#Echo/Fives

[sergeantgoggles]

Prompt: Sparring and Kisses Ship: Echo/Fives Rated: T .

Fives never wants to just spar. There is always some connotation, some hidden ulterior motive, Echo has learned over the years of training with him, and now that they’re ARC Troopers, the accusation remains the same. 

The difference now is that Echo knows him intimately, knows his tells, his strengths on and off the battlefield and will use it to his advantage like the tactician he is. 

Fives gasps when his back hits the mat and Echo is suddenly on top of him, planting a kiss to his cracked lips before he can argue that he’s cheating. 

“Maybe next time I’ll pin you from behind,” Echo jokes, and he relishes in the way Fives’s eyes gloss over with desire.

[huntressdarkness]

PS. More fic details are available below. :)

Yes, sorry, you only get to pick one. XD

Aflame (Crosshunt) – Hunter and Crosshair might be together now after Crosshair’s rescue post Outpost, but they haven’t really addressed, much less dealt with, everything they did to each other. They can only ignore it for so long. Last part of the Aloft series.

Breathless (Hunter/Tech) – Post-Bracca aftermath where Hunter and Tech explore choking as a way of coping with what happened there with Wrecker. Background polybatch.

Lead Me Unto Redemption (Crosshunt to Polybatch) – Hunter’s chip was activated by the Empire after his capture, and even if he and Crosshair are with the Batch again, they need to get it out before Hunter’s Imperial loyalties kick in. And then they need to deal with getting him (and mainly Crosshair) back. Last part of the Lead Me series.

Mirror Image (Crosshunt to Crosshair/Hunter/Crosshair/Hunter) – Post-S3 Crosshair and Hunter end up in the past before S1. Their mission is to save their family. Hunter’s mission. Crosshair’s mission involves making their younger selves hook up.

Rapture (Polybatch) – Crosshair discovers CX-2 is Tech on Tantiss and tries to get through to him. He tries to deal with the consequences of his failure alone. Crosshair angst. The Batch have to put themselves back together in the aftermath of S3. Currently a WIP series.

Star-crossed (Crosshunt) – After E1, Crosshair and Hunter start having comm sex. It gets Complicated very quickly. Enemies to lovers, mutual pining, Hunter’s guilt complex.

Stardust (Crosshunt to Crosshair/Hunter/Anakin/Rex) – Captured by the Zygerrian queen, Crosshair, Hunter, Anakin, and Rex are not having a fun time at all. She’s fixated on Anakin and has every intention of using the others to control him. Non-con/rape is a prominent feature in this one. Currently a WIP series.

True North: Dominoes (Echo/Fives, Echo/Rex, Fives/Rex) – Canon compliant fic exploring Echo, Fives, and Rex’s relationships with each other throughout the war.

Written Down in Eternity (Crosshunt) – Crosshair non-cons Hunter after his capture on Daro to prove Hunter belongs to him. Slowburn Crosshunt where they have to deal with the aftermath of Crosshair’s bad choices (even if he wasn’t in his right mind).

[nottonyharrison]

Echo/Fives *cough* in the gym on Patreon

[foxslightsaber]

Alpha-17: Echo, Fives, ARC troopers don’t hold hands!

Echo: These ones do.

Fives: Yeah! And they sleep in the same bed!

[loverboy-havocboy]

Hi there! I've been having a rough week and I feel the need for comfort characters.

Can I request your aliit au Thorn/ Echo/ Fives with either the sleepy kiss or crying kiss?

my goal for this was 800 words, because I really want it to cheer you up a little 🥺 it ended up being almost 1200.

here's sleepy/crying kisses with aliit au echo/fives/thorn

(warning for a ptsd related night terror)

---

Thorn wakes suddenly to the flailing of three half-limbs and one incredibly strong arm, accompanied by the frantic, shouting voices of his lovers. He's sitting up in a flash to see Fives holding Echo by the shoulders, tears glinting on both of their faces in the moonlight.

“We have to get to the shuttle-” Echo gasps out, “to escape the Citadel!”

“Echo, you're home! You're in Keldabe, you're okay,” Fives tells him. He's trying to be firm, Thorn can tell, commanding, but his voice shakes and cracks, coming out pleading instead.

“No! I’ll go first-” Echo says, trying to push Fives off.

Thorn joins Fives in his attempts to restrain their cyare, pinning one of Echo’s thighs under his own leg and lacing his fingers through those on Echo's remaining hand. Echo is still struggling against them, still warning Fives they have to move before it's too late.

