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Chapter Text

Rex groaned and grabbed his arm as Jesse dragged him behind a barricade. “Jesse,” He growled. “I still have one good shooting arm. Let me-”

“Now, now,” Jesse shook his head, removing the captain’s helmet. “Calm down, Cap’n. I’ll take your place out there.” Jesse glanced up, clearly relieved. “Finally,” He exhaled. “An angel of the battlefield arrives.”

Rex turned his head and stared, as a medic raced towards him. She wore no armor, only garbed in a white uniform. Rex’s head snapped at Jesse, and he snarled through gritted teeth. “No, Jesse.”

“Yes, Jesse.” The clone beamed, winking at Rex, and glancing up as the woman skidded over on her knees. “Medic, our gallant captain here-”

“Just the arm,” She mused, stripping off the sleeve of armor. “I can see. Go, Jesse, I’ll care for him.”

Rex snapped his head after Jesse’s fleeting figure, the sly aura of the clone disappearing behind the barricade with him. “So, medic, I- thanks for coming.”

“Mhm, yes,” She mused, yanking off the shoulder pad. “Can you breathe?”

“Yeah. I can feel my arm and everything.” Rex flexed his fingers to demonstrate. “I’ve been shot before.” The captain protested, trying to sit up. “This isn’t my first-”

She grinned, using her teeth to rip a strip of bandage. It was, quite possibly, the most stunning thing Rex had witnessed. “But this is your first time being treated by me, Captain.” Her voice, crooning playfully, was loud over the surrounding blaster fire. “And, if you keep getting shot like that,” She ripped off the sleeve of the body glove and applied the bacta pad, and wrapped the bandage over his arm. “I promise it won’t be the last.”

Rex cursed, watching her nibble on the inside of her lip, and decided that maybe he should be shot more.

Chapter Text

It hurt for a little bit to see your boys, your clones tranistioning to a war’s end and trying to adjust to new Imperial regulations. Your heart hurt for Crosshair, especially, his brothers gone. You weren’t sure what event had happened to make them flee, but, to your understanding, they were deemed traitors to the rising new Empire.

Your crisp white uniform was changed for a sharp grey one that a kaminoan handed you. You smoothed down the grey chest and exhaled shakily. Quietly, you left the lab and walked down the hall to the former quarters of Batch 99. Crosshair was your one stability, but, even now, his affections towards you had hardened. Change was one of the only constants in life.

You opened the quarters, greeted by the pressing eyes of the new imperial recruit forces that had taken over. You plastered a stern expression on your face, hoping your resolve wouldn’t crumble. “I’m looking for Crosshair.”

“The clone?” A man scoffed from his bunk. He stood, striding over to you.

You felt your leg slide back, away, but your heart pounded. You steeled your body, determined to not shrink. “Yes, the human that I came here for.”

His brow cocked, and he crossed his arms. “What do you want with him?” He grinned. “I can show you whatever you need.”

When his hand moved towards you, you snapped out, smacking it away. “I let no one touch me without asking. Not even you.”

He frowned, reaching out and grabbing your wrists. “You little minx-”

You yanked a hand away, winding it back and striking at his face. Furiously, you opened your mouth and emitted a shrill scream, throwing yourself back and away from him, pressed uniform now disheveled.

As you expected, the doors slid open, and Crosshair hurried in, along with Naala, the head medical Kamonian, and Tarkin, who you recognized as the new Imerial Overseer.

Crosshair moved towards you, eyes flickering to the man occupying the barracks. “What did he do?” His voice was soft, dangerous, as he examined the wrist you held up. His eyes moved over the crescent shaped marks, and his expression darkened.

Tarkin frowned, glancing at the officer. “It appears you frightened a medical officer.”

“She’s overreacting,” he mumbled, glaring daggers at you. You shuddered, allowing Crosshair to lead you to Tarkin.

Crosshair nodded, and you raised your hand. “He grabbed me,” you choked on your words, glancing down. “I wanted to let people know I was in here.”

Tarkin examined you, hands neatly tucked away behind his hack, eyes scrutinizing the wrists you held out. “If this true?” He asked finally, almost lazily.

The soldier’s jaw tightened and he said nothing.

Crosshair’s teeth gritted. “Keep a leash on your men, *sir*,” His lips curled into a sneer and he walked, fingers motioning you to follow.

Offering a quick nod to Naala and Tarkin, you hurried after him, face warm.

The walk to your quarters was quiet. Your eyes were cast down, and you walked behind him, gaze tracing Crosshair’s shoes. His anger was boiling over, and you felt the heat this close. The moment your room door slid open, you shuffled to your bed and sunk down on it, watching him lower the helmet he was carrying to the ground.

“Are… are you mad?” You licked your lips, warmth flooding your face, eyes prickling with tears in preparation for Crosshair’s scolding.

He glanced over at you, expressuon neutral. “I’m not mad,” His brow deepened, and he edged closer, almost cautious. “What makes you think that?”

You glanced up at him, fighting bitterly, and failing to a point, to keep the tears away from rising. “You haven’t touched me since we left.” You whispered, the words thick with fear.

The reaction wasn’t one you expected. Crosshair sunk down into a crouch, catching your eyes. “Cyare, I’m not mad.” Crosshair reemphasized. He moved a hand up, hesitating slightly before he had drawn it back. “I just didn’t think you wanted to be touched. I know it can be violating.” He paused, before standing.

You felt your eyes widen, and the tears pricked at your eyes in the most irritating of ways. You followed him, watching him stand. He was a couple inches taller than most clones, which was fine by you, but it meant you had to actually look *up* at him. “I…” you stared in slight shock, blinking. “Thank you.”

He grunted softly. “What can I do?”

You scooted over on the bed and patted it. “Sit with me?” Your words trembled as he sat down quietly. You leaned against him, softly, and Crosshair pressed a hand gently into your back. It was warm, smoothing over the grey of the uniform.

The air was tense with silence, the only sound being a few sobs from your throat that you tried stifling. “If you hadn’t come when you did-”

“I’ll always come for you, cyare,” He interrupted. You felt him squeeze your arm tenderly. “I’ll always come for you.” He tugged you closer, voice lowering. “You just tell me, and I’ll be there.”

“Thank you,” you croaked, nestling against him. You allowed him to gently pick up your hand and examine your wrist, and you felt his eyes darken as he looked at it.

“Say the word, darling, and I’ll kill him.” Crosshair hissed. Even if you didn’t say it, he probably would.

Your head shook, hands reaching back shakily to take down the neat bun you had in your hair all day. “No, please.” You mumbled, pressing against him again. “I don’t want to worry about losing you, too.”

The silence washed over the two of you once more. You felt his head turn and his lips press to your temple. “You don’t need to. I’ll make sure I stay.”

You shivered. You knew that you were here for a good while, in this facility on Kamino. But you had Crosshair.

“Can I kiss you, Cyare?”

The moment you nodded, Crosshair’s lips met yours, his hand tracing your jaw softly. You sighed, letting him tangle his fingers in your loose hair, and moved closer. He lips moved away to mumble, “Your kisses would end all kisses,” before interrupting himself to resume your embrace.

____

Tarkin paced the halls of Kamino with Naala, who stated, “It’s a shame about that officer. Our clone forces don’t make… unwarranted advances.”

“Mm.” Tarkin mumbled. “Is Crosshair-” He hated saying their names. “Is he romantically involved with that medical officer?”

“Their relationship is ambiguous. But it has never gotten in the way of either one of them doing their duties,”

Tarkin nodded. “I want her here at all times, in this facility. I want eyes on her at every possible moment, without her knowing, just in case our trooper has second thoughts about our cause.”

“Certianly.” Naala Se nodded, stepping away as Tarkin resumed his stroll.

So… the clone did have a heart. Interesting. Unfortunately for the trooper, Tarkin through with a cold grin, that heart was here, on this facility, under the watch of the Empire. Should Crosshair abandon the Empire, it would mean abandoning you. Which Tarkin now had no fears he would do.

Chapter Text

You sighed and smoothed a hand down your dress and sighed, grabbing your vibroblade and tucking it into the back ornament of your dress. It was sleek enough to blend in and match and look more like a decoration than a weapon. You exhaled softly and pulled back the door, clutching the excess of skirts as you walked into the common area of the Havoc. You grimaced as Hunter gave a teasing whistle. “Do I have to do this? Crosshair would look better in this.” You liked feeling feminine, but it was rare, and especially around so many men. Female mercenaries couldn’t risk appearing so feminine, especially when they wouldn’t risk being taken as seriously as their male counterparts.

“Our target has a weakness for women, especially high-class women.” Tech glanced up briefly from his holopad before diverting his attention back to it.

“Aw, you think I’m high class?” You teased, ruffling the skirts.

To your disappointment, Tech only replied with a brief hum. “Women, especially socially beautiful ones, are his primary weakness. You will go in, distract, get him to a private location, and we’ll be waiting for you to escort him to us.”

“Wow, I’m high class and beautiful? You’re throwing the comliments tonight,” You chuckled, reaching over and nudging Tech slightly. A smile flitted across his lips, and your heart tremored. “You’ll be on the comms?”

“I’ll be waiting for your signal.” He nodded. “We’ll be ready.”

You nodded, moving towards the exit ramp, Tech following closely. Once onto the landing bay, you turned to him. “Wish me luck?” you gently tapped your cheek, smiling.

Tech looked up from the screen, eyes scanning your face, hesitating. He stepped forward, gaze intent on you, and you leaned forward. The wind was cold, but here on this landing dock you couldn’t care less. Your shoulders shuddered, and Tech reached forward, pressing a hand gently on your shoulder, patting it. “Good luck,” He murmered, retreating back to the ship. He moved quickly, not glancing back, rubbing his hands together.

Your shoulders slumped. Neither your mercenary self or your dolled-up self were enough for him.

___

Tech slumped forward in the cockpit chair, staring at the blank screen. The holopad had shut off a while ago.

It wasn’t like Tech was oblivious to your advances. He noticed the long gazes, the slight flirting, the gentle touches against his arm or his back. It seemed as though his brothers were in on it as well, encouraging Tech to make moves in return of your feelings. Tech felt tempted sometimes to return the touches, the gazes, the words. Even the good luck earlier, he had known what you wanted, but he drew away. Clones were expendable. Tech was weird, nerdy, talkative. You were none of those things. And yet you sat down and spoke to him, encouraged him to be conversational about what his brothers would poke fun at him for.

“Tech?” Hunter’s voice called. “You heard back?”

“Nothing yet.” Tech activated the holopad again, skimming through the feed of cameras in the opera house.

“Mhm,” Hunter leaned on the doorway, pausing. “Tech, you’re still a human.”

“I am aware.”

“Go after her,” Hunter tilted his head. “Why do you think we root for you?”

Tech swallowed, attempting to brush off Hunter’s comments. “Why would she want me?”

The air thickened. Kriff. He wished he could take those words back. Now they were out, in the open, and the air was thick. Insecurities were exposed. “She deserves more.”

“What if you’re enough?” Hunter leaned back on the wall. “She likes you, Tech-”

The comm blinked red, but there was only static.

Tech stood, grabbing the holopad and flipping through feeds. “She’s not there,” His tone lilted in panic. “Hunter, pursue the target. I’ll find her.” He dropped the holopad and picked up his helmet, sprinting out, grabbing his gun with the grappling hook attachment.

___

You stumbled against the railing, staring down at the vast space below, filled with the busy speeders. If you fell, you would be lost in the chaos below, body mangled and alone forever in this beautiful dress.

You whipped around, watching the man advance with your blade in his hand. Your arm bled, and you pressed it to your side. Your back pressed against the railing, which was slick with the drops of blood, and made it hard to stand firm.

When the man moved at you, you bit the inside of your cheek as hard as possible and lunged, swinging your good arm in a punch. It clocked his jaw, earning a painful sounding crack, and you kicked at him. He reached up, smacking at the deep wound in your arm. You cried out, but resumed hitting at him, wrestling the knife away, straddling on top of him now, both hands struggling against the almost superhuman grip of the man below you.

He arched up, knocking you off, and his elbow slammed into your ribs. he shoved you towards the edge. You skidded, the dress heavy and lacking friction as you wrapped your arms around the railing banister. You struggled to stand, the adrenaline wearing off and exhaustion setting in. A heavy groan escaped as you slumped back on the metal rail, shaking your head heavily. “I’m not going down,” You panted, body shuddering, “that easily.”

Behind you, there was a faint *thwip*, and you pressed back on the banister more as the man advanced, your knife in hand. He froze, still, and collapsed, the knife skidding away

You stared in shock as the man fell, hand flying to his chest. An arm wrapped around you from behind. “Hang tight.”

With that, you were carried upwards into the air, wrapping your arms around Tech tightly. You stared down, height dizzying. The violent dragging upwards didn’t help either. “Tech, I’m going to throw up.”

“As long as you don’t do it on me.” He chuckled, helmet lightly bumping the top of your head. Your hair whipped your face and you whimpered, tightening your grip on his shoulders. Tech pulled you closer, voice softening. “We only have a thirty-five percent chance of falling.”

You groaned. “Only thirty five percent chance.” Not helping.“

Tech sighed, exasperated. "I’m trying to comfort you.” He paused, bumping your cheek with his helmet, pausing the ascention. “Hey. Look at me. Look at my helmet, and my funny looking glasses. Don’t look down.”

You glanced up, hugging him tighter as he pressed his feel to the building, moving you between himself and the grappling rope he had attached to his belt and gripping with his hand. Whimpering, you pressed your face in his neck, squeezing your eyes shut, knuckles whitening. “Have you dont this before?”

“Of course I have.” Tech replied with the confidence he was not feeling because he, in fact, had not actually done this before. He was glad he was wearing gloves, because his hands were sweating profusely with anxiety. “Just pay attention to me.” He took a few more steps up. “Talk. We’re almost there.”

You nestled closer to him, turning your head so your hair wasn’t hitting him in the face. “Well… do I still look high class, at least?”

“You do.”

“Do high-class people climb buildings?”

A chuckle sounded, making you smile a little. “I’m sure they do, everyone needs to at least once.”

You pressed more into him. “Why did you come for me?”

“Because I saw on the feed you weren’t in sight.” Tech stopped, letting his body re-calibrate as he glanced down at you. “I knew you were in danger.” He hesitated. “Who did you want to come?”

“You, mostly.” You rested against him, grip still tight, but significantly less than before.

Tech stared, blinking through his goggles, before quickly moving upwards again. “Just a few more meters. Why do you say things like that?” He didn’t pause to see if you were confused, questioning. “You make little remarks, little quips. Earlier in the ship, you did it. You did the same thing on Dantooine. Just about everywhere, actually.”

“Wow. For all the numbers you crunch, you’re not too bright, are you?”

“No, actually. I do have a theory.’ Tech wrapped his arm under you, adjusting to grip the ledge of the roof. He pushed you up to grab it, and then followed.

You laughed, turning to him. "A theory, as always.” You crossed your arms, backing up to not be so close to the edge. “Let’s hear it.”

Tech glanced back, tugging the rest of the grappling line into the attachment on his belt. He turned, clicking his visor, and tugged off his helmet. “Correct me if I’m wrong.”

A smile tugged at the corner of your lips, skirts billowing in the wind. “I will.”

Tech sighed, holding his helmet under his arm, but refusing to break eye contact. “My brothers have remarked on it, and they have mentioned it. And your advances have been obvious.”

“Maybe I’m losing my touch.”

“So I have a theory,” He exhaled, shakiness emerging to the first time, fingers trembling. “That you experience… at least some affection for me.” He cocked his head, risking a small step forward. “I’m stumped on why.”

“Why I would like you?” You frowned. “Tech, you’re everything I want to be. You’re smart and quick on your feet. And tall. And also, you climbed a building with no issue.” You grinned, reaching over and softly laying a hand on his forearm. “You’re intelligent and witty.”

“You could have anyone.” He readjusted his grip on the helmet. “Hunter, Wrecker, Echo, even Crosshair. Although Crosshair can be a bit-”

“What if I want to have you?” Your skirts brushed his armor as you moved closer. “They’re not Tech, and I want Tech.” You chuckled, reaching up and tapping the rim of his glasses gently. “Funny looking glasses and all.”

Tech blinked, half shocked. “Well… that’s a relief.” He paused, glancing down to work his free hand into yours. “What’s the statistical probability you would allow me to kiss you?”

You grinned, tugging his hand and moving into him. “About one hundred percent.”

“I like those odds,” Tech chuckled, breath warm on your face. He leaned down, cautious, lightly pressing his lips to yours, in a chaste but sweet embrace.

You moved his hand up to your shoulder, reaching up and wrapping your arms around his neck lazily. You paused, breaking the kiss briefly. “Where’s the others?”

Tech shrugged, smiling, glancing around. “They’ll bring the Havoc up. I told them to meet me up here if we didn’t fall to our deaths.” You nestled closer to him, sighing, as he softly said, “I’m sorry if my not returning your advances seemed cruel. You truly do look beautiful tonight. Studies say the most beautiful person on this planet is you.”

“Oh! Oh, now you’re smooth.” You laughed, tilting your head up.

“Mhm, and I’ll continue.” He lightly pressed a kiss to your cheek, and you closed your eyes, humming in satisfaction. “I’ll keep flirting so hard you won’t know what hit you.”

You grinned, hugging around his neck and kissing him again.

How unfortunate it was that, when you both got onto the Havoc, you remembered you had been wearing lipstick. You didn’t have the heart to tell Tech, who was calmly explaining that the mission went well and professional to Hunter (who was somehow maintaining a straight face while the other boys were laughing) with red smears on his face.

Chapter Text

The air was bitter cold, and Crosshair’s armor wasn’t a great insulator. He huffed slightly, the air stale in his helmet. Filtered oxygen didn’t taste good after nearly 20 hours, laying in the freezing outdoors, the icy earth to his stomach and prickly pine needles prodding his back.

He resisted the urge to stretch, fingers still resting softly on his rifle. His stomach ached and practically cried for nutrition, but Crosshair promptly ignored that. He was used to sitting for several hours, and used to sitting in the cold and extreme heat, but he had not done it for this amount of time before. Crosshair’s body glove kept him warm to an extent, but he would kill for just a moment to stand a stretch his legs.

The snow crunched, but he ignored it. It was probably just one of the others, coming to try and get him to switch positions. Crosshair had already shooed Tech away twice and discouraged Hunter by comm. They had learned, after years, to let him do his own thing. “If it’s you, Tech, I’ll shove your glasses so far up that ass you’ll spit out your lenses.”

The crunching stopped to his relief, but then someone sidled next to him. Warmth enveloped him. “Well, I guess I’ll take the blanket and cafe back.” You beamed, utterly cheerful despite the circumstances.

“Go away.”

“Nah.” You reached over and flicked your finger on his helmet. “I think you’re glad I’m here.”

Crosshair surpressed a smile under his helmet, slowly pushing himself up. “Who sent you?”

“I sent me.” You dug your boots into the snow. “Out of the kindess of my heart. My warm, toasty, loving-”

“You think you’re loving?” He sat up more, tugging off his helmet and grabbing the cup you offered. He was greeted by the sweet, bitter, warm embrace of hot caf.

You giggled, shoving him after he lowered the cup. “Oh, come on, Cross. You’ve been here for a while. I’m just as good a sniper as you are.” He grunted, and you frowned. “Fine. I can hit a head.”

A chuckle grated its way out of Crosshair’s throat. “The caf is good.”

“I remembered how you like it. Which is disgusting, but I did it anyways.” You sighed. “How can you do that with no sweetness? No milk?”

“This is the only way it was served on Kamino. Cheapest way to get it, too.”

“Hm,” You mumbled, tucking down next to his rifle. “Tell you what. You let me take over for you for, oh, an hour, I’ll take you out for sweet caf.” When silence responded, you whined. “Come on, I do stuff you like.”

“Like what?”

“I snipe! Because you like it. I brought you caf.” You shifted, wiggling in the snow. “How did you stay out here so long? It’s freezing.”

Shortly after saying these words, you felt the blanket brush over your back. “Here,” Crosshair grunted. He laid back down on his stomach next to you, warmth from his body gathering under the blanket by you.

You grinned, leaning into the visor. “Thanks.”

Pause.

“You’re going soft, Crosshair.”

He only grunted, but, without moving away from your sights, you could hear the smile he was trying to avoid.

Chapter Text

It is a truth universally acknowledged that, should you be a front line soldier, you will, at one point or another, get shot and need a medic.

So now, here he was, quite literally ducking behind a rock, swearing as blaster shots whizzed by and the medic crouched over him. The medic’s brow furrowed. “I’m fine,” he snarled, watching them grimace. His harsh tone ebbed away, and he exhaled. “I promise. I’m fine.”

“You’ve been shot in your shooting arm,” The medic debated, jumping somewhat as a bit of the rock shook. Despite the amount of jitters they were clearly experiencing, their hands were still and steady. They exhaled, fingers moving in tandem with memory. “You’re good.”

A shot was too close, and they jumped. Crosshair exhaled. “Green?”

“Pardon?”

“Green, as in, new to the battlefield?”

The medic offered a sheepish smile. “That obvious?”

“That obvious and more.” Crosshaur groaned and adjusted. He had lost his toothpick somewhere in the middle of the firefight, and he sorely wished he could be chewing on one right now.

To his amusement, the medic was humming, hands steady but body shaking, jumping at every time anything near them shifted or was hit by laser. They squeaked, before mumbling to themself and rubbing in the bacta quicker.

“You putting on the bandage well is better than you putting it on quickly and poorly.”

“I know!” The medic sighed, sheepish. “Can you just- say something nice?”

Crosshair blinked, jaw half-slack. “You want me, to say something… nice.”

The medic didn’t seem to pick up in his sarcasm and disbelief. “Yeah. About anything. You’re a sniper, right? You have lots of nice things to say! About, like… shooting.” They shrugged, splintering the joint.

Crosshair laid back, thinking. He didn’t expect being treated nice on the battlefield, because it so rarely happened. Hell, even off the battlefield it never happened.

But he was a veteran. He had been here way longer than this green medic. And besides, it was better to not piss off someone with your wounds. He racked his brain for something, anything, nice to say. “The… weather is nice.”

Force. He was lame.

Despite this, the medic nodded. “You think so?”

“Yes. Almost no wind. Perfect for shooting.” He frowned. “I can make a shot in any weather, though.”

“Can you?” When he nodded, the medic smiled down at him, and Crosshair was shocked to see he liked that smile. “What’s your best shot, you think?”

Maybe if he kept talking, Crosshair would be lucky enough to see that smile more.

Chapter Text

The Bad Batch were your closest friends. It just so happens that, when you patch up wounds of every variety (laser wounds, broken toes, and, at once point, scratches from a particulary… passionate Yalbec), you get to know people very well. You laughed nonstop as you patched up Crosshair, who was somewhere between a stage of agitation and embarassment. You assured him he should be flattered, and Wrecker laughed his ass off until you turned to him, yanking off the protective paper of a bacta pad. He had stared, terrified and almost refused to sit down on the chair.

“Wrecker, it’s good for you.” You protested past chuckles. You eased him onto the seat, rolling up his sleeve. “I’ve got to look at the damage.”

“There’s no damage,” He insisted, glancing away from you. “None of the other guys are here?”

“No. I shooed them out so it could be just you and I.” You leaned down to examine the scratches, humming. “Alright. Shirt off.”

Wrecker groaned in irritation. “Is it gonna hurt?”

You grinned and walked towards the medical cabinet, rooting through. “If you don’t move.”

He grumbled, but reluctantly shucked his shirt. “What are you gonna do?”

“You’ll see.” You smiled at him, rubbing the bacta pad between her hands. “I’m warming it up right now.”

Wrecker’s head turned away, but his eyes darted towards you, flickering on your face. “I… you wanted to be alone with me?”

You grinned up at him, ignoring how his gaze shot to your smile for a moment. “Of course.” You took his arm and gently pulled it to you, gently rubbing on the bacta.

Wrecker went quiet, shifting uncomfortably. “Can, uh… Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.” You smiled up at him, noticing that his eyes were drawn to your smile. “Is there something in my teeth?”

“Uh.” The clone turned red and stared at the ceiling, suddenly fascinated with the light fixtures. “… no.” He chewed aggressively on his cheek, focusing hard. “I like your smile.”

Your heart fluttered, and you smiled wider, cutting the length of bacta. “I like yours, too. It’s a sweet smile.”

Wrecker perked up, his chest broadening as he sat up, a boost of confidence shooting through him. “Even when I get to beat something up?”

You laughed, glancing up at him, drawing his eyes from the ceiling. “Especially when you get to beat something up.”

Wrecker chuckled, his good hand scratching the back of his neck. “I would beat up anything for you.”

“You don’t have to.” You smiled and stepped in front of him, smoothing the bacta on his chest. “But it’s good to know that you would.”

Wrecker went quiet, his chest still under your hands as you worked. The ship was blessedly quiet, free of agitation or irritation, loud arguments or banter. These moments were rare, especially when Wrecker was one of the quiet ones. You smiled, smoothing the bandage down. “There. All done.”

“Done?”

“Yep!” You chirped, starting to move back.

One of his large hands reached up and clasped yours. “I- wait,” He started.

You turned to him, tilting your head. “What’s wrong?” You reached out again. “Does something hurt?”

“No, I just-” He swallowed hard, eyes flickering up and down your face. “I like… your smile. A lot.” He glanced down, face warming, licking his lips nervously. “I don’t know how to talk about… stuff.” His voice dropped to a rumble, and he shifted again.

Your brow creased, and you moved forward, reaching to his jaw and gently pressing it up to look at his face. His eyes flickered at your lips, again, his own parting as you thumbed over his cheek, finger running over the ridge of the puckered scar. “You can show me, you know. Talking is hard, but your can show me.”

Wrecker’s gaze met yours, and you smiled encouragingly, letting him rest a hand on your back and pull you in as he leaned up from his seat, lips pressing against yours quickly, arms tightening around you to pull you close. The resistance was gone, especially since words no longer proved a barrier, and the blessed silence was welcome.

You grinned against Wrecker, pulling away gently, holding his face in your hands. “Thank you.”

Wrecker blinked, lips still puckered slightly, and he grinned widely. “That was it?”

“Yes,” You chuckled. “That was a kiss. Thank you for showing me.”

Wrecker beamed, arms gently squeezing you. “Can I show you more?”

You nodded, chuckling, leaning against him. “You can show me whatever you want. But your bacta needs to settle in.” When he groaned, you laughed, hand lightly smacking his good pectoral. “Come on, Wreck. Plus,” You bit your bottom lip and tapped his nose, earning a giggle. “If you keep it on, I get to check on you every day.”

Wrecker gave a loud cheer. “I like the sound of that!”

You laughed, leaning in to kiss him again, as Crosshair smacked the wall outside. “You can’t even kiss quiet, Wrecker.” The sniper snarled, but Wrecker didn’t seem to mind. He just giggled against your lips and hugged you tighter.

Chapter Text

It was no secret that you were the most beautiful creature in the galaxy. To Tech, at least, and also the other regs within .72 kliks of the Jedi’s radius. His Jedi.

Currently, Tech was sitting to the side, skimming through his holopad but only half-attentive to its contents. The Jedi was currently in the process of chatting with some shinies, some seasoned troops, and all regs. She was polite, kind, and even laughed at some things they said. Tech’s jaw tightened and he fought his gaze back down to his holopad.

“Our Jedi is nice,” Wrecker chimed in behind him. “She’s doing good talking to everyone and stuff.”

“Yes, Wrecker,” Tech’s voice ebbed on irritation, even dropping an octave as he glanced up. “She is very nice.”

“Heard one of them talking about how pretty she is, too. And she is pretty!” Wrecker plunked down next to Tech, tugging at the peel of a fresh fruit. It had been a while since they had recieved anything other than dried rations, and Wrecker had been doing nothing but drooling over the concept of anything other than preserved food.

His hand tightened against the rim of the holopad so tight, it began to shake. “They were commenting on her appearance?”

The affirmative sound came from around the fruit shoved in Wrecker’s mouth. It was all Tech needed. His fingers gave, and the rim of the holopad shattered with a single crack. Tech set it aside, rising and reaching for his helmet. He tugged it on quickly, his face concealed in the plastoid armor. “Wrecker, can you do a favor and find me a new pad? Supplies always have extra.” Tech’s voice was distant and he walked on his own past Wrecker’s swelling confusion. He rose to full height, shoulders rolling as he exhaled, feeling a confident swagger settle in his hips. His hands fell open, he forced them to relax, even though his face was humilitaingly red under his helmet.

“… scouting mission, ya know,” One clone was bragging, scratching the scruff on his jaw and stretching. The Jedi smiled politely, shrugging off her thick brown robe to reveal her tan garmets, which extended long, modestly, but were hugged to her waist with a belt that had her weapon, reminding those around her she was not only a woman, but a monster, a marvel, a warrior. Tech loved all of that.

“General,” Tech spoke, voice far steadier than he felt. The regs stoopped and turned, taking him in with half disgust. He felt his voice drop a few octaves. “I wanted to discuss something with you regarding the tactics for the upcoming mission.”

The previous clone scoffed. “Yeah, buddy, the General is kind of busy.”

The Jedi, a smile pressing her lips, raised her hand politely. “Thank you, but I can determine what is valuable of my time. I believe tactics are of high priority.” She wrapped the long robe around her arm, stepping away from the group of regs, moving past Tech, all six-foot-four of him, her folded robe brushing against the thigh of his armor. “Lead the way, Tech,” She practically crooned, watching him stride past.

Tech glowed under the visor, doing everything to not smirk at the glaring regs and following the Jedi.

___

Naturally, the General assigned herself and Tech to do scouting on the tactical mission. Tech climbed up the cliff, turning back and looking down at the climbing Jedi. “Need a hand?”

She beamed at him, the loose strands of hair whipping against her cheeks. “I’ll take that.” She reached up, allowing him to grasp her and tug her up. Was it just him, or did her fingers squeeze his wrist? He stared down at her hand, memorizing the shape, the feeling, the pressure of how her fingers felt in his.

She moved her hand away, glancing around from the cliff at the view. “Wow,” she exhaled. She turned back to him, robe whipping around her. “The view is stunning.”

The breath was almost knocked out of him. “Yes,” He sighed, before quickly snapping himself out of it. “Yes, it is beautiful.” He glanced at his wrist, typing on it to examine it. “It seems like we are about seven hundred and fifty meters up.”

She leaned over his shoulder, glancing down at his wrist. She reached down and took a hold of his forearm, admiring. “I need one of those,” She grinned, lashes touching her cheeks as she looked down. “That’s pretty neat.”

Tech exhaled, nodding, watching her eyes light up as she looked up at him. “Yes, I find it very useful.” He was free to smile all he wanted under his helmet. She caught his lungs, his breath, and he was forever at her mercy.

“Tech?” She leaned up, softly pressing a hand up his arm, now on his bicep. “Are you okay?”

Her lips had no right to say his name so deliciously. “Yes, I’m fine.” The human body had many interesting features that Tech liked. One hand alne had twenty-seven bones and one hundred ligaments, and blood vesselse could encircle an average planet several times, but there was no human aspect that piqued his interest more than those lips. He shook himself from his trance and glanced up. “We should keep going. With luck, we can arrive by nightfall.”

____

Turns out, they only had one tent. Two bedrolls, but one tent. Tech’s palms began to sweat when he realized this, tucking the two mats in the tent as far away from each other as he could. He racked his brain, trying to remember if he snored or spoke in his sleep.

The soldier glanced at the Jedi, who was now stoking the small fire she had started. She glanced up at Tech with a smile, mid-blowing on the kindling. He offered a smile back but turned away, face warm, half wishing he had an excuse to clamp his helmet back on his face and never remove it. He was entirely confident with it on, thank you, and would prefer to not let her know how red his face constantly was around her.

“That should be good for the night.” She sat back, crossing her knees and propping her chin on her kneecaps. “Between the fire ans the two of us in the tent, we’ll be warm in no time.” Her eyes closed, and she smiled slightly.

Body heat.

Kriff. He was going to die tonight.

To distract himself, Tech began to thumb off his plastoid chest armor. He slept with his top half of the armor off- he simply got a better night’s sleep like that. He paused, glancing at the Jedi, feeling the fleeting her eyes pressed on him.

He only caught the last moment of her eyes darting away from his arms as he slid off his bicep armor. “Everything good,”

“Yeah.” She smiled, tucking her hair behind her ears, still looking out at the night sky, bright and brilliant with speckles of the infinity above them. “Tech, I’m glad we were assigned on this together.” She crossed her arms and shuddered a bit, but her lips stayed complacent in their smile.

He watched her shudder, face and eyes brilliant in the firelight. He paused, glancing at where he had been thinking of sitting, across the whole fire from her, and instead walked around and distanced himself an arm away from her, tucking down and sliding next to her. “It doesn’t get below freezing here.” He paused, grasping the pack they had with them and tugging out the blanket. “Here.” He settled it around her shoulders.

She glanced at him, smiling softly, eyes scanning his face. “Thank you.” She reached a hand back and laid it on his, squeezing his fingers slightly, gaze piercing through his lenses.

Tech couldn’t avoid it. His eyes flickered down her face, landing momentarily on her parted lips. He felt her fingers press tighter and admired her lips curve upwards more. His face warmed and he looked up at her, swallowing hard as she cocked her head to the side, hair brushing his fingers as it spilled over her shoulders. “Tech, I-”

He drew his hands back, snapping back into the moment, clearing his throat. “Pardon me. It’s been a long day.” He glanced at the fire, hunching forward. “How are you feeling? I know Jedi have some unnatural abilities, so you’re probably holding together very well.”

She nodded, wrapping the blanket tighter. “Yeah. I don’t have any exact percentages. Probably… eighty percent?” She chuckled, scooting closer to him.

Tech shook his head, laughing softly. “Fascinating. That much, huh?”

“Mhm. How about you?” She nudged him with her shoulder.

The clone shrugged, leaning back on his hands. “I would say… fifty-seven point three percent.”

“So precise.”

Her quips could turn a long trek into a pleasurable hike, and the jedi’s giggles only made the eve that much more special.

It took him a moment to realize the warmth he felt came not from the fire, but from her scooting to only be a few agonizing inches from him.

___

The Jedi crawled into the tent, shucking her top garments and leaving on only a loose white shirt with her breeches. “Are you coming?” She debated between the mats, finally opting to the one on her left.

“Yes,” the voice from outside sighed, somewhat reluctantly. He crawled in. “I had to douse the fire. There are several predators lurking up here.”

She hummed contentedly, patting her robe up and setting it on his mat. “Is that so?”

“Yes. According to the sounds I heard on the way up here, and several nets.” He pulled his glasses up over his head, squinting and rubbing where the band had irritated him. He settled onto his mat, thanking the jedi softly for laying down her robe for him as a pillow. “I… I don’t believe I snore. But I apologize in advance.”

She shrugged, rolling onto her side to face him, beaming. “It’s okay. I’m told I’m a hugger when a sleep.” She tugged down whatever hair was still pulled back and let it roll gracefully down her neck. Tech had to stare at the roof of the tent, closing his eyes, attempting to not think of how at her most relaxed she was her most casual and caring and… oddly domestic.

He closed his eyes as he heard her hum again. “I like you with your glasses. I guess I never thought about how you would look with them off.”

“Heh.” Tech smiled, still demanding his eyes stay shut, but casually. “Thanks.”

There was a pause, and her mat ruffled on the ground. He didn’t have to open his eyes to know this, because she bumped her mat against his. “It’s tight in here.”

Force take him. Tech closed his eyes and waited for her breathing to slow and her to drift off into sleep before he could make himself relax. As soon as he began easing into slumber, he felt her arm drape over him, and she gave a lilting sigh in her sleep.

Tech’s eyes popped open. Her sleeping face was one of good dreams as she nestled closer to his heat. Tech sighed and, deciding it wouldn’t hurt- just this once, and he could hold his jedi to simply ease the raging jealousy he felt from earlier- slipped an arm over her and tugged her in, relaxing and not resisting sleep as he realized how well she fit in his arms and the curve of his body.

____
Tech learned something new about the general that night- The jedi was a sleep mumbler. She didn’t say anything important (no desperate midnight confessions, sadly), and they were slightly incoherent. But she would sigh and adjust more into him, or she would groan, brow creased, and Tech would pull her closer and rub her back (awkwardly, may he add), but it worked.

That was how he had ended up here, her head on his bicep and her arms snaked loosely around his shoulders, leg sprawled over his thigh, hair fanned out around her head as she slept.

He hadn’t met many women with this color hair. It was long, not cropped, and she obviously took good care of it. Tech gave a soft sigh himself, moving his fingers gently where the ends of her hair tickled his hand. He had seen one reg lightly tug at her hair as she was braiding it in passing (she had force-thrown a crate at him) and Crosshair would sometimes take time to pile it up on her head so it wouldn’t get in her way during missions. But no one had touched her hair like this before, as far as he had seen.

She hummed in her sleep and adjusted, leaving her nose to nose with Tech, who watched. He was glad she was asleep, because his face was turning red again. Tech paused briefly, turning his head up to look at the roof of the tent, the fabric allowing morning light to eck through barely. He glanced back down at her, realizing they would have to move on soon.

Jedi shouldn’t have attachments. Clones shouldn’t be attached to their Jedi. Sure, Tech was allowed to visit bars and flirt with the girls there, but it was specified that Jedi were off-limits. So… why did he sit here, memorizing her face when she slept?

Sighing softly, he leaned in, allowing himself to have this one thing with her. His lips hesitated, as if second-guessing, and then allowed his lips to brush- not a kiss, really, by definition- against her forehead. He sighed softly, hand wrapping around her closer, basking in her warmth, maybe pretending the war was over and he could do… whatever soldiers do when wars end. The epiphany of knowing he may never see the end of the war hit him, again, as it had a thousand and one times before.

He wasn’t sure how long he sat there, cradling her. The little voice at the back of his mind kept tugging at him, urging him to wake her and move on. The mission was first.

That was what clones were made for, after all. Especially him.

Reluctantly, Tech moved away from her, replacing his arm with the folded robe that had been under his head. His wrist tingled as blood flowed freely back through it. His fingers found his glasses and he settled him on, blinking in relief at how clear his vision was now. Thanks to his nearsightedness, all he had been able to see had been her.

Which… was a good metaphor, he supposed.

Quietly, he pressed a hand on her shoulder. “Hey. It’s morning.”

The Jedi moaned and rolled over, pressing her hands to her face. “Five more minuites.”

Tech fought to surpress a chuckle, but didn’t move his hand away when she reached up and patted his knuckles gently. “Do Jedi ever sleep in?”

“You know me, Tech.” She grinned sleepily, reaching up and rubbing her face as she rolled up lazily into a sitting position. “What do you think?”

He couldn’t think, actually. Logic and facts held no meaning when he was near her. “I’ve never seen you sleep in. However, you have slept on top of piles of droids before, and I know you sleep harder than a bantha.”

She gasped, chunking her robe at him. “Tech! Rude.”

The man laughed, dodging the flying fabric, snatching up his armor. “Oh, come now, it was funny.”

The Jedi laughed, reaching up and running a hand in her hair. “I’ll be out there in a second. We should reach the scouting point today.”

Tech smiled softly at her, but realized his cheeks were aflame, and he turned and hurried outside to put the tent between them and, soon enough, his armor again.

___

The Jedi led them up the cliff again. She needed no grappling assistance, thanks to the force, and was able to climb along the cliff with relatively little issue. She paused every now and then to glance at Tech, who was climbing just behind her. “You holding up, Tech?”

“Yes, General,” He called up, perhaps just to remind himself that it was her and not his emotions that was in charge. “I’m holding up just fine.”

She still had not tied her hair back yet today, allowing it to billow in the wind. Tech would normally encourage it, but he really liked watching it whip around in the breeze playfully. The Jedi nodded and turned, moving quickly up the rocks, and Tech followed suit.

Tech exhaled softly, still moving up the cliff, glancing up at her every now and then. She reached the top of the ledge and gracefully lept up on it before turning and laying on her stomach, reaching her hand down. “Here.” She smiled chipperly at him, palm open and waiting.

He reached up and accepted it, recalling how earlier she had been so gentle holding his hand and trying to imitate it. “Thank you,” He mumbled, thumb pressing gently into her wrist. Tech released her hand and glanced at his wrist again, lowering his visor and scanning the landscape. “Base is far off,” He explained. “Is the Force actively fueling you, or do you have to call on it when you get tired?”

She grinned at him, and shot him a wink. “I’ll never tell. That’s secret Jedi stuff.”

“Jedi and their secrets,” Tech scoffed playfully, earning a light nudge from her hip as the Jedi tied off her messy braid. “So… About Jedi?”

“Hm?” She sat down on the earth, crossing her legs.

Tech hesitated, lowering himself to sit across from her. “I respect you, and many of the Jedi I have met.” He watched her smile and forced his words out of his moth, each one tripping over the next like inebriated dominoes. “Jedi can’t have attachments, correct?”

Her lips pursed, somewhat taken aback. “I… yes.” She glanced down at the red earth, pondering. “Why?”

Why had his mouth not stayed shut? “Just… doesn’t seem to make sense.” Tech shrugged. “People fight better when they have bonds to one another. I’ve seen the fraternity between us clones. I’m not sure how my Batch and I would have lasted so long otherwise.” Subconciously, be pulled his legs in to imitate her cross-legged sit. “How do you survive so long?”

She stared at the ground, thinking, lips pursed thoughtfully. “Attachments are not… bad.” She finally answered, voice almost lost in the constant wind. “they are simply something we keep in check.” The Jedi let the answer sit in the air for a moment, as if she was absorbing it as much as Tech, and her eyes flitted up to him. “But sometimes,” She inhaled. “We just… attachments…”

His breath caught, her lips unable to form words but her eyes, perhaps the way she scooted to him, exposing her feelings for a moment, the attachments and their ligamets and every nerve she had for him. Involuntarily Tech felt his body language opening up to her too, fingers stretching along his thigh armor as she placed her hand gently on the plastoid shell.

“General, do you copy?” The Jedi’s comm buzzed, and she pulled her hand away from Tech, the explanation and excuses dying in the space between them.

The Jedi drew her wrist up her her lips. “Loud and clear.”

“Good to hear your voice, General.” The Reg on the other end sauntered. “Need reinforcements?”

“Mm, thank you. I can manage.” She pressed a michevious smile on her face, eyes flicking to Tech for a second. “I can’t wait to see my favorite trooper again.”

His face went red as the clone on the other end laughed. “Oh! One of us?”

“No,” she chuckled. “He’s not on that base. He’s in full armor right now, though, and I miss his sweet face.” Her gaze lingered on Tech for a moment, and the air reignited with meaning once more.

Tech rose quickly, hands trembling again, and started for the cliff, surprised that the heat of his face didn’t burn a hole in his helmet.

He reminded himself he was the brain of the group, not the heart, and yet he could not stop listening to how pained it was as her flirtatious tone lilted.

___

The view from up high was gorgeous. Tech glanced around, surveying the landscape. “General?”

“Almost there,” She called. “I got distracted.”

Tech’s joy from the view soured. “With what?”

“Does it matter?” She climbed up, settling on the last ridge and hoisting herself up and sitting, legs dangling. “Just chatting.”

Tech scoffed. “We are on an important mission.”

“That doesn’t mean I can’t have fun.” she frowned at him. “I’m a grown up.”

Under his helmet, Tech rotated his jaw. “Yes. And a Jedi, remember? Serious general.’

The Jedi looked up at him, her brow quirking, a sly smile teasing her lips. "Do I smell jealousy, Tech?”

“No,” Tech replied, too quickly. Could jedi read minds? He couldn’t remember. “You smell a soldier who wants to get a recon mission done.”

“Hm,” she chuckled, crossing her arms, sauntering next to him. Her long robe swayed in the breeze. “You didn’t get much sleep last night.” She bit her lower lip and raised her brows, half challenging.

Tech’s face warmed drastically at her words. Maybe they could read minds. “No.” He grabbed his binoculars. “It’s hard to when you have someone sleeping all over you. Clearly, I’m quite the heating unit.”

The Jedi sputtered in shock, turning to him. “You watched me sleep?”

“I didn’t watch you. You were just in my face.” He tilted his head her way, visor raised, and piqued his brows. “What’s wrong, General?”

She stared at him, face cycling through waves of pink and red. “You’re playing with me.”

Tech yanked off his helmet, whipping towards her, his own face pink. “Well, imagine how that feels.” His voice shattered in his throat, involuntarily. He wanted to be mad, he really did, but somehow, he couldn’t ignore the sadness.

She stared at him, cheeks warm, fingers interlocking. “I don’t- you-”

A cry peirced the air, and they glanced up together. “Tech,” she hissed. “What was that?”

Tech glanced at his wrist, running the sound through his database. “A predator. Pardon me- several.”

“Several!” She hissed, glancing up. “Domesticated?’

"It would not seem so.” He frowned, glancing up. “We need cover, now.” Tech yanked his helmet on his head.

The Jedi ignited her saber, glancing upwards as the reptilian swooped down. “Tech!”

Tech whipped out his pistol, aiming upwards and shooting as the creature dove down. He stumbled back, still shooting as the beast landed, a talon knocking the pistol from his hand and scraping through his body glove. Tech yelled, feeling the heat of his skin shredding. The beast settled on the ground, growling at the Jedi. It stalked towards Tech, a hiss emitting from its throat.

“Tech!” She moved towards him until the bird swept towards her, wings expanding and swiping at her, shrieking.

The Jedi grimaced, chunking her lightsaber and holding out her hand. The blade severed through a wing that was swiping at the air by Tech. The bird cried out, feet sputtering below it. The Jedi ran to Tech, reaching down and helping him up. “Are you okay?”

Tech stared at the bird, which was flopping pitifully in the dirt, screaming. “Yes. That’s an Avril.”

“So?”

“They’re not native to here. And that was a juvenile.”

She snapped at him, wrapping her arm around him to hoist him up. “So?’

Tech stared up, pointing. "That looks like its mom.”

She blinked, glancing up. “Oh. Hell.”

The creature above, swarming, cried out. “How fast are they?”

“Very.” Tech stooped down and grabbed his gun, glancing back at the edge. “And they’re pretty successful hunters.”

She grabbed his hand, tugging at him. “We need to go, now.”

Tech nodded, not arguing. “We are not done with that conversation.”

The Jedi grunted in negativity. “Yes the hell we are-” she started, glancing up. Her face paled. “Kriff.”

The large carrion dropped from the sky, only for the wings to fan out. It was mighty, feirce, and it looked hell-bent on revenge. The jedi stumbled, grabbing her lightsaber again.

The aviary turned her head, speckled eyes landing on the duo, and she screamed.

The Jedi grabbed for Tech, glancing at him. “How do we take care of this thing?’ She whispered.

Tech exhaled. "General.” He said softly. “I want you to know last night was the best night of my whole life.”

The jedi broke her gaze from the beast, looking up at him. “Tech,” her voice broke. “Don’t do anything dumb, that’s an order-”

Tech shoved the jedi away, as far as he could, and yanked up his gun. He aimed and shot at the bird, backing away as she swiped at him.

The Jedi had tripped as she was shoved, and had landed in the dirt nearby. She sat up, scrambling to her lightsaber. “Tech!”

Tech was knocked backwards by a mighty talon. He felt shock through his armor and his body lifted off the ground, but he never hit it. Tech looked down, realizing that he was tumbling towards the endless cliffs below them.

___

The Jedi raced to the edge. “Tech!” She screamed. She reached out with a hand, using the force and grasping around him. She glanced back and reached out, pushing back against the Avril. She panted heavily, feeling the force pull in both directions from her chest. One was pushing back, away, against the beast, and the other one grabbing Tech, trying to hold him and pull him towards her. “Tech,” she gasped, hands shaking.

The close looked at her through his helmet, visor still clicked up. He grimaced and held his bloody hand, looking around. “General, let me go.”

“What!?” She glanced back at him. “No!”

“Trust me!”

“I’m never letting you go, Tech,” The Jedi hiccuped. She should not have teased him. She should have been honest. The month wasted, the days passed- even the hours she had missed.

Last night had been the best night of her life, too.

“There’s a ledge twenty meters down. If I can land-”

“If?!”

“- then I will be fine, my armor will absorb the shock.” He bit back a moan of pain, the burn seeping into his arm. “Trust me.”

She looked at him, the pushing of the force physically shoving her back. “Tech, I trust you. I wouldn’t let you go.”

Tech exhaled, shaking his head. The pain was blinding now, his whole arm white hot. He wanted to yank off his armor and sink his body into a vat of ice. Hoth sounded great right about now. “General, please.”

She stared at him, then softly nodded. She began to pull her hand away from him, chest convulsing in soft sobs, as Tech felt the force let him go.

He plummeted- there was no gentler term for it.

Tech landed heavily on the ledge, legs shuddering. If it hadn’t been for his armor, his legs would have shattered- he knew what that felt like. Tech rolled over his shoulder, crashing on his back.

His lungs tightened, and he breathed heavily. He pressed a hand to his chest plate, attempting to get the wind back into him.

It was a few minuites before he heard the dust kick up by him.

“Tech, no, no, no, no,” The jedi reached down and tugged off his helmet, pressing a hand under his neck and picking his head up. “Breathe, please.”

Tech gasped for air. He tiled his head back, breathing in. His lungs were stubborn. That was another bad thing about the bad batch- they had some medical difficulties other clones didn’t have.

Tech closed his eyes, focusing on his body and tried to work on his lungs. “Gen-general,” he mumbled.

The jedi leaned down, tilting Tech’s head to her, and she covered his mouth with hers.

Breathe.

Tech inhaled against her, his hand leaving his chest, pressing on her arm. It wasn’t a kiss, exactly, if not a kiss of life. Breathe. He grasped her sleeve, lungs filling, and his throat breathing again, as if usual. Breathe.

The jedi pulled away, softly, and Tech groaned, fingers tightening around her sleeve. “Thank you,” he said softly, letting her pulling him up into her. She hugged him tightly, turning her face into his neck, kissing his head.

“Tech, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.” She mumbled, clutching him. “I shouldn’t have… I wanted to be honest, but,” she inhaled heavily, body trembling. “I was scared you-”

Tech hugged his arms around her gently, raking his hands in her loose style. “Shh, it’s okay.’ He mumbled. He tugged away, smoothing his thumb over her cheeks. "I’m alright.” He leaned his head back into her hands, her fingers still curling in his hair. “Thank you.”

She smiled down at him, sniffling, before healing down and pressing her lips to his in a kiss- not a reviving one, but it kick started his body. He sighed, reaching up and grasping her hair, sighing against her. The Jedi cradled Tech against her chest, holding him tightly, sighing before tugging away. “I’ll never make you jealous again.”

Tech chuckled, smiling gently, tugging her to his chest, lacing his fingers in her free one. “I’ll always be jealous for you, cyar'ika.” He purred gently, leaning down, pressing his lips tenderly to hers.

___

Upon walking into the base, the Jedi was greeted by a few men who came to her quickly, asking her how she was doing, flirting, watching her brush dirt and blood off of her.

Her eyes shot to Tech, who was striding off, and he glanced back at her. He smiled softly, reaching up and removing his helmet. He plastered a more serious look on his face, walking forward, that same confidence settling in his hips. “Excuse me, sirs,” he stated, voice neutral, trying to keep his tone normal despite having remembered her lips had been on his.

The Jedi smiled at him, stepping past the clones. “Pardon.” She said, moving towards Tech. “My trooper and I have to talk.”

Tech’s heart shuddered as he lead her away from the men, towards the currently empty Havoc. Her Trooper. My Jedi. Her hand reached up and tapped lightly on the ass of his armor as the door slid shut. Tech grinned and tossed his helmet onto the cockpit seat, abandoning his emotional shield, and he reached down and tugged her to him, grasping her cheeks and kissing her desperately to make up for lost time. No one else knew, but he could show her exactly how jealous for her he had been this whole time- his Jedi, and only his.

Chapter Text

You paced the floor of your quarters anxiously, glancing at the window. You wouldn’t be able to see Fives returning from here, because your apartment was so high up of the Coruscant ground. The people swarming down below didn’t seem to realize there was a lover above them, anxious for their other half to return from the war.

Fives couldn’t contact you a lot on missions. The most he could so was cryptic words here and there, and short sentences to they would be unnoticed by any interceptions they could encounter. The one you had gotten simply said “Three cycles. Everything”. You had read and reread that message over and over again, the words and their weight sinking in on you. In the cryptic and short language you had both constructed, that roughly translated to “I’ll see you in three cycles, you are my everything.”

You couldn’t respond- it would be more suspicious for an ARC trooper to recieve messages than it would be for him to send a quick one. You didn’t know if he was coming back or not today, because messages from him were so short. They had to be.

You were surprised that your fingers didn’t shake as you undressed. They didn’t shake as you turned the shower water to hot, almost boiling, and your hands didn’t tremble. They always did when you were worried for Fives, but the tense evenings had become so routine your body had adjusted.

You towled off and tugged on loose sleeping clothes, before walking slowly to your wardrobe. Quietly, with the music of the speeders outside, you picked up a pair of loose white pajama pants and laid them out on the counter in the refresher. It was a ritual you did when he came- you would put out clean clothes, make the bed, and set out food (actual food, not a protein brick) and fresh soap for him. This was his home, too, after all.

You sat down on the couch, reaching down and grabbing your holopad. You opened a few files, skimmed a few pages in one of the books you kept downloaded on there, but your mind was jarred back to reality every time you heard a bump, a noise, footsteps in the apartment hall, or a speeder fly too quickly by your window. Your patience withered and, anxiety biting at your ribs, you had reduced to pacing again.

—

You weren’t aware how many hours or minuites had passed since you had given up on distraction. All you knew was the lights in the city had brightened against the darkening sky, lights polluting the stars you missed. Your attention caught on the scratching at your doorknob, someone trying to swipe their key in the lock beside it.

Your body reacted before your mind did. You vaulted over the couch and ran, unlocking and throwing open your door. “Fives,” you croaked, arms enveloping him.

The clone chuckled, hugging you in return. Before he came over, he was sure to leave his armor at the base. An ARC trooper walking around would raise questions, especially if he was seen returning to one specific apartment. “Careful, Cyri'ka, my scent may scare you off.”

You shook your head and buried it further in his chest. “I don’t care.” You mumbled, fingers scrunched up in his shirt.

He pulled you away by the shoulders, smiling down at you at he entered. Softly, he shut and locked the door. “Darling,” he sighed, hugging you again, pressing his lips to your cheek.

You smiled and squeezed him. “I don’t want to keep you from the shower.”

“You can keep me from whatever you’d like.” He grinned and lightly kissed your mouth. “I should go shower, though.” He mumbled against your lips. His untamed scruff scratched at your face and he realized this, moving away and softly kissing your forehead. You nodded and tried to not melt as he pulled away and hurried to the refresher to clean up.

The shower took only a few minutes. He emerged, loose pants on and wiping the shaving lotion off his jaw. “Cyri'ka, you’re so good to me.” He tossed the towel on the counter and crawled onto the bed, tugging you to his chest. “I missed you.’

You exhaled, feeling his lips pepper your forehead and temples with quick kisses, treasuring each and every one. All his kisses said hello, I love you in such a brief way. He fascinated you, and you loved him. His lips paused on your brow, and he tugged you closer. "Let me hold you while you sleep. I’m here now.”

Wordlessly, exhaustion speaking for you, you nodded and yawned, nestling to him, drifting off to the rhythmic pressure of his lips on your brow and forehead.

Chapter Text

When Echo received his vacation time for the year, he had decided to take a trip to Naboo and stay in a lake house. Alone.

Well, except for the visit of the GAR psychiatrist.

Because the war was so harsh, so fast paced, so rough, it was difficult to get time set aside for an exam, which was why psychological evals would take place on vacation time.

Echo had not been happy when he opened the door, half hoping she had forgotten him, but he brightened up when he recognized her. “I got the good one.” She was known to be one of the kinder psychiatrists who acknowledged that no, clones were not just mass-produced humans, and took their diagnoses and issues seriously.

“It would seem so,” she laughed, wiping her feet on the mat as she entered. “It’s cozy here.”

Echo nodded, shutting the door, rocking on his heels. She glanced around the modest room, shrugging off her vest, and was in the middle of neatly folding it when Echo remembed what manners were. “Caf? Tea? This place is stocked.”

She nodded in response. “Tea’s fine, thanks.”

He hummed, hurrying to the small kitchen and turning on the small kettle. “It’s cool outside,” Echo attempted, drumming his fingers on the counter. The only comeback was a small “Why, yes” from her and he fell quiet again, brain darting for conversation topics.

Unfortunately, his brain decided to settle on, “So, you like brains?” This came out of his mouth far quicker than he could help, and he instantly wished he was back out on the battlefield. “Sorry. You’re just… psychiatrist, is all.”

She laughed nervously, shaking her head. “No! No, it’s okay. I do, actually. I have one. I mean, we all do-”

“I should hope so-”

“Well, some species have two-”

They were cut off by the whistling of the kettle, and the duo shut up, grateful for the interruption as Echo quickly poured the two cups of tea.

Silence loomed over them. The psychiatrist rocked on her heels again, thinking, then reached for her vest. “How about we go for a walk? The tea will be done by the time we get back.” She balanced on one foot, leaning on the wall for support, tugging off her left shoe.

Echo nodded, gladly, walking to the door and opening it. “No shoes?”

The psychiatrist only smiled at him, now working on her second shoe, because she had two feet, which Echo thought was cool. “You should never have shoes when walking on the beach. Sand gets in them, and it feels really good on bare feet.”

Echo glanced at her, then outside at the swelling waves, before conceding and reaching down to remove his own boots.

—

“So, tell me a little bit about your last mission.” The psychiatrist asked, calmly. She didn’t look like a psychiatrist, or any kind of doctor- she was wearing basic civilian clothing.

Echo felt like he didn’t look like a soldier. The clothes felt too light, too soft, too… normal. “What do you wanna know?”

She shrugged, scratching at her chin, looking out at the waves. “Oh, just what you felt. How you feel after it. Brain stuff.”

He pondered. He sucked his lower lip in, then tilted his head to the side, as if catching fallen memories. “It went well, if that’s what you’re asking. Fives was wild. I was… less wild.”

“ARC Troopers have to be a lot of brave and a little wild,” She chided. Her toes skimmed an approaching wave, and she stopped to look out over the swaying waters.

Echo stopped next to her and tucked his hands into his pockets. “Switch that around, doc. Sprinkle on some stupid, and you’ve got a fully fledged ARC Trooper.” A smile embraced his lips, a warm one. “Fives is an idiot. But a good idiot.”

“What does that make you?”

“A smart idiot.”

She laughed, shaking her head again, reaching over and gently rubbing his arm, eyes still on the lake. “You’re not an idiot.”

“And that’s your final diagnosis?” Echo risked a glance over at her, eyes skimming her face for the betrayal of any emotions.

The psychiatrist hummed. “Yes. Not an idiot.”

Echo chuckled, turning, looking down at the sand that caked his feet. He frowned, trying to kick a foot into the water, but when he set it back down it only tacked on more sand. “I hate sand,” he mumbled.

“You just wipe your feet off at the front door.” Her voice was calm, smooth, which was the opposite of how Echo was feeling about sand at the moment.

“Still hate it.”

The psychiatrist gently tugged on his sleeve, turning and walking back to the lake house. “Come on. Let’s go have that tea, Echo. I think we could both take a break from talking about war.”

___

Her tea was surprisingly plain, Echo thought, spooning some milk into his own. He stirred it briefly before sitting down. His feet still felt gritty and he knew that the next trooper to select this location as his vacation spot would be greeted by sand in the carpet, unwilling courtesy of Echo.

The psychiatrist set down her cup. “You know, I think you’re a good man.” She tapped on the handle of the cup, a rhythm to music only she knew.

“Oh. Well… Thanks.” Echo licked his lips, leaning back in his chair. “You’re a good person, too. And a good psychiatrist.”

“There’s a lot of stuff I could do better.”

“Me, too.”

They sat, quiet, eyes locking for a while- but this silence was not as awkward as their previous stretches of silence. They looked at once another, perhaps thinking of everything, or perhaps thinking of nothing, or perhaps thinking of the little things about one another- how she took her tea plain and how he hated sand.

“Well, I should head out.” She stood, scratching her arm, and watched Echo stand. “Thank you for the tea.”

“Sure.” He paused, shuffling his feet against the carpet on the floor. “Would you… the next time you see me, we should do something that isn’t… doctor stuff.”

She blinked, but smiled, the surprise wearing off. “I would like that.”

He grinned at her, tucking his hands in his pockets again. “You need me to walk you out?”

“No, I can make it back to the shuttle.” She tugged on her vest, smiling at him, but wider this time. “Thanks for the tea.”

Echo opened the door for her and stood by it, watching her pick up her holopad. “Yeah, no problem. Thanks for the walk.” He hesitated, then quickly leaned down as she stood on the porch, tugging her shoes on, and kissed her, lightly on her cheek.

Her face went red. She looked up at him, almost losing her balance, eyes wide, but not mad. She was still… kind of smiling.

Echo turned to the door, hurrying inside. “Have a safe trip back and tell me when you get home safe BYE.” He shut the door quickly, and slumped back against it, sinking down, pressing his hands to his face.

“Smooth, Echo. Real smooth.” He scoffed quietly. He paused, running his hand through the carpet, grimacing as his calloused fingers still picked up grains of sand.

He hated sand. A little less now, but he hated it still.

Chapter Text

You exhaled shakily in the dark ship, trusting your feet, with only the star light to guide you. The Havoc was creepy when it was just you up, but soon you could change shifts with Tech. But while stalling in space power had to be shut down and conserved.

You jumped at footsteps behind you, turning quickly. “Tech,” You rasped, almost laughing in relief. “Oh, thank Fett it’s just you.” You pressed a hand to your chest, laughing as you exhaled. “Goodness.”

“Are you alright?” The clone frowned, abandoning his holopad on the nearby desk. “You seem frightened.” He reached up and pressed a hand on your jaw, thumb pressing under your jaw. You seized up, reaching up for his hand. Tech withdrew. “Ah. I… apologize. I was checking your pulse.”

“Oh.” You shuffled, glancing down. It was good it was dark, because otherwise he would have seen how red your face was. “Well, it’s high. Like, crazy high.” You coughed, eyes shifting to the Havoc windows. “I forget how pretty space is.”

“And how vast it is. Stars are truly magnificent. We are so small, so insignificant-” He paused, glancing at your face in the light of space, and how pale it suddenly became. “Nevermind.”

You pressed your forehead to the cold glass. “It’s weird how alone we feel in a universe surrounded by so many planets and people.”

You heard silence next to you, and then you were empty. The weight of his presence was absent, silent, like the vast space outside.

There was a noise. Melodic. Soft. You pulled away from the window and looked back at him, perhaps expecting him to be trotting into the cockpit, but instead he set down his holopad, which had begun softly emitting music. “I’ve- well, I’ve heard music is quite the soother.” He flexed his hands. “As well as… rhythmic movements. So, dancing-”

“Yes.” You moved over, reaching up and taking his hand. “Thank you.” Even though it was dark, his face was practically radiating red. Tech pushed his glasses up (even though they were already correctly propped up on his nose), before gently lowering his hands onto you. “Have you never danced before?”

“I- I know how-”

“But lack experience. Mmkay, come here.” Your hand moved on his wrists, placing his hand on your lower back. “You hold me close-” His hand tightened on your back, pressing you against him. Without the armor, his body was firm, surprisingly sculpted under the body glove. You pressed your hand on his shoulder, your other one sliding into his hand. “And you just… move.”

“Move,” He echoed, half listless. “But… how?”

You chuckled, softly swaying. “Follow my lead and, when you feel confident, you can lead.”

Tech nodded, words failing him for once. He slowly fell into the rhythm, courage gathering in his movements, slowly tugging you in closer. Your head rolled onto his shoulder, eyes closing, inhaling his clean scent. A soft rumble, a tenor rumble, emerged from his throat, voice softly following the words. “So far, we are, so close,” His singing voice was sweet, with nothing but the gentle hum of music masking it.

You sighed, breath warm, fanning his neck. You cradled against him, melting into his warmth, fingers tightening. “Tech,” Your voice escaped you in a whisper, trembling, unwilling to break the moment.

His hand moved yours to his other shoulder, his free one now smoothing through your hair, brushing hair behind your ears, fingers following down your jawline. He sighed, tender, tilting your chin up, the lyrics fading into intermittent humming. “Are you more relaxed?”

“I am,” You mumbled, your hands sliding along his shoulders, your weight being supported more by his arm around your back. Your lips parted, eyes still closed, half expectant.

He faltered, for a moment, his heat hovering from your lips by a few torcherous centimeters. “I think… I think we’re experiencing mutual attraction.” His words stumbled, lips brushing yours as your fingers tightened around him, the magnetism only polarizing between the two of you.

The ship jolted, knocking the holopad on the floor and stopping the music, making you both stumble and grab for each other. The reality has set in, you remember, looking up at him, brow creased. “Tech-” you began, wistful.

“You’d better get to bed.” The clone releases you, although his presence, his sense, hovers. “It’s… better, you know. This way.”

Your heart whines as he retreats to the cockpit, and your confidence sputters, the fire in your soul now cast to embers. You clutch your chest and move softly, towards the back bunk, ears replaying his words sung in a way that made you loved, whole, and not alone in the galaxy.

Chapter Text

It was no surprise that punching a droid resulted in broken fingers, except maybe to Wrecker.

You shushed him, gently, crouching behind the rock amid the steadily raging battle. “Wrecker, peace.”

He grumbled and shifted, eager to move and itching to fight. “It doesn’t even hurt-” He howled in pain when you prodded the knuckles, the teeth swollen through the glove.

“Doesn’t hurt, huh?” You smiled gently at him and softly laid your hand on his, closing your eyes. “There’s no shame in hurting.” You exhaled, feeling the force babble up in you, warmth exploding in your hands. You loved healing others, feeling the force move with you, and doing what you did best- fixing what was hurt.

You were acutely aware of his eyes on your face, your hands, and the fascination that filled him. The force made you aware of almost everything around you- the raging war around you, the swelling fraternity in the troopers, the pain of the wounded, and, in the center of it all, love.

A smile rose on your face as you pressed your fingers over his, shifting your weight comfortably. under your hands the bones and ligaments knitted together, and Wrecker drew in a pained breath and shifted. You hummed gently, interrupting his series of “ow”s and “ouch” sounds. “Peace, Wrecker.” You said gently, moving your fingers away. “Don’t go punching droids again.”

The clone chuckled nervously under his helmet, rubbing his neck. “Yeah, yeah, sure thing, general.”

You smiled and stood, activating your lightsaber again. “Get back on the field when you’re ready. We need you out there.” Your feet moved quickly towards the forefront of the battle, ready to defend the Republic.

___

You sighed softly and sunk down into the mud, caking your knees. A devastating amount of dead soldiers and civilians were numbered, their names and faces running through your head. As a student of the living force, you respected everyone who lost their lives and all those you couldn’t defend that day. You took the time to mourn, think, bade them farewell.

You heard a heavy step halt next to you, and felt the ground disturb with someone kneeling next to you. Even if you hadn’t heard him grunt, you would have known it was Wrecker. “You okay, general?” His voice, clear without the obstruction of his helmet, was filled with concern. “We won. Why do you look sad?”

“I’m not sad, Wrecker. I am mourning.” You smiled softly, glancing up at the clone. “Mourning isn’t necessarily about sadness, it’s about respect and loving what has been lost.”

Wrecker’s brow furrowed, his cybernetic eye emitting a soft glow in the misty evening. “Oh.” He glanced at the former war zone you had been fighting in, apart and yet together. “Can I… sit with you?”

You smiled brightly, still settled back on your knees. “Yes.”

There was a moment of quiet before he spoke again. “So, you can… feel the force?”

“I can. I am a Jedi, after all.”

“Er, I mean, when you’re not, ya know… using it.” His voice dropped to a mumble.

You glanced at him, then pivoted on your knees towards him, pushing the hood off your head. “Give me your hands.” Your voice was soft, the mist flaking in the air, and he was the hard earth, the rough ground. You let him settle his large hands in yours, and the force in him pulsated with the beat of his anxious heart. She breathed deeply, squeezing his hands. “Peace, Wrecker.” She said, voice gentle. “Close your eyes and breathe.”

He shifted, mumbling something, but eventually be went as still as he could, matching you, breath for breath.

The force flowed. It was warm, and kind, and welcoming. You felt Wrecker jolt, but you shushed him. Peace. You can feel it. The Force.

Wrecker’s hands clutched in shock, almost retreating. “Was that you?”

Yes. Your voice flowed from your lips, but also within the Force. It’s me, Wrecker. But you can feel the Force. You can feel everything. The trees, life, the grass on the hills-

“I can feel you.” His voice was uncharacteristically soft.

And I can feel you. You smoothed your thumb up and down the side of his glove. You felt him smile, and you added softly, And I can feel what you have felt today.

“You… you can?” Nerves laced his voice, and his fingers twitched.

There’s no shame in feelings, Wrecker. We all have them. Fear, worry, hatred, and love. Love is not wrong. I feel it, too.

This shocked him, and he tugged his hand away. “You… love.”

“Is that shocking?” You asked, placidly.

“Jedi don’t… feel… well, they shouldn’t…” Wrecker swallowed, face warm, eyes darting.

You sighed softly, glancing down at your knees, which were bumping his. You were so small compared to him, and you felt… smaller still. “We still have attachments.” You stood, looking down at him. “There is no problem with attachments, that isn’t what turns us to the dark side. Fear of those attachments and losing them is what turns us to the dark side.” You drew in a breath, toes flexing in your boots. You met his eyes again, reaching down and softly holding out your hand by his head. “And mine-”

Wrecker grinned, standing, hand catching yours and pulling it to his face. “No! No, that’s not bad!” He laughed, boisterous, hugging you tightly and spinning you around.

You made a noise of shock, but laughed as your spine cracked under his tight (but well meaning) embrace. “I know the depths of your feelings, Wrecker, and I hope you’ll accept mine.”

“Accept?” He pulled you away, holding you up at arms length, grin broad as he laughed incredulously. “I love ya! I love you, so much!” He squeezed you again, but paused when your shoulders popped. “Oh! Oh, sorry.”

You chuckled as he set you down, your arms wrapping around his neck. “No, it’s okay, Wrecker.”

He cupped your cheeks with a tenderness he didn’t even seem to know he had. He leaned down, lips pressing to yours, with the mist developing into rain. You kissed him again, hands holding his face. The Force prickled within you, joy eruppting, but that wasn’t only from your connection to the living Force. That was simply your heart echoing his.

Chapter Text

You stood in the middle of the dark woods, saber bright against the depths of the endless evening. You exhaled, reaching out with the force. You felt no one- no other living, breathing being.

Your heart dropped, remembering what you had told your men. You must stay, I must go alone. The battle is mine.

You had recalled the moments alone, before fleeing the Havoc. You had been cleaning your saber, folding your robe softly, and a soft voice sounded from behind you.

