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danceswithsporks · 3 months ago

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Awake- Part 9

Crosshair x f!Innkeeper Reader

Part 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

*not canon to season 3*

Authors Notes: Hey so remember when I told @motte-the-goblin that the next part would be up within the week, yesterday? Yeah so apparently I meant today lmao.

I am…so unbelievably sorry for how long this took and how short it is. Lots of stuff went down since the last update and I’ve just been trying to rebound. As for the short length of this chapter, I wanted to get through everything and get them moving onto recovery but I just couldn’t find an organic way to do it. So instead this chapter came out of it.

As I did last year, I’ll be taking the next month of to reset my brain and prepare for Clone x OC week and

KATSUCON 2025! Let me know if any of you will be there! I’d love to meet up and chat clone wars/bad batch with you all!

Chapter Summary:

You wake up to a distressing call and find yourself called to duty.

Awake, once again you were lying awake in your bed, alone. The warmth that you had gotten used to was gone and in its place was empty coldness. Outside, a storm could be heard raging. On nights like this you’d usually have the door open to your private garden where you’d enjoy the smell of the rain and the cool breeze it brought with it. But not tonight. No, instead you kept everything closed and buried yourself beneath the blankets of your far too big bed as you waited for your com or datapad to ring.

Five months, he’d been gone for five long months. The two of you spoke every once in a while. It started close to three times a week but as the weeks turned into months, it dwindled to once or twice a week. Now it was once every two weeks or so. You’d asked him a few separate times what was going on, but he never told you.

“Takin’ care of some business.” He’d told you a few different times.

You hated it, you hated him. Not really, but slightly. Things had finally gotten better. He was opening up to you and you’d never felt closer. But then he was gone. Just hours after finally opening up to you, he’d left.

You thought you’d be okay. He was just a guy. A paying guest in your inn. But after the first week, you found yourself missing his scent. By the second week, you were missing his warmth and by the third week, you were just missing him. You found yourself pacing around your apartment hoping he’d knock on your door suddenly. After a moment, you’d call him in and he’d join you on the couch. You’d read your book and he’d look through his datapad. Then you’d go and lay in bed, your head on his chest, his hand stroking through your hair and the two of you would exchange more stories about growing up. Maybe he’d apologize for being gone for so long, maybe he wouldn’t say anything at all. You wouldn’t mind either way.

A long groan left you as you rolled over and buried your face into his pillow. It no longer held his scent and that upset you. It wasn’t fair that he’d done this to you, to your heart. Rolling over away from your datapad, you nuzzled deeper into your bed and tried to force yourself to sleep. Stupid, Crosshair. Even if he did call you tonight, you’d ignore it.

*pling pling pling*

You practically dove for your bedside table and grabbed the datapad. “Crosshair?” You didn’t even bother to look at who was calling. It had to be him, right? He would be the only one to call you this late at night.

“Is this Doll?” An unfamiliar gruff voice spoke carefully.

“Who?” You looked at the information on the datapad and realized you didn’t recognize it. “Umm, yes. It is.”

“Good. My name is Rex. I work with Crosshair. I received your information from Echo.” Rex wondered what the time was where you were. Perhaps he’d woken you up?

Oh, Stars. Why did you suddenly have a pit in your stomach? ”what’s happened?” You were sitting up now, your heart in your throat.

“Everything is okay.” He paused. “Well, kind of.”

What did he mean by that? “Where is Crosshair?”

Rex looked over his shoulder at a sound. “He’s here. But…”

“But what?” This was it, he’d tell you Crosshair was seriously hurt, or worse!

The former Captain sighed. “There’s been an incident. How soon can you be here?”

Where was ‘here’? “I don’t know where you are. I don’t have a ship.”

“There is a ride waiting for you. Please come soon.”

The call was quickly disconnected leaving you slightly confused. There was a knock on your apartment door and you rushed to it. You found Echo waiting on the other side. “Echo?”

Echo nodded. “How soon can you be packed?”

-*-

You weren’t sure where you were going. You’d asked Echo a few times during the six-hour trip, all he’d told you was that it was secret. The two of you talked casually about what had been happening. How he was settling into his new role as History of the Galaxy professor at Omegas school and the few missions he’d gone on since the return of Tech.

“He’s thinking of proposing to her, ya know.” Echo checked over the readings of his ship as he spoke.

You looked up from your datapad quickly. “Tech is?”

The Domino twin nodded. “Yeah, showed me the ring today. Made it out of the crystal from his blaster.”

A surprised sigh left your lips. “How romantic.” His blaster, the thing that protected his life.

Echo chuckled. “Guess it is. Think she’ll like it?”

“He could give her a rock and she’d love it. She’s head over heels for him.” You sat back in your seat and stared out the window. “What about Wrecker? Think he's planning anything?”

“He may have asked for some advice on how to propose,” Echo smirked at you, earning a laugh. “You’re not gonna say anything, right?”

“And ruin the surprises? No way.” You winked at the clone before looking back at your datapad. Both your friends would be engaged soon. It was hard not to be jealous. They’d found the perfect men and you were still struggling with your own feelings. You shook the thoughts away quickly earning a confused look from Echo. Clearing your throat, you decided to change the topic. “So what’s going on? Why do I need to go to you guys?”

Echo chewed his lip, trying to think about how much to reveal. “I can’t reveal too much. It’s not my place to. But what I can tell you is that some things went sideways and you’re the only one who seems to get through to him.”

“Echo.” You reached over and grabbed his scomp. “Is he okay? Is he hurt?”

He looked down at your hand before looking up at you. Your eyes were filled with worry and it was clear your nerves were getting the best of you. “Physically he’s fine. I promise.” He watched as you visibly relaxed. “It’s mentally that we’re worried about.”

Mentally? “Why?” Why was he being so roundabout about this?

A long sigh left the domino twin. “Rex will explain it better than me.” He checked over the information on his screen. “Sit back, we’ll be arriving soon.”

-*-

Echo led you into a large structure that had seen better days. Walls were crumbled around you and there was a clear draft. In the center of the room was a holo table with many clones around it. A blonde one stepped away after seeing you enter the room. He walked over and extended his hand to you.

“You must be Doll, I’m Rex.” He took a moment to look you over. You were a cute little thing. Bright eyes and a nice figure.

You shook his hand gently. “It’s nice to finally put a face to the name. I’ve heard a good amount about you.”

Rex glanced at Echo. “So have I.” He motioned to the men around the table. “This is Howzer, Gregor, Kix, and Cody.” Each man raised a hand as Rex said their name.

“It’s nice to meet you all.” You nodded to each one. It was odd seeing so many clones in one place. Not only was it the ones around the table, but also a few others walking around the room moving crates. Now that you saw so many together, you could see the way they all looked the same. It was almost a shock compared to how the batch looked. “Where is he?”

“This way.” Rex motioned towards an opposite door.

You followed the blonde clone closely. “Can you tell me what happened?”

Rex paused and turned to face you. “The target that we’ve been tracking has vanished.”

“Oh.” Why would that require you to come here?

“He was a high-priority target for Crosshair. He’s not taking it well.” A loud sound came from the room nearest your group. “Echo, you should make sure the room is safe for her to enter.”

Echo nodded, but before he could move, you reached out and stopped him. “It’s okay.” You stepped around him and reached for the door panel.

“If anything happens, call out for us,” Rex spoke sternly. He’d protect you if need be.

“Echo!” Kix ran towards the domino twin quickly. He stopped in front of Echo slightly out of breath.

Echo turned to face the medic. “Kix? What’s going on?”

“Gregor thinks we found her. Come on.” He motioned back towards the main area.

“Dove?” When Kix nodded, Echo felt the air leave his lungs. Finally, they had a lead on her. He looked back at you quickly and when you nodded, he took off.

Your eyes returned to the door in front of you. Taking a deep breath, you pressed the mechanism in the door and it slid open. You gasped at the sight before you.

The room was an absolute mess. Clothes had been flung everywhere. A chair was overturned against the wall and even the cot had been flipped over. Crosshair sat on the side of the flipped cot, his head in his hands.

“Crosshair?” You carefully stepped into the room. He didn’t react to your voice. Rex cleared his throat loudly behind you but even that didn’t grab the sniper's attention. You carefully walked over to him and placed your hand on his shoulder. “Crosshair? It’s me.” He jumped at your touch.

He lifted his head from his hands and turned to face you. “D-Doll?” Why were you here? No! No. No. No! You couldn’t see him like this.

He’d changed a lot since the last time you’d seen him. It had been nearly two months since he’d holo called you. His hair was longer now and so was his facial hair. A full beard was now visible. It was clear he hadn’t been sleeping, the bags under his eyes were massive. “Oh, Crosshair.” You moved your hand from his shoulder to his cheek.

“How are you here?” He’d forgotten how beautiful you were. The holos on his datapad did you no justice. His eyes shifted to Rex behind you. “You brought her here?”

“No, Sniper.” You kneeled next to him and took his hand in yours. “I asked Echo to bring me here. I haven’t heard from you in a while. I began to worry.” Pulling his hand up to your face, you placed it against your cheek. “Why didn’t you contact me?”

Touching you was like being home. He sighed and pressed his forehead against yours. “I’m sorry, Kitten.” A few tears ran down his cheek. “I’m sorry.”

You took a deep breath. This was worse than you could have expected. Your free hand slid behind your back and you motioned for Rex to leave the room. After a moment you heard the door slide shut. Standing, you released Crosshair’s hand and walked around the overturned bed. Once in front of him, you sat on the floor between the bed and the wall. “Come here?”

Crosshair didn’t hesitate for a moment to fall to the floor next to you. He moved to bury his face into his hands but was stopped by you grabbing his shoulders and pulling him into you. He buried his face into your shoulder and began to shake. The tears that burned his eyes fought to break free, but he couldn’t let them out. You couldn’t see him like this, weak and broken. He felt your hand press against his back before moving up and down. He waited for the questions to come…but they didn’t. Instead, you simply held him.

You’d wait as long as you needed to until he was ready to talk. For now, you’d simply hold him and let him know you were there.

-*-

Two long days passed by before he was ready to talk. You’d spent that time switching between holding him, cleaning, fixing the room, and feeding you both. Meals were brought three times a day to both of you by Rex or one of the others. You hadn’t seen Echo since the day he brought you here.

