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amuseoffyre · 1 year ago

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"I don't even know who I am"

What I have loved about the show from day one is that it has been an unflinching examination of identity and what makes it: the things that shape people into who they are and how that impacts on how they act and react to the world around them.

The exploration of Ed’s sense of self has been so beautifully handled and I know that if/when we get a third season, they’re going to do even more with it.

This is a character who has been raised with violence and cruelty his whole life, who was told “we’re just not those kind of people” when he yearns for something better, who killed to protect his mother, who ended up under the heel of a brutal tyrant of a captain who used sadistic punishments and death to keep his crew in line.

It’s the only life he knew and it’s the only option he sees himself as having. He has no concept of any other alternative until along comes Stede “there’s always another way” Bonnet and he’s fascinated. He even tells Stede as much the first time they met – “do you have any idea how hard it is to find someone doing something original out here? It’s impossible, man.”

Ned Lowe cements that fact in 2x06, describing Ed as a generic pirate and Ed immediately calls him out on the fact that he’s as messy as the rest of them even if he’s trying to act like he’s not, observing “It’s usually family stuff”. Stede even observes “A lot of your friends are troubled” and Ed fully admits “Yeah. Well. They’re pirates.”

There’s so much juicy meta to be had about the fact that Stede wants to desperately be a pirate and Ed doesn’t even catch that not only is Stede fully troubled but that it’s got Family Stuff etched all over it. He even says “you’ve got it all figured out”, but the Stede meta is for another day.

In S1, Ed’s in a pretty depressed space and finds a bit of a respite from it in Stede’s company. It lets him try out new things, things he didn’t think he was allowed/able to do, but he still follows a lot of the patterns of behaviour and actions that are standard in the pirate lifestyle that has been 80% of his lived experience.

He can switch violence on and off when he needs it (“next one goes through your fucking eye”), he doesn’t see anything wrong in talking about the violence he’s inflicted (“Well, this one time I was gouging an eye out of this lad’s skull”), he has a deep well of punishments that he can draw from (force-feeding body parts, mutilation, skinning, maiming) and all of these things are just so normalised for him that he’s desensitised to how horrific they are.

He’s still doing all those things while also telling stories, having fun, teaching people about fuckeries and generally being “more open and available than I’ve ever seen him”. He hasn’t wanted or needed to shed that side of his life because he’s getting the best of both worlds.

Only then Calico Jack pays a visit and ramps Ed’s behaviour up to 11 and this is the first time Stede – who is dealing with his own issues at the same time – says that there’s something wrong with the way he’s behaving.

Ed says to Stede, confused and stung, “This is who I am. This is me” when Stede points out all the behaviour he isn’t enjoying. And for him, at this point, this is him. This is what he’s grown up knowing and being. This is his lifestyle and part of the culture of the pirate community. We see it repeatedly when we see Ed encountering people from his past or in the Republic. It’s the frog-in-the-pot scenario. He’s been in the pot so long, he doesn’t know it’s been boiling the whole time.

Only the very next episode, at the academy, pared back to just be Edward Teach, born on a beach, he admits “I don’t know if I want to go back to the old days, drinking all day and forcing some bloke to eat his own toes for a laugh”. He’s been played and double-crossed by people who trusted him and he sees an alternative in Stede – “I’m your friend” Stede told him, and he wants that. He wants a friend he can trust. They can go off together, away from all that and everything’ll be fixed, right? That’ll make it all good.

And then…

And then we all know how that goes.

Briefly, very briefly he thinks he might be able to hold on to that different kind of thing, that softer, brighter world, but Izzy reminds him of the reality of their situation. That people he considers allies and friends can and will warn him to “watch his fucking step” and that this is not a world where he can let his guard down.

Either you’re part of that world or you die. Izzy said it as far back as episode 4. The only retirement they get is death. And so that’s the option Ed takes: either watch the world burn or die trying. Not like he can have anything else. For ever and ever, trapped in his life and world he has come to hate.

He sinks him into the worst of it to try and end things faster. He’s crueller. Relentless. Brutal. And no one seems to care that he’s shattering under the weight of it, until he forces their hand and goads them into killing him or letting him kill all of them.

Izzy says “we did this to him” to Stede, but neither of them seem to realise how much deeper Ed’s hurts go. Yes, they both had an impact on Ed, knocking away his sense of place and self and acceptance, but the wounds are far older and far deeper than they know.

It’s only when Ed is first forced to confront himself in the unsettling not-reality of the gravy basket that he takes the first step in understanding himself better. He’s forced to face the stuff he’s done and the worst parts of himself. He even tries to kill them, over and over again, until he realises.

I find it especially interesting that Buttons describes getting out of purgatory as “escaping”. That this is a place where you’re flayed down to the bones and forced to face the worst parts of yourself.

It’s so vital that he – and Stede – have the encounter with Anne and Mary. He’s reminded of the world that he was part of and the casual brutality that came with it. He’s shown that he and Stede could easily fall into those patterns, but instead Stede offers him honesty, comfort and the assurance that he is loved.

“A lot of your friends are troubled” Stede observes after and Ed admits that yeah, they’re pirates. He recognises that this is part of the social culture he grew up in and that it’s still impacting on him now.

But what happens next is so sweet and important. Buttons talks to him of learning to change, that nothing is fixed and that if you want to, you can change your path. And then Buttons shows him it’s possible and Ed’s face just lights up. Yes, brother. Fly. You can change things. You can choose another way.

Only it’s not simple. It’s not straightforward. With the probation period, Ed looks for quick fixes – offers to let Lucius push him overboard to get it over with and the like – but part of him still doesn’t quite get why some of the stuff he did was wrong because it was so normalised to him.

It takes Fang saying “I was terrified” to make him see it and coming from someone who has been with him for 20 years, realising someone else from within his own world was terrorised by him brings things into focus for him. That the things he thought were games weren’t. That the stuff he told himself was normal in context absolutely wasn’t normal.

And this is where Ed’s entire world view pivots. Fang shows him how to sit with himself, how to reflect. Ed takes this lesson to heart and he’s still working through it, gazing out to sea and thinking about it at the beginning of episode 6. He goes from never apologising for anything as a captain to telling both Fang and Izzy quiet, but meaningfully, “I’m sorry”.

He’s known for a long time that he’s tired of piracy, but the Ned Lowe situation is the thing to put the final nail in the coffin: this man hunted him down because of his pirating. This man hurt them all because of it. And worst of all, Ned took the man Ed loves and pushed and provoked him until Stede killed him. This was Ed’s “you defile beautiful things” moment. His face in those scenes, when he said “don’t do it, you can’t come back from this” is a call from his own experience. Stede is taking that step onto a path that Ed desperately wants to get off.

That night makes the decision for him.

The next morning, his leathers go overboard, a symbolic end to Blackbeard (and I will yell another day about him putting the proverbial beast back under the waves. Ed and his sea metaphors are gnawing me alive) and he’s happy about it, humming and hurrying back down to join Stede in their bed.

Stede doesn’t notice, though. Stede never would notice something like that being important because for him, Ed is Ed. Whatever he wears, whatever he does, he is Ed. A change of clothes doesn’t change him in Stede’s eyes.

But other people notice. Hell other people not noticing Blackbeard and only seeing some hobo dude is such a change. There’s something so significant that the people he chooses to talk to about it are the old guard in his field. He tells Jackie “it’s not a phase” and Izzy that it felt “fucking great” and both of them get it. Both of them have been there, seen it, experienced it.

Only it happens as he’s seeing Stede become what he used to be, stepping into the space he’s willingly leaving, and Stede is so happy about it. And he’s happy for Stede to have his moment and be appreciated, but it just throws into stark relief that this is absolutely not what he wants or needs right now. He still has a lot of figuring out to do and unfortunately, they’re both highly-emotional people and when they’re emotional, their communication goes down the toilet.

Once upon a time Ed said “this is who I am, this is me” to Stede, when he was acting exactly like Stede is now: raucous, drinking, chaotic and loud. Only time and reflection has let him see that wasn’t necessarily him but the environment and his circumstances shaping him to be like that, just as it's now making Stede act that way.

“I don’t even know who I am,” he admits in this argument. “I’m not ready for whatever this is”. He knows he has a lot more to figure out and because he’s latched on so hard to fishing as a place to be quiet and contemplate, that’s why he runs there. He wants to work himself out without the weight and pressure of the pirate world breathing down his neck.

Only he doesn’t talk about it, he doesn’t explain, he just tells Stede he’s leaving and Stede immediately sees it as something he’s said/done, rather than something that Ed is trying to figure out. They both hurt each other because Ed has always worried that Ed isn’t enough – the loss of the beard still weighs on them both – and that Stede is only humouring him to get Blackbeard, while Stede is so convinced that being a great pirate will mean he and Ed can be together as equals instead of him being a bumbling amateur who isn’t worthy of the man he loves, only to see it slip through his fingers.

They both need to talk to each other, but they don’t know how. Ed’s made quick, rash decisions, but they’ve come on the back of a lot of reflection and he just didn’t explain it. He’s right that he doesn’t know who he is himself. He’s never had the chance to just… take the time and figure it out. He needs that time, but they just don’t have it right now and they end up hurting each other more because of it.

I’ve said from the beginning that both of them are coming from opposite ends of the spectrum and that they’re destined to meet somewhere in the middle. Ed got his fantasies of a fancy life shattered in season one and now, Stede is seeing the impact of his pirate fantasies on the life he made for himself in season two.

Both of them are on the edge of a catastrophe curve, misunderstanding each other’s motivations and totally at odds with who they are versus who they have been told they need to be. They will get there, but two little lost boys finally taking off the rose-tinted glasses and dealing with the mess that they have carried with them their entire lives isn’t easy.

And I will fully admit I am loving it.

#ofmd s2 #ofmd meta #ofmd #ed teach #long post

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roodles03 · 1 year ago

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Damn Finals...

I think we've all been in Hunter's position before. Hunter would 100% have test anxiety, so finals would be a nightmare for him. He'd probably relapse back to his Golden Guard studying habits. No rest, no breaks, no food. Just pure focus on studying. Darius and Eberwolf have to interviene and make sure he's taking care of himself and assure him he doesn't have to be perfect.

Fun Fact: I spent over half the time making this just writing out all the text. It was more effort than I expected, that's for sure.

For those wondering what everything says, here's the list.

Potions Textbook:

Laughter Serum

Laughter serum is a potion that makes anyone who drinks it incredibly delirious. It is very powerful, even in small doses. The drinker will not remember anything they did while affected once the potion wears off.

Love Potion

Love potions inflict intense feelings of love. They only work when the drinker is already in love. Asexuals are immune. This potion has been controversial since its invention. Being made illegal to sell and brew since the Deadwardian Era.

Construction Textbook;

Construction Glyphs

Power glyphs can be used for all types of magic. In Construction magic, power glyphs greatly enhance the magical capabilities of the wearer. Any spell casted will be up to triple the strength then it would be without the power glyph. Construction power glyphs have been highly controversial since its invention. Wearing one during a witches duel is considered cheating, making the wearer automatically lose. Construction power glyphs are also outwardly and completely banned in ALL magic sports.

Abominations Textbook

Abomination and Tech

Within the past 150 years, magic and technology have been brought together. Abomination magic was heavily by the Blight family for generations. Notably, within the past 20 years, Alador Blight significantly advanced Abomination technology. Abomatons are the most advanced Abomination magic technology in history. In the Empire era, the Emperor's Coven funded the development of Abomatons for the Day of Unity. In the Republic Era, Abomatons have been made illegal for safety.

Hunter's Notes (Most are obscured)

Laughter serum makes you go cuckcoo. You don't remember anything once it wares off. Love potions are ille-

Power glyphs can be from every kind of magic. The most contentious being construction power glyphs

The Blight family was key to advancing tech with abomination magic for entire generations.

• Abomatons

Magic and technology are starting to go hand and hand. Alador was big for the progression of abomination magic.

Construction glyphs make you much more powerful. They are Contentious and considered illegitimate in witches duels and all magic sports

Background:

Bonus:

Notes:

Does gym have a final? I feel like gym would have a final...

Why the HECK is the school system designed like this? A test at the VERY end of all you learned for up to 11 classes? WHY.

I HATE THIS STUPID FUCKING CLASS

I'm so screwed for potions just end me now

DO NOT FAIL the abomination final. What would Darius say?

Don't even bother studying for wild magic you tryhard. You know everything about that! Studying for everything for 10 other classes is ENOUGH.

YOU CANNOT FAIL.

I feel like I'm studying like I did back as the Golden Guard

TITAN. THIS. SUCKS.

HELP.

#the owl house #the owl house fanart #toh fanart #the owl house fan art #toh fan art #the owl house hunter #hunter the owl house #hunter toh #toh hunter #hunter deamonne #hunter park #hunter noceda

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calderacitylovers · 1 year ago

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Wholesome Zutara Short Stories

Tell Me Where Your Heart Is by badlucksav | Published: 2021-04-12 | 2,363 words

Katara accidentally discovers a secret stash of love letters Zuko has written to an anonymous woman but never sent. Could he be talking about her? “And I can’t help but hope that maybe that’s a sign, that you feel for me as I feel for you. Maybe you’re afraid to put it to words, as I am. But I cannot ever speak these feelings to you unless I know...I won’t put you in that position.”

Tales of Tenderness by emicha | Published: 2021-04-06 | 3,068 words

Toph, Iroh, Sokka, Gran Gran, Aang, and Azula observe how the relationship between Zuko and Katara unfolds over the years. “This is the picture of two souls that have seen too much bad already, who’ve grieved and hurt more than one single lifetime should permit; the picture of two people who still have it in them to hold a person so different from oneself this close.”

MOONTIDES by MarkedMage | Published: 2020-11-24 | 10K Words

He smells like fire and feels like home. She smells like rain and feels like love. A short story about Zuko and Katara’s first kiss inspired by this and this glorious animation by Hayley Foster Wong.

GOLD by ifyouwereamelody | Published: 2020-11-27 | 3,7K Words

Zuko and Katara’s first kiss in a fall garden.

A Love Story Told in Reverse by cablesscutie | Published: 2021-04-26 | 9,324 words

A collection of sweet outtakes from Zuko and Katara’s life: from their childhoods to becoming parents. “Her head tips to rest on his shoulder, and with his heart in his throat, he gives into the months-old urge to kiss her hair. She makes a happy little hum, and Zuko can’t breathe.”

just say when by hawktasha | Published: 2021-03-16 | 6,131 words

After Sokka and Suki’s wedding, Katara wakes up with the worst hangover of her life, with the best friend she has been harboring feelings in secret for the last few years laying next to her, no clothes at all on either of their bodies. Oh, and she had no idea how they ended up in that predicament.

Engagement Chicken: The Engagement Scheme by DontStopHerNow | Published: 2022-09-18 | 23K words

After a night of commiseration about marriage expectations, Katara and Zuko agree to fake an engagement to get the meddlers off their backs. They'll call Chicken on the arrangement when everyone else objects. This can't last a month! Featuring: meddling friends, heartfelt words cloaked in half-truths, chaperones, Fire Nation engagement traditions, Southern Water Tribe wedding traditions, background couples, and a squid-whale with a mistaken identity

The Dragon of the West’s Guide to Flirting by bluesunflower44 | Published: 2021-05-12 | 4,341 words

“Now. Take very good care of this, it’s a family heirloom. Although no one passed it down to me, since I wrote it, it will be a family heirloom one day. I just know it.” Uncle Iroh is good with the ladies. So taking his advice when it comes to romance should go just fine...right?

Strike a Match by Naladot | Published: 2022-09-03 | 22K

At Republic City's second annual HeiBai festival, Fire Lord Zuko has contracted a matchmaker to find him a permanent political ally—or, well, a wife. He asks Katara to chaperone his meetings. But this arrangement only threatens to reveal the truth: there are a lot of things neither of them have ever dared to talk about.

Seven Years Bad Luck by riathermopolis | Published: 2021-08-08 | 20.6K words

The gaang reunites every summer for a week on Ember Island, which in theory Katara supports whole-heartedly. The only problem is that apparently some higher power on the island is on a mission to humiliate her. At least, that's her best guess for why she suddenly can't act like a normal person around Zuko. Or: Katara repeatedly embarrasses herself in front of Zuko.

Maiden Mother Crone by MoonShoesReyes | Published: 2021-02-12 | 10,8K Words

Post-canon. After the ravages of war, Katara learns to wear three faces: maiden, mother, and crone. A sweet story of Zuko supporting Katara in her journey of self-discovery and finding a purpose. A sprinkle of Blue Spirit and Painted Lady. "After years of being empty, Katara finally knew who she was - or at least, she knew who she was at the core. Though her cast of masks stayed ever-changing, the Painted Lady was always kind and just."

Bound to Burn by Selemetis | Published: 2020-10-02 | 10,3K Words

Post-canon. Zuko witnesses the kiss between Aang and Katara. Over the coming months Zuko and Katara work their way back together. "Zuko knew he had to let Katara go for her to see where she wanted to stand."

So Close and Still So Far by EKWolf2020| Published: 2022-09-18 | 6,4K Words

It is the ten-year celebration of the end of The Hundred-year-old war. Expectations and excitement are in the air for most of the world. But for Katara, she feels dread as some news has come to her that could change everything. Will she follow with expectations, or will she find that there is another path for her?

The Brave Man Only Once by ifyouwereamelody | Published: 2021-02-19 | 2,2K Words

Firelord Zuko and Ambassador Katara’s first kiss. “He flinches as a voice rips him abruptly out of his own thoughts and drops him back into the meeting; the table of council members is watching him, staring with raised brows that beg the answer to a question he doesn’t know, but Katara refuses to look his way.”

Til Kingdom Come by bluenebulae | Published: 2020-07-26 | Words: 6,2K

Four years after Sozin’s Comet, Katara finds her way home. A proposal story. Supportive Gaang. “I’ve spent four years exploring every corner of this world, Zuko. I’ve been a waterbending master and a shop girl, an assistant in an abbey and an advisor to the Earth King and a whole bunch of people in the Fire colonies still think I’m an actual spirit. I think, now, I just want to be Katara. And that means being here.”

Voyage by amoeve | Published: 2015-07-24 | Words: 4,2K When Zuko asks Katara to marry him, it is for love. But it’s also an alliance that shows the world that the war is truly over, and everyone wants to get in on the fun. For their wedding Zuko and Katara work their way through over-the-top combination of customs and traditions from the four nations. Hilarious and absurd, but wholesome. “She’s a waterbender. When they travel, the little ship skims across the surface of the sea, eating up the miles, and they have ice houses to sleep in every night. He’s a firebender. He lights their way when the fogs descend, keeps them warm when they sleep, and fries the fish she catches in his hands.”

But Who’s Counting? by halfhoursonearth | Published: 2023-12-28 Words: 7K

After the Last Agni Kai Zuko and Katara are waiting for the news from the GAang and get to explore their friendship and growing connection. A tender and beautiful story. “Tears are gathering in her eyes, and a new tightness pulls at Zuko’s chest. Though he still isn’t used to the casual way his new friends touch one another, this is not the first time he has felt the instinct to reach for Katara, in particular—to lay a comforting hand on her shoulder or arm. But wiping tears from her face is something new, and Katara watches him with wide eyes as his hand rises to her cheek.”

happiness (that's all rolled up in you) by soopsiedaisies | Published: 2024-01-17 | 3,8K words

A first kiss story. Zuko and Katara are cooking dinner for the Gaang on the Ember Island. Sweet, thrilling, and beautiful. "She reckons that she likes a lot of things about Zuko. She likes his face, for starters: his nose, his eyes, his mouth. She likes his scar and the way he dresses. She likes how he picks up the slack left by the others like those tasks were his anyway and she likes his smile. She likes the way he kisses and she really likes his hair."

For the Fire Nation | 2019-11-25 | 2,8K words

He falls in love with her for his country before he falls in love with her for himself. A short and beautiful AU story that explores how love and duty aren’t always mutually exclusive.

