#tbb: the surprise guest series

[thecoffeelorian]

Sauntering Vaguely Downwards

Sauntering Vaguely Downwards (Crosshair x Reader)

Premise: As you begin to make your way around the island community of Pabu, you have the choice of just going with the flow or making concrete plans for the future...so take care to choose wisely.

Word Count: 3,042 words.

Masterlist: The Surprise Guest Series

Story Notes: My reader insert may not be the first Mandalorian that's fallen for Crosshair, but they're certainly the first Mandalorian I ever wrote. So...here's hoping that I do them justice in this.

Special Notes: The chapter divider above was made by @stars-n-spice, while the one further down was created by @saradika.

No-Pressure Tags:

@crosshairs-dumb-pimp-gf @thora-sniper @otomefan @theclonesdeservedbetter @prettychaos1409

@skellymom @purrfect-bun @eyecandyeoz @penny-dash @evabellasworld

@kal0pssiaa @lulalovez @oporayamm @crosshair-lover @ci-avmovies14

@donntmindmejustwandering @emmaflame1336 @youreababboon @ms-grassi @summerfall21

@lokigirlszendaya @groguandthebadbatch @housepartyfortwo @megmca @cobalt-candy and anybody else still reading this saga. :D

We need help, you determine long before the ships touch down, and a great deal of it as well.

This is probably your only thought once the main doors gradually slide open, the faint smells of blossoms and coconuts wafting inward as though to beckon you, welcome you...or else lure you into a sweet-smelling trap.

The question is...where do we start?

You might not have brought along any watches or other means of telling time along with you, yet as soon as you set foot onto Pabu, you can only guess it’s still daytime because of the near-blinding sunlight that floods the open door of your ship.

You also didn’t bring any sunglasses in your rush to get to safety, no thanks to how hard it is to see from the moment you step onto solid ground...yet, even though you’re sure that you have no idea how anybody else will receive you, you’re quietly observing this new planet just the same.

And the third, but most important thing of all you didn’t think to bring along, is a new set of allies.

“Welcome to Pabu,” Omega announces, trying to stay upbeat for the first few minutes of her own return. “Let’s go off to that balcony over there, we should be able to...er...”

Her voice trails off at the sight of something not too far away, something that’s managed to catch her eye without her thinking too long about it. At this moment, you’ve stopped upon some kind of fanciful platform, for it’s got some kind of tree growing in the center of it and an even larger tower off to the right.

That ‘balcony’ she just mentioned, on the other hand, looks as though it’s just received an upgrade or two.

“What is it?”

“I...I think it’s a memorial?”

You follow her gaze to what she’s dubbed ‘The Memorial’, and then move closer to see two people—most likely a father and a daughter set—re-light a few used candles underneath a painting where only one of the figures depicted is familiar to you. The smaller of the two is obviously Omega, as she’s the only blond clone you’ve ever seen in your entire life and, as far as you know, the only one in existence.

The taller one, though—that’s the figure that raises the questions in your mind, for as Omega’s depiction is standing in a little beam of sunlight, this one is clearly turning away into shadow.

“We have to tell them!”

“Tell them wh—hey, now! Hold on a second!”

You get exactly three seconds to take in a few defining characteristics of the second—a somewhat large pair of goggles and brown hair—and then, Omega is racing towards the two, both arms outstretched before the rest of you can catch her.

“LYANA! MISTER HAZARD!”

The girl standing there with her father, a somewhat tiny thing dressed in red and white, instantly turns around to see Omega running towards her—and just like somebody’s flipped a switch, this ‘Lyana Hazard’ is running as well, her face crumpling into tears.

…Oh.

OH.

In the span of a heartbeat, it all begins making perfect sense to you—Lyana’s weeping, Omega’s words of comfort, Mr. Hazard’s moment of shock followed by a much longer period of consolation for both girls involved, and finally, the hesitant looks of Hunter and Wrecker combined as they watch in silence, not sure in the slightest as to whether or not they should step in.

These two have clearly been friends at some point, otherwise they wouldn’t have been so eager to see each other again.

“Whuh-whuh-what happened out there? Where did you go?!”

“Someplace that won’t be around for much longer.”

And even though the difference between these girls couldn’t be any sharper—Omega with her firm, almost icy resolve and Lyana with her tearful concerns—they’re still pulling back to get a good look at the other, relief a newly growing aspect of their expressions.

“But don’t worry about it now, let’s get you taken care of. Do you have any tissues?”

Upon seeing her friend shake her head and improvise the motion of empty pockets, Omega tries looking at Hunter, Wrecker, and Mr. Hazard in turn, only to find that none of them have thought to bring any tissues with them today. Crosshair’s not exactly useful in this particular case, either, for the way he crosses his arms and looks at the ground is more than enough indication that he didn’t think to carry any out of Tantiss.

Hm...perhaps here might be an ideal place to start.

This is the precise moment in which you’re able to come forward, however, for lo and behold, you’ve always carried a small pack of tissues with you, thanks to your little pollen allergy from back home.

“Will these work?”

Lyana’s golden-brown eyes take you in for a moment, a slight visual inspection as though to safeguard herself against strangers—then, she spots the pack waiting in your hand, and soon after relaxes.

“Oh...oh, sure!”

You find yourself relaxing as well, for now this freckle-faced kid is smiling up at you as though you’re just what the doctor ordered. Not bad for a first impression.

“That is, um—if you don’t need any?”

“I’ll manage,” you promise her, smiling back as she accepts the tissues. “Besides, I think you’ll need them more than I do.”

This little act of helping Lyana seems to do a lot more than just dry her tears, at least as far as you can see. For one thing, it’s certainly enough to win her father over, for he gives you both a nod and a smile of approval.

“You’ve been around children before.”

“Somewhat,” you confess with a shrug. “My hometown didn’t ever have a problem raising them.”

“That explains why our Omega likes you, hm?”

Our Omega. Of course he would say something like that to you; it’s a little difficult for you to imagine this community doing anything less than warming up to her on the spot.

“It’s a little more than that,” Omega chimes in, careful not to let herself disappear from the discussion. “They’re the one who helped me and Crosshair hide from the Imperials!”

“You did?”

Lyana gasps, her eyes growing larger with surprise...and suddenly you’re the center of attention, a few curious onlookers coming closer to get a better look at you. They’re probably not sure what to make of you yet, considering they might have missed your moment with her earlier.

“What was it like?”

“Well, actually—”

“—Actually, I wasn’t as scared as I thought I would be,” you announce, speaking louder and clearer than Hunter’s failed interruption. You’re sure to send a disapproving look his way to get your point across, because after today, allowing him to talk over you or try and tell lies about you aren’t going to be included as the options on the table.

“In fact, I would have gladly hidden them both in a crawlspace to make sure they wouldn’t get taken away...but enough about me.”

It’s here that you cast a sideways look at Hunter and Wrecker together, as not only Crosshair stands further away from them both, but also because the ‘good Sergeant’ is now pretending to focus on a patch of grass in the hopes of avoiding you entirely.

“If it’s not too much to ask after, let me go ahead and do it—is talking to, associating with, or helping Omega in any way against the law on Pabu?”

“There’s no such ban on that here, friend. Never was, the last time I checked.”

“Truly, Mister Hazard…? Perhaps a refresher on the local law book might be great for poor Sergeant Hunter over there. He seems to believe otherwise, and I have no clue as to why.”

There.

You’ve gotten it all out into the open so that nobody else gets to mess around with your backstory, and about time, too. That tiny amount of onlookers are now sending agitated looks in Hunter’s direction, so if he tries twisting your words around in any way, perhaps they’ll all think twice before believing him without question.

