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lonewolflupe · 1 month ago

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Home's A Beacon (One-Shot)

This is my entry for week 3 of The Clone Wars Winter Spectacular 2024 / @clone-wars-winter-challenge! There's a lot of conversation going on in this fic, which proved a bit of a challenge since it's between five people. I hope it didn't get repetitive/boring with 50x 'Fives said'/'Echo said'/etc., I really tried preventing that. Also this is my first time writing the Domino Squad together, I loved figuring out their dynamics <3

Summary: after their graduation, Domino Squad searches for a way to properly celebrate their success before being shipped off to their first mission Rating: Teen and up Tags: fluff, sentimental, bickering, vode bonding, Domino Squad Words: 2.318 Characters: CT-782 Hevy, CT-00-2010 Droidbait, CT-21-0408/CT-1409 Echo, CT-4040 Cutup, CT-27-5555 Fives; mentions of: 99 Prompts: Polar Plunge / Holiday Cookies / *Domino Squad* Read this one-shot here on AO3 week 2 < | ↓ | > week 4

The barracks of Tipoca City were filled with an elated atmosphere after recent graduations. Squads of rookies grouped together, discussing their moves during their test and daydreaming about their future missions and destinations. It wouldn’t be long before they would all be shipped off towards the front lines.

Domino Squad wasn’t an exception. They were gathered in the space below their bunk capsules, excitedly talking about their recent success. How Hevy turned out to be a great leader, how Cutup had been observant and Fives a good shot, how Droidbait had honoured his name by drawing the enemy’s fire and how Echo had been the first one at the top, retrieving the beacon for the squad.

Suddenly, Fives jumped from the bench he was sitting on. A glimmer appeared in his eyes; something that happened whenever he came up with an idea, whether it being a serious or mischievous one. “Let’s celebrate,” he proclaimed, a content smirk sliding on his face. All eyes were on him during a brief moment of silent confusement, before he started elaborating: “You know, before we’re getting shipped off to our first mission.” Hevy was the first to shoot him an unimpressed look, his lips pressed in a thin line and his gaze flat. “How do you suppose we celebrate? It's not like Tipoca City has any party locations.”

Before Fives could shoot him some witty comeback, Echo cleared his throat and joined the discussion. “I heard some of the more battle-worn vode talk about a clone bar on Coruscant.” It resulted in a scoff from Droidbait, bumping his elbow into Echo as he shook his head unconvinced. “But we're not currently on Coruscant, are we, genius?” Echo responded to Droidbait’s remark by granting him a serious, stern look. “I am fully aware. I just thought we should remember, if we ever make it to Coruscant.”

“I'm sure you'll help us remember by then,” Cutup snickered, elbowing Droidbait in his amusement. Echo’s eyebrows folded in a grumpy frown as he stepped towards Cutup, ready to confront him, but Fives positioned himself between them to de-escalate the situation. “Boys, boys, we don't need a cantina to have fun!” Hevy, who had been leaning against the wall, reluctantly pushed himself from it to join the group. “Then what do you propose, Fives?” he asked, whilst folding his arms in scepticism.

But it was Cutup who replied. “Let's all visit the best place in Tipoca City!” He looked around with exaggerated movements, before a smug expression slid smoothly on his face. “Done,” he grinned, his voice overflowing with sarcasm, resulting in a chuckle from Droidbait. “Thanks for your contribution, Cutup,” Fives sighed, shooting his brother a side-eyed look.

“I heard-,” Echo started in all seriousness, making Hevy whisper “Maker, please ship me off far, far away from here,” under his breath, whilst Echo uninterruptedly continued his observation: “-the Wookiees are currently celebrating Life Day.” Droidbait and Cutup exchanged bewildered looks, before the former revealed his confusement. “Life Day? What does that even mean?” “Every day is a life day, until it isn't,” Cutup shrugged casually, resulting in an unamused glance from Echo.

Fives ignored the tension between Cutup and Echo this time, focussing on the initial subject. “Well, I'm not sure, but it is a celebration,” was his reply to Droidbait’s confusement, before offering Echo a genuine nod. “Thank you for your contribution, Echo.”

