#(space au)

some first take sketches while i figured things out, i knew off the bat i wanted them to have symbolism based on their respective stories; sugar is "all-encompassing star" because that's how she is, smc was the north star guiding sailors at sea until he turned to deceit and guides them the wrong way, hence misleading light, ssalt is based off supervoids in space since they're pretty equivalent to desolation/silence, and burning spice and mystic flour are based off supernovas and black holes respectively ! i'll touch more on them when i finish their designs

sugar's tail is the cassiopeia constellation, and her sugar angels are stupid ugly star looking things with wings LMAO

4012 PW Year 4012, Post War Planet: Evara Red Sector

The concrete was already broken beneath your feet as you stepped out of the dressing room.

Another night, another gig, another round of humiliation.

It's not like you had a choice.

Dollars were worthless on Evara. Your body can take you farther than any amount of credits you could scalp.

The nightclub's electronic music made the ground thump. Rain pattered against the roof, the small pattering sound the only thing grounding you in reality.

The smell of alcohol and cologne filled the halls. It wasn't even eleven, and the place was already packed.

Neon lights flickered in the dark. All shades of red, blue, and green alike as you pushed your way through the crowd.

"You called me in?" You replied as your hand rested on the doorknob to your boss's office. He ran this place like the Navy.

After all, no happy customers meant no payout for you.

"I was wondering if you were going to quit on me. You had me scared shitless." Your boss Jaxus chuckled as he spun around in his chair. Holograms and surveillance cameras flickered against all four walls.

"You're my best girl…I can't lose you. You have the best reviews for business." He snickered as his clammy hand thumped against your bare shoulder.

You winced, putting on a fake smile as he circled your nearly naked figure.

"You've got a sixty-minute appointment in Room Ten. Already prepaid." He continued, his gaze slipping all over your form before he sat sharply back down at his desk.

"Seems like he's a promising client. Deep pockets if you know what I mean." He continued, taking a swig of the alcohol resting casually on his work desk.

"I see." You continued, adjusting the small straps of your outfit, your mind already racing with possibilities of who could be on the other side of that door.

"I want you to make it count." Your boss replied, then gave you another sinister smile. He ducked his head, digging through the drawer of his desk before casually tossing you a key.

You caught it between your two hands. Jaxus was always the old-fashioned. No screens, no biometrics. Just old-fashioned silver keys.

You glanced down at the metal between your trembling fingertips. The key had a small piece of paper attached to the ring.

ROOM 10

You sucked in a deep breath before glancing back at your boss.

"I'll make it count." You choked out, forcing another fake smile.

"I know you won't let me down."

You shut the door behind you with a soft click. The club already seemed to have more and more people filing in as the sky grew dark.

You walked down the dark halls, dimly lit to set the mood for the paying clients.

You squinted, letting your eyes adjust to the dark you rounded the corner to the biggest of all the rooms.

Room 10.

You adjusted the wrinkles on your costume. It showed off far too much. The blue glinted and sparked in the wake of neon.

You've been in this business long enough to know that blue on weekends tends to bring in the most return on investment.

With a tremble in your throat, you guided your hand to the door. Knocking softly three times just to be safe…

And when you heard nothing in response you shoved your key into your bra and stepped into the dark room.

It was dark, velvet lining the walls as couches and furniture alike filled the expanse of the room.

"Hello? Are you at my 11:00?" You called out before stepping into the room and locking the door for good measure.

"That would be me, yes." A soft voice called out from the other side of the room.

A young man sat with his hands between his legs, fully clothed in a large velvet chair.

At the sound of his voice, you automatically snapped into working mode. If you wanted a way out of this hellhole you were going to have to earn a substantial tip from him.

"Hey, soldier." You replied, biting your lip as you practiced so many times before.

A practiced smirk tugged at your painted lips as you slowly looked him up and down.

The last name ‘Park’ was embroidered across his chest. The uniform hinted that he had to have been some type of military—

Your boss wasn't lying about his pockets being deep.

"Pilot actually." He chuckled nervously, and a deep rose flush spread across his cheeks as he glanced at you.

His eyes lingered on your form, the expression on his face only confirmed your theory about the blue.

Then he shook his head, forcefully tearing his gaze away.

"What are you here for, pilot?" You replied flirtatiously as you stalked closer. Inhaling his scent as you swung a leg over his lap.

The pilot gasped, his hands hesitating over your waist as he looked at every corner of the room, his gaze completely avoiding any aspect of you.

"This—is not what I'm here for…" He choked out, his voice gruff as your hands slid playfully down his chest

"You paid for sixty minutes? I was just giving you five-star service." You purred, letting your fingertips play with the zippers of his fighter suit.

"I told you that's not what I'm here for." He whispered again. His hand gently prying yours away from his body.

Your brows furrowed with confusion. Not what he's here for? This had to be some kink or—

"I'm serious," he replied. Finally tearing his eyes away from the background to meet your own.

Your jaw clicked as his hand gently wrapped around your wrist. The pilot let out a soft sigh before releasing his grip on you.

"Then why—"

"Why am I here?" He interrupted, flashing a dangerous smirk before letting his hands fall by his sides.

"You can drop the noble act now," You replied. Letting your fingertips twist and tease at another zipper of his suit.

"It's not an act—" he replied, breath hitching as your thighs slid tighter around his hips.

"I'm not here to fuck," he replied, his breath hitching as your fingertips dropped the zipper.

"You must be new here," You replied softly, your jaw locking as the words left your mouth.

Selling your body was the only way to survive. It's the only life you know.

Evara was a sick and twisted place, it seemed like no matter how big the tip, no matter how many sessions it was still never enough.

The pilot saw your persona crack, his brows furrowed as he let his hands rest weakly at his sides.

"This place isn't—wait," The pilot replied, his hands swiftly moving to rest on your lower back just above the glitter of your costume.

His breath came in short pants, and you felt his heart beat picking up beneath your palms.

Your skin ran hot as the pilot pulled you close. Spreading his thighs even further apart with a needy shiver.

His breath ghosted across your neck, and on instinct, you pulled your hair out of the way like you'd done with so many clients before.

"Cameras…" the pilot whispered, his hands shaking as they roamed across your skin.

Your heart nearly dropped. Cameras? This was supposed to be a private room—one of the benefits of the high price.

"Left corner…someone's watching." He replied, letting his hips grind up softly into yours.

His gaze moved just slightly as he caught the tiny red pin light flashing in the corner.

You didn't look, if you turned your head and acknowledged it, that would expose the act.

With a shiver down your spine, you fought your instincts to look over your shoulder. Instead, your hands flew to the pilot's shoulders.

"They must be onto me," he whispered as he slid his fingertips through your hair. His lips still ghosting across your scorching skin.

"Who's onto you? You really aren't from here? Your uniform—" You stammered out, letting out a sigh you could hold back as his fingertips slipped through your hair.

"Yeah my ship's broken down…" He whispered with a husky tone as his hips barely lifted enough to give the cameras the illusion of a man shamelessly indulging in pleasure.

"What kind of ship?" You asked leaning down like you were whispering something filthy in his ear.

The pilot smiled, letting his hands gently hover across your sides.

"A Stellaris One Eleven,” he whispered, choking on a moan as he pulled you closer.

The two of you were focused on making the session believable. The desperate touches, the soft moans loud enough to cover the intel.

"You’ve got to be shitting me," You replied. A Stellaris One Eleven? His pockets were deep. Those ships were incredibly rare that only a small batch was even manufactured.

"Yeah she's taken me this far—" he replied smirking dangerously against the skin of your collarbone.

You sucked in a breath as you felt the faintest brush of his lips against your chest.

"So why are you here of all places?" you asked curiously, trying to hide the furrowed brow of your concentrated expression.

"Parts…I need to replace the Xelcore in my ship," he replied.

