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book-of-baba-fett · 9 months

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Illicit Affairs - Chapter 21

Captain Rex x OC

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Chapter Summary: The battle for Anaxes has reached its breaking point. As the Republic and Separatist forces face off, will Rex and Talia be able to get past their history or will the rising tension between them lead to further broken hearts.

Chapter Rating: E (18+)

Warnings: Angst, Fluff, Smut, Oral (f receiving), PiV, creampie, canon typical violence, mentions of death.

A/N: Thanks for your patience with the wait on this one. It's a long chapter, but I in no good conscious could split it in half and make y'all wait (which for me, who loves good cliffhangers, is saying something.) Thanks to my darling @galacticgraffiti for beta reading, and for being with me on this journey for TWO YEARS. Won't be much longer for the next chapter.

Ao3 Link

Series Masterlist

19 BBY - Anaxes

The Republic suffered heavy losses on Anaxes, something that Rex couldn’t help but feel a bit of guilt for as he walked through the medical station at camp. Given the chance, he wouldn’t do anything differently, he would always go back for Echo; but he couldn’t ignore the nagging thought in the back of his head that he should also have been in the field for the rest of his men. It was hard for him to not feel like he had the responsibility of the war on his shoulders. After so many years of command it was impossible to not feel that burden. Part of his mind told himself that he should be used to it by now, that this was the way of war. But the other part reminded himself that he was feeling that guilt because he was human.

Echo had been in medical care since they arrived back on Anaxes the night before, and Rex hadn’t seen him since. He had to get caught up on the siege and was also encouraged by Kix to give the medical team some time, and Echo a chance for much needed rest. But Rex came as soon as he had a moment, he wanted Echo to know he had someone there for him. As soon as Rex walked in to see him, he was greeted by the sound of raucous laughter.

“-and that’s not even all of it,” Jesse was saying as he stood in front of Echo, a grin overtaking his face. Kix was leaning on a table to the side, shaking his head but smiling along, Echo sat on the edge of his bed, his head in his hands as he shook with laughter. “You know how Hardcase could never say no to anything. So, when he was dared to try a sip, he downed the whole bottle-”

“And the whole barracks regretted the dare with how much he puked that night,” Rex added, remembering the story Jesse was sharing as he walked in. Jesse and Kix laughed at the memory and Echo smiled along. “We were lucky to be shipped out the next morning: I feel bad for the cleaning droids that had to deal with that.”

“I’m sure the 501st is responsible for half the contraband rules in the GAR,” Echo joined in, the smile on his face making him look livelier than he had the day before. Jesse and Kix said their goodbyes, giving Rex a chance to talk to Echo alone.

“How are you feeling?” Rex asked tentatively.

“As good as I can be,” Echo replied simply with a small shrug. “Medics say I’m fine, I’ve just been getting some nutrients and solid food for the first time since…well, since it happened.”

Rex nodded, glad to know that there weren’t any flags raised. Echo would still have to go through some conditioning and a psych eval before going back to combat, but there was some relief in knowing Echo would be ok. Echo shifted his seat, a frown creasing on his lips as his face scrunched in thought. He glanced at the door where Jesse and Kix just walked out, then back at Rex.

“Fives is dead, isn’t he?”

Rex exhaled heavily. Of course, Echo was too smart to not figure out why Fives hadn’t come to see him yet.

“I’m sorry. That’s one of the reasons I was coming to talk to you today.”

Echo nodded, his head tilted down, so he was looking at his hand and the scomp link the Techno Union had attached. “The last thing I remember was him calling my name. Next thing I knew-”

Echo’s words choked in his throat, but he swallowed whatever he was trying to say. He glanced back up at Rex and forced a smile. “Figured he would have been on the mission with you guys, that’s how I knew he was gone.”

“I’m sorry,” Rex repeated, because once more guilt was taking over him. It felt too simple just to say ‘sorry’. That one small word couldn’t encompass all the guilt he was feeling, and how it connected to Fives. He forced a low chuckle, thinking of a different world.“Fives would have been the first volunteer, and he might have single-handedly taken on the Techno Union if he’d seen what they did to you.”

“How did it-” Echo started to ask but a knock sounded on the door. Rex and Echo glanced to see Talia standing in the doorway. A pit formed in Rex’s stomach at her sudden appearance; he hadn’t spoken to her since their conversation on the Havoc Marauder.

“Sorry, I can go if I’m interrupting,” Talia quickly said, her eyes flicking once in Rex’s direction before locking on Echo. “I just wanted to see how you were doing.”

“It’s fine. I was just leaving, General,” Rex said quickly. Echo’s eyes darted between the two of them, but he smiled politely at Talia. In truth Rex did have to leave - he was supposed to be in command for a briefing on his next assignment. And Cody was still injured, so he was going to stop by his quarters to see him after checking on Echo. He was also being selfish, because he hadn’t thought of how he would explain how Fives died to Echo before he stepped in. Everything around Fives’ death was painful, and he didn’t want to cause Echo any more potential stress. It was just another burden for Rex to carry.

Since Cody was out of immediate danger, he was allowed to rest in his officer’s quarters and attend briefings, but much to his chagrin, he wasn’t cleared for combat. When Rex entered Cody’s room, the commander was out of the bed, sitting at his desk with a datapad in front him. Rex knew no medical orders could keep his brother from work. Cody didn’t look too bad anymore, he was just bandaged around his chest; it was probably precaution more than anything that kept him on rest. Cody looked up as Rex entered and offered a mumbled greeting.

“How are you feeling?” Rex asked, sitting on the edge of the bed that Cody had abandoned.

“I’m fine,” Cody grunted, uncharacteristically grumpy. He sighed and looked at Rex. “I should be cleared for duty already. It’s ridiculous being cooped up here.”

“I’m sure Kenobi has things under control, and wouldn’t want you to rush yourself,” Rex offered. Cody grunted again.

“You’re right. Hell, he’s probably the one ordering the medics to keep me here no matter how much I try and pull rank,” Cody’s tone had lightened a bit. “Still, I can’t imagine I’ll be out of action much longer. I heard things went well on Skako.”

Rex nodded. “Echo’s still being looked over. He seems to be holding things together well, after everything he’s been through.”

“That’s good to hear, he was always a good kid,” Cody said. He sighed as he leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. “Never deserved for that to happen to him.”

Rex nodded. He couldn’t think of anyone who would deserve what the Techno Union did to Echo.

“How’ve you been holding up?” Cody asked.

“It’s not easy to see brother in that state, or to know I’m partially responsible for him being left behind-”

“You’re not,” Cody interrupted. “You know you can’t think like that. It was a mission from hell, and we couldn’t have known what would happen to him.”

“Still doesn’t make it any easier.” Rex replied darkly.

Cody seemed to accept that and nodded.

“Still, that actually wasn’t what I was talking about,” Cody said slowly, as if Rex was missing something more obvious. Rex just stared at him in mild confusion. Cody put his datapad down and fixed Rex with a serious stare. “You looked like you saw a ghost when you saw General Riva the other day, Rex.”

“I don’t see what that has to do with anything.” Rex frowned and shook his head.

“Rex, we aren’t going to sit here and act like you haven’t been a miserable piece of shit since you two ended things.”

Rex scoffed at that, “Bold of you to call that out.”

Cody sighed and pushed his chair back. “Honestly… seeing how you’ve been since and watching you two dance around each other in command meetings this past week, I’m surprised no one else called either of you out before.”

“There’s nothing to call out, we ended-”

“I know it’s over,” Cody waved him off, “But Rex, come on. You look at her like the stars shine out of her ass. How the hell did I never see it?”

Rex stared at him in disbelief. “What does it even matter now?”

Cody sighed and fixed Rex with an imploring look. “I’m saying you do everything you can to look after the 501st, all of our brothers. Maybe I was wrong to call out the one thing you did to look after yourself.”

“What, suddenly I have your blessing or something?” Rex scoffed.

“I don’t give a shit what you do. All I care about is that you take care of yourself. We’ve lost so much. All of us. And we need to fight for something that we believe. Not because we were trained to fight for it, but because we chose to fight for it. It’s what makes us human.”

Rex frowned and looked at his hands, already warring with himself. He opened his mouth to try and find a reply, but nothing came out. He was rescued by his comm beeping - General Skywalker ready to brief him on the next assignment already. Rex sighed heavily, and glanced back at Cody who was still giving him that frustrating, knowing look. If he hadn’t been injured, Rex would have had an urge to slap it off his face. And yet once again, Rex was leaving Cody’s room after a conversation that would stick in his mind.

The air around the base was tense. One didn’t need the Force to sense that something was about to finally give in the battle for Anaxes. They had been stuck in this stalemate for too long, and now both sides were getting ready for a final push. Rex trusted Echo’s plan to feed false information to the Separatist forces, even if Rex was worried Echo was pushing himself back into action too quickly. Rex would also stand by Echo, no matter how much the Batch seemed wary of his intentions, worried that he had spent too much time working with the Separatists to truly be on the Republic’s side again. Rex knew Echo, knew he’d had no choice in what his mind was used for. But now, he did.

The Batch and Anakin had already boarded the Havoc Marauder, and as Rex turned to join them a voice called out, “Wait a second!”

Rex turned as Talia was running over, a little out of breath. She halted in front of him as Rex stood next to the walkway.

“Aren’t you leading the 412th into the assembly complex?” Rex asked bluntly. Talia frowned, but shook her head.

“Storm has it under control. I figured you all could use some extra support here,” Talia’s tone turned stiff. “Is that going to be a problem for you?”

Rex couldn’t ignore the slight crack in her voice. He sighed and shook his head, “It’s not my call what you chose to do, General.”

Talia pursed her lips but nodded, “Then we best get on our way.”

She sidestepped him and boarded the ship, leaving Rex looking on as he once again found himself berating every little action he took. Just like when they went to Skako Minor, he knew her help was always an asset. And he didn’t want it to be this way, but he was still thinking about his conversation with Cody, and what had happened on Skako.

It wasn’t his place to question her, especially not anymore, but Rex could still feel the terror-filled awe that had overtaken him when he watched Talia take down the tri-droids with lightning. He had seen many incredible things done by the Jedi, but to see that amount of raw power coming from someone he cared about… it was mesmerizing, inspiring, and terrifying all at once. He had always known how powerful Talia was, even when she doubted it herself, but this was beyond anything he could ever have imagined. And what had scared him the most was that Talia didn’t seem to care about the cost it took on her. He saw how the lightning lit up her body, encasing her in a frightening glow, only for her to fall weak to her knees, exhausted and drained instantly after. Rex was a practical man, and Talia was right that a power like that had its use. He just didn’t think it was worth risking anything that could cause her pain.

As he contemplated this, he was only left more frustrated afterward, unable to convey his worry as anything more than irritation. Especially when it seemed like there had been a chance for normalcy between them again with how they had talked on the mission.

He didn’t want to hurt her, that was never something Rex desired. But he couldn’t resist throwing her words back at her, because even though Rex knew Talia hadn’t meant to be cruel, she had to know how horrible it made him feel. But now he felt even worse for the pain he saw in her eyes, seeing that she obviously felt guilt for the way things had ended between them.

And then there was what Cody said. As frustrated as Rex was by his brother’s sudden change of tone, Rex couldn’t go back on his decision just like that. For all he knew, Talia wouldn’t even want him anymore. Rex had surely done enough to keep her at arm’s length in his own misguided sense of duty, but he also worried he may have lost his chance. Crosshair’s teasing remarks to Hunter still rung in his ears, and he thought of how comfortable she seemed with the Sergeant. It hurt to think that she might have moved on so quickly, but Rex couldn’t fault her for doing what made her happy. In fact, the only thing he wanted for her was happiness.

If only there was time to work out this mess between them before it complicated things on missions even more. But Rex couldn’t ignore the rushing feeling around him, that the galaxy was heading in a certain direction and couldn’t be stopped. He, his brothers, and the Jedi were caught in the middle, ready to crash when this all ended.

Sneaking onto the Separatist dreadnought went almost too smoothly, something that kept Talia’s nerves on edge. They didn’t encounter any droids on the way to the comm vault, aiding their plans for a stealth mission - even if Wrecker seemed to be tired of all their sneaking around. The vault was a small, circular room lined with wiring and electrical lights, and a tall console in its middle that Tech was rigging an interface in so Echo could safely log in. Anakin was checking to make sure there were no other entrances to the vault, ensuring that they couldn’t be attacked by Separatist troops. Talia held her blade in her hand, twirling it in her hand, ready to ignite at a second’s notice.

Talia was playing things close to the chest with this mission. Storm had already sent her a message conveying that the other Generals were not so understanding of her decision to abandon the plan that she should lead the 412th into the assembly complex, and that she had left Storm to command in her stead. But Talia’s mind was in too many places, and her judgment told her this was the place she needed to be. She could deal with the council later, even though she could guess that she would be under criticism for her rash decisions.

Once Tech gave the go ahead, Echo scomped into the mainframe, instantly accessing all the data. He intercepted a request from Admiral Trench, which Tech pointed out they would need to reroute the message to make it seem like the call was still coming from Skako Minor.

Talia stepped into the corridor that was leading to the mainframe, giving some space from the small room. They were lucky to have been undetected this long, but Talia knew that luck would eventually run out. She tapped her foot, glancing around as she tried to keep her mind focused.

“You doing alright?” Hunter’s question cut into her nervousness as he stepped up beside her in the corridor.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” Talia shrugged off, her voice more curtly than she had intended, earning a raised brow from Hunter. She exhaled, and attempted to sound more at ease. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“I’ve just noticed how…tense you get whenever the Captain’s around.”

Talia stopped in her tracks and turned on her heel to face him. “Your enhanced senses can’t work like that.”

Hunter snorted at how she didn’t even deny it, a grin curving on his tattooed face. “They don’t. Anyone with any sense can see it.”

Talia cursed under her breath. “Here I thought we were always good at hiding it.”

“You probably were before,” Hunter shrugged. “But whatever happened between you two…it’s still hanging in the air.”

Talia huffed a laugh at that, it was such a simple observation, but she couldn’t ignore the truth behind it. “You don’t even know half of it.”

“Well, I know one thing; even if you had never told me you had a history with a clone, I would have still known you were in love with him by the way you two go back and forth. In battle, and in conversation,” Hunter stated as simply as if he were recounting a mission. He made it sound so obvious, , as if it were the most natural thing. “Hell, even the way you look at him when you think no one else is noticing. Same for him.”

Talia let out a mirthless laugh at that, “I think we’re long past the days where he looked at me that way.”

She berated herself for letting that slip. She had already overstepped with Hunter in too many ways to count, but he just looked at her with a somewhat exasperated look. “He’s doing it now.”

Talia frowned and glanced over her shoulder, just to see Rex’s head turn the other way. Talia’s cheeks burned and her heart ached, she couldn’t give herself that hope, even if Hunter was trying to make it feel better. Shaking her head, she mumbled, “We should check what’s going on.”

Walking back into the room, Rex’s eyes flicked in her direction once more, to Hunter, then back to Talia. His lips flickered to an almost imperceptible frown, something anyone but Talia wouldn’t have noticed. She must be imagining it, though. Interrupting her musings, Tech made a confused noise as he looked at his datapad.

“I’m intercepting a transmission,” Tech said, suspicion in his voice, “Trench is ordering all his troops to the assembly complex.”

“All right, Echo, what are you trying to pull?” Hunter asked doubtfully.

“Don’t worry, that’s what I told him to do,” Echo answered with an assuredness only an ARC Trooper possessed.

“But our troops will be vastly outnumbered?” Rex deduced doubtingly.

“Not when I send the feedback pulse that shuts down all the droids,” Echo explained.

“How do we know that’s what you’re really going to do?” Hunter asked suspiciously. Both he and Tech were sharing a doubting look, as if they had been expecting this all along.

“We have to trust him,” Rex jumped in, frustration mounting in his voice as he tried to placate Hunter and Tech.

“Rex is right,” Talia joined, knowing that nothing would be accomplished if the squad was arguing amongst itself. “If Echo says the plan will work, it’ll work.”

“We’re counting on you, Echo,” Anakin said as he lifted his wrist to call General Windu, warning him that things were going to get a lot heavier for the troops in the assembly complex. Echo returned his focus, and Hunter and Tech seemed to accept that if it was a good enough plan for the Jedi, it was good enough for them, even if Talia could still feel the lingering suspicion on them. Rex on the other hand, didn’t waiver in his trust. In fact he seemed grateful that the tension had dissipated.

“We should be on guard,” Talia said aside to Rex, “With what I know of Trench, he’ll probably be suspicious the second things don’t work out as planned.”

“You’re right,” Rex agreed, glancing down at Echo, “I hope he didn’t play his hand too strong.”

“Keep an eye on things here, I can patrol outside and be ready at the first sign of trouble,” Talia ordered, already turning to the exit.

“What?” Rex asked, following her, “Let one of the Batch do it, I know Wrecker is itching for a fight.”

“And that’s a surefire way for us all to be discovered before anything happens,” Talia joked, earning a light huff of laughter from Rex. “Don’t worry: they won’t see me until it’s too late to do anything about it.”

Rex nodded as Talia turned away, her hilt in hand and ready for action.

“Talia,” Rex called, and she stopped; she had almost forgotten how sweet her first name sounded off his lips. She glanced back at him, his hands clenched at his sides, his brow furrowed as if he didn’t know why he called for her in the first place. He exhaled softly and met her eyes, “May the Force be with you.”

Talia nodded in return, a warmth settling in her, “May the Force be with you.”

The eerie calm of the ship was something that might have unsettled a younger Talia, new to war and battle. Hell, even a few hours ago she would have been more unnerved by the prospect of sneaking around, waiting for the calm to break. But she had to be prepared, she knew this calm would not last. It never did. She hid in the ventilation shafts, out of reach of any droids who passed by on patrol, waiting for any sign or signal that would propel her into action.

Talia’s comm chirped and she answered quickly, hearing Rex on the other side.

“Talia, they know we’re onboard. We’re going to have to make a quick evac,” Rex said rapidly.

“Got it, I’ll clear a path for you,” Talia answered. Sure enough, the sounds of clanking footsteps were starting to fill the corridors. Talia kicked open the grate beneath her and dropped below, landing with a thud and ignited her saber. She held the blade in front of her, the glow lighting the corridor as the steps approached. Talia stood still, breathed in and out, and waited for the first droid to round the corner.

Once they turned, they immediately fired, but Talia was ready, redirecting their shots effortlessly with her saber. The hall was narrow, preventing more than two droids from lining up side by side as they approached. Talia sprinted forward, her momentum carrying her up the side of the wall, and she leapt in the middle of the group of droids. Before they could turn back to fire at her, she tossed her saber at the front group, slicing them in half before calling it back. She twirled her blade rapidly, redirecting the shots the second group was firing at her, slowly pressing forward to make it to the end of the hall.

Blaster fire echoed down the corridor; more droid forces must have corned the rest of the squad. Still, Talia pushed forward, hoping that her presence as a Jedi would call more of the droid troops to her position.

She sliced droids in half, used the force to crush them into the durasteel walls of the ship. Their shots danced around her, narrowly missing her as she carved a path through them. Her comm beeped, but she ignored the sound as she focused on the droids. Rapid metal footsteps behind her proved her plan worked, as a pair of commando droids stormed towards her. She held up her hand and slowed them with the Force, still using her blade to take out the droids closer to her. As she lost her hold, they sprinted toward her, but she moved quicker, sliding to the ground on her knees and slicing the droids at their calves, making them crash to the ground. The disassembled droids tried to push themselves up, but Talia Force-pushed them backwards, into the pile of miscellaneous droid parts her fighting had caused.