Again, it was Hevy who wasn’t shy in sharing his scepticism about the plan, although it wasn’t really a plan yet. “That's all grand, but how are we going to celebrate something we didn't even know existed?” And again, Echo cleared his throat before sharing his thoughts. “I did know. And I could-,” he started, but was harshly interrupted by Hevy’s steely look and a simple comment: “Please don't.”

Fives was starting to get frustrated by now; he hadn’t thought his idea would cause such a hassle among the squad. Not after their recent graduation showed they were capable of working together. He threw his hands in the air and expressed his frustration. “Who cares? Who cares how we celebrate? I just thought it would be neat to celebrate together. Just the five of us. Who knows what'll happen to us once we leave Kamino.”

The atmosphere grew heavy after Fives’ ominous remark, but as suspected, it was Cutup who lightened the mood. “Are you getting sentimental with us, Fives?” he grinned at his brother, whilst leaning towards him. “Stow it, Cutup,” Fives shot at him, but a playful smirk appeared on his face when he bumped his elbow into Cutup’s side.

“It has to do with the season. It's a holiday,” Echo shared gruffly, returning to the subject of Life Day. It was in his nature to elaborate anyway, despite the fact no one seemed to care what he was saying. Cutup was already lined up to joke with Echo’s observation. “Season? The thing that has to do with the changing of the weather? On landing platform 4 it's rainy, and I can predict the weather for half a year from today: it will be rainy. Sounds festive.”

“Stow it, Cutup,” Fives repeated his earlier words with a sigh, only for Cutup’s amusement to grow. “You’re starting to sound like Echo,” he teased, and Fives noticed how Echo clenched his fists. “Give him some slack. At least he's trying to come up with ideas,” Fives shot at Cutup, hoping he could ease the situation again. He quickly turned towards Echo, granting him the most innocent smile he could muster. “You know you're my favourite, right?” he addressed him, sounding as genuine as possible, only for Echo to return it with an eye-roll and a subtle head shake.

Echo might not believe Fives’ sincerity, but it did give him the motivation to come up with another idea. “What about a polar plunge?” “A what now?” Droidbait gasped, ignorance written all over his confused face. “I heard some folks around the galaxy take a dive into the sea to celebrate a new start,” Echo elaborated in all seriousness. “I'm pretty sure there won't ever be a new beginning if we dive into the sea here,” Hevy grumbled softly, resulting in a stern look from Fives; he didn’t want Echo to get discouraged from sharing his thoughts.

The squad was in for another of Cutup’s unserious comments, but fortunately for Echo, this time it was aimed at Hevy. “Afraid the Saberjowl will get ya?” Cutup grinned at him, but unlike Echo, Hevy kept his composure - at least for now. “Shut it, Cutup,” was his only reaction, before Fives interfered again. “Echo, brother, I appreciate your suggestions, but I'm with Hevy on this one. I’d like to visit at least one other place outside of Kamino,” he explained cautiously.

The thought of seeing any other place outside Kamino excited the boys. “I hope it'll be a planet with colourful flora,” Droidbait said dreamily, his gaze hazily focussed somewhere in the distance, as if he could see the planet he was imagining right in front of him. Cutup woke him from his innocent reverie by flinging his arm around his shoulder. “I'd prefer colourful ladies,” he added with a low, smug voice, making Droidbait shake his brother’s arm from his shoulder. “Stuff it, Cutup.”

“Baking holiday cookies?” Echo tried, getting less enthusiastic with every suggestion, because by now he knew it was going to get brushed off anyway. Fives clenched his teeth as he turned towards Echo; he hated to demotivate him any further, since he was the only one coming up with serious ideas. “Echo, I am so sorry, but I don’t think we’ll be allowed in the cafeteria ever again, outside meal times,” he said softly, his eyebrows wrinkled in an apologetic frown. “Not after what you pulled with the caf machine last time,” Hevy grunted at Fives, whilst shaking his head disapprovingly.

Just when Fives was mouthing an ‘I am sorry’ towards Hevy, Echo came with another idea - one that surprised all his brothers. “What about.. Pulling some prank?” he suggested quietly, the look on his face making it evident that he wasn’t very eager about it himself, silently hoping none of his brothers had actually heard it. But they had heard him alright. Fives and Cutup simultaneously let out a ‘Now you’re talking’ and an ‘I am listening’, whilst Hevy raised one eyebrow.

