#aketho

Aketho felt relieved that he wasn’t the only one who noticed something was wrong. It worried him, since Eight was usually good at concealing his feelings, especially the ones that might draw attention. His concern grew when Eight jumped at the question and looked up at them, eyes wide.

“Aketho, Theron, hey,” Eight said with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Yeah, everything’s fine.”

The two spies shared a look, then walked into the room. Theron sat on one side of Eight, while Aketho put down the box he was carrying, took off his jacket, and sat on the other side.

“You sure?” Aketho asked gently, leaning forward to get a better look at the other man’s face. “Because it looks like something’s bothering you.”

Eight stayed quiet, petting Ashano, who purred louder and pressed closer to his stomach. She only acted like that when Aketho or Theron were having a tough day or woke up from a nightmare, almost as if she could sense when they needed comfort. The Chiss looked at Theron, who returned his gaze with concern. Aketho frowned, trying to figure out what might be bothering his friend. Eight didn’t wear his heart on his sleeve as many others did. The only time he did was… oh…

“You’re worried about Arcann, aren’t you?” Aketho asked softly. When Eight looked up at him, eyes wide again, Aketho gave him a gentle, understanding smile. Arcann was still on assignment in Wild Space, and even though Aketho had sent Sana-Rae to help, it had been over a week since they last heard from him. Aketho pulled Eight into a hug and gently stroked his hair. Then he glanced at Theron and nodded toward the small kitchenette.

Theron nodded, got up, and ruffled Eight’s hair on his way past. Eight let out a small huff of laughter at the action. The former SIS agent grinned and started the brewer, pulling out a bag of mint tea.

“I shouldn’t be so worried,” the Echani murmured, “He’s more than capable…”

Theron chuckled quietly from the kitchenette and gave Aketho a knowing look. “I can tell you from experience, someone can be the most capable person in the universe, and you’ll still worry about them. Honestly, I’m surprised my hair isn’t grey from half the shit Keth gets up to.”

Aketho rolled his eyes and smiled while Eight snickered against his chest.

“At least you’d look good with grey hair,” the Chiss said, smirking as he added, “old man.”

Eight snickered again.

“Very funny,” Theron said dryly, though he was grinning. He brought the drinks over, set Eight’s tea on the table to steep, and handed Aketho his cup of caf.

"Thank you," the Echani Cipher said softly, still snuggled against Aketho.

“Anytime,” the spymaster replied with a relaxed smile. He reached over and scratched the loth-cat behind her ears. “Although I think Ashano is doing most of the work here.”

“Just a bit,” Eight chuckled, scratching her under the chin. She squinted her eyes and purred even louder.

“She’s definitely not complaining about the attention,” Aketho said with a quiet laugh. He watched Eight and Ashano while sipping his caf. After a few minutes, he added, “If you want, you can keep Ashano for a while, or until Arcann comes back.”

Both Eight and Theron looked at him in surprise.

Aketho chuckled deeply. “It’s not like I’m saying keep her forever, but it’s clear she helps you. Besides, I doubt she’s going to leave your side anytime soon.”

The white-haired man looked down at the black ball of fluff, who gazed back at him with squinty green eyes. He smiled and murmured, “Thank you, I think I’ll take you up on that offer,” before nuzzling into the Chiss’s shoulder.

Theron smiled into his caf, resting his arm along the back of the couch. His fingers brushed the back of Aketho’s neck. Aketho gave him a gentle look over Eight’s head. 

Strangely enough for an operative, Eight put himself on the frontlines or in place of others more vulnerable– a trait unseen in most of his ilk, who excelled in the shadows behind their sturdier comrades. Yet Theron learned quickly through repeated battles by his side that such bold tactics were a strength rather than a weakness for the Cipher, whose fragile disposition as an agent acted as a mere cover for the unexpected warrior within.

But in this moment, it acted as little comfort to his dwindling pride that he was being protected by someone smaller than him– Theron checked the enemy position and popped briefly out from cover to snipe Aric Jorgan’s shoulder with a bold blast of powder, causing the Cathar to hiss a curse and fall back– and in a snowball fight, nonetheless.

“This is what you get for getting chummy with other spies, Agent!”

Theron instinctively ducked. Where that voice sounded, trouble soon followed.

