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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