#the bad batch fanficiton

[the-bi-space-ace]

Refusal

Fandom: The Bad Batch

Word Count: 1,695

Summary: Echo refused to scream. He's been here for hours, days maybe, but time didn't matter anymore. All that mattered was that the batch was coming. They would always come.

--

Sooooo I had this idea about the batch swooping in when Echo has been held captive and I couldn't get it out of my head so here ya go, a section of a fic I may very well one day write about how far the batch will go to protect one of their own.

Warnings: blood, restraints, injury, violence.

Echo refused to scream. 

That’s how he ended up here.

The man who had him chained to the floor, knees forced under him, neck aching heavy with the weight of the restraint. His wrist had long since bled and scabbed and bled again, scomp held down at a bent angel, broken and spinning without his control. He reeled back, metal over his knuckles that he planned to strike at Echo once again, trying to force him into submission. 

Echo refused to scream. 

What drowned out his ears instead was alarms blazing overhead. Red lights blinked furiously. With a sneer his captor spit down at him. 

“Are those your pets?”

Echo spit the blood off of his lips. It splattered on the floor. “They aren’t pets.” He spit it out with as much vitriol as his raw throat would allow. The man above him swiveled, listening to the unmistakable sound of droids taking blaster fire, hitting the ground in a heap of wire and metal. Echo forced his head up, bloodshot eyes burning. “We’re a package deal, you see. A team. A squad. I save them. They save me. It’s kind of our thing.” Indistinct yelling rose from the nearby hallways. They were close, they were coming. Echo smiled through teeth he swore were chipped and lips so cracked it stung. “So, no, they aren’t pets, as you so kindly keep referring to them. But they are mine.” The door to the room he was being held in shook as something heavy was thrown against it. His captor flinched away from it while Echo’s body relaxed. Another slam against it and it bent. 

Wrecker. 

Something wedged its way between the doors, metal groaned as it slid apart, enough to get a hand inside. That hand was joined by another and the door was pried, inch by agonizing inch, apart. Eventually someone got impatient, cursing loudly, and big brawler hands gripped each edge. Metal bent backwards, rattling in complaint. 

“And they hate you for what you’ve done.” It bit from between Echo’s lips just as the door was pried open, metal screaming while Wrecker yelled. Even with the helmet on Echo sensed the fire, the way he plunged forward. His captor threw a punch but Wrecker caught it, bending his wrist back so thoroughly Echo swore something snapped. 

All the energy in his body drained, plummeting to the floor. He would’ve hit it if it hadn’t been for Tech’s - he knew it was Tech - hands gripping his chin and pulling him up, scanning to assess his injuries. Crosshair had moved to crouch directly next to him, handing off a med kit to Tech that was flung open quicker than his mind could keep up with.

Around him things blurred. They were there. Everything was fine now. He let his head fall forward again, caught this time on the warm toughness of armor plating. Someone’s shoulder was pressed against his forehead. Hands searched around his bound wrist for a release, gently but appraising, directness in the pressure. 

Tech. 

There was a deliberate squeeze to his arm then the hand moved to grab the chain holding him to the ground, lifting it to alleviate some pressure on his neck. Echo couldn’t help it, he sighed in relief, sinking further into the feeling of armor. Armor. Clone. Protection. Safe safe safe safe. He could feel Tech shuffle around to the back of him now, giving up on the wrist restraint to try and free his legs. Something clanked against metal behind him but he couldn’t turn to watch what was happening. Tech was muttering something under his breath, something acute, exact, but meant to comfort. 

Well, it comforted Echo at least. 

He focused instead on the hand now sweeping over his naked back. The firepuncher laid on the ground in front of him, abandoned on the floor in a way Echo had never witnessed before. Instead both hands were occupied, trying to both hold him up and together at the same time. Echo didn’t need that. He was fine. It took more than this to break him after everything he went through. 

“I’m fine.” Echo swore he said it outloud, the hand at his back even stuttered in its path, but he was ignored. Instead the body - Crosshair’s - shuffled closer to him, covering him in a protective bubble while they worked to free him. Something behind him lit, a laser-torch flame, and the sound of cutting metal pierced his ears. Echo squeezed his eyes shut, remembering that noise, hating that noise, but he didn’t struggle. No, it was Tech, and this was Crosshair and they’d never hurt him. Never never never never. 

A sickening crack broke through the flame and Echo, exhausted, tried to lift his head. He couldn’t get far, instead turning so his sweaty forehead pressed into the space between helmet and shoulder, getting eyes on what was happening in the rest of the room. 

“What makes you think you can take one of my own from me?” Hunter bit out. He was in the face of that man while Wrecker held his arms. His nose was bleeding now. Had Hunter hit him? Echo couldn’t remember now. Was that the sound? Hunter’s hand gripped his face, pulling him up to look into the visor of the helmet.  

“Hunter-” Echo began but he was cut off when Hunter’s fist hit him again. No, stop! Echo’s mind reeled, screamed, spiraled. He couldn’t move, not until Tech got the binds off, but Hunter had to stop. This would ruin everything. He tried to squirm but Crosshair’s grip held him tight, tight while lasers cut into the binds at his ankles. Hunter gripped the front of his shirt between shaking fingers, angry and ready to pull apart the floorboards if he had to. Rip through walls, burn the facility-

“You picked the wrong clones to fuck with-” 

“Stop!” Echo’s voice croaked between them and Hunter’s pulled back fist waited, paused in its path. This was his chance. He felt the binds on his ankles snap, Tech freeing him with a flick of a wrist. “Enough.” His voice was like a bomb, piercing in its finality.

From there he could hear Hunter’s unhappy sigh. “I am the sergeant here-”

“And I’m your second.” Echo coughed, blood splattering down the front of Crosshair’s chest plate. “Listen to me.” For what it was worth Hunter did let him go. Even Wrecker loosened his grip, allowing him to kneel on the ground instead of hanging suspended in the air. 

Hunter turned, flinging his arm out. “Echo, look what he did to you!” What a sight he must be. How long had it been? Hours? Days? He wasn’t sure anymore. Wasn’t sure he knew how to get up and walk out of here. 

“He knows where they are.” It was like the world stopped, each of them pausing. Even Tech stopped cutting away at the bind on his neck, pausing briefly before continuing. “That’s why I let him feel like he won for so long. We need what’s in his head.” Disgruntled was as nice a way as Echo could put how Hunter behaved after that, waving his hand so Wrecker stepped back from the man now panting on the ground. 

Instead Hunter approached the three of them on the ground. His hand searched around Echo’s headpiece, partially in comfort but mainly to find if it had been tampered with, swiping to check for bloodied fingers. Nothing had been inserted, couldn’t have been, but Hunter checked regardless. Knew it made Echo’s heart beat calmer to know. 

“Why’re you calling them off now? Feeling remorse already?” The voice he’d grown to know was smaller now, more fearful. When he had Echo tied down he had a boisterous roar of a voice, taunting and cruel. Now he was nothing but fear.

“I’m not doing it for you.” Echo said as the restraint around his neck popped off. A groan cut through his throat as Tech removed it, laying it on the ground next to the firepuncher. “You have more to answer for than this.” Now that they’d gotten into a good rhythm Tech was able to remove the wrist and scomp restraint without much difficulty. Maneuvering him around so Tech could get to it without lasering skin was difficult but he managed to do it without burns. 

Hunter watched carefully as Echo was able to straighten, back aching with the new motion. “Wrecker, help Echo.” Hunter instructed before practically stomping off to grip his captor by the back of his hair, ripping his head upwards to look Hunter in the helmet. “We’re taking you to the Republic. Maybe the Jedi will know what to do now.” He let his head fall back down again but Tech was already snapping stun cuffs on him and lifting him from the ground, keeping a close eye on his movements while Hunter pulled him along by the cuffs. 

“They will. They’ll know.” Echo assured, although he wasn’t sure what he was assuring them of. Wrecker had already gotten his arms under Echo’s body, lifting him so he could curl against Wrecker’s chest. Warmth. Safety. Wrecker. “General Kenobi, General Windu. They’ll know what to do.” The beep alerted him to another scan. 

This time Tech tsked. “We have to get him to a medical facility.” 

Echo’s bleary eyes watched them move around him, Wrecker holding him close, body shaking. Was he okay? Had something happened? They had to be okay. 

Crosshair had collected his firepuncher already, now standing facing that man. That horrible, terrible man. His shoulder shook, seething anger pulsing through him, heat radiating from his body wound so tight he could snap. He stepped close enough that barely a centimeter was between them.

“If Echo dies there will be nothing standing between you and me. Understood?” Crosshair’s threat lay low in his chest. A promise. A vow that if he saw Echo’s blood on that man’s hands then it was over. Nothing would save him. Not even the long arm of the Republic. Echo vowed to stay alive just to keep it from happening. 

Crosshair’s word was as good as an oath. 

[hugmekenobi]

Next Steps

A Bad Batch Post S2 Oneshot

Gif by @im-no-jedi

Hunter x femaleJedi!reader

Summary: Although your return to the Batch has made things better, there are still elements of your past you have to face...

Warnings: Canon-typical violence, made-up timeline and what I imagine what Echo will be doing, limited use of y/n, swearing, my views on mindsets, referenced 'dead' characters and nightmares, mentions/descriptions of torture, detailed scar descriptions, angst, light fluff, nickname 'sweetheart', some emotional hurt/comfort, body and general worship, Hunter being dominant but a consent king, hint of a praise kink, Smut (non-explicit descriptions of making out/kissing, grinding, edging, fingering, oral (f) receiving, overstimulation, handjob, unprotected p in v- not in reality please), reader described as strong and powerful, smart and beautiful, Force-communication and more of my general interpretation of how the Force feels/works

Masterlist for S1 and S2

Word Count: 12.8K

Rating: 18+

Author's note: Once again, a massive thank you to @burningfieldof-clover for helping me when I got stuck and who I am very grateful to have as a friend! Dropping this before S3 graces our screens and I hope you all enjoy!

Chibbier

Echo waited in the forest clearing as the Marauder touched down. “I got your message. It sounded urgent, is everything alright?” Echo asked as soon as the door to the Marauder opened revealing his two brothers.

“Everything is fine, Echo.” Hunter said.

“More than fine.” Wrecker emphasised.

“But we agreed we weren’t to meet until (Y/N) was back with us so unless you’ve found her…” He trailed off as he saw the smile tugging at Wrecker’s mouth and Hunter in particular seemed more at ease than he’d been in the recent months. “Wait a second, you mean-”

“Hey stranger.” You said with a grin as you came into view and stood between Hunter and Wrecker. You laughed as Echo’s expression changed from stunned to happy then to relief in quick succession. You jogged down the steps and embraced him tightly. “Long time no see.”

“I’ll say.” Echo replied with a smile as he mirrored your actions. “You had me worried.”

“Worried?” You queried. It sounded like he had a specific worry in mind rather than the general worries that had plagued the rest of you for months.

“Last news of you I’d heard had me getting ready to tell the boys to launch a rescue mission.” Echo said as he parted from you. “But lucky for us, they found you before I needed to share that.”

If you weren’t so happy to see him, you could’ve punched him. You weren’t far away enough from the other two and you knew Echo’s words wouldn’t go unheard, especially by the clone with enhanced senses. You hadn’t gotten around to sharing that part of your time alone and you weren’t sure that you wanted to either.

Hunter hadn’t forgotten that there was something about your past that you weren’t telling him. He’d noticed small shifts and changes in your behaviour since you’d been back. It was things like you made sure to keep your top layer on at all times and if you had to take it off, you would always go to the refresher regardless of it you were alone or not which was something you never used to do. You hadn’t communicated with either him or Wrecker in the silent way you were able to do where they’d hear your voice in their head which was something you did regularly in the past. You were also more emotionally and physically distant, the latter happening at night in particular and ordinarily it wouldn’t bother him, but he knew the cause was rooted in something you’d gone through. But every time he tried to broach the issue, you refused to talk about whatever it was that was causing it, and it pained him that he could do nothing but watch the negative impact it continued to have on you.

“What’s going on with, Omega? Any new leads?” You asked Echo instead, ignoring Hunter’s hand that now rested on your upper arm.

“(Y/N)-”

“Not now, Hunter. Please.”

Hunter released a quiet and resigned sigh. He wanted to help you if he could, but he also knew he had to wait until you were ready. It was just getting harder to do that.

Echo glanced between the two of you. “I said something I shouldn’t have, didn’t I?”

You shook your head. “Don’t worry about it. Just fill us in.”

Echo’s eyes darted to Hunter who only nodded. He took a breath and waited for Wrecker to join the three of you. “Nothing new. Imperial security on Hemlock is tight and any breakthrough just results in more cryptic information.”

“Yeah, we’ve had much of the same.” You agreed irritably.

Echo nodded before he faced Hunter. “I know we said that we’d come together once we had (Y/N) back with us, but I think it’s better if I stay doing what I’m doing. Rex and I are going to meet and try to pool together what we’ve gathered. We can tell you what we find and send you to follow up on other sources since we can’t cover everything ourselves and you can also keep searching on your own.”

Before Hunter could form a reply, the sound of branches snapping grabbed his attention.

The blaster bolt that immediately followed the noise, skimmed the armour on your upper arm.

You all reacted quickly and took cover behind the trees.

The onslaught of fire was being directed towards you and would only occasionally be aimed to your fellow clones as a way to keep them from advancing towards the source. Evidently you were the main target here.

“Hunter!” You shouted over the sound of blaster fire. When he pressed his back against the tree trunk and his helmet looked over to you, you called on the Force and dragged the assailant out from their spot, and a well-aimed shot from Hunter saw to it that the blaster was rendered useless. You kept that link with your ally to Force-push them into another tree, and they crumbled to the floor.

All of you lowered your blaster for the moment. You needed to find out why they were here, killing them immediately wouldn’t get you very far.

You stepped out from behind your tree and observed the bounty hunter carefully. Throughout the firefight, you’d felt yourself being pulled towards them, but you couldn’t work out why and that urge hadn’t gone away.

Stiff and unsteady movements had you readying your blaster again but as the hunter got to their feet and caught your eye, you understood why that feeling was there.

Your heart stopped and you stayed rooted to the spot as you saw the blade ignite from the hilt they were holding. The ground around them illuminated in a pale blue haze and you understood what was calling you to the hunter now. Your feet suddenly began moving of their own accord.

The other three all shared a collective bewildered look at what was unfolding in front of them.

Hunter collected his shock quickly and raised his hand to order the others to halt their fire as you fully stepped out to into the clearing.

The bounty hunter charged for you, but the attack posed little threat to you. Whoever this was had no idea how to use an elegant weapon like this and their grip was heavy and clumsy. It wouldn’t take much for you to disarm them.

You ducked under their reckless and uncoordinated swing, grabbed their wrist, and bent it back until the weapon fell from their grasp. You landed a hard kick to their chest, and they stumbled back. The hood fell loose- now exposing a feminine face- but she wasn’t a bounty hunter you recognised. You didn’t have much time to dwell on that since she grabbed a small knife from her boot and jabbed it towards your stomach. You parried away her strikes before you grew tired of dragging this altercation out. Landing a strong punch to her jaw, you used her dazed disposition to Force-pull her face down to the forest floor and waved the others forward.

Hunter and Wrecker pressed their knees into her back and brought her arms around to firmly hold them behind her.

You paid little attention to what they were doing. You hesitantly walked over to the weapon left discarded on the ground.

“Who hired you?” Hunter demanded as he held her down.

“Fuck off.” She snarled as she fought against their grip, but they were too strong, and she was in a much weaker position than she’d been in ten minutes ago.

Echo merely bent down to reach into her jacket pocket and pulled out the tracking fob and bounty puck. Your holographic image confirming what they’d all suspected.

Upon seeing that, Hunter found himself pushing his knee deeper into her spine, paying little attention to her groans of protest.

“Where did you get this?” You questioned softly, more to yourself than anything. You kept your back turned to her as you knelt down and studied the familiar design on the hilt. You couldn’t pick it up, not yet. You knew what you would feel if you did, and you weren’t sure if you were ready for that.

“What?” The bounty hunter snapped as she went for another attempt to wriggle free, but the two clones kept her tight to the forest floor.

You stiffened your posture as you turned on your heels and strode over to her. You lowered your mask, found your voice, and crouched down to her eye level. “Where did you get the lightsaber?” You pointed back to where the weapon still lay abandoned.

“I’m not telling you a thing, Jedi brat.” She spat.

At her words, Hunter twisted her arm harder, ignoring her pained cry.

You signalled to Hunter to ease up and you stood tall once more and indicated to them both to get her on her feet.

