#the masked empire spoilers

[ninapedia]

WHAT IF THE MYSTERIOUS ENCHANTER IN THE LIGHTHOUSE IN DA:TV IS FELASSAN?

SPOILERS FOR THE MASKED EMPIRE BELOW PLEASE DONUT READ IF YOU WANT TO BE FRESH FOR THAT BOOK

the dev team has been cagey talking about who/what is enchanting your shit in the Lighthouse. Some people are taking that as meaning Sandal may be back (myself included) but his voice actor isn't listed and he has said he hasn't gotten the call.

When Dreamers are killed in The Fade they're made tranquil in the waking world. This is explained in the DA2 Feynriel Questline. At the end of The Masked Empire, Solas kills Felassan- as confirmed by Cole in Trespassers- but the way the scene is written it is heavily implied he died in the Fade because he can only meet Solas via dreams (Dragon Age: The Masked Empire, pp. 378–380)

The Tranquil and Dwarves are the only people who posses the immunity to Magic/Lyrium in order to work enchantments. David Gaider on the defunct Bioware Social Forums: "Raw lyrium affects mages the worst, yes. The affect on non-mages is lesser but still harmful. Dwarves and tranquil would be mostly unaffected by raw lyrium unless they spend too much time in its presence."

CONCLUSION: TRANQUIL FELASSAN IS A VIABLE OPTION TO BE OUR ENCHANTER IN THE LIGHTHOUSE IN DRAGON AGE: THE VEILGAURD

[mrs-gauche]

I love how people look at this scene now and are like "Oh he's just a little guy" and yeah, while he is very tall for the average modern elf, Solas was in fact always just A Little Guy compared to some of the sentinels in Mythal's temple. lmao

Even the spirits in Trespasser (that look just like him the sentinels), are pretty damn huge as well...

Though it seems like the Evanuris are enormously tall even compared to them? But they're also blighted just like Corypheus, who was also huge, so I wonder how much the Blight altered their appearance?

There was this moment in The Masked Empire that stuck with me, where Briala and the gang enter some elven ruins and after going down some narrow stairs, she notices that the steps are getting larger the deeper they go, to a point where she's like "Huh, I wonder if our ancestors were giants or something" and I remember thinking "Ok, I know the ancient elves were taller, but stairs SO big that Briala has to take two footsteps for each stair step, even though the entry to the ruins was somehow normal-sized, so.. What was that about?" 😂

This also reminds me again of the legends about Korth, the Lady of the Skies and her little, nondescript "ptarmigan" that may or may not be referring to Solas after all. :D

[ohmyarda]

Slow Arrow “The god Fen'Harel was asked by a village to kill a great beast. He came to the beast at dawn, and saw its strength, and knew it would slay him if he fought it. So instead, he shot an arrow up into the sky. The villagers asked Fen'Harel how he would save them, and he said to them, ‘When did I say that I would save you?’ And he left, and the great beast came into the village that night and killed the warriors, and the women, and the elders. It came to the children and opened its great maw, but then the arrow that Fen'Harel had loosed fell from the sky into the great beast’s mouth, and killed it. The children of the village wept for their parents and elders, but still they made an offering to Fen'Harel of thanks, for he had done what the villagers had asked. He had killed the beast, with his cunning, and a slow arrow that the beast never noticed.” The Masked Empire, pg. 73

[thedeadthree]

THE SUN ON YOUR FACE ON YOUR SHOULDERS ITS GOLDEN MOUTH WHISPERING (SO IT SEEMS) YOU! YOU! YOU! — 𝐂𝐘𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐀 𝐕𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐑. 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑡𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑟. (x)

𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 (ask to be added or removed or interact 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞!): @griffin-wood, @queennymeria, @nightbloodbix, @anoras, @leviiackrman, @aezyrraeshh, @marivenah, @risingsh0t, @avallachs, @full---ofstarlight, @unholymilf, @statichvm, @socially-awkward-skeleton, @alltoowelltv, @lavampira, @adelaidedrubman, @grapecaseschoices, @shellibisshe, @carlosoliveiraa, @carrionsflower, @cloudofbutterflies92, @kyber-infinitygems, @pinkfey, @celticwoman, @florbelles, @shadowglens, @yharnams

[dragon--sage]

am i delusional for hoping that felassan’s fate will be elaborated on in da4??????? and his relationship with solas? 😭😭😭😭 i miss him and it’s criminal that we haven’t seen him in the games at all. like not that the ending of the masked empire wasn’t mostly clear but,………. it was left VAGUE and i have to think there was a reason WHY ( 🤡 ????? )

[autisticcole]

Okay I haven't read Masked Empire yet but can someone tell me Felassan's deal? And how we know he's from the time of Elvhenan?

[knghtlock]

@int65 asked: vega's words are metal screeching and static, hotaru is one of the few he with whom he speaks the language that comes most naturally to him. ‘what will you do now, with the chance for a future we have won?’

to the untrained ear, it might just be screeching and static - but to hotaru, it's the comforting voice of her old friend , floating through her mind and causing the wings at their ears to twitch. they sit at the edge of the lost city , shoulder to shoulder underneath the nostalgia-filled sky , the atmosphere lighter as the traveler breathes a sigh of relief. it takes hotaru a moment, but they respond in kind - a series of chirps and static, hums and warbling scratches. < honestly ? i-i don't know . i didn't even think i'd make it this far ! it does feels kinda weird that the last city just started getting used to... > they gesture , hopelessly, to all of themself before the warlock continues, < well, me, and here i've gone and changed again. >

they flex their new arm - bulky metal burnt & molded & re-forged by the burning light of the traveler that once spiraled & coursed through their veins into something more organic than techno-organic: a metallic wing wrapping and spiraling around something more akin to flesh, a reminder fashioned from the light of a being they once called and cursed as a god. but it's not - it still ends in clawed fingertips , it still has those blue lights shining between the cracks, it is still metal that coats their arm with those new pretty plates. maybe , much like prismatic, the line between what hotaru is and what they aren't is endlessly blurred - no thin line , only what is. & despite everything they've been through, it's still them. it's always been them. & isn't that enough ?

the warlock's legs swing idly over the city of nostalgia's past as they mull all of this over : the struggles, the change, the road that lead them here & the road to be forged ahead , before responding: < i think.... i'll do what i've always done : help people. but do you wanna know a secret? well, it's not exactly a secret, > hotaru confesses, a too-human laugh bursting through the static, < but whatever the future brings, vega - i'm excited to face it with you. so.... what about you , my dear friend ? what will you do with the chance we've won? >

[vigilskeep]

started the masked empire btw. briala get out of there girl

[elizzsush]

The Mask | Jason Todd X Reader

Red Hood X Villain Reader

— in which you, a shy nerdy vigilante/Wayne family obsessed barista- is actually a villain that torments the Red Hood at night.

AU: Soulmate (bc I can)

Rating: Sfw

Note: Y/N is based off of Furina from Genshin bc I thought this would be fun and I saw a prompt somewhere, I think? It’s just my interpretation of it as to not step on anyone's toes!

Also, this isn't really a imagine. It's more of an Idea I was thinking of and needed to get out of my head! So that's why it's kind of not finished? Most of my stuff is WIPs anyway so this isn't really new.

_________________________________

You were a popular villain.

People loved you. Maybe not the theft and distraction you caused but hey- we all have flaws? “I will teach this city the true meaning of Justice!” You’d boldly claim standing on the stage that was Gotham city’s tallest building- scarily close to the edge. “Join me- and together we’ll cleanse this city of its evil and corrupt ways!” You’d state so boldly.

You loved for the attention, the lights- cameras and reporters. That’s why the red hood could only shake his head. Another psychopath spewing their ideology like it should be praised- like it was the absolute truth.

Spoiler alert, it wasn’t.

The world wasn’t black and white enough for an ideology to trump all the others and ‘cleanse this city’. Fuck, not this city- not even close. Gotham was just in too deep. Too much crime, too much of a drug problem or a poverty problem- too much of everything. The joker was a prime example of that. The evil of this city boiled up into one twisted person… Anyway, you were an attention seeker, classic villain profile. Does it for attention- maybe mommy or daddy didn’t give you enough love? It didn’t matter. What happened was you were breaking the law and Jason was still on Bruce’s keep an eye on list. So, he’d keep his hands off the bigger more horrible criminals.

Still sometimes, only sometimes, he'd find himself listening a little too closely to your ideals- Like you believed in the death penalty for Gotham hardest to kill roach: The joker.

So, while Red Hood was chasing you... Well, it'd started off small, you’d steal from the rich of Gotham- sometimes even Bruce Wayne himself. -Those days Jason found himself chasing after you slower, not that he’d admit that. It was a classic Robin Hood situation and Jason… didn’t know how to feel about it. On one hand you were breaking the law, in the other, power to the people. Eat the rich.

Jason knew how it felt to grow up struggling so too see you helping people? It was almost nice.

What annoyed him though was your loud, for the people persona. “I will judge all of Gotham! Batman himself can’t escape my judgment!” Okay, slow down… you were fast and agile, but Batman would be able to catch you. And if Jason really put his back into it, he could too. Still, that never stopped you from making bold claims. It garnered attention, it was bold and daring and just what the people wanted. Your ideal matched up with what so many people were fed up with the batman for.

Eventually your behavior began to escalate. He didn’t know how much longer he could keep the Bats eyes from you. “This is a cult...” He muttered while he hides away on the roof of an abandoned building you holed your followers up in for a speech.

“My loyal follower!” You’d greet them with a smile and a bow. You’d put in stage performances. Sometimes with Jason, except he never knew, and the performance was just you and him fighting on the stage. Most days, some days it seemed it was just you acting and being alive on that large stage. Others you were preaching your words to the cult your loyal followers. You were building an empire and catching the attention of other criminals.

An empire that while he agreed with, went against the bats no kill rule. The longer you stood on that stage the less safe from the bat you were.

And no matter how much he wanted to agree with you, a small part of him still wanted... something from batman. You would be an issue.

“How much longer do I have to do this…?”

Red hood was no detective, but he was raised by the greatest one. So, while he was lacking in that department compared to the rest of his family (Even if it was just by a smidge.) He still noticed how after a speech or a fight- your smile, no, your persona dropped.

It was a persona you probably garnered for attention.

but still...

So how…

…That just didn’t make sense.

“Can I have your autograph…? Please?” A civilian would ask shyly, hiding behind a Batman themed phone case with a Robin themed charm hanging from that same phone.

The worst part of it all? You didn’t ask for the Red Hoods autograph. You asked for Jason Todd’s autograph, you were a fan of the Wayne’s. Gotham's golden family. No actually, it was the way you jumped up and down eagerly when you thought he was far enough way and did a dumb victory dance.

He sighed and leaned against the alleys stone wall as he watched you leave. A sense of worry invaded his mind as he watched you in your nerdy and totally lame Superman shirt walking away. All while staring at your phone.

He was surprised you recognized him. He was never in the public spotlight- maybe here and there when he was younger. Not now, not anymore. His death and how vague it was left question. Ones people didn’t ask when he wasn’t there, dangling in front of them like bait to a fish, they’d ask why and how and while they had a cover up: One the bat, the world's greatest detective made up. It still was messy. You must be a real fan.

He wasn’t even sure if that was really you…

It had to be though, there was no mistaking it. So, with your civilian name in his head, he walked back home.

“…so… lonely…” `

[lost-in-fiction-like-ur-mom]

Does the End Justify the Means?

CX-2 (Clone Assassin) x Reader

Summary- CX-2 never planned on forming a relationship, but once he did he had to protect it. Even if it meant killing hundreds to keep you away from Hemlock.

A/N- SPOILERS FOR THE BAD BATCH FINALE. I feel like people forget that deep down, CX-2 is still a clone being forced to serve the Empire. Maybe I'm delusional though!!! MENTIONS OF BURNS AND TORTURE!!

