#captain howzer fanfiction

[thecoffeelorian]

Reposting this picture in the hopes of gaining more reach for Chapter 8 of my fanfiction.

Masterlist can be found Here or Here (AO3 login required).

[sinfulsalutations]

𝕜𝕚𝕟𝕜𝕥𝕠𝕓𝕖𝕣 𝕕𝕒𝕪 𝕠𝕟𝕖 ⋆*･ﾟ 𝕣𝕠𝕝𝕖𝕡𝕝𝕒𝕪 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕔𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕒𝕚𝕟 𝕙𝕠𝕨𝕫𝕖𝕣

⋆ ★ ᴋɪɴᴋᴛᴏʙᴇʀ 2023 ʟɪɴᴇᴜᴘ

➼ ᴘᴀɪʀɪɴɢ ☆ ᴄᴀᴘᴛᴀɪɴ ʜᴏᴡᴢᴇʀ x ꜰ!ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ

➼ ᴄᴏɴᴛᴇɴᴛ ☆ ʜᴏᴡᴢᴇʀ ɪꜱ ʏᴏᴜʀ ɢᴏᴏᴅ ʙᴏʏ, ʜᴏɴᴇꜱᴛʟʏ ɴᴏ ʀᴇᴀʟ ꜱᴍᴜᴛ ɪɴ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴍʏ ʙᴀᴅ, ꜱᴛᴇᴀᴍɪɴᴇꜱꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ʀɪᴅɪᴄᴜʟᴏᴜꜱʟʏ ᴛᴇᴅɪᴏᴜꜱ ʏᴇᴛ ꜱᴇxʏ ꜰᴏʀᴇᴘʟᴀʏ

⋆ ★ ꜱᴛᴀʀᴛɪɴɢ ᴏꜰꜰ ᴡɪᴛʜ, ᴡᴇʟʟ, ɴᴏ ʀᴇᴀʟ ꜱᴍᴜᴛ, ʙᴜᴛ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʜᴀᴅ ᴍᴇ ʙʟᴜꜱʜɪɴɢ ꜰᴜʀɪᴏᴜꜱʟʏ ᴡʜɪʟᴇ ᴡʀɪᴛɪɴɢ. ᴇɴᴊᴏʏ :)

➼ ᴛʜɪꜱ ꜰɪᴄ ᴄᴏɴᴛᴀɪɴꜱ ɴꜱꜰᴡ ᴄᴏɴᴛᴇɴᴛ. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ ɴᴏᴛ 18+ ᴅɴɪ

⋆ ★ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴏɴ ᴀᴏ3 ⋆*･ﾟ ᴛᴀɢʟɪꜱᴛ ꜰᴏʀᴍ

“What would you like me to do for you?”

You turn your head, fixing your posture as you gaze at your boyfriend across the room. He’s dressed handsomely to the nines; the black uniform shines like patent leather, silver buttons catching the light like metalwork in a museum. His white waistcoat and dress shirt peek out from beneath, hugging his form and frame most enticingly. His hands folded at his front, gloved in white, curl slowly, stretching out his knuckles as if he were preparing himself. Everything about him is pure grace and gift, something you're so thankful to lay hungry, salacious eyes upon. You lean an elbow on your armrest, taking long and thoughtful libations of his appearance. Then, you think about what he asks you.

You don’t take long. Those few words provide all you need to know. It’s a part of your secret language, how you communicate while playing characters. It’s how you know Howzer is ready to serve you as your obedient butler tonight.

“That’s a good question,” You say, smiling coyly. You spin yourself in your chair and cross your legs, casually comprising yourself into a pretty glass of water for him to drink. “I’m not sure yet.”

Howzer nods curtly, swiping his covered palms against each other as he looks at your positioning by the vanity. He’s endlessly patient, this man; especially when tasked like this to serve. You adore it.

“I’ve cleaned the sitting room and the kitchen,” He informs, and you grin in approval. “I also folded all of the laundry.”

“Thank you,” You twirl a strand of hair between a finger and bite your lip as he inches closer. You tantalize and tease the other in your little game of cat and mouse as Howzer anticipates your next move, eager and curious to see what you have in mind.

“It’s simply my job, my lady.”

Your core tingles and your spine shivers in thrill.

“Of course,” You fake correct yourself. Howzer takes another step closer. You uncross your legs and smooth out the skirt of your dress. “If you have nothing else to do…”

Perking up, he watches your tongue swipe against your bottom lip and get tugged between your top teeth.

“Yes?” He waits for you to finish your sentence.

“Would you take off my shoes for me?” You lift a leg and point your toes in his direction with a raised eyebrow. It’s hard not to smirk.

You don’t expect him to comply so quickly. He drops to his knees and crawls toward you almost immediately.

He takes off your shoes, his peripheral vision guiding him as he keeps eye contact with you.

When both are off, Howzer slides a gentle palm up and down your right shin. You bite your lip.

“Good job.” 

The praise heats his cheeks.

“Of course.”

Howzer places your shoes on the floor, sliding off your socks with it, but his eyes are zeroed in on your exposed skin above, your legs set only a little spread. Not enough for him to fit his head between them, but certainly enough to get a good look.

He hisses. Crest of his chin dipping down, the motion is almost like he’s bowing to his high commander, keen to obey. He purses his lips and plants a firm, long kiss on the side of your calf. His eyes remain shut as he trails his mouth up and kisses the very beginning of your inner thigh.

You hum, patting his head and running your fingers through his soft hair in a soothing, overly doting manner.

“I think you’re a little distracted, Howzer,” you tell him with a fake frown.

“I’m sorry.” At least the apology seems profuse. “How would you like me to serve you, my lady?”

You pretend to take your time thinking thoughtfully over what you want him to do. But you already know. You spread your legs further.

“Slide my panties off…” Humming softly as he runs his hands on the outside of your thighs, slipping past your skirt and hovering over the waistband of your panties. You lean in further, nipping at his ear while one hand cradles his jaw. “...and eat.”

Something of a groan leaves his throat. His next words are barely a whisper, muttered against your skin when he leans in to finally get his fill, fulfill your request.

“As you wish…”

ragu list: @starstofillmydream @pb-jellybeans @corrieguards @badbatchbabe @ladytano420 @jediknightjana @sleepycreativewriter @shinyshayminflower @secondaryrealm @nobody-expects-the-inquisitorius @meshlaxbunny @followthepurrgil @wolffegirlsunite @starrylothcat @sev-on-kamino @aconstructofamind @padawancat97 @littlemissmanga @starqueensthings @anxiouspineapple99 @freesia-writes @wings-and-beskar @clio3kantarella @secretthegriffin @idontgetanysleep @523rdrebel @dystopicjumpsuit @mandos-mind-trick @sunshinesdaydream @clonemedickix @andrakass2 @jesjestraverse @crosshairlovebot @wizardofrozz @ladyzirkonia @multi-fan-dom-madness @moonlightwarriorqueen @eyeluvmusic21 @mythical-illustrator @imarvelatthestars

[clone-anon]

Hello Clone-Anon! I'm a taller person, like almost as tall as a clone, maybe an inch short. So often I see stories with readers where they are looking up at the clones. But I wouldn't need to except for Wrecker, Tech, or Cross. But I find Howzer to be so fine and was wondering if you could write him with a tall reader who feels out of place because they're tall. Thank you and no rush

I know for a fact you aren't alone! Lots of love to all the tall readers out there! Also, I think I'll start using gifs in my posts when I make them, if I can remember. Might give some people a quicker view of who to expect.

The moment you walked onto the patio, Howzer couldn't stop watching you and you knew it. You immediately felt his gaze and for a brief moment assumed he was simply another person gawking at your height. Next to your average height friends, you always stood out. You didn't want to stare back at him, but did take notice of his features. It didn't take long for you to realize that he was a gentleman, not a gawker.

Howzer had never been on Pabu before, but Echo convinced him to come stay for a bit. He was sitting along the bar of the outdoor patio, shaded by some beautiful trees and laughing at a joke his brothers told when your group walked over. Your friend knew one of his brothers and the group got talking. One thing led to another and you found yourself on a date with him. Then another and another.

He took you dancing one evening, thinking he wanted to learn something and hold you close. He looked a little unsure when the dance instructor pulled him aside to show him what to do by example, but he went along with it. You were both exhausted by the time he took you home.

"Come in," you said almost breathlessly.

"Alright," he replied.

You stood in the middle of your living room and he took you in his arms. He moved back and forth to music that wasn't there. You rested your head on his shoulder and buried your face in his neck.

"I had so much fun with you," he said. "I don't want it to end."

"I was all legs," you replied.

"Oh, but I love your legs," he said, heat coming to both your faces at the admission. "They're part of you."

You pulled away a bit and looked in his eyes. You almost weren't sure how to handle his sincerity.

"Look." He leaned forward an inch and kissed your lips. "See? Right there. Face to face with me. I could study your features and kiss you all night."

You grinned at him and ran your thumb along his cheek bone. His eyes had such depth of emotion and you felt lucky. You felt seen and felt good about it. There was a comfort in his eyes being the ones watching you.

"I could say the same," you replied, running a hand through his hair and kissing him back.

[rex-meshla]

Clones I wish got more attention in fanfiction...

Captain Howzer | Commander Keeli | Commander Bly | Commander Colt

*btw, you can find my Howzer and Colt fics here x

[orangez3st]

Requested by @neverrrrrrrmind Hi Zest! I'm so glad you finally opened up fic requests because I have one I think you'll enjoy (cue L. Rex lol). Rex x reader (your pick. m/f/gn!) talking stage, third date, but it's karking awkward because Rex just isn't used to how forward the reader is. Thanks!

Had A Feeling That I Belonged

Captain Rex × GN!Reader 

✧ Summary: Your third date with Rex finally goes somewhere.

✧ Tags & Warnings: fluff, very soft, words of affirmation, first kiss, awkward(ish) third date per request (or more like on the way to said date), talking stage, L Rex, this turns sweet real quick, i mean it when i said this is soft, there's a surprise cameo in the beginning lol

✧ Word Count: 4.5k

✧ A/N: The ask was gone -_- but fortunately I screenshot it! And it's been a while since I wrote Rex 😮. Thank you for the request, vod—this was fun to write and I hope you like it! Listen mate I've never had talking stages because I've been dating my own friends, so apologies if this one's not coming out as one (and I never had awkward dates ever and I feel like this is kinda self-insert).

Masterlist | Read on AO3

𝑯𝒂𝒅 𝒂 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑰 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒐𝒏𝒆

— Fast Car - Tracy Chapman [X]

Rex looks around the platform. The area of the front gates to the GAR Headquarters compound are packed with fellow brothers on shore leave—some still either fully-kitted or half, some others adorning their sharp grey leave attire already. And tonight, he's one of the latter. His captain rank insignia and black boots polished, Rex clutches his hat close, the heat spots on his skin emitting Midnight Gauntlet that permeates the air around him and close.

The shuttle that carried him here along with other troopers from Force knows what battalion lets out a zuungg noise as it zips back its path, returning to its nation inside the establishment.

Coruscanti sun is merely inches away from kissing the unseen, skyscraper-covered horizon, and it's just like you've said in your messages before you tossed your entire bucket list in his face; Means more time for us!

“Rex?”

The 501st officer turns to the direction of the voice calling his name. His dark eyebrows rise nearly to his hairline as his attention focuses on another clone. Sick haircut that became the natborn GAR barber’s pride and glory and joy, teal markings on white plastoid and entirely on captain's single pauldron.

“Howzer,” Rex says, lips splitting into a wide smile. “Good to see you, ner vod.”

“And you,” Howzer grins, patting Rex in the back a couple of times as they trade a brief embrace in greeting. Before pulling away, Howzer sniffs. “Damn vod, you smell too good for a busy legion captain.”

Rex lets out a laugh. “What can I say? It's shore leave.”

“Yeah but I don't see your men anywhere near you.” Howzer rests his fists against his hips as he scans the vicinity. His warm amber eyes that mirror Rex's own return to him, scanning him up and down with curiosity. Then, it clicks. Broad grin, eyes sparking with mirth. “You sly son of a gundark. You going on a date?”

“Heh. You're probably the last one to know.”

“Am not. Unlike you, I read the group chat. Cody blasted about your first date gone awry. And I’m off-world. Some of us are stationed out there, y'know.”

Rex visibly grimaces at the mention of the first date with you. Something that involved him falling asleep on you in the movie theater because he didn't say the action genre bores him. Cody got agents (read: Boil and Waxer) to spy on him like the unbearable ori’vod he is. Hence why the group chat knows. It was a loud and repetitive talk across the week. Rex had to sleep under his own bed hoping to shut the life outside away. It was like his entire quarters could swallow him alive.

“Ah, uh, well…”

Howzer barks a laugh. “Udesii, vod. Absolutely no need to be embarrassed! You've never dated before—it’s fair! It's okay!”

Rex gives him a look. “Did you get that from Cody too?”

“Cody is a reliable source of intel. 100% true, never go wrong. And I like to keep up with the gossip.”

Rex sighs, glancing momentarily at the start of the pickup zone. Still no signs of you, yet. You said you'd pick him up. That's okay—he’ll wait. “So,” he begins, “What are you doing here? Quarterly report?”

“Yeah.” Howzer straightens up a little. “But I wish I could just do this monthly. Ryloth could be unbearable with the weather. I miss Coruscant.”

“Nobody ever said that. Except the patriotic enthusiasts.”

“Whatever, Rex.” Howzer nudges him. “It's the closest thing we could call home after Kamino—oh, would you look at that.”

A sleek sports speeder zips along the lane in the faraway distance, dark windshield catching the remaining sunlight just right and just beautiful. Engine throttling like a beast's vicious growl and music to your ears, you floor it, low to the surface, making all the taxi cabs pale in comparison to your ride and all the clones in the platform gawk at your nearing vehicle.

Rex bites his inner lip, his cheeks heating up. He didn't expect you'd be flashy like this. He knows you own this particular speeder, but he didn't expect you're taking it out for this date. And making a show too. You're blasting confidence—that’s what he exactly likes about you.

And that he's basically showing off he's got quite a partner. That's always a win for him.

The speeder parks just right in front of them, tinted windows staring back almost menacingly. Once it rolls down though, your favorite Huttese heavy metal band—the one with the guttural vocals—blasts through the sound systems with a satisfying amount of bass, your sunglasses-clad face smug and glowing in the dark interior of the car.

You nod in greeting. “Gentlemen.”

Howzer slaps Rex's shoulder while he's grinning at you. “Welcome to Grand Army Lost and Found. Looking for this particular guy right here?” He shakes the other captain who's already sporting a scowl on his face.

You laugh, already growing easy with another presence of clones. The unfamiliar clone is a captain too—you clock his single pauldron. Much like Rex, yet on the other side. “Yeah, he wandered off,” you indulge, taking your glasses and turning the music off altogether. Silence envelops your speeder except for the running engine. You smile up at Rex. “Hey, you. Hope I'm not too late?”

The blond captain shrugs one shoulder, seemingly annoyed that the other guy didn't get it at all. “No,” he tries to smile, “Don't worry about it.”

You grin. “Well hop on then, Captain.”

As Rex ducks in and makes himself comfortable in the passenger seat, Howzer leans down to the window's level, whistling as he scans the speeder interior. “Sweet ride.”

You subtly point at him. “Sweet haircut.”

Howzer flashes a grin, jabbing a thumb at Rex. “Unlike this loser right here.”

Rex lets out a laugh. A defeated one. The one that sounds like You're lucky I respect you as captain to captain, brother. If you'd been Cody, however…

A touch to his arm. He turns to look at your hand landing on his bicep, your thumb rubbing to ease some comfort in him—to ground him. You gimmick a huff. “Fortunately for me I like my men with buzz cuts just fine, Captain…?”

“Howzer,” the teal-marked captain says, “Have a good one, guys. Do I need to leave the you hurt him and we're all coming for you threat per tradition?”

You bark a laugh. “Do you want to? I've had enough of it from the entire command batch.”

Howzer waves you off, flashing one last smile. “Yeah, no need then.” Before leaning away from the window, he pats Rex once on the shoulder. “Take care, ner vod. See ya ‘round.”

“You too.”

Howzer backs away, offering a lazy two-finger salute, his confident gait bringing him to another section of the platform that docked the shuttle to Command Center. Rex lets out a big sigh. While he doesn't mind the other brothers meeting you, he hates the way he puts his guard too much up, as if he doesn't trust either you and his brothers. Kriff. He needs to be better at that.

The tinted window rolls up, jostling him out of his thoughts. He doesn't even realize he's been zoning out, only to be startled when you lay your hand on his, your touch warm and your frown concerned.

