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echoedcrosshairs · 9 months

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Just Cad / Cad Bane x F Reader

After reading @sinisterexaggerator post about Cad being depressed it gave me a angst/fluff idea if you haven’t read it you should & @dreamswithghosts for gif

Summary: After pairing with you Bane kept you around, one day he drops you off realizing he made a grave mistake seeing you take a bounty with the last people he ever wants to see again.

/ Bad Batch Era Bane / ~> might rewrite and develop more but idk

Warning: Angst, Fluff, Rough Cowboy & Cuddly Cowboy, mild adult subject. PG-13

Word count: 3.1k

After completing the score, Bane had grown more quiet than normal. He was already a man of a few words but the silence was heavy in the air, even Todo had been quietly sitting in his copilot chair. It hadn't been a high stakes bounty or a high profile case, it was open and closed the closes one would get to easy money in this line of work. You spun your chair in a circle groaning before getting up and wrapping your arms around the silent Duros keeping yourself under his hat not to knock it off. Smelling the familiar blaster traces and leather on him, he didn't even try to pry you off.

"Okay, Cowboy, what is it?" you asked letting the concern lace your voice.

"Nuff'in."

"Cad Bane, don't you lie to me," you said pulling yours arms off him staring down at the brim of his hat, "What is it? Bounty too boring? Let's find any another to do."

"Dat ain't it."

"So tell me!" you said impatiently.

"Droppin you off."

Your blood ran cold, time stood still looking down at him and it was if reality was breaking, "For how long?" his silence was answer enough. You went back to your seat but you couldn't sit still, your leg bounced wildly. You got up headed to the bunk room, you looked down at his bunk shaking your head grabbing your stuff off the top bunk and mini closet. Both of you weren't a couple but why did it hurt like a break up? You thudded your ahead against the shelf of the bunk trying to pull yourself together. Sure there had been moments where glances lasted longer than they should have or nights where a little to much was drank that opened him up to talk or maybe the occasional hug to the man you considered a friend. Thought was, you mentally corrected, but was never more than that so why was he kicking you out? You wanted to demand answers but you knew once he made up his mind that was it.

You unholstered his LL-30 copy you had on for the bounty just incase nothing had gone to plan, you laid it on his bunk not having enough strength to face him. Bane was a cold blooded killer, most would consider this a blessing but you knew him deeper down than most there was still a person underneath those sharp teeth and crimson eyes. For a man who had it all, the title of the best, the first pick of any bounty he the fear and respect that came along with that there was always something under the surface the loomed over him that you couldn't describe other than lonesome.

You took yourself down to the ramp bay with the two duffels in tow. Minutes went by, you heard the metal of his respirator and the click of his boots against the floor, "I still don't understand why..." you paused to take a deep breath, "I guess I'll see you when I see you, Cowboy," you uttered at his shadow waiting by the ramp.

"Ya betta off."

"I'm better off? I'm better off with the one person I trust."

"Dat's a weakness a cute lil lady likya can' afford."

You turned to him gawking, "Bane did you just call me cute?"

"Ya know whatta mean'" he grumbled looking at you, "ain't this no place for ya." His skin crawled at the hurt in your features and the surprise at the comment, she don' know... he realized. He exhaled, "Missy, ya gotten too close to ma, I don' wancha gettin hurt over meh ya can' ghet close to people in dis profession."

"That should be my decision, Bane..." you looked down to see the ramp lowering you stood at the top of it not wanting to crumble, "You hear me, Cad, I love you," your stomach fell at the confession and it took every ounce of strength to hold it together as you walked down, "Just so you know someone in this universe does."

Bane quickly hit the ramp button the moment you were off, he leaned against the wall supporting himself. He allowed himself a few tears instantly regretting it when Todo showed up.

"Mr. Bane you are crying," Todo said worried.

"No kiddin" Bane grumbled pulling himself up by the boot scraps.

"You should go-" Todo started before Bane cut in, "Quit ya yappin, da woman is a risk."

"A risk to your heart maybe," Todo said sourly.

"What was dat?" Bane growled.

"You don't let anyone close anymore, it was obvious how you felt about each other."

Banes fingers found the metal plate on his head, "Lets go, Todo," no one knew him not really or what was going on in his head, left for dead on one of his bad days by so called colleagues. He wanted to spat at the memory of falling and Boba. If they didn't understand him to see what was wrong no one would. Being abandoned by Jango, he didn't want to go through that again but ain't dat what I just did to 'er...? Bane frustratedly kicking the wall, "Dang nabbit," he gridded out at how hard he had kicked it.

