi's dismal reminiscing is pushed to the back of his mind for the moment. He smiles when he can feel her eyes on him, but she plays innocent, pretending to be still asleep. Without a pause, Cal lunges toward Merrin. Their laughter fills the room as they wrestle with one another.
“Good morning.” Cal greets after finally pinning Merrin down with a kiss. “You slept in.”
She yawns, stretching her arms above her head. “And it was wonderful. Particularly my dreams about you.”
Intrigue flashes across Cal's face.” Oh, really?” He crawls up beside her, resting on his side. Merrin's smirk feeds his intrigue even more. Her nightgown hangs loosely on her petite body, and every curve is beautifully outlined.
“I’m pleased to know that my fantasies are not too distant from reality.”
The Jedi leans in closer. “Me too.” He replies with a kiss that Merrin breaks with her laughter, beyond happy to be in his embrace. “How shall we spend our time today?”
They had hiked most of yesterday and gone on a small wildlife expedition looking for exotic seeds they would plant when they returned to Kohbo. Greeze and Kata would appreciate it.
Their days on Kashyyk weren't difficult to fill.
“I’m sure we’ll think of something,” Cal says, hovering above Merrin, an eyebrow cocked. “But right now, I want to hear more about this dream of yours.”
Cal listens intently to every intimate detail of Merrin's dream for the next few minutes. He rests his head on her torso, eyes closed, while she repeatedly strokes his hair. Every juicy detail of the story continuously whets Cal's appetite.
She describes the various ways he touched her, both soft and rough. The words he growled to feed her pleasure and the wonton sounds made while her pleasure grew. Cal had to admit he was both impressed with and jealous of Merrin's dream version of him. While she talks, his fingers move further down her leg, then back up and under her nightgown. Merrin nods, anxious for him to enter.
Her fantasy about him must have been something since he finds her already wet for him when his fingers slip between her folds. The look on her face tells him everything.
“Was it something like this?” He questions his action, hoping it’s meeting her expectations. He’s determined to outdo the fantasy.
The sting of Merrin's nails pierces his arm more, then tells Cal he’s on the right track. His finger moves deeper and faster, causing Merrin's whimpers to fill the room. Her free hand braces against the ornately carved headboard above her head.
“Yes, yes.” She pants breathlessly. Her gaze doesn't leave Cals; she wants him to see how well he treats her. She wants him to see her engulfed in pure bliss; she can feel her release inching closer by the second. Every whimper and moan from Merrin grows Cal's desire for her.
His body is screaming for her, and it's clear to see. He’s begging for a release like hers, and Merrin is more than happy to give him that release. She leads his lips back to her, distracting him while her hand slinks down his body. A shocked gasp escapes Cal's breath when he feels his lover's grasp around his cock.
“This was part of my fantasy as well.”
Cal's beautiful eyes flood with astonishment. “I..nhh…I think I love your fantasies.” His voice is shaky and wanton.
The mixed desire of their breathing brings them closer and closer to their shared release. Cal claws at the sheets beneath him, the same as Merrin. At this moment, this fantasy is perfection. His skin is rough in some areas, due mainly to his work on Bracca—a mixture of climbing high platforms and an embarrassing number of power tool-related incidents. His arms, though, are strong and have always made Merrin feel safe.
When she first saw them, the scars on his upper body caught her off guard. They didn't frighten her; instead, they filled her with sorrow since most of them had been acquired when Cal was only a child. He had told her the stories behind many of them.
She had always found the markings on his face to be beautiful. She thought they made him look rugged and handsome even when they first met. Merrin blushes at the memory and how those thoughts and feelings have strengthened.
Cal's fingers move faster inside Merrin, savoring her tightness around them. “You’re so wet for me,” he praises her, moving his fingers faster and faster.
