Crescendo
Commander Fox x senator!reader (fem), OCs (Caitri and Clone Trooper Cayde)
Word Count: ~3.3k
Warnings: light swearing, mention of war
A/N: It’s finally here! I’ve been impatiently waiting to post for the @cloneficgiftexchange and I’m excited it’s finally time. My gift is for @homie-one-kenobi and I picked Commander Fox for her prompt “I am convinced you never graduated kindergarden.” I tweaked the prompt a little to fit into the SW universe a little better but I hope you like it! 🤍❤️
Chaos. There was no other word for the state of your apartment but absolute chaos. Members of your team were buzzing around every inch of the space and all you could do was stand in the eye of the storm and hang on. Between TC-26 chattering anxiously about the mess, your assistant cutting in every few minutes about another event you had been invited to, and the muffled sound of your wardrobe manager arguing with their staff, it felt like your head was going to explode. You nearly snapped when a gentle hand landed on your shoulder.
“Unclench a little,” Caitri teased, moving to stand at your side. You let out a slow, measured exhale, glancing at your dear friend with a pleading look.
“Can I run away yet?”
“If you take me with you,” she chuckled, folding her hands over her stomach. “Come on, you aren’t excited to go home?”
“Not when I have so much to do here,” you huffed, stifling the urge to cross your arms. “I know the gala takes place at the same time every year but it seems like I’m busier than I’ve ever been before.”
“A galaxy-wide war will do that,” Caitri sighed, her head turning synchronously with yours to watch TC-26 hobble past. “On the bright side, everything is just about ready.”
“Oh thank the Maker,” you breathed, letting your head drop forward.
“The shuttle is mostly packed and the hyperspace jumps are calculated. All we’re waiting on now is your security detail.” You turned a narrow-eyed glare on your friend, already anticipating her light ribbing. A small squad from the Coruscant Guard had been tasked with escorting you home, a non-negotiable stipulation sent down from the Chancellor himself. It made sense with how often senators were being attacked but their presence wasn’t what bothered you.
“Please don’t start already,” you muttered, massaging the spot over your right eye.
“I wonder what commander they’ll send,” Caitri mused, completely ignoring you.
“Don’t get your hopes up,” you insisted, taking a step back to make room for the trunk of clothing being carried toward the door. “Commander Fox is in charge of the entire Guard; he has better things to do than escorting a senator home for a party.” You had to force the words out, stuffing down the spike of disappointment. Fox had been one of the first clones you met at the start of the war and to your surprise, he took a liking to you. He was one of the people, aside from Caitri and a few other members of your team, that you felt normal around. Trading quiet jabs when you crossed paths, which only made your growing crush that much harder to hide.
“You never know,” Caitri sang, nudging your elbow. You immediately rolled your eyes to keep up the front but deep down you enjoyed her teasing. It made you feel like a regular young woman gossiping about a cute boy instead of a prim, professional senator.
“I do,” you argued, scanning the mostly empty living room, “but knowing Fox, he probably assigned Thorn to the detail.” You bit your lip to hide a smirk as you glanced at her out of the corner of your eye. At least you weren’t the only one with a crush. Caitri opened her mouth to argue but TC-26’s voice cut her off, the jade-plated protocol droid shuffling to your side.
“Excuse me, mistress, Marshal Commander Fox is here to see you,” she informed, tilting her head slightly.
“Oh, uh, thank you, two-six,” you stammered, darting your eyes to the dark figure near the doorway.
“I suppose I’ll meet you at the shuttle,” Caitri chuckled, bumping you with her shoulder as she moved for the door. Fox returned her nod as he passed, slowing to a stop a few feet away, hands folded behind his back.
“Senator,” he greeted with a nod.
“To what do I owe the pleasure, Commander?” He hadn’t removed his helmet yet but you could picture the smirk on his lips solely based on the cant of his head.
“We’re set to depart shortly, correct?” he asked in a tone that implied he already knew the answer.
“We,” you sputtered, blinking rapidly at him. Fox’s rigid posture loosened, his arms falling to his sides as he looked around the room needlessly.
“I am in the correct apartment, right?”
“Oh shut up,” you sighed, twisting your mouth to the side when the urge to smile was almost overwhelming. His shoulders jumped with a quiet snort, your pulse fluttering when his dark visor lifted to your face again.