"Mr. Bane, I do insist you go fix this," Todo said putting his hands on his hips floating himself to Bane's eye level, "before she gets to far."

"Shut it, droid. 'I know wat I'm do'in."

"I don't think you do if your kicking your precious ship."

Bane growled stalking back off to the cockpit and slumped into the set staring out the window finding you walking away. His eyes trailed you until you were no longer visible as you disappeared deep into the streets. A familiar ache formed in his chest causing his finger to drum against the armrest of the chair, he wanted to take off and continue but he couldn't bring himself to start the ship. Bane had forgotten to shut off the alert for when you got to far from him, it dinged almost causing him to jump. He looked down seeing a bounty rooster with your name on it, drat woman you haven' been gone fora hour, his frozen blood boiled seeing who you were signed up with.

"She don' know 'em," he seethed seeing both Boba's and Bossk's names along with a couple other less noticeable hunters names.

"You did terminate your partnership with her, Mr. Bane," Todo pointed out, "It's only natural she continues with others. However if we retrieve her..."

"Can' care 'bout er," Bane affirmed but didn't make it any easier then he saw Embo's name on the list, "Ya getting ya way this once," he growled getting up heading into the bunk room eyes narrowing on the blaster, "She ain't even armed," he hissed holstering it.

"We will find the annoying mammal," Todo hated having her around causing Bane to split his attention but he seemed more like his old self having her around.

"Betta find her fast before dey leave."

Info fob took you to a run down busted cantina that definitely shouldn't have had their license to operate but it was the perfect out of sight place for Hunters to met up, which you suspected is the only reason the establishment was still open. You didn't know anyone from the list but you easily picked them out in the small crowd clustered in the back and the anxious looking people around them. You slide into booth introducing yourself, all of them glared at you.

"Is there something on my face?" You asked nervously.

"Nothing," the one called Boba's say, "Didn't realize your ball would give you enough chain to be by yourself without him."

"Bane...?" You asked stupidly which got a stupid reply of yes, "We're not a team anymore, he dropped me here and is probably long gone."

Boba hitched an eyebrow, "Is that so?"

"What does he need with a geek like me anyway, he has that droid anyway."

"We should get going, Bossk is going to meet up with us on the ship." All of you got up after Boba following him to the ship dock. You didn't even think twice about it even with Boba's connotation about Bane made it seem like they were less that associates it would be off whatever world this was.

Shuffling into the seat you heard the Trandoshan's breathing and turned around watching him stroll in sniffing, "I recognizess your ssmell but I don't recognizess you."

You rolled your eyes greeting him with your name and your former partner, "Is it really that big of a deal?" you muttered to yourself.

"Only to a select few."

Before you took off you saw it, the Justifier still docked and a blue figure staring straight at you. No one else seemed to noticed him in the distance and the ship took off towards everywhere the assignment was. You hadn't even bothered checking other then it was off planet. You fidgeted in your seat trying to shake the feeling that something was wrong.

"Whatss iss it?" Bossk hissed.

"I feel... like we're being followed... I can't explain it."

"Bane," Boba growled, "Anyone want to say hi?" he said sarcastically before the ship got one single blast.

Your pad started beeping, "Are you farking kidding me?" you grumbled pulling it out staring at it, Ghet back on da ship, now, 'You made me leave,' you replied, "Let's go."

Boba punched it, hitting light speed to get out of there, "What did he want?"

"Me," you mumbled. You pulled your legs up to your chest wrapping your arms around them letting your head slump against the seat. You eyed the room discreetly, feeling dejected but wondering why he didn't want you around them if that was what this was about. Your pad went off again, I'm comin, don' trust'em.

"I take it you don't know?" Boba said.

"Don't know what?"

"Bane was one of my mentors. Absolutely cruel to me; irony because my father was his mentor. One day while we were out on a bounty, Bane didn't care about how we went about it or if we even completed it. Him and I dueled for leadership, he lost and somehow lived."

"Oh..." you had wondered about the metal plate, remembering how every time you asked how belligerent he got especially after a couple drinks. You were very aware of Bane's temper and ruthless but unlike them you understood there had to be a deeper reason, at least there had to be... right? "Well he's coming," you didn't know what else to say. You saw the silent conversation between Bossk and Boba wondering if you were about to catch in the crossfire, "What's the plan?"

