The scent of smoke and metal still clung to the air as your heels echoed down the marbled hallway of your battered palace. The ornate glass windows had been blasted out, replaced with ragged holes and jagged edges. Sunlight streamed through in fractured patterns, landing across the gold embroidery of your gown and the heavy sapphires around your neck. The dress was too fine for war, too stiff for practicality—but you wore it anyway.
You were Queen.
And queens did not cower in simple cloth.
You now stood unmoving at the top of the grand staircase, the full weight of your crown pressing into your brow. You wore gold today. Not out of vanity, but strategy. A queen in splendor inspires hope. Even in ruin.
"Your Majesty," came the low voice of your advisor, hurrying behind you, "the Republic forces have landed. General Kenobi himself leads them, along with the 212th."
You nodded once, expression like carved obsidian. "Take me to them."
_ _ _
Obi-Wan Kenobi looked every bit the seasoned general, robes dusty from landing, beard trimmed despite the chaos. At his side stood a clone in white and orange armor, helmet tucked under one arm. He stood straight-backed and still, as if carved from the same stone as your palace columns.
You descended the steps slowly, every movement deliberate. You knew how to command a room. You knew how to wield silence as a weapon.
"General Kenobi," you greeted coolly.
He bowed. "Your Majesty. We regret the delay. The 212th is ready to assist."
Your gaze drifted to the commander. Younger than the general. Sharper somehow. His dark eyes met yours, unreadable.
"And who are you?"
"Commander Cody, ma'am," he said, voice clipped and precise. "At your service."
You took a moment, letting your silence test him. He didn't shift. He didn't waver. Good.
"I'm not interested in pleasantries, Commander. The Separatists hold my people hostage in the east quarter. If you're here to help, do it. If not, get out of my city."
Cody inclined his head, neither offended nor intimidated. "Understood, Your Majesty."
Obi-Wan cleared his throat, clearly amused. "I believe you'll find Commander Cody is quite... efficient."
You turned, the gems on your gown glittering with every step. "Then I expect results."
_ _ _
You watched the battle unfold from a tower overlooking the eastern district, eyes tracking orange and white armor sweeping through the rubble like fire. Commander Cody moved like he was born for it—blaster ready, tactics sharp, calm under fire.
You found yourself watching him more than the battlefield.
It wasn't just attraction. No, you'd been courted before. Dignitaries. Princes. Senators. But none of them understood war. None of them had bled for something greater. None of them had stood unmoved when you raised your voice.
He had.
Later, he found you in the ruined throne room, maps and war reports strewn across a cracked obsidian table. You didn't look up as he entered, but you felt him pause. Watching you.
"You're not what I expected," he said.
You arched a brow. "Because I'm young?"
"Because you're beautiful," he said bluntly. "And still more terrifying than most warlords I've met."
A slow, dangerous smile touched your lips. "Careful, Commander. That sounded almost like admiration."
He stepped closer. "It was."
"We leave at dawn," he said quietly.
You nodded. "You've done well."
He gave a faint smile. "So have you."
There was silence, the kind that hangs just before a storm—or a kiss. You stood close. Closer than duty allowed. Your hand brushed against his arm as you passed him, deliberately slow.
"I'm not the type to wait around, Commander," you said softly. "But I remember loyalty."
And with that, you left him standing in the ruins of a palace he helped save—his heart torn between orders and the ghost of your perfume.
_ _ _
Night blanketed the capital in quiet shades of blue and silver. The fires had died down. The people slept. The palace—scarred but standing—breathed silence through its stone corridors.
You stood alone on the balcony of your private quarters, the city below wrapped in darkness. A wind brushed through your hair, catching on the delicate sapphire pins at your temples. You weren't in ceremonial silk tonight—just a velvet robe, deep indigo, soft against your skin. Lighter. Easier to breathe in.
"You should be resting," came his voice behind you, low and steady.
You didn't turn. "So should you."
Cody stepped forward, stopping beside you, eyes scanning the skyline. He looked out of place here—so sharp and war-worn against the softness of your world—but somehow, he belonged.
"They'll be fine without me for a few hours," he said.
You let the silence stretch. Then: "It wasn't just my people they came for. The Separatists wanted to break me. Make an example of this world. Of me."
Cody glanced at you, surprised by the honesty in your voice. Your chin was still high, your spine still regal—but your voice was softer now. Human.
"I've never been this close to losing everything," you murmured.
He didn't offer pity. He didn't rush in with hollow reassurances. He just stood beside you, letting your words exist without judgment.
"You didn't lose," he said finally.
You turned to look at him, his face half-lit by moonlight. You studied him—creased brow, quiet strength, the scar at his temple. Not beautiful, not polished. But real.
"You leave at dawn," you said.
He nodded. "We've been reassigned. New system. New war."
You looked down, then away. "Will I see you again?"
The question slipped out before you could cage it. A raw thread of vulnerability woven into your otherwise unshakable voice.
Cody didn't hesitate. "If there's a path back here, I'll take it."
You stepped closer, close enough to feel the heat of his skin through his blacks.
"Then go with honor," you whispered. "And come back with your heart still yours."
He tilted his head slightly, brow furrowing. "Why mine?"
"Because..." You hesitated, just for a breath. "You're the first man who's ever looked at me and didn't see just a crown."
His jaw tightened, barely. His gaze dropped to your mouth. Then, slowly—carefully—he reached up, cupping your face with a gloved hand.
"Then I hope when I come back..." he murmured, voice low, "you'll still be wearing it."
You leaned in before you could think twice. Your lips met his—soft, sure, but brief. A kiss meant to linger.
It wasn't passion. It wasn't fire.
It was a promise.
When you pulled away, your forehead rested against his for just a moment longer.
"Until next time, Commander," you whispered.
"Until next time... Your Majesty."
And then he was gone, swallowed by the quiet night, the war, and the stars.
Boss (RC-1138) x Reader
Theed’s skyline shimmered under the afternoon sun, its golden domes reflecting the light in a display of serene beauty. Yet beneath this tranquil facade, tension simmered. The recent assassination attempts on Queen Jamillia and Senator Padmé Amidala had prompted the Royal Security Forces to request additional protection from the Republic.
You stood at attention in the palace courtyard, your crimson uniform crisp, hand resting on the hilt of your blaster. As a member of the Royal Naboo Guard, your duty was to protect the monarchy and its representatives. Today, that duty extended to welcoming the Republic’s elite clone commando unit: Delta Squad.
The low hum of a Republic gunship grew louder as it descended, kicking up dust and causing your cape to flutter. The ramp lowered, revealing four armored figures stepping out in formation.
Leading them was RC-1138, known as Boss. His orange-striped armor bore the marks of countless battles, and his posture exuded authority.
Behind him, RC-1140, or Fixer, moved with calculated precision. His green-accented armor was immaculate, and his visor scanned the surroundings methodically.
