#foxiyoweek2021

[carrinth]

Foxiyo Week 2021: Day 4 ( Mask, Uncover )

What lies beneath Commander Fox’s bucket?? Secrecy! Mystery! The possibilities are ENDLESS. Riyo has witnessed the Forbidden. Her life is changed forever! Oh no he’s hot.

@foxiyoweek

Late! Rushed this a bit to get it on time but overall happy with how this turned out. :D :D :D What do you think Fox looks like? Wouldn’t it be funny if somehow everytime Fox took off his helmet, his face would be obscured by some random object or panel framing? :p

[rex-is-best]

Foxiyo Week Day 7: Hope 

Fox and Riyo’s make their first public appearance as a couple after the the clone right bill was passed. Overwhelmed by nerves and fear the two start their dance.

@foxiyoweek​

[hrtiu]

Written for Foxiyo Week 2021, the prompt is “acts of service, words of affirmation.” Uhh I may have written this all in one sitting and haven’t edited it at all, but I couldn’t let the first day of Foxiyo Week pass by without contributing! @foxiyoweek

Fox was having a bad day.

He didn’t know much about civilian life, but he’d wager that most of his days counted as bad days on the civilian scale. But this was a bad day even for him, and he’d been in charge the day of the Zillo Beast attack.

It was the little things--each a tiny inconvenience stacked one on top of the other until finally forming a massive mural that communicated “the galaxy has it out for you.” First it was waking up bleary-eyed and exhausted from a night of insomnia that even the strongest of sleep aids only managed to conquer after several hours of tossing and turning. Then it was the broken caf machine in the cafeteria. Then it was Senator Burtoni making a snide remark about production quotas and damaged goods in front of Senator Chuchi. Then it was Chancellor Palpatine asking him to do the dirty work of evicting a rival senator from his offices.

By the time the smog-filtered light had faded from the Coruscant sky, Fox was about at the end of his rope.

Thorn poked his head into Fox’s office, his eyes bright with stim-induced energy. Fox would have that same gleam in his eyes as well, but his stims had worn off hours ago and the CG medic would kill him for taking more than the recommended dosage again.

“Ready to get the Pantorans?” Thorn asked.

Fox looked up at Thorn blankly, then swore as the distinct memory of receiving the last-minute request several hours earlier returned to him. “Dank farrik, how did the day slip by so fast?”

Thorn’s eyebrows raised as he looked around the chaos of Fox’s office. “I’d imagine a lot of things get lost in here. How do you stand it?”

Fox pursed his lips and glowered at the pile of datapads and flimsiwork scattered across his desk. “I don’t. But what choice do I have?”

“I thought we were all supposed to be organized, but you have to go and be the exception for everything, don’t you?”

“Hah!” Fox barked, amused at the suggestion that there was anything exceptional about him. Yes, he was a commander. But he had the same face, the same crew-cut, the same armor (with only a few slight paint modifications) as anybody else. He was even un-inked, like a shiny. Chancellor Palpatine didn’t like the idea of his personal muscle being tatted up, even if it was hidden under the armor. 

“The urge to be organized is still there,” Fox corrected. “I’m just physically incapable of keeping the place tidy with my schedule.”

Thorn looked down at the chrono on his wrist guard. “Speaking of…”

With a sigh Fox got up from his desk. “Right now?”

Thorn nodded. “Yeah. We’ve got about ten minutes.”

“Should be enough.”

Fox followed Thorn out of the barracks, heading off towards the Senate’s transportation facility. One last task for the day, and then he could sleep. Fox was pretty sure he could make it.

“You alright, brother?” Thorn asked him as they made their way to the landing platform to meet the senator’s guests. “Got any more of those Mirialan truffles?”

Fox’s mouth watered at the thought of the candies the Mirialan senator had gifted him the previous week. Well, “gifted” as in “told him he could eat her leftovers,” but that wasn’t important. What was important was that those candies melted in his mouth with a delicious sweetness offset by a slight, fruity tang.

Fox’s face fell. “No, I finished them all yesterday.”

“Damn,” Thorn said. “Maybe you could get some on your next off day?”

“Maybe,” Fox said doubtfully. He was one of the rare clones that handled credits for any reason, but he doubted he’d be able to justify a pricey purchase just for him. “It’s fine. I don’t need them.”

Thorn snorted. “Of course you don’t need them, but this is the first time I’ve seen you indulge in anything. I think it’s good for you.”

“Whatever you say.”

They stepped onto the landing platform and Senator Chuchi and her guests disembarked, Senator Chuchi leading the way. She looked beautiful, as always. The maroon palette of her outfit contrasted nicely against her pale blue skin, and her golden eyes sparkled even in the muted city lights. 

Senator Chuchi nodded her greeting to Thorn and Fox, then walked the Pantoran delegation to the lifts that would take them to the senate conference rooms. Thorn and Fox followed behind, Fox barely managing to keep his attention on their surroundings as his eyes grew heavier and heavier with exhaustion.

The door to the conference room whooshed open and the blue-and-maroon delegation walked in. Fox followed after, but his boot caught on the bottom lip of the doorway as he went and he tripped, sending him sprawling to the floor.

A hand reached down for him and Fox grabbed it, expecting to feel the broad warmth of Thorn’s gloved hand. Instead, his hand closed around delicate, ungloved fingers that barely managed to pull him to his feet. Caught off guard, Fox could only stare into Senator Chuchi’s face once he’d found his footing.

“Are you well, Commander Fox?” Riyo asked.

Somehow, she always knew his name.

“Y-yes, ma’am. My apologies, it won’t happen again,” Fox’s words tripped just as gracelessly from his tongue as his foot had tripped over the threshold.

“It’s no problem, Commander,” she said, her brows knit together in concern. “Only please take care of yourself.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Riyo returned to her guests and Fox retreated to the back of the room, flanking the door along with Thorn as the attendees commenced their meeting. As they switched into Pantoran, Fox’s mind began to wander to the Senator and her consistent kindness to him. To all the clones, really. It probably had nothing to do with him as an individual. She was just a good person, and on Coruscant that wasn’t easy to find.

Soon enough the meeting ended and Fox dutifully accompanied the senator and the Pantorans to their respective accommodations. He was nearing a state of delirium, and only the knowledge that this was his last assignment of the day kept him on his feet.

When he reached the barracks and fell into his bunk, he could hardly remember how he’d gotten home. His insomnia wasn’t able to overpower his deep exhaustion this time, and as soon as he closed his eyes he was asleep.

---

Fox woke the next day feeling, if not rested, at least alive. He rolled out of bed with a groan and wrinkled his nose at the realization that he’d fallen asleep in the same blacks as the night before. Then he checked the time and groaned again when it became obvious he didn’t have time to shower and change.

He pulled on his armor with robotic precision then jogged down the barracks hallway, his feet leading him to his office without any thought. He opened the door and braced himself for the tornado of reports, senator requests, and various flimsiwork that awaited him on the other side, but it never came. He looked around the office, his eyes still heavy with sleep and slow on the uptake. Was this actually his office?

Fox half closed the door and checked the number embossed on the placard outside. Office 1010. Yep. That’s him. He stepped back into what he was now certain was his office, but it was nearly unfamiliar. It was clean--spotless, even. All his datapads had been sorted by date and arranged in an orderly line on the shelves along the wall. He opened the desk and found his flimsiwork in a series of folders, each one neatly labeled with thin, loopy handwriting. A neat trash receptacle had been placed in the corner, and not a speck  of dust could be seen in the entire cubicle. It was… perfection.

