Chapter Text
Maul came around to the loading ramp after completing the re-fuel of their vessel in time to hear his little mate murmur in shock, “Master.” The dark-haired young woman stood frozen on the ramp, hands gripping the packages she had so carefully chosen that afternoon. Her eyes looked large in her pale face as she beheld a tall dark man in Jedi robes across the hangar bay. Maul, instantly filled with jealous indignation, turned with a low growl to intercept the man who was staring stone-faced at the very pregnant young woman. Deep measured tones called across to her, “Padawan Jadbry. Come with us now. We will take you home.” The female Jedi with him nodded and held out an encouraging hand to the girl.
With a roar of rage, Maul called, “Brothers!” and instantly, his mate was hemmed in by all three Dathomirian Zabraks. Maul commanded, “Feral, take her inside.” When she was safely away, inside the ship, Maul ignited the crimson blades of his saberstaff and he and Savage charged at the two Jedi, who had brought themselves into quick ready-stances at first sight of the three formidable men.
Maul swiftly gathered to himself blazing anger and intense hate to fuel his dark Force energy. These Jedi dare to interfere with me and mine?! They will burn at the point of my blade and the galaxy will be purged of their loathsome presence. If they have unsettled the girl in any way….
Maul’s saber slammed violently into the purple blade of his bald opponent, and he snarled, “She has made her choice, Jedi.”
The Koran Jedi parried and twirled away, then with a flash, his blade struck out towards Maul’s muscular leg with lightning accuracy. Maul blocked the blow handily, then bared his teeth in a fiendish grin. He recognized Vaapad. And from sparring with his little mate, knew the lightsaber form was easily matched with his Juyo counters.
The Jedi spat out accusingly, spinning his blade towards Maul, “What choice did you give her, Darksider?”
The flash of memory came immediately to Maul’s mind. Ruthlessly gripping the pale girl in a strangling Force Hold up at eye level, golden yellow eyes meeting violet blue. Then the surprise of her lovely scent as it lit up his hindbrain. My Mate. Take her. Claim her as your own!
At once the Sith driven desire to utterly destroy the Jedi acolyte clashed with the deep and all but forgotten primal instincts of his kind.
He pulled her closer and his words surprised the both of them.
“You can die as a Jedi or live as my mate, little human. Choose.”
Maul felt a sting of discomfort at his brutality to her that day, but did not let the feeling of that memory distract him during this deadly encounter with her former associate and he evaded the blow and countered with a fierce strike which pushed the Jedi back. “She is mine.”
“She belongs with us at the Temple. Let her go!” Commanding words unexpectedly partnered with a strong Force Suggestion.
Hypocritical Jedi! Spouting freedom while feebly exerting mind control.
“You shall not take her from me!”
The thought of losing his mate to these filthy Jedi drove him to a flurry of blows and strikes and his foe was driven back towards the hangar wall. A quick glance at his brother showed that Savage was easily overpowering his smaller Jedi opponent, so Maul increased the fury of his attack, slamming the dark man across the hangar with a bruising Force Push.
Maul suddenly felt a tug on his mating bond; a gentle wave of concern coming from her. Giving in to his protective instincts, he decided to end the skirmish as quickly as possible and take her to safety, rather than stay to exact well-deserved revenge on the hated Jedi. He and Savage could end it easily, but when Feral appeared at the end of the loading ramp with his saber ignited, it tilted the fight truly in their favor and Maul felt exultant.
“Brothers, let’s finish this!”
*****
After the Jedi had fled, injured and thoroughly beaten, Maul stalked up the ramp, adrenaline from the fierce fight still flaming his blood. Jedi cowards! They are destined to choke on their lies and stumble in their ignorance. Their arrogance is laughable. Why was I so quick to end the fight? I could have ripped information of other Jedi scum out of their feeble minds ‘til they screamed in agony, then tossed them aside---
Maul felt a hand on his arm and bared his teeth in annoyance as Savage stopped him in the corridor leading to their cabin where she was waiting. The huge Zabrak studied Maul then said in his deep thoughtful voice, “Go carefully Brother.”
Maul impatiently shook off his brother’s hand and strode towards his cabin, snarling, “Get us in the air.” Savage wisely didn’t press and headed for the cockpit, followed by Feral.
Go carefully! Maul snorted derisively. No. He would exert his dominance yet again. Push her against the wall, kiss her breathless… drive all thoughts of masters, temples, and Jedi codes from her heart and mind forever ‘til she was utterly consumed by him…. Only him.
Maul paused in the corridor with the sudden realization that the aura of anxiety and agitation which had been hovering at the back of his mind was coming from her, across their bond. He belatedly slammed another layer of his mental shields up to contain his ire but acknowledged with a slight wince that she had been experiencing the boiling storm cloud of his anger and hatred for the Jedi and was being affected by it. For once, she didn’t seem to be attempting to “release her feelings to the Force,” as was her wont, and he thought with satisfaction how easily he could gather all of the girl’s unbridled emotions and add them to the dark pool within him to increase his power…. but with an effort Maul calmed his breathing, and closed his eyes to quiet himself. The thought of his little human upset by the encounter in the hangar bay unaccountably raised his hackles and he was reluctant to add to her distress.
