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”So'lek? So'lek, you here?” Tamtey called out as he dismounted Telisi. So'lek's camp was silent, the only sounds being the small waterfall flowing off the floating mountain and the wind whistling. “Hi, Ìley. Do you know where he is?'' He asked the large ikran hanging from his usual spot. Telisi rumbled at him in greeting, stepping past Tamtey, most likely plotting to annoy the larger ikran just like she always did whenever Tamtey paid So’lek a visit.
“So'lek?” He yelled again, stepping toward the entrance of the cave.
“You are very loud.” Tamtey almost jumped out of his skin as So'lek appeared behind him, head tilted and tail swishing. It took him a moment to process the fact that So'lek wasn't wearing his usual dog tag vest and was standing in front of Tamtey with a very bare chest. Tamtey let his eyes linger on the scars carved into So'lek's skin, his ears growing warm at thought of running his tongue over them. So'lek cleared his throat, pulling the Sarentu man's attention back up to his face again.
He let out a nervous laugh, playfully shoving his shoulder. “Don’t do that, So'lek! You almost scared me to death.” He snickered at the puzzled look he got for that statement. ''Seriously though, you really need to stop just appearing like that. It's terrifying.''
''Hìtxoa, Sarentu.'' So'lek murmured, looking them up and down as if to check them over for any injuries. ''What are you doing here?'' He asked.
''Straight to the point, as always..'' Tamtey muttered under his breath, tail flicking as he watched So'lek turn and head back inside. A grin spread across his face at the way So'lek shot him as unimpressed look over his shoulder. ''So, Teylan has asked us if we can go deal with a new base the RDA just managed to get online.'' He followed close behind him, stuttering over his words as he watched him grab his usual vest to put on. The sound of the dog tags clinking off each other filled the cave as So'lek fiddled with the straps. ''Do you need help with that?..'' He asked quietly, stepping closer.
''I am fine.'' So'lek replied quickly, watching Tamtey practically jump back. He raised a brow at that. ''I will help you destroy this new RDA base.'' He said, finally making the vest comfortable and reaching for his weapons. ''That way I will be able to stop you from being so reckless.'' He added, a sly smirk on his face.
''Oh.'' The sound fell from Tamtey's mouth before he could stop it.It took him a moment to realise the implication of So'lek's words. ''I'm not reckless!'' He protested with a huff, grumbling as he listened to So'lek chuckle at the outburst. ''Whatever, let's just get going. I promised Telisi that I would take her fishing later.'' He turned, sauntering back outside. ''I'm not reckless..'' He repeated as he made it back to his ikran who had clearly been successful in disturbing Ìley. The larger ikran was now perched next to her, nipping at her throat as she hissed. ''Right Telisi? I am not reckless!''
Both Telisi and Ìley appeared to just stare at him before Ìley let out a squawk and got nipped on the throat by Telisi for it, followed by a shriek. ''Oh, not you too, Ìley!'' Tamtey sighed dramatically. ''Of course you would agree with him.'' He groused, tail lashing as So'lek exited the cave behind him, stepping past and approaching the two ikran.
''I thought you were in a hurry.'' So'lek commented, checking over Ìley's harness and making tsaheylu with the ikran.
Tamtey sulked. ''Yeah, yeah. Let's go.'' He sighed, mounting Telisi before the two of them dived off the platform. He glanced back, a small grin appearing when he spotted So'lek and Ìley following close behind. ''Teylan.'' Tamtey called over the comms. ''I'm with So'lek, what else can you tell us about this base?''
Teylan's voice crackled to life over the frequency. ''It's pretty much the same as all the other outposts you've dealt with. The only difference being it's a little bigger and more guarded. I think you've made the RDA paranoid.'' He commented, Tamtey cackled. ''Thanks Teylan, I'll radio you if we need anymore information.'' He glanced back at So'lek, switching the frequency over to his and So'lek's private one. ''Did you hear all that?''
''I did.'' So'lek confirmed, keeping an eye out for any RDA as they flew. ''If they are more RDA, we will need to be careful.'' Ìley sped up, now flying alongside Telisi. ''So do not be reckless.'' So'lek gave Tamtey a pointed look as the base came into view.
''I'm not reckless!'' Tamtey yelled as Ìley turned and dived away, disappearing into the trees and out of sight of the anti-air turrets. ''Seriously, I'm not!'' He hissed to Telisi as they followed after them. ''Stop calling me reckless, I took down all the other outposts without a problem!'' He growled as Telisi landed next to Ìley, allowing Tamtey to jump down.
