Morning fellow SSB fans.

First of all I sincerely apologise for the considerable delay in the posting of this rather short chapter. Writer’s block is a bitch and unfortunately its taken this long just to make the damn chapter readable.

I can’t promise to do better in future, though hopefully now we are past this awkward point, this will flow a smidge more easily.

Hope all of you are enjoying yourselves.

(Once again, this world belongs to Bluefishcakes, and for the knickertwisters this is not canon).

Am eager to hear your ideas about the future of this story, please don’t hesitate to express your thoughts.

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The Thunderchild hurtled through the void of space, bound for a corner of the Empire David was idly researching, lying back against the bulkhead behind his bunk, finger flicking against surface of the Shil pad in his hands.

Sighing in boredom he cursed the petty squabbles between the noble houses, and the fact that such squabbles frequently spilled into bloodshed. This particular sector he was bound towards wasn’t known to be a particularly valuable area, but the original official reports had predicted a much greater production of raw materials than was presently being produced. The daughter of Noble House X was running the joint as a chance to prove herself. However, Noble House Y was insisting that she was diddling the Empire out of its rightful slice of the profits by skimming off the top.

To add to the situation, Noble House Z who had initially offered (and been declined) their shipping line to transport the materials to refineries situated in their territory, was renewing their offer with a vigour which intrigued the T’koltha command, resulting in David and Kato being pinged across the galaxy into what was looking alarmingly like a blood-bath in the making, if only to remind the three houses of where their first loyalties should lie, before more… persuasive parties such as I-TAD were dispatched, particularly as tax evasion was being mentioned in a not so subtle manner.

Tossing the pad onto the small table beside his bed, David slid his glasses up on his head, rubbing his eyes with a groan of utter boredom and distaste. Not for the first time, he found himself begrudgingly admiring the Shil method of politics, none of the foibles of democracy but every level of the social hierarchy had a counterbalance to keep it in line, be it obvious or not. The aristocracy was permitted to be a collection of backstabbing, brown-nosing dinkleburgs due to the fact they absorbed the majority of the hatred which might otherwise arrive at the throne, that and every once in a while, a rare gem of a competent leader might appear. That and the infighting (as well as the Deaths Head Commandos) ensured that no one took a swipe at the throne.

Though he would never say so aloud, there was no doubt in David’s mind that should the Monarch ever step too far from the line, then there would be a plan in place to bring things on track.

Sighing again he finally gave up trying to compress several star system’s local customs, import rates and aristocratic shenanigans into his head. Swinging his feet of his bed he tightened the cord of his dressing gown and slipped on his worn slippers before padding across the room to open doorway.

Used to normally having an open window, an open door was the next best thing on a space-faring vessel, especially as Kato and himself were the only two aboard, making such a move completely safe as long as you kept one ear out for the soft padding of stealthy footsteps. Turning down the corridor towards the forward area of the vessel he stretched his back, a disturbing series of pops and clicks crackling through the hallway, followed by a satisfying yawn. The effect however was spoilt by his stomach doing its best impression of a heavy deseil engine as it picked up on the fact he was heading for the galley. Poking his head around the doorway of said galley he let out a chuff of amusement at the sight of Kato’s certainly attractive posterior pointed squarely at him as she rummaged through the drawer marked as hers in the “space fridge”.

“Good lord, you’re looking much more attractive than usual today!” David purred in his most sultry tone, only to let out a snort of laughter as the Rai’kiri’s tail stiffened, the poor woman attempting to straighten up, turn around, and extract herself from the fridge in one motion, an action which resulted in a solid sounding “thump” and a string of curses as she clutched her head. “Goddess you little shit!” she growled, glaring at him as he stepped past her and fished an icepack out of the freezer drawer.

“Sorry, didn’t intend the injury” David smiled apologetically, gently guiding her to lean against bench unit as she held the icepack in place.

Attempting to distract the still glowering wolf-woman, David cleared his throat. “Sooooo… you bored as I am or were you just after a snack?”

“I was bored… but then this brother-fucking human tried to give me a concussion!”

“I’m honestly sorry about that!”

“Does that mean you’ll kiss it better?”

“Gods you’re incorrigible!”

“I’m assuming that’s a no?”

David had to pause at that. While he still had his pride, he wasn’t one to cut his nose off to spite his face. Kato was beautiful, both inside and out, he had to confess. His own demi-sexuality and his need for emotional connection was slowly being met as the two of them bonded. They were similar enough in interests and personality to be compatible, yet different enough to not be living in each other’s pockets.