“Hey,” you lean into his space, “You feeling okay today?”

The sunlight sparks in your eyes, Rex notices, making it glow with a certain glint of beauty that he hasn't been unable to stop staring into since day one. He tries to smile again. “M’fine. Thanks for asking.”

You take a good look at him, your little smile lopsided. “I don't know,” you say, “You don't seem fine. Was that guy a bit too much?”

“No, he's just like that. I respect him. You know, captain to captain.”

“You're saying he's much cooler.”

“...well, kind of.”

“Cooler than you.”

Rex watches you. But what is he even looking for? Is he jealous?

Your hand remains where it is. His hand remains where it is. Unmoving. He lets you. And he's feeling stupid for not turning it over so your palm meets his, so he can hold your hand. He hasn't found that kind of courage yet. Maybe soon.

“Look, Rex,” you begin, “Only because he's got that sick jaw scar and even sicker haircut doesn't mean I'm fawning all over him.”

The tense in his shoulders melts away. Yeah definitely jealous, he can almost hear Wolffe sneering at him. “I mean I understand if you adore him at first sight,” he says.

“Did you hear yourself?” you scoff, “Why am I even agreeing on a third date then? I could just toss you out and drag him in instead if I wanna take the other guy out. I want you.”

You freeze. Rex freezes.

Huh. Same braincell.

Rex mentally banishes away certainly inappropriate images of you and dropkicks them into the void before it could take form. “Uh, go again?”

You stammer. “Kriff, I mean…” Is it too late to shriek at your own stupidity? “I want this date. With you. You're great. I mean, you're okay. You're…”

“You're great,” Rex firmly declares, the smile on his lips now soft and genuine, “We’re… fit together. Last two dates were great, and I wanted more.” Fierfek, not again. “Dates. More dates. Definitely more dates.”

There's a pause before you both burst out laughing. “We haven't even gone through this one! And, well.” You settle back to your seat. “Do tell me if you want something more.”

It is at that moment that Rex knows he wants to crawl into the darkest hole he can find in your speeder and hide there till the next morning.

You giggle at his practically flaming cheeks. “Stars Rex, you're adorable.”

He chooses his usual out; a single, awkward, slightly dismissive laugh—a plain and light ha ha ha that somehow makes your smile grow even wider. You're enjoying this and he knows. “Would you stop?”

“I don't think so,” you smugly reply, bringing your speeder back up toward the nearest skylane and away from the military compound. “Hey. Seatbelts.”

“Oh shoot, right. Sorry.” Rex scrambles to get it on. “I don't mind music, anyway.”

You acknowledge with a hum, setting the volume low first so you can hear each other talking before turning your systems on again. After a banter on current mood on genre, you let Rex choose a relaxing acoustic album for the evening. Maybe you should set some ground rules for this. Odd number of dates is his decision, even number yours. Yeah, that'd work.

“So um,” Rex starts, staring out the window and watching other speeders zip by, “What's the plan for today?”

You smile. You're happy he's on board with your tendency to wing it—your bucket list is merely formality, a place to write stuff down so you can roulette it at a later date. And not like he knows exactly what activities should be done—he’s never gone out with anyone else before. You're his first, ever, and that's something. It makes you feel… honored.

Rex is a skilled front-line soldier. A clone. Clones intrigue you as opposed to make you feel disgusted. They're humans, so what? They're the same. They deserve to have fun and have relationships. And you're glad your position puts you able to provide Rex with whatever he wants—to make him happy, in a civilian way. Winning the war makes a fulfilled soldier, but fascinating niches in the society and hobbies and outings make a person happy.

“What's your mood today?” you ask instead, glancing at him once in a while, “A sit-and-talk dinner, or bulldozing through a crowd of people for street food?”

Rex raises his eyebrows at you. “We're gonna do dinner again?”

“If you want. And it was lunch, not dinner,” you chuckle, referring to your second date—Corellian buckwheat noodles. You hum, tapping your fingers against the wheel. “Or we can do a mall date, if you want? Grab a bite, get some pearl milk drink that you like, window shopping? I'm all in. I just want the quality time with you, Rex.”

Swear to Force, your straightforwardness always breaks through his tough guard. Maybe he's not as strong as he thought when he agreed to give you a chance. “Me too.” He can feel himself smiling, already thinking about spending time with you, uninterrupted, until curfew. “That actually sounds good.”

“Yeah?” you flash him a grin, “I can think of one perfect for that. I hope you don't mind walking a lot ‘cause it's gigantic. And it's half an hour drive away.”

“Whoa. Okay.”

You hum, setting your nav and swerving to another lane. Coruscant Prime has begun to set after all, a quarter top of it still peeking through the horizon before fully sinking in approximately one minute. The sky has drawn the darkest color of blue and night like blinds, fading inward to a set of pink and orange toward the sun. Realization settles in Rex that he's never really quite seen Coruscanti sunset before, yet sunsets in other planets are absolutely up to debate, no thanks to the skyscrapers.

“How’s work been this week?” Rex decides to ask.

“Oh well, nothing interesting. Meeting here, meeting there. Signing here. Cutting ribbons there. Smiling here, shaking hands there,” you tell him, “Same old stuff that a company heir would do.”

And… well, that's it. He hasn't figured out how in the galaxy you ended up interested in a guy like him. A clone. There's doubts, for sure, every time he stares at himself in the mirror every morning before reaching for his toothbrush. What do you find in him? And in every other moment, he just feels like… this may be good for his part. Beneficial. You've got connections, every single one of them wide, and are interplanetary.

Not that he'd use that, but who knows if the place where he came from needs that kind of intelligence? Only if you allow it, though. You may be open-minded to nearly everything he proposes since you've been welcoming to a new perspective toward life—a perspective from a war soldier himself—but asking for your favor, that kind of favor, must require second, third, tenth thoughts. And that makes him uncomfortable that you'd thought of him that way.

You look comfortable enough with this version of him; a laid back 12-hour-off-duty army captain that indulges you and would follow wherever you take him. Rex isn't sure you'd be comfortable with the other guy; a duty-centric army captain who feels much safer under blaster fire rather than in lavish social situations and lives on strategy and five-cream-two-sugars caf and whatever Skywalker's newest shit is every other day.

“Rex,” you call, not looking away from the traffic in front of you, “You're zoning out again.”

“S-sorry.” He mentally hits himself. “Just thinking.”

“Are you tired? We can hang out somewhere else closer so you can hit the bed early.”

Rex chuckles. “I always hit the bed early.”

“Yeah, that's bizarre of you. But good too. Circadian rhythm and all that.”

“Exactly.”

Silence.

“Um,” you hesitate, glancing over at him, one hand hovering over the nav, “So? Change course?”

“No! No, no need. I'm good,” Rex hurriedly says, gently putting your hand down, “Still up for that mall date. I'm sorry.”

You sigh. Either in relief or exasperation, Rex feels his heart sink anyway, and he hates that feeling. “Okay. Mall it is.”

“I'm really sorry,” Rex tries again, willing to see your smug smile again. He looks down at your hand, still underneath his, and dares himself to gently take it in his. “I’m just… not used to this.”

You let out a chuckle and intertwine your joined fingers together. “Rex, I understand. That's why these dates are for.” His stomach warms again at your reassurance. “You’re not used to all this. You're used to yelling commands and harsh battlefields. Briefing rooms, talking about your next campaign. And you know what? I get it. But you take your time getting used to it, okay?”

Then you bring his hand up to your lips, kissing the back of his hand.

Rex’s breath stutters, warmth crawling up his arm and engulfing his entire body. “O-okay.”

You smile brightly at him, before returning to traffic. “But if something's up with you, you tell me.”

His smile is lopsided. “That I can do.”

“Good,” you grin. “And um, you know what, I'm driving to Uscru. We need some air now. Half an hour drive won't do, I think. Do you mind?”

“Not at all,” Rex shrugs, allowing you to let go of his hand so you'll focus driving instead. A cheeky smile slides into his lips. “But hey, I'm used to abrupt change of plans.”

You laugh, swerving to another lane in the intersection that'll take you to Uscru District. “That's one tendency in war, Captain. Not civvie social thing.”

“It's both, cyar’i—” Fierfek. Rex clears his throat. “It’s both.”

Your glance flicks his way, one eyebrow arching at the unfinished word. “What were you going to say?”

He shifts in the seat. “Nothing.”

“Hey, there was something.” You point your finger at him, your tone playful. “What was that?”

He often overhears Cody on the comm with his lover using the pet name. He can't help but maybe think about you too. How it feels on his tongue—is it right? Would you like a Mando'a pet name? Rex often murmurs the word under his breath, muting his helmet speakers and shutting his internal comm off while doing so. He had his own fight to say it enough in order not to adapt it as a second nature to him, to avoid himself from slipping in the future.

Yeah, well. He failed.

“Rex,” you singsong, “What was that? Please?”

Your hand is on his again, resting on his thigh. Rex nervously fiddles with his hat, and his resolve works against him. “It's a, uh, Mando'a word. Mandalorian tongue.”

“Mandalorian?” you prompt further, “You learned that somewhere else?”

“During training,” Rex goes to explain, sighing in relief that you don't ask for the meaning. “There were elective classes. Our trainers taught us informally, too. We were raised in bits and pieces of Mandalorian culture.”

You hum, taking the information in like a piece of treasure. One hand on the speeder and the other, clenched into a fist, propping your temple. Rex's insides flutter at the enchanting view. “Interesting,” you comment, sounding like a template response to whatever your business partner squawks about. “And what does it mean?”

Kriff. Jinxed it.

“It's uh,” Rex clears his throat again, already praying this moment to end as quick as it had made him slip, “It's a term of endearment.”

The moment it left his lips, your heart surges skyward, warmth filling every space in your chest that you don't know exists. “Really?” you awe, “What's that? ‘Love’?”

Rex slams his head into the headrest, hands covering his face. “No.”

You poke his thigh. He flinches. “‘Darling’?”

Cody you di'kut you better pay for this. “No.”

Your grin widens. The moment you found out that he squirms easily under your teasing game, you love doing just so to him since. “‘Baby’? ‘Cause you kinda are.”

Rex lets out a combination of a— sob? Groan? “Nooo. Stars, stopp…”

Laughing in satisfaction you tug on his sleeve. “Alright, alright. Hey, come on. But I'm not letting this go, you hear me?”

He releases a loud exasperated sigh, hands falling onto his thigh with a slap. “You're as bad as Hardcase. One of my heavy gunners. But you're much worse.”

“Aw, you love me.”

Okay, listen. The only mistake there is is using that phrase, which is said only among friends—completely platonic friends—to your date. A. Romantic. Date. The magic word hasn't been traded yet, but you believe you're building up to it. And both your slip-ups just ruined the entire varping thing. You hold the urge to groan. Or maybe not?

Anyway, you're silent. Your smile gone, but your eyes widen—terrified. And Rex notices that, his mouth has been gaping open since the sentence left your lips. The very lips he suddenly wants to touch with his own, pretty bad.

“I…”

Your eyes meet his. Even for only two seconds, there's intensity that Rex would be glad to drown himself in.

“Sorry,” you grimace, “Too soon?”

Rex is still frozen.

Blinking, you finally remember that your speeder has the goddamn autopilot feature. So at a speed of light you reset your course and switch it on, and fully return your attention to Rex, your speeder gliding on course.

Your hand moves forward to close his jaw. Once it snaps close, you take a deep breath, and let your hand fall to his lap, against his clothed forearm.

Rex breathes in the sight of you—he hasn't had the chance moments ago. 

You make sure to wear his favorite color. Oh, of course you know his favorite color. First meeting; you ask the most basic question in the world of get-to-know-your-soon-to-be-partner. His answer is blue. Maybe it's obvious, but maybe because he can't bring himself to think about any other color. White, perhaps, but he said blue. His markings. You took it to heart, wrote a little mental note and slapped it into the forefront of your brain so you'll always remember, and you do now. You make sure to impress him at first glance, to make him think that you think about him too. Because really, you do.

You're wearing blue today. His favorite color. His color, in fact. The exact shade of 501st.

“I don't wanna rush anything.” You're looking down at your hand in his lap, your voice drawing Rex out of his thoughts.

“It’s fine,” he says, not knowing why he said that.

“Yeah?” You meet his gaze with a teasing smile. “What's fine with you? More dates?”

Hypnotized by the deep pools of your eyes and the way your lips glow in the remaining light, Rex finds himself nodding. “More dates. Definitely. More dates.”

Your chuckle is a pleasant melody in Rex's ears, and brings him to the existence plane entirely. “More dates? We need to label whatever this is with something, eventually.”

“Can't agree more.” He bites back sir. Damn di'kutla habit. “I think… Are we okay? If we want to make this official or something?”

Then you do something unexpected. Or maybe he did expect that. Your smile’s been so wide it eventually blooms into a full laughter that you have to cover your mouth with your fist. Rex's own laugh comes out as a little hesitant—awkward—and his judgement unsure by your reaction. “I don't know how this should've worked,” he says, half-chuckling. Cody better kill me tonight. “Help me? Uh, a little?”

You nod, the remains of your sweet laughter lingering in the air. “Yes Rex, I think we're okay. Are you?”

“Uh huh,” he says, blinking at the way you lean forward and eating the distance between both of you. “I just… wanna see how this goes. Maybe there's something new to explore.”

You grin. “There'll be a lot of something new, Rex.”

First time that evening Rex releases a laugh. Not an awkward, hesitating laugh. Easy, unburdened, takes all the tightness out of his chest. It always feels like that with you (fine he's only been out for a date with you exactly three times BUT there's just something about you that makes him feel safe and constantly aware you're having his back because y'know it's always nice to have someone who actually cares about you).

“Rex.”

And the way his name rolls off your tongue that matches your playful demeanor and sweetness altogether… It's addictive.

“Rex, that was actually the cue if you want to kiss me.”

He blinks. “I—what?”

You nod. “Yeah. I mean, um, if you want. We've never… done. It. Kissing. We've never done it, you know.”

“Wait. Really? I remember we have.”

“Absolutely not. Who's the lucky dude you've been kissing all this time? A Clawdite?”

“Absolutely not,” Rex groans, completely horrified. “Maybe I've been imagining. Um. Things.”

You keep your chuckle low and your smile sweet. “Well, the invitation stands.”

Slowly, with determination burning in his chest, he takes your hand in his, keeping them rest in his lap. He rubs the rough pad of his thumb across your smoother knuckles, still building himself up for the moment, his thoughts running amok. You'd wait. He knows. You're that kind. In the end, his warm brown eyes meet yours, sparkling with newfound joy, for guidance.

“Tell me if I do something wrong?”

Silly worried man. “You won't do anything wrong for your first kiss.” Your smile fades comically as you pause. “Wait. Is it?”

He can't help the spot in the back of his neck that needs scratching somehow. “Um, yeah.”

You lean closer, your smile ever luminous. “Oh I suppose lucky me.”

There's only a little distance between you and Rex already, your breath fanning across his skin, before your lips softly press against one another. Yours are soft, like flower petals, and his tongue catches something sweet. Definitely lip gloss, Rex thinks. It's perfect. It's brief, but there's nothing better when the fire in you finally combusts into something so colorful. All your needs are finally fulfilled and all the greens and flowers in Naboo blossom into their peak beauty during the spring season.

Rex's breath catches—his mind goes through an electroshock and blanks when your lips move against his, nipping at his bottom lip and leaving him wanting for more. You pull away though, and Rex instinctively chases after you, pulling you closer by the hands and mashes his lips against yours once again. This time it lands just slightly off, onto the corner of your lips that it emits chuckles out of you.

Sloppy. But your sweet laughter is worth it. As is the moment you lift your hand away from his grasp to anchor him by the jaw and place a deeper kiss onto his awaiting lips. The touch once again awakes him, turning him fully aware to the moment, chasing after you again when you pull away—and right there, Rex decides he doesn't want to stop chasing you.

“There.” Your voice husky from the kiss, the effect is already stirring something wild and possibly untamed inside him. “You like?”

“Like.” Di'kut that's not the proper answer. “Very much,” he corrects, clearing his throat. “Did I… do it wrong?”

“Not at all. Just need a little adjusting, but it's perfect.” You lean closer teasingly. “Feels like you just need a little more practice.”

“...we still have that date.”

“Right! After the date, then!”

“Oh. Oh. Um, okay.”

Taglist: @yoursrosie @msmeredithrose @hellfiresky @filamentlights @heidnspeak @lucyysthings

[k8s--space]

Ode to the Regs

To us, they were never just clones. They were our heroes, our heartbreak, our favorite lines of dialogue. They mattered in ways no screen time could ever measure– because we saw them deeper than the producers ever intended them to be seen.

