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vodika-vibes · 4 days

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It's My Choice

Summary: Echo is in recovery at a GAR medical facility on Coruscant after being assumed KIA. You want to see him, more than anything, and you hope he knows that he's your choice.

Pairing: ARC Trooper Echo x F!Reader

Word Count: 1190

Warnings: reader is described as having hair long enough to style, and as a supermodel.

Tagging: @trixie2023 @n0vqni @imabeautifulbutterfly

A/N: So I had an idea, and I decided to run with it. It might not flow well, simply because I'm very sick and have been for the last two days, but I'm happy with it. (Also, pardon any typos/grammar errors, I typed this while not wearing my eyes.)

You lean back in the hard, uncomfortable chair of the GAR medical facility, your gaze drifting to the ceiling as you wait for an update on Echo. The chairs really are terrible, but then the clones were never meant to have worried family you suppose.

Jokes on them. Echo has you.

You allow the back of your head to thump against the wall behind you and you stretch your legs out in front of you and cross your ankles.

You've been here for almost 12 hours now.

Fives contacted you as soon as the Resolute landed on Coruscant and informed you that Echo was alive and was being treated for his injuries here. He mentioned that you didn't have to come, but clearly he's lost his damned mind.

As if you'd be anywhere else.

Of course, you probably should have taken the time to make sure that you fixed your hair and washed the extreme make-up off…and changed out of the six inch stilettos you had been forced into for work today.

But, whatever. Echo's alive. Nothing else matters.

Even if your agent has been blowing up your com for the last six hours. And even if General Skywalker has been side-eyeing you like he thinks you're trespassing.

Your comma chimes again, and you absently lift it over your head to read the message. And then promptly deleted it. Your agent will just have to deal.

A door at the end of the hall opens, and you tilt your head to the side, before you sit up straight as Fives steps into the hall and walks over to you.

He takes in your carefully styled hair —artfully tousled, your stylist called it— the dark make-up, and the impossibly high stilettos and he huffs out a laugh, “You come here right from a shoot?”

“Echo’s more important than any photo shoot. Besides, I had already finished when you called.” You reply as you kick your heels off and scramble to your feet, “Can I see him?”

Fives smiles at you, “Yeah. Follow me.” He waits for you to scoop your heels, and your bag, off the ground before he starts walking, “I should warn you…he looks bad.” Fives says quietly as he stops next to the door.

You lift your chin and glare at him, “Contrary to what you, and apparently everyone else, believes. I'm not dating Echo because of his pretty face.”

“Okay, okay. Sheathe your claws, kitten. I just wanted to warn you.” Some of the offended tension drains from your shoulders, you didn’t mean to snap at him, but it wouldn’t be the first time someone made an assumption about you and your choice to have a relationship with Echo.

Fives opens the door and moves to the side to let you into the room, and your breath catches when you see him.

Like Fives said, he looks bad. Thin, too thin by far, and so pale. The prosthetics and cybernetics are new, but honestly, you’re only bothered by them because you’re sure that they must have hurt.

“Echo,” You step into the room, and set your heels and your bag in a chair, before you move closer to his side. There are tears in your eyes, but they’re happy tears, “Welcome home.”

Echo blinks at you, twice, and then he slowly slides up in the hospital bed, “Cyar’ika…when…how did you know I was here?”

“Fives commed me and told me. I’ve been sitting out there for hours.” You look around and then huff out a sigh, before dumping your stuff on the floor and moving the chair next to the bed. You lightly take his prosthetic in your hand, a scomp, rather than a hand.

You hope that it was his choice, rather than one made for him.

He tenses, but he doesn’t pull away from you, “You didn’t have to.”

You smile at him, “Echo. You’re here, and you’re alive. Where else would I be?”

His gaze flickers across your face, and then over to the heels lying on the floor, “Well, judging by the height of those heels, a photoshoot.”

“Not half as important as you.” You reply dismissively.

He shifts and slowly sits up, properly, before reaching out and pressing his flesh hand against your cheek, “Cyar’ika…” Echo hesitates, and then flashes a wry, self-deprecating smile, “I don’t think I’m pretty enough for you.”

You bite your tongue to stem your immediate, and loud, disagreement. Instead you reach up and press your hand over his, rubbing your cheek against his hand. “Why would you say that?”

“Why-? Cyare. Look at me!”

“I am looking.”

“Then I shouldn’t have to explain-”

“Would you like to know what I see when I look at you, Echo?”

“Not really.” You tilt your head, and he sighs, “Tell me.”

“The man who, after meeting me, an actual supermodel, invited me to go to a bookstore with him.” Echo flushes, and it’s obvious due to how pale he is, “A man who overheard me mentioning to my agent that I was worried that I wasn’t going to be able to meet my favorite author and made sure that I arrived on time.” Your smile widens, “A man who learned who my favorite author was, simply so he could read the books too, so he’d have something to talk about with me.”

Echo averts his gaze, “We talked all night.” He murmurs.

“We did. And I got in so much trouble the next morning because I had dark circles under my eyes, and you got in trouble because you were late to formation…but we did the exact same thing three nights later.”

Echo laughs softly, “I thought Rex’s head was going to explode.” He admits.

You release his scomp hand and reach up to press your hand against his cheek, “I see the man I fell in love with. The man who looks at me and sees more than the dumb supermodel that everyone expects me to be.” You scan his face, almost anxiously, “And I’m hoping he still loves me.”

He looks at you, something soft in his gaze, “You still want me-?”

“Always. Forever. Until the stars go cold.”

“Your agent is not going to approve.” Echo warns as he lightly tugs you off the chair and onto the edge of the bed.

“I cannot emphasize enough how little I care about my agent’s opinion.” You admit quietly, “If I have to choose, I know who my choice will be.”

Echo exhales slowly, and slowly tugs you in until your forehead lightly bumps against his, “I love you.” He whispers, “I never stopped loving you. Even when I could barely remember anything, I still remembered your smile and the smell of your lotion and the feel of your skin under my fingers.”

“Charmer.” You whisper.

“Mean every word.” Echo whispers right back, and then he tugs you once more and catches your lips in a kiss that’s soft and loving enough that it nearly brings you to tears.

You have your Echo back. He might look a little different, but he’s here and it’s all you’ve ever wanted.

#star wars #tcw #arc trooper echo x reader #echo x reader #star wars fanfiction #x reader fanfiction #f!reader fic #star wars au #the au part is that Fives is alive #and palpatine was shot by Fox and Fives

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coffeeandbatboys · 2 months

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Hold me close Mesh'la (Commander Fox x Fem!Reader)

A/N I just really wanted to write a little something about making out but not something dirty. So here y'all are.

Warnings: an argument, make up and make out, Fox being insanely clingy. Mention of Fives' death and pretty angsty. Fox tries turning grief into love as a coping mechanism.

"Mesh'la" Fox groaned, spinning your chair around and caging you in with his hands on both armrests.

Anger welled inside your chest. "Fox, for the last time, I'm kriffing busy can't you see?! I will come to bed when I'm done."

"You don't have any idea what I'm going through right now and I need help."

In any other mindset, you would have immediately switched gears and asked what was wrong, but you had a report to write and it was your top priority at the moment. Shoving him away, you grabbed your datapad and without saying a word, slammed the apartment door behind you. Deciding that the best place to work would be the caf shop down the street, you marched in that direction, angry thoughts buzzing in your head.

It was only after you'd written the last line of your report that you realized what he'd actually said.

"You don't have any idea what I'm going through right now and I need help.

Kriff. You hadn't even given him a chance to explain why he was so distraught when you'd gotten home. Were you really that focused on work that you'd neglected the love of your life's mental wellbeing?

You grabbed an extra cup of caf and rushed home as fast as you could, heart pounding in anticipation as the lift ascended into the tower.

"Fox, love?"

You found him in bed facing the wall. Little shivers told you he was crying, but knowing that you were standing right there, he tried to hide it.

You lowered your voice to a gentle whisper as you climbed in bed with him. "Kriff, Fox I'm so sorry. Do you want to tell me what happened?"

It was silent for a moment and the shivers stopped, but then his whole body shuddered as he let out a breath.

"I killed him. I didn't mean to. I swear it was set to stun but..."

Well that was certainly not the answer you were expecting.

"Killed who?" You asked hesitantly, not sure if you wanted to know.

"Fives."

Your heart sank. You'd heard about the ARC trooper that Rex had taken into the 501st. He seemed like a nice guy from what you'd been told.

Forgoing judgment, you wrapped your arms around Fox.

"Do you want to talk?"

Shook his head before turning to face you. "Can...I try something?"

You tilted your head to survey his face in the dim light of the bedroom. It looked almost pleading, and you nodded.

He got up on his hands and knees over you, caging you in once again, before lowering himself to kiss you. His chest pressed against yours, his lips perfectly slotted on your mouth.

Maker, your racing heart could be a side effect of the late night caf coursing through your veins. Or it could be something entirely different.

You reached up and threaded your fingers into his soft hair, pulling ever so slightly at the graying strands. A groan resounded through his chest and echoed on your lips. He pulled away to take a breath and whisper 'I love you' before descending to catch your lips again. You tasted the salty tears that had fallen on his own mouth as they mixed with the sweet caf you'd had before.

In a fluid motion he grabbed your waist and rolled over so that you were perched against his chest, never once breaking the kiss. You had to admit, he was a pretty damn good loverboy.

Finally you pulled away to cradle his face in your hands.

"M' sorry I got angry with you. I was really out of place. And I'm sorry you're going through this. You shouldn't have to do it alone."

He closed his eyes to keep more tears from falling.

"Just hold me close Mesh'la. I'll be okay."

#star wars #marshall commander fox #commander fox x reader #Fox x reader #commander fox #Star wars x reader #clones x reader #The clone wars #Fives #arc trooper fives #Marshall commander fox x reader #Fox x fem!reader #Commander fox x fem!reader

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starrylothcat · 4 months

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Hey Starry! Wasn't sure if those prompts you shared were an invitation for requests, but I thought I'd shoot my shot.

❛ i love that no one else has seen you like this, that no one else has felt you before, been inside you. they don't get to have you, but i do. ❜

With either Fives, Jesse, or Kix? Or someone else if you're not feeling them. And a f!reader if that's okay. I'm a sucker for first-time sex.

Feel free to ignore!

First Time

Pairing: Jesse x Fem!Reader

Summary: You and Jesse having been dating for awhile and you decide to go all the way with him.

Warnings: Smut, NSFW. 18+. PiV sex, virgin reader’s first time, some cuteness and fluffy ending. A hint of possessive Jesse.

WC: ~2300

A/N: Sorry this took so long, anon! The holiday season has been a whirlwind for me and I’m finally at a place where I have time to write! I’m also a sucker for first-time sex, I hope this is what you had in mind. Enjoy some Juicy Jesse! This is also my first time writing him so I hope I did him some justice 😊

When Jesse escorted you back to your apartment after your dinner date, you knew you wouldn’t be watching a Holomovie like you suggested.

You and the ARC trooper have been dating for a bit now, taking it slow and getting to know one another.

You’ve had short-term relationships in the past, but they never seemed to work out. You were getting ready to give up and knew trying to find a partner during a war no less was a silly dream.

When Jesse waltzed into your life, though, his boyish charm and resolute dedication to his brothers won you over quickly. You never expected to date a soldier, but when Jesse asked you out for a caf, the rest was history.

Everything was so easy with Jesse, and you didn’t want to rush it or mess it up. And he didn’t either.

As your relationship progressed and became more serious and physical, you told him you were technically a virgin, not yet going all the way with a partner.

Jesse just smiled and kissed you, saying you could go as slow as you needed. He would never pressure you into something you weren’t ready for.

You had barely started the Holomovie when Jesse’s lips were on yours, fervent and passionate, taking the breath out of one another’s lungs with each pass of your lips and caress of one another’s bodies.

You were soon on your bed, stripped of both your clothes, kissing and exploring, mumbling praise and pleasured sighs, basking in one another’s arousal.

Jesse had just finished satisfying you with his mouth and fingers, something he took great pride in and would happily do all night if you let him.

Jesse smiled into your neck pressing his rigid length into your thigh, waiting for you to catch your breath after your orgasm.

This is when you’d return the favor, taking him in your mouth or hand, fulfilling him just as much as he pleasured you.

You had other plans, though. You wanted him inside you. You were ready for the next step.

“Jesse…I want you. I want all of you.” You whispered, lightly tracing his facial tattoo as he locked eyes with yours.

“Are you sure?” He asked, studying your face, making sure he was understanding what you were asking.

“I am sure, Jesse.” You smiled, still gently tracing his face. “We’ve been together for a while now and…I want my first time to be with you. I’m ready if you are.”

“Yes, Maker, yes I am.”

Jesse closed his eyes, kissing you deeply, his heart fluttering at the thought, both from his nerves and the trust you were bestowing upon him.

When he pulled away for a breath, he also pulled himself away from you.

“Let me know if you want to stop at any time.”

You nodded. “I will. Don’t worry Jesse.”

“I can sit against the headboard, so you can be in control.” Jesse nipped at your neck, the realization of him burying himself inside your soft, beautiful pussy exciting him beyond measure.

You agreed, adjusting yourself so you sat on his lap, his back against the headboard on your bed.

