#I love the grumpy battlemaster

[acradelius]

Request incoming, hope this is okay! Could I ask for something with Wrex and an AFAB human reader with scenario prompts 3. 34, and 40? I’m so soft for this grumpy Krogan and want him to have the love he rightfully deserves. Thank you so much! ❤️

"It's Always Been You"

Fandom: Mass Effect (Series)

Pairing: Urdnot Wrex ("Krogan Battlemaster") x AFAB! Reader

Rating: Lime [🟢] - (Equivalent to PG-13)

Prompt(s): #3 - "You know I have feelings for you." / #34 - "It's always been you." / #40 - "I thought you didn't want me."

Warnings/Mention Ofs: Mass Effect - Shepard Saves Wrex During Virmire: Assault Mission, Therefore Story Takes Place During Mass Effect 2 After Shepard Recruits Grunt And Reader, Human! AFAB! Engineer! Reader, Reader Is Mentioned As Biologically/Anatomy Female, They/Them Pronouns Are Used For Reader Though, Mentions of Shepard's Death, Prior History Mentioned Between Wrex And Reader But Not In Full Detailing, Extraterrestrial Interspecies Relationship, Alien x Human In General, Krogan x Human, Mention of Human x Drell (Not Reader), Mention of Human x Android (Not Reader Either) Not Your Average Love Confession, Mention Of The Word Pussy - Meant In A Sexual Way (Not Reader), Wrex's Jealousy Towards Garrus's Behavior Towards Reader If You Squint, Mention Of The Words Dick And Cock - (Not Necessarily In A Sexual Way), Open Ending

Word Count: 2,863 Words

Taglist: @masterofpuns

The sudden, unexpected death of Commander Shepard was definitely an unfortunate, despairing tragedy, especially for those who worked alongside the commander upon the infamous SSV Normandy. It had been such a devastating loss, especially with the conflict amongst the crew and those that considered themselves close to Shepard of what should be done or what should be said next. While some wanted to investigate further into the death, moreso Joker since he had been on the Normandy whenever having been attacked by the unknown vessel, and then there was some who figured that despite how upsetting the event might be, it just so happens to be a part of life, and that includes losing people that you come to care about. Slowly, but surely, the crew had begun to disperse, each going their own separate ways to continue living their own lives.

Mostly everyone was reassigned to some different crew or some sort of mission. 

Others, such as Garrus, seemingly had disappeared to who knows where to go to do who knows what. 

Then, there was him. 

“Where are you planning on going now? Since we’ve lost Shepard.. and now the whole galaxy is going to shit..” Despite that it was technically considered “middle of the day” upon the Citadel, the loss of Shepard had left a void within the local people of having a somewhat peaceful future without the lingering threat of the Reapers, there weren't many people out and about. Maybe some were in some personal space of theirs trying to figure out how to cope with the loss while others were hiding away and spouting off how it was now going to be the end of the galaxy. Well, those feelings didn’t necessarily apply for this outlandish duo, leaning against the balcony railing to one of the upper floors of the citadel, watching the few beings below scurry by. 

Urdnot Wrex, who was better known for being a famed Krogan mercenary and bounty hunter, but also being one of the last remaining Krogan Battlemasters around. A long-lived Krogan who has become cranky and thick-hided throughout the various adventures of his chosen path of violence and killing for credits. Not that he needed them really, but it was something valuable to have on hand, especially for his lesser species companion, (Y/N) (L/N). Biologically considered a woman, a human woman at that, who had been spending most of their time as an Engineer fixing various things up amongst that shithole known at Omega, and then spent their free time studying and experimenting with various types of medicine. Well, that’s what they had been up to until Wrex had figured out that they had some information and possible whereabouts of a target he had been searching for due to a bounty. Throughout hardships and violence, and then having given their fair share of blood and sweat (and some tears from the both of them, yet we all know that will be kept off the books) the two individuals became quite the duo. A grumpy, cranky Krogan and his somewhat optimistic, vivacious human. 

It doesn’t go unnoticed by (Y/N), how Wrex proceeds to keep his vision focused upon something within the distance and then his momentarily lack of response.

