#oh we're in full canon adjacent au now

[arliganzey]

part two: juno.

(part one: bed chem)

“Will you be all right until Etain gets here?”

Darman looks up from his datapad. It’s still a shock to see Bardan as he is now—no robes, green beskar’gam, helmet under his arm. He’s gone a few days without a shave, cut his hair to a manageable length, and had Darman not known better, could have been mistaken for a born and bred Mando’ad.

“I’ll be fine. Thanks, Bard’ika.”

“Be back in three hours.” Bardan disappears behind the helmet, now a faceless Mandalorian. He pauses, and Darman looks at him, half-expecting him to say one more then. But then he turns and leaves, and Darman is alone.

He waits. He’d much rather have met up with Etain when she returned to the barracks, walked with her down the skywalk to take a transport to the apartment. Maybe hold hands like the couples he’s seen milling around Triple Zero. But this is what they signed up for: a clone and a Jedi general couldn’t be together, so they had to meet in secret.

At least the squad knows. In fact, maybe too many folks are well aware of his and Etain’s relationship. There is some comfort knowing they aren’t the only ones–Atin and Ordo had their respective partners, too.

Before long, Etain pings his datapad I’m here. And the door opens.

Darman crosses the room as Etain drops her bag and heads straight for him. They crash together, Darman scooping her up into his arms and lifting her off the floor. Her arms tighten around his shoulders, her head turns to pepper the side of his head with kisses. He doesn’t put her down, carrying her to the couch. They fall onto the couch and Darman pulls Etain into his lap. They say nothing for a good, long while, letting their kisses and hands do the talking.

“Dar,” Etain says, interrupted by another urgent kiss. “Darman.”

It occurs to Darman that she may not be repeating his name out of desperation, and actually has something to tell him. His hands frame her hips, dark eyes peering up. “Yes, Et’ika?”

She takes a deep breath. She seems burdened by what she wants to say. Her jaw tenses, her lips pressed together. He inhales, and she cups his cheek, an apology waiting in her wide eyes.

“Etain. Please.” Darman’s heart starts to sink.

“Dar, I’m pregnant.”

His heart does something different, stopping for a beat. “What?”

She blinks, the corners of her eyes are wet with tears. “I’m pregnant.”

“With a–child?”

“Yes, Dar.”

“Our child?”

“Yes.” Etain’s eyes well up and she inhales sharply. “Our child.”

“Oh.” Darman scrambles to hold onto reality. A child. Their child. Our child. “You’re pregnant?” he confirms, his voice lifting.

Etain takes his face into her hands. “Yes, Darman. I am pregnant. With our child.”

Darman looks down as if he’s confused by the lack of any indication of the pregnancy on her person. “How?” He knows how. “I mean–when?”

“I’m twelve weeks along, which means…” Her face turns red. After a moment of reflection, Darman remembers where they were twelve weeks ago, too.

Darman breaks into a grin. Etain watches his face, still teary-eyed. “Right,” he says with a faint smile. In war, pleasant memories come few and far between. His smile fades when he looks into Etain’s fretful eyes.

“I’m so sorry, Dar, I don’t know what happened. I thought I could prevent this.”

Darman turns his face into Etain’s hand and kisses her palm. He’s at a loss for words. His heart starts to pound in his chest as his mind works over the details. What are they going to do when the baby comes? Won’t Etain get into trouble with the Jedi?

“Dar, talk to me. Please.”

“I’m still trying to…” A baby. He’s never interacted with a baby before, only seen them through glass. “I’m in shock.”

Etain’s hands move to his shoulders, her fingers clutching red fabric. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry.” Darman pulls Etain close, wrapping her up in his arms and holding her against his chest. The future has always been uncertain for him and this is no different. All he knows is: “I love you.”

“I love you, too.” Etain sniffs.

“It’s going to be okay.”

Etain tightens her grip on his shoulders and he hears her hold back a sob. “I understand if you don’t–want this–but–I do.”

Her words punch him in the gut. “Et’ika.”

“I know it sounds crazy, but I can feel in the Force that this is right.”

Darman rubs a soothing hand over Etain’s back as he considers her words. How can it be right, when they have to hide their relationship? How can it be right, when Darman himself has no rights? How can it be right when in less than 48 hours, they would both be redeployed to fight in a war?

“Darman?”

He’s asked and answered all of those questions, and he chose Etain every time.

“I trust you,” Darman says. “If you want this. If you think I can be a good father.”

“Of course, Darman. You’ll be a great father.”

Etain sits up and when Darman looks into her earnest eyes, he could be persuaded to believe her. He smiles. “We’re going to have a baby.”

[wordsofwilderness]

WIP game: Vampire Omegaverse AU

Please and thank you! 🩷🩷

I tragically do not have any snippets to share with you since I haven't written anything yet, but I have thoughts. So so many thoughts! Like my notes for this fic is now 1.4k words 😅

It's canon adjacent and most of it takes place during 7th year (probably a no Voldy AU, but idk). We have Alpha James, and well Regulus has a bit of a funky situation going on. He gets accidentally bitten at a family event (not a mating bite though) over summer at the very start of the fic. He's kind of going through a lot of panic at his body slowly changing in ways it's definitely not supposed to while at the same time hiding it from everyone else.

We also have James who has a crush on Regulus, and has had it for a while. I won't get too much into it bc spoilers, but a lot of Jegulus shenanigans occur and blood drinking and smut. Some of those might be combined hehe. Alright, all of those are combined. Also mating of convenience because I'm currently obsessed with that concept.

And yes Regulus will be drinking blood from James while sitting on his knot. It's needed. Truly, it's what we're all here for.

Since I can't give you any snippets, here are a few randoms unconnected things from my notes:

James being possessive over that it’s his blood making Regulus’ cheeks heat up in a blush

Regulus doesn't need to breath

All the cuddling

James: “It's alright, love. I’ll get you full of me again in no time”

James telling Sirius that he loves Regulus but is quite sure it isn't mutual but he's okay with that

Oh btw did I mention it has angst and pining?? Because it has! Quite a bit of it too