#no I'm not gonna tag the canon pairing i have learned my lesson

[notgonnaedit]

Healer's Heart

Decommissioned

Summary: When Order 66 ushers in a new era, Althea and the Batch must find their place

Pairing: Bad Batch x Teen!OFC (clones being good brothers/dads)

Chapter summary: The Batch go on another job for Cid and meet two sisters, emulating questions they would like answered

Warnings: Canon-typical violence, Martez sisters deserve their own warning, smelting Depot, reference to Fives, Wrecker fighting the chip, (If I miss a tag LMK)

Master list

​​​​​In Cid's parlor, Echo was teaching Omega how to shoot her new bow. She let go just as someone came down the steps, causing them to yelp and run away in fear.

"S-sorry." Omega said sheepishly. She 

Echo kneeled to her level as she pulled back her bow. The curly haired girl's arms shook as she aimed for the yellow target painted on the wall. "Steady," Echo instructed. "Arms level...and keep you eye on the target."

"You can do it, kid!" Cheered the Ithorian Bolo.

"Not a chance." Said Ketch, his Weequay friend. "Miss! Come on! Miss!"

Althea shook her head from where she stood beside Tech. Those two had been betting on Omega's skill, much to everyone's displeasure.

Omega released her bow, firing a laser at the taget and hitting it. "Ah! Got it." She said with a small fist pump.

Bolo laughed. "Bull's-eye! Pay up!"

Ketch groaned as Echo rested his hand on Omega's shoulder. "Good. Again."

"But I've already hit the target three times." The blonde argued.

"Out of twelve." Echo's voice was stern. "That's luck, Omega, not skill. Soldiers need to be consistent."

The girl let out a sigh before pulling back her bow. Her arms shook worse than before and when Ketch made the comment about doubling the bet if she chokes, she did just that. Omega groaned as Ketch cackled. "I was doing better until those two showed up."

"You have to learn to tune out distractions, which comes with practice." Echo chided. "Again."

"Not exactly a natural, is she?" Wrecker whispered when Omega missed again. Hunter shrugged lightly, silently agreeing.

"Hey!" Wrecker grunted as Cid broke through their small circle.

"Okay, playtime's over." The Trandoshan declared. "We need to talk." She turned to the other two patrons. "You two, scram."

"Hey!" Ketch said. "Okay, we're going. We're going!"

Once they were gone, Cid turned back to the squad. "I assume you boys know what a tactical droid is?"

When no one answered, Tech shoved Hunter away and gently moved Althea. "They were the operational brains of the brains of the Separatist military–"

"Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba." Cid interrupted. "This is my briefing, Goggles." She shoved Wrecker off of the holo table he sat on and pressed a button to show a picture of the target. "Tactical droid intel has tremendous value, which is why your gonna break into this decommissioning facility on Corellia–" She changed the image to a factory. "–And retrieve one before they're all destroyed."

"We haven't decided if we're gonna work for you or not." Said Hunter.

"Allow me to decide for you. You're in!" Cid ordered.

Althea let out a soft growl, something she didn't intentionally do.

Cid sent a glare her way. "Got a problem, Bright Eyes?"

Yes, Althea had many problems and Cid was one of them. But she made no response, and the Trandoshan nodded. "Good." She turned back to Hunter. "I'm talking a mutually beneficial arrangement. You make money, I make money, and I watch your back. With the heat on you, it's the best option you've got."

Hunter let out a small sigh. "I guess we're in."

"I know you're in. I just told you you're in. And you–" Cid turned to Omega and held her arm. "–you're releasing too soon because of those weak noodle arms. Build up your strength." She grabbed the bow and shot three perfect bull's-eyes before handing it back. "Lesson over."

                   •°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•

Aboard the Marauder, the squad clung to the bottom of a freighter ship.

"This old trick?" Echo asked.

"It gets us past the planetary sensors every time." Tech told him.

Althea smirked. "Except for that time on Felucia."

Tech shot her a look. "We both know that wasn't my fault. And if I recall correctly, we agreed to never speak of Felucia again."

The medic's smirk turned to a full grin, but she didn't press the subject.

"Why is a tactical droid more important than the other droids?" Omega asked as she looked at a holo of their target.

"The more tactical droids fought, the more they learned...and won." Echo told her.

Wrecker grinned. "Yeah, except against us."

"With clones now serving the Empire, knowing how to defeat them just went up in value." Said Tech.

"We're approaching the decommissioning site." Hunter said. "We can land at the industrial dockyard and go in on foot."

Once Tech landed the ship, it was only a matter of sneaking around into the actual smelting depot. The entire building smelled like burnt metal and fire. Along the catwalks were several droids with yellow paint patrolling.

"Cid didn't mention this place was guarded by police droids." Hunter said.

Althea scowled under her mask. "She seems to have that problem."

Tech pulled down his visor, calculating as always. "They're operating on a rotating quadrant scan. If timed correctly, there's an entry point in their blind spot. Follow me."

On his signal, they slunk around the factory until they reached a tall ladder.

"Uh-oh." Wrecker said quietly, but he climbed the ladder nonetheless. At the very top was a door leading to the inner smelting chamber. It was hotter than hell, thought Althea. She could feel the sweat starting even through her armor.

Workers in special suits to stand the heat walked around doing whatever their job was. Wrecker put one in a sleeper hold as they walked through. Finally, once they reached the catwalk, Hunter gave them their orders.

"Echo, Tech, Althea. We'll locate and retrieve the droid. Wrecker, cover us up top."

"But being lookout was Crosshair's job." The demo man groaned.

"That wasn't a request."

Omega looked to Hunter. "What about me? What should I do?"

"Stay here and keep your eyes peeled for the target." Hunter turned to his team. "Let's move."

Omega used her binocs, watching as Wrecker climbed to a tower and took out a worker. Hunter's team made their way to a console where Echo scomped in.

"A tactical droid is listed in the system," Said the ARC. "But only one."

"We have one shot at this." Said Hunter. "Let's get it right."

"Where was the droid off-loaded?" Asked Tech.

Echo spun his scomp. "North end conveyer."

Omega gasped over the comm. "Found it. Sort of. The droid's already in pieces."

"Is the head intact?" Tech asked.

"Affirmative. Wait! Someone just ran off with the droid head."

"I see 'em." Said Wrecker. "One of the workers is stealing our target."

"I'm on it." Omega said, but Hunter stopped her.

"Negative. Stay out of sight." He ordered.

Althea's attention was grabbed by the sound of footsteps. They were coming from the stairs. She nudged Tech, jerking her head towards the stairs. 

"Rafa, come in." A feminine voice said. "What's going on? Where are you? We need to get out of here." 

Tech and Althea raised their blasters at the woman in the workers clothes. She was holding the droid head. "Who are you?" The medic asked.

The woman pushed up her mask, revealing a round face and bronze skin. "Who am I? Who are you?"