Talia ran forward down the hall, getting closer and closer to the port the squad had used to enter the ship. Blaster fire still sounded, and she hoped the squad had made it back unharmed.

Another squad of droids found her, and Talia had to give their programming credit for their tenacity. A few more, and this might even grow to be a challenge for her. She raised her blade, ready to strike again when a small round device rolled towards the droids from behind her.

The droid popper went off and the droids crumpled to the ground from the shock. Talia’s blade disengaged as she turned in confusion to see Rex standing behind her, one hand holding a blaster that pointed at where the droids previously stood.

“The rest of the squad is already on the ship, we need to go,” he explained shortly.

“I had it under control,” Talia answered irritably; she didn’t need to be rescued from a handful of battle droids. Rex sighed as he turned.

“You weren’t answering your comm,” Rex said as he stepped away. “And I wasn’t going to leave you.”

Guilt wrapped in Talia’s gut for how harsh her tone was. She quickened her steps after him and grabbed Rex’s forearm. He halted his steps, his helmet locked on where her hand grabbed him as she said, “Thanks…for having my back.”

His helmet lifted and she stared into the back of his visor. “Always will.”

Talia didn’t know what to say. She just nodded, and finally released his arm when she realized she was holding it for far longer than she should have. Rex nodded and turned back down the hall, his blaster raising once more.

It didn’t take them long to reach the Marauder, which dislodged from the dreadnought as soon as they were safely on board. Anakin handed a detonation device to Wrecker, who let out a loud cheer as the dreadnought exploded, and Talia internally echoed his joy: after so much back and forth, it was good to have a victory that meant this siege was over. She stepped out of the cockpit, going to sit in the back of the ship for the quick trip back to base.

“Talia,” Rex’s voice called from behind her, she turned to find him approaching her, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides. Talia flicked a simple grin back at him, ignoring the way her gut flipped as he came up.

“For the record,” he started, and Talia tensed, preparing for some other fault he had suddenly discovered in her. But to her surprise, Rex;s hand was scratching the back of his neck, his tone more apologetic as he continued. “I know you could have handled those droids. I wasn’t trying to overstep-“

“You were trying to show off,” Talia interrupted, deciding humor was the best way to dissolve yet another moment of tense awkwardness. To her relief, Rex smiled. “I meant my thanks. You know more than most how stubborn I can get.”

Rex laughed at that, then asked, “So, what’s next for you? I’m assuming the 412th will be shipped out pretty quickly.”

“I’m sure I’ll be getting orders from the council as soon as we land,” Talia shrugged, not letting herself feel hope at the twinge of something akin to sadness she felt coming from Rex as he asked her, “That is, of course, if I’m not grounded on Coruscant again.”

Rex raised a brow at her, and Talia sighed, biting her lip before continuing, “I kind of went rogue to join you guys here. Storm covered for me, and things ended up working out, but I can bet I’ll be getting an earful about recklessness.”

“Why would you do that?” Rex asked. His brows were cinched as he tried to read her face. For such a smart man, he could be truly oblivious at times. Talia was sure the same could be said about herself.

Talia glanced around the ship, making sure the Batch and Anakin were still otherwise focused before she met Rex’s eyes. “Look, Rex, I know things are complicated between us right now. But I still care about you, and I was worried.”

Rex didn’t say anything, his brows still furrowed as he listened. Talia gulped and couldn’t hold back the words spilling from her mouth.

“It’s just, I can tell how much stress you’ve been under, and I know I haven’t helped with that, but when you went to Skako I had to be there for you in case things with Echo didn’t turn out as well. And today, I was just still so nervous that something would go wrong, and even if you didn’t want me here I had to make sure-“

Talia’s words were cut off as Rex’s lips pressed into hers, her eyes widening in shock but fluttering closed as she melted into the kiss. His hand was placed against her lower back, holding her close to him; Talia had weirdly missed the uncomfortable way that plastoid pressed into her as her body was against his.

Rex pulled back slowly, his eyes drifting open, that soft, warm brown that still made her gut twist in the best way. For a moment, he looked content, then his eyes widened, and he removed his hand from her back.

“I-I’m sorry, I shouldn’t-“ Rex shook his head softly but the way he looked at her told Talia that he didn’t believe a word he was saying.

Talia opened her mouth, trying to say a million things back to him. It’s ok. You have no idea how much I wanted that. I missed you.

I love you.

“We’ll be landing shortly, everyone should get seated,” Tech called from the cockpit. Rex pushed away from Talia, returning to the cockpit. She was frozen, still feeling him on her lips and cursing herself for not saying more, terrified that she had lost her last chance.

Some people hated goodbyes, or at least Rex had heard that in sayings tossed around by natborns. But Rex had always felt differently, mostly because he couldn’t count the number of people he never had the chance to say goodbye to. He couldn’t let himself linger on it, it wouldn’t help anything, but sometimes he found himself wondering what he would say with one last word. But Rex was beginning to understand what the sayings meant, as he watched Echo leave.

He knew it was the right call, that Echo knew where his place really was. It just felt like Rex was saying goodbye to a part of him, even though Echo hadn’t been back for long. But Echo was something to hold on to from the early days of the war, ever since he was that overeager shiny from the Rishi Moon. Just a kid when he joined the 501st, now he was a man forged by the harsh clock of war. And with him left one of the few things that tied Rex to an older version of himself he could scarcely remember.

Rex informed the generals that the Bad Batch had already departed, not being the types for the ceremonies of the medals they had earned. The generals didn’t comment, and Rex stood tall as General Windu handed him the medal he had earned. It sounded egotistical to say, but Rex couldn’t count the amount he had gotten in the last three years. He kept them of course, but he never knew what to think of them. At first there was an honor that came with them, and he still felt that, but now he couldn’t ignore the way he was shrouded by a bit of jadedness. After everything that had happened, this was just another campaign to add to the countless he had been in. He saluted as Windu gave him the medal, but the one thing on his mind was Talia, and wondering why she wasn’t there.

Dusk had quickly settled over the encampment, its golden glow and the harsh shadows casting over the men who already worked to pack up equipment. A small force would remain on Anaxes, as was protocol, but the cog of GAR couldn’t slow down, and most of the forces would be quickly redistributed to wherever else in the Galaxy they were needed. Rex had assumed the 412th would be one of the first groups to set out, something seemingly confirmed by the amount of troops wearing black and gold armor that still hustled around the base.

It was reckless and stupid for Rex to kiss Talia, not just because they were in plain view of Anakin and the Batch, but because he had done it without thinking. His feet carried him across the compound, somehow more determined than his own confused mind as they led Rex in a direction with no idea what course of action he could even take.

Three heavy knocks pounding on her durasteel door shocked Talia out of her meditation, or more of her attempt at it. She should be packing; she was heading out first thing in the morning, but when she got back to her room she couldn’t focus on anything. Not the report she needed to fill out, not the fact that she was clearly in trouble with the Council from the tone that Windu and Kenobi had used with her. The only thing she could think about was how she could still feel Rex’s lips on hers, could still feel the pressure of his hand against her lower back, the remnants of his essence tattooed in her memory. She practically bolted to her room after speaking with the other Jedi, trying to rid the confusing moment from her mind to no avail. So when the knocks sounded, in the way that only he ever did, she stared at the door as if that would will it to open, for she was frozen to the ground and unsure if she could even handle being in a space alone with Rex.

Slowly, she rose from the ground, approaching the door with heavy steps before opening it. Rex stood on her step, his helmet clutched tightly in his hands, doubt and questioning etched into his face. His eyes met Talia’s, and for a moment she half expected him to excuse himself and turn away, instead he blurted, “Can I come in?”

With a lump in her throat, Talia nodded and stepped to the side, allowing Rex to enter, quickly shutting the door behind him. It was strange how easily he fit into the room, she was so used to sharing spaces with him that she hadn’t pinpointed how empty her quarters felt without him until this moment. His eyes scanned over the room, shifting his feet uncomfortably as he fiddled with his helmet in his hands. He exhaled, and set it on Talia’s desk, before returning to face her.

“Echo left,” he said with measured words. Whatever he was going to say, that wasn’t close to what Talia expected, and she sensed it was not what he planned on saying first.

“I’m sorry,” Talia offered sincerely, knowing how conflicted Rex must feel about it. “I’m guessing he joined the Batch?”

Rex nodded. “I told him to go, and said that if it was where he felt his place was, then that’s where he belongs.”

“Not everyone’s path is the same one they started on,” Talia said sagely, “After everything Echo’s been through, I’m glad he’s able to choose his own way.”

“You know, it’s funny,” Rex said slowly. “’Choice’ was never something us clones would have thought of. From the moment we’re created, our whole plan is set ahead of us. We train, we fight, and then we die for the Republic. Or atleast, that’s what I used to think. Once I got out here, once I lived, I knew nothing could be so simple, no matter how much my training tried to tell me there was just one goal for me. In fact, the longer I’ve survived, the more confusing it all seems.”

“That’s living,” Talia mused softly, “Even the wisest seers in the Order can misread the future. That’s because there’s no accounting for how people grow, how they can change their minds and their wants.”

“Or how they can be pushed in different directions,” Rex added. He shook his head, then glanced back at Talia. They stood in silence, just the low thrum of the air running through the vents of the quarters, the faded sounds of the camp outside the walls. Rex shifted his stance, and took a breath before addressing Talia again.

“I had to see you before you left,” Rex started, his words weighted and heavy. “I owe you an apology-“

“Rex don’t-“ Talia interrupted, crossing her arms and avoiding his gaze. She gulped. “Emotions were running high, and that can be confusing enough for anyone.”

“That’s not-, I’m not here to apologize for the kiss,” Rex took a deep breath, “I mean...yes, if it upset you, I’m sorry for that. But I’m not sorry I kissed you.”

Talia’s heart pounded, “It didn’t upset me.”

Rex was trembling slightly as he approached her, as if the weight of all the burdens he had been carrying of late were finally releasing from him.

“I’m sorry I hurt you,” Rex said softly, his voice rough and sincere. “That’s the thing I want least in the galaxy.”

“I didn’t mean what I said,” Talia pleaded, the gap between them closing. “Rex, you know I think so much more of you, of all of you, than that you’re just soldiers-“

“I know that, “ Rex offered, “I know you too well to think you meant it. But at the moment, it hurt.”

“I regretted it the second I said it,” Talia continued, “But you left and I realized I ruined everything.”

“You didnt-” Rex took a deep breath, shaking his head as he insisted, “I was the one who fucked it all up.”

“What a pair we are, huh?” Talia forced a laugh before toying with her lip. She glanced back up at Rex, and hesitated before admitting. “We had everything, but it fell apart so fast.”

“We knew it was too good to last.” Rex muttered, but he knew he was lying to himself, trying to comfort the guilt he was feeling.

“Did we? I think I was so blinded, I couldn’t see anything other than you. But then you were gone and…I realized how much of a fool I was…” the words were beginning to roll off Talia’s tongue, faster than her own mind could comprehend what she was saying to hold herself together. “I realized how much I held back and wished I didn’t. How much more we could have had if I hadn’t been such an idiot. Now, when I think of you I’m in pain; because I had something perfect, something amazing. And I lost it because I felt like I didn’t deserve it.”

Rex was silent, and fear crept into Talia that she had admitted too much. That she was speaking to a lost cause, that he had lost any ounce of feeling he once had for her and this conversation was doing nothing but making him pity her.

“I’m the one who pushed you away,” Rex offered, cutting through Talia’s thoughts. Rex avoided her eyes, as if the piercing gaze would be too strong for him to face as he searched for his own explanation. “All because I got scared that we could never have what we wanted, that no matter what I felt, it wasn’t possible. You called me a coward, and you were right. Just… after you got hurt, I was so terrified. I couldn’t deal with the pain of losing you like that. And when Cody confronted me, I gave in. Almost as if I felt that if we weren’t together, that it would hurt less than the fear of losing you.”

“Rex,” Talia said softly, lifting a hand to his face. Rex tensed at the contact, and Talia almost retracted her touch, but his eyes met hers and they were those same soft, warm eyes that she loved. She lost her train of thought, any words of reassurance or doubts of herself that she was about to say we lost as she looked into his eyes. Instead, she blurted out words she should have said long ago-“I love you.”

Her heart pounded as the words escaped her lips, fear and doubt creeping into her mind as she worried if she lost her mind for even saying it now, the same fear that had kept her from saying it before. But now it was out there and couldn’t be taken back.

“I know,” Rex replied softly, stepping so close to her now that barely inches separated them. “I’ve always known. Just like I’ve always known I’m in love with you.”

Talia didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, whether to keep spouting her feelings, dating back to all the times she should have said it before, but she just did the thing that felt most natural to her, which was to pull Rex closer and kiss him.

Rex’s arms were around her in an instant, holding her tightly against him, his grasp so tight it was clear he had no intention of letting her go. Talia’s hands wrapped around the back of his neck, fingernails scraping against that small patch of skin not covered by his undersuit or armor as their kiss deepened, hard and needy. Rex pushed her back into the wall, the cold durasteel firm against her back as Rex’s armor pressed into her front. She gasped as they pulled back for air, at first overwhelmed by the closeness, but when she saw Rex in front of her, she just felt comfort and longing. She pulled him back in, desperately seeking his lips, moaning into his mouth as his thigh slotted in between her legs.

The noise awakened something in Rex, and he rushed to start taking off some of the armor from his upper body, his fumbling hands unlatching the pieces as Talia held him for the kiss. He needed to be out of his armor, needed to feel the warmth of her body against his. Talia realized what he was doing and pulled back, freeing her hands so she could help. But Rex’s lips found hers once more as they both clumsily grasped at the armor, dropping pieces of plastoid without a care to where they landed, only separating for air.

“Wait,” Rex gasped once as they pulled back, his lips swollen but a confused look on his face, before he hesitantly asked. “What about Hunter?”

“You know about Hunter?” Talia asked, guilt and apprehension filling her.

“I do,” Rex swallowed and nodded. “I’m not upset…at least not with you. I let you go, and that’s the biggest mistake I ever made. If he’s what you want, I’ll step away now. You’ll never hear from me unless you want to. I’m sure he could make you happier than-”

Talia shut Rex up by stepping up on her toes, cupping her hands on his cheeks and catching his lips with hers. Rex's eyes bugged wide, until they fluttered closed, his arms wrapping around her once more, holding her, taking comfort in the soft warmth of the curves of her body she pressed against the grooves of the remaining parts of his armor.

“I just told you I love you,” Talia reminded him with a slight, teasing giggle. Her face softened as she caressed his cheek with her thumb, “I slept with Hunter, but it was just so I could try and forget you for a moment.”

“I - really?” Rex asked. Talia could almost laugh at how surprised he was, as if he had already accepted the worst. His face then became more serious. “I…you should know. I slept with someone else too. It was just a one night thing, I haven’t contacted her since.”

“It’s okay,” Talia nodded, ignoring the hypocritical way she was hurt. “It doesn’t matter, we don’t have to talk about that now. Just…shut up and keep kissing me.”

“More than happy to follow that order,” Rex leaned in with a smirk and kissed her with a renewed hunger, his hands tightly gripping the curve of her hips. Talia groaned into Rex’s mouth as she pressed as close to him as possible, her hands fumbling for the latches on his chestplate. Rex pulled back to help her lift it away, and dropped it to the floor with a loud clunk. With only his lower armor still on, Talia’s hands ran up Rex’s chest, feeling the firm muscles and warmth of him in her grasp. Her fingers clenched around the fabric, using it to pull him to her once more. Rex’s hands slid down her waist, gripping under her thighs and picking her up, making Talia yelp in surprise.

They stumbled to the desk, Rex clumsily setting Talia on the edge of it, their lips barely separating for air. They were frantic, needy, desperate, as if they were afraid the other would disappear if they stopped. Rex pulled at the wrappings of her tunic, exposing Talia’s heaving chest. His mouth only left her lips then, trailing to the soft skin of her neck, his teeth nipping along the exposed skin and down to the breasts about to fall out of her bra. Talia moaned as Rex slid her bra cup to the side, and sucked at her now exposed nipple. His other hand slid under the other cup, groping at the soft flesh. The cold air left goosebumps over her skin, contrasted by the warmth of Rex’s hands and mouth. Rex could spend hours like this, slowly exploring the body he knew so well yet hadn’t been able to appreciate in so long. In fact there was little else on his mind at that moment besides what he wanted to do to her just in this state of undress, except he had other ideas in mind.

Rex lowered to his knees, kissing down Talia’s stomach and dragging his hands down her torso, relishing in the sweet gasps for air that were leaving Talia’s lips. Rex’s hands stopped as he began to tug her pants down. Pink scars lingered on her hip, trailing down her leg from the flame licked path. He paused, his fingers caressing the slightly raised skin, Talias breath hitched, Rex’s eyes flicked to her face, searching for any sign of discomfort. Talia’s eyes had squeezed shut, enough for Rex to push himself up from where he was kneeling. Talia’s eyes opened.

“I’m fine,” Talia reassured quickly, but Rex was still frozen, searching her face. She pressed a hand to his cheek, “Really, I’m ok. I just didn’t think about them.”

“I didn’t either,” Rex explained, “I just don’t want to hurt you.”

“You won’t,” Talia leaned in to peck his lips, then checked, “Are you ok? We can stop if you want.”

Rex shook his head, “I’ll only stop if you want me to.”

“Please don’t,” Talia said quickly, earning a smirk from Rex for how desperate she sounded. His fingers toyed along the waistline of her pants where they rested on her thighs.

“Someone’s needy,” Rex teased lowly, his voice thick as honey, slowly pulling at her pants. “Tell me what you want.”

Talia leaned back resting her elbows on the desk, offering up a sweet look, “I think you know what I want. And I think you want to do it.”

Rex offered a low noise of agreement, but taunted, “That some Jedi instinct?”

He slowly pulled the pants down a little further. Talia wiggled her hips, trying to shrug them off, but his hand held her firmly in place. She let out a frustrated noise, but Rex just smirked.

“Use your words, princess,” Rex ordered lowly. Talia’s cheeks burned, and she felt the pit of desire grow in her gut. She was half tempted to curse him for teasing her, and for how well he knew to play her. But she didn’t want to drag this out, they didn’t have time for a back and forth.

“Please,” Talia started sweetly, only to get slightly desperate as she ordered, “I want your mouth on me.”

“Hmm, I could ask you to be more specific,” Rex murmured, to which Talia made an indignant noise when he smirked, tugging her to the edge of the desk, making her squeak and falling to his knees. “...But I’m not patient enough today.”

Rex tugged her pants and underwear down with one swoop, wasting no time to press his face between her legs, his tongue swiping over her slit. He groaned at the wetness already there, and Talia moaned as his tongue flicked over her swollen clit. One hand held to the edge of the desk, the other leaping to the back of his head. It took everything in her to not hold him still as she ground against his face; she knew he wouldn’t have minded. But Rex licked at her like a man possessed, like she was the best thing he ever tasted. His hands held her firmly against him, grasping at the top of her thighs as he positioned her where he wanted her. He may have been the one on his knees, but he was the one in control.

