THIS
Summary: Pre-Attack of the Clones leading up to the first battle of Geonosis. inspired by âCatâs in the Cradleâ by Harry Chapin as I feel this song is very Jango and Boba coded.
______
Rain never stopped on Kamino.
It drummed a rhythm on the windows of the training facilityâsharp, persistent, lonely. You stood by the glass, arms crossed, eyes scanning the endless gray. Somewhere outside. Another bounty. Another absence. Another silent goodbye.
âBack soon,â he always said, planting a kiss against your temple with a touch too light to anchor anything real. You used to argueâbeg him to stay, to train, to raise the boy he brought into the world. But you learned quick: Jango Fett was a man of war, not of roots.
He was strapping on his vambraces when he noticed you watching him.
âDonât start,â he muttered, not looking up. His voice was gruff, frayed from too many missions and too little sleep.
You didnât move. âHe asked if you were coming to training tomorrow. I didnât know what to tell him.â
Jango paused, only for a second, before clicking the final strap into place. âTell him the truth. Iâm working.â
You stepped forward. âYou could take one day off. Just one. He looks up to youâhe waits for you. When youâre not here, he starts acting like you. Staring out windows, keeping things inside. Like father, like son.â
His jaw twitched. âI didnât bring him here for you to turn into his mother.â
The words hit like a slug round.
You swallowed, trying to keep your voice steady. âIâm not trying to replace anyone, Jango. But you leave him here alone. What do you expect me to do? Pretend I donât care?â
He finally looked at you. Those eyes, dark and calculating, softened only for seconds at a time. This wasnât one of them.
âI expect you to train the clones. Thatâs the job. Not to start playing house.â
âI didnât fall in love with you for the job,â you said, quieter now. âAnd I didnât stay on Kamino because I like watching kids grow up as soldiers. I stayed for you. For him.â
Jango adjusted the strap on his blaster. âHeâs not yours.â
âI know.â
You did know. You werenât trying to be his mother. Not really. You just wanted him to have oneâsomeone who remembered to ask if heâd eaten, who noticed when he had nightmares, who held him when he tried not to cry. Someone who didnât just see a legacy in him.
Jango stepped close, pressed a kiss to your forehead, too soft for someone always on edge. It almost made you forget everything else.
âIâll be back soon,â he said.
âYou always say that,â you whispered.
But he was already turning away.
Slave I rose through the Kamino rain and vanished into cloud cover.
You didnât cry. You just went back inside and checked Bobaâs room. He was asleep, curled up with one of his fatherâs old gloves tucked under his pillow like a security blanket.
You didnât belong in their family. You knew that. But in Jangoâs absence, you became something Boba needed. A voice when silence was heavy. A shield when pain crept too close. Not a motherâbut a presence.
Even if Jango never wanted you to be.
So you stayed behind. For Boba.
He was quiet, sharp, and already wearing boots two sizes too bigâtrying to fill his fatherâs shoes before he even hit puberty. You werenât his mother, not by blood, not by name, but someone had to care enough to keep him human. To make sure he didnât disappear behind armor and legacy.
You cooked for him. Taught him hand-to-hand when Jango was gone. Helped him with clone drills, even when he rolled his eyes and said, âIâm not like them.â You tried to make him laugh. He rarely did.
One night, while putting away gear, he asked, âYou gonna leave too?â
You paused. âNo, Boba. Not unless I have to.â
âDad says people always leave. That itâs part of the job.â
You crouched beside him, met his eyes. âHeâs wrong. Or maybe heâs just scared to stay.â
âž»
Geonosis burned red.
Jangoâs signal cut out too fast. Too sudden. You heard Mace Winduâs name in the comms, and something inside you fractured. Still, you led your squadâyour clonesâinto the fight. They needed you. They trusted you. Jango didnât.
When the battle ended, smoke still rising from the arena, you ran to the landing zoneâknew exactly where the Slave I would be.
And there he was.
Boba, small and shaking, helmet too big in his arms. He looked up, eyes glassy but sharp.
âYouâre with them,â he hissed, his voice more venom than grief. âYou helped them.â
You stepped forward. âI didnât know heâdâBoba, please. This isnât what I wanted.â
âYouâre a traitor.â
He turned, walking toward the ship, the ramp already lowering.
âYou canât do this alone,â you warned. âThe galaxy isnât kind. Itâll eat you alive.â
âIâve got his armor. His ship. Thatâs all I need. I donât need you anymoreâ
You reached for himâbut he was already walking up the ramp, shoulders square like his fatherâs, jaw clenched with fury too big for his body.
You didnât follow.
âž»
Years passed.
The Empire rose. You faded into shadows. The clones you once trained died in unfamiliar systems, stripped of names and purpose. You lived quiet, took jobs on the fringeânothing that put you on anyoneâs radar.
Until you crossed paths again.
Carbon scoring lit the walls of an abandoned outpost. A bounty had gone sour. You moved through smoke with the ease of memoryâblaster in hand, breath steady. And then he stepped into view.
The armor was repainted, darker, scarred, refined. The stance, identical. The voice, modulated but unmistakable.
âYou always did show up where you werenât wanted,â Boba said.
You stared. He was taller now, broader. His faceâJangoâs face, down to the line of his brow.
âI didnât know it was you,â you murmured.
âWouldnât have mattered if you did.â
You lowered your weapon first. âYouâre good.â
He gave a single nod. âLearned from the best.â
A beat.
âYou look just like him,â you said quietly.
âYeah. No surprise thereâ
There was no warmth in his words. Just steel. Just the ghost of a boy you tried to protect.
âWas that what you wanted? To become him?â
Boba stared at you for a long time. Then: âI didnât have a choice. He left me everything⊠and nothing.â
You stepped closer, heart tight. âI tried, Boba. I tried to give you more than that.â
âI know,â he said, voice barely above a whisper.
He walked past you. Didnât look back.
As he disappeared into the dusk, all you could think of is how he turned out just like him. His boy was just like him.
Summary: Wolffe x Medic!Reader set post-Order 66 during the Rebels era. Listened to the song âsomewhere only we knowâ by Keane and made me think of old man Wolffe.
âž»
The sky of Seelos burned orange as another sun dipped beneath the jagged horizon. The Ghost had landed hours ago, stirring the sand, dust, and old ghosts from their resting places.
You stood at the edge of the clearing, arms crossed, scanning the ramshackle AT-TE turned-home ahead. Your breath caught when you saw himâhelmet under one arm, same eye scar, same heavy gait. But time had added weight to his shoulders and silver to his hair.
Wolffe.
He hadnât seen you yet. Or maybe he had and just didnât believe it. You smiled.
âWell, kark me,â you called, stepping forward, âeither Iâm dreaming or the years have not been kind to you, old man.â
He froze mid-step. His one eye widened, flickering with something too raw to be masked. His voice was gravel when he finally spoke.
âMedic?â
You raised an eyebrow. âStill calling me that after all this time? Not even a âhey, great to see you, thought you were deadâ?â
He dropped his helmet, closing the distance in long, heavy steps. You didnât realize you were trembling until he reached youâuntil his gloved hand gently took your arm like he wasnât sure if youâd disappear.
âYou left,â he said. Not accusing. Just fact.
âSo did you,â you whispered. âWar ended. Republic died. So many of us died with it.â
A moment passed where neither of you breathed. The wind whistled over cracked metal and dry earth. The sun dipped a little lower.
Wolffeâs eye searched your face like it had answers to questions he never dared to ask. âWhy now?â he said. âWhy here?â
You glanced back toward the Ghost, where Sabine and Zeb were offloading supplies, Hera and Kanan deep in discussion. âIâm with them now. The Ghost crew. Ezra brought us out here. Said there were⊠good men worth finding.â
Wolffe looked away. âNot sure thatâs true anymore.â
You touched his cheekâscarred, weathered, familiar. âStill wearing your guilt like a second set of armor, huh?â
âMaybe.â
âI remember when you used to smile,â you murmured. âUsed to fight like hell, patch your brothers up, then sit with me under stars on Ryloth like the war wasnât chewing us to pieces.â
His silence was heavy, but he didnât pull away. Just watched you with that quiet intensity he always had.
âIâve thought about you,â you said. âOver the years. Wondered if you made it. Wondered if you found peace somewhere.â
âThis is the closest I got,â he said, glancing back at the AT-TE. âItâs not much.â
âItâs something,â you offered. âSomewhere only we know.â
A tired smirk tugged at his lips. âStill quoting that old song you used to hum in the medbay?â
You shrugged. âCatchy. And depressing. Fit the vibe.â
He chuckledâactually chuckled. It was a rare sound, worn and dry but still alive. âYou really havenât changed.â
You leaned in, nudging his shoulder. âYou have. More lines. More grump. Less hair.â
âI shaved it.â
âSure, sure. Thatâs what they all say.â
He shook his head, muttering a fond âdamn smartassâ under his breath.
The sun was nearly gone now, and the stars began to appear, faint and blinking like the ghosts of all youâd lost.
You stepped closer, chest brushing his armor. âYou think we could find that peace again?â you asked, soft. âMaybe not like before, but⊠something close?â
He didnât answer right away. But his hand found yoursâcalloused, warm, grounding.
âStay a while,â he said. âJust⊠stay.â
You squeezed his hand.
âFor now,â you said. âIâll stay.â
And under a Seelos sky, two remnants of a broken galaxy found the smallest sliver of something whole. A memory made real. A place only you two remembered.
Somewhere only you knew.
âž»
Switching between these every day
It was another night at 79âs, the bar where the clones and the occasional visitor came to unwind after a long day of battle. The flickering lights cast shadows on the grungy walls, but the lively chatter, laughter, and clinking of glasses created a comforting hum in the background. You leaned against the bar, swirling your drink, eyes scanning the room when your gaze landed on a familiar face.
Commander Wolffe, as always, had a commanding presence even when he was off-duty, but tonight he was uncharacteristically relaxed. His armor was discarded in favor of the usual clone-issue tank top and fatigues, his black-and-grey hair tousled in a way that made him look rugged, even more so than usual. Youâd bumped into him here plenty of times, always with the same playful banter and flirtatious remarks that made you look forward to your time at 79âs.
Tonight, however, something was different. You werenât alone.
A new faceâa clone commander you didnât recognizeâwas sitting at a nearby table, chatting you up with ease. His dark hair was shaved close, a subtle scar above his eyebrow, and his grin was disarming, though his overconfidence was starting to wear on your patience. You were just humoring him for the moment, enjoying the banter and not entirely bothered by the attention. After all, it was 79âs, and a little flirtation never hurt anyone.
It was harmless enough, or at least you thought so, until you noticed Wolffe watching the exchange from a distance.
It wasnât the first time youâd been flirted with by clones here, but you could sense Wolffeâs usual relaxed demeanor had shifted. The intensity in his eyes was unmistakable as he made his way over to you, standing a little too close, his presence commanding the room.
You flashed him a smile, unfazed by the tension that had suddenly thickened between them. âWhatâs up, Wolffe? You seem a little tense tonight.â
âEverything alright here?â Wolffeâs tone was sharp, his eyes flicking to Cody, who was now giving him a questioning look. He then turned his gaze back to you, his expression softening for a moment before he added, âIs this guy bothering you?â
You raised an eyebrow, a mischievous grin pulling at your lips. âNo,â you teased, âweâre just having a drink.â
Wolffeâs jaw tightened as he turned to Cody, who hadnât broken his cool demeanor. âWell, heâs bothering me,â Wolffe said, and before anyone could react, he delivered a quick, sharp punch to Codyâs jaw.
Cody staggered slightly, more out of surprise than anything, his usual calm expression barely cracking. He recovered quickly, though, smirking as he rubbed his shoulder. âWell, thatâs one way to say hello, Wolffe,â Cody said, voice tinged with amusement.
âJust a friendly reminder,â Wolffe grumbled
The room fell silent for a brief moment before laughter erupted from the nearby tables, the other clones eyeing the two commanders like they were about to see something more entertaining than a training session. The bartender, however, wasnât as amused.
âYou three! Out!â The bartender called, waving a hand at the trio of you, his patience running thin.
Wolffe flashed Cody a final look, an unspoken challenge in his eyes, before he gave a half-smile in your direction. âGuess weâre kicked out,â he muttered, already stepping toward the door.
Outside, the cool night air hit you, the chaos of the bar quickly fading behind you as you all stood on the street. You couldnât help but laugh at the absurdity of it all.
âWell, that was interesting,â you said, grinning. âCouldnât help myself, you know? Itâs hard to resist a little harmless flirtation with handsome clones.â
Wolffe smirked, crossing his arms over his chest. âYouâre trouble,â he muttered, though there was an unmistakable warmth in his eyes. âNext time, try not to get two clones in a punch-up over you.â
Cody, rubbing his jaw with a slight wince, chuckled. âIâve had worse, Wolffe. But maybe youâll want to keep that temper in check next time.â
You grinned, raising an eyebrow. âYeah, Iâll have to think about it. I mean, youâre both so handsome. Itâs hard not to get a little distracted.â
Wolffe shot Cody another look, then glanced at you with a half-smile. âWell, I suppose itâs good to know where I stand,â he said dryly. âBut just remember, no oneâs going to flirt with you as much as I do. So maybe Iâll keep punching my way to your heart.â
Cody snorted, shaking his head. âBrotherly rivalry at its finest, huh?â
You laughed, amused by the two of them. âYeah, looks like it.â You gave Wolffe a playful look. âBut I have to admit, I like the way you fight for my attention.â
Wolffe grinned, his usual cool demeanor returning. âGood,â he said, voice low and steady. âBecause Iâm not going to let anyone else take it.â
The three of you shared a brief, comfortable silence, and though the situation had been far from ordinary, there was a sense of camaraderie that you wouldnât have traded for anything. And even though it had been an unexpected turn of events, you couldnât help but enjoy the playful rivalryâespecially when it involved such intriguing company.
âYou two are something else,â you said, shaking your head, a smile tugging at your lips. âBut it looks like Iâm going to have to pick a side, huh?â
Wolffe gave you a smirk that told you everything you needed to know. âIâm already on your side,â he said, his voice full of quiet confidence.
Cody chuckled, stepping away with a wink. âDonât think Iâll let you forget this, Wolffe.â
âWouldnât dream of it,â Wolffe shot back with a grin. And with that, the three of you parted ways for the night, the bond of camaraderieâand the subtle, unspoken rivalryâlingering between you all.
I don't want a Career I want to Fuck Around
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rb this to give the person you reblogged from a very tiny frog
The Senate was silentâeerily so. Your voice echoed as you stood center-stage, the holocams rolling, senators holding their breath.
You stared up at the massive screen where Palpatineâs hologram flickered with dispassionate cruelty.
âYou may rule through fear, Emperor. You may bend systems, strip rights, and silence voices. But the power you believe you wield is nothing more than mere arrogance, left unchecked for far too long. And every tyrant whoâs mistaken fear for loyalty has eventually learned the same truth: fear fades. Resistance doesnât.â
Gasps rippled through the chamber. One senator spilled their drink. Another ducked behind their chair like youâd just tossed a thermal detonator.
The Emperor said nothing. Just smiled.
You finished your speech, spine straight as a durasteel blade. And when you left the chamber, you knew your days were numbered.
~~~~~~
Stormtroopers swarmed the upper districts now. Rumors had spread fast. A senator going rogue? Publicly? That kind of dissent couldnât go unpunished.
So you went to the one person you hoped still remembered how to keep people off the radar: Cid.
She responded with a single message:
âYouâre lucky I owe you. Got a crew incoming. Donât get dead before they get there.â
~~~~~~
Blasterfire lit up the alley as a squad of troopers chased you through the lower levels. One shot narrowly missed your shoulder as you turned a corner, lungs burning. You werenât trained for this. Your boots slipped on the slick metal flooringâand you stumbled, crashing against a wall.
