Chapter Text
The tank emptied allowing Boba Fett to emerge from the bacta bath.
He was greeted by his droid, “Congratulations Master Fett, you are completely healed.”
“What about the scars on the inside?” Her voice echoed ahead of her with a hint of mischief that she only used when they were alone: Fennec Shand.
Boba shook his head with a smirk, taking a towel from the droid. He didn’t shy away from her as he patted the bacta liquid off his mostly naked body.
“Those take longer.”
There eyes met for a moment, but only a moment. That was all that was allowed; it was their unspoken agreement. He changed the subject to the matters at hand before either of them could over step. When he turned to dress in his armor he heard her chuckle. He turned back towards her with a questioning brow. Fennec was examining him; attempting to look clinical but she couldn’t help a playful grin.
She shrugged passively and turned to leave, calling over her shoulder, “It’s a good look on you, not being half dead”
~
They had to prepare for war. Fennec assured him that she could get the needed muscle with his credit store. Still, Boba was used to having a back up plan for his back up plan. Being a Daimyo was definitely different than being a bounty hunter. A throat clearing pulled him from his thoughts. Only one person would visit his personal quarters without a summons.
“You alright?” All business to the untrained ear, concern to him.
“Fine, just fine.” He answered, not bothering to hide the pensive truth in his tone.
He raised his glass of black melon juice and finished the last mouth full. Boba looked out over the sands of Tatooine as the binary suns set. He heard the door close and assumed Fennec had left to retire for the evening; instead he felt her comfortable presence at his side, looking out across the dune sea with him. She didn’t turn her gaze toward him, couldn’t risk spending their one allowed moment.
“I can’t believe you drink that stuff.”
Boba chuckled at her scoff, “As I told you, it is an acquired taste.”
The second sun was starting its final decent, disappearing below the dunes.
“Must be careful though,” he shook his empty glass, “might find yourself craving it, no matter how repulsive.”
He laughed a genuine laugh, the kind he only had with her. Fennec chuckled along, but a heavy silence fell quickly after.
“Sometimes the best things are.” Her voice dropped low, implying more meaning behind her words, but she still didn’t look away from the horizon.
Boba turned towards her, looking at her profile. As usual, Fennec’s schooled mask betrayed nothing. This was pushing the unspoken agreement and they both knew it. Should he say something? Finally define their partnership with clearly expressed boundaries instead of unspoken ones. It was something he had been considering since taking the seat. Boba meant what he said to her. Fennec was his partner, equal, entitled to any spoils and he would protect her with his life; in exchange for the same loyalty, of course. The concept of trust and tribe was foreign and frankly dangerous to them both. They knew the risks, but the reward was one neither knew they had wanted. That is likely why it worked so effortlessly for them; they were both novices willing to learn together to achieve their common goal. Mixing partnerships and relationships was foolish. In particular with his right hand and closest confidant, but Boba wasn’t a complete idiot; there was a reason he had been avoiding the topic.
‘Brains, brawn… and beauty.’
“Look, I-“ She started but Boba lifted a hand to halt her.
“Fennec.” He shot her a discouraging look.
Boba knew he may be assuming a lot, but he would rather not risk it. This was not the time to hash it out. She nodded once, his assumption most likely correct, before pushing off the balcony.
“Right,” she spit out, then she left him alone without another word.
Boba sighed, trying to brush off his frustration and disappointment while she walked away.
~
Jabba may have enjoyed the luxurious life to its fullest, but Boba had simple tastes. The chambers were outrageously huge, so he had his divided up into sections to make better use of the space. The master bed chamber now had partitions, making three separate areas: medical, office, and sleep.
This was the first night he didn’t need to sleep in the Bacta tank, so instead of going to his personal medic station, he went to his simple sleeping area. Fennec had insisted he get the most comfortable bed to enjoy some of the spoils of being Daimyo. It wasn’t large but the cushions and fabrics were indescribable.
