#arc trooper echo x y/n

[mori-does-sw]

CLONE CRUSHES: TORRENT COMPANY

PAIRING \ Torrent Company x GN!Reader (Rex, Fives, Echo, Kix, Hardcase, Jesse, Tup) SYNOPSIS \ How the troopers of Torrent Company act when they have a crush on you. WARNING(S) \ None AUTHOR'S NOTE \ This took me an insanely long time to finish, but here we are! Yes, the Mon Gala is a reference to the Met Gala. I am inordinately proud of it.

CAPTAIN REX

Rex is awkward—awkward around you when he realizes how strong his feelings are and awkward doing anything about it. He does more fumbling than flirting in the beginning, stuck in his head and panicking about it, but he gets more comfortable over time.

Give him a break, he’s doing his best.

Despite being standoffish in his affections, Rex is a gentleman and he’ll prove it to you in a million little actions. When you’re commuting through Coruscant, he’ll always walk on the side of you closest to traffic. If there aren’t enough seats of everyone at a group gathering, he would immediately get up and give you his. The second that you admit to being cold, he’s giving you some of his spare blacks.

Speaking of letting you borrow his clothes… seeing you wearing them for the first time almost breaks his brain. He just stands there and stares at you, eyes wide and head buzzing. All he can think about is how karking gorgeous you are, and how he can get you to replace your entire wardrobe with his stuff.

Later, he tells you that you can “just keep it”, and that he has plenty of replacements. He is not subtle at all, and thus deserves all the shit he’s going to get for it.

Rex doesn’t often show up to plans that aren’t mission-critical, not unless a few members of Torrent Company drag him along. Or, if he knows that you’re going to be there.

He could be at the Mon Gala, with all the most famous and wealthy beings on Coruscant, and he’ll literally just show up and talk to you the entire time. If he can’t, if he’s trapped in a conversation that’s actually important or you’re pulled away, he’ll watch from a distance until he can make his way back.

Rex knows his priorities. With a little luck, he might just become as important to you as you are to him.

ARC TROOPER ECHO

Echo’s feelings are pretty contained, much like the trooper himself, but the way he looks at you gives it all away.

You can be doing anything and he’ll be staring at you with literal heart eyes, but he can’t help it. You’re cute. He’ll watch you go about your life, perfectly intent until the warmth in his chest spills over and forces his gaze away to sort through his thoughts.

He’s on the other side of the damn room and you’ve somehow made him go all shy.

Echo’s observant—kind of has to be, as an ARC trooper—and he’ll catalog every habit of yours down to the littlest detail. A part of him craves the intimacy of knowing everything about you, something that fuels his quiet delight at being able to suss out what you’re thinking when others can’t. 

More often than not, his insight into you catches you off guard. Convincing others that you aren’t scared out of your mind is practically a job requirement, but somehow, you can never fool Echo. Not even your bravest face can convince him that you don’t need to lean on him, tell him your frustrations, or hold hands under the table.

Usually, Echo keeps to himself, a little closed off to anyone but his closest vode. But the minute you walk into the room, his mood immediately brightens. He’s quicker to smile and laugh; it’s like all his stress melts away, and that doesn’t go unnoticed by the rest of Torrent Company.

Hardcase has sneakily captured more than a few clips of you two, edited over with so many pink filters and glitter hearts that you’re barely recognizable, and circulated them among the vode.

It doesn’t matter if Echo tries to scour them from the holonet, they become so well-known that clones from entirely different battalions will ask him about his cyare.

He's eternally grateful for the Prime’s dark complexion—you don’t even have to lift a finger to get under his skin. You fluster him too easily. He’s helpless but to forgive you, though, when you smile at him the way you do.

ARC TROOPER FIVES

Fives could care less whether other people are laughing at him or with him—he knows he’s hilarious, and that’s enough to satisfy his ego. The only person who makes him uncharacteristically self-conscious is, well, you.

Yes, Echo has (and will) tease him endlessly for this.

Whenever he’s around you, he’d feel an undeniable urge to do one thing: make you laugh. He cracks a joke and immediately peeks over to gauge your reaction. If he succeeds in making you chuckle, snort, or even just breathe a little harder out of your nose, he lights up. You’re gorgeous when you laugh, even more so when it’s because of him. He can’t help but double down on the bit until you’re too weak to breathe.

Complaining about your sides hurting only prompts him to apologize for “being too funny for you to handle”.

Fives is an incorrigible flirt on a good day, but when he’s around you it becomes 1000% worse. He’s guilty of every cheesy move in the playbook—pretending to yawn and stretch so that he can put his arm around your shoulders, asking you to “hold something” and taking your offered hand in his, or even faux-demanding that you kiss his injuries better. 

He means everything he says, but he’s very careful to make his overtures playful. Fives doesn’t want to scare you away if you don’t feel the same.

Being near to you puts him at ease, soothes an itch he didn’t even realize he had before you both met. He unconsciously seeks out contact with you all the time, pressing his knee to your under the table, bumping shoulders, playing with the fabric of your sleeves. Small things.

So, he’s touchy, and about half of the time he doesn’t even realize it. Why should he, when he’s always shared contact freely with his vode? 

Maybe he makes just one too many comments, gets a little too comfortable in your personal space, gives in to his desire to see you flustered—but when you decide to give him a taste of his own medicine, he’s toast. Smile a bit, touch him, and Fives goes from a cocky, formidable ARC trooper to a stammering cadet.

He’s kind of okay with his brain melting, though, because you’re so pleased with yourself. And although he’s hot-faced and grinning like an idiot, he’s your idiot.

LIEUTENANT JESSE

Much like Fives, Jesse is a joker—one of his favorite activities is making fun of you, and in a way that implies you’re the one who’s crushing instead of him. It’s merciless, especially when the rest of Torrent company catch on to the bit. Getting flustered only makes it worse, easier for him to tease you about “getting nervous around him”.

Watch what you say when he’s around, because anything that could be construed as innuendo will be. Ask an innocent question about if clone armor is hot to wear, and watch Jesse’s smirk grow as he says: “I think I should be asking you that, sugar.”

It’s kind of a way for him to test you, figure out how the idea of liking him affects you.

His vode discover his true feelings when he actually shares his food with you, sometimes without you even having to ask. It’s kind of mindboggling to see the same guy who threatened Kix for stealing his rations readily let you eat from his plate.

He’d be so happy if you shared your food with him, too. Even more so if you bring him things that aren’t rations. The closest he’s ever come to straight-up confessing his love for you is when you got a box of Mandalorian uj cake for him because he’d never tried it.

However, playful, joking Jesse can become a no-nonsense bodyguard at the drop of a hat. He has a protective streak a mile long, something that drives him to shield his brothers from allies and enemies alike, and more recently, you. 

Jesse is intimidating as haran, built like a tank and covered with tattoos, and it’s made so much worse when someone’s targeting you. He’s not afraid to get in people’s faces about it, either, over two hundred pounds of ARC fueled by rage and spite. A little “chat” is all they need to get them to apologize to you—though, in Jesse’s expert opinion, they don’t deserve your forgiveness.

All of his bravado melts when you quietly thank him for defending you. That’s his job, sugar, and don’t you forget it.

CLONE MEDIC KIX

Between carrying out his duty to the Republic and ensuring his idiot vode don’t keel over and die, Kix neither has the time nor the energy to be throwing himself at his crush. Even without his job running him ragged, he wouldn’t be the type—no matter how intense his feelings are.

Rather, Kix courts you. From a distance.

While Kix may not have much in terms of credits, he’ll do everything in his power to make your life a little easier; By virtue of his authority and near-legendary status amongst the troops, he has a lot of influence on his side. And if that doesn’t work, well… there’s many reasons why you don’t piss off a medic.

Little acts of service are it for him. Before you even get to the refractory, he’s set aside your favorite “flavor” of ration bar to ensure they don’t run out. If you complain about being tired, you’ll find an extra cup of caff—or a sedative—sitting innocently on your desk. 

Struggling with the mountain of stuff you’re carrying? Kix is hauling whatever items are in reach into his arms before you even ask for help. About to miss the turbolift? He’ll hold the door for you and glare at his vode if they complain too much.

Need a hand to hold during a procedure? Don’t worry honey, he’s got you.

Kix loves that you treat his time with respect, but sometimes getting you all to himself is a high-stakes negotiation. You’ll bicker back and forth, him insisting that no, you’re not intruding on him or his brothers, and you trying to reassure him that he isn’t obligated to hang out with you if he’s too tired or doesn’t want to be around natborns. He knows he isn’t, but you’re oblivious to how much he wants to.

Kix would get so slick about stealing you away. When he has the opportunity, he’ll casually strike up a conversation about field medicine and- oh, you don’t remember that training session? Well, he has a blank space on his schedule today and he’s more than happy to slot you in for a little extra help.

He’d be (quietly) over the moon if you decided to slip into his office and chat with him while he tears through paperwork or runs labs. While he fantasizes about hopes to take you out on a proper date someday, he’s content to bottle up your laughter as he complains about di’kute vode, hoarding the memory for the darkest moments of the war.

CLONE TROOPER HARDCASE

Congratulations! With Hardcase crushing on you, you’ve snagged a two-in-one deal: A personal hype man and an overexcited puppy.

In Hardcase’s eyes you’re superior at everything you do, period. He insists that you’re the best at your job any chance he gets, even going so far as to volunteer your name whenever some mission needs your kind of expertise—annoying, but it’s hard to stay mad at him for long.

Your competence is really attractive to him, and sometimes he forgets you’re not together and lets a few comments slip. Hardcase doesn’t even realize what he’s said after the fact, oblivious to the fact that your face feels like it’s been dipped in lava when he admires “how kriffing good you are at that” and how “hot” it is.

He praises you so much for doing the most mundane things, it’s like a compulsion for him. You could be helping tape him up after a battle and he’s making little observations about how perfect your wrapping is and how gentle you are with him.

Kix overhears this and tells him that he’d better go to you for wound dressing than the medbay, if you’re so much better at it. He just might, if that means he could get you to touch him again.

Hardcase loves your attention, and occasionally that translates into him being intentionally annoying. He’ll pop up all the time when he’s off duty, making himself at home in your office or at your side and bothering you to your wit’s end. He’ll hide your stylus and make you chase him around to get it, or he’ll call you acting as if he has something important to tell you and then manage to keep you on the line for an hour.

The second it seems like you’re getting upset at him, however, he cuts the crap immediately. If you’re not having fun, he’s not having fun, and he wants to make that abundantly clear to you in case… just in case it turns out you’re interested in him the same way he’s interested in you.

CLONE TROOPER TUP

Tup might not be as confident as Kix, or as widely renowned as Rex, or as charismatic as Fives and Echo… and that knowledge can weigh heavily on him. Thinking that, compared to his brothers, he doesn’t have much to offer you is part of why he hesitates to act on his feelings.

Take these thoughts with a mountain of salt—Tup excels at something else, and that’s being an absolute sweetheart. His patience is near-infinite when it comes to you. He’s always happy to explain something (however many times you need) and is the first to lend you a hand if you’re struggling.

Just don’t read too much into his full-body flinches whenever your fingers brush his, the way his words stumble when you get too close.

Being a standard, rank-and-file trooper makes it all the more difficult for him to even imagine catching your eye, but ironically, his status gives him unique opportunities. Doing grunt work around the ship means that you often cross paths, affording him the chance to say hello or strike up a passing conversation. If he’s lucky, he gets the chance to be beside you throughout his shift.

It’s useless to try and thank him for any of his help, he’ll just duck his head and insist that he’s more than happy to give you a hand. Your praise, however, has him sporting a smug little grin for the rest of the day,

The man melts under your hands like butter. You can convince him to do anything if you ask nicely enough, and on more than one occasion he’s left. He regrets it only when you’re half in his lap and doodling on his bare arm, too focused to notice his increasingly flustered demeanor even as you scold him for fidgeting. 

Privately, you worry that people are going to use Tup as a doormat—but if you mention it to the rest of Torrent, their hysterical laughter will shut you up fast. 

Don’t blame them too much, though. The last time Fives mimicked a whip cracking sound within Tup’s hearing range, he was applying bacta for weeks.

[clonesfanacc]

Surprise kiss!

Short little echo X reader scribble about how Echo is absolutely adorkable and insecure about kissing. Very chaste, no spice, slow and lots of thinking about each other. Set after the last episode in season 3.

I am no native speaker so please ignore minor mistakes in grammar and spelling. Hope you enjoy!

Echo

Echo sat in the cockpit, trying to make repairs after the last mission on tantiss, but he was distracted. After losing track of what he was even doing for the 5th time, he gave up. Leaning back into the chair, he closed his eyes. Tried to get his focus back. But his thoughts wandered back to before the mission.

As him and his brothers had been getting ready, just minutes before go time, y/n approached him. He was so attuned to her step, his heart had begun beating a little faster as soon as he heard the tip tap of her boots on the hangar floor. As he turned towords her, he had tried to put on an easy smile to show her how confident and cool a soldier he was. He had practiced that look in front of the mirror until it looked just right. And promptly failed when he saw her expression.

She had an upset look on her face, wringing her hands nervously, and his easy going smile turned into his usual, stern expression.

"please, stay safe. And come back", she had said, looking up at him with such sad eyes it had almost broken his heart. It felt both good and bad to have someone special worry so much about him.

He would have liked to calm her, if he only knew how. Even after all this time spend with her and Omega, he didn't quite get girls. Or women. So he said the only thing that came to mind:

"There's no guarantee a soldier comes back from a mission" he repeated what Rex had hammered into him before every mission.

"Oh" she had looked down. Echo had cursed himself for upsetting her even more. His playbook with the opposite sex was at an end now. It made him so nervous, he had started stuttering nonsense, trying to come up with something to make her happy.

"I didn't mean to- I meant to say- y-y-you know...", he had felt like such an idiot.

He wouldn't even have dared to dream what had happened next. Y/n had stretched her arms out, wrapping them around his neck. They almost never touched, especially not where he could directly feel her skin on his. Completely caught off guard, he barely had time to feel his skin tingle with the feeling of her warmth. She had pulled his face towards hers and kissed him. His body had gone into panic mode, freezing in position, heart beating so fast that he feared she might feel it through his chest plate.

The kiss had only lasted a few, heavenly seconds before she let go and ran away, denying him to do anything more than stare after her as his brain tried to make sense of what had just happened.

Echo had to smile at the memory, feeling his cheeks flush once again as he replayed the moment in his mind over and over again. Her lips had been so soft and sweet. Her hug so warm.

After coming back, he didn't have a chance to talk to her. The clones they had saved had to get settled in, everyone had to heal and rest.

Had she kept her distance? He wasn't sure. At moments like these, he wished fives was still here. He would surely know what to do.

Imagining his brother in his mind, fives would surely tell him to go to her and play it smooth. Whatever that last part meant. All he knew is that he had to man up and go to her. Talk to her. He was back, just as she wanted. And he was damned if that wasn't worth a second kiss.

With renewed resolve, he slapped the ships console and got up, determined to find y/n and play it smooth.

Y/N

You were so glad that everyone came back. Not everyone was in one piece, but they were alive and well. When you saw Echo's familiar silhouette appear from the ship, your heart skipped a beat. Relief washed over you. Soon followed by stress. In an instant of anxiety, you have decided to kiss him. Absolutely convinced that he would not come back, you decided to screw consequences and just go for it.

Now he was back and surely had questions, or at least a comment. Or a rejection.

Already hearing his deep, raspy voice say something like "I'm sorry, I don't like you that way" made you want to get on the next ship away from Pabu to live on a remote planet as a farmer.

Since that wasn't an option, you buried yourself in busy work, keeping your distance to Echo.

You sat at your usual spot at the beach, bare feet in the sand, watching the ocean waves. The calming sound of the water was relaxing after the busyness of the last days.

You sighed, lost in thought. So lost in fact, that you almost missed the crunching steps coming closer. The familiar sound of combat boots. Completely unprepared for that conversation, you saw Echo approach with his dark armor, helmet under his arm and golden eyes fixed on you.

Trying to pretend everything was normal, you waved and smiled, coaxing a lopsided grin from his face.

"hey", you greeted him, avoiding his gaze.

"hey" he answered, sitting down next do you.

Silence.

Awkward. Silence.

"So...", you started, at the same time as he said "Well..." Both of you stopped. He chuckled nervously.

You turned towards him, finding his golden amber eyes studying you. You felt your cheeks and ears furiously blushing.

"I'm back" he stated, leaning forward, "just as you ordered me to", his voice was low, his eyes searching your face for a reaction.

"yes, I'm glad" you drew your knees close and half buried your face in your arms to hide the embarrassment.

He etched closer, his arm almost touching you.

"Uhm, you know, before I left. What- what did it mean?" He swallowed hard, Adam's apple bobbing.

You pondered your answer. What did it mean?

Noticing your hesitation, Echo nervously clarified:

"the uhm...the k-k-iss." He whispered the words like it was something forbidden and secret.

His expression changed. Now that the words had left his lips, he looked insecure. The faintest hint of red could be seen on his pale, bony cheeks. That face, document to all the hardships he had endured, pale and sunken, yet it was all you could think about. His amber eyes were what drew you in. Kind and intelligent, determined they looked at you. You couldn't help but wanting to comfort him.

Slowly, you lifted your hand to his cheek and let you fingers glide down his face. Feeling his warm skin, the slightest hint of stubble.

"it meant that I would miss you a lot" you finally answered.

He swallowed hard again, eyes darting.

"you, too" he rasped, and very carefully lifted his good hand to your chin, lifting it so you faced him directly. He licked his lips and his eyes fluttered shut. Leaning in for a kiss, you could hear his nervous breathing. He tried to shift his weight and lean on in the scomp link attached to his arm.

It was stable, sure, but still just a metal rod. He hit a stone and it glided away to the side. Just as he was about to touch your lips, he toppled over to the side, landing in the sand with a loud curse.

It was puzzling how he could manoeuvre with absolut precision in one Moment, and trip over his own body the next. You had to laugh. It was freeing and relaxing, breaking the tension. You could hear his barking laugh chime in. It was such a rare sight to see him laughing, full of warmth.

The uneasy atmosphere was gone, Echo stretched and rolled on his back, still smiling at you. He looked good like this.

When he was about to get up, you put a hand on his chest and pushed him gently back down. With newfound boldness, you straddled his hips, earning a surprises gasp from him, and bent down to finally kiss him.

Authors note: I recently read a post about how he sometimes really is a bit clumsy, and I think it's adorable. I also like to think that he's the kind who likes to be prepared, so he is surely helpless in the face of romance. I hope you enjoyed my little debut story, leave a comment and let me know what you think

[hischeapcigar]

𝓃𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝓈𝑒𝑒𝓃 𝒶𝓃𝓎𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓆𝓊𝒾𝓉𝑒 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓉𝑜𝓃𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉

TBB Tech x reader

summary: he's seen you dressed up and he's seen you in your simple fit, but which one really gets to him?

fluff. FLUFF.

warning: slight allusion to smut so MDI!!!

word count: 2.6k ish

a/n: this was supposed to be a drabble based on "never seen anything quite like you" by The Script but I ended up writing this one-shot. | comments and reblog is appreciated <3 |

You and Tech were the match made in stars. It had all started in Pabu when he first laid his eyes on you. It was like every missing puzzle was put into place. He felt a tingle in his heart, as his breath hitched at your eye-contact. You looked simple with no make-up on, you were on your way back home, so you were sure you looked like a mess. You slipped a slight smile, and he knew he was a goner.  

Through all the information he has gathered in his life, he was left clueless, mouth dry and brain not being able to calculate his next move. He just stood there, and just as soon as you had shown up, you left.  

He quickly decided to get over the whole incident, so he distracted himself with the data pad he owned. He succeeded, for a week, he managed to keep his thoughts at bay but then a few more days later, he was walking down the aisle of repair shops when he spotted you. You were with your friends. You were laughing and oh you looked so beautiful. He was a little jealous of your friends. 

Wait.  

They were his friends. It was Wrecker and Omega.  

His first instinct told him to turn on his heels and move in the opposite direction but before he could do that Wrecker called him loudly.  

So, he had to walk towards you. You shyly introduced yourself. He stammered a bit before he got part of his introduction out of his mouth.  

It had been months since that interaction and since then you would casually show up at the hangar-47 where the marauder was stationed, hanging out with Wrecker and Omega. Before you know it, you befriended Hunter and Echo too.  

But that one clone with goggles and data pad would always find his way away from you whenever he spotted you on the marauder.  

Wrecker and Omega were the first ones to point out his crush on you and they would endlessly tease him about it,  

“Y/N is really a nice person, but that has nothing to do with me, ' he would say every time.  

This inner joke was no longer a secret when Hunter and Echo found out about it. They wouldn't participate but their knowing glance was enough for Tech to feel flustered. They started to invite you over more. And soon tech ran out excuses to take the leave.  

The rest of the batch would start plotting to get you and Tech together. Like one time when Hunter invited you for dinner together and you politely accepted. You showed up at their rented hut, you knocked at the door. You hardly ever dressed up; you never had the opportunity to but tonight you had put on your favorite red dress. It was a little fancy, but you weren’t sure if you would ever get the chance to wear it. 

Tech opened the door, his eyes trained on the data pad before they shot up at you. His brows raised as he looked at you from head to toe, he was in awe.  

His gaze snapped back at you when you chirped “Hi, tech”  

“H-Hello, Y/n” he looked confused, he even forgot to move aside to let you in, “I- um- Wrecker- wait sorry you should come-”  

His words died on his tongue when your comm beeped, it was from Echo,  

“Hey y/n, we had some change of plans last minute, there were some things to buy, Tech’s home, dinner’s ready, don't change your plans” there was a short giggle before the comm ended.  

Nothing made sense to you, why didn't they update me before leaving? You looked up to see equally confused tech.  

He scratched the back of his neck, his eyes darting around you.  

“I- uh- well- I suggest you come in; I will immediately warm the food-” 

“No- no i’ll just leave, it's okay-” you cut him off, not wanting to disturb his peace and whatever he was doing before you showed up  

He finally looked at you, “Y/n, we have sufficient food, we wouldn’t want to go to waste when it was meant for you” 

You didn't want to be ungrateful and still argue so you just nodded your head and went in.  

That was the first time you were really in Tech’s company. Without him running away. It was awkward at first, sure, but soon you both fell into places and got comfortable.  

You listened to his info dumping without a complaint. Though there were things that you didn't understand, you let them slide. You asked some of them and he patiently answered.  

Before it got late you decided to leave,  

“I'm immensely sorry for constant ranting, it's just that no one has shown interest. They think it’s all boring”  

You smiled gently at him, “nothing to apologize about Tech, I enjoyed it”  

He looked at you wide eyed and mentally cursed himself for running away from your company because he was missing out on such a kind and interesting person.  

After that dinner, you and Tech got close. He sought your company every time he saw you in the market or any street. No words were exchanged but you both knew you were falling hard for each other.  

The batch constantly nagged him about you, and he would get flustered, still adamant “there’s nothing between y/n and me, except good friendship”  

After constant push from his brothers, he finally mustered his strength to ask you out properly. He was a blushing mess before he even got the words out.  

- 

You both were currently in the marauder cockpit where he was lying on his back fixing the wires under the control panel. He kept showing and telling you about the things to the point where you predicted his next move, and handed him the right instruments  

He got up and dusted his pants and he saw you fidgeting mindlessly with the instruments telling him about your day  

“-and Phee was there so that wa-” 

“Y/n” his voice was high pitched that caused you to stop and look at him  

You gave him the look, asking him what was up  

 “I- I was wondering if we could- no i mean if I could take you to-” 

He was nervous, he was really nervous. So, you took his hands in yours guiding him to sit across from you, and that was enough to relax him  

He took a deep breath, “y/n,  I want you to be my girlfriend, I want you more than want”  

- 

You spent more time together than ever. You accompanied them on their missions. You stayed with Tech whenever he needed to repair something. You were learning too, he would assign you to fix small parts while he took care of the bigger, more complicated problems.  

In no time, you felt like a part of them. Omega got a big sister like she always wanted. It had been a year of being together and all the missions together.  

- 

You all had landed back in Pabu yesterday after a mission on Teth. It was an ambush, and you were injured along with others. But for you, it was the first time. Tech felt his world falling apart when he saw the blaster hit you and you helplessly fell on the ground. He immediately ran to you, checking the signs of your heartbeat. He did not rest until you were taken back to the ship and were assisted by him, and you opened your eyes after a few hours.  

Hunter had never seen Tech like that before, losing control, and panicking instead of looking for solutions. He stayed with Tech asking him if he needed anything, but every time Tech shook his head no.  

Currently you were getting up from the bed to fetch yourself water when Tech emerged from the door, a tray of food and a glass of water in his hands. You immediately sat back down 

“Where did you think you were going?” he asked, setting the tray beside you.  

 You smiled at him, grateful, “nowhere, sir”  

He took his data pad and scanned your scar on your shoulder, “You need to rest one more day before I allow you out of this hut again,”  

“Relax Tech, I'm okay and alive. And you guys get hit all the time but none of you let me assist the wounds,” you pouted 

“y/n we are capable of nursing our injuries-” 

“And you think I'm not?” you asked, raising your eyebrows 

“No!” he said instantly, “it's just I'm always worried for you every time you’re on the battlefield with us, and my first priority is to look out for you, i didn't know how i just got distracted and…” he sighed looking down, “I'm trying to ease my guilt by taking care of you, because i need you” he whispered the last part.  

You looked at him, mouth opening and closing like a fish, unable to utter a word. He filled the silence,  

“You know i was so nervous, looking at you immobile on the ground, my brain went haywire and for the first time i was clueless about the wires” he tapped on the data pad in an anxious manner, still not making eye contact.  

You cupped his face and brought his gaze back on you, “I'm sorry i made you worry, but it’s because of you that i’m alive and breathing” you reminded him gently 

- 

Hunter was shaken from the last mission so he announced that you will no longer accompany them in the mission where there’s a chance of complications and Omega will stay with you. 

 You were upset at first, telling them you wouldn’t sit back until you knew about their safety. You even promised them that you’ll keep your distance from the opponents. Because the truth was, they meant so much to you than you could ever imagine, but Hunter was resolute about his decision.   

- 

The morning came quicker than you thought, when they were leaving for the mission. Tech had stayed the night, as you asked him to, your legs still intertwined. The flashes of images, and soft sighs and screams from last night awoke the tingle between your legs, as a smile tugged at your lips.  

Tech woke up soon after, as he pulled you closer to him, your back to his chest. He kissed your nape, before untangling from you.  

“Let’s do breakfast, then I'll have to go” he sat up, the ugly reminder sank your heart,  

“Can we stay in bed for 5 more minutes?” you tried to convince him, but he was already getting up, 

“No y/n, i cannot afford to be late, please darling get up”  

- 

 Before leaving for the mission, you helped them with their last-minute equipment needs. You even cooked and packed food for them.  

Tech was hurriedly shuffling around the cockpit, getting the marauder ready to fly, while you watched him, your face distraught as you bit your fingernails. You halted his movements, grabbing his elbow,  

“Tech” your breaths were uneven due to the tension in your bones 

His hand slid down your arm to hold your hand, “what is it, y/n?”  

You took a deep breath, “tell me, promise me you will comm me to update me about your well-being”  

His expressions softened, “of course y/n, you’re worrying too much,” he gently kissed your forehead. He let go of you after squeezing your hand one last time. Then busying himself with the preparations.  

- 

Hunter had mentioned that it was a one-week mission. It was only day 2 and you missed them like crazy.  You were doing just fine before they showed up, get it together y/n, you mentally scolded yourself.  

Omega kept herself busy with her friends and her flying lessons with Wujing, a local pilot who Tech had hired to train Omega while he was gone.  

You were at hangar-47 because Phee asked you to fix some machinery parts. Some other ship was parked there, and you didn’t like it at all, missing the batch even more. 

 Phee had seen you assisting Tech so here you were seated on the floor. Your jeans were stained with mud and grease. There were some stains on your face, but you were too concentrated on the task at hand that you didn’t care about your appearance.  

You were trying to rearrange the wires when they accidentally touched, and a spark went off causing you to yelp. That was the first time you had taken your eyes off from your surroundings as your gaze landed on Tech, leaning against the doorframe, his arms folded in front of his chest, a little smirk on his face. Now that startled you even more.  