Thorn watches Fives try to ground Echo with his touch, the sound of his voice, and promises that he's alright - but his assessment quickly becomes that rather than pulling him out of the terror, Fives' presence is only immersing the man further into it. So Thorn uses his other hand to take Echo by the back of the neck, making his lover face him instead.

Fives protests, grabbing for Echo with a whimper that kicks Thorn right in the ribs, but he shakes his head. “I need you to trust me, Fi. Can you trust me?”

He looks unsettled, desperate, but even so, Fives doesn't fight him anymore. When Thorn can turn his attention back to Echo, he sees that the man's brows are pinched together as his expression shifts from fear and urgency to confusion.

“You know me, ‘Yayah,” Thorn tells him, mustering every ounce of his Commander's voice for it, pushing through the way it comes out sleep-rough. Echo shakes his head, wide eyes darting over his face, but Thorn just nods, insists, “Yeah, you do. I'm Thorn. You didn't know me before the Citadel, but you know me now. Because the Citadel is in the past.”

“The.. The Citadel..?” Echo mutters. He tries again to turn his head to look at Fives, but Thorn holds him steady, just in case, by sliding his palm to rest over Echo's prickly cheek, locking their eyes.

“Is in the past. You know me. You put my hair in these braids a few hours ago-” and slowly, recognition dawns on Echo's handsome face, “-even though you're mad at me right now for handing you sugar for your eggs at breakfast.”

Thorn can see the moment Echo's brain catches up and accepts that yes - he knows Thorn, and no - Thorn wasn't at the Citadel.

“I am mad at you,” he says roughly, voice thin as the last of his fight drains out of him. “That was disgusting."

“And you still invited me to stay the night,” Thorn points out, breathing easier now that he sees Echo doing the same.

Echo's lips almost quirk upward, but then they fall into a frown and he laments, “Probably wishing you'd gone home right about now.”

Thorn just shakes his head. “I thought ARC Troopers were supposed to be intelligent,” he quips, unable and unwilling to stop himself from smiling.

“Results may vary,” Echo fires back, nodding down at his three missing limbs.

Thorn's laughter is joined by Fives', though the other man's is a wet, fragile kind of laughter. Thorn doesn't stop Echo from turning to his husband this time. He releases him completely, in fact, backing off to give them a moment. Fives pulls Echo immediately into a firm keldabe kiss, breath hitching.

Thorn isn't surprised by Fives' tears; the Citadel is still fresh for them, the way Scipio is still fresh for him. Some things take a lot of time to heal, and some things just stay raw.

Fives infiltrating the Citadel side by side with the love of his life and leaving only with his charred bucket in hand, Captain Rex finding Echo alive - just barely - in an enemy encampment, the pain of watching Echo struggle to pull himself back together - all those things will need more time before they stop feeling like a knife through the heart whenever Fives is reminded of them.

So he's not surprised when Fives shudders out a sob as Echo kisses him. Now that the rush of adrenaline has faded, a lump is forming in his own throat. He's only had a fraction of the time with them that they've had with each other, but their pain is still a tangible thing to him. His intimate familiarity with that type of grief plays its part, but Echo and Fives also just deserve peaceful nights that they don't get to have.

If anyone deserves fucking peaceful nights it's these two.

Echo rasps out his name, wiping his face on the back of his hand before beckoning him closer. As he shifts back toward them, Echo brings him in with a hand on his jaw, the last of his tremors fading now to nothing. The kiss he receives is chaste, and tired, but so unbelievably warm.

“This might be a really bad time to tell you,” Echo murmurs, breath puffing over Thorn's lips, “but Fives and I - we love you. I love you, Thorn.”

Thorn pulls back a little, heart in his throat, to search Echo's eyes.

“You don't have to say anything, just..” Echo clears his throat softly, brushes his thumb over Thorn's cheek, “Just thought you should know.”

Like hell he doesn't have to say anything. Unfortunately, the thing he manages to say as his thoughts race isn't ideal, but he supposes it's not the worst thing that could've come out of his mouth, “Even though I'm a Corrie, huh?”

Echo does manage a smile now, a beautiful one, even as he rolls his eyes. “We’re willing to overlook it, yeah.”

“Unless you keep rubbing it in like that,” Fives chimes in, moving into Thorn's space with his husband. Fives' forehead falls onto his shoulder sleepily and Thorn scratches his nails through the man's wild curls.

“I’m afraid our love is highly conditional,” Echo informs him regretfully.

“That's okay,” Thorn grins, “I think I'll take it anyway. I love you, too - even if you are Rex’s mir’shebse.”

“Fighting words!” Fives hollers, toppling them over all of a sudden, knocking the air out Thorn's lungs along with a bright laugh.