“What about.. What about letting paint explode in the corridors?” Droidbait uttered, making Cutup’s eyes shine in anticipation. “That sterile Kaminoan white could use some colour,” he continued, making Cutup nod vigorously in agreement. But Hevy raised a hand in objection. “Not gonna happen,” he stated sternly, looking all of his brothers in the eyes to make sure they understood. “Why not? It's not like we'll be around to clean up as a punishment anyway,” Cutup protested in defiance, but Hevy shook his head before elaborating. “Yeah, but I don't want 99 to pay for our tricks.”

Hevy had a point, and none of them wanted 99 to have to deal with the consequences of their mischief. So that was another idea debunked. The boys stood pondering over another plan, and at last, inspired by Droidbait’s idea, it was Cutup who came forward. “What about readjusting some training clankers, to make them shoot fireworks during a simulation?” “That would be majestic,” Droidbait laughed, instantly forgetting the disappointment from his own idea being rebuffed.

This time it was Echo who objected to the plan; not out of spite for all the reactions his own ideas had caused, but because of genuine concern for their fellow brothers. “I really don't want to traumatise any shinies,” he simply stated, crossing his arms to accentuate his aversion. A loud groan from Cutup showed his irritation for the whole situation. “You're all such mirsh'kyramude*,” he sighed, immediately resulting in Droidbait mouthing an ‘I know, right?’ towards him.

*mirsh'kyramude = boring person (brain assassin)

Cutup gestured wildly in Droidbait’s direction, showing everyone how they were on the same page about all the rejections. Both Hevy and Echo readied themselves to start a discussion, but Fives wasn’t going to let anyone ruin his initial idea - to celebrate together. “I have an idea!” he cried out, instantly regaining all focus before all the bickering could evolve into any physical fight.

“It's actually quite innocent and won't affect anyone,” Fives elaborated quickly when both Hevy and Echo granted him annoyed glances. “Not even the longnecks?” Droidbait asked softly, his disappointment not lost on Fives. “Better luck next time,” he sighed in return after briefly rubbing his eyelids. “That sounds so not like you, Fives,” Cutup scoffed softly, before Hevy’s dominant voice took over the conversation. “What is your plan?”

Fives allowed a moment of silence to build up the anticipation, in annoyance to all his brothers. “Echo, aren't trees part of the Life Day tradition?” he finally asked slowly, pretty content with whatever was brewing inside his head, whilst turning himself towards their educated brother. Echo was silent; he looked around warily, not sure if he should continue sharing the knowledge he had picked up along the road, for they always teased him with it. “Well, go on, don't hold back now,” Cutup shot out impatiently, granting him a sour look from Echo.

But he indulged himself in the situation anyway. “You’re correct, Fives. The Wookiees tend to get a tree into their homes and decorate it. They call it a Life Day Tree.” “Creative name,” Cutup grinned sarcastically, but was immediately silenced by a gruff ‘Zip it, Cutup’ from Echo. Droidbait slowly raised a finger, and yet again, he was shrouded with ignorance. “Firstly: what's a ‘tree’, and secondly: where do we get one on Kamino?”

A smug expression appeared on Echo’s face, which was a rare occurrence. “You're not going to find them around here; they're plants growing from earth. But thanks for your contribution, Fives,” he repeated Fives’ earlier words, now using them against him. Cutup started stammering a tirade through gritted teeth, making Fives put his hand on his shoulder to prevent Cutup from advancing towards Echo. To make things worse, the continuation of the bickering made Hevy finally lose his composure. “Why would you come up with such an idea if we're not even able to execute it?” he cried out, putting his hands in his hair out of frustration.

A kark-eating grin slid on Fives’ face. “Who says we need a real tree?”

---

“Alright, everyone ready?” Fives shouted over the sound of the gusty wind and pouring rain, waiting for all of his brothers to nod at him in confirmation before continuing. And when they did, he gestured to Echo to come forward. “Echo, do the honours!” he concluded their activity, taking a step back to behold the result of their hard work.