It was surely a talent of Rex’s to have barely started but to already have Talia a whimpering mess. Her tunic was still half undone, her chest still half exposed as a red flush settled over her pale skin. She was biting her lip, trying to restrain her noises in some way but she would fail as Rexs tongue flicked over her clit, eliciting louder moans from her. And all he would do was grin up at her, his eyes almost taunting, before he continued his work.

His grip was tight around her thighs, nails practically digging into her skin as he held her in place. His tongue slid up and down her slit, teasing her by flicking at her clit in between each swipe. Her breaths hitched higher each time, her body reacting so easily to the simplest touch. Rex knew how to set her off, and there were few things he loved more than making her fall apart with just his mouth. He could feel every twitch of her thighs in his hands, hear how she failed to keep herself quiet, and taste just how aroused she was. He wanted her to feel good, wanted to feel her let go, and he worked as if he had something to prove, that he needed to remind her that only he could make her feel this way.

He circled his tongue around her clit, then wrapped his lips around it and sucked, sending jolts of pleasure up Talia’s spine. The wet heat of his mouth was intoxicating, Talia could hear herself begging him not to stop. Her arms shook so much she struggled to hold herself upright. But her gaze was locked on Rex’s face and how he devoured her. She couldn’t look away, even as tears sprung in the corners of her eyes and her whole body trembled. It was impossible to tear her gaze away, she was fixated even as she was falling apart. It was almost embarrassing how quickly she was coming undone, but she couldn’t help the way her body was lit aflame from every swipe of Rex’s tongue. He was precise, practiced, as dedicated to bringing Talia pleasure as he was in every other aspect of his life. He didn’t let up as her breath quickened, as her body tensed and he didn’t stop even as she cried out his name and quaked, coming from just the quick work of his mouth.

Talia’s moans faded, but her breath was still heavy as Rex rose from the ground, wiping his mouth with the back of his sleeve. He leaned in and kissed her, pulling her off the desk as he did. Talia’s legs were like jelly as she stumbled with Rex to the bed. Her knees hit the frame of the bed and Rex gently nudged her back, causing her to land with a soft flop against the mattress.

“Take your clothes off,” Rex ordered gruffly, his own hands tearing at the strips holding his remaining armor on. Talia pressed herself up on the bed, still breathless and flushed, but not moving quickly enough for Rex’s liking as he glanced over her, his heaving chest bulging through his undersuit. “Take them off before I rip them off of you.”

“You would just be finishing what you started,” Talia quipped as she gestured to the state of her tunic, still loose around her torso. Rex’s eyes flashed as she still played with the edges of fabric. He stalked to the bed, slowly taking his shirt off; Talia’s mouth went dry as she glanced over his chest, taking in the scarred and muscled form. He lowered himself to the bed, and slowly crawled on top of Talia. Her heart pounded in her chest as his hands ran up her sides and found the edge of her robes. Talia cocked an eyebrow in a challenge as his eyes met hers. Rex rolled Talia over roughly so she was on her stomach, and her hands braced herself against the mattress as Rex’s hands at the top of her tunic’s back and tugged. With a shredding rip, the fabric pulled off her back and slipped off her arms, leaving Talia in just her bra. She half expected Rex to tug that off as well, but instead his lips met the back of her neck, kissing her softly as his hands deftly undid the clasp. Talia sighed as his lips traveled down her skin, the stubble on his face tickling her.

For a moment Talia thought Rex would take her like this, that he would shuck his pants off and roughly enter her from behind, pounding her into the mattress as she sheets muffled her cries. And she wouldn’t have minded; her body was coursing with need, prickling with the desire of his touch. But Rex instead gently flipped her over, opposite of the man who had moments ago torn her clothing to shreds. Rex’s lips met hers as soon as her back hit the mattress, a soft, exploring kiss, the moment slowed once again, as if savoring the moment before they delved back into their pure need. But this was what Talia loved about him, how there could be both sides when they were together. The tender with the tough, the smooth against the rough. She could see the switch flip in his eyes whenever they made love, see how his own desire kicked in. But he was always there for her, reading what she wanted and adjusting off her energy.

The kiss deepened, grew more hungry as they pressed against each other; Rex’s body pining Talia down as she squirmed beneath him, trying to angle her hips so she could relieve some of the tension settling back in her core. Rex ground against her, his still clothed, hard cock pressing against her pussy. Rex groaned into her mouth as he felt how wet she still was, dampening the fabric of his pants. Talia’s hands ran up and down his back, feeling the way Rex’s muscles flexed as he moved against her. Her hands slid down to his waistline, as she tried to nudge down his pants. Rex’s hands met hers as he helped pull them off, rushing to remove them so he could finally have her again. Once they were off, he pressed down against her again, the flame reignited as their naked bodies pressed together, already sweaty and burning with want. Rex’s cock pressed against Talia’s stomach, weeping with precum as he rutted against her, their tongues meeting as they moaned into each other’s mouths.

“Rex,” Talia whimpered between breaths, “Please. I need you.”

He pulled back slightly as he readjusted, a thin line of spit connecting their mouths. Rex was panting, his eyes blown out as he looked down at her. But he spoke with such an assured, put togetherness as he said in his rough voice, “Anything for you.”

Rex entered Talia quickly and forcefully, her breath hitching and her legs spreading wider to ease his access. Rex waited until her body relaxed and her eyes opened, then Talia nodded her head and Rex began to thrust. His hips slammed against hers, his cock thick and hot as it stretched her cunt, her walls gripping around him and practically pulling him in. Rex’s eyes rolled back from the warmth of her, ready to be lost and never come back but he had to last longer, he didn’t want this feeling to end.

His arms wrapped tightly around her, squeezing her against him in a near crushing grip. Her nails were marking his back as she whimpered beneath him, her breaths punctuating every move of his hips into hers. The room was filled with the loud smack of flesh on flesh, the squelch of their bodies meeting, and the moans and grunts leaving their lips in near unison.

This wasn’t the way this should have gone, it was rushed and needy, with no time taken to care about the little details. They were still dirty from the mission, but the time taken to tidy up might have raised more uncertainty between them than either could stomach just yet. But yet this rushed state was perfection, pure desire coursing through and guiding them, an unstoppable force pushing them together.

Talia cried out as Rex’s cock hit a spot deep inside her, making her head bend back in ecstasy. Rex did it again, wanting to see the way her face contorted in pleasure.

“It feels good, doesn't it?” Rex said, continuing to thrust.

“Yes!” Talia quickly responded, her cheeks flushed. “So good.”

“Who’s doing this to you?” Rex asked, a cocky possessiveness creeping in his tone.

“You are.” Talia gasped, her eyes meeting his. Rex’s hold around her loosened, and before Talia could whine from the change of pace, Rex’s hand gripped under her thigh and pulled her leg up to rest on his shoulder, his other arm still wrapped around her. His dedicated pace resumed, each thrust like a promise, punctuated with gasps, moans and words escaping lips like a prayer.

“Who’s the only one who can make you feel this good?” The possessive side of Rex was coming out stronger, as if he had something to prove, or that he needed to hear Talia’s response as much as he knew what it was.

“You are!” Talia answered. She swallowed, her breath heavy as pleasure crested within her. “I’m yours, only yours.”

“That’s right, you’re mine.” Rex echoed, firm and unyielding. He pounded into her harder, a renewed surge of need running through him. “Mine.”

Rex’s pace continued, hitting Talia right where she needed him. Each thrust was a jolt of pleasure that licked up her gut, so deep she could practically feel him in her throat. She was twisted around him, and he was all encompassing. Their skin was dewed with sweat, their chests almost clinging together as they pressed into one another. Talia would give him anything in this moment, ready to sacrifice all of her as long as he brought her that sweet release.

“Fuck Rex, don’t stop please.” She begged, cheeks burning and eyes watering. “ I love you.”

“Say it again.” Rex ordered, his pace unfaltering and his chin set, gritting his teeth as if he was barely holding himself together.

“I love you.”

“Again.”

“I love you!”

Tallia cried out as she came, her breath ragged and her body tensing as Rex lost what last bit of self control he had and he released inside her, hot spurts of cum filling her cunt. Rex’s thrusts slowed, exhaling as he hilted himself inside her. Their foreheads met, sweaty brows and panting breath meeting as their lips barely touched. After a moment that they wanted to last a lifetime, Rex pulled out of Talia and fell to the side, their bodies squeezed next to another in the tiny bed. The space was as small as they were used to sharing, but somehow there was a rightness in the way their bodies fit next to each other, even after all this time.

“This doesn’t change anything, does it?” Talia asked, still breathless. The air shifted, the calmness that had settled between them now filled with the unknown. Rex tensed, and exhaled a large breath.

“I don’t see how it can,” was all Rex could think to say. A lump formed in Talia’s throat, tears brimming at the corner of her eyes as she nodded. She rolled over to her side, already pulling off the covers to slip out of the bed and pull her clothes on. Rex’s hand gripped her arm, preventing her from leaving. “Wait, I don’t want-”

“What do you want, Rex?” Talia snapped, “I can’t do this again. I can’t let myself think there’s a chance for something just for you to change your mind. I’m not strong enough to hurt like that again.”

“I don’t want to hurt you,” Rex repeated for what felt like the hundredth time that day. He meant it, but he knew he had failed that promise in the past. And he didn’t want to mess this up again, to cause her any pain, but he didn’t know what promises he could offer her. Rex sat up, still holding Talia’s arm as he tried to work through this.. “I…I know that things haven’t changed in our situation, but I also know ending things was one of the biggest mistakes I’ve ever made. I want you, Talia.”

“I want you too,” Talia sighed, leaning back against the headboard. They sat in silence, stuck in the same moment as a million thoughts rushed through their heads. Talia knew there was only one answer to this, at least only one that had a chance to make them happy.

“What if I left the Order?”

Rex shook his head, “it was wrong of me to ever ask that of you, it’s not fair-”

“You’re not asking it of me - I’m suggesting it. Rex.” Talia said softly. She looked down at her hands, wringing her scarred wrists as she worked to the realization that has been hidden from her for so long. “I’m not happy. This war has taken so much from me. The Jedi were the only thing I knew, and the only possibility I saw for a future. But Rex…I know so much more now. I know you, that you’re what makes me happy. I can’t lose that again.”

“But you could have so much more than me.” Rex insisted. His hand rested on her face making her meet his eyes so he could make sure she wouldn’t lie to him just to make him happy. “ You could be a Master Jedi, could go on to do great things.”

Talia silenced him by leaning in to kiss him, she pulled back and didn’t let her gaze falter. “Rex - you’re the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me - there’s no more that I need.”

“But still-”

“Being a Master was never in my cards.” Talia cut him off before he could go on about plans for a different future for her. “ I had a vision about it once, but I think I understand it now. I was always on the outside looking in, never quite fitting in with the rest of the order, or what the council expected of me. But I can find my own path without them. When the war ends, I’ll leave the order. And I’ll be yours, if you’ll have me.”

“You’ll always have me.”Rex answered quickly, a firm promise. “But, what about now? Our situation hasn’t changed.”

“Now is…more complicated. We need to be more careful than before. So. Not really together but…” Talia’s voice trailed off, still not sure what guidelines they could set. Because it was too complicated. She wanted Rex with everything in her, but she couldn’t abandon her men and leave while the war still raged on. And being with Rex while she was still in the Order was too risky now, they’d had too many slip ups already, too many chances that they would be exposed. “Now just…Just hold me, for a few minutes more and we can pretend like everything is okay.”

“We’re not pretending.” Rex said as he pulled her into her arms. His lips brushed against her forehead, lingering there as he continued. “It’s not perfect, but it’s something. I’ll wait for you, whenever you’re ready to leave. I know it’s a big thing.”

“It is, but I think it’s the right thing,” Talia answered. They settled back lower into the bed, a strange kind of peace laying between them. “This mess has to be over soon, so now we have something to look forward to once it’s done.”

“What do you want to do first?” Rex asked tentatively, allowing himself to think of an ‘after’ the war for the first time in a way that wasn’t dimmed by darkness.

Talia hummed thoughtfully, her lips pursing in before a grin curved on her lips. She glanced up at Rex, a twinkle in her eye as she said, “We should go back to the island.”

Rex huffed out a light laugh, “Better prepared and without the crash landing this time, I hope?”

“Duh,” Talia mocked. She wrapped an arm over his chest, her fingers tracing along the edges of his scars like she had done that first time on the very beach they were talking about. “It’s where we began, it’s where we can start again.”

“That sounds like a good idea.” Rex mused, a lazy half smile on his lips, “How about we meet there, once it’s all over.”

“Sounds like a plan, captain.” Talia pressed her lips to his again. “Or a promise.”

“Have I told you how beautiful you are?” Rex murmured, his hand cupped on the side of Talia’s face.

Talia thought her cheeks would ache from smiling, that they were burning from the blush that lingered on them. “You might have mentioned it sometime.”

“Not enough, I daresay,” Rex offered with a sly grin. He leaned closer to her, the coarse hairs of his scruff grazing along her neck in a way that sent shivers down her spine even in her exhausted state. He pressed a kiss in the curve of her neck, trailing up to her ear where he whispered once more, “You’re beautiful.”

“I love you so much,” Talia sighed.

Rex huffed a low chuckle. “So that’s all it took? Me calling you beautiful?”

“It’s a fair trade, I think,” Talia teased, lightly smacking his arm. But she set her face straight as she met his eyes again. “I mean it. I love you, Rex.”

“I love you too.”

He leaned down to kiss the spot just below her ear, repeating his words once more. He trailed his kisses, followed by his adorations up her neck, to her jaw bone, as if tattooing the words upon her skin to leave his mark evermore. His lips traced to the end of her scar, pausing when Talia slightly flinched from the contact against the slightly sensitive skin. His eyes scanned hers, waiting for Talia’s nod that it was ok, and he leaned in, tenderly kissing over the raised skin, “I love you, Talia.”

Talia sighed, a warmth of contentment filling her she hadn’t been sure she would ever feel again. She curled against him, feeling the warmth of Rex’s skin beneath hers, listening to the thud of his heartbeat. Her lips grazed the scar in the center of his chest, from the bolt that just missed his heart all those years ago. They laid together under that rough spun blanket, in the far too small cot, their arms wrapped around each other, their skin clinging to each other as they didn’t want to leave the others grasp. They fought off sleep, savoring the small moment they had with one another. It had been so long without the other's touch, but that absence only created a craving, a burning desire for the other’s comfort that would never be satisfied. They didn’t have the answers, not completely anyway. This simple impassé would be enough to hold over, to bridge the road to repair what they’d had before. There was the promise of something stronger, the unknown path of destiny and fate a sweet calling. What further doubts they had were buried beneath the surface, vanquished at the broken walls of their greatest barrier. As she drifted off, Rex’s hand brushed over Talia’s back, fingers grazing over the scars she received at the hand of the Zygerrians. The soothing action propelled her into sleep, no nightmares to be had tonight. Her dreams were filled with contentment and comfort, something the promise of a future with Rex held.

Next Chapter

taglist (dm/comment/fill out the form in my bio if you want to be tagged in future chapters!):

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#captain rex #captain rex x oc #star wars fanfiction #the clone wars #star wars #captain rex fanfiction #illicit affairs fanfic #ia fanfic #oc fanfiction #original female character #star wars oc #tcw fanfiction #the clone wars fanfiction #the clone wars fanfic #star wars fanfic #captain rex x ofc

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sunshinesdaydream · 11 months

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For the Spicy headcanons...

🧐- What's an unexpected kink

For Hardcase, Rex and Wrecker please :)

Oh some of my favs!

Hardcase, my ABSOLUTE Beloved. This guy likes marks. Marks on you, marks on him. He's not into pain or anything relating to it really. He likes the physical reminder of exactly what happened. Because he likes it when he can remember something very clearly. The hickey on your inner thigh, the bite mark on his shoulder, the handprint on your ass. When the guys tried to give him hell for the scratch marks on his ass they had to listen to him recount in detail the absolutely perfect blow job you gave him the night before.

Wrecker, my Sweetheart. Sweet summer child... yeah, right. Wrecker LOVES dirty talk. He likes to whisper in your ear exactly what he plans to do in filthy detail. In the middle of the deed? The praise he showers on you is so descriptively dirty. Can you still blush while he is fucking you up against a wall? Evidently yeah. Give him the same treatment in return first you'll get him blank screening and then he's the thirstiest you have ever seen a person be. Be ready.

Rex, EVERYONE'S darling. This goes along with his fav position, so it's not one he fully discovers for awhile. He likes mirrors. He wants to see what he is doing and see your reactions as well as hearing them. He thought the view was something he was giving up in favor of the access his favorite position gave him until he noticed the mirror in your room one day and it gave him the idea. And Rex has the best ideas.

Thank you for the ask! I really love these.

Everyone please tell me what you think? Any additions? changes? Any of these can turn into a discussion and I'm here for it.

I'm also here for more asks here's the link to the list! The Spicy Headcanon Ask List

#spicy headcanons #spicy headcanon ask list #star wars #the clone wars #the bad batch #captain rex #clone trooper hardcase #clone trooper #clone trooper wrecker

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vodika-vibes · 3 months

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As long as I exist, you're gonna get one!!! Show me something fluffy, darling 🥰

🌈 Share something soft/fluffy from your WIP.

@the-bad-batch-baroness

Aww~ you play favorites, babe!

🌈 Share something soft/fluffy from your WIP.

This is from my upcoming Magic and Knights AU -

"The people in the town," Hardcase speaks slowly, as if testing the words before he says them. Terrified that he might scare her away. "They tell me you don't exist."

She laughs, her head falling back and her hair tumbling over her shoulders, and then she turns her gaze towards him, her eyes sparkling with mirth. Gentle fingers trail against his jaw, "And what do you think, darling?"

Hardcase turns his heads and kisses the pads of her fingers, "I think..." He trails his lips to her palm, to her wrist, to her forearm. His gaze locked with hers, "I think it doesn't matter."

Her eyes soften, "Is that right?"

"Be you fae, or demon. Nature spirit or something else entirely...I don't care. You're you. And I love everything that you are." It's a quiet admission, but there's no shame.

And when her smile softens and she steps closer to him and brushes her lips against his jaw, his cheek, his lips - He's helpless to do anything but lose himself in her.

#star wars #star wars au #magic and knights au #hardcase x reader #answered asks

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the-marshals-wife · 1 year

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Alright, I am in love with Wrecker having kids of his own. 🥺 he'd be such a sweet dad and I can't wait to see the rest of the batch as fathers! I was wondering though, would you ever do this for the 501st or any other clones? Cause I'd be here for it for sure 🥺💕💖 Especially if you did Hardcase becoming a dad, that goof ball would be adorable ahhh! Anyways, I can't wait to read the rest of the batch!! 😭💖💕💞💖💕💞

A/N: Oh my goodness yes, time for some Hardcase representation! I think there'd be a lot of similarities between Wrecker's and Hardcase's parenting styles. Thank you for your continued support of my writing and blog! 💙

Having A Child With Hardcase Would Include

Description: Hardcase x Fem!Reader. As with my other clone headcanons/preferences, it's a Y/N insert story with the number of children I envision reader and Hardcase having.

Rating: General audiences (with a spicy reference if you squint), AU fluffiness where Umbara turns out different and this sweetheart gets the life he deserves 😌

Gif credit: user rexsjaigeyes

There is never a dull moment with Hardcase

If you thought parenthood was going to slow him down in any way, no you didn't

Becoming a father only amplified his playful, witty personality, something you didn't think was scientifically possible

When you told him you were pregnant, he all but bounced off the walls

Hardcase was "so kriffin' excited" to become a dad

He said exactly that to every person that crossed his path for weeks on end, especially his brothers

"How did I get so lucky? I can't believe it."

