#since he's an organa in all but name already

[varpusvaras]

The Alderaanian Royal Guard gets really protective of the Coruscant Guard. Like. Really protective. At some point the people start treating the Corries better if only because they know that there is always an Alderaanian somewhere in the vicinity. Sometimes it's the Senator himself. Once or twice it was the Queen. But there is always at least one member of the Royal Guard there. Somewhere. For people who say they are pacifists, they seem really bloodthirsty.

After a while, people are starting to figure out that they might've been just supressing any murderous intents up until now, and it's better if you don't tempt them too much.

(The word got out at some point that Fox was dating the Queen and the Senator and that it was serious. The Royal Guard immediately turned on the Prince treatment. Fox bluescreened the first time one of them opened a door for him.)

[wantonlywindswept]

10/10 fox day: forgotten fox bit

to celebrate fox day you get more of the next section of the forgotten fox au, which contains...zero fox actually present x_X

i am trying okay

---

Bucket, for the crimes of having an excellent sabacc face and a hip that seized up when moving any faster than a light jog, was often stuck manning the Guard HQ front desk.

They didn't get too many natborns coming through these days, at least, now that the CSF were forced to do their own jobs and had taken over guarding the prison. The Guard was back to being a protective, high-level military force instead of doing all the domestic policing and drudgework they'd been relegated to. They were still beholden to the Senate, but things had gotten better since Palpatine died and Organa took office, even if some of the Dome's denizens still saw them as little better than droids.

So Bucket didn't have to deal with that at least--he could, he got his name from being able to fit his demeanor to whatever the situation needed it, swapping faces like you could swap a helmet--but he did still have to deal with the regular comers and goers. Thankfully, that was mostly clones, plus the new addition of the pack of Jedi healers that descended on medbay once a week.

Interesting bunch, the Jedi. A lot more personable than Bucket had thought they would be. Surprisingly calm up until you admitted to using a soldering torch to close an acute laceration. 

(It wasn't even a recent injury--it happened so long ago that it was already healed. But now Master Nema gave Bucket the stink eye whenever she saw him, like she was trying to determine how medically stupid he'd been in her absence.)

"--figure what they were going on about?"

Bucket snapped to attention as the exterior doors slid open, a placid expression settling across his features. He turned toward the voice--only to relax when he caught sight of the visitors.

"Just something about another shift in the Force," Marshal Commander Cody said, offering Captain Rex a shrug. "It's not as bad as when Palpatine died; nobody passed out this time, at least."

"Small mercies," Commander Gree observed, bringing up the rear behind them. He had four takeout containers cradled in one arm, and by the smell they were from the offensively good noodle cart that parked near the base of the Rotunda. Bucket took a deep, envious breath and decided he was definitely going there for latemeal.

This particular group of GAR troopers--along with Commanders Bly and Wolffe--were a familiar enough sight at Guard HQ. They didn't visit often, almost eternally deployed to the front lines, but whenever their leaves lined up they usually made an appearance. Bucket had never seen all five together at once, but maybe that would change now that the war was over and battalions were being called back to Coruscant.

"Commanders, Captain," he greeted, standing up behind the counter to salute. His second for the day, Kelari, hastily copied the action. 

Cody waved the formality away with the sign for 'at ease', nodding at the two of them in turn.

"Sergeant Bucket," he greeted. "And I don't think I know..?"

"Private Kelari, sir!" Kelari chirped. She was still painfully shiny, wide-eyed and awestruck as she stared up at the Marshal Commander, and Bucket allowed the gaping with fond indulgence. 

She was one of their most recent acquisitions, part of a squadron that arrived after the death of the Chancellor. The group didn't have any direct experience with the war or the suffering that came with it, and the entire Guard were doing their damndest to make sure they never would.

"Private Kelari," Cody acknowledged, one side of his mouth ticking up. "Good to meet you."

Kelari beamed; Bucket shooed her away so he could get back in front of the security screens. 

"The Jedi up to shenanigans again?" he asked as he pulled up the admittance forms. 

Rex sighed, heavily, and Cody shot him an amused look.

"Let's just say," Gree said, "That it will be nice to avoid more half-coherent explanations on how the Force works in the future."

Bucket snorted, starting to fill out the usual info. The Guard never got a Jedi--and with the reveal of Palpatine being a Sith, they now knew why--but he had to admit he was glad they never needed to deal with the often-inexplicable Jedi tendency to rely so much on some invisible cosmic power.

"Captain CT-7567," he recited idly as his fingers flicked across the keys, "Commander CC-2224, and Commander CC-1004, here to see Commander--"

Bucket blinked at the 'reason for visit' box. 

This batch of clones had been visiting the entire war, either by themselves or together, whenever their rare leave allowed. They came often enough that if Bucket wasn't the one that would suffer the datawork hassle later, he would have just waved them on through. 

He was familiar enough with them to know that Cody's infamous scar came from a sparring accident, that Gree had three half-finished xenobiology research papers that he hoped to someday publish, and that Rex had been forcibly adopted by the CC clones without being allowed any input in the matter. He knew that Wolffe had three implanted teeth from multiple attempts at biting trainers through their armor as a cadet, and that Bly sometimes mixed up his letters and numbers and had almost been decommissioned as a result.

And Bucket had no idea what to put in the box.

He slowly lifted his gaze from the half-finished form to meet Cody's eyes. 

Missing memories weren't that uncommon, in the Guard, but as Bucket watched confusion steal across Cody's face--as that confusion shifted into rising unease and panicked alarm--he didn't think it was just a Guard problem, anymore.

[natimiles]

Hello there first of all congrats for the follower milestone you deserve them all and so much more 🎀🎀💌💌🎊🎉🎉🎊🎆🎇🙌

Can I plesse have Jean x Fem Reader with these prompts

1 Lips

2 Fingertips

And Roger or Liam the one you feel like the most with this

Neck

Thank you Have a wonderful day 🙏🙏😘😘❤❤

Hiii, thank you so much for your kind words! 🤍🤍🤍

Since we already had Liam + Neck, I decided to go with Roger :3

Roger + Neck

Words: 533

Tags: established relationship; pet names; female reader (he calls you lil’ lady).

Raising your arms up your head to stretch, you read the last paragraph of your report and sigh, relieved to have finished it before Roger comes back home from his mission. He must be close to the castle by now, and you’re already eager to see him, so you decide to go wait for him outside.

Bundled up in your winter clothes, you go to the garden, enchanted by the snow falling and painting the whole place a beautiful white. A playful idea hits your mind, and you decide to act on it, just in time to hear the front gate opening and Roger entering the grounds of the castle.

You hide behind a pillar even though you know your presence will be easily detected by him since he can hear you. You quickly make a snowball and, when he is close enough, you throw it at him. It doesn’t hit him, as he hears it coming and dodges it.

“Ah, so that’s what you were trying to do,” he smirks, turning around to look in your direction. “You know it would never work, right?”

“Yeah, I know,” you sigh, stepping out from your hiding spot.

“Sorry to disappoint you, lil’ lady,” he laughs. Roger walks up to you and rustles your hair, making you huff and pout.

“You could at least pretend to be surprised.”

“I’ll keep that in mind next time.”

“Fine,” you reply simply.

Roger watches as you crouch down to make another snowball. He raises an eyebrow when you stand back up and stare at him. He narrows his eyes and gives you a knowing smile, enough to tell you that he probably won’t let you hit him with the snowball — at least not now. However, instead of throwing it at him while he’s close to you, you turn around and take off as fast as you can. He blinks at you, legitimately confused for a second.

“Snowball fight!” you scream from your spot, and throw the ball at him.

He doesn’t even flinch, as you’re probably too far away now and the ball falls to the ground midway, but that brings forth another boisterous laugh from him. He throws his rifle and accessories on the snow, and in the next second, he is running after you.

“Your heartbeat is really loud and fast, love. Are you okay?” His words are worried, but his tone is teasing. He doesn’t stop running, and neither do you.

You’re not fast enough to actually outrun him, and you know that. Roger soon catches up to you, his arms encircling your middle and pulling you to him. You yelp in surprise when your feet leave the ground.

“It’s not fair! Your legs are too long,” you complain.

“Mhm, I’ll remember that next time, too,” he replies in a low tone.

He nuzzles his face against you, and you feel something warm on the nape of your neck traveling to the side. He kisses you over and over until his heartbeat matches yours — but for a whole different reason.

And it’s in times like this, when he can hear your laughter and every little sound made by you, that he knows what happiness is.

Taglist: @judejazza @chandeliermichel @leia-skywalker-organa @olivermorningstar @koco-coko

Beneath The Milky Twilight ♥ Event Masterlist

[buffshipper8490]

(Reylo Family art by @hotside, used w/permission)

Rating Mature

Chapter Summary

Five years after the Resistance-First Order War is explored...

Excerpt

"... and that is the story of how the brave men and women of every species across the galaxy came together and ended the tyranny of the First Order." Rey took in a breath. That was a mouthful. Her three-year-old twins Jacen and Jaina sat on her lap, looking up her expectantly for more. Three years old, and already they were so inquisitive, so attuned to the Force. "Tell us more about Ben and Rey Solo, Master," piped up a young Twil'lek girl from Rey's audience of a dozen or so Force sensitive younglings. Her padawans. "Yeah, tell us!" urged another youngling. Rey smiled. "They married, took the Millennium Falcon for a honeymoon across the stars—" "Oooooh..." interjected the younglings. "–and settled on the sunny and green world of Modesta, where they started a family that would eventually include orphans from all over the galaxy." Rey looked at each of their wide-eyed, wonder-filled faces in turn. "There, they would teach them the ways of the Force." "That would be us," popped up the Twil'lek girl. "That would be you," confirmed Rey. "A new generation of Jedi." The younglings looked at each other  "Now... can anyone tell me the role of the Jedi?" asked Rey. "To protect the Light and maintain the balance of the Force," replied an older padawan named Temiri Blagg, who was freed from a life of servitude on Canto Bight thanks to Supreme Chancellor Organa's galaxy-wide slave labor reforms, along with a herd of fathiers that now roamed free throughout Modesta's vast open plains. The ring Rose had given him all those years ago glinted in the sunlight that filtered through the open windows of the temple. Though he was older now, he still never took it off. "And how do the Jedi maintain the balance?" asked Rey. "With lightsabers?" replied Dade, Finn’s young friend from Coruscant. He was still small, scrawny from the years spent just scraping by, but he’d shot up another several inches since Finn had brought him here. Rey knew Finn would be proud of him the next time he saw him. Rey chuckled at his answer. There was more to maintaining balance in the galaxy than just lightsabers, but they knew what time it was and she wasn't about to spoil their fun with more lecturing. "Precisely. Time for practice..."

New fanfic link! Likes ❤️ and Reblogs 🔁 are much appreciated!

[wild-karrde]

In Command - Part 21

Master List | Previous Part | Next Part

A/N: Well, would you look at that. I still know how to write I guess. Been a minute between bookcases and bouts of depression, but HERE'S THE NEXT CHAPTER!! As always, thank you to the absolutely wonderful @teletraan-meets-jarvis for beta-reading for me!

Chapter Rating: T

Warnings: implied sexual content

Word Count: 5.9k words

"We're about to have some uninvited Imperial guests," Organa announced, tension clearly throbbing in his temple despite his relatively calm demeanor. Senna noted him fidgeting with the hem of his sleeve, an uncharacteristic tell for the normally-composed politician. 

It must be serious then.

“You said we’d be safe here,” Rex gritted out, his hand resting protectively against Senna’s lower back. 

The senator opened his hands in supplication. “We will do everything we can to ensure that remains true, Captain. I’d remind you that having you here also puts me, my family, and everyone in this palace in danger as well.” He sighed, and Senna could feel the weight he was carrying in the breath he expelled, the lines around his eyes suddenly becoming more pronounced. 

“Do you know why they’re coming, Senator?” Senna asked gently.

Organa met her gaze. “We were planning to host trade negotiations with Corellia next week, and I had invited Senator Roon and their entourage for the discussions.” His fingers flexed nervously at his side. “It was meant to be routine, even pleasant since I’m friends with the senator they were sending. We’d made a lot of good progress in our prior discussions, so this was largely meant to be a final ironing out of details. This meeting was also intended to be the forum in which I briefed the senator on the information gleaned from your time on Lothal. Senator Inor Roon was hoping they would be able to take that information back to their colleagues to make some headway in pushback against the Empire. Unfortunately, it appears the senator’s recent inflammatory comments about the Emperor has cost them their position in government.” Senna could see a history reflected in Organa’s eyes, a guilt looming. 