As soon as Echo fused the last two wires together, the framework in front of them, built on top of one of Tipoca City’s domed structures, lit up in a colourful array of lights. The frame consisted of all kinds of items the squad had found across Tipoca City, including parts of battle droids, faulty weaponry and damaged armour. Echo had done his utmost best explaining what trees looked like, even showing holopics on his datapad to add to his brothers’ imagination. He wasn’t confident to call this a ‘tree’ though, but it didn’t matter. It was their creation, and it was their legacy here on Kamino.

The boys started cheering and jumping from excitement over their version of a Life Day Tree, huddling together in the process. They did it; they did it together. Another success, and they were sure there would be many more successes to celebrate. Domino Squad was finally ready to head out, to be sent off to the front lines. But now, they would always have a beacon to mark their home, once they returned.

Fives + Echo taglist: @welcometo79s @covert1ntrovert

#star wars #the clone wars #clone wars #tcw #clone wars fanfiction #domino squad #tcw hevy #tcw droidbait #tcw echo #tcw cutup #tcw fives #tcw 99 #theclonewarswinterspectacular2024 #sfw #fanfiction #lonewolflupe #lonewolflupe writes

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tanobatcher · 5 days ago

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snowfall

hevy x bartender fem reader

summary: you and hevy have been seeing each other, temporarily putting your relationship on pause when he passes his cadet training and gets sent to rishi outpost for his first assignment. after waiting on his promised return for months, you receive the news you had been dreading.

warnings: profanity, angst, major character death, and suggestive content

this was originally a shortfic on ao3 but it made me sad so i never finished it but i was suddenly overcome with a change of heart and some new ideas. my first tumblr post ever lol so pls be kind.

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Winter is the season of death. A martyr of sacrifice. Although Coruscant manipulates its weather all year round through an artificially engineered system that controls the city’s cycle of life, its citizens experience the cold just as naturally as they will anywhere else. They don’t have to worry about slipping on icy streets or shoveling snow outside of their apartments, though. These few months of frigid temperatures cause minimal damage, only intended to maintain balance across nature’s scale. And yet, this winter is particularly dull for you. Springtime can’t seem to come any sooner, but that isn’t what you are waiting for. It isn’t a new beginning that occupies your mind as time passes like a dragging blur—it is someone from your past who you aren’t sure will remain in your present. Or, even, your future.

“No word from him yet?”

Glancing up, you look at your manager from across the bar top and shake your head. He shrugs in response, clicking his tongue with a lack of sympathy that doesn’t surprise you. Despite running a clone bar in the heart of the city, he isn’t one to attach himself to anyone. Perhaps you can learn from that.

“I told you not to get involved with any customers,” he scolds disapprovingly, “This is war, darlin’. More often than not, these clones don’t come home. That’s why they make a fuck ton of them—”

“He’ll be back,” you interrupt firmly.

Your manager rolls his eyes and saunters away, but not before getting the last word in. “The sooner you’re available again, the better. I can’t deal with any more jealous boyfriend shit when you have a job to do.”

Rather than say anything in defense of your hopeless relationship, you bite your tongue and turn your head away from this conversation. 79’s is quiet at this hour, hardly bustling with the energy that usually starts picking up after sundown. The lack of distracting noise is the last thing you need, though, because the scrambled thoughts crossing your mind are more torturous than any physical blow you can imagine this war wreaks on its soldiers. One of them is the rookie you started dating during the last few months of his cadet training. What began as casual hookups in the backroom of the bar during your night shifts became a full-fledged, committed label when he caused a scene (supposedly) in your honor. You still remember this like it was yesterday.

“What the fuck was that?” You asked him once you cornered him in the backroom after your manager separated the ridiculous brawl that resulted in broken glasses and turned tables.

“He was all over you,” Hevy retorted while towering over you with a wildly untamed glower in his eyes, “You think I was just going to sit around and let that play out?”

You shook your head in disbelief and ignored every step he was taking to come closer to you. “I work here, Hevy. It’s my job to satisfy my customers.”

“Your customers, huh? You fuck all of them, then?”