As for you, you’ve got something of slightly greater importance to sniff out:

“Are there any empty houses here..?”

You voice this question with all the strength of a waterlogged tooka, as the sharp transitions from your hazy home planet to nighttime on another to total kriffing daylight on a third hasn’t failed to take its toll on you. The sheer brightness of the world around you has been more than enough to start giving you one of your famous headaches, and if the growing pain around your forehead is any indicator, you’re in for a rather nasty one if there aren’t any painkillers available.

“Don’t worry, friend, you’re just in time—I think we have some available around Midtown.”

Luckily for you and yours, Mr. Hazard, answers you right away, this time almost radiating compassion from head to toe. Maybe, if you’re reading him right, you’re not the only one who’s had to adjust to rapid changes in climate, time zones, and everything else that comes with adjusting to new surroundings. Maybe he’s had to also leave his home planet with very little warning or time to prepare, and basically take whatever he’s able to carry before the evacuations start.

Judging from the footage you’ve seen of the war, he certainly wouldn’t be the only one.

Nevertheless, even if you’re not quite showing your best face to all of these potential neighbors because of your own ship lag, he’s certainly not the sort of person to shame you in public for it.

“I take it that’s halfway down the slope, then?”

“It is.”

“Thank you, sir...long story short, we’ve had one bantha of a journey.”

Rather, he seems to be the sort of fellow that’s aware enough to give a newcomer their space, for as there are certainly two of you to ’contend’ with, there might also be the need to provide twice as much distance for your personal benefit...

“No no no, we’re not done y—HEY!”

...A benefit that, thanks to Wrecker purposefully keeping a certain ’Sergeant Grouchy’ a good six feet away from you, will not be interrupted in the least by any hostile onlookers.

“Actually, ‘we’ are, so as of now, ‘we’ are gonna do what was promised, and go check on Captain Genoa,” he announces, skillfully ignoring Hunter’s sputters and offering his free hand to Omega.

“Let’s get movin’, okay?”

There’s an undefined look on the girl’s face, yet she manages a small wave at you and Crosshair before accepting, one corner of her mouth very nearly turning up in the beginnings of a smile. She should have plenty to keep her happy and occupied for a while, even if it’s got nothing to do with yourself or the wary Trooper beside you.

In fact, there’s a part of your thoughts that would love nothing more than for her to have a nice little distraction or two, as it might certainly help with her readjustment into something other than some ‘doctor’s’ house of horrors.

As for you and Crosshair, though...there’s only one way for you to go, be it together or apart. For good or for ill, you’re about to start heading downstairs.

“...That went well.”

You’ve set off at a slow but steady pace, Crosshair trailing behind you by a few steps. So far, the skies are clear, the breeze feels normal, and other than the occasional passing glance, nobody is trying to stop you in your tracks or ask you a barrage of loaded questions.

“Well, somebody seemed like he wanted to put us on trial for crimes against the Republic...and that’s just without taking a closer look at you.”

That doesn’t stop you, however, from wanting to dig a little deeper into the no-longer private affairs of this stranger.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about—”

“—Yes, you do.”

You stop and turn back to face Crosshair, narrowly swallowing down the rant that’s building in your throat so that you can better form a coherent argument.

“When you and Omega first came into my house and later on my ship, you told me that you and your Sergeant had a difference of—of political ideology.”

“I did…”

“Well, at this same time, you know what else I’m noticing, pal? That.”

You take a moment to tap at the visible lump on the left side of his head, that ridiculous little thing that’s been biting at your thoughts ever since this mad ’adventure’ began—then, in the few seconds it takes for him to almost jump away from you, you’re staring back at him with both eyebrows raised.

“Don’t.”

“ ‘Don’t’ what? Ask you questions or point out the obvious—”

“—Pick one.”

There’s a clear glare in his eyes now, a dangerous look that both gives you a chilly feeling along your spine and an interesting twinge in other places—yet it’s more than enough to get you to back off a few steps.

“Just—just don’t push me too hard right now, all right? I might want some rest, too.”

“All right.”

“And one more thing, Y/N…”

“Yes, Crosshair?”

“Keep your karking hands to yourself.”

He finishes this statement with a low sigh, a sure sign that this deep conversation between you is over for the time being. In turn, you’re careful to raise both hands in a wordless surrender, as Hunter turning his full scorn upon you was more than enough conflict for one day.

If anything, you’re certainly going to avoid picking fights for the rest of this rotation.

“Thank you...now. Let’s get out of here and find some cover.”

“Consider it done.”

Somewhere at the bottom of this staircase, you find the next leg of this little journey, a coarse dirt path trailing into the first of many housing clusters that you’ve gotten to see up close. This is most likely where you’ll find the nearest available house for yourself and Crosshair, as you’ve already had the feeling that such things wouldn’t have been suggested if they weren’t there to begin with.

This is also the place where there aren’t as many curious onlookers watching your every move, and so for the time being, you’re able to breathe just a tiny bit easier.

“I think we’re getting close, Cross.”

“How can you tell?”

“The scenery’s a bit more welcoming out here.”

The nearer you come to these houses, though, the more you start to notice an interesting coincidence about this part of the island. First, you’re greeted by the smell of certain spices even before you enter this particular community, for there’s always been something about this particular mixture that always finds its way to the ones who use it. Second, you spot the banner of a Mythosaur almost as soon as you pass under a wooden arch, a symbol that repeats a few more times as you make your way further in. Here and there, you can detect smatterings of Mando’a, sometimes by itself and sometimes mixed in with other languages as part of the planetary dialects.

And if that wasn’t enough of an indicator of where exactly you’ve gone to, the sight of two fully-suited Mandalorians certainly tells you all that you need to know.

“We have it, Alpha.”

They seem to be in the middle of delivering something important to another Trooper, for the one that this pair just called Alpha—graying, seated in a hoverchair, and with an expression nearly as hard as stone—reaches out a hand for the needed goods.

“Is this the medicine I was promised…?”

“It certainly is. Might we take a moment to look in on him?”

Alpha thinks it over for a moment, his face nondescript—then, almost as though turning off an invisible switch, the both of you watch silently as he declines the offer.

“Thanks for the interest, boys, but ah—I think he might still need a few more days to adjust.”

“Seventeen…as I live and breathe.”

To your surprise, Crosshair’s speaking up out of the blue, a totally unexpected thing considering he’s been silent up until now.

“How the kriff are you still alive?”

“I feel as though I should be asking you the same thing,” Alpha-17 answers, taking a full visual appraisal of all of his scars and other ailments. “What, I take it the rancor spat you back out?”

“Ha-ha.”

Both Troopers narrow their eyes at the other for a moment, the world falling silent around them as they size each other up—then, just as you’re wondering whether or not you’re going to have to break up a fight, Alpha-17 motions you closer in order to get a better look at you.

“You haven’t come alone either, I take it?”

“No more than you,” Crosshair acknowledges, his undamaged hand moving over the afflicted one to keep it still.

“And who’s this supposed to be? One of your accomplices?”

“Eh...the thing is—”

“—My name is Y/N of Clan Rook, longtime vassal of House Kast,” you announce in nearly perfect Mando’a, no faulty comms or dented beskar around to muffle your voice...and exactly one seasoned Trooper to take it all in with both eyes widening in shock.

“I have reached the surface of this planet in search of sanctuary, and by the honor of my family, I hereby put this soldier under my protection.”

You count exactly twenty seconds before the whole tone of this gathering shifts, Alpha loosening up ever so slightly while the two Mandalorians turn to look at each other without speaking. For a split second, you’re asking yourself exactly when they might turn their blasters upon you, never mind if they’ll take you down first before doing the same to Crosshair and vice versa. Literally anything could be on the table at this point, especially toward a total stranger such as yourself.