"We'll see what he does when we land."

The moment you land hell erupts you and boba barely getting off the ramp finding Bane there guns drawn glaring, "Wan'da little lady, hand'er over," he was staring directly at Boba. If his eyes weren't already crimson they would have been with the rage rolling off of him. His pinky tapped against the butt of the gun waiting, he wanted to look at you but didn't want a distraction in cause this went south.

"We're busy," Boba glared Bossk and Embo following standing behind us, "You're the one who's going to hurt her Bane, not us," Boba added.

"Bessst be leaving," Bossk hissed.

"Gimme the girl an' I'll be gone," he watched fangs bared as Bossk pointed his blaster at your head and it was not on stun, "Don' dink 'bout it."

"Bane..." fear laced your voice as much as you tried to hide it your eyes looking at the blaster then at him, "I don't know what's going on in your head but please, go."

"What ya said gave meh to much to dink'bout, so yer comin with meh," he exhaled calculating how fast he could shoot and drop them before they dropped you realizing his odds were good but not great.

"Cowboy, it's been a great ride... but for me, you have to go," we're you putting his safety over yours? The things people do in the name of love, by the look in his face you no one had ever done that for him.

He snarled looking at them but he backed into the shadows furious at himself for stepping away. He listened for what seemed forever when he heard one blaster shot ring out. Bane seethed fist curling around his pistols even more enraged that he let his emotions get the better of him m. He'd uncharacteristically shown his weakness the one thing he had tried to strengthen Boba against so he wouldn't make the same mistake his father did and they killed you for being his. Bane wanted to turn around, stand his ground and make them pay but the pleading in your voice for him to go kept him walking, He'd face worse odds before but there was a time and place for revenge.

"Mr. Bane?" Todo asked.

"Dey killed her," he said, his voice laced with defeat as he climbed back into the Justifer, alone.

"That sshould buy uss time," Bossk hissed.

"That farking hurt!" You snapped grabbing the wound, Embo already returning with the med kit.

"Had to make it convincing," Boba shrugged, "Complete this bounty, you won't need to worry about needing Bane to make a name for yourself."

"No but I'll have to worry about you sticking your neck out for me, we both know he'll be back with a vengeance," you had a choice, you could earn yourself the respect to work alone or you could keep them from waring each other.

Bane put a leg up on the dash letting the other bounce realizing how much of his life had fallen apart, mentor dead, person he considered a friend turned out to a Jedi in disguise, getting injured, losing a major bounty and now this. He stuck a toothpick between his teeth and set his hat in his lap wondering about the exactly moment everything went wrong.

"Mr. Bane! Look!" Todo said pointing the limping figure towards the ship.

Bane didn't look he put his hat back on and ran to the ramp, "Yer alive," he said dumb founded grabbing your limping form from the bottom of it.

"Don't make me regret un-faking my death," you gridded out the steps up the ramp causing the pain in your leg to make you grunt, "Already regret it," you groaned forcing yourself to sit down the moment you were up the ramp.

"Why'd ya do it?"

"Come back? I didn't want you blaming yourself, the bounty was tempting however," you admitted, "could have made a name for myself," you mumbled.

" 'gain why didn' ya?" Bane poked.

"Don't make me say it again," you groaned standing up finally feeling the patch start to work, "First time was bad enough," because it had, it had hurt to admit the truth. You never had the intention of telling him, happy to just let things be but there was rarely a moment you couldn't read him and standing there dropping you off there was nothing you understood then again trying to get you back the look on his face said he going to go down a war path he couldn't come back from and it would have been your fault if he got killed. You blinked as you felt his arm reach out and curl around you vice gripping you to his lean frame, "Bane?"

"Cad," he grumbled breathing in your scent no longer able to smell the iron over powering it, "just Cad."

You put your arms around him, not once had he ever voluntarily hugged you or hugged back, you felt his chest rumble almost like a pur. Your face nervously smiled not wanting to say anything, he tried to pull away but you pulled him closer listening to it, "I like it, although would be better without these," you said tapping the breathing tubes. He didn't even hesitate removing them dropping them to the floor before returning his arm around you. You seemed to melt closer to him, it sounded more authentic without the metal rattle.

