#Kix needs a hug

[artist-kreating-stuff]

I was experimenting with a simpler anime-style and a different background brush.

Guess where Team Death Wish is now.

(Just realized I forgot Eli’s sticks… oops.)

[blaze-echo]

*Kix teaching Jesse to drive and taking Fives along for the ride*Kix: That's a pothole. To the left!

Jesse: Take it back now y'all *Drives into pothole*

Fives, sticking their face into the front over the center console: Cha Cha real smooth.

Jesse: I don't think that's how the song goes.

Kix, crying and gripping the handle: Please just take me home.

Jesse: Country Roads.

Fives: To the place.

Jesse and Fives in unison: I Belong!

Kix, crying harder: What the f---?

[lifeofclonewars]

I will always stand by this

[youngcheesecaketale]

Books (My Clonetober Story Day 4) Since there isn't a Clonetober Writing/Drawing this year, I thought of doing one everyday this month. Shoot me some ideas please! Also, Anyone can write WHATEVER they want for Clonetober.

Books (made up ones) that fit that Clone/Other Character.

Cody: "Guide on How to NOT Kill Your Jedi Who is Also Your Husband"

Rex: "How to Deal with ANNOYING Siblings"

Fox: "How to get away of Murdering The Chancellor"

Kix: "Weird things Happen in the ER"

Hardcase & Wrecker: "Things You Can Explode"

Obi Wan: Can't read ANYTHING when Anakin is up to NO GOOD.

[padawan-snack-packer]

[You Give Them a Hug — Clones Edition]

🚨 HUG HEADCANONS DISCLAIMER (aka: why are my feelings doing this??) 🚨

Hey friend!! Just a heads-up before you dive headfirst into the Clone Hugpocalypse:

This is:

✨For fun.✨

✨For feelings.✨

✨For healing my (and maybe your) inner sad clone child.✨

These headcanons are lovingly crafted with:

Unhealthy amounts of affection for emotionally constipated space soldiers,

Absolutely zero canon accuracy unless it serves The Bit™,

The kind of hugs that won’t fix everything, but they’ll try really hard, and

That sweet spot between “haha this is silly” and “WHY AM I SOBBING AT 3AM OVER A MAN NAMED WAXER???”

We’re here to give the boys hugs they deserved but never got, be unreasonably specific about emotional reactions to surprise cuddles, make jokes, get soft, get feral, maybe cry into our caf a little, and fill the galaxy with therapy via physical affection.

So if you’re:

Down for some clone comfort chaos,

Cool with affectionate nonsense,

And not too fussed about blending humor with trauma like a Force-sensitive emotional smoothie…

WELCOME!!! Let’s hug some broken war brothers and watch their brains blue screen in real time!!!!🫂💙

Rex

You approach him after a mission, he's mid-debrief with Commander Cody, all business—and you just wrap your arms around him.

Short-circuits like a protocol droid in a thunderstorm.

“Uh. Uh. Uh. Are you—hugging? Is that allowed? Wait—is this a prank??”

Freezes completely. He has been shot at, crushed under debris, and chased by a Zillow Beast, but THIS? THIS IS NEW.

But once he realizes you’re being sincere?

He hugs you back with this awkward, hesitant little pat on the back.

…Then his whole body melts just a little.

Won’t admit it, but he thinks about that hug for days. Constantly.

The next time you do it, he hugs back properly. Arm around your waist. Soft smile. You can hear the PTSD unclench.

Fives

“OH???”

You hug him and he immediately goes full dramatic soap opera romance novel mode.

“Oh cyare, I never thought I’d feel joy again!” dips you back like you’re on a dance floor in a 1940s holo-drama

Spinning you around is highly likely.

“What was that for?” “Just felt like it.” “Well, prepare to be hugged back so hard you question physics.”

Keeps score. “I hugged you for longer. That’s 10 points to me.”

Will start randomly leaning on you just so you'll initiate hugs. Professional cuddler. Certified clingy. No takebacks.

Echo

Hugging Echo is like trying to hug a very anxious piece of military-grade toast the first time.

He stiffens IMMEDIATELY. Doesn’t breathe. Doesn’t blink. Just internal.exe has stopped working.

You pull away and he’s like: “Wait. No. That was… actually kinda nice.”

Next time you hug him, he’s prepared. It’s still a little awkward, but he softens into it and gives you a little squeeze back.

One time he rested his chin on your shoulder and made a soft noise. You almost died from the gentle.

Eventually becomes the kind of guy to hug you in private but also glare at anyone else who dares look at you like "NO TOUCHING. THIS ONE'S MINE."

Jesse

You hug Jesse? Oh you are in for smug bastard energy.

“Ohoho, so someone likes me.”

Immediately picks you up.

Spinning is almost guaranteed.

“I am your favorite clone now. It’s science.”

Will initiate revenge hugs at the most inconvenient times. In the middle of a strategy briefing? “Come here, you adorable tactical disaster.”

Says things like “how dare you be so huggable, this is sabotage.”

Secretly very soft. Like, he’ll rest his forehead against yours before a mission and say “come back to me, alright?”

Kix

You hug him? You just activated his Care Mode™.

He immediately assumes you need comfort and goes into medic boyfriend mode:

“Are you okay? Are you hurt? Are you bleeding internally? Let me check your vitals.”

“Kix, I just wanted to hug you.”

“…OH. Then never mind. But also drink water.”

Once he realizes it’s casual affection, he gets very warm and smiley.

Gives amazing hugs back. Firm, grounding, with the faint smell of bacta and caf.

Will gently guide your head to his chest. You can hear his heartbeat and a very quiet “you mean a lot to me, you know.”

Hardcase

INSTANT EXCITEMENT. “A HUG?? FOR ME???!!”

He picks you up. He spins you. He almost knocks over two troopers and a crate.

“DOES THIS MEAN I GET TO HUG YOU WHENEVER I WANT NOW?!”

He's so tall and enthusiastic it’s like hugging a golden retriever on steroids.

Will randomly run up to you, yell “HUG ATTACK!!” and tackle-hug you like a joyful missile.

Gives the kind of hugs that lift you off the ground, squeeze all your sadness out, and refill you with explosive energy.

“You looked sad, so I brought you a hug and also six different kinds of rations because I wasn’t sure which flavor helps feelings.”

Dogma

You hug Dogma and he freezes like a booted droid.

“W-what…what is this? Is this allowed? Is this a breach of protocol?”

You say “I just wanted to,” and he blushes so hard it looks like he’s overheating.

Tries to salute while you’re hugging him.

Very stiff at first, but once he realizes you’re safe, not joking, and this isn’t a punishment or test—he melts.

His return hug is so careful, like he’s worried he’ll break you.

Won’t initiate a hug himself, but he leans in now. He always leans in.

Cody

You sneak-hug Commander Cody while he’s organizing intel.

“Is this an ambush?” “Yup.” “…Accepted.”

He doesn’t show emotion often, but he likes you. A lot. So he lets his guard down.

Low-key one of the best huggers. Solid, warm, comforting.

The kind of hug that says I will keep you safe until the end of time.

After the first time, he starts greeting you with shoulder squeezes that slowly evolve into full-on hugs.

If anyone walks in: “They tripped. Onto me. It’s fine. Shut up, Waxer.”

Waxer

You hug Waxer and this man straight up breaks like a brittle cookie under a warm cup of caf.

Shocked Pikachu face at first. Like he fully does not know what’s happening.

He blinks. Looks down at your arms. Then at you. Then back at your arms like “Do they know I’m just a clone?”

You don’t let go. You just keep hugging him. And he just… leans in. Slowly. Carefully.

It’s gentle. It’s soft. It’s the first time in weeks he’s remembered he’s a person, not a number.

Murmurs something like: “...Thanks. That’s... rare.”

From that moment on, you are family.

Starts giving you surprise hugs. Especially when you least expect it.

You hand him ammo? Hug.

You fall asleep on the transport? Blanket + hug.

You stub your toe? “This calls for a hug AND a bandage.”

Secretly knits little stuffed Tooka dolls for orphan kids and denies it violently if caught.

If you ever say “you deserve love too,” he cries. Quietly. In the hallway.

Boil

You go to hug Boil and he IMMEDIATELY does the grumpy-cop reaction. “Whoa whoa whoa what are you doing—what is this—are you bleeding?”

Arms locked at his sides like you’re hugging a parking meter.

“Did Waxer put you up to this? This feels like a Waxer thing.”

You say, “No, I just wanted to hug you.”

And he shuts down like a battle droid hit with a logic loop.

“...Oh.”

He slowly, hesitantly raises one hand and pats your back like he’s diffusing a bomb.

One week later: He initiates a hug by awkwardly standing next to you and saying “Hey, if you need to do... that again or whatever, I guess I got a minute.”

Turns into hug tsundere. Grumbles the whole time but pulls you closer anyway.

You overhear him telling someone else: “No, I don’t like hugs. I just let them because they’re small and emotionally fragile.”

Meanwhile, he’s actively spooning you during downtime.

If anyone hurts you, Boil becomes a one-man war crime.

“No one touches my squishy little hug-friend but me. Got it?”

Bonus: The Domino Squad Bros (Before Umbara… RIP)

Hevy: Hugs you like a linebacker. Back pats that rattle your spine. Somehow always smells like gun oil and joy.

Cutup: Tries to tickle you mid-hug. Laughs so hard you both fall over. Says “awww, is someone getting attached?” while being the clingiest man alive.

Droidbait: Turns into a red-faced mess and blurts “I THINK I’M IN LOVE—wait no I mean um cool hug yeah.”

Echo (pre-ARC): Gives the kind of hugs that are more like gentle head rests. Hides his face in your neck and says “thanks. I needed that.” Your heart? Gone.

Bonus: Wolffe Pack Edition

Commander Wolffe

Hugging Wolffe is like hugging a brick wall with abandonment issues.

You approach him after a mission—he’s grumpy, bruised, barking orders—and you just wrap your arms around him.

And he’s like: “...what the hell is happening?”

FREEZES COMPLETELY. Arms stiff at his sides. Helmet still on. All systems shutting down. Internal monologue: “okay. okay. they are touching me. what do I do. do I arrest them. do I hug back. am I allowed to like this. oh no it’s nice. abort mission.”

Eventually—very slowly—his arms come up. He hugs you back like a tired, grouchy lion.

But then? You hear this tiny, low little exhale. Like he’s been holding his breath for 20 years and just remembered how to breathe. That hug heals him on a spiritual level.

Says absolutely nothing about it afterward. But his hand lingers on your back just a second longer than necessary the next time you walk past.

Sinker

“HEYOOOOO IS THAT A HUG I SEE??”

Immediately all in.

You don’t even finish initiating the hug before he scoops you into a bear hug so powerful your bones shift alignment.

Spins you around. Shakes you. Shouts “WE’RE FRIENDS NOW FOREVER YOU KNOW THAT RIGHT??”

Is 5000% a hugger by nature. Just never thought he was allowed to do it in the army.

Now that you’ve started it? You’ve unlocked the floodgates. Expect surprise hugs, one-armed shoulder squeezes, lifting-you-off-your-feet hugs, “hey I missed you for 5 minutes so here’s a hug” hugs—

Dangerously affectionate golden retriever energy.

Will absolutely start a “HUG THE ENTIRE BATTALION” campaign if left unsupervised.

Boost

You go to hug Boost, and his first reaction is: “...Are you sick?”

Then: “Wait. Are you dying?? Is this a goodbye hug?? DO YOU HAVE A FATAL WOUND??”

You reassure him it’s just a hug because you care about him.

He immediately does a 180. “Awwwwwwwwwwww! You care about me??? Of course you do, I’m awesome!! C’mere!!”

Picks you up like a child and swings you side to side while yelling “I’M LOVED! I’M LOVED!!!”

Absolutely insufferable in the most lovable way.

Starts initiating random sneak attack hugs. Behind crates. In line for food. Mid-mission. “Time for your daily emotional support clamp! HUGGED!!”

Tells Wolffe you hugged him and Wolffe just walks away immediately.

Comet

You hug Comet and he goes completely still.

Not in a “what is this” way. More like a “oh… oh no I need this and I didn’t know” way.

Arms go around you slowly, almost reverently. He’s warm and solid and still smells like blaster oil and ration bars.

He says quietly: “...Thanks. Been a rough one.”

Doesn’t let go right away.

He’s the kind of person who holds a hug like he thinks it’ll keep you both grounded. Like if he lets go, the galaxy will fall apart.

After that first one, he’ll give you real, deep hugs when you both need grounding. Doesn’t say much. Just holds on and lets the silence do the work.

Also becomes your Official Debrief Cuddle Buddy. End of long day? “You look like you need five minutes of hug.” And you always, always do.

🐺 BONUS: Wolffe Pack Group Hug Edition

You try to hug them all at once.

This is chaos.

Sinker lifts you and tries to twirl you.

Boost yells “PILE ON!!” and launches himself at the group like a very affectionate missile.

Wolffe is stuck in the middle of a dogpile of affection, looking like he wants to die and also maybe cry.

“Why. Are we. Touching this much.”

Comet somehow ends up holding Boost in a princess carry.

At one point Sinker tries to start a “hug chant.” It does not catch on. (Except with Boost. It echoes for 12 hours.)

Wolffe says nothing for days. Then randomly, at 3am, grumbles: “...That was kinda nice.”

[queenariesofnarnia]

physical touch

the bad batch x f! reader

wc: 942

warnings: some fun teasing and that should be it. a light suggestive ending

You’re a physical touch person with a bright personality, you have been like that since you were young. Your friends enjoyed your hugs, or whenever you linked arms with them while walking. They also enjoyed how you always brightened their days. However, once you became a medic for the war, you dialed back on being physical touch. The clones did enjoy your soft hands helping them versus a droid, and your smile always put them in a better mood. You often helped the 212th or 104th, there were some rare occasions that Kix from the 501st requested you. That was until you were assigned to Clone Force 99 as their permanent medic. It took some time, but you ended up getting along with the squad great. Crosshair took longer to warm up to you, but it was expected after you first met them.

They weren’t aware of how much you liked physical touch until on a mission where you called to assist the 501st. The way many of the troopers greeted you with hugs, even Commander Tano and General Skywalker did. You walked next to the commander with your arms linked giggling. Your squad looked slightly confused, sure you were bubbly around them but never touchy.

“Is she acting different?” Wrecker asks, as they watch you laugh with your arm around the jedi commander.

“I believe she is behaving like herself” Tech says glancing at you before going back to his datapad.

“She’s different from when she is around us” Hunter answers observing you. The way your eyes lit up when you received any hug or form of physical affection.

“Looks like our little tooka doesn’t get enough attention from us. Look at how she’s eating up the regs attention.” Crosshair says taking off his helmet, putting a toothpick in his mouth. They sit away from everyone on their own, they keep an eye on you. They watch you as you lay your head in Ahsoka’s lap as she tells you a story of a mission she was just on. Then once her story is done you switch places animatedly telling her a story. Anakin calls a meeting to go over the plan for tomorrow. You stand next to Ahsoka arms still linked together. Once the meeting is over, Anakin makes his way over to you ruffling your hair.

“Missed having you around sunshine” he say before wrapping an arm around you pulling you in for a side hug.

“Missed you too trouble” you hip bump him. “How’s Pads doing?” you ask him quietly.

“She’s good, she says hi” he shoots you a wink before walking off with Rex. Leaving you and Ahsoka by the fire together.

“So, tell me, have you even tried hugging your own squad yet? They keep staring holes into the boys’ heads when they hug you or pay you any attention.” She says laughing.

“No way. I’m too scared to ask. This bunch was already affectionate when I got here” you say gesturing to the 501st. She nods in agreement, laying her head on your shoulder.

“I don’t think it’ll hurt to ask” she tells you looking up at your squad. You look over at them too and give a small smile. Wrecker happily waves at you. “Go over there and spend some time with them. You know where to find me if they say no” she removes her head and pushes you up. As you walk across camp saying hi to the troopers that spoke to you, Fives stops you.

“You need a cuddle buddy tonight sunshine?” He asks flirtatiously. You laugh at his antics.

“Not tonight hon. I’ll find you if I change my mind” you continue towards your squad. Sitting next to Wrecker when you make it to them. “Hi boys” you greet them with your signature smile.

“ You finally had enough of the regs?” Crosshair hissed. You were a bit confused. You knew they didn’t like regular clones, but that didn’t mean you couldn’t.

“Is there a problem?” You ask looking at each of them.

“Yes” Crosshair quickly answered. “All this affection you’re suddenly giving to regs.” he points his toothpick at you.

“All you had to do is ask for a hug mesh’la” Wrecker says wrapping his arm around you, the Mando’a term of endearment rolling off his tongue sweetly.

“Are we not sufficient enough to provide you physical affection?” Tech asked, as he finally tucks his datapad away.