“General,” Tech had said, voice constricted. “You have a low chance of surviving. This target-”

“-Is none of your concern, Tech.” You finished the sentence for him, as calmly as you could. Your voice, it was… cold. There is no attachment, you reminded yourself, only the Force.

Your Jedi vows crumbled when he gloved hand had lightly pressed into yours. “General,” His tone dropped lower. “We cannot let you do it alone. I- I cannot.” His jaw tightened in resolve. By the universe and its stars, his heart was beating, rapidly, revealing every confession it had been eager to hide. Yet, only fear brought it out.

Smiling sadly, you had turned to him. “I’m aware of that, Tech.” You hesitated. “I’ll call you if I need anything.” You pressed your robe into his hand that had briefly been in yours. You hesitated, then pressed the cylinder of your shorter saber into his fingers, the metal cool through his glove.

“My weapon is my life.” You said, your fingers brushing on his. “I’ll return for that.” You started out but, like a puppy, he began to follow, open mouthed, hand still offering the weapon. You turned, eyed stinging for a moment. “Good soldiers follow orders, Tech.“

The clone’s brows creased, filling in hurt, but he nodded. "Yes, General.” He said softly. Tech looked down at the lightsaber, squeezing it softly, glancing up to respond, say something, beg her to reconsider going solo.

But you had already been gone, and you were alone on the treacherous plains of Korriban. The planet had marinated in the dark side since the Sith Wars, and you could still feel remnants of evil and pain. You moved on the rocky terrain, hood pulled up to offer some solace from the wind.

Sith acolytes were the bane of the Jedi’s exsistance. They would run out, strike at a jedi, and run away. The Dark Side, you recalled from your early lessons, were a doorway to fear and pain. And passions and attachments lead to that.

Your heavy heart tried to release your men, your attachment and unique love for each of them. Tech’s hurt had wounded you especially. You could have told him, embraced him, told him you would survive on love and come back to the ship for him.

But instead, you sat down, and crossed your legs, and waited.

___

A disturbance in the force tugged you out of your meditation. You stood, reaching for both your sabers, but then recalled you had given your short one to Tech.

My weapon is my life.

The irony was not lost on you. Your life, in the hands of a man you wouldn’t see again, and yet you were pacified, knowing that, perhaps. He would understand your cryptic Jedi way of saying you had a deep attachment to him.

You placed your hand on your saber and held it out to your side, tugging the hood of your shirt off your head and standing.

Ahead of you, the wind picked up, and sand from rocks kicked up in an angry storm. In it, you knew, was the acolyte, and you stood your ground. If this was your death you would die as a Jedi. There was no passion, only peace.

The acolyte emerged from the dust, saber already ignited. “Jedi,” He snarled through the wind. The twi'lek’s skin had pallored yellow, the color of illness. “You have come to grant me the rank of Sith Apprentice.”

“And I have come to see if the Light can call to you.” You exhaled, smoothing your thumb over the hilt of your blade.

The twi'lek’s irridescent eyes narrowed, sharp teeth bared. “Then you shall die.”

You flicked on your blade, widening your stance, ready for death as it charged you head-on.

___

Tech ran.

He had scouted from the cliffs of Korriban, scouting for the General, Hunter leading him. Hunter had frozen, head turning. “The Force,” he had said softly. “It’s here.”

Tech was thankful yet again for Hunter’s tracking abilities. His higher senses could hear the hum of the force, perhaps hear the clash of sabers. “Thank you, Sargent. The temple cannot be far.”

Hunter nodded, hesitating. “You sure you’re good on your own?”

“I am.” Tech nodded, tugging his visor down, the click of latches filled in determination. “You take the others and destroy the old sith temple. I can’t leave her on her own.”

Hunter smiled softly, gently tapping Tech’s bicep armor with his hand. “Go get a sith.”

He intended to.

Tech yanked out his blaster, just one of the pistols, and aimed carefully. He didn’t want to shoot unless the general needed help- you could handle yourself, but just in case, he had to be here, waiting, to make sure you were safe.

___

You retreated from the acolyte, calling on the force to give you a second wind. The acolyte was starting to wear down, but he was channeling his hanger into every swing. It was hard to remember how to fight with one saber, especially since you were so used to having dual sabers.

You felt a disturbance.

Fear. It thickened the air, swam in it, sabotaged your senses. The acolyte only radiated anger, which could only mean-

You whipped around. The trooper, Tech, stationed at a distance, but his gun steady.

Tech.

Your gaze flicked back to the acolyte, whose gaze had followed yours. The twi'lek smirked, golden eyes pallor in ideas, ideas you didn’t like. “You fear for him. It smells delicious.”

You ran after the acolyte, who was making a sprint for Tech. “Run! Tech!” You yelled, powering your energy into your legs. Your muscles screamed for mercy, knees buckling under the effort after the long time fighting, but you pushed on. The sticky scent of fear embalmed you, to your very core.

Tech stood, blaster still steady, and braced for impact.

You only saw the acolyte jump, a predator, and land on Tech. One hand reached up and grasped his, keeping the saber away.

The Force failed to reach you. You had called as much as you could into your body for second, third, fifth winds of energy. You crumpled, body aflame. “Tech,” you wheeze, throwing out an arm to try and weild the force.

When you glanced back up, Tech was still pushing, but with the one hand. His arm was shaking with effort, and his face under his helmet was contortions.

I have failed him.

Your body shook, coursing against your every begging and demanding thiught to move, do something, anything. Your leg cramped and you groaned, eyes staying on the two men wrestling.

A beam ignited and peirced through the acolyte’s back. He froze, body rising, and freezing, then a hiss escaped him and the acolyte crumbled.

Tech disarmed the short saber and dropped it, body relaxing, splaying against the rough surface of the planet.

You jumped to your feet and staggered over, his name forming on your lips, praying. “Tech, are you okay?” You dropped down again, knees shattering under the impact, and you tugged at his helmet.

Tech reached up and removed the helmet, face beaded with sweat, breathing finally slowing. “I’m glad you’re alright, general.”

You reached down and picked up the short saber resting by him. “Why?” Your voice was hoarse.

Tech cracked a half smile, his gloved hand reaching up to slowly cover yours. “My weapon is my life.” He murmured gently, scooting up to sit. “And I wanted to ensure-”

You moved forward, fingers on the saber interlocking with his, and your other hand supporting his head as you pressed your lips to his. Tech, being Tech, mumbled a few more words before fully realizing the kiss was real and he squeezed your fingers, his other hand supporting him leaning off the ground.

In that moment, the storm quelled. There was peace. But your heart burned and your body ached for him, the forbidden touch of his hands. Passiom coincided, danced with and flirted with, the ever present quiescence in your spirit.

He sighed tenderly, breaking the embrace to inhale. He released the lightsaber, head rolling back to fully look at you. “Your weapon saved me today.”

“I think you mean you saved me today.” You chuckled, hand smoothing over his plasyoid pectoral plate. “You came for me.”

Tech shook his head, smiling softly, short curls soft as you ran your fingers in his hair gently. “I’ll always come for you. And I suppose I’m not a good soldier.”

You laughed and moved to stand, tucking your short saber onto your belt. “Because you kissed your general?”

He smiled sheepishly, reaching up to accept your offered hand of help. “And I didn’t follow orders. Which are indirectly to not kiss you as well, so… double whammy, as Wrecker would say.”

You laughed, shaking your head softly, looking down as he slid both his gloved hands into yours. The cool body glove slid over your calluses, memorized your wrinkles and scrapes, each one holding a reflex of wielding your lightsaber. “My weapon is not my life, General. When the war is gone and done, I will not have my blasters.” He paused, eyes admiring your fingers, dwelling together in joy.

You tugged his hand up, softly kissing where the gloved knuckle met armor. “And I will put up my jedi code. My weapon is not my life, Tech, you are.”

He grinned, eyes skimming your grimy and exhausted face in wonder, joy, bewilderment- emotions he did not often display. “I was going to say the same abiut you, General. You are my life, and when the war is done, you will be my all.”

Chapter Text

You shifted your weight on the balls of your feet, bouncing slightly, swiveling to swing a kick at the dummy. You grunted, repeating the exercise on the other side. You stopped and leaned over, panting, sweat stinging your eyes. You stood up straight, smoothing a hand on your forehead to slick the sweat away. You exhaled a final breath, turning and grabbing the water bottle propped up on the ground.

“You kick sloppy.” Hunter chimed from the doorway.

“Ha, ha.” You snorted. You took another hefty swig of water, running your forearm across your mouth. “Let’s watch you have a go, then.”

Hunter smirked, rolling his shoulders, his neck emitting a soft pop. “Right, then.” He smoothed a hand in his locks, tucking the curly strands back, before turning to the dummy.

It was enchanting to watch him fight, really. The fluidity of his movements and his swiftness made him an absolute beast to watch. It didn’t help that he was outlined gloriously in the dark body glove, which only highlighted the harsh outline of his muscles.

You arched a brow as he whipped his leg up effortlessly into a kick, making the dummy sway but not fall over. “And you said I’m a bad kicker.”

“Not bad, sloppy.” He pivoted, easily, gracefully striking his leg out, the dummy spinning again. Hunter pushed back his hair, the dark curls falling in his face, eyes striking. “You need to learn a good hit to save your life.”

“i know what I’m doing.” You snorted. You turned and dug into your bag, tugging out an elastic band, offering it. “Tie that mop back.” You grinned, tossing it to him. Your eyes followed his hands and fingers, watching them fluff his hair and slick it back, tying the top part back behind his head so it wouldn’t get in his eyes. His headband was abandoned today, but you certainly didn’t mind.

Hunter turned to you, finishing securing his hair. “You know, huh?”

Your eyes narrowed. “What are you implying, nerf herder?”

His eyes darted to the sparring mat, and a grin split his face, and he ran his tongue along the inside of his lip in a cheeky grin. “Come with me,” He purred.

Oh. You come come with him, certainly. You shook the double entendre out of your head and hurried after him, allowing your steps to mimic his confident swagger. “So, a match.”

“Yep.” Hunter grinned, moving onto the mat. He moved slowly, pacing, watching you walk opposite of him. The mat was cool, relieving the tired soles of your feet. He looked like a beast, waiting to pounce, but he was smiling. Hunter chuckled, motioning you with one hand. “Let’s see you not be sloppy.”

You chuckled, then moved towards him, quick and low. Your body dropped, kicking out, and you raised a hand to block his strike down. He absorbed the kick and moved away, hands moving as swiftly as yours, but expression bemused. Cursing softly, you jumped up and put space between the two of you, unsure if you should be attracted to the confidence this man had or frightened that you would bite yourself in the ass.

Maybe he could bite you in the ass.

You laughed softly to yourself at your own internal quip, and the wind was knocked out of you by an immovable force, knocking you against the ground. You gasped in shock as Hunter growled, pivoting over you nimbly. “Careful where your mind goes, love,” His breath hit your ear, warm, and you stiffened. You suddenly propped up on the balls of your feet and thrust your pelvis up, bucking him half-off. You rolled over, scrambling back, feeling your eyes light in fury.

Hunter grinned, reaching down and tugging off the shirt of his body suit. “Since I’m so distracting.” He teased.

You hummed, half in delight and half in annoyance. “You’re a jerk.”

“Am I,” Hunter gestured at you, devilishly. “Well, you should come beat this jerk up.”

Your face went red. He knew exactly what he was doing.

You snarled like you didn’t know you could and ran at him, launching up and tackling him. You heard a muffled “oof” from Hunter as he collapsed back, and you pinned him down, wrestling his hands down and spreading your knees out to render him immobile. You hunched over him, panting, your body still warm in agitation. You panted, staring down at him, relishing in his shocked face.

His lips slid into a grin. “Your kicks are sloppy, but your tackles are on point.” His eyes flickered down your face, to your parted lips catching air, and they lingered. “This isn’t the only way I’ve imagined being under you, cyri’ka.” Your face reddened more, and you sat up, hands leaving his in shock, and he sat up, rolling over, pinning you down with your legs still around his hips. He smirked, leaning down close, eyes not leaving yours. “And this isn’t the only way I’ve imagined being over you.”

Your chest heaved as his eyes flickered down for a moment, then back up to your own. “I am a hot-blooded man, after all.” His voice dropped to a rumbling murmur.

A final breath left your body as you realized he wanted the same thing you did. You tightened your legs around him and tugged him in, earning a groan from the contact, and you brought your head up to meet your lips with his. You felt him loosen, and he brought his body down over yours, the taut muscle of his chest pressing against your body. You sighed against him, tangling your fingers in his hair and popping out the hair tie. You tugged away by gently pushing against his chest. Hunter growled in protest, but sat back on his knees, heaving you up to meet him as he sat back on his calves.

“I think we could use a few more grappling sessions,” You heaved, holding his jaw and kissing him between words.

Hunter chuckled against you, tightening his hands on your waist. “I think that would work, darling.” He grinned, tugging you tighter to him, pulling lightly against your lower hip with his teeth. “I think we could show each other a few moves.”

Chapter Text

Omega hadn’t bled before. She had a couple scrapes, but she hadn’t ever seen blood trickle down her arm. It stained on her sleeve, and she stared at the liquid pooling on her arm.

“Hunter!” She screamed. “Hunter!”

The clone whipped around, sprinting her way. “Omega!” He yanked his knife out of its sheath, skidding down the hill and between trees, halting when he saw Omega grabbing her arm.

“It hurts,” she whimpered.

Hunter put his knife up, kneeling down. “Come here.” He gently opened his arms, letting her run to him. Omega sniffled and raised her hand, damp with blood.

Hunter felt a shock of panic in his chest, and he stood. “We’ll get you to the medic,” he said gently. He didn’t want her to panic any more, but he wanted to get her to the ship and fixed. Now.

He trekked back, cradling her, talking softly to Omega, who could only sniffle in response and shake. “Doc,” Hunter called up. “Doc, I need you right now.”

You glanced up from wiping up the table. “Hunter?” Then you saw Omega, trembling, and reached down. “Oh, come here, Omega.” Hunter stiffened as your arm brushed his reaching for Omega. You smiled gently at him, propping an arm under Omega. “Hunter, I can care for her. Let me.”

He finally nodded, letting you take the girl. “There we go.” You beamed down at Omega, setting her down on the medical chair. “Let me see.”

Omega trembled, raising her hand, fingers shaking. “I’ve… it’s never…”

Your brows raised in understanding as Hunter stepped behind the chair, watching Omega, brows furrowed in concern. “Oh, Omega.” You crooned, rolling up her sleeve. “It’s okay. You did the right thing by asking for Hunter.” You smiled gently at her and turned, picking up a rag. “Let me clean this up.”

Omega whimpered, and you gently smoothed down her hair. “It’s okay, it’s do I can see the wound. I need you to be brave for me, okay?” You smiled tenderly, gently smoothing the damp rag over her arm. “There we go. Oh, that must have been so scary for you.”

Hunter gently sat down on the chair next to Omega, letting her hold his hand. “She is brave.” Hunter smiled down at her, encouragelingly.

“You think so?”

“I know so.” Hunter glanced at you, and you smiled, wiping away the last of the blood. “How’s it looking?”

You hummed, glancing at it. “I’m going to have to patch it up, okay?” You smiled up at her, smoothing back her hair.

Omega sniffled and nodded, watching as you grabbed the small box. You tugged out a small patch, rubbing it between your hands. “What are you gonna do?’

"I’m going to stitch it up.” You smiled, nodding at Hunter. “It won’t take long at all.” You began to hum, letting Hunter hold her, and you threaded the needle. When you had wiped the blood off the arm, you had applied a numbing liquid so she wouldn’t feel it. You began gently stitching up the cut, humming, murmering gently to Omega how brave she was and how tough she was.

Omega had her face turned into Hunter, but was less shaky now. Hunter watched you, eyes trained on your hand. You moved skillfully, quickly, tying and snipping the thread before applying the bacta pad. “Oh! All done.” You grinned, watching Omega perk up.

“Really?”

You grinned, reaching down and picking her up. “Yep! You did so good!” You hugged her tightly, grinning. “You know what?” You whispered, loud enough for Hunter to hear. Hunter smiled, observing how gently you held the girl.

“What?”

“I keep some sweets here on the ship.” You opened a cabinet and tugged out a small box, pulling out two small candies. “You did so good, I’ll give you a couple.”

Omega gasped and took them. “Thank you!” She glanced at Hunter, who was grinning. She paused, glancing at you. “Can I share mine?”

“Of course.” You set her down, watchingas she ran to Hunter and held up the candy.

“Heh.” Hunter took it, rubbing her hair gently. “Thanks, Omega. Go change your shirt, we’ll wash and patch it up.’

When the girl nodded and ran out, Hunter turned to you, rolling the candy in his hand. He smiled down at it, then glanced up at you. "Thanks, Doc.”

“You’re welcome.” You smiled at him, looking down at the candy. “Those are pretty good.’ You wiped off the needle and placed it in the sanitizer, disposing of the bacta wrapping. "I thought you would like them.”

He glanced up. “Me?’

"Yeah, so Omega would like them, too.” You grinned, reaching up and stretching high to try to close the cabinet.

It was almost out of now where, and you felt a small gasp of surprise escape when you felt Hunter’s heat pressed to your back, his hand reaching up effortlessly to shut the door softly. “You’re a good doctor. And a good person.” He said quietly, words brushing your ear. His hand pressed to the wall by you, and his voice dropped to a rumble. “How could I ever repay you?’

You exhaled softly, head rolling back as his lips brushed from your ear to your neck. "You seem to have a good idea of how.”

Hunter smirked against your skin, gently turning your body so your back was against the wall and your chest was against his. He leaned down, tenderly, fingers tickling your jaw, a breath teasing your lips, before you reached up and tugged him down.

The moment his lips met yours, he groaned softly, hand pressing against your hip. Your arms encircled his neck, and you started to pull him in deeper-

“Sarge!” Wrecker yelled from outside.

Hunter tugged away, chest heaving, nose against yours. “We aren’t done with this.”

“You’re due for a check-up tonight, anyways.” You murmured. “Come see me.”

“Wouldn’t miss it,” he whispered, hoarsely, sealing the date with a rough, quick kiss, before stepping away and rushing out, a grin pressed on his lips.

You exhaled, leaning back against the wall, a soft sigh escaping you. War and injuries were difficult, but sometimes, there would be moments where you remembered why it paid off. Hunter was a new reason, tacked at the top of that list.

Chapter Text

Fives slid out of the booth, hurrying up to the bar. He leaned on it, grinning, waving back at Jesse. “Yeah, yeah.” He chuckled. “Can’t believe I’m getting drinks tonight.” He mumbled, but he couldn’t wipe the grin on his face. That would be the last time he made any kind of bet against Jesse. The man was just too damn good.

Fives knocked lightly on the counter. “Barkeep,” He teased. When she looked sideways at him, he was taken aback for a moment by the witty, snarky smile on her lips. The wind returned to his lungs, and his lip curled upwards. “Well, pardon me, I didn’t know 79′s hired models.”

“And I didn’t know clones were so horny.” She chuckled, grabbing a metal mixer.

“Not quite, ma’am, just delighted to revel in such beauty.” Fives leaned on the counter, delighted that he had chosed to not change out of his ARC gear. “And those pretty hands get to fix me a drink.” He flashed his most charming smile.

“Mm,” She grinned, picking up a liquid from under the bar and pouring it into the mixer. “These pretty hands can also shoot.”

Fives gasped in teasing delight, followed by a salacious laugh. “And a lovely mouth to threaten me with. I like that in a woman.”

The bartender laughed, closing the lid and shaking the drink. “ARC Trooper…?”

“Fives. And I can see your nametag, love, but I would love you to say it.”

She laughed, rolling her eyes. “Well, Fives, how about you tell me your poison? Aside from pretty women.”

“Smart-mouthed ones.” Fives grinned, watching her unscrew the lid on the mixer. “And you seem to be both.”

She hummed, a smile of amusement curling on her lips. “I’ll tell you what, Fives.” She poured the liquid into a few glasses, sliding them on a tray to him. “These are on the house. You take them to your friends over here, come back, and keep saying more stuff like that, and you might get even more of this mouth.”

The ARC trooper’s grim split wide open, and he stood, picking up the tray. “With pleasure.” He purred, turning and strutting towards his brothers at the table. He would have to tell them to not wait up for him, and then he had some unfinished business to deal with.

Chapter Text

Crosshair ran a hand softly though her hair, watching her sleep. The GAR had finally given the Batch a stipend of a few days, and he had elected to visit an out-of-the-way villa on Alderaan that his lover also happened to arrive at. What a coincidence.

This was probably the most amount of time he had smiled (well, not frowned) consecutively for in a long time. If he didn’t knock it soon, this whole smiling thing would become a very nasty habit.

She shifted in her sleep, mumbling listlessly, and Crosshair gently tugged her closer, Shoshone her as his warm skin met hers. She sighed at the new embrace and settles between his arms, fingers unfurling on his chest. The sniper smoothed a hand up and down her waist, her hips, admiring the natural curve her body formed at rest. He had forgotten how soft people’s skin could be- war seemed to harden everything.

Glancing at the window, light had begun to haze the sky. Pink eyes peered over a dark line of trees, brightening the horizon and splashing this world with a new day’s embrace.

It was when orange melted into the sky that Crosshair decided to get up. He replaced his arm on her with the weight of the comforter and slid out of bed, reaching for a pair of civilian pants that he had shucked the night before. He padded across the room, a hand rubbing at his eyes to ward away groginess, and he made his way to the small kitchen.

Crosshair liked cooking. It was satisfying, being in control of everything in front of him, and making something the way he wanted to. He rarely got the chance to cook and had been experimenting with new meals ever chance he had out here in the fully stocked kitchen.

The eggs bubbled up as he poured them into the hot pan, and he almost missed the wood creaking as his companion entered the kitchen.

“Good morning,” She mumbled, leaning on the door frame. Her cheek was still red from sleeping on it, and her shoulders and throat were speckled with vaugely red-purple signatures of Crosshair’s lips from the previous night. A sheet was draped around her, short of exposing the curve of her breast as she sunk against the frame, still smiling at him, exhaust wrought on her body.

In other words, she was glorious.

Crosshair felt a smile tug at his lips (only tug!) as he set down the plate in his hands. “You look good marked up like that.”

“No thanks to you.” She giggled, approaching him and spraying a hand lightly on his back, eyes planted on him cooking. Her knees knocking under her, and she leaned on the counter for a brief moment as she made her way to the barstool, sinking down, eyes trained on him.

Crosshair slid a plate to her. “All the thanks to me.” He took his own plate and leaned on the counter, taking a sip of his caf. “All- how you worded it, all six-and-a-half feet of joints of me.” He smiled under the mug, watching her reaction.

His lover’s lips twitched, and she giggled, taking a bite of the omelet in front of her. “You make me sound so mean.”

“And you are- cruel and terrible. It’s a shame.” His words were flat but his eyes sparked, the sarcasm good-humored in his voice as he took a bite of his food. “I should have added more salt.”

“It’s perfect.” She said quickly, taking another bite. “Better than oversalting it, which is also a cruel and terrible shame.”

Crosshair chuckled and lowered his fork to reach for his mug as she went quiet. A comfortable silence stretched between them, thick and pliable, before she said softly, “I couldn’t live without you, you know.”

“I know.” He hesitated. Crosshair’s fingers flinched briefly before taking the mug. “Every day without you is death. I die a little. And being apart is…” his voice trailed, and he finally conjured, “Torture.”

She smiled, standing and leaning across the counter. His lover softly kissed him, and Crosshair closed his eyes. He abandoned his caf on the table and reached up, running a hand in her hair.

After a night of such loving and carnage, it felt good to simply kiss- no promises, no strings, simply holding her jaw and allowing their lips to reconnect on such a simple level.

She tugged away, barely, hovering close. “That was the nicest thing you’ve said to me, ever.”

Crosshair smiled gently, kissing her again, softer. “Keep it up, love, and you’ll get more nice things.”

Chapter Text

Crosshair removed another blistered toothpick, grimacing at the heat. Damn planet was too warm for armor. He swiped a hand across his forehead and glanced at the woman standing next to him. She looked calm, cool, with only a thin sheen of sweat lacing her forehead. Working with weapons and bombs would make anyone cool under pressure.

He felt a grin tease at his face- her lips were so stoic, always only hinting at a smile or frown, but she was so… perfect. To him, at least. So full of life and snark, the two things he was addicted to, and she was a full supply.

She whistled again. That damn tune. Crosshair did his best to not grimace as she pursed her lips, turning her head to look at him, mouth puckered out, brows raised, a clean note cutting through the air. “You know the tune?”

“I’m about to.” Crosshair dug around for another toothpick in his belt, then grimaced, realizing he had just chucked his last one. “Kriff.”

Her fingers snapped out, a couple toothpicks resting between them. “Language, Cross.”

“Thanks, love.” His voice came out as a half-sneer (it was how his voice was- He cringed internally) as he plucked them from her fingers. He tucked one between his lips and the rest went to his belt. The one in his teeth tasted vaguely of mint, and he felt another small smile come to his lips and he glanced at her again.

She rested, head back on the wall, intermittent whistles emerging from her lips. Crosshair’s tongue brushed the toothpick, recognizing the mint, wondering if her lips were minty or if they were sweet.

Right now, they were punchable.

“Do you know how to do anything else with your mouth?”

“Why, Cross.” She grinned, popping her tongue. “How utterly salacious of you.”

“I didn’t mean it that way.”

“Bite me.”

“I intend to, love.” Crosshair grinned, pushing the toothpick to the other side of his mouth.

She blinked, eyes big, lips parted, clearly not expecting it. The only new sound, one much more preferred than her whistling, was a sharp intake of breath, conjuring a smile. “And you intend to…. when?”

“Often.”

She grinned, looking up at him, back still on the wall, as Crosshair slid in front of her, tugging the toothpick from his mouth. “How often?”

Crosshair purred. He ran his free fingers over her chin, ushering her face to look up at him. “You deserve to be kissed, and kissed often, by someone who knows how.”

She pursed her lips at the challenge, the invitation, like his words were a bomb about to go off and she was ready to disarm it. “And you know how?”

“Mm.” Crosshair leaned in, his arm propped on the wall behind her, humming as his lips brushed her cheek. “I could show you,” He offered, grinning. She hummed in affirmation, and Crosshair attacked.

He was sure to keep contact minimal. His lips teased hers, eliciting sighs of approval, and his hand stayed steady on her jaw, brushing small circles along her throat with his thumb. Her hands grabbed for his hips, and Crosshair pulled away, the kiss terminated too quickly for her, and she panted, eyes springing open, mouth tilted in a smile.

“Oh,” She exhaled, hands falling to her side. “You do know how.”

Crosshair smirked, tucking the toothpick back in his mouth, and pushing off of the wall. He stalked away, fully aware of her eyes on his.

Her lips were minty, he recalled, grinning as he chewed on his toothpick.

Chapter Text

You leaned against the outside of Cid’s joint, sipping on your canteen. Fresh water replenished your thirst, and you sighed. The Force was stronger in you now than it ever had been. You were just lucky you were with clones that couldn’t execute Order 66, to the extent of your knowledge.

You sucked in another breath of the damp air. The door to Cid’s cracked open, and a little blonde head peered out. “Hey,” Omega lilted, lips twisting into a grin. “You should… come in.”

“I like it out here.”

Omega gave a noise of protest, and you sighed, unable to fight back, closing the flask and walking inside. You’d grown close to the girl in your time on the run, relating to her because she, in her own way, was on the run and outcast, too.

You entered, passing two fussing aliens, speaking in a tongue you didn’t recognize, but you knew they were arguing or complaining. You did catch the word “clones” and laughed softly, deciding Wrecker or Hunter had made them lose a bet.

You rounded the corner of the doorway. “Hunter, Omega told me-” your eyes landed on five, not four, clones.

Hunter shifted, turning to you, his arm resting on the counter. Tech rotated in his barstool, glancing at Wrecker, who was in joyous tears. Echo glanced between you and Captain Rex, who was staring with a tenderness you never thought you would see again.

“Rex-” you croaked. You took a step back.

Rex started forward, brow creased, lips in a soft smile. “Hi.” When you moved away another step, and you heaved a sob, he frowned. “I know you don’t-” his eyes flicked down to your hand, which was reaching for your lightsaber. His face lit in recognition, the realization hitting him. “Darling, I’m not going to hurt you.” He raised his hands up where you could see them, above his poncho, pressing them towards you in a friendly motion. “Hunter, take my guns.”

You stared at his hands, eyes flickering to his face. You took a cautious step forward, reading him, feeling for him, another sob making your voice hoarse. Hunter pulled the guns from Rex’s belt, laying them on a table, and he glanced at the rest of the batch. “Hey, let’s… go meet in the back.”

Wrecker grumbled about abandoning his drink, but he picked up Omega and followed the group. Hunter glanced back and smiled, reaching for the door to the back room. “Let us know if you need anything.”

When the door shut, you stayed where you were, eyes still skimming the Captain. “You’re dead,” You moved towards him and he followed, the poncho swaying easily with his movements.

“No. I’m here.” He croaked.

You reached up, gently laying a hand on his face. The skin was warm, but his eyes were warmer, filled with love and tenderness. “My Captain.”

“My Jedi.” Rex whispered. His free hand caught yours, and the other pressed against yours over his face. His voice tremored, threatening tears. “My beloved, wonderful, beautiful-”

“I’m not really a Jedi anymore, Rex.” You swallowed. “I lost the order, and then Crosshair-” You stopped, swallowing, allowing the wave of grief to wash over you again. The sob that caught in your throat earlier rose a little, thickening your voice. “And you.”

Rex caught you. You weren’t sure how to explain it, you were not falling, but he wrapped his arms around you and everything became stable, fine, whole again. You clutched him, feeling his armor under the poncho, heaving a sob as he held up steady, his own breath shaky with sobs. “I love you,” He mumbled. “I still love you. I’m sorry, I’m sorry about Order 66, it’s wasn’t-”

“I love you too, Rex.” You mumbled. He pulled his face away from your neck, turning his head towards you, his nose bumping yours. “I love you for everything you are, and Order 66 is not one. I was just so worried earlier.”

He smiled, a huff of air leaving as he looked down at you, eyes unable to leave your face. “After all this time?”

“Always,” You sobbed, holding his cheeks, your own shoulders shaking. “Always, and forever, Rex.”

He smiled- the crows feet and laugh lines he only showed to you, it stirred your heart, and you wanted to cry and smile and hold him all at the same time. Rex leaned down, pressing his lips softly against yours, letting you clutch the rough material of his poncho as you smiled against him, returning the embrace. The apologies, the confessions, the love, was all written on his lips, and you had a yearning ti taste every last word.

You hugged around him, tighter, sighing, for once perfectly content with how everything was. At least,, until the back room door cracked, and Cid yelled, “Yeesh, get a room!”

Chapter Text

Crosshair was visiting the medbay more often. You found yourself scheduling private appointments with him, and this particular time you were looking into his burned body, soul scorched. You had finished scraping off the burned skin, laying bacta pads on him.

You glanced back at the Kaminoian who had opened the door. “I am here to check on the healing progress of CT-99-404.” He folded his lengthy hands, insectoid eyes skimming Crosshiar, laying back on his bed.

“He’s fine. Progress is normal.” You frowned. “Please, let me do my work.” You turned away, leaning over crosshair, fingers tender, pausing as the trooper inhaled sharply.

“See if you can increase the bacta concentration.” The Kaminoian vocalized, voice echoing as he stalked out, the door sliding shut. “The sooner CT-99-404 is healed, the better.”

You frowned openly now, smoothing your hand over Crosshair’s bacta pad sitting on his eye. “Take your time, Crosshair.”

“They left me.” He hissed, quiet.

Your fingers hesitated, before moving up and stroking through the pale curls on his head. “I know.” You settled on the bed, tugging him to you. “But not everyone has left you.” You leaned him gently on your arm, stroking his hair. “I haven’t.” The clone was quiet, eyes closed. You sighed, softly, tugging him gently to you. “I won’t,” you added, quietly, promising to yourself and to Crosshair, though he may or may not have been asleep.

The lights stayed bright, only dimming as the allotted nighttime hour approached. In the dark, Crosshair spoke quietly. “You’ve been good to me, Doc.” You felt him shift, breath warm against your shoulder. You scratched his curls again, feeling his face settle in your chest and bandaged arm wrapping around your wrist. “You… you’re not going to leave.”

It wasn’t a question, but you felt the weight of it lingering in the air. “I won’t, I’m not planning on it.” You hummed, allowing Crosshair to nestle closer. “You know Mandalorian, right?”

“What does that have to do with this?”

“I’m trying to change the subject.” You mumbled. “We don’t have to-”

“No, no.” His words were soft, uncharacteristically gentle. “I know a little.”

“Can you say ‘always’?”

There was a moment of pause, a pulse, where the clone sifted through his memories, trying to recover the correct translation. “Ratiin.”

“I’ll be here ratiin.”

“Verburyc ratiin.” Crosshair mumbled. “You’ll be loyal. Remain. Always.”

You smiled, still scratching his head. “Ver-ber-yuck ratiin.”

“Terrible.”

“I’ll work on it,” you whined, trying to bite down your smile. “Give me credit for trying.”

Crosshair shifted, and he smiled against your skin, but small. “Minimal credit.”

You chuckled, smoothing back his hair. “Can… how do you say 'kiss me’?”

Crosshair mumbled against your stark medical uniform. “Mureyca ni.”

You licked your lips, softly, before whispering, “Mureyca ni?” He shifted, chin tilting up at you. “Please?” You mumbled, voice hoarse.

Crsshair exhaled, tugging on you, sliding you down to be even with him. “Only because you pronounced it well.”

His lips met yours, his bandaged arm shifting to be more comfortable, and you held his face gently. He sighed against you, fingers resting on your back, allowing you to cradle him as you pressed your lips softly to his, again and again. Between the movements of your lips, in breaks, he mumbled, “Mureyca ni, mureyca ni,” his desire to not be alone taking over. Crosshair sighed and hugged you to him, breaking the kiss to press his face into your neck.

You kissed his head, rocking him gently, mumbling, like a mantra, a hymn, a promise, “Ratiin, ratiin.”

Always, always.

Chapter Text

Jesse was nothing but fascinated with the general. She was gallant, brave, a force to be reckoned with. She knew her worth as a person, as a warrior, as a leader. He walked by her side, battle after battle, watching her with an air of confidence she only had in the war zone.

“You did splendid today, Jesse.” The Jedi smiled, rubbing the grime off of her face, but only smeared the dirt more on her jaw. Her eyes shone brilliantly past the smudges and mud caking her face. They’d been in the rain for days now, and she was still the most fascinating being in the galaxy to him. “You may see yourself in for a promotion soon.” Her hand was holding her nose, swollen and still purple, from being butted in the face with a blaster. She had laughed when the medic diagnosed her nose as broken, and hid the grimace from the rest of her men, saving her chorus of pained groans when Jesse set her nose. Her fingers now ran over the ridge, and she sucked in a breath before forcing her hand away.

“Just doing my job, ma’am.” Jesse commented placidy, but he was glowing under his helmet.

As she was pulled away to contact the Jedi Council he watched her walk, unarmored, but an aura of danger enveloped her. She was the rough edges, the point of the sword, to his smoothed sides. He smiled, quietly, and walked after her, head in the clouds. It was a good day- the battle was won, the day was theirs, he would get a hot shower and hot meal, and the general just looked at him and smiled, which made his whole week.

Stalking into the barracks, Jesse stripped off his armor and showered. He sighed as the heat kicked up, and he rolled his shoulders under the warm water, seething as it stung the scratches of his shoulders, singes from the battle. His muscles were sore, but he looked forward to the prospect of being able to get his own small bunk room tonight. Jesse felt a smile slip onto his face, lathering the generic soap that was given out to all soldiers onto himself. It was scentless, but it made him feel clean. Sometimes, you just needed to scrub the war off of you.

Jesse got out and dried himself off, inhaling the cleaner air, relieved, allowing the shower steam to clear his lungs. He tugged on the one pair of civilian pants he had, and wrapped the towel over his shoulders. Jesse walked out, exiting the showers, and headed towards his room.

He pushed open the door, scratching his head, and turned. He jumped, seeing the general sitting on his floor, cross legged, eyes closed. “Enjoy your shower?”

“Uh.” Jesse coughed, scratching his neck, throat suddenly thick. “Yes. Thanks. You?”

“Yeah.” The Jedi opened her eyes, smiling, tugging her knees to her chest. he pressed her chin on her knees, eyes peering up at Jesse. “I just… wanted to see you.”

Jesse hesitated, slowly lowering himself to the ground, the towel on his shoulders brushing the floor. “Sure. About what, general?” He clasped his hands in his lap, settling on his knees.

The jedi tore her gaze away, chewing on the inside of her cheeks. “I don’t like what war does to us.” Her voice cracked, broke, and her hand flew up to her still purple nose.

Jesse reached forward, moving her hand. “Hey, hey.” He shushed her gently, pulling her close. The towel draped from his shoulder and brushed the floor as he wiped her cheek, a tear swiping away with the motion of his thumb. “What does it do?”

She rubbed her face, sniffling, letting Jesse pull her face into him. “I- I don’t-” The Jedi sniffled. “I just don’t feel in… control?” She shook her head, hands clasping on his bare shoulders. “I don’t belong to myself any more. Me- my body, I belong to the force. The Jedi.” She pressed her face in his neck, breathing steadying, allowing Jesse to rock her gently. “I want to belong to something else. Me.”

The clone combed his fingers in her hair, kissing her temple softly. He didn’t mean to, he didn’t know why, but it felt like the correct thing to do. She turned her face into his cheek, her breath warm on his skin. “I need to be my own person.”

Jesse paused, then rose, tugging her hands up. “Come here.” He squeezed her fingers as she stood, and he turned and walked her to the small refresher room. “You are absolutely your own person.” He flicked on the lights and moved her in front of the mirror, and he stood behind her, his fingers lightly falling on her shoulders. “You’re more than a jedi. I see you- the way you move, and talk, and think.” Her eyes flicked to his in the reflection, and when her lips tilted in a smile Jesse felt his heart skip a beat. “You belong to no one but yourself.”

She glanced back at him, the rest of her body following as she turned. He didn’t know why- the fluidity of her movement or the way her hands slid up his arms, or how her eyes searched his- and he was surprised that he was trying to find something in her eyes, too. “You are the finest,” He wrapped his hand around her back and tugged her closer, her fingers drawing lazy shapes on his pectorals clouding his mind. “Lovliest, and tenderist-” he smoothed back her hair, unable to resist the pillar, that fine statue that was her flawless neck. He leaned down, lips brushing on it, his tongue writing the remainder of his thoughts on her jaw. “- and most beautiful person I have ever known, and even that is an understatement.”

Her weight buckled under him, and he scooped her in his arm, kissing up her neck, eyes closing, listening to her hum. “Jesse,” she mumbled, turning her head.

In the midst of the foggy worship that filled his mind, her lips found his. They collided, his hands tangling in her hair and hers pulling at his jaw for more, for him to be closer. Jesse hummed in appreciation, tugging her towards the door and, to his surprise, she followed.

She only broke the kiss for a moment, dilated pupils skimming his face, a small smile pressed to her lips. “I want to be mine, but I want to be yours, too. If you’ll have me.”

Jesse bit back a soft sigh, the words, the offer, making him melt. “There’s nothing more I could want. If that was an understatement, maybe I could show you what I really mean.” He raised his brows, tugging lightly at the hem of her shirt.

The jedi nodded, lips meeting his again, her sacred Jedi oaths shattering as Jesse felt his heart being made whole.

Chapter Text

There were several things you knew about Fives.

He never failed to make you smile. You loved seeing him smile.

And you were, undoubtedly and wholeheartedly and disastrously in love with him.

You sighed happily and combed a hand distractedly over your thick Jedi robe. He was coming home, and it was soon. It was everything in you to not just pace anxiously and look professional, keeping your face neutral in front of Kenobi.

You’d even gone out of your way to learn a couple new jokes for Fives, hoping it would earn him a laugh or two. You smiled eagerly as you heard a ship buzz overhead, and you fought the urge to spring up and run to your friend. However, you were unable to ward away a smile.

The troopers and Jedi that went on the mission exited the ship. Fives removed his helmet, his grin bright in the dull corridor. Your heart soared and you stood, bowing respectfully to Master Kenobi as Skywalker and Master Windu approached. You hurried to Fives, half-running and half-walking to try and not seem too eager. “Hey! Fives!”

The clone turned, grin widening. “Hey! There’s my favorite general.” He tilted his head, holding out his arm, clasping yours in a greeting. His fingers squeezed your forearm lightly, and your lips mimicked his smile. The joy Fives had was contagious- maybe that was why you were so in love with him. “Look at you- I swear you’re taller.”

“Mhm, and I swear you’re less cocky.”

“Never better.” Fives grinned, tossing his head at the door. “Say, what about 79′s later?”

Your lips creased more, and you nodded. “I’ll buy.”

“Ah, ha!” Fives snapped his fingers and shot you a wink. “I like your style.”

You chuckled, waving your fingers, turning to go towards the group of Jedi. You ignored Windu’s suspicious gaze, instead opting for a polite bow. “Skywalker, Master Windu. Welcome back.”

“Good for you to join us.” Windu’s brow furrowed slightly, which was offset by Skywalker’s chipper greeting.

“Hey! Good to see you.” Skywalker grabbed your hand in welcome and grinned. “Still sparring?’

"Yep, and I’ll beat your-”

“Please.” Windu interrupted.

The two of you went quiet, but as soon as Windu left with Kenobi, you both began laughing. “Don’t be offended by Master Windu.”

“I’m not.” You laughed, shaking your head. Honestly, you were in too good a mood to be hurt by anything- you were on top of the world. Or all the worlds. “Oh, I’m going to 79’s tonight. You want to come?”

Anakin’s lips pursed, and he gave a small grin. “With Fives?” When you nodded, his lips twisted into a smile, a wider one. “I think you should go alone.”

Your lungs deflated, and you had to remember inhale. “Why?”

Anakin shrugged, patting your arm, and walked past. “Hey,” He stopped walking, turning towards you, tilting his head. “I want you to know you can talk to me about anything.”

“Weirdo. Okay.” You laughed. “Same for me.”

Anakin nodded, walking away, jogging to catch Obi-wan. Your heart was still skipping a beat on occasion, loud in your ears.

You and Fives, alone.

____

You had opted for less jedi-like clothes, in hopes that you and Fives would get to be alone in 79’s. You exhaled softly before opening the door to the club, surveying the room.

You felt self conscious for a moment, almost exposed, wondering if you should turn and leave. Maybe you had it all wrong, maybe your heart was running too wild-

“There you are,” A warm voice hit your ear, reducing you to an absolute puddle as you turned.

“Fives!” You grinned, somehow both putty in his hands and standing on your own, delighted. You threw your arms around his neck in a hug, tightly, laughing as he hugged you in return, your legs lifting off the ground. You giggled, face pressed against his neck. You tugged away, looking up at him, exhaling softly as his eyes skimmed your face. “Don’t look at me like that.” You said, softly. Ever the hypocrite, you found your eyes lingering on his lips, his jaw, and you realized in a crashing moment that you really, really could use those lips. On yours. Oh no.

Fives sighed softly, hands tightening on your hips, fingers trailing down your sides. “I can’t. I can’t not look at you any other way.”

You glanced away, feeling your face warm drastically. “Oh, please.” You pulled your hands away, heart falling as his fingers fell away from your hips. “Ever the flirt.” You shot him a wink, leaning on the bar. “Maybe a drink will help you with that.”

Fives chuckled and leaned on the bar, eyes still trained on you, softer. “You know, I wanted to talk to you.”

“Oh.” Your voice came out higher than anticipated, and you grabbed the shot that the bartender slid to you. “About what?”

Fives glanced around for a moment before turning to you, softly. “You. That smile.”

“Oh, is something in my teeth?”

He laughed, taking his own shot and downing it quickly, the liquid courage boosting him. He ran a hand over his mouth, grinning, turning the glass in his hands. “No. I love your smile. That smile was all I could think about.” He leaned on his elbow, turning towards you, eyes gentle in the dim club light. “I love you.”

You choked. You grabbed your mouth, forcing the shot down, looking at him. “You-”

“Yep.” Fives shrugged, grabbing a handful of napkins. “It was inevitable, really.”

“You’re drunk.”

“Tipsy, yes.” Fives waved at the bartender, nodding for another shot. “But I had to tell you that I’ve been in love with you, from the moment I first saw you, and I remember how you smiled because you knew it.”

You laughed, shaking your head softly. “Fives, I… can I do something?” You set down your shot, standing taller. Fives didn’t object, his lips curling as you grabbed his face and yanked your lips to his.

Fives’ response was immediate. He purred, hand wrapping around your back and tugging you in. You sighed, pressing your full body against him, feeling his brow furrow and his rumbling groan, tugging you in tighter.

You released him, chest heaving, and you moved aside, as if nothing had happened. You took a sip of the drink that had replenished your previous one and coughed softly. “I love you, too.”

Fives grinned, thumb touching his lower lip, sucking in air through his kiss bruised lips. “Well.” He chuckled. “That went way better than I thought it would.”

You grinned, reaching over and rubbing his arm. “Good, you should have said it sooner.”

Fives chuckled, settling a hand on your back and tugging your closer. “I should have, but that doesn’t mean I can’t love you now.”

Chapter Text

Hunter was created to be a man of risk, trained and honed to focus on the most daring of missions with no fear. However, there was one mission that struck him with fear: a mission of love.

Thanks, Wrecker, for tacking him here. And literally every other trooper for putting him here. On purpose. Great job.

Maybe it wasn’t the mission that most men would fear- camping out with the fresh general assigned to them all night. The jedi was his foil- bright eyed, tender, joyful, always with a smile on her patient face. She had been with the Batch on several missions at this point, and Hunter’s heart had yet to stop beating out of turn when she was in his proximity. Her very presence, her scent, her sound, it drove him crazy.

Hunter exited the ship, glancing down at the Jedi, who was standing in the open, eyes closed, the breeze tugging at her loose tunic. He stood on the ramp down, watching her stand, heart tugging at her simplicity and filling with an admiration he had only recently become knowing of.

“It’s a beautiful night.” The Jedi looked back at him, smiling, her hands resting comfortably on her hips.

Hunter’s lip twitched up into a smile, and he walked down, crossing his arms. “Yeah, it’s nice.” He settled into his hips, comfortably, glancing at the sky.

The jedi closed her eyes, inhaling a heavy breath. “The force is so full in this place.”

Hunter laughed, tilting his head. “I’ll take your word for it.”

“Mm, perhaps I should have considered that.” She grinned, walking towards the edge of the field and sitting down. “Come, sit with me.”

“I’ll keep patrolling, you can-”

“I dare you.” Her eyes glistened in slyness, an impish grin curling on her face.

“What are you, twelve?” Hunter sighed. He hesitated, and then sunk down. “However,” Hunter crossed his legs. “I can’t let you beat me in a dare.”

She turned to him, grinning, holding out her hands. “Give me your hands.” He began to protest and she interrupted. “I dare you.”

“As the Jedi wishes.” Hunter swallowed a smile and allowed the Jedi to hold his hands. The Jedi smiled, closing her eyes, and Hunter followed suit. He shifted, a little uncomfortable, but the Jedi’s hands were cool and soft. They didn’t grip him too tight, they simply allowed his fingers to lay in hers. Hunter closed his eyes again, softly, exhaling.

The Jedi ran a thumb along the side of his hand. “Slow your heart. Feel the life around you.”

He couldn’t slow his heart- she was making it race, run, and she was giving him all the life he needed. Her gentle touch, not overpowering in itself but the overpowering effects that it burdened him with, was making his blood race, hot under his armor.

“I feel it… Kind of.” He mumbled. “In you.”

“Good.” The smile reached her voice. “Don’t open your eyes. what does it feel like?”

Hunter spoke, voice thick, caked with the anxiousness he felt. “Warm,” He breathed. Her warmth seeped in through his fingertips, his head with its heightened senses was dancing dizzily with the weight of a power beyond him0 the force.

Hunter felt a hand lift from his wrist. “Your mind is busy. Can I-”

“Yes.” Hunter whispered, the words escaping his lips quickly. “Yes, please.”

The Jedi chuckled and she pressed her palm against his temple, combing back thick waves of hair. “As you wish.” He exhaled again, feeling his shoulders lighten at the sensation of the weight being lifted.

The Jedi hummed, then smiled. “Your heart is still wild.”

“Oh.” Hunter said, feeling a hesitancy in his voice rise. “Is it?” His heart only beat quicker. “It must be.. the mission. Yeah.” He opened his eyes, sucking in his breath and fighting off how amazing iridescent she looked in the night, the moon caking her face and illuminating her eyes- the fact he could see her more in the dark didn’t help.

She smiled at him, drawing her fingers away from his head. “I feel the same for you, Hunter.”

“Oh?” His voice rose a little, and he inhaled, inhaling her scent and presence, leaning forward, hands moving back to hers. This time, his hands squeezed over hers, and she leaned into him, her gaze flicking down to his lips. “Can I show you?”

Her lips curved in a grin, a delicious smile, and Hunter found himself drawn in more to it. “Show me. I dare you.” Her voice had dropped dangerously low to a whisper, and he couldn’t refuse her when the moon was in her eyes and her voice was so soft.

Hunter leaned in more, eyes closing, feeling her draw in a breath as his lips brushed hers. “As you wish,” He mumbled, words teasing her mouth. Hunter leaned into her, and when his lips touched hers, he drew in another breath, leaning in and pressing his mouth fully to hers.

She sighed, content, sliding her hand on his forearm, and Hunter’s brow furrowed as he leaned him more, his hair brushing his face as he deepened the embrace. She tugged away, painfully, and looked up at him, wonder and admiration written on her face. “You’re wonderful, Hunter,” She said softly, her fingertips drawing figure eights into the dark shell of his forearm armor.

“And so are you.” Hunter sighed, allowing her to lean up and meet his lips again. “Just as much, if not more, than I.”

Chapter Text

Tech stretched in the cockpit seat, arms reaching above his head. He glanced back at the back, sighing in relief, spinning to the chair next to him to look at the copilot. “So, everyone is in bed.”

“It would seem so.” She mumbled, looking down at the datapad.

Tech shifted, pausing. “You wanna talk about it-”

“No.”

Tech drew in his lips, adjusting his goggles. “I just believe it would be efficient to discuss what transpired-”

“I was dying, Tech. People say weird things when they’re dying.”

The pause strangled the room, and she sucked in a breath, refusing to look at Tech. Her eyes remained plastered on the holopad, skimming through an article. Tech turned his eyes back down to his own holopad, swallowing something that was suddenly very thick and heavy in his throat. “So.” Tech cleared his throat, looking down at the holopad in front of him. “Saying you love me is weird?”

“That’s not what- okay.” She dropped the holopad on the dash and turned to him. “We’re totally talking about this now.”

“Splendid.” Tech turned, struggling to keep his face from blotching red. “Let’s talk about it.”

“It was a moment of panic. Maybe I was worried about dying alone. Or maybe I was worried about losing you too-” she stopped, and drew in a breath, suddenly standing and pacing. “Nevermind.”

“No!” Tech sprung up. The blood was fully in his face now, and his body under the glove was hot. “No, there is no nevermind.” Tech hurried after her to the weapons room, walking into the cramped space after her. “You what? Losing me? It isn’t probable-”

“I don’t care what’s probable, Tech.” She hissed, marching towards him, trapping him between her and the wall. “Numbers- and, and statistics-” Her voice rasped in her throat, and she shook, words tremoring. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings earlier, Tech. I-” The pilot swallowed, crossing her arms, but not moving. Her body was only a few inches from his, and it sunk it how close she was to him. “I thought I was dying, I really did.” She exhaled, shakily, eyes magnetized to the floor. “I couldn’t let it go unsaid, and I’ not ashamed of you or anything, I just-”

Tech leaned down and stooped his head, catching her lips in his. She sighed against him, her arms uncrossing. She broke away, earning a slight groan from Tech, and she mumbled in a voice that Tech would always want to hear, “Are you sure? I don’t want to make it weird-”

“This won’t,” Tech mumbled, lips rushing down to meet hers again. When they caught, she hummed, hands running up his chest and skimming the taut muscles under his body glove. Tech groaned as she pulled him closer, fingers tangling in the smooth material. He reached behind her, steadying the two of them as he planted a hand on the metal wall of the ship. “It won’t be weird.” His breath came out in huffs against her neck, lips working to unravel the nerves, probe the pulse spots, and he was eventually rewarded with a whimper that almost brought him to his knees.

“Kriff, Tech,” She exhaled, tugging his face away from her collarbone. “I’m gonna be loud-”

He pressed himself to her more, plastering her back against the wall, lips pressing against her ear, voice so low it surprised even him. “I don’t care,” He groaned, brushing his fingers down her arm and interlocking his fingers with hers. He pressed her knuckles on the wall behind her, teeth tugging at her ear, earning a suppressed gasp from the pilot. “I like it very much, I like you very much, just the way you are.”

She sighed softly, sinking against him, letting her back press more against the wall. “The cockpit would be more comfortable, I think.”

Tech hummed against her, lips working down her jaw to her lips, hovering unbearable inches from hers, pressing himself closer against her, voice still narrowing to a growl. “I think so too.” He pressed his lips to hers again and, in a swift move, scooped her up in his arms and made his way out of the artillery room, trusting his memory to get them back to the comfort of the cockpit.

Chapter Text

You felt your body hit the ground and an “Omph!” escaped your lips on the impact. You coughed, tasting blood in your mouth again, and you heaved over, forehead touching the cool tile ground. You groaned, gritting your teeth to bite back against the pain when a hand grabbed your once neatly pulled back hair, now frayed, and tilting your head up.

“You look at the boss when he’s talking, jedi scum.”

All diplomacy was out the window at this point- hell, it wasn’t even in the same neighborhood at this point. You gave a snarl, shoving back, but stopped at the tug on your scalp. “Sassy thing, isn’t she?”

You glanced over at your men, the troopers you had been trusted with to lead the failed raid. You tightened your jaw when you looked among the litter of the dead troopers, and your stomach churned when you saw the living ones. Their helmets were removed and their expressions narrated different emotions- fear, hatred, determination.

Minar the hutt on the dias rumbled with laughter, making you hiss. “It’s a shame she’s a jedi,” He slurred. The hutt moved gelatinously, sliding towards the pipe he was smoking. “She’d be a good addition otherwise.” The crime lord inhaled the spice in, a hoarse hum emitting from his throat (did hutts have throats?).

You snarled, chunking a hunk of spit as close to the dias as it could reach. “I’ll die first. My men have nothing to do with this.”

“Mm. Watch your mouth, Jedi, or the next time we take care of one of your men for you.” The hutt smirked, puffing a sweet-sticky cloud of smoke at you. You coughed and reared back, turning your head to look at the leader of your squad. “What did you come here looking for, anyways?”

You sucked in a breath, glaring at him. “The usual raid. Nothing more.” In truth, Minar was a very small fish in a big sea of crime lords, but he had quite a few connections to the bigger crime lords and he was spectacular at moving spice under the noses of official authorities.

You felt your captian shift. You flicked a few fingers, motioning him to calm down, keeping your eyes trained on Minar.

The hutt started to open its frog-like mouth, ready to dispute, and suddenly he stiffened and shifted. “You’re early.”

“I came when I smelled shit, Minar.” A dark voice stirred the space behind you. You tried to glance back, but the hand tightened in your tangled mat of hair. The footsteps stopped, surveying the scene. “A raid? Nice job.” He paused at a clone’s corpse, squatting down and gently running a hand over the plastoid back panel.

“You weren’t supposed to see this.” Either the spice was messing with the hutt’s voice, or he was panicking. At the squeak his words made, you decided it was panicking.

The boots of the man came into sight. Mandalorian armor came into view, with the T-shaped visor reflecting the neon lighting of the hutt’s club. The indigo stripes rang familiar, and he reached down, taking your jaw with a gentle touch.

Your eyes flickered to the insignia on the mandalorian’s bicep plate. An indigo five rested on it, the dark cape on his shoulders flipped away from it.

No way. Not him.

“You’re dead,” You said, quietly, then winced at the hand still pulling your hair.

The mandalorian’s hand moved quicker than you could process, the blaster fire sounding before you recognized it. The death grip on your hair loosened, and the human fell next to you, dead. “I may have been.” The mandalorian said gently, reaching down and picking your arm up. “But I’m not anymore.”

“What- what is the meaning of this?” The hutt’s voice quivered. “When you come into my club-”

More blaster fire rang out and two more of the guards collapsed. The remaining clones grabbed their nearby weapons. “Go, clear it!” Your commander called, running towards the back rooms with the rest of the men.

You reached out, calling your saber from the dias into your hand, and you moved up next to the mandalorian mercenary.

The mandalorian walked towards the dias, slow, fist shaking with anger, and he reached up with one hand. He removed his helmet.

The hutt shifted uncomfortably, eyes moving towards the dead clones and back at Fives. “You- I-”

“My name is Fives, CT-27-5555. You killed my brothers. Prepare to die.”

“Wait,” You said. “He needs to be taken in alive. He knows stuff we need.”

Fives turned to you, making your heart flip. His eyes were just as warm as you remembered, the five tattoo on his temple confirming what your eyes saw. He nodded, softly, tugging his helmet back on. “Tell your men to take care of it.”

___

You hurried down the street after Fives, eyes trained on the dark cape he wore around his armor. “You’re supposed to be dead!”

“Did you want me dead?”

“No, of course not.” You paused, slowly setting your hand on his arm. “Fives, I died when you did. And now, you’re here, and I…” Your voice trailed off and you swallowed. “Anyways, what are you doing? Are you some kind of mercenary?”

“Yep.” He turned down an alley, and you followed. “A vigilante of sorts.” Fives opened the door, motioning you in. “I’ve been looking for you.”

“You should have come to me.” You ducked in, glancing around at the apartment. It was surprisingly nice, large, stately. “Nothing has been the same.” You exhaled softly. “Rumors have been circulating. The chancellor is under investigation, Fives, and it’s all thanks to you. So… why don’t you come home?”

Fives paused, his helmet leaving his head, and he exhaled softly. “I’ve seen a lot of bad stuff happen while I was hiding. Without the Republic holding me back, I can do a lot of good.”

“You can do good for us.” You moved towards him, but drew a hand back.

Fives tilted his head, gingerly. “What’s wrong? Scared to touch me?”

You stared at his chest, eyes flicking up to his. The smile on his face vanished as you heaved a sob, hugging yourself. “I- I wanted this to happen for so long, but I don’t want you vanish, or disappear, or I’ll wake up-”

Fives reached down and took your hand, prying it away gently as you gave another helpless sob. “I’m here,” He said gently, tugging your hand to his chest. Your fingers rested on his pectoral armor, and you gave another sob, moving closer. He hesitated, reaching up and tugging off the forearm armor and the bicep armor, and then the chest plate, resting your hand on the loose shirt he wore underneath.

“Better?” He reached down, taking your other hand and pulling it to his cheek.

“More,” You croaked, leaning up, pressing your lips to his.

Fives hummed against you, relieved, kicking off the boots and yanking his shirt off, leaning in and pressing his lips against yours again. Your fingers ran over the ridge of the blaster shot-you had no idea how he had survived, your mind was moving too fast, swimming in all the emotions you felt, your head light. The want, the lust, the love, the sorrow and the joy, all crashed against your soul like waves.

Your lips broke from his, unsure if you had revived him or he had revived you. Fives’ eyes searched yours, and a smile broke his lips. “More?” He said softly.

You nodded, shrugging off your robe and grasping for him, the tears flowing freely as he picked you up and sat back on the mattress, it sighing under the weight of you both. “I still have so many questions,” You rasped, unclasping your belt, letting your tan robes fall from your shoulders.

Fives sighed, tugging you against him, his hands smoothing down your bare back as your eyes drank him in for a third, fourth, tenth time. “Save the questions for the morning, love.” He leaned up and pressed his lips to yours, fingers running over your thighs where they straddled him. “For now, let’s be reunited and let me make you feel good.”

You nodded, leaning down and kissing him, earning a gentle groan from Fives as he laid back on the bed, making up for lost time.

Chapter Text

“How much longer?” The girl whined. She kicked her legs, watching you.

You remained patient, handing her another matted set of bandages. “Not much,” You said, for the seventh time.

“You said that three hours ago,” Omega mumbled. She went back to untangling the bandages, watching your fingers skillfully rearranging the bacta pads and medical tools. “They were supposed to be back today.”

“It’s only been three days, Omega.” You were more shocked you weren’t irritated with the constant questions. Omega was a nice change of pace from the patients you had before the war’s end, and a much better patient than Tech, who would fully diagnose himself and tell you what was wrong with him. That made telling him what that rash really was a lot of fun. “Isn’t that the first thing you were taught in the medical ward?”

“Yeah, but I want to… not be patient. I want them to get back safely.” Omega propped her head on her fist, cheek pressing on her knuckles.

Your fingers left their work to gently scratch her blonde tendrils of hair. “They will. Just wait.”

The child hummed in annoyance but went quiet, opting for pacing the circumference of the medical room as she tugged at the knots.

___

Your attention was pulled when the door of the ship wheezed open, followed by Omega rejoicing and her thunderous footsteps to greet the boys. You smiled, shaking your head, and tucked away the bed covers you had just finished stitching. The boy’s needed to stop sleeping with their armor on.

Any worries you had melted as your soldier ducked in the door, a grin smeared on his soot-covered face. “There’s my-!”

“Ah-ah!” You stepped away, gesturing at your brilliant white coat. “I am not getting this dirty.”

Wrecker grumbled, impatient, as you meticulously removed the coat. You folded it with the reserve it deserved and turned to him, smiling pleasantly. “Alright! Welcome-”

Not waiting for you to finish, Wrecker scooped you up and held you tight, and a huff of breath was squeezed from your lungs, a few vertebre popping. “Ooh.” You grunted. You laughed and hugged him then, feet dangling off the ground.

He set you down, stooping over, bending almost halfway to peck you. It was always a bittersweet moment, kissing him- knowing any kiss could be your last, but also thrilled by every one. His lips were warm, chapped from the days camping out, but you wouldn’t have chosen any other lips to meet your own.

You pressed a hand lightly to his shoulder plate, tugging back, relief swelling in you. “How was it? You’re all-”

“Er, yeah.” Wrecker chuckled nervously, his giant hands finding a way to rub the back of his neck. “Well, it went South.”

“Oh, Wreck.” You sighed softly. “I’m sorry.”

You stepped away, opening the bottom cabinet and tossing him a wrapped sweet. He gasped in delight, glancing at you to ensure you had your own. He heard the casing on the candy in your hands rustle, ans only then did he tear open his own. “It’s okay. We made it out safe.”

You exhaled, leaning on the cabinet. “I know.” You sucked on the candy, trying to suck down any worries. “I just..”

He watched you, eyes following your movements. As large, as loud as he may be, his sound was sensitive, heart as in tune with yours as one’s heart could be. “You just what?”

You blinked and looked up at him, pushing aside the worries that had started to harden in your chest. “I don’t like when the bunk is cold.”

Wrecker’s face softened and he lowered his helmet onto the cot, moving towards you, gently taking your hands. “I know.” He shrugged, then grinned, but more… sincere. He was always happy, always smiling, but not usually serious in expression- many of his truths were said in jest. “I won’t leave you. Not forever, anyways. Days are nothing compared to… well. My love.”

Your lips pressed into a smile, and you glanced up. This man was huge, giant, you pondered as he leaned down to kiss you, but it was no where near the size of his heart or his overwhelming love for you.

Chapter Text

Cody appreciated the stillness of Naboo, a moment of peace, amdist a galaxy of war. He inhaled heavily, sighing, glancing over the stirring in the gardens below. He smiled at the woman in the thick sea of colors below, her face obscured by the large sun hat on her head, her hands peeking out to take the stalks of flowers and trim them with a tenderness only he knew. Sure, she was a doctor with a gentle touch, but her gentleness was only tenderness when he was near. She was in space so often that Cody forgot how much she loved plants- her time in University for Flora Immunology was interrupted to divert her time to medical studies and help in the war.

Heart thrumming with half-guilt and half joy, he jogged down the steps, bare feet cool against the stone floors. Cody padded out the garden entrance, greeted by the sweet scent of pollen and pedals.

He heard her singing- her voice was sweet to him, and it was a shame she rarely used it. He flexed his toes into the dirt, moist with water, alive with roots.

She stopped, head tilting back to look at him, the sun dripping through the patterns of the hat onto her cheeks and nose and lips, parted in surprise. “Did I wake you?”

“I’ve been up, love.” Cody approached her, eyes flitting to the plants she had been embracing earlier. “What’s this?”

“Nova Lily.” She grinned, glancing around. “This garden has such a diversity of flowers. It’s so… full of life.”

Cody slipped a hand on her waist, pressing his chin on her shoulder, watching her hands work on the current stalk she was trimming. “I’m sorry that the war has kept you from doing what you love.” He kissed the side of her neck, pausing. “You wouldn’t have…” his fingers drew over the long scar on her side, flashes of the incident returning.

“Stop,” She said, quickly. “I’m alright.”

“You almost died, your place isn’t on a battlefield.” His words pressed to the surface of her neck, quiet. “Your place is here, in a garden, in the forest, with what you love.”

The quiet was harsh against the light of the sun, and her hands resumed working. Cody felt a small chuckle escape her. “Oh, my darling, my commander,” She said, tenderly as her fingers on the petals. “When I’m with you, I’m in a garden.”

Cody’s head drew back in surprise. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“If I had a flower for every time I thought of you, for every beat my heart says for you, I could walk through my garden forever.” She turned her head and kissed his jaw, softly, smiling. “And I can live for you as much as I live for flowers, for the life I can hold in my hands. I would have a plethora of flowers, my darling.” She lowered the shears into the basket, turning to him. “I couldn’t begin to classify them.”

Cody sighed, thumb smoothing over the waistline of the puckered skin of the wound where the metal claws of Grevious had dug into her sweet skin, nearly cutting her life short. “I need to do better. You’re not going into battle again.” He mumbled, softly.

“I will go where I please.” She pushed her hat back, the sun bathing her cheeks and eyes in a golden light that was only outdone by her very presence. “And as long as you are there, I will be there, too.”

Cody gripped her tight, brow furrowed, tucking her close as he kissed her. She sighed, gently, smooth a hand over his hair. Her fingers still smelled like the petals of the flowers, her presence a sweet sound and taste on his lips. She was the spring, the light of his life, and everything for him. “I won’t let you be lost to me.”

“And I won’t be.” She smiled, softly, kissing his cheeks, stepping away, hands slipping down into his. “Come on,” She said, tugging at him, the twisted twine vow snug on her right ring finger. “I want to show my commander my favorite flowers.”

Cody smiled, following her through the garden, wondering where her feet would lead him- because where one of them was, surely the other would follow.

Chapter Text

You had been rolling bandages when you realized you had done something horribly and terribly wrong. You glanced up from your table in the back room of your ward and were only met with the glaring eyes of one very agitated Tech. You blinked slowly, fingers lingering on the rolled gauze in your hands.“What?”

He mumbled, which was very un-Tech like. You paused, you tongue pressing against the inside of your cheek.

Your eyes flicked back to the doorway with the other regs, the nonseriously injured ones.

Oh.

You hesitated and then grinned, setting the bandages down as you sauntered towards Tech’s bed, a confident gait settling into your hips with all the sway of a confident woman. “I think I know what’s going on.”

Tech glanced up at you, brows still knitted together. “Whatever you’re thinking, you’re wrong.’

"Am I?” You pursed your lips in a cheeky grin, leaning over, suddenly nose to nose with Tech. “I think I’m right.”

His brow narrowed further, eyes not leaving yours, face increasingly speckling with blush spreading in a pattern you had memorized by now. “I doubt it.”

The two of you had been dancing around in- every busted rib, every scar, every bruise and tense moment on the battlefield, there was something there, magnetizing you, pulling you to one another in the most polarizing sense of the word. You both knew it. Played with it. Teased the idea, but you on your North end and him on his South, separate as you pondered this pull. You wanted to ignore it no more. You admired him, you wanted him, in every way.

Yes, you felt his eyes settling on you every time you flirted. Every moment at a bar, or around the hormonal soldiers who would take any oppurtinity to flirt with a breathing woman. The way he stood by you, the moments on the battlefield he stood over you and covered you as you bandaged the wounded. He wanted you, too- the grazing touches, the richness in his voice when he said your name, the quick glances as your lips, your body, the admiration in everything he did involving you- he really wanted you, too.

The perfect way to have him own up to his feelings- utterly breaking him.

You paused, then glanced back at the room, shrugging, leaning off the bed. “If you insist,” You purred, sauntering to the reg medical room.

“Where are you going?” Tech shifted, moving to sit up, grimacing slightly at the effort.

“To do my… doctor things.” You beamed innocently over your shoulder at him, eyes malicious, as you entered the reg medical room. You felt Tech’s gaze boring into you, and you turned to the current reg, and you smiled gently at him. “Hi. I’m the resident medic.” You tapped om the insignia on your white coat.

He sat up, brows raising. Women in the ranks were rare, which happened to be perfect to prove your hypothesis. Your grin perked up as you grabbed a holopad, sliding a stool to him and sitting down. “What brings you to me today?’

"Aside from the beauty and brains I see in front of me?”

You made sure to laugh your most flirtatious laugh- high pitched, tinkering. “Oh, trooper.” You giggled, sliding the stool closer, examining the arm he held up to you, which had been haphazardly bandaged. “Battlefield injury?”

“Mhm.” He relaxed back against the pillow. “Yep. Defending the ray shields abiut three kliks from base.”

“Mm.” You unwrapped the bandage and examined the wound. It wasn’t deep- a fracture at most, you decided. “You’re a brave guy, aren’t you?” You glanced back into the back room, where Tech’s eyes had darkened. You shot him an innocent smile, quickly setting the bone and re-bandaging it. “Oh, good job. That hurts, I know.” You crooned, applying some bacta to his skin and sealed off the splint.

The reg grinned, exhaling, trying to wiggle his fingers. “Thanks, Doc.” He grinned, leaning back. “Say, am I your only patient today.”

“No, but you’re probably my favorite.” You grinned, standing, typing in a status update on the holopad. The clone laughed, leaning up to look more at you.

“You’re my favorite doctor, you know.”

“Aw.” You grinned, submitting the report. “Then you must be a smart man.”

“Oh, I am!” The reg grinned, leaning back, good arm elevating his head. “I’m on the bomb squad.”

You nodded, grinning, leaning on the doorway. “Oh, so you’re very smart.” You set the holopad down, tilting your head. “So smart, level headed- so you’re the cream of the crop.”

An irritated sputter came from the private medical room behind you. You glanced back, almost cackling at Tech, who was absolutely boiling. His face was a gorgeous tint of red, his muscles tensed up under his glove, and the holopad in his hands was diligently holding up to the pressure he was putting on it, fingers firm, the rim cracked.

You shot him a wink. Your attention shifted back to the injured trooper, who was trying to peer into the room. “Everything good, Doc?”