Yet– The Empire tossed them aside. The writers forgot them.

Cody walked away from the machine. But the story didn’t follow. Echo left the Batch- the spotlight- because he still had work to do. But the story didn’t follow. Howzer stood tall, defiant in the face of injustice. But the story didn’t follow. Wolffe stayed behind- still in the Empire’s grip when the curtain closed. But the story didn’t follow.

So many threads, left to blow aimlessly in the breeze, Left untied.

Fives never made it to rebellion or retirement. He died in the heart of the Republic he tried to save– a casualty not of failure, but of being too loyal, too loud, too true.

But has his story truly endured? Have the writers carried the weight of his legacy- the truth he died for, the warning he left behind? Or has he been reduced to a footnote- misremembered, misrepresented, and missing from the story- the posters- he helped shape?

Then, there’s Rex. We know he survives, but his survival has not been told. Where is the tale of the choices he made between war and rebellion? Where is the ache of command, the cost of living past your brothers? Where is the conversation with Howzer that turned defiance into a cause? Where is the moment he found Cody? Dead or alive? Where is the night he pulled Wolffe out of the darkness?

It’s a bitter irony. The galaxy discarded them. And now canon does the same.

But even if their names fade from scripts, from screens– We carry them.

In fanworks. In art. In fiction. In whispered ‘stay with me’s and battlefield ghosts. In every story where they still get to matter.

They weren’t built to last. But they will. For us. Read the full version here (AO3).

---

Banner art by @spooky-daggers

Just a much-needed emotional release after the SWC Animation Panel.

[justaparsec94]

Arrival

Summary: When Echo and his crew rush off on a rescue mission you're left behind to wait, hoping to be reunited with the one person in the galaxy that you want to see most.

Pairing: Howzer x Reader

Word Count: 4,812

Author's Note: Inspired by those airport arrival videos and the haircut that Howzer was somehow able to maintain during his time in prison.

****************

You shifted nervously from one foot to the other as you stood on the landing platform, heart racing in your chest. There was a cold, nervous sweat running down your back but at least you had finally stopped pacing. But that was only because you’d realized that you might have been drawing unwanted attention with the pacing, not because you’d felt any less settled. Every few moments you looked up, trying to spot any signs of the familiar ship as your stomach rolled with anxiety. You weren’t sure if you were going to throw up or pass out, but currently, neither option was out of the question. 

They’d been gone for what felt like ages and with each passing moment, despite knowing that these things took time, your anxiety only got worse. Every single horrible ‘what-if’ scenario that had kept you up the night before was now running through your head with nothing to do but wait.

You took a deep breath, trying to distract your mind by counting back from 100 under your breath as you kept your eyes peeled, looking for any sign of The Remora. If everything had gone according to plan, they should be returning any moment. Hopefully, with the one person you wanted to see most in the galaxy on board. 

You’d met Howzer during the war on Ryloth. There had been an instant connection between the two of you but during the war and even after it had ended the two of you had really only ever had a handful of stolen moments together. It hadn’t taken you long though to realize that he was unlike any man you’d ever met before. What you felt for him was different than anything you’d ever felt. He was kind, brave, and loyal to a fault. When you were with him you felt so completely safe, a feeling you had been searching for most of your life. The list of reasons why you’d fallen head over heels for him so quickly was endless. 

The day you found out he’d been arrested was something straight out of one of your nightmares. It had taken you months to find a way off of Ryloth and get in contact with Rex and his crew of rogue clones. With each passing day your fear had grown, the thoughts of all the horrible things The Empire might be doing to him kept you up at night. But even worse was the thought that you might have already been too late to save him. 

You knew Rex and his crew were competent though, you’d seen them in action enough times over the past few weeks to know that if anyone could rescue Howzer it was them. 

As if summoned by your thoughts, Rex suddenly appeared at your side. He didn’t say anything at first but you could see him looking up at the sky out of your peripheral vision. You let out another breath that you’d been holding. You hadn’t known Rex for long but you had instantly liked the former clone Captain. He was stalwart and steady, he rolled with the punches in a way you admired. His calm presence at your side had the anxiety in your stomach settling, but only just. 

“They’ll be fine,” He said finally, breaking the relative silence on the landing platform. You weren’t entirely sure if he meant to reassure you or himself, but you appreciated it either way. 

Your own words were stuck in your throat, so you simply nodded in return, heart beating so quickly that you could feel your pulse racing beneath your skin. 

Finally, the familiar sight of The Remora broke through the hundreds of ships up above. It seemed impossible but your heart rate picked up even more as you watched it slowly lower towards the landing platform. 

Rex gave you a meaningful and reassuring look before he moved away from you, heading towards the ship as its landing gear touched the ground. You stood rooted to the spot, frozen in fear and anticipation of what might be awaiting you when the ramp lowered. If they had failed… if he was already… no, you couldn’t go there. Not right now. The hydraulics of the ship hissed as the door to the ship opened, the ramp lowering as it began to power down. 

You suddenly moved a few steps forward, unconscious of the movement, as Echo came down first. You only just registered him clapping Rex on the shoulder before your gaze returned to the ship. You stopped, fear making your limbs seize once more as Fireball and Nemec exited the ship followed by three other clones dressed in grey and navy prison garb. Your breath caught in your throat at the familiar sight that followed them. Dressed in the same navy prison uniform, was Howzer. 

Your heart was pounding painfully against your rib cage as you watched him walk down the ramp. You couldn’t believe that he was actually here. You’d hoped every single day that you would see him again but now that it was happening it felt like it was all a dream. Even from this distance, you could see he looked different, paler and slimmer than he had been before but still undeniably Howzer. You took a few more steps forward, almost in a daze before another thought had you freezing in place. Would he be happy to see you? You might be undeniably in love with him but you’d never actually said that out loud to him. Maybe you’d over-estimated the depth of the bond you had, misread the words and intimate moments the two of you had shared…

Suddenly, every worried thought that had flooded your mind faded as you watched Howzer’s steps falter on the ramp as his gaze found you. A jolt of electricity shot through you as your eyes connected, every emotion you felt for him rushing up inside of you as he seemed to freeze in place. His warm eyes widened in shock, even from this distance you could see the disbelief on his face. Time seemed to stand still as you looked at him, joy bubbling up inside of you, replacing your earlier disbelief. He was here. He was safe. You hadn’t been too late. 

Howzer finally seemed to unfreeze but you stayed rooted to your spot, everything else that was happening around you faded away as he made his way straight towards you, covering the ground between the two of you in a few purposeful strides. There was only him. There had always only been him. Before you could even think of uttering a greeting his arms were around you, crushing you to his chest so tightly you felt the air leave your lungs. Your eyes burned with tears as you held him back, melting into his embrace. 

“You’re ok,” your voice croaked with emotion, eyes squeezing shut as you held him tightly. You weren’t sure if it was a question or a reassurance to yourself that he was actually there. Tears slid down your face as he cupped the back of your head, pulling you in even closer to him. Everything about him was the same, the lines of his body that had always fit so perfectly with your own, his gentle but reassuring touch, the soft rise and fall of his even breaths. Even his smell was the same, clean with the faintest hint of blaster fire. It was overwhelming to be so close to him after having spent so many nights dreaming of him. You had missed him so much. The ache had been unbearable. Being in his arms again was like coming home, you’d never felt safer. 

“I’m ok,” he finally replied, voice a soft whisper against your ear as his hold on you tightened even more. He swayed slightly, rocking the two of you back in forth as you continued to hold on tightly to one another. You squeezed your eyes shut tightly, burying your face into his neck as a soft sob escaped your mouth. You never wanted to let him go again. He turned his head, planting a soft kiss on your hair, your cheek, anywhere he could reach with how close you were. Your eyes continued to burn with tears as you basked in the feeling of being held and loved by him once more. 

Eventually, he did pull away, but only just enough that he could look at you fully. His hands remained on your waist, a warm and comforting weight. His eyes were wet as they traced your face, the same disbelief that had been present earlier was still there. 

“How are you here?” His voice was rougher than normal, as though he hadn’t used it in ages. 

“Well, someone had to find a way to rescue you,” You teased softly as you lifted your own hands to gently grasp the underside of his forearms. It felt good to touch him, a physical reminder that he was here and not about to disappear at any moment. 

“Without Y/N we wouldn’t have known to look for you specifically on the prisoner lists,” Rex’s voice sounded suddenly, causing both of you to jump slightly. You’d both been so lost in one another that you hadn’t noticed the rest of the clones gathering around. You felt your face flush slightly at the realization that they’d probably witnessed your entire emotional reunion but that feeling was gone in an instant as you looked back at Howzer who was looking at you in astonishment.

“And here I was spending my days in prison planning how I was going to get back to you on Ryloth,” He said with a chuckle. He shook his head slightly in disbelief but the pure joy you could see on his face filled you with happiness. 

“Saved you the trip,” You replied before closing the distance between the two of you once more, wrapping your arms around his waist as you gazed up at him. 

He laughed again, squeezing you tightly, “How did you pull this off?” He looked away from you for a moment to survey the space around them and the small group of clones that had rescued him.

“Well, first I feel like I should say I’m sorry that it took so long,” You said, a wave of guilt washing over you at the thought of all that might have happened while he’d been imprisoned. 

He pulled back slightly, brow furrowing but you continued before he could protest, “It took me a while to find a way off Ryloth. After you were arrested everything became so chaotic, there was so much civil unrest,” Howzer frowned at that, which wasn’t surprising. He loved Ryloth and its people, something that you loved so much about him, and he had worked so hard to protect it. To hear that all of that had essentially been for nothing would be heartbreaking.

“I eventually managed to stow away on an Imperial supply transport. After that I was able to meet up with the clones that helped rescue Cham and Eleni, they put me in contact with Rex,” You explained. You’d lived through a war and most of your life had been spent in conflict, but the last few months had been some of the most stressful you had ever experienced. The stress of not knowing if Howzer was still alive had eaten away at you. 

Sensing your distress, Howzer pulled you close once more, wrapping his arms around you tightly as he pressed his face into your hair, “Thank you,” His voice was so quiet that only you would have been able to hear his words. 

Howzer pulled away from you again after a moment but he seemed unwilling to go far, you could feel the heat radiating off of him, his hand still on your waist. You both finally looked away from one another as Rex and Echo stepped closer. 

“We’ll let you give him the tour,” Rex said to you before he raised a hand to rest it on Howzer’s shoulder, “We’re happy to have you, brother.”

Howzer smiled, “Thanks for the rescue boys.”

Rex clapped him on the shoulder once more before he and Echo moved off, likely to help the other three clones that had been rescued get settled as Gregor, Nemec, and Fireball moved the Remora into the hanger. 

“Come on,” You finally said, reaching down to grab Howzer’s hand with your own, “I’ll give you the grand tour.”

Howzer’s smile widened as he followed along behind you willingly, the weight of his large hand in your own was reassuring as you showed him around the Martez sisters’ garage.

“It’s not much, but it does the job. At least, for now,” You explained to him as you headed back towards where the bunks and the single refresher were. Rex and the others had been talking about finding a new base for a while but so far they didn’t have any leads.  

“It’s definitely an upgrade from an Imperial prison,” he said lightly, but you didn’t miss the dark flash of his eyes. You squeezed his hand in comfortingly as you pointed out the door to the refresher. 

“All we’ve got is a sonic but I figured you might want to use that…” 

He chuckled, “The hair could use a refresh for sure.”

You laughed as he leaned forward to press a quick kiss to your cheek. He was notoriously meticulous about his hair. 

When he leaned back his gaze swept over you once more from head to toe, a mix of both disbelief and relief on his face, “I can’t believe you’re actually here,” He said softly, hazel gaze warm as he squeezed the hand that he was still holding. 

“I can’t believe it either,” You said just as softly, heart thrumming in your chest as you looked up at him. You lifted your free hand to trace the lines of the scar on his face, as you had done what felt like hundreds of times before. He closed his eyes, leaning into your embrace for a moment. 

“Go shower,” You said after a long moment, smiling softly at him as you let your hand fall away from his face, “I’ll wait.”

He took a few steps back, pulling your hand along with him until just the tips of your fingers were still touching. The gesture made you laugh softly before he spoke again, “Don’t disappear on me.”

“Never,” You assured him, giving his fingers one last squeeze before you separated. You watched him until the door of the refresher slid shut behind him before you turned back and headed toward your bunk. It was slightly away from the rest, tucked behind a half wall to give you some sense of privacy. The clones were used to sleeping in close quarters but it had been an adjustment for you after having spent so much of your life alone, so you had appreciated their effort to make you feel more comfortable. Now though, as you sat down on your slightly lumpy mattress, you wondered if you should move it closer to the rest. The idea of being away from Howzer, even if he was just across the room, didn’t sit well in your stomach. You frowned though as the earlier doubtful thoughts that had plagued you returned. Maybe he would prefer the space…

You shook your head, trying to clear your mind of any unwanted insecurities. You sighed as you leaned back against the wall, suddenly feeling so very tired. It was as if all of the worry and sleepless nights had finally caught up to you now that he was safe. A massive weight had lifted off of your shoulders, the relief you felt was astronomical, but the fatigue was an ache deep within your bones. You closed your eyes, tipping your head back against the wall as you took a few deep breaths, trying to rid yourself of any remaining tension. Howzer was safe. You were safe. Tomorrow might bring a whole new set of problems, but for today you were together again and that was all that mattered. 

“Bored already?” Your eyes popped open once more as the mattress dipped and Howzer’s voice broke through the sleepy fog you had been quickly falling into. 

You smiled at him softly as he climbed onto the bed, leaning against the wall as he angled himself towards you. Somehow he looked better already. The prison uniform was gone, replaced by a standard set of blacks that highlighted the weight he’d lost. But his warm eyes seemed brighter, his skin less pale. His hair was clean and meticulous as always. Your memory hadn’t served him fully, he was so handsome. Your heart ached just looking at him. 

You shook your head, focusing on his earlier teasing question, “No, it’s just…It’s been a….” You paused though, completely unsure of how to describe the last few months. Honestly, the last few years. You couldn’t remember the last time you’d truly felt at peace. Likely long before the war had begun. 

Howzer’s answering chuckle was soft, “Yeah, you can say that again.” 

You turned yourself slightly so that you were facing him, knees bumping against his own as you instinctually reached out to place a hand on his arm. Anyone else might have missed the dark undercurrent in his tone, but you knew him better than that. 

“Are you ok?” You asked softly. You didn’t want to push him, but at the same time, you wanted him to know that you were there for him. No matter how dark things may be.

Howzer chuckled again before shrugging his shoulders, “It wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle.”

You raised a brow at him questioningly as you gently squeezed his bicep, "You don’t have to lie to me.”

“I’m not,” He smiled slightly, the warmth from earlier returning to his eyes, “It wasn’t fun but I swear I’m ok." 

You looked at him for a long moment, studying the lines on his face and trying to find any sign that he was hiding something from you. But his expression was relaxed once more, if there was anything it was buried deep. 

“Well, if you ever want to talk about it…” You started. 

“I know exactly who to go to,” He finished before he lifted his hand to wrap around your wrist, “C’mere.” 

He didn’t even leave you a moment to protest before he was tugging you towards him, pulling you both down onto the mattress. His warmth immediately seeped into you as he wrapped his arms around you, your body lining up perfectly with the lines of his own as you laid on top of him. The list of things you loved about him was endless, but moments like this one, being wrapped up safely in his arms were definitely near the top of the list. 

You let your head rest against his chest, the steady sound of his heart in your ear as you tipped your chin up slightly so you could still see his face. He’d closed his eyes but the soft smile from earlier was still present on his face. Your own heart fluttered at the sight and unable to resist anymore you stretched your neck slightly to plant a soft kiss on the scar on his jawline. As you pulled away you didn’t miss the way his smile grew even wider. 

Smiling, you closed your eyes and snuggled further into him, relishing in his warmth even though there was still a part of you that couldn’t fully believe he was there with you. You were afraid that you were suddenly going to wake up and discover that this was just another one of your dreams. The warm weight of his hands on your back, his fingers tightening just slightly in the fabric of your shirt, reassured you. 

The two of you were quiet for a long moment, simply basking in the presence of one another. You could tell though, by the way his breathing had slowed and evened out, that he was beginning to fall asleep. Your thoughts from earlier resurfaced and a wave of anxiety quickly washed through you. You pushed it aside though, you knew that it likely wouldn’t be long before the rest of his brothers started to filter into their makeshift barracks. Howzer had always been fairly private so you weren’t sure how he’d feel about his brothers seeing the two of you snuggled up in your bunk. 