His pulled his arm away, “Leave it,” he said looking down at the breathing piece tugging you by the hand to the cockpit, “Gotta gehet da ship outta here,” he said dropping your hand as he slide into the pilots seat.

Much to Todo’s hovering annoyance you took the copilot seat, “I hope you prematurely take off your patch.”

You rolled your eyes snatching the droid mid air and hugging him, “Careful lil fella, I might give ya an accent like Bane’s and make you sing,” you teased releasing the companion, you chuckling as that instilled the fear of the maker in him because he knew how good and fast you could reprogram him.

“Mr. Bane you’re not going to let her… right?!”

The Duros chuckled, “Maybeh.”

“I’m going to go lay down,” you yawned forgetting how draining the patches were. It didn’t take long before you heard foot steps behind you, stalking your movement to the bunk room.

“Don’ dink bout hopin up there,” he voiced watching you look up, “ ‘mer,” he said taking off his hat resting it on a post and climbed into the bunk. He watched you stare at him, “ ‘Mer, ain’t gonna bite ya,” he watched you climb in and he wrapped himself around you practically half laying on you. Life had broken him down, but thinking you were dead had destroyed him albeit temporarily. He felt your arm wrap around him feeling nails lightly in his back not lustful but in need of his solidarity. Bane’s lip twitched as that infernal purring started again.

“What do have you have to think about?”

“Ya really didn’ know how I feel?” He whispered.

It was weird seeing the bounty hunter who astutes confidence and authority in every moment seem so.. just human, “No. I never expected to see you again either.” The purring stopped replaced with a momentary growl, “Bane?” You said tilting your head to him, “What is it?” He was silent. “Cad?”

“Da feelin’ mutual,” he felt compelled to say after hearing his name on your lips. The purring started and he heard you make a small happy hmm noise. He didn’t need to say it, you both knew what he meant. “When it’s meh and you, it’s Cad.”

“Cad,” the name rolled off your tongue like expensive spotchka, “Only I get to call you?” he nodded. Your hand roamed his head gently and the other light stroked his back, “I don’t regret it anymore,” you teased, “so cowboy, what’s next?”

“For ya missy? Go ta’bed, wanna enjoy dis,” he said exhaling enjoying the scent of you and feel of you finally touching him, “Maybeh we go ta’beh,” he mumbled feeling heavier and suddenly tired.

“Let’s go to bed… Cad,” you smiled turning a little more into the blue space cowboy’s embrace hearing the pur slowly stop as both of you fell asleep.

#cad bane fic #cad bane x you #cad bane fanfic #cad bane x female reader #cad bane x f reader #cad bane x reader #space cowboy #cad bane thots #duros #duros x you #bad batch cad bane

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echoedcrosshairs · 10 months

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Playing with Fire / Cad Bane ~ part one

Summary; Cad Bane sets foot in a library looking for information, quickly coming to learn you were more then the average librarian. As a former Bounty Hunter you decide to help out, you’re smart and that’s an asset he could use but that wise mouth has him wondering what use he could use and if it would be worth it

Warning; Fluff, Angst, Emotional Turmoil, Violence, Smut, PiV(eventually-brief mention), alien (obviously), Cad Bane can kind of be an ass, age gape (canonically during clone wars Bane is 41-43ish) reader is mid 20’s, sapiosexual, mild toxicity that gets fixed, toothpicks 🤌🏻

Word count: 3k

Part two

Masterlist

Might turn into a series, let me know if you like it

Humming a small instrumental ballad helped keep you awake at this late hour along with enough caf that would cause a regular person to need a medic. You sipped the huge canister mindlessly as you strolled around the library putting dusty tomes away happy to be working on one of the last paper libraries in the galaxy. Your feet traced the familiar pattern of the library bouncing section to section as you dusted and returned books back to their proper places. The books themselves smelled like history waiting to be remember from long forgotten minds and the promise of small vacation without having to leave a sofa or a bed. Life was hectic as is sometimes the promises of that short vacation was promising but there were never enough hours in the day or days that you remained awake. You heard the door open with the faint bell not perceptible to most, you grabbed your caf and quickly headed to the service counter to greet who ever had come in at this late hour.

“Welcome to the library on Vossos, how can I assist your inquiry?” the greeting rolled off your tongue like your own name which was permanently engrained into your cortex.