“..There’s some things that require my attention back on Tuchanka-” 

“-So we’re going to Tuchanka then. Going to need quite a bit of sup-”“-You won’t be going, (Y/N). You’ll be staying here..” 

There couldn’t be any way that he had just told them that they would be staying behind, considering that they’ve practically gone everywhere together since their first encounter with each other. While there’s a moment of silence that lingers between them, (Y/N) couldn’t help but to turn their head slightly to attempt to study the Krogan, as if they would be able to penetrate that thick skull of his and read his thoughts.

“You keep staring at me and I’ll have to hang you upside down from the top of the Citadel,” Wrex nonchalantly responds as he proceeds to push himself away from the balcony and turns to face (Y/N) who continues to look at him in confusion. He knew that there would probably be some resistance about his statement, but at that moment he knew that it was the best thing for the both of them. “We’ve been through some tough shit together, no doubt about that- but, Tuchanka is something else, (Y/N). Something else that your kind isn’t necessarily ready to deal with for a long term experience..” It’s not that Wrex didn’t believe that they wouldn’t be able to hold their own, especially with the fame and power that he happened to have amongst the other Krogan on Tuchanka, but if something- just anything bad- was to happen to (Y/N), Wrex wouldn’t be able to forgive himself and therefore decided that the best thing for them would be for them not to go with him. Not this time. Yet, not that he would tell them the true reasoning why. 

“You don’t think that the other Krogan or whatever won’t take one look at me, realize how much of a badass I am, and then just run away and cower in fear?” (Y/N) presents their words with a teasing tone while moving their hands to place firmly upon their hips. Of course they knew that essentially a couple Krogan would be pretty easy to handle, but a whole planet of Krogan? Yeah, that would definitely be a different story. A soft sigh of defeat leaves (Y/N)’s, knowing that ultimately they weren’t going to be able to deter Wrex from his choice. Wrex lets out a soft chuckle, shaking his head slightly while lifting up one of his hands to somewhat roughly pat the top of (Y/N)’s head. “With all due time, (Y/N). With all due time..”  

‘..With all due time..’ 

Who would’ve thought that “with all due time” would’ve been almost two and a half years later? 

Things had been going particularly well for those first couple of months after Wrex had departed to go deal with whatever it was that he had to deal with back on Tuchanka, leaving (Y/N) behind to deal with mundane events or short-lived jobs. They would spend whatever time that they could chatting with each other through emails, watching clips of stupid or funny things that they had come across, or even just sitting there for a couple of hours on a video call talking about whatever thoughts had eventually crossed their minds. Well, not every thought that had crossed their minds. Fear and anxiety consistently won over courage whenever it came to expressing those thoughts, especially with how things had been going those days. 

Yet, hours turned into days.. 

..and those days began to turn into weeks.. 

..eventually those weeks into months.. 

As time continued to pass, increasing the time it had been since they last saw each other, the communication between the both of them had begun to diminish. Apologies to each other, stating that either work or personal matters had gotten in the way and were disrupting their schedule of catching up with each other, until it had slowly dissolved into absolutely no communication at all. Not that there had been any arguments between the two of them, nothing that would cause them to harbor negative feelings towards each other. It had just been.. life. Two different people- two different species, two whole different sets of responsibilities and priorities, especially whenever there was the distance of being on different parts of the Milky Way between them. Just more time to find other things to occupy those once precious and special times. 

That had been the usual routine before one lonesome night after having a few drinks by themself that (Y/N) happens to open their door to find a once deceased Shepard standing there, Garrus on one side of her and some seemingly young Krogan on the other side of her. Long story short, Shepard had been through the “Lazarus Project” through Cerberus and had been informed that the Reaper threat was back once again, and Shepard was currently forming her team. While she was there to recruit the Engineer to continue fighting the war against the Reapers, Shepard was also there in hopes that (Y/N) would have some knowledge on Wrex’s whereabouts to help solve some issues that the young Krogan seemed to be having. 