Word Count- 5,253

"You know, CX-2. There was once a time where I considered scrapping you. The very cloning program that made you..." Hemlock started. "You were hard to control. My methods had little effect on you. Considering you had little to live for, well that didn't help."

CX-2 stood, arms crossed behind his back. He listened intently, staring at the grey border of the wall.

"You were too, hmm. Rebellious should I say?" He walked slow circles around CX-2, studying him. "That was until I found your little secret out." Hemlock laughed at his own wit. "Who knew a medic trainee would have an Assassin Clone falling so hard!" He seemed to think the situation was hilarious.

Silent, CX-2 contemplated killing Hemlock where he stood. It wasn't possible though, he was smarter than that. He probably had a weapon on his beloved as they spoke. Perhaps Scorch was with her now...

He didn't want to think about it, so he didn't. Opting to stare back at the wall again.

"Truly, I created you better than that. The problem with you clones is your loyalty. It would typically disgust me. Though, unlucky for you, this all plays out in my favor." CX-2 swallowed hard at his words.

There were not many things that scared CX-2, but the thought of Hemlock hurting you consumed him. Striking him with a never ending fear.

"You will bring me Omega. Unless, you want an accident to happen. That would be tragic, wouldn't it?" The man asked, taunting the clone. All while fiddling with his gloved hand.

For the first time in many minutes, CX-2 spoke. "I will retrieve the girl."

"Good, I do not doubt your abilities." Hemlock stepped closer, right in The Assassins face. "Dire consequences are at stake..."

CX-2 made sure his next stop was Pabu.

CX-2 had no intentions of forming any friendships, especially not a relationship. You, however, came natural to him. In one of Hemlock's attempts to have complete control over CX-2, a burn was implemented on his waist. He remembers the day vividly, as it was the first time he'd met you.

You were only on Tantiss because of your mother. She worked for the Empire as a medic, a famous doctor of some sort. While you never had the knack for the medical field, you enjoyed helping people. It was in your blood after all.

CX-2 was taken to a special room for clones of high status. You were there by sheer accident. A mishap guided you to his side.

"Uhm, hello sir." You introduced yourself. "I'll be your medic today. What's your name?" You asked, a little nervous to be assessing a clone by yourself. He wore black armor, head still covered. You'd never seen that style before, maybe he was new?

CX-2 just stared up at you, a hard gaze. Out of fear, you started to breathe a little heavier. He could have killed you there and no one would have batted an eye.

"Sir, is something the matter?" You pressed on, trying to mask yourself with professionalism.

He continued to stare, eventually pointing at the chart In your hands.

"Of course, uh. CT-4340?"

CX-2 didn't say a word, just tilted his head. You looked at him with doe eyes. "Are you CT-4340?" you hesitated.

"My code is CX-2." He commanded out, a modulated voice appearing.

You almost jumped at the sound. "I uh, seem to have the wrong chart. I am so sorry, I should get a higher official-"

Under his helmet, CX-2 resisted the urge to roll his eyes. His shoulder dropped, annoyed. This caused his side to jolt. The pain of the burn on him was strong, but he withheld any reaction.

You, on the other hand, seemed to notice the very small twitch his waist gave out. "Where are you hurt?" You asked, the words now flowing with a motive in mind.

CX-2 instinctively started unbuckling his chest piece. You flushed slightly, ashamed you couldn't be more serious in the situation. "Do you need help?" His head rose quickly, falling after looking at you for a second. He didn't respond, just continued to take his upper armor off.

Guess not...

The second you saw his skin, you suppressed a gasp. It looked gruesome, like something had repeatedly been burning him. With a deep breath, you shoved down any lasting fear.

Getting to work, you prepared bacta and bandages.

He was still, almost too still. You'd seen plenty of procedures and medics fixing up clones. There had been wincing, complaining, and fidgeting on lesser injuries. You would have expected tears and need of an anesthetic for any other man. But he was still...

You prayed you didn't hurt him more than he already was. You knew your hands were clumsy with inexperience. If you did, he made no effort to tell you nor pull away.

From then on you saw each other more and more. While your mother made sure you got plenty of experience working on clones, you were extremely busy. Never getting a second to actually talk to CX-2. A particular encounter with a clone in the hangar would change this.

You were helping a trooper with a broken arm- Simply wrapping it to prevent further injury. You crouched down, examining the break.

CX-2 was just passing by, heading to see what his next mission was. He barely took note that a soldier under his command broke an arm. Why would he? Clones die everyday, including ones under CX-2.

He did however take note of you. He recognized you immediately. He surprised himself, why would he care about some medic? He'd never remembered the ones that had worked on him in the past.

At this, he stared at you. He took in your silhouette, something deep down told him to bask in your every feature. So, he did.

Of course you felt the beaming eyes of CX-2. It made you nervous. Was there something on your face? Did you make him mad? It distracted you.

"Ow!" The clone exclaimed in pain, face screwing. He yanked his arm up. It was an accident, you were sure. A response to the pain you caused unintentionally. CX-2 didn't seem to think this when he saw the clone raise his arm to hit you.

It all happened so fast, you didn't have time to lean back or even register what was happening. The next thing you knew was that the unidentified clone was on his back. CX-2 stood over him, a vibroblade at his neck and foot on his chest.

Falling onto your butt, you gasped and regained some sense. "CX-2...."

He slowly turned around to face you. The two of you looked at each other. His hand still expertly rested centimeters from killing the clone.

Adrenaline pumping, you spoke. "it's okay. It was an accident."

He pushed the clone back with his foot, hand raising. With the vibroblade still wielded, he stormed to you. Your heart pumped viciously, though not in fear. If he was going to really hurt you, he would have let the clone hit you.

No, your heart thumped in your ears in anticipation.

He grabbed you by the forearm with his free hand, careful of the blade. He yanked you up, off of your position on the cold floor.

You briefly noticed eyes around the hangar now in your direction. You grew nervous, only at their judgmental looks.

The quickness of it all made your head spin. You stepped out, trying not to fall. His hand still gripped your arm, he stood unmoving. He let you catch your balance, just watching you.

"Excuse me, what is going on here?" A vice admiral questioned, appearing from your left.

CX-2's modulated voice said your name. It was harsh and cold, but you somehow knew it wasn't directed at you. "She is my medic."

"And? What gives you the right to attack a clone for no reason?" The admiral demanded.

CX-2 didn't like being questioned. Before you could get a single word in, CX-2 pulled you with him as he turned to leave the hangar.

"Wha-" You decided not to protest, the man was on some kind of mission. One he had made for himself the second he saw a threat to you.

He guided you two through the complex halls and levels of the lab. You were beyond lost, but he seemed to know where he was going. After a few minutes of paced walking, you stopped him.

"CX-2, where are we going? I don't want to risk getting reprimanded by the admiral." You were cautious, the smallest of complaints could get you reassigned. Tantiss was not for the faint of heart.

"You won't." He would make sure of that. He continued to walk, this time a little slower.

Finally, you found some familiarity in the halls. You noticed he was leading you to the very room you met in. The examining room for special operatives.

He pulled you into the room, making sure the door shut behind him.

"Examine me." He demanded.

You were dumbfounded, "Excuse me?"

CX-2 actually rolled his eyes this time, even when you couldn't see them. In response to your confusion, he removed his left arm's armor.

A gash that went from the top of his shoulder to before his elbow was present. "CX-2..." Your sadden voice spoke.

You didn't actually have clearance to be in that room, nor the supplies. But you worked nevertheless.

"Please, sit." You asked. He followed your instructions immediately, sitting up on the exam bed.

Just as the day you met, you retrieved bacta and med patches. You coated the wound in extra bacta, then prepared the gauze wrap.

"So," You held his arm up gently, starting to wrap it. "How did you get this? Was it your latest mission?" Your hands carefully worked, moving under his arm.

"No." Was all you heard.

"Oh, how did it happen?" You asked, trying to make conversation.

His skin twitched as a subconscious response when you smoothed over it.

"Better if you don't know." He kept his eyes on the wall ahead of him. "Sorry I asked..." You really were. He said nothing.

After a few more moments, you made sure the wrap was steady in place. "I think you're done!" You smiled at him. He dropped his arm at his side.

After, he promptly nodded, but gave little indication on what to do next.

You looked around, feeling a little awkward.

"So... What division are you from?" You tried to ease the tension.

"Project Assassin." He said, being short.

"I haven't heard of that, wha-" He inturpted you. "Tell me about you."

You blinked. You'd only seen this man a dozen times, many of those in passing. Even so, a shot of nerves flowed in you each time. There was something special about him. It was like your heart knew something your brain didn't. You weren't a child though, you knew 'love' was something of fairy tales. That there must be a perfectly rational reason you were feeling this way around him.

"What do you want to know?"

"Everything."

Though, if that were true, why did you sit up next to him and tell him everything?

From that day on, the only medic he allowed to work on him was you. The number of visits varied, depending on how evil Hemlock was feeling. CX-2 tried to hide the backstories from you as much as possible, sometimes even ignoring your questions.

Though, late at night, when he'd sneak into your room, he'd tell you the truth. At first he would listen. Anything you'd tell him, you had his full attention. Then, right before you fell asleep, he'd whisper his secrets.

He'd whisper them to the only person he ever trusted, you. Then, it was your turn to listen.

You cried for him, the pains he had went through. He was the perfect clone in your eyes. The only problem was how stubborn he was, no matter how hard Hemlock tried- you were still the only one who could persuade him.

Despite his grunts of protest, you'd just hold CX-2 some nights. Using your fingers to rake through his hair, cradling his head. You tried you best to give him the comfort he had never experienced before.

Everything was going so well. You would continue your training, he would continue his missions, and at night, you would talk and he would listen. You would spoil him with affections under the nights bask.

Of course, all good things must come to an end.

The day Hemlock found out about you was the worst day of CX-2's life.

CX-2 was called in for a meeting about his next mission, something he was used to. He only received orders from the highest of officials, so seeing Hemlock or Scorch was common.

"I have... a special mission of some sort. One I cannot risk incompletion of." Hemlock began.

CX-2 stood upright, ready for instructions.

"Now, despite what we have tried to instill into you- I do not want you to listen to any other orders. I think this particular mission requires your mindset." His words didn't effect CX-2, he'd heard worse.

"One of your fellow operative has been captured. Alive. I will not accept him risking our organization."

"My orders?" CX-2 asked.

"Find and neutralize him." CX-2 nodded at his words.

"You have 48 hours to kill him." Hemlock walked up to CX-2, arms folded behind his back. "If you fail, that...medic... you are so fond of? She will reap the consequences of what you sow."

It was impossible to cover up the way CX-2 breath hitched. If he didn't have a helmet on, Hemlock would see his eyebrows scrunch in anger.

"Yes, that's right. I know about her." Hemlock said, his voice mocking. "Oh, don't fret my little assassin. She will remain unharmed, that is... unless you fail your duty..."

"I trust you will locate him and rid the republic of any information?" Hemlock taunted.

"Yes sir."

How? How did Hemlock find out about you? He was so careful... He immediately headed to your quarters. Damned everyone else, he pushed through crowds and odd stares.

He banged on the door, fist closed. If you hadn't opened in the next 10 seconds, he'd shoot the door down.

"I'm coming, I'm coming." You 'tsked.'

"Oh, CX-2." You breathed out once you opened the door. Unsure if he was there for pleasantries or business.

He shoved his way past you, pressing the button to close the door shut.

"Wha-" He stormed around your rooms, it was quick considering there were only two. A bedroom and bathroom.

He held his blaster up as he checked every crevice of the room. His eyes glanced back at you quickly to make sure you were still there and alive.

"CX-2." You raised your voice. His head shot your way. "What's happened? You're scaring me..."

He paced up to you, removing his helmet as he walked. "He knows about us." Was all he managed out, throwing his helmet to the floor in favor of grabbing your cheeks gently.

Your face dropped, heart pounding in your ears. "How? I don't understand!" You started to breathe heavily.