Your eyes popped open at the thought and you lifted your head just slightly to be able to get a better look at him, “Your brothers set up a bunk for you over with the others if you’re tired and want to get some actual rest…” You hated how unsure you sounded but it was too late now to do anything about it. 

Howzer didn’t open his eyes but you knew by the way his breathing picked up just slightly that he was still awake. It was a long moment before he spoke, eyes still closed but one eyebrow rose questioningly, “Across the room?”

Too far, you wanted to say but stopped yourself, “Yeah, next to Fireball, I think.” You had appreciated their optimism at the time, setting up a bunk before they were even sure he was still alive but now you very much regretted agreeing to both let them set up his bunk there and for having your own across the room.

Howzer’s eyes popped open and he tilted his head slightly to meet your gaze. His eyes were warm with a hint of amusement flashing in them, “Why would I go across the room when I’ve got everything I need right here?”

Your heart was suddenly racing in your chest and you could feel your face growing warm, “You don’t want your own bunk?”

His face suddenly turned serious once more and you could see the tips of his ears turn red just slightly, “Well, unless you want your own space…”

“No!” You cut him off so quickly that you felt your face grow even warmer with embarrassment, “Erm, well, no it’s ok. You can stay here if you want to. I’d like you to,” You added the last part shyly. 

Howzer was quiet for a long moment, a soft but contemplative look on his face as his hand drew soothing circles on your back. 

“What is it?” You asked after another few moments, unable to ignore the look he was giving you. Your heart was fluttering in your chest and you could feel your face growing red. He had always had a way of looking at you that felt as if he could see exactly what was going on inside your head. 

“I don’t want to move across the room,” He repeated softly, lifting one hand to cup your jaw gently. The touch set your skin aflame, just as it always did. You wanted nothing more than to simply melt into his touch, it had been so long. 

Your brow furrowed in confusion slightly though at his words, you’d already told him he didn’t have to, “I don’t want you to either.” 

The corners of his mouth flicked up just slightly in a smile but his gaze remained intense, his touch soft as he cradled your face, “I thought of you every moment we were apart.”

The words you had been about to say were suddenly stuck in your throat, your eyes began to burn at his admission as your heart pounded against your ribcage. 

Howzer continued, his thumb stroking gently against your cheek, "Thinking of seeing you again was the only thing that kept me going,” He paused for a moment, his tone suddenly mournful, “The regret kept me awake at night.”

You lifted your head even more to be able to see his face better, “Regret?”

He was quiet for another moment, his thumb stilling on your face. His gaze was suddenly so intense that you felt as if you would melt under the weight of it, “That I never told you how much I’m in love with you.” 

Your breath caught in your lungs at his words and it felt as if your heart was swelling in your chest. You lifted a hand to cradle his face on instinct, suddenly overcome with emotions. Your eyes were stinging but your gaze was sure as you looked up at him, “I love you too,” You replied softly, watching as his expression lit up, a smile forming on his face, "Being apart from you felt as if I was missing a piece of myself,” You continued as you let your other hand move to rest over his heart. The steady pound of it beneath your fingers anchored you in that moment.  

He let his free hand fall to rest overtop of yours on his chest, fingers squeezing your own reassuringly as he smirked at you, "Well good because you’re stuck with me forever. Even if I die I’ll haunt you.” 

You laughed softly, tilting your head further into his hand, eyes narrowing playfully “How… romantic?” 

He laughed but before either of you could say anything else he closed the distance between the two of you, his kiss stealing the breath from your lungs. He moaned softly as your lips parted for him, his tongue brushing along your bottom lip. The heat of him was searing as he used the hand on your face to angle you up and deepen the kiss. Everything completely faded in that moment, there was only him. The absolute love of your life. 

When he finally pulled away, both of your chests were heaving and your entire body felt as if it was on fire as he rested his forehead against your own. You let your eyes fall closed, focusing on synching your breathing with his own. 

He was still so close, his nose brushing against your own as he spoke again, his voice a soft, gentle murmur, “Thank you for coming back for me.” 

You opened your eyes again and met his gaze, the hand you had resting over his heart fisting gently in his blacks. Your voice was sure and steady when you spoke, every ounce of emotion that you were feeling present in your tone, “There is nothing in the galaxy that could keep me away from you. I will come for you every time, Howzer.” 

He was quiet for another long moment, his expression one of mild disbelief, “Did I mention how much I love you?”

“Yes, but I’m not opposed to hearing it again," You laughed softly, stroking his jaw with your hand gently.  

This time when he kissed you it was slow and gentle, as though you had all the time in the galaxy. His hand slid from your face, back into your hair as his tongue slipped into your mouth, tangling with your own. A thrill shot up your spine as his other hand moved to the small of your back, pressing you further into him with a gentle touch.  You want nothing more than to stay in that moment with him forever. 

Eventually, you pulled back slowly as you felt his kisses begin to change. They were soft and sleepy, like the ones he used to give you in the mornings back on Ryloth after you’d spent the night together. Your own eyes felt heavy as you brushed your nose against his, giving him one last lingering kiss before fully pulling away. 

His eyelids were heavy when you looked up at him, but he was smiling so brightly it made your heart skip a beat. Sometimes, you didn't fully understand how you could love someone else so much. 

“Get some rest,” You said gently, stroking the scar on his face once more as his eyelids dipped. 

He let out a deep sigh, both arms moving to wrap around your back once more, pulling you in close as you rest your head against his chest. From this spot, you felt his next words more than you heared them. 

“I’m afraid if I go to sleep this will all be a dream,” He murmured, arms tightening around you instinctively. 

“I’m here Howzer,” You reassured him, resting your hand over his heart once more as you moved to press your face into the junction between his shoulder and neck, “We’re safe.”

He hummed slightly in response as he tipped his head to rest against your own, “You’ll still be here when I wake up?” 

“Always,” you replied as you closed your eyes, drifting away as his breathing evened out. Of that you were certain, you would do everything in your power to stay with him, forever. You didn’t know what tomorrow would bring but you knew that as long as you were together you would make it through. 

[echoreconcrew]

Stolen Imperial Files - Captain Howzer

SUBJECT FILE: #7569-HWZ-RYL STATUS: DESERTER – ACTIVE THREAT LEVEL: high DESIGNATION: CT-7569 “HOWZER”

AGE: 26 (BIOLOGICAL) SPECIES: HUMAN EYES: BROWN HEIGHT: 6'1" ALIAS: HOWZER  HOMEWORLD: KAMINO

TRAITS: EXHIBITS A CALM, STEADYING PRESENCE—COLLECTED, PRINCIPLED, AND PROTECTIVE BY NATURE. TENDS TO FORM DEEP EMOTIONAL BONDS, PARTICULARLY WITH CIVILIANS AND SUBORDINATES, WHICH OFTEN OVERRIDE PROGRAMMED LOYALTY TO COMMAND. SHOWS STRONG INTERNAL CONFLICT BETWEEN DUTY AND CONSCIENCE, LEADING TO ACTS OF DEFIANCE WHEN IMPERIAL ORDERS CONTRADICT PERSONAL ETHICS. INSPIRES TRUST AND LOYALTY AMONG HIS PEERS THROUGH QUIET STRENGTH, EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE, AND UNWAVERING RESOLVE. AFFILIATIONS: GAR

BIOGRAPHY

CT-7569, codenamed “Howzer,” is a clone officer formerly assigned to Imperial garrison command on Ryloth during the initial post-war occupation. Publicly considered a model officer, Howzer’s service record within the Republic Army was unblemished, with commendations for loyalty and command efficacy. Following the rise of the Empire, Howzer remained stationed under the directive of Vice Admiral Rampart to enforce martial stability across Twi’lek territories. Subject’s defection occurred during the Ryloth Uprising (see Rebellion Suppression Dossier #RLS-INC-33). During an attempted extraction of known insurgent Cham Syndulla, Howzer openly disobeyed Imperial orders, directly intervening to prevent execution of civilian and rebel targets. Eyewitness reports confirm subject incited clone troopers under his command to stand down and join the resistance, resulting in a failed detention of key insurgents and a compromised garrison post. CT-7569 was detained under Imperial security protocols and listed for tribunal transport to Imperial Justice Station ODR-3. During transit, subject escaped custody under unknown circumstances (see Prisoner Transfer Breach Report #ODR-EVAC-19A). It is suspected that Howzer’s extraction was coordinated by rogue clone elements or sympathetic internal agents. Subsequent sightings across the galaxy have placed CT-7569 in proximity to known clone deserter networks, including cells operating beyond the Mid Rim. A verified field report submitted by CC-3636 confirms visual identification of Howzer on Teth, in the company of CT-7567 

PROFILE NOTES Command Proficiency: Trained under Republic High Command; known for adaptive strategy, effective squad cohesion, and exceptional morale leadership. Psychological Deviation: Subject’s behavior during the Ryloth Uprising indicates possible inhibitor chip degradation or suppression. Moral Alignment Shift: Extensive exposure to civilian populations, particularly on Ryloth, may have influenced a psychological realignment. ISB analysts suggest subject exhibits strong empathic bias toward native resistance movements and fellow clones.

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[vodika-vibes]

Me again 😈 this is the last one (for now)

How about Howzer x reader with "sh, sh, I'm going to patch you up."?? I love Howzer so much and virtually no one writes for him </3

Playing Doctor

Summary: In an ideal world, being trapped in a cramped place with Howzer would be a dream come true. After all, you’ve been crushing on him for ages now. You just wish the situation was a little less sucky.

Pairing: Captain Howzer x GN!Reader

Word Count: 1200

Warnings: Reader is injured, pining, Howzer is jealous but pretends that he isn't

A/N: Sorry that this took so long! I couldn't get Howzer to agree with me. Until I put on a Disney playlist on Spotify and the words just started flowing. (Also, I have been in a not-great mental place since the 6th, but I think I'm better-ish now). I hope you like it!

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You’ve known Howzer for years now. 

You first met him at the beginning of the Clone Wars, all of those years ago. And, looking back now, you can admit that your first impression of him wasn’t the greatest. 

He was arrogant. Cocky, even. And in his opinion, you were a meddling busybody who needed to spend a day or two sitting in a jail cell.

You weren’t, and aren’t, a soldier. You were the former base commander’s receptionist, and when he left for greener pastures, you were left behind with a handful of soldiers and support staff who weren’t important enough to anyone to manage to pull a reassignment.

In truth, you kept the base running through duct tape and a prayer. And then Howzer came along and took it from you. 

It wasn’t until he realized that none of the NatBorn soldiers, or support staff, would listen to him, that they all deferred to you, that Howzer realized that he stepped on a few toes. 

And he didn’t apologize until your Squad of Misfits pulled him and his men out of an ambush that should have killed them, but only left him badly injured and with a scar on his face.

The rest, as they say, is history.

By the time the Jedi Purge happened, you and Howzer were friends. Friends enough that, when he called you to ask for help, you dropped everything and hurried to his side. 

That had been a year ago, and while you won’t ever say that you regret it, you do wish that you had been more clever about your career prospects.

Or, at least, more clever.

Surely, if you had gone to medical school like your mother wanted you wouldn’t be in this situation.

Right?

You release a pained whimper as Howzer presses his hands, firmly, over the wound in your side. You try to pull away from his painful touch, but the way he has you positioned against the wall of the cave you’re taking shelter in means that you can’t move.

“Howzer—”

“I know it hurts, ad’ika.” His voice is low, and you don’t think you’ve ever seen such a grim look on his face before. Well, not directed towards you, at least, “but I need to stop the bleeding.”

Hesitantly, because he’s been funny about you touching him lately, you wrap your hands around his wrists, “‘m sorry. I messed up.”

“It’s not your fault. Who knew that the Stormtroopers had people who could use fucking javelins. Where are we, the Middle Ages?” He sounds stressed and angry.

“Many Indigenous people use weapons like that,” You reply, “Like the Ewoks and the Tusken Raiders of Tatooine.”

Howzer releases a huffed laugh, “Why do you know that?”

“I saw a documentary about it before,” You admit.

“Yeah? When was this?” He applies more pressure and you whimper as the sudden pain knocks the air out of your lungs, and you see a muscle work in his jaw.

“When I was a kid,” You manage to say, “There used to be a show. Tula the Tooka. Tula would teach kids about different races and show how we’re all the same.”

“Fighting bigotry one little kid at a time?”

“Something like that.” You wince, “She also covered some basic language skills, like how to say hello, or I’m lost, in whatever language.”

“Sounds educational,” Howzer shifts his hand and glances at your side, and then he takes your hand and presses it over the wound, “Apply pressure while I pull out my kit.”

“You could always just leave me here,” You offer.

“Don’t be fucking stupid, I’m not leaving you behind.” Howzer replies as he starts digging through the bag he’s been carrying, “You can’t actually think that I would do that.”

“I don’t.” You admit, “Make your life easier if you were less loyal, though.” You pause, “Idiot.” The word is affectionate, and the corner of Howzer’s lips curl up into a small smile.

“Wonder what having an easy life would be like,” He jokes, before he turns back to you, “Alright, move your hand.” You do as he asks, though you don’t realize why he’s saying that until the sharp scent of alcohol reaches your nose.

You yelp and jerk back when an alcohol-soaked cloth presses against your side. Though, you don’t get far.

“Shh, shh,” he effortlessly tugs you closer, so he can keep the cloth pressed against your side, “I’m going to patch you up.”

“You couldn’t have given me some warning?” You choke out.

“Sorry, ad’ika. But you’re kind of a baby when it comes to pain.”

You stare up at him through tear-filled eyes, “And you thought this would help? You’re a jerk. Rex would never—” You yelp again when his touch gets rough enough that it hurts.

The painful pressure vanishes almost immediately, “Sorry, I’m sorry! I forget that you’re so much more fragile than me.” Howzer blurts as he uses the sleeve of his jacket to wipe a tear from your cheek, “Please don’t cry.”

“I-it’s okay, you didn’t mean it.”

Howzer sighs, “It’s not okay, but thank you.” He pulls some bandages from his bag, “I bet Rex would never forget that.” There’s something odd in his voice, and you realize, with a start, that he’s jealous. 

“Howzer?”

“Hm?”

“Are you jealous of Rex?”

He fumbles with the wrapper of the bandage, and his dark eyes flicker up to meet your gaze, before dropping back to your side, “Course not.”

You stare at the top of his head for a moment, and then you sigh and reach up to run your fingers through his hair, “You know you’re my favorite, right?”

“Are you allowed to have favorites?” Howzer asks as he applies the bandage and tapes it to your skin.

“I think you’ll find that I don’t care about what’s allowed,” You counter, “You’re my favorite, and I’m glad that I ended up stranded here with you over anyone else.”

He finally meets your gaze, “You hate being stranded anywhere.” Howzer corrects with a wry smile.

“See, no one else knows me like you do.”

“Well, I have known you for years now,”

Your hand falls from his hair to rest against his cheek, just over his scar. There are so many things you want to tell him. So many thoughts you want to share. 

Things that he deserves to know.

But the words seem to stick in your throat.

After all, there’s no way he feels the same way for you as you do for him.

So, instead, you offer a tiny smile, “I’m guessing you have a plan.”

Howzer turns his head and presses a light kiss to the palm of your hand, “Always do.” He pulls away from you, “Are you okay waiting here for me?”

“Just don’t forget about me.”

“Never.” He stands and peels off his jacket, “Here, use this as a pillow and get some rest. I’ll be back when I’m done.”

You take his jacket and fold it so you can lay down, “Be careful,” Howzer tosses you a wink, and then he’s gone. 

And, now alone, you release a quiet sigh. “I love you, Howzer.”

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[thecoffeelorian]

save the date...

Hello again, everyone who has stuck with me so far!

As I am looking to add another update to my Captain Howzer fanfiction, "Kiss Me, Captain", on May 7, 2025, I've decided to go ahead and reserve the last Wednesday of May for the official wedding chapter for this story at large.

Therefore, if you're getting this post in your notifications, it's because you all showed interest in my previous chapters at some point, sooo. I hope you can be there to read and reblog this chapter if you're still interested in my writing; if not, feel free to ignore this and we can both continue on our journeys through life.

Anywho! Hope you're having a good weekend, and May The Fourth Be With You, Always! <3

--The Coffeelorian--

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[ireadwithmyears]

how these clones would be with a visually impaired significant other: part two

part one |visually impaired reader masterlist

Pairings(individually): marshal Commander Fox, commander Wolffe, and captain Howzer/visually impaired reader

warnings: explicit, not very detailed but descriptions of sexual content (18+: minors DNI) implied light bondage (I can’t help it, Wolffe is just like that), implied oral (F receiving) light angst, overprotectiveness, insecurities related to blindness, fluff, hurt/comfort

Word count: 3.7 k

requested by @clonethirstingisreal

thank you so much for the request, and I really hope you like these. If other readers would like to request a specific trooper for these, just send me an ask or a message and I am more than happy to keep going.

note: though the reader is visually impaired, my hope is that you do not need to be visually impaired to enjoy or relate to aspects of these. Also, I am a blind girl working without a beta and admittedly, I only lightly edited these for the sake of my own sanity. So there are probably still going to be mistakes that I didn’t catch, just as a heads up.