"And a man like me doesn't know a place like this. But you do," he whispered. Breath hitching with a soft roll of your hips.

"Ah—you need someone with street knowledge to help you get your ship repaired?" you replied letting your lips linger on the skin just beneath his ear.

"Exactly…and trust me I know you don't work for free," he replied with a deep chuckle.

"I see." You pondered on every what-if crossing your mind. What if it's a trick? What if this oh so noble pilot is using you for something else?

"Name is Jay.” he replied. His voice softer, less structured as he pulled away from your skin to glance into your eyes.

He looked up at you with a boyish smirk. You scanned his perfectly ironed collar, his darkly styled hair. That innocent yet noble grin was stuck on his face.

Men like him didn't come around often, especially ones looking for help.

"Jay,” you whispered, letting the name drop from your lips like sweet honey.

"You help me fix my ship, and I swear I will fly you anywhere in the galaxy you want. No questions asked," he replied starkly.

Your knees clamped down tighter against the outside of his thighs. With a sharp breath, you rolled your hips against his lightly.

Jay glanced into your eyes as your hands rested on his broad shoulders.

The two of you had to keep up the act.

Jay sensed the slight tremble in your fingertips. You never had nerves like this with other clients but with his proposition and the cameras—

"You can touch me more. Just like you would your other patrons,” Jay whispered, biting back a moan as your hips sank onto his lap. The warmth of your body and the pressure of doing things he'd hate to admit.

"You'd really get me out of here?" you whispered with a crack in your voice. You leaned in, letting your fingertips pull down the zipper of his suit.

Jay threw his head back as you teased him. His cheeks flushed red as he fought everything you were doing to him.

The sound of the zipper was loud in the quietness of the room. The only thing overshadowing it was the sharp pants you strategically used to cover up a whisper.

"Once that ship is up and running. The galaxy is the limit," Jay whispered huskily as his hands slipped dangerously low across your back.

"I can tell you're a smart girl. You deserve better than this. I can only imagine what the men do to you here,” Jay added weakly. Letting his eyes flutter open to glance at you on top of him.

"It's just business," you replied. Grinding on his lap without a second thought.

Jay opened his mouth to speak, the words started to grow harder to come by.

"We've still got time, I booked sixty," Jay gasped, his fingertips tightening around your waist as you seductively moved over his lap.

"So pilot…you gonna tell me where you're really from?" you asked curiously, letting your gaze darken to keep up the act.

You swear you could feel his heart skip a beat against your fingertips. Jay looked up at you, shooting back another weak smirk before he continued.

"You ever heard of a place called Soren? Red sector…run by the Stargate Corps." He panted, choking on a moan as he forced himself not to look away.

"Soren…" you whispered in reply. The name sounded so foreign on your tongue. Your abdomen tightened as you rolled your hips against his with practice.

"All structure and rules…it's nothing like this place,”he replied. Letting his grip tighten on your hips.

"I see," You murmured. Hesitating just enough to stop the roll of your hips.

"So you'll see it's important that I get that Xelcore as—fuck" Jay cursed, his chest rising and falling in time with his sharp pants.

"Sorry,” you whispered, slowing down your movements to dull the heat.

"I—I need to get that Xelcore as fast as possible," Jay replied, sharply clearing his throat as he glanced into your eyes, convincing the cameras and maybe himself—that your performance was affecting him.

You leaned in, letting your lips brush the sensitive skin beneath his ear. If you were going to help this pilot, you had to keep it classified from Jaxus, and whoever else was watching from behind those cameras.

"The Erisline. It’s night market. We'll meet there tomorrow night. I can help you find a Xelcore. There are all kinds of vendors looking to trade anything for parts,” you whispered, nearly kissing his soft skin as you spoke.

Jay's grip around you tightened, the tips of his ears flushing a hot red, his body language emulating the illusion of dirty words being spoken into his ear.

"I need your contact, in case I get lost trying to find you," Jay whispered back, letting his hands slide up your back to tangle in your hair.

You hummed softly at the gesture before snapping yourself back into reality. His touch was a performance, and as was yours.

"Before you leave tonight, meet me at the bar. I'll give you everything you need to know," you replied breathlessly. The adrenaline is already pumping through your veins like a high.

Jay exhaled, letting his shoulders physically drop as you whispered into his ear. He couldn't help but let out a shudder of disbelief. Of all people, he was trusting you to get him out of this hellhole.

He lifted his head from your shoulder, once again meeting your gaze, whispering with a determination that only one of Soren’s best men could build.

"I trust you."

+++

That was the longest sixty minutes of your life.

Never in all your years at The Estelle have you ever encountered a client like Jay.

The second-hand effect of the drugs must be getting to you.

Of course, you gave him 5-star service just like you promised. You swore beneath the intel and the illusions, there was something warm, something real beneath his touch.

But you couldn't think about that, especially not after you got yourself tangled up in his mess.

Among all the floating questions in your mind, one kept repeating over and over again.

The fucking camera.

How long have you been being watched? Months? Years? Just the thought was enough to make your pulse rush.

The sharp sound of your hand against the cold metal door to Jaxus' office snapped you out of it. If you were going to get to the bottom of this, it had to be discreetly.

"There's my girl…" He purred as you pushed open the door. He sat staring at the security monitors of The Estelle with his ankles crossed on the desk.

You rolled your eyes, wanting nothing more than to scream at him to cut the bullshit. Room 10 wasn't supposed to have surveillance—ever.

"You were right about my last client, the pilot," you replied, swallowing sharply as he lifted his gaze from the screens ahead.

"He tipped you well, I assume?" Jaxus replied, trying to fight a mischievous grin tugging at the corner of his lips.

"Very…" you replied with a weak laugh of disgust.

Jaxus stood up from his desk, towering over your figure as he stepped closer.

"Good. I expect nothing less from you," Jaxus replied, flashing you a filthy smile as he held your gaze like a challenge.

You held his gaze, your brows furrowing as the muffled sound of the club continued from behind the door.

"Since when does Room Ten have surveillance?" you asked firmly. The words were strong as they left your tongue before your mind could catch up.

The grin on Jaxus' face only grew; he snickered before erupting in deep laughter at your proposition.

"Smart girl…" he chuckled, wiping a tear from the corner of his eye before he rounded the desk.

He threw his feet back up on the countertop before turning the computer screens so you could see clear as day—

Jaxus was watching the entire time you were locked in the room with Jay.

"You sure did give the fella a run for his money…" he chuckled as he lifted his fingertips to the screen before rewinding the footage.

Your heart dropped to your stomach as the video played back. You watched part in horror, partly in awe. There's no way anyone would suspect that Jay was there for anything other than indulging in desire.

"You have another client at one," he replied, flicking off the video with the wave of his hand.

"I know you won't disappoint me."

The second the door to his office clicked shut, you ran to the dressing room. Everything felt hot, too hot.

The rough sequins of your outfit were tearing at your skin, and the smell of alcohol was making your thoughts cloud.

You couldn't do this, not again, not anymore. It felt like the world was crashing in, and Jaxus had you under the grip of his thumb.

Even if you ran out tonight, Jaxus would find you and drag you back to The Estelle before you could miss a client. There had to be another way out—

With a shuddering breath, you wiped your tears, careful not to ruin your makeup.

You had to help Jay find the Xelcore.

+++

Just as promised, Jay met you at the bar. Jaxus didn't even bat an eye; it wasn't a rare occurrence that clients would come back for seconds.

You carefully slipped him a Rad-Chip with your info and directions on exactly where to meet.

No longer dressed in sequins that barely covered your assets, you waited patiently for the pilot to appear.

With the flick of your wrist, you checked the time. 17:06.

He's late. Probably lost his way.

Just as you reached into your pocket to contact him, the sound of glass breaking made you flinch.

Immediately, your survival instincts kicked in. Petty fights broke out in the Erisline all the time—but things were better safe than sorry.