A trooper raised his blaster, finger tightening on the triggerâ
Then a blue bolt slammed into his helmet.
You blinked. He crumpled. And standing just behind him, face tight with focus and eyes locked on you, was Echo.
âSenator,â he said calmly, extending his arm, âTime to go.â
You grabbed his hand, letting him haul you up.
âAm I glad to see you,â you breathed.
âI know,â he said, smirking slightly. âYouâre welcome.â
More troopers rounded the corner, and Echo pulled you behind cover, activating his comm.
âNow would be a great time, Hunter.â
âExitâs two blocks south. Wreckerâs waiting with the ship. Move fast.â
âCopy that.â Echo glanced at you. âCan you run?â
âIâm a senator, not a senatorâs aide,â you snapped, brushing off your robes. âIâll manage.â
âThen keep up.â
~~~~~~
Wrecker was waving them in, Omega already at the shipâs edge, hair windblown and face alight with curiosity.
âIs that her?â she asked loudly. âThe senator who told the Emperor off to his face?â
âYep,â Tech said, not looking up from his datapad. âI analyzed her speech. Statistically, sheâs either incredibly brave or terminally reckless.â
âThose are not mutually exclusive,â Echo muttered.
You darted up the ramp beside him, chest heaving.
Omega grinned. âYouâve got guts.â
You gave her a breathless smile. âAnd youâve got a very large clone glaring at me. Should I be worried?â
Wrecker beamed. âThatâs my welcome face!â
Hunter approached, giving you a once-over. âYouâre lucky Echo was close. Another second and youâd be space dust.â
You turned to Echo, heartbeat still thundering. âYou saved my life.â
âLetâs make a habit of not needing that,â he replied, voice softer now. âBut⊠yeah. I did.â
The ship lifted, and you finally allowed yourself to sink into the bench beside him, the weight of your speech, your betrayal of the Empire, and the sudden turn your life had taken crashing down on you.
âYouâre not safe anymore,â Echo said after a beat. âTheyâll hunt you.â
You met his gaze. âThen Iâm in the right company, arenât I?â
He nodded, his hand resting lightly on yours for a moment longer than necessary.
From across the ship, Omega whispered loudly to Wrecker: âTold you theyâd be into each other.â
Wrecker: âDo I owe you credits again?!â
~~~~~~
The Marauder rumbled to a halt just outside Cidâs bar. It still smelled like sweat, spilled ale, and wet carpet. You wrinkled your nose as you stepped off the ship, scanning the place like a senator inspecting a back-alley establishmentâwhich, to be fair, was exactly what this was.
âYou sure this is the right place?â you muttered to Echo under your breath.
âUnfortunately,â he replied, offering a small smirk. âWelcome to the galaxyâs finest example of poor life choices and questionable hygiene.â
Cid looked up from behind the bar, munching on what looked like a pickled frog. âYou made it. And with all your limbs. Thatâs new.â
You gave her a tight nod. âWe need to talk.â
She waved her stubby fingers toward her office. âGo on then. Letâs discuss what this little favor is gonna cost you.â
As you disappeared behind the door, the Batch headed for a corner booth.
Wrecker slid in first, already eyeing the snacks Cid had laid out. âSoâŠâ he said around a mouthful of something crunchy, âEchoâs got a thing for the senator.â
Echoâs head snapped toward him. âWhat?!â
Tech adjusted his goggles without even glancing up. âYour heartrate elevated approximately twelve percent every time she spoke to you. Statistically speaking, that suggests attraction. Possibly infatuation.â
âI do not have a thing,â Echo muttered, looking around like someone might hearâbesides the four people very obviously hearing.
Hunter raised an eyebrow. âYou did dive in front of a blaster for her.â
âI wouldâve done that for anyone.â
Wrecker grinned. âYeah, but you didnât look that heroic when you saved me last week.â
âThatâs because you dropped an entire crate of detonators on your own foot.â
Omega slid into the seat beside Echo, kicking her legs casually. âShe is really pretty.â
Echo stiffened. âOmegaâŠâ
âI saw the way you looked at her,â she said with that knowing look that made even Hunter flinch sometimes. âLike she was a sunset and you hadnât seen one in a long time.â
Wrecker blinked. âWow. That was poetic.â
Echo scrubbed a hand over his face. âI donâtâlook, sheâs a senator. Iâmââ
âA clone with a heart,â Omega finished for him. âShe saw it, too. The way she smiled at you? She likes you back.â
Echo opened his mouth, then shut it. Then sighed.
âI hate it when you do that.â
âI love it,â Omega chirped. âYou should tell her.â
âI just saved her life. Iâm not gonna flirt with her right after that.â
Hunter leaned back. âMight be the perfect time, actually. Emotions are high. Could work.â
Tech blinked. âAre we⊠encouraging romantic entanglements mid-fugitive status?â
Omega grinned. âYes.â
Echo shook his head, cheeks tinged with color. âYouâre all impossible.â
From behind them, the door to Cidâs office creaked open. You stepped out, looking just as poised and stubborn as you did in the Senateâbut your eyes immediately found Echoâs across the cantina.
You offered a small, grateful smile. âStill alive, thanks to you.â
Echo stood, clearing his throat. âAnytime.â
Omega elbowed him hard as you approached.
âAsk her about sunsets!â she whispered.
As you made your way back to the booth, you caught the tail end of Omegaâs whispering to Echo, her grin too wide and mischievous.
Your brow furrowed in confusion. âSunsets?â you asked, stepping closer. âWhat about sunsets?â
Echo stiffened, clearly scrambling for an explanation. He cleared his throat and opened his mouth, only for Omega to literally jump into the conversation.
âEcho wanted to show you the sunset!â she blurted out, her eyes sparkling with that cheeky mischief only she could get away with. âHe said theyâre beautiful on the outer rim. He even said you might like them.â
Echo turned bright red, his mouth working soundlessly for a moment as his brain tried to catch up to Omegaâs open confession. âIâwait, Iâno⊠Thatâs not what I saidââ
You couldnât help the small laugh that escaped your lips at his obvious discomfort. âSunsets, huh?â You cocked an eyebrow, leaning on the edge of the table. âThatâs a pretty romantic gesture for a soldier.â
Echo quickly waved his hands, as though trying to physically push the words back into his mouth. âItâs not like that. IâI justâOmega, youâyouâŠ!â
Omega leaned back in her seat, arms folded with the smug satisfaction of someone who knew exactly what theyâd just done. âYou should definitely go watch a sunset with her,â she said matter-of-factly. âItâs perfect. Youâre both already really good at staring at the sky.â
You gave Echo a playful look. âWell, I donât mind the idea of a sunset. Itâs been a while since Iâve actually seen one.â
Echo exhaled sharply, his gaze dropping to the table, clearly overwhelmed by the situation. His usual calm and composed demeanor was nowhere to be found.
âIâuhâIââ He paused, his hand running over his short-cropped hair in frustration. âI mean⊠if you want to, I could show you one. Iâve got some good spots, but I really donâtâuhâexpect you toââ
Wrecker, always the instigator, leaned forward from the opposite booth. âYou wanted to show her a sunset, Echo. Sounds like a date to me.â
âWrecker!â Echo groaned, burying his face in his hands. âIâm not asking her outâ!â
âWell, someone should,â Wrecker grinned. âItâs a good idea. A beautiful sunset and all that. You know, romantic-like.â
Omega crossed her arms and gave Echo an exaggerated side-eye. âYouâre really bad at this.â
You watched the whole exchange with a lighthearted smile, clearly amused by how Echo was fidgeting like he was trying to dig his way out of a hole heâd accidentally fallen into. Finally, you leaned in, lowering your voice to something playful and teasing.
âIf youâre really offering to show me a sunset, Echo, Iâll take you up on it,â you said, smirking as you watched his eyes widen in disbelief. âBut Iâm not making any promises about it being romantic.â
Echo blinked, clearly struggling to hide his relief. âGood. Yeah, good. I can do that. I meanâI can show you the sunset. Thatâs⊠normal, right?â
Omega gave him a thumbs up from across the table. âNormal! Totally normal.â
Hunter chuckled from the booth. âI donât think itâs ever been normal with you, Echo.â
âIâm starting to realize that,â Echo muttered, shooting Omega a glare that barely had any heat behind it. âYouâre lucky I like you, kid.â
âYouâre welcome,â Omega chirped, her eyes glimmering with the kind of satisfaction only a matchmaker could feel.
~~~~~~~
You followed Echo out of the cantina and into the wilds of the Outer Rim, the two of you walking side by side in the fading light. It wasnât a long journey, but Echo was unusually quiet, his usual confident stride now hesitant. You glanced over at him, trying to gauge whether he was just as nervous as he seemed.
âSo,â you began, attempting to break the silence, âthis sunset better be worth all the buildup.â
Echo glanced at you, his face turning slightly pink as he looked away quickly. âI mean, yeah, itâs a good spot,â he mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck. âItâs peaceful. Not a lot of people know about it.â He sounded like he was trying to convince himself more than you.
You smiled softly. âYou must really like this place. Itâs hard to believe a soldier like you would be into something so⊠serene.â
âHey, even soldiers need some quiet,â Echo replied, his voice tinged with embarrassment. âIâve seen enough battlefields to last a lifetime. This? This is⊠different.â
As you reached a ridge overlooking a vast expanse of orange and purple sky, you stopped. The sun was beginning its slow descent, casting long shadows and bathing everything in golden light. The view was incredible. You couldnât deny that Echo had chosen well.
âThis⊠is beautiful,â you said quietly, letting the moment settle around you.
Echo stood a few feet away, glancing at the sky, but you could tell he wasnât really focused on it. He fidgeted with his hands, his posture stiff, as though unsure of what to do with himself.
âYeah. It is,â he said softly, though he didnât seem to be looking at the sunset himself. His eyes kept darting back to you, and he swallowed hard.
A beat passed, then another, the two of you standing there in the stillness of the moment.
âSo,â you began again, a teasing smile tugging at your lips, âOmega told me youâve been staring at me like Iâm the sunset or something. Iâm starting to think she mightâve been onto something.â
Echo let out a strangled sound, something between a cough and a nervous laugh, and quickly turned away, his scomp fumbling with the edge of his armor. âIâlook, I didnât mean for her toâOmega⊠she has a way ofââ
You laughed, your voice light and airy. âItâs fine, Echo. Iâm just teasing.â
âRight,â he muttered, scratching his head. âYou⊠youâre teasing. Yeah.â
The silence between you both grew, but now it was differentâquieter, more relaxed, despite the awkward tension that had settled in. You couldnât help but enjoy the strange warmth in the air.
Finally, Echo broke the quiet with a heavy sigh. âIâm really bad at this.â
âBad at what?â
âAt⊠this,â he gestured vaguely, not looking at you. âAt not being awkward. You know, with people. I mean, I spent most of my life with clones, andâwell, we didnât exactly do sunsets.â
âYeah, I imagine that would be difficult,â you said, your voice softer now. You could see how much this mattered to him, how much he was trying to make the moment right.
âYou probably think Iâm an idiot,â he mumbled, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.
âNo,â you said quickly, walking closer to him. âNot at all. Youâre just⊠not used to doing this.â
Echo didnât meet your eyes. âAnd Iâm not great at⊠not being awkward around someone I think is way out of my league.â
That stopped you cold. You blinked, processing the words. âOut of your league?â
Echo shrugged, pulling at his sleeve nervously. âYouâre a senator. You could have anyone you want. And Iâm justâwell, Iâm just me. A soldier.â
You took a small step closer, closing the gap between the two of you. âEcho,â you said gently, your voice soft but firm. âIâm here because I want to be here. Because I trust you.â
His eyes flicked to yours, searching your face as though looking for any sign that you were just being kind. But what he found was sincerity. You meant it.
The sun dipped lower, the sky ablaze with colors, and Echo took a deep breath, finally meeting your gaze. âIâm really bad at this⊠but Iâm glad you came anyway.â
You smiled and stepped forward, your hand brushing against hisâjust enough for him to notice. âMe too, Echo. Me too.â
You and Echo walked back in silence, though the tension between you was different nowâsofter, less painful. The cantina was as busy as before, the dim lights casting long shadows across the floor. The rest of the Batch was already there, and as soon as you and Echo entered, the teasing began.
Wrecker was the first to speak. âSo,â he began with a huge grin, âhow was the sunset?â
Echo shot him a glare. âI didnâtâwe didnâtââ
âYeah, yeah,â Wrecker laughed. âYou two were just looking at the sky, right?â
You gave him a playful side-eye. âWhy donât you ask Omega? Sheâs the one who knows all about sunsets.â
Omega was sitting at the booth, her feet kicked up, looking entirely too smug for someone her age. âI told you it would be perfect,â she said, glancing at Echo with a knowing look.
Hunter raised an eyebrow. âSo, Echo, what happened with the sunset? You get all the way out there just to notââ
Echo groaned and covered his face with his hand. âIâm not answering any of you.â
Tech, ever the neutral party, smiled faintly. âI believe this is the point where youâre supposed to express how much you enjoyed the company of your⊠companion.â
âShut up, Tech,â Echo grumbled.
Omega leaned in, looking at you, then at Echo, her grin impossibly wide. âDid you kiss her, Echo?â
Echo nearly choked on his drink. âWhat? No! Weâweââ
âIâm just saying,â Omega continued innocently, âthere was some serious chemistry, and I donât think youâll be able to ignore it for much longer.â
âOmega,â Echo hissed, looking at her like sheâd just dropped a thermal detonator at his feet.
But you just laughed, the tension from earlier melting away. âSheâs not wrong, Echo. Youâre pretty easy to read.â
Echo could only groan in response, his face as red as the setting sun.
A/N
I kinda hate this tbh, but I had an idea but then I had like a million other ideas while writing this and I feel like itâs kinda mix matched.
âž»
The soft beep of monitors and the sterile scent of antiseptic filled the dimly lit medbay. Most of the beds were empty tonightâexcept for one, where Hardcase was half-sitting, half-lurking like a bored animal ready to bolt.
You entered with a tablet in hand, already sighing. âIf I find you trying to âstretch your legsâ one more time, I swear Iâll sedate you.â
Hardcase gave you an innocent grin, all teeth and mischief. âCome on, doc, I was just doing a lap. For circulation. You wouldnât want my muscles to atrophy, would you?â
You raised an eyebrow. âHardcase, you have three broken ribs and a hairline fracture in your leg. Sit. Down.â
He threw his hands up in mock surrender and flopped back dramatically onto the cot, letting out an exaggerated groan. âYou wound me more than the blaster bolt did.â
âYouâre lucky I was there to drag your sorry shebs off the field,â you muttered, scrolling through his vitals. âNext time, maybe donât charge a tank on foot.â
âI had a plan.â
âYou yelled âIâve got this!â and ran straight at it.â
ââŠExactly.â
You looked up, lips twitching. âYouâre impossible.â
âAnd yet, here you are. Checking on me. Again.â He tilted his head, gaze softening. âYou always come back, donât you?â
That gave you pause. The playful tone slipped, just for a second. âThatâs the job.â
âYeah,â he said quietly. âBut not everyone does it like you.â
Silence settled between you, not heavyâbut charged. Tense in a different way.
You set the tablet down and approached the side of his bed. âYouâre a good soldier, Hardcase. But you donât have to be the loudest in the room to matter. You donât have to hide behind all that energy.â
He looked at you, blinking. âYou see that?â
âI patch up your bones. I hear what your heartâs doing, too.â
He let out a slow breath, the grin slipping into something smaller, more genuine. âYouâre kind of amazing, you know that?â
You leaned in, crossing your arms. âAnd youâre kind of an idiot.â
Suddenly, his arm shot outâgentlyâand pulled you forward by your wrist, just enough that you stumbled and caught yourself on the edge of his bed.