On the table rested a small gold-and-maroon box, and inside Fox hoped to find an explanation for this minor miracle. He tore the lid off the box and found a square, handwritten note.

Commander Fox,

I hope you don’t mind that I tidied up a bit. Commander Thorn let me inside, and I promise I didn’t read anything classified. Please take care of yourself.

Warm Regards,

Riyo Chuchi

His heart stuttered in his chest and he set the note reverently down on the desk. Later he’d take it back to his bunk and put it somewhere safe. Maybe in his weapons kit. Then his eyes lit on the tiny, brightly-packaged bundles in the box underneath the note. He inhaled sharply through his nose, and the sweet, unmistakable scent of Mirialan truffles filled them.

Fox sat in his chair and unwrapped the first truffle, popping into his mouth and leaning back as he let the candy slowly melt in his mouth. He would savor this for along time, making each one last to the best of his abilities. He thought back to the note, reciting the short message to himself in his mind as the candy slowly melted to sugary goodness.

Riyo Chuchi, he thought the words he’d never say out loud, is a goddess.

[kanskje-kaffe]

Art collab that I was lucky enough to share with the amazing @countessofbiscuit !! Fox and Riyo reunite after the battle of Coruscant. Submitted for the Reunion theme of @foxiyoweek !

The concept and lines are Biscuit’s, and I supplied the color.

I loved doing this collab together, Biscuit! I’m looking forward to the next one! 😊

[zentalikestodraw]

Foxiyo Week 2021 — Day 4 — Uncover

Fox felt his pulse hammering as he hurried to the scene of the crime. Normally this would be left to the police, but given the circumstances, it had fallen under the jurisdiction of the Corrie Guard.

He didn’t let himself think. He wanted to think, but knew that given the current facts and the tautness in Thire’s voice, if he let himself think he would come to the most logical conclusion, and if he came to that conclusion he…he didn’t know. He didn’t want to know. (He would know soon.)

He ducked under the caution tape. Sander, along with his SEE unit, was carefully documenting the scene. Fox swallowed when his eyes fell on a petite, sheet-covered body lying close to the wall.

He didn’t dare look.

He had to.

His fingers weren’t trembling when he reached for the cover. He was two different men in that moment. One was Commander Fox, executing his duty with precision. No emotion. The other was Riyo’s Fox, who had the distinct and distressing honor of watching his own heart break in slow motion.

[kanerallels]

i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)

(for Foxiyo Week day 7, for the prompt "reunion/hope")

Read on AO3!

@foxiyoweek

Word Count: 4,411

Tags/Warnings: rated G

Riyo Chuchi had found herself spending a lot of time in the Jedi Temple over the past two months. At this point, she suspected she knew all the best ways to the Temple from the Senate Building-- although perhaps not as well as Master Skywalker, who she saw coming and going almost as often as she was. However, they had decidedly different reasons.

Smothering a grin, Riyo adjusted the clothing bag she carried over one shoulder as she recalled the last time she’d spotted Master Skywalker in the Senate building-- pestering Senator Amidala’s temporary replacement, Saché Adova, for news about Amidala and her twins, who were positively adorable. Riyo had visited them on Naboo a few weeks ago, and Luke and Leia had their parent’s looks.

They won’t be fooling anyone for long, she thought, shaking her head.

Turning down the hallway to Fox’s cell, she was surprised to see a decidedly different figure than usual standing guard-- a familiar man with auburn hair and a beard, who smiled warmly at the sight of her.

“Master Kenobi,” Riyo said in surprise. “I didn’t know you’d be standing guard.”

“Neither did I, until recently,” Kenobi said ruefully. “However, Cere’s new Padawan, Cal-- well, he was injured in a training incident, and she wanted to be with him.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Riyo said, frowning as she thought of the boy she’d seen with Cere. Red-haired, usually with a serious expression on his face, he’d seemed kind in their few interactions. “Will he be alright?”

“Oh, certainly,” Kenobi said, an absent frown crossing his face. Shaking his head, he said, “However, I’m sure you didn’t come here to hear about such things.”

“Unfortunately, I didn’t,” Riyo agreed. “It’s Commander Fox’s trial today--”

“I’m well aware,” Kenobi said, nodding. “Cody and Master Junda have been repeatedly reminding me. He’s cleaned up a bit in preparation-- may I assume that’s his outfit?”

“It is,” Riyo confirmed. “Can I go in?”

“Certainly.”

“Thank you-- oh, and I should have some friends coming soon. Have them wait outside.”

“Understood.”

Kenobi stepped aside to allow her to the door to Fox’s cell, and Riyo entered to see Fox already on his feet, pacing back and forth in the small space he had. She was almost taken aback at the sight of him clean-shaven, with a regulation haircut again, after so long seeing him looking a little scruffier.

But my, did he look handsome this way.

Batting away that stray thought-- we can address that at a later date, when Fox isn’t worried that he’s going to prison, she told herself sternly-- she stepped forward. “How are you feeling?” she asked.

Fox’s head snapped around, and his eyes widened fractionally at the sight of her. “Senator! I didn’t hear you come in.”

“That’s not what I asked,” Riyo pointed out. “How are you, Fox?”

Releasing a long exhale, Fox said, “Fine.” When Riyo arched a disbelieving eyebrow at him, he seemed to relent. “I'm a little nervous.”

“I understand,” Riyo said. “It’s going to be fine, though. I have this under control.”

“I’m not worried about that,” Fox muttered, starting his pacing again. “It’s all those people staring at me, watching me. I can handle people, but usually-- well, usually, I have my armor, my helmet, something.”

Feeling a twinge of sympathy, Riyo said, “I’m sorry I can’t give you those. I mean, I have your dress uniform here, but I somehow doubt that’s the same.”

“Better than nothing,” Fox said. Meeting her gaze, he asked, “How are you?”

Tilting her head to the side thoughtfully, Riyo said, “A little nervous, but it’s a good kind of nervous. I have a good feeling about this, Fox.”

“I hope you’re right, Chuchi. I just don’t see how any of those stuffed shirts in the Senate--” Fox stopped abruptly, and Riyo stifled a giggle.

“They can be pompous,” she agreed. “But you just have to make them see things through their lens. That’s what I’m here for.”

Fox glanced at her. “I don’t know if I’ve thanked you for that properly yet. For everything you’ve been doing. You didn’t have to visit me, bring me food. You didn’t have to care. Plenty of people don’t.”

“I’m not like most people,” Riyo said. Something in Fox’s eyes softened.

“No,” he said quietly. “You’re not.” And Riyo found herself catching her breath at the look in his eyes.

A chime from her comlink snapped her out of it, and she shook her head. “Right. Um, here’s your dress uniform-- knock on the cell door when you’re done, Master Kenobi will let you out. Don’t take too long--”

“My hearing’s in half an hour. I know,” Fox said wryly, taking the clothes bag from her with a nod. “I’ll be ready.”

“I know,” Riyo said, shooting him a smile before leaving the cell.

As she stepped outside and the door hissed shut behind her, she closed her eyes for just a moment, remembering how Fox had looked at her, how the warmth in his eyes had swept through her. Riyo had never had anyone look at her that way before. And somehow, he was the only one she’d want to. She already knew that much.