You slowly rubbed your slick pussy on his thick cock, still sensitive from your previous orgasm. You both moaned, and Jesse took hold of your plush hips.

You could feel how hot and ready Jesse’s cock was for you, precum dribbling from his swollen tip.

You needed him inside you.

You grasped his bulky shoulders as you lined yourself up, pressing his tip to your entrance.

You sunk on him, slowly. Your breath hitched as he entered you, immediately feeling the intrusion. Jesse let out a low moan as your velvety walls enveloped him.

“That’s right, baby. Take your time.” Jesse rubbed your back as you sank lower, adjusting to his size. You were used to his fingers, but they were still nowhere near the length or girth of his cock.

“Jesse,” you quietly gasped, stopping momentarily, almost bottoming out.

“If it’s too much, we can stop-“ Jesse looked worried, bringing his hands to cup your face.

“N-no.” You smiled, kissing him gently on the lips. “I want to keep going.”

He nodded, letting out a low moan as you fully took him, a sound that sent a jolt of desire straight to your core.

“Kriff, baby, you feel amazing.” His pupils were blown, his hands now tenderly cupping your breasts, squeezing and kneading as he let you take the lead.

You gripped his shoulders, moving your hips a little, still adjusting to him inside you. You weren’t entirely sure what to expect, but it was better than any fantasy. You felt so full, so close to him. Connected not just physically, but emotionally as well.

“You feel amazing, too.”

Pleasure was beginning to override the discomfort of his girth inside you, allowing your body to relax and focusing your mind on how amazing you felt.

You honed in on how good his fingers were as they played with your breasts and his shallow breathing through his nose as you tightened around him.

You gave him a coy smile, moving slightly.

“Ah, Jesse, you’re so good inside me.”

Jesse groaned in approval, latching his lips to your nipple, sucking and nibbling as you began to slowly ride him.

“So wet…so warm…” He moaned into the flesh of your breasts as he reveled in everything that were you. “Wanna stay like this forever…” Jesse locked eyes with you. “You feel incredible around me.

Every delicious sound that left your lips as you rolled your hips on him stoked the fire that was burning in his body. You felt like heaven.

“So perfect.” Jesse let out a ragged breath. “You're taking me so well, mesh’la.”

Jesse buried his face in your neck, wrapping his arms around you, inhaling your scent and gently bucking his hips up into you.

You moaned, riding him faster, focusing on how his thick cock felt sliding in and out of you.

Pleasure was now mounting, electric zaps of bliss up your spine every time you sunk on his cock, taking him deeper each time.

Jesse was now moving too, matching your pace and carefully thrusting up into you.

“Tell me if it becomes too much, okay?” Jesse increased his thrusts, sinful sounds leaving his lips as you involuntarily clenched around him.

“It’s good, you’re good, so good Jesse…” Your thighs were beginning to burn, his cock now nudging something deep inside you that made your eyelids flutter.

You knew you wouldn’t be able to keep up this position for long, though, the strain in your thighs from straddling his thick ones beginning to distract you from pleasure.

“Jesse…can we change positions?” You slowed down, easing the tension in your legs.

“Anything for you, mesh’la.” Jesse nodded as you climbed off him, laying on your back. “As long as I get to be back inside you.”

He hovered over you, resting his weight on his forearms around your head.

“Ready?” He kissed your jaw, waiting for your okay to enter you, sliding his cock through your folds.

You nodded, whispering a hoarse “Yes,” desire flooding your senses wholly.

Jesse carefully pressed back into you, both of you sighing at the sensation.

He didn’t move at first, still looking down at you.

“What?” You asked, bashful under his worshipful gaze.

“You’re so beautiful like this,” Jesse murmured, kissing your neck, sucking gently at the spot he knew drove you wild. “So, so beautiful. Your sounds, your body, your everything…”

You mewled at his praise, feeling him twitch inside you as you clenched around him, earning a deep rumble from him, as well as a breathless chuckle.

“Kriff, baby if you keep that up I’m not gonna last…barely holding on as it is.”

Jesse pressed hot kisses from your throat to your jawline, then finally to your lips which he captured in a heated kiss. Your tongues danced as his hips began to move, slowly and with purpose.

You arched yourself up into him, your soft whimpers becoming louder and more desperate moans of his name.

Jesse couldn’t get enough of how your body was reacting to him, how your nails were digging into his shoulder blades, your ankles locked around his waist as you both ascended higher in your shared ecstasy.

Your bodies were perfectly entwined, and Jesse felt something bubble inside him, a possessiveness he hadn’t felt before. As he witnessed your pleasured expressions, feeling the most intimate parts of you that no one had ever felt before, he could barely hold on to his control any longer.

Jesse gripped your hips, pressing his mouth to yours in a passionate, frenzied kiss.

He moaned your name, resting his muscular forearms around your head, his cock hitting deeper than his fingers and tongue have ever been able to go.

“I love that no one else has seen you like this…” Jesse panted against your lips, beginning to move faster, sliding almost out of you, before thrusting in until his hips met yours. “…that no one else has felt you before, been inside you.”

“Ah - Jesse, I’m yours, I’m all yours…!” Your mind was fuzzy with pleasure, his sexy words bringing you closer and closer to the edge.

His voice was deep, desperate, cut with moans as he quickened the snap of his hips into you.

“They don't get to have you, but I do.”

Jesse’s words shot white-hot liquid desire through your veins, his pelvis providing just enough friction to bring you close to your release, but you needed more.

“I need you, please, Jesse I want to come!”

Jesse knew what you were asking for, and didn’t hesitate to place a practiced finger on your swollen and sensitive clit. He rubbed tight circles just the way you liked it, stars appearing in your vision.

“Come for me, baby. Need you.” His voice was husky and deep, laced with desperation as he brought you mind-numbing pleasure.

Your body shuddered beneath him, the coil in your belly winding tighter and tighter, the lewd sounds of where you were connected filling the room pairing with the even more lewd sounds leaving your lips.

“Jesse, I’m gonna, I’m so close…I want to come for you…I…” You gasped out as Jesse laced his free hand with yours above your head. You couldn’t believe how good he felt, how good he made you feel.

You know he had a few short flings in the past like you did, but this was different. It was different for both of you. Jesse had never felt so close, so in tune with a partner before, and you hadn’t either. The realization was almost overwhelming for both of you.

“Come for me, baby, that’s it, just like that.” Jesse’s voice brought you back to reality for a short second, and with a final circle of his finger, your orgasm crashed over your body.

Waves of intense pleasure spread from your spine to the tips of your toes and fingers, accentuated by his cock driving into you again and again.

You weren’t sure how many times you cried out his name as you rode your high, never feeling so connected and cared for as Jesse pressed his lips to yours again, swallowing your broken cries.

“Wh-where?” Jesse could barely speak, his peak nearing dangerously close as your eyelids fluttered open to meet his, bringing his hand from your clit to entwine with your other.

You looked like an angel, flushed and blissed out, your eyes holding nothing but adoration for him.

“Inside, Jesse, please come inside me.”

With a final snap of his hips, he stilled and gave you everything he had, not able to hold back upon hearing those words breathlessly whispered from your swollen lips.

You felt Jesse pulse and fill you with his warm release, his muscles shaking against your body as he hoarsely moaned your name into the side of your neck.

You whispered his name, tracing his back as he relaxed on top of you, his hips slowing as his cock softened, but not quite yet ready to leave you.

You lay there, holding one another. Jesse lifted his head to look at you, smiling. He carefully pulled out, loving your quiet whimper at the loss of him.

Jesse flopped to your side, pulling you into his chest.

“Was that okay?” He sounded nervous, unsure. “I didn’t hurt you or anything?”

“Jesse, it was amazing.” You pecked his lips, nestling your head on his chest. He let out a breath, nuzzling closer to you.

“It really was.”

Jesse kissed the top of your head.

Jesse sat up, lifting himself off the bed. You watched as his tanned, thick body disappeared into your refresher. He emerged a few moments later with a warm, damp towel and you could hear the sound of your bath running.

Jesse carefully cleaned you up before cuddling back with you on the bed.

“You’re incredible, you know that?” He mumbled, absentmindedly drawing circles on your arm with his hand.

“I know.” You smiled, his laugh at your response reverberating in his chest.

“You mean the world to me, mesh’la. I’m glad we could share this together. Thank you for trusting me.”

“It’s more than trust, Jess. You mean the world to me, too, and that’s why I wanted to take the next step in our relationship with you. At least that’s how I see it.” You blushed, hoping you weren’t moving too quickly for him.

Jesse wrapped his arms around you, holding you close. “That’s how I see it, too.” His voice was quiet, but absolutely sincere. “I’ve never felt this way toward anyone before.”

You touched your lips to his in a gentle kiss.

“That makes two of us.”

Jesse grinned, his forehead touching yours.

You sat there for a moment as the bath warmed up, basking in new feelings that you knew would only grow from here.

The TL: @crosshairlovebot @sev-on-kamino @kimiheartblade @wizardofrozz @clonemedickix @sunshinesdaydream @kashasenpai @freesia-writes @multi-fan-dom-madness @aconstructofamind @dreamie411 @dystopicjumpsuit @wings-and-beskar @starqueensthings @idontgetanysleep @secretthegriffin @anxiouspineapple99 @sinfulsalutations @secondaryrealm @littlemissmanga @maybethatfanfictionwriter @pb-jellybeans @wanderer-six @king-chaos-world @wolffegirlsunite @dukeoftheblackstar @523rdrebel @lune-de-miel-au-paradis @sleepingsun501 @coraex @cw80831 @dangraccoon @mythical-illustrator @eternal-transcience @the-cantina @nahoney22 @moonlightwarriorqueen @skellymom @reader6898

Dividers by the ever amazing and lovely @dystopicjumpsuit

#the clone wars #Jesse x reader #arc trooper Jesse #Jesse x you #clone trooper Jesse x reader #x reader #clone x reader #tcw #the clone wars fanfiction #starrycatwrites #arc trooper Jesse x you #clone trooper Jesse x you #arc trooper Jesse x reader #clone smut #the clone wars smut

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happytroopers · 3 months

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Literally anything about Echo, please. Could be before or during bad batch, I’m just completely head over heels for the man

PAST LIVES // Echo x Reader

Summary: Echo's been rescued from Skako Minor, settling into Clone Force 99 slowly but surely. His past catches up with him during a routine diagnostic run, and you... well, you're unknowingly somewhere between a memory and a reunion. Echo is convinced he knows best.

Something wasn't right, things were too soft and hazy, too golden, too warm, dreamy… But the way you were smiling at him, the way your warm fingers were tracing patterns through his hair, Echo couldn’t bring himself to think too hard about it. It had been far too long since he’d had time with you like this, legs tangled together, his hands were settled on you waist, and you were smiling lazily. Maybe something was right for the first time in a while.

Where was he again? Your apartment on Coruscant? The Barracks? Why couldn’t he tell? Then you shifted, rolling so you were on top of his chest. The hand not on his bicep crept up his torso, nails scratching just right to make his back arch. Maybe it didn’t matter where you were...

"We gotta get up." Your voice was sleepy but happy, muffled as you dropped your face into the crook of his neck. Echo wanted to focus on your voice, on the feel of your lashes against his jaw, but under your voice was the hint of something else. Something that injected a bit of urgency into his system, but nothing here was that urgent right? Echo wrapped his arms a bit tighter around your waist, but nothing felt different, like you slipping through his fingers.

"Echo, you need to wake up now." You said again, suddenly not buried in his neck but staring down at him expectantly. The warmth was sapping away, despite your touch his legs were feeling colder and stiffer. Your voice wasn’t soft, but an order, behind it was the reverberation of someone else’s. Rex? Fives? No, that wasn’t right either. Echo started to try to sit up, reaching up to run a hand through your hair, locks slipped over his quickly cooling fingers like an water washing away an illusion, revealing a durasteel scomp link in it’s place.

The urgency was rising, his other hand running over his head to find his cropped cut gone. Barely any stubble had started to regrow, his face had gone gaunt. Furrowed brows lifted his eyes to you, the golden version of you smiling and the cold urgent version of yourself flickering like a faulty holo-com. He tried calling your name, but a static shock at the base of his neck catapulted him first into darkness though he was becoming rapidly more aware of his reality.

Half a moment later, a hand shook his shoulder and he startled awake again. The harsh white light of the Kaminoan medical bay was a stark difference to the hazy golden light in his dream.

It had been a dream, of course it had, Echo hadn’t spoken to you since…well, since he’d been a different man.

"Diagnostic scans are looking good. New implants are operating satisfactory. " Tech announced, tapping away at a data pad that was connected by a couple wires to the base of Echo’s skull. The former ARC trooper sighed, craning his neck this way and that though the cybernetics along his spine wouldn’t let the joints pop.

"Great, can we find a way to test these things without knocking me out?" He groaned, watching Tech tap at a few more things. The genius rose his eyebrows.

"We could but we risk neural overload, neural underload, brain fry, memory lapse, short term memory loss, long term memory loss, hallucinations,…" Tech’s list was on going, bordering on droning but Echo’s focus was lost when motion at the door way caught his eye. The medbay doors swished apart, making room for two clones. Two older cadets in training armor, one half supporting his brother who was sans helmet. The injured one had blood dribbling down his forehead and looked more than a little dazed. Training incidents, those happened all the time. It was the pretty civilian nurse who flanked the pair that held Echo's attention, taking the injured cadet under his other arm to help him walk straight.

