Disclaimer: I don't own the story or fandom. This work belongs solely to blacktalon117 and the movie producers.
By all accounts Ti'kon hadn't had a good day.
The Young bloods he was meant to train today weren't particularly cooperative, as they were a fresh batch. They were totally untried and still believed that their mothers would solve all their problems should any happen to arise, a too aggressive teacher being one of them. He lost count of how many times he had to knock down a too proud pup, literally. He didn't care who their sires were, like they thought he would. If they were going to survive their Kainde amedha chiva they needed to be taught properly and ruthlessly if need be. Just because a young blood had two Honored warriors as parents didn't mean they couldn't die just as easily as a more common raised Yautja.
In the end the entire lesson was spent with them doing push ups. Six hours of push ups. If a youth made any noise that wasn't one of exertion, they received a kick to the ribs. Ti'kon had trained new Young bloods before and knew how much trouble the more 'privileged' Yautja could give him. This was probably because they found him less intimidating. Being raised and living with an Honored warrior they thought they could complain with no consequences.
Lesson number one with Ti'kon was always making them realize no special treatment was given, and that at the end of the day they were either dead or alive. Kainde amedha didn't ask you for your status before they ran you through. The first trial always weeded out the stupid males, and Ti'kon had little sympathy for a spoiled pup.
The second part of his bad day had been when he went to see a surprisingly frustrated High Elder. The Yautja was known for his cool composure, to see him shuffling several piles of parchment and mumbling to himself as he sat behind his desk had thrown Ti'kon. The curt greeting hadn't been expected either.
"Yes, what is it?" his elder asked without looking up.
"Ah, pardon the interruption High Elder, but I was wondering if you had time to speak with me."
"Not really," he finally looked up from the piles of parchment he had been sorting, "but I am listening if you need to discuss something, is it to do with that bold mate of yours?"
Ti'kon couldn't help grinning at the mention of Little Knife. He was certain that by the time he got home she would have explored every inch of their quarters like she had on the ship. He knew that the first couple of days in her knew home would just consist of her familiarizing herself with everything. That was why he hadn't bothered giving her anything to do. He had given her a book yes, but there was no way she would be able to read it yet. He would have to teach her their language first. There was many things he had to teach her.
'Reading, writing, history, Yautja customs. . . .oh Paya, she needs to be trained as well. Pauk, she needs to complete a chiva too. . . .Pauk '
Years of training kept Ti'kon's face neutral at his sudden revelation, now was not the time, especially not in front of the High Elder.
"No, it's her father I wish to discuss."
Ti'kon had the elders undivided attention now. Paperwork forgotten, he leaned back in his chair. Folding his hands so that they were hidden in his deep red robes.
"Ah, so it is Gaun you wish to speak of. The male was here to talk with me yesterday actually. Informed me of his. . .ordeal. It is easy to see that the males spirit is broken. Which is a shame considering Little Knife has such potential when she only has some of his DNA. Gaun could have been an Honored warrior by now if he was not taken. But then again, if he wasn't captured you wouldn't have your bold mate. . .Paya is at work here I believe."
Ti'kon felt himself relax, this was the Elder he knew. He was known to rant about subjects he found interesting, and Ti'kon felt a twinge of pride for his mate, as she had clearly gained the males interest. If the elder wasn't mated, Ti'kon would have been experiencing an altogether different emotion right now.
Ti'kon didn't really mind it when he was subjected to the High Elders rants, you always gained some insight or information. . .even if it was trivial. . .or had nothing to do with you.
"I wish to request that Gaun be assigned his own quarters."
The males face went suddenly blank, confusing Ti'kon.
"Where is he currently staying?"
"At my quarters."
"Which I understand are quite large."
Ti'kon knew where this was going.
"You are denying my request, High Elder?"
"Normally I wouldn't," he huffed, "but all of these-" he gestured to the piles of papers, "are Lone warriors requesting to join the clan, and guess who they're bringing with them?"
