#[ neighbouring galaxies ]

[star-quill]

listen..... rockstar!peter who lives next door to you. you don't see him much, with him being on tour a lot. but when he's home, you see him going for a run in the neighbourhood or taking the trash out. you don't know much about him other than he's in a band who's somewhat famous. but it's not your type of music.

then he invites you over for a bbq and pool party during the summer. it's full of famous people and you get a little nervous, even though you're famous yourself. the night goes by pretty quickly and everyone starts heading home. you thank peter for the party as you're turning to leave but you stop yourself.

"i only live next door.. so i'm not worried about getting home on time for like kids or whatever, so.. do you want a hand cleaning up?"

he insists that you go home but you just smile and start picking up empty plates and putting them in his kitchen. he just smiles and laughs, before turning to pick up empty cups and plates on the buffet table. it took you both around an hour to clean up and wash the dishes and he thanked you for the help. he offered you a drink and led you to the couch in his living room, sitting down in synchronisation with you.

you didn't get much time to talk to him during the party so it was nice to finally get a chance to talk properly.

"so.. how was tour?"

"fuckin' amazing.. it's such a rush being up on stage but i love it.."

"i saw some videos.. you just look so natural up there.. your energy is infectious.."

"thought you didn't like my music.."

"i.. uhm.. i don't.. just.. it was mainly you i was watching anyway.."

"yeah? like what you see?"

"yeah.. i really did.."

he just smirked as he took a sip of his beer, stretching one of his legs out and spreading his thighs just ever so slightly for you to glance your eyes down at them. you forgot how much of a flirt he was—and it's really not fair for the both of you to be single and not do anything about it. so then you put your drink down on the coffee table and stood up, before moving to stand in front of him and sink down onto his lap. you wrapped your arms around his neck and smiled.

"yeah.. i really did.."

[the-good-neighbors]

hap birf my beloved wife

wishing my favorite trans queen a happy [belated] birthday

[starvrses]

TAGS.

[ general tags. ]

#[ night sky nav. ] -> navigation & intro posts for each oc. #[ chatter from the stars ] -> random text posts. #[ star-crossed chronicles ] -> any written works i make for my ocs. #[ neighbouring galaxies ] -> friends/mutuals & their ocs!

[ oc tags. ]

#[ crystalline wings: blanche ] -> posts related to blanche. #[ spiral of ink: elena ] -> posts related to elena. #[ the shadow's shadow: kazuko ] -> posts related to kazuko. #[ wistful song of autumn: akie ] -> posts related to akie.

[puzzledemigod]

Oh shit a good marvel movie? That was unexpected, I'm so happy

[seithr]

i wish i could play stellaris but with. whatever beast ive made in spore

[moineauz]

જ⁀ 𝐅𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐘 𝐘𝐎𝐔 , various ! pt two

synopsis: his voice lines about you as his beloved partner

including: boothill, aventurine

side comments: my first voice line fic was well received and for that I thank you all <3 so of course this is for all my boothill and aventurine lovers out there! (including myself for boothill...)

extra: gn reader, angsty and fluffy moments, I genuinely loved writing boothill's, minor spoilers for both favourites: boothill word count: roughly 1000+

care to see the first part? includes dr. ratio, jing yuan, & blade!

𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐋

WHO ARE THEY? I "Out here askin' question huh? Well if you're that curious... then you better listen close."

FIRST MEETINGS? "Met them on a bullet train in a neighbouring star system. Turns out we were chasing after the same fudge-heads. You could've seen them- a sly creature that's who they were, whipping out the most slick sniper I've ever seen. I'd reckon that was one of the most thrilling fights I've ever had: came out with dents all over my arms and a broken gun. Their bullets nearly punched a hole through my cheek... hah!"

GREETINGS? "They may be a load of dormant gunpowder, but they sure are sweet! Full of laughter and courtesy. But I'll let you in on a little secret... ( Name ) likes to walk in, pretty as always- and plant kisses all over my cheek before they even say a word."

PARTINGS? "Being a Galaxy Ranger means never staying in one place. ( Name ) is no Galaxy Ranger... I'd reckon it's better that way."

ABOUT US: SHOES IN THE HOUSE "I can't exactly 'take off my shoes' now can I? But ( Name ) likes to keep the house tidy and I best not anger them... like that one time- anyways, we came up with this whole fudging system just to keep the bottom of my damn boots clean! It's fudging ridiculous! *Chuckles* I can't help it, but ( Name ) is understanding. Even if I trudged through all the grime in the universe- they'd still wipe it all off."

ABOUT US: FAMILY "You see, ( Name ) has this big family. Siblings, cousins, extended cousins, aunts and uncles, you name it. We were on their home planet once, and I finally understood where ( Name's ) knack for puttin' a real good home together came from. Their family lives in the countryside where all you can see are open fields, lush hillsides, free-roaming animals and wildflowers. Consider it a quiet paradise. They even grow their own food for fudging sake! Everythin' made by hand and land. Darlin' nearly coaxed me into joining them for dinner once, but I knew better. Best not spoil the family get-together."

CHAT: HATS N' POSES "Personally, I like my hat and flare the way it damn is. How would fightin' be without it? But of course, your partner has to be a cheeky tease about it."

CHAT: WARMTH " I've seen it in the movies- those fudging 'romcoms'- and read it in books. When it gets cold... I'm no help. Can't do much except reach for a blanket and wrap them up. But even then, metal and skin don't fudging work."

PASTIMES DONE TOGETHER? "Count me in on a dance sugar plum! Have to admit, darlin' has a fair share of good dance moves. Nothin' like a hard-earned victory being celebrated with a cool glass of whisky and a smooth dance."

ARGUMENTS: "Bitter things that's all they are. Leaves you knocked out cold. Reminds you of all the things you can't take back."

SOMETHING TO SHARE: "Following the hunt ain't an easy task. But someone has to punish the wretched. That's the thing about the hunt- you get cold, hard. Sugar follows another path that doesn't make any fudging sense to me. But that doesn't matter. None of that ever mattered, not to them, not to me or even the hunt. Call it selfish, but I'd like to one day settle down... Just like their family. Out where no one could find us."

WHO ARE THEY? II "They call me their 'sweet lover'. But really it should be me saying that. If anything I am the sweat of their brow- a nuisance at times. But they still love me. They still fudging love me."

EXTRA: IPC ENTRY "Normally, Galaxy Rangers travel alone. However, we have seen the wanted Galaxy ranger- Boothill- be accompanied by someone who appears to be a vagabond follower of Xipe. Despite the information we possess, the relationship between Boothill and his supposed 'partner' is very limited."

𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐄

WHO ARE THEY? I "Fancy meeting you here- oh? A rumor you say? Rumours do have peculiar ways of reaching the ears..."

FIRST MEETINGS? "All business ventures possess their gains and losses. However, I did not expect my pockets- alongside others- to be picked on a night meant to celebrate the Strategic Investment Department. The person who did it played their cards exceptionally well. I applauded them and the subtlety of their skills."

GREETINGS? "Despite their rather cunning nature, ( Name ) is quite kind... shockingly so. I thought their smile was a chip they played for their own meticulous advantage. *Chuckles* I was wrong, there was simply nothing to understand behind that smile."

PARTINGS? "One transaction after another, the universe keeps spinning. Don't keep up, you fall behind. Simple. I don't have to worry about that around them, or at least, for a while, until another wager must be made. Until the peck on the cheek is over."

ABOUT US: LOCKET "( Name ) has a keen eye for trinkets and bought- well stole- a locket for the two of us to share. I keep it with me, a lucky charm if you may."

ABOUT US: NAPPING "Personally, I don't nap. But, ( Name ) is a terrible influence and says I should. I must admit, waking up to them in the afternoon is not a bad way to spend my time."

CHAT: THEVERY "( Name ) is a thief... a good one at that. Oh don't worry, they struck a deal with the IPC. Primarily on their terms because they have been such a nuisance to the IPC. It's rather amusing seeing the IPC chase their own tail. We've definitely shared laughs over it."

CHAT: CONFESSIONS "Who could possibly love something so broken? It's like keeping a clock that won't tick or a deck of cards missing a queen. Sometimes, I wish they didn't care so much. It would be... easier."

PASTIMES DONE TOGETHER? "Of course, a good game of cards is a fun way to pass the time. *Chuckles* Though, ( Name ) is a terrible player. Not that I mind, I'll guess I'll play the role of 'loser' this time around- best you not tell them."

ARGUMENTS: "What else is there to say? Nothing. That part is the worst."

SOMETHING TO SHARE: HEART OF GOLD "( Name ) steals to give to the poor. It's their motto... I saw them once with a group of kids on a planet in a distant star system. They were giving back to the orphanage- the smiles on the children's faces when given toys, marbles to be exact, were so bright."

WHO ARE THEY? II "In all honesty, I'm not quite sure. However, what I do know is that luck finally worked in my favour... I'll hold onto that for as long as I can."

EXTRA: DR RATIO'S OPINION "The gambler- without hesitation- will bet 'all in' even if it means his own life hangs in the balance. However, amongst the chaos of his bets, there is one person who will drag him back to reality... ( Name ). Aventurine will never gamble nor forfeit the one person who truly understands him. Even I don't fully understand the gambler's crafty nature. I suppose a thief is the only one who can and more importantly, will."

masterlist.

[helioooss]

fade into you

synopsis: you meet hollywood star, jennie kim, on a sleepless night…the first of many…you both bring comfort to each other.

w/c: 8k+

warnings: slow fckn burn, it’s too long. y/n is lonely, jennie’s lonely…and you’re both just yearning for each other.

a/n: ive been working on this for ages and obviously got carried away with how long it is

Los Angeles is never quiet. At night, the city hums with a different kind of energy; neon lights, angry car horns and the low murmur of people who don’t want the day to end. From your apartment’s rooftop, the party below sounds like a distant wave, layers of brick and glass muffling all the noise.

You’re usually never present at these things, but tonight, your neighbour, Irene - a nepo baby producer, invited you to one of her parties after bumping into her earlier.

It’s funny, really. You live in the city of stars, but it never felt like your world — you don’t belong to a galaxy of velvet ropes, red carpets and flashing cameras. And so, you decided to step out of the room, immediately wandering to your spot.

Your fingers graze the edge of the cold metal railing as you take a deep breath, hoping the fresh air might clear the maze of thoughts running through your head. Insomnia has a way of weaving itself into your bones, and tonight is no exception. The weight of your sleepless nights presses on your eyelids, but you know sleep won’t come.

It never does when you need it.

Just as you fish a pack of cigarettes out of your pocket, beginning to settle into the quietness, the soft click of a door opening behind you startles you out of your zone.

Someone steps out onto the rooftop, their presence breaking the stillness. You don’t look right away, assuming it’s another party guest taking a break from the noise below. But then, you feel it; the odd sense of familiarity.

A voice follows, soft and hesitant. “Mind if I join you?”

You turn towards her, and there she stands in all her glory: Jennie Kim, Hollywood’s darling. Even with only the shadows of the moonlight illuminating the place, there’s no mistaking her - sleek black dress and all.

You recognise her immediately, but you don’t react the way most people would. There’s no gasp of surprise, no wide-eyed admiration.

“Go ahead,” you motion towards the empty space beside you, putting the cigarettes back into your pocket. “All yours.”

Jennie looks momentarily taken aback by your nonchalance, but she moves closer, leaning against the railing a few feet away. For a moment, neither of you speaks. It’s not awkward, just quiet.

It’s the kind of silence that you both seek.

“I didn’t expect anyone else to be up here,” she says after a while, her eyes scanning the city below.

“Neither did I,” you reply. You glance at her, studying the way her fingers fidget slightly with the hem of her jacket. For all the fame, all the attention she must be used to, Jennie seems surprisingly normal. “I’m usually up here alone.”

She’s still gazing out at the city when she speaks again. “I needed to get away for a bit. The noise gets too overwhelming.”

You hum, understanding what she means. “I know the feeling, everyone down there is just too caught up in their worlds. And it’s not mine, sadly.”

Jennie tilts her head slightly, as if your words resonate with her. The laughter below rings louder for a moment before it dies down again, leaving the two of you in a strange bubble of calm.

For a few more moments, neither of you speak a word - entangled in the comfortable silence that breaks with the occasional gust of wind and traffic.

“I’m Jennie, by the way,” she says out of a sudden, her voice a whisper; almost uncertain.

You smile at her. “I know.”

Jennie’s lips mirror yours, the first one you’ve seen since the party started. “Heard good things about me, I hope?”

This earns her a chuckle from you as you shake your head. “Hmm, I’ll keep that mystery to myself.”

There’s a flicker of amusement in her eyes at your response, studying you for a moment longer, as if trying to figure out why you’re not treating her the same way everyone else does - but she seems to appreciate it, because when she speaks again, her voice is lighter, less guarded.

“Do you live here?” she asks, brows furrowed and all, her curiosity breaking through her reserved demeanor. “I saw you at Irene’s party earlier.”

“Yeah, a few floors down,” you answer, glancing back at the building behind you. “Don’t know why Irene invited me and why I showed up, honestly, I knew it wasn’t going to be my crowd.”

“Of course Irene did,” she laughs. “I’m glad you came, though. Who else would be on this dodgy rooftop with me?”

“Yeah, you’re right,” you grin, ignoring the latter comment. “I come up here when I need to clear my head, it’s a great spot.”

Jennie hums in agreement. “I don’t get to be alone much. There’s always someone around, always wanting something from me.”