“Kiff, I’ll have to tell her she was right about the bed.” He mumbled as he lowered himself onto the soft throws.
Boba’s dreams were as fitful as they were during his time in the tank. The internal wounds did run deep. As he had the night before, he dreamt of Fennec.
When Boba found her, bleeding to death from her gut wound, he saw an opportunity. He knew who she was on sight. The master assassin from the Mid Rim, Fennec Shand. She clearly was trying to avoid her bounty; there was no other reason for her to be out this far. Unfortunately for her, it looked like someone had gotten the better of her.
Boba could have left her. He didn’t know if she would agree to help once healed. No honor among thieves they say, but Fennec had a good reputation as a businesswoman. She completed her jobs quickly and effectively, no nonsense. He also couldn’t get his ship back alone and he knew it. Luckily, his intuition proved correct.
~
Boba woke. He grumbled and looked to his window, the first sun was starting to rise, barely day break. He swung his feet over the bed and dressed in his armor before heading to the kitchen for something to eat.
He was surprised to see Fennec already there, feet up on the table, eating contently, like a placated lothcat. He couldn’t help an endearing smile, even now in her uncaring sloppiness she enticed him. She looked up mid chew as he walked in. She had a confused look on her face and she quickly sallowed most of her mouth full.
“Bour Mup ferly.” She garbled out while she spat tiny bits of food from behind her hand.
Boba laughed at her terrible manners before grabbing himself a plate of food and a cup of caf. He took the seat at the head of the table, opposite Fennec. For some reason staring across the long table from one another felt more intimate than if he sat next to her. Boba’s place was at the head of the table and Fennec sat where she pleased.
“Sorry, couldn’t make that out with your cheeks stuffed like a wompa.” Fett commented playfully, as if he was scolding a child.
Fennec swallowed then scowled, “for being up early you sure are snarky.”
Boba shrugged as he ate. He let his mind wander. He should be focusing on the up coming war, not the best way to handle, whatever it was, between them. It was becoming a quickly growing distraction.
“What’s on your mind?” Fennec asked curiously.
“The normal, did you contact your muscle?” He deflected smoothly.
“Ya, should hear back with hard numbers, cost and stock, later today.”
Boba nodded, not looking at her, still deep in thought. They sat in silence for another five minutes before she spoke up again.
“You’re not my boss right?”
Her question took him off guard.
He snorted then asked, “What do you mean?”
He to a drink of caf while he waited for her to elaborate.
“Well, you are Daimyo of course, and head of the family, but,” she brought her feet down and squared her shoulders, “Are. You. My. Boss?”
He laughed trying to derail the conversation before it could develop, “I don’t think anyone has ever been your boss Fennec, just your employer.”
She shot him a glare, expecting a better answer. He sighed in defeat. It seemed like she wanted to push the subject. Boba didn’t, he knew if they did, he would be the one to stop it in its tracks. He would be the one to draw the line in the sand, even if he didn’t want to. He set his cup down and folded his hands in front of his face so that he could look Fennec straight in the eye as he spoke.
“We are partners Fen. I meant what I said, I offer you loyalty and equality, not something you can get elsewhere.”
If nothing else, he needed Fennec to know that was true. That is would always be true, as long as she returned the favor in kind. Boba wanted her convinced of his seriousness, his sincerity, beyond any doubt.
“You offer a lot of things I can’t get elsewhere.” She looked away as she spoke, standing from the table.
“And you have something I want. Something that you won’t offer.” She sounded disappointed, and a little miffed.
“Fennec.” Fett wanted to his voice to sound serious, but instead it sounded apologetic; he had gone soft.
She made no response. Fennec kept her emotionless mask in place as she strutted with confidence out of the kitchen.
~
Boba needed something to jar him back to normal. Spending time with his rancor helped, some. It was an activity that could be seen as training or preparation for war, not just the distraction he was using it for. That is, if he was actually training correctly.
“No no no! Where is your head at today Fett!?” His trainer chastised.