Merrin's voice turns slow and sultry as she whispers to Cal. “You’re doing so well, My Jedi.” She murmurs. Their gentle rhythms change pace; they’re both ready for the release. Parting her legs further apart, Merrin allows Cal deeper inside. They cling to one another.
“Merrin..” Cal whimpers, his brow furrows, his body tensing as his climax peaks. Merrin writhes against him, her head falling back against the pillows, her toes curled to a point. Cal doesn't slow until every ounce of pleasure drips out of Merrin.
It isn't long after that the pair collapses together, panting. Cal’s heavy breath is warm against Merrin's chest. Her fingers run lazily through his hair. “Better than the fantasy?” Cal asks weakly. Merrin only nods, still wholly blissed out.
With the calming motions of Merrin's hands and Cal's breathing, it isn't long until the calm pulls the pair into a soothing slumber.
It’s the smell of freshly made food that awakens Merrin. It’s late afternoon, and the sun's positioning tells her so. Cal is still fast asleep, nuzzled comfortably against Merrin's back. He’s so beautiful. Sadly, the rumbling in her stomach wins out, and she forces herself to remove herself from her lover's embrace slowly.
The Wookies prepared and left the food—a custom amongst their people regarding guests. The food was, of course, delicious, another new experience while traveling the galaxy. It isn't long until Cal crawls out of bed to join her, where they talk and eat happily.
Reluctantly, Cal removes himself from atop Merrin and retreats to the back veranda to wash up and cool himself down.
Filled with bliss, Merrin collapses onto the bed with a heavy sigh. Her mind replays the events of their lovemaking. The feeling of Cal's skin, the curves and pull of his body, his labored breathing—oh, spirits help her.
Merrin doesn't hide her ogling gaze that follows Cal around the room. His wet body, silhouetted by the sun, is beautiful. He’s let his hair grow out more these past few months. The color (at least to Merrin) is incredible. She had seen countless people during her travels, both with and without the Mantis crew. For so long, Merrin had seen nothing but the wonders of her world. It had been overwhelming to experience so much at once. Amongst the countless she had seen, so rare was it to see someone with Cal’s hair color amongst them. It’s another uniqueness of his.
“On Bracca, it felt like the days dragged on forever. It was so tiring. The longer the hours, the more it felt like the planet was trying to swallow me up. But here…the days drag, and it’s incredible.”
“It’s the scenery.” Merrin muses, nuzzling against Cal's shoulder.
“It’s that, but there’s something else about it. We aren't running from anything. We're hiding, but at the same time, we’re not.”
“I think I understand your meaning. It’s nice to have this time now where things feel… slowed. It is nice.” Cal nods. They sit in peace for another few moments. Cal stares towards the sky, his gaze telling Merrin a familiar story. A gaze that makes her bring back up a familiar discussion. “Have you given more thought to what we’ve discussed?” Cal doesn't answer right away. Had he not heard her speak, or would he just not have responded to the question? Both seem very unlikely, so Merrin waits for his answer.
When he finally does, his gaze and voice are flooded with uncertainty. “I don’t know, Merr.” His eyes don’t even meet hers. They stay trained in the sky, where she is sure he’d like to be, to avoid this topic of conversation. “I’ve been thinking about it and not wanting to think about it.”
Her voice is faint yet sympathetic. “Why?” Guilt pools in her heart. Again, Cal doesn't answer right away. He can’t even see the annoyed side eye she is giving him; it’s childish how she has the urge to pinch him. The truth is they have a shared anxiety about the topic in question. Cal's eyes stay on the horizon, arms resting on his knees, lost in his thoughts. A kiss on his shoulder from Merrin brings him back to reality.
“I don’t mean to push the subject.” Her voice is faint and apologetic. She holds him close, hoping he can feel her sincerity.
Cal smiles brightly, taking her hand and squeezing it tightly. “I’ll keep thinking about it.”