~ ~ ~

Fox had always prided himself on controlling his emotions, on being the perfect soldier.

However, now, less than half an hour away from an event that would decide his life, he was scared stiff, and it was infuriating.

Pull yourself together, soldier, he told himself as he put on the dress uniform Riyo had brought for him. It was a little stiff and not as comfortable as civilian clothing, but Fox could handle it. The same way he was handling this whole situation.

But kriff, he wished he had his helmet.

Tugging on the hem of the tunic part of the suit, Fox took a deep breath, running a hand over his freshly trimmed hair. You’ve got this. You’re just going to walk in there, let the senator do her thing, and wait for the Senate to drop a verdict. While everyone’s watching. Everyone.

Kriff. I can’t do this. Releasing a short sigh, Fox thought, But I have to.

Stepping over to the door, he knocked on it, and a few seconds later it hissed open. “Hello, Commander,” Master Kenobi greeted him warmly. “If you’ll just step out here with us, I believe you’ll see you have a few guests.”

Fox frowned as he moved through the doorway. “Guests? What do you--”

His voice stuck in his throat at the sight of two familiar figures standing in the hallway. Thire and Thorn, both clad in the red and white armor of the Coruscant Guard with their helmets under their arms, caught sight of him and moved forward instantly. Thire reached him first, and pulled him into a rough hug.

“Good to see you again, vod,” he told Fox.

“You have no idea,” Fox managed, his face still crushed against Thire’s shoulder. “What are you doing here?”

“The senator called us,” Thire explained, releasing Fox and giving him a onceover. “Made sure we knew the time and place-- looking quite sharp, aren’t you?”

“Nothing but the best for the people who’re going to decide whether or not I’m going to prison,” Fox said with an eye roll. “I’d still rather have my armor, though.”

Snorting, Thorn said, “Who can blame you?”

Hesitating, Fox met his brother’s eyes. “I heard about Stone,” he said softly.

Pain flickered through Thorn’s eyes, and Thire bowed his head, saying, “He’ll be missed.”

“It’s my fault.” The words wrenched themselves out of Fox’s mouth painfully. “I ordered him to go to the Temple--”

“Under Order 66,” Thorn reminded him. “I could have stopped him, I wasn’t--”

“It’s no one’s fault,” Thire interposed firmly. “Neither of you are to blame. We’ve lost men before.”

“Not like this,” Fox said, and Thire nodded reluctantly.

“No. Not like this.”

Releasing a long sigh, Fox’s voice was rough as he said, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry for everything that happened.”

Thorn shook his head. “Nothing to be sorry for. You couldn’t control the order or the chancellor. The only thing you could control was yourself, and you did. You fought back, Fox.”

“And that’s more than I can say,” Thire said with a grimace. “Lucky Thorn had my back-- you know, your batchmate shot me, Fox. I take that pretty personally.”

“It was a stun bolt, you kriffing pansycake,” Thorn muttered, and Thire smacked him in the back of the helmet, resulting in a yelp. “Watch it!”

Shaking his head, Fox felt a smile crossing his face. “I missed you two idiots,” he said, reaching out to grip first Thorn, then Thire’s shoulder. His brothers reacted, pulling him into a hug full of elbows and edges of armor, but one that was somehow more comforting than any other Fox could have received.

Thire was the first to pull back, shooting Fox a mock frown. “Now, don’t we have a trial to get you to? Oh, by the way, Bly, Cody and Wolffe are waiting for us at the Senate.”

“What?” Fox said, gaping at them.

“Yeah, they got news of the trial-- two guesses who told them,” Thorn said with a smirk. “Your senator gets things done well, Fox.”

“She’s not my senator,” Fox muttered, ignoring the skeptical arch of the eyebrows from his companions.

“Sure thing, Commander,” Thorn said, putting on his helmet. “Well, we’ll see you at the Senate building. We’ve got someone else’s job to do.”

“Good point,” Thire said. Putting a hand on Fox’s shoulder, he gave him a serious look. “You’re going to get off, Fox. I know it.”

“And how’s that?” Fox tried to keep his voice joking, to keep the fear still knotting in his stomach from coming out. He wasn’t sure that he succeeded.

“Because I got off, and I didn’t kill the shuckface who caused this whole thing. Because you’re innocent. Because you’ve got the best defense you could ask for.” Thire paused. “And because I really, really don’t want to have to do your job anymore. It sucks, vod.”

Fox actually laughed at that one, the tension in his stomach easing somewhat. “I’ll see you after the hearing.”

“Yes, you will, brother.” Giving his shoulder one final squeeze, Thire turned and led the way down the hall, Thorn on his heels. Fox watched them go for a moment, then turned to where Riyo stood watching him.

“You called them here.” It wasn’t a question.

“I thought you’d want to see your brothers before everything went down-- I called Wolffe, Bly and Cody as well.” Riyo shifted from foot to foot, looking almost nervous. “I hope you don’t mind--”

“No,” Fox said, his voice hoarse. “I don’t mind at all-- thank you, Riyo. I don’t know how to thank you properly.”

Riyo’s eyes went slightly wider, and a purple-blue flush spread across her cheeks. “I’m glad I did, in that case,” she said, giving him a shy smile that was so unlike her usual one that Fox wasn’t sure what to make of it.

What did I-- oh, kriff, he thought, realization hitting him. He’d called her Riyo. The name he’d sworn to only call her in his head. He, a clone about to go on trial, had just called her, a senator, by her first name. In front of a Jedi.

At this point, I don’t see how things could get much worse, he thought, sending a subtle glance at Master Kenobi, who was clearly pretending not to be seeing or hearing a single thing going on. Which, knowing which Jedi it was, wasn’t terribly surprising.

“We’d better get to the Senate building, or we’ll be late for the hearing,” Riyo pointed out, snapping Fox’s thoughts into focus.

“Right,” he said quickly. “Let’s get moving.”

The two of them made their way through the Jedi Temple and over to the immense Senate building, managing to keep out of sight of the majority of people. As they slipped out a back entrance of the Temple, Fox spotted a large group of what he guessed were journalists for some form of the Holonet at the front.

“I thought you’d want to avoid all that,” Riyo said, following his gaze. “Besides, it’s always better to handle that sort of thing after the trial. You can release a statement later if you want to.”

Fox was pretty sure he was going to do nothing of the sort, but he kept quiet and followed Riyo into the Senate building.

They reached their entrance quickly, where Fox saw a trio of clone troopers waiting for him. Before he had time to react, Wolffe, Bly and Cody had all tackled him in a hug, sending him crashing to the ground.

“Vode… you’re flattening me,” Fox gasped from under them.

“Good,” Wolffe said. “That’s for giving us a heart attack.”

“It’s not my fault no one told me the plan,” Fox grumbled. “Yell at Bly, he’s the one who kept his chip in.”

Letting out a groan, Bly muttered, “Please don’t remind them. They keep punishing me for it.”

“Someone has to,” Cody said, smacking Bly in the back of the head as the two of them got to their feet. Wolffe did the same, offering Fox a hand.

“How’re you feeling, Fox’ika?” he asked seriously, studying Fox.