“I’m leading your security detail, in case you were wondering,” he explained, motioning for you in the direction of the door. You turned your head just enough to scan his mostly red faceplate. As you approached the door, Fox stepped to the side, resting one hand on his stomach and extending the other, leaning forward to usher you through the door. You made sure to twist enough that he could see your exaggerated eye roll.
“If you’re here, then who’s running Hell?” you quipped, raising a brow. Your stomach flipped when Fox jolted forward, a strangled laugh coming through his helmet’s vocoder.
“Well, I have always said Thorn’s a demon spawn,” Fox laughed, falling into step with you. A hand shot up to try and muffle the string of giggles that fell from your lips, his head turning to look down at you. “But, to answer your question, the boys weren’t taking no for answer.”
“That’s sweet of them,” you said, a faint smile still lingering on your lips, “you’re always stuck on Coruscant.” Fox shrugged in response and a part of you wondered if he was secretly excited to see a new planet. He fluidly side-stepped behind you when one of your aids came hurrying towards you, making you hyperaware of his presence looming over you. The landing pad came into view but Fox didn’t return to your side, electing to cover your back as you stepped into the afternoon sunlight. The muscles along your spine tightened when you felt the muted brush of his hand near your waist through layers of fabric.
You were starting to wonder if this was a bad idea.
Returning home to the madness of gala preparation was the last thing you wanted, especially when your mother was in charge of planning. You had barely stepped off your ship before you were whisked off, the five clone troopers standing a little stunned at the bottom of the ramp. It was astounding how much still needed to be done the day before the gala, leaving you to force down a frustrated scream. As if you weren’t stressed enough.
Fox eventually found you standing in the banquet hall of the palace, angrily scrubbing at your tired eyes. You had finally snuck away for a minute of silence, your head spinning with the list of tasks that still needed finishing. His faint footsteps had you spinning on your heels, lashes fluttering when you were met with his bare face.
“You look like shit,” he noted, raising a dark brow.
“Thanks, just what I wanted to hear,” you huffed, rolling your eyes. His observation was a little harsh but it was nothing new; Fox had always been a grump but you liked the change of pace. The people around you were always sugarcoating their true thoughts, using flashy explanations to soften the edges. You appreciated the blunt honesty he offered…most of the time.
“Welcome,” he deadpanned, stopping at your side. You let out an extremely unflattering snort but you couldn’t find the energy to care, especially when the corner of Fox’s mouth lifted. “Here, thought you could use this.”
“Oh,” you chirped, blinking down at the steaming flimsy cup. The smell of caf finally hit your nose, bringing a soft smile to your face. “Thank you, Fox.”
“Think I got it right this time,” he mumbled, carefully watching you take a sip. His shoulders relaxed enough for you to notice when you nodded; you blamed the heat rolling off the drink for the warmth in your cheeks.
“Did you find your, uh, uh, sleeping areas?” you asked, wrinkling your nose as you stumbled over the word you were looking for. Fox didn’t seem fazed despite only ever seeing you at your best around other senators.
“Mm, we did,” he answered, tilting his head back to take in the decorations hanging overhead. “Cayde might steal one of those pillows though.”
“Go for it,” you laughed, letting your gaze linger on his profile. You already felt some of the stress melting off your shoulders simply by Fox’s calm presence. Suddenly he looked down, warm brown eyes finding yours, making your breath catch. He was always intense, giving the feeling he was staring into your soul, flaying you open with a single look. It made your chest feel too small and you had to stop yourself from swaying closer.
The near-frantic shout of your name shattered the moment and you stifled a sigh, turning to face whoever was hurrying into the room. You jumped when a warm hand gently curled around your elbow, drawing your attention back to the commander beside you. Fox tugged you a little closer, ducking his head to keep the conversation between you and him; your heart rate picked up, rivaling the pace of a drumroll.
“Try not to stress too much,” he murmured, lightly squeezing your arm, “I’m sure the event will be amazing.” He released you without another word, the ghost of a smile on his lips before he slid his helmet on again. You watched him stroll out of the room until he disappeared, forcing you to absorb whatever the anxious staff member was trying to tell you.
You hated that the feeling of his warm breath against your cheek would haunt you indefinitely.