("Me either. Y/N actually thinks the galaxy can survive a smaller, louder version of you" - Fives, probably)

You were admittedly a bit nervous about becoming a parent, but as always, Hardcase had no fear

He tackled the learning curve head on, and it brought you so much joy and confidence to see his paternal instincts kick in as you both prepared for the arrival of your little one

Suddenly, he was aware of every hazard he'd never paid attention to himself, and in just a few hours, he completely baby-proofed every inch of your apartment

He even kept track of the days in your pregnancy, counting down to your expected due date

He loves (to attempt) cooking for you

Is he great at it? No. Did he burn everything at first and almost set your kitchen on fire three times? Definitely. Did he get better with practice and learn to make your favorite foods just the way you like them? Absolutely

Lots of cuddles watching holos together

Whenever he had to leave for the day, he would always kiss you first and then your growing belly

"Can't leave without telling our baby goodbye."

You adore how much he says that - our baby - and how much he's already devoted to being a dad

On your difficult pregnancy days, he would always be by your side to talk to you and tell you jokes until you were smiling again

Love At First Sight

From the moment your daughter was born, he was wrapped around her little finger

"She's so beautiful. Look what we made. No growth chamber or anything."

You jokingly reminded him that that was technically your role

"Oh...right. Of course. Great job! Not a single crack in the jar. Better than Kamino!"

In the weeks after your daughter was born, it was a battle to get Hardcase to put her down, literally

"Where I go, she goes."

Many naptimes were spent on her daddy's chest because he simply didn't want to let her out of his sight

(Sorry to report that diapers are you division, though. You just can't put your poor darlings through that again...)

Seeing him dote on your little girl so much only made you fall in love with him more; you were proud to call him the father of your children

Oh yes, children. You weren't done adding to the ranks of your little battalion, and neither was your cyare

A year and a half later, you gave birth to not one, but two sons

More than a few tears were shed as Hardcase held the twins in his arms

You better believe he was telling everyone about it too, calling many of his brothers to share the news before you even left the hospital

("We're doomed" - Fives again, probably)

How do you do, fellow kids?

Hardcase is a child himself at heart, which means he is your children's first and favorite best friend

Whatever they're interested in, you can bet he's into it too

He watches more children's holos with them than you do, and you're the one who stays home

Seriously, he knows all the words to the theme songs, the lore for each show, and the powers and skills of every character - it's a big thing that he and the kids bond over

Boredom is not a word in your house

Whatever your children ask for, Hardcase ensures they get (within reason)

He's likely getting something for himself too, especially if it's sweets

They want to build model starships? He's first in line at the market in the morning to get the kits

Your daughter wants to play dolls? You better believe her daddy is on that floor doing the right voices and following the story lines (and maybe causing the occasional pretend explosion or starship crash because he lives for the Drama™)

They all want to turn the livingroom into a battlefield to fight imaginary droids? Guess who their commander is

"Why not promote myself? I earned it!"- Hardcase when you teasingly pointed out his new rank

You enjoy getting in on the fun too and being the Zillo Beast attacking the barracks or the queen taken hostage that the dashing commander and his squad have to rescue from a den of bounty hunters

I cannot stress this enough: ANTICS

Pillow fights and roughhousing? HE probably started it

He's taking the fall for it too, because he'd rather face a firing squad than see any of his little troopers in trouble

In the everyday domestic disputes, discipline obviously begins and ends with you

You had to convince him that timeouts were not equivalent to capital punishment

Even then, you have to stop him from letting the kids out early

Bed times? What are those?

Speaking of bed, you had to invest in a bigger one because your beloved couldn't bear sending any of the kids away when they wanted to sleep with mom and dad

Seriously, he cannot say no to his babies

No night is complete with out tickle fights, either

Despite often having a foot in your ribs (which doesn't always belong to a child), you actually love sleeping with your family near and wouldn't have it any other way

Exception: the kids get sent to their own beds immediately when mommy wants a tickle fight with daddy. Commander's orders.

It's not only fun and games

With a little coaching from you, Hardcase was able to find balance between work and play, especially as the kids entered adolescence

It's not his strong suit, but he genuinely tries to help them with their academy studies (eventually they learn to go to you first; dad is for times of desperation only)

He is, however, at the ready any time they need a good joke or exciting story to brighten their day and banish their stress

Family holo night is mandatory

There's usually bickering over what to watch - i.e. your partner and offspring are disputing which loud, brightly-colored animated holo to put on - but diplomacy resumes as soon you bring the snacks out

Sometimes you just can't help but laugh and watch the chaos

All of your children certainly inherited their father's bold enthusiasm for life and passionate courage

When your daughter began to experience bullying at academy for standing up for a friend, Hardcase wasted no time expressing how proud he was of her for doing what's right

He was equally supportive of the boys when they later showed interest in weapons training and possible careers in the military

Just as when they were younger, he is always there for them to make them smile and feel secure and loved

There's no limit to what Hardcase will do for his family, and you wouldn't trade one day of your beautiful, whirlwind life with him for anything in the galaxy

#hardcase x reader #clone trooper hardcase #clone wars imagine #hardcase imagine #clone wars headcanons #clone wars prefences #star wars headcanons #star wars imagine #star wars preferences #hardcase x you #my writing #request

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luna-the-lone-red-wolf · 7 months

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18+ and please don't judge me

The medic

Prologue

I sat in my tiny quiet room with a letter that would either ruin my life or bring me so much joy that I might start crying. Finally I tore the letter open and held my breath as I pulled the letter free, ‘Dear Luna we are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted into the Grand Army of the Republic as a medic. You will start your combat training here on Coruscant but then will be transferred to another facility later on if you pass. Please report to the base at 0800 tomorrow.’ I wanted to scream in joy but held it back. I was finally leaving this god forsaken place!

I quickly grabbed my duffle bag that had everything that I was going to bring with me into my new life and ran out my door, closing it quietly so as to not disturb the rest of the house as I snuck out. I walked as quietly as I could, making it to the door in a few moments. I held my breath as I opened the door and quietly went out, closing the door and running to 79’s. As I rounded the last corner the bar came into sight, I ran faster and made it to the door, it automatically opened. I looked around hoping to see some of the 501st, 212ths, or the 104th. As I looked around I spotted some of the 501st, I skirted around the dancing clones, past the bar and to the booth that the 501st was at. Fives was the first to notice me, he stood up and waved his arms in the air, I covered my mouth to stifle my laughter as I walked over to them.

I looked around the table and saw Jesse, Kix, Hardcase, Tup, Echo, and Rex as I walked up. “Hey sweetheart!” Fives smiled and gave me a hug. I hugged him back laughing “ Hello love.” “Hey! You can’t hog her all to yourself Fives!” Jesse shouted coming behind me pulling me away from Fives, I couldn’t help but laugh as Jesse held me from behind nuzzling into my hair kissing my neck and taking a deep breath of my scent. Fives was still in front of me glaring at Jess, he lifted his arms and put his hands on my hips right above Jesse’s hands and brought his body closer his face only a breath away when Echo got up and put a hand on his brother's shoulder and eased him back “Jesse’s right you can’t hog her all to yourself.” Echo then slipped in between us and pulled me away from Jess’s hold kissing my temple “Hello Darling. How are you?” I nuzzled into his chest. “Hello love, I’m great and you?” he hummed in my ear “I’m better now that you are here, why are you in such a good mood?” I put my hands on his chest and gently pushed him back and looked in his eyes. “I’ll tell you when I’m done greeting everyone else. Ok?” he nodded and released me. I smiled up at him and kissed his check.

I greeted the others and smiled widely as I pulled out the letter that I received this morning and handed it to Rex to read. He raised an eyebrow but opened it and read it quietly then looked at it with surprise then his face broke into a smile. He jumped up and picked me up by the waist and hugged me. I laughed and held his head to my chest. I looked at the table to see Fives picking up the letter and reading it and jumping up and started to do a happy dance and soon the rest of the 501st were joining in and shouting congratulations. Finally Rex put me down and gripped my face between his large hands and kissed me deeply. I melted into the kiss, finally we broke apart to breathe “that’s my good girl I know you could do it.” He rested his forehead against mine. I couldn't stop the small tear from sliding down my cheek and landed on his hand. He brushed his thumb over the next one to fall “it’s ok baby girl we are proud of you and will support you no matter what.” I looked up into his deep brown eyes and smiled knowing he was telling the truth.

Kis then came up and put a hand on my shoulder bringing my attention to him. “Yeah what Rex said we will support you no matter what and we also love you. You’re our girl always and forever.” Another tear slid down my chek this time caught by Jesse who came to my other side, “and we will do everything in our power to keep you safe.”

“And I promise to take great care of you boys when I’m done with my training.” I promised and looked each of them in the eyes. “Now this is worth celebrating! I’m going to go get us some drinks!” Fives shouted, he gave me a quick peck on the lips and walked to the bar. While Fives was getting us drinks the boys settled back down as I took a step towards the booth. I felt eyes on me. I looked around trying to find the eyes when I looked into a darker counter of the bar and found a group of 4 men looking at us.

The first one I noticed was the biggest one he looked like his muscles had muscles he was also bold with a huge scar over his left side of his face with and his eye was milky white, the man to the left of him was leaner but nearly as tall with silver hair and what looked like a crosshair’s tattoo over his right eye. The one in the middle was just about as tall as sliver but not quite he had brown hair and big rimmed glasses, then there was the last one he wasn't as tall of as built as muscles but he was in the middle with both he had a sharp hawks nose and dark brown hair that was tied back by a red bandana but that was most shocking about him was the half skull tattoo over his face.

We stared at each other for a minute until I felt a hand in my shoulder bringing me back to the present I looked up to find Fives looking at me with so much love and care that I completely forgot about the men watch us and join my boys for some much needed drinks and relaxation before some really long months in front of me.

#bad batch fanfic smut #starwars clone wars #poly reader #clone troopers #501st #bad batch #18+

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stardust-kenobi · 1 year

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Omfg bestie- The moment I got the notif of you opening your requests, I bolted 🤣 Anyways, I love ya so much and I hope you are doing well, make sure to drink lots of water and eat only the best food for you 💕💖

If you don't mind me bestie, I am feeling a bit spicey and would love to see a fic with these lovely prompts ( 2, 40, 42 ) with either Hunter, Hardcase, Rex, or even Din Djarin. Either one of them would be perfect and knowing you, it would be the most amazing fic that it would create the perfect balance to the force hahaha

Either way, just remember you are literally such a baddie and that you can do whatever you put your mind to!! I am very lucky to have you as a friend MWAH!!

HELLO MY DARLING SAGE!!! You are such a ray of sunshine and Ilysm. You always make me smile <3

I would love to write this for you🥰 I have done requests from these prompts before and actually someone had requested 40 and 42 with Din and you can read it here

BUT I’m gonna do #2 with Hunter, if that’s okay! My god that would be hot 🥵

#asks #sage

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catawampuscorner · 3 years

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Fellas what is it about Hardcase that makes me think he'd love wearing dresses

The outfit challenge I’m working from is here

Wolffe in A3 here

Tup in F2 here

Cody in A2 + B3 here

#a cute outfit for a cute boy amirite #hardcase my darling #in my heart and my headcanons ur still alive #star wars #the clone wars #hardcase #clone trooper hardcase #star wars fanart #star wars the clone wars #sw tcw #tcw #tcw fanart #clone trooper #clone trooper fanart #cat art

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jgvfhl · 3 years

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Hardcase has a what now...?

My dear @soclonely pointed out to me a while ago that Hardcase has MASSIVE Gomez Addams energy, and we can't have a Gomez without a Morticia. So naturally, I created her. She's wonderful. Enjoy this writing about them! It's 8200 words! I'd apologize but anyone who likes Hardcase knows I'm doing them a favor 😌

Aside from the batchmates he’d trained with on Kamino, Jesse had known Hardcase pretty much forever. They had both been shinies in Torrent Company way back when Rex hadn’t had any grey hairs. Jesse had been on leave with his friend countless times. So, was it a huge surprise every time Hardcase ran up to him in 79s, an enormous smile on his face, his eyes shining from neon lights, to tell him he was in love? No. Not anymore. It had happened about… seven times? Eight? But Jesse was a brother, so he was never anything other than understanding, encouraging (to a point), and as helpful as he could feasibly be.

“Oh, you gotta see her, Jess, you gotta,” Hardcase said, grabbing his wrist and trying to lead him through the crowds at 79s.

“Okay, okay, ‘Case,” Jesse agreed, staying put at his table while he finished his drink. “What’s so special about her?”

That seemed to catch his brother’s attention. He moved closer, still with a hold on his wrist, so he could be heard above the thumping bass of the music. “Y’know that ache in my shoulder from falling on it last week?”

“The one you got falling off the bunks you weren’t supposed to be on?”

“Yeah, yeah,” Hardcase waved his free hand to dismiss Jesse’s reminder. “But you remember Kix couldn’t get it to go away, right?”

Jesse did not like the direction this was going. He set his glass down and nodded. “Yeah…”

Hardcase grinned and moved his arm in circles, demonstrating a full range of motion. “She fixed it!”

That was… Hardcase was smarter than that, right? He wouldn’t accept drugs from strange women in 79s, right? How else would he have survived this long in the war?

“Um… Hardcase?”

“Isn’t that cool?” his brother smiled, still showing off his perfectly mobile shoulder, and still grasping Jesse’s wrist. “She’s so cool! She’s so smart, she knows all these things about plants and animals and like… chemistry or something I think?” He was rambling. Jesse recognized it as normal, but usually it wasn’t quite this… animated. “Oh! And Jesse!” He raised his hands to clap, but discovered he was still holding Jesse’s wrist. “Whoops, sorry.” He released his wrist, then clapped and carried on with his slurry of words. “She’s so pretty, Jesse! She’s like a damn painting, Jess--”

“Do you know anything else about her other than her penchant for alchemy?” Jesse had to ask.

Hardcase stopped his excited rambling and blinked at him. “What?”

“Like a name…?” Jesse prompted slowly, putting a hand on his shoulder so he wouldn’t bounce off somewhere in his excitement.

“Oh!” Hardcase laughed. “Yeah, yeah, her name’s Tala,” he said, again starting to tug Jesse somewhere else. “She’s from Coruscant.”

The atmosphere in the briefing room was… tense, to say the least. Clones were protective of their own, because usually all they had was their own. An attack against one clone was an attack against the whole damn army, as far as most brothers were concerned. And, while most of Torrent Co. had met and interacted with at least one natborn in their short lives, and quite a few had had more… intimate experiences, the implication that one of their boys in blue might actually want a relationship with one that needed to be discussed. Hence the briefing room.

“What does he mean he has a girlfriend?” Rex asked for the third time in ten minutes. The captain was not taking Jesse’s news well.

“I don’t know!” Jesse hissed, trying to keep his voice down so it wouldn’t carry into the corridor. “He met this lady at 79s and now he won’t shut up about her.”

“Is… this being interpreted as a bad thing?” Echo wanted to know.

Jesse shrugged helplessly. “I don’t know! I thought it would fade like all his other nattie crushes, which is why I didn’t tell you right away--”

“Yeah, Hardcase does this all the time,” Kix cut in to agree.

“But he never keeps them up for more than a day or so,” he finished. “It’s been almost three.”

There was a momentary pause as they all considered this fact. Fives finally said, “Have they slept together?”

“Not that he’s told me,” Jesse said.

“And he would,” Kix said, and Rex nodded, rubbing his eyes, probably remembering “fond memories,” as Jesse was.

Rex rubbed his chin and sighed. “Okay. So. Has anyone ever met this woman?”

Everyone looked to Jesse. He had been dreading this part of the conversation. See, he hadn’t really told them anything about the woman he’d met in 79s that night with Hardcase, and none of them had been there to do so either. So it was only him.

“Well…” he said, rubbing his head and thinking he’d probably need to shave it again soon. “I did… kinda… meet her. That night. Because he dragged me over.”

“And?” Fives prompted, folding his arms.

79s had many alcoves and corners and slightly more private places for people to experience the full blast of the place from a distance. Jesse had been in such a place, because he was tired. Hardcase was now dragging him bodily out of that place, and towards the tables around the main dance floor.

“C’mon!” Hardcase called behind him. The lights swung around crazily, not exactly adding to his overall comfort in the situation.

“I’m trying…” Jesse muttered to himself, dodging people and serving droids left and right.

But finally, Hardcase pulled him up short beside a round standing table surrounded by… oh Maker help them. Zabraks.

“Hold the kriff up right there--” Kix cut into Jesse’s story.

He was closely followed by Fives and Echo spluttering, “Zabraks?”

Rex said, “Nightsisters?”

Jesse sighed, knowing very well their captain's personal encounters with Asajj Ventress on Teth. “Well. Kind of. I’ll get to that.”

The three zabraks--all women--turned to look at them upon Hardcase’s arrival, dragging Jesse. On the table was a large case, inside of which glittered dozens of little glass vials of liquid. The bright lights twinkled off their sides, somehow matching the sheen of dark nail polish on the woman’s hands holding it. Jesse did not like the look of them. The vials or the zabraks. Two of them, he recognized as Iridonian--he knew they had more human-like skin tones and small horns and… hair, right? Or was that the men… he couldn’t remember, especially when three pairs of scrutinizing eyes were currently making the rounds on his person.

But the third woman, her hands on the case, looked… well, she looked more like the images he’d seen of Asajj Ventress than her companions. This, naturally, did nothing to ease Jesse’s anxiety on the situation.

The description had similar effects in the briefing room.

“You’re kidding, right?” Kix said.

“She’s a Nightsister?” Rex followed, looking even more wary than at the first mention of zabraks.

Jesse shrugged helplessly. “I dunno! She… she has different tattoos?”

“That doesn’t mean anything in terms of her subspecies,” Echo said. “Dathomiri and Iridonian zabraks both use tattoos to differentiate familial lines and identity. And it’s only the male Dathomiri zabraks who don’t have body hair.”

Fives rolled his eyes at his batchmate’s impression of a holotext. “So, what, she goes to 79s to sell drugs?”

“Well, yeah. I mean--no, not--not that kind of drugs,” Jesse said, stumbling a bit over the words. “Not like spice or anything, it’s literally all either medicinal or like, I dunno, antidotes to DR drugs?”

“Antidotes?” Rex said.

“Yeah. Also, she grew up on Coruscant, so… does that still make her a Nightsister?”

They all looked at Echo, who blinked and stood up a bit taller when he noticed. “Well, probably not.”

The odd woman out--Tala, Jesse remembered her name was Tala--smiled when her eyes landed on Hardcase. Jesse had to admit, his brother was right about one thing: this woman was absolutely stunning to look at. Her light skin and jet black hair kept shifting tones in the ever-changing colored lights, but the thin black lines of her tattoos always stood out.

“Welcome back, handsome,” she said, closing the lid of her case, leaning one elbow on the table, and resting her other hand on her hip. The long sleeve of her short black dress flared at the wrist, draping over her hip.

It was then Jesse realized she was several inches taller than both his brother and himself. He glanced at her feet, hoping it was her shoes giving her this advantage, but her boots gave her two inches at most. Well.