To Fixer’s left was RC-1207, Sev. His armor bore red markings resembling blood splatter, a reflection of his grim sense of humor and reputation as a fierce sniper.
Bringing up the rear was RC-1262, Scorch. His armor was marked with yellow accents, and he carried himself with a relaxed confidence.
As they approached, Boss stepped forward, his helmet concealing his expression.
“Sergeant RC-1138, reporting in,” he stated, his voice modulated through the helmet’s speaker. “Delta Squad is at your service.”
You offered a formal nod. “Welcome to Theed, Sergeant. I’m Lieutenant [Y/N], Royal Naboo Guard. We’ve been briefed on your assignment.”
Boss inclined his head slightly. “Understood. Our primary objective is to ensure the safety of Queen Jamillia and Senator Amidala.”
“Correct,” you affirmed. “We’ll coordinate patrols and share intelligence. Your squad will be integrated into our security protocols.”
Behind Boss, Scorch leaned slightly toward Sev and whispered, “Think they have any good caf here?”
Sev replied dryly, “As long as it doesn’t taste like ration packs, I’ll consider it a luxury.”
Fixer, without looking up from his wrist-mounted datapad, interjected, “Focus, Deltas. We’re here for a mission, not a vacation.”
Boss turned his head slightly. “Maintain discipline. We’re guests here.”
You raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement tugging at your lips. “Your squad has a unique dynamic.”
Boss’s tone remained neutral. “We operate efficiently.”
⸻
Over the next few days, Delta Squad integrated into the palace’s security framework. Joint patrols were established, and you found yourself frequently paired with Boss. His stoic nature made conversation sparse, but his presence was reassuring.
One evening, during a perimeter check, you decided to break the silence.
“Your squadmates have distinct personalities,” you observed.
Boss glanced at you. “They’re effective.”
“I’ve noticed,” you replied. “Scorch’s humor, Sev’s intensity, Fixer’s precision. And you—you’re the anchor.”
He paused, considering your words. “Leadership requires stability.”
You nodded. “It’s commendable.”
A brief silence settled before he spoke again. “Your team is well-trained.”
“Thank you,” you said. “We take pride in our duty.”
As the patrol continued, a comfortable silence enveloped you both, the foundation of mutual respect beginning to form.
⸻
The days turned into weeks, and the collaboration between your unit and Delta Squad deepened. Shared meals and joint exercises fostered camaraderie. Scorch’s jokes became a familiar background noise, Sev’s rare smirks were victories, and Fixer’s occasional nods signaled approval.
With Boss, the connection grew subtly. Shared glances during briefings, synchronized movements during drills, and the occasional exchange of dry humor.
One night, after a successful operation thwarting an assassination attempt, you found yourselves alone on a balcony overlooking Theed.
“The city’s peaceful tonight,” you remarked.
Boss nodded. “A welcome change.”
You turned to him. “Do you ever think about life beyond the war?”
He was silent for a moment. “Sometimes. But duty comes first.”
You smiled softly. “Always the soldier.”
He looked at you, his gaze intense. “It’s who I am.”
“And yet,” you said, stepping closer, “there’s more to you.”
He didn’t respond verbally, but the way his hand brushed against yours spoke volumes.
The city lights glittered below like the reflection of a thousand quiet thoughts. The silence between you and Boss wasn’t strained—it was gentle, natural. It had become that way over the last few weeks. You stood shoulder to shoulder, close enough to feel the warmth of his armor radiating softly through the Naboo evening chill.
His helmet was still on, the ever-present barrier between his world and yours. But something in his posture shifted, a subtle drop in his shoulders, a small exhale that sounded more like a sigh than static.
Then—quietly—he said, “It’s strange.”
You turned to look at him. “What is?”
“Peace.” A beat. “This planet. The quiet.” He paused, like he was deciding whether to say more. “I’m used to marching into warzones. Places that smell like carbon and blood. Where the air’s thick with ash and tension. But here… it’s almost too quiet. Makes you feel like… something could go wrong any second.”
You studied him for a moment, surprised he was sharing this. “Maybe it’s not that something will go wrong. Maybe it’s just that you’ve never known anything but chaos.”
There was a pause. Then, slowly, his hands came up to his helmet. You heard the hiss of pressure release before he pulled it off and cradled it against his side.
This was the first time you’d seen his face. You had imagined it—many times—but the reality was softer than you’d expected. Strong features, yes, but tired eyes. Eyes that had seen too much, too fast. He looked younger without the helmet, and older all at once.
He didn’t look at you right away. His gaze stayed fixed on the skyline.
“I don’t usually take it off,” he admitted. “Feels… exposed.”
You smiled gently. “You don’t have to explain. But thank you for trusting me.”
His eyes finally met yours then, sharp and searching, but not cold. “You’re different from the officers I’ve worked with before.”
“Good different?” you teased softly.
He didn’t smile, exactly—but something softened around his mouth. “Real different.”
You leaned against the railing beside him, your fingers brushing his. This time, he didn’t move away. He turned his hand slightly until his gloved pinky hooked around yours.
“I don’t know what happens after this assignment,” you said quietly. “But I know I’ll remember this. You.”
He nodded once. “Same.”
The moment stretched—not romantic in the overly dramatic way holodramas would tell it, but intimate in its honesty. The weight of your fingers against each other. The hush of the Naboo breeze. The flickering of torchlight behind you, and the way his gaze lingered on your face like he was memorizing it.
And then, with the kind of quiet confidence that came from someone who rarely acted on impulse, Boss leaned in slightly—slowly, giving you time to stop him if you wanted. His forehead came to rest gently against yours. It was a simple thing. No kiss, no dramatics. Just contact. Shared breath. A moment stolen from the endless march of duty.
“I can’t afford to be soft,” he murmured, voice barely above a whisper. “But you make me want to be.”
You closed your eyes, forehead still pressed to his. “Then let this be the place where you can.”
His hand, calloused and heavy, rose to cup the side of your neck for a second before falling away. Not because he didn’t want more—but because he wasn’t ready yet. And maybe you weren’t either. But that was okay. It was enough.
Tonight, it was enough.
Hope nobody did this with Plo Koon and Commander Wolffe before!
Tumblr messing up the picture's quality again
The template by @mellon-soup under the cut!
Hi! I was so happy to see you take requests!! I was wondering if you could do a Hunter X reader where she takes care of his hair? Plays with it and brushes it maybe then he confesses his love for her?
You write so beautifully and I would love to see any of your added flare! 💖
Hunter x Reader
You’d never admit it out loud, but you were obsessed with Hunter’s hair.
Not just in a “wow, that man is rugged and beautiful” kind of way—which he was, obviously—but in a “let me run my fingers through it and brush it until it shines like war-hardened silk” kind of way. It was therapeutic. Meditative. And, much to your delight, he let you do it.