Howzer, the one with teal on his armor, had been kind enough to bring a second cot for you to sleep on. The moment he’d left the room you’d pushed the two cots together. You held Crosshair each night, keeping him close to you. The only time you heard his voice was when he spoke in his sleep. It was hard to understand what he was saying. Only a few words were clear.

“Hunter, duck!”

“Tech, on your left.”

“Easy shot”

“Hold on Mayday, hold on.”

Mayday was mentioned a lot during those first two nights. Crosshair had told you very little about the man, the topic being a sensitive one for him.

On the third day, your curiosity finally got the best of you. Crosshair was still deep asleep when you woke up. You would have stayed by his side and waited for him to wake up like you had the last two days. But today, you just couldn’t get Mayday out of your mind. You carefully removed yourself from his arms before slowly getting off your cot. You slipped on your boots, pulled the only long-sleeved shirt you’d brought over your head, and prayed that the pants you wore would be enough to keep you warm. You’d been in such a hurry to pack that you hadn’t even bothered to ask Echo what the weather would be like. You’d simply packed two outfits plus the one you were wearing when you arrived. Two of those outfits had short sleeves while only one had long sleeves. The only reason why you’d stayed relatively comfortable these past few days was because you’d been as close to Crosshair as possible. The clone and the blankets on the cots were enough to keep you warm.

The door opened with a quiet whoosh as you exited the small room. While inside with him it didn’t seem that small, now that you were out in the hall and looking back into the room, you realized how little it was. Crosshair shifted on the cot and you worried he was about to wake up. But when he settled once more, you sighed and let the door shut. It took you a few tries to find your way back to that main room you’d been in when you first arrived, but after a long fifteen minutes, you found it. You hadn’t realized how early it was when you were in the room. But now that you stood in the almost empty control room, you realized just how early it truly was.

“Howzer?” The teal clone stood by the holo table with a mug in hand. Steam swirled in the air above it and the familiar scent of coffee filled the room.

Howzer looked away from the holo table in surprise. He hadn’t expected to see you this early and without Crosshair. “What are you doing up this early?” The Captain looked you over before catching the way you shivered slightly.

“Couldn’t sleep.” You shifted as he walked to the side of the room and picked up a dark bundle off one of the crates. He crossed the room over to you and held the bundle out to you. “Thanks. You?”

“One of us is always on duty at the table. Just in case someone contacts us.” He watched you unfurl the bundle and look it over before pulling it on. “Trouble sleeping, huh?” He stepped closer to you and tugged the robe gently. Adjusting it so it sat better on your shoulders and didn’t pull on your neck. The Jedi that had owned it before would have been happy to know it was being used again.

The robe was so warm and comfortable, that you sighed softly as warmth began to spread through your body. You nodded as the clone in front of you adjusted the garment a few times before stepping away from you. “Got a lot on my mind.”

Howzer motioned towards the other side of the room. “Like what?”

You followed him around the holo table and towards a steaming pot. The scent of caf was becoming stronger and stronger. “Well…” you chewed your lip in thought for a moment, trying to figure out how to breach the subject. “I was wondering something. Were you…part of the Empire too?”

He froze at her question, the clean mug in his hand shaking slightly. “I was.”

“What…was it like? Did you know Crosshair then? Did you also have a Jedi?” The questions seemed to race out your mouth before you could stop them. You took a long breath to try and stop the rest. “Sorry”

Howzer shook his head and fought off the urge to laugh, you were cute. He finished pouring you a cup of coffee before answering. “It was different, I did, and yes, I did have a Jedi.” He passed you the mug. “Drink this, it’ll help ya warm up.”

You blushed slightly before taking the mug. It felt nice in your cold hands. “Thanks.” You took a small sip of the warm drink and visibly recoiled slightly. That was some of the worst tasting coffee you’d ever had.

A chuckle left Howzer as you took your sip. “Not the best tasting stuff in the galaxy. But it gets the job done.” He motioned over to a set of crates set up around a larger crate. “How about ya start at the top and I’ll answer what I can.”

“What was your Jedi like?” You sat on one of the crates and placed your mug on the larger crate that seemed to act as a table.

“He was a brave and caring man. Don’t know how far my men and I would have made it without him.” He stared down at his mug for a few moments. “We lost him a few weeks before everything changed.” Howzer looked towards the holo table. “How much has he told you about what happened?”

You took another sip of the warm drink before answering. “He told me about Order 66 and what it entailed.”

Howzer gave you a softened look before shaking his head. “You honestly shouldn't know about it. Not the type of things civs should hear about.”

“Civs?” Your head tilted to the side.

“Civilians.” Another voice echoed across the empty room.

“Cody.” Howzer nodded to the ex Marshal Commander. “Doll had some questions that were keeping her awake.”

Cody nodded and stroked his growing beard in a way that Rex had told him reminded him of Kenobi. “I see.” He walked over to the two of you as Howzer stood and grabbed another mug of caf. “Like what?”

“What it was like being a part of the Empire. What his Jedi was like. If he knew Crosshair then.” Cody was the one in orange. You could clearly see small spots of gray poking through the paint, probably best you didn’t ask about that. Your nails tapped against the ceramic of the cup in front of you. “Could I ask the same questions to you?”

“You can.” Cody settled on the crate and watched Howzer bring over the coffee. “I worked in the Empire for a while as well. Even worked side by side with Crosshair. Never seen a more skilled sniper in my life. The last mission I did was with him.”

“What do you mean the last mission?” Your hands gripped the mug in your hands tightly, the warmth of it finally getting to your bones.

The once Marshal Commander took a long sip of his drink before speaking. “Soon after that mission, I tried to walk away from it all. I’d seen too much and been through too much. I couldn’t take it anymore. Someone higher up heard about my plan to go AWOL. I was captured before I could even try to leave and taken to Tantiss. The same place Crosshair would later be imprisoned at.”

“Oh.” You swallowed. Maybe it was best to change the subject. “Did you have a Jedi you worked with?”

“Yeah, he was an amazing General. Saved my life more times than I can count.” And yet he’d killed him. Shot him down mercilessly. He remembered the feeling of seeing his body move on its own and fire at him. The way he fell from that wall. “Wore a robe just like the one you’re wearing.” He motioned to the garment wrapped around your body. A part of him wanted to reach out and touch it, to feel the familiar material against his fingers at least one more time.

“This was a Jedis robe?” You looked down at the dark brown garment. A Jedi had worn this before you. You looked at Howzer quickly for verification. The teal clone nodded to you before looking away. “I feel honored then.”

The three of you fell into silence for a few minutes. Simply enjoying the silence and the company. Cody was the first to speak.

“Something tells me there’s more to why you couldn’t sleep.” You awkwardly shifted across from him and it was all the answer he needed. “Ask away.”

You took a long breath. “What do you know about a clone named Mayday?”

-*-

You sat on a crate outside on the landing pad deep in thought. The robe was still pulled tight around you. The sun was up now and slowly warming the air. Thoughts on what you’d learned about Mayday ran through your head. You knew he was dead, that was something Crosshair had told you. It was how he died that had taken you by surprise. If what you’d read was true then poor Crosshair had been through so much more than you realized.

“Doll?” A familiar voice called to you from the hangar doors.

You turned and locked eyes with the man you’d been thinking of. “Crosshair.”

He quickly moved across the landing pad as you stood up from the crate. The moment he was in front of you he pulled you into a tight embrace. “I thought you left.”

“I wouldn’t leave without telling you. I just needed some fresh air and time to think.” Your face nuzzled into his chest. It was clear he hadn’t showered in a few days, the smell didn’t bother you too much.

“Think about what?” His face buried into your hair and he inhaled deeply. Yes, this scent, your scent, you were his peace.

You hummed softly as you listened to him inhale. Should you tell him that you were thinking about him? About what he’d gone through? About Mayday? “Well…” Your mom would tell you that honesty was the best policy here. “About you and what you’ve gone through and…Mayday.”

“Mayday?” Crosshair pulled away from you and looked down. “Why would you be thinking about him?”

“Because you’ve mentioned him at least thirty times in your sleep since I’ve been here.” You pulled away from him and walked past him. “I know what happened to him, to both of you. Or at least the details that are in the reports.”

Crosshair turned and stared at you. “How?”

A lump seemed to form in your throat. “I asked Cody and Howzer.”

“What?” He stormed across the platform and over to you. “Why the hell would you ask them?”

You turned and faced him, anger boiling inside of you at the way he was speaking to you. “Because you would never tell me!”

‘Stop’ You thought to yourself. This wasn’t on him. What you had learned about that mission from the reports Howzer had found made it clear it was bad. You could only imagine how much worse everything was. A long sigh left your lips as you tried to calm down.

“It’s been almost a year, Crosshair. We’ve known each other for almost a year now. I don’t expect to know every single detail about your life. But I would hope you’d feel more comfortable opening up to me. Especially now when you’re clearly going through something.” You stepped forward and raised your hands to his face. “Crosshair, please.” Gentle hands cupped his face as pure eyes stared into his. “Open up to me? Let me know the real you.”

“You couldn’t begin to understand what I’ve been through.” Crosshair tried to pull away from your hands but found himself stopped. Instead, he shifted his eyes away from yours.

As he looked away from you, you felt your heart drop. The past couple of days had revealed his weaknesses to you. The way he struggled to come to terms with whatever was eating at him had shown you just how deep it truly went. His was so much more than simple nightmares. Whoever this high-priority target was, they had a strong connection to Crosshair. Were they the source of his nightmares? Or just a small part?

None of it mattered to you right now. All that mattered was him and how he was feeling at this moment. It was clear he was nervous about you learning something or worried that you wouldn’t understand and thus be unable to truly help him. But you’d do whatever you could to help him. You’d take him how he was, with all the baggage included, and make him whole once more. You’d push out the darkness and guide him to the light and be his everything.

The realization of how much you genuinely cared for this man, this clone who’d started out as a stranger and a renter in your inn, was astonishing to you. In this moment you truly understood that the two of you were a part of one another now. All you wanted was to ease his pain and for him to be happy. You cared for him so much.

You…loved him.

Your eyes shook as you moved closer to him. “ Let me try, Sniper. Let me be the one to listen to you and know you. Let me love you.” You cooed sweetly to him while stepping forward and pressing your body against his. “Let me be yours, Cross.”

There it was, out in the open finally. You wanted to be his. You wanted to love him and keep him close. To give him all of you and accept all of him.

Crosshair felt like his heart was racing. This was everything he’d dreamed of. Even before he met you. “I…” he gripped your shoulders tightly and tried to push you away even though his heart was yelling at him not to. “I can’t. You can't know the things I’ve been through, the things I’ve done.”