"I just had to make sure you were safe." His gloved hands felt cool on your hot skin.

Your mind wandered, what would they do?

"I have to leave now." He said, dropping his hands. "No, wait. You can't just drop that bomb and leave!" You had so many questions, and you didn't want to be left alone freighted.

"I do not have time, if I don't complete my mission he will kill you." Your blood ran cold. "I am so sorry I brought you into this. I should have never stepped between you and that clone." He readied himself to exit the room, turning and putting his helmet back on.

"CX-2!" His shoulders dropped, he stood silent. You walked around to face him.

He let you reach your hands up and lift his helmet off. "I'm not upset at you. I only want more time..."

"I can't."

"I know." At your last words, you pulled him down by the collar of his blacks. Now level, you kiss him. Scared it would be your last.

The few seconds your lips touched felt like an eternity. All the time you needed with him...

Eventually, he pulled away. "I-"

"I know... please be safe..." You asked only one thing of him.

He nodded, placing his helmet back on snug. He then walked out your door, your thoughts consumed with wishes of his safety.

CX-2 would fulfill his mission, killing the compromised Operative. Though, that was only the first time he'd have to leave your grasp to keep you alive...

CX-2 reminded himself why he was currently headed to Pabu. 'Dire consequences are at stake' echoed in his mind.

He would capture Omega. He had no care for the innocent people he might have to kill. In his eyes, all of his actions were justified in the name of your well-being.

He never told you of his endeavors, now being sent on more gruesome missions than ever. He knew you'd be disappointed in him, but he also knew he had to always protect you. No matter the cost.

While expertly leading a fleet of soldiers, the only thing that let CX-2 think straight was you. He filled his mind with memories of your laughter. Of the times you begged him to choose a real name, even when he protested. When you first touched, when you first kissed.

He worried for you until the second he had Omega tied up on his ship.

Even after, he was anticipating his reunion with you. He had the girl, he had what Hemlock wanted. He could see you again.

And he did... Hemlock was consumed with his experiments and testing on Omega. So much he that didn't bother CX-2 for a few days. Oh, it was bliss.

The time you shared reminded you of before anyone knew you were together. You both still had your duties as clone and medic, but spent any free time with each other.

You laid in your bed, a glance at the clock scolded you for being up so late. You paid little mind to it, just enjoying the feeling of CX-2's arms around you.

With your head now buried in his chest, you let your hands wander. Slipping under the top portion of his blacks. He used to shiver reluctantly when you felt his skin, now it seemed like second nature.

You loved tracing his scars, the texture consuming you. While they were painful memories, they were treated with love and tenderness. He looked at his scars and thought of you, how you took care of him so nicely and delicately. Not Hemlock.

A light flickered from his panel brace. The one that rested on your nightstand. It lit up the room, and CX-2 immediately reached for it. he pulled away from you, but was careful to keep a connection with his leg still feeling you.

"I have to go." He said, standing to put his arm and chest armor back on.

While he was always quick and determined when hearing from Hemlock or Scorch, he was frantic here.

"Did something happen?"

"Nothing, do not stress. I love you." He gave you a quick kiss on the lips, and an affectionate rub of your thigh before putting his helmet on and leaving.

You sighed and leaned back when the door closed again. This was slowly becoming the new normal for you. You still savored every spare second you had together...

Just as you rolled over to fall asleep, the door opened. "Did you forg-" You jumped up, almost hitting your head on the baseboard of the bed. It was Scorch.

"Come with me. Now." He grabbed your arm and pulled you rough out of bed.

"Excu-"

"You are under arrest until further assessment." He forcefully put you in handcuffs.

You tried to resist, but put up no real fight in comparison to the trained clone. He grew tired of you and stunned you with his blaster.

You fell unconscious.

"You activated me?" CX-2 asked over Comms, like he would in any other situation.

"It seems we have another problem with our favorite girl." Hemlock said.

Omega...

"You see, she has managed to escape with the other children. Did I mention she also freed the zillo beast?"

CX-2 listened intently, not moving a muscle.

"You have been the only operative capable of capturing Omega thus far. I will see that you will find her again. Before she finds some way to leave the planet." CX-2 could hear the frustration in Hemlocks voice. It made him flicker a smile.

"Affirmative."

"Oh, and as a little motivater, I think it would serve you well to know your medic is currently held up in a cell." Hemlock went radio silent, leaving CX-2 to head to the exposed section of the base. The hole the Zillo beast left, and the way Force 99 was headed.

Your head throbbed, vision a little blurry. Raising your head from the cold of the floor, you noticed you were in a cell.

The room spun around before you sat up. Your whole body ached. Not to mention the confusion you were feeling.

Looking around, you saw other prisoners lining the walls. You knew exactly where you were. The hall where all the traitors and experimental clones were kept.

Were they going to experiment on you too? Was CX-2 okay? Did something happen to him that made Hemlock finally get you?

The building shook with a loud boom, it did nothing to help your nerves. It sounded like some kind of cannon went off.

"You okay?" A clone asked in the cell across from you.

"I don't know..."

With the effort and passion of a man whose entire reason for living was at risk, CX-2 and the other Clone Assasins were able to capture the rouge clones.

With his blaster barred in his hands, CX-2 guarded the three prisoners. He was occupied with the thought of what The Empire was doing to you.

You must have been so scared in a cell... He knew you didn't like small spaces. With his new fury, he closed his fist, doing yet another round of the platform they were on.

Boredom was unable to strike you, anxieties kept you busy. Your mind ran wild with the possibilities of CX-2. For a moment you questioned if he had just abandoned you as a whole, but quickly shunned yourself for bringing it up.

CX-2 loved you, and wouldn't dare leave you to rot.

"Look!" A clone yelled out, just as you saw a small girl and a storm trooper running by.

What were they doing?

They crept around the corner, swiftly blasting and taking out 2 storm troopers in the process. The girl got to work on the main computer that operated the cells.

"Hey kid, whats going on?" Someone asked.

"We're breaking you out."

Seconds later, your cell door opened. You slowly walked out, unsure what to do. What would CX-2 do in a situation like this? He'd probably tell you to keep your head down and blend in. Stay out of trouble, 'for his sake.'

You did just that, creeping out of the cell and hiding within the groups of clones.

Apparently, the 'storm trooper' was a clone, so was the girl. They were on a mission to free their three brothers, recruiting clones as they did so.

Was this the big mission CX-2 was called to? To capture the people they were here to rescue?

"We've checked all the cells, they aren't here."

You knew where they probably were... The training room. The very room that tortured and left your beloved marked. You didn't dare say a word. As much as you hated Hemlock and his 'methods,' worse things would happen if CX-2 failed his mission...

"Well... they could be in the training room." Damn, another clone had though the same as you.

They decided to head there, a few turning for an easier escape.

What should you do? Warn CX-2? You weren't raised as a soldier, you had no training. No fighting experience. You knew how to save and help, not attack and kill.

A small hand was rested on your arm, the girl from earlier. "Hi, I'm Omega."

You looked down to her. "I know it's kind of scary, but we have to fight for what's right.." If only she knew your true intentions...

"You're right... i'll come with you..." All you wanted was to find CX-2.

So, you did. Following them to the training room, they planned an attack from the lower circle.. You, however, had a new idea. To come in through the main balcony. The one that led directly to Force 99.

You managed to sneak away and climb the steps that brought you to the main doors.

"Hey, you! Are you supposed to be here?" A trooper stopped you.

"Yes sir," You gave him your chain code, "I am a medic. Hemlock has requested my services in the Training room." You lied, faking a confidence you never had.

"I never heard about Hemlock ever needing a medic in the training room..."

"Well if you want to ask him, while the Zillo beast is one the loose, he has new prisoners, and while his top experiment is lost- Be my guest. I just don't think he'd be very happy with you questioning his methods." You crossed your arms behind your back, something you'd seen CX-2 do many times.

"Fine." He moved out of your way, letting you head to your destination.

You walked to the door, ready to put your mother's clearance codes in. With a steam they opened, leaving you to witness a terrible sight.

The 3 captured clones were out, fighting. You got there in time to see the big clone burst out of the glass, tackling a special operative.

With the sound of the door, the man with a bandana looked your way. Along with CX-2, who rose swiftly upon seeing you. You distracted him long enough for the clone without a hand to blast him in his side.

You gasped as you watched CX-2 fall in your direction.

With an electrospear in his hand, the bandana man stepped to him. He only managed to zap him once before you ran in.

"No!" Your scream pierced out, you threw yourself onto CX-2. Using your body to cover his.

You didn't care if you died then and there, at least you'd die in CX-2's arms. You'd at least die together...

"No, don't!" You squeezed your eyes shut, prepared for a shock that never came. You felt a weak hand raise from under you to grip your clothes.

Tears streamed down your face violently. Pattering on CX-2's armor.

"You do realize the crimes he has committed..." The man panted out, he was also wounded.

"Please, it was for me... It was all for me..." You sobbed out. "Hemlock threatened my life..." You buried your head in his neck, holding him tightly.

"Hunter, no. We should kill them both now." The handless man spoke.

The man you assumed to be Hunter didn't have time to respond.

"I swear we wont follow you... Hemlock is probably on his way to his private ship... I swear..." Your words were muffled but they understood well enough.

"We are wasting time, lets go." Hunter commanded, the two of them left.

You gave out a whimper, "CX-2... Please... Stay with me." You pried his helmet off. He was in a rough state.

His eyes struggled to focus on one thing, but he still tried to find your face. "It'll be okay, just let me grab a med pack." You went to pull away, but he gripped you tighter.

"Let me.. hold," He coughed, "You.."

"You are not going to die on me. You wouldn't do that to me, would you?" You tried to joke. He shook his head, 'no.'

"Then let me do my job, and help you." He still held you tightly. "Please... you deserve to live..." He let you go.

It was only half a minute, you grabbed a medics kit that was nearby and began patching him up.

Making quick work of taking his armor and blacks off. It reminded you of the first time you'd done this to him. A very similar wound on his waist.

You forced him a pill, and squeezed out as much bacta as you could from its packet.

"Can you roll over for me, baby?" You asked, helping him get on his side.

He complied as much as he could, and you were able to patch up his other side.

"Okay, this will hold you over. I know the closest procedure room, a droid can give you a proper examination." You helped him stand, an arm under his own to keep his balance.

"You'll be okay, we'll be okay..." You whispered praises and words of affirmation to him. The walk was extremely painful for him, you could tell he was hiding most of it from you.

Lucky for both of you, a droid was able to identify where the blast was and give him a proper cleaning of the wound.

He was still woozy, but forced himself to stand. "We have to go. Tarkin is on his way.." CX-2 strained out. He was stubborn and refused any medication that would cloud his mind.

"W-where? Your ship?" You were scared, not just for CX-2, but your futures as well.

He pressed a few buttons on his panel brace as you picked up his helmet.

"Turn left." He instructed you all the way to his ship, even with the pain starting to blur his vision.

The two of you somehow managed to make it to his ship, you opened the door with his panel brace and sat him in the co-pilot's seat.

You clicked away, starting the ship up. Though, you did need some guidance from him.

You had never flown a ship before, but knew you had to take the risk to save CX-2. It was wobbly, but you raised the ship and let Auto-Pilot blast you into hyperspace. It had a set of coordinates in, ones you didn't know the location of.

A groan made you turn to your lovers direction, you were at his side immediately. Crouching down you spoke, "Hey, its okay... We're far away. You can take the pain medication, its just us two."

He peaked open an eye to look at you, his face barred disappointment in himself. Almost like he was a lesser man if he took the meds.

"Take them. If not for yourself, for me." You pulled them from your pocket. He did take them, minutes later he felt the relief.

You took another look at his wound, it was stable for now. You figured that he would need a cleaning and new bandages in a few hours. Hopefully his medkit was fully equipped on his ship. If it was, you'd be able to last many days without needing to land.