The words stung more than they should have, but you held your ground and raised your chin to meet his scowl. He was so close that you could have closed the distance by stepping up on your tip-toes just a little. Instead, though, you stared at his annoyingly arrogant face to assess the damages he retained from the fight. They were impressively minuscule, especially compared to the random brother he saw “all over you” in a cozy booth far away from most of the action. A split lip and a bruised jaw were definitely more favorable than a broken nose.

“That’s none of your business,” you eventually replied even though Hevy was the only trooper you had ever taken things this far with.

He raised his eyebrows and took another step closer, prompting you to move back until he had you against the door you locked for privacy. Maybe that was a good call, seeing where this conversation was going. Swallowing the lump in your throat, you maintained the defiance in your eyes as he leaned in so your lips were brushing over each other. This was more anticipatory than teasing, especially because you knew he would give you what you wanted if you asked nicely.

“Don’t say that,” he murmured in a lethally soft tone that didn’t change the fact that he was such a hotheaded nightmare you couldn’t stop dreaming about.

“Why? It’s true…people come here for one thing,” you said without meaning to sound bitter about it, “You wanna know what that is? It’s escape. And my job is to make sure I show everyone a good time, or else, I’ll lose it.”

Sliding a hand across your jaw to grip the back of your neck, Hevy shook his head and replied, “You’re wrong. I come here for you.”

Your insides curled and coalesced with a heat that you pushed away to focus on the matter at hand. “No, stop. I thought we weren’t going to do any of that.”

“Any of what?”

“You know…acting sweet and stuff.”

“You decided that,” he reminded you, squeezing your neck gently, “I didn’t.”

“We’re not together,” you whispered while snaking your hands around his waist to pull him closer until he was completely pressed against you, “You can’t just act like a jealous boyfriend every time someone’s a little friendly with me.”

He dipped his head and nudged your nose with his. “But I wanna be your jealous boyfriend.”

The confession made your eyes go wide before they fluttered shut as soon as he closed the distance between your parted lips. Forgetting all about your previous irritation with him, you kissed him back and didn’t protest when he lifted you up by the back of your thighs for a better angle. It wasn’t the first time you had been in this kind of situation with him, but his embrace felt different as he squeezed your ass and ravished your mouth with an angry intensity that his fist fight didn’t rectify. The words etched in every kiss exchanged were loud and clear even though they weren’t spoken aloud: You were his. It didn’t matter if you had a job to do or not—at least, it didn’t matter to him. A warm possession consumed both of you as you sank into his hold and whimpered quietly, needing to take a breath.

“I’m not supposed to date our customers,” you told him when he pulled away and rested his forehead against yours.

“I don’t give a fuck,” he growled before saying, “And stop calling me your customer.”

You licked your lips, tasting some of the blood that had seeped through his wound in the middle of the kiss. He watched you through dark, heavy-lidded eyes and pressed his thumb into your bottom lip, swiping it back and forth so slowly that you felt deprived of something he hadn’t even started.

“You hear me?” He continued when you stayed silent, “Or is that a no?”

“Hevy, it’s complicated—”

“It’s not complicated. Do you want me or not?”

“I do…I like you,” you admitted despite your racing heart, “But there’s so many reasons why we shouldn’t go further.”

“Bullshit. Name one,” he challenged you with a determined glare, “And your stupid ass manager doesn’t count. He can go fuck himself.”

Pursing your lips, you hoped said manager didn’t hear any of this. Exhaling softly, you said, “It’s also just that you’re a soldier, and…you know.”

His stare hardened as he tightened his hands around your body. “You worried about me?”

“I mean,” you sighed and averted your eyes in embarrassment, ��I know you’re not done with your training, but soon…what then?”

“Nothing will change for me,” he reassured you, not even thinking about the possibility of death, “I’ll always come back as long as you’re here.”

You wrinkled your nose and pushed at his shoulder a bit with a fist. “Stop being so corny.”

“Why?” He laughed and captured your mouth in a brief kiss, “Is it working on you?”

“No,” you lied against his lips and kissed him deeper while clutching at his back if it meant never having to let go.

He pulled away again, still unsatisfied with the direction of this conversation. Searching your expression, he said, “I’m serious. I can’t keep pretending that I don’t want more from you.”