This brings a smile to the Nightsister's face. She comfortably rests her head on her Jedi's shoulder, his touch easing her. Like the young couple, many of Kashyyks's natural wildlife began to rise with the morning sun. Birds sang on the warm breeze. The peace and tranquility is mesmerizing.
Merrin hops to her feet excitedly, pulling at Cal to rise to his feet. “How about a game?” She leans elegantly against the veranda railing, her nightgown blowing in the breeze.
“What?” Cal chuckles with a hint of confusion.
“Come on, Jedi.” She goats him, wagging her finger in a come-hither motion. Before Cal can reach her, she vanishes instantly from the veranda and reapers below the forest floor.
Cal once again doesn't hesitate. Calming his mind, reaching out and within, the next thing Cal knows, he’s running barefoot through the jungle with Merrin. The moss of the forest floor cushions each step, the morning breeze, the adrenaline, it’s perfect.
Merrin runs ahead of him, only using her magicks to teleport herself when Cal occasionally catches up to her. “No fair.” He laughs, picking up speed. Merrin's laughter catches on the wind, echoing around them. She is more than determined to keep her lead. This is a game, and she won't be caught so early on. Playing hard to get, Merrin makes her way off the trails, using her magic to take her into the trees above.
Cal halts in his tracks. The green embers from Merrin's spell scatter like sparks forming flames. His heart races along with his mind as he tries to devise a way to pick up her trail again.
Merrin kept her eyes on Cal when she transported herself into the canopy. She stayed out of sight, watching as he searched for her. Seeing her Jedi pursuer in the sunlight made her heart skip a beat. The light peaking through the canopy enveloped Cal in a radiant glow.
“Gotcha!”
Merrin is snapped out of her daydreaming. Those mesmerizing green eyes of his are staring her down. He propels himself towards her, believing he’s won the game. Merrin grants him no satisfaction.
Merrin smiles smugly before fading into a cloud of green mist. This time, she reappears a few feet ahead of Cal. She laughs over her shoulder before taking off again, jumping from branch to branch across the canopy. The game isn't over.
Refilled with vigor, Cal resumes his chase. The leaves crunch under their feet as they bound over fallen trees and doge between towering trunks of the ancient forest. The two are lost in the thrill of the moment. The wind whipped through their hair, the ground beneath their bare feet—Merrin doges into the dense underbrush with Cal close behind her. Just when she thinks she’s lost him, he fanks around her, scooping her up into his arms, claiming victory.
“You are insane, Cal Kestis.”
The universe has granted them this peace despite all they’ve been through and suffered. This new future where they could run wild hadn't seemed possible to either Cal or Merrin. But they deserve it and each other.
They were close to the Jikazza Lagoon. There, they could wash the mud off and rest for a bit. They’re still struggling to catch their breath. Cal had discovered it during his first visit to Kashyyk. He had been waiting to bring Merrin for a special occasion. There seemed to be no better one than this. The water is crystal clear, near a small fall of water. Moss and sweet-smelling plants grow around the border where smoothed rocks line the lagoon.
Merrin shakes her head in amusement, watching Cal swing from the jungle rafters, whooping and hollering like a jungle man as he propels himself into the lagoon. Merrin grants some friendly applause for his Olympic-style diving skills.
“Well done,” she compliments him before joining him in the water. It felt amazing on such a hot day, and the shade provided by the canopy helped, too.
The gentle lapping of the waves moves them closer together. In the gentle tranquility, they float in each other's arms. Merrin's sheer nightgown hugs her body; the thin straps hang loosely around her shoulders. Cal feels his heart racing, his cheeks growing red; thank goodness for the coolness of the water. She’s beautiful like this, ethereal. It isn't long until their clothes rest on the lagoon's bank.
The couple's lips meet in a passionate kiss. Merrin's fingers rake through the Jedi's wet red hair, pulling it lightly. Cal pulls Merrin to him, gently resting her against the bank, using his hands to cushion her against the rocks.