He tried to warn Roon, tried to make them see. And now he’s wondering if he could have done more. Roon’s rhetoric has put him at risk as well.

“I was informed a few moments ago that an Imperial representative will be coming in their stead to participate in the negotiations, and due to scheduling conflicts, they are arriving tomorrow,” Organa continued. “Fortunately, I’ve met the admiral they’re sending several times, Makin is his name. A pleasant enough fellow.”

“Didn’t know Imperials could be pleasant,” Echo muttered under his breath. 

“We have a good working relationship,” Organa replied, shooting Echo a look. “As long as we don’t raise suspicion, I think there is no need for concern. Just extra caution.” 

“And Roon?” Hunter pressed. “If they were involved with your extracurriculars, we’re all in danger, Senator.” 

Organa nodded. “I’ve already reached out to Inor through private channels. Fortunately, their punishment hasn’t gone beyond their removal from government as of now.” He met Hunter’s gaze, his eyes flicking from clone to clone and Senna before finally coming to rest with Rex, as if he understood it was most important to reassure him. “We’ve worked to keep things as compartmentalized as possible within this network. And Inor understood the risk, both for themself and everyone else involved should they reveal anything. I would never have allowed them to be involved if I didn’t trust them in every way that matters. They had plenty of opinions, but I’m positive they wouldn’t be so reckless as to divulge anything that would incriminate others.” 

Something about the name of the Imperial, Makin, tugged at the back of Senna’s mind. She gripped Rex’s arm as it dawned on her suddenly. “Makin was one of the men on the Ilum panel at the conference on Lothal.” 

“You’re sure?” 

She raised an eyebrow at him, and Rex’s mouth drew into a thin, worried line. It was clear he could see what she was thinking, and it thrilled her to be known so intimately and annoyed her at the same time.

“Senna-”

She ignored the warning in Rex’s tone, turning instead to address Organa. “Senator, who all are you planning on including in the negotiations?”

Organa’s brow furrowed. “The queen of course, and a few members of my staff that worked on writing the agreement along with a few advisors, experts in their area. Why?” 

“I’d like to attend in disguise.” 

“Senna,” Rex grunted, making no effort to hide his annoyance.

“I won’t say anything. You can pretend I’m just some sort of aide or something,” she argued, her eyes flicking to the captain before returning to Organa. “I just want to be there in case there’s any pieces of information that would be useful.” 

“We’ll have notes taken,” the senior aide standing next to the senator offered. 

Senna shot him a withering glare. “With all due respect, sometimes things get lost in notes. I’d rather listen in person. There are very specific pieces of information that may seem unimportant in the moment, but may prove to be significant pieces of the puzzle in the correct context.” 

The senator considered it for a moment. “Well, if it’s just you-”

“If she goes, I go too,” Rex stated firmly. 

Senna briefly considered arguing with him, but could see it would do no good. And some sort of concession felt appropriate since Rex hadn’t dragged her out of the room for a quarrel about her impulsiveness.

The guard to Organa’s left spoke up. Senna noticed the captain’s insignia pinned onto his uniform with the name Antilles inscribed in the metal. 

“We cannot possibly hide you all in the palace. While the negotiations should be limited to a certain area, the Imperials tend to be… probing.”

“They often ask to be shown around under the pretense of wanting a tour,” Organa clarified. “We’ve kept the Empire from occupying Alderaan largely because we’ve always been amenable and cooperative. But that means we need to move you and your ship elsewhere.” 

“The Imperial delegation will arrive tomorrow evening. We plan to evacuate you all tonight to a set of caverns in the mountains. You’ll have to stay on your ship, but it will keep you out of harm's way until the Imperials leave.” 

“Let Hunter, Echo, and Wrecker take the ship,” Senna pressed. “They stand out far more than Rex and I do. I think our time on Lothal proved that.”

“But if you’re recognized-”

“I can dress as a guard,” Rex replied, and Senna felt relief flood through her. “The helmets do a good job at hiding faces. I won’t be recognized. And I’m sure we can find a way to disguise Senna.”

I’m positive he’ll have plenty of objections when it’s just the two of us, but at least he’s backing me now.

“Corellia is a hub for manufacturing,” Senna continued. “If Makin is involved, I have to believe it’s in relation to the super weapon we’ve been trying to find more information about.”

Organa regarded her. “What if he doesn’t reveal anything helpful?”

“Then at least we tried,” Senna countered. “And that’s better than risking not having the right people in the room.” She did her best to soften her tone and expression, her eyes flicking back and forth between Organa and Captain Antilles. “Please. I think this is worth the risk.” 

The senator and his guard exchanged a look, and Senna could see some sort of unspoken conversation happening between the two of them. And the guard was losing. 

“Very well,” Organa stated after a few moments. “Clone Force 99, Captain Antilles will escort you down to the hangar for your departure. You’ll be sent with a guide to direct you to the location and back. Captain Rex, please go with them so you may be outfitted. Master Aven, if you’ll go with my aide, he’ll see that you’re appropriately briefed and outfitted as well.” He rubbed his thumbs over his knuckles at his sides, his hands clenched into nervous fists. “We will reconvene in the morning prior to the delegation’s arrival. I’d still like to get the both of you debriefed sooner rather than later.” With that, he turned on his heel and walked off with the remainder of his staff in tow. 

Captain Antilles turned and stalked off wordlessly. 

“Guess he expects us to follow,” Wrecker grunted. 

Echo gripped Senna’s arm. “Be careful.”

“Aren’t I always?”

He huffed a laugh. “I think someone would beg to differ.” His eyes drifted over her shoulder, and she could feel Rex’s gaze practically boring into the back of her neck. Echo released her, giving her a grim smile before taking off after his squad. Senna turned to face Rex, but he brushed by her. 

“Rex, I-”

“I have to go,” he interrupted her. “But we’re going to talk about this later.” 

“Yeah, I figured,” she muttered as he turned and trotted after his brothers. 

—

A few hours later, Rex stepped through the door of the room he was sharing with Senna, hauling a palace guard uniform, weapon, and helmet with him. He’d endured more than enough lecturing from Antilles on what was protocol, sticking around just long enough to see Echo and the others off before escaping any additional thoughts the captain had. 

He didn’t blame Captain Antilles of course; he wasn’t exactly onboard with this idea either. Senna was right, there was a potential chance to gain additional information tied to the superweapon that they’d been chasing, but that also presented yet another opportunity for them to be put in danger. And while he’d never admit it, Rex had hoped to stay out of the thick of it for a little while, especially after only one night of decent rest with Senna. 

But she’d had a good point. It was a rare and promising opportunity, one that he felt duty-bound to take advantage of. He knew he’d been short with her, and if he was honest, his frustration didn’t lie with her, at least not entirely. She was driven and determined and relentless, which were all things he loved about her. But just this once, he wished that the Empire would let them catch a break. Or that she would. 

Senna was standing at the window when he came in, her arms wrapped around herself with her back to him. He noted the dark blue robes that were flung over a chair in the corner. Her disguise, he assumed. At the sound of the door, she turned and caught his eye, and he could see that she was bracing for an argument. But something about the sight of her took all of the fight right out of him. 

“I’m sorry,” he broached, tossing the guard uniform on the same chair. The helmet clattered to the floor, and he bent to retrieve it, resting it more gently on the cushion. 

His words seemed to relax her a bit, her teeth digging into her lower lip. “I’m sorry too. I should have spoken with you first, privately, before signing us both up for another thing to do.” 

He huffed a laugh. “No, I think you took the perfect opportunity. I’m not sure Organa would have agreed if you’d waited longer. He was a bit shaken and needed a win. You offered him one. Maybe.” 

“Maybe,” she agreed, raising one shoulder in a half-shrug. “Rex, I just… I-”

“I know,” he said quietly. “I know, Senna. I understand what you’re hunting. I know what it means.” 

“What we’re hunting.” She was watching him carefully. 

Rex’s tongue darted out to wet his lips. “What we’re hunting,” he agreed. 

They stood looking at one another for half a beat before the moment seemed to pass, Senna turning back to the window. 

“Did you eat?” she asked quietly. 

Relieved that the possibility of conflict had seemingly dissipated, Rex crossed the room, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder, inhaling deeply into her hair, which hung in loose, free waves down her back. The city stretched out beneath them, glowing softly in the moonless night.

“Grabbed a quick bite before coming back. You?”

Senna’s hands wrapped around his forearms, and she leaned back into him, her head resting on his shoulder. “Snuck a sandwich out of the kitchens after I got my wardrobe for tomorrow.”

“What part will you be playing?” he teased. 

“The role of one of the queen’s handmaidens,” Senna replied. “Got a large hooded cloak that should hide my face pretty easily. I’m to stand at the back wall and do ‘nothing noticeable’, is how the aide put it.” 

Rex pressed a kiss to her shoulder, muffling the chuckle that escaped him. “I’m sure you loved that.” 

“If that’s what it takes for me to be in that room, then I’ll do just that,” she muttered. “And I take it you’ll be standing in as security?”

“I will,” he confirmed. “Although I’ve got to say the uniforms are wildly impractical.” 

“They’re not your armor,” she said quietly. There was something strange in the tone of her voice, but he couldn’t pinpoint what it was. 

“Sen? Something wrong?” 

He studied her profile, but she kept her gaze focused forward, as if searching for the words outside the window. Finally, she inhaled hesitantly. 

“We… we didn’t meet during the war, did we?”

Rex thought for a moment, running through every memory he had with Anakin and Ahsoka, searching for some flash of Senna and finding none. “No. I don’t remember us ever meeting, and I’m certain I would have,” he added, trying to joke her out of her funk, but her teeth dug further into her lip, and he could see the answer didn’t seem to be the right one. Slowly, he turned her to face him, slipping his fingers under her chin to raise her blue eyes to meet his. 

“What is it?”

Her brows knitted together, and he could see she was struggling with how to phrase it. He didn’t rush her, letting her work through it despite the fact that his pulse seemed to quicken with every passing second of silence. Finally, she spoke.

“I… I’ve been having dreams. Had them before we met too. Of you.”

Rex’s blood was rushing in his ears. “Of me? Why didn’t you say something?”

“I didn’t know it was you at first.” Her words were tumbling out of her quickly now. “You always were in your armor with your helmet on, and you never said much, and through the vocoder, it was hard to recognize your voice. I didn’t realize who it was until-”

It clicked. 

The odd look on her face as she’d held his helmet. It was a shock, a realization, a discovery. 

“Until you saw my armor on the Marauder.” 

She shivered slightly. “Yes.” 

Rex rested his hands on her shoulders, trying to hide his uncertainty and concern. 

“What do you think that means?”

Senna scrubbed her hands over her face. “I have no idea. I know that’s not comforting, but I really have nothing.”

Rex pulled her into his chest, and he felt her relax slightly. 

“Could be nothing,” he noted, not believing that was true for a second. “But sometimes Jedi have premonitions.” Ahsoka had experienced something similar during the war, and he remembered how much it had alarmed her. But she’d been a teenager. Senna was a fully-fledged Jedi Master, and to see her this shaken made him certain it wasn’t the same. 

“Rex, it can’t be a premonition,” she said slowly. “It’s already happened. And you weren’t there.”

He met her eyes. “Order 66?”

She buried her face in his shirt, muffling her response slightly. “Yes.” 

Rex let out a long, low exhale. 

Creates more questions than it answers.

“Did… did you ever have any dreams or visions like that before?” he asked. 

“Never.” 

He nodded. “Alright.” 

“Alright?” she asked, glancing up at him again.

He smiled. “It’s like you said, it’s already passed. It can’t happen again.” Rex desperately hoped that sounded reassuring. He placed a kiss to her forehead, and he felt her let out a quiet breath. “I know it bothers you to not have the answers to everything,” he said against her skin. “But sometimes you’re not meant to.” 

“It doesn’t strike you as odd?”