Tuchanka. It wasn’t necessarily surprising to figure out that Wrex had been residing amongst Tuchanka this whole time considering that it technically was the homeworld of his species and he had spent this whole time worrying and trying to figure out a better future for the Krogan, trying to deal with their breeding complications due to the genophage. Yet, being able to physically see him for the first time in two-and-a-half years, sitting upon that makeshift throne of crumbled and fallen concrete rubble, looking over the fellow Krogan that were most likely doing various things in order to establish whatever tasks Wrex wanted completed.. (Y/N) couldn’t help that lurching feeling within their chest, those memories of late nights sitting around some campfire or in some dingy hotel room coming back to mind like wiping away dust from an almost forgotten book that’s been sitting on the shelf for a little too long now. With those familiar crimson eyes finally making contact with their own, (Y/N)’s heart seemingly lurching within their chest, and a singular thought that maybe Wrex was thinking those same, similar memories.

Grunt’s initiation mission of surviving the Thresher Maw to be able to join the ranks of the Urdnot Clan had gone quite well, and ultimately caused a celebration to take place since Grunt decided to one-up Wrex and successfully killed the Thresher Maw as well. It doesn’t take much more than a couple of drinks for (Y/N) to decide that it was best for them to take a break from the celebration, finding themself sitting upon some rubble some distance away, eyes gazing to the stars that lingered within the night sky above. Quite a peaceful moment until it had been interrupted by the soft sound of a grunt, causing (Y/N) to turn their head towards the source, the source causing a grin to form upon their lips. “Oh, no. Mr. Urdnot Wrex, sir. I swear I’m not slacking from my duties.” They reply with a snort, watching as the Krogan heaved himself up to the empty spot on the rubble next to (Y/N) while shaking his head in amusement. “As long as you don’t tell the others that I’m also not slacking from my duties as well, then we can keep this as our little secret.” 

From that moment and forth on, it was as if there hadn’t been a two and a half separation between them besides some minor things. There were various, new battle scars upon Wrex’s hide while those slight wrinkles and creases from scowling due to stress were more prominent on (Y/N)’s face. More physical changes than anything, really. They went back to reminiscing on memories from their younger days or how if they could go back in time they would’ve harassed a bounty target for much longer. How they should’ve taken that one individual up on the selling of some property on a foreign planet long ago for how cheap it would’ve been compared to prices these days, and let’s not forget to add being a menace to the local population of course. Eventually memories transitioned into talking about the present, how much or how little some of the members from the original Normandy had changed, and even some of the relationships that had formed from it. 

“-So, yeah. Android, or whatever you wanna call it, robotic pussy is the only thing Joker’s hitting right now. Shepard’s been talking to someone on the Normandy, apparently he’s a.. Drell? Anyways, then Garrus-” 

“-You and Vakarian, huh?” 

There’s an audible gagging sound that emits from (Y/N)’s lips and softly echoes in the area around them. Not necessarily loud enough to capture the attention of the others who were still celebrating away, and would probably end up drinking themselves blacked-out drunk. Their eyebrows are furrowed in not only some amusement, but in disbelief as well. Wrex was thinking that there was something going on between them and Garrus? What exactly had led to that? Okay, yeah. Considering that there weren't as many original Normandy crew members around, and Wrex wasn’t tagging along either, (Y/N) and Garrus’s friendship had become more apparent, but it was definitely nothing romantically inclined. Definitely, absolutely not. 

“You think that there’s something going on between Garrus and I?” 

“..been looking at you all weirdly, eyes narrowed-” 

“-Wrex,” 

“-then he’s always flaring those mandibles of his whenever he sees you holding that fancy sniper-” 

“-Hey, Knucklehead!-” 

“-Then he’s always puffing out his chest and huffing every time that he’s near you-”

“-Urdnot Wrex, if you do not shut up and let me explain, I will be carving that makeshift throne of yours into a dick.” 

That was enough of a threat to cause the Krogan to finally shut his mouth, but not before letting out a low-rumbling growl. Not that he would necessarily bring (much) harm to his companion, as a matter of fact it was quite the opposite. It was more that the last thing that the Krogan needed was the clans of Krogan getting word that his throne was now some monstrosity of a cock, and he’d become something of a laughing stock. 