“Matta’ o fact I be lookin for an old book ‘bout the plants of dis here planet. Any i’dere where a book like that might be?” He asked rolling a tooth pick between his teeth using his canines to hold it steady.

“Right this way sir, I’m assuming your interested in the poisonous variety?” you inquired noticing his blasters and gadgets about his body.

“Matta’ a fact lil lady that is indeed what I be lookin for,” he said tilting his hat up letting you see his Duros predatory eyes internally surprised when you were unfazed by it, he’d seen the locals with barely an alien in sight.

You flipped the sign on your desk saying with you were with a patron and you’d be back soon as a formality, “Right this way sir, I’ll show you which one I consider the best out of the current selection of our poisonous flowera.”

“Ain’tchu an interestin librarian. You best not be waistin’ ma time. Let hurry it up, I got betta things to do,” he groaned out following after you.

You listened to the metal distortion in his voice, the thick unplaceable accent but you could identify from the ocean depths skin and bright crimson eyes that he was a Duros. “Reptilian humanoid, advance hunting instincts and scent tracking via olfactory organs under their eyes, green blood, avid travelers and explorers..”

“Quit ya yapping, soundin like one of these here books.”

“Sorry,” you offered with a small laugh, “This is the book,” you said pulling the newest book off the shelf and handed it to him, “I recommend pages 152-183, I think that is what your looking for,” you smiled automatically opening the book to the pages, “Tell that droid who’s discreetly following to commit to his memory banks.”

“How did you know I was there?” Todo said moving in hovering next to Bane.

“I have exceptional hearing in confined space like the small rattle of bell above the door.”

“That is most fascinating, Bane she might-“

“Can it, Todo.”

“If you need any further assistance just shout,” you said giving the man a small nod noticing the sharp fangs at the corners of his mouth.

“D’anks.”

You strode away leaving him to his research not waiting to interfere or catch wind of whatever nasty business brought him in under the cover of darkness as much as your curiosity was compelling you to put the puzzle pieces together. Your lips found the straw of your caf taking a few large gulps before turning your attention back to the checklist of books that needed to be marked returned that you were putting off doing. Your finger drummed against your desk as your eyes danced between the chart of returned books and the list checking them off, circling the ones not yet returned. Every few books your mind would wonder back to the mysterious man and his droid, it was like thinking about him caused him to appear. You looked to see him walking towards you with his droid in tow.

“Lil lady, wanna earn a few credits? You knowin’ this place will keep ma from wastin ma time.”

“Depends, what would be the task?” You ask looking up at him resting your face on your palm.

Cad Bane stared at you almost seeing the wheels turning in your head along with the interest about the proposition, “Wanna have you come with ma, you won’ wanna wear somethin’ so pretty. Wear somethin’ ya can worth throw away it might get messy.”

“Are we killing someone’s or going into the woods?” you asked curiously.

“Lil of both.”

“When do we go?”

“Wastin’ darkness, betta get it ova’ with before he knowin’ it comin’. Ain’tchu a curious one, we hav’a deal?”

“You didn’t tell me a price,” you countered, “But if it’ll get me out of doing this list, let me grab my coat. What I am wearing is fine.”

“Still think this is a good idea?” Bane asked Todo.

“You are actually asking my opinion! That is wonderful. She does seem highly intelligent and insightful, I do think it would make our task easier.”

Bane started walking after you watching you lock up finding you taking off your top layer of clothes folding them into a nice stack onto the desk revealing a slimming snug bodysuit that left nothing to the imagination grabbing a coat made with similar material which hung to your thighs. He notes the hidden vibro blades concealed in the sleeves. Maybe a little too intelligent and insightful for her own good. Interesting lil thing. He watched you adjust the coat and the cuffs before bending over and fastening your shoes tighter. Bane ran his tongue over his teeth wondering if this was turning into a game of cat and mouse.

“Are you going to keep staring or are we leaving?” you asked arching an eyebrow at him.

Bane adjusted his hat with a curt nod grabbing the tooth pick from his mouth and tossing it into the trash, his curling, “You didn’ seem to hesitatin’ comin’ wit me,” he probed.

“Maybe some fresh air will do me good,” you offered, “I mean you did see the big jug of caf.”

“Hmm,” came from Banes mouth observing you and how relaxed you seemed, “Names Cad Bane.”