Today, he sat cross-legged on a crate while you perched behind him on a bench, methodically brushing through his dark locks. His bandana was off, laying beside him, and he looked entirely too relaxed for a trained soldier.
“Y’know,” you mused as you carefully untangled a knot, “if you were any more relaxed, I’d think you were napping.”
“I might be,” Hunter replied, voice low and content. “Your fingers are dangerous. You could put a rancor to sleep with that touch.”
“Is that a compliment or a warning?”
“Both.”
You laughed and leaned forward slightly, tugging the brush down again. “So… you’re telling me I have tactical hair magic?”
“I’m saying if you ever turn on us, brushing me into unconsciousness would be an effective ambush.”
A beat passed.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” you said sweetly, and Hunter let out a low, amused chuckle.
“I like her,” Wrecker announced from across the Marauder’s hull. He was munching on something that definitely wasn’t a vegetable. “She’s got a whole plan to take you down, and you’re just sittin’ there like a sleepy tooka.”
“Only because you’re jealous I’ve got hair to brush,” Hunter quipped back.
Wrecker puffed out his chest dramatically. “You think if I glue some on, she’ll brush mine too?”
“No,” you replied immediately. “But I’ll draw flowers on your scalp.”
Tech sighed. “Please don’t encourage him.”
“Oh, I’m not encouraging,” you grinned. “I’m enabling. Very different.”
You reached into the little pouch at your side and pulled out a tiny cluster of wildflowers—yellow, blue, soft white. Carefully, you started weaving them into Hunter’s braid.
He noticed.
“…Are you putting flowers in my hair?” His voice held that dangerous edge, but you could hear the smile buried underneath.
“Absolutely.”
“I’m a soldier.”
“Even soldiers deserve to look cute.”
“Cute?” he asked, amused.
“Devastatingly cute,” you corrected, giving the braid a final tug. “There. Now you’re battle-ready and bouquet-chic.”
From the back, Echo groaned. “I can’t believe I’m seeing this.”
“You’re just mad no one wants to flower-bomb your hair,” you teased.
“He doesn’t have any,” Omega piped up helpfully, skipping into the room. She stopped in front of Hunter and beamed. “You look so pretty!”
Hunter raised an eyebrow. “Pretty, huh?”
“You should let her do your hair every day,” Omega added slyly. “You smile more when she’s touching it.”
Hunter froze. So did you.
Wrecker burst into laughter so loud it shook the crate.
“Oof! She got you good!” he said, pointing at Hunter like it was the funniest thing he’d seen all week.
You cleared your throat, cheeks warm. “Smart kid.”
“She’s not wrong,” Hunter muttered.
You blinked. “…What?”
Hunter turned, slowly, looking up at you with that intense expression that made your brain short-circuit. “I do smile more when you touch me.”
It wasn’t a tease. It wasn’t a joke.
He meant it.
Your breath caught in your throat. “That’s… dangerous information.”
“I trust you with it.” His gaze softened. “And maybe a little more than that.”
You stared at him, heart hammering. “Are you saying…?”
“I’m saying I love it when you brush my hair. I love it when you laugh. I love it when you drive the others crazy, and when you sneak me extra caf rations, and when you make even this ship feel like home.”
Wrecker snorted. “Finally.”
Echo made a gagging noise. Tech muttered, “Statistically speaking, it was only a matter of time.”
Omega clapped her hands and declared, “About time!”
Hunter smiled up at you through his flower-crowned braid. “So? What do you say?”
You bent down and kissed his forehead, fingers brushing gently through his hair. “I say… I’m going to need a lot more flowers.”
⸻
The ship had gone still.
No snark from Echo. No clanking from Wrecker. No light tinkering from Tech. Even Omega was tucked into her bunk, curled up with Lula like the galaxy couldn’t touch her.
And in the silence of that rare peace, Hunter sat on the edge of your bed with his back to you, braid still woven down his back, the tiny wildflowers now a little wilted from the heat of the day.
You stepped behind him quietly, holding the soft brush he always let you use. Always yours to borrow.
“Can I?” you asked gently, even though you both already knew the answer.
Hunter nodded once. “Please.”
So you started at the bottom—slowly, carefully loosening the braid, your fingers delicate. The petals came free one by one, falling onto the blanket like pieces of some strange memory.
He didn’t speak. Not yet.
And you didn’t push him.
Instead, you moved gently through his hair, unwinding the tightness of the day. With each pass of your hands, his shoulders lowered, his breath slowed.
You didn’t need the words.
But you wanted them.
You loved him. You’d known it for a while now. And maybe you were scared that if you said it, it would break the fragile, perfect peace that this quiet moment gave you both.
But you didn’t have to say it first.
He did.
Softly. Barely above a whisper. Like it had been resting on his tongue all day, just waiting to be safe enough to speak.
“I love you.”
You froze—just for a breath. Then smiled so softly it ached in your chest.
“I know,” you whispered back, fingers brushing behind his ear. “I’ve known.”
He turned to look at you. Hair loose, shadowed eyes soft, vulnerability written in every line of his face.
“Then why haven’t you said it?”
You leaned in, resting your forehead against his. “Because I wanted you to say it first.”
Hunter huffed out a tiny laugh. “Tactical move.”
“Always,” you smiled.
He reached up and cupped your jaw gently, his touch feather-light. “I love you,” he repeated, more sure now. “Not just when you’re brushing my hair. Not just when you’re teasing the others. Always.”
You kissed him this time—slow and lingering, hands tangled in his now-loose hair, wild and soft between your fingers.
“I love you too,” you whispered into the space between your lips.
The flowers were gone. The braid undone.
But somehow, this moment felt even more whole.
Command Squad x reader
The Kaminoan rain never stopped. It pounded endlessly against the sleek platform outside Tipoca City, a cold and hollow sound that seemed to echo the clinical detachment of the place. Even standing in full beskar, the chill somehow crept in — not through the armor, but somewhere deeper.
You stood on the edge of the landing pad, arms crossed, helmet clipped to your belt, dark hair damp with saltwater mist. This place felt wrong. Too sterile. Too… quiet. Even the air smelled like antiseptic and damp steel. But you'd come because he had asked.
Footsteps. Precise. Heavy. You didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.
“Su cuy’gar,” Jango Fett said in that gravel-deep voice, stopping beside you. He didn’t smile. He rarely did. But something in his eyes told you he was glad to see you.
You gave a nod. “Didn’t think you’d come calling, Fett. Figured you liked working alone.”
“I do.” He glanced out at the sea, then back at you. “But this… this isn’t something I can do alone.”
You raised a brow. “Clones?”
He nodded once. “Ten thousand strong already. All of them made from me.”
You let out a slow breath. “You never struck me as the paternal type.”
“I’m not,” he said. “But they’ll need more than Kaminoan routines and simulations. They need real training. Real people. Mandalorians.”