âIf you wanted me in your bed, cyare,â he murmured, voice low and teasing, âyou couldâve just asked.â
You glared down at him, breath caught somewhere between a laugh and a curse. âYouâre lucky youâre injured, clone.â
He smirked. âWhat happens when Iâm not?â
Your hand lingered on his chest, feeling the steady rhythm beneath it. âGuess weâll find out.â
His grin faded into something warmer. âI hope we do.â
âž»
âž»
Pabu Festival Night
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting golden light over the sea as the village of Pabu came alive with lanterns, laughter, and the mouthwatering scent of street food. Strings of glowing paper lights swayed between buildings, and music floated through the airâsomething old, joyous, and deeply local.
You were elbow-deep in flour and slightly burnt noodles at a stall near the center square, laughing as a group of children tried to help and made an absolute mess of everything. Your hair stuck to your face, there was something sticky on your pants, and your smile had never been wider.
Hunter leaned against a post nearby, arms crossed, eyes locked on you like you were the only person on the planet. His squad hovered beside him, all wearing variations of amused smirksâexcept Tech, who was deeply invested in analyzing the musicâs rhythm pattern with furrowed brows.
âStars, heâs doing it again,â Echo said, nudging Hunterâs side with his elbow.
âDoing what?â Hunter muttered, not looking away.
âStaring at her like sheâs a dessert heâs too afraid to order,â Wrecker said with a laugh. âCome on, Sarge, just tell her she looks pretty with noodles in her hair.â
âShe does,â Hunter said under his breath, then quickly shook his head. âShut up.â
âSheâs going to think youâre broken,â Tech added dryly. âMost humans engage in verbal communication when expressing attraction.â
âYouâre all insufferable,â Hunter growled.
âHey, Hunter!â Omegaâs voice chirped brightly, cutting through the banter as she skipped over, cheeks pink with excitement. âDid you ask her yet?â
Wrecker snorted. âMaker, Omega, weâve talked about subtlety.â
âOh! Right,â Omega grinned, then leaned up conspiratorially, stage-whispering way too loudly, âYou should ask her though. She wants you to. I asked.â
Hunter stared at her, stunned. âYou what?â
âMatchmaking,â she said proudly. âCrosshair said youâd drag your feet forever so I thought Iâd help.â
âCrosshairâs not even here.â
âExactly. Iâm doing his part too.â
Before Hunter could come up with a coherent response, you turned and spotted them. Your smile brightened when your eyes landed on him.
âHey! You guys just gonna lurk or actually join the party?â
Hunter stood straighter, clearing his throat. âWeâreâuhâconsidering our options.â
âIâm voting for food and dancing!â Omega beamed, grabbing Hunterâs hand and dragging him forward. âCome on, she saved us noodles.â
âž»
Later, By the Dancing Lanterns
You swayed barefoot on the warm stone path, clutching a sweet drink in one hand and laughing as locals pulled strangers into their dancing circles. The music had picked up, and lights flickered off the sea like tiny stars had dropped into the water.
You spotted Hunter hanging at the edge of it all, looking like a soldier at the edge of a battlefield he didnât quite understand.
You approached him slowly, grinning up at him as you offered your hand. âDance with me?â
He blinked. âI donât dance.â
âYouâve got enhanced reflexes and perfect rhythm,â you said, teasing. âYouâll be fine. Iâll even go easy on you.â
A beat passed. His eyes searched yours, and thenâto the shock of everyone within fifty feetâhe took your hand.
The music wrapped around you like warmth as he followed you into the circle, stiff at first, focused too hard on every step.
âYouâre thinking about it too much,â you whispered, drawing closer. âLet go. Itâs just you and me.â
His hand slid to your waist, a bit hesitant, a bit bold. âEasier said than done.â
âWell,â you murmured, brushing your fingers along his chest, âif it helps⊠Iâve wanted to touch you like this for a long time.â
He exhaled sharply, eyes darkening. âYou really know how to mess with a guyâs focus.â
âI have excellent timing.â
He finally smiledâsmall, crooked, but real. âYou do.â
You moved together, slower now, drifting into your own little orbit as the circle of dancers spun around you. The music faded into the background, and all that remained was the warmth of his hands, the steadiness of his breath, and the unspoken pull that had been building for months.
âž»
The festival had died down, lanterns bobbing on the sea, distant laughter echoing through the trees. You and Hunter sat by the water, his arm loosely around your shoulders, your head resting against him.
âDidnât think Iâd ever have this,â he said quietly.
You turned toward him. âWhat?â
âThis kind of life. Something soft. Someone like you.â
Your heart twisted. âYou deserve this. All of it.â
His fingers brushed against yours, then threaded together slowly. âI used to think needing someone made me weak.â
âAnd now?â
He looked at you, voice low. âNow I think it makes me human.â
You leaned in, letting your lips brush against his. âTook you long enough.â
From somewhere up the hill, Wreckerâs voice bellowed: âPay up! I told you theyâd kiss before midnight!â
Omega cheered. âYouâre welcome!â
Hunter groaned and buried his face in your shoulder. âTheyâre never letting this go.â
âGood,â you smiled. âNeither am I.â
âž»
âž»
You opened the caf stand before the sun even touched the Senate dome.
It wasn't glamorousâjust a small stall tucked between the barracks and the speeder lot, wedged beneath a half-broken overhang and decorated with hand-drawn signs and an ancient droid who beeped exactly once every hour. But it was yours. And more importantly, it was theirs. The clones. You made sure the caf was always hot, the chairs weren't falling apart, and that no one left without at least a bad pun or two.
Most troopers came and went in a rush, trading credits and comm chatter like it was a race. But heâhe was different.
Commander Fox.
He never rushed. He never lingered either. Just strolled up every morning with the same unrelenting scowl and said, "Two shots. No sugar." Every time.
You gave him his usual. Every time.
And you always tried to get a rise out of him.
"Careful, Commander," you said one morning, handing him his cup. "Any more caf and you'll start running faster than a speeder on payday."
He stared at you. Deadpan. Sipped.
"That's not how physics works."
You grinned. "It is when you believe."
He didn't laugh, not even close. But the next day, he brought his own cup. It had a cartoon speeder drawn on it. You didn't say a word. Just smiled.
That's how it went.
You told jokes. He tolerated them. You talked about your broken chair, and he fixed it the next morning without a word. You mentioned you hadn't eaten, and a ration bar mysteriously showed up on the counter the next day. He never gave compliments. But he always came back.
And that said more than enough.
âž»
One quiet evening, long after shift change, you were wiping down the counter when heavy footsteps approached.
You turned, surprised. "Commander? You're off-duty."
Fox crossed his arms. "You're still working."
"I run this place. I don't really clock out."
"Still shouldn't be alone out here this late."
You raised an eyebrow. "Are you worried about me, Fox?"
He looked away. "Coruscant's not always safe."
You bit back a smile. "No one's gonna mug the caf girl."
"I'm not worried about the girl," he muttered. "I'm worried about the idiot who tries it."
That one caught you off guard.
For a long moment, neither of you spoke.
Then, suddenly self-conscious, you busied your hands. "Want a cup?"
He hesitated. "Yeah."
You made it exactly the way he likedâtwo shots, no sugarâbut you handed it over with a napkin this time. Scribbled on it, in your awful handwriting, was a cartoon of Fox with steam rising off his helmet and the words: "Too hot to handle."
He stared at it.
You braced yourself for a groan. A sigh. A disappointed head shake.
Instead, he folded the napkin neatly. Tucked it inside his chest plate. Like it mattered.
"You're ridiculous," he said.
"And you're still here."
He looked at you thenâreally looked. Like he was seeing you for the first time.
"I like the quiet," he said softly. "And the company."
Your breath hitched. The air between you shifted, warm and buzzing with something fragile.
You broke the moment with a smile. "Well, Commander. You keep showing up, and I might start thinking you like me."
"I wouldn't be here if I didn't."
That shut you up.
He took a sip. Nodded.
Then, as he turned to leave, he glanced back over his shoulder.
"Lock up early tonight."
You watched him disappear into the Coruscant haze, heart hammering.
And the next morning?
He came back.
Same time. Same cup.
But this time... he smiled.
Just barely.
But it was enough.
âž»
It started like any other morning.
The usual rush of troopers streamed past, grabbing caf like their lives depended on itâwhich, for some of them, might've been true. You moved with practiced ease, slinging caf, dodging jokes, and laughing at war stories with just the right amount of enthusiasm.
Fox hadn't shown up yet.
Which was fine. Totally fine. You weren't waiting or anything. Definitely not.
So when a shiny walked upâfresh armor, no markings, bright eyes and all swaggerâyou smiled automatically.
"Hey there, trooper. What'll it be?"
He leaned on the counter a little too smoothly. "Whatever you recommend. You've got great taste, right?"
You raised an eyebrow. "In caf or in people?"
He grinned. "Hopefully both."
You laughedânot because it was funny, but because it was so bold. He looked about fifteen seconds out of Kamino, full of confidence and charm. The kind of guy who still thought he was invincible.
You liked his energy. Not like-liked, but it was... cute.
So you poured him something with a little extra foam artâbecause why not? You were allowed to flirt sometimes. Fox certainly wasn't yours.
And thenâjust as the shiny said, "If I'd known caf girls were this gorgeous, I'd have transferred sooner"âyou felt it.
The shift.
A chill ran up your spine. The air got... heavier.
"Trooper."
The voice was unmistakable. Dry, clipped, and sharp enough to slice through steel.
You turned. And there he was.
Commander Fox. Full armor. Full glare. Standing two paces behind the shiny like a thunderstorm in red.
The rookie flinched. "Sir!"
Fox didn't even look at youâjust stared the kid down.
"You're holding up the line."
"IâI was justâ"
"She's not your mission," Fox said flatly. "Move."
The shiny didn't need telling twice. He grabbed his caf like it was a thermal detonator and bolted.
You blinked, stunned. "Fox..."
He walked up slowly, that same permanent scowl on his faceâbut his eyes? They were blazing.
"Didn't realize we were flirting with rookies now."
You snorted. "We? I was being nice."
"He was drooling."
"Maybe I'm charming."
He stared. "You're mine."
Your heart skipped. "Excuse me?"
He froze, like the words had jumped out before he could stop them. Then he looked away, jaw tightening.
"I mean... this is your caf stand. Yours. Not for flirting. Not forâ" he sighed, cutting himself off. "He's not good enough."
You tilted your head, stepping closer across the counter. "And who is?"
He didn't answer.
So you leaned in a little more, voice soft. "Was that jealousy, Commander?"
He met your gaze finally, and this time, his voice was quiet.
"Yeah."
You stared at him, your heart doing somersaults.
"You could've just said you like me."
"I thought I was being obvious."
You grinned. "You glared a child into submission."
He shrugged. "He had it coming."
You reached across the counter, brushing his hand. "Well, for the record... I'm not into shinies."
His brows lifted slightly. "No?"
"Nope." You handed him his usual. "I've got a thing for grumpy commanders in red armor."
For the first time in weeks, he smiled.
Not a smirk. Not a twitch.
A real one.
Small. Rare.
Perfect.
âž»
The mission went sidewaysâlike most things involving General Skywalker.
The Republic cruiser got hit mid-orbit, forcing the 501st into a crash-landing they barely walked away from. Engines fried. Comms fried. Morale? Hanging on by a few snide remarks from Jesse and a sarcastic comment from Kix.
They hiked miles through jungle and shoreline until they stumbled across it: a sleepy little village tucked in a crescent of cliffs and coral. Sun-bleached stone homes. Palm trees bending in the breeze. Children with wide eyes and old souls.
And then... her.
The village welcomed them with food, drink, and curious smiles. The chief offered shelter. But Rex? Rex couldn't stop staring at the figure twirling barefoot on the sand.
You.
Clothes soaked to the knees, hair tangled with shells, a song on your lips and hands raised to the sky like you were conducting the clouds.
"Who's that?" Jesse muttered, nudging Rex.
One of the villagers chuckled. "That's her. Our ocean spirit. The crazy one."
"She always like this?" Kix asked.
"Always. She talks to the stars. Dances with the tide. Claims the Force whispers in her dreams."
"Right," Rex said flatly, trying very hard not to watch you pirouette through the foam.
âž»
You noticed him the second he stepped into the village.
Not because of the armorâeveryone else had that.
But because of the weight on his shoulders. The silence behind his eyes.
He was loud in his stillness. Something broken beneath all that discipline. And you... well, you liked broken things. They had better stories.
So naturally, you made it your mission to get under his skin.
The first time, you startled him by hanging upside down from a tree branch as he walked by. "You're a soldier, but you move like someone who wants peace," you said, grinning. "What a strange contradiction."
He blinked up at you. "What?"
You dropped beside him, barefoot and beaming. "You've got stars in your chest, Captain. Ever let 'em out?"
He stared.
Then turned to Jesse and muttered, "She's weirder up close."
âž»
You danced along the edges of his days.
Offered him woven seashell charms ("For luck."). Sang to him in the mornings ("For clarity."). Told him stories about planets that didn't exist, and beasts made of shadow and seafoam.
At first, he humored you. Called you "eccentric." Maybe a little unhinged.
But over time, when the others laughedâwhen Anakin smirked and Jesse nudged himâRex stopped joining in. He started listening. Watching.
You'd talk to the ocean and hum lullabies to fish. You'd draw in the sand and claim it was from a vision. You'd call him "Captain Sunshine" and pretend not to notice how his lips twitched every time.
But the turning point?
It came the night you found him staring at the stars, quiet and heavy.
You sat beside him without asking.
"There's something about you," you said softly. "Like the Force wrapped a storm in armor."
Rex didn't speak. But his hand was still when you placed yours over it.
"You think I'm mad," you whispered, "but the truth isâI've just seen too much. And maybe... maybe I see you too."
He looked at you then.
Really looked.
And for the first time, he didn't see "the village crazy."
He saw you.
âž»
From then on, he started lingering.
He'd listen to your stories.
He'd walk with you on the shore.
He'd steal glances when you danced in the moonlightâshirt soaked, hair wild, joy uncontained.
His men noticed.
So did Skywalker.
"You know she's probably kissed a krayt dragon or something, right?" Anakin teased one evening.
"She said it kissed her," Jesse corrected.
Rex only grunted. But later that night, when you sat beside him by the fire and handed him a shellâ"It's for courage," you saidâhe didn't laugh.
He kept it.
Right there, tucked beneath his chest plate, next to his heart.
âž»
The moonlight filtered through the palm trees, casting silver streaks across the soft sand. The air was warm, a gentle breeze ruffling your hair as you sat with Rex on the quiet beach. His armor, normally so rigid and sharp, lay discarded in a pile beside him. His shoulders were relaxedâmore than they had been in days.
For the first time, there was no mission. No enemy. Just the two of you, the waves, and the stars.
You were humming a tune that had no wordsâjust the melody carried by the wind. You always sang when you felt alive. And tonight, you felt alive. There was something in the air, something that shifted between the two of you.
You glanced over at Rex, who had his gaze fixed on the horizon, his arms resting loosely on his knees.
"You know," you began, your voice quieter than usual, "I've been thinking."
He turned his head slightly to look at you, but didn't say anything. You could feel the weight of his attention on you, even without him speaking.
"You're always so serious," you continued, your eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint. "I think it's time I gave you a new name. Something that suits you better than 'Captain Sunshine.'"
He raised an eyebrow, but there was a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips. "I told you to stop calling me that."
You grinned, leaning your head on your knees. "But it fits! You're always so bright, even when you try to be grumpy."
"I'm not grumpy," he muttered.
"Sure you're not," you teased. "How about 'Captain Gloomy' then?"
He laughed, a rare, deep sound that made your heart skip. But it was only for a moment before he grew quiet again.
"You know, I don't mind the nickname," Rex said, his voice softer now, more vulnerable than usual. "I just..." He cleared his throat, then looked at you, his blue eyes soft under the moonlight. "I don't want you thinking I'm some sort of walking joke."