You introduced yourself him slotting away his name for further research, it seemed familiar but not in a good way. Oddly enough it sent a small shiver down your spine as you strolled into the ship after him. The Justifier, interesting name. Do the means justify the ends or do the ends justify the means? Or was the name simpler then that? You let a small delirious sounding laugh finally remembering where you’d heard his name before.

“What is thee Cad Bane doing out here in Vossos? Nothing is out here, barely any crime not even a decent trade port?”

“Dat be a good question, whatsa librarian skin’ wearing somethin like dat?” He countered finally eyeing you but not smelling a shred of fear.

“To distracting?” you asked noticing his fixated gaze.

“Somethin’ nice to be lookin’ at in da mean time,” he smiled noticing you looking at him, “just makes ma wonda if there’s more to ya.”

“There’s always more to a person then what you see.”

“No kindin.”

The conversation lapsed into silence as both of you examined each other with curious eyes even though it was hard for you to read him with his hat covering you.

“Pick?” You asked pointing at the tooth pick and sticking out your hand.

“Don’ like sharin’ maybe if you wanna risk gettin’ it outta my mouth,” he scoffed like it was you asking for his personal com number. His jaw dropped when you walked up next to him and grabbing it out of his mouth sticking the dry side in your teeth.

“He’s letting you live!” Todo said flabbergasted.

“He asked for my help consider it a tax for it being so short noticed,” you replied.

He put another one in his mouth smiling with his exposed fangs, “Wastin’ time, the pick don’ matta I got more.”

Your light footsteps fell in sync with his, every footstep silent except for the ground shifting underneath. Todo flew ahead to survey the forest head location finding the small shed ahead with one heat signature. He swooped down and dug out one of the plants before returning and bragging about it enough that Cad threatens to turn him into spare parts if he didn’t shut up.

“Any i’deres bout gettin him to eat it?” he whispered.

“Why do you have to poison him?” you questioned.

“Part of da request,” he shrugged.

“Give me that,” you said grabbing the plant from his cold hand, you flicked out one of the vibro knifes and cut it up to where it was barely recognizable, “I got a couple ideas,” you tucked the knife away and walked your way up to the shake hearing Bane hiss behind you asking what you were doing. Maybe you should know what type of business happens on this planet. You hiked your way through the brush and knocked on the door brazenly. The door swung open to someone you’ve never seen in town before, not that it mattered. “Heard you were looking for some company,” smiled coyly at him.

“I didn’t-“

“Well someone paid for your tab and your up anyway, sure you wanna waste it?” you said stroking the door frame eyeing himself a smile.

“Waste a ladies company? Never,” he said opening the door.

The toothpick fell out of Bane’s mouth watching you stroll in like you owned the place. He slowly moved closer to the house sniffing every few seconds just in case he needed to go in guns blazing. Stupid librarian or whatever she is. That girl is playing with fire with that cat inside. Bane practically was pressed up against the window watching them drink and laugh… then the man fell over and your eyes found his with a smile.

You eyed the crimson in the window and blue skin looking at you offering him a wave as you sat there with your legs cross just sipping the tea watching the man twitch on the floor until he finally stilled. You looked back up find Bane standing with his hands on his hips. Smirking you sipped your tea watching him come in.

“I bet this was real boring for a man of you… expertise.”

“He coulda killed ya,” Bane said moving his arms folding them over his chest.

“Oh he tried, unfortunately for him I’m the bigger burra fish here.”

“What are ya woman?”

“Just the helpful librarian.”

“That’s who you are!” Todo said rushing forward flying around you, “Bane do you know who this is?” He said excitedly.

“No but I know’ your gonna tell me ‘bout anyway.”

Todo repeated your name a few times excitedly, “She’s an informant for bounty hunters! You want to know something and she finds it! Quiet the record for bounty catches too.”

“Was,” you correctly coldly stalking about out of the room away from them. Todo tried to follow you but you kept swatting him away. You plopped down back in the seat and waiting for Bane to arrive.

“Answer ma one question before we go, why’d ya give it up if you were so good?”

“Why did you invite me to come if you’re so good?” You countered.

“ ‘spose that’s enough of an answer. Todo, he on board?”

“Yes, Mr. Bane. Obviously.”

“Good, fly the ship. You watta join me for drink?” Bane asked.

“Going to try to take me out?” You smiled.