You almost thought about refusing to leave your bed and burrowing under a mound of blankets instead of getting ready for the gala. Of course, Caitri would never let that happen but one could dream. The royal family’s home was buzzing with excited energy as the guest arrival time drew closer and although you were exhausted, you weren’t immune to the high spirits. You had caught glimpses of red armor here and there as you helped with any last-minute preparations, however, none of them were Fox.
You finally got a chance to take a breather when guests started to arrive, the hall filling with beings dressed in their finest. You tried to convince yourself you were scanning the room for Caitri and not a certain commander when you caught a glimpse of plastoid near the door. It was slightly worrisome when you didn’t see him, mainly because you were so exposed, not that you felt like you were in danger but protection was their job on this trip.
“Looking for someone, milady?” a familiar voice rumbled in your ear. You didn’t turn to face him immediately, especially when you noted that his voice wasn’t masked by the vocoder in his helmet.
“In fact, I was,” you replied, looking over your shoulder. Instead of a startlingly white shoulder bell, you caught a flash of starched, gray fabric that had you twisting around. Fox’s head was angled down, the lights spaced around the room highlighting the streaks of gray peaking out from under his hat.
“Hm, maybe I can help,” he mused, allowing his eyes to wander lower, appraising the dress you had settled on.
“No need, I’ve already found him,” you countered, bumping your shoulder into his chest. Big mistake. You had never seen him in anything but plates of plastoid armor but this uniform emphasized the width of his shoulders; your tongue was glued to the roof of your mouth as your eyes followed the subtle curve of his biceps.
“Must be a lucky man to draw the attention of such a beautiful woman,” Fox said, meeting your eyes on the last word. Warmth bloomed in your cheeks and you desperately wanted to turn away but held his heavy gaze.
“Mm, well he looks quite handsome as well,” you countered with a playful smile. His confidence wavered for a moment, the tips of his ears turning pink as he ducked his head with a husky laugh.
“Who knew GAR-issued grays could make that possible,” he teased, his gaze softening. You turned to fully face him, making a show of scanning his figure, humming under your breath, and ignoring his half-hearted eye roll.
“I think they suit you,” you complimented, resting a hand on his arm. Muscles flexed under your fingers, Fox’s eyes fixed on where your hand sat before he held out his other hand, palm up, in your direction.
“Care to dance?” That threw you for a loop, your brows arching up as your lips parted. That was probably the last thing you expected him to ask, although, you couldn’t bring yourself to deny the offer.
“I would love to,” you whispered, gently placing your hand in his. The crowd had filled in, forcing you to press tighter against Fox’s back, not that you were complaining. The ensemble was playing a light classical piece, a range of other couples swaying along to the music, allowing you to blend into the crowd. Fox found an empty pocket, turning to face you only to hesitate. Your hand was still resting in his and you used the point of contact to ground yourself before taking a step closer.
The distance closing spurred him into action, his arm circling your waist to rest a hand on your lower back. The warmth of his palm seeped into the fabric of your dress, searing the feeling into your skin, forcing you to shove down a shiver. You followed his lead, resting your free hand on his shoulder, a little closer to his heart than was custom but he didn’t seem to mind. For a moment, you worried he would feel the drumming of your heart when he pulled you closer but every thought was ripped from your head when you looked up.
The soft golden lights overhead made his eyes twinkle, the sight stealing the air from your lungs. You wondered if he had any idea how handsome he was. Then, as if he was out to completely turn your world upside down, he took a step to your left, your feet following on instinct.
“You know how to dance?” you blurted, staring wide-eyed at his slightly smug expression.
“Don’t seem so surprised,” he scoffed playfully, leading through the next few steps.
“Can you blame me?” you huffed, wrinkling your nose to stop from smiling. “With some of the ridiculous things I’ve seen the Guard do, there are times I am convinced you never finished your kindergarten modules.” Fox’s mouth fell open, attempting to look offended but the amusement dancing in his eyes told a different story.
“I’ll have you know, I was a great student,” Fox argued primly. “I thought Seventeen was going to cry when I passed.”
“From relief,” you snickered, digging your teeth into your lip when he narrowed his eyes. The glare only lasted a few seconds before a huff of laughter passed his lips; you fought down another shiver when you felt it brush against your lips.