❤️Marshall Commander Fox❤️ 

Fox is both terrified and in awe of your independence and perseverance. 

He respects how seamlessly you navigate the world around you, even if he knows that it’s not as seamless as it looks. He admires how unfazed you are by new challenges, even if those challenges are enough to make his eyebrows raise in concern.

You’re telling him about how construction has kind of messed with the usual route you take to work and how you had to take an extra 20 minutes to figure out how to work yourself around it, and you’re talking about it so nonchalantly as if you didn’t get lost like five times, not to mention you had to take several detours down Coruscant’s lower levels to work around it.

Listen, as Marshall commander of the guard, he’s encountered the absolute worst of humanity and criminals, so forgive him if the idea of you wandering around and lost when he knows that those types of people could be around anywhere in your vicinity sends him into a mini heart attack and his protective instincts into overdrive.

And yes, there is an overdrive, and you may have to temper it a little. 

This probably would have happened regardless of your blindness. It’s just how he operates. Fox is always on guard, always thinking of potential risks and security issues, and always strives to mitigate them before they actually arise. So, at first, you think nothing of the fact that near the places you frequent, your work, the coffee shop you go to the most, there’s always a guard member stationed in that general vicinity.

But his vode aren’t always good at keeping secrets, and so when one of them accidentally lets it slip that the commander has them Stationed there in particular regard for your personal safety, you are not pleased.

So not pleased that when the other guard members see you marching through headquarters, either your cane incessantly tapping against the floor or your guide dog trotting along your side as you angrily speed walk, they’re immediately wondering what in the name of the force did Fox do to piss you off.

It’s not in your nature to make a scene. But for once, you barge into his office without a second thought, demanding an explanation. 

You’re the only one who can storm into his office like this, the only one who, when he looks up and sees you, his glare will immediately soften, not that you take note of that. 

He explains that because you’re part of a more vulnerable populace, more likely to be targeted, he had put these precautions in place to try and keep you safe. 

This would be the typical over protective, annoying speech if you couldn’t hear the worry and concern, so uncharacteristically unmasked in his voice, and when you cross to his desk, taking one of his hands, you can feel it trembling in your fingers. 

This tempers your anger a great deal and when you next speak, it is softer, continuing to hold his hands. “Fox, I love you, and I’m grateful that you’re looking out for me and trying to keep me safe. But, did you think about how that would make me feel?” You ask, and at the lingering silence, you continue. “I have spent my whole life learning how to be independent in spite of the vision that I don’t have. For you to do that, as well-meaning as it was, it makes me feel like I’m nothing more than just a child who can’t go out without supervision.”

You hesitate for a moment, weighing your words before deciding to speak them.

“When you look at me, i is that what you see?  Just someone you need to worry about all the time?” You ask. 

He’s shaking his head before you even finish that sentence, swallowing heavily before his hands tighten around yours, drawing them close. It’s his turn to weigh his words. It’s a skill that as a clone, as someone who was raised to believe that his thoughts and opinions shouldn’t hold weight, it takes him some time, because he needs these words to hold true, for you to feel them as heavily as he speaks them.

“No, cyar,” he says, voice low and swallowing heavily. “From the first moment I met you, your unwavering resilience. Your quiet confidence and independence is so, so beautiful.” He pauses, taking the time to turn your hands over in his, kissing the back of your knuckles with a downcast expression in his eyes. 

“I’m sorry, meshla. I can see how my actions would make you feel like I don’t trust you, which is far from the case. I know that you are so, so capable.” he leans across the desk, pressing his forehead against yours as his voice drops to an almost timid whisper. “But I’m still going to worry.”

“I know you are,” you say softly, mirth entering your voice when you next speak. “I would expect nothing less from my overprotective commander,” you smirk. “So, let’s compromise.”

The compromising comes much later, because first, Fox feels that he must apologize to you more deeply, more eloquently than his words will allow.

This apology consists of him lying you across his desk, burying his face between your legs, and worshipping you with his mouth, which to you, is more than acceptable, and by the time he’s finished, you’re so blissed out that you can’t even remember what the two of you were talking about in the first place or why you were mad at him.

The second part of this apology comes into play with a trust exercise that you suggested. It involves Fox putting on a blindfold and letting you guide him through levels of Coruscant and crossing some of its more populated streets.

He’ll never admit that it scares the shit out of him, but every time you’re crossing a street with him holding your elbow, you can feel his hand tightening around your arm and you can tell that he is. You take him to a much more residential street, show him how you use your ears to determine the flow of traffic, and then ask if he wants to try it, with reassurance and a kiss on the cheek to let him know that you’ll stop him if he makes the wrong call so that he doesn’t get hit by a speeder.

Unsettled by that last remark, but never one to back down from a challenge, he does, and the day ends with him being even more in awe of you, but feeling a sense of nuanced understanding that he didn’t have before, which he both appreciates, and finds settles him a little.

Your part of the compromise is that he gives you a device that can send your location and track you in case of emergencies. If you get into trouble, you hit a button, and he’ll be notified of where you are, and if you move. This data will also be shared with several other trusted members of the guard, namely Thorn and Hound, so that the nearest guard to your position can get to you quickly if needed.

You also ask that Fox teaches you self-defence training, recognizing that both his military prowess and hand to hand expertise would really help you feel more secure in being able to protect yourself. He is more than happy to do so, and, in spite of his worry that he won’t be good at teaching you the proper technique, he finds that it comes naturally. He loves getting to see your confidence channelled into a feisty, fighting side.

And well, if the lessons get somewhat sidetracked once he’s got you pinned to the training mats with your wrists above your head because you just look so damn irresistible, can you really blame him? 

At the end of the day, Fox will always be protective of you. But he finds different, and much more satisfying ways, to channel it. 

Being Marshall commander of the Coruscant guard affords him certain privileges and loopholes, which he takes full advantage of when it comes to you.

Meaning that that bakery employee who ranted at you for asking if something was available because “do you see it in the window? No, so clearly, it’s out of stock,” suddenly finds herself without a job.

That Uber driver who refused to take you and your guide dog because he didn’t want to deal with dog hair in the back of his car suddenly finds that his license has been suspended indefinitely. 

He doesn’t bother you by telling you about any of this, knowing that you would feel bad, but also knowing that you probably wouldn’t be surprised. 

What can he say, his sense of spite and drive to seek vengeance towards anyone who has wronged or hurt you is how he best shows his devotion and love.

*

🩶Commander Wolffe🩶

Wolffe was not aware that his default tone was grumpy all the time.

Well, okay, maybe that was a stretch. Maybe he was aware of it in the back of his mind and maybe he never bothered doing anything about it because well, as a commander, it was useful.

It helps to be able to correct the behaviour of a few rowdy shinys by just barking one singular word at them to get them to stop. Or just to get all of his men to listen and pay attention to him. That tone attracts their ears and their eyes up to him without question, and he likes that.

Regardless of how grumpy he may sound or look, he knows that they know that he cares about all of his vode, whether they’re just pups who haven’t earned their paint, or their longtime members of the pack. He displays his care in his actions towards them.

He’s realizing, though, that this approach doesn’t work for you as smoothly. 

He notices because sometimes, just in the smallest flicker of a moment, when he says something to you, something inconsequential, words that fall past his lips without being conscientious of the tone that they’re delivered in, you jump, you sometimes look up a little too quickly, a wary expression flashing across your face before it’s immediately stamped out and you relax again, as if it were never there to begin with. But Wolffe is observant, and he notices.

And he does not like it in the slightest. 

He begins to understand that not being able to use your eyes to see how others communicate with you, not Being able to read their Body language makes you very perceptive and sensitive to the tone of their voices, and how even the slightest hint of frustration, even if it’s not directed your way, makes you tense up or flinch, eyes scanning the room for a quick exit Just in case. 

He realizes that not being able to read the expression on his face, see the soft look in his eyes or the so rare upward turn of his lips every time he looks at you, makes you very reliant on both the words he says, and the tone he delivers them in.

He thinks that it’s going to be hard to tune back his natural grumpiness, but in reality, every time he looks at you, he feels like he’s seeing the first glimpse of sunshine through clouds, and he finds that It’s not that hard at all.

Wolffe is still Wolffe. Still gruff and stoic with that seamless authority that drew you to him so easily.

But his voice softens, loses its biting edge whenever he speaks to you. It takes effort at first, having to constantly remind himself to weigh the way he speaks. But after a while, Watching how your shoulders, instead of instinctively tensing, seem to soften and relax whenever you hear the sound of his voice, it becomes second nature to him. 

If he is frustrated, needing to vent to you about something, he will always take the time to reassure you when his tone shifts, because he knows that even if it’s not Directed at you, he can still frighten you with how gruff and irritable he can sound when he’s annoyed about something. Wrapping his arms around you from behind, pressing a soft kiss to your cheek before murmuring softly in your ear, “s all okay, cyar’ika, i’m not upset with you.” His hands will softly caress up and down your arms, your sides, until he feels you soften against him, and when he continues, he will be careful to make sure his tone remains measured. 

he trusts you, your independence and your abilities. However, if you are walking home when it’s dark outside, he insists that you call him as you go. 

This ends up being a thing that reassures you both, because regardless of if you have any vision or not, walking home at night is immediately unsettling, and if you’re anything like me, the slightest noise can immediately have you on edge and thinking that someone is about to sneak up on you. 

Wolffe can always tell, regardless of if you tell him or not. He can hear the hitch in your breath, the sudden tightness in your voice and he’s always there to encourage you and make you feel safe until you get home.

“You’re safe, cyar, i’m here. Take a deep breath, and keep that head up,” he speaks, voice both soft and an order into the COM device. “Act confident, even if you don’t feel it, and you’ll be home and in my arms before you know it.”

It’s always true, and your heart always stops racing the second he’s holding you, a silent, strong presence that always makes you feel safe and protected. 

If you rely on public transit like ridesharing apps, and your driver happens to either be lazy or not good at following directions because suddenly you’re dropped off on the wrong side of the street, which you didn’t realize until you got out of the car, your commander is on speed dial. 

Wolffe keeps you calm with his steady, reassuring voice, encouraging you to turn on your devices camera so that he can effectively guide you to where you need to go with verbal directions.

If you’re a blind person who gets insecure or self-conscious about how your eyes look different, Wolffe can sympathize.

He knows from experience with his own cybernetic that trying to change your view of how you think of them, trying to make you believe that they’re beautiful when you don’t feel like they are, is counterproductive.

Instead, he’ll remind you of all of the things he finds beautiful about you, all of the things he loves. And if words still don’t cut it, well... 

You might just find yourself tied to the bed you both share, all spread out and bare for him, unable to do anything except let him touch, kiss, worship and praise each part of your body, while also  leaving a collection of bite marks behind that contrast beautifully against your skin, and if you have any vision left, will be able to see. He pays special attention to places like your inner thighs, knowing that you’ll be able to look down and easily find his claims and promises later.

And because he’s Wolffe, and Wolffe is a teasing asshole to his core, if he’s feeling particularly annoyed with how little regard you view yourself, he might just edge you, over and over, only allowing you to come once you agree with him that you’re beautiful, which doesn’t take long for the words to come, but he does drag it out, only relenting when he actually believes the sincerity of them.

In much more innocent bedtime activities, if you have a guide dog, who also shares your bed, Wolffe becomes a jealous bastard.

He wants your cuddles to be exclusively his for the taking, and having to share with someone else simply is not fair and he will always grumble irritably About it.

You don’t worry about it too much, because whenever he thinks you’re not in earshot, he’ll give your guide dog a grudging pet and mutter a quiet “it’s a good thing you’re cute, and you keep her safe.”

Because that’s Wolffe. Impenetrable steel and seemingly implacable yet with a soft, tender warmth beneath it all that isn’t actually that hard to get to, if you earn his heart, and that’s exactly why you love him.

*

🩵Captain Howzer🩵

I think Howzer is a gentleman, like, golden retriever energy in the best way possible.

So naturally, with this golden retriever energy, he is very affectionate towards you, which you love. But, here’s the thing, when you’re blind, there are these little hiccoughs in the road depending on how much vision you have and yes, just in case I haven’t made this clear enough, blindness is a spectrum. 

For example, you love to kiss him, and you want to kiss him. But sometimes, initiating that can be not the most seamless, or romantic, if you have limited vision. Sometimes aiming for his lips isn’t as straight of a line as you think it is, which leads to aimless searching, making you feel embarrassed.

He picks up on it, pretty quickly. But, reading that it makes you embarrassed/discomforted just by the look on your face, he never brings it up, at least not verbally. He’ll just take silent note that you’re wanting to kiss him, gently take your chin in his hand, and guide your lips to meet his, the expression in his eyes incredibly soft and filled with adoration.

And, as he pulls away, he can see that your lips are about to form an apology or an embarrassed remark, so his thumb caresses over them instead, leaning forward again to whisper a soft “your beautiful,” in your ear, that leaves you shivering and forgetting all about your fumble.

Another result of his golden retriever energy is the fact that sometimes, he literally becomes a human guide dog. 

He’s always keeping an eye out as you walk for potential obstacles in the way, outdoor patios in the middle of sidewalks, steep upward curbs, always ready to offer an arm, especially if you’re going down a set of stairs that doesn’t have a railing.

You don’t say anything, but he sees the small smile on your face, the way you always seem to be one step ahead, and out of the blue, he asks “am I helping too much?” Because he’s fully aware of his tendencies.

“A little,” you concede with a small grin as you look up at him. “I let you because it’s so cute when you do it.”

Then you take his hand, and you show him how you navigate the world around you, whether it’s by feeling the way your cane taps against the curb, running along its edge to gauge how big it is, how it feels the obstacles around you so that you can maneuver around them. Or how your guide dog will stop walking and place it’s front paws on top of the street curb or staircase to show you that it’s there, and how you work as a team to find the safest way to maneuver around obstacles.

He’s very attentive as you show him, adoring even this glimpse of getting to see the world through your point of view and how you move through it. He asks for you to please, please tell him if he’s ever being over bearing in the name of trying to be helpful, because he doesn’t want you to feel like he’s ever doubting you or weighing you down.

He’s also very mindful of the things you can’t see in regards to your person when you’re out on a date. Like, if you’ve got a piece of lint or dog hair, usually in my case, on your clothes, he’s reaching over and gently picking it off, usually lingering for a kiss to your cheek and a soft “I’ve got you covered, cyar. You look lovely.”

If you’re wearing make up, recognizing that it takes more effort and hard work for you to do that, he becomes the king of reapplying it on the go just to make sure you’re always feeling good about yourself. 

You might’ve gone out for dinner and all your lipstick has come off after eating. No problem, he’ll reapply it with a precise, light hand. You went and saw a holofilm that made you cry all your mascara off. He might lightly tease you for that, not that he’s really complaining because he got to hold you while you pressed your face against his chest, but he’ll also carefully reapply it, a very focussed expression on his face as he’s always just a little bit worried when he gets near your eyes with anything.

And, it’s surprising, how good he is at it. How he seems to know what he’s doing. He’ll never tell, but he secretly watched tutorials so that he could learn, out of genuine fascination and because he wanted to be more helpful to you. 

Now, if you regularly wear make up, he’s the person you go to to spot check you in the morning, making sure that everything looks good and helping you clean up anything that might look out of place. 

Regardless, Howzer is your number one hype ma’am, always finding something new to complement about you unprompted. How cute you look in that top, how the colour of that one sweater brings out your eyes, how soft your hair is when he strokes it.

Howzer also quickly picks up on the fact that sometimes, if he touches you unexpectedly, you startle, before recognizing it’s him and settling again.

That simply will not do, so now, if you’re sitting beside him and he wants to place a hand over your thigh, he’ll reach out, but leave it hovering just above until your eyes flash with recognition and slowly, gently, settling it there, leaving you able to anticipate or pull away if the touch is not wanted.

If he comes home to you and catches you by surprise, it’s rare but happens sometimes, he’ll come up behind you, gently place his hands on your shoulders with a Quiet “just me, love,” waiting until they relax beneath his palms before he’ll fully wrap his arms around you, nuzzling his face against your neck, breathing you in.

That’s your captain. He’s observant, he’s deliberate in everything he does, and he’s captivated your heart, which he will take the upmost care of, holding onto it as tightly as he holds onto you.