“Do we not give you the attention you need?” Hunter’s husky voice sent a shiver down your spine. You were getting flustered.

“What do you mean? I am getting enough attention” you say trying not to stumble over your words.

“Is our little tooka shy all of a sudden?” Crosshair mockingly asks.

“You were just blossoming from the attention you were receiving” Hunter says scooting closer to you.

“The way her pupils are dilated now, she is enjoying our attention more than what she was previously receiving” Tech points out. You stand up quickly not wanted to keep facing the teasing.

“I’m going to sleep on the Marauder” you announce walking away. They each get up as well.

“Not without us” Wrecker says laughing. You hide your face in your hands heading in the direction of the ship. A hand was placed on your back guiding you.

“Maybe you won’t get sleep little tooka” Crosshair whispered in your ear. You groan due to embarrassment.

“Save your noises for later mesh’la” Hunter said from the other side of Crosshair.

“I’ll have to record the noises she’ll make later” Tech says excitedly from your left side. The others chuckle at you, agreeing with him.

[yoitsjay]

Hands On (MDNI 18+)

Pairings: Tech x Fem!reader

Summary: Tech can't keep his eyes off you, so you decide he needs to give you some private demonstrations of why.

Warnings: unprotected sex (p in v), rough ish smut, porn with a loose plot, Tech jealousy, cream pie, pussay eating, squirting.

Word count: 3,176

You had a special affinity for ships, and metal parts which was rare for the Jedi, but even though you were a good fighter, you typically busied yourself underneath a ship’s console amidst the wiring. It wasn't hidden that the jedi thought you were… strange, but you didn’t really care what they thought, you just fixed ships and even modified them.

You had been fighting with the 501st since you first became a jedi knight, but the council had decided that three jedi for one battalion was too much, so they placed you with a different squad.

That’s how you ended up with Clone Force 99, your newfound family who were oh so grateful for your mechanical skills, repairs on the marauder went ten times faster with you on board, and you created some pretty special bonds with each of the men on board.

You and Tech have an especially unique bond, both very smart when it comes to useless information on subjects the other bad batchers didn’t need to know. But you and Tech often had some very thoughtful conversations about which jedi was more likely to trip in battle, or about mechanical parts on ships and speeders.

You ended up becoming a permanent part of their unit after a year, and because of that connection you had between the 501st and the bad batch, it opened up some teamwork opportunities. Like today for instance.

Captain Rex had commed you, and requested your presence specifically on the planet of Aeos Prime which was under attack by separatists, and had requested aid from the republic. But the separatists apparently had a new cannon that could disable ships and speeders, and so they needed you to come fix the speeders and teach some of the clones what to do in case it happened again.

So that brought you to now, helping Tech pilot the MArauder as it was shot down from the sky by one of those cannons. “It's gonna be a bumpy landing!” You called out to the boys behind you as you and tech pulled the steering controls upward to try and glide over the water to reach the island that the 501st was beached on.

The Marauder shook violently, but with a press of a button and pull of a lever you momentarily restored power and tech was able to somewhat land the ship before power was lost again. But you were on ground and that's all that mattered.

You stood up, grabbing your large tool box as you grinned at Tech. “I’m going to go help the regs if you wanna start getting the ship back online.” You suggested, and when he nodded you walked off the ship, jumping off the ramp since the ship was at an angle and the ramp was more up than it was down.

A couple clones were already waiting, clones you recognized as Kix and Jesse. “Hey boys! called for a pick me up?” You joked as you reached them, letting out a happy squeal when Jesse ruffled your hair which was currently down instead of up in a braid or ponytail.

Tech noticed the way you immediately got comfortable with the other clones, and something sparked inside his chest, foreign and uncomfortable… He sighed, and turned away as he pried off a panel on the outside of the panel, and got to work like you suggested.

Soon you were with the majority of the 501st and they all greeted you with hugs and smiles. Anakin and Ahsoka were there as well and waved quickly before going over whatever plans they needed. Jesse and Kix lead you to a group of speeders, and to fives who is trying his best to rewire one of the speeders but is failing miserably. “Your wires are too messy, and you're touching the wrong colours together.” your voice carried out, and Fives sat up immediately to greet you, only for him to smash his head into the bottom of the speeder.

He grunted, but sat up regardless, grinning at you. “Hey, it's my favorite jedi!” He exclaimed, standing up to pull you into a tight hug which you happily reciprocated, pulling away to fix your glasses with a grin.

When you worked alongside the 501st fives always flirted with you, and it was cute but you know it would never go past flirting, as much as he tried you always turned him down. “Hey fives, Rex said you needed my help, so i'll show you how to rewire the speeders and then you can do it on your own!” You explained happily, setting your toolbox down as you knelt down, Fives following your lead.

You started instructing fives, and a few shiny clones on how to rewire the speeders, and once you fixed one, fives booted it up, and it worked, revving into action with no issue. “Ta da!” You exclaimed and made your way to another speeder that a shiny seemed to be struggling with. And with some gentle instruction he managed to get his speeder started too.

Fives whistled in appreciation, standing by your side as he flashed you a grin, and you knew what that meant. “No fives, I'm not getting drinks at 79’s with you.” You huffed, rolling your eyes and adjusting your glasses as he huffed. “No fun… but uh listen- i could use some more help on this speeder, i don't think i did it correctly.” He spoke, a sly tone lacing his words.

You raised an eyebrow but followed him regardless. By now the heat of the sun had started affecting you so you unzipped the top part of your coveralls, and wrapped the arms around your waist which left you in your spaghetti strap tank top, and you were already sweating through that too.

regardless you worked through the heat, showing fives how to rewire the speeder again for the upteenth time. In the meantime, Tech had almost finished with the ship, his brothers were off talking with Rex and Anakin so he decided to take a small break to go find you.

You were by the speeders still, but as Tech approached he noticed Fives extremely close to you, his hand resting on the small of your back as you instructed him, that focused look that Tech loved sprawled across your face, sweat dripping down your brow. He saw you adjust your glasses again, and then wipe the sweat off your face.

As he got closer, he heard Fives follow your instruction to the letter, and then grin at you with a mischievous look in his eyes when he asked what was next. Tech then stepped forward, the flash of his armor catching your attention. You moved away from fives, and Tech noticed the frown on his lips when you moved to Tech.

“Hey honey, are you done with the ship already?” You asked, but Tech should his head. “No, I am doing what you advised and I am taking a designated pause in my work.” He replied, almost melting when he heard the giggle that left your lips, and the sweat that dripped down past them. “Cool, maybe you can tell fives that he doesn't need my help and that he can start teaching the shinies what to do.” You joked, nudging Fives with your hand.

“Hm, if she says your work is adequate then i believe her, best let her fix the rest of the vessels.” Tech stated, tapping on his datapad before hearing fives scoff. “I mean I could totally get something wrong in the wiring, it's best if Y/n just shows me one more time, right?” Fives asked you.

You huffed, and opened your mouth to speak, only for Tech to speak up before you could. “Do you even know how to take what you’ve learned and apply it to your work, reg? At least I know what a regulator is on an A9-51 spacecraft.” Tech snarked, and you turned to look at him with slightly widened eyes. an A9-51 was your favorite type of ship and how he knew that caught you off guard since you never told anyone.

He could have guessed… but that’s such an intricate ship to guess… It kind of made your heart flutter, knowing that he knew about such intricate work…

You snapped back to the conversation when fives finished replying with something snarky, mentioning something about a repulser core which had nothing to do with spaceships or speeders. You scrunched up your nose slightly, crossing your arms over your chest as they bickered back and forth about ship parts and weapon parts before you finally spoke up.

“Okay boys settle down, there's only one of me.” You joked and gently placed your hand on Tech’s shoulder, biting down on your bottom lip as you thought of what to say before turning to look at Fives. “You’ve got the speeder's fives, you don’t need my help.” you stated, looking at Tech. “I could use your help though.” You added, your eyes meeting his for a moment.

God you felt dirty looking at Tech this way, seeing the sweat drip down his face and neck before disappearing under his armor.. you wanted to see what was underneath that armor…

you exhaled, and glanced back at the bigger ships before you flagged over a shiny trooper. “start on rewiring the ships, here's a little guide for you to follow.” You explained, handing the trooper a hastily scribbled post it note on what wires to touch together and what not to touch. It was simple, nothing crazy. But once the trooper walked away you basically curled your fingers around the top part of Tech’s chestplate, and started dragging him behind you as you headed to the Marauder.

“Are you okay Y/n?” Tech asked as you climbed on board before you closed the ramp and marauder doors, leading him to the empty cockpit. “Tech, I think you need to demonstrate how to undo the bundle of wires in the Extrapolator core.” You whined out, his eyes widening as it clicked in his mind what exactly you meant. He gulped, and made sure the cockpit doors were locked as he removed parts of his armor.

“I can definitely give you a much needed demonstration, darling.” Tech nearly purred, eyes widening as you pulled off your coveralls, leaving you in tight black workout shorts and your tank top. He hastily ridded himself of the rest of his armor just as you started pulling off the last thin layer of clothes.

“Oh my-” Tech choked out once your tank top was removed, and a perfect perky set of tits popped out from underneath as he quickly realized you were wearing no bra. “kriff-” Tech cursed, gawking at your lavish thighs, and muscular shoulders. You were not thin, or tiny like a lot of the women in brothels or bars that tried to flirt with his brothers, no you were full, and strong and that's another thing he fell in love with.

You approached him, now completely naked in front of him. He felt your fingers yank at the hem of his blacks, and he aided you in pulling them off, his skin tingling everywhere you touched him, starting from his shoulders and down to his chest, before traveling even lower now.

A gasp suddenly fell from your lips as you felt Tech’s fingers make contact with your clit, your legs trembled but Tech was quick to swoop you up and place you down on the center console. He lowered himself on his knees in front of you, sliding his hands up and down your thighs as he started placing small kisses closer and closer to your dripping cunt.

“I have done much research on this subject.” he kissed a different part of your inner thighs with every word he spoke, a gasp leaving your lips as his nose just barely brushed against your clit. “I hypothesize that you will enjoy this experience, and I will make you- what women call- squirt.” He spoke bluntly, but said nothing else as he moved in and wrapped his lips around your clit.

Whatever you were going to say was cut off by the sensation, and you automatically closed your thighs around his head for a moment, grinding into his face before he managed to pry your thighs open, and get a better angle. “Fuck- Tech-” You whined out, sliding one of your hands to his hair as he glanced up at you.

Another moan fell from your lips as his ungloved fingers started circling your entrance, gathering up your fluids on his fingers before he gently slid one finger inside you, a sharp gasp leaving your lips as you tensed up. “Wait-” You choked out, and tech paused, pulling his head back as he looked up at you, panting slightly.

He removed his finger, and you whined but said nothing, looking almost embarrassed. “Darling? what’s the matter?” He asked, gently squeezing your thighs. “I- im…” You trailed off, biting down on your lower lip before blurting it out. “I’m a virgin… so be gentle please.” You muttered to him. Buttech looked unphased.

“Do not worry Cyar’ika, I'll take care of you.” He muttered, placing a kiss to your thigh which helped relax you. Your eyes fluttered closed for a moment, only to shoot open when tech’s mouth attached to your pussy again, and his finger gently slid back inside, unmoving for a couple seconds before he started pumping it in and out, stretching you before he added in a second finger.

A louder moan left your lips now, and you tried to cover your mouth but Tech’s spare hand had reached out and grabbed your wrist, silently encouraging you to be as vocal as you wanted.

He continued to flick his tongue over your clit and suck at your folds while pumping his fingers inside you, and you could feel something start to wind up in your lower belly, your moans becoming desperate whimpers as you tighten your grip on his hair. “Please-” You choked out, but you didn’t even know what you were begging for.

Tech seemed to get the idea however, as his fingers curled up and brushed against your g-spot, a shrill moan mixed in with a soft scream leaving your lips as you came. But you didn’t just cum, Tech had made you squirt like he said he would, and you got it all over his face.

You gawked at him, your juices dripping down his face and his chest as he pulled back to admire you, allowing his thumb to brush against your clit which made you jolt in surprise, still recovering from the first orgasm.

Tech somehow managed to find a clean cloth which he used to wipe off his goggles and face, tossing it to the side as he stared at you hungrily, pulling down the bottom half of his blacks followed by his briefs. Your eyes widened as you looked at his cock, he was thick, not long but not short either, and the tip was flushed bright pink with a bit of pre-cum leaking from it.

You licked your lips, nodding to him. “Yes- Fuck me Tech.” You begged softly, spreading your legs a bit wider, hearing him grunt in response as he walked towards you, capturing your lips in a heated kiss. His hands traveled around your body, one hand reaching between you, squeezing one of your breasts while the other rested on your waist for only a moment before he reached down to guide his cock to your entrance.

You felt the tip press against you and a soft whimper was felt against Tech’s lips, he pulled back slightly, and started trailing his kisses down your cheek and to your jaw and neck, where he started sucking marks into your skin. “Relax Cyare… I've got you.” Tech muttered into your skin, and every so slowly he pushed himself into you, reveling in the soft gasps and moans that fell from your lips as you muttered soft praises to him until he had bottomed out inside of you.

You both stayed like that for a moment, just relaxing in each other's arms until you gave him the go ahead. “Fuck me Tech, make me yours.” You whispered, feeling him pull out, only to thrust back in, catching you off guard.

“You were mine the moment your clothes were off Mesh’la” He grunted, and continued thrusting into you, gripping your thighs and your breasts before his lips landed back on yours, swallowing all the moans that tumbled from your mouth.

Your hands were on Tech’s back, scratching up a storm on his skin, digging your nails into him every time his tip nudged against your cervix or your g-spot. You were starting to get close again, and you assumed Tech was too, with the way his thrusts were progressively getting harder and sloppier.

Tech groaned against your breasts, lifting his head up so he could admire the expressions on your face. “Tell me to pull out-” He grunted, but you simply shook your head. “Protection?” He asked, and again you shook your head, before whispering. “Cum inside me honey.” You whimpered, feeling him pause for a moment.

You were out to say something, until Tech had lifted you off the console and pressed you against the cold metal door of the Marauder instead and just pounded into you, your moans filling the room until a pleasured scream broke through as he came inside you, his hot cum filling you at the same time your orgasm had barreled through you.

You held each other for a long few minutes before tech gently set you on one of the chairs and pulled out, watching as his cum leaked from your sopping wet cunt, which fluttered now that it was exposed to the cold air. Tech grunted, and grabbed that cloth from earlier, pressing a kiss to your temple as he gently cleaned the juices and cum from the both of you.

After a few more minutes the both of you were back in your under clothes, and tech had moved you so you were sitting on his lap in the pilot's chair. You rested your head in the crook of his neck, letting your eyes stay closed as he held you. “Did you… enjoy it?” Tech asked, catching your attention. You grinned, cupping his cheek in your hand.

“You made me cum twice Tech, of course i enjoyed it.” You giggled, pressing a kiss to his lips, and then to his nose. “We should shower.. and probably get back to work.” You muttered, and slowly stood up. Tech’s hands stayed on your hips for a moment as your legs wobbled, but you quickly gained your balance and gathered your clothes, opening the cockpit door so you could head to the fresher.

You turned back to Tech, smiling coyly. “Coming?” You asked, and Tech gulped.

Yeah you wouldn’t be leaving the Marauder anytime soon.

➺

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[se-sissy-lina04]

you're CT-CASA au is killing me in the best of way. All I can think about is some of the boys getting drunk and dragging all their pillows and blankets and couch cushions on Zees living room floor and making a cuddle pile. You're au for this is so cute and creative.

Sissy’s Masterlist

Aww. First of, thank you for the sweet words. It’s always lovely to hear praise and get some wonderful ideas. And because this idea is so sweet I made two scenarios for this. We all know and love our clones, so we know that they don’t even need alcohol for their shenanigans. I hope you all like it🫶🏻

Now get ready for….

Clones + Alcohol + Soft Things = Peak Chaos, Peak Comfort, and Peak Cuddling

🍻 Setting: Cloneboys, Booze & Bad Ideas

It starts with a few drinks. Just a “friendly battalion mixer.”

Zee is technically home, in her apartment, reading. The clones? Half a floor away, loudly debating something about Fives being a “blanket thief and dignity criminal.”

Then Jesse yells: “YOU KNOW WHAT WE NEED? A CUDDLE FORT.”

Fives, already tipsy and sitting on Wolffe’s shoulders: “YES. BRING THE FLUFF.”

☁️ Operation: Cuddle Cloud

Drunken coordination ensues. Someone has the genius idea to move it all into Zee’s apartment.

Why?

Because she has the best-smelling blankets, the coziest floor rug, and someone (Tech) insists her air filtration unit keeps “optimal cuddle pile oxygen saturation.”

They don’t knock. They bust in like polite chaos.

Rex: “Zee. Hi. Hello. We’re commandeering your floor for… morale.”