''I know.'' So'lek said shortly, pulling both his bow from the holster on Ìley's saddle, followed by his gun. ''I would still like you to be careful.'' He added quietly, gesturing for Tamtey to follow him. The Sarentu man sighed, grabbing his own weapons and chasing after him.
They found a small cliffside that towered over the outpost's ground level, giving them a clear view over the base and an opportunity to plan how they would do this.
Teylan was right.
But when wasn't he?
This outpost was bigger. Much bigger. Thought it wasn't nearly the size of Laser Ore Processor Alpha, it was still bigger than they average outpost that Tamtey had spent weeks taking down.. It also appeared to be polluting the area around it, just like all RDA operations did, Tamtey had even caught So'lek standing over the body of a thanator who had clearly fallen victim to the poison in the surrounding area. How this one had managed to be built so big in so little time without any of them noticing was beyond Tamtey's understanding.
What he did understand was that it had to go and it had to go now.
Its structure was similar to that of numerous outposts that used to cover the frontier that Tamtey had now shut down for good. It was also littered with RDA. It possessed a large number of both AMP suits and soldiers and there also appeared to be two landing platforms for RDA ships. Both of which had scorpions currently perched on them.
''Teylan said this is similar to the other RDA outposts?'' So'lek whispered, a dark look in his eyes as he scanned over the base.
Tamtey glanced at him, taking in the way his ears were now pinned back tightly against his head, a scowl on his lips. ''Yup, only this one is bigger and has more RDA.''
''You know how to destroy it?'' He shuffled forward, planning his way in.
He blinked, copying the action. ''Yes?''
So'lek hummed, creeping over the cliffside. ''I will provide cover while you destroy it.'' He said, climbing down the cliffside before leaping over to the landing pad. His haste ensuring Tamtey didn't have time to argue with him.
The Sarentu hissed, watching the Dog-Tag Warrior hide behind the scorpion, peering around the side to ensure it was clear before running deeper into the outpost. ''And I'm the reckless one?'' He asked, heart leaping into his throat when he lost sight of So'lek.
So'lek who was apparently a mind reader. ''I am still here, Sarentu. I am fine.'' His voice crackled over their comms.
''Be careful...please.'' Tamtey begged, not waiting for an answer as he followed the path So'lek had taken and jumped over to the landing mat.
He made his way toward the control room first, plotting to turn off the outpost's safety controls. That way his job would be made easier and both So'lek and himself could get out of there quicker. He made quick work of an AMP suit on his way there, hacking it before ripping the pilot from the suit, two of his arrows finding their way into a couple soldiers' chests when they spotted him. He crept past the next line of soldiers, his fist cracking the breathing mask of the soldier posted in the control room. ''So'lek, I'm in the control room, I'm about to shut down the outpost's safety controls.'' He didn't get an answer and he didn't need one anyway as he ripped the wires out. The explosions that rattled through the outpost shortly after caused widespread panic, alerting the soldiers that something was very wrong. Tamtey crept back out of the control room, hiding on the top as soldier's rushed around it, searching for anything out of the ordinary.
Tamtey snuck his way toward the first pipeline valve, preparing to turn the valve before the yell of a soldier caught him off guard. ''Shit.'' He hissed, reaching for his bow. There was an arrow between the soldier's eyes before Tamtey had the chance. He looked up, grinning when he spotted So'lek and held a thumbs up to him.
So'lek tilted his head, a confused expression written in his features. Tamtey snickered quietly, turning the valve. When he looked back up, So'lek was gone again and explosions rippled through the base once more.
''One more, So'lek. Then this place is toast.'' He reported back through the comms, frowning when he got nothing back static in return. ''So'lek?'' He tried again, burying an arrow into the cockpit of another AMP when it spotted him and made quick work of the rest of the soldiers pursuing him. He sprinted toward the last pipeline valve, desperate to get this over and done with and find So'lek.
The sound of a gun going off followed by laughing had Tamtey freezing in his tracks. ''So'lek?!'' He called over the comms as he scrambled toward the sound.
The sight he came across pulled the air from his lungs, similar to the way Mercer and Harding would punish them all at TAP by suffocating them with oxygen.