Then, just as you’re figuring out whether or not you should start searching for a blaster...one of those two Mandalorians decides to remove his helmet, and everything changes.

“Hello to you too, Cousin.”

[inevitably-johnlocked]

Hello Steph, you wonderful person!! Thank you so much for all the work you put into your blog. It’s such an amazing resource for the fandom! I was wondering if you knew any fics where either John or Sherlock are super!BAMF specifically under the circumstances when the other is threatened. I’d love to read some kind of scenario where one of them is threatened and the other says something along the lines of “if you touch one hair on his head...” Thank you for any suggestions on this theme!

Hi Nonny!

AHHHH I love those kinds of fics! I think I classify those ones under “Protective Johnlock” so it’s sort of… shoved into those ones? LOL. I’ve recently posted a Protective Sherlock list, so you can check out that one, and see these others below! I know I have a tonne more but I am still sorting through all my fics, LOL. So I hope what I have sorted for you, hope that these are what you’re looking for!!

PROTECTIVE JOHNLOCK (BOTH)

See also: 

Protective Sherlock

BAMF! But Insecure John

New World, Old Words by thedeafwriter (G, 641 w. || Deaf Sherlock, Sherlock Whump, Pining Sherlock, Marriage Proposal, Fluff, Always John) – It was disconcerting to experience. One second, he was laying on the table, breathing in the gas that would make him sleep, the next, he was dragging his eyes open to look around the bright room, trying to wake up.

Idiot by Anesthesiologist (T, 1,229 w. || Hurt/Comfort, Friendship, Alternate TGG / Explosion, BAMF John, Sherlock Whump, Inner Monologue, John Saves Sherlock, POV Sherlock) – What the heck happened? He remembered the pool and Moriarty, but then what? Had he been dying?

29 January 2017 by wearitcounts (Sher_locked_up) (E, 1,765 w. || Anniversary, First Time, Insecure Sherlock, Love Confessions, Post-S4) – “That,” John says, “should have happened years ago. Maybe even the first time.”

Loudly Unspoken by Mount_Seleya (M, 1,871 w. || Post-TAB, Love Confessions, Vulnerable Sherlock, Frottage) – John confronts Sherlock about the words he left unsaid on the tarmac. Set immediately after TAB

The Rational Machine by Solstice Zero (K, 2,924 w. || Hurt / Comfort, Malnourishment / Fainting, Doctor / Minder John) – Sherlock passes out. John muses on the reasons why. Containing an absorbing case, two bags of shopping, and a few apples.

It Was All Right There In Front of Him (A Five Times Plus One Story) by bees_stories (T, 3,191 w. || 5+1, Protective Idiots, Grooming, Bed Sharing, Lestrade POV) – DI Greg Lestrade is a good detective. But sometimes he doesn’t trust the evidence in front of him, until there’s a compelling reason to do so.

Breakfast, acronyms and brotherhood by Rose de Sharon (K+, 4,074 w. || TBB Fic, Friendship/Bromance, Hurt/Comfort, Protective John, Fluff) – Set after The Blind Banker: my take of Sherlock and John’s conversation over breakfast. S/J friendship, bromance, no slash.

Unforgiven by 221b_hound (M, 4,721 w. || Marriage Proposal, Victor Trevor, Jealous / Protective John, Jealous Sherlock, Sherlock’s Past) – Sherlock’s latest case is for his ex boyfriend, the brilliant and handsome Professor Victor Trevor. John is not too happy about that. But things aren’t what they seem, an old friend of John’s is involved in the case, and John has a few surprises up his sleeve. Also - a proposal! Part 16 of Unkissed

The Refining Fire by Arwen Jade Kenobi (T, 5,451 w. || Post-TGG AU, Angst, Friendship, Alternating POV (Lestrade, Mycroft, Sherlock), Worried Sherlock, Hospital Recovery) – Fire can burn things to ashes, but it can also burn things together.

Coldness/Heat by agirlsname (E, 3,790 w. || Cuddling & Snuggling, Body Heat, New Year’s Eve, PWP, Bedsharing, Frottage) – The inn is booked up on New Year’s Eve. The train home is cancelled because of the snow. The only option is to sleep in the non-heated guest room of a client, and John and Sherlock are freezing. You know where this is going. Part 1 of New Year’s Kiss

And Here We Are by J_Baillier (T, 12,416 w. || ASiP Fic, Alternating First Person POV, Drama, Friendship, Mild Case Fic, Autism Spectrum Sherlock, Insecure Sherlock, Protective John, Pining, Homophobia, Loneliness, Angst, Humour, Domestics, Morbid Fluff, Kidnapping) – All the little things we never got to see when an army doctor and a consulting detective were adjusting to sharing a flat. And a life.

Just Like That by sussexbound (E, 8,442 w. || First Time/Kiss, Frottage, Virgin Sherlock, French Kissing, Anal, Emotional Lovemaking, Enthusiastic Consent, Tenderness, Crying John, Bathing/Washing, Insecure John, Toplock) – John doesn’t want to talk anymore. He wants. Oh dear god, how he wants. For the first time in what feels like years he WANTS.

Shuteye Shenanigans by Ayakae (K+, 13,263 w. || Post-TRF, Friendship / Epic Bromance, John’s Nightmares, Angsty Fluff, Bed Sharing, Humour, Cuddles, Taking Care of Each Other, Domestics) – John Watson has never slept with Sherlock Holmes. Never ever ever. And never will, thank you very much. Well, there was that one time, but John didn’t count that. It was completely different, just like the second time it happened. And the third. And the fourth. Epic bromance, but it can be read as pre-slash if you wish.

First Response by Arwen Jade Kenobi (T, 13,516 w. || Hurt/Comfort, Friendship, Five and Ones, Whump / Injury) – Five times John had to perform first aid on Sherlock and one time Sherlock had to perform it on John.

In A Changing Age by allonsys_girl (E, 15,590 w. || Victorian AU, Virgin / Demi Sherlock, First Kiss / Time, Friends to Lovers, Love Confessions, Mild H/C, Bottomlock) – Sherlock wakes up in the 19th century, with no idea how he got there.

Hellfire by testosterone_tea (E, 28,596 w. || Fantasy / Magic / Mages / Elementals AU || Mage Sherlock, Elemental John, Developing Relationship, Torture, Powerful / BAMF John, POV Alternating, Dark / Blood Magic, UST, First Kiss) – Sherlock is a Mage that gets involved with a case involving Dark Summoning rituals, leading him to John Watson, a man with Berserker blood. The only thing is, Berserkers have been extinct for centuries. And of course, nothing involving Mycroft and his interfering ways is ever simple. This time, even Sherlock may have bitten off more than he can chew.

(Never) Turn Your Back to the Sea by DiscordantWords (M, 39,968 w. || Post S4 Fix It || Grief / Mourning, Victor Trevor, Friendship, Sherlock is Not Okay, Nightmares/Flashbacks/Panic Attacks, Parentlock, Pining Sherlock, Angst with Happy Ending, John Comes Home) – Baker Street is very much the same. Only different. And Sherlock is just trying not to drown.