Suddenly, a blaster shot rang out. "We've got blaster fire!" A male worker yelled. An alarm blared as the machines stopped working. Police droids came storming in.

"We've got police droids closing in." Said Echo.

"Focus your fire." Hunter ordered as he began to blast at the droids. He ducked behind the stairwell. "Omega, report."

"There's a second person after the tactical droid." She said. "Don't worry. I'm in pursuit."

"No, stay put." Hunter said. "We already have the droid head."

The girl with the head ran up the stairs. "No you don't."

"Hey! Get back here!" Althea chased after the woman, anger fueling her. Hunter was hot on her heels, chasing after the girl with the head. 

She tossed it up to another woman, but it was knocked away on to a conveyer belt. The first woman ran after it, but the second was surrounded by droids. Hunter and Althea blasted them.

The second woman had the same bronze skin as the first, but she wore eyeshadow and dark lipstick. "Hope you're not expecting gratitude."

"Should we have let the droids shoot you?"

"You're welcome?"

Hunter and Althea spoke at the same time, both emitting the same amount of disbelief and annoyance.

"I have the droid head!" Omega said over the comms. Suddenly, everything in the facility came to a screeching halt.

Wrecker blasted at the police droids from the tower. "Wrecker," Echo's voice came over the comms. "Get to the main control panel."

Wrecker ran around the platform, but halted when it came to a steep drop. The control panel was on the other side. "Whoa, whoa! Whoa... I can't reach the platform."

"It's the only way to reboot the whole facility. Figure it out!" The ARC snapped.

"Yeah, that's easy for you to say!" Wrecker sighed as he put his blaster away, his eyes finding a crane hook he could use to swing across.

"Wrecker, hurry!"

The demo man let out a whine before leaping and grabbing on to the hook. His stomach churned as he swung back and forth. "Don't look down. Don't look down. Don't look down. Don't–"

He let go and landed on the platform, but with his momentum, Wrecker slammed his head into the metal post. He clutched his helmet, the pain unbearable. His entire skull pounded, but right behind his right temple felt like something was stabbing from the inside.

"Wrecker, what are you waiting for?" Tech asked.

Barely aware of what he was doing, Wrecker managed to blast a few droids and turn the system back on. He fell to his knees, still clutching his helmeted head.

"Wrecker, the system's online. Now get down here."

He could barely hear Tech over the stabbing pain. He needed to do something, but what? "Good soldiers..." His voice cracked in a whispering stutter.

What did he need to do?! He needed to stop.... something. He needed to obey, then the pain would cease. "Good... soldiers..." He grunted, his head stabbing from the inside and his vision went black.

Hunter and Althea blasted at the droids with the woman. "Why are you after that tactical droid?" Hunter asked.

"That's none of your business, clone." She snarled.

"It is today."

Althea was tempted to knock this woman out with the butt end of her blaster. More then tempted, she was about to do it. But the woman's comm beeped.

"Rafa, I've got the target. Meet me at the north exit."

Rafa grunted as she continued to blast, but soon Omega's voice came on over Hunter and Althea's comms.

"Hunter, I'm stuck on the conveyer. I need help." She sounded scared, more scared than Hunter had ever heard her.

"I'm on my way." He said. He looked to Althea. She nodded, silently telling him she would be fine in her own.

Hunter took a grappling hook from his pack and threw it over the catwalk above them.

"What are you doing?" Rafa asked.

"I'm talking down the support posts. Follow me!" Hunter jumped down on to one of the conveyers, attaching his hook to it.

"Who put you in charge?" Rafa asked.

Althea rolled her yellow eyes and groaned. "For the love of all things holy, will you shut up?!"

Suddenly, the metal groaned and the catwalk came crashing down. Althea pushed Rafa out of the way on to the conveyer.

Hunter ran down the line, jumping over the old droid parts as he ran for Omega.

"Hunter!!" She screamed, so fearful and desperate.

"Hang on, Omega!" Hunter blasted at the droids that got in the way. He could hear her scream as she fell into the pit. She would only have so long before the magma over took her, or melted the soles of her boots. Hunter found the other woman helping Omega, pulling her up with a droid leg. He joined her immediately, pulling up the girl.

"We got you, kid." He said, relief washing over him. "Are you okay?"

Omega panted hard, but her eyes were alert. "Yeah."

Hunter looked to the woman. She looked similar to Rafa, but seemed to be closer to Althea's age, just a bit older. "Thank you."

She smiled softly. "You're welcome." While she looked similar to Rafa, she was much kinder.

Speaking of Rafa, she and Althea came falling to where Hunter was. The medic tucked and rolled, but Rafa just fell. Althea came over to Omga instantly, scanning for injuries. She them looked up at Hunter, who nodded and squeezed her shoulder gently.

"Oh, I'm fine." Said Rafa as she stood. "Don't worry about me or anything." A droid climbed the ladder behind her, but she quickly disposed of it. "Well," She said as she holstered her blaster. "This has been a real treat, but as you can see, the tactical droid is ours."

Hunter drew his blasters. "We can debate this later."

Althea nodded, shooting at the droids. "If we wanna get out of here, we need to work together."

Rafa scowled. "Fine, but I still don't like you."

Hunter ran behind Omega and Althea. "I'm used to it."

Wrecker groaned softly. Somewhere, he could hear Tech calling for him. But the pain in his head wouldn't stop. He couldn't tell what was real from the nightmare. "No. No. No, no, no."

Crosshair's voice echoed in his mind. "Good soldiers follow orders!" 

Ever since Kaller, Wrecker had been feeling strange. He had a strange urge to fight the Padawan Hunter let go, but he trusted his brother and ignored it. It got worse after he hit his head in the crash. All this time, a nagging voice was telling him to follow orders, but he had to fight it.

Hunter, Althea, Omega, and the sisters ran up to Tech and Echo. "All the exits are blocked. And it's about to get worse." Said the Sergeant.

Echo nodded. "A larger wave of police droids is headed our way."

Trace, Rafa's sister, clutched the droid head to her. "We need a diversion."

Rafa leaned over from blasting droids. "What we need is a diversion."

Trace blinked. "Is there an Echo in here."

The ARC squatted in front of her, not being able to pass up this perfect opportunity. "Yes."

"What?"

Echo grinned under his helmet and gave her a small salute. "I'm Echo." Fives would've loved that one.

Trace raised an eyebrow. "Really? Okay, Echo, we need a distraction. And he can help with that." She flipped the droid head in her hands.

"What's that thing gonna do?" Omega asked.

Trace smirked. "We need an army to get out of this. And we happen to have one." She started to work on the head.

"If you activate those clankers, they'll start shooting at us." Echo pointed out.

"Not if we're controlling the droid who's controlling them."

Tech came next to her. "Excellent idea."

Trace put her tool away. "That should do the trick."

The droids eyes lit up. "Cannot transmit..." It powered down.

"It didn't work." Omega groaned.

Tech stuck something on to it and inserted a data stick. "It will, once we boost the signal. And this will help me access the program."