Boba grit his teeth under his helmet and led his steed back to the trainer. After he dismounted he threw a snack to his over grown pet, then he motioned for his trainer to take over. Boba’s attention was split, and he shouldn’t risk the training of a rancor with a distant mind.
Instead he decided to put in some weapons training. Boba started with some target practice, one’s aim could never be too keen. He was trying desperately to just focus on the anything instead of her, so that is when she came to him again.
Fennec announced her presence by taking down all of his remaining targets expertly. He shook his head, angry, now really wasn’t the time. Boba was frustrated at himself for his inability to compartmentalize. Not to mention spending all day thinking about her was starting to make him frustrated in other ways.
“I’m busy Shand.” He bit out; he was irritated and wanted her to know.
Boba was in no mood for any kind of back and forth at the moment. His attention was scattered at a time that he could not afford it to be and his agitation had only grown. He heard her foot steps abruptly stop walking at his snipe. A second later there was a loud clatter of something hitting the ground behind him. He turned to see a data pad less than a meter away. Fennec stared at him, unmoving, but he could see the fire in her eye.
“Well, when you are done, Lord Fett, these are my contact’s rates.” She spoke evenly before immediately walking away.
Fett kept himself restrained until she had turned the corner. He snatched up the pad with a furry, trying to not crack it in his grasp. He was going to have to apologize.
‘Kiff’
~
After eating for the evening alone, Boba was spending time with his Rancor again. As he pet and scratched the beast he tried to think on what to do. What was the most tactical way to go about this conversation? He scoffed at himself. Tactics wouldn’t help him here. He pat the rancor once more before deciding to face the music and find Fennec. He didn’t need to look far. She stood at the top of the stairway as he ascended, her face blank.
“Let’s have a chat.” Boba said as he walked by her.
Fennec fell in step next to him, shoulder to shoulder. They walked in silence to his quarters. Once inside he removed his helmet on his way to his designated office area, setting it down on the table. Fennec remained standing, like she always did.
“Did you look at the data?” She asked.
“I did. I have transferred the necessary credits, we will have what we need.”
A moment passed before he added, “Thank you.”
She cocked her head in a small nod. That was all the response he received. Fennec was keeping the ball in his court. Boba leaned against his table, deciding his next move. At least they got business out of the way first. Fennec stared him down passively. She didn’t appear upset, but he knew better. This had to be handled, tonight, it was disruptive to both of them, to their operations.
“I apologize for earlier. It was disrespectful and inappropriate.”
“You going to tell me what’s wrong or not?” She lifted a brow to make clear it wasn’t actually a question, direct as ever
“Nothing is wrong.”
“Must be pretty bad to turn you liar.” Her snide tone revealed the crack in her mask.
Boba glared at her. If literally ANYONE else had said that to him, they would be on fire. He could see that was the reaction Fennec wanted by the way her eyes squinted and he would not be baited. He took a few even breathes before responding.
“Nothing is wrong, I am… distracted by personal matters.” He phrased delicately, not looking away from her.
“Oh?” She feigned ignorance, “I didn’t know you had personal matters.”
“Now who’s a liar?” He quipped, unamused.
Boba wouldn’t be drawn into another dance. Their attraction needed to be addressed explicitly. Fennec straightened her back and squared her shoulders. Indicating she was also was done with the games.
“This,” he motioned between them, “it can’t happen.”
Fennec tilted her chin, eyeing him pensively. She was deciding her own strategy. In this arena, Boba was sure they didn’t have a mutual goal.
“Do I make you uncomfortable Lord Fett?” She asked curiously.
Fennec knew the answer, but now she had effectively cornered him into explaining himself. He shot her a glare before he shook his head at her. Boba let out a disgruntled sigh as he turned to the small pack on his table with his black melons in it. He opened a few, and emptied them into a cup, giving himself a few moments to phrase his response.
“You make me too comfortable I think,” he paused, “It’s bad for business.”