The Real Great Perfumers by shelleysprometheus (E, 45,355 w. || Case Fic, Alternating POV, Gay Sherlock / Bi John, Canon Compliant with Divergence at TRF, Friends to Lovers, Oral / Anal, Pining, First Kiss / Time, Dev. Rel., Drugging, Body Worship, Bathing, Love Confessions, Travelling, Bottomlock, Cranky Sherlock, BJ’s, Alternating POV, Jealous John) – The case, this case. This extraordinary, fascinating, scintillating case. A house. Designed entirely by its eccentric owner, built by no less than five hundred expert tradesmen in the heart of Marrakesh. A house that had, seemingly not only driven its owner out, but also to his quite unpleasant death. And a perfumer, a chemist no less, the very thought of the secrets that house could reveal, would reveal was irresistible. Sherlock had to have this case … and it seems, he also had to have John! Part 1 of the Forethought and Fire series

A Hundred Crimson Sols by elldotsee (E, 55,536 w. || Astronauts AU || Mars Exploration / Space Travel, Slow Burn, Shy Sherlock, Scientist Sherlock / Biomed Engineer John, Alternating POV, Mutual Pining, UST, Angst with Happy Ending, Domestic Fluff, Hurt/Comfort, Injuries, Suicidal Ideation, Zero-G Sex) – Will Holmes is a chemical researcher recognized widely for his contributions to the new Mars exploration program. Thanks to his ground-breaking developments, the IMMC (International Mars Mission Corporation) is one step closer to Martian colonization. Will and his team of scientists are headed out on the first of three manned missions before the first group of settlers arrive. Three days before launch, one of the crew has to be replaced. Will panics because…new people. The replacement is of course one John Watson, biomedical engineer and space hottie who was pretty sure he had retired from actual space exploration and was now content to work in the nice, quiet research lab. Can the crew survive this TOTALLY ROUTINE trip? Will they be able to endure each other for the looooooong trip in close quarters? Gonna be a wild ride… prepare for blast off. Part 1 of the SpaceBois go to Space series

The Burning by SrebrnaFH (M, 60,658 w. || Reverse Reichenbach, Suicide, Depression, Hurt Sherlock / John, Separation, BAMF John, Good Big Brother Mycroft, Angst, Implied/Referenced Torture, Fake Character Death, Rescue Mission, Reconciliation / Reunion, Hospitalization, Marriage Proposal, Illnesses, Physical Therapy, Happily Ever After) – Something went very, very wrong. John had seemed, if not happy, then reasonably content with his life. Sherlock had never predicted something like THIS might have happened. Not in his worst nightmares. He was the lousiest friend ever, apparently. At least Mycroft found him something to occupy his mind with, so that he didn’t have to go back to 221B and stare at the walls and the chair, where John Watson would never sit again.

The Vapor Variant by 88thParallel (CanadaHolm) (M, 72,684 w. || Post-THoB, John Whump, Protective Sherlock, Guilty Sherlock, Anxious/Worried Sherlock, Virgin Sherlock, Angst with Happy Ending, Hurt/Comfort, PTSD John, Slow Burn, Mutual Pining, Suspense, Virus, Sickfic, Big Brother Mycroft) – They stood face to face in the middle of a clearing. The dim light of the moon barely allowed Sherlock to see the glassy terror in John’s eyes and the sweat that glistened off his forehead. His nose was bleeding again, blood dripping in a slow stream from his right nostril. They were both gasping for air, John’s eyes locked on Sherlock’s. There was no recognition there, just wild animal fear. Time stood still for an eternal few seconds, and Sherlock took a shaky breath. “John—”Spell broken, John spun and bolted back into the woods. Still heaving for air, Sherlock took off after him.

The Cost of a Wish by slashscribe (E, 102,493 w. || xxxHolic Fusion || Spirits / Ghosts and Magic, Love Confessions, Slow Burn, Soul Mates / Fated Lovers, Adventure, Immortal Sherlock, Powerful John, POV John, Frottage, Wish Granting, Angst with Happy Ending, Nightmares) – John has been plagued by a secret his entire life that has made him feel hopeless until he meets a mysterious, seemingly omniscient man named Sherlock Holmes who owns a wish-granting shop. Their meeting sets off a series of inevitable events that will change the course of both of their lives forever.

Two Two One Bravo Baker by abundantlyqueer (E, 114,574 w. || Military AU || Afghanistan, War Story, Thriller, Switchlock, Rimming, Emotional Lovemaking, Lots of Sex, HJ/BJ’s) – Captain John Watson of 40 Commando, the Royal Marines, is assigned to protect and assist Sherlock Holmes as he investigates what appears to be a simple war atrocity in Afghanistan. An intense attraction ignites between the two men as they uncover a conspiracy that threatens everything they’ve ever known, but Sherlock is as much hunted as hunter, and everyone close to him is in deadly danger. Can he solve the case in time to save himself and John? Part 1 of Two Two One Bravo Baker Universe

A Further Sea by i_ship_an_armada & ShinySherlock (E, 125,492 w. || Historical Pirates AU || Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Doctor John / Pirate Captain Sherlock, Sailing, UST / RST, Masturbation, Action / Adventure, Mild Angst & Peril, Romance, Shaving, Molly/Janine, Bottomlock, Hand / Blow Jobs, Past Drug Use, Slow Burn, Mild Violence, Happy Ending) – Here be a tale of adventure for both body and soul, but beware if ye be not of stout heart, for this be piratelock, ya savvy? Luckless ship’s surgeon John Watson takes a chance, and finds himself eye to eye with The Ghost, the scourge of the seven seas and a definite thorn in the side of the blaggard, James Moriarty. But when John finds there’s more to this most cunning pirate than be meetin’ the eye, he has to choose… is it a pirate’s life for him?

Unkissed Series by 221b_hound (T to E, 184,168 w. across 46 works || Established Relationship, Ace Sherlock) – Sherlock returned from the dead a year ago. John returned to Baker Street six months ago. They’ve been in a couple since then. or at least, not NOT a couple. For two smart men, they sure can be dumb. Luckily, an art thief tries to drown Sherlock, Sherlock has a fever dream and things are about to change.

[thecoffeelorian]

True Colors

True Colors (Crosshair x Reader)

Premise: As a few masks begin to crack, the true faces of those that lie beneath start to show themselves one by one...and not even they might be able to recognize the things that they've become.

Word Count: 1,531

Masterlist: The Surprise Guest Series

Story Notes: Heya heya, guess what, folks? There's a very tiny hint as to the Reader's true identity at the end of this chapter, so! Be sure to look for it, as it might be a blink-and-you'll-miss-it kind of moment!

Special Notes: You know that "glorious return" of Crosshair that was supposed to magically fix everything in the squad...? Yeah, it looks to me like nothing but an inglorious cop-out, because what could have been a detailed discussion of all the past plot points was tossed out in favor of cutting corners for the millionth time. More details are here, as well as one of several blueprints for this story as I move forward. Thank you all for your patience.

PS: The Crosshair header was made by @stars-n-spice.

No Pressure Tags:

@crosshairs-dumb-pimp-gf @skellymom @youreababboon @donntmindmejustwandering @ms-grassi

@gigachadcowboy @summerfall21 @thora-sniper @groguandthebadbatch @theclonesdeservedbetter

@sw-2020-1 @lovefrommaxie @housepartyfortwo @ci-avmovies14 @evabellasworld

@cyare-of-the-501st @the-osborn-way @prettychaos1409 @otomefan @foggygentlemenprincess

@soemtlse012731-blog @sithstrings @omglisalithium @aemondvelaryon @mysticalgalaxysalad

@lulalovez @zombiedixon89 @filmandthings @sithstrings @generaljessiedotcom and anyone else who might want to dive in headfirst into this latest installment.

The next thing you know, at least from where you’re standing, Omega’s wrapped both arms around your waist in a hug; Crosshair’s gone frightfully silent; and, some distance away from all of you, you get to witness two grown Troopers get stuck orbiting Tantrum Planet.