Tup (already halfway through dragging her duvet off her bed): “It’s an emotional support mission.”

She just blinks at them in silence as tactical cuddling equipment floods in.

Zee: “…I was going to read.”

Dogma, setting down an armful of decorative pillows: “You can read in the pile.”

Wrecker: “The pile needs you.”

🧸 The Construction Phase

Cody folds towels with military precision.

Fives has stolen her entire couch’s worth of cushions and is using them to build a “King’s Throne of Snuggle.”

Kix makes a “recovery zone” full of squish and soft music.

Wolffe grumbles but tucks her in with one of her own blankets.

Fox glares at anyone who tries to take the fancy throw (“Zee likes that one, no one sheds on it.”)

Echo and Jesse are in charge of fairy lights and warmth management.

Tech builds a thermal map of the cuddle pile to optimize snuggle zones.

Tup, of course, has become a cuddle koala, quietly waiting for Zee to come sit so he can drape over her like moss.

Boil: “This is not how military housing was meant to be used.”

Waxer: “Shut up, this is morale infrastructure.”

🛌 The Cuddle Pile, Completed

It’s massive. Glorious. A sea of warmth and arms and half-asleep boys.

Zee is somehow in the center. How? Who knows. She’s wearing one of Fives’ oversized hoodies. A clone she can’t identify is using her thigh as a pillow. Another is curled up at her feet. Someone’s hand is tangled with hers. Tup is on the other side of her, half-asleep, mumbling “good idea… good… soft…”

Rex: “No one tell Command.”

Fives: “If you tell Command, tell them we won the war with snuggles.”

Kix: “This counts as therapy.”

Wrecker: snoring softly, hugging his Lula

Tech: “You’re all so unoptimized.”

Zee: “…don’t move. I’m comfy.”

💤 Morning After

Zee wakes up first. There are at least twelve clones in her apartment. Someone’s drooling. Kix is still half-awake, trying to apologize for the intrusion and thank her for being soft, kind, and warm.

Zee, smiling softly: “It’s okay. Stay. Just five more minutes.”

But they stay much longer.

Because in the cuddle pile, in the warm mess of exhausted soldiers and accidental love, it’s safe. It’s soft. It’s human.

———————

Scenario 2: Clone Nesting

Let’s set the scene…

🌞 Setting: Lazy Weekend Afternoon

Zee’s apartment. Sunlight filters through gauzy curtains. A half-eaten pastry box sits on the kitchen counter. Someone (Jesse) has commandeered her datapad to start playing The Princess Bride on loop.

Outside? Loud. Inside? Cozy.

Inside the building? Dangerously peaceful. Which means the clones are up to something.

🧠 It Starts with a Plan (™)

They’re all just hanging out. Nothing suspicious. Some sitting on the floor, some draped on furniture. But the mood is too chill, too casual, and suddenly Rex says: “We should build a nest.”

Zee raises an eyebrow.

Fives, instantly: “I’m so in.”

Fox, already rolling up his sleeves like a dad at a BBQ: “Finally, something with purpose.”

No one questions it. Within minutes, nest mode has activated.

🔨 Operation: Soft Siege

It’s strategic. Surgical. Sober. And somehow even more intense than the drunk version.

Tech draws up schematics. (“Zee’s floor plan allows for a triple-layered insulation buffer with natural snuggle convection.”)

Wolffe guards the doorway like it’s a war zone: “Shoes off or stay out.”

Cody has built a tunnel system through the blankets and labeled them.

Echo and Jesse have made a Pillow Citadel. It has a flag. The flag is a sock.

Boil and Waxer are in charge of fluff redistribution.

Tup is carefully folding Zee’s hoodie for her to wear (“It’s Snuggle Regulation. You need to comply.”)

Zee, standing in the middle of the chaos with a cup of tea and no control over her life: “You’re all absolutely feral.”

Jesse: “We call it enriched bonding.”

Tup: “It’s therapeutic.”

Kix: “It is therapeutic.”

Fox: “It’s required.”

🛌 The Great Civilian Nest

It’s majestic. Architectural. Nearly sacred. Made entirely of Zee’s blankets, clone-issued sleeping bags, some couch cushions, her robe, and two stuffed animals she did not consent to share (Fives gave them ranks. They’re now General Mr. Snuggles and Commander Fluffbucket).

Zee: “I’m supposed to be writing.”

Tech, from the depths of the pile: “Studies show civilians are 83% more productive after full clone-nest immersion.”

Cody: “Get in the pile, Zee.”

Kix: “Doctor’s orders.”

🤍 The Nest Rules

1. No datapads allowed (except to play movies or lo-fi chill beats).

2. Zee gets the center (she’s the glue, according to Rex).

3. Anyone snoring too loud gets gently shushed with a sock.

4. Fives is on probation for excessive feet-to-face incidents.

💤 What Happens Inside the Nest

Jesse plays with Zee’s hair.

Rex leans against her back like he always does when he’s tired but won’t admit it.

Fox drapes an arm around her feet and acts like he’s guarding treasure.

Wrecker gets too warm and starfishes across four people before flopping back into the pile like a good boy.

Tup nestles into her side and hums the clone lullaby under his breath.

Zee tries to fight it. For maybe twenty minutes.

Then she melts. Because they’re safe. They’re warm. They’re hers.

And they’re sober. That’s the dangerous part.

This is intentional affection. Quiet, real, and bone-deep.

✨ Final Scene

The holo plays something sappy. Outside, traffic drones. Inside, everything’s soft.

Zee, mumbling into Kix’s shoulder: “You’re all insane.”

Kix: “And you love us.”

Zee: snorts “Unfortunately.”

Someone’s already asleep. Someone else murmurs a sleepy, “’Night, Zee.”

[justaparsec94]

Revelations

Summary: Needing a little help Rex tracks down his favourite civilian mechanic from the war.

Pairing: Rex x fem!reader

Word Count: 4,129

*********************

Rex had once believed that the end of the war would mean an end to the fighting, an end to losing his brothers, and an end to the never-ending number of problems he had to deal with on a daily basis. How wrong he had been. Sometimes, when he lay awake at night, staring up at the ceiling he couldn’t quite believe how things had ended. His heart ached when he thought about it too much, the faces of all of his brothers flashing across his mind. Visions of the smoke from the Venator as it lay crumbled against the earth haunted him in his dreams. Jesse, Kix, Cody, General's Skywalker and Kenobi, all gone. Lost to the Empire. But worst of all were the thoughts of how meaningless his life had actually been. He hadn’t been a soldier, he'd simply been a pawn in someone else's game. That was what kept him up most at night. And it was that thought that continued to drive him to help his brothers, to fight back against The Empire in any way that he could. 

It was what currently had him stalking through one of the mid-levels of Coruscant as the sun began to dip into the evening. It wasn’t as risky as being up on one of the upper levels where the Coruscant Guard routinely patrolled but still close enough to the surface to put him on edge. But desperate times called for desperate measures. 

He kept his head down as he went, he had left his armour back at base so he knew most people wouldn’t give him a second look but months of hiding had made him extra cautious. He slowed as his destination came into view, his head swivelled a few times, checking to make sure he wasn’t being tailed before he headed over to the garage across the street. It was a small garage but well kept, the lights inside still shone brightly out into the street as he neared the door. He knew it would likely be closing shortly so he would have to make this quick. 

A bell chimed as he stepped through the door, a quick scan of the shop revealed the front was empty at first but he heard movement in the back almost instantly. 

Rex released a breath he didn’t even realize he had been holding as your figure stepped out of the back and behind the counter. His heart was suddenly beating in his chest wildly at the sight of you. There had been very few days since the end of the war where he hadn’t thought about you, hadn’t worried about what might have happened to you. He had thought he would never see you again but now that he was every confusing feeling he had harboured for you for years was slamming back into him. 

“Hey there, how can I…” You started before you slammed to a halt, your entire body freezing and your eyes widening as you took in the sight of him. 

“Hi,” He greeted sheepishly, waving at you when the feeling of needing to do something with his hands overwhelmed him. 

“Rex…” Your voice was barely above a whisper as you stared at him. 

Before he could even think of what to say next you had launched yourself over the counter in a blur of movement, throwing yourself into him and crushing him a hug. 

He chuckled nervously as his hands wrapped around you instinctively. He tried his best to ignore the heat that was suddenly pooling in him at the feeling of your body being so tightly pressed up against him. He’d always had armour on to protect him in the past anytime this had happened.

You pulled away from him after a moment but your hands stayed gripping his biceps, as though you were worried he was about to slip away again. Your face was paler than normal as you looked up at him with wide eyes, “I heard that you went down with the ship, they said you were dead. I-I thought you were dead, Rex.” 

He chuckled darkly as he reached up to rub at the back of his neck nervously, “Well, only one of those things is true, clearly.” 

His words seemed to break the tension in the room and you chuckled softly, a grin finally splitting your face as you let your hands fall away from him. He found himself mourning the loss of your touch but he tried his best to push that thought aside. He was here on a mission after all, and not one of a personal nature. 

“Gosh, I can’t believe you’re really here,” You said with a breathy laugh, “I missed you.” 

Your admission did something funny to his insides but again he tried his best to ignore the feeling, “It’s harder to get rid of me than one might expect.”

You laughed, “Clearly, but I’m glad for it.” 

The two of you simply stared at one another for a long moment. Rex could hear his heartbeat pounding in his ears as he looked at you. You didn't look any different than the last time he had seen you, you were still so kriffing beautiful. He watched as your brow furrowed slightly as your own eyes finished their appraisal of him.

“What are you doing here Rex?” You asked, “You - you don’t look like you’re with The Empire,” You said the second part hesitantly, as though you were afraid to hear his answer. 

“I’m not, I’ve uh - defected,” He answered, for lack of a better term. The fact that he was listed as KIA sort of negates the term but it’s close enough to the truth, “Are you still…” he started though he was somewhat unsure of how to ask the question. 

You had once been, in his opinion, the finest civilian mechanic the GAR had under contract. Rex had met you only days after the first battle of Geonosis, back when you had both still been shiny. He had taken an instant liking to your quick wit and easygoing nature, plus no one could fix a ship as efficiently as you could. The two of you had remained friends throughout the war. You had often been stationed on Coruscant at the main base but there had been many occasions when you had accompanied the 501st on their missions. Those times had been his favourite and if he had made extra trips to the flight deck during those missions it had been completely coincidental, or so he told himself.  

You shook your head, “No, after everything that happened, the Jedi, the clones, being told that you had been killed…” You trailed off momentarily, biting your lip before you looked back up at him, “I saw what was happening and it became pretty clear pretty quickly that it was not something I wanted to be a part of any longer. My dad was ecstatic to have me back in the garage though.” 

The two of you were silent for another long moment, simply looking at one another. Rex hadn’t thought it would be possible but his respect for you only grew at the knowledge that you had left The Empire, seeing it for what it truly was.

“Do you know what happened to the others?” You asked hesitantly after a moment, “Jesse? Kix? Echo? Cody?” The list could have gone on and on, you had been friends with many of the boys. 

His heart wrenched at the thought of his brothers, he didn’t know if he had it in him to tell you the truth. Jesse who had died trying to kill him and Ahsoka, his actions not his own. Kix, who had vanished only weeks before the end of the war never to be seen again. Cody, who was still with The Empire or worse. He settled on simply shaking his head instead, the answer was too complex and he knew you would get his meaning. 

Overwhelming sadness flashed in your eyes and he instantly hated the fact that he had been the one to put it there. He tracked your movements as you reached out to rest a hand on his arm comfortingly, “I’m so sorry, Rex.” 

Rex simply shook his head, he had quickly learned that there really were no words to convey his feelings about all that he had lost. 

Sensing his discomfort you quickly changed course, which he was very appreciative of, “So, what are you up to now then?” 

“Uh…” He faltered. He trusted you, he did, he always had. But it wasn’t just his life that would be in danger if word were to get out what he was up to. Not only that, but he couldn’t bear the thought of putting you in danger by roping you into things more than his being here already had. He cursed himself internally for having not come up with a better answer to this inevitable question. 

Your eyebrow raised but instead of suspicion there was only amusement dancing in your eyes, “Let me guess, it’s classified?” 

He felt his face flush slightly but he was relieved by your response, “Sorry, it’s not just me who would be at risk if something were to happen.”

“Say less, Captain,” You replied with a laugh, patting his arm reassuringly, “But what brings you to me?”

“I’m looking for a specific part for a ship. I was hoping you might be able to help me out,” Rex replied. The Remora had taken a direct hit on their last mission. Echo had done his best to try and repair it but a part of the stabilization system had been beyond his ability to fix and without it they were effectively grounded. The Martez sisters had done their best to find the part but hadn’t yet had any luck and Rex was beginning to grow desperate. The longer they were grounded the fewer brothers they were likely to save. Echo had suggested simply stealing a new ship but Rex hadn’t wanted to draw that much attention to them. At least not until they had no other option.  

“Sure thing,” You replied happily before you turned and headed back towards the counter, “What are you looking for?” 

He followed after you as you slipped behind the counter. You disappeared momentarily as you bent down behind the counter before you re-emerged with your data pad in hand. He gave you the specifics of the part, his fingers drumming anxiously against the countertop as he watched you scroll on your data pad. 

“I don’t have anything in stock right now,” You replied with a soft frown, “But I should be able to get it with no problem. It might just take a few days to have it shipped from a warehouse.”

This was exactly why you were his favourite, “Really? That’s great. What will I owe you?” Thanks to Senator Chuchi's support paying for the part wasn’t an issue. 

You shook your head before giving him a cheeky grin, “Don’t worry about it Rex, you get the friends and family discount.”

“I can’t…” He protested but was cut short. 

“Ah ah,” You said, waving your hand at him dismissively, “None of that. Besides, a dead man’s credits won’t really do me any good,” You teased as you set your data pad aside and leaned your elbows on the counter, propping your chin up on your hands as you looked up at him. 

He wanted to protest further but he had learned years ago that arguing with you once your mind was set got him absolutely nowhere, “Thank you,” He said sincerely. You really were his favourite. 

You smiled brightly at him, “No problem Rex. How should I get ahold of you once the part comes in?” 

He reached out to grab a stylus and piece of flimsy from off the counter, “Here’s my private comm channel, just give me a call and I’ll come and grab it,” He paused momentarily, considering, “This is Echo’s. If you can’t get ahold of me, try him,” With his line of work he never really knew which day could end up being his last. He knew that if something were to happen to him his brother would continue on with their mission without a doubt. 

“Echo’s with you?” You asked, perking up as you took the flimsy from him. The last time you had seen Echo he had still been with The Bad Batch. 

He nodded, “It’s a long story.”

You laughed, “Classified?”

Rex chuckled softly, “No, just long.”

“Well, maybe you can tell it to me when I get that part in,” You replied with another soft smile that made his face flush. 

He simply nodded, trying his best to ignore the heat that was once again pooling in his stomach at the mere sight of you, “I think I can manage that.”

“Good, I’ll see you later then Captain,” And before he even fully knew what was happening you had leaned over the counter, stretching up onto the tips of your toes to plant a swift kiss on his cheek. 

“I’ll uh, yah, later. I’ll be seeing you, then. Later.” He stammered as absolute fire burned in his face. He could still feel the weight of our lips against his cheek as he stepped away from the counter. Your eyes were sparkling with amusement as you watched him make his hasty retreat which only made the feelings churning inside him even worse. He spun around and marched towards the door, determined to get out before he did something else embarrassing. 

“Rex,” You called after him just as he reached the threshold, causing him to pause and spin back in your direction, “I’m really glad to see you. I’m very happy you’re not dead.” 

He couldn’t manage more than a nod, his brain apparently having left him completely. With a final wave, he stepped out into the cool night air of Coruscant, breath filling his lungs once more as he made his way back towards base. You might be his favourite, but he wasn’t entirely convinced that you weren’t going to be the death of him. 

*******

Just as they had during the war, the days blurred together for Rex. There was always something that needed doing, intel to collect, supply runs, people to meet. His to-do list was endless. He let out a deep sigh, his attention still focused on his data pad as he walked back into the Martez sister's garage, their temporary base. He had just finished meeting with Senator Chuchi and while their meetings always went well, the woman was unwaveringly kind and supportive, he was tired. He wanted nothing more than to collapse on his makeshift bunk in the back and stay there for the rest of the day. But as always, duty called, and he would answer. 

He lifted a hand in greeting as he strode past Howzer and Nemec, the motion almost automatic as his eyes remained glued to the data that he was currently scrolling through on his datapad. 

He stopped short suddenly though as the sound of familiar laughter reached his ears. His head snapped up and his gaze instantly zeroed in on the source. For a moment he thought he was dreaming because you couldn’t possibly be standing in his base, laughing with his brother as the two of you were huddled under the hull of The Remora.