Eight side-stepped several snowballs from Kaliyo, most likely filled with rocks, given the menacing way they heavily thumped against the ground.

As expected, the others were out for snow-covered blood.

Theron was stuck in the sinking ship with Eight and his angry acquaintances, for all his sad lack of actual enemies that weren't related to him. Not that Lana and Koth weren't gunning for his head– he could see them whispering tactics in the foreground through his flake-covered lashes, those vultures– but the entirety of Eight’s old crew had chosen to aim for their erstwhile agent as means of revenge today.

Theron was just collateral, or so he incorrectly assumed. Not that it would stop him from aiming for his compatriots himself, and what he wouldn't give to see Lana have a taste of her own snow. Theron smirked at the thought of the blonde Sith shaking off ice like a frozen voorpak, already balling up a fresh set of snowballs in his mitts.

“Eight, cove–ACK!”

Theron yelped as frigid, biting snow touched bare skin and fell even deeper past his clothing into nooks and crannies where the sun didn't shine. He instinctively scrabbled at the back of his jacket, face crumpling into what could be called an excellent mimicry of a paper ball. Betrayal! Stabbed in the back! Unprotected! And…SO COLD. If his skin were a jacket, he would've shucked it right then and there.

His suffering didn't go unrewarded. Two blue arms wrapped around his middle as a delicate chin pressed into his shivering shoulderblades. Theron’s surprise settled into relaxed ease as warmth flooded his center, pooling low in his stomach at the familiar scent of his lover.

Aketho sported a wicked grin as he nuzzled into Theron’s broad back, the telltale signs of snow coating his gloves pointing to only one conclusion. Theron gasped dramatically. “How could you, ‘Keth?” His hazel eyes narrowed in suspicion. “...And how did you get past Eight?”

“A good Cipher never kiss and tells,” Aketho purred. Theron shuddered as his hot breath ghosted past his ear. “You're my hostage now, Agent Shan. I’m afraid your friends won't be coming to rescue you, either.”

Eight whistled innocently as he turned his back to the two spies in love, stick-holding hands clasped behind him as he walked pointedly in a different direction.

Traitor! Theron assailed him mentally, mouth dropping in an O as he watched his faithful defender hand him to the enemy on a silver platter, complete with plenty of snow.

He slumped in Aketho’s embrace, giving up. “Well, I could think of worse people to be captured by.” He smiled, entwining their fingers together. His smirk grew lascivious. “Wanna ditch this place and get warmed up somewhere else?”

Amusingly enough, he was waiting for the very man who had ‘shown’ him that truth--although Aketho would have appreciated finding out another way. Ardun reached out to him for a mission, and while he didn’t give details over the holo, Aketho knew it was some sort of undercover ops. 

Swirling his brandy, Aketho lounged back in the dark corner of the casino’s bar, scanning the room for his contact. Ruby red eyes finally landed on the young human man he noticed sitting at the bar--stylish red jacket, well kept tawny brown hair, warm eyes, and cybernetics framing on the left side of his brow. He certainly cut a handsome figure, and to the casual observer, he would be just another patron looking to relax for the evening. Aketho, however, could see those warm eyes surveying the room with a sharp, observant gaze that slowly took in their surroundings. He was looking for potential signs of trouble.

Aketho knew the other man had already clocked him, although they certainly tried to hide that they did--the double-take didn’t help. The agent chuckled into his drink and continued to watch…until Ardun finally arrived a few moments later. The former Jedi made no move or sign that he saw Aketho, but he knew the older man could sense him. His eyes followed as Ardun casually made his way up the stairs to the VIP lounges where they planned to meet. 

Giving it several minutes to not raise suspicion, Aketho was about to stand when he noticed the young man at the bar set down some credits before making his way up the same set of stairs. A well shaped eyebrow rose as his eyes followed the man’s assent. Well now, either that was a coincidence, or he was getting a partner for this mission. Finishing the rest of his drink, he got up a few minutes later and followed them both to the upper floors. 

He silently counted his steps as he approached the private room and punched in the code given. As he crossed the threshold he noticed Ardun’s amused look. Aketho was about to ask when he felt the barrel of a blaster pressed to his temple. Casually he glanced in the wielder’s direction and was met with a set of beautiful hazel eyes glaring at him like he was evil incarnent. 