Once they did so, you pressed your blaster against her stomach and brought your lips close to her ear- your voice a quiet but lethal whisper. “You know who I am and what I’ve done to people to get what I want. Do you want to be next?” At her harsh gulp, you kept pushing. “I can’t imagine what that’ll do for your reputation in your community... then again, maybe I can… shall we find out?” You knew you’d done enough as you sensed her flicker of fear. You took a step back and looked at her with a firm glare.

“It was the client I did the job for.” She muttered begrudgingly. She wasn’t about to be maimed or die for a job that wasn’t paying all that much in the first place. She’d worked too hard to be seen as a contender, she couldn’t lose that now.

“And who was that?” Hunter asked again, his voice steely.

“Some shop owner.” She replied irritably.

“A name.” You insisted.

“I can’t remember.”

You puffed out an exasperated sigh and took a half step forward.

“Kedrin! His name was Kedrin!” She revealed fretfully.

You saw the shared look between Hunter and Wrecker. “That name mean something to you?”

Wrecker nodded. “He was the one that told us to go to Christophsis to find you.”

The name meant nothing to you upon initially hearing it but evidently you were involved somehow. You ran the information over in your head. Shop owner… Kedrin… Christophsis… it was starting to make sense in your head and that would mean… Your breath caught in your throat as it hit you. You hadn’t even known his name and you’d taken his only family away from him.

“Why set the bounty on her?” Echo asked coolly, keeping his blaster focused on her.

“Not really supposed to ask.” She grunted. “He just mentioned a dead brother.” She saw the flash of something in your eyes… it looked like regret. “Oh… you killed him.”

You glared at her. You hadn’t had time to fill Echo in yet and this was not how you wanted to go about it.

Echo’s eyes darted from her to you. “What is she talking about?”

“Echo…” You started but a cruel laugh from the bounty hunter interrupted you.

“Oh, she’s achieved quite the reputation. Can’t go far in the Outer Rim without coming across someone who had dealings with her.”

Echo angled his head to face you, but you wouldn’t meet his gaze. As hard as you were trying to hide it, you looked… ashamed?

“Back off.” Wrecker growled at the hunter as he saw your mask of composure slip for a moment.

“What’s the matter, Jedi? Suddenly the killing and torture got too much for you? If they were all as weak as you, no wonder they’re all gone.” She taunted mercilessly.

“Shut up.” Hunter snarled as he saw the way your fists clenched as you worked on keeping your distress at bay.

But you knew it was a pointless venture. Despite her current predicament, that bounty hunter arrogance was in full flow now that she’d discovered your weakness, and she wasn’t about to stop. Her stare was filled with malice, but you wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of turning away. Your shoulders heaved as you worked on keeping your breathing even and controlled.  

The bounty hunter addressed the clones now. "I didn’t get much guidance from my client aside from ‘kill her’ so ever since I picked up that bounty, I've been trying to think of the most chaotic way to take her out. She's obviously felt enough emotional turmoil that an easy death would be a mercy. Jedi don't deserve the luxury. I like to play with my food before I kill it."

“And how’s that worked out for you?” You retorted though your conviction was weak as her words found their mark and her sneer told you she was completely unbothered about her current situation now. Your only plan involved letting her overconfidence be her own undoing.

“Nice try.” She mocked. “For a moment I believed your threats but now that I’m really looking at you, I know you don’t have it in you to kill me anymore. You’ve gone soft and you’re pathetic I can see it in your eyes- you’re haunted by what you’ve done, Jedi.”

Your jaw clenched and you could feel those emotions you’d worked so hard to control start to rise to the surface.

“I’m getting outta here and I fully intend to finish what the Empire started-”

Hunter’s fatal shot to her chest silenced her and she flopped to the ground.

“Looks like you have something you need to deal with first.” Echo advised Hunter as he destroyed the puck and tracking fob for good measure before he holstered his blaster. He faced you. “I still don’t know what happened whilst you were on your own, but your past is your own, I won’t hold anything against you, we’re still okay.” He reassured you.

You barely managed a nod of acknowledgement as her words were still replaying in your mind, but you wouldn’t let it show. Instead, you took out your vibroblade and cut a section of her clothing. You stayed silent as you took the piece of fabric and wrapped the lightsaber in it. You knew it was a lame gesture- especially since you immediately felt that rush of connection as you lifted it- but it provided you with a false sense of security that you would rather have because the second you made unrestrained contact with it, you knew you wouldn’t be able to resist or turn your back on it again. You held the hilt tightly before you waved farewell to Echo and made for the ship.

Hunter nodded absentmindedly at Echo’s words whilst his gaze was fixed on you. He knew seeing that lightsaber might bring back some memories, but the intensity of your reaction told him there was more to it than simply remembering that period of your life. He pulled himself out of his thoughts and reached his hand out to Echo. “Be safe, Echo. We’ll be in touch once we’ve dealt with this.”

“You too.” Echo replied, meeting Hunter’s hand in a firm handshake before they parted, and he watched Hunter head back to the Marauder.

“See you later, Echo.” Wrecker said warmly as he lightly slapped his brother’s shoulder before he followed Hunter to the ship.

--

“What’s so special about this lightsaber?” Wrecker asked as the ship entered hyperspace.

Hunter leaned against the entrance to the cockpit, arms crossed as he studied you. Your eyes hadn’t left the weapon sitting in your lap.

“It’s mine.” You said quietly.

Hunter immediately straightened up. “It’s yours?” He repeated.

“Yup.” You cleared your throat and brought your eyes up to face the two clones. “I figured it would’ve been destroyed in Order 66. Guess not.” You said with a resigned sigh.

“Woah! Talk about lucky!” Wrecker said excitedly but you didn’t seem to match his enthusiasm. “This is good news, isn’t it?” He asked, tilting his head at you.

“I don’t know what kind of news it is, Wrecker.” You said honestly.

“What’s your hold up?” Hunter asked curiously.

“Yeah, it’s a pretty handy weapon to have and if it belongs to you, isn’t it better that it’s back with you?” Wrecker followed up.

“It’s difficult to explain.” You deflected.

“Try us.” Hunter encouraged gently.

You shot him a look, hoping he would drop it but the look in his eyes told you that he was not for dissuading. You released a short breath. “It would be like taking back a section of my life I was ready to leave behind. That I had left behind… for years.”

“And you don’t know if you’re ready to reconnect with that part of you yet?” Hunter guessed.

You shrugged in complacent agreement. “Making the choice to leave the Jedi Order was already difficult and leaving my lightsaber…. well, that was hard enough the first time and now that I have it back… I don’t know.” You ran a hand over your face. “It’s just complicated.” You got to your feet and carefully put the lightsaber on a shelf in the cockpit.

Wrecker slapped his hands against his thighs. “Well, I always think things look less complicated after a good sleep, what do ya say? We all could use some rest before we sort out this Kedrin guy.”

Sleep didn’t provide you with much respite these days, but you hummed out a quiet laugh and shared a brief smile with Hunter. “Sounds like a good idea, Wrecker.”

--

Hunter jolted awake, panic setting in as he reached for you only to find that you weren’t there, and he had a horrible feeling that he hadn’t woken up yet. But no, he could hear Wrecker’s faint snores, so he had to be awake, and he knew he was back with you, it wasn’t a trick. There would be a perfectly reasonable explanation as to why you weren’t lying next to him right now.

He closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths. You were here, you’d been here for a while now. He’d found you; you were okay. It wasn’t like before. You were probably just in the cockpit. Yes, that’s where you had to be.

When he felt himself calm down, he got to his feet and noiselessly made his way there but paused in the entryway as he saw you reading one of Tech’s old datapads, top layer still on, feet tucked up beneath you as you sat in the pilot’s seat. He thought he’d gathered them all. “Where’d you find that?” He rasped; his voice still thick with sleep.

You jumped in your chair as you heard him. You had been utterly absorbed in what you were reading, you hadn’t sensed him approach. You looked up to see Hunter standing in the doorway to the cockpit. “Tucked behind the medkit. I forgot how much Tech truly recorded.” You said in fond remembrance although there was an overall sense of sorrow in your voice. You flashed him the title of the current report you were reading. “Remember that mission on Ryloth?”

“You and Wrecker got separated from the rest of us and decided to blow up the target from the inside and escape through the garbage chute if I remember correctly?”

“Right.” You said with a soft chuckle.

“Pretty sure that was the mission that made you a fully-fledged member of our squad, Wrecker couldn’t stop raving about you after that. I was almost jealous.” Hunter managed to joke.

You gave him a small grin at that before you turned off the datapad and properly took him in. “Guess you couldn’t sleep either?” You asked in a hushed voice as Hunter stepped further into the cockpit.

Hunter merely shook his head and sat across from you.

“Nightmares?” You figured as you delicately put the datapad back and sat in your seat once more.

“I prefer calling them recaps.” Hunter muttered dully as he sat across from you.

You reached for his knee and squeezed it comfortingly. “Do you want to talk more about them?”

Hunter shook his head. “You know and lived it all too and being here with you helps anyway. What about you?”

“Just a lot weighing on my mind.” You said airily as you brought your hand back to your lap.

Hunter made a small noise of quiet understanding. He hadn’t been expecting much more by way of a response from you.

“I don’t know how he does it.” You whispered in sad envy as you jutted your chin over to where Wrecker was sleeping soundly.

Hunter followed your gaze and sighed. “It’s the only way he can switch off. Especially in the early months, he struggled with remembering everything.”

“Yeah, any form of healing from all this won’t be easy.” You said with a heavy breath.

“Wrecker might be able to sleep better than we can, but he keeps a blaster by him and has his hand on it at all times. I don’t think he ever wants to be caught off guard again.” Hunter replied solemnly. “Moving on won’t ever be simple.”

You dipped your head in agreement and leaned back in your chair.

The minutes ticked by and the two of you sat in comfortable silence for a while before Hunter cleared his throat. “I’m going to be selfish for a moment, okay?”

You tilted your head at him and adjusted your posture to give him your full attention. “Okay…”

Hunter took another breath, his throat bobbing before he spoke, “You can’t leave me to wake up alone like that.”

It hit you immediately. Fuck, you’d been an idiot, of course you couldn’t do that. If he’d done that to you, you would lose your shit. How could you have been so stupid? “Hunter-”

“I had one night too many of waking up to a cold and empty space and worrying about where you were and what was happening to you. I can’t go through it again, I won’t. Not anymore.”

You’d been so wrapped up in your own head, you hadn’t even considered what that would do to him, but you should’ve known better, especially because your reaction would be exactly like his. You quietly stood up and closed the short gap between you to straddle his lap.

He accommodated you in an instant and his eyes fluttered shut as you gently stroked your fingers through his hair.

“I’m sorry.” You soothed as you placed delicate kisses to his face whilst you moved your hands to rub up and down his chest, his sleep clothes warm and soft beneath your palms.

Hunter caught your wrists and tenderly caressed the scars left there as a result of what you’d endured in Cid’s parlour. “I barely lived through it once and I won’t do it ever again. I don’t care what time it is, if you’re up and struggling with something you wake me up with you. I’d rather that than wake up without you and have that pain and panic set it again. Promise me… please.” He begged, brushing some strands of hair back behind your ear as his eyes looked deep into yours.

You nuzzled into his neck and placed a gentle kiss on his pulse point. “I promise.” Your lips traced his jaw. “And you promise too.”

“I promise.” Hunter agreed and he tucked his fingers under your chin and brought your lips to his.

You had wanted to keep it short and sweet, but you soon found yourself physically incapable. One gentle nip from him on your bottom lip and you were done for. The kiss soon turned hungry and desperate. The two of you were consumed by a passion you’d had no outlet for yet, and you were getting completely lost in the moment. Your hands threaded themselves in his hair and you pressed yourself against him as he deepened the kiss and squeezed your hips to get you to subtly grind against him which were instructions you were only too happy to follow.

It was all over though when you felt his hands start to reach the bottom of your shirt and brush against your bare skin. Instinctively, you flinched away, and you crashed back to reality. You knew what marks you were concealing, and what he would feel if he lifted your shirt, and it wasn’t something he should have to see. “I- I can’t.” You panted against his lips. Your body yearned for him, but you couldn’t bring yourself to go any further, not yet. Everything was still too fresh, and you couldn’t, no matter how much you wanted to.

Even though his body burned for you, he’d never push you into this, but he wanted to share the burden of whatever it was that was tormenting you. “Are you ever going to tell me what happened to you?” Hunter murmured breathlessly as he glanced up at you.

You swallowed thickly. “I want to but-” You released a low, shaky breath. “It’s- it’s hard to talk about.”

Hunter stroked your cheek. “Well, when you’re ready, I’ll be right there.”

You pressed your lips into his palm.

“Come on, let’s try to get some rest. We’ll arrive at Nelvaan in a few hours.” He kissed your forehead before you got to your feet and the two of you made your way back to your bunk.

--

“Y- you’re supposed- supposed to be dead!” Kedrin exclaimed fearfully as he cowered behind the main counter upon seeing you standing in the doorway of his shop, the two clones on either side of your shoulders.

“You should’ve sprung for a better bounty hunter then.” You countered as you walked towards the store owner. “I have some questions for you.”

“No, I’m not dealing with any of you ever again!” Kedrin reached underneath the counter and pulled out a blaster and pointed it at you.

You stopped your advance and raised your hands in surrender. “Kedrin, I just need to talk to you.”

“Fuck you! You don’t get to use my name and talk to me like what you did to me was nothing!”

You internally cringed at the memory of what you’d put him through.

“Did you even know he was my brother?!” He shouted in anger. “Did you even care, you heartless bitch?!”

Hunter tensed beside you.

You lightly grazed his hand with your own to tell him it was fine but at the same time shame coiled in your gut. You lowered your mask and kept your voice low and composed. “Kedrin-”

“Stop using my fucking name, you never bothered with it before!” He then turned his rage to the clone that stood closest to you. “And you! I still have the scar from you!” He yelled at the clone on your right, the blaster in his hand still quivering as he aimed it between the three of you.

Hunter stood unwavering beside you and said nothing.

You saw how unsteady his grip on his blaster was. “You’re not a killer, Kedrin. It’s why you sent the bounty hunter after me in the first place.” You said as an attempt to talk him down but the Force around him was in complete chaos, the only emotion that had any kind of control was his anger and that was dangerous. You knew the kind of pain and wrath the loss of a loved one could unleash, and it was why you’d never wanted to put anyone through it in the first place but now you were seeing the impact of your mistake firsthand.

“You killed my brother you fucking bitch!”

You sensed him getting ready to pull the trigger. “Kedrin-” You ducked as the blaster bolt came straight for your head. You channelled the Force and took the blaster from his hand whilst Hunter and Wrecker used that distraction to advance and subdue him. They shoved his head and torso down to press against the countertop.

“Do you want one to match?” Hunter threatened as he reached for his vibroblade and held the sharp point just above Kedrin’s unmarked hand as he and Wrecker held him down.

“Hunter, it’s okay.” You said, pulling him back from that line the two of you had agreed to keep each other from as you saw the way his grip strengthened and the wince of pain Kedrin couldn’t conceal.

Kedrin kept looking for a way out of their hold but was proving futile. “She murdered my brother.” He whimpered as he continued some half-hearted attempts to free himself.

“You’re right. I did.” You approached him and crouched to meet his eyeline. “And it was a mistake that I’m plagued by to this day. All I can do is say that I’m sorry. I know you’d love nothing more than to kill me too, it would probably feel great but please, please Kedrin, don’t do this. It won’t end well for you.” You begged. When his resistance finally ceased, you turned your attention to Hunter.

“Give us a minute.” You said to Hunter, resting a hand on the top of his shoulder.

“But-” Hunter got ready to argue.

“Hunter.” You interrupted firmly and fixed him with a stern stare.

Recognising that tone and look in your eyes, Hunter released a disgruntled but compliant sigh and nodded to Wrecker to let him go. He holstered his blaster and sheathed his vibroblade before leading the way out.

As you heard the door shut, you stepped back from the counter to give Kedrin some space. “You have no reason to trust me, but I promise that I’m not going to hurt you, that’s not why I’m here.”

“You’re- you’re not here to kill me for the bounty hunter?” Kedrin asked warily.  

You shook your head. “There was a time where that’s what precisely I would do and I wouldn’t even hesitate, but you’re not the person I’m supposed to be hurting and neither was your brother. I know nothing I say will bring you comfort but I am not here to kill you. I only want to talk.” You said sincerely as you put your weapons to the ground and faced him calmly.