“There's absolutely nothing going on between Garrus and I. There never has been, and there never will be. He’s just waiting for the perfect opportunity to curb stomp my ass for making fun of his shit sniping skills.” (Y/N) couldn’t help but to let out a snarky laugh as they proceeded to recall the memory, but it was short lived as there was a more important issue at hand. Wrex had thought that they were romantically involved with someone, when it was the complete opposite. 

Was he not able to see the devotion- the loyalty- that they had for him? How (Y/N) would drop anything and give up everything just to be by his side? Did Wrex not even think about how much turmoil they had been in having been separated from him this long- especially with having little to no contact? Was Wrex not able to notice how his mere presence not only affected them physically, but also emotionally and mentally as well? During their time together (Y/N) had found themself gravitating towards being around Wrex, feeling not only safe, but also comfortable. (Y/N)’s thoughts transitioning into not about what they were truly thinking, but what he might be thinking, how he might be feeling, how or what they could do in order to make sure that he was at least in a content mood. How whenever he would accidentally brush up against them, or even purposely grab ahold of their arm to drag them away from the midst of battle or something that he wasn’t enjoying, it would cause a warmth to spread throughout them and all they could do was crave more. Crave more of one thing, crave more of many things, to crave more of it all. 

Even wanting a romantically inclined future with Wrex. 

“-You know I have feelings for you, Wrex.” 

Finally. 

There’s relief at finally having gotten the long awaited confession off of their chest, a shaky breath also escaping past their lips, but it’s not too long before an anxiety begins to settle in at Wrex’s silence. 

Had it been the wrong time for the confession? 

Had it been the wrong place for the confession? 

Had it-

“-I thought you didn’t want me.” 

The way that their body scooches across the few rocks between them to be close to him, pressing their side against his own, head moving to rest against the bicep of his armor- it’s almost like (Y/N)’s body was on autopilot. Numerous thoughts flooding their mind, eyebrows knitting together in confusion. 

“It’s always been you.” 

Confusion begins to slowly diffuse and turn into slight amusement, a small smile spreading across (Y/N)’s lips. 

“It’s always been you, it’ll always be you. You’re absolutely insane if you think I would prefer to be with anyone else after everything that we’ve been through together.” 

Wrex couldn’t help but chuckle after grumbling something incoherent underneath his breath. Probably something self-deprecating, but if (Y/N) were to ask the Krogan would probably just place the blame on some unknown Salarian. 

“Yeah, you’re right..” 

Of course.

Of course they were right. (Y/N) was always right. 

“So, what now?” (Y/N) questions, leaning their head back slightly to look at Wrex, an eyebrow raising. 

“How about-” Wrex begins to respond, lifting his arm up and moving it around (Y/N) bringing them to rest against him. “-we see about maybe you getting to stay here on Tuchanka after all?” 

[kiwikipedia]

Hello again! Glad to see someone remember Cin Drallig exists! The poor Battlemaster could use some more content in the fandom :D Anyway what made you interesting in using him for your incorrect quotes and stuff and do you have any headcanons for him? Also will his Padawan Serra Keto from the old Revenge of the Sith video game be making any appearances in your work with Cin?

I LOVE CIN? HE’S JUST??? A CHARM??? ONE GRUFF, ANGY BOY FOR ME?? Cin easily makes my top 10 list of Jedi. Serra actually has shown up briefly in my Wolffepack Against Child Abuse Modern Star Wars AU in the second installment alongside Bene! 

ANYWAYS YOU ASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE HEADCANONS:

• Cin never got along with Qui-Gon Jinn, despite having an OK relationship with Dooku. The two of them clashed over a lot of things, and Cin specifically warned Yoda about Qui-Gon when he was pushing for Obi-wan to be his padawan. The two’s fights escalated to blows during and after Melida/Daan.

• Cin practically raised Kit, and as such, Kit looks up to him like an older brother-slash-father. Kit often comes to him still if he needs advice. Cin called him a clown when he came searching for courting advice.