You’re not sure how to respond to that. Her world is one you’ve only ever seen from an outside perspective, but the way she says it, there’s a weariness in her voice that feels too familiar.

You’ve felt it too, for different reasons.

“I guess it’s hard to find quiet when you’re…well, you,” you say carefully, not wanting to pry too much. “You’re a star.”

Jennie lets out a quiet laugh, though there’s no real humour in it. “Yeah, it’s hard to find anything real sometimes.”

Her words hang in the air between you, and for a moment, you see the person behind the fame.

Jennie Kim, the Hollywood star, is just Jennie right now, someone who’s tired, someone who’s trying to escape, just like you.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

That night is the first of many.

The rooftop becomes your shared sanctuary, a place where both of you can escape the noise of the world below. You don’t plan these encounters, they just happen.

Sometimes you come up, expecting to be alone, and find Jennie already there, sitting quietly on one of the lounge chairs. Other times, she arrives after you, silently joining you by the railing.

The conversations are never forced. They start slowly, like the flicker of a match that eventually catches fire. Jennie talks about her life, the constant pressure of living up to expectations, how exhausting it is to always be in the public eye.

You’re surprised by how candid she is, how she doesn’t shy away from talking about the things that bother her the most.

“I love acting,” she says one night, her voice raw in the darkness. “But sometimes I feel like I’m losing myself in it. Like I’m becoming this version of myself that’s not really me.”

You listen quietly, nodding as you try to understand what that must feel like. “I get it. I mean, I don’t know what it’s like to be famous, but I know what it’s like to feel disconnected from yourself.”

Jennie looks at you then, her coffee-coloured eyes searching yours. “Do you ever feel like you’re not good enough? Like no matter what you do, it’s never enough?”

The question catches you off guard, but you don’t hesitate to answer. “All the time. I’m a writer, and every day I feel like I’m failing at it. Like everything I write is just mediocre and no one wants to read it.”

She nods, her gaze softening. “I read it.”

Your heart nearly drops, blood rushing to your cheeks. “You do?”

“I adore your writing, and believe me, others do too.”

There’s comfort in her words, a weight that presses down on both of you as you sit there in the quiet of the night. You never expected to have this kind of connection with someone like Jennie Kim, but here you are, two people who feel lost in different ways.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

A few days had passed since that unexpected rooftop meeting with Jennie, and you’ve been trying your best not to think about it too much - brushing it off as a surreal, once-in-a-lifetime moment.

You let out a sigh as you press open on the elevator, a coffee and a book on the other hand. You’re hoping to spend the rest of the afternoon catching up on work, but the doors reveal Irene in her designer boots and oversized sunglasses.

She flashes you a wide grin, her energy filling the small space instantly. “Well, well, if it isn’t my favorite writer. Went Houdini at my party again, did you?”

You chuckle, rubbing your nape. “Yeah, sorry about that. All the stars in the room hurt my eyes, you know?”

She waves her hand dismissively, her signature rings glittering. “No dramas, you didn’t miss much. Drunk producers trying to convince everyone they’re geniuses and some rookie actor crying in the corner because he didn’t get the role he wanted.”

You snort, taking a sip of your coffee. “Sounds like quite the event.”

“I know, just boring new Hollywood stuff,” she responds, leaning against the wall. “Jennie was there too, though, surprisingly.”

You blink in surprise, caught off guard by the mention of her. “Jennie?”

The elevator doors open and closes again when none of you move, too indulged in the conversation now.

“Yeah, Jennie Kim. You know, international superstar, face of like a hundred different brands, has a smile that could end wars; that Jennie,” Irene teases, raising an eyebrow. “I heard you two met on the rooftop the other night.”

“Hmm, we did,” you reply slowly, not sure where Irene is going with this. “It was kind of by accident.”

“Uh-huh,” she’s smiling at you, like she knows something you don’t. “Funny thing about that, she was asking about you the next day.”

You have a surprised look written on your face. “She was?”

She lets out a dramatic sigh, flipping her hair over her shoulder as if this was the juiciest gossip she’d ever shared in her life. “You know, casual stuff. Like, ‘do you know Y/N well?’ and ‘what’s Y/N like?’ It was actually adorable.”

You stare at her, completely thrown off balance. “Why though?”

“I’m just saying, you must have made quite the impression. People don’t usually catch Jennie’s interest like that. It’s hard to break through the whole ‘world-famous celebrity’ thing she’s got going on, you feel?”

You let out a nervous chuckle, trying to downplay it as you ignore the flutter all over your chest. “I don’t know. We just talked for a bit, that’s all.”

Irene rolls her eyes in disbelief. “Oh sure, just a bit.”

Your face goes warm at the thought, and you quickly shake your head. “No, no. It’s not —“

“Yeah, yeah, I’ve heard that one before,” she interrupts, holding her hands up as if she’d heard the excuse a thousand times. “But come on, Y/N, Jennie doesn’t ask about people she’s not interested in.“

You groan at that, not sure how to respond.

Her grin softens into something more genuine as she presses the elevator open. “Listen, you don’t have to close yourself to every person who knocks at your door. This whole time I’ve been this building, I’ve been in elevator rides with girls who were bawling their eyes out and I just know they came from your apartment.”

“How would you even know that?” you ask, defensive tone in your voice.

“They wear the same sad look on their face.” The doors slide open, and she steps out, leaving you to process everything she had said. “Oh, and Y/N?” she calls out after you, sticking her fingers out just before the doors can close.

“Yeah?”

“Try not to overthink it,” she adds with a playful smirk. “Jennie is interested in you. The rooftop meetings might turn into something more elevated if you know what I mean.”

You whine at her joke, and she bursts out laughing, the sound echoing in the hallway as the elevator doors slide shut, leaving you wondering what exactly you had gotten yourself into.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

Jennie is different at night. Softer, more vulnerable than the poised and confident image you occasionally catch glimpses of on magazine covers or the news. Out here, with only the night sky and the cold breeze as witnesses, Jennie is just Jennie. And you, well, you aren’t a nameless, sleepless writer either.

You’re someone she seeks out, the only person she can talk to without having to put a mask on.

One night, you’re both sitting on the lounge chairs near the edge of the roof, the distant glow of the city illuminating the sky like a sea of fading stars.

The conversation has been low after not seeing each other for over a week, the both of you just drowning in your own thoughts. However, the only difference is that the silence between you is comfortable now; a result of the odd friendship you’d built over the weeks.

“Do you ever feel like you’re just…floating?” she finally breaks the silence, her voice barely above a whisper.

You turn your head slightly to face her, trying to understand what she means. Her skin is glowing under the moonlight, hair loose and tousled as it fell into gentle waves over her shoulder. “Floating?”

You think she’s beautiful.

“It’s like,” she pauses, searching for the right words. “Like you’re living, but not really living. Just…existing for the sake of it. Going through the same routine because that’s what’s expected of you.”

You don’t need to think long before answering. “Sometimes, I do. I think that’s what happens when you stop feeling connected to the things that you love.”

She shifts slightly in her seat, her expression thoughtful. “I used to love my job. Like I could become someone else and leave everything behind for a while. But now, now it feels like I’m just acting all the time. I barely know who I am.”

She’s opening up more tonight, more than she ever has. There’s something about the way she talks that makes you want to listen harder, to dig beneath the surface and understand what’s really troubling her.

“You feel like you’re stuck playing a role,” you suggest gently, watching her as she nods slowly.

“Exactly. Even when I’m not on set, I’m still Jennie Kim, the celebrity. Sometimes, I don’t want to be her. Sometimes, I just want to be…me. Whoever that is.”

You know what she means. In your own way, you’ve felt the same; lost in a sea of expectations, trying to live up to an image of yourself that you’re not even sure is real anymore.

“I think a lot of people feel that way,” you say gently. “Like they’re wearing a mask for the world, and it’s too hard to take it off.”

She lets out a quiet sigh, leaning her head back against the chair. “It gets exhausting, you know? Having to pretend all the time.“

There’s a tinge of sadness in her voice that makes your heart ache. You’ve always seen Jennie as the kind of person who has it all — fame, fortune, adoration from millions of people. But hearing her talk like this, you realise even those things can’t shield someone from the loneliness that comes with them.

“Why don’t you?”

She smiles, but it’s a tired smile. “I wish I could. Perhaps, one day.”

“Perhaps.”

The weight of her words settles over the two of you like a blanket, heavy and suffocating. You wish you could say something to make it better, but you know there’s no easy answer to what Jennie’s going through. She’s trapped in a world that demands everything from her, and there’s no simple way out.

“I’m sorry,” you finally say after a long silence, the words feeling inadequate.

She shakes her head, a soft smile on her face. “It’s not your fault.”

You sit together for a while longer, the night air cool against your skin. For the first time in a long while, you don’t feel the need to fill the silence with words.

Her presence is enough, and you hope, in some small way, that yours is enough for her too.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

It’s a rare afternoon off for you, and you find yourself being dragged by Irene to a cozy outdoor café with Rosé, another pop star you had met through Irene sometime ago. The three of you settle into a comfortable rhythm over lunch, laughing and talking over plates of food that Irene ordered for the table, always with a flair of overconsumption.

“Okay, but seriously, who designed those shoes for that premiere?” Irene says, her voice full of exaggerated exasperation. She’s waving a fork in the air as she continues. “I mean, did they hate me? I almost broke an ankle just walking down the red carpet.”

Rosé chuckles, sipping her champagne, her eyes crinkling with amusement. “You’re lucky it didn’t turn into a meme,” she teases.

Irene gasps, pressing a hand to her chest in horror. “I could not imagine becoming a meme.”

You laugh at her, shaking your head as you poke your salad. “Oh no, what would happen?”

Rosé smiles at you, leaning in slightly. “So, Y/N, how’s work been? Have you finished that chapter you were talking about last time?”

You shrug, taking a sip of your coffee. “Still working on it. Just haven’t been sleeping lately.”

Irene smirks. “Oh, I bet I know why.”

Already knowing what was coming, you raise an eyebrow. “Irene, don’t even —“

“Jennie Kim,” she announces, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “And, might I add, she’s been asking about you again.”

Rosé’s eyes widens slightly, a curious smile playing on her lips as she glances between you and the producer. “Wait, Jennie? As in Jennie Jennie?”

You huff, sinking lower into your chair. “Yes, that Jennie. And no, it’s not what you’re thinking.”

Rosé tilts her head, clearly intrigued. “What’s there to think about? Jennie doesn’t usually talk about people unless they’re special.”

You shoot a glare at Irene, who’s beaming like she’d just uncovered the juiciest gossip in town. “Yeah, thanks for that. Jennie and I are just friends.”

“Uh-huh,” Irene says, clearly enjoying herself as she spears a piece of steak with her fork. “Friends that like hang out almost every night.”

Rosé giggles, leaning in closer. “Okay, now I have to know. Spill the details. What’s going on with you and her?”

You heave out a sigh, knowing there is no way you are getting out of this. “We met on the rooftop a while back during one of Irene’s parties. Since then, we’ve just been meeting up there. Talking, you know…late night conversations when her and I can’t sleep.”

“And she’s been asking about you,” Irene adds with a pointed look. “A lot.”

“Irene!”

Rosé laughs, covering her mouth. “Honestly, I’ve noticed Jennie’s been in a better mood lately. Like, even during backstage events, she seems lighter. Happier. I wonder if that has anything to do with you.”

You’re taken aback by Rosé’s observation. Jennie did seem happier lately, more relaxed, even when the weight of fame pressed down on her. But you never considered that your late night talks might have had anything to do with it.

“I don’t know about that,” you say, feeling a bit flustered. “We’re just talking. That’s all.”

Irene and Rosé exchanged amused glances, clearly not buying your attempts at downplaying it.

“Whatever you say,” Irene responds, smirking. “But I think it’s obvious to anyone with eyes that Jennie likes you. And, if you ask me, you should stop overthinking and just go for it.”

Rosé nods in agreement, her smile warm and inviting. “She’s a good person, Y/N. If she’s happier because of you, that says something.”

“She’s not going to hurt you,” Irene interjects with a lighter tone. “Please don’t hurt her too - she’s a lonely soul, that one. You both are, so I’m glad you found each other.”

You shift in your seat, feeling the weight of their words. Part of you wanted to believe that maybe, just maybe, you had a bigger impact on Jennie than you realised.

But another part of you is still scared of what could happen if you got too close, if you let yourself fall for her. After all, love hadn’t been kind to you; so you closed your door on it.

“I’ll think about it,” you say, giving them a small smile. You roll your eyes as Irene and Rosé clinked their glasses; perhaps they were right. Maybe it’s time to stop overthinking and start letting things happen.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

The nights blur together in a series of quiet conversations and shared solitude. You find yourself growing more comfortable around Jennie, and she around you. The walls between you have come down, and though you don’t say it aloud, you’ve both come to rely on these nights together.

It’s strange. You’ve never had a friendship like this, one that exists solely in the darkness, in the quiet of the night, away from the prying eyes of the world. By day, you’re still the same sleepless writer, struggling to meet deadlines, battling the constant feeling that you’re not good enough. But at night, up here with her, you feel a little more at peace. Even if sleep still eludes you, there’s just something comforting about your moments together.

One particularly clear night, she asks a question that catches you off guard.

“Why do you stay up here so late? Don’t you ever sleep?”

You laugh. “I wish. I don’t really sleep much these days. I don’t wanna rely on my tablets so much.”

Jennie frowns, a shade of concern in her eyes. “Insomnia?”