Rex grinned. “Everything about the Jedi strikes me as odd, but I’ve learned to live with it.” 

“I’m being serious, Rex.”

“And so am I.” He took her hands between his, kissing her knuckles as he carefully formed his response. “Look, there’s plenty for us both to be worried about. This isn’t remotely near the top of my list, and I don’t think it should be at the top of yours either.” He pushed some hair out of her face before cradling her jaw, his thumb stroking her cheek. “All that’s done now. Let’s just look forward to the future. Together. If the dreams keep happening, we can talk through them, but maybe some part of your brain knew something the rest of you didn’t yet.” 

Senna hummed, smiling before resting her forehead against his and wrapping her arms around his neck. 

“You’re probably right,” she conceded.

“Say that again,” he joked, and she pinched his stomach through his shirt in response. He wrapped his arms around her, squeezing her playfully and twirling her in a circle, her toes dragging against the carpet as she giggled. He set her down, kissing her deeply, and she hummed against his lips. 

“We should get some sleep,” she murmured, her hands sliding under his shirt.

“If you insist.”

—

Rex didn’t sleep much. 

Long after Senna’s breathing had evened out to soft snores, he lay awake, thinking of her dreams and what they could mean. It was strange for him to think that even when they’d been butting heads over her mess and her methods, that she’d been dreaming of him without even knowing it. She’d disclosed a little bit more of the details before nodding off, including the fact that he’d always been trying to save her in the dreams, that they’d always been trying to escape together. Part of him knew it was perhaps silly and useless to try to assign meaning to it, but that didn’t stop his brain from trying. 

Another part of him felt a strange sort of guilt. He hadn’t been there to stop that moment from happening, to keep Senna from harm. Deep down, he knew that was for the best. His chip had activated, and it was an immense amount of luck and his close personal relationship with Ahsoka that had saved the two of them. 

If I had been on Kashyyyk with Senna, at least one of us would be dead. Maybe both if she and I had gone toe-to-toe.

No amount of reasoning seemed to be able to calm his mind. He’d had plenty of recurring dreams himself, but none that involved people he had yet to meet. 

Anakin and Kenobi always joked that the Force works in mysterious ways. Perhaps it’s true.

At some point, he must have drifted off, one arm wrapped around Senna, who was snuggled into his side, sleeping with her cheek resting on his chest. He awoke to soft kisses along his jawline and his name being whispered softly in his ear. His eyes fluttered open to find Senna watching him, her hair wild from sleep. She smiled, and he melted. 

“Morning,” she murmured. 

He cradled the back of her head, letting his fingers thread through her brunette tangles to pull her in for a kiss. She hummed against his mouth, and he rolled her under him, relishing in how her body felt pressed against his. He moved to her jawline, and then her throat, and she arched into him, letting out a little gasp that made his blood thrum in his veins. 

“Careful,” she sighed. “Organa said he wanted us to brief him in half an hour.” 

“I only need ten minutes,” he grunted, but she giggled, pushing against his chest half-heartedly. 

“Yes, well I would want more than ten minutes,” she huffed. 

“Greedy.”

“Maybe,” she conceded with a wicked grin, “but I don’t hear you complaining.” 

Rex relented slightly, but hovered over her, taking her all in. She flushed under his gaze, ducking her head slightly. 

“What?”

He huffed a laugh, playing absently with her hair. “It’s just the first time I’ve woken up in a bed with you still in it.” Her smile faded slightly, shifting to embarrassment, but he cradled her face. “I think I could get used to this.” 

Her lips quirked back up at the corners, and a warmth settled into his chest. 

“Good,” was all she replied. 

—

The remainder of the morning and afternoon seemed to fly by, and with every passing hour, Rex felt a shift within himself, the soldier settling back into place. 

He and Senna were debriefed by Organa, a few aides, and Captain Antilles. Every word they uttered was recorded (and encrypted, he was assured), and every statement was questioned and analyzed down to the cellular level. No stone was left unturned, and at the end of it, he could tell that the senator was left more unsettled with even more questions. Still, he remained reassuring. 

“This is excellent information. You both have done a great service to us.”

Rex couldn’t be certain, but it felt like perhaps hearing the information in its entirety had changed something for Organa. 

Maybe he wasn’t the one tossing the information aside. Maybe he’ll press harder now. 

Maybe this won’t all have been for nothing.

He wanted that to be true. For Senna’s sake. 

“What happens now?” Senna asked. 

“We pass it along to our other network members. See who can add more details or if anyone has heard anything along the same lines.”

“And if they have?” she pressed. Rex could see what she was hoping for, and he also knew she wasn’t going to get it here. This part, at least, made sense to him. 

Military operations take time and patience, even moreso when they’re being conducted covertly. 

And patience isn’t something she has much of.

As if the senator could read his thoughts, he replied “We must be patient, Master Aven. Even if your information is verified and we are able to glean more details, we won’t be able to act immediately. We must choose our moment carefully.” 

Senna did little to hide her frustration. “And while we are patient, worlds like Lothal and Ilum and who knows where else will be plundered and rendered unlivable. All so you can choose a diplomatic solution.” 

It was strange to see her like this, particularly after their conversation on Lothal. Rex had thought then that Senna would endure whatever frustrations to support the rebellion, but maybe something had also changed within her as well. 

She might finally be seeing the cracks. That if she’s going to stick with this, it’s going to come with a lot of disappointment and very few victories. At least for now. 

She has to come to terms with that. Or else this will be the end of her. 

“We must work within our means, Senna,” Organa replied gently. 

Rex could appreciate where the senator was coming from, but he could see it did little to placate his partner. 

“And if we could find more information?” she asked, still pushing.

Organa was clearly trying to find some wording that would satisfy her. Captain Antilles, however, was uninterested in coddling her emotions. 

“It would be reckless to make a move without careful planning, Master Aven,” he said tersely. “While you may be willing to throw your life into the balance, it’s not just your life at risk. This network is vast, and while you may not know or understand all of the pieces in play, I can assure you it would take a single wrong move to dismantle it all.” 

She glared at him, but he didn’t flinch. 

Organa stood, signaling the end of the meeting. Senna’s jaw was set defiantly.  

“We thank you for the information you’ve provided,” Organa tried again, and Rex could see he was genuinely grateful and trying to offer some solace. And genuinely worried. “We will keep you informed as much as we can.” 

He turned to address one of his aides, and Rex took that as a dismissal. Senna did as well, falling into step behind him, but not before she shot Antilles another scowl. If the captain noticed, he didn’t react. 

They walked through the corridors in silence. Rex was content to let Senna stalk off whatever anger she was clearly still feeling, knowing she’d eventually engage him. He didn’t have to wait long.

“How can they just be content to sit by while the Empire burns through planet after planet, clearly building something they consider a game changer?” she exploded, waving her arms as she continued walking, passing Rex with long, energetic strides.

Rex chose his words carefully as he slowed behind her, knowing one misstep would redirect all her ire at him. “They’re being abundantly cautious, which isn’t a bad thing with the number of spies the Empire has deployed.” 

Senna skidded to a halt, rounding on him. “You agree with them? I thought you were the skeptical one when it comes to this.” 

It felt accusatory, but Rex kept his tone even. “Sen, I am still critical of how things operate here, but in this instance, I understand where they’re coming from.” 

“They’re just keeping their own skins safe while everyone else deals with being under the Empire’s heel.” 

“I think that’s a step too far, and you know it,” he countered. 

She scoffed, turning away, but he gripped her shoulders, turning her back to face him. He dipped his head, searching for her eyes, and finally, she glared up at him through her eyebrows, her blue irises blazing. He gave her a sad smile. 

“One thing you’re going to have to come to terms with, especially if you’re going to continue in this line of work, is that you can’t save everyone, Senna.” She tried to huff some hair out of her face unsuccessfully. Rex reached up, brushing the strands behind her ear before slipping his fingers under her chin. “Sometimes, impossible decisions have to be made, and that comes with a cost. They’re being cautious because of how much is at stake. You’re right. The superweapon does feel like something that could shift everything. But that makes the next steps they take all the more important. If we aren’t careful, we get caught, and then it all comes crashing down. And then who will help those people? Who will stop the Empire from getting the upper hand?” 

Senna let out a long exhale between pursed lips before leaning forward, gently tapping her forehead against his chest. 

“You’re right. I know that.”

“Twice in a rotation. That must be a record,” he joked. 

She glanced up at him. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t think we shouldn’t keep pressing the issue. Carefully.”

“I wouldn’t stand in your way,” he agreed. 

The corner of her lip tugged into a smirk.

“Alright. Now let’s go get dressed.” 

—

The helmet of the Alderaan royal guard was much more awkward and heavy than Rex was used to, but it was meant to be more decorative and intimidating than practical. Still, the strap was uncomfortable under his chin, and the uniform itself felt stiff and awkward as he stood at his post inside the conference room. Antilles had positioned him mostly in shadow, using the darkness to obscure whatever of his features the large helmet and visor didn’t cover completely. His palms were sweaty despite being ungloved, and he kept wiping them subtly on his light blue pants. 

This whole getup is ridiculous. Especially the cape. 

He readjusted the grip on his electrostaff again, trying to make sure he was holding it the same way as the other guards. His other hand drifted to check his holster for the standard-issue blaster he’d been given, then slipped under his cloak to check the placement of the vibroblade he’d slid into his belt. That hadn’t been standard issue, but Rex liked to be prepared for all outcomes. 

In theory, it wasn’t difficult to just stand there and blend into the surroundings, but standing still and just watching wasn’t something Rex excelled at. Cody and Fox had the patience for these sorts of things, but not him. 

At least Senna gets to stand a little closer, he thought. I’m not sure how much I’ll be able to hear from here.

“The Imperial delegation has arrived,” Antilles buzzed in the comm in his ear, startling him slightly. “The senator and the queen are greeting them now, but we’ll be heading to the conference room momentarily.” 

Here we go.

Rex counted the seconds silently as the minutes ticked by until one of the side doors hissed open. A gaggle of aides and handmaidens trickled in, taking seats at the table and along the back wall on one side of the room. Rex picked Senna out of the bunch, the hood of her dark blue cloak pulled low to obscure most of her face. Even though her appearance was hidden, everything about her was recognizable to him, from her gait to the way she clasped her hands in front of her. He had to bite back a smile at the realization. 

I really am in deep. 

Senna glided along the floor, taking up her position along the wall behind one end of the table, spaced equally distant between her counterparts. Rex guessed the seat at that end was reserved for the queen. His suspicion was confirmed a few moments later as the delegations came walking in through the main archway. Breha and Bail led the way flanked by aides and guards, followed by a small army in Imperial grey and a handful of stormtroopers.

That feels like more people than necessary for a trade negotiation, Rex thought sourly. But Imperials do love to overcompensate. 

The wall of grey filed into the seats in front of Rex, their backs to him as they sat down, not a single one sparing him a glance. He was fine with that. The stormtroopers flanked the archway, three on each side, standing at attention. Breha Organa sat at the end of the table that the handmaidens shadowed with the senator at her right. An imperial with a massive bald head and a solid blue, six-pip insignia plaque on his breast sat at her left, pulling a handkerchief from a pocket to mop at his sweaty, reddened face as he laughed at something Bail said uproariously. 

That’ll be the admiral then. 

Rex could see why Organa found Makin easy to get along with. The man did seem jovial and good-natured, but the moment chairs stopped scraping against tile and everyone seemed to settle, he got down to business. 

“So, your Highness, Senator, thank you for accommodating our early arrival. I know it couldn’t have been easy with both of your busy schedules.” 

Bail and Breha nodded and smiled graciously. Makin continued. 

“I’d like to go over a few of the points that are in the draft trade agreement.” 

“Is there an issue?” the senator asked, with one eyebrow raising slightly. “We’d spent a large amount of time coming to compromises with Senator Roon, and I anticipated this being a mostly social endeavor if I’m honest.” 

Rex could no longer see Makin’s face, but he did heave a deep sigh as the queen kept a measured, unwavering smile on her face. Her eyes however, were boring into the admiral. The Imperial didn’t seem to feel the heat of her gaze. 

“Yes of course. It’s just that since Senator Roon’s departure, there’s been a desire to better align this agreement with some newer Imperial interests. You understand of course.”

‘Departure’ is one way of putting it, Rex thought.