You studied him for a moment. “And you want me to babysit them?”
His lips twitched — almost a smirk. “No. I want you to help forge commanders. The Kaminoans have preselected cadets they think show leadership potential. I want them to have someone who can teach them more than drills. Someone they’ll listen to. Someone they’ll respect.”
“And that someone is me?”
“They’re kids,” he said quietly. “They’ll be soldiers in a few years. But right now, they need a guide. A warrior. And someone who remembers what it means to be Mandalorian.”
You looked at him, thoughtful. “What about Skirata? Or Vau?”
“They’re here. Kal’s working with Nulls. Vau’s got his own batch. But I need you to take this one. They’re special, and they’re watching everything. The others are rougher around the edges. You’ve got… a way.”
You exhaled slowly, eyes scanning the grey horizon. He wasn’t wrong. You’d trained younglings before. Fostered war orphans on Concord Dawn, taught them how to survive, how to fight. This was different, but maybe not by much.
Finally, you looked back at him. “Alright. I’ll do it.”
He nodded again, and for a moment — just a moment — you saw gratitude flicker in his expression.
---
The hallways inside Tipoca were too white. Too clean. Too... wrong. Like they were afraid dirt might somehow corrupt the clones.
Jango led you through the corridors toward the training barracks. “They’re all designated cadets, but these ones are pre-coded for advanced training. Commanders and captains, if the Kaminoans have it their way.”
He stopped before a wide blast door. “You’ll be living in the barracks. You eat with them. Train with them. Earn their respect.”
You raised an eyebrow. “I’m not that much older than them.”
“No,” he said. “But they’ll see you as a superior anyway. That’ll matter.”
With a hiss, the door opened.
Inside were about two dozen boys, aged around nine or ten, all with identical faces — his face. But their expressions varied. Curious. Alert. Some stiff, trying to look tough. Others hiding behind wide eyes.
They straightened the moment they saw Jango. You stepped in behind him, hands on your hips, a smirk tugging at your lips.
“Cadets,” Jango said, his voice sharp and commanding. “This is your new instructor. She’s Mandalorian. She’s been in more fights than you’ve had meals. She’s here to make sure you don’t get yourselves killed before the war even starts.”
The boys’ eyes widened slightly at that.
You stepped forward, giving them a once-over. “Name’s [Y/N]. You don’t need to salute me, and I’m not here to yell at you every time you mess up. But I will push you. Hard. Because I’m not interested in making you follow orders. I’m interested in making you leaders.”
There was a long pause. Then, one of them — a little shorter than the rest — raised his hand.
“Yes?” you said.
“Are you going to teach us Mando’a?”
You grinned. “First lesson starts tomorrow. Right after we run the perimeter course. In full gear.”
A few groaned. Some grinned. One boy, standing just a little taller, gave a silent nod of approval.
You had a feeling that one would be your troublemaker. The kind who’d grow up to wear yellow.
“Get some sleep,” you said. “You’re mine now.”
As the lights dimmed and the boys returned to their bunks, murmuring quietly among themselves, Jango watched you with that unreadable expression of his.
“You think they’ll listen?” he asked quietly.
You nodded. “They already are.”
And in that moment, surrounded by the future soldiers of a galaxy-wide war, you didn’t feel like a babysitter. You felt like something else.
A guide to warriors yet forged.
And maybe — just maybe — the one thing standing between them and the emptiness that awaited.
---
The Kamino rain pounded on the durasteel above, a dull rhythmic hammer that never seemed to end. It echoed through the open training yard, where the clone cadets stood at attention, armor damp, expressions locked into disciplined stillness.
They were still young. Barely ten. Not quite boys, not quite soldiers — something in between. Something manufactured, yet undeniably alive.
You stood in front of them, arms crossed, cloak shifting with the wind.
These were the Kaminoans’ selections. Future commanders. Leaders. Advanced training candidates, chosen by behavior patterns, genetic nuance, projected loyalty metrics — whatever sterile system the aiwha-huggers had cooked up in their labs.
But you weren’t interested in the science. You were interested in them.
You stepped forward, slow and deliberate.
“You’ve been trained,” you began. “You know your formations. Your tactics. How to handle a blaster and break down a droid line. You’re sharp. Efficient. You’ve passed every metric the Kaminoans put in front of you.”
They stayed still.
“But I’m not them,” you said. “I don’t care about their spreadsheets and projections. I care about who you are when everything breaks down. When orders aren’t clear. When it’s your call.”
A few eyes flicked to you. Subtle. Curious.
You stopped in front of the tallest in the line. Sharp jaw. Controlled stance. Commanding presence already starting to form.
“You. Designation?”
“CC-2224, Instructor.”
You moved to the next one. The one with the fast eyes — always scanning, always calculating.
“CT-7567.”
Another.
“CC-1010.”
“CC-5052.”
“CC-5869.”
“CC-4477.”
It was like listening to a datapad reading off serial codes. Precise. Identical. Empty.
You looked down the line again — at all of them. All these boys with the same face, but not the same fire behind their eyes. Not if you knew how to look.
And you did.
You let the silence stretch.
“I know that’s what they call you,” you said quietly. “Your CCs and CTs. Your numbers. But let me tell you something. Numbers are easy. You lose a number, you assign a new one. But a name? That’s earned. That’s kept.”
A shift in the air. Barely noticeable, but it was there.
They were listening now. Not because they had to. Because they *wanted* to understand what you meant.
You didn’t say more. Not yet. You weren’t ready to name them. They weren’t ready to carry it.
But you were watching.
You glanced at CC-2224 again — precise, sharp, already holding himself like a commander. He’d be the first. Eventually. But not yet.
CT-7567 — the quiet focus, the twitch of awareness every time someone moved. Tactician in the making. You could feel it.
CC-1010 — the shield. No emotion on the surface, but his squad respected him, followed him without hesitation. That meant something.
And the smaller ones — the ones who tried harder to stand out, to be something more than the face next to them. They would rise too. Some through grit. Some through pain. Some through sheer, unrelenting heart.
You stepped back, letting your gaze sweep across the line.
“One day,” you said, voice calm but clear, “you’ll have names. Not because I give them to you, but because you’ll earn them. Through blood. Through choice. Through fire. And when you do… they’ll mean something.”
The wind howled between you all, tugging at your cloak, flapping against the plastoid armor of twenty-three boys trying to be men.
“Until then — on the field. Four perimeter laps. In full gear. Then squad sim rotations. Move.”
They ran hard.
Harder than they needed to.
Because for the first time, you hadn’t seen twenty-three clones.
You’d seen twenty-three stories waiting to be told.
---
The rain was still coming down in sheets, but no one noticed anymore. The training sim was running full tilt inside Tipoca’s open-air field chamber — a perfect recreation of a small ruined city block. Crumbling walls, wrecked speeders, low visibility.