“Mm, you might have a point,” Fox chuckled. You were thankful for the years of etiquette lessons that had your feet moving on autopilot because you were entrapped by the soft smile on Fox’s face. He looked happier than you’d ever witnessed, making the longing you managed to hide well enough come back with a vengeance.
“Who’s Seventeen?” you asked, hoping to distract yourself. The plan backfired when Fox’s smile grew and all you wanted to do was feel the curve of it against your lips.
“Alpha-17. My - well my batch’s older brother,” Fox explained, glancing at something over your head before his eyes dropped back to your face. “The alpha class clones were assigned command cadets to train and to keep an eye on; Seventeen was ours.”
“He was older than you?” you wondered, soaking up the chance to learn more about Fox.
“It’s hard to explain,” Fox mumbled, his brows pinching together. “Physically, yes, he’s older.”
“What is he like?”
“Brutal,” Fox answered immediately, though he was smiling. “However, it was fun to watch him run ARC training because the others had no idea what they were in for.”
“He sounds like an interesting character,” you chuckled. Fox blinked at the sound of your voice, almost like he forgot who he was talking to, but recovered quickly, clearing his throat.
“That’s an understatement,” Fox mumbled, shaking his head. “Yet, I wouldn’t have wanted anyone else. We’re the soldiers we are today because of him.” Your face softened and before you could talk yourself out of it, you slid the hand resting on his shoulder to his face.
“You’re the man you are because of him,” you argued quietly. Fox’s eyes widened, and his grip on your other hand tightened as he slowed to a stop. The gala’s commotion died down to a distant buzz when you met his eyes, the intensity of his stare making your stomach clench. When had his face gotten so close?
“I - I think the song ended,” Fox whispered, eyes shifting between yours.
“I think you mean the second song ended,” you giggled, pulling your hand out of his to rest it on his shoulder. He immediately curled his arm around your waist, caging you against his chest but you could feel the hesitation in his movements. You sucked in a long breath, deciding this was the perfect time to put your news into words for the first time. “You know, this is my last gala as a senator.”
“What?” Fox snapped, going rigid under your touch.
“My senatorial term ends soon,” you explained, brushing your thumb along the edge of his stubble. “I’ll be reassigned as an advisor instead.”
“So you’ll stay here?” he asked, a crease forming between his brows. You caught the hint of disappointment in his voice, a swarm of butterflies erupting in your stomach.
“No, I’ll still reside on Coruscant but I won’t hold any weight in the senate,” you answered, finally letting the corner of your mouth twitch up. Fox just looked at you for a moment, then the pieces fell into place and he leveled you with an unimpressed look.
“You couldn’t have started with that?” he grumbled, shaking his head. His ‘irritation’ only lasted a few seconds before his features softened, nervous energy hanging around his shoulders. Then you caught the glimpse of something giving way like a weight had been lifted. Fox slowly leaned closer until there was barely any space between your lips and his, his forehead almost touching yours in a gesture that nearly brought tears to your eyes. The world slowed, the party becoming nothing more than background noise as you swayed into him. “Tell me to stop and I will.”
“Why would I do a stupid thing like that?” you breathed, sliding your hand around to the back of his neck to pull him closer. It was hesitant at first, lips meeting for the first of many kisses you’d share with Fox but you already knew there was no going back. If he hadn’t pulled away, reminding you of the environment around you, it would’ve been so easy to get lost in the feel of his lips. Fox didn’t go far, letting his forehead fully rest against yours as a hand slid up to cup the back of your head.
“Never thought I’d live to do that,” he confessed, tracing the bottom of your hairline with his thumb.
“I’m nowhere near finished with you,” you giggled, bumping your noses together, “so don’t go dying on me now.” His laugh was airy, almost disbelieving but he canted his head slightly, lips hovering a hairbreadth away.
“Yes ma’am,” he whispered before capturing your lips again.
A/N 2: Clone trooper Cayde is one of my Coruscant Guard ocs that I created a while ago, meaning he’s not the same trooper that was introduced in the bad batch.
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having big tc thots today, and this is something i've wanted to play around with for a couple of weeks. Days of Thunder, 1990. Cole Trickle. 90s Tom Cruise. need i explain? so here's a teaser of something i may potentially work on. thoughts?