Omega lifted her comm. "Wrecker, do you copy? Wrecker, where are you? We need your help."

A few moments later and the demo man answered. "On my way."

"Brilliant plan, Trace." Rafa snarked. "Really. One of your best."

Althea bit back a swear as she blasted droids. Not when the kid was around.

"We just need a little more time." Trace said.

Just then, Wrecker came plummeting down with a scream. Immediately, he started blasted and throwing around the droids. "Yeah!" He laughed. "I got tired of you guys having all the fun."

Rafa smiled. "Now, him I like."

But even Wrecker couldn't hold them off. He retreated to behind a pipe, blasting when he could.

"Hang on." Tech said as he worked on the tact droid. "The data exchange is nearly complete. Done!" He pulled the data stick from it.

"What is happening?" It asked.

Trace looked at it. "Activate battle droids. Command them to attack all police droids."

"Affirmative."

All the droids whirred to life in the facility. "New command sequence." Said the head. "Your target is factory personal."

They did as the head ordered. "Never thought I'd see battle droids helping us." Remarked Echo.

"That's our cue." Hunter said. "Move out!"

As they ran, Tech showed him the data stick. "Mission accomplished."

"Nice work."

As they ran, Trace called for their droid to pick them up. But in the process, she lost the droid head. It was blasted to bits as they made their escape on to their ship. Althea swore she saw the words The Silver Angel painted on the side, but she had no time to laugh.    

                       •°•°•°•°•°•°•

Aboard their ship, the sisters and the Bad Batch recovered from their battle. Althea kneeled in front of Omega, tending to some minor burns.

"All that work for nothing." Trace lamented.

Omega sighed. "Whoever Cid's buyer is isn't going to be happy."

Rafa turned to Hunter. "Let me get this straight. You knew how dangerous the information on the tactical droid is, but you didn't know who you were giving it to?"

Hunter folded his arms over his chest. "We're being paid to acquire and deliver, not ask questions."

"Paid is an understatement." Althea scoffed.

Trace looked up at Hunter. "Our contact needed that information to fight back against the Empire. They're trying to help people and make things better."

"Why aren't you fighting for the Empire?" Rafa asked. "Isn't that what you clones do now?"

"Not all of us." Hunter said. "We're different."

"Yeah, I've heard that before." Rafa scoffed.

Hunter frowned. As much as he hated to admit it, Rafa was right.

                         •°•°•°•°•

"You should come visit us sometime." Omega said as the sisters dropped them off at their ship.

"Isn't that part of Ord Mantell a little...seedy?" Trace tried her best to be polite.

Omega grinned. "Very. It's great!"

Hunter shook his head, but a smile was present as he did. Althea hung her head, no longer wanting to be around the sisters. She liked Trace, but Rafa was a piece of work.

Rafa smiled "Keep working on that bow, kid."

Omega nodded. "I will. Bye!"

"Bye, Omega. Bye, Althea." Trace said as the girls walked away. The medic kept her hand on Omega's back, guiding her to the ship.

Hunter took the data rod and handed it to Rafa. "Here."

"What's this?"

"Tech copied the tactical droid's intel to this data rod before it got got destroyed."

"Why are you giving it to us?"

Hunter looked Rafa in the eye. "You'll use it for the right reasons."

The woman nodded. "Huh...Maybe you are different."

Hunter turned to walk away, but he looked back. "To be honest, things were a lot clearer when we were just soldiers."

Rafa smiled. "Take it from me. In the end, we all choose sides."

Hunter nodded before walking away, jogging slightly to get to the ship. Omega stood in the doorway waving as the sisters left. 

Hunter pulled the girl inside as Tech piloted away. Althea was tending to Wrecker, something the demo man detested. 

"I'm fine, really."

Althea jabbed him with a disinfectant. "Oh, you're fine? Why didn't you say so? I'll just ignore the face that you've been shot in the same spot for the third time this month!"

Wrecker rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Ugh. Fine."

Hunter chuckled. The girls of the squad sure were tenacious.

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[sandinthepipes]

Me, a polyamorous person who quietly appreciates 99% of the ships, often conflicting and/or polycule:

"yeah, I don't like how they wrote this character/ship"

Any living soul:

"OMG ThEsE FUckInG SHiPpErs haVE To sHiT oN EvrYThInG THaT inTErFeRes wHIt TheIR PaIrINg!!!😡🤡!!!🤢!🤡!!🤡🤢!😡!!!!"

[reallybadfeeling]

My Obikin Playlist Masterpost

I'm gonna try to explain my reasoning, but you can give each song whatever interpretation you want. Also, use them however you want if any of them inspire you to make something creative.

(PS: Sorry for my ranting on the first song. I'm very passionate about it in particular.) (Tagging @imtryingsstuff because she asked for it. Even though I was already working on this post before she asked. I have way too much free time.)

☙ ✤ ❧ ☙ ✤ ❧ ☙ ✤ ❧ ☙ ✤ ❧ ☙ ✤ ❧ ☙ ✤ ❧

❧ Heart + Bones - Roisin O

I've tried to sit down and write this song out Feels like a thousand times But I was always too scare of what I might find But if I keep on blocking this pain out It might be too late To heal my heart somehow Don't wanna open that wound Don't wanna replay that night Don't wanna think about you You are no longer mine Don't wanna write you a love song When I know that love is gone 'Cause if I let myself think of you I might lose my mind It's the heart and bones It's an empty soul The dreams at night that shake me to my core And I can't get up off this floor It's in the bones of me An empty soul in me The dreams at night that shake me to my core I can't get off this floor [...] Don't wanna think about you When you're no longer mine Don't wanna write you a love song When I know this love is gone [...] The dreams at night that shake me to my core I just can't take this hurting anymore [...] Don't wanna think about you You are no longer mine Don't wanna write you a love song When I know this love is gone 'Cause if I let my mind think of you I might lose it all I've tries to sit down and write this song out Feels like a thousand times

A fair warning: each and every break-up song in this playlist is basically me crying at the idea of a very heart broken Obi-Wan post RotS alone on Tatooine. But for this song in particolar I mention the repetitions with the slight differences because in my eyes they are actually HUGE! The more the song goes on, the more Obi-Wan is spiraling! The way it specifically tells that the empty soul is his the second time, like he accepts that despite what Anakin did he still thinks there's a soul there to save, and the idea of not doing so makes his soul feel empty. And the switch from "get up off this floor" to "get off this floor", literally him being so desperate he stops thinking that he wants to get up (and the last time it literally becomes "i just can't take this hurting anymore", because Obi-Wan had to see so many people he loves die, he literally can't take any more breaking of his heart). The first "you are no longer mine" is the realization hitting him, but then it becomes "when you are no longer mine" and that feels like acceptance of that realization (but then later in the song it turns back to "you are no longer mine" like he's so desperate he wants to deny it once again, distance himself from it)! The switch from "that love" from "this love", like the first time he's thinking about how Anakin no longer loves him, but then realizes that no matter how much he still loves Anakin, there is actually nothing he can do about how everything is broken. But most of all the first time it's "if I let myself think of you I might lose my mind", which is Obi-Wan still being rational about things, or at least trying not to let his mind linger on the thought of Anakin; but then at the end it becomes "if I let my mind think of you I might lose it all", because he's already thinking about Anakin and he can't let his mind linger on it, otherwise he would realize how much he lost when he lost Anakin, which is everything. And the ending too, by repeating the start, but now it has a feeling of resignation to it, like at first he was literally scared to let himself linger on his feelings because he knew he would find heart break, but now he's just empty and at the same times he knows he'll feel like that a thousand times more, because he just can't let that hurt go, he can't let his love for Anakin be forgotten. ... I love this song and it shows. I mean, the playlist is literally named after it for a good reason. I swear I'll be less wordy for every other explanation.