"Lay it off man! I was just looking!" A familiar voice caught your attention from between the brawl.

Jay.

You immediately followed the sound, boots sharp against the concrete as you weaved in and out of the crowds.

"Hey! Hey," you called out, standing on your toes to catch his attention from the crowd.

"She with you?" the merchant asked, still visibly frustrated with the clean-cut pilot in front of him.

"What's going on?" you replied, flashing Jay a weak smile as you saw the merchant's assortment of rusted artifacts and otherworldly charms lying on the concrete below.

"Hey…" Jay smiled, clearing his throat nervously before turning back to the merchant.

"This is my fiancée…I swear I was just looking for her, I didn't mean to upset you." He replied kindly.

"Fiancée? Jay, what are you—" you growled as Jay immediately put his arm around your waist lovingly.

"You owe me two thousand credits! You touch you buy!" the merchant replied.

Jay forced a smile before wrapping his arm even tighter around your waist.

"Yeah, not gonna happen," Jay replied, leaning in before whispering…

"Run."

You didn't hesitate, your hand reached down to grab his own before you dragged him back into the crowd.

The air was hot as you pulled Jay through the sea of people and merchants. With practiced ease, you navigated the aisles of the Erisline.

Once you couldn't hear the shouting and cursing of the less-than-satisfied merchant, you pulled Jay into a dark, secluded alley.

"Why can't you just follow instructions!" you breathed out, playfully shoving his chest as he stood there with an open jaw.

"What? You told me to meet at the north point! How was I supposed to know 'you touch you buy?' What kind of rule is that?" he defended.

With a deep sigh of frustration, you pulled away, putting some distance between the two of you.

"Just—follow my lead before this place eats you alive," you replied. Before you could reach out your hand, you were hit with hesitation.

Jay smiled, laughing off the tension as he slipped his hand in yours. Warmth flowed throughout your body at his touch, but you tried to hide it.

There was a mission to focus on.

The two of you weaved in and out of the dark market. Like always, it was crowded and noisy. Full of others scavenging for anything of value they could get from the merchants.

"So fiancée, huh?" You replied, trying to ease more of the tightly wound tension between you and the pilot.

"I panicked. Didn't want to blow your cover or anything," Jay replied. Lingering a few paces behind as you searched for the mechanics section.

"Smart…you're catching onto how we do things here," you replied, failing to hide the smile tugging at the corner of your lips.

The air lingered heavy between you; your feet were light against the ground as you led Jay further into the dark market.

Every few paces, you glanced back, finding his expression layered with confusion.

The sound of Jay clearing his throat immediately grabbed your attention.

"So, um, I'm assuming this guy doesn't take credits? How exactly are we gonna pay for this?" Jay questioned, jogging to catch up with your swift pace.

"I've got exactly what we need, so…don't worry," you replied sharply, continuing to weave in and out of the growing crowd.

The sound of welding tools and the beeping of unusual tech signaled you were close to the mechanics alley. Shouting and music lined the streets as you started to scan the booths for a Xelcore.

More and more people started to file into the market. As you pushed your way through the crowd, Jay’s warmth soon was swiped away from your back.

"The hell?" you muttered, viciously turning over your shoulder to find him being dragged further away from you by the crowd.

"Jay!" you called out, the air in your lungs growing tight as you fought through the sea of bodies.

He didn't respond so you kept pushing. Stepping on merchant toes until you finally caught sight of him.

"Jay! Take my hand!" you cried out, your muscles painfully straining as you reached out.

With a sharp gasp, you felt his hard grip. Your fingers tightened around his own, your back muscles burning as you pulled him through the crowd.

"Don't let go," you commanded as you dragged Jay through the thick of the crowd, your grip staying closed tight until the crowd started to thin.

You pulled Jay off the main walkway into a dark corner of the market. Standing chest to chest as the two of you ached to regain a solid pattern of breathing.

"I was not expecting that," Jay breathed out, hesitating to let you go after what the two of you just experienced.

You felt the rise of your chest meeting his own as air finally started to fill your lungs. With a deep exhale, you finally were able to meet his gaze.

"The sooner we get out of here, the better. At least one of these merchants has to have an Xelcore, or at least one we can fix up," You replied, desperately fighting the warmth burning at the base of your neck.

You could almost feel Jay’s breath against your skin as the darkness closed in.

"Sorry, I just needed a minute. I almost died back there," Jay choked out as he stated the obvious.

You chuckled weakly at his words, your heart aching with the truth of it.

"That's Evara for you, and not even the worst of it," you replied, letting your voice trail off into nothing.

Jay's eyes widened as you laced your fingers tighter between his. Giving him a soft smile as you pulled him from the shadows back into the market.

"Come on…we've got a Stellaris to fix."

+++

Finding a booth that sold Xelcores was like a breath of fresh air.

Of course, what you needed was tucked away in the shadows, the merchant eyeing you and Jay as you strolled in.

"Hello?" you called out, flinching as the merchant stood up from his seat.

Jay lingered behind, squeezing your hand tightly for reassurance.

You cleared your throat, pulling your shoulders back, and you spoke up.

"I'm looking for an Xelcore, specifically one to power a Stellaris one eleven class?"

The merchant snickered in your face, letting out a deep, depreciating chuckle before he lifted his gaze to meet your own.

The darkness in his eyes made your blood run cold. Impatiently, you shifted on your feet, waiting for a response.

"A Stellaris One Eleven? You're in luck, Missy. I've got that class of Xelcore out back."

You tried to contain your excitement as you just subtly stepped closer. His warmth was soothing; you could nearly feel his breath against your neck.

Butterflies erupted in your stomach, and a tingle went down your spine. This really could be your one-way ticket out.

"But….you know those ships are super rare, it's a hefty price. And I don't do credits, you hear?" the merchant replied. Leaning back in his chair with a snicker.

With a trembling hand, you reached into your coat pocket. Pulling out a small green microchip.

"I know. That's why I came prepared with an offer," you responded deeply.

The merchant lifted a brow as you stepped closer, stopping right at his feet. You extended your hand. Offering the chip.

"Premium uncensored content from the Estelle. 6 hours, 8K detail," you replied, extending your hand further into his space.

"A limited edition microchip programmed for viewing on any device," you choked out, the air swirling heavy in your lungs.

"You won't find content like this anywhere else on this planet," you concluded with a firm stare.

The merchant grinned from ear to ear at your offer. He let a laugh rumble deep in the back of his throat before standing up from his chair.

His footsteps were heavy as he closed the distance, arching over to get on your level.

"You have yourself one hell of a deal."

+++

With the Xelcore now in your possession, you were able to sneak out the back of the market to avoid the crowds.

You kept the tech dry beneath your coat as it started to rain. The pattering against the pavement was just enough to keep the racing thoughts from taking over your mind.

Jay lingered next to you, his hands shoved deep in his pockets, his lips sealed on a tight line.

The tension between you crackled even hotter than the lightning above.

After a quiet moment of distant brawls underneath the rain, Jay stopped dead in his tracks.

"What the hell was on that microchip?" Jay demanded, his voice deepening as he glanced down, avoiding your gaze completely.

"Jay, don't," you pleaded, holding the Xelcore tighter against your chest as your pace came to a stop.

"This can't be happening I—I can't let this happen," Jay replied, pulling off the dark hood of his coat, letting the rain drench his hair dark as midnight.

"Can't let what happen?" you huffed out with annoyance.

"You just sold…fuck." Jay cursed out, his voice quivering as he struggled to voice his words.

"You just sold yourself for a part," Jay whispered, the words lost between a statement and a question as he finally lifted his gaze.

Your heart sank at his expression, pain, hurt, and confusion all wrapped up into a wet, rainy mess.

You whispered, your voice teetering on the edge of combustion.

"You got what you wanted, didn't you?"

Jay's eyes grew glassy as he closed the distance in short strides. The rain only poured harder. The neon reflected off the dark oak of his eyes.