#katara x zuko #zukoxkatara #zutara fanfiction #zutara fic

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imabeautifulbutterfly · 8 months ago

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Hey, I'm back with another follower celebration request!!! Any chance you’d be willing to do 11 and 13 with again Ezra Bridger? Unsure if this is still open, but if so this would be cool to read! Thanks 😁

Hello gorgeous, @skyofnostars

Thank you for another brilliant request and a good curve ball. So I guess you could see this as a continuation of your previous request, if you want, or on its own.

Hope you love it,

Love oo

The Plan

Warnings: Trouble sleeping, flirting, kisses, forehead kisses, tenderness, discussions of thievery, I think that's it. If I miss any please let me know.

Main Master List | Star Wars Fic Roulette

You sat in the Phantom looking up to the stars, letting your mind drift back to the old days of when it was Ezra, Sabine, Kanan, Hera, Seb, Chopper and you against the world. Now it was just Hera, Ezra and yourself. Ahsoka and Sabine were still stuck on Peridea. Seb was off training recruits. Hera was busy with Jacen, not to mention dealing with the New Republic nonsense.

So really, it was just you and Ezra.

“Can’t sleep?”

You couldn’t fight the smile that appeared on your lips as soon as you heard his voice, you turned your head slightly to look at him, “Hey.”

Ezra simply smiled as he placed a gentle kiss on your forehead, while his hand played with your hair while his arm leaned against the headrest, “Hey, you okay?” His thumb gently rubbed your forehead back and forth.

“I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“It’s okay, I reached over for you and you were gone. I figured something was up, you love sleeping too much to let things keep you from it.”

You chuckled, leaning into his touch, “Yeah, I … I couldn’t stop thinking about Ahsoka and Sabine. I mean they’re stuck out there, just like you were.” Your smile slowly started to fall the more you thought about it, “I’m worried we won’t be able to get them back, or even how we can get them back.”

“Actually, I had a thought on that; but…” he held up his finger smiling at you, “you’ll have to follow me to the galley for some hot chocolate … sorry, hot white chocolate for you to learn about my plans.”

The smile on your lips simply brightened as you looked at him, “You haven’t forgotten.”

“You’re favourite drink? Never. Please.”

There wasn’t any further discussion, you simply stood taking his hand in yours and followed him to the galley, and ten minutes later as promised there was a very warm and very soothing hot white chocolate in your mug. You looked at Ezra with all the love and adoration you’ve been unable to shower him with for the past ten years in that one moment. How you were still able to love him after all this time, as though no time had passed at all was a miracle in itself.

“So you have a grand plan?”

“Oh do I!” He chuckled as he took a sip of his own hot cocoa, he’d been craving it for ten years and now until he was completely sick of the taste, that would be his drink of choice. At least in the evenings, and mornings. Maybe sometimes at lunch. “It’s simple really.”

“Okay, I’m all ears, since it’s so simple.”

“We steal Thrawn’s ship.”

The statement was so matter of fact, so simple and so incredibly insane. Your eyes fluttered as you looked at Ezra, utter shock strewn across your face.

“We steal Thrawn’s ship?”

“We steal Thrawn’s ship.” He shrugged, the answer was just that simple.

You scratched your head as you repeated the sentence another five times in your head, each time with different inflections, different tonal variations, and no matter how it sounded in your head, no matter how melodious those words may have flown out of Ezra’s mouth, that was just pure insanity.

A large sigh escaped your lips as you looked at your mug for a second before looking at Ezra, nodding. “Okay. Okay. So … let’s say you go through with this absolutely fool hardy idea. That you steal Thrawn’s ship. Not that I’m doubting you, I’ve seen you do enough crazy things to know it’s possible for you to actually accomplish this. However, let’s go through this step by step.” You ran your hand down your face and let out a chuckle. “First, let’s start with the basics. How are you going to get onboard in the first place? I mean you can’t just knock on the front door and say hey I’m here.”

“Why not?”

“You’re not serious?”

“Why not?”

“Ezra! Stop with the questions and just answer me.”

He let out a smile as he took another sip, “Listen we have one of Thrawn’s shuttles. I have one of his stormtrooper uniforms. So … why can’t I just show up.”

“Because it’s Thrawn, that man has plans for his plans. He has backup plans for those plans. And then backups for his backups. I’m sure without a doubt that he knows you’re the one who stole the ship to begin with, and no doubt that stormtrooper had some questions when he woke up naked. So … yeah, I don’t think it would be that easy.”

“Maybe not if I just show up out of the blue, however, what if I snuck back on board during a fight.”

“During a fight?” Somehow this started to sound like a plan and that in itself was scary.

“Yeah, we could have Hera’s fighters, and maybe some other New Republic soldiers start a battle, while they’re keeping Thrawn and his forces distracted, I sneak on the ship.”

“And then what?”

“Then while I’m onboard, I’ll get them to abandon ship.”

You nodded as you listened, “Knowing you, you’ll probably do some Jedi mind trick thingy” you waved your hand in front of him smirking, “telling the bridge officer or someone in engineering they need to make a ship wide announcement to abandon ship or something.”

Ezra nodded, smirking as he took your hand in his, “Exactly, piece of cake.”

“Yeah.” You smiled, squeezing your hand, “That is, until …” your smile dropped, “until Thrawn decides the easiest way to deal with you is to kill you.”

“Sweetheart…”

“Don’t sweetheart me, you know he’s on the verge of a complete and utter mental breakdown. He’s dangerous and he could easily kill you.”

“He’s dangerous but he’s not all powerful. My ally is the force, and it will never let me down.”

Tears welled up in your eyes as you looked at him, “You better not die, because the only one who gets to kill you, is me. So you tell the force, that it better have your back or else.”

Ezra pulled you closer, resting his forehead against yours as one hand pressed your hand into his chest, while the other held the back of your head, keeping you close. “Sweetheart, I’m never leaving you again. Not when I just got you back. Plus we still need to figure out what Thrawn’s planning first, but once we have our opening, I’m going to take it, to get our family back.”

You nodded against his head, “Alright, but I’ll come with you. You’re not leaving my side ever again.”

He pressed his lips against yours, kissing you with determination and promise. “You won’t ever have to leave my side. I promise.”

Main Master List | Star Wars Fic Roulette

Tag list:

@liadamerondjarin @badbatch-simp24@spicymcnuggies@lady-ren @firstofficerwiggles @darkangel4121 @discofern @kavecika @monako-jinn-stories @ladykatakuri @avathebestx @theroguesully @furyhellfire66 @carodealmeida @ciramaris @sprout-fics @twinkofthedink @dindjarin-mandalorian @ulchabhangorm @littlemisspascal @tortor-mcgee @vodika-vibes @clonethirstingisreal

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wazzappp · 9 months ago

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Alright whose ready to see my lose my mind over continually more ridiculous au ideas? Trick question your gonna see it happen anyway (I have. so much bullshit. i have an entire other au that I havent posted about yet and i am thinking. about the re7 au again brother. I have fallen into the pits don't come save me or I'll drag you down too).

also jesus FUCK @moosemonstrous coming in clutch again with both star wars knowlege and the ability to actually remember things beyond a day and a half of talking about them THANK YOU.

STAR WARS AU

The Jedi originally came to Tatooine looking for Gabe. Sensing his strength with the light side of the force they thought he would be a prime candidate for training. Unfortunately for them, Robbie and Gabe are a package deal. They begrudgingly allowed him to come along as well because he is also force sensitive, but a little older than they would usually let in for training. Robbie agrees to because 1. if he just says no who KNOWS if they'll just take Gabe away forcefully and 2. STEADY FOOD SOURCE. ROOF OVER THEIR HEADS. ADAQUATE MEDICAL CARE. NO MORE FUCKING SAND. He doesen't trust these people as far as he can throw them but FUCK anything must be better than here.

During a sparring session another padawan purposefully infuriates Robbie, causing him to reach out to the dark side. He nearly kills the other padawan with the strength of his outburst. It then becomes EXTREMELY EVIDENT that Robbie is VERY strong with the dark side of the force. As a result of this outburst, one of his eyes gets the usual 'sith look', he gets special training to try and suppress those feelings, and he gets permanent pariah status in the Jedi Temple (I have. plans. i am being vague on purpose because FUCK I want to draw this scene in my head so bad but I also want to get this out to yall in the same month so it will be coming later. my dramatic bitch syndrome demands it).

After the clone wars get started (he's around 16 at this point) the Jedi realize that they need more people to fight. Robbie, though being previously disqualified for his history, is accepted for training and assigned Jedi Knight Johnny Blaze as a master.

Unfortunately, along the way Johnny starts picking up more solo missions and eventually disappears about 6 months in and everyone thinks he's defected (he's spying on the sepratist's for the republic). Which MEGA sucks for Robbie because 'holy shit the unstable padawans master defected' is getting thrown around and thats really not great. He wanders off deep into the temple where he can hopefully find a place to throw his feelings around in peace and stumbles into the artifact room, which opened in response to sensing the dark side. Bad news, you cant use the same method to get out.

Even MORE unfortunately one of these sith artifacts starts talking to him. After telling him how to get tf out of the vault and convincing Robbie that things are about to get bad ('I FELT what you could to out there kid do you REALLY think they're gonna let you stay? You gotta get out of here. And if you take me with you I can guide us to a ship they can't trace')

So Robbie sets out to run away, fully planning on taking Gabe with him and gets second thoughts while packing to which Gabe goes 'fuck that were GOING' (he's like. 11. But he'll be damned if Robbie goes somewhere and leaves him who knows how long). While escaping via unauthorized ship takeoff, Elis holocron makes it look like Robbie has fully gone to the dark side and there are clones sent to stop him.

Robbie responds by using the force to throw another ship at them and escapes with Gabe. Now they're both on the run. Robbie wanted by the jedi council for kidnapping, and Gabe wanted back to complete his training.

Eli died as a dark side user and a wannabe Sith. He never really graduated into full sithhood and spent most of his time working for Senator Ivanov and his dealings in Hutt space. He was OBSESSED with the prospect of immortality and sought ways to survive even after death.

When he was used as a scapegoat by Ivanov (he reported Eli to the Jedi council to make him look a little less suspicious), his back up plan of imbuing a holocron with his force presence was put into use. He's been sitting gathering dust in a vault of darksided relics for the past 10 years, just waiting for his chance to get out.

Gabe is an EXCEPTIONAL student in the Jedi temple. He enjoys learning about the force and how to use it, and for the most part gets along with his peers. His mobility aid has been improved since Robbie first built it for him out of scraps he was allowed to take from working on ships on Tatooine. Some days are still better than others, and there are times when a wheelchair is more appropriate, but generally the braces are good for daily use.

He is VERY defensive of his brother and absolutely will not hear a bad word said about him (many bad words are said about him. everyone things Gabe is incredibly sweet, but also to blinded by his love for his brother to see that he poses a threat). It very much so does frustrate him, he's just better at dealing with those feelings then Robbie is.

Anakin gets his fun force choking so I think that Robbie should get something fun and funky and special too so enter: JAW BREAK!! Yes it is very ring inspired but I wanted to make it MORE. So fuck it he rips the whole jaw off its hinges I think this would also probably kill you very dead.

Plus some doodles because brainrot brainrot brainrot brainrot

#ghost rider star wars au #FUCK. WORDS NOT WORDING WELL TODAY. THIS COULD BE BETTER IM SORRY #THIS IDEA MAKES ME UNWELL IM GONNA POST MORE ABOUT IT #AAAAGAGGHHHHHHH #AAAGH #ghost rider #robbie reyes #gabe reyes #eli morrow #my art #sketch

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inquisitor-apologist · 1 year ago

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Thinking of another Star War AU I Will Not Write. This time, it’s an Imperial Ghost Crew one:

Sabine Wren fails to escape the Imperial Academy, and is, for some reason, forced into a mentorship program with Hera Syndulla, an extremely competent and talented new ISB agent coming out of a decorated career in the Imperial Navy. Sabine hates her on sight. She attempts to run away at least five times a day (Hera always seems to know where she is), and makes no secret of how much she wants to join the rebel terrorists they are currently hunting. The only upside to the situation is Agent Syndulla's ancient, borderline illegal droid (he doesn't want to go through Imperial reprogramming, and Hera won't make him) who lives for chaos and is absolutely willing to hack into a Star Destroyer’s comm system to blast the Republic anthem and smuggle in smoke bombs.

Hera Syndulla was captured in an Imperial raid when she was a kid (11-12) and placed in an Imperial reeducation facility. She graduated top of her class at the Imperial Fighter Academy and served as one of the Empire's most talented TIE pilots until she was promoted to the ISB. And now she has to wrangle a teenage Mandalorian whose favorite hobbies are high treason and vandalism. Sabine's relentless rebellion starts to change her mind on the Rebellion, especially when Sabine tells her about the Duchess and what the Empire's done to Mandalore.

Chopper, of course, goes where Hera goes, even though the Empire is far too orderly for his tastes. He somehow found her after her capture and reeeducation, and covertly replaced her astromech at the Fighter Academy. He commands an army of Mouse Droids on the Star Destroyer, and takes great pleasure in using them to sneak bugs and smoke bombs into Officer's quarters. In his opinion, Sabine is the best thing that's ever happened to him--she's an excellent gunner, a fellow chaos lover, and she's gotten Hera to loosen up a bit, so it's easier than ever to sneak off with her codes to prank the Admiral.

Ezra was captured with his parents on Lothal and put into Project Harvester, where he was eventually transferred into the Inquisitorius as a Junior Inquisitor. As such, he is extremely repressed. Sabine takes one look at him and decides he's her new best friend, and by the Force she is going to radicalize him. They become fast friends, and are soon the bane of every Senior Officer's existence. But no one can track the mysterious disappearance of all of Admiral Konstantine's pants back to them, of course. They bond over shared Imperial Trauma and eventually decide that they need to get out of here as fast as fucking possible.

Kanan was captured after Order 66 and was tortured into the Inquisitorius, so he's even more emotionally constipated than Ezra. He is Struggling with attempting to parent a teenager because Vader and the Grand Inquisitor's solution to everything was torture, and for some strange reason, he doesn't want to do that with Ezra. Also, he's extremely confused whenever he looks at Hera because he gets Feelings other?? than unquenchable rage??? and he does not know how to process this At All. He ends up covering for Ezra and Sabine's shenanigans because they're just kids and he doesn't want to see them punished. So no, Admiral Konstantine, he has no idea how all the security tapes for your room on the night your pants were stolen disappeared, it's a complete mystery.

Zeb and Kallus are the leaders of the Rebel cell they're trying to capture, because there's absolutely no way Zeb would ever be Imperial. Kallus and Hera were friends back at the Imperial Academy so they've got that best friends to enemies dynamic, and Zeb and Kanan have a really old rivalry--Zeb has a habit of sneaking Force Sensitive kids out of the Empire's reach, and Kanan's been halfheartedly hunting him for years. They are absolutely kriffing, and keep asking Hera and Kanan when they're going to finally do it. Kanan is so embarrassed he can't speak, and Hera looks straight down for so long that the rebels make their getaway unchallenged.

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artoodeetootired · 1 year ago

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how you get the girl (1)

🌌 now you say 'i want you for worse or for better, i would want for ever & ever' 🌌

part ii

it is widely known that anakin skywalker excels at nearly everything- except one: how to get the girl of his dreams.

words: ~4.5-5k (warning: did not proofread)

aotc anakin skywalker x padawan!ofc (+ besties padme & artoo)

best friends to lovers, miscommunication, a little angst ig?, fluff, whiny emo teenager padawans

As far into her training as she could remember, Evelyn Iblis had known Anakin Skywalker; which, really, was an understatement.

The two Padawans had first met after a fateful crash in their youthful flurry in the temple’s halls- a feisty girl, and a reckless boy. Although, the latter was more bashful than the former, being a rather late newcomer after all.

In the haze of her mind, Evelyn can remember her harsh personality softening as he repeatedly warmed her up to him; gaining her trust even as a child was not easy due to her childhood before the Jedi, yet her rebellious counterpart managed to befriend her.

After days and weeks and months of Anakin constantly showing her nothing but persistent friendship, Evelyn had no choice but to fall into it, no matter how competitive they both were with each other in training- in both of their opinions making their friendship even better.

So, as the years flew by, so did the memories they made together. From younglings to Padawans, the pair were inseparable. Best friends ‘till death do they part.

And thus comes about their shared mission to protect Senator Amidala of Naboo, a close and personal friend to both. After an assassination attempt amongst a harrowing time for the Republic, the Jedi Council assigned Evelyn to escort the former queen back to her home planet, where she would wait out any danger that could jeopardise everything The Light worked for.

But Anakin being Anakin, had refused to stay behind without a fight (which, of course, he won against his Master Kenobi). Since then, Evelyn had teased him for his aggressive need to join the mission as a projection of his crush on Senator Padme.

“It’s beautiful here,” Evelyn admired as they stepped out of Theed Palace. She had never seen such an incomparable city despite her various travels to many for her missions.

“Yes, I can’t help but agree,” Padmé beamed as she led the two towards the palace, “Definitely not because I’m biased.”

At that, she gave Evelyn a sly look over her shoulder, causing the younger one to softly smile. Evelyn knew Padme as an older sister throughout the years, not only because she was just over 5 years older, but because she had had the privilege to work with her (and R2) multiple times with her Master Adi Gallia as she grew up. The unrelenting kindness, courage and intelligence Padme showed as a young leader inspired her, so she couldn’t help but feel peculiar at how the tables had turned.

As the two Padawans, R2D2 and Padme ventured out to the next transport after their meeting with the queen, a comfortable silence fell over them, save for the faithful droid’s commentary beeping.

With one hand holding a suitcase, Evelyn used her other to help R2 down the stairs with more grace than his loud thumping, laughing at his grateful whirrs.

“I’m not exactly thrilled about hiding out, but I do hope you both will find solace in where we go next,” Padme mused, “It’s incredible there, and you guys deserve a break.”

“Don’t worry, it’s peaceful enough knowing we get to ensure your safety,” Anakin assured after a beat later; and like most of the time, Evelyn faded behind them to give them space, smirking at R2 as they watched the pair.

Evelyn can just about remember a conversation with Anakin, long when she was just 10, and Anakin had just turned 11. It detailed his observation of a fellow youngling that seemed to have taken a liking to Evelyn, despite her many attempts to avoid him.

Sooner or later, she shrugged him off with Anakin’s help (beating said admirer in a lightsaber duel), but it led her curiosity to his own interests- something she felt through his Force signature.

And that was when she giddily found out about Padme, the childhood crush he reluctantly told her about. In all honesty, she was mostly happy she had leverage over him after the embarrassment of her admirer.

Yet now, seeing it in person for Maker knows how long, Evelyn’s curiosity peeked to see how it would go.

“Anakin’s hopeless, Artoo,” Evelyn said to the droid, “As his best friend, I don’t know whether to be helpful or whether to give him hell for it.”

A series of beeps and a mischievous rattle of his legs made it seem like the two were conspiring, and in a lot of ways, they often were.

Evelyn grinned, “No, no, you’re right. Hell is funnier.”

•〰️•

“I will go with Artoo,” Evelyn said firmly after some time of her arguing with Anakin. She welcomed his happy chirps following the light blush that crept up Anakin’s neck.

It didn’t help that they were both stubborn, and that Padme was patient enough to watch in amusement. Anakin could feel that even the gondoliers were relishing the childish behaviour.

They were standing by the docks, ready to board two gondolas headed for the villa. Bickering as always, the two friends argued for who would go with who- Anakin stating he’d travel on one alone with the rest of the luggage, while Evelyn proposed an even split amongst the group.

“Eve,” Anakin sighed.

R2 chimed up as he wheeled his way to Evelyn, as if mirroring her defiance. Anakin scratched the back of his neck, eyes flittering back and forth between the brunette and the droid, and muttered his defeat.