❣🅞🅑🅘🅚🅘🅝❣

❧ Black Hole - Griff

It seems like things are going really well for you I wish that I could say the same about me too I wish that I could say the same [...] Without a trace You disappeared and took some of me with you, babe Like the way I used to laugh untile my belly ached Well, that's all gone away now And boy, you know I've tried to pray, I've bruised my knees I've tried to bring you back to me I've tried my best to find some kind of peace Don't you see? There's a big black hole where my heart used to be And I've tried my best to fill it up with things I don't need It don't work like that, no, it's not easy To fill this gap that you left in me

So, I see this as a song for an AU, maybe a Modern Au. Something basic like the two of them maybe being neighbors and Obi-Wan maybe being a tutor for Anakin when he was a teen, and Anakin having a huge crush on him. But then Obi-Wan marries and Anakin is heart broken. (Don't worry the idea is also that Obi-Wan gets a divorce and comes back to Anakin, but still, the song fits for the first part of this idea). But feel free to see whatever else you want in it.

❣🅞🅑🅘🅚🅘🅝❣

❧ Gone, Gone, Gone - Phillip Phillips

I'll lie, cheat, I'll beg and bride To make you well, to make you well When enemies are at your door I'll carry you away from war [...] Give me reasons to believe That you would do the same for me And I will do it for you, for you Baby, I'm not moving on I'll love you long after you're gone

This is honestly a classic. It would fit with any ship, but that line about lying, cheating, etc... That screams Anakin. Like, literally canon that he would do anything to keep the person he loves with him.

❣🅞🅑🅘🅚🅘🅝❣

❧ What You Talking About? - Peter Bjorn and John

You used to be my hero Now you're just another boss [...] Five years as your understudy When I can't understand what you talking about [...] Tell me lies and I will listen Tell the truth and I'll be gone Tell me why I need permission [...] Shining in your shadow How could I sink this low? Our acquaintance has been so-so And I can't understand where my patience's gone

These lyrics just give me very frustrated Anakin as a Padawan trying to navigate his relationship with Obi-Wan. Not very romantic or shippy, but still relevant in my opinion.

❣🅞🅑🅘🅚🅘🅝❣

❧ Bruci la città - Irene Grandi

(Let) The city burn down or live in fear (that) within two hours everything will disappear anything else will disappear [...] I can't stop (myself) from screaming That I hold you to my heart To protect you from evil That I wish I could soothe Your pain, your pain [...] (Let) The stars explode (Let) The whole thing explode (Let) Everything other than the two of us die At least for a little bit At least as a mistake [...] I want to get my act together Maybe be better And shield you with my heart From catastrophe and fear

Don't really know why, but this makes me think of a quiet moment in the middle of the Clone Wars, just Anakin and Obi-Wan alone in a tent, hoping to have a moment of peace in each other's arms. (If you want the full lyrics translated let me know, I just picked my favorite parts)

❣🅞🅑🅘🅚🅘🅝❣

❧ Atlantis - Seafret

We got here the hard way All those words that we exchange Is it any wonder things get dark? 'Cause it's in my heart, it's in my head I never take back the things I said [...] I can't save us My Atlantis, we fall We've built this town on shaky ground [...] Now all the birds have fled The hurt just leaves me scared Losing everything I've ever known It's all become too much Maybe I'm not built for love If I knew that I could reach you, I would go

SO MUCH OBI-WAN ANGST POST-ROTS! Like, the birds that have fled are the Jedi that survived Order 66, the things impossible to take back a reference to the entire conversation between Anakin and Obi-Wan during their duel... And the one thing that always breaks me: "maybe I'm not built for love", which makes me think about that "infinte sadness" thing that comes from one of the novels. *chef kiss*

❣🅞🅑🅘🅚🅘🅝❣

❧ No Time To Die - Billie Eilish

I should have known I'd leave alone Just goes to show That the blood you bleed is just the blood you owe We were a pair [...] You were my life, but like is far away from fair Was I stupid to love you? Was I reckless to help? Was it obvious to everybody else? That I'd fallen for a lie You were never on my side [...] I let it burn You're no longer my concern Faces from my past return Another lesson yet to learn

Don't know about you, but this always makes me think of a lonely and bitter Obi-Wan after RotS. There's also another way of reading this honestly. This could absolutely be Anakin spiraling at the end of RotS, convinced that Padmé doesn't love him anymore; and then Vader facing Luke (the face from the past returning) and realizing the one who always lied to him was Palpatine.

❣🅞🅑🅘🅚🅘🅝❣

❧ White Flag - Dido

I know I left too much mess and Destruction to come back again And I caused nothing but trouble I understand if you can't talk to me again And if you live by the rules of "it's over" Then I'm sure that that makes sense But I will go down with this ship And I won't put my hands up and surrender There will be no white flag above my door I'm in love and always will be And when we meet Which I'm sure we will All that was there Will be there still I'll let it pass And hold my tongue And you will think That I've moved on

There's no doubt that this song has been overused. And it is a very classic meme, so sometimes it's hard to take it seriously. But I still love it. And I can't help but relate this to something with Vader trying to redeem himself but failing at that too, and his and Obi-Wan's relationship still being broken as fuck.

❣🅞🅑🅘🅚🅘🅝❣

❧ Fight the End - The playground

When it's all falling apart I'll be the one who can hold you Console you When everything's getting dark And you can't find the spark To get through I'll fight for you till the end Whatever's broken I'll mend For you If you think it's all gone Just breathe in and hold on Till the end of time

Once again, just some H/C during the Clone Wars kind vibes, but also good for an apocalypse AU of some kind.