“Crosshair.” You followed him as he tried to push you away. “I want to know everything you’ve been through. Everything you’ve done. The good and the bad. All of it.”

“Doll, you say that now. But once you know the truth there won’t be any way to take it back. I’ve done dark and terrible things.” He hesitated as his body began to shake. “I can’t…I can’t risk losing you. Not yet.”

“Hey.” You reached up and cradled his face once more, making sure he was looking into your eyes. “Nothing you’ve done, and I mean nothing, will change how I feel about you or think about you.” You stood on the tips of your toes and pressed your lips against his. He hesitated at first to return the kiss but soon his arms were wrapping around you and holding you tight. His lips danced against yours in desperation. You pulled just far enough away so you could speak once more, your lips brushing against his. “I promise.”

Crosshair fought the nervous energy racing through his body. He pressed his lips against yours in what he feared would be the final time. “Okay.” He truly hoped you’d be able to keep your promise.

But deep down he feared you wouldn’t be able to.

Tag list:

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#clone wars fic #the bad batch fic #tbb crosshair x you #tbb crosshair x reader #crosshairs bad batch #crosshair bad batch #bad batch crosshair #tbb crosshair #the bad batch crosshair #crosshair x reader #Spotify

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crosshairs-dumb-pimp-gf · 12 days ago

Text

Warming back up now that I'm home and settling back in.

Wanted to draw them in this pose for a while now, voilla.

#the bad batch #tbb crosshair #tbb #crosshair x f!oc #sw oc: tah'nyem ra #sw oc #cross x tahny #ct 9904 #crosshair #crosshair x oc #clone trooper crosshair #imperial crosshair #sw ff: disgrace #tbb fanfiction #star wars fanfiction #oc showcase

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imabeautifulbutterfly · 1 year ago

Note

Mimi

Y o u ‘ r e a M A C H I N E

Pumping these bangers after bangers!!… You’re gunna need a whole Dewey Decimal system for all these masterpieces!! Your expressiveness and emotions inspire me, it’s contagious.

I’m gunna have to ask for mah Murdertoothpick Danger noodle of a nope rope , Crosshair.

I was absolutely FLOORED at the fics you’ve been spewing out.

So IF you would be ever so kind to indulge me or yourself —I present to you with a “choose your own dealer’s choice”

(Crosshair x F!Medic) or you can insert my OC

(Kave) 🦊 whatever strikes you right.

Any combinations of these:

18. “You shouldn’t be out here by yourself.”

38. “You dumbass. Don’t do that. Ever agian. “

20. “I can’t leave you alone for one second without hurting yourself, can I?”

36. “How many fingers am I holding up?…I don’t have six fingers.”

44. “Do as I say not as I do. For real though, You don’t want to do what I do. I don’t want to do what I do.”

2. “I will always be there for you.”

Your choice I give you free range — you can make it hurt so good or bad / or add some whump or fluff / add as much drama as you desire…where ever in the timeline — The floor is yours Queen!❤️❤️❤️

@kavecika What a fantastic request, especially for my 20th request. I loved it. I did end up using your OC, so I hope I did Kave justice.

So I hope you enjoy what I came up with, love oo.

Promise

Warning: Medical injuries (somewhat graphic), burns, medical procedures, angst, hurt, comfort, kiss, fear of medical staff, feelings of being alone, I think that's it. If I miss any, please let me know.

Main Master List | Star Wars Fic Roulette

Crosshair sat in the medbay waiting for Kave to show up, after everything, after having his brothers abandon him for a kid, after having them nearly cook him alive, after them walking away, the one thing he could actually count on was Kave.

She was the only bright spot left in his life.

“I can’t leave you alone for one second without you hurting yourself, can I?” She giggled as she walked in seeing him injured. She knew better than trying to coddle him, or worry about him to an extreme. She’d be able to do that in the privacy of their quarters later on that night.

He only let out a strained chortle as the pain meds were slowly ebbing away.

“Okay, my beautiful murdertoothpick, I’m gonna have to take this bandages off, and see the extent of the damage, okay?”

He nodded, not able to find the strength to answer her.

“Pain meds wearing off?”

Nod.

“Okay, sweetie… hold on.” Kave reached over and grabbed another pain med, using the hyperspray and injecting it into his arm, “There you, sweetie. You’ll start feeling better soon. Just calming breaths. Okay. Use your sniper breathing for me.”

Nod. He tried his best to calm his breathing imagining he was lining up a target.

“Okay, here we go.” She slowly cut away the gauze, careful not to pull too quickly. Biting back the tears and worries she felt for the pain and injury he sustained. His hair was burned away, his skin bubbled and melted away from the heat. Some of it came off on the gauze she peeled away. She wanted to press a kiss to his lips, to hold him close to take away his pain. However, she needed to remain professional.

“Alright, I’m going to need you to open your eyes for me, I’m going to pull away the eyepatch and then we’re going to test to see how much damage there is, okay?”

Nod.

She took in a deep breath, and prepared herself for what she’d find under the patch. She let out a sigh of relief that the damage wasn’t too bad. The eye was red, a little inflamed, which was understandable. The pupil was reacting to the light, which was fantastic. His eyes were tearing up as tears slid down his cheek.

“Okay, How many fingers am I holding up?”

Crosshair took a second, his vision was blurred, and somewhat fogging from the tears forming. He couldn’t stop blinking for a while, “Um … six.”

Kave looked from him to her fingers, “Okay, well first, I don't have six fingers. I’m going to try and wash out your eye again. I know the medics on site already did that, but I’m trying again okay.”

“Yeah.”

After Kave dealt with the injured, she covered and protected it with a cool compress. Once she finished with his eye, she moved on to the more serious injury, she’d need to put bacta on the injury and keep him in the med bay for the next two days. To keep reapplying the treatment. She wasn’t looking forward to the argument that was about to ensue, she dismissed everyone from the room, leaving her and Cross alone.

“Sweetheart, I’m going to need to keep you here for at least two days.”

“No.”

“Cross…”

“I said NO!”

She let out a sigh, “Baby,” she hated using that term but it was the only one that usually calmed him down enough to listen to her, “you need a sterile environment. This is your health, please, for me.” He was about ready to start arguing again, she held his hand and pressed it against her chest, “Listen to me, please. I’ll set you up in the ICU room, it’ll just be the two of us. No one else. I know you hate the med bay. I know you hate being poked and prodded, but I’ll be the only one taking care of you. I’ll treat you every time, and won’t let anyone else in. I’ll protect you and care for you. So please, for me… listen to me and stay here.”

Cross let out a trembling breath, he hated the med bay, he hated the memories that came from the training he and his brothers underwent when they were children… he hated that his brothers weren’t here anymore to stay with him. He hated that Wrecker wasn’t here to stay by his side when he got scared. He hated that Hunter wasn’t here to fight with him, to make him feel he had a brother. He hated that he couldn’t hear Tech’s hum in understanding as he read some new fact or understood some new principle or formula. He hated that he was alone.

He squeezed her hand, “You promise?”

“I promise,” she pressed a kiss to his knuckles, “it’ll just be me and you. You know, I will always be there for you."

He nodded, “Okay. I’ll stay here for two days…”

“At least.”

“Thank you, my beautiful murdertoothpick.”

He let out a huff, “You know I hate that nickname.”

“No, you don’t,” she smirked.

A small smile creeped onto his lips, “No. I don’t.”

Main Master List | Star Wars Fic Roulette

Tag list:

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

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ashes-2-ashes57cba · 8 months ago

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*Tech is laying on the floor with his eyes closed*

Wrecker: Hey, is he sleeping or dead?

Crosshair: Hopefully dead, I hated him.

Echo: Yeah, me too.

Tech, sitting up: First of all, fuck you guys.

Tech: I have locked Specter in a cage designed by her own art. Oh, she has been well and truly hoist by her own petard.

Wrecker: Could you put it another way? I didn’t understand a word of that.

Tech: I’m blackmailing her.

Wrecker: Oh, happy days.

*The Batch is eating dinner*

Omega: Can you pass the salt?

Wrecker: *throws Crosshair across the table*

*Hunter is telling a story*

Specter: Wow, Hunter, this story has everything! Action! Adventure! Romance!

Echo: Romance?

Specter: I have a crush on him.

Specter: Made you all playlists!

Specter: Crosshair, yours has only heavy metal, and is dark like your soul.

Specter: Echo, yours has sad songs and blues to pair with your crippling depression.

Specter: And Wrecker has the ABBA Gold album

#f!oc #star wars #star wars oc #tbb hunter #tbb hunter x oc #the bad batch #sw tbb #tbb crosshair #tbb oc #tbb tech #tbb echo #tbb omega #tbb wrecker #clone force 99

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captn-trex · 3 months ago

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WIP list

thanks for the tag @jetii <3

Rules: make a new post with the names of all the files in your wip folder, regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous. let people send you an ask with the title that most intrigues them, and then post a little snippet or tell them something about it! and then tag as many people as you have wips or close enough, idk, I'm not a cop

these are from my celebration :)

music to watch boys to/ride or die — fox x jedi!reader

you are the best thing — hunter x reader

on your side — wolffe x jedi!reader

you’re gonna make me lonesome when you go — wrecker x jedi!reader

battle of the larynx — wolffe x reader

no ordinary love — rex x reader

writer in the dark — rex x jedi!reader

would you fall in love with me again? — wolffe x jedi!reader

loml — cody x jedi!reader

other stuff I’ve got on the back burner

forging connection — ahsoka x f!reader part 2 (& 3)

fixer & reader at the club lol

shadows of kamino ch. 6 ‘stuck’, incl. OCs Nyx (x Tech), Tiyunne (x Crosshair), Minra (x Hunter)

fives calls you a liar?

yeah these really range in how complete they are lol, a lot are very much just word vomit atm, but I’ll do my best to give you something for whatever you ask :)

tagging: @kometqh @mae-lou-ron @tanobatcher & anyone else who’s up for it <3

#wip tag game #wip #most of the back burner ones idk if I’ll ever even post lol #we’ll see

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freesia-writes · 1 year ago

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hello friend, for the valentines rec - would you be interested in doing a fake dating/relationship situation b/w Crosshair and f!reader? go wild with why they have to fake date 😂

thankssss ❤️HB

THE CROSSHAIR EFFECT got me on this one! 😂 Sometimes when I write him, I just get absolutely sucked in. So this one had me in a mood and I quite enjoyed it. It's a little stereotypical or trope-y or something, but it's delightfully indulgent in my doofus opinion. So I hope you enjoy! 😊 Dividers by @stars-n-spice on this post here.