“Hi,” Hardcase replied with the absolute dumbest smile on his face. “I have a brother,” he said, lifting Jesse’s hand in his.

Tala nodded. “I had a feeling you might.”

A comically awestruck smile spread across his brother’s face, and Jesse dipped his head, pinching the bridge of his nose with his free hand.

“She knows you’re a clone, buddy, it’s not magic,” he said quietly. “We’re in 79s for Maker’s sake.”

“Oh! Right.” The grin was still stupid, and Tala’s friends hid smirks in their drinks.

“I’m Jesse,” he said before Hardcase could accidentally call him Kix or something.

“Oh, I’m Tala,” she said, her smile widening as she straightened up and extended a hand for him to shake.

He wrested his hand free from Hardcase to tentatively complete the gesture. “Hi. Um. Look, I just… want to make sure whatever you gave him for his… shoulder… isn’t gonna kill him.”

There was a second of thought before her expression brightened, her grey eyes glittering a bit like Hardcase’s did when he saw a new weapon to play with. “Oh, of course!” She turned her case around to open it again, selecting a small vial from the third row. “Of course, what a good brother you are. Here.” She held it up between thumb and forefinger. “It’s nothing dangerous, I promise.” The liquid lit up sort of purple as the lights passed over it. “I could give you a sample if your medic wants to check it, though.”

One of her friends, the woman with darker skin and a purple dress murmured, “You’re sure it’s that one and not the other one--”

Tala answered immediately, shaking her head. “No, no, no, I don’t bring the really nasty ones out of the house.”

Hardcase moved a step closer to the two women discussing ‘really nasty’ potions, looking a bit too excited for the subject. “What about the one you said it could like… oh! It could turn your eyes into blood or something?”

Tala got a smug smile on her darkly painted mouth and again leaned on the table. "I could make one that would turn your tongue as blue as your paint, handsome."

"Awesome!" Hardcase beamed, again stepping closer.

"Uh… 'Case she just said she can turn your tongue blue," Jesse found himself pointing out.

"Oh, please," Tala said, sounding the way she had when she had called him 'such a good brother,' "I always make the antidote to go with. It wouldn't do at all if the ones experiencing the effects couldn't give a report afterwards."

Jesse had left out some of the finer details for his brothers but they were still staring at him with varying flavors of concern.

"As much as she sounds crazy," Kix said, "I… have to respect her method."

"Her method?" Rex asked, incredulous.

"I am a man of science," the medic protested. "Her process has merits. You don't want a test subject to die before…" He trailed off when he saw their slightly more concerned faces, edging perhaps into fear. "Okay, well, I would never--ugh! Nevermind." He crossed his arms and fell silent, until he remembered something. "Wait, is that the weird stuff you had me do some tests on? And it was like… three different kinds of plant extracts and one toad venom compound?"

"That's the one."

"Toad venom?" Rex cut in, eyes narrowing.

Kix waved a hand dismissively. "It's nothing bad, it was processed in a way that negates the harmful effects. But she did that?"

Jesse shrugged. "I guess?"

Kix blinked, one eyebrow arching in surprise and maybe even respect. “Huh,” was all he said, though.

“So… what are we going to do about this?” Echo wanted to know. Jesse wanted to know as well. “It doesn’t seem like anything particularly bad, it’s just…” He trailed off, looking for the right words.

As usual, his batchmate found some for him. “Really kriffing weird?”

Echo tilted his head, considering them. “Yeah.”

“But still, I mean--” Rex started, but Jesse’s comm pinged and he opened the message while the others kept talking amongst themselves.

“Oh,” he said aloud, and that made everyone go quiet.

“What?” Rex said.

“It’s… from ‘Case.” His brothers’ silences made him continue. “He uh… wants us to meet him outside the base for a bit.”

“Wait, when did he leave the base?” the captain demanded. After last night, Jesse had hauled an elated and practically bouncing-off-the-walls Hardcase back to the barracks on Coruscant, and there he had stayed. Or, was supposed to stay. It appeared he’d gone off again.

“Dunno,” Jesse answered honestly.

“Why do I have the feeling we’re gonna get a lot of answers about this woman really soon?” Fives asked, voicing all their thoughts.

Rex started walking to the door, grabbing his helmet off the holotable in the middle of the room where it lay with Fives’ and Echo’s. “Well, let’s go find out,” he sighed, and they all followed him, filing out of the room and through the halls towards the front gates of the RMB.

-scene-

Coruscant’s weather was artificially controlled for the most part. Usually, it was pale sun, no clouds (for ships coming and going), and comfortably warm for the average body temperature of the millions of species inhabiting the metropolis. Today, however, it could have been thundering and lightning, pouring down rain like Kamino, and Hardcase would not have cared a wink. He wouldn’t have cared if the street were on fire (actually, that would have been really cool, come to think of it) and toxic sludge were pouring out of the sewers (again… kinda cool), because he had the most amazing woman in the galaxy walking next to him.

“So the trick with thermal detonators is you’ve gotta know their charge capacity, because the last thing you want is you and your buddies going sky-high with the clankers because you grabbed a 10cc instead of a 2cc, y’know?” he explained, dodging other people on the walkway as he tried not to hit them while gesturing. Tala had asked what exactly he did in the GAR, so he had been enthusiastically telling her about being a weapons and demo specialist. No one else had ever seemed interested after he'd told them before.

She nodded, her high ponytail swinging with it. “Of course. Any alchemist has the same problem.”

“Same--what do you mean?” He loved how much he could learn from her in all of two seconds of conversation. Although, sometimes he did get a bit lost--he was easily distracted and she was very distracting, after all.

“Well, the trick is everything in moderation,” she said with a small smile that could have turned his knees to jelly if he thought about it for too long. “Too much of certain ingredients can kill almost anyone,” she went on, a gleam in her grey eyes. “But just the right amount can cure a cold, or take pain away, or give you a fun trip, if you want.”

“Ohhhh…” He hadn’t realized he’d stopped walking until he felt her tug on his arm.

“Watch out, charmer, you’ll trip someone,” she said, or something like that. He wasn’t entirely sure what she had said because most of his mental energy had been devoted to registering her touch and then not falling flat on his face by tripping over his own feet.

He was blushing, he knew, but he didn’t feel the need to hide it. So he turned to her to tell her, “You’re really smart.”

Tala dipped her chin and scoffed quietly. Hardcase didn’t know enough about zabraks to know if she was blushing or not, but it was likely. He kind of hoped she was. “That’s nice to hear,” she finally said with a brief smile. Her hold on his arm tightened just a bit. “Most people find it pretty hard to get past the witch thing, so--”

“But witches have to be smart,” he reasoned. “Same way I have to be smart, or I’d be blown to little bits by now, right?”

She looked over at him, and he couldn’t quite place the look on her face. The sheer beauty of her face didn’t help him figure it out. The RMB was visible now, and the civilian crowds were thinning as they approached. Finally, she smiled genuinely again, and said, “I think I’m very glad you’re smart, then.”

All he could do was smile at her, because his words had utterly deserted him at that point. But he did remember to keep walking this time, delighting in the fact that she hadn't let go of his arm yet.

As they approached the base, more and more clones replaced the civilians walking by, and someone would have to he blind not to notice the attention they gave Tala. Hardcase wasn't quite sure if that was because she looked Dathomiri, and more than a few brothers had it out for Ventress; or because, obviously, she was the most beautiful person dirtside in parsecs. Reading expression and body language had never been a strong suit for him.

Tala must have been better at it, because she murmured to him, "I'm afraid I'm not going to be very popular with your brothers, if the looks I'm getting from these troopers are anything to go by."

"Don't worry about it!" he tried to assure her. "Look, they trust me, yeah? So… by extension, they have to at least be civil to you. That is what being a clone means.”

“It means trust?”

“It means family is more important than most, I think,” he said, waving at the 41st trooper he’d met a few nights ago who happened to be walking by. The trooper either did recognize him and didn’t like him, or was too busy reading the datapad in front of him to notice. Ah well. “Also, life is short--shorter for us--and I don’t want them missing out.”

Tala raised a perfect eyebrow at him. “Missing out on what?”

He gave her a winning smile. “On you! You’re amazing. You’re the coolest person I’ve met in a really long time. They should meet you.”

She smiled back, a little fond, he thought. “You really know how to make a girl feel like one in a million, huh, handsome?”

“Oh, you do half the work for me,” he said, “already being one in a million and everything.”

For a moment or two, she fell silent and stared at him as they walked, ever approaching the RMB gates. After a bit, he started thinking he’d said the wrong thing to trigger such a curious silence. But finally, she said, “Why do you do that?”

That made him question himself even more, but he kept up appearances and asked, “What do you mean? What--what am I doing?” He resisted the urge to ask if he was doing something wrong. He didn’t want to do something wrong. Not for her.

“The--” she waved her free hand-- “the flattery, the compliments--normally when a guy starts laying on praise he wants something. Something like a date or a hook-up. But you haven’t asked me for anything in three days except to go on walks or meet your brothers.”

“Oh.” It was all the words he found he had ready to speak. Truthfully, asking anything else hadn’t even occurred to him. Well, the date might have, once or twice, but he just got so caught up in being with her, it usually slipped his mind after a few minutes’ conversation anyway. He just liked being around her. He liked talking to her, he liked that she never told him to stop rambling about explosives (or lunch or weather or planets), he liked that she let him ask as many questions about alchemy as he wanted…

Did it really only take three days to start liking someone like that?

He was brought back to reality when her fingers grazed his chin, and he felt his heart stop for a beat as he looked back at her. “I’m just saying I’m not used to praise without any strings attached, is all,” she said. “I’m sure I can get used to it, though.”

Hardcase stuck his chin out proudly, happy with the knowledge he hadn’t done anything wrong. “You might just have to, miss. I don’t intend to stop.”

“Dank karking ferrik, okay--” Jesse heard in his right ear from Fives. They were waiting outside the base for Hardcase and this Tala woman, and the other four--Echo, Kix, Fives, and Rex--had just gotten their first look at her. “I guess I see why he was interested in the first place,” Fives finished in the same low voice.

Tala had a presence. It was a weird comparison to Hardcase’s buoyant, jubilant energy. They saw him walking and talking animatedly as he always did, but she was so quiet, collected. Even in chunky black combat boots (again, a low heel, and she was still tall), she seemed to have a way of gliding forward. Cool as a dead star, next to the ball of energy that was their brother.

She was also, as Jesse had told them, almost unnaturally beautiful, and today was no different. She had the same high ponytail and undercut that he’d seen in 79s, but her dress was of a far less flashy material than before and hung to just above her knees, dark blue with a pleated skirt, slim long sleeves, and black stockings underneath.

This would be interesting, no doubt.

The captain took half a step ahead of the rest of them to meet them, and Hardcase was waving and smiling at him from several meters away still.

“Captain! Hi!”

“Hardcase,” the captain replied in a familiar, fond voice. Hardcase and Tala stopped a few feet from him, and their brother gave a lazy salute, but Jesse knew the captain wouldn’t care. Fives already did it all the time, and Captain Rex really only got annoyed if there was a CO to see it. “And this would be…”

In the captain’s defense, Jesse wouldn’t know how to refer to Tala either.

Thankfully, she seemed to understand this. “I’m Tala. I’m--well, I’m sure he’s told you about me.”

“I have,” he assured her.

“He has,” the captain agreed. “I’m Captain Rex, I’m his commanding officer.”

Tala nodded once. “Ah, yes, I remember.”

“I told her about you,” Hardcase said, despite the clear implication. “All good things!” he said hastily. “Except maybe the general throwing you off the wall on Bug World isn’t a good thing, but it’s a funny thing.”

“It is a funny thing,” Fives agreed.

The captain sighed quietly, knowing he was fighting a losing battle for propriety here. “Right.” He relaxed slightly from the rigid stance he’d taken up when Tala had approached. Jesse couldn’t imagine having a conversation with her was an entirely pleasant affair. “Can I have a word with you? By yourself?” he asked. “I’m sure the boys can entertain themselves for a few minutes.”

Tala was likewise uncertain, but Jesse didn’t know anything about why. She glanced at Hardcase, who gave her a grin and a thumbs up with one hand. Her lips twitched into a tiny smile, then she nodded to the captain. “Of course.”

Hardcase seemed dismayed when she relinquished his arm to walk away several meters with the captain, but Kix and Domino had plenty of questions, so he was easily distracted from it.

“When Jess said she was a looker, I didn’t think he meant like that,” Fives said first, because he was Fives. Jesse rolled his eyes.

Hardcase beamed. Jesse hadn’t seen him this consistently happy in a while. “I know!”

“Did she really cure your shoulder?” Kix asked next, reaching out and poking at the exposed blacks around Hardcase’s shoulder.

“I think so,” he answered, letting his medic examine him. “It took a minute to take effect, but it feels good as new.”

“Is she Dathomiri?” Echo wanted to know.

Hardcase shook his head. “Nope. Not really, anyway,” he said. “She’s half-Dathomiri, half-Iridonian, but she grew up here on Coruscant. She says she’s always been upset she doesn’t have horns.”

Echo nodded, and Kix snorted, but Jesse found the same confusion he felt written on Fives’ face. “I don’t understand,” the ARC stated.

“Both Iridonian men and women have the horns,” Echo explained. “But in Dathomiri zabraks, just the men have them, and they’re far more pronounced than Iridonian horns.”

Jesse tilted his head. “Huh. So that’s why the Hairless Harpy has no horns.”

“Yes.”

“Weird,” Fives said, scratching his goatee. “I always hear Waxer saying she flirts with General Kenobi every chance she gets.”

Kix, Hardcase, and Jesse all stared at him, trying to find the connection between subjects. Echo blinked, thought a second, then sighed a deep sigh and put his head in his hands. It was a familiar sight.

“Get it?” Fives said. “‘Cause she’s not horny… so why is she flirting…?”

“Ha ha, you’re a damn comedian, Fives,” Echo muttered, but he was almost drowned out by Hardcase cracking up into laughter, putting an arm on Kix’s shoulder for support. That was enough vindication for Fives, who crossed his arms and stuck his chin out at his batchmate.

“So…” Jesse started, once Hardcase had calmed down to a smile, “what… what are your plans? I guess?” He was so not used to talking about romance and Hardcase in the same sentence. It was weird.

“Like plans for the day or plans… like plans plans?” his brother asked.

Jesse shrugged. “Both, if you’ve got ‘em.”

“Well, we were gonna go to the Outer Rim Botanical Gardens later today. I guess there’s all kinds of cool plants she uses for work in there,” he answered, now leaning on Kix. The medic was used to this. “But afterwards, I’m not sure.”

“But, you… really like her, right?” Fives said.

Hardcase nodded with enthusiasm. “How can I not?” he smiled. “She’s awesome! And she’s smart, and she’s beautiful, and she lets me talk about my job--she thinks we can make little like--like smoke bomb kinda things, but not smoke, it’s like aerosolized versions of her potions, so it’s like, um…” He waved a hand around in the air, trying to remember the word.

“Aromatherapy?” Kix supplied, and received a not-so-gentle shove in reply.

“Yeah! That thing that you said.”

They stared at his face--which was glowing from happiness--for a moment. Then Kix said, “Well, it could work.”

“Exactly!” he agreed. “How cool is that?”

“How cool is what?” the captain wanted to know. He and Tala were walking back over to them, having finished their little chat.

“Aromatherapy,” Hardcase told him, standing up a little straighter. “Tala and I had an idea.”

“Oh, right the little not smoke bomb things,” Tala said, nodding her head as she walked around the others to stand beside him.

The captain took a moment to process this, but eventually he nodded slowly. “Right. Not smoke bombs.”

“I take it the shovel talk is finished, then, sir?” Fives asked, looking to the captain.

“It wasn’t a shovel talk--”

“It was absolutely a shovel talk, sir,” Kix said, cutting him off.

The captain sighed, rubbing his brow with one hand. “Whatever. We had a talk. It’s finished. You’re free to…” He gestured to the horizon broadly. “You’re on leave,” he said. “Have fun.”

“Thank you, sir!” Hardcase grinned, bouncing on the balls of his feet.

Tala extended a hand to him. “The Gardens close at six. Shall we?”

He took her hand with purpose and answered, “I have no idea where we’re going or what it is, but lead on.”

They watched them walk away in much the same manner as they had come: Hardcase was gesturing widely about whatever they were talking about, and Tala was gliding along, nodding every so often. What a strange sight… and yet.

“So… we’re okay with this, now?” Jesse asked the other four.

“Yep, I’m good with it,” Fives said, nodding decisively. Echo nodded next to him.

“She seems smart enough to deal with him,” Kix added.

They all looked to their captain, who hadn’t spoken yet. He noticed, and shrugged. “As long as he’s happy, I can’t really argue.”

-scene-

Tala's apartment had been personally engineered for coziness over the years she'd had it. All the colors were personal choices, all the furniture was hand-picked, all the candles currently lit appealed to her senses. Her house plants and her work plants had their own spaces, all getting just the right amount of sun. Her kitchen was too small for a proper dining room, so the fake marble island served as both a preparation station and dining room. It was a dark color flecked with silver, standing out against her dark silver cupboards and pale fake marble flooring. She didn't often have company, because she had so many plants needing careful attention, and large gatherings made her (and them) nervous.

But just one person was fine. Normally, Hardcase's energy shone as bright as the candles she kept on her island, but tonight, he was a bit flat, and she hadn't asked why yet. He was sitting at the island, swinging his legs absent-mindedly, his head resting in his hand.

"Right," Tala said, finally turning off the stove and removing the pan to serve dinner. "What could possibly have put my favorite ray of sunshine behind a cloud, hm?"

That at least made him look up at her and smile, but it had nowhere near the sparkle it normally did. "Oh, nothing. Nothing new, anyway."

"Nothing new you haven't at least mentioned to me in passing?" she asked, sliding a plate of stir fry over to him. "I'm surprised."

"We're shipping back out tomorrow. So."

Oh. Well that would explain the quiet mood. He was leaving. She had no idea when he might be back. As she sat down across from him with her own plate, she found the same somber mood descending on her.

"Can you tell me where?" she asked.

He shook his head. "Nope," he said, using his fork to push the food around on his plate. "Too important, I guess."

She nodded, taking a bite. "I'm sorry it's making you unhappy."

Hardcase smiled again. "Usually it doesn't," he admitted. "But I guess I've never had anything or anyone to leave behind before, y'know?"

Gods, he was adorable sometimes. The smile he gave just then was warm enough to melt Hoth. "Any idea when you could be back?" She was hesitant to ask, because she knew that question didn't always have an answer. Sometimes, even if it had an answer, the reality of war wouldn't have the same plan.

He shrugged while he ate. "Not sure. A month? Maybe two?"

Tala felt her chest tighten around a new bit of worry. That wasn't a terribly long time, in the long scheme of things, but it was… two months. Tala didn't want… she didn't really like the idea of two months without him. And yes that was unrealistic and perhaps a bit selfish, but she cared. Suddenly, she cared about seeing him every day, talking to him every day, seeing his happiness. She couldn't decide if it was on her that she felt this way after only six days, or maybe it was him.

"Well," she said with lightness she didn't quite feel, "I'll miss you, I think."

"Yeah?" he grinned.

"Yeah," she smiled back. "Life's a bit brighter with you around. Even the plants like you."

"What do the plants do if they don't like someone?"