Perfect chaos.
You stood above the sim on the observation platform, arms crossed, helmet tucked under one arm. Down below, your cadets were mid-exercise: split into two squads, one to defend a location, the other to take it. Non-lethal stun rounds, full armor, comms restricted to local chatter only.
They were doing well — mostly.
“CT-7567, you’ve got a flank wide open,” you muttered, watching his marker blip across the holo. “Come on…”
A blur of movement below — one of the smaller clones dove through a gap in the wall, skidding behind cover and popping off two clean stuns. A third clone — one of his own squad — shouted through the comms, “You weren’t supposed to breach yet!”
The smaller one’s voice came through half a second later. “You’re too slow, ner vod!”
You smirked.
Below, the chaos grew. Blasterfire crackled against shields, tactics fell apart, a few cadets started improvising wildly. A few… maybe too wildly.
“CC-5052,” you snapped into the comm. “What are you doing on the roof?”
A pause.
“Recon, Instructor.”
“There’s no recon objective.”
“Thought it’d look cool.”
You closed your eyes, exhaled. “It doesn’t. Now get down!”
Another pause.
“I’ve got good balance.”
You pressed your fingers to your temple.
A second voice cut in — this one from the other team. “He doesn’t have good balance.”
“I do!”
“Last week you fell off a bunk.”
“That was sabotage—”
“Enough!” you barked through the comm, trying to hold off a laugh. “ I swear, if I have to come down there…”
You leaned over the railing, watching as CT-7567 moved into position. He’d adapted quickly — circled his squad around, set up a pincer, and was moments away from breaching the enemy defense. Tactical. Efficient. Sharp.
You watched the moment unfold — the way he made a silent hand signal, the way the squad moved as one, trusting him without a word. They cleared the position in seconds.
And he didn’t celebrate.
He just started checking on the stunned cadets.
You smiled to yourself. Not yet, you thought. But soon.
Later, when the sim ended and they were all dragging themselves out of the chamber — soaked, tired, armor scuffed — you leaned against the bulkhead by the exit, arms crossed.
CC-5052 walked by first, helmet under his arm, smug as ever. “Still think I looked cool.”
You raised a brow. “Keep this up and I’ll name you ‘Clown’.”
A cadet snorted behind him. “Told you.”
5052 flipped him off behind his back — you saw it.
CT-7567 was next. Quiet. Focused. His brow furrowed like he was still playing through the whole thing in his head. You gave him a nod, subtle. He didn’t react much — but the way his shoulders squared said he noticed.
CC-2224 followed, calm and methodical, giving a half-report before you even asked. “Squad cohesion broke down mid-sim. We’ll run fireteam drills tomorrow, break the habits.”
“You’re not wrong,” you said. “But your breach response was solid.”
He gave a nod, firm and confident. “We’re learning.”
“I can see that.”
They filed past, dripping water, bickering quietly. Someone slapped someone’s helmet off. Someone else tried to act innocent. You let it all happen.
Because this — this was the good part. The growing pains. The chaos before clarity. The laughter between brothers.
They weren’t ready for names yet.
But they were getting closer.
And when the day came — when one of them truly showed you who he was — you’d give him the first name.
And it would mean something.
---
Kamino’s storms didn’t rest, but the facility did.
Lights dimmed in the barracks, casting long shadows across the corridor as you walked the cadets back to their bunks. Their chatter had softened into yawns and half-whispered jokes. The chaos of the sim was gone, replaced by the quiet fatigue of young soldiers trying not to admit they were still just boys.
You moved beside them like a silent sentinel, hands tucked behind your back, helmet clipped to your belt. You stopped at their dormitory door, letting them file in — one by one — muttered "Instructor," and "Night, ma’am," as they passed.
“You’re not getting extra stimcaf tomorrow if you stay up talking all night,” you warned as the last few ducked inside.
CC-5052 gave you a tired smirk. “Even if it’s tactical debrief?”
“You say ‘tactical’ like it’ll stop me from making you do perimeter drills in the rain.”
A few chuckles, then a wave of yawns as they climbed into the bunks. Blankets tugged over armor-clad bodies, helmets set neatly at bedsides. The rain beat a gentle rhythm outside.
You lingered at the doorway a moment longer, watching as their movement slowed, heads rested back, breath evened out.
And then you turned.
Your own quarters were spartan — a small room not far from theirs, but far enough to give them space. You sat on your bunk, pulled off your boots, leaned forward with a sigh. It wasn’t exhaustion so much as weight. Of command. Of care. Of responsibility for twenty-three lives that had never known anyone but you who treated them like they were something more.
You didn’t hear the door open at first — it slid open quiet, hesitant. It was the breath that gave him away. Soft. Uneven.
You glanced up, hand instinctively reaching toward the blaster on your bedside.
CC-1010 stood there.
Helmet off. Shoulders stiff. Eyes uncertain in the low light. Not afraid of you — not exactly. Just… afraid.
“Couldn’t sleep?” you asked, voice low.
He nodded, once. His hands were clenched into tight fists at his sides.
“Didn’t want the others to see,” he said finally. “They’d think something’s wrong.”
You stood slowly, motioned him in. “Close the door.”
He obeyed.
You sat back on the edge of the bed, letting the silence settle before you spoke again. “Wanna tell me what’s on your mind?”
He didn’t answer right away.
“What if I mess up?”
You turned slightly to look at him. His brow was furrowed. His jaw clenched hard. “Not in sims. In real combat. What if I give an order and someone dies? What if I don’t see something, or I freeze, and my brothers—”
His voice cracked and stopped.
You stood again — close enough to reach out, but you didn’t touch him. Not yet.
“1010,” you said quietly, “you’re already thinking about how your choices affect others. That alone makes you better than half the commanders I’ve seen.”
“That doesn’t make it easier,” he said. “I’m supposed to protect them. What if I can’t?”
You looked at him — really looked.
Behind the calm, behind the training, behind the cloned perfection, there was a kid terrified of not being enough.
You stepped closer.
“You remember what I said about names?”
He nodded slowly.
“They’re not just earned in battle. They’re earned in who you are. And I’ve watched you since the first day.”
You didn’t hesitate this time — you placed a hand gently on his shoulder.
“You carry more than the others realize. You hold it all in so they don’t have to. You think before you speak. You lead without needing the spotlight. You protect your brothers before yourself. That makes you a shield.”
You looked him in the eyes.
“And you’re strong enough to take the hit.”
A beat of silence. Then another.
“That’s why your name is Fox.”
His breath caught. For a second, he looked like he wasn’t sure if he was allowed to feel something about it. Then his shoulders dropped — not in defeat, but in relief.
“…Fox,” he repeated, testing it. “That’s me?”
You nodded. “That’s you.”