“Yeah,” you admit, your voice quieter now. “It’s been getting worse lately. I’ll lie in bed for hours, but my mind just won’t shut off. It’s like there’s too much going on in my head, and no matter what I do, I can’t get it to quiet down.”

Jennie watches you for a moment, her expression gentler. “That sounds awful.”

“It is,” you say, your gaze drifting back to the skyline. “It’s been making everything harder. I can’t focus during the day, and my writing’s been…so terrible, honestly. I’m barely functional most mornings.”

The words spill out before you can stop them, and for a moment, you wonder if you’ve said too much, but she doesn’t judge you.

She just listens.

“I wish I could help.”

“You already do,” you reply, surprised by your own honesty. “These nights…talking with you, it helps. I don’t feel so alone.”

Jennie grins, and for the first time, it feels genuine, unburdened by the weight she usually carries. “I’m glad.”

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

Time passes and the nights stretch on, and something between you begins to shift as you look back on your conversation with Irene and Rosé.

It’s subtle at first; small moments, fleeting glances, a brush of your hands as you pass each other by the railing. You don’t talk about it, but it’s there, lingering in the air between you like a secret neither of you is quite ready to admit.

One night, you find yourself standing closer to Jennie than usual, your arms almost touching as you both lean on the railing, looking out at the city below. The moon is particularly bright tonight, casting a soft glow over the rooftop, and the stars seem to be watching you, waiting.

You hadn’t seen her in weeks, and she greets you with boxes of pizza and a bottle of wine in her hand, telling you how much she hates fashion week.

“Have you ever wondered…” her tone is careful, almost hesitant as she pauses. “Have you ever wondered if we were meant to meet? Like, maybe we were supposed to find each other up here.”

You glance at her to find her looking at the city in front of you, studying the way her features soften in the moonlight, her dark eyes reflecting the glow of the city. There’s something vulnerable about her in this moment, something that makes your heart ache in a way you’re not ready to face.

“I don’t know,” you say quietly. “But I’m glad we did.”

“I missed you,” she admits. “Did you miss me?”

“I did, it feels lonely without you here now.”

Her gaze meets yours, and for a moment, the world seems to stop. The noise of the city fades into the background, and all you can hear is the steady beat of your own heart. There’s something electric in the air, something that pulls you closer to her, and before you can stop yourself, you lean in.

Your lips meet hers in a soft, hesitant kiss, and for a brief moment, everything falls away. The doubts, the fears, the sleepless nights; it all fades, leaving only the warmth of Jennie’s touch and the gentle press of her lips against yours.

But then reality crashes back in, and you pull away, your heart racing. “I can’t,” you whisper, stepping back. “I’m sorry, Jennie. I just…I can’t.”

She looks at you, her eyes filled with a mix of hurt and understanding. She nods slowly, her voice barely audible. “It’s okay. I get it.”

You want to say more, to explain why can’t let it happen, but the words catch in your throat. Instead, you turn and leave the rooftop, the weight of what just happened pressing down on you like a heavy blanket.

After that night, everything changes.

Jennie stops coming to the rooftop, and though you try to tell yourself it’s for the best, a part of you misses her. You miss the quiet conversations, the way she made you feel understood in a way no one else ever has, but you know you can’t let yourself get attached.

You can’t risk hurting her, or yourself. The walls you built took years to stabilise, you can’t let someone else in again.

Days turn into weeks, and you start seeing Jennie everywhere, but only from a distance. You catch glimpses of her in magazine articles, on TV interviews, on red carpets. She’s back in the spotlight, drowning herself in her work, and you watch from the sidelines as she slips further and further away.

You tell yourself it’s better this way, but the truth is, it hurts. You’ve grown to care for Jennie in a way you didn’t expect, and now that she’s gone, the rooftop feels emptier than ever.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

You’re sitting at your desk one afternoon, trying to concentrate on writing but finding it nearly impossible. The words on the screen blur together as your mind drifts back to her — like it always seems to do lately. The nights without her have been long and restless, and no matter how hard you try to distract yourself, you can’t stop thinking about her.

And it certainly doesn’t help that you’ve been avoiding Irene and everyone that could possibly be in Jennie’s circle.

“Hey, are you even paying attention to what I’m saying?” Lisa’s voice pulls you back to reality. You nod, turning towards her.

Lisa, your best friend and old roommate, has been talking for the past ten minutes about some new reality show she’s obsessed with. She’s sitting on the couch, legs tucked beneath her, scrolling through her phone.

“Yeah, yeah,” you mumble, glancing back at your laptop. “Something about hot contestants and drama, right?”

She raises an eyebrow at you, eyes narrowing. “Sure, that’s exactly it.”

“What’s up with that look?”

“You’ve been so weird lately, zoning out and acting mysterious. What’s up with you?”

“Nothing,” you say a little too quickly. “I’ve just got a lot on my mind. Work, deadlines, you know how it is.”

“Hmm,” Lisa hums, clearly not convinced. She stretches her arms and yawns before tossing her phone onto the couch and standing up. “Well, whatever it is, you need a break. You’ve been glued to that laptop for hours. I’m making coffee. Want some?”

You nod absentmindedly, barely listening as Lisa walks into the kitchen. You can hear your phone vibrating from your bedroom, but you don’t check it immediately. You assume it’s just another email from other editors or some work-related notification.

Instead, you scroll through your half-finished article, sighing at the lack of progress.

“Hey, do you mind if I grab your phone charger?” Lisa asks from the kitchen.

“Yeah, go ahead. It’s on the table by my bed,” you reply, not thinking twice.

She disappears into your room, and you return to your article. For a few blissful minutes, you actually manage to focus, typing out a few coherent sentences before her voice suddenly cuts through the silence.

“Oh my GOD.”

You flinch, nearly knocking over your water bottle in the process. Her voice has jumped several octaves, and it’s followed by a burst of nervous laughter. “What?!” you yell out, spinning around in your chair.

She comes charging back into the living room, your phone in her hand, her eyes as wide as saucers. “Uh, excuse me. Who’s texting you? Because I just saw a whole bunch of messages from someone named Jennie—” she holds up your phone “With a VERY familiar profile picture.”

You freeze, realizing immediately what your best friend has stumbled upon.

“Lisa —“

“Oh no, no, no,” she interjects, waving your phone around like it’s court case evidence. “Do not even try to tell me that Jennie is just some random friend. I recognise that face anywhere! Jennie Kim is messaging you?”

You groan, burying your face in your hands. “Lisa, please, calm down. It’s not what you think.”

“Not what I think? I’m sorry to invade your privacy but you invaded mine for four years,” her eyes are practically bulging out of her head now, and she’s shrieking. She opens the messages, scrolling through them with increasing disbelief. “She’s asking how you are. She’s sending cute little ‘I miss you’ texts. I miss you? This is Jennie Kim! And you’re not responding?!”

You can’t help but chuckle at Lisa’s reaction, but your stomach twists with anxiety. “It’s complicated.”

“This is a Hollywood star sending you heart emojis, there’s nothing complicated about this except the fact that you haven’t told me!”

Before you can respond, the Thai woman glances at your phone again, her eyes widening as she scrolls even further. “Oh, hold up. Is this —” her hand flies to her mouth dramatically. “Is this a picture of you and Jennie?“

You visibly cringe. That was a picture Jennie had taken during one of your rooftop nights. It wasn’t anything too intimate, just the two of you sitting side by side, the city lights spread out behind you. Jennie had sent it to you as a reminder of the night, and at the time, it felt special, something just for you both to remember.

“How are you so calm right now? Do you realize what this means? You’ve been hanging out with Jennie Kim, and you never told me?” Lisa’s voice rises again as she shakes her head in disbelief.

You sigh, rubbing the back of your neck. “Look, it’s not exactly something I could just bring up over dinner, okay? ‘Hey, by the way, I’ve been spending nights on the rooftop with one of the most famous celebrities in the world. How’s your day?’”

She stares at you for a moment, her mouth still open, before she bursts out laughing. “Honestly, yeah, that would have been exactly the way to bring it up!”

You can’t help but laugh with her, though the tension in your chest doesn’t completely disappear. She flops onto the couch, still holding your phone, her eyes wide with amazement as she stares at the messages again.

“So, let me get this straight,” she says slowly. “You and Jennie Kim, Hollywood superstar, what? Friends? Dating? In some weird rooftop-based relationship that I clearly need all the details about?”

You shake your head, feeling the weight of the situation press down on you. “I don’t know. We spent nights talking, and yeah, we got close. But then things got complicated, and I -“ you stop yourself, the memories of pulling away from Jennie still fresh in your mind. “I don’t know what we are. I think I fumbled her.”

Lisa purses her lips, clearly sensing the conflict in your voice. “So, let me get this straight. She’s sending you these sweet, thoughtful texts, you two have clearly shared something important, and your reaction is to not respond?”

You wince. “It’s not that simple.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?”

“It’s complicated,” you repeat, your voice quieting.

She sits up, crossing her arms over her chest. “Fine, fine. I get it. It’s complicated. But,” she leans in, her voice turning more serious, “do you care about her?”

You hesitate, the answer lodged somewhere deep inside you, tangled up with fear and uncertainty. “Yeah,” you finally say. “I really do.”

“Then what are you waiting for?” Lisa says, her tone both exasperated and gentle. “It doesn’t have to be complicated. If you care about her, let her know.“

You sit in silence for a moment, processing her words because she’s somehow right.

Jennie has been reaching out to you, and you’ve been too scared to respond. Too scared of getting hurt, of what it might mean if you let yourself care this much.

Lisa, seeing the wheels turning in your head, grins and tosses your phone back to you. “I’m just saying, if you don’t respond to those messages, I will. And trust me, you don’t want me getting involved.”

You chuckle, shaking your head. “Yeah, no, I definitely don’t.”

“Okay, now, coffee and reply to her,” she demands as she heads back to the kitchen, you look down at your phone. Jennie’s messages are still there, waiting for a reply.

You open the chat, your fingers hovering over the screen, but you decide against it and put your phone back into your pocket.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

Months have passed since you’d last seen Jennie on the rooftop. The silence between you is like a dull ache, made worse by the guilt you’ve been carrying for leaving her hanging without explanation. Even though she had reached out, sending you texts in the weeks following that night, you never replied.

And now, she stopped messaging altogether.

At first, you convinced yourself it was for the best. You told yourself that someone like Jennie didn’t need the confusion and the mess that came with you. She was too bright, too big for your small world.

It was better this way, right?

That’s what you kept telling yourself, until you saw the photos.

One night, you’re scrolling through social media, trying to keep your mind occupied. That’s when you saw it: Jennie with Kai. Hands intertwined, walking together like the perfect Hollywood couple.

The caption under the photo read: Hollywood’s newest power couple: Jennie Kim and Kai spotted together again.

Your heart sinks as you stare at the image. There is something about seeing her with someone else, someone who fit into her world so seamlessly, that makes your breath catch in your throat. The rational part of you knew this was inevitable. You’d pushed her away, and she moved on. She has every right to.

That doesn’t stop it from hurting.

For the next few days, you read more headlines about Jennie and Kai. Every time you opened your phone, there was a new photo, a new article speculating about their relationship. The more you saw, the more the hurt settled deep into your chest. You couldn’t bear it anymore.

So, you made a decision.

When the ache became too much, you, went straight to Jennie’s contact, and deleted it. Then you went further: blocking her number, unfollowing her on every social media platform and erasing every trace of her from your life.

It feels like the only way to move on.

Days pass, and even though Jennie’s name no longer appears in your phone, the ghost of her lingers. You throw yourself into work everyday, trying to bury the feelings under deadlines and distractions. Lisa, who had been pestering you about texting Jennie back, eventually gave up, throwing her hands in the air in exasperation when you refused to talk about it anymore.

“You’re going to regret this,” Lisa warns before leaving your apartment one night, shaking her head. “You can’t just block someone out of your life like that.”

But you did. And now you’re left with the quiet, empty space that Jennie used to fill.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

It’s not until a few days later, when Irene and Rosé show up unannounced at your apartment, that you realise things are far from over.

You’re typing away at your desk, again trying (and failing) to focus on the article you should have finished five hours ago, when there’s a loud knock at your door. Before you can even get up to answer, the door swings open, and in walks Irene and Rosé, looking far too determined and scary for your liking.

“Uh, hey?” you greet awkwardly, completely thrown off by their sudden arrival. “Is there a reason you two are barging into my apartment?”

Irene doesn’t waste any time. She crosses her arms and leans against the doorframe, giving you a knowing look. “We need to talk.”

Rosé steps forward, her expression much softer but equally serious. “Yeah, we’ve been worried about you.”

You frown. “Worried about me? I’m fine.”

“Sure you are,” Irene is sarcastic, raising an eyebrow. “You’re doing great, which is why you’ve completely ghosted Jennie and blocked her on everything.”

Your stomach drops, but you try to play it off. “How do you even -“

“We’re her friends, Y/N,” Rosé cuts you off gently, sitting down on the edge of your couch. “We know. And we’ve noticed that she hasn’t been the same since -“

“Since you decided to disappear on her,” Irene finishes bluntly, cutting straight to the point. “I mean, come on. Jennie literally never shuts up about you. She hasn’t been herself, even with Kai in the picture.”

At the mention of Kai, you feel your chest tighten, the hurt bubbling back up. “I saw the photos. Jennie and Kai…they look happy. I figured she moved on. It’s for the best.”

Irene heaves out a dramatic groan, throwing her head back. “Oh my God, Y/N, that’s exactly what’s wrong. She’s not happy with Kai. It’s all for PR. She’s been miserable ever since you stopped talking to her.”