“Oh, just another patient.” You offered the reg a sweet smile, a sticky sweet smile and you helped him wrap a sling around his arm and tied it behind his neck. “Coming to see me for a little cough. Don’t concern yourself.” You helped the trooper up, walking him to the door. “I’ll send instructions to your C.O., don’t come see me too soon.”

The trooper was a fly caught in your honeyed feminine trap. He smiled, winking at you. “But I kinda want to.”

“Give it a few days, trooper.” You chuckled, gently shooing him out.

With a sigh, you turned, admiring the now empty medical room. Well.. almost empty.

Tech was standing at the doorway to the private room, honeyed eyes glistening in anger, jealousy written in his gaze, lip curled. “So,” He said, a hiss relieving his voice. “He’s your smart trooper.”

“Considering that you didn’t want to take that role, yes.” The words held a beguiling offer, a tempting bet, brows raised in challenge. “I take it I was right, Tech?” Your tongue annunciated the last syllable, delicious on your lips.

Tech’s jaw rotated in a way you rarely saw- perhaps amidst firefights, and his shoulders tensed. Your eyes flicked to the surprisingly broad shoulders- he was lean, but well built. The top half of his body glove outlined the sinewy arms and pectorals, while his bulky armor still on from the waist down did him the disservice of failing to balance out his body.

His eyes tracked yours, and he stalked towards you. You backed up, half in shock, half in amusement. “Oh, so my theory was-?”

Your mouth stopped moving as his crashed into it, a ship in a storm, hands shaking as the pressed to the small of your back. You sighed, shock washing out through your toes that curled in your boots, and you wrapped your arms around him as he pressed your shoulders against the wall, voice hoarse as she spoke, words warm against your lips. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t make up for what you did,” He whispered, tugging away, a spark in his eyes.

You sighed, wilting, holding into him. “Oh, that’s funny, I can’t think of a reason. Maybe you should prove me right.”

Tech stared at you, then grinned brightly, the gleam still in his eyes as he leaned down, lips moving in a waltzing rhythm with yours, and he tugged you up to wrap your legs around his waist. “That’s a shame,” He exhaled, softly against your ear, hissing as you tugged at the neck of his body glove. “Neither can I.”

Chapter Text

Rex’s fist clenched as he watched the Jedi Knight talk to Krell, her hand gestures subtle, but Rex knew her well enough. As Krell’s former padawan, she knew the General best and was the most likely to stand up to him. Currently, she was arguing about tactics involving the clones. Krell was looming over her, large, but she was sturdy, stance calm, rigid, unmovable. However, Krell outranked her, and he simply stalked away, ignoring her, barking commands as he walked back towards the observation tower.

The knight chewed on her lip and turned, running her hand through her scalp. Rex tucked his helmet neatly under his arm, exhaling softly. He was fighting off agitation, because the general knew best, but the knight was more… emotionally important. Hell, more important, period. In every way.

“What was that about?” His voice was soft. Umbra was dark, always dark, but he could see the traces of rage lingering on her face.

The jedi fought off the agitation and turned to him, anger still pressing to ger lips. “He hasn’t changed.” She smiled at him, the weariness only shining through her eyes. “He plans to execute Jesse and Fives himself after your mission.”

“Oh.” Rex paused, glancing down at his own clanched fist. The Jedi and him had this odd… unspoken relationship. It was known between the two of them- and several others, apparently- that they had a band of sorts, but neither one had made the effort to identify it. Rex knew he was frightened of it. “Did you tell him you think it would be best to come with us?”

“He says I’m needed here.” She sighed, her own muscles tensing. “My men- and you-”

“We’ll be fine.” Rex assured, gently reaching out, laying a hand on her forearm. “We’ve done missions without Jedi before.”

Her brow creased, but she didn’t move her arm away. “I know, but this time, it’s just… different.” She paused. “He was a good master, Rex, but he hates… he doesn’t-”

“Like Clones.” Rex finished. He paused, glancing back, then smiled. “Hey, we have some time. How about we do that thing you like? Tea ritual.”

The jedi paused, skimming his face, lips pressing gently in a smile. “I would like that, actually.”

Rex felt a grin flit to his face as he followed her to her quarters. This whole mission had been hell, Umbara had been hell, and she was his only source of sanity.

“I don’t know what to do about Fives or Jesse.” Rex pressed a hand to his forehead and lowered his helmet onto the small table by the door. The lighting in her room was gentle, subtle, colorful. She hummed noncomittaly and shrugged off her robe, walking to the small pot she had sitting out. Rex grinned again, worry briefly vanishing with the sight. “You were expecting this.”

“I knew you would need it.” She sighed, reaching down and picking up two small cups. “And I knew I would.’ She poured the steaming liquid into the cup and sat down on her bed, holding out a cup to Rex, who took a seat next to her. The jedi took a sip, the drink followed by a sigh. "Rex I’m so sorry. I didn’t know this would happen-”

“It isn’t your fault.”

“I should have been able to do more.” She turned to him, cup resting gently in her fingers. She examined the simple design, the subtle green carvings in the sides. “I need to do more for all of you.”

Rex hesitated, leaning forward on his knees. “You’re doing enough.” The tea lingered in his mouth, and he sighed. “You’re enough. Some things are just… out of control.”

“He’s a Jedi, Rex, and it’s my job to look out for you.” The Jedi glanced at him, pausing, meaning swelling in her gaze. “All of you, but… I…’

Her words were lost. She glanced back away, and Rex sat back, turning to her. "Hey, hey, it’s okay.” His arm moved around her, tugging her to him. The Jedi leaned into him, arms tightening, a soft sob escaping her. “Shh, shh.”

“It shouldn’t be this way, Rex.” She mumbled, allowing him to pull her closer.

“I know.” His nose pressed into her hair, and he sighed, the weariness seeping back into his bones. Rex held her tight, closing his eyes as the realization that he had wanted to hold her for a long, long time sunk in, heavy, weighing even more on this. “It shouldn’t, but we’ll work it out.”

“I still have you, though,” She mumbled, voice hoarse as she tugged away to look up at him, eyes bright as she skimmed his face.

Rex’s eyes were caught in hers, his soul altogether in her hands. “You do,” He murmered, voice hoarse. “And you always will.”

She stared up at him, as if realizing she was ensnared too, but she didn’t move. The Jedi’s arms slipped down to his chest, eyes betraying her thoughts as they flickered to his lips.

Rex leaned down, eyes closing, perhaps preparing for her to move away, strike him, run- but none of those happened. Her lips softly returned pressure, exploring, her fingers softly slipping up to hold his jaw.

The captain sighed against her, slowly tugging away, throat thick with nerves. “I… I’ve wanted that.”

“Me, too.” The Jedi whispered, her face tucking into his neck. “I’m sorry, We just…”

“Yeah.”

The silence filled the room, heavy, unspoken excuses pressing them together.

“I should go,” Rex mumbled, slowly letting her go. “I’ll go.”

“Be safe,” she said, quietly, standing and watching him walk out. His cup of tea still rested on the small table, half empty.

The jedi exhaled and waited for a moment before walking towards the door, allowing Rex time to go. Krell had told her he needed to see her after the clones left.

___

The tower was dark, save for the faint light of the panels. “Master Krell,” You said. “It’s… just you.”

“The other clones are out. They’re doing what they were programmed to do.”

You frowned, but bit your lip.

“I sense… frustration in you.” Krell inhaled. “Anger. Passion.”

“Yes.” You paused, walking in a circle around him, and he walked with you, the opposite side of the room. “And I sense… darkness.”

“Oh, my Padawan.” Krell chuckled, shoulders rolling, one set of arms folding behind his back. “You’re weak for them.”

“I’m not your padawan anymore, Master Krell.” Your voice warbled. “And this darkness-?”

“They’ll return, you know.” The jedi master hissed. “They’ll try to kill me.”

“Why would they do that?” You hissed. You knew very well why- anger, betrayal.

Pain shot through you. You felt it- Rex. Betrayal, pain, hurt, filled your soul.

Your eyes snapped to Krell, voice raising in half-panic. “You.” Your words hissed in your throat. “You’ve organized all this. You’re trying to do this-”

“Yes!” Krell laughed, nodding. “And you, my Padawan, will join me.”

“Why would I do that?” You hissed, hand reaching back to the duel-bladed lightsaber on your back.

“Your passions will be your downfall,” Krell spoke, moving closer to you. “Your beloved clone will die, by my hand, and you will follow me or die with him.”

You snarled, hand resting on the cool metal, feet moving backwards. “I’ll never join you, Krell. You’ll fall today.”

The master snarled, grabbing for his own sabers. “So, it’s treason then.”

You felt the heat of your lightsaber as it ignited, and heard the doors open as clones came sprinting in, led by Rex. “I suppose it is.”

Chapter Text

The night was screaming and pounding on your window when you woke up. Crosshair was out of the medical bed, leaving you tucked in, curled up alone.

You scrambled to your feet, rushing out, ignoring the wrinkles creased into your usually pristine medical uniform. The storms outside pounded, the Kaminoian sky dark, which was how you imagined all the boys- your boys- felt.

The hallways had a designated lights-out time now, and you turned, brain whirring. Crosshair didn’t know this place hardly well enough to go anywhere in particular.

Anywhere except-

You spun and ran, dodging the patrol squadron, formerly members of the 212th, feeling the aura of dread, hurt, sinking and weighing on them. These were hopeless days. But you wouldn’t allow it to be hopeless for everyone.

You skidded, shoes squeaking on the floor, and you tapped the code to the Bad Batch’s former bunk room. “Cross,” You said, voice higher than normal.

Your patient stood, in the middle of the room, staring at the empty beds. The storm trooper squadron had been temporarily moved out so the walls could be cleaned free of Tech’s calculations and Wrecker’s tic marks or mindless doodles.

You hesitated, the lightning briefly casting the lengthy shadow of anguish over the room. You saw Crosshair’s shoulders shaking, heard little sounds that resembled sobs.

You shut the door and hurried over, stopping a few feet short of him. “Cross, darling-”

“They’re not coming back for me,” His voice, usually a snake, was now an earthworm trembling in the rain, lost and raw. “I’m alone.”

You stared at him. You had seen the republic, a beast, crumble with your own two eyes, but it didn’t sting as much as watching this barren and cold statue of a man crumble, undone by the past months. “Cross,” Your voice came out, more gentle than before. “I can’t imagine the- the feelings-”

“I had to try and kill them.” Crosshair slowly sunk forward, hands bracing on the table in the middle of the room. “They’ll never forgive me.” The raw burns, scraped off his charred flesh, must have been begging for rest, but it was nothing compared to the state of his emotional hurt. “I deserve this,”

“No one deserves this.” You walked around him, giving him a wide berth. “You- and the rest of the troopers, even the regs- they have done nothing to deserve any of this.” You reached up slowly, laying a hand delicately against the bandage on his cheek. “And they will forgive you. There’s just something mightier than you or I involved.”

“Why can’t I resist?” He mumbled, eyes glazed, voice hazy with tears. “I can- I should-”

“Let’s leave those for the morning.” You glanced around, pausing, then slowly walking him towards his old bunk. “Come on. We can sleep in here tonight.” You climbed in, not caring for how tough the mattress was, glancing up at him, patting the space beside you. “I’ll hold you. Please, Cross, let me hold you for tonight. You need it.”

The man hesitated, feet eventually gathering the courage to wander over and climb next to you. Crosshair turned away, allowing you to wrap your arms around him.

You sighed and pressed your lips tenderly to his right shoulder blade, one of the few unaffected places from the burns. “You know, I still care for you. Immensely.’

There was silence. It was thick and heavy, perhaps more turmoulous than the blankets of rain and rolling thunders outside. Crosshair sighed, then said softly, "When I was out on missions, all I could think of was you. I saw you mostly in my dreams, like this.” He stopped again, drawing in a shaky breath, body drawing close in preparation for another round of sobs. “But.. but not here, not… not like this.”

His cries, soft cries, were held by the thick walls of the room, and you could do little else other than cradle and hold him until, finally, the weary man drew himself exhausted from crying and only sobbed when he ran out of tears and not reasons to cry, to mourn.

Chapter Text

It took Tech a moment to realize where the pilot had gone. He inhaled and rolled over in bed, throwing his arm gently over her form, but was greeted by the cool cot. He had fully awoken then, blinking, and sat up, glancing around the empty bunkroom. The rest of the Batch had gone scouting so Tech and the pilot had stayed behind with the Havoc.

He threw his legs over the bed and tugged on his glasses, grabbing a shirt resting on the foot of his bed. He yanked it on over his head and rose, wandering to the cockpit and artillery room before deciding to check outside.

Tech climbed down the ramp, glancing around. The light alone from the sister moons allowed him to search without assistance- she was sitting on the ground, eyes planted on the sky. Her head rested on her shoulder as she stared up, fingers digging into the soft grass below her.

Tech walked towards her, slowly sinking down next to her. “Is everything alright?”

She nodded, shifting the weight of her head to fall on his shoulder, humming in satisfaction. “Yes, Tech. I’m just in space so much that I forget what the stars and the moon look like from planetside.” She smiled softly, eyes still trained on the night sky above. She tore her gaze away to finally look up at the clone, eyes bright with admiration and moonlight. “It’s beautiful.”

“Mm,” Tech smiled and bumped his nose against her forehead, sighing softly. “The most stunning sight I have ever witnessed.”

“Are you talking about me or the moon?”

“I thought it was obvious.” Tech grinned and leaned down, gingerly kissing her temple. He hugged an arm around her back and laid in the grass, tucking her head on his chest. “My dearest friend, may I join you by your side? We could gaze into the stars and sit, now and forever.”

Tech felt the pilot shift to get more comfortable against him, and he heard her sigh. “If you wouldn’t mind, I would like that.”

“Excellent.” Tech turned his head and kissed her scalp gently, watching the stars shift under the weight of the universe they pinned above the planet. “Did you know that, in addition to moving around the planet, the sister moons rotate around each other?”

“Fascinating.” The piolet yawned and leaned on Tech more, fighting to keep her eyes open ro watch the stars.

After a moment, Tech leaned down and softly pressed his lips against hers. His lips were warm, soft, with no further plea of passion beyond the affections he was giving. The pilot reached up with one hand and ran it through his curls easily, humming lazily.

Tech pulled away, a very heavy realization sinking in. “Reast easy on me, darling. I’ll take you in with me.”

She gave a mumble of protest but rolled into him, body still, and her hums gave way to steady, slumbering breathing.

Tech exhaled softly, perhaps wishing he could provide her with more- because there was no one he could think of in the whole universe he would rather watch a night sky with than her. All he wanted was to be like the second moon above them, a constant comfort and love to the woman nestled on his chest now.

Chapter Text

Echo grimaced and rubbed his forehead, exhaling, looking down at the panel below him. He had been wrestling with recalibrating the Hacov Marauder’s energy systems for a few days now, and he heaved a sigh. “One step closer.” He mumbled to no one in particular. Hopefully, this could be wrapped up today and they could get off this planet.

“Echo!” A sound clamoured on the metallic hull of the ship behind him. “Uh… a little help?”

The clone turned, glancing over the edge. He reached down and allowed the pilot to grab his arm with her free hand. “Whatcha got there?”

“Caf!” She stood, giving a confident heave of air and holding the cup out to him. “For you.”

“Oh,” Echo tilted his head, slowly accepting the cup. “Thank you.” His eyes followed the mechanic, who stretched and plunked down on the edge of the shop, patting the spot beside her. “What did you… come here for?” He slowly sunk down, legs dangling over the side, taking a sip of the creamy caf. She remembered how he liked it, and his chest loosened from the tight grip of anxiety- maybe things could go back to they way they were before the citadel.

She smiled at him, swinging her own legs. “I just wanted to talk.” She sighed, glancing around the flat land surrounding them. “Catch up,” Her shoulder nudged his arm, and she grinned brightly. “Get to see how you’re doing.”

Echo’s lips drew into a smile- it was rare for him to smile so brightly, taking another sip of the caf. “I’m… the same.”

“Are you?” Her voice was gentle, lips pressing together softly, her fingers splaying to the side. “You don’t seem like the same Echo I know and love.”

The cup shook in his hand as he tugged it away from his lips. “I… things are different, now.”

“So you’re not the same.”

There was a pause, a pulse, unsteady and as shaky as his hold on the caf. Echo sighed softly, forearms resting on his knees. “I’m not. You know I’m not. I don’t deserve-”

“Do you remember our last gunfight?” She interrupted him, head whipping towards him and voice marinated with a gentle form of force. “I was in the middle, caught in the middle with Omega, and you came for us.” The silence fell again, between you, harsh and soft at the same time.

“It’s different.”

“You still love me, Echo, right?” Her voice cracked. When there was silence, she spoke again. “I can’t believe you don’t,”

Echo’s voice was in his throat, sticky with the creamer and fear. “If I said yes, what would you say?”

She paused, eyes still weighing on him, before she spoke, words just as thick as his. “I don’t know.”

Echo went quiet for a moment, and he said, softly, “What if I said you make me strong?” His fingers tightened, and he swallowed. “And brave?”

The unspoken lay between them, bare, real, vivid, but between the lines- I still love you, as much as and more than the days before, I want you to love me, too.

It was the mechanic’s turn to be quiet. “You’re not different, Echo, You haven’t changed.” Her warm fingers reached up, softly taking the cup of caf. “You’re still… Echo.” Her hand moved to his hollow cheek, the heat of the caf lingering on her fingers. Spoken words fell to a whisper. “Being loved deeply by someone gives you strength, and loving someone deeply gives you courage.”

Echo’s lips pressed back into their smile, and he laid his forehead gently to hers. “Then there’s your answer, I suppose.”

She grinned, and he felt her brows unknit against his forehead. “Oh, Echo,” She said quietly, other hand smoothing up his arm. “You make me brave, too.” She hesitated, pressing her thumb to his lips, and she said, softly, “But I wanted to say it, and say-”

“I love you.” He croaked. “I always have, and I have no memories between the citadel and being rescued, but all I knew was I wanted to get back to you, and be with you.” Echo laid his fingers on her cheek, smoothing them over, the first real embrace he had granted himself since his rescue. “I was just scared you didn’t feel the same.”

“Silly,” She mumbled, tugging away, his fingers still laying against her cheek. Her lips pressed back in a smile. “I love all of Echo, no matter what he is.” She lowered her cheek into his palm, sighing softly.

Echo tugged her close, quiet, hesitating halfway. “Sorry,” He mumbled, lamely. there was nothing else to say- sorry for the time lost, sorry for the hurt, sorry for-

“Everything you are, Echo,” She said, softly, closing the space between them, her lips just as soft as he remembered. Echo melted, sighing, fingers closing tenderly on her face. “I love you and everything you are.”

Chapter Text

You felt Rex’s attention shift to you but you stood your ground, eyes pinned on Krell, the brilliant green shifting against the ever-present darkness rolling around your former master. You could feel it now- the haze of evil, the fog of the Dark Side rolling around him like a mist in a wood.

The captian’s blasters were out in his hands and he stood even with you, voice calm but authoritative. “General Krell,” He said, calmly. “You’re under arrest.”

Krell took in the sight of it all- you with your saber resting easily in your hands, Rex standing next to you with his guns drawn, the soldiers moving around you. “Under what charges?”

“Treason against the Republic.” Rex moved closer to you, and you shifted your saber, feeling the comforting hum in your fingers.

The men closed in, eyes only on the traitor. Krell’s lips pressed into a sneer, and his fingers flexed. “I feared you would say that-” You heard the Force stir before you felt it. “Clone.”

The men tumbled back, Krell’s sabers whipping out, pushing troopers away. The clone closest to the window crashed through, shattering the glass, and tumbled out, screaming.

You grounded yourself, skidding backwards as the pressure of the force pushed you back. Your head lifted long enough to catch Krell jumping out the shattered window. You stood, running to the ledge and glancing down, Rex behind you. “Kriff,” You breathed, starting down. “I’ll go directly after him. You take the elevator-”

“Hey,” Rex reached out, bumping your arm with his fingers. You turned at looked at his visor, trying to discern some expression, some emotion from that emotionless helmet.

Instead, he drew his hand back, nodding. “Turn on your comm. The second you see him, tell me and wait-”

“No more of your brothers are dying today, Rex.” You exhaled, moving back towards the ledge. “Not under my watch.” Your breath caught, and you jumped back, tumbling, feeling the air whiz past your ears. You landed heavy, ankles screaming, the impact absorbed by the Force that dwelled around you.

You stood and ran, activating your lightsaber. “Men!” You yelled at a group of 212th troopers. “With me! Don’t leave my sights.”

You led them into the forest, thick with fog, the plants casting a dim glow on the breath of the twilight. You led the mem, stepping slow, your senses muffled by ringlets of the force around you. “Rex,” You said, softly to your comm. “He’s close. I can feel him.”

“Hang on, General. We’re close to you.”

You exhaled, softening your voice. “I’ll take care of your men. Just get here quick.” You tugged your wrist away, saber humming with life.

A man screamed in the distance. You turned, eyes scanning for the familiar haze of blue and green. The sabers moved in violent arcs, aggressive, just as terribly powerful as you remembered him being when you were his padawan.

You ran ahead of the men, who were close to your tail, and you lept upwards, feet planting against foreign fauna, saber swinging. You struck down, just as violent as you had been taught, and two blades rose to meet you.

He swung, the duo of blades moving brilliantly, and you danced between them, twisting and rolling. The clones were yelling at one another in the comms, debating to fire or not, to shoot or not, in lieu of hitting the Jedi that they didn’t want to hit.

You tumbled back, your blade still humming, and you glanced up at him, the grey dirt coating your vision. You stood, shakey, hands readjusting.

“My Padawan,” Krell sighed, moving towards you. The words suffocated you, and you exhaled, feeling in the force for him- that betrayal earlier, your Captain, was replaced with worry. “You could have been a great service to the dark side.” He walked towards you in an arc, and you mimicked it, circling each other slowly. “Instead, you chose some lab-created flesh droid with a hive mind. Does he even feel? Does he know the… Love?” Krell laughed, the sound grating your ribs. “You love him? My padawan is stupid. How unfortunate.”

You spun the saber, stopping mid-circle. You began approaching him, head-on, each step a pump of your heart for him, his brothers- Rex. Fives. Jesse. Hardcase. Tup.

You sprinted, hearing Rex’s voice in your comms, but the wind rushed past you and blocked his words. Your sabers clashed, and you snarled. “And my master has forgotten one thing-” The presence of Rex closened, pulsed, the fear filling as he heard your blades, your voices.

“And what is that?” Krell leaned in, his blades locked against yours.

You smiled as Rex and his men pushed into the clearing, their voices talking about the many aggressive living plants around the two of you. Your boot hit the rubbery root, and you stepped on it harder, feeling the hiss of the plant under you. “You taught me everything I know.”

You shut off your saber and ducked, rolling away from him, and the vines rushing to meet you caught Krell’s leg and yanked him up.

The men shot, firing, as you moved back, watching the Krell seeing wildly. You moved back towards Rex, watching him especially, and you get the fear transition to pride, admiration, even, as the General’s sabers fell and he hit the ground, unconscious.

“Brilliant, General,” Rex exhaled to you, watching his men hurry to cuff Krell.

You nodded, knees shaking, and you deactivated your saber, hand pressing to your thigh. A slow groan escaped your throat, a subtle burn spreading. “Rex-” You hissed, collapsing.

Rex turned instantly, body stiffening as you fell. He ran to you, rolling you over and looking at your thigh. “Kriff.” He hissed. “Medic!” The pain in his voice was physical, wet, thick, more so than the pain in your body.

You felt him tug your head onto his arm. “Rex,” You mumbled, the pain coursing rapidly in your muscles. “I think- when I-”

“Shh. You’re going to be okay- Medic!” Rex stood, tucking you to him, and running to the straggling group of clones. “She’s been hit.”

Your leg stung, and your head lulled back, eyes catching the blue blurs of Rex’s helmet before darkness consumed you.

___

When you came to, you had a very strong craving for tea. Your body felt sticky, thick, and you groaned and sat up. You glanced around at the pristine setting- the medical ward, you presumed, still on Umbara.

You kicked your legs over the aide of the bed and grimaced, knees popping at the use. Your upper leg felt mended, but the sutures were bruising your skin. You settled weight on it and emitted a hiss, shuffling towards the shower.

“You’re up,” Kix called. You turned, glancing back at the irritated medic. “If the Captain knew you were up-”

“Kix,” you whined, leaning heavily on the closest bed frame. “I’m fine.”

He gave an irritable grunt, holding out a folded pile of clothes. “You’d better be. Go shower. Do not-” He tugged the fabrics from your hands and you hummed, reaching for them. “I repeat, do not pull at the bacta pad or get it soaked. Damp is fine. Wet is not. Good?”

“Loud and clear.” You snatched the clothes away.

“I’d better tell the boys you’re up. They’ve been anxious. Especially-” The medic stopped, stumbling on his words

Your feet bumped into the doorframe of the refresher. “Especially… Who?”

Kix glanced up at you, eyes almost mirroring the Captian you hoped for, and he said, gently, with a grin on his lips, “I think you already know who.”

___

When you emerged from the refresher, toweling off your hair, you heard a sharp intake of breath. “You’re awake.”

Your eyes snapped up, towel abandoned in your hands. “I am.” Rex’s voice held the same tenderness that had planted in your heard since the most recent tea ritual, rubbing your heart raw with the coarse affection that was running you over, again and again. “Are you alright?

Rex started towards you, eyes blazing with a compassionate intensity. "You need to be in bed.”

You smiled gently, raising your hands in mock surrender, fighting to keep the searing pain of your wound at bay. “I’m getting there.”

Rex met you halfway. He stooped and scooped you up, gently, far in less of a rush than he had been when you were openly injured and walked you towards your bed. “You know better, general.” He scolded, softly. You didn’t complain, opting to wind your fingers behind the nape of his neck and press your face softly against his jaw.

The captain exhaled a shaky breath. His hold tightened momentarily as he stopped by your cramped cot, turning his head and lowering his cheek against your skin. Your fingers intertwined and you pulled back, looking up at his face. The rolling surprise spread on his lips, his eyes, as he turned his head more against you, sitting down on the cot, simply cradling you.

You threw your arms around him entirely and allowed Rex to hold you- you shook, quietly, sobbing softly. “I’m so sorry, Rex, if I had sensed Krell-”

“No, no,” Rex squeezed you gently, rocking now, smoothing a hand in your still-damp hair. “The Jedi Council didn’t sense it. General Skywalker or General Kenobi didn’t sense it, either. You can’t blame yourself.” The hand in your tendrils of hair moved to your cheek, the gloved fingers smoothing over the war-roughened skin. “You have done-” A crack in the foundation of his words, and his shoulders heaved. “More. More than I could ever ask anyone.”

You bumped your forehead to him, holding his jaw in both your hands. “And I would do more.” Especially for you.

Rex nodded, his hold tightening as he pulled you in again. The two of you sobbed- perhaps because of the losses, the shame of that responsibility, or perhaps you realized the unconditional depths of your love for the other, and it was something- even worse, someone- you could never truly have.

Chapter Text

The days bled into one another. Your leg slowly healed, knitting together under a plethora of bacta patches and the constant supply of tea Rex provided you with.

Most days were quiet. You would lay back, eyes closed, meditating, urging the force to pull your skin together. The Captain would wait nearby, watching you, and some nights you would wake up to see the soldier with his head in his hands, half-asleep in the dim light of the medbay. Tenderly, gently, knowing if he saw you upright he would have a stroke, you would slowly tuck your robe around him and climb back under your blanket. Then you would awaken to an empty chair, save the robe dangling on the edge.

This went on for a few days. The two of you played at this, almost a romantic cat and mouse, unable to catch one another out of a time of healing. Perhaps it was the Force, or perhaps it was your heart urging you on, but you were able to stand on your own on the fifth day.

You glanced back when there was a stirring in the air behind you. “Rex.” You stood, cautiously letting weight onto your healing leg. It seethed under the weight but stayed steady.

Rex rushed towards you, and although his helmet was on, you felt the waves of concern crash against you. His hands gently took your arms before you could object. “General, you need to stop-”

“I’m fine, Rex.” You chuckled, laying your hands gently along his forearms. The way the name sat on your tongue felt right, good, just like how his hands held you- firm but not rigid, holding their own steadily. You glanced down at your hands, smoothing along the chipped road of blue paint running along his plastoid shell. You glanced up at him, at his helmet, and you felt a grin tug at your lips as another sensation hit you, not in waves but in droves. “Take the bucket off, Rex.”

The admiration, the sheer weight of his admiration, was seeped in hesitancy as he slowly removed his helmet, lowering it into the chair he had claimed as his station many nights in a row. His eyes skimmed over the coarse robe laying across the arm as he turned back to you, hands slowly finding their way back to your arms. You didn’t complain his time.

“General,” Rex said, quietly. “Krell is dead. He was… Executed.”

“Oh.”

Rex flinched, fingers squeezing gently. “He… We shouldn’t have-”

“No, you did the right thing. You and your men.” You reached up and brushed your thumb at a smudge on his chestplate, pondering at the strength of the man and the heart under it. “Thank you.”

Rex nodded, softly, glancing away. “He also… He was getting in my head, I guess.” Your head tilted softly, trying to catch his wandering eyes as you stepped in, perhaps an inch. “He said… Well, it’s all a little silly, I suppose.” Rex chuckled softly, eyes skimming to your hands resting on him, and his own fingers squeezing your biceps gently. For support. If it was for his own emotional support or your physical support, you didn’t know, but you allowed him to hold you, just for a little more.“

"No, no.” You shook your head. “Tell me.”

His eyes moved up slowly to your face, gaze brushing your chin, your eyes, your lips, settling there for a moment before flicking away. “He said you have… Affections, feelings, for me.”

You nodded, quietly, watching his lips move. They were full, with a beautiful tone and cadence, a musical rich voice protesting the very emotions you knew you felt. They may have been the same lips as a million other men, brothers- but there were no one lips that we’re those lips.

“- and you’re a Jedi, so I know you have no beyond attachment to me. And-and I am a clone, he was right, and I shouldn’t… I don’t,” He exhaled, thumbs pressing into your skin. “I have… No… Affections,” Rex stumbled over his words, unable to clarify or lie.

The admiration shook. The fear from the fights, the worries from the wars- it crashed in on you as he continued mumbling, and you stepped in closer, hands soft on his armor.

Your lips broke the shell, the shield he had up. Your mouth was gentle on his, body tugged against him as Rex held your arms, tighter, closer, as if it wasn’t enough. You sighed, moving your hands up to hold your soldier’s jaw, pulling away only to have his lips press to your again, still soft, asking permission for more. Rex hummed, voice raising in a sigh, arms slipping around you to tug you in until your body was almost formed to his armor.

Your fingers gently pressed against his chin, wrenching yourself away from him, but only by a few inches. “Rex,” You breathed, feeling his eyes skim your face.

His lips were on yours again, feverish this time, and he hummed softly against you. Your leg, the bacta patch, complained, and you winced.

Rex tugged away, his presence gone too quickly for you. “I- sorry,” He mumbled, gently leaning you back on the bed. “I don’t- I think I was just really worried,”

You still felt cold. Your eyes pressed between the lips, kiss-bruised, and honeyed eyes, praying you were at minimum mad at him and at maximum returned his affections. “Rex.”

He didn’t make contact. His gaze stared at the ground, until you reached up, gently urging his eyes to yours by tugging his face up. “Yes, General?” He mumbled, unable to resist looking at your lips one more time.

“Krell was right. I knew he was right. And to think, it took him telling me what I felt for me to give it a name.” You gently removed your hands, leaning back more on your cot for support. “I have no other words for it, Rex. You entered the battlefield against-” You sucked in a breath. “The traitor and you were behind me. The whole time.”

“And I would do it again,” Rex reached down, catching your hand. “I would do it and die a million times.”

You stared up at him, fingers moving to interlock his. “Are you sure?”

“Absolutely, sir,” His eyes caught yours again, wanting, yearning. “And you?”

“I hate to say Krell was right, I always have.” You chuckled quietly, pulling the captain to you. “But I do… Feel for you. Deep down. It shouldn’t take dying for me to know that.”

Rex leaned down, hunched over the for, free fingers planting in the soft mattress as he stooped over, hesitating inches if your lips. “Permission to kiss the general again?”

Your lips teased into a smile, and you leaned up to meet him, and with a sigh he melted against you. “Permission granted.”

Chapter Text

Wolffe didn’t understand the force, nor did he necessarily care to. He knew how strong it was in General Koon and that was enough for him.

And then she came along.

Wolffe watched her sit out in the rain, robe off, tan robes drenched in the storm. “She’s gonna catch cold.”

The Jedi was incredibly… force-centered. It was like she would not shut up about it. It was as if General Koon had been combined with General Yoda, doing all the “sensing” or “listening” to the force.

“I’m not gonna stop her.” Boost mumbled, curling up. “Let the Jedi do her… stuff.”

Seeing no takers, Wolffe sighed and plunked his helmet back on, stepping out into the rain. It drummed steadily against the plastoid, dampening his vision. “General,” He started, glancing around. “With all due respect, you need to get under shelter and dry off, warm up. You’ll do no one good getting sick.”

The Jedi broke her meditation and looked up at him, a kind smile on her face. “Your concern is appreciated, Commander. I’m fine here.”

Wolffe shifted on his feet. “Sir.” He said, somewhat firmly.

The Jedi watched him, lips pursed in thought, and she suddenly smiled at him, and Wolffe almost felt the droplets hitting his helmet slow. “I have an idea, Commander.” She unfolded a hand from her thigh, gesturing to in front of her. “Take a seat. Be with me for a moment, and then I shall come and warm up.”

Wolffe frowned under his helmet, then glanced at his men. They watched, interest piqued, as Wolffe considered the Jedi’s offer. The Jedi’s brow arched. The offer hung in the air.

Slowly, Wolffe sat down. He shifted closer to the Jedi, breathing softly under his helmet as he watched her eyes close. His knee bumped hers, the armor scuffing on her course robe.

She didn’t say anything. She simply breathed. “We’ll be alright, Commander.” She laid her hands out, palm up, on her thighs like earlier, and inhaled, forehead knitted in focus.

Jedi were insane.

Wolffe’s thoughts were silent, running through the foreign concept of the force- some power the Jedi used. His thoughts were loud, comprehending the Jedi- and then he realized- his thoughts were silent. There was no rain drumming on the bucket on his head, no barrage of droplets interrupting his train of thoughts.

He glanced up. The rain was falling around them, in a dome, as if there was a shield around them.

Wolffe rose, gaping around him, then at the men, who had gathered at the rim of the shelter, watching the jedi.

She rose, slowly, moving to be only inches from Wolffe’s armor. Focus broken, the rain scattered down around them with the protection gone. She smiled, brightly, and even though it was still storming Wolffe saw the smile and felt as if the sun was absolutely shining.

“The Force is mysterious to many people, Commander.” She looked around. “Where there is life, the Force is there. I know Jedi seem… Unorthodox, but it’s as odd to me as it is to you.” She reached up, sleeve tucked around her fist, and she used it to rub away some mud on the cheek of his helmet. “But I thank you for allowing me to accompany you. Perhaps,” The sun only shone more, brighter, warmer, “We may even become friends.”

Wolffe’s part of the promise was fulfilled, so she turned and walked under the covering. She was still odd, unusual, but in a more… Fascinating way. Perhaps, Wolffe thought, as he stood in the rain, the drops singing a song against his helmet, he could try to understand- not specifically the force, but her.

Chapter Text

Crosshair was rushed to the medical ward, and you were still halfway across the facility from him. You yanked on the white coat, not even taking the time to button it or change out of your blacks underneath. Your hair was slick to your forehead as you tied the excess back. Your bare feet tapped against the clean floor, and you gave a half hearted and rushed salute to one of the patrol clones as you rushed by.

“He’s in bad shape,” One of the new Imperial officers met you halfway. “Burned up, cut up… all the ups.”

“Thanks.” You grabbed the holopad he offered and did a quick skim of the contents. “What al did you do?”

“Basics. Bacta, patching, wrapped him up- but we didn’t do any of the surgery. He…” The soldier’s voice trailed off for a moment. “He wanted you to do it.”

You felt your lungs twist, and you nodded, handing the holopad back. “Do me a solid, can you keep the uppers off my back? I’ll have to be slow with him.” The trooper nodded and hurried off, and you exhaled in relief, hurrying in, tugging on the surgical slippers that you left right inside. You moved past the medical droids and assistants. “Move,” You said, gently to a younger clone.

Your hand felt his pulse- low. Scary low.

You turned. “Mask. Surgical kit. Shut that door. I need all hands on deck.”

___

Crosshair was awake the next day, body still numb from the debridement. You looked up, fingers numb from performing the last step- stitching his wounds up. You offered a smile and cut the surgical thread, reaching for a balm. “Hi, scoundrel.” You grinned, hoping your eyes weren’t as swollen as they felt.

Crosshair only gave a grunt, probably far more tired than you were. His body remained slumped back as you massaged the healing balm onto his skin, then as you wrapped some bandages on gently. “You’re alone.”

“Only for the last hour or so,” You mumbled. Finally, you stood, reaching for the holopad resting on the table. “I sent everyone else to go rest. “ You typed in notes, tiredly, stating that you had done your work and patched him up. You chuckled, glancing up. “I swear, you take up about half the time I have in here.”

The sniper didn’t laugh; he didn’t bother even looking down at you. Finally, he said, softly, “You don’t have to do this.”

“Of course I do.” You settled into the medical chair nearby, tugging it closer to his bed.

Crosshair’s breath ragged, and finally, he managed from his tortured throat, face still at the ceiling, “… Why? Why am I worth it?”

You heaved a yawn. “One, because of my sworn oath as a doctor. And two,” You leaned forward, lips pressing gently against his bandaged brow, careful, because when the numbing wore off he would hurt like hell. “I love you. You’re worth this and-” You yawned again, leaning back in the medical seat. “And a lot more.”

Your patient, your scoundrel, your love, he never stopped to risk a glance at you until he heard your steady breathing. Slowly, he rolled his head to the side, body trembling at the effort, as he took in the sight of his doctor. Sleeping, cheek resting on the arm of the chair, arms neatly tucked as a pillow.

He didn’t deserve any of this.

Crosshair gave another ragged breath, swallowed the sadness he had been chewing over ever since he had been abandoned, and continued trying to find shapes in the shapeless, void ceiling of the pristine medical ward.

Chapter Text

Boba heard the former Jedi groan in the back of the cockpit. He ignored it, flipping some switches softly, rotating his jaw under his helmet. The Jedi sat up, and Boba felt the dread radiating as it dawned on the Jedi where exactly she was.

“Have a good nap?” Boba asked, calmly. He had delt with enough Jedi in his day to know what was going on- eventually the Jedi would resign to their fate, like the others, maybe beg for their life, but instead he felt a push against his seat.

He ignored it.

It happened again, harder.

Boba whipped around in his chair, glaring, staring at the Jedi’s half-raised boot. “Watch it.”

“You watch it,” She mumbled, staring defiantly at him.

Boba rose from his seat, walking and squatting down in front of her. Her eyes glittered in rebellion. “I don’t think you get what’s going on.”

She scanned him, his armor, gaze dark as her chin tilted back, and her lips twitched. “I don’t think you get it, either.” Her voice was gravelly, low, and exited sneering lips.

The bounty hunter gently reached down, taking her chin in his fingers. “The bounty stated it wanted you alive, but they’ll probably take a corpse.” He growled, leaning in, but her expression didn’t shift. She skimmed his visor, brows knitted together. “You’re Jango’s kid.” She said, softly.

Boba’s hand trembled, fingers drawing back slightly, and the Jedi took the chance to swing her leg again- not at his pilot seat, but at him.

He crashed on his arm as she jumped at him, wrists still bound, elbows crashing on his helmet. His arms moved up, view restricted by his visor. He blocked, hand encircling her bound arms and kicked over, pinning her down. “Watch it,” He repeated, hissing. “You’d better get that attitude in check, or else you’ll have me to worry about.”

She snorted, then spit dripped down his visor. Boba reached up and wiped it off, disgust lacing the Jedi’s voice as she spoke. “It’s not me who has to be worried.”

“You don’t have a lightsaber anymore-” He stood, dropping her arm, and he heard her collapse on the cold hull of the floor. “Jetti,” He spat, moving back towards the pilot seat.

The woman struggled to sit up, peering at him, and her eyes burned into his back, even though his armor. “At least I’m not a merc.”

He kept his mouth shut. Boba’s jaw tightened as he tugged the navigation lever, knowing silence was golden.

She wasn’t on Geonosis. She wasn’t one of the Jedi that wiped out his father’s family- Boba had begun hating the Jedi after his father told him of the purge. They were arrogant, full of hatred for anything other than their cult, their “order”.

He heard her shift and sit up, and she moved to stand. “I feel hatred, Boba.”

“Your Jedi senses are tingling, huh?”

She sighed, agitated, waltzing next to him and plopping down into the Slave I copilot seat, where Boba used to sit. He bristled, snarling, “Out of the chair.”

“Can I tell you a secret, Boba? Can I call you Boba?”

“No.”

“To which-”

“Both.”

She sighed, slumping on the seat. After staring at the stars, she began laughing. She threw her head back, cackles ripping from her throat, and she sighed. “Oh, this is delicious.” She reached up, hands still cuffed, and wiped away a tear rolling down her cheek. “I’ll tell you anyways.”

Boba grunted, kicking at the seat. “Fine. But you have to get back on the floor.”

“Gross. No.” She turned to him, eyes narrow, and Boba suddenly got the tickle in the back of his neck that she didn’t need her lightsaber to be dangerous. “I’m not a Jedi, Boba.”

“There’s a bounty-”

“Yeah. For anyone who the Empire doesn’t like.” She wagged a finger, leaning on the dash, a glint in her eye. “I never got past being a Padwan. I’m not valuable.”

Boba grunted.

She stared at him, her ploy failing. She finally shrugged, crossing her bound wrists behind her head and leaning back. “They don’t like you, either.”

“And you don’t like me.”

“Good guess. I happen to not be fond of people who kill innocents. And the Empire doesn’t like you, either.” When he remained stoic, she sighed again. “You know, I can be really good when it comes out to bounties-”

“Do you wanna eat plasma?”

“Doesn’t sound particularly tasty.”

“Sit. The kark. Down.”

The jedi gestured at the chair under her. “I am sitting.”

Boba jutted a finger at the floor. The Jedi sighed, agitated, and stood, plunking on the ground. “There, was that so hard?”

“Yeah.” She crossed her arms, frowning. “Say, who put in a bounty for me?”

Boba glanced at her. “Will you shut up if I tell you?” When she nodded, eagerly, he groaned, deciding it was ultimately worth it if she would be quiet. “Marnaak.”

“Marnaak, huh?” A grin flittered to her lips and she sat back, closing her eyes. “Mm.”

He glanced at her, pausing. “What’s funny?”

She said nothing, only looking at the ceiling, that subtle grin on her mouth. Silently, Boba turned back to the dash, typing in the coordinates. As long as she was quiet and shut up, he would be perfectly pacified with this delivery.

___

Boba realized something was wrong when the Jedi led him off the ship and not the other way around. The sands of Tatooine whipped around them, and she stopped, glancing back for him. “What?”

“I hate this planet.”

“Just a little dirt.”

Mumbling “A lot of dirt,” Boba stepped down after her, motioning her to follow. “Marnaak will be waiting for us.” The Jedi followed, not reluctant, not begging, but held her head high.

It was several dunes of walking. Boba was happy his armor had a coolant system, otherwise he would have died of heat exhaustion. He glanced sideways at the Jedi, who was effortlessly walking over the sand, sweat beading on her forehead, but eyes light in that same determination he saw earlier. He glanced back ahead, brow setting. He was ready to be rid of this kriffing Jedi.

The Weequay was waiting, with his gang of mercenaries- Gamorians, Weequay, humans- all waited, guns and armor, all eyes on the Jedi.

“Boba!” The weequay flashed yellowed teeth, approaching him and the Jedi. “And our jedi.”

The Jedi smiled, calmly, eyeing the enemy. “Hey, Fett. Wanna know why I got kicked out of the order?”

Boba ignored her. He turned to the Weequay. “My credits.”

“You sure?” She chided, and Boba saw her fingers roll. He still had his hand out to the Marnaak, expectant and open. The Jedi, in his peripherial, shugged. “Okay.”

She moved faster than he saw. Her hand reached out and he saw the Force move a man, pick him up and throw him across the sand. The Jedi’s hands snapped down over her bent knee and her bond broke. Boba’s hand flew down to his gun and he fired, but she danced past it, running at Marnaak. She jumped at him, hands landing on his forehead, and her arms clenched.

Boba had no other words for it- Marnaak crumbled. His leather skin cracked, caked, dried, and he collapsed into the ground, a corpse.

The Jedi whipped to the others, moving past their plasma fire, swaying easily between them, grabbing a Gamorian’s spear. She twisted it, rapidly, felling the remaining mercenaries.

Boba leveled his gun. He exhaled, watching- never had a Jedi done this, not as far as he had seen- and he had seen many things.

She stood, among the corpses, and she inhaled, dropping the spear. She glanced at him, her eyes glinting, and she offered an easy smile. “I figured out that the Force is in everything- including the living.” She moved towards him, and Boba stood his ground, staring. “And the Force is in me. And you. So-” She gave a shrug, grinning wider. “Why not take it for myself?”

“You’re no Jedi.”

“That’s what I tried to tell you.” She bent down, scooping up the bag. “Oh, your credits.” She ripped open the bag, tugging out a handful and tossing the rest of the bag at his feet. She smiled at him, golden eyes glinting in the sun. “Thanks, Fett. Maybe I’ll run into you again soon.”

She was gone- over the sandy seas, somewhere. Boba figured he wouldn’t mind seeing her again- those golden eyes haunted him.

Chapter Text

Cody sat up from his bunk. He scratched a hand in his tangle of curly hair (a disaster when he woke up) and yawned. Something in his heart stirred- a familiar feeling he knew but was still not yet understood to him; a window he was looking into from the outside.

He felt it in the midst of battle with General Kenobi, or General Skywalker. The activity of life around him to where the air itself was screaming and declaring the life of it- the force.

Cody kicked his legs over the side. He shuffled around the bunk room, picking up a loose shirt (he promised his sleeping brother he would return it later) and tugged it on, following the omnipresent hum of the Force.

The halls were no longer a maze- he breezed through, eyes scanning, seeking for it. He knew it. This hum, this pull- she was reaching out, fingers of a whole different world- a galaxy- he didn’t fully comprehend.

He exited the small GAR base, trekking down a hill, sticks and leaves crunching, the cool air whipping around his face. It was crisp.

Wishing he had taken the time to pull on boots, he rounded a wall of trees, brambles, heart settling as he found the siren that had been calling for him.

The Jedi was standing in the lake, up to her knees in water. It rippled around her, moving, teeming with life, and the breeze pulled through her hands like a lost lover. He didn’t see her face, but the way her head was tilted back and the curve of her cheeks made him believe she was smiling.

He waded in the water, not nearly as graceful as he hoped he appeared to be. She did not stir, but Cody stepped in, softly wrapping his arm around her waist. She leaned back on him, sighing peacefully.

Cody turned his face into her hair, kissing her ear gently. “Beautiful morning, my love.” He whispered. The way her loose strands of hair whisped at his voice made his heart throb, her presence magnetic. He brushed his lips to her skin, tenderly, as she reached a hand back and cupped the cheek that wasn’t to her face.

“Oh, my darling.” She mumbled, the Force calming around the two of them. “Any morning with you is beautiful.”

They stood, silent, and he watched the sun climbing above the distant trees, cascading brilliant oranges and yellows on the dark waters.

Cody shifted. He gave a soft sigh. “Don’t you wish every day could be like this?”

The Jedi had settled back comfortably in his arms. Her hands ran over his forearms, bunching up the fabric. “It will be.”

“When?”

A pause lifted, and she sighed as the sky began to light up with the calling of daylight. They couldn’t be lovers in the sun- it had to be quiet, still, like the night. She tugged away from him, leaning up to kiss him, and she murmered only “Soon.”

Cody leaned into her embrace, the water around them rippling. Soon, he hoped, the war would be over, and they could be lovers of the sun, finally.

Chapter Text

You tucked your hair on your head, heavy on your scalp. You lingered in the doorway, pausing as you glanced down at Tech, lower half of his body sticking out from under the dash. Laying on his back, reaching up to repair the panels underneath.

You stared down at him, the armor not at all doing him a disservice, aside from hiding certain parts from view. You leaned forward, watching him, his legs adjusting as he scooted under the dash.

His arms moved, fingers peeking out on occasion to pull or activate or rewire something; the motions were fluid, smooth, hypnotic. You chewed softly on your lower lip, eyes trailing to his hips, his hands again. Quickly, you glanced back into the rest of the ship- alone. At last.

“Mind if I take a seat?” You purred. You leaned on the dash, beows raised.

Tech grunted in affirmation. He shifted, torso twisting as he reached for something. He was oblivious to your movements.

Calmly, you stepped over him, plunking down onto his lap, picking up the nearby wrench. You sat back on your knees, straddling him, watching him calmly. “So, whatcha fixing?”

“The navigation drive. It was, as Echo says, on the fuzz earlier, so I’m trying to get it back on track.” His voice was flat and easy, even as he worked.

You shifted a little, waiting for Tech to notice- perhaps jump up, blush, babble, but he sat still, calmly working. Your lips pursed together in frustration and you leaned more on him. “So, how are you doing that?”

“Hand me that wrench in your hand, cyri'ka, and I’ll show you."

The sheer calmness in his voice startled you, even as he picked his head up and took the wrench you offered. “So you did notice,” You whispered, watching him work calmly.

“I did.” You heard Tech grin from under his helmet as he went back to work. “I just so happen to like you there.”

Chapter Text

You stood at the window of Kamino, staring out at the crashing waves, exhaling softly. War was never easy- even behind the lines, it was never easy. War changed people, these men that were your own, your friends, they had changed so much- they were sadder, more sluggish. Heavier, you decided, was the correct word.

Crosshair killed- all of the men in this facility killed. You knew that. Even your own hands had blood on them, but it was the blood of men on the table- not right, not wrong, but it was how things were. People died under your hands.

You were a doctor. That was how it was.

You wrapped your arms closer around you. It was cold, you realized in a dawning thought. Despite the storms above and seas below, you had never felt so cold here before. Maybe because it used to be so much warmer here. Life on Kamino was never perfect, but being surrounded by the troopers had always been a joy to you.

You heard football slow as they approached you from behind. They paused, and then the armored boots continued. You heard Crosshair’s frown in his voice, and you shuddered.

“You’re up late.”

“Can’t sleep,” Was all you said.

Your eyes darted into the reflection of the dark glass, where his dark eyes pinned you into place. He has healed up quite nicely, aside from the scrapes on the back of his head. He looked older, more tired, like every trooper here. But it hurt the most.

He walked around to stand beside you, toothpick dangling out of his mouth. After a moment, he asked, “You’re quiet, doll.”

“Did you kill those refugees?”

“They were rebels, dear.” He said, an edge in his voice. “Looking to fight.”

“Harper told me everything.” You hissed, shouldering asay his touch. The woman felt a bond with you- there were so few women here and especially when you helped patch up so many wounds, you kind of became “their” doctor. So people talked. A lot. Harper had spilled what had happened on her first mission.

Crosshair killed one of their own men and then the “rebels”, among which a majority of them were refugees. And Crosshair knew.

He’d never been an empathetic kind of guy, but… He had never- Cross would never-

His hand pressed to your back. “Darling, listen, I understand you’re an empath, it’s in you. That’s why you’re a good doctor.” You felt his arm wind around you and he tugged you against him, turning his face into your cheek. You leaned into him for a moment, closing your eyes as he said in the soft hiss he had, “But good soldiers-”

You broke away. You snatched yourself away, abruptly. His eyes widened in shock, the below stirring with hurt. Giving him a once over, your stomach boiled.

“Don’t you dare talk to me,” You snarled, tucking your arms to yourself again.

He blinked, the pain abruptly breaking out over his face. You turned and walked away, ignoring the eyes pressing your back, shuddering, but saving your tears for your own room.

You exhaled quietly and shut the door, to lock it, before turning and glancing at your dark room. The promotion to head of the medical health facility came with perks- better wages, a better room, and you got to keep your job as the not-so-quiet transition of Empire was rattles into effect.

You smacked the chair at your desk and watched it fall, hand stinging satisfactorily as the chair crashes on the floor. You were right after it, slumping against the wall and sliding down, pressing a hand on your mouth to stifle your sobs.

Nothing was the same, but you needed it to be. You wanted it to be.

You wanted Cross back.

Chapter Text

Hunter grunted as he yanked at the bandage on his arm. Tying it up with one arm was absolutely impossible. Hunter’s fingers were too clunky, or too long, or not… doctor-y enough.

Maybe this was a two handed job, which Hunter realized as he had one end of the bandage in between his teeth, trying to tug it tight. Unfortunate, as one whole arm was unavalible for use.

His sensitive ears picked up a snort- a giggle. His blood ran cold as he slowly turned his head, huffing a breath to try and get the hair off his forehead. The medic rested on the doorway, a laugh escaping him, hand attempting to supress it in his mouth. “Sargent. Really?”

Hunter mumbled and looked back at the poorly knotted bandage. “I’m trying, cyar.”

The medic sighed, reaching down and gently tugging at the knot. “Look. You’re gonna take two steps out of here and the whole thing is gonna fall off.” He bundled up the wad of bandages, reaching for a new roll.

Hunter shook his head. “Doc, I’m fine. I can-”

“You’re so stubborn.” The medic shook his head, taking Hunter’s arm. “Let me- no, sit still- Hunter.” The medic’s hands were shockingly strong, an unrelenting storm of medical and healing touches. “I have to patch this up for you. This is a two handed medical job.”

Hunter mumbled, half-slumping over. “Fine.” He hissed.

The doctor beamed, his hands finally met with no resistance. “Thank you. You know, you should really be more careful with that knife.” The doctor’s tone was gently, not chiding. Hunter only grunted in response and shifted uncomfortably, looking down at the medic’s shoes. After a silence, a taut silence, the doctor chuckled, voice easing Hunter’s wary soul. “You know… It beats telling Wrecker he can’s punch droids with his bare hands.”

Hunter felt a grin climb up his lips, despite himself. “Yeah, he busts up his hands doing that.”

Snorting, the doctor closed off the bandage, trying it securely. “Trust me,” He leaned down, gently pressing a kiss to Hunter’s forehead. “I’m surprised we haven’t had to replace his knuckles.”

Hunter closed his eyes and sighed, leaning into the medic, who softly wrapped his arms around him and tugged the sargent close. “Thanks,” Hunter mumbled.

“You’re welcome.” The medic smoothed a hand in Hunter’s hair, voice warm, soft, unlike how it was in most medical wards, which were cold and sterile.

After a moment, Hunter pulled back, glancing up at him. “You smell like bacta.”

“Bacta has a smell?”

“Yeah.” The sargent rotated his arm, still adjusting to the bandage. “Like… sweet. Sticky sweet, almost.”

The doctor laughed, gently, leaning down and pressing a light peck to Hunter’s chapped lips. “How about I go change? Then I can come back here.” He stepped away, letting Hunter’s arms fall down to his sides. “Being held and watching holomovies makes for great recovery.”

Hunter smiled, leaning back on the cot. “That sounds like a plan.”

The medic’s chuckle, music to his ears (even though Hunter didn’t like most music) followed him down the hall as he left to change. A grin tugged lightly on the sargent’s lips again and he closed his eyes, relaxed, knowing he was in good hands.

Chapter Text

Your sleep was disrupted by a gentle tap. Your eyes fought, squeezing shut.

Tap. Tap.

“General?” Fives’s voice was muffled under his helmet. “General, get up.”

“Guh.” You rolled onto your back, rubbing a hand on your face. “Why am I getting up?”

Fives leaned over you, and you could feel him smile from under the helmet. “Well, generals don’t sleep through battle.”

“Watch me.”

He reached down and prodded your side, making you sit up sharply with a squeak. Five’s head threw back in shock, a scandalized gasp escaping from under his helmet. “Is the general… Ticklish?”

You kicked your leg out, foot meeting his calf as you sprung up. “I absolutely am not.”

“Oh, I think you are.” He reached out, fingers prodding your side. You squawked and spun, smacking at him.

“One more time and I’m demoting you.”

“You can’t do that,” He sung, striding next to you, hands clasped politely in front of him to stretch, and then they extended and folded behind his head, leisurely.

You scowled sideways at him, swatting his arm and jogging ahead. “Watch me!” You yelled, spinning around to look at the ARC trooper. Fives only laughed and ran to catch up, his run graceful despite the bulky armor. One way or another, you would get back at him.

___

Fives groaned mid-push up and flopped onto his stomach. Even after a hard day of fighting, he still had to do some training, and make sure his muscles all stretched out. It prevented cramping, and he knew he would hate himself in the morning for it.

There was a knock on his door. Fives groaned and stood, shuffling over and swinging it open. “Hey, it’s General Feather-Fingers herself.”

You frowned at him, crossing his arms. “Your fighting was sloppy today.”

“And hello to you, too.” Fives stepped aside and swept an arm into his room. “You wanna come in? I have an awfully spacious floor. Well, a regular floor.”

You stifled a laugh, rewarded with the bright spark in his eye. “I’m sorry, that was mean.” You entered the small room, glancing around. “I just wanted to come by and… Pay you back.”

Fives’ brows raised as you stepped closer. “Oh?”

You smiled, reaching up and smoothing a hand up his chest. “Yeah. You did good out there, hot shot.”

The clone shifted closer, hands feathering over your hips. “You did, too.” He exhaled. If his eyes were sparking before they were alight now.

“Which is why,” You exhaled gently, leaning up close. Your hands skimmed down his side, lios brushing his. “I wanted to give you…” You waited, with bated breath, as Five’s eyes closed, lips parted and waiting.

Your fingers dug into his ribs. Fives screeched and launched backward, eyes wide in shock. “You- you just-”

“Oh, I did.” Your brows narrowed. “And I would do it again.”

Fives glared, but a smirk was soft on his lips. “You wouldn’t. It’s against the Jedi code.”

“Now, where does it say that?”

He pressed a hand on his chest and swooned, dramatically laying a hand to his forehead. “Here. In my heart, which you broke.”

You reached up and tickled his armpit, earning a jump and two reaching hands. You cackled, running to the other side of the room, cornering yourself effectively as he grasped you, one arm around you and the other poking and prodding, tickling you.

You gasped with laughter, trying to retaliate, squirming against him. “You- bastard,” You laughed, turning and smacking at him. Fives was laughing harder than you, turning you towards him and ticking your midsection.

You laughed and smacked at his hands, grabbing his wrists and giggling, breathless, stomach flipping. “Jerk.” You held his wrists and met his eyes, the tears still rolling down your cheeks with laughter.

Fives was laughing, too, heartily. His face was still so young, despite the war, but he already had laugh lines. How long had he had those? His eyes traced down to your lips, and your own followed, and your stomach began to… Fall. His grin made you warm, and you quickly released his hands, stepping away as you felt your cheeks redden.

“General?” Five’s smile diminished some. “Are you okay?”

You nodded, the wind leaving you as you felt the anchor, the pull towards him. “I… I have to go.” You turned and hurried away, face warm. “I’ll see you in the morning?”

That pit in your stomach felt heavy as his brow creased in concern. “Did I do something wrong?”

Force, he could never do anything wrong against you. You exhaled, tearing away from those rich eyes. “No, no.” You flashed a smile, backing away. “You didn’t. I’m just… I have to call Master Windu.” You swallowed hard. “Good night, Fives.”

You turned and hurried away, trying to ignore the pressing weight of your feelings pursuing you down the hallway. Jedi didn’t have attachments, and you had just opened the door to one. But how did you close that door?

You slipped into your room, sinking heavily on your bed, and you realized you didn’t want to turn off the attachments just yet. Maybe, you thought, tugging off a boot, you could find some way to… Balance it. Being a good jedi and whatever this sensation was.

Your chest prickled as you yanked off your other boot, chunking it across the room. Perhaps, you thought as you grabbed a loose shirt to sleep in, you could ward off the feelings with a night of rest and meditation.

You half hoped it wouldn’t work.

Chapter Text

There was a pep in Tech’s step as he exited the ship, practically leading the group back to Cid’s joint. As he removed his helmet there was evidence of a smile, (even a grin!) and he walked faster.

Omega had to sprint to catch up. “Tech,” She chided. “Slow down.”

“Sorry,” Tech paused, glancing back, waiting just long enough for the rest of the group to round the corner before continuing on his path. He heard Omega groan and run to catch up. “You don’t have to be directly with me, you know.”

“I know.” The girl shrugged and skipped along with his lengthy strides. “I like seeing her has much as you do.”

Tech’s walk slowed down for a brief moment, the hesitancy giving him away. "Seeing whom?“

Omega turned, beaming. "The bounty hunter. Our friend.”

His heart pounded against his armor, and he didn’t have the courage or brainpower to lie. He ducked through the door, glancing around, skimming for her. He gave a soft sigh as he spotted her, leaning on the bar, taking a drink. Her eyes were placid, laid over with bordem, hair disheveled from running her hands in them. She always did that, he noticed, when she was tired or worried.

Tech moved towards the bar, tucking his helmet under his arm. “Hey, I know you.”

She turned from the bar, eyes lighting up as if she was revived by the sound of his voice. Tech fought off the warm sensation as she hurried over, stopping short of throwing her arms around him. “Tech, hi!” The sun shone in her eyes, and the sheer sensation that washed over him was exactly how he thought the ocean felt on a leisurely day.

He leaned on the bar, a smile drifting easily to his face. “How was it?”

“Boring.” She smiled at him, sliding him a drink. “More boring than you, believe it or not.”

Tech laughed and picked up the drink. “Interesting, so you would have rather been with me?” He raised his brows, watching her laugh behind her drink.

“Barely.” She glanced down at the drink, eyes flickering to him, and his knees went weak, his only savior being the arm already on the counter. “Only sometimes, though.” She leaned over, a gleam in her mischievous eyes.

He chuckled and shook his head, ignoring Hunter’s disapproving gaze. “Good to know. I need help patching up my ship.”

“Not yours!” Wrecker yelled as he practically rumbled his way in.

The former bounty hunter laughed, and she set her cup down. “Only if Hunter will be so kind to let me board your ship.” She raised a brow, an aura of challenge radiating off of her.

“No one tells me who to let on my ship.” Tech laughed, picking his helmet back up. “No one but me, at least.”

Cid made a sound behind the bar, a disapproving noise. “If Ya want a room, the inn down the street is open,” She snorted.

The hunter laughed, pushing off the bar. “No need, Cid. Besides,” She winked at Tech and strides to the door, inflated with confidence. “He couldn’t keep up.”

Tech watched her, the snark peircing him, and his chest inflating with joy as Cid imitated gagging. He couldn’t care less, he decided, grabbing his helmet and running after her out the door.

He chased her to the ship, laughing as he wove through the crowds and alleys, catching sight of her on occasion, a fleeting glance of her. Every gaze, her laughter floating, Tech’s exhausted legs revived. Her tongue, her mind, her eyes, it haunted him every moment he was off the planet, and when he was back all he could do was be near her.

He caught up with her as the Maurader came into view. Tech watched her with fascination as she leaned on the ship, her lips twisting into a grin and the world standing still around her. “Slow poke. Good thing your mouth works faster than you do.”

She leaned off the ship and grinned at him, turning her attention to the ship. “What needs fixing?”

Tech moved towards her, pointing. “The undercarriage. We need to get under there and patch up the coolant and drive systems.”

She nodded, tugging her disheveled hair back behind her head. “Gotcha.” Her upper lip twitched in determination as she approached the ship alongside him, tugging herself under with him. Tech handed her goggles, reaching up and working. As he worked, he spoke, talking about everything and nothing and all of anything that came to his mind. She listened, hands working alongside his, grunting and responding, and commenting.

“Oh!” She reached up, grasping a pipe. “I’ll hold this. Don’t want your pretty little face to get busted.”

Tech’s ears felt warm as he reached up, wrapping the pipe up. “You think I’m pretty?” His laugh was light, and he felt his jaw tighten as he worked, a bad habit.

“Yeah. Of course.” Her hands, now coated in oil and space dust, drifted away. “You’re pretty.” She sucked in a breath, fingers yanking back.

Tech rolled to her. “You okay?” He slid out with her, back into the sun, and he opened her hands. He gently examined them, holding them gently. “Oh, that was still warm.”

She grimaced, sucking in a breath. “Not the worst thing I’ve had to deal with.”

Tech tugged her wrist gently. “Come on. We have some medical supplies. I’m no doctor, but I bet I can patch you up.”

___

Her hand would be fine, Tech figured, applying the last of the salve. He tightened the bandage and stepped back. “Alright. You’re all set.” He smiled at her, not realizing why she was giggling. His grin dipped into a frown. “… What?”

“Tech,” She chuckled. “You’re still- my hand.”

His eyes darted down, face only warmer. “Oh, my.” He dropped his hands from hers, which had still been massaging them tenderly. “I,” He inhaled. “I am sorry.”

“Don’t be,” She smiled, sauntering last him towards the exit. She paused and glanced back, the warm sun outlining her figure, gold melting against her shape in the darkened ship. Even so, he could feel the warmth of her smile, chuckle light. “I’m not sorry.”

The air between them melted, and she laughed, rushing down the steps. It was all Tech could do to follows heart singing as he tried to catch up with her, the hunter who had taken this bounty on his heart.

Chapter Text

You slumped on the wall of the ship, huffing in irritation. You exhaled, crossing your arms, peering in to the cockpit.

Tech was in there. Still. Hushed, working, stirring as he stared down at… whatever he was working on. You sighed and glanced back, double checking the darkness of the ship. You leaned off the doorway, stepping into the light of infinite nebulae around the Havoc. The stars were bright here- and you could see how easily Tech could fight off the ever clawing pleading of rest here.

You sunk on his chair, draping your arms around his shoulders. “Love,” You crooned gently, scratching a hand in his gingery curls. “It’s late. Past late. Beyond night. You need to come sleep, Hunter said he’ll watch the ship.”

“Hunter doesn’t know the ship like I do,” Tech mumbled, the weariness grating his typically airy voice. He sighed, softly, leaning into your loving grasp. “Darling,” He complained. “I’m not going to get anything done-”

You leaned down, kisses trailing from his scalp to his jaw, and down the side of his neck. “Come to bed,” You mumbled. “It’s cold without you. You need to sleep.”

“My-” Tech yawned, unsuccessful at fighting it off among your loving kisses and nuzzles of your light lips. “My brain-”

“Needs sleep.” You grabbed the arms of his chair and turned it, spinning it to you, leaning in and staring at his face.

His goggles concealed a lot of his face, especially the dark circles under his eyes. You reached up, laying your fingers on his cheek. “My darling,” You dropped your voice, leaning in and pressing your lips to the bridge of his nose. He closed his eyes and sighed, leaning forward to meet your lips. He pressed them to yours, warmly, weakly, reluctant. “Even the most brilliant of minds needs to rest.” You kissed him again, softer, hands tugging on his, helping him stand. “Please. At least let me hold you.”

Tech looked you over, full lips drawn out in a minor pout, and he considered. He drew in a breath and his shoulders dropped, nodding gently. “Alright. But I won’t sleep long.”

A smile graced your lips, and you kissed his hand. “Come on. I’ll tell Hunter to watch the ship. You get in bed.”

Tech only nodded again and yawned, more openly, following your gently tugging towards the bunk room. He softly sat down on the bunk he shared with you, hands working automatically as they removed shards of his plastoid armor. His eyes followed you, softly, as you shook Hunter gently and walked him out to the cockpit.

When you came back, Tech was curled up in bed, knees almost at his chest, face pressed to his pillow, curls askew.

You chuckled and laid down next to him, stroking his face gently, watching his fingers twitch as he allowed sleep to pull him deeper. A yawn yanked tenderly at your throat as well, and you leaned in, closer, kissing his forehead, glad the distraction had turned into a little rest for your busy lover.

Chapter Text

It really karking sucked being the shortest person on the ship, you decided after struggling to reach the top shelf in the medical ward. You remembered Omega was aboard and adjusted your thought- the second shortest still sucked.

With a grumble, you placed a knee on the cabinet below and attempted to hoist yourself up. A grumbled escaped as you tugged yourself up, hand still blindly reaching. “Come on,” You wheeze in effort. Agitation built up in your gut, and your head began to pound in irritation.

You felt your knee slip, and your hand followed. You yelped in shock, bracing for impact-

“Easy there, darling,” You were nipped from the air with two arms, and a good natured smile. “That could have ended very badly.”

“Thank you,” You mumbled, body shaking in the adreneline rush of preparing to fall. “Sorry.”

Tech chuckled gently, kissing your hand and lowering you to the ground. “What is it you needed?”

“Couple of syringes, they’re in the pack.” You mumbled, watching him enviously. Tech approached the shelf, reached up effortlessly, and his hand emerged holding the bound pack of medical syringes.

Tech turned to you, eyes bright behind his goggles. “My darling,” He beamed, holding them out. “Your order.”

You stared up at him, the envy melting away from your heart at his warm gaze, shining brilliantly with pride. “Thanks, Tech. I really appreciate it.” You took the pack, setting them ok the medical table. “I’m so lucky to have you.”

“Mm, why would that be?” The soldier smiled, leaning down, brows raised curiously but lips teasing a playful expression. “My intellect? Charm? Whit?”

You giggled and threw your arms around his neck, rolling up to your toes, your nose meeting his as you bumped yours softly to his. “All that is nice. But”- You pecked him, chuckling against his lips, tugging him in tighter- “I like how tall you are.”

Tech laughed, moving to walk away, shaking his head. “Alas, if that is all you wish-”

“No!” You giggled, running after him. “Tech, I love you for more,” Breath caught you in a wave of laughter as you tugged on his hand, unable to even work up a faux frown. “A lot more.”

Eyes glistening with good humor, Tech stepped towards you, chuckling, squeezing your hands in his. “Well, good.” He leaned down again, hinging at the waist, planting a chaste but loving and eager kiss ok your awaiting mouth. “Because I love you for more than your lack of height.”

“I am disgusted and insulted.”

“Your arms are still around me, though.” Tech smiled into his kiss, pulling your arms tighter around him, and you found yourself staring on your toes again, more than happy to meet him as halfway as you could.

Chapter Text

Tech had no explanation, no logical one, at least, for the pull she had on him. He was drawn to her, magnetized, flitting to her flame, staying up and thinking of those beautiful eyes, listening to recordings of her voice. The simple act of talking to her was enough to end him. Tech did not doubt that if she asked him for his compassion, his loyalty, Republic be damned, he would follow her to the darkest corners of the universe.

He hated it, some days, until he saw her. Was it just him, or did her eyes light up when she saw him? Did his own eyes do the same?

A curse broke his thoughts. A chorus of “Language!” from the bunk room sung.

“Sorry!” She winced.

Tech stuck his head in the room from the cockpit. She was stooped over, picking up the wrench she had dropped, her mechanic jumpsuit smeared from years of work (it was unfair how she could make it look that heavenly on her body), and she had thrown off a glove. Her hand was by her face and she had her lips pressed to her finger, nursing a new wound.