Crosshair x F!Reader Word Count: 2000ish, hehe Content Warnings: just kissin and in-universe cussin

OH, and since this takes place at a fancy gala, I have to link this gorgeous fanart by @perfectlywingedcrusade because it's just fitting and should be appreciated by everyone. They're lovely images of Crosshair and her OC, so check em out!

A kiss on the hand and a cup of the face

Holding each other close in fancy attire

Out for a stroll while lookin good

The grand gala was in full swing, the opulent castle venue aglow with soft, golden light and the murmur of animated conversations. You and Crosshair, disguised as a wealthy couple, moved gracefully through the crowd, your steps synchronized as you navigated the sea of elegantly dressed guests. The stoic sniper's presence beside you was palpable, his every movement calculated and precise. His sharp gaze swept over the room, taking in every detail with a keen eye for potential threats. Despite the formal attire he wore, there was an unmistakable air of danger about him, a reminder of the skilled soldier lurking beneath the facade of a sophisticated gentleman. And it kinda gave you the tingles.

As you exchanged pleasantries with other guests, your mind raced with the mission at hand. The two of you had been tasked with infiltrating the gala to gather intel on a new weapon being developed by the Separatists. It was a high-stakes operation, and the success of the mission relied on your ability to blend in seamlessly with the crowd while discreetly gathering information.

You stole a glance at him, marveling at the effortless way he maintained his cover. His demeanor was cool and collected, his expression unreadable as he engaged in polite conversation with the other guests. You marveled at his ability to remain composed under pressure, and if you were being honest, you’d admired him for a long time, and had given in to an increasing amount of time spent thinking about being with him in various scenarios. So when this mission had come up in such a way that required you to pretend you were in a relationship, you’d had to fight hard to keep your face neutral and even harder to ignore the pronounced eyeroll and scoff of disgust he’d made.

You were still trying to push the thought from your mind as you leaned against the bar, having split up to different parts of the room. You could swear there had been some significant moments between the two of you, conversations that showed some vulnerability, slight softening in his piercing glares… But sometimes you wondered if the entire dynamic was just wishful thinking on your part.

“Haven’t seen you around here before,” a fellow attendee said, sidling up beside you at the bar. You gave a small smile and a nod, just enough to acknowledge him without being memorable in any way, hoping he would take the hint.

He didn’t.

“Where are you from?” he pressed, stepping slightly closer and holding up two fingers to the bartender, who had waved to him for his order. “I feel like I’d remember a beautiful thing like you.” You had your selection of default answers, offering some uninteresting and vague information, but he was a bona fide hemorrhoid, weaseling ever closer both verbally and physically.

“I feel like you’re not being entirely honest with me,” he purred, tilting his head and reaching to trace fingers along your arm.

“I’m not sure I want to tell all my secrets to someone I just met,” you replied, matching his suggestive energy to avoid triggering any toxic masculinity. You gave him a small smile, but it was met with a furrowed brow that made you start to feel a little anxious at how to get out of this particular situation.

Right on cue, however, Crosshair stepped in, his arm sliding around your waist as he pulled you close. Your heart skipped a beat as you glanced up at him, face relaxing into content familiarity.

"Darling, there you are," he said smoothly, flashing the intruder a charming smile. The honey-sweet words in his sibilant, smoky tone were absolutely intoxicating, and you silently cursed the flush that bloomed across your cheeks without your permission. "I've been looking all over for you."

The guest faltered, taken aback by Crosshair's sudden appearance, and when the sniper turned to face him fully, positively exuding confidence, he excused himself with a polite nod.

"Thanks," you murmured, grateful for the diversion.

"Don't mention it," he replied, his gaze lingering on you for a moment longer than necessary. "We have to be convincing, don’t we…”

“Sorry you got stuck doing this with me.” You felt a wave of frustration wash over you, beginning to feel tired of the way he seemed to jerk you back and forth between softness and harshness, fondness and disdain. You wished he would just come clean one way or the other.

“A mission’s a mission.”

“Mhm,” you agreed, feeling your mood souring by the second.

“Problem?” he asked quietly, forcing the fakest smile you’d ever seen as a couple passed by and fluttered their fans in your direction. It made you want to punch him.

“Nope. Just… On a mission.” You pulled your fur more tightly around you, scanning the room for the targets who were supposed to have the inside info. You’d had yet to locate them, despite schmoozing for the last hour or two. You didn’t notice the way his eyes followed the flow of your hair into a regal bun at the nape of your neck, nor the way they continued back up across your face, unreadable emotion flickering just beneath the surface.

“Oh, Chris, you’re hilarious,” you proclaimed, in the snooty voice you’d adopted around others. You could tell it grated on Crosshair’s nerves, and you couldn’t help the smug sense of satisfaction you felt when his steely gaze met yours for a moment in the privacy of a quick sideways look. You knew there’d be hell to pay later for randomly giving him a name like that, but you didn’t care. Your feet were aching and you’d been done with all the fake socializing about an hour and a half ago. But the two of you had finally worked your way into the “inner circle of sleemos”, as your partner had deemed them, and now were the critical moments upon which the entire mission hinged.

“Not nearly as delightful as you, my little poodoo,” he answered, earning a round of gasps and chuckles from the uppity crowd.

“I say!” declared a man with a huge space-walrus mustache. “That is quite the nickname, my good boy!” He chuffed heartily, casting a side glance at his tall, spiky wife who clearly didn’t approve. Quickly changing his demeanor, he was shaking his head in somber disapproval by the time he looked back at you.

“Oh, we’re just so… so close…” Crosshair continued, almost choking on his words as he looped an arm around your waist again and pulled you against him so abruptly that a little bit of your drink sloshed out of the glowing martini glass. You quickly turned your splutter of indignation into a playful giggle, not so subtly digging an elbow between his ribs as best you could. “I could just call her every name in the book,” he gushed, poking the tip of your nose with a single finger.

“Oh goodness,” you laughed, downing the rest of your drink in one huge gulp. “Would you excuse us? And can I get anyone else another drink?” You turned away so quickly, grabbing your partner by the arm and dragging him along, that you didn’t see Mr. Walrus Stache lifting a finger to take you up on that drink offer. Instead, you did your best to hide the absolute rage you felt beneath the surface as you found a side door out onto a small balcony. There was a single member of the waitstaff there, a Rhodian who was taking a drag off a long cigarette, and his luminous eyes narrowed at the two of you as you appeared, flicking the ash off the end of his smoke and dropping it to the ground before stalking back to work.

“What’s gotten into you?” Crosshair began, turning on you as soon as the last tails of the server’s apron were out of sight. You looked up at him, too frustrated to enjoy how close he was as he loomed above you furiously. “We finally get--”

“ME?!” you spluttered, grasping the shiny lapels of his suit jacket, “You think we’re gonna get anywhere with you calling me poodoo?!” In any other context, the sheer ridiculousness of the situation would have been hilarious, but the simmering undercurrent had risen to a rollicking boil, and his eyes narrowed dangerously.

“Well if you weren’t acting like such a little shi--”

“You’re ridiculous!” you yelled, fists clenched at your sides. But before you could finish the rest of your retort, his hand was clapped over your mouth, cutting off any further attempts to lash out at him. It did not, however, help to quell the fury within. You grabbed his arm with both hands, pulling at it in futility, then froze completely as he stepped in close, wedging a thigh between your legs and flattening you against the stone wall of the castle with his entire body. “What the f--”

“Just shut up for one second,” he hissed, and the sheer intensity of his presence combined with the exhilaration of him pressed against you took every last thought and word right out of your brain. You let out a breath, heart pounding against his chest where he’d bent himself around you, eyes large as they locked on his. He slowly removed his hand, wiping it on his pants with a slight wrinkle of the nose, then tucked it into his pocket, leaving the other arm braced on the wall above you. “Listen,” he said, quietly now, with an urgency yet softness that melted you to your core. “Whatever… this… is…” He took a deep breath, then continued, “We need to get that intel. Then you can… take care of yourself…” He finished with a tiny, confident nod, stepping back in surprise when you burst into laughter.

“Take care of myself?” You slapped your hands flat on his chest, pushing him away with playful force as you felt yourself puffing up again to put him in his place. “Crosshair, you don’t have a damn clue, do you…” You ran out of steam as you registered the myriad of emotions on his face, slowly falling silent as he closed the distance between the two of you again, emanating a different kind of energy this time.

“Care to enlighten me, then?” he asked, tilting his head at you with equal parts condescension and provocation. There was a smolder in his pale brown eyes that made your heart skip a beat, and you were so overrun with feelings of your own that you couldn’t even begin to sort out one from another. You reached for his lapels again, now using them to pull him back against you as you brought your mouth to his with a forceful, determined kiss. His tiny huff of an exhale had a million possible meanings, but you didn’t care, because one of his hands found your waist and the other cupped the back of your head, pressing his face into yours with a hunger that set your… heart… on fire.

You lost track of everything else as your senses were flooded with every magnificent aspect of him… His scent, touched up with a ritzy fragrance he’d added for the evening… His slightly raspy breathing… The warmth and passion that radiated from his strong, focused frame. The feeling of his mouth on yours was everything you’d imagined it to be, and he pulled back for a short breath of air before turning his head the other direction and capturing your lips again, slightly more open this time as you melted against him.

It felt like a split second and an hour later when you separated, with deep, ragged breaths and a blissfully dumbfounded look on your face, staring at him in awe and unabashed delight. He kept his face stoic, though there was a slight glow to his cheeks and a spark in his eyes that made your knees weak.

“Now can you keep your head on straight?” he poked, stepping back and straightening his suit.

“Absolutely not.”