Boba was turned away so he couldn’t she if she visibly responded, but he took her silence as her acquiescence. With more confidence in his decision Boba turned back to face her head on.
“And we are business partners.” He hoped his tone portrayed the finality of his statement.
Fennec crossed the small area in three strides as he turned toward her, stopping right in front of him as he finished his statement. Neither blinked; Boba wouldn’t be intimidated. He had been stared down by many a creature. Though he did admit to himself that his stare downs where never of this nature before. Life or death seemed less complicated by comparison.
“If we are business partners, why are we having this conversation?” Boba couldn’t stop himself from watching her lips as she spoke intentionally slow.
Fennec knew exactly where to toe the line. She was far enough away as to not crowd him, but just close enough. Close enough to feel her, smell her; close enough that he could easily grab her and wrap-
“Because.” Boba pulled out his best bounty hunter poker face, “I want it to be clear between us, we are Only business partners.”
It bothered him to see the drop of disappointment in her eyes, but he remained stoic. He had made more difficult decisions, at least he told himself that and he tried to remove the barb he could feel in his guts. She didn’t move away, just continued to stare at him. Boba didn’t back down either. He could see his blunt declaration was an unexpected move. Fennec was improvising; like the beautiful brain she was. As quickly as the uncertainty came to her eyes, it faded. Replaced by resolved confidence.
“No, I don’t think so.” She reached forward and pulled his face down to hers, crushing their lips together.
Boba’s first instinct was to shove away, mostly out of a defensive reflex than displeasure. He rose his arms in a flash and had her gripped by her shoulders. Instead of pushing Fennec away, like his logical mind screamed for him to do, he pulled her closer. He crushed her smaller body against his, every fiber of his being responding instantly to her advance.
She molded against him perfectly. Boba snaked one arm down around her waist, while the other he slid up to her jaw. Fennec in turn kept one arm wrapped around his neck while the other slid between them. With his armor still on there was little she could do besides rest her palm on his breast plate, but the touch was intimate and thrilling. Boba was forced to admit to himself, he had wanted her the moment she killed the sarlac.
‘Don’t push my buttons indeed.’ Boba relented and gave in to his impulse to finally have a little taste, just a moment.
Before he knew it their tongues we dancing. In his grip she had playfully nibbled his lips but when he opened them to her, Fennec bit hard before diving in. He groaned in pain but mostly the overwhelming pleasure of having a partner, a real partner, to match him on every level, maybe even this one. Boba didn’t want to stop, but he knew she wouldn’t, so he had to.
Berating at himself for being a kiffing nerf herder, he pulled his head back, “Fen.”
“Shut up.”
Fennec didn’t let him continue and she used an unexpected amount of force to situate him as she pleased. She devoured his mouth again, only needing to swipe along his lips to gain a welcome entrance. She used his distraction, and forced him back against the table. Maybe Boba was selfish, or maybe the Tuskins really HAD made him soft beyond repair, but he let her. When his back hit the hard surface his hands slid quickly down her back, landing on either of her ass cheeks. At her moan he couldn’t help thrusting his hard member at her through their layers of clothing. She tightened her grip around his neck in response. She was everything he thought she would be, more, and not someone he could risk loosing.
Boba grabbed her waist and switched their positions so that Fennec was against the table. She gasped when he lifted her off the ground to be roughly laid beneath him on the surface. He shifted his arms over her head to support his weight while he looked down into her face. They stared into one another for a moment, just one, before he would take it all away. Fennec’s skin was flushed, as much of it as he could see, as she panted from their foreplay. Her cheeks and lips are a beautiful swollen red that made him want to eat her alive. They both were short of breath, and struck silent. Boba knew more than a moment had passed.
“This. Can’t. Happen.” It took ever bit of self control to keep his commanding tone full of finality.
A beat of silence passed before she let out a laugh.
“You’re not my boss.”
Fennec pulled him down on top of her and Boba didn’t even bother to argue anymore.