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❧ Hanging On A Lie - Striking Matches

I'm not mentioning a specific part of this song, because the entire thing in my head is just the whole journey of Anakin turning to the Dark Side and then turning back to the Light right before he died. Seriously, up until the first chorus, it's just Anakin talking about what he feels like about Padmé's supposed betrayal. ("Baby you've been up to something / don't you tell me it's not what it looks like" but also "I might have been naive but I'm not blind" and "Don't you know you should know better than this / Than to cover up the truth with your poisonous lips/I'm not falling for it this time"). The second half of the song is Vader facing Luke. ("I'll be the one who got away from you when you / finally figure it out / you won't find me"). And the last part is Vader realizing all the lies Palpatine told him all alon. ("I'm not fallin' for it this time/try and try too little too late" and again the "you should know better than this/than to cover up the truth with you poisonous lips") A bit of a weird interpretation, that's for sure. But look at me making a song about cheating all about Anakin's journey!

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❧ Bloodsport '15 - Raleigh Ritchie

Your love is worth it and for that I will wait And though you hate me when you have a turn I drive you crazy, but you always return [...] Although you love me, sometimes we're mean Things can get ugly, but we're still a team We are an army that breaks from withing but That's why we're stronger and that's how we'll win [...] I've got your back, and though it's stacked against us I've got your hand, it's us against consensus And I will burn the people who hurt you the worst and I will no learn Cause I am too young and too dumb to consider the terms of breaking the law And I'll curse the day that they return With a smile on my face as their heads hit the floor And they're done, now it's curtains, the bloodlust's a clusterfuck, it hurts but it's working And even if you ask me to stop, it's too late because I've already decided their fate It's not a distaste, it's pure hate and it pulsates and it works its way around my brain Anyway, what I'm trying to say is I'll protect you till the day I meet my maker So don't fight me now cause you might need me later Loving you is a bloodsport Fighting in a love war It's not what I'm in love for, I'm yours I don't know if you can help it, maybe I'm just being selfish

Soooo, basically Anakin doing to Obi-Wan what he did to Padmé: loving him so much he thinks he has to turn to the Dark Side to save him. The first part I can almost imagine said by Obi-Wan, actually. Like, he's aware that sometimes Anakin hates their dynamics, but also that they are both in love... Which just ends with total madness.

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❧ Sweet Love of Mine - Joy Williams

I was broken, I was blind Lost in a moment I thought I left behind Then you woke up this dark soul of mine Carrying a light I thought I'd never find When you found me, I was all alone The whole world around me, but nowhere to call home I heard your voice sing like heaven's choir Gathered up my fears and threw them in the fire

I'm well aware this song is about pregnancy and how the singer found herself in the experience of becoming a mother. BUT, hear me out: what about an AU with either one of them being a Sith and the other one is still a Jedi. Instead of fighting each other, the Jedi tries to save the Sith, because they realize that the Sith actually never had a chance to be anything else since they grew up with a Sith as their "parent" and Master. But if we still want to keep the pregnancy element, fuck it! It's perfect for an Omegaverse AU, with Anakin maybe about to fall when he finds out he's pregnant and that is how Obi-Wan and their unborn child save Anakin. (Is this very specific? Yes. Do I care? Nope, and that's why this song made it into the playlist.)

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❧ Senza fare sul serio - Malika Ayane

There's a post on my blog already about why this song makes me think about the Jedi Order in general. I know I should probably keep it in a different playlist. Alas, it's still here. Have a link to my previous post if you are interested on reading a complete translation and the explanation of my reasoning. HERE!

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❧ Conversations in the Dark - John Legend

I will never try to change you, change you I will always want the same you, same you Swear on everything I pray to That I won't break your heart I'll be there when you get lonely, lonely Keep the secrets that you told me, told me And your love is all you owe me And I won't break your heart [...] And we, we got places we both gotta be But there ain't nothing I would rather do Then blow off all my plans for you

It's just such a lovely love song, I couldn't help myself. This seriously gives me sappy Obi-Wan vibes in any way, shape or form.

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❧ If You Ever Leave, I'm Coming With You - The Wombats

You know I'll do Whatever you want me to [...] Take you out of this You reluctant optimist And if you ever leave, I'm coming with you Stuck to the gum that's stuck on your shoe If you ever leave, I'm coming with you [...] Am I losing you in the dark baby? No more breaking stuff No more acting up Filling your head with doubt

A song about the obsessive kind of love that hints of a way too dependent relationship? Something that mentions losing themselves in the dark? Of fucking course I relate this to Anakin and the way he loves people!

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❧ Transplant - Sea Girls

You're breaking all the promises tonight I'm always dancing by myself as the music plays I'm always one step behind, off-beat, out of place Now I'm looking for you, you're looking away [...] Your heart changed Mine stayed the same I don't recognize your voice when you're saying my name Your heart changed And mine beats the same way [...] Wish I could be back in the moment We were shining, we were making mistakes 'Til your heart changed Mine stayed the same

Have I mentioned that I have a lot of RotS feels? Yeah, so, in my head the "dancing" works like an analogy to fighting and the "music" is literally the sound of battle. Which is why this fits perfectly as far as I'm concerned. An even the "always one step behind" part is just Obi-Wan not realizing Anakin was slowly turning to the Dark Side. But it can be related also to how Anakin basically felt like he didn't truly belong with the Jedi.

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❧ Read my Mind - JONES

Can't control my thoughts But I'm trying every day [...] But sometimes I want impossible things When you hear my voice, what does it say? Need a language, we're lost in translation From impossible thoughts and feelings Why don't you know before I know? What I need to say, before I can How come you don't have the answer Before I asked you the question? Wish you could read my mind [...] It's been a long time since we've been together In the same world, just want you to look at me Like I was everything you ever wanted again [...] Just hold me like I'm everything you wanted again

A good song of the two people pining will always make me think of those two dorks. And their feeling are definitely lost in translation even in canon, with Anakin never realizing how much Obi-Wan actually cares for him because of Palpatine's manipulations.

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❧ So Much It Hurts - Niki & The Dove

Oh, I ask you where you've been 'Cause you always come home late nowadays What a fool was I to think we were safe From the thieves in the temple [...] Oh, won't you bring it back? After all that we've been through together Is it now you gonna throw it all away? Oh, a love like ours Tell me, was it worth it? Oh, the thieves in the temple Oh, but you said that For better for worse You would always be there for me Always be there for me Always be there for me like I'll always be there for you Good times and bad times

So this screams Padmé being cheated on. Like, Anakin still married to her, yet he is always sneaking away after they spend time together to be in the Temple with Obi-Wan. Like, Obi-Wan is literally the thief in the Temple that steals Anakin away from her. (Which I'm sure is actually a metaphor for how the couples' marriage is the temple and someone is disrespecting it by taking away the other's lover. But look at me making this literal, 'cause why not!).

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❧ Power & Control - Marina

Give a little, get a lot That's just how you are with love [...] Think you're funny, think you're smart Think you're gonna break my heart Think you're funny, think you're smart Yeah, you may be good looking But you're not a piece of art [...] Power and control I'm gonna make you fall I'm gonna make you fall We give and take a little more 'Cause all my life I've been controlled You can't have peace without a war

Another song for an AU, this time one with both of them being Sith, most likely being enemies too at first. Before they decide to work together against Anakin's Master.