You blink, stunned by her words. “What?”

Rosé sighs this time, her eyes full of sympathy. “She’s been going through the motions, but it’s obvious she’s hurting. We can see it, even if no one else can. Jennie’s been quieter, more closed off. And trust me, it’s not because of Kai.”

“She’s still hung up on you,” Irene adds, her tone softening just a little. “She might be out there with Kai for appearances, but she’s not happy, Y/N, she seems worst than before.”

You feel the weight of their words press down on you. You didn’t think about how much your silence had hurt Jennie. You’d convinced yourself that stepping back was the right thing to do, that she was better off without you in her life.

“I just,” you trail off, running a hand through your hair. “I thought she’d moved on. I didn’t want to get in the way.”

“Well, congrats, you’re officially not in the way,” Irene laughs dryly. “And now she’s miserable, and you’re miserable. Great job, everyone!”

Rosé shoots her a look before turning back to you. “Y/N, you need to talk to her. She’s not okay, and I don’t think you are either.”

Looking down at your hands, your mind starts racing. You had blocked Jennie, thinking it was the only way to protect yourself and her from more hurt. But now, being cornered by Irene and Rosé, you figure that all you had done was push her away without giving either of you a chance to figure out what this really was.

“I don’t even know what to say,” you whisper, the guilt settling deep in your chest.

Irene sighs deeply, sitting down beside Rosé on the couch. “Look, you don’t need some grand speech. Just be honest. Talk to her.”

Rosé nods in agreement. “Yeah. She misses you, Y/N. And I think you miss her too.”

You feel a lump form in your throat as their words start to sink in. They’re right - you do miss Jennie. More than you have been willing to admit. Taking a deep breath, you nodded slowly. “Okay, I’ll talk to her.”

“Good luck, Y/N. You’ll figure it out. You always do.”

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

The rooftop has always been your sanctuary, the one place where you can feel the world slowing down, but ever since you distanced yourself from Jennie, you couldn’t bring yourself to come back.

Tonight, something is different. There is an undeniable pull guiding you back to the place that had once brought you peace. After Irene and Rosé cornered you in your apartment, you’d been thinking about Jennie more than ever. Maybe, after all this time, it was finally time to confront your feelings and reach out to her.

As you step out onto the rooftop, the familiar chill of the night air brushes against your skin. You let out a deep breath, expecting to find the space empty like it had been for the last few weeks. But instead, you’re frozen in your tracks.

Jennie is already there.

Sitting on one of the lounge chairs, staring out at the city lights, her silhouette framed by the silver glow of the moon. For a moment, you stand there, unsure if you should stay or leave, but then Jennie turns, her eyes locking onto yours.

There is a flicker of emotions on her face; hurt, confusion and maybe even relief.

“You’re here,” she begins softly, her voice carrying through the quiet night.

You swallow hard, taking a hesitant step forward. “Yeah, I didn’t expect you to be here.”

She stands up slowly, her eyes never leaving yours. There is a heaviness in her expression, one you recognise all too well. “Why did you block me?” she asks, her voice strained with emotion. “Why are you pushing me out of your life, Y/N?”

The words hit you harder than you expect. You’d prepared yourself for this moment, but now that it’s here, she’s here, the guilt weighs on your chest like stones.

You take another deep breath, trying to steady yourself. “Jennie —”

“I thought we had something,” she stops you, her voice rising ever so slightly. “I thought we shared the same feelings. But then you just…disappeared. Did I make you feel sick?”

You can hear the hurt in her voice, and it cuts through you like a knife. You look down, unable to meet her eyes. “I’m sorry, Jennie. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I just, I didn’t know what to do.”

She shakes her head, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “You could have talked to me. You could have told me what you were feeling instead of just shutting me out.”

There’s a long silence as you stand there, feeling the weight of everything you had kept bottled up inside for so long. You know you owe her an explanation; an honest one this time.

“I thought you were better off without me,” you say, your voice barely above a whisper. “I saw you with Kai, and he fits into your world. He’s everything you need. He understands the pressure you’re under, and he can handle it. I don’t belong in your world, Jennie.”

She blinks, clearly taken aback. “Kai? Y/N, Kai was just…he was never anything serious. He doesn’t make me feel the way you do. It was my job.”

You let out a bitter laugh, the pain of the past few weeks bubbling up inside you. “But he fits. He’s a part of that life, your life. I don’t. I don’t know how to navigate your world. I’m scared of falling for you because I’ve been hurt before. Really badly. And I don’t think I can handle it if I get hurt again.”

Her expression softens, the hurt in her eyes replaced by something else, something warmer.

She took a step closer, her voice gentle but firm. “You think you’re not good enough for me? Y/N, you’re the only person I’ve ever felt like I could be myself around. The only person who makes me feel like I don’t have to be Jennie Kim. With you, I can just be Jennie.”

The vulnerability in her voice, the raw emotion, it’s all there laid out in front of you.

“I pushed you away because I didn’t feel like I deserved you,” you confess, your voice trembling. “After my last relationship, I’ve had this constant anxiety. My insomnia, everything, it’s all because I’ve been scared to let anyone in. I didn’t want to fall in love again, not after the heartbreak I went through. And with you…it feels so much bigger, so much scarier.”

She steps even closer, her eyes searching yours. “I understand,” she whispers. “I’ve been scared too. But I’m not scared of you, Y/N. I’m in love with you.”

Your heart stops at her confession. The world around you falls away as her words hangs in the air, weightless but powerful. “You’re in love with me?”

She nods, her eyes never leaving yours. “Yes. I’m in love with you, and I’ve been trying to tell you for weeks, but you shut me out. I genuinely believe that I was made for you, Y/N.”

The tears you’ve been holding back finally break free, and before you can stop yourself, you close the distance between you, pulling Jennie into a tight embrace. She wraps her arms around you, holding you just as tightly, and in that moment, all the fear and anxiety you’ve been carrying melt away.

“I’m so sorry,” you mumble into her shoulder, your voice cracking with emotion. “I’m so sorry.”

She pulls back slightly, just enough to look into your eyes. “You don’t have to be scared anymore. I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere. I’ll look after you.”

Her words soothe the ache that has been sitting in your heart for so long; creating a home for itself. You lean in, pressing your forehead against hers, wrapped in each other’s arms.

For the first time in what felt like forever, you feel a sense of peace. The weight you have been carrying on your shoulders begins to lift, and you know, finally, that it’s okay to let yourself fall.

“I love you too,” your voice is shaky but certain. “I’m in love with you, Jennie.”

She smiles through her tears, her eyes bright with joy. She cups your face in her hands and leans in, capturing your lips in a soft, gentle kiss.

When you pull away, she rests her head against your chest, her arms still wrapped around you. The night air is cool, but the warmth of her body against yours is keeping you grounded.

“I’m here,” she says once more, her voice barely audible. “I’m not going anywhere.”

And for the first time in a long time, you believe it.

[astrophysicsblogs]

The Andromeda Galaxy~taken from NASA Galaxy Evolution Explorer

This is our neighbouring galaxy. Scientists have observed blue shift which suggests it is accelerating towards us. But not to worry, no catastrophic collision will occur and not any time soon. The spaces between stars, planets etc is so large that actual collisions are very unlikely.

[carlosbaldellou]

The kind and the furious

When humanity was welcomen in the stars, nobody knew what to expect of these deathworlders. Their world looked stunning. Full of life. Well, mostly. They had serene places, fruit trees neatly arranged. Sure, the tectonic activity was on the high end of the spectrum, but perfectly livable. But then, you noticed the animals. The arms race of evolution. Predators that evolved to avoid other predators. Hervibores with toxines so potent as to wipe out the largest predator animal in the galaxy. Predators that somehow evolved to resist those toxins and other ludicrous natural defenses. It was... madness, to most of the galaxy.

Humanity spread far and wide. They had looked into the dark abyss of space for a long time, and now that they could roam trough it, they went everywhere. Small human settlements started to pop up everywhere. The races were cautious, but this new species seemed like a good neighbour. So they welcomed them, still unsure as to how to clasify them.

Untill a disaster happened. A huge chain explosion in a residential area. Buildings collapsed and fire roared. The emergency response teams were overwhelmed. But they, with time, managed to quench the fire and control the situation.

And then, the humans came. With their personal vehicles. From neighbouring cities. From far away cities. They started to clean the rubble, even if it was not their duty. They helped the victims. Looked for survivors. Cared for them. Healed them. Sure, kindness and help from your own species was expected to a degree, but from another species? It was unheard of. You cared for your own. But humans were different. They were kind to everyone. They helped as they could. Preparing meals. Setting up tents. Moving rubble... And every time a survivor was found, they cheered with enthusiasm.

The galaxy at large looked at them. And humanity was labeled as the kindest species in the falactic collective.

That is, until it was found what had happened. While moving rubble, some metallic carcass was found. One that was traced to an explosive from a species outside the galactic empire. Tensions rose. War broke out a couple years ago.

Humans joined the war. Everyone thought they were kind. Everyone tought they would provide support.

Everyone was wrong.

When humans started fighting, they showed why they were the dominant species of their world. Sure, they did not have vicious claws. Sure, they did not have venoms. Sure, they were not armoured. But they were smart. They were cunning. They had planned for stellar warfare before we found them. They already had devised strategies. Simple, brutal strategies.

Humanity grabbed the biggest asteroid they could find, strapped some rockets to it and launched it straight to the enemy positions. Their fleet, guarding behind it. Using it as cover. When tvey were found out, they jumped to defend that asteroid. They were a small group agains an entire planet. Nobody tought the humans could win.

Everyone was wrong.

Humans fought with all their cunning and might. They fought with ferocity and ruthlessness. Disabling thrusters and energy systems first. Then leaving the poor enemy ships to die. They were no longer a threat. The asteroid advanced and got into descent orbit. Impact was inevitable. And the humans left. They had done their job. A quarter of the world was wiped from the initial blast. The rest of the planet was uninhabitable, and would be for a long time.

Humans fought. Their strategies evolving. Changing to counter their enemies as they started to be prepared. Always a step beyond. Always with a new warfare solution. Orbital bombardment with titanium rods, cloaking technogy never seen before, new ship designs seemingly every day.

Humans fought. Captive humans found ways to escape prison and sabotage the enemy from within. Wounded humans went to fight again while still recovering. Their savagery in limit situations scared allies and enemies alike.

The war ended with the enemy surrendering completely. Mostly thanks to the humans. Peace was signed. And then, the humans sent aid to the defeated enemy. Cargo ships full of medicine and food started arriving. Human troopers helping with the reconstruction efforts.

Humans, like their homeworld, were a race of extremes. Capable of the biggest acts of kindness the galaxy had ever seen, but also the most furious and savage acts when it was necessary.

------

Hope you all like it. It's my first story of this kind

[misted-dream]

🚲 KNOCK KNOCK (excerpt) neighbour!sungchan & reader

warnings | just some sfw kissing😋

word count | 1k

synopsis | after moving away from your old apartment to escape your last relationship, recovering from it might be harder than you thought—especially since your new neighbour seems determined to cure you of your heartache.

a/n | a little peek at a longer fic i'm working on in light of my recent sungchan obsession😣

“So…”

“So,” Sungchan echoes as you glimpse a smile forming at the corner of his lips. He stands just a foot away from you, and as you come to realise this fact, the urge to widen the gap between the pair of you surfaces. Your right foot shuffles slightly behind you before you stifle the urge.

As you let the silence hang in the air, you begin to feel the pull of the plastic grocery bag on your fingers more and more.

“Thanks for getting me out today,” a slightly sheepish tone in your voice as you lift the bag a few inches higher.

“Of course,” Sungchan pulls his eyes away from yours to the groceries you’re carrying. “Whatever you need,” he meets your gaze again, a warm smile plastered on his face.

Sungchan, as you’ve come to know, seems to be somewhat of a sadist. And you’re convinced he knows it, too. Your only evidence of this manifests in one thing: his eyes.

His eyes. The ones that shine as if they're lost stars from the galaxy up above. The ones that glint every time he smiles. And the ones that he loves to use to discomfit everyone else around him with his piercing stare.

He never looks away first, if not given a reason to. And right now, he's demonstrating this exact skill of his.

Perhaps, this habit isn't born out of sadism. When you look like him, there has to be some innate confidence that comes along with it, surely.

You wave this train of thought away in your mind as you become fully aware of the present again. You breathe out a deep breath, "Uh..." And finally accepting defeat, once again, you drop your gaze to the floor. You lean back, the top of your spine resting against your apartment door. It takes a moment before you mutter, "It's getting late."

You see Sungchan's feet move back a step before hearing a faint agreement with your statement. Regaining the courage to look up at him again, you lift your head.

It's like time freezes every time you do look at him. Even since the first time, the effect hasn't faltered.

Your jaw hinges ajar slightly as you're about to voice something else, but Sungchan beats you to it.

"I should go." He says, still with a tiny smile drawing on his lips.

Your lips close as you nod subtly.

With his hands stuffed in the pockets of his jacket, he takes another step back, his gaze lingering on you as it always does. He takes a pace to your right, before he makes his way down the hallway to the apartment next to yours.

Before he can even make it halfway down the corridor, though, something in you calls out his name, quick enough that you couldn't stop it.

He snaps around, his expression attentive.

You mindlessly drop the bag from your fingers onto the carpeted floor, a muted thud being created as a result. Your mind has gone silent as you take step after another towards Sungchan in the middle of the dimly lit corridor.

Your head tilts further back the closer you get to him. His height casts a shadow on your face when you finally reach him.