Your smile faded, replaced with a warmth that bubbled in your chest. You reached over and took his hand, resting it in your own.
"Rex," you said, your voice low and sincere. "I don't think you're a joke. And I don't call you 'Captain Sunshine' to make fun of you. It's because you shine, even when you don't know it. You've been through so much, but you still manage to have a light in you. It's... rare."
For a long moment, he didn't speak. Then he squeezed your hand, a silent acknowledgment of something unspoken. Something neither of you were ready to say yet.
But for the first time in weeks, Rex didn't pull his hand away. Instead, he leaned in, just enough for you to feel the warmth of his presence.
"Stop calling me 'Captain Sunshine,'" he said quietly, his voice thick with something you couldn't quite place. "Call me Rex."
You blinked, taken aback by the simplicity of it. Rex. He wanted you to call him by his name. Not by rank. Not by some distant title. Just Rex.
And you smiled.
"Okay... Rex."
âž»
The next morning, the peaceful rhythm of village life was shattered.
You were on the shore, as usualâyour feet in the water, your hands lifting to the sky as you hummed to the wind. But something was different today. The ocean felt... wrong. The waves rolled with a strange intensity, crashing against the rocks with too much force.
You stood still, listening to the sound of the water. The whispers came to you, as they often did. But this time, they were louder. Urgent.
Something's coming. Something dark.
A chill ran down your spine. You felt it deep in your bones. It wasn't the Force, not really. You couldn't wield it the way the Jedi could. But you felt itâthis impending darkness. The kind of thing that stirred in your gut and made the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.
You rushed into the village, seeking out the chief. You found him in the square, talking to some of the villagers.
"Chief!" You grabbed his arm, your breath quickening. "The ocean is angry. Something is coming. You need to prepare."
The chief looked at you, brow furrowed. "You're rambling again. The ocean is just the ocean."
"But the waterâ" you began, your hands trembling. "The wavesâthere's something wrong! It's not just the ocean. It's everything."
He shook his head. "You've always been a little... eccentric. The villagers are afraid of you, but we've never had a problem. Don't stir up fear."
Your chest tightened. No one believed you. Again.
You turned away from him, running towards Rex, Skywalker, and the others, desperate to make them understand.
But even as you spoke to Rex, the worry clear in your voice, he shook his head, not fully understanding. "You're being cryptic again, [Y/N]. We can't just go around acting on every... feeling you have. We need to focus on finding a way off this planet."
"You don't understand," you said, grabbing his arm. "You have to listen to me, Rex. The Force... something's coming. I can feel it. We're not safe here."
Rex's gaze softened for a moment, but there was a stubbornness in him that wouldn't let go. "You're not crazy, but we can't just assume the worst. We're in a safe place."
As if on cue, the first explosion rocked the village.
âž»
The Separatists came from the cliffs, their droid army descending in waves.
The village, so peaceful just hours before, was now a battlefield. The village chief scrambled to rally the villagers, but it was clear they weren't prepared for what was happening. Panic spread like wildfire. Children screamed. Elders tried to hide.
Rex and the 501st were quick to action, weapons drawn, taking position around the village. But the fight was chaotic. Too chaotic. And despite his skill, Rex couldn't shake the feeling that you had been right.
That something was wrong. That something was coming.
And when he looked back to find you, his heart dropped. You weren't by the water anymore. You were in the center of it allâtrying to calm the villagers, trying to do something, but you were alone.
You weren't a Jedi, but your connection to the planet and the Forceâit had always been there. But now, it was stronger than ever.
But the village was under attack, and Rexâhe would do anything to keep you safe. Anything.
âž»
The ground trembled beneath your feet as the first explosion reverberated across the beach, sending the villagers scattering in panic. You had felt it before, but now it was undeniableâthe feeling that something was horribly wrong. The droid army had descended without warning, their cold, mechanical clanking filling the air as they stormed through the village.
Rex's sharp voice cut through the chaos. "Form up! Secure the perimeter!" His orders were precise, but even he couldn't ignore the panic that was building. The Separatists had come out of nowhereâthis was no mere skirmish. This was an invasion.
You were in the thick of it, dodging through the scrambling villagers, trying to usher the children into the village huts. Your heart pounded in your chest, every instinct telling you to runârun far awayâbut you couldn't. Not when you felt the waves of darkness closing in.
The Force was alive in you nowâalive and screaming. You had never experienced anything like this before. There was something wrong about the way the droids moved. It was as if they had a planâa deeper purpose. And in the center of it all, you could feel a dark presence, one that made your chest tighten with fear.
You tried to keep your cool, but it was hard. It was hard when you saw Rex, the man you had come to care for, pushing through the village with his brothers, cutting down droids left and right. You wanted to warn him, to tell him to stop, to listen to the warning bells ringing in your soul.
But you were just the village "crazy." What could you say? Who would listen?
âž»
Rex was fighting alongside the rest of the 501st, but his eyes never strayed far from you. He knew you weren't helplessâhe knew that. But seeing you caught in the middle of the battle, guiding the villagers to safety, made his heart race in a way he couldn't explain. His usual stoic focus slipped, his movements sharper, more desperate as the battle intensified.
"[Y/N]!" he called out, pushing through a group of battle droids to reach you. "Get to cover!"
You didn't move, your eyes scanning the battlefield, your hands raised as if trying to push the tides themselves back. Your breath was shallow, your mind working overtime to sense the next wave of danger. You felt the air shiftâthey were coming. But they weren't the droids.
A blinding flash of blaster fire exploded nearby, and Rex's hand shot out, grabbing your wrist and pulling you behind a nearby hut for cover.
"Stay down!" he shouted, crouching beside you, his voice fierce, desperate. He was holding onto you tightlyâtoo tightly, almost as if he thought letting go would mean losing you.
You caught your breath, staring at him, your hand still on his arm as if grounding yourself. The connection was stronger than ever, but there was nothing you could do but feel.
"IâRex..." You struggled to find words. "There's something else. Not just droids. Something darker."
He shook his head, his face set with determination. "You're not going through this alone. We're getting you out of here."
But it was too late.
The battle intensified. More droids came flooding into the village, backed by a squad of heavily armored battle droids. You felt itâthe pull of the darkness, tightening its grip around your chest. The very air seemed to grow thick with danger.
The droids were growing stronger by the minute. The battle outside was escalating, and the villagers had nowhere to run. You felt the heavy presence of Skywalker's power drawing closer, but you couldn't bring yourself to move. Rex had his orders. He was focused on defending the villagers, but in the pit of your stomach, you knewâif something wasn't done, this battle would turn into something much worse.
But then, everything stopped.
The unmistakable sound of blaster fire and screeching engines tore through the air. Anakin Skywalker.
"Didn't think you'd get rid of me that easily, Rex!" Skywalker's voice crackled through the comms. The roar of his ship's engines echoed as he barreled through the droid lines, his starfighter tearing through the air, blasting droids out of the sky with precision.
"I knew you'd show up," Rex muttered, a grin creeping onto his face despite the chaos. "Where have you been?"
"Just finishing off a few stragglers!" Skywalker's voice came back with a mischievous chuckle, as his ship soared overhead, dropping bombs and causing explosions in its wake. He was pulling the droid forces back.
The Separatists were retreating, forced to deal with the new wave of attacks from the air and ground.
Rex glanced back at you, his blue eyes full of concern. "We need to move now. They're still coming."
With Skywalker's timely intervention, the tide of battle had shifted. The 501st took advantage of the confusion caused by Skywalker's precision strikes, their assault growing fiercer. It wasn't just the droids that were retreatingâSkywalker's presence had thrown them off balance, leaving the droid army scrambling for cover.
The villagers, assisted by the 501st, rallied together to get the wounded to safety. The battle raged on, but the droids were systematically wiped out. It wasn't a clean victory, but it was a victory nonetheless.
Finally, after the dust settled, you stood on the beach, your eyes still searching the horizon. You could feel the last traces of Skywalker's energy dissipating, his presence fading from the air. The village was safeâfor nowâbut the cost had been heavy.
The 501st was preparing to leave. Skywalker had repaired his starfighterâpatched up and fueled as best as he could with what limited resources the village had. His unorthodox heroics had cleared the sky, and now, it was time to go.
Rex stood beside you, silent for a moment, his hand resting on the hilt of his blaster. "We've got to go," he said, his voice soft.
You nodded, your heart heavy. You knew this was comingâthe goodbye.
You looked up at him, trying to find the words. But there was only one thing you could say.
"You're going back to the fight," you said quietly, your voice thick with emotion.
Rex nodded, his gaze shifting downward for a moment before meeting yours again. "It's my job. It's what I'm good at."
You smiled softly, even though it hurt. "I know." Your fingers brushed his, and for a fleeting moment, the world stood still between you two.
Rex hesitated. There was something in his eyes now, something deeper than the soldier he had always been. He took a step closer, his hand reaching for yours. "Come with us. There's always a place for you with the 501st."
You shook your head gently, your heart aching with the decision. "No, Rex. You belong out there, with them. This is where I need to be. This is my home."
He looked at you for a long time, his gaze tender and filled with an unspoken understanding. "I'll never forget you, [Y/N]."
"I know," you whispered.
You pulled away, taking a deep breath. "Goodbye, Rex."
And as he turned to leave, you couldn't help but feel that your connectionâthis strange, beautiful bond between youâwould remain. Even across the stars.
Rex glanced back one last time, his helmet under his arm, his eyes full of regret and something elseâsomething you couldn't name. But then he was gone, heading to the shuttle with his brothers, disappearing into the sky.
And you stood on the shore, watching the stars shimmer in the distance, knowing that, just maybe, you would always feel that pull toward him. Across time, across galaxies, and even the darkness that threatened to divide them.
The Force, it seemed, had a way of bringing souls togetherâif only for a little while.
The scent of smoke and metal still clung to the air as your heels echoed down the marbled hallway of your battered palace. The ornate glass windows had been blasted out, replaced with ragged holes and jagged edges. Sunlight streamed through in fractured patterns, landing across the gold embroidery of your gown and the heavy sapphires around your neck. The dress was too fine for war, too stiff for practicalityâbut you wore it anyway.
You were Queen.
And queens did not cower in simple cloth.
You now stood unmoving at the top of the grand staircase, the full weight of your crown pressing into your brow. You wore gold today. Not out of vanity, but strategy. A queen in splendor inspires hope. Even in ruin.
"Your Majesty," came the low voice of your advisor, hurrying behind you, "the Republic forces have landed. General Kenobi himself leads them, along with the 212th."
You nodded once, expression like carved obsidian. "Take me to them."
_ _ _
Obi-Wan Kenobi looked every bit the seasoned general, robes dusty from landing, beard trimmed despite the chaos. At his side stood a clone in white and orange armor, helmet tucked under one arm. He stood straight-backed and still, as if carved from the same stone as your palace columns.
You descended the steps slowly, every movement deliberate. You knew how to command a room. You knew how to wield silence as a weapon.
"General Kenobi," you greeted coolly.
He bowed. "Your Majesty. We regret the delay. The 212th is ready to assist."
Your gaze drifted to the commander. Younger than the general. Sharper somehow. His dark eyes met yours, unreadable.
"And who are you?"
"Commander Cody, ma'am," he said, voice clipped and precise. "At your service."
You took a moment, letting your silence test him. He didn't shift. He didn't waver. Good.
"I'm not interested in pleasantries, Commander. The Separatists hold my people hostage in the east quarter. If you're here to help, do it. If not, get out of my city."
Cody inclined his head, neither offended nor intimidated. "Understood, Your Majesty."
Obi-Wan cleared his throat, clearly amused. "I believe you'll find Commander Cody is quite... efficient."
You turned, the gems on your gown glittering with every step. "Then I expect results."
_ _ _
You watched the battle unfold from a tower overlooking the eastern district, eyes tracking orange and white armor sweeping through the rubble like fire. Commander Cody moved like he was born for itâblaster ready, tactics sharp, calm under fire.
You found yourself watching him more than the battlefield.
It wasn't just attraction. No, you'd been courted before. Dignitaries. Princes. Senators. But none of them understood war. None of them had bled for something greater. None of them had stood unmoved when you raised your voice.
He had.
Later, he found you in the ruined throne room, maps and war reports strewn across a cracked obsidian table. You didn't look up as he entered, but you felt him pause. Watching you.
"You're not what I expected," he said.
You arched a brow. "Because I'm young?"
"Because you're beautiful," he said bluntly. "And still more terrifying than most warlords I've met."
A slow, dangerous smile touched your lips. "Careful, Commander. That sounded almost like admiration."
He stepped closer. "It was."
"We leave at dawn," he said quietly.
You nodded. "You've done well."
He gave a faint smile. "So have you."
There was silence, the kind that hangs just before a stormâor a kiss. You stood close. Closer than duty allowed. Your hand brushed against his arm as you passed him, deliberately slow.
"I'm not the type to wait around, Commander," you said softly. "But I remember loyalty."
And with that, you left him standing in the ruins of a palace he helped saveâhis heart torn between orders and the ghost of your perfume.
_ _ _
Night blanketed the capital in quiet shades of blue and silver. The fires had died down. The people slept. The palaceâscarred but standingâbreathed silence through its stone corridors.
You stood alone on the balcony of your private quarters, the city below wrapped in darkness. A wind brushed through your hair, catching on the delicate sapphire pins at your temples. You weren't in ceremonial silk tonightâjust a velvet robe, deep indigo, soft against your skin. Lighter. Easier to breathe in.
"You should be resting," came his voice behind you, low and steady.
You didn't turn. "So should you."
Cody stepped forward, stopping beside you, eyes scanning the skyline. He looked out of place hereâso sharp and war-worn against the softness of your worldâbut somehow, he belonged.
"They'll be fine without me for a few hours," he said.
You let the silence stretch. Then: "It wasn't just my people they came for. The Separatists wanted to break me. Make an example of this world. Of me."
Cody glanced at you, surprised by the honesty in your voice. Your chin was still high, your spine still regalâbut your voice was softer now. Human.
"I've never been this close to losing everything," you murmured.
He didn't offer pity. He didn't rush in with hollow reassurances. He just stood beside you, letting your words exist without judgment.
"You didn't lose," he said finally.
You turned to look at him, his face half-lit by moonlight. You studied himâcreased brow, quiet strength, the scar at his temple. Not beautiful, not polished. But real.
"You leave at dawn," you said.
He nodded. "We've been reassigned. New system. New war."
You looked down, then away. "Will I see you again?"
The question slipped out before you could cage it. A raw thread of vulnerability woven into your otherwise unshakable voice.
Cody didn't hesitate. "If there's a path back here, I'll take it."
You stepped closer, close enough to feel the heat of his skin through his blacks.
"Then go with honor," you whispered. "And come back with your heart still yours."
He tilted his head slightly, brow furrowing. "Why mine?"
"Because..." You hesitated, just for a breath. "You're the first man who's ever looked at me and didn't see just a crown."
His jaw tightened, barely. His gaze dropped to your mouth. Then, slowlyâcarefullyâhe reached up, cupping your face with a gloved hand.
"Then I hope when I come back..." he murmured, voice low, "you'll still be wearing it."
You leaned in before you could think twice. Your lips met hisâsoft, sure, but brief. A kiss meant to linger.
It wasn't passion. It wasn't fire.
It was a promise.
When you pulled away, your forehead rested against his for just a moment longer.
"Until next time, Commander," you whispered.
"Until next time... Your Majesty."
And then he was gone, swallowed by the quiet night, the war, and the stars.
Before the War, Before the Fall...
You were never supposed to be here.
Once, long before the clone army ever existed, you were a Jedi Knight of the Old Republic. A warrior of the High Order, trained in the arts of peace and battle alike. Your robes were stitched from tradition, your saber forged in a time when the galaxy still believed in balance. You fought in the Mandalorian conflicts, aided in the fallout of Sith uprisings, and stood beside legends long turned to dust.