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❧ No Hero - Elisa

Don't you shut your eyes And hide you heart behind a shadow 'Cause you can count on me As long as I can breathe [...] I've fallen from grace Yeah, I'm much less a saint than a sinner Oh, no I ain't no superhuman 'Cause that's just in the movies, I know But I'll carry you throught the night Through the storm Give you love, always love in return I can't jump over buildings I'm no hero But love can do miracles I can't outrun a bullet 'Cause I'm no hero But I would take one for you [...] 'Cause I'm no hero But I'd spill my blood for you If you need me to I'll be there

Another song from an Italian artist, but this one is in English! And I totally see this song for a scenario where one of the two isn't a Jedi or even for a Modern AU. But it can totally work for Canon compliant too because Anakin is the one every calls hero with no fear. It fits then if Obi-Wan tells Anakin that he doesn't feel like a hero, but he would do anything for Anakin.

☙ ✤ ❧ ☙ ✤ ❧ ☙ ✤ ❧ ☙ ✤ ❧ ☙ ✤ ❧ ☙ ✤ ❧

SOOOO, this post is getting way to long (like, it was way too long even just with the first song). And I made it to an even 20 songs. I feel like this a nice place to stop for now. Don't worry, these are just the first 20. I have more in my private playlist, but I want to make another post like this when I add them to the public one. Because I can. And that's what I'm gonna do.

[snarkwrites]

13 | gangsta ; sweetpea

NOTES:

It's been a while. I've had these two chapters written for a while now but I haven't had time to sit down, edit them a little better and post them. Since I have time now, I thought I'd go ahead and do that, whether you guys asked for these next two chapters or not.

Sorry this took forever! Sorry I'm so slow, I've been settling into a new house and taking care of some IRL stuff / taking a little break. I swear, I'm going to update everything sooner or later. >.>

I love you guys.

WARNINGS:

NON/ LOOSE CANON COMPLIANCE - this is the biggest warning, so if you’re into things that follow exact canon plot you are… definitely not going to like this. ANGST & SLOW BURN, HEAVY SEXUAL TENSIONSTARTING NOW, ACTUALLY - this is just so everyone who started reading this thinking the smut would transpire in a hurry knows that apparently, it is not. VIOLENCE / SWEARING & FIGHTING, POSSIBLE UNDERAGE DRINKING AND OTHER SHENANIGANS- look.. it’s high school. shit happens. also apparently, my ofc Alyssa uses the word fuck like all the time?…EVENTUAL SEXUAL CONTENT / A VIRGIN ORIGINAL CHARACTER- this one is self explanatory. yes, i plan to write a smutty chapter in this at some point. when? i don’t rightly know. it’s got a while before we get there. STALKER TW - this chapter marks the true appearance of Alyssa's ex, Dave Novak. It's hinted heavily that he's a gross asshole who likes to play mind games. ATTEMPTED KIDNAPPING TW - This chapter contains an attempted kidnapping. If this is gonna bother you you're best off not reading it.

If you're under 18+, probably not a good or wise idea to continue reading this series. Because there are going to be a few dark and adult themes within. I'll warn here, of course, but you need to understand that I don't control you. If you continue to read after having read the warnings and you're upset or don't like something... Totally on you, friend.

PAIRING:

Andrews!Sibling OFC x Sweet Pea.

TAGGING:

@brithedemonspawn is the only person on my Riverdale tag list. If you want to be added, the link to do so is below.

OTHER PARTS:

ONE - TWO - THREE - FOUR - FIVE - SIX - SEVEN - EIGHT - NINE - TEN- ELEVEN - TWELVE - soundtrack

OTHER STUFF:

[ about my writing - tag list doc ]

THIRTEEN.

[773 - 589 - 7956] Quiet sleepy little town you’ve got here. I can see the appeal, scarlet.

[773 - 589 - 7956] I saw you last night. If I didn’t know what a treacherous bitch you were, I’d say you look more beautiful than ever.

[773 - 589 - 7956] Have you shown that new boytoy of yours all the dirty little photos you were sending me? I bet he’d fucking love to see that… Or did you actually let him see the real thing?

[773 - 589 - 7956] You can say what you want to the cops, scarlet. You and I both know you enjoyed sending me those dirty little pictures. Do your parents know what a teasing whore their daughter really is? I know mommy wasn’t too thrilled when you went running to her to snitch just because things got a little too real for you…

[773 - 589 - 7956] I’ll see you soon. It’s like I said, scarlet. You owe me. I intend to collect. You think this is a game? You can just promise things and then betray me like that? That’s not how this works, scarlet.

The second my phone was powered on again after school, it immediately started to go insane. The texts came in a flood. They were so disgusting and scary that I dropped my phone because my hands were shaking so hard I couldn’t hold it. I quickly picked up the phone and took a few deep breaths, attempting to pull myself together.

,, I can’t keep this to myself. I have to tell someone what’s going on.” the thought nagged at me for the thousandth time in two weeks and I decided that as soon as I finished my tutoring session for the day, I was going to go to the construction site and show my father the texts. Tell him that somehow, Dave was out of prison and apparently, he was here in Riverdale.

My stomach was churning and a bitter taste filled my mouth at the thought. I felt like a dead girl walking. How could I have been so fucking stupid? I should’ve told my father the first time Dave texted me. I should’ve done something.

I felt anger at the situation too. I came here to get away from everything, to put it behind me. I just wanted to forget any of it happened. How dare he show up and ruin everything? He was supposed to be in jail right now, not walking free!

It wasn’t fair.

I knew I’d never be brave enough, but I found myself thinking that if I did see him again, I wanted to strangle him. To give him a reason to be afraid of me for once instead of the other way around. To get even for the hell he put me through in Chicago.

I stepped out into the parking lot, taking a few deep breaths to calm down. Leaning against the brick wall beside the doors that lead into the building. Waiting. Trying to pull myself together. Half hoping that my brother was still here, still in wrestling practice.

Then I remembered that he didn’t have it tonight and that he’d left earlier with Veronica, Betty and Jughead.

Cheryl and Toni were already gone too. I’d stayed over because I was tutoring some kids in the grade below me. I didn’t think it’d take as long as it did. When I realized just how late it had gotten and that I’d be walking home alone in the dark, I’d panicked.

I could always call my dad.

That’s what I wound up doing. About halfway across the parking lot and just as my father’s phone went to voicemail , Dave stepped out and grabbed me, clamping his hand over my mouth before I could do anything other than scream.

My phone fell out of my hands and hit the pavement . I fought him off, managed to get out of his grasp and took off at a run. He caught up to me and grabbed me, trying to drag me towards his Chevelle that was parked nearby, idling. I fought tooth and nail, making as much noise as I could. Grabbing hold of anything I could to try and wrench myself free from his grasp.

I spotted Sweet Pea walking towards the school and I screamed louder. Fought harder.