You.

It was like being shocked all over again.

Echo was an entirely different man now, but you… You’d barely changed. Sure, your hair was a little longer now, a couple more shadows under your eyes. But, you were still you. The woman that Echo had loved, still loved. He couldn't help but watch you sit the injured trooper down, asking both cadets diagnostic questions. They seemed flustered under your keen eyes, casting each other wide eyed looks when you’d offer them that soft, reassuring smile you gave all your patients.

You’d given Echo that smile, it seemed like decades ago now when you’d met, and, kriff, it’d stunned him to silence, too. Still did. Echo watched you put gloves on, sliding them over a ring he’d given you shortly before he left for the Citadel. And he watched those gloved hands gently feel over the Cadet’s head, not quite like you used to play with his hair, but just as gentle. He couldn’t quite hear your voice, but he could see your lips moving, your face was still gentle, probably explaining what you were doing or cracking a joke as opposed to the scolding you used to serve the 501st when they’d get hurt doing something dumb.

The cadet flinched as you started to clean the shallow wound on his forehead, and Echo almost laughed at the face you made at him. There was the scolding, judging by how the cadet sat up a little straighter. It didn’t take you long, cleaning, bandaging, shining a light in the clone’s eyes.

"Alright, I think you’ll survive, just barely."

Echo couldn’t hear you, but he knew that glint in your eyes. You always said that when treating minor wounds; you thought it was funny. He knew exactly the lilt of your voice, which words you put emphasis on, the quirk of your brow, the breath of a laugh you’d tag on the end as you patted the Cadet’s knee. He’d heard you say it a hundred times, been the patient on the receiving end when he’d make excuses to come see you in the medbay before he asked you out.

Tech was prodding his shoulder again, trying to get his attention. Echo could just barely hear him over the rash of memories going through his mind.

"Are you even listening to me? Something made your brainwaves spike." Tech questioned finally looking up from his datapads to follow Echo’s line of sight to you, "Oh."

The cadets were leaving now, you were cleaning up the bit of mess you made before taking a sweep of the infirmary. Your eyes landed on the two different clones, your brow twitched for a moment as you looked at him. A spark of recognition dimmed by a crash of sadness before you shook your head, offering the two of them a smile and wave.

"Can I help with anything?" You called after setting a cleaning droid on your station. You were walking over, curiosity in your pretty eyes.

"No, just routine diagnostics." Tech answered when Echo just stared at you like a ghost. Ironic considering he was the more ghost like of the two of you. You slipped more into work mode, eyes scanning over the cybernetics on his head and dumbstruck look.

"And they’re coming back green?" You asked, sincerely, reaching out to gently take hold of Echo’s chin. Kriff, if you touched him he didn’t know what he’d do. He’d been so carefully avoiding you since his rescue. Stars, the truth was clawing up his throat to tangle with the wisps of your perfume that he’d breathed in, like sparks and gas. It burned your presence into him, but, dank farrik, it was nice to be warm again.

But could he do this to you? You deserved more than what he’d become, he couldn’t give you what he once could. Could he put you through that after everything?

Rex had told him. How hard you took it when the news of Echo’s apparent death was broken to you. Everything you’d been through afterwards. Rex told him that you weren’t coping well, you were becoming reckless, distant. Barely eating, barely sleeping, less patient, quiet. The only reason you were still working in the GAR at all was because some of the boys were worried what might happen to you if you were formally discharged. So, Rex pulled some strings, had you transferred back to Kamino where you’d been primarily an instructor, teaching cadets medical skills, running drills with them to show them how to work with civilians in the field, and taking shifts in the infirmary just to keep busy. Compared to what Kix had described, you seemed to finally be doing better. You seemed like you.

Echo could feel the warmth emanating off your fingertips as they got closer, reminding him exactly why he needed to not be this close. That spark of recognition was back in your stare, your brow twitching. At the last second, Echo flinched backwards away from your fingers, leaning away to try not to choke on your scent as he cleared his throat.

"Just a little out of sync when things come back online, ma’am, nothing to worry about. ‘M fine." Echo forced his voice to be rigid, cut and dry, the way soldiers were supposed to talk to civilians like you. Anything else, he’d be afraid you’d clock him based just off his tone. You always could do that, pick him out of a crowd with your eyes closed. Sometimes, Fives and Jesse would convince Echo to play ‘musical armor’ to try to trick you, you wouldn’t even have to turn around. The moment Echo opened his mouth, you’d hit him with a sweet greeting. It always made the guys laugh, but it made Echo feel… right, warm all the way through. So, he couldn’t risk it and kept his voice firm.

Echo expected you to look at him weird, maybe even be irritated at his cold tone, but instead, you just smiled, shaking your head with the slightest laugh as you dropped your hand back to your side.

"What?" Echo pressed, fighting the urge to smile back. He shouldn’t have, he needed to leave. It was nice to have you this close again, but it’d just hurt more in the long run. You straightened up, taking a half step back.

"Sorry, you just… remind me of someone I used to know."

Echo tried not to flinch at that.

"We’re needed in the docking bay."

Both of you had completely forgotten Tech was there. The batch’s genius was watching Echo carefully and you curiously, and for all the crap they gave him, Tech had obviously picked up on Echo’s inner struggle. Tech stood slowly, slipping his helmet on and handed Echo’s to him, "We’ll see ourselves out."

Echo nodded to Tech, and also to himself, before offering you a curt nod as well, just for the excuse to give you another short look. Your brows crinkled again, but Echo turned on his heel to follow Tech out before he could give you anymore reason to question him.

"Oh, alright. Bye then." Your voice was soft, confused as you stared at the two men leaving the infirmary.

—

"You knew her."

Tech’s phrase wasn’t a question, but a fact. Stated as such as they walked back to the docking bay. Echo answered it like one anyone, after he slipped his helmet on, hoping it’d make him harder to read.

"Uh, yeah. She used to work in the 501st." Not a lie, you had worked in the 501st, after the incident on the Rishi moon.

"Your body language suggests some sort of deeper relation than simple coworkers. Your pupils dilated, brainwaves spiked, vocal change, hyper fixated focus, fidgety muscle reactions-"

"Don’t need a biology lesson, Tech." Echo groaned, "And I’m suggesting that it doesn’t matter anymore."

"It just insinuates that-"

"Un-insinuate it then."

"Hmm." Tech hummed, casting an odd look to the newest member of the Batch.

"I..." Echo thought for a moment, trying to come up with some sort of dismissal, but that truth was still crawling up his throat. His shoulders slumped a bit as he fixed his helmeted gaze on the pristine white floors, "I'm not the man she knew."

wow this is so dramatic and unedited lol

#arc trooper echo x reader #Echo x reader #tbb Echo #tbb x reader #Bad batch echo #bad batch x reader #the bad batch x reader

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masterjedilenawrites · 5 months

Note

Okay, hear me out....grumpy reader/Fives for the sunshine/grumpy prompt list. My favorite is "don't make this weird...but I saw this in the store and got it for you. Figured you'd like it."

Fives x grumpy!reader | 1k words

Content: a light and fluffy piece, a little bit of yearning, a nice hug, reader is on the grumpier side (and also a chef, random idea that popped in my head)

What were you doing?

You'd asked yourself that a dozen times now as you made your way back to the ship, almost stopping each time to throw the gift bag into the bushes. You weren't a person who bought gifts. That was lame. You didn't even get gifts on most holidays, let alone on a random day in the middle of the year for no reason other than you saw something and it reminded you of someone else and the thought of his face lighting up when you gave it to him compelled you to go ahead and buy it.

Yeah, lame.

You stifled a groan at the thought of how badly you'd be teased for this. Of course Fives would love the gift, and he'd show it off to everyone, and then they'd make fun of you, probably say you'd have a crush or something stupid. You paused in the road again and just stared at the bag, considering every life choice you'd made up that had brought you to this point.

"What's cookin, good lookin?"

Five's familiar voice rang out from down the road as he caught sight of you standing there. He used that ridiculous line to greet you every time, making you regret ever becoming a cook for the GAR in the first place.

"Hi Fives." You were quick to hide the little gift bag behind your back, but not quick enough for the ARC trooper. He was practically bounding down to the road toward you. No amount of subtle maneuvering would've escaped his notice.

"What's that?" he pulled up a few feet in front of you, smirking as he eyed you.

"What's what?" you tried playing it off.

"That bag in your hands."

Your resting face held a frown, which only deepened as you were caught red handed. There was no backtracking anymore, no ditching the gift and pretending it'd never happened. You'd have to give it to him and face the consequences now.

"Oh, yeah, this." You reluctantly brought the bag around in front of you, looked down at it for a moment, and then relented with a sigh. "Okay, don't make this weird... but I saw this in the store and got it for you. Figured you'd like it."

You practically pushed the bag right into him, eager to just get rid of it.

As predicted, Fives was already getting worked up in delight. "Wait, what? You got me a gift?"

He reached in and grabbed the wad of tissue paper and tossed it aside, and then he brought out the little trinket that lay within.

"No way, a river whale?!"

It was a little ceramic figurine of the planet's rare river whale, an animal Fives had been desperate to try and find during their short mission here, but with no luck. You'd only gone into town to return the grill you'd borrowed from a local cook before the ship took off. It had seemed like fate to find a last minute replacement for Fives' dream. The figurine was hand-painted and had cute little beads set in for eyes. It even had a ribbon loop fastened on the top, to be hung like an ornament.

Fives was teetering between beaming with joy and what you feared were actual tears. He was like a kid who'd gotten exactly what he wanted for Christmas.

"Kriff, cookie, you're the best!" he exclaimed with a wobbly voice. You had to ignore that heinous nickname just like you did the other silly little sayings he had with you.

"I said don't make this weird," you grumbled just as he rushed up to hug you. You squirmed at first in his tight embrace, but after a few moments, relaxed a bit and brought an awkward hand up to pat his arm. You would never admit how often you wished the man would hug you like this... among other things.

He let go of you far too soon and brought the gift back up to admire it. It hung from the ribbon off his finger and spun prettily in the sunlight.

"I shall name you... whale-y," he said to it.

You rolled your eyes. "Seriously?"

"Too on the nose?" Fives scrunched up his face in a show of serious consideration. "Hm, what about, bead-y? 'Cause of his eyes."

You just shook your head at him.

"What? Names are hard." He dangled the figurine in front of you. "You name it, then."

"No."

"Come on, he needs a name! Look at him!" He jiggled the ribbon a little so the whale shook in front of you. "Please name me, cookie," he said in a mocked voice of the thing.

You sighed. "I don't know... Willy."

Fives grinned. "Willy it is!"

He continued to laugh as you continued to glare. You would never understand this man and all his silliness and good humoredness. But boy did you like him anyway.

Fives tucked the little figure into one of his belt pockets. "I won't tell anyone, you know."

"Huh?"

"I know you don't like it when you're at the center of attention," he shrugged. He still seemed happy, but some of his energy had settled down into something much softer. "And I know you don't like getting compliments, but uh... this was really nice of you."

"Oh."

You stood there awkwardly. He was right, you didn't like compliments; you had no idea what to do with them.

"We can keep this moment between us," he offered with a small smile.

You nodded shyly back, still not sure what to say. Your heart seemed to be doubling in size, pushing against your chest in a painful but pleasant way.

"Um, I mean..." you tried saying something, finding the words as you went along. "You don't have to hide it or anything. You could hang it in your bunk if you want. Or somewhere else. Anywhere you want, really. It's your gift. So... you know...."

Fives started laughing again, a lower chuckle that showed he was amused but wouldn't make fun of you for it. He saddled up next to you, slung an arm across your shoulders, and started leading you back to the ship.

"Alright, I think I will hang it in my bunk, then. And I'll think of you whenever I see it."

You were grateful he couldn't see the blush that started lining your cheeks. Maybe getting him a gift wasn't such a lame thing after all.

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#star wars #the clone wars #clones #fives #arc trooper fives #ct 5555 #fives x reader #grumpy sunshine trope #gift giving #fluff #one shot

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warsamongthestars · 22 days

Text

One of the most interesting things about TCWs Rex's character arc struggles is that, he's constantly put into contrasts.

Rex, as we know him, stands to be the main representation of a Clone Trooper. He's the first major named CT Character, that isn't Commander Cody, who doesn't have any ties to the films (Unlike Commander Cody), and thus can act and be written with far more freedom to explore.

[ You can't write Commander Cody too much by the end of the day, because one, years of expectations weigh, and two, he still has to shoot Kenobi at the end of everything. ]

Rex has two major conflicts in his arc, that represent the three defining points of clone troopers:

Loyalty to their Brothers

Loyalty to the System

Loyalty to themselves

Let's have some examples.

Our first major touch up with this, is the exact Opposite of all three: Sergeant Slick.

He is not loyal to his brothers (And gets a lot of them killed, whilst blaming the Jedi), he is not loyal to the system (He's a traitor), and he's not loyal to himself (He will make a lot of claims... which are unsubstantiated, because he gets a lot of people killed for purposes of greed and perceived slights).

This one is your easy Villain. Its easy to see, via Slick, that Loyalty to Brothers, Systems and Self is very simple.

But TCWs takes it a step further into complication.