He didn’t cry. He didn’t need to. But he gave you a look you’d never forget — one of raw, unfiltered trust. The kind that meant you weren’t just his instructor.
You were *his person.*
“Get some sleep,” you said softly. “You’ve earned it.”
He turned to go, then hesitated. “Thank you… for seeing me.”
You smiled.
“Always.”
When the door slid shut behind him, you sat back down on the bed and leaned back against the wall. The rain drummed steady outside.
Fox.
The first to earn his name.
One down.
Twenty-two to go.
---
Next Chapter
Hello! I had an idea for a Kix x Fem!Reader where she transfers into his medbay but she stands out because she remembers every clones name. Regardless if she hasn’t even met them she has read all the files and committed them to memory and he’s like astonished but also touched. Maybe his brothers are like “if you don’t make a move I will” Hope this is good! Have a good weekend! ♥️
Kix x Reader
Hyperspace thrummed beyond the transparisteel ports while Kix tried to tame the Resolute’s perpetually crowded med‑bay. Bacta monitors chimed, troopers squabbled over whose scar looked “coolest,” and Kix’s gloves were still sticky with drying crimson when the hatch whispered open.
A quiet but confident voice announced, “New med‑tech reporting, sir—[Y/N].”
Kix flicked off his gloves, surprised. “You picked a kriffing busy shift to arrive—welcome.”
From the nearest cot, Hardcase crowed, “What d’you bet she faints when she sees my arm?”
You crossed to him without blinking. “CT‑0217 Hardcase—through‑and‑through blaster hit, distal humerus, yesterday. Dermabind’s due for a swap.”
Hardcase shut up so fast Fives snorted.
You pointed down the line:
“CT‑5597 Jesse—rib bruise, de‑pressurised plating on R‑3. Three‑hour ice intervals.
“CT‑5555 Fives—fragment nick, upper thigh; you’ll pretend it doesn’t hurt until it infects.”
“CT‑0000 Dogma—scalp laceration, eight stitches. Stop picking at them.”
Each trooper stared like you’d grown a second head.
Kix folded his arms. “You read our charts?”
“Memorised the battalion manifest on the shuttle. Names separate patients from barcodes.”
A low whistle: Jesse grinned around a pain‑killer stick. “Kix, vod—if you don’t lock that down, I’m escorting her to 79’s myself.”
Fives elbowed him. “Brother, that’s my line.”
Dogma muttered, “Show some discipline.”
“Show some charm,” Fives shot back.
Kix cleared his throat, ears reddening. “Settle, vod. Let the medic work—unless you want a protocol droid doing your stitches.”
⸻
Kix found you re‑stocking kolto packs. “Most rookies need a week to learn nicknames; you quoted service numbers.”
“You’re not rookies—you’re veterans. Acting like it matters.”
His voice softened. “We spend our lives as copies. Remembering us by name… that’s a rare kind of medicine.”
Across the bay, Hardcase bellowed, “Kix! She fixin’ your ego yet?”
Jesse added, “Timer’s ticking, sir!”
You hid a smile. “I still need orientation, Kix. Maybe… a tour of the ‘cultural hub’ I’ve heard about?”
Kix’s grin was pure relief—and a little wonder. “Med‑officer‑ordered R&R, 79’s cantina, 2000. Mandatory.”
Hardcase whooped. “Ha! Called it!”
⸻
Blue and gold holo‑lights flashed off clone armor stacked by the door. Fives tried teaching you a rigged sabacc hand; Jesse heckled from behind; Dogma nursed one drink like it was contraband; Hardcase danced on a tabletop until Rex appeared, helmet tucked under his arm.
Rex eyed the scene, then you. “Heard the new medic can ID every trooper in the Legion.”
“Only the ones who’ve been shot today, sir,” you said, straight‑faced.
Hardcase cheered. Jesse rapped knuckles on the table. Even Rex let a ghost of a smile slip before nodding to Kix: Good find.
Jesse leaned close while Kix ordered drinks. “Take care of him, cyar’ika. Our medic patches everyone but himself.”
You watched Kix laugh, shoulders finally loose for the first time all day. “Count on it,” you said, lifting a glass.
Across the cantina, Hardcase elbowed Fives. “Told you names matter.”
Fives clinked his mug to Jesse’s. “Here’s to finally being more than numbers.”
And—for a few riotous hours beneath 79’s flickering lights—every soldier of the 501st felt like the only trooper in the Grand Army, thanks to one medic who never forgot a name.
Hiya babes! Hope you’re doing well! Just outta say I absolutely adore your writing and always brings a smile to my face when you post!!
I was hoping you could do an angst fic where it’s the boys reactions to you jumping in front of them taking a hit/bolt. You can choose the clone group! Xxx
Thank you so much — seriously, your kind words mean the world to me!! I’m so glad my writing can bring a little light to your day 💛
I hope you don’t mind that I decided to go with the Wolf pack for this one. I hope you enjoy 🫶
⸻
Reader x 104th Battalion (Wolffe, Sinker, Boost)
⸻
You don’t think. You just move. That’s what instinct does when family is in danger.
The air was thick with heat and cordite, the jungle humid enough to choke on. Blasterfire lit the treeline in wild flashes—red bolts cutting through the green like angry stars. You pressed forward with your saber raised, breath tight in your chest, the Force buzzing like a live wire beneath your skin.
This wasn’t supposed to be a heavy engagement. Just a scouting mission. Routine.
But nothing about war ever stays routine for long.
“Wolffe, move it! You’re exposed!” you shouted, watching him duck behind cover just as two more shots chewed bark over his head.
“Copy that,” Wolffe growled, popping off a few retaliatory blasts. “Boost! Sinker! Sweep the right flank and flush that nest!”
“Already on it!” Boost called from somewhere in the brush.
“We’re getting pinned down out here!” Sinker added, tone sharp but controlled.
You moved closer to Wolffe, saber up, covering his retreat as he repositioned behind the half-blown trunk of a felled tree. The rest of the battalion had spread out, covering the ridgeline, trying to locate the sniper.
That’s when it hit you—the feeling.
The Force spiked.
Time slowed.
A heartbeat ahead of the moment, you felt it: danger, aimed at someone you couldn’t let go.
Wolffe was turning. He wasn’t going to make it in time.
You didn’t think. You just moved.
A leap. A cry. A single instant of instinct and fear and absolute certainty.
And then the bolt hit you square in the back.
Wolffe didn’t register what happened right away. One moment he was turning to call out an order, the next there was a flash of blue, the hum of a saber, and a sickening crack of a body hitting the dirt.
“—[Y/N]?!”
You were lying on your side, smoke rising from your robes, your saber a few meters away, deactivated.
You weren’t moving.
Sinker screamed something wordless over comms. Boost shouted your name.
“MEDIC!” Wolffe was already moving. “Get me a medic now!”