“Fight him tomorrow,” Echo yawns, rubbing at his eyes, one at a time. “Fight him whenever you want now that he's stuck with us - just not when I'm tired.”

After muttering something about Echo always being tired, and promptly saying, “Nothing!” when asked to repeat it, Fives curls up at Thorn's side, tugging Echo against the other demandingly.

Thorn presses his lips to each of their heads sleepily, feeling warm and content beneath the combined weight of two cuddly ex-ARC’s.

[kartaylirnaak]

Knowing You Now

Cody/Rex/Echo/Fives

Explicit, No Archive Warnings

Summary: Unlike Fives, Rex actually knows how to use a towel, and is only slightly damp, rather than dripping all over the floor.

—

A collection of scenes about Cody, Rex, Echo, and Fives, and the moments between them as they fight to save as many clones as they can.

Tags: Drabbles of different lengths, Fives Lives, Clone Rebellion, Light Angst, Reunions, Poly Clones, Introspection, Canon Disabled Character, Caretaking, Medical Inaccuracies, Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Light Canon Typical Violence, Whump, Injuries, Slice of Life, Domestic Fluff, Light-Hearted, Hand Job, Somnophilia, BDSM, Nipple Clamps, Cock & Ball Torture, Gags, Leases, Impact Play, Collar, Leather, Pain, S&M, Restraints, Top Fives, Bottom Cody, Dom Fives, Sub Rex, Dom Echo, Dom Rex, Sub Cody

Note: A lot of this is quite gen, apart from the bits that aren’t 😂 Check the Author's Notes on Ao3 for where to skip the smut, if that's not your thing.

[cloneshipficquotes]

The fresher door opening jolts Echo awake. He huffs, relaxing again once Fives finally comes into the bedroom.

“You didn’t have to wait up for me,” Fives points out, wearing absolutely nothing, not even a towel.

Echo shifts onto his back as Fives walks around the end of the bed, watching him, appreciating just how hot Fives is, and how he’s, thankfully, uninjured. Fives knows he’s staring and smirks.

“You know, I was gonna put on some clothes, but if you like what you see that much…” he teases. It’s a fairly weak attempt at flirting on his part. Echo can’t blame him. They’re both exhausted.

— Airlock_Failure, from Chapter 26: Overstimulation: Fives/Echo in ‘Sanguis Et Passio’

[clonemando]

A Kiss a Day in May

Day 25- Reunion Kiss

Fives/Echo, implied Rex/Fox

Each day this month I have a 100 word drabble featuring a different clone with a kiss prompt. Not all are romantic and they include all sorts of pairings and relationships. Feel free to offer pairing/ character suggestions for future days.

Rex and Fox had carefully coordinated for weeks for this moment. Fives was leaning against the counter at the cafe chatting at Fox about something he wasn't listening to when the door chimed as Rex held it open for Echo to walk in.

Fives immediately went silent and Fox watched as Echo's eyes widened hopefully once he noticed his partner's tattoo. Then Fives was crushing Echo in a hug and crying and finally kissing him desperately. Rex grinned at Fox who smirked back knowing he had earned his reward for later. Being the good guy could actually be fun sometimes.

[rexsterss]

absorb myself in it

Summary:

“It didn’t take that long,” The room’s quiet, the buzzing life behind these walls slowing down with the soft sigh Fives lets escape when those same lips brush against the skin under his eye. “We got what we wanted.”

Fives cracks open his eyelids, heavy with leftover sleep. “And?”

Echo’s still in armour, weight supported by the hand that sinks in the mattress, right beside Fives’s shoulder, body angled away just to prevent dirtying up the sheets. “It’d be better off being used in the medbay, but it’s a start.”

the clone wars. the bad batch. echofives. contains tbb s03e05 spoilers. rated T. 1.3k+ words.

Based on 50 A Softer World Prompts

We talk in the dark as we fall asleep, and we are objects in the night sky outside of time. (it is the exact opposite of alone.)

Fives wakes to dry lips grazing against his cheek.

He hums, blindly reaches for the touch with his eyes still closed, and wraps his fingers around an arm before he gently pulls it towards him. “Back already?”

It’s the reassurance, the worry in the act of waking each other up far away from their minds when they need to know, need to feel.

They’ve died once too many times; they prefer when the slightest stir will be enough to smooth over the prickling fear that still nestles in between the synapses of their nerves.

“It didn’t take that long,” The room’s quiet, the buzzing life behind these walls slowing down with the soft sigh Fives lets escape when those same lips brush against the skin under his eye. “We got what we wanted.”

Fives cracks open his eyelids, heavy with leftover sleep. “And?”