[grampsoninspace]

doctor’s orders.

Please, don’t let it be him.

Please no…

Please!

“Good evening,” a warm voice interrupts your silent pleading with whatever force is listening. There’s strain in the usual honeyed tone, which jerks your chin upward with an invisible string. Your panicked thoughts are replaced by your emergency mode, your hands trembling with adrenaline at the pain in the man’s voice.

“What did you do now?” you hiss, assessing the patient visually before you even get close to him, watching blood drip steadily from a wound just shy of his temple.

Captain Howzer smiles up at you with mischief in his brown eyes.

“I got a little too close to the action, Doc,” he shrugs.

“How many times do I have to tell you? The blood belongs inside of your body, Captain. For Maker’s sake, can we go a single week without you risking life and limb for the nearest being?” You pull your gloves on with an angry snap.

“Well… it is my job,” he tells you, trying to sound the slightest bit remorseful and failing miserably.

“I don’t care if it’s your job — it’s going to be a little hard to do it if you’re dead,” you shake your head, starting to remove his armor to assess the rest of him.

“You’re fussing again,” Howzer’s voice drops in octave and volume, much too near your ear.

“Well, that is my job,” you mimic his accent poorly, daring to look back into his eyes as you remove his chest plate.

His full lips are twisted in the faintest smile, and he is watching your every move. You roll your eyes but you can feel yourself blush, choosing instead to focus on removing his pauldrons, gauntlets, and gloves.

“I know... I like it when you fuss over me,” he leans forward and yanks the top of his blacks off with one hand, exposing his skin down to his waist.

You turn back to face him and remind yourself with a deep breath and a mental lashing that you are a fucking professional and you will do your job without incident or…

Or…?

What were you saying?

“Well?” he prompts.

“Hm?” you raise your eyebrows, pretending you were listening.

He leans back with his palms flat on the exam table, his knees farther apart than you remember. “I asked you a question.”

“Which was?” you ask, frowning, silently cursing yourself.

“I asked what your diagnosis was,” he smirks.

“I don’t know yet,” you rub your forehead with the back of your hand. “I need to get your head cleaned up first. Do you feel pain or discomfort anywhere else?”

“No pain…” His smile is teasing. “But I still expect a thorough examination. I could be in shock.”

You give him a look. “Behave yourself, Captain.”

Howzer holds his hands up. “I’m just asking you to do your job, Doc. I wouldn’t expect any less but the closest attention to detail when you’re in charge.”

You swallow, and he won’t look away from your eyes — even as you start to gently clean the wound on his forehead and he sucks in a breath through his teeth, grabbing your wrist roughly and trying to pull your hand away.

Your stomach flips but you give him a stern look.

“Captain. When I said to behave yourself, I clearly meant you need to allow me to do my job.”

“Warn me next time,” he growls, releasing you.

“I did!” You smack his hand down. “I told you I had to clean your head…”

“Oh, that’s what you meant,” he smirks up at you as you continue removing the blood from his skin. You press harder in retaliation and he grabs both of your wrists.

“Stop being belligerent or I’ll let you fuckin’ bleed to death,” you tell him through gritted teeth.

“Which one happens first?” he asks, your wrists still bound in the shackles of his rough hands.

“What—?” you ask, scrunching up your face.

“You said you’d let me fuck and bleed to death,” he repeats, pulling you forward and tugging your hands behind his back so your face is much too close to his.

“Do you think it could be in that order?” he drops his voice down deep and low, his breath warm on your skin.

“You know damn well I did not say that,” you tell him, trying to sound sure of yourself, but your voice shakes.

“Do I?” he asks, searching your face with his dilated eyes.

“Should I check your hearing?” you ask sharply, but his gaze lands on your lips.

“What?” he jokes, and you sigh in his face.

“Captain.”

His eyes flick to yours, and he leans back just enough to let your hips rest in the V his legs have made. “Say my name, and I’ll be good for you.”

“This is very unprofessional behavior,” you frown.

“I’m no snitch,” he whispers. “Besides, is it against protocol for you to use your patient’s name?”

“Of course not,” you sigh again. “But I’m using your title as a sign of respect, just as I would do with anyone else.”

“And I love that about you, but I wanna hear you say my name,” he grips your wrists harder, gives you a little yank, and you arch into him involuntarily.

“Captain Howzer…” you say, trying to keep your tone even and clinical.

“Close,” he smiles but shakes his head. “But no. Just say my name, and I’ll behave.”

You take a deep breath, knowing he’s absolutely full of shit without running a single test to prove it.

“Howzer…” you say in a low voice, your temple pressed against his. He hums low in his throat, and the vibration of it in his chest seems to travel wherever your body is touching his.

You let your lips brush his ear: “Can you please allow me to finish my exam now?”

“Yes ma’am,” he rumbles, letting go of your wrists and planting his hands on the edge of the table again.

His eyes are closed and he keeps very still as you clean his head wound, patching it with bacta and exploring the rest of the lines in his face, running your fingers over the deep scar on his cheek.

“Field medic work,” he smiles, leaning into your touch. “Didn’t have your finesse.”

“Doesn’t change anything,” you blurt out quietly.

His eyes slide open and they are darker than a starless night. “Hm?”

“You know,” you frown, pushing his face to the side to check his neck and shoulders with careful hands.

“What do I know?” he asks, his cheek twitching with how badly he’s trying not to smirk. “What doesn’t the field medic’s work change?”

You sigh roughly in the back of your throat as you move around the table to check his back. “Your… face.”

“Oh, because every clone has the same one?” he asks, a defensive lilt to his teasing.

“No!” you poke him in the shoulder blade, hard.

“Then what?” he twists, to try to make you look at him again, but you push him forward.

“What did you promise me?” you frown. “Be still, Howzer.”

He inhales deeply and sits up with perfectly straight posture. You run your hands down his spine, then press your fingers where you know injured organs would reveal tender spots. He doesn’t flinch, but you don’t know if that’s his training or an actual lack of pain. Nothing seems out of place, but knowing him, he’s probably hiding something.

“Get up,” you pat his shoulder.

He obeys, standing perfectly at attention.

And as you help him remove his lower armor, it’s very apparent that he’s not the only one.

You instantly blush, despite having seen countless human bodies in all different contexts… your whole body flushes with warmth which travels between your legs. You’re removing his knee pads and the feelings you’re having are so improper you feel yourself blushing harder with shame…

“Sorry Doc,” he says quietly. “Natural reaction.”

“To what?” you blurt out, looking up from your kneeling position into his face.

He smirks. “I think we both know you know the answer to that… You’re a doctor. You know how the human body functions in these situations…”

You shake your head. “I’m making sure you’re not going to die of internal injuries, Howzer. I’m not doing anything to try and…cause this.”

“Don’t have to,” he says, low and rough. “You just are.”

Your fingers are still on his thigh, just about to get him to lift his foot to let you remove his boot, when you stop and feel your jaw go slack.

“Please stand up,” he asks. You oblige him, and he sits back up on the exam table, obediently removing his boots for you without breaking eye contact once. You swallow around your dry throat, taking in the sight of him there in nothing but the bottom half of his blacks, which he’s now standing again to remove.

Howzer sits back up on the exam table in just his dark briefs, which — despite their color — are not doing much to hide the topic of your discussion.

Why do I want it in my mouth?

Your eyes are wide when you meet his gaze again, thankful beyond belief that he can’t read your mind. But he smiles softly like he can.

Why is that a thought I’m having right now, when I should be making sure he isn’t in any more pain?

You try to snap out of it, distracting yourself by looking fo contusions or abrasions, any signs of internal injuries or dislocated bones… You put your gloved hand on his thigh to inspect a discoloration there and his body reacts visibly to your touch.

“Howzer…” you whisper, “Should I stop?”

“Please don’t,” he breathes, reaching out to grip the wrist closest to his bare skin.

“I… I need you to stand up and turn around,” you tell him quietly, and he does as he’s told, letting you peruse the backs of his legs and the bottoms of his feet.

When he turns around again, he’s mere inches from your body, his muscles taut and his face hyper-focused on yours.

“I don’t see any other… problems,” you swallow, your voice barely audible. “You’re free to dress and go now.”

“But I don’t want to,” he shrugs, lifting his hands to cradle your face.

He doesn’t kiss you.

He brushes his nose against yours, touches your foreheads together, rubs his cheekbone up and down your cheek.

You can feel the rough texture of the skin on his face and let a soft sound escape your careful throat.

Howzer locks onto that sound like a heat-seeking missile, pressing his hand gently to your throat and repeating the motion he thinks you liked — his cheek pressed to yours.

You whimper lightly, just barely audible, and he loses his careful control to what he wants most.

He kisses you so hard it snaps your head back; you gasp into his mouth and he takes that as an invitation, exploring inside with his tongue. He only breaks the seal your lips have made to let you breathe, pressing open-mouthed kisses to your jaw and down your neck, hungrily making his way down to taste as much of your skin as he can reach.

His hands move from your face and neck to unbutton your uniform coat, pushing it down off your shoulders onto the floor, sliding his long fingers under the shirt you wear beneath.

“I want this off,” he tells you, and you nod your permission, lifting your arms to let him strip you from the waist up.

He removes your bra so quickly and easily it gives you the slightest moment of hesitation and doubt, wondering how many women he’s collected inside the warmth of his body just like this. But his hands are holding your breasts and his tongue is in your mouth again, and you quickly forget your fears. His fingers travel down to the waistband of your pants, and you don’t think you’ve ever taken them off so quickly in your entire lifetime.

“Fuck,” he whispers, looking at you in nothing but your underwear. “You’re perfect.”

“Prove it,” you tease him. “You get naked first.”

He smiles at you with bright eyes, yanking his underwear down and hopping up to lie back on the exam table with his arms behind his head, all too comfortable.

“What’s the verdict, Doc?” he asks, eyes closed, body stretched out for your (scientific) inspection.

You remove your gloves and run your fingertips from his broad shoulders to his hip bones, watching his dick twitch at the attention of your hands.

“I think you’re perfectly…healthy, Captain,” you tell him, your eyes landing on the glorious thickness he’s been hiding in those briefs.

Howzer props himself up on one elbow, turning just enough to ripple more muscles like a statue carved of some ancient god from another galaxy.

“Your turn,” he drawls, gesturing with his finger toward your underwear, and you shake your head.

“Oh now that’s just not fair,” he crows, climbing back down off the exam table and putting his hands on your hips, changing tactics.

“Do you want me to take them off for you?” he gives you a half-smile, his eyes blazing a path from your bare breasts to the fabric between him and his goal.

You nod slowly, pushing your hips just slightly forward as he dips his thumbs in the band around your waist.

“I need to hear you say it,” he says quietly.

“Please take them off,” you try to whisper, but it comes out like a whine. He looks into your eyes expectantly, wiggling his thumbs but not moving his hands any more than that.

“Howzer…” you groan. “Please.”

“That’s better,” he pushes your underwear to the floor and runs his hands back up your legs as you step out. “Isn’t it?”

He kisses you again, softer this time but no less hungry, pulling you back with him onto the exam table. He wraps his arms around you until you’re flush on top of him, nipping at your lips and running his hands all over your body, seeking friction by pressing his hips up into yours…

“Would you like to ride me, sweetheart?” he rasps, his erection pressed against your hip, his heart pounding in his chest against yours. “Because I’d like nothing more than to see you get on top and use me however you want.”

You know your face must look like you’re in pain, the need for him so strong it feels like your heart could stop. You move your knees apart and brace yourself, letting him help you to a more upright position, crawling back until you’re hovering right above him.

You look into his eyes as you guide him to your entrance, inhaling shakily as you feel the tip slide past your resistance, shoving your knees farther apart and dropping slowly to take him deeper. His eyes practically roll back in his head the farther down you go, groaning low in his throat when he’s fully sheathed inside of you.

The two of you stay very still for a long moment, just breathing while you both adjust. When you start to move on him, he looks up at you heavy-lidded and reaches up to grope your breasts, moaning a bit as you sink your fingernails into his shoulders trying to find a rhythm you both like. You roll your hips and grip him good as you do, filthy curses escaping his swollen lips with every thrust.

Howzer lifts his knees slightly to support you, gripping your hips tight as you ride him hard, forgetting every reason you shouldn’t be doing this as you lose yourself to the feeling of him inside of you as his hands explore your ass.

“Do you know how long I’ve wanted to fuck you like this?” he asks roughly, one hand gripping your ass, the other running up your back to grab a fistful of your hair. You shake your head, unable to form cohesive thoughts as you move on him faster, your need for him only increasing the harder you fuck him.

He sits up suddenly, spreading his legs and bending his knees, wrapping his arms around your lower back and staring right in your eyes as he fucks you right back.

You run your hands through his hair, rubbing the fuzz where his head is shaved and crying out as he hits the perfect spot while holding you this close.

“Since day one,” he rasps. “I’ve wanted you like this since I first met you. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thought about taking you right here, just like this…”

He grunts as you clench around him, wetter than ever and panting his name, blissfully close to him making you cum in his lap right on your fucking exam table.

“Fuck me, Howzer,” you beg him, all sense of propriety lost in the lustful haze clouding your brain and flooding your body with heat. “Please just fuck me.”

“No, baby,” he denies you. “I want this to last.”

“But I’m so close,” you whine, pushing him down on his back and riding him harder.

He moves his hand from your hip to press his fingertips to your clit, not bothering to move them with how quickly your hips are rocking, and your head rolls loosely on your neck as your back arches. You bite your lip to keep from screaming as he drags the orgasm right out of you with his lazy fingers and his ridiculously perfect cock.

“Howzer, I can’t, I’m gonna…” you whine, and he pulls himself up again, locking eyes with you as he feels you hit your threshold, a strangled moan slipping out of you as he keeps you close while you cum.

“Come on, baby,” he coaxes as you start to slow your movements to a near-stop, “Are we done already?”

“Sit up,” you tell him, climbing off of him and the table, kneeling and watching him swing his legs over the side.

“Am I already due for another exam—” he chokes on his teasing remark as you take his leaking dick into the tight wetness of your mouth, rolling your tongue underneath him and hollowing your cheeks.

“Fucking Maker,” Howzer groans, his hands instantly tangling in your hair, hips bucking toward your face. “You keep that up and I’m not going to last much longer either.”

Your only reply is to bob your head, taking him deeper toward your throat with each motion, using your hands to grip what can’t fit inside your mouth.

“Oh sweet fuck,” he growls, turning into an absolute mess as you stare up into his eyes while you suck him off. He doesn’t know where to put his hands and he’s trying so hard to let you do what you want, but you can feel him throbbing and you know he’s ready to lose it.

“Sweetheart, I don’t know where you want me to cum, but you’d better decide fast,” he rasps, his eyes squeezing shut.

You keep him in your mouth, but pull back just enough to swirl your tongue around his already-sensitive tip. He groans and shoves his dick deeper in your mouth, yanking your head back by the hair as he loses control. He cums down your throat with a series of grunts and moans your name when he’s finally finished. You swallow every drop, content to lick him lazily until he groans and tugs on your hair to make you stop, guiding your face back up to his.

“You’re mine now, I hope you know,” he growls in your ear, his scarred cheek pressed to yours as he does.

You nod in agreement, feeling his fingers slip between your legs again as he kisses you gently at first…

But you make sure to call him “Captain” when he makes you cum the second time, with nothing but his tongue.

[moonstrider9904]

Gardens of Yesteryear

This fic is for the Clone Troopers and their Flowers event! @arctrooper69 this goes out to you!

Pairing: Howzer x Female Reader

Synopsis: on a very important day for you and Howzer, you’re unable to find the one thing you need to make the evening flawless. Will that stop you?

Tags/warnings: SFW. No real warnings, just fluff. Established relationship, brief mentions of alcohol.

Word count: 2.6k

Crossposted to AO3

As you bumped into one of the many flower-filled buckets for the third time that visit, you scolded yourself for leaving it to the last minute. There you were, in the fifth flower shop of the morning, and you’d had no luck finding those flowers. The day before, you’d thought your reasons to wait until the actual day were decent. You didn’t want them going bad, you didn’t want the petals crumbling or the stems going stale. You wanted all the best for him, for your special day.

You couldn’t believe it had already been three years.

The memory of your beloved coming into your life prompted you into taking a deep breath in the middle of the flower shop amidst all the people happily buying their bouquets of sunflowers or lilies, all flowers that were easy to find and renowned by everyone. It had been a rainy summer, that one, and it was the summer your life changed when you put it into perspective. The decisions you made, the people you met… you remember your man being the sensation. Everyone was talking about him and you’d heard his name mentioned and repeated days before you even got the chance to meet him, and surely enough, you also fell for Howzer’s charms when you first laid eyes on him. It was hard for you to fathom your luck—the sheer way in which the universe had smiled at you, told you yes, you may have this man to love and to hold.