"I really..." You begin to say as your eyes flicker between his and his lips. Sungchan takes notice of this, as evidenced by his unconcealed smirk.

"You really...?" He prompts, the corners of his mouth not letting up.

You silently curse yourself for embarrassing your own ego, and in such an obvious manner. Forcing your eyes to stay on his, you make up the rest of your sentence. "I really, really needed this."

The reflection of light shimmers in Sungchan's eyes as he smiles gently. "Like I said," he leans in ever so slightly as he responds, "Whatever you need."

Sungchan stays there for a second or two longer before pulling his torso back. When he does, you blurt out the first thing your mind can think of.

"What if I..." 

Upon realising what you were about to say, you swiftly stop yourself from any further humiliation.

Sungchan raises his eyebrows in curiosity. Sensing your hesitation, he closes the distance between you with a step. “What is it?”

The lessened distance wraps around your heart like a string, squeezing it tight until you feel the blood rush to your face. You bring your hand up, lightly placing it over his elbow. The contact calls his attention away for a brief moment.

You look into his eyes. So deeply that you can see the clear outline of your reflection on his pupils. Your breath hitches before you steady it with a deep breath in.

“What if I need you to kiss me?”

Your voice comes out merely above a whisper.

This is the first time that Sungchan’s gaze wavers—telling you all that you need to know without him even having to say a word. His lips part open, silent for a split second before a strained chuckle resonates from his throat. “Y/N…” His voice is soft and gentle, as if he’s about to give a response you hadn’t anticipated. Before he can, though, you quickly cut in.

“Tell me you don’t want it.”

Sungchan steadies his expression. “Y/N,” he repeats, this time more firmly. “It’s not about me. This is wrong… for you.”

Your brows furrow a little, “I’m the one asking you.”

“I know. But—”

“Tell me you don’t want to.”

He hesitates before he answers you. “You know my intentions.”

“And you’ve been waiting for the green light. This is the green light,” your hand runs up his arm, giving his bicep a tiny squeeze.

Your faces inch closer and closer with every sentence uttered. 

As you part your lips to mutter his name, you’re interrupted by the gentle crash of his mouth on yours. His hand reaches for your face as the side of his thumb grazes against the softness of your cheeks.

You press yourself harder against his strawberry pink lips. It’s as if a boulder has been lifted from you purely because of his touch. A catharsis as you hook your hand over the back of his neck, pulling him closer.

Sungchan pulls himself away with much restraint, his thumb still resting atop your cheekbones, and your lips only inches apart.

"I—" His voice comes out much more breathily than expected.

"Just kiss me."

[wonryllis]

미래, 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐔𝐄: the backstory

FEATURING. insanely love struck BRAT TAMER lee heeseung with his SPOILED BRAT RICH GIRL reader GENRE. smau, fluff, smut, crack WORDCOUNT. around 800 ( MASTERLIST )

to say you and heeseung were from two different worlds would be an understatement. you were from two completely different galaxies. emphasis: completely.

if the world was your home and the galaxy was your entire lifestyle, then heeseung swears it would take him more than a billion light years to reach even the place he could stand to have a little glimpse of you who lights up everyone else's worlds around you.

reaching you is a long journey and attaining you: impossible in the advancement of science.

yet you were merciful enough to let— to want someone like him to stay, to hover around you like a housefly, to grow to have the guts to want you.

heeseung's uncle and aunt, deprived of parenthood for various reasons, had always loved to have him stay with them during summer breaks. an hour's drive from his house, a duplex that resembled his own albeit a bit smaller and two months of enjoying trips to water parks, amusement parks, aquariums and everything he ever wanted all in the short span.

he remembers little of it now, but sometime around when he celebrated upgrading from preschool to elementary with a little toy plane they gifted, came the news that their small business took a turn for the good and within a few months of it they moved.

the first time he went over after that was like stepping into a dream. the big mansion, the rich neighborhood and the nice neighbours, the pretty neighbour.

even for a five year old with the memory of a pea sized goldfish and a mind that had no sensible knowledge of romance and love, heeseung can precisely recall the moment he fell. fall, fall, fell, fallen. down that rabbit hole of special feelings that took him seven years to realize.

your brothers were nice enough to let him wander around their precious baby sister they so obviously were overprotective over, yes even for a six/seven year old. and soon that hospitality and little playdates turned into actual and genuine friendships and relations that heeseung grew to cherish, his prized little treasured found family. and love.

summer breaks turned into winter breaks and then into every opportunity he could find to pay them a visit longer than a week.

he was there during every big occasion of your lives and you and your brothers were there for his. probably because your families never minded the difference in class and always welcomed the other's presence.

it was just before the fall of his senior year in high school when heeseung took the decision to apply for scholarships in your city. his middle class family still lived in their cozy old house in the small town he had known his entire life and the city waited him a lifetime of opportunities he couldn't dare to lose. especially if he ever decided to woo you in the future he must have the capacity to pamper your spoiled heart.

you weren't just the daughter of a rich family. you were the only precious little lovely, beyond spoiled rotten daughter of a family that came from old money. old money bridging middle class. something he could never achieve, but to have the slightest chance he must be in position to give you whatever you want (besides an island like you asked for your 18th birthday, but that's okay he loves that side of you and perhaps he's sick for that, but he's far too in love.)

when his scholarship was approved and he scored a seat in one of the prestigious colleges near your neighborhood, it gave him the perfect opportunity to move in with his uncle and aunt, to move in next door to you.

to be blessed to have the chance to catch sight of you everyday. and to have the chance to hangout with you whenever he wished to and whenever you wished to.

always at your beck and call like your obedient little lord in waiting.

heeseung's actual love life (his efforts to get you to fall for him as he calls it) started in the third year of college when you joined as a freshman. and two years since, he's been trying. you're just way too oblivious to notice his subtle moves and heeseung is way too scared of your brothers to confess bluntly.

it's all just been a huge mess, and everyone (his and your friends) is just here for the comedy heeseung's life has turned into .. especially with you crushing on beomgyu—

PREV | NEXT

PREVIEW. you always get what you want, spoiled with the love of everyone around you. and it's all innocent love, at least that's what everyone thinks. it comes with much surprise therefore, when heeseung makes a move on you. thirteen long years of being in the brother zone having made him utterly clueless that if he’s going to date you he has to pass through your actual brothers first. and he knows how scary they can be. especially since they are known to have a sister complex and he’s been the third scary one with them, numerous times before.

taglist ( open ) @s00buwu @lilyuwon @pockyyasii @nctislifue @shawnyle @enhastolemyheart @aaa-sia @snoopypupp @criminalyun @oddracha @satan-223 @diorsyun @hooniehon @fakeuwus @caramelcandescence @intromortal @kookify @yutasberryy @sumzysworld @nikiswifiee @shuichi-sama @primroselover @rayofsunshineeee @aishigrey @yjwluvs @soraokkotsu @nyfwyeonjun @srhnyx @trashx678 @wondipity @winuvs @hoondiors @niniissus @firstclassjaylee @biancaness @enhaz1 @sophi-ee @un06 @heelariously @d-earlog @pharaways @ethelia send an ask to be added! (if your comment goes unnoticed it is not my responsibility)

[brandileigh2003]

Coffee shop or bakery fic recs. Let me know what I missed including self recs

please give these authors love, fandom engagement with writers is down and it means more than you know.

-Like Real People Do by @third_crow ft disability and raising Harry

-Au Pif by sreka, @yumenouveau @smodernlife pining, fluff misunderstandings

-Blue Moon Café by @lazuli-moon ft raising teddy, chronic pain/illness, non-binary Sirius

-Found Heaven by @madefortherain University texting

-what a wonder (what a waste) by peachyybabe @lavenderhaze mcd magical au ft raising teddy

-Half Moon Chocolate by @brujabanter magical au no voldy

-The Barista, the Burglar, and the Sofa by orphan_account fluff au

-Number Neighbours by @moonsblack texting fic

-Be silent like deep water by @her-smile-forges-galaxies ft deaf remus

-The Barista by ever3tt au with pining

-Leather and Cinnamon by @tracingpatternswrites raising teddy modem au

-Of Caffeine Addictions and Nail Polish by @blueAzalea ft raising teddy and moonflower friendship

-Bean Genie by bethanlovescoffee fluffy au

-Love by the Seaside by viwrites @just--vi ft fluff and chronic

-i want to build something permanent by rekindled University ft trans remus

-Fractured Skies by orphan_account ft deaf Sirius and epileptic remus

-Blends by rvltn909 pining and banter

-Best Friend's Brother by bizarrestars @starsworth love the moonwater friendship, fluff with some angst

-Tip Jar by @starling011 ft chronic illness and moonflower friendship

-labyrinth by moonymoment @mayescapade exes to lovers

-I'll paint a mural of your smile by irlhawke ft mental health, trans remus

-Finding Warmth by Moony @adashofinspiratio blind Sirius and deaf remus

-Good Old Fashioned Lover Boys by Hell_Again trans remus, disability and mental health

-Tartan Books & Longing Looks by Lia @liaskisses cute with banter

Not sure if it technically counts but I like it and they spend time together there --ten reasons (to go to michigan) by @greyeyedmonster-18

Have 2 bonus flower shops:

-The Language of Flowers by B1ackCatChatsBack ft disability and pining

-my jokes are my armour, my kindness is my sword by @littleoldrachel ft disability and trans Remus, they're so cute

Recs from others:

early morning, coffee cups by alarainai bakery

-Constellations and Coffee by AisForAlex

-The Web by @lesmardisbleus mcd

-Back to September by @WriterwithaWindow

-oat milk latte by @vinylsonthewall

-Sorry I'm Late - I Was Searching For You by @euripidestrousers

--rec from @missmoonfrost

-Spilling Coffee on Strangers by fictional_simp09

[varpusvaras]

Beru found out about their new neighbour on a one pretty unremarkable day.

Owen was out that afternoon, gone to recycle some of the old machinery parts they had left after one of their perimeter sensors had finally been worn down by the increased storms. The desert was calm that day, thankfully, as Luke had started to become very restless from not getting to go outside in days.

Perhaps Beru should've realised that such restlessness was going to make Luke forget their usual rules, in his haste to get out of the house, as all of a sudden she noticed that the immediate area around the house was uncharacteristically quiet, and not full of noises made by little boy playing space battles.

She didn't, however, get too far in her searches, when there was a tall shadow casted onto the sand right next to hers.

"Excuse me-" The man didn't even get to finish what he was saying, when Beru had already reacher for the prybar in the toolbox and turned around, gripping it tightly and ready to strike.

The Suns were partially behind the man, obscuring his features momentarily from her. She was tall and broad-shouldered, standing straight with his head held high even in the heat of the day. On his arms he held Luke, who had his arms around the man's neck in a relaxed, loose grip.

That made her loosen up her grip from the prybar just a little. Luke had the gift of knowing when to trust people, even if sometimes that trust overextended itself a little. The man's hold of Luke was, however, also relaxed, which made him a bit more trustworthy to Beru.

The man bend down and placed Luke onto the ground, and by doing so, he gave his face enough shadow for Beru to see him better.

He looked young, if a bit weathered, with some lines already forming on his face, though Beru could tell that they were in places that usually got creased up when someone was constantly concerned about something. There was a long scar running down the side of his face, showing up starkly as the skin around it had tanned more recently. It was the thing that told Beru that the man had not spent too much time on the desert yet, despite his clothes having already been weathered as well, and his footing being even enough on the sand. His dark, curly hair looked like it had only now started to grow out of a very well-maintained shorter cut. Another sign of him being a newcomer.

Still, there was something familiar in him, something Beru couldn't quite place, and she wasn't quite sure if that should've made her relax more or be more suspicious of him.

The man looked at her. His dark eyes were just as weathered as the rest of him, but still kind.

Beru made her decision. She lowered the prybar, and let go of it with her other hand, grabbing at Luke instead.

The man's shoulders lowered a bit as well.

"Excuse me", he said. "I saw your nephew had gotten a bit far away from the house."

Beru looked down at Luke. He looked up at her, and gave her a bit of a sheepish smile.

"Yes", Beru said, and looked back up at the man. "Thank you."

The man nodded.

"No problem at all", he said to her, and then turned to speak to Luke. "Stay where you're supposed to. The desert is a dangerous place."

"But you were there by yourself as well", Luke piped up, not able to resist the urge to talk back just a little.

The man smiled at him. Beru though he had a rather nice smile, even if it was worn down as well. She wondered what kind of hardships he had gone through, out there in the Galaxy, to seem like he had been sanded down by a multiple of storms already.

"I've seen a lot of places that are worse than this, kid", the man said. "I'll be just fine."

He then nodded his head again at Beru, lifted the back of the dark blue cape he had draped over his shoulders over his head, turned around and walked into the desert without another word.

Beru watched him go, ever so slightly confused about the whole interaction. She only moved his eyes away when Luke tugged at her hand.

"Did you know him?" He asked. "I've never seen him before. Not here or in town."

Beru shook her head.

"No", she said. "Did he say anything to you?"

She had not had the mind to even ask the man his name. She looked back out in the desert. He had already disappeared somewhere beyond the dunes.

Luke shook his head.

"He did know you are my aunt", he said. "And not my mom."

True, Beru realised. He had called Luke her nephew, without any introductions.

She decided not to be too alarmed about that. There weren't a lot of people who lived in the area. Chances were that the man had just heard about them already, and remembered who lived in the house.