An AMP stood over So'lek, the gun that it held smoking at the barrel which he had pointed down at the Na'vi man. So'lek was on the ground, covered in mud and oil as he tried to scramble away from the AMP suit, reaching for his rifle that had slipped from his grasp. He screamed as another AMP grabbed him by the kuru and hoisted him into the air. His screams were what kicked Tamtey into action. He raised his bow, pulling the arrow back, feeling it brush against his cheek as he aimed for the AMP suit holding So'lek by the kuru. So'lek struggled, kicking his legs, attempting to escape its gripped until he felt the barrel of another gun press into his back. Tamtey could see their lips moving, obviously taunting their victim until Tamtey let the arrow loose and it pierced the glass then buried itself into the pilot's chest, releasing So'lek from the AMP suit's grip as it fell back. The other AMP suit jumped away, turning to aim the gun in Tamtey's direction before it met the same fate.
''So'lek!'' Tamtey didn't waste anytime rushing to So'lek's side. He let out a groan as Tamtey rolled him over onto his back to check him over. ''Shit.'' He whispered, catching sight of the bullet hole in So'lek's shoulder. ''Shit!'' He yelled as the outpost's alarms began to blare and the telltale sign of backup approaching rang out from the skies.
''Did you...destroy it?'' So'lek questioned, another pained groan escaping him.
Tamtey let out a nervous laugh. ''Not quite.'' He muttered, grabbing So'lek's arm and pulling him over his shoulder in an army carry position. He made sure to grab So'lek's rifle with his other before making his escape.
“Put me down, Sarentu!” So’lek hissed through gritted teeth as Tamtey carried him over his shoulder.
“Don’t worry So’lek, I promised I wouldn’t drop you and I keep my promises!” Tamtey shot back at the older man.
“TAMTEY.”
Tamtey appeared to be a bit too overjoyed at their current predicament,even if the bullet hole in So'lek's shoulder had him panicked. He quickly glanced around again, cursing as two more AMP suits appeared behind them and sprinted out of the outpost, carrying So'lek while calling for Telisi. The fact that So'lek had also just used his name for what felt like the first time ever, had him on the verge of a grin. Offering a distraction to the fact he could feel the other man's blood coating his skin.
Telisi soared over them, Ìley close behind as gunships closed in on the base. The two ikran landed in front of them, watching curiously. Ìley let out a hiss at the sight of So'lek, Telisi echoing the sound at the sight of gunships approaching.
Tamtey came to a stop next to Ìley, practically shoving So'lek's rifle and gun back into the ikran's weapon holster. ''You need to be extra careful, Ìley.'' He told the ikran, sliding So'lek, who was still protesting about being carried, off of his shoulder. He gently took his kuru, holding it up for Ìley to make tsaheylu with his rider before maneuvering So'lek onto the ikran's back. ''Don't fall off, I'll be really...upset if you do.'' He muttered, quickly checking over So'lek one last time before mounting Telisi. ''Go, Ìley! I'll make sure we aren't followed!'' He yelled over to So'lek's ikran.
Ìley squawked, taking to the air as smoothly as he could, heading for the Aranahe Hometree rather than So'lek's camp. Tamtey and Telisi followed close behind, downing a scorpion gunship as it fired in their direction.
They landed on the ikran landing pad, both ikran almost landing on a couple of weavers in their haste to land.
Tamtey was quick to leap off of Telisi as soon as they arrived back at Hometree. ''Someone get Etuwa, quickly!'' Tamtey called to the nearby Aranahe that were stood watching. He spotted Itu jump to his feet and run off, disappearing up the tunnel that led to the Kinglor Nest.
''Careful...'' He whispered, immediately appearing at So'lek's side to help him off of Ìley. The ikran rumbled, lowering himself to make it easier for his rider as Tamtey coaxed him from the saddle.
''I am fine, Sarentu...'' So'lek hissed through gritted teeth. Tamtey kept a hand on his arm regardless, his other hand resting on his back as he helped him. Whether it was So'lek's comfort or his own, he couldn't tell. Etuwa appeared a moment later, Itu close behind.
''Come.'' Was all the Aranahe Tsahik said as Itu took his place on the other side of So'lek, offering a hand to help him.
As usual, the Dog-Tag warrior was reluctant and headstrong. ''I am fine.'' He repeated with another hiss, tail thrashing.
Tamtey responded with his own hiss, sick of the other playing off his pain. ''You will let us help, now come.'' He said, tugging his arm. Guilt immediately ripping through his chest when So'lek cried out at the sudden jolt. Itu glanced between them, looking a mix of nervous and awkward, his hand still extended as an offer of help. So'lek didn't even seem to realise when Itu took his other arm, the pair of them helping him follow after Etuwa, Tamtey's frustration being quick to convince him that he needed help.