A smile appeared on your face when the memory of when he’d asked you to be his came into your mind. The clouds had cleared on that day and you felt a warm sunshine on your skin. The breeze that day carried the smell of grass and flowers and the noise of children laughing and families going about. Donning a sundress and a cute little hat with sandals that matched it, you’d met Howzer underneath an oak tree whose green leaves looked radiant in the sunlight, and he’d arrived with a stunning bouquet of blue freesias. The way the blue shade matched the colors of his armor from his days as a soldier didn’t escape you, and that was when he’d asked you if you wanted to make your relationship formal. You’d never been quicker to say yes to anything, and those flowers remained on a vase at the center of your home for longer than any other bouquet had in your entire life.

Your mother’s words came to mind, of that one time she told you, “When someone’s flowers last that long, it means their feelings for you are really strong.”

But your heart also ached at the memory of how beautiful Howzer’s gesture was. Now that you were hitting the three year mark, you wanted to replicate the feeling in him, let him know that you’d also be willing to go over the top for him any time. And while most of your three-year-anniversary date had already been planned out, this part remained a secret.

In theory, since your flower endeavor was a secret, there would be no real consequence to you not going through with it. But you were unwilling to let it slide.

Then, as the florist came back around the counter from the back of the shop, you took a deep breath, feeling your pulse rise as you anticipated all the things she could possibly say to you.

“I have good news and bad news,” the florist said.

“Oh, maker,” your words shook from nerves as you exhaled your tension, but your tone remained kind. “Start with the bad news, please.”

“Well, I have two pieces of bad news,” the florist continued. “I have no blue freesias, and I have no freesia arrangements already made.”

You nodded. “Okay… what about the good news?”

“I have freesias in just about any other color. If you’re willing to work with that, just tell me what other colors you want and I’ll have an arrangement ready for you in thirty minutes tops,” she smiled at you.

Your heart sank, and the florist took notice.

“I don’t mean to make it worse,” the florist said, “but if you’d come around one hour earlier, I think you still would’ve found some blue ones.”

You chuckled, your laughter dipped in slight disappointment. “Yeah… an hour ago I was at a different flower shop, and they told me the same.”

The florist gave you a sympathetic smile. “I can work wonders, you know. Why don’t you let me mix some white, purple, and pink freesias and sprinkle in some golden motifs?”

A thought suddenly perched itself on your mind as you remembered the warm glow of the evening when your relationship with Howzer started. Everything had seemed so golden around you, and after all this time, that was one of the first things that you thought of when the memory came. The next thing you always seemed to think of was how beautiful the teal of Howzer’s armor looked whenever the ambience around him was so warm. The image was vivid in your mind, and your heart raced with joy as you thought of your handsome Howzer, in that perfect lighting, only belonging to you.

“You know what?” You smiled at the florist. “Do you have any yellow and hot pink freesias?”

“You bet,” she replied.

“Okay… do you think you could mix all the colors, but give the warm tones priority? And maybe we could keep the golden motifs.”

The florist nodded at you. “Give me a half hour and I’ll surprise you.”

A half hour sounded wondrous. In that time, you could go to the bakery next door to get some of the last things you needed before your anniversary date.

“You’re a hero,” you told the florist. “I’ll be back!”

*

The sun had started to go down on the sky, and the light it cast on the outside took that beautiful shade of gold you so loved. Despite the flowers not going according to your plan, the bouquet the florist got for you was still gorgeous, and if anything, it complimented Howzer’s signature colors. You had the whole thing planned out, figuring you could trust the kind florist to help you with one last endeavor to give the evening one more level of charm. You never wanted to be predictable when it came to Howzer, especially not when it came to a day as important as that one.

You were approaching the spot Howzer had chosen for your date. He had the tendency to not be predictable when it came to you either, and though it would have been sweet to have your date where it all began, Howzer chose a place that was new to you. At a park in a quieter side of the town, where there was grass, benches, tall trees, and even a fountain, and you felt the romance in the air from the moment you arrived.

You marched yourself across the park, feeling occasional blades of grass brushing against the skin exposed on your sandaled feet, and the gentle wind flowed in harmony with the skirt of your white sundress. You made your way towards the spot of the park Howzer had told you to meet him beforehand, and when you were at a short distance, you spotted him talking with two of his brothers. He saw you coming, as you could tell by the way his gorgeous brown eyes landed briefly on you only for him to gesture hurriedly at his brothers to leave, causing you to giggle softly at him. Howzer was a gentleman, but you loved it whenever your charm brought out his more clumsy side.

As you walked up to him, you took in every detail of Howzer. Though you weren’t at the same oak tree, the warm light of the evening matched the memory so well it might as well have belonged to you and Howzer already. As for your boyfriend, Howzer wore light brown pants and shoes that were a slightly darker shade, almost approaching a milk-chocolate color. His white shirt seemed to be made of a light, breathable fabric, ideal for days with such high temperatures and warm winds blowing, and the white shirt had thin cross-stitch patterns embroidered along the length of his chest in teal thread, his signature color.

A large grin plastered itself on your face as you took those last steps between Howzer and yourself, and your free hand went up to his shoulders as you leaned in and perked yourself up on your toes to greet him with a light kiss on his cheek.

“Hi, love,” you chimed.

“Hi,” Howzer smiled at you, his gaze traveling over your silhouette. “Wow, you are… you are stunning.”

You giggled and gave a little twirl on the spot. “Thanks.”

You then paused as you watched him standing there, his hands hidden behind his back as he smiled a tad nervously at you. You took that moment to take in the rest of the details around you: the red and white blanket placed on the grass, a large plate with grapes, hams, and cheeses, a wooden tray with short legs to safely hold a bottle of rosé wine and two slender cups, and series of warm fairy lights already powered on for them to grow progressively as the sun set. You smiled at the scene and set your basket of bread down on the blanket, your chest swelling with joy as you looked over at Howzer again, ready to tell him how beautiful the set up was.

But Howzer remained with his same uptight posture, hands insistently behind his back.

You giggled again. “Well? Aren’t you gonna kiss me?”

“U-Uh, right,” Howzer stammered, revealing one of his hands from behind his back. “Suppose I could just do this.”

“Mmm yeah, you could,” you chirped as Howzer bent forward and kissed your cheek sweetly. Smiling brightly, you turned your face to face him directly, and Howzer leaned in again to press his lips to yours.

You sighed dreamily, sinking into the familiarity and warmth of his lips, letting your fingertips travel up to brush the skin on the sides of his face. You’d memorized all of him, from the texture of the scar on his cheek to the lines of his face, the way he tasted and how he tilted his head first to the left and then to the right when he locked lips with you. You grinned into the kiss, pressing your lips harder to his before pulling away with a tiny smile.

“Happy anniversary, dear,” you whispered.

“Happy anniversary,” Howzer reciprocated with a serene smile.

“So,” you raised a brow at him. “Wanna tell me what you have back there?”

The clumsiness returned momentarily to Howzer as he stammered on his words. “Oh, r-right. Um…”

Howzer took a deep breath, returning to his regal, captain-like demeanor. He straightened his back and looked at you with confidence and affection, two traits that would have you swooning over him for days.

“I wanted to have a balance today, you know?” Howzer began. “I do want to commemorate this day three years ago under that oak tree when you said yes to me, but it’s been three years, and as much as I hold the past very close, I also want to acknowledge the fact that you and I, well… we have a future. We have a path to move forward in, and… hence the new place. But… well, maybe putting it that way, it’s not such a tragedy.”

You tilted your head, confused by his last sentence.

Howzer chuckled. “To have a piece of the day you and I became a couple, I wanted to get you the same blue freesias I got you back then.”

He slowly revealed what he was hiding behind him, and you stared at the bouquet of bright yellow, red, magenta, and light pink freesia flowers. The bouquet was balanced out with smaller white flowers that resembled chamomile, and it was wrapped in cellophane on the outer layer and thin bright pink paper on the inside, tied together with a neat teal bow. Howzer held the bouquet out to you, smiling charmingly at you, and for a moment, he resembled a prince declaring his love to you for the first time all over again.

You chuckled at him, dazed. “Let me guess. All the flower shops were out of the blue freesia flowers.”

“It’s uncanny how I was unable to find any today. It’s like they plotted to ridicule me,” Howzer agreed, but now he raised a brow at you. “How did you know?”

You giggled, your cheeks flushing with heat. With the best of timings, you spotted the florist walking up behind Howzer, and your gaze regrouped with that of your lover.

“Well, you’re not the only one who remembers vivid blue flowers that day,” you said, slowly walking up to him and kissing his cheek, letting your voice lower into a whisper as you told him, “close your eyes.”

Happily, Howzer obeyed. You skipped past him and went over to the florist, mouthing the words “Thank you” as you took the bouquet from her and took your position in front of Howzer again. You held the bouquet in front of your chest and smiled brightly at Howzer, your eyes sparkling.

“I know about the blue flowers because I wanted to get them for you too,” you said.

Howzer opened his eyes and felt his chest swelling with love at the sight of you holding the bouquet. You’d gotten the flowers in the same colors he had, and the golden motifs didn’t escape him.

“Darling,” Howzer sighed as he took the flowers from you. He chuckled softly, looking you in the eyes. “Well, great minds do think alike.”

“I guess they do,” you beamed.

Howzer set your bouquet down on the blanket next to the one he’d gotten for you. He rested them on your basket of bread and smiled at the way both complement one another, not unlike you did to him. Howzer then took your hands in his and looked you in the eyes, gazing into you with all the tender care he held for you.

“I love you,” he spoke softly.

Your entire chest fluttered, and your eyes glimmered up at Howzer as you blessed him with the most beautiful smile he’d ever seen.

“I love you too,” you said before leaning in and letting him kiss you.

As you both pulled apart from the kiss, the gleam in your eyes turned excited.

“Now, can I please start eating that cheese?” You proposed.

Howzer laughed. “Help yourself. I’ll pour the wine and get the crackers.”

“No wine, no crackers, no bread,” your hungry side got the better of you. “Only cheese.”

Howzer kissed your cheek, pressing himself firmly into you and smiling into your skin with how much he adored you. You then took a seat on the blanket and grabbed a cube of rich, yellow cheese, plopping it into your mouth. As you savored it, you leaned your head back, taking a deep breath as you enjoyed the peace, the breeze, the whole evening. Hearing as Howzer opened the bottle of wine and poured the two cups, you reached for a grape and smiled, knowing you were in the middle of perfection.

Here’s to more years, you thought as Howzer took a seat next to you, handing you your cup of wine.

You clinked your glasses together, and then you leaned your head on his shoulder, smiling as you gazed into the sunset and enjoyed every second of your time with the man who made your days bright and your years sweet as the scent of freesias.

Thanks so much for reading! If you like this fic, please consider reblogging to support me!

Dividers by saradika-graphics

[green-alm0nd]

How each of the Bad Batch would react to

“I’m just so stupid! How can you possibly want to be around me?” Female / Male / GN Reader exclaims in tears.

+ possible Rex and other clones

[The Bad Batch x trans!male!reader (Headcanons)]: Light in the dark (+ Rex, Howzer & Fives)

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Summary:

You've been feeling very self-conscious lately. Your favourite clone is there to comfort you.

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Angst, trans reader, mentions of gender dysphoria, self hatred, mentions of mental breakdowns, overwhelming thoughts, comfort, established relationship. Not proofread. Kinda self indulgent but it doesn't really matter.

A/N: I was looking for one of these type of requests for pride month heehee

Enjoy!

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HUNTER:

Hunter could feel something odd happening around you. He knew you had been struggling with gender dysphoria for a long time, and that odd feeling was the one he used to assign whenever you felt that dysphoria crawling back up.

So, he ran. He ran towards your shared bunk with a slight hint of worry on his heart. He found you crying, sitting down, probably in the middle of a mental breakdown, clenching your chest with tears in your eyes.

He kneeled down, looking into your eyes and asking what was wrong, before you said in tears:

"I'm just so stupid! How can you possibly want to be around me?"

His eyes widened and a pang on his chest brought him back to the gravity of the situation.

He placed his arms around your figure, hugging you tightly.

"You're not stupid. You're amazing, you're resilient. And I love you because of that. I want to be around you, you're an awesome person. Never forget that, trooper." He said.

That gave you enough comfort to believe his words.

ECHO:

Echo came back from a long mission, and headed to your bunk. It was clear that something had happened, since he heard your sobs from across the door. He know you've struggled after you came out as trans, and he's been supportive throughout the entire path. Still, he know it's hard to keep it fine sometimes.

He opened the door, and saw you crying, hugging your arms, with your head low. The clone's expression softened, slowly walking closer to make you know he was there and in order not to scare you.

He sat down besides you, wrapping an arm around your small figure before he heard you say:

"I'm just so stupid! How can you possibly want to be around me?"

To this, his eyes widened, and he pulled you even closer, letting you cry.

"That's not true...you're not stupid. You're a brave man, and I love you so much for that." He said, kissing your forehead.

Echo is not a fan of physical touch, whether it's given or received. However, in moments like this, he doesn't mind giving you physical affection for as long as you'd like.

And you love him for that.

WRECKER:

He knows something is wrong immediately. He may act silly, but he's not dumb. He knows when you're feeling down, and he's been with you every single time you broke down in tears. He's the same with his brothers: he's the glue that kept Crosshair and Hunter from fighting so many times. He's the glue that kept you away from hurting most of the time.

Wrecker knew you were trans. He once tried to beat up a guy for misgendering you, but it's not like he can do that every time because 1) He'll draw attention to himself and the Bad Batch is not on the position to draw attention, and 2) It will make Hunter upset and won't let him go eat Mantell mix with you and Omega.

He opened the door, and saw you on the floor, hugging your knees. He felt his heart beat faster, concern washing all over his face. He also got worried when he heard you say:

"I'm just so stupid! How could you possibly want to be around me?"

To this, he gave you the biggest hug he's ever given you. He never really knew what boundaries were, he didn't know that word existed. But, he wasn't good at keeping boundaries when it came to hugging in middle of panic attacks, but he just had to do it because it's the only way he shows comfort.

"Come here. You're okay, you're fine. You're not stupid, you're pretty dang smart! And besides, who will I share Mantell Mix with whole Omega isn't here if it isn't you?" He said.

That definitely made you laugh.

TECH:

This man has, of course, studied about your emotions. When you feel them, what that emotion is associated to/with, if there's a reason it even 'triggered' whether it's positive or negative...

Like I said, he has studied your emotions. And it doesn't take a handsome man, with brown hair and goggles to understand and see that you're not doing well based on your position, and the tears flowing in your face. And, you told him you were trans and still struggling with gender dysphoria, so he figured it was linked to that this time.

He also understands why, but he is surprised when he hears you say:

"I'm just so stupid! How could you possibly want to be around me!"

Tech gets very uncomfortable when it comes to showing physical affection. Though there's small moments when he doesn't mind showing his love for you.

"Sarad, I do not think you're thinking clearly. You are not stupid, nor anything similar. You are a valuable team member and this group could not have done remarkable things without you. I also feel rather flattered when I find out that you listen to me when I speak. Which is something Crosshair lacks on, for example." He explained, awkwardly placing an arm around you.

He's very awkward when it comes to this stuff but he doesn't mind giving a thirty minute rant on how much he appreciates and loves you.

CROSSHAIR:

This man notices everything. He may not have Hunter's enhanced senses nor Tech's ability to notice things based on actions; but he has the eye of a hawk and a sharp mind. Of course, he knew you were trans. And it wasn't the first time that he had seen you break down and be mad at yourself. He tried multiple times to change that, and he still tries.

He enters your shared room, keeping some distance between you two to give you space, especially since you were crying and breaking down, hugging yourself while you sat on the bed. His gaze softened when he heard you say:

"I'm just so stupid! How could you possibly want to be around me?"

He slowly got closer, to the point where he sat down on the bed and gave the side of your forehead a small kiss.

"I've felt the same for a long time, and those thoughts bring no good for you. Trust me." He said, staring at you. Crosshair grabbed your chin, and forced you to look at him.

"You...gave me a second chance when no one did. I owe you that, and much more." He swore.

He gave you another kiss on your forehead before he placed an arm around you.

REX (bonus)

Now, Rex doesn't have enhanced senses, a great mind nor an eye of a hawk. But, he has a big heart and more than half of it belongs to you. You and the clone have been dating for a while, and he can tell when you're not doing alright. Especially, when you told him that sometimes gender dysphoria gets a bit hard to handle.