The senator’s smile flickered for only a second before he pulled his expression into something that mirrored his wife’s. 

“Of course.” 

Rex tried to keep up the negotiations that followed, but after a while, as he had suspected, he found himself struggling to hear some of the points being made, so he instead kept himself busy with trying to catalog the personnel in attendance in the Imperial delegation. He was certain Senna was mentally capturing all of the pertinent details from where she stood anyway. She was as still as a statue, but he could tell she was listening hard and remembering every word. 

She’s got this.

His eyes drifted down the table. Organa had only brought a handful of aides with him, but Makin had brought a dozen other Imperial officers. He guessed the man sitting just to the admiral’s left was some sort of personal aide, tapping away at his data pad frantically and occasionally filling in a piece of information when the admiral addressed him. 

Likely a more junior officer. 

He hadn’t caught a glimpse of any of the other insignia plaques, but he assumed the aide would be an ensign, maybe a lieutenant. There had been some shuffling and mutters during the seating, and he guessed the next few were newly promoted officers, scrabbling to earn the favor of their commanding officer. 

Commanders of one flavor or another, I’d wager.

There were a few officers that were more laid back, clearly having worked under Makin for a while. They understood when to interject, never too aggressive in inserting themselves, but scoffing quietly at their more eager counterparts.

One or two of them have probably been passed over for promotion. 

However, one officer at the opposite end of the table stood out to Rex. He couldn’t see the man’s face, but he was slumped in his chair slightly, not nearly as engaged as the rest of his delegation. Instead, he carried an air of hostility, as if the entire negotiation was beneath him. There was something familiar about him that Rex couldn’t quite put his finger on, but he guessed his placement at the table was probably preferred and strategic. 

Makin wants him involved, but certainly doesn’t want him to be noticed. Not with that attitude. 

“...but we were to be the primary source of that mining,” Senator Organa was arguing, his tone slightly more combative, drawing Rex’s attention. “We’d planned to ramp up production and create a jobs program that brought people in from smaller towns and villages, providing them with housing and training. This was to be a massive economic boon for us, Admiral. And now you’re asking us to scrap all of that work?” 

“Senator, I understand your frustrations, but the new veins of Cubirian discovered on Lothal are much easier to access, and quite frankly, much cheaper for the Empire to procure. The fact that we’re still offering to keep you on as a provider of this particular metal rather than going exclusively with the cheaper option is a goodwill offering.” 

The queen’s nostrils flared, but she remained silent, deferring to her husband with a sideways glance and nearly imperceptible nod. A vein in the senator’s temple was growing more pronounced, but he kept his voice even as he pressed. “And is Lothal even prepared to begin mining and refining? From everything I understand, they do not have the infrastructure in place. That could have significant impacts to any schedule you’re pursuing.” 

Makin leaned forward, glancing down at the opposite end of the table to address the slumped Imperial sitting there. The man must have felt Makin’s gaze on him, turning his face so that Rex finally could make out his features. His hazel eyes were disinterested and filled with disdain as he met his superior’s stare. 

Rex’s blood ran cold as he finally recognized the man. 

The admiral’s smile was tight as he addressed his petulant subordinate. 

“Captain Fisk, would you care to elaborate on the status of Lothal’s mining and refinery construction?”

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[all-the-things-2020]

Deeds Not Less Valiant Chapter Seven

Pairing: Din Djarin x OFC (Tala Pavan)

Word Count: 3300

Summary: Din, Tala and Grogu go to a festival. Fluffiness ensues and Din has to really think about his feelings.

Rating: PG

Tala was washing the dishes when her door chimed. Neeli pricked her ears and cautiously stretched, ready to either greet or retreat.

“Well, this is a welcome surprise.” Tala quickly dried her hands on her pant legs before Grogu launched himself into her arms.

“Sorry to interrupt,” Din said. “But we were in town and …”

:Going on a mission: Grogu supplied.

“Grogu says you’re going on a mission.”

“Yes. Captain Teva messaged me a few minutes ago,” Din said. “It’s urgent and I don’t know how long we’ll be gone. I thought, since we were already here, why not tell you in person.”

“So you probably won’t be coming by on Benduday.”

Grogu’s ears drooped. “Na,” he said quietly.

“No,” Din said carefully . “But I thought we could make it up to you. There’s a festival starting next week. We should be back by then, and Greef can get us passes to all the entertainments. We can take Grogu during the day and then maybe get IG to babysit for a couple of hours in the evening.”

:Grown up stuff: Grogu wrinkled his nose.

“It sounds wonderful,” Tala said. “Even the ‘grown up stuff’, as Grogu calls it. I heard there’s going to be a professional Kumaiian opera company.”

Din nodded. “I’ll ask Greef for tickets. So … it’s a date?”

“It’s a date.” She struggled to keep from grinning like a fool.

Din held out his hands. “Come on, kid, we need to get the ship prepped and be on our way. Captain Teva is waiting for us.”

Grogu leaped into Din’s arms. :Important stuff.:

“Be careful and good luck,” Tala said. “I’ll see you when you get back.”

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

The mission went wrong from the start. First, Teva was delayed getting to their rendezvous because he had to report to Coruscant to answer some questions from the Council.

“It’s like they’re deliberately tying our hands out here,” he’d said when he finally met up with them. “Senator Organa has filed multiple protests but they keep ‘requesting more information’ before they’ll okay anything.” He sighed. “But you don’t care about all that. Here’s the deal …”

Then the intel turned out to be stale. Their quarry was no longer on the planet they’d been told, but had moved on to another system entirely. Three days of tracking finally led them to Bila, a soggy excuse for a world that technically had a lot of land but in reality was a combination of ocean and marsh and stagnant ponds that hosted a plethora of fish and reptile species with far too many teeth.

Din lost a chunk of his cape, a piece of boot, and a perfectly good vibroblade before they reached the squalid shack where Doomi Chekkoo was hiding. The Rodian was the nexus of a sprawling net of spies who were selling intel to the Shadow Council, according to Captain Teva. What Teva did not know was that Chekkoo had a Wookiee bodyguard named Chuundar who made Krrsantan look like a lightweight.

“I might need your help, kid,” Din said just before Chuundar rushed at him with a deafening roar. Even beskar armor was not full protection against the wrath of a Wookiee armed with an iron cudgel. As Chuundar hammered away, Din focused on simply surviving until he could get a clear shot with his blaster. In the end, Grogu had used his powers to stop a nasty blow that would have certainly shattered Din’s helmet; Chuundar’s confusion at having his power thwarted was the opening Din needed. He took the opportunity to fire right between the Wookiee’s eyes.

“You shouldn’t kill unless you absolutely have to,” Din told Grogu as he recovered his breath. “If the other guy is trying to kill you, he’s asking for it, but otherwise, it’s best to simply disarm them or otherwise take them out of the fight. We are warriors, not murderers.”

Grogu nodded solemnly, but Din caught him blowing a raspberry at Chuundar’s body as they walked away.

Chekkoo had taken the opportunity to escape, so Din and Grogu retreated to the Krayt, trudging through the incoming tide, with only one small detour so Grogu could sample the local frogs. Normally, Din discouraged him from eating the wildlife, but the kid deserved a reward after literally saving his life.

They tracked Doomi Chekkoo through two more systems before finally cornering him in a back alley on Drevy. By then, Din was in no mood to chat, so he shot Chekkoo with a stun ray and dosed him with Pirian poppy for the journey to Adelphi, where he turned him over to Captain Teva.

“You owe me,” Din said, pointing out the bedraggled state of his cape and boots. “I’m still wringing water out of my socks, and I think Grogu picked up a skin fungus.” How tiny feet could produce such a large odor was beyond Din’s comprehension, but he’d picked up some anti-fungal powder that seemed to be helping a bit.

“Wish I could pay you more,” Teva said as he handed over some credits. “Everyone in the squadron is pitching in to supplement the pittance the New Republic is giving us, but we’re stretched to the limit.”

“Just buy the kid some nuggets at the bar and we’ll call it even,” Din said.

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

“New boots?”

Din shrugged. “My old ones had a run in with a very toothy fish,” he said.

:Dad killed it! It was big! And very bitey.: Grogu was tucked in the crook of Tala’s arm. He’d insisted she carry him to the festival.

“I’m guessing the cape had the same problem.”

Grogu shook his head. :Snake. Very big ugly snake. Dad’s knife broke in it.:

“More or less,” Din said. “But it still works, unlike the boots.”

“We could mend it,” she said. “I’ve seen similar fabric in the market.” Din shrugged again. “Or, you could leave it. It does give you a rather roguish look.” She winked at him. He stumbled, just a little.

“Um, here,” he said, reaching into his pocket. “Greef gave me these badges for us to wear. They’ll let us take Grogu on all the rides and get samples of the food at all the booths. Technically, we’re …” He looked at the brightly colored metal. “‘Quality Control Inspectors’.”

He pinned one onto Grogu’s robe, then stood awkwardly. “Do you want me to take him or …”

“You can pin it on me,” she said. “He’s comfortable.”

Grogu gave her the side eye. :Sneaky.:

:It’s called flirting. You’ll understand someday.:

:Grown up stuff. Dumb.: He made a face.

Din gently pinned the badge onto the collar of her shirt, being very careful to only touch the fabric.

“Should I pin yours on?,” she asked.

“Um, no … I can do it.” Din was flustered, so she let it go. She wouldn’t really know where to attach the badge, anyway, what with all the beskar plates covering him. He attached it to a fold of his cape, near the shoulder.

“All set,” Din said. “Let’s enjoy the festival.”

Grogu was entranced by the colors and lights and sounds and smells. He took his role as a Quality Control Inspector very seriously, and took a sample from almost every booth they passed. Tala made sure to pass his appraisal on to the vendors, and gently discouraged him from asking for seconds.

“It’s not polite to take more than one,” she told him. “We aren’t paying so we can’t ask them to give more than just a taste.”

“But if you find something you really like, I can buy a larger portion,” Din said. “After you’ve sampled everything.”

There were rides for the children, but Grogu was too small for most of them, which made his ears droop. He enjoyed the bouncy house, though, and the bordok ride. Tala took him on a flying swing ride that was large enough for her to squeeze into with him. Din was far too bulky and had to watch from a distance.

:Again!:

“Your dad is getting bored, all by himself,” Tala said. “Let’s spend some time with him before we go on more rides.”

Grogu’s ears drooped a little, but he was always happy to return to Din’s side. :Okay:

They found a puppet show that was just beginning. Grogu perched on Din’s shoulder so he could see over the crowd. He giggled and squealed along with the other children as the Jawas stole things from various beings, before finally being foiled by a young girl and boy who taught them the value of sharing.

“No Jawa I’ve ever met would swallow that,” Din muttered.

Grogu nodded. :They took Dad’s ship apart. We had to fight the Mudhorn to get it back. It took a long time to fix. They were bad:

“It’s just a puppet show for kids,” Tala reminded them.

Din hoisted Grogu a little higher. “Well, Grogu’s more sophisticated than that, aren’t you, kid?”

“Ya,” Grogu said. :I’m what Dad said. So-fis-i-cat.:

“Then maybe he should be going to the opera tonight with me instead of you,” she teased.

“No way,” Din said firmly. “I had to promise Greef I’d attend another one of his political soirées to get the tickets. I’m going.”

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

The opera was being staged in the brand new Community Hall that Greef had convinced all the merchants in town to chip in on. It was owned by the town, and could be used for public events as well as rented out for private affairs (with a share of the rental proceeds coming back to the merchants, after Greef took an appropriate amount for management fees, of course). Din was impressed by the quality of the workmanship, since he knew Greef had cut a few corners here and there in the name of maximizing profit.

He showed their tickets to a harried usher, who immediately became obsequious when he saw that they had front row seats. “Right this way, sir. Honored guests of the High Magistrate are always welcome.”

“I know him,” Tala whispered as they followed the usher down the aisle. “He works at the cantina around the block from my house. Plays the valachord on slow nights when they don’t have a proper band.”

“I didn’t know you frequented the cantina,” Din said as they settled into their seats. It occurred to him that he might not be the only male friend she spent time with and it made him unreasonably upset.