You thought you missed him so much that you were hallucinating him, 

“T-Tech?” you asked squinting your eyes trying to focus on his figure 

He straightened and slowly made your way to you. “y/n” he greeted but his voice was thick, very unusual 

 You scrambled to get up to meet him halfway to envelope him in a hug, but he held your shoulders, resisting. He held you at a little distance, as he took in your appearance.  

Suddenly you were embarrassed, you abruptly broke your eye contact as your cheeks flushed. He just stood there, holding you, examining you.  

One hand settled on your waist, while the other one reached up, softly touching your neck and tilting your face to meet your gaze. You visually gulped at the look in his eyes. He was turned on. His pupils were blown wide, his mouth agape, attempting to steady his breathing.   

He softly traced your lips with his thumb, parting them, as he pulled you closer by your waist. The deliberate movements made you squirm, before he whispered, “I've never seen anything quite like you tonight,”  

He kissed your forehead before pulling your face away to look at you, marvel at you again.  

“Missed you every second at the mission. And when I come back, I find you looking all messed up doing things that I taught you. I could take this moment now, right into the grave with me. All these stains on you…” 

You felt him twitch inside his pants as he pulled you further close, rolling his hips against you, he was hard 

“...see what they do to me?”  

You whimpered at his words that he whispered, knowing your own voice would betray you. He smirked watching the effect his words had on you.  

Your lips were aching to be touched by his, and as if he could read your mind, he closed the distance. The kiss was heated and soft at the same time, he poured all his emotions, 

He missed you so much 

He’s so turned on  

He wants you right. now.  

He moved both of you til your back made contact with the cold wall behind you. You caught the glimpse of your undone project from the corner of your eyes as you pulled away, breathing hard 

“Tech…”  

“What?” slightly annoyed you had to break the make out kiss 

“I - I had to fix that for Phee-”  

“The moment Phee brought me to you, i knew it was gonna be a long night, i told her that she’d get her stuff tomorrow,” he leaned in closer, “i also instructed her to lock the hangar because we would be so busy all night, we wouldn’t like to be bothered.”  

You blushed at his plans but before you could comment, his lips were on you.  

It was gonna be a long night.  

thankyou for reading ^-^

[writersnook11]

Welcome! :)

I have never had a blog before, so please have mercy on my lack of skill in the way of Tumblr-usage.

I do not consent to nor approve of the use of any and all of my written work in teaching/training Artificial Intelligence of any and every kind.

I do not consent to nor approve of the reposting or archiving of any and all of my written work. If you want to translate my work, you must reach out to me for consent before doing so. This excludes simple reblogging.

Happier details under the cut.

What I write:

Fluff

Angst

Whump

Reader-inserts (no use of Y/N, may use a nickname for the sake of variety in writing style, will note if nickname is used)

Female!Reader (vague descriptives except when necessary)

Pregnancy/Childbirth (though it may not be the most accurate)

Domestic bliss

Mundane everyday tasks/moments

What I do not write:

Smut

Cloneshipping

Incest

Cheating/Adultery (with exception to referencing)

Rape/Non-con (with exception to referencing)

Polyamory

Most AUs (Modern, Mermaid, Soulmate, etc. Ask if you have questions)

Omega-verse (Alpha/Beta, etc.)

Witchy, cultish, or character worship

Specific reader details (height, weight, race, etc.)

Underage relationships

Male or Gender Neutral Reader POVs (Ask if you have questions, but this is primarily due to the fact that I am not confident in writing for these POVs and do not have the time to learn.)

Female Character x Reader (Similar to previous bullet, it’s extremely difficult to write something I’m not personally attracted to/interested in)

Hatred towards Omega

Fandoms/Characters I write for:

Star Wars: Clones [Echo, Fives, Rex, Wolffe, etc.], Bad Batch [Tech, Hunter, Crosshair, Wrecker], Obi-Wan, Mando

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon

Taglist

I’m sorry to those of you who requested to be tagged when I publish, but I will not be keeping a taglist for my posts.

I work overtime most weeks and I’m lucky to have the time to even write at all. As much as I love each of you and am incredibly grateful that you want to read my work, I just don’t have the time nor mental energy to maintain a taglist. I’m sure in this day and age there’s ways to make it easier, but I’d rather avoid the hassle altogether and make posting as stress-free as possible, that way I’ll still enjoy it and continue to want to do it. I want to avoid making writing and posting a chore, and you all don’t deserve to be seen as a chore. <3

Requests: Open

I’ll update this and make an announcement if and when this status changes. Requests will be taken with creative liberties, though I will do my best to honor the original request/prompt.

For guidelines refer to do’s and do not’s above. Any requests that don’t adhere to the do not’s will be deleted.

Masterlist TBD

This post is subject to change at any time. I will keep it pinned and/or linked for ease of reference.

[marymary-diva17]

When the past comes for a visit

Fives x reader

Being discharged from the military had really affected fives so much, as it has been his whole life it was the reason he had been created. Well that all changed when he framed, for some crimes as was stripped of everyone he had love and worked for in life. He had lost the Bother hood and republic he love and fought for, he was alone for some time until he meet you and had started a second chance in life.

y/n " ummm" you soon raise up from bed as you soon get out of bed and ready for the day. You soon look at fives as he lays in bed a bit longer, as you soon made your way downstairs to start making, breakfast.

y/n " ......"

fives " good morning" fives soon came downstairs dressed in his civilian clothes, he had become used to wearing civilian clothes and not his arc trooper armor. he had soon wrapped his arms around you and kissed you.

y/n " good morning my husband will you mind setting the table" you are twi'lek women that had been living a independent life on Pabu, you had been walking around when a friend of your Phee had someone she wanted you to meet and that was fives. You had showed fives around the place he will call home and get use to, what his life will be like here. Soon enough the two of you becoming friends and soon lovers in time.

fives " yes my love" Fives had soon started setting up the table as you were getting done making breakfast, that when footsteps came down the stairs.

????? " Mooring mom and dad"

y/n " hello children" you and fives did get married over time, had soon welcome kids into the your guys life.

fives " good morning boys" You had given birth to three sons they looked more like fives, and didn't inherit that of Twi'lek features. there was a reason they looked more like their father due to how strong the Jango dna had been.

five " Javjaro, Rocber, and brenoe why don't you all help me set the table or help your mom get done cooking"

Javjaro " yes sir" Javjaro had come help you with dinner as his brothers went to go help their dad.

???? " morning" soon the family attention had been brought to your daughter Lesia. Who was born a twi'lek and in rex and Phee words you mini copy.

Fives " hey sweetie just in time to help us"

Lesia " yeah" Lesia had come to help you and her brother get breakfast ready as the family soon sat down together and, soon ate together.

Fives " I'm going out with Shep today as we are going to check on, some of the are families that came along with the fishers"

y/n " that sounds like fun kids"

Javjaro " Are friend invited us to the town square to have some fun, as we don't have school today is that fine"

Lesia " can I come with you all today"

breno " yes you can"

y/n " yes fives"

fives " do you kids have your homework done"

boys " yes"

fives " Lesia"

Lesia " yes dad"

fives " well you all can go and have some fun my love what will you be doing"

y/n " helping Phee out today as some new shipments had come in"

fives " well that sounds good"

Rocber " dad do you think the war or republic will ever reach here"

Fives " I don't know son there has been some hologram talk about it, but it seems like that might not happened yet but don't worry to much" the kids nodded their heads as the family soon ate breakfast together and talked a bit more as well. Soon you and the kids bid goodbye to fives as he went off, you had went to square with the kids as you bid goodbye to the kids as ran off together.

Phee " there you are and here I thought you will never show up"

y/n " well Im here Phee now lets see what we have today for the shipments"

Phee " right now I see your kids are having a good day"

y/n " they are having good time but we once again had talks about the war"

Phee " yes even after all this time it still going on"

y/n " yes and I don't think it will ever end" The war had been going on longer then everyone had thought, and started leading to many more problems that had come to the galaxy. Once work was over you soon left docks to go find the children.

????? " hello ma'am"

y/n " hello..." you soon turned around to see some clone troopers and a Jedi with them.

y/n " hello how may I help you all"

anakin " I'm anakin skywalk and these are my man we are looking for man, that maybe go by the name fives"

y/n " fives"

rex " yes ma'am we had been told he came here and someone had mention you, might know where he is"

????? " mom" you soon looked and saw your daughter she soon reached you, but stopped when she saw the trooper had the same face of her dad.

Lesia " mom"

y/n " it okay they are just ask some questions"

echo " we don't mean any harm kid"

y/n " sorry the kids here never see troopers dressed like you or Jedi knight that much around here or ever"

anakin " we understand"

Echo " will you be able to tell us if he still here or where he went"

y/n " ......." you stood there in fear of what will happen to your husband if you tell them everything.

y/n " sweeti go find your brothers and stay with them as I have a talk with them"

Lesia " yes mama" the troopers had seen Lesia looking at them as she soon ran off.

y/n " there is some information I might not be able to tell you, as he came here looking for help and he was given that here"

rex " thank you"

anakin " we are not here for any trouble if you are scared about that, we just wanted to talk with him that all and make an alliance if you home as well"

y/n " okay ...."

????? " mom" the group had become shocked when the looked and saw three boys that looked like the troopers, when they were younger one of them having Lesia behind him.

hardcase " those kids look like they could be clone cadets"

jajavo " mother is everything okay Lesia came to us and she seem worried, we came to see what the matter"

rex " we were just speaking with you mom son that all we didn't, mean to scare you sister sorry about that little one"

Leisa " it okay they look like him"

echo " wait do you kids also know about fives like your mom here"

???? " hello everyone" the group soon looked and saw fives as she made their way towards them.

rex " hey fives"

fives " hey"

Lesia " daddy why do these man have your face"

everyone " dad"

echo " did she call you dad"

fives " you all can come with me and my family I will explain everything" no more words had been spoke as the Jedi and troopers had followed the family. It seems like the past has decided to pay the family and visit, but what was more important now was seeing what will happen to them all. Sometime it good when the past comes up but other times it might be good if the past stays in the past forever.

[alegendoftomorrow]

The Gift

Summery: Fives and the 501's civilian medic are friends and possibly more if they weren't in the middle of a war. After another long day with far too much pain for the both of them, Fives finds a way to bring a little holiday magic to your lives, even in the middle of a war zone.

Characters: Arc Trooper Fives x Fem!Reader (no use of y/n)

Words: 2,947 Words

Warning: Injury (very minor), brief peril and canon typical violence, mentions of loss, grief, war, injuries, slights angst. Mostly teasing, slightly suggestive (just hinting at it).

A/N: This is my entry for the incredible Life Day exchange hosted by @cloneficgiftexchange . Thank you so much for always hosting such fun events that push me to get out of my comfort zone and write again. This piece is for the awesome @arliganzey I really hope you like this fun little adventure I went on. It was my first time writing for Fives and I hope I captured his essence for you :)

“You know we cannot keep meeting like this.”

You freeze halfway to reaching into your rapidly emptying medic bag. Groaning through hard pressed lips as you spin in your chair to see a very cocky smile pulled up on a very familiar face.

“People are bound to start talking.”

“Fives,” you groaned. Pinching the bridge of your nose and counting to…. well, five before you risk looking back up at the arc trooper leaning against the doorway. Suspiciously standing off his right ankle.

You already know there’s going to be a story. There’s always a story with Fives. Before you knew any better you used to think he was getting hurt just to come and see you. Now the war has dragged on for longer than you were prepared for, and you’ve buried far more men than it feels like you ever save. Seen more planets and systems torn apart than you ever thought possible. Things like crushes and love seem like silly things reserved for storybooks rather than your day-to-day life.

Doesn’t mean it isn’t fun to flirt back with the man who walks through your door almost once a day with some injury or another. Battle related or not.

“What is it this time? Echo dare you to jump off the bridge or did Jesse kick your butt sparring again?” You asked. Standing from your desk and walking over to an exam table. Raising a brow when Fives doesn’t move from the doorway.

“Can’t I just come say hi to my favorite medic without there being an injury?” He asked. In a tone that almost sounded innocent, and perhaps a little hurt that you’d suggested such a thing.

You flashed him another eye roll and crossed your arms. “You can but, Kix isn’t here right now.”

Fives actually snorted at that. Dropping his arms to his side and doing his best not to limp on what was clearly an injured ankle. “Kix is not my favorite medic.”

“Mhm why’s that?” You asked. Already moving down to undo the plastoid armor he wore over his boots when he hoped up on the table. Ignoring the warmth that spread over you when you looked back to see Fives grinning down at you with his hands tucked behind his head.

“Because he doesn’t look half as pretty as you do,” he said with a smirk. “And he’s not as nice to me as you are.”

Now it was your turn to snort at him, Maker he is insufferable, you thought. And the best part of every day, another part of your mind added rather unhelpfully. You went back to examining his ankle before you said something ridiculous. Taking off his sock and hissing through your teeth at the purple bruise already spreading around his scarred ankle.

“Maker what happened here?!” You asked. Looking up at Fives again with genuine worry this time.

He waved a hand dismissively and puffed his chest up a bit in a way you’d come to learn meant he was hiding pain and quite proud of something he definitely shouldn’t be proud of.

“I came here with a blaster bolt to the knee a few rotations ago. How is this worse?”

You started at him blankly for a minute. Simply blinking up at him and hoping your silence made something click in that incredible thick head of his.

It did not.

“You were shot in an active war zone running to give Captain Rex cover. I honestly expected worse than that. However, we have been flying for three days with no enemy contact. So, you shouldn’t have gotten so much as a cough up here; yet here you are sitting here with a twisted ankle. So, I ask again. How did you get this?”

The smile slipped a little from Fives’s face as he actually looked a little…. embarrassed? Was that something he was capable of feeling? You watched as he bit down on his lip and fidgeted slightly with his shoulders seeming to try and buy time.

“Really, it’s not important. I was…. doing something for someone else and my foot slipped okay? It’s not a big deal,” he said. Very adamantly not making eye contact with you.

You rolled your eyes and threw your hands up in surrender with a sigh. “Fine don’t tell me. I hope this someone was worth it.”

“She is,” Fives said. There was a sincerity in his voice that caught you by surprise. Giving you pause and making your breath catch as he looked at you with something that was almost soft. Something you didn’t dare name floated between the shades of honey and earthen brown of his eyes.

“Right. Well…...good.” You stumbled out. Moving away from the table and back to your medical closet to get some bacta and a wrap for his ankle. Trying hard not to meet his eyes again. The ones you can feel boring a hole through the back of your head as you set his ankle.

He doesn’t even flinch once while you work on it. Even though you’re certain this must hurt, he just sits there and stares back at you while your hands make quick work of their task.

“Alright, that should hold for now. Do you want to do the song and dance where I tell you to stay off it and then you tell me something about being a hero of the Republic who can’t take breaks and must soldier on for the good of the galaxy?” You asked. Crossing your arms over your chest and raising a brow at him.

Fives grind like an idiot again and laughs. Maker that sound… You wish you could bottle it up and keep it with you when he went away again. Listen to it on repeat when the nights pressed in to darkly.

“That’s a terrible impression of me,” Fives laughed. Snapping you out of your thoughts.

“I thought it was very accurate,” you snip back. Your tone bears no bite though.

Fives smirks wider like a loth cat that’s gotten into the cream. Swinging his legs gracefully back over the bed and gripping the edge in a way that makes his biceps flex under his blacks. Not that you’re looking. He leans in a little closer and it takes all of your willpower not to lean in towards him too.

“What’s your excuse then Doc?” He asked lowly.

You tilted your head and furrowed your brows. “My excuse for what?”

“For not resting,” he said. “You said it yourself, I’m a hero of the Republic, but you….”

He trailed off and reached a hand up to tuck back a curl that had come loose from the updo you had it in. Your breath catching in your throat as you swallowed tightly under his touch. Rough fingers brushing so softly over your skin you wanted to melt.

“You need to rest too. The whole ship would fall apart without you.”

You might have laughed if he wasn’t looking at you so seriously. Like he meant every word of it. It made something warm and fuzzy creep up into your chest. Something that felt dangerous and far, far too real.

“I’ll rest when you do,” you bargained.

Fives shook his head. “No, I cannot allow that. I know exactly what that means. You’ll come in here and pretend to lay down then get right back to do work.”

“I could say the same for you,” you shot back. “So how do you suggest either of us rest then?”

The smirk that crawled up his face as he flicked his tongue out to lick his bottom lip almost made your knees wobble.

“Well, it seems we have no choice but to rest together,” he said. Like it was the most obvious answer in the world.

Your mouth fell open as you gaped at him. “What?”

“That way I can make sure you can’t get up to do work, and you can make sure I don’t walk on my ankle.”

Your mind reeled for a moment still all the possibilities that scenario presented before you recovered yourself enough to smirk back. Leaning back on your heels and staring back eye level with the arc trooper with a glint of playfulness in your gaze.

“You know if you wanted to sleep with me, you could have just asked.”

Fives looked taken aback for a moment. He recovered much too quickly though and leaned forward a little more. His breath ghosting over your cheeks as you stood your ground in front of him. Heart racing while his eyes moved over your face, taking in the details like he was trying to memorize you.

“If I asked now, would you say yes?” He asked.

“I—” whatever you were about to say was cut off by the loud screaming of alarms that startled the both of you apart and jerked you out of moment of peace.

“That’s the attack sirens,” Fives warned. Jumping off the bed and hoping towards the door as he pulled his boot back on.

“We can’t be under attack,” he replied. Rushing to the com link in the wall and punching in the code to Captain Rex’s channel. “We haven’t seen any vessels since we left— “

A sudden explosion sounded distantly and the whole ship lurched to the side. Your hands gripping into the handles on the wall to steady yourself while cabinets and shelves clicked locked, so their contents didn’t go everywhere.

“Apparently the separatists don’t know that,” Fives grumbled from the doorway. Looking down the hall both ways once before turning back to you with a brilliant smile that felt far too out of place for this moment. “Don’t worry I’ll handle this; you just sit here and look pretty and we’ll finish this conversation when I get back.”

He winked and then was gone. Running as fast as his weak ankle would allow. You wanted to protest every word he’d just said. Wanted to run after him, yell at him to be careful, maybe smack him for being so cavalier with his words, but he was gone before you could even get his name past your lips.

Be careful Fives.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~(Many Hours Later)~~~~~~~~~~~~

We were lucky this time,  that’s what Captain Rex kept saying.

The separatist vessel had only damaged the cargo holds on the lower levels before the captain and his men were able to destroy it. General Skywalker’s plan somehow once again working despite sounding ludicrous to you. You were lucky the casualties had been minimal, but the injuries were heavy. You would have to restock before your next engagement. As it was, you’d already patched supplies together for those less injured than others.

Leaning back against the hallway wall you slid all the way to the floor and pulled your knees to your chest. Leaning your head forward to rest there and forcing yourself to breathe deeply so you didn’t fall apart out here where anyone might see you.

Footsteps approached slowly from your left and you half hoped they’d keep walking. Let you wallow in peace and quiet, but the uneven footfalls stopped just in front of you and a voice cleared their throat above you.

“Hey…you alright?”

Fives.

Jerking your head up you blinked at him through your watery eyes. Staring at his grease smudged cheeks with parted lips. He was breathing heavier than normal and still standing off his foot as best he could. His blacks were stained with blood and smoke, but he looked mostly unharmed.

“You’re, okay?” You asked. Voice trembling.

Fives grinned. “I’m always alright. I’m a hero remember. Heroes can’t die.”

You rolled your eyes and made some kind of half sob half laugh sound. Wiping your eyes with the hell of her hand and sniffling a little.

“Hey, come on love no tears.” He crouched down and grinned softly. Reaching out and brushing the tear that dripped down your cheek gently. “It’s okay. We lived to fight another day, more of us than usual at that. That’s something, and more will live because of you. Yeah?”

Without thinking you leaned into his palm and nodded softly. Closing your eyes and focusing on his words. Clinging to them tightly.

“Besides, you’re in the presence of a hero who saved the day and is about to make yours better,” Fives added proudly.

You laughed at him and shook your head. Blinking your eyes open to stare at him again. The lights giving him a halo around his dark hair. Making his tattoo stand out a little sharper against his skin. “How exactly are you still this cocky after everything?”

“It’s who I am. Come on. Up you go.” He grabbed under your arms and pulled you to your feet.

“Mhm does that hero line ever actually work on anyone?” You asked following after him while he kept his arm wrapped securely around yours.

“I don’t know, I’ll let you know later.”

“You are unbelievable,” you groaned.

“That’s the running theory,” he replied proudly.

Following him down the halls of the ship, letting him lean on you a little more as his ankle began to ache worse, you let the pair of you fall into an easy silence. Even if you were a little nervous about where you were actually going, you didn’t have the energy to ask.

“Alright we’re here. Close your eyes and don’t open them until I say so,” Fives said. Stopping the pair of you in front of a plain dark door.

You looked at him with a raised brow. “Fives is this is an elaborate plan to scare me I’m warning you I—"

His laugh cut you off. Throwing his hands up in a surrendering motion as he shook his head. “I promise, I promise, we’ve both been scared enough for one day. Just cover your eyes. You’ll like it trust me.”

You hesitated only a moment longer before closing your eyes and covering them with your free hand. Feeling Fives take your other hand and weave his fingers together with yours, the door whooshed open, and a warm burst of air hit you as he tugged you forward. Your feet following after him without hesitation. You trusted him, even if he drove you crazy.

“Alright, open your eyes,” he whispered from behind you.

Slowly you lowered your hand and opened your eyes. Gasping at the scene spread out before you.

“Fives….”

Strings of lights blinked in multicolored drops that had been hung around wide windows that showed off the thousands of twinkling stars blinking like spilled jewels across the ebony sky. Looking around the rest of the room there was a small table sat in the middle of the window. The two chairs were tied with bright red ribbons and a small box sat in the middle wrapped with blue paper. Soft holiday music played from some kind of hidden speakers and there was holographic snow drifting down the walls.

“I don’t…. I don’t understand,” you said. Spinning around to face Fives who looked a little sheepish with his hand lifting up to rub at the back of his neck.

“You do so much for everyone here. Keeping us alive and healthy. You care, really care, where most people just…. don’t. I remember you telling Echo your favorite holiday when you were a kid was Life Day but that you hadn’t gotten to celebrate it for a very long time. I had the guys help me research it, so I knew what it was and then I set this up for you,” he explained. Shrugging a shoulder like this wasn’t the most amazing thing anyone had ever done for you. Like all the hours and credits, he must have spent to make this little bit of joy come true wasn’t the most incredible gift ever.

“I know it’s a few days early, but you looked like you needed this today. So, I um….” He trailed off and let his hand drop back to his side. “Do you like it?”

You can’t even bring yourself to answer. Forgetting how tired you are and how sore he probably is, you rush forward and launch yourself into his arms. Gripping him tightly as he stumbles back to catch you. Wrapping you up in a hug just as tight.

“I’ll take that as a yes then?” He teased. Lips brushing beside your ear.

“Yes!” You said into his neck. “I love it Fives. Thank you. This is… this is the best thing anyone has ever done for me. Thank you.”

You feel him smile more than you see it. His arms flexing around you tighter. “You’re welcome love. Happy Life Day.”

“Happy Life Day Fives.”

Pulling away you smile up at him wider, tears brimming in your eyes for a whole different reason now as you reach a hand up to cup his cheek. His fingers curling around your wrist as he turns his head to kiss your palm lightly. Maybe love isn’t just for fairytales and storybooks. Maybe there is hope left in this war after all.

“Fives?” 

“Yeah?”

“Did you roll your ankle putting up the lights?”

He sighs dramatically and then bursts out laughing. Scooping you up into his arms and spinning you both around as best he can before setting you back down and kissing you chastely. The softest press of his lips to yours before he’s pulling away again and winking down at you.

“It was worth it to see you smile,” he said.

You shake your head at him one more time before rising to your toes to kiss him back just as softly.

“My hero.”

“You’re mine too love.”

[crosshairlovebot]

birthday revelations / crosshair x gn!reader

pairing: crosshair x gn!reader (no y/n). reader has a nickname.

description: crosshair discovers it's your birthday, and in an effort to try and understand birthdays, he gets you a gift.

word count: 3,793

warnings: none. crosshair ovethinks a lot

Another request! Maybe not technically a request, but @starrylothcat sent in an ask for an ask prompt and said it would be nice to see me write a fic where crosshair buys a gift for the reader for their birthday or christmas and it's been stuck in my head since! so here you go! i hope i did it justice!

also posted this on ao3. feedback is welcomed, reblogs are appreciated <3

Crosshair didn’t like crowds. He gritted his teeth as he walked alone through the market on Sorgan, sidestepping people as they entered his path. It was noisy, but that didn’t bother him so much. Vendors called out to passersby, promoting their various goods for purchase with enthusiasm. Voices chattered and laughed. The smell of food wafted through Crosshair’s nose and his stomach tightened with hunger. Rations were poor choices compared to the sizzling of flavourful meat on grills, but he didn’t have enough credits to buy himself something to eat.

He only had enough to buy something for you.

He had been helping Tech with cataloguing files when he saw one on their nat-born medic. You had joined Clone Force 99 just over half a standard cycle ago with your plucky yet kind attitude, falling into the group dynamic easier than Crosshair had thought. Sure, it had taken some adjustment for him and his brothers to become used to another presence they had not grown up with, but it was inevitable you would eventually find your place in the team. You were hardworking, strong and compassionate. You paid attention to each of his brothers, giving them your undivided focus during conversation and indulging them in questions about what they were doing or their chosen skill. He had watched you talk with Tech about data decryption, Wrecker about proton-based explosives, Hunter about tracking strategies, Echo about ARC trooper training, and of course, him about sharpshooting.

He recalled the way you sat next to him for the first time on his bunk during their time in Hyperspace. He had disassembled part of his Firepuncher rifle, readjusting the scope and the barrel after it had unexpectedly jammed on their previous mission. He’d been annoyed – his prized weapon never faltered, and he was trying to figure out why it had failed on him when the thin mattress dipped next to him, and you asked what he was doing. When he’d given a particularly surly response, you nodded and then just continued to watch him. His eyes had slid to you.

“Can I help you with anything else?” He hadn’t meant it to sound so icy, but he had been frustrated with this rifle, with himself.

“Can you…explain what you’re doing?” you had asked hopefully.

He had looked at you sceptically. “Why?”

You just shrugged. “It looks interesting.”

He had studied your expression, trying to discern if you were being genuine. But you were. You always were with things like this.

So, he explained what he was doing, answered your questions and by the time his weapon was fixed, he didn’t even really remember his initial annoyance. You had smiled at him, your mouth stretching in a way that made your eyes light up. He felt a little flicker of something in his stomach before it was promptly extinguished.

Since then, you have spent time with him like that more often. Not just when he was cleaning his rifle, but other things. Like throwing Lula back and forth across the bunks as you both talked, joking about things that happened on missions. Sharing looks over briefings. Stealing Wrecker’s snacks.

But his favourite time with you was drawing on your datapad and trying to guess what the other was drawing. He had learnt you liked to draw and enjoyed drawing out something other than a medical diagram. He felt a sense of pride in making you laugh so hard you cried with his silly caricatures during long hyperspace trips. Exaggerated doodles of his brothers, tookas and the like, a portrait of you with a funny expression. You liked to draw him with a smile too big for his face, chuckling as you drew and then collapsing into laughter when you showed him. It always made the thing in his stomach flicker.

He really liked having you around.

So, when he came across your file when helping Tech, he couldn’t help but open it. You had told them all any information they had asked for, and information they had not. There wasn’t really anything you kept secret. But when he saw your ID holo looking particularly embarrassing: with wide eyes and a half-formed expression – like you were taken off guard by the photo, the corner of his mouth twisted up in an impish smirk.

He had intended to tease you about it; set the holo to the show on every Marauder screen so it was everywhere.

He opened the file to take a copy of the holo when he spotted details about your age and date of birth.

He frowned at the date. “Tech, what is today’s galactic date?”

Tech looked up from his datapad, adjusting his goggles before rattling off the date. “Why?”

He said your name before telling him, “It’s their birthday tomorrow.”

“Oh.” Tech blinked.

Age and birthdays were almost foreign concepts to clones. With accelerated aging and growing in a capsule, they didn’t really matter to them. Awkward to calculate, they weren’t celebrated. Crosshair had no idea when he had been ‘birthed’ or decanted, and if the Kaminoans documented such dates, then it was classified information. He knew his chronological age, but his biological age was a little murky. He knew he was a “mature clone”, however with the accelerated aging, he didn’t know where exactly he stood. None of their brothers knew any of these details. It was normal for them.