The stone digs into his palm, but he’s too enthralled by Merrin to pay it any mind. His lips settle comfortably against her neck. A sharp hiss of pain passes through Cal's clenched teeth when he feels Merrins bite his neck. Still, he doesn't waver. Guilt floods through her body. She kisses the red flesh tenderly until Cal turns her jaw so her lips can come to his. Each kiss becomes more frantic than the last. Their hands paw at each other's bodies, wanting to feel every inch of one another.
Merrin's body shivers against Cal when she feels him enter her. She grips his back tightly; her head falls back as he begins to move against her. He’s exhausted from their chase, but he needs this. He needs to feel her more than anything. “Don't stop,” Merrin begs him with a resounding whimper in her voice. She brings her forehead to his. “Please…please.” Her thighs rise to meet his waist so she may better meet his rhythm.
“I’m not stopping, Merr. I need you.” Cal trembles as he says this, his palm digging further into the rocks. Her desperate pleas, followed by the growing tightness of her folds around his cock tell Cal how close she is. Even with the chill of the water, Cal's body radiates with a vibrant warmth fueled by passion and desire. His free hand steadies himself against the bank. His fingers tear and tremble in the mud. His breath is heavy and rapid the faster he moves against Merrin. She’s so warm and wet, making him lose his composure.
He falls against Merrin, spilling into her. Wave after wave of pleasure engulfs them. Unfortunately, the pain in Cal's palm wins out and forces him to pull away from Merrin, causing her to slip from Cal's grasp and fall into the water. Scrambling, Cal yanks Merrin out of the water. “I’m so sorry.” He frantically apologizes while parting Merrin's hair out of her eyes. She gives a few hard coughs before breaking into a comforting fit of laughter. Cal soon joins in before laying with Merrin on the bank for a long rest.
They had returned to their Bungalow later that evening after a long day spent at the lagoon and after spending over an hour searching for their clothes in the water. However, both secretly liked the idea of running through the trees naked.
Cal had fashioned a makeshift bed from an assortment of blankets and pillows on the floor near the fireplace. Merrin's head rested on Cal's outstretched arm; she fit perfectly against him. The warmth of the fire warmed their wet skin. The nightlife of the planet filled the night; it was beautifully lively.
“Another beautiful day.” Merrin hums, turning her head to look up at Cal when he nuzzles into her neck. His breath is warm and comforting, like the fire.
“Followed by a beautiful night.” Cal's hand moves down Merrin's thigh; his thumb traces over a familiar scar. He remembers Merrin's story about how she had received it—a childhood incident when she and Ilyana wandered into dangerous marshes. She had spoken so fondly of Ilyana. Cal was grateful Merrin had her in her life and thankful they had one another.
She turns on her side to face away from the fire and faces Cal, chest to chest. Now, it's her turn to trace his scars. Like here, she knows the story behind each one. He pulls her mind from the memories with a deep and passionate kiss. Merrin looks back over her shoulder at the fire, reminiscing.
“On Dothamir, my sisters and I would tell stories around a warm fire. We’d dance and sing around the flames.” Her voice is sad, remembering her sisters and what she’s lost.
“There weren't many campfires at the Jedi Temple. But we were told stories as younglings.”
Merrin nuzzles into him. “Tell me one.”
Cal is taken aback. Completely unexpecting this request of hers, how could he refuse her?
“Alright.” He thinks for a moment. Suddenly recalling a few of his favorites, he settled on one that stuck out. “A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, when the universe was new and young, there was no color wherever you went. There was no vibrance among all planets, people, and animals. The universe appeared cold and grey. The only remnants of color were in the sky. The stars, moons, and sky are as bright as they are now. One day, on a nameless world, a young child wandered away from home to explore the planet's wild. They wondered why the sky held such wonder and why everything below had no hues. Perhaps the wilds of the planet held answers.”
Merrin nuzzled closer to Cal. Her imagination drew images in the firer while he continued his story.