There was only ever one person who frequently won against Anakin, and he was often tired of it, if not fuelled by the challenging dynamic.

As the group moved to the majestic boats, Evelyn grabbed the last bag from the boardwalk, beating Anakin to it.

“Artoo and I weigh less,” she reasoned as a response to his scrunched expression, then dropping her voice, “You’re welcome, by the way.”

She didn’t give him a chance to respond, picking the bag up and whirling away towards the waiting droid; she could feel his eyes on her, though. Calculating and nervous was his fleeting gaze, and she suspected it was due to his upcoming time alone with Padme.

Water had never felt fresher. Weaving through her fingertips, the lake was a comfort to Evelyn as she lazily dipped her hand throughout the journey. The Force was strong here, what with the energy coursing through the creatures and their hunt, the breeze and the heat, the moon threatening the sun to conquer, the lives on these boats; it was empowering in the sense that she could feel everything.

R2 suddenly made a series of beeps and boops over the music he was playing as if to say, “You seem sad.”

Evelyn regarded him with amusement, “I’m not. Why do you ask?”

“You look more aloof than usual. Is it because of the mission?”

“No,” Evelyn smiled at the droid, “Well… part of it.”

R2 let out a sad whine, encasing his sympathy for the girl, “What else is bothering you, then?”

She fidgeted with her Padawan braid.

“It’s not important, Artoo,” she settled, trying her best to keep her eyes forward, “I might just be tired from the past few days.”

The astromech droid let out another trill, choosing to believe his friend instead of questioning her; there was potential she could push him into the water, he wouldn’t put it past her tough exterior.

“At least you can rest more here! Master Padme and Ani, and I will be with you.”

Evelyn expressed her gratitude for his comfort with a pat on his head with one of her bandaged hands, letting the air around her turn pleasant as opposed to the current gloom. Besides, she was afraid that Anakin could sense it gleaning off of her from just a few feet away.

And she wouldn’t want that. Not when part of her personal mission there was to ensure his happiness, their happiness-it had been since she found them alone in Padme’s room, the atmosphere intense through the Force.

Even if, for some reason, it had stirred up a feeling in her gut, something dark and unpleasant. She didn’t know what it was. And she didn’t like the unknown.

She pulled her knees closer to her chest, choosing to look anywhere but to her left. Just the quiet moments, let her have the quiet moments to think and feel and look completely in tune with the growing conflict inside her, one that she was already trying to push away.

The Jedi Code was something Evelyn had always been touchy with, not completely agreeing with its ideals and expectations. Anakin knew this, her Master Gallia knew this. And so, if getting the senator to reciprocate what Anakin had felt- everyday of his life for the past decade- would seal his happiness in his tough life, then she’d do it.

Because they were best friends.

That’s all they were.

Trying to engage in the conversations Padme brought up in between silences was hard, because in the corner of his eye, Anakin could see the gleeful interaction between Evelyn and R2.

There, in her combat clothing, her thick mane of wavy hair in an outrageously messy bun and her attention undivided to the landscape, she looked more serene than he had ever seen her. More thoughtful in these slow moments, a contradictory calm to her fierce persona.

Was it because he wasn’t with her? Because his incessant chatter wasn’t there to annoy her?

He knew of her motives throughout the day, playing his wingman for him and Padme. And in an alternate universe, he was sure he would be grateful. But not in this one.

“You know, if you keep this charade up, it’s going to get worse.”

Anakin shifts out of his side-glance in a snap, finding the senator bemused as she raised a pretty brow at him.

“Pardon?” Anakin slipped over his words, trying very hard to hide his fluster at him being caught.

“Ani,” Padme laughed, “It may be hard for anyone else to see, but there’s no use hiding it from me.”

She tilted her head towards the gondola a few meters next to them.

He studied her for a moment. Padme certainly wasn’t talking about the droid or the gondolier.

Anakin shook his head, looking the opposite way in avoidance of the other pair, “What am I ‘hiding’?”

“If there is one thing I’m sure about you after all these years, it’s that you weren’t and still aren’t very good at hiding your emotions.”

The Padawan let out a deep breath, cursing himself for letting the one thing that he thought strengthened him become a weakness this once. Hopefully this once.

What felt like halfway into the ride, as Artoo distantly played relaxing music in the boat next to theirs, Anakin felt more jittery than ever. He did not know whether it was because of the tight space, or the sweat dripping down his robes, but it was most certainly not because of why Evelyn thought so.

He could feel it: the mocking, the encouragement. It was flowing across the space between them as a form of communication. Through the Force, he knew what Evelyn was thinking, and it was making him more nervous than it should have.

The young Skywalker had tried to focus on the scenery he had the privilege to witness; the lush water beneath him; the unbelievably green mountains that framed the sky; the wildlife one would never see on his home planet. But in the few minutes the group had been travelling, he couldn’t.

“I don’t know what to do,” he said, uncharacteristically gloomy. In the span of a few days, he had turned from being his usual smug, confident and charismatic Chosen One self to feeling like a simple, confused blob in the galaxy.

“Well you could start by telling her that, you know, I don’t mean what I used to mean to you back then, Ani,” Padme advised lightly.

She met Anakin as a 9 year old, and she definitely knew that he had a childish crush on her after their first encounter.

“You’re all grown up,” she continued, “Both of you are- I’ve seen the two of you with and without each other. It’s…”

At her pause, Anakin peeked back at the 24 year old, hanging on to the last word with anticipation.

Padme smiled at him, her eyes lighting up with recognition of the right word.

“Different.”

Anakin had never been more lost. Even his first time picking a lightsaber up had been easier.

Padme started to chortle at the look on his face.

“Wha- no, now you’re not making any sense,” he protested, “She’s always been my best friend. And we’re jedi, we’re meant to be different. Besides, if I tell her about you, then it just means she’s gonna draw the truth out of me.”

“Well, isn’t that the goal?” Padme said incredulously, “Isn’t that why you’ve been ‘subtly’ asking for my help since we met again?”

Anakin pondered about this. What was ‘the goal’? No matter how he felt, the both of them were bound to their duties first and foremost. He knew Evelyn, and thus he knew she would see to it that what she had worked for since she was a child would pay off. But he also knew himself- albeit not very well- and his knack to break a few rules, and to follow his heart.

It was a dangerous gamble.

“Can I ask you something?” Padme asked calmly, in a manner that reflected the soothing waves embracing them.

“It’s not like you’d care if I said no…”

Ignoring his attitude, Padme continued, “Do you like her? Yes or no?”

“Yes,” the Padawan retorted almost immediately, “I mean, yeah, I think I do.”

Feeling the way he did because they were best friends versus wanting to be more than that- he did not know yet.

Even though the former queen was seemingly happy with his answer, she dug deeper, “And when did you find out that you did? As in, as more then just friends?”

The teenager was visibly troubled. When he felt the gravity of the question, he threw his hands up and shrugged.

“Why does it matter?” he complained. Feeling cornered at that moment, Anakin didn’t care whether he looked like a child to the Senator of Naboo; he was certain that the gondolier was also listening intently, even with his back to them.

“Anakin,” Padme warned with a look, “Just think about it.”

He could feel more heat creeping up his neck, taking over his cheeks and his whole chest. He blamed it on the sun.

Anakin thought hard despite himself. Unable to give her a solid answer, he let his train of thought slip out without fault.

“When she first stood up for me against the lackies of our class.”

He quickly contradicted himself.

“No, actually, it was when we had our first talk talk,” he snorted, “She was stone cold before then.”

“It might’ve been when she comforted me the first time my nightmares started.”

“I don’t know… or when I realised I didn’t like it when other guys liked her,” he smirked nostalgically, “I’m glad I beat Damon in that duel.”

“Or when she fought too hard to protect everyone on a mission, and I… I almost lost her.”

While Padme let him spill all that was on his mind, she watched his every movement- from his eyes, to the way his hands would fidget, to his small, savoury glimpses towards said woman.

Then Anakin trailed off, the distant focus perpetuating his stature like a spell.

To him, the world went quiet.

The splashing waves that were once loud in his ears mitigated, the once stinging sun simply gave him warmth, the birdsong that distracted him aided his relishing into the back of his mind.

“It was when I first bumped into her my first time at the temple,” he slowly said, chuckling fondly, “I was so lost, and I didn’t know where Obi Wan was… but when Evelyn first looked me in the eyes with so much…”

He struggled for a word.

“Indifference?” Padme suggested.

“Detachment,” Anakin countered, “She changed. I knew I was pretty much a loser when we first met, so I took her sympathy for pity. But she asked me if I needed help, and guided me back- the scrawny, dirty child- when no one would.”

He trailed off, with his hands playing with each other as they rested on his knee, the azure of his eyes unmatched by the glittering blue of the lake, his lips curved up into a small smile.

“I was so, so determined to see her again- to make sure I was good enough to see her again. One could say that… that she really was the reason I went ahead with the training. That she is the reason I’m here at all.”

It all came rushing back to him, after he realised what he had just gushed out to Padme. He didn’t think he had ever felt so overwhelmed.

“See, now was that so hard?” Padme teased lightly; he rolled his eyes in reponse.

She knew all that she had to, and she herself was delighted with having the right to know- Anakin Skywalker didn’t just have a crush on Evelyn Iblis, he was in love with her. He may not have known it yet, but it was as clear as the skies above her.

“Now,” she said, down to business, a twinkle in her eyes far brighter than any star.

“Here’s what you’re going to do…”

•〰️•

Evelyn had never felt more detached, more awkward, more lonely.

From the moment they had arrived, she had made sure to stay out of the way and keep to herself.

Like the good old days, she thought.

Once Anakin and Evelyn were escorted to their rooms shortly after their arrival, the group agreed to have dinner right away due to the hunger their travels brought.

But as they made their way to lounge on a rustic balcony for the sunset, she excused herself to bed, ignoring Anakin’s protests.

As the stars graced her with their presence, Evelyn prepared for bed in the luxurious bathroom she greedily took her time in. Her heavy hair finally dried as she sat by the window alcove- she was delighted with the lavender soap- her tired body clad in the nightgown Padme had generously provided her.

Evelyn stayed buried in the lush covers for an hour now, sinking in like the quicksand of Tatooine. She sighed in contentment, never having felt this kind of comfort in a bed before.

Yet close to finally being taken away by sleep, her mind set to work to flash thoughts behind her closed eyes.

The impending war, where her Master Gallia might be at the moment, her plan for this mission, her plan for that mission.

She also wondered if Anakin would find it easier to sleep a dreamless night.

No.

She groaned, twisting aggressively to her side at the thought.

Stop it.

And yet she wondered what would happen if he couldn’t. Would he come knocking on her door like he always did?

The judging looks they got from the other younglings were ones she couldn’t forget, not when the two had openly defied the attachment rule as children. Anakin would sneak across the temple intersection for her room, and would knock on it to find Evelyn already awake for him. It was practically a pact- one must be awake if the other is sleepless.

But no, he would probably go down the opposite direction, for she was sure that she wasn’t his first choice in this hallway.

At that, Evelyn frustratedly slammed her head the opposite side into the pillow, suddenly disdainful of the thick sheets swallowing her in.

It was going to be a long night.

•〰️•

"Did you find her, Artoo?" Anakin asked at the sound of the astromech droid wheeling into the room.

"Yes," the blue droid beeped, "But I would be more... cautious at the moment."

Anakin and Padme exchanged a look across the round dining table, the slice of fruit still floating in between them by his command.

"What do you-"

The blue-eyed Padawan shut his mouth instantly, sensing her approach through the Force- tired, frustrated, grumpy.

Evelyn appeared by the archway a second later, her long hair in its usual ponytail, showcasing the white and yellow bands in her Padawan braid- healing and combat; she was in her casual under-blouse rather than her tunic, and her face was set in a mean rest.

It wouldn't take a Force-sensitive person to recognise the chills emanating from her.

"I hope I didn't hold you guys up for breakfast." she strode to the table swiftly, her lightsaber bouncing along her leg until she pulled up a chair.

"It's quite alright, I understand you were on patrol this morning," Padme said as kindly as ever, knowing that this was still a mission to them. Accepting the slice with a light stab in the air, Padme thanked Anakin for such an amusing trick.

She looks..... exhausted.

Anakin thought as he allowed his eyes to roam around his best friend's face; dark circles hugged her sharp eyes, and even though he still thought her radiant, the tension between her brows and shoulders betrayed her.

He knew better than to ask of her troubles in public.

"Someone tumbled a bit too hard out of wrong side of the bed," he tried joking, eyes trained on her throughout while the food arrived.

"Hm, not as bad as how you got lost on your way to the sink" she gestured to his face with her fork. A small tug on the corner of her lips.

Anakin relished in their banter, and while he was relieved to know she was still herself, he wanted to find out what was bothering her.

On one end, Padme looked a bit perplexed by their blatant insults shooting across the table.

"Why didn't you tell me you were taking first watch?" he asked amidst the clashing of cutlery, "| didn't even know we were starting rounds today."

The addressee shrugged, "It's fine. You can take the 2 hours before dinner, it's just a safety precaution. We'll discuss it more later."

She directed it towards Padme more for the sake of its purpose.

In truth, Evelyn had impulsively shot out of her chambers when it was evident she wasn't going to br gifted with sleep. Taking a walk around the perimeter, her moody self only came up with the rounds after she had been caught by the villa guards.

The air hung heavy above them, even driving R2 to leave the premise.

"So, Evelyn," Padme started, "Did you like your room okay?"

Also implying 'Did you sleep at all?’

She gulped down what looked like only her 3rd bite, nodding stiffly, "Oh, yes. It is quite comfortable."

"That's great to hear."

Silence resumed.

“And thank you again for the nightgown," her hesitant addition sliced through them, “I’ve never felt anything like it."

Evelyn may be in a mood, but Maker forbid she would take it out on Padme. She didn't even know what she was in a mood about yet.

"Hey, why didn't I get a nightgown?" Anakin smirked.

"Why? Would it aid your sleeping troubles?" Evelyn feigned curiosity.

“Certainly.”

"Well then you can have mine," the female Padawan's tone dripping with sarcasm.

Padme's delicate features lit up, "Well, of course! You know, you could even take a few when you leave."

Both Anakin and Evelyn halted slicing their food, looking bewildered at the proposal.

“Wh- what?" Padme asked, unsure of the offence she might have just done.

Anakin snapped his stare at Evelyn, mind now flushed to the point of his lungs betraying him.

As he choked and hastily reached for his glass, Evelyn looked just as taken aback.

"I, uh, it's nothing to do with you, Padme," Evelyn quickly consoled, "It's just that... we're Jedi."

She hoped it was explanation enough.

“Well... yes," Padme said slowly.

She guessed not.

“We have a certain conduct to follow... and as much as I liked the nightgown, I don't think it's... the design is a bit.." Anakin's ragged choking distracted Evelyn greatly from making her point, feeling flustered by it all.

"She means to say,” Anakin gasped through the glass of water he had just gulped down, "That it's not entirely appropriate in the Jedi Temple. It would be too...”

He looked at Evelyn for help, only to find her aggressively slicing pastry into unnecessarily samll shreds.

"Revealing," he cleared his throat. The man may not have seen it for himself, but it wasn't hard to imagine-

"Oh," Padme took her time to understand, "I see.”

She started to chuckle almost uncontrollably.

"I'm sorry, I didn't realise sooner," Padme said delightfully, a stark contrast to the rattled pair, "I’ve always thought that you'd look lovely in a dress, Evelyn.”

"Careful now," Evelyn said nervously, slicing away, “You might make Ani here jealous."

Anakin mumbled something under his breath before taking another sip, but she couldn't make out any words.

"Please, it would make me feel better while we're here," Padme said imploringly, "Especially since l've planned for a few picnics and activities and whatnot to occupy us."

This was the first time Evelyn heard of this.

“Planned activities...?"

“Yeah, we were discussing it yesterday when you went up to bed,” Anakin said, finally recovered from his fit, "Whatcha get for being a buzzkill."

Evelyn sighed internally, At least they're getting the time I hoped they would.

She ignored the comment.

"I couldn't."

Padme raised a brow.

"The dresses, I mean," the Padawan clarified,

"Besides, I don't know how to wear one."

Ever the friend, Anakin snorted; he slapped his hand to his mouth to try recovering from it, but Evelyn did the honour herself and kicked him in the shin.

"How to... wear one?" asked Padme, "Why, you just slip it on!"

"Well, yes but- stop it-" Evelyn pinched Anakin's shaking arm, "But, as in, I wouldn't know how to run in it, or- or fight in it. It seems too free."

"Eve,” Padme said soothingly, reaching out to grasp her hand, "You're not going to face off an army here. The most you'll really do is patrol- and even then, I wished you guys wouldn't- and maybe shake off some wild animals."

Evelyn contemplated. It just seemed so... awkward.

As well as pitiful, given that she used to hope of a time where she would dress up nicely for herself and for...

But now, it seemed like an uncomfortable idea.

Especially when she thought she'd look ridiculously stiff next to Padme's natural grace in them.

"C'mon, Eve, I think it'd be cool," Anakin said on a more serious note, his signature smirk and oceanic gaze feeling warm on her skin.

R2 made encouraging toots from the corner of the room.

It's just fabric... you've almost died in worse situations before.

Evelyn made a move to stand, feeling too squirmish to stay in the dining room anymore. She thought it nice to let the two lovebirds have a private day together anyways, or days she decided.

“| suppose," she gave the oldest a tight smile, "Whatever you'd see fit Padme."

"Great." she responded, a hint of confusion.

"Wait- where are you going?" to Evelyn's left, asked Anakin.

"I'm quite full now, thank you" she said politely, "Plus, I’d like to visit the library here."

"Of course."

"Do you want me to-"

“I'll see you both later." Evelyn departed without letting Anakin finish. Stoic, rigid, cold.

The male Padawan gaped after her. He did not know whether this was part of her mood, or if she was maybe, possibly, probably upset with him. Padme discerned his worry and hushedly reminded him to be patient for what was to come.

Before she had turned into the corrider, however, Evelyn threw over her shoulder almost abrasively-

"Oh, and maybe next, Anakin can make a meat skewer with his lightsaber for you.”

•〰️•

To Anakin's absolute vexation, Evelyn remained withdrawn from them (specifically him?) for a while.

No matter how much he tried tracing her by asking the staff, going where she would most likely be, and even following her Force signature, his trusted friend slipped through his fingers.

So much for Jedi training...

She had always been the better of the two at that: stealth with using the element of surprise.

He hadn't spoken to her for almost 4 days now.

When he took the night round, she would already be in bed. When he took the morning round, she would already be off in her own adventures. When Padme tried to initiate rendezvous, she would excuse herself to stay at the villa for security, as Anakin would be with the senator anyways.

He would hear reports from multiple members of the staff:

"She stayed in the library."

"She is off meditating' in the gardens... whatever that means."

"I last saw her swinging that laser sword of hers around, probably practicing or something."

"Oh yes, she was sitting by the lake with a book, sir."

And even R2, who told him, "She is spending time in the property's stables."

But what bugged him most, was that whenever he knocked on her door at night, she never opened up.

Not like she used to.

"I'm telling you, she's mad at me for something else!" Anakin huffed into his hands. By the north of the lake did the politician and Padawan stay idle; the latter had been complaining since they got there.

"Anakin, don't you see?" Padme urged excitedly.

“What are you so happy about- look, this is going way worse than I thought it would! She’s never acted this way before," he groaned.

He felt utterly vulnerable. While he was never one to be afraid of emotional expression, he had never felt so aggravated, dejected and lovesick. It made him feel incorrigible.

The day beautiful, the view picturesque, the breeze calming, it was everything one would hope for at a violent time like the one they were living in.

Out of everything Anakin could have, should have, been worrying about as a Jedi, he found himself stuck in the loop he was always warned never to fall in.

He didn't care.

"Anakin," Padme giggled as she rocked back and forth, her hair intricately framing her face, "Don't you see what this could mean?"

