#grandma was kinda inspired by mulan's grandma at the end there lol

[rare-clone-fic-exchange]

Lost on Ryloth

Captain Keeli x Reader

Summary: Are you sure Captain Keeli died on Ryloth? Because I heard...when they went to collect the bodies of General Di and his fallen men, the captain was no where to be found...

No Minors Allowed

Word Count: 2, 300 (on the button and I love it)

POV: 2nd. No use of (name), (y/n), or blank spaces

Warnings: Reader is Twi'lek as I'm pretty sure there's no humans natively living on Ryloth, mentions canon deaths, mentions battle and healing, reader has a sassy grandmother, kinda a fix-it story.

"ma sareen" means "my sweet" and is a term of endearment

For the lovely @dystopicjumpsuit ! I tried my best to create something awesome for you, it might be a bit wonky and I apologize if it reads as such. (p.s. I hightlighted the thingys in red as it was the closest to Keeli's armour colour available)

You weren't supposed to be out here... and as blaster fire rained down in the valley before you, you became blindingly aware of the fact.

You should have been with the others of your kind...but instead of being holled up within one of the controlled settlements, you had somehow managed to slip by all of the seperatist sentries to hide in the caves nearby. It was just you and your grandmother.

You covered your ears as the battle went on. Blaster fire being tossed back and forth, a bright blue beam of light slashing about and grenades exploding, not only sending dirt everywhere - but men with it.

The Republic troopers were losing, you could see that clear as day, as the Jedi was quickly becoming the only one still standing. You watched, waiting on baited breath in fear.

The jedi, was all alone now...you watched in horror as the droids just kept coming.

This was it for him, you supposed...

Just as you thought the sentiment, your peripheral caught movement. Your eyes darted to the side to witness one solider stand back up, you gaze taking in his beaten form.

How in the stars could he even move after all that...?!

You instantly were in awe with the man, but your amazement lasted only a short time as you watched the two desperately fighting on with all their might.

The droids began to surround them in earnest, and you couldn't bear to watch on... There had to be something you could do...!

Your eyes caught sight of some rocks on the ledge, they looked precariously settled. Maybe you could...

You ears pricked as you heard the jedi call out, the trooper must have fallen, at least that is what you suspected. If you were quick...just maybe you could save them.

Summoning not only your courage, but your strength...you pushed against the rocks with all your might!!!

Until!!!

You caught yourself just in time, as the cliff came apart and tumbled down toward the droids and republic men - only to watch the other ledge get...taller...?

Your heart fell to your stomach as you screamed, scrambling for a foot or hand hold onto SOMETHING.

Your eyes darted to your destination, watching the droids shoot down the jedi. You were too late, and your attempt of rescue was going to end you as well - what a way to go.

If only you'd been smarter.

If only you hadn't tried to help.

But as the rocks tumbled down and smashed into droids, they somehow managed to narrowly avoid the bodies of the two men. And just as you thought all was lost for you...your heels caught onto a lower ledge. Mere feet from the ground, but it was something.

Panic coursed through your veins, you panted for a moment to catch your breath, but found yourself hurriedly climbing down. Your feet and fingers already lowering you down the cliffside until your feet touched the ground. Without so much of a thought, you ran to the bodies, first dropping to your knees beside the jedi.

Your fingers frantically moved about the exposed flesh of his neck - but no pulse was to be found. You swallowed thickly and maneuvered to the trooper and ducking down to him. Your trembling fingers fumbled around his armour to access his skin, and-

You gasped, quickly leaning your face to his own. Barely. Just barely, you could feel his breath. Hardly a whisp of life remained in him.

You started ripping at the plastoid, it was beat up anyways and it was stopping you from getting to his body. You had a chance - and you were taking it.

No matter the consequence.

Brown eyes stared up at the rock-ceiling but hadn't bothered to move. Keeli's eyes darted about as he tried to make sense of everything.

Hadn't he been shot down? Wasn't he dead...?

The very next question bubbled from his hoarse throat and through his chapped lips

"W-where am I...?!"

He gasped as he tried to sit up, pain blooming across his body, and was met with a gentle hand. His eyes darted to the assertive yet gentle touch, gaze following it to meet your concerned eyes.

His mind raced. So not dead. On Ryloth still - or at least he had a Twi'lek caring for him.

"Don't move so fast" you urged in a hush voice "you'll open all your wounds. Grandma spent a long time putting you back together"

Already, his brow was caked in sweat from exertion. And despite his mind urging him to hurry and get up and back to his men - to his general, he allowed you to push him back into the mattress.

Brown eyes locked onto your form, watching you with the close study of a trapped and wounded animal.

You smiled kindly and reached to the side, settling the cool cloth against his forehead then gliding it gingerly along his face.

"I'm sorry about your troops..." you began softly as you swept the cloth across his jaw.

You then took it away to dip it back in the bowl and wring it out. You glanced back to him, eyes flickering to his bare collar then back to his eyes in a silent plea for his permission. You had to forgo before due to him being unconscious...but you'd hate to impose your wants now - even if they were in his best interest.

The man let out a huff but relented, eyes closing and gifting you the tiniest of nods.

You brought the cloth back, wiping at his neck and his collar and shoulders silently, then set the cloth back.

You turned to leave, but your body lingered. Turning back to the man, you patted his hand with the gentility of touching thin and cracked glass.

"I was too late to save your jedi companion...but I was able to get you out. I wish I had been braver and stronger, if I had...perhaps things could have been different." you confessed quietly "But I am neither. So you will have to forgive me for that."

The clone only glanced his eyes towards you, not bothering to move his face to fully give his attention.

"Grandma said you would hopefully recover soon." you offered as you slowly stood "Until then, you'll be stuck with us. If you need anything, just call."