And then, during a critical missionâclassified even by High Council standardsâyou were frozen in carbonite for protection, hidden away on an unmarked moon. Preserved in silence. Time passed. Empires fell. Republics reformed.
You were forgotten.
Until General Skywalker found you.
Woken from carbon stasis nearly a thousand years later, you emerged into a war-torn galaxy so alien, it barely recognized you as Jedi. The robes were the same. The Code had survived in pieces. But the people... *they* were different.
Especially the clones.
You had never seen soldiers bred for war. The first time you met the 501st, they moved as oneâdisciplined, deadly, proud. But each man had a spark of something unique. Echo's spark shone brightest to you.
ARC Trooper Echo, all calm focus and sharp wit. Loyal to a fault. Quietly brave. There was a warmth beneath his helmet that reminded you of someone you lost long ago.
And over time, in the stolen spaces between battles and strategy briefings, you found yourself seeking him out. And heâhesitantly, almost shylyâdid the same.
You shared jokes, glances, meditations by moonlight. Nothing official. Not even a kiss. Just the ache of something growing where no roots should've taken hold.
---
**Now...**
The hangar echoed with the sound of carbon-freeze generators.
You stood near the chamber platform, arms folded, watching the 501st prepare for the Citadel mission. An infiltration like no other. High risk. No guarantee of return.
Your heart beat in time with the distant hiss of steam. You'd been in carbonite before. You wouldn't wish it on anyone.
"You really want to go through with this?" you asked as Echo approached, helmet tucked under his arm.
He smirked. "I've seen worse."
You raised an eyebrow. "Really? *Worse* than being flash-frozen and dropped into a fortress built to kill Jedi?"
He shrugged with a boyish tilt of his head. "When you put it like that..."
You stepped closer, lowering your voice. "I don't like this mission. Something feels... off."
Echo's smile faded just slightly. "I know. But we follow orders."
You stared at him a long moment, eyes locking with his.
"I've had my fair share of carbon-freeze," you said softly, a wry smile tugging at your lips. "Trust meâit's overrated. Don't make it a habit."
Echo chuckled, but there was something in his expressionâhesitation, maybe. Or hope. His fingers brushed yours briefly.
"If I don't make it backâ"
"You *will*," you cut in.
He held your gaze. "Still. If I don't... I'm glad it was you."
The words hung in the air like an unsent message. You swallowed the ache in your throat.
"I'll be waiting," you whispered.
Then the chamber hissed open, and Echo stepped inside. You watched as he was encased in freezing mistâfamiliar, haunting. And then he was still.
---
They returned.
Most of them.
But not him.
You heard the news with numb detachment. "Echo didn't make it." Skywalker didn't meet your eyes when he said it. Fives couldn't speak at all.
You were handed Echo's pauldron. Burnt. Cracked.
But the Force...
The Force *whispered* something else.
In meditation, beneath the endless hum of the ship, you reached for that flickerâthe warm, stubborn light of him. It was faint. Weak. But not extinguished.
You pressed your hand to your heart and said nothing.
Because you knew.
*Echo was still alive.*
And whatever the cost... you'd find him.
---
You couldn't let it go.
No matter how much time passed, or how many battles you fought alongside the 501st, there was something you couldn't shakeâa gnawing feeling deep in your soul. Echo was out there. You knew it. The Force whispered it to you every time you closed your eyes.
You felt him.
The report had come through the 501st's channelsâEcho was alive, but he was a prisoner. He had been taken to Skako Minor and reprogrammed, twisted into something... else. A broken version of the man he had once been. But you didn't care. You would bring him back. You would save him, no matter the cost.
Rex was right beside you, his unwavering loyalty to Echo just as strong as your own. The two of you, separated by a galaxy of uncertainty and destruction, had always understood each other in ways the others couldn't. Rex had never let go of his brother, and neither had you.
And now, you couldn't help but feel the heavy weight of the decision as you prepared for the mission. You weren't just doing this for Echo anymore. You were doing it for both of youâhim and you. For the love of a comrade, a soldier, a friend, and perhaps, deep down, someone more.
"I won't rest until we find him," you whispered to Rex before the mission began.
Rex gave you a stern nod, though his eyes were soft with the same grief you carried. "We're not stopping until we bring him home."
You shared a glance with himâa silent understanding of what this meant. Echo had always been there, in the trenches with them, in the hardest of battles. But now, it was different. The question of who he was had morphed into something unrecognizable. Would the man you both knew still be the same when you found him?
---
The mission was critical, and time was running out.
You, along with Rex, Anakin Skywalker, and the Bad Batch, had infiltrated the outpost on Skako Minor. The Separatists had taken Echoâone of the finest ARC Troopersâand turned him into a prisoner, forced to serve their twisted agenda. You, however, weren't going to let that happen. Not if you could help it.
Echo was still alive. He had to be. You could feel it.
The journey to the outpost had been a long and difficult one, but now, standing on the precipice of their base, you knew what needed to be done. You had trained with Echo, fought beside him. He was family, and you weren't about to lose him to the war.
The place was cold, mechanical, and sterileâalmost too quiet for comfort. It felt like a graveyard. But the faintest sound of movement ahead cut through the silence.
You turned, locking eyes with Rex. His jaw was set, his gaze firm. Beside him, Anakin stood, ready for anything. And then, there was Echo.
But he wasn't the same.
There he wasâstrapped into an array of machines, wires trailing from his body, his face emotionless. The pain of seeing him like this nearly broke you in that moment, but you knew it wasn't over. He was still Echo.
"Echo," Rex called softly, stepping forward. "We've got you, buddy. We're getting you out of here."
For a moment, there was nothing but the hum of machines and the silence of the outpost. Then, a flicker of movement. Echo's head turned slowly, his eyes blank, as if the man you once knew was buried deep inside somewhere, and this was just the shell.
You stepped forward, your heart racing in your chest. "Echo? Can you hear me?" Your voice was calm, but it cracked with the emotion you could no longer contain. You were here. You had found him.
Slowly, Echo's lips curled into a small, dry smileâfamiliar, but tinged with something distant.
"You know, I was starting to get used to this place," Echo's voice was robotic, distant. "It's better than the barracks, but I think I could've done without the wires."
You laughed softly, despite the ache in your chest. "You always did have a way with words. Still, this is no place for you. We're taking you back, Echo. You belong with us."
Echo's gaze flickered toward you briefly, his eyes dull but still alive with some trace of recognition. "You... came for me," he muttered, as though trying to process the reality of it.
"You know we would," you said, your voice firm, yet gentle. "You're one of us, Echo. You don't leave your squad behind."
But Echo's face darkened, his expression turning pained. "I'm not the same anymore," he said quietly, almost regretfully. "They've done something to me. I don't know if I can go back to being who I was."
The words hit you hard. But you refused to back down. "That doesn't matter. You're still the same person, Echo. You've always been there for us. We are still here for you."
Echo shook his head slowly, his eyes never leaving the floor. "I don't know... I don't think I can go back to being that soldier. I've changed."
Rex stepped forward, his voice low but commanding. "You're more than what they've made you, Echo. You've always been more than that
For a moment, Echo seemed to consider this, his eyes moving between you and Rex. But then, he shook his head slowly.
"I don't know if I can go back to who I was," he said softly, his voice tinged with regret.
Rex's hand clenched into a fist. "You don't have to go back. We're here for you, Echo. We'll fight for you."
Anakin stepped forward, his voice calm but commanding. "We'll help you, Echo. We're not leaving anyone behind."
Echo's expression remained stoic, but you could see the flicker of uncertainty in his eyes.
"Maybe... maybe I'm not the man you want me to be," he whispered. "Maybe I'm not that soldier anymore."
The pain in Rex's eyes was palpable, but his voice was resolute. "You're not alone, Echo. You never were. And we're not leaving without you."
The escape was chaotic.
Once Echo was freed from the machine bindings, the alarms blared throughout the facility. There was no time to waste. You, Rex, Anakin, and the Bad Batch fought your way out, blasters blazing, all while Echo struggled to regain his bearings. His movements were stiff, his mind clouded from the reprogramming, but with every passing moment, you could see him coming back to himselfâalbeit slowly.
It was Anakin who led the charge through the outpost's corridors, his strategic mind piecing together their escape route even as enemy fire rained down on them. Rex covered you, his blaster raised and steady, while you kept your focus on Echo, guiding him through the madness.
"You're with us, Echo. We'll get you out of here," you said, trying to keep him calm. He didn't respond, but the faintest nod was all you needed.
When you reached the hangar, the Bad Batch took their positions, covering the exits and keeping the Separatists at bay. Echo was stumbling, but he kept moving forward, a faint glimmer of the soldier he once was starting to re-emerge. You didn't know if he would ever be the same again, but for now, he was with youâand that was all that mattered.
"Keep moving, Echo," you said as you pushed him toward the ship.
"I'm with you," he muttered, his voice rough but steady. "I'll never leave you behind."
Finally, after what felt like hours of intense combat, you made it to the ship. The engines roared to life, and the transport shot off into the atmosphere, away from the chaos of Skako Minor.
As you all settled into your seats, the adrenaline of the escape began to wear off, and the weight of what you'd just witnessed settled in. Echo was alive, but he was still so far from being the man you remembered. The wires, the reprogramming, the sufferingâit was all etched into him in ways you couldn't yet fully understand.
But you were determined to help him heal. You didn't care what it tookâ and you wouldn't leave him behind again.
- - -
The chaos of the mission on Skako Minor had finally settled, leaving an overwhelming sense of relief in its wake. The Marauder, the ship piloted by the Bad Batch, now cut through the stars as it headed towards the Republic fleet. It was a rough rideâno surprise there, considering the crewâbut it was a comforting one. There was a sense of familiarity with the Bad Batch's eccentricities, their usual banter filling the air around you. However, the most comforting part of all was Echo, sitting across from you.
It had been a long and arduous rescue, but Echo was finally freeâphysically, at least. The mental scars of his time with the Separatists would take longer to heal.
Echo was seated across from you, leaning back slightly in his seat, his expression distant. His posture was less rigid than usual, but you could see the storm behind his eyes. The escape had been harrowing, and he was still processing everything.
Wrecker, the ever-vibrant and boisterous member of the Bad Batch, was rummaging around in the back, most likely looking for snacks. "You know, if I didn't know any better, I'd say we were all a little too quiet today," he said with his signature grin, tossing a bag of chips to Tech, who caught it with precision.
Tech raised an eyebrow but accepted the snack. "We've just been through a rather intense operation, Wrecker. A little silence isn't a bad thing."
Meanwhile, Hunter leaned against the wall near the cockpit, his piercing eyes scanning the ship's systems, though his attention occasionally drifted toward you and Echo. You knew he respected Echo's capabilities, but you also suspected that he had noticed the bond growing between the two of you.
Rex, too, had been quietly observing, but it was clear from his relaxed posture that he was relieved. Everyone had come out of the mission alive, but the tension was far from gone.
You turned your attention back to Echo, noticing how his eyes occasionally flickered toward the viewport. The stars outside were nothing compared to the turmoil inside him, and it hurt you to see him struggling.
You shifted in your seat and, without thinking, reached across the aisle to gently nudge his arm. "You know, I've had my fair share of carbon freezing," you joked softly, trying to lighten the mood. "So I can't say I'm jealous of you getting to do it again."
Echo blinked, looking at you as a quiet smile tugged at his lips. "I think I've had enough of it for a lifetime," he said with a soft chuckle. "That last time wasn't exactly a vacation."
Your heart fluttered at the sound of his voice, the way the tension in his shoulders relaxed. You shared a brief moment of eye contact before he looked back at the stars, and you took the opportunity to close the distance just slightly, your hand brushing against his. It was a small gesture, but it spoke volumes in that quiet moment.
The Marauder continued its journey through the void, the hum of the ship's engines filling the air. But it wasn't just the ship that seemed to hum nowâit was the quiet connection between you and Echo, something that had always been there, unspoken. The bond between the two of you felt more tangible now, as if the events of the mission had brought you even closer together.
Wrecker, still in the back, called out over his shoulder, "Hey, you two going to just stare at each other the whole ride, or are we finally going to get a real conversation out of you?"
Echo let out a quiet laugh, his eyes flicking to you with a playful, almost sheepish expression. "I think we're getting there."
You couldn't help but grin at the playful teasing, but your heart was racing. A brief glance passed between you, and for just a moment, you felt like the weight of everythingâthe war, the danger, the missionâfaded into the background. It was just you and him, the connection between you two solidifying in that quiet space.
Echo's voice was lower now, more intimate as he leaned slightly closer. "I don't know how to say this, but... I'm glad you were here. I don't think I could have made it through this without you."
Your chest tightened, and for a moment, you didn't know what to say. The words were too big to express, but the warmth in your chest was enough to convey everything.
"You don't have to say anything," you replied quietly, your voice barely a whisper. "I'm just... happy you're safe."
Echo gave a small smile before his thumb brushed against the back of your hand, sending a flutter through your stomach. "Safe, but not unscathed."
The words lingered between you, but this time, it didn't feel like an obstacle. It felt like a truth you were both starting to accept. For the first time in what seemed like forever, Echo wasn't just a soldier you fought beside. He was something more. Someone more.
- - -
When the Marauder finally docked with the Republic fleet, the hangar bay was filled with the usual bustle of activity. You all disembarked, the quiet tension of the mission still hanging in the air. Everyone's expressions were marked by the weight of what had just happened.
Echo, though physically alive and well, still seemed lost in his thoughts. The Bad Batch, as usual, carried on with their typical behavior, but there was a more subdued air about them. Hunter gave a curt nod of approval as you all made your way toward the command center.
As you walked together, Echo's hand brushed against yours again, a simple, tender touch that made your heart skip. You looked at him, your breath catching in your throat.
"Well, I guess we're back," you said with a light smile. "Not exactly how I imagined the rescue would go."
Echo smirked, his fingers lingering on yours.
Your heart swelled at the softness in his eyes as he looked down at you. You couldn't help the smile that spread across your face, the affection clear in your gaze.
Before either of you could speak again, Rex came up beside you, giving you a teasing look. "Hey, I don't know what's going on between you two, but I'm pretty sure you're both walking into a warzone if you don't get it together soon."
Echo chuckled, his face reddening just a little. "Rex is right, you know. Maybe we should take some time to... figure things out."
You nodded, your heart racing. "I think that's a good idea."
Wrecker, who had been trailing behind, chimed in from a distance. "Oh great! Another love story brewing on this ship. I hope it's not as dramatic as the last one!"
You and Echo exchanged a playful glance, both of you rolling your eyes at Wrecker. Amused but not wanting to pry on the Batch's secret love lives.
With your hand still in his, Echo leaned in slightly, his voice soft. "I'm not going anywhere. Not this time."
You smiled, feeling an overwhelming sense of peace settle over you. "Good. Because I don't think I could do this without you."
The two of you walked side by side toward the command center, the quiet between you now a comfortable one. You had no idea what the future held, but in that moment, you knew one thing for sureâyou and Echo had finally found something worth holding onto.
_______
Part 2
The hangar ramp hissed open, and your boots hit the deck like you owned it. Technically, you didn'tâbut you were Plo Koon's former Padawan, still carrying his signature balance of unshakable calm and cutting sarcasm.
You tugged your hood down and grinned as you spotted two familiar figures on the bridge: Plo Koon, standing with serene patience, and Commander Wolffe beside him, looking like someone had just asked him to smile. Again.
"Master," you greeted with a playful bow. "Commander."
Without turning, Plo said, "You're late... again."
You smirked. "As long as I'm not late to my own funeral. You must know by now I consider this punctual."
Wolffe crossed his arms. "With your timing? It's a miracle you've not already had one."
You gave him a slow once-over. "Still charming as ever, I see. The scowl really brings out the war-torn veteran vibes. Very scarred and emotionally unavailable of you."
Wolffe didn't even flinch. "And you're still running your mouth like we've got time for it."