“Ready to get this over with,” Fox said, grimacing as he rubbed his shoulder. “Kriff, Wolffe, I thought it was your squadron who tackled you all the time. You seem like you might have some practice at this.”

“Trying to keep his general from dying,” Cody suggested. “Although he has it the easiest of the three of us and he knows it.”

“True,” Wolffe agreed. “Well, we came by to check on you, make sure you’re not going anything stupid like blaming yourself for this whole debacle.”

“I’m not,” Fox said, and when Wolffe gave him a look, relented. “Anymore. But I got talked out of it.”

“By who-- oh. Interesting.”

Fox followed Wolffe’s gaze to where Riyo stood, and immediately guessed his thoughts. “Don’t,” he said.

“I won’t. Yet,” Wolffe said with a smirk. “You’d better sort things out with your, uh, defense before the trial begins.”

“Tell her she looks nice,” Bly suggested.

“Yeah, take advice from our resident love expert,” Cody said mockingly, and Bly punched him in the shoulder, resulting in a scuffle.

“You are supposed to be Marshall Commanders of the GAR, behave yourselves,” Wolffe said with annoyance. Glancing at Fox, he said, “Go talk to her. I’ve got these two.”

Giving him a nod, Fox turned and headed to where Riyo stood, a few yards away. “I owe you one for this,” he told her, nodding at his brothers. “Although you might regret bringing them into the Senate building.”

“Actually, I like them,” Riyo said with a grin. “They seem to really care about you, which I can understand. But you don’t owe me anything, Fox. You’re my friend, and I wanted to help you.”

“You know, I don’t really get called a friend by many people,” Fox said, surprising himself with his own honesty. “Least of all a senator.”

“Well, I told you, Fox,” Riyo said, giving him that smile that seemed to sparkle. “I’m not like most senators.”

And she wasn’t. She really wasn’t, and that was what Fox liked about her. He liked how much she didn’t care that he was a clone, all but a piece of property to most of the Republic. But not in her eyes. He could see it when she looked at him. He was something else entirely, and more than anything, he wanted to know what that was, and to show her what he saw in her.

Fox suddenly had a feeling that he was in trouble. Because his thought process was starting to sound like Bly when he’d had a little too much to drink and was talking about his general again. Kriff.

“The Senate session will be starting in a few minutes.” Riyo’s voice caught his attention. “Are you ready?”

“I don’t know,” Fox said wryly. “Do I look ready to face the Senate?”

“Hmm.” Riyo gave him a onceover, then stepped closer to him. Fox’s heart rate picked up and he went completely rigid as she stopped, mere inches from him, and reached up to adjust his collar, which had flipped over on itself. One of her fingers brushed against his neck fleetingly as she pulled back, and he caught his breath. “There,” she said with a warm smile. “You look very handsome, Commander.”

“Thank you,” Fox managed. “You, too.”

Riyo laughed, then her face grew serious. “Listen, Fox, I know you’re nervous. I usually am, too.”

“You don’t show it,” Fox said, and she shrugged.

“I’ve had a lot of practice at it. But when you’re in there, if you’re worried, or anything-- don’t watch the crowd. Seeing how many people are out there never helps. Watch me instead, alright? Keep your eyes on me, and everything will be alright.”

Giving her a nod, Fox said, “Thank you, Chuchi.”

“Anytime,” Riyo told him. “I’d better get in there-- see you in a minute.”

She shot him a final smile and headed down the hall to where her Senate pod’s entrance was. Fox took a deep breath, watching her go for a few seconds before turning towards his own entrance. Where his three brothers still stood. Smirking.

“‘You, too’?” Cody said as Fox approached them.

“Shut up,” Fox muttered.

“Surprised she didn’t go for a good luck kiss,” Wolffe said with a wicked grin, which Fox ignored.

As he walked past Bly, the trooper leaned in and said, “Invite me to the wedding.”

Disregarding all of their comments, Fox stepped into the Senate chamber and into the pod that would carry him out into the center of the Senate Chamber. The shadows made it hard to see most of the other senators, but he could hear them, hear their whispers. And he knew they were all watching him.

Taking a deep breath, Fox thought, Calm down, soldier. Remember what Riyo said. Eyes on her, don’t think about anything else.

Somehow, he didn’t think he’d find that terribly difficult, and he was right. As Riyo’s Senate pod rose up near him, his eyes moved to her without even thinking. And… kriff. She was beautiful.

Fox knew that as a clone, he had no right to think of a senator this way. That his mind shouldn’t even stray there for a second. But watching Riyo, his heart had other plans.

Her hair was arranged on top of her head and kept expertly in place with crystal-tipped pins that shimmered even in the stark light of the Senate Chamber. Her dress was dark blue, long and sweeping, with a deep collar, and with the serene but peaceful look she had in her eyes, Fox didn’t think she’d ever been so beautiful.

He was also aware that he was falling for her, hard and fast, and he couldn’t have stopped it even if he wanted to. It’ll never happen, he thought, his eyes still on her even as he thought. A senator and a clone? Impossible.

But stranger things have happened. Who knows? Maybe-- just maybe-- I might have a chance.

In front of them, Acting Chancellor Organa was beginning to speak, and Fox braced himself. Of course, that chance will largely depend on if I’m pardoned today.

The hearing dragged on and on, and if Fox was being honest, he didn’t listen to most of it. Witnesses came up and speeches were given by various impassioned individuals, both for and against him. There was even a surprise appearance from Senator Padme Amidala-- who wore an off-white overdress, the metallic teal underskirt peeking out at the front matched by the elaborate collar embroidered with flowers. Similar floral patterns, in blue, pink and green, covered the front of her overdress, matched by the white stomacher in front with one large pink bloom embroidered on the cyrene silk. Her hair was done in an elaborate collection of loops and braids, held back by a silver headdress and several pink ribbons-- who gave a speech in his favor that probably changed quite a few minds.

The one Fox paid the most attention to, however, was Riyo. Her amber eyes flared with an intense passion as she argued with senator after senator, persuading where she could, bargaining, but never backing down on her ideals. She was a powerful speaker, somehow polite and firm at the same time. Seeing her in her element like he was… It’s incredible. She’s incredible.

The proceedings came to a close four hours after he was brought in. By this time, Fox was starving, and his legs ached from standing in one place for hours at a time, which wasn’t actually anything all that new for him. He was used to waiting through hour after hour of Senate sessions, not moving an inch for more than a second and definitely not sitting down.

But this time, he could feel his legs shaking as the votes for and against his innocence were tallied up. Finally, after what felt like hours but was only really minutes of voting, the results were announced-- 1,013 for him, 987 against. He was cleared.

Fox felt a wave of relief sweep through him as a roar of approval thrummed through the Senate, and his pod floated back to the door from where it had come. The minute he stepped through the door, Wolffe had tackled him in another rib-crushing hug. Behind him, Fox could see Thorn and Thire chanting “HE GOT OFF! HE GOT OFF!”

“Knew you’d be pardoned,” Cody said, his grin just a little too relieved to lend credence to his words.

“You seem pretty relieved for someone that knew,” Fox said, shooting him a smirk. He felt a thousand times lighter without the threat of prison hanging over his head.

“Yeah, well, the Senate and I don’t always agree on everything,” Cody said with a shrug.