"Small, trouble making, aliens?"
Ti'kon tried his best to keep from grinning, but the older male didn't. His grin was large, obviously enjoying the reference.
"Indeed, a lot more than I ever expected. We are going to have to extend the Clan ship, as I can't bring myself to deny any of the requests. It appears that my decree has attracted. . .refugees. I have had to accept a large amount of warriors immediately as they are being pursued by Arbitrators."
Ti'kon straightened in his seat, his spine rigid. He had no idea that warriors were being condemned because they had chosen Ooman females as mates. The idea of inter-species relationships was still new to him even if he was apart of one, he had no idea his situation was so. . .wide spread. It made sense that other clans would take action to ensure that what they saw as a disgrace was. . .eliminated.
"Do you think the Arbitrators will follow them here?"
Yautja Arbitrators were known for being ruthless. Even though it was their job to enforce their races rules, Ti'kon always found Arbitrators holds an honor to be slim at best. He had always thought of them as glorified Bad-bloods. Arbitrators seemed to enjoy killing far too much then was natural. They took far too much pleasure in their job for his liking.
When the High Elder growled low in his throat at his question. Ti'kon knew that any Arbitrator that tried to collect a bounty on his clan ship would not be meeting an honorable death.
"Oh, they will follow them here I have no doubt. But, I have been in discussions with the Matriarch before I even passed the Ooman law. It seems that, unlike me. she has known of Yautja compatibility with female Ooman's for some time, and had been looking for a solution."
'The Matriarch.'
The Matriarch was the leader of all Yautja. Based on their home world she directed all of the High Elders in their rulings. She was the head of all clans and the representative of Paya, second only to the God herself. It was the Matriarch's goal to ensure the continuation of Yautja civilization and the survival of their species. The Matriarch was the only reason why there was no civil war among the Yautja and rivaling clans, she simply wouldn't allow it, and her rulings were final.
"Turning our clan into a haven was the most logical solution. This way the Matriarch knows exact numbers without wondering how many Lone warriors there are hiding their mates, and there is no senseless killings. Apparently some sucklings have been involved in the past, and the Matriarch will not stand for it anymore. You would not have heard being stuck with the Young bloods this morning, but she officially released all the details of the Ooman law this morning."
Ti'kon felt a tinge of regret for missing such an historic announcement that meant he could keep his little mate.
"As soon as a ship enters the docking bay they are safe. If the ship is being perused by an Arbitrator's we are not to open fire. However, if an Arbitrator opens fire and it happens to be in the direction of the clan ship, even though that is not their intended target. What kind of clan would we be if we couldn't defend ourselves by firing back?"
The High Elder smiled at Ti'kon slyly, making his mandibles twitch. This was going to be a rule that the Elder took full use of he was sure of it.
"An Arbitrator can dock too of course," he leaned back in his chair, looking every inch a smug ruler, "but because this is my ship I can simply tell them to Pauk off back to their own clan- "
Ti'kon did smile this time, knowing that if the High Elder was angry enough he would do just that.
"but to conclude this friendly discussion, in which I may have been procrastinating. No, Gaun can not have his own quarters at the moment. He will have to wait until the ship has been extended. May I ask why you came to ask me directly for such a simple request. You could have just gone to another Councilor?"
Ti'kon looked away from the High Elder's questioning stare.
"I was hoping that if it had been possible. . .you could have sped up the process."
The Elder looked confused. "If my thinking is correct, and it often is, you could have only been living with Gaun for a few nights. Having trouble with your new father?"
"No," Ti'kon spoke quickly, perhaps too quickly. "Gaun is a perfect guest, he keeps to himself, and is very quiet-"
"-and yet you want him gone," the High Elder interrupted him. "What are you not telling me, Councilor?"
Ti'kon knew that the elder was being serious now, as he used his formal term of address. This was not a question that he could leave unanswered, it was an official question.