She shrugged. “I stop by with my co-workers for a drink now and then. It’s a little too noisy for my taste. Especially when Tannor is playing the valachord.” She made a face that set Din’s heart at ease.

He glanced at the program that had been placed on the seat. The opera company was from a provincial town on Kumaii but had placed well at the annual festivals. They were touring the Outer Rim to “bring the culture and talents of the Galactic Core to those who could not afford to travel” which he understood as code for “we’re trying to educate you barbarians.”

Tala pointed at her program. “They’re doing Mar Berand’s ‘Queen Biala and the Court Jester’. I’ve never seen it but I’ve heard excerpts. It’s not exactly ‘Finis and Lillia’ but it’s not bad.”

Din simply nodded. He had no knowledge of opera in general, let alone the Kumaiian repertoire. He was just happy to be sitting next to Tala at an event that she could enjoy. And with his helmet on, no one would know if his attention strayed from the stage or if he dozed off for a bit. Being a single parent was tiring.

Soon the lights dimmed and the orchestra began to play a lively overture. The singers were talented, but they sang so fast and ornately that Din had a hard time following the story. There was a queen, obviously, and a court jester who was really the prince of a rival kingdom in disguise, and some dubious courtiers, an ambassador, three cooks who performed juggling tricks, and two assassins who were supposed to be scary but were so inept with their weapons that Din had to stifle a laugh every time they appeared on stage.

Still, the music was good, and even though he couldn’t always understand the words, he felt the emotions of the singers. Tala was rapt, and as the mood of the play turned from light-hearted to tragic, he saw her hands clench and tears well in her eyes. He laid his hand over hers, gently squeezing it. She threaded her fingers through his, the leather of his glove creaking a little. Should have taken the glove off first, he thought. The idea of touching her hand, skin to skin, made something inside him twist. He lost track of the opera and was startled when the music rose to a crescendo and Tala pulled her hand from his to join the rest of the audience in enthusiastic applause.

“Oh, that was wonderful!,” she said once the cast had taken their bows. He could see the tracks of tears on her cheeks.

“You’re crying,” he said.

She nodded, sniffling a little. “Yeah, I didn’t realize their empathic abilities would hit me so strongly. I should have strengthened my shields.”

Of course. The Kumaiians were empaths. That was why he had reacted to their emotions even though he wasn’t sure of the words. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it might be too much for you.”

“It was amazing,” she said. “And thank you for letting me hold your hand. It helped me anchor.” She smiled shyly and Din was thankful that his helmet hid the flush he felt in his face. He wasn’t used to being thanked for things like that. Usually it was “Thanks for saving my ass” or “Thanks for the covering fire”. Being thanked for holding hands was nice.

“You’re more than welcome,” he said. The crowd was beginning to thin out. “We should probably go find IG and get Grogu. Kid’s probably exhausted by now.” As soon as he said it, he regretted it. I hope she doesn’t think I’m in a hurry to get away from her. “I mean, I’m having a wonderful time, but …”

“But you’re a father, and your child always comes first,” Tala finished for him. “As he should. You never have to apologize for thinking of Grogu. He’s your priority.” She tucked her hand in his elbow as they threaded their way out of the auditorium, and Din relaxed a bit.

They fetched Grogu, who snuggled into his carry bag, clutching a stuffed bantha that he’d won at one of the game booths. “He says IG had some tokens from Greef,” Tala said. “He promises he didn’t use the Force, but maybe IG helped just a little.”

“I’m sure he did,” Din replied.

They walked slowly across town toward Tala’s home. By the time they reached her door, Grogu was sound asleep. “I had a lovely time,” Tala said. “Tell Grogu I said goodnight.”

“I will,” Din said quietly. He shifted from one foot to the other. “Um, I think this is where I’m supposed to try to kiss you or something, but …” He gestured at his helmet.

Tala smiled and took his hand. She squeezed it tightly and rose on her toes to press her lips briefly against the side of his helmet. “I hope this will do,” she said. “We can take things slowly.”

Din nodded, unable to speak for a moment. “Um, yeah,” he managed eventually. “Next time maybe I’ll take my gloves off.” He laughed weakly.

“I’d like that,” she said, giving his hand another squeeze. His knees felt wobbly. “Good night, Din.” She smiled again before she opened her door. Neeli trilled a greeting as it opened. “I know, I know,” Tala said, “you were all alone for ages and you didn’t get your dinner on time. I’m a terrible tooka-mom.” The door slid shut and Din was alone with Grogu and his thoughts.

It was not the first time he had felt caught between two worlds. As a bounty hunter, he had spent much of his time among non-Mandalorians, set apart by his beliefs and armor. Even within his covert, however, he had been an outsider. Some who had been born Mandalorian showed a subtle bias against Foundlings like himself, and others were wary of him because of his frequent absences.

The covert had been focused on survival. No one had time for frivolous things like romance and courtship. It was not safe to bear children under those conditions, so they relied on Foundlings to grow the tribe, and there were no marriages. Those who were inclined to indulge their sexual desires did so discreetly; it was a natural urge like being hungry or needing the ‘fresher. There was little sentiment among the members of his tribe, except for younglings, and even then it was tempered by stoicism. Life was dangerous. Warriors fell all the time. You mourned briefly and then moved on.

But outside the covert, Din saw people risking their lives not for honor but for love. People taking time to create beautiful things, to show their hearts to the world. He saw devoted couples like the Frog Lady and her husband, traveling treacherous pathways to be reunited, to raise their young. He saw children playing, and simple farmers willing to fight to protect them, even though they had no skill with weapons. He saw beings walking along hand in hand, arm in arm, kissing and hugging, and on a few embarrassing occasions, doing other things out in the open, letting their guard down. It was reckless and potentially fatal, but it was also something Din craved deep down inside.

He had always felt like romance was something that other people did, something that was not for him. He’d never felt the strong urges that some of his comrades in arms did. But now, he felt something stirring inside him. Something he’d never thought he’d be able to feel.

“I want her,” he said out loud, glad that Grogu was asleep and there was no one else on the road to hear him. It felt wrong to voice his feelings, but it also made him lighter. For the first time, he understood why a person would risk it all just to be with another. It was similar to what he felt for Grogu, but different. He would die to protect Grogu, let him go if that was what was best for him (even though it had made him miserable). But what he felt for Tala was more possessive. He wanted her to be happy, of course, and safe, but he also wanted to be near her. He wanted to touch her, to hold her. He wanted … He wanted to kiss her.

And therein lay the problem. He could not kiss her without removing his helmet, and he could not remove his helmet in front of anyone who was not part of his clan. The only way she could become part of his clan was … He swallowed, his throat suddenly tight. To make her a member of his clan, he would have to marry her, but how could they get that far if he struggled with the idea of taking off his kriffing glove to hold her hand? Could Tala be patient with him, or would she get tired of waiting and grow frustrated with his strict adherence to his faith?

“Maybe this is all a huge mistake.” He glanced down at Grogu, sleeping soundly in his carry bag. “Or maybe not,” he whispered. Tala had been good for the kid, and she might be good for him, too.

[typewriteringalaxy]

if dathan and miramir are godparents of ben?

I can't put into words how much I love this idea! Let's see how it would fit in with the lore established in previous asks (and expanding upon it bc you know I won't miss this opportunity to ramble!)

1- Peaceful AU, Padmé and Satine don't die:

It's 19 BBY and Maul has imprisoned Satine after she's been deposed by the Death Watch—along with her young son, Dathan, whose existence and the identity of his father she's kept secret for obvious political reasons, but the latter of which Maul would probably find through the Force and maximise his revenge. Let's say that with Korkie, Bo-Katan and the rest of Kryze's clan help, Obi-Wan manages to save Satine and his son. Satine could not reclaim the throne under those turbulent circumstances, and her saviours would all advise her to seek safety away from New Mandalore. Given her personal understanding with Padmé and also Obi-Wan's friendship with her, I like to think she'd be the first they'd think to trust—and that trust would beget trust so we'd have the two couples of badass and pregnant politicians with their Jedi Masters illicit lovers fighting the galaxy's corruption and hiding their secret children. I also like to think in that context that Anakin would be surrounded with enough assurance by Obi Wan etc so as to not fall to the Dark Side. Dathan Kryze (-Kenobi) and Luke & Leia Amidala (-Skywalker) and Miramir grow up together with the dynamics already analysed.

So, going full peace, say one day princess Leia meets galaxy-renowned scroundel Han Solo after a diplomatic mission goes awry. Miramir, perhaps her handmaiden/bodyguard in following their mothers's footsteps, initially tries to discourage Leia from getting involved with an untrustworthy man the likes of Han Solo, as she prioritises the young Amidala's safety—and she's content bc she mistakes their antagonism for real dislike. Dathan, however—let's say he was with Leia in that mission—sees their aggressive flirting for what it is and backs his childhood friend up. When 19yo Leia speed-marries Han and gets pregnant, he and Luke support them. Miramir just swallows her objections for the most part, an I-told-you-so ready on her tongue every time Han and Leia quarrel.

Given all that, it'd make perfect sense for Leia to choose Dathan as her son's "godfather"—and Ben's name makes all the more sense if Dathan picked it, as the nickname his mom calls his dad. Dathan would dote on Ben—but in this scenario, Ben would already have plenty of people doting on him and teaching him things, from the Force to piloting to diplomacy. Perhaps Dathan would press Han a little into being more present for Ben, or facilitate some father-son bonding on the Falcon when Leia and her side of the family are at odds with Han. Dathan's an enabler all around lol.

Miramir, however, would become Ben's "godmother" later by marrying Dathan. In this scenario, where the previous generation has triumphed over evil and receives hero worship, Sabé's faith in Amidala(s) would only be stronger, and in peace she might even have more time to raise and shape her daughter. It'd take a while for Miramir to even realise that she's suffocating in the path set out for her and even longer to break free and find herself. Dathan might've had a crush on her since their childhood—and their disagreements over Han and Leia's romance could've made some sparks fly between them too—but they'd officially get together in their early thirties and then have Rey. Therefore, the canon age difference between Ben and Rey would still apply.

2- Satine dies, Padmé lives AU

Following the positive scenario of this ask more closely, a Dathan Organa (-Kenobi) would perhaps be more sober as a character, shaped of the loss of his mother and raised in a foster family. He'd still support Leia (Amidala), though perhaps less fervently, and naming Ben could hold much more emotional weight. Especially if Alderaan is destroyed in this AU, the Amidalas would be his last family, and Ben in particular. So he'd treasure his "godson" and be less forgiving of Han's negligence as a parent in favour of his smuggling career—perhaps even to Leia's, even if her duties were more noble. On the downside, Dathan might inadvertently drive any existing wedge between Ben and his parents further.

He and Miramir might even be matchmade by Leia or Padmé as Ben's "godparents" (given the distance between the planets they'd grown up in, the Amidalas and by extension Sabé and Miramir on Naboo vs Dathan on Alderaan, and the fact that Miramir might not always accompany the twins and meet with Dathan: different schedules, different ages etc.) Miramir, sent by the Amidalas (the Amidala family, not to be confused with the Amidalans) as Dathan's bodyguard right before Alderaan's destruction, starts developing feelings for him, which, despite her stoic exterior, get noticed by the women around her. But Dathan's closed off after his monumental loss, and after reuniting with his biological father (perhaps knowing him for the first time as such), he might seek consolation in training in the Jedi ways (emphasis on the detachment of their dogma). Leia would make him "godfather" of her son in an attempt to keep him involved in the world of personal attachments and bring him closer to Miramir—two birds with one stone.

They both love Ben, and that love brings them closer, or at least gives them opportunities to interact. Miramir initially would care for Ben as just another Amidala—and leave him behind along with the rest of them when she goes to find herself, be it by joining the enemy or adventuring solo. But Dathan, who's lost so many family members, wouldn't stand for it, and he'd demand of her to be a good "godmother". And he'd be convincing—not only bc of her feelings for him, but also her memory of being somewhat (or very) neglected by Sabé growing up in the stead of her duties. (Though her feelings for Dathan would be a catalyst in her returning to the "good side", if she had gone "evil" in her finding-herself arc). That would be a point in common with teen Ben grappling with a similar situation. They'd help him—and when they'd get married, he'd be their star wars equivalent of their ring bearer.