“You’re doing what.”

Specifically, Hunter’s durasteel-gray eyes that once refused to make contact with yours are now glaring through you with all the heat of an ion engine, almost triple-hound daring you to repeat Omega’s words out loud.

“You heard her, General.”

By contrast, you’re not about to run off or look away, because now there’s a firm edge to your voice that you haven’t exactly heard before.

“Unlike you, I don’t think she likes the idea of abandoning her fellow fugitives.”

Up until this point, most people had generally been respectful to you, never mind not wanting to give you the slightest impression of your life being threatened in any way. That was one of the few joys you got from your home planet growing up, as well as the first thing you find yourself missing in its absence.

As of now, however, that respect had been tossed straight out of the proverbial airlock and left to suffocate in the vacuum of deep space.

“Don’t you mean kidnappers?”

“I meant exactly what I just said, thank you very much…”

And if this holier-than-thou nerfherder wanted to stare you down, well...then you would be all too happy to stare at him right back, consequences or no consequences.

“…And anyway, since you already know everything about me, when exactly did I kidnap her?”

In fact, it’s not that long before you start glaring back at him, your voice slowly filling with venom.

“Was it before or after she came knocking at my door and asked me for help?”

“Omega wouldn’t ever do that!”

Before either one of you end up coming to blows, however, there’s another Trooper to contend with. Along comes Wrecker jumping into the chat, the look of anger somewhat giving way to confusion. Either he doesn’t have the slightest idea what to think of you, or else he’s already been convinced to hate you ages before you ever did anything wrong.

“We…we told her not t’ talk to strangers. What makes you so special?”

In any case, though, you’re not about to take any puuduu from him, either. Not when you might be five klicks away from finding some manner of political asylum, be it with or without their ‘approval’.

Not when you officially had skin in this little game as of several hours ago, and you’ve got no intention of backing down or making yourself smaller just so somebody else can feel bigger.

“Nothing. I’m just a waiter from offworld…but I do know this.”

And if you haven’t surprised yourself enough today, well…your slow but careful nudge for Omega to go over to Crosshair for safety’s sake certainly takes the grand prize.

“Since we—and that does include Omega, so let me make that nice and clear—heard the Imps start knocking on other people’s doors right before we booked it, it’s only going to be a matter of time before they all show up to drag the three of us back to that lab…or worse.”

Having spoken your peace, you then decide to mirror Wrecker’s posture and fold your arms across your chest, a clear sign that they’re about to have the floor.

“So if you don’t want to end up responsible for punishing two civilians just to stick it to your headstrong brother…then I suggest you choose wisely. Sir.”

You finish your pitch with a polite bow and a hand over your heart, the planet-wide gesture of respect in your part of the galaxy. If it was someone else from your home planet you were talking to, then they’d most likely let out a nervous chuckle, make up a somewhat believable excuse for their behavior or apologize for the harshness of their words, and possibly even declare an unofficial truce between you by offering you a little caf and cake back at their apartment.

This Hunter guy on the other hand…well, he’s starting to look like he’s somewhere between passing a kidney stone and blowing a fuse. No living man, be he soldier or civilian, has ever turned that shade of purple before, and as far back as you can remember, you know they haven’t balled their fists up so tight that their knuckles looked more on the jaundiced side than their usual healthy brown.

Clearly, he has no idea what he wants to do to you first—beat you until you’re the same color and consistency as freshly ground nerf meat; or else die of embarrassment. At this moment in time, either one of these is totally possible, if not also a maximum threat level.

And yet—

“—Don’t we, uh…have an oil can somewhere?”

And yet, the one they call Wrecker, aka “The Big Guy” as you’ve personally just dubbed him, is starting to act like he may have just budged about an inch or two from whatever sinless high ground he might have held a moment before.

Well, thank the Force that somebody is.

“What oil can…?”

In other words, even though Hunter’s still enjoying the view from his own pedestal and probably ready to piss on your heads without so much as a single moment’s notice…he sure can’t keep Wrecker from thinking for himself.

“The one that Tech always kept on board for…for emergencies.”

Like bringing up the name of a fifth squad member for some kind of emotional leverage, for example, if not also making good use of it, too.

“The least we can do is hand it over, right?”

“Not if I order you to stand down.”

“Fine. Go back to Pabu without me.”

Or, dare you even think it, sabotaging all of Hunter’s “plans” solely out of having enough of his shitty behavior.

“As for me, I’m not losin’ any more of my squad.”

In any case, Wrecker’s striding right past Hunter, giving him a hard enough shove to make him stumble and nearly fall sideways…and finally, goes back into the Marauder to go and bring you the much needed oil can whether this stupid “leader” gives his permission or not.

Incredible. Maybe he’s not Hunter’s errand boy after all.

As for you, well…you’re left wondering whether or not Hunter himself can take all three of you out with a single blaster shot, especially if he decides to take his temper out on Omega for bringing the two of you back without asking him first.

“Sergeant.”

“I’m sorry…?”

At least, that’s your thought until he decides to back off instead…for now.

“I’m a sergeant, not a general. Learn the difference.”

And with that, he also turns and goes back inside the Marauder, not a single look backward spared for Omega this time. Funny thing…you had originally thought that she was the designated favorite, and would therefore have some kind of leverage over all future squad decisions. Their initial reunion had suggested that much had occurred before, after all…so what the kriff had changed since then?

“Eh…that went well.”

Unfortunately, there doesn’t exactly seem to be a lot of time to mull this one over. Even though Omega’s speaking up again and trying to stay upbeat, she’s not looking so confident any more.

“We—we should be able to get off this planet now, right? We can go back to the island, and—and then…”

Rather, she’s looking nervous, just a little heartbroken, and—if there’s room to make a fast-food related analogy here—dejected with a shot of annoyance to wash it all down. Most likely, there’s no limits to her personal feelings, especially after what just played out in front of her.

“And then…take a break?”

You, on the other hand, aren’t about to be knocked down by that Sergeant’s issues, because they’re just a fraction of what you would have had to deal with if you’d faced the Empire coming after you. In fact, if he decides to keep his shit up and keep on poking the Krayt Dragon—well, even if he does hate you, he’ll have to think twice before dishing out the same treatment to her.

In other words, you’ve got zero tolerance for bullies, and it won’t take much for you to let the rest of this ‘squad’ find that out the hard way.

“Yeah…yeah, let’s do that. Take a break, I mean…”

This is why you’re slipping a comforting arm around her before letting Crosshair have the other, a makeshift hug for them both to break up the tension of it all.

“As long as you need,” you promise her, your attention solely upon the two in front of you, and not so much upon the ones lurking in the background. Oh yes, let the others stew in their own moody juices for a while, because for all that you care, that’s all that they need to have.

As for you and your traveling companions, a bit of rest is exactly what you deserve right now...and Force help the di’kut who dares to interrupt it.

[thecoffeelorian]

Random TBB Poll For Future Developments...

// Please also vote in this poll to help me figure out a character's occupation/their family's line of work. Thanks! :D //

[thecoffeelorian]

WIP Wednesday, TBB:

[a/n: This started out as a preview for the next chapter of my 'Surprise Guest' series (Crosshair x Reader), but now I'm lost as to what to do with it, as it's gaining a life of its own as a potential backstory for the Reader/Self-Insert Character! ^^;

So...to make everything easier, I've included a poll at the bottom to help me figure out what to do with this part once it's finished--make it the next chapter, or an aside/deleted scene?

Please help me choose below the preview, and have a great day!]

The Waiter From Offworld

Before this moment, your life was obviously a plain one, or at least to begin with, it sure looked that way.