Echo’s still in armour, weight supported by the hand that sinks in the mattress, right beside Fives’s shoulder, body angled away just to prevent dirtying up the sheets. “It’d be better off being used in the medbay, but it’s a start.”

READ MORE ON AO3

[gun-roswell]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Cartoon), Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) - All Media Types, Star Wars - All Media Types Rating: General Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: CT-21-0408 | CT-1409 | Echo/CT-27-5555 | ARC-5555 | Fives, Clone Force 99 | Bad Batch/CT-21-0408 | CT-1409 | Echo Characters: CT-21-0408 | CT-1409 | Echo, CT-27-5555 | ARC-5555 | Fives Additional Tags: Inspired by Fanart, Ghostly Shenanigans, Cloneshipping | Clone Trooper/Clone Trooper Relationships (Star Wars), Reunions, Humour, PolyBatch Implied, Dialogue Heavy Series: Part 36 of Echo/Fives, Part 25 of The Poly Batch/The Poly Conglomerate

Summary: He might be a ghost now, but Fives is still Echo’s ghost. And they’re talking it out now.

Inspired by fan art of Phantasm-Echo.

Part of Echo/Fives // The Bad Batch PolyBatch series

[sergeantgoggles]

Prompt: Reunited Ship: Fives/Echo Rated: T .

He’s alive, hooked up to wires and pale and far too skinny, but alive. 

Of course Fives shoves Rex out of the way to be the one to catch Echo when he falls from the chamber. He knows Echo would do the same if it were him. 

“Fives?” Echo rasps, his eyes still trying to focus as Tech works on getting him unhooked from all of the wires that are attached. 

“Hey, Babydoll,” Fives replies wetly as he cups Echo’s cheeks, happy to just to close, to be reunited with the man he thought he’s lost. 

[spacelesbiandisaster]

Is Star Wars Clone/Clone ships incest?

This is random, but I just read a fanfic with the clones being gay with each other, and now I'm feeling bad about because clones call each other brothers but at the same time some of them are really cute couples. It's making me confused.

[lothcatthree]

“Echo,” Fives says slowly, so impossibly softly, and his breath tickles the fine hairs on Echo’s earlobe, “Take my hand.”

Echo has another self-deprecating comment on his lips, but then there’s a warm, familiar hand in his and a kiss on his neck, so gentle that he feels a shiver pass through his spine.

“Alright, Fives,” Echo whispers, leaning his weight onto his lover and resting his forehead on a soft, sturdy shoulder, “Alright.”

-

The war is over, and they move on. Sometimes moving on means slow-dancing in your kitchen under the watchful eyes of your tooka.

[cloneshipping7567]

Romantic Confessions Part 8

Part 8/30

8. "I was made to love you."

