#tcw Hevy | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

lonewolflupe · 14 days ago

Text

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

11 notes · View notes