Cut Lawquane, a deserter, is not loyal to the system (because it certainly isn't loyal to him), is loyal to himself, but is neutral when comes to brotherly loyalty.

( I say neutral, because he was willing to slay Rex if it meant staying free and his family safe. He did stop, because he's true to himself, and the self he wants to be isn't someone who kills people... Its just that sometimes, what is wanted, and what it is needed, isn't always the same thing. )

This is the first major bang up to Rex's Character Arc, because now we have a decent enough brother who is absolutely Not Loyal To the System that Rex is. And eventually, Rex lets him go, showing that while Rex is Lawful Good--he leans more towards good, whilst still retaining lawful plausibility.

This step slapped Rex, but it was a surprise he could easily, just simply, file away and not think about too hard. Deserting is going to happen when you're in an army of millions, and if they're off to be farmers instead of soldiers, well that's okay and a very nice thought.

The real kicker was Umbara.

One could argue that the Lola Sayu Mission should've hit Rex, but instead of Rex, it hit Fives the hardest (And with good reason). It's probably why there was an implication of a fallout between Lola Sayu and Umbara ("Just like Old times, Rex.")

And Fives becomes a contrasting challenge:

Loyal to Self

Loyal To Brothers

Neutral to Disloyal to System

Fives would bend the system until it breaks if it meant saving his brothers and more. He's the Chaotic Good to Rex's Lawful Good.

Rex is painfully upright and loyal to the system, so when one of his best and closest brothers decides "fuck this", it shakes him up.

Especially when Rex is finally confronted with how rotten the System gets: by General Pong Krell.

To contrast the contrast, on other side of Rex is Dogma, who is Fives' opposite. The Lawful Neutral.

Loyal to the System above all Else.

Neutral to Disloyal to Brothers.

( It does not help that Anakin Skywalker only recognizes Lawful as being Obedient rather than "adherence and or comfort to a code or set of rules" and thus draws more parallels between Rex and Dogma, than Rex and Fives. )

The Umbara Arc throws Rex through the whole loop, with all its conflicts. Especially the challenges it would make to Rex's whole character and showing him how far things can go.

Until finally, Rex finding what lines to draw in the dirt when it comes to "Loyalty to the End".

... But not enough to save anyone.

Then comes the Conspiracy arc, and while we don't know Rex's side, we do have implication of the aftermath.

The coverup of Fives' death (Because it would've had to been), by brother no less (Another big thing), and with the chip arc, which Rex did look into--would've put Rex up against someone he could not and would not possibly be capable of working through or against: Anakin Skywalker.

( Obviously for narrative purposes, Skywalker can't be stopped less TCWs became an AU instead )

Rex finds that his closest and brightest was labeled traitor and terrorist for his attack on the chancellor, via the very same bulletin points that Rex's character lives by, and it would immediately put him up against Skywalker.

The reason being, is that Skywalker is close to the Chancellor, and likely told Rex to drop any investigation.

And through speculation based on aftermath episodes... and What we know by this point...

I bet that Rex did not want to lump Anakin with Krell as a "System Problem". Because Rex worked with Anakin, and Rex's character falls in line with Anakin, and to consider Anakin to be part of the problem would go against Rex's character--thus, it is "unthinkable" and much easier to simply... Believe that Anakin has the best intentions.

( Even if that came at the cost of Fives. )

( Even though it would come at the cost of the 501st in the future--Rex only did enough that it would save his Life, and Ahsoka's, but nobody else's. He pays dearly for that comfort in Anakin at the cost of Fives, and the cost of Everyone. )

Moving to S7... and the Bad Batch.

Rex comes up against his absolute Opposite once more--in Sergeant Hunter, and the various Bad Batchers.

We've hit full circle.

Hunter commands a small squad that he pretty much lets do whatever, whilst Rex hangs on commands and commanding. Hunter is Evasive, Rex is Honest; Hunter gets stressed by Command, Rex does not.

Hunter is endlessly snarky, whilst Rex is straightforward. Hunter loses his faith midway through Mission, and Rex does not. Hunter's appearance is against all regulations, whilst Rex is clean shaven.

Hunter wasn't made for command, he just wasn't the stronger personality in the Batch to cause problems, whilst Rex is trained and made to command.

The one thing they do have in common, is loyalty to brothers, and the difference is--Rex doesn't hang on to anyone in lieu of the bigger picture, but Hunter does, existing in the smaller pictures.

( That's the TCWs implication-- If I went into the TBBshow, Hunter would not be coming out nearly as good. )

With the other batchers, Rex comes up against each one being individually against an aspect of his character.

Tech is disloyal to the system, he's as far from any sort of clone soldier you can get, and he's not even dressed for it. Tech comes in as a research first.

Wrecker is disloyal to self, bolstering about his skills and making light of the situation before it crashes on him. His disloyalty isn't a case of selling out--its a case of simply not considering himself in any measure. He puts others above him.

Crosshair is disloyal to brothers. He makes it a point to start shit in the middle of a mission, question authority, making disparaging remarks, and attacking a sense of self. The difference here is that, instead of accumulating falsehoods (like Slick), or physically attacking--he attacks the comforting falsehoods that a clone trooper would take on out of loyalty to brothers, system and self. If you're a brother, why don't you act it. If you cared so much for this one guy, why did you leave him behind. If you were that good in your little system, why did the specialists get called in. ( Crosshair is also a dick, but one can understand why he does things. )

Each Bad Batcher serves as a challenge to Rex's character. They are as far from Lawful as possible--but they are Good.

And then there was Echo.

But Echo doesn't serve as a challenge to Rex's character. If anything, Echo might serve as the "reward" for Rex's character arc. He saved at least one Brother, and one of his closest.

...

Unfortunately, Rex's full character arc wasn't ever really fully realized, because he is, fundamentally, a satellite character for other characters to bounce off of, even if those characters are other Clone Troopers.

( hell, Rex serves to contrast Cody, and neither of those too really had full Arcs )

Its why Fives took more attention in Umbara than Rex. Its why Ahsoka gets off scott free at the end of the day but Rex doesn't.

Its why when certain points of Jedi pop up, particularly that even our main character Jedi aren't really all that Lawful Good and do fuck up and waste a lot of brothers' lives for it, that Rex does not intervene.

Because, his character was never given that development to step in and tell someone to "Hey, stop, you are going to get people Killed."

A full Arc would've allowed that, and he wasn't afforded one.

A post TCWs Arc for Rex to get that Development, to fully understand all he went through and implement it into a new character arc, was implied with Rebel's Rex... but is currently unfulfilled.

( Don't be shocked that I don't consider TBBshow to count. )

But there ya go, a nice sum Analysis on Rex.

#star wars #star wars the clone wars #the clone wars #the bad batch #tcws tbb arc #umbara #captain rex #analysis

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soaringthroughthegalaxy · 5 months

Note

I saw your call for soft prompts for the Batch bois! If you're up to it, I'd like to humbly submit:

"Thank you for getting me through this" and/or "I'm here for you. Today, tomorrow and every day after."

with Echo? I'm just so soft for that man, and he deserves all the softness.

Thank you so much for the request, lovely! I really enjoyed writing this - goodness, Echo deserves the entire galaxy 🥰

Hope it's okay! <3

Chasing Away the Nightmares

Although Echo is integrating into life with the Bad Batch, and is getting used to his new body, sometimes the nightmares come back to haunt him. Thankfully, you’re there to help him through them.

Pairing: Echo x f!reader (platonic, but squint and you could see it as the start of something romantic).

Word count: 2k

Warnings: Echo still has nightmares about the Citadel and Skako, a little whump, panic attack (Echo), lots of reassurance and comfort, softness, sharing a bunk.

The hum of hyperspace reverberated around the Marauder, the blue glow filling the cockpit as you chucked another card down onto the growing pile on top of Gonky, shifting to get more comfortable in Wrecker’s lap.

With only four seats in the cockpit, you’d had to pick a lap to perch on while you, Wrecker, Tech, Hunter, and Crosshair indulged in a few card games. It was one of the many ways you wound down together as a squad after a stressful mission.

Echo had excused himself, stifling a yawn as he retreated to the bunks shortly after you boarded the ship. Part of you had wanted to insist he join in, to continue building on the relationships you were all forming with him, but you knew he was still adapting to life with you and the boys.

He’d made so much progress already, rolling with the unconventional methods you all used and the chaos of life outside of a standard legion, but sometimes you could see the strain on his face. You couldn’t imagine what he was going through and everything he’d already been through. As the liaison between the Batch and Command, you’d asked for any help available for Echo but had frustratingly come up empty-handed.

“Kriff,” Wrecker muttered as he drew a fresh card, scowling at his hand. Although perched on his lap, you kept your gaze averted, not wanting to cheat. He tossed one of his other cards onto the pile.

As Hunter reached out to snag a card, he paused, head tilting towards the closed cockpit doors. It was an unspoken rule onboard that the cockpit doors were shut when it was occupied during hyperspace travel, giving those resting some peace.

“Again?” You asked quietly, brows furrowing as you tilted your head towards the doors, eyes darting towards Hunter.

He gave a slight nod, letting out a weary sigh. Echo had been battling nightmares for a while now, and Hunter’s keen senses had alerted him to each one. Every time he tried to approach the ARC Trooper, to encourage him to open up and share his troubles, his concerns were brushed aside.

“I got it. Keep playing.” You insist, sliding from Wrecker’s lap and tucking your cards into your pants pocket. You weren’t sure if Echo would open up to you, but it was worth a shot.

Moving across the cockpit, you slipped into the rest of the ship. It was much darker away from the hyperspace lights, and it took your eyes a second to adjust. Heading towards the bunks, you spotted Echo on a bottom one, lost in sleep though it appeared far from restful. He’d pulled the flimsy blanket up around him, hiding beneath it.

Gently, you touched his shoulder, attempting to wake him without startling him. “Echo.” You whispered concern in your voice.

Echo startled as his eyes opened, heart hammering in his chest at your unexpected presence. “W-What?”

You could see the tension in his features, the remnants of whatever haunted his dreams. “Nightmare again?” You asked softly, sitting down on the edge of the bunk. Echo hesitated, then nodded, not meeting your gaze. You decided to give him space, shifting further down the bunk. “You don’t have to go through it alone, you know. We’re a team, Echo.”

He sighed, finally looking at you with a smidge of uncertainty. Opening up wasn’t easy for him. “I appreciate it, but I can handle it.” He replied, though his eyes told a different story.

“You don’t always have to be the soldier, Echo. We’re more than just a squad; we’re a family.” You reassured him. “I might not be one of your brothers, but if you ever want to talk, I’m here.”

Echo hesitated, his gaze softening as he studied your face. The weight of his struggles lifted a little, if only for a moment. “Thanks.” He said quietly, a hint of gratitude in his voice. “It’s just...hard to get used to. Being alive and all that. Not…trapped in my mind anymore.”

You nodded understandingly. “We all have our battles, Echo. The difference is you don’t have to fight them alone.” Leaning back against the bunk, you let the ship's quiet envelop you both for a moment.

After a pause, Echo spoke again, his voice softer. “I never expected this. I still don’t feel like I fit in, but I guess none of you do either.” He gave a wry smile.

A soft chuckle escaped you. “Sometimes it’s more fun to be the odd ones out. You’re one of us now. We’ve got your back.” Not wanting to overstay your welcome and risk making things awkward, you stood, reaching down to gently squeeze his shoulder. He was still getting used to his new body and still recoiled at times from touch, but the grateful smile he shot you as your hand met his shoulder told you it was welcomed.

Touched by your words, Echo reached up to place his hand over yours, giving it a small squeeze. “Thanks for checking on me.”

“Anytime. And if those nightmares ever get too much, don’t hesitate to come to me.” You reassure him, letting go of his shoulder as he nods.

Heading back to the cockpit, the door slid shut behind you, leaving Echo in the dimly lit bunks with a newfound warmth in his chest.

A few hours later, Echo’s breathing quickened as he was pulled from the depths of his dreams again, the weight of his nightmares clinging to him like a suffocating cloak. His eyes shot open, wide and panicked, scanning the dimly lit bunk area. The hum of the ship’s engines and the occasional creaks and groans seemed to amplify, closing in on him.

He sat up abruptly, the tangled sheets slipping from his body as cold sweat coated his skin. The memories of the nightmares still lingered, haunting him. His hand trembled, reaching up to press against his forehead, attempting to ground himself in the present.

Echo’s gaze darted around the room; the shadows seemed to twist and dance, distorting reality. The bunk felt confining, the walls closing in on him. The air in his lungs felt thin, and each breath came in short, ragged gasps.

Attempting to escape the suffocating grip of panic, Echo swung his legs over the side of the bunk, metal feet hitting the durasteel floor. The ship’s low lighting cast eerie shadows, and the rhythmic thud of his own heartbeat pulsed in his ears.

The memories of the war, the experiments, the pain—all of it rushed back, overwhelming him. The line between past and present blurred, and the present moment felt like an illusion. Echo’s chest tightened, his breaths becoming shallower. He tried to shake off the intrusive thoughts, but they clung to him like a relentless swarm. The world around him seemed to spin, the walls closing in further, trapping him in a claustrophobic nightmare.

The sound of your reassuring and caring voice resonated in his mind. Forcing himself to his feet, he took unsteady steps through the ship.