Pairing: Echo x Fives

Rating/WC: T/3010

Warnings: miscommunication trope, angst with a happy ending

~~~

Here is the thing about the Domino Twins: they are simply meant to be together. Everyone who has ever met the pair acknowledges this, at least to some degree.

The Kaminoans knew it, electing to assign them to the same training squad based on how close they were when they were little. Inseparable, attached at the hip.

Captain Rex knew it, the second he laid eyes on the pair. Something in the way in which they had finished each others' sentences and thoughts, as if they shared one brain. The way they gravitated towards each other, instinctively watching each others' sixes. He had elected to adopt them both into the 501st, instead of letting Cody take one of them or leaving them at the mercy of redeployment.

Officers like General Skywalker know it. Their general had attempted only once to send them in different directions on the battlefield, before realizing how distracted they were, how instinctually their fighting style relied on having the other to watch their backs. He never separated them again after that.

When Rex had sent them to ARC training together, their commanders knew it. Every time there was a training sequence which required pairs, Echo and Fives were matched. Every time one required a group, Fives and Echo wound up in the same group. They even topped their training class together, with Echo coming first exactly one point higher than Fives.

Their brothers in their new squad knew it. Torrent Company usually goes out together, but Rex also has a squad he takes with him on every mission he can-his Lieutenant Jesse, his medic Kix, his ARCs Fives and Echo, and Hardcase, Dogma, and Tup. 

Fives is pretty sure that the entirety of Rex’s squad knows about the nature of Fives’ feelings. They all know that the Domino Twins are just a bit too close, too codependent to be a normal friendship.

He’s 100% certain that Rex knows; nothing goes over his head. He knows all.

In fact, the only person Fives isn’t decently sure is aware of his feelings is Echo himself.

Fives takes a deep breath, stomach fluttering with nerves. Tup’s earlier words from the pep talk bounce around his skull, both reminding him and encouraging him that he can do this. 

It’s Echo, Fives. He’s your best friend, he loves you in one way or the other. The worst he can do is say no.

Fives nods to himself, walking into the ARC barracks. The other 501st ARCs are deployed planet side right now, and Jesse knows about Fives’ plan. They’ll have privacy here. 

Echo is sitting at the desk they all have to share, eyes flitting between two different datapads. He looks up when the door slides closed, a small smile forming in greeting. “Hey, Fives.”

“Hey,” Fives greets, taking one last deep breath before walking over to Echo. “Whatcha doing?” 

Echo looks back to the datapads. “I’m going over the plans me and Rex came up with today, and trying to get them to fit into the current position the General has the troops in.”

Fives nods, sitting on the bunk closest to the desk. It’s moments like these when Fives is reminded how different the two are. Fives is more of an improviser, quick to think of a reliable plan in a pinch that gets everyone out alive, and usually gets the mission accomplished. He’s always been more of a ‘run head first into trouble and hope for the best’ type of trooper, and he was never one for care about the rules. It’s why he and Hardcase get along so well, most of the time. 

Echo is his polar opposite. He likes to plan ahead as far as he can, likes to come up with plans B-Z on top of it. It’s like a puzzle for Echo, one in which he is sure he can solve. And he always does; his plans are always perfect, always full proof. It’s why Rex hogs so much of Echo’s time.

“How's it going down there?” Fives asks, watching Echo’s shoulders move as he types. “Do you know when Torrent gets to go back into the action?”

Echo hums softly, typing for a few more seconds before turning to look at Fives. “It’s going great, actually. We might not need to get deployed again this campaign.”

Fives makes a face. “That means we’ll be on clean up duty,” he complains half-heartedly. 

Echo grins, cracking his neck and rolling his shoulders. “That’s what we get for being the first company deployed. We got all the fun.”

Fives pouts at him. “Not all the fun,” he argues. “I’m sure there’s plenty more fun to have down there.”

Echo shrugs. “I just sent Rex my most recent plan, and if he chooses to implement it, the planet will be won within the rotation.”

“Why wouldn't he implement it, then?” Fives asks, cocking his head to the side. 

Echo snorts, amused by the answer. “Because it requires General Skywalker to cause a distraction, and that means he won’t be there for the victory.”

Fives huffs his own amused laugh, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees. “Oh, you better have a back up plan then.”

Echo chuckles, looking over his shoulder once before turning back to Fives. “Are you hungry? I should have at least half an hour before Rex will respond. We can go to the mess hall together.”

Fives takes in a shaky breath. This is his chance. “Actually,” he starts, and clears his throat once. “Actually, I needed to talk to you about something.”

Echo gives him a reassuring smile, having sensed Fives’ nerves. “Yeah?” he encourages when Fives doesn’t elaborate. 

Fives opens his mouth, blushes and has to look away. The worst he can do is say no. He looks back to Echo, swallowing thickly. 