Kedrin massaged his right shoulder- which had been on the receiving end of a particularly harsh grip from the clone you referred to as ‘Hunter’- and narrowed his eyes at you. “What is it exactly that you want to talk about?”

“This.” You placed the lightsaber on the counter and unwrapped it. “Where’d you get it?”

Kedrin wasn’t buying that that was all you wanted to know about, you had to be here for revenge. “How do I know you won’t do some magic thing like you did last time?”

You released an irritated sigh. “Because if I was going to do that, I would’ve done it already. I won’t lie, I can’t leave here with you still intent on sending hunters after me or I will have to do some things neither of us will enjoy, particularly you. I will always regret taking yours away from you, it was never part of my plan to leave someone alone, but my family is still counting on me, and I can’t have anything messing that up. Please, leave us alone and I’ll never bother you again after this.”

Kedrin angled his head and regarded you inquisitively. His body was still filled with fear of being alone with you, but it was like there was a different person standing before him- you seemed genuinely upset and sorry; and that in of itself would be punishment enough- better you feel the guilt of what you’d done than have an easy out. “You’re the most terrifying person I’ve ever met but for some reason, I believe what you’re saying. No more bounty hunters.”

You felt into the Force around him but there was no dishonesty or deceit. “The lightsaber?” You redirected his attention to the weapon on the counter.

Kedrin shrugged. “What about it?”

“Where did you get it?” You repeated impatiently.

Kedrin flinched at your tone and- not wanting to risk upsetting you any further- started wiping down some glass cases to channel his nervous energy and spoke quickly. “I’ve had it for a while, couldn’t tell you who gave it to me. Just that they were employed to be a part of the clean-up after your lot betrayed the Chancellor and found it and wanted a souvenir of the experience.”

You coughed and bit back the flurry of insults and threats that nearly escaped your mouth.

Kedrin, now so focused on his task that he was oblivious to your discomfort, carried on in a restless ramble, “Guess they ran into tough times during the transition period and wanted rid of it for some quick cash. No one really wanted to buy it though, it just sat there which was why I gave it to that bounty hunter.”

You felt your heartbeat thundering in your ears as you realised what this could mean for you. Leaving it behind had been an active choice to cut part of yourself off from the Force and now you had a chance to feel the Force flow through you as a single entity, no more jagged or disjointed connections… but you didn’t know if you were ready for that yet, it was too much to even comprehend. If it had survived everything and found its way back to you… did that mean that you could too?

“So, um are you going to pay for it?” He dared to ask but your sharp and cold glower had him gulping nervously and wringing his hands. “Uh, never mind, you can take it.” He said hastily. “Just let us be done with each other.”

You said nothing to him, you only covered it once more, picked up your other weapons and exited the shop.

--

“Everything okay?” Hunter asked as you emerged from the store.

“We were going to go get some supplies if you want to join?” Wrecker added.

“I need a moment. You guys go.” You said, giving Wrecker your concealed lightsaber and avoiding eye contact with them both as you hurried back to the Marauder.

--

Having found a moment of relief under the warm water, you got out of the shower and started to towel off and redress but as you pulled your tank top over you, you realised you’d left your long sleeve out by your bunk. You swore under your breath and only hoped the other two would take a bit longer on the supply run. You dashed out the door of the refresher and started to rummage through the bunk for it.

“Who did that to you?”

You whipped around to see Hunter stood frozen in the entryway to the Marauder. “Dammit Hunter-”

“Who did that to you?” He repeated heatedly, his concern and rage rising each second. The sight of the deep and cruel scars that disappeared from your upper back beneath your shirt to the rest of your back was engrained in his mind and any plans of waiting for you to come to him evaporated as his anger and protectiveness overcame him.

Wrecker stepped up beside his brother, put the supplies down and your weapon on a shelf. He nervously glanced between the two of you and it didn’t take an enhanced skill for him to pick up on the way Hunter was trembling with fury. “Eh, what’d I miss?”

Hunter ignored him and kept his eyes on you. “Who was it?”

You turned back around to grab your shirt and it was then that you heard Wrecker’s sharp inhale as he too now saw what it was Hunter had seen. You fiddled with the fabric, twisting it tightly in your hands. “It wasn’t like it was solely one person. Just forget about it.” You muttered aloofly.

“No, I can’t just forget about it. Who. Hurt. You?” 

You sighed heavily and half-turned to face the two clones. “It was a two for one special.”

“Don’t.” Hunter chided sternly. He couldn’t have you make light of this, not when he’d seen what you’d gone through now. He couldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer anymore and, as awful as a part of him found it, he had to push you now.

There was no leeway in his voice, you weren’t going to be able to dodge and weave your way out of this conversation now. “Basically, it was both Imperial Stormtroopers and their higher command officers.” You swallowed harshly. “They- they worked together on this one.”

Hunter simply stormed away from you to the ship’s controls. “Wrecker, let’s get the ship in the air.”

“You’re going to go after every Imperial officer and stormtrooper in the galaxy?” You scrappily tugged your top layer over you and hustled after the two of them as they strode into the cockpit.

“If I have to!” Hunter growled.

“I’m with the Sarge on this one.” Wrecker agreed severely as he started to power up the ship.

“It’s not that I don’t appreciate the thought but that’s not logical nor practical!” You argued.

“Don’t talk to me about practicality when they did that to you!” Hunter shouted angrily.

“It was my fault, Hunter!” You yelled back.

That caused both of them to pause and Wrecker turned off the engine.

“I did it to myself.” You said, your voice scarcely above a whisper as you braced yourself for the time you were about to relive.

“What are you talking about?” Hunter asked, his voice as quiet as yours now as he studied your face carefully.

“Before I tell you, I need you both to stay calm. Especially you.” You said to Hunter. You knew he wasn’t mad at you; his reaction had been exactly as you’d expected. His fierce protectiveness was a quality you loved about him, but it could be his undoing if he wasn’t careful. “And you need to know and accept that nothing would’ve changed it, it wasn’t your fault, it was mine. I acted in poor and emotional judgement and there was nothing you could’ve done to prevent it. Please, trust me on this.” You insisted with a pleading stare at him before you looked to Wrecker who- albeit hesitantly- nodded. You glanced to Hunter again who was still looking like he could take on the Empire singlehandedly. “Hunter?”

Hunter felt a keen sense of dread at your words, and it was highly likely he wouldn’t be able to view it quite as simply as that, but he allowed himself a deep and calming breath. He’d do this for you. “Tell me.”

You exhaled nervously and fidgeted with your hands. Realistically, you’d known you wouldn’t be able to go through the rest of your life without being found out or talking about it but that didn’t make doing this any easier. “I’m sure I don’t really have to go into how hard it was to find each other, right? I’m sure you guys had your fair share of failed leads and things were pretty hopeless for a while, yes?”

Hunter and Wrecker both nodded.

You took another breath. “Right, well, it was the same for me. During our time apart, nothing I did was getting me any closer to you and I could feel it draining me every day. Lyra and I arrived on Christophsis and decided to settle there but it didn’t help. No matter how hard I searched, no matter how much of myself I gave up when it came to getting what I wanted, nothing was bringing results, and I was angry. I was angry, frustrated and just miserable. And it was in that poor state of mind that I made a choice that I shouldn’t have.”

Hunter knew those emotions all too well and he’d get incredibly impatient and unfocused when they got overwhelming, but he’d been fortunate to have Wrecker around to pick up the load when it got too much. Yes, you may have had Lyra, but he knew you and how you operated, and you would’ve put it all on you, regardless of how exhausting it would’ve been and that’s what made him nervous as he awaited further explanation.

You shuffled your feet. “I was being a bit of a nuisance to the Empire wherever I went, Christophsis was no exception, but I was getting nowhere on the information front so, in my slightly unstable state, I figured the best way to find out about you or even Hemlock was to um well, find it straight from the source.”

Hunter’s heart skipped a beat. “No, no you didn’t.”

Wrecker looked between the two of you in confusion but then it clicked with him too and he stared at you, horrified. “Why would you do that?”

You swallowed thickly. “I thought that by handing myself in, I would be able to get the information I was needing. I figured they would have some form of intel on you I could use.” You huffed irritably as you remembered how foolish you’d been. “Turns out they were a lot smarter than I gave them credit for and they sussed out my plan pretty quickly.”

You winced as Hunter threw his helmet and it crashed against the wall. You expected no less but you needed to reign him back in if you had any chance of recounting the whole story. “That’s not staying calm.”

Hunter got to his feet and paced; his distress evident. “We were on your trail! If I’d been faster and picked our sources more carefully, you wouldn’t have had to-” Hunter seethed. How could he have failed you so badly? You’d put yourself through hell for their sake and if he had gotten to you sooner, you wouldn’t have had to have gone through this.

“Hunter, no.” You shook your head to stop him from putting the blame on himself. “The whole reason I did it was because the trail was running cold, and I was desperate. It was all on me. and I’m not done explaining this yet and it doesn’t get better, but you can’t do this. I understand and appreciate where it comes from, but it won’t help now, okay? Just let me finish it.”

Hunter clenched his jaw but did as you asked. He sat back down and nodded at you to continue but he was helpless to stop the anxious shaking of his leg.

You gritted your teeth as you prepared yourself for what you had to do next and any levity that you’d previously been forcing into your voice vanished. “Since they knew what I was and some of the general history between all of us, it’s like I said, they were aware of what I wanted, and they definitely weren’t up for giving it to me. They finally had me under their control, and they were very good at making sure I wasn’t getting away any time soon. Honestly, they were pretty creative with their methods and I’m sure some of them found doing what they did to me quite therapeutic.” That dismissive attitude slipped back in at the end without you meaning to. Frankly, you probably wouldn’t have noticed it if it weren’t for the sharp and worried looks from Wrecker and Hunter. You mentally checked yourself before you proceeded.

“Where they showed their inexperience however was when they got frustrated at how little I gave them. I don’t think they realised how hard it would be to crack someone like me. Their fists, their whips, their electrostaffs… it all hurt but it wouldn’t get me to talk. So, they went for something different, and that was what got them quite close.” You stopped again and found yourself touching the small pinprick scar as you remembered the sharp sting and then the complete haziness that would follow that would render your completely susceptible to anything they would do and say. “Whatever concoction they’d inject into my neck when they got bored or too tired from physically hurting me was nearly impossible for me to resist and that was a terrifying experience... I was having to fight my own mind while they happily watched on. That interrogator droid would enter, and- and my body would go cold with fear every time.” You paused for a chance to gather yourself and squeezed your eyes tight to rid yourself of the memories of that dark, cramped room they would take you where you were helpless to their cruelty and the last thing you would clearly recall would be the whirring of that droid approaching you.

You took another breath before you continued to speak. “That was what came close to breaking me and they worked that out. Every day they would inject me with that serum to make me submit to their words and they would tell me you were right outside. They- they would tell me that I would see- see you all again if I only told them how much I knew about Omega and where I was hiding…. And every day I would have to remind myself that it was all a lie… that you weren’t there, and I couldn’t reveal anything since that would put Lyra in danger too.” You released a shaky breath. “Or they’d try to convince me that you were going through the same thing I was and- and it was my fault and to get- to get it to stop I would have to tell them everything.” You felt a lump form in the back of your throat, but you forced yourself to talk through it. “They could beat me all they wanted but that was the thing that actually left a mark… these scars merely came with the territory.”

A troubled silence fell upon the walls of the Marauder as you finished. You picked at some imaginary lint on your leggings as a way to bring your emotions under control.

Hunter felt sick to his stomach. He could’ve saved you or made it so putting yourself in that position would never have needed to seem like a viable option. You’d needed him and he hadn’t been there. He’d let you down.

You caught a glimpse of his expression changing from anger to defeated sadness and he didn’t need to vocalise those thoughts; you were perfectly aware of what would be going through his head. “It’s okay.” You mouthed silently to him.

You shouldn’t be the one comforting him. A broken and anguished sigh left his throat. Okay? How was any of this okay? You’d subjected yourself to torture for them and had carried the burden of it by yourself for so long.

“How’d you get away?” Wrecker asked in quiet upset as he imagined you experiencing that.

You coughed and blinked back the tears that threatened to spill from your eyes. “Truth be told, it gets a bit blurry near the end. I…” You trailed off and frowned as you worked on accurately recalling what had gone down the day you got out. You hesitantly started your explanation again. “I remember overhearing that they were going to send me off world to a high security prison and I couldn’t have that. The trooper who put the cuffs on me to take me back to my cell was a rookie, I think he figured I was unconscious, so he used the regular ones that didn’t restrict my Force-wielding abilities. Then the dizziness and blackouts set in, I remember finding the strength to take him out, but I don’t exactly know how I proceeded from there. The next thing I do remember was collapsing outside the door to where we were living and Lyra dragging me inside.”

“Hunter?” You looked to him since he hadn’t said anything yet.

Hunter’s throat had gone so dry, he couldn’t summon words immediately. All that was racking through his head was how he could’ve prevented this and how he should’ve been there to save you. You never should’ve been the one to drag yourself out of that hellhole. The protective part of him wanted to find a way for you to come up with any identifying features that could assist in hunting down those who’d inflicted that pain on you but despite all you’d relayed to them, he was calmer now and he knew that wasn’t what you wanted. He may have failed you then, but he wouldn’t now. His focus now lay in what he could do for you now but there was an element to the explanation he was missing and once he had that, everything else could fall into place. “Why didn’t you tell me?” He murmured instead.

There was no accusation in his eyes, no pointedness or blame in his tone. You knew he just wanted to understand, and it was a fair question. “I was working on compartmentalising it; it was just going badly. And-” You stopped yourself from continuing and instead just started to back away. “Nothing.”

“And what?” Hunter pressed as he got to his feet and caught your hand before you could step away any further.

You shook your head. “It’s a stupid reason, I shouldn’t care about it.”

“Nothing you’re feeling about this is stupid. I might be able to help, you only need to tell me.” Hunter prompted tenderly as he stroked the back of your hand with his thumb.

You regarded him carefully, attempting to find some deception or falseness in his tone so you didn’t have to say it but, unsurprisingly, you didn’t find any. You bit your lip before speaking, “I didn’t want you to have to see them. They’re- they’re not exactly nice to look at.” You muttered as you dipped your head to stare at the floor.

The fact that that was even cause for concern felt like a punch to the gut but at least there was something he could do about it. He may not be able to go after the Imperials like he wanted but he could help you realise that was a non-issue for him and one that hadn’t even crossed his mind. “Wrecker, take a walk. I’ll be in touch when you can come back.” Hunter ordered his brother.

Wrecker wasn’t about to question him, so he did as he said. He rested a gentle hand on your shoulder in comfort. “Thank you for telling us.” He said before he left the ship.

You went to address Hunter, but he spoke first.

“Turn around.”

Your brow furrowed but you couldn’t deny the warmth that bloomed in your stomach at his words. “What?”

“Turn around.” Hunter repeated, his tone quiet but filled with dominance.

Despite your lingering questions as to what exactly it was that he wanted, you found yourself doing as he instructed. You could feel the heat in your stomach start to radiate throughout the rest of his body. Each steady thump of armour hitting the ground had goosebumps rising on your skin in anticipation and you felt him crowd your back and rest his chin in the space between your neck and shoulder.

Hunter kissed the sensitive spot behind your ear and as he felt you relax into him; he slowly grabbed the hem of your long-sleeved layer and lifted it over your head and dropped it to the floor of the ship. He didn’t let his eyes fall to the scars yet. Instead, he caressed the trail of goosebumps on your arms and continued to pay close attention to your neck, softy nibbling the areas that he knew would make you weak at the knees.

He could play your body so well; it was like the two of you hadn’t been parted for as long as you had been. You could feel yourself growing more and more compliant to his touch and desire coursed through your body. You only snapped out of it when you felt his touch go lower and he tugged the bottom of your vest top. You went stiff and immediately grabbed his hands in a panic. “Hunter, no. You-”

“Easy.” He soothed as he pressed delicate, featherlight kisses to the back and each side of your neck. “Trust me.” He rasped against your skin, but he waited for your signal.

You released a low, unsteady breath. You couldn’t live in this state of fear and shame forever. You trusted him with everything you had and that was why you felt yourself letting go of his wrists. Your breathing grew uneven, and your body trembled as you felt his bare hands graze underneath your vest top before, they held onto the hem of it.

“Relax… it’s okay. You’re okay now. Let me see.” He encouraged gently, only lifting when he saw you nod your permission.  