You went to a fairly average school like a lot of other kids, you had a fairly standard education from one day to the next, and save for the occasional runny nose or case of nuna-pox, you didn’t have any real threats to your life or limb to worry about.

You also didn’t have anything all that spectacular as far as academic or after-school skills went, though…and probably, thanks to the fact that they WOULDN’T have a chance to mold your future genius-ish self in their image, your teachers more or less didn’t take that much interest in you save for issuing you the occasional failing grade and request to repeat the assignment.

However…what you lacked in the terms of physical or mental perfection, you made up for with love.

Specifically, the kind of love that came from seeing others in pain, and actually wanting to do something about it rather than sit around watching it take place right in front of you.

This was how the playground monitors found you one late Taungsday morning, your nose bleeding and your seven-year old fists raw from giving hell to Kallie Pierce, who up until two minutes ago had been shouting and pushing around another girl exactly half her size and about six years her junior.

Unfortunately for Kallie, as you could hear that smaller girl’s tears all the way across the playground and you didn’t necessarily appreciate her tone…she soon would find herself dealing with your bad side the moment you got wind of the situation.

Because, just as she and a handful of other up-and-coming bullies would come to learn the hard way, when any of them woke up your bad side, your fists would be bound to follow. That was the situation you singlehandedly created for her that fateful morning, as unlike a small group of the other kids, you yourself seemed to have no fear of those who were bigger than you.

The teachers and other staff members of your small local school, on the other hand, were rather quick to label you A Serious Problem. Not only was fighting AGAINST THE RULES in this part of the planet, but according to them, such risky behavior from one as young as you MERITED AN INTERVENTION, and preferably in a fast and orderly manner. Never mind the fact that the situation was instigated by a much older student, oh NO, or that she might have been the one with a history of bullying attached to her name.

No, you were the one who required the discipline regardless of what started it all…and for that, you were the one stuck with the notice to bring home to your mother later that same day, a meeting with the principal now on your homework list and a red, accusatory mark upon your permanent record.

How you wished that you could have died at the exact moment you had to set that blasted paper out for everyone to see.

[thecoffeelorian]

my silly, fannish brain wants to put down 'Sauntering Vaguely Downwards' as this next chapter's title, even though it has ZERO to do with Good Omens...go figure!

[thecoffeelorian]

in other news...

...don't come running at me all at once, gang...but I think I wrote my very first Crosshair spice sequence at work yesterday.

[thecoffeelorian]

Quality Check Time, Take 3...

...I have a day off today, so just in case there's still room for me to improve, I might need to put this out there:

[thecoffeelorian]

real good thing I started describing Tech's ACTUAL memorial on Pabu, instead of going with that soul-sucking corporation's idea that he didn't matter so much after S2.

Really, really good thing.

[thecoffeelorian]

At first glance, you suppose that the people who developed this new island must have had cooperation on their minds to begin with, if not also an equally as strong hope for community. The arrangement of the islanders' homes in wayward clusters rather than strict gridlocked neighborhoods certainly suggested such things, for it gave the neighbors involved a bit more opportunity to interact and a bit less encouragement to retreat into their respective lanes.

However...once you and Crosshair had stepped off of your ship and into the growing throng of concerned locals, there was only one thing on your respective minds.

"Are there any empty houses here..?"

You voice this question with all the strength of a waterlogged tooka, as the sharp transitions from your hazy home planet to nighttime on another to total kriffing daylight on a third hasn't failed to take its toll on you. The sheer brightness of the world around you has been more than enough to start giving you one of your famous headaches, and if the growing pain around your forehead is any indicator, you're in for a rather nasty one if there aren't any painkillers available.

"You're just in time, friend--I think we have some available around Midtown."

Luckily for you and yours, you're answered right away by the one you later know as Shep Hazard, an interesting fellow who you almost swear radiates compassion from head to toe. Maybe he's had to also leave his home planet with very little warning or time to prepare, and basically take whatever he's able to carry before the evacuations start. Judging from the footage you've seen of the war, he certainly wouldn't be the only one.

Nevertheless, even if you're not quite showing your best face to all of these potential neighbors because of your own ship lag, he's certainly not the sort of person to shame you in public for it.

"I take it that's halfway down the slope, then?"

"It is."

"Thank you, sir...long story short, we've had one bantha of a journey."

Rather, he seems to be the sort of fellow that's aware enough to give a newcomer their space, for as there are certainly two of you to 'contend' with, there might also be the need to provide twice as much distance for your personal benefit.

"No no no, we're not finished y--HEY!"

...A benefit that, thanks to Wrecker purposefully keeping a certain 'Sergeant Grouchy' a good six feet away from you, will not be interrupted in the least by any hostile onlookers.

"Actually, 'we' are, so as of now, 'we' are gonna go check on Captain Genoa, because 'we' promised not to forget about her," he announces, skillfully ignoring Hunter's sputters of dismay and then offering his free hand to Omega. "Let's get movin', shall we?"

There's an undefined look on the girl's face, yet she manages a small wave at you and Crosshair before accepting, one corner of her mouth very nearly turning up in the beginnings of a smile. She should have plenty to keep her happy and occupied for a while, even if it's got nothing to do with yourself or the wary Trooper beside you.

In fact, there's a part of your thoughts that would love nothing more than for her to have a nice little distraction or two, as it might certainly help with her readjustment into something other than some 'doctor's' house of horrors.

As for you and Crosshair, though...there's only one way for you to go, be it together or apart.

For good or for ill, you're about to start heading downstairs.

[A/N: This is by no means the final version, but rather a preview of my rough ideas for the next chapter, so please.

Only like this WIP if you wish to be tagged when the updated version comes, because I'm getting kinda bored of people who don't stick around past the first few chapters and I'd like a bit more serious interaction than that. Thank you.]

[thecoffeelorian]

Fandom Homework...

𝔽𝕒𝕟𝕕𝕠𝕞 ℍ𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕨𝕠𝕣𝕜 (because I'm forgetful here, there, and darn near anywhere but where it counts):

💡 Finish Chapter 6 of "Anomaly" (Jod Na Nawood x Reader)

💡 Finish the "House Husband AU" (Marcus Acacius x Lucilla Verus)

💡 Finish the Mandalorian Reader's backstory for "The Surprise Guest" series

[thecoffeelorian]

The "Surprise Guest" Series Masterlist

Chapter 1: Understanding // Chapter 2: Red Flags

Chapter 3: Hold My Hand // Chapter 4: Plan 100...?

Chapter 5: Minesweeper // Chapter 6: True Colors

[skellymom]

❤️❤️❤️

Hold My Hand (Crosshair x Reader)

Premise: This is the third installment of...what should have been a one-shot, but here we all are a long while later, so it's probably best to just keep on going down this road to see where it leads. Anyway, Part One was Understanding and Part Two was Red Flags, so if you haven't checked those out yet, feel free to do so now.

Story Notes: One small thing about the tagging system, if I didn't say it already: I hope to make a few more updates for this series, so just in case I am, in fact, keeping the folks who want to read and reblog in the loop, please don't hesitate to do so when you are able. If I'm not...you're welcome to ignore this from here on in, and I'll eventually stop tagging you altogether. Thank you, goodnight, and good luck.

Special Notes: As ever, the header was made by @stars-n-spice. Also, little shout-out to @talesfrommedinastation for inspiring me to use a form of sign language between two characters, one that was originally invented for speaking in deep space when the commlinks didn't work, and also mostly inspired by something similar in "The Expanse".