As if sensing his presence your head turned towards him and you gave him a cheerful wave, “Hiya Rex!”

He frowned, so much for keeping you safe and out of the loop. He turned his narrowed gaze towards Echo who was looking suddenly sheepish from where he was kneeling by your side. They would be having words later. 

With a sigh, Rex walked over towards you, his data pad long forgotten as he focused on where you were clearly working on the ship. The answer was obvious but he asked the question anyway, “What are you doing here?”

“The part came,” You chirped, still smiling brightly up at him, “I tried to call you but couldn’t reach you so I comm’d Echo. He told me to bring the part down and then I figured I might as well give him some help with the repairs.” 

Rex cursed softly as he looked at his comm, sure enough, he had a missed call. Likely from when he had been in his meeting with the Senator and had silenced the device. 

“She is the expert after all,” Echo said, his pale eyes brimming with amusement as he looked between you and Rex. It only made Rex frown more. 

Rex steadily ignored his brother, turning his attention back to you instead, “How are the repairs coming?”

“All done actually,” You replied, “Just closing her up, and then she’ll be good to go!”

“I’ll uh, let you two discuss logistics while I go start her up,” Echo said as he stood. You gave Echo a nod and a brief smile before you turned your attention back to tightening the last of the bolts. He patted Rex on the shoulder as he passed him, a grin on his face that Rex did not like the look of. Sometimes, with everything Echo had been through and all of the changes he had undergone, Rex forgot that Echo still had the ability to be a little shit when he wanted to be. The relationship between the two of you, even though Rex had insisted it was completely professional, had not been a secret to the boys in the 501st. 

Rex stood silently as you finished up the repairs, unable to pull his eyes away from you as you went about putting your tools away. A sharp intake of breath escaped him as you paused to pull your hair back from your face, piling it onto your head and pining it quickly in place. His eyes traced the curve of your neck as heat pooled his stomach. 

Likely sensing his gaze you looked towards him as you stood up, your eyebrows raised questioningly as amusement swum in your eyes. 

“Why are you looking at me like that?” You asked with a soft chuckle, a wide grin on your face as you clipped a wrench back onto your tool belt. 

Rex felt like his brain was malfunctioning, his face flushed as you smiled brightly at him. There was a gleam in your eyes that set his heart pounding against his rib cage. He hadn’t meant to stare, he just couldn’t stop himself it seemed. Whenever you were around it was as if nothing else existed for him. It had always been like that, but apparently, he had used to be better at hiding it. 

Because you’re beautiful was the first coherent thought that came to mind. It was only after he noticed your eyes widen and your grin become absolutely beaming that he realized he had actually said that out loud. 

“Well, thank you, Captain, that’s very kind of you to say,” your cheeks flushed just ever so slightly while he stood there like an absolute di’kut hoping a pit would open beneath him and swallow him whole. It was too late to take it back now though. Not that he ever would take it back. He truly meant it so he couldn’t reverse course now without coming across as intentionally cruel. 

“I-“ he started then stopped, completely at a loss for words as his face burned with embarrassment. This was all Echo’s fault, somehow. 

“Is that a conclusion that you’ve just recently come to? Because you sound somewhat surprised,” You teased which only made him flush further. 

If he had been floundering before it was nothing compared to what he was doing now, “No...no...I...what?”

You let out a bright laugh, stepping closer to him and resting a gentle hand on his arm. He was once again glad to be back in his armour because even through it he could feel the heat of your touch. 

“I’m just teasing you Rex,” You replied with another laugh, smiling up at him.

He still didn’t know what to say so instead he simply nodded. His attention was still focused entirely on you as you suddenly stood on your tip toes, the whisper of your voice against his ear sent a shiver down his spine, “I'll let you in on a little secret though. I’ve always thought you were beautiful too.”

With another gentle laugh, you pulled away from him, patting him on the arm once more before you move away. Leaving him standing there, completely dumbfounded as you waved up at Echo in the cockpit, giving him the all-clear to start up the ship. 

The Remora rumbled to life, engines running smoothly once more. He continued to watch, clearly incapable of focusing on anything else, as you gave Echo a thumbs up before returning to his side once more. You looked up at him, a warm and somewhat expecting look on your face. After years of knowing you and being on the receiving end of that look many times before he knew exactly what was coming next. 

“So,” You started, “Echo gave me the run down of what you’ve got going on here. I want to help you, in any way possible.”  

Rex felt himself tense up, “It’s dangerous. I can’t ask you to put yourself in harm's way for us. If The Empire…”

You cut him off, “The Empire can stuff it for all I care, Rex. I want to help you. What you’re doing here is important. I might not be a soldier but I know I can still help you.” 

“If something happened to you…” He started, his insides freezing at just the thought alone. If anything ever happened to you on his watch he didn’t know how he would live with himself. He had already lost so much. But he knew from the determined look in your eyes that he was fighting a losing battle. 

You stopped him again, this time with your hand as you reached out to grab his own. It had the intended effect, shutting him up completely as his gaze flicked between your face and your joint hands.

“It’s worth the risk, Rex,” you said as you gave his hand a reassuring squeeze, “Please, let me help.” 

He let out a weary sigh, “Alright," He might be clueless about a lot of things when it came to you but he knew when to admit defeat. 

You smiled up at him brightly, fingers still interlaced with his own, “Thank you. It looks like you're stuck with me after all Captain,” Rex couldn’t help but smile at the comment. It was a throwback to better days when you used to gripe about always being assigned to the 501st for missions. You still weren't aware that he had been the one specifically requesting for your assignments.  

"There are far worse problems to have,” he teased softly, “and just Rex is fine. I’m really not a Captain anymore.”

“Old habits die hard, Rex,” you replied with a shrug, “I should head back to the garage though. I’ll swing back around later though and we can discuss logistics.”

Rex nodded, though he was suddenly very aware that you were still holding his hand. Noticing his gaze you smiled up at him and for the second time that week you were moving before he could make sense of it. Your lips were soft against his cheek, the feeling of them once again setting his insides on fire and making his pulse race beneath your skin. Too soon in his opinion, you pulled away from him. He watched you walk away, his eyes never leaving you as you left the garage. You gave him one final wave that he returned before you disappeared from sight. He could still feel the ghost of your lips against his skin as he stood there, completely lost in thought. 

“So…” Rex didn’t even need to turn to know that Echo was suddenly standing beside him. 

“Don’t even start,” Rex grumbled, turning towards him and levelling a glare at him, “You and I are going to have to have a talk about maintaining secrecy.” 

“Sir yessir,” Echo chuckled, knowing Rex’s words were all bluster. He gave him a mock salute with his scomp before he wandered off, leaving Rex alone with his thoughts. He really should move, he had a lot of work to do but he had the feeling he wasn't going to be very effective for the rest of the day. Not unless he could convince himself that he wasn’t actively counting down the hours until he would see you again. 

[disastertriowriting]

@clonefandomevents

This is for the square "Imperial AU". :D

No bonds are stronger than those forged on the battlefield, through blood and war. Anakin Skywalker is gone, but that doesn't mean Darth Vader has forgotten. And he will not let the Empire harm those who were once his vode.

[ireadwithmyears]

🥳 Congratulations to your 300 follower milestone event!

I would be happy if you would like to write something with Kix or Hunter in a romantic relationship. 😊

I stopped taking the birth controll pill 2 years ago and within a very short time I gained weight and my skincondition was going bad, even though I didn't change any of my habits. My hormones are going crazy. ��‍💨 Things are slowly getting better. Lost weight, skincondition better, but not as good as before. It annoys and unsettles me. I need someone to show me that I'm still beautiful and doesn't love me because of my appearance.

Feel free whether you prefer this is just SFW 💕 or maybe ends up being a bit spicy 🌶

Thank you for this event and being part of this fandom. I like your works so much, thank you for sharing them with us. 🫶🏻

Beautiful Right Now

Pairing: Hunter/Fem Reader 

Word count: 3.2 K 

For my Follower event (Still open: closes February 27)

Tags/warnings: 18+ Content (minors DNI), smut, oral (f receiving), fingering, light body worship, doing it in front of a mirror, insecure reader, reader is plus sized, reader is also implied to be struggling with hormonal acne and skin changes

Summary: When you’re not the biggest fan of what you see when you look at yourself in the mirror, Hunter is there to remind you that you’re beautiful, right now and always.

Authors note: thank you so much for sending in this request. I really hope it brings you a smile or some joy. Can’t believe this is my first time writing for Hunter. He’s one of my favorites, but I also have this thing with my favourites where I convince myself that I’m not going to do them justice so I just don’t even try. So thank you for giving me the opportunity to do that.

“Stop doing that.”

Picking at your skin is bad. You know this. You have had it drilled into your head about a dozen different ways as soon as the habit started to arise, and yet...

You still can’t help but hope the annoyingly large spot of acne that’s blossomed just beneath your bottom lip will turn into soft, unblemished skin if you keep picking away at it long enough.

“You’re bleeding,” Hunter sighs, successfully pulling your hand away from your face.

Well...the fantasy you have of soft and unblemished skin, yet again, has been foiled. 

He reaches into his pocket, producing a sheet of small Band-Aids that he’s gotten into the habit of carrying, gingerly smoothing one over the spot on your chin. They used to be for Omega, to cover up the small cuts and scrapes that small, excitable children always seem to be in the habit of acquiring. It makes you feel a bit silly knowing that now he mainly keeps them around because of your stupid, and yet every time so irresistibly tempting, urge to pick at your skin until it’s raw. 

You watch him through the reflection of the mirror that you gaze into, his bottom lip pulled between his teeth, restraining himself from lecturing you about bacteria and infection...again

He knows it won’t work, you think, and that almost is enough to pull your lips upward into a knowing smirk, before you catch sight of yourself once more and your expression quickly falters. 

“There,” he says, satisfied as he steps away. “All better.”

You vaguely nod your head, not really paying attention. There you stand, in a dress that should be pretty, that your friends had assured you you looked pretty in, but now?

Now it only hugs too tightly to every single one of your curves. They are much more pronounced, you think, scrutinizing your stomach and hips with a critical expression, than they were two years ago.

It’s not fair, you think, and you stifle the instinctive and childish urge to throw up your hands or stomp one of your feet, because this is better, or at least, it should be. You haven’t been dealing with nearly as many breakouts as you had six months ago, and your curves, though still defined, had substantially evened out.

You still hated it though, and as your eyes sweep over your figure, the dress with its design of pretty flowers on it, the leg slip that you had initially thought was sexy, and the Band-Aid that now sticks out like a sore thumb on your chin, you really can’t help the way that your shoulders begin to curl inward, your hands subconsciously sliding up the material, feeling along the curve of your stomach, unable to pull your eyes away from your reflection, your expression one of resignation and reluctant acceptance.

“Here.” Hunter is at your side once more, moving around behind you as he wraps a shawl around your shoulders, fingertips delicate as he does the button at the front. “This harvest festival promises to be a warm one. But once the sun sets on Pabu, especially this time of year, a chill is quick to settle once night falls.”

“I wouldn’t want to miss the fireworks,” you say quietly, trying to summon your prior excitement for this event, because really this was your first harvest fest, and you were looking forward to all these new experiences that you would get to share with Hunter and the rest of his family.  Besides, Wrecker was heavily involved in planning, and his enthusiasm for creating the perfect fireworks display for the festivities was abundant.

Hunter is quiet. His eyes, when yours flick up to peer at his reflection over your shoulder, are searching, the concerned furrow between his eyebrows seeming to deepen as if raising them any further will somehow give him the answer to what he’s looking for as he continues to fix you with an intent stare.

His eyes trail over your form, and a soft, almost inaudible “mm” of understanding escapes his lips as he spies your hands, still interlaced protectively and stiffly held against your stomach. He steps forward until you can feel his warmth as he stands behind you, his back lightly pressing against your chest, fingers gentle but insistent as he lightly holds your chin.

“You know you look beautiful,” he says, his brown eyes wide with that same captivating mix of enchantment and longing you had glimpsed within them when the two of you first had gotten together all that time ago. “You know that, right?”

When all that gets from you is a noncommittal shrug, his frown deepens, and you can feel the soft exhale of his breath against your neck as he reaches around you, arms settling around your waist, his head dropping to rest against your shoulder. His hands, rough but warm, press against where yours are still interlaced in front of your stomach, and you can’t help but lean back against him, a low, contented noise rumbling within his chest in response.

“You know,” he says, his voice quiet, his breath whispering against your ear. “Ever since me and my brothers settled down on Pabu, we’ve all, uh, how should I put it, gained some extra padding?”

He glances down at himself, offering you a small, rueful grin, before you watch his face transform into something...vulnerable, almost fragile in its appearance, and for once he doesn’t attempt to hide it. He doesn’t reach up to distractedly fiddle with his hair or duck his face against the crook of your neck to disguise his true feelings. He just stands there letting you see it, unguarded and unmasked. This simple, open display of trust makes something inside you soften, turning your hands over to squeeze his.

“Sometimes, I think about how we would have been shamed in front of a whole squadron of clones by our trainers if they could see how we’ve lost our perfect soldier physique,” he says, and something about the tone of that statement causes you to frown, turning to face him as he holds you.

“What?” you ask, your eyes widening as your hands brush along his chest and his stomach, biting your lip in consternation. “But you look healthy, Hunter. You’re…you’re beautiful.”

“And don’t I know it,” he says with a boyish grin, giving you a playful tap on the nose as he dramatically flutters his eyelashes, causing you to giggle. “But this isn’t about me, mesh’la. This is about you.”

He turns you back around to look at yourself in the mirror, his hands brushing along your sides, moving downward until they settle at your hips, the touch both familiar and appreciative.

“My point is, you’re not the only one who’s changed in terms of your appearance, and you’re not the only one who has moments of doubt whenever you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror. But...” He runs a hand through his hair, quiet for a moment before continuing. “I wish you could show yourself the same amount of grace that you so easily show me.”

A pang shoots through you at that, and you glance down for a moment, eyes yet again settling on the material of your dress and the way it clings to your skin, accentuating all the parts of your body that you worry shouldn’t be highlighted.

“But don’t you…” You look up, meeting his gaze, momentarily hesitating, not wanting to speak the long-festering insecurity into existence by saying it out loud. “Don’t you wish I looked more like the way I did before...”

You trail off, but the unspoken thought lingers like an unwanted and bitter taste in your mouth. Before changes in your medication‘s started messing with your hormones, before your skin had turned into what felt like a breeding ground for acne and breakouts, before your figure had begun to round and fill out, losing the much-coveted thin frame everyone seems to strive for.

“I think,” Hunter says slowly, and suddenly his hands are beneath the fabric of your dress, pushing it up until your hips and your stomach are exposed to him, caught in the reflection of the mirror. 

His hands are on you, slow, purposeful caresses. Fingernails raking up your thigh, following the path of a stretch mark you had grown particularly insecure about. But the drag of his nails against your skin feels both delicious and sinful, and you shiver, goosebumps rising along your arms as he slowly caresses over the curve of your stomach, eyes intently focused on yours through the reflection of the glass.

“I think that you’re beautiful right now,” he states, and it’s then that you grow keenly aware of how firmly he’s pressed himself against your back. “And I think it’s high time that you see yourself the way that I do.”

One of his hands slides downward, cupping you over the material of your panties. The slow drag of his palm over your clothed sex is maddening and you squirm, eagerly pressing your hips up against his hand in an effort to gain more friction. He watches you carry on like this for a moment, letting you work yourself up as much as the little he’s giving you will allow. But then, as you turn affronted, pleading eyes to look up at him, more than ready to shamelessly beg for more, he stops you, fingers catching on your chin and guiding your eyes back towards the direction of the mirror.

“Keep looking at yourself, or I stop,” he says, and fuck! That brisk, no nonsense sergeant tone shoots straight to your core, your thighs squeezing together despite his hand still cupping you in between your legs. Judging by the smirk that appears when you catch a glimpse of his face, he notices.

“Hunter,” you plead, and because he’s never one to truly deny you of anything, his smirk widens, and before you can say anything else, he’s pushing your panties to the side. You only have a second to react to the cool air hitting the sensitive flesh before his fingers, slow and practiced, are dragging through your folds, circling around your clit.

“Look at you,” he breathes, his voice little more than a low rasp against your ear as he mouths at your neck. “So pretty and wet for me.”

You whine, because one of his fingers has parted your lower lips, teasing and circling around your entrance but never truly giving you the satisfaction of pushing inside. His free arm holds your hips in place, preventing you from moving and he smirks, stroking two fingers against your clit once more, coating it in your arousal before pulling away entirely, leaving you shaky and wanting.

“Mm,” the soft, pleased groan falls from his lips at about the same time you let out a dissatisfied whimper, your petulant glare quickly turning into eyes filled with longing as you watch him taking his fingers between his lips, his own eyes closing as he savers the taste of you.