"No," he immediately scowled, "Is it that she hates me? And I don't even know why? Like, what did I do?All I've been trying to do is figure out these- these feelings and how to get closer to her than I already am!"

"Ani, you really can't see why she might be upset?"

He threw his hands in front of him, "I don't know! Is it ‘cause I always steal her cookies? Look, she's my best friend, and she's not been acting like it since we got to this place. And I get that she's trying to play matchmaker with us, and maybe that just means that she just doesn't feel the same way- but all she's doing is driving me crazy. And she doesn't even know it!"

His rant was well-received by Padme, and when he finished, he spaced out on the ruffled lake by the breeze.

"Ani, do you remember when you mentioned Damon?"

A surge of old bitterness grew in his chest.

"What about him?"

"And what did you say you realised when you beat him in that duel?" Padme asked ever-patiently.

He scoffed, “That I didn't like it when other guys liked her-"

Suddenly, he whipped to Padme, realisation dawning on his face.

"Oh."

"Jealousy. I told you it'd get worse if you let her think of us like that," a hint of pride seeped through her humble personality.

H sighed, "It's not that simple when we're both Jedi- hell, or even if only one of us was. If I can't have her as more than just my best friend, then I don't want to try at all and then lose her completely."

"But that's the thing, Ani!" the tiny senator fought back, "You guys are lucky in that regard- no, hear me out. You have been and are best friends. Most people don't even know where to start with the love of their life; a lot of people would wish to have their partner be their best friend, too. I would.

You have to remind her how you two used to be before this whole mission, you guys were practically a married couple. Then you've gotta tell her you absolutely lost your mind trying to suppress your feelings, tell her that it drives you mad to try and hide away from her while you went and left her in the dark.

Then you tell her what you've always wanted to. And don't. Hold. Back."

•〰️•

part ii

a/n: had to split it into 2 parts, sorry for any confusion!

#hayden christensen #anakin skywalker #star wars #padme amidala #star wars aotc #attack of the clones #original female character #anakin skywalker x reader #sw prequels #anakin fanfiction #r2d2 #star wars anakin #Spotify

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justagalwhowrites · 1 year ago

Text

Beskar Doll - Ch. 12: Reunion

It's been years, but the Mandalorian would know you anywhere. A continuation of Beskar Doll Ch. 1-11 found on Tumblr here.

Pairing: The Mandalorian/Din Djarin x Female Reader

Warnings: Mention of DV, mention of attempted SA. No use of Y/N. Minors DNI 18+

Length: 5k

9 ABY - Present Day

Din managed to stay away from you for three months.

He let his work swallow him up, taking every puck offered to him. No price was too low, any job that would keep him from realizing how empty his ship was without you in it was worth doing. He kept thinking it would get easier. He hadn’t been with you all that long, after all. You’d barely been friends, not really. But you were always there, some biting comment or teasing smile or kind touch suddenly acutely absent.

Time, he thought, would fix it. Time and hunting every bounty he could get his hands on.

It didn’t work.

So it was only three months before he found himself back on Dantooine, going back to the coordinates you’d given him, landing outside your family’s home before being greeted by the kind but confused face of the woman who lived there.

She invited him in, gave him her name - Aidla - offered him a drink and food but he turned her down.

“So,” she said, pleasantries out of the way. “Can I ask what brings you by?”

“I was… in the area,” he said, trying find a way to ask what he wanted to ask. “I thought I would see how Liska was doing. Is she here?”

Aidla smiled sadly, a knowing look in her eye. He was reminded of you for what had to be the 20th time that day.

“I’m sorry but no, she’s not,” she leaned forward, putting her hand on his arm. “She’s married now, living on the other side of the planet.”

Din froze. He could hear the blood pounding in his ears. Married. You couldn’t be married. He’d seen you just months ago - he’d touched you, felt you come apart in his arms just months ago. You’d never mentioned anyone, you couldn’t be married…

“It was arranged,” she gave his arm a gentle pat before she sat back in her seat. “It will help her blend in. But he’s a good man, they have a home in the country. It’s a simple, quiet life but…”

He nodded slowly. Part of him wanted to find you. He could, if he tried. It wouldn’t even take him long, he could be at your door in a day - maybe just hours if he got lucky.

But that would be selfish. The night before the fight in Bisneth, you’d told Keci you wanted something simple, quiet. You wanted peace. What was he going to offer you? A life of hunting bail jumpers through the galaxy? A place where you’d be shot and hurt and need to resort to the skills you resented so deeply? All because he missed touching you, missed watching how your brilliant mind worked? No. He wasn’t going to take this from you.

“She cared for you, I think,” Aidla said after a moment. She looked down at the cup of tea in her hands. “I’d never met her before you brought her here but… there’s a lot of her mother in her. I think she cared for you very deeply.”

Din was silent, digging his fingers into his gloved palm.

“I can tell her you came by,” she said eventually.

“Don’t,” he said quickly. “I don’t want to disrupt her life here. I just wanted to know… how she was.”

He started visiting Aidla and her husband, Tam, every few months. Each time he was hoping you might be there, visiting, while also hoping he wouldn’t see you so he wouldn’t have to explain himself. You were never there. But she told him that you were doing well. Tam saw you every few months when he met with your husband for trading. He usually came home with a letter, which Aidla shared with Din. You wrote about walking the countryside, asked for recipes your mother used to make you as a girl, criticized recent moves by the New Republic. He could almost see your face, hear your voice as he read your words. None of it seemed to ease the ache and longing inside him.

More than two years after he’d left you on Dantooine, he landed at Aidla’s but found the place abandoned. It was clear no one had been there in more than two months, their fields overgrown and thick layers of dust clinging to the tea set Aidla always took down when she offered him the tea that he always politely refused.

He went see their neighbors and asked after them, but it was only bad news. Aidla and Tam had both died - a speeder accident in Dantoo Town.

Din trudged back to the Razor Crest and sat there, staring straight ahead, until the sun set and he realized he’d just been looking into nothing. He’d grown to like Aidla and Tam, Aidla in particular. She was the last, tenuous link he had to you. Now you were really, truly gone. He seriously considered, one last time, tracking you. But he pictured you, happy in your peaceful and quiet life, and got ready to leave Dantooine for the last time.

Before he left, he went inside their home and found your letters, bringing them aboard his ship. Once he’d jumped to the next destination, he pulled off his gloves and removed his helmet, holding the pages you’d once held, reading words you’d written without a mask between you.

It seemed you haunted him even more after that. He’d catch a glimpse of you out of the corner of his eye in crowded markets, hear some reflection of you when someone near him said something equally infuriating and insightful. It was as though his loose connection with you had kept you at bay and without it, the lack of you was going to drown him.

When he took the bounty for the child, the only reason he’d stayed in a room filled with Imps is that he thought, for a moment, the bounty would be you. If he had a reason to track you, that would be different. He’d have to find you then, protect you or at least warn you. Instead, it was the kid.

He knew you’d have never left the child with Imperials. It made him sick that he had, even for a bit. If you’d been there, you’d have taken off with him immediately. Maker, by now, you’d have probably figured out some language to speak with him, established a clear line of communications and a deep understanding with the little guy.

So when he and the child were lying low on Garqi, he wasn’t surprised when a Naboo blaster caught his eye as he passed a weapons resale stand. He stopped for a moment, looking at it. He remembered you pressing one just like it into his chest the day he’d left you behind.

“How much?” He asked the man working the stand.

“Haven’t had a chance to price it yet,” he said, hardly glancing at the weapon. “Just bought it off a girl this morning but I got a deal on it. I’ll let it go for 750.”

“This morning?” Din asked, pulling out the credits without bothering to barter. He handed them over and the man handed him the weapon.

“Aye,” he nodded once. “She was impatient, that one. Seemed ready to be on her way.”

“Do you know where I could find her?” He asked. The man behind the counter frowned at him. “I just have an interest in pieces from Naboo. I’d want to buy more, if she has it.”

“She didn’t look like she was from around here,” he shrugged after a moment, going back to cleaning a blaster. “Looked like she’d gotten into it with some folks she shouldn’t have, too, she was banged up. The cheapest beds are only a few clicks east, across from the brothel. She’d likely be there.”

The Child cooed at Din’s hip. He gave the man a stiff nod and started off, sweeping the crowds, looking for you everywhere he passed.

It was unlikely that it was you, he told himself. You were on Dantooine. You were married. You weren’t on your own, trying to navigate this Maker-foresaken galaxy with no one. It wouldn’t be you. So he wasn’t prepared when he caught sight of you, lugging a box outside a building and putting it with the trash. Your hair was shorter and you were thinner but it was you.

He walked toward you like he was hypnotized. You didn’t look anywhere but the ground as you went back inside, you didn’t see him coming. When he made it in the door, the building was dim, barely clothed women strolling through the room. He frowned. What were you doing here?

“A Mandalorian,” a woman said, slinking up and draping herself over Din’s chest. “Not often we get one of your kind.”

“I’m looking for someone,” he said, looking down at her. “The woman who was just outside, where is she?”

“Kelda?” She asked. Din had never heard the name, but nodded. The woman frowned. “I don’t have her working the floor, I’m sure there’s something I can interest you in…”

“I’d like to speak with her,” he replied. She glanced around before leaning into his ear.

“Look, I can take you to the back but I don’t want her on the floor until her face is healed,” she said. “It bothers the clients.”

“I’ll pay,” he said, pulling out some credits. With that, she smiled, taking him by the hand and leading him through the bar. The Child shifted in the bag and Din tucked him down, covering his head with the flap. No need for him to see all this quite yet.

The back was more brightly lit and even from behind, he recognized you.

“Kelda,” the woman said. “Someone requested you.”

“What?” He could hear the frown in your voice. It was such a familiar sound, even three years later. You turned to face him and froze, staring at him, your eyes wide.

You looked different now, especially up close. Your hair was in a single braid that hung barely past your shoulders, the toned muscle from the training you’d done for years gone. Your face was almost gaunt and the remains of bruises were still there, yellowing, and there was a still healing cut on your cheek. He forced his hands to stay at his sides and not reach for you.

“Didn’t know you knew a Mandalorian,” the woman said, looking at you with suspicion. Your eyes narrowed.

“I don’t,” you replied, turning back to your work. “Never seen the man before in my life.”

“Well, he paid for your time,” she shrugged. “Take care of him and then you can go.”

You sighed but kept your back to him. The woman left and your fingers drummed the countertop in front of you.

“So, what?” You asked, still facing the wall. You picked up something on the table and started cleaning it. “You have a thing for the help now? There’s a whole room of girls actually on the menu, you know, go bother one of them.”

Din ignored your hostilities but kept his distance.

“What are you doing here?” He asked

“You’re in my sector,” you snapped. “We’re just a stone’s throw from Dantooine. What are you doing here?”

“Why aren’t you on Dantooine?” He asked, moving closer. He couldn’t help it, you were right there.

You flung the thing you were cleaning onto the counter, forcefully, and spun to face him.

“I don’t know, Din,” you looked up at him, your eyes finding his immediately. A skill you hadn’t lost. The flesh around your eyes was discolored, healing. “What do you think? Take your best guess.”

“Someone hurt you,” he said. He balled his hands into tight fists to keep from trying to touch you.

“Good on you,” you pushed off the counter behind you, grabbing the piece you were cleaning - some bar tool, he guessed - and took it to a shelf to put it away. “Are we done here? Get your money’s worth?”

“Can we go somewhere?” He asked, keeping his voice gentle. He still couldn’t believe that you were standing there, in front of him. Fully formed, not hints of you he imagined in every corner of the universe. “I’d like to talk with you.”

“I’d rather not,” you replied.

“Please,” he said. There was pleading and desperation in his voice. He didn’t care about hiding it.

“Why do you care?” You asked, exasperated and tired. His head tilted, examining you. Did you really think he didn’t care?

“I just do,” he said eventually. “Please. Let’s talk.”

You crossed your arms, looking him up and down, before you sighed.

“Fine,” you said. “There’s a cafe, four doors down from here. Tea’s decent. I’ll meet you there in an hour.”

“Thank you,” he said, watching you. Your sharpened edges seemed softer as you looked back at him. It was like you were fighting to still hate him.

He turned and left, making sure the kid was still tucked away in his bag, before heading to the cafe.

There was a secluded booth in the corner and he took it, hoping it would be quiet enough that you felt free to talk. The child was getting fidgety, so he took him out of the bag and ordered him a bone broth from the waitress who was happily fawning over his long ears and large eyes.

When the waitress got called away - after bringing two refills of bone broth - Din tucked the kid into the booth beside him, wanting to avoid drawing attention, and watched the door. You arrived sooner than he’d expected, giving the waitress a soft smile and a nod before finding his table. It was hard to stay seated. He wanted to stand up, touch you, pull you against him. Instead, you sat across from him, crossing your arms as you sat back in the booth, examining him.

“So,” you said eventually, eyebrows raised. “I’m here. What do you want?”

***

It’s not like you’d picked Garqi to be safe. You hadn’t actually picked Garqi at all, not really. It was the only place you could reach with the handful of credits you’d been able to access on your way out of your house, your husband unconscious and bleeding on the floor. You didn’t have time to pack, you just grabbed the data pad with the last of your life from Naboo - the pictures, the songs, the only things that remained of your family - your knife and the credits you could get to before stealing the speeder and running.

No, Garqi hadn’t been a strategy. But it was so remote, you thought the chances of running into anyone you knew here was slim. You hadn’t expected to see the Mandalorian show up at the bar where you’d managed to beg your way into a job. The pay was barely enough to keep you afloat, a cheap bed at the inn across the way and a meal every other day so you could try to salt enough credits away to get a ticket to a midrim world. You needed distance between yourself and Dantooine, the sooner the better. After selling the blaster, you had almost enough to buy the credentials you’d need to get off world. But now, Din was here.

Din, the man who’d all but haunted you for years. Every flash of metal, every modulated voice made you think of him. So did holochess boards and whiskey and the sound of blaster fire and the feeling you got when you climbed a tree to get closer to the sky. He was fucking everywhere all the damned time. Except now he was really here, looking at you from across a table. His eyes were ranging over you, you could feel them as they ran up your waist, arms, neck, face. You tried to resist the urge to hide your still healing face - bacta was definitely a luxury you couldn’t afford - and just let him look like you weren’t ashamed of it.

“Well?” You raised your eyebrows, making your damaged skin pull uncomfortably.

Before he had a chance to respond, a small, green hand appeared at the edge of the table. You frowned as a tiny, green creature with overwhelmingly large eyes and ears pulled itself onto the table. Din sighed.

“Who’s this?” You asked, leaning forward, face and voice softening. The creature reached for you before toddling forward, its clawed hand outstretched.

“Kid,” Din sighed, picking him up at the waist and pulling him into his lap. “We’re trying to have a conversation.”

The creature cooed, looking up at Din. You cocked your head, looking at him. You’d never seen anything quite like it. When his dark eyes met yours, there was a twinge of curiosity in you. But it was… odd. The feeling wasn’t your own. It was coming from the tiny thing in the Mandalorian’s lap.

“Oh, let him play,” Shura, the waitress, said, bringing you a cup of tea. “He’s not hurting anyone by being on the table top. Does he need more bone broth?”

“Sure,” Din said, sighing as he set the creature on the table. It smiled at him before looking back at you, a spark of happiness reaching you this time. Shura cooed at him before leaving the table again.

“Hi there,” you smiled at the creature, even though it still hurt your cheeks. He toddled for you, curious again, his hand out stretched. He touched your face, smiling as he explored your skin. You leaned forward and he grabbed your hair, giving it a firm tug. Satisfaction, this time.

“OK kid,” the Mandalorian said, reaching across the table and picking him up, pulling him back into his chest. “We don’t want to hurt her.”

“I don’t mind,” you said quickly. The creature looked back to you, cocking its little head, ears wiggling.

“What… is it?” You asked, reaching a finger across the table. The creature reached out and took it, all three of its tiny fingers wrapping around the tip of yours. There was the foreign, outside feeling of satisfaction again when it made contact.

“He’s a… quarry that went wrong,” Din said. “Kind of like you.”

You laughed darkly for a moment. A quarry that went wrong. One way to describe it, you supposed.

“I was a step down from a quarry, though,” you said. The child released your finger and looked back up at Din, the odd sensation of his feelings leaving with his gaze. How strange. You looked up at the Mandalorian. “I was just cargo that never happened, right?”

Shura set the bone broth down in front of the creature who looked overjoyed, reaching his tiny hands forward and gripping the small cup with both hands.

“What are you doing here?” He asked after Shura was out of earshot.

“You already figured that one out,” you replied, taking a sip of your tea. “Regular genius that you are.”

“You know what I’m asking, Doll.”

You winced in spite of yourself. You hadn’t heard his name for you in so long.

“You got new armor,” you said instead of answering. “Quite the upgrade.”

“Answer the question.”

“I don’t owe you a damn thing, Mando,” you said, chin defiantly titled up.

“No,” he replied. “But I doubt you want me hunting down everyone you’ve spoken to in the last month until I find whoever hurt you so I can kill them.”

You glared at him, taking another sip of tea before setting it down in front of you and crossing your arms across your body, as though they would protect you from him in some way.

“And if they’re already dead?” You asked.

“Are they?” You opened your mouth to reply but he cut you off. “You’re a good liar, Doll, but not with me. Are they still alive.”

He was right. He saw right through you. He saw through you when you pressed the blaster to his chest, when you said you hated him, when you said it was fine that you were a warm body. The asshole always saw right through you.

“They’re alive,” you replied. “But I handled it. He’s in worse shape than me.”

“I doubt it.”

“Really?” You replied. “Because I took one of his eyes, Din, and there are some things even bacta can’t fix.”

“Anything to eat today, Kelda?” Shura came up, smiling at you.

“No,” you smiled tightly back. “Just the tea, thanks.”

“You know, if you want…” she began, but you cut her off.

“I’m fine,” you said quickly. “But thanks.”

She looked at the Mandalorian, gave him and awkward smile and the kid a scratch on the end of his ear and left again.

“Why didn’t you kill him?” He asked after a moment. You sighed.

“Seems like I’ve killed enough for one lifetime,” you said, staring down at the table. “I couldn’t bring myself to do it again. Not this time.”

He was silent for a moment.

“Where was your husband?” He asked quietly.

You were about to answer, an automatic reply, when you realized it.

“How did you know I’m married?” You asked, fingers digging into your arms, worried you might try to punch him if you weren’t holding onto something. You’d never have been able to beat him on strength but you were well trained. There was a time where you thought you could have held your own against the Mandalorian. That was no longer the case. “Have you been tracking me? Stalking me?”

“No.”

The baby on his lap cooed, holding up his empty cup and waving it at him. Din took it and set it on the table, out of the child’s reach. The creature pouted, a feeling of disappointment coming from him when his oversized eyes found yours. You looked back up at the Mandalorian.

“Then how,” you had to speak through gritted teeth.

“I checked up on you once or twice,” he said. You could feel that his eyes weren’t meeting yours. “When I was in the region, I stopped to see Aidla and Tam. She told me you were married.”

“That’s a lie,” you snapped. “She would have told me…”

“I asked her not to,” he replied. “I didn’t want to disrupt your life. You were married, you had peace and quiet. It’s what you wanted.”

“So why did you come back?” You demanded. “You didn’t want to disrupt my life, why come see me at all?”

“I tried not to,” he said quietly.

“Why?”

He was silent again for a moment.

“Where was your husband?”

You stared him down from across the table, waiting for him to put it together. You knew he would. He stiffened.

“How long.” It was a growl and not really a question.

“He waited a while,” you shrugged. “Made it so I had no other options.”

“How. Long.”

You sighed.