You stood, pulling his head to your breast. "Shhh, rest now. We are both safe."

He truly did feel safe in your arms, like he didn't have to always be on guard. A huge change from his normal. One he'd hoped he could live out with you for the rest of his life...

A/N- Thank you so much for reading! I got a little carried away with this one... I just had to get this idea written down!!!

Tags-(lmk if you want to be tagged as well!) @thethreeeyed-raven @knight-of-flowerss @dangraccoon

[fellthemarvelous]

Without hope, we have nothing.

(Spoilers and speculation included a bit further down)

This is actually a post about the Bad Batch and not Star Wars Rebels, but this bit is important so...

Try not to cry when you remember that Tech is the one who taught Hera Syndulla how to mask her ship's signature, a move that made her a massive threat to the Empire and a move that she often used to her advantage. She was such a threat to the Empire that they wanted to capture her alive so they could make an example of her for her years of defiance.

And then also try not to cry when you remember that when Hera was taken prisoner by the Empire, Kanan Jarrus sacrificed his life to free her and save the future of the Rebellion. Try not to cry when you think about the fact that Kanan Jarrus aka Caleb Dume was the Jedi padawan the Bad Batch protected (except for Crosshair) from the Empire during Order 66 by claiming Hunter killed him.

Hunter, Tech, Wrecker and Echo lied to the Empire to protect a Jedi.

And Tech taught Hera how to evade the Empire when the Bad Batch helped her family (Chopper included) escape Ryloth after being accused of treason.

Clone Force 99's actions had a direct outcome on the success of the Rebellion. They refused to commit treason against the Republic and all they did was commit treason against the Empire. They were strong enough to resist the effects of the inhibitor chip (Crosshair and Wrecker for awhile), outright ignored Order 66 (Hunter and Tech), or were tortured and turned partially into a machine against his will by the Techno Union and used as a weapon against the Republic who, upon rescue, immediately jumped back into Separatist territory and fucked their asses up (Echo). Luckily, with the help of Rex, they got their chips removed after Wrecker tried to kill all of them.

Everything under the cut is pure speculation. I'm having a galaxy brain moment, I just have no idea if it's pointing me in the right direction or not lol.

If you disagree with me, I don't need you to rudely tell me why.

After his time on Tantiss, Crosshair can now identify with Echo more than anyone else in the Bad Batch (and Tech if CX-2 is Tech).

When they went to rescue Echo, Crosshair is the one who snidely told Captain Rex that he would have left Echo behind too.

Which is exactly what happened to Crosshair when the Empire turned him into a weapon against his own brothers. He had no choice because the Empire attached him to a machine and amped up the effect of his inhibitor chip so he could not disobey orders.

Rex told Cody "I think Echo is still alive" and Cody told him that was impossible. Anakin accompanied him on this rescue mission with The Bad Batch (we know Cody would have too if he hadn't been injured).

I think that if Tech is CX-2, Crosshair already knows or highly suspects it. He's terrified of Tantiss. I think we're going to have a parallel moment of Crosshair possibly saying the same thing, knowing that he could never leave a brother behind again after what he went through, especially if CX-2 is Tech. (I also wouldn't be surprised if Omega suspected something after her trip back to Tantiss with CX-2.)

We never saw Echo's body after the explosion. Instead we got this image. An empty helmet and a droid arm.

Crosshair defected from the Empire when he witnessed the Empire tell him that Mayday was only a clone and not worth giving medical attention to. Those actions resulted in the death of Mayday and that's when Crosshair chose to shoot an Imperial officer between the eyes (similar to Dogma's execution of General Krell in many ways).

If Tech is CX-2, that is the second Bad Batcher the Empire has turned into an enemy against his brothers.

This is the last we saw of Tech.

Hemlock was fucking lying when he said that Tech's glasses were all they recovered. Why the hell would he have found Tech's glasses and not Tech? All we see below him are clouds. And this is the last bit of Tech we see. That gun is in the shot with his glasses for a reason.

I feel like this is going to parallel Echo's rescue from Skako Minor. Tech and Echo are both highly intelligent huge ass nerds (remember that the battle plans being used against the Republic were written by both Rex and Echo, and Cody acknowledged that Rex was one of their best strategists in the GAR) who always ended up working best together.

Part of me wonders if we are heading into a show centered on the clone troopers in a post Order 66 world going up against the Empire as they try to rescue more of their brothers. Enough to become a problem for the Empire.

Part of me also wonders if the inclusion of Force sensitive children in the Bad Batch means Rex will need to call Ahsoka into the fray. Wolffe has only appeared once so he hasn't even switched sides, let alone even started blocking Ahsoka's messages to Rex yet. During the Clone Wars she had to save Force sensitive children from Darth Sidious. During the Rebellion, the saved more Force sensitive children from Darth Sidious. It makes me wonder if she is also going to save Force sensitive children from this too? I might be reaching a bit too much here, but it could be a possibility! She seems to always show up when Force sensitive children need to be rescued from Darth Sidious.

No matter what ending we get for the Bad Batch, I know it's going to leave us with hope for the future because the message in Star Wars has always shown us that hope will always be stronger than fear.

A simple act of kindness can fill a galaxy with hope.

Without hope, we have nothing.

These episodes are all relevant to Echo's journey. The Domino Squad was referred to as a bad batch and Echo was the one who seemed to struggle the most with orders that conflicted with doing what needed to be done. He is the one who memorized the regulations manual after all. And now the Bad Batch are on a similar journey because they have never trusted regs before, but now it seems they might have to trust the regs to come to help them the way they helped Rex and Echo before the war ended. The way they helped Gregor after the war ended.

If I'm wrong, I'm wrong, but that's a fanfic I can always write!! I don't want to get into who I think is going to die or survive, but I have my suspicions there too and I'm already in too much pain to keep going.

[angelicpoison12]

he comes with knives ⌖⋆｡°✩

he's sooo whipped for you. but he's scared he'll hurt you.

word count: 1.4K

tags: hookup, porn w/ feelings, p in v, fondling, steamy makeout, the suit stays ON during sex !!, creampie, against the wall, afab!reader, gn!reader, MFA, pansexual Deadpool (canon)

NSFW, 18+ ⍟

THERE ARE NO DEADPOOL 3: DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE SPOILERS!

some would call him dumb for this. maybe even idiotic (even though they both meant the same thing), but hey, you were cute! could you blame him? 

if you’re wondering what the external dialogue is talking about, it's about the situation that the infamous Deadpool is in right now. yes, you had Wade Wilson, the Merc with a mouth, fucking you like it was his last hour on Earth. he was a magnet for holes. if there was a hole, there was a goal-you get it, right? 

what’s odd about this little arrangement that you both have, is that he doesn’t want to share. he dislikes knowing that you’re not officially his if that makes sense. he just aches to have you by his side every night. but that’s dumb. he hasn’t loved anyone since, well, Vanessa.  

Vanessa. even hearing her name, saying it, or hearing a voice that’s familiar to it makes him visibly regret everything he did to her. he doesn’t want to hurt you like that. so, it's safe to keep your little rendezvous to a minimum, even if that means trying to hide the dirty little curse of love that you’d caused him to feel again. 

he had his mask lifted just enough for your lips to press to his. you decided to take him right on top of the Empire State Building. i mean, go big or go home, right? besides, Blind Al had a sneaky link as of a week ago, and you both didn’t really wanna fuck around with that. 

“fuck, Wade,”  you moaned, your head pressed against the wall, letting his lips press to your neck. you felt his gloved hands caress your chest, then squeeze your hips, teeth tugging on the skin of your delicate neck.  “you’re fucking perfect.”  Deadpool nearly growled. he sounded like he was holding himself back, the fear of hurting you in the back of his muddled mind. he was going to take you and take as much as he could get, like a starved animal left for dead. that’s kind of what Deadpool was, the more he thought about you. your love kind of picked him out of the gutter like a stray cat.  

you squeaked when Deadpool cut through your shirt, exposing your smooth chest.  “relax. i wouldn’t hurt you on purpose, baby.”  he cooed, lovingly pecking your cheek, making you feel a small bit of scar tissue against the corner of your mouth.  you gasped when his knife cut through your shorts, just enough to get to the goods. you pouted and punched his shoulder.  "fucker... those were my favorite, y’know.”  you spoke with a sense of despair. but the sadness quickly evaporated from your voice when Deadpool shoved his hand into your shorts, feeling your arousal. he pressed your lips together again, tongues messy, drool running down your chins as his thumb and forefinger felt you up and down. 

“you’re warm... warm and wet. leaking. for me,”  Deadpool whispered into your lips, being oddly gentle. he was usually rough and taking what he wanted. tonight, he wanted to spare it. To savor you. to feel you come apart slowly, as if... he’d never see you again.  

fuck. he really didn’t wanna think like that right now, but it kind of clouded his mind. Deadpool had a terrible habit of letting thoughts come at the worst times.  “Wade?”  your voice made him perk up, white silhouettes of the mask where his eyes laid soft. you swore you could see them growing glossy.  “hey, hey, what’s wrong?”  you asked, tenderly cupping his mask. he flinched a little, making you put your hands down to his chest.  “we don’t have to if you don’t want to, Wade.”  you began, but he shook his head, managing to say,  “no, it’s... no, fuck. it’s not that. it’s not that at all, i promise, baby.”  "then what’s wrong? you zoned out big time.” 

Deadpool took a deep breath.   “i’m sorry. really, i am. i haven’t been honest with you,”  when he saw how panicked you looked, he was quick to clarify.  “i’m not fucking anyone else! don’t worry baby, your pretty little body clings to me way too well for me to give it up, i promise.”  he said with a wink, making you giggle and relax a little. Deadpool swallowed, growing serious once more, his hands on your bare pectorals.  “the truth is... i don’t want to hurt you. you’re too fucking good for me, and-” 

you cut him off with a searing hot kiss. 

as you pulled away from the kiss, you whispered to him,  “Wade, honey... i couldn’t give two shits about that right now. i just want you and i want you here with me in the now, okay? just... please, i love you, okay? nobody else. i’m yours.” 

when he heard you say ‘i’m yours’, it was enough to make him groan, burying his face into the crook of your neck. you swore you could feel him blushing through the mask, and the heat of his cheeks made your heart flutter.   “okay. okay, in the moment, gotcha. so... think ineed to prep you, or-?”  you laughed at the suddenness of his bold exterior, but nodded, nonetheless.  “don’t worry. i'm wet.”  you said, putting his fingers in your underwear just to attest to that, making Deadpool bite his lower lip to suppress a primal groan. 

“fuck... you’re so fucking wet. hold on, lemme,”  he began, starting to undo the brown belt of his suit. you pressed your back against the wall, letting Deadpool hoist a leg over his shoulder, pressing you further into the cold concrete.  “you good, babe?”  he asked, making you nod. he pecked your lips, and you mewled when his cockhead rubbed up and down your sopping cunt.  “c’monnnn, Wadeeee..”  you whined, squirming in a feverish manner. he smirked at you, pulling his mask back down fully. hey, the suit stayed on during sex. neither of you complained, especially since he had a zipper for easy access to the goodies.  

“hey, hey, give me a minute babe, yeah? i’m trying to do some bonding with your sweet little pussy.”  Deadpool said, shamelessly grinding into you, purposely missing your hole.  when you arched your back, he slid inside of you, making you both let out loud moans. Deadpool didn’t have the energy to be mad at you; he had been waiting for this for far too long. 