He read the date and your age. What would it be like to be so sure of something like that? To be sure of the parts that made up who you were?

Crosshair cleared his throat and closed the file without even copying the ID holo. He frowned to himself. Maybe he should’ve asked you about it before, but birthdays weren’t a part of his world, so he hadn’t thought to. But they were important to nat-borns, weren’t they? At least that’s what they’d all been told during their training modules.

When he lay in his bunk that night, he circled his mind for all he knew about birthday traditions. Gatherings. Food. Gifts. Would you like all that? Did you like all that? You seemed like you would. He didn’t know if it was something he would enjoy if he had a birthday…it didn’t really seem like his thing, but maybe he would. He would never know. He thought that Wrecker might be the only one who would enjoy a birthday. Maybe Echo too if you did it right. Same with Hunter.

But you hadn’t said anything about your birthday.

He had tossed and turned. You were part of their squad. You cared. Listened. Laughed. Did you not feel you could share the date with them? He didn’t know, and a part of him felt a little hurt that you might not feel you could. Were you not friends? Crosshair didn’t have many friends, but he knew they were supposed to tell each other things.

He turned again, crossing his arms against his chest as he faced the wall. Why did he even care? If you didn’t want to tell him it was your birthday, fine. He wouldn’t mention it.

He squeezed his eyes shut before sitting up on his elbows and craned his head to see you sleeping in your bunk. Through the darkness, his enhanced eyes saw you curled in yourself, and your nose twitched as you breathed deep and evenly. Something in his chest pinched. He sighed before laying back down and pulling the thin blanket over his head.

Now, as he found himself in this market the next day, he wondered what he was even doing here.

Once they had landed on Sorgan, they completed their mission easily with no complications. But Crosshair was still distracted by your birthday. You hadn’t even said anything when everyone woke up this morning. Just acted like it was any other day. You had just smiled at him as you tucked into a ration bar, saying good morning before throwing one to him to eat.

It puzzled him.

When you all started walking back to the Marauder after the mission, Hunter could tell something was up with him, nudging his shoulder.

“You alright?”

Crosshair had scowled at his brother. “…Yes.”

“You look deep in thought,” Hunter pointed out, falling into step with him.

Crosshair broke his gaze and looked away, back towards where they came, to the village they had just liberated. The thought had barely formed before he said, “Do we have time before the next mission?”

Hunter’s surprise showed in his voice. “We have a couple of hours, why?”

“I’ll be back later,” Crosshair walked off in the direction of the village before Hunter could say anything. His long legs carried him to the marketplace, where he stood now amongst the bustling bodies.

He just couldn’t get your birthday out of his stupid head; that you hadn’t said anything because clones didn’t celebrate birthdays. Just because he didn’t understand them, doesn’t mean he couldn’t try…for you.

He started combing through the vendors, most of which were finishing up resetting their stands after they fled suddenly several days prior. He moved from stall to stall, gazing at the different items over people's heads. Kriff, what were you even supposed to buy people for birthdays? Something they needed? Something they wanted? It was all a little overwhelming. And Crosshair didn’t get overwhelmed.

“Looking for something in particular, my friend?”

Crosshair startled and looked up to see the vendor, a greying man with a wrinkled face, horns protruding from his forehead and curled up in an elegant spiral shape.

Crosshair frowned, clearing his throat. “It’s…my friend's birthday today.”

The man’s face lit up. “Wonderful! Birthdays are special.”

Crosshair’s mouth tightened as the man continued to speak. “What were you thinking of gifting them?”

The hairs on Crosshair’s neck stood up with nerves. “I…I don’t know.”

The man’s face lit up. “Perhaps I can help.”

The man then went through the different items at his stand. He held up scarves, strings of beads, and handmade pottery. Crosshair thought they were all nice enough, but he wasn’t swimming in credits. And none of the items really felt like you. The vendor was patient, more patient than he should’ve been. Either he really wanted to help or was desperate for a sale in a competitive marketplace.

After many minutes and many items, Crosshair felt himself gradually stiffening, becoming more and more on edge and uncomfortable. He felt so out of his depth. He was always so sure of everything, and trying to do this thing he had no experience in, made him more vulnerable than he had in a long time. It was not a feeling he felt comfortable with. Never had been.

And as much as he liked you, maybe this was all a stupid idea. You hadn’t mentioned your birthday for a reason. He shouldn’t bring it up. If he did, he’d have to explain how he found out…and he didn’t want to go through that awkwardness. He was about to open his mouth and tell the over-enthusiastic vendor: thank you, but he wouldn’t bother with a gift, when the vendor clapped his hands loudly, making Crosshair jump.

“I may have something back here, hold on,” he said as he turned away to rifle noisily through a crate behind him.

Crosshair felt his fist curl at his sides, and this should’ve been his opening to slide away unnoticed until he looked down and saw a brown leather book. Crosshair halted and lifted a gloved hand to the soft worn cover, running his fingers over the engravings in the bound leather. He opened the cover, seeing it was a blank notebook, and it had a writing implement tucked into the spine. Not many people recorded things the traditional way anymore; datapads were much more efficient and stored more information than the pages of a notebook. He flicked through the pages, fanning them with his thumb. The dust drifted up and it was a smell he didn’t recognise, but he supposed it was the smell of paper.

“That’s a good choice.”

Crosshair retracted his hand as if he was a cadet being scolded, and looked up at the vendor, who held an oversized pot that would break the second it came aboard the Marauder.

“That would be a perfect gift,” the vendor continued, nodding at the notebook.

Crosshair looked at him before picking up the notebook – more surely this time, and turned it over in his hands. He imagined you in your bunk, scribbling in it at night with a torch in one hand. He imagined you keeping it under your pillow for safekeeping. He imagined you doodling in it, showing him your drawings with that smile on your face. He imagined drawing in it with you. The corner of his mouth twitched upward.

“How much?” Crosshair asked.

“It’s yours.”

Crosshair’s head snapped towards the vendor. “What?”

The vendor waved him away. “Take it.”

Crosshair blinked, confused. “…I have to pay you.”

“No, you don’t. I’ve been trying to sell that for years. You’d be doing me a favour.”

Crosshair furrowed his brow. “…Isn’t the customer supposed to be right?”

The vendor barked out a laugh. “Not this time, my friend.”

Crosshair dug into his pocket anyway and pulled out half the credits. “For your patience…at least.”

The vendor chuckled and took them. “Thank you. I hope your friend likes it.”

Crosshair didn’t respond as the man turned away, placing the pot down before calling out to other marketgoers, trying to entice them.

Crosshair walked back through the market, the notebook feeling heavy in his hand. Leaving the village, he made his way back to the Marauder, thoughts swimming in his head.

Kriff, what if you hated it? Or thought it was stupid? What if all his knowledge on birthdays was completely inaccurate and you would think him strange for giving you something? Or what if you just thought he was weird for getting you something at all?

Crosshair’s grip on the notebook tightened. He just wanted to do something nice. Like you always did for them. But this is why he avoided it. It was so vulnerable being nice. Being nice left you open for hurt, open for aching. It was much easier to keep it at bay, to restrict it. To hide it behind actions inconspicuously where it wasn’t out in the open. Being so open with it for you…he wouldn’t admit it out loud, but it scared him. The doubt crept in. Crosshair had conviction and confidence, and he wasn’t used to it wavering like this.

He was just about ready to throw the notebook into a bush and never speak of it again when he heard your voice ring out from the steps of the Marauder.

“Crosshair!”

You placed your datapad down and ran over to him. He hid the notebook behind his back with both hands, gripping it so hard he knew his knuckles would be white as you approached him with a smile.

“Hey,” he said, hoping he sounded normal.

“Where’d you go? You disappeared after the mission.”

“I was just…looking for something,” he said carefully. Dank farrik, how was he supposed to do this? He thought he might just leave it on your bunk when you were distracted with a little note written inside the cover saying, ‘Happy Birthday’. That way he could avoid your reaction when you saw it. He didn’t even know how to get into the Marauder with it now that you were here in front of him.

You tilted your head with a quizzical smile. “Looking for something?”

Crosshair nodded. “I couldn’t find it,” he lied.

“Oh…okay,” you looked at him weirdly. Would you look at him like that when you saw his gift?

Crosshair nodded to the Marauder, desperate to get on board and stow the notebook away until he could leave it on your bunk. “Should we go inside?”

You looked at him, narrowing your eyes. “What are you hiding?”

“I’m not hiding anything, meshurok,” he lied, his grip tightening again.

“Yes, you are,” you sidestepped him to look behind him and he leapt out of the way. You grinned. “You are! What are you hiding, Cross? Why can’t I see?” you tried to chase him around, but Crosshair kept angling himself away. Kriff, he had never felt so stupid in his whole life.

“It’s nothing. Get your meddling hands away from me, you di’kut,” he walked backwards in a circle, his face and neck hot.

“Crosshair,” you chided, smiling at him. “Come on, is it really that bad?”

“Go away,” he grumbled, hands aching from holding the damned notebook so tight.

“Crosshair,” you said his name again, and your face was stretched in that playful grin that he’d unwillingly memorised. That thing in his stomach flickered again.

Then he remembered how you didn’t tell him about your birthday. And how you were friends, but you didn’t say anything about it. And how he had this unexplainable feeling he couldn’t name sitting in his stomach that compelled him to go to a village market and pick out a stupid gift for a birthday tradition he didn’t even understand just to do something nice for you the way you did for him and his brothers.

Crosshair’s expression flared and he shoved the notebook at your chest. You startled at your hand came up to grab it, sliding against his like a searing snake. He pulled his hand back and balled both at his sides as he gritted out, “Happy birthday.”

All he saw was your eyes were wide before he stalked off, almost stomping his way to the Marauder. His face burned, and embarrassment flooded his body. He felt so stupid, and he hated feeling stupid. He hated the feeling of being on the end of someone’s judgement. He hated knowing that he’d just been forced to make himself vulnerable. But mostly, he hated the feeling of you not trusting him with what was supposed to be the important parts of you.

“Crosshair!”

Your voice came from behind him, but he didn’t turn around. He was already planning different ways he could avoid you. He was going to lock himself in the ‘fresher until the next mission and make sure Hunter placed him on watch at opposite times to you. Whatever it took. His heart panged. You were one of the only people outside his brothers he liked. He would mourn the shared jokes and laughter, and time spent with you, knowing it couldn’t happen anymore.

“Crosshair, wait.”

He felt a hand on his arm pull him back. He swayed backwards, but he let you stop him. He avoided your gaze, scowl burning an outline in his brow as he stared off into the middle distance. Your hand stayed on his arm, and he felt it through the plastoid wrapped around his forearm, squeezing him there. It felt like part of him, and that made him feel both warm with content and spiked with anger simultaneously.

“Cross, please look at me,” your voice said quietly, and his heart squeezed. He slowly moved his gaze, looking down, then sliding his eyes to your bare hand on his arm before they lifted to your face. Your brows were slanted downwards, looking at him with such softness in your eyes he felt the flickering in his chest again.

“How did you…” your voice was soft and trailed off, notebook in your other hand.

“It doesn’t matter,” he dismissed with gritted words.

He felt your hand flex with your grip. “It does to me.”

He studied your face carefully before saying, “…I was helping Tech with cataloguing his files. I saw your birthday in yours.”

You continued looking at him with an indecipherable gaze and moved your hand slowly from his arm to his wrist, your bare fingertips brushing his gloves. You gently grazed his fingers as you let his hand drop softly. He watched you as you inspected the book, hands turning it over, fanning through the pages. He studied your expression, trying to discern what you thought, feeling anxiety grow in his stomach, his throat tightening. He felt something hot poke inside him as he watched your mouth turn up into a smile as you gazed at his gift.

“I’ve been so busy this year that I forgot about my birthday.”

Crosshair hoped he hid his surprise. You not telling him about your birthday…it was never about him. Of course, you had forgotten. The past six cycles had been a whirlwind for you trying to adjust to a soldier’s lifestyle, countless missions and trying to fit in with his brothers. His face burned again. He was a fool.

You looked up at him, a smirk itching the corners of your mouth. “Been too busy keeping you boys in line.”

Crosshair scoffed lightly, letting a puff of breath out of his nose. Your smile widened.

“This is a beautiful gift, Cross. Thank you for getting it for me,” you place your hand on his arm again, squeezing gently to show your appreciation He felt his heart lift and his cheeks redden, but this time, not in embarrassment.

He nodded at you. “I’m…glad you like it. I don’t have much experience with birthdays.”

Your smile touched the edges of your eyes. “That’s what makes it even more special.”

You reached up on your tip toes and wrapped your arms around his neck, embracing him. Crosshair stiffened in shock and surprise before he slowly wrapped his arms around your torso. His fingers grazed your sides, and there was something wildly comforting about holding you like this. He could feel the side of your face pressed into his neck, just below his ear, and your breath tickled the sliver of open skin not covered by his blacks. You were so warm. He felt you squeeze him gently and he didn’t stop himself from squeezing back.

You were his best friend, after all.

You pulled away, but not before you cupped his face and placed a kiss on his cheek. Crosshair flinched and his eyes widened as you lowered yourself back down on flat feet with one of the most joyful smiles he’d ever seen gracing your face. The action had surprised him more than anything else had.

“I’m going to show everyone what you got me,” you said before running off towards the Marauder.

“No, don’t, they’ll—” Crosshair started but you were already halfway up the gangplank. His brothers’ teasing was going to be ruthless.

He sighed, shaking his head before following you, that thing flickering in his chest. He didn’t understand it, but he didn’t try to extinguish it.

banner art by @vimse

mando'a / meshurok = gemstone thank you for reading! i did find this one slightly challenging bc it's very much crosshair in his head and i tried to write him how i thought he would react to a situation like this, but if it's a little OOC, i apologise! but i think he would react like this if someone he cared about didn't tell him something important about them; someone who was his friend and who he liked very much. i think he'd be kinda mad and hurt but he cares too much to not do anything at all. i have more gen requests on the way, so stay tuned if you're interested! <3

tags @starrylothcat @sinfulsalutations @moodymisty @nahoney22 @freesia-writes @nobody-expects-the-inquisitorius @bobaprint @crosshairsnose @jesseeka @thegalaxys-edge @snarky-mans-gf @chopper-base @wenalena @shredderwest @leavingkamino @rexamongthestars @r2d2staser @bluebird-dreams @pb-jellybeans @a-streakofblue @theawkwardartist12 @mylifeisactuallyamess @padawancat97 @littlecrowtime @jedipoodoo

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[thegreymarveljedi]

He’ll Be Home Soon

(Echo x reader)

This idea came to me while at a family gathering. I was just daydreaming and whatever and I thought of this idea and ran with it. This is probably one of the first fics in a while that I’m actually very proud of. It took a few weeks but it feels good to get my motivation back and with a few extra ideas from others on how to keep my works from getting deleted again (thank you @techhasmjolnir , @isthereanechoinhere96 @inkstainedhandswithrings ) I’m back for the new year with a few good stories coming out!

This story takes place starting just before Star Wars the clone wars Season 3 Episode 18 (I am so so sorry lol). I hope you all enjoy this!

(Also, last minute add but divider is done by @stars-n-spice )

Warnings: ANGSTTT, major character ‘death’, ‘5’ stages of grief, mentions of blood, concussion, denial, delusions, mentions of anxiety, hurt/ eventual comfort, tears from many people, fluff, mentions of loneliness/ introvert, insecure Echo, happy ending

Words: 10.6k (Way more than I thought lol)

(Y/N) stood with Echo at the front door of their apartment, watching as he fixed the rest of his armour. She helped where she could, passing him pieces and fixing others that were crooked. He smiled at her as he finished fixing his armour, grabbing his helmet and securing it under his arm.

“I’ll be home before you know it mesh’la. We’re only ment to be gone for 7 rotations minimum and 10 rotations maximum. In and out is what the job is,” he said, looking down at (Y/N) with eyes that conveyed so much confidence and love. Even with his confidence she couldn’t shake her worry, the war weighing on her in so many ways. She was worried for his life more than her own and she wanted so much to join the mission, to ensure he came home to her but she knew it was impossible to convince the council of it.

“I know Echo. But I have a really bad feeling about this mission,” (Y/N) said, placing one of her hands on his chest and the other finding it’s way to his cheek, the stubble on his cheeks tickling her palm, “Just stick close to Fives please? And don’t take any unnecessary risks okay?” She pleaded even while knowing full well that it was futile. She knew Echo would be careful but she also knew that he was a soldier who would do whatever it took to complete the mission.

“With General Skywalker, there’s always risks,” he chuckled, though the face (Y/N) gave him must have made him rethink his joking manner.

“I know that,” she replied, rolling her eyes at the mention of her best friend in the order. (Y/N) had worked with the 501st many times and she knew that Anakin could be reckless with his actions. But she also knew how much he cared for his men, even if he took unnecessary risks. Echo looked at her with a soft smile, his gloved hand coming up to take hold of her own that still rested on his cheek.

“I’m serious Echo. Don’t do anything you shouldn’t do. I need you to come home to me.” Her voice cracked as she spoke those word’s, her emotions spilling over. As a Jedi, attachments were forbidden, a path to the dark side as master Yoda always said. But (Y/N) liked to think that her relationship with Echo was different. She didn’t feel any darkest in her heart or anger when he was gone, all she felt for him was love and the occasional worry. But I guess that worry turned to fear in this case and she knew that master Yoda would frown upon this revelation.

“I will cyar’ika, I promise.” Echo snapped her out of her thoughts, his words touching her heart and easing her mind even if only a little. (Y/N) stared at her handsome arc trooper, his hazel eyes deep pools of wonder that she could admire for hours, his lips so kissable and soft, pulled into an affectionate smile that she wished would never leave. His hair was cut in accordance with regulations but still as soft and fluffy as his heart, the very soft waves tempting her to run her fingers through them. She refrained however, instead choosing to kiss his nose and tilt his head forward toward her own, resting their foreheads together.

“I’m going to hold you to that,” (Y/N) spoke softly, her voice trembling slightly at the thought of letting him go. She knew it was war times and that they had a fight to win, but that didn’t mean she liked it. It didn’t make parting with him any easier.

“I’d expect nothing less from you my dear,” Echo chuckled, his helmet falling from his hands as he wrapped her in his arms one last time. (Y/N) returned the embrace, determined to hold his warmth against her body for as long as she could before he really had to leave.

“Ni kar'tayli gar darasuum ner kar’ta,” Echo whispered, his face buried in her neck as he breathed in deeply, taking in the scent of (Y/N)’s body soap. His hands found her hips, running his gloved palms up and down her sides as her arms remained locked around his neck. The press of his armour against her torso was painful but worth every moment, as long as he was in her arms.

“I love you too Echo. So so much. I always will,” (Y/N) replied just as quietly, not wanting to break the serenity of the moment. After another minute of holding one another his comm went off, the beeping of the device signalling that it was time for him to go.

She gave her beloved trooper one final squeeze, feeling tears prick the corners of her eyes as she begrudgingly let him go. Echo smiled sadly at (Y/N) as she leaned down and retrieved his helmet, tucking it under his arm once again before bidding her a final goodbye. As the door opened to allow him to leave, he turned back to face his cyare once more and blew her a kiss, one that she caught and returned, her hands trembling slightly as she watched him leave.

“I’ll be home soon ner sarad. I promise,” he spoke one final time to her, his smile never leaving his face and the warm affection in his eyes conveying his love. She nodded as the door closed, cutting her off from the love of her life temporarily.

(Y/N) tried her best to hold the tears at bay, her emotions bubbling up and threatening to burst out in full force. She took some deep breathes, composing herself before she looked around the apartment, suddenly feeling so small and alone in the space meant for two. She cracked her neck and sighed, trying to think of everything else besides the handsome trooper who had just left her presence.

“It’s only 7 rotations at minimum. We’ve gone longer without each other. What’s the worst that could happen?”

~Time Skip~

Being on a meditative retreat was relaxing, time away from the fighting and the politics, not having to think about much of anything. It was peaceful, like it should be, even if (Y/N) was still a little worried about Echo. But once he returned, they could disappear off world together for the last week of the retreat, head to Naboo and just relax for a few days.

She smiled at the thought of it, thinking about how relaxing it would be to spend time with her love after he came home. It was 8 rotations ago that Echo and the others had left on their mission, the details of which were still classified to almost all besides the council and a few other veteran Jedi. All she knew was that Anakin and Obi-wan were leading a team to rescue Master Piell.

(Y/N) was snapped out of her thoughts when there was a knock at the door, the sounds firm and stern. She smiled giddily, thinking that it was her trooper coming home and wanting to surprise her. She smoothed out her robes and fixed her hair, ready to greet Echo after a long mission away. She walked over to the door and pressed the panel to open it, her large smile falling as she gazed upon two troopers she hadn’t expected to see.

“Rex, Fives what are you guys doing here? And where’s…” (Y/N)’s eyes went wide and her heart stopped immediately when she noticed that Echo was nowhere to be found next to Fives. Her eyes darted between the two troopers, fear gripping her heart like vice, a cloud of darkness forming around her in the force.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry,” Fives said, his helmet tucked under his arm which allowed her to see his face, eyes bloodshot and tear streaks staining his cheeks. (Y/N) laughed and shook her head, giving Fives a punch to his chest and gesturing for them both to come inside.

“N-no. Stop messing with me. This is another one of your stupid pranks right?” She laughed again, a very unpleasant sounding laugh leaving her lips as her eyes continued to dart between the Arc trooper and the clone captain who had yet to utter a word. The glare Fives sent (Y/N)’s way sent a shiver down her spine, his gaze intense and full of anger.

“I would never joke about this,” Fives hissed, taking a menacing step forward as tears began to gather in his eyes once more. Rex placed a firm hand on Fives’ chest, giving him a small push back and glaring at him. He shook his head, knowing that Fives was hurting but also knowing that (Y/N) had lost the love of her life. Fives realized his mistake and looked over Rex’s shoulder to the woman, eyes finding her horrified expression at the realization that they were telling the truth.

“Bu-but he can’t be. H-he promised me he’d come home.” She shook her head as the words fell from her lips, in disbelief at the prospect that her beloved Arc trooper had fallen in battle. Her knees felt weak, like they couldn’t support her weight any longer. (Y/N) eyes continued to dart between the men as she took a few steps back into her apartment, the space suddenly feeling even smaller than it did when Echo left.

“I’m- I’m so sorry (Y/N). But he’s gone,” Rex said, his voice that of a defeated captain who had just lost another brother. Her head continued to shake as Rex and Fives slowly walked into the apartment, the doors sliding shut behind them.

The men knew they were welcome in her home, having hosted them for many nights after a successful mission. This however, was a different monster entirely. Echo was gone and they were in mourning, (Y/N)’s own mind having an impossible time coming to terms with these revelations. She could feel the cloud of sadness growing, gripping her heart and taking over her senses.

Their eyes looked sad and genuine as they told (Y/N) what happened to her soldier, how bravely he fought and how tragic the mission was as a whole. She felt her heart crack as they continued to retell it, wanting them stop but knowing that, deep down, she needed to know. She felt like her legs would give out, the trembling getting more and more violent as their recounting of the mission went on. Fives had deposited himself at the dinning room table, his helmet long forgot by the front door as Rex stayed standing.

“N-no. Nonono.” (Y/N)’s words seemed so distant even to her own ears, stumbling over her feet as she continued to step back, trying her best to back away from the reality of this situation. She knew she was in denial, Rex and Fives’ presence telling her all she needed but it didn’t feel real. It felt like someone was pulling the world right out from under her feet, reaching into her chest and tearing a piece of her heart away. There was ringing, so loud and annoying, like an alarm in her ears that didn’t seem to stop.

“I’m deeply sorry vod’ika. He fought like a hero and died a hero,” whoever said that, their voice was distant to (Y/N)’s ears, the ringing intensifying tenfold her heart crumbled in her chest. She began hyperventilating, as if she was falling down a dark hole with no visible way out. She blindly reached for the counter in the kitchen, trying to find some kind of solid surface to keep her grounded.

“I-I-” words seemed to fail her, the world around her growing darker and darker as her knees began to give out. She couldn’t feel her lower half or even her fingers, her body failing her just as the words did.

“(Y/N)?” Rex asked, Fives perking up at the concern in the captains voice. He turned to look at (Y/N) and his eyes went wide, seeing her shake and stumble. He was on his feet and walking over to where she stood immediately, knowing that Echo would come back from the grave and shoot him if he let anything happen to his cyare.

“I-I can’t fe-feel my legs…” (Y/N) said, so quietly that both men almost missed what she said. Her vision went black, eyes rolling into the back of her head as the ground seemed to swallow her. Her consciousness came crashing down, the force around her swirling a deep purple. Her subconscious mind could feel her falling, fingers on the counter slipping off as her body came hurtling toward the hard surface of the floor.

“(Y/N)!” Fives yelped, catching her before she could hit the ground, but not before her head slammed into the counter, a loud thunk reverberating through the apartment. Rex was by her side in an instant as well, helping Fives to slowly bring her to the ground. Rex turned her over slowly to check on the spot where she hit her head, blood oozing from the wound.

He cursed and stood up, moving to grab the first aid kit from under the sink as Fives quickly sent a message to Kix. Rex came back with the kit and a damp cloth, holding it against (Y/N)’s head to try and stop the bleeding.

“Let’s move her to the couch, carefully,” Rex said and Fives nodded, feeling quite guilty that they hadn’t told (Y/N) to sit down before they told her the tragic news. His mind went to his fallen twin, seeing his helmet lying there on the durasteel of the citadel landing pad. It was burnt, fried to a crisp from the explosion, but he had begged Ahsoka to use the force and bring it to them, needing to take the last part of his twin home.

“Comm Kix now.” Rex snapped Fives out of his thoughts, his voice somehow calm even with the current situation as they brought (Y/N) over to the couch to lay her down. Rex quickly placed down a few extra clean towels to stop the blood from seeping into the couch, not wanting to make (Y/N)’s apartment feel any more chilling.

“He’s already on his way,” Fives replied, his eyes downcast as he held (Y/N)’s hand. It wasn’t an uncommon occurrence for him to do so, (Y/N) accepting the small gesture of platonic affection whenever the boys came over after a mission. He held it gently, as if trying to ground them both and come to terms with the reality that his twin was gone. It was so hard to grasp, Fives struggling to understand how much this had effect (Y/N).

“Should we have waited to tell her?” The words fell from his lip before he could stop them, voice soft yet defeated. Rex took a moment to mull over Fives words, knowing that they were all grieving. But he hadn’t wanted to keep (Y/N) in the dark about this, especially when he knew she’d hear that they were home. It wasn’t right to keep this from her no matter how much he wanted to.

“No. It needed to be done now,” he said firmly, though his words lacked their usual confident conviction. He stared down at (Y/N), someone who had been a second in command to him many times, saved his and his brothers lives more times than he could count and always welcomed them into her home with open arms.

“But why?” Fives said quietly, looking to Rex with such sadness and despair written across his features.

“Because I don’t feel right lying to her. She doesn’t deserve that,” Rex said, his eyes turning to look at Fives before turning back to look at (Y/N). Her unconscious expression was unreadable, her face neutral even if the rest of her body was tense. Her skin had drained of some of its colour, once vibrant but now dimmed and dull. Rex turned back to Fives, watching the emotions pass along the Arc trooper’s face as he started at his twin’s cyare.

“I know you just lost your twin, Fives. But this is his Cyar’ika. Even if it hurts to shatter her world, she deserved to know that he went out like a hero,” Rex said, placing a hand on Fives shoulder to try and convey his thoughts to his Vod. Fives only nodded, not wanting to be reminded of such a tragic event. It was still fresh in his mind, that much was true, but for as long as he could, he wanted to just pretend it wasn’t real.

“I know Rex. It just…hurts. A lot,” Fives said, his voice cracking as the tears returned, the emotions no longer wanting to stay hidden behind the mask he had managed to put on. He removed his gloves, putting them down on the Caf table along with his chest plate and gauntlets.

“I know Fives. I know,” Rex said with a sigh, moving to do the same as Fives. They removed their armour silently, placing it neatly in piles by the door as they waited for Kix to arrive.

“Should we have given her the holo instead,” Fives said as he removed his belt and pulled the small device from one of the compartments. He remembered the moment that Echo had given him the holo tape, telling him that…

“If something happens to me, I need you to give this to (Y/N). She needs to hear what is on this and I need her to know that I love her.”