"No. No…If I knew—I wouldn't have. I can't believe—" Jay replied, the words getting jumbled in his throat.

Before you could speak, his arms were wrapping tightly around you. His chin rested on your head as the rain poured. The hard, cold metal of the calcite stayed pressed tightly between your bodies.

"I asked Jaxus for the footage of Room Ten. That's what was on there," you whispered before leaning into his embrace.

"No…no why…you shouldn't have done that for me," Jay choked out painfully, holding back the tears threatening to spill.

"It was the only thing I had to give a man like that," you replied painfully, tears starting to swell in your own wide eyes.

Jay leaned in, his hands sliding to your wrist as he backed you against the brick wall of the alleyway.

He leaned in, tense. His breath ghosted across your cheek as the rain only continued to pour. Thunder crackled around you, making the ground shudder beneath your feet.

"I have to get you out of here. I swear to god, I'm gonna get you out," Jay panted, his breath shaking as his lips leaned closer to yours.

Your arms tightened around the cold Xelcore between your bodies. His touch felt different in ways you couldn't quite name. It was messy, it felt almost real.

With a groan of disappointment, Jay pulled away. The cold air of the storm is putting even more distance between your bodies than you could see.

"My ship is docked not far from here…" Jay whispered huskily, his fingers fidgeting in his coat pockets until some of the tension was clear.

"It's about five allopaces away. If you want to join me, it's dry and warm," Jay invited.

"And I can probably get this Xelcore installed tomorrow, and we'll be out of here in the next forty-eight."

You looked him up and down, scanning the way the rain fell across the sharp features of his face. This time, he extended a hand. An offering.

And you'd be a fool not to take it.

+++

You sharply woke to the tinged sound of metal against metal. You adjusted to the darkness, unsure of where you must have knocked out.

The air was sterile, recycled. You sat up in your seat, noticing the low aluminum ceilings of the hangar. Red pin lights blinked down the hall as you took in your surroundings to the left and right. This had to be the Stellaris. You were still with Jay.

The sun started to filter into the narrow windows of the angled body of the ship. You spotted the door. Noticing a small lever blinking next to the frame.

The exit.

You reached out, hesitating for a moment before wrapping your fingertips around the lever. With a sharp exhale, you pulled it down. Stepping back as the door opened with a sharp hiss.

The bright light of the sun made you squint as you marched off the ship. Take in your surroundings. Still on Evara, the city is still hustling in the distance.

"Jay?" you called out. Keeping your senses sharp as you rounded the ship. The scale was massive, and the design of the ship was definitely of foreign taste.

You couldn't help but run your fingertips across the body of the ship. The navy blue paint shimmered in the sunlight.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you," Jay replied, wiping the oil from his hands as he rounded the ship with a smile.

The second he came into view, your heart skipped a beat. It was so quiet, you could almost hear it.

"You didn't wake me," you replied casually. Letting your eyes rake up and down his figure.

The navy blue of his flight suit was now tied loosely around his waist. The thin white tank was covered in remnants of grease and grime as it clung tightly to his figure.

Jay's lips tugged into a smirk as he noticed your eyes lingering on the faint line of his abs beneath his shirt.

You let out a huff of disbelief as you found yourself unable to glance away from the curve of his shoulders.

"You're staring," Jay pointed out with a grin.

At his words, you felt your blood run cold, caught in the act.

"I wasn't! I'm sorry—" you murmured. Trembling over your own words as you fight for an excuse.

"Don't be," Jay interrupted. His boots were heavy against the ground as he closed the distance between you.

"I've got everything ready, I just have to screw the core into place," Jay announced firmly. His expression was serious as his hands reached out to gently glide down the outside of your arms.

"So we're really doing this," you nodded, feeling a tight knot in your throat as the reality kicked in. The reality that you'd been dreaming of for years.

"Yeah…anywhere you want to go, I'll take you," Jay smiled. His eyes never left the pained expression on your face as he took both of your hands in his own.

He stepped closer. The air between you was heavy with a brick of tension as he closed the small distance. You could smell the faint scent of oil grime and beneath it, something uniquely his.

"I don't even know how to thank you," Jay confessed. Letting his hands slide from your shoulders to instead cup the sides of your face.

His touch sent a rush of warmth throughout your body. Never in all those years at the Estelle did a man touch you like you were fragile.

You opened your mouth to reply. Like always, to brush off the weight of his words, but this time they got caught in your throat. Your lips parted as you felt the distance between you shrinking by the moment.

Your touch was a confirmation in itself as your hands slid to once again tangle in his dark hair. Jay smiled. The sight of that slick made your heart shudder at the sight.

Keeping your eyes locked on his, you leaned in. Pulling him closer by the neck until you could feel his breath ghosting across your lips. Electricity crackled between you as your heart thumped loudly in your ears.

Jay's hands pulled you closer, so close you could feel his breath hitching as his lips found yours.

You melted into the kiss, letting your eyes flutter to focus on the feeling. With a slow, heavy beat, his lips moved against your own. Tasting and committing every breath to memory.

"I can't go back to Soren.." Jay whispered, capturing your lips again between words.

"Not since I've met you."

"God…" Jay muttered breathlessly against your lips. Kissing you one last time before resting his forehead against yours.

His hands slid down your sides, resting at the curve of your hip before he spoke again.

"There's a planet in the blue sector. Callysten. I've been there on a few missions," Jay whispered, his breath mingling with yours as he pulled you in closer.

"It's nothing like here, nothing like Soren. It's peaceful, beautiful. All violet skies and green mountaintops."

"I could build us a house, a warm cabin. You wouldn't have to think about sessions or services ever again. It would just be you and me."

Your heart trembled in your chest. The beats were heavy as you struggled to catch your breath.

Callysten. A home, light-years away from this god-forsaken place.

"You'd really give up everything?" you choked out. Your voice was cracking under all the pressure that had been building up since the moment you met.

"In a heartbeat," Jay replied, flashing you that daring smile that was warm enough to knock you back on your feet.

"You're good at this," you replied. Letting your fingertips mindlessly trace across his chest.

"Good at what?" Jay questioned with a deep rumble in his throat.

Your head was reeling with thoughts as you finally met his gaze. Focusing on the softness of his expression in the midst of the chaos.

"Pretending you care."

The words hung heavy between you. Jay winced, his grip around your waist loosening before he pulled you in tighter.

"Pretending? Is that what you think this is?"

His touch was tender as his fingertips slid up your back, tangling in the base of your hair as he glanced into your eyes.

You let out a shaky breath, but you couldn't help but lean into his touch and warmth.

"We've only just met…" You whispered from the back of your throat.

"I don't care. I'd burn this entire galaxy if that's what you wanted," Jay murmured, leaning in to slowly capture your lips again.

"I'd kill for you. Jaxus, I'd make sure another one of his slimy fingers ever touches your skin again," Jay gasped, kissing you between the heat of his words.

"You're crazy," you gasped, chuckling with disbelief at the darkness of his confession.

"Never said I wasn't," Jay murmured, kissing you again as a deep moan escaped his throat.

"Want me to show you how bad I care? How much I want you?" Jay gasped, pulling away to rest his forehead against yours once again.

"Tell me I'm not the only one who wants this," Jay whispered, softly guiding your hand to rest on top of his chest.

His heart thumped beneath your fingertips, his breath already growing short…

You swallowed sharply, taking a deep breath before you met his eyes.

"You're not the only one."

+++

Jay's mouth was hot against your own as he dragged you into the hangar. His large hands gently held your thighs as he closed the distance between the door and the bed.

"Careful, it's a tight fit." Jay chuckled as he guided you down onto the slim mattress. Slowing his pace as his hands rested on either side of your head.

The flimsy bed creaked beneath the combined weight. Jay's hands moved with intent, finding a place against your hips as he settled between your thighs.