He slid to his knees beside you, hands already tearing open the fabric around the wound, even though he didn’t know what the hell he was doing—just doing. There was too much blood. Too much heat coming off your skin. You were smaller than him, younger, not armored like they were. You were a Jedi, yeah, but also just a kid compared to the rest of them.
His kid. Their kid.
And you’d taken a shot meant for him.
⸻
Hours Later you were in bacta now. Still alive. Barely.
The medics said it was touch and go. The bolt had burned through muscle and clipped something vital. You’d coded once during evac, but they brought you back. Your saber had been returned to Plo Koon, its emitter dented from where it had slammed into the ground.
Wolffe sat in the corner of the medbay, helmet off, armor streaked with dried blood—your blood. He hadn’t moved in two hours.
“Why the hell would she do that?” Sinker muttered, pacing with his helmet tucked under one arm. He was flushed, angry. “We wear armor for a reason. We train for this. She’s a Jedi, not a clone. She’s not supposed to—”
“Be willing to die for us?” Boost cut in, voice tired. “Guess she missed that memo.”
Sinker let out a long, low sigh and scrubbed a hand over his face. “We’re the ones who throw ourselves in front of people. That’s the job. That’s our job.”
Plo Koon stood at your bedside, one hand lightly resting on the glass of the tank. He’d been silent for most of it, his calm presence a strange contrast to the chaos.
“She has always seen you as more than soldiers,” he said gently. “You are her brothers. Her family.”
Wolffe finally spoke, his voice low and rough. “She’s part of the pack. And the pack protects its own.”
“But she nearly died protecting you, Commander,” Boost said. “What does that make us?”
“Alive,” Wolffe answered. “That’s what it makes us. And when she wakes up, she’s going to be reminded that we never leave one of our own behind.”
Sinker stopped pacing, jaw clenched.
“She’s not gonna get off easy for this.”
“Oh, hell no,” Boost muttered. “Soon as she’s conscious, I’m yelling at her.”
“Not before me,” Wolffe said, standing finally. “I’ve got seniority.”
They tried to joke—tried to banter—but it didn’t land. Not yet.
⸻
Your vision was blurry. Everything felt heavy. And sore. So sore.
“Hey—hey! She’s waking up!”
Voices. Familiar. Warm.
You blinked hard. One blurry helmet. Then two. Then a third face appeared—scarred, grim, but so full of relief it almost didn’t look like Wolffe.
“About damn time,” he muttered. “Thought we were gonna have to start arguing over who got to carry your sorry ass out of here.”
You tried to speak, but all that came out was a croaky whisper: “Pack…”
Boost leaned in closer. “Yeah. We’re here.”
Sinker had a hand pressed to your arm, trying not to squeeze too hard. “Don’t you ever do that again.”
You smiled weakly. “Didn’t think about it.”
“No kidding,” Wolffe said, arms crossed now. “You jump in front of another bolt like that and we’re stapling your robes to the floor.”
Plo Koon stepped forward, voice kind and firm. “Rest now, little one. You have done more than enough. The pack is safe. Because of you.”
You let your eyes fall shut again, not from pain this time—but because you knew they were watching over you.
Always would.
me: I write for myself, not validation
also me after posting a fic *refreshes ao3 every five minutes*
(two things can be true)
⸻
The cantina flickered with low, golden light. One of those places where time didn’t move right—where music played like a memory, and everyone spoke a little softer after dark.
You sat on the edge of a cracked booth, legs stretched, nursing a cheap drink you weren’t really drinking. Your armor was off, your hair a mess, and there was still grime on your hands from the skirmish earlier that day. You should’ve been back at the ship, cleaning up or passing out. But you weren’t.
Because he was still here.
Hunter leaned against the bar, arms crossed, talking quietly to the bartender. His bandana was off for once, letting those wild curls fall free around his face. He looked tired—always did—but he still stood like he carried the weight of everyone else’s safety before his own. That kind of burden was its own kind of beauty.
You didn’t realize you were staring until he turned and caught you.
He didn’t look away.
Neither did you.
Eventually, he walked over. Sat across from you without asking, sliding into the cracked booth like it had always been meant for two.
“You okay?” he asked.
You shrugged. “Still got all my limbs.”
He smirked. “That’s a start.”
You studied him under the flickering cantina lights. He was always so composed in battle, so sharp, so focused. But like this, up close and quiet, there was something softer behind his eyes. Something a little tired. A little lonely.
“You’re always looking after everyone else,” you said suddenly, voice low. “Who looks after you?”
Hunter blinked, caught off guard by the question. He looked down, then back at you with a small, dry laugh. “You know… I don’t really think about it.”
“You should.”
You reached out and brushed a thumb across his knuckles—just once, just enough.
He didn’t flinch.
“You’re good looking when you’re not pretending to be indestructible,” you murmured. The words slipped out like a secret.
Hunter tilted his head, smile crooked, eyes watching you like he was trying to decide if he was dreaming or if he just hadn’t let himself want this before.
“You’ve been drinking,” he said.
You held his gaze. “A little. But I’d say it sober.”
He leaned forward, forearms on the table, his voice low and gravelly. “Then say it again.”
You felt your breath hitch, just a little.
“You’re good looking, Hunter,” you said. “But I think I like you even more when you let yourself feel.”
A beat passed. Two. He looked down at your hand, still near his. Then he reached for it—gently, carefully, like something fragile in a war-torn world.
“I think I feel too much when I’m around you,” he said. “And that scares me more than battle ever could.”
You didn’t answer. Just let the silence sit between you—heavy, intimate, real.
The music kept playing. The world outside kept spinning. But for now, it was just the two of you, sitting across from each other like the war had paused. Like the night belonged to people who’d been scarred, and tired, and still dared to want something more.
reference below
Commander Fox x Senator Reader
The return to Coruscant should have felt like a victory.
Instead, it tasted like ashes in your mouth.
You stood before the full Senate chamber — still bruised, still hollow — draped in formal attire that barely hid the exhaustion in your bones.
Commander Cody flanked you silently, your last tether to strength.
Fox was somewhere in the shadows of the Grand Convocation Chamber, helmet tucked under one arm, his gaze burning into you.
You didn’t look at him.
Not yet.
Not yet.
You cleared your throat, and the chatter of the senators died to a low hush.
When you spoke, your voice was steady. Cold. Taught from days of battle and betrayal.
“To the esteemed representatives of the Republic,” you began, inclining your head. “I extend my planet’s gratitude for the forces sent to reclaim our homes from Separatist occupation.”
A murmur of self-congratulation rippled through the stands. You bit the inside of your cheek, holding your fury back.
“However,” you continued, sharp enough that the room froze again, “gratitude does not rebuild cities. It does not heal fields burned by droid armies, nor bring back the lives we lost waiting for help that almost came too late.”
Silence.
Not even Chancellor Palpatine shifted in his high seat.
“My people will need supplies. Infrastructure. Medicine.”