Before you could reply, Boost and Sinker passed behind him, lugging crates and throwing looks.
"Someone's in love," Boost sang under his breath.
"Poor Commander," Sinker added, "didn't stand a chance."
Wolffe didn't even turn around. "I can still reassign both of you to sewage detail."
You held back a laughâbarely.
"Are all your men like this now?" you asked your old Master.
Plo Koon gave a low hum. "Sassy. Grumpy. Aggressively loyal."
"So you picked them to remind you of me."
"I missed you," he said without missing a beat.
Your heart actually squeezed at that, but you covered it with, "Well, I hope you're ready, because if Commander Growl here is leading the op, I might die from sarcasm before I die from blaster fire."
Wolffe raised an eyebrow. "I don't babysit Jedi."
You stepped closer. "Good. I don't need a babysitter. I need someone who won't cry when I outrank him in sass."
He stared at you, deadpan. "You won't."
You stared back. "You sure?"
Pause.
"Unfortunately."
Plo Koon interrupted before one of you ended up biting the other. "We deploy in two hours. I expect both of you to survive long enough to get along."
You and Wolffe answered at the same time.
"No promises."
---
The landing zone was chaos.
Blaster fire lit the sky, droids rained from drop ships, and the ground was already smoking. You and Wolffe hit dirt side by side, crouched behind the smoldering wreckage of what used to be a tactical transport.
"Well," you said, deflecting a bolt with your saber, "this is cozy."
"You call this cozy?" Wolffe growled, firing a shot so clean it sent a super battle droid straight to the scrap heap.
You smirked. "I've had worse first dates."
He didn't look at you, just reloaded. "You're bleeding."
You glanced at your shoulder. Blaster graze. "A little paint off the speeder. I'm fine."
"You should patch it."
"Are you worried about me, Commander?"
"No. I just don't want to carry your dramatic ass off the battlefield."
"You mean you can't carry me."
"Try me."
Before you could sass him again, Boost's voice crackled through comms.
"Commanderrr, she's making that face again."
"You mean the one that says 'I flirt by mocking your trauma'?"
Sinker's voice joined in, deadpan: > "So... her default face."
"Copy that, shutting off comms now," Wolffe said drylyâand actually turned his comm off.
"Coward," you muttered, slashing through another droid.
But underneath all the banter, you were moving in sync. You ducked when he fired. He stepped when you struck. Like muscle memory. Like old training and shared violence. Like maybe, somehow, this shouldn't feel so... natural.
_ _ _
The op was a win. Barely.
You were bruised, bleeding, and parked on a cold medbay cot with a bandage wrapped around your shoulder. Wolffe was sitting across from you, helmet off, that glorious scar catching the sterile light.
You stared at it. Again.
"I can feel you looking at it," he grumbled, arms crossed.
"Can't help it. It's criminally hot."
He blinked. "It's a war wound."
"Exactly."
He shook his head. "You're weird."
"You're pretty," you shot backâmostly to see him flinch.
And oh, he flinched. Glared like you'd punched him in the stomach.
"Iâwhatâdon'tâ" he sputtered. "You can't just say things like that."
"You mean compliments?"
He looked genuinely appalled. "You take one like it's a threat!"
"Because they usually are! Last guy who called me beautiful tried to shoot me two hours later."
Wolffe rubbed his face. "We are so emotionally damaged."
You grinned. "You like it."
He muttered something about Jedi being a menace, and you stepped closer. Right into his space. Close enough to see the tension in his jawâand the way he didn't move away.
"Wolffe," you said quietly. "You're allowed to like me. Even if I'm mouthy. Even if I scare you a little."
"You don't scare me."
You leaned in.
"Good."
Then you kissed him. And stars, he kissed you back.
It wasn't sweet. It wasn't gentle. It was the kind of kiss you gave a person when you both knew tomorrow might not come. Hard, real, desperate in that quiet, aching way soldiers kissâthe kind that says I know we're doomed, but just for tonight, pretend we're not.
When you finally pulled back, he was breathing a little heavier.
"...You're exhausting," he whispered.
"You love it."
"...Unfortunately."
From the next room, Boost called, "If you're done making out, the rest of us are bleeding."
Sinker added, "Bleeding and emotionally neglected."
Wolffe let his head thunk against your shoulder.
You just smiled. "Same time tomorrow?"
"Maker help me," he muttered.
But he didn't say no.
âž»
The mission was simple: a supply drop to a small village that had been hit hard by the Separatists a few weeks ago. The 104th were tasked with delivering medicine, food, and supplies, and Master Plo had insisted on accompanying themâhis calm presence often a welcome relief in tense situations. It was a peaceful village now, recovering from the wreckage, though it had its oddities.
And one of those oddities stood waiting on the village outskirts as the shuttle carrying the 104th came in to land.
You were a local, though you didnât seem to fit the mold of the average villager. You were known as the âvillage crazy,â a title you wore with pride. You were eccentric, a little wild, and, to put it bluntly, you were unlike anyone the soldiers had ever met. You spent most of your days wandering the village, dancing on the shoreline, speaking in riddles, and telling storiesâstories that were elaborate, nonsensical, and always different from the last. You had a gift for spinning tales that no one could follow, and you never told the same story twice. There was always something new, something unexpected, and most importantly, you never left anyone with the same sense of reality.
The shuttle doors opened, and Commander Wolffe was the first to step off, his helmet glinting in the sunlight. He scanned the area, taking in the sight of the quiet village, a few villagers waving at him and his men. The 104th were used to these kinds of missionsâhelping out the people who needed it, always the soldierâs duty.
But the moment his eyes landed on you, standing in the middle of the village with your arms raised to the sky, spinning in slow circles, he stopped.
âWell, this is going to be⊠interesting,â Warthog muttered from behind him, a grin creeping up on his face as he watched you twirl, completely oblivious to the soldiersâ presence.
âYou sure sheâs not a droid in disguise?â Boost asked, his brow raised as he adjusted his rifle.
Wolffe only sighed. âSheâs definitely not a droid.â
At that moment, you caught sight of Master Plo, and your face lit up with an expression of delight. You skipped over to him, arms wide, your bare feet brushing the ground as you moved with a fluid grace that felt otherworldly. âMaster Plo! The sky told me you would be here today! The wind, the oceanâit all speaks when itâs time.â
Master Plo gave you a serene smile, ever the diplomat. âIâm glad to see you, [Y/N]. What news do the stars share with you today?â
âThe stars are confused,â you replied cryptically, your voice playful yet serious. âTheyâve lost their way, Master Jedi. The moons are turning, but the tides are still.â
Wolffe, standing a few paces back, exchanged a glance with Warthog. His brow furrowed, and he couldnât suppress a mutter under his breath. âThis is going to be a long mission.â
You, however, took no notice of his cynicism. You had already moved to the next subject, dancing in circles as you spoke. âI once saw a giant fish the size of a mountain! It came out of the sea and roared at the sun! It was blue, but it wore a cape made of cloudsâlike a king of the waves!â
Wooly snorted. âYeah, right,â he muttered, shaking his head. âA fish that wears a cape?â
âIâm telling you, Wooly,â you replied with a wink, âIâm never wrong. Youâve just never looked at the ocean the way I do.â
âAnd howâs that?â Boost asked, raising an eyebrow.
With a sly smile, you leaned in closer to him, speaking in a lowered voice. âWith the eyes of a mermaid, of course. You can see everythingâbeneath the waves, beneath the stories, beneath the stars. You just have to listen.â
Wolffe, arms crossed, watched the exchange with growing confusion. âRight,â he muttered, glancing over to Master Plo. âIs she always like this?â
Plo chuckled softly, his calm demeanor unwavering. âYes, but thereâs wisdom in her madness. [Y/N] sees the world in a way that few of us can. Sometimes, we just have to let the river flow.â
âRiverâŠ?â Wolffe raised an eyebrow but didnât press further. Heâd seen his fair share of strange characters, but none quite like this one. You were certainly different.
Master Plo turned back to you with a smile. âAnd how have you been, [Y/N]? The village looks well, I see.â
You spun once more, eyes twinkling with a mix of amusement and mystery. âIâm good! But⊠oh, the tideâs about to turn again, Master Jedi. I can feel it! I can hear the whales calling from the mountains, and the ground feels restless. Somethingâs stirring.â You leaned in toward him conspiratorially, whispering as though sharing a great secret, âThe skyâs eyes are looking this way, and I think⊠I think itâs about time for a visit from the stars.â
Wolffe watched, unimpressed but intrigued nonetheless. âGreat, more riddles.â He muttered under his breath, but Plo only chuckled.
âThereâs more to her words than you think, Commander,â Plo said gently. âShe is⊠connected to the Force in ways that donât always make sense to us.â
You, still twirling, suddenly stopped and looked directly at Wolffe, catching him off guard. âThe moon is rising, Commander. The shadows are long, and the stories are ready to be told. But be carefulâthere are wolves in the woods that sing songs of fire.â
Wolffe raised an eyebrow. âWolves in the woods?â
You nodded, as though everything you said made perfect sense. âThe kind that howl with the wind. But no need to worry; they only come when the stars fall.â
He gave you a half-hearted smile, his skepticism never wavering. âIâll keep that in mind.â
You grinned widely. âGood, Commander. You must always listen to the stars and the wolves. They know things we cannot.â
As the day wore on, Wolffe, Boost, Warthog, and Wooly found themselves working alongside the villagers, setting up the relief supplies and ensuring that everything was distributed properly. You flitted around the camp, speaking to anyone who would listen with your wild stories and cryptic observations.
At one point, you approached Wolffe again, who was overseeing the unloading of medical supplies.
âYouâre not going to find what youâre looking for in the boxes, Commander,â you said, giving him a pointed look.
He glanced at the crates and then back at you, a little bemused. âAnd what exactly am I looking for, [Y/N]?â
âThe truth,â you answered with a knowing smile, your voice soft and almost tender. âBut itâs hiding behind the moon. It always is.â
Wolffe blinked, processing the strange words. For a moment, he wanted to laugh it off, to brush you aside as just another eccentric villager. But something in the way you spokeâso sure, so confident in your own worldâmade him pause.
Maybe, just maybe, there was more to you than the others saw. And maybe, just maybe, your wild stories held a grain of truth.
âž»
The days passed in a haze of strange encounters and stories as the 104th continued their relief mission in the village. Commander Wolffe found himself oddly drawn to the âvillage crazy,â as she was affectionately known. You were an enigmaâone moment spinning wild tales about stars, the next, dancing barefoot along the shore or chatting to animals as though they were old friends. It was baffling, and Wolffe couldnât help but find a strange charm in your unpredictability.
He would catch glimpses of you wandering around the camp, your eyes gleaming with excitement as you spoke to the sky, or weaving through the villagers as though you were part of something larger than what any of them could comprehend. There was an air of serenity about you, a sense of knowing that Wolffe couldnât quite place. You were unpredictable, yes, but there was a peacefulness in your madness that was strangely⊠grounding.
The oddest part? Master Plo seemed to have no issue with it. Heâd often smile as he watched you interact with the world around you, a knowing look in his eyes.
âI think, Commander,â Master Plo had said one evening as they watched you from a distance, âthere is wisdom in her madness. She sees the world through a different lens, but that lens allows her to glimpse truths we might miss.â
Wolffe gave him a skeptical look. âSheâs a little⊠strange.â
Master Plo chuckled softly. âWe all are in our own way, Commander. Sometimes, itâs not the surface that matters, but what lies beneath. [Y/N] may have more to offer than she lets on.â
Wolffe didnât respond, instead just watching you as you twirled across the village square, talking animatedly to an empty chair as though it was a long-lost friend. He couldnât deny that there was something captivating about youâsomething that made him want to learn more, despite himself.
Meanwhile, the rest of the 104th had their own thoughts on the matter. Sinker and Boost in particular werenât quite as enchanted by your eccentricities. They had grown used to following orders, taking things seriously. And the constant stream of bizarre stories you told and your odd behavior didnât sit well with them.
âYou know, Iâm starting to think weâre all in the middle of some bizarre dream,â Sinker grumbled as he leaned against a crate, watching you dance in the distance. âSheâs like a walking, talking riddle.â
âSheâs a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside a headache,â Boost added with a smirk, crossing his arms as he watched you spin around.
You had been telling tales about the stars and the oceans again when they spotted youâthis time, however, you werenât just dancing by the shore. You were out in the water, waist-deep, moving gracefully around a strange creatureâa sort of aquatic alien, with shimmering scales and bioluminescent markings that flickered like the stars themselves. It was an oddity they had never seen before.
âWhat in the galaxy is that?â Sinker asked, eyes wide in disbelief.
âIt looks like some kind of alien fish⊠thing,â Boost said with a chuckle. âThatâs one way to make a splash.â
You didnât seem to care that they were watching. You danced with the creature, laughing and singing softly to it in a language none of them recognized. Your voice blended with the sound of the waves as you seemed to communicate with the animal, a soft bond of mutual understanding between you and the strange creature.
Wolffe had joined the two clones at the edge of the village, having finished his patrol. He looked over at the scene in the distance, his brow furrowing slightly as he saw you in the water, laughing with the alien. His first instinct was to protect you, but the sight was strangely calming. You were unbothered by their stares, completely immersed in the moment.
âSheâs definitely got some screws loose,â Sinker muttered under his breath, watching you from a distance.
Boost snorted. âI donât know, Sinker. Maybe sheâs onto something. Who else do we know who can communicate with random sea creatures?â
âSheâs not communicating with it, Boost,â Wolffe said, his voice surprisingly soft. âItâs⊠just a connection. You canât understand it unless youâve seen it for yourself.â
Sinker and Boost exchanged looks before Sinker laughed. âYouâre starting to sound like her, Wolffe. Watch out, you might start dancing with fish too.â
Wolffe didnât respond. He just watched you, a flicker of something uncertain passing through his mind. He was⊠intrigued. Fascinated, even. The way you seemed to fit into the world so effortlessly, the way you didnât care what anyone thought. It was a sharp contrast to the rigid, regimented life of a clone trooper.
âž»
The relief mission was drawing to a close, and the 104th were preparing to leave. The shuttle would be ready for takeoff within the hour. Supplies had been delivered, the villagers were starting to rebuild, and the atmosphere of quiet recovery settled over the village. It was a peaceful ending to a mission that had, in its own strange way, been one of the more memorable ones.
The 104th had gathered near the shuttle, preparing to board, when Wolffe found himself standing a little further back from the others. His helmet was tucked under his arm, and he was quietly observing the bustling village one last time. His thoughts, however, were far from the mission. His mind kept wandering back to youâthe village âcrazy.â You were unlike anyone he had ever met, and even now, as he watched the villagers wave goodbye to the clones, he couldnât quite shake the feeling that you had somehow made your way into his thoughts.
You werenât far off. As always, you had a way of slipping into the edges of their world without anyone noticingâuntil it was too late.
Wolffeâs eyes caught sight of you as you wandered over to him, your bare feet making no sound against the dirt path. You were humming a tune that didnât seem to belong to any world the clones knew, a soft, almost haunting melody that drifted in the warm air.
âCommander Wolffe!â you called out, your voice light and filled with the same mystery that seemed to surround you. âI have something for you.â
He turned to face you, raising an eyebrow as you approached. âSomething for me?â he asked, his tone flat, though his interest was piqued. âWhatâs that?â
You stopped just in front of him, your eyes sparkling with mischief, and held out your hand. In it was a small, smooth rockânothing extraordinary, but there was something special about the way you presented it. It glinted in the sun, and the edges were rounded, worn down by time, smooth like a river stone.