“It lasted about six months,” you replied. “It was never great but it was fine, for a while, even though I wasn’t… well, I wasn’t good at giving him what he wanted. But he ran out of patience with me after Aidla and Tam died about nine months back. They were the only contacts I had, we lived in the middle of nowhere so I had no friends. I couldn’t access the speeder. My parents died before you even left me on Dantooine, not that I would have risked asking them for help…”

You sighed, looking at the wall next to you. You couldn’t believe you were doing this again, telling this damned man everything you hated about yourself.

“Anyway,” you sighed. “I can take a lot and I did a decent enough job holding him off considering I hadn’t kept my skills up in years. But a few weeks ago, he was drunk, got upset that I’d refused my ‘wifely duties’ for a bit too long, tried to take what he wanted. So, I took his eye. And his ear.”

“You left him alive.” He was seething.

“Yeah,” you nodded. You met his eyes, almost pleading with him to understand. “I just… I couldn’t do it. It’s not that I ever loved him but… I needed to not be the thing that killed him. Even if he deserved it.”

“Is he still on Dantooine?” Din’s hand was on the table, fist clenched tight. The kid looked concerned. You titled your head, seeing if he’d meet your eyes so you could confirm it. He did, the worry tinged by confusion.

“Don’t be afraid little guy,” you said, smiling softly at him. “Everything’s alright.”

The Mandalorian looked down at him and back to you.

“Sorry,” you said, looking up at Din. “He’s not looking at you so you probably can’t feel it but he’s a little freaked out…”

“What do you mean ‘can’t feel it?’”

“Oh,” you frowned, looking back to the creature who was looking up at the Mandalorian. “Do you not feel it?”

“Feel what?”

“When he looks me in the eye, I can feel some of what he does,” you said. “I’m sorry, I thought you’d have realized that by now, I figured it was just part of… whatever species he is.”

Din was quiet for a moment before he picked the baby up, turned him around and lifted him in front of his face, so their eyes would be level. The Child cooed happily.

“Any luck?” You asked after a moment. He just shook his head. You shrugged. “Probably can’t make it through your thick helmet.”

The Mandalorian grunted and put the kid on the bench beside him, pulling a metal ball out of the bag at his side and handing it to him. He took it happily. Din turned his attention back to you.

“Where’s your husband now.”

“Why?” You asked. “He’s not hurting me anymore, that’s all that matters.”

“No,” he replied. “Tell me where he is, Doll, or…”

“Or what?” You asked. “You’ll forget I ever happened? I was cargo, Mando. You did your job, it’s done. It’s been done for years.”

“I will hunt him,” he said, his voice hard. “If you tell me, it will be easier but I don’t need you to. I can track him without you and I will make him pay.”

“I don’t want you to,” you said, jaw tense. “I don’t want your help, I don’t want to owe you a damn thing. I want you to leave me alone.”

“What are your plans from here?” He asked. “Do you plan on working at that… place forever?”

“Only until I save up enough credits to catch a transport out of here,” you shrugged. “Figured if I can make it to midrim, I can find work as a translator or something. I just need identification for whoever I’m going to be next and the ticket off this planet and then I’m set. It should only take me a few more months, I can lay low the long.”

“And if he comes looking for you?” He asked. “You sold your blaster.”

You frowned, eyebrows knitting together.

“How did you know that?”

He pulled the weapon out from a pouch on his leg setting it on the table between you. You picked it up, holding it with reverence.

“Bought it off a weapons trader earlier,” he said. “It’s how I found you, said he bought it off a girl this morning, one who was in trouble. I thought it might have been you. It was a long shot but I had to check…”

“What’d you pay for it?” You asked, turning it over in your hands. You’d only sold it hours before but you’d resigned yourself to never seeing it again. It seemed miraculous that you had it now.

“Just 750 credits,” Din replied. You laughed dryly.

“You got a deal,” you said, setting it down in the middle of the table. “Thought that guy had half a brain, figured he’d get it without me pointing it out. The royal seal at the base of the handle increases its value. You could turn it around and sell it for 2,000 on Coruscant. But his loss is your gain.”

“Keep it,” he said. “Absolutely not,” you shook your head firmly.

“Doll…”

“I mean it,” you replied. “I’m not going to owe you. I can’t owe you.”

“And I’m not going to leave you here, defenseless, when someone nearly beat you to death,” he snapped.

“Mando,” you sighed but he leaned across the table, fists clenched.

“If you won’t take the blaster, I’ll give you two choices,” he said.

“Fine. What are they?”

“Choice one, you come with me and I take you wherever you want to go,” he replied. You opened your mouth to protest but he cut you off. “I could use some help protecting the kid and picking up odd jobs. I’ll let you work your way through so you don’t owe me. Choice two, you stay here and I hunt your husband so I can kill him.”

“That is not fair,” you fought to keep from yelling at him. “You can’t back me into a corner like that!”

“You forced my hand,” he shrugged. “If you won’t keep yourself safe, you haven’t left me another option.”

“Is this fun for you?” You snapped. “Do you enjoy this?”

“Enjoy seeing you hurting?” He replied, his voice oddly calm. “No.”

He watched you, unflinching from across the table. You wondered, for a moment, if you could run. You weren’t especially strong at the moment and you didn’t have much in the way of credits. You could maybe get to the other side of the planet, but with no real identification, it would take a while before you found work again and you’d be stuck. And Din was Din. He’d find you before you made it off world.

“Fine,” you hissed. “I’ll come with you.”

“Good,” he said.

“Tomorrow,” you said. “I have some things to finish up here.”

“Fine,” he said. “Tomorrow morning, space port.”

“Still in the Razor Crest?” He just gave you a stiff nod. “I’ll find you.”

“If you don’t, I’ll find you.”

You believed him.

A/N: Some info about where we're coming into the Mandoverse now that the fic and the show timelines will collide!

This is now 3 years after the first 11 chapters of this fic, set post Season 1 of the Mandalorian (the fight against Gideon has happened.) From here out, this will drastically diverge from canon (while hopefully maintaining characterization from the show for non-OC.)

#fanfic #enemies to friends to lovers #mandalorian fanfic #din djarin #slow burn #the mandalorian #the mandalorian x reader #the mandalorian x female reader

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littlespacereader · 7 months ago

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hii there i dont rly know how this works so i hope im doing it right >-<

can i perhaps req little!crosshair hcs and how the batch would accommodate him and help him? they would be the best big brothers to him ik!!! ^^ if also omega could be included too not as a cg but i think she'd be so sweet about it n the best sister :o

GET OUT OF HERE!! Don’t actually because this is such a cute idea!!! Before I read this I always saw Crosshair as more of a CG but THEN this request had my brain short circuit with ideas!! I absolutely love a Little who doesn’t want to regress but is loved and accepted by those around them that they start to regress without realizing it! And that’s definitely Crosshair! I decided not just to write a general Headcannons for him but him as a Little throughout the first seasons to the current season. So we see Little Crosshair before the empire, during and after. This is LONG, I think I got a little carried away!😅😅

(I will keep updating this every Wednesday so that it’s up to date with the show. If you’re reading this right now it is updated to Season 3 ep 11 - Point of No Return)

Without further ado, please enjoy Little! Crosshair Headcannons with the Bad Batch as Caregivers & Omega as a Little sibling! Thank you for the request and feel free to leave another if anything from this inspires you! 😄

Little! Crosshair🎯Headcannons / Storyline 🤍 (SFW)

Tags/ TW - BAD BATCH SPOILERS, mentions of clone wars & bad batch typical violence (shooting/death), classification au, accidents, cuddles, self doubt/hatred

Background on the Republic and on Regressors in the Clone Wars era:

Just like every citizen, every clone of the republic must be tested for their Classification and have it on their file. They get it right after they’ve finished all their training and their ready to be shipped out into battle. As much as the Kaminoans would like for all of the clone to be Neutrals, they have no control over it. They just hide all notes about it and tell the republic all their clones are neutrals. But the clones know otherwise. Though most of the clones are Neutrals, there are the few exceptions. It’s rare to get a Caregiver Clone, but even rarer to find a Little Clone.

The Bad Batch have been and continue to be anything but normal. So when it comes for them to get classified, the results don’t come to much of a shock. Each one test right after the other, then waits in their shared room for everyone to come back and say their results.

Hunter is the first to test and his comes back as a Caregiver. Then Tech is up and is tested as a Caregiver as well. The two are shocked at first, never expecting their classification to come to any use. Then Wrecker test and his comes back as a Little with the age of a big kid (7-9). That…wasn’t much of a shock to the team. What is a bit shock to the team is Crosshair’s classification.

Little Crosshair before the Empire & Omega :

Crosshair is the last one to test mostly because he’s the youngest. He expects, no, he knows he’s a neutral. So when he’s told otherwise he loses it. He demands the droid test him again, then again, then again. But it’s the same result every time. He’s a Little with the age of a little kid (4-6).

He starts to panic. Before he sees his brother he takes time for himself to try and calm down but he can’t. He has this stern tough guy persona to himself. What if his brothers see him differently? What if they think he’s not as capable? What will happen when he regresses? No! No, he’s never going to regress. That is not happening.

After a moment of pulling himself together and cooling his emotions, he leaves and head back to his room with the rest of the squad. Wreck is eager to hear his classification but Crosshair just shrugs him off saying he’s a neutral. Tech and Hunter share a look but don’t say anything.

Crosshair can feel it bubbling inside, almost scratching at the back of his brain to regress but he fights it. Wrecker always regresses after a long mission. Something inside of Crosshair always yearns for him to do the same with him.

Crosshair keeps his classification well hidden. No one questions Crosshair on his Neutral classification and he doesn’t regress…that is before their latest mission goes south.

Crosshair gets hurt, badly hurts. A broken leg and possibly a concussion. He hits the ground HARD. His leg hurts and his head is pounding. Wrecker picks him up and carries him back to the ship with the others. Once they’re all safe in the Marauder, Hunter and Tech realize Crosshair regressed.

Wrecker doesn’t understand what’s happening and questions it. “Why’s he acting like that?” “Because he’s regressed” Tech explains plainly. “But he’s a neutral.” Wrecker adds, but Hunter shakes his head, “He never has been. Isn’t that right Crosshair?” Crosshair just looks away as tears start to fall from his eyes.

They start to take care of him while he’s injured and regressed. The more they do, the more Crosshair realizes his regression isn’t such a bad thing after all, So the crew of the Marauder start to learn a few new things about their newly regressed squad member.

For one, Hunter is Crosshair’s favorite person. When he isn’t around Crosshair he begins to panic and look for him. It’s an unspoken truth with the Batch that when Crosshair regresses he’s always hanging around Hunter. “Hunter?” “Over here little sniper.”

Hates cutsie nicknames. Really only accepts Little sniper, Cross, and very rarely little one.

He’s a very quiet Little as opposed to Wrecker who is a very loud energetic Little.

Though he is very quiet, he does have a voice when it comes to something he doesn’t like. He is extremely stubborn. (More below on this)

Wrecker loves to take the lead and guide Crosshair to play along with their crazy games. He’s an older headspace than him so he loves to be big brother.

Whenever Crosshair is upset, Wrecker will bring him Lula to make him. As much as he doesn’t want to admit it, it does make him better.

Crosshair is super cuddly when he’s regressed. But you can’t force him, he just walks over to either Hunter or Tech while they’re relaxing in their bunk, doesn’t say a word, and just snuggled up beside them.

Tech loves to read to him, it always seems to relax him and sometimes it makes him fall asleep with all the knowledge.

Crosshair throws tantrums often. He is a fussy Little. When something doesn’t go his way, he doesn’t want to do something, or something wasn’t what he wanted he will throw a huge tantrum.

He also fights most if not all of Hunter & Tech’s rules. They’re getting a bit tired of his constant rebellion to their rules but nonetheless their as patient as they can be with him, knowing he’s probably lashing out because he needs some attention and is too shy to ask for it.

In and out of his regression his brothers love and respect him. They don’t look down at him for being a Regressor and they certainly don’t underestimate him.

No toothpicks when Crosshair is regressed, as it’s too dangerous. Instead the Batch find him an alternative in the way of chewable necklaces and teethers. Pacifiers are labeled too babyish by Crosshair so the alternatives make him feel a lot better.

When Echo joins the team, Crosshair doesn’t regress for a while around him. Nervous of the new Caregiver on the ship, though he’d never admit it.

When he does eventually regress, Echo is extremely kind to Crosshair. Whenever he get fussy or is on the verge of a tantrum, Echo seems to have the magic touch or the magic saying that starts to settle him down. “Why don’t we go look at the stars outside?” “I don’t want to!” “Oh, well I guess I’ll just go out by myself and look at the starts. *sigh* I’ll just be so lonely.” He leaves the ship to look at the stars and find Crosshair beside him a minute later.

After their mission with the Jedi during order 66, they meet Omega. And at the same time as meeting Omega, Crosshair begins to have terrible headaches. Usually when he has a headache it turns into him regressing but this one is doing the opposite. Plus now with Omega, he can’t help but feel a slight twinge of jealousy for her.

They learn that Omega is a part of their squad. But not only that, she’s also a Little same headspace as Wrecker.

Crosshair fights with the team against being on the opposite side of the Empire. Deep down he just wants things to be the same as they were before.

When they are captured again, Crosshair hold his head in pain. Whatever was going on, Omega seemed to sense it. She takes a seat by him and takes his hand in his. “I know this isn’t your fault.” Maybe this isn’t his fault. Before he’s decided whether he was going to ask her about it or just roll his eyes, the Empire goes to take him away.

“Ct-9904 you’re coming with us.” Hunter is the first to stand up and block them from taking Crosshair but he is punched in the stomach. Crosshair is dragged out of his cell, casting one last worrying look to his squad.

Little Crosshair during the Empire (Season 1)

The Empire begins experimenting on him to keep him as their “good soldier.” In doing so his regression starts to fade away for him for the time being. He doesn’t feel the usual pull to regress like he did before.

His brothers leaving him behind doesn’t hit him at first. But when the realization and loneliness hit him, it’s like a train. Late at night in their old barracks, Crosshair lays awake in his bed. He longs for Hunter, Tech or even Echo to come and comfort him. But now as the Empire’s perfect soldier, he forced himself to push it down.

(The Reunion s1 ep 8) When he gets injured by the cruiser engine and is medically evaluated off the planet he involuntarily regresses for the first time since joining the empire. Something happens with him getting burns to the side of his head. It makes his chip or his motives to stay with the Empire wavier.

His injuries brings him back to when he first regressed with his squad. Except now he was surrounded by medical droids. He freaks out but is only restrained more by the droids until they finish the proper treatment to the burns on the side of his head. He has an accident while they treat him, something that has only happen on extremely few occasions. The embarrassment eats away at him.

Once treated he is sent to his barracks to heal. This time everything feels different. He cries as he sit in his bed all alone. He longs for Hunter, or Tech, or Echo, or even Wrecker to make him feel better.

(War-Mantle s1 ep14 & Return to Kamino s1 ep15) When Hunter is captured by the empire, Crosshair makes it a point to be in charge of his arrest. While he acts sassy on the outside, Hunter sees right through it all. When Crosshair confronts Hunter in his cell Hunter asks him about it, “Crosshair…when was the last time you-.” “I DON’T! Not anymore.”

(Kamino Lost s1 ep16) Capturing Hunter was the biggest part of his plan. Why? So the rest of the squad could come and get him. With everyone back together he offers them to join the empire once more. But again, they refuse. Crosshair lashes out. Hunter and Crosshair fight which results in Hunter taking down Crosshair.

During their escape out of Kamino, Omega and Crosshair have a chance to chat. She really just wants to connect and be an older sister to him, being a Little herself. But he scoffs her off, choosing to self isolate himself rather than make friends with Omega. There’s also something inside of him that feels a bit of jealousy when he sees Omega around the others, especially Hunter.

Crosshair save Omega from drowning. He looks around at the guns surrounding him. He wasn’t going to shoot Omega, he was saving her life! But he’s done too much damage and that shows in the way Wrecker, Tech and Echo look at him.

They offer him a choice to join them again, no questions asked. There’s something deep down inside of Crosshair that’s screaming at him to join his squad again. But his stubborn need to be a good solider wins over and once again his squad leaves him. As they fly away he can’t help but let a few tears fall.

Little Crosshair during the Empire (Season 2)

The Empire left him on that platform in the ruins of Kamino for thirty two rotations, left to starve.

By this time back with Empire he is starting to notice more and more clone question the Empire’s intentions. The first of whom that really gets Crosshairs attention is Commander Cody.

It’s like a breath of fresh air to work with Cody. But even he could see that a good soldier like Cody is even questioning the Empire’s intentions. This starts to have Crosshair thinking about the Empire’s intentions for him.

After Cody disappears, Crosshair continues to work for the Empire but his treatment gets worse and worse. The stormtroopers disrespect his abilities, he eats alone and is isolated from everything expect work.

At night Crosshair stays awake, curled in a ball crying. His regression is becoming a big issue for him. He can’t stop feeling the pull to fully regress but with how the Empire is treating clones he scared he’ll be disregarded if he did.

(The Outpost s2 ep 12) Everything changes when he’s assigned to the Outpost. There he meet another clone named Mayday who reminds him so much of Hunter. It brings that Little feeling deep down inside. It doesn’t help that Mayday is also a Caregiver and can sense that Crosshair isn’t the neutral he says he is.

When they go out to retrieve the items stolen by raiders they come to find that all their hard work has led them to just retrieve new armor for the stormtroopers that plan on replacing them.

During the battle to get the supplies back, Mayday pushes Crosshair out of the way, saving his life but injuring himself. Though he insists on Crosshair leaving him, Crosshair doesn’t abandon him there. Instead he helps him go back to the Outpost.

There were moments spent huddled next to one another as the snow blew back and forth. As injured as Mayday was, he always tried to comfort Crosshair who regressed on and off because of his worrying about Mayday. “It’s okay Crosshair, we’ll make it. Just stay close to me. I’ve got you.”

Crosshair takes his arm and wrap his around his shoulders for support. Both to support Mayday as he walks and for the comfort of keeping him close.

Eventually they do make it back to the base. Crosshair lays Mayday down for a minute as the Lieutenant comes over to the two. He begs him to get a medic for Mayday, tears falling down his face. But the Lieutenant mocks Crosshair, saying how weak and expendable the clones are and how angry he is that they came back empty handed. When Crosshair looks to Mayday, he’s passed away.

Crosshair losses it. Everything he felt about the Empire fades away. He realizes the mistake his made and more than anything wants to be back with his squad. But he’s stuck here, with the Empire. He begin to cry, holding onto Mayday hand as the Lieutenant turns away.

There’s only one way out and that’s the option he goes for. He takes his gun and shoot the man. There’s a sense of relief that washes over him. But that relief immediately turns to exhaustion. He crumbles to the ground as storm troopers run over and passes out.

When Crosshair awakes he’s taken prisoner by Hemlock and Emerie. They inform him that they’re going to use him to capture Omega. It’s with this knowledge Crosshair sets out to do one last good deed to redeem a bit of his old self.

He breaks out and goes to the communications board where he sends out an encrypted message to the Bad Batch, “Plan 88. You have to hide. They’re after…..”

The last part of the message doesn’t go through. Gas fills the room and Crosshair collapses. Hemlock walks through the gas as it doesn’t affect him. He tells Crosshair of the mistake he’s made and how he’ll pay for it. A single tear falls from Crosshair’s eye before he passes out.

His punishment is being thrown into a cell, forced to be subject to different test both of his defective qualities and his Little classification.

When Omega is captured, she find Crosshair strapped to a table unconscious. At least the two Littles of the Batch are reunited.

Little Crosshair is back with the Batch (Season 3)

Crosshair has lost hope of ever escaping Tantiss. He has his usual schedule of trying to train him to be some brain washed assassin (doesn’t work on him), then he’s experimented on and then thrown into his cell. Most nights he’s alone, left to cry. But soon, Omega starts to visit him.

At first he tries to steer her away from him. Saying mean things so she’ll leave him alone and escape herself. He feels in some twisted way he deserve this punishment. But unlike everyone who he’s felt abandoned him, Omega never gives up on him. She visits him every night.