• He also helped out with Bant and Nahdar when he could, and was the one who finished up Nahdar’s padawanship when Kit was called to the front lines.

• Despite the stories the Padawans tell the Initiates , though, Cin’s only strict and gruff when the kids have sabers in hand. Afterwards, he’s always willing to listen to their problems. Though he’s a bit shit at giving them good advice. It’s the thought that counts.

• Cin isn’t a master at all Saber Forms  in the same sense as those who master one form— such as Mace with Vaapad or Kit with Shii-Cho— but he is insanely dangerous since he can easily slip in and out of saber forms mid combat. Repeatedly.

• Not to say that he’s not a master in every form, because he is. but those who specialize in one form only take it a step up.

• Kit Fisto, Plo Koon, Agen Kolar, and Shaak Ti are his usual duel-mates, the five of them absolutely going feral when they’re out of sight of younglings and padawans because it gets dangerous. Cin throws lightsabers. It always freaks Kit out, though he should be used to it.

• Speaking of which, Cin’s a fantastic marksman and has a crazy throwing arm. Someone once asked him what kind of Saber Style it was and he just flatly responded “the Keeping Master Fisto Out Of Trouble” style.

• But yeah, the duels between Cin and any of those four get intense. Most duels between him and any of the masters get intense, though. It’s a good way to test one’s skills.

• He’s literally so indifferent to the nickname “the Troll” that the Order has given him, it’s hilarious. Some Initiate tried to use it as an insult to him and he basically just went “Okay, and?”

• Cin always carries more than one lightsaber on his body at one time. His usual, green one, two yellow shoto, and a blue saber-staff.

• He’s one of the best to go to if you have questions about lightsabers, since he works with them so much. He’s the one who builds all of the training ones, after all.

• He casually refers to the Temple Guards as his “kids”, which is why he’s friends with Plo. 

• During the Clone Wars the two would just go “how are your kids” “doing fine, and yours?” “Also well” 

• He also loves Bene and Serra as his own daughters , along with Whie as a son, as well, despite the boy not being his Padawan

• very much the type of dry-wit humor person. Deadpan snarker. It’s hard to tell if he’s joking if you don’t know him.

• He states that he’ll never get used to the strength of non-humans, as he’s been quite literally thrown by Shaak Ti, Eeth Koth, and Agen Kolar both in duels and on the few missions outside the Temple he’s done.

• Cin suggested that the clones should be trained in saber-work and offered to do it himself. It was put on the back burner, though the few times he’s not in the Temple and down in the Barracks, he’s offered to train the troopers there. Some, like the Commanders and a few ARCs took him up on the offer. And then realized the reason why some Jedi grimaced when his name was mentioned.

• Fives will forever say that ARC training was easier than Saber training with Cin. Battlemaster was a name well earned. Cin then told them the reason he was so hard on them was because he was cut for time, the Clones didn’t have years between leave to learn Saber Forms, so tuck your damn elbows in and adjust your feet, Hardcase.

• Surprising no one, the 104th and 91th troops picked it up faster than the others. Because of course the two would teach their men saberskills on the field. So Cin stepped up the difficulty level. It was fun— for him at least. 

• On that note, Cin suggests that maybe Wolffe should learn Vaapad from Mace and Shii-Cho from Kit when the war’s over. No risk of falling to the dark but he’d have all the unpredictability and speed from both forms.

• He considers the Coruscant Guard to be like his “nephews” in arms, since their job is similar to that of the Temple Guard— and he knows that when both groups can, the two Guard groups get to gether down at 79s for drinks and fun.

• Debated giving Fox and the CG shotos for protection, but eventually decided against it. (Which is a shame.)

• He’s very easy to fluster under that hard exerior and when he’s not teaching or fighting, something that— and here’s where my own personal ships come in and I apologize if this isn’t your cup of tea— Shaak Ti and Saesee Tiin take full advantage of. Shaak teases him relentlessly when she can. Calls him cute and just? He’s CG paint red. “I’m what” “You hard me” “hhhhhhhhh” 

• Saesee just. Picks him up from time to time? Easiest way to fluster him, just pick him up and he shuts up. Cin.exe has stopped working.