Tala's smile turned sly. "You'd know," she said with a wink. "You do know I have some carnivorous ones."

Slowly, his typical boisterous energy was reviving, but she knew it wouldn't outpace the worry about leaving tomorrow. "If… y'know, if I go to a planet with some cool plants, do you want one?" he wanted to know.

Oh. Okay. She might just keep this one after all. "I think that would be wonderful. Oh, do you--are you allowed to have a frequency for me? For transmissions?" She was surprised she hadn't asked this earlier.

It was Hardcase's turn to look sly. "Is Fives allowed to make moonshine near the engine room? Of course not. Does he?"

"I'm guessing he does."

"Yeah, it's not bad stuff after a twelve-hour march."

She breathed a laugh resting the back of her wrist on her forehead. "I'll get you a frequency, then."

"And I'll do my best to call when I can," he assured her. "As long as you're okay with some other brothers dropping in."

"That's fine," she said. "They're your family."

"Yeah, clones don't have an overly developed sense of privacy," he finished. "But they mean well."

"I'm sure."

She let him spend the rest of dinner telling her little facts about his brothers. They were just about his whole world, she didn't mind. She liked listening to him talk about the things he loved, and that naturally included his family. It also probably made him less anxious about tomorrow, and that was a good thing.

When they had cleared their plates, Hardcase offered to take them to the sink, and she let him. They hadn't had time to go on a proper date at a restaurant, so she was happy to let him be a gentleman even if he couldn't open doors or pull out her chair for her in the confines of her apartment.

As he turned back from the sink behind her to walk back to his chair, she reached out to stop him by grabbing his wrist. "Hey."

"Hey what?" He'd frozen still the second her hand had touched him.

She looked up at him. "Can I have a kiss?"

It seemed to take a second for the words to register, but when they did, a now familiar stupefied grin spread over his face. "Uh… yeah. Yes."

-scene-

Hardcase thought about that kiss a lot. It was a good memory. He wasn’t sure he’d be getting many more, as he watched the power to the ship’s shields dwindle, and he wasn’t nearly far enough away from the main reactors to be safe yet. They’d tell her, right? If he died, they’d tell Tala so she wouldn’t be living in limbo for months, right?

He certainly hoped so.

Fives and Jesse had to be clear by now. If they weren’t… well he didn’t know what they’d been doing for the past minute if not getting clear of the giant supply ship kriffing exploding. They would be alive, and that was his job: he got rid of the Seppie supply ship, and they would live to fight another day.

He sighed when he saw the shields flicker as the power ran dangerously low, and heard a boom somewhere behind him in the ship.

He’d really been hoping to see her again.

-scene-

Three weeks. Today made three weeks since the fairly regular transmissions from Hardcase had just… stopped. One week, Tala had forgiven. War was messy and unpredictable, it was impossible to know when he would have time for a call in all that chaos. Two weeks, she had grown suspicious, but not greatly concerned. But after three weeks, she was worried. She hated how worried she was, in fact. It had only been a month and a half since she’d met him, and here she was--so worried for his wellbeing, her plants were starting to suffer from the stress.

She might have to take up her friend Stella’s offer on meditation after all, if her business started suffering with them.

But she was worried! She was worried because she cared, and she cared because he was… he was so… good. He was good to her in a way she hadn’t expected someone could be, which just sounded ridiculous to her own ears at this point, after six days with him, and only two weeks of transmissions. But it was true. She’d been to 79s four times in the past week, hoping for news on the 501st, but no one knew or was willing to tell her. She’d finally seen blue paint there two nights ago, but none from his company, and so no one of much help.

She didn’t want to assume the worst, she really didn’t. But it was hard not to. Life was miserable while she didn’t know what had happened to him, all her friends could see it, and some of her customers had started to ask questions, too. She’d started doing more mail delivery now, instead of doing it in person herself just to avoid those questions. They made her think about just how long it had been since she'd heard from him.

Breakfast today was quiet, as it had become. Before, she would have listened to music, but she found it didn’t do much anymore. She sat in silence, eating her sausages and bacon slowly, trying to figure out where to put worry and growing fear over someone she thought she shouldn’t care so strongly for, but somehow did. It wasn’t something that had ever needed a place before, and it was strange.

So when her holoprojector beeped and lit up for the first time in three weeks, she nearly sent her fork spinning across the countertop, still impaling a sausage, in her haste. It took three tries to unlock it and answer the call because her hands had started shaking. But eventually, the blue light sprang forth from the device, quickly taking shape into two faces.

She recognized the faces, but that wasn’t saying much for clones.

Importantly, neither of them was Hardcase. The initial jolt of adrenaline turned into fear in a second.

“Hi,” one of them said, waving awkwardly. Searching her memory, Tala recalled two of the clones she’d met with Hardcase before they’d shipped out. These were Fives and Echo, Fives having been the first to speak.

“This… is not what I expected,” she answered honestly.

“I know,” Echo said. “We’re sorry, we didn’t have another way to contact you, ma’am.”

She nodded, doing her best to swallow the lump of anxiety threatening to strangle her. “Why--why would you need to contact me?” Again, she tried not to think the worst. It didn’t work.

Fives glanced at Echo, a flicker of guilt just barely visible from the hologram’s shifting projection. Guilt made her nervous. “We… well, we wanted to apologize,” he started.

“We promised ‘Case that if we got back and anything had happened to him,” his brother continued.

“We’d tell you.”

“And… we forgot.”

“For a few days.”

Tala stared at them for a moment or so, struggling to process the information. Something had certainly happened to Hardcase, that was clear from their expressions and their tone. But they weren’t telling her what exactly had happened.

“What do you mean?” she asked. “Why haven’t I heard from him in three weeks?”

Again, the two clones looked at each other, appearing to have a short conversation in the silence between them. Echo said, “It’s a long story, ma’am.”

“We had to cut communications at one point during the last campaign,” his brother picked up. “That was three weeks ago. ‘Case has been on Coruscant for almost a week now, though.”

There was a minuscule release of tension from her person, but she refused to let it all go until she asked, "He's alive? He's okay?"

Fives and Echo blinked at her. Then Fives' expression changed to something usually followed by a surprised curse. "Fierfek, yeah, he's alive. Sorry, we've known for weeks, we weren't thinking."

“Clearly.” She knew being harsh wasn’t constructive or useful, but she didn’t care. Their forgetfulness had caused her weeks of stress for no reason. She was allowed to be angry.

At least they had the decency to look ashamed. “The hospital has visiting hours, though,” Echo offered. “He won’t be awake, but he got out of bacta yesterday, so at least he’ll be in a bed.”

“We’d have to escort you there--rules and everything,” Fives continued, “but they should let you through no problem once you’re registered as a visitor, I think.”

Tala knew enough to know that spending days in bacta was meant for life-threatening, severe injuries. She wasn’t sure if she felt better or worse knowing that. Yes, he was alive and on the mend, but whatever had happened had to have been horrific. She sighed, moving to sit back down and set the projector on the kitchen island. “When are visiting hours?”

“Noon to five, ma’am,” Echo answered.

She nodded, mentally going through her schedule that day. “Can I meet one or both of you by the base at… one?” She had deliveries to make before then.

Echo nodded back, and Fives said, “Yes ma’am, Echo can meet you. I’ve got uh… chores.”

Tala had a suspicion he didn’t have chores, but he definitely had something important to do. Hardcase had said Fives was the worst liar in Torrent. She wasn’t finding much evidence to refute him. But she wouldn’t press the matter. “Thank you.”

“Of course,” Echo said.

“He’ll be glad to see you,” Fives added. He corrected himself, “If he’s awake. I--he might not be yet.”

“I’ll see you at one,” she said, and they nodded, and she turned the projector off. Only then did she slump down in her chair, shedding weeks of pent up anticipation and disappointment in a breath. Her world seemed to settle around her, like dust and leaves swept up in the wind, now drifting back down to the ground. She picked up her discarded fork with its sausage still stuck on, then paused. Reaching across the island, she grabbed her datapad, poked the screen until she found what she wanted, then set it aside while she finished her breakfast as it quietly played her playlist of morning music.

-scene-

Waking up was a blur for at least the first hour Hardcase tried it. Unsurprising, given the last thing he remembered was a lot of light and a lot of heat, and now he felt he was in a bed of some kind. There was a lot of time missing there. He didn’t have the wherewithal to tell where he was yet. His mind felt heavy, almost as heavy as his eyelids felt every time he tried to pry them open. But, eventually, he managed to open his eyes and keep them open for longer than two seconds, and he recognized a med bay.

It wasn’t Torrent’s med bay on the Resolute, though. The space was too big and too well organized for that. There was an IV in his left arm, and probably plenty of other wires stuck to him that he would find later.

But after the first pass around the room to get his bearings, none of that even mattered, because she was here. Tala was sleeping peacefully on his right side, one hand clutching his, her black hair pooling on the white sheets behind her head. He turned to look at the ceiling, a huge smile on his face. The last thing he remembered before this hospital was bright heat, but right now, his chest felt just as warm for a much, much better reason. And it occurred to him, it might not be too bad to wake up to a sight like that every day.

But right now, he hadn't spoken to her in three weeks. He started slowly pulling his hand away from her. Once their clasped hands slid out from under her cheek, she took a sharp breath as her head lifted. She hadn't been sleeping that hard, after all.

In two glances, her eyes landed on him, and her beautiful face lit up like a Tatooine sunset. "You're awake!"

"Hi." Maker, his voice sounded like he'd been yelling across a battlefield for about four hours.

But it hardly mattered once she stood up to put her arms around his neck as best as she could. Stars, he'd missed her so much. He put his right arm around her waist and pressed his face into the crook of her shoulder. He'd missed that one-of-a-kind feeling he got with her.

"Oh, I am so glad you're okay, I am so glad," she said before taking his face in her hands to kiss him.

Yeah, he'd missed this. He'd missed her warmth, and the way her bangs tickled his face. How he'd ever gotten so lucky, he'd never know, but he was thanking whatever powers made it happen. She was wonderful, and he'd been so scared he'd never see her again.

"Well, I'm still in the med bay, so…" he pointed out, leaning into her hand against his cheek.

"Yes, but your lovely brothers neglected to tell me you were even alive, so this is an improvement."

"Really?" He winced. That had been the one thing he'd told them to do if anything happened to him. Granted, he hadn't exactly reminded them before he, Jesse, and Fives broke ranks and went to destroy the supply ship. "I told them not to do that."

"Yes, well," she tilted her head. She didn't seem horribly upset. "If it ever happens again, I'll slip them something to make their hair fall out."

He laughed. Or… he tried to, anyway. It wasn't a pretty sound or a very comfortable feeling. That sucked. He liked laughing, and now it hurt. "That's a nice way to show you care, right?"

"Yeah, it's my way," Tala agreed, bending to kiss his forehead.

A knocking at the door made her turn to reveal a medic Hardcase had never seen before, dressed in medic fatigues and sporting rather vibrant yellow hair. "I… guess that explains the jump in heart rate."

"I have a visitors' pass," were Tala's first words.

"I believe you," the medic said. "I'm Io, I've been keeping an eye on him for the past week."

"Thank you for that," Hardcase said as Tala returned to her chair.

"It's my job," Io replied with a small smile. "Glad to see you awake, though. When you came in…" He shook his head.

Tala shot him a questioning look. They hadn't had the time to talk about what had actually happened. "Yeah, I'm sure it was something, sorry."

"Yeah, you'll probably be with us for another two weeks at least, but, looks like your legion is sticking around for most of that, so they'll be able to visit too."

"Oh, we're… huh." Hardcase had been out of commission for the rest of Umbara, so he hadn't known the boys were even back on Trip Zip in the first place. But apparently they were staying for a couple weeks, so he'd have plenty of time to ask questions. He hoped Krell got what he'd been asking for: Fives' boot in his face. Or Echo's, or Rex's.

Io stayed for a few minutes, taking vitals and asking questions about pain and comfort levels. Tala stayed quiet while he answered, probably cataloguing all his answers to ask about later. He wouldn't mind. Truthfully, the worst pain was his chest: the trauma to it had bruised his lungs, and although the bacta had healed the cracked ribs, the muscles and tissue were still stiff and sore. The burns had mostly healed while he was unconscious, so they itched more than anything.

When he left, Tala returned to her perch on the side of his bed, taking his hand again. "I got you a plant," he told her, squeezing her hand.

"Oh?"

"Well--I got you a seed. But, I figure you'll know what to do with it."

"I'll see what I can do," she smiled before raising his hand to kiss the back of it.

"I think you got more awesome since I left."

That made her laugh, her eyes crinkling, her cheeks flushing a shade darker. "Oh, gods, I missed you."

"Good news, I guess I'm stuck dirtside for another couple weeks," he reminded her.

"I suppose I'll have to clear a few hours every day to visit, then, won't I, handsome?"

He grinned. "I love it when you call me that." Having the same face as all your family members made compliments like that so much more valuable. But coming from her? Might as well have told him the war was ending tomorrow. And he'd won everything.

She reached over with her free hand to tap the tip of his nose. "As a dear soldier to me once said, you make it easy."

He squeezed her hand, because at the moment, he didn't really have any words left.

Aaaaand that's that! They're adorable 😊

#i write things sometimes #my writing #my fanfic #tcw fanfic #clone trooper hardcase #hardcase my darling #star wars oc

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neon-junkie · 2 years

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what do you HC the clones' moans to sound like? personally I HC fives as being unabashedly loud but his moans are rough and ragged and he tends to run his mouth, echo is quieter, more panting than anything but he whimpers when he's close, jesse growls and tends to grit his teeth, hardcase likes to talk too just like fives, but he's not as loud and his moans are mostly long and drawn out when he does moan (lots of "mhmm"s) and rex's moans are soft and smooth

Decided to do a few of the 501st boys for this, else I'd be here all day xD Gender neutral reader, 500 words.

Rex - Literally music to your ears. Rex isn't the loudest man out there, but he never fails to express how much he's enjoying you. He lets out deep, soft, and smooth moans, along with the occasional words of praise. Rex likes to compliment everything; your body, your expression, how you look beneath him, etc. He's a very sensual lover.

Echo - Like Rex, Echo is also soft and smooth. He's somewhat quiet, but far from silent, and lets out the prettiest whimpers known to man. Echo often gets caught up in watching you, and forgets to express how much he's enjoying this. He's used to his partner asking if he's okay, to which he shakes his head and mumbles, "me? Oh, yeah. Sorry, cyar'ika. I was busy admiring you."

Fives - Loud. Chatty. Always gets noise complaints from the neighbours. Fives doesn't want to be louder than you, but he typically is. If you're a loud person, then he'll challenge that; he likes to bounce back whatever energy is being given to him. He dabbles in both praise, and degradation, depending on what you're into. However, he goes silent when he cums. Silent. Orgasms short circuit his poor brain!

Jesse - Very similar to Fives, definitely a loud king. Jesse loves being in charge, and he loves reminding you that he is. He's essentially going to chew your ear off during sex, so having quiet sex is basically impossible. You can try and gag him - try being the key word - but he'll always find a way to talk through his gag. Good luck keeping the noise down!

Tup - With new partners, he's somewhat shy. He likes to see how loud you are, then match your noise levels. Tup isn't one for dirty talk, but if you dirty talk to him, his face will turn redder than Mustafar. He likes muttering the occasional praise, but the main thing that flows from his lips are soft pants and moans. Over time, he will become more audible, he just needs to see what you're like first.

Dogma - Most of the time, he's quiet, mostly because he knows he shouldn't be doing any of these things with you. It doesn't matter if you're hooking up at your apartment, Dogma is going to keep the noise down. However, if you edge him, and turn him into a desperate mess, then his mask will swiftly slip away, and you'll find out what a needy and babbling man he is.

Hardcase - Chatty. Giggly. Hardcase likes to ensure that his partner is enjoying themselves, and he'll check in on you at least 5 times per hookup. He's the type of man to remember things mid-sex, and mutter them out loud like, "Oh, yes! Cyar'ika, you feel so good, you... kriff, I forgot to turn my blaster in for inspection... Anyway, keep going, darling, that's it!"

Kix - Like Rex, Kix sounds like music to your ears. He’s never too loud, and always sends the right amount of praise your way. Kix is a sensual lover, with a bit of kick to him, and he expresses that in the bedroom. Expect soft whimpers, deep moans, and the odd sprinkle of dirty talk.

#swwriting #501st #501st x reader #smut #lemons #the clone wars #501st legion #captain rex x reader #arc trooper fives x reader #arc trooper jesse x reader #arc trooper echo x reader #dogma x reader #hardcase x reader #tup x reader

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masterjedilenawrites · 3 years

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I love your writing 🥺 if it's not too much trouble, what are your hcs for what pet names the clones would use for their SO?

Cody: Babe, Honey... He sticks to the classics, they're timeless and endearing and convey that kind of domestic love he's an absolute sucker for.

Rex: Sweetheart, Dear, Dearest... He prefers the more lovey-dovey names and he can't believe he ever gets to call someone that, it makes him absolutely melt.

Wolffe: Cyar'ika, Mesh'la, Ad'ika... He exclusively uses Mando'a for his S/O, believing it's the best way to make them feel included in his pack, his heart.

Fox: Pretty, Handsome/Beautiful, Sexy... He likes to make his S/O feel good about themselves. It doesn't matter if they're dressed up or disheveled from a long day.

Fives: "All of the above"... He loves using all the possible pet names and seems to come up with a new one every time he addresses his S/O.

Echo: Sweetie, Sweet Pea, Cutie Pie... He may be crabby sometimes, but his S/O never fails to pull on his heartstrings and he can't help but be sweet to them.

Jesse: Hot stuff, Stud, Toots... He definitely uses the spicier nicknames, he likes the reaction they get out of both his S/O and anyone who overhears.

Kix: Kitten, Tiger, Bunny... He's not sure why he's drawn to the animal names, but they just feel so fun and cute and perfect for their relationship's dynamic.

Tup: Boo, Bubba, Pooh Bear... He also likes the cutesy names, ones that may sound a little odd or even childish to others, but they make his S/O smile every time.

Dogma: (My) Love, Darling, Beloved... He is a secret romantic at heart, turning into a real, Regency-era gentleman as he croons out such tender names.

Hardcase: Sunshine, Buttercup... He loves the bright, positive nicknames that fit his S/O so perfectly. The names remind him how lucky he is to know them.

Hunter: Prince/Princess... He truly believes his S/O should be treated like royalty, so of course he'll address them as such, and usually with a cheeky wink.

Wrecker: Pumpkin, Muffin, Cupcake, Peach... He goes with any nicknames that are food-related. They're fun, but also charming.

Crosshair: Doll, Sugar, Baby... He uses Doll and Sugar the most, while Baby is reserved only for private moments, soft or passionate.

Tech: [Insert unique name here]... He creates his own pet name that is specific and personal to his S/O, something that no one else in the galaxy gets called.

BONUS - Delta Squad!

Boss: Sir/Ma'am... He likes giving a sense of authority to his S/O. He may be the boss on the battlefield, but his S/O is in charge of his heart.

Fixer: Precious, Angel... He usually doesn't use pet names, preferring to use his S/O's actual name. But when he's particularly enamored by them, he'll murmur one of these names.

Scorch: Honey Bunches of Oats with Strawberries, Crunchwrap Supreme, Venti Caramel Macchiato... He also likes food themed, but in a wildly more ridiculous (and humorous) way.