âThis is a gift from the stars,â you said cryptically, a playful smile tugging at your lips. âYouâll need it where youâre going. It will remind you to listen to the waves, the winds, the stars⊠and to yourself.â
Wolffe hesitated for a moment, eyeing the rock in your hand. âI donât need reminders, [Y/N],â he said, though his voice softened at the end. âIâm not the kind of man who needs⊠stars.â
You smiled wider, a knowing look in your eyes. âThatâs why youâll need it,â you replied with a wink. âWhen the time comes, youâll hear them. I promise.â
For a long moment, Wolffe simply stared at you, unsure of how to respond. Your words, as always, felt like a riddle wrapped in a mystery, but there was a sincerity to them that made him want to believe you. He could hear the faint whisper of the wind through the trees, the faint sound of the ocean nearby. Maybe⊠just maybe, there was truth to what you were saying. And maybe, you were right.
âAlright,â he muttered after a moment, taking the rock from your hand. âIâll keep it. But donât expect me to start listening to the waves.â
You smiled brightly, as if youâd won a great victory. âItâs not the waves you need to listen to, Commander,â you said softly. âItâs the silence between them.â
There was a brief silence between you two, neither of you moving. Wolffe felt something shift in the airâa quiet, inexplicable connection that, despite his reservations, had grown over the past few days. You had a way of making him feel⊠less like a soldier and more like a man, someone capable of hearing the things he normally ignored. Even if it didnât make sense, it didnât feel wrong.
The moment was interrupted by the sound of Warthog shouting from the shuttle, his voice carrying over the wind. âCommander! Get over here! Weâre ready to leave!â
Wolffeâs shoulders stiffened, but he didnât immediately turn away. Instead, he glanced back at you. Your eyes were filled with that quiet understanding againâlike you could see right through him.
âWell, I guess this is it,â you said softly, spinning the rock in your fingers like a talisman. âDonât forget to listen.â
âI wonât forget,â Wolffe said, his voice surprisingly gentle. âBut I might not listen, either.â
You chuckled, a sound that seemed to carry across the entire village. âYou never know when the stars will choose to speak to you, Commander.â
With that, you stepped back, giving him space to go. But just before he turned away, you added one final word. âIâll be here when youâre ready to listen.â
Wolffe stood there for a moment, staring at you with a mixture of confusion and something elseâsomething he couldnât quite name. You were so strange, so utterly different from anyone he had ever met. And yet⊠there was something comforting in your oddity. Something that made him feel less alone in a world that often felt too rigid, too predictable.
He finally gave you a small nod, almost imperceptible. âTake care of yourself, [Y/N].â
And then, with a final glance over his shoulder, Wolffe walked toward the shuttle, leaving you standing there at the edge of the village, your figure bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun.
âž»
As the shuttle lifted off, Wolffe leaned against the side of the ship, looking down at the small rock in his hand. He had no idea what it would mean, or why it felt like the weight of the universe was pressing against it. But somehow, he didnât mind. There was something about that village, something about you, that had made him believeâif only for a momentâthat there was more to life than just the orders he followed.
And maybe, just maybe, thatâs what the stars were trying to tell him.
*Based on Pabu*
âž»
Your little sushi shop didnât look like much from the outsideâjust a corner nook with faded sea-blue paint and a handwritten chalkboard menuâbut it was yours. A quiet dream built on fish markets, rice steamers, and the salty Pabu breeze.
And it had one very big, very loud, very lovable regular.
Wrecker.
He first stumbled in by accident, really. Something about Omega spotting the place and dragging him along with promises of âraw fish and weird seaweed rollsâ she wanted to try.
You remembered watching him duck to fit through the doorway, nearly taking the paper lantern with him. The moment he sat on the cushionâyou swore it gave up the ghost. Youâd nearly burst out laughing. So had Omega.
And yet, after one massive order (three rolls, two bowls of rice, and miso soup he drank straight from the pot), he patted his stomach and declared it the âbest food I ever had that didnât come in a ration pack or get cooked over a fire by Crosshair!â
He meant it. He kept coming back. Sometimes with Omega, sometimes alone.
And over time⊠you fell.
It wasnât sudden. It wasnât fireworks. It was slow. Like the way he grinned with soy sauce on his cheek. The way he lit up whenever Omega told stories and always listened like every word was gold. The way he tried to use chopsticks and ended up stabbing his sushi like it had wronged him. The way he always complimented your food. Even on the days you messed up the rice.
He sat at the same spot. Always the far left cushion, near the open window where he could watch the sea and keep an eye on Omega playing with the local kids.
He told you stories too. About the Batch. About the war. About planets youâd never heard of and creatures heâd wrestled, often embellishing the size.
âI swear, the thing was this big!â heâd gesture, arms spread wider than your doorway.
Youâd laugh. You always laughed.
But lately, it hurt a little. Because you loved him. And you didnât know if he saw you as anything other than âthe sushi girl.â A friend. A safe place. A routine.
You werenât extraordinary. You didnât fly ships or fight droids. You didnât save people or have scars to show for anything but kitchen burns.
You were just⊠here. Making sushi.
And he was Wrecker.
âž»
It was a quiet evening when he came alone. The sun painted everything in gold, the sea calm and whispering.
You were cleaning up when you heard the familiar grunt of him ducking through the doorway.
âHey, Wrecker,â you said, smiling softly. âNo Omega?â
âSheâs off with Hunter. Some market thing.â He rubbed the back of his neck. âThought Iâd drop by anyway. Got a seat for me?â
âAlways.â
He took his spot. You brought out his favorite roll without asking.
You didnât talk much at first. Just the quiet sound of chopsticks failing and him switching to his fingers after a few tries.
âYâknow,â he said suddenly, âI like it here.â
You paused, halfway to wiping down a table. âYeah?â
âYeah. Itâs peaceful. And youâre always nice to me. Even when I eat too much.â
You chuckled, heart thumping. âI like having you here.â
He looked up at you then, serious in a way he rarely was.
âI hope this ainât weird,â he said. âBut I think about you. A lot. When Iâm not here.â
Your breath caught.
He kept going, nervously, like he was charging into battle. âI donât really get how all this⊠love stuff works. But I know how I feel. And I know I wanna be around you more. If thatâs okay.â
Your hands were shaking. You smiled, eyes misting over.
âI thought I was just a friend to you,â you whispered.
âNah,â he said, softly this time. âYouâre more.â
He stood, awkwardly towering over the bar, then reached out and touched your hand with his massive, callused fingers.
âUnless you donât want that. Then I can just keep eatinâ sushi and shuttinâ up.â
You laughed through a tear. âI want that. Iâve wanted that.â
âž»
From then on, nothing changedâand everything did.
Wrecker still sat in the same seat. Still made a mess. Still laughed too loud.
But now he held your hand under the table. Now he walked you home after close, grumbling that he had to make sure you were safeâeven on the safest island in the galaxy. Now he left tiny gifts on the counter: shiny shells, carved wood, one time a flower that got squished in his fist but still smelled sweet.
Omega noticed right away, of course. She beamed at you both.
âTook you long enough,â she said, biting into a rice ball. âHe talks about you all the time.â
You just smiled and passed her another plate.
Your heart full. Your quiet dream now shared.
âž»
Read more by me
Tech is so cute Æ>
Summary: By day, sheâs a chaotic assistant in the Coruscant Guard; by night, a smoky-voiced singer who captivates even the most disciplined clonesâespecially Commander Fox. But when a botched assignment, a bounty hunterâs warning, she realizes the spotlight might just get her killed.
_ _ _ _
The lights of Coruscant were always loud. Flashing neon signs, sirens echoing through levels, speeders zipping like angry wasps. But nothing ever drowned out the voice of the girl at the mic.
She leaned into it like she was born there, bathed in deep blue and violet lights at 99's bar, voice smoky and honey-sweet. She didn't sing like someone performingâshe sang like she was telling secrets. And every clone in the place leaned in to hear them.
Fox never stayed for the full set. Not really. He'd linger just outside the threshold long enough to catch the tail end of her voice wrapping around the words of a love song or a low bluesy rebellion tune before disappearing into the shadows, unreadable as ever.
He knew her name.
He knew too much, if he was honest with himself.
---
By some minor miracle of cosmic misalignment, she showed up to work the next day.
Coruscant Guard HQ was sterile and sharpâexactly the opposite of her. The moment she stepped through the entrance, dragging a caf that was more sugar than stimulant, every other assistant looked up like they were seeing a ghost they didn't like.
"She lives," one of them muttered under their breath.
She gave a mock-curtsy, her usual smirk tugging at her lips. "I aim to disappoint."
Her desk was dusty. Her holopad had messages backed up from a week ago. And Fox's office door wasâblessedlyâclosed.
She plopped into her chair, kicking off her boots and spinning once in her chair before sipping her caf and pretending to care about her job.
Unfortunately, today was not going to let her coast.
One of the other assistantsâa tight-bunned brunette with a permanently clenched jawâstrolled over, datapad in hand and an expression that said *we're about to screw you over and enjoy it.*
"You're up," the woman said. "Cad Bane's in holding. He needs to be walked through his rights, legal rep options, the whole thing."
The reader blinked. "You want *me* to go talk to *Cad Bane?* The bounty hunter with the murder-happy fingers and sexy lizard eyes?"
"Commander Fox signed off on it."
*Bullshit,* she thought. But aloud, she said, "Well, at least it won't be boring."
---
Security in the lower levels of Guard HQ was tight, and the guards scanned her badge twiceâpartly because she never came down here, partly because nobody believed she had clearance.
"Try not to get killed," one said dryly as he buzzed her into the cell block.
"Aw, you do care," she winked.
The room was cold. Lit only by flickering fluorescents, with reinforced transparisteel separating her from the infamous Duros bounty hunter. He sat, cuffs in place, slouched like he owned the room even in chains.
"Well, well," Cad Bane drawled, red eyes narrowing with amusement. "Don't recognize you. They finally lettin' in pretty faces to read us our bedtime stories?"
She ignored the spike of fear in her chest and sat across from him, activating the datapad. "Cad Bane. You are being held by the Coruscant Guard for multiple counts ofâwell, a lot. I'm supposed to inform you of your legal rights and representationâ"
"Save it," he said, voice low. "You're not just an assistant."
Her brow twitched. "Excuse me?"
"You smell like city smoke and spice trails. Not paper. Not politics. I've seen girls like you in cantinas two moons from Coruscant, drinkin' with outlaws and singin' like heartbreak's a language." His smile widened. "And I've seen that face. You got a past. And it's catchin' up."
She stood, blood running colder than the cell. "We're done here."
"Hope the Commander's watchin'," Cad added lazily. "He's got eyes on you. Like you're his favorite secret."
She turned and walkedâ*fast*.
---
Fox was waiting at the end of the hallway when she emerged, helm on, arms crossed, motionless like a statue.
"Commander," she said, voice trying to stay casual even as adrenaline buzzed in her fingers. "Didn't think I rated high enough for personal escorts."
"Why were you down there alone?" His voice was calm. Too calm.
"You signed off on it."
"I didn't."
Her stomach sank. The air between them thickened, tension clicking into place like a blaster being loaded.
"I'll speak to the others," Fox said, stepping closer. "But next time you walk into a room with someone like Cad Bane, you *tell me* first."
She raised a brow. "Since when do you care what I do?"
"I don't," he said too fast.
But she caught itâ*the tiny flicker of something human beneath the armor.*
She tilted her head, smirk tugging at her lips again. "If you're going to keep me alive, Commander, I'm going to need to see you at the next open mic night."
Fox turned away.
"I don't attend bars," he said over his shoulder.
"Good," she called back. "Because I'm not singing for the others."
He paused. Just once. Barely. Then he walked on.
She didn't need to see his face to know he was smiling.
---
She walked back into the offices wearing oversized shades, yesterday's eyeliner, and the confidence of someone who refused to admit she probably shouldn't have tequila before 4 a.m.
The moment she crossed the threshold, tight-bun Trina zeroed in.
"Hope you enjoyed your field trip," Trina said, arms folded, sarcasm sharp enough to cut durasteel.
"I did, actually. Made a new friend. His hobbies include threats and murder. You'd get along great," the reader shot back, grabbing her caf and sipping without breaking eye contact.
Trina sneered. "You weren't supposed to go alone. But I guess you're just reckless enough to survive it."
The reader stepped closer, voice dropping. "You sent me because you thought I'd panic. You wanted a show."
"Well, if Commander Fox cares so much, maybe he should stop playing bodyguard and just transfer you to front-line entertainment," Trina snapped.
"Jealousy isn't a good look on you."
"It's not jealousy. It's resentment. You don't work, you vanish for days, and yet he always clears your screw-ups."
She leaned in. "Maybe he just likes me better."
Trina's jaw clenched, "Since you're suddenly here, again, congratulationsâyou're finishing the Cad Bane intake. Legal processing. Standard rights. You can handle reading, yeah?"
The reader smiled sweetly. "Absolutely. Hooked on Phonics."
---
Two security scans and a passive-aggressive threat from a sergeant later, she was back in the lower cells, now much more aware of just how many surveillance cams were watching her.
Cad Bane looked even more smug than before.
"Well, ain't this a pleasant surprise," he drawled, shackles clicking as he shifted in his seat. "You just can't stay away from me, huh?"
She dropped into the chair across from him, datapad in hand, face expressionless.
"Cad Bane," she began, voice clipped and professional, "you are currently being held under charges of murder, kidnapping, sabotage, resisting arrest, impersonating a Jedi, and approximately thirty-seven other counts I don't have time to read. I am required by Republic protocol to inform you of the following."
He tilted his head, red eyes watching her like a predator amused by a small animal reading from a script.
"You have the right to remain silent," she continued. "You are entitled to legal representation. If you do not have a representative of your own, the Republic will provide you with one."
Bane snorted. "You mean one of those clean little lawyer droids with sticks up their circuits? Pass."
She didn't blink. "Do you currently have your own legal representation?"
"I'll let you know when I feel like cooperating."
She tapped on the datapad, noting his response.
"Further information about the trial process and detention terms will be provided at your next hearing."
"You're not very warm," he mused.
"I'm not here to be."
"Pity. I liked earliers sass."
She stood up. "Try not to escape before sentencing."
"Tell your Commander I said hello."
That stopped her. Just for a second.
Bane smiled wider. "What? You thought no one noticed?"
She didn't give him the satisfaction of a reply. She left with her heart thudding harder than she wanted to admit.
That night, 79's was packed wall to wall with off-duty clones, local droids trying to dance, and smugglers pretending not to be smugglers. She stood under the lights, voice curling around a jazz-infused battle hymn she'd rewritten to sound like a love song.
And there, in the shadows by the bar, armor glinting like red wine under lightsâ
Commander Fox.
She didn't falter. Not when her eyes met his. Not when her voice dipped into a sultry bridge, not when he didn't look away once.
After the show, she took the back exitâlike always. And like always, she sensed the wrongness first.
A chill up her spine. A presence behind her, too quiet, too deliberate.
She spun. "You're not a fan, are you?"
The woman stepped out of the shadows with a predator's grace.
Aurra Sing.
"You're more interesting than I expected," she said. "Tied to the Guard. Friendly with a Commander. Eyes and ears on all the right rooms."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Aurra's lip curled. "Doesn't matter. You're on my radar now."
And she vanished.
Back in her apartment, she barely kicked off her boots when there was a knock at the door. She checked the screen.
Fox.
Still in full armor. Still unreadable.
"I saw her," he said before she could speak. "Aurra Sing. She was following you."
"I noticed," she said, trying to sound casual. "What, did you tail me all the way from 79's?"
"I don't trust bounty hunters."
"Not even the ones who sing?"
He didn't answer. Either he didn't get the joke, or he was to concerned to laugh.
"You came to my show," she said softly. "Why?"
"I was off-duty."
"Sure. That's why you were in full armor. Just blending in."
A beat passed. Then he said, "You were good."
"I'm always good."
Another silence stretched between them. Less awkward, more charged.
"You're not safe," Fox said finally. "You shouldn't be alone."
"Yeah? You offering to babysit me?"
He almost smiled. Almost. Then, wordless, he stepped back into the corridor.