Etuwa led them to a quieter area inside Hometree, away from curious eyes. Knowing So'lek wasn't the type to enjoy being stared at. Tamtey and Itu helped settle him down while Etuwa prepared to deal with the wound. ''You can go now.'' He muttered, eyes averted. Tamtey stared down at him.
''What?'' He blinked, Itu slipped away at that moment, using the excuse of helping Etuwa.
''I am fine, you can go now.'' He repeated.
The Sarentu man scoffed, tail twitching with frustration. ''Stop acting like a head strong palulukan!'' He snapped, the sudden outburst causing So'lek to flinch. ''You were reckless! And you had me worried!'' He continued. ''You talk about me being reckless, you are no better!'' He began to pace, hands fidgeting. ''Actually, you are more reckless than I am! You are such a...'' He struggled to find the word for a moment. ''A hypocrite!''
Etuwa returned at that moment, casting a subtle glance Itu's way as she settled down next to So'lek.
''Sarentu, I-'' So'lek began.
''No! I am so...pissed off at you right now!'' Tamtey snarled and turned on his heel. ''I'll come back and check on you later when I don't have the urge to shoot you myself.'' He grumbled, storming away.
So'lek's ears fell as he watched the Sarentu man stalk back out of Hometree, a sea of stares from the Aranahe following his every step. He sighed, eyes falling to his lap, avoiding both Etuwa and Itu's gazes.
''Do not worry, ma eylan.'' Itu spoke up, patting So'lek's uninjured shoulder as Etuwa got to work. He watched the man groan quietly, expression pinched as Etuwa fished for the bullet still wedged into the flesh. ''His anger will calm. He is..frustrated. He just needs time.'' He chuckled when So'lek's reply was a hardened glare. ''You will see.''
''Tamtey.'' Ri'nela called over to him as soon as he stormed into Resistance HQ, wearing a look that would probably even scare off a palulukan.
He turned stiffly, fists clenched. Teylan stepped next to Ri'nela, head tilted in curiousity. ''Yes...Ri'nela?'' He replied, expression strained.
She tutted, stepping closer. ''What is wrong?''
He was now avoiding eye contact with her. ''...Nothing.''
''Tamtey.''
''What?''
''What is wrong?''
''Nothing's wrong.''
''Tamtey.''
He groaned, tail swinging in frustration. ''Ri'nelaaaaaaaaaaaa....'' He sighed dramatically, glaring over Ri'nela's shoulder at Teylan when he noticed him snickering.
She hummed, her eyes narrowing. ''What happened between you and So'lek?''
Tamtey gaped. ''How?...How did you do that?''
Nor strolled by them, a tired expression on his face. ''Because she is Ri'nela.'' He said, as if that was enough of an explanation.
''True..'' Tamtey muttered, hissing when Ri'nela reached forward and flicked his ear. ''Ow! What was that for?'' He huffed, now cradling his ear as if it had been ripped off his head.
''Focus.'' A small grin appeared, Teylan and Nor chuckled behind her. ''What happened?''
''Did you destroy that outpost?'' Teylan called over to him.
He huffed, crossing his arms. ''...No.''
''Oh..'' The youngest Sarentu blinked slowly. ''Why not?''
''Because So'lek's a reckless idiot!'' He snapped, watching the other three Sarentu jump at the outburst. ''He tells me I'm reckless and need to be more careful but then he goes ahead and almost gets himself killed!''
Ri'nela watched as her clanmate began to pace back and forth. ''Is he okay?'' She asked, smirking slightly as Tamtey sighed.
''Yes...I made sure of it. Carried him out of the outpost myself.''
''Of course you did.'' Nor muttered, sharing the same smirk as Ri'nela.
''Shut up, Nor.'' He hissed, frustration growing at the way Nor's smirk only widened.
''Is that why you are covered in blood?'' Ri'nela pointed out.
Tamtey paused, looking down at himself. Sure enough, dried blood coated most of his shoulder and right arm and no doubt covered his back as well. ''...I didn't even notice.''
Nor cackled. ''Of course you did not. You were too busy carrying So'lek to care.''
''Shut up, Nor!'' He snapped again, hissing when the older Sarentu man outright laughed.
''What? It is obvious! You like him!'' He pointed out, watching Tamtey's face grow a shade of purple right up to the tips of his ears.