It had been a year and a half since he had captured the senior padawan from the humanitarian site where she was completing the final cycle of required service before her Trials, and he contemplated all the progress they had made in the strange dance of their unlikely relationship. Sith/Jedi. Zabrak/Human. Predator/Prey. Bonded mates.
Every instinct of his Sith training and Zabraki nature had howled at him to make her his, quickly and forcefully. He knew nothing of trust and companionship. Only power and control. But he found he did not want a cowering subjugated mate. When confronted with her fear-filled eyes and nervous hands, he discovered he could be patient.
He had considered her thoughtfully, and then with an iron grip he had controlled his instincts, which screamed within him to ruthlessly subdue her. As well, he had stubbornly shoved aside the greedy selfishness innate to Sith ideology…. in order to win a willing partner.
He had allowed her the simple bonding ceremony presided over by a priest, according to the heritage of her native peoples. But postponed the taking of her, normally accorded to his. Her violet eyes were ever on him in those early days. Watching him, watching him. As it should be. And he proved himself a strong mate, worthy of her trust. Providing for her, protecting her. Challenging her, goading her. Drawing her.
His patience had been rewarded. Simple things, he noticed in the beginning of her capitulation. Eye contact. Small smiles. Then, being comfortable in his space. Little snippets of dry humor. The day he again casually pulled her to his side and she had leaned into his embrace, instead of stiffening. Then the evening in the cargo hold, where she was quietly watching him execute complicated katas in the training area and he felt a burst of warm admiration and a blossoming of desire within her. Then the first kiss. At last. And later, the triumphant claiming.
Yes, Mine! Truly mine.
And perhaps the bond with his little human had changed him as well. Just that morning, she asked him the question he always found so perplexing. What are you thinking about? And for once he had answered honestly. And then found his arms unexpectedly filled with a pregnant little mate, melting into him with a contented smile. Strange. But gratifying.
Now standing outside their quarters, he felt the engines hum to life under his feet as they prepared to take off. And he silently thanked his brother for slowing him down. Yes, go carefully. He did not want to undo months of carefully encouraged closeness with a moment of hasty roughness.
When he finally entered their quarters, stripping off his gloves, she was standing near the bed, the day's purchases dropped heedlessly on the floor at her feet. Her arms were wrapped around herself, one hand over the lovely swell of her belly. Her large eyes flew to his face, and she said anxiously, “What’s happened?”
His voice, gentle and quiet when circumstances required, said soothingly, “They are gone, little mate.”
She breathed out slowly and her expression looked far away, as if listening. “Not dead,” she stated quietly, surely. “I would know it.”
The care and concern she showed for the despised Jedi, his sworn enemies, honestly affronted him. He frowned but said nothing. Feeling his displeasure, she stole a glance at him and said in explanation, “He’s my master.”
Fierce jealousy and possessiveness flared in Maul’s chest. I am your master! You are mine forever.
He narrowed his eyes and said almost purringly, “Is he?”
At the dangerous tone, she continued hurriedly, “I mean...I’m his---I was, his padawan.”
Maul stated coldly, “Was.”
But he could feel her confusion and turmoil, across their bond. She looked down at the floor, eyes troubled. “Master Windu said I should go with them. He wanted me to.” Was that an undercurrent of longing Maul felt from her?
Is that what she wants? After what we’ve become?
He kept his face carefully blank but Maul was beginning to be afraid, which always made him furious. He thought about her being gone. Never again tasting her skin, or feeling her silky black hair between his fingers. Never seeing the relish in her eyes during hard training--- blue and red saber blades clashing together in a blur of white sparks. Never hearing her laugh with his brothers as they all shared a simple meal. No! Unacceptable.
Maul was deceptively casual as he stepped over towards her. He felt her eyes on him but he focused instead on picking up the packages from the floor. He pushed a soft colorful baby blanket back into a bag and put it on the bed. Then he retrieved an unbelievably tiny baby outfit which had spilled out of another. He held it up, allowing his feelings of wonder and awe to bleed across their mating bond. Can our babe ever possibly be this small?
Then she was there close beside him, the soft domestic moment breaking into her unsettled mind. She carefully gathered the remaining packages, then sank down on the bed with a soft sigh of relief at getting off her feet. Maul took the things from her and placed them to the side, then sat beside her. How beautiful she is, so strong.
His desire to be sweet and affectionate with her at that moment wrestled with his domineering nature and brutal upbringing, which had conditioned him to be tyrannical and harsh. But Maul won the inner struggle and he gently pulled her long hair back from her face then stroked a clawed hand down her back to absently rub sore muscles. She did not respond to his touch or rest into his side as he expected. She was looking across at nothing and her face was blank. The encounter with the Sith-Cursed Jedi had truly disturbed all their peace.