The door closed.
But for a moment longer, she stood there, heartbeat loud, his words echoing in her mind.
You're not safe.
And for the first time in a long time, she believed it.
âââ
Part 2
Foxy again đ Click for higher quality >.> I'm unsure why it looks blurry on my tablet..
The battle for Ryloth raged on, the skies above choked with smoke and the echoes of blaster fire. The clones fought valiantly, as they always did, but in the midst of the war, it was the civilians who suffered most. The Twi'leks were caught between the Separatists' relentless assault and the Republic's effort to free them.
Commander Cody, his distinctive armor marked with the colors of the 212th Attack Battalion, was in the thick of it, leading his troops through the war-torn streets. The noise of the battle was deafening, but he focused, always focused, as he barked orders and ensured his men stayed on task.
Then, in the midst of the chaos, he saw her.
A Twi'lek woman, her emerald skin marked with the familiar patterns of her people, stumbled in the open, narrowly avoiding a blaster bolt. Her eyes were wide with fear, and her lekku twitched nervously. She was no soldierâjust a civilian, caught in the crossfire.
Without thinking, Cody sprinted toward her, grabbing her arm and pulling her to safety just as another volley of blaster fire whizzed past them. They ducked into the shadow of a nearby building, the sound of the battle muffled by the walls around them.
"Stay down," Cody ordered, his voice calm despite the chaos. His heart was racing, adrenaline flooding his veins, but his instincts were razor-sharp. "I'll make sure you're safe."
She nodded, her wide eyes still full of fear. She was clearly shaken, but her strength was evident. She wanted to run, to fight, but she knew she had no place in this war. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the distant sounds of blaster fire. "IâI don't know what I would've done without you."
Cody looked at her, his brow furrowing slightly. There was something about her, something that tugged at him, but he didn't have time to think about it. There was a war to fight, and civilians needed to be protected.
He turned back toward his men, ensuring the area was clear before giving her a nod. "Stay close. I'll get you out of here."
But just as he stepped toward the street to lead her to safety, a distant explosion rocked the ground beneath them. Cody stumbled, pain shooting up his side as he fell to one knee, his vision swimming. He reached out, steadying himself, but the pain was too much.
"Commander!" she gasped, rushing to his side.
"I'm fine," he gritted through clenched teeth, but his body betrayed him, and he crumpled against the wall. Blood seeped through the cracks in his armor, a clear sign that he had been injured more seriously than he realized.
"No, you're not," she insisted, kneeling beside him. "Let me help you. Please."
Her eyes were full of concern, and something deeperâsomething warmerâflashed between them. It was a connection neither of them had expected but couldn't ignore. In the middle of the battle, amidst the destruction and death, there was only the two of them in this small corner of the world.
She pulled a medical kit from the pack she had slung over her shoulder, her hands steady as she worked to clean his wounds. Cody winced, but he remained quiet, letting her do what she could.
"You're a medic?" he asked, his voice strained but appreciative.
"No," she replied softly, applying pressure to his side. "Just someone who knows a little bit about surviving. I've had to learn." Her words were matter-of-fact, but there was something raw in her tone that made Cody's heart tighten.
Her hands were gentle, moving with care, as if she could heal not just his body but the war-torn world around them. It was a kindness, a rare gift in a universe filled with conflict, and Cody found himself entranced by the sincerity in her touch.
Once the worst of the bleeding had been stopped, she sat back, wiping the sweat from her brow. Cody caught his breath, the pain dulling but not entirely gone.
"You're a good woman," he said softly, his voice low, a hint of admiration in his words.
She smiled at him, though her eyes were full of uncertainty. "I'm just doing what needs to be done. It's the only way I can survive."
Cody's eyes softened as he gazed at her. He had been trained to fight, to lead, to be the soldier the Republic needed, but in this moment, all he wanted was to stay. To stay here with her, away from the war, even if only for a little while.
But duty called. And as the sounds of battle drew closer, Cody knew he had to go. He stood slowly, wincing at the pain in his side but determined.
"You need to get to safety," he said, his voice resolute. "It's not safe here."
She stood as well, her eyes sad but understanding. "I know. But... what about you? What happens to you?"
Cody gave a half-smile, despite the pain. "I'll be fine. I'll be with my men again soon enough."
She didn't look convinced, but she didn't argue. Instead, she stepped closer, looking up at him with a mixture of gratitude and something else. Something deeper.
Cody hesitated, his heart pounding in his chest. In the midst of the war, in the middle of a planet torn apart by conflict, they were two people, bound by something greater than the galaxy around them.
Without thinking, he reached out and cupped her cheek gently. Her eyes widened, but she didn't pull away. In that brief moment, time seemed to stand still.
And then, without a word, he leaned down, brushing his lips softly against hers. It was a kiss filled with everything they both couldn't say, everything that had built up between them in their short time together. It was tender, lingering, and full of all the things they couldn't shareâ*but* they did, in that fleeting moment.
When they pulled away, Cody's breath was unsteady, his heart racing, but he forced a smile. "Goodbye," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "And thank you. For everything."
She smiled softly, a sad yet knowing expression crossing her face. "Goodbye, Commander," she replied, her voice steady. "Stay safe out there."
With one last glance, Cody turned and began to walk away, the pull of duty stronger than anything else. But as he disappeared into the distance, he couldn't shake the memory of herâher touch, her kiss, and the warmth in her eyes.
He didn't know what the future held. He didn't know if they would ever meet again. But for a brief moment, amidst the chaos of war, he had found something that felt worth fighting for.
And that was enough.
---
*warnings* - death
And then, there was Wolffe.
Commander Wolffeâone of the few clones who had earned your trust completelyâstood in the corner, his helmet in hand, his broad shoulders relaxing for the first time today. His gaze met yours, and for a moment, neither of you spoke, content simply to share the quiet that filled the space between you.
Despite the war and the strict boundaries of your roles, you had always felt something more for him. It started as camaraderieâtwo soldiers who understood the price of dutyâbut over time, the bond deepened into something more complicated, something you could never speak of aloud.
"How are the men?" you finally asked, your voice breaking the silence.
Wolffe's lips curved into a half-smile, though there was a sadness behind his eyes. "They're good. Holding steady. As long as I'm around, they know what's expected." His gaze softened, but there was something unreadable about his expression. "What about you, Jedi? Are you holding steady?"
Your heart fluttered slightly at the sound of your titleâJedi. It still felt strange to hear it from him. You were no longer the young Padawan of Master Plo Koon, his silent guidance ever-present, but now you were a Jedi Knight, responsible for countless lives. But it didn't make the distance between you and Wolffe any easier to bear.
You didn't know how to answer him, how to explain that, while you were a Knight of the Order, part of you was constantly torn between duty and the feelings you had for him. It was forbiddenâJedi and soldiers were not meant to share such attachmentsâbut those lines had blurred long ago.
"I'm..." You paused, searching for the right words. "I'm here, Wolffe. Just trying to keep us all alive."
His gaze never wavered from yours, and the weight of his look made your pulse quicken. There was a silent understanding between you, a quiet admission that neither of you could ever truly voice aloud. You wanted to be close to him, to be more than comrades, but the Jedi Codeâyour dutyâkept you at arm's length.
He stepped closer, the usual tension in his posture relaxing just a fraction. "I know what you want, Jedi," he murmured, his voice low, almost a whisper. "But I can't have you distracted. We've been through too much for that."
You swallowed, the knot in your throat tightening. "And I can't ignore what I feel," you replied quietly. "But I won't let it affect my duty, Wolffe. Not now."
He chuckled softly, but it lacked its usual humor. "The war's not kind to people like us."
The silence hung between you for a long moment, both of you standing there, unsure of what to say next. But the unspoken truth between you lingered, undeniable, even in the midst of the endless war.
Then, you both heard the sharp hiss of the door opening, and you quickly broke your gaze, stepping back as though the moment had never happened. Wolffe returned to his usual stoic demeanor, but there was still a flicker in his eyes.
It was always like thisâmoments stolen in between the chaos, stolen moments that both of you knew couldn't last.
The mission had been successful, the Separatist threat neutralized. Yet, a strange heaviness filled the air as you returned to the cruiser. You couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to changeâsomething was coming, something that neither you nor Wolffe could stop.
As the day wore on, you found yourself drawn to the Jedi temple for brief meditation. But then, the unmistakable buzzing of your commlink interrupted the rare moment of peace.
Before you could even comprehend it, the cold realization hit like a tidal wave. The clones, your brothers, the soldiers who fought beside youâthey were ordered to execute all Jedi. Including you.
You didn't hesitate. Your instincts kicked in, and you sprinted through the hallways, hoping against hope that somehow, the clones wouldn't be able to carry out the order. Wolffe, however, was waiting in the shadows, and the moment you laid eyes on him, your breath caught in your throat.
"Wolffe," you called, voice trembling but determined. "You have to listen to meâthis isn't you."
His eyes flickered for a moment, uncertainty clouding his usually steadfast gaze. "I have no choice, Jedi," he said, his voice a hollow echo.
The words hit you like a blow to the chest, but you refused to back down. "Wolffe, pleaseâthis isn't you. This is an order, an order you can't control. You're not just a soldier. You're more than this."
His helmeted face was a mask, but you could see the hesitation in his stance, the way his hands shook as they held his weapon. For a split second, you thought he might break free from the mind control, might step away and abandon the mission to kill you. But that hesitation was fleeting.
"I'm sorry," he muttered, voice strained as though the words themselves were foreign to him. "I'm sorry... but I have to do this."
Your lightsaber ignited with a snap-hiss, and you tried to reach him, tried to make him understand, but the clonesâyour brothersâwere already moving in, following the orders they were given, following the programming they couldn't fight.
Wolffe fired, the blaster bolt striking you square in the chest. You barely had time to react, your body forced into the unforgiving cold of the ship's hull.
You gasped, your vision blurring as the world tilted, everything fading into darkness. Your last thought was of Wolffeâof the man who had meant so much to you, the man you loved, and the man you knew would never have the chance to love you back. You reached out with your hand, trying to call out to him, but no words came.
Wolffe stood frozen in place, his heart shattering as he watched you fall, the weight of the blaster's shot sinking deep into his soul. He had never wanted this. Never wanted to hurt you. But the order... the order had been too strong, too powerful.
As the last of the life left your eyes, Wolffe's knees buckled, his helmet clattering to the floor as he collapsed beside your body. His hands trembled as they hovered over you, unable to fix the damage, unable to undo the pain.
"I'm sorry," he whispered again, the guilt crushing him from within.
But the war, the Orderânothing could undo what had been done. And Wolffe was left alone, stricken with guilt and a heart full of love he could never express. His final regret was that he'd never told you how much you meant to him before it was too late.
The bustling streets of Coruscant were a blur of light, noise, and endless movement. The Bad Batch had been given a rare shore leave, and Hunter had eagerly taken the opportunity to get a bit of downtime away from the usual chaos of war. It wasn't often they were allowed to relax, but even soldiers like them needed a break.
As they wandered the lower levels of Coruscant, they found their way to 99's, a popular clone bar. It was loud, filled with clones from different units, and the occasional few off-duty soldiers mingling in the mix. Hunter felt the familiar weight of the day's stress melt away as he sank into a chair at one of the tables with his squadmates, taking in the relaxed atmosphere. They'd earned this, after all.
Hunter leaned back in his chair, absentmindedly scanning the room, when somethingâor rather, *someone*âcaught his eye. A woman, dressed in civilian clothes, her dark hair swept back in a simple ponytail, moved gracefully through the crowd. She was laughing with a few off-duty soldiers, her carefree attitude contagious. There was something about her presence that stood out in the crowded bar, a certain energy that seemed to draw attention without her even trying.
Hunter couldn't quite place it, but his eyes lingered a moment longer before he turned his attention back to his comrades. "I'll be right back," he muttered, standing up and slipping through the crowd towards the bar.
The woman noticed him immediately, her gaze locking with his for just a brief moment. Something flickered in her eyes, a flash of recognition so quick that it almost didn't register in the chaos of the bar. But to Hunter, it felt like a gut instinct. He couldn't shake the feeling that he'd seen her before, but he pushed it aside. It wasn't as if he made it a habit to keep track of every face he saw.
Reaching the bar, Hunter leaned against it and ordered a drink, scanning the room once again. He wasn't used to these civilian crowds, and he quickly realized he was a little out of place. His rough military demeanor didn't quite blend with the casual energy of the bar. But, as usual, he didn't mind standing out.
The woman from earlier moved toward the bar, a playful smile tugging at her lips as she sidled up next to him. "Another soldier on shore leave?" she asked, her voice low but warm. There was a teasing glint in her eye, as though she had all the time in the world and was just here to enjoy the moment.
Hunter smiled, his usual wariness easing slightly. "You could say that. First time I've had some real downtime in a while."
She raised an eyebrow, leaning closer to the bar as she grinned. "Must be nice," she said, giving him a sidelong glance. "I don't get much of that, myself. Always busy."
Hunter chuckled, unsure of whether she meant that as a joke or something more serious, but decided to roll with it. "I can imagine. You seem... well, busy right now," he said, motioning to the group of soldiers she had been talking with earlier.
She shrugged nonchalantly. "Just making the most of it. A girl's gotta have her fun, right?"
There was something about her confidence, her carefree attitude, that made Hunter want to know more. The sense of familiarity nagged at him, and yet he couldn't put his finger on why. She was different from most people he met on shore leaveâmysterious, elusive even, yet approachable.
"How about you?" she asked, her eyes scanning his face with a look of curiosity. "What's your story? You don't seem like the usual type of soldier. Something about you is... different."
Hunter took a sip from his drink, trying not to let his thoughts get the better of him. "I'm with a special unit," he replied, choosing his words carefully. He didn't want to give too much away. "But yeah, I guess I'm a little different from the standard soldiers you see around here."
The woman laughed lightly. "I can tell. You carry yourself like you've seen more than your fair share of... action."
Hunter's lips quirked into a smile. "Something like that."
A moment passed, the air between them charged with an odd, unspoken tension. Hunter didn't know why, but he felt an inexplicable draw to her, a sense of familiarity that he couldn't shake. But before he could say anything else, one of the other soldiers from her group called out to her, signaling her to join them.
"Looks like they're calling me back," she said, turning to face him with a casual wink. "But it was nice meeting you, soldier. Maybe I'll see you around."
Hunter nodded, his mind still racing with that strange sense of recognition. "Yeah, maybe."
As she turned to walk away, a thought flashed through Hunter's mindâsomething about her seemed so familiar, so deeply embedded in his memory. But before he could dwell on it, the group of soldiers she'd been with crowded her, and she was lost to the noise of the bar.
---
Later that night, Hunter sat back at the table with the rest of the Bad Batch, the quiet murmur of conversation surrounding him. But his thoughts kept drifting back to the woman he'd met at the bar. There was no mistaking itâshe had *definitely* seemed familiar.
He couldn't place her, though. It was a feeling that gnawed at him, like a puzzle piece that refused to fit, no matter how much he tried. But there was no time to dwell on it. The mission would come soon enough, and he'd have to be focused.
But somewhere, deep down, something told him that this wasn't the last time he would see her.
---
**Meanwhile,** the womanâthe Mandalorian bounty hunterâwatched Hunter from across the room, her eyes narrowing as she took another sip from her glass. She knew that he wouldn't recognize her, not with her face uncovered and her armor gone.
But *she* recognized him instantly. The man who had saved her life. The man she had crossed paths with beforeâthe man she had promised herself to forget.
She leaned back in her chair, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. For now, she was content to keep her secret. There was no need for him to know the truthânot yet. Not until she was ready.
And besides, part of her found a strange thrill in seeing him again, so close, but unaware. It was easier this wayâkeeping the past buried, and enjoying the present for what it was. Just two people having a good time.
But deep down, she knew this was only the beginning. The past had a way of catching up with them all.
---