He come back to your shared barrack, only to see you crying with your back against the wall, curled in a ball. He quickly closed the door, and ran towards you.

He kneeled down, asking if you were okay, before he heard the words:

"I'm just so stupid! How could you possibly want to be around me?"

He pulled you close, hugging you tightly before he let go, and smothered your face with kisses.

"I can't believe you're saying that! You're not stupid! You're beautiful!" He said, between kisses.

"I love being around you, sarad! You're one of the best thins that's ever happened to me! Of course I want to be around you!" He exclaimed.

HOWZER (bonus)

Howzer is like Rex. He came back from a tiring mission on Ryloth, and he only wanted to see you. However, it broke his heart to see you cry, and to see how bad you were doing. He felt guilty for not being there that often, since he was always in missions.

He took off his chest plate, and sat down next to you. He waited for you to speak, but when you didn't speak for a long time, he opened his mouth for you to say:

"I'm just so stupid! How could you possibly want to be around me?"

He placed an arm around you, pulling you closer to his chest.

"Don't listen to the voices, please." He whispered, hugging you.

He knows you've struggled with gender dysphoria, and he's tried to make the voices smaller. However, he knows it's not always easy, and that they come out pretty often.

"You're an amazing person. Those who don't want to be around you don't know what they're losing. You're a great friend, and a pretty great boyfriend too." He reassured.

FIVES (bonus)

Fives used to be the type of boyfriend to distract you from the voices by doing things together: watching a holomovie, playing games, etc. However, when he realised your body dysphoria was getting worse, he knew he had to change his strategy. He bought you a few binders a long time ago, and you've used them plenty of times.

He still hated to see you cry. Especially when you sounded so broken. Though, Fives always came to the rescue. This time, too.

He entered your shared apartment, and saw you sobbing on the sofa. He approached you and hugged you close, but his eyes widened when he heard you say:

"I'm just so stupid! How could you possibly want to be around me?"

His expression softened, and he forced you to look at him by placing his hands on your cheeks.

"I won't let you say that, 'aight? You're far from stupid! You're smart, brave and strong. Heck, the entire 501st wants to meet you! They adore you and so do I!" He said, with a soft smile.

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HAPPY PRIDE MONTH!!!! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

As a trans male boy, I feel so proud that there's a month of representation for me, and for others like me!

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed your request anon! Stay safe and remember to drink water!

[maiaswriting]

Shards of Loyalty

Amidst the shadows of betrayal and loyalty, one rebel medic must navigate fractured bonds in the heart of the Empire's darkness.

Fandom: Star Wars, The Bad Batch

Pairing: Wolffe x Reader

Content: Angst as the reader briefly reunites with Wolffe on Teth

Warnings: Spoilers for TBB S3ep06+07

Word Count: 2,978

A/N: I watched the episode, cried, then spent all my time writing this. Also, I couldn't help but have Gregor simp for the reader in this one. Art in divider is by lornaka.

Sitting around the grey flexsteel table, laughter danced around you, as soft giggles spilled from your lips. Your eyes closed briefly as your cheeks rose, a toothy grin wide across your face in a way that made each corner hurt. Across from you was the other source of joyful sounds, in his worn, white plastoid commando armour. His features were spread into a similar grin, crow's feet crinkled about his chestnut brown eyes that glinted in the artificial light of the ship’s interior, and the worn lines upon his tan skin stretched about his smile. A small, stray strand on his dark, slicked-back hair had fallen out of place, which he brushed back into place with a quick swipe of his gloved hand.

As you calmed your laughs, you shifted your hand to take hold of your cup of caf that sat on the table in front of you, the earthy smell of it curling in your nose as you inhaled. Before taking a sip of it, you tilted your head towards the clone opposite you as he rubbed the side of his face, trying to calm his laughter that was greater than yours.

“As soon as we land, I’m going to go get Nemec to confirm that, Gregor,” you teased him softly, to which the clone burst into another bout of laughter.

“You don’t trust me?” Gregor cooed as his laughs subsided again, pointing an accusatory finger at you. It wasn’t serious though, the lop-sided smirk on his face making it evident.

You rolled your eyes softly, placing your hand around the warm cup and lifting it to take a sip. The caf inside tasted too dry and was bitter on your tongue. Yet, you focused on Gregor, paying the poor taste of the caf little mind. “That mission was wild, I need to hear Nemec’s account. I believe you… but, maker, I need to hear more.”

Gregor chuckled softly at that, raising his cup of caf to his lips as you spoke. Yet, you noticed his dark chestnut hues shift from looking at you, moving to looking at the stairs towards the cockpit. The heavy sound of metal prosthetic legs, slightly muted by boots, traveled down to the table. In the doorway, Echo emerged, his pallid features holding a sense of alarm. He cut to the chase, his caramel eyes settling upon both you and Gregor as he spoke.

“Rex commed. Imperials have discovered the base at the spire. They need extracting, ASAP. We’re about five parsecs away.”

You flicked your eyes back to Gregor, whose dark eyes had now hardened with solemnity. There was an unspoken understanding between you three. Your voice vocalized before you even registered it, holding an almost emotionless tone to it.

“Affirmative.”

You pushed yourself from your chair as Gregor simultaneously stood. You all knew what needed to be done, no orders were needed. That’s how this little group of rebels worked, efficiently like a well-oiled droid; not like the Separatist clankers, but like the whirring of a reliable R-series astromech.

Gregor shifted past you on your right, raising a hand to place gently on your shoulder. His digits gave a gentle, but brief squeeze before departing, a small gesture of reassurance. It was all you needed to push yourself forward, to walk down the familiar corridors of the ship towards the medbay.

Once in the dark room, surrounded by dim blue hues and softly blinking lights of green, red, white, and blue, you didn’t need to turn on the main light to navigate about; you knew this place like the back of your hand. You had transitioned from a medcenter medic to a field medic for the clone rebels, and this place was now as close to a home as you could probably get. You missed your life before, at the medcenter, but here, in this dim room, it was easy to put away the memories, the good and the bad, and be enveloped in the blanket of shadows and low light.

As you sought for your medical bag, fingers grazing against the embroidered section of the fabric, a memory surfaced.

“It’s a gift, for helping with… well, everything.”

Wolffe’s voice echoed in your mind as if he was there. He’d stood before you, a small bundle in his outstretched hand. It was wrapped rather poorly, the edges of the paper coming unfolded as it sat there, as if the commander either hadn’t bothered to find an adhesive, or he simply couldn’t find one. It seemed too awkward for him, in a way, and that was coming from the person who’d been there for… well, everything. At least from the moment he’d arrived, fresh red scar and painfully burnt eye from a lightsaber wound. There had certainly been some awkward moments in his recovery, but somehow, it was not as awkward as this moment. Perhaps, because for once, Wolffe was the one giving, and neither of you was used to it. You’d taken the gift, fingers pulling at the paper to unveil an embroidered patch in the middle, the symbol of the Wolfpack in the middle. “I want you to be an honorary member of the Wolfpack,” Wolffe had explained, still rather awkwardly. At the time, you didn’t know why, but when you went home, to sew the patch to your medpack bag, you’d found his comm details written in the paper wrapping too. That moment felt like a lifetime ago. All memories of Wolffe did. You had been so close. So close, that you’d almost admitted to him that you loved him. But that never came to pass. The world as you knew it shattered, and you had to rebuild. The medbay you currently knelt in was a testament to that.

A sigh, heavy and warped with longing, passed from your lips, falling into the air of the dark room. You had to focus; Rex, Nemec, Fireball, and Howzer were relying on you for the extraction, and you needed to be ready in case anyone was harmed… which was inevitable. Hopefully, all injuries would be minor. Pushing the past where it belonged, in the past and away from your conscious thought, you grabbed the medpack, pulling the straps over your shoulders. No time to dawdle. You stood straight, pack weighing on your shoulders, and you navigated the hallways the way you had just walked, back to the mess room, and then further, up the stairs to the cockpit.

At the very front was Echo, facing ahead as the blue streaks of light shot by like endless blaster bolts. A few seats back sat Gregor, leaning forward with arms crossed over his knees. Both sat in silence; apprehension hung in the air, the deep breath before plunging into conflict, something both clones were used to. You certainly weren’t, yet you were not one to let the unease overwhelm you. Taking a few steps forward, you plant yourself in the leather of the chair opposite Gregor, your voice cutting through the silence.

“How long until we get there?”

Echo tilted his head back slightly, the caramel hues of his irises glinting in the light of hyperspace, coming in from the viewports. “Another couple of minutes. Rex and the boys will need to hold on until then.”

Gregor’s voice quickly cut in after Echo finished his sentence, drawing your attention to him. He’d swiveled his chair to face you, having grabbed something from the small side sill at the edge of the cockpit. “Here, take this blaster,” Gregor extended his hand out, holding a DC-17 hand blaster to you. “Not sure if we’ll have to fight. Be safe than sorry.” His voice cracked slightly as he spoke, momentarily going higher pitch before lowering to his usual pitch. After the voice cracks, a small burst of nervous laughter escaped the clone. It was not long ago that you and Gregor shared humorous laughter, and now all that joy had dissipated. You leaned forward, outstretching your arm to take the blaster from Gregor’s hand. Your fingers curled around the weapon and softly brushed Gregor’s hand, warm still through the gloves. As you pulled the blaster back to rest on your lap, Gregor offered you a small, yet warm smile, sincerity glinting in his eyes, wordlessly telling you not to worry.

At the console, Echo moved to pull the ship out of hyperspace. The streaking lights of passing stars shortened, congealing into pin-prick dots of light. Outside the transparisteel before you, the looming, dark shape of Teth emerged. As you got closer, you spied a bright white light at the location, and Echo deftly moved to send an alert to Rex that you were inbound. Gregor stood, leaning over one of the chairs closer to the console, and so you joined him, to get a better look at the scene. You saw a line of Imperial soldiers - you couldn’t quite make out their armor from here. Huddled before them, alert yet holding fire was Rex and the others… A glance over them showed you easily that some were missing - who you didn’t know. Blasted Imperials, you always lost good clones to them. What surprised you was that they didn’t try anything against the ship.

You pushed yourself to stand from your chair, and Gregor nodded to you, standing up straight himself. Echo swung the ship around for easy access to Rex and the others, and quickly you and Gregor sprinted down the halls towards the door. You gripped the blaster tight in your hand. If it came to blows, you were ready to take down a few of the Empire’s men in exchange for the missing troopers. With a swoosh, the door lowered, spilling white light from your ship against the bright spotlights of the Imperial ship. Before you stood the shadowy figures of both your men and the Imperials. It took you a moment for your eyes to adjust upon those who stood there. You looked to your troopers first - only Rex and Howzer remained, the rest were the Bad Batch, with their child and pet. Nemec… Fireball… Both of them were gone.

Anger surged through you, and you raised your gaze to glare at the leader of the Imperial troopers, intent on giving him the most venomous stare you could muster. Yet, as the details of the man were revealed to you, a crack suddenly shattered your heart in half. The blaster in your hand fell slack as you just stared… The one behind this, who’d allowed the deaths of Nemec, Fireball, and the others, was none other than the man you loved. Wolffe.

Beside him, the clone commando eased forward slightly, yet Wolffe raised his arm to tell the trooper, his voice quiet yet rumbling in a commanding tone, “Stand down.” You just about heard it, although his actions spoke louder than his words at that moment. He was going to let you all go, despite likely being ordered to take down your group. Before you, Rex nodded his head with respect for the commander. They were brothers, and loyal to each other even if they fought on opposite sides. That loyalty gave you hope, sparking up inside your chest where the ruins of your heart now lay cracked, perhaps to mend and bond that wound taken to it.

The Bad Batch, followed by Howzer, moved quickly back up to the ship, and Rex himself turned his back to Wolffe. With them, everything had been said and done, but you… You didn’t quite understand. Wolffe was disobeying the Empire at this moment, but he appeared to still be staying with them. You stepped forward down the ramp, brushing past the lanky figure of Crosshair, onto the rocky ground below. Wolffe’s gaze shifted from the turning figure of Rex towards where you stepped, pushing past those retreating in an almost defiant manner. Your eyes met, and the firm expression of the Commander shifted. His eyes widened in surprise, his lips parting softly; his left, natural eye with its caramel hues seemed vulnerable at that moment. Standing opposed to his brothers was different from standing opposed to the person he’d loved. Looking at him, you saw that too awkward stance again, echoing the past when he first truly opened up to you. There was hope, yet this was not a moment, or even such a thing, to be easily navigated. Not with the troopers at Wolffe’s back, and the Empire too. Not with your ship, your group of rebels about to depart. It wasn’t even as easy as giving commlink details on a crumpled piece of paper.

Rex’s hand met your shoulder as he stopped by you. It was hard to break away from Wolffe’s gaze, but you did. The look on Rex’s face told you everything you needed to know. That pair of amber eyes showed understanding, but an urgency, that nothing could be done now, and it was time to move on. You nodded your head slightly, your gaze meeting Wolffe’s, which had shifted to a more guarded look. There was still a hint of uncertainty in his singular natural eye, but his cybernetic one seemed dull and void. All you could do was offer the commander a nod, not unlike the one that had been shared with Rex, but this one told him that you’d be back, and that you’d both be able to reunite someday. Rex’s hand slipped from your shoulder, and with that, you too turned around. The captain allowed you to slip ahead of him so that he could secure safety as you finished boarding.

The steps onto the ship were hard, but you knew that this was not the last time you would see Wolffe. You did not dare look back, for if you did, you feared you’d lose your composure. Yet, thankfully, as you stepped back onto the firm flooring of the ship, you were surrounded by the clones that had supported you during this new reign of the Empire; Rex at your back, Gregor at your side, and Howzer at the front. The ramp raised and the door swooshed shut, leaving you standing there. The Bad Batch lingered around you too, and in that moment, you wished for them to be gone, to leave you with the ones you trusted, but you knew Echo would scold you for that, as they were his squad too. The conflict was evident on your face, it must be, because the pet of the Bad Batch snuffled its nose and came up to you, sniffing at you and rubbing against your legs in a friendly way. The child smiled at you, “Batcher’s just saying hi, don’t worry.” She seemed to have mistaken your expression for a reaction to the animal. It eased your mind a little, and you gave the kid a smile in response.

Rex shifted, stepping around you, and he headed over to the doorway that led to the corridor through the ship, “Come on, let’s settle down and… well… that was a lot. We all need some rest.” The largest clone in the Bad Batch, Wrecker, heartily agreed, followed by the child, then Hunter and the slinking Crosshair. There was no use in lingering here yourself, so you made your way down the corridor after them. In that walk, you realized that you felt as though part of you was missing, like there was a hole in your heart. It seemed that when it cracked when you saw Wolffe with the Empire, a part of it fell and was now left with him. You really would have to go back for it.

Once the ship was traveling at hyperspeed once more, and the Bad Batch was settled down in the cockpit with Echo, you found yourself sitting around that same table you’d been sitting at with Gregor before this all occurred. This time, you sat right next to Gregor, instead of opposite him, and Howzer sat in the chair you had occupied. Rex was standing to the side, stirring some sweetener into his cup of caf. Surrounded by your little mismatched squad, you finally felt able to breathe and to speak. Letting out a sigh, you voiced that which you’d been dying to say since you saw the commander. “I can’t believe Wolffe sided with the Empire.” Gregor shifted slightly, wordlessly putting a hand on your shoulder. These few clones were the ones that knew about your connection to Wolffe, so you felt safe to speak of it here.

Rex turned his head slightly, looking at you with his amber gaze, holding sincerity within it. “Wolffe doesn’t seem to know everything the Empire’s done. He’s likely still under the influence of the chip. But, like with all of us, he did show signs of resistance.”

Howzer added to Rex’s comment, shoving a thumb in the direction of the cockpit, “If Crosshair can be redeemed, then Commander Wolffe can too. That clone showed that he truly had changed today… and I still almost find it hard to believe, even though I saw it with my own eyes. If that can be done, then getting Wolffe to see sense would be like a sandstorm on Geonosis - inevitable.”

The missing clones from your gathering came to mind though, and you frowned, “But… Fireball… Nemec… Wolffe didn’t-”

“Actually,” Rex cut you off, “They were firing at us with stun rounds. There was one of those shadow troopers after us… That was who got Fireball and Nemec. Wolffe’s men appeared to be ordered to take us down with stun rounds.”

You exhaled softly. Wolffe was still loyal to his brothers, even those who fought against him, that was clear. There was no reason to lose hope, even under the dark rule of the Empire. It gave you purpose too; to keep fighting until Wolffe was finally by your side once more.

Thanks for reading!