“It’s okay,” Echo says, scooting closer with the chair. “Whatever it is, it’s okay. Everything will be okay.”

Fives looks back at him, and finally smiles shyly. Echo is perfect, in every single way; he doesn’t need to be nervous. “It’s nothing bad,” he starts, tapping his fingers against his thigh. “Okay, I-I’m just going to say it.”

Echo nods, his own comforting smile still in place. 

Fives clears his throat, turning so his body is facing Echo. He takes one more deep breath, letting his nerves leave him on the exhale. “I have…I love you, Echo. I have feelings for you.” Fives smiles brighter, chest feeling lighter now that he’s finally admitted it to the object of his affection. Fives knows his cheeks are flushed, and his smile is wide and joyful. He lets out another shaky breath, rubbing the sweat off of his palms onto the material of his lower blacks.

Echo blinks rapidly, smile slowly disappearing off of his lips. He leans back in his chair, shaking his head as if to clear it. “What?”

Fives’ own smile falters, but he tries to stay positive. Maybe Echo is just surprised. “I’m in love with you, Echo. I’ve loved you since…I don’t even know, since forever. Since I first laid eyes on you, I think. I just, I needed to tell you. I couldn’t keep it inside me anymore.” He clears his throat, trying to smooth out his smile.

Echo frowns at him, staring with wide eyes. 

Fives shifts on the bed, his smile finally fading into nothing the longer Echo stares without saying anything. “I love you,” Fives says, softer than before. He looks around the room, unable to keep up the eye contact any longer. The worst he can do is say no.

Echo stays silent, simply staring at Fives with that same frown. It makes Fives’ stomach twist uncomfortably. He feels like he’s done irreparable damage.

“I just…I just wanted to tell you.” Fives finally looks back to Echo, squirming under the stare. He knows his voice sounds weaker, knows he looks just about as nervous as he feels.

Fives opens his mouth to say something else when Echo finally speaks. “Relationships between clones are against the reg manuals. It’s forbidden.”

Fives feels a spike of fear shoot up his spine, before he suppresses it. Echo wouldn’t report him, he just wouldn’t. Hell, Echo is aware of other clone couples, and he never reported them either. He doesn’t need to be afraid.

More than likely, he’s using the regulations as an excuse to let Fives down easy. That’s all. “It-it’s okay if you don’t feel the same way,” Fives manages, stuttering at the beginning. He searches Echo’s face, trying to read him.

Usually Echo is so easy for Fives to read. Like a book, the words written plainly in Basic on Echo’s expressions. But not now; now, he just stares at Fives with a frown firmly set in place. 

Fives can’t tell what emotions are behind Echo’s eyes. Is he angry at Fives for even suggesting it? Is he disgusted, perhaps, by the thought of his best friend thinking about him like that? Was he thinking about how to tell Fives he doesn’t want anything to do with him anymore? He’s suddenly much less sure Echo wouldn’t turn him in.

“I mean, I just…” Fives looks down at his lap, swallowing the sudden nausea rolling his stomach. He feels like he could cry. “I can just…I can go.” Silence, and Fives looks back up to Echo’s eyes, begging him to do anything. “Do you want me to go?”

Echo simply stares, frozen in whatever thoughts are going through his head. He says nothing, does nothing. Simply stares at Fives with that fucking frown.

Fives swallows thickly, standing on shaky legs. Echo follows his face, tilting his head up. So he can move, he just refuses to. “Okay,” Fives chokes, tearing his eyes away from Echo’s to stare at the floor. 

He walks to the door, hesitating once more. He turns around, and sees that Echo has once again swiveled the chair to watch Fives. The silence is suffocating, and Fives feels like he physically can’t breathe. “Okay,” Fives repeats in a whisper, unable to raise his voice much louder than that. 

He finally allows himself to submit to the urge to flee, closing the door behind him before sulking his way to the normal 501st barracks. Torrent is the only company on the ship, so it’ll be more private than it normally would be.

He walks in with his head hung, wincing at the way the room falls silent at his entrance. 

“Oh, no,” Kix says softly, standing from where he was sitting on Jesse’s bunk. 

“It didn’t go well?” Tup asks, throwing his legs over the side of his own bunk.

“Well he’s here, not with Echo,” Dogma points out, which earns him an elbow in the side from Hardcase. “What?” Dogma hisses, frowning.

“No, it didn’t,” Fives answers Tup. “It did not go well at all.”

“What happened?” Jesse asks, standing next to Kix with his arms crossed. 

Fives scratches the back of his neck, eyes glued to the floor. He feels raw, like someone carved him open and left him in a display case. “He said relationships between clones are forbidden.”

Hardcase scoffs, standing up and slapping Jesse and Kix on their shoulders playfully. “Yeah, and?” he asks, throwing his arms over their shoulders and pulling them close to his own body. “It’s not like he doesn’t know it doesn’t happen.”

Kix rolls his eyes, gently shoving Hardcase. “It’s different knowing it happens and actually breaking the rules, you know.”

“Yeah,” Dogma agrees, going to sit next to Tup. “It’s different.”