“Suddenly, the clouds in the sky turned grey, thunder and lightning filled the sky, and a fierce rain pelted the ground. Terrified, the child found shelter in a cold cavern. The rain lasted days and days, turning the soil into mud; soon, the cavern would be filled with water. The child dug into the soil to create a ravine to gather the water. They dug deeper and deeper, much more profound than any tool or person had before. They dug into the soil for hours and hours until the most incredible discovery was made.” He paused for dramatic effect. “It was faint, yet unmistakable.” He pauses again, drawing Merrin in. “There, gleaming in between the child's fingernails, between the soil, was the fainted hint of color.”
Merrin's eyes widened in amazement.
“The child was speechless and, without a second thought, began to dig deeper into the ground, finding more and more wonder the further they went. They continued to dig for hours, and the rain continued until a guizer from below erupted, spilling over and outside the cavern. The child followed the streams of color back to their village, where they watched every surface become covered in a new shade until the entire planet was painted. And it wasn't long until the rest of the galaxy would be painted from the veins within their planets.”
Merrin giggles when Cal's story comes to an end. Her fingers intertwine with hers close to her heart. “Hmmm, I like that one.”
Cal nods, kissing her shoulder. “Yeah, me too. I kinda like the idea that the look of a planet came from within the planet itself.” Merrin finds his wonderment amusing. She thanks him for the beautiful story and promises to tell him one of her own soon. He loves the sound of that.
Merrin beams warmly at the kiss Cal leaves on her forehead. Slowly, he shifts above her, settling between her legs, his need for her on display. “Eager, are we not?”
Cal smirks slyly. “I was thinking about the Lagoon.” Cal breaths, trailing his lips down her body, his eagerness growing when he feels Merrin shiver with pleasure from his touch. “You looked so beautiful.” His breath against her skin pulled heat and desire into her core. “I never wanted to take my eyes off of you.” He moans into her neck, savoring her rigid against his back, savoring the feeling of her wetness as he moves inside of her. So lovely and warm.
With one swift motion, Merrin turns Cal onto his back. His eyes flash with a mixture of lust and admiration. He allows himself to be taken by her passion.
“My beautiful Jedi.” Her hands glide down his face; she can feel the light sweat on his skin.
As Merrin moves atop him, Cal grips her hips tightly, his fingers digging into her skin as he loses himself in the heat of the moment. With each thrust of her body, he feels a surge of desire coursing through him, his passion for her growing stronger with each passing moment.
“More…” Cal moans in barely a whisper, his fingers gripping the sheets beneath him. “Give it to me.” Merrin complies, moving her body faster and harder. The pairs' hooded eyes meet one another, their faces flushed with want and need. “Fuck me harder.” He begs, moving his hands to her breasts; the flesh is soft and cool to the touch. Merrin gasps breathlessly when she feels his thumbs move against her nipples.
“Yess…yess…ahh.”
As Merrin braces herself against his chest, he looks up in awe, his breath coming in short gasps as they move together in perfect harmony. Lost in the intensity of their shared pleasure, they are united by an unbreakable bond that burns bright amidst the darkness of the universe.
With each passing moment, their connection grows stronger, their love for one another deepening with each breath they take. As they reach new heights of ecstasy together, they know that nothing in the galaxy can ever come between them - that they are meant to be together, now and forever.
As Cal moans Merrin's name breathlessly, feeling himself on the brink of climax, she looks down at him, tenderness in her eyes. With a fierce passion burning bright within her, she moves faster and harder, determined to bring him over the edge. Their fingers intertwine with one another. “Cal..” Merrin whimpers, her head arched back. “I’m close.
Cal’s desire turns red hot when he hears this. Her folds constricting around his pulsing cock tell him. “Yes…cum Merrin, please.”