"Oh fuck…" You cursed at the friction, lifting your hips to meet his own in search of that spark again.

Jay's lips tugged into a smirk as he glanced down at your figure. Already hot, already burning. Your expression was tinged with pleasure.

"It's just us. No cameras, no sessions, just you and me," Jay beamed. Leaning in to kiss you, smiling against your lips.

His fingertips lingered across your waist before he sat back on his heels. Lifting the thin fabric of his tank up and over his head before crashing his lips back into yours.

You panted against his lips as you kissed. Letting your hands slide across the perfectly tan skin of his shoulders and chest.

"Oh my god…you just know how to unravel me," Jay muttered breathlessly. Your fingers slid with a mind of their own, gently tracing the waistband of his pants before dipping lower.

Jay let out a pained hiss laced with pleasure. His breath grew short as you gently ran your fingertips over the weight of his confined length.

Just as you started to tease him, his hand gently wrapped around your wrist in protest.

"I don't want you performing…" Jay whispered, gently kissing the side of your neck before speaking again.

You froze, the words hitting you hard like nothing else before. With a heavy beat, your heart thumped heavily in your chest.

After a moment, Jay released your grip, continuing to kiss and caress your body like a fragile piece of glass.

You leaned into his touch, learning—feeling what it's like to be in a man's arms without a price tag.

His fingertips tugged lightly at the edge of your pants, his own breath grew heavy and labored as the tiny space heated up.

"Can I touch you some more?" Jay gasped, his fingertips trembling as they waited for permission.

Your arms wrapped around his neck as you nodded. Spreading your thighs apart as his hand dipped beneath.

A light gasp escaped your lips at the gentleness of his touch. His fingertips experimentally brushed between your folds. Gathering the droplets of arousal and spreading them throughout.

Jay panted against your neck as his thumb found your clit, gently working small, steady circles on top of it.

The bundle felt euphoric beneath his touch. You gasped, thighs buckling as he circled your clit just right.

With a soft hum, Jay kissed you again. Letting his lips capture your own, slow and deep, as his fingertips teased your entrance.

He gasped into your mouth as he felt you already dripping. His fingertips teased your slick hole, hesitating before dipping inside.

You whimpered at the feeling, your body tensing at the intrusion before letting go.

You fell back against the pillows, holding your thighs open as Jay explored the mess between them. Gently pumping his finger in and out with a carefully practiced pace.

All you could focus on was the weight of him above you and the feeling of his fingertip inside you.

"Can you take more?" Jay asked, lifting his head to see your reply.

"I can take anything you give me," you replied, letting your eyes roll back with pleasure as he swiftly stuck a second finger into your heat.

Jay moaned at the wet sensation, gasping as your arousal coated his fingertips, threatening to drip down his wrist without stopping.

"Fucking perfect…you're so fucking perfect," Jay stuttered, groaning as he slipped a third finger into your soaking heat.

You gasped at the stretch, and the ache quickly subsided into pleasure as Jay thrusted into you faster and faster. The pad of his fingertips curving to brush against your G-spot with every pull out.

"Fuck…that right there—" you whimpered, feeling your toes already curling against the bed.

"Yeah? Right here?" Jay questioned. Letting his fingers slip deep into your cunt, before he angled them just right.

Pleasure shot through your body, your hips writhed beneath him as he applied more pressure.

"It's gonna feel so fucking good to be inside you," Jay smirked. Gently rubbing your clit before he completely pulled his hand from between your thighs.

"Jay…" You gasped.

He brought his fingers to his lips, closing his eyes as he tasted your lingering essence as it hit his tongue.

"Oh my God…" You murmured with disbelief, feeling how your own eyes widened at the filthy sight.

"W—what?" Jay questioned with a soft laugh, continuing to suck his fingertips clean before he tugged at the waistband of his pants.

The space was tightly cramped. You could feel his breath against your skin as he maneuvered out of the suit.

"You're fucking insane," you panted. Watching as he pulled the rest of his suit off before tossing it aside.

You could hardly process where his clothes landed before Jay's lips were back on yours. Hot and hungry, he let his hands lead with the same demeanor.

"Like I told you, I never said I wasn't," Jay groaned. The taste of you lingered on his tongue as he pushed past the seam of your lips, devouring you like he wouldn't get a second chance.

Jay's rough, calloused hands slid down your sides, his kisses growing more tender as he helped to strip you down.

It was a tight fit. Somehow between zippers and limbs, you finally felt him, skin on skin.

Jay lifted his head to glance into your eyes, his gaze lingering as he lifted a hand to gently push some of your hair behind your ear.

"You look beautiful like this," Jay murmured, his eyes softening as he finally took in every curve and inch of you. Completely open and completely his.

You melted into his touch. The combination of his warm skin and tender gaze made you feel something you couldn't quite name.

In that moment, it felt like time itself came to a stop. There was no Estelle, no Stellaris that needed repairs. Right then and there, it was just you, Jay, and the ever-shrinking space between you.

"Are you ready?" Jay whispered, his voice cracking slightly as he spoke. His touch lingering by your side.

"Yeah…I'm ready, more than I'll ever be," you whispered.

And with those words, you finally were loved instead of bought.

Jay shifted on top of you. Placing one last kiss on your already swollen lips before settling between your thighs.

The space was tight, but you made it work. Between harsh pants, you finally found the perfect angle.

The soft head of his cock rested at your entrance. Your hands flew to Jay's shoulders for support. He dipped his head, straining his biceps as he held himself up over you.

"I'm so glad I met you…" Jay whispered, letting the words hang in the inches between your skin before he pushed inside.

You couldn't help but let out a deep moan at how good the stretch felt. Jay pushed in softly, letting you take him sweet inch by inch.

Sweat ran down your back as you lifted your hips, letting Jay sink into your heat completely.

Jay bottomed out with a soft moan of relief, pausing for a second to revel in the feeling of your wet channel squeezing his cock.

"Goddamn…" He whispered, placing a quick kiss on your temple before he started to move.

He pulled his hips back, enough to leave the swollen head of his cock nestled inside you, before he pushed back in.

You gasped, gripping the muscles of his shoulders tight as he started to thrust with a steady rhythm. His cock felt all too heavy, leaving you nothing short of filled.

"So fucking wet, so fucking perfect—Oh God," Jay praised, thrusting into your cunt without a second thought in his mind.

"Jay…it's so full, feels so good," you muttered breathlessly. Letting your nails leave faint scratches across the curve of his biceps.

"Yeah? Feels good, doesn't it? You don't have to perform for me, you never have to," Jay whispered. Letting his cock drag relentlessly along the inside of your dripping cunt.

His words sent a spark of warmth straight to your stomach. Your breath hitched as your cunt clenched around him, pulsing with the need for more.

"Need you deeper—Jay," you panted, wiping sweat from your brow as the bedframe continued to bang against the inner walls of the ship.

"All you have to do is ask," he answered, resting his hot chest against the softness of yours as his hands slid down your body.

His touch lingered on the backside of your thighs before he lifted them, gently pushing your legs backwards towards your chest.

You moaned deeply at the stretch, letting his touch guide you as he fulfilled exactly what you needed.

The next thrust was deeper than before. Jay held you down, legs spread apart as his hips slapped against your own.

His cock slid into you deep, hitting spots you didn't even know existed. Sparking pleasured rushes you never experienced before.

Jay had you completely undone. Whispered curses left your lips with every brutal thrust. All deeper and harder than the last.

His cock twitched inside you, the edge of his length gently pushed against your cervix as Jay held you down with his strength.

"Fuck—Oh my God…" You whispered between moans of pleasure. You couldn't believe how euphoric it felt to be ruined by him.

Your body was completely relaxed in his presence; you dripped and dripped, your hot arousal soaked the thin sheets beneath you without a care.