Still. Not a lot people lived in the area, and even less had any business around there either. On top of that, even though she was more than sure that she had never seen the man before, Beru thought he had looked awfully familiar in some way.

"He seemed nice", Luke said. "He felt nice."

"If you say so, my little sun", Beru said. "Your feelings are often very precise."

She decided not to tell Owen about the man that evening. He would've just gotten unnecessarily worried about it.

----

Beru saw a dark blue cape in the corner of her eye.

When she turned, it wasn't the man from the desert, even if she was sure it was the same cape, with the tattered edges and faded shoulders.

She did know the man wearing it, though. Ben seemed to feel her eyes on him, as he also turned to look at her, and very briefly nodded at her before he went back to dealing with a customer.

Beru thought about it as she went on her business, and she walked back by Ben's stall as she came back.

Ben was already packing up by then, and Beru saw that he had also made purchases, as he was tying some wares that Beru didn't believe he had brought all the way from his house to the town. At the top were a new bedroll, and a pair of boots that even from afar looked too big for Ben's feet.

Beru smiled, before turning away. It really seemed like Ben wasn't alone anymore. That was good.

[deim0sdread]

The Outsiders characters as things I did

Pretty self explanatory I just do a lot of stupid things and one of them had me thinking about it too bad I needed to share

Two-Bit: Made a joke that cruelly lacked context and made me look like I kicked children for fun. So I used to coach kids at this gymnastics school and I taught 5 to 9 year old kids and I was getting overstimulated and the kid bit my leg and licked the blood from the wound and I shook my leg until the kid was off. I had to get stitches for the wound and I cope with humour so I texted my friend “Call me Mister Hyde the way I just kicked a child” and I almost got cancelled. Even after explaining we still stopped being friends and honestly I get why

Dally: Called my guy best friend’s girlfriend a cheating whore while myself dating a man that was cheating on me. Then finding out that he was cheating on me with his girlfriend. I fought them after finding them in bed together. I’D DO IT AGAIN 🗣️🗣️🗣️

Ponyboy: I got caught reading in class because I had a huge reaction to what was said in the book and my teacher took my book away and never gave it back. I WANT MY BOOK BACK

Sodapop: Sobbed before going inside the Walt Disney World Haunted Mansion and when my mom tried to comfort me in my native language I kept sobbing and even got worse but when the park lady came up to me to comfort me in a language I didn’t understand I immediately stopped crying

Johnny: Screamed bloody murder and got ignored while my parents were arguing really badly and I thought they were about to kill each other. The neighbour called the cops because he heard me scream and not because of the argument and my parents were confused when the cops showed up for a loud scared scream

Darry: At one of my first shifts at work in was a closing shift and it was late and I was exhausted so when a guy asked me when his drink would be ready I just said “Hell if I know!” instead of “just in a moment” like I was meant to

Steve: I tried to fix my bike when I was little and I thought I could do it alone and almost ended up cutting off my pinky finger while changing the bike chain. I haven’t been on a bike since!

Bob: First time I ever drank alcohol I was so drunk that when I watched my favourite movie at the time and my two favourite characters got killed off I was sobbing and pointing at the screen saying “No… Billy no!” For 15 minutes

Randy: I was supposed to fight this guy and I forgot about it and the next day he punched me in the face and I just said “My man let’s kiss not fight” and we did end up kissing

Marcia: I saw my dad come back from work covered in motor oil and I cried because I didn’t recognize him when he was dirty

Cherry: First time that I went to a drive-in movie I was arguing with my friend because I wanted her to stop talking so I could watch Guardians of the Galaxy and I fell out of the van and we had to scrap my favourite clothes because there was cow shit

Paul: When I broke up with my ex (a different one than previously mentioned) I was so heartbroken I acted like I planned it all from the beginning and this was all part of my master plan because I was actually emotionless and people were like a chess board to me while I was sobbing in call to my best friend because I couldn’t believe he left me for some 25 year old when we were both still 15

also mendatory moot ping @izaacs-notdeadyet @urmomatron700 @b3st-sunday-dr3ss @brat-pack-it-up-boys @brooke-likesmusic

[lonewolflupe]

Echo Of Your Mind (One-Shot)

Help, I'm officially an Echo girlie now. Thanks to @nahoney22 for helping me cross that line with her one-shot That Floral Dress. I got inspired to write my own one-shot after reading hers, and finished it in two days (I may have neglected my sleeping scedule again). I should have focused on other things (like my job), but this gorgeous man doesn't leave my mind alone.

Besides this story being some appreciation for Echo, I dedicate this to all the anxious/introverted/super shy people out there. I feel you, I've been there (I still am), but I found my place in this galaxy. You'll find your place as well!

Summary: Your daily life in Ord Mantell City holds little purpose, and you try keeping away from the unsavoury types that roam the City's streets. But one day, a group of strangers piques your interest. You find yourself falling head over heels for one of them, despite your anxious and shy nature. Rating: Mature (or 16+ at least) Tags: anxiety, hurt/comfort, fluff, mutual pining, (eventual) romance, strangers to lovers, intimacy, sexual content (when becomes a story (mild) smut? help I'm new to this) Words: 7.829k (consisting of four parts) Pairing: Echo x Fem!Reader Read this one-shot here on AO3!

PART I | MORNING

19 BBY, Ord Mantell | Ord Mantell City

Ord Mantell City is a miserable place. To you, at least. You were born here, and are still residing here as an adult. You don't know anyone or any place else in the galaxy, for you've never been away from this forsaken planet.

Of course you have read about the war on the HoloNews, heard stories from seedy strangers roaming the city. But nothing of significance had happened on this planet, nothing that had affected your life. Now that Ord Mantell was under Imperial command, you find nothing much has changed. The place is still awful, and you prefer to remain near your home.

Sudden shouting from the upstairs neighbours disturb your thoughts. You sigh as you get up from the uncomfortable, worn out sofa in your living room, walking towards your front door. You grab a broom on the way and walk outside, taking in the sultry air that holds a grasp on the City.

Your porch is probably the cleanest of Ord Mantell City, since every time you need to clear your head, you find yourself sweeping it. Out of habit, you keep a lookout for any sinister individuals, ready to jolt back inside if you feel something is off.

Which has happened a lot, since Cid’s Parlor is located right across the alley. The bar isn't a crowded one, but most visitors provoke an unpleasant feeling inside you. There was a time during the war it got visited by elegant individuals in static robes occasionally, but times have changed.

The only usuals now are an Ithorian and a Weequay, lurking around the place on a daily basis. You had wondered if they didn't have anything better to do, places to be, only to realise this was Ord Mantell City; there wasn't anything better to do.

A shiver down your spine makes you look up. It is morning and the sun is up, but the narrow, dark alley is mostly lit by the neon signboards hanging from the adjacent buildings. They shed a light on a group of strangers as they come walking around the corner, into the alleyway.

Clumsily, you fidget with your residence’s keycard, nervous feelings taking over as you try to get back inside as quickly as possible. The front door whooshes open and you enter your home, making sure the door closes right behind you.

You take a moment to steady your breathing before walking towards the small, dirty window beside the front door. You clean it quite often, but the city's filth keeps finding its way back to it.

As you wipe some condensation from the inside of the window, you see the strangers halt right in front of Cid’s. You know you shouldn't keep lingering at the window like this; what if they spot you? But something about the strangers piques your interest, and you find it hard to pull away.

“This is the place,” you hear one of them remark in a determined way, before another responds cynically with: “Charming.”

The group consists of four adults, wearing mostly dark, battle-worn armour, their faces hidden behind intimidating helmets. In between them, there is a young, energetic girl with short, blonde hair. You raise a brow as you watch them descend the stairs into the bar, not averting your gaze until they disappear from your view.

With your mind racing, you find yourself strolling back to the sofa, sitting down when you reach it. You have never seen anything like these strangers at Cid's before, and you wonder what the Trandoshan is up to now.

Although obviously customised, their armour did remind you of the attire worn by clones, the former Republic's soldiers. You have never seen any with your own eyes before, but you remember seeing pictures and holovids on the HoloNet.

As your thoughts wander, you finally find something to do, distracting you from what you just witnessed. You continue your daily activities and leave the strangers to Cid.

---

During the following days and weeks, you get occasional glimpses of the strangers. They seem to have some business going on with Cid, because you can't imagine them revisiting the bar for its atmosphere. You even get some glimpses of the adults without their helmets, which only confuses you more. You thought they were clones, but they look nothing alike?

Since you have a lot of time alone with your thoughts, you find them on your mind more often. Who are they, where did they come from, did they fight in the war? Are they really clones, were they soldiers, and what are they now, perhaps bounty hunters? But what is the young girl doing with them? She looked happy and enthusiastic. What is a kid like her doing with such companions?

---

One of those days, you find yourself walking through the alley with some groceries in your arms. You hold everything together clumsily, admitting you're probably carrying too much in one go. When you finally make it to your front door, you reach for your keycard in your right pocket - only to find out it isn't there.

You scold yourself softly as you fidget through your pockets, hoping you just put it in a different one. Your groceries start sliding away, a piece of fruit falling on your porch and rolling away into the alleyway.

“Let me help you with that,” you suddenly hear a voice behind you. Eyes wide open, you look up in shock, previously unaware of the fact you weren't alone. You look right into the face of one of Cid's newest associates. Your breath gets caught in the back of your throat as you stand frozen to the ground.

The male walks up to you, the fallen piece of fruit in his hand. He puts it back with the other groceries, before taking the load out of your arms. When you don't move or reply, he takes a step back. “I'm sorry if I startled you,” he says whilst averting his gaze from you for a brief moment.

You look up at his face. It somewhat reminds you of what you've seen from clones on the HoloNet, but it isn't an exact copy. Pale skin, sunken cheeks, dark rims below his eyes. On the top of his head, you see numerous cybernetic implants, and bend around the back of his head is a metal headpiece. He definitely doesn't look like a typical clone.

When you look back into his eyes, you can see them filled with kindness, concern even. You regain yourself, as you don't want to come over as rude. “I-I’m sorry,” you stammer, your eyes darting back and forth as you don't know where to focus them, “I'm not really used to..”

“Clones?” he finishes your sentence, as you clearly didn't know what term to use. A comforting smile appears on his face, and you feel a bit more at ease instantly. “Well, social interaction in general,” you blurt out, immediately followed by a blush on your cheeks. He chuckles amused, as you shuffle on your feet awkwardly.

You suddenly realise you were in the middle of a keycard crisis, and you continue your search. It proves way more effective without any groceries blocking your arms, and it doesn't take you long before you find it - in a different pocket than usual, of course. You put the card in the slot and the front door whooshes open.

With a cautious smile on your face, you gesture to the clone to enter your very humble abode. He enters, and once inside, you pass him to show him a spot in your kitchen to put down the groceries. He manages without any more falling food, which you find rather impressive, given the fact how you had struggled with them earlier.

When he retracts his arms once the groceries are on the kitchen's counter, you notice one of them is partly machine. You freeze again, and the clone catches you staring at his mechanical limb. “Comes in handy sometimes,” he says jokingly, as he reaches out the scomp at the end of his socket-arm to show it to you.

You cannot help but laugh at his remark, lifting some of the tension. He smiles at you genuinely, pleased he was able to put you at ease. “Name's Echo, by the way,” he finally says. You give him your name in return. “Nice to meet you. I already thought I'd seen you before,” he says, as he looks at the window beside the front door.

You swallow as the blush on your cheeks reappears. You could slap yourself in the face; how did you think none of these trained men would notice you observing them, day in, day out?

“I, er- This isn't exactly the most safe neighbourhood around, you know, so I tend to keep an eye out,” you stammer, turning around to aimlessly rearrange your groceries. Echo chuckles, turning towards you again. “You don't have to defend your actions. It's your window, use it however you like,” he says, tilting his head slightly whilst observing you.

He thinks your shyness and awkwardness are endearing. In this vast, wild galaxy, sliding from the war into the Empire's cruelties, he rarely encounters innocence anymore. He notices you still hold yours, and he finds it soothing.

“Since you caught me.. ‘Using my window’,” you finally start saying, slowly as you consider your words carefully, “How can Ord Mantell City possibly be of any interest to you and your friends?” You regret asking immediately after your words are out, but Echo doesn't seem to mind.

“We just need to work some jobs to pay the bills, so to speak,” he replies casually, shrugging as if it isn't anything out of the ordinary for them. Of course you wonder what jobs and what bills he's talking about, but you would never dare to ask; your previous question was already quite bold for your standards.

So you don't inquire any further, but you gather all your courage to heed a warning. “Just.. Be careful around Cid. She's not the most.. Reliable individual around,” you say softly, afraid someone outside your home will hear it if you speak out louder.

Echo's lips curl into a smile, as he puts his hand on your arm for a brief moment. “Thanks for the heads-up, I'll keep it in mind,” he says, grateful for your concern. You finally find the heart to look up into his eyes, and you find yourself losing in them instantly. They are soft and kind, with a glister of confidence and certainty. But you cannot help noticing the pain, the hurt and the fatigue behind those eyes.

You don't know anything about this man except for his name, but the mixture of emotions in his eyes, the invisible scars you feel he is hiding, the unspoken reason why he's clearly on the run, it gives you the urge to comfort this man. A feeling deep down inside you, which you haven't felt before.

Of course you don't, because it would make you even more uncomfortable than before. You abruptly break your eye contact and turn around again, scolding yourself for your very own behaviour, but you can't help it; this is who you are.

Since you turned around, you cannot notice, but Echo's smile widens. You actually told him quite a lot by the words you didn't speak, by the way you did behave and how you just looked into his eyes.