Sev: Sweet/Pretty/Little/Wild One... He is fond of adding "One" at the end of whatever adjective stands out to him as fitting his S/O. They are the only one for him, so why not say so.

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aenaxes · 3 years

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congrats on 200 my dear!!! i’m so happy i found your writing and look forward to being better friends!!! anywho, the celebration must commence! 🍾 🎉💕 ily!!

for requests, i gotta go w my main man, my first clone love, the darling hardcase (i swear he doesn’t get enough love) 💕 we’re both touch starved adhd fools who love a little too much sometimes and i just wanna smother him w my 🐱 in all the affection he deserves. if you’re up for it, maybe some soft smut for your local bottom? 🥺 i’ve been wanting to get a tattoo that matches his facial markings and wonder how he’d react to seeing it during a gentle moment between the two of you. my pronouns are she/they & i’m 5’6, and i have dark green hair + blue eyes.

you and me & me and you

[hardcase x afab!reader] there is little permanence, and all of them are fleeting, in a war that tips its scales with each new dawn. so while hardcase is away, you decide you’ll carve out your own constant between you and him, and him and you.

warnings: tattoos, unprotected vaginal sex, mushy gooey feelings pt.2

w/c: 2.8k

a/n: my love for hardcase grows day by day, and every day i wake up and cry a little bit because he isn’t real. but it's ok bc ily jj and you're very much real 💕

Seldom do you find Hardcase stunned into complete silence.

Stillness shared between you and Hardcase, rare as those moments may be, is never truly silent. Tackling each other onto the couch, stealing late-night speeder joyrides, sharing the kind of banter that doubles you over so hard your ribs sting for hours afterwards—the energy, the light, linger in the spaces left behind.

But this time, Hardcase simply stares, jaw slack and eyes wide as your fingers curl over the lifted hem of your shirt. No wisecrack quip, no teasing wink, not even so much as a low whistle as you tug your shirt over your head and drop it behind you, straddling his lap over the edge of the bed.

Eyes full of stars, he gawks.

“You—those’re my—hm, okay, wow, uh, hah—” Hardcase’s voice pitches high as his lips open and close around half-formed words.

You watch the whole spectacle as he gasps like a landed fish, grasping for wisps of coherence. And you can’t help the giggle that rises from your throat when he forgoes words entirely and trails off into a breathless half-whimper half-laugh.

“Can I—” he says at last, and his voice cracks hoarse through his sputtering attempt to regain what little composure he had. “Can I touch it?”

At your nod, Hardcase reaches forwards just enough that his fingertips barely brush over your chest. You don’t dare look down to where his calloused fingers meet the skin above your ribs, too afraid that if you take your eyes from Hardcase’s face for even a single heartbeat that you might miss a precious moment of the awestruck wonder in his expression. You find yourself as transfixed as he as you watch him trace the trio of royal blue ink arcing down your sternum and tapering off into twin circles that cradle the curve of your chest.

It’s what this whole evening has been leading up to—your grand reveal kickstarted by his signature lung-crushing hug on the hangar bay. You had braced for it harder than usual when he’d swept you into his arms and lifted you off the dusty platform steel, readying for the particularly bruising ache that comes with the week-old ink needled over the base of your ribs.

To be fair, it wasn’t possible to greet Hardcase without creating some sort of commotion. Even if it was just shy of a week on planetside escort duty, once the gunship was within a metre of the dusty landing bay durasteel, landing protocols be damned, Hardcase would hit the ground running, tossing his helmet behind him and swooping you into his arms. The sheer, unadulterated joy of reunion always found home in how he squeezed you around your middle and spun you about; it was always worth the solid smack over the back of his head (stern, from Rex and, gleefully, from Jesse) for throwing his bucket aside.

But when you had met him with more of a pained grunt than your usual tittering exclamation, Hardcase had dropped you so quickly you’d almost fallen backwards if not for his reflexes to steady you. When he’d stumbled over wide-eyed apologies (and braced past Jesse’s open-palmed whap over his head), you had only laughed and told him to wait until after you had run inventory with Rex.

His fingers finally pause their slow trace over the tattoo on your chest. He feels, sees himself, an emblem on your skin. And when he looks up, he sees you.

“Tats are sore for a bit, ‘Case,” you smile. His eyes are so wide you’re certain if you look just a little more, you’d see yourself in him. You and he, he and you, the same, the same, one. “‘s why I flinched a little.”

Hardcase’s lips open and part around soundless words a few more times, still floating in some limbo between processing disbelief and boundless excitement before he unevenly clears his throat and finally speaks.

“You—you got me inked on you?” Hardcase whispers. Each word has the corners of his lips curling higher as if he had to speak into realization what stood before him; as if his fingertips pressing tender divots into your skin were proof only of the flesh: a universal truth that only needed words to find home in his heart.

You nod, grinning.

“Wanted to have a part of you with me for while you’re away.”

And for a moment, Hardcase’s fingers are the only motion in a still room, stroking soft, repetitive motions over the blue ink of your—his—tattoo.

You silently brace for something loud and present, excited rambling, another crushing hug, affection swept wide and open before you. Instead, Hardcase lets free a single breathless huff and tugs you close.

“You know those are forever, right?” he laughs, his voice rising again.

“That’s why I got it,” you respond, and his laughter only grows brighter.

Hardcase buries his nose into your chest with a groan, and that precious crest of joy bursts over your tongue when you throw your head back and laugh. Gilded and honeyed light finds home in your chest.

“Mesh’la, I need you so bad right now,” Hardcase groans as he brings his arms snug around your waist. And his laughter joins yours this time, voices swelling together when Hardcase rests his brow against your skin and pulls you in close. You make quick work of the rest of your clothes, throwing them somewhere off to the bedside before you sit back down over the firm lines of his thighs.

“I mean, yeah, I sure hope so—was the whole point ‘Case,” you tease, and Hardcase groans, carrying something of breathless disbelief and affection and desire curled into a single whimpering sound.

And as soon as you’re squeezing over his shoulders, suddenly, you feel your gravity tilt, and you yelp as your back connects with the bedspread.

Hardcase cages you under him, one arm propped by your head as the other slips from beneath the small of your back and trails its way back to the centre of your chest, hovering just at the edges of your tattoo. He lingers, treading those shallow waters for a moment more. But where you expect the familiar drag of his blunt nails over the bold lines of blue ink, he dips low. Instead, you gasp when his fingers are replaced by his lips, warm, inviting, home as he presses a single, lingering kiss over the sigil branded into your skin.

“‘Case!” you giggle and kick out your legs at the sudden flick of his tongue over your chest. You feel him laugh into your skin, his breath wisping over where his lips just brush over the edges of the tattoo.

He ghosts one more touch, drawn long and yet chaste in how he nuzzles the tip of his nose into your chest. And the bubbling laughter of before wanes, complete, when he lifts his chin and meets you with the hushed whispers of a smile on his parted lips.

Because it’s him, finding home over the base of your ribs.

It’s him, reflected back into his wide eyes.

It’s you.

He doesn’t surge up to meet you. He doesn’t kiss you with that unabashed brilliance that crushes your lips together so hard your teeth clack. The breath catches in your throat as you watch him move in silence. There is no overexuberant joy when Hardcase shifts higher up on the bed to meet your eyes and slowly runs his thumb over your lower lip. Even then, his touch is so achingly still, deliberation held close and savored slow.

He blinks once, dark eyes full of the soft light only privy to early mornings and late nights when you curl close and bask in each other, bared and whole. You grant his request without hesitation.

Starting low, your fingers smooth over the faded lines of blue tattooed over Hardcase’s chin, the same sigils you keep as your own. Well worn and faded until the line between ink and skin disappeared entirely, the tattoos beneath your fingertips are nothing and everything like yours. You trace higher, following the crest of his lip, the high line of his cheekbone, the dip just beneath his eye where his tattoo begins anew.

He closes his eyes and lets your touch trail over his lashes until your fingers slope over his temple and still over the base of his head. And when he dips his head low, you meet him in the middle, catching his upper lip between yours as he slips one hand between you and thumbs over your tattoo. That touch anchors you as much as you think it must do the same for him, pulling you close and keeping you there while you lick over his lips and breathe him in deep.

Through the warmth heavy in your gut, you feel him slide his other hand down your side, over the contour of your hip, and lift your leg up against him. You hook your leg over the small of his back and tug awkwardly, sending him stumbling forwards, crushing his hand between your chests as he dips down and narrowly catches himself.

No amount of awkward maneuvering breaks the rosy air between you, even as you both tear away from each other to stifle the kind of laughter that lingers.

“This okay?” he murmurs over the waning sigh of a low chuckle, voice warm on your skin and drunk with your taste. He nudges his hips forward, sending a shiver shocking up your spine when you feel his cock brush up against the swell of your cunt.

“Always, Hardcase,” you whisper.

As soon as the words leave your lips, you barely have enough time to suck in another breath before you’re stuttering on your own tongue. The tension slumps out of your shoulders as Hardcase digs his fingertips into your thigh and presses forwards, stretching you out around him in the way only he knows how, setting fire to your nerves and coming home all at once.

No matter how many times you kneel before ritual—habit coming to you as natural and comforting as breath itself—you still find yourself slack-jawed and starry-eyed as Hardcase pushes into you.

That it’s the first time in his four month tour that he’s able to pull you apart and hold you together only makes it better.

It takes all of one long, shuddering exhale for him to push into you in full. The breath you share breaks that stillness, a gasping inhale as his hips connect with the soft curve of your thighs and has the blunt head of his cock nudging so deep in you that you swear you feel the pulse at the base of your ribs, right where your tattoo swells with your whimpering.

Hardcase drops forward with a groan, blindly twining his fingers with yours and leaning down to press his forehead close against yours.

You don’t have to open your eyes to see him as you squeeze his hand. The bridge of his nose flush against yours, you bask, exchanging the warmth of breath over the little space between your lips. With his brow pressed into yours, he surrounds you, warmth, warmth, warmth, a setting sun and the grass it kisses still glowing in its wake. He rolls his hips forwards and swallows your wailing moan with his tongue.

Hardcase starts slow, setting a pace that has you feeling every long drag inside you as he draws back then crushes back up against the soft spot inside you that curls your toes. It’s a far cry from the excitement of a welcome back or rendezvous reunion, swapping giddy haste to savor instead, to melt over his tongue as Hardcase slips his free arm under your hips and tugs you impossibly close.

Through the blissed-out tears beaded over your lashes, you can just make out his expression, tense with cresting pleasure, as he leans back and admires you, stretched out before him. And when your legs jerk this time, there is no achingly deep pressure of his cock heavy inside you—only his lips over the centre of your chest as he bows low and kisses your tattoo again, again, laying and sealing claim above the rapid flutter of your heart.

You squeeze his hand, and he lifts his chin to meet your hazy eyes with his own, full with intent, desire, the kind of loyalty transcendent above anything he could ever swear to his generals, to his cause. He squeezes back.

You drop your head back onto the bed when he picks up his pace again, moving his free hand out from under you to stroke his thumb over your clit and smearing the mess of your arousal and his precome over where you stretch around him. Chest heaving, you can only sob and grip tight around his neck as he leans back over you and nuzzles his nose into your collar.

It’s getting harder and harder to tell your breaths apart from his after one stuttering thrust gives way to another. The steady tenderness of before bows under the fizzling heat in your stomach, giving in to rawer need as Hardcase’s movements over your clit fumble erratic. He snaps his hips against yours and drives up hard against your pleasure, mumbling unknowable words under his breath. Desperate for more, you shift back to meet what thrusts you can.

When he leans forwards again, his brow unsteadily knocks against your nose before he can nuzzle over your forehead and press close. You might have laughed, taken the moment to catch your breath over the clumsiness of affections swelling high. But you’re too busy chasing your own pleasure, too enamored with the wet friction of his throbbing cock sliding into your cunt.

Hardcase comes first, thundering rigid through him as he buries his nose at the juncture of your neck and bites down over his own teeth, his jaw flexing against your skin. His tension spreads through you, holds you by your breath and seizes the mounting want in your stomach tight with each heavy spurt of come he grinds into you.

You nose up against his temple—a silent plea for touch even deeper than you already feel it—and he indulges you. Hazy in the aftershocks of his orgasm, Hardcase lifts his head from your collar and crushes his lips against yours. He breathes in your heaving exhales as he kisses you, all open-mouthed warmth coaxing your pleasure.

“So lucky,” Hardcase mumbles, his puffing exhales over your lips matching every thrust into your dripping cunt. “Maker, I’m so fuckin’ lucky.”

Before you can strain some half-hearted tease in response, you’re too delirious on your rousing high. All you can manage is a soundless cry that shocks straight to the white-hot heat welled low in your stomach. Hardcase rolls his calloused thumb over your clit one last time and pulls your orgasm heady and low beneath him.

Pleasure bursts over your tongue, thrumming through you hard enough you swear you black out. Nothing but paralyzing and indulgent sensation shocks through you. There is only Hardcase’s presence to anchor you to the moment in the most intimate signs of life: shared breath, fingers laced tight with yours, lips mouthing words that need neither name nor sound to find warmth at the bottom of your chest.

And when the moment subsides and the ringing in your ears fades, you open your eyes to him, glowing with exhaustion but beaming down on you all the same.

“Maker’s really lookin’ out for me,” Hardcase says at last, brushing his fingertips over the sweat beaded at your temple.

“Yeah?”

You tug him closer against your chest (as well as you can with the tremble in your arms). He follows your lead as you feel him softening inside you, and he settles his nose close over your tattoo, just beneath your beating heart.

“I mean, whatever it is, it got me you.”

“You got me you, ‘Case,” you say. Though the air between you is far from the kind of existential solemnity that demands silence, your attempt to laugh comes only as a soft whisper, hushed as your lips brush over the crown of his head.

Because whatever was up there, pulling those galactic tides and willing life into the universe, even if it had tied those fine red strings strong and true between you and the man curled around you, it didn’t matter. At the end of the day, it was you and him, brought together in a headfirst collision in the cold steel halls of a Jedi cruiser and bound tight over shy planetside advances and cheesy dates.

“Then I got you, and you got me?” Hardcase chuckles, lifting his head and meeting your fond gaze.

“Just us,” you laugh.

Hardcase makes a soft noise of affirmation, his arms pulling snug around your middle. He nuzzles close skin over skin, and when he kisses over your tattoo, the sting of ink and needles fades into a distant memory unknown—all worth the trembling touches he presses over the place you’ve carved out for him alone.

Maybe the Maker helped along the way, but it’s always been you and him, him and you.

#haHA this one kind of took me a while to write but i hope i delivered!!#im so sorry this is late sdkfjhsdkf this lit review is kicking my ass #also im laughing i love ur description sm #can i join the touch starved adhd club too 🙋‍♀️#but i hope u enjoy some hardcase!!!! this was so cute to write and im 🥺 i love one (1) certified sweetheart hardcase #hardcase x reader #501st x reader #the clone wars x reader #yaej.writes

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clone-wars-imagine-2 · 2 years

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I read both the flinch and the crying during an argument prompts, and I LOVED them, and I have something to add. Say they made you upset and you turned away or left or something before they got the chance to apologize. How would the approach and say they're sorry, if the reader is still upset when they go to them?

Okay so honestly I think some of them would try to follow you and apologize right away such as Rex, Cody, Fives, Kix, etc. because they don't want you to think they hate you or that they are mad at you. Besides they just hurt you and want to comfort you and make sure that you are alright. They would hug you, give you kisses and get you whatever you want. Hugs? Yes. Hot chocolat? Of course darling. Some comfort food? would make it personally for you.

But then there are those who are just so in shock and don't know what to do such as Hardcase, Crosshair, Wolffe, etc. who would need some time to figure out how to apologize and approach it without making it awkward. They would also feel so horrible for taking ages to come to you and not being able to comfort you right away. Will get you everything you want. Will definitly watch the holovids you always want to watch with you but says they hate. Whatever you want, you get.

(I also have how Wolffe would approach you after you flinch in my newest headcanons here)

#clones x reader #star wars clone wars #clone wars x reader #the clone wars x reader #star wars the clone wars x reader #star wars the clone wars #the clone wars headcanon #the clone wars imagine

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that-one-weeb-but-starwars · 3 years

Text

A ball| Tup

Note: they did not need to make him that Pretty

Warnings: no not really, just Tup and Y/n fallin in love and steamy scene at the very end but kinda not really, also this is really long

Reader: female

Part 1 | 2 (in the works)

"Checkmate," Satine spoke.

"Damn it..." Y/n muttered, hand on her chin as Satine had one yet again another game.

Satine smiled at her, as Y/n tried reading the board seeing how it had exactly happened.

"Duchess, excuse me." A guard interrupted their leisurely game outside in the guards of the castle.

"It's no problem, what seems to be the problem?" Satine questioned.

"The preparations for the ball are underway, the royal seamstress says your outfits are done and asks if you both can approve of them."

"Yes of course," Satine spoke, two more guards walking up with boxes.

"Oh. no, I'm quite okay," Y/n responded, resetting the black and clear glass pieces.

"Y/n, you are turning 19, my dear, you'll need to look presentable," Satine spoke.

"Dutchess I believe I look presentable, I'm quite comfortable like this as well," Y/n told.

"I know my sweet child, you've always been comfortable with the bare minimum, but please, let me spoil you for one day," Satine responded.

Y/n was quiet as she set the final piece down, "very well..."

Satine smiled as she stood up to look inside the box and approve the dress, Y/n sat in thought, Satine wasn't her mother, no they looked drastically different after all, Y/n had been left in a bush in the palace gardens, Satine finding the child alone and in silence, busying herself with one of the flowers. Satine had gladly kept the child inside the palace walls until a parent came along, but no one ever came and Satine was suddenly a mother.

"Mistress." The guard spoke snapping her out of thought.

"Oh uh, yes." Y/n spoke standing up from her seat, and looking at the creme outfit with barely a glance, "Yes, it's beautiful, tell the Seamstress 100 thanks."

The guard nodded covering the box as they all bowed and left, Satine frowned, "Come walk. Let's talk my daughter."

"General Skywalker, do, do we really have to go as well?" Tup questioned, droids handing them all dark blue suits almost black in color, and matte.

"Yes, Obi-Wan was double security at this event for the Dutchess, and I agree with him," Anakin spoke, "Separatist parties will be there, Duchess Satine has a knack for being able to convince people, and with Padame they're practically an unstoppable team."

"But," Tup spoke, "Sir a, a party?"

"Diplomatic party, you'll be fine Tup."

Anakin then walked away to let his boys get ready and go get himself ready.

"I look good," Fives spoke checking himself out in the mirror.

"It's nice to wear something besides armor." Hardcase commented, "Makes me feel like a civie."

"A civie that just has thousands of replicas." Dogma argued.

"Oh get the stick out your ass," Jesse argued, "We can have fun for the one time in our life on the job,"

"Hey," Kix placed a hand on Tup's shoulder, "You okay?"

"Huh? Yeah," Tup spoke, "Crowds, uh aren't my thing."

"I'll make sure Rex posts you on the patio outside, you won't be around too many people then," Kix told.

"No, It's fine, I'm on the job- I'll, uh...just focus on that," Tup responded.

"Are you sure?"

Tup nodded as Kix returned the nod in understanding, going back to dressing himself, Tup went over to his bunk to dress, he'd admit, even though he was the same as everyone else in that room, he still felt shy, being a bit leaner than the others he started pulling his armor off to dress in the new outfit, simply putting the outfit over his blacks.