You swept your gaze across them, daring anyone to look away.
“And while we thank you for your soldiers,” — your voice caught, for just a heartbeat — “we will not survive on thanks alone.”
A low ripple of discomfort rolled through the chamber.
You bowed — low, measured, distant — and stepped back from the podium, spine straight even as every movement ached.
Only once you had retreated behind the Senators’ line did your composure slip.
And standing at the edge, waiting like a ghost, was him.
Commander Fox.
Red armor battered, jaw tight, brown eyes pinned on you with a look that you hated — hated — because it wasn’t anger.
It was guilt.
Real and raw.
You walked past him without a word.
But he followed.
In the shadows of the antechamber, where the Senate guards stood discreetly at a distance, you finally turned on him, voice low and cutting.
“You left,” you said.
No title. No honorific. Just that wound laid bare between you.
Fox’s hands clenched at his sides. “I had orders. It wasn’t—”
“It wasn’t your choice?” you bit out, trembling with the force of keeping your voice steady. “And that makes it better? My people died waiting for help that you walked away from.”
He flinched like you’d struck him.
Good. Let him feel it.
Still — Fox didn’t move, didn’t retreat. His voice, when it came, was rough, the words dragged from somewhere deep:
“I wanted to come back.”
“Too late,” you whispered.
You turned away, blinking hard. You wouldn’t cry here. Not where the whole Senate could see you fall apart.
You were stronger than that.
A beat.
Then Fox, softer. “I never stopped thinking about you. Never stopped fighting to come back.”
You swallowed hard, fists curling at your sides.
You didn’t trust yourself to answer.
Not yet.
Maybe not ever.
But as you stalked away, Fox didn’t try to stop you.
He just watched you go — like a man condemned, armor gleaming under the Senate lights, loyal to the end.
Even if you never forgave him.
⸻
The Senate chamber had emptied out slowly — a sluggish, uneasy tide of robes and whispered conversations.
Fox stood back, helmet tucked under one arm, watching from the shadows like a ghost no one dared acknowledge.
He hadn’t moved since she walked away.
Couldn’t.
Footsteps approached, sharp and familiar.
Fox didn’t look up until a voice spoke beside him.
“She’s tougher than any of them give her credit for,” Cody said.
Quiet. Measured. Like he was offering a fact, not an opinion.
Fox exhaled harshly through his nose, jaw tight.
“I know.”
Of course he knew. It was the knowing that gutted him.
Cody shifted his weight, glancing once toward the now-empty Senate floor. His armor still bore scorch marks from the fighting back on her homeworld. A badge of honor, but also a reminder.
“You did what you had to,” Cody said, voice low.
Orders.
The same damn word that haunted all of them.
Fox barked a soft, humorless laugh. “That’s the problem, vod. I always do what I’m ordered to do.”
He looked down at his hands — scarred, steady, good at killing, bad at saving the people who mattered.
There was a long silence between them, the weight of wars and regrets too heavy for easy words.
Finally, Fox cleared his throat, voice rough.
“Thank you.”
Cody blinked, caught off guard by the rawness in Fox’s tone.
“For getting her out,” Fox said. “For keeping your word. When I couldn’t.”
Cody’s face softened just a fraction.
“Wasn’t just duty,” he said. “You think you’re good at hiding it, Fox, but… we all saw it.”
Fox stiffened, but Cody shook his head before he could snap back.
“No shame in it. She’s worth caring about.”
A pause. Then, dryly, “Even if she scares half the Senate out of their robes.”
Fox huffed a quiet, broken laugh.
The first real sound he’d made in hours that didn’t taste like blood and failure.
Cody clapped a hand on his shoulder — a rare gesture between them, heavy with meaning.
“She’s alive,” Cody said. “That’s what matters. The rest… you’ll figure it out.”
Fox wasn’t so sure. But he nodded anyway.
Because loyalty was stitched into their bones.
And Fox had already decided a long time ago, He’d follow her anywhere.
Even if right now, she wouldn’t let him.
⸻
The office was dim, save for the warm, late-afternoon light spilling through the high windows.
It felt too big, too empty — too official.
You hated it.
You paced once, twice, and stared down at the two glasses you’d set out on the table.
A bottle of something strong and expensive waited between them — a peace offering you weren’t sure you deserved to make.
When the door commed quietly, you startled. You knew who it was.
“Enter,” you said, voice steady.
Commander Fox stepped in, helmet tucked under one arm, armor still worn and sharp.
But his whole posture — the tense set of his shoulders, the way his gaze found the floor first — made him look anything but invincible.
You swallowed thickly.
For a moment, neither of you spoke.
You should have prepared something eloquent.
You should have had a speech about duty and forgiveness and whatever politicians were supposed to say.
Instead, what came out was simple. Quiet.
“Sit,” you said, nodding toward the two chairs by your desk.
Fox hesitated — just for a second — then crossed the room with heavy steps and lowered himself into the seat across from you.
You caught the faint scrape of armor against metal.
The way he didn’t meet your eyes.
You picked up the bottle and poured, the soft glug of liquid filling the heavy silence.
When you slid one glass toward him, his hand hovered — a brief flicker of indecision — before he finally took it.
A small, reluctant smile pulled at the corner of your mouth.
“You know,” you said, lightly, “I offered you a drink once before. You refused.”
Fox’s mouth twisted — something like guilt, something like apology.
“I thought… it wouldn’t be appropriate,” he said gruffly.
“And… I didn’t deserve it.”
You sipped your own glass, savoring the burn down your throat.
Maybe neither of you deserved anything. Maybe that wasn’t the point anymore.
“You followed orders,” you said finally. “I know that.”
You set the glass down gently. “I… I just—” You shook your head, frustration knotting your chest. “It was easier to blame you than face what actually happened.”
Fox looked up at that — really looked — and the pain in his dark eyes was almost too much to bear.
“I wanted to come back,” he said, voice raw. “I wanted to fight. I—” He broke off, jaw working. “I thought about you every damn day I was gone.”
The confession punched the air out of the room.
You stared at him, heart thudding against your ribs.
Fox held your gaze, unflinching now, even as the shame and longing twisted over his face.
“You scare me sometimes,” you admitted, so quietly it was almost a whisper.
“Good,” he said without missing a beat, and for the first time in what felt like forever — you laughed.
Soft. Shaky. Real.
Fox’s lips quirked into something small and hopeful.
He raised his glass slightly, like a soldier making a silent vow.
You clinked yours gently against his, the faint tap of glass-on-glass the only sound in the room.
No forgiveness yet. No easy endings.
But for the first time since your world fell apart, something inside you shifted — a thread pulled tight not with anger, but with something else.
Hope.
Maybe loyalty could heal, too.
And Fox — sitting across from you, battered and unbowed — would wait as long as you needed.
Because he had already chosen you.
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