Tag List: @littlefeatherr @arctrooper69 @foreverdaydreaming1 @stunkbiggu @mxkyrie @littlemissbshine @dreamie411 @skellymom @followthepurrgil @the-hexfiles @gt13tbbart @lune-de-miel-au-paradis @ghostperson69 @secondaryrealm @hellhound5925 @thew0nderer2342 @cloneloverrrrr @kashasenpai @clonethirstingisreal @dukeoftheblackstar @kimiheartblade @mooncommlink @stardusthuntress @starstofillmydream @eyecandyeoz @dhawerdaverd @ladylucksrogue @thiswitchloves9904 @tech-aficionado @foodmoneyandcats @eternal-transcience @cw80831 @adh-d2 @techmexicanvieja @ezras-left-thumb @trixie2023 @sleepycreativewriter @nonsenseandm3mes @mlichaelm @nahoney22 @mary-on-the-contrary @sverdgeir @roam-rs @starsaboveclones @falconfeather23435 @lightwise

Click here to join or leave the tag list. <3

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fandom-friday · 8 months ago

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Thank you so much to everyone that submitted recommendations this week! A comprehensive list of this week’s submissions can be found under the cut! Recommendations are organized by show/media, and any main pairings will be listed after the title.

✨ = 18+ content

Fics:

The Clone Wars: ✨ In Command (Captain Rex x OFC Senna Aven) by @wild-karrde ✨ Walk Me Home (Commander Wolffe x OFC Cherise) by @cyarbika Dominoes by @meridiansdominoes

The Bad Batch: ✨ Quiet Corners of the Galaxy (Crosshair x OFC Dara) by @badbatchposts Fools Errand (Crosshair x OFC Doc) by @staycalmandhugaclone Brother, My Brother by @iiidunno He's Not Heavy, He's My Brother by @therisingdarkness The Hardest Word by @therisingdarkness How Long Will it Take for You to Learn to Slow Down? by @saturn-sends-hugs

Star Wars Prequel Series: ✨ Unbreakable Bonds (Obi-Wan Kenobi x OFC Cressida Vox) by @thegreatwicked ✨ Memories of Chocolate Laced Kisses (Obi-Wan Kenobi x OFC Cressida Vox) by @thegreatwicked Lover, Fighter (Obi-Wan Kenobi x f!Reader) by @thegreatwicked

Republic Commando: The Revenant (Sev x OFC Kiva) by @mikaiyawa

Batman: Where the East and the West Meet by CassowaryFinch (AO3) Rules Were Made Because of Dick Grayson by KitsuneThorn (AO3)

Art:

The Clone Wars: Captain Rex Art by @catd3mon Commander Wolffe Art by @chyarui Shaak Ti Art by @coldbrewarts OC Grim Kennet Inquisitor AU Art by @thechaoticfanartist

The Bad Batch: Tech Art by @vimse Crosshair Art by @forcesavetheclones

Rebels: Kalluzeb Art by @designsbyjoe

Miscellaneous: Horse Art (1 2) by @sometimesanequine

#ff weekly summary

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skellymom · 23 days ago

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"Vagabonds" Chapter 30

"RETRIVAL PARTY"

Ongoing fanfic Hunter x Reader/Fem Reader/OC

Hunter meets a smuggler Nomaadi Star Woman with a powerful force sensitive teen who changes the trajectory of CF-99's lives...as they ALL try to escape from The Empire together.

To read Chapter 28 & 29 - "POWER OF THE FORCE"

https://www.tumblr.com/skellymom/776531746960375808/vagabonds-chapter-28-29?source=share

Word Count: 1.6K

Background: Sil and Jebith's budding relationship. The Empire pays a visit and Echo takes care of business like a good ARC Trooper should!

For anyone new to this series: "LOVE" is the nonbinary/genderfluid neurodivergent/nonverbal Force sensitive kid of the main OC of this series named Mad. Mad is an older single mother, close to almost 50 years of age (not many older female protagonists in stories, so I decided to make one.)

Warning: angst, pregnancy, swearing, budding gay relationship between two young people (very innocent), Star Wars canon violence.

(Credit: Cool dividers by @4ngelic-Wh1spers, @plum98 @strangergraphics-archive Pinterest: You're Stuck With Me Skyguy)

Hunter laid there for some time attempting to sleep. He listened to Mad’s breathing eventually slow, then fall into her familiar sleeping pattern accentuated by the occasional soft snore.

He smiled, but Hunters mirth at his partner’s snoring didn’t last long.

Instead, he felt guilty.

The conversation with Mad about her problematic relationship with Maul had him thinking of Crosshair...again.

Last time Hunter and the rest of the Batch had seen their brother was at the platform on Kamino. Steadfast on refusing to come with them. Refusing ANY assistance.

Was he STILL waiting for the Empire to possibly pick him up? Maybe his brother even wished to die out there alone? So VERY Crosshair. Punishing himself for the things he couldn’t face or apologize for.

But then Hunter couldn’t judge. He’d punished himself with avoidance and guilt.

Two hardheads. Two sides of the same coin.

Hunter couldn’t be upset with Mad about her choices to withhold information about Maul. But now she shared this difficult thing with her soon to be life partner...

The least he could do was share his difficulties and imperfect relationship about Crosshair.

Honesty in a relationship was foundational to Hunter. Now it was his turn.

Sil had wandered off away from the group. His face still flushed and head full of conflicting emotions...

To plant himself against one of the window seats overlooking the stars.

Omega and Thoomie rounded the corner chatting animatedly...with Jebith in tow.

“Sil!” Omega beamed excitedly

“There you are!” Jebith interrupted Omega, stepping up to Sil.

“I...” Sil sputtered. His face flushed red again at the thought of Jebith staring at him.

Thoomie and Omega stopped and gave each other a knowing look.

“Took me awhile to find you.” Jebith remarked to Sil “Everyone took off a little while after you did.”

Sil sat red faced and dumbfounded.

“...can I sit with you?”

Sil nodded and Jebith settled in next to him.

"Hey Couz, I’m going to get Omega back to her room.” Omega nodded in agreement. “Comm me if you need anything.” Thoomie pointed to Sil’s new device Taavi had put around his wrist.

Sil nodded silently.

Omega covertly winked at Sil before following Thoomie down the hallway.

When they were out of sight Jebith turned to Sil “Didn’t mean to scare you away.”

Sil shrugged without looking up “Wasn’t afraid...” His hands twisting nervously in his lap

“What was it?”

“I’m...” Sil blushed, studdered “Feelings...”

“About?”

Sil grinned embarrassed “...you.”

Jebith smiled at Sil, who couldn’t see the smile as he kept staring at his hands.

“Are they...good...feelings?”

Sil nodded “Yes...and no... uh...I don’t have the words...”

Jebith sat with this for a minute or two.

Sil kept twisting his hands, head down.

Jeb gently and cautiously slid his hand to Sil’s. His pinky came out and barely stroked Sil’s hand.

Sil sat for a few seconds processing this gesture.

Then his hand relaxed and took Jebith’s. Fingers intertwining with one another.

They sat like this for a few moments. Jebith waiting for Sil to make the next move. Not wanting to rush anything.

Sil leaned over, resting his head on Jebith’s shoulder. Then implored “Can we just sit like this for awhile? Just BE.”

“Ok. Do you need to talk...?” Jeb offered.

“No.” Sil answered. “Later. For now...this is perfect.”

“I agree”

Both boys sat watching the stars as the Bar’ge ‘N Go sailed through the galaxy.

They threatened their way aboard. Taavi had no other choice.

He was no stranger to the Republic troops. While a minority of them harbored some severe prejudice against the Nomaadi, the majority were respectful. Even if a little misguided about his people.

But then ANY time spent with Taaviani was bound to change minds.

Except, these were not officers and troopers of the Republic. A small Galactic Empire ship docked aboard the Bar’ge ‘N Go. Luckily no Imperial Venator was detected...

Just these kriffing idiots. Taavi mused. But he kept his anger and disdain to himself in true self-preservation fashion.

“Welcome, my friends to Uncle Taavi’s Bar’ge ‘N Go! Will you require accommodations? Or just a meal? You MUST be very wary from your travels...”

“SILENCE you dirty Trav!” The young womp rat faced pilot sneered.

Taavi grit his teeth. He KNEW he could beat the shit out of this asshole with one arm tied behind his back. Unfortunately, he was outnumbered. The young dumb ass was accompanied by an older senior officer with several stormtroopers in tow.

“Now now, Dol.” The senior officer purred menacingly. “We're here for a meal...and a FREE one at that.”

They trashed his cafeteria. Taavi BRISTLED at the mess. Plates thrown on the floor as food was finished. Napkins strewn everywhere, like a flock dead of birds. These...men...disrespectful and barely human...eating like space hogs and demanding even MORE of his food, services, time...

HORRIBLE human beings. And, THEY have the gall to call US trash!

Clearly the officers and now helmetless storm troopers sitting at the table were ENJOYING the chaos and disrespect they were showing to Taavi as he was forced to politely serve them. By gunpoint no less.

A Tooka kitten wandered over to a broken plate on the floor, attempting to eat the scraps of food stuck to it. One of the troopers leveled his blaster...with an evil grin on his face.

Taavi almost had a heart attack on the spot. But Taavi...wily fix-it Nomaadi Man of the Stars had a plan.

T1nK rolled into the cafeteria and quickly assessed the situation. She picked up speed, stopping in front of the kitten and blocking the stormtroopers target. The droid beeped obscenities and angry threats at him. The stormtrooper leveled his blaster at her.

“TROOPER! Put away your weapon.” Senior Officer Stern snapped. “We wouldn’t want to waste a beautiful Astromech such as this...” Then he glanced at Taavi. “Especially as it is NOW official property of the Empire.”

“More caf, Catiff.” Rat face Dol demanded.

“Comin’ up in a Jiffy Lieutenant Dolt!” Taavi winked. The troopers broke out in laughter.

“WHAT DID YOU CALL ME???” Dol shot up from his seat red faced.

“Dolt.” Taavi put his best unassuming innocent face on. “Is that NOT your name?” The trooper's laughter increased.

Dol’s face became even redder with his repressed rage.

“Hey...that’s what WE call HIM, too!” One of the troopers guffawed.

Officer Dol took a menacing step towards Taavi...

“ENOUGH!” The senior officer loudly slammed his fist upon the table. “SIT DOWN!!!”

Dol and the stormtroopers jumped out of their skin. The Tooka Kitten scampered away in fear.

Only Taavi and T1nK stood their ground.

Dol sat down, clearly upset the senior officer prevented him from putting his hands on Taavi.

“Refill our caf.” Stern demanded.

“Will do...this one is SPECIAL. Just for you!” Taavi smiled widely as he sat down the freshly brewed caf on the table.

Taavi watched silently as they drank and gorged themselves. It was just a matter of time...

Unfortunately, this was the moment Echo entered the cafeteria for his caf fix.