As he reaches the peak of his pleasure, she leans down to kiss him deeply, her love for him shining brightly amidst the heat of their shared passion. With each passing moment, they feel a deeper connection to one another, knowing that nothing in the galaxy can ever come between them. They thrust vigorously against one another, wanting nothing more than to release the passion building up inside them.
Finally, their shared cries of ecstasy fill the room, no doubt altering nearby wildlife and locals within a twenty-foot radius. Merrin collapses on top of Cal, sated and gasping for breath. They remain silently intertwined until their breathing steadies. Both move a stray piece of hair from out of the other's line of sight. Their eyes grow heavy, but they remain fixed on each other, wanting them to be the last thing they see before falling asleep.
“I love you, Merrin.” Cal sighs tiredly before closing his eyes.
Merrin smiles faintly, brushing her finger against his cheek before her eyes close. “And I you.” The words echo deep within them both.
Cal wakes the following day with a heavy soreness all over his body. He rubs his eyes groggily, wondering how early it must be. He turns on his side to see Merrin absent from their bed. He sits up, looking around the room sleepily until he spots Merrin on the veranda, feeding a trio of Tachs on the railing. She looks angelic in the morning mist, as pretty as a Veda Pearl. If he ever comes across one, he’ll give it to her.
“Good morning,” Merrin greets him once she notices him awake.
The Order is gone.
It’s time to leave it behind.
Cal's words to Merrin the night he confessed his love for her now guide his path. A path that allows him to live without the dogma of The Order.
Life is precious. And so is happiness.
That warning from Bode still manages to tear through him. Yet, despite his betrayal, he tried to pull Cal from isolation. They were telling him to be more than a Jedi. Cere, Greeze, and they had all given him similar speeches. They all wished for him to have a brighter future—one where he isn’t only a fighter or a survivor of a fallen order.
For a short while, this newfound freedom had been terrifying. When The Order had been all that Cal had known for so much of his life, what would guide him now? Merrin, his friends…his family will.
But now, he feels a new sense of responsibility regarding his past. He has questions he wants answered, such as where he comes from. He’s ignored the subject for years, perhaps out of fear that he disguised as an obligation to his Jedi teachings.
But now, there lies the freedom to consider more.
“I’ve been thinking,” Cal says, moving his eyeline to Merrins, his arm still around her shoulders.
Merrin’s face fills with intrigue. “Oh?”
He laughs. “Not about that. But we’ll come back to it.” Merrin's demeanor shifts once she notices Cal's more serious tone. He pauses, collecting his thoughts, staring out to the forest world before him, leaning on the railing on the veranda wistfully. “I’m still getting used to letting myself have what I want.” He pauses again, looking like he hadn't correctly phrased a signal word for what he had just said. “I mean…living an everyday life. Living by my wants and desires….not by the Orders. Being more than a Jedi.”
Merrin gently squeezes his hand, telling him she understands what he’s trying to say. “You have as much right as anyone to know where you come from. Jedi or not.” She encourages him, tucking his fiery red hair behind his ear.
Filled with gratitude, Cal leaves a kiss on Merrin's hand. “Guess I needed to hear it out loud.” Merrin can no longer hold back her tears. She leaps into Cal's arms, holding him close to her, burying her face into his neck to muffle her crying. “Why are you crying?” He asks, wiping the tears from her deep brown eyes.
Merrin shakes her head, trying to collect herself. “They’re happy tears.” She finally manages to say.
“Oh, Merrin.” Cal chuckles sympathetically, kissing her through her tears. He can taste them on her lips. “You're so incredible.” He peppers her face with small, quick kisses until the tears dry, and she’s laughing her wonderful laugh again. She’s overjoyed to see this new spark in her eyes, and she can see it in his eyes, too. This weight Cal had been carrying regarding his past feels lighter now from embracing it and letting Merrin be a part of it.
“When should we go?”
“Soon,” Cal says, pulling Merrin into his arms and resting his head atop hers while they watch the sunrise. “Right now, I just want to enjoy another long day.”