“fuck, still tight. just as good as i remember,”  he chuckled, starting to grind his hips back and forth, allowing his cock to drag against the silky walls of your fluttering kitty. your arms wrapped around his neck, and he grabbed your other leg, pinning it beside your head. you didn’t even know your body had the ability to be so flexible, and you also knew it was going to fucking kill you for this position. but it felt way too good, too good to stop for sure. 

you felt your climax impending, but Deadpool was being torturous. he’d go fast, then slow, pick up the pace, and do it all over again. he was fully aware of what he was doing. he wanted you nearly melting, your brain a puddle of mush before he’d let you release.  “aw, my poor baby. you’re just aching. so swollen,”  he moaned in your ear, a hand going down, his thumb tenderly rolling over your clitoris. you let out an involuntary sob, your entire body quivering. you were so fucking close. you knew that Deadpool had you right where he wanted you. he leaned in close, headbutting your neck, whispering in your ear,  “go ahead and cum for me, baby. go on, let go. i've got you.” 

that was all you needed. you were cumming, your walls spasming and squeezing, sucking his length in like starved quicksand. Deadpool groaned, his hips stuttering, thrusts growing desperate.  “oh fuck, i’m cumming, i’m cumming, fuck, fuck, fuck-your pussy’s too fucking good, holy fuck!”  Deadpool almost hollered. his hands were holding your legs, his breath able to be felt against your nose through the fibers of his mask. you felt his cock twitch, then the soft seeping sensation of wetness inside of you, making you squirm weakly. 

Deadpool continued to hold you, going slow as he put your legs down. he laid flat on his back, still inside of you as you laid on top of him, legs on opposite sides of his hips. he couldn’t stop nuzzling you, whispering soft words that were tender and full of love. 

he wanted to give it a second chance. even if it meant making a few mistakes with you, too.  

⌖⋆｡°✩

my sweet little snowflake buddies!

@6esiree, @frxstwalker

[stawpny]

I’m bored and ao3 is kinda dry (atleast for the wttt ny tag)

so here are some NY ships I NEED to see more of 🙏

—

MassYork: ok, I used to be almost totally opposed to this, seeing them having more of a brotherly relationship but with history n stuff it’s kinda not possible. But anyway, probably my main ship for now, bc OHMYGOD “nobody can kill you but me”? GET OUT, GET MARRIED, PLEASE.

like if it’s Mass/Cali/York or Mass/Jersey/York I will eat it up.

no questions, it is already in my mouth. I am eating the fuck outta this.

GeoYork: in my mind they have a cute dynamic. I feel they would be best friends as younger colonies and then have a very complicated relationship until they finally get together. Slowburn kinda, also kinda they have been in relationships dozens of times but something always happens. and isn’t Georgia called the “Empire State of the South”? or am I just hearing things

peach + apple? cobbler + pie? idek but I love them

TexYork: guys pls. southern gentleman and city boy? literally perfect for each other. they would make fun of each other endlessly. accents, vocabulary, actions, plus so much more because they’re very different.

TX taking York to his ranch to meet bro’s cows??? yes please. I’d like to meet Betsy too .

^TexaCaliYork: also a fire ship (see what I did there?) like the ship above, but with the hipster in it aswell. Texas and Cal constantly bicker like children and York sorts it out like a teacher would.

NY: you hurt his feelin’s, go apologize.

TX, scoffing: fine, but don’t expect me to get along with him after.

(spoiler alert!! York forces them into a cuddle pile afterwards to get over there lifelong beef)

IlliYork: they’re enemies, they’re lovers, the whole kit-and-caboodle. they’d switch hats sometimes and hold each others hand when they’re in their cities. they’re idiots and the Midwest and the Northeast hate them for it. It’s kinda gross but in a good way.

they’d be the couple who like hold hands in public but not make a single move other than that to show that they love the other. absolutely no kissing in public, they would just sit there in silence with a death grip on the other’s hand. they would totally insult each other to the face and then say, “Love you, tho.”

FloYork: fun fact: they are absolutely insane together. They influence each other and constantly say stupid shit. Florida would force York outta his comfort zone from time to time but the inner extrovert masked by New York’s fake introvert personality will do it almost willingly. he puts up a “fight” but he would deadass do it bc he thinks this shit is hilarious.

NY would be a little like Florida even if they weren’t dating. like NYC is absolutely batshit so that would mean York would have to be a little too.

NY/CA/TX/FL/LA: little crazy, ik, but I remember reading fics abt these five (including gov, but I’m still questioning if he would be in here or not) and absolutely devouring them. spectacular ship. it’s like a little bit of everything, except the Midwest and the other western states, but almost everything. I would love to see more of them.

they would def fight over each other. (who got to hold hands with who, who got to sleep/cuddle with who, etc.)

—

I’m not forcing you to give into my opinions, but if u like these, I like you 😼

some of these hc’s are not entirely mine, some were influenced, tho most are from the rotting part of my brain

I hope u use these ships in the future or I might spontaneously combust

(spoiler alert 2!! I will still explode [out of love] if u write about them)

ily guys

[offonaherosjourney]

The immense rewatch value of Knives Out and Glass Onion

One thing I really love about Knives Out and Glass Onion (spoilers for both movies, btw) is their rewatch value. I love murder mysteries, but I don't think I've seen any more than twice or three times, and yet I've watched Glass Onion 4 times so far and Knives Out so many times I'm embarassed to even type the number. And lately I'd been thinking about what might be the reason why I keep coming back to these movies and about how I'm still enjoying them wholeheartedly despite knowing the dialogue of Knives Out almost to heart, and I think I've figured out why.

Watching a murder mystery for the first time is enjoyable because you're wrapped up in the mystery and in trying to guess the murderer. And then on your second watch you might know who the murderer is, but you still enjoy it because you get to pay attention to all the things you didn't notice or didn't know were clues the first time.

Rewatching Knives Out and Glass Onion is extremely enjoyable not only because you get to spot all the clues now, but also because of the seamless way Rian Johnson weaves humor into these films. After a couple viewings you might get tired of watching Wanetta Thrombey calling Marta "Ransom", or watching Miles place his glass on Dukes hand... but do you know what you don't get tired of? Marta's clumsy attempts to sabotage Blanc's investigation. Ransom telling his family to eat shit. Marta yeeting that piece of trellis only for the dog to bring it back. Or Blanc solving Miles' silly murder mystery in thirty seconds. The hot sauce scene. Blanc calling Miles a vainglorious buffoon.

And since the scripts are so brilliant and packed with little details, further rewatches of the films keep rewarding you with other little things you might not have picked up the first or second time. How, when the Thrombeys recount Harlan's birthday they all put themselves next to him, or when you realize that they don't know where Marta is from, or how they casually hand her their plates as if she's their maid. How telling are the masks each character wears and how they behave in the pier scene, the red solo cup Miles gives Peg, the painting that is hanged upside down, Helen in the end sitting with the exact same pose as the Mona Lisa.

Now, add to that all that the social critique in the films and their clear "fuck the rich" message, made manifest by a cast of unlikeable assholes that holy shit you lowkey wish all were responsible for the murder because you hate them and want to see all of them behind bars. Also, let's not forget about the world's greatest detective in this film universe, who happens to be unabashedly human. Benoit Blanc is an extremely likable character that captivates the audience's heart not because of his superior intellect and deduction skills, but because of his empathy. Because he makes sure that Marta understands she is a good nurse. Because he tells Helen to get the justice she deserves.

The result of all that stuff is that a movie whose greatest appeal might have been its whodunnit aspect on a first watch, on future ones presents a sort of good vs evil stakes. Because Marta is a good person and you like her and want her to learn she didn't murder Harlan and get the house and money she earned by being a good friend. Because Helen deserves justice and you like her and you can't wait to see her cathartic and righteous anger be the spark that lights the fire that burns down Miles Bron's empire built out of lies, theft and murder.

That's why I keep watching these movies over and over and why I'll never grow tired of watching them.

[starlazergazer]

Best Friends Master

Pairing: Anakin x reader

Request: Ahsoka has a friend outside of the order who works in Dex’s restaurant, when Ahoska introduces her to Anakin he feels her warmth, her smile was so sweet it brought light into his life and at that moment he felt complete, like he needed her. She loved him back but only in secret. Later after Anakin switches to the dark side palpatine arrives saying he brought slaves for his empire and there she is, sad with tears in her eyes, the smile that once brought life to Anakin was gone and it was his turn to save her.

Warnings: Angst, some spoilers for the clone wars if you somehow haven’t finished it yet, swearing

Word count: 8.5k (oopsies)

A/N: Requested by the lovely @sweetcheesecakesblog​ I really hope you like it! I got so excited and wrote all of it almost immediately, may have strayed a bit from the original request but I hope it’s close to what you were thinking! If anyone else has any requests send them my way!!! Thank you!

 With a sigh Anakin crossed his arms over his chest, not even bothering to move from his position in the corner of the room as he called out “Again”

Ahsoka glared back at her master from the center of the room, lightsaber shaking slightly in her hand as her arms threatened to collapse from exhaustion, chest heaving up and down as she tried to catch her breath. “Master we’ve been going for hours, I can do the move”

Anakin looked on at his padawan with a soft shake of his head, knowing he was pushing her hard but also knowing that he needed to. She was his padawan, under his protection, and he wasn’t always going to be there to provide that, she needed to be able to do it herself. Ahsoka was good with a lightsaber, great even, but sometimes that wasn’t enough, and when her life was on the line she needed to be enough.

But as he looked down at his padawan, watched her sway slightly on the spot, he knew at some point there could be such a thing as too much. If he pushed her too hard today it took her out for tomorrow. Not to mention she was right, she had finally gotten the move he was showing her right, not great but at least right, that deserved at least a break. “All right fine lets go get some food”

He watched Ahsoka’s whole face light up, arms dropping immediately to dangle at her side, her posture slumping slightly from exhaustion “Really?”

And Anakin couldn’t help but laugh at the expression, loving how easy it was to win over his padawan “Yeah we’ll take a break” he sighed dramatically, acting as if it were a big inconvenience to him much to Ahsoka’s amusement “that just means you’re going to have to come back that much harder tomorrow”

“mmmmm” Ahsoka hummed, pretending to think on it while she fell into step beside her master “only if you take me to Dex’s for dinner”

Anakin couldn’t have stopped the laugh from escaping him if he had tried, raising a single eyebrow at his padawan as he looked down at her “when did this turn into a negotiation?”

Ahsoka grinned back up, already knowing she had won herself a dinner from Anakin’s expression “I thought you would be proud of me for practicing my negotiation skills master”

At this Anakin just shook his head with a small smile, not hesitating to lead her out of the building towards Dex’s “yeah well next time practice on someone else”

-

Anakin sat comfortably in a booth across from Ahsoka, watching her eye the menu hungerly with a  small smile on his face.

He loved being Ahsoka’s master, she was a great padawan after all, but he did enjoy any time they could get together to just hang out without the pressures of Jedi training, when he got to know more about who Ahsoka really was beneath the padawan mask.

He looked around the diner. Booths were packed with people that looked like regulars all happily eating and talking which made him relax a little, enjoying the peace and comfort that were brought on by the relaxed atmosphere of the restaurant.

He was just about to turn back to Ahsoka and ask her a question when he caught movement out of the corner of his eye, a girl bursting from the double doors that led to the kitchen with more plates piled onto her arms than he thought possible. He watched in amazement as she easily balanced a tables worth of food and strode quickly across the restaurant, distributing the plates around the correct table without breaking a sweat.

The woman straightened up to her full height once all the food was passed out, hands coming to clasp in front of her as she asked the table a question. Her hair was pulled back neatly behind her head, a pen tucked back there securely though given that she reached to her apron for another one to write with he was sure she had forgotten she’d stashed the first one.

He could feel the small smile growing on his lips as he watched her converse though wasn’t quite sure where it came from, about to drop the whole thing and turn back to Ahsoka until she turned suddenly to face him, breaking out into a grin.

It was like everything had slowed down, her smile seeming to light up the whole room that he hadn’t realized was so dim before. She was quite possibly the most beautiful woman he had ever seen before and she was for some reason heading right to him.

And Anakin felt himself growing nervous, his stomach doing summersaults inside of him as he watched her approach.