No-Pressure Tags:

@momojedi @moonstrider9904 @calicos-clones @bigboypantstime @youreababboon

@tink1221 @ms-grassi @galaxyglittering @ah-prick24 @littlefeatherr

@donntmindmejustwandering @housepartyfortwo @beatthisbi @urmomsmattress @mysticalgalaxysalad

@groguandthebadbatch @pendustt @weirdest-lights @flyiingsly @courtney0-0

@emmaflame1336 @briefexpertdeer @shadow-rebel-223 @littlemammoth69 @theosb0rnway

@shazkenobi @reader6898 @maxims-multifandom-corner @monster20045 @darkangel4121

@nevadastarrsworld @thatacefr @crosshair-lover @bennieandthejets-5 @jamine-boi-124

@lani03sstuff @ttzamara @beezez-blog @myeternalsin @sublimeclodkidcolor

@nish-xiii @ash04w3 @clonereeses @lllllmm @melymigo and anybody else looking for a tale that doesn't end in disaster.

🩶 It's my fault.

🩶 This one simple sentence, this confession, jolts through both you and Omega like a blaster bolt. It's more than enough to make the tears start forming in her eyes, and the questions to build up in yours.

🩶 He doesn't seem to be done talking yet, though, because what spills out of him next speaks volumes.

🩶 "I thought they would--protect us, but they lied. They've been lying this whole time."

🩶 By this point, his hand is shaking so much that you don't think about it, that you don't dare to ask any more questions for fear of making an already painful thing several times worse.

🩶 Rather, you're just moving in to take a gentle hold upon it, if only to offer him whatever comfort that you can.

🩶 To your own comfort, though, he doesn't flinch, pull away, or start telling you off in front of Omega even though you would understand perfectly if he did.

🩶 Instead, whatever's causing all of his ills today eases just a little at the moment of contact with you, because the next thing you both know, his panicked breathing is slowing down and his tense posture starts to loosen up.

🩶 This moment can't last very long, though, because as Omega quietly reminds you, she still has to call home and she thought she heard voices calling in the distance. There is literally no time to lose.

🩶 In turn, you don't mind bringing both of your guests to the old spaceport that used to be your family's business during the war, but since then has had to be converted to a ship repair shop like several more wartime industries have done on your planet. However, there are still a few things you can use here, because you haven't exactly let everything go to rust.

🩶 One of these things is the communication console, a somewhat rusted thing, but still able to access encrypted links like the one on board the Marauder. It's here that Omega hears the voices of her surviving brothers for the first time in what feels like forever, and like any other missing child would do, she's able to let a few relieved sobs out of her system.

🩶 She's also composed herself enough to plan her next few steps, for her next move is to go straight to one of Ryloth's moons for a pick-up...or so she tells the two men on the other end of this line.

🩶 You can only hope that this means she wants to surprise them, guaranteeing two returns of lost family members for the price of one flight, as the old sale slogan goes.

🩶 At this same time, though, Crosshair's got a surprise of his own, for as Omega's busy talking, he's busy signaling to you without saying a word. It's the old spacewalk sign language, the one developed by the first workers within the asteroid belt for when their comms stopped working...and right now, he's telling you that he won't be following Omega down the ramp when the time comes.

🩶 How come, you sign back, a look of confusion upon your face. Don't you want to go with her?

🩶 They'll be looking for two clones traveling together, not separately...and besides, I already know I won't be welcome there.

🩶 Oh...? And where do you plan to go, if not with her?

🩶 I'll improvise. Now...act natural.

🩶 Both of you fall awkwardly silent as Omega finishes her comm; then skips back to you with the most heartbreaking of hopeful grins.

🩶 "They're coming to pick us up," she announces, twirling around in place like a happy little service droid. "We get to go home, home, home!"

🩶  "That's--that's great, Omega," Crosshair manages, forcing out the words as though trying not to choke on them. "Just--don't forget not to leave anything behind, all right?"

🩶  That's your cue to signal to them to go back to the house with you--you definitely have to hide the extra used dishes and utensils until further notice, what decent person wouldn't--but before you do, you're careful to make sure that the shop sign stays upon the word "Closed". The last thing anybody needs right now is some pushy customer demanding service.

🩶  Once you take all of the necessary precautions, though...you have to take just one more look around this little home of yours, if only to reassure yourself that you'll return to it soon, if not eventually.

🩶  After all, just like your mother used to say, the galaxy can be a huge, scary place.

[thecoffeelorian]

Perhaps it's time to make a decision...

...So. I kinda need to name this next chapter, but all I can think of is a random phrase from 'Good Omens' even though it's Star Wars and not the South Downs...therefore, this is probably where I put it to a vote:

[skellymom]

❤️

Red Flags (Crosshair x Reader)

Premise: …If Lucasfilm really is taking the Fanboys’ Way Out (FWO) and un-aliving everybody, this can be canon instead. In any case, this is the official sequel to Understanding, and I'm going to do my best to see it through to a somewhat less abrupt end.

Story Notes/Warnings: All right, Lucasfilm...*sigh* ...Since you've more or less told me with your whole chest that Crosshair is perfectly healthy despite a lump in his head; visual sensitivity to light; growing hand tremors and an inability to shoot, so the only treatment he really needs is the Morality 101 class rather than going straight to emergency care...

...And that AZI-3 is now needed for absolutely nothing regarding the Clone Troopers in general, since Captain Rex totally overreacted about how dangerous the inhibitor chips were and probably even Wrecker would have just grown out of it after an hour...this is now classified as a Canon Divergent/No Retconning AU, because as an autistic woman, it's easier for me to function when the rules don't keep getting rewritten and I'm able to finish what I start in peace.

Warnings: ...Basically all of Crosshair's health issues in the whole series, because why leave so much as a single stone unturned?

Special Notes: I'll be going straight back to my longfics after this, and I really hope nobody expects me to just drop them and/or start over from scratch, because you might be disappointed there. 😅 Also, the header was made by @stars-n-spice.

No Pressure Tags: @shadow-rebel-223 @momojedi @mysticalgalaxysalad @littlefeatherr @moonstrider9904 @ah-prick24 @reader6898 @darkangel4121 @urmomsmattress @nevadastarrsworld @mohsicsu @beatthisbi @weirdest-lights @pachnouci-obuv @tink1221 @groguandthebadbatch @housepartyfortwo @donntmindmejustwandering @briefexpertdeer @ms-grassi @galaxyglittering and anybody still haunting the fanfic tags.

🍽 "eat up" is really the only blessing needed for this meal, as Omega is looking a little ashen and Crosshair is pretty much a dead man walking. It's better that they get started ahead of you anyway, as you're not exactly the type of host that neglects guests on purpose.

🍽 once each of them picks up their respective spoons, however, that's when things take a slight turn for the worse.

🍽 not only does Crosshair's hand shake something terrible, but whatever first taste he hoped to get today spills out onto the table long before he can even bring it to his mouth.

🍽 he answers this accident with a very loud curse word, a thing you would normally hear in the shipyards beyond your house, but not so much in the town.

🍽 nevertheless, as you see him grip at his forehead and wince, you're quick to offer him a napkin, as you know for a fact that you'd hate to be embarrassed in front of strangers, too.

🍽 whatever it takes to get this one calmed down.

🍽 thankfully, you're also not the only one paying attention here, because Omega wastes no time in coming over to assist. Meaning, at least in this situation, she's able to steady his hand just enough to get more than one spoonful into him. (Thank the Force.)

🍽 once he's calmed himself down a bit more, those tremors also lessen enough to allow himself to finish eating on his own. This allows Omega to go back and eat as well, especially with Crosshair insisting that no, he doesn't need her to be his nursery droid, please take care of yourself, too.