You were losing another round of cards when Hunter’s head snapped towards the cockpit door again. In a flash, you were up and off Crosshair’s lap – having migrated into the sniper's lap to give Wrecker a break – and were slipping out of the doors.

The sight that greeted you broke your heart. Sweet Echo, clutching at one of the jump seats, body trembling, desperately gasping for air. Instinct drove you forward, moving to support his weight and guide him into one of the seats. You’d dealt with plenty of panic attacks during your time with the boys – Hunter when his senses overwhelmed him, once when a flashbang had temporarily robbed Crosshair of his vision, and again with Wrecker after the accident that had left him scarred. You’d had a few yourself with the stunts your boys pulled.

Seeing you helped, and as Echo sat in one of the seats, he fought to regain control. Each breath was a struggle, but he found the longer he held your gaze the easier the vice around his chest became.

You crouched in front of him placing a steadying hand on his knee, not caring a jot that your palm met metal instead of flesh. “Hey, Echo. Keep your eyes on me.” You urged gently, your voice a soothing balm amid his turmoil. “Focus on your breathing. In and out, okay? You’re safe here.”

Echo’s eyes, still wide with panic, stayed locked on yours, and he clung to the lifeline you were offering. With each measured breath, the tension in his shoulders began to ease. The rhythmic hum of the ship became a grounding force, a reminder that he was here, in the present, surrounded by those who cared for him.

“Good, Echo. Just like that.” You encouraged, the reassuring smile you wore offering a comforting warmth. The panic began to recede, and Echo’s breathing gradually steadied. The haunted look in his eyes softened, replaced by a mix of vulnerability and gratitude.

“Thanks.” He whispered, voice hoarse from the strain. “I... I don’t know what happened. It just... everything got overwhelming.”

“It’s okay, Echo. Panic attacks happen.” You reassured him, squeezing his knee even though he wouldn’t feel it, and the metal didn’t yield beneath your hand. “Sometimes our minds play tricks on us, especially after everything you’ve been through.”

He nodded, still catching his breath. “I thought I was past this. I thought I could handle it.”

“Healing is a process. It isn’t linear.” You reminded him. “And you’re not expected to have it all figured out.”

Echo let out a shaky sigh, finally allowing himself to relax into the seat. The residue of panic began to lift, and embarrassment coloured his cheeks. “I appreciate it. I’m sorry for causing a scene.”

“No need to apologize. I’m glad you were coming to get me.” You assure him.

Echo nodded, a small, genuine smile tugging at the corners of his lips. The camaraderie of the squad was sinking in, slowly but surely. He wasn’t alone anymore; he wasn’t trapped in that stasis chamber lost in his mind.

“Come on.” You said, standing up. “Let’s grab a few more hours of rest.” You offered your hand to help him stand, deciding to stay with him for the remainder of the journey back to Kamino. The boys could continue their game in the cockpit without you.

Echo hesitates for a moment, then accepts your hand. Fingers interlocked with yours, you lead him back to the bunks. The ship’s hum seemed quieter now, more of a lullaby than a disorienting noise.

As you reach the bunks, Echo pauses, glancing at the bottom bed where he’d tried to find solace in sleep. “I don’t want to go back to the nightmares.” He admits, a hint of vulnerability in his voice.

You nod, understanding his reluctance. “You don’t have to. How about you bunk with me for the rest of the trip? We can keep each other company. It might help.”

Echo hesitates. On one hand he knows your presence will significantly help him – and what man wouldn’t want to share a bunk with a pretty woman? – but on the other… “I don’t want to accidentally hurt you.” He murmurs, lifting his scomp and glancing down at his legs. “I’m not exactly the most…comfortable anymore.”

You squeeze his hand reassuringly, giving him a knowing smile. “Echo, you won’t hurt me. I’m not as delicate as I might look.”

A small smirk tugs at Echo’s lips as he glances at you, appreciating the humour in your words. “Okay. I’ll take you up on that offer.”

With a gentle tug, you lead him to your bunk, the dim lighting creating a cosy atmosphere. The two of you settle in, finding a comfortable position. As Echo lies down, you scoot beside him, propping yourself up on one elbow.

“Thank you for getting me through this,” Echo says sincerely, his eyes meeting yours.

You hold his gaze, pleased he'd found a modicum of comfort with you. “I’m here for you. Today, tomorrow, and every day after.”

Gratitude and acceptance reflect in his eyes, and in the peacefulness of the bunk, you curl together. As sleep gradually claims you both, the nightmares seem to fade, replaced by the warmth of each other’s company.

#Soarings Ask Box #the bad batch x reader #tbb echo x reader #tbb echo x you #tbb echo #arc trooper echo x reader #echo x reader #echo the bad batch #the bad batch echo #arc trooper echo #CT-1409 #whump #fluff #softness

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bibannana · 2 years

Text

*Echo and Fives standing infront of a demolished speeder (they just crashed it after being told explicitly not to take it for a ride)*

Echo *glancing at Fives*: Well this is definetly less than ideal.

Fives *nodding*: Yeah. Good thing it wasn't worse though.

*Speeder explodes*

*Ducking behind crates to avoid flying debris*

Echo *sighing wearily*: You had to say something didn't you?

Fives *shrugging*: Okay, that's my bad. But it definitely can't get any worse now.

Rex *appearing behind them, putting a hand on their shoulders*: Want to try that one again?

*Screaming*

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vodika-vibes · 13 days

Note

could I have Fives with garnet at night? maybe meets the reader at 79s and saves them from a creepy dude?? if that doesn't vibe with you, make it whatever you want xx

You're Worth It

Summary: You should have known better than to come to the club with your friends, they always ditch you after all. Luckily, a handsome clone comes to your rescue.

Pairing: ARC Trooper Fives x Reader

Word Count: 637

Prompt: Garnet - Protective Love

Warnings: None

Tagging: @trixie2023 @n0vqni @imabeautifulbutterfly

A/N: Thank you for your request! I hope this is close to what you wanted~

You need some new friends. The friends that you’ve been running around with since you were all in diapers are not the best friends you could have asked for. By any definition of the word.

Seeing as they ditched you as soon as they realized that they might hit it off with some of the people here.

Leaving you, all by your lonesome, to get cornered by a man who smells like a walking brewery.

He’s so drunk, in fact, that you’re not entirely sure what he wants. His words are all slurred together into a jumbled mess of words. Though you’re pretty sure he’s hitting on you.

That, or he’s trying to sell you speeder insurance.

You hold your hands up, trying to keep him from leaning into your personal space, and it’s…not working.

You’d sell your right arm for one of your friends to notice that you’re in need of a rescue. But you can’t even see any of them.

“Ah, there you are!” A strong arm slings around your shoulders and you’re tugged into a broad chest, “Honestly, babe, you can’t just wander off like that.”

You blink, bewildered, at the man standing slightly in front of you. A clone, with a five tattooed on his forehead. He’s handsome, but then, all of the clones are, and has a rakish grin on his face.

“Sorry,” You say automatically, and his grin softens before he tosses a wink in your direction, “I got turned around.” You add.

“Totally understandable, there’s a bunch of people here.” He squeezes you a little tighter, “Excuse us, we need to get back to our table.”

The drunk man slurs something, and apparently your savior speaks drunk, because he doesn’t look the least bit confused.

“You’re very drunk, you should probably go for a walk. Get some fresh air.”

The drunk man rears his fist back as though he’s about to punch the man standing slightly in front of you. And you hazard a glance at the clone, he looks bored, and you feel a little silly for being so worried about him.

The man protecting you, moves slightly and nudges you to the side as the drunk man finally throws his punch, and ends up toppling to the floor. “Um…”

“Come on, leave him be. Someone will come and take care of him.” He ushers you away from the toppled man, and then grins at you, “Fives.”

“Beg pardon?”

“My name. It’s Fives.”

“Oh!” You hurriedly introduce yourself, and his smile widens. He really is very handsome. And apparently you’re a little more out of sorts than you thought because those very words fall from your lips.

Fives’ grin widens, “Thank you. I happen to think you’re stunning too.”

“I’m pretty sure I didn’t use the word stunning.”

“But you meant it though, I can tell.” Fives winks at you, and tugs you onto the dance floor, “Now, because I saved you from that awful drunk man, you should dance with me.”

“Is that right? Is this your payment?”

“Sure. But I’d do it anyway.”

You frown at him thoughtfully, even as you slide your arms around him, allow him to tug you closer, “You could have been hurt. What if he had a weapon?”

“Well, better I got hurt than you.” Fives replies with a small grin.

“No one is worth that!”

“I disagree. You clearly are.”

You’re struck silent by his sincerity, and his grin softens, “Now, let’s dance. And then, maybe, if you’re interested, we can go and get some caf?”

“Are you asking me out on a date?”

“Yeah. I am.”

“Oh.” You blink at him, “...there’s a cafe not far from here that sells the tea that I prefer-” You offer hesitantly.

“Sounds like a plan to me. But first we have to dance.”

#star wars #tcw #vodika-vibes 500 followers celebration #arc trooper fives x reader #fives x reader #star wars fanfiction #x reader fanfiction #gn!reader fic #answered asks

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ghostofskywalker · 6 months

Text

Not Lost, But Not Yet Found

Crosshair/Fem!Reader

Fictober Day 16 of 31

Words: 1,193

Summary: After returning to his brothers, Crosshair finds himself wondering about the new member of the team. Once he finds out the reason you're acting so withdrawn, his view of you changes completely.

Note: this fic can be read as both something that will be eventually romantic or something more platonic, it's up to you :)

Clone Troopers Masterlist

Crosshair was still getting re-oriented with how things worked on the Marauder now, and one of the many things he had questions about was the newest member of the team. Not Omega, as he had spent enough time going through the Republic-turned-Empire’s files to know her story, but you.

You weren’t rude or abrasive, but you kept to yourself on the ship, and Crosshair rarely found himself in the same room as you. Even when the rest of the team was gathered together, if the meeting was not mission-related, you were not present. At first he thought it might be because you were uncomfortable around the others, but from the snippets of conversation that he caught from the rest of the his brothers when you weren’t around made it sound like you hadn’t always acted this way around them, and that your current state was a new development.

He probably shouldn’t have cared as much as he did, but it wasn’t hard to tell that there was something going on. Of course he wanted to be able to know whether or not he could trust you, but he also wanted to know what role his brothers had played in your past, and what had changed to make you this much more secluded

Hunter and Tech probably wouldn’t give up much about your story, especially if they were unsure about Crosshair’s intentions, so he decided to ask Wrecker. The most openly empathetic of the batch, he knew that Wrecker probably felt the strongest worry for you (if there truly was something wrong), and he was most likely to admit to it when asked.

“I haven’t seen the new member of the team around too much,” Crosshair said as he drank a cup of caf in the cockpit of the ship. No one else was up but him and Wrecker, and that wouldn’t change for a while, which made it the perfect opportunity to get some information.

“I know what you mean,” was Wrecker’s response. “She’s around, but I think her sleep schedule is all messed up.”

“Is she alright?” Crosshair asked.

“She’s not sick, but I think her heart is a little bit broken,” Wrecker said. “After Echo left and all that.”

Echo. He had obviously noticed the absence of the ARC trooper that had spent time traveling with them before Crosshair fell victim to the Empire. He knew that Echo had left to travel join a more organized sect of the Rebellion with Rex, but he didn’t quite understand the what connection that piece of information had to you. “Echo?”

Wrecker nodded. “Don’t tell her I told you, but she got all smiley when he was around and he never noticed.”

Okay, all of this was starting to make sense. Although Crosshair hadn’t experienced what was being described, he knew that heartbreak was a powerful adversary, and that it would likely be a while before you truly recovered. “Did Echo feel the same way about her?”

“He never said anything about it, but I think so,” Wrecker said. “He always looked out for her way more than he did any of us, even though we all knew that she could take care of herself. But he felt we should be doing more to fight, and Hunter wanted to find somewhere to settle down.”

Deep down, Crosshair felt the same way Echo did. He didn’t think he would ever be truly able to settle somewhere if he knew that the greedy hands of the Empire were continuing to reach towards the every end of the galaxy. But he also understood the fear that was probably consuming Hunter’s brain, the worry that they would be the ones responsible if Omega got hurt. He had always been the one in charge, and that meant he felt it was his responsibility to care for the whole squad.

Having learned a lot from his conversation with Wrecker, Crosshair didn’t change the way he went about his days, but he always kept an eye or an ear out for you. He noticed when you spent the day in your bunk and said something offhand to Tech, who made sure that food was set aside for you when you wanted it, and every once in a while he would mention something in passing to Omega, and she would spend a little time trying to cheer you up. Obviously it never completely changed how you lived, but you could never resist the infectious smile of his little sister.

When they decided to spend some time on Pabu, you started to come out of your shell a little. Maybe it was the sunlight, maybe it was the food, or maybe you were just starting to get a little better, but whatever it was, Crosshair was happy to see it. You were always kind to him, even though you didn’t interact with each other too often, and he could see why his brothers cared about you.

The first real conversation that he had with you happened to be in the middle of the night. He was sitting on the shore of the city, staring out at the waves as they crashed in and pulled away on the sand, all illuminated by the light of a moon high in the sky when he heard something behind him. It was only when he turned around did he see you, looking a little shocked to see anyone else but otherwise generally okay.