As he reflected more on the situation, as he had often found himself doing during the first week of the voyage, he couldn’t help but be painfully aware of the responsibilities they held for each other.

He fully appreciated this was a crossroads, and he knew which route he was going to try. He trusted this sassy, powerful creature, and despite the look she was giving him, he certainly hoped she trusted him too.

The result of this small pause, much to Kato’s shock, was David, in dressing gown, slippers, jeans and shirt, with his curly hair sticking in all directions, stepping forward, leaning up onto his tip toes and gently lifting the icepack to softly plant a kiss to the spot on top of her head.

Stepping back David regarded the woman, her once frustrated expression now one of wide eyed shock. “Pick your jaw up dear, the wind will change” he admonished gently, surprised as she didn’t seem to hear him, her free hand slowly rising to gingerly press against the spot he’d just kissed.

“Um… Kato?” waving his hand in front of her she simply continued to look at him.

“Did… did you just?”

“Well you did ask nicely”

“That’s not fair!” she suddenly snapped, her eyes narrowing as her tail swished, the venom in her tone causing David to take an involuntary step backwards.

“You… You don’t want anyone like that! I get it! OK?! But by the Goddess you cant just suddenly kiss someone like that and then treat it like it’s a treat to be handed out to pup who’s been good!”

“Hey now!” David felt his blood rising as he crossed his arms. “You’re right! I don’t just hand out affection like sweeties! And let’s be really honest here! You wouldn’t know what or how I want anyone unless I told you! And I know damn well I aint done that! So back up a second and accept the kiss for what it is, and from me!”

“That tells me nothing at all!” she snarled, the venom slowly draining from her voice despite her forced tone, “I’ve been led on before and I’ve no interest in following that trail again!”

“Too right! But I’d like to think you know me better than to assume I’m that kind of prick!”

“So why’d you do it then?”

“Because you asked, and because I wanted too!”

“… What?”

“You heard me! Do with it what you will!”

“W-wait… you… wanted to?”

“… Yes”

“Seriously?”

“Yes!”

“B-but the whole ice-king act!”

“Wasn’t an act, I’m not sexually attracted to anyone I don’t have a… close bond with, don’t ask how it works, I dunno, it was a right pain in the ass at uni”

“So… we have a bond?”

“When you’re not being a pain, sure! I mean, we have dinner and movie every night, we train together during the day, hell… you’re actually a really cool friend when you forget I’m male.”

“I nev…”

“Ah ah, yes you do, and when you do, its really cool, cause then I’m a friend to you, not “The sexy male in need of protection” which you used to see me as.”

“Was I really that obvious?”

“As a cinderblock to the face”

“You lost me”

“Never mind. I think we both need to sit down and think this through.”

David checked his watch, having synced it to the onboard time as soon as he boarded.

“Tell you what, It’ll be dinner time in an hour, Ill preheat us something as we can sort everything out over some good… well… ok food and figure out what we want. Sound ok?”

The Rai’kiri nodded, turning to place the icepack back in the freezer before turning to face him and suddenly looking very small as she stood in front of him.

“Y-Yeah, that… that sounds good.” She glanced down. “I’m sorry I shouted like that, I-I wasn’t expecting anything… I hoped but”

David smiled hopefully, “I get it, and I owe you an apology too, I shouldn’t have just sprung it on you like that after rebuffing you for so long.”

The wolf woman nodded, her tail still low as she shuffled awkwardly. “Soooo in a hour huh?”

David shrugged hi shoulders, “Sounds like a plan, never a good plan to discuss this sort of thing in the heat of the moment, especially considering our professional relationship and our obligation to our roles.”

Kato looked like she was about to argue for a moment but clearly decided against it, scooping up the snack shed come for, spinning on her heel and strutting from the room. For a split second David was genuinely worried he’d blown it, this train of thought however was quickly obliterated as he noticed the slight wag in her tail and the exaggerated sway of her hips as she slipped down the corridor towards her own room.

Heading to the cupboard David peered into the shadowy interior, pondering what exactly he wanted to nibble on before dinner. Finally grabbing a small bag of what looked suspiciously like caramelised pebbles he steadfastly refused to look at the ingredients listed, turning back to his room to get ready for what was obviously going to be an intense conversation.