The arc trooper quickly took in the scene: A horrible mess all over the floor and EXACTLY WHO was sitting at the table. Echo’s eyes widened as Taavi spun around trying to block the Imperial’s view of him...to no avail.

The stormtroopers slowly rose from the table. It was really the ONLY speed they could accomplish, as they sluggishly drew their weapons and advanced.

“He druggedth...usth.” Officer Stern muttered as he comically collapsed face down onto his roast bantha steak.

Upon hearing this bit of news, the troopers opened fired willy-nilly ALL over the cafeteria.

Echo had heard rumors about how utterly HORRIBLE the new recruits were at hitting their targets...but this was REDICULOUS!!!

Uncle Taavi’s cafeteria was DECIMATED with blaster fire as the troopers attempted to shoot Taavi AND Echo.

They failed miserably.

Echo grabbed the back of Taavi’s jacket and yanked him back behind the diner’s counter while squeezing off shots.

Two troopers down and two to go.

More blaster shots as the glass case containing ready-made cakes literally disappeared in a hail of shards and frosting.

THAT trooper FINALLY succumbed to whatever Taavi slipped into the caf. He slipped on a smear of frosting, falling, and made a very satisfying SMACKING sound as he cracked his head open upon the checkered patterned floor.

One more...and Officer DOLT!

Fighting to stay awake, the last trooper staggered while blasting away. He ALSO slipped...but on the SAME plate the Tooka kitten tried to eat from.

Echo leveled his blaster over the counter and took aim...

“NO!” Taavi grabbed Echo’s arm. “He gets his JUST DESSERT!” The Nomaadi man cackled.

Echo refrained from finishing off the last trooper to watch the clusterfuckery evolve.

It happened in seemingly slow motion as the EXACT same trooper who moments before leveled a blaster at Taavi’s precious kitten, slipped upon the broken plate, and gracefully spun around while squeezing off a shot...

Effectively blasting Officer Dolt’s hat from his head.

It vaporized in the blaster beam, revealing the young man’s very BAD comb-over.

“Ok! Kill ‘em NOW!!!” Taavi released Echo’s arm.

Echo quirked an eyebrow at Taavi, then shrugged, and blasted the last trooper dead.

Officer Dolt stood shell shocked, mouth open, and slack jawed. He had also pissed himself...as the front of his Imperial issue trousers now sported a dark crotch stain.

However, whatever fear he had quickly disappeared as he glimpsed Taavi’s head perk up over the destroyed diner counter.

Dolt raised his hand, pointing with unrestrained, drugged rage at the Nomaadi. “YOU...FUCK...YOU!” As he struggled to form words. “I...KILLYOU...IKILLYOUIKILLYOUIKILLYOUI...”

He was suddenly electrocuted by T1nK right in the ass!

Dolt Wilhelm screamed loudly, falling to the floor. His bad comb over smoked as the droid beeped in what Echo would later recall as electronic laughter...

CHAPTER 31 TO ARRIVE SOON!

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feral-ferrule · 5 months ago

Text

Charity and Decadence

Chapter 7, Entirely Too Much Manspreading

Word count: 5994

Series masterlist

Pairing(s) Echo x force sensitive earthling f!Reader OC (reader has a nickname) ✨

Bad Batch & Reader ✨ Rex & Reader ✨ Anakin & Reader

Warnings: nothing much in this chapter, but a whole lot of the male gaze, a little angst, tiny bit of suggestive commentary, mentions of slavery and medical procedures. There’s some spicier stuff previously and this is a slow build up to more.

You turned and saw a soldier with a ruggedly handsome and tattooed face. He had long hair held in place with a red bandana or maybe a sweatband. His eyes had been roving over your body but snapped up to your face as you rounded on him. Like Tech, he was still in his armor. He stepped back to let you both step out of the room. The door slid closed behind you as the man held your gaze. He felt sharp and cunning, rustic for lack of a better word, and kind of had a Rambo look going on. You bet he’d love that movie and would probably be a Stalone fan.

“Choy, this is Hunter, our Sargent and squad leader,” Tech said beside you.

“Welcome aboard the Havoc Marauder,” Hunter spoke with smoky timber that matched his energy. Well at least he doesn’t sound like a Stalone character.

You held your hand out, “Thank you, Hunter, I am very pleased to make your acquaintance.” His eyes widened and his lusty vibe shifted to something a little more respectful. He took your hand and his energy was suddenly right inside your head. Another clone you realized with a shock. You could see a jumble of his memories and feelings. Feelings and thoughts- you slammed the barriers down right as you saw yourself- and, shit, you were naked. You managed to remember to squeeze back on his hand and let go. You searched his eyes, yes he had tells of a clone. “You and Tech, you are both clones?” You managed to ask, wondering if naked-you was still bouncing around in his mind.

“We are Clone Force 99,” Tech said to your side.

99, the sweet defective clone. This is,

“The Bad Batch,” you said in a hushed voice. You breathed in deep to ground yourself as you were flooded with memories of these guys and more of your life. Dammit not now, you grumbled to yourself. You held up a hand to steady yourself against the bulkhead. Tech intercepted it as you reached out and held it in his.

“Yes we call ourselves the Bad Batch,” Tech said, glancing over at Hunter. “Are you not feeling well?” He steadied your elbow with his other hand.

“I’m ok, It’s just been a long day, although not as hard as yours.” You let your gaze fall to all the abrasions and blaster grazes on Hunter’s armor. Then back up to his face.

Hunter looked like he was going to comment on that, but with a smirk he gestured toward the cockpit. “If you are ok please join us up front, we’d like to have a talk with you.” Tech led you forward. Hunter’s eyes stayed on you, closing as he deeply inhaled when you drew away from him. It raised the hair on the back of your neck and you felt like you were being tracked. A hand on your back brought your attention to Tech who was giving a stern look back at Hunter.

Rex, Anakin and Crosshair were standing off to the side discussing an extremely large long-gun as you approached. They all quieted, their eyes on you, their mouths open in mid sentence as you paused and nodded to them. You heard a low whistle from their direction as Tech offered the navigator’s chair, “My lady.” He was being so sweet. Was he always like this? You wondered if real-Tech was less socially awkward than cartoon-Tech.

You took your seat and surveyed the men before you. Crosshair’s eyebrow cocked as he watched Tech’s interaction with you. In fact, you realized, they were all watching as his hand slid up to your shoulder while you lowered yourself down in the seat.

Anakin turned his back towards you and handed Crosshair the gun. And what sounded like an admonishment of “Woman on deck, men.” Before turning around he adjusted something near his belt and tugged at the collar of his tunic. You felt him calm his energy as he turned back around. You better calm down married-almost-father-of-twins, you thought to yourself. He must have caught on to your judgement and suddenly looked a little guilty.

“Is she glowing?” Rex tilted his head to Anakin, his eyes still roving the space around you.

Anakin winked at you and said, “Choy, this is-“ and you both said “Captain Rex.” They looked a bit surprised.

“How do you know who I am?” Rex had straightened up and regarded you with some caution. All clone, you thought, but brighter energy than most.

“It’s a long story,” you sighed and smiled at him. You looked between them all. “Which I promise to tell you,” you assured him as he scrutinized you.

“You’ve met Hunter,” Anakin said. Hunter approached the others across from you. “This is Crosshair.” Crosshair stepped out from behind the other two and gave you a tight nod. He was as tall as Tech, had his aloof tough guy act going on, but as you focused on him you could feel some deep hurt and a strong heart. And he was trying to hide his burning curiosity behind ennui. The effect of this was a cold leering appraisal as his eyes caressed your form.

“Cross, go wake Wrecker, we’re having a meeting,” Hunter barked. Crosshair tore his eyes off of you and stalked out of the cockpit. You could hear his muffled voice carry from the back of the ship.

Anakin and Rex moved forward claiming the pilot and co-pilot seats. Crosshair reappeared and stood in the space between Anakin and Hunter.

You heard heavier footsteps and a big yawn from down the ship and turned as the biggest of them all approached. “What’s this meeting so important for?” He complained in a gravelly voice rough with sleep. You watched him stretch and scratch his belly, the top of his single piece blacks pulled down and hanging around his waist. As he got closer his eyes blinked in the brighter cabin lights. His scarred face broke into a big grin when he noticed you. “Ohhhh that’s right we have the lady here, hi lady! Oh I’d better get dressed.”

You couldn’t help but feel at ease and happy, despite his sheer size that you were sure would be scary if he were angry. Just like you’d seen him back home, but now so much larger than life. You noticed he was absolutely rippling with muscle and sinewy veins as he pulled the top of his blacks back on. A little bit too defined, you noted with some concern. Not nearly as bad as Echo, just not enough softness between the ribs and muscles. You wondered if they all were like that- on the verge of being underfat. His eyes were so kind and warm, even the cybernetic one. You smiled back, feeling a little dazed and said “Hi, Wrecker, I’m Choy. It is nice to meet you all,” as you looked back over all the men. Hunter sat across from you pulling Wrecker, who had been headed to sit next to you, down next to him.

The various screens and illuminated controls around the space cast everything in a variety of colors. You made quick comparisons to your memories of the mens’ animated and movie versions. They were rougher up close like this. Like the other clones you had met, they felt gritty and solid in the force, honed cold steel soldiers through and through. But if you pushed past that you knew you’d feel the warm humanity at their core. They were letting this through a bit now in your company, their inner fires stoked, their eyes dilated. Hot blooded and thirsty. As they settled in their seats they all adopted similar body language. Relaxed, legs spread wide like they were all making a display of themselves. Tech and Crosshair remained standing, Crosshair’s eyes shifting as he noticed the way Tech put his hand on the top of your seat’s headrest.

You crossed your legs, one knee over the other, not quite resting back into the large chair and set your elbows on the armrests. In your own head your memories were hitting fast and hard now which they liked to do at inconvenient times. A jumble of events and faces was replaying that happened right up to the moments before appearing in this world. You still weren’t entirely sure who everyone was and if they were in chronological order. You felt the men around you staring and snapped back to the current moment. You took a deep breath and centered yourself, calling up the Force for strength and presence of mind. You willed your energy to reach out to all the clones and wrap around them. Warm, comfort, soft, gentle. You knew they craved this, never having really experienced nurturing before. They wouldn’t sense it like a Jedi would but they’d feel something.

To Anakin you were more direct [[There are some things I will be leaving unsaid in front of everyone]] He nodded and you cast your gaze down briefly, collecting your thoughts and decided to make the first move.