“Sorry,” you said quickly. “I didn’t realize anyone else was out here.”

“Don’t worry about it,” was Crosshair’s response. “You can stay, if you’d like.”

“Thank you,” you said, sitting down next to him.

The two of you sat in relative silence for a few minutes before you broke the silence, and the next thing he knew, you were having a full-on conversation.

Talking to you wasn’t stressful or annoying, Crosshair realized, like it could sometimes be with people he didn’t know too well. It was clear that his brothers had talked about him to you, because you mentioned things in passing that you would have no way to know about, like the way he took his caf or the fact that he had a sweet tooth worse than anyone else on the ship (even though he still claims Tech’s is worse).

It broke his heart even more knowing how you must feel, thinking that Echo never noticed you and then just got up and left. And unwittingly, he felt his ice-frozen heart begin to melt just a little bit faster after speaking to you. Maybe he did have a permanent place among his brothers, and he would certainly want to stay here if he found out you were staying too.

He didn’t bring up the fact that he knew about why you were withdrawn, instead trying to give you a reason to break free from the haze of melancholy that followed you around.

It wouldn’t be an instantaneous switch, that he knew, but Crosshair liked to think that when the two of you finally went your separate ways (after hours sitting there on that beach), you were feeling a little bit less heartbroken.

- the end -

i no longer have a taglist! if you're interested in being notified when i post, you can follow my library blog @ghostofskywalker-library and turn on notifications!

#ghostofskywalker.fictober #tbb crosshair x reader #crosshair x reader #tbb crosshair x you #the bad batch x reader #tbb crosshair #clone trooper x reader

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squidsponge · 7 months

Text

Sims 4 CC: Echo and Fives Armor

A galaxy where the Domino twins aren't attached at the hip?

Not in this slightly kinder universe, where they're safely tucked away from the man in the big hat on the backwater planet of Definitely-Not-England.

Are they handling their single remaining sets of high performance bodygloves with the utmost care now that they can no longer return to Republic space without Tarkin who Fox really should have made sure to take care of as well, poking his nose around?

'That's a bit of a loaded question you're stuck on a primitive planet without a sprinkler system or service droids.'

Have they been bracing for the inevitability of a future full of knitted body stockings by harvesting as much wool from llamas and tiny sheep as they can, while practicing knitting smart little sweaters and caps for any animal willing to wear them?

'Well, it doesn't exactly hurt that they're all small and wooly.'

Have the Coruscant Guard manifested as miniature sheep in this universe and still expect to be addressed as Sir? Maybe.

But unless you're Fox, it's a small price to pay for keeping Torrent Company and Rex's heart in one piece.

Fill your boots with the serotonin canon will never provide and grab your ARC trooper armor today!

Echo and Fives Armor - DOWNLOAD

Basegame compatible, Batuu enabled

New meshes

Normal map for armor

Hand-painted texture

Easy to find custom thumbnails

All LODs

Final public version will have ARC Trooper backpacks and holsters with DC-17s blasters

Public on October 8.23 at 4:00PM EST

You can follow the tag squid's cc for updates and get my other armor and Star Wars custom content here :)

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coffeeandbatboys · 25 days

Note

Congratulations on the 270 followers!

Here’s my request. TCW Echo, the number 4, and 🥰.

Thank you so much and congratulations again!

Prompt: Hey, you’re safe. I’ve gotcha.

Warnings: reader injury, pain, got a little carried away with describing the wound…Echo is a precious baby. Use of alcohol internally and externally (to treat a wound)

Whiskey (Echo x Reader)

You clenched your teeth together in an attempt to keep them from chattering as the frigid wind whipped around you.

The slugthrower had been far enough away that it hadn’t gone straight through, but there was still a nice bloody wound in your side.

“Easy, Mesh'la.” Echo murmured as you writhed in pain. The poor arc trooper was so distraught over you as he frantically searched for something to quell, or at the very least bandage the bleeding. Kix was too far away and the comms were down.

"I need to fold your uniform jacket back to work on the wound." He said, brows knit together in concern. You gave him permission with a slight nod of your head.

You whimpered as the ice cold air stung the raw skin and muscle that was now exposed.

"E...ech...ho," you stuttered, reaching for his arm. Fresh tears were pooling in your eyes.

"Hey, you’re safe. I’ve gotcha, Mesh'la."

He reached into one of his belt pouches and produced a flask. He handed it to you first, so you threw a shot back.

The liquid tasted terrible, like starfighter fuel mixed with flamestarter fluid. You choked it down, but shoved the flask back towards Echo and wiped your lips with the back of your hand.

"Kriff, Echo! What the hell is that stuff?" You cried, throat and tongue burning with the horrible liquor.

"Bootlegged whiskey that some of the boys made. It hasn't killed anyone yet but I only keep it on me for stuff like this."

"Like wha—" you cut yourself off with a cry, palms digging into the icy rock next to you. It felt like you were burning from the inside, the liquid stinging your bloody flesh.

"I'm so sorry, Mesh'la." He cooed, pressing some cloth onto the wound and leaning forward to kiss your temple. He'd have to explain himself later but your cries were breaking his heart and he didn't know what else to do.

"You keep calling me that." You muttered, tears slipping from the corners of your eyes. "What does it mean?"

He sighed. "Beautiful. Its mando'a."

Your heart jumped. "You think I'm beautiful?"

"You're bleeding out on an ice planet and I am praying to whoever that you make it so I can ask you out on a date. Its more than that."

Both of you sat in shock. He hasn't meant to say all of that, and you certainly hadn't expected it. He waited patiently for your response.

"If I make it out of here, I'm buying you some good whiskey. And that date. I wanna do that." You muttered, leaning into his side for warmth.

He smiled against your temple. "Well then, Mesh'la, will you go on a date with me?"

"Yeah." You whispered. "I'd love that."

#arc trooper echo x you #arc trooper echo x reader #echo my beloved #echo x reader #echo x fem! reader #echo x you #echo x female reader #arc trooper echo x female reader #coffee’s 270 follower celebration

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toska-writes · 1 year

Note

Omg I love your stuff so much🥰 If you're still accepting requests, could I have a cute hurt/comfort thing in which either Kix or Fives holds the reader's hand to comfort them or ground them (could be bc the reader is scared or in pain or panicking or whatever... You choose 🥰) Thanks!

Thank you so much for this amazing idea!

“Through the thick of battle”

Paring: Kix x GN padawan reader (ofc platonic also technically Fives is also in here too!)

Warning: hurt/comfort mentions of blood, wounds, it’s not reallyyyy graphic but just be warned

Word count: 1095

Notes: I was glad someone asked for a fic like this! As much as I love writing cute fluff I also really enjoy this! Please enjoy!

(Sorry once again it isn’t proof read yet!)

Kix remembered that day. Remembered that call.

“Commanders down, about 2 klicks from your position. You need to get here quick.”

He’s been doing this a while now- he had to stay strong as to not worry anyone he was trying to help but the distressed voice of Rex made his blood run cold.

Kix’s hands shook as he tried to bring the comm up from the table, he was supposed to be a doctor what was happening to him?

“I’ll be right there.” Kix breathed, he wasn’t even sure that Rex heard him but it didn’t matter now.

He caught the eye of another medic- a shiny but Kix couldn’t recall his name at the moment. A quick nod from him and Kix was already heading to a speeder nearby.

He glanced to the datapad that he still held under his arm before starting up the engine. 2 klicks south from his position, why did it have to be that far. Anything could happen if he didn’t get there as quickly as possible.

No.

He scolded himself as he raced over the bumpy landscape, nearly missing the towering trees. If Kix let himself think like that not only would it effect him but also any other patient he has seen.

But what if…

He heard it before he saw it, Kix was coming up on another battle now. The trees made it very difficult to pin point where everything was happening. A bad shot that nearly missed his face woke him up from his spiraling thoughts.

Through the thick of battle where it was quieter the only noise was the sound of the speeder stopping and hushed whispers.

“Here Kix” It was Fives voice now, he assumed Rex was occupied with trying to get everyone else out alive.

Fives helmet was long abandoned, with his face covered in dirt and his hair was a mess. Fives looked up to Kix for a moment, the glint of a pleading stare crushed Kix.

“I’ve been trying to- to umm apply pressure.” He started not breaking his look for the other man. “I don’t know what else to do Kix.”

Kix stood for a moment just taking in the sight of you.

Abdomen wound he noted, possibly a head injury as well. Blood soaked through your light color robe which is what scared Kix the most as some more ran down the side of your face.

You let out a pained cough, gripping tightly to the arm Fives still pressed to your side. Now you stared at him as you barley whispered. “ Hey Kix is here, look Fives.” You slurred your words.

Kix sunk down next to you now, taking over where Fives was as he moved towards your head.

“I told you he’d be here.” Fives got the hair out of your face as he still gripped your shoulders.

“How long has it been” Kix spoke lowly to Fives looking up briefly to him.

“Umm I’d say about 10 minutes, we’ll since I didn’t see them anymore and thought something happened.” He stared at Kix once again with wide eyes.

Kix saw Fives as an amazing arc trooper never fazed by anything in battle- but now he seemed fragile and ready to crack.

“Echo went to inform the general and he called for a pickup.” He informed quickly

“Echos here?” You asked trying to turn around to Fives but the pain was too much has you slumped down again.

“Woah woah woah.” Kix gripped you tightly pushing you back down, he already brought his bandages out and was trying to stop the bleeding.

“Echos coming back.” Fives spoke. Then to Kix he said. “What can I do to help?”

Kix stared down at the situation for a moment, all the what ifs came flooding into his mind. “Keep them busy, try to keep their hands away from the wounds but keep them awake just in case.”

Fives gave a solemn nod and did as he was asked as Kix got to work.

Very calming as he continued applying pressure but also trying to clean your face a bit he asked. “Can you remember what happened Y/N.”

At the sound of your name you kinda popped back into reality for a few moments. “Grievous and his little group of droids ambushed me a a group of others.” You sounded as if you had too many rounds at 79’s and the sentence left you breathless.

Kix just nodded, there was nothing else he could do but wait to get you out of here and on to a ship- but time seemed to try and swim against a stream and he was getting more and more anxious.

Your breaths got shallow and shallower and you could feel Fives grab onto you harder.

You could feel him; at this moment you couldn’t really understand why he felt this distraught.

You tried to turn to him and Kix once again, trying to do what the Jedi did best- help people. “It’s ok, it’s okayyy”

Kix was there once again trying to keep you down and away from the cold comfort of the darkness that he knew was fighting behind your eyelids.

“It is we got you.” Kix stared at you. “You here that? That sounds like a ship to me.”

Both you and Fives looked in the direction Kix pointed to with the free hand that wasn’t held in your own.

“Anakins there. And Echo and Rex…” You whispered- the warmth from the two clones beside you was too much not to curl up in. Your ribs seemed to greatly protest this movement but Kix’s gentle grasp scooped you up as Fives never let go once.

The world seemed to fade in and out, the ships lights were too much as you shied away into Kix’s armor.

The force called out to you once again in this moment; it wasn’t like before when you were alone. Laying on the battle field just a little while ago.

Scared. Hurt. You thought no one was coming.

But instead of the urgent tone the force seemed to carry before it was now a whisper that gently tickled your ears.

You are safe little one. By the force and by these two you call brother.

You weren’t scared this time. You knew that nothing could get you when you were near anyone from your battalion.

In the arms of Kix and still holding on to Fives you slipped into a welcoming sleep. No longer distress.

It was calm. You were finally safe.

—————————————————————

Taglist: @arctrooper69 @thereforepizza

#star wars clone wars #clone wars #the clone boys #star wars #the clone wars #my writing #toska-writes #clone boys #captain rex #kix x you #Kix tcw #hurt/comfort #clone trooper fives #fives x reader #kix x reader #reader insert

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masterjedilenawrites · 1 year

Text

Falling For You

This is my gift for the #cloneficgiftexchange, for the lovely @arctrooper69! I'd heard Jesse was the least requested character in this event so I think I have to pick him from your list of options for this prompt! 😁 Poor guy just needs some love...

Please go check out the @cloneficgiftexchange blog for all the other contributions to this great event! Fics are being posted all throughout today (4/8). Spread the love for fandom writers/creators by reblogging!

Jesse x fem!reader | 6.1k words

Content: light angst, hurt/comfort, misunderstandings, injury, pining, fluff, flirting

Prompt: "I know you said you were falling for me but I didn't expect you to actually fall."

Jesse was a huge flirt.

Everyone knew it. He knew it. For reasons you couldn't comprehend, the skilled and strong ARC trooper, with so many good qualities to his name, put an incredible amount of effort into making "huge flirt" his identifying trait. From little winks to obvious showboating, from cute nicknames to devastating pick-up lines, Jesse made his way around the galaxy with nonstop charm.

You'd been amused at first. You'd never known someone so unabashedly flirtatious as him. It was always the highlight of your day to see him saunter up to your desk with a silly eyebrow wiggle or a teasing comment about your glamorous life as an accountant for the GAR. Even seeing him flirt with others made you laugh. Their reactions to him, ranging from bashful giggles to exasperated eye rolls, broke up the monotony of your day like nothing else could. If you'd had to pick back then, you would've said Jesse was your favorite of the clone troopers.