🍽 as you remind them in your most gentle tone possible, however...you have questions. Questions about where they came from, what they were doing before their escape, and who exactly might notice that they're missing.

🍽 Omega does most of the talking for this stage, though not without a hint of bitterness in her voice when she mentions the name Hemlock. According to her, as you are careful to not let yourself forget, it's almost a certainty that he's responsible for her brother's new 'condition', if not also the literal suffering of hundreds back in the place they call Tantiss.

🍽 at this same time, you hear her continue, he and a few of his former patients might also be the ones that come calling if you all don't leave soon. She mentions an island called Pabu, though she confesses to not knowing the name of the planet it's on. No matter what, though, they'll be trying to track her down and you need to leave soon.

🍽 we will, you're careful to promise her, not wanting to delay any action that could keep the three of you out of harm's way, but you still have a few more questions to ask.

🍽 first, why did the two of you get separated from the others in the first place?

🍽 and second...why does your brother keep gripping his head like that?

🍽 it's only after you ask this final question that Crosshair finally speaks up, the weight of a thousand crimes evident in his brief, three-word answer.

🍽 "It's my fault."

[skellymom]

Whoo hoo! I love it!!!

Subtle slow burn🔥❤️✨

Please tag me on any of your future stuff❤️

Plan 100...?

Plan 100 (Crosshair x Reader)

Premise: As the fourth installment of the "Surprise Guest" series, you and Crosshair are careful to let Omega rest on your way to your rendezvous point, but not without planning your own next few steps.

Word Count: 1.2 k.

Masterlist: The Surprise Guest Series

Story Notes: Hoo boy...I think I've just reached the 'deep in the underbrush' phase for the next leg of this saga, yet as I watched all of S1 and read the episode transcripts for the others, never mind beginning to take romance lessons from the "Bridgerton" show, editing this installment exactly 7 times, and slowly pulling out a few things from my personal life angst closet...I will not be doing this lightly. There is so much that I wish this show could have properly addressed as well rather than setting it up in every first half and then knocking it down in every second half, so I will do my absolute darndest to cover it all myself.

Special Notes: My credit goes to @stars-n-spice for creating the beautiful Crosshair header, as well as to @talesfrommedinastation for inspiring me to use a form of sign language for silent communication after watching "The Expanse".

No Pressure Tags: @momojedi @calicos-clones @bigboypantstime @youreababboon @techhasmjolnir

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@lllllmm @melymigo and anybody else who might be on the lookout for more Crosshair x Reader content, because I couldn't have made this series without you all. <3

You're out of that spaceport before whomever or whatever might be following you notices your escape, your family's slightly used shuttle giving you all the speed you need to make your flight. It’s quiet on board almost as soon as you leave the atmosphere, too, yet sometimes, quiet can be exactly what everyone needs to clear their heads.

Nowhere is this more evident than your own cockpit, a small but comfortable space that carries the control console; a few chairs with safety harnesses; one old childhood drawing of yours kept in a place of honor upon the wall, and a mini-fridge to the left. You had a few minutes to gather up some food and drinks before heading out, so of course, you were careful to add the packs of dried meat and lemonade so that at least one person could add some missing salt and sugar to their system if they needed it.

Someone like Omega, even, for she’s careful to ask you nicely before you hand her one of the lemonades. Whatever this one has just been through, wherever she’s been…you can only try your best to alleviate her transition back into society.

Wherever her society waits to be found, that is.

Once you reached deep space, though…Omega’s sound asleep in minutes, her half-empty cup hanging loosely in her right hand. This is, perhaps, a big convenience for you and Crosshair both, because you might not have to worry about her for a little while.

What you are able to do, at least for the duration of this trip, is start planning…and what Crosshair is able to help you come up with ends up exciting you and confounding you at almost the exact same time.

First comes that moon over Ryloth, as you originally agreed to in order to see Omega off. That’s certainly a given, considering you already agreed to his idea of separating himself from her so that any and all demanding guards that might come calling won’t be able to recapture them both.

After that, though—or so Crosshair does his best to explain—the two of you will, indeed, have to clear out not long afterward, with or without any harsh words from Hunter or Wrecker.

What harsh words, you signal to him, the both of you speaking with your hands so as not to wake Omega.

And why would they be mad at you?

I turned away, he signals back, and perhaps just a little too sharply judging by the pained look upon his face.

They had their ideas, I had mine, and now it’s too late for all of us.

I see…

An awkward silence passes between you both, and for a moment, you’re stuck wondering if you should ask any more questions, or else just be still until he starts up again. It’s suddenly very difficult for you to figure this out entirely on your own, as up until a certain point today, you thought you were going to spend another day by yourself.

Funny what difference a few hours can make.

Once you brace yourself to say something else, however, it’s here that he speaks first, signaling a bit slower for emphasis rather than controlled rage…or so you hope.

They clearly wanted to dig around the galaxy for scraps rather than ask for anything more secure.

Oh…? And is that where you were before you escaped? A ‘secure’ place?

Not exactly.

Another awkward silence. You’re both choosing your next words this time, a sure sign that you’re either learning how not to push the other into a fit of stress…or else falling apart long before you can ever try to get closer. You might not be so sure about what’s in Crosshair’s head right now, but you are sure of one thing.

You’re not ready to leave his side so quickly.

I thought playing by someone else’s rules would help keep me alive. Useful, even…but I obviously thought wrong.

Lucky for you, he’s talking again, though that left hand of his starts shaking a second time.

Not that it matters any longer. They already suggested that I’m too severe and unyielding to ever be around them, so it’s time I just let them all go.

What, do you—you think they’ll be happier if it’s just them and Omega?

They’ll certainly be safer, won’t they?

One more round of silence comes, only this time, you’re giving him all of one nod to signify your agreement with this plan. You might have gone out at least ten steps ahead of whatever guard or bounty hunter might become interested in your capture, but truly, that sense of a false peace could only last the three of you so long. Be it three days, three weeks, or even three months…all the necessary precautions would need to be made, for better or for worse.

In the meantime, though? Simple. You’re offering Crosshair both of your hands now, your palms up in a wordless invitation for him to either take hold of them, or else ignore them entirely. He certainly has room to do just about whatever he wants, considering he might not exactly be using weapons anytime soon.

“And…what about me? Should I also be dropped off?”

You remember to ask this in the lowest whisper possible, all the better to keep Omega from waking up or hearing any of your secrets.

“…You should not, Y/N.”

“Really? And why is that?”

You barely hold back a gasp as his hands meet yours, the unexpected joining of flesh and bone sending a surge of emotions through your body.

“Because—Because I think I like the thought of you tagging along a bit more.”

Your head is reeling at this point, so much so that it’s a curious miracle that you haven’t given yourself vertigo yet.

No matter how much you might have also tried to hold yourself back, your body suddenly feels light as a feather, so you’re quietly relieved when you manage to push one foot behind the leg of your seat to keep yourself from floating straight up to the ceiling. This stranger, this Trooper, has just consented to you remaining at his side with no sign of sarcasm or jokes at your expense…and, be it only until you find yourselves a new refuge or not, you’re certainly beginning to feel the same way.

The last few hours have, for better or for worse, had that effect upon you.

In fact, maybe...maybe this is just the beginning of something grand, some new adventure that you never dreamed of having before, but which clearly may have just found you at long last. Maybe you're on your way to someplace fresh and new, and with it, a chance to be something more than just some forgotten flight controller's child or some diner owner that nobody else really notices.

Maybe this is about to become your second act, and you need only step out onto the stage in order to claim your true place in the world.

And, once the two of you find a safe place to land together, whichever planet and community that place may be a part of…you can’t wait to find out if Crosshair might feel that same affect right beside you.