3- "Canon" AU: Satine and Padmé are dead, the twins are seperated, Obi-Wan is on Tattoine etc.

Now onto the least positive scenario, in which after Padmé's death and Anakin's fall to the Dark Side, the twins are seperated at birth: Luke on Tattoine and Leia adopted by the Organas, where Obi-Wan had already entrusted his son. (Obi-Wan has done an extra child delivery in this AU). Assuming Sabé knew where Padmé's children ended up, she might send Miramir to Alderaan and have her be raised as Leia's bodyguard while Sabé herself would join the Anidalans.

Ben as mirathan's "godson" would combine elements of both the above AUs—Miramir being vehemently against hanleia initially bc she's raised with the purpose (ordered by her mother) to keep Leia safe, but Leia still makes her "godmother" to Ben bc she and Dathan are the closest people to her and to matchmake them. The one who had a crush first would be Dathan, who might just gradually pull Miramir back from her rebelling against Sabé's wishes by joining the enemy (helping the First Order come into existence?) in the name of caring for their "godson" and the strength of his feelings. Or, Miramir joins the Empire before Ben's birth, Dathan would be the sole "godfather" etc.

One difference that I consider major in this AU, however, is that Padmé, Anakin, Obi-Wan etc would be dead by the time Ben was growing up. It'd be just Leia, Luke, Han and mirathan. So I think mirathan could be instrumental in keeping Ben from the Dark Side—providing him a Force-sensitive role model that cares more about him than the principles of the Jedi/the adherence to the Light + someone with understanding what it's like to have parents that care more about their duties than you personally and maybe also the lure of the enemy. So Ben might spend a lot more time with them and grow up close to them—and Rey by extension.

4- Mandalorian Dathan AU?

If Bo-Katan had raised Dathan out of spite or love to Satine (or both), it's doubtful that he'd have a connection to Luke and Leia, or that he'd even know he's a Kenobi. Only if Miramir was Ben's "godmother" would Dathan become his "godfather", and the chances of that grow slimmer. Still a fun AU though!

Oops I wrote another essay. Hope you enjoy the mirathan theories, dearest anon, and I'll wait for your thoughts on them or on anything else you'd like💕

[jessicas-pi]

9, 13, and 24 for the teenage rebellion au?

Yay, more asks!! :D

9. Is there a scene you wish you could've included, but couldn't? Why?

Gosh, yeah. Ever since the Ahsoka show came out, I've wanted to write a bit where Inquisitor!Ezra is assigned to babysit the newest and youngest addition to the Inquisitorius, except he also has secret plans to meet Sabine that night which he really doesn't want to miss, so he decides to just bring the kid along. What could go wrong? Well, turns out, the answer is A Lot, as the kid, who happens to be Shin Hati, books it the heck out of there the first chance she gets to cause as much chaos and property damage as possible, and what was supposed to be a nice date night turns into a mad dash across Coruscant in something strongly resembling Yzma and Kronk's hunt for Kuzco, if Kuzco was a slightly feral 12-year-old with a laser sword, and Yzma and Kronk were teenagers who couldn't stop flirting long enough to form a cohesive plan besides "follow the sound of traffic accidents and hope for the best," which I realize doesn't sound much like the Emperor's New Groove at all, but trust me, the comedy vibes are the exact same.

Unfortunately, this isn't gonna work, due to the simple fact that Mara is already dubbed Youngest Sister, and Shin is about four years younger than her, so, like... what would they even call her?

13. Write a lil snippet set in this verse.

ohhhh ok ok how about some pain???

She stumbled through the first door she could find--a cluttered supply closet--and scrabbled to release the clasps on her mask, gasping for breath. The coldness rubbed her mind raw, boring into her like blasting sand in a desert storm. She wanted to claw at her own skin until the horrible Darkness drained out of her like drops of blood. She had hoped. She had believed. She thought she could fix things, save just the child if she could save no one else. But the child was older now, and Falling farther and farther, and Anakin was a monster, and the other Inquisitors--people who were once Jedi, people who she once loved--were past hope. All was lost, and the only thing Ahsoka had managed to do was to destroy herself.

24. Ramble about something you haven't gotten to talk about yet.

OOH OK OK SOOO. At first glance, this AU is either a cracky or angsty fic, depending on which way any given story swings, without too much depth in it, where all the fics are named with lyrics from ABBA songs (don't ask me why. I don't know). But!!! There are two big, serious themes in this AU, as well. One is redemption, and the other one, which I'm gonna ramble about, is family. Good family, bad family, blood family, found family--all of it.

The Inquisitors all go by "Brother" and "Sister", and some of them--especially Ezra and Mara--actually do view each other as siblings. (Others... not so much.) Basically, as a whole, the Inquisitorius functions as a big, messed up family. Vader sees Ezra and Mara as the children he lost, but his love for them is selfish and possessive. Even the kids, to a smaller extent, also have an... I don't want to say "unhealthy relationship" because theirs is by far the most healthy dynamic in the whole Inquisitorius, but their relationship definitely isn't optimal, as Ezra's had to be both a brother and a parent to Mara since he was five.

Meanwhile, Sabine is living as a virtual prisoner with her relatives on Coruscant. She feels abandoned by all of her blood family, except for her brother. While she has friends in Luke and Leia, and a motherly figure in Vere, she's extremely lonely and isolated.

But also, there's the Organas, and the Naberries (who adopted Luke,) and even Luke and Leia--though they don't know they're blood siblings (yet). There'a also the Ghost crew (who will be showing up eventually), and while I would really, really love to elaborate on said Ghost crew, as well as SEVERAL other people/groups of people that tie into the theme of GOOD family, I'm not going to, because in this AU, the good family elements mostly tie into the happy ending, so I'd have to spoil a lot of the plot to do it.

[sunshineandalittleflour]

Writing Patterns

Rules: List the first line of your last 10 fics and see if there’s a pattern!

WHOOPS sorry @onetwistedmiracle this took me a billion years (9 days) to do, the passage of time is simply not real to me. See twisted's post here and read her stuff, it's good. I will follow her lead and also pic ten fics that I wrote by myself, just to try and keep things easier lol

I'm bad at tagging people because this account is a side blog and I really only talk to twisted on it (is this an invitation to talk to me? Maybe! But please don't be offended if it takes me 9 days to reply), but if you want to examine your own writing style, consider this a lazy tag.

The last ten fics I wrote were for Critical Role and Star Wars (I miss you Check! Please, eventually I work work more on mine and twisted's collab fic and see you again)

1: You could be the one that I love, And now I'm standin' here, hopin' it gets to you

Molly had the feeling that so long as Caleb Widogast’s hand was on the small of his back, he could do anything.

Part 9 in my Molly/Caleb/Essek threesome fic, spicy but they're IN LOVE. I do love to start with a character thought/name.

2: I'm in new territory, somehow, it kinda feels like home

“What?” Padme said, her voice feeling hollow in her own chest.

A rare gen fic for me, I usually write explicit, but this was a fun prequel AU because I love to turn tragedies into opportunities. I also love to start with dialogue, just get RIGHT into things. It's also a short sentence, idk why.

3: Oh, if it's real, if it's sweet

“I’ve made a mistake,” Anakin said, and Luke sighed.

Another teen rating, can you believe I built my AO3 page on writing porn? More dialogue, I just think it's funny. And a short sentence!

4: Wherever you are, we are seeing the same stars

The day after Anakin left, Shmi almost sold C-3PO.

Surprise, it's dialogue AND a short sentence. Am I a two-trick pony? Maybe! Check out this kick flip!

5: Feeling like a face in the crowd

What Molly liked most about Essek and Caleb’s house—besides the fact that they lived in it and he, like, loved them—was just how many nooks and crannies it had.

This is the longest starting sentence thus far, maybe the longest starting sentence ever for one of my fics LOL I usually leave the run-ons for a third of the way through. And it's not dialogue! Shocker! This is also part 8 of my threesome purple wizard series, so the foundation has been laid and I could get a little weird with it?

6: All we got is us now

Ahsoka hadn’t spent a lot of time with Leia Organa.

We're back on the short train with a character driven statement. This is also part 5 of my pretty places series, so, again, there could be something to the already established aspect of it, or nothing at all!

7: Look how you made me

“Jester has questions,” Fjord said with a sigh.

Dialogue, but this time it's not from the POV character. I'm not doing a very good job analyzing things, but I am having a good time.

8: A message in a bottle is all I can do, Standin' here, hopin' it gets to you

Caleb Widoghast and Essek Thelyss lived very different lives from Mollymauk Tealeaf.

Character driven thought! Writing is hard, okay, and you gotta start somewhere. Definitive statements and dialogue are nice jumping off points.

9: I'm reaching for you

The first time Molly had sex with Caleb and Essek, he called himself an Uber right after.

This one is earlier on in the threesome series; timeline-wise it's like...the second story? 1.5 technically, since it happens mid first story? But I wrote it fifth, so. Establishment theory does or doesn't gain traction here, I don't think I know what I'm saying anymore.

10: 'Cause you could be the one that I love, I could be the one that you dream of

“What’re you thinking about?” Caleb asked, drawing his thumb across Molly’s temple, winding a purple curl between his fingers.

And we're back on our dialogue train! Dialogue starters, my beloved.

I don't know that we (I) learned anything, but it was fun to wander back through my most recent fics. Hopefully this will inspire me to write more fanfiction, but right now I am DEEP in the trenches of my own dungeons and dragons character, so. It's gonna be a minute.

XOXO

[isagrimorie]

I think what’s not as known about Ahsoka during the Rebels era is she was a Spymaster.

Ahsoka was basically the Luthen of Bail Organa’s Rebel Cell. She was the one who formed the Intelligence network of the Rebellion.

And her code name was Fulcrum, and Fulcrum became an interchangeable operative code name for anyone who takes over and becomes an Intelligence officer.

It makes me wonder if Ahsoka was offered the role of head of New Republic Intelligence, and why Mon Mothma insisted Hera bring Ahsoka to vouch for her.

I presume that Ahsoka’s name holds certain cachet among the old school Senators, but also for Mon.

But also, reframing Ahsoka’s role in the rebellion as something similar to Luthen who found finances and fielded out missions you can also see why Baylan Skoll’s admonition hit hard for Ahsoka.

Anyone doing Spycraft has to hold a certain understanding of moral ambiguity.

Ahsoka was already trained that being in command of people means the cost of doing business are lives.

Cold math it required to move the chess pieces. Imagine Luthen’s brilliant and blistering monologue about how he knows he will never see heaven or the future he is crafting.

And that’s also what Ahsoka felt then put on top of everything what she learned about Anakin, and on top of that we learn every death under her still weighed on her.

No wonder Anakin appeared to give her a tough love approach to keep her living again. He already failed her once (and more times over since he fell); he’s not going to fail her.

And then for Ahsoka to almost die and live again, reborn with the weight of all that legacy lifted from her shoulders.

I just love her a lot.

[varpusvaras]

Senator Organa is already in the interrogation room when Vader arrives.

He doesn't look afraid, either. Vader can almost respect it. He would've, in different time. He had liked Senator Organa, back then, and he had thought him to be a man with sense. He had thought that he had understood the situation and accepted it, and had done his part in the Empire.

Instead, he had been deceiving them all. Most of all, he had been deceiving Vader. Stealing from him. Taking what belonged to him.

He should've been very afraid. But he isn't.

That is not bravery, nor is it even integrity.

It is merely stupidity.

"Senator Organa", he greets him first. He shouldn't have. Everyone should be bowing their heads when he walks into the room, if not out of respect, then out of fear.

He has a feeling that Senator Organa feels neither towards him.

"Lord Vader", Senator Organa greets him back. Voice level, if not a little tense. He is awaiting some news, but he doesn't now what they are, yet.

Vader is not going to give him anything.

"Let us get straight into the point, Senator", Vader says. "You were hiding a Force-sensitive child in your home. A Force-sensitive child that belonged to Anakin Skywalker."

The name feels strange to say out loud himself. Foreign. Like he is speaking a different language altogether.

Senator Organa lifts his head up a little. A defiant little gesture.

Vader waits for him to answer. To see if he is going to try and deny it.

"If I may, my Lord", Senator Organa says. "I wouldn't say we were exactly hiding her. She is the Princess of Alderaan. She has been a public figure since she was brought into the family. I, at the very least, was under the impression that both you and the Emperor knew of her."