“I don’t know,” Rex’s shoulders sagged as he thought about it all, loosing one of the troopers he had trained since shiny, one of the 501st brothers he was closest too, “This way at least, we can stay with her and help her through this.” Rex had seen the holo before, having been close by to Echo when he had reordered it. He knew what it said and had even teared up a little at how sentimental it was.

“Will we ever give it to her?” This time it was Fives to break the temporary silence that had fallen over the apartment, looking at (Y/N) with sad eyes.

“I don’t know,” Rex said. Before he could utter another word, there was a firm and slightly frantic knocking at the door. It slid open to reveal Kix with his med pack and Hardcase and Jesse behind him, both sporting grim expressions. They quickly walked into the apartment and closed the door, Jesse initiating the lock as soon as they were all in.

~

“There isn’t much we can do right now but I suggest we tell general Skywalker,” Kix said as he put his stethoscope away, standing up and depositing his med pack next to the front door along with the rest of the boys armour.

“We can’t. What will he do?” Jesse asked curiously, knowing that yes, Anakin and (Y/N) were best friends, but was this really something that he could help her with. He and the others knew that attachments for Jedi were forbidden but they had chosen to stand by their Vod and his cyar’ika. None of them knew what their general would say though.

“He might be able to help,” Hardcase replied, his voice low and timid which was a bit of a shock to the others considering Hardcase was always so loud and boisterous. Hardcase cast his eyes to (Y/N), watching as she lay there unconscious. He knew that this was going to affect her greatly but he wanted to help in any way he could. They all did.

“How?” Jesse snapped without thinking about his tone, his own emotions over the situation much more uncontrollable.

“I don’t know okay! But we can’t just leave her alone to wallow in her grief. Echo wouldn’t want that,” Hardcase snapped back, his usual volume returning though his words only held sadness and despair. A silence befell the room at that moment. The five men thinking over what they could do to help their other general, their sister. It was another few moments of silence before Rex went to speak up, his words being interrupted by a groan and coughing. The men all turned their heads to look at (Y/N), all equally concerned for her wellbeing after what happened.

“Vod’ika are you okay?” Fives asked quietly, his hand giving (Y/N)’s a gentle squeeze as she slowly and carefully turned her head left and right. She could feel the dull throbbing pain of where she hit her head, the bacta patch on the wound helping to sooth the spot.

She spoke no words as she took in the state of the apartment, not many things out of place but enough that she began to make a plan in her head of how to clean them up. She took another survey of the space, noting that there were now five troopers present rather than two. She didn’t mind the extra company, though right now she felt as if she wanted to be left alone. She tried to sit up, her body feeling heavy, as though her heart had been ripped in two. Her head felt foggy, like there was a missing piece of the puzzle though that was definitely the concussion, she deduced.

“General?” Kix asked tentatively, helping (Y/N) to sit up with the help of Rex and Fives. They sat her up against the back rest of the couch, making sure to place pillows around to help her sit comfortably. She gave a short nod in thanks, feeling like there was so much more to say but no words to articulate how she was feeling.

“This is all just a bad dream,” she said, smoothing one of her hands down her face. This had to be a bad dream, there was no way he was gone. The pieces of her heart were scatter, the fog of her mind still swirling with thoughts that Echo would be home soon.

“I wish it were (Y/N). But it’s not. I’m sorry,” Rex said, hanging his head in shame that he couldn’t bring his younger brother home. The others in the room mimicked Rex, all of them feeling awful for what happened, especially Fives. The guilt of the incident weighted on him most of all, not having done enough to prevent Echo from pushing for the shuttle prematurely.

“I should clean up, he’ll be home soon,” (Y/N) said slightly dazed, as if on autopilot and not fully present in her own body. She went to stand up, a little too fast as she stumbled, being caught by Kix, Rex and Fives. They all looked at her confused, not fully understanding what she meant with her words.

“Who?” Hardcase asked tentatively, slightly fearful of the answer her would receive. Kix and Rex steadied (Y/N) on her feet, making sure that she was physically stable before letting go, even then their hands weren’t too far away. (Y/N) looked at Hardcase with an innocent smile, one too innocent for a grieving woman who just found out that she had lost the love of her life.

“Echo. He’ll be home soon so I need to clean this place up,” (Y/N) said moving away from the couch and towards to the kitchen where there was a very small pile of dishes and a warm meal prepared. She would offer some to the guys but it was Echo’s favourite and she didn’t want him to have any less when he came home.

“(Y/N),” Jesse spoke, his tone one of disbelief. Had she not heard anything they had said to her for the last hour? Or was this the denial stage of grief. He looked over to Rex and Kix who were already looking at each other, both not knowing how to go about this situation.

“You guys should go, before Anakin starts wondering where you all are,” she said, picking up the sponge on the side of the counter and beginning to scrub what dishes were in the sink. She surveyed the counter looking for anymore before her eyes landed on the spot where she hit her head, the counter covered in a little bit of blood.

“But-“ Kix began but was cut off very abruptly.

“I have to clean up.” (Y/N)’s words were sharp, cutting through the tension of the room like a lightsaber. She sighed and reached under the counter for the bleach, pulling on gloves and pouring some bleach onto a clean cloth. She wiped the spot down until it sparkled, going over it with a damp cloth with water and soap.

“We can help you.”

“Thank you Fives. But I’ve got this. I want to make everything look just right for when he comes home,” (Y/N) replied and used the force to throw the bleached towel into the washing machine and turn it on.

“Vod’ika,” Fives said, him voice quiet as he tried to move towards (Y/N), only being stopped by Kix’s hand on his shoulder. He turned to look at his older brother who shook his head, not want to escalate the situation to a point where they couldn’t come back from. Fives hung his head in defeat, feeling even more helpless than before. He was watching as someone who he considered to be his sister, denied that the love of her life was gone.

“He promised me he’d come home,” (Y/N) whispered to herself, a smile on her face and her brain still foggy. Echo was going to come home to her, she knew it. Fives, again, went to approach her but this time with the holotape in his hands. However this time he was stopped by Jesse and Hardcase, both shaking their heads just as Kix did. Fives huffed in annoyance, shrugging both his brother’s hands off his shoulders and making his way to the front door, throwing on his armour quickly before leaving, tears streaming down his face as he left.

Rex watched Fives walk out, the knowledge of how frustrated the arc trooper was weighing in him like a gunship. Rex turned back face (Y/N) watching as she continued to cleanse the kitchen, going over surfaces that had already been cleaned.

“He’s not coming back (Y/N). He’s gone,” Rex said, desperation in his voice at not being able to get through to her. He went to step forward just as Fives did but was also stopped by Kix, his vod’ika giving him a pitiful look.

“He’ll be home soon,” (Y/N) repeated, the force around her drowning out their voices. She was determined to get the place clean before Echo came home, wanting everything to be spotless for his return. Kix watched as (Y/N) was in severe denial, the concussion and head wound she sustained doing nothing to help her subconscious delusions.

“Rex, let her mourn. She’ll come to terms with it eventually. Let’s leave her be.” he gave Rex’s shoulder a squeeze, signalling to Hardcase and Jesse to kit up, wanting to let (Y/N) mourn in peace. Jesse and Hardcase both cast one more glance at their captain who nodded in agreement with Kix’s words, begrudgingly agreeing to let (Y/N) have some space. Kix however walked up to (Y/N) and placed a hand on her shoulder, placing a bottle of pain pills on the counter next to her.

“Take one of these before you go to sleep at night and one when you wake up general, they’ll help with the migraines from the concussion,” Kix said, only receiving a very small nod from (Y/N). He turned back to the others who were now kitted up, following suit before ushering Hardcase and Jesse out, both wishing (Y/N) the best.

Rex was more reluctant to leave, not wanting to leave (Y/N) but knowing that she needed time right now, “if you need us at all, you know how to reach us (Y/N).”

There was no reply from the women and Rex sighed, kitting up and tucking his helmet under his arm. He opened the door and cast one last empathetic glance at (Y/N) before the door closed behind him, leaving her alone in her apartment.

~ Time Skip~

It had been another two weeks since the incident and (Y/N) was still in denial, her subconscious mind pushing forth memories of their time together to make it appear as though Echo was still alive. She smiled as she washed her hands in the kitchen, just having finished making lunch when there was a knock at the door. She used the force to open it, her eyes lighting up as she spotted Anakin standing there.

“Hey (Y/N),” he greeted a sympathetic smile on his lips as he walked into her apartment.

“Hi Anakin!” she said cheerfully, coming over to hug her best friend. She gave him a squeeze before pulling away, giving him a once over to check for any injuries but found none. Her cheery disposition caught Anakin off guard, making him tilt his head slightly but he said nothing.

“I just made lunch, would you like any?” She offered, moving back to the kitchen and taking down a bowl and two glasses from the cabinet.

“I’m okay for now (Y/N/N) but thanks for the offer,” Anakin declined politely though accepting the cup of water that she offered him.

“How’re you doing?” He asked as she sat down, a bowl of stew in her hand and her legs tucked up under her body. Anakin took a sip of his water as she answered his question though her answer sent a shock through his spine making him choke on his water.

“I’m doing good. I’ve got a clean place and it’s ready for when Echo comes home.”

“What?”

“My apartment. I cleaned it up so that way when Echo comes home he can just relax.”

“D-did Fives and Rex not-“ Anakin stutter over his words, placing his glass down on the caf table and staring at (Y/N) as if she had turned to the dark side. She continued talking however, as if trying to drown out what Anakin was saying.

“And then I’m going to make his favourite dinner and make sure th-“

“(Y/N/N).”

“Yeah?”

“Echo’s gone. He died at the Citadel,” Anakin said, standing up and kneeling down in front of where (Y/N) was sitting on the couch. She refused to meet his eyes, finishing off her stew and standing up, navigating around Anakin before moving to the kitchen.

“N-no he didn’t. He’s just-“ she stuttered out, dropping her bowl in the sink and running the water over it.

“(Y/N)-“ Anakin started but was cut off again.

“He’ll be home soon. I know he will be,” (Y/N) said, turning to give Anakin a quick glare before moving toward her bedroom.

“(Y/N) wait,” Anakin said quickly, jumping over the couch and chasing after her, gently taking hold of her wrist to stop her from walking away. (Y/N) stood still for a moment, thinking over what Anakin had told her, thinking back to when Rex and the others were her.

“I should get going. I need to shower and meditate before he comes home,” she said quietly with a sigh, shaking free from Anakin’s grip and heading down the hall, “you can see yourself out,” she said as the door to her room opened and closed, leaving Anakin alone on the boarder of the living room and hallway.

He sighed as he looked around the apartment, taking in the spotless mess of everything and how nothing was out of place. His eyes landed on the side table next to the couch where there was a holophoto of (Y/N) with him, Rex, Fives, Echo and the rest of Torrent company. Next to that was a holophoto of her and Echo, holding each other and smiling. Anakin picked up the captured moment, looking at the happy couple that reminded him so much of himself and Padme. He felt awful for not being able to bring Echo home, his helmet the only thing coming home with them.

Anakin made his way to the door, sighing once more as it opened and closed behind him as he left (Y/N)’s apartment, thinking over what he could do to help her.

~

“I’m worried about (Y/N), Master,” Anakin said as he stood against the wall in Obi-wan’s office. He had come to his master after visiting (Y/N), needing some advice at how to help her out.

“Why’s that?” Obi-wan said as he continued to type up a report for the council on his datapad.

“She’s in denial about Echo’s death, She still thinks that he’s alive,” Anakin said, shaking his head as he gave Obi-wan the run down. Obi-wan nodded along, listening to Anakin as he spoke. He knew of (Y/N)’s relationship with the arc trooper, even if they had tried their best to hide their relationship. Obi-wan had chosen to show his silent support, turning his head and letting (Y/N) be happy. He knew what it felt like to give up that kind of connection in favour of being a Jedi and there wasn’t a day that went by that he didn’t feel some kind of regret.

“But didn’t Rex and Fives-“ Obi-wan started, looking up at Anakin as his apprentice cut him off.

“They did. And so did I but she responded with ‘he’ll be home soon’ and won’t hear anything else about it,” Anakin said, coming over and sitting down at the chair in front of Obi-wan’s desk this time.

“I see. That’s not good then,” his master replied as he looked over to Anakin, placing his datapad away from himself and giving Anakin his full attention.

“He left her a recording but Rex and Fives didn’t feel right giving it to her,” Anakin explained, placing the holorecorder down on Obi-wan’s desk as emphasis along with Echo’s helmet that he brought as well. It had been a battle to get Fives to part with it but Anakin had said to him that he needed it to help (Y/N) through this.

“Why not?” Obi-wan said, somewhat flabbergasted that they hadn’t given (Y/N) something that was intended for her. He looked at Echo’s damaged helmet next, putting a hand against it and closing his eyes, allowing the force to guide him through Echo’s last moments. He felt anguish, anger but mostly sorrow for leaving (Y/N) behind.

I love you (Y/N). I’ll see you again someday.

“Because they didn’t want her to be alone when she found out,” Anakin said, watching as Obi-wan continued what he was doing. He knew his master was focused on his task, connecting with Echo’s last conscious thought.

“I understand that but they should’ve given it to her,” Obi-wan said as he opened his eyes and removed his hand from Echo’s helmet. He had found the closure that he himself had been looking for and he hoped that (Y/N) could find the same. He looked to his student, a defeated look present in his face.

“I know. I understand the denial but how do we get her to snap out of it?” Anakin said, desperation present in his voice.

“I’m not sure but we need to find a way, before the council catches wind of this.”

“I know but how? She won’t listen to anyone about it.”

They sat silently for a moment before Obi-wan spoke up, “Maybe I can help. Give me the holo,” Obi-wan said, taking the holo and pocketing it before using the force to grab a bag big enough to hold Echo’s helmet. He pulled the bag over his shoulder and made his way to the door, leaving Anakin sitting down.

“What are you going to do Obi-wan?” Anakin asked quickly but there was no response from his master as he walked out, power walking to where Anakin knew (Y/N) would be.

~

“(Y/N)?” Obi-wan called out catching (Y/N) as she was about to enter into one of the private training room. The woman turned at the sound of her name, eyes lighting up and lips turning into a smile as she saw Obi-wan.

“Master Kenobi! How can I help you?” She said with a smile and invited him into the room she was entering, closing and locking the sliding doors to give them a chance to talk.

“Actually, I was hoping I could help you,” obi-wan said making (Y/N) tilt her head in fake confusion. She had a feeling that Anakin had gone to his former mentor for advice and support and she had a sneaking suspicion that Obi-wan would be the next to talk to her about the situation. He had been there after all, the mission had been one that he led.

“Oh? I-I don’t need any help Obi-wan but thank you for the sentiment,” (Y/N) said, walking further into the training room and discarding her robe onto one of the bench’s against the wall.

“(Y/N), look at me,” Obi-wan said, walking over to where (Y/N) was, “You deserve to be happy you know that right?” He said, placing a hand on her shoulder. (Y/N) reluctantly nodded, knowing where this was going. She was over it at this point, everyone trying to convince her that Echo was gone.

“Haha very funny. Has everyone else got you in on this prank to?” She said with a forced fake laugh, moving away from Obi-wan to sit down in the ground. She readied herself into a meditative position, hoping that Obi-wan would get the hint to leave her alone.

“It’s not a prank my darling,” Obi-wan said, turning to (Y/N) and following her to her meditation spot. He sat across from her and placed the bag with Echo’s helmet next to him, waiting for the right moment to bring it out.

“Yeah yeah, tell Anakin to knock it off. I have to make sure I’m alert and ready for when Echo comes home-“

“(Y/N).”

“Obi-wan.”

“I’m telling you the truth,” he said, trying to get through to her about how this was not a trick. There was a sigh hanging by thread on his lips, the frustration of (Y/N)’s denial making Obi-wan question if he should just rip the bacta patch off.

“Well I don’t believe you,” she said, closing her eyes to try and tune out Obi-wan and his words. She knew that Echo was somewhere out there and no one could dissuade her from that thought.

“When have I ever lied to you?” She heard Obi-wan say, the question striking a cord inside her mind and her chest.

“Today is the first,” she replied after a brief pause of thought. Obi-wan sighed again, watching as (Y/N) sat in denial. Her eyes remained closed so Obi-wan figured that now was the only time he could pull out his cards. He pulled Echos damaged helmet out of the bag he brought, placing it on the ground in front of (Y/N) before pulling out the holorecording and pressing play.

“Cyar’ika.” (Y/N)’s eyes flew open at the sound of that voice, the hope in her chest bubbling up before she realized that it was just a recording. She looked at the holo of her Arc trooper, watching as his eyes seemed to light up as if he was talking directly to her and not addressing her through a camera. She took another moment and looked down, tears gathering in her waterline as she laid eyes on Echo’s helmet, charred and damaged beyond repair.

“If you’re hearing this then… there’s no easy way to tell you but…I’m gone. I’ve had this recorded since I met you because I knew there was always a possibility that I wouldn’t come back.” His words hit her like a turbo tank, making her fragmented heart shatter even more. Her eyes temporarily met Obi-wan’s before they focused back on the holo of her lover.

“I gave it to Fives because I knew he would be the one to deliver it if something ever happened and unfortunately it did.” She picked up his helmet, the tears now spilling over her cheeks as she finally came to grips with the fact that Echo was really gone for good. She ran her thumbs over the visor of his helmet, holding it in her lap as she continued to listen to the message that was left for her.

“I just want you to know (Y/N), I will always love you no matter where I am. I will always be with you even when we’re miles apart. Ner mesh’la Sarad, move on and live happily, I know you can. Ni kar'tayli gar darasuum.” His final words broke her, a strangled sob leaving her lips as she clutched his helmet closer to her chest. She placed her forehead against that of his helmet, feeling Echo’s last moments before the memories faded.

“I’m so sorry (Y/N),” Obi-wan said, watching as (Y/N) broke down over the message Echo had left her, having to wipe a few stray tears away from his own eyes. This whole situation reminded him so much of how he had almost lost Satine when they were younger. He felt horrible that he had to do this but it needed to be done before the council caught on. He couldn’t keep covering for her even if he wanted to, wanting to help her as much as he could.

“Let’s get you to bed,” Obi-wan said, standing up and gently maneuvering (Y/N) to stand up. She was pliant and didn’t resist Obi-wan much, still trying to grapple with the message that she had just seen. Obi-wan slowly and carefully took Echo’s helmet and placed it back in the bag so that no one would be none the wiser. He handed the bag back to (Y/N) and placed the holorecording inside it alongside the helmet.

He took (Y/N)’s hand softly and guided her out of the training room, being careful to avoid as many Jedi as he could in the halls of the temple. (Y/N) remained quiet, holding tightly onto the bag that now housed Echo’s helmet and the last message she received. She felt as though she had skipped the second and third stages of grief, no amount of anger or bargaining able to bring him back.

Next thing she knew they had made it to her room in the temple, the door opening and closing behind them. Obi-wan guided (Y/N) to her bed, coaxing her to lay down and allow him to take off her boots. He felt like a father comforting his daughter after a heartbreak. He was pulling off her boots when she finally spoke.

“He’s really gone?” (Y/N) said, her voice distant and haunted, not able to meet Obi-wan eyes. Her eyes instead moved to where Echo’s helmet lay in a bag on the floor of her room, the visor poking out and allowing her a glimpse of his beautiful hazel eyes one last time.

“Unfortunately he is,” Obi-wan said sympathetically, following her eyes to his helmet before he sighed again, “Is there anything else I can help you with?”

“No. Thank you Obi-wan. I’ll be okay,” (Y/N) said as she gently forced Echo’s helmet and the holorecording into her hands. She needed to be alone to process everything and she just wanted to try and sleep.

“If there is anything that can be done, please allow me or Anakin to help,” Obi-wan said softly, placing his hands on her shoulders and giving them a fatherly squeeze before he turned around and left the room, but not before she said to him,

“I will,” (Y/N) said before the door to her room fully closed behind Obi-wan, leaving her alone once more. She stared at Echo’s helmet, the plastiod charred and damaged, the blue paint scuffed and faded. She closed her eyes again, following the force as it led her back to the happy memories she shared with Echo. The words of his holorecording played over and over in her head as she stripped out of her robes and into her night clothes, haunting yet comforting to her.

She lay there in bed for another while, Echo’s helmet clutched to her chest like a tooka doll. She had made up her mind a while ago but now she knew for certain what she needed to do.

~

“What do you mean she left?!” Anakin snapped at Obi-wan as his master told him the news. (Y/N) had requested a private council meeting yesterday and had informed her masters and mentors that she would be resigning from the Jedi order effective immediately. It had come as a shock to most of the Jedi on the council though Master Yoda seemed to understand why. She had apologized profusely, but Master Yoda just bowed his head and wished her well.

“I’m not happy about it either but she resigned of her own volition. There was nothing that could have been done,” Obi-wan said, trying to quell the anger of his apprentice. He knew that Anakin would take the news hard, but he also knew that there was nothing he or Anakin could’ve done to change (Y/N)’s mind. She needed her time and space and they were going to give it to her whether they agreed with her decision or not.

“How am I going to break it to the boys?” Anakin said, dragging his mechanical hand down his face in defeat. The 501st loved (Y/N), always the life of the party and sharing her compassion for them wherever she went. She was their unofficial sister, their vod’ika as they liked to call her.

“I don’t know Anakin. But you’ll have to find a way,” Obi-wan said, mulling over in his head if there was any way that he could help Anakin break the news to his troopers.

“I know.”

“Maybe this will help her Anakin. She was grieving and she was beginning to get reckless on assignments.”

“But that’s not her fault!”

“It was. That’s why the Jedi are not meant to form attachments,” Obi-wan said, giving his padawan a look that told him not to argue but he knew Anakin was to stubborn to let this go.

“But you and Satine-“ Anakin started but Obi-wan cut him off very quickly.

“Satine and I were different. And I did not let me feelings get in the way of my duty,” Obi-wan snapped, not wanting to have the same argument with Anakin that they have had multiple times already. He had made his decision a long time ago, even if he still regrets it in some ways. Anakin sigh in defeat before sitting down in one of the chairs in front of Obi-Wan‘s desk again, bowing his head.

“I hope wherever she goes, she finds peace,” Anakin said, Obi-wan nodding along as well and wishing through the force that (Y/N) find what she needs.

~Time Skip~

“The island is beautiful Phee,” Hunter said as she led the Batch down the island towards where they would be staying for a little.

“I’m glad you like it. It’s our own little slice of heaven in this crazy galaxy. We have a lot of refugees here and it’s a place for them to find peace,” Phee explained as they came to a stop outside the island inn.

“I can see why,” Echo said as he took in the laughter the island had to offer. It was a gorgeous place with a diverse community and a kindness that hadn’t been present in the galaxy for a long while. He surveyed the area around them before Phee lead them inside the inn, momentarily catching a glimpse of someone he thought was familiar. He shook his head though, believing he was imagining it, after all it had been three years now.

“I hope you guys can find the same kind of peace here. Away from Cid, away from the Empire, away from the fighting,” Phee explained as she turned to the inn keeper to ask about rooms where they could occupy for a while.

“Believe me, I think we could use it,” Wrecker said, holding Omega on his shoulder as the younger girl nodded in response.

“I know you could. There have been a lot of people who have passed through here to get away from the fighting. And because we’re not a resource heavy planet, the empire just kind of leaves us alone,” Phee explained as she received the keys to one of the larger guest houses on island and turned to hand them to Hunter.

“Here you go Hunter, I can take you to the house if you want? Or let you guys wonder and find it yourself,” she said, smiling at the Batch looked at one another.

“We should be okay Phee. Thank you, for all your help,” Hunter said with a smile. The others agreed with him and thanked Phee for all she had done for them.

“Don’t forget, dinner at Shep’s tonight.”

She reminded them before she bid them a goodbye and head off to her own homestead, giving Tech a cheeky kiss on the cheek on her way out. The genius clone blushed and followed Phee with his eyes, a shy smile on his face.

Echo smiled at the scene, thinking back to before the citadel mission when he and his cyar’ika used to be so happy. His smile faded as he thought about it, about the war and how when the bad Batch had rescued him from Skako Minor she was gone. Anakin and Rex had filled him in on what went down after the mission, (Y/N)’s denial, Obi-wan giving her the message and his helmet, (Y/N) leaving the order. It broke his heart to hear how much his supposed death had impacted her, he just hope she was happy, where ever she was.

“Echo?” Echo was snapped out his thoughts by a tug on his human hand, turning his eyes to see Omega trying to get his attention.

“You okay? Wrecker called your name twice,” she said, Echo’s head turning to look at his larger brother before realizing that the others were looking at him as well.

“Yeah, I’m okay. Just….memories,” he said quietly.

“About what?” Wrecker asked, tilting his head in curiosity.

“About (Y/N)?” Tech said, making Echo’s head shoot up to look at his genius brother. Tech just shrugged, as if it was the most obvious thing, “I over heard General Skywalker and Rex speaking to you about it when we rescued you. I am assuming the public display of affection by Phee must have triggered repressed memories.”

Echo just sighed and grumbled about ease dropping, not wanting to justify Tech with a response. Hunter had also heard the conversation but hadn’t thought it relevant to bring up, knowing that if Echo wanted to talk about it he would when he was ready.

“Yes, I was thinking about (Y/N),” he said and felt Omega give his hand a reassuring squeeze.

“What happened to her?” She asked, her childlike curiosity seeping out. Echo sighed and turned to the door of the inn, moving to step outside. The others followed him out, beginning to walk to where their temporary house was.

“She resigned from the war effort after I…” Echo spoke, though the words died on his tongue quite quickly. He didn’t like thinking about the citadel or how (Y/N) must have felt.

“After you blew up?” Wrecker said, ripping off the invisible bacta patch that those thoughts brought along. Echo and the others glared at their larger brother, Hunter giving him a smack over the head.

“Tact Wrecker, we’ve talked about this,” Hunter scolded him like a child. Wrecker looked down and apologized to Echo knowing that he may have just undone some of Echo’s personal healing.

The ex-arc trooper sighed and turned around, walking fast to leave the Bad Batch where they stood. They called after him but he ignored their calls, needing to be left alone for now. Echo knew that yes, (Y/N) had resigned after his accident but he didn’t like to dwell on those thoughts. The message that he left to her was still fresh in his mind as if he had recorded it yesterday, telling her to move on and live happy. He hoped that she was happy wherever she was.

~

(Y/N) sat in her secluded house on the island, reading a book and drinking a cup of tea. It had been three years since she resigned from the order and now she kept to herself, going out only when she needed to, speaking to very few people. Shep had been very welcoming to her when she first stumbled upon the beautiful island that Pabu was, a peaceful, secluded place where she could escape.

When she first arrived, she shut herself out from the force, wanting to start a new life even if she had become an introvert. She had found peace and quiet, her new life away from the war and the death was something she was content with, though there was no true happiness. Her happiness had died with Echo and she hadn’t been able to find someone new. There were a few people who had hit on her at bars before she found Pabu but she always turned them down as politely as she could, talking them that her Arc trooper would be there soon.

(Y/N) was coaxed out of her thoughts at the sound of chirping, a blue bird landing on the windowsill of her home. She smiled at the little creature, one that seemed to visit her home frequently.

“Hello little fellow. How’re you today?” She asked the little bird, knowing that she wouldn’t get a response back at all. It was something she did every time the little guys came around, trying to strike up a conversation even if it was one sided.

However, for some reason this encounter felt different, the little blue bird staying on her windowsill a little longer than normal. (Y/N) titled her head slightly as she observed the little creature, the bird staring back at her just the same. She shook her head and went back to her book, reading a few more words before there was another chirp from her little blue friend. This time when (Y/N) looked up, she was shocked to see the blue bird had made its way inside her home, resting on the caf table infront of her.

“Hey little guy. You’ve never done this before,” she said curiously and lowered her book, continuing to observe the small creature as it looked back at her. It flapped its wings slightly adjusting its position before it took off, flying further into (Y/N) house.

“Hey!” She said and stood up, quickly tossing the book on the caf table as she follow the bird to her room. When she rounded the corner to the open door of her bedroom, there was the blue Bird, sitting on top of Echo’s helmet. (Y/N) stared at the little creature in wonder as it rested on the damaged helmet of her deceased beloved, staring right back at her with big black eyes.