“Master?” he heard Ahsoka’s questioning voice though didn’t break his contact from the girls face prompting Ahsoka to follow his gaze, shifting up and throwing an elbow over the back of the booth to get a better look at what he was staring at.

And that was all the warning she had before the girl threw herself into the booth next to Ahsoka, arms going around her neck as she crashed into her sending the both of them onto Ahsoka’s side with a high-pitched shriek.

At first Anakin didn’t know what to do, didn’t know how to process what he had just saw, his hand going instinctively to his saber, legs tensing ready to stand, until he heard two distinct giggles from the other side of the booth.

“You came to rescue me!” he heard a voice that certainly wasn’t Ahsoka’s come from the booth before the two girls returned to his field of vision, sitting themselves up straight with the stranger’s arms still wrapped securely around Ahsoka, her head nuzzled into his padawan’s neck.

“Who is it now?” His padawan asked the girl only furthering his confusion as he looked around the restaurant for any sign of what they were talking about.

“Dex” The girl answered in a tone of mock seriousness, withdrawing her arms to sit up straight and look Ahsoka squarely in the eye “can you believe he asked me to stay late today?”

“How dare he” Ahsoka answered in the same mock serious tone, eyes shifting to the kitchen in the back.

“I know” came the other girls quick reply and an eager nod “and all because I told him I wanted to make more money. I can’t believe he thought I meant I wanted to work more and not that I wanted a 200% raise”

“I would’ve known what you meant” his padawan assured her with a small chuckle, earning another one of those gorgeous smiles from the stranger.

It was then that the girl’s eyes cut from Ahsoka’s for the first time and landed squarely on his, and it was then that he finally felt like an intruder on their conversation. This girl had whirled in and encapsulated him so firmly in the fake drama that he had forgotten that he was the outsider of this situation.

“Who’s your friend” the girl stage whispered to Ahsoka eliciting a giggle from his padawan as she looked back at Anakin in amusement.

“Y/N this is Anakin. Anakin this is Y/N” she introduced them.

“Anakin” the girl repeated with a small nod. And it was something about the way she said it, softly in her sweet voice, so genuine he could feel her committing his name to memory, as if she were truly glad to have learned it. “Are you a jedi too or just an ugly robe aficionado?”

Anakin felt himself tugging almost self consciously at his robes, looking down at them as if to check what he was wearing “what’s wrong with my robes?”

“oh nothing nothing” Y/N was quick to shrug it off with a giggle and despite the fact that she was teasing him he felt a smile grow on his face, her laugh so incredibly infectious he was unsure how Ahsoka could keep a straight face while joking with her. “what’s important is that you like them”

A bell sounded from across the diner, and he watched as hot plates were piled into a window drawing out a sigh from Y/N. All too soon she was dragging herself out of the booth and to her feet, dusting off her slightly food stained apron as she did.

“Well duty calls” she said in fake merriment, leaning one arm against the back of Ahsoka’s booth “The regular?”

Ahsoka just nodded, handing her her menu before Y/N turned to Anakin, and though he knew she was asking him a question he found himself doing nothing but staring into her eyes, noting the subtle mix of colors in them as they reflected the light, doing nothing but looking back and forth between the two of them until he felt a swift kick to his shin, gaze tearing down to Ahsoka’s with a soft wince to meet his padawan’s very amused expression.

“Yeah he’ll have the same” she answered smugly and it was only then that Anakin realized he had completely missed the whole conversation, his cheeks coloring slightly as his padawan relished his embarrassment and Y/N strode away to grab the food.

Ahsoka opened her mouth, ready to start teasing Anakin relentlessly before he cut her off quickly.

“Say a word and you’re doing nothing but sprints for the entire day tomorrow”

She narrowed her eyes slightly though her smug grin held as she leaned forward onto the table “since when did this turn into a negotiation?”

“Oh it’s not” Anakin leaned back in his own booth, crossing his arms over his chest “dear padawan that was a threat”

-

Anakin paced back and forth in front of Dex’s. He’d told himself that by the time he got here he’d have an excuse to go in and yet here he was still trying to come up with something.

He wasn’t even sure if you were in there, the most he’d gotten from Ahsoka was “sometimes she works sometimes she doesn’t” so realistically he should have no problem just going in.

At least that was what he was telling himself as he pushed open the doors.

As soon as he walked in he stopped on the spot, eyes snapping immediately to meet yours just behind the counter.

And there was that smile again, a wide, genuine grin as you recognized him, waving him eagerly up to the counter which he happily obliged, feeling his own face break out into a grin.

“Wait wait wait I know this” already you were off eagerly, Anakin flooding with relief realizing he had no plan as to what to say when he came up to you “Xavier right?”

And just like that Anakin felt his chest hollow, fighting to keep the smile from slipping off his face as he was forced to reckon with the fact that he clearly hadn’t made as big an impression on you as you had him. “Ahhh no but you’re close”

“No I’m not you liar” you laughed, your hand immediately coming out to swat at his playfully as they rested on the counter, the skin on the back of Anakin’s knuckles left with a small tingling sensation at the brief contact “Anakin of course I remember your name I just met you yesterday. I see how highly you think of me”

“No no I just-I wouldn’t blame you if you-” Anakin found himself stuttering, too quick to defend himself, though stopped when he caught the smug smile on your face as you lounged casually behind the counter, chin resting on your fist, mischief shinning in your eyes “you’re messing with me”

“Bingo” you winked at him, drawing yourself up to fully rest your forearms on the countertop, leaning in closer to him “Now Anakin Skywalker” you put extra emphasis on his name to prove you knew it and Anakin relished the sound, loving the way it dripped from your lips as he smiled back at you “what can I get for you”

“Oh-uhhh-Ahsoka” he was mentally scolding himself as soon as he started to speak, his mind eagerly reaching for the first thing he could think of, the only thing you two had in common, only realizing after that it made no sense.

Your eyebrows drew together as you straightened back up off the counter, worry washing over your features “Ahsoka? Is everything okay with Ahsoka?”

“No yes” he was spitting answers out again, his mind not working fast enough with his mouth “Ahsoka’s fine that’s not what I meant” he forced himself to stop, forced himself to take a breath and calm down before speaking “I just meant I’m picking up food for Ahsoka”

“Ahh okay” you were relaxing immediately, leaning back down onto the counter “I assume she wants the usual?”

Anakin just nodded, not trusting his words any more after this disaster of a conversation.

You smiled back at him and Anakin felt his heart swell, drawing in a deep breath to calm it as you twisted around, yelling out Ahsoka’s food order to Dex behind you in the kitchen before spinning back on him.

He just softly smiled back at you, eyes dancing briefly over your features, watching your lips part ready to say something when a jarring voice sounded out from across the restaurant.

“Hey sweetheart how about some coffee?”

He watched your face fall, your shoulders slump, your eyes roll, and immediately whirled on the sound. He felt his hand ball into a fist, his jaw clench as he scanned the diner for the owner of the voice. He did not like his use of that nickname, certainly did not like your reaction at having heard it, and he had no problem making his objections known to the guy.

“Don’t worry he’s harmless” he heard you call him off, turned slightly in time to see you pick the pot off the warmer and make your way around the counter.

Quite honestly he didn’t care if the man was harmless, right now you clearly didn’t want to deal with him and to Anakin that was more than enough.

Then he felt a hand on his shoulder, your fingers giving it a small squeeze before your face came in close to his, whispering “don’t worry I could take him” with a smile and a wink.

And Anakin felt himself freeze in that moment, still feeling the weight and warmth of your hand on his shoulder, still smelling your perfume in the air around him as he took a second to process what exactly had happened.

Then you were back in front of him, the same soft smile on your face as you looked down at him, balancing your head on your hand once again as you just stared.

“You’re Ahsoka’s master then right?”

He nodded, eagerly, resting his hands on top of the counter, mere inches away from yours “yeah that’s right”

“I know the jedi are taken to the temple pretty young but do you remember where you came from?” your question caught him off guard, never having guessed this would be how this conversation goes.

“Oh uh it’s weird I actually wasn’t brought to the temple until I was a bit older” he shrugged “I came from Tattooine”

“Oh I didn’t know you could be brought in when you were older, did you have to leave behind family then?”

And Anakin felt his heart wrench slightly at the thought, another note of surprise at the question, a question he hadn’t been asked since he was a child “uh yeah my mother”

And you must have sensed the hurt in his voice no matter how hard he had fought to hide it, your brows drawing in sympathy “I’m so sorry I didn’t mean to pry” and suddenly you were backing up, trying to give him space physically and metaphorically.

“No no” he was immediately waving it off, leaning ever so slightly more forward onto the counter “really it’s okay. I found out she died a few years ago and honestly I kind of miss being able to talk about her”

At that you smiled softly and it was like the hole in Anakin’s chest filled, any sadness at his mother’s passing replaced with an eagerness to riminess just like that. “Is it okay if I ask what she was like then?”

And Anakin felt himself smile, his chest puffing with a soft chuckle as he thought back on his mom “Yeah she was-“

A bell rung and Anakin felt himself faulter, watching you spin around to look at the window to see a to go bag tied neatly at the top.

“Oh man talk about timing”

He forced out a chuckle, forced himself to pretend he was okay with having been cut off, forced himself to smile back at you as you placed the bag in front of him.

“But if you really have to go now make sure you come back soon, I want to hear all about her”

At first Anakin’s brain was racing with excuses to stay, excuses to let the food he was supposedly getting for Ahsoka go cold, until he realized what you were giving him: the perfect excuse to come back soon.

So instead he grabbed the food off the counter, giving you a smile that felt much more genuine than before “It’s a deal”

And you smiled back at him, and he felt his stomach doing summersaults once again as he stood up, giving you a small nod of his head “I’ll see you around Y/N”

You grinned and waved back at him as he left the diner, calling out a “bye Anakin” as he did so.

-

Anakin didn’t come to the diner for a few days after it happened, couldn’t bring himself to come to the very place she had made special for him, couldn’t bring himself to face you.

But he also knew he couldn’t stay away forever, not just for his own sake but for yours as well. This time when he walked through the doors, however, he couldn’t bring himself to just walk up to the counter as he had done countless times before, couldn’t bring himself to sit directly in front of you and act as if everything was the same, as if he were okay.

Instead he decided to hide back in a booth, giving himself an out if he needed one.

He hadn’t meant for it to be the same booth as the first time he met you, his chest caving in just a bit more at the sight of the empty booth seat across from him, an echo of those infectious giggles from the two of you playing over in his mind.

A mug was set in front of him followed by a plate with a piece of pie, shocking him out of his stupor, his gaze shooting up just in time to see you sitting down across from him in that same seat as before, a sad smile on your face as you looked on at him.

“You look like you could use something stronger but this is the best I can do”

He had never heard your voice so soft before, so serious before, though he had to admit at just hearing it he felt a little lighter, a little more hopeful.

“My mom always gave me tea whenever I felt down” you continued on “and I mean there’s nothing a good dessert can’t fix”

And despite everything he felt himself chuckle softly, looking down at the food in front of him, hand going to the mug to take a sip, feeling for the first time since she left some sense of normalcy.

“Thank you”

You shrugged back in response, watching him take a bite of pie before pushing the plate over to you, handing you the fork so you could take a bite which you did eagerly, handing it back to him when you were done. “Damn I’m a good baker”

And again Anakin was laughing, a feat he was sure only you could achieve in that moment. Though it quickly died down, a moment of silence falling over the table as Anakin knew what he had to do next, setting down the fork to look at you.

“Y/N I have to tell you something”

You looked up at him, giving him your full attention.

“Ahsoka-uh-she-“ and he felt himself struggle with the words, unable to admit it, as if actually saying them out loud would make them true, make them permanent.

“I know” your response didn’t necessarily surprise him “she came by a few days ago, said she left the order. I told her I could probably get her a job here if she ever needed one”

And though your response didn’t surprise him your reaction to it all did. A large part of him was scared you were going to resent him for it, for failing Ahsoka, for driving her away.