Some nights he’s regressed, others he’s not. Omega stays with him through and throughout. She loves his little side, though it’s mostly just him crying and holding her hand through the cell door. The small comfort is needed.

They break out! Omega takes the lead getting them out of the prison while Crosshair mans the guns. He feels comfortable not making the decisions and instead letting his sister do it for them. Though nowadays his shooting isn’t as good as it used to be thanks to all the experiments to him.

Once free they crash land, steal a ship and travel to meet Hunter and Wrecker. The whole adventure brings Crosshair very close to Omega who looks after him like Wrecker used to. He now protects her at all cost.

When they land, Omega is first to run and hug Hunter and Wrecker. The happy reunion is ruined by Crosshair as he also steps down off the ship. Too much betrayal has caused their relationship to splinter. It makes his heart sink

(The Return Season 3 ep 5) Back with the Batch and back to somewhat safe place. Crosshair tries to find his place back in the group again. But he knows Wrecker and Hunter don’t trust him at all. So he isolated himself from the group, looking to instead fix his shaking hand. The only one who’s close to him is still Omega. She urges him to talk to Hunter who has given him the cold shoulder.

When Echo arrives they realize they need to go to an imperial base to help unlock a datapad from Tantiss and free the clones. The only issue, this isn’t just any imperial base, this is The Outpost.

Wrecker is kind enough to give him his old armor back. He steps inside the Marauder and changes. Looking in the mirror he sees a hint of his old self again. The hope makes his heart stop for a second.

Walking outside brings back all the memories of Mayday, something that wrenches his heart.

He lashes out at Hunter throughout their entire time at the Outpost. It brings back old memories of when Crosshair would deny regressing, throw a tantrum, eventually break down and regress with Hunter.

The only thing is, Hunter is not being as kind as he used to be. Crosshair hasn’t exactly been kind to him and the rest of the Batch. So it’s all expected.

There’s small insults thrown here and there between Hunter and Crosshair. All with Omega and Echo trying to get the two to talk to one another, knowing that’s how it would fix everything between them.

When they enter the Outpost, the team works on the datapad while Crosshair slips away, looking through the outpost, remembering the last time he was there.

Out of the corner of his eye he spot a group of clone helmets and in the middle sits Mayday’s helmet. He immediately goes over and fixes the helmets, putting Maydays in the middle to honor him. A stray tear falls from his eye as he stares at the helmet. He quickly wipes it away, unaware Hunter had been watching him.

But slowly but surely Crosshair and Hunter get on each other nerves to the point of having an all out argument with one another. Hunter questions Crosshair’s loyalty to the squad and Crosshair just lashes out, saying things only to hurt Hunter.

Their argument is interrupted by a giant monster! (Of course) During the mission to get rid of this giant monster, Crosshair and Hunter work together for the first time in forever. Crosshair saves Hunter’s life by merely getting eaten himself.

After that they just sit in the snow, breathing heavy next to one another. They look over and silently there’s a difference in the air. All the anger all the heartache is gone. What’s left is what they were before, brothers, Caregiver and Little.

They walk back to the squad. Wrecker runs over and hugs the two together in a group hug like he used to do. Echo smiles at Omega saying “See? They always work it out. And this time Hunter’s not bleeding from one of Crosshair’s tantrums. I’d say it’s a win win.”

Once they start packing up to leave, Hunter and Crosshair get a moment to talk to one another. “Hunter, I…I thought I knew what I was getting into with the Empire. I thought I was being a good soldier.” Tears threaten to spill from his eyes. It’s all too much. Now that he’s in Hunter and the squad’s good side. He feels the need to regress once more.

Hunter steps up, walking over to Crosshair, “Nobody really understood what was happening back then.”

“I’ve done thing, I’ve made mistakes.” The tears that threatened to spill start falling as soon as he turns and looks at Hunter.

Hunter decides to clear the space between them. He brings Crosshair close and wrap him in a hug, something he hasn’t had in forever, “I have regrets too, Crosshair. All we can do is keep trying to be better. And who knows? There just might be hope for us yet. It’s okay my little sniper. You’re home now.”

Crosshair just cries and cries into Hunter’s shoulder. So much being built up over time that just finally being let out. After a moment Crosshair lifts his head and Hunter wipes the remaining tears away. “I already told the squad, tonight you and I are going to spend some quality time together. Sound good?” Crosshair nods, taking his hand and being led onto the ship.

The night feels like a dream to Crosshair. He’s finally able to fully regress and feel safe doing so. He cuddles close to Hunter and never leaves his side. With him, his old chewable necklace that getting pretty worn out.

(Infiltration s3 ep 6) Things remain pretty peaceful until a call from Rex comes through. The Batch are brought to give anymore information about Tantiss to Rex.

Crosshair meets Howzer again, who rightly so, doesn’t like him. Hunter sticking up for him brings a sense of warmth and happiness to him. His brothers truly accept him again.

But seeing the Assassin clone has Crosshair’s heart stop all together. This is bad, really bad. He fears not only for his own safety but mostly for his sister safety who the Empire desperately wants. After everything the two have been through together Crosshair couldn’t be without his big sister.

(Extraction s3 ep7) Running away from the assassin is a daunting task. This clone is good and Crosshair’s shaking hand isn’t helping. He still is useful but not as good as he hoped to be.

Once outside Crosshair check up on Omega, “you good?” “Un-huh.” “Got your crossbow?” “Yup.” “Sure you can carry those supplies?” “Yes.” “Stay close. It’s easy to get lost in this terrain.” Omega smiles but rolls her eyes, “You’re as bad as Hunter.” “Oh, I’m much worse.”

As they journey through the forest to get to the pick up location with Echo, Crosshair can sense the clone assassin is close. He turns to go alone, hoping to draw the assassin away from Omega.

The assassin seems almost mad at Crosshair for not being one of the assassins like himself. As the fight goes on, Crosshair is starting to slip up. The assassin hold his underwater and he struggles to breathe. But thankfully the rest of the team gets there to save Crosshair before he drowns or worse, falls down the giant water fall like the assassin did.

Hunter and Omega rush over as Crosshair coughs up water. Both the Caregiver and the Little are worried about him.

Finally they are about to be picked up when an old clone commander Wolffe tries to stop them. But after Rex’s speech, he has a change of heart. Crosshair notices how more clones, like Cody are beginning to question the order like all of them.

Once saved by Echo and heading to Padu, Wrecker and Omega begin to regress and play around the ship. And despite it all, Crosshair joins them, letting the worries of the missions and what happen tonight.

(Bad Territory s3 ep8) Hunter and Omega worry about Crosshair’s shaking hand. He tried to hide it from all the Caregivers and even Omega but everyone begins to notice it.

So while away on a mission Hunter instruct Omega to have Crosshair check it out. Sadly though it isn’t a medical issue. It’s because of the severe anxiety and PTSD he has since Tantiss.

Despite being against it at first, Crosshair follows Omega along and listens to his older sister as she teaches him how to meditate. At first he thinks it stupid and is about to walk away but she takes his hand in his.

With a deep breath he closes his eyes and focuses. And without him noticing, his hand stops shaking.

(The Harbinger s3 ep 9) Crosshair and Hunter work as the ultimate Dad team duo against Ventress who the don’t trust or want Omega to be around.

They work extremely well together. Despite getting their butts handed to them by Ventress they both see that their main priority is to keep Omega safe. That to them is what matters most.

In the end, Ventress warns them about Padu, saying it’s not safe. While it shouldn’t bother Crosshair, it eats away at him all night. Maybe they should leave? Maybe they should hide? He wakes Hunter up and explains his worries. “No use in staying up all night worry Cross, here. I’ll protect you and Omega tonight.”

It seems Crosshair was beat to Hunter’s bed by Omega who’s cuddle against his side. Old Crosshair would’ve been jealous. But now? Now he feels happy to have both of them around. He snuggles with the two. Happy to be protected by Hunter and happy to protect Omega.

(Point of No Return, s3 ep11) While Crosshair hasn’t been on Padu for as long as the others, he feels a bit sad to see it go. He sticks with Hunter, helping to load supplies onto the ship before the take off.

Just as they’re making their last trip BOOM! The Marauder, their home, explodes. Hunter, Omega and Crosshair run to the docks to find an unconscious and injured Wrecker. Crosshairs heart stops seeing his brother so injured.

But they’ve got bigger issues. They look to the skies and see an Imperial cruiser entering the airspace. He subconsciously goes closer to Omega, knowing that they’re here for her.

The three take off, trying to figure out a plan. Hunter suggests Crosshair stay with Omega while he finds a ship for them. Crosshair happily agrees, afraid of being away from Omega. The two run away, hiding with Wrecker’s unconscious body as AZ works on him.

Crosshair can see it in Omega’s eyes and on her face. She’s guilty. The people of the planet are being hurt and she feels as though she is to blame for it all. Crosshair wishes he could say something to reassure her it’s not her fault but he doesn’t say anything.

They watch as Hunter’s plan fails. He falls into the ocean. Crosshair grabs a view finder frantically and searches the ocean. His heart doesn’t start pumping again until he sees Hunter’s head pop up from the water. “He’s okay.” He says both to Omega and to himself.

Back inside Omega stops Crosshair and tells him she’s going to surrender herself. Crosshair is immediately against it, insisting they stick to Hunter’s plan. But Omega has made up her mind. She doesn’t want to see another suffer because of her.

Her plan is simple, hide a tracker on her and have Crosshair shoot a tracker on the ship. That way they can track her to Tantiss and they’ll be able to save the other clones, Crosshair is not confident on the mission. He doesn’t agree with it but Omega made her mind up. She’s doing it.

So when Omega surrenders herself they find her tracker, leaving it up to Crosshair to be the one to put the tracker on the ship.

Storm troopers are everywhere. With only seconds to shoot the tracker he’s attacked by troopers. He stops them and then takes his position again, but this time the ship is taking off.

He shoots and…he misses. The tracker lands in the ocean and the ship takes off with Omega with no way of tracking her at all.

Crosshair just watches the ship leave, in shock and in anguish. Tears fall from his face under his helmet as the ship gets small and small before disappearing from view. He failed them, he failed her.

How will be ever face Hunter and Wrecker who don’t know? How will be able to live with himself?

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mockingnerd · 2 years ago

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Say It, Loser: A Griddlehark Playlist That Goes a Little Hard Hello I am sharing this little beast that’s been rattling around my head for a while!! I listen to metal and punk rock almost exclusively and am also a gay nerd so I kept stumbling across stuff that follows their dynamic chronologically through the first two books (and then there’s a “bonus” at the end). Gorgeous cover art by @softbrambles used with permission. Tracklist and favourite lyrics below!

1. Death To All But Us! | Blood Command Now we have to do what I say Go where I may or be gone

2. Big Shot | IRONTOM I want your fingerprints all over me Cause if they find me dead they should know who it be

3. Do What You Want | Electric Enemy Galvanisе every part of me whеnever you want You're going to do what you want

4. Wake the Dead | Fit For Rivals Wake the dead, it's time to break down Follow me until, until we waste away

5. Stunner | World War Me (this is my peak griddlehark song, i could put literally every line here) Yeah, I'm a bit of a psycho baby I'm my own worst enemy You keep me lit like a lightbulb feeding off the pain and misery Cause' you were a bad bitch I was a savage Livin' off our own extremities So wе tick like a time bomb set to dеtonate eventually Little did I know you were gonna get the best of me Goddamn!

6. Unspun | Jackie It might be suicide To mix your blood and mine But call me crazy I feel it lately You’re my new favourite thing

7. Misery | Dope, Drama Club I'd kill myself or anyone else for you

8. Blind and Frozen | Beast in Black God, I miss you like hell I was wrong, I can tell For the heart can be blind and frozen

9. Trust Fall | Pinkshift I dug a deep hole to bury you, oh

10. Liar | Papa Roach Take my secrets down to the water 'Cause I can't keep them down any longer I swear to God but he knows that I'm lying Liar, liar your world's on fire

11. Talk to Me | Scarlett O’Hara Are you still around? I can feel the air getting heavy I’ll sit on the ground Beside your hollow soul Sharing your world but I get the feeling that you got nowhere to go Losing the fight inside, locked inside your mind

12. Cynosure | In Flames Who’s at the wheel? Say a word, say anything, I will be healed Who’s at the wheel? Say a word, say something that will make it real

13. Back From the Dead | Royal Republic You, you can bring me back from the dead You just gotta use your pretty head

*BONUS Kiriona song because NtN brought the pain: 14. Exit Wound | Otherwise I'm not thinking this through Living my life like an exit wound Blow back, blown out Throwback, thrown out No more scars left to hide Thrill is gone, still in the firefight

#PLZ LISTEN TO STUNNER IF ANYTHING #there were so many contenders but i narrowed it down to this #will probably still add more as they come up because so much works for them ugh #tlt #the locked tomb #playlist #griddlehark #gideon the ninth #harrow the ninth #nona the ninth #gideon nav #harrowhark nonagesimus #kiriona gaia #fandom playlist #wow i am gay

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josefavomjaaga · 7 months ago

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(Sorry to bother folks with yet another non-art post about non-popular guys but I was so excited to find this I just have to tell somebody!)

The "Revue du Rhin" from September 1937 published a letter from Eugène de Beauharnais and another from Jérôme Bonaparte to Eugène. And the letter scribbled written by Eugène is the earliest I've come across so far - his dad is still alive at that point and still at the head of the army (while he has already failed to defend Mainz).

The letter is directed at one Louis Apffel, an obviously somewhat older friend, as he seems to be already with the army. It's undated, but the recipient has noted on top that he believes to have received it in August 1793, which would fit the events mentioned in the letter. The translation, including random capitalization and lack of punctuation, reads:

- Dear Friend, I saw with pleasure that you have already made a campaign but I would have had much more Pleasure to learn that Mayence was not under the power of the Austrians, bad news one says in Strasbourg that my papa is in Wissembourg that the army of Ferrière is surrounded and the vanguard of Houchard is also surrounded a letter of Macé says that we had 2 hundred men killed in Vorth is of the number tetrel is wounded, the republic should sound the tocsin of legality and each citizen would put himself under arms would acquire glory and the trade which since the revolution was destroyed would come back more beautiful - Chairoux, henrion and Lestranges will write to you when they have time. Monsieur Rivage told me that I would be going to see my papa during the holidays. Adieu a thousand times, love me as much as I love you Beauharnais

Eugène at this point is 11 years old, and as the article states, him talking about events in the war in such detail and especially him considering the effects on trade are somewhat strange for a boy his age. What Eugène obviously does not suspect yet is the consequences the loss of Mayence would have for his father, who would soon leave the army and try to make himself forgotten, before being arrested and, not quite a year after Eugène wrote this letter, executed.

The article continues to describe Alexandre de Beauharnais' military record in not exactly flattering terms 😋 and to identify the generals, classmates and teachers Eugène mentions.

The second letter is one of recommendation, written four years later, in 1797, by Jérôme, most likely for the same Louis Apffel who had come to visit his former classmate in his college of Saint-Germain (probably in order to get in contact with Eugène's new stepfather), only to learn that Eugène three months earlier had left for Italy as general Bonaparte's aide-de-camp. Apparently he was going to follow him there and wanted to make sure he would be allowed to approach the general's family.

And if you thought Eugène's handwriting was bad, here's Jérôme:

Translation:

My dear Eugène One of your close friends, as he tells me, came expressly to St. Germain to see you, but on learning that you had left 3 months ago for Italy, they asked me for a letter for you, fearing that they would not be able to see you. In the name of your friend I gave him a letter and would have given him everything I hold dearest in this capacity. Farewell, I embrace you and I am your faithful friend. Jérôme Buonaparte -

I like how Jérôme is obviously not stupid (your friend "as he tells me" - who however doesn't know your whereabouts). And as he speaks of several people who wanted to get in touch with Eugène, now that Eugène was the stepson of the most famous army general, I wonder if this may have been the whole family of Louis Apffel, trying to take advantage of the fact their son had once been in school with Eugène.

#napoleon's family #eugene de beauharnais #jerome bonaparte

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infjinthecity · 2 months ago

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Hi Tumblr, What's Up?

Hello Tumblr! Can you believe I have existed in fandom spaces for this long and have never been on this platform? It seems that Tumblr is fandom’s MVP but I just never made the trek over this way – anyways, I’m here now. If you’re reading this, it’s probably because I told you about it on one of the other social media platforms and you probably at least know that I’ve very recently packed up my life and moved to China! I’ve been trying to figure out the best way to document my experiences here, and although we live in a visual era, I’m just not interested in being in front of a camera. I love to write and want to talk about my journey, so a blog seems like the best fit for me.

So, why China? Despite the fandom spaces that I occupy, my decision to move to China had absolutely nothing to do with Zhang Yixing or Wang Yibo. When people ask me why I made this change, I jokingly tell them it was an act of sheer desperation, but really, although I’ve always been joking when I’ve said that, it’s not too far from the truth. If you’re interested in learning why I moved to China and hearing about my experiences here, I hope you’ll stick around.

Desperate Times, Desperate Measures

If you don’t know, I’m Australian but I have spent the majority of the last 14 years living and teaching in the United States. I worked in Los Angeles for 11 years and then in New York City for another 2 before I packed myself and my cat up and went back to Australia. I left the United States for three main reasons – all of which were related to my job. In no particular order, because they were all as problematic for me as each other, I left because of low teacher pay, egregious student behaviour, and the insanely high workload. In short, I was b u r n e d o u t. A lot of Western countries are experiencing a teacher shortage right now, and America is definitely leading the charge. There is a reason why people are fleeing the profession, and most of them are rooted the same reasons that I left the country.

I went back to Australia naively thinking that work was going to be better there. I grew up there and went to school there, and I completed my teacher training in Australia. When I went through my university degree and prac assignments in Victoria, the job was definitely not this. So I returned home with rose-coloured glasses thinking that teaching would be far superior in Australia than the experiences I was having in the United States. Boy, was I ever wrong! While the kids in Australia don’t have guns like they do in the U.S., their attitudes towards education and teachers in general is very reminiscent of what is going on in the U.S, and schools are still places of violence and conflict. I can’t speak for the private system, but all my friends in the public system say the same thing. And honestly, teacher workload in Australia is not lesser than that of the U.S., so I found myself – again - completely stressed out all the time, despite making this huge change that was supposed to better my life. That coupled with the outrageous cost of living in Australia (my god things got really expensive while I was living abroad) prompted a pervasive idea that just would not stop taunting me. The voice inside me kept saying I can’t do this anymore.

And so, it became clear that I had a choice to make: either stop teaching altogether or find somewhere to teach that isn’t going to break me. I did not initially consider China but as I continued to research my options, all roads always lead right here – The People’s Republic of China.

And, to cut a very long story (which I will elaborate on in other posts) short, here I am!

Right Here, Right Now

I’ve been here for 38 days now and it’s been the mother of all whirlwinds, for sure. I had been to China twice before on holidays (one of those holidays was to scope out my city and my school) so it wasn’t like I was coming into the country blind, like so many other foreigners do, but even so, it’s been hard. Very hard. Maybe one of the hardest things I’ve ever done? Probably.

I don’t speak the language very well, despite all the lessons I’ve been taking. Man, nothing tests your skills like absolute immersion and being surrounded by people who don’t speak a lick of your native language. I’m an articulate, educated person and here I’m reduced to a blubbering mess who stumbles and fumbles over sentence fragments, and fragments of fragments! The language is going to take time. A lot of time.

I’ve had many low points, and there were a few days a couple of weeks ago when I was legitimately considering throwing in the towel and going home. But, I am still here, so obviously I didn’t do that. And I’m glad I didn’t because it’s getting easier and all the things I love about China are starting to overshadow all the hard things that make me feel like living here is impossible.

My cat is arriving from Australia on October 11 so we’re here for the longer haul after that. I can’t take him back to Australia from China (I’ll make a post about that later) so we either stay till he dies, or we exit and live in another country for a year before returning home. Don’t worry, I have an exit strategy planned if I need it, I just don’t want to need it, if you get me.