• A personal headcanon of mine that disregards canon, from what I know, is that the reason Cin couldn’t beat Vader was because he could quite literally feel the deaths of everyone in the Temple, and outside of it. With so many of his students, friends, and family dying, he was off kilter and easier to kill.

[jedimasteramell]

Three Ways To Say I Love You

Happy RP-nniversary to my dear @uldren-sov. Its been so amazing and I’m beyond appreciative of every story and moment that we’ve had together, and for all my words I can’t explain just how much all of this has meant to me, how much I’ve enjoyed it all, and how awesome it is to have you as a friend. Thank you so much <3

Original Characters // SFW // SWTOR

-------------------

i. Daya & Tal

Daya nursed her cup of caf and blinked slowly out across the pinks and purple dudes of a spring Tatooine sunrise. Not yet did she allow the plans for the day to run amok in her head, rather, she savored the freshly-bought beans, the cool scent of the air filter, and the soft beating of foot prints that could only belong to one person.

Wrapping his arms around her, Talcyn rested his head on her shoulder with a yawn, content to return to sleeping right then and there. “You get up too early.” Sleepily, he whined, burying his face into the crook of her neck. 

“Oh habits are hard to break, sleepyhead.” Affectionately, she pressed a kiss into his auburn hair. “Kids more so than military training.”

He huffed in response, muffled by the soft skin of her neck. Tal ran his hands along her waist and down her arms, stealing away the mug of caf. He took a sip over her shoulder, and made a face. She laughed as she took it back from him. 

“Too much sugar?” She teased.

Tal brushed his fingers past her navel, rolling his head back to look her in the eye; gold like the sands in the sunlight meeting the first pale blue light of morning. “I don’t know how you drink that,”

“I can make you a cup.” Daya started to move away but Tal held her fast, and they both watched the twin suns rise up over the horizon. 

“Did you know I’d basically fallen in love with you by the time we left Coruscant?” Tal said, a loving whisper in her ear bearing the comfort of years of companionship.

“So you like to say.” She smiled, and careful of her horns, leaned her head against his. They were quiet a minute more.

“Hey Tal?” 

“Yes love?” 

“Thanks.” With a murmur, Daya set her mug down, laying her arms over his, basking in the low light and their love.

“You’ll have to be more specific.” He smiled and pressed a kiss to her neck. “What about?”

“For coming to talk to me, offer your help, all those years ago on Ord Mantel.” Ever the romantic, she sighed dreamily, snuggling back into his embrace. “I dont know where I’d be without you that day.”

“Well not at home with such a handsome husband and beautiful family. A far more average looking one, most like.” He huffed at the humorous and ludicrous thought: he’d always be Daya’s, and her always his.

Daya laughed, shielding her eyes as the light flooded their little kitchen. “Love you too.”

ii. Astra & Cael

It’d been a long time since Cael had figured to call himself a jedi. Once he was more Sith he supposed, but now, now he was simply himself, at his own peace and balance. 

And with Astra, always with Astra. 

He broke his casual meditation to steal a glance at the darling woman fiing her jewelry in the mirror by the refresher. Even traveling the galaxy as artifact hunters, or well, an overeager archaeologist and her partner the bodyguard, Astra kept herself in beautiful shape, fierce and stunning as much in battle or in an excavation as she did dressed up for a party, or just waking up on their ship. He caught the flash of the worn gold wedding band, and his heart hopped with pleasure. 

Feeling him down their bond, one more pronounced and lasting than the metal ring on her finger, she turned and smiled, narrowing her bright yellow eyes as she sauntered over, well aware at how much he appreciated the sway of her hips. 

“You can touch too if you want.” She teased, stepping up behind him, tilting his head back with both hands to kiss him upside down. 

“You’re insatiable.” A charming and lazy grin split his lips, and he blinked at her affectionately.

“And you’ve had so much practice now, You’ve gotten immeasurably better.” She matched his expression with a wicked grin of her own, playfulness sparking through her eyes. 