“You know you didn’t fail her, right Anakin?”

His eyes snapped up to yours in surprise, bewildered that you had somehow known what he was thinking.

“I know I may not know exactly how the whole master padawan thing works” you shrugged back, leaning forward onto the table “but I do know any time she talked about you she had nothing back good things to say, right up until she left she loved and respected you”

He looked on at you doubtfully, absentmindedly running a hand through his hair as he sighed softly, trying desperately to see what you were saying but still feeling like nothing but failure.

You eyed him for a moment, feeling his guilt, his disbelief, his loss of hope, and knew what you had to do. “Did Ahsoka ever tell you how we met?” he just shook his head in response “It wasn’t actually here it was outside of a bar downtown. Some guy got too close, didn’t know how to take no for an answer, and she just came out of nowhere and kicked his ass” you paused a bit, a soft chuckle escaping as you remembered the look on that guys face as Ahsoka pinned him without breaking a sweat “I asked her how she knew how to do that and she told me that her older brother taught her”

Anakin scrunched his eyebrows at that, finding it weird that Ahsoka had never mentioned it, failing to see why it was important.

“I knew of course it was a lie at the time” you chuckled back with a small shake of your head and a fond smile on your lips “but the sentiment behind it wasn’t ya know?”

And to Anakin’s surprise he felt himself nodding back at you, a hint of a smile on his lips that admittedly wasn’t much but it was a start “I do yeah. I-uh” he stuttered again “I never knew about any of that”

“I’m just saying” you continued on slowly “whether it’s against your guys’ code or not I think your relationship went deeper than just padawan and master and despite whatever fight or disagreement that may be happening now it’s going to be a lot harder to break that bond”

“I’m not mad that she’s leaving” he felt the need to explain himself, taking a sip of his tea “I get it, I certainly don’t agree with what the order is doing these days either but I feel like I wasn’t there enough for her, and maybe if I was she wouldn’t have felt so alone then”

“Having just talked to her a few days ago” you reached out and placed a hand on top of his “I can tell you she doesn’t blame you for any of it. Now you just gotta learn to not blame yourself”

“Yeah easier said than done” he chuckled bitterly eliciting a laugh from you.

“Unfortunately that’s true”

A bell sounded again, and again you were standing, wiping your hands off on your apron, securing your hair behind your head. “Pie and tea are on me okay?” you smiled down at him, “stay as long as you’d like”

And he watched you return to work, going back to the window to pick up the food, feeling considerably lighter than he had when he walked in, finding himself smiling softly as he took another bite.

-

Your feet dangled over the edge of the building, crossed casually at the ankle, enjoying the crisp breeze that flowed around you, the stars above you dimmed slightly from the light pollution of the city below though were beautiful nonetheless.

You heard the gravel crunch from beside you as she sat down wordlessly, your eyes never looking away from the sky above.

“I imagine they’re even more beautiful when you’re up there aren’t they?”

She chuckled softly at your question, leaning back slightly to look at them with you “I’ll show them to you one day”

And though you knew it was a lie you still smiled at the thought, “I’d like that”

Your eyes broke from the sky above down to Ahsoka, noting the new clothes she was now in, recognizing them for what they were, armor. “You’re leaving aren’t you”

Her eyes broke from the stars back down to you, solemnly nodding “to Mandalore, I’m going to help take the planet back from Darth maul”

And despite the obvious danger you chuckled at her response, shaking your head softly, not at all surprised by her plans “I guess it’s true what they say, you can take the girl out of the jedi-“ you let the rest of the sentence hang.

Ahsoka laughed softly, looking down at her hands “the jedi have lost their way but I still believe I can do good. I need to do good”

“You’re a good person Ahsoka” you responded honestly with a soft smile, “And I’m glad to have been your friend”

“You still are my friend” she contested quickly though you just shook your head softly.

“Maybe but this feels like a goodbye” and you could see her open her mouth again to respond though you continued, cutting her off “it’s okay. You’ve grown beyond Coruscant, you can do more good out there” you gestured up to the stars above with your head.

She was silent for a moment, looking up at the stars with you, debating the truth in your words, before speaking “I wish I could bring you with me”

At that you laughed, shaking your head at her as you leaned forward, elbows on knees to look over the city “I’d be useless on a battlefield, I’m a waitress, my life is on Coruscant.”

“Still,” she continued softly “I’ll miss you”

You smiled and took her hand, giving it a small squeeze before breaking eye contact, knowing you needed to break the mood before you ended up crying on her shoulder.

“Have you spoken to Anakin yet?”

You could tell by her silence and the avoidance of your gaze her answer was no though that didn’t surprise you.

“I know you guys didn’t necessarily leave it on the best foot but he misses you”

She looked at you almost skeptically from the corner of her eye “Do you guys still talk?”

You nodded hesitantly, gaze going down to your lap in an attempt to hide your pink cheeks you could feel coming on “he stops by Dex’s every once in a while”

“Ohhhhh” she held a teasing tone in her voice only making your cheeks blush harder, giving a dramatic roll of your eyes as you chuckled softly “good to know, I’m about to go ask for his help should you come with me to help persuade him to my side”

You pushed her arm with no hesitation, Ahsoka rocking beneath the attack with a loud laugh, ignoring your pleas to shut up, her laughter slow to calm down.

“I’m just saying I’m not sure he’d ever been to Dex’s more than once before he met you” She teased, relishing your dramatic eye roll as you tried your hardest to fight the grin off your face, your cheeks aching from the effort.

“Shut up you know he doesn’t think of me like that”

“I know for a fact he does think of you like that” she countered smugly, your eyes shooting up to meet hers immediately, bouncing back and forth between them, trying to detect any sort of lie in them but still dismissing the words even after detecting none.

“He can’t think of me like that” You shook off her words, your tone dropping as you spoke slowly, avoiding eye contact “the jedi code right?”

“The code means he just can’t do anything” she shrugged, inching closer to you as she spoke, her head resting softly on your shoulder “Doesn’t mean he can’t think it”

“oh that’s so much better” you sighed, leaning your head slightly to rest softly on top of hers, staring out at the city in front of you. “things are going to change aren’t they?” You asked softly “Big changes I can feel it”

You could feel her take a big breath on your shoulder before answering “me too. I just hope they’re for the better”

-

Anakin could see Dex’s restaurant come into view just over the horizon and felt his heart jump into his throat as he walked towards it.

It was the first time in a while he had truly felt nervous coming to see you, but too much had changed for him not to be. The world around him had changed, the republic falling and the empire taking its place, but Anakin himself had changed too, a new red saber clipped at his hip to prove it. He just hoped you liked the changes.

As the restaurant started to get closer he could feel the pressure building within his chest, his eyes glued to the front door, a small prep talk echoing in his mind as he prepared himself to see you. Until a flash of movement just around the corner caught his attention and suddenly he was diverting his path just enough to see more clearly what was going on.

And there he saw you. Your hair was messier than usual, stray strands escaping the tie behind your head to frame your face, your apron covered in more than the usual amount of mystery food stains, your outfit slightly wrinkled, slightly askew on your body. What caught him most off guard though was just how tired you looked, even from across the street he could see the bags under your eyes, the way your shoulders slumped more than usual, your exasperated expression as you argued with the man in front of you.

That was the first time Anakin bothered to take in the full scene around him, noting how your brows were drawn in a straight line, your hands up trying to push him away, pointing back to the restaurant.

The man, however, paid you absolutely no mind as he continued to invade your space, continued to get closer, continued to argue back with you.

And that was all Anakin needed to see.

He was across the street before his mind could even keep up, seeing nothing but red as he clenched his hand into a fist, his other grabbing the guys shoulder roughly and pulling him back before either of you had even realized he was here.

Anakin relished the scared look on the guys face as he looked up at Anakin, loved the way his hands came up to show him he meant no harm, the way he looked ready to turn around and run back down the street and never bother you again.

“Anakin what the hell?”

And then he was whirling around to look at you, confused to see the same angry expression on your face that you had earlier though this time it was directed at him.

He let go of the man without a second thought, even more confusion flooding his system as you looked relieved to see the man be free, the angry mask dropping back down as you looked back up at him, arms crossing over your chest.

“I don’t” He stuttered, looking back to see the man already halfway down the block “he was harassing you”

“I was handling it” you shot back immediately “why would you do that?”

And he didn’t understand how what he did could be wrong, you clearly wanted the guy to leave you alone and now he was “I was helping”

He could see your jaw clench at his words, angry hands running through your hair prompting even more of it to escape its binding “I didn’t need your help”

And again he was bewildered, the way you had looked at that man as he invaded your personal space completely unperturbed by your words clearly saying otherwise “I don’t understand”

A loud exhale escaped you as your head went into your hands, your back bumping softly against the wall as you leaned against “I’m this close to ending up sleeping on the street and that man is just about the only regular who still shows up and I-“ the words rushed out of you, coming so quickly Anakin’s brain took a second to process what you were saying, the words growing louder and louder with each second until suddenly you pushed yourself up off the wall, spinning around quickly to kick it roughly.

And just like that the two of you froze, each of you unsure of what to do, taking a moment to process what you had just done. Then you were kicking the wall again, your arm cocking back to join in as a punch landed squarely against the hard brick, a string of curse words spewing from your lips as you yelled.

Anakin didn’t think then, he just reacted, diving forward, his arms going around your middle as he tackled you backward, arms never letting up as you continued to squirm in his grasp, the punches continuing to come if only for a few seconds before your entire body started to go limp, Anakin waiting until he knew you weren’t going to try any more to let go.

You trembled slightly beneath his touch, his arms retracting from around you slowly as he leaned back to look directly into your eyes. He noted the shine of unshed tears held in them, the slight wobble in your lip, and felt a lump grow in the base of his throat, doing his best to swallow it down as he gingerly picked up your hands, grimacing at the raw, bloody flesh of your knuckles.

Your gaze never broke from his face as he inspected your hands, and Anakin could feel you about to burst, an instinctive arm going around you to pull you into his chest, your arms not hesitating to wrap around him as he held you there, burying his face into your hair, just holding you for a moment before forcing himself to end the hug, gesturing back towards the restaurant with his head, never letting you get to far in his arms as he held on.

“Come on let’s clean those up”

You followed behind him numbly as he led you back to the empty restaurant, taking a seat at the end of a booth as Anakin left to find a first aid kit, pulling up a chair in front of you, setting the kit on the table and opening it, grabbing something to clean them first.

You winced at the feeling of the alcohol on your cut knuckles, Anakin giving you a guilty expression through his lashes as he dabbed at the cuts, letting the silence hang thickly in the air for a second before speaking.

“Do you want to tell me what that was about?”

You sighed deeply, the hand not held hostage by Anakin coming up to your face as you leaned heavily into the booth “Isn’t it obvious?”

Anakin, however, said nothing, giving you but a glance as he continued to tend to your hand.

“The republic fell, people could already barely afford to eat here but now? Now no one shows up. Dex can’t afford to pay me anymore, the people who do show up are barely tipping, right now I can’t make my rent next month and I have no clue what I’m going to do”

Anakin paused for a moment, giving your hand a small squeeze as he held it, looking up at you as he spoke “did abusing the wall help?”

It was a bad joke, a bad joke told at a bad time, but despite everything you felt yourself smile at that, your smile only growing as you saw his do the same in response.

“Not really. I was hoping it would give me it’s lunch money”

At that Anakin laughed fully, his posture straightening slightly as he finished bandaging your hand, though he didn’t drop it yet. “I’m sorry I pulled you out too early”

“Yeah you should be”

And there was that smile again, the one that seemed to fix everything for him, turn around any day, brighten up any space. After everything that had happened he was worried he would never see it again.

“You know if you ever need anything, money, a place to sleep, even just someone to talk to, I’ll be here”

And you could feel how genuine his offer was, a small smile playing on his lips as he took your other hand to bandage it as well. But your mind couldn’t break from the jedi code, from the fact that you knew you could never truly depend on him like that, couldn’t jeopardize his place in the new empire like that no matter what.

