Chapter Text
Space. Ever-expansive, and ever-expensive. Fuel prices were at an all-time high, Rett had been grumbling about space inflation at this particular section of the galaxy for weeks. The two-man crew of The Rhapsody was scraping rock bottom. Not for the first time, and certainly not the last.
“Most of these bounties would barely cover the fuel it would take to get there,” Rett sighed, flipping through the index. Pyke leaned his hip against the arm of Rett’s chair, a cigarette dangling between his lips.
Taking a deep inhale, he took it out of his mouth and used it to point at the screen. “That one doesn’t look too bad,” Smoke flowed through the air, passing through the hologram in front of them.
Two faces stared back. One of them, a beautiful eladrin woman. Gold woven through her hair. Chains interlocking many of her facial piercings. Her face was set into a deep scowl, her arm wrapped around a tall Solari elf. His hair was much longer than Pyke’s, floating a little around him. Pale, almost vampire like. He was covered in tattoos, his hair a much darker magenta than his own. They both wore lavish clothes, gold coating everywhere they could cram. “Jewelry thieves would certainly pay the bills,” Rett whistled.
“Plus, we know the angle for that one. Show up in tons of god awful gems, share a couple drinks with them, wait for them to lead us out of the building or into their rooms. Get them into cuffs, easy money,” Pyke nodded.
“Esme and Cairo Bloom. Ratings a 2-10, so they shouldn’t be terribly hard to bring in. Wanted alive or dead, looks like they stole an ambassador couple’s rings. Pretty high bonus if we can get those back,”
The rings floated on the screen. Golden bands with a large, pearlescent stone. “Doesn’t look too far either, looks like they were last seen heading for the Succubus Peninsula," Rett squinted, placing his elbows on his knees as he leaned forward. “Haven’t heard of it before,”
“I think it’s one of those stupid honeymoon planets,” Pyke yawned, handing his cigarette over to Rett. He took a grateful drag. “You remember the last time we went undercover as a couple?” The distinct memory of a horribly failed bounty turned bar fight floated through his mind.
“Yeah,” Rett grinned. “Make sure your bounty hunter permit doesn’t fall out this time, alright?”
Pyke snickered. “We still got paid that day at least,” He clapped Rett on the shoulder, turning to leave the room. “Set the course, big guy. We’ll figure out the rest on the way there,”
A few hours later, Rett found him in his usual place. On his mat, in his little meditation area. Soaking in the solar energy of a nearby star. Pyke smiled to himself, sensing the aether dwarf hesitating in the doorway. “You gonna just stand there?”
“I didn’t want to interrupt,” Rett sheepishly stepped in. “I figured, this is the first time we’re gonna have to play a married couple,” Pyke stood up, raising an eyebrow at the other man, who blanched. “None of the fake rings we got matched, so I thought I’d make some. I mean, since it’s a honeymoon planet and all - anyway, I, uh, need to get your ring size,” He rambled, holding up a small measuring tape.
“Smart,” Pyke held out his hand. Rett took it, quickly taking notes. It was an odd moment to wonder about the last time somebody held Pyke’s hand. Rett’s hand was calloused, scars overlaying thick skin.
“Thanks, I’ll leave you to it now,”
The interaction lasted barely a minute, yet it lingered in his mind. Pyke walked up to the large circle window, basking in the faint glow. The hand Rett had just let go of buzzed, his skin crawling. He was okay being a fake couple with the guy. But the matching rings made his chest tighten. He frowned. It shouldn’t, it was just an ordinary job. They were just rings. They’d get it over with, and things would go back to normal. He’d just grit his teeth and bear it.
Pyke wistfully stared at a passing sun. He’d meditate over it for a few hours. Wondering why there was a strange, sickly feeling taking root in his gut.