Aketho cocked a brow and grin as he looked back at the former Jedi. “Friend of your’s, Ardun?” he asked in amusement.

“He is,” Ardun chuckled before jestering toward Aketho, “Theron, this is the agent I was telling you about.”

There was a long pause before the blaster was pulled away. Aketho looked over at his ‘assailant’ again, who was giving the old Jedi an incredulous stare before glancing in the Chiss’s direction before back again.

“You’re telling me he’s the infamous Cipher Nine?” Theron asked, pointing at said Cipher.

“Aketho…I-”

“Are we alone?” Aketho asked quietly, gambling that the older man had set up sensors or tapped into the camp's security feed. When he didn’t get a response he glanced over and saw Theron looking back at the terminal but appeared to be looking at something other than what was on the screen. After another long moment the Human replied.

“Yeah, we’re alone,” he said, looking back at Aketho with confusion and concern.

Aketho couldn’t keep the small grin at that. He set down his datapad and crossed his arms, staring ahead.

“Yes, I had asked Master Satele if she knew any Chiss Jedi…considering how rare they would most likely be,” the Agent said.

“Are you looking for someone in particular?”

“How much do you know about the Ascendancy?” Aketho asked instead of replying.

A brunette eyebrow shot up, but Theron did not comment at the dodge of his question.

“I know what would probably be considered the basics--social structure, what language is spoken, basic policies,” he replied.

Aketho nodded, that seemed to be standard for most Republic agents. “What about their view of Force sensitives?”

That got him a head tilt--which absolutely didn’t remind him of an inquisitive akk pup.

“I’m aware they’re not fond of them…”

“That’s an understatement,” Aketho snorted, a frown creasing his lips. As much as he loved his home and people, this was the one of the few things he hated about them. “They see Force sensitivity as a disease that needs to be…purged from our people.”

“...when you say purged…” Theron asked cautiously.

“Exiled into Unknown Space, for the most part,” Aketho replied, “Although I’m sure there have been worse fates for some who are found out.”

“I see,” the SIS agent said softly, hazel eyes searching Aketho’s, “And the person you’re asking after…”

“My older brother…Kthira'orm'omi…Raormo, although I don’t know if he’s going by that name still,” he said quietly, eyes falling to the ground. Aketho could still vividly remember the day his brother’s abilities were discovered by those outside of their House. While House Kthira kept several Force sensitives in their ranks--seeing them as useful…assets--with Raormo’s abilities out in the open, there’d be no hiding him. 

The authorities had come to their home quickly, however unlike most, Raormo was not pulled away by force. Instead, the official from the Ascendancy sat down and respectfully spoke with their parents on the options they had--all would end up with his brother being sent away. Aketho remembered crying into his brother’s arms--still too young to have control over his emotions--apologizing for his mistake. His brother had smiled and soothed him, saying it wasn’t his fault over and over until the tears finally dried up. Even now he could feel those calming words keep those feelings at bay.

Aketho glanced over at Theron, who had taken a step closer to him, hand hovering near his elbow. “When it was discovered that Raormo was Force sensitive, my parents used their pull with the Greater Houses to get him smuggled out to the Jedi. Perks of being a House of assassins, I suppose--you have several favors you can call in.”

Theron was silent for a few minutes before his hand finally touched Aketho’s elbow, squeezing lightly. Aketho smiled softly at that, appreciating the comfort offered.

“Are you trying to find him to reconnect?” Theron asked.

“Something like that,” the former Cipher replied with a wry smile. “I suppose I’m just looking to apologize again…and…to make sure he’s been doing well with the Jedi.”

“Apologize?” the SIS agent asked in bemusement.

“I…” Aketho hesitated a moment, before closing his eyes and letting out a soft breath. “I’m the reason he was discovered. I was playing somewhere I shouldn’t have and he used the Force to stop debris from crushing me…”

“Aketho...” The hand on his elbow tightened, causing him to look back up. “You were a kid…I’m sure he doesn’t blame you.”

The younger man let out a soft laugh. “I know…he said as much before being taken away…I just…”

“Continue to blame yourself,” Theron finished.

“Yeah…I…just miss him…I looked up to him. Wanted to be just like him…”

“If I didn’t think it’d get us in trouble, I’d hold you right now,” the brunette murmured.