Still you painted on another smile, looking down at him as he tended to your other hand “Yeah I know”

-

Anakin kept showing up to Dex’s diner, even after it inevitably closed. Each time hoping that somehow it would be different, the restaurant would be lit up, people would line the booths with tables piled high with food, and you would be there just behind the counter smiling at him, and everything would be okay.

Instead he was always met with the same empty husk, the doors chained up, the lights off as the building itself seemed to suck in the light around it dimming the entire block, and you were gone.

He had no idea where to find you, where to even start looking, his only hope being that you knew where to find him. For the first time Anakin was going to have to wait until you initiated it but he wasn’t liking how long that was taking.

But he had told you to find him if anything was wrong, and losing your job maybe even your house, that was a lot to deal with at once, he just needed to be patient.

At least that was what he was telling himself.

He strode angrily into his next meeting room with two others in tow, already over this meeting. He had just returned from another trip to the restaurant and he could not deal with the stupidity and failures of others in that kind of headspace.

The door to the room opened before him and Anakin strode into the room, paying little mind to the new slave girl wiping the table down with a cloth, actively ignoring the conversation happening between the two men behind him.

He sat down in a chair at the table, vaguely hearing one of the men telling the girl to leave them.

He saw her nod from the corner of his eye and start to head out of the room, coming up to pass just behind Anakin’s chair as he did. Her scent washed over the area as she passed and Anakin froze on the spot.

He knew that scent.

Before he could even think any further his hand shot out and he grabbed the girl by her elbow, stopping her in place, her wide, scared eyes coming up to meet his.

And it was you.

Your eyes were wide and glassy as you looked down at him with a terrified expression, your cheeks stained with tear streaks, your body slightly trembling beneath his touch.

And he told himself that it couldn’t be you, you couldn’t have ended up here as a slave, he’d told you to come to him if you had any problems so how could you have ended up here.

“Leave us” the order came out harsh and cold, Anakin’s eyes never leaving your face, his hand never dropping your arm.

He heard the beginnings of a protest from the other two men and whirled around to face them, expression hard and threatening as he glared at them. His left hand tightened into a fist as he waited for the men to leave, both of them cowering slightly under his harsh gaze, his right however stayed soft as he gripped your elbow.

He waited until the men had left, until the door slid shut and the two of you alone before his expression melted on the spot, hand on your elbow skimming down your forearm to grip your hand and raise it slightly, using the opportunity to let his eyes roam over you, looking for any injuries quickly before landing on your face again.

You shrunk beneath his gaze, fear guilt and shame all building up in your chest as he scrutinized you. His hands came up to your shoulders and he stood, hunching slightly to meet your gaze, his eyes dancing back and forth between yours before his hands came up further, cupping each cheek softly, thumbs wiping softly at your cheeks to stop the tears you weren’t even aware had spilled.

The Anakin that had walked in just minutes ago was so different than the man you had known at Dex’s. He was hard, angry, cold and quite honestly he scared you. But this Anakin that now held your face in his hands, his expression soft, concerned, this was the Anakin you had come to know and love.

And just like that you broke.

Sobs started to escape your lips, wracking your body softly as your arms came up to wrap around Anakin’s neck, Anakin not hesitating to wrap his around your waist, pulling you deep into his chest, head coming to rest softly atop of yours, just holding you tightly as you cried.

And you cried into his chest for all that you had lost, the restaurant, your house, Ahsoka, you’re life as you knew it. But you also cried from pure relief, to see even just one friendly face in a place such as this, let alone Anakin’s, it was exactly what you needed.

He did nothing but wait for you to calm down, waited for the sounds of your tears to die out and still head you a little longer, pressing a soft kiss to the top of your head before slowly letting you go, arms never leaving your side, never letting you get too far. “Y/N what happened?”

You sighed deeply, your head dropping as you answered reluctantly “the restaurant went under, no one else was hiring, I lost my house, I couldn’t afford food” you could hear yourself start to spiral, your words coming out quicker and quicker, your voice going slightly more high pitched with each new word, and forced yourself to stop, forced yourself to take a deep breath “I didn’t know what else to do”

“You come to me” Anakin’s response came quickly, his eyes bouncing back and forth between yours practically pleading with you to listen to him, to believe that he could do something.

“Anakin-“ you sighed, ready to push off the offer, reject it for what it was, an empty, polite promise.

“No” Anakin cut you off firmly, hands falling from your sides as he straitened up to his full height “I told you you could come to me if you needed help and I would do something why would you-“

And now it was your turn to cut him off, not wanting to hear more about how he was going to put his life, his status, his place in the empire on the line to protect you, a random waitress from the city “because you didn’t mean it” he froze on the spot, looking at you with drawn brows, “because you can’t mean it”

He shook his head, hand combing absentmindedly through his hair as he looked at you with furrowed brows “what does that mean?”

“I know about the jedi code” you explained, crossing arms protectively in front of you, doing everything to physically distance yourself from him in this moment “I know you can’t form attachments and me showing up on your doorstep would do nothing but cause you more problems”

“the jedi order doesn’t exist anymore!” he exclaimed almost angrily, shaking his head in disbelief, that you would think some stupid oath would matter more to him than making sure you at least had a roof over your head “I’m not bound to their code anymore”

“and you think the new empire would just be okay with it?” you asked him, already knowing the answer, already resigning yourself to your new normal.

“I don’t care” he sighed in exasperation, taking a step forward to grab one of your hands in his, giving it a small squeeze.

“Anakin” you sighed again, trying to pull your hand softly from his grasp though he held on.

“I mean it” he pushed on “to at least get you some food, or a roof over your head as you slept I would’ve faced whatever punishment they wanted to throw at me”

And you could do nothing but stare back at him, a soft shake in your head making him sigh, exasperated with the argument, dropping your hand to take a step back, a calming hand running through his hair as he thought.

“Why?”

He paused, looking down at you skeptically, brows drawn in confusion “Why what?”

“Why would you do that for me?” you asked honestly, “We’re talking about how you could’ve been kicked out of the order, your entire lifes trajectory thrown in the trash like that. Why would you risk all of that for a waitress Ahsoka introduced you to?”

And he stared at you for a moment, eyes bouncing back and forth between yours, trying to decide if you were being genuine before a single laugh escaped him, a soft shake of his head as he leaned back slightly on the spot, his voice dropping as he spoke “you’re more than that and you know it”

And you opened your mouth to object. Ready to point out that not a single thing you said was a lie before he cut you off.

“You think I went to Dex’s nearly every day for weeks for the food? That I spent hours talking to you each time out of what sheer politeness?”

And to that you didn’t have anything to say, no ready excuse to explain away the exact truths you’d been hiding from for months.

He took a moment to just stare down at you, saying nothing with a hand resting on his chin, eyes skimming over your eyes, glassy with unshed tears, your cheeks pink with the flush of those that had already fallen, your lips downturned in the exact opposite of the smile that had brightened his days not long ago.

The days since he had last seen you had been hard, lonely. He missed being able to come into the diner and just talk to you, outside of the jedi order, the republic, the war, but most of all he missed just seeing you smile at him, laugh at his jokes, lighting up the room with just your presence. And he knew if you stayed here, if you were a slave to the empire, he’d never truly get you back, not fully.

“I’m not letting you do this” he shook his head, hand already coming up to stop your objections “I’m not letting this place break you and that’s final so we have two options here. Either you let me help you escape or you stay here with me”

You physically recoiled at his words, surprise hitting you so hard you were unable to speak at first “I-what?”

He was nodding eagerly, taking a step forward, drawing your hands back into his as he stared down at you “stay. With me. Not to be a slave or do another’s biding but to be with me”

“Anakin-I-“ you were stuttering again, pulling your hands from his grasp. Trying to wrap your head around the offer “what would I even do?”

“Nothing” he shrugged with a small chuckle “everything, whatever you wanted” he seemed almost giddy at the prospect, completely unperturbed by your initial reaction “work for the empire, go back to waitressing, hell if you wanted to learn to be a pilot we could make that happen, whatever you want and it’s yours. Just please stay” and he held out a single hand to you, hovering in the air between the two of you.

You looked down at his hand, at all that it meant, all that he offered.

You had told Ahsoka long ago what kept you and Anakin apart was the jedi code, used it as an excuse to hide behind, to avoid any feelings you may posses for the man. But here he was, hand extended, literally begging you to be with him. So why were you hesitating?

And right then you decided, you were done hiding, done running, done being satisfied with just enough, you were ready to take what you wanted.

So you reached out and took his hand.

Anakin beamed down at you as he eagerly laced his fingers into yours, using it to pull you flush against him, taking a moment to admire the color of your eyes, the flush of your cheeks, the grin that beamed back up at him.

And he decided in that moment that no matter what he was ready to devote his life to making sure he saw that smile every day.

[aestariiwilderness]

Bad Batch -- Actually Probably Not Spoilers?

But Just In Case:

Like, for plot reasons, I see why they couldn't do it. But my biggest (and possibly the funniest) peeve I have with Bad Batch is this: Canonically, Tech is some kind of master hacker. Can forge chain codes after learning about them five seconds ago. Hacks battle droids -- presumably, you know, SECURED in some way -- on the regular. Masked a ship's signature or whatever. Calculates percentages of plans' successes on the fly while hanging upside down from a screechy flying reptile. Has zero fear (except when Omega is driving the Marauder or someone is doing the Wikipedia entry who isn't him) ("it's not affecting life support. We're fine"; riot racing; everything he's ever done). The moral heart of the Batch pre-Omega ("the systematic termination of the Jedi was a big one for me"; "I understand. I do not agree with you"; "of course we are a family"; "we have not always seen eye to eye with Crosshair but he is our brother and we do not leave our own behind"; but has no issue being pragmatic when it's called for (see: Cid, riot racing again, missions for Rex, interruptions thereof, etc.). Seriously. Wack job of a man. Crazy. Strict moral code arranged almost solely around his family that absolutely nobody sees coming and that, specifically, does NOT preclude massive destruction, property damage, and lethal measures. Ridiculous man. Homeschooled. Genetic Mandalorian. COMPETENT. (Usually.) Bona fide, literal, genetically-engineered test tube genius who is also biologically nine years old. Has no concept whatsoever of overkill. Point being -- he is EXACTLY the kind of person I would expect, once it sunk in that: 1. They are no longer Kaminoan/Republic property 2. They are, in fact, on the run with fam + new baby and - cranky but nonetheless beloved sniper bro who picked a terrible time to be stupid And 3. that "money" is now a thing they must Account For.... Give him two days to study finances, economy, and the various mafia; send him on a weekend trip to Nal Hutta to observe gangs, and hey presto -- the Hutts? overthrown in a year. Black Sun? Under new management. Pykes? A thing of the past. The Senate? Convening emergency sessions to discuss Where All the Money Has Gone. Palpatine's Secret Slush Fund #43? Drained. Hemlock's Science Budget? Currently funding the clone rebellion. ISB 401ks? Being used to pay someone to "retrieve" (read: kidnap) Crosshair from Rampart. Cad Bane's baby-stealing revenue? Currently outfitting the Marauder with gold plating. My point: WHY ISN'T TECH HACKING STAR WARS ATMs Story would have been over six episodes in. Tech would have foreclosed on the Palace; the Death Star would have fallen prey to insurance fraud; Omega would have grown up with more gowns than Padme. The Banking Clan bows to their new and, uh, eccentric overlords. Wrecker has thirteen new Z-6 cannons. Echo has thirteen natborn employees and is thoroughly enjoying himself. Hunter took an actual shower (still didn't get a new bandana). The Empire is turning over the empty coffers and shaking them out, wondering if they have rats. Mas Amedda is standing on street corners with an upturned hat. Crosshair is happily occupied with suing the Kaminoans for emotional damages. The end