And then one day, he'd crossed a line. Not in an inappropriate way or anything; no, somehow he always managed to be respectful in that regard, even with his more suggestive comments. It was a line that, once crossed, took your feelings into actual "crush" territory. That, you now suspected, was the start of all the misery you currently felt.

He'd called you a hottie. Not the most intimate or special of names, but it had struck a meaningful chord in you.

"Are you kidding? You're a hottie. A total babe. There'd be a line out the door of guys trying to buy you a drink. Right fellas?"

He was responding to an offhand comment you'd made about not being the type of girl to fit in at 79's. Jesse and a few of his brothers were trying to round up a group to visit the clone bar later that night. Maybe the others had agreed with his flattering response, but you hadn't listened beyond that one word.

Hottie.

Not once in your life had anyone described you that way. Hot, sexy... heck, even just attractive... those weren't words anyone associated with you. The few times your appearance was complimented, it was more along the lines of cute. Maybe pretty if you dressed up a bit. You'd spent your whole adult life up to this moment believing you were undesirable to the opposite sex. Jesse changed your mind.

And after that, he was the only man you had eyes for.

His flirting stirred something different in you. It was a mixture of both pleasant tingles and sour pain. Pleasant when his comments were directed toward you. You ate it up, not bothering to hide your blushes as it only egged him on. You wanted his attentions, as much as you could wring out. And sour when he approached others with the same moves. You didn't just want his attention; you wanted all of it. Seeing him make someone else blush and laugh reminded you of all your insecurities, all the ways you knew you were inferior. You wavered back and forth between loving Jesse and all his charms, and hating how quick he was to just give it away so freely.

The 501st had been back on Coruscant for R&R an almost two full weeks now. Plenty of time to send you spiraling. You saw Jesse almost everywhere you went. In the mess hall, in random hallways, at your own desk because apparently it got good sunlight in the afternoons and he cared about that sort of thing.... The only place you could find reprieve was your living quarters, where you found yourself crumpling into bed with emotional exhaustion each evening.

Even when you didn't see Jesse you still heard about him. All of your friends and colleagues around the base were chattering about whatever smooth compliment he'd paid them that day. There was an ongoing debate in the accounting office over who the sexiest clone was, and your ears couldn't help but turn red every time you heard someone arguing for Jesse. And it was guaranteed you'd hear some story over the caf machine about his moves on the dance floor at 79's the night before. You often scurried away before you could catch any further details, like whether he took anyone home with him. Even if it meant you never got to make your caf the way you liked it.

It was ridiculous how crazy this guy was making you. You were convinced he'd only called you a hottie because you felt sorry for you. Right? How else could he put you in the same category of all these other people who were clearly so much better looking. But sometimes, just for a few minutes in the morning, you'd look in the mirror and pretend you were attractive to him, and this lovely feeling of butterflies washed over you. It was the best feeling, to think that someone like him, Jesse, could want you.

And so you'd carry that light and fuzzy feeling around until you inevitably heard another bar story or saw him flash a smile to some random civvie, and then you'd come crashing down in insecurities all over again.

Just when you were considering maybe seeking some professional help, you found yourself crossing his path just outside the training rooms.

"Whoa!" Jesse exclaimed as you both rounded the same corner and almost collided. He quickly reached out to grasp your shoulders and keep you from falling over. His chest, you immediately noticed, as it was mere inches from your face, was bare and dripping in sweat.

"Easy there, cutie," he chuckled, the first to recover from the surprise.

Cutie. A far cry from being hot. You shuffled back and mumbled an apology, finding it difficult to meet his eyes. Equally difficult was not staring at his shimmering muscles. Your eyes flitted around, searching for something else to fixate on instead.

"What are you doing down here? I thought you said accountants didn't work out. Something about your bodies only being a transport for your heads?" He gave another chuckle and started dabbing his face with a towel. You were surprised he'd remembered that joke you'd made months ago.

"Oh, um..." You were still awkwardly looking around the hallway and it took you an embarrassing amount of time to remember why you were there. "Yeah no, I was uh, meeting with a manufacturer. Had to get some quotes to replace some of the exercise equipment."

Jesse's face lit up just as your eyes flicked to his. Your stomach twisted pleasantly.

"We're getting new equipment? Finally! Half my workout is just trying to get the kriffing treadmill to turn on."

"We'll see," you quickly tried to warn him from getting his hopes up. "It's not cheap, and with the increases in spending for munitions this quarter, there's not a whole lot of funds left to allocate for things like this. I'll have to make a pitch to shift some assets around, or possibly delay that upgrade to the... what?"

You noticed Jesse was chuckling again.

"Oh I love it when you talk budgets to me, sweetheart."

You could feel your cheeks heating up. You weren't sure how to respond, which seemed to amuse Jesse even further. He playfully swatted the towel toward your side as he started to go past you, ready to move on to wherever he'd been headed before.

"Hey, you doing anything later? You know, after you're done with all those funds and assets and whatever?"

You turned to see him walking slowly backward, waiting for your answer. Was he asking you out or merely making chitchat? It didn't seem like a casual offer, or an afterthought, though you couldn't be sure.

"Um, depends." It was your default line anytime someone asked about your availability. Vague enough and non-committal in either direction. You never got trapped into plans you didn't want to be part of, and you were never impolite about it.

"Depends?" he quirked his eyebrow and stopped walking. "Well aren't you a coy one. Didn't realize I'd need to impress you so much."

You weren't sure how to respond to that either. You were all sorts of tongue tied and you were still doing a poor job of not checking out his chest.

"Okay, okay, hear me out," he went on, not seeming too put out by your response. "I know you're not into the bar scene, but there's gonna be this local band at 79's tonight... they do more acoustics and vocals, so, you know, it'll be pretty low key. And a lot of the guys are set on getting tattoos tonight which means it won't be as crowded. I don't know, figured you might be more into that?"

"And... this would be... with you?"

For the first time, you started to see cracks in Jesse's confidence. Just barely. Hairline fractures. Subtle enough to fool anyone who wasn't paying attention, but as evident to you as if they were your own. Jesse cleared his throat and slung the towel over his shoulder, trying to play it off.

"I mean, yeah. If you wanted to. I just have tonight, we finally got our next deployment and it'll be a while so... well, you know, just wanted to spend my last night here with some good company."

This time you did know how to respond, but for some reason your voice wouldn't cooperate. You wanted to holler Yes! and jump for joy, wrap your arms around his neck and give him a smooch. ARC trooper Jesse, the debonair soldier, the only man you had eyes for, was asking for your company.

You heard your name followed by a Hellooo? and suddenly there was a hand waving in front of your face.

"I'm trying to ask you out, girl. You gotta give me something here!" Jesse laughed, and the warmth in his smile brought you back to reality.

"Yes," you breathed, and then swallowed and said more clearly, "yes, of course! I... I would love to."

"Really?"

You nodded enthusiastically. Jesse made a little fist pump.

"Yes! You had me worried for a second there." He started walking backwards again. "But okay, cool. Um, I gotta clean up, and then we got a few mission briefings. Let's meet there at, say... 5? Happy hour, so first round can be on me."

He winked and you giggled, feeling your cheeks heat up again.

"5 o'clock," you confirmed.

"Can't wait, beautiful!" he called over his shoulder as he finally turned around skipped through the fresher door at the end of the hall.

* * *

The rest of your day went by at an agonizing pace, but you finally got off work and could have a little moment of celebration in your quarters, complete with squealing into your pillow and dancing all around. You didn't have too much time to get ready, which ended up being a blessing as you would have surely spent hours cycling through various outfit combinations. You were able to pick the first outfit that came to your mind - cute, comfortable, and very you - without doubting or changing your mind. You spent the rest of your time taming your hair and calming your nerves.

Your anxieties only crept in occasionally, asking such annoying questions as whether you were the only one he'd asked out like this during his time off, or whether he would've found a way to ask you even had you not run into him in the halls.

But there had been joy in his smiles, relief in those tense and deliciously muscular shoulders when you'd agreed. He'd seemed so genuine. How could you worry about whether you were good enough when he'd very clearly asked you out?

So you shoved those pesky thoughts to the side, in a way you hadn't known how to do earlier when there were so many unknowns and uncertainties about the situation. Jesse liked you, he wanted to spend time with you before leaving. That was that.

You got to 79's only a few minutes early and placed yourself comfortably at the bar to wait. He'd been right, it was not crowded or boisterous at all. There were still plenty of people, clones and civvies alike, but enough booths were still open that you wouldn't have trouble finding somewhere to really relax once Jesse showed up.

You gave him about twenty minutes without worry. His meetings could've run long, or the Coruscanti traffic could've held him up. No big deal. You asked for a water from the bartender so you didn't seem rude, and patiently sipped through it while you scrolled on your datapad to pass the time.

As 5:30 drew nearer, though, you began to get concerned. Was he okay? You cursed yourself for not asking for his number, just in case. You glanced around the bar, wishing someone from his troop was here so you could ask. You decided to chance talking to an older, bearded clone who sat just a few seats from you.

"Excuse me, you wouldn't happen to know anyone from the 501st, would you?"

The clone nodded back with a little laugh. "I know some. The ARC troopers, anyway. They're regulars. Doesn't look like they're showing up tonight though. Were you wanting to meet them?"

"Well, I had a date with one. Jesse. I guess he's running a little late. Wasn't sure how to get ahold of him, make sure he's okay."

The clone's eyes narrowed.

"Jesse? Huh, didn't picture him for the dating type. Well, anyway, maybe you're right, just running late. Here, let me order you a drink while you wait."

Now you felt awkward. Silly. Just a silly little girl, sipping a silly little cocktail, waiting for a silly little date she was probably too excited for to begin with. That was always the danger, wasn't it? Get your hopes up too high and it hurts that much more when they come back down.

5:30 turned into 6. Couples passed by, filling up seats around the band that had finally started playing. Clones came up to the bar to order, passing you a pitying look before taking their drinks back to their pretty dates.

6:05. What if he had meant 6? What if you had mis-remembered the time? No, you were pretty sure he'd mentioned happy hour, and there were signs all over the bar about that hour being from 5 to 6.

6:10. Whatever you would've found to do on your datapad had you stayed home for the evening didn't seem to exist now that you were here. You fiddled with a napkin, folding and unfolding until it was falling apart.

6:15. You started thinking about what time you should call it quits and head home. Was it weird you hadn't left by now? Should you have tried harder to get ahold of him sooner?

6:17.

"Hey beautiful! Oh good, you got a drink." Jesse was suddenly by your side, draping an arm around your back and placing a quick peck to the side of your head. He then leaned forward to catch the bartender's attention, not seeing your look of incredulity. Behind him was another trooper, one of the 501st medics, who gave you a polite nod but otherwise looked too grumpy to be there.

"Sorry I'm late, Kix here was moping in the med bay and I had to literally drag his ass off the floor to get him over here."

Jesse was all smiles as he leaned an elbow on the bar and finally took a look at you. He whistled.

"Damn, you look great!"

You were momentarily speechless. You didn't know what to make of this. The casual apology for his tardiness, the fact he'd brought someone else along. But then a couple beers were placed on the counter and he swept them up, nodding his head toward the wall of booths in the back.

"Come on, let's find some seats!"

You hesitated only for a moment before getting up to follow. He'd finally shown up. The evening wouldn't be a total waste. You could talk to him about it later, and definitely make sure to swap numbers so this wouldn't happen again.

Jesse and Kix slid into opposite sides of an empty booth in the far corner, positioned slightly behind where the band was set up so there wasn't a great view. Jesse patted the seat next to him for you to join and gave you another dazzling smile as you slid in.

"You really do look great," he said in a low voice by your ear, making you blush and conjuring up memories of that time he'd called you a hottie. He had his arm along the back of the booth, just behind your head, and you could feel the warmth radiating off him from such a close position.

"Thanks, so do you," you whispered back. He laughed and shook his head, but you meant it. He had a blue sort of vest over his blacks that made him look fit and clean. He also smelled nice and it took all your willpower not to lean in to take a big whiff.

"Hey, lighten up, grouchy pants," Jesse called over to Kix, who was glaring into his beer like it had personally offended him. Jesse raised his own beer in a salute. "This is way better than crying on the floor."

"I wasn't crying on the floor," Kix huffed. "And how is this better? I can't even see the band from here."

"Music's meant to be listened to anyway," Jesse shrugged him off.

"What's his deal?" you asked.

Jesse rolled his eyes. "Some girl he liked made fun of his tattoo idea and now he won't get one."

"I shaved my head for it and everything," Kix lamented.

You held back a snicker. You wished you could ask Jesse why his brother's woes meant he needed to join your date. But not only did you not want to seem rude, but the band switched to a new song that had a faster tempo and for some reason the volume also increased as a result. You were having a hard time hearing your own thoughts; conversation with Jesse would be even more tricky.

The next hour passed in an awkward blur. Jesse flagged down a waitress to refill your cocktail, calling her all the same names he'd been calling you today. Sweetheart, cutie... You tried to ignore the sinking feeling in your stomach.

Two more rounds came after that, and you gladly downed each drink just to give yourself something to do. You tried asking him a few questions to get to know him better, but he'd end up turning his answer into some kind of a joke. Most of them were pretty funny, but after a while you got frustrated that he wasn't actually sharing anything with you. He did try to maintain a few conversations, but it was hard to keep things flowing when the band alternated between soft, twinkly instrumentals, and noisy, upbeat rock vocals. And then there was Kix, who had taken up sketching new tattoo ideas on napkins and would ask every five minutes to give your opinions on them.