His eyes dropped to her mouth, the way it pressed around the finger. The lips looked so full, so utterly kissable, and Tech’s knees wobbled. He cleared his throat, shaking the thought out of his head. “Do you require assistance?”

She smiled grimly at him, finger breaking free as she tugged her glove back on. “Hey, Tech.” She shook her head, hair swaying gently with the movement. “Yeah, I… I guess I do.”

On the floor, Gonky was kicking, aimlessly, making guterall gonks and worming on the floor. “Oh, hush,” She mumbled, sighing. “His coolant system overheated, and I burned my hand.”

Tech walked over, steps light, and he knelt down by the downed droid. “Here.” He motioned her to come around to his side, and she squatted down as he tugged up a panel of the droid. “Just go straight through the side line. It typically doesn’t overheat.”

She nodded, hands reaching around his as he guided her where to go. He caught sideways glances of her- her tongue probing her lower lip lightly as she worked, focused, brow narrowed in concentration.

Her lips curved in a smile as her hands found where they needed to be. “Mmkay, I know where I am.”

“Excellent,” Tech said, still holding the panel open for her. He reached in, trying to guide her hand in the Gonk droid. “Now- a little to the left-”

“Wouldn’t it be right-”

“No, you’re working backwards-”

They went back and forth. Tech finally found her fingers, moving them against his own in the maze of the droid. Gonk made an alarmed noise, kicking his legs. “Here,” He said gently, skimming her hand over the control panel. “You feel that?” He moved to look at her face, and caught her eyes flicking back up to his. She nodded, and Tech returned the nod, looking back down. “Now, you want to feel for the tallest one, that means one of the knobs had jumped up out of place.”

Her hand remained passive under his, and he moved her fingers until she seemed to snap back at the sensation of a particularly tall knob. “Oh, I found it.”

“Good. Press it straight down.”

She nodded, leaning more against him, arm getting leverage to push down. The knob clicked under them and Gonk, humming despondently, stilled.

The mechanic grinned, turning her eyes to Tech. “We did it,”

A chuckle escaped him. Tech tugged both of their hands out, fingers guarding hers from any more overheated wires or sharp bolts. “Yes, we did.”

He turned to her, finally, risking a glance down to her eyes, only to see her doing it again, the sin he had been doing earlier. The mechanic’s gaze jumped from his lips to his eyes, and her cheeks warmed significantly, pink dusting her cheeks and nose. “I- thanks. I should really-”

Tech shook his head, stepping in closer, his protective hand still on her gloved one. “No, it’s okay,” He said, gently.

Her mouth pressed into a shy smile and she turned her head away, his steady heart faltering again at that blush. “I would like to see you do that more.”

“Do what?” Her giggle escaped, and she shook her head. “Fix Gonk droids?”

In response, Gonky, still on his side, groaned.

Tech shook his head softly, reaching in, warmth escaping his cheeks. “That blush,” He mumbled, a hand reaching up and gently thumbing over the pinkened skin. “If I could-”

A streak of black broke the pink. Tech tugged his hand away, looking down at his hand. “Oh!” He turned and grabbed a towel, rubbing the oil off his hand. “I am- oh, no, I am so sorry.”

The mechanic was laughing, rushing for her own towel on the nearby desk. “Don’t be. I’ve had oil almost everywhere.” She rubbed at her cheek, face still pinkening, as Tech watched her, clearing his throat at the thought of almost everywhere.

Omega called from her room. “Is Gonky better?”

The mechanic looked at Tech and smiled, her gaze freezing over his eyes one last time as she moved out, her warmth leaving the room.

“Gonk.” The droid gargled, legs kicking again.

Tech sighed and bent over to push the droid back up on it’s feet, unable to forget the feeling of her cheek under his hand and wishing that, perhaps, he hadn’t said anything about the oil he had left behind, and perhaps it would have led to something… More.

Chapter Text

You huffed and yanked your robe around you, shivering. The rain, the damn rain, it soaked you and made you feel weighted down.

But not him. He walked ahead, a full swagger, totally unhindered by the pelting droplets of the storm. He stopped and looked back at you, visor tilting as he examined you. You felt Five’s heart stir, and you sighed- his presence was the warmth you needed.

“How do you look so perfect in the rain?” You mumbled, trudging up next to him.

“Aw,” Fives chuckled under his helmet. “I thought Jedi weren’t supposed to pout.”

“Maybe not, but when have I been like other Jedi?” Your lips pressed into a small smile, sarcasm ebbing in your voice.

The rain stopped around you, suddenly, and you glanced up. The Mandalorian had picked up his cape, draping it over the two of you. “You’re not only not like other Jedi,” Fives said, gently. “You’re unlike any person I’ve ever met.”

You blinked up at him, hair stuck to your forehead and temples, drenched but suddenly warm. Slowly, you reached up, tugging at his helmet.

It came off easier than you had expected. Fives’ brown eyes, brilliant even in the shade of his cloak, skimmed your face, lips moving in an attempt to speak, but not only speak, to express his emotions- the stirring of his heart you made him weather, even when you were drenched and soaked and cold. It made your chest tug as you held the helmet in your hands, the material smooth into your fingers.

His cloak was still cocooning you both. Your eyes searched his face, trying to find something, the cavity in your soul aching as you stepped in, closer, gaze dropping to his lips. “You’re like no other person I know, Fives.”

The clone chuckled, good-natured. He shrugged, and the rain rolled down his cloak. “Pleased to know so, Master Jedi.”

You smiled, brightly, not caring so much that your boots were caked in mud or how damp or drenched your clothing was. All your world in this galaxy was here, under a thick coak.

Fives leaned down, free arm tugging you close with all the confidence of an undead man. You sighed, helmet tucking under your arm as you moved a hand to his face, holding it gently, lips warm and comforting in the cold, crisp rain. Fives’ sighs, his sounds, the was his chest dipped down and the way his brow furrowed when he kissed you made your mind fog, not cleared up by the rain.

Thunder pulled you out of the embrace. You stepped back, hand still on his face, fingers skimming up to his head. “We should find shelter,” You managed, thumb grazing over the white sliver of scar on his temple.

Fives nodded, softly taking back the helmet. “Stay under my cloak, love.” His words were briefly obscured as he tugged his helmet on, but he said, “I’ll keep you warm, mesh'la.”

Chapter Text

It wasn’t that Kix cared for the Jedi beyond their strict doctor and patient relationship, or at least that was what he told himself when she was under his doctorly hands, bleeding out.

His fingers wanted to shake- Kix felt every nerve in his fingers begging to tremble as his hands remained steady. The blood, her blood, made his gloved hands slick, and he wished that for once he wasn’t a doctor. Kix moved quickly, working to gently get out the shrapnel, watching her chest rise and fall laborously. “Stay with me, hon, stay with me,” He muttered, laying aside shard after shard.

“How is she?” General Kenobi hurried in, eyes skimming the wounded woman, brow creased with worry.

“Holding steady,” Kix muttered, hands moving quicker. Breathe, love, breathe.

General Kenobi walked around to the head of the cot, lowering his hands on her head. “Here, Kix.” He inhaled, deeply, and closed his eyes. “Focus on healing her body, I’ll heal her mind.”

“Yes, general,” Kix mumbled, hands still working. Her body shook, then relented to a subtle tremble before dipping into stillness. It took all of his willpower, all of his recall to just remember what he was doing.

He was on a mission. Not as a lover, as a doctor, but his feelings were certainly a motivator. His hands help her life, her death, and it didn’t help his sprung up thoughts, anxious nerves.

He wasn’t aware of General Kenobi’s eyes on him. General Kenobi felt the jedi’s heart- wounded, frightened, not just for herself, but for the medic working on her. Kix’s shoulders threatened to heave a sob, and he shook it off. He forgot how much bodies could bleed, and the reminder was seeping on his table from the love of his life.

___

The Jedi didn’t stir for a while. It would have worried Kix- hell, it did worry him- if he didn’t remember what General Kenobi had said.

“She’s strong,” General Kenobi confided, watching Kix make the last suture and reach for the last bacta pad. ‘And she has-” He hesitated, speaking softly. “She has plenty of reason to fight.”

Kix nodded, too exhausted, too weary to catch any meaning in the General’s words, or the silent promise in his eyes. “Yes, General.” He was too tired to even attempt to stand at attention. If General Kenobi noticed or had any qualms with the lack of formality, he didn’t say anything- he just clapped a hand gently on Kix’s arm as he walked out, pausing at the door to glance back.

Kix had settled into the medical stool that he pulled up and slumped forward, forearms on his knees, eyes intent on the woman, hands clasping together.

Obi Wan felt a smile grace his lips for a moment as he walked out, heart aching. He could turn a blind eye to her, and the obvious love between the two of them.

The galaxy needed a little more love and hope, anyways.

___

Kix had left for five minutes and returned to the jedi trying to push herself up, standing on her shakey feet. She heaved, biceps clenching, trying to lean back on her own two legs. Kix dropped his food tray, abandoning it, rushing over. “No, no no no.”

She glanced up, letting him wrap his arms around her. She leaned into him, pressing her face against his neck. Kix clasped her tightly, a hand pressing to the back of her head. “Lean on me, don’t stand.” He mumbled, leaning her back on the medical cot. “Stay on me, love, lean on me.”

Her arms around him was the best feeling in the world, and he pulled away, just enough to look down at her. That face, the sweet face, weary and pale, looked back at him, eyes sparking with some semblance of life.

Kix leaned down, pressing her to him as delicately as he could, but kissing her as he never had before- her lips were warm, she was living, and she was fine.

He sobbed into her, leaning her into him as he kissed her, again and again, caring very little they were in a medical ward. And she kissed him back, her lifeline, her doctor, her soldier.

It felt good to be someone’s.

Chapter Text

Echo glanced back at the open door of the ship. He knew, outside somewhere, she was on patrol. His heart tugged with longing. Echo hesitated, slowly standing. “Tech, I’m… going on a walk.”

“Mm. Are you going to apologize while you’re out?”

Echo rolled his eyes. “I have nothing to apologize for.” The words hung in the air, with no response, and again his chest tugged ad he inhaled the night air. It felt right for him to be in the dark, the quiet- this was where he felt at his most capable. ARC troopers were known for their skills, their proficency, quick thinking.

And he was still all of those things. Once an ARC trooper, always an ARC trooper. Echo sighed and moved towards the tall trees, quiet, listening.

She was leaning with her back against the broad trunk of the tree. She was humming into the night, perhaps thinking the only audience she had was the stars. It didn’t matter, Echo thought, as he listened to her sorrowful tune.

He turned to leave; guilt ate him, and she stopped her humming abruptly. “Stay.”

Echo exhaled softly. “No,” He murmered. “I don’t-”

“Stop.” He felt a tug on the metal phalanges of his hand, and she squeezed his hand. “I… I want to talk about it.”

He shook his head, avoiding her gaze, the harsh words, pushing her away, coming back to bite him. “I don’t.” His words from earlier echoed in his heads, biting at her, hoping to hurt, hoping she would find someone better.

I’m worthless, even to you. I am nobody- even the republic thinks so.

She reached up, softly taking his his hands and turning him to her. He felt her fingers touch his face. “But we need to.” Hers, through the tears she choked earlier, spoke loud and clear.

I don’t think so. You are so wonderful to me, Echo, and I want-

Echo’s voice cracked as he spoke, and he gently stepped in, skimming her face. “Why?” He mumbled, this time not ripping away. He leaned his hollow jaw in her hands, the singular word dripping with all the need he felt. How one word, a single syllable could host so much power against him- three words in the form of a tidal wave.

To answer, he leaned in, mouth saying what his voice could not- he kissed her, tenderly, quietly, hesitantly. His hands clasped around her arms, and her fingers fell to his shoulders and she leaned in, deepening the embrace.

Echo tugged away. “I’m sorry,” He croaked. “Do you really-”

He didn’t get to finish asking if she really wanted him. Her lips crashed on his, a wall meeting an immovable force. He grunted as his arms clasped around her, and her mouth pressed more, and he tugged her in. Echo sighed, feeling her deflate in his arms, winding his body tighter against hers.

She sighed against him, the attacks relentless, each movement of her mouth or gentle nudge of her tongue doing all the talking. You are worth this, more, and I do indeed want you.

“Hey, Echo!” Wrecker’s voice shattered the moment. “Echooooo!”

Echo pulled away, face warm, but hands still firm on her. “Really?”

“Really, really.” She smiled, the warmth of her fingers leaving him. Echo mumbled, and she laughed, gently pushing his chest. “Go. I’ll be there in a bit. Don’t wait up for me.”

Echo smiled gently, planting a soft kiss on her forehead. “My Hammock is open.”

“Even if we can’t-”

“No, for strictly huddling together. Warmth, you know?” Echo smiled back at her, the feeling tingling pleasantly, running shockwaves through his nerves. “But the next chance we get-”

She laughed, waving at him. “Go. I’ll see you soon.”

Echo left the woods to answer his stioo calling brother. And the smile never left his face.

Chapter Text

Tech didn’t wake up until the sun was bright. He inhaled, heavily, his chest hesitating mid breath. The bed was warm, but empty aside from him.

Tech sat up and grabbed his glasses (which he had, it was a relief from the goggles) and tugged them on. He stood, the civvie pants loose and comfortable. He ran a hand in his curly hair and yawned, slugging into the bathroom to brush his teeth and freshen up. His hair was unruly, in disarray, and he frowned. Tech kept his toothbrush in his jaws and scratched his head, finally giving in to the chaotic Fett gene hair.

Padding to the bed, he grabbed a shirt and tugged it on, rolling the sleeves up to his elbows, and he scratched his forearm. Softly, he moved down the hall, feet brushing on the carpet. The living room was empty, but from the caf on the stove he knew she had been through here. Tech smiled quietly, walking over and pouring himself a cup that she had left out.

He slid open the door to the porch, stepping out. The Republic Rec houses for the troops were always out of the way, somewhat isolated, just so the troopers could have a sense of normalcy, clean air. Tech inhaled the caf, smiling softly- it wasn’t nearly as bitter as the GAR stuff they handed out.

She was lingering on the porch. A leg was dangling off the deck, into the water, toes skimming the surface. In one hand she clasped her holopad and the other clutched her caf.

Tech took a small sip and sighed happily, as her eyes ran over the screen. She was reading intently, so intently she didn’t notice his presence until he was closer.

She glanced up and smiled, shifting to the side. “What?”

“Hm?’

"You’re staring.” She giggled, leaning her head back on the post. “You dork.”

Tech laughed softly, feeling his brow crease, with his affectionate expression. “Oh, my love, I fear it’s you that is the dork.”

She laughed and shook her head, lowering her caf and patting the peir next to her. “Get over here, you doofus.”

“Why should I?” Tech raised his brow, adjusting his glasses. “You called me two mean names.”

“I meant it in a nice way.” She laughed, reaching up and lightly tugging on his pants leg. “Come here, please?”

“If my lady insists.” Tech chuckled and lowered himself next to her. He leaned his head on her shoulder, fingers gently wrapping in the loose fabric if her shirt. She smelled clean, soft, like the cotton she was swaddled in, and the caf lingered around them from their cups.

Tech turned his head, bumping his nose lightly to hers. “I love you today,” He mumbled, fingers moving up her arm.

His lover gently set the holopad to the side. “Kiss me again? Like last night?”

“Oh, that’s a dangerous request, my darling.” Tech bumped his nose to hers again, rubbing his against hers. She laughed, warm breath fanning his face. “Based on the past, every time I have begun, I cannot stop.”

“Maybe that’s what I want,” She giggled and leaned up, allowing Tech to close the space between them.

Her lips were warm, soft, passive under his. There was no rush or desperation as his lips felt against hers, lazily, and he leaned in more. She sighed against him, content, and Tech felt her hand move up to his chest.

Tech was greeted with her lips, more and more, showered by them repeatedly, and he laughed gently. “My most perfect of hearts,” He squeezed her fingers, tugging her hand to his lips. “I hope this stipend never ends.

Her eyes shone as he kissed every single finger tip, and the smile lit up her face and made his heart sing. "I wish it didn’t either, my most handsome of dorks.”

Chapter Text

You had just about turned the entire interior of the Havoc Maurader upside down, and your head was three seconds away from exploding. You had said all the swears in the book (and invented more!), which had not helped in the slightest.

You hissed and pushed yourself out from under the bunk and stopped, hearing the slightest chuckle, and you slowly turned and looked back. “… A picture would last longer.”

“Sorry, mesh'la,” Crosshair purred as he leaned on the door. “You just exit a bed so smoothly.”

“Ha ha.” You snorted. “I can’t find my kriffing comm.”

“You commlink?” The sniper raised his brows, and a smile flitted to his face. “Have you looked everywhere?”

“Yes.” You mumbled. “The cockpit, the refresher, the artillery-”

“Hm.” Crosshair pulled his own commlink off of his belt and pressed the activation button. “One second.”

You watched him and sighed, rubbing your temples with tight fingers. “Cross, my darling, I doubt-”

A beep came from your bunk. You turned, practically sprinting towards it, and you threw back the blanket, the pillow, sighing in relief and picking up the small silver cylinder. “Oh. Thank Fett.”

“You’re welcome.” Crosshair chuckled, still stationed at the doorway. “I believe I need to get paid for my bounty.”

A chuckle escaped your lips and you tucked the commlink into your belt pocket as you breezed over, looking up at him. Crosshair tapped his cheek and switched the side of his mouth that the toothpick was resting in. “Silly.” You sighed, but you leaned up and kissed his cheek, gently.

He sighed, and just the presence of your lips eased his body. “I always say your kiss can end all kisses.”

“Mm. I wouldn’t be too sure about that.”

“I doubt you have any competition, love.” Crosshair removed his toothpick, resting it between his fingers and leaning forward, pecking your forehead tenderly. “Not for me, at least.”

You giggled and reached up, briefly smoothing a thumb over his cheek before moving away, towards the medical ward. Duty called, but his eyes pressed on you with that overwhelming love was almost too much for you to take.

Chapter Text

You grimaced as you stalked further from the troopers, eyes skimming the plants. A huff escaped your chest, and you tentatively stepped over a thick rubbery root. “Stupid planet,” You snarled to yourself. Your master had been treating your men like bantha dung, and he offered no reason other than a sneer an the word ’clones’, uttered like a curse.

They were living men. Not bad words. And they had names.

You kicked at the ground, growling and grinding your teeth so hard that your jaw ached. Your men were dying. By Force, dying! And Master Krell didn’t give a flying fu-

“Hey, Commander.” A voice broke the stark silence around you. The voice was gentle, deep, and you basked in the gentility of it.

“Hi, Fives.” You offered a small smile, watching him take off his helmet. In the dim glow of the illuminescent fauna, his handsome features stood out, traced with pinks and reds. “You should be with your squad.”

“I know.” He exhaled, tucking his helmet under his arm. “I just… I had to come find ya.”

Your heart thrummed, practically vibrating in your ribs. “What for?”

The space between you seemed immense, thought it was but a few meters. You swallowed your hope, watching his eyes flicker- they sparked, they shone, a rebellious light bright in them. “A couple men and I are going to the Umbara station. We’re taking it down.”

“That’s suicide,” The words choked from your throat, which had suddenly gone dry. “And even if you did, Master Krell-”

“I know, either way, I’m not coming out of this alive.” He laughed. It was pleasant, deep, but dry. His eyes moved back to you, the natural red of the plants making them sear into your soul- or did he gaze actually have that power over you? “And I had to do something else. Really, really dumb.”

You blinked, watching him approach you. The white of his armor was dripping in reds and pinks, and he strode towards you with purpose, and you saw him grip his helmet in a hand. Oh. He meant-

His arm swept you up against his chest, like in a cheesy holovid, and your head dipped back on impact and he drove his mouth into yours. It was meaningful, intense, but a curved edge. Questioning. Waiting.

You hummed and moved a hand to his cheek, pulling him in more, testing the waters. Fives mumbled, sweeping his hand more up your back, lips breaking away only to return for more, another taste, another challenge.

It took you too long to pull away. The only thing in this stretch of darkness was you and him and fear, in your heart, which suddenly swelled. “Fives,” You gasped, pulling away. “He’ll know-”

“Tell him it was my fault, princess.” He smiled gently down at you, the tightness of his arm leaving you. You sagged, not realizing how much you had leaned into him. “I’ll save a few prisoners, just for ya.”

You shook your head, watching him, shock stirring in you, admiration trying to weave through the trespassing fear. “Reckless.”

“As always, darling.” He pulled his bucket on his head, but you could feel him pulling his signature smile as he jogged back towards his group. “As always.”

He disappeared into the mist. You watched him, the dreamy (or nightmarish) air thick around you, and you could only inhale the fog that overtook you. Glancing over your shoulders for his eyes, you shuddered, but despite seeing nothing, you felt like you had been watched.

Chapter Text

It was funny, Crosshair decided. He hated the new medic. He felt sick every time she looked at him. His stomach twisted, his muscles tensed, and for some reason she had found her way into the crevice of every nook and cranny of his thoughts. Was nothing sacred any more?

Bright. Intelligent. Bubbly. Talkative, smart mouthed. All the qualities every perfect person had. She just didn’t seem to like toothpicks (”They’re bad for your teeth if you chew them that much-!”), which was perhaps her one and only downside. Otherwise, he hated her with every fiber of his being. But he didn’t. She made him sick, yes, but he… liked it?

Currently, they were trekking up a cliff, just the sniper and the medic, for some recon. He had no idea why she came- she certainly hadn’t volunteered, meaning Hunter had probably assigned her.

He reminded himself to thank Hunter with, perhaps, a punch. In the face.

“Hey, Cross,” The medic in question yelled from above. “I can see just about the whole planet.”

“Impossible,” He muttered, but his helmet blocked his disregard as he pulled himself to the top of the cliff. But they didn’t block her overall bright demeanor radiatijg- he could feel it seeping in through cracks in his armor that he didn’t know he had, and his heart thrummed uncomfortably loud, even for him.

The medic beamed, uniform bright against the orange-yellow sky, hazy with the blazingly loud sun. “It’s beautiful,” She glanced at him, her smile still annoyingly wide. “Don’t you think so?”

You are.

The thought had sprung up in his head, uselessly loud, screaming. It would have taken him by shock, but he was used to it by now. Instead he swallowed the thought, examining the sky through his visor. “You say that about every planet you’ve been to.”

She didn’t flinch at his sneer. Instead she shrugged, tugging at the white coat of her medical uniform. “Yeah. All of them have been nice.” The wind tugged, and she frowned softly. “War has a tendency to make things ugly, doesn’t it?”

The sudden shift, the sudden change in her tone shocked him. Crosshair glanced at her, hoping his body didn’t display the emotion. “I guess it does, but that’s how it is.”

She nodded, brow furrowing- he knew the look. He had studied it many times, a furious and ferocious sense of determination he knew in almost no one else. He admired it. He wanted that close.

Instead, he crossed his arms, watching her until she sighed, turning away from the sight of the horizon. “Come on. We have a little bit further to go.”

Crosshair waited for her to breeze past, and he moved his eyes to the horizon. She was right- it was beautiful.

The thought still smacking at his temples, he turned and stalked after her, slinging his rifle back over his shoulder.

___

The woods were thick, dense. Crosshair had slowly moved in front, gun now in his hands, at the ready. She walked behind him, stopping at small sounds, animal calls, cracks of branches. Crosshair stopped and glanced back, waiting for her to steel herself with that determination on her face, the look he loved, and she would readjust her grip on her pack and follow him, casting him a brave sort of smile.

It wasn’t what someone had already done that made them brave, it was what they were willing to do. Admiration crawled up his chest again, and he tried to push it down.

She stopped walking. “Cross.”

“What?” He resumed walking, she would catch up in a moment.

“Cross, stop!”

“Why?” He turned, the rifle comfortable in his hands-

He was yanked into the air. The gun flew out of his hands, and a yell tore from his throat. His world flipped, whirled, shook him like a rag doll, and whatever was on his leg tightened.

The medic yelled, and he only made out the white blur of her uniform. Crosshair dug around, desperately, dizzy hands unable to find his knife-

A shot went off, and another, and another. The grip on his leg loosened, and Crosshair felt his gaxmze still before he plummeted to the ground.

He hit it heavily, landing with a hearty “Omph!” His shoulder cracked on impact as the rest of his body collapsed, and Crosshair managed a moan.

The medic scrambled to him, setting down Crosshair’s rifle. “Cross,” She took off his helmet, face knitted with concern, and her hands moved to his arm.

Crosshair seethed, shaking his head. “Shoulder. It hurts. I felt it crack.”

Her lips loosened and she softly tugged off the plastoid armor, working up to his shoulder, hands moving quickly. The talent, the intelligence in her hands baffled him, and she tore off the sleeve of his glove. “I’ll put that back on later. Just let me bind it.”

Crosshair sucked in a breath as the dim fire roared in his shoulder, and the bones shifting as the medic set them. Her voice soothed his warm head, and she spoke tenderly, fingers working a splint on his arm.

He didn’t know how long he had been there- on the forest ground, as the air thickened with the scent of night, with her nursing this karking wound. The admiration in his heart resurged, a rather pleasant heat tingling in his chest compared to the bonfire in his shattered bones.

“That’ll do it,” The medic decided, pulling away and sitting on her knees. “That arm is broken, alright, it won’t take us long to go back. I can get the gun-”

Crosshiar leaned up, tugging his good arm around her back, yanking her in. She rolled forward, landing on his chest- the pain pulsed but he ignored it, grasping her tighter, winding his arm against her and pushing his lips to hers. It was even more surprising when she kissed him back.

Crosshair hummed into her, her feet pressing against his calves, winding her body around him, but lips pushing back gently. It wasn’t enough for him, no amount would be. He had this taste of her and he wanted more.

The medic broke away, panting softly, pawing at his chest lightly. “Cross,” She chided, the smile reigniting the desire to kiss her, and he leaned up, pulling her in more.

“I’m not done,” He hissed, kissing the doctor again. She sighed again, against him, and he swallowed her noises, her little moans, treasuries every single one.

Finally, the doctor broke back, eyes bright in the dark thicket. “Okay, Cross.” She shook her head, laughing and moving to stand. “Heal, first.”

“I can do a lot more with a broken arm, you would be surprised.”

The medic laughed, picking up his rifle, winking at him. “I know. But I want to know fully what you can do.”

The feelings resurged, and admiration clawed its gruesome fingers against his heart- and this time, with a smile, he allowed it to dwell in him, just a little longer, at least.

Chapter Text

It was a truth universally known that when on a strenuous mission and beginning yet another harsh day, your brain tended to go on autopilot. Stresses were high, tight. Just examining mines, explosives, bombs, disarming all of those and more, it was enough to make a demolition expert cry. Which you had done from sheer exhaustion. Stress crying was a negative trait and you certainly did not enjoy it.

Your only solace on this mission had been Rex. He had been steady, your rock, your security. He brought you caf, he made you chuckle, and when you had to collapse into a jellied pile of exhaused tears, he was there to comfort you.

You cursed to yourself and rubbed your temples, fingers moving to the bridge of your nose. You grimaced and tugged your hand back, examining the blurb of pain that had just exploded in your fingers. The white bubbling blisters on your palms, fingers, they protested. Cursing under your breath, you turned to the closest cabinet and threw it open, rummaging through, seeking bandages for your wounds.

“You good there?” That steady voice questioned from the doorway. You felt his presence fill the room as he approached, quickly taking your hand and examining it. “Mm. Blisters?” He examined your wounds briefly, reaching into the cabinet and grasping a small packet of bandages.

“Yeah,” You offered a sheepish smile, ignoring how his dark eyes set off your nerves more than any bomb you had ever encountered. You watched him carefully pull apart the paper backing, and he tenderly applied the medical pads to your wounded hands. Those hands, experienced with war, were somehow so gentle and soft on yours, caring. You fought off counting the number of callouses on his hands from just the sensation. You watched, his brow furrowed in focus, memorizing the crows feet at the corners of his eyes. Your gaze darted away and focused on counting the ceiling tiles instead.

Rex chuckled quietly, lowering your hand- you could have sworn you felt a subtle squeeze from his fingers. “There. Better.”

You thanked him, cheeks remarkably warm, and you moved past him quietly. “Thank you, Captain. I appreciate it.”

“No problem.” Rex walked next to you, long strides surprisingly quick. You shifted a little, sight bleary from exhaustion, and from the purple circles under his eyes he looked like he was as little rested as you were. “Say, I like working with you. It’s a shame we aren’t assigned to more missions together.”

A chuckle escaped your throat and you nodded softly. “I do, too.”

You both walked together, the doors to the briefing room opened. The both of you entered, and the warm feeling of sleepiness ate at your brain, still fogging it up. “I’ll see you later?” You asked, softly, looking up at Rex. Duty called, but his gentleness called louder.

“Yeah.” Rex smiled and leaned down, not at all shocking to you for some reason, and his lips pressed gently to yours. “Bye.”

“Bye!” You chirped, rotating to walk out. The two of you froze, mid-step, and you whipped around and stared at the plethora of others in the room staring at you. Commander Tano looked absolutely delighted, and General Skywalker was stifling a laugh by rubbing his chin. Nearby, Fives and Hardcase had abanoned the blueprints and were knee-deep in laughter, and poor Rex- the back of his next was flaming red.

You exhaled quickly, practically running to the two other clones. “Bye!” You leaned up, kissing them quickly on their cheeks. Fives was still wheezing with glee, waving his fingers half-heartedly with good humor. Hardcase was damn near close to collapsing on the floor with laughter. “That’s just… how I say bye. Yep. Bye!” You waved, looking at the General, who was now leaning on the table for support as he cackled. Commander Tano shook her head, mouth breaking apart in silent giggles.

“Please don’t say bye to me, then.” She rubbed her face, giggling, and you made a strained noise of alarm and practically ran out, hoping the next explosive you broke apart would simply blow you up and you would never have to come to terms with what your autopilot self had just done. Rex stuttered a few excuses behind you, rubbing his face, cheeks still aflame, and your face went redder- but you couldn’t say you didn’t enjoy that millisecond of gentleness you had received from the equally tired captain.

Chapter Text

You cursed to yourself again, digging through the control panel. The little hallway was tight, cramped, and you barely had room to move. You drew your elbow back, ramming it into the wall behind you. “Kark,” You snarled, slamming a hand on the wound.

“Language,” Omega chided as she breezed past.

You blinked and peered out of the little hallway, staring after the child. “Hunter 2.0,” You mumbled and turned back to the set of wires you struggled with. Your brain was wrapped with wires, occupied with the puzzle in front of you. You muttered to yourself and gave a huff as footsteps drew closer. You bit back another curse in case it was Hunter coming to fuss abiut the language in front of Omega.

“You need help?”

You glanced over again, half-shocked it wasn’t Hunter. “Yeah, actually.” You turned your attention away from Tech to glance into the panel. “It’s so difficult.”

Tech slid in, next to you. It was easy for him to maneuver, in just his body glove. He leaned over, dangerously close to you, examining the wires. “I see,” He mumbled, hands working quickly. Those long fingers hypnotized you, the speed and softness of their work. Your eyes flickered over his knuckles, humming quietly. “Like what you see?” Tech mused, not glancing at you.

Your eyes snapped towards his face. “What?”

“I’m a fast worker, I will give myself that.” Tech chuckled, tugging softly at a blue cord. “And this alternative wiring is good for speed and accuracy.”

You just hummed and nodded, going back to watching his hands. “Here, I’ll hold…” You grabbed a wire from him, keeping the ends away from each other. If sparks were flying, they weren’t from the wires. “… this one.”

Tech grunted in thanks, hands still faithfully working. You leaned in close, the heat from his body (or just your own, because you were unbelievably warm this close to him) running against you. “Ah, I see.” A smile rose in Tech’s voice, and on his lips. “You see that-” He pointed at a wire, jutting down from the panel awkwardly. “-right there?”

You turned your head to agree, just as he turned his head to make sure, perhaps you understood. Your noses bumped, skin tingling as it touched. You inhaled softly, not daring to move, but Tech drew away, eyes flickering over your face, and you became aware of how intertwined your arms were in and out of his.

Coughing softly, you turned back to the panel. “What next?”

“Ah- oh, of course.” He cleared his throat and continued talking, pointing at wires, panels, buttons, speaking softly.

But you weren’t listening. Your thoughts were only a soft hum, thinking back to his thumb brushing at the oil on your face, his closeness, his eyes roaming your face, your lips-

A sting rocketed through your fingers. You yanked your hand back, abandoning the wires, and you sucked in a breath. “Ow!”

Tech turned away from his work and took your hand immediately, examining it. “A little bleeding, but It’s okay.” Tech stooped down, picking up some wire tape and winding it around the pinkened puckered patch of skin.

You watched him chew his lip in thought, hands working quickly. A soft smile pressed to his mouth and he tore the tape from the roll. “There.” He turned his head up, looking at your eyes, but you had leaned in close to watch him. His tilted head was angled, and his lips easily brushed over yours.

Pulling back in shock from the sensation (and how much you had enjoyed it), you felt your lips part in shock. His eyes had widened, and his cheeks had botched in surprise. “I- I’m sorry.”

And yet… your hands still rested in his. “It’s okay,” You chuckled, looking over his face.

Tech’s tongue ran over his lower lip, briefly, and you felt your fingers involuntarily squeeze before he wordlessly leaned in, pulling gently on your wrist, going in for more. You hummed at the impact of his lips gently settling on yours, moving his hands to settle gently on your back. You sighed and moved your hands, bandaged finger and all, to rest on his cheeks, returning the pressure his lips were putting on yours.

After a moment of kissing, allowing the initial settling of your rocking heart, you pulled away, pressing your face softly into his neck, exhaling shakily. Tech’s pulse was wild- you could practically feel his heart thrumming against his ribs under your hands.

“I… I’m sorry if that was too forward,” Tech mumbled. His hand traced up your back as you laughed gently, your warm breath fanning over his neck.

“You should have done it sooner.” You giggled against him, allowing yourself to relax on him.

The ship rocked, and an alarm went off. You tore away from him, glancing up at him. Tech’s brow’s had raised in alarm, an expression you rarely saw.

“We’re under attack,” He stepped away, sliding out of the divet. “Patch up the panel. And-” He turned to you, a grin twitching on his lips. “We aren’t done with this conversation.”

You raised your hand in a teasing salute, and you chuckled, watching him. “Yes, sir.”

Tech smiled momentarily, turning and sprinting to the cockpit. You peered after, allowing yourself a moment to watch his graceful gait. “Like that ass,” You whispered, grinning to yourself.

“Language.” Hunter chided as he darted past, tying on his bandanna.

“Oh,” You snorted, ducking back into the little cove to patch up the wires. “Come on.”

Chapter Text

You were knighted when you came back from Umbara. The council seemed to consider your insurrection against Krell and your willingness to put yourself in the way for your men as enough to promote you.

Also, your master was dead.

Your leg still ached, sore at the ghost of his lightsaber. You were lucky that the medics had been so quick in patching you up, or you may not have made a recovery to the extent you had.

Your head felt oddly light- the padawan braid had been light, small, tight, but with it chopped off, your scalp felt lighter and the constant bouncing of the braid on your shoulder was gone, reminding you that you were no longer held back by the traditions of being a padawan.

You were a knight now. A warrior, a general.

You exited the temple, quiet, the noise of passing speeders almost distracting you from the path your legs were leading you on. You weren’t sure where to go, where you were even going currently.

You passed by the senate, nodding at a couple of the maroon-clad Corasaunt guards politely. You wandered by the senate building, counting the number of lights shutting off as senators were heading home for the day. You were quiet, except for your breathing. The air was sweltering and tendrils of hair stuck to your neck and forehead.

You swiped a hand across your forehead. It came away, palm slick with sweat. The only thing in your mind, you realized, were a certain pair of brown, deep eyes. Rex…

The feet carrying you moved quicker, now firm in where you were going- this whole time, you had been walking towards the barracks on the planet, and hoping Rex was still on this planet.

They were faithful, your feet, and they were almost running by the time the barracks came into view. You slowed your desperate pace, but your heart didn’t. Probably because you had just sprinted several miles. You blamed it on your emotions, emotions a Jedi Knight shouldn’t have.

You fought them off as a padawan, but damn it, no one would hold you away from them now.

Your hand tapped the panel, and you spoke into the speaker. “Hello?”

“Hey! There’s my favorite General!” Fives chuckled from the other end. “How ya doing…” He paused dramatically, and then spoke, smile evident in his words. “General?”

A chuckle escaped your lips briefly. “Fives, is the Captain in?”

“Yeah, he just got back. Why?”

You cleared your throat, then said softly, “I wanted to thank him. And all of you, but him specifically.“

The doors opened for you. Quietly, you ducked in, the cool air a relief from the humidity outside. Fives glanced up from the security desk, grinning, and he shrugged. "That’s fair. I mean, he did carry you a few miles back to base.”

Your finally-steady heart sped up again. “He did?”

“Yeah. Wouldn’t let anyone else touch ya. Took a lot of convincing to let the medics take you.”

The dramatic image of the captain, fully garbed in his armor, carrying you draped in his arms, bloodied and battered suddenly entered your mind. You swallowed the wad that formed in your throat, and thanked Fives, hurrying towards the hall.

“General?” Fives stood, watching you walk. “Go easy on him. He’s had a hard week.”

You glanced over your shoulder, taking in his face- the eyes, the soft smile, only concerned for his brother. The one you loved. You nodded, eyes softening, and you hurried down the hall.

You reached Rex’s room and knocked softly, waiting, listening, the cold metal abrasive on your knuckles. You heard a light, “Come in.” You tapped the button, the door sliding open and shutting behind you.

Rex was turned, back to you. He was scrubbing at his armor, hunched in his blacks. You moved softly, towards him, as he said, “Fives, if this is about cutting out to go to 79’s early, the answer is no.”

You felt a chuckle escape your throat, and Rex turned, cognac eyes widening. “General, pardon me, I-”

“It’s okay.” You giggled. You raised a hand, motioning for him to relax. “I’ll let him know when I leave.”

The two of you lingered- he sat there, watching you, and your eyes skimmed over him in his blacks- you hadn’t seen him in his blacks since your mission with General Kenobi to Salucemi. “Rex?” Your voice cracked, and you felt your arms open softly. “I needed to see you.”

“Yeah,” He swallowed, eyes lowering. “Me too. Well, see you.” His words shattered in his throat, and you rushed to him, your arms closing around him.

Rex hesitated, arms thrown to his sides, and then they flung around you, grasping you- his life line, his one. A sob escaped him and you pulled back, eyes still squeezed shut, and somehow your lips found his. The captain didn’t pull away, or retreat. He grasped you, like he had carrying you, and you leaned closer, clutching him. He was everything you wanted, everything you remembered from the brief kiss over tea. He tasted like cheap caf, but warm and nostalgic, every summer day you had wanted.

You pressed away when his chest heaved, and you leaned up, lips pressing to his cheeks, thumbs brushing away the tears rolling down his cheeks. “I don’t know what I would have done if I lost you.”

“You carried me,” You murmered against his skin. “Rex, you carried me, I didn’t know.”

“And my brothers, so many-” His gaze lowered, avoiding you. “I’m sorry, general.”

“If I had known, Rex, I would have done more.” You kissed his cheeks again, hands sliding down his arms to his hands. “Come here.” You tugged softly on his fingers, leading him around the desk to his bed, sitting down. “Can I hold you?”

Rex looked down at you, gaze sorrowful, and his brows creased. “If you’ll let me-”

You tugged on his arms, bringing him down to you and you laid back, legs dangling off his bed, and you pressed his head against your chest. Rex stiffened as you ran a hand over the short blond hair, and slowly, the stress seeped out of his body as you began to hum.

“So,” Rex whispered, running his hand up to settle on your ribs. “You know I carried you?”

Your hair tugged between your back and the mattress as you nodded. “Yeah. Rex, I’ve wanted to tell you for so long-”

“Don’t,” The command was hesitant, soft. “Don’t, because if you do-”

“I love you.”

Rex’s grip tightened, and he heaved a sob, clutching you. “You’ve ruined me,” He whispered, rocking, holding you. You tugged him closer, kissing his head.

“No one can ruin you unless you let them.” You whispered, staring at the ceiling as you stroked his head gently. “We can hide it, I love you, and no one can tell me anything else. What we become is up to you and I.” You inhaled sharply, and his arm squeezed under you.

Rex pulled himself up, looking down at you, his fingers moving from your ribs to skim over your face. His face was still red from the tears, but he exhaled, watching you. “Your oath-”

“Is to you.” You offered him a smile, feeling his thumb brush over your ear to tuck away your braid. Since there was no braid, it only ran over the nape of your neck.

Rex said nothing- his incredulous smile lit up his face, the smile faltering as he leaned down, lips pressing to yours. The kiss was gentler, less needy than the previous, but it said everything you needed to know- he loved you, too, and no one could stop him, either.

Chapter Text

“General, freeze!” Tech yelled, throwing his hand out. He felt his pulse shoot up, and his holopad beeped in alarm.

The Jedi looked back at him, brow piqued, but froze. “Tech?”

Tech inhaled, looking up at her, watching her robe billow around her. “General. I don’t want to alarm you.” His voice was soft, quiet, as if talking to a wounded animal. “You’re standing in the middle of a mine field.”

His words sunk in. Tech saw the Jedi inhale, her eyes widen, and she looked down at the ground. Desperation built in her face. She looked up at him, brow creasing, and her lips moved silently. “Tech,” She gasped. “I… I don’t,”

“It’s okay.” Tech knelt down, lowering his holopad, “I’m going to make it pick up electromagnetic signals. It’ll see where the mines are, and I can help navigate you out of there.”

The Jedi nodded, eyes planeted on the ground. Her hands moved out to either side of her, and Tech saw her fingers trembling. “Please,” She said, hushed, voice wavering.

Quickly, Tech reached up and tugged off his helmet, lowering it to the ground by him. “Hey, General.” He took a moment to glance down at the Holopad, and noticed small red dots appearing on the screen. Tech moved his eyes back up to the Jedi, who was staring at him, and she had drawn her hands in as small as possible. “Look at me. Keep your eyes on me, and do what I tell you.”

The Jedi nodded, swallowing hard. “Tech, If I die,”

“You won’t, just look at me.” Tech smiled, as softly as he could, and he motioned her towards him. “Come here, General- two steps forward.”

He saw her nod, and she looked towards the ground, shuffling forward. “What now?”

“Eyes on me, darling,” Tech coaxed. The darling came from his throat far easier than he had anticipated, but she didn’t argue and her gaze leveled with his. “A step left, directly left, then a diagonal right.” He forced his eyes to stay on the Jedi- he trusted her, loved her, and he knew she would do right, she trusted him as much, if not more, than he did her.

She followed his instructions, eyes plastered on him. Tech stood, watching her. Almost, He thought, He could reach out and touch her if he extended his fingers far enough. Almost here, love.

She reached out for him, leaning, and her foot fell. She stumbled, missing Tech’s hand. Something whirred in the ground under her, and began beeping. They made eye contact and Tech reached down, grasping the stunned Jedi, and yanking her up, abandoning the holopad. “Run,” He turned, kicking his helmet up and tucking it on his head as they began sprinting.

They sprinted through the empty plain, a cape of dust raiding from the ground behind them, and Tech felt the ground rumble. He stumbled momentarily but continued running, the Jedi next to him. Debris flew around them and she yanked him to the side, between a cove of cliff.

She raised her hands, and Tech felt the Force swell around them. She braced her back against him, her body shielding him, staving away the rocks and dust and damage. She screamed into the wind, but Tech could hardly hear her over the wind.

Eventually, the noise died down. The Jedi shook with effort, collapsing back against Tech, sputtering with weakness. Tech caught her and leaned her to him, supporting her. “General,” Tech whispered, stroking a hand in her hair. “Are you okay?”

The Jedi clutched him and Tech lowered himself down, sitting, taking off his helmet. He leaned his ear to her lips, hearing her give light breathing, and he sighed in relief, pulling back. Her gaze, hazey, stared up at him, and she wheezed. “You’re good?”

“Yeah. You?”

“Mmhm.” She looked up at him, her hand crumpling in his curls. “I’ll never doubt you again.”

Despite the situation, Tech chuckled softly, feeling the dust rising from his hair as she scratched it gently. “You doubt me?”

She giggled, shaking her head and leaning up, pulling gently at his curls. Tech sighed and wrapped his fingers in her hair, humming softly, lips pressing to hers. He grasped her tighter, closer, lightly scratching the locks in her hair. She hummed and wrapped her arm around him, and Tech pulled against her locks, urging her closer.

She was alive, and here in his arms, and he couldn’t let her go without this confession.

Chapter Text

It was crazy how loud silence could be. You curled your legs up to your chest and shuddered, staring up at the sky. It was a shame the sky was so beautiful, or you would hate this planet more. Your chin tucked to your knees and you huffed into your hands, praying for a little warmth.

You didn’t actually need your lamp; the moon was so bright in the sky, bathing everything in silver light. The lamp provided you just a little bit of heat, though, and you weren’t about to turn it away.

A heavy warmth dropped on your shoulders. “It’s far too cold to be out here without some extra warmth.” Tech’s easy-breezy voice was soft, compared to the night noises around you both. “And some cocoa.” He lowered a thermos into your hands. “Wrecker insisted.”

A smile escaped your lips and you lifted the blanket slightly. “Wanna stay for a bit? I’m going crazy alone out here.”

The clone didn’t hesitate as he slid under the blanket, leaning next to you with his back to the same huge tree yours was to. “I can afford a few moments.”

“Afford?” You giggled, taking a sip of the cocoa. “I am a luxury few can afford.”

“Now you sound like Crosshair.”

The two of you locked eyes, and a cackle cracked out of you like a whip. Your head rolled back as you laughed, Tech quick to follow. Your eyes returned to one another and you reached up, rubbing your cheek. “You don’t get enough credit for your humor, you know.”

Tech’s chuckles died off as his firearms leaned forward on his knees and he shrugged, rubbing his gloves hands together. “Mm. That’s what I’m known for. My humor.”

Another giggle escaped and you leaned back on the tree, looking up at the sky and attempting to count the stars. “How many stars are out there, Tech?” You whispered. If anyone knew, Tech would- he knew just about everything.

“There is no exact number. But it’s assumed there is an average of about one-hundred-billion per galaxy- given the variation between galaxies, of course.”

“Who has time to do all that?” The words were still hushed, stuck in your throat. “Who has time to sit outside and count them all?”

“Scientists.” Tech’s answer was simple. “People out there who want to know more about the world’s around them than they do about themselves.”

You tore your eyes from the blanket of night and glanced at him. “Would you want to do that?”

He glanced at you, a smile gracing his eyes for a moment before flickering up to the sky. “If I had a friend and cocoa, gladly.”

“Hm.” You yawned. “That sounds like a good deal.”

Your vision blurred momentarily, and you chuckled softly. “The Batch has a deal running. Apparently they’ve been betting on when we get together.”

You didn’t see his brows raise or hear his heart jump. “Interesting,” He mumbled, and that was how only response. “What are they bet-”

A flash of pink in the sky was followed by a wave of green. You gasped and sat up, watching the sheets of color wave around in the sky, weaving over like snakes in water, dripping light. “Tech.” You managed. “What-?”

“That’s an Aurora.” Tech’s voice was hushed, whispering against your ear as if he was frightened he would scare of the lights. “They’re solar disturbances in the planet’s atmosphere.” His hand was warm on your back, tugging you in closer.

The kaleidoscopic clouds of color above still allowed the brilliant stars to peek through. A breathless wonder had suddenly swallowed you whole and you had forgotten how to breathe. “It’s beautiful.”

There was a moment of silence, and Tech whispered, still soft against your ear. “It is.”

You missed that his eyes were only on you, because your sights were set on other things- but perhaps, tonight, he could pretend like more-than-friends were out here aimlessly stargazing together, sharing warmth, hands pressed against each others as the universe disrupted itself right above them.

Chapter Text

Fives only liked one thing about coming back to Corasaunt. He practically raced to the designated Senator quarters in the cloak of night, concealed in his civvie clothes, taking the lift up to her apartment. He rapped quickly, thrice, on her door, and glanced around the hall.

No one had seen him- he was sure of it. At least, he hoped not. Fear froze him over, and a chill ran down his spine. The senator- she was his only solace.

The door opened and she beamed up at him. “Fives,” She breathed, and the ice melted away under her eyes, that warm gaze. She closed the door behind him and tossed her arms around his neck, laughing as he tucked his arms around her and spun, laughing. “My favorite trooper!”

“And there’s my girl!” Fives chuckled, fighting the urge to squeeze her. She tugged back when he set her down, grinning cheerily, hair falling in loose waves from the tight coils it had been wrapped in earlier. My girl. A guy could only dream of all of this being his.

She laughed and shook her head. Her lashes danced off her cheeks and she waved a hand, the sensor brightening the lights. Oh, the city lights had been wonderful, outlined her form under that light and loose night gown, that shape of her, those hips-

He must have been on the battle field for way too long. She grinned, and that smile was so delicious, so empowering- he may just do something stupid tonight.

“So?” She hurried into the kitchen, grabbing a pair of slender glasses. “You’re home safe.”

“Yeah.” Fives leaned on the counter, watching her with that ever growing gnawing, that hunger friends should not have, and a softness bruised him. It had been bruising at him for so long, his whole chest at every moment, with every beat of his heart, was purple from the inside out. “I am.” His eyes skimmed her, tempted, as she leaned down (oh Fett) and grabbed at a bottle of some slightly expensive whiskey. “How have meetings been? Boring?”

She turned and laughed, pouring the drink into the glasses. “You wish,” She chuckled, eyes sparking in the noise of the city lights outside. “I’ve been having the time of my life.”

“Pray tell.” Fives walked around the counter and leaned back, taking the glass and lightly clinking it to hers.

“That’s the thing- you will think it’s boring. I don’t.” Her lips curved at the challenge.

Had she ever been one to run from danger? So head strong, and fiery, and so so brave- but something in her eyes turned tail and hid when his gaze met hers. At least, tonight, it had.

Fives held up his hand in mock surrender, a deep laugh (the one he saved for only her) filling his chest. Satisfaction tugged her lip behind her glass, and he shook his head. “Maybe I will enjoy it. Or maybe I just like your voice.”

Her eyes sparked and lips twitched again, and the whole planet stood still for just her laugh, the laugh that filled every fiber of his being and hit his soul hard, and deep. It burned worse than the alcohol, and he downed the last of it with the pounding thought of my girl beating his temples with a fifteen-pound barbell. “Oh, Fives,” She chuckled, taking another delicate sip. “You’ve always been such a good friend.”

His knuckles clenched against the glass. Friend. He had no objection to only being her friend, if that was what she wanted. But sometimes words could only go so far, and looks, eyes, were windows to the soul, saying so much more than lips could ever dare to try to say.

And tonight her eyes were burning. He had no idea what they were burning for what he wanted them to be ablaze for him.

Her lips parted slightly, brow furrowing. “Fives, let me…” She reached up and gently took the cup from him, easing it out of his hand. “You’re tense.”

You make me tense. You make me a lot of things.

Fives rubbed his face for a moment, chuckling slightly- it seemed so small, so superficial to be upset about this. And yet he was and he wanted it, this, her. “Yeah, I guess I’m a little bit tense.” He offered her a small smile. “… Friends, huh?”

The senator’s head bobbed in a nod. Oh, her presence, those lips…

Fives exhaled, the whiskey warming his blood, and he leaned down quickly, capturing her lips in his. They were soft- all of her was soft. Warm, living, gentle, everything he knew he couldn’t be, because he was a clone. Another face.

Her chest rose as she inhaled, her hands resting gently on his arms. The fine whiskey was absolutely nothing compared to her, and Fives could get drunk on her all night.

She pressed away from him, sleeves bunched in her fingers as if it was her life line. Her eyes drifted from his and towards the window of Corasaunt, and her teeth chew on her lower lip. “Fives-” The Senator begins, voice a soft croak.

“We aren’t just friends,” He mumbled, hands staying loose on her waist. “And you fucking know it. I don’t look at you the way I do because I just want to be your friend-”

“Fives-”

“And I see you looking at me,” The words halt with a heavy creak. “The same way I look at you. Oh, darling,” His hand smoothed up over her cheek, lacking pressure. “It’s exactly how I look at you.”

Her eyes dropped from the window, lashes trapping the millions of lights outside- kaleidoscopic and brilliant, as she looks up at him, that fire humming behind her gaze. Her lips form words, multiple times, and she slowly moved back, her hands dropping away from him. “I- we can’t.”

Fives stood there, looking at her. Her nightgown swayed as she shifted, falling like rain around her form. He swallowed, then nodded softly.

The senator moved around him, the air cool as she breezed past. “I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt and say you were a little loosened up by the alcohol.”

Fives turned and watched her, ribcage squeezing him- his heart was crushing under it. “I’m not,” The growl escaped his throat. “I’m not drunk.”

It was a brief glance. She looked over her shoulder at him, cheeks ruddy, eyes shining iridescently with tears she had not cried yet. “You know the way out,” She said softly, hurrying into her bedroom and shutting the door.

Chapter Text

Crosshair didn’t know much about how to care for a person. He knew very little about it, and the extent was really to his brothers. Uncertainty washed over him when he saw his poor lover, curled up on his bed.

He actually hesitated walking over to the cot, and slowly plied a hand through their hair. “You’re sweating.”

“I- hurts,” Was all that came from the whimpering form.

“Hm,” He managed. His thoughts strained, pulling at his skull, trying to gain inspiration. “What hurts?”

A hand drew up and patted lightly on the scalp of their head. “Head.”

Crosshair stepped away, legs moving automatically. A sniveling whine followed him out of the room, but Crosshair’s brain was on autopilot. He knew how to take care of his brothers- Hunter got headaches a lot. Tech did, too. Two different reasons (overstimulation and staring at screens, respectively/ but one universal thing seemed to help ease their pounding heads.

The ice pack was cold in his hands as he carried it in. Softly, he laid it on his lover’s head, smoothing his cool hands down the back of their neck, the hot skin relieving some to the still-lingering chill of ice on his hands. “What else can I do, meshl'a?”

Simply, their arms opened. Crosshair shifted, glancing at the door of the bunk room before sliding into the cot with his darling one, then tucked them to his chest, his heart.

He didn’t want to be loud- really. Crosshair felt his breath hold. If he exhaled too loud would it hurt their precious head even more?

“Hon,” A croak emerged. “Can you hum my song?”

“I really think you should-”

“Please,” The plea broke, shattering with sobs. “It hurts, please just let me-”

Crosshair shushed them, rocking his heart quietly. It wasn’t necessarily ‘their song’ but if that was what it was to the person in his arms, so be it.

His voice, at a gentle hum, reverberated in his chest. His singing voice wasn’t good- not nearly as Tech or Echo, at least- but the coarse nest of his voice was enough for his dearest to rest in.

Perhaps he couldn’t heal all their wounds, soothe all their aches, but… He could at least do this.

Chapter Text

There were always moments you hated Crosshair. Wished he was dead, or perhaps you could kill him. Cid owed you big time for making you work with him. There was no reason for you to be near him aside from the mere reason that you had to be and you were so excited to get these missions done with the so called “Bad Batch”.

He prodded that fire in you easily. Too easily. He tipped your edge, overflowed your cup. Every gaze burned, and you only offered a scathing stare in return.

“Come on, cupcake.” Cid rapped on the counter, snapping you out of your glaring contest with the closest bottle of alcohol near you. “Let’s getcha outta here- the boys are waiting.”

You grumbled and grabbed your hat, tacking it half-heartedly on your head and you trotted out, stalking towards the hangar bay aggressively. The air was thick, heavy, as you climbed up the ramp of the Havoc.

“Good to see ya again.” Hunter cast a grin in your general direction, tucking his knife into its arm sheath.

You only offered a cordial nod, half aware of the sniper’s dark eyes on you from the corner. You ignored it, and shrugged off the sparks that had begun to heat, spark, ready themselves in your gut.

___

The ship careened in the air, and you found yourself leaning out, arm grasping the door of the Maurader, a gun hapazardly aimed at the ship following you. Since you were still planet-side, Hunter had denied use of the cannons, and they would be pretty marking useful at the moment.

Crosshair knelt on the floor of the ship by you, aiming out, shots far steadier than yours at the ship. Time was of the essence, but an acidic burning gnawed at you. You brushed it off as jealousy.

Tech gave a yelp of alarm in the cockpit, one you took as a “Hang on” kind of yelp, and the ship wavered. You felt the sniper slide towards the edge, and in alarm, he gasped.

You reached down and grabbed him. You landed harsh on your ass and wrapped your arms around his chest, holding him up, yanking him back towards the ship. Tech manuvered again and the two of you rolled inside, heavy, and the door slammed shut behind you as Wrecker slapped the ship door shut.

You laid on the floor, untangling yourself from Crosshair, who remained stumped next to you, hands grabbing his gun with knuckles that were probably white under the glove. The visor turned towards you and there was no expression, just a question. “Did you just save me-?”

“Yes.” You fought will into your body, forcing your legs to move and urging yourself to stand. The tingling sensation of autonomy swam down your veins and you rose, leaving Crosshair on the floor.

“Why?”

You hesitated, grabbing your blaster from where you had thrown it back on the floor for Crosshair’s life. “I don’t know.” Was all you offered, refusing to look back at that faceless, courious helmet.

___

Why did you not let Crosshair drop? You regretted your decision and cursed your instincts for being oh so kind to the sniper.

Currently, you were downing your upteenth cup of some murky alcoholic beverage and listening to Wrecker laugh boisterously and Crosshair’s sly snickers. “Listen, that was one of my favorite missions, Geonosis.” Wrecker was cackling, downing another sip of drink.

You blinked, vision hazy, and mouth loose. “I nearly died on Geonosis.”

Crosshair shrugged, gesturing with his drink, the liquid swishing as he shrugged. “And thus, our fondest memories.”

Your tipsy stupor boiled, hot blood and alcohol never a good mix. His hiss, his glistening eyes- oh, you would love to slap that smirk off his face. “You’re an absolute dick.” You snarled and rose from the bar, drink still clutched in your hand. You yanked the cup away as Cid tried to reach across the bar for it.

“Oh, lovie.” Crosshair snickered and crossed his arms across his chest, toothpick bobbling between his lips. “try to see it from my view-”

“Crosshair.” Hunter barked, but was promptly ignored by you and the sniper.

“I would love to, but I can’t get my head,” Your voice rose and patrons began to turn their gazes. “That far up my ass.”

Crosshair’s grin only grew and he leaned forward, eye to eye with you, and Cid hurried around the bar. “Yeah, and what are you going to do about it, pretty thing?”

“Alright, I’m cutting you two off-” Cid grimaced. She reached for your cup-

You tossed the contents on the sniper. The alcohol splashed in his face, dripping down his armor and probably soaking through the glove.

An Ithorian patron gasped at the scandal audibly. Crosshair lifted his hand to rub the drink from his eyes, then snarled in your direction. “You little-”

Hunter moved between the two of you quickly. “Hey,” He hissed, grabbing your arm, and Crosshair’s. “I said,” He moved towards the back, ushering you with him. “Knock it off!” He shut the door behind you two and himself, whipping around to face you.

You hissed in Crosshair’s general direction as Hunter launched into his usual rundown- “keep low” and “don’t draw attention” to yourselves, all that. The whole time, you and Crosshair kept eye contact, gazes warring flames.

As you stalked away, off to bed, half staggering from drink, you realized that, with a sensation of despair washing up from your toes, you liked it when his eyes burned into you.

Chapter Text

“So?” Crosshair snagged a ration bar, eyes shifting to the medbay. “What do you think?” His brow arched, and he unwrapped the foil on the ration bar to take a bite.

“She’s nice!” Wrecker plunked down on the bench, forgetting that voices needed to be low when discussing others.

Tech didn’t bother looking up from his datapad, he only offered an approving grunt. Hunter sighed, watching the door, then glanced back at his brothers. “Smart thing. Wouldn’t be put here otherwise. She’s probably got a lot of experience.”

Crosshair’s brows raised and a chuckle snaked out of his throat after he swallowed. “Experienced?” He jabbed the ration bar at Hunter, snickering. “I bet she is. A medic has some very steady hands, you know. I bet she’s a slow burn kind of gal. Likes ‘em slow and steady.”

Hunter’s brows narrowed. “No.”

“What?” Crosshair sneered at him, a smirk following the question. “You think she would be down for quickies?”

“Yeah!” Wrecker piped up. He shoved some of the ration bar in his mouth, words garbled around his food. “I think she’s a quick gal. But,” He grinned, a happy sigh half-escaping his mouth. “I bet the aftercare? Cuddles? Aw, man.” He laughed, nodding. “That’s what I bet.”

“I believe you’re both wrong.” Tech glanced up from his screen only for a moment, lips not flexed, only raising a finger in his signature as-a-matter-of-fact move. “I believe she would be fairly vanilla.”

“You only say that cuz you’re boring in bed,” Crosshair tugged a toothpick out of his belt pocket.

“I am not. Many females have told me otherwise-”

“Ugh, don’t ever call women ‘females’ again.” Hunter wrinkled his nose, and Tech sighed apologetically. “Also, fine. I’ll do ya one better.” Hunter leaned in, voice low and smoky. “She’s a medic. She’s in control of a lot- our lives, our well-being. It’s pretty expected she would want to give some of that control up.” Hunter’s eyes gleamed devilishly, and he grinned. “Yeah. She’s all sweet- lollipops and candy bars- but I betcha behind closed doors it’s all handcuffs and gags.”

Crosshair’s lips twitched up, and Wrecker bursted out in a guffaw. “You think so?” The youngest clone wiped his face, laughter dying down.

Hunter sheepishly shrugged, leaning on the table. “Yeah. Every medic I’ve met, at least-”

“I’m not like other medics.”

The four men whipped around, staring at the medic, who was relaxed on the doorway. Her eyes were glistening in good humor, and her lips were perplexed in a wide grin, and her fingers were pressed to those very stunning lips. Hunter rose. “Doc, uh…”

She laughed, waving her hand dismissively. “All excellent guesses, gentlemen.” Her tongue probed her cheek and she leaned off the door, shooting them all a wink as she exited to the haven of her medical office. “Too bad none of you will ever know.”

Chapter Text

The new mechanic never smiled, never cracked a laugh, which was a shame because her voice was deep and warm and what Hardcase imagined a beach would sound like. She was never set on smiling, and the most that anyone could crack out of her was a twitch of her lips, and that was all she seemed to be willing to reveal.

This was tragic, as Hardcase was determined to break through this stony exterior, and there was nothing she could do about it.

He quickly found out making faces at her across the hangar didn’t work- he tried all of them. He tugged out his ears and crossed his eyes, stuck out his tongue, and yet she would only give a half smile that originated from sheer politeness and she would hurry away.

Kark.

Hardcase ran a hand on his head, scratching a strip of his blue tattoo. His faces, his absolutely true sense of humor, ALWAYS worked on everyone. Why was it not working on her?

“Hey.” Fives’ knuckles rapped on Hardcase’s shoulder pad. “You trying to clean the barrel of your gun thirty times? You’ve been polishing it for six minutes.”

“Hm? Oh.” Hardcase pulled the rag back, sighing quietly. “Sorry, vod. I’m just thinking.”

“A dangerous past time, especially for you. Doesn’t that brain of yours have a curfew?”

Hardcase chuckled and shrugged, his steadfast grin taking it’s rightful place once more. “Yeah, but ya know me- I’m a dangerous man.”

“So what’s on your mind?” Fives leaned forward, elbows resting against his armored thighs.

“I,” Hardcase began, dramatically sighing. “Am the worst comedian this side of the galaxy.”

“Untrue!” Fives tilted his head. “I mean, one look at that ugly mug of yours-”

“We have the same face.”

The ARC Trooper shrugged. “Sometimes, you’ve gotta sink the ship to kill the captain. Is it that mechanic? She still not breaking?”

Hardcase’s shoulders slumped, but only slightly. “I… Yeah. How is it not working? I’ve even made General Windu laugh- fine, he only smiled- well, sorta smiled- but it counts!” By this point, the poor man was so despondent that he had stood and was pacing the floor, brow furrowed.

Drumming his fingers, Fives sat back. “Say- have you tried jokes? Ya know, a good knock-knock joke.”

“She isn’t three.”

“I know.” Fives held up a hand in some sign of surrender, voice steady. “But everyone has a different sense of humor. You, of all people know this.” Turning, he grasped his Holopad resting nearby and activated it. “We’re gonna find a few jokes. If this doesn’t work, then I’ll let you call yourself the worst comedian in the galaxy.”

___

He had no idea why he was nervous. He had told jokes before- laughter was the best way to introduce yourself to someone, right? She hadn’t laughed at his jokes before. Maybe she thought he was just… Weird.

Hardcase sucked in a breath, glancing back at Fives, flanked by Tup. They both sent him a thumbs-up gesture, nodding in encouragement.

She was working on a Y-Wing. Standing on the ground, about elbow deep in grease when he approached. “Hey!” Hardcase waved, cheerily.

The mechanic grunted in effort, twisting a bolt. “Oh, you’re… Hardcase, right? The one that always makes faces?”

“Yep! That’s me! Crazy Face Hardcase.” (No one called him Crazy Face Hardcase.)

“Mm.” She pulled her arms out of the ship, turning to him. “What can I do you for, Hardcase?”

“I just had a question.”

Her brows raised, and she nodded. “Shoot.”

“Uh… What do you call a funny flower?” Hardcase flashed a grin, rocking on his feet, stomach giddily bouncing in his torso. “A laugh-o-dil.” There was a brief pause, and she blinked at him, expression blank. “Ya know, like a daffodil-”

The change was so sudden Hardcase didn’t have a moment to comprehend. Her head tossed back and she release a laugh, deep, true, from her gut up, shoulders rolling. “Oh! A- a laugh-o-! Ha!” The mechanic leaned forward, face pink as her laugher reduced to spurts of giggles, leaning on the ship for support.

Hardcase’s tattoos turned purple as his face reddened. “I- I like that joke too.”

She chuckled, wiping away a tear, the smile so bright on her face that Hardcase could have sworn they had found a new star. “It’s a good joke!” She nodded, walking past him, patting his arm, still shaking slightly. “I need to tell Tano that one.”

Hardcase stared as she walked away. Dumbfounded. She had the cheesiest sense of humor he had ever witnessed, and the most incandescently and wholly wonderful laugh he had every heard. He could exist happily forever, his only sustanance that sweet cackle.

Tup slid next to him, arching a brow. “Sooooo…?”

“Mission successful?” Fives leaned on the Y wing, raising his brows.

“I need more of those jokes.” Hardcase sputtered, whole head as red as an angry Wampa at this point. “Now.”The new mechanic never smiled, never cracked a laugh, which was a shame because her voice was deep and warm and what Hardcase imagined a beach would sound like. She was never set on smiling, and the most that anyone could crack out of her was a twitch of her lips, and that was all she seemed to be willing to reveal.

This was tragic, as Hardcase was determined to break through this stony exterior, and there was nothing she could do about it.

He quickly found out making faces at her across the hangar didn’t work- he tried all of them. He tugged out his ears and crossed his eyes, stuck out his tongue, and yet she would only give a half smile that originated from sheer politeness and she would hurry away.

Kark.

Hardcase ran a hand on his head, scratching a strip of his blue tattoo. His faces, his absolutely true sense of humor, ALWAYS worked on everyone. Why was it not working on her?

“Hey.” Fives’ knuckles rapped on Hardcase’s shoulder pad. “You trying to clean the barrel of your gun thirty times? You’ve been polishing it for six minutes.”

“Hm? Oh.” Hardcase pulled the rag back, sighing quietly. “Sorry, vod. I’m just thinking.”

“A dangerous past time, especially for you. Doesn’t that brain of yours have a curfew?”

Hardcase chuckled and shrugged, his steadfast grin taking it’s rightful place once more. “Yeah, but ya know me- I’m a dangerous man.”

“So what’s on your mind?” Fives leaned forward, elbows resting against his armored thighs.

“I,” Hardcase began, dramatically sighing. “Am the worst comedian this side of the galaxy.”

“Untrue!” Fives tilted his head. “I mean, one look at that ugly mug of yours-”

“We have the same face.”

The ARC Trooper shrugged. “Sometimes, you’ve gotta sink the ship to kill the captain. Is it that mechanic? She still not breaking?”

Hardcase’s shoulders slumped, but only slightly. “I… Yeah. How is it not working? I’ve even made General Windu laugh- fine, he only smiled- well, sorta smiled- but it counts!” By this point, the poor man was so despondent that he had stood and was pacing the floor, brow furrowed.

Drumming his fingers, Fives sat back. “Say- have you tried jokes? Ya know, a good knock-knock joke.”

“She isn’t three.”

“I know.” Fives held up a hand in some sign of surrender, voice steady. “But everyone has a different sense of humor. You, of all people know this.” Turning, he grasped his Holopad resting nearby and activated it. “We’re gonna find a few jokes. If this doesn’t work, then I’ll let you call yourself the worst comedian in the galaxy.”

___

He had no idea why he was nervous. He had told jokes before- laughter was the best way to introduce yourself to someone, right? She hadn’t laughed at his jokes before. Maybe she thought he was just… Weird.

Hardcase sucked in a breath, glancing back at Fives, flanked by Tup. They both sent him a thumbs-up gesture, nodding in encouragement.

She was working on a Y-Wing. Standing on the ground, about elbow deep in grease when he approached. “Hey!” Hardcase waved, cheerily.

The mechanic grunted in effort, twisting a bolt. “Oh, you’re… Hardcase, right? The one that always makes faces?”

“Yep! That’s me! Crazy Face Hardcase.” (No one called him Crazy Face Hardcase.)

“Mm.” She pulled her arms out of the ship, turning to him. “What can I do you for, Hardcase?”

“I just had a question.”

Her brows raised, and she nodded. “Shoot.”

“Uh… What do you call a funny flower?” Hardcase flashed a grin, rocking on his feet, stomach giddily bouncing in his torso. “A laugh-o-dil.” There was a brief pause, and she blinked at him, expression blank. “Ya know, like a daffodil-”

The change was so sudden Hardcase didn’t have a moment to comprehend. Her head tossed back and she release a laugh, deep, true, from her gut up, shoulders rolling. “Oh! A- a laugh-o-! Ha!” The mechanic leaned forward, face pink as her laugher reduced to spurts of giggles, leaning on the ship for support.

Hardcase’s tattoos turned purple as his face reddened. “I- I like that joke too.”

She chuckled, wiping away a tear, the smile so bright on her face that Hardcase could have sworn they had found a new star. “It’s a good joke!” She nodded, walking past him, patting his arm, still shaking slightly. “I need to tell Tano that one.”

Hardcase stared as she walked away. Dumbfounded. She had the cheesiest sense of humor he had ever witnessed, and the most incandescently and wholly wonderful laugh he had every heard. He could exist happily forever, his only sustanance that sweet cackle.

Tup slid next to him, arching a brow. “Sooooo…?”