“Thank you for risking so much,” you said, looking at Rex and then to Anakin, “and for believing in each other to save Echo.” They looked at eachother with mild surprise. “What they did to him was-“ and you had to stop, close your eyes and swallow the lump in your throat because it was so much worse in reality than portrayed in a cartoon. “And thank you for freeing me,” you touched your neck and looked at Anakin who nodded.

“How is Echo? Were you able to help him?” He asked.

“Yes he’s good, sleeping now.” You glanced up at Tech.

“He will require advanced treatment once we return, but he is stable,” Tech said, “thanks to Choy here.”

Rex looked relieved and leaned forward, “So who are you? How are you familiar with Echo? And how do you know me?” Rex started pummeling you with questions and Anakin shot him a warning look which cut him off. You noticed Hunter lean forward, his elbows on his knees.

“It’s ok Anakin,” you smiled at them both, “I was a captive of the Techno Union. They used me for their biological experiments because I can do things in the force that are unusual, even for Jedi.”

“But you aren’t trained as a Jedi? How did you develop your powers, where are you from? What can you tell us about the Separatists?” Anakin now had a million questions and suspicions running through his mind. Rex shot him a side eye glance that had you suppressing a smile.

You tried to think of the clearest way to explain it all to them, “This is going to be a lot, and I won’t blame you for not believing me.” You rubbed the back of your neck and looked around at them, stopping on Wrecker who looked excited for a good story. “I appeared in this world at a ruined Jedi temple in a Force storm on Dantooine during the time Mace Windu and the 187th were fighting the Separatists there. I never had Force powers until that moment. I had amnesia and I have only recently remembered enough to put the pieces of my old life back together. I think maybe I almost died in my world and the Force brought me here, saved me.” They all looked around at each other as you looked down at your hands in your lap, one thumb rubbing the other hand, tears swarmed in your eyes and plopped onto your thigh. You’d never told anyone that part before.

A warm, gloved hand covered both of yours and gave them a gentle squeeze. Tech was kneeling beside you. “I’m so sorry, you must miss everyone meaningful to you.” Tech said gently. You smiled at his hand and nodded. You felt loss, but also felt the memories slip away as much as they came back. Like your new full connection to the Force was dissolving them again.

You took a deep shuddering breath and wiped your tears on your sleeves, looking back up at Rex, “The troopers gave me the name Choy. It’s short for ech-“

“Echoy’la” Rex said with you. The clones all nodded in understanding.

You looked at Anakin, “Master Windu taught me the Force basics before he had to go into battle and save his troops from the horrible-,” you shuddered at the memory, cleared your throat that threatened to constrict on your words, “I helped triage the clones that day- then the one,” your tone turned bitter, “Slick, he betrayed me. Then the Separatists captured me in the field.”

You looked up and saw Rex’s face go from surprised to set in a grim scowl, “Slick is in the brig now, he did more damage among the 501st after hurting you,” he smoothed his hand over his head’s short blond stubble, “I’m so sorry.”

“Thank you, Rex.” But I’d have never been able to help Echo otherwise, you thought.

Anakin nodded but narrowed his eyes a little. You looked across to Crosshair chewing his toothpick, still standing, arms crossed, eyes softer with a gentle sympathy. To Hunter who was nodding a bit as he contemplated what you just said. And to Wrecker who’s chin trembled a little as he stared at the floor and then up to you.

“So they had you for a while before the Citadel. When did you meet Echo?” Rex asked.

“Not that long ago, I believe he had been in the tower for some time before I got there. I’ve only been there a couple weeks.”

“Where were you before that?” Anakin asked.

“I was in their labs, on various planets, assigned to the -maintenance of experimental subjects, like Echo.”

“And you really helped clones on Dantooine?” Hunter asked a little doubtfully.

“Yes, is that weird?” You looked around the room.

“Clones are not usually considered worthy of the time and effort of the naturally born.” Tech said beside you.

The matter of fact way he said it was like a punch to the gut. “That I’m aware of, and I’m sorry it’s that way. I feel that clones are just as human and worthy as me or any of my family.” You sighed remembering them as the men all exchanged looks with a new light in their eyes. “You’d all have full human rights where I’m from.”

“And where is that exactly?” Hunter pressed.

“Earth,” you said. They all looked around at each other. “It is not in this galaxy so-“ Anakin rolled his eyes.

“Look if you don’t want to tell us where you are from that’s one thing but don’t start in with any silly lies,” he said

“Silly lies? I don’t understand,” you looked from Anakin to the other men not expecting that reaction.

“Telling us you’re from Earth, that lie.” Anakin pressed.

“Why do you think I’m lying? Have you heard of Earth?”

“I’m sure you are both referring to the popular human origin myth of the planet Earth.” Tech spoke up next to you, “It’s featured in numerous holovids, writings and in the oral culture of more primitive human populations-“

“A fairy tale,” Crosshair drawled, shifting his toothpick from one side of his mouth to the other. You realized your mouth was hanging open as you tried to think of a way to explain and snapped it shut.

Tech taped away at his data pad. “Now it’s quite possible Choy is from one of the many colonies that have named themselves after the mythical Earth. There have been several. Choy, do you recognize any of these worlds?” He handed you his data pad with a map of the Galaxy on it. There were several systems pinpointed with the name “Earth” next to them.

You were too tired for this. And were beginning to grow impatient with this inquisition you were stuck in. Trying to plead your case of where you really came from would probably be futile. You pinched your forehead to stave off the headache you were feeling set in. You needed to eat.

“No, Tech. I’m certain it’s none of those.”

Out of the corner of your eye. Anakin and Hunter exchanged a look. “I really don’t blame you for not believing me,” you said to them. You really meant that, figuring they could probably tell you were holding back.

“Well I believe you, Choy,” Wrecker boomed from next to Hunter, shooting him a glare. “But you’ll need a new name now, ‘cause you found us,” he looked over at Hunter again, “ Can we keep her?” At that Crosshair gave them a sidelong look.

“So to sum up,” Tech continued, “you are most likely from a back-to-the-Earth colony, they are isolationist primitivists and several have been lost to the rest of the Galaxy, probably in Wild Space or the Unknown Regions. Then, because of some quirk in the Force you were brought to Dantooine at the site of one of the ancient Force Gates, most likely.” Tech pushed his goggles up his nose. “Highly improbable but not impossible. Anakin may be a better one to ask.”

Everyone looked at Anakin who was sitting forward, like Hunter now, elbows on knees with a contemplative look. He straightened up and put his hand on his chin thoughtfully. “I’ll have to ask the Jedi council about all this.” He looked at you, his face showing confusion, “I’m sorry, Choy, I didn’t realize you could be from an actual place called Earth. Please accept my apologies.”

You sighed, and very slightly shook your head “Of course, Anakin, this is all very confusing for me, too.” You decided to drop the subject and looked down at the data pad again, wondering how Earth fit into this reality.

“Choy, thank you for caring for Echo. I thought I’d never see him again and if it wasn’t for you it sounds like I never would have.” Rex had got up from his seat and was kneeling in front of you. He took the data pad and handed it to Tech without taking his eyes off yours. You felt spellbound in his warm gaze. He took your hands from your lap and held them in his. “Vor entye, meshla.” He brought your hands up and touched his forehead to them. You swooned a little, your heart racing. The rest of the clones started shifting in their seats, you got the idea that this was a somewhat intimate gesture to them. They didn’t look too happy about it and Hunter seemed tense. Tech bristled beside you but hid it by tapping away at his data pad, although a little too forcefully. Rex squeezed your hands and released them to your lap. He stood to your side and turned to Anakin.

Anakin picked up on the vibe and cleared his throat, “Gentlemen,” he began with a bit of warning in his tone, “when we get back to Anaxes we’ll rendezvous with General Windu and Kenobi. Rex and I will debrief and we will all have to prepare for the next steps in the battle to win the shipyards back. Choy, what are your unusual abilities? We may need all the help we can get.”

You were elated to hear that Master Windu and his troopers would be there. It gave you even more of a sense of things going right finally. “I don’t know how helpful I’d be in a battle,” you put a finger to your chin and looked around the room as you considered what abilities you’d managed to hone despite the force collar’s oppression. “I can kind of feel into and manipulate matter down to the tiniest structures, even to the molecules. My main job with the Techno Union was to tinker with the biohardware interface of prosthetic implants, remove scar tissue and heal surgical sites. I was like their never ending supply of bacta. Master Windu also said that I showed signs of other things, that I was extremely force sensitive probably because it was new for me and I didn’t learn to block it out as a young child. He said I am very force empathic, which is the force's way of balancing someone who can be super deadly with it.” You paused and considered who you were talking to. Anakin probably didn’t have strong force empathy. Which must explain how easily he can kill, how easily the dark side took him.

“You can kill someone just by thinking about it?” Crosshair’s question sounded sincere.

“Not exactly, the force empathy I just mentioned makes that very difficult for me, but the Separatists did try to use me that way. Count Dooku was supposed to take custody of me to develop my force skills in that direction. The only reason I wasn’t sent to him was the Techno Union’s claim on me. After they…used up Echo I was to be contracted out to him. He’d check on me every so often, or send his minions, creepy sith types. Keep me in the fold.” You looked hard at Anakin, “I can tell you a thing or two about the Sith, but I don’t think you’d like it too much.” Anakin raised an eyebrow. “It’s actually easier for me to manipulate matter in a healing way or when it isn’t part of a being with a will to live. I can heal easier than harm- if I really concentrate I can even compress gasses and release them to create an explosion but not like inside a person, does that make sense? There’s probably more I can do but just don’t know yet. Another thing- I can generate heat and activate a person’s energy stores to help nourish them if they can’t eat. I think this has to do with the glowing.” You gestured in a circle around yourself.

Wrecker looked love-struck. “Explosions? Now you're speaking my language! Wait- is that how you helped Echo in there? You force-fed him? Hahahaha!” Wrecker laughed at his terrible pun.

“Something like that,” you couldn’t help but chuckle and felt a flush of heat creep up your neck. They were all eyeing you curiously. You looked to Tech.

“I imagine you are tired and hungry, let me help you get settled for the remainder of our journey,” Tech rescued you. He stood and held his hand for you to take which you did. You stood and he gave you a smile. The rest of the men stood as well.

“Choy, when we meet with the other Jedi I’m sure we’d all be interested in what you know about the Sith,” Anakin said. You noticed he’d closed himself off in the force more now that he knew you might be reading his every emotion or even thought.