His gaze finally dipped to your bare back, and he had to fight to keep his breathing calm as he felt his heart shatter once he saw the full extent of what had been done to you. Your back was a map of merciless and vicious scars, and he wanted nothing more to take away the pain they’d caused you and inflict it on his own body. But that was the only effect they had. He was not repulsed, not repelled by the sight of them. They did nothing to ruin his physical perception of you. You were every bit as beautiful to him now as you had been when he first met you on Devaron all that time ago. “You’re exquisite.”

You refused to believe that. These were different to the scars you were both used to that came with the impact of battle and you were under no illusions as to how unsightly they were. You went to turn to face him so he wouldn’t have to keep looking at them and to protest his words, but he sensed that and beat you to it.

“These do not define you. They do not define my view of you. You are strong, you are capable, and you are a force to be reckoned with and that is why I love you.” He started to lightly touch each one. “No amount of scarring is going to change that. You. Are. Beautiful. I will be there to remind you of that whenever you need it.” He pressed his mouth to the space between your shoulder blades.  

Your body trembled under his touch and his sincerity threatened to overwhelm you. “Hunter-” You managed to choke out.

“I would tear the galaxy apart for you, if you wanted me to.” He hummed against your skin as he continued to trail his lips down your back, worshipping every mark that had been left on you so as to leave a new association with them now. “But I know that’s not what you need.”

A quivering breath left your lungs at his words and ministrations, and you knew you felt the same way. But it was because the two of you were aware of that line that your relationship worked so well- you could balance the sentiment with intent. You could feel him starting to make his way back up your back.

“So, what is it that you need?” He hummed into your ear before he placed his hands on your waist and sucked a mark over the tiny scar that rested on your pulse point.

You groaned and braced your hands on the wall that formed the entryway to the cockpit as you felt your knees buckle.

“Tell me, sweetheart. Tell me and it’s yours.” He asked again as his fingers started to dip beneath the waistband of your leggings whilst he pulled your earlobe between his teeth.

You knew exactly what it was, it was all you ever really needed. “You.” You gasped and you swore you felt him smile against your skin.

“You have me… always.”

You couldn’t hold out any longer, you turned around and crushed your lips against his with a groan and pushed him to the wall of the entrance to the cockpit. If he was taken aback by your abruptness, he didn’t show it as he matched your enthusiasm immediately, one hand coming to firmly grip your exposed waist whilst the other tangled itself in your damp hair, a desperate and eager noise leaving him as he got to feel your body press against his.

As you kissed him, your hands fisted his shirt and you pulled insistently but made no moves to actually step away to remove it, you were too addicted to the feeling of having him this way again… yet you needed to feel his skin against yours which is why you were thankful that he had enough willpower to separate himself from you and take it off himself.

The two of you breathed heavily and the air was thick with tension, but you were too focused on looking at what rested just past his collarbone. You hadn’t allowed yourself to check if he had held onto it for fear of what it could mean if it was gone, and your breath hitched. You touched the black leather cord and traced the small Jedi Order symbol on the end. “You- you kept it?”

“Of course, I did.” He softly uttered, if a little out of breath. He cradled your face in his palms. “What do I have to do to make you see what I see in you?”

Any answer died on your lips, and he passionately reconnected his mouth to yours, using your surprised gasp to deepen the kiss before he stepped away from the wall and started to direct you both down the narrow hallway to your bunk, muscle memory mapping the way as neither of you were content to separate to make the walk any easier.

A trail of clothes was left in your wake as you made your way to your bunk.

Hunter gently laid you down, his lips never parting yours before he patted your hip to get you to be on your front.

You still found yourself feeling reluctant. His beautiful brown eyes were laden with lust but there was also a deep and devoted sense of care behind them which was why you complied with his request. You trusted him.

Hunter went back to what he’d done earlier as he left delicate kisses to every scar that donned your back. What you endured was something no one should ever have to but what he could do now was make sure you knew that you didn’t need to hide them for the sake of other people- especially him- any longer. “You never have to worry about these. All that matters to me is that you’re here now, you got away, and you will never end up back there. More scars don’t have the power to change how I feel about you, nothing does. I love you for all that you are.” He planted a kiss to the base of your spine before he got you on your back to face him.

Hunter wiped away the salty tears that had escaped your eyes and nudged the side of your nose with his. “I love you. Always.”

“Always.” You repeated hoarsely as you were overwhelmed by the emotions that came crashing to the surface. You stroked back the smaller bits of hair that frequently slipped past his bandanna. 

Hunter kissed your cheek before leaving a trial of kisses along your jawline whilst his hand slowly made its way down your body to rest between your thighs.

Your legs parted for him on instinct and your hips bucked into his touch and a soft moan left your throat.

His voice took on a low purr as he moved his fingers. “Here’s how this is going to work: I am going to tell you everything that I love about you which you are then going to repeat and… if you don’t…” He stopped and took his hand away as he saw that familiar expression on your face, and he couldn’t help the slight smirk that tugged the edges of his mouth as that expression turned into an affronted pout. “I stop.”

Your eyes widened at the very clear implications of what he had in store for you.

“Or this doesn’t have to go any further and we stop now.” He offered sincerely.

No, you didn’t want that. It had been too long, and you needed him like your lungs needed oxygen. You could do this. You nodded your consent.

Hunter angled his head to press his lips against yours before he started to move his fingers again, hungrily swallowing your appreciative gasp. He kissed you passionately, not in any rush to stop right now. He parted from you and took a second to appreciate the throaty sighs that left your mouth at his actions, the way you bit your lip and the slight wrinkle on your brow as you grew closer to your release. He’d missed being able to see you like this, but he was relishing the opportunity to relearn and do all the things that made your body contort in pleasure. “You’re beautiful.” He exhaled in complete awe.

You were so caught up in the pleasure radiating throughout your body that you had already forgotten his plan and you were too put out by the feeling of your climax fading away to recall where your side of the bargain came into it. “Hey-” You cut yourself off as you saw the expectant expression on his face and then you remembered what you had to do to get what you craved but that doubt was still there, and you felt awkward doing it. However, the reassurance and trust that also rested on his face saw to it that you did as he said. “I- I’m beautiful.”

 Hunter bowed his head with a supportive smile before he carried on, the sound of your groan was like music to his ears. “Despite all that’s happened… all that we still have to do… you always find a way to make me smile.”

You were in a state of total euphoria and therefore failed to fully comprehend that he’d said something else. It was only when you felt him pull his hand away and the emptiness that followed that brought you back to the current situation. With a whine, you spoke again, “I- make- make you s- smile.” You ground out as you moved your hips in tandem with his touch as you chased your high.

He let you have your first climax, pausing to let you come down from it. Once your breathing evened out, he went again and kissed you before muttering against your lips, “You’re smart.”

“I’m- fuck.” You were too distracted by seeking the next release you were longing for to remember to respond, and you cried out in irritation as he stopped just before you reached it.  

“Almost.” He crooned into your ear.

As frustrated as you were, you got your bearings and whispered, “I’m smart.”

“Good girl.” He praised, a grin on his face as your breath stuttered at his words, before he continued, curling his fingers in the way he knew would send you over the edge and sure enough, your hips lifted as your release crashed over you and a gratified moan sounded from you. However, he didn’t stop, he worked you through it and said, “You’re caring.”

The process got easier and began to feel more natural. You slowly started to understand that clinging on to that part of your past had made it impossible to fully come back. Keeping yourself hidden and refusing to acknowledge what you’d experienced had made it difficult to fathom that he could still want you this way but each affirmation from his, as silly as you’d initially felt at doing what he said, was helping cement the idea that you may not be able to change or fix what you’d gone through, but it didn’t have to control you anymore. You had a partner and family that loved you and who you adored and would do anything for. You would get through this and now you were beginning to feel like you could do it. You felt yourself believing what he was telling you. A whimper left your throat, and you could already sense that you were hurtling towards the edge again, but you repeated it. “I’m c- caring.” You said through panted breaths as you coped with the overstimulation.

“You’re doing so well.” He encouraged as he kept to his word and continued to touch you. “You’re strong.” He knew he was repeating himself, but they weren’t words he minded reiterating, and he needed you to know and believe it too.

“I’m strong.” You said breathlessly as your hands curled into the blanket beneath you as that feeling overcame you again.

He saw you through your next peak and took his hand away to give you a rest from the stimulation and simply stared at you and the blissed out look on your face. He had it committed to memory, but it never ceased to take his breath away every time.

You gathered yourself enough to smile at him. “Thank you.” You whispered as you lightly followed the shape of his tattoo. You clasped the back of his neck and attempted to pull him towards you, but he worked his way out of your grip and instead kissed the hollow of your throat before kissing his way down the rest of your body. Your head fell back as you realised his intent, but you had thought it would be time for him to take what it was he needed.

He could help the groan that left him as he finally put his mouth on you. He could get drunk off the taste of you, and it had been too fucking long since he’d had the chance to do so, and he wasn’t about to stop now.

You couldn’t help the way your hands tangled in his hair and tugged him closer to you, his appreciative growl sent shivers down your spine, but you were so sensitive, and you didn’t think you could manage another one. “Hunter, I can’t. Just-”

“One more. I know you can.” He encouraged desperately as he planted a kiss to your inner thigh, sucking a bruise into the skin, before he went back to where his attention was demanded. He needed you to fall apart on his tongue, he was addicted to it, every drop of you, every whimper that sounded from you was like his own personal drug and he would never tire of it. “You’ve been such a good girl… done everything I’ve asked for… just give me one more, sweetheart.”

That did it. Your back arched and you finished with a ruined and exhausted moan. You were completely spent but it felt so good. You barely registered him to come rest beside you, his lips pressed against your temple.

“I know that wasn’t easy, but I’m so proud of you.” Hunter murmured into your hairline as he stroked up and down your side.

You regained enough feeling in your limbs to turn on your side “What about you?” You queried, still struggling to catch your breath. You knew you would be sensitive but your overwhelming longing for him swiftly outweighed any concerns.

Hunter slowly shook his head as he brushed his lips against yours, taking them away when you went to deepen the kiss. “This was always about you.”

With each passing moment, you were gaining more clarity over your faculties, and you knew what you had to do. A seductive smile pulled at the corners of your mouth and your hand snaked down between you both.

“What-” Hunter inhaled sharply as he felt your hand wrap around him, and his jaw clenched as he fought the urge to thrust his hips into your touch. “Sweetheart, you don’t have to-”

“You said this was about me and what I need, right?” You hummed as you rested your forehead against his whilst your hand kept moving. You kept your touch teasing but just enough to drive him crazy.

“R-right.” Hunter said through a strained breath as he felt his restraint leaving him with every second you continued to touch him.

“And what I need is to feel you…” You brought your lips close to his, barely any space between you now. “Inside me.” You kissed him, tugging his lip between your teeth whilst your free hand entangled itself in his hair, the actions eliciting the depraved groan you had been looking for, and before you knew it, you were back on your back again with Hunter kissing you with a newfound fervour which you matched in kind. You wrapped your legs around him and drew him closer to you, smiling against his lips at the surprised huff that escaped him.  

Hunter kept kissing you as he started to guide himself into you. He knew you would still feel tender and was careful as he slowly moved into you, both of your breaths catching at the feeling. His head fell to rest in the crook of your neck, biting down on the skin there before he soothed the sting of it with his tongue as he started to move, heavy grunts and pants leaving his lips as he got absorbed in feeling you this way after all this time.

Your nails dug into his back, and you could feel the muscles flex beneath your fingers and a sensual sigh left your lungs as you finally felt all of him.

One thought crossed your mind amidst the fog of pleasure that was spreading over your body. You’d let go of your fear now and you wanted to look for that connection again. Before, it had marked a level of certainty of your place here and overall mindset and if you couldn’t find it after all that had happened, there was a time where you would’ve been sure that it would mean there was no true way back for you. But now you understood that wasn’t and didn’t have to be the case. If it wasn’t there, you could work to get it back.

You used the Force around you to find his unique signature again and you could’ve wept with joy as you sensed it once more and it welcomed you with open arms. It had been waiting for you. You bridged the gap between you and allowed that feeling to flow through you. I love you.

Hunter paused his movements, and he stared down at you, a shocked but delighted cry left his mouth as he saw the broad and affirming smile on your face that told him he hadn’t imagined it. He’d wanted to have that back for so long and his heart soared as he realised what this meant for you. You weren’t holding back anymore; you were officially home.

You stroked a thumb along his cheekbone before clenched around him in an attempt to get him to keep going, a smug hum of laughter leaving you at the almost pained expression on his face as he got himself back under control before he started again.

“Do it again. Please.” Hunter requested frantically as he felt himself approaching his own release.

You smiled affectionately at him and continued to kiss him as you saw him through to his climax. I love you. I love you. I love you.

He finished with a strangled groan, and he collapsed on top of you. He stayed there for a few moments before he gently pulled out of you, stroking your hair as he saw you slightly wince at the action. “I’m sorry if it was too much.”

You shook your head. “It was perfect. You were perfect.” You reassured him as he laid down beside you and held you close to him. We should clean up.

Hunter made a sound of acknowledgement as he pressed his mouth to the crown of your head. “What made you do that again?”

“I let go.” You said simply before planting a chaste kiss to his lips before taking his hands in yours and guiding him to the refresher. “Come on.”

--

“What are you thinking?” Hunter asked as he watched you pick up the wrapped lightsaber from the shelf Wrecker had put it on. You hadn’t touched it since taking it from the bounty hunter.

“I can’t hold on to or fear the past anymore. We can only look to the future now and that future has us getting Omega back. And…” You uncovered the seemingly harmless looking weapon. “I think this will make achieving that easier.” You reached for it, hesitating for just a moment before you picked it up and it was an instant reaction. You took half a step back as the sensation of feeling that connection you hadn’t encountered for years threatened to overwhelm you. Flashes of your past as a youngling and echoes of previous battles and instructions from your master sounded in your head but it wasn’t scary this time, you were merely remembering the periods where this weapon had been your life.

Hunter placed a steadying hand on your shoulder. “You alright?”

You took one long breath. “Yeah. It’ll just take come getting used to, but it’s going to be worth it. I’m not hiding what I am these days, may as well have the whole image.” You said light-heartedly.

Hunter cupped your jaw and kissed you gently, both of you sighing contentedly into the sensation before Wrecker’s hesitant voice echoed through the comms.

“Um, Hunter… I hope I’m not interrupting eh anything now but um I was wondering if I could come back? I’ve started to wander in circles and I’m getting some suspicious looks.”

The two of you chuckled.

“Poor guy.” You said with a humorous shake of your head.

“Yeah, Wrecker, head on back and we can get outta here.” Hunter replied through his comm.

“Wrecker, how’d you fancy having an excuse to shoot at me?” You said into your comm, and the intrigued but excited cheer told you your answer.

“Shoot you?” Hunter repeated, titling his head at you inquisitively.

You grinned as you clipped your lightsaber to your waist. “Yeah, how else did you think I was going to train?”

--

“That’s 15 to 11!” Wrecker whooped as you came to after his stun blast hit your back.

Fuck you. You jabbed playfully as you accepted Hunter’s outstretched hand. He tugged you to your feet.

“You’re lasting longer.” Hunter commented supportively and- knowing you would want to go immediately again- walked away to take up his position.

You wiped the dirt from your clothing and removed your mask to take some deep breaths and find your centre again. Taking on jobs, following leads, mediating and lightsaber training… that was how you balanced your time; you were feeling more like the person you had been before your world had been torn apart. You’d never be able to be her again, but you could own who you are now and allow yourself to feel the emotions you’d been struggling against without suffocating in them anymore.

“But still not long enough!” Wrecker goaded. “I’ll always be in the lead!”

You didn’t take the bait. Instead, you took off your armour, gloves, and long-sleeved top.

“Hey, wait a minute, that’s not fair.” Wrecker protested.

Hunter turned inquisitively and his breath hitched. A soft sheen of sweat graced your skin and your body rippled with strength and untapped potential… and fuck did it make his heart skip a beat and his blood run hot. He was grateful his helmet was still on because the way his eyes widened would’ve given you too much material to work with right now, but he wasn’t able to hide the way his hand slightly fumbled as he unholstered his blaster. He wasn’t embarrassed by finding you attractive in this way, the frequent teasing he’d often received for it just made it harder to focus on the task at hand.

“The training stays the same and my strategy is my own. It’s not supposed to have an effect on you anyway.” You retorted with a smug grin as Hunter’s reaction went exactly as you’d anticipated.

“You better not mess this up for us, Hunter.” Wrecker warned as he shoved his brother’s shoulder to snap him out his reverie.

You laughed to yourself as you watched them. You picked up your lightsaber and ignited it, the blue blade thrumming at your side, and you felt that rush of connection and security. Having a blaster by your side was nothing compared to this.