You barely have time to blink before you’re pushed back onto the bed behind you, your legs dangling off the edge as Hunter props pillows beneath your head and shoulders to keep you elevated enough to see yourself within the mirror. And boy, don’t you look like a sight.

Hair loose and scattered as it falls around you, your dress bunched up around your chest. Faded breakouts, the traces of acne scarring are scattered about your shoulders, and to top it all off, the Band-Aid sticks out like a sore thumb on your chin when you dare to glance up at your face. You quickly avert them once more, only to find that your eyes have glued onto Hunter like a magnet—captivated and unable to look away.

He quickly discards your panties and lets them land with a soft thump against the floor, dropping to his knees between your parted thighs. He stares up at you, his eyes darkened, guiding one of your ankles to drape over his broad shoulder, lips brushing a soft kiss against the curb of your knee.

“Aren’t we going to be late?” you ask breathlessly, suddenly aware of the rush of activity, the sound drifting up through your still open downstairs window. “W-We should...”

His lips on yours silences the last of your protest, the warm, familiar weight of his toned chest lightly pressing you back down against the pillows. He pulls away, lightly tracing the outline of your lips with his thumb, his eyes soft.

“Don’t worry about it, mesh’la. That’s fine with me.”

He takes his time to kiss his way back down your body, having long since memorized each and every spot that makes you tick. His hands, meanwhile, are just as preoccupied. Slipping beneath the material of your dress, lightly rolling a nipple between thumb and forefinger. He gives it the slightest pinch and you squeak, the soft sound of his chuckle rumbling against your skin as he takes his time lavishing your stomach with attention, soft kisses with the occasional scrape of teeth. 

It feels good, you decide, despite this part of your body usually only being reserved for deep-rooted insecurity and discomfort, as your head tips back and you watch yourself shiver. It feels so, so good, and when his knees hit the floor once more, you think, finally, finally he’ll give you what you’ve actually been wanting.

To your disappointment, he doesn’t. 

“Look at you,” he whispers, his bandana knocked askew, loose pieces of long, dark hair falling to frame his face as he gazes up at you, eyes alight with that hunger he gets whenever he’s settled between your legs like this. Usually, this look is accompanied by eager, rough hands holding your thighs apart, his mouth no less demanding of every drop of your pleasure when he lowers it to taste you.

Tonight though, it’s different. 

Soft, delicate kisses go up each of your thighs accompanied by the less gentle, but still equally reverent drag of his fingernails. He slowly parts your labia, blowing a gentle stream of air against your clit just to watch you jolt. His tongue drags a torturous path from your entrance all the way up to your clit before immediately retreating, repeating the motion until you think you might go mad.

You’re panting, hips lifting and squirming in an effort to have him closer. 

“Hunter,” you get out through gritted teeth and he smirks. 

“Keep watching yourself,” is all he says in response as he slowly presses a finger against your entrance, feeling the slight resistance as he pushes it inside. 

You groan, and all you can do is comply, tilting your head back and watching as a flush slowly blossoms along your skin, your eyes silently pleading back at you in your reflection as he takes his time working you open.

“Gods, you’re beautiful,” he breathes, offering one soft, seductive kiss to your aching clit, the gasp falling from your lips an automatic response. “Say it,” he says, his voice a rough command, as he slowly coaxes a second finger to join the first, lightly curling them inside you. “Say it back to me, mesh’la, and I’ll give you everything you want.”

“Hunter, I, fuck,” your words are cut off by a soft yelp as the flat of his tongue lightly strokes, just grazing over your clit. Your hips tilt, chasing the touch even as he pulls away.

After a rather undignified sound falls from your lips, your head tips back and you find yourself once more in the glass of the mirror. You see your flushed, eager, and trembling reflection with all of its prior imperfections but also every single nerve alight with desire, want, and need coalescing and casting you in a soft glow as you lie atop the pillows. 

You think, just for a second, that you could begin to understand what it is to look at you, and see yourself the way that Hunter has always seen you, regardless of how much you’ve changed. 

“I, I’m beautiful,” you say, your voice wavering and tremulous.

“That’s right, pretty girl,” Hunter croons, his voice husky and warm with approval. “So fuckin’ beautiful.”

And then he stops holding back as he eagerly buries his face between your thighs, his lips and tongue against your pussy working with the skilled familiarity of someone who knows how to get you exactly where you’ve been craving to go.

He steadily continues to thrust his fingers, working in tandem with the light swirls and caresses of his tongue, letting out a low, satisfied groan when he gently takes you between his lips and begins to suck.

“Hunter...Hunter, Hunter,” seems to be the only thing you have the ability to say, trying to summon more, but failing miserably because the curl of his fingers so easily presses against that spot inside you, his mouth warm and wet and so, so good that you can’t help but reach down to tangle your fingers in his hair, weaving them through long, dark strands to press him closer against you.

Not that he seems to mind in the slightest. In fact, looking down at his face, his eyes are closed with contentment, savoring the intimacy, even as he ruthlessly brings you to the edge of release. 

You don’t know how he does it, but somehow he just knows the exact moment before you get there, when you’re precariously teetering on a narrow precipice and all it takes is his eyes to open, holding eye contact with you and the firm, steady pressure of his tongue drawing circles against your clit for you to be sent hurtling, quick as a flash, right over the edge of the cliff.

Your hips lift off the bed and you arch into him, fingers none too gently twisting in his hair as you shudder, a high-pitched, gasped noise of pleasure falling from your lips as you come. 

Hunter watches, his own expression both dazed and pleased, his eyes heavy-lidded as he works you through your orgasm, feeling as your walls lightly flutter around his fingers, his own soft hum of approval escaping him in response to your evident pleasure.

Only once you’ve completely relaxed, your body softening against the pillows does he retreat, crawling back up the bed and leaning over you, lightly caging you in. He drops his forehead to gently press against yours, feeling the rise and fall of your chest, the intermingled breathing that brushes against his parted lips. He tucks a strand of hair away from your face, and in his mind, shaking and flushed with exhilaration as you are right now, you’ve never looked more tempting.

“I, I think we’re going to be more than a little bit late,” you say, your voice a breathless laugh.

You don’t make a move to get up, and Hunter grins, his eyes darkened as they hold onto yours.

“Like I said,  mesh’la,” he breathes, and you can feel the clothed outline of him, his hard cock pressing against you as he gives his hips a slow, suggestive roll.

He lowers his head, pressing his lips against yours and you gasp, shuddering with newfound excitement and desire when you catch the taste of your own arousal still present and lingering on his parted lips. He grinds against you once more, slow and wanting and letting you feel his desire, his need for you as he whispers, his lips brushing against the shell of your ear.

“That’s completely fine with me.”

•Thank you to @freesia-writes and @snotbuggle for these absolutely delicious dividers 🤤

•If you enjoyed this work, kindly consider dropping a reblog and/or comment. They are all very appreciated

[feralferrule]

Saturday’s Child Chapter 4

Main pairing: Echo/f!OC, Althea

Word count: 6150-ish

Fic overview: Bad Batch modern AU. Echo/OC this is part of the Hunter and the Librarian universe by @clonethirstingisreal in which the Batch brothers live together, raising Omega.

OC Althea is a university student with a medical delivery job. Echo is a combat veteran who volunteers at the VA hospital where they meet.

Tulip is @substantial-exposure ‘s OC

Warnings: things are heating up, this chapter has swearing, physical violence, angst, tooth rotting fluff, suggestive language including mention of poly relationships, strategic performative gender roll play, kissing and sexual arousal.

This is neither well-edited nor beta read🙌

🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

“Go go go go! Awwww!” Wrecker’s disappointment lingered on a groan as a shrill whistle blew and the sportscasters chatted over a replay on the screen.

Echo didn’t really see the play. Althea’s lips had pursed plushly around the edge of her drink. Her head tilted back a little as her throat worked a swallow down and her hair shifted around her face. The kitchen timer beeped. Echo refocused his attention from his peripheral vision to the floor as he braced his hand on the arm of the couch to do the maneuver to lean forward and stand as smoothly as possible.

“I’ll go check the potatoes,” Althea said, as she hopped up and glided out of the room. Her long cardigan waving behind her and exposing more of her figure that was hugged by her dress and leggings. A round of groans erupted from the other side of the seating area as a player fumbled the ball in the game.

“She was looking at you,” Jesse leaned over to say to Echo. Echo looked from Althea to him and then at Kix who was also not paying attention to the game. “So which of you’s going back there with her?”

“I’ll go see if she needs help,” said Kix.

“Leave her alone, Kix,” Echo grumbled around Jesse, “looks like the girls are going back with her anyway.”

Tulip was standing, “Wren let’s go help Althea,” she said with a wink and nodded her head toward the kitchen. Wren nodded back and they left.

“You calling dibs, Echo?” Kix asked, leaning over the back of Jesse’s shoulders.

“Why do you two keep saying that?”

“Cause you asked her out first,” said Jesse.

“We’re just trying to be fair,” Kix added, watching as Tech headed back to the kitchen.

“What makes you think she even wants any of us? That’s not why she’s here,” Echo gritted, also looking towards the kitchen.

“Well, she was talking to me and being real sweet,” Kix said, leaning back, one arm draped across the back of the couch, “and even made a pass at me when I saw her at the hospital.”

“She’s nice to everyone, Kix. What you think was a pass was just her being polite,” Echo huffed, rolling his eyes. Jesse chuckled.

Tech returned from the kitchen with plate of chips.

“Aw come on!” Wrecker boomed at the tv.

Ha!” Jesse pointed at the screen with his hand with the beer, “that’s right cause your team’s a bunch of cheaters.”

“What’s going on in there, Tech?” Kix asked.

Tech paused his bite of a chip. “They are talking but didn’t seem to want to include me- Tulip in particular.” He said with some bitterness. Crosshair smirked.

“Don’t cross her path, Tech!” Wrecker laughed.

Did Althea want you gone, too?” Jesse asked.

“No, she’s too nice- she even smil-“

“See?? She’s nice to everyone.” Echo said, “even when she doesn’t want to talk to them,”he added, looking right at Kix.

“Hey, what are you saying?” Kix asked with feigned innocence.

“He means she doesn’t actually like you,” Crosshair hissed.

“Don’t get cheeky Crosshair,” Jesse said.

“You two are going end up running her off and Echo won’t even get a chance.” Crosshair’s temper was rising.

“Yeah don’t ruin it for him,” Wrecker chimed in, still watching the game.

“That’s real funny coming from you,” Jesse said with a sneer.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Wrecker asked, fully facing him.

“You remember,” said Kix.

“Boys that was a long time ago-“ Hunter began to say.

“Ohhhh… Well I was all she needed wasn’t I?” Wrecker sassed, “and Echo’s all Althea needs.”

“Oh good grief here we go,” Echo sighed.

Kix set his beer on the side table and stood “What does that have to do with Althea?”

Hunter shifted a bit taller, sensing the increased hostility, “Little ears, fellas,” he said, glancing at Omega who had been pretending to watch the game.

Wrecker stood up, totally ignoring Hunter and facing Kix.

Jesse rose next to Kix, “Who are you to say what she needs?” He asked pointing a finger at Wrecker.

“She’s a nice person. I think Echo should have her.”

Echo shook his head and stood up to go stand between Wrecker and the other two. “Wrecker settle down, no one’s having anyone.”

“Speak for yourself, Ec,” Jesse said slyly. Echo rolled his eyes.

“Don’t you think Althea can decide for herself.” Tech said, setting his plate of chips down and pulling out his phone.

“These two think they’re calling the shots as usual,” Crosshair glared at Kix and Jesse.

“You’re just like you’ve always been, think you're better than us,” Kix said stepping toward Crosshair.

Hunter tapped Omega and motioned towards the kitchen. He stood between Wrecker and the others as Omega slipped away. “Guys settle down, before they come back in. This,” he emphasized, driving his finger toward the floor, “is a family event with Omega and the girls, don’t act like you're all back in basic.”

“I was going to say middle school,” Tech shot from where he was standing behind the couch he’d been sitting on and tapping on his phone.

“I think you two should keep going so she can hear you for herself,” Crosshair seethed at Kix.

“Hear what? You being a bitch, Cross?”

“Watch your mouth.”

“You’re out of line.”

“Take that back.”

“Make me!”

Crosshair squared up as Echo stepped next to Hunter between the other four. “Stand down!” Echo shouted, “we’re all family here and no one is better than anyone else.”

“Move aside, Echo.”

“Guys there’s a kid here.”

“You’ve changed.”

“Yeah, ya think?”

“Always with the chip on your shoulder.”

“You’ve always been a cunt,”

“Fuck you,”

“Yeah you wish,”

Someone’s fist flies past Echo’s peripheral and lands squarely on Wrecker’s jaw. “That’s it!”

“Settle down both of you!!” Hunter thundered.

“Boys this is not the time or place,” Echo growled as Wrecker shouldered around Hunter to grab Jesse by his shirt and lift him off the ground pushing into Kix who bumped into Crosshair and the two of them careened towards the tv, fists flying and collapsing on the floor, Kix pulled into a headlock. Echo stepped back and caught the tv from rocking off the stand as the lamp behind Jesse crashed to the floor.

🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

“What? What did they say??” Althea asked Omega, her eyes wide.

“Well I didn’t hear everything over the tv from where I was sitting, but when you came back to the kitchen, Jesse asked Echo and Kix who was going to follow you in.”

“That’s when I got up I brought Wren back with me,” Tulip added.

“So now Jesse and Wrecker are arguing which brother deserves her more and Crosshair is joining in.”

Tulip rolled her eyes.

“Oh no,” Althea worried, looking at Wren, “I do not have the social battery for this situation.”

Wren laughed out loud before she could stop herself. “Me either, and I’m not even involved,” she said.

“What are you going to do?” asked Omega.

“What was Echo doing?” Althea wondered.

“He got up between Wrecker and Jesse.”

“They’re up? Like on their feet?” asked Tulip.

“Yeah.”

Althea felt sick with a panicky combination of guilt and fear. If Echo got hurt…

Tulip narrowed her eyes at the back door. “We gotta nip this in the bud,” she said looking sidelong at Althea.

Althea sighed, looking at the hotdogs and noticing they needed to come off the grill onto a plate. She had an idea. “You’re right. lt’s because of me, I’ve got to fix this.” Taking the tongs from Tulip, she gathered the hotdogs onto the plate and turned off the grill. She looked over at Wren and noticed her color looked a little drained and she was hugging herself a bit. Althea looked at Omega and back at Wren. Tulip held the door for them as Althea carried the plate and tongs, and Omega held Wren’s hand. They all filed inside noticing how much louder it seemed with blaring commercials and several loud male voices all raised over eachother.

“You- chip- FUCK YOU- shoulder- cunt- always- did-THAT’S IT!”

“SETTLE DOWN!” Hunter’s voice rang out over it all as some loud thumps and bumps carried in with the voices.

“Maybe stay in here with Omega,” Althea said to Wren as Omega helped her to the table. Wren looked like Althea felt which made her feel even worse. She set the hotdogs down by the chili.

*Crash*

Althea and Tulip looked at each other. Althea took heart at the fire in Tulip’s eyes and set in her jaw. She knew these guys and didn’t seem afraid of any of them. Tulip led the way into the living room and surveyed the scene. Arms crossed, weight on one leg and the other foot tapping.

They all froze in turn and looked at Tulip. Wrecker holding Jesse by his shirt, Cross and Kix on the floor,

Echo holding the tv, Hunter pulling on Wrecker’s arm, and Tech by the front door, recording everything on his phone.

Althea appeared then from behind Tulip. While Tulip looked angry, lips pursed, running her tongue along her teeth, Althea looked distressed and shocked.

Wrecker dropped Jesse and Crosshair let go of Kix. Tech lowered his phone and Hunter turned to see who they were all looking at. Echo lowered his eyes, unable to bear the look on Althea’s face. Her eyes shimmered with threatening tears and she turned around and went back to the kitchen. Tulip watched her go for a second before she rounded back on them with a fury. “Nice job assholes,” she hissed at the room before stomping out.

They all looked over and up at Echo. “You all happy with yourselves now?” He gritted out. Kix and Crosshair glanced at each other. Kix shook him off and stood up.

“Now if you are all done I suggest you go in there and apologize to the girls,” Hunter said in a dangerous tone as Crosshair stood up next to Kix, making a point of not looking at him. Jesse rubbed his neck and Wrecker rubbed his hand that had been twisted in Jesse’s shirt. They looked at eachother from where they hung their heads.

“You got a smoke?” Echo asked Crosshair, only to make a face as he was offered a clove. “Never mind.”

“You quit anyway.”

🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

Should I just leave? No. No I have to do something first, Althea reasoned with herself as she ducked into the kitchen. Wren looked at her sympathetically from where she sat with Omega. “Are you ok?” Althea asked.

“I’ll be alright, I just need to sit a minute,” Wren said, taking a deep breath. “But how are you doing? What’s going on out there?”