Before Fox could respond, Bly had appeared out of seemingly nowhere and hauled him into a hug, his grin gleeful. As Fox had the wind knocked out of him for the second time in under a minute, he caught sight of a blue-skinned Twi’lek woman watching them from a little ways away with a gentle amusement.

“Your senator’s a genius!” Bly said as he stepped back. “You chose a great one, vod’ika.”

Fox started to protest, but someone calling his name caught his attention. “Fox!”

He turned to see Riyo heading towards him, her eyes sparkling. Fox knew the rules. He lived them most days. But the way she was looking at him and the way his heart skipped a beat at the very sight of her, he didn’t even resist the urge to pull her into a hug as she threw herself into his arms. Fox stumbled backwards, but quickly caught himself.

“We did it,” Riyo murmured, arms twined around his neck.

“You did it,” Fox corrected her. “You were amazing. I couldn’t have dealt with any of this without you, Riyo.”

Pulling backwards, she gave him that wonderful smile. “You called me Riyo.”

“I… guess I did.” Eyeing her, Fox said, “Is that... okay?”

Her smile turning to something softer, warmer, Riyo put a hand on his cheek, and Fox felt himself catch his breath. “Yes,” she said. “It’s more than okay.”

Today feels like a day where anything’s possible. If I can get a pardon after everything… why not this? Fox leaned in, ever so slightly, and was surprised when Riyo did the same.

Her lips were barely inches from his when someone called her name. “Senator Chuchi!”

Fox jerked back like he’d been burned, the reality of her title hitting him like a slap. Senator. Force, she’s a senator, you idiot. You can’t--

“I’ll be right with you,” Riyo called over her shoulder. She turned her gaze back to Fox, who suddenly realized that he was still holding her, and started to let go. Riyo’s hand went up, catching hold of his arm, her eyes questioning him. “Don’t look at the title,” she whispered. “Look at me. If you’re not ready, I understand, but please, please don’t let it stop you if--”

Fox interrupted her by pressing a kiss to her lips. Responding instantly, Riyo pulled him closer, deepening the kiss and sending his head spinning.

He didn’t hear the wolf-whistles behind him until they finally broke apart. Keeping her eyes on his, Riyo smiled, long and slow. “Finally,” she said quietly.

“Yeah,” Fox said, feeling a slight smile cross his face. He hesitated, and said, “Are you sure-- I’m not--”

“I don’t look at what you aren’t,” Riyo said firmly. “I never have. I see what you are, Fox. I see who you are.”

“I know,” Fox told her, drinking her in for a moment. “You’re more than I deserve.”

Letting out a very undignified snort, Riyo said, “If I said that, you would spend the next hour telling me all the reasons I was wrong. And I’d love to do the same for you, trust me.” She paused, a smile curving her lips, and then said, “I have some things I need to take care of. Then we should talk.”

“Absolutely,” Fox agreed, reluctantly letting her go, already missing her in his arms. But the final smile and the kiss she blew his way as she walked down the hall-- that very definitely made it worth it.

He turned around to see his batchmates, Thire and Thorn smirking at him. “Never pegged you as the make out in the hallways type,” Bly said.

Pointing at him, Fox said, “I guarantee you’re next.”

Bly didn’t look like he would be too sad about that.

As the others joined in the merciless teasing Fox knew he’d be dealing with, he couldn’t help but smile. He was surrounded by his brothers, had just been released from prison, and he had a really good feeling about what had just happened with Riyo. Who knew what the future would bring next?

I don’t know, Fox reflected. Something with a minimum of drama, I hope.

Ah, who am I kidding? This is gonna be a disaster. Time to get back to work, and hope I can keep Bly out of prison.

[alderaani]

dangerous games

Sliding in under the line with something for @foxiyoweek and the Day 3 prompts: affection/pining - this is somewhere between the two and is literally all vibes no plot. Rating T. 

AO3 link

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

The look on Fox’s face when the men pull out a box of slightly dusty bottles from behind the utilitarian couch is nothing short of thunderous.

“This is a safehouse ,” he growls, having barely just shut the blast-proof doors and coded in to headquarters to assure them that, no, they didn’t die en route.

“And we’re celebrating having safely escorted Senator Chuchi here?” Rys tries, cringing as Fox’s bucket swings towards him. Riyo muffles a laugh behind her hand and after a moment takes pity, nimbly stepping between two of the Guard and fishing into the box.

“I think it’s a nice touch,” she says, examining the label on the bottle she pulls out. Not a brand she recognises, but that’s hardly surprising. She’s not versed in anything much beyond Pantoran fare or whatever is served in the Senate refectory. It’s perhaps a more embarrassing fact about herself that she’s never been very adventurous. “I don’t know about you, but I could use a drink.”

“ Senator,” Fox looks at her and Rys retreats gratefully, huddling back into the group of four other troopers. “We can’t protect you if -“

When she realises why he’s worried, she can’t quite muffle the giggle. “If you’re spaced on sugar? It’s just juice, Commander.”

Fox’s bucket swings back to Rys. “You could have led with that.”

Rys’ whole body jolts. “You think we’d drink on the job? Sir.”

He sounds so heartbroken by the implication that Riyo has to stifle another giggle.

Fox lifts off his bucket and rolls his eyes. His grey-streaked hair is plastered to his skull with sweat, and as Riyo watches it starts to perk up into tight curls. Her fingers itch with the need to touch, so she goes back to picking at the bottle label instead.

“Do all the lucky senators that have to hide here get such special treatment?” She asks, bypassing the brown couch with its even darker, mysterious stains to sink down against the wall. She feels better with something at her back, better when she’s facing the door. Better still now that Fox is here. She can feel his eyes on her, the warmth of his gaze like armour plates on her skin.

“Only our favourites!” Carbine says with a wink, then jolts. “Hey!”

There’s a scuffle as he presumably kicks somebody back. Fox sighs and looks towards her, expression softening as he takes in the smile on her face.

“Alright,” he says, holding out his free hand. “Give me one of those. Just…please don’t tell me where you got them.”

*

It takes five hours, but eventually they wind up playing a drinking game.

Riyo has her knees drawn up under a blanket someone found in one of the cupboards, her hairpieces discarded beside her. Some of the guard have removed paltry pieces of armour or heavy weapons, but most of it remains in place. She hopes they aren’t suffering too much - she’s seen how much the armour chafes.

“- if she was a princess then I’m Jango Fett,” Jeeves snaps, pointing at Cricket across their little circle. “Drink, you cheat.”

“Hey, she said I made her feel like a -“

A piece of ration bar bounces off his forehead.

“Keep it in your bucket, vod.” Rys hisses. “Think about the company.”

“And my ears,” Carbine adds, sniggering when Cricket flushes.

Fox has remained rigid and almost silent during the whole game, alternating between taking tiny sips and staring at the door. Riyo can see his fingers twitching against his thigh plate - he does it at night sometimes when he thinks she’s asleep, his fingertips drumming a staccato rhythm against her spine.

“How about you, Sir?” Jeeves asks, young and bold and unafraid. The other four flinch.

“What?” Fox asks tonelessly. If she didn’t know him well Riyo would have flinched too. Jeeves doesn’t even blink - she’s not sure whether that’s brave or stupid.

“You haven’t gone a round.”

Fox raises a slow eyebrow, the barest hint of amusement playing round his mouth. “Good try trooper, but I don’t think so.”