Redline
(Teaser)
"Cole! Cole, honey, can you hear me–? Let go of me, I wanna talk to them–COLE!"
Harry shoves her away from the mic hard enough that she slams into the faceless body with enough force to rattle her teeth, without apology.
Daytona heat all but rolls under the denim draped heavy across her shoulders. She can't even feel her own heart that racehorses against her ribs, can't hear past the roar of a gasping, on-their-feet crowd. Has all but forgotten how to breathe, even with Harry's iron grip now, somehow, on her forearm.
His low tones remind her with rhythmic examples of what she's supposed to copycat.
"In, out....that's right, darlin', in....out...." but it's lost when sunlight hits the gleaming, steel rail of the ambulance gurney. Taxiing the only thing she ever remembers caring about, the last six months.
Unable to look past the blood and rubber and black exhaust that's painted him like a work of art, her eyes weld to the EMT taking scissors to his prized SuperFlo suit. He loved that logo, the look of the get up.
He loves. Present tense.
She forces herself to remember he's, divinely, alive.
"Can't ask for a sponsor with a better look, sweetheart."
Every one of her internal organs make a mad dash up into her ribs when the gurney cuts sharply to angle by Harry and the rest of the pit. All but jumping the partition, Harry tosses the headset to the tar beside the familiar denim jacket. He hauls her over with him.
Breathless, trembling, and every organ all but screaming the same Pleasedon'tlethimdieGodpleasedon'tlethimbedead, her hands wrap home around the gurney's rail as it slides up beside her. No doubt the timing of God allowing her a moment in the mess the Firecracker has become.
The rail's surprisingly warm. No surprise, really. It's one hundred and eight degrees in the shade on this track.
It's Harry who manages to speak first, eyes flicking to the EMT ripping open the familiar suit.
"What've we got, doc?”
Half registering the fact this woman is an EMT, not a doctor this situations so desperately needs, she bends deeply over the rail. Hustles along the gurney that hasn't stopped moving like a pace car since it had scooped his body off the track.
Fingers slipping across the mess on his face, the familiar touch prompts a reaction. Eyes shifting back and forth rapidly behind closed eyes, his head lolls into the touch, heavily. Lips part with a soft moan that's more pain than recognition, though the attempt is there. From here she can feel his heart redlining in his chest. Against her fingers.
Matching hers, pace for pace. Like always.
"Cole. Baby, it's me–"
And his eyes flutter open, fan of lashes and all. There's instant recognition. That cocksure smile, the little light in the corner of his eyes. Sparkle of an ego that's too big to drive, too big for this whole world.
Fat, hot tears slip down her own face, to the mess his suit has become. The EMT has already cut through his underclothes, his skin is flaming. There's a scent of gas in the air, of exhaust. Steel, rubber. Familiar, all of it, but there's the sharp sting of antiseptic. Something coppery, almost.
It's blood. So much damn blood.
His smile grows when her eyes shift to consider his state. A quiet "Hi," is all he manages, lifting a slow hand to rub a curl between his fingers.
"Get her out of here!"
Wanting to respond, the EMT smacks his hand down and shoves her off the gurney as if it'll bite. Stumbling foot over foot, it's Harry's strong arm catching her elbow and tugging her along that sets her after them in long, purposeful strides. Strides that feel heavy, uneasy. Like walking on wobbly noodles. It takes every ounce of willpower she possesses.
She's swallowing air faster than she's breathing. Hiccups come, then sniffles. It's impossible to keep the race of thoughts lapping her brain at bay, and they begin to filter through her mouth without so much as a breath.
"Harry, is he–? I wanna––"
"I know, darlin'," his voice is certain. More certain than she's ever heard Cole's best friend be, when he's not cussing the pit out or chewing Cole a new ass through the mic. Jaw set, the vein in his neck strains with the effort of hauling her at elbow through the massive crowds that have gathered to see Cole to his shiny new ambulance ride. "I'm gonna get us there, that's a promise."
And Harry keeps his promises, almost all of them. That's something Cole had assured her, a hundred times. Maybe a thousand. It's hard to remember.
Has. He has assured her. He's alive.
Remembering is really the only thing the two of them have.
divider by: @animatedglittergraphics-n-more
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