Althea glanced at Omega, “They were definitely having disagreements- but it looked like Hunter and Echo were trying to stop the others and Tech had moved out of the way to video it. I’m… so sorry about this, I’ll try to fix it before I go.”

“Are you doing alright?” Tulip asked as she appeared and hovered over Wren, soothing her back.

“Yeah I’ll be fine,” Wren smiled, “Thanks for handling things in there.”

Althea picked up a plate from the counter. “Omega, I have an idea, but I need your help, what does Echo like?” Omega caught on to the idea with a big smile and helped Althea plate up what Echo liked from all the food they had laid out.

Tulip looked over at Althea and Omega curiously. Althea noticed and said, “This might be old fashioned but I think it’s the best way to handle things at this point.”

“Are you only making a plate for Echo?” Omega asked in a whisper.

“Yep,” Althea said, emphasizing the ‘p’. “Now, can you please go tell the guys food’s ready?” She moved to stand out of everyone’s way.

Omega skipped out of the kitchen feeling very conspiratorial, “Guys! food’s ready!” she hollered then skipped back in and gave the thumbs up sign at Althea. Wrecker, Jesse, Kix, all looking sheepish and patting each other’s backs, filed in. Tech, Hunter and Crosshair followed. Hunter went straight over to Wren as the others clamored around the food.

“Boys.” Echo’s deep warning sounded out through the room. He folded his arms and looked at them all, his eyes stern under the brim of his knit hat. Everything came to a halt and they turned to face Althea, Wren, Tulip and Omega.

“I- we are sorry, for being idiots,” Wrecker said, rubbing the back of his neck.

“and upsetting you,” said Kix, looking at Althea and then at his feet.

“Yeah, sorry, ladies.” Jesse said.

They all looked at Crosshair. He glowered till he caught Tulip’s eye and mumbled a sorry, flicking his eyes up at Althea briefly. Tulip went over to him and he wrapped his arms around her and murmured something in her ear. She gave him a playful swat and whispered something back to him.

“Thank you, everyone,” Althea said softly, letting her eyes linger on Echo. His scowl softened as he noticed her admiring his commanding posture and energy.

“Let’s dig in! Looks like Althea got started already!” Wrecker said.

Omega showed everyone the plates and forks as Althea intercepted Echo at the back of the queue. “I made you a plate, Echo,” she said, “Omega helped me with what you like.”

Echo looked astonished and reached for the plate, brushing fingertips with Althea. The guys all turned to look and exchanged glances. Hunter nodded at Echo and said something to Wren. “You didn’t have to do this,” Echo said, with a hint of a smile.

“Yeah, I did.” She slid her hands over his, both his prosthetic and flesh, and smiled sweetly, caressing the angles of his face with her eyes.

Breaking contact, she placed a fork on his plate for him and turned around to cut the brownies into squares and set them out on the table. She noticed Omega watching everyone’s reactions and gave her a wink. Jesse and Kix shrugged and sighed and went about piling their plates full of chili dogs. Echo set his plate on the table and sat down in one of the armed chairs. Jesse and Kix patted Echo on the shoulder as they passed him to go to the living room with Wrecker who turned and winked at Echo with a thumbs up.

“See, I knew Allie would pick-“

“Drop it Tech,” Hunter warned. Tech gave him a weak salute and joined the others leaving for the living room.

Tulip rummaged in the freezer and pulled out a bag of frozen peas. She and Crosshair sat at the table and she pressed the bag to his blooming black eye. Althea faced the table, “I’m really sorry you guys, I don't want to cause problems with your family.”

“You didn’t cause this, these guys have beef going way back,” Echo grumbled, “this crew can be hot headed.”

“It’s not your fault,” Hunter implored, “I’m sorry your first impression of us is this way.” He added glaring at Crosshair.

“They had it coming,” Crosshair seethed. Hunter sighed and shook his head.

Althea smiled weakly, but was reflecting on problems in her previous relationship. She wanted to stay but felt that she ought to leave. Echo and the others watched her grow quiet and withdrawn.

It started to rain hard. A gust of wind slammed the screen door closed outside, snapping Althea out of her reverie. “Oh I’ll go cover the grill,” she said.

She ducked outside, found and struggled with the grill cover in the pelting rain, soaked and chilled and crying. She should have left as soon as she felt the tension. Now the brothers or cousins whatever they were- their family- were having problems. She was trouble. It was a refrain her mind spun and spun.

“Althea,” a deep, warm voice and presence was behind her. She felt the rain stop hitting her and heard it patter on an umbrella. She turned around. Echo was so close. She felt his warmth as he handed her the umbrella and took the grill cover. He quickly fit it over the grill as she held the umbrella over him. He turned back to her and reached for the umbrella again. As the porch light illuminated her face he noticed she had been crying. She saw him notice and cast her eyes down, chin trembling. He drew her into his arms. “You did nothing wrong, I’m so sorry, Althea.”

She nuzzled into his shoulder and took a big shuddering breath. She wrapped her free arm around him under his. Clinging to him she felt his strong, broad back and shoulders through his hoodie jacket. He smelled like soap and fabric softener, and man.

“I should go.”

“Please stay,” he said into her hair, breathing in the scent of her shampoo, desperately hoping she wouldn't run off already. He tried to hold her gently and not squeeze her fast like he wanted to.

The feeling of his warm breath on the shell of her ear gave her butterflies. She looked up at him, a breath away. His golden hazel eyes were intense like a cat’s but warm and soft and caring. And they burned with want. Althea looked between them and to his lips then back up to his eyes.

He was doing the same, her mouth was so close.

She closed her eyes and nuzzled his nose, her lips barely a whisper away from his, letting him take the next step.

His mouth was on hers, pressing a soft yet firm kiss to her lips and pressing the umbrella handle between their bodies. She felt warmth bloom inside her and let go of the umbrella to wrap that arm around him. She melted into him as the umbrella shifted and settled on their heads. He cradled her head, his fingers in her hair. She pressed her body flush against his, pulling him to her. He wrapped his prosthetic arm around her lower back and squeezed her to him. She squeaked, surprised at his strength with that arm and parted her lips to take a breath and ran her tongue along his lower lip, inviting him to deepen the kissing. He met her tongue with his and she opened her mouth more, angling her head for him. He dove inside her mouth caressing her tongue with his, tilting his head to the other side and holding her face and jaw and threading his fingers back through her hair. Her heart felt like it wanted to fly away and she tried catching it with her breath. She made little sighs into his mouth which drove him wild with desire and he hummed lowly as he kissed her more ravenously.

“Echo?”

They both froze against each other’s mouths. The door cracked open. “Jesse and Kix are leaving. Oh.” Hunter stopped short as he noticed how closely they were standing, their heads covered by the umbrella but their arms clearly around each other.

“Bye Echo!” Jesse said from further in the house.

“Heeeeyyyy. Althea, if it doesn’t work out with Echo you know how to find us.” Kix said from the doorway.

Echo kept their lips together as he reached back and closed the door on the three of them. Althea smiled against his lips and nuzzled his nose.

“Find -us?” Althea asked between kisses.

He sighed and considered his words, “They like.. to share their women.”

Althea's eyes widened with surprise and then realization that they’d been dropping hints to that the whole time. He seemed a little uncomfortable with the subject so she didn’t ask about what that meant exactly. She kissed him back along his jaw which was prickly with stubble. “You mean I passed up a two for one deal?” She teased kissing just under his ear, making him shiver.

“And picked my shrinkflated dented can ass.” He said as he nuzzled her ear back.

“Oh I think I got the better buy,” she said, pulling back to look him in the eyes.

He smirked, “you don’t strike me as that cheap.” A flicker of sadness dimmed his eyes briefly as he caressed her cheek.

“Oh you’re right,” she said, looking at him through her eyelashes, “I have very good taste- for kindness,” she gave him little kisses to punctuate each word, “intelligence, respectability, integrity, bravery, sexiness,” she smiled into the last kiss. “You’re the package deal.”

Not believing his wildest dream luck, he kissed her face back to her ear heading for her neck.

“What about you? Is sharing a family tradition?” she teased, figuring she already knew his answer.

He practically growled, squeezing her firmly with his arm, flexing his fingers in her hair, sucking and raking his teeth under her ear, making her keen. “I’m selfish.”

She shiverd, as much from arousal as from the cold. “You're, oh!,” her breath hitched as he moved lower down her neck, “you’re warm.”

It started to rain harder and he felt her shivering more. As he grasped the umbrella and guided her to the door they heard car doors and an engine start. He left the umbrella at the door and brought her to sit at the table then went out to the living room. “Wrecker throw me that blanket,” Echo pointed at the throw blanket draped over the back of the chair he was sitting in. Wrecker pulled it out from behind him and threw it to Echo.

Althea felt a warm, fluffy soft blanket wrap around her.

Echo squeezed her arm and pulled away. She heard him rummaging, boiling water, pouring, stirring.

He brought her a very aromatic steaming mug just as she sneezed. “It’s a gingery chai tea. I hope that’s ok.” He handed her a tissue.

“Oh thank you, I love spicy teas.”

“It makes me feel warmer when I’m cold.” He sat down, straddling her, his arm around her shoulder.

“Thank you Echo,” she said, resting her head on his shoulder. “Echo?”

“Yeah?”

She shivered and he pulled the blanket up on her more as she cuddled into him closer. “I just like saying your name.”

He nuzzled her hair, “I like hearing you say it. Thea, can I call you that? You don’t seem like an Allie to me.”

She smiled, “Yeah I like that.”

“Thea, I’m sorry about tonight, my family is a lot and it wasn’t fair to you to be piled on and Tech shouldn’t have”-

“No don’t spin it that way, this was probably the only way that the forces that be could have gotten us together.”

“Are we together, I mean do you really want that?”

“Mm hmm,” she hummed, looking at his eyes that were so hopeful it made her heart ache, “I want that- want you.”

He let out a breath he had been holding, his heart soared.

She pulled out her phone. “I was going to send you this later,” she said as she pulled up their text conversation and tapped on the unsent photo. “I put the card you gave me on my dresser with all of my special things. I never thought I’d be able to get to this point with anyone again and the more I ran into you at work the more- I’ve wanted to kiss you all weekend.”

“I’ve wanted to kiss you a lot longer than that.”

“Oh?” She looked up at him.

“I noticed you the first day you started.”

“Really? I was so lost,” she giggled.

“You seemed like you knew what you were doing.”

“Thanks I guess I played that off pretty good.” She sat up quickly and ducked away from him to sneeze.

She sipped her tea as he kissed her temple. He got up and brought her the box of tissues.

“Thanks, Echo, can I use your bathroom?”

“Of course, it’s right through there,” he said pointing to a little hallway next to the stairs.She grabbed her bag and slipped into the bathroom.

He sat there using the moment to process the events of the last hour or so. “Hey, how’s everything?” Hunter asked as he went over to the fridge and grabbed a soda.

“I think ok- Better than ok, really.”

“That’s great, brother,” Hunter said, “make any plans yet?”

“No, I’ve got to come up with something.”

Hunter pats his shoulder, “Let us know if we can help.”

“Thanks, man,” Echo said, feeling deeply grateful for the offer. He hadn’t dated since getting blown up in the war and was starting to spin up thoughts of not being able to be who he thought Althea deserved.

Hunter noticed him get a little sullen, “Hey come watch halftime, you and Althea can sit together.” Echo nodded and they went out to the living room.

“You’re welcome,” Crosshair deadpanned.

“For what?” Echo asked, annoyed.

“I told those two idiots to leave.”

“Oh I was wondering why they left.”

“Kix had a shift coming up and Jesse had to drop him off before they had anything more to drink,” Tech clarified.

“Well I did tell them to leave, anyway,” Crosshair grumped.

“Where’s Althea?” asked Wren

“In the bathroom,” Hunter said as he sat next to her, taking her hand. Wren rested her head on his shoulder. “Do you need to lie down?” Hunter asked.

“I thought about doing that earlier, but I’m ok now,” she said.

Echo kept glancing toward the kitchen and bathroom and started fidgeting. He couldn’t help but wonder if Althea was alright. Wren noticed him and could tell he was agitated. As the minutes ticked by and several commercials played Wren found herself trying harder to pay attention to the tv. She got up and walked over to the bathroom door. Tulip followed.

Washing her hands, Althea looked in the mirror and got a makeup wipe out of her bag and cleaned the little bit of bleary eye makeup off her lower eyelids. She applied fresh mascara and some bb cream to camouflage the splotchy mess from crying. She then added some more tinted lipgloss that tasted like vanilla and honey. She ran a mini brush through her damp hair and decided that was good enough. Her reflection still reminded her of a pathetic wet cat.

There was a knock at the door. “Hey, sorry to bother, but are you alright?” Wren’s voice sounded muffled through the door.

Althea opened the door to see both Tulip and Wren. “Yeah I’m better now, sorry to hog the bathroom. Sorry for all the drama.”

“Oh it’s alright we just wanted to check on you, not use the bathroom, there’s another upstairs, anyway,” Wren assured her.

“Totally not your fault, those jerks really did have that coming.” Tulip softened her frown and reached out and gave Althea’s hand a squeeze.

“You’ll be ok,” said Wren, “all the guys here totally support you and Echo. He will take good care of your heart. come out and sit with us. Did you get any food?”

“I really didn’t intend to stay this long and need to get home,” Althea worried.

“At least watch halftime with us, I’m sure it will be as awful as every other Super Bowl,” said Tulip.

Althea laughed, “Ok, just halftime should be ok.” They walked out toward the kitchen where Wrecker, Omega and Tech were hovering over the brownies.

“You brought the brownies?” Wrecker said to Althea, “Aw they’re so good, thanks!”

“Yes, they are rather good,” said Tech.

“Fankooo,” Omega said through a mouthful. They each grabbed another.

“You are welcome,” Althea cheered, “and thank you for having me over.”

Are you leaving?” asked Wrecker, noticing she was holding her purse.

“Not yet,” she said, hanging her bag on the back of a chair. I’ll stay through halftime, but I have so much homework to finish.”

“Oh I’m glad I don’t have homework anymore, don't miss that at all!” Wrecker declared.

“Would you like something to eat?” Wren asked.

“Thank you, but I'll just finish my drink, I think, I’m too all over the place to think about eating.”

“I totally get that,” Wren said.

Echo was sitting on one end of the larger main couch and Hunter on the other. Wren sat next to Hunter and Omega sat next to her in the middle. Althea came around and smiled at Echo who leaned forward and stood, offering her his seat at the end. Omega started to pout. “Thank you, Echo, I’ll sit right here so I’m next to you and Omega, I think.”

Omega beamed as Althea sat by her and Echo lowered himself back down. It was a cozy fit and Echo’s broad shoulder bumped against Althea’s. She wanted to really snuggle up to him, but didn’t want to get too intimate with Omega right there and everyone else around. She found his hand and rested hers on it.

“Well, well, well, look at that. The matchmaker in all her glory between her handiwork.” Crosshair said as Tulip squeezed next to him on the oversized chair he was in. Omega got a big grin on her face. Hunter reached behind Wren to pat and ruffle Omega’s hair.

“Oh?” Althea looked over at Wren.

Wren blushed, “Well, she really worked hard on us,” she said, squeezing Hunter’s hand.

Tech cleared his throat where he was stretched out on the garage couch, “Ahem.”

“Oh sorry Tech,” said Omega, “I guess you did help,” she teased.

Tech scoffed in mock offense.

Althea patted Omega's hand and they giggled together. Then, looking over at Echo, and loosing herself in his eyes, she threaded their fingers together. “Thank you, Tech,” she said without looking away.

“Get a room,” Crosshair scoffed. Tulip elbowed him in the ribs and he grinned devilishly, tickling her back and making her squeal.

Althea raised an eyebrow at that suggestion and parted her lips in a tiny smile, still looking at Echo, feeling her heartbeat a little faster. She noticed his eyes dilate a little before a look of fear flashed on his face and he looked down at his legs. Althea squeezed his hand and tilted her head till he looked back up at her. She leaned over to whisper in his ear, “As much as I like your family, I’d really like to be alone with you.” She punctuated that with a tiny kiss on his jaw.

“What is this music?”

“Who is this?”

“I like their outfits.”

“Of course you do, Wrecker.”

“You know you do, too.”

“Do you know who this is?”

“Yeah, they’re pretty cool.”

Echo and Althea tore their eyes from each other to see what everyone was talking about. Althea was familiar with the singer, Echo seemed to find it interesting, but neither of them found it better than just being next to each other. Althea was feeling increasingly tired, and felt a tickle in her throat. She felt a sneeze coming on and lept up and managed to step away and pull out a tissue that she had stowed in her dress pocket before sneezing.

“I may have caught a cold outside. I’d better get going.”

“Awww,” Omega protested, “Can’t you stay for the whole game?”