And it’s reckless, so reckless and stupid, one rumour could be the end of them but -

“Go on Commander, live a little,” she says, almost shrivelling under the sudden weight of everyone’s eyes and then - his brown eyes flash whiskey-bright in the lamplight.

It hits her low in her stomach. It makes her brave.

“One round won’t hurt you. Or are you that afraid for your reputation?”

There’s a sudden, delighted hush around the circle. Fox’s other eyebrow joins its pair in a slow rise.

“Rather the opposite, actually.” He says, dry. “I have nothing to hide.”

“Then why not?” She goads just a little more, and sees the moment he breaks, his tongue swiping over his chapped bottom lip.

It takes him a while to come up with his options, and for a moment she almost feels remorseful, worrying she’s truly made him uncomfortable.

But then he looks up at them all and folds his arms.

“Well?” she asks.

“First, I pretended to be Commander Cody for three days when we were cadets,” he says, and Rys actually yelps with glee. “Second, the first bone I ever broke was my ankle. Third...my favourite colour is blue.”

He’s looking directly at her when he says it. She’s breathless, and she knows that his second one’s a lie, that the first bone he ever broke was his nose on his fourth week of active duty, but she doesn’t know what the others pick because all she can do is focus on remembering how to be the person she has to be when they aren't alone together.

He raises the bottle to his lips and swallows, Riyo unashamedly watching the way his throat flexes as she thumbs the label on her drink. As he puts it down he catches her eye, expression flashing with warmth for just a second, and instantly she’s transported to sunlight filtering through the blinds in her office, the smell of caf curling through her hair, the soft press of her lips on his. Stolen seconds sweet in the early morning, the way the light turns his tired eyes molten, expression lazy and open in a way it so rarely is.

She sighs, shaky, and takes a fortifying sip of her own as Fox’s brothers mutter and elbow each other.

“Come on, Senator, now you give us one,” Ostar grins, flipping a bottlecap and catching it lazily with the same hand. He’s always fiddling with something; like Fox, he’s never still.

She jerks back out of her daydream with a sharp breath.

Out of the corner of her eye she sees Fox stiffen and try to rise, but she subtly tilts her head the negative and he settles back, but doesn’t relax. She wonders if his men notice, and what they make of it if they do.

*

The night ends with her protection detail dozing on the floor. Only she and Fox are still awake, sitting either side of the kitchen table. He looks dreadful under the flickering strip lights. She suspects she does too.

“The sun will be coming up soon,” she mumbles, breathing in gratefully over the caf he’s made her. She doesn’t know what power he possesses, but he always makes even the worst instant pods taste good.

“You should have slept,” Fox says, his voice roughed by the long hours.

“Too late for that,” she says. “Any word on how Reem’s doing? And Senator Amidala?”

Fox shakes his head. “Amidala’s unharmed. Addressing the Senate this afternoon about this attempt on her Committee, apparently. Last I heard Reem had gone into surgery.”

He doesn’t offer any platitudes. She’s always loved that about him.

“Padme isn’t in a safe house?” Riyo squawks, only remembering to lower her voice at the last moment.

“Believe me, we tried to arrange one. She wouldn’t go,” Fox says, then very obviously rolls his eyes. “Besides, Skywalker’s on planet. No point.”

Riyo grins, and feels the expression grow as he sighs again and throws his head back, thoughtlessly exposing the column of his throat to her. She takes it for the privilege it is, tucking the image of him so gently undone into her heart.

“Regretting coming with me, Commander?”

Fox tilts his head lazily and smiles, reaching across the table to catch her hand, just long enough that the warmth of him soaks through the glove that separates them.

He looks straight at her, so many unsaids teeming in simple words.

“Not at all, Senator.”

taglist: @flybynite19 @amukmuk (i think you guys asked for a tag in future stuff last time i wrote for foxiyo - let me know if that’s changed!)

[am-i-beast-or-beauty]

Foxiyo Week - Acts of Service

@foxiyoweek​    

In another world Palpatine is stopped and the clones live to see peace for the Republic. While the rest of Coruscant celebrates, Fox and Riyo go out for a drive. Thire steps up to show his brotherly love for his fellow commander, by proving to be quite literally the ultimate wingman.

[foxiyoweek]

Foxiyo Week 2021

Hey, everyone! We are super excited to announce that we will be doing another Foxiyo week October 10th-16th! 

Oct 10 - acts of service, words of affirmation 

Oct 11 - duty, loyalty 

Oct 12 - admiration, pining 

Oct 13 - mask, uncover 

Oct 14 - confession, revelation 

Oct 15 - sacrifice, redemption 

 Oct 16 - reunion, hope

Additionally, if none of these prompts speak to you (or maybe they do and you just want the extra challenge!), feel free to use any of the below tropes: 

A - there was only one bed 

B - mistaken identity 

C - fake dating 

D - fantasy 

E - bodyguard 

F - time travel 

G - hiding injury

Please be sure to tag @foxiyoweek and use the #foxiyoweek2021 tag when you post! We can’t wait to see all of your masterpieces in October! 

[wildhoneyprose]

Caf: The Sixth Love Language

I’m so happy I had some time to wip up this little drabble for day one of Foxiyo week just in time! (well pacific time anyway...)

Anyway, here’s to day one: Words of Affirmation/Acts of Service 

WC: 604

Rating G (or F for excessive fluff)

@foxiyoweek

The morning had not been kind to Fox. In fact, the last twenty-four hours had just been a small slice of hell. Between bombings, riots, and self-righteous Jedi threatening him, he'd gotten less than two hours of sleep before having to report back in for another full day of whatever this wretched planet had in store for him next. Sometimes he wished he were Wolffe. He'd gladly give his right eye for the chance to leave Coruscant and see some real action.

Kitting up in record time, Fox ran a comb through his unruly curls and tucked his helmet under his arm. Before leaving the barracks, he rushed to the mess for a cup of caf, only to find that the caf machine was broken and all that was left was about an inch of black sludge that was more grounds than liquid. 

Fox swirled the silt-like substance around in his cup and seriously considered drinking it. With a deep sigh, he tossed it in the trash and left for the guard headquarters in a mood darker than the caf he'd require if he had any hope of making it through the day. 

Maybe no one would notice if he traded places with Cody--even just for a couple of weeks. It could be possible to fake the scar, and he might be able to control his temper and mimic his brother's sickeningly serene persona long enough to fool a few people. But Cody did have to work with Skywalker on occasion... Nevermind. Nothing would be worth that. Poor Rex. 

READ MORE

[amukmuk]

Day three - Pining

After the incident on Pantora, Riyo’s status was bumped from ‘low’ to ‘high’ risk. She personally didn’t see the need, one attack certainly didn’t warrant the measures being taken, she was no Padme Amidala after all, but there was no convincing Commander Fox otherwise. At first she hadn’t thought she cared for the commander, he was far too stiff, too serious, but now she admires his work ethic and sense of duty.

He takes his job seriously, but is willing to work with her so that she may continue to do her duties. About a week into her watch, he approaches her.

“Senator Chuchi, do you have a moment?” He stands at a loose form of parade rest. He towers over her, but she doesn’t find him the least bit intimidating. In fact, she finds his presence warm and safe.

“Fox, how many times must I insist on you calling me Riyo? We’re in my home, I’m not a Senator right now.” That’s not entirely true, these days it feels like she is always wearing her senator hat. What she wouldn’t give for a single night of relaxation, but with the trade federation lurking in the shadows that is hardly an option.