''Oh whatever!'' Tamtey yelled. ''I'm out of here! See you guys at dinner!'' He turned, storming back out of the base.
''Tell So'lek he can join us!'' Nor called after him.
Tamtey let out a stream of curses. ''I will! Shut up, Nor!'' He called back, followed by the sound of Telisi screeching and Tamtey taking to the air on the ikran.
''What do you mean he's not here?'' Tamtey blinked, stunned. He had spent most of the day flying or fishing with Telisi, trying to calm his anger before speaking with So'lek. When he finally felt calm enough and returned to Hometree, he discovered that the man had left hours ago. ''You let him leave?'' He practically shrieked, immediately shrinking into himself when Etuwa shot him a dark look. They were standing in the Kinglor nest, since Tamtey had been unable to find Itu, he tracked down Etuwa instead.
''I cannot force him to stay here.'' The Aranahe Tsahik pointed out. ''I tended to the wound, told him to come back to me since I would need to change the dressings and told him to rest. Where he chooses to rest is not up to me.''
''He's So'lek.'' Tamtey deadpanned. ''He doesn't know how to rest.''
''Perhaps you should go and ensure he does.'' She hummed. ''He returned to his camp, as far as I know.''
He sighed. ''Right. Than- I mean, Irayo, Etuwa.'' He muttered, turning and heading back down toward the ikran landing pad where Telisi patiently waited for him.
''Good, he's here.'' Tamtey muttered as Telisi glided towards So'lek's camp. He could see Ìley asleep on the woven platform, who lifted his head when he heard Telisi shriek. He replied in kind, watching the pair closely as they landed. ''Hey there, Ìley.'' Tamtey greeted the large ikran, a small smile on his face as he held out a piece of fruit he had picked earlier. Ìley happily took it, ignoring the way Telisi screeched with jealousy. ''Is he inside?'' He asked the ikran, snorting when he went ignored in favour of chewing the piece of fruit he had been given.
''So'lek?'' He called out, stepping away from the ikran and into the cave. ''...So'lek?''
''Sarentu.'' Tamtey flinched, leaping away from So'lek who appeared next to him. His vest had been removed and in its place was a makeshift sling, his shoulder was wrapped snugly beneath the sling.
''You need to...stop doing that!'' Tamtey huffed, immediately settling down. ''It's terrifying, where even were you? How did I not see you?''
So'lek blinked slowly. ''I was cooking.'' He nodded back at his cooking station.
''Oh.'' Tamtey looked him up and down, taking a mental note of how...disheveled and tired looking he appeared. ''Are you...okay? How's the shoulder?''
So'lek narrowed his eyes at him, tail beginning to thrash and his ears going back ever so slightly. ''I am fine.'' He stated, turning and making his way back toward his cooking station.
The Sarentu man sighed, following him. ''Let's not get into this argument again, So'lek.''
''I am not trying to argue with you, Sarentu.'' He said quietly, attempting to cut up some fruit with one hand.
Tamtey could only bare to watch for a couple of seconds before stepping forward. ''Here, let me.'' He mumbled, coaxing So'lek out of the way and taking the knife from his hand to cut up the fruit for him. For once, So'lek let him without a fight.
There was a heavy silence between them for a long couple of minutes, the only sounds filling the cave were that of the small stream that ran through the cave, descending into a small waterfall and the crackling of the fire at So'lek's cooking station.
''I'm sorry.'' Tamtey eventually broke the silent tension between them, pausing the current task at hand to look at So'lek. ''I'm sorry for...yelling at you. That wasn't fair. I was...I was worried about you and because you were being so stubborn about it all, it really stressed me out and I snapped.'' He admitted quietly, hands fidgeting. ''And also when you called me reckless but then almost got killed. That really...annoyed me.''
The chuckle from So'lek that followed had him frozen. His eyes shot up to look at the other man, watching him shake his head in almost a fond way. ''I am sorry too, Sarentu. I was being...stubborn and maybe a little headstrong-''
''And reckless.'' Tamtey cut in with a small grin.
''...And reckless..'' He added hesitantly, shaking his head and rolling his eyes. ''I was...I am embarrassed.'' He admitted, averting his gaze. Something that he had scolded Tamtey for more than once in the past. It gave Tamtey the urge to just grab him by the chin and force So'lek to look at him. ''I was too busy trying to look out for you and make sure you were not being reckless that I had forgotten to be careful myself. I made a stupid mistake and this is the consequence of that.'' He glanced down at the sling.