"High Elder, it is not really me who would prefer Gaun to have his own quarters. . . ." Ti'kon trailed off not knowing how to word this at all.
"Little Knife wants to kick her father out of your quarters?"
The High Elder looked disappointed, and Ti'kon knew it was directed at his mate. He was misrepresenting her character totally. Horrified, Ti'kon jumped to her defense.
"No! That's not it at all .. . .not really-"
'Oh Paya'
Ti'kon knew he was making this much worse than what it was.
"I'm going to have to tell you, aren't I?"
The High Elder was frowning now, unfolding his hands from his robes he placed them on the desk.
"I suggest you do, Councilor. You aren't making any sense."
Ti'kon knew this was going to be the most embarrassing thing he ever had to do. Rubbing his face briefly, he met the Elder's disapproving stare.
"Little Knife finds it. . .unsettling doing-being. . .intimate, with her father so close. She would prefer he has his own quarters, so that. . ."
Ti'kon stopped talking, the High Elder clearly understood the situation now, as he was having trouble breathing. Strange huffing noises were coming from him, and it was clear he was trying his best not to laugh in Ti'kon's face, but he was fighting a losing battle.
"Well, that Councilor certainly is a problem," he wheezed, mandibles twitching, "but one that you're going to have to solve on your own."
His big frame shaking with suppressed laughter, the Elder reached forward to grab a random pile of papers.
"If you-you don't mind. I have lots of w-work to do. You're diss-missed."
Ti'kon left the room as fast as he could, he ignored the guards at the door with their own twitching mandibles, and managed to make it to the end of the corridor before he could hear the High Elder's booming laughter.
It really hadn't been the best of days, but at least it was over now. And for the first time in his life he could go home to his mate. Yes, Little Knife made this day all worth it.
She was getting healthier now, and she was recovering quickly from the abuse her body had been through. She had a healthy appetite, and it would only be a matter of weeks before he could no longer see all of her ribs. Then he could finally claim her as a real mate would.
Of course, she was still so much smaller than him. He would have to be very careful not to get carried away, but he knew he could do it. For the first time in his life, he would have to be gentle with a female, but he could easily do it for her. She had been considerate of him in all of their not-quite-matings. So he would do the same for her. She had to enjoy their first mating, there was no 'but' about it. He had to do it properly, his pride as a male demanded it.
He would settle for nothing less.
Far happier with such determined thoughts in his head. He neared his quarters, wondering if Gaun would be back by now. Probably not, as Ti'kon was returning home sooner than he normal would.
The doors to his quarters swished open, and Ti'kon was forced to stagger backwards at the potent smell that greeted him.
'Paya!'
His mates musk was thick in the air, and his body instantly hardened. Right out in the hallway, where a passing male that had also caught the thick scent looked at him far too knowingly. Brought out of his shock by the strangers stare, Ti'kon threw himself into his quarters. Locking his door behind him.
'Little Knife has to be in heat'
Even though she had told the Medic that Ooman's didn't have heat, there was no other logical explanation for this. Her scent was too strong, and as he neared the bedroom, it only got thicker. He could hear her now too.
She was panting.
The urge to throw off his armor and go barreling into the room and take her hit him. But he held himself back, there was still a lot that he didn't know about his Ooman mate. He didn't want to offend her or be presumptuous when it came to something a serious as mating.
So with twitching hands and a defiant body, he forced himself to calm down before entering their bedroom.
He did so slowly, sliding into the room and searching out his mate.
There she was in the center of the bed.
Yet to notice him she was totally naked, and looking incredibly uncomfortable. She was on her knees and between her legs was. . .
Ti'kon had never moved so fast in his life.
With panicked roar he was upon her, yanking the flask out of her. He quickly checked to make sure it was still sealed and none of the blue liquid had escaped.
"WHAT THE PAUK DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!"
He yelled at her, pushing her down into the bed so he could quickly check for damage between her legs.
Solvent.
She had put a flask of solvent. . .in. . .
He had to get her to a Medic now.