It was a powerful sight that Hunter never got used to and quite frankly, part of him was relieved he’d never come across you as an official Jedi General during the war because if his reaction to seeing you train and work towards unlocking whatever you had been tampering down for so many years was anything to by, he would’ve gotten himself shot a long time ago- half your earlier victories came from redirecting his own stun blasts to him.

You got into your stance and faced the two clones as they readied their blasters. “Alright, let’s go again.”

<Previous Oneshot

Tagging: @noeasyisnoisy, @fuckoffthanos, @tpwkcalli, @graciexmarvel, @arctrooper69, @nightmonkeysstuff, @starwarsnerd111, @brujaporfavor, @flyingkangaroo, @sunkissedclones, @ladytano420, @keep-calm-and-drink-caf, @yyourmotherr, @xxeiraxx, @dragonrider9905, @skellymom, @lokigirlszendaya

[sadiecoocoo]

TBB Fanfiction: Wrecker is the Bestest Brother

Relationships - wrecker & Hunter, Wrecker & tech, Wrecker & Crosshair, Wrecker & Echo, Wrecker & Omega

Characters - wrecker, tech, hunter, echo, omega, crosshair, Lula

Tags/warnings - no warnings apply, 5+1 things, fluff and angst, platonic cuddling, brotherly affection, sibling bonding, Hunter has sensory processing issues, hurt Hunter, protective wrecker, soft wrecker, emotionally intelligent wrecker, good sibling wrecker, Crosshair has PTSD, Crosshair angst, Crosshair needs a hug, hurt Crosshair, tech is autistic, tech needs a hug, hurt tech, echo needs a hug, hurt echo, echo has ptsd, omega needs a hug, hurt omega, nightmares, other tags to be added

Summary - Wrecker is a lot more emotionally intelligent than people give him credit for. Sometimes he even notices things that his brothers don't. And most of the time, he's happy to help his brothers with anything they need.

five times Wrecker comforts his brothers and sister, five times they do the same

(Title is subject to change)

Chapters - 7/10

Current word count - 8,067

Link -

[ladyzirkonia]

Welcome my dear fellows.

I made another bigger update to my main Masterlist now The Bad Batch season 3 ended. Added some OC stuff (we love OCs in this house!) and a lot of GIFs and Edits. Have fun! 🖤

RP-blogs:

Renegade 99 Squad Crosshair - @toothpick-man

Nite Owl RP-blog - @nite-owl-with-attitude

Knife skill challenge - Hunter and Nite Owl

bg3-blog: @lady-of-waterdeep

Z's suicide squad

Jurij ''just Doc'' Vega - Cybernetic specialist, mad scientist and clone activist - Doc's Masterlist

Ekaterina ''Captain Z'' Zhakov - Ex-Imperial, starfighter pilot and Rampart's chaotic pain in the ass - Introduction

Fanfiction

Collecting some data - Tech x Reader (''Fascinating'')

The perfect drift - Tech x Reader

Eye Rolls & Travel-Biscuits - A little Rampart One-Shot

The Bad Batch Modern Tattoo Shop AU - Tech and Crosshair/OC

Commander Ghoul x Doc - OC x OC (Part 1 - Part 2)

The Clone x Reader Bingo Event

Masterlist here.

My Edits (please credit if you use)

The Bad Batch

Tech in ''The Crossing''

My favorite twins - Tech and Crosshair

The First Battle Memorial of Geonosis - Crosshair

Tech in ''Faster'' - Part 1

Tech in ''Faster'' - Part 2

Neon lights Part 2 - Hunter

Neon lights - Crosshair

Angry boy Crosshair

Looking respectfully - Tech and Hunter

Good morning - Crosshair

Grumpy Crosshair, Wrecker and Lula

The clone/Twi'lek couple

Commander Mayday

Tech in ''The Metamorphosis''

The Bad Batch Season 3

Masterlist - PART 1 - PART 2

The Clone Wars

Juicy Jesse looking at me - with Kix

Look at these crazy boys - Bad Batch (Clone Wars)

Sassy Cody and Baby Rex

Phantom Liberty video edit - Commander Fox

It's hard to be the one who survives - Commander Cody

The faces of Commander Wolffe

Code red - Commander Fox

Masterlist Here.

The Bad Batch and Clone stuff

Incorrect Quotes

Commander Wolffe and Commander Fox

Our favorite twins - Tech and Crosshair

Bad Batch incorrect quote

Memes and rumbles

Mr. tits and Mr. I'm standing there like a model - Jesse and Tech

Every day I wake up meme with Tech

Lost my fucking cat - Crosshair

Shoutout to all my clone- and tech-girlies - Tech x Phee

protective clone (The Last Of Us) submission

The Tech-Turn

I belong with Wrecker but I fear for my spine - Bad Batch quiz

The Kinner Brothers and Cidgor

I have to confess this man does something to me - Dr. Hemlock

Hunter - Joel Miller era

Echo and some grief

The Crossing

Just some random Star Wars stuff

Mandalorian armor culture

Mandalorian tenets or the six actions

Patental divorce - Mando'a

Real talk - about shipping and romances

Space Utah appreciation post

Grief - Tech x Phee and Kanan x Hera

Ahsoka Trailor Star Wars Celebration - Screenshots

I'm so excited for my favorite blueberry! - Ezra Bridger

Were is Captain Rex? Is he safe? Is he alive? - Ahsoka Trailer

Jedi Survivor got me like this

Hottest shit on the Mandalorian throne - Darth Maul

Mandalorian women and light saber - Bo-Katan and Sabine

Cyberpunk 2077 (photomode)

Chippin in - Johnny

Who allowed you smiling like that? - Johnny

Just hanging around - Johnny

Hey choom - Johnny

[fanfictasia]

Winter Force 99 Chapter 5 - Pabu, a star wars: the bad batch fanfic | FanFiction

Winter Force 99 - Chapter 5 - Pabu - Wattpad

[wild-karrde]

#FandomFriday Part two of two rec. “Tambor’s Monster” by @eclec-tech. It’s a first person perspective from Echo as Frankenstein’s monster (Tambor’s monster in this case). It’s a Bad Batch and Frankenstein fan fic since the author is using a similar narrative style from Mary Shelly’s novel. This is super excellent melodramatic storytelling! It’s angsty, but not cloying or silly. Snooty literary types will call it the Romantic period style. This is not the same as modern day romance novels, more like “Wuthering Heights” and “Jayne Eyre”. Makes sense since Shelly was a contemporary of that period. Dang, now I sound like a snooty literary type. Lol! Tumblr link below.

https://www.tumblr.com/eclec-tech/730376663962107904/tambors-monster

AHHHHH ok ok this is just such a cool concept (I know I already said this on the artwork, but I STAND BY IT). We all know I love a holiday-themed fanwork, but I think this story just fits Echo so wonderfully and just thinking about it makes me feel all angsty and warm. I will absolutely be checking this out! Thanks so much for the rec!

Participate in Fandom Friday to show your favorite creators from this week some love! :)

[a-single-tulip]

Ooooh, you know I love me some Crosshair feels! This man is so emotionally constipated, and you write that so damn well, I love love love it sm Great work as always <3

hello dear. for the kiss prompts, may i please see ‘a possessive kiss in the rain’ with crosshair? 👀

hiiii friend, thank you so much for your patience for the wait. the muse has been extra fickle since October, but I hope this is worth the wait <3

Uncertain Tomorrows

Summary: Actions speak louder than words. Aka, Crosshair isn't good at emotions.

Warnings: blog is 18+; angst (it's Crosshair, what do you expect), miscommunication / lack of communication, pre-Echo, swearing

Word Count: 688

Chewing on the inside of your cheek so hard you’re liable to draw blood, you can’t help the way you’re glaring at Crosshair’s back. He’s perched on the edge of a high stool at the bar, long legs crossed at the ankle, twirling a whiskey glass between thin fingers. You’re supposed to be enjoying shore leave, the first one the squad has had in months, and yet all you feel is pissy. 

Earlier in the night, you’d deboarded the Marauder with the others, all of you in civvies and in high spirits, even Crosshair. You feel like you’ve finally been able to get a decent grasp on reading him and his moods, and the loose way his toothpick had hung between his lips was clear indication that he was relaxed, ready for a break. You all were. 

Apparently, Crosshair’s idea of a break is chatting up women at the cantina bar. 

You’re not together. You have to remind yourself of that. Despite the mutual longing glances, neither of you have acted on your feelings, whether by mutual respect for one another or by fear of tearing the squad apart. So it shouldn’t sting as much as it does to watch him toss easy smirks at the pretty woman at the bar right now. 

But it does. 

Hunter gives you a sympathetic look as you finally decide you’ve had enough and scoot out of the booth. With Wrecker across the cantina hustling pool and Tech acting as his number two, the only one who will know where you’ve gone at this point is Hunter. Which also shouldn’t sting, but it does. 

The moment you step outside, you’re met with a bone-chilling rain. Breath fogging in front of your face, you shiver, pulling your jacket tighter around you. The spaceport isn’t too terribly far, but you’re already beginning to regret coming outside. 

Whatever. It beats going back inside.

You only make it a few steps, ice needling into your skin, before the cantina door opens behind you. Warm light and laughter spill out, inviting you back. Glancing over your shoulder, you grimace. 

“I’m going back to the ship,” you call. 

“I know,” Crosshair responds.

“You should go back in,” you say, turning to face forward once more, hunching your shoulders against the cold. “She looked nice.” 

He calls your name, but you keep walking. 

You gasp when a hand grips your upper arm and spins you around. Colliding with Crosshair’s chest, you glare up at him and open your mouth to rip him a new one—

Only to grunt in surprise when his lips meet yours. 

Jerking back, you try to break from his embrace. His hands remain on your arms, though he lets you step back. 

“What the fuck, Cross?” you snarl. “You think it’s cool to just—toy with my emotions like this?” 

“No,” he grits out. 

You wait, but that seems to be all he wants to say. Rain streams down your face, the cold an afterthought now with the anger burning through you. 

“That all you have to say for yourself?”

His jaw works as he gazes at you, his short gray hair plastered to his head. Nostrils flaring, he looks away. “No. I’m—I’m not good at this. Clearly. But I don’t know—I don’t know how to—Kriff it! Can I kiss you again or not?” 

All of your anger condenses into a single burning, molten dagger in your heart as you stand there, jaw dropped as you weigh his words. This is so far from how you ever would have expected this confession to go, for either of you, and yet the opportunity is here. If you let it go, tell him no, he’s going to respect that. 

And you’ll have missed your shot. 

You pull him back to you and kiss him. It’s a hungry, desperate, possessive kiss, full of teeth and tongue. Cold rain water sluices off your skin as you swallow his moan. 

You don’t know what this means—you don’t know where to go from here—but Crosshair is in your embrace, and all you know is that you don’t intend to let him go.

Ragu: @dystopicjumpsuit @clonemedickix @littlemissmanga @wolffegirlsunite @anxiouspineapple99 @wings-and-beskar @sinfulsalutations @523rdrebel @sunshinesdaydream @moonlightwarriorqueen @sev-on-kamino @starrylothcat @deejadabbles @starqueensthings @mandos-mind-trick @idontgetanysleep @eyeluvmusic21 @wizardofrozz @mythical-illustrator @sleepycreativewriter @bobaprint @dickarchivist @a-single-tulip @thorsterstrudle @droids-you-are-looking-for @goblininawig @cw80831 @mssbridgerton @dreamie411 @jedi-hawkins @lune-de-miel-au-paradis @9902sgirl

[redhairedmuses]

WIP Wednesday

It’s that time of the week where ya girl is writing angst about Clones and she has no regrets! So please enjoy this angsty morsel to fill your hearts and souls. 

Tagging: @tkwritesdumbassassins​ and @satashiiwrites​

***

“Do you think there could be more clones?” he asked her. 

Omega shrugged. “I don’t know,” she confessed. “I’d like to think there’s still some clones who want out of the Empire, and that maybe we could do something to help them. Like we did with Gregor. But…”

Hunter’s brow arched. “But what?” 

Omega sat up straighter and peered over her shoulder. Hunter sensed there was something larger weighing on her mind. He followed her line of sight and noticed she was looking at Echo who was fast asleep in his chair. There was a sadness in her eyes as the pair of them watched his chest rose and fell in a steady pattern, assuring Hunter that the cyborg would not wake for several more hours. 

“Who’s Fives?” she asked. 

Hunter was taken back. How Omega came to hear that name was a surprise for him. 

He’d heard Echo mention Fives in passing a few times, but he had yet to gain the whole story. He knew what the Republic report had said. A rogue trooper snapped and attempted to kill the Chancellor only to be shot and killed by the Guard after being cornered in an alley. 

And after their motley crew rescued Echo and Order 66… Fives was right. He’d been right all along. 

Hunter heaved a deep sigh, breathing through his nose. “Why do you ask?” 

“I heard Echo talking in his sleep,” Omega said. “He kept saying "Fives” over and over again.”

“As much as I’d like to tell you about Fives, I didn’t really know him,” Hunter said, honest. His gaze flickered over to Echo. “But what I do know is that he and Echo were close. Fives died on Coruscant before we rescued Echo. Rex was the one who told him what happened to Fives… he, he didn’t take it well.”

Hunter remembered the sheer look of pain and distraught on Echo’s face as Rex spoke the words, “I’m sorry, vod. Fives’... he’s gone.” Echo stood in shock for a moment before he sank to his knees and screamed, and screamed, and screamed until Rex joined him on the ground and took him into his arms. It was a sight he’d seen a few times in his life. Brothers crying for their fallen brothers who had marched on while they were left to keep fighting and dying for the Republic.

[rose-of-gabriel]

Chapter 5: Delirium

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 5

No matter how many times Crosshair forces himself into civilian clothes, he still hates it. He especially hates wearing clothes tailored for someone Wrecker’s size, the hooded poncho hanging off his lean frame like he’s a cadet still waiting to hit their growth spurt. Even without the hat – which he’d adamantly refused to wear – he still looks like he’s begging to be mugged. Hunter is even worse, walking around dressed like a kriffing farmer. The fact that no one’s accosted them yet is baffling, though the concealed pistol at Cross’ side and the vibroblade in his boot would make for a very short fight.

Tech hadn’t been exaggerating. Imperial presence here is nothing compared to other occupations Crosshair’s witnessed. As his vod explained this morning, the Imps’ main objective on Ord Mantell is to wipe out the reigning crime syndicates, not hemorrhage time and resources chasing down individual fugitives. Normally, this would work in the Batch’s favor, unless, of course, their mission involves infiltrating an Imperial stronghold, incidentally putting them right on the edge of Black Sun territory. Crosshair pulls the hood tighter around his face, ready for this whole karking ordeal to be over.

They turn another corner and immediately spot the guard tower that’s been not-so-subtly installed atop what, according to Tech, was some kind of municipal building. The new, shining durasteel clashes with the building’s worn exterior like a fungus overtaking a dying tree. Hunter spares Cross a brief glance, asking under his breath, “Tsikala?”

Crosshair can’t help but scoff. “I’m always ready.” He growls before ducking down the next side street. Hunter continues on, heading toward the far end of the building where he’ll conduct his own recon before circling back. Cross sinks into a crouch as he reaches the alley that runs parallel to the main drag. Moving swiftly, he comes up on the eastside of the building without seeing so much as a maintenance droid.

It’d be a lie to say he’s not just a little bit disappointed. His fingers have been itching to shoot something ever since they found out Omega is sick, since Hunter’s face took on that gutted expression that hasn’t gone away. Again, the demon in Crosshair’s chest rears its head at the thought of his brother’s suffering. It’s a parasite between his ribs, feeding off his jealousy and anger and the guilt that always follows.

More than anything, he wants to put this demon to rest, to look at his aliitwithout losing himself to the maelstrom his emotions. He wonders if this darkness has always been there, inside of him, or if he did something to invite it in and encourage it to stay.

“It’s not your fault.” The kid assured him with a gentle hand on his shoulder. She stared up at him with vivid brown eyes – eyes he’d seen hundreds upon hundreds of times, yet none making him feel as seen or exposed as this kid did. “You can’t help it.”

Crosshair shakes his head, muttering a curse as he refocuses on the task at hand. He moves in closer, a deep unease settling in his stomach as he fully realizes what is at stake. If something happens to Omega, if she doesn’t recover, it will kill his brothers, and the darkness will eat Crosshair alive.

≈≈≈

They regroup at one of the buildings on the opposite side of the street, using an old-fashioned fire escape to gain access to the roof. There’s an enormous billboard advertising some local eatery that keeps them hidden from view of the guard tower, giving them a perfect vantage point of the front entrance. Hunter arrives just after Crosshair, the sniper stowing his pistol as quickly as he’d drawn it.