"What- No! Hey I want a titty window!" Fives argued.

"No," Echo demand, buttoning up his brother's shirt fixing Fives vest as well.

Tup stayed silent as he buttoned up the shirt, tucking it into the slacks and putting on the matching vest.

"OH Ho HO!" Fives whistled, "Look at Tup!"

"Yeah, thanks," Tup spoke, fixing the collar of his shirt, and pushing up the sleeves.

"Come on! Let your hair down! We're going somewhere fancy!"

"I'm good." Tup spoke

"He's way to excited for this." Dogma protested causing Tup to chuckle.

"You look nice." Tup commented.

"Uh. Yeah I guess." Dogma spoke.

The two had gotten close due to one another due to being not only regular troopers with no rank, but due to there quietness.

"OH HO HO! LOOK WHO JUST CAME IN! GENERAL TANO!"

The boys turned there head whistling playfully.

"Bad bitch is the house."

She wore a pinstrip pant suit, the lines orange on white fabric and a pair of heels. She laughed.

"We're almost there." She spoke, "Skyguy wants us on the transports now."

Tup followed suit of everyone else. Everyone doing as asked, it was odd, seeing everyone dressed up all fancy and nice.

Y/n sighed.

"Look up madame. They'll be plenty fine gentlemen there." A maid tried to pursuade, "or a woman if you'd prefer."

"Yes. I know." Y/n responded mindlessly, nose stuck in the book about game tactics, her goal to be her mother, "mhm. I've never tried that before."

The maid sighed finishing y/n's hair in the crowned braid.

"Look look beautiful."

"Mhm."

The maid frowned, and there was a knock on the door. It opened as Satine came in, the maid bowing and leaving quickly.

"You're nose still stuck in a book. You remind me much of Obi-wan."

"Is the party over yet?" Y/n questioned flipping the page.

"It hasnt even began my dear." Satine spoke, expecting a comment back Y/n kept silent sitting infront of her simple vanity it black in color and matched the bench she sat on.

Satine walked over, taking the open spot next to Y/n.

"What is wrong me dear?" Satine inquired, "You don't avidly read strategic books unless something is wrong."

Y/n sighed, marking the book with a string and setting it down.

"I. I just don't wish to go." Y/n responded.

"It is much bigger than that isn't it?" Satine refered, catching Y/n in her lie.

"I." Y/n sighed, "I am nervous."

"For what my darling?"

"People." Y/n responded, "I. This. People...it's...I dont have the skills."

"Well of course you do,"

"I've never been out the palace walls, I've never fallen in love, I've never been taken advantage of- I just- Don't know anything about people," y/n defended "I've never even seen another sential species besides the holograms and images in my books that use words. I know every launage out there but have never met there people- I-"

"Calm down, take a deep breathe." Satine soothed, "everything will be fine. I will be at your side. The whole time, and you know me. Don't you?"

Y/n nodded as Satine smiled, "You're turning 19 my dear, becoming a young woman. You can do this, and I will guide you through whatever you ask."

Y/n only nodded once more, "now. Lets put our. Pain killing heels on and make haste shall we? Guest are arriving and I'd like to introduce you to your very first group of friends, but first."

Y/n watched as Satine pulled out a box, "I had something much. Much more elaborate my birthday, but you I know. Like to keep things as simple as possible."

Y/n took the small box in hand. Opening the golden box there was a small golden crown, it reminded her of a laurel wreath, yet without as many leaves, a few littered around the gold band with a stone that was ment to set on her forehead.

"For you're love of nature a green stone." Satine spoke.

"Its beatiful, thank you." Y/n spoke softly pulling it out of its box.

"Allow me." Satine spoke, y/n handing it over and bowing her head, Satine with a smile set the item on her head.

Y/n raised her head back up, "quiet beatiful you have become."

Y/n smiled smallly, "now. Shall we make haste? To make new friends?"

Y/n nodded smally as Satine smiled.

With that they were off, y/n following Satine dressed up nice, and thanked maker for the soleless sandles given to her instead of heels.

Y/n wouldn't lie, when General Kenobi arrived as they walked out onto the royal landing pad she found no interest in him, bowing her head respectfully, she did the same with Anakin. A bit more intrigued with Ashoka, but nothing pictures hadn't depicted. A man stood next to Anakin, who was soon introduced as Captain Rex. Y/n welcomed and thanked him for coming, but besides that, she was silent during the conversation.

"Sir, apologies for interrupting."

"It's fine, Jesse go ahead," Anakin spoke, Y/n watching the man with a large tattoo on his face gave a brief report to his general as the two joined the tight group of talkers.

Y/n was intrigued with the man next to him, hair tied back in a bun as his brother in arms talked. He too seemed the silent type, staying behind Jesse's shoulder rather than next to him, it was a slight difference Y/n realized.

"Lady Y/n, these are two are some of my finest men, Jesse and Tup."

"Lady Y/n" Jesse spoke bowing his head.

"Nice to meet you," Tup spoke nervously, his hand outreached for a handshake, Jesse quickly pulling his brother's hand down who was already a nervous wreck.

"Apologies for my brother! He doesn't know how to act!" Jesse scolded elbowing Tup slightly who was already shaming himself mentally and Y/n could sense it, but Jesse was already dragging him away with an insane amount of apologies as he left.

Y/n watched as they got far enough away to where Jesse had started to drag Tup by the collar of his shirt.

"Lively bunch aren't they?" Satine questioned Y/n who nodded.

"My apologies Duchess, Lady Y/n. The 501st is not very big on tradition, and neither is there general." Obi-Wan scolded as Anakin shrugged.

"It's okay." Y/n finally spoke up, causing heads to turn, "I, um, apologizes. Duchess if I may."

"Yes, you can go ahead," Satine spoke worried for the girl as she rushed off quickly.

"Will she be okay?" Ashoka questioned.

"She has no social skills, and on top that, no friends her age," Satine spoke solemnly, "I wish to help her but she's a closed book."

"Have I got the perfect trooper for her to make friends with," Anakin responded

"You're not sending Fives or Hardcase over to her, if anyone to watch her it'll be Cody, at least he can stay on task," Obi-wan argued.

"I think me and my master have the same idea," Ashoka smirked.

"I- I'm sorry general- Me?" Tup questioned.

"Yes I need a clone with Lady Y/n at all times, and since she seems to like you after a slip up that could have cost us a whole war," Anakin spoke, "You're watching her,"

"General! I. I can't watch her! I. I. I. I have patrol!" Tup tried to argue.

"Kix is on patrol now, she's supposedly back in her room," Anakin spoke.

"Her- what!?" Tup argued.

"one of the guards will escort you thanks again."

"Wait! General!" Tup argued but he was walking away and waving to Tup happily.

"Are you the clone trooper known as Tup?" A guard asked walking up to him.

"yes, but wait a minute!-"

"This way."

Tup had no option but to follow a guard at his back and his front as they escorted him to the room. Anxiety racked his body, his hands clammy and squeezing each other as he gulped, the guards stopping and knocking.

"Mistress your escort is here."

"Oh, yes," Y/n spoke quietly, "He may come in alone."

The guards posted outside her room as Tup pushed one of the doors opened, he walked in silently and closed the door behind him carefully.

Looking straight on the large french doors were opened to a patio. Walking towards the open doors he found Y/n sitting on the floor a stack of books beside her with a chessboard by her side, her knees raised to her chest as her dress was laid out around her.

"I'm uh, your guard for the dance," Tup spoke, his thumb pressing into his palm.

"You can go back, I'm not going," Y/n told him, her mouth and jaw covered by her arms propped on her knees.

"oh, uh..." Tup spoke, not knowing what to do.

Y/n looked beside her, "You can sit, maybe you'll get in less trouble that way?"

He nodded in agreement, taking a seat on one side of the chess board. They sat in silence against the wall. Tup looking down at the pieces of the board set up on their respective sides, his clammy hands couldn't help but move a piece. Y/n looked overhearing the crystal click on the board. Looking down she picked up a piece and moved it, Tup moving his next piece without a word. Y/n looked down at the board, her legs falling from her chest and onto the ground flat as she looked over in thought. Picking up her next piece she took his pawn, setting it down on the side. As they played they could hear the talk of guests starting to come to the palace. Due to where Y/n's room was it wasn't much to hear, just the occasional burst of loud laughter.

"Ah yes! Yes!" One laughed spoke loudly, "I love the stars!"

Y/n suddenly came with an outburst the came with the man's hearty laugh, "I have loved the stars to foundly-"

"-to be fearful of the night." Tup finished moving his next piece.

Y/n's moved her gaze up softly then chuckled, "Mythology lover?"

"When I have the time, I mostly learn through tell and hear," Tup responded watching Y/n capture another piece.

It was silent again as Tup captured yet another piece, his eyes drifting over to her stack of books. Eyes glancing over the titles.

"H.P Lovecraft?" Tup questioned Y/n nodding.

"I find his stories interesting, I enjoy the horror genere as a whole." Y/n smiled moving her next peice, "do you like horror?"

Tup nodded, "I do occasionally, again hear and tell mostly."

Y/n nodded, "come with me."

Y/n stood up, walking into her room, Tup watching her.

"Come on." Y/n gestured holding out a hand for him.

He took it gently and was pulled up from his spot on the floor. Y/n led him by the hand into her room and towards a wall pushing on a certain spot a small door opened. Y/n leaned down walking through the door as Tup followed, Y/n closed the door behind them.

"Woah."

Y/n smiled, "the palace library."

"I am the only one who's ever in here." Y/n contuined.

The two walked side by side, out from the side of the room and into the center of the room. Tup turned around to speak, but he watched her pass a dusty window, the sun set passing in through cobwebs and dusty, shining on her think crown, her dress flowly and made up of multiple thin layers of fabric.

He gulped as she turned her head, stopping in her spot.

"What's wrong?"

"I," he started but stopped for a momment, "My name, its. It's Tup. I don't know if you-"

"Remember you?" Y/n questioned, "I do."

She walked up to him a hand extended, "Y/n."

He smiled as they shook hands.

"Tup." He introduced himself once again as they chuckled lightly.

They pulled away, Y/n's hands clasped infront of her.

"Well Tup its very nice to meet you again."

"Its nice to meet you too Lady Y/n."

"Lady Y/n!"

She took a quick step back from her closeness with Tup, clearing her throat.

"Oh thank maker..." the gaurd spoke under his breathe, "the duchess wishes for you to greet your guest."

Y/n nodded softly, "Well. Let's go?"

Tup nodded, the two leaving side by side in silence. They two making there way down to the main set of doors which led to the throne room.

"Lady Y/n." Obi-wan spoke, "The Duchess ask I escort you in while introduced."

"Oh." Y/n spoke looking at Tup he gave her an akwards thumb up, she chuckled and smiled at him with a nod.

Y/n smiled Obi wan extending an arm, Y/n linking arms with the Jedi General. The doors opened as they walked forward.

"Introducing Lady Y/n! Daughter of Dutchess Satine! Next in line for the throne!"

Y/n and Obi-wan walked forward people clearing a straight shot to her mother. Her and Obi-wan walked forward, feeling the stares on her she kept silent. It soon because uncomfortable, feeling the gaze more than just simple admiration or awe. She tensed as they walked making her to the steps to Satines throne. She pulled away from Obi-wan, bowing her head to her mother as she walked up, a smaller throne simplistic like how Y/n liked it and took a simple seat, she watched Tup sneak into the room carefully standing next to a man who had a medical band on his arm with his suit, before everyone started to fill the room again.

Satine stood up, she was making a speech Y/n zoned out, it was a greeting, thanking everyone personally for coming to celebrate Y/n's transition into womenhood.

"That's why I am glad to speak, Y/n's hand is extended for potential marraige candidates!"

Y/n sat up shocked, and Satine thanked everyone once again and took a seat. Everyone going back to chatting.

"Excuse me!? Marraige?" Y/n argued.

"It is a formality you do not have to marry anyone."

"Im not taking anyone into consideration," Y/n defended, crossing her arms and leaning back in her seat.

"Lady Y/n-"

"No." Y/n spoke, she was beyond annoyed.

"Thank you for your time..." he spoke bowing his head and walking away heart broken.

Y/n rejected any man that came up to try and give there hand to her.

Tup watched from afar, Kix and Dogma by his side. Men contuined to go up to her and as more and more did she seemed more and more irratated. He quickly walked away from his brothers would watched him out of confusion.

Watching him walk up to the thrown he started walking up the steps.

"Y/n," Tup spoke, holding a hand out for her, "I'd like to spend time with you, perhaps a dance?"

"Hey! Buddy wait in line!" A man argued but Y/n looked at Tup thanks in her eyes.

The lighting on him seemed perfect, he back lit perfectly, his eyes holding a smile along with his lips. Y/n grabbed his hand lightly as Tup helped her up, the two walking down the stairs hand in hand.

"Thank you." Y/n spoke they now in the crowd of people.

"Seems you needed it," Tup answered as Y/n chuckled.

"To the libary?"

"Actually," Tup spoke quietly, "I'd...like to have a dance with you."

Y/n flushed, "t-that sounds good. Yeah."

It was almost on cue did everyone backed up circling people who wanted to dance, Y/n and Tup in the center of it.

"Um. Tup." Y/n spoke.

"Hm?"

"Do you know how to dance?"

"Oh. Uh." Tup spoke, "no actually, do. Do you?"

Y/n shook her head no. The two laughing together as the music started.

"Suppose we should act like we're doing and maybe we'll fall in?" Y/n laughed.

Tup smiled in return, "I suppose."

The music started as they watched other, a simple waltz. Y/n and Tup luckily able to copy others, hands which once were placed in hand on on him, soon became more intimate, fingers intertwining. Tup's hand moving from her hip to the small of her back, she leaning into his touch just a bit more.

"Not bad." Y/n spoke softly, "we're doing decent."

Tup chuckled softly in return, "I suppose us clones learn quick."

"Clone?" Y/n questioned, "you're a clone?"

Tup looked at her confused, "You. You don't know that?" He questioned confused.

"I." Y/n spoke, "I don't mean to sound, uh, Rude."

Tup frowned, maybe she was an avid clone hater?

"I um. Havent payed much attention, to your face, my apologies." Y/n spoke, a flush coming to her cheeks.

"Am I offensive?" Tup questioned.

"No. No. Not at all." Y/n spoke, "On the contrary actually. I. Find you most appealing, your. Voice and presence is quiet soothing. You're a good man."

It was Tup's turn to flush, spinning her around softly as everyone else did. Her dress picking up just the slightest at the ends. Pulling her back into his grasp, it was sudden for both of them, there chest pressed up against one another, faces close, Tup's hand now across the small of her back grabbing her other hip as he lowered her into a dip, Y/n's arm around his neck as he did.

The claps of everyone was muffled in there ears.

Tup's nose brushing against hers as he tilted his head softly, Y/n stopping him with a hand on hie jaw , and she was raised up again in a flash.

"I. Im sorry" Tup apologized, everyone still clapping as Y/n bowed to him red faced.

"I...must go." Y/n spoke quickly rushing away and into the crowd.

"Wait!" Tup called rushing after her, she rushing out the throne room.

"My lady-"

"Im quiet fine a game of tag is all." Y/n defended rushing off, the urge of wanting Tup so bad fueling her feet as she ran from him.

Tup rushed looking both ways, "Which way did she go?"

"Left sir-"

Tup rushed after her, his shoes clicking against the marble floors of the palace as he ran. Seeing her take a turn up ahead he called her name once more, following her quick steps, she rushed into her ungaurded room and closing the door behind her.

Making it to the doors he panted for a moment, soon calming his breath he knocked on the door.

"Please! Y/n I did not mean to upset you!" He begged, "I. I should have asked asked you! I should have never just jumped into it!"

Y/n quiet as she leaned against the door, her body pressed up against it to keep it closed, he seemed genuinely angered with himself, and worried for her.

"I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." Tup spoke softly, "I...just..."

Y/n stayed silent listening.

"I. Seen you for the first time walking up with my brother to report to General Skywalker..." he informed, "I had no idea someone could look so beautiful until I seen you, then. Well then we started that chess game."

Y/n's cheeks grew red as she listened, her heart starting to drop its quickly put up walls.

"You just spoke and It was beautiful. I. I'm not good with words either. I." He sighed, "I didn't realize someone like me could have so much in common with you... half the time my brothers don't like any same things as me. And we're all copies of each other."

The knot in her stomach grew as she gulped, "I. Tup. Its not that I'm mad at you."

Tup was surprised to hear an answer, "I. I think you're quiet beatiful, I. I just...I've never..."

"Y/n you do not need to explain yourself to me." Tup told her.

"Just. Let me finish." Y/n spoke calmly, "I've, well. Tup. I. I. I've never kissed anyone."

Y/n stopped waiting for a laugh, or even a 'yeah right', but she got a sincere chuckle trying to break the ice, "neither have I."

It was a surpise to Tup when the door opened softly, Y/n's flushed face being seen due to the light of the hall.

"Are you okay?" Tup questioned Y/n nodding her gaze to the floor.

"We're you being..serious?" Y/n questioned softly.

Tup nodded, growing nervous himself.

"Would you..umm. like too?" Y/n questioned, "kiss me?"

"I..um." tup spoke his face full red, "yes.."

Y/n opened up the door a bit more so he could come in, taking the hint he walked in the room dark. His eyes not having to adjust as the French doors which were uncovered let in moonlight.

Y/n closed the door quietly, locking it behind her so they'd be uninterrupted. He turned his head watching her walk towards him.

Oh maker.

They stood infront of each other nervously, refusing to make eye contact. Y/n with a shaking hand reached out her hand, her fingers dancing along his shoulder as he looked down.

"Tup. I." Y/n spoke, her other arm following her first one on the other side of his head his hands slipping onto her hips.

Nerves in a bundle they tensed in one anothers arms, faces leaning in slowly, noses brushed up against one another. A few of Tup's fingers tapped and tilted her face to the side as he tilted his own face the other way.

"Tup...Im nervous." Y/n whispered against his lips, "what happens if...if i like it too much?"

"I'll do anything you ask me..." he mummbled her hot breathe hitting his lips.

It was silent for another momment, Y/n's eyes slolwy closing as Tup's followed. They leaning in the small space as there lips pressrd against each others. The bundle of nerves melting away and falling into ribbions that slowly started to knot.

The kiss was, cute, nothing more than pressing there lips against one another and then pulled away little space between there lips, a new found hunger filled the both of them, Tup pressing forward in a much more passionate kiss, y/n kissed back, lips dancing against one another. Y/n pushed into Tup. Breathe heavy through the armature kisses. Tup mindlessly picked Y/m up, her legs wrapping around his waist as they contuined to kiss. Walking over to her bed he placed her down carefully, climbing over her body.

Kiss only breaking for air, "Do. Do you want this?" Tup questioned, things had moved awfully fast and turned into a one night stand, love filled relationship neither could explain.

Y/n nodded, "Only from you"

"Are you sure? I don't want you unsatisfied." Tup spoke honestly.

"If its you I'll never be unsatisfied." Y/n told him, the two kissing again, Tup holding his like a peice of glass under him.

"I love you." Tup whispered against her lips.

"I love you too Tup." She spoke back. Tup kissing her once more.

#tcw tup #tup x female reader #star wars tup #twc tup #tup x reader #clone trooper tup #sw tup #tcw x reader #x reader #female insert #part one

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