“Mission successful?” Fives leaned on the Y wing, raising his brows.

“I need more of those jokes.” Hardcase sputtered, whole head as red as an angry Wampa at this point. “Now.”

Chapter Text

She returned with a limp. It was much better than the rest of her squadron, probably the least injured, and with the largest bruise eating at her thigh, a purple stain across her muscles. Hunter walked as quickly as he could for her quarters, his heartbeat shooting up as he hurried down the halls.

He slammed open the door to her apartment. She sat up, staring at him, eyes wide. “Hunter-”

“I heard about that stunt you pulled,” His voice was raspier than usual, and he fought off the cracking in his voice. “What were you thinking?” He hissed, hurrying over.

“It’s not a big deal-”

Hunter grabbed her knees and pushed them apart, eyes landing on the purple-and-black skin. His brows creased, and his grip softened as she gave a groan of pain. “This isn’t a big deal to you?” He asked, voice cracking. “Your beautiful skin, mesh'la, your body… That isn’t a big deal to you?”

He released her legs and grasped her, tugging her to him. She stiffened, fingers brushing his uniform shirt. “I almost lost you.” He whispered, moving his hand in her hair.

Her shoulders were still stiff, and her voice was hushed, not accusatory- “What are you going to do about it?”

Hunter pulled away, hands moving gently to her arms. This tenderness, this foreign tenderness he had towards her… He felt warm. For the first time in a long time, she had made him feel so warm and enjoy her- more than just carnal things, it was who she was, what she said and how she said it. He could live without her exact same body.

But he couldn’t live without her.

His eyes flickered up to hers, and his voice grated in his throat, rough and dry. “I… Don’t know.” He mumbled.

She stared up at him, tears gathering in her eyes, before she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him against her. Hunter allowed her to tug him back onto the bed, cradling his head to her chest, and he rested against her, his feelings nothing but complicated tangles in his chest.

Things had been so simple once- serve the Republic. Serve the Empire. So why was his loyalty so strongly geared towards this one, insignificant human?

Sleep gnawed at Hunter, and he realized, before drifting off to her heartbeat, that she wasn’t insignificant to him.

Chapter Text

Hunter knew the Jedi had been beyond his reach- she always had been. He would go to 79’s, maybe get lucky enough to land a gal, but it was a cavity filled for a moment.

Jedi didn’t have attachments. He knew that. Certainly there were times where he caught her looking at him, or their conversations would delve into a vat of nothingness, but otherwise… She couldn’t.

In another life, yes. But not this one.

The Jedi was quiet today- unnaturally quiet. She stared at the hologram of the ray shields, fingers tapping her chin, brows furrowed. Hunter paused in the doorway of the command room, watching her, his heart thundering wildly in his ribcage- he needed her. He wanted her, but they simply couldn’t.

She turned his way now, and offered an exhausted smile. Her eyes- there were deep and dark bags under them, evidence of many nights up, worrying and thinking.

“General?” Hunter hurried to her, setting his helmet on the holotable. “You okay?”

Nodding, a yawn escaped her. “Yeah, sorry.” She smiled and rubbed her eyes, looking away. After a moment, she asked, softly, “How was your night?”

Hunter stared at her, the sensation of a heavy weight sinking in- she watched him, astutely, and Hunter could only shrug. “Fine.”

She grunted and nodded, eyes planting back on the table. “Good.”

The silence was tense, heavy. Hunter watched her- her ears and cheeks tinted, and he heard her breathing quicken. “General-?”

“Do you think of me as much as I think of you? Hunter?” Her voice cracked, and she didn’t look at him. “When you’re with them, do you think of me?”

Hunter’s throat tightened, and he reached out, gently grabbing her hand. “You think I don’t want you? Love, you’re the only one I could ever want, I just didn’t think you-”

“I do!” Her voice broke as she turned, tearing her hand from him. “Oh, Hunter, I’ve- I’ve wanted you to- just for so long,” Her confession spilled out, dammed up by a fear Hunter hadn’t understood. Her voice babbled, and tears threatened her eyes. “I just- we-”

Hunter reached down and wrapped his arms around her, anchoring her in, pulling her into him, squeezing her tightly as she babbled. “I had no idea you felt this way,” He whispered, stroking her hair. “I’ve wanted you since we first met.”

She pushed against his shoulders, looking up at him, and Hunter moved his hand over her cheek, brushing away the tears. “The- the Order-”

“We can keep it a secret,” Hunter hushed, a smile pressing to his lips. She wanted him- defective traits and all. “Darling, you should have said something sooner, I only want you-”

She leaned up and kissed him in the middle of his sentence. Hunter held her tightly, joy running over him in waves- she needed him as much as he needed her. His anchor, his solace. Her scent wrapped around him, thick, like a blanket that Hunter would never unravel himself from.

The Jedi broke away, looking up at him, face still red and eyes still damp with tears. “I- I’m sorry, Hunter.” She whispered. Her hands dropped from his shoulders, which sunk like a submarine. “My duties as a Jedi come first.”

They stood there, facing each other, but not daring to look into one another’s eyes- no more emotions needed to be revealed tonight. “Are you sure you don’t want to try?” Hunter mumbled. His gaze caught hers, and his voice broke, pleas scattering. “Look me in the eyes and tell me you don’t want to try us.”

She stared at him, into his eyes. Words formed at her lips only to fall silent, dying, and she shook her head, stepping away before turning and practically fleeing the room.

Hunter sat there, dumbly, and watched the doors slide shut. Just when he thought he had her, she was gone.

Chapter Text

You skidded around a tree, plastering your back to the trunk. You swallowed air, desperate, hearing the pounding feet of the soldiers. You dove into the fauna and forced your breath to still.

You closed your eyes and reached out in the force- Howzer.

He was stalking through the trees, moving with his men. Searching for you, to kill you. Your heart throbbed and you cupped a hand to your mouth- maybe you could change him, talk to him-

A plastoid boot broke the mud by you, and you swallowed an adrenaline-fueled scream. The teal stripes on his boot signed him as one of your men, and you bid yourself to be still. The man moved away, and you exhaled quietly, watching the grass move with him.

You reached out, eyes closed, extending through the force, feeling for the roots of the trees growing in a violent silence nearby.

“Any luck?” Howzer’s low rumble run out, not far from you. A chorus of negatives from his soldiers followed. You were surrounded.

You swore quietly and curled up more, breathing softly. The roots under you groaned, fingers reaching up towards you with a vice. You swallowed, exhaling, everything silent except your wildly pulsing heart.

The web of roots below you was massive. You tightened your fingers, nails gritty with the soil. A scream filled your brain- nothing made sense, nothing was sturdy, nothing was the way it had been. And now you needed to fight back- destroy the men who had served you as much as you served them.

Roots peered above the ground. One trooper yelled in alarm and you stood, force willing you to move quickly, too quick for them to shoot back, and the tendrils of life grasped the hands, guns, yanking the clones down to the ground.

Except Howzer.

You faced him, hearing the clones yell, fight, gnash teeth. You ran at Howzer, saber igniting to deflect his blaster fire. “Howzer,” You yelled, running towards him. “I don’t want to hurt you!”

“You are in violation of Order 66!” He yelled, that deep lovely voice robotic and muddled in his helmet. “You are a traitor to the Order of-”

You dodged a shot. Your hand careened, and roots grabbed the blaster, nestling it into their earthly grip. Your body rammed into Howzer, and the captain fell back against the ground. Roots clasped his hands, his legs down.

Your fingers grasped his helmet and gently moved it up. His gaze was unrelenting, with nothing but hatred- your heart ached. Where there was once a love, a sincere and unspoken love and desire, there was only a tight gaze of anger and hatred. “Howzer,” You choked, tears dripping from your cheeks. “I don’t know who you are.”

Your lips crashed into his- you had always wanted to kiss him, surrender to him. His body stiffened and he hummed, loosening for a moment, until you pulled away. Confusion pulled on his lips, pupils still dialated as he looked you over, but lips still pulled tight.

You rose, clearing your throat, pulling your hood over your head. “I loved you.” You whispered, turning and running.

The roots would hold them, keep them safe- they would be free of their grasp soon. But not until you were far away. Howzer wouldn’t be far from your heart, your mind, no matter how many planets you put between the two of you.

Chapter Text

Rex was going to kill Skywalker. But also thank him.

Currently, he and the absolutely stunning general were crammed in a supply closet in a Seppie base. Her chest was pressed to his, and her head was turned, ear pressed to the door. “One sec, Rex.”

“Yes, General,” He mumbled, very very red under his helmet.

There was a loud chorus of laughter in Rex’s helmet, from all the 501st boys plus Commander Tano (who absolutely was an honorary member). Rex bit the inside of his cheek as the Jedi brushed closer to him, and Rex was acutely aware of how the hair on the back of his neck rose as how close she was to him. Her eyes moved up to the eyes of his visor, a small smile flirting to her face. “Hey, Captain. I don’t think I’ve ever been this close to you. Well, I don’t have much of a choice.”

“I- no, general, we haven’t been this close.” I would have remembered.

“Hm.” Her lips twitched, devilishly, into that destructive smile. She suddenly stopped, going serious, and launched up, pressing her fingers over his mouth- or where his mouth would be if he didn’t have the bucket protecting him from those wonderful, slender, beautiful fingers. “Droids,” She whispered, pressing against him. “Once this group goes past, it’s you and I. Think you can handle taking me from behind?”

“I- sorry?” Rex sputtered, as a chorus of ’that’s what she said’ rose over the comm channels.

“You know,” She hissed, hands moving to the saber on her belt. “Watch our backs.”

Rex only bobbed his head in a wordless nod as the Jedi slipped open the door, glancing out. “All clear.“ Her voice was hushed, gentle, as she crept out. Rex followed her, just as soft, tugging his blasters out. He walked after her, listening close to her steps, matching them.

He heard whispered conversation buzzing his his comm. "Boys,” He hissed. “If you don’t shut up, I will kill you all.”

“I don’t count, right?” Ahsoka chirped.

“Sorry commander. You count.” Rex whispered, reaching up and shutting off his comm.

The Jedi stopped, pausing in front of the doorway. “Alright, Captain. This is the main-”

The doors slide open with a shudder, and three skeletal robots towered over them. The magaguards ignited their shock staffs, no hesitation in their metallic gaze.

The Jedi moved in front of Rex, igniting her saber. “Rex, I’ll hold them off! You get in there.”

Rex nodded, sprinting past her. He heard the doors slide shut behind him and turned to the control panels, quickly skimming them over. He grabbed the the small datapad and knelt down by the main panel hooking it up quickly.

He had a lot of work to do.

___

“Hey.” The Jedi summoned Rex’s attention, walking through the training room with a sense of confidence. The other men moved aside, eyes resting on him and the General- tense, holding breaths. Some of the boys even reached for their credits, ready to pay up on whatever bets they had made.

“Sir- ma'am, general.” Rex rose, quickly. “It’s good to see you all patched up.”

She smiled so brightly at him that Rex would not have normally guessed she was a warrior, a jetti, but rather some distant angel General Skywalker wove tales about. “It’s good to see you too. I wanted to thank you for being such a massive help today, and tell you that it’s always a pleasure to work with you.”

Rex fought off a wave of redness entering his face. He noticed, in the corner, Commander Tano hop down on a bench by Kix, whispering with a grin displaying her pointed teeth. “Yes, sir. There’s no one else I would rather be in a closet with.”

A nearby clone choked on his food surprising laughter and had to stand, sprinting out of the mess hall.

The Jedi either didn’t notice or was too polite to say anything. “Thank you, Captain. The feeling is reciprocated.” She beamed, brighter than all the sins in the galaxy, and patted Rex’s chest as she exited, humming merrily, totally missing (or just ignoring) the stares of awe-struck clones.

The Captain watched her, a sigh following her from his chest, the depths of his heart. Oh- he could follow her, walk from here to the edge of whatever star-roads the universe made him traverse for her.

He was pulled from his longing and wishful thinking by a round of applause, and whoops from his brothers. Rex’s face flushed, and he turned to the boys, fighting a grin off his ever burning face. “Next man to say anything gets latrine duty.”

Silence fell, in whispers. Then Ahsoka sprung up and shouted, in her high teasing voice, “Get it, Rex!”

“Commander Tano is on latrine duty.”

“Too bad I’m not a man!” Ahsoka jeered, wiggling the white tattoos of her brow. “And guess what? I’m gonna talk you up to her.”

Rex’s brows narrowed, and the flush he had been fighting off hit him in a staggering attack. “You wouldn’t.”

Ahsoka only grinned and turned, sprinting down the hall, yelling for the General as Rex raced after, heart palpitating- and not only from the high-speed chase he was engaged in. The general… She really did this to him.

Kark, Rex realized, skidding to a halt. The general had such a strong grasp on him, and he hadn’t even noticed until now how much he longed to return that hold on her. At least… Return it in a way where no man (or Togruta Padawans) could hold it against him.

Well… Could they really blame him?

Rex’s steps halted altogether, and he smiled, slightly, turning back to walk to the mess hall. Maybe he didn’t mind if Commander Tano talked him up to the General.

Chapter Text

“I don’t think Hunter meant this when he told us to get supplies.” You chuckled, shaking your head. You crossed your arms as a child ran past you, shouting at his friends to hurry, sprinting towards the tents and stalls and the air of music.

Wrecker grinned and planted has hands on his hips, and his poncho made him look even more massive than you thought it could. “Well, I’m sure they have supplies! And I’ll betcha they have some fresh food.” He picked up his head an inhaled, the massive hat shielding his face from the sun. “Omega will like something nice for herself.”

“We need to watch our money, Wrecker.” You sighed, gently winding your small (compared to his) arm through his own, linking at the elbows as you walked him towards the small festival. He groaned, and you felt another grin twist on your lips. “But… I think we have a little extra…”

“I like the sound of that!” Wrecker guffawed, now walking in stride with you. His steps were large, but he figured out the perfect length each step needed to be in order to match yours. “I can show you some of the best foods here!”

“You haven’t ever been here before.”

“But my nose never lies! And I know what would taste good.” Wrecker lurched ahead, pulling you along gently, following the sweet scents of festival food. Every few steps he would glance back at you, his eyes practically glowing under the shaded rim of his broad hat. “You’ll love it.”

You chuckled and jogged to catch up, stopping to tug away your hand. Wrecker halted and watched you adjust your hair (Omega had insisted on braiding it) before catching your hand again.

You woke between the stalls, pausing for a moment to watch children dance around a large pole, ribbons clasped in their small hands, weaving it in the way only sugar-hyped children could. “I remember those,” You said, softly.

“You used to do stuff like that?” Wrecker nodded towards the pole, tucking a some fresh goods in his side bag. “That looks fun. Should’ve brought Omega along.”

“Hm,” You sighed, wistfully. “She would have loved it.”

There was only a brief moment- the weight of the sun was oppressive, and the music seemed to buzz out as you thought back to far, far simpler times- before the war, before the temple. You only remembered a silky ribbon in your hands, being pulled along by your older brother (or sister? Your memory was foggy of any pre-Jedi life). A strong hand pressed on your shoulder.

“You okay?” His voice was a rumble- still light, but the depth, width of the concern filled in the cracks.

“Yeah.” You looked up at him and grinned. “I’m good.”

He watched you, and then glanced off to the side. “I bet they have something for grown ups! Dancing or something.”

“Well, if they do, I’ll watch.” You chuckled and smoothed your hair back. “Not much of a dancer.”

“Pssh. You? Not a dancer? Ha!” Wrecker laughed, loudly, but it was in the spirit of the say- everyone was laughing, in good moods, and no one gave the jolly giant a second glance. “Have you seen how you fight? It looks like dancing.”

It wasn’t the sun’s heat that made your cheeks red this time. “Thanks.”

Your next stall stops did bring you in view of a large, cleared area, where the ground was stoned with colored mosaics. People were weaving in and out of each other, clapping to the rhythm of the band.

It took Wrecker interrupting your trance to realize how long you’d been staring. “How about you jump in?”

“Hm? Oh, no, I-”

“Go on.” Wrecker laughed, nudging you gently with encouragement. “I’ll stay with the stuff.”

Without realizing, you had been seamlessly swept up in the crowd. The music carried you, and you caught on quickly- the rapid pace, the chipper melody, exchanging between partners, spinning so fast that you almost fell-

“Whoa!” One arm caught you, midair, and Wrecker laughed. “Gotcha!” His mighty laugh didn’t stop the music or mood, and in fact, your head only spun more. Yes, he had thrown you before, chunked you across battles, but you forgot how gentle that strength could actually be.

“Thanks.” You stood on your own, breathless with laughter. “For catching me. And also making me dance.” You paused, them beamed up at him, lightly bumping him with your arm. “Next time, I’m making you join me, though.”

“Just say the word!” Wrecker laughed again. “Come on, let’s go home.”

You trailed along, this time your hand naturally migrating into his, glancing back at the festival as the booths and people and music faded in the distance. A nostalgic thought whispered in your temple, a rustle of silk, a faint flute, or maybe it was the faint laughter of the soldier who had caught you, and would keep catching you as long as you allowed it.

Chapter Text

Fives had been eyeing the general for this whole trip. He couldn’t put a finger on it- there was something different about her this time around, this battle. The Jedi moved gracefully, cutting through droids as if they were butter.

And those eyes- brilliant with a spark of willpower. Fives nearly missed the blaster shot going by his head. He turned, dodging the fist of the hulking super droid swinging at his head. He spun around it, blaster adjusting and shooting through the hull-head of it.

The Jedi was by his side in moments. “Fives.”

“General.” Fives grinned under his helmet, feeling her press against his arm. “You trying to impress me?”

“Always, Fives.” She chuckled, looking up at him. Her face was smeared with dirt and grime, and she looked glorious. “You know I always aim to impress.” She turned, moving in front of him, easily deflecting shots. Fives laughed and shot around her, allowing her to be his shield, his fortress. He watched her saber move in quick, striking arcs, as they approached the apex of the battle. No matter where she went, he would follow- close behind.

___

Every battlefield they went on, she was there, and he was right next to her. One of the higher up Jedi would have probably said something if they weren’t so efficent on the battlefield together- the Jedi at the front, Fives guarding her back. They were a sheer force to be reckoned with- their bond on the battlefield was strong, connected, and they would move in tandem. She would pull, he would push; they would support each other in the midst of even the worst of battles.

Off the war path, their relationship was… undefined. Fives was still pulled towards her, and she was pulled towards him- not that she would ever admit it.

Sure, she would look at him- only him- from across the room. Yes, she wasn’t shy around him, cupping his face and looking into his eyes and asking him is he was okay, feeling alright.

The feelings only grew. How could they not?

She was getting more and more tired. Her stamina was lower, her eyes were darker, and off the battlefield she was sluggish. But she would still smile when she saw him, and his heart would still run at the sight of her grinning, grinning like he was the sun.

Fives knocked lightly on her door, quiet. There was silence, a moment of heavy stiffness, and the door opened. She looked up at him, tired eyes, face red. “Fives?” She blinked, wary, before ushering a smile. “Hi-”

He barrelled in, dropping his helmet. His smile dropped, and he took her face. “What happened?” He ran his thumbs on her cheeks, under the dark bags of her eyes, and pain panged at the way she looked away from him. “Don’t look away from me, darling.”

She glanced down for a moment, moving her hands up slowly to his wrists. “I… sorry. It’s so hard to not be… you know…” She gestured her hand at him.

“You just gestured at all of me.”

Her head bobbed in a nod, sniffling. “How?” She whispered. “How do you do it?” Her cheek leaned into his hand, and she shuddered, voice dipping in a throaty, full sob. “You hold up so well-”

Fives shushed her and gently pulled her against him, stroking her hair, humming. “It’s okay. I don’t hold together nearly as well as you think.” He sat down on the table, pulling her into him, rocking her softly. “Some nights I want to just lay down and cry. Yes, really.” He huffed strongly in her hair, watching some stray strands sway with his breath. “But you know what? I know some day,” He kissed her head, lightly. “The war will be over. And we’ll both be free of this.”

She picked up her head, sniffling, pressing her face against his jaw. It was wet, hot. “You seem so strong.”

“Only for you, darling.” Fives chuckled, rocking her. “I gotta keep my good, confident, charming self up to impress the master Jedi.”

She giggled, the little laugh breaking through the sobs. “Just… can we promise something?” She waited, for his hum of approval, and she whispered, “Can we… start crying to each other? Being open?”

He smiled- he genuienly and deeply smiled, squeezing her in confirmation. “I wouldn’t have it any other way, General.”

Chapter Text

You never believed in the rumors of the ghostly figure children whispered about from peering over the walls of the city. She commanded light at her hands, and they described her- commanding in stance, demanding in voice, but gentle in nature, especially when it came to children.

You had simply nodded politely- children would tell tales, tall as they may be. The occupation made you wish a savior was real, in any form- welding light or darkness or anything.

And then you actually saw her.

She was striping through the city streets, white lightning dancing in her hands as she moved through the imperial enforcement. Her eyes, brilliant and blue, froze on you for a moment, interlocking you and stopping all surrounding time which seemed to no longer host meaning. The phantom ran, and you watched as your neighbors and friends poured into the streets after her like a rebellious sea to take down the dam holding it back. You grabbed your own rifle and climbed onto your roof, sniping off the enemy.

She was there, but wasn’t there as you fought. You still felt like her eyes were pressed on you- maybe her spirit roamed these alleys.

It didn’t occur to you that she was actually real- really real, until you saw a cloaked figure move gracefully towards the gate. You jogged to catch up with her but stopped, midpace, as her eyes- those same eyes- caught you again.

You had always wanted to see the ocean, and here they were, irises, right before you.

She was gone too quickly, and you saw her hurrying out into the foggy woods, her figure meshing with the night, the darkness swallowing her.

You believed the words of the children now. She was a fighter, but gentle, and you had to know her more.

°°°

You volunteered to stay on the wall at any hours you could. You watched for her, waited- maybe she would come into town, get supplies, even though you had never seen her do so before. Hope was not a feeble thing for you.

After all, it had gotten you this far.

You leaned heavily on the stone, blinking rapidly to ward off sleep. You gave a soft yawn, pressing a hand to your cheek.

The mist rippled in the woods, and you sat up, blinking. You had tricked yourself into seeing her shape thousands of times at this point, the fogs shifting beyond your actual foreseeable vision, where shapes were certain and people were real.

Was she out there, waiting? And of she was what was she waiting for?

For you.

You shuddered, shrugging away the selfish thoughts. Wouldn’t it be grand, romantic? Someone actually waiting on you from afar for you to come to them- you sighed and leaned forward on the wall, cool stone pressing on your elbow through your thin sleeve.

It was like a song. Something in you danced, and the music that you couldn’t hear was in the woods.

You glanced back- the next guard was climbing up, blaster slung over their shoulder. “Hey, girlie. Whatcha looking at?”

The only answer you offered was a shrug. “The woods. I think I see something.”

“Hm.” The guard leaned back on the wall, raising his brows. “You thinking of going out there?”

Oh, the thought made you tremble. Those woods held death and terror- at least that was what you had been told. They were dark and deep, but you were not… Scared. The woods were like night at all times, but not terrifying.

You nodded, quietly, tugging your rifle over your shoulder. “Cover me?”

“Of course.”

You nodded, climbing down the stairs and running towards the gate. Your feet froze for a moment, just when your feet touched the invisible boarder of the open gate. You stared up at the fogs, hesitation creeping up your legs and stopping you from walking any further.

You had never been this far from home before. You glanced back at the streets you knew, inhaling, and then you turned back towards the woods. It took you a moment, swallowing the terror, and you stepped out into the cold air. You didn’t even recognize your own footfalls, with the leaves crunching under your boots. Your heartbeat was loud in your ears as you moved closer to the darkened trees.

There was no reason to- but you began running towards the treeline. You heard the guard on the wall yelling, warning you to not go too far, but his yells fell on deaf ears.

You skidded though the night, rifle now abandoned on your shoulder as you moved deeper in. You could feel her- her pull, her tug on you, as you sprinted. Perhaps there was a trust you had for the ghost that you should not have had- you never met her, you didn’t know her. But you knew those eyes.

You stopped in the next clearing, breathing quickly from running. You glanced around, head spinning. You were lost out here, absolutely lost in the middle of nowhere.

Hope was not a feeble thing for you.

You sat down, breathing heavily, closing your eyes, and catching what your lungs had lost. You didn’t open your eyes, thinking of her, the ghost. My Ghost.

There was a crackle next to you, a brushing of fabric on your back. You sprung up, gasping, eyes meeting those brilliant blue ones.

“You,” You breathed, breath suddenly lost on you again.

The Togruta smiled, gently, brushing her robe over her shoulder. “You’ve been looking for me.”

You nodded, looking her over. “I… Hi. Hi, I… Hello.”

She laughed, a deep harmony that made your spine tingle. She reached out a gentle hand. “I’ve been looking for you, too.”

You exhaled, softly, and took the hand she had extended out to you. A sense of relief washed over you, and hope resurged in you- the hope that was held in those eyes was now in you. The blue eyes sparkled, and her lips moved, and she said the name you had long been wanting to hear.

Ahsoka Tano.

Chapter Text

“Hey, doc.” Cid yelled from the lobby. “The boys just called in. They have a package for ya.”

“Which one?” You move automatically for your medicinal bag. “Hunter or Wrecker? Those are the only two that always need something.”

Her walking staff gently bats your calf, in an odd tenderness. “Hunter isn’t here.”

You paused, hands freezing on the clasp of your bag. “Where is he, then?” Your voice fights off a tremble, a brief one, ice lacing your lungs. “Did he-”

“He ain’t dead. Bandanna will be fine, if he can get his head out of his butt for five minutes.”

You only nodded and grabbed your medical bag and walked after her, meeting Wrecker out the door. “Is everything-” You began, but your eyes flickered to the man leaning on Wrecker. “… Okay?”

Wrecker grunted and leaned the man against one of the tables. “Yeah,” He said, softly. “But… We’ve gotta go. Lots of stuff to get done on the ship.” He nudged the man, who glanced up at the largest clone. “Meet Gregor.” Wrecker grabbed a package from Cid and turned, hurrying away, only throwing a goodbye over his shoulder.

You watched, helplessly, and then leaned down, catching the man’s eyes. “A reg, huh?” You offered a smile, picking up your medical bag. “Alright, come on, let’s get you to a bed.”

“A bed sounds good,” The clone chuckled. His voice crackled, light and higher than other clones that you’d met. “And some food. I haven’t eaten… Well,” He giggled again, leaning his arm around you. “Let’s just say it’s been a while.”

You chuckled, walking him back to the bunk room. “I’ll put you on Tech’s bed.” You explained. “He always keeps it clean.”

“I don’t recognize you,” The clone (Gregor, if you remembered Wrecker correctly) sat down, letting you kneel down to examine the wound. “I know there were a lot of medics and doctors working for the Republic, but I would have remembered you.”

You felt your eyes roll. You had heard it a million and one times, but you kept your voice respectful, light. “Why would that be, Gregor?”

“Your voice,” He said, hissing slightly as you cleaned the singed wound. “Your voice isn’t what a doctor’s voice would normally sound like. In fact, it’s more…” Gregor scratched his head, pondering, before snapping his fingers. “Airy! Yeah, airy.”

The compliment tool you by surprise- it wasn’t ever your voice. Always akin to I would remember a pretty face like that and it wasn’t that you minded having a pretty face, but your face wasn’t what was doing the work. “Oh. Thank you.” You reached into your bag for a bacta pad, peeling the adhesive off. “I like your voice too. It’s a fun voice.”

“Heh. Thanks.” Gregor grinned, sheepishly, before grimacing as you rubbed the bacta into his skin. “Ah, that stings.”

“What, a big strong man like yourself can’t handle a little bacta?” You glanced up at him with a gentle grin.

His eyes danced- there was no other word- as you smiled. “I’d remember your smile too, doc.”

You rose, quickly, clearing your throat, finger someone remembering to grab your medic bag. “You’re sweet, Gregor, but I’m still putting you on bed rest.”

He groaned, flopping back on the bunk, and the springs creaked under his movement. “Fine,” His confirmation shook in his voice, and he chuckled again, staring at the bunk above him. “But I’ll only stay if you visit.”

You laughed, gently, shaking your head as you started out. “Will do, Gregor. Be a good clone til I come back.”

“No promises!”

His laughter followed you into the hallway, earning a couple of giggles from you as well. You pushed back a strand of hair, feeling your cheeks pinken, and you walked back down towards Cid, realizing how long it had been since you’d actually laughed like Gregor had made you.

Chapter Text

You had only seen Hunter break a couple times in your time with the boys. When he was overwhelmed in his senses after a missions and when Omega had been taken. Today, he staggered into the back, leaning heavily on the cot, shoulders shaking.

You glanced back at the rest of the crew, who were standing around, watching. Tech glanced back from his pilot’s chair, and Omega started into the bunk room, hesitantly looking up at you.

You reached down and gently pressed a hand to her shoulder. “Let’s give him a minute, Omega.” You whispered, picking her up.

“But, Hunter-”

“Hunter needs to clear his head.” You leaned her gently against you. “How about you go take a shower real fast? That way you can see him and you’ll be clean, he’ll appreciate that.”

Omega submitted with a small nod, slowly lowering herself before hurrying to her bunk to grab her clothes. She ran past you, stopping and looking you over. “You’d better take care of him,” She said, quietly, before running towards the refresher.

You ran a hand in your hair, sighing softly. “Wreck, can you give some of the good soap to her? I think she would like it.”

“You’ve for it, general.” Wrecker agreed, uncharacteristically soft, and he hurried down the hall. You gently patted his arm as he walked, and you glanced towards the bunk room, dark and silent as a tomb.

With a deep inhale, you entered, foot steps echoing in the hollow room, and your feet found themselves at his bunk. Hunter laid like a man who wished he was dead, knees curled up to his chest, huddled to himself. “Hunter,” You said gently, reaching down and laying a hand on his back. The bed shifted as you sat down, running your hand along his shoulders.

“What did I do wrong,” He rasped, shoulders shuddering. “Why didn’t he want to come?”

You laid down behind him, wrapping your arms around him, shushing him. “Crosshair made his choices, and you made yours.”

“He made the wrong choice.”

“Not to him, Hunter.”

The Sargent fell quiet, still shaking. You ran a hand up to his head, humming, closing your eyes. “Let me heal you, and give you rest. Please. Tomorrow can worry about itself, for now we can be glad we have each other.”

He didn’t respond, but his neck fell soft after being so stiff. It reclined against the pillow, and he sighed in relief as you smoother your hands in his hair. You continued humming your soft song, calling on the force, which rippled through him, his mind, and you felt, knew everything from his perspective- the falling facility was too loud, stenched up with medicine. The creaking of the ocean around the small tube, the tightness of being crammed in a capsule with Crosshair, feeling every life, every hum of living exsistance around him in the sea, eyes strained to find those lingering lives.

“You’ve had a busy day.” You mumbled, striking a thought of his with a shocking presence of fear.

In the training room, when you and him were huddled behind the barricade. The warmth of his heart, the softness of your eyes as you looked up at him, the way you licked your lips when he spoke, deep, and his arms throbbed to just wrap around you and run.

“Yeah.” Hunter mumbled, eyes closed and body boneless. “Busy day.”

You fell quiet, absorbing the high of his emotions in that moment. It was a warmth you though that only you had for him- but he had been feeling it for you for a long, long time.

You ushered his back to your chest and you hummed softly, steadily, rocking him. “Stay here for a little while,” You whispered. “Let me hold you.”

His heart fluttered in his chest under where your hand rested. “I… Alright,” Hunter exhaled. “Alright. But only for a bit.”

You nodded and pressed your face in his hair, breathing in the stale ocean that had been tangled in his hair from the planet. His breathing steadied, and his body went tender against yours.

You closed your eyes, hoping that here in the darkness he could be happy for what family he had left. He didn’t make the wrong choice- but Crosshair, he didn’t either. You sighed quietly, looking back at the little figure padding towards you. “Hunter?” Omega whispered, standing by the bed.

You pressed your finger to your lips. “He’s asleep. How about you come hold him, too?” You smiled. “I think he needs all the support he can get.”

You felt her climb into the cot, crawling between you both, hands clasping in Hunter’s shirt as you smoothed your hand over Hunter’s back and the other one in Omega’s blonde-and-brown hair. You hummed, feeling the both of them relax, and the force swelled between the three of you.

You sunk against the cot as Hunter rolled over, adjusting Omega to lay comfortably between his taut form and your softer one. His eyes glistened for a moment in the hallway light, warmer than you had ever seen, and he offered you a small smile, closing his eyes as you smoothed your fingers down the ink of his face. “Thank you,” Hunter murmured, breathing deepening. “I couldn’t have asked for a better general.”

“You remember when I was first assigned to you?”

“In the contrary, we were assigned to you.”

You chuckled quietly and glanced down as Omega shifted, yawned, and then relaxed again. “If you say so. But do you remember how much fun we had that first mission?”

“You think it was fun.” Hunter grinned and shook his head, hair ruffling under your fingers. “We never had anyone to report to.”

“I gave Wrecker a taste of his own medicine and threw him.”

The laugh that erupted almost woke up Omega. Hunter fell quiet, stiffening and looking down at the child until she stilled again. “I remember that.”

You smiled and nestled against the cot, trying to find some sense of softness. “And I remember fighting by your side.”

“I do,” Hunter whispered. “I remember every time we had to fight together, side by side.” He yawned, surpressing it into the pillow. “You always had my back.”

You smiled, fingers resting on his cheek, the warmth lingering on the dry skin. “I try to.”

“You always have,” Hunter mumbled, turning his head to nuzzle your palm. “I doubt there will be a time where we don’t have each other’s back.”

You watched his brows crease and body relax, falling asleep again. He matched Omega’s breathing. It was crazy how alike they looked, the same curve of their cheeks and the same way their hair curved on their foreheads when they leaned on the pillows. You leaned down, kissing the golden tousled curls of Omega’s head and Hunter’s forehead, watching them relax under your embrace.

There was no more Jedi order. You paused and smiled quietly, trying to will sleep to sweep you away as well. Perhaps you could devote more time to your family than whatever of the order remained.

Chapter Text

Echo wasn’t a jealous man. Really, he wasn’t.

At least, that was what he told himself when he watched her walk into the room, dripping in silk. The senator held her head up high, hair piled on her head, shoulders rolled back as she moved down the stairs, hand gently resting on the railing as she moved down. The train of her dress followed, pouring down the stairs.

He didn’t bother hiding the way he sucked in his breath- she was glistening.

Crosshair laughed in the comm. “Someone’s got it bad, huh?” Echo barely managed to get a hiss in towards the sniper.

“Boys,” Hunter warned. “Keep your eyes out. We’re here to make sure the senator stays alive.” From a distance, Echo saw him perched at the roof, watching the exterior of the building. “Tech, anything?”

“Nothing yet.” The clone muttered into the comm. “I’m watching all signals bouncing in the room.”

“I’m keeping an eye out on visuals inside.” Echo skimmed the room, tearing his eyes away from the graceful senator. “No unusual activity.”

“I’ll bet you’re watching.” Crosshair’s snark was just as effective through the modulator of the comm.

“Shut up.”

“No, you.”

Echo gnashed his teeth. “Di’kut.”

“Hut’uun.”

“Boys!” Hunter hissed. “I will make you both hug and make up if you both don’t shut the kark up.”

“A fate worse than death.” Echo mumbled, drawing his eyes back to the senator, which wasn’t hard to do. She was currently talking very calmly to a man, smiling at him and his aid, bowing her head politely. Even so his heart throttled and twisted angrily, irritated at himself.

Crosshair snickered, his visor illuminated in the distant moonlight as he shook his head. “You’d rather hug and make up with something else.”

“I’m going to-”

“I’m picking up on something.” Tech spoke up suddenly, exasperation seeping through the comm system. “High levels of sass.”

Wrecker broke out in fits of laughter over the commlinks, pealing through Echo’s helmet abrasively. “Ha, ha! That’s what I like about ya, Echo.”

Echo scowled but fought off the urge to say anything. It felt like he had just assimilated into the small group of clones, and he didn’t want to cause any rifts. He bit his tongue, turning his eyes back to the gala below. “Look at all of these people. You think they know anything about the actual war?”

“Who knows?” Tech mumbled softly. It was a hum over the comm, but somehow every brother picked it up.

There was a moment of weight. The comms were silent for a moment with heaviness, a bated breath, and none of them dared to say anything about the weight of the galaxy that rested on the shoulders of a few men.

Crosshair’s voice slithered between the cracks of the fragile quietness. “Let’s go back to teasing each other.”

Echo wanted to agree, and he mumbled a half-hearted “Mm.” She looked up at him, peering down from the second-floor railing. She offered him a small smile, gentle, and it radiated, brighter than the lights and sweeter than any wine they were serving below. “You know,” He said, softly. “At least there is one senator out there who gets us.”

The others gave affirmations, Wrecker’s “Yeah, she does!” being the loudest out of them all. Echo grinned under his helmet as Hunter chuckled.

“Guys, go easy on him.”

“Why?” Crosshair giggled in the system. “It’s so sweet, watching him make googly-eyes at her.”

“I don’t make googly-eyes.” Echo muttered, stepping away from the bannister after scanning the room. “I make… regular eyes.”

“Keep telling yourself that.” The largest clone rumbled, still breaking with laughter. Echo winced at the booming of his voice. “You keep staring at her from your watch point.”

“To make sure she stays alive.”

At least… that was what he told himself. Just business, strictly business. Even so, his mind wandered to her, waning in its strict upholdings and tugging at the net he tried to use to constrain his thoughts of her- her airy movements, how she practically floated across the floor, her sleepy voice after being awoken abruptly by the Batch knocking on her door, or her ringing laughter that was fully free to run over him like waves. The net was broken and his soul was snatched away by her unwitting hands.

“Hunter to Echo,” The sargent’s voice sliced through his thoughts. “You see anything yet?”

Echo leaned back over the bannister, breath drawing in as he spotted a man coming in from the side door. “Yeah, I think so.” He hurried around, closer to the side door. “Someone came in from the side.”

Tech hummed in thought from the comm. “That’s odd. The representatives should be coming in from the main entrance.”

“On it,” Echo jumped up onto the edge of the bannister, balancing, watching and waiting as he perched. His heart thrummed as the senator turned, eyes sharp, landing on the man. She froze.

An obsidian barrel pointed out at her, and her eyes flickered up at him. Echo.

Echo’s chest flared with anger, heat, and he pounced. He landed hard on the perpatrator, metal legs digging into his back as they landed hard. Party goers gasped, turning and staring at the clone, shocked, eyes darting between Echo and the unconcious man lying on the floor, blaster knocked a good amount away by the impact.

Except her- her eyes only stayed on him. Echo hurried towards her and took her hand, pulling her away from everyone. “Let’s get you to cover.”

She nodded, following him, stopping to kick off those heels of hers and following him with bare feet. She raised a hand to her ear and said, softly, “Hunter, I’m alright. Echo’s got me.”

Echo almost stopped moving, and his blood ran cold. “You’re connected to our comms?”

“Of course.” A smile tugged at her voice, and Echo groaned internally. “I can hear you.”

“The whole time?” Echo grimaced as Crosshair cackled in the headset. Echo reached up to his helmet and quickly shut the system off, ducking into the designated safe room on the side.

She chuckled, pulling in the trail of silk behind her as he shut the door. “All of it. Do you really make googly-eyes at me?”

Echo mumbled under his breath, feeling a sudden gently thud on the sides of his helmet. She stood in front of him, hands resting gently on the cheeks of his helmet and lifting it up. “I don’t mind your googly eyes, Echo.” She spoke softly, gently, resting his helmet in her hands. “I quite like them, actually.”

She was close- the only thing between them was his helmet resting in her hands. Quietly, Echo moved his hands to cover hers, and his words propelled from his mouth, shattering in his throat. “I… I’m sorry. I wish I could see you some other way, but-”

Her fingers pressed gently to his lips, moving his helmet under her arm. The silk was cool under his gloved hands as he pressed his fingers to her dress. “I can’t look at you any other way, either, Echo.” He smiled, quietly, feeling her lips brush his chin. “I don’t want to look at you any other way.”

He felt nothing, just the silk of her gown and the magnetic pull of her warm lips to his in the small, dark safe room, and a chapped mix of a moan and sigh escaped his throat as he wrapped his arms around her. She smelled floral, like open spaces and free planets, somewhere far from here. She broke away, the absolutely spine-chilling hum a musical sound to his ears.

“How is he?” Echo heard the tinkering of Crosshair’s laugh in the senator’s earpiece.

Echo reached out, taking the comm. “Shut up, Cross,” He hissed, turning off the comm and wrapping his arms around the senator. She laughed lightly, lips meshing and dancing with Echo’s.

Chapter Text

Wrecker ran behind her, blasting wildly at droids. His adrenaline was high, heart racing, and he had probably yelled with joy more than once. The medic ran after him, laughing as she followed, ducking behind him.

“Trigger happy?” She yelled, eyes sparking dangerously as she grinned.

“You know it, sweetheart!” Wrecker whooped. He turned, shooting rapidly, feeling the medic press her back to his as she fired with her own blaster. “Not bad, doc.”

She grinned, holding the pack in her hand down behind her. “Not too far?”

“Yeah, just under a klick!” Wrecker glanced around, grimacing. “Oh boy.”

“What- oop!” The medic squeaked when Wrecker picked her up, hauling her on his shoulder and sprinting in the opposite direction of the approaching rolling droidikas. The medic fumbled on Wrecker’s shoulder, wrapping the bag around her arm and hauling up her gun, aiming to try and pick them off. “Can you run smoother?”

“You try carrying me and running for your life!”

She sighed and shifted, her hips resting uncomfortably on his plastoid as she continued shooting. “I’ll let you stick with that job, Wreck.”

Wrecker laughed and skidded over the red plains of the planet. “Will do, lady!”

She laughed- or maybe that was his shoulder digging in an especially abrasive way against her hips. “How soon can we be there? I wanna get these explosives out of my hands.”

“No issue there,” Wrecker huffed under his helmet. “I carried you, you can set up the demo.”

“Excellent.” She chimed, still bouncing on his shoulder as they topped a hill. “It should be soon!”

Wrecker huffed as he skimmed down the sandy hillside, puffs of red following him, and the giant metallic building looked ahead, an overconfident beast. Wrecker laughed to himself again, setting the medic down. It was time to take down the beast. The medic ran towards it, opening the bag and digging through it. “Wrecker!” She yelled. “Cover me!”

“You’ve got it, doc!” Wrecker turned, peering out from between the divets of the building. He grasped his knife in his free hand, man-handling the gun and rapidly firing into the onslaught of droids.

The medic glanced over her shoulder, eyeing Wrecker in worry, glancing him over. “You’re still good?”

“Yeah, worry about the-” Wrecker yelped and ducked, quickly returning to the shooting.

Among the ligaments of the explosive, the medic worked, quickly, and Wrecker swore he saw her lips muttering the mantra he had taught her- steady hands, steady hands, steady hands-

Her grasp tightened and she stood, running towards him and grabbing his hand. “Let’s go!”

Wrecker nodded and ran with her, turning to shoot. “You did everything like a showed?”

“Not exactly.”

“What-?”

A sound of explosions rippled through the sea of droids, mechanical body parts flying everywhere. Wrecker yelled in delight, running faster, skidding behind a pile of sedimentary rock. He peered out, lifting his helmet up to rest it on his forehead. “What did you-”

“I remembered what you said last time about EMPs,” She said, chest puffing up. “I figured we could mash up the electromagnetic signal-tracking with the bomb and have it go off when it picks up the droid’s signals. That way it wouldn’t have gotten us in just a timed explosion.”

Wrecker stared at her, eyes wide, before his whole head practically split open in a grin. “You’re so- so-”

The medic nodded, beaming as Wrecker swept her into his arms. She giggled as he dipped her back, lips warm and congratulatory and overjoyed and still on the high of victory. Another explosion rang out as they kissed again, the medic this time pulling gently on Wrecker’s neck.

After the glorious exchange of kisses, Wrecker broke away. “Oh!” He pulled back. “I didn’t ask ya.”

“You never have to ask me for a kiss.” The medic grinned, reaching up and rapping her knuckles on his helmet. “I appreciate the sentiment though.”

Wrecker grinned, tugging the helmet off his head and tossing it towards his guns. “Can I do that again?”

She rolled her eyes, but was still grinning, lips bursting joyous “Yes,” as Wrecker pulled her in again, dipping her back like in every cheesy holovid, not giving a second thought as a third explosion rumbled in the distance.

Chapter Text

The beach was damp, more like a lake than the sea. Wrecker crossed his legs as he settled back on the rock, rubbing his hands and looking over the crashing waves, rivuleting over one another in tandem. He ran his thumb over the ridged surface of the shell, thinking back on the mission for a moment- he and the special operative that had been working with the Batch for a while had to go undercover on this villa, and do some long term work.

That meant sticking together, joined at the hip in a small house, undercover as a married couple. He was surprised at how much he enjoyed it.

Wrecker chuckled to himself. Was he really so shocked? He really loved her, truly- and it was bizarre even to him how well he knew her. He didn’t think he could know someone as well as he knew his brothers. But here he was, collecting orange and white speckled shells, and each one was a thought of her.

The interior was smooth, a pale pink, a bit like her cheeks when she woke up from sleeping on her arm all night. Her face was always so red when she got up in the morning, blotched on one side. It was so… cute. Everything was cute to him- he was a giant, and he knew this, but she just stood out to every other small or adorable thing he saw. She was a fully rounded person and he wanted to know that person the best he could.

Sand crunched behind him, and a hand landed gently on his back. “That’s a conch.” Her finger tapped lightly on the surface of the shell he was examining. “They’re my favorites.”

“Oh!” Wrecker opened his hand, watching her fingers with a gentle fascination as she took the shell. “I found it. Thought you could have it.”

“Thanks.” She chuckled, lowering herself on the rock next to him.

Moments that felt like hours passed, and they say in comfortable silence, the waves lapping closer and closer to their makeshift seats. She tucked her legs up to her chest, eyes moving back to the shell. Wrecker was normally more comfortable in sound- people who loved one another shouldn’t ever have a quiet room. But this silence was a warm one, and welcome one, and besides, it wasn’t that quiet with the ocean at their door.

“Hey, Wreck?” She said, softly.

He hummed in response, glancing over at her. She shifted, not looking at him, eyes still plastered to the shell. “What’s up?”

“I really like working with you. A lot.” She smiled at the shell. Smiles held a lot of information. Her smile was soft, tender, unlike her unruly fighting side.

“I like it, too. With you, I mean.” Wrecker grinned and looked down at his own shell, the wide shape not even covering his whole palm. “You’re always a lot of fun.” There was another pause, somewhat more weighted as he added, “I can do anything with you, you know.”

She glanced at him, a grin splitting her face. “Same. But with you.”

Their smiles were exchanged, bright, big, and Wrecker felt his palms warm under the shell. It didn’t matter how much the tide came in, he would be fine with sitting by here in the setting sun and looking at her.

“Kark!” She stood, splashing back into the water, sputtering. “The tide-”

Wrecker laughed and hopped off, walking around the rocks and helping her up. “Here.”

She planted her hands in his and stood, giggling. “I’m soaked.”

Shrugging his massive shoulders, Wrecker pulled her around the rocks. “Yeah. But that’s okay, you have extra clothes.”

The woman laughed, a beautiful and throaty sound as they trekked up the sandy hill towards their undercover house. But the whole time, her hands stayed in his, and Wrecker felt her squeeze his fingers- and this time, it wasn’t just for the cover of the role they were playing.

Chapter Text

You skidded to a stop by Omega, reaching for the lightsaber on your belt. “Okay! So we all go up on the lift-?”

“No.” Echo barked. “You stay with Omega. She’ll need you to protect her.”

“I think we should stick together! We all need to save Hunter.” Omega’s voice edged on a plea, warbling slightly.

Wrecker bounded onto the central lift. “Sorry, kid.” He rested his blaster in his huge hands, sturdy as Tech hopped on next to him. “They’re looking for you.”

“And they’ll gun down Jedi immediately.” Tech added. His hands drew both of his pistols as the lift ascended, rapidly. “Stay here, and stay quiet.”

There was a shudder, the lift stilled, and everything went quiet. You and Omega stared at it, breath bated, the whirring of the droid that joined you activating as he flew to the door to ensure it was locked.

You stared, feeling that tug of the force in your chest. “Something went wrong.”

“They just got up there.” Omega whispered. “How did something go wrong already?”

You shook your head, closing your eyes, reaching out. Omega’s voice fell quiet, and she began padding around softly, pacing the room. You inhaled deeply, the pristine medicinal scent of the room and the metallic tinge of the nearby droids filling your being. You opened your eyes, glancing back at Omega. “Okay.” You plunked down, turning to her. “We need a plan.”

Her dark eyes sparked at the idea, and she nodded, turning to look back at the droid. “AZ!” She hissed, motioning the droid over. “Come here!” She turned back to you, a determined grin spreading on her face. “We’re going to save the Batch.”

___

You slipped up the gunner tower now, tugging yourself up with as much arm strength as you could. You reached the platform and slid up on your stomach, pulling your body across the floor and peering over. The ridge. You sucked in a breath, spotting the back of Hunter’s head, his thick dark hair tangled, a gun pointed at his back.

TK troopers were surrounding them, blasters at ease. You reached for your belt, fingers faithfully finding their way to your lightsaber. You lowered back down, inhaling softly, thumb moving towards the button to activate the blade. A metallic ping went off, blaster fire ringing repetitively.

Crosshair wouldn’t shoot Hunter more than once.

You sat up, heart thrumming, leaning over the railing, arms turning to jelly as your fear melted to relief- the TK troopers had fallen down, dead. You stood fully, watching the men you knew, counting them- five, at last, together.

You heard the cannon above your head buzz to life. Quickly, you rotated, activating your lightsaber and quickly moving it through the long tunnel of the cannon. “Omega!” You yelled. “The droids!”

Hunter spun around quickly. “General?!” He yelled.

“Hunter!”

“Omega!” Hunter turned to the other cannon, grabbing for his blaster. “You brought the kid?”

You kept down, deflecting the cannon fire from the turrets, moving around your men, lightsaber arching through the air. “She asked to come!” You raised your voice, moving towards one of the onslaught of droids that seemed to spring up from nowhere. The force flowed back to you easily as you moved, weaving through the men, the barricades, the droids, towards Omega and her turrent cannon. “Omega!” You yelled up. “Just stay there!”

A little hand stuck out from the top, gesturing at you with a small thumbs up. You saw the hand retreat and watched as she yanked out the bow on her back, firing at the droids.

You turned and ran, flipping between the droids, making your way back to Hunter. You kicked his knife in his general direction, moving closer as you deflected blaster fire. “Good to see you, Hunter!”

“You shouldn’t have come.” Hunter hissed, grabbing his blaster. “They’ll gun you down.”

“The facility was empty.” You pointed out, a soft “omph” escaping you as he grabbed you and lept behind a barricade. “I don’t like how empty it is.”

Hunter pulled back, propping up on his hands and looking down at you. You drew in a breath, staring up at him- you missed those deep eyes, a lot, too much. A smile twitched on his lips, briefly. “Hi.” He said, softly.

“Hi,” You replied, even softer than his voice had been.

“I did miss you,” He mumbled, and the warm huskiness of his voice making you ignore the fact you were getting shot at. “Hey, I’ve been meaning to tell you- I mean, ya know, being away from the boys, you, I just wanted to say that I really, really love-”

There was a rocking on the barricade and Crosshair landed hard by the two of you, grunting at the effort. “Oh, this is happening right now?” He hissed. “We are going to die.”

“No time like the present.” Hunter shrugged. He sat up on his knees, running back into the line of fire with Crosshair.

You pushed against the floor to sit up and grasped at your saber again, blushing, igniting it once more and running towards the turret to cover Omega. She stood on the rim and waited, then lept down. You struck a hand up, catching her in a soft blanket of the force and eased her down. Omega stumbled for a moment, then smiled brightly up at you, tugging out her bow again and staying behind your saber, shooting at the remaining droids. The floor of the facility rocked under you and the lights sputtered. You reached back for Omega.

The rest of the Batch moved towards you, evacuating the training room, Crosshair now slung over Wrecker’s shoulder. “Let’s move!” Wrecker roared, sprinting ahead of you.

You deactivated your lightsaber and tucked it onto your belt, grasping Omega’s fingers as you ran, AZ flying faithfully next to the child. Hunter took the lead, and you faithfully followed him, as you always would, no matter who else left him.

Now all you had to do was survive.

Chapter Text

It had stopped raining on Kamino- that was the first thing you noticed. The heavy and never ending downpour had turned this into a beautiful ocean planet. You stopped and looked out the window of your ship, sucking in a breath.

You glanced down at the beeping commlink, picking it up. Your finger hesitated, and then you pressed the button. “Yes.”

“Mandalorian. Do you have CC-9904?”

“Relax, Rampart.” You snorted. “I’ll let you know. Keep your shirt on.” You fought to keep the frown out of your voice, voice level. “No, really- keep your shirt on. That’s out of uniform, I think.”

“Just-” The man stopped and inhaled, and you could imagine him pinching the bridge of his nose. “Get him.”

“Roger.” You shut off the comm, flying lower to the surface of the planet. “Get him, he says. It’ll be fun, he says.” You leveled your ship, slowly lowering it closer to the water. You reached out, pressing the scanner button, leaning forward to stare out of your ship window again.

The scanner beeped, the little red light on the dash pointing at a specific location- a dock.

I’m coming, Cross.

___

Your ship landed with a shudder, violently shaking the whole platform. You hurried down, glancing around, yanking your helmet off as your eyes landed on the lanky figure across the landing dock.

“Cross,” Your voice was hoarse, and you ran towards him.

Crosshair turned, his amber eyes widening only for a moment as your body crashed into his, clasping your arms around his lanky armored form. You held him tightly as Crosshair’s arms slowly encircled you in return, reluctant. He crumbled, a man broken, and leaned heavily on you, hollowed cheek pressing into your hair as he hugged you.

“Sarad,” He mumbled, and you stood firm.

Sometimes, the one you thought was strong needed a foundation. He clasped you, chest welling up against you, body rigid and tight.

He didn’t say anything. Not did he have to.

You stepped away, holding his hands. “The Empire wants me to bring you in. As a prisoner.”

“They’ll take me back.”

“Yeah, dead.” You hissed. “Cross, darling, please-” You glanced over the waters of Kamino, rolling, crashing atop each other, eager to get to the sun they had never seen before. “Come with me, Cross.”

“Where would we go? What would we do? No.” Cross shook his head. “They’ll be looking for you.”

Your comm beeped again, and both of your eyes darted to it. You hesitated, then glanced at him, heart panging. “No. They won’t.” Your hand wrapped around the cylinder and you clicked it on. “Hey, Rampart. How’s my favorite tight-ass?”

“Enough quip. Did you find the clone?”

“Sorry, sir. I’ve been skimming the planet, and there’s nothing. I guess the clones died in the destruction.” You cut the button, holding your breath, listening.

Crosshair raised his brows. “This won’t work.” He hissed. You shushed him and waved him away, signaling him to shut up.

“Very well.” Rampart replied, voice thick. “I must admit, I regret CC-9904’s betrayal. But less clones means less resistance to the Empire.”

“Yeah, yeah. Listen, are you sending the credits to my same account?” You tapped your foot, the little puddles at your feet on the deck. “Or…?”

Sighing impatiently, Rampart hissed into the comm. “Yes, yes. You continue to faithfully serve the Empire. We will contact you further should we have more jobs.”

“Great.” You glanced at Crosshair, who looked at you, the Kaminoian sun reflecting brilliantly in his eyes. “I’ll keep the channels open.” You clicked the button, reaching out and holding his hands again. “Come on. They won’t bother for you.”

“What am I going to do?” Crosshair snarled. His voice broke in his throat, and his fingers twitched in your grip as he started to draw away. “I’m a burden.”

You stared at him, watching this former shell of a man hug his arms to himself. Fighting in a war, alone, could take a lot out of him. “Cross.” You moved forward, laying one hand gently on his black armor. “You’re never a burden to me. If you see yourself as a burden, then you’re a burden I’m happy to carry.” You smiled, gently, hopefully. “Say the word and the galaxy is yours. We can do anything, Cross. Plus-” You nodded your head back to the ship, smiling brightly. “I need a number two in bounty hunting. An assistant, if you will.”

Crosshair skimmed you, hesitantly, shell squeezing open, small cracks in his closed exterior. Finally, he snorted, only offering a half a smile. “I’m not a sidekick.”

“Tall, silent, intimidating- yeah, perfect sidekick.” You laughed, gently, tugging at his arm. “Come on. Let’s go. We can survive. Let’s just…. Take whatever the galaxy throws at us.”

Crosshair smiled gently and his steps, small as they may have been, followed you, as you led him towards your ship. “Together?”

His boots hit the metallic deck as you both climbed up. “Together.” You confirmed, softly, drawing him into you as the door to your ship closed.

Crosshair’s hand ran over your back, feeling through the suit that revealed between your armor. “Where to?”

“To anywhere.” You laughed, gently, tilting your head up, making the promise sealed between your lips and his.

Chapter Text

You leaned on the edge of the balcony, staring down at the speeders that passed by your little apartment. Fives had been out all day with some meeting, busy discussing some upcoming mission that regular civillians like you couldn’t know about, now or even after the missions.

It always worried you. Fives would get up some nights and sit on the side of the bed and cry, or just hold you close. The nightmares got bad some nights- the strongest man you knew, the ARC trooper, would be reduced to a thrashing mess of tears and babbling cries for you, for touch, for love.

Two strong arms wrapped around you, anchoring you mercilessly with love that everyone truly deserved to feel. “Feeling alright, love?” His voice was deep, throaty, soothing from the shower he must have just gotten out of. You smiled quietly- he smelled like your soap, like pines and trees. Fives always joked he only dated you because you had the best smelling soap on this side of the planet, but the way he pressed his lips to your neck with a huff of laughter reminded you otherwise.

You giggled and pushed gently against his chin, the bristles of his goatee tickling your neck. “You know I’m doing okay when you’re home.”

Home. What a whimsically meaningless word for a man like him, trekking all over the galaxy, to planets grand and exotic places, fighting grandiose battles- but he chose to come back to you. Fives chose to bring the weight of war back home to you, settle back against you and let you take care of him.

You held that close- you with some kind of spell over him, lulling him into a kind of domestic bliss that made him smell like your pine soap, heavy and warm and weighted in the best ways against you.

Fives pulled away from you, resting his forehead against yours as you ran your hand over the light fabric of his shirt. “I’ll miss you, mesh'la,” He whispered. “But no matter how far across the galaxy I go it will never be too far from you.”

“Even going next door is too far.” You smoothed your hands up his neck to his cheeks, your fingers brushing the tanned and leathered skin. Even his jaw was muscular, the way it clenched in determination or rotated when he was trying to not laugh at something you said. “So of course going across planets is going to be too far.”

“Oh, feeble hearted.” Fives laughed and pressed his lips gently to your head. He paused, and said gently. “But if this mission, I don’t come ho-”

“Stop.” Your hand flew up to his lips. “Please,” You whispered, shaking your head. “Don’t even speak of such things.”

“We have to talk about it, it may-”

“Never.* The word burned as you said it, and your grasped his shirt in your fingers, hands shaking. ”I know you’ll always find your way back to me, back home. I know you will.“

Fives shushed you, gently, taking your fingers in his hand and gently kissing each of your fingers. "I didn’t want to make you cry, love.”

You were crying? You didn’t realize it until you blinked, vision blurring, and something wet rolled down your cheek. Your other hand released him and you rubbed at the tear, examining your wet knuckles with a grim couriosty, and you said, quietly, “Oh.”

Fives leaned down, to your level, and gently cupped your face. “I will find my way back to you, promise.” He kissed the slope of your cheek gently, lips warm and chapped and absolutely perfect. “But this is a talk we have to have. I want you to be… Realistic about this.”

“Not tonight,” You whispered, tugging yourself into his shirt. “Wait until you’re home next time.”

The silence was thick, but he gently kissed the top of your head. “Mmkay. I’ll come home to you, pinkie promise. But for now-” He squeezed your frame. “Let’s enjoy me being home, huh?”

You sighed, that sweet nature scent as green and fresh as the very trees it came from. Home, you kissed him, arms wrapping about his neck and trapping his lips to yours. He laughed lightly against you and pressed his hands to your waist.

Home was not your apartment- it was him, or it was you, steady and warm and waiting with open arms.

Chapter Text

"Wreck,” Your voice trembled in the dark. the uncertian, silent, thick darkness. “Wreck!” You squeaked, shuffling down the hall. You grasped your rifle close, feet hesitating, weighting on the floor in front of you. The damp cold of the lack of sound closed in, compressed around you- seeing nothing, hearing nothing-

“Hey.”

With a screech, you turned, shooting a shot in the air, hands seizing up on the gun. Two big arms grabbed you, and a familiar voice filled your ears. “Whoa, whoa! You’ll hurt someone!”

“Wrecker!” You gasped, relaxing. “I am- I am so so sorry-”

To your shock, the clone guffawed. “Nah, it’s all good. I shoulda’ warned ya.” His large hands worked down to yours, gently taking the rifle from your hands. “I know how much you hate the dark.”

“Ha, yeah,” You managed, nervously. "Yeah, it’s… It’s pretty dark.“

The giant hand stayed wrapped around yours. "Well, you can hold my hand. I’ll lead ya.”

You swallowed, thinking briefly for a moment to object, but you nodded at the darkness breathing down your neck. “Yeah, that’ll… That’ll be good.”

A rumble of laugher confirmed that he was fine with it, and Wrecker led you down the dark, long hallway. “Good. Any time we go somewhere dark, you can just ask to hold my hand.”

“Why?”

“I like holding your hand.”

The blunt, sweet answer stunned you, and you stuttered momentarily, still shuffling after him in the pressing darkness, which didn’t feel as heavy now with Wrecker holding your hand. “I- I like it, too. Your hands. They’re big.”

Wrecker guffawed mightily, boots slowly moving in the dark, patient as you followed with hesitant feet. “Yeah, I’m a pretty large guy.”

“Mhm.” You mumbled, pulling yourself closer. “You- you can, like… Push away the dark.”

“I can’t actually do that, ya know.”

“But you make it better.” You said, gently, fingers squeezing what of his hand you could hold. “You really do.”

There were a few more steps between words. “I’m scared of heights, ya know.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.” His voice was soft, gentle, even through the muffling of his helmet. “You make it better, though.”

Your chest warmed, as if the words were heat, a comforting little fire to huddle around, despite the pitch-black surrounding you. “Oh.” You felt yourself smile, and you cleared your throat. “Maybe… Maybe we can start holding each other’s hands more. When we’re scared, you know?”

You could almost hear him smile- you didn’t need to see it. “I wouldn’t mind that. Not at all.”

Chapter Text

Howzer forgot how cold cells could be. He sighed, leaning his head back against the cold metal wall. Metal was the worst material to make these out of, to lean his head against- he could hear almost everything in the facility reverberating through, echoing in the twisted hallways and up through narrow long rooms.

Sighing, he ran a hand through his hair, thumbs ruffling the longer strands to attempt to fuss them back. He mumbled to himself, closing his eyes again, hoping that somehow it would block out the noises in the rest of the small prison facility.

The Republic used to utilize this as a prison base for captured enemies of war. And here he was now, a captive to the Empire he once served.

He whistled. It was a tune, an old tune, one from better times. He remembered the previous time he had been put in anything resembling a cell- right after Order 66, when his general escaped…

His head shook, involuntarily, probably to rattle the memories out of his head. Her eyes, filled with hurt and betrayal as she turned and ran, not looking back at him.

Howzer’s ears, against the metal, rang. He opened his eyes, drawing himself from his stupor and sat up. A guard, down the hall, yelled, and a familiar hum spilled down the halls. He scrambled up to stand, racing to the laser-guarded door and moving to the side, trying to get a glimpse of whatever was coming his way.

Silence. Nothing but silence, and that familiar hum that he knew from far away but not so long ago.

A dim violet glow seeped in, suffocating the darkness of the prison halls with its light.

She came back for me.

The former Jedi hurried to his cell, saber swiping through the control panel, shattering it. The laser guarded door fizzled out, softly. She looked at him, shifting in her stance. “Howzer.”

“General,” He stepped back, skimming over her. “You- you’re-”

Any other words failed him. She ran to him, barrelling against him, arms squeezing his body in a way that he thought he would never know again. “Tano told me,” She whispered, turning her face up to look at him. “So I came back to Ryloth, and-”

“It’s too dangerous for you!” Howzer hissed, stepping back. His fingers rested on her arms- he didn’t dare let her go, in case she slipped away again. “You shouldn’t have-”

“You would have done the same for me.” Her eyes stayed on his, bright, even in these Imperial walls. “I wanted to make sure you were… Still Howzer.”

“I am,” Howzer’s lungs deflated, and he rushed her back into him, squeezing her tightly. “I’m still Howzer.”

She was warm, warmer than the cell and more gentle and far, far better than any embrace he had received in a while. “Come on,” She whispered, stepping back and tugging his hands, like a child. “We must leave this place. Hera has the ship waiting.”

“You brought Hera?”

“She actually brought me. She promised to stay on the ship. You would be surprised at how good she’s gotten at flying.” The Jedi glanced back at him, smile filled with all the promises they had shared before the schism, before Order 66, that they could finally, perhaps, fulfill.

“I still love you.” Howzer’s voice was ragged. “I did. I still do. I’m sorry about-”

“You’re forgiven, darling.” Her fingers squeezed his, even as she led him faithfully through the maze of hallways. “You already were.”

The grip was firm, but not tight- Howzer could have drawn his hand away at any moment but he didn’t have the courage to let go- not yet. And with his she squeezed his hand, held his grip steady, with the tenderness and love he had missed so dearly, he didn’t really find a need or want to let her go.

Chapter Text

Crosshair hadn’t slept this well in a long time- there were no dreams, no nightmares, just a warm and wonderful slumber that surrounded him. He curled up, gently on the bed, shifting for her warmth.

The cool sheets stirred him. “Cyar'e?” Crosshair sat up, blinking, rubbing his face. He started to turn, grab his shirt and get out of bed, and he scratched through the grey-white fuzz of hair at the top of his head.

“Oh!” He heard his lover gasp from the door. “Darling!” She hurried in, setting the tray on the bed. “I wanted to treat you.”

“Every time is a treat.” He huffed, irritation ebbing away in his gut. “You… Made all of this?”

“Sure did!” You beamed, brilliantly, plopping down the heavy tray, burdened with glorious breakfast, next to him, and plunked down by him, crossing your legs. “I just thought I could… You know, make you something to eat, something good before you have to get out there and save the galaxy. Or whatever you do.” Toast, crisp and warm and sticky with honey, found its way between your fingers.

Crosshair watched the honey drip between your lips and he chuckled, picking up a fork. “To what do I owe this, darling?”

You nodded in between gulps of toast, finally swallowing your bite. “Just a little something I wanted to do because I love you.”

His fork hesitated only briefly before lancing an egg, drawing it up to his lips. “Mm.” He said, nodding.

There was silence. Thick, heavy, but meaningful. Sometimes silence was all that needed to be said.

You picked up the tray and moved it, leaning up and kissing his cheek. Your lips traveled to his other cheek, up his nose, and arched over his forehead. “Shh, I just want to take a minute to just… do this.”

“Kiss me?”

“Everyone deserves kisses,” You pecked his neck, light, gentle, between laughs. “Everyone deserves a lot of kisses all the time.” You leaned down, kissing over the fabric of his shirt and down his chest. The clone had relaxed considerably, now-empty plate resting on the nightstand. He looked content and peaceful and happy, and your heart swelled.

Which meant that you needed to ruin it, so naturally you yanked up his shirt and blew a raspberry against his stomach.

Crosshair sat up, military reflexes kicking in, grasping your hands and rolling you over, pinning you down as you laid under him, cackling. “Oh, darling!” You squealed between giggles as his hands attacked you, tickling you relentlessly. “Stop!” He was laughing too, a sound you so rarely heard but loved and wanted more of. You flailed your arms, trying to get him off of you, but you came short and sputtered for air. “Mercy!” You babbled, tears of laughter rolling down your cheeks.

“Mercy?” His fingers prodded your sore sides, earning another fit of giggles. “You deserve none.”

You laughed at the relentless onslaught of attacks, swiping half-heartedly as you caught your breath, finally managing to get a full intake of air when he say back on his knees.

You giggled up at him, rubbing your face. “You’re amazing,” You managed. “I love you.”

Crosshair’s face shiften- darkened for a moment and he sat back, swallowing, before nodding. “I… You too.”

“Me too what?”

“I love you, too.”

“There we go!” You giggled and reached up, patting his back. Was that so hard?“

"Loving you isn’t hard.” Crosshair gave a soft smile. “Putting up with your antics, however-”

You gently slapped his chest, smiling broadly, standing. “I’m going to get ready. You finish breakfast.”

Crosshair closed his eyes as you pecked his forehead, smiling softly as you waltzed off towards the bathroom, singing the tune of some old song he didn’t know. You had done him am awfully great disservice by softening his heart to a point he didn’t thing which was possible- but he was not, shockingly for himself, mad about it.

Chapter Text

You grimaced, letting a gentle hiss escape your teeth as you poured the alcohol on your arm. “Kriff,” You managed, whole arm tensing up. The liquid burned over the crack in your skin, red and purple seeping through the skin. You had spent some time pulling glass out of your skin- you were lucky the man with the broken bottle only got your arm.

“You’re doing it all wrong.”

A coarse laugh found its way out of your mouth as you drew the bottle back. “Thanks for the commentary.” You didn’t even glance at the bespectacled clone, setting the glass bottle down with a clink on the bar. “I guess you’re just an expert, now?”

“Define expert.” Tech walked around the bar, taking the bottle. He picked up the nearby rag, still pinkened with your blood that you had tried to clean up. “I am not necessarily an expert, but I am the team medic, so I would consider myself proficent in most wounds and patching them up.”

You watched him pick up the bottle, tilt his head back and take a swig. His throat bobbed as he drank, jaw rotating as he swallowed. Tech pulled the amber liquid away, and you noticed his eyes were the same color as the whiskey. “You know,” you leaned back on the bar as Tech wrung the rag over the sink, pouring whiskey onto it. “You really don’t have to go to this trouble.”

“What trouble, my dear?” Tech took your arm, turning it and examining the wound.

“This, I can clean myself up.” You tried to let the darling roll off your shoulders. All the guys had little pet names for you, but Tech’s words, simply how they rolled off his lips, how his brows perked up when he annunciated them- it relaxed you at the moment. “I’m not worth the trouble.”

“You are, though.” Tech chuckled. “This will sting, darling-” His lips drew in a line, tight as he pressed the rag to your arm. You sucked in a breath, eyes still pressed on him as Tech’s hands, steady, wrapped the cloth around your wound. Your arm burned, the sensation eating at your nerves. “Good girl.”

Your face burst in heat and you coughed, glancing away as he removed the rag, grabbing the bandages he had resting on the counter. “You think I’m worth the trouble?”