“I’m sorry sweetie, I promise I’ll be back another time.”

Echo stood and put his hand on the small of her back. “Are you ok to drive, one of us can take you home if you need and another can drive your car.”

“I’m fine to drive but want to get home before I feel any worse,” she replied.

“Please eat something at least,” he said.

“I’ll take some with me I think,” she said as he steered her to the kitchen with concern on his face.

He pulled a plastic food container out of a cabinet. “Your’re going to have to help me with what you like this time,” he said. “Oh I like everything except that liquid nacho cheese stuff- I’ll eat it but not when there’s everything else.”

“Do you want a hotdog, baked potato or both?”

“I think half a baked potato, they’re so big.”

He filled the container and snapped its lid on as she grabbed her bag. He handed her the container and she nestled it in her bag so it wouldn’t tip over. They walked to the front and Echo pulled her coat and umbrella out of the front closet where Tech stowed it. He helped her put it on and she turned around to say goodbye to everyone just as Omega threw her arms around her. “Thank you for coming over, I’m so glad you picked Echo.”

“Omega-“ Hunter began.

Althea held up her hand, “It’s ok Hunter,” she said with a small laugh and knelt down to give Omega a proper hug. “I am so happy that I get you in my life along with Echo. I feel very lucky.” Omega squeezed her harder and let go, stepping back and wiping her eye with her sleeve. Althea stood back up, “ Good bye, everyone, see you soon hopefully. Thank you, ladies,” she added, looking at Wren and Tulip.

Everyone said their goodbyes and Althea shuffled out the front door with Echo close behind. The door closed and Althea turned to Echo, “I wish I could stay longer. I really like spending time with you and I always seem to have to run.”

“Do you have any free time this week?” He cozied up to her and held her around her waist.

“I should on Tuesday after class.”

“We can meet for that coffee..”

She smiled, “It’s a date.” She slid her arms around him. He squeezed her, his hand caressing her back, resting his forehead to hers.

“Text me when you’re home safe?” he said.

“Ok.” She closed her eyes and nuzzled him with her smaller nose.

They hesitated, both not wanting to tear apart from the other and knowing kissing now would make it so much harder. He kissed her, anyway. She leaned into it and playfully bit his lower lip. “Ayee!” she squeaked out as he hummed almost a growl, spun her around and pressed her against the side of the house, crashing his mouth against hers, knocking teeth. His hand threaded through her hair. He felt possessive but restrained. For a split second she felt his arousal press into her hip before he backed off of her, his kiss ending with a trail of nibbles and pecks along her jaw.

She panted, not having expected him to maneuver her around like that, and wanting to feel all of him again, “I have to go for real.”

“Ok so go,” he said against the spot he’d found under her ear that made her quiver.

“You aren’t making this any easier,” she said with a gasp as he grazed that spot with teeth and tongue.

“I know.” He pulled back with a smirk and pressed a chaste kiss to her lips still holding her around her waist.

“Echo?” said a voice from out on the sidewalk. They both turned to see who it was and saw a man in a wheelchair by the driveway.

“Hey, Trace.”

“I don't mean to interrupt- who-“ he squinted in the evening gloom.

“You remember Althea?”

“Ohhh Althea, hi! You came?”

“Maybe soon,” she whispered in Echo’s ear, catching his eye with a minxy little smile. She could feel his hand grip into her waist as he turned a shade pinker. “Hi, Trace, I was just leaving.”

“Go ahead to the back, Trace, I’ll meet you inside,” Echo called over to him, “help yourself to any food.”

“Ok thanks, man. Bye, Althea.” He wheeled up the driveway and out of sight.

“Bye Trace,” Althea called and looked back at Echo.

“Definitely soon,” she blinked at him, enjoying how flustered he seemed. His prominent adams apple bobbed as he swallowed. He gripped her harder and was about to say something, but she ducked her head into her coat to sneeze and fished another tissue from her pocket. “Oh I’m so sorry, I don't want to get you sick, too,” she sniffled.

“Then we’d just have to recover together,” he smiled, tucking the hair in her face behind her ear.

“I’d better actually go,” she said sadly.

“Drive safe, Thea.”

She huffed a sigh and walked away from him. Then skittered back to him, held his face and kissed him quickly, turned and trotted through the puddles to her car before she let herself get caught up any longer. He did have a new guest inside and she imagined Trace was wanting to hear all about everything.

🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

Trace munched on chips at the table and listened to Omega account all the details of her observations of Althea’s visit. He and Echo exchanged looks when she got to parts she didn’t really have the whole story on. Echo’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He fished it out and saw the text notification from Althea. He opened the message which included a picture of some papers and a laptop with something like chemistry and math calculations:

Wish I was with you

Me too, don’t stay up too late

*He sent a picture of the empty brownie pan

Glad I got one

😮 wow they really liked them

The chili is delicious, pass my compliments on to Hunter

👍will do

Ok gotta focus

Good night

Good night 💋

🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

Notes: if you are confused about the extended batch family it’s ok, so is Althea. The modern AU here is inspired by the ideas of Modern Batch AU and Modern Fives AU stories by kaydear (Illyria_Lives) on AO3 by way of the Hunter and the Librarian. (Can’t get the links to work) They are really good, highly recommend. So Jango is their dad and he was a sperm donor so there’s alot of siblings out there, and, well, it gets complex. I’m putting a slightly different spin on the background.

Tag list (let me know if you’d like to be added😊):

@adamime @substantial-exposure @clonethirstingisreal @crosshairs-dumb-pimp-gf @transactivecybermemory @griffedeloup @returnofthepineapple

[dystopicjumpsuit]

hey hey hey, for the first kiss prompts-

the uncontrollable smile they break into either after or during the kiss itself with... Jesse!

happy writing <3

Thank you for the request @multi-fan-dom-madness! I got a flash of inspiration during the thotting hours, so I bring a Thanksgiving present for you. (That's totally how Thanksgiving works, right?)

A/N: Happy Thanksgiving to my American readers! May your turkey be as juicy as Jesse’s thighs.

Pairing: Jesse x Reader (GN)

Rating: T but MDNI as always

Wordcount: 720

Warnings and tags: Fluff, banter, kisses

Summary: Jesse performs "emergency field medicine."

Suggested Listening:

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There’s an ARC trooper in your office. He has his back to you as he inspects your shelves full of plants, holoframes, curios, and even a few actual paper books. You don’t recognize the kama, so he’s not one of yours—though you have no doubt that the Jedi generals would lecture you for getting attached to the troopers that way. 

Good thing I’m not a Jedi.

Whoever he is, he’s a big kriffing dude. ARC troopers always look extra imposing thanks to the pauldrons, but damn, this one must have needed custom armor to accommodate those muscles. His helmet is off, and all you can see is the back of his shaved head.

“Hello,” you say. “Can I help you with something?”

Translation: Who are you, and what the kark are you doing in my office?

He turns, and you catch a glimpse of a large Republic cog tattoo.

“Jesse?!” you exclaim, rushing across the office to fling your arms around him. 

He doesn’t even stagger a little bit as you collide with him, just wraps his arms around you in a tight hug. Impulsively, you press your lips to his cheek.

“When did you get back?” you demand.

He beams at you with a smile that’s too brilliant to be contained. “About ten minutes ago. Came straight here.”

“And I was stuck in a meeting,” you say with disgust, drawing a laugh from him. 

“I haven’t been waitin’ long,” he replies.

“Well, I’ve been waiting for you forever!” you exclaim. “How long is ARC training, anyway?”

An odd expression flickers over his face, and he hesitates before he replies, “I’m not actually allowed to say. Sorry.”

“That’s all right; I’m just happy to have you back,” you grin as you lean back to admire his new armor. “Look at you, Mr. ARC Trooper! You look great.”

“That’s ‘Lieutenant ARC Trooper,’” he says with a tiny smirk.

“You got promoted? Jesse, that’s amazing!”

“Yeah, I didn’t think I’d ever make it past sergeant, either,” he jokes.

“That’s not what I meant,” you laugh, slapping his chest and immediately regretting it when your knuckles collide with the hard plastoid armor. "Ouch!"

“How was that?” he asks.

“2/10, do not recommend,” you reply, shaking your hand to ease the stinging.

“Let me see.” He takes your hand gently in his and holds it close to his face to inspect it. “I think it might be fatal.”

“Better get Kix in here before I keel over,” you say, trying to ignore the warmth of his fingers and the rough texture of his gloves on your skin.

“No time,” Jesse replies gravely. “I’ll have to perform emergency medical treatment.”

He kisses your knuckles softly, and your heart begins to hammer in your chest.

“Did they teach you that in ARC training, or did you pick it up from Kix?” you ask, trying to keep your tone light.

“It’s a top secret ARC procedure,” he replies. “Very advanced medicine. I doubt Kix has heard of it.”

“I’m so lucky you were here to kiss it better,” you say. “I’d hate to die of a scraped knuckle.”

“Funny story,” he says. “This procedure requires multiple rounds of treatment.”

Your breath stutters to a halt. “It does?”

“Mm-hmm,” he murmurs, pressing his lips to each of your knuckles individually. He grazes his thumb across them, and suddenly you forget all about the pain. 

“I think it’s working,” you say.

He raises his other hand to your face, stroking his thumb over your lips as his fingers caress your jaw.

“Better try one more thing, just to be safe,” he says as he leans close to you, his lips a breath away from your own.

“Yeah,” you whisper. “Just to be safe.”

His lips brush against yours softly, and it feels like the galaxy stops spinning around you, because you’re finally kissing Jesse, and it’s even better than you imagined, and his lips are kriffing perfect, and he tastes suspiciously like the candy that you keep in a bowl on your desk, and you never want it to end. Eventually, though, you have to come up for air, and he cups your cheek as you rest your forehead against his.

“You know,” he whispers, his breath warm against your skin, “I’ve been waiting for you forever, too.”

[dizzy-9906]

The Domino Family

Echo and Fives get to meet their pup... No wait two pups.

Beta-read by, @bogappreciation

Authors note: this is a non-traditional A/O/B AU. So please be aware.

He is uncomfortable, he knows their pup is coming today, but his mate is not here. He paces their quarters waiting until his other pups leave for their shifts, to go to Kix to make sure then to... His thoughts are cut off by one of his pups. 

"Buir, are you alright?" It's Tup who always asks this. He's in his armor and so is Dogma. 

It must be time for them to leave. He goes over and pulls them both in for a mirshmure'cya. "I'm alright," he murmurs, "Just focus on what you need to do, ok." He holds them there until he gets nods from them. Pulling back he says, "Ni kar'tayl gar darasuum ner ade."

They both hug him as they say. "Ni kar'tayl gar darasuum buir." Then they rush out. When they go he heads to his bed and sits for a minute.

Taking a deep breath he stands and slowly leaves their quarters. As he enters the medbay, Kix spots him and guides him to a private room. "There you are Echo." Kix notes, "I was about to head to your quarters." He states, "Tup and Dogma stopped by, worried about you." Echo just hums as he sits on the cot. "Echo, is everything alright?" 

"Yeah, just uncomfortable. I think the pup is coming," Echo murmurs.

Kix nods and guides him to lay down, so he can check. Echo tries to relax as Kix starts the exam, but as he starts, Echo pushes him away and sits up. "It's ok, Echo. I believe you're right. So, do you want to stay here in the medbay nest, since Fives is not here?" 

Echo whimpers for Fives, when Kix says his name. 

"It's ok." Kix rubs his back as he pulls him in for a hug. Gently Kix asks, "Or do you want to go back to your nest?"

Echo pants as he answers. "Here... Please... But can you..." Kix rubs his back. "Call Hunter and Tech."

Kix guides him to the nest in the medbay. "Of course, Echo. Anyone else?"

"Just you and Fives when he gets here," he says as he tries to settle in the nest. It is very comforting smelling his vod'e scents, especially Fives. He must have stopped by and rubbed his scent on a few things before he left.

Kix walks away, but stays in sight of Echo. While pulling off his gear he comms Hunter. "Is this Hunter?" 

Echo is unable to hear his reply. 

"Good, good. I need you and Tech to report to the medbay." He pauses for a few seconds. "Yes, it's Echo. Just you two he wants. Fives hasn't made it back yet, but he's due back soon. Get here soon." Then he hangs up. Then calls someone else. "Jesse, I need you to..." He stops talking as he walks over to Echo, who was trying to take his blacks off and helps. "Sorry I had to help Echo. Anyways I was saying I need you to look after Tup and Dogma at least until after late-meal." 

Echo can hear Jesse's reply this time. "Oh, I hope it goes quickly. Yes, of course I can keep an eye on the vod'ike. They were just asking me to help with some training the other day."

Before Kix can say anything Echo grabs his arm. "Vor entye, ori'vod."

"N'entye Eyayah. It's my pleasure as an ori'vod. Plus Tup was showing interest in sniper training and Dogma wanted some hand to hand. But I have to go, I will send Fives your way when I see him come in." With that he hangs up.

"Hand the pup to me before you do anything after cutting the cord," Echo tells him.

Kix smiles, nodding to Echo.

-----

Not long after that Kix is guiding in Hunter and Tech. Shortly after they get there he quickly delivers not one pup, but two pups. Kix hands both pups to Echo, helping him to get them to latch. Once they do, Kix guides Hunter and Tech out, softly saying, "He'll be here for a few hours before I let him out of here, and I'll be here till Fives gets here. Keep it on the down low for now." Echo nods at them when the two look at him.

After Kix gets him cleaned and settled there is a ding on Kix’s datapad. "I'll be right back, Echo." Echo just hums somewhat content to watch his pups. 

Just as he is thinking about Fives, the door opens to let in a worried, happy looking Fives. Fives pauses for just a second, then rushes in. Echo whines for him. Fives soothes him as soon as he has hands on him. "It's ok, Eyayah. I'm here, they're here. I'm safe."

"Fives you're safe, you're here," Echo whispers nuzzling into him. "Fives, they’re girls, twin girls,” he whispers as he pulls back to look at Fives. 

Fives was looking at the pups with so much love and wonder. "Of course they are. They are ours." 

That gets a wet laugh out of Echo. Fives kisses his face, being careful of the new pups. 

"Echo, rest please," Kix says softly. "I'll come back in a few hours, to check on you and the pups." Echo nods and snuggles Fives who had slipped in the nest while taking off the top half of his blacks. "Fives, make sure he gets some sleep, and I'll keep everyone out," Kix says as he walks out. 

"Echo, ner cyare." Fives nuzzles him. "Jesse, told me when I got in a little while ago. I would have come to you first, but I had to make my report to the Captain. Then Jesse wanted me to see Tup and Dogma. He said that they seemed worried about you,” he said, pulling Echo to his chest. "So, will you tell me?"

Echo hums. "I didn't mean to make them worry. I was just worried about you, and about them." He nods his head towards his new pups. "I have been unable to sleep well for a few days."

"Then why don't you sleep now? I'm here and they're here." He pulls one pup to him, setting her on his lap. After a minute he starts humming trying to get Echo asleep. After a few minutes Echo nods off.

-----

Fives keeps watch for Echo as he sleeps. But true to his word, Kix returns a few hours later. As he enters, Echo starts to stir. Fives focuses on waking Echo. "Echo, Kix is back." Fives gets a grumble from him. Chuckling, Fives gently nudges him. "Echo, he needs to look at you and the pups so we can go back to our room. To Tup and Dogma."

Echo hums as he says, "I'm still tired, but ok."

Kix thinks for a moment, then suggests, "How about I look at the pup Fives has?" Kix gently takes the pup and only takes a few minutes to look her over, then gives her back to Fives. He then holds his arms out for the pup Echo has. "Echo, may I look at her?" he asks when he doesn't hand her over. After a minute Echo hands her over. Kix gently takes her and looks her over as well, then hands her back to Echo.

"Now, Echo, can I check you? I just need a bit of blood and I need to check your bleeding." 

Echo nods and hands the pup to Fives, letting Kix do what he needs to. 

"Well, all three of you look good. I will let Rex know to put you on med leave for now. Any names picked out yet?" he says brightly.

Echo nods. "We had two picked out, because we couldn't decide on one and we had hoped that the right one would stand out. But I guess we don't have to."

He takes one pup, looking at her face then says, "Aman." Gently setting her on his lap, he takes the other pup from Fives. "Dinui."

Fives looks at his pups, studying their faces. Granted clones all look alike and any nat-born looking at them might just see the same face, but to a clone every vod looks different in some way. So when he looks at Aman, she has his eyes and nose, Echo's mouth and ears. When he looks at Dinui it's the opposite, his mouth and ears, Echo's eyes and nose. "Yes, Aman and Dinui," he says, touching each pup.

"Well, they are beautiful names. I'll put them down in our system," Kix announces as he pulls up their clone-only family system to input the names. "Now, I need to gather a few things for you. And I think Hunter dropped a few things off for the pups,” he adds, then walks out.