“W-what are you doing their little guy?” She asked, her voice cracking a little at the bird continued to stare at her. This had never happened before and she had done well not to dwell on Echo’s helmet no matter how hard it was not to look at it. She had placed the helmet and holorecording on her bedside table a little while after she settled on pabu, her own way of having Echo home with her even if she didn’t like looking at his helmet.

(Y/N) watched as the little bird did a 360 turn on the helmet, it’s eyes meeting (Y/N)’s once more as it completed it’s rotation. The curious little creature then flapped it’s wings and flew the little distance down to be on the surface of the side table, looking at (Y/N) again once he landed. She stared back at the little blue bird, her heart racing as she felt a tug in the back of her mind.

The little blue bird looked at (Y/N) unmoving and unblinking for a moment before he picked up the holorecording and took flight, flying out the open window of her bedroom. (Y/N) shrieked and raced to the window, watching as the blue bird flew away with the holorecording.

“No! Bring it back, please!” (Y/N) pleadingly yelled, running to the front door and throwing on shoes before swinging the door open and running after the little blue bird. She needed that recording. It was one of the last things she had of Echo, the only one where she could still hear his voice. She ran like her life depended on it, trying her best to catch up with her little friend. She bumped into a few people on her way along the island path, apologizing profusely as she passed a few men in armour and a young girl. She had no time to stop as she chased the bird further up the island, needing to catch it before it got too far.

“Come back little birdie please! That’s too important for me to lose!” (Y/N) called out, speeding up her pace.

“Was that…?” Hunter asked as his eyes followed the women who had just run into them.

“I think it may have been,” Tech said, quickly typing away at his datapad before pulling up a picture of (Y/N) from the Republic’s database.

Echo found himself in the square, wandering around aimlessly, while looking at the vendor stands around him. There wasn’t much that caught his eye until he spotted a little blue bird flying through the air. He smiled at the little bird, something about it reminding him of simpler times. Echo held out his human hand out, hoping to coax the bird into landing on his palm. He felt as though he was on autopilot, never having done anything like this before.

To his complete surprise, the little blue bird flew down and landed on his outstretched palm, looking up at him with big black eyes.

“Hey there little fella. Whatcha got there?” Echo asked as the blue bird released the holorecorder from its beak, looking back up at Echo. The former Arc trooper looked curiously down at the device before his eyes went wide, recognizing the recorder as his.

“Where did you get this?” Echo asked the blue bird quietly, not expecting an answer. Rex and Anakin had told him that Obi-wan gave the recording to (Y/N) before she resigned, the message on the device one that he had struggled to record. He didn’t like thinking about the possibility that one day he wouldn’t come back from a mission, but he knew that the message needed to be heard. He stared down at the bluebird in the palm of his hand, his eyes welling with tears as he thought about what this could all mean.

“Blue bird! Where’d you go?” Echo heard a voice call out, eyes closing as he instantly recognized the angelic tone of who it belonged too. His heart beat quickened and his breathing picked up, suddenly feeling self conscious with himself. A lot had changed since the last time he had seen her and he had no idea what would happen when she finally saw…

“Echo?”

He exhaled a breathe he hadn’t realized had been trapped in his throat, tears threatening to stream down his face as he opened his eyes again to look back at the little blue bird in his hand. The little creature just looked back up at him before fluttering its wings and taking off once more, leaving him alone again.

“Echo is that you?”

Echo’s mind was racing a million parsecs a minute, so many things going on but all he wanted to do wasn’t turn around and confirm that she was really here. Slowly Echo did turn around and the sight that greeted him made him want to crumble.

There stood his beloved, tears prickling her eyes as she stared wide eyed at him, her mouth forming an ‘O’ shape as she seemed to grapple with the shock of the moment. They stood there and stared at one another for a moment, neither having the courage to move forward before Echo spoke up.

“Cyar’ika?” His voice was quiet, barely above a whisper as he watched the woman he loved breakdown even further. She went to walk towards him but Echo took a small step back, feeling even more self conscious about himself now that he had confirmed it was really her. However Echo regretted his movement the second after he made it as he watched (Y/N)’s face crumble, the hope in her eyes dying ever so slightly.

“Echo,” she pleaded, her voice trembling as she spoke his name out loud for a third time. It was really him, he was alive, even if he looked different to the man she knew. It was still her Echo.

“I-I’m not the same a-as I used to cyare. I-I’ve changed.”

“I don’t care.”

“Really?”

“I don’t care about what has changed physically about you. You’re still my Echo,” she said, her voice cracking as she made her declaration. Echo couldn’t help the smile that graced his face as he opened his arms for her.

“I told you I’d be home soon Mesh’la,” he said and that was all (Y/N) needed to run into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably as she wrapped her arms around his slim waist. His arms found their home around her shoulders, holding her close to his chest as his own tears began to fall.

“I thought I lost you Echo,” she managed to choke out between sobs, Echo’s grip tightening as she spoke.

“I thought I was too ner sarad, but I’m okay now,” he said and felt her nod into his chest. They stayed there for a while, just holding one another as they grappled with this new, almost perfect reality. Echo pulled away slightly from the hug, tilting (Y/N)’s chin up and not waiting a second more before he planted a firm yet gentle kiss to her lips.

(Y/N) tensed briefly before relaxing again, reciprocating the kiss with just as much passion and love. It had been so long since they had seen each other and she knew there was much to discuss but for now, both Echo and (Y/N) were content to be in each others arms again.

He finally came home!

—————

I hope you all enjoyed this! There will be many more stories to come!

Part 2 anyone?

(Fully Edited January 22nd, 2025)

[badbatchsprincess]

Heated ~ pt. 1

Pt.1 ~ Pt.2 ~ Pt.3 ~ Pt.4 ~ Pt.5 ~ Pt.6 ~ Pt.7 ~ Pt.8 ~ Pt.9 ~ Pt.10 ~Pt.11 ~ Pt.12 ~ Pt.13 ~ Pt.14 ~ Pt.15 ~ Pt.16 ~ Pt.17 ~ Pt.18 ~ Pt.19 ~ Pt.20 ~ Pt.21 ~ Pt.22 ~ Pt.23 ~ Pt.24 ~ Pt.25

Masterlist

Summary: This is an ABO Bad batch!Poly x Omega Reader smut with a plot. This takes place as an AU before order 66. Y/N previously served under the 501st before being transferred to Special Forces 99. This is her adventure with these rowdy Alphas in a quickly changing universe.

THIS IS AN ABO AU ABOUT THE BAD BATCH (NO CANON OMEGA!) Due to the unfortunate situation of her name being Omega… Omega the child from the canon series is not going to be apart of this fanfic/porn with a plot. I feel obligated to put this warning in because it makes my skin crawl thinking anyone could make that mistake. 

No warnings for this, just world building... welcome lol.

─ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ──── ♡ ─── ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ──

After approximately 90 rotations aboard the Marauder, give or take a few days, you were ready to disembark. 

Tech, of course, calculated the accurate amount of time, but you were running on inner planetary standard time. You were exhausted. Truly and totally exhausted. The battles along the outer rim were beginning to overtake every waking thought, and the war only seemed to be escalating. Even though you were just a medical technician, it seemed like you never had a moment to breathe.

The boys had been sent on one mission after another to the most backwater planets you’d never even heard of. In the beginning of working with Clone Force 99, you were thrilled. 

Tired of being on the front lines with Captain Rex and General Skywalker, you thought this would have been a cakewalk compared to tending to the 501st. (Or as you liked to call them, the most reckless GAR unit in history.) Boy, were you wrong…

Rex assigning you to Clone Force 99 had been one of the most challenging places you think a young medic like yourself could have gone. 

These men, in particular, were a unique kind of reckless, and they always seemed to end up in the craziest situations. 

That didn’t mean you didn’t come to grow fond of them, but as GAR procedure demands, they must return to Coruscant for their quarterly medical examinations, and you were relieved. 

While you didn’t particularly care for the bustle of the high-density planet, you could appreciate not being shot at, chased, or bombed at any given second.

The Marauder also didn’t offer the same level of comfort as the Venator Attack Cruisers you’d become accustomed to staying on for months at a time. But it’s alright, you’ve come to enjoy your time with special force 99. 

For a bunch of chaotic Alphas, they were pleasant company. 

Sergeant Hunter was the leader and a remarkable tracker. You couldn’t help but marvel at his heightened abilities; it was really interesting from a medical standpoint. Tech had the brain capacity of a supercomputer and his ex-arc trooper friend, Echo. You actually had known Echo from your early days serving under the 501st. 

It was nice having him around; he seemed to keep the peace and offered some much-needed familiarity. Then there was Wrecker, the sweetest man-child you’d ever met. He had a love for blowing things up, which you found hilarious, and finally, there was Crosshair. You never really knew where you stood with the man. Echo told you it’s because he’s not used to strangers hanging out with his brothers, but you weren’t quite sure. The Alpha was quiet and calculated. He didn’t miss a thing, not with his heightened reflexes. He never said much to you; he often operated in silence unless it was to piss off Hunter, which seemed to be more often than you realized. 

He, however, treated you indifferently. It was just odd for an Alpha to not acknowledge an Omega. Not to say you needed his attention, it was just different. You speculated it had to do with his genetic mutations; maybe he was too good at focusing on his objective. Omegas hardly phased him.

“You ready, Pip?” Wrecker gave your shoulders a gentle shake. 

You smiled at the nickname. “Yeah Wreck, ugh I just really want a real shower.” You sighed, getting a little impatient. 

The Marauder was waiting for landing clearance while you made quick work stowing away the last few stray supplies. You made notes of all the supplies that had been depleted, which was most of it. You shook your head; you’d be raiding the GAR supply facility before deployment for certain. 

“You and me both,” Hunter snorted and settled down in one of the chairs in the cockpit.

Poor guy, you realized, probably had the worst of it all. Living amongst five sweaty dirty men and one medic had his scent on overdrive. Not to mention the dulled pheromones. Being surrounded by so many alphas, the stench was probably awful for him. 

You, however, being an omega on the smaller side, couldn’t smell much, not with your implant which was due for replacement this quarter. Hunter never mentioned anything to you about smell. You just hoped it wasn’t too much for him with all of your implants thankfully. It never seemed like an issue for him. 

“We’re clear for landing,” Echo chirped from the copilot seat. Everyone came up to the front to strap into the jump seats. Crosshair brought your packed bag up with him and placed it gently under your feet before he took the seat next to you and strapped in. You thanked him, and he gave you a silent nod still chewing on his toothpick. 

Echo and Tech gently landed the Marauder in the GAR main hangar bay and finished up the last cross check before disembarking. Wrecker was kind and offered to carry your duffle filled with your civvies and toiletries. You thanked him and followed him out of the Marauder. Taking a deep breath of fresh air, you smiled at the feeling of real sun on your skin. 

Looking down the steps, you squealed, noticing all of the white and blue plastoid on the other side of the hangar bay. Running at full speed, you nearly tripped over your own feet, flinging yourself at Kix. 

He noticed you last minute and swooped you up into his arms, “Hey Tiny! I didn’t know you were on rotation already?” He picked you up and spun you around before putting you down. Your excitement to see your old unit was overwhelming; you couldn’t help but smile as more of your friends on the 501st ran over to give you a hug or a playful shove.

You missed the way Wrecker gawked at your reaction to the Regs. “Well, she certainly doesn’t do that with us,” Tech noted, watching you rub up against the alphas in a comforting manner, purring under their affection. 

“Fucking Regs,” Crosshair groused. 

Echo remembered how fond you are of the 501st. He remembered when you were a newbie just starting your medical field days bonding with General Tano as teens. He felt a little nostalgic watching you with his vod. He laughed remembering how Ahsoka would scent you before sending you out into the field. They loved you so much. 

Tech noted how comfortable you were with their touch and scenting. Something no one in their unit ever attempted with you. Of course, they were aware of your designation, but they tried their hardest to be respectful. Hunter had made it extremely clear no one was supposed to touch you unless necessary. It had been six months of your service on their unit, and no one has ever gotten this close with you except Wrecker, but it wasn’t anything like that. 

The alpha in Tech was a little upset by this. Why didn’t the omega feel comfortable with them? 

Hunter listened to the way you preened under their attention, and his chest pained a bit hearing your purrs. Was he… jealous? No. That’s his medic, that's all. He had read your file; you’d been with them for most of the war. Of course, that would make you closer. He could smell the happy pheromones you spread from where they were. You were happy with the 501st’s attention; it wasn’t something he knew you craved.

“I’m here for quarterlies,” you tapped your shoulder, “And I’m due for replacement.” You sighed. “Ahh,” Kix smirked, “Difficult enough dealing with us reg alphas huh? Gotta deal with defects now too huh? Got that implant working overtime.” 

You rolled your eyes and shoved him. 

A cough behind you caught your attention. You spun around to see your unit catching up, looking a little perturbed, especially Crosshair. He’s never warmed up to the Regs and didn’t particularly like you sharing your fond stories about them. You usually keep to yourself in his presence or else he’d get a little hostile. 

“Sarge,” Kix greeted with a head tilt. 

“Kix,” Hunter gave him a polite nod, “Captain.” He looked beyond you. 

You spun around, “Rex!” You ran at him, wrapping yourself around your old captain. “Hey kid,” he laughed, giving you a pat on the head looking down at you.

 “I’m older than you, Captain,” you rolled your eyes with a smile. 

“So you like to remind me,” he laughed, suddenly realizing how much he had missed you. 

You stepped back with a huge smile. Suddenly everything was starting to feel good again. 90 rotations didn’t seem so terrible anymore. You giggled as they all filed in demanding to know how you’ve been.

 “We’re heading to 79’s later,” Jesse smiled, “You gotta come Y/N. I wanna hear about your adventures to the outer rim.” 

“Especially me,” Fives trotted forwards shoving you playfully aside before embracing his brother Echo, “Vod!” He hugged Echo tight. Echo relaxed into his hug and gave him a curt smile. “How you doing?” Fives asked, wrapping his arm around Echo’s shoulder before walking off with him towards the barracks to no doubt catch up. 

“I got a replacement due,” you sighed, “I can’t drink but I’ll stop by for a bit to catch up!” 

They all seemed to light up at that, “See you there, kid!” Captain Rex gave you a nod and turned on his heel to get back to work and make sure the General’s Venator was getting proper maintenance. 

“C’mon, Pip,” Hunter was leading the others towards the medical campus for their quarterlies. 

You huffed, “Coming, Sarge.” 

“Pip?” You heard the others laugh a bit at your new nickname when you trailed off behind your new unit. Damn their long legs you were struggling to hold pace with them. 

Crosshair gave you an incredulous look watching you try to catch up. You gave it right back to him. 

“Miss your precious Regs?” He sneered. You didn’t miss the way Tech’s shoulders stiffened. Wrecker and Hunter pretended not to hear, but you knew they did. You suddenly missed having Echo as your defense. 

“What?” You looked at him. 

“You heard me,” he growled. 

“Of course I missed my old unit. I haven’t seen them in six standard months, Crosshair.” 

“That all?” He was cold. 

“What is that supposed to mean?” You stopped and crossed your arms forcing him to stop walking. 

Crosshair pointed his toothpick at you, “Throwing yourself at a bunch of alphas like a bitch in hea-”

 “Enough!” Hunter growled. 

Your cheeks burned red. How dare he. You looked to Wrecker and then Tech but the looks on their faces didn’t exactly show any support for you. Did they agree?…Maker. Wrecker lowered his gaze which surprised you the most. 

Crosshair never really said much to you besides if you asked him an immediate question about his health or an injury. He usually somewhat avoided you. But you never thought he disliked you, at least up until now. The disgust was obvious on his face. 

You just shook your head and continued stalking towards the medical campus, ignoring Hunter’s call. Your shore-leave was becoming more and more desirable by the second. You wanted space especially from Mr. dark and gloomy. 

Deciding you’ve had enough of them, you detoured for your department entrance leaving them to go into the main medical campus alone. You knew Tech had all of your reports stowed on his datapad records. They would survive without you at least for now. You thought you heard Wrecker whimper behind you, but the sound of ion engines priming drowned out the rest before you stepped inside the medic clinic. Fuck Crosshair. What a dickhead.

You shook your head knowing you had other things to focus on besides his stupid little attitude. 

Passing through multiple security clearances, you stepped into the sterile clinic’s main lobby. 

“Medic Y/L/N?” You heard a familiar soft voice. 

“Hi Layla.” You smiled sweetly at the nurse who you came to know during your training program. Being an omega, she opted to stay on base instead of venturing out into the battle fronts she was definitely more gentle mannered than yourself. You preferred some action and excitement. 

“In for your quarterly’s?”

"Yeah, and I need a new replacement implant," you muttered as you trailed behind Layla toward one of the deserted exam rooms. The clinical white walls felt suffocating, a stark contrast to the chaotic memories you shared here. You reminisced about your early days serving the GAR, where Layla and you tended to wounded soldiers and even brushed shoulders with the occasional Jedi. But that was before you were transferred to General Skywalker’s unit, thrust into the heart of battle and endless repairs for him and his Padawan. You missed the simplicity of those days, the camaraderie with Layla.

”How’s the 501st treating you?" Layla's voice broke through your reverie as she handed you a crumpled paper gown.

"I got transferred to Special Forces 99," you replied, shedding your uniform behind the flimsy curtain. "They’re a different breed, that's for sure."

"Clone Force 99?" Layla's eyebrows rose in curiosity.

“Yeah.” you confirmed, feeling a flicker of amusement at her reaction.

As Layla chewed on her pen, a mischievous glint danced in her eyes. "The Sergeant’s pretty hot."

Your cheeks flushed, and you nearly stumbled over your words before recovering. “Layla…” You gawked.

She giggled and sat down on her roller stool. "Don’t lie and say you’ve never thought about it."

Well, obviously you’ve thought about it. They’re all honestly pretty hot, but you’d never admit that out loud.

"Now where have you seen Hunter like that?" you giggled at her cheekiness.

"I watch the holonet streams every once in a while. Especially after the retrieval on Skako Minor, General Skywalker and Sergeant CT-9901 were all over the holonet for weeks," she mused. "An omega’s wet dream."

You screamed and threw your boot at her. You two looked at each other momentarily before bursting out into a fit of laughter. Man, you missed Layla. Honestly, you just missed having another girl to talk to. This was such a refresher from the overwhelming amount of Alpha.

You hopped up on the table, lying down, trying to get comfortable.

"What’s he like?" her tone shifted into mischief.

You hesitated, memories of Hunter flooding your mind. "He’s… different. Polite, I guess."

Layla raised an eyebrow, her expression demanding the truth. “Girl…” she slapped your shoulder, grabbing her scanner to document your entire system from head to toe.

"Well, I don’t know!" you put your hands up in defense. "He’s quite the gentleman. None of them so much as look, Layla, I swear."

She just looked at you with a raised brow while she continued her work, “Yeah right.”

"But…" you smirked, watching her work, "I do know the tattoos go to his feet…" you bit your lip.

Now it was her turn to choke. "You’re lying…" Her interest was piqued.

You shook your head. "Full skeleton all the way down his arm, ribs, thigh…"

You two sighed.

She finished her scan and input the data before sliding her roller chair right next to you. "Everywhere?"

You raised a brow. "Everywhere," you confirmed with a nod.

She put her hand over her chest in a dramatic manner before prepping the numbing agent for your implant.

You remembered the day you found out this information about your Sergeant. Up until this point, you’d only seen maybe an arm or some knuckles in your medical repairs, but this time Hunter had taken a pretty bad hit to his side and thigh. Multiple blaster wounds had torn him up, and Tech had helped him limp back to the ship before they both collapsed on the floor. You had flung yourself out of your bunk at the commotion only to realize what had happened.

Tech helped you tear off Hunter’s armor and helmet, trying to figure out where the wounds were. Luckily, they hadn’t gone through, and it was mostly just surface wounds, but you still had to cut through his blacks to get to it, leaving his entire left side exposed. He had growled at you, but Tech had set him straight. He was just in pain.

That’s when you realized his entire left side was tattooed like his face, all the way down to his feet. You mumbled a quick apology before starting your cleaning process and bacta application.

The wounds had healed up nicely, but he had to re-tattoo the fresh skin the next time they had shore-leave. You had also stowed away the information of how muscular he was. The man was truly a work of art.

A sharp jab snapped you out of your memories when Layla removed the old suppressor implant. You yelped when the new one went in, making you a bit dizzy with pain. You hissed when she retracted the mechanism.

"There we go," she beamed. "Good as new."

"Thanks, Layla," you said, sitting up, letting her bandage the small incision wound with a bacta patch. The soothing coldness was immediate. You sighed in relief as the pain dulled.

"I told Rex I’d be at 79’s later, if you want to come?" you offered, slipping from the table to give her a hug.

"As much as I’d love to play with the captain, I have so much work to catch up on for quarterly's. I better stay here," she sighed, pushing her chair back into place. "But you have fun, and enjoy your time off. Come back to visit if you get bored."

You giggled. "I will." And with that, she left you to change back into your uniform before leaving the medic’s clinic. The hangar bay was significantly more empty now as you made your way over to civilian transport. After exiting the security checkpoint, you made your way over to the clone transport. "Can you take me to residential?" you asked the officer in the pilot’s seat. He gave you a nod, and you settled back into the transport’s seats. With a sigh, you were finally starting to relax a bit. You knew the boys were probably already back at their barracks after their examinations, so you knew they wouldn’t be bothering you for at least a few rotations.

When you finally arrived to the GAR residential building you gave the driver a thanks before hoping out and skipping over to the front door. You couldn’t wait to get to your quarters and enjoy a long hot shower. Swiping your clearance card, you dashed into the elevator to your floor and into your room. It smelled like you needed to open a window but other then that is was just as you left it. Knowing you’d have to get some food delivered, you gave a dramatic sigh while kicking off your regulation boots. You went to unzip your uniform top when you heard the swish of clothing and a familiar scoff. 

You turned suddenly seeing Crosshair standing in your kitchen in his civvies looking tall and menacing. 

“Maker! Crosshair!” You put a hand on your chest, “You scared me!” 

“Sorry little one.” He didn’t sound sorry at all. 

You looked around suddenly remembering you’re in YOUR apartment. 

“What the hell are you doing here Crosshair?” You narrowed your gaze at him getting mad all over again. 

“Hunter is making me apologize for earlier.” He grumbled around his toothpick. 

You hummed, “How did you get in here?” 

He held up the Sergeant’s entry card. Of course… dammit Hunter.

“Here.” He slid your duffle across the floor to you. A peace offering. You were grateful for that at least. 

A deep pang in your shoulder made you grimace “Thanks.” You unzipped your uniform top leaving you in your bindings not caring if he looked. He didn’t seem phased anyways. The bacta patch stained red with your blood. He narrowed his eyes to the incision. You knelt down to your duffle and pulled out your field kit. You grabbed a dose of pain killer and brought the injector up to the wound site. You pressed the mechanism and the needle stabbed you quickly injecting the medicine. You rolled your shoulder and replaced the bacta patch seeing the wound turning to a simple line. Soon it would be gone in a few hours. 

“So?” You looked at the tall sniper. 

He lifted a brow. 

You crossed your arms, “Your apology?” 

He snorted and stood up straight before walking past you. 

“Sorry.” He mumbled before stepping back out into the hallway and disappearing. 