Although he wouldn't mind staying for a bit longer, because he appreciates some quiet time away from the Batch and he finds it pleasantly soothing being around you, he realises you need some space, and he doesn't want to intrude on you any further. “Sorry for bothering you in your home, I'll be on my way,” he finally says, nodding at you in a respectful way once you've turned towards him again.

He walks over to the front door and pushes the entry button, and the door whooshes open. You rush after him, afraid he'll just disappear out of your life like that, but as always, you are lost for words. He walks across the alley, and just before he makes it to the stairs to descend into Cid's, you find your words.

“You- You aren't a bother,” you say shyly, as you hope he doesn't notice the blush on your cheeks from across the alley. He turns around, with a warming smile on his face, which makes you melt. You had no idea who these men, these clones were, but you definitely didn't think them to be the gentle kind.

“See you around then,” he says to you at last, making a very small salute with his scomp, before turning around again and disappearing down the stairs. You get back inside your home, and when the door closes behind you, you lean your back against it and let out a heavy sigh.

Who would have guessed any of Cid's visitors would awake such feelings inside you?

…

PART II | AFTERNOON

19 BBY, Ord Mantell | Ord Mantell City

It's been a while since you've seen Cid's latest associates, so you start to assume they moved on to find a new job, somewhere across the galaxy. An aching feeling inside you yearns for something you seem to have missed out on, something that could have been.

You sigh out loud as you lean back on your sofa. Your days were already long and lonely, but now it seems like they are even more meaningless. You wish you had the courage to get out into the galaxy, to be someone.

You suddenly hear sounds coming from the alleyway out front, and something tells you it's not your upstairs neighbours. With optimism you feel is misplaced, you dart over to the small window beside your door. You've been cleaning it on a daily basis since that one day, making sure you can get any glimpse possible whenever you peer outside.

Your heart skips a beat when you realise what - or who - made the sounds outside; it's Cid's associates. And Echo is still one of them. You pull away from your window to catch your breath, as a warm feeling starts emerging inside you again. He is safe, and he is in town again. You couldn't hope for anything more at this moment.

If only you had the courage to go outside. If he had been on his own, you might have dared to step outside, to walk up to him, but not with his friends around. So you stay put, awaiting a better moment patiently. You've become quite good at that.

---

It is only the next day when you catch him on his own. As you walk casually past your window (you weren't lurking around to catch any glimpse of him at all), you spot him as he comes walking out of Cid's and into the alleyway.

When he reaches the top of the stairs, he halts and starts rubbing his closed eyelids, his head slightly hanging. It looks like he is having a hard time, and your urge to comfort him reappears. You swallow as you gather all your courage.

This is your moment. If you loiter now, you might never get another chance again - let alone the courage. As you put aside all your thoughts and try listening to your heart for once, you push the entry button and your front door whooshes open.

Echo looks up at you, and a smile appears on his tired face as he is pleasantly surprised to see you. He utters your name softly, and a blush appears on your face; he had remembered your name.

“Would you- Would you like to come in for a caf?” you stammer, shifting on your feet as you await his answer. You don't have to wait long. “I would love a caf,” he replies, before crossing the alley, walking up your porch and entering your home. You can't help noticing he was taking big steps, almost running to your door, as if he couldn't wait to reach you.

Inside, you move aside a chair at your small table, inviting him to sit down. He does so gladly, and you walk towards the kitchen's counter to make a fresh pot of caf. Your mind races as you wait for it to finish, but Echo waits for you patiently, not in a hurry at all.

When the pot is finally ready, you pour two mugs and join him at the table. “I, er- I was afraid you weren't coming back to Ord Mantell,” you admit softly, whilst handing him one of the mugs. His fingertips touch yours for a very brief moment when he takes the mug from you; was that intentional? A warm feeling emerges in your head, and you're sure you're blushing - again.

“I appreciate your concern,” he starts, as he holds up the mug of fresh caf under his nose, inhaling deeply. He closes his eyes for a moment as he is appreciating the scent; he was clearly in need of it. He opens his eyes again, as they focus on you. “But you, er- You shouldn't worry about us,” he says with a wry smile on his face.

Seeing the expression on his face makes you do the exact opposite of his words; you start worrying. And now that you look at him, you notice he looks overworked and exhausted; he looks worn. You put down your mug, hitting the table harder than you anticipated, as you were putting all your emotions in that small movement. It startles you, and he chuckles in amusement.

“Really, there's nothing to worry about. We've been around and we know our way through the galaxy,” he reassures you, both his eyebrows raised as he slightly leans forward, towards you. Your heart skips another beat when you look at his gentle face.

Suddenly, his expression shifts to a confused one. “Why do you care so much?” he asks, shaking his head in his confusion, not sure why a stranger would worry about his well-being. But if he was being honest with himself, you didn't feel like a stranger anymore.

You swallow, your eyes darting back and forth again, searching for the right words. Your fingers fidget around the rim of your mug nervously. “You seem like a.. Like a good person. I don't see those around here often,” you finally falter, before looking him straight in the eyes.

The planet around you seems to die down when you lose yourself into his golden-brown eyes. They are the prettiest eyes you've ever seen, but then again, you've never stared into someone's eyes like this before. But you can't imagine eyes being prettier than his.

He puts his hand on yours, stopping the fidgeting, as your nerves make place for something else. Your heartbeat rises and your breathing becomes heavy. “Echo, I..” you stammer, but you don't finish your sentence. You have a hard time handling your feelings, not used to this kind of intimacy.

You jump out of your seat, accidentally knocking the chair over in the process. The noise of it hitting the floor startles you, and you do not notice Echo getting up as well. He gently touches your shoulder with his hand, and when you turn to him in surprise, he is standing right in front of you.

You've never been this close to him before. You see his eyes glisten comfortingly, his nostrils moving as he breathes, his Adam’s apple going up and down as he swallows.

Without thinking, you slowly shift your hand towards his cheek. Before you reach his skin though, he moves his head towards your hand, pushing his cheek against it, as he longs for your touch. Letting out a content sigh, he closes his eyes for a moment, and you see his eyebrows twitch in delight.

Now he finally feels your touch. You notice his chest heaving faster than before, and you realise that - maybe - he longs for you as much as you for him. You lick your lips and leave some space between them, making your heavy breathing more audible. It makes Echo open his eyes, as he yearns to touch those lips.

This time, he reaches his hand towards your face, and he gently caresses your cheekbone. His fingertips slide softly through your hair to the back of your head, and when he reaches it, he gently pulls you closer.

It feels like an eternity to reach each other, and your mind is racing. But all your thoughts are quieted down when your lips finally touch. You gasp as your breathing stops for a moment, your eyelids closing instantly as your eyes roll back.

Echo puts his mechanical arm around your waist, and with the utmost care, as not to hurt you with it, he pulls you closer. Your lips are pressed together, moving passionately against each other as you both finally give in to your longing.

You feel his breath on your skin and you let out a deep sigh, brushing his tender lips. He thinks yours are the softest, and he can't get enough of tasting them. As he indulges in you, you cannot help yourself by letting out a soft moan of pleasure.

He tightens his grasp around your waist when he hears your expression of content. He thought being apart from you was driving him insane these last few weeks, but now that he is finally close to you, he feels like he is losing it. Your innocence, your genuine and comforting soul, your beautiful appearance, your soft skin and your perfect lips..

Abruptly, he pulls away from you. He is afraid he will lose himself in you, going too far, ruining this perfect afternoon. He knows you'll need a little space after this, and he doesn't want to push you - although you might have complied if he'd asked for more.

Your eyes shoot open as you look at him confused; did you do something wrong? But his expression is all soft and loving, and you instantly melt by his sight. He leans forward to you again, but instead of kissing you, he gently puts his forehead against yours.

Not aware of the meaning - or even the existence - of a Keldabe kiss, you return the gesture anyway, as you think it's sweet. But to Echo, it means the galaxy.

After a long moment, the two of you pull away slowly. You wish it could have lasted forever, and Echo would have liked to hold you for a bit longer, but it had to end at one point. You look up at him, a loving smile on your face. He gently strokes your cheek with his thumb.

“Thank you, cyar'ika*,” he whispers, as he gently places a kiss on your forehead. You haven't heard that word before, and don't know what it means, but you're too caught up in the moment to spoil it by asking.

*cyar’ika = darling/sweetheart

At that moment, Echo's comm device starts beeping. He answers it without hesitation. “Echo, where are you? We need you to break a tie. Wrecker and I think Cid's next job sounds exciting, but Hunter and Tech.. Not so much.”

You see Echo's eyes soften as he responds to the girl. You'd like to hear more about his companions, but it seems like you have to wait until next time. You really hope there will be a next time.

Echo puts his comm device away before turning towards you, ready to apologise for his departure. But you beat him to it. “It's okay, go to them. Just- Just don't forget to come by whenever you're back in the City,” you tell him, as you put your flat hands on his chest armour. He puts his hand and scomp on top of your hands, as you swallow away the lump in your throat; you're well aware his coming back isn't a certainty at all.

He feels your worries, and although he knows he shouldn't be making any promises he can't keep, he wants to ease your mind. “I'll come find you,” he says determined, as he gently nods towards you. You smile back in return, gently placing a kiss on his cheek before you walk him to the front door.

Just before he reaches the door, you grab his hand. “Please, Echo.. Be careful out there,” you whisper, as he steps over your doorstep. He stretches his arm, keeping hold of your hand for as long as possible. “I'll do my best,” he replies, before letting go of your grasp.

You stand in your doorway, watching him cross the alley again, disappearing into Cid's. And after that, you keep standing in your doorway a little longer, hoping to catch another glimpse of him.

…

PART III | EVENING

c. 19/18 BBY, Ord Mantell | Ord Mantell City

As the sun slides away, looming shadows fill the alleyway. The neon signboards on the adjacent buildings cast their flashing lights about. The alley is empty, abandoned, apart from an occasional straying stranger.

You're lying on your sofa, your back aching from the uncomfortable hardness of it, but you don't have the will to move. Your thoughts wander as you gaze up towards the ceiling, thinking, hoping you will see him again.

As always, it's been a while. Echo has visited you a few times after that perfect afternoon, but his visits had been short; barely enough time to check on each other. You yearn to spend some more time together, maybe pick up where the two of you have left off.

But you know he is working a job with his squad, as you haven't seen them in a while. You put away your desires and hope he is doing alright. He told you not to worry, but you do worry a lot; you cannot help it.

---

You have almost dozed off when you hear excited voices coming from outside, immediately shaking you fully awake. Your body stiff, you manage to get up, and you stumble towards the window. Echo. A hopeful smile appears on your face as you finally see him and his squad again.

You still haven't mustered the courage to run outside to meet him as long as his friends are around, but you've grown a tad bolder; you push the entry button and your front door whooshes open.

As your heart races in your chest, a feverish feeling washing over you, you wait against the wall between the door and the window, out of sight. You're hoping he notices the open door and sees it as an invitation.

“Go, we'll manage Cid,” you hear a low voice from across the alley, a slight tone of amusement in the voice. Your heart skips a beat when you hear the sound of someone stepping closer and closer to your front door..

When Echo finally makes it to your doorstep, you spin in front of him and land in his arms, wrapping your arms around his neck. He is caught off guard for a moment, not used to you being this kind of initiative. But he doesn't mind; he wraps his arms around your waist to pull you closer, before kissing you tenderly.

When you finally pull apart, you look up to him, your eyes full of concern. “I-I was afraid something had happened,” you confess softly, almost in a whisper. He gently strokes your cheek before wiping a strand of your hair behind your ear. “I told you not to worry,” he replies, a bit stern, but his eyes soft.

You cannot help but scoff as you cross your arms, raising one eyebrow. “And you never worry about anyone?” you shoot at him teasingly. His expression softens. “All the time,” he says softly, before pulling you close again, continuing the kissing.

---

After your warm welcoming, you manage to get him some well deserved caf. As always, he doesn't give you any details about their latest job, because he knows your worries will multiply if you know what he's up to. And he doesn't want to drag you into the ugliness of the current state of the galaxy, as you're still as innocent as the first day he met you. And he loves you for it.

“So, er- how long will you stay this time?” you finally stammer, afraid he'll walk out again and he'll be off for another few weeks. Of course you meant to ask how long he and his squad would be staying on Ord Mantell in general, but he takes the leap.

“We're not gonna make new plans until the morning, so I'll have all night, if you'd like,” he replies, his soft smile sliding into a faint smirk as you see a sparkle in his eyes. You swallow; you really like his answer, but your nerves are playing up again, not sure what the evening will bring. And as always, you're lost for words.

Is it you, or is it getting hot in here? You're sure your head has turned red by now, and you need to cool down. You excuse yourself to him as you stand up, making sure to not knock over your chair this time, and walk towards your bedroom.

You open the door to the adjacent room, but something inside you decides to leave it open. You take off your thick shirt and slide into something more breathable.

When you turn around, Echo is leaning against the doorpost, his arms crossed and his foot bend around the other. You didn't turn on any lights when you entered your bedroom, so you cannot see the expression on his face. The only light comes from the room behind him, shedding a highlight around the contours of his body.

You freeze to the floor as you stare at each other in silence. Echo finally straightens himself, getting clear of the doorpost, and starts walking over to you slowly. Your heart skips a beat; you feel slightly vulnerable in your own bedroom, not sure how long he'd been standing there, watching you. But although you don't know how to go on from here, you definitely want it to continue.