“Sweet Pea!” I screamed his name, biting at any exposed skin I could get my mouth on Dave’s body. Clawing and scratching. Determined not to go quietly or without a fight. Sweet Pea disappeared from sight for a few seconds in the scuffle between Dave and I, and I was fighting so hard that Dave was struggling to keep a good firm grip on me…

XXX

He’d come back to school because normally, Alyssa was done and at Pop’s within thirty minutes, an hour tops. It had almost been two. Something felt off. Sweet Pea tried to tell himself the entire walk across town to Riverdale High that he was just being paranoid or overprotective. By the time the school was in view, he almost had himself convinced that he was just being a paranoid idiot.

Until he heard her screaming.

Sweet Pea took off at a run in the direction her scream came from, watching as a guy grabbed Alyssa and started trying to pull her towards an idling Chevelle nearby. He locked eyes with Alyssa before slipping out of sight. Getting himself into a position where he could slip up on the guy from behind and hopefully, distract him enough that Alyssa could get away.

The second she managed to smash her head into the guy’s nose hard enough that he dropped her, Sweet Pea spoke up. Firmly. “Run, Cherry. Don’t stop running.”

“No.” I stubbornly refused to leave. I wasn’t going to leave him to fight Dave off on his own. Not when this was my mess to begin with, my own stupidity coming back to bite me in my ass.

“Damn it, woman. Fucking go!” Sweet Pea practically growled as he lunged for the guy in front of him, spearing him against the side of his own car. The fight took to the ground, the two rolling around. For a second or two, Dave had the upper hand because he managed to get his hand on Sweet Pea’s throat. Sweet Pea used his legs, flipping them so that he was on top, swinging his fists with no real thought other than the sheer rage he felt about the guy trying to grab Alyssa. Dave managed to get the upper hand again, holding Sweet Pea against the concrete, Sweet Pea’s hand wrapped around his throat as he tried to squeeze harder.

Sweet Pea swore in frustration when he saw Alyssa slipping over to the open rear door. She emerged with a baseball bat, making her way over to the fight.

“What the fuck do you think you were gonna do, man?” Sweet Pea snarled in anger as he got in a few hard and fast punches.

“I was gonna get my hands on that little bitch you call a girlfriend and teach her a lesson.” Dave grunted out the words as Sweet Pea’s hand closed around his throat tighter and he managed to get Dave on his back again.

“The only one who’s going to learn a lesson tonight is you, asshole. Don’t fucking touch her.” Sweet Pea got the upper hand again, holding Dave against the concrete, smashing his head against Dave’s head as he sneered, “I’m gonna fuckin kill you, putting your hands on my girl.” and really tightened his grip.

Dave managed to shove him off and stood, the two of them fighting. Alyssa swung the bat at Dave’s lower back, almost connecting with it but Dave stepped out of the way at the last minute, making a grab for her.

“Cherry, I told you to run, damn it!” Sweet Pea growled as he lunged at Dave, sending Alyssa stumbling back, barely managing to keep herself from falling on her butt on the pavement. The two were rolling around on the ground again, punching and choking wildly and Alyssa spotted her cell phone and she dove for it, dialing 911.

Just as she was about to hit call, Sweet Pea choked Dave out and grabbed for the rope that had fallen out of Dave’s jacket pocket, tying his arms together while he was down. Then he rushed over to her, checking her over in concern, wincing at the pavement burn on her cheeks and the few scrapes.

“What the fuck happened to run, huh?” Sweet Pea asked, trying to catch his breath.

“I wasn’t leaving you here with him.” Alyssa panted. Sweet Pea took her cell phone and hit call, keeping his foot on Dave’s head to keep him down as he made the call.

Two minutes later, a cop car came racing around the corner and pulled to a stop behind the idling Chevelle.

The cop got out and wandered over. Glancing from Sweet Pea to Dave.

Alyssa spoke up.

“Sweet Pea was trying to save me, officer.”

“I’m going to need you two to come to the station and make statements.” the cop informed them after getting Dave into the back of the cop car. Alyssa nodded, hugging herself against Sweet Pea’s side. Sweet Pea slipped out of his leather jacket,draping it around her, because at some point during her fight with Dave, her shirt had gotten torn down the front.

The cop left, leaving the two of them alone.

Sweet Pea took a few deep breaths, pulling her against him. Squeezing her tight. Holding her in place. “Thank God I decided to come by here. If something would’ve happened…” he muttered against her hair quietly.

She pulled away to look up at him and he locked eyes with her, leaning in closer…

XXX

My heart was still hammering away at my chest. The adrenaline was starting to wear off and I was starting to panic a little as I began to realize what almost happened to me. How close I came to disappearing, having God knows what would be done to me by Dave.

I wasn’t thinking about how awkward me kissing him would be. I wasn’t thinking about anything if you want the truth. I rose up on my toes, grabbing hold of the front of Sweet Pea’s t-shirt, pulling myself up. My mouth brushed against the corner of his gingerly, trying to avoid the portion of his lower lip that was busted and bloody because it had to hurt like hell. His hands dug into my hips and he growled quietly, his mouth latching onto mine just as I went to pull away, stop myself before I went for it and kissed him in the heat of the moment.

The kiss deepened and I raised my arms, wrapping them around his neck. Dragging my fingers through his hair. My back met the side of the Chevelle with a soft smack and he pressed himself into me more firmly. His mouth continuing to hungrily devour mine.

The kiss broke a few seconds later, we pulled apart breathlessly and stared at one another in a daze. Sweet Pea wiped the back of his hand over his mouth and cleared his throat. Going quiet again.

All I could do was melt into him and try to wrap my head around what almost happened and what had just actually happened. He curled his fingers under my chin, tilting my face so that I had to look up at him.

“Who was that? Wait.. was that your ex?”

My jaw dropped. I blinked at him and then I nodded quietly. He swore under his breath and held on a little tighter. Pulling away again, his hands on my upper arms as he stared down at me. “I should’ve fucking killed him.”

“H-how’d you know about Dave? Did my brother tell you?”

“And Jughead. I don’t know everything. I just know that I told myself if I ever actually saw the asshole, I was going to kill him.” Sweet Pea answered quietly. Taking a few deep breaths and then adding a few seconds later, “We need to get to the station.”

I nodded in agreement. Sweet Pea scooped me up when he saw me take a step and wince, then try it again with the same outcome.

“I can walk.” I protested weakly.

“You fell. You probably twisted your ankle. Just… let me carry you, Cherry.” he muttered quietly, his voice a soft and concerned whisper as he gazed down at me.

All I could do was nod. Lean my head against the space between his neck and shoulder.

As we worked our way towards the police station, it poured out of me. Every single thing I’d gone through with Dave in Chicago. I grimaced as I told Sweet Pea exactly what had gone down and why I thought Dave had come to town and tried to grab me tonight and Sweet Pea’s jaw set firm.