I’ll be blogging about teaching here, my fandom experiences (of which, I’ve already been lucky enough to have some of), travel, and general thoughts and insights on what it’s like to live in China as a foreigner.

I hope you stick around because this place is crazy and I’ve got so much to tell you all. If you’ve got questions, I’m happy to answer them. I'm new to this Tumblr thing so be kind and patient with me while I work it all out!

Till next time, peace.

#china #expat #teaching #travel #expatlife

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dindjarinandlysakane · 2 years ago

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The Sweetest Taste | Chapter 5 - A Chaperone

Din Djarin is happy on Nevarro. He has a home, a family, what more could he want? But when a woman turns up selling bread and cakes at his doorstep, how can he not fall in love? And how can he also stop her from getting hurt at the hands of her partner behind closed doors? Will the hero save the girl and get the girl? Warm and sweet fluff/romance/hurt/comfort fic.

Masterlist

Chapter 5

----

Din Djarin stood, arms folded over his beskar-armoured chest, leaning up against the silver tree beside him.

It was a warm and breezy day, and Din found himself back in the city of Nevarro. He had been checking in with Greef Karga on how things were going. If there was any more trouble, the Manadalorian wanted to know about it.

The pair, along with Grogu, had come out on the streets for a stoll, running into the new Marshal of the city - the former droid IG-11.

A small crowd had gathered around the Marshal, Karga and now Grogu, who seemed elated to see his old droid friend back in action.

The Mandalorian, who hated large gatherings of people, was more than happy to stand on the sidelines and watch as Karga introduced folks to the newly painted droid. IG-11 was today looking particularly shiny, obviously having had a fresh polish and a paint job.

Din, gazing over, gave a weary grunt, rotating his stiff shoulder absent-mindedly.

For the past four days, Din and Grogu had been on Mandalore.

It had been a fleeting visit, more out of curiosity than anything else.

But it had been good to catch up with the progress Bo Katan and the Armorer had been making in getting the planet on its feet.

Din knew that it it would likely take several lifetimes to get Mandalore back to what it once was. But just the idea of having a place where Mandalorians could live and prosper made it all worthwhile.

But as nice as it was to see friends, or travelling through the stars on missions given to him by the New Republic, he now appreciated having a place of his own to call home.

Sleeping in his old Razorcrest had been one thing, with access to a bunk at least. But his N-1 Starfighter didn't have space to even move, let alone lie down. So coming back to a comfortable bed was something Din looked forward to these days.

His entire body ached from the time he had spent over the last few days sleeping awkwardly in a confined space, with Grogu on his lap.

“Are you jealous?” came a sudden familiar voice from Din’s side. Causing the Mandalorian to immediately turn his head… only to come face to face with Lysa Kane, stood there, shoulder to shoulder with him, staring out at the crowd ahead.

Din paused for a long second, eyeing her.

The blonde woman today had her golden hair thrown back over her shoulders, tied back by two thin braids. She wore a long, lilac tunic dress that fell to the floor, and slung over the crook of her elbow was a stiff woven basket.

Din was surprised to see her, but then again, why should he be? This was her city after all.

“Excuse me?” he retorted in a familiar manner.

But Lysa glanced up at him for the first time, quirking an eyebrow in his direction playfully.

“I said, are you jealous?” she said with a nod over towards IG-11, who was stood shaking hands with a small child.

But when Din remained silent, she gave a huge roll of her eyes.

“Of the Marshal’s shiny new armour. I’d say it’s on a par with yours…” she tilted her head staring over at the droid. “...or maybe his just takes the edge.”

At her words, Din let out a snort.

“Mine is beskar armour. His is just metal alloy and durasteel, there's absolutely no competition,” quipped Din.

He was enjoying the recent repertoire between them.

But Lysa just gave a smirk, bumping her hip with his.

“Hmmm you keep telling yourself that, Mandalorian.”

Din couldn't help but chuckle behind his helmet, looking back over to the crowd, ignoring the feeling of his heart beginning to beat a drumbeat inside his ribcage.

“So…you want to walk me to the market?” said Lysa suddenly, giving him another playful nudge, and gesturing with the basket in her hand.

Din looked her way, blinking for a moment. “Why? Do you need a chaperone?”

Lysa gave a smirk. “No. But I do want the company,” she said turning and pacing slowly away, before looking back at him over her shoulder. “Come on, Din Djarin.”

At this Din couldn't help but grin, letting out a faux-tired sigh.

“Fine,” he muttered, as he followed her a few steps.

Glancing over to where Karga was stood beside Grogu and IG-11, the Mandalorian gave a shout.

“You mind keeping an eye on the kid for me?”

Karga immediately looked his way, before his eyes travelled to Lysa, a knowing smile teasing at his lips.

“No problem. He’s enjoying himself. You should do the same,” said the now-High Magistrate in a suggestive tone, causing Din to roll his eyes.

He let out a huff, before falling into step with Lysa, who peered back to Grogu and the others.

“So…” she said gently after they had turned the corner. “Can I ask.....Grogu is your…..son?”

“Yes,” said Din matter-of-factly. “I adopted him recently. But it feels like he’s been in my life for a long time.”

Lysa offered him a smile.

“You’re sweet with him,” she said in a gentle tone. “And I did wonder what the deal was…”

Din looked her way, frowning. “What do you mean?”

But Lysa gave a small shrug, avoiding his eye.

“Well…you know you don't exactly look alike, and I didnt want to offend…” she said quickly with a shake of her head, the tops of her cheeks turning pink. “Interspecies procreation isn't a dirty word anymore…and so I didn't want to presume…”

She trailed off, her cheeks now completely red.

“He’s adopted,” reiterated Din. “There was no procreation involved…well not by me anyway.”

The Mandalorian quickly cleared his throat. Right now he was glad he had his helmet on. because it wasn't only Lysa’s face that had turned red.

“I mean…” Din gave another cough, before giving up all hope of rescuing this conversation.

The pair were silent a few long moments, as they walked down the cobbled winding street together, side by side.

“So you said you were born in Naboo,” Din said conversationally, his heart thudding in his chest. What the hell was wrong him today? “That where you grew up too?”

Lysa gave a slow nod.

“Yes, it was a great place to live,” she said, her voice sounding distant.

“So why did you decide to leave?” asked Din carefully.

He noticed the blonde woman worrying at her lips for a moment before answering.

“My parents died when I was seventeen,” she said in a gentle voice. “There was a fire…in their shop and….well, I didn’t have anything to stick around for after that. So I hitched a lift and went from planet to planet for a while….and then a year ago we arrived here on Nevarro.”

Din stared at her for a long moment, knowing that there was a lot she had missed out of her life story. Lots that she obviously hadn't wanted to detail to Din.

Lysa seemed just a handful of years younger than him and yet that didn't mean she had lived any less of a life than he had.

Din was quiet for a moment pondering whether he should ask his next question. But before he knew it, the words were already spilling from his lips.

“This where you met Crix? Nevarro?”

Din hoped that it was a fairly new relationship and one that would end perhaps as quickly as it had begun.

But to his annoyance Lysa shook her head.

“No,” she said, avoiding Din’s eye, her voice full of something the Manadalorian couldnt quite put his finger on. “We’ve been together about…um….probably about four, maybe five years. Me and him…well we travelled around for a bit and then….well one day Crix decided that we should move here.”

“And you didn't want to?” asked Din, his voice sounding low through his modulator.

Lysa gave a slight shrug.

“Well when we moved here it was a ruin,” she said staring around her. “It wasn't like this.”

The street around them was bustling with people of all shape, size and creed. The buildings in this central part of the city, mostly re-built, standing proud all around them.

Din noticed Lysa stare at the ground for a long few seconds before speaking again.

“Crix was a different guy when I met him,” she explained, sounding as though she had to explain. But her face looked pained and sad. An expression Din had not seen on her before, the woman who, to him, forever exuded warmth and light. “He was so funny and just a great guy to be around. But…it’s like…….travelling around…it’s like places like this have made him bitter, like he realised that not everything in this star system revolves around men like him anymore. The last two planets we stayed on for a while…he struggled to find work. And then to keep a job. He started gambling, falling in with the wrong crowd…”

But Lysa stopped suddenly, almost visibly shaking herself. She blinked a couple of times before reddening again. “...anyway it doesn't matter.” She gave a small almost-masked sigh as they approached the Bazaar, before pursing her lips and carrying on as if her small outburst had never happened. “Ok first thing on my list are warted limes.”

And with that she walked towards a large stall full of fruit, as Din stopped where he was.

He stared after her for a very long moment, watching as she fixed a bright smile onto her face. A smile that had been completely absent just a moment or so ago.

And so, with his eyes on nothing but her, Din followed Lysa over to the stall. The fresh fruit offerings, not the only thing drawing him there.

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

#the mandalorian #din djarin #din grogu #din smut #din fluff #din djarin oc #din djarin reader #mando #manod oc #mando imagine #din djarin fluff #din djarin fic #mandalorian fanfic #din imagine #mando fluff #mando smut

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mcrdvcks · 5 months ago

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Down Bad - Chapter 10

Chapter Summary: The squad decides to go on a mission to Eriadu in order to find out more about Dr. Hemlock, and to get closer to finding Crosshair.

Word Count: 5.8k+

Pairing: Hunter x fem!Jedi Original Character

Notes: i only have one thing to say about this chapter, and it's i'm so sorry.

Series Masterlist - Chapter 9 → Chapter 11

AO3 Link For Chapter

“Echo and I have scoured through Imperial and Republic files, but intel about the Advanced Science Division is limited.” Tech said.

“Do we know where they’re detaining Crosshair and the other clones?” Hunter asked.

“Negative. Their base of operations is unknown.”

“Well, what about their chief scientist?”

“There is even less on Dr. Hemlock, and I was very thorough. He is a ghost.”

“Not quite.” Echo added, coming from the cockpit of the ship. “According to a contact of mine, Hemlock’s set to attend a high-level Imperial summit in two rotations.” He sat down at one of the other consoles in the hallway.

“Where?” Hunter questioned.

“Tarkin’s compound on Eriadu.” Echo said, as Amina grimaced at the reminder of Tarkin, “if we do a covert infiltration, we can plant a homing beacon on Hemlock’s ship and track him to his base.”

“And to Crosshair.” Omega stated.

“Hmm, it won’t be that simple.” Omega turned around to face Hunter as he continued, “we’d be at a tactical disadvantage, and I’m not sure it’s worth the risk.”

“I understand your hesitation.” Tech replied, “we have not always agreed with Crosshair, but he is still our brother. We do not leave our own behind.”

“If there’s a chance to get him back, we have to take it.” Omega chimed in.

“Definitely.” Wrecker agreed.

“What about reinforcements?” Hunter inquired.

Echo stood up from the seat at the console, “well, Rex is on a separate mission, so it’s just us. A small enough team to get in and out without alerting them. But we’ll need to move quickly.”

Hunter looked over to Amina who looked over at him and gave a small nod. “Well then, let’s get started.”

---

“I have identified a suitable location to land outside their sensor range.” Tech stated, as they prepared to jump out of hyperspace.

“How are we bypassing those cruisers?” Hunter asked.

“Using a clearance code Rex and I acquired from one of our contacts.” Echo answered.

“Good to have you back, Echo.” Wrecker chimed in. “Just like old times.”

The Marauder jumped out of hyperspace as Hunter looked over to Wrecker, “Wrecker, man the tail gun. Just in case.”

“You got it.”

“Transmitting clearance codes.” Echo pressed a few buttons on the ship’s dashboard.

“If this doesn’t work, be ready to fly out of here.” Hunter announced, as they waited for the confirmation that they were in the clear.

After a few seconds of silence, the ship’s commlink beeped, “Vessel 1143, you are clear for approach.”

Tech landed the ship on the side of a mountain, with Echo getting off first, “let’s make this quick, before they realize we didn’t land at the base.”

They started to make their way through the trees by the mountain as Omega spoke up, “what kind of approach are we making? A side-wind breach?”

“It worked on Raxus.” Tech replied to Omega.

“It won’t work here.” Echo said in response. “The Empire’s protocols have changed since then.”

Wrecker scoffed, “thanks to us.”

“No tanks and no explosions this time, Wrecker.” Echo scolded.

Wrecker let out a disappointed groan, his shoulders falling forward, “fine.”

Once to the edge of the perimeter, Amina looked up to see the sky rail system that hung over the tops of the mountains.

Hunter brought up his binoculars and looked at the building on top of one of the mountain peaks, “hmm. The compound is heavily fortified.”

“But there’s a weak point in the rail line that we can exploit. We’ll sneak past the sensor and hitch a ride under one of the cars.” Echo said, as he looked at the back of the group.

“You mean hang? Over that?” Omega asked nervously.

“Well, it’s the only way to access the compound unnoticed.” Echo responded.

“Tech, disable the sensor.” Hunter ordered.

“That would trigger an alert. I can temporarily disrupt the feed, but I estimate only 30 seconds for us to clear the zone before it reactivates. We must be precise.” Tech spoke, before everyone turned to look at Wrecker.

“What? I can handle it!”

Echo passed Tech a cable attachment for his blaster, as Hunter used his binoculars to monitor the sensor.

Hunter signaled for Tech to go as he shot the cable and moved up to the top of the sensor. “Stand by.” Tech said through comms.

A rail car was heard as it slowly approached, almost close to their area, “another railcar is approaching.” Hunter said. “Are we set?”

“Not yet.” After a few moments Tech spoke, “the sensor is down. Move in!”

Everyone ran to the edge of the cliff and fired their cables to the side of the car, before grabbing onto some part of the car to hold onto.

“Halfway there.” Echo said.

Wrecker chuckled, “this isn’t so bad.” He looked down before groaning, “never mind.”

When the railcar arrived at the terminal, everyone jumped off on the outside platform. Hunter took out the first trooper and tossed him over the edge. Another trooper shot at him as he dodged the blast, with Echo shooting him down.

He stood by the door and held up a hand, stopping Omega and the rest from moving as another trooper walked out. Hunter shot the stormtrooper as he fell over the edge.

They made their way into the landing and took cover behind one of the storage containers. Hunter pulled out his binoculars and looked at the various ships.

“Which ship is Hemlock’s?” Omega whispered.

“We need to access the hangar manifest from the control room.” Echo spoke quietly.

“Tech, Echo, with me. You three, plant the homing beacon.” Hunter ordered, as him Tech and Echo made their way away from the storage containers.

Amina made a motion with her head, “come on, let’s move to the top of the storage containers.” She said, as Wrecker nodded.

Amina, Omega, and Wrecker poked their heads out from on top, looking out at the floor.

“Found it. Hemlock’s shuttle is at docking lane four.” Tech told them through comms.

“Copy that.” Omega whispered into her comm.

Wrecker pulled out his binoculars and looked out over the docking bay, before handing them to Omega. “That’s Hemlock’s ship. It’s too exposed. How are we supposed to get to it?”

“There’s not enough cover for me, but there is for you.” Wrecker looked over at Omega, “you think you can handle it?”

“Not a problem.” She responded confidently.

“Hmm, good. Here, take the beacon. We’ll keep an eye out.” He handed the beacon to Omega.

Amina put a hand on Omega’s shoulder, “be careful, alright?”

Omega nodded, determination shining in her eyes. "I will. Don't worry, Amina," she replied, her voice steady. "I've got this."

Amina smiled, her heart swelling with pride at Omega's confidence. "I know you do," she said, her tone filled with warmth. "We'll be right here if you need us."

With a reassuring nod, Omega slipped away, jumping down the supply crates as she used a cargo sled for cover, as the trooper walked to put the sled in a different place before walking away.

Omega placed the homing beacon on the shuttle’s landing struts, “okay, the homing beacon is secure.”

“Wait. There’s more troopers heading your way.” Amina told Omega through comms.

Omega moved away from Hemlock’s ship, only to find herself pinned. “I’m pinned down.”

“Stay in position. I’ll divert them.” Echo said through comms to Omega.

Suddenly, a magnetic crane lifted a parked V-wing as it slammed against multiple cargo boxes. The troopers in the cargo bay ran to the crane as Omega moved away, only to be found by a mouse droid.

Amina and Wrecker came over, as he stepped on the mouse droid, destroying it. “Oops.” He said, before shaking his left foot to get the droid off as it hit one of the cargo crates.

---

Amina, Wrecker, and Omega went by the command room to get Echo as they followed the troopers blasting, with Omega shooting one with her energy crossbow and Wrecker throwing a trooper onto two other troopers, knocking them out.

The door behind Hunter and Echo opened as they ran to the rail line and climbed down, avoiding fire from more troopers.

The group got onto the railcar, but it wouldn’t move, “we need an access code.” Tech said.

“I’ll override it.” Echo replied.

Omega stood in the front of the railcar as she shot one of the troopers climbing down the ladder. More troopers made their way into the railcar, but soon, Echo was able to power the car on.

Everyone continued to shoot at the troopers who were on the second car as the lights began to flicker. “We’re losing power!” Echo yelled out.

Amina quickly put her blaster in its holster as she unhooked her lightsaber from her belt.

“What are you doing?” Hunter asked, glancing over at her then back at the few troopers in the other car.

“Taking care of our problem.” She responded. Before Hunter could respond, she turned on her lightsaber, the blue light casting a glow on the car’s walls as she moved through the connecting tunnel, deflecting blaster bolts from the 4 troopers.

She kicked one of the troopers’ chest, before cutting one of the troopers chest plates, before using the force to bring the remaining two troopers together, hitting each other as they collapsed to the floor of the car. Amina quickly turned off her lightsaber and walked to the car the rest of the group was in.

Tech walked to the front of the car, seeing another railcar on the opposite line in front of them. “This is going to be a problem.” They all walked to look out the grated window, looking at the railcar in front of them.

Hunter and Wrecker opened the railcar’s door, looking at the freefall that was below, with nothing to grab onto or stop the fall into oblivion.

“This is not ideal.” Tech observed.

“At least we’re not hanging under the car.” Wrecker added, trying to make the best of their not-so-great situation.

“This isn’t much better.” Omega replied, before a series of blaster shots headed in their direction.

“Echo, get this car moving.” Hunter ordered, as the rest shot back at the troopers on the opposing car.

“The explosions must’ve knocked out power to the rail line.” Echo responded with aggravation.

“I can try to reboot the system, but I will need to plug directly into one of the terminals on the track.” Tech offered.

Hunter looked over at Tech, taking cover behind the wall, “you four, give us cover. Tech, up top with me.”

Tech and Hunter moved to the upper level of the railcar as Hunter gave Tech a boost up to the roof so he could climb onto the track. Hunter opened the door to continue to provide cover fire.

“I am plugged in. Stand by.” Tech said through comms.

Everyone continued to shoot, but very few of the troopers were actually going down, meaning that the group was still outnumbered.

“We’ve got three ships inbound.” Hunter said.

“Where? I can’t see them.” Omega asked, looking out into the cloudy sky.

Soon, the sound of the ships slowly made its way to Amina’s ears. V-wings she believes.

“Tech, we need power.” Hunter exclaimed through comms.

The ships fired a round of shots as the car became unbalanced.

“Echo, now!” Tech said.

“We’re online.” Echo affirmed, as the lights came back on.

Hunter fired a shot on one of the V-wings, causing it to collide into one of the other ships, when the third one flew through the smoke, firing on Tech as he ran across the rail line.

One of the blasts from the ship hit the railcar, causing it to shake as the second car broke off from the rail line as Tech grabbed onto the bottom of the car with his grappling hook.

“Come on, Tech! Hurry!” Wrecker yelled through comms.

“I am climbing as fast as I can.” He replied, grunting from the effort.

One of the troopers fired a shot at the car again, causing it to dip further. “Tech!” Omega cried out.

“Why aren’t we moving?” Hunter asked urgently.

“The car’s being ripped from the track.” Echo responded.