When he reaches you, he starts caressing your cheek. You look up to his face, your eyes wide as they glisten, your lips apart in full anticipation. Before he reaches for them, you find your words. “I.. I’d like you to stay for the night,” you whisper shyly, yet honestly. There's nothing you want more at this moment.

“Then I'll stay,” he replies tenderly, a gentle smile on his face before he leans towards you, pressing his lips on yours. You close your eyes as you indulge into his kiss, forgetting everything around you.

After some passionate kissing, Echo slowly shifts his lips to your cheek, sliding down to your neck. You feel his warm breath on your skin, making something awaken inside you. His lips reach the spot between your neck and shoulder, starting with soft, tender kisses, but slowly evolving into something more confident, something more eager and desirous.

He is still very tender with you. Although he doesn't bite, you feel his teeth against your skin, the tip of his tongue dancing on you as he tastes you. A moan of pleasure escapes your throat, and you feel a shiver going through Echo's body.

He gently leads you backwards, towards your bed. You comply willingly, and when you reach it, you sit down whilst you guide him down as well, your hand grasped around the rim of his chest plate, below his neck. He kneels down before you, and you gaze into each other’s eyes for a moment before continuing.

“Are you.. Are you alright with this?” he asks softly, concern in his voice. But there is nothing he should be worrying about right now. You nod determined, a smile appearing on your face. “Yes, very much,” you finally muster, before you land another kiss on his lips. You feel his lips curl into a smile below yours.

You start fidgeting with his armour, but taking it off proves quite difficult, since you haven't interacted with anything like it before. He chuckles softly before aiding you in your conquest. When the pieces start coming off, and you start taking off his black jumpsuit, you pull away in shock and disbelief when you notice what you revealed.

“What did they do to you?” you blurt out, as your eyes wander his body, where you find mechanical ‘adjustment’ after adjustment. He swallows, slightly pulling away from you. He was so caught up in the moment, caught up in you, that he didn't think about this. Didn't think you would be taken aback by him.

“It's.. It's in the past,” he mumbles, averting his gaze from yours. A moment of silence, before he softly adds: “You can leave those on, if it disturbs you.” He reaches back for his blacks, but you stop him by grasping his hand. You cup your other hand below his chin, and gently guide his gaze back towards yours. “No, I'd like to have you like you are,” you say in a sweet way, and your words make him melt.

Taking your clothes off happens in a heartbeat, compared to Echo’s attire. Both your chests are heaving and your breathing is heavy with anticipation. As Echo slowly reaches up to you, you let yourself fall backwards onto the sheets, your arms stretched above your head. He slowly crawls on top of you, admiring your beauty, wondering how you’re able to still retain your innocence as you lay naked below him.

When you're finally face to face, you wrap one arm around his neck, careful not to hit his mechanical spine too hard. Your other hand starts caressing his metal sternum, as you take in every detail of his body. Your hand slides towards his face, where you touch the metal headpiece around the back of his head.

“Is this.. Is this detachable?” you ask softly, cautiously, as you don't want Echo thinking you like him any less with him wearing it. He smiles, and takes it off. It reveals his ears, and you can't help smiling in the most affectionate way; he has the cutest ears.

This time, it's Echo who's blushing. You let your fingertips wander the rim of his ear, and you find out he's a tad ticklish around there. He twitches his brows as he tries to regain himself. You chuckle, before you let your hand slide behind the back of his head and pull him close.

Your lips touch again, and you start kissing tenderly. The tips of your tongues touch, as they shyly meet halfway. Echo groans as you softly start biting his lower lip. You cannot help it, but the sound arouses you. You gasp and slowly part your legs, and finally wrap them around his pelvis.

He gladly accepts the invitation, looking at your face when he slowly enters you at last. Your eyes are closed, your head slightly tilted backwards. You bite your lower lip, your eyebrows wrinkled as it hurts, but he continues as gently as possible. Once he's fully inside, you let out a sigh as the tension from your face disappears.

The hurt turns into pleasure as he slowly moves his pelvis against yours. He is still looking at your face, making sure you're alright, that he's not hurting you anymore. When he finds a pleasing rhythm, you let out a moan, which would have startled yourself if you hadn't been this caught up in the moment. A shiver runs down Echo's body, which you feel inside.

You open your eyes with a gasp, and you look up at his face. His golden-brown eyes are admiring you, and his lips are curled into a smile. You feel the blush reappear on your cheeks, but you don't worry about it too much; Echo is used to it by now.

Without thinking too much about it, you sit upright as much as your intertwined bodies allow. A bit awkwardly, you try to swap positions. Echo helps you out once he realises what your intentions are. He is slightly surprised, since this is clearly your first time, but you want to take the lead now. But he isn't complaining.

Echo lays down on his back as you position yourself on top of him. You taste his lips again, before straightening your back. You guide him back inside you and start moving your pelvis up and down, starting slow but increasing the pace as you gain a bit of confidence in what you're doing. You close your eyes as you focus on the moment.

Echo looks up at you in both admiration and adoration. He positions his hand and scomp on either side of your moving hips. He is careful with the metal part of his right arm, because he doesn't want to distract you. Slowly, his hand and scomp slide upwards, reaching higher, until they reach your breasts.

He keeps his hand and scomp at the sides of your breasts, caressing your warm skin with his thumb. He doesn't feel the need to go further, as he doesn't want to objectify you, he doesn't want to take your innocence away. But he is touching sensitive skin and you let out another moan, your eyebrows wrinkling again, this time out of pleasure.

He's never seen your face this expressive before, and it feeds his excitement. He wants to get closer to you, and in a sudden, abrupt movement, he sits up straight, supporting his body with his socket-arm. You open your eyes in surprise and find his face just centimetres from yours. Your noses brush, your lips almost touching.

You continue your movements, and you notice the angle you find yourselves in is even more pleasing than before. Echo wraps his arm around your waist, pulling you close, your breasts against his chest. You put your hands on his back as you continue, your fingers sinking into his pale skin.

Your gazes keep locked as you quicken your pace, feeling your pleasure is reaching its climax. And Echo's too; he groans through clenched teeth, tightening his grip around your waist. You feel the muscles in his lower abdomen tighten. You moan from the tingling sensation you experience down below, and as you softly whisper his name in ecstasy, he releases all his tensions.

Still holding you, Echo falls backwards on your bed, taking you with him. When he lands on his back, you roll off him, to his right side. Your chests are heaving and you both are panting from your fusion, your intimacy. Your heads turn towards each other, and you both smile when your gazes meet again.

You start caressing his metal arm beside you. You would have liked to hold his hand, but it doesn't matter; this is Echo, and you love all of him.

…

PART IV | NIGHT

c. 19/18 BBY, Ord Mantell | Ord Mantell City

The evening has elapsed into the night, but your sense of time is gone. After your intimate get-together, Echo is still laying on his back on your bed, and you wish he could stay forever. You are curled around him, your leg arched around his pelvis, your head on his shoulder, your arm on his chest as you softly caress his skin and his cyborg parts you encounter on the way.

Eyes closed, he has his cheek pressed against the top of your head, his socket-arm wrapped around your upper body as he only focuses on your gentle touching and gentle breathing. He groans softly in content as you trace your fingertips over his skin.

“Why, er- why are you guys on the run?” you ask suddenly, in a soft and cautious way. The question has been on your mind for what seems like forever, and now that you've been this intimate with Echo, you finally have the courage to ask him.

He swallows as he slightly turns his head away from yours, his eyes opening and his gaze on the ceiling. “I really don't want to drag you into it,” he finally answers with a sigh. You heave yourself up slightly, your body still against his, but being able to look at his face.

“Echo, I'm worrying about you anyway. So I think it's only fair to me to know what I'm worrying about,” you shoot at him, and you're surprised by your own boldness. Echo looks at you, a smile appearing on his face as he thinks the same. “You're right, cyar’ika*.”

*cyar’ika = darling/sweetheart

“We're on the run from the Empire. We were soldiers of the Republic, but when the Imperials took control, well.. Let's just say we didn't part on good terms,” he finally tells you, a wry smile on his face. You're silent for a moment. As the war and the political takeover have had no impact on your personal life, you try to imagine how it must be for Echo, for his squad.

“What was the war like?” you ask in a whisper, so soft he almost missed it. Your head is still turned towards his face, but your gaze slides away. He looks back at you, and with his hand, he cups your chin, caressing your skin with his thumb.

“It was- it was both dreadful and.. And familiar, I guess,” he starts slowly, searching for the right explanation, being mindful to spare you from any details about the suffering and the losses. He wets his lips before continuing.

“We clones were created as soldiers for war, so there wasn't anything else for us. We were all brothers, fighting side by side, under the command of the Jedi. There was.. A lot of death and devastation, but we knew what our purpose was. We had each other.”

He pauses for a moment, his eyes blank as his gaze is unfocused. You want to comfort him, as it's clear to you he hasn't processed all the events during and after the war very well. But you lay still, as you feel there's more for him to tell. You don't want to interrupt him, distract him from finally speaking out his feelings, pouring his heart out.

His gaze returns to yours, as his hand shifts away from under your chin, and he wipes a lock of your hair behind your ear. He smiles for a very brief moment before continuing. “When the war ended, we lost our purpose, I guess. The war was awful, but at least we knew who we were, what we had to do. But when it ended and the Empire emerged, none of us really knew what was happening.”

You notice he's lost in thoughts again. He is thinking about Crosshair, now doing the bidding of the Empire. How they had to leave him, their brother, behind back on Kamino. How the squad had saved himself prior to those events, from the torture of his mind back at Skako Minor. How the Skakoans had experimented on him after the explosion at the Citadel. How he hadn't been around when Fives had needed him the most, how he had held 99 in his arms after his death. How he hadn't been able to save Hevy, Cutup and Droidbait, which seems an eternity ago now.

When you see tears forming in his eyes, you finally decide it's the right time to comfort him. You lean towards him, put your right hand on his jaw, and place the most tender, loving kiss on his forehead. You feel his grip around you tighten as he pulls you close. You wrap your arms around his neck and start cradling him, as silent tears run down his cheeks.

---

The night progresses with a lot more talking and comforting. Tonight, you have learned more about Echo and his squad than all the previous times you two met up combined. As Echo continues his experiences and confessions, you notice he's opening up to you, finally sharing details.

Although his stories are devastating and you had never imagined all this could happen to one person in only a couple of years, you love listening to his voice, as your naked bodies lay pressed against each other in a loving embrace. Your head is positioned on his chest, as it slowly rises and falls with every breath he takes.

You wish he could stay forever, just the two of you in your humble abode, but you know he can't leave his squad behind. The Empire will keep looking for them, for Omega. And you know what that means; they can't stay on Ord Mantell forever. You knew this beforehand, before you got yourselves close with one another, but the thought is still devastating to you.

But after all of Echo's stories and explanations, you understand. You finally have a better view of the galaxy beyond Ord Mantell, the advantages and the flaws of the Clone Wars, and how the Empire currently reigns with terror and oppression. Something is rotting in this galaxy, but there are still people out there trying to fight it, to fight for the good, for the well-being of the galaxy's citizens.

---

When the morning breaks, you know by the gut-wrenching feeling inside you it's time for Echo to go. He has to meet up with his squad to discuss their next step, to prepare their next mission, and you know he can't let them down. He won't let them down.

You slide into something comfortable and watch him get back into his blacks and armour. The easiness of his movements tells you he's done it a hundred times. A smile appears on your face, but there is sadness in it as well; you hate to see him leave.

At your front door, you both take the time to prolong the moment, to delay his inevitable departure. Your lips melt together in a passionate kiss one last time. You hug each other tightly, before moving apart reluctantly. You look each other in the eyes, taking everything in one last time, to never forget the moments you shared together.

“Thank you, cyar’ika*,” Echo whispers, before he presses his forehead to yours. You swallow, and after you both pull away, you finally ask: “What does that mean?” An affectionate smile appears on his face, his eyes somewhat sad but incredibly thankful for what you've given him. “That you mean the galaxy to me.”

*cyar’ika = darling/sweetheart

…

Epilogue

You don't know if you will see him again after this, but he has given you something. He ignited a spark inside you, as you now are fully aware there is more in this galaxy, more than just Ord Mantell City. He has given you the courage to free yourself from this place, even if that means diving into the unknown. But you are ready now.

Echo taglist: @covert1ntrovert

[zeep-xanflorp]

Dumb question; Rick is really nihilist or naah? It was just a thing from the first seasons or smth

not a dumb question! my autistic self enjoys rambling about this topic in particular.

in my opinion, rick is the worst nihilist ever. he tries to be one so badly. he wants nothing to matter. he wants to not care about anything. he knows just how big the universe is and how minuscule humans are in comparison to the vastness of infinity. just as we don't care about the intricacies of quarks and electrons buzzing around us to make everything go, the stars and the multiverse don't care about the intricacies of our lives.

but that doesn't play out in practice. in reality, he cares for people. he holds people close to him. he lets people matter to him to spite infinity. he's an existential nihilist in my opinion, meaning that even if nothing inherently matters, the things he cares about matter to him. a hydrogen atom matters to the atom it gets paired with, in the compound that it comes to be a part of. just like we matter to the people who come to be in our lives. the stars in the same galaxy matter to one another, neighbouring galaxies about to collide matter to each other. the relationships we form with others, even though it might not matter to something bigger than us, is still important because of the value we place on it.

and rick reconciling with the fact that he cares about people - about his family, his wife, his friends - is the heart of the show to me. he's learning that it's okay to care. that it's okay that people matter to him and that he does in fact matter to others. importance is relative just like everything else.