“I thought you just wanted something casual.”

“So what?”

“So, you’re going back on your word?” You pointed out, “That’s not very like you.”

“Yeah, well, I changed my mind, I guess,” he shrugged, “It happens.”

“Not very often. You’re the most stubborn asshole I’ve ever met.”

“Sure, but you like me. You said it yourself.”

Unable to argue with this, you smiled and circled your arms around his neck. The conversation paused as you both looked at each other in silence and just felt every crevice where your bodies were folded together like a permanent attachment nobody could rip apart. If only that were the case, though. You were still worried that committing to this relationship would eventually hurt you, but there was no denying the direction your heart tugged. Drawing your arms inward again, you cupped his face with both hands and caressed the stubble that covered his unique tattoo. He leaned into your touch with a subtle smirk, staring at you almost pleadingly. Desperately.

“Okay, fine,” you agreed, “But you can’t do whatever you pulled out there ever again.”

“No promises.”

“Hevy, I’m serious—”

He rolled his eyes and cut you off with another kiss that you melted into. Nipping at your bottom lip with a tinge of punishment, he whispered, “So am I. You think this isn’t serious to me? I’ve been trying to find a way to ask you out for ages now.”

“Like…a date?” You questioned as your face heated up with a red blush.

“Yeah, a date. Or…whatever you want,” he said carefully.

“I’d like that,” you murmured.

His rigid posture relaxed a bit with his quiet exhale of relief. Smiling slightly, with the left side of his mouth tipped higher than the right, he kissed your forehead and let his lips linger on your skin for a moment. The gentle sensation sent a cascading wave of butterflies through your chest, only subsiding when the moment did as well. The door rattled against your back, paired with your manager’s aggressive barking that commanded you to get back to work if you were done “fucking that clone in there.” Noticing the familiarly dangerous glare that infiltrated Hevy’s eyes, you smoothed your hands across his chest and said, “It’s okay. Just leave it.”

“He’s fucking awful to you,” Hevy frowned, “You know that, right?”

“Yeah, I know,” you agreed, “But I’d say he’s more awful to you guys. I don’t know why he runs this place when he doesn’t even respect troopers.”

“Money,” was all Hevy answered, his tone laced with disgust.

To him, there was nothing more honorable than the kind of service he and his brothers provided the Republic—the galaxy, for that matter. As a clone, he felt important and empowered. Not degraded, despite common opinion regarding his controversial identity.

“I guess you’re right,” you nodded and kissed him quickly before he set you down on your feet, “I’ll see you out there?”

“Alright,” he watched you turn around and snuck a glance at your ass before asking, “So, it’s a yes, right?”

Laughing, you looked at him over his shoulder while departing. “Yes, asshole.”

He only chuckled in response as you slid through the crowd, the deep sound reverberating through your body. Even as the memory dissipated, you could still hear it in your ear like a taunting reminder of what you feared you lost…

“Hey,” a trooper’s voice interrupts your thoughts and brings you back to the present, “You’re Hevy’s girl, right?”

Your heart nearly leaps out of your chest at the mention of your boyfriend’s name. Focusing your attention on the source of this question, you realize two troopers are standing in front of you across the bar top. One sports a goatee and the number “5” tattooed near his temple, while the other’s face is completely bare. It’s his armor that harbors some sort of decoration with the dark blue handprint spanning across the white plastoid material.

“Yeah,” you answer nervously, “Can I get you anything?”

The pair exchanges a glance before the one who spoke before—the one with the tattoo—shakes his head to your surprise. A gnawing anticipation chews at your stomach as you perceive the distant heaviness in their eyes, only heightening the fear you hope hadn’t already come true.

“Is he here?” You blurt out, “Hevy, I mean.”

Silence. Your vision begins to blur as tears prick your eyes, already reacting to what hasn’t been said. These troopers don’t need to tell you anything—you already know the reason for their solemn visit. Everything, from the grief in their expressions to the stiffness in their shoulders, reveals the doubt you had but ignored out of your love.

“No,” you shake your head, “It’s not true. Tell me it’s not true.”

“He asked us to tell you—” the trooper with the handprint on his armor said grimly.