''So'lek.'' Tamtey reached forward, gently gripping So'lek's arm. ''You do not need to apologise for looking out for me..'' His other hand reached forward, gently taking So'lek's chin in his grasp and pulling his head up, forcing their eyes to meet. He watched So'lek's face quickly turn a shade of purple at the action. ''You just need to think a little more about yourself and your safety when we're out together.''
So'lek opened his mouth, attempting a reply before it promptly fell shut again. His face getting darker at the chuckle Tamtey let out as he watched. ''Don't worry, you don't need to say anything. Just...let me know if I should stop.'' He took a step closer to him.
Where this new wave of self-confidence came from? Tamtey will probably never know but he was thankful for it. Grateful for the effect it was having on So'lek right now. For the effect it was having on himself right now. His heart felt as though it was about to bang out his chest. He kept the pace slow as he leaned in, giving So'lek the chance to pull away from him so he could awkwardly apologise for reading the room wrong.
But.
He didn't.
Though the fact that he didn't lean into it had Tamtey hesitating just a little bit longer before his lips made contact with So'lek's. The sound that escaped So'lek because of it had Tamtey suddenly craving more. His hand pulled away from his chin, gently brushing along his cheek before it cupped So'lek's jaw. It seemed to be then that So'lek finally grasped what was happening. Because then So'lek's hand was in his hair, tugging it and pulling a small grasp from Tamtey's lips.
His other hand drifted away from the man's arm, taking its place on his hip instead. He felt So'lek's hand leave his hair, settling around the back of his neck instead before he was tugged closer. So close their bodies were pressed against each other. Tamtey's skin was cold, cold from the flight here, from hitting the wind head on. So'lek's skin however, was warm from the fire at his cooking station, it was inviting. He chuckled at the full body shiver that overtook So'lek when their skin made contact. Tamtey felt So'lek's tail wrap around his leg tightly, as if it were convinced that would keep him there.
Their kiss transformed from something so gentle, loving, unsure to messy and chaotic. Once Tamtey got a taste, he had no idea how to stop himself. He began to nip So'lek's lips between his fangs, brushing his tongue along his teeth. Tamtey kissed him like he was trying to prove something, like So'lek would somehow disappear if he stopped.
So'lek just appeared to be swept off his feet by the entire thing, going along with whatever Tamtey was doing, letting out a muffled moan when their tongues brushed against each other.
They were both panting when they finally separated to breathe.
Tamtey didn't waste anytime, he immediately began to press his lips along So'lek's jaw, occasionally nipping at the skin as he listened to him pant in his ear, grinning when he felt So'lek rub his head against hair. That was when he was reminded that the other man only had one arm to currently work with. His lips trailed away from his jaw, traveling down his throat until he reached his injured shoulder.
''Do you know how good it felt it carry you?'' He whispered, pressing a kiss over where the bullet wound was. So'lek let out another moan, his head tipping back as Tamtey's lips traveled back to his throat, nipping at the skin. Tamtey's hands clamped around his thighs, hoisting him off the ground. He smirked at the way So'lek yelped, obviously caught off guard by it and quickly crossed his ankles, holding on to Tamtey as best he could with one arm. Tamtey pressed him against the wall, continuing his assault on So'lek's throat. ''How good it feels to know that I can just lift you without a problem? Does it feel good, So'lek? To be lifted as if you weigh nothing?'' He gave an experimental squeeze to his thighs, pressing himself against him. A smirk spreading across his face at the moan So'lek let out, his head tilting back, resting against the rocky wall behind him.
''Tamtey? So'lek?'' Ri'nela's voice had Tamtey's hand shooting up to cover So'lek's mouth, muffling the sounds that were slipping out. So'lek stared down at him with wide eyes, frantically glancing between him and the cave entrance.
''Oh shit.'' He hissed, letting So'lek down. They practically leapt away from each other, attempting to act...casual.
So'lek immediately returned to his cooking station while Tamtey pretended to inspect the dapophet plants.
Of course, Ri'nela picked up on the tension between them immediately.
''Tamtey.''
''What?''
''What did you do?''
''I didn't do anything!''
''Tamtey.''
''I didn't!''
''Tell that to So'lek's neck.'' She snorted drily, pointing at the marks that now littered So'lek's neck
''TAMTEY.'' He snapped, his hand shooting up to his neck to try and cover it all up.
''I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING!''