Fives kisses Echos temple. "Why don't I help get them latched, while we wait for Kix to come back, huh?" he asks Echo. 

Humming, Echo replies, "Yeah, that sounds good." Fives helps him get the one in his lap latched, then Fives gently moves the other one in his lap to Echos so she can latch. 

A while later Kix comes in with a box that is over full. Kix puts the box on the floor, gently pulling out a small flat box. He sees that they both have their hands full, so he opens the box for them and shows it to them. They both gasp when they look at the beautiful bracelets inside. 

Kix chuckles. "These are from Tech. He told me that he made them with the rocks on your guys first mission with them to help Echo with his prosthetics. He told me that you guys liked them." With a nod from them both he goes on, "He made them for the girls. The purple/blue one is for Aman, then the dark pink/blue one is for Dinui. He wanted to keep blue in there for you and the 501st." He gently closes the box up and leans over to wipe tears off Echo’s face. "There are also extensions in the box for when they grow."

Kix sets the box aside and pulls out two blankets, one dark pink/blue and one purple/blue. "Hunter and Wrecker both worked on them. Hunter the purple one and Wrecker the pink one." He put those next to the box of items he brought in. 

He then pulls out a datapad, which by the looks of it is Echo’s. "Yes, it's yours. No, they did not break in, Tech asked me if he could borrow it. So I had Jesse go get it for him." He turns it on and pulls up a sketch of Echo, and the girls. "Crosshair made it from the video Tech took with his goggles. Tech also uploaded them on here for you to watch Fives. Crosshair also said when you guys feel up to it, come to their quarters and he'll sketch all six of you." Kix smiles at them as he puts the pad down. 

He pulls out a shake, setting it aside so he can put the gifts back in the box. Kix notices that Echo was done feeding the pups, so he hands Echo the shake. "Drink up, Echo. When you are ready, you can leave and head back to your quarters. Tup and Dogma should be back there as well. Jesse said they didn't eat and just wanted to head back, he brought food for them and you guys."

Kix leaves so they can get dressed. "Echo, do you think you can carry both pups?" Fives asks softly. 

He hums and looks at the pups. "Yeah, I think so. But I want them hidden under a blanket. Maybe one of the ones you scented before you left." 

Fives grins at him. "Oh, so, you did notice. Did it help?" he asks shyly. Echo nods. "Good, I was hoping it would,” he says, nuzzling Echo’s neck. 

They get settled and head out, with Kix saying on the way out, "Expect me tomorrow morning for a check up, Echo. Get some sleep the both of you.”

@staycalmandhugaclone @bogappreciation @kybercrystals94 @hugmekenobi

[padawan-snack-packer]

[Giving friendship bracelets, Clones Edition]

As promised and since you loved the Jedi version of this, here are headcanons, Clones reacting to you giving them friendship bracelets!!! I'll have the mando reacs soon-ish (also a Bad Batch batch (badum tssss))!!

✨Note: This is just for fun, pure chaos, and maximum love for all our Clones faves! These headcanons are soft, silly, and based on vibes, not strict canon—consider this an intergalactic arts-and-crafts hour where feelings are allowed and glitter is the sixth form of lightsaber combat. 💫 Please imagine these with love and an alarming number of beads!

🌈REX He looks at you like you just handed him a thermal detonator. “...For me?” You nod. It’s blue, white and gold, and it has tiny beads spelling “CAP” with a little heart. He’s silent for a long time. Then he takes it, puts it on with deliberate care, and says gruffly, “I’ll wear it under the gauntlet. No one needs to know.” Everyone immediately finds out because he rolls up his sleeve constantly now like “oh, this? Battle damage. Weird.” Secretly touches it for luck before every mission.

🌈FIVES Loses his mind. Makes it his entire personality. Immediately yells, “ARE WE BEST FRIENDS NOW? IS THIS LEGALLY BINDING??” Insists on making you a matching one, except his is completely chaotic with mismatched beads and one that just says “SEXY.” Wears it proudly. Flashes it at everyone. Takes it off once—to punch a guy—and then apologizes to the bracelet.

🌈ECHO Tries to play it cool but his ears go pink. You give him one that says “ECHO” in simple white and black, with a tiny red bead in the middle. He says, “Thanks… it’s symmetrical.” He stares at it in his bunk for like an hour before finally putting it on and quietly adjusting it 34 times so it sits perfectly centered. Pretends to hate how Fives keeps cooing about it. Secretly loves it.

🌈JESSE “Oh HELL yeah.” You give him one with Republic colors and a bead shaped like a star. Immediately stacks it with the rest of his accessories. Starts calling it “my combat drip.” Takes it off once, sets it on the table, and FIVES STEALS IT. Jesse starts a manhunt. There is war.

🌈KIX “You MADE this? For ME??” Tears up. Literally. “I’ll treasure this until the end of my days. If I ever flatline, this is what you bury me in.” Somehow starts using it as a triage ID system: “Red bead means critical. Green bead means just dramatic.” Definitely adds a little vial of glitter to his medkit labeled “Friendship Power.”

🌈HARDCASE “You—YOU MADE THIS????? YOU ARE THE MOST TALENTED BEING IN THE GALAXY.” Hugs you so hard you hear your spine realign. Immediately loses it. Finds it two days later in the barrel of a Z-6 rotary blaster. Claims the gun “wanted to feel included.” Begins making you bracelets in return, except they’re made of spent casings and wires. You wear them all.

🌈TUP Soft boy. Cries immediately. You give him one with calming colors and a little moon charm. He wears it like it’s the most sacred object in the universe. Sits beside you silently later and makes one for Dogma. Doesn’t say anything. Just gives it to him and walks away.

🌈DOGMA You give him a black-and-red one that says “LAWFUL GRUMP.” He tries to refuse. “That’s not regulation.” You just say “I know,” and pat his arm. He sulks for three days—then shows up wearing it like nothing happened. Never takes it off again. If anyone comments on it, he just mutters “shut up” and turns red.

🌈WAXER & BOIL You give Waxer one that says “Nerra’s Dad 💖” with little pink and orange beads. He MELTS. Makes one for Numa the next day and sends it to her. Boil acts like he doesn’t care. “Ugh, bracelets? Seriously?” ...But he’s wearing his (“Grumpy 4 Life”) on his ankle, under his armor. You catch him adjusting it and he growls “It’s for circulation.”

🌈CODY Takes it like you handed him a mission report. “Thank you, soldier.” It’s warm golden tones and says “CODY BEAR.” You think he’s going to bin it. Next week, you notice it peeking out from under his glove. It’s neatly tucked, positioned perfectly. You say nothing. Neither does he. But one day, he saves your life, looks at you, and just quietly says, “Still wearing it.”

🌈WOLFFE “Absolutely not.” You hand it to him anyway. It’s gray, black, with a little angry wolf bead. He scoffs. “I don’t do jewelry.” Next day? He’s wearing it on his boot. Week later? It’s on his wrist. Month later? He’s made a second one for his armor and acts like it appeared from divine intervention.

🌈 BLY You give him one in yellow and deep gray, with a sun bead and the word “STEADFAST.” He just says, “...That’s me.” Real quiet. Wears it on his dominant wrist like it’s part of his armor now. One time a Separatist shot at you and he nearly vaporized the whole platform. Later says, “They looked at the bracelet. That was their first mistake.”

🌈 FOX You give him one with muted reds, armor-gray, and a tiny blaster charm. It says “TOO TIRED 4 THIS.” He just stares. Then sighs so deeply it echoes down a corridor. “…Fine.” Wears it like a badge of sarcasm. Won’t admit it makes him feel safe. Still growls at anyone who gets too close to you. You catch him staring at it once during a quiet moment. He notices, rolls his eyes, and says, “What? It’s regulation now.”

🌈 THORN “Ohhh, sweetheart, this is art.” It’s bright red and shiny gold with a heart bead. It says “BLASTER BABE.” You expect him to laugh. He poses. Wears it over the glove with full confidence. Points at it before every fight like it’s a battle chant. Adds a second one you didn’t make that says “BLASTER BAE.” He says it’s your matching pair. You are not safe from his wink arsenal.

🌈 BACARA You give him one that says “TANKMODE” in chunky dark beads and reinforced cord. He stares. Deadpan: “I will break it.” You just say, “You won’t.” He tries to prove you wrong. He does not. Wears it like a protective talisman now, like it’s the only thing between him and full obliteration mode. No one is allowed to touch it. Ever.

🌈 GREGOR You give him one made of like 4 materials because it felt right. It’s lopsided and wild and says “SPICY GREMLIN.” He laughs so hard he hiccups. “Aw, you do get me!” Kisses your forehead. Immediately makes 12 more, all progressively worse in design. Wears them stacked up to his elbow. Refers to them as his “war trophies of affection.”

🌈 THIRE You give him a clean, elegant black-red-gold one with “LOYAL AF” in tiny letter beads. He doesn’t smile—but his posture shifts. Just a little. He salutes with his wrist turned outward, so people see it. Keeps it pristine. Cleans it with his armor polish. One day whispers, “You ever need anything, just say it.” Doesn’t explain. Doesn’t need to.

🌈 JET You make him one in deep crimson, with one dramatic black bead. It says “COMMANDER DRAMA.” He is so offended. “How dare. I am not dramatic.” Two hours later he kicks down a medbay door screaming “WHERE IS THE ONE WHO INSULTED ME WITH FRIENDSHIP.” Still wears it. Poses in it. Refers to it as “my symbol of betrayal and love.”

🌈 NEYO You give him a clean gray and maroon bracelet that just says “NEYO.” He nods once. Says “Acceptable.” You think that’s the end of it. Three days later, he casually says, “The symmetry’s off. I remade it.” It’s now perfectly coded in morse to say “I trust you.” He will not elaborate.

🌈 COMET (Wolfpack) Bracelet is all navy and white with a bead shaped like a star. Says “COMET CRASH.” He screams. “OH THIS IS SICK—wait—is this foreshadowing??” Wears it anyway. Makes jokes like “This is my armor. This is my blaster. And this is my bracelet of fate.” 100% uses it as an icebreaker with every new recruit.

🌈 SINKER You give him one that says “SINK & SLAY” with fish beads. He sobs. “You remembered I like fish.” He names each bead. One is “Little Swimmy.” He won’t fight without it. He says it “balances his ocean soul.” Absolutely starts a trend in the Wolfpack where everyone gets marine-themed accessories.

🌈 BOOST You give him one that says “ZOOM ZOOM BABY” with yellow lightning beads. He says, “That’s a weird way to say ‘I love you,’ but okay.” Never takes it off. It’s fully faded by month two. Tries to make you one in return. It says “HOT STUFF” and somehow has a built-in whistle. He insists it’s “for emergencies.” (He is the emergency.)

🌈 WOLFPACK BONUS: Wolffe sees all these bracelets appearing and grumbles, “We’re not starting a trend.” Next week, he’s wearing three. “They were gifts,” he growls. No one questions it. They value their lives.

Anyway. The GAR is now the Friendship Bracelet Battalion and you are their beloved chaos commander. Congratulations. You have adopted +34324365464 emotionally stunted, genetically engineered war orphans!!!💕

[the-bi-space-ace]

A Quick Cuddle - Part 2 - Tech

Ao3 Link

Part 1 - Wrecker - Tumblr Link & Ao3 Link

Part 3 - Hunter - Tumblr Link & Ao3 Link

Part 4 - Crosshair - Tumblr Link & Ao3 Link

Summary: Echo hugs Tech for the first time.

Words: 1186

Part of leaving the 501st to join with Clone Force 99 was always going to involve a sense of longing. Walking away from Rex that day had been one of the hardest decisions of his life. Regret wasn’t the word he’d use. He didn’t regret choosing to leave with the batch. It was one of the things that allowed him to move forward with newness and embrace what had changed without expectation of who he used to be. Regardless, he couldn’t help the way he missed people at times. Rex, Kix, Jesse, even Cody - who he saw more often than anyone else - all held space in his heart and their absence left him melancholic. 

The downness had been worse that day. His new squad was good company most days but part of him truthfully wanted a good night surrounded by the broadness of the 501st, people he knew and trusted already. People that already knew him. It would shrink as time passed, that he knew, but that didn’t stop the ache as he entered the cockpit. 

The only one sitting up, as he expected, was Tech. Tech was a constant. A variable that refused to change. He liked what he liked, said what he meant, and not a single moment went by when Echo didn’t feel completely and utterly accepted by him. Like another part of himself he found through sheer will and chance. Tech made his thoughts quiet so he thought it best to steal away in the cockpit until the urge to cry passed. 

Tech was sitting in the pilot’s seat, a box of trinkets on the floor by his feet, and a screw driver held in his hand as he drilled away into a machine Echo didn’t recognize. A new scanner, perhaps, or a new invention altogether. Often Echo didn’t know what it was that Tech was working on, simple that he was. He took a seat in the empty chair, leaning back into it and staring at the blue of hyperspace as it sped past them. He’d always liked the way it moved, the way he could stare at it for hours and get lost in its glow. Beside him Tech rummaged through the box, pulling out an object with wires hanging out of its metallic body. He had to smile as Tech talked to himself, yanking out a wire before digging his tool into the empty socket. One day he’d hurt himself doing that then go right back to it again. 

“What’re you up to?” Echo seemed to interrupt his squadmate’s thoughts as Tech jerked his head up towards the voice. He blinked then shook his head, finally opening his mouth.

“I am attempting to repair a power cell meant for one of the Marauder’s engines.” He pushed his goggles back up onto his nose. “My ship needs an upgrade and I have been far too busy to finish it.” He screwed something into the socket then cranked it to the side, several metal pieces falling out that were then scooped into his palm. 

“Our ship, Tech.” Echo reminded, although he knew Tech wouldn’t hear him, not entirely. The entire reason he came to the cockpit was for distraction and now he’d set off a bomb. The man next to him rambled, falling into full detail of the upgrades needed and how he was accomplishing them. Several claims of ‘unseasoned mechanics’ and ‘superior design’ were made that Echo just shook his head at. Something about Tech’s voice always soothed him. This early on he wasn’t expecting to latch quite so fast but there was something about him that calmed the racing thoughts, quieted the anxiety that rested in his chest. The noise was appreciated. After Skako Echo found himself craving company, attention, more than he ever had before. The change hadn’t exactly been welcome, he’d always prided himself on a certain level of independence, but that had shifted along with many other things he was still growing comfortable with. If Fives were here he’d say Echo was always a ‘clinger’ but that was more about teasing him than anything else. 

“Oh,” Tech held up his finger and  stood, drawing Echo’s attention.. He fished through the box then pulled out a gray square pad. A cord hung from it with a box at one end, a finished edge creating a plush box with little divots evenly spaced throughout. “Battery powered heating pad. I know your back hurts often and I thought, since we can’t continue having the heavier pain medication on hand, this would assist with your sleep cycle.” Echo looked from the little pad to Tech. He remembered him complaining about his back? He remembered the aches and the pains that plagued Echo each time he laid in one spot for too long. Not only that but he’d gone out of his way to create something that he could use wherever they were. Maybe he shouldn’t have been so surprised but he couldn’t help it. The idea that he’d taken up some sort of space in Tech’s mind was… well… nice. It made a warm spot glow in his chest, bright and airy. A grin split his face before he could hide it. He stood to take it, turning it around in his hands to feel the fibers. The plush fabric felt nice against his skin, no scratchiness detected. 

“Thanks, Tech.” Echo shook his head, almost too overwhelmed to hide it. Words didn’t roll easily off of his tongue as his eyes started to sting. In an attempt to release the joy he felt he threw his arms around Tech’s neck, hugging him tightly. It felt like the right thing to do. The man seemed startled for a moment, rocking backwards then readjusting to account for Echo’s weight against him. 

“Oh, physical contact. I see. You’re one of those.” Tech’s statement didn’t sound judgey but Echo could see how he may have crossed a line. He’d jumped in a little too quickly, didn’t warn Tech, so he pulled away to put an arm’s length of space between them. And Tech was a words guy. He spoke, he listened, but he didn’t initiate anything physical with Echo yet. 

“I can let go if you want.” Echo started to drop his arms but Tech’s wound around his waist before he could step away, stepping forward to allow shared space again. 

“No, this is acceptable. Proceed.” Tech said as he burrowed his face into Echo’s neck. It was much snugglier than he anticipated, a prickling on his skin where Tech’s warm breath hit his neck. Regardless, a sigh of relief left Echo in a contented huff, hugging back just as tightly as he did the first time. 

Tech’s hugs were great. Perfectly snug enough to chase away whatever sadness he’d been feeling. It reminded him of the hugs Hevy used to give - very sweet and kind - but with a certain exactness that had him thinking Tech had somehow perfected hugs. Studied them, researched them. Something. Whatever it was, Echo wasn’t complaining. 

That warm spot in his chest grew as his previous melancholy drifted away.