“I wanted to inform you that tonight is my last night on your protection detail. Commander Thorn will be leading the operation from here on out. He’s one of the best and you can trust him with your life.”

Keep Reading

[carrinth]

Foxiyo Week 2021: Day 3 (Admiration/PINING)

Something About Us - Daft Punk

Fox and Riyo, first meeting? Or one of the many times they may have crossed paths in a busy senate hallway -- stealing quiet glances but never interacting. Fox knows his place. He’s a clone trooper. She’s a senator. End of briefing. But he can’t stop himself from looking. From wondering. From pining.

@foxiyoweek​

Fun fact: This was actually my very first Foxiyo idea (all the way from January!) but I had put it on hold for so long because I didn’t know how to draw Fox’s stupid armor XD Also originally was Riyo’s POV and a 3rd person narrator but I felt the lyrics fits Fox’s POV better so I changed it! :3

[rex-is-best]

“I love you”

Foxiyo Week Day 2: Loyalty

@foxiyoweek

[hrtiu]

Foxiyo Week 2021 Day 7: Reunion/Hope. Ok I’m a few days late but here it is! @foxiyoweek. This one starts out dark but I promise the prompt is relevant! 

Commander Fox’s assault ship slid into Alderaan’s lower atmosphere, the harsh thrum of its weapons systems at odds with the civilian atmosphere. Alderaan was beautiful, but Fox knew not to be fooled. If his contacts were right, this beautiful planet was harboring several of the Empire’s most-wanted traitors. And Fox hoped beyond hope that his contacts were right.

The pilot guided the ship to an agricultural community a few dozen miles outside of the royal capital. Fox had never been to Alderaan before, and under different circumstances he could imagine himself staring slack-jawed out the window, the rich blues and verdant greens of the planet overwhelming after spending his entire life on either Kamino or Coruscant. But circumstances weren’t different, and Fox kept his gaze straight ahead out the front window of the assault ship, his foot tapping impatiently as the pilot started their descent.

“Should be touching down in about five minutes,” the pilot said, an Outer Rim twang to his accent. He was one of the nat-born recruits, and though Fox generally tried to avoid working with them he was glad most of his crew today weren’t fellow clones.

“Good,” Fox said. 

The ship descended rapidly, giving their quarry no time to escape. Fox’s stomach rose into his stomach at their precipitous plunge and before he could stop himself, a hand rose to the thin scar on his temple.

His lip curled in disgust. How could Rex have thought this would be good for him? Remembering the rogue clone’s expression when Fox had come out of the anesthesia, Fox barely suppressed a snort of disgust. That light in his eyes, the brows raised in hope. Rex had honestly thought that he’d given Fox a gift.

The assault ship touched down and Fox shook away the memory. As if remembering would ever be a gift for a person like him.

The sides of the modular troop transport portions of the ship lifted and Fox’s ground team streamed out, flooding the outskirts of the humble farmstead that, according to intel, currently sheltered some of the most dangerous criminals in the Empire. They lined up in neat columns, awaiting Fox’s orders. Fox walked out in front of them, his steps deliberately slow. There was no way whoever was hiding here could escape without them seeing, so there was no reason to rush. And beyond that, Fox wanted to keep his soldiers disciplined. If he lit their asses on fire, things could get messy. And today, of all days, Fox did not want things to get messy.

“Blue squad, cover the north and west. Red squad, the south and east. Green squad, flush them out,” Fox said.

They saluted sharply and marched off to do his bidding. Fox kept his feet rooted to the mossy ground, resisting the urge to follow after them. He knew they’d get the job done—knew they wouldn’t kill any prisoners in the process. Their training was mediocre at best, but this assignment had come from Lord Vader himself, and if Fox knew anything it was that these soldiers would do anything to keep from displeasing Vader.

Fox’s men made short work of the search, and in less than an hour the door to the barn nearest Fox burst open with a bang. Fox tensed, and he forced his hands behind his back to keep from shaking. She’s here.

The troopers walked a pair of struggling women back to the assault ship. Through the bright white armor Fox spied a flash of blue and another of green, and he gripped his hands tighter together behind his back.

“Unhand me!” a refined, painfully familiar voice called. “I am a senator of the Republic!”

“Not anymore, you aren’t,” one of the troopers said, shoving the woman to her knees in front of Fox.

She looked up and her eyes met his, a flash of gold meeting a blank visor. Fox’s heart stopped in his chest.

Riyo’s gaze roved over his helmet. The anger in her expression bled away, leaving only a confused, awful hope. “F- Commander Fox?”

Fox opened his mouth but no sound came out. If only he still had the chip in his head. It was so much easier not understanding the evil he was committing.

“S-Riyo Chuchi,” he said, his voice barely breaking. “You are wanted for crimes against the Empire.”

Riyo held his gaze, her eyes wide as her expression shattered around them. “No…” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “No, Fox… Not again.”

A trooper pushed the other captive down next to Riyo, and Fox recognized Riyo’s aide, Maja. The wirey Mirialan glanced at Fox, but shook her head. “No way. I don’t know who that is, but it’s not Fox.”

Riyo’s hands fisted in the maroon fabric of her skirt and she bit her lip hard. “It’s him,” she said, barely audible. “I know it.”

Fox blinked away the stinging in his eyes, grateful for the visor that separated him from her unfiltered stare. He turned on his heel and headed back into the drop ship, opening the comms so the entire ground team could hear.

“We’ve got them. All squads, back to the ship.”

A handful of troopers carried Maja and Riyo into the navigation portion of the ship while the rest of the soldiers returned to the transport modules. The assault transport didn’t have a brig, so Fox had jury-rigged a ray shield to hold their captives in during the brief journey back to Coruscant. Fox watched on in silence as his men shoved Maja and Riyo into position and activated the ray shield. 

Eyes growing wide in fear, Maja threw herself against the ray shield. She bounced off, her efforts completely ineffective. Riyo remained calm and composed, wearing her dignity like a suit of armor.

“Where are you taking us?” Riyo asked.

“Lord Vader requested that he handle you personally,” Fox said. “I’m to take you to him on Coruscant. After that I don’t know.”

All color drained from Riyo’s face. “Lord Vader?”

Fox wondered if Riyo knew who Lord Vader was. Fox didn’t know for certain, but he had eyes and a brain. He’d seen Lord Vader’s blue lightsaber when he’d first arrived on Coruscant. He knew who’d had the former Chancellor’s favor before the rise of the Empire. He’d cleaned up the bodies at the Jedi Temple himself, and he knew who wasn’t accounted for.

“Yes,” Fox said. “He has a particular interest in you. He didn’t say anything about your associates, though.” His eyes shifted to Maja. “She will go to general lockup until a trial is arranged.”

A purple flush of anger flooded Riyo’s cheeks. “A trial? For what? Why does the Empire even bother with this pretense of justice?”

Fox shrugged. “I’m afraid that’s not my problem, ma’am.”

Tears welled in the corners of Riyo’s eyes. Tears of fury and… maybe something else? Fox braced himself for the inevitable wave of guilt and self-loathing, but it didn’t come. Maybe he shouldn’t be surprised. He’d always been good at compartmentalizing. He’d always been a monster.