"You close? I can feel you squeezing me so fucking tight, God…" Jay panted. Sweat dripped down his face as he continued. His movements picked up pace as he thrusted faster and harder into your heat.

"Yeah..fuck gonna come," you panted, seeing white stars behind your eyes as you threw back your head.

"Good fucking girl…"Jay panted, leaning down to kiss you again with just as much emotion.

The sound of your moans only climbed higher. Jay didn't stop, not for a second. Not when you were so close, and his stamina allowed him to keep going.

You gripped him tighter, pulling him into your chest as you teetered on the edge. You were so close—cunt aching and soaked from every piece of him.

Without another word, you came, crying out Jay's name against his skin as your thighs trembled beneath his grip.

The rush was strong as it overcame you, leaving your vision blurry and your body sensitive from the high.

The wet sound of his cock slowly sliding through your release echoed off the aluminum walls, mixing with the sound of your breath and moans.

Jay didn't stop; he couldn't. Not when you had him right on the edge, right behind you.

With one more powerful thrust, Jay buried himself deep into you, shuddering as he filled you with his release.

Your cunt fluttered as you felt him filling you with as much as you could take. Your release mixed with his, leaving a mess of relief and fulfilled desire between your naked bodies.

"Holy hell…" Jay gasped, shooting you a soft smile as he wiped a bead of sweat from your brow.

Your chest rose and fell as you ached for breath, your lungs burned from the exertion of it all.

"You okay?" you asked Jay, letting your gaze linger on the soft pink flush of arousal staining the apples of his cheeks.

"Am I Okay? I should be asking you that," Jay chuckled, placing one last kiss on your lips before he settled down on top of you.

He rubbed comforting circles across your skin as he clung to your body, basking in its warmth as the two of you stayed intertwined.

"I didn't hurt you, did I?" Jay whispered, his grip soft and firm.

"No, no, you didn't hurt me at all. It felt amazing…"

"Yeah? It did didn't it?" Jay whispered, placing a soft kiss on the side of your neck.

"Jaxus and the others…they'll come looking for me," You whispered, watching as the stars above glinted against the midnight sky.

"You're safe here, you don't have to worry about him or the Estelle," Jay murmured. Brushing another strand of your hair behind your ear.

"Tomorrow…we're getting out of here, and you won't ever have to look back."

You leaned into his embrace, letting the warmth spread throughout your heart.

This was your chance to really leave the Estelle behind.

+++

You woke to the soft hum of the Stellaris beneath you. Jay was still resting on top of your body. Stirring awake as the light filtered through the ship's small windows.

"Mornin…" Jay whispered. His voice was still gruff from sleep.

"Morning," you smiled. Yawning as you let your eyes adjust to the morning light.

Jay shifted on top of you, his skin still warm against your own as he let the blankets fall to his waist.

"You look beautiful like this…I can hardly resist you," Jay hummed, letting his hands start to trace your curves and lines.

"I don't want you to," you replied weakly. Already feeling the warmth from last night returning to your core.

"I like the sound of that," Jay murmured, smirking against your lips as he kissed you slowly.

His hands traced across your ribcage, his touch delicate as his hands slid down your body to grab your hips.

With a gasp, Jay broke away from your lips, his breath hot against your skin as he kissed down your neck.

Your body was hot with need as his lips traveled across your neck before landing between the weight of your breasts. Jay gripped you harder as he tilted his head, slowly lifting his gaze as his tongue gently brushed across your nipple.

With a soft cry, you arched your back, letting your fingertips tangle in his messy dark hair as his lips wrapped around the sensitive aching peak.

Jay let out a deep, satisfied groan as he started to suck, letting his tongue tease and flick across your breast.

Soft dark marks were left behind by his lips as he pulled away with a soft pop. Jay glanced into your eyes as he let his thumb trace across the path where his tongue had just been.

Pleasure raced through your body, leaving a warm knot of desire winding tighter in your core.

Your chest rose and fell frantically as Jay's lips closed around your other breast. Giving it the same attention as the latter, the tension pulls between you tight.

Jay didn't waste another second. Once your breasts were thoroughly marked to his satisfaction, he lightly kissed down your stomach, spreading your thighs apart with clear intention.

You shuddered as his warm breath hit the aching heat of your core. Already slick, your wetness dripping down the inside of your thighs.

You whimpered as Jay's tongue darted out for a taste, finding the evidence of desire lingering on your inner thighs. He moaned, savoring the taste as he cleaned the mess you had already made for him.

"Jay..fuck. Please…" You whimpered, core pulsing and aching with the need for any relief you could subsidize.

Your hands were still tangled in his messy hair, your touch was gentle as you guided him exactly where you needed him.

Jay groaned, a mix of equal parts relief and hunger as his tongue slid between your folds.

Your grip tightened around the dark strands of his hair as his lips slid between your slit, finding your swollen clit before giving it a teasing flick.

His eyes rolled back at the taste of your cunt—and at your desperate pleas for more that fell shamelessly from your perfect lips.

Your hips lifted to meet his mouth, his tongue working wonders as he sucked and lapped at your heat.

Jay's hands steadied your hips, pulling you into his face as he buried himself in your cunt.

His tongue slid from your clit down to tease your opening. He moaned at the taste of you, his movements growing all the more reckless.

You gasped as Jay's tongue slid into your hole, just enough to cover his lips in your sweet essence as he drank from you.

One of his rough hands left your hip to slide between your folds, gathering your clear arousal and spreading it throughout your lips.

Jay slipped his tongue into you once more, his fingers working in tandem, as he started to rub small, tight circles across your clit until you were shaking.

"J-Jay, I'm gonna—Shit," you panted as your hips grinded against his face. His tongue fucked into you relentlessly, and simultaneously, his fingers didn't falter their rhythm.

"Come on…come all over my face," Jay moaned into your heat. His voice was barely audible as his lips only left your body for a moment.

Jay rubbed your clit with more pressure, never faulting that perfect rhythm that had already gotten you so far gone.

You couldn't speak and you could hardly breathe as your orgasm crashed over you like a violent storm.

Your hips shuddered against his mouth, your thighs shook violently as Jay used his shoulders to keep you spread wide open.

Jay's tongue was relentless as he lapped at your core, letting his eyes roll back as you shuddered and clenched around his tongue.

His lips were coated in your clear release as he pulled away breathless, his eyes half lidded with untamed desire as your come dripped shamelessly down his chin.

You studied the scene in awe, the sight of your come dripping across his perfect lips, staining the elegant curve of his collarbone as it dripped further down his neck.

"You taste, so fucking incredible," Jay gasped, licking the rest of your glistening come from his lips before his hands were back on your body.

"Turn over for me," Jay commanded. His voice was still as soft as his skin in the morning light.

You followed his orders without a second thought, your body still weak from your release.

But there was still a lingering ache Jay was more than willing to fill.

Jay softly brushed your hair over your shoulders, his touch guiding as he pushed on your lower back, encouraging you to arch.

You let out a deep, pleasured sigh, feeling the stretch in the curve of your back as your chest met the damp mattress.

Jay kissed the back of your neck, his lips dragging across the edge of your shoulder as you felt his hips lining up with your own.

He guided his hard, leaking cock to your wet entrance, notching the head inside your heat and gripping your hips before he started to push inside.

You sank into the bed, body spent and weak, as Jay started to thrust into you from behind.

"God…you're unreal, so fucking unreal," Jay gasped, letting his jaw drop as he held you softly by the waist.

The sounds of his deep moans mixed with the wet sounds of his body inside yours.

Jay thrusted deeper, letting his grip tighten as you sank helplessly into the sheets.

You cried out, gasping as he continued to thrust into your welcoming heat. Your fingertips gripped anything you could reach: the headboard, the blankets left on the bed.

Your fingertips slid beneath the pillows, brushing against something foreign.

"You're taking me so fucking good," Jay praised. Completely lost in all the pleasure you were giving him.