"But you were hiding her true identity." Senator Organa may have been able to circle around his first point, but he can not do it for this one.

"She was legally adopted", Senator Organa says. "She is an Organa, now. That is her true identity."

Vader clenches his fist. The hand and the glove make a harsh sound in the otherwise quiet room.

Senator Organa does not look afraid.

Vader hates it.

"You hid her true parentage", he accuses. "She belongs to the Empire, not to you. You had no right to take her."

There is a shift on the Senator's face, finally. He still does not look afraid. No, instead, he just looks a little frustrated, or perhaps exasperated.

"She is a baby", he says. "She had barely taken her first breaths when she was placed in my arms. She had no one else at that moment. I did what was right."

"You should've only done what you needed to do", Vader says. "And what you should've done was to bring her to the Empire."

"She is a baby", Senator Organa repeats. "She needed to be taken care of. She needed to be fed and clothed and loved. I did what was right for her."

"That was not a decision for you to make."

"Whose was it, then?" Senator Organa stares right into Vader's eyes. "Whose decision was it, then, Lord Vader? She had no one else. And certainly, there were no Imperial officers around to tell me what to do, either."

He sounds accusing, now. Like he is accusing Vader of not being there.

Like he is accusing Vader of-

Vader leans over the table. He is taller now than he had been before, and if he had garnered respect back then, he definitely does now.

Still, Senator Organa does not look afraid. Just like the Queen had not.

There is a look in his eyes as he watches Vader. Like he is trying to see through the mask. Like he is expecting to see something behind it.

Like he knows.

But he cannot know.

Everyone who had known who Vader had been before, and had known Senator Organa as well were dead.

Vader had seen to that himself.

Apart from one person.

The person who is responsible for what Vader is, now.

"There is, now", Vader says. "The truth is out. And still, you continue to hide her."

"She is still a child", Senator Organa says. "She has barely taken her first steps. She is just starting to speak her first words. All she still needs is someone to take care of her. Not the Empire."

Vader had once thought Senator Organa to be a wise man.

Now he thinks he is only a fool.

"I am choosing to ignore your platant disrespect towards the Empire for a moment longer." It is a warning, one that Vader hopes the Senator will heed. For his own sake. "Though I must admit, you are correct on one thing. She is just a child. A child that needs someone to look after her. A child you are putting ahead of yourself and your wife."

Vader leans closer, as much as the table between them allows.

Senator Organa does not look afraid.

Fool.

"You would need someone you trust to hide her." Vader watches Senator Organa's face carefully. "Someone you know would care just as much. Someone you know would put her ahead of themselves as well. Someone you know, who knows exactly what they are up against. Someone who knows."

He bores into Senator Organa's feelings as he asks the next question.

"Is she with Obi-Wan Kenobi?"

There are many feelings swirling inside the Senator's mind. Together they create a whirpool that is trying its best to keep anything and everything from Vader's grasp.

"No", Senator Organa says.

"Obi-Wan Kenobi was there when she was born." Vader reaches towards the rushing waters. "He needed a place to hide as well. A place I would never know to search. A place that was too close for me to see. You hid him on Alderaan as well, and now that we have discovered you, you gave her to him to hide away."

"No", Senator Organa says.

Vader plunges his hand into the water and seizes it.

"Is the girl with Obi-Wan Kenobi?"

"No!"

It is the first time Vader has heard Senator Organa break at all after they had been taken from Alderaan.

Still, he speaks the truth.

Vader can feel it.

It is not the entire truth, though.

There is something else. Something Vader can not quite grasp yet.

He will find it out eventually.

There is nothing that will be kept from him.

Not about this.

Vader pulls away. He leans back and watches as Senator Organa draws in a deeper breath to center himself again.

He looks slightly shaken, but still not afraid.

"Why continue this?" Senator Organa blinks as he focuses back on to Vader. "Why draw this out unnecessarily? We both know that eventually, the Empire will get what belongs to it. You could make this all a lot easier for yourself and everybody else."

"She is a child", Senator Organa says. "We are doing this for her own good. She needs to be taken care of-"

"The Empire will take care-"

"She needs to be loved." Senator Organa interrupts him. There is a righteous, irritating tone in his voice as he continues to speak. "She needs to be loved. The Empire cannot do that. She needs people to love her, to hold her, to nurture her."

Vader hates him more and more with every word.

If Senator Organa had been a wise man, he would've stopped there.

But he isn't.

"I watched her mother take her last breath, at the same time as she took her first." Vader has never hated anyone as much in his life. "She spoke to us about the life she had planned, about the nursery with sunlight and the crib next to a window. About the life she would've given to her, had she had the opportunity. She told us about that all because she was my friend. I had known her since she was barely an adult. We could've given her daughter everything she wanted to give her. To give her the life she wanted for her."

Vader knows nothing but hate as Senator Organa looks at him, through the mask, right into what is beneath it.

"She would've wanted her to be loved", Senator Organa says. "You know that."

If he had planned to say anything more, he cannot do it, as air is being seized from his lungs as his throat is being crushed. He does not even make a noise as Vader tightens his grip.

It would take just a little more. Just a little twitch of his fingers. That is all that Vader would need to do to.

He does not do it.

Instead, he releases his grip. Senator Organa does make noise now, as he gasps raspily, his body falling forwards towards the table as he does so.

"Consider yourself lucky, Senator Organa." He looks up at Vader as he speaks, and tries to halt his gasping. "That I still have a need for you. Perhaps you speak the truth when you say that the girl is not with Kenobi. But there is still something more you know, and I suspect that it is Kenobi's location, even if the girl is not there. I'm sure that we will come to an understanding about this all sooner or later. Perhaps the Emperise shall be merciful towards you and your wife at the end of it."

Senator Organa does not say anything, too busy to trying to breathe through his battered throat.

"Though I must tell you", Vader says. "That the same mercy will not apply to the one who has the girl. They will be tried the moment they are discovered, and it will lead to their end."

Senator Organa looks at Vader, and he looks afraid.

Interesting.

Vader turns, and leaves the room without another word.

[locitawritingsblog]

Kaz and Yeager Moments part 4

This might be spoilers for anyone else who hasn't watch this series yet. I have been re-read my old notebooks, there are some my favorite moments with these two so I decided to write these here.

When Kaz tells everyone in the command deck about the resistance base on D'Qar, Yeager asks Kaz if he really sure the resistance base is really there. Kaz responded he heard this information from General Organa herself. Yeager says that's good enough for him.

Yeager calls Kaz to go to the command deck and gives him a time to answer the transmission as he smile while away. It turns out it's Kaz's father, Hamato Xiono.

Look at Yeager's concerned look when he listening Kaz's converstaion with his father.

After they figured out the first order already found the resistance base on D'Qar and attacked it. It's terrifying Kaz, reminds him of watching his homeworld, Hosnian Prime was destroyed by the first order as well. Yeager tries to reassure Kaz that Poe and Leia might survive and there are might the other galaxy.

Kaz and Yeager finally join with ace squadron to help them to be flight fighters. As Yeager making into two teams for their first training, he smiles when he says Kaz's name and choose him to be his team against the ace squadron which they are five pilots.

Hype makes fun of Yeager's team division then later he was wrong, Yeager and Kaz takes all five ace squadron members down with teamwork and communication.

Yeager is right besides Kaz to make sure he has a company when they celebrating the ace squadron's success of rescue Yeager from being eaten by Jakooks. Then Hype welcomes Kaz into the ace squadron for real. Kaz is surprised as staring at Yeager gives a sign "Go for it" Kaz immediately joins with the other aces and gives Hype a hug as Neeku saying "He made him so happy."

When Torra tells Yeager and Captain Doza that if we could get a jakooks, Aunt Z could cook and give it to the citizen, Yeager is surprised.

"Really ? We could eat that thing ?"

"I know, right ?" Kaz agrees with him.

Yeager knows that Kaz won't stop looking for answers, including Venisa is actually Captain Doza's wife and Torra's mother. She also Yeager's friend so he tells Kaz how Venisa and Captain Doza met in the lift.

Yeager is surprised that Kaz has grown up and focus to his resistance mission. He decides to go with him and convicing Captain Doza to give them time to find the missing agent.

Yeager is shocked that Kaz got hurt during they facing a bounty hunter. With Synara's help, Yeager helps Kaz up and walk out while Synara distracting a bounty hunter.

Yeager convicing Norath there's a thing Kaz can do is bring the ship down, which Kaz appreciates his opinion.

When Yeager and Synara are captured and trapped inside the first order ship, he thinks there are stormtroopers going to watch them but he is shocked because turns out there are Kaz and Norath are in disguise as stormtroopers.

Since the colossus found a new home called Aoes Prime, all the citizen are excited to start a new life. The other hand, Kaz isn't feeling alright, he's insecure and worry about not fight against the first order. At the end the day, Yeager notices there's something on Kaz's mind and he is ready to listen.

Then Kaz tells Yeager that he believe they could start over but he knows that they never walk away from the war even in a peaceful time. Yeager responds "Maybe you're right, I don't know....but I know this, whatever comes, we'll face it together." He gives Kaz some time alone to think.

There are more to come...

Taglist : @aintinacage , @trapezequeen , @cassie-fanfics , @zaya-mo , @fulltimecatwitch , @kanerallels , @commander-tech , @thebadbatch2022 , @catcucumber-salad

[hardcasescyarika]

This is kind of a basis for a fanfic I plan on writing, but I wanted to see what people thought of it first.

Rex had never liked the quiet before, it had always reminded him of all he'd lost, now more than ever as he walked into the empty barracks of the Resolute, the barracks that used to be filled with the laughter and joking of his brothers and his sister.....Fives, Echo, Hardcase, Tup, Kix, and Ahsoka all gone. Even though he had gotten Echo back for a short time, he was taken from him again in the blink of an eye. The only person Rex could really count on was Cody, or so he thought.

Time skip

After the Tribunal crashed, Rex and Ahsoka went to search the wreckage, hoping to find survivors....they weren't so lucky. As they moved further and further into the star destroyer, all they found were the body's of thier Brothers. Rex didn't know many of his men personally anymore. He had learned a long time ago that that only makes it hurt more when they die. So it wasn't until he found Jesse's body that he truly mourned for the losses on the ship. For Jesse was the last remnants of the original 501st and of Rex's closest brothers, the ones that Fives had deemed "Rex's inner circle." Rex would never admit it because he didn't want to incourage Fives, but he actually liked the name.

Ahsoka had told him that she couldn't feel Anakin or Obi-wan anymore, and that could only mean on thing that the remnants of the 501st had finished the job that Rex couldn't. He didn't even want to think about the 212th. He just prayed that Cody hadn't been directly responsible for Obi-wans death. He knew how close his brother was to his general.

After burying the dead they headed to the core world's where they got word of Padme Amidalas death, since Rex was one of the few people who officially knew about the marriage of Padme Amidala and Anakin Skywalker he knew that if she was dead and the world wasn't burning as they speak then Anakin must be gone too. They traveled to Naboo and attended the funeral, there Ahsoka ran into Bail Organa, who gave Rex information on where he might find the bad batch. Soon after the funeral, Rex and Ahsoka parted ways, as much as it hurt Rex to leave her he knew it was for the best.

It had been several months since his last encounter with the bad batch to remove their inhibitor chips. Since then, his hair had grown well past regulation length, which to Rex symbolized his desertion from the Empire or Republic or whatever, he'd stopped caring who he was fighting a long time ago. His hair was also long enough now to wear the blue bandana that 99 had given him when he was a cadet. One of the last times Rex had talked to 99 before his death 99 had told him that a young defective cadet admired Rex so much from the stories 99 told him that he got a bandana of his own except his was red.

His current mission was to find Cody, he'd found out recently that most of the high-ranking clones, like Cody had been made into purge troopers.Rex had already rescued Wolffe and left him with Gregor back on courasant. Rex was currently tracking one of said purge troopers to Ord Mantell.

When he landed, he made his way to Cids bar, where he was greeted with hugs from both Wrecker and Omega. "Rex, I missed you."

"I missed you too, Vod'ika."You've grown a lot since last time."

"I sure have. Also, what's vod'ika mean?"