And then the rest of the 501st piled in, proudly showing off their new ink around the club. Jesse seemed delighted to see them and waived them over, much to your disappointment. He pulled at your arm to get you to slide further into the booth with him, making room for a few clones to slip in, clunky armor and all.

"What you do think?" Hardcase stood at the head of the booth, unabashedly holding up his shirt to reveal a continuation of the blue lines on his head down across his torso.

A chorus of opinions and stories erupted. Fives was trying to reenact Hardcase's squeals as he'd gotten tattooed. Rex was trying to get the clone to pull his shirt back down. Several were ragging on Kix for not joining. And Jesse was laughing hysterically through it all.

You loved to see him so happy, you really did. And maybe it was just the four drinks that were now messing with your head, but you couldn't shake how out of place you felt, sitting in a booth surrounded by clone troopers on what was supposed to be a date between you and Jesse. You had nothing to contribute, no reason for them to pay you any attention. You sat in the middle of a group of people you barely knew, feeling more alone than you had when you'd been waiting at the bar.

Just as you were wondering how you could possibly get out of the booth without making a scene, Kix finally caved in to Fives's nagging about getting his original tattoo idea after all, and the whole lot collectively shimmied out of the booth. You felt Jesse's hand on your elbow, guiding you out. You turned to him once you were both standing.

"Are we really going to a tattoo parlor now?" you asked, hoping he'd see how badly you didn't want to be part of this plan.

"It'll be quick. I think there's an ice cream place near too, we can go there when we're done."

He flashed a reassuring grin and it almost gave you a little bit of hope back. You couldn't remember if you'd ever told him you loved ice cream or if it was a lucky guess. But when you tried to ask if you could just hang out at the ice cream place while the others went for more tattoos, Jesse had already turned to jump on Kix and give him a hard time about crying in the med bay again.

Your ears were ringing from a combination of alcohol, loud music, and annoyance. You couldn't take it anymore. You stepped aside from the group and just gazed at the man who had supposedly wanted your company, and now seemed more content to be in the company of others.

You felt a hand on your shoulder and turned to see Rex, looking over you with concern. "Are you alright? You don't look so good. Do you want us to take you home to rest?"

You shook your head, all you could manage in response at first. Tears had suddenly sprung into your eyes, you weren't sure why. Maybe because it was the first time someone had offered to do something you wanted tonight.

"Are you sure? I can get you some water or...."

"No, thank you," you finally found your words. "I can get myself home. I'll be fine."

"We can take you..."

"No, really, I'm fine. Just, tell Jesse I'll see him tomorrow before he leaves, okay?"

You hurried off before he could offer any further help, and before you would be caught with tears down your cheeks. You didn't want to make a scene, you didn't want to ruin Jesse's fun. But you didn't get far before the clone was calling your name, grasping the back of your arm and turning you to face him.

"Hey, what's the matter, sweetheart?"

If he hadn't used a nickname, you might have tried to play it off. But you remembered distinctly, even in the midst of your intoxication, the last person he'd called a sweetheart was the waitress in the busty crop top. Something in you snapped.

"Am I a joke to you?"

And there they were, those small cracks in his confidence, reemerging and widening before your eyes. Realization pulled the edges apart more and more as you spoke.

"You made me wait for over an hour. Do you know how ridiculous I felt, sitting at that bar all by myself, wondering what time meant you didn't actually care? And then you did finally come, and not only did I barely get an apology, and definitely no acknowledgement of how much my time you wasted without good reason, but I also didn't even get a proper date. I had to sit through all your flirting, only it wasn't directed at me, but to another woman who's paid to pretend your jokes are funny. You didn't answer any of my questions about yourself. You didn't even ask if I wanted a different drink, you just kept ordering the same one. The music also sucks, by the way. And now we're headed off to hang out with your brothers, people you see every day? While I'm the one you're going to leave tomorrow when you deploy?"

You weren't shouting, and somehow you'd even managed to hold in most of your tears, but your exasperated rant did have the intended affect of making Jesse feel like shit. You could see it written all over him. Remorseful eyes, pleading hands on yours, mouth opening and closing in a desperate attempt to find the words to make things right.

"And you know what really sucks?" you continued, feeling your speech start to slur a bit more in your emotional exhaustion. "I do still like you, Jesse. In fact, I think I've fallen for you. You're normally so good, so attentive and... and... simply wonderful. I just don't understand why you couldn't be that way tonight. For me."

Something dawned on you, something you'd suspected before, all those times you caught him flirting around the base with everyone he came across. Those insecurities found their way back to the surface and claimed their victory.

"It's because it's me, isn't it?" you choked. "You don't really care for me, do you?"

The tears were definitely going to fall now. You could hear him saying your name, you could feel him gripping your hands more firmly, but just then the rest of the 501st went marching by, oblivious to the moment you two were caught in, hollering after Jesse to get his ass out the door before they kicked it. It was distraction enough for you to slip out of his grasp and make a beeline for the refreshers.

The ladies room was on the second floor, a narrow flight of stairs serving as the only barrier between you and your chosen hideout. Unfortunately, it created the perfect storm. You were halfway up, alcohol complicating your ability to balance, tears clouding your vision, and apparently at some point earlier in the evening, someone had left a nice puddle of their insides on one of the steps.

You heard your name being called from behind, startling you, just as your foot made contact with the vomit. You turned, slipped, and next think you knew, you were tumbling painfully down the steps. Later, you'd be grateful that you were unconscious by the time you reached the bottom, crumpled on the floor beneath the only man you had eyes for.

* * *

You regained consciousness with a splitting headache and a heavy heart. You remembered everything almost immediately.

It took a few moments for your vision to swim back into focus, revealing a curtained-off corner of the med bay where you were laid on a gurney with a thin blanket draped over your frame. You could tell you weren't wearing the same clothes from before based on the odd, stiff texture you felt against your skin. Possibly a medical gown? One of your arms was also hooked up to an IV, the monitor glowing faintly off to the side.

In front of you, in what little space was left between the bed and wall, was Jesse, pacing. Back and forth, back and forth. He was clearly in distress, wringing the edge of his shirt and looking for all the world like he was waiting for news on whether you'd live or die.

As conflicted as you still felt about your first date with him, you figured you'd better put him out of his misery.

"It's not that bad, is it?" you croaked out.

The clone wasted no time in rushing to your side, trading his shirt for your free hand, grasping it so tightly you winced. His palms were sweaty.

"No, no Kix said you were going to be fine," Jesse reassured. "Just a cut on your head, there, above your eye."

You touched at the indicated spot, feeling a short row of stitches along your eyebrow.

"And a few bruises on your back," he added. Made sense why you were now in a medical gown, they had to check for further damage. "And the IV is for your hangover.

You groaned. "Well if this isn't the most embarrassing thing I've done..."

Jesse made a sort of gasping laugh, like he was surprised to remember there was humor in the galaxy. "Yeah. I know you said you were falling for me but I didn't expect you to actually fall."

You glared over at him, but only for a moment. He was a deer in headlights, waiting to see if his attempt to lighten the mood had gone too far. You started laughing, a silent laugh that still shook your chest enough to hurt. You went back to groaning.

"You know I'm still upset with you."

"I know, I know," Jesse hurried to affirm. He scooted a chair over to be closer and looked up at you with those soft, brown, desperate eyes you'd last seen in the bar. He truly looked miserable. "You have every right to be. The date was a disaster and it was all my fault. I was an idiot, I never meant to make you feel that way."

You nodded but didn't have anything else to say that you hadn't already.

"And for the record, you're not a joke. You're far from it. You're... you're..." He was stuttering, licking his lips as if parched. You'd never seen him - Jesse, the huge flirt - act so unsure of himself, especially when trying to pay a compliment.

He reached for your hand again but held it more gently this time, more reverently. He studied it, as if the words he needed were written on your skin. "It is you, but not in that way you thought. It's always been you. For me. But I guess I did a piss poor job of making sure you knew that tonight."

He flicked his eyes back up to yours, questioning, cautious.

"So..." you tried to wrap your head around what he was confessing. "All those things you've said, about how I looked, and how smart I am... all that. You meant it?"

"Of course I did." Jesse gave you a small but sincere smile.

"But... you've said all those things to other people, too. Did you mean it to them?"

His smiled fainted as he thought about your question and what his flatteries looked like from your perspective. He bowed his head for a moment before looking back up at you. "I just want people to feel good about themselves. One of my first experiences off of Kamino, I came across this woman who'd lost her husband, and that wasn't something we were prepared for. All the ways the war actually hurt people. But then I started talking about her hair and how it looked like silk, and she just lit up. And I don't know, I guess I got addicted, making other people feel good like that. You never know what someone else may be going through. They can be smiling and still need that little pick-me-up, you know?"

Your gaze never wavered from him as he spoke. This was more than you ever knew about the man, and you couldn't deny how it made your chest feel simultaneously tense and mushy.

"And yeah, maybe I lay it on a little thicker sometimes when I'm actually interested for myself, you know, not just making someone's day better. And you don't know who may fire back until you shoot your shot. But I'd always hoped it'd be you. That's why I never gave up, even when everyone told me to. They said you weren't interested. I thought you were just shy."

"I am," you whispered, suddenly self conscious. It was clear now that the soldier had frequented the accounting office more than he had any other reason to, that it was not the only office to get good sun in the afternoons if that was truly his excuse.

"I wish you'd told me," you added. "This is the sort of thing I was trying to learn about you earlier."

Jesse's rueful eyes returned. "Ah, yes, on the worst date in history, brought to you by this dummy."

"It wasn't the worst. Bad, yes, but sadly I have been on worse."

Jesse didn't seem comforted by that. He shook his head. "Would it surprise you to know I, uh... I've never been on a date?"

You blinked at him in surprise.

"Not that that's any excuse," he quickly added.

"Right, but, you didn't know what to do." You felt like you were starting to understand him more. "You did what you knew. What you were comfortable with."

"I kept making jokes because I thought if you weren't laughing then you weren't having a good time. I kept ordering the same drink because I didn't know you might want something else, I thought that was what you wanted and I wanted to..."

"You wanted to make me happy."

"And you wanted to feel special."

You gazed at each other for a long moment, exchanging looks of regret and realization. It was an unfortunate evening, but probably not avoidable. There had been enough misunderstanding from both of you that would've always led you to the same moment. You couldn't have known how the other felt, what they wanted, where they were coming from, until you'd gotten to know each other. And you couldn't have gotten to know each other without the misalignments being revealed.

He was the first to speak again, still feeling miserable about the whole thing. "I was late. I could've at least got that right. I lose track of time, sometimes. I don't know why."

He hung his head but you gave his hand a reassuring squeeze to show him you were okay, and he relaxed in your grip in return, giving you a relieved, though still sheepish, smile.

"I wish you weren't leaving tomorrow," you said quietly. "I feel like we need a do-over on our date now."

Jesse perked up. "What do you mean? This first one's not over yet! There's still time to redeem it."

You looked about the room. "Doesn't seem very romantic. No food. No music. I'm in a tacky gown."

"Nonsense, you look hot."

Jesse held up a finger and ducked behind the curtain. He was gone for only a minute, but your cheeks were still flushed by the time he got back.

"What, you like that one? Hot?" he grinned.

You looked shyly away but still gave a nod.

"Noted."

He had a handful of what looked to be protein bars and a datapad that he deposited onto the bed beside you.

"Food, aaand..." he tapped a few times on the pad until some sort of lo-fi jazz started playing, "... music."

You giggled. "You stole these from Kix, didn't you?"

"His office is in the next room," Jesse laughed with you. "I know it's not glamorous and you deserve a much better do-over from me, but..."

"It's perfect," you whispered, grabbing his hand again. "There is one thing, though."

"Yeah?" he asked eagerly.

"Well, this cut on my head is kind of hurting. Maybe you could... kiss it better?"

You couldn't believe the words that were coming out of your mouth, but you knew with Jesse they'd be received well. And boy did his face light up.

He wasted no time in leaning over you, carefully placing a hand by your side to brace himself, and bringing the other up to cradle the opposite side of your face. His breath ghosted over the stitched up cut, sending pleasant shivers down your spine. Then he finally planted his lips softly over it, letting them linger for a few seconds before pulling back.

"What other names do you like?" he asked, his voice low but tinged with a sort of playfulness that kept the mood light in the midst of these more intimate gestures. "We'll take them off the table for anyone else. They'll only belong to you."

He'd sat himself down next to you and was now lifting up the hand with the IV. You watched, enamored as he brought it toward his lips.

"I like sweetheart," you breathed.

He kissed just above where the IV was taped, a smile behind his action. "Sweetheart. What else?"

"Beautiful."

"I meant, what else is injured so I can kiss it?" he teased. You used your hand to swat at him, even though it hurt a little, and he laughed.

"There were bruises on your back right?" he pretended to lift your gown and you swatted again, this time with your good hand.

"That sort of behavior is for the second date, sir," you laughed. "Or maybe the third or fourth. We'll see."

Jesse brought a pair of protein bars around and made a mock salute with you. "To future dates, then, beautiful."

~ ~ ~

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