“Me’vaar ti gar?” Hunter says lowly, as if they may be overheard even up here.

Cross inclines his head toward the roof’s edge and they both creep over. “There’s nothing on the eastside except a few trash chutes. They’re not wide enough to climb through but rappelling between them should give us cover from the street and sit in the blind spot of the tower.”

Hunter nods. “There’s a south and a westside entrance, four guards each. Haven’t seen them rotate yet.”

Crosshair groans internally, knowing what their next objective is. The following half hour passes with insulting lethargy, made worse by Hunter’s compulsory need to check his comm every two minutes. A biting remark about daddy’s little girl dies in his throat, thinking of Omega’s white-knuckle grip on the rim of the toilet as her body performed its own exorcism. It reminds him of the nights he and Hunter would spend with their eyes shut tight as migraines ripped through their heads, or the intense growing pains that would leave Wrecker bedbound, writhing, and inarticulate.

The regs had no idea what it was like. They didn’t grow up with sickness the way he and his brothers did. Occasionally, a battalion would fall victim to some Separatist bioweapon, leaving troopers vomiting blood or covered in whelks, but that was a novelty, a gossip-worthy event. No one batted an eye when Tech was kept awake for days at a time, testing his mind’s endurance as well as his intellect. No one cared that, unlike the regs, the Batchers were constantly in and out of stasis tubes, their brains and bodies pried apart for the Kaminoans to study. That’s how it had always been for Clone Force 99.

Seeing Omega suffer because of what the karking long-necks had done – or in this case, failed to do – to her, it’s hard to see her as anything other than what she is. Their vod. Their aliit, bound to them by trauma and blood.

Movement on the street snaps Crosshair from his thoughts. Four guards have arrived to replace those stationed at the main entrance. He scowls. “It’s not the hour. Think they’re changing at random intervals?”

Hunter sighs. “Only one way to find out.” He shimmies away from the roof’s edge and sits back on his heels. “I’ll stay here and monitor the guard changes. You head into town and pick up the supplies.”

Crosshair rolls his eyes. As if Hunter will be of any use while his mind is stuck firmly back on the ship. “Don’t be an idiot.” He sneers and goes on before Hunter can argue. “Just get the supplies and go. I’ll head back when I figure out the pattern.”

Hunter opens his mouth slightly, like he feels he should argue but ultimately knows he doesn’t want to. He wants to get back to the ship as soon as possible. Any idiot would understand why. What Crosshair doesn’t expect is for Hunter to just keep… looking at him. There’s a solid twenty seconds where Hunter just stares at him with this confusing expression that makes Crosshair’s hair stand on end.

“What the kriff are you waiting for?” He snaps, pulling out his quadnocs and turning back to the municipal building. “We’ve got shit to do.”

He refuses the take the device away from his face as he hears Hunter exhale, “Thanks, Cross.”

His nearly silent footsteps retreat toward the fire escape. Crosshair chews on the corner of his lip, panic suddenly rising in his throat like bile. “Wait, Hunter!” He shouts. His brother turns immediately, hand shooting to where Cross knows he’s concealing a dagger. Even at this distance, the sharpshooter can make out every fleck of grey in the familiar brown of his eyes. He feels foolish and stupid, but the words are out of his mouth before he can second guess them. “You’ll comm me if something happens.”

It’s almost a question, which speaks more to the pain and hurt between them than anything else that’s been said since Crosshair came home. Hunter’s eyebrows knit together for a moment. Then his face hardens into something ardent and protective, and Crosshair thinks, for the first time in a while, that protectiveness might extend to him, too – and even more surprising, Crosshair doesn’t mind it.

“Of course.” Hunter says, and disappears over the ledge.

≈≈≈

Grief – as it had been rather clinically explained to Omega – was a great sadness experienced after someone’s death. The brain was overcome with neurochemicals and hormones that affected memory, cognition, attention span, even appetite. Symptoms often compounded into a mental state known in layman’s terms as ‘grief brain.’ Sometimes Omega thought she had grief brain, but logic told her that wasn’t possible, that you couldn’t mourn someone you didn’t know.

CT-4501 was laid out on the exam table, his lower body covered in a thin sheet. The absence of life dulled his tan skin, but his chest and arms were still covered in a tapestry of blue and green ink. It was oddly complementary of his bright pink hair, which had been tragically cut short while his body was being processed.

Omega knew not to ask his name. “Irrelevant,” they would tell her. “The subject’s designation is all that you require.”

Maybe they were right. Maybe it would only hurt more to know the names of the troopers who were sent here, the ones that died unexpectedly and needed to be studied. CT-4501 suffered a cerebral aneurysm while stationed on Chandrila, which may not have gained the Kaminoans’ attention if he wasn’t the third of his batch to suffer the same fate.

Omega’s heart twisted in sympathy, imagining what the sudden, unexplained losses must have meant for their brothers. Though she was forbidden from discussing the nature of Nala Se’s research with anyone outside the lab – not that she really saw anyone from outside the lab – Omega dreamed of discovering what caused CT-4501’s death so that she might tell his squad why this happened and maybe give them a little peace. Maybe it would protect them from getting grief brain.

Maybe, in exchange, they would tell her his name, whether he chose it himself or if it had been a gift. She thought Neon suited him, or maybe Blaze. Something bright and fierce that made his brothers smile when they said it. She smiled too, just a little, imaging the force of nature he must have been during his life.

“Have you found something amusing, Ω-219?” Omega nearly jumped at the drone of Lama Su’s voice. She’d forgotten that he was visiting the lab today, increasingly concerned with the possible defects in the 45-line.

Her smile immediately vanished. “No, sir. CT-4501 is prepped and ready for examination.”

Nala Se left her workstation to join them at the exam table. “Omega, would you kindly brief the Prime Minister on the objectives of today’s study?”

Omega swallowed. “Yes, mistress. CT-4501 suffered a ruptured cerebral aneurysm while off-duty on Chandrila. He is the third member of the 45-line to die from intracerebral bleeding. A postmortem craniotomy is required to determine the cause, mode, and manner of death and evaluate any underlying conditions that may be present in the 45-line.”

Lama Su betrayed nothing in his expression. “And how would you begin such a procedure?”

Omega tried to be objective, reciting the steps that she’d memorized and not think about them happening to CT-4501. “An incision is made at the base of the skull, extending from the back of one ear to the other. Once the scalp is removed, the skull is cut using the vibrosaw and the brain can be extracted from the cranial vault.”

The Prime Minister looked between Omega and her mentor, his eyes changing in some way that made Omega squirm. “Impressive.” He said, addressing Nala Se. “You have done well to harness the young clone’s intellect.”

She’s breathed the tiniest sigh of relief and stepped back to let the surgical droids through, but Lama Su raised his hand, and she froze. “How many of these procedures have you observed, Ω-219?”

Omega panicked for a second, feeling as though she were being tested. She’d observed Nala Se perform several postmortem examinations, though none with the explicit purpose of investigating possible defects. They’d been for Nala Se’s own research, or at least that’s what the girl had assumed, but was it wrong to tell Lama Su this? Her mentor was incredibly private about her work, but she’d also told Omega to never keep information from her superiors.

She looked briefly to Nala Se, who gave her a small nod. Omega straightened. “Eighteen, sir.” She answered honestly. It occurred to her just then that she’d seen more dead bodies than years she’d been alive.

Lama Su’s expression sharped into something quite frightening and Omega wondered if she’d misinterpreted her mentor’s signal. The Prime Minister turned his scrutiny to Nala Se. “I believe the young clone is more than ready to play a supporting role in this operation.” He inclined his head briefly to Omega. “You may proceed.”

Omega’s blood ran cold. Around her, medical droids buzzed about, setting up instruments and getting the body into position, but it was all happening at such a distance, like she’d been teleported into the sky and was looking down on the scene from above.

“Prime Minister,” Nala Se spoke up, shifting closer to Omega, “my expertise will be critical in determining the nature of CT-4501’s defect. While Omega is technically skilled, she does not possess the qualifications necessary to perform such a procedure.”

Lama Su narrowed his depthless eyes. “Which is why you will still be the chief examiner. I am simply recognizing that the clone’s supposed skills are wasted as a mere observer. Ω-219, you are Nala Se’s designated medical assistant, are you not?”

It took too long for Omega’s awareness to override her terror. “I- uh… I’m… y-yes.” She felt dizzy as she squeaked, “Yes, sir.”

“Then do not waste anymore time.” The Kaminoan ordered, moving away from the surgical field, though his presence still loomed over them.

Omega couldn’t breathe.

CT-4501 was a person, with tattoos and scars and stories. He was a soldier with brothers who loved and mourned him, a man with whom she shared blood but didn’t know his name. She couldn’t do this. She’d watched Nala Se pull clones apart down to their marrow, but she’d been able to hold herself at arm’s length, retreat into the recesses of her mind until she could convince herself it wasn’t really happening.

Nala Se’s voice somehow reached her despite the blood pounding in her ears. “Come, Omega. I have every confidence in you.”

There was a venom hidden in the sweetness of her encouragement, a reminder. Be vigilant, it warned. The Kaminoans do not tolerate inefficacies. With trembling hands, Omega accepted the surgical gloves offered to her by a 2-1B droid. Her legs possessed a greater sense of propriety than her brain, the latter screaming at her to turn and run, the other carrying her dutifully forward.

Once they were wearing the proper medical coverings, Nala Se turned to her pupil, expectantly. “Are you ready to begin?”

Another droid placed a scalpel in Omega’s hand, the metal tool burning like dry ice. Every nerve-ending felt as if it were on fire and if Omega tried to respond, smoke would come pouring out of her mouth. But her superior had asked a question, and they always expected an answer, so she inhaled, her mouth tasting like ash, and said, “Yes, mistress.”

✧

Omega sits bolt upright, choking on the acrid taste in her mouth. She gags over and over again, trying to expunge the embers smoldering in her stomach, burning through her body and setting fire to her blood. Soot lines her throat as she heaves another ragged breath.

Someone shushes her, a voice she’s heard in echoes throughout Tipoca City, yet not quite the same. “Deep breaths, vod’ika. Like me.” The voice takes a slow inhale, then releases it in an exhale that ghosts across her face.

Omega blinks, fighting her heavy eyelids open each time. Beside her, there is a man with yellow-tinted goggles and a black under suite, the symbol of the Republic printed on his shoulder. He’s still breathing in a steady rhythm waiting for her to copy. Is he a doctor? Has something happened to her?

She jolts when a hand cups her jaw, another wiping around her mouth with something soft and smelling of antiseptic. “Sorry.” The man says. “There’s a little spit-up.”

So, he is a doctor? A human doctor? Why isn’t she being evaluated by Nala Se or one of the other Kaminoans?

Omega turns her head to take in her surroundings. Her muscles lag behind her thoughts and she has to fight her body into doing what she wants. The room around her shifts in and out of focus, but she knows that this is no Kaminoan facility. Is this another test?

There’s a buzzing in her ear, and she realizes the man beside her is speaking. “Omega, are you alright? How are you feeling?”

She startles when he doesn’t use her designation. Only Nala Se speaks to her like that. What is this? “I… I’m…” The words turn to vapor in her mouth. Something is wrong, here. She needs answers, needs to run, but shadows dance across her vision and the room won’t stop spinning.

“Are you hungry?” The man says. “You haven’t eaten anything since you were sick yesterday.”

Sick? She’s not sick, she can’t be. Clones do not get sick. Sick clones are defective. Defective clones die horribly, and their brothers never know what happened to them. Sick clones do not have names. Sick clones are torn apart and studied in pieces. She is not sick. She is not sick. She is not sick.

“I’m… no… I’m not…”

Her heart thunders in her chest, eyes stinging as sweat drips in at the corners. Why is it so hot? She moves to wipe her sleeve across her forehead but finds her arm encumbered, a sharp pain ringing out from the crook of her elbow.

“Careful.” The man pulls her arm down and her stomach churns at the sight of the tube penetrating her skin.

There had been a test, and clearly, she’d failed.

She is being processed. They are going to take her to the lab. Nala Se is going to cut open her head and dig around her brain until they discover what’s wrong with her. No one will know what happened to her. No one will miss her.

But she’s not sick.

She’s not sick.

She’s not sick!!

Omega throws up her other hand, trying with all her might to pull the tube free, but her muscles are barely cooperating. “I’m… not… sick…” she wheezes.

“Omega, please stop.” The man pulls her hand away, holding both firmly in his grasp. “I know you don’t like needles, but –”

“No!” She shrieks, some hidden strength allowing her weak mind to focus, to do something. “I’m not sick!” She wrenches her left arm from his grip and pushes against his chest. “Stay out of my head!”

She’s vaguely aware of her skin splitting, of her blood seeping out from under the medical tape. The man doesn’t budge, capturing Omega’s wrist. The pain shocks her into stillness for a moment and she cries out. The man immediately lets go, then closes his fists around Omega’s forearms.

“Omega,” he calls to her as if she’s in another room, “you’re safe. I need you to calm down.”

“No!” She tries to kick him, tries to tug her arms free, but her veins are filling with tar. Blackness creeps into the corners of her vision and the room is a blur of metal. Still, she has to fight, she has to.

“I don’t want to die here!”

The pressure on her arms finally loosens and she scrambles backward. Her elbow connects with the wall as her limbs try to follow her brain’s directive, but everything is so muddled and confusing. There’s a disastrous moment where she her hands connect with nothing and her head pitches back – she must have reached the end of the exam table. Then there’s something solid around her shoulders and under her knees, cradling her against cool plastoid. It’s such a relief on her burning skin that she forgets to run, simply melts against whatever is holding her.

“Aw, kid,” a voice booms far too loudly, “what’s the matter?”

Omega groans. She’s too hot and tired and confused to play whatever game this is. That’s all her life has ever been – games and tests – and no matter what Nala Se says, she always feels like she’s losing.

“I don’t want to die here.” She admits, throat so raw she can’t manage more than a whisper. Her consciousness is slipping, she can feel it, and the last thing she remembers is feeling utterly and completely alone.

[pyrrhicraven]

Liquid dribbled from the giant test tube, old bodies floating in fluid. Omega skittish looked around her. Where were the bounty hunters? Something creaked near her and she ducked behind a tube. Bane looked around as he came into sight.

He had to know she was here. Something let out a low growl and Bane froze, hand on his blaster. A figure emerged from the dark, a armored person thin and tall slinked into sight.

"You do not belong here. " A woman then. Bane scoffed, his hand not leaving his blaster.

"I have permission." He didn't seem like he wanted to talk to this woman, Omega didn't blame him. The woman scared her.

[hugmekenobi]

S2: The Bad Batch (6)

Chapter Six: Tribe

Gif by @dreamswithghosts

Hunter x femaleJedi!reader

Series Summary: Some time has passed since everything that happened at Kamino and you and the Batch are trying to figure out your place in the rapidly changing Imperial galaxy. And you're having to do all this whilst figuring out where your relationship with Hunter fits into it.

Chapter Summary: A mission from Cid sees you and the Batch dealing with something much bigger than what you had originally been expecting.

Masterlist for S1

<Previous Chapter

Genre: Friends (idiots) to Lovers (we're in the lovers stage now)

Chapter Warnings: Canon-typical violence, mild angst, fluff, my own fear of spiders being projected

Word Count: 6.4K

Author's notes: When this episode first aired, I got very excited for what it meant to my writing for this season so hope you enjoy! Also, I have arranged a cry for help with regards to Ch7 lol cause I have too many ideas so any assistance would be appreciated! xx

You’d been back on the Cid assigned missions for a while now, each one never quite the same so as the ship pulled into the most recent mission location, you couldn’t help but wonder what this one would have in store.

The ship touched down and you all left the ship, coverings, and helmets on.

“Cid said the Vanguard Axis is notorious for illegal smuggling. So be ready for anything.” Hunter advised. “Wrecker, Tech, and I will make the delivery. Echo, (Y/N), and Omega. Guard the ship.” He directed.

The three of you waited as the others made their way through.

--

You and Omega were sat on the steps whilst Echo stayed standing next to you. All three of you were observing the droid activates around you.

“There’s something off about this place. I don’t like it.” Omega said uneasily.

“Yeah, me neither.” Echo concurred. “But we’re not staying for long. I’ll prep the ship.” He began to walk up the stairs.

You shuffled out the way and gave a distracted nod of agreement. There was a tingling in your spine you couldn’t quite shake. You clued into the Force around you and there was something almost… familiar in it. A presence you hadn’t felt since you’d been around your fellow Jedi. That alone was making you a bit jumpy. You didn’t know where that optimism or wishful thinking had come from.