His steady hands hesitated only long enough for you to catch it. “Of course.” He cleared his throat, taking your arm tenderly. “You mix our drinks, after all. Better than just about anyone else I know.” Tech smiled quietly, thinking something that was brilliant behind those eyes, like he always did. “You make coming back here good.”

“Oh,” You breathed. “I… thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He mumbled. The silence was bumpy, shockingly loud, only interrupted by your intermittent hissing.

“You know, I think I wouldn’t mind doing… stuff more. With you.” You mumbled. “Not medical stuff. Or patching up wounds.”

“Maybe we could grab a drink-” Tech hesitated. “Although that wouldn’t be- you’re a bartender.”

You laughed, deeply, glancing away to hide your blush, hoping the bar had been dim enough to cover your face. “No, no. I wouldn’t mind.” You chewed on your lip, stepping away and grabbing a couple of glasses with your good arm. “I’ll mix one up right now.”

“Excellent.” The clone leaned back on the bar, watching you with hawk eyes as you grabbed some of the bottles. He watched you pour, mix, stir. You set down the glass and slid it on the bar towards him, holding up your own cup.

“Drink up,” You said, softly, shaking your cup. The ice clinked against the edge, and tech softly tapped his glass against yours. “To non-medical stuff.”

Tech chuckled, a warm and light sound that would have tasted better on your lips than the alcohol. “To non-medical stuff.”

Chapter Text

“How much longer, Tech!” The shouts came off more like a command than a request or a genuine question.

“Only a moment, or two!”

“Make is a moment, I don’t think we have two!” She yelled, ducking between the panel. She poked out, firing off a couple shots at the droids. “Blasted clankers.” Venom seeped from her voice, and she pressed back to Tech. “Work faster!”

“I’m working as quickly as the console will allow me.” Tech kept his voice level, calm, as he worked. “Be patient.”

“Droids have a very bad sense of patience, Tech!” She yelled, over a hail of plasma. “I think they need-”

She froze up, and Tech felt the air around her still. Time slowed, and he turned to ask a question- but his eyes drew instantly to the ticking, flashing gernade. He dropped his tools, abandoning them to the ground, and sprung forward. He picked it up and chunked it at the droids, grabbing the still petrified woman and gathering her to his body.

“Tech-” She sputtered, as he slammed to the ground, with her under him, as the last click of the grenade snapped and the air pulsated with heat and sound. The air screamed, body parts of droids snapping against his body, battering his armor, and the only thing on his mind was her.

She was screaming against the ground, hands balled up, shuddering at the shocks rippling in the wind, even as tech moved his arms to protect her head. Tech felt his eyes squeeze shut as he crowded her in his arms, planting the toes of his boots against the ground, grunting as something hit him in the helmet. His visor cracked, and his hold tightened.

He didn’t know when the merciless onslaught of the aftershocks finished riding through. It wasn’t until the ground was raking against him, shoving against him, ears ringing, that he realized it was done. Her lips were moving, brows creased, nearly screaming between gasps.

“- ch? Tech?!” She sat up, scooting out from under him, reaching up to yank off his helmet. “Your goggles-”

“Oh,” Tech breathed. He reached up at touched the bleary strike of broken glass in his goggles, running his finger over the still-smooth ridge. “It- it must have-” He managed.

She sat up on her knees, taking the band and yanking it off from around his head. “What were you thinking?” The words were bitter, dark, like Cross’s caf. “You could have, you could have gone and died.” She sounded like she tried to scream but it was caught in her throat, beating hoarsely against a voice that only wanted to whisper.

“Your voice.” Tech blinked, reaching up and touching around on her neck, the collar of her coat thick and battered with mud, debris. “Did you get hurt? Did you inhale anything from the bomb?”

“I’m fine! You’re the one who’s- kark, Tech, you’re- you- I don’t know if I should yell at you or kiss you.” She threw her arms up, the goggles still clenched in her white-knuckled hands desperately, brows knitted in frustration but lips trembling, near tears.

The clone blinked, vision trying to clear itself from the vertigo-inducing ripple effects he had endured. “Kiss me?” He rasped, in disbelief.

Without a word, the blurry shape of her coming in close- her scent, the sound of her inhaling, as her lips pressed against his. Tech grimaced at the contact, brain rattling in his skull as she catapulted against him, arms being thrown behind his head as she pulled him into her, just as he did moments before.

Tech felt her snap away, his lips tingling, and his mouth parted, half in shock and half with the need to inhale the moment. “You- I…”

“Thank you,” She croaked. Her hands slid around to his jaw and she held it steady, held him steady. “You could have died.”

A smile flitted to his lips, and he felt them burn as they split more. “Well,” He ran his tongue over his lower lip for relief. “I would die for you. That should not be a shock.”

“I don’t want you to die.” She mumbled, thumb moving closer to his mouth. “Hang on.” Tech felt the absence of her hands, saw the blurry shapes that he assumed were her hands, moving around in her waist pack. She leaned in again, brilliantly bright and brilliantly alive eyes dangerously close to him- he sighed, softly, as she ran a gentle balm over his lips. “I don’t want you to die for me, Tech.” She pulled away the soothing balm, leaning in and lightly pressing her lips to his. The gesture was already too familiar, too good to be true, as if he already memorized her, but he wanted more of that mouth. “I want you to live for me.”

The band of his goggles tugged against his hair as she tugged it down over his thick curls (he grimaced- they were more than likely in wild destitution from the explosion, and he would have to borrow some of Hunter’s shampoo) and gently laid the lenses over his eyes. Though cracked, her face, her smile came in loud and clear, teeth bright against her dusty skin.

“I believe I can manage that,” Tech mumbled, reaching up. He smoothed a disarrayed strand of hair behind her ear, watching her smile only widen at his touch. The heart palptations, the difficulty to breathe- that had to be caused by the explosion, not by her. And yet, Tech sighed as she leaned his head on her shoulder, hugging him like a child, and he decided that he could deal with the potentiality of jumping in front of a grenade for her a million and one times more.

Chapter Text

Of all the days for it to rain, today was the perfect day. You curled your legs up under you, leaning your forehead on the cold window. Your knees bounced to the rhythm of a folk song playing in your head, for no particular reason, and you listened to the rain pitter from the sky.

You shifted against the cushions of the couch, humming in a content sort of manner. Grass, greyed by the somber weather, swayed in the rain rhythmically outside. You didn’t mind grey so much- cold itself was not visible, but you could certainly see it sweeping over the landscape outside. Inside was warmth- oranges, reds, yellows, from the fire, the vibrant green in the blanket draped over your shoulders…. yes, inside of the cabin was alive, pulsing with love and life.

An arm swept around your back, tugging you in, and kissing the soft skin of your temple. “Looks dreary out there.”

You rapped your knuckles on the window pane. “Is it going to be like this all week?” You leaned back on him, feeling Tech’s warmth as he lifted the corner of the blanket and crawled next to you, leaning back on the window and pulling you to him.

“Hm,” Tech nuzzled his lips to your ear, squeezing you in his arms. “I believe so. The weather patterns up here over the past year demonstrate there is a period of cold fronts, cold winds, and plenty of opportunities for-” He grinned against your cheek and pecked your cheekbone. “What did you call it, cuddling?”

You couldn’t resist giggling as you leaned on him, smiling softly. “Yes, oh wise one. Cuddling.”

“Excellent.” Tech coaxed your chin to turn, planting pecks on your lips lightly between words. “I am quite proficent in cuddling.”

“Yeah, you are,” You grinned against him, tugging the blankets closer around you both. “You’re a master at cuddling.” He only hummed in agreement, pulling away when the rain increased outside, increasing from a pitter to a patter. He watched it through his glasses, ever amber eyes ever so observant, hands tracing the memorized shape on your back.

His lips pressed once to your head and he moved away, tucking the blanket between you and the wall. “I’ll be back.”

You whined, but grasped the edges of the blanket and pulled it around you, watching him disappear into the kitchen. You sighed, wiggling your toes in your comfy socks, watching earnestly for him. “Teeeeech,” You sighed, pushing your lower lip out, pouting. “Darling, love, baby-”

“Patience is a virtue, cyar'e.”

“Too bad I’m not virtuous.” You mumbled, pressing your arms together, drawing the blanket tighter. His laughter radiated from the kitchen, loving, warm, and it made you smile. His chuckles were followed by cups clinking lightly. You straightened. “Tech? Are you making hot chocolate?”

“Yes, and both mugs are for me.”

“Tech!” You giggled, standing off the nook. You padded across the floor, meeting him halfway as he entered with the mugs. “You have one of those for me.”

He arched a brow and his lips pursed playfully. “One sip, perhaps.”

You smacked his chest playfully, laughing as he sat on the couch, offering a mug up. “Here, beloved- come warm up with me, and together we can watch this storm pass by.”

You nodded, eagerly, climbing next to him and throwing the blanket on over your laps, and taking the cup. “My ever gallant gentleman.”

Lips breaking into a smile, Tech leaned over, whispering, breath fanning over your lips. “My sarad.”

As he closed the gap, you sighed, pressing your hand against his shoulder tenderly. If your getaway was rainy for the rest of the time, you wouldn’t mind- as long as it was Tech you were with.

Chapter Text

You had taken a long time in the shower, washing and scrubbing at the grime of the day. You sighed, quietly, stepping out and drying off with a towel, and then took your time tugging on your favorite pajamas. You sighed, softly, running your hand on the silken material before allowing yourself to yawn.

It took a moment, a long moment. You didn’t even realize the door had opened until the automatic light in your room shifted on.

“Doll?”

Your heart pounded too loudly- that voice, the same to millions yet different, unique, your own. “Ponds,” Escaped you, and you careened around the door and into the hallway, running towards him. You were smiling, smiling so wide your lips threatened to split. You barraged into his arms, hopping up and wrapping your legs around you, and he caught you like always. He smelled like plasma, like sweat.

Ponds grasped you, securely held you, and he moved to the bed, sitting on the edge and cradling you. He pressed you to him, a flurry of kisses assaulting your hair, your cheeks, and his chest heaved a sob.

“Didn’t think I’d make it home,” He huffed against you, rocking.

You stopped against him, hands sliding from around his back. You drew away, from him, fingers pressing against his breastplate. “Ponds,” You whispered.

His eyes were refusing to meet yours. His gaze was trained on the ground, the dark wood of your floor. You gently coaxed his jaw to turn towards yours, and you dipped your head to meet his eyes. “You’re home, now.”

Ponds’ dark eyes searched for yours, tongue flicking between his lips. “I’m home,” He mumbled, tugging you into him again, tightly, so tight you had trouble breathing.

You let him breathe into you, breath shaking, dangerously close on the verge of tears. “Ponds,” You said gently. “How about I help you shower? Then you can come to bed.” You kissed his cheek, standing softly, his hands never leaving you as he rose and followed.

Even when you ran the shower water, he didn’t want to release you. You stood patiently to the side, holding his hand gently as he scrubbed the day off him abrasively. You waited to the side, a towel folded in your hands as he turned off the water, and he allowed you to wrap the towel around him.

“So, what happened?” You rubbed the towel on his skin, quietly. “What made you think you weren’t coming home?”

Ponds remained hushed. “I’ll… Another day,” he rasped, still not looking at your eyes.

You nodded, quietly, gently allowing him to wrap the towel around his waist. “Come on, let’s go to bed.” You smiled gently up at him, tugging at his fingers. “Lay down and put your worries on me.”

Ponds met your eyes, finally, at last, and it was like the last bit of the puzzle had slid into place- the same cognac eyes you knew were still there, still as bright and strategic and intelligent as you knew.

It was all you needed when, at last, he smiled.

Chapter Text

He was asleep, which was a blessing- Wolffe was such a dog to get to sleep in. You giggled to yourself, stretching as you rolled in the bed, quietly admiring his profile, the strong and silent profile of the man snuggled up in your bed, one arm wrapped around the sheets to keep the warmth around him. He was not soft, but you knew how he was around you- regular Wolffe did not grasp the sheets and sigh in his sleep. Your Wolffe, however? He would hold you, hold his pillow, hold anything that came too close, and you were currently just barely out of orbit.

You ran a feather-light finger over his jaw, smiling quietly to yourself, watching his chest rose and fall. It seemed as though his brows were constantly furrowed when he was awake. But now, as you ran a gentle thumb over his forehead, he looked relaxed and at peace and looked as through he didn’t have a worry in the world.

He would want caf when he woke up, you decided. He liked it subtle- milk and caf, strong dark caf. You kicked your legs over the side of the bed and grabbed for your robe-

His arm grasped your waist and tugged you back. You squeaked in shock as he braced you against his chest, mumbling, voice rough and gravelly. “Where ya’ goin’?” He huffed, turning his face into your neck. Wolffe quietly pressed his lips to your skin, slowly running his fingers up and down your arms.

“To make you caf,” You chuckled, tapping his hand lightly. Wolffe grunts in protest and tightens his greedy hold. “You’re so grumpy in the morning, I wanted you to get your daily dose of Vitamin C. Vitamin Caf.”

Wolffe only gives a chuckle and pulls you in- the noise was coarse, but still warm and loving. “Stay,” He mumbled, kissing your shoulder.

You sighed, rolling over, palming at his chest, giggling as he buries his face against your skin and tugs you close. “No caf?”

“No caf yet,” Wolffe corrected. “For now, I want this.”

You sighed, gently tugging his face up to meet you, pecking his mouth, already puckered in expectation, smiling. “I love you,” You mumbled, nestling the commander against you.

“Love ya too,” Wolffe sighed, running his hand gently up your side as he settled gently against you.

Chapter Text

“Hey, General. Ya seem tired.”

“You always make me tired, Hardcase.” You grinned and crossed your arms, raising your brows. He tossed you a teasing pout, earning a chuckling from you.

Hardcase laid a hand lazily to his chest, sighing. “Alas, General! You wound me.”

You giggled, pressing a hand to your lips, the padawan braid gently bumping your cheek as you shook your head. “Dramatic, much?”You chuckled, reaching up and patting his cheek, earning a chuckle from the clone.

“Only the most dramatic, General.”

“Not a general yet.” You knocked lightly on his shoulder bell, walking past him, only for him to trail after. “Master Krell still has a lot to teach me.”

Hardcase made a noise of disdain, jogging to catch up, turning and walking backwards and matching your stride. “You’d be ten times the general he is. Kark, you already are ten times the General he is.”

You smiled at him, ignoring the sputter of your heart. “I need to be patient and keep learning.”

“You’re already there. I mean, what else is he gonna teach ya?” Hardcase snorted. “You’re the smartest soldier here. And you should be leading us, not that four-armed gungan head.”

Throat constricting and voice dry, you raised a hand, stopping your steps. “Hardcase.”

Hardcase sucked in a breath, eyes skimming you, deep and brown- for all the jokes, the laugher, the teasing, he was so much more than the man he put up to be. “Hell, you’ve got a hundred times the heart he does.”

You were staring up at him, lingering too close, so close that the mellow breeze made the end of your robe brush his leg. “He’s my master.”

“Your Jedi master, but not the master of you.”

Your breath caught in your throat and you tried to glance away, swallowing hard. “Hardcase.” You managed. “I… I know.”

“So why don’t you make your own choices for once?” He leaned on the ship nearby, crossing his arms and looking at you. “You need to take charge of yourself, of us. We’re relying on you- you see how he’s treating us.” Hardcase stepped in, looking down towards you, his usually joking eyes bleeding with confidence and earnestness. “What’s holding you back? Is it him?”

You shook your head, starting to step away. “Look! Right now, you’re walking away.” Hardcase gestured down at your feet.”Why?”

“I’m a Jedi, Hardcase.” You managed.

“You’re also your own person.” Hardcase stepped closer, and this time you didn’t move this time. “Do something for yourself for once.”

Your hands reached up, clasping his face. No thoughts entered your brain- it was only reflexes. Jedi had to think on their feet, except you were not thinking. Not even as you leaned up, pressing your lips quickly and feverishly to his. Hardcase’s arms collapsed around you, pulling you in. You leaned up on your toes, relief flooding you, a new sensation washing over you- warmth, freedom, here.

You broke away, pushing against him, stepping out of his grasp too soon for both of you. You twisted your head away from him, chest tight as you hurried away. “I have to go,” You managed, quickening your pace.

Hardcase watched you before turning away on his own to go find Fives and Jesse. Unbeknown to you, he had a mission he had to do.

And unbeknown to both of you, he wouldn’t come home to resolve the torrent of feelings you were wrestling with as you retreated to the safety of your quarters.

Chapter Text

As menacing as Fox appeared in his armor, without it he wasn’t a tall imposing figure. He was just… Tired. Living from caf to caf, the hair at his temples steadily fraying with silver, the bags under his eyes only becoming more luxurious with every passing day.

You shouldn’t have judged him. You were one hundred percent at fault as well. You ran a hand over your face, humming in tire. You slumped against the desk and blinked at bothersome bleariness, the words on your paper now little more than meaningless scribbles. You hardly noticed the two arms wrapped around you, and the commander’s chin pressing gently into your shoulder.

“Mesh’la,” Fox mumbled. “Udes pel, come to bed.”

“Will you be there?” You lowered your pen momentarily. “Will you be resting, too?”

He shook his head against you, nose bumping his ear. “No.” His lips pressed to your cheekbone, words brushing your skin. “No, kar’ta, I have to work still.”

“Well, that isn’t fair.” You huffed and turned, making him meet your eyes. “You can’t work properly if you aren’t well rested, Fox.” Your voice was steel, harsh- but sometimes you had to play enforcer and lover, sometimes he needed that firmness.

The crow’s feet by his eyes wrinkled, jaw tightening, temples shadowed with thought. “No, you have to sleep.”

“I’m not going to bed,” You dropped your pen, crossing your arms. “Unless you go to bed too.”

His eyes narrowed and he turned your chair, slowly, until you faced him. “Cyari’ka, you’re going to bed. I will drag you there.”

“Is that a threat?” You anunciated the last hard ‘t’, raising a brow at the challenge. His eyes darted from you to your neck, and he sighed, stepping away, taking your hands. Fox tugged you up to standing, mumbling something about you being impossible. You grinned, abeit sleepy, and trailed after him to the small bunk.

Fox chunked back the covers, turning and sitting on the edge of his bed. Fox gently patted his legs, coaxing you closer. Softly, wordlessly, you straddled him, nestling your legs around him and and you nuzzled your face into his neck. He wrapped his arms gently around you, planting his hands against your back and lightly tracing indescriminate shapes along your spine. Fox began to hum, swaying on his cot lightly, vocal chords strained because they had been running on caf and harsh words for the past few days.

You realized, as he fell back onto the cot, you still trapped in his arms, that you were both falling asleep. You fought the protest of sleep for just a moment longer, just to hear his slowing heart and steady breath, chest plodding along softly in a rhythm of slumber and peace- peace that the commander deserved and never gave himself.

You chuckled, running your fingers up through his thick hair, thumb barely brushing a stripe of his grey locks, before you, too, fell into that silent rhythm of sleep on his chest.

Chapter Text

Things were a little tense on the ship- the Child was asleep, quiet, in a mumbling fit of the toddler-language only he knew. You stretched your arms above your head, sighing softly. The Mandalorian’s visor was constantly turned to you, and no longer when you only had the child.

“Something bothering you?” You plunked down into the co-pilot seat. You slumped back, the exhaustion leaving your body all at once in a soft exhale as you stretched your arms back over your head. His only response was a grunt as he sat at the helm, hands laying loosely against the steering mechanism.

“Hey,” You yawned, reaching over and prodding him gently. “I’m talking to ya.” You chuckled, good heartedly. Typically you were the soft part to his rough edges, you would talk when he would not, fill in those spaces that he left open. “Something is going on in that bucket of yours.”

“Just a busy day.” His voice had a metallic tinge from under his helmet.

Another yawn escaped you and you leaned back more. “You’re just more quiet than usual- not the usual kind of quiet, just a mad kind of quiet.”

If you didn’t know him any better, you would have thought that was a chuckle that had escaped him. “So you can tell the difference between all kinds of silences, now?” He huffed another breath, which sounded closer to a soft laugh now. The quiet between the two of you stretched, tense, thick, and you could almost wind it around your fingers.

I’d like to wind him around my fingers.

You giggled to yourself, glancing over at him, quietly, a smile pressing on your face. His helmet ever so slightly tilted towards you, and the way his fingers clenched the handle of the ship didn’t escape you. “Something has just… been on my mind.”

“Like what?”

He hesitated answering- he always did. It was a pause, a beat, gathering the proper words so he wouldn’t have to backtrack on his answers. “If I asked you to close your eyes, would you do it?”

You snorted, sitting up in your chair, leaning straighter against the back. “Why?”

“…nevermind.”

“No!” You sat back up, folding your hands in your lap. “I’ll do it.” He watched you, waiting, and finally you sighed and squeezed your eyes shut. Your ears perked, muscles tense, feeling or hearing for anything. The air in the room shifted- all control, all the space you filled with your remarks and jokes, were paced into his beskar-clad hands.

At first, you only heard a gentle hiss. His steps were so silent you almost had to hold your breath to hear them. You didn’t know how you knew- maybe the coolness of his armor, maybe the way his presence even just moved the air the way he did. You drew in a breath, the hair on the back of your neck prickling up as his hands landed on the arms of your chair.

He was close- you felt his breath fanning your face, you felt him. Even if your eyes had been open you wouldn’t have been able to look at him. His fingers trailed gently to your arm and you knew, you felt his lips draw close to yours, and then hesitate.

There was a beat. “Don’t move,” He rasped. “Please- stay just like that.”

Your lips parted in a silent question. “Stay?” You whisper, only for something warm and soft and wonderfully bearded to press against your lips.

Oh.

In agreement, your hands move up from the arms of your seat, and instead of cold metal his hair, thick and tangled and soft, of all things, is there. He hums- a warm and gentle sound, and your fingers clasp around him. He leans more into the chair, a hand abandoning the mission of supporting him to gently lay splayed fingers on your arm.

You sighed into him- embarassing really, and you realized in one wonderful, awful, perfectly terrifying moment that not only did you fill his lack of conversation, his cold silences, but he completes you. Where you’re too open he reels you back in- your gravity, your anchor, is here, in beskar.

He breaks away, with almost a smack, and your lashes flutter. “Don’t look.” He emphasized. “Please- don’t.”

You squeeze your eyes shut, tighter, only opening them when you hear sturdy steps depart from the room.

Chapter Text

“THE THROTTLE!” Tech practically yelled. “PULL THE-”

“I KNOW WHAT I’M DOING.” You yelled over the rattling of the Haovc. “TRUST ME, GOGGLES.” You, being the local and trained pilot, had the say when you could drive.

Naturally, you elected the most dangerous of missions to drive.

Tech scowled, but said nothing. Not because he chose to say nothing, but because the ship jerked up, looped around, and Hunter in the back fired off a couple of shots at one of the pursuing Imperial fighters.

“I’ve never seen fighters like that!” Tech grasped the arms of his chair, fingers shaking with effort. “Those wings, wide as they are- they seem inefficient.”

“They’re those new TIE fighters,” You hissed, moving from sitting to standing to get a better grip on the steering mechanisms. “Wrecker! You still have those torpedoes?”

Wrecker only sighed, happily, watching his gal pilot. “Yeah, torpedoes.”

You laughed, glancing sideways at him. “Oh, you.” An affectionate chuckle escaped you and you shot him a wink. “Be a doll and get the torpedoes? I’ll give you a big kiss.”

“You had me at kiss!” Wrecker hooted, springing up. He ran towards the back room, leaving the you in yout seat, chuckling. You grasped the steering handles and twisted, throwing the weight of your body with the direction of the ship, teeth gritting in determination.

“He likes it when you’re like this!” Tech yelled, grabbing his holopad and frantically tapping something. “Shields are at fourty-seven percent!”

You laughed, the adrenaline pumping in you, warmth seeping through your bones. “I know!” You roared in laughter, twisting the ship wildly as you glancing through the viewer, spotting a series of small explosions behind you. “And I like it when he does that!” Your joy roared through your throat, exiting in a hoot of delight.

“Don’t-” Tech lurched in his seat. “-Encourage him!”

Wrecker whooped from the back, sprinting to the cockpit, skidding to a halt. “Babe! Didja see that?”

“I did!” You turned, letting Tech grab the steering mechanism and brushing past him towards Wrecker. “You did so good.”

“It was a good explosion!”

Your arms wrapped around him, and you giggled, pecking him affectionately. “It really was, hon. You always make the best explosions.”

Wrecker’s ears pinkened, and be beamed. “You’re just sayin’ that.”

“No! Not at all.” You giggled. “In all my years-”

“Not many,” Tech huffed from the cockpit.

You brushed the comment off, ignoring the snide remark and the clicking of buttons as he reset the panel to the way he liked. “- Of piloting with you, I have never seen better torpedoes or bombs go off.”

“Well,” Wrecker beamed and rubbed his nose against yours. “You’re the best ever pilot, ever.”

“She didn’t win Boonta Eve!” Tech exclaimed.

“But she’s the best pilot in the galaxy!” Wrecker pulled you in, dipping you backwards, pressing his lips to yours, a kiss somehow working in past your giggles. “My gal is the best pilot.”

Chapter Text

“Half of these dinosaurs didn’t even exsist within the same time period!”

“Baby.” You sighed, rubbing your forehead. “It’s just a movie.”

“An absolutely disgustingly inaccurate movie!” Tech sat up, thrusting an arm towards the screen, voice waning in a whine. “You enjoy stuff like this?”

“They brought dinosaurs back to life!” You grabbed a handful of popcorn from your bowl, chunking it at him. “What ever made you think this movie was gonna be accurate?”

Tech scowled at the screen before collapsing onto the couch, crossing his arms and batting away the flying kernels. “I don’t know, just the whole movie supposedly being based on science? They got the dilophosaurus absolutely wrong, it had no neck fan and no, they could not shoot venom-”

You blinked at him, slowly, brain now slowly simmering as he wanted about the accuracy of dinosaurs, how velociraptors were much smaller and how the tyrannosaurus had very good eyesight and standing still wouldn’t help its prey. Your chin dropped to your hand as you watched his hands move, hair rustle as he shook his head passionately.

It was so very… Tech.

He missed the dopey and loving grin that fell onto your lips, but was stopped mid-rant by your giggles. “… What?”

“I love you,” You laughed, scooting closer to him. “I love you a lot.”

Tech raised a brow, a smile breaking between the rant-tightened lips. “Even through my absolute tiring rants?”

“Yeah. But I’m glad to be with you. I like your rants.” You tucked your legs under you and huddled closer to him, giggling. “You’re an absolute blast, baby.”

“Mm.” His arm landed around you, and he seemed more relaxed, weight drifting aimlessly back against the couch. “Like the meteorites that most likely wiped out the dinosaurs?”

“Yes. Just like that.”

Tech only laughed, drawing you closer, eyes flicking back to the screen. “Perhaps I can just sit back and enjoy these silly films with you.”

“Mm. And then we can watch the other five-”

Tech practically launched off the couch. “THERE ARE FIVE OTHERS?”

It took everything within you to not cackle at his agitated expression, and your boyfriend, in his oh-so-Tech-way, launched into another impassioned speech about the bastardization of dinosaurs.

That’s my Tech, you giggled to yourself, crossing your legs, falling in love with him all over again.

Chapter Text

It wasn’t that Echo regretted his feelings. Life was too short to not acknowledge them. He knew he could not help the fact he was a living person and had emotions like one, but he was caught off guard at who he felt these feelings for.

He now held his helmet under his arm, standing in front of her office door, waiting patiently for her after his brief knock. He heard silence before her curt but kind, “Come in.”

Echo pushed opened the door, glancing in. “Ma'am.” He said softly. His legs moved without much thought as she glanced up from her desk. The rain outside puttered on the window, but it couldn’t dampen the brightness of her smile. “You asked for me.”

“I did.” She smiled and lowered her pen, standing. “Can I get you anything? A drink? Dinner?”

“No, ma'am, thank you.” Echo lowered himself into a chair, helmet sitting in his lap, a weight all to heavy.

She leaned back on the desk, the gold trim of her sleeves catching the light of her office as she crossed her arms. She glimmered- not just the intricate gold threading, but her, her soul. “I wanted to thank you for the gala. You, jumping in for me, getting me out of danger… That means a lot of me.”

His heart jumped briefly as the gold balmed his soul, his chafed eyes. War could be dim and grey or gaudy and oversaturated. She was neither. She was a balance, cool but warm enough to draw him in, stone but turned him soft, white and black and grey but also so extremely golden, so precious, so balanced.

“I’m sorry about kissing you.” He blurted, eyes flickering away. The calmness of her made him uneasy- shouldn’t people be emotional? Shouldn’t they have outbursts?

She smiled at him, shaking her head, the golden ornaments draping around her ears brushing on her shoulders. “Why are you sorry, Echo?”

“The kiss,” He rasped, scooting forward in his seat. Her gaze was soft but pinned him in place, a spotlight. “It wasn’t supposed to happen.”

“Why not?” She frowned. “Am I a bad kisser? Oh, did you not-”

“No!” He sprung up. “No, ma'am, I liked it. It was a good kiss. And I like you. But… We.” He moved his hand back and forth between them, tracing the invisible tether she was using to tug him close. “We shouldn’t happen.”

“Says who?” She leaned up, challenging him, eyes gleaming like bullions. “Who says that? You?”

“Everyone, everyone but me and you, apparently.”

She chuckled, stepping closer to him, cautious. In senate, on the floor, she was bold- but here she was a rolling wave, gentle and slow, giving him time to stand away, say no. And yet he didn’t - he could not bring himself to say to to her, or to say no to himself. I’ve said no to myself for too long.

“Why can’t we try?” She asked, gently. Her hand landed gently on the helmet in his hands, gripping it, and he allowed her to take it away. The bright of her robe brushed over it as she set it on her desk. “Why can’t you and I do it anyways?”

“Your career-”

“Has been earned. I will survive. I’m thinking of not running next term.” She waved a hand away, as if dismissing the thoughts, his fears- and it worked.

Echo stared at her, somewhat shocked, and even as her smile drew him in, drew him closer, his brain clocked out, thoughts failing him. He finally matched her smile, width even, lips mere centimeters away from his.

“Okay,” He whispered, shortly before her lips landed on his. Any arguments that remained turned to dust in his mouth as she kissed him, and he sighed, his helmet slipping from his fingers as he wrapped his arms around her back and pulled her in. She fit so we’ll against him, from the gentle way her lips formed to the way she had to curve into him to fully hold him, take him all in.

This kiss was taboo, a soldier and a leader- but, Echo decided as she sighed and tangled her fingers in his hair, this was a rule he was fine with breaking.

Chapter Text

You closed your eyes as the grass tickled your legs, brushing up on your face. Your arms were splayed to your sides, fingers wrapping around in the long gentle blades. The sun whispered on your skin, and you giggled.

Your laughter increased as the sun was blocked from you. “Fives,” You stifled a laugh as he leaned over you, the fabric of his shirt brushing you as he moved over you.

Fives grinned down at you, eyes tender in exhaustion, smile bright as his head blocked the sun. “Yeah?”

“You’re blocking my sun.”

“I am your sun.”

You laughed as he collapsed on you, burying his face in the crook of your neck as he settled against you, basking in the sun. Your hand ran along his back, briefly hesitating at the pucker of the scar that was still there from the almost-fatal shot. You were quiet, and he was too, and that was okay. Silence could be all that was necessary sometimes.

You felt him sigh, his body relaxed, lips smiling against your skin. “Is my lover daydreaming again?”

“Always.” You scratched his scalp, fingers weaving in his frizzy curls. His hair had done a wonderful job growing back. “You need another haircut.”

“I like it long.”

“Not when summer comes.” You grinned, turning your head and rubbing your nose to his temple. The light huff of laughter he exhaled was soft and warm and absolutely perfect. “I know, you’re my sun, my summer, blah blah. But I’m sure the sun gets too hot sometimes.”

Fives chuckled. “You think I’m hot?” He propped up on his elbows, a silent laugh reaching his eyes. You grinned down at him, sitting up and scooting out from under him as he watched you, brown eyes melting in the sun.

You moved to stand, brushing at the grass. “Out of all the clones I’ve met, you’re certainly one of them.”

How expression faltered, and then the grin returned, brighter, mischievous. “Oh, you bugger-”

You giggled and ran, sprinting through the grass towards your farmhouse. You knew you had no chance of outrunning him, even as you glanced back. He was already on you, arms ensnaring you, squeezing you as you laughed, kicking.

“Just one of them, huh?” He cackled, spinning, slinging you as easily as a rag doll. “Just-” He hopped, making you jolt, knocking the hat off your head again. “Another-” You laughed as he spun, dizzy.

“F-Fives,” You giggled, hands grasping his forearms. “Please.” You shook your head, blinking to try and steady your vision.

Fives was laughing as he plunked you down on the ground, hands still gently holding you as you wobbled, legs like a newborn eopie. “Aw, could my dear not take it?”

“Meanie.” You sputtered past your giggles, even as he turned you to him.

How eyes sparkled, and his lips twisted in that smile you loved. “But you love this meanie.”

“I suppose,” You sighed dramatically, linking your fingers behind his neck. “I suppose I do.”

He smelled like grass, the lingering scent of unapparent summer in this early autumn season. He grinned, the crows feet wrinkling by his eyes, a sign of how often and how much he laughed and loved. “And I love you.” Fives pressed his hands to your back, pulling you in tenderly, lips tracing over the shape of your nose. “Mesh'la. My peace, my home.”

“My Sun,” You whispered, voice matching his as his lips found yours. For now, in the arriving dusk and emerging lightning bugs as you kissed, embraced him, you were home and safe. Nothing would come your way, nothing would or could disrupt the perfection of this life you shared with him.

Chapter Text

79’s was loud- too loud, too much, and all you wanted to do was put your head down, chug a gin, and sleep. Your elbow propped up on the counter as you waved at the bartender. Something warm sounded good, very good, especially for your sleepy mind, but the boys were still up and at ‘em, and you had to get home in one piece.

“Just water,” You told the bartender. He nodded, not questioning, and he set the glass in front of you. It was frosty and cold, the chill waking up your fingers some.

You took a swig, praying that no more social interaction would find its way to you. Alas, the night was not on your side.

“Hey, good looking.” A voice chimed from beside you. “Lemme getcha a drink.”

“Not here to drink.” You said, the irritation burbling into your voice.

“No, I insist-” He started to wave the bartender over.

You snarled at him, physically bearing teeth. “Someone seems to want me to get drunk. I am not in the mood tonight.” You pushed at his hand, waving away the (now annoyed) bartender, who went back to his line of patrons.

The flirtatious patron stared at you, and you held his gaze as you angrily took a sip of your water, which wasn’t nearly as threatening as you had hoped. However, he eventually and awkwardly slinked away, and you sighed, frustrated, grasping your water and slumping over.

“Easy there, pretty thing.”

You rolled your head up from its refuge on the bar and you gave a half smile at Crosshair, fuse barely shifting shorter. “Hm.”

Crosshair leaned on the counter and scanned you, observant eyes flickering in recognition. “Someone looks…” He kissed his teeth, an annoying click emerging from his lips. “Tired.”

You pushed yourself back up to sit and shrugged, the heavy weight of tire making that motion hard. “Yeah. I… I’m tired. I don’t wanna pull you guys away.”

The toothpick in his mouth flipped as his tongue pushed it, making it dance, and he glanced back at the table. “Stay here.” He climbed down and walked towards the booth with Hunter. You turned back to your cup of water and chugged it down, the coolness easing your parching throat.

“Come on, doll.” Crosshair’s hand gently pushed the glass away. “I’m taking you home.”

You huffed, the sigh translating to a brief and unspoken 'thank you’, and you hopped off the bar. He walked by you towards the door. Usually Crosshair would walk slightly behind people, simply because he didn’t trust them. What shocked you even more was when his hand pressed gingerly into your back as he led you out, not forceful but coaxing. “I’ll get a cab.”

You nodded, watching him. Your vision was bleary, heavy, and you blinked, the purple and yellow lights melding with and dancing with the reflecting embers of his eyes. You smiled up at him, sheepishly. You were only pulled out by the upcoming taxi.

Crosshair led you in, using his hands to help you make the step. “Sit.”

“Wasn’t gonna stand in the taxi,” You mumbled, scooting in next to him. The door slid shut and you closed your eyes, head rolling back. The exhaustion, social and physical, washed over you, and your head lolled to the side, against something sturdy, something strong, and your eyes couldn’t fight off sleep.

You entirely missed Crosshair’s brief smile as you slumped on him, slipping into your much-deserved rest.

Chapter Text

Neurons fired chemicals across synapses in the brain faster than light, faster than human comprehension. And yet Tech’s neurons seemed to work in reverse when the General smiled like that.

She leaned out of the gunship, looking down, then turned back to look at him and his brothers. The general has not worked with them for a long time- a few months. But it was enough time for his body to short circuit when she was around him. “Okay, boys!” She yelled. “We know the plan?”

“Sir, yes sir!” The boys replied, leaning closer to the edge. Tech’s lips moved, but he was unsure if he said those words- his throat was dry.

Her eyes landed on him and she offered him a smile- a little smile that absolutely made his heart fidget- and she simply stepped backwards, falling out of the gunship, allowing the gravity of the planet to yank her down.

Wrecker jumped first, whooping, and Tech followed him, tugging the visor of his helmet down over his goggles. He planted his hands by his side and dove down, the shape of the Jedi just below, racketeering for the planet’s surface, flipping, before landing heavily, feet first, in the middle of the droids, saber summoned into her hands and she activated it.

Dramatic and a show off, yes. But she was still humble, smooth, confident. Soft to rough edges, fluid as water to the sturdy soldiers. Tech turned, activating his jetpack, yanking out his blasters and shooting towards the droids as the Jedi danced between the blaster fire, moving rapidly, saber deflecting otherwise fatal fire from her Batch.

Tech ducked around her, without a word, and fired a round. She moved with him, though feet apart, in their defensive sort of waltz. And again, though apart, Tech could sense her, and she moved him, in him and in tandem, as if they were tethered on some string. A nudge and Tech would pull, a tug and she would push. The only thing that kept him steady in moments like this were his extensive years of battle training and experience in other moments, where he had to put his reflexes and his head in front of his heart.

She led them to victory, every time, and he was right behind her.

___

“Hey, Tech.” Hunter leaned back on the wall of the facility they had just won over, examining his bandanna splayed in his hands. Tech only hummed in thanks, pressing the cooling pack to the welt of purple on his cheek, already swelling up.

Crosshair chortled from his position, leaning on the wall. He was wrapping his hands, the broken teeth of his knuckle swollen and purpled and battered. “He always does good with the General- except for off the battlefield.” He grabbed the end of the bandage in his moth and tightened it. His eyes darted to Tech, smirking past the bandage. A reaction- that was what he wanted.

“I haven’t the foggiest idea what you mean.” Tech scoffed. He leaned back, applying more pressure to the cold pack.

“Come on, Tech,” Wrecker laughed in his boisterous way. Fantastic, he was in on it too. He nudged his bespectacled brother. “We know how ya feel!”

Tech’s brain shrugged in his skull, skidding to a halt. “You… Do?”

The Sargent betrayed him with a chuckle. “Yeah. You and her work so well together in battles, and he see how smart you talk when she’s around.”

The back of Tech’s neck felt hot. Really hot. He tried to fight it off, lest his face follow and blotch like a forest aflame. “I always talk smart.” The cold pack stung his skin.

Wrecker’s huge hands smacked Tech’s back with the same cackle from earlier. “Not around her!”

Ah. So Hunter was being sarcastic.

Tech managed a half snarl- it was all his partially working brain could manage at the moment. He dropped the pack on the table and stalked out, face warm as he made a beeline for the door. “A clone falling for a Jedi is strictly taboo.”

“Our whole exsistance is Taboo.” Crosshair huffed.

Wrecker’s laughter as muffled as Tech stalked out, the door sliding shut behind him, and he tried to shut the feeling that they were correct in there, too.

He shouldn’t fall for the jetti- and yet he did. The only thing that made his neurons fire back up was him forcing them to jump-start as he thought of excuses, solutions, a name and a label for his most wonderful of problems.

His brain stuttered out one word that made Tech’s feet stop in its tracks- love.

Chapter Text

The bar was thick with whiskey and cigar smoke, puffing around each of the tables like snakes, trying to sneak its way out of the door. Hunter personally didn’t smoke- his kid, his ‘omega’ as the guys dubbed her, didn’t like it, the smoke. It made her cough.

Hunter sat back, taking a sip of the whiskey that smoothed down his throat like fire, a slow dredge of pleasant heat.

“Good selection,” Harry Cross sat down, lighting a cigarette. Hunter have a brief scowl at the sharpshooter, but Cross either didn’t see it or ignored it. “Quite the crowd tonight, Boss.”

Hunter chuckled, shrugging, swatting at the stench of nicotine. “Yeah, so I hear. Tech did some recon on the place. He’s doing a once over, too- the crowd’s pretty big.”

“Can you blame them?” Cross leaned back in his chair, tapping the ash of the cigarette onto the tray. “The drinks are overflowing, the service is absolutely top-tier, and not to mention.” Cross took an especially long drag of the cigarette. He puffed out the smoke, slow and long, and his eyes moved over the crowd from their table in the back. “Tonight’s Friday night.”

Hunter grunted. “What’s special about Friday?”

“Drinks are on sale. And the singer’s on tonight.” Cross only chuckled, waving his fingers lazily at a waiter. “Gin and tonic.”

Hunter’s brow furrowed slightly but he said nothing, nodding politely at the waiter, who returned the gesture and kept walking, the tapping of his shoes drowned out in the chatter of the tables and the smooth jazz of the band. “The singer?”

‘So many questions.”

“Yeah. I have questions.”

“You should have asked them before you purchased the bar.”

Hunter glared again, eyes slipping back towards the crowd, skimming the audience. Conversation hung over them like the heavy cigar smoke. “The profit of this place is too good. Doesn’t matter why.” He shook the glass, the remaining liquid sloshing.

Cross laughed again, thin shoulders heaving under his coat. “Whatever you say, boss.”

Hunter only hummed and leaned on the table as the lights dimmed, a light blinking awake on the stage. The band halted, and Hunter’s eyes drifted as the curtains, in their theatrical manner, parted.

A woman moved forward, dress swaying in ethereal manner, and her hands parted.

Hunter’s eyes landed on her and stayed- he didn’t dare move them unless she disappear, even as the band played. Hunter never cared much for music until she opened her mouth and words rang out, loud and broad and massive and airy. And it was everything music never had been for him, and suddenly Hunter was undone, unraveled, by the exsistance of this voice.

“Cross,” He rasped, leaning forward on the table. “Who is that?”

“The singer.” Cross stubbed the cigarette on the ashtray, sniffing it with a soft hiss. He shrugged. “Not bad, is she?”

Hunter felt his jaw rotate as she sung her heart out, voice pulling from her throat like a bird that had been released from its cage for the first time. “Find her name,” He mumbled. “Give me any information you can find on her- if she has debts, they’re mine. Anyone that wants any harm on her, send 'em to me.”

“Already?” Cross chuckled. “She didn’t even have to do nothing.”

“Don’t care.” Hunter huffed as he drew the glass to his lips. It fogged the crystal surface as he downed the rest of the drink. “Don’t want her, just the debts and problems.”

Cross leaned back on the chair and watched his boss, then laughed and shook his head. “I can have her come talk to ya.” He watched, sharp gaze observing every single one of Hunter’s little movements. “She still has an hour til she’s done singing.”

Hunter watched her sing, her arms and hips sway as her face was written with joy. “I wouldn’t mind.” He said, tilting his glass and pouring another shot of whiskey. “Don’t mention anything about-”

“Yeah, yeah, I get ya.” Cross stood, tugging a small pouch out if his pocket and opening it, plucking a toothpick between his teeth. “Want her to get the hots for you being your genuine self. All that.”

A smile pressed to his lips as Hunter gently waved at Crosshair. “Go on, I’ll enjoy the show.” He smiled and leaned on the table, watching the singer on the stage, heart almost stilling as she continued, smiling at her own song.

Chapter Text

The planet was barren and hot, leaving you and the specialized troopers to do all the recon at night where it was cooler. Better to work when you could put on more layers than when it was hot and you could only take off so many. Not that would would have minded normally, but some semblance of professionalism had to be kept around the boys. My boys, you thought with a grin.

“Anything, general?” Fives called from the ground level of the terrain.

You looked down at him, fingers grasping the rock of the cliff. You feet were secure and held you at an angle so you could examine the land scape. “Nothing,” You responded down to him, turning to scale down. “Not yet.” You released the cliff over the last couple of meters, landing solidly on the ground, knees bent for the impact.

Fives grinned, helmet tucked under his arm. “Those jetti eyes haven’t failed us, and they won’t fail us.”

“You wish.” You laughed and shook your head. “You would be shocked.” You tugged at a pouch on your belt and yanked the clasp, tugging out a ration bar. “I could be totally missing a lot of stuff.”

His laugh was deep and warm, a contrast to the cold night that made your toes curl and lips smile. “Nah, you’re a smart lady.” He winked. "Smart as a whip and twice as pretty.”

You rolled your eyes and sighed, but smiled. “Ever the flirt.”

“You noticed?” The ARC trooper winked. “You’re so perceptive, General.”

You chuckled, shaking your head quietly again, leaning back on the wall of the cliff. “You tend to wear your heart on your sleeve, you would need that bucket back on your head before you can hide those feelings from me.”

“Do I really?” Fives propped his arm against the cliff, leaning in, half trapping you. Despite the cool darkness of the night, you could fully feel him, and he was right there.

You didn’t mind at all.

“Yeah, but I like that.” You grinned and reached up, slowly running a hand up his chest plate. “I like a guy who knows his feelings and what he wants.”

Five’s lips curled more and he leaned into your hand as if it was magnetic and he was charmed, pulled by you. “Mm. You know what I want?”

“What do you want.”

“Actual food.”

You snorted and pushed at him, laughing as you slipped under his arm. “Actual food, he says,” You chuckled, stopping as his hand enclosed around your arm. Fives turned you with grace, spinning you into him, smirking, a shit eating grin crawling across his lips.

“Or, maybe, some dessert.” Five’s eyes flickered down to your lips, the suggestion only a velvety purr from his lips.

You brows raised as you stepped in closer to him. “If we get caught kissing, we’re dead.”

“Is that a no?” Fives chuckled, even as your fingers fisted in the neck of his glove that peered out from under his armor. His skin was arm, but the glove was cool to the touch.

You pulled him in, feeling his nose bump yours in the night. “On the contrary, trooper,” You hummed. “Let’s risk it.” You yanked him down to you, your lips brushing the coarse hair of his goatee before his lips found yours. His grip tightened around your robe as he pulled you closer, humming into you, filling you with a warmth that was ten times the intensity of what you felt around him.

In the middle of it, the chapped lips fighting one another and the teeth tugging and the tongues prodding, a voice called out. “General! Someone’s on the comm for ya!”

You broke back with a pop, your ears warm enough to distract you from the night. You pushed Fives back and smoothed a hand over your crumpled tan shirt. “We aren’t done.”

“No, ma’am.” Fives’ voice held evidence of a smile as he stooped to puck up the helmet he had abandoned earlier. “We certainly aren’t.”

Chapter Text

It was Tech’s idea to come here. The planet had been ferociously loyal to the republic and it’s cause, and even now they were putting up every fight against the rising Empire they could. Perhaps they could find a friend here, plead their case, get a little rest and maybe a shower.

Tech’s landing was smooth, and to the Batch’s surprise there was a full armed guard waiting for them at the landing bay. Wrecker reached for his heavy blaster, and hunter reached out, laying a hand on Wrecker’s arm. “Easy, Wrecker.”

“They have guns.”

“They’re on edge. All we have to do is prove we aren’t with the Empire and we’ll be fine.” Hunter knocked on the hull, signaling Tech to open the door, and he interlaced his fingers behind his head, giving Wrecker a pointed stare.

Wrecker groaned in protest. “They’ll take my gun.” He huffed, but locked his fingers behind his head. Omega followed easily, a little smile on her face as she walked out. Her eyes traced the sky as they moved down the ramp and guards approached, weapons down by their sides.

“Sir,” The foremost guard greeted Hunter, politely. “We will need to take all and any weapons-” His eyes landed on Omega, and his brow raised in amusement. “The tyke yours?”

“Yeah, you could… Say that.” Hunter glanced down at Omega and grinned as the guard pulled the knife from Hunter’s holster. “Little sister.”

“Hello!” Omega relinquished an arm from behind her head to wave. She grinned and glanced around the doc. “Beautiful planet.”

“Thanks.” The guard nodded politely to her, glancing up as one of the guards struggled to carry Wrecker’s giant blaster. “We try to keep it as nice as possible. All thanks to the queen.” The guard waved his fingers in a motion for everyone to follow him. The group fell in a tight formation around the batch, Omega practically skipping by Hunter, arms swinging by her side. Questions tumbled ground her mouth faster than they could be answered. She asked everything- the landscape of the planet, what the palace was made of, how old the guards were.

The guard’s steps halted at a pair of large wooden doors, and he reached up, knocking. The thumps reverberated deep, heavy through the hall.

The quiet seemed almost sacred, disrupted, after the heavy handfalls on the laden wood. Slowly, without a sound but a low rumble, the doors moved open, heavy and soft at the same time.

Hunter entered, slowly, eyes skimming the room- even in here the air was light and airy with cleanliness and freshness. His skin was bathed in relief, a weight from his shoulders of the stench of gas and ships.

The woman caught his eye first- the rustle of silk as she turned from the window she was gazing out of, eyes bright and clear, the very stars captured in them. She offered a smile, small, and moved towards them, head held high in grace and handmaids falling easily into step behind her. “The last clone troopers that are true to the republic.”

Hunter shifted where he stood, slightly, skimming the deep purple silk of her gown. “You’ve heard?”

She smiled, more subtly than the last one, and inclined her head in a small nod. “You and I are aquatinted with a mutual friend. She may have… Discussed you with me.” Her nose wrinkled and her smile widened. “Although I doubt the names she gave me were accurate. I’m assuming,” Her eyes twinkled. “You’re Bandana.”

Kriffing Cid. Hunter chuckled and bowed his head slightly. “Suppose I am.”

She chuckled, glancing back bemusedly at her handmaidens. Words seemed to fail the sargent, but he couldn’t quite blame himself. He glanced at Omega who smiled, staring up at the queen. The queen’s brows raised for a moment, and her face lit up when she saw Omega. “And you must be Omega.”

Funny how Cid felt the need to give Omega’s name and not his.

Omega grinned, bobbing her head in excitement. “Yes! I’m Omega. I like you house.”

“Thank you.” The Queen couldn’t surpressing the broadening smile, slowly creeping on her face and rising her cheeks if she had tried. Her gaze moved back to Hunter, who was rendered incapable to move his mouth and force out words.

Next to him, Tech spoke. “I sent in the signal for landing. You have been quite generous with us.”

“We really appreciate it, ma'am.” Hunter rushed to add. He grimaced. You didn’t call royals ’ma'am’.

“It is the pleasure of my home world to host you. You have served us greatly.” She turned her head softly. “Gaea, please prepare a few rooms for our guests. And a hot bath.”

“And some food?” Wrecker peeped, hopefully.

Hunter hissed something back at him as the Queen smiled again. “And food.”

The Queen glanced at the group as the handmaid waltzed away, her robe flowing like an easy breeze behind her. “So, the whole crew?” She chuckled. “Goggles,” Her head nodded towards Tech. “Bandanna, Tiny, Muscles… The whole crew.” She smiled back towards Hunter, gaze steady, constant, confident.

His insides just about melted.

She gestured towards the incoming handmaiden, smiling. “Please. Gaea is my trusted aid, she will take you where you need to be.”

Hunter nodded, helmet still tucked under his arm. “Thank you, your grace.”

The Queen nodded again, gently, and watched the group as they were shuffled after the handmaiden, who smiled and gave a quick curtsey and motioned them after her. “This way, please.” Gaea’s voice was soft and airy, as if she was walking on dust.

Hunter would have glanced back at the queen, but there were too many eyes on him to risk it- and he could have sworn one of them was her.

___

The room was nice, and it had a wonderful view. Hunter stood by his window and looked out, jaw clenched, the shirt on his chest too light. It wasn’t a bad sensation, simply one he was extremely unfamiliar with. He crossed his arms as he looked out the view- he really should be trying to find something to do aside from stand here and think about war.

There was a light knock at his door, a gentle and hesitant one. “Sargent?”

“Highness.” Hunter turned quickly, dropping his arms. “Your majesty. Thank you for letting us stay here.”

“Of course.” The Queen entered, the light fabric of her dress fluttering behind her. It caught in the dripping sun, and she stepped up by him, looking out his window. She smiled, brightly. “It’s lovely.” Her hand rested lightly on the window pane. “Have you been enjoying the view?”

His throat felt chalky. “I have been,” Hunter mumbled, trying pointedly to not look at her. He was enjoying the view of her. A lot.

She smiled, softer this time, more subtle than previously. “This is one of my favorite views to look out of.” Her fingers graced the window pane as she hummed, tilting her head. “I wish I could do more for my people.”

“What more can you do besides leading them?” Hunter turned and leaned against the window sill. Maybe he looked cool. “They seem to love you. Tech said something about a thriving economy, bustling trade…”

“That doesn’t mean there isn’t fear or bad out there.” She mumbled. “The Empire has been creeping closer and closer. My people are scared- we have so few shuttles, and this government can only do so much before we’re strongarmed into some kind of agreement that will let them rule.” Her fingers waved, dismissing the hope that perhaps they could fend off the foe on their own.

Hunter observed, taking in her profile in the setting sun. Her lips moved, a hefty prayer whispered with so few words, and then she moved away from the window, tearing her eyes to Hunter. “There’s food downstairs, if you want it.”

“Is everyone else down there?”

“Almost. I was going to tell them right now.” She nodded gently, moving in stride with him towards the door.

Hunter looked around the hall; their rooms were not too far apart. The Queen wanted them all close. “Why don’t your handmaids come do some of this?”

“I like to know my guests.” She rapped lightly on the next door. “And besides,” Her smile brightened as her eyes skimmed his face momentarily. “I want to know if you have a preferred name, Sargent. What do your brothers call you?”

“Hunter.”

“Hunter,” She repeated. Her accent was close to General Kenobi’s, a light and airier mimic of his. Hunter watched her repeat him name, forming the hard syllables on her lips-

The door creaked open and Omega scrambled out, tugging at her hair. “Sorry. I was napping.” She rubbed her cheek sheepishly, catching Hunter’s hand.

The Queen smiled and moved her silken skirts, the fabric rustling aside. “This will be your home until you leave.” She moved to squat, somehow still graceful. “Anything you want, you may have.”

“You really don’t have to do that.” Hunter spoke quickly. “All we need is a bed and food, you’ve done plenty.”

The Queen stood from speaking to Omega and nodded politely at Hunter. “I hear your words, Sargent Hunter. But my offer still stands.” She smiled at him, brightly, moving towards the next room.

Hunter found it so hard to follow Omega to the dining room while his heart was still back in the Queen’s hand.

Chapter Text

You loved Hunter so much that your body hurt from it, an aching kind of desperation within you. Something so simple, just this man’s exsistance, moved your soul with such an indescribable passion that made your whole body hot in the purest of ways.

You liked to watch him- you, with your high status and your regal robes and standards, and this man in dark plastoid with heavy gazes your way that made chills run up and down your back. He moved with some kind of graceful lilt. Otherworldly. He looked odd in casual wear, loose and open, but it was difficult for him to lower his guard and walk in a civilian manner.

You walked down your long balcony towards him, watching him with his eyes closed, leaning forward on the stone railing as he basked in the bright morning sun.

You turned to leave. He looked to peaceful and you didn’t want to-

“Stay.”

The raspy word makes you turn, and he was watching you, eyes alight in the sun. “Please.” He reached a hand out, opening softly to you.

You skimmed his fingers gently, eyes taking in each and every scar and singe and callous on his hand. You reached out, slowly laying your fingers in his waiting palm. “I didn’t want to disturb you, I’m sorry.”

“No,” He hummed, pulling your hand up. “Never be sorry.” He pressed your fingers in his, turning his head and pressing his lips to your palm. “You could never be a disturbance to me.” He hummed against your hand. “In fact, I want you to be a disturbance if that is how you see yourself.”

You smiled and watched his lips crest over your palm, to the back of your hand, and he pulled you in closer, wrapping your hand around his back. “Hunter,” You chuckled, squeezing his arm gently. “You’re a stressed soldier, I want to give you space.”

“The only space I need is your arms, love.” He purred, reaching up, releasing your hands and cupping your face. “You’re all I need.”

You smiled, brightly, the warmth of his gaze making your stomach do flips. “It’s a beautiful morning.” You hummed, eyes not moving away from him. The breeze ruffled his dark curls softly, and his face rested in a gentle pleased expression.

“It is,” He whispered, pulling you closer. He smelled minty, fresh, and you felt your body lean on him more as he cradled your head on his shoulder to watch the sun rise. “You make it better.”

Chapter Text

Tech let his helmet rest under his arm as he stood at ease, back to the window, and he watched the senator speak. When he had first been told that he was supposed to be guarding a senator he has been agitated- irritated, even. He felt his brows, still sore from being so tight, knitted. Everything she was saying was met with a roar of applause or thunderous cries of protest.

He watched her hand wave with passion as she spoke. She meant every word she said- he could feel it, hear it, it pounded in his hears with the abrupt force of her voice.

Tech heard another senator rise, their pod moving central to the arena. On instinct he moved forward, tugging his helmet back down again, mind working a million miles an hour in order to fully calculate the risks, the chances.

Isn’t this a job for the Corries? Tech had half-snapped, half-asked when Hunter had given him the assignment.

Hunter’s words stuck with him as the senator spoke again, loud, her sounds waves that rocked the calm of the Senate. Our job is to protect who needs us. She needs us. It’s what we were made for.

Tech huffed momentarily and stepped forward, hand reaching for the senator as the Chancellor, his pod roaming above, failed to quiet the noise.

Despite this, in the sea of noise, she turned back to look at him, offer him a glance. Tech remained standing at attention, but his eyes flickered to her face when he saw the movement of her. She smiled, bright despite the situation, the shouts of agitation flowing and rolling off her silken shoulders.

What was so beautiful was that she simply did not let the negative stick- she allowed it to hit her and move around her. Words tried to cut her down and she simply shrugged it off with ‘no’. She was thoroughly and all around rotting his soul down, whittling it from a soldier to a man.

Tech offered a smile back even though she couldn’t see it. Maybe somehow it could reach his eyes.

She turned back to the crowd as they finally settled down, watching as the Chancellor spoke. His word seemed to be law here, revered and old and it reverberated with might. “Words spoken like a true delegate, Senator.” He said, looking down towards her. Looking down at everyone, actually, as his seat was currently in the highest pod up. “I will convene with my private group and reach a decision. This evolution of your law seems… Hard to accomplish.”

“But possible.” She said, softly.

The chancellor dismissed the meeting for recess with a simple wave, and mumbles filled the coliseum like arena as the senators and representatives filtered out. As she walked, smoothly, her robe barely brushed the ground. Tech walked beside her, quiet, helmet still on until they reached the safety of her office.

Here, she could drop her guard. Put her feet up, put away any pretenses or masks, and yet all she did was allow her shoulders to droop a little more- it was the most she could afford and the furthest she was from her strong self. She moved gracefully still, just with a looser stance, and turned and fell back in her chair, a huff escaping her and her fingers moving to pinch the bridge of her nose as if keeping her skull from exploding.

“If I may,” Tech broke the silence and removed his bucket, setting it tenderly on her desk. “You’re holding together far better than I would.”

She laughed and looked up, eyes glimmering, but brows creased with tire. “And what would you do in my situation?” Her hands clasped and she leaned her chin on them, lips quirked to the side in amusement. Was that a hint, a shadow of a dimple he spied?

With a small smile himself, Tech leaned on the desk. “To be honest ma'am, I would have strangled them all by now. Or slapped someone. Or yelled.”

“You.” She snorted, but her lips remained in their subtle smile as the senator leaned back in her chair. “Slapping someone.”

Of course, Tech may have not actually gone berserk and started beating up representatives. His method was far more coy and just made sense to him: all facts and all numbers. But how in the world could you give and explain facts and numbers to people who turned their nose up because of a reason as stupid as self-gain? Day after day, month after month, of offering evidence and facts in support of something and representatives would still scream and shout about why he was wrong. Eventually, with this going on for long enough, he probably would have found it in his heart to strike someone.

“Perhaps.” Tech waved a hand in half-dismissal. “I would do something to get myself in trouble.”

She sighed and hummed, closing her eyes, chin still pulled in her hands. At peace like this, the sun through her window gently basking against her back catching the subtle shining of her skin and her robes- how utterly eye-catching she was, deeply clinquant, her own presence shining from an ivory tower that was filled to the brim with greed and monsters.

The thought had come to him before. Why shouldn’t it? Tech had caught her eyes skimming a holopad, felt her hands when she pressed her palm to his forehead to feel if he had a fever, and he had, on the rarest and most cherished of occastions, her laugh replaying in his head the one time he actually did get mad and called a senator some expletive he did not care to remember now. All he knew was that she had thrown her head back, teeth bared in a grin, and laughed, and now she terried among his soul.

Not that he minded.

Her voice anchored him. “I think,” She stood, grabbing a holopad. “We should do a little research before we get back in there.” Her eyes glinted in their intelligent way as she held out a datapad. “Care to join?”

I trust you. The awaiting holopad sat patiently in her hand. The simple motion said calmly, I want you to help me with this, because you’re wonderfully intelligent and I trust you with this large task.

Tech felt his lips curve into a smile as he reached for the holopad. Their hands touched and that glint in her eye never faulted. Tech only smiled, allowing himself to relax as well, and he felt his voice roll from his throat with honey and, to an extent, worship. “I would be delighted, senator.”

How utterly brave and beautiful and all around indescribably she is.

Chapter Text

When Tech entered the ship, he saw her hunched over her piles of papers. He only smiled and stopped, leaning on the doorway to watch. She was drawing, of course- when was she ever not? Art had always been her strong suit, her passion. Even as she worked, hunched, hair more in a tizzy than usual, tossed about in a way that only artists toss their hair when they have run their fingers through it countless times, she was the most magnificent thing, fascinating to his quizzical brain.

Tech did not consider himself creative- mathematical, mechanical, yes. He could draw, but little beyond human anatomy or mechanical blueprints. Opposites, maybe, did attract.

The scuff of his boot on the floor drew her eyes from her art. She grinned, a slow process, mind still art-drunk. “Tech!”

“I did not mean to disturb you. Alor be ner runi.” He kissed the top of her head, the forehead, though graphite was smudged across it. Paints were limited in these parts, so she utilized the cheaper graphites far more often.

“What does that mean?” She looked up at him, smiling, her gaze slowly replinishing his energy. She was good to be around- a battery. Her creativity and eagerness to translate his logical words into colorful thoughts delighted them both to no end. A match made in heaven, and even heaven would not be able to satisfy their thirst to simply talk, create, in their own ways.

“You will know some day.” Tech smoothed his gloves fingers along the bridge of her nose. “You’re drawing?”

She grinned and nodded, leaning back and pressing a hand over the art. Not too hard, not to smudge it. “How could you guess?”

“Your face.” He licked his thumb and drew her close, leaning down and gently brushing away. The graphite greyed and mellowed, rolling out against her skin. She would have to rinse it off.

He could paint her- if he had a brush and a canvas and time alone with her, he could paint all of her. But alas, the galaxy needed him, his brothers.

Her laugh was soft as she beamed brightly at him. His heart pounded- she made him want to not only thing, but create! Try her painting, and try her graphites. Not to simply draw up a plan but to simply do it.

He replaced the want and tried to contain it with another simple kiss on her hairline. “Beloved,” He whispered, in both a greeting and parting, before he stepped away from her.

Yes, he could have painted her. Etched her soul into his ribs, marked a place on his heart exactly where she stood. She made him want to.

Chapter Text

You stood behind Din, watching him hold the child, Grogu, for the last time. Grogu was not your child, but he was yours. Or he had been for some time.

He crooned in his throaty tone, head turning from the brunette man, big black eyes catching the heart stuck in your throat. He made the squeak that seemed to be only for you and Din turned, the eyes that you saw now- they looked as though they had warmth, for a moment, but were now devoid of joy. This journey, this brief familial little clan, was now broken.

“He wants to,” Din’s voice broke between his lips. “He wants to say good bye.”

You nodded, but your hands had turned to lead. Your feet had grown heavy. This day was always going to come- some Jedi would take him and teach him, and Grogu would learn the ways of the force. You had found the child so odd- fifty, older than you, but with the eyes of a baby, the needs and wants of a little one.

You gently took him and he crawled up your arm, speaking in his toddler babble. Your eyes felt hot. The Jedi, Skywalker, was watching you with the everlasting patience that you didn’t think was possible. All other eyes were on you, too- waiting, watching.

And yet, it felt like just you and your little one.

You hugged him, softly, frightened to speak, in case you began to cry. “You have been so fun,” You whispered, patting his head. “So wonderful.”

Grogu squeaked with concern, reaching up and touching your cheek with his tiny hands- how big would they get? Would you ever actually know?

Your fingers wanted to close around him as you gave him a quick kiss on his little green head, and you could have sworn that the child had smiled a little bit as the Jedi took him gently from you.

“I will take good care of him.” Skywalker promised, letting Grogu ease against him.

Din only nodded, words unable to form, and you felt air trying to rush to your lungs but you almost failed. Reaching out and touching the cool beskar-clad arm of Din. To your shock, his hand reached up and grasped your softly, a clan of two slowly mending, or at least trying to, as the third was slowly torn from you.

This is the way.

Chapter Text

“You nearly died,” Crosshair hissed as he surveyed you from across the room.

The medical tools in your hands were polished now as you lowered them into the medical kit. "i can handle myself. Those men needed me.“

"The lives of ten thousand men could not make up for yours.”

You made a noise, somewhere between a snort and a cynical laugh, and you clasped your bag, turning to him, your stomach churning slowly into an annoyed boil of anger- irritation. “It’s my job.” You stated, crossing your arm. “I would die for those men-”

“The regs!”

“Just like i would die for you.” You choked on your anger, the words attempting to snarl but coming out as a soft emitting of an agitated cat.

The stress of his gaze was heavy, just as mad as you, but he moved to you, even his footfalls echoing with anger. “You will die for no one,” He hissed, yanking you into him.

The kiss was hot. Red hot against your mouth. The anger at you, agitation you would even say something like dying was alright- to him, death was nothing, but yours was everything.

You were everything.

You pushed at his chest and he broke away, staring down at you, and the anger quickly melted from him. “You,” He repeated but raspier. “Could have died.”

Everything.

You reached up and wrapped your arms around him. He was so tall, especially in his full armor, and yet he bent over into you, easily, whispering to your will. You squeezed him, and his shoulders hunched over as you grappled him. Death was very real, and always very close in war- he just felt like he could keep you safe and angry that yes, even you, the medic, were always a brush away from death.

Chapter Text

Tup felt the hair that fell from his hair stick to the back of his neck. The day was hot, warm, and not even being stripped to his blacks from waist up was providing relief. He made a sound of distress and stood, rubbing a hand across his forehead, exhaling in a Huff. Long hair was a curse sometimes, and strands of it had been pestering him all day.

“Tup!” A voice from below chirped. “Hey, Tup!”

Tup turned to glance back, grinning when he saw the brown mechanic uniform. “Hey-!” Oh, how wonderful falling in love was! He and this ship mechanic, two fighters in the same sky-

Falling in love. So in love he was practically feeling gravity yank him down-

Oh. He was actually falling.

Tup yelped as his body turned, and he felt his leg give a restraining tug. He was dangling upside down, at the mercy of the rope he had haphazardly tied around his leg should he fall.

The mechanic laughed and hurried over, bracing callused hands on either shoulder. “Steady there, paratrooper.” They laughed, hands moving to his cheeks. “Quite the fall there!”

Type only offered a sheepish grin. “Heh. I guess. Um… Hi.”

The mechanic laughed, moving in, lips covering his, and their chin bumped his nose. “Hi.”

Tup sighed against his beloved mechanic, taking in the scent of oil and fresh denim from their mechanic uniform. His hands, despite being upside down, managed to gently hold two cheeks that were rarely clean from working under ships all day.

He broke away first, feeling his face get heavy with the weight of gravity. “Um… Wanna help me down? Please?”

Chapter Text

You were not expecting his hair to be dark. Or light. Or curly or straight… you didn’t know what to expect, honestly, but everything you saw shocked you, meaning that… you could not have been expecting it. His hair was brown, and wound in little curls around his head. It puffed out, and you found yourself wondering how he didn’t complain about the heat of it under his helmet.

“Don’t look-” He huffed, turning away from you. On instinct you spun around, squeezing your eyes closed.

You leaned a hand on the wall to valence yourself, with no sight. “I’m sorry! The door was open!” Space was as dark as it was already and closing your eyes didn’t work, especially in the sparse lighting of stars. You had only seen a few whisps of dark hair, which was how you knew it was brown. It had actually taken you an embarrassingly long amount of time to determine that what threw you off was that the Mandalorian was sans bucket.

There was a grumble from him, oddly warm without the muffled effect of the beskar helmet.

Oddly though, you did not hear movement. The air was still, thick, and silent with the child sleeping in the lower deck of the ship. All you could hear once the rapid pounding of your heart subsided was the slow, gentle breaths of the Mandalorian and the soft hum of the ship moving among the stars.

“You’re not moving,” You said, out loud.

His presence seemed to hesitate as a whole. It was rare for him to stop and halt like this- that moment of uncertainty was unlike Din. “No,” He finally said. “I’m not.” That voice was so much softer than you thought it would be. You always thought he had to talk loudly through his helmet to just be heard, but the voice was not rough or weak with use.

You started to turn, but stopped at a soft “Don’t,” from Din.

“Don’t what?”

“Stay.”

“Don’t stay?”

“Don’t move,” His words were as soft as the creeping realization that he was close to you. “Right here. If you move towards me, I’ll move away.”

“I’m staying.” You managed, quietly, and you inhaled. The air smelled of tight tension, and trust. “I won’t look.”

A gentle hand-shaped weight pressed to your back, and something tickled your neck. His lips were warm as he leaned in, nuzzling you, with your back to him, and his hands laid against you as if you were the only source of gravity in the universe.

You felt frozen. Stay, he had huffed softly against your neck. There was no desperation, no grabbing and pulling, just a very gentle hold on you. You could step away from him and walk to the little ladder but that… Was not what you wanted to do.

You leaned back on him, more, settling against him. He hummed in a brief moment of surprise before sighing, running his hand over the length of your hip, and he brushed his lips on your neck and that beard tickled.

You chuckled and let him hold you, and you simply stood there, staying with him, two beings along and still among an ever-shifting universe.

Chapter Text

Tech’s fingers flew across the typing pad as he worked, eyes focused firmly on the blue screen before him. Letters and code flew by as he worked, impatient hands seeking an unknown answer.