You sighed knowing that was all you’re going to get from the grumpy soldier. Whatever, you’d take it. 

~~~

The shower that followed was worth it. You had never felt so clean in your few years in this universe. The piping hot water cleansed you of three standard months of sweat, bomb residue, and blood. You scrubbed and scrubbed until your skin flared red before you stepped out of the shower to get ready. Throwing on your favorite civvies and some makeup, you quickly dried your hair before throwing on your regulation boots. Grabbing your com and a few credits. You practically skipped out of your apartment making a beeline for 79’s. You couldn’t wait to catch up with your old friends.

When you arrived, you heard an uproar of men yelling your name. You looked over to see Fives, Jesse, Kix, and the others wave you over. 

“Tiny!” You got tackled by Fives. He put you in a headlock and ruffled your hair despite your cries. You shoved him off of you knowing he must have scented you in the process. 

“Ugh! Fives you reek.” You scrunched your nose smelling the alpha on him it was stronger then usual.

“Sorry tiny.” He laughed rubbing the back of his neck, “We gotta get our implants replaced too.” 

You shook your head and plopped down in the booth next to Kix with a laugh. He shoved the snack plate in your face continuing his conversation with another soldier to his right. You were starving and started munching down on the mantell mix.

“Hope that wont be a problem kid.” Rex smiled at you. 

You just yanked your collar down to show them the patch, “All good captain.” 

That made them relax. The 501st is many things, but they were always chivalrous towards you. Being their favorite omega and all, they had always taken a very protective stance with you. None of them tried anything and they had always kept away the creeps. You were thankful for their protection. 

Your current hoard of alphas though, you didn’t really know where you stood with them. They kind of pretended like you weren’t there. You quickly realized they weren’t used to working with strangers, and an omega of all things. At first they treated you like a fragile little thing. Like they were worried they’d step on you. They couldn’t help but stare. You didn’t really blame them. Eventually it wore off and they seemed to become a bit more comfortable with your presence. Until it became normal. Except Crosshair, he never seemed to warm up to you and kept you at arms length. 

“So how’s your new unit?” Fives asked sounding a bit jealous. 

You giggled, “They’re.. nice.” 

They all looked at you. 

“What?” You shrunk under their looks. Even Rex stared. 

“Nice?” Jesse laughed. 

“That’s not exactly the word I’d use.” Rex raised a brow, “You’re okay, right kid?” 

You opened your mouth in shock, “Guys I’m okay. I swear.”

They visibly relaxed. 

“Look, it took some getting used to. I don’t think they’ve ever been around strangers before they’re very close. Clearly. Eventually they warmed up. Except the sniper. I think he might actually not like me.” 

Fives just scoffed, “It’s because your’e hot cyar’ika”

Jesse punched him in the stomach. Fives doubled over and everyone at the table grumbled at him. You just felt your cheeks burn up and you hid behind Kix’s shoulder. 

“Fives…” Rex sighed. 

“What?” He choked out, “I’m just saying. I don’t think those defects have been anywhere near a woman much less an omega. Aye!” He blocked Jesse’s punch again. 

“What omega?” You heard a gruff voice approach. 

It was Commander Wolffe and the pack still in uniform. Rex got up and clapped him on the shoulder getting him settled in. He placed his helmet on the table and peered over at you. 

“I don’t think we’ve met cyar’ika.” He grinned at you showing off his scar and grey iris. 

You felt your heart rate increase under his intense stare. You could tell this alpha was seasoned, first generation from the looks of him. You were certain that if you didn’t have your implant, you'd be keening for his attention. Instead, you submissively lowered your gaze and leaned into Kix a bit. He wrapped an arm around you and looked up at the Commander, saying, “This is Y/N; we call her Tiny.” He shook you playfully, adding, “She used to be our medic. Now she’s with the 99’s.”

Wolffe let out a low whistle. “The 99’s? Must be exciting. Nice to meet you, Y/N,” he said, extending a hand, which you took, giving it a good shake. His calloused fingers lingered a bit as he ran them over your soft knuckles.

Looking up at him from beneath your lashes, you said, “Nice to meet you, Commander,” giving him a polite smile.

He smiled back, clearly pleased with your attention. Oh, he liked you, you thought to yourself. He then gently released your hand and turned to his men. “Let’s get a round of drinks. We’re off for quarterly’s!”

His men let out a whooping shout, and the waitress took down their orders. The pack quickly became rowdy, opting for roughhousing with each other and the shinies. After a long while of dodging his gaze and eating the food Kix placed in front of you, you decided you needed a cold glass of water and squeezed out from under Kix’s arm. The stench of so many alphas was starting to become too much, even with the implant. You were praying they couldn’t smell the nervousness on you.

Walking up to the bar, the woman smiled at you. She recognized you, as you usually spent your time with the boys when you were off. She gave you a little wave and bounced over, asking what you wanted.

“Just water for me,” you smiled. She smiled back and went to fill up your glass.

“What’s a pretty little omega doing in a place like this?” a shiny walked up to you, placing himself uncomfortably close to your back. You turned, facing him square on. Despite all clones being created as alphas, this one was young and stupid. Your omega instincts told you he’d be a weak mate. You noticed the lack of markings and scratches on his armor. He’s barely seen anything, you realized.

“I’m here with my friends,” you replied curtly, taking the glass of ice water from the bartender with a nod. You went to move away, but he caught your arm in a tight grip. Not tight enough to hurt, but tight enough to assert his dominance and stop you from leaving. You just looked at his hand and then up to his face.

“I wasn’t done with you… omega,” he leered, leaning forward to run his nose closer to your scent glands. Your heart rate increased for all the wrong reasons. Fear started to creep up inside you the longer he had his hands on you. Now you wished Fives had scented you for real. 

“Why are you messing with my medic?” 

You stiffened. 

Hunter’s smokey voice cut through the music of the club making your entire spine tingle. Hunter had used his Alpha tone making you tremble in spot. The shiny suddenly looked up eyes going wide. He quickly released you and saluted Hunter.“Sorry Seargant. I didn’t know she was yours.” 

“Hmm” Hunter dismissed him and grabbed you by the same arm the shiny had just moments ago, except this time the touch didn’t feel dangerous. Instead it made your stomach flip. He’d never touched you unless it was for medical purposes. You couldn’t help the little preen inside you bubbling up. Alpha Protects. He lead you past the shiny and over to an empty booth in the back of the club. You could hear Layla’s voice ringing in your head. She’d be eating this up right now. You prayed your pheromones didn’t give you away.

He finally let you go when you reached the booth waiting for you to slide in. You immediately missed the warmth of his bare hand. You realized they were all in their civvies, well except tech, he still had his helmet near by. The rest of them slid into the booth following suit. 

“She’s smells like Regs.” Wrecker crinkled his nose. Between, Fives, Kix, and the shiny you knew you reeked.

“Sorry.” You mumbled taking a sip of your water still a little pissed with them.

“You okay pip?” Hunter asked looking you in the eyes. You suddenly shied away from his gaze looking down at his shirt collar nodding. His eyes were too intense. You usually didn’t have a problem, but you were still trebling from the effects of his voice lingering. 

“Did something happen?” Tech asked from around Hunter’s shoulder. 

“I’m alright. Just a dumb shiny.” You felt like you were being suffocated by their stares. 

They laughed a bit at that. 

“Okay, I can’t take it anymore.” Wrecker shoved you under his arm and rubbed his scent all over you. You coughed and sputtered trying to shove him away but it was no use. Crosshair rolled his eyes.

“Alright Wrecker enough.” Hunter sighed looking down at you drowning in alpha, “She’s covered.” 

“Ugh.” You tried to straightening out your hair and top a bit, “Easy next time big guy. I think every alpha for a mile can smell me now.” 

He just gleamed. You couldn’t help but be a bit grateful. It seems like everyone was due for an updated implant. The smells were getting to be out of control. No one would come near you now. Even the rough housing seemed to be a little aggressive than usual. They had asked you about the wolf pack but you just shrugged watching their rough housing turn into full on brawls.

The boys continued talking about something random that Tech had info dumped about and Wrecker of course was confused. You continued to sip on your ice water before you heard your name being called. You popped your head up from the booth to find Fives looking for you. You sighed and put your cup down. Part of you didn’t want to go back because of the attention the commander was giving you, but the other part of you wanted to spend some time with Rex and the boys. Damn these alphas. 

Opting to stay where you were, Fives and the boys decided to come over towards you. Knowing this was probably going to go badly, you shrunk into the booth. Hunter eyed you before he heard Crosshair snarl. A large group of Regs came trotting over to come socialize like a bunch of drunk pups. They all pulled up chairs and surrounded the booth with their rambunctiousness. 

“Where’d you go Tiny?” Jesse was sloshed. Leaning over Fives who was barely holding himself together. 

“Tiny, did you see the way the commander was looking at you?” Fives shoved Jesse off of him, “I think he’s trying to-” he jiggled his brows suggestively at you and you just shook your head and wanted to melt into the table. Please not this. Not with my commanding officer present. Not my very hot commanding officer present. You wanted to slap Layla why did she have to start putting these thoughts into your head. 

“Commander Wolffe?” Tech asked for clarification. 

Fives just nodded taking another big sip from his cup.

“Someone shoot me.” You covered your face you were too sober for this conversation. You could feel Crosshairs smirk from across the table.

“Awh pip.” Wrecker just grabbed you again and shook you around, “The Commander thinks you’re prettyyyy.” 

Fives and Jesse giggled. Hunter and the others just looked uncomfortable. Obviously they weren’t the most social, nor playful. This was just embarrassing. Your only comfort was Wrecker. He was always the nicest anyways. You just tucked yourself into his side forgetting his betrayal earlier. 

“The Commander wants to rut with Y/N?” Tech asked. 

“Maker.” You wanted to dissipate into thin air.

“Mhmm.” Jesse and Fives nodded with cheesy grins, “she gave him the eyes.” 

You scoffed, “I did not!” 

“Yeah you did!” Fives giggles. He then looked at Jesse and re-enacted the whole scene dramatically, “It’s nice to meet you commander.” He fluttered his eyelashes at Jesse and held his hand. You groaned and put your head down on the table. 

“I need a drink.” You whimpered not able to take the teasing.

“Is that wise?” Tech chimed in, “You just had your implant replaced. It’s advised to not drink for the first 24 hours or else it may be ineffective.” 

“Kriff.” You sighed. 

“And that’s my cue to come rescue Tiny.” Kix interjected and yanked you up from the booth taking you far away from this painfully awkward conversation. You thanked him profusely letting him guide you.

“You’re nervous when you’re sober.” He laughed walking over to the dance floor with you. 

“I’m nervous because of my Sergeant.” You whisper in his ear. He just gives you a questionable look. You laugh and shake your head, “A friend of mine said something today and I can’t get it out of my stupid omega head.” 

“Oh?” He raised a brow dancing to the beat. 

“Shut up.” You laughed praying Hunter couldn’t hear you over the yelling and music, “They also don’t like the “Regs,” you shook your head. 

“Well I know why.” He replied spinning you around. 

“Why?” You asked swaying to the beat. 

“Everyone was so mean to them growing up. Kids are horrible you know. But because they’re different they definitely dealt with a lot during training days.” Kix informed you. Suddenly everything made sense. Especially why Crosshair can’t seem to socialize with Regs to save his life. 

“Plus, the Captain decked the sniper on Skako Minor.” Kix said cheekily. 

You dropped your jaw, “Rex?” You couldn’t believe it. There’s no way level headed Rex lost it with Crosshair.

“Oh yeah.” He laughed, “They got into it while trying to find Echo.” 

“No way.” You couldn’t believe it. While dancing you peered over at the table to find the four 99’s watching you completely ignoring the drunk shenanigans from the 501st boys. The only one interacting was Echo. You could tell there was a part of him that missed his brothers. They continued to drink and talk amongst themselves while you and Kix danced on the floor. Some of the other 501st boys joined you before linking up with pretty omegas vying for their attention. Clearly their interests were else where.

You definitely didn’t miss the way the Commander seemed to be unable to take his eyes off of you from his chair. You chose to ignore him. 

An alpha like that could send you into heat with or without an implant. You however had a job to do, and being stuck in his bed for a week wouldn’t suffice. The mortification of even thinking about returning to the Marauder after that. You couldn’t even go there. Crosshair would literally never let you hear the end of it. He might shove you out of the airlock when you weren’t expecting it. 

Kix seemed to be reading your mind and elected to giggle. You slapped him on the arm and he feigned injury. Just then, you noticed the Commander stand and seemingly decide to come your way. Feeling there to flee, you quickly hugged Kix and made a dart for the door. Grabbing your comm you let the boys know you’d be returning to your apartment but to your dismay, Hunter replied…

“Don’t bother we just got special orders. We’re shipping out tonight.” He sounded tired. So much for shore-leave.

“Ugh.” You whined turning to the taxi waiting by the club entrance. You put your comm away in your pocket and fished around for a few credits ignoring the way the cool evening air chilled your skin.

“Something wrong Cyar’ika?” The gruff voice you were dreading came from behind you. Damn your omega tendencies. You turned keeping your eyes lowered. 

“Everything is alright Commander.” You replied sweetly, “I just got informed my break has been cut short. We ship out again tonight.” 

He sighed stepping forwards and placed his pointer finger under your chin to tilt your head up. You nearly whimpered looking into his scarred eye. Alpha’s strong. Alpha likes you. Alpha smells good. Really good. You wanted to whine when his eye zeroed in on yours. He wanted your eyes on him that was for certain. Maybe a breakout heat with the Commander wouldn’t be too bad…

“Well if you ever need anything you let me know, yeah?” The Commander smiled wolfishly at you and released you. You took a deep breath and took a step back and nodded your head. 

“Y/N?” You heard Tech’s call come to your rescue, “Do you need a ride?” 

You grabbed your comm and quickly responded with shaking hands, “Yeah that would be nice thank you Tech.” 

It wasn’t long until their speeder arrived and you turned back to the Commander who had no issue walking you over to your unit. You could tell by Hunter skeptical glance that he was trying to figure out the situation. The Commander passed you over to your men and have you a nod before putting his helmet back on and walking back into the club. 

“What was that about?” Hunter asked with a raised brow. 

“I really don’t want to talk about it.” You shook your head and practically dove into the speeder. 

“Did the Commander proposition you?” Tech asked pushing his glasses back up. 

You squeaked and hid in the backseat. 

“Stop bothering her.” Echo shook his head. Thank the maker for Echo. 

“It was a harmless question.” Tech justified, “As we were talking about his strange attentions earlier and Y/N’s even more unordinary response according to the Regs.” 

You looked out the window of the speeder at the endless city below, “I’m going to jump.” You half joked. 

“Tech please drop it.” Echo implored, “You’re making her uncomfortable… and me.” 

“It’s just biological responses.” Tech grumbled into his data pad, “Nothing to be embarrassed about.” 

You sighed. This was going to be another long mission, and then you were going to take it upon yourself to insure you got a vacation. Hopefully there was something Rex could do to get you some time off for real this time far away from all of these men. 

─ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ──── ♡ ─── ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ──

This part one, I'll be posting regularly to this story, I hope y'all enjoy!

[nahoney22]

hi hello I don’t know how to use tumblr but your blog convinced me (I had no idea there was such a gold mine of E V E R Y T H I N G on tumblr whew). Anyway I’m a slut for some slow burn romance, can I request something with Echo? Maybe reader has known him since 501st days and liked him since, and learning he lived and joined the bad batch just made her NEED to find him again? Ps I love you, you’re a beautiful soul ok bye

All Roads Lead to You

Echo X F!Reader

word count: 1.7k

Learning from Rex that Echo was alive, you knew you had to find him and after so many years and confess how you really feel for him before it’s too late again.

warnings: Fluff, cute reunion, mutual pining, friends to lovers, first kiss, brief mentions of Echo at the citadel, mentions of death. Safe for work. Female reader. Not proofread.

authors note: oh my darling @burningfieldof-clover I’m so sorry for the delay 🙈 this got lost in my drafts. Enjoy 🤍

"Hey, are you alright?"

Rex's voice reached your ears, but the words remained trapped in your throat. You stood there, rooted to the spot, a whirlwind of emotions raging within you. Tears welled up in your eyes as a million thoughts raced through your mind. Then again, how does one react to the miraculous news that the man you had loved for countless years, the man you had believed to be lost forever, was now alive?

It took the gentle wave of a hand in front of your face to snap you out of your daze. Blinking back your tears, you focused on Rex, who wore a concerned expression. "You okay?"

"Echo's alive?" you finally managed to croak out, your voice trembling with a mixture of disbelief and hope.

A soft, reassuring smile graced Rex's lips as he nodded. "Yes, he's alive. He's been with another squad for quite some time now."

The shock of the revelation left you struggling to grasp the reality of the moment. Rex had delivered this life- news with such casual ease, unaware of the immense significance it held for you. He couldn't possibly fathom the depths of your feelings for the Arc Trooper.

Rex guided you to a quiet spot and began to unravel the incredible story of Echo's survival. To your horror, he painted a vivid picture of the ordeal Echo had endured from the Techno Union, how he was rescued and his choice about joining another squad. You truly had no ideal to cope with all this information, other than stare at Rex dumbfounded.

You had abandoned your position within the GAR years ago, unable to bear the pain of Echo's supposed death. But now, a chance had emerged, a chance to find Echo and to finally confess the love you had hidden away for years. However, the question of whether it was too late, whether Echo even held the same feelings for you, loomed large. But you had to find out one way or another. “How do I find Clone Force 99?”

Rex had been kind enough to provide you with the coordinates of the last known location Echo was heading to, and you had promptly booked a shuttle to get there. The journey was arduous, with doubt gnawing at your thoughts the entire way. Your mind whispered that this might be a foolish mistake, but the need to see Echo, to confirm his existence with your own eyes, outweighed all hesitation.

As the shuttle touched down on the unfamiliar planet, you felt a sense of disorientation and timid uncertainty. You questioned whether you should first explore your surroundings or make an attempt to find Echo yourself.

However, your gaze was drawn to the vast expanse of the ocean. It had been too long since you had witnessed such natural beauty, the sun's gentle rays dancing on the water's surface. The clean, fresh air was a stark contrast to the stuffy atmosphere of the deeper levels of Coruscant. You had overheard that this planet served as a refuge for many after the Clone Wars, and it seemed like the perfect place for it.

Lost in contemplation, you were brought back to the present by the presence of a small girl standing beside you, her bright brown eyes and short blonde hair catching your attention. She gazed up at you and inquired, "Are you okay?"

You offered her a warm smile and nodded. "Yeah, thanks. Just... taking it all in."

She eagerly inquired, "I love it here. Are you visiting someone or staying?"

Your soft laughter filled the air as you found her nosiness to be quite charming. Truth be told, you didn't see a reason to hide the purpose of your visit. "Visiting someone."

Her eyes lit up with excitement. "Who? Maybe I know them?" Her eagerness was infectious, and you couldn't help but notice the familiarity in her eyes, a certain resemblance that tugged at your memories.

You began to answer, "Alright, he's called Ec—"

But before you could finish, a commanding voice interrupted, "Omega, come. We need to get going." The voice sent a shockwave through your heart, and your breath caught in your throat. It was a voice you had longed to hear, one you thought you'd never hear again.

Omega let out a sigh and offered you an apologetic look before turning and hurrying to the source of the voice. As you turned to see the speaker, your heart skipped a beat. Echo stood there, so different yet unmistakably the same. His gaze on you was strong, as if trying to piece a picture together of who you were.

"But Echo, I was helping her find someone," Omega protested, gesturing towards you. Her words were distant as Echo's gaze locked onto yours, trying to recognise the changes in your appearance from the last time he had seen you. Your hair, clothing, and your civilian guise had replaced the uniformed visage he remembered.

Interrupting the profound moment, Omega's question rang out, but both you and Echo remained captivated by the connection rekindled in that shared gaze. Soon, the other members of Echo’s squad gathered by Omega's side.

Hunter's curiosity was piqued as he observed the unfolding interaction, and he couldn't help but ask, "What's going on?" Omega simply shrugged, her eyes trained on Echo and you.

With a few more tentative steps, Echo closed the distance between you, his head tilted slightly as if to analyse you, to confirm that it was really you. Your voice quivered as you managed to say, "Hi, Echo," and he echoed your name in a soft, heartfelt tone.

A warm smile graced his lips as he admitted, "I can't believe it's you."

A gentle, albeit slightly teasing, response escaped your lips. "I could say the same."

Finally, the emotional barrier gave way, and you found yourselves locked in each other's arms, holding each other as though afraid to let go. "

I've missed you so much," you whispered into his chest, your glistening eyes revealing the depths of your longing. The tears threatened to spill, impossible to hold back any longer.

And then, an unexpected comment from one of Echo's companions, "I didn't know Echo had a girlfriend,” broke the tender moment and you could not help but laugh.

“Let me introduce you to the others,” Echo pulls out of the hug, offers you a reassuring smile and guides you to his new comrades.

Later that evening after some good, really good food, yourself and Echo take a walk down by the shore. Making small talk and catching up on everything you both have missed, it felt like nothing changed between you both. It was everything you could have hoped for.

"I really can't believe you're here," Echo chuckled, a sense of disbelief lingering in his voice. "I never thought I'd see you again."

A soft smile graced your lips as you matched his pace, coming to a stop as you spoke. "Me either."

Then, with a touch of hesitation, you blurted out, "So, uh, are you seeing anybody?" The question took even you by surprise, and it seemed to have a similar effect on Echo. His curiosity was piqued as he observed your flustered expression.

He folded his arms over his chest, shaking his head. "No, are you?"

Your reply came swiftly, perhaps a bit too swiftly for your liking. "No." You didn't give yourself a chance to consider the implications of your response, and Echo didn't press further.

His next question, however, held a hint of teasing, and his voice carried a subtle tone of curiosity. "Oh yeah? And why's that?" It seemed as though he was studying you, and for a brief moment, you thought he might have moved a bit closer, but it was hard to tell if it was just your imagination.

Your breath wavered as you gazed into Echo's eyes, your heart racing just like the first time you had ever met him. It felt like the right moment to lay bare the truth, to let him in on the emotions that had been tucked away for far too long.

"I have feelings," you began, your voice steady but your eyes now avoiding his, "for you. I have feelings for you."

Echo's eyes widened, and he blinked in astonishment, his words caught in his throat as he grappled with the unexpected confession. "You have feelings," he repeats, taking a step closer, his voice barely more than a whisper, "for me?"

You dipped your head, nodding as you ran a hand through your hair nervously. "I always have, Echo. I've loved you for so, so many years." The truth hung in the air between you, a confession that had been kept in the shadows for far too long.

The crashing waves almost drowned out the deafening silence that followed Echo's lack of response to your confession. Regret started to surge through you, the weight of the confession now hanging heavily in the clear air, making the situation uncomfortable and awkward.

"Sorry, I should go," you quickly uttered, turning to leave, but before you could take a step, his hand swiftly caught your wrist, pulling you back towards him. You stumbled slightly, finding yourself suddenly close to his chest, confusion painting your eyes.

In a moment that felt like a dream, Echo leaned in, nose nudging against your own and his breath brushing against your face with his lips hovering close to yours. "Echo?" you whispered, a rush of chills coursing through your body.

"I love you too," he finally uttered, his eyes closing as his lips met yours in a tender, affectionate embrace. "I've loved you since the first night I met you," he confessed, his warm breath mingling with yours as his hand moved to your waist, drawing you closer.

The kiss unfolded slowly, a perfect and intensely romantic connection, a moment that exceeded all your imagined dreams of being with Echo. It felt surreal, but his touch, his lips, assured you of his reality. When the kiss finally parted, he breathed, "Stay with us. Stay with me."

In that instant, any doubt vanished. You knew you would never even consider leaving his side again. Echo's confession sealed the bond, and you embraced the certainty that this was where you belonged, in his arms.

Masterlist

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[vodika-vibes]

Hey Vod’ika!!

As you know, I love reading your stories, my dear! If you don’t mind, I’d like to send in a request from the first kiss prompts!

You know I’m so incredibly normal about my baby Echo, can I request “wow. Just wow”?

Take your time, I always look forward to reading what you come up with for everything! 🫶

-💋 anon

Wow. Just Wow.

Summary: An ice skating trip with Echo turns into something more.

Pairing: ARC Trooper Echo x Reader

Word Count: 1133

Warnings: None

A/N: This is my disclaimer that I've not been ice skating since I was a child, and I was very bad at it.

Divider by saradika

“This is a terrible idea,” You say as you tug your scarf tighter around your neck. It’s cold…no, it’s freezing. Snow is falling from the sky and coating the world in a blanket of white.

And you hate it.

Hate. It.

It’s cold. And wet. And it gets everywhere-

Echo grins at you, a boyish tilt of his lips that sends warmth through your entire body. “Come on, mesh’la,” He coaxes, “You’ll have fun!”

“Until I fall and break my head open.”

Echo’s grin broadens, “Do you really think I would let that happen?”

You purse your lips, and cast a doubtful look at the sheet of ice, and then an even more doubtful look at the skates hanging from Echo’s hands. “You really expect me to walk on ice…with knives attached to my feet?” You ask.

“Not walk, skate.” Echo corrects, laughter in his voice, “Come on, I won’t let you get hurt.” He offers you the skates and waves them slightly.

“You do know that I can barely walk in regular shoes, right?” You ask as you take the skates from his offering hand, blatantly ignoring that way his entire face lit up when you finally gave in to his request.

“Skating isn’t anything like walking, mesh’la.” Echo counters as he guides you over to a bench and sits next to you, so he can pull on his own skates.

“Oh, because that’s so much better.” You huff as you drop onto the bench next to him and begin unlacing your boots, “How do you even know how to skate, anyway?”

Echo glances at you with a mischievous grin, “I,” He says loftily, “am an ARC Trooper. I can do anything, I’m just that good.”

“Anything except being modest, apparently.” You answer with a grin as you pull one of the skates on and lace it up.

“This is me being modest,” Echo jokes, “But also, General Skywalker takes the 501st to many interesting places.” He finishes lacing up his skates and gets to his feet, and you stare at him as he balances, effortlessly, on the knives attached to his feet.

“Madness,” you mutter under your breath, “Utter madness.” You finish lacing up your skates and carefully stand, reaching out and gripping Echo’s arm to help keep your balance.

“You alright?” He asks, a small grin playing on his lips.

“Well, I haven’t fallen yet, I suppose.” You reply dryly.

“That’s the spirit!” He says cheerfully. He holds your arm securely, and helps you walk over to the ice. And then he winks at you, and gently shakes you off, as he steps onto the ice and glides several feet away.

You watch him skate for half a minute, and you sigh softly. He’s so…beautiful. You push the thought out of your mind as he skates back over to you and offers you his hands. “Come on,” He says, a wide grin on his face.

Echo is your friend, you remind yourself silently, No more. No less. And friends do not ogle each other. 

You take his hands and hesitantly step onto the ice. You waver for a moment, and your grip on his hands tightens as you fear, for a moment, that you’re about to fall. “Easy there, mesh’la,” Echo reassures, “I have you.”

He skates backwards, leading you away from the edge of the lake and towards the center, “Wait, shouldn’t we stay near the edges-?”

“Nope,” Echo replies.

“But-”

“Do you trust me?” He interrupts gently.

“Yes, of course.” You reply immediately, a little startled at his sudden question.

“Then trust me.” He squeezes your hands gently, and he smiles warmly, “I’ll have you skating like a pro in an hour.”

You giggle and shake your head, “I doubt that, Echo. But you can try.”

30 minutes later, you’ve mastered making yourself move forward. Stopping and turning, though, are still works in progress.

“You’re doing great,” Echo praises as he skates next to you, allowing you to cling to him every time you start losing your balance, which is pretty often, actually.

“It’s nice of you to say so, Echo. But I don’t feel like I am.” You reply as you glance at him.

“For someone who’s never skated before today, you’re doing great.” He says, “Really. You haven’t even fallen once.”

“Yeah, only because you keep catching me.” You say with a sheepish smile.

“I don’t mind catching you,” Echo replies with an easy shrug, as he moves so he’s skating backwards in front of you, “How about we take a break? They’re selling hot chocolate at the stand-”

“That sounds great. I think my nose is numb.” You admit.

He laughs, “Well then, we better get you warmed up.” Echo guides you to the edge of the lake and back onto the shore, and he steadies you as you adjust to being on solid land again.

“My legs are going to be so sore tomorrow,” You say with a small pout as you follow Echo towards the stand.

He opens his mouth to say something, hesitates, and then grins, “Don’t worry, mesh’la, a hot bath will soothe those sore muscles. And if it doesn’t, a nice massage will.”

You scoff, “Oh, and who’s paying for this massage for me? You?”

“You don’t have to pay me, but I won’t say no to free food,” Echo replies lightly, and you stumble, forcing him to catch you.

“You…what?”

Echo winks and helps you sit on a bench, “I’ll be right back,”

You roll his words around your mind for the minute it takes him to get the hot chocolate and return to you, and by the time he’s sitting next to you, you’ve come to a decision. 

A risky decision, but a decision all the same.

“Two hot chocolates,” Echo says as he presses a paper cup into your hand, “It’s hot though, so maybe let it cool down before you try to drink.”

You hum in agreement, setting the cocoa on the bench next to you, and then you quickly lean in and press your lips against his.

It’s a very quick, very chaste, kiss. And you watch his face nervously for a reaction. 

Echo gapes at you, his jaw slightly slack, and you shift nervously. “Um…” You absently fiddle with the sleeve of your jacket, “I…sorry…I should have-”

“Wow.” Echo breathes out, cutting you off without meaning to, “Just…wow.”

“...Echo?”

His gaze snaps to yours, and a very cocky grin crosses his face as he leans in closer to you, “Do it again, cyare.” He says, his gaze intent, “Kiss me again.”

You stare at him for a moment, and then a small grin crosses your face as you lean in a little bit, “Okay.” You whisper. After all, who are you to deny him?

[knightprincess]