“Stop,” you interrupt, swiping your falling tears away with shaky fingers, “He’s not—He’s coming back! He said he would come back—”

“He’s not,” the tattooed trooper interrupted, “He wanted you to know that he’s sorry.”

You stare at him in disbelief, unable to control the floodgates of your emotions that were now pouring over after waiting so long for an answer. That’s it? He’s sorry? Of course, you know that he probably couldn’t say anything else, but you didn’t even want to think about the circumstances of this awful turn of events. The permanence of his absence hurts more than anything else—it hurts so much that you can’t even breathe. Your chest tightens and constricts from the inside out, crushing your soul with the knowledge that Hevy is gone forever. And there is nothing you can do to change this truth.

“Okay,” you say, your voice strangely level all of a sudden as your entire body goes numb, “Thank you for telling me.”

The troopers who delivered this message look at you sympathetically, to which you can only respond with a forced smile that acknowledges their pain as well. If they knew Hevy, they must be grieving, too. Your mind is blank as you push away from the bar top and sling your thin jacket over your shoulders despite your shift that still needs to be completed. Not caring about that at the moment, you find yourself outside 79’s where a fake flurry of snow immediately meets your tear-streaked face. It feels so cold. You long for a warmer day that will engulf your shaking body and ease your sinking heart with a whisper of what you just lost. Or, what never belonged to you in the first place.

Such is the cost of war, which you knew but chose to defy. And now, you realize the cost of this ignorance. This audacity. This bravery. All of which you can find in him and that smug attitude you miss so dearly. Even though you have been thinking about him for a while, ever since he told you he was leaving for Rishi, you could hold onto the hope that he would return. Not anymore, though. This comfort is now gone, replaced by a void that swallows you whole as you fall to your knees and brace your hands against the frigid ground dotted with more snowflakes than you can count. There are so many that catch in your skin, just like there is an infinite amount of people who can fill this emptiness in your heart. Except, that isn’t true. Your soul is already searching for what is long gone—not what can come to be. Because springtime doesn’t interest you anymore. You wish to stay in this desolate winter if it means remaining close to his memory, as close as you can possibly be. But it’s not close enough. It never will be.

“You know something?” He once asked you as you both lay awake in your bed with your bare skin pressed together.

“Hm?” You replied, sliding into his arms when they beckoned for your embrace.

“I’m gonna be an ARC trooper.”

You laughed at this, knowing he was still a cadet at the time. “You haven’t even finished your basic training.”

“I know,” he dismissed, “That’s besides the point. I’m gonna be the best fuckin’ ARC trooper the Republic’s ever seen. I’m pretty much already there—just needs to be official.”

Smiling up at him in admiration, you kissed him on the cheek and replied, “I believe it.”

“Yeah?” He grinned at you and shifted his body so that you were now under him, “You believe in me?”

“Oh, yeah,” you nodded with a serious expression, “The Republic is lucky to have you.”

“Aw, you flatter me. You’re not just saying this ‘cause you want another round, right?”

Staring up at him, you pretended not to notice how his hand slid between your legs to caress your inner thighs. “Of course, not. I really do think you’ll do a lot of good, Hevy.”

“Another round would be nice, though,” you added in a hushed whisper as you tugged him down for a kiss that he gladly reciprocated with an amused chuckle that warmed your heart.

A sob wracks your body as you realize you will never hear that laugh or feel the pressure of his kiss ever again. You will never humor his dreams that he deserved to achieve but couldn’t because of the heroics he just had to pull on Rishi. That was Hevy, though. A force to be reckoned with, so powerful that you often pause and wonder what kind of fuel ignites his distinctive fire. If anyone could have become an ARC trooper, it would have been him. It would have been him.

When you lift your head and stare up at the cloudy, gray sky, more snow whitens your cheeks with a biting intensity that makes you shiver. It falls on top of you, around you, and everywhere you can imagine. Because that’s what happens when you shoot too close to the stars—you fall. And you can only hope that someone or something catches you before the darkness consumes your being and seals your fate into a lingering whisper that nobody will remember.

#clone x reader #clone troopers #star wars #the clone wars #domino squad #clone trooper hevy #tcw hevy #hevy #angst #sad ending

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