He glanced up to the side as the door slid open, the mercenary striding in, a smirk settled on her lips. “Evening, Tech.” She settled her helmet under her arm against her hip, which was popped out to the side.

“Good day,” He replied, pressing his eyes back to his work. His hands, steady, were now shaking somewhat. Was it warm in here? Steadily, the heat was climbing, and he felt the back of his neck flush. “How was scouting?”

She nodded and walked closer, a cool and confident swagger laying in her swaying hips. “Fine. Nothing new. Same old.” She leaned up close to him, looking over the screen, her skin hazy with the blue glow of the screen.

Tech risked a glance sideways at her- her lips were pursed as she read over everything he had written, researched, the miles of equations and facts he has skimmed through. The smile- it was what undid him every time, whenever she relinquished it to him and relinquished it often, and it had the same effect as whiskey with the same strength every time, if not a positive interaction. In his mind, he constructed a little scatter plot- a terrifyingly abrupt upward slope, with the x-axis being Her Smile and the y-axis being His Poor Heart Rate.

He was unfortunate that Hunter was so good at hearing and could easily hear Tech’s heart teetering on the precipice of running amok. But he was lucky that only Hunter could hear this, because if Crosshair or Wrecker could-

No. This heart beat would not really be so secretive if any of them could hear that well.

She hummed and drew his attention back, and her eyes sparked with curiosity, flaming up into that benevolent maliciousness she showed in every mission- the confidence practically oozed from her. “Something seems to be on your mind, Tech?” She purred. The helmet was set aside on the rim of the holo table.

“Yes.” Tech said, quickly. “Numbers. Statistics. Boring things.”

She raised her brows and glanced momentarily at the screen. “You realize you’ve been typing my name for the past thirty seconds.”

Kark. His throat went dry and his eyes darted to the screen, and he felt his cheeks, his forehead, all of his face, warm up unevenly, hot blood babbling beneath his skin. Quickly, his hands moved on muscle memory alone, and he deleted the repetitions of his favorite word in the universe, that name.

He stared blanky at the screen, trying to not listen to her chuckles, and he swallowed an oddly gunky ball in his throat that had welled up all of a sudden.

“It’s okay, Tech.” She reached up and gently touched his shoulder. “I’ve done the same.” Her smile flickered briefly from the good-natured slyness, and some of her rarer form emerged. Softness. Eyes and gentle lips he only got to see on occasion, and yes- the scatter plot needed some more drastic increases.

“You do?”

“Well, not the exact same.” She shrugged. “But sure.”

He blinked, thrice, and then his body moved on instinct. Where he had been wordless, the kiss said everything from him.

And she returned it, her arms wrapping around his shoulders and pulling him in tighter, her throat making a noise halfway between passion and relief, and he melted.

Tech broke away and turned his head away, feeling his face heat up again. “I… I’m glad you do it too.”

She laughed, her fingers gently guiding his chin back to her, and she kissed him.

Chapter Text

You only realized what danger you were in about two weeks after you had thrown the towel at Mando. Your literal towel, just to make him flustered. The big bad wolf, silent and blushing under that bucket, now turned hunter.

And you were prey.

You were currently ducked into the smallest corner behind the crates, breathing as quietly as possible. Being prey was no fun- at least, you didn’t think so.

Din certainly thought so. You heard the muffled steps exploring the dark hull, but that may have just been your increasing heart. The steps were slow; patient, taking their time. Your blood spiked and you crouched back smaller, curling up as tightly as you could get your body to cooperate.

“I hear you.”

Your head snapped up, glued to the ceiling. Your breathing increased.

“Come on, sweetheart, it’s alright that you’re bad at hiding.”

Sweetheart? You swallowed hard and tightened your fists. You felt like he could even hear you breathing and was coming towards you. The hair on the back of your neck stood up.

Even though it was fully dark you swore you could feel his eyes searing into you. You closed your eyes as he called out again, dangerous and low. “Come on, darling. I know you’re hiding. I know you how you’re feeling- you’re probably very, very scared.”

You were, but also you were the opposite. A thrill ran up your spine as you tried to convince the hull of the ship to swallow you. He called out, for a third time, on the other side of the hull, his lips half lustful with a “Sweetheart,”.

He sounded far away. Your ears were hot, but your shoulders relaxed.

“Found you,” A modulated voice huffed near your ear.

You sprung up as quick as a Loth cat, a shout of irritation ejecting from your lips. “Ass.” You swore you heard a chuckle, and a twinge if something ran down your spine as you rose.

“If we ever have to hide, you’re in big trouble.” He said, and leathered fingers in the dark found your hairline to adjust the headband you wore.

Your breath hitched without request. “How did you find me?”

“You come up on my heat sensors when I say sweetheart,” His voice dipped again into that lusty coating just as the fingers skimmed down your face and dropped to his side. “Red- bright red.”

Your hands struck out before you thought they would- they brushed cold beskar before his fingers caught your wrists and yanked you in close. His voice, in a half grunt with that same voice as earlier, hissed, “Run, sweetheart.” Before letting you go.

You snarled at him. “Another round of hide and seek? Seriously?”

“You have fifteen seconds.”

You snorted, but your legs took you running across the hull as you sprinted around the corner, through a little hall, squishing between corners and divets until you ran into metal. You pressed your back to it, breathing deeply heart pounding. More than just the adrenaline of the hunting game. Mado did this so you knew how to hide, fight, survive.

But clearly, you couldn’t survive the way his lips dropped in honey when they say sweetheart, darling, little one.

You felt yourself exhale “Stars.” He was intense- more intense than usual. Your teasing, your flirting, it had all paid off into this delicious chase and some other things from him for the past few days. Subtle touches, saying certain words, or saying your name in a different affection.

And, to your shock, you enjoyed the chase more than you cared to admit.

The wall behind you moved. You gave out a gasp, but a leathered hand covered your mouth. “I didn’t even have to try.” The Mandalorian growled. He didn’t have to hold you tight- you found yourself leaning back against him. He chuckled(?) as he turned the cool metal helmet towards you. “You know how I’ve felt.”

You laughed quietly, the irritation bubbling with a giddiness that left you lightheaded and airy. “I do.”

He turned you to him, stilling you. He removed his hand to slip off his helmet. “And?” His voice, musky, warm, was still coated in that sticky huskiness from earlier.

You felt yourself grin as your hands found his hair, tangling themselves in his curls and tugging him down. “I should do it more.”

“No, you won’t. I’ll do it first.”

You began to protest but was cut off by his mouth- that mouth. Warm, delicious, prickly with stubble as he pulled you closer into him. Maybe it was the way his fingers smoothed up your back, but your spine trilled with a delighted rhythm. You shoved him back against the wall, going up and finding his mouth again eagerly and searching for more, more.

You and Mando had both waited long enough for this.

Chapter Text

Rex was not used to how the senator looked at him. He was used to the glares, the snarls from those who hated clones, thought of them subhuman and saw Rex as lesser than. He was used to the worshipping gazes of shinies who stated up at him, the brave captain.

But the senator- she looked at him like a man. Like he was Rex. He never knew that he had wanted anyone to look at him like a normal man.

Which was why he dreaded going up to her office to retrieve things from her office- reports, concerns, reports of potential threats- every time he was around her he was torn between agony and overflows of joy.

Which was why standing in her office with bated breath was the most terrifying thing he had done. The words had spilled from his mouth faster than he could catch them, and she was standing now, still behind her desk, eyes wide and alight with shock, lips slack.

I love you, senator.

Rex grimaced now as she moved from behind the desk. “I- I’m sorry, ma'am. I don’t know what came over me.”

She walked towards him, that look in her eyes again but at a hundred time its usual flame, a new desperation in her step. She walked up to Rex, stopping short a few inches. Rex’s fist tightened for a moment. He would merely have to extend hiss fingers and then they would be touching.

“Did you mean that, Captain?” She asked, eyes drifting up his face slowly. They flickered to his lips and she gave a shaky exhale, so warm and welcoming and he could feel it.

Words stuck in his throat. Thick and heavy. Honey-coated words should have rolled out like hot butter but instead it coagulated into a jumbled mess in his throat, so he only had the ability to give a quick nod, seeking rapidly in his mind for excuses.

Her lips quirked into a smile and she reached up, fingers grazing his cheek briefly enough for his irises to dark back to her.

She closed in- the room became warm as her hand, decorated with jewels, landed on his white armor, and her face hovered, centimeters away, Rex closing his eyes on instinct. He could feel every fiber of her being, woven with anticipation, that excitement he always felt near her. Her lashes fluttered against his cheek and he realized- she was waiting on him.

Rex’s lips tugged, trying to find the words- but that brief breath she gave made him hesitated to even begin to muster up a protest. How could he? Even if words of purpose were accidental, or if confessions were unwittingly said, she was here, face two inches from him, ready to meet him halfway. He leaned in, hesitantly, lips brushing hers in a slow and painful touch.

She sighed, hands sliding up his armor and to his shoulders. Rex wrapped his arms around the senator, data pad sitting lazily in his hand and slipping onto the desk behind her. He crumpled her against him as she kissed him- a real kiss. No pauses. No second guesses. Just the senator and himself, clutching one another for dear life, lips a lifeline. Warm. Soft. Very, very present.

Rex broke away first. His head tilted down and he bumped his forehead into hers, breathing shakily, hands trembling as she touched him, fingers running over the ridges of the plastoid plating. “Senator, I… I think you know that I meant it.”

“I believe I am well aware of that now, Rex.” She laughed gently and leaned heavily against him again, the sun reflecting gently in her window and catching that same burn in her eyes that Rex never wanted to get used to.

Chapter Text

Tech had an analytical mind. It worked with numbers, data, charts, facts. So it had not taken him long to figure out that the bounty hunter was upset. They had stormed into Cid’s place, smacked their comm down, and left in a flurry up to the roof.

Something bumped Tech’s shoulder. “What got into them?” Hunter hissed, arms crossed. He watched the doorway to the back section of the bar, with the curtains still swaying after the bounty hunter’s flurry of agitated footsteps echoing down the hall.

“You expect me to know that?”

“You pay attention to ‘em.” Echo piped up. He lowered his cup, tapping the empty bottom of it on the counter. “If anyone would know, it’s you.”

Tech snorted, but his ribs tightened. They knew.

“You’re not as sly as you think.” Wrecker leaned heavily on the bar, a bottle resting in his hand. “We see ya.” He guffawed, heavily slamming down the cup. He grimaced slightly only when Cid glared at him.

Tech stared, alone on his own side in a room full of people. His cheeks felt hot, and he felt as though he was so warm that the heat would sear his face and neck. “Fine!” He snorted. He meant for it to come out as a reluctant sigh, but the defensive snap escaped against his will. Tech turned, steps as short as his temper.

Naturally, the Bounty Hunter was on the roof, leaning on the edge, staring down at the streets. Helmet off, he watched as that head he caught himself staring at so much bobbed slightly, as if they were talking to themselves.

Tech spoke as he approached, still some distance away. “You look irritated.”

They turned and looked over their leather clad shoulder, offering a sheepish grin, weight sinking their elbows against the rim of the roof again. “I feel irritated. Good thing it matches.” They snorted softly and readjusted their stance, leaning on one foot and resting more on the wall.

Tech glanced back at the roof entrance- no one. His ribs loosened from their anxious constrains as he leaned next to the bounty hunter. He slowly moved a hand, palm hovering in the air. “May I?” They gave a grunt of confirmation, giving a nod, and Tech rested his hand on their back.

The Bounty Hunter sunk under the weight of his hand, but in the most relax way possible. They exhaled quietly, eyes sliding shut as their head tilted over and landed on him. They exhaled as Tech squeezed his arm around them, and the quiet of the air overtook them. No noise aside from distant city vendors, the gentle waves of night lapping over the sky and overcoming the day, and all oranges, pinks, yellows, slowly melting away like the tension in the body of the Bounty Hunter.

“Hey,” They said, softly. Their lips brushed Tech’s check as they huffed in a warm breath. “Thanks for making me smile.”

Tech squeezed them closer, turning them to him softly. “It is no trouble. I just want to ensure that you’re doing well, is all- we can’t have our best ally being negative now.”

“Mm. Simply an ally, is that all?”

Tech laughed softly, turning them towards him, hands resting gently on their arms. He said nothing for a moment, muddling through the dictionaries in his mind to find just the right words for them. “Is there something else that will provide to you that we are more than allies?”

They gave a hum, hands rolling lazily over his chest. Their sour mood was totally gone now, and all that remained was that aloof smile that Tech caught in rare moments alone. “I really think a kiss would show me.”

“Excellent.” Tech breathed, tugging them in. “I want to kiss you.” He wrapped an arm behind their back, gathering them up armor and all against him in the softest, yet the most satisfying, kiss Tech had felt in a long time.

Chapter Text

You had clenched your fist the whole time during your meeting with Tarkin. Your hand was so tight that you knew your nails would leave angry moons on your palms. And yet your voice was steady, expression calm, the opposite of what you thought it would be like.

The new medical director of the Imperial ward- in charge of attending to the health and wellness of all the remaining clones and new stormtroopers. With the Empire shifting power away from the Kamonians, you were left holding the broken peices.

The meeting ended and you marched out, face a dangerous calm as you moved, robotically, through the halls, trying to find your room among identical doors.

This was passing, and you sat in silence. And for what?

So many of the men you had known, the ones you watched grow and train, were dead. Cannon fodder their whole lives, now reduced to dust and ash scattered across the galaxy. Why did you stay?

You tapped your code in on your door, stepping into the pristine room. You reached up, mussing your hair from ita prim and proper fashion you reserved for meetings. You paused, shrugging off your white jacket, glancing at the side. Tension evaporated as Crosshair took the toothpick out of his mouth, standing from the table. “Good meeting, I take it?”

You exhaled, all the stress leaving your body in that humid breath. “Sure.” You grinned, walking around the table as he rose, and you leaned into him, holding his midsection tightly.

He didn’t fully understand physical affection- he didn’t understand your need to hold a body that was not broken, to hear a heart that was beating. But you still felt that same thrill when he pressed his lanky arms around you. “You wanna talk about it?” Crosshair mumbled in your hair.

You shook your head, leaning back to skim over his face. You took in his features- the full lips, pursed in concern, the almost-white tufts of hair curling on his head, rebellious to any taming. Just like him.

Hands grasped him, with a grip so strong you felt as though you could crack his armor. “I wanted to leave,” You managed. “I have seen to many of your brothers die.”

“They were never my brothers. Regs? No.” A wistfulness filled his voice. You knew the men that lingered, the ones that were his brothers.

Even so, you nodded. “But I see you in them, still. I don’t want to see you die. I don’t want to be separate from you.” You pulled yourself into his chest again, arms all but being thrown around him. “You’re my future- not a part of it but all of it.” You nestled against him, alert to the warmth of his gloves hands as the absentmindedly rubbed your back. “So I’m not leaving, no matter how much I want to.”

His fingers faltered. He was going to say something. The words stunted in his throat. A false start.

Instead, Crosshair dipped his head into your hair, exhaling, whispering “Mesh'la,” in a soft and melancholy breath.

You lingered in your cabin. With Crosshair’s arms around you, it was hard to remember any of the anger that had made you want to leave- as long as he was here, you would be as well.

Chapter Text

It was the jedi’s touch that always made Tup inhale extra deeply- the way they gently laid their hand on his shoulder in comraderie, the soft brushing of their voice, the graceful treading of their footsteps. Tup treasured moments alone with them.

Even now, on their scouting into the night, Tup was sneaking glances at the jedi. He could practically feel his heart sweeping three times its normal size in his armor.

When Tup had told Jesse and Kix and Fives his symptoms, Kix had been worried. Ever the medic, Kix had offered to do the basics of a medical exam.

“So when do you feel this? The- the shortness of breath, the quickening pulse?” Kix laid his two fingers on the pulse point of Tup’s neck.

Tup snuck another glance at the general and felt his face flush under his helmet. The Jedi removed their outermost robe and glanced at Tup, grinning. “Want to see something cool?”

“Just around the general.” Tup shifted on the examination table, the plastic rustling under him. “When I’m- well, when I’m near them, when they smile, but it’s even worse when the general talks to me.”

“Yeah. Er, yes, Sir.” Tup managed. His chest tightened with that fluttering, and he heard his voice crack slightly in the modulator of his own helmet.

Fives, Kix, and Jesse all stared at him for a moment. It was Fives who burst into laughter first, Jesse and Kix following with chuckles. To felt his ears heart up under his hair, thankful he had our it down to hide any blushing that may occur in the appointment. They were his brothers- and reading always happened. “What? Maybe I’m just allergic-”

“Allergic!?” Fives caught his breath. “To the general?”

Helpless, Tup looked at Kix. The medic only shrugged. “Sorry, vod, but Fives is right. For once. It sounds like they’re just in your system.”

“In my system, all right. First thing I think about when I wake up- and when I get to bed! At all times?” Tup frowned. “Help. Me.”

The Jedi raised their arms, tilting their head back and breathing through their nose. Clearly, there was some kind of ritual that Jedi had. It felt too intimate to watch, with the Jedi so vulnerable, but Tup could not turn his eyes away. He wanted to watch- had to watch. His heart tightened.

Tup’s heart tightened again. “I just- I don’t know what to do.”

Fives glanced at Jesse, the laughter falling from his face. Jesse moved up a bit, leaning on the examination table as Kix began to write a report on the check-up. Jesse crossed his arms. “Vod, why not just- try to say something about this?”

“I did, just now. To you.”

“I mean to the general.”

Tup felt his stomach do that weird flip as the Jedi’s arms raised, breath still in their chest- living. Not just alive, but living. The jedi’s arms pressed out with such force that Tech felt compelled to duck, move aside.

The Jedi turned, and a loud whoosh of wind rippled through the field. Following it, the ground and water came to life.

The water rippled, pulled towards them, and the grass rolled, crickets singing out in song as fireflies lit, dancing stars fallen from the sky above, gold and brilliant.

“I mean, what would you have to lose if you said anything?”

Jesse’s words echoed in his ears as he stepped towards the Jedi. Even though the galaxy the universe, was compacted and living and breathing around him, the only thing in his visions was the Jedi, who stilled as Tup approached.

What would I have to lose?

Tup stopped just short of the Jedi. His heart rang in his ears as he removed his helmet, acutely aware of how much closer the Jedi seemed when his bucket was off. His face was warm, and words flooded out at the Jedi watched him, body an iridescent haze in the breath and life around them.

“I- I really-” Tup swallowed.

I have nothing to lose.

“I really want to kiss you. Now. Or, you know.” He felt a hand run up his neck and up his tied back hair. It was a bad habit. “Or at your earliest convenience. Or whenever you want.”

The life around them did not stop- it continued pressed as the Jedi walked towards him, the smile blossoming on their face. “Or now.”

Tup nodded, leaning down to meet the general’s mouth. “Now is good.”

Chapter Text

The middle of the night was always the hardest time to wake up. You sat up, the warmth of the bunk lingering and Hunter’s arm weighing still on your hip. You shifted as subtly as you could manage, trying to not rock the scene too much- hopefully your movement would not be too much and awaken your lover.

Nightmares scarred you like black plasma burns on otherwise unmarked walls. You loved your job- being a medic, healing people, taking care of these men, your boys- but you had seen too much. Most nights it haunted you, dabbling back into dreams and interrupting sleep. You kicked your legs over the bed and sat up fully, placing your forehead into your interlaced fingers. You would be fine; but you always needed some moments to allow yourself to break. The only sensation you felt, save the cold, was the rolling staticity of your hands rubbing together.

You loved these boys. Like your brothers- Hunter, moreso, in a more romantic way. They were grown men, yes, but they were your boys. Doctorly hands would always move with a maternal touch, and over time you had softened for your squad, become familiar with their mannerisms, fallen in love with them in their own different ways.

Slowly, you began to rise- on nights where you couldn’t sleep, you would usually go to the med ward on the ship. There was always some kind of work to do.

Hunter’s arm flexed around your hip as you moved. You froze. Clones were typically hard sleepers, but Hunter was another story. The faintest of scents could stir him.

Tonight, he shifted toward you more in his small bunk. “Sweetheart,” He mumbled. You glanced back, guilt bubbling in your stomach. “Where ya goin’?”

Your shoulders slumped at the sleepy husk enveloping his voice. “To the lab.”

“You should be sleepin’, like the rest of us.”

You started to shake your head, but Hunter’s arm adjusted and wrapped higher around you, and he pulled you in. “C'mere,” He mumbled. “Lemme hold you.”

Your body was dragged down by him, close to him, and he rolled you over to face him. You could see the sliver of his observant brown eyes watching you in his sleep. Despite being a sleepy shell of the man he normally was, he was every-constant and paying close attention to you. Watching you. Sensing you.

Quietly, he leaned forward and pressed his lips to yours. It was chaste in that moment, but warm and everything you could ever need. The kiss- it was caramelized sugar in your mouth. It stuck. Lingered.

Hunter broke away, smoothing a hand over your jaw, thumb memorizing the shape of it. “I’ll always wanna hold you. No matter what time it is.” Hunter mumbled, softly closing his eyes again.

After a moment, his hand rested softly on the curve of your neck, fingers caressing in smaller and smaller semicircles as he drifted to sleep.

You shifted more into him, sighing, the tension melting from your tight body as Hunter’s slow breathing began. Yes, sometimes you needed to break, but he would be here to hold you when you did.

Chapter Text

You had been a few miles from the Outpost when a presence disturbed your meditative walk. You stopped and turned, the saber bumping lightly on your hip. “Crosshair,” You heard your voice rose in a half warning, half question.

As if to answer your rhetorical question, Crosshair moved out from behind the trees. His shoulders were rolled back, and his visor was looking straight at you. You felt it before you could actually see it on him- pride, it sat around him. A shell. Its boundary brushed you and slowly enveloped you as he moved in, closer, and stopped a couple of feet from you. “I’m coming with you.”

“I appreciate the concern-”

“It was not a question.” The words were a mere hiss from under his helmet, edging to a snarl.

You bit the inside of your cheek, the insides of your chest twitching. “Crosshair, it is dangerous, especially for you.”

“The more, the merrier.” Such happy words heard sour when they were coming out of his mouth, bitter in your ears, seeping in his verbal poison. “It won’t cause any harm if I come.”

“I’m your general, and I’m ordering you to go back to the Havoc. Please.”

His hand by his side flexed, opening and closing into a fist, grasping. “No.” Grasping.

“Crosshair, I need you to go back-”

The visor did not betray emotion, but it could not block the snarl that escaped him. “And I need you to not go alone.” You paused, silent. When you didn’t argue, he pushed further. “I won’t- I can’t let you do this alone. It’s dangerous-” His voice cracked. “To go into this without backup. Without me.” The words were shattered in the modulator and his helmet tilted away from you.

Fear.

You moved forward, gently reaching up and laying your fingers on the helmet. When he didn’t move, you slowly raised it, hearing the soft huff of the pressure in his helmet deactivate as you pulled it from him. He wasn’t looking at you- he couldn’t bring himself to, not with that lip trembling and those eyes fighting to hide every ounce of fear it betrayed. “Cross. Please, look at me.”

The gaze was reluctant, scraping away from the darkened trees and slowly moving to you. It was a rare moment of brutal, silent honesty, but it was eating away at him. You touched his face, fingers brushing his cheeks. Love; it was something Jedi were avoidant of embracing, but you had learned to embrace it and the sniper long ago, viper voice and all. Love made way for fear of losing what you loved- so far that was the only downside you could find. Crosshair tilted his face into your fingers, closing his eyes softly. These moments were rare, and it was often more brief than this.

You leaned up, on your toes, kissing his cheek. You slowly moved away, hands loosely holding his now. Crosshair glanced down at your hands and thumbed over them, silent.

I’m frightened.

“I know.” You squeezed his fingers. “I… I cannot force you to go back, and I can’t force you to come along.” You bit your cheek again. “But if you choose to come, I’ll have you.”

Crosshair’s head darted up, brown eyes flickering for a moment. Warm. His fingers squeezed yours and, as you walked, he followed you, that hand grasping yours, no longer empty and no longer alone.

Chapter Text

The warmth of the water was surprising to you, but what surprised you more was how quickly the Jedi master had reached the water. Already, he was further out, treading water, watching you with his white teeth gleaming as he smiled. Your teeth chattered somewhat as you stepped a little more into the water, wrapping your arms around yourself. Though the water was warm there was a bite to the air.

“Just move faster, sweet.” Kit yelled. “Or do I have to come get you?”

You laughed and stepped in more, feeling your body relax as the warmth greeted it. “Fine, fine. Just testing it.” You kicked your feet to stay afloat as you swam towards him.

Kit chuckled, reaching out, taking you in one arm and treading with the other. “Testing takes far shorter.”

“For you, fish.”

Kit laughed and shook his head, turning you closer against him. “Rely on me to keep you swimming. I’ll hold you, you just pay attention to me and my good looks.” He shot you a wink, but you missed it.

“What’s it like going so far down?” You wiggled your toes, the water flowing around you effortlessly. “I’m sure you get to swim down there all the time. See the bottom of the floor, all those fish.” Your voice ebbed in couriousity. He didn’t need to sense it- your brain, that hunger for simply knowing, was in the air.

“My relatives.”

You laughed and shook your head, gently pushing against him. Your body began to float away, but his hands caught you and slowly pulled you back in. “I’m just teasing. Your couriousity is never ending, is it, sweet?” You shook your head and he smiled, but this was a different smile- fond, soft, gentle. His fingers flexed in yours. “Do you trust me?”

Your brow quirked. “Depends on what you’re about to do.”

Kit laughed and squeezed your hands. “I’ll take you down. If you need air, just kiss me.” He did not wait for you- he simply sunk in, pulling you down with him.

The shock of the water enveloped you as Kit pulled you down. His hold was tight, but not controlling. Slowly, he anchored you down, bringing you into the world he knew. Your ears popped. Your lungs tightened, and you glanced at him. You squeezed his fingers, pulling him closer.

Just kiss me.

Without hesitation you moved in and he was waiting, earnestly pulling you in. His lips met yours and air- it filled your lungs, as did relief and warmth. You barely made out a smirk as he pulled you in more.

It went like this- lower and lower into the water, a kiss, and then, eventually, your feet hit the bottom, hands still grasped by Kit’s. You blinked, gaze adjusting to the haze of the water and the darkness of depths. You hadn’t gone too deep- swimming up would be far more manageable than it had been coming down.

The lights in the water were soft and incandescent. Like space. But you could touch, feel, and greet this little universe. And it was pulsing with life. Yellows and oranges of bloated night fish ushering by you, and the path scattering the rocks of brilliant pinks and purples with the scavengers waiting on the rocks. This was their little life, their home, their world. And you were here- in it, in their depths. Although you couldn’t breathe the sight of it gave you a second wind.

This was Kit’s world.

He tugged on you, gently, pulling you up towards the surface. Your feet paddled after in hesitantly, eyes moving between his sleek form and the little neon universe below, unaware that you had even been there in the first place.

Your head broke the surface. You gasped, throwing your head back, drinking in the air. You released his hands and leaned back, floating on the lapping waves, staring up at the sky.

“There’s more.” You managed. “There’s more to all the world’s I have been on.”

Kit’s laugh was bubbly against the water. “You were magnificent, sweet.” He squeezed your arm and pulled you to him, moving as fluidly as if he were on land. “Exploration suits you. But not ten thousand depths can compare to the beauty-”

You laughed and finally sat up, treading water. “You’re trying to sweet talk me.”

“Ah.” He waved his hands in a surrendering gesture. The waves of his motion splashed lightly on your arms. “You know me too well.” Kit’s chuckle was contagious, airy, bright.

“You don’t have to woo me. You can just kiss me, you know.”

Kit laughed again, accepting the invitation with welcoming arms. Against your lips, he mumbled, “You know me too, too well, my love.”

Chapter Text

You had taken your bow and stepped quietly behind the stage, heart palptating briefly. You felt your chest tightening before it swelled with relief. Your face was red from the performance as you hurried back to your room.

It was tight, as the club was primarily dedicated to seating for patrons. Gamblers, hitmen, high-ups in the mafias. This club, L'ouiseaux de Rouge, was considered a “safe zone”- no shooting or fighting within the brick and mortar of the bar.

You shuffled past a saxophonist and nodded politely at him, sliding into the small hallway that lead into your small dressing room. You exhaled quietly and turned, shutting the door behind you to cut off the world. You allowed yourself a chance to breathe. You sunk down into your chair. Singing for an hour made your throat dry, and your larynx shriveled in your throat.

The thought of lemon tea and honey made your mouth water with temptation. Your grabbed your coat and stood, wrapping it around you. You moved to the door, fingers landing on the knob just as there was a knock. Perfect timing.

“Hello, miss.” The man behind the door flickered the toothpick out of his mouth. “The name’s Cross.”

“Oh.” You tugged your jacket on tighter. “Hello.” You glanced to the side. “What can I do for you?” This wasn’t the first men you met alone in the back- not that you enjoyed it. Men had come back to try and visit you behind the stage, but the band members had luckily kept an eye on you and escorted the more… Rowdy men out.

“New owner of the place heard you perform.” He popped the toothpick back in his mouth. “He just wanted to say hi to you. Get to know you better. No pressure if not.” Cross stepped back, raising his hands in a subtle gesture of peace. “He wants you to be comfortable.”

You hesitated briefly. "The new owner?“ You leaned on the doorway. "I didn’t think Max would ever sell.”

“He did.” Cross stepped aside and swept an arm. “You wanna go say hi? Promise you, he’s a real nice guy.”

You hesitated, glancing to the side. The saxaponist you passed by earlier glanced your way, took note of the man with the toothpick, and nodded softly. Finally, you exhaled. “Sure. I’ll go say hi. Am I… in trouble?” You wrapped your jacked around your shoulders, shuddering. It was much warmer on stage, and the chill of backstage ran over you brutally.

“No, no, darling. Of course not.” Cross stepped to the side and gestured you, grandly. “After you.”

You nodded at him, tugging the lapels tighter to you and you stepped out of the side door, the smart dressed man following you closely. He stood a reasonable distance, eyes roaming the room as he herded you towards a table at the back of the room. Your steps were muffled by the carpet, and the room was weighted with cigar smoke and music, and soft murdering of voices. You nodded politely at some of the regulars who attended as you passed. You blinked to adjust to the sudden change of lighting, hearing a chair back out from the table.

“Boss,” Cross walked around to the other side of the table. “The enchanting singer.”

“Thank you, Cross.” A deep voice emerged. Your eyes had adjusted- dark but warm eyes stood opposite of you, tall. He reached out and gently took your hand, kissing it politely in greeting. His mouth was warm, rough, and the touch was brief. “Please, sit.”

You nodded, lowering yourself into the seat next to him. He waited until you were fully sitting before he turned, tugging in his chair, and he moved smoothly. In the orange haze of the candlelight of the table you could see him better. He leaned on the table, picking up his glass and taking a sip of his water. The eyes- darkened, they were warm but alert. “You sung beautifully, by the way.”

“Thank you.” You shifted quietly, swallowing, trying to summon courage- courage of any kind, really. His presence was as intimidating as it was alluring. “You’re the new owner?”

“Correct. My boys and I now run the place.” He lowered the glass. “Name’s Hunter.”

You nodded, politely, shifting again. “Am I in trouble?” Your palms felt cold assist the table- your fingers rubbed together. When his lips curled into a small smile, you shuddered slightly.

“Trouble? No, darling, no trouble. Are you cold?” He glanced down at your arm. “I can get you a warm drink.” He turned and glanced back, eyes searching for a waiter. “Some tea, maybe, for that voice.” Hunter looked back at you, raising his eyebrows. “But I just wanted to get to know my star singer.”

Heat filled your face. Despite the dimness, you fought to look away. “Thank you.” You tapped your fingers lightly on the table, the wood smooth under your hands, familiar. The waiter, luckily, saved you, and he lowered a cup of hot tea with lemon and a small cup of honey for you. You nodded at him, gracious for him further distancing the moment and giving you something to do other than be absolutely intrigued by your new boss.

“He knows your drink?” Hunter paused, examining the cup. “Hot tea with lemon and honey.” He examined it, brow knitting. “Ah- a singer. Of course.” You chuckled and reached for the small cup, but Hunter reached the honey before you did. “No- allow me. It’s the very least I can do for my singer.”

You thanked him again, formally and softly. His hands made easy work of the honey and the tea, pouring it smoothly, scarred hands shockingly easy. “I’m honored you wanted to talk to me, sir.”

“Just Hunter, please.” He offered the cup back. “I wanted to talk to you about some… Business dealings.” Hunter watched you take a slow sip, eyes attentive to how your lips twitched when they touched the too-hot tea. You lowered the cup, feeling heat moving to places that you didn’t even know could feel a blush.

“About what?”

“Do you sing at any other clubs?” Hunter picked up his own drink. You nodded softly. “I wanted to offer you- sing solely at my club. I’ll triple your pay. You sing for me.” Darkness flickered in the candle-amber eyes with possession.

Different possession from your past boyfriend- from him. Your leg throbbed with phantom pain. The knot from a broken bone was still there.

But when you looked at Hunter- A thrill ran down your spine. His eyes- they said one thing. Your voice will be mine.

You straightened in your seat and tried the tea again- much cooler now. “Triple? That’s generous.”

“Everyone gets a livable wage under me. That’s the least I can do for top-notch service.” Hunter’s jaw tightened slightly as he picked up his cup. Ice clinked. “And a woman of your caliber should be paid far more.” There it was again- a scraping of possession in his voice.

You felt a smile press to your lips but did your best to swallow it. Shyness ate away at you- you put on a show up stage. Your sultry smile and hugging dresses was a disguise for introversion. Singing made you charming, complete- and he liked it.

And if he liked it, you had the sensation that you didn’t want to stop any time soon. You nodded again, eagerly. “Yes! Yes. Please.”

A chuckle escaped him. It was light with amusement. An aria of warmth. “Do you come to practice?”

“Tomorrow.”

“I’ll be here tomorrow morning. I’ll bring only one of my boys- Tech, my chauffeur. Want to make my singer the most comfortable she can be.” He smiled, and white teeth flashed in the candlelight.

You shuddered again, thighs squeezing together under the table. You would sing for him- any time if day or night, wherever he desired- your voice was fully his, and you couldn’t hide the delight that mingled with the sweetness of the tea.

Chapter Text

Even through most mornings on the Havoc were quiet with inactivity, there was already an active hum in the air. You sat up in your bunk, quietly, rubbing your face to get some warmth circulating in it.

A majority of the Batch had been out on a mission, save you and Tech. You sat up, quietly, rubbing your cheeks with more intensity as you stood up, your feet padding quietly into the hull of the ship. You yawned, stretching, every vertabrae in your back rolling in relief.

The ship was not huge, but it felt oddly empty. Vast, even with just two people filling it.

It had been tense between you and Tech- he had been avoiding you most of the time. That yearning filled you as the smell of caf did, in the most physical and metaphorical sense. Your clasped your cup and moved through the ship, listening for the short words of the clone mumbling to himself.

You hesitated at the door of the cockpit- he was inside, talking to himself, walking no one through the vast multitudes of equations in his own head. You rested a free hand on the frame and listened to him, heart bouncing between your chest and your throat frantically. It was such a little thing- but you felt that thread of tensity tighten, at least on your end.

But those quiet words were so much.

Your knuckles rapped on the frame twice. “Morning. Up so early?”

“Yes.” The trooper stood quickly, closing the floor panel with his foot swiftly. His brow twitched at the pang the metal made.

“Great.” You offered out your own cup to him. You had not had the desire to drink it- the smell and Tech’s soft voice had been enough to fuel you. “How long have you been up?”

Under his blacks his muscles tightened and became harsh lines. “A while.”

You stood there, watching him take a sip. Words lay unspoken between you, everything, but nothing was said. “Why so long?”

“I wanted to.”

“Wanted to what?”

“Work.”

Your lips pressed back in a sharp line. There was a brief moment where you remembered last night a gentle pair of lips on yours- Tech’s lips, which now clung to the caf as if it was his life line. “About last night-”

“It was nothing.” He interrupted. He waved his fingers briefly, as if trying to brush the words and memory aside. “Trust me. We were both probably sleep deprived and anxious for everyone else to come back. There is some rational explanation for that- my little…” Tech cleared his throat. “Emotional outburst. I apologize for that sincerely.”

You stared at him, mouth dry. You suddenly wished you had not offered the caf, just to have some other sensation other than the numbness. “… Oh.”

Tech watched you briefly, lowering the cup. “Something appears to be… Troubling you.”

You shook your head and turned, rushing away towards the caf machine, mumbling something about needing more. A hand gently clasped your wrist. “Hey.” His fingers loosened, waiting, and when you did not move he slowly reeled you back in. “What is wrong?” He tugged you to him, and a hand gently moved up to your shoulder, resting. His fingers squeezed your arm, eyes flicking over your face. “You-”

Maybe it was just how his lips pursed. The way they curved. The concerned wrinkle in his brow. Just Texh- it was the little things. You launched up, hands holding him, and your mouth blocked his question.

There was a moment of pause. You tried to force your emotions into the touch. You didn’t want any more hormonal outbursts, you didn’t want any more apologies- you wanted Tech and all his little things.

His hands slowly moved, closing behind you. He pulled you against him gently, sighing, and relaxing into you. His blacks were smooth and cool, freeing over his skin and giving you an idea of the outline of his sinewy form. You pressed into him, more, feeling him stop at the wall. Tech hummed against you, breaking away only to return greedier, more hungry. His hands grasped at your nightshirt desperately for some final grip on reality. He wouldn’t find it here.

You mumbled his name into his mouth. When he tasted it he moaned, gripping you tighter and tugging you in more so he was trapped tightly between you and the metal.

It may have gone on further- your mind ran rampant with possibilities.

But the ship thudded, and a door below heaved open. Wrecker laughed loudly, and said some joke about the mission.

Tech pushed you away to be just within arm’s reach. “This isn’t done,” He mumbled, in that equation like voice, before stepping away to go greet his brothers, fighting to hide any evidence of your encounter.

Chapter Text

Wolffe hated Kamino. The only thing that kept him tethered were the young cadets, with his face and dark eyes, the same eagerness and thirst of other on their face. He didn’t know much, even as he watched the cadets huddle together, staring out at the dock, frowning at the weather. He never understood why he had once had the thirst for action, for war. The general had accompanied him, but while he was training she would be in meetings all day. She had told him to not wait, looking wistfully out the window at the constant storm.

Why? It always rained. There would be plenty waiting for her when she was done.

But he understood some things now- not everything, but some things.

The rain whispered a story, a memory as it drummed faithfully, dripping off the waiting floor for the clones and Wolffe to spar on.

“How do you understand the force?” Wolffe had asked the jedi, softly, as they watched the rain increase. It was now a wet grey haze, distorting the landscape. “Is that what makes you…” He nodded out at the rain. “Go sit?”

She glanced back at him and smiled, rain still cloning to her hair, her eyelashes, her very soul.

Wolffe lowered his helmet, wordlessly, and moved out into the rain. It was sudden, abrupt, wild- it hurt his cheeks when he tilted his head back. Loud enough to where he couldn’t hear the cadets calling to him, telling him to return to the shelter. The rain was cold, harsh, soaking into his body glove.

Her smile had been bright, wide, and it was almost like it had not rained at all, ever. “When you understand the force, you understand life. And vice versa.”

Wolffe gritted his teeth and closed his eyes, trying. Focusing. Tuning in to the rain sputtering around him.

“I don’t get the force.”

She shrugged. “That’s alright. You may never get it.” The silence was filled with the lightening fall of precipitation, a steady heartbeat of nature, throbbing and echoing all around him. She had nudged him, gently, with her elbow, and grinned. “Then understand me. That’s one step closer.”

He had told himself he was only courious because of how General Plo Koon was, how he utilized it. He told himself life of a Jedi was mysterious and had many questions. He told himself he wanted answers to questions he had his whole life. In truth he wanted to know her. The Jedi in the rain. The Jedi who glided through water. The Jedi who could move so fluidly that he sometimes thought she herself was a river, a force of nature.

Steady. Strong. It was rough sometimes, tremulous, but other times gentle and silent. Peace.

A rhythm in the rain picked up around him. Nothing else mattered, aside from the cleansing beat of steady rain on his war wrought skin.

Understand me, she had said.

He tilted his head back more, laughing gently, the clouds grey and dark but no longer oppressive. Maybe he didn’t fully understand- kark, perhaps he never would- but he was one step closer.

Beyond the deck, beyond baffled cadets, and above, a jedi- a woman, really- watched him.

Chapter Text

You had forgotten how quiet your home planet could be- in a moment of peace amidst the clone wars, which were sacred, you had sometimes imagined the lack of a lightsaber on your belt and your hands free of blood, running over velveteen petals. You closed your eyes and inhaled, unable to fend off the smile with that little burst of pride, of home, the swelled in your gut.

You didn’t even hear Echo behind you, startled by your overwhelming peace, until he cleared his throat. “General,” He started, voice bitter with regret. He had interrupted an intimate, quiet moment- at least he thought.

You smiled and glanced back, over your shoulder, hand still smoothing over the lavender flower. “Echo.” You grinned, turning to him. “I’m just- I’m enjoying this.” Your throat welled, dry, and you swallowed hard. “Peace.”

He stepped forward, arms enclosing you slowly, hesitating before you barrelled into his chest. Echo rested you into him, and you felt his nose bump your ear. He said nothing, only gave a shaky exhale. “You,” He whispered. “Deserve all the peace you desire.” He smoothed a gloved hand over your coarse and loose Jedi robe.

You sighed, pressing your face into his neck- the glove under was far softer than the rest of his body, under that armor. You reached up and smoothed a hand in his curly hair, heart pounding as he whispered, reverently, about how much love he held for you. It would be perfect, just standing here in the flowers, until the stars burned out.

Chapter Text

The desert was hot- much too hot. You tugged your hood around you, tighter, to somewhat shield the wind around you. You moved through the small town, nodding politely at what town members you passed them by. Bright colors were unfamiliar to them, it seemed- it so it was on Tattooine.

You tugged the green wrap around you tighter, moving between buildings. The Bounty on your head from that damn hut was expensive enough, and the last thing you needed to do was be recognized, which was why this little settlement was perfect. Anonymous, forgotten, perhaps you could live in peace.

You glanced around, eyes catching the only building with more than three people loitering. The bar- that had to have been it. Your mouth watered at the thought of any cold liquid. You had been walking for days and grit has filled the cracks between your every atom. You swallowed and walked towards it, lowering the cowl around your head to sit on your shoulders. You offered a brief smile to patrons, glancing up, half with suspicion and half caution. Wariness was thicker than smoke and drink. You dropped some credits on the counter.

“Water, please.”

The tender nodded, quickly pouring a glass. The water, though not clear from it’s pitcher, made an utterly salacious sound as it sloshed into the cup. Your mouth felt parched suddenly- was the water pouring slower than it should have been?

“What brings you around here?” The bartender stopped pouring, cautious, withholding the drink.

Your fingers twitched, short of snatching it. “Nothing. Looking for a new life.”

He paused, then slid the glass to you. The bottom toussled against the coarse sandstone counter, but you grabbed it nonetheless and drank.

“Must have been out for a while in the dunes,” A cool voice settled into the stool by you.

You downed the whole glass of water at this point and you now smacked it against the counter, motioning for more. You glanced over at him as the man tossed another credit on the counter, nodding at the bartender. “More water for her.”

“You got it, Marshall.”

You chuckled, sitting back, turning more towards the man sitting by you. “Thanks. You must be the local law enforcement?”

He smiled, glancing at her, eyes sparking, promising for her a good conversation and, perhaps, a better future.

Chapter Text

Tech had an analytical mind. It worked with numbers, data, charts, facts. So it had not taken him long to figure out that the bounty hunter was upset. They had stormed into Cid’s place, smacked their comm down, and left in a flurry up to the roof.

Something bumped Tech’s shoulder. “What got into them?” Hunter hissed, arms crossed. He watched the doorway to the back section of the bar, with the curtains still swaying after the bounty hunter’s flurry of agitated footsteps echoing down the hall.

“You expect me to know that?”

“You pay attention to ‘em.” Echo piped up. He lowered his cup, tapping the empty bottom of it on the counter. “If anyone would know, it’s you.”

Tech snorted, but his ribs tightened. They knew.

“You’re not as sly as you think.” Wrecker leaned heavily on the bar, a bottle resting in his hand. “We see ya.” He guffawed, heavily slamming down the cup. He grimaced slightly only when Cid glared at him.

Tech stared, alone on his own side in a room full of people. His cheeks felt hot, and he felt as though he was so warm that the heat would sear his face and neck. “Fine!” He snorted. He meant for it to come out as a reluctant sigh, but the defensive snap escaped against his will. Tech turned, steps as short as his temper.

Naturally, the Bounty Hunter was on the roof, leaning on the edge, staring down at the streets. Helmet off, he watched as that head he caught himself staring at so much bobbed slightly, as if they were talking to themselves.

Tech spoke as he approached, still some distance away. “You look irritated.”

They turned and looked over their leather-clad shoulder, offering a sheepish grin, weight sinking their elbows against the rim of the roof again. “I feel irritated. Good thing it matches.” They snorted softly and readjusted their stance, leaning on one foot and resting more on the wall.

Tech glanced back at the roof entrance- no one. His ribs loosened from their anxious constrains as he leaned next to the bounty hunter. He slowly moved a hand, palm hovering in the air. “May I?” They gave a grunt of confirmation, giving a nod, and Tech rested his hand on their back.

The Bounty Hunter sunk under the weight of his hand, but in the most relaxed way possible. They exhaled quietly, eyes sliding shut as their head tilted over and landed on him. They exhaled as Tech squeezed his arm around them, and the quiet of the air overtook them. No noise aside from distant city vendors, the gentle waves of night lapping over the sky and overcoming the day, and all oranges, pinks, yellows, slowly melting away like the tension in the body of the Bounty Hunter.

“Hey,” They said, softly. Their lips brushed Tech’s cheek as they huffed in a warm breath. “Thanks for making me smile.”

Tech squeezed them closer, turning them to him softly. “It is no trouble. I just want to ensure that you’re doing well, is all- we can’t have our best ally being negative now.”

“Mm. Simply an ally, is that all?”

Tech laughed softly, turning them towards him, hands resting gently on their arms. He said nothing for a moment, muddling through the dictionaries in his mind to find just the right words for them. “Is there something else that will provide to you that we are more than allies?”

They gave a hum, hands rolling lazily over his chest. Their sour mood was totally gone now, and all that remained was that aloof smile that Tech caught in rare moments alone. “I really think a kiss would show me.”

“Excellent.” Tech breathed, tugging them in. “I want to kiss you.” He wrapped an arm behind their back, gathering them up armor and all against him in the softest, yet the most satisfying, kiss Tech had felt in a long time.

Chapter Text

“Darling,” Tech marveled, leaning over her shoulder. “This is absolutely spectacular.” He reached up and ran a hand on the end of her desk, catching a paintbrush rolling off the edge. He kissed her head and closed his eyes, inhaling her smell- the soap she used was floral, a nature kind of sweet.

The acrylic paints stuck to her fingers, so she started to reach back and touch him, but hesitated. “Probably a bad idea.” She chuckled. Her hands went back to the work of art, gently brushing over it with the same loving touch she gave Tech all the time. “I’m glad you like it. To tell you the truth, I’m not too upset with it myself.” She grinned and reached for the damp towel, rubbing it between her fingers. “Thinking of hanging it up. Probably in the bedroom.”

He shook his head in her hair, smiling. “My own personal da Vinci- I am honored.”

She laughed again, tilting her head back to look up at him. Green was still smudged on her grinning cheeks, plump with the loving smile. “Not quite that good.”

He pecked her head and moved to the side, slowly squatting down, looking up at her sitting at her desk. She looked so regal- even with the desk light shining brightly on her face, the paint smudged smock hanging loosely around her. His queen, his very goddess. “I would say so. Do you know how much art I have seen? How many canvases I have passed? This, my dear, your magnum opus, surpasses them all.” His knuckles rapped gently on the tape holding the art down.

She pursed her lips, leaning on her cupped hand, watching him. “You have low standards.”

Chuckling, Tech didn’t hesitate to get up on his knees and leaned up, arms wrapping around her waist. “I feel insulted. I have the highest of standards, my dear.” He kissed her neck gently, nose brushing her ear as he pecked her. “This would win thousands of contests.”

“Contests?” She turned her head to look down at him. Her hands were trailing lazily in his hair, tufting the individual curls. “I doubt I am even partially good to enter one of those.”

He hummed against her, nestling against her, leaning on her body. “You should. You’re very good. You have worked so hard and that deserves to be recognized.”

Her fingers stopped running through his hair as she thought, and then she spoke, and he felt her smile in his hair. “Would you pick which piece I enter?”

Tech smiled and tilted his head back, cheeks rising and meeting the frames of his glasses. His nose bumped hers gently. “My love, nothing would delight me more.”

Chapter Text

Rex was not used to how the senator looked at him. He was used to the glares, the snarls from those who hated clones, thought of them subhuman and saw Rex as lesser than. He was used to the worshipping gazes of shinies who stated up at him, the brave captain.

But the senator- she looked at him like a man. Like he was Rex. He never knew that he had wanted anyone to look at him like a normal man.

Which was why he dreaded going up to her office to retrieve things from her office- reports, concerns, reports of potential threats- every time he was around her he was torn between agony and overflows of joy.

Which was why standing in her office with bated breath was the most terrifying thing he had done. The words had spilled from his mouth faster than he could catch them, and she was standing now, still behind her desk, eyes wide and alight with shock, lips slack.

I love you, senator.

Rex grimaced now as she moved from behind the desk. “I- I’m sorry, ma'am. I don’t know what came over me.”

She walked towards him, that look in her eyes again but at a hundred time its usual flame, a new desperation in her step. She walked up to Rex, stopping short a few inches. Rex’s fist tightened for a moment. He would merely have to extend hiss fingers and then they would be touching.

“Did you mean that, Captain?” She asked, eyes drifting up his face slowly. They flickered to his lips and she gave a shaky exhale, so warm and welcoming and he could feel it.

Words stuck in his throat. Thick and heavy. Honey-coated words should have rolled out like hot butter but instead it coagulated into a jumbled mess in his throat, so he only had the ability to give a quick nod, seeking rapidly in his mind for excuses.

Her lips quirked into a smile and she reached up, fingers grazing his cheek briefly enough for his irises to dark back to her.

She closed in- the room became warm as her hand, decorated with jewels, landed on his white armor, and her face hovered, centimeters away, Rex closing his eyes on instinct. He could feel every fiber of her being, woven with anticipation, that excitement he always felt near her. Her lashes fluttered against his cheek and he realized- she was waiting on him.

Rex’s lips tugged, trying to find the words- but that brief breath she gave made him hesitated to even begin to muster up a protest. How could he? Even if words of purpose were accidental, or if confessions were unwittingly said, she was here, face two inches from him, ready to meet him halfway. He leaned in, hesitantly, lips brushing hers in a slow and painful touch.

She sighed, hands sliding up his armor and to his shoulders. Rex wrapped his arms around the senator, data pad sitting lazily in his hand and slipping onto the desk behind her. He crumpled her against him as she kissed him- a real kiss. No pauses. No second guesses. Just the senator and himself, clutching one another for dear life, lips a lifeline. Warm. Soft. Very, very present.

Rex broke away first. His head tilted down and he bumped his forehead into hers, breathing shakily, hands trembling as she touched him, fingers running over the ridges of the plastoid plating. “Senator, I… I think you know that I meant it.”

“I believe I am well aware of that now, Rex.” She laughed gently and leaned heavily against him again, the sun reflecting gently in her window and catching that same burn in her eyes that Rex never wanted to get used to.

Chapter Text

You had told yourself it was an accident. In your sleep-stupor, you had told yourself the automatic light would turn off, not taking into account that it would drip into the bunk room. The bunk room that Mando was still sleeping.

The light would go off automatically, that was not the issue. The issue was what you were seeing.

Him.

You had sunk into the bunk next to him and realized how weathered his skin looked against your fingers. You had sat there, eyes on his pectorals where your hand splayed, before your heart twisted in your throat at an oddly sweet thought- Mando had dark curly hair on his chest, which matched the feeling you had gotten from the hair on his head. You had caught glimpses of his skin- honeyed with starlight in the cabin as you and him spent some time talking and laying post-passion, all dark except for the light space offered. But even then you had not dared to look- or even attempt- to stare at his face.

But now- he was asleep. Mando slept peacefully, his chest rising and falling under your fingers, scars slivery in the light of the refresher.

Why wasn’t it turning off? It should have shut off automatically ages ago.

From above, he startled, rolling more on his side facing away from you, a mumble escaping him as he turned in his sleep. You froze, grimacing, as he adjusted, hand under his head.

Temptation gnawed at you, rubbing you raw. You saw the dark curls of his hair, drenched in that same light, strands haywire like a halo of sleep.

Quietly, you sat up on your arm, inhaling. Your heart run in your ears as you sat, frozen despite the giant shirt on you, staring at him with a chill behind your eyes. Mando was vulnerable.

You reached out, softly, fingers shaking, time trying to hold your fingers back from touching him again.

You exhaled and leaned over, body frozen, as you barely saw a cheek, scraggly with dark hair, desperately in need of a shave. You had felt it as he kissed you in the dark, whispered in your ear, and it had tickled your skin as he kissed your arms, shoulders, face.

You withdrew quickly, guilt bubbling in your throat as you laid down, quickly rolling over and away from him. You pressed a hand to your mouth, staring at the void of the wall, listening as the light clicked off in the refresher, at long last.

Your face built in heat, shame, as he sat up in bed. You squeezed your eyes shut as he turned to you, leaning over and wrapping an arm over you. “You awake?” He whispered, softly. His lips pressed to your back, and he waited for a response.

You held your breath. You willed your heart to slow, and you stayed quiet, eyes squeezing shut. That beard scratched you lightly as he smiled- You could feel it, you wanted to see it see more of him-

He kissed the back of your head and laid back down, a sleepy noise coming from him again as he pulled you to him. “My girl,” He whispered, quietly, hand moving over your hip. He drifted off into sleep- and you didn’t know if you should have felt guilty or joy, because you had seen just a little more of your Mando.

Chapter Text

Revan leaned heavily over the holotable, eyes bleary from staring at the illuminated surface for too long. Everything was on damn datapads and it drove her head into the ground. She pressed her hand to her temples, exhaling in a shakey breath. The saber on her hip bumped the table as she leaned against it.

She almost missed the door sliding open with its exasperated hiss, the Mandalorian lumbering in and leaning on the table next to her.

Silence settled between them.

“So,” Canderous began. “I guess that means I’m talkin’ first.”

Revan hid a smile, still staring at the blue of the holotable. “Sure, you can. I’m not stopping you.” The only response she heard was a grunt and a soft rap of knuckles against the table, only short and brief, but she felt like it echoed in the cavity of the hull.

Everyone else, save the droids, had headed out- Carth and Mission and Zaalbar had gone to get supplies, and the rest… Well, Revan was unsure, but they were set to return soon.

Revan yawned into her gloved hand, blinking at the bleary vision. She heard Canderous ask something as her ears stretched into the realm of exhaustion, but she only made out “- tired?” Revan hadn’t picked up on the whole sentence but nodded, rubbing her face. “Yeah. Being the good guys is exhausting.”

“So we’re the good guys? Always thought you were, ya know, bit more grey than that.”

Revan turned to glance at Canderous, arms crossing momentarily. “I mean… We’re better than Malik. And his forces. And, currently, Bastilla.” Revan exhaled and pressed a hand to her head. “Telling me over and over again about the dark side and then just… Joining? Rude, in all honesty.”

That earned a laugh- more of a chuckle, but it counted- from Canderous. “Yeah. Saw how that got on your nerves.”

Revan offered a half-weak smile, that was all she could muster after days of strategy, planning, thinking, worrying. “So, what are you, Ordo? You’re a good guy, right?”

“I’m a Mandalorian,” He offered. “Whatever those are.”

A silence settled between them again, somewhat more sturdy, until he cleared his throat and shifted. “But I suppose I’m on whatever side you are, Revan.”

She didn’t look at him- she didn’t need to when he eased his hand, calloused, into her gloved palm, and they started at the map together, a reverant silence falling around them as they watched strategies unfold.

The crew would be back soon- but it would give Revan some time to be here with Canderous, in the moment, allowing herself to breathe and be not a good guy or a bad guy- just themselves.

Chapter Text

The air on the beach was cold- it got chilly after the sun went down. But it was a good kind of cold. It filled his lungs and made him feel alive. The crisp air did not burn his lungs as he inhaled, it did not opress his chest. Even closing his eyes, he could hear how the waves ran over the shore, the cool air a fresh baptism, a renewal.

The sand shifted around him- he felt it but at the same time he did not.

He loved his brothers. The old ones that were gone and the ones that were here- but his heart was sore towards them, their betrayal. He could taste it like bitter bile sometimes.

Echo swallowed and closed his eyes again, the sensors picking up on a presence. Soft and warm. Alive. All the tension left his body and rooted into the sand when a gentle hand landed on his arm.

The voice was soft, so soft that he almost didn’t hear the whisper over the crashing water. “You okay, lover?” He felt the chin of his darling one, his precious, lean against his shoulder, the breath warm and adding deminsion. It provided him some anchorage and kept him from getting swept away via rogue waves. The hand was warm on his back, and the cheek resting on him was soft.

Echo reached back and pressed his hand against the slope of their back, quietly watching the water. He said nothing, other than offering a small hum, watching as the blue churned into white foam.

There was silence, but a blissful kind of silence.

The hand started to draw back. “I was thinking of fishing. Getting something to eat other than rations.”

Echo felt a smile pull at his lips. “In a moment, love.”

They stood there with him, watching the waters, turmulous but welcoming, wide and terrifying. How deep was it here? The Kaminoan ocean was infinite as far as he knew. He hated Kamino- the smell of the ocean, the constant pounding of rain. The waters were deep and dark and cold and unwelcoming. These waters were deep and dark and stormy as well, troubled, but he knew- he saw by the lapses in the sand, the tiny rivets of miniature dunes- that the ocean here could be peaceful.

Fives wore a blue like this, and he did at one point too- but now his armor was dark and black.

The hand squeezed his fingers and he felt a kiss being pressed to his cheek. His lover did not speak and only hummed a gentle tune, coaxing Echo into warm and loving arms.

“I thought you hated the water.”

Echo shrugged. “It’s better with you- I’m serious. Stop laughing.” The chuckles were warm and pressed to his skin deliciously. Echo felt a smile press on his lips, threatening him as he tightened his arms around his ever loyal lover. He managed a soft “I love you” into their scalp, which smelt oddly like a warmer and happier sea somewhere.

Chapter Text

You heard the snickers follow you out of the meeting room, and the frown was still weighted on your still hot face heavily. The uniform was stifling as you brushed past several clones, eyes deadset ahead as you made your way towards your quarters, turning and slamming the button to shut it and lock it with a satisfying thunk.

You shuffled to your caf maker. Your savior, your prized possession- you believed that you couldn’t even love your own future child as much as you loved this current caf machine. You pressed the tiny brewing button, exhaling as the little machines began clicking in confirmation of your favorite warm beverage, just as knocking began against the door.

You paused, considering staying quiet, ignoring the heathen in hopes they would leave.

There was a half-familar sigh, and a gruff voice said, “Hey. It’s me.”

Your heart bellyflopped into your gut, and you rushed to the door. The unlock button was quickly under your shadow. Your fingers drew back, and you said, much too softly for normal ears to hear, “Are you alone?”

“‘Course I am.” Hunter paused. “Why, you wanna share that caf with more than me?”

A light chuckle escape you and you opened the door, allowing him in, before closing it again and rushing to him, arms sliding around his waist as soon as they could. The silence was palpable, thick.

Hunter’s hand rested on the back of your neck as he stood, thumb smoothing up and down your skin. “Meeting went sour, huh?”

You shrugged quietly, the exhaustion heaping in by shovelfuls. You couldn’t even smell your caf, you were so focused on Hunter and his comforting scent. He had just gotten back on base and showered, you could tell, still catching scents of the plain regulation soap. “Kinda.” You sighed again. “Why is it that I’m laughed at for thinking good of people?”

His laughter was soft and it huffed, warm, across your forehead. “Mesh’la, oh, love.” Hunter whispered. “There is nothing wrong with wanting people to be good. It’s rare in war.”

You only heaved a half-hearted shoulder motion that was intended to be a shrug. “You think so?”

“I know so.” His lips pressed to your head, gently, thrice. “And it’s one reason why I… care so much.” He cleared his throat quietly. “A lot.”

You smiled quietly, pressing away. “And I care about you. Also a lot.” You squeezed him again, lightly, and moved away, grabbing for a second mug. “Come on. The caf won’t drink itself.”

Hunter laughed again, reaching out and accepting the cup. “I’ll gladly help you out with that.” The cups clinked together, and the caf was bitter on your tongue, but lingered as sweetly as Hunter’s presence was to you.

Chapter Text

It was rare that you ever found fresh fruit roaming the galaxy. And yet you had taken the moment to forage, selecting the darkest and sweetest of berries. You had fought all impulses to swallow them all, and instead you gathered them in your kerchief and bundled them up, hurrying to the Havoc Maurader.

Your lungs were tight as you ran up the hill. “Omega!” You yelled. You were grinning, her name a laugh. “Omega, come see!”

The child jumped up from inside and sprinted out, bow in her hand. She passed the entry, stepping into the grass, brows piqued couriously. “What is it?” She lowered the bow and sprinted to meet you, her bare feet only rustling softly on the grass. “What did you find?”

You opened your hands, beaming as she stared at the bright berries. “And there is more.” You watched as she collected some, tasting one, slowly, and then popping the next one in her mouth. She grinned, rolling the dimpled raspberry in her fingers. “Good, huh?”

“Very much!” Omega sniffed the berry, and then sighed quietly. “I’ve only had canned food. Preserved.”

“They’re better fresh.” You reached down and took her hand, tugging her along after you. Here, on this hill in the grass, you were a child again, racing along the knolls with Omega racing behind you, giggling just as loudly as you were. You turned, watching as she ran up behind you.

Adreneline spiked- but it wasn’t war adrenaline or fear adrenaline. “Omega, have you ever rolled down a hill?”

Her eyes widened as you threw yourself down the hill, the world rolling around you in all directions, speeding up, and you laughed- it followed you down the hill, flattening the grass as you skidded to a halt at the flat of the hill. You stared at the sky, watching it, toes digging in the dirt as Omega bumped into you, blonde hair toussled from rolling. Her laughter was louder than yours, and she rested next to you, staring up at the sky.

After a moment, she said, quietly, “Can I tell you something?”

“Sure, Omega. Anything.”

The girl stared at the clouds, a slow smile spreading, melting into a beaming grin. “I like being here and seeing things. I like being with you, and the Batch. It makes me feel-” She stretched, yawning, leaning her head on you. “Safe. At home.”

Safe.

You glanced at her, heart punctured. She would never truly be safe with you or Hunter or the rest of the Batch- but it was her choice. She was just as stubborn as her brothers.

You squeezed her hand, smiling at the sky, allowing the day to pass as you counted the shapes in the clouds and Omega slept peacefully, safe, and warm in the sun she deserved.

Chapter Text

Being with a civilian wasn’t easy. Hell, Hunter knew that from the moment he had seriously begun dating this civvie, a Corasaunt local, one he had met at 79’s of all places.

He couldn’t frequent the Republic home world simple because jobs rarely led him that way. However, he had managed to weasel in a weekend off, and he had elected to spend it here. His knuckles rapped on the door and he stood, somewhat awkwardly, helmet tucked up under his arm.

The smile behind the door was bright, wide- and Hunter felt himself match it as he scooped up his lover, swinging their body and spinning back into the small apartment. “Lover,” He whispered, kissing the face that he could, even as he abruptly halted.

Their laughter was loud, gorgeous. They tugged away and skimmed him over, eyes bright with relief, joy, a face Hunter realized he had half forgotten. “My Hunter is home,” The voice was soft, reverant.

Hunter leaned in, gathering them in his arms and kissing them, over and over again, allowing his heart to sigh against their hands, which was pressed against his armor. It took them leaning away, pushing him back and laughing softly to get him to stop the precious assault. “Darling, how about you shower? Dinner is almost ready. I’ll make you something special.” The hands seemed so small on his chest, the armor, lightly tapping his war-shell.

Before he could protest, pull them in closer, his lover stepped out of reach, practically dancing. “Oh! I have the greatest idea- I have been taking cooking classes. Go wash up!” A wink was shot his way- oddly not flirtatious, but highly relaxing and chill, but in the most excited of ways.

Hunter couldn’t bring himself to object as he rushed to the refresher- the sooner he finished washing battle off of him, the sooner he could hold them close again.

___

Dinner smelled absolutely sinfully delicious. But anything other than ration bars was delicious to Hunter, or any trooper for that matter.

Hunter slipped his arms around the chef of the night, who was humming and stirring something in a skillet, the holopad playing some tunes quietly. They were swaying, leaning back and relying on Hunter to hold them.

Hunter only smiled and pressed his face in the small of their neck. Hunter could still get hints of the special piney soap they had been sure to keep in stock for him. “You been using my soap?” He huffed a laugh, gentle.

“Only when I miss you.” His lover’s hand paused as they stirred. “Which is a lot. Sorry. You’re just lucky they were having a sale.”

Hunter laughed and stepped back, gently turning them to him. “I’m lucky? You’re the one that has been using my soap.”

They laughed and stepped in, leaning up and kissing him again. The kiss was the only thing stopping them from saying anything about Hunter deserting, Hunter leaving, Hunter faking his own death, and coming home to them.

His heart twisted as lashes tickled his cheeks. He couldn’t leave his brothers like that, but he couldn’t keep himself from them forever. So tonight, he would forget war, and he would hold the humming lover that was stealing his soap and making him dinner, and he would pretend like the weekend pension would last a lifetime.

Chapter Text

Rex did not come to the senate building often, and when he did it was always for two reasons: on behalf of General Skywalker, or to testify before a committee. He disliked both, but facing Senator Amidala was much better than dealing with the sneers of a hundred foes.

Gilded halls, tiles, and doors stared at him as he removed his armor- he was not worth staring to them, but they did. he looked like his brothers but that was the entire issue- he was a clone. A machine. Sub-human, practically.

Marble was no stone for a clone trooper.

It did not matter now, Rex exhaled, striding into Senator Amidala’s office. His helmet was tucked under his arm, and he stood straight, eyes automatically falling to the window by default. “Senator.”

“Captain Rex.” Senator Amidala stood, beaming brightly as she walked around her desk. She stopped some small distance from him, enough for a casual conversation. “You have made it back from the Outer Rim.” Her voice was strained somewhat, despite her easy smile. Oxymoronic- that was one word to describe the senator. A humanitarian who, with a blaster, could be ruthless. Lead battles with her heart. Despite her regal background she cared for everyone- even the clones, and especially a certain Jedi.

“Yes ma'am,” Rex inclined his head ever so slightly. “All of us are safe.”

The tightness left her shoulders, and she nodded, decorative hair shaking as she did so. “Good. Thank you for your service, Captain.”

Rex nodded momentarily, eyes darting to the movement behind Senator Amidala. From the garb, the robes, the glistening aura, it was clear this woman was a woman of power.

His mouth went dry momentarily as he moved to attention again. “Ma'am.”

“Captain, was it?” Her strides were conscious, slow, precise. “A joy to meet you.” She extended a hand, opening slowly, eyes warm with the greeting.

Senator Amidala pressed a hand on the new woman’s back. “This is the new representative of Hapes. She’s here to ensure neutrality of her planet.”

Rex rested his palm in hers- he inhaled sightly at how she held his hand, a squeeze momentarily of comraderie. “Hapes,” He rasped. “I thought you were pretty… Individualistic.”

She smiled, hand still resting against his own. “I’m only here for a time. I wanted to come and ensure that Hapes was neutral in everything.” Her eyes drifted over his face for a moment, and her lips perked. The motion was small but made the armor clamping him suddenly hot. “I trust the soldiers of the Republic.”

Rex’s breath only half left his lungs and he rode the exhale until Senator Amidala cleared her throat softly. “Well, Captain. If you wouldn’t mind walking our guest here to the senatorial apartments?” Her brow quirked up- echoing General Skywalker. “I have a meeting- it will hold me up for a while.”

Rex stated, “Of course.” The response was immediate. He cringed internally, but rolled his shoulders back and offered the Hapes representative a smile. “I’ll take you back, ma'am.”

She nodded, walking after him, smiling back at Senator Amidala. “Thank you. I’ll contact you later this evening.”

“Of course. Rex, take care of her.” Padme shot Rex a look that, again, made him think of General Skywalker. Wordlessly he nodded, standing at a final salute, and he walked out after the representative.

—

He had seen many soldiers walk- they had a certain cadence, a rhythm, even after they were long done with battles. Senators walked with proud shoulders, feet stoic so they could appear floating. Even Senator Amidala had a pride in her step, regality from her days as a queen.

The Hapes representative moved with a dangerous calm. There was no war song in her step but she moved with demand and tact. It was hypnotic, the catlike tread even in her day to day life.

Rex didn’t know much of Hapes aside from the whispers of history during the Old Republic. But now he had a hunger to know all about it- the culture, the geography of the planet, her.

She walked next to him, the confident away in her hips making Rex relax. “Captain, you just returned from the Outer Rim?”

“Yes. Well, I can’t say too much,” He adjusted the hold on his helmet as the speeders moved above rapidly. “Classified so far.” She nodded, her movement still slow and controlled, easygoing. “Tell me about Hapes. Your home.”

“So interested, Captain.”

He swallowed at the lilt in her tone, chuckling quietly. “Yeah, just not a planet I’ve heard much of.”

Her brow pursed, but Rex kept his eyes straight ahead. “Can’t say too much.” She reached out, nudging his helmet under his arm gently. “Classified.”

Rex glanced at her and met her eyes- it was the first time he really had a chance to see them and study them. She didn’t look away, really, and those eyes studied his back.

The speeders sounded much slower now, and the sun felt warmer now.

She smiled and stepped back as his comm went off. “I see the building, Captain. Thank you.” She reached out, hand lightly touching his helmet, and she smiled brightly. “Take care.”

“Of course.” Rex only offered a singular nod and he stepped back. The distance felt far, and the speeders moved back to their real pace. “I’ll… Walk you tomorrow?”

The Hapes representative beamed, stepping away. “I’ll wait for you.”

Rex cleared his throat, again, fist giving the slightest of victorious pumps as he turned and walked away. Suddenly, he found himself very excited for the morning, and ready to make his way back to the barracks.

Chapter Text

If one thing was unclear to Hunter, it was how she got so far into his head. Annoying. Clear. Purifying, in the most oddest of senses.

The first time it had happened had been shocking- nothing ever pulled Hunter’s attention away from a mission. And it wasn’t like this was his first time talking to her, or his first mission out with her. Though it had been eaten away with war, and purged with blood, Alderaan was still green and beautiful. It smelled of death to Hunter- but what didn’t these days?