Your head shot up, along with Omega’s at the sound of a howl and clattering in the distance. You both stood up. Omega looked to you.

You nodded your permission and together, you both set off to see what was making the noise.

--

As you moved the maze of shipping containers in the direction of the commotion, you found that whatever it was you were sensing earlier on grew stronger and you couldn’t understand why, and it was driving you up the wall. It was only when you felt Omega tug on your arm that you realised that you’d stopped moving. You shook your shoulders and the two of you hid by some of the crates and watched in horror as you saw an adolescent Wookiee being jabbed with electro-staffs by two of the droids.

“Stop! You’re hurting him!” Omega yelled as she ran over.

Since you couldn’t and wouldn’t want to stop her, you followed.

“Halt, humanoids.” The droid ordered. “Do not interfere with Vanguard Axis business.”

Any retort died on your lips as you stared at the Wookiee. What you were feeling was coming from him but that didn’t make any sense. It couldn’t make sense… You didn’t have the chance to think about it for long since the Wookiee took the opportunity of the droids being distracted to leap up and disarm one of the droids. He knocked it down and then swiftly stabbed the second one with the staff. But his shoulders slumped with exhaustion, and it was then you saw with the droid he’d originally forced to the ground make a move to grab him. You and Omega each fired a shot, and the droid was destroyed.

The Wookiee turned and stared at the two of you.

You didn’t have time to stick around as you heard the door behind you whirr open. “More are coming. Hurry!” You said and the three of darted back into the rows of cargo.

--

In all the sneaking around, the young Wookiee had separated from the two of you. You turned the corner but were greeted by one of the droids.

“Halt-” It didn’t get to finish the command due to the electro-staff that came down on its head.

You and Omega watched as the Wookiee jumped down from the droid and made his way past you.

“Not that way.” Omega hissed.

You both followed to find him urgently searching through one of the containers.

“What are you doing? You need to go before they find you.” You warned.

“Omega, (Y/N), let’s get back to the ship.” Echo said as he walked through the door.

The Wookiee snarled in the direction of the newcomer.

Echo took half a step back.

“It’s okay. He’s a friend.” Omega comforted. It had little effect; the Wookiee just turned and ran back the way you all had come from. “Wait!” Omega called, getting ready to go.

Echo put his mechanical arm in front of the young girl and turned to you.

His helmeted gaze just screamed ‘the two of you couldn’t stay out of trouble for two minutes?’. “Those droids are after him.” You explained. You omitted your personal conundrum for the moment.

“Come on!” Omega said before she ran after the Wookiee.

You titled your head and Echo who merely sighed before he started to run too.

--

The other three were nearly done securing the deal when the main droid’s comm beeped and the sound of blaster fire echoed through before the droid on the other end spoke.

“We have a situation.”

“Problem?” Hunter asked innocently as the message ended, knowing full well that whatever was happening had something to do with his remaining team.

The droid said nothing. He walked away and took the rest of the droids in the room to assess what the issue was.

“The cause of that blaster fire is from one of the other three. I’d say it’s most likely (Y/N) or Omega.” Tech hypothesised. Just as he said that their comms chirped, and it was Echo’s voice that came through.

“Hunter, we need backup now.”

--

The four of you took cover behind a box and looked at the group of Axis droids ahead of you.

“What sort of treachery is this?” The lead droid demanded as he saw his prize with the smuggling group.

“Stay back!” Omega ordered as she drew her bow.

You, Echo, and the Wookiee raised your blasters.

The lead droid wasn’t put off. He waved his droids forward, but any advance was cut off as a shot came in from the right and the leader of the group, he had been dealing with had disarmed one of his droids.

“They’re with us.” Hunter said coolly.

The lead droid turned to him. “I would advise you to take your soldiers and extricate yourselves from the situation.”

“No! They’re going to hurt him.” Omega said.

The droid faced the young girl. “Oh, on the contrary. The Wookiee is worth a great deal to our buyer. Alive.”

“You can’t smuggle living beings.” You said, voice filled with disgust.

“For the right price, I can do whatever I want. Now stand down or be destroyed.”

Your reply didn’t come. Instead, whatever you had been sensing around that Wookie grew tenfold and your blaster arm lowered slightly as you stared at him. You weren’t alone either. Both you and Omega were looking at him as he raised his hands towards the lead droid.

What you saw next filled you with what you could only describe as pure, unadulterated joy with a bit of shock on the side. You’d never thought you’d see that weapon again, let alone see a Jedi holding one.

The Wookiee let out a roar and stood tall and ignited the lightsaber the head droid had stolen from him. The green blade shone brightly.

All hell broke loose, shots were being fired in all directions, but you didn’t care. You could barely think straight. You were frozen in place. All you cared about was what was happening in front of you. You’d been so sure they were all dead. You watched as he deflected bolts of blaster fire with ease, albeit his form was slightly unrefined but that was to be expected. He’d probably barely scratched the surface of his training before Order 66 happened.

Hunter watched your reaction, or lack thereof. You had made no moves to take cover or even fire back. He understood why, whatever surprise he and the others would be feeling, you would be experiencing it far more intensely, but it was stressing him out.

He and Tech pushed a repulsorcraft over to Wrecker who picked it up and used it as cover before throwing it into the ranks of the droids. Hunter jumped over it and used his vibroblade to stab another droid. He quickly made his way over to you and pulled you out of the line of fire. “Focus, stay with me, alright? You get killed here, everything you want to know goes unanswered, not to mention I’ll be severely pissed off, okay?”

You nodded and made yourself concentrate on getting out of here alive. There would be time for everything else later. You and Hunter started to provide cover fire so Omega and the Wookiee could get clear.

“Get to the ship.” Hunter instructed Omega.

“Come on!” She shouted to the Wookiee over the blaster fire.

The Wookiee grunted before he followed the girl out.

You and Hunter went next and all of you managed to get back to the ship hangar, but you saw the Wookiee hesitate as the rest of you boarded the ship.

“Hurry!” You encouraged as much as you could despite the continuous onslaught of blaster fire.

The Wookiee considered his options for a moment. He was unsure about this, but anything was better that whatever fate those droids had planned for him and there was something about you that made him trust you on instinct. He boarded the ship.

Tech got the ship in the air and managed to get out of range. He put the ship into the safety of hyperspace.

--

The others kept their eyes on you as you paced up and down the cockpit, mumbling to yourself and occasionally glancing to the Wookiee huddled in a corner by the steps to the Omega’s room.

“Are you gonna talk to him?” Wrecker asked you, his voice as quiet as he could manage.

“I don’t know.” You replied, still pacing, and wringing your hand anxiously.

“Well, don’t you want to tell him that he’s not the sole survivor?” Tech said, not fully grasping why you were so nervous to talk to him.

Hunter caught the upper part of your arm as you turned to continue walking. He spoke softly as he addressed you. “What’s on your mind?”

You released a long breath. “I don’t know how to start.”

Hunter waited for you to go on.

You started pacing again and your hands gripped the roots of your hair. ‘Hey kid, guess what, you’re not the only Jedi to have survived Order 66. Oh no, I wasn’t personally attacked, I actually left the Jedi Order way before it happened. Oh, things turned out okay for me in the grand scheme of things. I forgot all the rules of attachment, got a new family, and fell in love. How’d you survive? How long have you been on your own and where were you being smuggled to?” You rambled, your voice growing more and more distressed. You paused for a brief moment before continuing, “He’s been through so much and I… I got lucky and right now… right now that feels so wrong.” You said quietly as you ceased your stride once more.

They all looked at you with sympathetic eyes.

Hunter rested a hand on your shoulder. “You getting away and finding a new path isn’t something to feel guilty about. What’s important is he’s here now but he’s scared could probably use some good news.”

Omega picked up the ration box. “He also needs to eat. Why don’t I go first, and you can follow and go from there?”

You took another deep breath and nodded.

Omega walked up to the young Wookiee and placed the box down along with a water cannister. “Here. You look hungry.”

You sat down next to her and smiled at him. You noticed that he seemed to look at you a second longer than he did Omega which would make sense given the circumstances.

The Wookiee roared aggressively as he saw the clones appear behind the two of you.

Hunter and the other recoiled.

“What’s wrong?” Omega asked.

“He doesn’t trust us.” Hunter replied.

“Well, seeing how all clones were given an order to execute the Jedi, he has good reason to be cautious.”

Hunter took a small step forward and raised his hand to signify he meant no threat. “I’m sorry about what happened. But we are not like the other clones. We did not follow that order.” He sat in the chair across from one of the control panels. “And we don’t work for the Empire either.”

“Hunter’s telling the truth.” You reassured the Wookiee. “I-” You coughed and started again. “I wouldn’t be here if they had anything to do with the Empire or that Order.” You noticed the slight head tilt the Wookiee gave you. You inhaled deeply and channelled the Force and lifted the water cannister and put it into his paw.

The Wookie released a series of excited roars and launched himself at you.

You fell back with a laugh and patted his head.

“See, you don’t have to be afraid of us.” Omega said as the Wookie sat back again. She nudged the food back in front of his. “It’s okay, eat.”

The Wookiee looked to you.

You nodded reassuringly.

He dived into the food and water.

“I’m Omega. What’s you name?” She asked as she hopped up onto a bunk.

You all looked to Tech as the Wookiee replied but clearly it was a day to be filled with surprises because it wasn’t Tech who answered.

“My Wookiee is a little rusty, but I think he says his name is Gungi.” Hunter revealed.

You angled to face him; eyes wide. “You speak Wookiee?? How did I not know this?”

Hunter merely shrugged. “Never really came up in conversation.”

Well, you being bilingual has just increased your attractiveness and I didn’t think that was possible.

Hunter grunted a quiet laugh before Gungi started to speak again but he couldn’t quite get all the words. “You catch that?” He asked Tech.

Tech, being the only one with his helmet still on so he could translate, replied, “He’s been on the run since Order 66, and was attempting to reach the Wookiee homeworld of Kashyyyk before he was captured by those smuggling droids.”

“I’m not sure how you survived this long on your own, but it’s impressive.” Hunter admired.

Omega jumped back down. “If he’s trying to get to his homeworld, we can take him.”

“Been a while since we’ve been to Kashyyyk.” Wrecker said.

Hunter stood up and walked back to where Echo was standing in the hallway.

“The Empire could have outposts there by now.” Echo cautioned. “We don’t know if it’s safe for him there. If it’s safe for either of them.” He added as he looked towards you and Gungi.

Hunter sighed and laid a hand on his brother’s shoulder and looked back too. He saw you and Gungi playing a form of Force catch with Omega using the now empty water cannister. “They’re Jedi. They’re not safe anywhere.”

--

“Hunter, can you come back here please?” You called as Gungi had started to speak to you.

Hunter stood behind you and leaned against the wall.

“Okay, Gungi, can you repeat that please?” You requested.

Gungi did so and pushed the water cannister back into your hand.

“He wants to know your name and how you managed to escape the Order 66.” Hunter explained.

You told Gungi your name but saw his face frown. “Yeah, you probably wouldn’t have heard of me. I actually um left the Jedi Order a long time ago…. I left that life behind me a long time ago. I didn’t always get on with the members of the Order but what happened that day…” You placed your hand on Gungi’s paw. “No matter my feelings towards them, nobody deserved that. I’m- I’m so sorry.” It sounded like such a lame thing to say but you didn’t really know what else would make sense.

Gungi grumbled appreciatively and waited for you to carry on with your explanation.

You huffed out a quick breath. “Fast forward and I’ve met this group. That’s how I survived Order 66, I kept my previous life and identity pretty quiet. They only found out due to someone’s keen observations.” You added with a cheeky grin in Omega’s direction who smiled back at you and grabbed the water as it moved in the air towards her.

Gungi spoke again as he caught the cannister from Omega.

“He wants to know when you left.” Hunter translated.

“Umm…” You thought back. “Probably coming up on three years ago now. I don’t know how old you were or how much you knew her or the situation, but I left pretty soon after a Jedi called Ahsoka did.”

Gungi nodded his head and let out some happy roars.

“You knew her?” You asked with a smile as you received the water.

Gungi nodded again and grunted in your direction.

Hunter took a moment to make sure he understood everything before he told you what Gungi said, “He’s wondering if you know what’s happened to her since she left… if she also survived.”

You shook your head regretfully before you touched his arm as you saw his head hang. “But hey, you never know. I thought all the Jedi were gone and then you turned up.” That seemed to lift his spirits a little bit. He released another series of rumbles in your direction.

“I missed some of that, but I think he’s asking about how you ended up with us.” Hunter provided.

“I was on my own for a while when I came across them needing a bit of help. I was offered a place and didn’t look back.”

Gungi glanced between you and Hunter and mumbled some soft roars.

You didn’t need Hunter for this. You knew what he was asking. “Your instincts are pretty spot on. I didn’t gel with the Order and that part of things anyway.” You gave Hunter a warm smile which he returned.

“They’re very sweet. Sometimes too sweet the others think.” Omega whispered to Gungi.

“We heard that.” You and Hunter said in sync to the young girl who only laughed in response.

Gungi studied you for a minute as you looked back at Hunter. At the most, he could sense some fire, a sense of fierce protectiveness within you that was not solely limited to Hunter, it radiated through to the others, but your attachments for them all didn’t extend into channelling the darkside, nor any of the negative things he’s been taught if someone was to allow that attachment in their life. No, you seemed happy, content. Maybe things worked differently for you.

“We are coming up on Kashyyyk.” Tech called out.

The four of you made your way towards the cockpit.

Gungi walked over to the big clone and stared longingly at the ration bar in his hand.

Wrecker handed it to him.

You and Hunter took up opposite sides of the wall frame. Both your poses the same- arms crossed and keeping an eye on Gungi.

“We’re heading to a village we know of.” Hunter said before he walked over and laid a hand on Gungi’s back, so he was now facing him. “The Wookiees there should be able to help you.”

“I’ve locked into the coordinates.” Echo stated. “But I’m picking up heavy smoke and deforestation.”

“Keep an eye out for Imperial outposts.” Hunter said. “Oh, and kid. Keep that laser sword hidden. It, uh, draws attention we don’t want.”

Gungi put his lighsaber in his satchel.

You walked over to where Hunter was now standing in the cockpit. You bumped your hip against his. “Laser sword?”

“What was so wrong about that?” Hunter asked with a smile.

“No, nothing. It’s cute.” You teased. “We just call them lightsabers but I like laser sword. It has a fun ring to it.” You pushed your hood and mask up as the ship entered the atmosphere.

--

The ship touched down and you all walked out.

You took in the beautiful forest around you. You’d never had the opportunity of going to Kashyyyk but the descriptions you’d heard were not wrong. The forests were dense, filled with thick trunked trees which were covered in vibrant green leaves and the other plant life was also plentiful.

You all walked into the forest were rays of sunlight managed to peak through the gaps in the branches. The grass was lush beneath your feet. Things felt peaceful.

“Do you remember anything about this planet?” Omega asked Gungi. “What did he say?” Omega asked Hunter as Gungi replied.

“From his dreams.” Hunter answered.

Wildlife chittered around you all as you moved deeper into the forest and you weren’t thrilled with what greeted you. An unhappy groan left your throat.

“What is it?” Hunter queried.

You indicated ahead of you. Webs. You replied dully and you felt your skin start to crawl with the thought of what could be lurking above you.

“It’ll be fine.” Hunter comforted quietly.

“Here, I’ll take care of it.” Wrecker said as he grabbed his longer vibroblade and took the lead, cutting through the web to clear a path.

A shriek above you made you all stop, and you couldn’t help the way you jumped back. You had no control over it. Why of all the wildlife to encounter did it have to be spider-esque appearing ones. More descended from the trees and it was like a nightmare coming true for you.

“They’re swarming us.” Echo said agitatedly.

You were fully prepared to just stay frozen and let the creatures win but that wouldn’t be very productive. Your hand hovered over your blaster just in case.

Wrecker raised his but Gungi pushed it back down.

“Hold your fire.” Hunter commanded.

Gungi spoke to Hunter.

“He says, ‘They will not attack unless we pose a threat.” Tech translated.

 Gungi reached out into the Force around him and the creatures. He assured them that they meant no harm, that they were simply passing through.

The creatures ascended back towards the treetops.

Behind your mask, you huffed out a relieved sigh. “You got that down quicker than I ever did. I’m still practicing.” You praised Gungi. “Certainly explains the green blade.”

Gungi let out an appreciative rumble and pointed to his bag and then to you.