Forgive Me (Echo x Medic Reader) Part 19

Words: 2K Warnings: None - Does mention Clone Rebellion Pronouns used: She/Her - (Y/N) and (Y/L/N) also used

"Calm yourself, Echo," called Rex as he put the freighter he shared with the Arc Trooper and Gregor on autopilot. "Wolffe won't let anything happen to her, whether they're together or not," added the great captain, swiveling the pilot's chair around to face his companions, noticing Gregor seemed preoccupied with something. 

"She's with him," confidently replied Gregor, throwing his feet on the dashboard as he leaned back and relaxed a little more, a grin appearing across his lips mere moments later. "Didn't you hear?" asked the Commando, not wording he'd recognize Snap's giggle anywhere, especially when he purposely wound up Wolffe. 

"How do you know it was (Y/N) and not some civvie Wolffe picked up?" asked Echo, almost as if he assumed Wolffe was similar to Fives and Jesse, even Gregor himself, when it comes to the charm and ladies. His question only served to amuse Gregor, who loudly laughed while Rex shook his head as if trying to rid himself of unwanted mental images. 

"Wolffe ..." started Rex with a sigh before stopping, almost as if he searched for the right words. "He doesn't trust those outside of his circle, especially civvies..." continued the great captain, recalling the times in 79's when Wolffe had been somewhat relaxed but still on guard. "After the judgment and fear he received because of his eye, he grew colder to outsiders," explained Rex, trying to word the explanation in the kindest ways possible, determined not to offend the Commander even if he wasn't there. 

"Upon my return from The Void, I was assigned as her protector alongside Gruffles; I'd recognize her laughter anywhere," answered Gregor, once again nicknaming Wolffe, similar to how he'd nicknamed others around him based on their personality and his knowledge of them. "Plus, we have Cody's account; that has to count for something," he added, returning his gaze to the ordinary colors of hyperspace, almost welcoming the distraction despite knowing it wouldn't last long. 

"You'll see her soon enough. I'm sure Snap will be just as thrilled to see you as you are for her," spoke Rex, changing the subject to the impending reunion once more, almost seeing the irony. The scenario was almost an exact repeat of before, except now it was just Rex himself and Gregor instead of Clone Force 99, General Skywalker, and Rex. Instead of returning to a military base of operations on Anaxes, Snap is within the ranks of the GAR, serving with the 501st. Now, she was touring the length of the galaxy with Wolffe, hiding from the empire and their unknown desires and motivations. 

"I'll tell her about her family," voiced Gregor, seemingly lost in the swirls of hyperspace, although it was clear he was thinking of an impending reunion too. Rex and Echo glanced at each other, both still debating if it was a good idea to tell her Devika was the only family she truly had left. Octavius and Isolde had both been killed at the end of the war, and (Y/N)'s parents and other immediate family members had been killed not long after for one reason or another. Her parents vocally protested what happened at the Military Base. The others for trying to protect both Snap and Devika. "Good idea or not, Snap deserves to know the truth. It's better it comes from someone she trusts than allowing the imps to weaponize it." 

"Where is Devika now?" asked Echo, recalling the younger woman with a love for politics. Despite everything, she stood as a fighter for Clone Rights alongside senators Chuchi, Organa, and Mon Mathma. "I don't recall seeing her around the senate building," added the Arc Trooper, concern beginning to flood his voice, even more so when Omega had mentioned some she'd met when with Riyo. 

"The Queen of Naboo extended an invitation to her, she's been helping survives of the purge get away and hide" replied Rex, recalling briefly meeting the young politician when on Naboo before, at first he thought she was (Y/N), the two being almost identical. "The queen keeps her protected until the times right for her to return to the Senate, likely as a fully-fledged senator," added the great captain, hearing Gregor chuckle, noticing something few others seemed to recognize. 

"I wonder if they did that on purpose?" questioned Gregor, purposely being vague with his line of thought. Another chuckle fled his lips mere moments later upon glancing at Echo and Rex, seeing the confusion written across their features. "Snap and Wolffe running across the galaxy is distracting the imps to the point they haven't even realized Devika is probably the bigger threat. One refuses to give the empire what they want out of sheer stubbornness, and the other is basically building a rebellion," explained the Commando, seeing the irony in the situation. Almost as if the (Y/L/N) sisters had used the divide and conquer tactic against the empire. 

"If that was planned, they're doing a good job at it," replied Echo, a proud grin coming to his lips, even more so when their plan seemed to be working. "Tech would be proud," laughed the Arc Trooper, thinking of how Tech and the rest of the Bad Batch would respond. 

"So would the rest of the boys," added Rex, knowing all their brothers would be proud of what the (Y/L/N) sisters had managed to do, even if it was unintentional. "And General Skywalker," he added, thinking of the unorthodox Jedi Knight he'd served under for the entirety of the war. Deep down, Rex liked to think the General would be pleased his creative thinking had rubbed off the civvie medic and the senator. "I think Senator Amidala would be proud too; I'm sure if she was still here, she'd be doing as Devika is now," sorrowfully added Rex, sadness glimmering in his eyes to think of all those lost at the end of the war for various reasons. 

"Speaking of planned things," started Gregor, pulling his feet from the dashboard, being careful not to catch any buttons and leavers. "How do you plan to sway old Wolffee to join your rebellion?" curiously worded the Commando, suspecting it would be no easy feat to convince the Commander to join the ranks of the growing clone rebellion. "And the rest of Clone Force 99?" he added with haste, suspecting Rex had a plan to convince the three remaining lads of the Bad Batch to join them. 

"Hunter, Tech, and Wrecker have Omega to think about; her safety is the number one priority for them," voiced Rex, acknowledging in order for the rest of the bad batch to fight, they would have to be sure Omega would be protected. "As for Wolffe, it shouldn't be much trouble; convincing Snap will be far harder," he replied, knowing the plan Cody had thought of would certainly help, but it relied on (Y/N) and put her in more danger than she was already in. It involved putting her into the heart of the empire's secret goings-on. 

"Convince Snap of what?" asked Echo, quickly deciphering he wasn't going to like the answer. Still, he pushed the growing fear and judgment of the situation aside to listen with a clear mind. Rex could only sigh, whereas Gregor clearly displayed his disagreement with Cody's plan; even if it would help them, he was still insistent it wasn't worth the risk. 

"Before Cody went looking for General Kenobi, he shared a plan with Rex. It would help with the rebellion and freeing our brothers, but it will also put (Y/N) in the heart of all the danger," worded Gregor, displeasure dripping from his normally smooth voice as he slumped back into the co-pilot chair he'd occupied as if protesting against the idea once again. 

"We know clones within the imperial ranks and prisons are disappearing. They're transferred to a secret facility somewhere and never heard from or mentioned again. Cody theorized they were doing experiments on them, he'd heard whispers of a top secret project, Death or Dark Troopers" wearily began Rex as if he was doubting his own judgement for agreeing with the idea in the first place. It was dangerous, and (Y/N) was no soldier, "Snap was supposed to be transferred to the Advanced Science Division when the war ended, but Wolffe, with help from Fox, got to her first. The Science Division is also involved in the disappearances; at first, I thought it was a coincidence, but the more time that passes, the more I believe whoever runs the division had a purpose for wanting (Y/N)," added Rex, sighing as the truth was slowly dawning on him, why the empire wanted to send Snap to such as place. 

"To use her as a weapon against us," voiced Gregor, pointing out the obvious answer as well as displaying his disagreement with practically handing Snap to the Science Division on a silver platter. "We clones are loyal to her. We're her army. Who better to use against us?" added the Commando, thinking like the enemy to come to the only logical answer there was. Snap wasn't going to join the empire willingly; the imperials knew it, so her purpose was to be a tool, leverage to force clones to do what the imperials wanted. 

"I agree with Gregor," stated Echo, not willing to put Snap in danger, especially if there was another way to get what they needed without taking such a risk. "I know (Y/N) would be willing to do this, especially if it meant furthering something she believed in, but I couldn't bear it if she were hurt or killed. I almost lost her once; I can't take that risk knowing this time she might not come back," added the Arc Trooper for once, listening to his heart rather than his head. Finally, he admitted how it felt being parted from Snap for almost a year, how it felt like he had lost her. He'd already mourned what could have been had the war ended differently, mourned the life he could have shared with her. He didn't want to go through the grief of actually losing her, as he had done with so many brothers, as he had done with Fives and Jesse, and so many others.

"Told you," victoriously spoke Gregor. "Old Wolffee isn't gonna be a walk in the park either."  

"And if Snap agrees to the plan?" asked Rex, knowing the opinions of his brothers mattered, but so did (Y/N)'s. What would they do if she agreed to do as Cody suggested? What would any of them do if she willingly joined the Advanced Science Division as a mole? "I know Wolffe would protest, but he'd also do what he could to protect her, even if that meant telling her she's an idiot," added the great Captain, recognizing the danger and Wolffe protesting. After all, protecting Snap was the only duty Wolffe likely felt he had left; there was little doubt the Commander wouldn't be so quick to let it go, especially if he were aware the civvie medic still needed him as much as he needed her. 

"I would reluctantly agree. I know better than to argue back with her," quietly replied Gregor, as if he were a cadet again being scolded on Kamino. After all, he was well aware it was pointless trying to convince Snap not to do something, especially if she'd already made her mind up about it. "I'd do everything in my power to make sure she's as safe as possible and has the support needed to complete her mission." 

"I would say try and convince her otherwise, but I know she's more stubborn than a Rancor at feeding time," commented Echo, knowing his Civvie Medic could be far more determined and stubborn than the best of soldiers. She could be more savvy than the politicians in the Senate if she had to be, and she was as fearless as the Jedi once were. But that didn't mean he wasn't afraid of losing her; they'd both survived one war, but there was no guarantee they would survive another; the Empire was far crueler than both the republic and the separatists combined, cold and ruthless when it came to dealing with their enemies. 

Series Masterlist

[monako-jinn-stories]

Echo X Fem!Reader FanFic

A Returning Echo ~ After the Citadel

Main Master List

Story Master List

Chapter Thirty Seven

Chapter Thirty Nine

Chapter Thirty Eight

It's the moment I've been waiting for heheheh

The sky is grey as you push yourself up with weak arms. Explosions land all around you, lighting the sky up with flashes of red, orange, yellow, and white. The ground shakes as the Separatists continue to lay into your battalion. The only hope you have left is Bomber Squadron.

You look up to the sky as they fly overhead. You’re vaguely aware of Hex and Steele to your left, and Sans to your right. Aid is there too, wrapping up Steele’s leg as Hex holds him still through the agonizing screams. Aid turns and stands, taking a few running steps away before vomiting up his rations. You both turn to the sky at the same time, and now everyone is watching Bomber squadron.

And then you watch it all happen, and when it’s over, Aid vomits again.

***

Three Months Ago

“Aleiah!” Fives says cheerfully as he walks into the shop. Tup shares a look with Dogma, who just shrugs his shoulders, following behind the ARC who had said they were going on a very important retrieval mission.

“Fives! What a lovely surprise! It’s been too long,” Aleiah says, walking over to wrap him in a tight hold. “How have you been, my dear?”

“Fantastic! Living the soldier's dream.”

“More like nightmare,” Tup whispers to Dogma, who nods in agreement.

“Now, that’s not what I mean, boy. How have you been? And what about y/n?” she asks softly while giving him a sympathetic look.

“We both really miss him,” he sighs, leaning against the wall. “We try to be there for each other as much as possible. It’s just hard, you know?” 

Aleiah nods, gently placing a hand on his arm. “I know you didn’t come here to talk about him, so what can I do for you?” The bright smile returns almost instantly to Five’s lips at her question, reminding him of why he’d come. “And who are these two handsome men with you?”

“This is Tup,” Fives says, throwing his arm around the younger trooper’s shoulders, who smiles shyly, “and this is Dogma. These are my two little shinies that I get to babysit.”

“Babysit?” Dogma says, “we’re not babies-”

“Shh, what did I tell you about talking to your superiors?” Fives says, putting a hand on his hip.

“You said the only people who get proper respect were the nat-borns, Cody, Wolffe, and Fox,” Tup speaks up.

“I did say that, didn’t I?” Fives mumbles to himself. “Well, new rule: never disagree with Fives.”

“That’s a dumb rule,” Tup whispers to Dogma, who grimaces and nods again.

“Oh, be nice to them,” Aleiah says, walking over to shoo Fives away from Tup and Dogma, “Fives is a character, as I’m sure you’ve figured out already,” she says to them, “only listen to the serious stuff he says.”

“Hey, everything I say is serious!” he counters, frowning at her before she waves him off dismissively.

“So, may I ask again what brings you here?”

“Well, ARC-Trooper 5555-”

Dogma is cut off in the middle of speaking as Aleiah whacks him with a tape measure. “You should know by now to not use numbers, and say names instead.” She gives him a brief glare, and he swallows hard before nodding.

“Right, sorry, Mrs…”

“Orno. Aleiah Orno,” she says, giving him a kind smile now.

“Well, Mrs. Orno, ARC- er, Fives informed me and Tup that we were on an important retrieval mission.”

“Important retrieval?” she repeats, giving Fives a confused look. “I don’t have anything here. Unless someone broke in and hid something.”

“Oh, I was wrong,” Fives says, stepping forward, “I meant a special request mission.”

“Wait, are you saying that you drug us out here to ask for something?” Tup questions, and Fives gives him a wide grin.

“Precisely,” he confirms before turning back to Aleiah. “I need a custom baby onesie.”

“A baby onesie?”

“Yeah, it’s for y/n. She…she never got the chance to tell Echo.” Aleiah places a hand gently on Fives’s shoulder, giving it a light squeeze. He smiles at her softly before composing himself again. “I want her little girl to have a onesie from her best uncle.”

“So you want one that says Hex?” Aleiah teases, earning an amused snort from both Tup and Dogma.

“Haha,” Fives says while rolling his eyes, shooting the shinies a glare.

Aleiah moves away from him, walking over to her counter while mumbling to herself. “There it is! Now,” she says, holding a datapad in her hand, “go ahead and tell me the details.”

“Well, I want the front to say ‘ARC-5555’ across the top, with a giant ‘#1’ in the middle, and ‘UNCLE’, on the bottom. Then on the back, I want it to say ‘Fives’, across the top, with a giant ‘5z’ below it. Here,” he says, reaching into his pocket, “I have a picture I drew.” He hands her a very poor drawing of the shirt design he had imagined, and she holds back her own amused snort as she takes it.

“Well, we know Fives could never make it as an artist,” Dogma whispers to Tup.

“Alright,” Aleiah says, pinning the drawing to a board full of notes, “I’ll see what I can do.”

“Thank you so much, Aleiah. You never fail to make the best clothes!” Fives says. “Oh, speaking of which, we need some 501st pj’s for these two as well.”

“Normal measurements?” she asks, and Fives nods. “Alright, I’ll get on those as soon as I can. Come back next zhellday, and everything should be ready.”

“Thanks again!” Fives says, shoving the shinies through the door, “you’re the best!” Aleiah chuckles to herself as she watches Fives run along with the shinies trailing behind, who are no doubt wondering what in the world is going on.

***

You’re frozen in place as you watch the smoke rise up. You can hear yelling all around you, and faintly feel a hand on your shoulder, trying to shake you back to reality. You turn to see Sans’s desperate eyes, and you finally snap yourself out of it and push yourself to run over. Smoke engulfs you as you run forward, and you shoot your arms out, carelessly using the force to throw rubble out of your way as you search.

***

Two Months Ago

Mai-Lee walks in to see you and Echoa laying on the floor, with you watching as she crawls around. She’s been learning and growing fast, much faster than normal babies. It’s almost as though she has accelerated growth. Doctors and scientists have run tests, and you’re currently waiting for results. Could Echo’s quickened aging have passed on to her? “You have a visitor,” Mai-Lee says, smiling as Echoa waves a tiny fist at her. She walks in and kneels down, taking Echoa into her arms and poking her nose. “They have a gift for you,” she says as Echoa giggles.

You smile and watch as Mai-Lee sets Echoa back down before standing. “Will you send them in?”

“He was right behind me,” she sighs, setting a hand on her hip. “That man, I swear.”

“Fives?” you guess, and she nods in confirmation. “Tell me about it. He never knocked, either. Not even when he knew me and Echo were busy.”

“I feel bad for Shaak Ti having to deal with him,” she giggles.

“At least he’s not as bad as Anakin,” you reply, “I don’t even want to imagine what Padmé puts up with.”

The sound of footsteps running down the hall catches everyone’s attention, and Echoa perks up when she hears Fives calling out. “I’m coming, Echoa!” He practically crashes into the room, catching himself against the doorframe at the last minute. “There’s my little princess!” he says, rushing over to pick her up and spin her around. Her giggles filled the room and a smile shines on Fives’s face before he holds her against his chest.

“What brings you to Dohbar?” you ask, and Fives shoots you a look.

“Echoa, obviously.”

“I can see that,” you reply, waving to Mai-Lee as she excuses herself. Fives sits down next to you, setting Echoa in his lap before taking the bag he has off his shoulder. 

“I have a gift for you,” he says, and she patiently looks up at him before he takes out a little baby onesie. You read what it says and then let out a long sigh, shaking your head. “What, you don’t like it?”

“You’re borderline Anakin level ridiculous,” you reply. He just ignores your comment before flipping it around so you could see the back. “Are you really expecting me to put that on my daughter?”

“Yes,” he immediately replies, and you let out another sigh before snatching it from him and picking up Echoa, carrying her over to the table to change her outfit. Once she’s in it, you hold her out for Fives to take into his arms. He has the biggest smile on his face as he holds her, and you can feel the joy radiating, even without the help of the force. “It’s perfect!” he says, and you let a small smile come to your lips as you shake your head. 

“You’re going to spoil her too much,” you comment, leaning back and using your arms to hold you up. 

“Non-sense,” he counters, “it would be impossible to spoil her too much.”

***

This wasn’t a part of the plan. This should never have happened. That cannon had been destroyed, you had been sure of it. There’s no way it could have been operable, and even if it was, it could never have made that shot.

But it did.

***

One Month Ago

“So, the results of the tests came back,” you say as you hand Fives a drink you’d just poured. You clink your glasses together before both taking a sip. Shaak Ti isn’t drinking tonight, but she’d joined Fives on his trip to Dohbar to finally meet Echoa.

“And?” she asks, Fives nodding in agreement to her curiosity.

“She does in fact age faster,” you reply. “It seems as though she doesn’t age as fast as the clones, though. Instead of aging at a rate of two years for each year, she ages at a rate of 1.5 years for each year.”

“So, how old is she technically right now?” Fives questions, and you think for a moment.

“I guess she would be…three months? Since she’s technically only two months old.”

“She’s growing fast then,” Shaak says, “Are you sure you want to go back so soon? You might miss some important moments.”

“I don’t have any other choice,” you sigh before taking another drink. “The Council is already on me about it, and besides, I don’t want to wait much longer. I’m getting antsy.”

Shaak takes a sip of her non-alcoholic drink, and you can tell she’s holding a comment back. You know some Jedi don’t approve of your eagerness to fight, despite them knowing you came from a warrior-based planet. 

“There’s nothing wrong with wanting to get back out into the battles,” Fives starts, “but you have to keep your daughter in mind. You’re her only surviving parent, and I know Kwol and Ahni would take care of her for you if anything happened, but still.”

“You have to ask yourself what you care about more,” Shaak adds, “your life as a Jedi, or your life as a mother.”

You drink the last bit of your drink before setting your glass down on the table in front of you. “Echoa’s awake,” you say, standing and swiftly moving to the door, “I’ll be heading to bed after I check on her.” You don’t see their reactions, but Fives nods before finishing his own drink while Shaak lets out a sigh, her fingers tapping nervously on her glass. She didn’t mean to upset you, but she’d spoken honestly. 

You usually fought with only a small care for yourself, mostly worried about your troopers, but now you had someone else to fight for, to survive for. And as you look down at her in your arms, lolling back to sleep, you know Shaak is right. But you can’t choose between the two lives, just like you couldn’t choose between being queen and a Jedi. It’s all or nothing with you, and you’re determined to make it work.

You set her back in her cradle, brushing the hair from her face,. She sleeps with her mouth slightly open, and you can’t help the absolute love you feel flow to her through the force. And when she subconsciously sends her own love back, your heart feels full to the bursting point.

***

The body is so mangled that you can barely even recognize him, and if not for the signature paint on his armor, or the way your eyes had been following him ever since you saw the cannon blast, you wouldn’t have been able to name him. His hair isn’t even recognizable as his own style. A sob leaves you again, and your knees shake as you fall to the ground at his side.

***

Two weeks ago

You wait in the hangar for your newest guest to arrive. You had thought he was joking when he said he would visit your daughter, but you should have known better. It is Cad Bane, after all.

Your hands rest on your hips as you impatiently stand there, and you can’t help but wonder if he is purposely late just to get on your nerves. 

No, you think to yourself, he’s a professional. He’s not late unless there’s a good reason.

A gurble from the ground catches your attention, and you look down to see your daughter sitting up and waving her arms widely. You let a small amused smirk come to your lips before you turn fully to her. “What is it, Echoa?” you ask gently. She scrunches her face and lets out an annoyed sound, waving her arms more frantically. “Do you want me to pick you up?” She beams at that, and you let out a huff. “Two minutes ago you wanted to be sitting on the ground,” you mumble to yourself while bending to pick her up. Just as you turn back around to gaze out of the hangar, you see a ship flying in, one you don’t recognize, but can clearly tell it’s owned by Bane. “Time to meet your bounty hunter uncle,” you say in a tone that would suggest slight irritation as you walk towards the ship.

“Now, don’t be like that, little lady,” Bane says as he walks down the boarding ramp. He twirls his toothpick in his mouth before smirking and glancing down. “Oh, what a doll,” he says, reaching out towards Echoa. You hesitantly let him take her into his hold, and watch as she stares up at him while she’s in his arms.

“So, what brought you here?” you ask, motioning for him to follow you inside. 

“I thought it was about time to meet her,” he replies, and you let out an amused snort. “Fine, I was on my way back from a bounty and thought I should stop by.”

“That’s more like it,” you mumble. “I’m afraid you can’t stay here for long. I’m heading back to Coruscant today.”

“Already?” he asks, pausing in his steps to look at you with a questioning look. You just shrug and nod, and he looks down at Echoa again. “I’ve heard things. People making up their own theories. I’ve done as best I can to keep her name and life out of the underworld, but it’s not exactly easy.”

“I appreciate all that you have and are able to do.”

He waves his hand dismissively, gently brushing a hand down Echoa’s cheek. “I can see for myself that some theories are true, or have some truth to them. She ages faster, doesn’t she?” he asks, and you swallow hard before nodding. “With her father being a clone trooper, it isn’t hard to guess,” he assures you. “There was no leaked information. I haven’t even heard her name uttered yet.”

“That’s good, I suppose,” you sigh, taking a seat on a couch. You motion for Bane to join you, and he sits across from you in a chair. “I can’t stay here forever though, and I’ve already explained it so many times.”

“I know, little lady,” he says, “I know you well. But I also know you’ve heard this many times from many others, but I’ll be the next to say it. You have to keep her in mind when you make decisions, especially ones that endanger your life.” You bite your tongue to keep your snark from coming out, and just nod. He’s right, everyone else has said that, and it’s the truth. But it doesn’t make it any easier. “Would you want a body guard for her? Someone who can keep a constant eye out? I’d be happy to give you a discount for my services.”

This time, you let out an audible laugh at his words. “Bane, we both know I’d never say yes to that.”

“It was worth a try.”

“I appreciate the offer, but she’s plenty safe here. Besides, wouldn’t your presence here just bring more attention?”

“It might,” he admits, “but then again, I’d have your royal guard to keep me safe as well.”

“She’ll be fine without you,” you say, and your tone ends the topic. “I need to get ready,” you say while standing up. “You can stay with her for a little bit longer, or you can go ahead and fly out.”

“I suppose I should get going myself,” he says, standing up before handing Echoa back to you. He leans down and places a gentle kiss to her forehead, whispering, “take care, little doll.” He then straightens up and looks at you, an authentic smile gracing his lips. “We’ve known each other for a long time,” he starts, “and I know how much you’ve been through. I’m proud of you, y/n. More than you could ever know.”

“Thank you, Cad,” you reply, returning the smile, “I’m glad you’ve stuck with me this long, and through everything.”

“I wouldn’t dream of letting you fall,” he says before moving closer and planting a kiss on your forehead. “Goodbye, little lady. Take care, for all of us.” You nod and watch him leave, heading back towards the hangar. No one would ever quite understand your bond, but he was the one who first discovered how poorly your adoptive parents had treated you. How you’d been kidnapped and a ransom was set, and the former king and queen just told the bounty hunter to keep you, do what he wanted with you. That you were a burden to them anyway, and they’d be better off without you. He’d also been the one to hand you back to Codo, and make sure he understood that you were to be taken care of, and if anything else serious happened to you, Bane would find Codo and punish him.

Just before he reaches the hangar door, you notice Mai-Lee almost run into him. He catches her as she tries to stop herself, clearly in a rush. You snort in amusement as you watch Mai-Lee’s cheeks warm as she profusely apologizes, and then watch her almost crumble when Bane lifts her hand up to his lips to place a gentle kiss before letting her hand go and giving her a tip of his hat as he pushes open the doors to the hangar.

***

Wake up, you tell yourself. Wake up, it’s just a dream. It’s all in your head, it’s not real.

You sit up and let out a yelp, chest rising and falling as you pant and try to catch your breath. Sweat drips off of your body, and you distantly feel your limbs trembling. You let out a sigh, briefly reveling in the fact that it was just a dream.

But then again,

Jedi don’t ‘just dream’.

The hum of the Venator lights in your bunk area are like sirens in your ears. Pushing yourself up off of the bunk, you feel layers of sweat rolling down your body as you stand. It isn’t hot in here, in fact it’s kind of chilly, but the dream you’d just had set your body temperature soaring. Fear and anxiety shake your legs as you stumble towards the refresher. 

Quickly slipping your clothes off, you jump in the shower, spraying cold water and then hot water onto yourself. You want to wash the sweat off, and burn out the images in your mind. It couldn’t have been a vision, it’s not possible. You’ve never had one before, why would you start having them now? And if it was a vision, then why did it have to be him?

You pull yourself from the safety of the refresher and redress in clean clothes before heading up to the bridge. As you walk past troopers, they nod and greet you, many of them having not seen you in quite a while. You smile back to them, exchanging pleasantries before continuing on. 

“There she is,” Steele says as you finally join him, Hex, Sans, and Aid on the bridge. “We were about to send Sans to go get you.”

“Sorry,” you reply, “I feel asleep, and then I had a quick rinse off.”

“Well, you’re just in time,” Hex says, “we’re about to leave hyperspace, and then make our way down to the surface.” 

“Shall we run through the plans one last time?” Sans asks, and everyone agrees. While you stand there listening, you can’t fight it when your mind wanders to that dream. Certain parts of the plan might go wrong and provide the chance for it to come true, and that’s what makes it hard to focus. 

A gentle hand on your shoulder brings you back to the holotable in front of you. You blink a few times before looking up to see concern in everyone’s eyes. “Are you okay, y/n?” Aid asks you, and you turn to see his hand still on your shoulder.

“Yeah,” you swallow, “I’m fine.”

“Are you sure? You’re breathing heavily and you look pale.”

“I just…” you start, shaking your head before finishing. “Bad dream, that’s all.”

“Dream?” Steele questions, exchanging a look with his twin, “Jedi don’t dream. They have visions, right?”

You shake your head, fists clenching at your sides briefly. “No. For the sake of my sanity, and anxieties, I need to believe it was just a dream.”

Steele and Hex exchange another look, and Sans takes a step closer to you. “Do you want to tell us about it?”

“No,” you instantly respond, eyes going wide before leaving him and finding that one trooper you’d dreamt of. When your eyes rest on him, your mouth goes dry, and you barely whisper out, “I can’t.”

The members of Jawa Squad, save for Tie who isn’t with the group, all look towards where your eyes went, and you feel them freeze in place. Steele reaches out to squeeze Hex’s wrist for stability, and Hex just keeps a stoic expression. Aid swallows hard, and you can tell he’s fighting back a wave of nausea. 

“We won’t let it happen,” Sans says, his tone uncharacteristically stern and serious, almost as though he’s commanding it to the galaxy. “We can’t.”

As the Venator comes out of hyperspace, you watch as the trooper stands up. When he notices everyone looking at him, he gives his signature smile and waves before shooting finger guns as he begins to walk closer. Steele releases Hex’s wrist with a sigh, and Hex glances at his twin from the corner of his eye, giving a brief nod of assurance. 

“So, are we all ready to go?” you hear Tie, who is now with you and the rest Jawa squad, ask, and you turn slightly to give him a nod. “Great! I’ll go get the transport pilots ready,” he says before heading off, speaking into his comms to tell everyone to get to the hangar.

“It’ll all be okay,” Aid says to you, and you can tell he’s also trying to convince himself. You give him a smile, nodding again. It seems like you can’t speak, the fear of what may happen is silencing you, and you don’t know what you could possibly say if you do end up finding that mangled clone body.

You lead the rest of the troopers on the bridge down to the hangar, and wait until everyone is on board their transports before you hop into your starfighter. Maybe if you did things a little differently than normal, then he might survive. Or maybe going away from the normal is what killed him in the dream. You lean forward and rest your head in your hands, the stress over this getting to you. Taking deep breaths, you try to calm your nerves before you sit up and look out the view port.

“Are we ready to take off?” you ask over the comms, and Tie replies with an all-set. You lead the way out, flying over to where the main camp will be. When Jawa Squad lands, you hop out and join up with them. You exchange brief nods before Hex and Steele take their part of the battalion, while you and Sans take your part. Tie lingers in the camp with Aid, and you watch them closely, memorizing them as they are now.