Cad leaned over your chair and offered you the toothpick in his mouth of his own freewill hearing Todo gasp, “Insurance I won’t.” Your breath was warm against the cool of his skin sending a little tingle through him. As soon as you pulled away his fingers went to his arm band and turned up the temperature on his body suit wondering if it was a failure in his equipment or if you were just a walking sun lap. He lead you down the hall to a little bar room even if it was only stocked with one drink.

Bane tilted his hat up letting you take a good look at his face, the blue hue of rivaled the depths of sapphire and eyes like the finest wine on Coruscant. It was a striking bold combination. You grabbed the shot he passed you and slammed it back, wincing which rose a chuckled out of him. It reverberated in his throat low. You tried to keep the smile off your face but you couldn’t help it, you’d never been a fan of the hard stuff but you tried. Grabbing the refilled shot your hand grazed against his chilled hand as a reflex you quickly pulled back.

“I don’ bite. Hard,” he mused.

“The reproductive biology of Duros during heighten states of their cycle-“

“Woman stop bein a damn manual.”

“I actually going to ask how that works if their mate is a non Duros. Let’s say like us mammals our skin isn’t designed for that roughness.”

“If ya keep hangin’ round maybe I’ll show ya how it werks.”

“Are you asking for my continued help?” you raised.

“Wi’dout knowin betta, I’d say you’d be interested.”

“As long as the work isn’t boring and if I’m reading you promise to leave me alone.”

Something almost warm stirred in Bane at the easy acceptance, mentally weighing the pro’s and con’s of having a rival on board but you didn’t seem to care about the credits, “Whats ya angle? Don’ seem to care ‘bout the creds,” he made himself ask.

“The great Cad Bane scared of a pretty little librarian wanting to be helpful”

Bane growled at the comment staring at you for a moment squinting before returning to his natural relaxed state, “Don’ ever accuse me of bein’ scared again, I’m cautious dats all.”

“I got more than enough credits to tie me over for life, spending so much time around books makes me forget how to be around people.”

Bane sniffed the slight change in the air about your scent, it was a little sweeter but just faintly twinged with excitement, “Was it somethin’ I said? You don’ wanna go messin’ with dis Duros, scrawny thang.”

You looked down at yourself realizing what the growl had stirred before looking back up at him, “You’re calling me scrawny? Duros are naturally of slender thinner builds with muscle tone not designed for athletics instead designed knowledgable which is why your semi large cranium. By the looks of it I have more meat on my bones then you do.”

Bane grabbed the toothpick out your mouth flicking the wet side into his mouth tasting your saliva, it was a bold mating declaration if there ever was one from him. Some day some where some time, he was going to have his way with you and enjoy every moment of making you go dumb for him to shut that loud mouth up. As he poured another set of shots, he let his tongue side over the glossing over all of the information his advances senses could acquire.

“Or is it your age making you on the thinner side? You are technically middle aged for your species. However I don’t concur that it means you’re out of your prime, far from it. That is an honest question from someone who’s brain craves information.”

Bane angrily snapped the toothpick in half and it fell out of his jaw unto the ground, he let out one harsh breath because if you were any one else he would killed you right there. Not that Bane cared about you in the slightest but realized you might be worth the hassle of trying to control his temper time to time with whatever annoyingly extensive useful knowledge was racking about in that brain, “D’ose who play with da fire tend to get burned,” the threat was empty but still noticed the way your face twitched for a moment at it, “Bodies always been ‘bout the same,” he admitted.

“I am the fire. Speaking of which you should probably drop me off at the library so I can grab my stuff, or just pick me later if you don’t want to wait.”

Bane let you off the ship and closed the ramp grumbling about how much of a pain that useful brain was. You got back to the library and packed everything you had into three bags and got back to work shoveling books away and slept until it was time for the next shift. Bane hadn’t come back yet and you didn’t mind, the short lived adventure recharging your batteries for the literature kind. It gave you time to pick new books and retrieved unreturned books by whatever means where necessary from knocking on doors to fisticuffs. For the most part your brain didn’t think about Bane but again it was like he summoned from hell, you looked up during your shift and saw him standing there waiting for you. It had almost been a month but you never did specify when later was. Smugly you closed the library and grabbed the three bags and a fourth one you acquired for books that could be handy, “Let’s go cowboy, kept me waiting long enough,” you said, “It better be something worth my time.”

“Woman,” Bane muttered flicking the tooth pick to be ground and trailing after you wondering how much he was going to regret this.

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