I could tell that hearing it bothered him. And at one point, he muttered quietly, “If you don’t want to talk about it you don’t have to…”

“No, I need to get it out. I shouldn’t have kept the fact that the asshole was texting me to myself. Blocking his number obviously didn’t work because he reached out with a new one. I thought if I just ignored him, he’d lose interest. I thought it was just him, trying to scare me. I didn’t think he’d be stupid or brave enough to show up here.” I muttered, shaking my head at how stupid that sounded now that I was really stopping to think about it.

“He’s not gonna bother you again, okay? I’m going to make sure he doesn’t.” Sweet Pea muttered after a few seconds, just as we stepped into the station and made our way over to a sitting area to wait.

“You need to call your dad.” Sweet Pea spoke up after a few seconds that felt like hours.

I nodded. Taking my phone back from Sweet Pea, I dialed my dad’s number and I could hear the relief in his voice when he answered.

Static crackled and popped on his end of the line so I strained to hear.

“I’ve been riding around town looking for you for over an hour, tiny. What the hell happened?” my dad asked in a rush.

“Dave was waiting outside of the school tonight when I came out… If Sweet Pea hadn’t gotten there when he did I… he tried to grab me tonight, Dad.” I grimaced as I said it, bracing myself for all the questions and the lecture I knew I’d be getting because I hadn’t told anyone the second all this started.

,, to be fair, I definitely deserve it.” the thought came and I let myself have it. Leaning back in the chair, resting against Sweet Pea’s side slightly. Taking a few deep breaths.

My dad swore and I heard him punching at something, probably the dashboard of his truck. After a second or two, he spoke up. “Where are you two? I’m on my way, tiny. Right now.”

“We’re at the station giving a statement.” I explained.

“Thank god. So Novak got arrested? That’s good. I’m going to be sure to find out what I can do to make sure that little prick stays in a cell this time.” my dad responded as I heard him rev the engine on his truck.

The call ended and I leaned my head against Sweet Pea’s shoulder. He slipped an arm around me and took a few more breaths as if he were trying to calm himself down again because he was still angry and tense.

The cop who made the arrest found us and ushered us back to his workspace and we sat down. Telling the cop every single detail of what happened tonight. The cop let me finish and then spoke up.

“We’re holding him for Chicago. He apparently escaped. Attacked another girl… A Claire Watson… Then he came here. But everything you’ve told me will help keep him behind bars, Alyssa. Do you have a parent you can call?”

I nodded.

“She already called him.” Sweet Pea answered calmly as he folded his arms over his chest and glared at the cop suspiciously.

The cop eyed him, nodding. Managing a cordial smile. “That was quick thinking on your part tonight kid. Also stupid as hell. If he’d had a weapon, that could’ve gone wrong. Next time, call the station.”

“And do what? Let an asshole make off with my girl? Yeah, no thanks. I’m good. I’ve seen how fast you assholes respond to any call you get from the South side.”

“Not all of us are bad, kid.” the cop pointed out in a calm and even tone.

“Yeah, well… I wasn’t going to stand there and let him take my girl either. I did what I had to do.” Sweet Pea took a deep breath, rubbing his forehead. Calming himself back down.

I spotted my father and Archie coming into the station, heading right for us and I let out a ragged breath. Squeezing my dad so tight he almost couldn’t breathe when they got over to where we were sitting in the back.

My father spoke up, addressing the cop. “We will be pressing charges. So, whatever I need in order to do that, just tell me and you’ve got it.”

Sweet Pea cleared his throat.

“If it helps, here’s her phone.” Sweet Pea held my phone out to the policeman and he took it, nodding. “If there’s anything on here, that’ll help. If you’ll come with me, Mr. Andrews, we’ll get that paperwork drawn up to start the proceedings.”

My dad gave me another hug and stopped in front of Sweet Pea. “If you hadn’t been there tonight, kid… Thank you.”

“I wasn’t gonna let anything happen to her, sir.” Sweet Pea muttered, awkwardly letting my dad hug him too.

My dad made his way to an office with the policeman who’d taken our statements and I glanced up at Sweet Pea, grimacing at the bruises and scraped starting to form on his face and neck. The black eye and the busted lip.

“Archie, can you go get some ice or a soda can? His lips really swelling up..” I muttered. My brother nodded, taking some change from me to go do it. And this left Sweet Pea and I alone again.

“About that kiss.. I’m sorry, I.. the last thing I wanted to do was make anything awkward. I just got caught up in the moment and I can’t keep fighting the way I feel and I… Sorry.” I spoke up quietly. Prepared to give him an out. Afraid that I’d gone way over the line.

“Yeah, about that… I’ve been wanting to do it for a while.” Sweet Pea admitted quietly. Making me look up at him as he chuckled quietly. “You wanna repeat any of what you just said?”

I felt my cheeks burning. I pouted up at him and gave him a dirty look.

He smirked in response and spoke up. “I’m being serious. You were doing that mumble and babbling thing again.”

“You heard me.” I answered, biting my lip as I looked up at him.

“A little, yeah… But maybe I wanna hear it again, cherry.” he pulled me close and gazed down at me for a few seconds.

“Wait.. you wanted to kiss me?” I realized what he’d admitted. Gazing up at him, a little shocked.

“You’re trying to change the subject now?” he questioned, slipping his arms around me. I gave a soft laugh and muttered quietly, “Maybe a little.”

“When you say you can’t ignore the way you feel.. What’s that mean?” he questioned again, making me look up at him. I took a deep breath and toyed with the front of his shirt, trying to figure out the best way to put it to words.

The truth. Simple and direct.

“I care about you a lot. I lo--” I started to say that I loved him, but Archie cleared his throat behind us, holding out the soda can to me. Then promptly excusing himself again to go find our dad. I gently guided Sweet Pea down into a chair and sank down to sit on his knees. Gingerly pressing the cold soda can against his lip. And after a second or two, I finally got myself to say it again. “I love you, okay?”

He chuckled quietly. Locking eyes with me. Lowering the soda can to ask quietly, “Like a best friend or something.. Right?”

I shook my head. “More than, actually. Since that day at the car wash when I drenched you with the hose, I’ve… It’s been hard to make myself not look for you in a crowd. Yes, yes.. I know this is mushy and you don’t do mushy, I..” his mouth crashing against mine cut off the flow of my words and he muttered in a daze, “Say it again. Tell me you love me, Cherry.”

“I love you.” I managed to get the words out breathlessly. His mouth was latching onto mine all over again. The kiss deepening. His arms enveloping me tighter. Squeezing til I thought I’d get lightheaded between the deep and heavy onslaught of kisses and the way he was holding me.

“I love you too.” he mumbled quietly. Gazing down at me. Panting for his next breath as the kiss broke yet again.

“Okay, are you two done with whatever yet? Because dad told me to get Al back home. You can come with us if you want.” Archie surprised me by inviting Sweet Pea. Sweet Pea eyed him and nodded, standing after I’d finally managed to pry myself away from him.

As we walked out of the station, he slipped his hand down between us, lacing his fingers between mine. Giving my hand a squeeze as he glanced down at me.