As your face was buried in the sheets, your fingertips wrapped around the metal, some kind of plug or chip?

You could feel your stomach churning as your mind raced with thoughts. He couldn't keep things from you, right? Not after—

"Wait, Jay, stop," You whispered, completely breathless, as a cold chill ran down your back.

"Sorry, sorry, was I too rough?" Jay asked innocently. Letting his touch linger as he pulled out of you from behind. His expression was laced with concern.

"No, no, it's not that," you panted, turning over your shoulder to face him, the chip still in your grip.

"What's this?" you asked sternly, leaving no room for rebuttal or bullshit.

The color drained from Jay's face in an instant. For a moment, he froze, then he ran his calloused hands through his messy hair.

"It's nothing, you—you weren't supposed to find that." Jay groaned. All of a sudden, his gaze was everywhere except on you.

"So you're lying to me?" you choked out, all of a sudden feeling more exposed than ever as you lay naked beneath him.

"I'm not lying to you," Jay replied, taking a deep breath to keep himself from raising his voice.

"Then what is it?" you asked weakly, holding back tears and biting your lip to distract you from the pain starting to swell in your chest.

"It's a Kryss Chip, okay? It's meant to self-destruct after the intel reaches the receiver," Jay confessed.

"You told me your ship crashed." You shot back, fighting back the burning tears starting to pool in the corner of your eyes.

"I did crash!" Jay replied, his voice rising an octave as he forcefully gripped the sheets on either side of you.

"Soren sent you? You—the Estelle none of it is a fucking accident," you huffed out with disbelief, choking on a sob as you wiped your tears with the back of your hand.

Jay's expression fell as he watched the tears; he raised a hand, gently wiping your tears with his thumb.

"I—I couldn't have told you, I still can't tell you," Jay confessed.

"Why? What on this planet is so confidential that you have to keep it on a Kryss Chip?" you asked weakly.

"Surveillance, infrastructure, clear maps, and data on every entry and exit point," Jay replied.

"This planet—It's falling apart from the inside out. You know that."

You paused, heart aching at the truth. You wanted to sob, wanted to scream, but your expression stayed nothing but blank.

"Soren wants to take the city without leveling it—Men like Jaxus, they're the first target," Jay replied.

"So you used me. All so Stargate can come in and play clean-up crew," you huffed, completely in disbelief that you would let yourself get fooled so easily.

"Look…" Jay pleaded, taking your hand, holding the Kryss chip before bringing it to his chest.

"This mission, it was everything to me," Jay whispered, his own eyes going glassy as he held back weak tears.

"Was?" you questioned, your voice so quiet it could barely be heard over the low hum of the Xelcore.

"Yeah, was. Not anymore," Jay confirmed.

"This place is not exactly like I was told. I see people, people like you, just trying to put food on the table and make it to the next day."

The silence hung heavy between you.

"Evara won't stand a chance against Stargate. You know that as much as I do," Jay added.

"I do," you replied, heart softening at his confession.

"If I destroy that chip before the intel gets to Soren, they'll come for me, they'll come for you, too. And the clean up won't be pretty."

"I meant it when I said I can't go back to Soren. The lies, the schemes I—I don't want to be a part of it anymore," Jay confessed. A few stray tears started to run down his cheeks as his hands slid back down to your waist.

"I want a life with you, away from all of this. Mornings where I can hold you in my arms without worry," Jay cried out.

"I—I don't know what to do. But I'm going to get you out of here. I swear on my goddamn life," He whispered.

"How am I supposed to trust you now?" you choked out, the words feeling like sharpened barbed wire across your throat.

"I don't know. But I'm not running, I'm not going to leave you now. But that life I promised you on Callysten? I want nothing more than you at my side as my co-pilot, building something worth fighting for," Jay replied.

You shuddered as he cupped the side of your face, glancing into your eyes, heart heavy with apology and a heart aching for forgiveness.

"What about the Kryss Chip? Should we destroy it? You said the aftermath won't be pretty," you replied. Watching the gears physically turn in Jay's head.

"If I tamper with the data before ending it…it'll at least buy us time. Stargate will find out eventually, but by then–we’ll both be gone," Jay replied. His chest rose and fell sharply as his forehead once again dropped against your own.

"How much time?" you asked, letting out a shaky sigh as your fingertips tangled once again in his dark, messy hair.

"Could be months, could be years. As long as it takes before they realize the code is scrambled," Jay replied, his breath mingling with your own as his hands slid down to softly grip your waist.

"So you scramble the code, buy us more time to figure out what the fuck we're going to do until this place is toast," You replied.

"Exactly that. Unless—You got a better idea?" Jay asked, forcing a weak smile.

"Funny. Be glad you're one of the smartest men I know," You replied, smiling as you glanced back up into his dark eyes.

"The smartest man you know…yet I'm just trying to fix the disaster I brought with me in the first place? Don't tell me the bar is in hell," Jay teased with a self-deprecating chuckle.

"Oh, the bar is disintegrated beyond hell," you replied. Letting out a breathless laugh before Jay joined you.

"You're one hell of a woman," Jay replied, leaning in until his lips barely brushed against your own.

He gently squeezed your waist. Permitting you to choose.

With a sigh of relief, you closed your eyes and kissed him.

"Oh, I'm one lucky son of a bitch," Jay cursed. Letting his grip tighten in you as he tilted his head. Smiling into another breathless kiss.

You kissed him back, unable to hold the grin tugging helplessly at the corner of your lips. You pecked his lips softly one more time before pulling away to tease.

"You're lucky I'm nice."

+++

The sound of the Xelcore humming beneath your feet was something you never imagined would become so comforting.

A reminder of how you got here and a testament of more to come. Jay sat in the pilot's seat as the rain continued to pour, water droplets echoing off the aluminum skeleton of the ship before they fell softly across the glass windows.

"How's the code scrabble coming along?" you asked softly as the door to the cockpit opened with a low hiss.

"Well, if I can get this right the first time. You can be out of here by morning," Jay replied. Not even glancing up from the screen of tech in front of him.

You smiled softly, leaning against the metal doorframe, wearing a pair of Jay's sweatpants and one of his loose shirts.

"And I just have to move this here—Interrupt this encryption and—" Jay narrated, as he typed against the neon board with precision.

"Done," Jay whispered, watching as the neon code flashed against the screen of the ship, the last word catching your eye…

**data.sectorb.evr. Recieved.**

"Sorry for the questions—"

"Don't be sorry," Jay interrupted, letting his shoulders visibly relax before the neon on the screen disappeared into black.

"How long until we have until that chip blows up in our faces?" you replied with curiosity.

"Maybe an hour if we're lucky," Jay replied, flashing you a soft smile before he stood from the pilot's seat.

"I programmed the Stellaris to take you to Callysten. You won't have to touch a thing," Jay announced, letting his hands slide down your arms before he laced his fingertips with your own.

The tone in his voice was stoic, his dark brows were knitted tight.

"What do you mean—You're not coming with me?" you choked out as you felt your hands already starting to shake.

"Listen—I have to stay behind. I have to know that this worked. And if it doesn't, it's my duty to figure something out," Jay replied.

"I have to do this…" Jay whispered, glancing into your glassy eyes as his hand gently cupped your face.

"You're my new mission."

You melted into his touch, feeling the warmth of his touch on your skin and the words as they melted your heart.

"I'll meet you on Callysten. I don't know how long until we'll be together again, but…I promise, I'll find you."

There was a quiet beat before Jay leaned in, capturing your lips, soft and slow. His lips moved with intention rather than passion. Gentleness rather than heat.

Jay hesitated before his lips slowly pulled away from yours. His touch lingered on your body as his fingertips gently held the back of your neck. His forehead rested against your own. Your breathing was the only sound in the hangar other than the soft hum of the Xelcore.

"I love you. I don't even know how it happened, but I do," Jay whispered delicately as the weight of the word hung strung heavy between you.