Cael groaned, and a blush reached his cheeks before he could stop himself. “That’s true, but honestly Astra, you can’t judge me so harshly, you were my first after all.”

“I try and forget about it.” She grimaced good-naturedly, but there remained a kernel of truth there. Stars he’d been really bad at well.... everything. 

If only to dispel his embarrassment, Cael huffed a laugh and turned, so, still on his knees, he faced Astra, his hands on the back of her legs. “Thank you.” 

“You dont have to thank me for touching me darling, as potent as I am.” She responded wryly, running her scarlet fingers through his dark hair. Cael continued smiling, their banter was half the fun.

“Thank you for staying, when I gave you every reason not to ever trust me again.” 

Her toying expression softened, he’d never stop punishing himself. Maybe that was unnecessary, but it remained proof of his conviction. She knew the truth, could sense it intrinsically in the connection between them. “Thank you for giving me reasons not to.”

iii Azred & Jac

Jac hit the ground with a cloud of dust and an ‘oof’.

His training saber spun away from him across the dirt, as he sensed Azred’s slow prowl come to a halt several paces from him. Jac felt worry, and then humor when he gave the other jedi a cheeky grin, coming off his partner, and readily accepted the hand that he sensed offered.

‘You alright?’ Azred’s thought stole his attention from whatever the older master was saying to the assembled group.

‘Seems like were back to being even.’ Jac rolled his shoulders nonchalantly, amused at Az’s stray reaction to his dust covered robes. 

‘No Im definitely up by one now.’ Az shot back, ‘I beat you also back when we were at that conference on Corellia.’ 

‘Beating me when I didn’t know we were dueling doesn’t count.’ Jac protested in thought.

“Tal’zayor, Lenn. Are you two paying any attention to what Im saying?” The sharp tone of the Battlemaster, punctured the private conversation between the two young knights. Az at least had the deference to look ashamed. 

“We were Master, I apologize on behalf of my friend here.” Azred quickly replied with a nod of defference.

‘Kiss-ass.’

‘Just an ass.’

Unaware of the boy’s private conversation, the older Jedi continued addressing the assembled padawans. “As I was saying, if we examine Knight Lenn’s form you can clearly see....” 

Yawn! Already, Jac tuned him back out, getting a small sense of shame for the act, not sure if it was from Azred, or simply Az’s influence on him. 

‘You really should be paying attention, he’s making some good points about your balance.’ Az scolded him mentally again.

‘Yes, master, of course master, I’ll do better next time master.’ If there weren’t other’s around, Jac would have flourished to complete his exaggeration. He felt Az hold back a laugh. 

‘You’re just grumpy because you’re hungry.’ Even as a thought, Jac picked up the amusement and affection in Az’s voice. About to protest, his stomach rumbled. Azred actually laughed. 

“Im sure Ive missed the joke,” The master turned towards the two of them, the picture of sternness and patience, a balance jac had never managed to find “Just what was so funny?”

“Sorry master, it was me.” Cutting off Az, Jac offered a deeper bow than Az had earlier. “It’s nothing you said, Im just... hungry.”

Jac couldn’t see, but he liked to imagine the old jedi rolled his eyes. “Fine fine.” Came the good-natured response, “Class is dismissed, lets all find something to eat before Jacoac here faints from lack of lunch.”With a murmur of chuckles at Jac’s expense, the cluster of padawans broke off, following the familiar path back to the temple. 

As the group left, Jac tried to elbow Az, missing mostly, but the point got across. ‘You're welcome.’ After so long, thought-sharing came with far more instinct than speaking aloud did.

A surge of affection and teasing rushed down the bond, wrapping around Jac as assuredly as if he’d stepped into a sunbeam and Az had embraced him simultaneously. What a pleasure it was to know they had each other. ‘Whatever would I do without your quick thinking?’ Az hummed absently, and in their privacy, dared an arm across Jac’s shoulder’s pulling the taller man close. ‘Im glad you're here.’ 

Jac left Az to imagine that, flushing with the warmth of the contact, ‘Glad to be so.’