“Why are you doing this?” Riyo asked, some of her anger fading to despair. “Fox. I thought… I thought that we-”

She cut herself off with a shake of her head. Fox tried not to think about the person she remembered—a Fox with a chip in his head who’d never really existed.

He turned his back on her for the second time that day and made his way to the front of the cabin. On a nod from Fox, the pilot lifted off and headed up through Alderaan’s atmosphere. Fox watched over the pilot’s shoulder, his hands behind his back and his posture stiff and tense. They couldn’t get into hyperspace fast enough.

They finally exited Alderaan’s atmosphere and the pilot began the calculations to make the jump to lightspeed. Fox glanced out the side of his visor at the two troopers stationed by the doors of the cabin, then at the pilot in front of him. The pilot entered the final calculations and sat back to wait for the sequence to finish, and that’s when Fox made his move.

Fox surged forward and slammed on the release for the transport modules. One, two, three—all three modules full of stormtroopers disconnected from the assault ship, leaving the cabin and engines floating unburdened in the vacuum of space. Fox turned and in a single breath, shot both of the troopers standing by the door. Then he rounded on the pilot and finished him, too.

Riyo screamed at the sound of blaster fire, but before Fox could even process her reaction the ship made the jump to hyperspace. Space turned a brilliant cerulean around them, and Alderaan was gone.

Fox rounded on the ray shield prison and disabled the shield as quickly as his shaking fingers would let him. All the while Riyo and Maja held to each other, cowering in the corner of their prison furthest from him. Once the ray shield finally went down, Fox made a few cautious steps towards them, his hands held out in a sign of peace.

“Where are you taking us,” Riyo asked, her arms tight around Maja.

“Away,” Fox said. “You have contacts, don’t you? I’ll take you wherever you want to go.”

Her eyes narrowed. “What is this? How do I know this is real?” 

“I separated us from the other troopers. I let you out of the ray shield. I killed three of my own men.”

Riyo’s grip on Maja only tightened and she squeezed her eyes shut, like she was trying to dispel him as a bad dream. “Last time, you seemed like you were on my side, too.”

Fox’s blood turned cold as the memories of that night returned to him. Riyo coming to him, frantic and confused. Riyo telling him that Padme was missing, that she’d heard rumors of a coup. Riyo telling him she’d never support the Chancellor if he tried to take power. Then, something foreign and unavoidable triggering in Fox’s head, something that forced him to grab her and take her back to GAR headquarters with him, her hands in binders. That foreign something in his head gradually starting to feel less foreign—gradually starting to feel like the person he’d been all along.

A beep sounded from the console at the front of the cabin and Fox looked over his shoulder. “We don’t have time for this,” he growled. He leapt to his feet and made for the navigation controls, slamming his fist on the emergency stop that jerked them harshly out of hyperspace. Now they floated, aimless and alone, in the empty vastness of space.

“We can go wherever you want from here,” Fox said. “I’m not taking you back to Coruscant and I’m never, ever going to lock you up again.”

Riyo slowly got to her feet, pulling Maja up beside her. Her hands were balled into tiny, trembling fists, but she seemed more sure of herself. “Then why did you do it the first time?”

Fox’s temple throbbed, and he wanted to show her the scar there, wanted to blame everything on the chip in his head. But that would just sound like a weak excuse, and he was done with weak excuses.

“I can’t explain. But you don’t really have any other option now, do you? Where do you want me to take you?”

Riyo took a few cautious steps towards Fox, her eyes narrowing. “Your… your head. Is that a scar?”

Fox pursed his lips. “Yes.”

“Did… Did Captain Rex get to you, then?”

Fox’s brows rose in surprise. “How do you know about that?”

“Captain Rex came to us—a small group of senators trying to organize against the Emperor. He told us about the chips, and I… I asked him if he could find you. Begged him to take it out. I haven’t seen him since, so I never knew… never knew if he managed it or not.”

“You were the one who sent him to me?” Fox asked. He’d always wondered why, of all people, Rex had come to him. He knew he was just a part of a larger effort. He knew Rex was going to find other clones, too. But Rex had limited time and resources, and for some reason he’d included Fox in his list of clones to “free.” Was that all Riyo’s doing?

Riyo took another few steps towards Fox. “After what happened on Coruscant I was crushed. I thought you’d betrayed me. But when Rex told me about the inhibitor chips, I realized it wasn’t you.”

Fox’s gaze fell to the ground, and now his compartmentalization failed. The shame came rushing in, filling up every corner of his being. “It doesn’t matter. Chip or no, I did that. I hurt you. I hurt a lot of people.”

Riyo’s hand cupped his cheek, gently lifting his face until her golden eyes met his. “That wasn’t your fault.”

“It was,” Fox choked out. “At least with the chip, it felt justified. Now all I can remember is the terrible things I did, without any of the thoughts that made it make sense.”

“I don’t know a single person who doesn’t wish they’d done something differently during the war. I look back on my time in the Senate, and there were so many warning signs, so many things I should have done… We all feel this way. But at least you have an excuse. There was no mind control chip in my brain ordering me to vote Chancellor Palpatine into power.”

Her understanding was like a cauterizing beam—blissful and unbearable at the same time. Fox jerked away from her touch and looked back at the navigation computer. “Just… just tell me where to take you. I’ll drop you off there and I’ll disappear. I won’t bother anyone ever again.”

Riyo landed against his chest like a tiny, unstoppable comet. Her arms wrapped around his chest and she clung onto him for dear life. “Don’t you dare leave me alone again. I’ll only tell you a location if you promise. Promise not to leave.”

“I can’t do it,” he said. “I can’t live with the memories.”

Riyo pulled away just enough to look up into his eyes, her expression fierce and powerful. “Yes you can. You are the strongest man I’ve ever known. I know you can do this, and I’ll be there with you.”

“If I hadn’t had the chance to find you, I wouldn’t have made it this far. It’s the only thing that’s kept me going since Rex took this blasted thing out of my head.”

“Well I’m glad Rex did it, even if you can’t see it yet. There’s a future for you, Fox. There’s a future for us.”

Fox wanted to resist. The memories of Palpatine’s and Vader’s orders—the memories of how well he’d executed them—they wouldn’t leave him. But Riyo’s arms were still around him, slim but warm and impossibly strong. How could he refuse her?

He let out a sigh and something tense and knotted in his chest eased just enough for him to imagine it coming undone some day. “I’ll come with you. I promise.”

Riyo tugged him down to her and pressed her forehead to his. Eyes closed, with tears streaming down her face, she smiled. “Dantooine. That’s where we’ll get our new start.”

The corners of Fox’s mouth lifted into a strange, warped smile. It must be a gruesome sight, but it represented the closest he’d come to happiness since that fateful day all those months ago. Nothing could change what he’d done but maybe with Riyo… maybe it would be alright.

Hope. What a strange taste on his tongue. Riyo held tighter to him, and Fox let himself wrap his arms around her. All the guilt, all the memories, all the self-loathing—it was all worth it if he could keep Riyo alive. He supposed he’d have to thank Rex after all.

[gryffindor-jedi]

Day 6: Time Travel

Fox travels back in time to stop himself from shooting Fives, and reunites with Riyo Chuchi after Palpatine is executed for treason

[zentalikestodraw]

foxiyo week 2021 — Day 2 —duty

duty means long nights on datapads for both senators and commanders