Omega laughed and ran after her, arms outstretched and arms broad, sunny and bright. She ran as fast as she could down the hill, tumbling into the green grass. The ex-jedi followed, laughing wildly, cartwheels turning into languid rolls as the two collapsed next to each other, the two of them reduced to a fitful bunch of laughter and giggles.

Hunter crossed his arms, failing to realize he was half dazed by the very sound of her laughter and the grin on her face. The Jedi laughed, sitting up in the grass and moved to brush the grass off her, and then Omega. He felt himself lean heavily against the sturdy wall of the palace, suddenly finding it too hard to breathe.

The world was quiet for a moment- a perfect kind of quiet. She threw back her head and laughed, the sun held over her form, elated, golden. It elevated her, quite possibly to another plane of exsistance.

His attention wasn’t pulled back into reality until Tech- he said something several times, looked between Hunter and the Jedi, and had chuckled. “Distracted, Sarge?”

Hunter glared.

It had not been mentioned by the bespectacled clone since, though passing smirks promised Tech would have said something if he didn’t have more important things to attend to.

—

The second time Hunter had noticed it was in the heat of battle. He wasn’t sure why, but his back was pressed to the Jedi, firm, and he was shooting away at stormtroopers and she was deflecting. She had his back- and he knew it. Even while shooting at stormtroopers and surrounded by the possibility of death, he was hyper aware of how every part of her back pressed against him and his armor.

Hunter glanced back- to ask her a question, see if she was okay. Something silly and small like that- an excuse, really, just to talk to her, hear her voice, steel himself in battle.

She turned to face him, and her eyes darted from his own to behind him. Her eyes flashed with something- fear- and she turned fully, pressing all her weight on him, the blue glow of her saber nothing more than a series of arcs as she tackled him, twisting as stormtroopers closed in around them. Her lips were tight and a determined glint as in her eye as she moved, throwing her saber in one smooth motion.

He couldn’t help it- she was over him, covering him. She was more than watching his back, but she was now his shield. She glanced down at him, concern obvious on her brow once the shots had gone quiet. “You okay?”

Hunter exhaled- the power shifted between them, all of it to her as she stood. He hadn’t worked with Jedi this closely until after the order had fallen.

“Yeah.” He said, finally. “I’m fine.”

She stood, brushing off herself before reaching down and helping him up. “You seemed a bit distracted.”

“I’m fine” fell out of his mouth automatically, and he picked up his blaster and kept moving. That was what he had done in the past and what he would keep doing in the future.

—

The most embarrassing moment - to Hunter, at least - was alone in the center of the Havoc Maurader’s planning room. Her brow was perplexed, and she seemed oddly tired.

With no order, he saw that there was a struggle for her to find out who she was without it. She dragged her eyes to him, and offered a soft smile, the exhaustion in her body somehow held in one glance between her and him.

She was strong- very strong.

Hunter felt his lips twitch, eyes scanning her. Weariness clung to him like stench, and he reached out, gently taking her hand. It was warm, gentle.

“Distracted, Sarge?” The words held a slight promise of a chuckle.

Hunter laughed softly and shook his head, curly long hair tickling his neck as he moved. “Sure. Distracted.” He squeezed her fingers, allowing himself to, for once, be distracted by how she looked in the strategic blue glow of the holotable.

Chapter Text

“Hang on. We’re almost there.”

You reached up and grasped Hunter’s hand, allowing him to pull you up the slope of rock. Even if he was just helping you, or if he was handing you something, every little touch was a balm to your soul. You exhaled a thanks, hand reaching back and you grasped your water bottle from the pack, tugging the cap off. “Long hike.”

Hunter only grinned in your direction, tugging the tie out of his thick hair to tie it up higher. “How you holding up?”

Your eyes momentarily traced the birthmark splashed on his face and neck and you smiled to yourself, hiding it behind the water bottle, sipping. “Good.” Your legs screeched in protest- hiking this distance was strenuous. “It’s just been a bit since I’ve been on a hike quite this long.”

Hunter smiled in your general area, and he glanced down. “I think it’s healing. It’s certainly helped me…” The pause was stagnat. “Cope.”

You only nodded quietly, staring at the ground harshly. Hunter made you feel warm, like ripples on water, unsteady and unsure.

“You wanna talk about it?” Hunter shifted closer to you. “Sometimes it helps. I know he was… Ya know, a shit head.”

A laugh burst from your lips and you smoothed a hand up your neck, trying to wipe away a sliver of sweat creeping down towards your back. “Yeah. He kind of was.”

Hunter watched you. You didn’t see it, but you felt it. “You’re doing it again.”

“What?”

“Staring.”

Hunter’s head turned, the curls of his ponytail ruffling. “I’m sorry.” The quiet came back as you took another quiet sip, and he said softly, “I just wanna make sure you’re okay.”

The bottle cap was suddenly heavy in your fingers, and you managed, “Most days, I am.” You scuffed your hiking boot on the ground, the tight ground crackling and crumbling. “Others, it’s not. The empty apartment is, some days, too empty.”

I don’t like being lonely.

The words hung there, and Hunter sat next to you. He was quiet, the wind bristling between you two. His hand, resting on your back, was warm, gentle. A touch you craved, and you had craved it for a while, but it had not occured to you until this moment.

He exhaled, the fingers sturdy on you. “I know it isn’t fun. But sometimes… You need to get it out of your system, huh?” He smiled at nothing in particular, but it was wistful, soft, distant.

You reached over and took his other hand, squeezing his fingers. Words transmitted through touch, tight and reassuring. Nothing truly had to be said. Not now. Not every moment required all the words that needed, wanted to be said. Touches could be loud.

But at least his touch was soft and loving.

You shook yourself out of the trance and stood from the rock, tugging him along behind you. “Come on.” Your throat was tight and it was, suddenly, hard to speak. “Just a little ways more. Follow me?”

The smile from Hunter was more direct this time. The words sparked- “To the ends of the earth.”

You laughed again, turning and walking up the incline, but your fingers stayed entangled in his.

Chapter Text

It had taken you too long to get to the senate meeting, and you slipped into your respective pod, quietly, sliding into the chair by the senator you were shadowing.

“Late?” Senator Amidala whispered, a smile quipping the corner of her lips. You only offered a sheepish shrug as she patted your arm. “At least we’re color-coordinated.”

You glanced down at your body to double-check what you were wearing. You had haphazardly thrown the clothes on mere minutes ago, and due to the stunning lack of caf, you had forgotten the deep emerald shade that was clinging to your body from the leftover shower. “Oh. Thanks.” Your finger traced over the rounded corner of your holopad case as you stared out, looking for the senator that was speaking. Even now, you exhaled, a breath of stone weight. It was set to be a long meeting.

___

“I’m telling ya, Echo.” Fives stretched his arms back, the kama hitting his thighs at a routine rhythm. “These new ships are karking amazing. Full spin and torque.”

Echo rolled his eyes, helmet tucked under his arm. “Right. And I’m the dad to a bantha.”

“Not even a bantha would want you, Vod.” Fives grinned, ignoring the sharp glance of a passing senator. “But, really, it’s interesting.” The two turned around the corner of the hall. Something smacked into him, mid-quip, and he stumbled back, feet pressing back and arms wrapping around the unfortunate senator that had smashed against his armor now.

She made an “Oof!” In a very un-senatorial manner, files and holopad dropping. She sat there against Fives, still, and then slowly looked up.

Fives heart plummeted to his stomach, and he grabbed her arms, pushing her away, gut rotating itself into a new arrangement. “Aide!” He greeted, in a totally platonically and not at all romantically interested. “Hello.”

They stared at each other, wide eyed, and Gives quickly knelt down, grabbing the folders. “Here, let me-”

“No, it’s okay-” she leaned over and picked up her holopad, exhaling slightly in relief. “Sorry.”

“No, I shouldn’t have been walking there.” Fives apologized, the files stacking quickly in his hands. “You know… Clones.”

“You can walk wherever you want.” She started, quickly, taking the folders from him. “I don’t mind.” The senatorial aide tucked the folders under her arms, still staring at the ground.

Fives lingered. Jokes fell flat in his mouth, and his face felt, out of nowhere, warm.

Echo cleared his throat. “Hello.”

The aid whipped to him, relaxing somewhat. “Oh! Echo! Hi. Sorry.”

Fives felt his head drop a little lower. Of course- it was Echo. She talked to him, and talked to him often, but around himself she was so… Awkward.

Of course, Fives knew, the thought making his shoulders heavy, he couldn’t be likable to everyone.

Echo gestured between himself and Fives, grinning. “We were actually planning on going out tonight. Seventy-nines,” His tone lilted, offering. “You want in?”

The aide grinned and looked at Fives, her smile shying away briefly. “Are you? Going, I mean. Are you going.”

“Uh. Sure.” Fives felt a hand fly to the back of his neck. “I was thinking of it.”

“Yes.” She responded. “Me, too.”

Echo stared between the two of them, brows knitted, heavily. Realization washed over his face just as the senatorial aide babbled her goodbyes and scurried off, head ducked. Echo turned to Fives, a grin quietly inking onto his face. “Fett’s balls, Fives.”

“No.”

“You- oh!” Echo laughed as Fives marched forward. Jogging to catch up, Echo chuckled. “It’s true then.”

“No it isn’t.” Fives hissed. “Wait. What’s true?”

Echo barely took three seconds to cast Fives a meaningful look. ‘You and her.“ He hired his thumb back. "You do like her.”

“Do not.”

“Do too.”

Fives rolled his eyes, uttering a scoff as he pressed his helmet closer to himself. “Whatever. We still have stuff to do.” Silence settled between them and Fives was just fine with that, even if Echo was giggling next to him.

___

The club beat was heavy. It wasn’t something you were entirely used to, but you would gladly take it over screeching senators and reproachful representatives. You took a quiet sip of your drink, only glancing when you heard someone settle next to you. “Good work day?”

You grinned in Echo’s general direction, sliding a glass to him. “Yeah, fairly.” You managed over the music. Your snuck a glance at Fives, who was laughing aloud with some other clone commander with yellow insignias. “Busy day, at least.”

The silence was not as loud as the bombarding throttle of the rhythms, and your heart pounded in your head with the music. You sighed softly into the whiskey, sipping it again. It was cheap. But you liked cheap.

“Why don’t you, ya know…” Echo inclined his head in the general direction of his batch mate.

Your face warmed rapidly and the alcohol dried up in your throat, and you shook your head. “No. Never.”

“Why not?”

“He doesn’t-” you rasped, grabbing the shot again. You downed the rest of it. “He doesn’t like me. Didn’t you see him earlier? He’s so…” Your fingers moved, quietly, conjuring a word. “Tight.”

“Awkward?” Echo rested his chin in his hand. “Ya know why?” He raised his brows, a grin broadening.

Your face warmed again. “No way.”

“Yes way. And I think-” Echo pointed with the glass at Fives. “You oughta go over there and tell that man. He would get weak in the knees. It would be funny actually.”

You stared at Echo, who only smiled- sincerity and humor dwindled on his face. The truth dawned on you- Fives stopping, freezing up around you, jokes coming off short- he liked you.

“Force.” You groaned. Your hands buried against your face until sparks spurted under the lids of your eyes. “I’m a karking idiot.”

“Eh, don’t be so down.” Echo winked. “What say you go get him?”

Your ears warmed again. The glass was hot in your hands, empty, and you dropped it on the counter. Your last ounce of courage drained into your veins as you marched towards Fives, with the cadence of a woman damned.

Fives looked up, blinking in shock at your rapid approach. “Oh! Hi-”

You yanked his arm, tugging him in, and kissed him.

Damn it, you kissed him good.

He didn’t hesitated for more than a second. A grunt of shock left him, and his hands landed on your waist, grasping you and trying to find a sense of realism. He tasted like the same cheap whiskey you had chugged earlier, and his beard tickled your chin as he vehemently returned the embrace.

You pressed away, inhaling heavily, looking over Fives. His face was dark with blush, staring at you in shock. Despite this, he grinned, widely, and his fingers squeezed you lightly. “Wanna get out of here?”

You grinned, nodding, squeezing his hand as you lead him out of Seventy Nines. Tonight would be utilized for making up lost time, and you should have started this long ago.

Chapter Text

Poe was at least ninety percent sure he had travelled the entire galaxy, corner to corner, in a variety of ships. And yet even the next planet over was too far away, suddenly, and suddenly the galaxy felt much bigger. Anywhere away home was much further.

That was what he called them anyway- home. Poe sighed as the ship pulled into orbit, pressing the button. “BB-8, can you send down the signal? I’m ready for landing.”

There was a bright blurb of beeps, and Poe chuckled. “Yeah, maybe I am a bit eager. So what?”

The droid only chirped, and Poe sat back, closed his eyes, and waited for the landing protocol to begin so he could return home.

___

You ran out of your room as soon as the signal showed up on your datapad. You didn’t even respond. Your legs moved faster than they had in a while, and you sprinted for the landing pad.

Something caught your legs, tripping you. Tumbling head over legs, you rolled down the hill, surpassing the roots and knees of obscuring trees, gasping and covering your head until you landed on somewhat flat ground. You allowed yourself only a couple of moments to ensure there was nothing broken, and you stood, cursing the root that tripped you, and you ran (more slowly, of course) towards the landing strip.

He had already landed when you arrived. You grinned, staring for a second at him. You knew what he looked like, of course. But his hair was dark and tousled, and his laugh sounded a bit more lilted than normal.

Your heart skipped as you ran forward, arms wrapping around him, smashing against him.

Poe whipped around, abandoning the conversation he was in the middle of. Poe laughed, arms wrapping around you and scooping you up. “Oh, there you are!” He kissed your head, squeezing you rightly and spinning, your legs picking up off the ground. You giggled against his face, kissing against his scruff, ignoring any bruises his arms were irking. “I missed you.” Poe set you down, holding your face in his hands.

You giggled and held his hands, squeezing them. “I missed you too.”

“What happened to your face?”

“I tripped.” You pulled him away from the landing pad, leaning on him and walking away, towards your little room.

Poe sighed and shook his head. “You hurt?”

“Nope. But if I was, I would be better now.” You grinned, stopping mid-pace to lean up and kiss him, only briefly for now. Your mouth pulled away, leaving a massive grin on Poe’s face, and he walked after you, a lovesick stupor settling among the two of you.

Chapter Text

No one would have noticed a petty officer missing. Crosshair paced the space of his room, failing to notice his hands shaking. His brain rattled, breaking and cracking in his skull.

Good-orders-follow-

He shook his head, the pressure behind his eyes doubling. Crosshair missed- shockingly enough, missed with a bitter taste- his brothers. Desperately. His heart ached for them. His batch. His squad, his brothers. Home.

The door opened, and the petty officer hurried in. He swung off his hat, brows creased. “You alright?”

Crosshair turned to face him more quickly than he cared to have actually done- perhaps too quickly to have written it off with any excuse. The mantra slowed and diminished as he managed, somewhat harshly, “I’m fine.”

The petty officer’s brows creased and he nodded, hands still clasped behind him. The imperial grey had truly made Crosshair sick to his stomach, but he found himself couriously admiring it on the officer. “Cross,” He said, gently, moving towards him. “Something’s off.”

Crosshair’s mouth dried up. The words almost lept off the top of his tongue, but doubt’s arms were too tight around his midsection.

“No.”

The officer looked down, nodding, the cap of his officer’s hat shielding his eyes. Finally, he looked back up, chewing a hole into his cheek. “With…” His hand moved subtly back and forth between the two of them.

The sniper shook his head, taking a slow, unsteady step towards the officer. He lowered his hands gently onto his shoulders- Crosshair was tall, and his arms were long, so the gap was palpable- as he said, brokenly, “I don’t know where else to go.”

The officer’s lips parted, then tightened. His face flushed as he thought before Crosshair pulled him against him. Damn armor- he couldn’t hardly feel the officer returning the hug, but he felt the face nuzzle into his neck.

They stood in an embrace, invisible, quiet for a second.

“You miss your brothers.”

“Yes.” Crosshair’s voice was raspy.

The officer exhaled, slowly pulling away. “I can get you back. We’ve picked up evidence of them on Alderaan. You’ll need to leave fast if you want to catch them.”

Crosshair grasped the sleeves of the grey uniform. “You need to come with me.”

“I can’t. Not yet.” The officer shook his head, a small frown emerging. “Someday yes. But for now I’ll make sure they can’t catch you.”

“No one would notice a petty officer missing.”

“And they won’t in a couple months.” The officer shook his head. “I’ll leave R-24 on the deck unlocked and decoded. You’ll be able to get in and head out with no issue. It’s pretty fast, but you’ll have to move tonight to get to your batch.”

Crosshair’s mouth dried as the officer pressed a small, smooth comlink into his hand. “Wait for me. I’ll find you soon.”

Crosshair pressed back the cap, leaning down and pressing his lips to the previously hidden forehead. “Soon.”

“Soon.”

—

The deck was abuzz the next day- Tarkin had been shouting commands all morning, demanding to find the sniper, the former clone, and the ship he had taken. He had somehow managed to hack into the system of it, and he had taken off somewhere to some part of the galaxy.

No one noticed the petty officer smiling, his cap drawn over his head, eyes pressed fully on the screen of his datapad.

Chapter Text

Tech, at this point in his life, lost count of how many times he had gotten into the bacta tank. He would allow it to swallow him, drown him in it but survive. The substance was sweet, sticky, with a stench of medicinal qualities.

Overall, Tech thought as his eyes remained closed and he floated in nothingness, there was not much he could do.

Hunter was probably two tanks over- it always went in the order of their batch-age. Then Wrecker, himself, and Crosshair. Tech felt his eyes flutter open briefly, just so he could swivel his head and check.

As always Hunter was stiff- corpse like in a vat of blue, face upwards as he soaked. Probably put under again. Wrecker was curled up, as much as he could be at least, in somewhat of a crude fetal position, shuddering on occasion as the bacta ate away at his wounds. He didn’t have to even look at Crosshair to know that his brother was resigned to the tank. He had stopped fighting it a long time ago.

Tech blinked again. The bacta didn’t hurt his eyes, but they stung briefly.

A white coat stood in front of him, arms crossed over their convexed frame as they stared up at him. The details were blurry but Tech didn’t need to see to recognize the medic. Slowly, he pressed out a hand against the glass, smooth under his palms as the shape of their hand passed over the other side. He could not move far, given the breathing mask, but that barriered touch still made him exhale, softly, the bacta burning in his chest as he sat in the cold blue and waited.

Again.

—

He awoke on a cool bed this time. Well, more like a cot.

He tried to sit up but a hiss escaped him as his ribs groaned. “My glasses-”

“The Kaminoians are making you new ones. The last ones cracked really bad.” The medic stated, the voice soothing. Tech laid back and tried to stare at the ceiling, attempting to make out the shapes. The steps were harrowing and soft as the medic came back over, sitting down, and he smelled the backa gel. Tech flinched, but the medic shushed him quietly. “It’s okay. I’m going to do it.”

Tech licked his lips. They tasted sticky and artificially sweet. “The medical droid-”

“Tech.” The voice was weak. Broken. Splintered. “I want to. Please.”

Please.

Tech nodded, quietly, allowing the doctorly hands to allow him to sit up. Their gaze pressed on his chest as he sat up, and he leaned forward. The weight shifted to behind him and the medic began softly rubbing the bacta-gel into his back.

The silence was stretched between them.

“So,” Tech cleared his throat. “Like what you see?” He shifted on the sheets as a hoarse chuckle emerged.

The medic didn’t speak, but the laugh was enough for him. He relaxed as much as the numbing and biting woulds would let him, feeling the medic’s eyes rove over his body as the balm soothed his wounds’ worries, even over the old scars.

There was a soft bump on Tech’s back, and the Medic’s arms wrapped around him. “Why?” The whisper was even more shattered, and ten times louder than a war cry.

Tech sat, hunched forward as the medic leaned into him, waiting for the bacta-gel to heal him. The process, the scars, the wounds would repeat themselves the next day, and the next mission, until the war was over.

At his point, he exhaled and his chest sagged hollowly, with the squeeze of the only loving arms present, he doubted the war ever would actually end for him.

Chapter Text

You were used to being alone, but not this lonely. You sighed as you rinsed off your last plate, lowering it onto the drying rack. Senators didn’t usually do their own dishes, but on nights like tonight, when there was stiff silence save the speeders whirring by, you liked to shut down your assistant droid and do menial tasks. Folding up your plain clothes. Hanging up your regal garmets. Taking the hottest bath you could manage in the name of relaxation. Normalcy.

You hummed and turned off the sink. The weight in your shoulders settled into your hands, even though you should not have struggled with heaviness- your dress was light. Airy. It glided with you.

The hands of worry tightened around your chest. You swatted it away and rose, hurrying towards your balcony. You shoved the balcony door open and stepped out, breathing. The air absorbed you. It was cold. Crisp. Not quite clean, but as clean as it could be on this planet.

You had written a bill, arguing for the clone troopers that worked for the Republic to receive pay. A stipend at the very least.

You were laughed at among most of your peers. They would sneer. Joke. Whisper about how you would extend rights to droids next.

With a stifled groan, you leaned forward, elbows on the railing and hands on your face. You were truly lonely. A big empty apartment that had you, and most nights only your aid droid, and on occasion Fives.

Your heart thrummed. Fives.

Wilting away was the worry. You stood up a little straighter. The speeders somehow felt slower, as a burning realization ate you alive- I love him. I love Fives.

You whipped around, away from the railing only to draw in a gasp. “Fives.”

He was here. Real. Standing in front of you. His armor was still on, but his helmet was abandoned in his hand. “I had to say something.”

“And me. I did, too. I mean, yeah. Same.” The railing was hot under your grip. Eloquence be damned. The senator was gone- it was only you, emotionally bare, heart throbbing so quickly it was practically vibrating.

Fives moved as if he was a man on fire, bringing you into him, hands clasping around the small of your back. You fell into the kiss easily, exhaling against him, forgetting about the million passing eyes that you were anonymous to. He was warm, even with the armor on- his heartbeat seeped through the cracks as he swept you against him, dipping you back ever so slightly.

“It’s you,” He whispered, in between kissing you. “It’s always been you.”

You only nodded, words already caught up in his mouth. For now, Fives was here, and nothing else mattered.

Chapter Text

Wolffe didn’t come across instruments very often. It was rare- next to never, actually. He paused in the old opera house, which had been evacuated from being attacked long ago. Wolffe glanced around, slowly removing his helmet as he approached it.

Wolffe ran his hand over the once well cared for instrument- he plunked a key, and a little note rung out, sharp but still struggling to sound sweet.

“It probably misses being played.” The senator called. Wolffe glanced back, where the youthful senator was standing, smiling, watching wistfully. “This music hall used to be the pride of my people.” He walked over, eyes tired but still bright.

Wolffe gestured at the piano, moving aside as the senator slid into the bench. “You play?”

“Some. Very little.” He grinned, tapping the same key Wolffe had struck earlier. “I forgot a lot over the years, you know… With speeches and all.” He pressed down on the keys, exhaling as a tune began to fall from the piano.

Wolffe leaned on the piano, watching the senator play. The music hall had been occupied by separatists some years ago, but it looked abandoned. Wolffe had insisted on going with the senator for two reasons: they rarely got a moment alone together and it could still be wired and occupied. There was a lot about his senator that made him think of the opera house. Both were guilded, beautiful. Both were war torn, both musical and resilient, even as ivy stretched over the barriers of the building.

It took Wolffe a second to notice the music had stopped. He snapped out of his thoughts, watching as the Senator slumped forward, staring hard at the dusty teeth of the piano. He glanced up at Wolffe, tears streaking down his face.

“I,” He whispered. “Seem to have forgotten the rest.”

Wolffe slowly slid onto the bench next to the senator, listening as he sobbed quietly. Sometimes people needed to cry- mourning is a necessity to humans. Grief is just love with no where to go and it twists, turning into pain.

Wolffe slowly plunked a few keys, listening as the drops of music flitted to life. He was no musician by any means- but he knew a little about it.

The senator fell quiet. Wolffe hardly noticed his head bump against the armor of his shoulder, the senator leaning into the commander.

Wolffe turned his head, pressing his mouth to the head of the senator. “I promise. Music will come back here, and I’ll help however I can.”

The senator nodded, a shaky exhale leaving him as Wolffe slowly kissed his forehead. Even though he didn’t know the rest of the actual tune the senator had, Wolffe improvised. Music, at least, was something universal, like grief, but also like healing.

Chapter Text

The light above your head blinked lazily, giving you spurts of the sight of the project under your hands. You exhaled and raised your hands up, splaying your fingers on your forehead as your sight became bleary from staring and trying to finish this project.

There was not a deadline. But you had to finish it tonight.

You couldn’t explain it but the wire to finish was pulling harder, tightening your chest, winding around your ribs and weaving a net of stress. It was heavy, and it couldn’t catch all your thoughts in your regular ebb and flow. With a groan, you rolled your shoulders, staring hard at the now bleary words, flickering- the datapad was low on power despite its long life.

You didn’t even hear Tech until he slipped next to you, and a black gloved hand appeared in your vision. “Rest, love.” He started to remove it. “I can charge it.”

“Tech.” Your voice was whinier than normal, making you cringe but you couldn’t care less. “I have to finish-”

“You will finish nothing.” Tech held the datapad above his head so, even as you stood, you could barely reach the object. “Not until you sleep.”

Tears were hot on your eyes, and your voice cracked. “Please,” Your words broke. “I need- need to,”

Tech’s other arm went around you as he pulled you into him, and his lips were familiar, calming against your skin. “Need to what?” He whispered against you, cradling you against him.

“Do good.” The confession was hoarse. “I need to do good.”

“And you are. This one project does not validate or invalidate your exsistance.” The trooper cupped your cheeks, lips still speaking words on your forehead. “You do so much good. You already do.”

You sniffled, head shaking. More so out of exhaustion, but even as you were held to Tech, you started to feel a little more real, a little more there.

You were there long enough for Tech to lean back on the desk you were formerly crying over. “How about a solution? A compromise, if you will?” You only offered a gulping sound mixed with a tired sob. “I suggest you nap.” He reeled you closer to him. “I will read over your work and edit it as necessary while this thing charges. Did you know you cannot spell when you’re tired? Honest, darling, a second pair of eyes will do you wonders.”

The wire unraveled- just a little. Enough for your heart to start beating regularly again. “Promise you’ll wake me up?” You felt him scoot into the chair, tugging you against him and allowing you to settle in his lap. You always felt small here- insignificant, but swaddled in love.

Tech gave a noncommittal hum. “I shall awaken you once your normal circadian cycle is fully achieved and back in its proper ordering.”

“Sounds like a lie of omission. You said you would wake me up when it’s totally charged.” His heartbeat throbbed under your ear, and you whispered, “You’re totally lying.”

“I’ll wake you up when you are rested.” He kissed your head again, and you found it a little easier to breathe. “So sleep darling. You need this, and I need you fully functioning so I can tear into you about your awful grammar.”

You giggled, and he smiled into you. Somewhere in between his whispering of words and the soft typing of the holopad, you drifted off, the wires loosened on the loom of your ribs.

Perhaps you didn’t get this done tonight- but it did not matter. Tomorrow was as certian as Tech’s quiet critiquing of your spelling.

Chapter Text

She had been phasing in and out of consciousness for the past four, five days. She rolled her head around in a circle, grimacing as the pain racketeered her legs, which were cramped from being placed in such cramped positions. The floor was cold and hard, but the chair wasn’t much better.

She fought back a whimper. Being a senator had its risks, but those were mostly limited to social exclusion and heated debates or being photographed for some form of propaganda and scandal. Not usually… this. Dirty cells and all. She didn’t remember much about being kidnapped- just the fact that she had chosen to walk alone to her apartment (a stupid decision in hindsight) and then fall onto the stone-cold pavement. 

Someone had to have reported her missing by now.

She tugged on the cuffs holding her hands hostage behind the stiff back of the chair. She rolled her head back again, trying to see her surroundings as much as possible. Her ornamental robes didn’t give her much of a chance to run- they were too heavy and noisy. She groaned- that was the last time she allowed Senator Bail Organa choose out what kinds of robes she wore to meetings to impress other senate members. 

Kark them. All the senators.

She squeezed her eyes shut, sending out every hopeful thought she could- trying to listen to her surroundings.

“Listen, mesh'la.” Hunter had whispered, arms around her. “What do you hear?”

“You.”

“Of course you do. I’m right here.” Hunter smiled against the shell of her ear, kissing it lightly before moving a hand up to cover her eyes. “But if you need to get away from something and I am not there, you need to use your senses. Smell, hearing… All of that.”

“You’ll always be there, though.” She grinned, reaching up to lower his hand. 

His smiling cheek pressed against her again. “I will always come for you, but I may not always be there, cyare. So,” Hunter whispered, placing his hand over her eyes again. “Listen and smell. What do you feel? Hear? Taste?”

You currently only caught a dense whiff of mildew and dirt. And maybe some grossness of yourself. You grimaced and pushed that out of your head, leaning your head back and trying to tune in with your ears and the remainder of your senses. Smelling wasn’t working right now, not even the sour scent of whatever rot you were picking up on. 

You vaugely heard a whirring- and clicking. The senator’s brow puckered as she tried to hear it again, decipher it. The swooping whirrs itched at a semblance of familiarity- she knew what it was, but just couldn’t place it-

The door sliding open made her head pick up rapidly, and she stared as the person- a nemodian, she registered- entered. They looked at her, blinking only a couple times, the lids squeezing shut, red eyes glinting in the artifical light of the room. “Senator,” They greeted, tone mocking, lilted.

She inhaled and sat up- despite the grime, the grossness layering her body, she would show that was who she was- a senator of the republic. She attempted to not let her chin drop even as a droid lazily drawled in- a medical droid, it looked like, but the tools on its body appared to be sharp and deadly in contract to its rotund form. “I assume you’re my captor.” The waver miraculously stayed out of her voice, somehow.

The nemodian only crossed their arms, standing at the other side of the room. “Your assumptions are correct, senator.” They gave a small applaud with their fingers, as the droid scooted closer to you, needles very sharp and at the ready. “And I will need to ask you a couple of questions.”

—

Hunter’s knife was firm in his hand as the guard fell. He flipped it over his fingers, glancing back at Tech. The job needed minimal troops entering- Wrecker and Crosshair were causing a distraction a klick or so away. He slipped into the door as Tech’s pad beeped, unlocking the facility to them.

“I have the layout.” Tech confirmed. “I have just sent it to your comm device, including the locations of the prison ward. I assume the senator is being held there- I shall accompany you and keep your back, but we must hurry.”

Hunter nodded, tugging his blaster into his free hand. “Thanks, Tech. We’ve gotta get a move on.” All separatist bases were laid out similarly- this one was not different, aside from the fact that there were less droids here and more sentient beings. This had caused them to go back to old tactics, distractions. Distractions didn’t always work on droids.

Hunter’s blood raced as he sprinted through the facility, Tech’s footsteps matching at a pace that gave Hunter some ease. He knew the senator well- inappropriately well for a senator. She was a large advocate for trooper rights, pushing bills that would attempt to garuntee them pay or shifts.

Hunter’s ears rang as there was a yell in a language he was unfamiliar with, the Duros soldier firing at them.

He raced at them, dodging the blaster fire as Tech spun, firing his pistols. “Go ahead, Hunter.” Tech stated quite calmly via the comm. “I’ll handle the oncoming soldiers.”

Hunter gave a quick thanks in the system before running down the hall, legs burning. The tiny voice in the comm system spoke, soothing and balmy.

One point five kliks.

Hunter groaned internally again, running faster. He had seen all the sentient soldiers- this wasn’t just another base. This was a torture facility.

Hunter did not stop his pace as the number in his head counted down and announced the statuses of his brothers- fine, still fighting. Hunter picked up his pace, breathing ragged as he ran, steps picking up and knife still moving.

Point six kliks.

Hunter turned the corner. He didn’t notice the men around him falling.

Point two kliks.

Hunter barrelled into the door, shoving his blaster out of its holster. The weapons were hot in his hands as he moved automatically, working down the hall. His heart seared his ribs as he ran, turning and twisting past the cells.

Location is to your left.

Hunter threw himself into the door, shoulder screaming as it gave. He rotated, knife swiping easily through the Nemodian, who collapsed. He turned and fired his blaster and the medical droid fell. 

“Hunter,” The hunched over senator rasped from the chair she was in.

Hunter whipped around, a sharp inhale entering in his modulator. He tore off his helmet and rushed to her, uncuffing her hands from the chair. He knelt down as she rotated her head, sluggishly, words slurring. “The interrogator-”

Blood rushed in his ears and anger thrummed between his bones and flesh. “Won’t hurt you.” He scooped the senator up, cradling her close. “I’ve got you, sweetheart.” He leaned his helmet on her lap, so she could see his face, his eyes. “I’ve got you.”

Chapter Text

“I am glad you decided to go with me, but I believe I must inform you that, should anyone ask, I cannot dance.” Tech’s hand tightened in yours as he glanced around, jaw rotating.

You laughed softly and shook your head. “Come on, Tech. It isn’t that hard.” You nodded politely at a waiter droid and took a flute from the tray it was passing by with. “And we don’t have to dance, unless we find people we want to dance with.” You took a sip of the contents, struggling to keep composure. With the War “officially” over and Chancellor Palpatine replaced, the current Chancellor Bail Organa was hosting a gala for the troopers, and he would be signing a severance bill for those who chose to leave and a salary for the troopers that would stay and resume working for the Republic, staving down small rebellion on former Separatist outposts.

You set your now empty glass on a different tray. “Shocked that the rest of the squad didn’t want to come.”

Tech shrugged, glancing around at the other troopers. He was clearly uneasy, adjusting in the Republic-issues formal uniform. “It does not surprise me. You know how Crosshair and Hunter get with crowds, and Wrecked did not appear to desire to come.” Tech reached up and fiddled with his collar. “I’m sure seeing the 501st hurts Echo.”

You nodded, brushing a hand over the fine fabric of your outfit. “It’s too late for Omega. I’m glad she’s sleeping well.” Finally. She had trouble sleeping, the nightmares occured too often.

For everyone.

You took a sip, glancing at the new Chancellor, who was chatting with the Naboo Senator. Senator Amidala was allegedly a big proponent for Clone Rights, so she was hopefully pushing for a better pay, some care, something. You thought through your schedule tomorrow- you could probably stop by her office tomorrow and talk to her about the war, the trauma, the stress that the soldiers encountered.

Tech’s eyes skimmed the dance floor. He coughed quietly and mumbled something, glancing towards you.

“Hm?”

“I asked if you- if you wished to dance.”

Your brows raised, and you lowered the glass. You reached over and took his hand, walking towards the floor. “Come on, soldier boy. Let’s go tear up the dance floor.”

Tech turned to you once on the floor. “I, erm, believe this is a waltz. No tearing shall be done-”

You kissed his hand, quickly, and placed it on your hip. “Come on, Tech. Less thinking, more dancing.” You grinned, tugging yourself close to him, close enough to feel the heat radiating from his body. “I think we could both use a little celebration.” His hand squeezed yours gently and you began to move, trusting him.

After the war, you could have this dance, at the very least.

Chapter Text

“You think we lost them?” Despite the usual grit that curled in Crosshair’s voice, you could detect worry readily avaliable in his tone, breath still drawn half-in constantly as if he always had to reserve some for running.

You waved a hand and the brush in front of you flattened. “Positive.”

The sniper grunted and glanced backwards at the woods you had both trekked thus far. You stole a brief look back- Crosshair’s chin was lifted nobley, brow creased with what you suspected to be a hint of fear.

“I don’t think you have to worry about them, darling.” You puffed and stood, brushing off your sleeves. The imperial disguise felt itchy on your body. You groaned and shrugged it off, the damp and cool air welcoming to your body.

Crosshair’s gaze darkened as his eyes glanced towards you, suddenly. “Don’t call me that.”

“Call you what?” You stepped out of the imperial pants, your tighter denim underneath more welcoming and comfortable without the heavy uniform over it. “Darling?”

The sniper winced and his eyes flickered away for a second. “I betrayed you.”

“That was a chip. Not you.” You pressed a hand to your belt, relieved at the weight of your lightsaber. “Crosshair didn’t betray me.”

“No matter how much you say that, it isn’t true. And now the Empire know’s I’m with you, a jetti, and now we’re both at risk.” Despite the sneer, there was pain- anger. It welled behind his eyes. Crosshair, when sad, reminded you of a wounded animal. Frightened, coiled, ready to lash out.

“And you can believe that.” You picked up the folded coat you had hidden behind the bush, then tossed a larger one to Crosshair. He caught it, blinking, bristled. “I won’t argue with you. Your mind does not change when I debate you.” There was a joking lilt to your words as you plunked onto a log to remove the grey Imperial boots.

Crosshair stared. He held the coat in his long fingers, clutching it tightly as his gaze froze on you.

“Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why did you come for me,” Crosshair rasped. “You are going to die, you know. All the jedi do.”

You chuckled. “Oh, Cross. Always the pessimist.”

“I tried to kill you.”

“Yes.” You rose, shrugging on the coat. It was large and dark and concealed your figure, which was perfect. His eyes were still fixated on you, a bewildering sadness hidden somewhere in his eyes. “You did. But clearly, you were not successful.” You walked towards him, crossing your arms as he opened his mouth to speak again.

“You should not have come for me. We will both be wanted, hunted down, and the bounty on our heads is-”

You stood on your toes and pecked his lip, quickly. Crosshair blinked for a moment and words failed him fingers still clenching in the coat, wadded in his hands. You smiled gingerly- you were scared. Of course you were. But you could sense his fear, climbing higher and higher by the moment- perhaps not for himself, but for you.

Your gloved hands took his face, watching as the soldier leaned his face into the open palm on his cheek, brows unfurrowing for a brief moment. He turned his face into your hand, lips kissing the hollow of your palm.

Your lips pressed into a smile. “Have we ever faced hardships alone, Cross? When we are on the same team, we endure trials together.”

He raised a brow and opened his eyes, glancing at you. “You jedi and your words.”

The hair where your braid had been cut off years ago had never grown back normally- the lightsaber had seared it, and it was still short. Despite the shortness, you swore that you could still feel the heat of the saber on the back of your neck. That uncomforting warmth was gone, and there was no more Order, only Chaos, and perhaos you could find some function in it.

You chuckled and leaned in, smiling at him, and you sensed the air of fear thinning. “No jedi, Cross- just you and I.”

Chapter Text

The fire cackled, stirring you slightly your nap on the couch. You awakened, but didn’t bother to open your eyes. You were terribly warm, almost criminally comfortable in front of the little fire. The knitted blanket was settled on you in a good way, comforting you with it’s weight. You sat up and yawned, rubbing your face, looking around for Echo. His jacket was draped over you, the white fabric stark against its cool blue embroidered handprint. You frowned and stood, taking the jacket and wrapping it tighter to you as you heard a clinking in the kitchen.

Ah. He was making breakfast.

You bent over and picked up the remote, turning off the television- you had stayed up late, competing in Mario Kart (which you totally didn’t get your ass kicked in) against Echo. His cool and level demeanor always stood starkly against your happy and chaotic energy. You grinned and walked to the fireplace, stopping for the fire poker. Echo must have kept the fire going.

“Hot chocolate?”

You glanced over and smiled, the blanket lulling you with its steady supply of warmth. “Mhm. Thank you.” You leaned on the bench by the fire place, reaching up as Echo hurried in, handing you the mug. You gave a happy sigh, content, as you lifted the mug, taking a big swig of the cocoa. You pulled away, looking up at Echo to thank him. 

Instead, Echo laughed. “Got whipped cream-” He tapped on his own nose. “No- don’t lick it.” He reached down and flicked the cream off your nose. “Alright. There.”

“Thanks.” You took another sip as Echo sat down next to you, the comfortable silence filled with the soft sips of the beverage and the fire cackling quietly behind you. 

With a sigh, Echo wrapped an arm around you. “You know, you make me feel a lot like right now?”

“Hm?” You chewed on the marshmallow you had found in the cocoa. 

“Cold and miserable outside,” Echo tapped on his chest, in the center of his hoodie. “Warm in here.”

You giggled and leaned on him. “You make me feel like that too. But not cold and miserable.” You tucked your legs under yourself. “Not at all. You just make me happy. Comfortable.”

Echo chuckled. “Like a human pillow.”

You raised your brows. “More like an old cat.”

Echo gasped in false offense and pretended to stand and walk away, but you laughed and grabbed his arm. “No! Echo, please!” You giggled. “I’m sorry! You make me feel like someone with a sweet old cat that wants to snuggle and sit with you.”

“I’m old?” Echo pressed a hand to his forehead. “Woe is I.”

“I didn’t- okay.” You shook your head and patted the spot next to you. “It’s the feeling! You make me feel as happy as someone who has an old cat that wants to sit with you, and wants to purr and love on you.”

Echo faked a suspicious squint as he leaned down, before kissing your forehead and laughing, walking back towards the kitchen with his mug. “Forgiven.”

“Thank you.”

“But that’s the last hot chocolate this old cat is ever going to make you.”

You sighed, but could not hide a laugh as you leaned into the blanket, the cocoa warm in your hands. The life of the inside of your little home was good, it was warm, and it was comfortable- and in reality, all you needed was the warmth and love, not of your family of blood, but of the family you had found along the way. Perhaps you could reunite with your blood family on some distant future day- but for now, you realized, here in the warmth, that the people you loved and those that you chose to love was enough for you.

Chapter Text

Hunter hated being late. He hated clothes that were not his armor. The suit sat on him weird, air filtering through in a way where it seemed to cling more to the fabric than his skin, and his hair was tied back. Hunter felt his foot tap against the floor impatiently- he wanted this mission to be done.

It was important. Too important to miss.

Hunter sighed and shifted on his feet, now pacing the standing area of the ship. He ignored Tech throwing statistics, numbers, and tactics at him. Statistics couldn’t account for surprises or shock.

“Hunter.” The republic collaborator called. She had hidden in the bunk to dress. “Are you sure you should take me?”

“Yes.” Hunter said. She had been assigned by the republic a while ago to make sure that the Batch’s methods were… Somewhat orthodox. She covered for them a lot. She was as smart as a whip and could sting twice as hard. “You’re the only woman that could come, and besides, you’ll get all the eyes on you.”

“You sure?” She shoved open the door, grunting as she ran a hand down the black material clinging to her body.

Hunter exhaled slowly, eyes skimming the black fabric. There was a pop of silence in his brain before he managed a somewhat lame “Yeah, positive.” He managed, or tried to. Words stuck to his throat, lodging and sticking there.

She exhaled in relief, a smile barely flickering, but it was gone. Hunter managed to register it- keep it, locked away in his mind. “Good.” She leaned down and picked up the jacket resting on the back seat of a chair, strapped back to the wall, as they had moved down from orbit only recently. “You won’t draw too much attention, either. It’s an opera.” She gestured at the tattoo on his face absent mindedly, reaching out to the wall to adjust her heels. “Fit right in.”

Hunter managed a grunt and a brief nod. He drew his eyes to the grey walls of his ship, his solace. “Well.” He grumbled, mostly to himself. “No turning back.” 

It was intended to be frustrated. Irritated at getting assigned to this particular mission, stressed at rubbing elbows with stuffy politicians and high-ups. The collaborator stepped over, reaching up and adjusting his coat lapels. “Just think of this as a stealth missing. Your suit is your camoflauge, and the ballroom is your hunting grounds. Your battle field.” She smiled as her fingers brushed down the smooth material of his coat, glancing up at him through long lashes. “And besides, I’ll be there to help.”

Under her hands, under the coat and silken shirt, his skin sparked- he was a little surprised that she failed to comment on his raging heart- or was that hers he heard? “Sure,” He managed in a somewhat neutral tone. “Yeah.” Hunter exhaled, closing his eyes, forcing his body to still, to calm, and he rolled the anxiety out with a long drawn breath. It flooded the room until it was not in him any more. 

“You can do this?” She said, her hands enclosing around his arm. 

It’s a mission. A hunt. “Yeah.” Hunter squeezed his hands tight as they exited the ship, arm in arm. He could do the mission- but staying fully focused on it seemed hard with her standing so close. 

____

Hunter set down the barely empty glass of champagne on another tray as they wove between the crowd. “Hate the stuff every time.”

“Well, you don’t have to take it.” She hissed at him between the lips of a rather pleasant smile. “Just politely refuse.” Her hand, if it was a mistake or not, squeezed his arm briefly- Hunter’s arm almost collapsed on instinct, but he fought it. “And smile, Hunt. You look good with a grin.” By purpose, by accident, again, she bumped against him with a gentle nudge of her hip. “One of the last soldiers I know with a full set of teeth.”

Despite himself, he smiled softly. “Thanks. I like… your smile too, ya know.” She offered an indirect tug at one corner of her lips, and his breath mimicked it. Rapid, not yet ready for the impact the little grin would have on him.

Mission. 

“Right.” Hunter cleared his throat. The material of his suit felt lighter now, less constricting. His eyes skimmed the room, calculating the sepratists, the loyalists, the rich, the wealthy- “The chip is on one of the higher-ups, I think.”

“Senator, maybe?” She turned her head, glittering with the decor adorning her in a way that both dazzled and alarmed Hunter. “Or no?”

“I don’t think a senator would want to be caught with the data chip. A bodyguard, maybe, or an aide.” Hunter glanced briefly at the haze of silver speckling the usually stoic woman, the no-nonsense go-getter, but he tore his eyes back towards the room. “A higher vantage point may be better.”

She nodded, grasping his hand and wrapping her arms around his as they moved towards the stairs. “Casual, Hunter.” She turned her head and whispered towards him, the long black sleeves of her dress surprisingly smooth against his hand. “Tonight you’re not a soldier.”

“I don’t know what else to be.”

“Tonight,” She grinned as they hurried up the stairs. “You’re with me.”

___

She had been the one to spot the aid with the chip, racing down the hall now, Hunter just barely ahead of her. “The ship will be taking off soon!” She yelled. The doors behind them screamed open, security droids now hurrying after them. She cursed and raised her skirt, yanking out her blaster. 

“I’ll cover for you!” She yelled. She whipped back, throwing herself into a hallway alcove with Hunter. “You go stop that chip!”

Hunter stared at her, then back at the droids. She would be fine on her own, but…

“You can’t stay here on your own!” Hunter protested, but valid reasons came up short. You’ll be hurt, I would kill myself if I wasn’t here at your side and you got hurt.

She stared up at him, eyes glittering and intense, fingers reaching out to squeeze his arm. “Go.” She commanded, voice low. “That’s an order, soldier.”

“Thought I wasn’t a soldier tonight.”

She glared at him, but there was a softness rounding out her usual sharp gaze. “Good luck.”

With a breath, Hunter raced down the hall, his heart pounding with every step.

___

Hunter hadn’t anticipated two things that night:

1. Falling somehow harder for the Republic Collaborator.

2. Falling from a roof, the chip in his pocket.

He cursed to himself and tried to pull himself up, the rain now steadily making his clothes more and more heavy. Hunter huffed a breath of frustration as he managed to get his upper half on the roof, glancing at the speeder that had crashed when he shot it upon racing to the roof. Hunter groaned and rolled onto his back, body acheing. 

The roof door opened and he glanced over long enough to see the collaborator race over, eyes desperate as she reached him. “Hunter!”

He sat up and clasped her cheeks as she squatted by him. “Are you hurt-” She began, but the question was cut off as he leaned in and closed the space between them.

She responded immediately- her hands grabbed his coat, rain wringing out of it as she leaned into him, shielding him from the rain. 

Hunter pulled away, only enough to speak. “Your dress-”

“It’s fine.” She leaned in and kissed him, quickly, speaking between the contact. “It was a rental.”

Hunter laughed against her, sitting up, her warmth and scent surrounding him. The rain pounded down, harder, and he let it, not caring- as long as he was with her, storms would always end. 

Chapter Text

Tech was used to science. Observations and data added up, made sense. He could register facts and logic and equations, and examine them all day- it was about the universal truth that could not be denied, no matter what new hypotheses reared its head. Evidence breeds truth, and Tech had collected all the evidence unwittingly and it lead to one true and undeniable fact.

He was in love.

Tech settled back on the grass, thick and cool with the dewy evening, staring up at the sky. All life on the Havoc Maurader was still with sleep.

Even so, steps sounded softly as someone walked down the ramp. They were not careful enough to be Crosshair or Hunter, nor rowdy enough to be Wrecker. He felt the presence of the medic as they walked over the bit of grass to reach him, and they slowly lowered next to him.

Silence held.

“How you holding up?” Their voice was soft, steady.

Tech smiled and he leaned his head back to examine the stars, seeing the black glove of the medic’s hand was gone as they ran a hand over the grass. “Better than I would be on most missions. I appreciate the question.” He heard the medic grunt softly in response and look up at the sky. Tech took the chance to glance over- of course, only they could remove his eyes from infinite skies- and examine them. The uniform, usually cold and stark, was traded out for a more relaxed wear, baggier pants and a loose shirt. Even out of regulation attire, his hypothesis held up.

The medic scooted a little closer to him. Out of uniform, they acted, moved, held their head a little different. It was endearing. Humane.

Tech leaned back, his fingers brushing over the grass, stopping centimeters from medical hands. “I am simply admiring the night time sky. Did you wish to join?”

They shrugged. “Sure.” Their hand did not move away from his. “They look the same after you’ve been floating up there for a while.”

“It may.” Tech agreed, softly, head leaning back. “But on each planet, we see different stars. Different galaxies. We never see the same night sky twice- everything is in a different place all the time.”

The medic hummed, their pinkie brushing against his. “I don’t pay attention to the stars.”

“Well, you should.” Tech reached up, pointing. “There’s the nebulus clouds, you can only see them when the planet is in the right place. Those constillations-” His hand slipped over the medic’s. “Are only in that place, for a season, and when the planet is in a specific position. We miss the things around is- the small things- that make us recognize how truly unique the lives each of us lead are. We will never see the same sky twice, and we will never interact with the same person twice. Something,” He squeezed the hand of the medic, still resting back against the grass. “Something in us always changes between when we meet.”

The medic hummed thoughtfully, resting against him. Their arm touched his. “I suppose that’s right.” They said, turning towards him. Tech tore his eyes from the sky- how could he not?- to meet their eyes. “Some of us are just too busy with what’s around us to notice that.”

Tech grinned, tilting his head down towards them. “Astute, really.”

“You should try it sometime.”

“Only if you promise to watch the stars a little more often.”

A smile brushed the medic’s lips as the space between them closed. “Deal.”

Chapter Text

It had been a long time since you had been on Kamino. The rain rushed on your coat, singing it’s joy of your return. You truly didn’t mind the rain, the storm- it had grown comforting, oddly enough. You beamed and walked quickly across the bridge, ducking under the awning where a Kaminoian stood watching you with oblong eyes, expression somewhat blank. “Welcome, doctor.”

“Thank you.” Despite the stiff greeting, genuine gratitude filled your words. You glanced around, relief flooding you at the stark white walls and the cool rain that clung to you, as you followed the Kaminoian down the hall. Your steps sounded sure once more as you walked down the bright halls, heart thumping with eagerness as you glanced around. “This place hasn’t changed much,” You stated to no one in particluar. 

The kaminoian hummed in response. “We are not much for change,” They stated, a long hand moving in a somewhat vague gesture. 

You nodded, falling into step behind the Kaminoian. It was regulation out in the field to wear something akin to military gear, so it was honestly nice to come back to the white and grey and blue facility- it was pristine. Clean. Quiet (save the constant gallons of rain). 

And overall… Home.

You smiled and turned down the hall, glancing at the ceiling. The roof was high, rounded, and pristine. You turned and walked backwards, glancing at the hallway, bustling with life behind you. You grinned, a grunt of shock interrupting. The floor shifted. At first, you wondered if the facility had fallen off its supports- 

A hand grasped under your back, hauling you up. “Oh! Easy there, doc-”

You laughed as the trooper rested you in his arm. “Thank you, soldier.” You looked up at him, heart sputtering in your chest after a moment.

The clone stared at you, brow furrowed slightly. “Doc?”

“Hunter?” You pressed your hands on his dark armor, still leaning in the support of his arm. The incredulous laugh left your lips, babbling. “Oh, maker! Hunter!” You grinned widely. “It’s so good to see you!” Your hands still pressed on the firmness of his armor, and you took in his appearance. “You’re taller.”

“Still the shortest one, though.” A boisterous laugh interrupted the thoughtful look in Hunter’s eyes (those had still stayed warm, honeyed), and Wrecker crossed his arms. 

You laughed and stepped away, a squeak escaping as the taller clone picked you up and squeezed you. “Ugg-” You managed. “Hi.” You managed a laugh as Wrecker set you down. “Hey!”

“Easy on the doctor, Wrecker.” Hunter’s voice was soft, but he still carried the good natured smile. 

You gasped in delight, stepping over and taking his face. “You got that tattoo you wanted!” Hunter leaned his head back, cheeks warm under your hands. Quickly, you removed them. “Oh. Sorry.” Your fingers squeezed shut as they dropped to your side. “Where’s the other two?”

“Cross went to the mess hall. Tech’s in the data room.” Wrecker beamed. “We wanted to stop at the bunk.”

You laughed, nodding in agreement. “Well, I won’t get in your way.” You bent down and picked up the datapad that Hunter had dropped, turning and holding it out to the sargent. “Sorry, Hunter.” You said, an apologetic smile lacing your tongue. “I’ll be more careful next time.”

“Heh.” Hunter gently took the datapad, skimming over your face again. “Thanks.” He tapped it in his hands, pausing, turning over words in his mouth. “I’ll see you. Around, I mean.”

“Well, you don’t want that. The only reason I can think of anyone coming to see me would be someone getting injured.” You adjusted your white jacket. 

Hunter smiled and glanced down briefly, taking in your outfit, adjusting to the white uniform. “I can think of a reason to drop by.”

You giggled (actually giggled) and shrugged, turning to walk down the hall. “As long as that reason doesn’t involve too many stitches, I’ll be perfectly happy to see you.”

Hunter began to reply- but Wrecker called out. “Hunter! I’m dying to change.”

The clone sighed and glanced back at his brother, turning back to say something, but you were moving down the hall. Hunter’s words stuck in his throat, and instead of replying, he swallowed what he was going to say- which he wasn’t sure of, but something wanted to be said- and instead he turned and followed Wrecker, a lighter sensation in his chest, face still warm from the doctor’s gentle fingers. 

Chapter Text

It shouldn’t have shocked him, but Crosshair didn’t expect Mandalorians to be so good at camping out. Survival, yes. But actively enjoying camping out?

Crosshair watched as the orange-clad leg kicked, swaying the travel hammock that was in all standard issue survival packs. “Cyare,” Crosshair dropped the sicks onto the forest floor. “Shouldn’t we be looking for a place to hide?” Not that it was a question. They really should have been. The air was surprisingly clear, with the slightest humidity and the scent of rain.

“Relax, an’edee.” Her voice was clear without the oppression of her helmet and modulator. “We’re safe. Not being followed.”

He fought off a groan. Crosshair crouched down and prodded the fire, which was still bright and hot. Searing. He sheepishly tossed another stick onto it, glancing at the lush plats around them, already shrouded in shadow with the threat of night. The fire crackled, somewhat solacing against the little chirps and hoots falling with the cape of the moon. 

Crosshair stood by the fire. He didn’t know how much longer. The ferns turned from a vibrant green to a dark, dark hue, the only light on them the glow of the fire. 

There was no time to rest. Only time to run.

He clenched his fists. “I’ll go find us something to eat.” His voice was thick with the rations over the past few days- they had caked his throat, sticking. Still as bland as he remembered.

“Cross.” The hammock creaked as the Mandalorian sat up. “An’edee.” She jumped to the floor of the woods, feet crunching on the dried leaves they had pushed away from the fire. “You’re tense. You have been since we left Kamino.” Her words bit back, and she sharply glanced into the fire. “Not that I don’t get why. It’s a tough spot to be in. I know.” She crossed her arms, slowly sitting on the small blanket that they had set by the fire. She patted next to her, the armor, usually a warm color, one that reminded him of the flowers he had seen in Tech’s books, was only more welcoming in the light of the docile flames. 

Hesitation marked his first step. She smiled. The next pat was softer, a mere tap on the ground.

Crosshair crossed to the other side and lowered himself next to her, legs folding. 

The crackling fire popped at the wood. He spoke softly. “It’s not easy being away from your people, cyare.”

“I know.” Her hand pressed briefly on his back. “That’s something I do have experience with. Her gaze was warm, determined, bold- a very Hunter-ish smile on her lips filled his heart with both pride and aching. He loved her- he did. And he owed this Mandalorian his life. But his brother- 

Crosshair bit the inside of his cheek and concentrated on tossing a smaller stick into the fire. The leaves sticking to the bark sizzled. 

“I don’t like fire.”

“That sucks.” She replied.

Crosshair chuckled briefly. “Didn’t get along so well with it.” He gestured at the side of his face that was still leathery and rough. “Did me wrong.”

She only shrugged. “Fire can be hurtful. Bad. It can destroy homes and people.” The Mandalorian leaned forward, elbows bracing her knees, as she opened the pack in front of her. “But it can be good. It helps keep us warm and find people that are lost using smoke.” She tore open a bag with her teeth, grinning with satisfaction as she shoved the tiny treats, white and fluffy, onto a smaller stick. “Helps us cook.”

“They’re already cooked.”

“Well, you are too. Don’t see me complaining.” The laughter from the Mandalorian was a single bark, but he smiled, watching as the marshmallows slowly rotated above the flames, jumping to reach them. “An’edee, I know how scary being alone is. I know how hard it can be. Surviving without someone can be really rough.” She tugged the stick away and blew on it, holding it out to him. The gesture was small, but her smile was wide. “But you have me.”

Crosshair glanced between her and the stick. Finally, he sighed and tugged the marshed mallow (or something) off. “And how lucky I am.” He grinned behind the little treat. The golden skin crunched against his tongue, the sweetness melting behind his teeth.

She laughed and rested her head on his shoulder, chewing on her own marshmallow. “How lucky you are,” She repeated, a content hum leaving her. 

Times had changed. For better or worse. Crosshair wrapped an arm around his girl, heaving a rather heavy sigh. But at least he had someone he could find his way in a big galaxy with. 

Chapter Text

The biggest thing that had come with a surprise of dating Fives was the sheer amount of touching that transpired. You didn’t really mind, and you always had known he had been a physical touchy-feely kind of guy, but it was always funny to see a big and strong ARC trooper constantly touching you as if you were his lifeline.

Being a mission support specialist, you were on base almost always. Personal feelings didn’t interfere with work- but you still liked PDA being kept to a minimum. Professionalism and all.

Despite this, the touching remained, though more brief now. The man had approximately zero action or PDA filter.

You grinned as you examined the map, feeling Fives’ head nestle into your shoulder and his hands slip into your back pockets. “Is the mission supported?” He mumbled, voice rumbling against your ear.

“Affirmative,” You grinned as you resumed working. A steady routine had come- he would come after a mission- typically one where he was not seen for days or weeks at a time- shower, and immediately come to you. And who were you to deny him of some passive affection upon returning?

Fives kissed your cheek, thrice, grinning. “We have the best supporter here on base.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Happen to know all the other clones are jealous.” Fives snugged his face into your neck. “Who isn’t jealous of having someone as smart and beautiful as you?”

Behind him, Hardcase made a gagging sound, and Jesse groaned. “Fives. We have a mission to plan.”

“I’m planning it.”

“The map isn’t on her butt, Fives.” Hardcase squinted down at the map. “Wish it was, though. That would make your job a lot easier.”

“I’m being helpful!” Fives argued, picking up his head only slightly as you wrote a few potential squadrons to move out on the map.

Jesse didn’t even look up. “Oh yeah? What are you doing?”

“Supporting our specialist.”

You giggled as he nuzzled into the crook of your neck. “Look, Fives,” You turned your head, chin bumping his cheek. “I love you and I love when you touch me, but you need to be planning.”

“I am.”

“Oh, really?”

Fives bobbed his head in a nod. His nose bumped you. “There’s a canyon on the western side of the map. Just about two kliks out- it’ll be a bit longer but we can send in a small attack squadron to infiltrate from the back. Need full climbing and grappling gear, though.”

There was a brief mumble of confusion as you moved the map, pursing your lips. “That is, if it’s even climbable and has no sensors.” You tapped on the cliff and produced a small model of it.

“A recon team, then?” Jesse asked.

Hardcase rounded the table, his own arms wrapping around Fives and leaning on him. You laughed, feeling as Fives’ glanced back in shock. “Whaddare ya doing?” Fives tried to shrug him off.

Hardcase hugged his brother tighter. “Look! Hugging her made you think! Maybe it’ll have the same effect on me.”

You cackled, scribbling notes on the map still. Jesse’s stool scraped as he rose from his seat, and he grabbed his holopad. “Good Kriff- we have a mission to plan-”

“Yeah!” Fives agreed. “And we’re over here, working hard!”

“You’re literally not.” Jesse sighed as he moved towards the door.

Hardcase yelled from frapping Fives’ shoulder. “Jesse! My brain juices are flowing. This hugging thing works.”

You only heard a soft “I don’t know how we got assigned to the same team,” from Jesse as he left, followed by laughter from the three of you.

After a moment, Fives asked, “… Hardcase? Can you let me go?”

“Nah.”

“Darling.” Fives tugged on your pocket. “Help me out.”

“Sorry, Trooper.” You grinned as Fives’ groaned, beyond Hardcase’s exaggerated snuggling. There was no way that was comfortable with armor. “You got yourself into this. This is one mission I would prefer you support on your own.”

Chapter Text

Something pulled you from the warmth of your sleep- the gentle swaying of your hammock stopped, tugging you from the lulling rhythm. A murmer escaped your mouth and you swatted at the arm gently shaking you. “Go aw-ah.”

“Look, I would, butcha wanted to go hunting with me.” Wrecker’s hand ran over your head, and your head popped up with a sleepy glare rising to your eyes. “Come on, you aren’t gonna back out on me.”

You managed to glare at him through bleary eyes as you stood, grumbling, and you grabbed your boots from the floor. “Fine. Lemme brush my teeth.” You yawned and shuffled past him, not missing the bright smile on Wrecker’s face as he followed. He trailed after you to the bathroom, movements soft but clunky in his massive array of armor.

You paused and looked at him in the mirror. Maybe it was due to the fact that it was so karking early, but the grin melted your heart. “Wreck.” You turned and grabbed the door. “I need to-”

“Oh. Oh! Right.” His lips tilted sheepishly as he stepped back, a final “Sorry,” rumbling through the door. Your hand pressed, firmly, and you heard his footsteps wander away to wait for you outside the ship.

___

The air outside was crisp, cool. This planet had a fairly regular and even season cycle, and you had landed during its autumnal season. “Tech said the leaves should be changing colors here.” You managed, grasping your caf cup like it was your lifeline. “Brown, red, orange, all that. Weird, huh?”

“I s`pose when you’re from a planet that doesn’t do seasons or whatever, yeah.” Wrecker grinned, walking down the grassy hill with you. “There’s a buncha hills and stuff over that way,” He gestured forward. “Figured we could go there and look around, we should get a pretty clear view of everything.”

You nodded and trotted behind him. The grass was crunchy, loud enough to nearly block whatever birds were singing in the surrounding trees. “I forgot what morning people birds are,” You mumbled, taking another sip of your coffee.

“I like mornings.”

“Yeah, but that’s okay.” You smiled behind your cup. “It’s a very Wrecker thing- to like mornings.” You noticed him grin as he glanced back at you. Your eyes darted down to your cup, which was suddenly too hot, almost. “Right. Yeah. Uh. So… what are we looking for?”

The hill had started to become steeper going up, you were tilted as far forward as you could without falling or spilling your coffee. Green grass was a haze over the top, yellow tips swaying as they peeked from the edge. Wrecker reached back and took your hand, gently helping you up the rest of the way, grinning widely. “You’ve gotta see this.”

You exhaled at the effort, lowering the cup onto the ground at the hill, much flatter, at least enough to stand or not spill coffee. With a grunt of effort, you stood, then stared at the sky and the valley before you. “… Whoa.”

The green haze of grass you had seen expanded a hundredfold before you, the sides and field speckled with red and purple trees. Despite the dark hues of the earth, the sky was bright, pink fingers stretching out in the still sleeping sky, stars winking out with the rising sun. Your breath tangled around your ribs as you stared, exhaling. You somehow didn’t miss that Wrecker’s hand was still clasped around yours, still holding it like it was something holy.

Hunting could wait. Your grin softened as he squeezed your knuckles. Every sunrise was unique, and you couldn’t imagine it with anyone better.

Chapter Text

“This is all your fault.”

“By all calculations, it is actually all your fault, my dear.” Tech snorted from the other side of the cell. Granted, that was only about four feet, but it was far enough for you. You scowled at him and stared at the door, hard. 

Your foot tapped on the wall, the soft leather of your workboot boot sounding dull thuds. “What calculations?”

“The ones I have. In my head.” Tech tapped his fingers as he counted. “The probability of my capture rates plus that of yours, my survival training, the amount of training I assume you have had as a mechanic-”

“Which is none.”

“- Which is none, and the odds of us being outnumbered. And now we are on a Separatist warship and must somehow escape.” Tech paused, thinking through any other mind muddle, and then dropped his hand. “Nonetheless, we are here now. And we may as well work through it.” His knuckles rapped on the metal hull of the floor in the most annoying possible rhythm. 

You groaned and rapped your head back on the wall. “For the love of the Gods please stop.”

“The Gods are dead.”

“You killed them with your voice and general… annoying-ness.” You sighed and stood, reaching down to help him up after brushing your hand off on your work coverall. “Come on. Let’s see if we can hatch a plan to get out of this dungeon. The last time I was in a situation this uncomfortable, I would up in a rancor nest and I was pissed on. Too much.”

Tech blinked. “By the rancor?”

“No comment.” You stared at the ceiling, squinting. “Say, Tech. How tall are you?” Your arms crossed as your eyes picked out each ceiling corner, all the blueprints you had studied slowly rolling out in your head. “Five foot, four foot?”

“… I am six-foot, four inches.”

You nodded. “Right. Six and a half feet.”

Tech’s frown was annunciated, the lines on his . “Six four.”

“Eh.” You wagged a hand and pointed above at the vent. “Close enough. Our heights combined should be enough for me to get up into the vent.” You ignored Tech’s massive sigh, but even so, he squatted down and patted his shoulders. Without missing a beat, you strode over and stepped up, boots landing solidly on his sturdy shoulder plates. You rose, easily, standing straight as Tech slowly straightened his back. You had stood on many a wobbly ladder, droid, or ship, and you had journeyed into many small spaces. 

You got this.

___

You didn’t got this. You didn’t, in fact, got anything at all. Tech inched along behind you, huffing at the effort. “Can you move any faster?”

“Well, we aren’t all genetically modified.” You grimaced and tugged yourself around the corner, your coveralls shockingly slick on the cool metal of the vent pathway as you made your way through.

Tech scoffed somewhere in the dust behind you, but it was lost among a jarring pang of the metal. Your body froze, and you inhaled until the vent went quiet.

Tech broke the quiet. “Did you hear that?”

“No.”

“It was a loud- oh, you were being sarcas-”

The vent gave way, crashing down. Your world collapsed as you rammed into the floor, somehow colder than the vent you were just in. Tech landed somewhere next to you with a grunt.

Your brain whirled, smacking against your skull as you sat up. You blinked, eyes bleary at the battle droids that were standing before you. You were pretty sure that if they could have changed expressions, they would have been gaping at you and the soldier.

“Aw, kark.” You groaned and stood.

“Hey! You’re not supposed to be out of your cell!” One of the battle droids’ voices spurted to life. “Why are you out?”

“Look. We just wanted a stroll.” Tech said, calmly, moving forward next to you. Even so, his knees bent, ready to pounce.

The battle droid’s hand scratched the yellow insignia on its head. “Oh. Uh… That’s fine, I guess.”

“Sir.” The droid next to him warned. “I don’t think they’re supposed to be out. They’re prisoners-”

Tech lept forward, grasping the commander droid and yanking it back. He forced the gun in the robotic hand at the droids, shooting rapidly. You dove down behind Tech, glancing around for a weapon. Your fingers wrapped around a droid arm and you quickly separated the forearm from the joint, standing once the firing had stopped. Tech grabbed the commander Droid’s gun and reached for a second one. “Grab a gun.”

“I, uh…” You tucked the droid arm into your belt. “I can’t shoot.”

“No time like the present to learn.” Tech tossed a gun towards you. You grabbed it, yanking it close. It was bulky and awkward in your hands, and you turned it over. The cogs in your brain spun, analyzing it.

You tucked the blaster next to the droid hand in your belt. “Mmkay. Just point and shoot?”

“Well, I thought it was at least that obvious.”

You frowned at him as he jogged the other way, but ran to keep up with him. “Tech!” You yelled. “Slow-”

He stopped and turned, his hand landing over your mouth. “Don’t yell. Don’t be loud. The droids are stupid, but they still have auditory receptors. Understood? Good.” He dropped his hand and grasped your free fingers, racing down the hall. “If we can make it to the escape pods or podracers, we can get away and make contact with the Republic.” Tech turned a corner. “According to my calculations, the escape pods should be-”

The both of you skidded to a halt. You grabbed Tech’s arm again as the droids stared blankly at you both, before raising their blasters. 

“Hey!” The droid at the ground pointed. “You’re the prisoners!”

“How do you know that?” You moved behind Tech. “We could be… Other droids. Maybe this is all a dream.”

“Battle droids don’t dream!”

“Easy for you to say. I have dreams.” The droid next to the first one muttered.

“Shut up and fire!”

Tech ran, still grabbing your arm as you moved, firing at random at the droids, body taking over. “This blaster isn’t as bad as I thought.” You yelled as Tech pulled you behind the wall nearby. He moved around you, shooting at the oncoming crowd of metal soldiers.

“It gets better as you shoot it. I’m surprised you adapted so quickly.” Tech pulled back around, ducking from plasma fire.

The droid chitter continued. “I told you I wanted to be a pianist! But no, you never listen-”

“We are currently in the middle of executing orders!”

“You’ve executed my dreams!”

Tech tugged you further down the hall. “Well, we appear to have two problems.” Tech panted. “First, I have been shot. Secondly, we are lost, somewhere in the back hulls of the ship, and stealth appears to be impossible-”

“You’ve been shot?”

“Yes. Now, don’t interrupt.” Tech stopped and moved into a small alcove, glancing at his arm, the armor scraped with plasma. You gasped, drawing a hand to your face. What?” He glanced at his arm again and sighed, rotating it. “It’s but a flesh wound.”

“Well, it looks like a deeper than flesh wound!” You snarled, running out again after him. 

Tech threw a singular, “I thought it was obvious!” Over his shoulder as you raced down the hall, after him. 

The weapon was hot in your hands, and you managed to somehow keep pace. This was what camaraderie was about- fighting, again and again, and surviving, and then a drink afterward. The ship blueprint laid itself out in your head, and you slowly took the lead over Tech, and he followed you. 

A mechanic you were, but it was time to survive.