“It’ll be okay,” Sans says, gaining your attention by resting a hand on your shoulder. You just give him a weak smile, nodding silently before stepping forward to begin to lead the troopers. Each step you take sends a wave of guilt through you, and you have to fight your urge to stop and go find that one trooper and tell him to just go back to the Venator and wait in safety until the battle is over. But that wouldn’t work, either. He’s not the type to sit back and watch his brothers die while he’s in safety. Especially not those in his squad.

“We can do this,” you say suddenly, setting your mind. 

Sans turns to you and you can feel the smile from under his helmet. He nods and raises his blaster, turning back to the enemy. “After you, General Jinn.”

You let out a snort at the title and give him a playful nudge before igniting your lightsaber and running out of the cover you had been marching in, exposing yourself to the enemy.

It seems like all in the same second, the sound of battle explodes from everywhere. Troopers charge behind you as you begin deflecting enemy shots. It doesn’t take long for the Separatists to start using their cannons, and Tie isn’t yet back with the other pilots to drop your own explosives on them. They had been ready for you and you’ll end up paying the price.

“We need to prioritize taking out those cannons,” you yell into the comms.

“Two groups of five take each cannon,” Sans shouts into his, “one group focus on taking out the cannon, and the other group focus on providing support and cover fire.”

“On it!” a few troopers respond, and you watch as they grab others close by before heading off. You watch as Uma, Skipper, Bullseye, Ripple, and Lightweight decide to head off, and you can’t help but feel a rush of fear run through you. You take a step towards them, but Sans’s hand on your shoulder stops you. He shakes his head slowly, and you give him a pleading and fearful look, but he just tightens his grip.

“They’ll be okay,” he replies, before the sound of shrieks rips through the air. You instantly turn and run towards them, towards the sound, out of Sans’s grip, and you see them on the ground with smoke coming from nearby. You can only beg the Maker to have let them get out of the way in time. As soon as you reach them, though, the cannon fires again.

The ringing in your ears is the first thing that you notice. Next is the pain in your body, mainly in your head. Then you the smell of burnt plastoid comes from all around you, and your heart lurches into your throat. You swallow hard, trying to keep yourself from being sick. When you finally open your eyes, you’re met with Lightweight lying motionless beside you. You try and choke out words, but all that comes is a cough. 

The sky is grey above you, and you feel yourself absentmindedly pushing yourself up with weak arms. It feels as though you’ve done this before, and you don’t feel in control of your actions. It’s almost like you’re just watching yourself go through the movements, unable to stop them.

Explosions land all around you, and the sky lights up with flashes of red, orange, yellow, and white. It would make a beautiful painting if all those colors were swirled and mixed together. But this isn’t art, this is war.

The ground shakes and you nearly lose your balance as the Separatists continue to lay down the fire on you and your battalion. Thankfully, it seems that their numbers have dwindled down greatly, and the only real threat is the cannons.

You feel the bile rise in your throat as you realize that there aren’t enough troopers to be able to fight the droids and take down the cannons. That leaves only one option, and you nearly sob at the thought of it. Your only hope left is Bomber Squadron.

Almost as though you hear it from a distance, your comm screams with the words of Sans commanding Tie to take out the remaining cannons. You hear Tie respond, but his words don’t register to you. Just the sound of his voice, the hope, the pride. The bravery.

A groan of pain catches your attention, and just a couple meters away, you see Hex and Steele on the ground. You hadn’t realized earlier that you were so close, but it doesn’t matter now. Not with what you see. Steele’s right leg is missing from the knee down, and Hex is shouting at others to get help, to get Aid. You swallow hard again before finally looking back at Lightsweight’s squad. You can’t feel any of their force signatures, and your heart breaks as you realize you lost them all. Uma, Skipper, Bullseye, Ripple, and Lightweight are dead, all because you hadn’t been there in time to save them.

The sound of gunships catches your attention, and your heart stops beating, your lungs stop breathing, as you look up to the sky. Bomber squadron flies overhead, and you feel the blood drain from your face. Your hands shake at your sides, but all you can do is stand and watch.

You’re only vaguely aware of Hex and Steele to your left, but Aid is there now as well. He’s wrapping up Steele’s leg while Hex holds him still through all the agonizing screams. You’ve never heard such noises from Steele, and you never want to again.

Once he’s done with Steele’s leg, Aid stands and turns to walk away, before taking a few running steps. You watch as he vomits up his rations, and anything else that might be in his stomach. You can feel the fear coming from him, even though you’re not close by. It’s strong, and you feel more hurt pile onto you. Sans runs over to Aid, holding him gently as he trembles on his knees. 

You and Aid make eye contact once he regains his composure, and you hold it for a few seconds before the sound of gunships catches your attention again. You both turn to look at the sky as Bomber squadron flies over, and everyone else around you watches as well. Your heart seems to both race and not beat at all, and your lungs don’t feel like they’re working. Even your vision threatens to give out, but you will your body to keep working.

There’s nothing you can do but watch as it happens. The blast from the cannon fires in slow motion, and every second drags out as it flies towards the squadron. Of course, it had been aimed at the ship in front, and leaders are always in the front of the squadron. Tie is always in the front of the squadron. 

In what feels like hours, but is only a matter of seconds, the blast hits Tie’s fighter, and you let out a scream as you shoot your arm out, trying to use the force to somehow make him dodge it, or fling the blast away from him. But it’s no use, and his ship is already plummeting to the ground. 

The sound of it crashing onto the ground is one that will haunt you forever. The metal crumbling and fracturing cuts through the battlefield like a knife. Somehow, your knees are still holding you, and from your side, you hear Aid vomit again. Steele is screaming out in grief now, with Hex holding onto him for dear life as he too trembles where he kneels. Their eyes are locked on the ship, just like yours. All the comes from Sans is silence.

You’re frozen in that spot as you watch the smoke rise up from the wreckage. You can’t will yourself to move, to go check to make sure he didn’t somehow survive. Maybe you’re hoping that if you don’t go over, you’ll see Tie fly above you, saying something snarky over the comms about needing to get home to his boyfriend. But the yelling that’s all around you proves that you’re hopes are wrong.

You faintly feel a hand rest on your shoulder, trying to gently shake you back to reality. You don’t notice until then that tears are streaming down your face, and you’re screaming where you stand. The feeling of your throat going raw gets you to stop, and you turn to see Sans’s desperate eyes. It’s then that you’re finally able to pull yourself back together and run over to where Tie’s ship crashed.

Smoke engulfs you as you run forward, and your heart pounds in your chest with each step you take. You don’t know how you’re even running, as your legs feel like lead. When you reach the wreckage, you throw your arms out, carelessly using the force to try and throw rubble out of the way as you search for him.

This hadn’t been a part of the plan. It should never have happened. The cannon that hit his ship shoulder have been destroyed, it was destroyed. You saw it yourself. There’s no way it could have been able to shoot him down, even if it had somehow been operable. But it wasn’t destroyed, and it was operable, and it had shot him down.

When you finally find him, Tie’s body is so mangled that you can barely even recognize him. If not for the signature paint on his armor, you might have been able to convince yourself it was someone else. But your eyes had been following him ever since you saw the cannon blast, and you knew it had to be him. If you didn’t have these clues, you never would have been able to name the trooper as Tie.

When you pull off his helmet to take his pulse, his hair isn’t even recognizable as his own style. It’s matted with blood, and you look away from it before you see too much. There’s no mistaking the way his eyes are closed, or the way you don’t feel a pulse or breathing. Your knees shake and you fall forward on your hands. You’re sobbing at his side, unable to do anything else but beg the Maker that this isn’t real.

Wake up. Wake up, it’s just a dream. It’s all in your head, it’s not real. Wake up. Please.

When you open your eyes again, it’s the same as when you closed them. You let out a wail of agony as you punch the nearest piece of metal. You don’t notice how your hand starts to bleed, or how the skin on your knuckles is ripped away. All you can see is Tie laying lifelessly in front of you.

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[alegendoftomorrow]

Welcome to my blog!

(Under Construction 🚧)

This blog is STRICTLY 18+ only! My characters and stories may contain mature themes that are for for 18+ audiences only. I do my best do tag everything appropriately but just to be safe… Minors be gone!!

I write for a variety of fandoms, but my current hyper-fixation is Star Wars (Clone War Era). There will likely be other stories from other fandoms that pop up in here every now and then too! Namely, DC Comics (Batfamily), Top Gun Maverick, Ted Lasso.

Please stop by and have a look around! I hope you enjoy your time in my little space on the internet. Know that everyone is safe and welcome here no matter who you are. I love and support you all.

Much love,

Riley (Call Sign: Supergirl)

Current Works

Star Wars:

We’ll Make It Out— As the new Jedi Commander of the Bad Batch you aren’t exactly well liked by your new team, who view you as a babysitter. Except for Echo, who understands better then most what it’s like to be on the outside. When a mission goes sideways you start to lose faith in yourself, in your squad, in everyone but Echo, who won’t let you give up.

Echo and F!Jedireader (no use of Y/N)

This is my entry for the incredible secret gift exchange hosted by @cloneficgiftexchange

Aim For The Heart— In an attempt to make yourself feel more useful with your crew of protectors you attempt to learn how to shoot a rifle. Crosshair is not impressed with your attempts, but he does offer some pointers and even maybe something more…

Crosshair and F!reader (no use of Y/N)

This is an entry for the incredible secret gift exchange hosted by @cloneficgiftexchange

Heavenly Light— Commander Wolffe has been captured by Separatists and assumes he’s been left for dead. Slowly losing his mind, his one source of comfort is the prisoner in the next cell who sings every morning. Adding a bit of light to his current darkness, and giving him something to fight for again.

Commander Wolffe and F!reader (no use of Y/N)

This is my entry for the incredible secret song exchange hosted by @cloneficgiftexchange .

The Gift-- Fives and the 501's civilian medic are friends and possibly more if they weren't in the middle of a war. After another long day with far too much pain for the both of them, Fives finds a way to bring a little holiday magic to your lives, even in the middle of a war zone.

Arc Trooper Fives x Fem!Reader (no use of y/n)

This is my entry for the incredible secret gift exchange hosted by @cloneficgiftexchange .

More Coming soon!!

[clonelyhours]

Numb

Pairing(s): pre tbb! Echo x gn! Reader

Tags/warnings: angst, explosion, reader admits feelings

Word count: 1k

—

You had tagged along on a stealth mission to rescue the captured Jedi master Even Piell, from the Citadel. Unfortunately, the mission had gone south really fast and now, you and the others survivors were trying to escape. The group was so close to getting to their escape shuttle, but there was a massive problem. They were getting circled by various battle droids.

"The ship is surrounded!" Ahsoka informed the few who were next to  her.

"We need to launch a full forward assault and take that vessel." Tarkin suggested.

"We may have a bigger problem," Obi-Wan sighed. "Those turrets. If we don't take them out, they will use them to destroy the shuttle and prevent our escape."

"Which is precisely why we should get aboard that shuttle and use the weapon system to decimate those droids!" The Captain snapped.

"Whatever we're gonna do, we better do it fast." You stood up from the ground and pointed at the sky, where a few commando droids were coming your way. The group quickly broke up, you making your way over to the second group. Arc troopers Fives and Echo covered you while you did so. Once you were safe, you joined them in shooting at incoming enemies.

"What's the plan?" Fives asked you.

"Someone has to get to the shuttle and use the weapon system." You muttered.

"That's a suicide mission." Echo argued. "Whose idea-"

"Tarkin's, but he's right. Someone has to get there before these droids blow up the ship. It's our only way off of this rock." You glanced back at the two.

"Oh no, you've got that look in your eye." Fives sighed. "You're going to get yourself killed."

"Don't worry, I'll be fine as long as you guys cover me." You waved them off. "Look, there's an opening. I can make it." You stepped forward,"I'm going in!" but before you could get any further, one of the arc troopers grabbed your hand and stopped you.

"No Y/N, it's too dangerous, there has to be another way!" Echo shook his helmeted head. You turned to face him, glancing down at his grip on you. Your gaze quickly shifted up to his visor, and then back to the ship. "This is my only chance to prove myself Echo, I have to at least try."

"You don't have to prove yourself to anyone-" he began, but you tugged your hand from his and took off running towards the shuttle. You were so focused on saving the day, you hadn't noticed the turret that was shot right in front of you until the ship exploded.

"No!" Echo yelled as the impact of the explosion threw your body to the ground. Everything went numb, you couldn't feel your arms, your legs, nor your head. At this point, you believed that you were dead. You couldn't hear or see anything either, at least for a moment. Soon, a ringing noise sounded in your ears, followed by someone yelling your name. "Y/N!"

   It was Echo, the one who had told you not to do this. You knew that because he was the only clone there with a softer voice.

"I-I can't see, I can't feel anything!" You cried.

"Don't worry." He lifted your upper body and pulled you to cover. "I've got you."

"We have to go, now!" General Kenobi shouted.

   "Fives, cover me!" Echo ordered his brother. The other did as told while Echo scooped you up into his arms. While Fives defended the two of you, Echo retreated with the others.

~

   After successfully escaping from the Citadel and being rescued by Master Plo and his attack cruiser, you were immediately rushed to the infirmary. Despite the protests of the medics, Echo stayed by your side the whole time. "How are you feeling?" He asked in a hushed tone.

You avoided eye contact and instead, looked at the ceiling. "It's the same pain that I face everyday, Echo." You're voice cracked. "I feel like this every single day on the inside, because of you. I wish I couldn't feel anything, I wish that I couldn't feel a damn thing, that I could always be numb." The clone looked at you in shock, his heart aching for you.

"Y/N, what do you mean?" He began to reach for your hand, but you moved it away in pain.

"I should've died in that explosion, you should've left me." You began crying for the umpteenth time that day.

"Don't say that." Echo stood up from his seat and carefully sat on the bedside. He moved his hand next to your face and gently stroked your cheek with the back of his fingers. "Believe me, Captain Tarkin wouldn't stop suggesting that we leave you behind, but I wasn't gonna let that happen. I carried you the whole time." With his thumb, he carefully wiped your tears away. "And I for one am glad that you didn't die because if you did, I..." You slowly sat up with Echo's help and took a hold of his hand. You intertwined your fingers with his, a soft blush spreading across his cheeks. "I wouldn't be able to live with myself if you did. I love you Y/N."

Your lips formed into a faint smile a sense of relief calming you down. "I love you too, Echo."

The clone tucked a few loose strands of your hair behind your ear and pressed his lips against your temple. "Don't ever think that you have to prove yourself to anyone ever again, you understand me?"

  Without a word, you gave him a small nod and moved into his arms, where the two of you spent the rest of your time on the way back to Coruscant, cuddling.

[writer66]

Chapter 2: S7 "A Distant Echo"

Hunter (The Bad Batch) x Femalejedi!reader

Series Summary: You've always liked clones... At least the ones that you fought with your old Master Obi Wan Kenobi, and your older brother Anakin Skywalker, after your training you became a Jedi Knight General. However, you weren't given a platoon but a small squad... Clone Force 99.

Chapter Summary: After a successful mission with The Bad Batch and Rex finding out that Echo is alive, The Batchers, Rex, Aria, and Anakin head to Skako Minor to retrieve Echo.

<Last Chapter

Masterlist

Genre: Strangers to Friends (sort of) to Lovers

Warnings: cannon typical violence, talk of death, mild injuries, the Force, slight cannon deviation (mostly in later chapters)

Word Count: 3k

Author Notes: As stated in the Masterlist these stories will get spicy so 18+ unless you are old enough to handle the content. I will not be using Y/N, the OC is Aria Skywalker, Anakin's younger sister.

Once back on base, Aria went to her Cambers to meditate on the shocking news Rex had told her. He had been alive, is alive, she couldn't believe her friend ARC Trooper Echo.

She thought she'd never her old friend ever again, the things that worried her know was how Rex was feeling and if Echo really is there on Skako Minor, what condition is he in.

Aria left her cambers and headed toward Anakin, Rex, and Hunter.

"Word is the general staff isn't completely behind this mission." Hunter says, "I admit the idea of Echo being alive is a long shot." Rex adds, "I'm sure the Council will approve the mission. Just remember, the primary goal is to learn how the separatists are predicting our strategy, whether it's Echo behind it or not." Anakin reassures. "Well, if you want my opinion, sounds like a trap, but me and the boys will tag along anyway, if only to say "I told you so."" "Just make sure you're ready if we get the go ahead from General Kenobi." Aria says. "If you're certain he'll approve the mission, why wait? Let's get going." Rex says looking at Aria then Anakin. "First, we have that thing to do." Anakin says to Rex suspiciously. "Uh, what thing?" Rex questions, "you know." "We don't have time for that, sir." "Yes we do" Anakin says quieter and more stern. "Well, I'll just let you two sort this out. I'll be waiting on the ship with the rest of the team." Hunter says, walking away. Aria smiles, as she walks closer to her big brother, "tell Padmé I say "hi and hope to see her soon!"" Aria says, teasingly, she has always known about Anakin and Padmé. She was there when they got married in secret, breaking the most important rule of bring a Jedi. Anakin just glares at her, "Hurry up, I'm late as it is." He says to Rex.

"Hey Bandana, wait up!" Aria says, turning away from Rex and Anakin. Hunter turns around confused, "Bandana?" He asks toward the nickname. "Yeah, I like to give all clones funny nicknames" "oh really, like?" "Well, Rex is Blondie, Hardcase is stupidity, Jesse is Boo-Bear" Hunter looks at her funny, "that one is a long story..." she laughs, "anyway, Bandana is a good one that's all you gotta know." He laughs, "okay, I believe you." Aria starts to laugh, Hunter had noticed her beauty since he first stepped off his ship. Knowing that she was a Jedi and he, a clone, he had to set his mind straight. Now meeting her, seeing that she is kind, funny, intelligent, caring, and like 3 billion other things, he wants to know her, and have her around.

As the Jedi and clone approach the rest of the Batchers, the rest of the batch can clearly see that there is something there between the Sergeant and the General. "25 credits, he falls for her" Crosshair spits out, "What?! No way!" Wrecker says, "No way, what?" Aria asks, "well, Cross says-" "Nothing" Tech and Crosshair say. Both Hunter and Aria look at each other with the same expression. "Okay then... You guys ready for another mission" Hunter says to his squad.

Aria is now standing beside Wrecker, the two had a couple fun banter moments on the last mission, so Aria thought that out of the others he'd be a fun one to talk to. "So, Wrecker, is it true that you're blind in one eye?" "Hey, how did you know that?" "Jedi intuition." Aria lied, Tech told her. "Cool! Yeah, it went blind after a failed attempt of blowing something up" "really?" "Yeah" "well what are the odds, Echo, the clone we're going to save potentially also blew up." "Sick."

Wrecker and Aria became fast friends, she even gave him the nickname "Big-Fella" and he even gave her one too, "Bite-Size", they both laughed as Wrecker was 6'6" and Aria only being 5'2".

Aria starts to connect with Tech as Obi Wan comes up and says, "Aria, where is Anakin?" Obi Wan says as he comes up to the Batch, "sorry, master, I haven't seen him since the last time I saw him." "When was that?" "The last time I saw him? Was definitely the time I saw him last." Aria says, smiling, "Aria..." "He went that way" she says, pointing him toward the barracks, as Obi Wan is walking away Wrecker and Aria look at each other and burst out laughing, and then he says, "that was awesome!" "I know right" "that is not what I would have called it-" Tech says "in fact you made his job much harder-" "hey googles, I'm just joking around" "goggles?" "That's my nickname for you." "What-" "She gives clones nicknames" "yeah! I'm Big-Fella!" Wrecker says excitedly. "Oh, but we already have names" "I guess, but I like to consider clones real people too, so I make funny names to connect with them" "wow" "what?" "It's just that, from the data I have collected, most other Jedi hate us." "Well not me goggles" Aria said, punching his arm. "Okay, well what's Hunter's, I'm guessing he has one?" Crosshair finally speaks up, with a toothpick in his mouth. Aria smiles "Bandana." Wrecker loses it, even though the name itself wasn't funny, the conversation they were having before about their Sergeant and the General made it worse. "Hey, that isn't even that worst one, I've given." "What about Cross?" Hunter asks, "I don't know, I haven't connected with him yet." Aria looks toward Crosshair, and he just death glares her.

Anakin and Rex came back with the go ahead from Obi Wan, now on the Havoc Marauder with the squad. Wrecker is lifting their Gonk Droid, Gonky, Tech is piloting, Hunter looking at control panels, and the rest of them are standing together in the middle of the ship. Anakin is looking at Crosshairs sniper, "so, how many missions has your team been on, Sergeant?" "Honestly, sir, I've lost count. All the action sort of blurs together." Hunter says, "I know you work with Cody sometimes, but who do you guys report to?" Rex asks. "Hmm... good question. Can't say I've got an answer." "Yeah!" Wrecker jumps in. There is a little turbulence as they got out of hyper space. Tech yells, "we are approaching Skako Minor. It looks to be a difficult landing." They all get into seats on the ship as fast as possible, Crosshair, Rex and Anakin go to the middle seats while Wrecker goes up front with Tech, leaving both Hunter and Aria the two at the back.

They safely land and Anakin asks, "Rex, what do we know about this place?" "On this part of Skako, there's a race of locals, the Poletecs. All we know is they're very primitive. " ""Primitive" is being kind. My intel says the Poletecs worship flying reptiles." Techs just as one jumps on the window of the ship and screeches. "What the hell was that?" Aria says, "Wrecker's twin" Crosshair says calmly, they both look at each other and laugh. "No Crosshair, it's one of those reptiles." "I want that thing off my ship." Hunter commands, "hold on! Hold on! Don't just run out there." Rex says, as they proceed to do just that. Both Anakin and Aria ignite their lightsabers, Anakin’s one blue and Aria’s 2 blue ones. "Hey! Get off of there!" Wrecker yells. "Hey, calm down. We need to talk to them." Anakin says, taking control of the situation, "why?" Hunter questions, "to let they know we come in peace and wish them no harm, so we avoid unnecessary battles." 2 more reptiles come down on them, and the one on the ship jumps off and grabs Anakin, dropping his lightsaber. Rex grabs it and starts shooting, "I have a thermal reading. Point-two-five east, elevation 175." Tech says. "Relax. I'll handle this." Crosshair says adjusting his sniper and using Tech's shoulder as a ramp. It is a grappling hock that latches on the reptile, "what are you doing?" Rex asks. "Going for a ride." Hunter responds in his raspy, sexy voice, as he attaches the end of the grappling hock to his waist and lifts off the ground. Aria was shocked for a moment, she stood in awe, but she was brought out of her trance by Rex and the others yelling to get back on the ship to follow their sergeant.

We all get on and strap in, Hunter's voice comes through the comm channel "Tech, I'm with the General, hone in on my signal." Tech does as he says, and they touch down slightly behind the clearing where Anakin was. They all ran out towards Hunter. Aria leans down next to Hunter to get a better view, "that creature still has a hold of the General." Hunter says to the group, noticing Aria, she looks at him them at Rex. "Rex, any ideas?" Aria asks, "we're going in, but remember what the General said. "No casualties, disarm only."" "We're on it, Captain. Wreck, Crosshair, rockslide!" Hunter responds, Wrecker moves a big rock down to the clearing and slides down after it while Crosshair starts to shoot the Poletecs' weapons out of their hands, then he shoots the winged creature in its leg with a tranquilizer, forcing it to let go of Anakin. The rest of them move in, the Poletecs start to speak in their tongue. "Tech, translate what he said." Tech starts to do translate, "he says he does not want our war on his planet. That is why he took our leader." "We didn't bring the war here. It was Wat Tambor and the Separatists." Anakin says calmly, Tech, then translates. "Tell him we apologize for what's happened." Aria says compassionately. "But tell him the enemy is holding one of our men prisoner in Purkull. As soon as we rescue him, we'll leave his planet, for good." Rex jumps in. Tech translates again, then the Polectec leader starts to speak. "The chief says he will provide us with scouts and lead us to Tombor's city. From there we're on our own." "Any help is better than no help." Anakin states. "Tell the chief thank you for their help" Aria says, offering a smile. Tech does so, and the scouts start to lead the way.

The scouts show the way and head back to their village. "I hope nobody's scared of heights." Anakin says, Hunter and Crosshair both turn and look at Wrecker. "Well, I'm not scared of nothing. I just... When I'm up real high, I got a problem with gravity." "Speaking of problems" Tech interjects, "I am no longer picking up Echo's signal." "I... I don't understand. You said it was coming from this city." Rex said confused. "I can only speculate, but it is possible there's a latency issue with the frequency caused by all these atmospheric disturbances." “Or…. maybe they sent the signal to lure us into a trap. And maybe your friend’s actually dead. Well, I can’t be the only one thinking that.” Hunter says, looking at Aria, she just shrugs. She’s known Echo for a long time and would love if he was alive, but she also had to be realistic. “Look, every mission could be a trap. This one is no different. I’m telling you, that signal is being sent by Echo himself! He’s alive!” “I think you’re letting your personal feelings get in the way because you left him for dead at the Citadel.” Crosshair says, “I had no choice. You hear me?” “Oh, I don’t blame you. I would’ve left him for dead, too. Besides, he’s just another reg.” Crosshair says making Rex angry, Rex retaliates by starting to fight Crosshair, and honestly Aria really wanted to join in because Crosshair was out of line. “Hey!” Wrecker yells, “why don’t you pick on someone not your size?” He says, lifting Rex off the ground, then throwing him a little farther away. Rex walks straight up to Wrecker and says, “you’ll be a whole lot smaller when I’m through with you.” “Hey! Guys enough!” Aria yelled as Anakin goes to break the tension between the two. “Aria, Sergeant, take your men and scout the area for a tower entrance. I want to talk to my Captain alone.

Hunter and Aria take the boys and start to do what Anakin said. “I could’ve taken him” Wrecker pouts. “Yeah, the Captain was way outta line.” Hunter says, Aria is in front still scouting, not listening to their argument, “I’m just saying that is all probably a trap.” “Oh my force! Can you guys just stop!” Aria yells, the Batch looks at her unexpectedly, “imagine it was one of you” she pauses and faces them. “Imagine, you had to leave one of your brothers behind, and now that there is a slight chance that, that brother is alive wouldn’t you guys care enough to try!” Hunter looks sheepish, “I’m just saying, yes Rex needs to understand that this might all be for nothing, but you guys need to understand he just wants his family back.” “Aria is 100% correct” Tech states. “Sorry, general, truth is for my brothers I’d do anything.” Hunter responds. “Good now let's get back to work.” Aria says. 

We find an entrance, and Rex and Anakin come running. "We're in business, General. Tech regained Echo's signal. It's coming from this tower. How's it going, Tech? " Hunter says. Tech is using his Keypad to hack into the tower. He is able to get the door open, "sorry it took so long." "Hey, Crosshair, check it out." Hunter says, ordering his brother. Crosshair goes in and says, "yeah, it's a lift." "Well, we already knew that." Tech states. Aria laughs, "wait, wait, wait. A lift? How far up are we going?" wrecker questions. "Don't worry Wrecker. I'll hold your hand" Hunter teased. "Hey! Cut it Sarge. Just give me some droids to crush." 

Setting up the lift, both Anakin and Aria reminded the squad that this is a stealth mission. “No blasting, No blowing things up. Nobody knows we're here.” Anakin finished, The door opened, revealing droids, Wrecker charges out followed by the rest of clone force 99. They start to destroy the droids. “So much for stealth” Aria says. 

 After Wrecker finished crushing many droids, he said, “Yeah! Hah! Ha-ha! Uh… sorry. I just got excited.” “It’s alright, Big-Fella.” Aria said. “I’ve still got a lock on Echo’s signal.” Tech said. “All right, men-” “what does that mean?” Aria said teasingly beside Hunter, “well… uh- you know” “do I?” “Alright you two, sort this out later.” Anakin said, giving his little sister a knowing look, her smile quickly faded. “Let’s hunt dome droids.” Hunter finished, “now you’re talking! Yeah!” 

They all walked into the main facility, Hunter and Rex destroying the first few droids. “Where exactly is Echo’s signal coming from?” Anakin asked, Tech responded “strange. I just lost the signal.” “What? How can that be? There’s no “atmospheric disturbances” up here.” Rex said, “Well, I have a new theory. I’m surprised I didn’t consider it earlier. The signal is only traceable during data transmissions. So until Echo dispenses more intel, I cannot pick up the signal.” “Okay, we’re splitting up.  Search every door. If someone finds Echo, contact the others. We go in together just in case there’s trouble.” Anakin said, looking straight at his sister, who just smiled and shrugged. Anakin, Wrecker, and Crosshair set off in one direction while Tech, Rex, Aria and Hunter set off in the other direction. Tech then says he regained the signal, we all followed them to a much bigger door, Hunter conformed that Echo’s signal was coming from there. “Tech, open this door.” Rex says as a message played on the screen by the door. “You clones are so predictable.” “Wat Tambor” Aria said, “Your algorithm predicted nearly every move you made to infiltrate Purkoll.” “There is no algorithm. We know you’re holding a prisoner of war here.” Rex yelled “prisoner? I don’t know what you mean, Captain.” “I am leaving here with my friend.” Rex said threateningly. “Your friend is dead. His mind is ours.” “Liar!” While Rex was having that conversation, it was a distraction as more droids showed up, “execute them.” Wat Tambor said. Hunter grabbed his knife and threw it toward the droids, Aria ignited her lightsabers, as Anakin, Wrecker, and Crosshair came running in. They all finished off the droid quickly, but more started to arrive. “Tech, Open that door for Rex and Aria!” “Yes, sir!” “I hope you find what you’re looking for, Captain.” Hunter says, Rex gives him a nod, then heads over to Tech and Aria as the door opens. 

Once in the room, Aria said “I don’t like the look of this” “neither do I” Rex agreed. Tech got right to it, starting to open the chamber above the controls. “I am definitely picking up a life-form in there. It seems to be a stasis chamber. I think I can get it open.” Tech gets the chamber open and a pale, frosty, Echo fell forward attached to a bunch of machinery. “Echo. Tech! We gotta get him out of here. Figure out how to unplug him from this mess.” Rex set Echo on the ground and Aria instantly saw that most of him was no longer man but machine, “what have they done to you?” Rex whispered, still in shock. “We-- We have to get to the shuttle to escape the Citadel. No! I’ll go first.” Echo mumbled “Echo!” “No, no, no” “Echo, It’s Rex. I’m here.” “Rex? You came back for me.” “Yes. Yes, I did.” “He’s not the only one” Aria said kneeling beside them, “Commander?” “Well General now” Aria said offering a smile. “What happened? Where am I?” “It’s okay, Echo.” “You’re safe now, just sit tight, trooper. You’re going home.”

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