“Of course,”

“Get some rest for now. That goes for everyone, who’s got first watch?”

As they figured out the watch rotation Tech led you to some storage panels near the middle of the ship. Behind you Crosshair said to Hunter, “I think he’s touched her more since she came to us than he’s touched anyone else combined in his entire life.” You also heard Rex say “She never really told us how she seems familiar with us.”

You felt the massive warmth of Wrecker behind you as Tech rummaged for rations in a compartment.

“Here, Choy.” Wrecker said to you confidentially. He pressed on a panel higher up than even Tech could reach and grabbed a packet out of a box shoved in the space inside. “These are the best ones.”

“That’s where those went?” Tech exclaimed with annoyance, “You hid them for yourself you greedy Blurgg!”

“No, Choy gets to have them, too.” Wrecker sassed back and pressed the panel shut. “Here you go, meshla,” he winked at you and handed you the packet.

You looked apologetically to Tech and back to Wrecker, “thank you, big guy,” you winked at him and patted his arm. Wrecker stood taller and beamed.

“Take these as well,” Tech handed you another packet and a bottle of opaque blue liquid.

“Why does she get the cookies and blue milk, Tech, you like her or something?” He elbowed Tech who seemed to be braced for it. You were sure it would have sent you flying.

“Choy has endured much for a civilian,” Tech straightened his goggles, “and her system has been taxed beyond what we can imagine.” He glanced down at your chest. His lips pressed together and he swallowed. “She deserves a feast if you ask me,” he said, still looking below your face, desire and curiosity radiating off of him.

Oh he wants some. He wants a taste of me, you realized.

“You all deserve one, too, for being so brave and strong and good,” you blinked up at Wrecker. “And smart,” you added looking at Tech. You watched them positively inflate at your praise. Clones were delightful putty about that, a feature you found especially endearing. And handy.

Tech was pulling at his collar and Wrecker blushing and kicking his foot when you felt a presence slide behind you and a hand on your lower back. You turned to see Crosshair behind you glaring at his brothers. He hovered over you and asked, “What’s come over you two?” He glanced at your armful of rations. His eyebrows raised a little and he smirked, “Tribute for the queen,” he mused, “you going to make her stand here to eat like a fathier?” he jibed at his brothers. “Come sit on the bunk here, meshla,” his hand at your back pressed you toward a neatly made bunk bed. You left the other two clones to bicker about who let Crosshair steal you away like that.

You sat down and he appraised you with a slight smile. “Mind if I join you?”

“No, not at all,” you patted the spot next to you.

He sat a little further from you than where you patted and pulled out a ration bar of his own from a pocket somewhere. You bit into the ration Wrecker gave you. It was the best one you’d ever tasted, almost like chocolate. Crosshair quietly munched on his, staring at the bunks on the other side of the space. It was a comfortable silence, but you felt that he was on the verge of saying something.

Eventually he side eyed you, “Hunter seems to think you are hiding something.”

You sighed, chewing, and thought about how to respond as he turned slightly to look at you with both eyes. “There’s just some things I’d rather wait to bring up with… a woman.” Now that really was true, you weren’t about to tell more of them about your little milk situation.

His eyebrow shot up and his eyes snapped forward again. You smiled a little at his embarrassment. But his expression turned from surprise to something darker.

“Are you ok? The Separatists, they didn’t?” He tried to ask.

“Oh I’m ok, Crosshair, thank you, no they, they didn’t. Nothing like that,” you soothed, and the cold fire left his face. He went back to eating and casting little glances your way. You opened up to him a little, he seemed like how you’d imagine him, but you hadn’t expected a protectiveness from him towards you, or this much courtesy. He definitely felt like the coiled snake ready to strike but he also felt like he wanted to coil around you, squeeze you and strike anything that came near.

You finished the ration and fiddled with the container of blue milk. He put his hand on yours to stop your struggle and took it from you, twisting the cap in a special way that wasn’t obvious and handed it back to you. “Thank you,” you said and were pretty sure you saw a flash of warmth on his face. You took a sip expecting it to be overly sweet like a kid drink but it wasn’t. Not bad you thought, and tried to remember what animal it was from. “Crosshair, where does blue milk come from, like what kind of creature?”

He looked surprised for a second, “Banthas. You don’t get blue milk where you’re from?”

You munched on the cookies, taking care to not drop crumbs on the bed. “Nope. All the milk where I’m from is white.”

Tech, Wrecker and Hunter appeared around the bulkhead. All three of them stopped short and stared at you and Crosshair sitting together on his bunk. Tech had your duffel which you had completely forgotten about and set it down next to the bunk across the way. Crosshair glared at them and shifted toward you a tiny fraction. Hunter noticed this and said, “just checking where our passenger and sniper got off to.” You did not miss the suggestiveness in his tone. Crosshair was about to snipe some words back at him.

“How’s the ration? Good, ya?” asked Wrecker.

“Delicious, everything was, thank you so much, I didn’t realize how hungry I’d been. And Crosshair has been pleasant company, a real gentleman.” You leveled a look at Hunter who crossed his arms with a smirk.

“If you’d like to retire, I have watch duty now and you may use my bunk,” Tech said pointing to the particularly cluttered bunk he’d set your bag near. You were about to ask what it all was when Wrecker added, “You’ve got too much junk on there, Tech, it’ll poke Choy.” The other clones tried not looking at you after he said that. “She can sleep in mine,” he continued.

All three of the rest of them protested that. “No, we’d never do that to the lady, Wrecker. When was the last time you washed your sheets?” Tech asked. Wrecker scratched the back of his neck, thinking.

“You idiots, she’s fine right here,” Crosshair motioned behind you to his own bunk. Hunter raised an eyebrow as Crosshair rested his hand behind you and stared daggers at them.

Wrecker yawned and said, “Aye alright I’m hitting the sack.” He flopped down on his bunk and grabbed his Lula doll and was asleep almost instantly.

Tech excused himself to the cockpit leaving Hunter. You studied him and expected the same suspicion he exhibited in the cockpit, but his eyes had softened and warmed to you. You remembered his heightened senses and suspected he must have heard what you said to Crosshair. And he could probably smell your leaking milk since you boarded. That was a little embarrassing.

“Hey, thank you all for accommodating me into your home.” Crosshair almost smiled at you and Hunter uncrossed his arms. He came over and kneeled down in front of you. “Did you really mean what you said about clones?”

“Absolutely,” you stared into his eyes and then up at Crosshair’s. “You are worthy,” then you felt a little corny and over the top but added, “Your equalness to natborns is self evident. Even if the galaxy doesn’t think so, even if regs don’t think so and treat you badly.”

“How do you know about that?” Crosshair asked.

“I know a lot about this world that doesn’t make sense for me to know.” You sighed and wanted to avoid more questions. “May I use the sonic in your ‘fresher?” You changed the subject to something that would derail their brains. It worked, you could see the gears turning behind both their eyes, imagining you in there.

“Yeah of course,” Hunter said vaguely.

You hopped off the bunk, stood and gathered your food wrappers. “Where do these go?” Hunter took them from you sliding his hand along yours like a caress. He was the only one of the batchers you didn’t have to crane your neck to look at. You felt a gentleness from him now and a hungry curiosity.

“How long till we get to Anaxes?” You asked him.

“About half a rotation more, depending on conditions in the hyper lane.”

“I’ll just go get cleaned up and check on Echo.” You looked from Hunter to Crosshair. “Thank you for noticing I needed a quiet moment.” Crosshair straightened up and a look of pride crossed his face. You stepped over to your bag and bent down to grab its strap. Behind you you could hear what sounded like a combination of stifled sighs and barely audible groans. You side-eyed them as you left to the ‘fresher. Their eyes stayed on you ‘till they realized they were staring and you caught them.

Once in the tiny fresher you dug in your bag for the soap and washcloth you found in the officer’s quarters in the tower. It was quality stuff and its smell reminded you of sandalwood and vanilla. The sonic showers were something you had eventually gotten used to. They were ok, but when you had access to soap you’d found that soaping up with some water first made for a more familiar experience. Plus it always felt luxurious to smell like something besides lab antiseptic and the weird ozone-like smell your laundry always seemed to have. You emerged from the sonic, hung your washcloth on a hook on the wall and brushed your teeth. Then you put on sleep pants and a long sleeve shirt over a looser breast band with some pads in it. You didn’t want to be bouncing and leaking on a ship full of hot blooded men. You bundled your dirty clothes with your other ones and made sure you had a clean outfit for the next day. You were really going to need to do laundry soon. Now with any luck you’d make it to Echo without being intercepted.

You peaked out the fresher door. The cabin lights had been dimmed. Someone was snoring. You stepped out of the fresher with your bag and boots in hand. you could make out the figures of Tech, Anakin and Rex up in the cockpit. Tech was at the controls while the other two dozed in the seats. The others must be in their bunks from the sound of breathing and snoring behind the bulkhead where the bunks were. You tiptoed to the door where Echo was and went in. Out of the corner of your eye you swore you saw a figure standing by the bunks but pretended you didn’t and closed the door quickly.

Letting out a breath of relief to be closed off from the rest of the crew, you set your things inside a cabinet, approached Echo, and knelt next to him. Carefully you touched his hand. You let your guard down and felt into him with your mind. He was in a lighter sleep state, his heart was beating steady, blood pressure seemed fine, all his vessels seemed healthy. He had some inflammation around his spine and at his leg implant so you mended the micro tears in his flesh and calmed down his immune response, soothing it to rest. Rest. You felt like lead and slumped down laying your head on the cot next to his hand. You were about to doze off when he stirred and startled.

“Cyare, what are you doing on the floor?” He sat up and scooched back holding up the blanket, “Come up here and let me hold you.” You looked at his expectant face and felt a familiarity and concern from him through your fatigue. You climbed in under the blanket. He put the blanket roll over his metal arm for you to rest your head on and pulled your leg over his hip. Then circled his arm around your waist and slid his hand up your back pulling you close to his chest. You snuggled your face into his neck, wrapped your arm around him and focused on warming him up.

“No kar’ika, rest,” he said, his deep voice rumbling into your hair. He soothed your back and kissed the top of your head and you fell into a deep sleep.

#clone fic #the bad batch #the clone wars #clone trooper echo #arc trooper echo #tbb crosshair #tbb hunter #tbb tech #tbb wrecker #anakin skywalker #captain rex #charity and decadence #ferrule writes #echo my beloved #Spotify

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