“Mine was blue.” You said.

Gungi nodded his understanding before he led the way.

--

“Arachnophobia?” Tech observed as the two of you walked behind Gungi and Hunter. Each touch of a web and animal chitter had you twitching.

“We don’t have to talk about it.” You mumbled.

“Experiencing fear is perfectly natural.” Tech provided as a means of comfort. “We all have something we worry more irrationally about than others.”

“And what’s your fear, Tech? Being wrong?” You kidded.

“In a way. Being wrong when it truly matters and someone getting hurt because of it.”

You hadn’t expected that. It wasn’t often you got a glimpse into the more vulnerable and emotional side of him. You glanced at him. “Thank you for sharing that.” You said, your voice gentle.

Tech simply nodded and the two of you kept walking.

--

You all emerged at the top of the hillside and stared at the vast space ahead.

“According to my telemetry, the village is straight ahead.” Tech pointed from his datapad.

The seven of you started the climb down.

--

Except the village wasn’t there. It had been destroyed. Smoke and dying embers surrounded the area. The trees had been cut and burned down. There was nothing left.

Hunter kneeled down and examined the ground. “Tanks came through here.” He let out a regretful sigh. “The Empire incinerated the entire village.”

Your heart ached for Gungi as you watched him fall to his knees. All this Empire knew how to do was take and destroy and it disgusted you.

Omega walked up to Gungi and crouched next to him. “The Empire destroyed our home too. Don’t worry. We’ll find your people.” She helped him back up.

The sound of machinery put you all on guard and you retreated into the forest and hunkered down behind the grass.

Tech brought out his macrobinoculars.

“What do you see?” Hunter asked him.

“Trandoshans. And they have a Wookiee hostage.”

“How did they get their hands on Imperial tanks?” You questioned. Your blood boiled as you saw the Trandoshans set fire to the surrounding area.

It was then Omega noticed Gungi was no longer next to her. “Hunter, Gungi.” She whispered urgently.

Hunter parted the tall grass and saw the young Wookiee making a beeline for the scene ahead. “Oh, no.”

Now, that’s a Padawan learner. You thought to yourself with a smile. You couldn’t really blame him for the slightly reckless act, but he wouldn’t be able to handle this on his own. You all ran to assist him.

--

Gungi ignited his lightsaber as he stared down the Trandoshan in front of him. He deflected the blaster fire with ease as he ran over to free his fellow Wookiee.

Echo, Wrecker and Tech provided cover fire whilst you, Omega and Hunter moved in to help Gungi take care of the tanks.

It was over rather quickly but you’d wished you’d gotten here sooner. There was no saving this area from the destruction the Trandoshans had caused but you could stop it from going any further. You and Omega both touched the upper part of Gungi’s arm to soothe him.

“We need to stop the flames from spreading. Start digging.” Hunter directed as he handed out the shovels the Trandoshans had been using.

--

It took a while, but the combined team effort meant you managed to stop the fire and prevent it from spreading. You all regrouped by one of the tanks only to get a brief moment of reprieve before the sounds of growling filled the forests. You all reached for your weapons.

“More Trandoshans?” Echo asked.

“No. Something bigger.” Hunter replied.

Your eyes widened as more Wookiees arrived from the treetops on the backs of large, cat-like creatures.

The Wookiees signalled for you all to climb on and once you all were secured, they took you into the trees to their safe haven.

--

You patted the side of the creature as you departed it and took in the scene in front of you. The Wookiee Gungi had rescued from the Trandoshan ran up to the older looking female Wookie who angled her forehead to press against his. After she did this, she turned her attention on you all.

“Her name is Yanna. She appears to be leading them.” Tech interpreted after she finished speaking.

“We are returning him to his homeworld.” Hunter explained. “But he doesn’t know what village he’s from.”

Gungi made his way through the group and awaited the answer from Yanna.

You watched as Yanna kneeled in front of him and brought him into the same familial touch that she had greeted the first Wookiee with. It seemed like Gungi was to be given a place amongst them.

Yanna studied you all for a moment before she addressed who she assumed was the leader.

“We were soldiers of the Republic.” Hunter answered before he took of his helmet. “But let’s just say we don’t see eye-to-eye with the Empire.”

Yanna continued to speak to him.

“We came because Gungi was in trouble. Jedi or not, he’s still a child. He needs his people.”

The sincerity of his words made you smile behind your mask. Whether he knew it or not, he had a paternal instinct within him that wasn’t just limited to Omega. He didn’t need to answer in that particular way, yet he did, and it warmed your heart. You threaded your fingers through his as Yanna beckoned you all to follow her into the hut.

--

You had to fight to keep back the laugh that threatened to spill from your lips as you watched the scene across the table. It was a tale of opposites. Wrecker eagerly awaited a taste of whatever it was the Wookiee was drinking whilst Echo was looking on in utter disgust.

The Wookiee noticed the two men in front of him were without food, so he offered some over.

“Uh, no, thanks.” Echo declined with a grimace.

“You don’t know what you’re missing.” Wrecker said happily as he decided against the spoon and just drank from the bowl.

Not even going to try some? You taunted.

Echo just wrinkled his nose and shook his head.

“Yanna’s agreed to let Gungi stay with them.” Omega said as she, Hunter and Gungi walked over to the table.

“What about the Trandoshans?” You asked.

Hunter came to sit next to you. “The Empire’s been using them to strip the planet’s resources. Many of the villagers have fled deeper into the jungle.”

“Yanna’s scouts are reporting a large convoy in this direction. She says to leave.” Tech stated as he came over with Yanna.

“Hunter, the Wookiees were our allies for years. We have to do something.” Echo implored.

“Yeah, they can’t be allowed to get away with this.” You concurred.

Gungi also released a determined roar of agreement.

Hunter faced Yanna. “We’ll stay and help you fight them.”

Yanna spoke softly.

“You don’t have to do this alone.” Hunter reassured her.

Yanna said something to her fellow Wookiees.

You all watched as they, along with Gungi, followed her outside. They all walked over to the base of the trunk of one of the trees and placed a hand on the roots and kneeled.

“What are they doing?” Omega asked.

“They’re asking the trees for help.” Hunter replied.

“They’re talking to the trees?” Omega said, a tad bewildered but also fascinated, as she looked at them.

“They believe this planet belongs to the trees. And they are allies in this fight.” Tech further explained.

“We’ll take all the allies we can get.” You murmured.

--

Dawn came and it had been Wrecker and Echo’s turn to take up position at the hut and keep an eye out for any Trandoshan or Imperial activity.

Echo peered through his binoculars, and it was then he saw fresh fire and smoke. “Wrecker, found em.” Together, they dashed over to the main doorway where the rest of you were. “The Trandoshan convoy’s closing in.”

Whilst Hunter had remained standing behind Omega, you had been sat next to Tech, his datapad keeping you both occupied but you stopped and stood up when Echo and Wrecker approached.

The other Wookiees had finished their ritual and Gungi ran up to Hunter to fill him in.

“The trees have a plan?” He repeated, flummoxed as this was not a military strategy he was aware of, but he was willing to run with it. “Alright.” He put his helmet on. “Whatever they say.”

You came up beside him, hood already up. See, you’re becoming more open-minded every day.

“Somehow this is less taxing.” He muttered to you.

You grinned at him before you pushed your mask up. “Fill us in on the plan, Gungi.”

--

You were hidden from view and patiently waited for the oncoming Imperial tanks and soldiers and Trandoshans to get in range.

“The tracks have broken off. There’s no trace of them.” The clone commed through to the lead Trandoshan.

“They can’t run far.” The Trandoshan hissed in reply. As soon as he said that, sounded ahead and a tank suddenly exploded.

“Ambush!” The clone sounded the alarm.

You all fired shots towards them, the natural cover the jungle provided made it difficult for your foe to return fire accurately.

After the initial disruption your group caused, it was time for the second phase. A squad of Wookiees came down on backs of their cat companions and met the tanks and soldiers head on. When they had successfully drawn the forces closer, they retreated into the forest to lure the Empire towards them, and it was time for phase three.

“Stick to the plan. Draw them into the nest.” Hunter directed.

You all fell back for your least favourite part of this plan as you retreated a bit further back into the webbed part of the woodland. You just had to keep reminding yourself that they were going to be useful and there wasn’t a need to feel terrified of them. The fact that you were never one to shy away from a fight and could face death practically every day, but any eight-legged or similar looking things sent your heart pounding a mile a minute completely baffled you.

You and the others held your ground once more and continued the barrage of fire whilst Wrecker and another Wookiee ensured the tanks that followed were out of commission.

Gungi decided to speed things along and help out. He activated his lightsaber and cut the gun from one of the tanks before he focused his attention on the last tank with the lead Trandoshan in it. He leapt towards him and swiftly dodged the burning hot flame that appeared from the flamethrower the lizard was now holding. He jumped down from the tank and ran back into the jungle, sensing that the leader’s greed would make him follow without thinking things through.

Omega saw Gungi run in a direction away from the rest of you and decided to follow.

--

Meanwhile, the rest of you had started to hit against the bottom of the trees, hoping the resulting vibrations would draw the animals above out and down towards your enemies. The growing eery chittering and howling indicated that the plan was going to work.

You watched on with both glee and mild nausea at the scene unfolding. It was a nightmare coming true, but the plan had gone exactly how the Wookiees predicted it would go. The creatures unleashed themselves upon the Imperials, cutting them down and forcing them to withdraw.

“Guess the trees knew what they were doing.” Wrecker stated in a satisfied manner.

It was then Hunter realised two members of the group were missing and he had to keep his panic at bay. “Where did the kids go?”

You and Echo fell in line behind Hunter as he started to track their recent steps.

--

Hunter paused and examined the ground below. It was then he heard a rustling up ahead and he lifted his head to the sounds of footsteps approaching but felt nothing but relief as he saw Omega and Gungi appear.

You also breathed out in relief but that was short-lived due to the news that Omega brought.

“The fire! It’s spreading too fast!” She panted as she and Gungi sprinted to the group.

“Tech, gather all the Wookiees.” Hunter said through the comm channel.

You holstered your blaster and walked up to the two children. “You two okay?”

Omega nodded.

Gungi let out an agreeing grunt.

“Gungi took care of the head Trandoshan.” Omega said as she got her breath back.

You faced the young Wookiee. “Nice job.”

Gungi chuffed out a pleased growl.

It was a few minutes before Tech arrived with the shovels and the other Wookiees and you all got to work.

--

With the fire safely handled, you all went back to the treetop village.

Wrecker enjoyed the food once more and had even delved into learning the language. He tried out some of it on his Wookiee friend before he took another mouthful of food. He wiped his mouth. “You know, I could get used to this.” He said with a chuckle.

Echo decided to be brave. He dipped his bowl into the soup in front of him and took a sip. A sip that left him pleasantly surprised. “Hmm. Not bad.” He clinked bowls with the Wookiee next to him.

Yanna looked on warmly before she noticed you and the lead clone standing in the doorway. She’d felt the bond between the two of you since you’d arrived and the secure and comforting arm he’d put around your waist and the way your head laid tenderly on his shoulder served to prove she’d been right.

Tech put on his helmet and followed her out.

You and Hunter watched on as Gungi and Omega kneeled by the tree. The young girl mirroring what the Wookiees had done earlier. They looked completely at ease.

Yanna let out a gentle roar as she approached your side.

You lifted your head from Hunter’s armoured shoulder and greeted the Wookiee with a respectful tilt of your head.

“They’re both just kids. But they don’t get to be.” Hunter told her. He let out a rueful sigh. “Not in this galaxy.”

You could see the flash of regret on his face. You reached down and squeezed his hand.

Yanna started to speak.

Tech translated as she went. “When a young one leaves, the trees weep. But when they return, the trees sing. As this child has found his new home, perhaps, one day, we all will find a new path.”

Her words were beautiful, and they left you feeling more hopeful than you had in a long time.

“Hopefully…” Hunter said with a sigh… “one far away from war.” The thought itself felt so inconceivable but he wished for it, nonetheless.

--

“How are you feeling after all this?” Hunter whispered as the others slept as the ship flew through hyperspace. His fingers slowly playing with your hair.

You kept your eyes closed. “Optimistic. There may be others out there who got away.”

Hunter maintained his ministrations but paused for a second before he asked you this next question. He wasn’t sure how sensitive a topic this would be but being around Gungi and Kashyyyk had him thinking about it and it was something you hadn’t talked about before. “Do you remember much about your home?”

“Nope.” You replied, brief and to the point.

Hunter wasn’t quite satisfied with that. His lips placed delicate kisses to the back of your neck, imploring you do give him more than that.

You let out a deep and content sigh as you turned on your other side to face him. “I don’t even have dreams to remember it by. I just have flashes of what I picture it was like, but I know they’re not based on anything other than my imagination, I felt nothing when I thought of it. Eventually, I just stopped.”

Hunter’s brow furrowed slightly.

You saw the concern growing behind his eyes, so you cupped the side of his face. “I have my home right here. I don’t need to think or wonder about another one.” You kissed him tenderly before you turned back around and let him pull you close to his chest.

Next Chapter>

Tagging: @noeasyisnoisy, @fuckoffthanos, @tpwkcalli, @arctrooper69, @graciexmarvel, @flyingkangaroo, @nightmonkeysstuff, @brujaporfavor, @sunkissedclones, @ladytano420, @keep-calm-and-drink-caf, @yyourmotherr, @xxeiraxx

[the-bi-space-ace]

The World Tumbles Down Chapter 9 - Repair

oops sorry I missed doing this before chapter 10

This chapter was a well deserved 'deep breath' compared to all of the things that came before it. Obi-Wan, Cody, and Rex get to work on the plot while the batch gets to have some break time and some emotional connection time.

Echo & Tech

I like this moment a lot in this chapter. They haven't been at odds but Tech has been harboring some hurt feelings for a loooong while. He cares about Echo a lot and he definitely was hurt that Echo seems to be pulling away. There's an exchange in this chapter that really hits home for me about the theme and it's when Tech brings up to Echo that they're family. He even phrases it like a question: Are we not your family? Echo is appalled Tech would think otherwise but he hasn't realized that he hurt Tech's feelings at all yet. It's a good moment for Tech to bring home for Echo what he needs to start doing: relying on the batch. He started with Hunter back in fic 2 and he got to have a moment with Crosshair. The conversation with Tech is a good catalyst for what happens with Wrecker at the end of the chapter.

Echo & Wrecker

I wanted to make sure I followed through on something before the end of this series and it's making sure Echo learns to rely on the batch. Not only that but I want him to be able to share Fives with them in a way that isn't so sad. He deserves to share the happy moments of his life with them but he needs to make the first steps. He gets to have that with Wrecker. He gets to tell a story and have fun with Wrecker and think of Fives and not be sad. It's good for him and the batch really do want him to talk more about Fives. This chapter serves as a nice deep breath for them and a turning point for Echo in his journey of healing from everything. He certainly isn't all the way there yet, he may never be, but he's trying and that's so good.

[the-bi-space-ace]

Well, it's official, I've finished writing The World Tumbles Down and I am SOBBING

I'm currently writing the last chapter of The World Tumbles Down and the amount of sadness and pride I feel as I'm going through the motions of a first draft is just.... I started this series two years ago and I am having a lot of trouble thinking about letting it go :'( but it has been so much fun and I am endlessly happy that I've gotten to write it and share it with everyone.

The last chapter is already shaping up to have some of my favorite moments of the series. I know there are a few chapters left to share so we aren't done yet but I'm excited for everyone to see how this all ends!

[sadiecoocoo]

Hey, so I just read one of the best tbb fics ever, Cost by Clownery_And_Fuckery (I’m sry idk ur tumblr 😭) and @squad-724 (go read it right now it is a horror fic and it beautiful and deserves to be seen by the world) and now I’m obsessed with Echo again!

And I wanna write some echo whump but only have one idea that’ll definitely end up being a really long fic and I don’t know if I should start another long fic before finishing at least one of my other ones… so if anyone has any Echo Whump requests, focusing on Echo and Crosshair because I love their pre-the bad batch series dynamic that fandom has created, please let me know!

Seriously I’m desperate to write some echo whump but I can’t decide what to do

[fanfictasia]

Miles Away From Yesterday - Chapter 7 - Can't You See I'm Right Here - Wattpad

Miles Away From Yesterday Chapter 7 - Can't You See I'm Right Here, a star wars: the bad batch fanfic | FanFiction

[fanfictasia]

Whispers of Blood - Chapter 3 - Alone - Wattpad

Whispers of Blood Chapter 3 - Alone, a star wars: the bad batch fanfic | FanFiction