You then gave him your name and excused yourself from the room

Captain Keeli, as he'd later introduced himself as, had been cautious and unsure of you and your grandmother at first. It must've seemed weird, two Twi'leks living out in the middle of nowhere on their own...but he never stopped either of you from helping him in the healing process.

As the days wore on, he slowly relaxed and was willing to chat with you - until you seemed to spend more time chatting at his bedside than you did anything else. Keeli spent his time within your bed fiddling with his equipment or trying to barter you for small chores. The aimlessness of bedrest was not something that sat well with him, so it seemed, as he was more than happy to peel root vegetables while sitting in bed.

"Keeli, dear..." Your grandma began slowly with a smile "these wounds are healing nicely...soon you won't be stuck in this bed" she patted his arm affectionately

"Thank you ma'a-"

"Ah?"

"G-Grandma" he fumbled

"Much better" she beamed proudly to herself as she pulled her body to its feet "Now...if I could just get that grandchild of mine to listen as well as you do..."

Keeli chuckled softly as he pulled the robe-like top closed. You and your grandmother were quite the pair, and a duo he had grown not only accustomed to, but attached to.

It had been weeks since he and General Di had made that stand for Cham and his soliders. Weeks since he'd most likely been presumed dead. The captain wasn't sure what he was going to do with himself.

His commlink had been dammaged heavily during the battle, although you probably left some further damage to it when you had frantically been ripping his armour from him back then... so he'd been unable to get word to the Republic. And despite your ventures out and about...you'd yet to find a way to get a hold of Cham or his people.

"You know...one of these days..." your grandmother mused as she returned with a sweet roll for the captain "I won't be here"

"You shouldn't talk like that ma- ...uh... Grandma" Keeli urged softly, taking the delightful pastry

Your grandmother waved her magenta hand with a dramatic flair

"Nonsense, I am far too old to be told what to do-" she argued humoursly "but that's not the point. What is, is that my dear sweet grandchild will be left all on their own. I worry...that sweet little one has been tottling after me since their first breath. " she sighed as she rested back into the chair

"They love you a great deal m...Grandma" he pointed out in a gentle tone, his eyes watching the elderly Twi'lek as she seemed to drift away into her memories

"There's nobody here for them...and they will not leave this old bat behind" she frowned "If...if you decide you are unable to return to the fight, I would like for you to entertain the idea of staying."

"Ah..." his eyes darted about as he shifted uncomfortably in the bed

"I understand it's a touchy topic, and I am not telling you to give up on your life. I only ask that you think it over. That is all that I wish." she hummed as she began to stand "That is all that thanks I need for bringing you back to health. Though, if you do leave...I would hope you remember us fondly"

With that, Keeli was left to his thoughts and his feelings.

The weeks bled into months, now it had been 4 months' time since you'd rescued the clone. Keeli has long since been up and about, helping you and your grandmother around your home, yet...the captain never left. Never ventured out to find his brethern like he probably should've. Instead...he stayed close to you.

Over the time you'd spent with the captain, the two of you had developed into quite the team. And it soon became apparent, to you, that your feelings were not just infatuation or awe. You cared deeply for the once Captain and it pained you anytime you thought of him walking out of your life forever.

You turned at the sound of your name, your gaze finding those warm chocolate hues you adored.

"It's getting late, we better head in" he nodded towards the entrance of your home, holding a hand out to you "Don't want to worry Grandma"

You smiled, gratefully grasped his hand and let him lead you back to the home.

His hand was warm, as it enveloped your own...snugly...safely.

Your cheeks warmed at the cozy feeling settled deep inside your breast.

"You're awfully spacey...something bothering you?" he paused to watch your expressions

"...Keeli...? Are you happy?" you asked hesitantly, your gaze turning away from him and to the land beyond you both

"I think I'm as happy as one can expect to be" he mused, squeezing your hand "Don't tell me you're all upset over my happiness or lack thereof"

You didn't reply right away, instead your gaze shifted to the holster he kept on his hips. One of the few pieces of his armour he continued to wear.

"Hey...I'm not going anywhere" he spoke softly, pulling you to him and gently taking your other hand "Unless, of course, you want me to leave."

"N-no, I-"

"Good, because if I'm being honest...I don't want to leave. I don't want to go back" he confessed with a smile "Actually, I...I'm not sure how to put this..."

"Put...what...?"

"I've never really felt like this before, this calm and just...content. And you. You- well, I feel a lot for you too" he smiled bashfully his gaze searching for any sort of tell to give way to your feelings on the subject

You stared at him with surprise then pleased embaressment

"I care for you as well" you smiled back

Enboldened by your words, he crept closer to you. The two of you sharing the same space as his hand glided up to cup your cheek

"Then..." his gaze shifted from holding your own to your lips "would it be acceptable for me to stay? With you...?"

Your breath hitched as his face neared, his breath ghosting across your face

"Ma Sareen, there is nowhere else I'd rather be" he whispered

You gasped softly at the phrase in your native tongue

"Grandma may have taught me how to say it properly"

"Just tell him you love him back!" Your grandma yelled impatiently

The spell momentarily broken, you both let out your own breathy laughs

"Grandma...!"

She huffed at you and headed back inside.

"I'm so, so-"

Just as you turned back to Keeli, you found his lips upon your own. Your heart pounded in your ears as you melted against him, your fingers gathering the fabric of his shirt to ground you. The sweet and earnest display of affection was rapidly moving to something more sensual as your lips moved together.

All too soon, he pulled back and pulled you in for a tight embrace. He cheek resting against your own as he held you, although you could feel his heart hammering in his chest just as much as yours was in your own.

"I'm never leaving...I promise. We'll have all the time in the world" he pledged tenderly

You nodded softly, lekku twirling around each other in a silent show of your feelings, as you agreed happily

"All the time in the world"