Fives shrugs, sniffling once and giving himself away for how affected he is. “You didn’t see his face. I don’t think it’s just that, I think…I think he was debating reporting me.” He ignores the gasps of surprise. “He looked…I don’t know. Disgusted, like he couldn’t…” Fives works his jaw, swallowing the lump in his throat. “I don’t think he even wants to be my friend anymore. I don’t know, I’ve never not been able to tell what he’s thinking before.”

“No way,” Tup says, standing and walking over to Fives. He puts a hand on Fives’ shoulder, squeezing gently. “He’s your best friend. Even though he doesn’t feel the same way, there’s no way he’s just going to avoid you forever. He’ll miss you too much.”

Fives winces, hearing the words out loud. Even though he doesn’t feel the same way. It stings, like salt in an open wound. “If he doesn’t report me,” Fives mumbles.

“Who’s he going to report you to?” Jesse argues. “Rex? Skywalker? Both of them have no room to judge you for your choice in partner, and they both love you anyway. He won’t be able to do shit to you.” 

Fives looks up at that, face twisted in pain. “The fact that he wants to get me decommissioned would still hurt, Jesse.”

“You don’t know he does,” Kix argues. “All he did was point out the rules. That doesn’t automatically mean he wants to do anything about it.”

Hardcase nods along. “Yeah, maybe he was just in shock. People say weird things when they panic.” 

Fives shrugs again. “Maybe.” Tup’s hand falls down his arm and squeezes his wrist, and Fives lets out a shaky breath. “Let’s just…let’s just go get some food. I don’t really want to think about it anymore.”

They’re about to head down to the mess hall when the door slides open, and Echo stands in the way, eyes wide. “Oh,” he gasps out, stumbling back a step. 

Fives swallows thickly, crossing his arms over his stomach as if to hold himself together. 

Jesse clears his throat. “We’re going down to the mess hall,” he says, a bit too loudly to be casual. “Do you mind…?” he motions for Echo to move.

Echo steps out of the way, eyes locked on Fives. “Fives, can I speak with you for a minute?”

Fives sighs internally, but nods before anyone can answer for him. He’d rather get this over with, whatever this is about to be. “I’ll meet you guys down there,” Fives mumbles. 

Jesse hesitates, looking about ready to tell Echo off. But Kix gently nudges him, and he lets out an annoyed sigh. “Yeah, we’ll save you a seat Fives.”

The others file out slowly, Tup giving one more sad look over his shoulder. Echo steps into the now empty barracks, letting the door swish shut behind him.

The silence is back, and Fives shifts uneasily. When it’s gone on long enough he can’t stand it, he finally looks up with a vulnerable expression. “Are you going to report me?” he asks, more just to say something at all.

Echo’s face screws up in appalled surprise, immediately shaking his head. “Of course not,” Echo rushes to reassure. “You could commit treason and I wouldn’t report you, Fives.”

Fives cracks a sad smile, relaxing again. At least Echo wouldn’t want him to get decommissioned. “Okay,” he says. “That’s good.”

“I didn’t mean to scare you, I just-I was just-I was just…” Echo looks away, eyes darting around the room. “I was just saying what…what I’ve been telling myself.”

Fives blinks, head cocking slightly to the side in confusion. “Huh?”

Echo takes a deep breath, before he’s suddenly in Fives’ space. Fives’ eyes widen, and he gasps in a breath at the sudden closeness. “Fives, I have been telling myself that relationships between clones are forbidden to keep myself in line. Because…because I…I’ve loved you since we were decanted. I’ve wanted you since I knew what loving someone was. But I was so scared of losing you, of scaring you away, that I shoved it all down so I could keep you as my best friend.”

Fives’ eyes widen in shock with every sentence, his arms falling slack at his sides. “You…what?”

Echo smiles, and it lights up his whole entire face like the beautiful sun that he is. He grabs one of Fives’ hands, interlacing their fingers. “Fives, I do feel the same way. I’m sorry I froze. I just…I was made to love you. It’s the reason I’m alive, it’s my purpose every day. I wasn’t born to be a soldier or tactician, I was born to love you. I’m in love with you too, Fives.”

Fives stares in shock for just a moment, caught off guard by the sudden 180. But then his face breaks out in a smitten grin, and he pulls Echo’s hand in his own to his lips, kissing the knuckles softly. “You gave me a kriffing heart attack, Echo.”

Echo barks out a laugh, a small blush painting his cheeks. “I know, I’m sorry. I panicked.”

Fives shakes his head fondly, letting out a shaky breath. “You can make it up to me,” he teases cockily, feeling much more like himself again.

Echo’s eyes light up with mischief, his free hand cupping the back of Fives’ neck. “Oh, I can? Do you have any ideas on how I should go about it?”

Fives hums playfully, pretending to think. “Oh, I have a few ideas…” he leans forward, connecting their foreheads softly. “You could start by kissing me.”

Echo gives a playfully long suffering sigh, eyes dropping to Fives’ lips. “I guess, if I have to,” he murmurs. He waits for Fives to chuckle breathily before leaning in and connecting their lips, feather light. 

Fives gasps into the kiss, feeling like everything in the entire universe simply slid into place all at once. The phrase I was made to love you suddenly makes so much karking sense. The kiss feels like everything from before this moment was just exposition, just setting up for the moment their lips finally connected. 