Your heart felt like it was going to race out of your chest. You opened your mouth to reply, maybe to confess how you'd grown to love him too.

You stuttered, your hands shaking in the firm grip of his as you leaned in and kissed him.

Words couldn't begin to explain how you were feeling.

A deep moan slipped from Jay's throat as he melted into your touch. He guided you backwards, pressing your back up against the aluminum walls of the cockpit.

His hands slid down your body before he gripped the back of your thighs. Jay lifted you against the wall, his firm grip kept you steady as he tilted his head before diving in for more.

The ground suddenly shook beneath your feet. Jay paused, helping you to find your footing as he pulled away with a sharp glance.

"The hell?" He cursed under his breath. His touch lingered on you for a moment before he slid back into the pilot's seat.

Just as he pulled up the ship's parameters, the alarm rang. The main lights of the Stellaris went dark, leaving only the blue glow of the emergency systems.

"Someone's here," Jay replied before pulling up a hologram of all the ship's cameras.

"Lower Bay, intruders, we have to move," Jay replied frantically, grabbing his small blaster weapon before he clipped it onto his belt.

"Who could have found us all the way out here?" you asked, brows narrowing with confusion as you stood helpless. Watching as Jay hit buttons and pulled levers that had no names.

"Don't know, I turned on the virtual tripwire just to be safe. Dammit," Jay cursed, frantically continuing to maneuver the controls until the ship roared to life.

"Jay, what are you—" You asked, feeling your heart sink into your stomach as a map of the red sector appeared in front of the glass.

"I need you to trust me. Sit here and when it's safe, pull this green lever. I'll start the automatic take off, and the ship will automatically coast towards these coordinates, okay?" Jay replied. He tried to keep his voice calm, but you could hear the panic beneath the facade.

"Jay, no. I've never flown anything before! I'm not leaving without you!" you sobbed as all the emotions of the past days and hours came down at once.

"You're a smart woman, I know you're capable of anything," Jay murmured.

"I swear on my life, next time we meet it'll be under violet skies," Jay whispered, choking back a sob before he pulled you into a messy kiss goodbye.

Tears ran down your face as you kissed him; the saltiness of your tears lingered on his tongue as he pulled away, giving you one last glance before he raced out the door and down the hall.

"Jay! Please! Come back! I'm not leaving you!" you sobbed as he disappeared into the darkness.

You steadied your footing, grabbing onto the doorframe for support before the Stellaris rocked under your feet. The soft humming of the Xeclore morphed into a vicious roar, knocking you clean off your feet.

As the ship began to prepare for takeoff, you crawled your way to the pilot's seat, your vision blurred by tears.

You gripped the steel arm of the chair, forcing yourself up with all your strength as the ship gained power for takeoff.

As you wiped your eyes, the projected footage in front of you became clear.

Jaxus. Of course, he'd come for you.

You watched in near agony as Jay met him outside the Stellaris. Your heart was sent into a panic as the ship started to lift.

**Initiate the assisted take-off protocol**

**Initiate the assisted take-off protocol**

The robotic voice boomed throughout the cabin. You wiped your tears, shuddering as you glanced back at the footage.

Jay had his foot on his throat, and his gun pointed straight at his head.

With a shuddering cry, you found that green lever, squeezing your eyes shut tight as you pulled it down.

A loud boom echoed throughout the cabin. Whether it was the ship or a gunshot—You would never know.

The ship immediately took flight, tearing through the rugged earth before you were airborne.

The force of the takeoff pushed you backwards, your bones dug into the harsh angles of the pilot's chair as the ship climbed further into the atmosphere,

All you could do was cry, from the heartache, from the pain of leaving Jay behind. For all the what-ifs that would break you more than that very moment.

And as the ship finally broke through Evara's exosphere, it slowed down to a coast, just like Jay promised.

The only thing you could think about is how he told you he loved you, and you didn't say it back.

+++

18 months later

You woke to the soft sound of cattle and chickens from your window. A faint lavender peeked through the curtains of your room as you adjusted to the morning light.

You stretched your arms over your head, letting out a deep sigh. Fresh mountain air filled your lungs.

As the light started to grow brighter, you swung your feet over your bed before you slowly dragged yourself to the small bathroom of your home.

Home, Callysten, was your new home.

You yawned as you glanced at yourself in the mirror. Feeling a small ache in your heart as you stared at the silver dog tags hanging loosely around your neck.

Jay Park: DOB 04/20/3989

You splashed cold, fresh water across your face. The slow mornings, the fresh air, the scenery—It was all him.

That day when you escaped Evara was a blur. You could only remember pieces and fragments of Jay, and of the escape.

You dried off your face, noticing how the cold water soothed some of the puffiness that was left there before.

You grabbed the silver between your fingertips. And with a heavy sigh, you brought the dog tags to your lips.

No matter how many days bleed into weeks and weeks into months…

You knew deep down he would come back.

+++

The quiet winds whipped around you as you quietly tended to your garden, built completely from the ground up. The food on Callysten was rich, fulfilling, vibrant. Nothing like Evara. Nothing on Callysten ever compares.

Never again did you have a man's hands on you as your mind went numb. Never did you have to fake your pleasure or lie to make it through another week.

A quiet hum pulled you out of your own mind. You glanced over your shoulder, squinting at the sun as you noticed something tiny in the distance.

Couldn't it be—could it?

As the ship squeaked and clamored as it came barreling into the atmosphere. You stood from your knees, watching as the wings barely withstood the re-entry.

The ship was coming down fast, uncontrollably so.

You felt a shudder go down your spine as you watched the pilot struggling to land with a broken wing. The ship swayed, only flying closer to the ground with no signs of stopping.

Before you could process what could happen, it crashed into the ground.

Your feet took off before your mind told them to.

"Hey! Are you hurt!" You shouted, running towards the scene.

The ship was already falling apart at the poorly welded seams. Smoke started to rise from the front and the back.

Before you could get an answer, a man was running straight towards you.

Your heart twisted as he called out your name.

Jay.

You ran faster, feeling the wind harsh against your face as you closed the distance.

Your beating heart nearly came to a stop as a pair of strong, familiar arms wrapped around your body.

The wind was knocked from your lungs as the two of you stumbled to the ground. Hands shaking and vision blurred by tears.

"How did you. How did you find me?" you choked out between a sob, lifting your head to glance into his eyes just to make sure this was the same Jay.

"I told you I would," Jay smiled, his breath shuddering as he took in your face.

You glanced back into his eyes. It was hard not to notice how badly he was beaten. A fresh scar cut across his forehead and into his brow. Deep crimson blood stained his lower lip, probably from the intensity of the crash.

"I promised you, didn't I?" Jay whispered, letting his forehead rest against yours like that night all those months ago.

"I love you," You cried, chucking weakly at the delivery and the confused expression that spread across his face.

"Wow, what did I crash into?" Jay smirked. Licking his lips before he leaned in, kissing you slow and deep to make up for all the lost time.

The kiss felt like eternity. Your fingertips tangled into his hair as you savored the metallic taste of blood and the same lingering sweetness as before.

"I'm sorry I should've told you—that day all that time ago," you confessed, only pulling away from his lips with enough space to breathe.

Jay smiled before he closed the distance again. Gasping as another moan got caught in his throat.

"I love you too. More than anything," Jay whispered.

"You found me…" You whispered under your breath with awe. More so to yourself than anyone else.

That familiar smirk tugged sharply at Jay's lips. He couldn't resist chasing your taste one last time before he broke away to whisper.

"Told you I would."

© brokenengene

kate's note: Thank you so much for reading!! I'm so glad to be back writing more regularly again. I hope you enjoyed this story! It's been in the work for some time, and I just love love love writing for Jay. I'd love to hear your thoughts in the tags or in my inbox! Like always, take care.

Until Next Time,

xoxo kate <3