“Wrecker, get him on board.” Hunter ordered.

Amina went to shoot when her blaster did nothing. She smacked it against her hand realizing that somehow it was jammed. Hunter gestured to her with his head, “go help Wrecker.”

Amina nodded, going over to where Wrecker and Omega stood, taking note that the hinges connecting the two carts was almost completely broken.

She reached out with the force, holding her hands in front of her trying to bring the car back up slowly and safely. More shots from incoming V-wings shot the car, causing it to dip again.

“You must sever the connection hinge. Now!” Tech commanded.

“Not until you’re up here.” Wrecker countered.

“There is no time, Wrecker.” Tech grabbed his gun from his holster, “Plan 99.”

She wasn’t familiar with all of the plans, but something about the way Tech said it, and the way Wrecker silently reacted to it told her it wasn’t a safe, or good, plan.

The car dipped again as Wrecker grabbed the cart by two pieces of metal. Amina tried to pull the cart up quicker, but it was hard when everything kept moving, and shots were being fired all around.

She also felt conflict in Tech, before it was replaced with an unwavering sense of decisiveness.

“Don’t you do it, Tech!” Wrecker said, as he tried to pull the car up.

Tech sighed, “when have we ever followed orders?” He fired a shot through the window of the railcar, breaking the hinge.

Wrecker lost his grip as the railcar fell, “no!” He cried out, as Amina fell to the floor as her connection broke.

“Tech!” Omega yelled out, watching as the railcar fell through the sky.

As Amina lay on her stomach, she watched as he fell. The railcar reconnected to the track and sped away. She shakily stood up and wiped a tear in the corner of her eye before it fell down her cheek.

“Omega!” Hunter grabbed her wrist.

“Go back! Go back!” She cried as the car continued to move.

“The car’s going too fast.” Hunter said, moving to Echo.

Echo looked over at him, “the system’s fried. I can’t stop it.”

Everyone looked at the front of the cart as the wall moved closer and closer to them at fast speed. Hunter lunged for Omega as the cart collided and smashed through the wall of the terminal.

---

Amina blinked her eyes, taking in the greyness and the dirt surrounding her. She tried to sit up but found herself too weak.

Mechanical breathing came closer as she looked at black boots next to her head. “A- Anakin.” She whispered, her eyes slowly closing.

A gloved hand traced her cheek, “soon, sister.”

Amina blinked once more, her eyes barely open as she stared into the red tinted lenses and closed her eyes.

---

“Omega!” Hunter yelled, “we have to get her out of here.”

Wrecker picked Omega up, “I got you, kid.”

Hunter looked around, “where’s Amina?”

Blaster shots fired at them, “Incoming! Get to the Marauder.” Echo instructed.

Wrecker walked to the ship carrying Omega as he spotted her form. "I found her!"

Relief washed over Hunter as he ran to where her body was. She was unconscious, her face pale and bruised, but alive.

Hunter rushed to her side, his hands trembling as he gently cradled her in his arms. "Amina," he whispered, his voice choked with emotion. "Wake up."

Amina stirred slightly, her eyelids fluttering open as she groaned in pain. She blinked up at Hunter, her gaze filled with confusion. "Hunter?" she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Yeah, it's me," Hunter said softly, a flood of relief washing over him. "You're safe now."

Amina's eyes widened as the events of the past few minutes came rushing back to her. "The railcar," she whispered, her voice filled with dread. "We fell..." She turned her head slightly before placing her hand on his helmeted cheek, “Anakin was here.” She whispered.

Hunter picked her up, wincing at the pain he felt in his ribs. Her hand fell from his helmet, “he said he was coming for me.” She mumbled, before her head lolled to the side.

---

“Then that’s what we’ll do.”

The first thing she felt was a coldness surround her, invading her body from underneath her skin at a slow, but steady, pace.

Amina tried to sit up, but nearly cried out from the pain as she fell back down onto the small table she was on.

Hunter walked over to her as Omega followed along. He brushed a hand on her cheek, “are you alright?”

She tried to sit up again but didn’t get very far. “I’ve been better.” Amina rubbed her forehead, looking at the bandages around Hunter’s waist.

Before she could ask her question, Hunter answered for her, “AZI said that you had internal bleeding and a cracked hipbone.”

Amina sighed, “cool, I’ve never had internal bleeding before. Most of the time my blood ends up outside my body.”

Omega hovered nearby, her eyes wide with concern, and her cheeks still wet from tears just moments ago. "Do you need anything?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine worry.

“Maybe some water?” She said, as Omega nodded and slowly walked over to the bedside table she was at to grab the container of water.

Hunter traced Amina’s cheek as she sighed into his touch, a soft smile playing on her lips despite the pain etched across her features. The gentle warmth of his hand against her skin was a comforting anchor amidst the chaos and uncertainty surrounding them.

“I’m here, Amina,” Hunter whispered, his voice soft yet filled with a reassuring strength. “We’re all here for you.”

Amina’s eyes met his, gratitude and affection shining in their depths. “I know,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m just glad we made it out alive.”

Hunter’s gaze softened, his thumb caressing her cheek tenderly. “Me too,” he admitted, his voice tinged with relief. “I couldn’t bear the thought of losing you.”

A faint blush dusted Amina’s cheeks as she reached up to cover his hand with her own. “You won’t lose me,” she promised, her voice steady despite the lingering pain. “I’m not going anywhere.” He leaned in and gave her a soft kiss before pulling away.

Omega returned with a container of water, her expression a mix of concern and relief as she handed it to Amina. “Here,” she said, her voice gentle. “Drink slo- ”

Wrecker shouting and blaster fire cut Omega off, as Hunter helped Amina stand up. Two troopers came to stand in front of the door as Hunter shot the door control panel to keep it shut.

“What’s happening?” Omega asked.

“It’s the Empire.” Hunter pulled away a crate from the floor, “take the mining tunnels to the spaceport and find Echo.” He grabbed Omega’s energy crossbow and pushed her to the trapdoor, “we’ll get Wrecker.”

“But you’re both injured. You can’t fight them alone.”

Hunter opened the trapdoor, “Omega, you and AZI need to go. That’s an order!” He handed Omega her crossbow as she put it on her back.

Omega looked over at Amina, who kneeled down and kissed the top of her head, “go, Omega.” Amina said, as Omega started to slowly climb down, the trapdoor closing behind her.

They walked to the door as Hunter blasted it open, knocking out the two troopers as they walked into the main part of Cid’s parlor, with Hunter holding his pistol, and Amina holding her lightsaber in front of her, the blue light glowing brightly.

Wrecker was tied up and in a kneeled position surrounded by troopers as Dr. Hemlock moved in front of him.

Hunter and Amina walked a few steps further as the trooper’s blasters clicked.

“That’s not very strategic, Hunter. You don’t need to use your enhanced senses to know you’re outnumbered.” Hemlock said, quietly but confidently. He turned to his left, holding a small box, “the Empire thanks you for your assistance.”

And once again, this is why Amina has never trusted a Trandoshan.

Cid walked out and grabbed the box, looking over at Hunter and Amina with a guilt-ridden expression. “Our business is done. Leave.” Hemlock stated to Cid, as she slowly walked away. “Please, consider your next move very carefully. I would hate for this to end poorly for the three of you. Here is how this is going to go. You will lower your weapons and hand over Omega. And I will allow you to keep breathing.”

“Omega’s not going anywhere with you.” Hunter growled.

“Oh. Well, who knew clones are so paternal? Fascinating. I was saddened to learn of your friend’s demise. What was his name? Oh, yes. Tech.” One of the troopers handed Hemlock something as he held it in his hands.

Tech’s goggles.

No. He can’t be dead. He can’t be.

She could’ve done more, could’ve tried pulling him up using the force instead of focusing on the hinge connecting the carts.

She should’ve been the one to reboot the system, to run across the top of the tracks instead of him.

She could’ve hijacked one of the V-wings and shot down the other two.

She could’ve done more.

Amina took a shaky deep breath in, as Hemlock continued, “I’m afraid this was all I could salvage. Consider it a gift.” He threw the goggles to the floor in front of Hunter’s feet. Hunter and Amina stayed quiet.

“To lose one of your own, it must weigh heavily on you as their leader.” Two troopers nudged Wrecker in his back, “and if you don’t lower the blaster now, you will lose yet another.”

Hunter looked over at Wrecker who shook his head slightly, before holding his hands up and slowly lowering his blaster, picking up Tech’s goggles.

Hemlock's smirk sent a chill down Amina's spine, his smug demeanor a stark contrast to the gravity of their situation. She clenched her jaw, her gaze unwavering as she met his cold stare head-on. “That goes for you too, Skywalker. The Emperor will be pleased to know you are in my custody.”

She thought back to what Yoda told her, “powerful, you are, Amina Skywalker. Strong in the Force, like your brother before you."

Amina shook her head, “I’d rather die than let the Emperor get his hands on me.” She spoke quietly.

“Perhaps.” Hemlock said, signaling his troopers to move over to Hunter and Amina, as they cuffed him. “But you do not have a choice. Hand over your lightsaber and stand down.”

Amina looked at Wrecker in front of her and then at Hunter beside her. She closed her eyes and turned off her lightsaber, as one of the troopers grabbed it and cuffed her using force suppressing cuffs.

A trooper ran into the room, “sir, the girl’s not in the office.”

“She’s long gone.” Hunter spoke as him and Amina now stood by Wrecker in the front of the room. “Like I said, Omega’s not going anywhere with you.”

Hemlock hummed, “we’ll see.” The three of them were escorted out of the parlor and outside into the streets of Ord Mantell.

As they walked down the streets of Ord Mantell, where people were running around, and AT-AT walkers roamed around.

A series of shots halted Hemlock and the troopers from moving, as they turned in the direction of the blaster fire. It was Omega.

“Lower your weapons.” Hemlock ordered, “hello, Omega. We were just talking about you.”

“Let them go!”

“Omega, run!” Hunter yelled, as a trooper wrapped an arm around his neck, keeping him from moving away.

“I won’t let them take you.”

“How about an exchange?” Hemlock said, as Omega looked at Wrecker, Hunter, and Amina, as Hunter shook his head ‘no’. “If you come with me, your friends will live.”

“I don’t believe you.” Omega replied.

“I did not come here for them, Omega. I came to return you to Nala Se. She needs your help.”

“He’s lying. They killed the Kaminoans.” Hunter opposed.

“Incorrect. Nala Se is alive and well cared for. As you will be.”

“I’m not going with you.” Omega said, as Hemlock raised an eyebrow.

Amina saw the trooper coming behind Omega, “Omega, look out!” She shouted, but the trooper stun blasted her before Omega could fight back.

Troopers pressed a blaster to Hunter’s face and Amina and Wrecker’s body, “scour the city. When you find the third clone, send them back to Eriadu. Governor Tarkin wishes to question you personally.” Hemlock turned his gaze to Amina, “and as for you… someone will come soon to take you to Coruscant. The Emperor wishes to speak to you.”

Amina’s heart sank as the troopers led the three of them to a shuttle; she felt as though there was more to his words than he was letting on. And the coldness around her only has been getting stronger and more persistent.

Blaster fire and explosions sounded out as a walker came rounding the corner, its aim directed to the Imperials.

“Echo?” Wrecker questioned.

“Gotta be Echo.” Hunter said.

Wrecker broke his cuffs on the top of his knee as Hunter kicked a clone behind him. Wrecker quickly undid Hunter’s handcuffs as Amina walked to the trooper Hunter kicked down, grabbing her lightsaber from his belt and cutting her handcuffs, the force coming back to her in hurried waves.

Amina ran to the troopers who were shooting at the walker and cut them down, as another walker came up behind Echo’s and shot it down. Echo jumped out followed by AZI.

“Where’s Omega?” Echo asked.

“That Imperial took her.” Wrecker answered.

“It was Hemlock. We’ve gotta stop his shuttle from leaving.” Amina walked around the building as her heart dropped even further.

Amina ran on the ground, stopping at the top of the small hill as she watched Obi-Wan cut off Anakin’s legs and one of his arms.

She just stood there, her mouth open but unable to form any words or sounds as her brother lay close to the lava’s shore.

Anakin screamed in pain as Obi-Wan turned off his lightsaber. She watched as Anakin’s vibrant blue eyes turned yellow. He glanced up at her before turning his gaze to Obi-Wan as he shouted.

“You were the chosen one! It was said that you would destroy the Sith, not join them! Bring balance to the Force, not leave it in darkness!” Obi-Wan yelled, his voice hoarse, desperate, and full of despair.

Obi-Wan picked up Anakin’s lightsaber and walked up the small hill. “I hate you!” Anakin yelled, pure rage coating his voice.

“You were my brother, Anakin. I loved you.” Obi-Wan’s voice broke as he watched Anakin slip further down the hill, until one of his legs caught on fire, causing his entire body to burn. Anakin screamed in pain as Obi-Wan watched before finally tearing his gaze away and walked over to Amina.

Her brother was burning, screaming in pain. How could she just stand by and watch?

Amina took a few steps down the hill, her heart wrenching as tears streamed down her face. Obi-Wan's arms encircled her waist, holding her back from the horrific sight of her brother burning in agony. She struggled against his grip, her voice choked with grief and despair. "Anakin!" she cried out, her entire being filled with anguish.

"No, Amina," he murmured, his voice choked with sorrow. "You can't go down there."

Tears continued to blur Amina's vision as she struggled against Obi-Wan's hold, her body trembling with a mix of fear and anguish. "Let me go," she pleaded, her voice hoarse with emotion. "I have to help him."

Obi-Wan's grip tightened, his voice firm yet filled with empathy. "It's too late, Amina. There's nothing we can do."

Amina watched as Anakin reached out a hand at the bottom of the hill as she continued to struggle against Obi-Wan’s hold, "Ani!" she cried out again, desperation thick in her voice. The sight of her brother burning, consumed by flames and darkness, tore at her soul. Every fiber of her being screamed to rush down that hill, to reach out and save him, but Obi-Wan's grip was firm, unyielding.

Obi-Wan's voice was pained yet resolute. "Amina, you can't go down there. It's too late."

"No!" she sobbed, her anguish echoing through the desolate landscape. "I have to help him!"

“Amina, we have to go.” Obi-Wan said firmly.

Amina stopped fighting his grip as he let her turn around to face him. She hit his chest, “we have to do something- there h- has to be something we can do Obi-Wan!”

Obi-Wan gathered her in his arms, pulling her into a hug as she sobbed into his tattered tunic, “there’s nothing we can do, Amina. Anakin is gone. We need to go before it’s too late.”

He knew how difficult this was for her, she had known Anakin all her life. The only other person who shared that honor was Shmi and she was dead as well.

He couldn’t help but feel more pain as he remembered a hidden truth, knowing that he was keeping a secret from her that Master Yoda told him to.

It was never supposed to be him that fought Anakin, it was supposed to be her.

She was only nineteen, he thought, and she’d lost everything.

There he was, her brother, in all his glory, followed by a group of stormtroopers. The coldness. Of course. He had finally come for her.

Hunter heard Amina’s heart rate pick up and her breathing become hurried as he, Wrecker, and Echo turned to face what Amina was looking at, their blasters pointing at Vader.

Amina took a step forward, her gaze locked with Vader's imposing figure. Despite the mask that obscured his face, she could feel his intense stare piercing through her, a silent reminder of the bond they shared as siblings.

"Anakin," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath, laced with a mixture of anguish and longing. In that moment, she couldn't help but yearn for the brother she had once known, the kind-hearted young Jedi who had been her closest confidant and ally.

Vader pointed at her, “grab her.” He ordered, as he used the Force to grab her lightsaber from her grasp.

Hunter raised his blaster at Vader as Amina shook her head, “no, please. I don’t want to go.” She cried out in a hushed tone.

Troopers grabbed her by her arms, cuffing her once again in force suppressing cuffs, dragging her to Vader. Before Hunter, Wrecker, and Echo could shoot, Amina turned her head towards them, shaking her head no.

“Go!” She yelled. Hunter shook his head back at her as she continued, “go! Get Omega! Go, Hunter!”

Amina's plea echoed in his ears, urging him to go, to prioritize Omega's safety over her own. Hunter's grip tightened on his blaster, his jaw clenched in determination. He knew he couldn't leave Amina in Vader's clutches, but he also couldn't abandon Omega to the mercy of the Empire.

“Go!” Amina yelled again, as the troopers dragged her away, Vader leading the way.

Wrecker and Echo exchanged a glance, their expressions mirroring Hunter's internal struggle. They understood the gravity of the situation, the impossible choice that lay before them. But they were soldiers, bred for battle, trained to follow orders even in the face of overwhelming odds.

"We can't just leave her," Wrecker grumbled, his voice tinged with frustration as he glanced back at Amina, her form surrounded by stormtroopers.

Echo nodded in agreement, his gaze fixed on Vader's imposing figure. "We need to find a way to get them both out of there," he said, his tone resolute.

Hunter took a deep breath, his mind racing as he surveyed their surroundings. They were outnumbered and outgunned, facing off against one of the most powerful beings in the galaxy. But they were also soldiers, brothers-in-arms bound by loyalty and friendship.

"We stick to the plan," Hunter said, his voice firm as he met Wrecker and Echo's gaze. "We get Omega back, and then we come back for Amina."

Wrecker nodded, his expression grim but determined. "Copy that, boss," he said, his hand tightening around his blaster.

Echo glanced at Hunter, his eyes betraying a hint of worry. "Are you sure about this?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.

Hunter met Echo's gaze, his jaw set in determination. "We don't leave anyone behind," he said, his voice steady despite the turmoil raging within him. "Not on my watch."

---

Amina was shoved onto the shuttle and put into a seat, with the harness locking her in.

As the shuttle's engines hummed to life, Amina's heart pounded with a mixture of fear and uncertainty. She stole a glance out the viewport, watching as the familiar streets of Ord Mantell faded into the distance, replaced by the vast expanse of space stretching out before her.

Vader dismissed the troopers as he moved to stand in front of Amina, his gloved hand tracing her cheek.

Amina flinched at his touch, it felt vastly different from when Anakin would do it to her to calm her down or comfort her.

"You have grown," Vader rumbled, his voice deep and resonant, tinged with a hint of something that sounded almost like regret. "But you still possess that Skywalker stubbornness."

Amina clenched her jaw, refusing to let fear show on her face. "What do you want?" she demanded, her voice steady despite the turmoil raging within her.

Vader's gaze bore into her, his eyes hidden behind the red-tinted lenses of his mask. "You," he replied simply, his voice devoid of emotion. "The Emperor wishes to speak with you."

Amina's heart sank at his words, the weight of their implications pressing down on her like a suffocating weight. She knew what awaited her on Coruscant, knew the fate that awaited her at the hands of the Emperor. And yet, she couldn't bring herself to give in to despair.

"I won't go willingly," she said defiantly, her voice tinged with a steely resolve. "You'll have to drag me kicking and screaming if you want to take me to him."

Vader regarded her with a silent intensity, his masked gaze unwavering. "So be it," he said finally, his voice carrying a note of finality.

She felt tears well up in her eyes. How could her brother willingly hand her over to the Emperor, a man who will probably abuse her and use her for whatever he wants.

A tear rolled down her face as the blue and white lights of hyperspace lit up the black shuttle.

---

“There was no way to track Hemlock’s or Vader’s ship.” Echo spoke sadly from the cockpit, while Hunter and Wrecker sat in the hallway by the consoles. “They could’ve taken them anywhere.”

Hunter looked at the gun turret, Omega’s doll sitting in front. He sighed, “we are going to get them back. And we don’t stop searching until we do.”

tags: @callsign-denmark

#tbb hunter #tbb hunter x oc #tbb hunter x reader #tbb hunter x you #tbb hunter x fem!jedi #the bad batch #the bad batch fanfiction #sergeant hunter x oc #sergeant hunter x reader #hunter tbb x oc #tbb hunter x amina skywalker

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