Fives pulls away, all witty remarks kissed out of his brain. “Oh,” he whispers, his own free hand resting on Echo’s waist. 

Echo laughs breathlessly, smile wide. “There’s more where that came from,” he whispers, and his breath ghosts over Fives’ lips. 

Fives hums, deciding he would rather kiss Echo again than respond.

[anstarwar]

Squad #11: CloneShipping Big Bang Sneak Peek

I'm so very excited to share this sneak peak on behalf of me and my awesome fantastic lovely teammates @catbuir @elsaanna007 and @mock-arts! We've had a blast working on this and can't wait for everyone to see it.

For now here's a little sneak peek, with the full story to be posted in April!

@cloneshippingbigbang

Title: So There's This Guy Authors: @catbuir (Ao3) and @elsaanna007 (Ao3) Artists: @mock-arts (Ao3) and @anstarwar (Ao3)

Rating: E, 18+ Word Count: 75,000+ Pairings: Echo x Fives Tags: cloneship, cloneshipping, Echo/Fives, friends to lovers, nsfw, mutual pining, first kiss, first time, masturbation, oral sex, orgasm delay/denial, smut, explicit sexual content, hand jobs, sexual tension, resolved sexual tension, clone trooper culture, clone troopers deserve better

Summary:

The war is over!

Jesse, Kix, Echo and Fives live together in an apartment on Coruscant. 

Echo finds himself in a new romance with a beautiful woman named Hehna. After finding himself lacking in experience, Fives offers to help him out with advice and practice.

Unfortunately for Fives, this awakens some feelings he thought were buried deep and he doesn’t know what to do about them. He decides to put them aside and be happy that Echo has found someone.

Fives’ advice does help Echo become more confident with his new girlfriend, but something is holding him back. His thoughts keep returning to his best friend and he’s not the only one who notices.

Will Fives keep his role as the best friend, or will Echo realize that his attraction to Hehna pales in comparison to his feelings for Fives?

Snippet below the cut:

Fives watched his best friend’s eyes, his stomach twisting in on itself at the way they lingered on his lips as he slotted his face in closer and closer. He closed his eyes - when he was sure that there would be no more sudden movements - and nearly sighed in relief when he felt the slight brush of Echo’s lips against his.

His fingers tightened of their own accord, digging into the muscle just above Echo’s hips, wanting so badly to pull him in closer and deepen the kiss, but his mind thankfully resisted, insisting again that the purpose of this kiss was just a simple tutorial.

“Touch me,” Fives murmured against the soft but barely moving lips against his own.

Echo’s mouth froze even as he shifted on his feet. Fives could tell he was hesitating. He could practically feel Echo overthinking everything, so he tipped his head slightly and pulled Echo’s lower lip between his and sucked gently. He felt a hot puff of air escape Echo’s nose seconds before tentative fingers traced his cheek.

The touch felt painfully reverent and it sent shivers through his system, desires for things he shouldn’t be wanting beginning to take shape in his chest. He hummed encouragingly and pulled back just enough to separate their lips so he could focus. 

He’d intended to offer a compliment for Echo’s swift mastery of that first technique. He had planned on going over some suggestions on what to try next and maybe stressing the importance of taking things slow and enjoying it. He’d expected questions. He’d predicted some degree of self doubt or second guessing.

The one thing he hadn’t anticipated was Echo chasing his lips, the smooth and almost sure way he cocked his head to the side and sealed their mouths together once more. This time, he mimicked Fives’ kiss so perfectly that he couldn’t help but part his lips and swipe his tongue tentatively across Echo’s bottom lip. That move must have spurred Echo into motion, though, because almost immediately he felt Echo’s tongue slip between his lips quickly. Too quickly.

Fives squeezed Echo’s hips, reluctantly breaking the kiss before Echo could attempt to take things any further. He felt the body tense beneath his fingers and he lifted one hand quickly to cover Echo’s where it still rested on his cheek. He guided Echo’s palm to slide sensually over his skin, curling his fingers carefully between those of his best friend and leading him down, past the stubble of his jaw and the scratchy cut of his goatee until it landed on the side of his neck.

“Easy… okay?” He opened his eyes just far enough to see Echo nod in understanding. “Now, deepen the kiss. Gently.”

Echo swallowed, his throat bobbing as his tongue darted out to wet his lips and Fives almost moaned at the sight.

“Lead the kiss, but let yourself react to my touch as well,” he whispered.

Echo’s eyes slipped shut as he leaned in and brushed their lips together with an ease that definitely hadn’t been there before. There was a new sense of confidence rippling through Echo this time and Fives felt a surge of pride that he seemed to have already mastered this part of the lesson at least. Not that it really surprised him. This was Echo after all. He’d always been a fast learner.

[kartaylirnaak]

Kinktober 2024 Day 4

Prompt: Knotting

Echo/Fives

Explicit, No Archive Warnings

Tags: Knotting, omegaverse, bickering, Fives Lives AU, Alpha Top Echo, Omega Bottom Fives, light angst (but only very light, really this is just ~500 words of Echo and Fives sassing each other)

Summary: They might be stuck here for a while but Fives can still have a little fun to pass the time.