"It means little sister or brother in mandoa."

"Why are you here again so soon, Rex?" Hunter asked curiously.

"Yeah, I'd like to think it's because you missed your favorite Vod'ika, but I assume that's not it." Echo added jokingly.

"As good as it is to see you Echo your right that's not why I'm here, I'm here because I tracked a purge trooper to Ord Mantell, a purge trooper I belive to be Cody.

Time skip

"This isn't you, Cody, it's your chip, I know you're still in there, Cody. u just have to fight it." Rex screamed, tears streaming down his face as he held a blaster level with the chest of his closest brother.

"Good soldiers follow orders." That was all Rex needed to hear. As he fired at the brother that meant the world to him, he felt his heart shatter into a million pieces.

Rex opened his eyes and ran to his brother, his blaster bolts had hit their mark just as they always did.

Through tear stained eyes, Rex could see that Cody was trying to say something. "It's not your fault, Rex, it's mine, I wasn't strong enough.. i wasn't strong like you were i failed you Vod'ika " "And tell my Cyar'ika, tell Obi-wan that I'm sorry."

[buffshipper8490]

Rating Mature

Chapter Summary

General Leia Organa asks old ally Lando Calrissian to use his connections to help the Resistance...

Excerpt:

On the bridge of the Skywalker, Leia Organa looked out into the black expanse of space.

So much had gone wrong in so little time.

The message had dropped. They’d lost contact with Finn and Rose. Not to mention Poe, Chewie, and Rey. As she searched the Force for answers, she sensed overwhelming sadness and anger there.

Distantly, she heard Connix’s voice breaking through the fog. “General?”

“General?” came Connix’s voice again, Leia finally turning to face her. “We’ve been at the rendezvous for hours. I think this is all that’s coming.”

Leia’s shoulders slumped and she let out a heavy sigh.

A few freighters and a handful of glorified pirates, that’s all General Leia Organa could command from the galaxy these days.

In the dark days since Crait, they’d learned that the First Order had been pursuing their sympathizers, restricting and blockading communications, cutting off supply lines, capturing or even assassinating allies. In short, no one had answered the call from Crait because very few had even heard it.

Leia had spent the past almost two years reestablishing contact with old allies, calling in favors, recruiting everyone sympathetic to their cause. She sent two of her best on a suicide mission in the heart of enemy territory to put out a message through a peice of ancient hardware that they didn’t even know would still work on the off-chance that the galaxy would finally hear them.

And once again, her pleas fell on deaf ears. All these years, all this time. All for nothing.

Leia felt herself go back to that dark day on Crait. She’d thought the spark of hope had died. She remembered sitting down in the old rebel outpost, exhausted, out of options, while the First Order deployed a siege cannon that would make short work of the armored hangar doors. They were all going to die, and the Resistance with them.

And then her brother had appeared. Luke had distracted the First Order long enough for them all to escape, and their small remnant had survived to carry on the fight.

And carry on the fight she still would.

She turned to Connix, her mind made up. “Prepare an Imperial shuttle. I’ll need valid code clearance.”

“But we’re lightyears from—” Seeing the look on Leia’s face, Connix cut off abruptly. “Yes, General.”

Leia watched her scurry away, chuckling to herself. Well, at least she could still scare the young ones.

But her good humor was short-lived, Leia sighing a second later as she removed the General’s bars from her vest. Maybe Rose would want them. She collected them, after all. That is, if she was still alive.

Leia had a long cloak draped over the back of a chair for the excursion ahead.

She put it on and pulled the hood up over her hair, hiding her distinctive Alderaanean braids from view.

"Leia,” came a familiar voice, that was neither inside her head nor without. The voice belonging to the man who inspired the name of the ship she was standing in.

"I was just thinking about you." Leia responded, like it was just a part of an ongoing conversation. Which, she supposed, it was. It just so happened that one of the parties was dead.

"He's in pain," Luke Skywalker said, voice grave. He was always so damn grave these days. Sometimes she missed the optimistic farm boy he’d once been.

“I feel it, too," Leia replied. Her son was always in pain, and it tore her apart inside.

Suddenly, she felt her brother’s presence next to her, as real and vibrant as when he’d been alive. She turned to face his slightly glowing form.

“If he succeeds in bringing back the Sith, he’ll become more powerful than our father,” warned Luke.

“So will she,” countered Leia. "She's gotten so much stronger already."

Luke waved her off. “She feels too much. Love. Anger."

“Don’t we all?” Leia shot back, her temper flaring. "Even the high and mighty Luke Skywalker himself was not immune to the base emotions that afflict us mere mortals."

Luke gave her a pointed look. “This is why the Jedi live in isolation. The pain of loss only leads to the Dark Side."

“I’ve lost everything and everyone," Leia declared, stone-faced. "And I’d still choose to love.”

She looked at her brother, his familiar face. Let herself miss him for the first time in ages. It was dangerous territory. Her grief was deep and thick and tangled, honed over years and losses and all too easy to lose herself in if she let it.

But today wouldn’t be that day. There was a war to win and a galaxy to save, and she wouldn’t rest until she’d done every last thing in her power to bring about a victory.

Luke was watching her, a look of sadness on his face that mirrored her own. Twins.

“Trust her instincts,” implored Leia. “She may not follow the path of the Jedi, but this time, she’s our only hope.”

New fanfic link! Likes ❤️ and Reblogs 🔁 are much appreciated!

[antisocial-mariposa]

🚨 TBB S2 EP3 SPOILERS 🚨

~ read at your own risk ~

Apologies for the long rant, but my mind is racing-

A part of me thinks Crosshair is already working for Rex and Ahsoka and Senator Organa's fledgling rebellion.

Ik it's a long shot but just hear me out-

It's what Rampart said to him:

"Funny, isn't it? How clones around you keep disappearing?"

So... What if CROSSHAIR is behind all the AWOL clones? But Rampart has found out about TBB being alive, so what if he's maybe trying to play Crosshair while Crosshair was maybe trying to play him?

So another thought: What if Crosshair actually isn't siding with the Empire, but is the Luthen Rael of TBB now?

"I'm condemned to use the tools of my enemy to defeat them. I burn my decency for someone else's future. I burn my life to make a sunrise that I know I'll never see. And the ego that started this fight will never have a mirror or an audience or the light of gratitude. So what do I sacrifice? Everything!" - Luthen Rael, ANDOR S1:EP10

Crosshair keeps saying he does what needs to be done.

We don't know when or IF Crosshair got his chip out... So that's what's making me kinda iffy on this theory. If it was, I suspect it was early on in S1.

So that would mean he wounded Senator Onn Free Ta, he killed his TK squadron, he killed Governor Tawni Ames, he went above and beyond to show his loyalty to the Empire... But if his chip is out, what makes him different from dummy droids or even chipped regs who can't fight it?

He has to live with it.

We see he's having trouble sleeping. Instead of being with his brothers, he's surrounded by people who don't even want to eat a meal with him. He suffers degradation from his superiors and is not even a ranking officer anymore, and apparently went 32 rotations before being so graciously rescued by the Empire Rampart distinctly told him... left him for dead.

He knows he's worth nothing to them. He knows he'll never be considered a big part of the Empires predicted success. He'll be used and discarded.

But what if Crosshair's first act of saving clones from the Empire was making them think his own family was dead and they have no clue, he just made them think he was siding with the Empire since they refused and he didn't want them to know anything to protect them in the end?

But what if Crosshair was already working for the Rebellion in the last episodes of S1? And he wanted to recruit his family into the Empire because like he and Rex said, their squad could be a tremendous asset? They could help people?

This theory makes me nervous tho, for there always comes a time where the person on the inside gets found out... And die somehow.

More recently, Tala Durith (Obi-Wan Kenobi) and Lieutenant Gorn (ANDOR) to name a few.

In conclusion, in this episode, I saw smth different in Crosshair which is also why I've created this double-crossing theory. To me, he didn't look like the emotionless regs under the influence of the inhibitor chip. He looked kinda shifty. Wary. His obedience both in tone and physical demeanor seemed forced. And the way he and Commander Cody interacted in front of the Memorial, it was almost as if they were speaking in code. I don't believe Cody approved of Crosshair's ways on this mission. He was disappointed, obviously, and I think wants Crosshair to fight in a different way of their aware of each other's double-crossing, hence his parting words:

"You know what makes us different from battle droids? We make our own decisions. Our own choices... And we have to live with him too."

Cody made the decision to flee... He may be regretting it now seeing the extent Crosshair went to ensure he could if he was told to contact Crosshair by a trusted ally. He wants Crosshair, who apparently does think for himself, to think more carefully. He might not want Crosshair to feel what he might be feeling now: not liberated, but loathing. Himself.

Ofc I'm aware of the second theory: Cody has suffered the same fate as Wilco... So when Rampart says this to Crosshair, maybe this means that there's been lots of deaths in the Clone Army, and Cody is dead like them now. And what Rampart said to him is a veiled threat that the tiniest of slip up will result in the same fate for Crosshair. Heck, he'll probably push and pull him a few times for fun, he probably doesn't mean to keep him around for long

[numbuh-7-knd]

I had a dream the other day about Luke and Leia realizing that they are functionally identical save for their hair and (possibly) eye color and just fucking with people by swapping places constantly. The time period was really fuzzy and may-or-may-not have taken place before the original trilogy in some kind of au where the both of them are rebels as teenagers and none of their rebel friends know that Luke and Leia are related, never mind twins. It was basically the two of them giggling while dressing up in each other's clothes to mess with the other rebels. At one point Leia put on a short blonde wig and Luke's clothes and the both of them showed up to a meeting to see if anyone noticed... eventually someone did and basically asked Luke "who's that?" and Luke answered "my twin" so now the rebels think Luke has a twin brother and may even think said twin has been on base for awhile... were there 2 Luke's all along?

All whist the setting was incredibly... blurry? at one point I think Leia may have implied that Naboo was destroyed instead of Alderaan. but the organa's were still dead or not in the picture. Luke and Leia were at least heavily implied to still be teenagers, and at one point made a refence to being raised by Obi-Wan? At one point there was actually a cut to Luke and Leia with obi-wan and an apparently reformed Anakin? like, he was just kind of there, not Darth Vader, and chilling while obi-wan raises his children??? to be fair though, Luke and Leia also referenced remembering the clone wars, so either Ani had an oopsie baby² as a teen, or something sent Luke and Leia to the past during/before the clone wars and Obi-Wan got saddled with raising 3 Skywalkers instead of 1.

This also all inspired some thoughts about a Star Wars Parent Trap AU where both the Organa's and the Lars's choose the same space summer camp to send the twins to. Somehow they realize that they're twins and pull the usual twin swap, only with an added layer that one of them has espionage training and they aren't just doing this to learn about the other half of their family, they're investigating their adoptive parents/families, and at this point questioning everything including "Anakin Skywalker" being Luke's dad, since it seems weird that Luke's Aunt and Uncle would claim that his dad was a pilot on a spice freighter, and yet Anakin Skywalker was the name of a well known War Hero general and Jedi, who presumably died in order 66 along with the other Jedi. So was the twin's father the war hero, a spice freighter pilot with the same name, or someone else entirely?

Then I started giggling and thought of something that would make this whole situation even more chaotic: Ezra Bridger. On top of both twins being sent to the same space summer camp, the lothal rebels send Ezra undercover at the camp. He runs into Luke and Leia and they come to the (Wrong???) conclusion that they are actually triplets, based on Ezra's age, sharing a birthday with the twins, and Ezra's offhanded remark about being adopted (referring to Kanan and Hera, but the twins don't know that)

There's also potential for all 3 to realize that they are force sensitive, and correctly assume there is some significance to that, but still manage to get things very wrong, such as coming to the conclusion that they are actually older than they think they are and were actually already alive and in the crèche at the jedi temple before order 66 as babies and were smuggled out and eventually split up.

This actually gave me more sad idea: what if they were slightly right about being alive pre-order 66 and in the crèche, but not as babies? 3 of the younglings killed by Anakin and the clones were then reborn hours later, 2 as Anakin's own children, the other as Ezra, assuming Ezra's not a Skywalker triplet lol.

sorry for the rambling lol, I wanted to share both the gist of the dream I had and the ideas it inspired. Feel free to add on to any of these ideas.