As he reached his room he paused for a moment in the doorway, eyes roaming over the ridiculously large cabin. Despite offers for more luxurious furniture David had found himself simply asking for a basic bunk with built in drawers, a proper table as well as shelves. The designers had looked taken aback at his request but David had to admit, having the opportunity to treat his accommodation as a blank canvas was comforting, knowing the room would change as he inevitably did. Already he was debating a display shelf along one of the bare walls, determined to grab a souvenir from each place he was sent too.

On the table he’d set up a small display of his (somewhat) painted wargaming miniatures from the Second World War, something which had intrigued Kato just as much as it had the Shil crew on the transport ship. David supposed it had to do with seeing miniature males with firearms.

As it was, he was already exploring the history of toy soldiers through the Empire’s history, a subject which had fascinated him on Earth for years. Pulling open the packet of sweets he popped one in his mouth, warily sucking on it for a few moments as he idly contemplated the possibility of having earth sweets and drinks shipped out. A T’koltha’s salary was generous, and a few good quality bribery items such as alcohol, luxury goods and porno magazines would be perfect for his unofficial role of “research” amongst the employees of the noble houses. If there was one thing David enjoyed about his current role, it was the opportunity to revel in his favourite hobby of bartering and trading, something he’d been notoriously efficient at in nearly every job or social circle he’d ever operated in, strictly above board of course, and he still had good sized lockbox sitting at the foot of his bed full of “items” from his stay on the transporter.

Shuffling over to the bed, he sank onto it gratefully, sighing through his nose as he stared at the blank opposite walls. Despite the heady mix of emotions whirling in his brain, he couldn’t help but feel the need to say something unrelated. Unfortunately for this particular record, rather than anything deep or philosophical, the words that left his mouth were, “Really should get a proper bookshelf going there.”

45 minutes of surprisingly exhausting self reflection, along with some half-hearted attempts not to get his hopes up (memories of that one truly insane ex of his raising some frankly traumatising mental images of the last time he’d committed himself to a long term relationship), David groaned as he pushed himself to his feet. Careful not to scuff his slippers along to floor he padded back to galley, placing a trio of Red Grain in the fridge he grimaced as he found the few pre-mixed gin and tonics that had been scrounged on short notice, renewing his promise to grab some proper damn gin so he could actually mix a proper bloody G&T. Drinks slowly chilling, he caste his eyes about the kitchen, soon finding on the pre-cooked meals Kato seemed to prefer, pairing it with a packaged meal which reminded him (with mixed feelings) of his Duke of Edinburgh tramping trips in the mountains back in New Zealand.

With both meals soon heating in what he had simply branded the “space oven”, all that was left was to put out the plates and table ware, even though the ship was still sparsely appointed in terms of actual furniture, save for the standard shipboard military fixtures.

As the “ding” of the oven announced the meals being ready, David turned, fully intending to call Kato, only to come nose to nipple with a wall of fur, albeit clad in tank top, but certainly a lot closer and quieter than anyone had a right to be.

“JESUS FUCK!!!” he yelped, jumping back against the counter with the solid sounding *smack* of bone on wood.

Looking upwards his eyes narrowed as the smug expression of the black and white Rai’kiri hove into view. “Gotcha!” she almost purred, her tail swaying as she promptly spun on her heel, sauntering seductively over the space oven, bending at the waist to pop it open, clearly advertising her considerable and well proportioned assets for viewing as David grabbed his throbbing hip. “Ya know…” he hissed slightly in pain, “That offer to turn you into a rug still stands!”

“Hmmm, whatever you say” a lilting, teasing purr responded.

“Let me guess, I’m not allowed to help with the rest of dinner?”

“What do you take me for? A traditionalist? Sure you can help, I’m just doing my part by taking the food out.” She turned, swivelling neatly on one foot to face him, her ears flattened and her tail twitching slightly. “That’s definitely going to be something we talk about tonight.”

True to her word, Kato made no move to force him out of the kitchen, content to work around him as he slowly began to relax, in turn beginning to calm down enough to willingly share the work until they both found themselves seated in the entertainment room of the ship, seated (in David’s case more like reclining) on the frankly enormous couch, the space between them piled with snacks, premade meals, and what looked suspiciously like a blue leg of ham with peach fuzz.

After a few moments eating in silence, David found himself too anxious to taste his food, struggling to force it down. The clatter of cutlery being put down on a plate beside him gave him a clue as to the feelings of his neighbour as well.

With a nervous swallow, David turned his head, his eyes instantly seeking out the golden irises of Kato.

“So…. Talk?”