I should have cut them to bits and left them to rot in the street. I will seek them out and rain such destruction on their heads they will cower before the might of the Darkside and pray for mercy which will not come. I will surely make them pay for what they’ve done this day.
She stirred slightly and her voice was quiet. “I was going to be a Jedi. It’s all I ever wanted.”
Maul’s double hearts seemed to beat at odds with each other at her words. In his weakness he wanted to cajole and plead. Then, as his temper flared, he wanted to howl and rage at her. Shake her and make her see. You are mine forever!
He took a deep breath and recovered his calm. Lord Sidious’ training came to mind. All the many ways to manipulate and deceive people to get what he wanted. Maul knew how to do it. The gentle lies that lull but hide truths as sharp as knives. Distortions meant to confuse and throw off balance. He knew just how to make his desires her desires. But….
He looked down at the fingers of her hand, loosely clasping the bed cover next to his black-clad thigh. Gentle fingers that could caress the sensitive skin at the base of his cranial horns, causing his chest to rumble into an unfamiliar, stuttering purr. Pale fingers skimming against red skin with black tattoos and a myriad of scars. Efficient fingers, applying bacta to a gash on Savage’s arm, or helping Feral reboot the navigation system during a deadly firefight. He covered her fingers with his hand and twined their fingers.
He could hear the hated voice of Sidious, his treacherous former master saying, “Don’t ask questions you don’t want answers to, Apprentice.” But….
But... Maul was not a coward.
“Karanna.” Her name. Not, little mate or little human or Girl. Karanna.
She glanced at him, surprised at the name, not necessarily the soft tone. He grimaced a little then schooled his expression.
“Do you wish to return to the Jedi?”
She moved to face him more fully, and looked in his eyes. He wondered what she saw in their golden depths. Fear?
“Are you giving me a choice?”
No! You are my mate. Mine forever. Stay with me... please.
His eyes dropped to her belly. He thought of the quiet joy he had sensed in her the first time she shyly pulled his hand over to feel the astonishing movement of the babe within her. His chest grew tight.
“Yes. I’m allowing you to choose.”
He felt her eyes on him, again, always, as it should be. And felt her surprise across their mating bond. But she was so quiet. He met her eyes and then lost the war raging within him to just be silent, to let her think.
He said brusquely, “You do not need the Jedi, little mate. You will continue your training with me. With Savage and Feral. I can make you truly formidable with a blade, Karanna. You are well on the way already. With your command of the Force, and my tutelage, what an unparalleled warrior you will be!” His voice had risen at the vibrant, blazing possibilities of her.
He immediately saw the objections in her expressive eyes and let out a defeated little huff. He added softly, truthfully, “You would indeed be powerful. But I cannot teach you the Light side of the Force. You would not be a Jedi, as you desire.”
Her face softened at his admission. “I know.” She was quiet a moment, then she took his hand and murmured, “But there are other things I want.”
Maul felt a flare of hope. She continued with a shy smile, “I am excited for our baby. I never thought to be a mother.”
He impulsively smoothed a hand along her cheek and said earnestly, “And you will be a good one. I know it.”
Karanna blushed prettily and leaned her face into his touch with closed eyes. She opened them again when Maul gritted out, “Karanna, I am not a good man.” He faltered. “I am… a weapon, really. It’s what I was crafted to be.” He thought of the countless beings he had killed. And the countless more he would kill in his chosen line of work. He and his brothers were so terribly good at it.
He shook his head and continued fervently, “But I swear to you, I will protect you and the child. I will make us a life. You will be cared for.”
Maul now had both hands cradling her face and he was looking into her eyes with the intensity of a loth-wolf eying his prey. With a sudden epiphany of what she needed, he closed his eyes and let all of his mental shields come crashing down, and he laid himself utterly bare before her. All of his dark torments, fears, furies, longings, despairs, and hatred, and…gratitude and…love.
Karanna reeled in his hands as the full wave of everything Maul kept forcibly locked behind beskar-strong mental barriers burst upon her like a tsunami. She shuddered and reached out to grab his face in her hands and then held on as if frightened she would physically lose him to the maelstrom of his powerful emotions. Tears welled up in her eyes and tumbled down her cheeks and she impulsively pulled his tattooed head down to the crook of her neck, ignoring the dig of his horns against the tender skin, and cradling the back of his head with both hands.
“Oh Maul.” Her voice wavered and she murmured something inarticulate but the words didn’t matter because he could feel the comforting vibration against his temple. He wrapped his arms around her and inhaled the beautiful scent of his perfect mate. The intensity of his emotions calmed to a gently swirling eddy, and the warmth of her steady feelings flowed over him like a soothing balm. Maul allowed himself this one moment.
Finally, taking another breath, he collected himself and pulled back. Her violet blue eyes were dark with emotion and she allowed her hands to skim down his neck and broad shoulders down to his forearms where she clasped him firmly. “I choose us. Our little family.”
His heart unclenched at that, but he looked at her blankly. He ventured cautiously, “Is that what we are?”
Karanna laughed gently and lifted one of his hands to kiss the scarred knuckles. “Yes Maul.”