Imma Need You To Cool Down 😂

SAME

It's gone past midnight.

I need to sleep.

I'm thinking about Echo.

😘

Graves of Memories Passed Away

ARC Trooper Echo x Reader Fluff

Summary: Echo was so quiet and kept to himself for a while after he'd been found. But yet, the medic of his team caught his eyes with a energetic personality, booming laughter, bright eyes, and voice of controller chaos. Why did he exactly like you?

Warnings: Just a whole bunch sweet of flashbacks, a bit of angst actually, mentions of Fives' death

GIF NOT MINE!!

•--•

The bar was lively today. Not in the sense that there were a lot of people, but in the sense that everyone was relaxed. You'd all finished your mission yesterday and Cid saw how pent up even you were, so she allowed a small break. But she was happy too, seeing past her grumpy smile was the joking Cid that was enjoying Hunter's company.

But you, oh you were why the whole bar was so lively. At least, that's how Echo saw it. Your laughter was booming across the bar as Wrecker, you and Omega all were playing a card game. That sweet laughter, no wonder he loved you more than anything. Even more than Omega (don't tell Hunter he said that though).

Your mouth was open, teeth showing as you laughed at one of Wrecker's stupid jokes, Omega coming back with someone more clever in return. Smart kid, she always had a good comeback; and a way to make you smile. The top of your nose was scrunched as your eyebrows leaned to press together. Omega was giggling, watching you. His heart melted at the two of you - it always did, seeing the corners of your eyes crease with happiness whenever his little sister cracked a joke. He hoped one day he'd see a sight like that again, with a different kid, one you both named and watched come into the world. One day.

"Why is it that you find her so fascinating?" Tech asked, rubbing his index finger against the glass. He had moved his gaze from the liquid to Echo, a light tilt of his head and a look of pure curiosity. "I figured maybe you'd go for someone more... calm?"

Echo's face was somewhere between shocked and trying to find an answer. There were many answers, but what was one that Tech would like? Multiple, Tech would always want multiple answers, as many as there was.

"I guess- well, have you ever heard the speculation that you love someone that resembles your closest family member in personality?" Echo asked, envisioning Fives laughing at his words and clapping him on the shoulder with a taunt in mind, 'Maybe that's why I always liked the sassy ones!'

Tech looked surprised at that, "No, I've actually never heard that one. But please continue."

Echo cleared his throat, trying to ward off the image of Fives making fun of him for even believing such a stupid quip. "Well, I guess I see a lot of Fives in her. She's so out there and not embarrassed for being seen or heard. She's funny and confident and she just has this feeling of home to her. She's so smart too, hides it behind all that beauty. Fives used to be the same - he was second to you Tech, extremely smart, just was hidden behind his looks and hair."

"Not as smart as Echo though!" you cheered, mouth wide with a smile spread from cheek to cheek. Fives sat there on the other side of the booth in 79's with his eyebrows furrowed from the lack of attention as you sat next to Echo, his arm wrapped around your shoulders tightly.

"I'm as smart as Echo, you just can't see it past this sexxyyy exteriorrr," Fives said, drawing out the two words as he ran his hands playfully up and down his chest. He looked ridiculous, getting more giggles from you.

You returned the gesture by rubbing your hands across Echo's chest, "Echo's sexier than you, loser."

"We both look the same, di'kut."

"Liar, look at him," you reached up and squished Echo's cheeks together, him side-eyeing you with an unamused expression even if you knew he found it funny, "His right eye twitches when you make fun of me. And he's just soooo handsome," you pressed kisses all over his cheek, leaving lip-gloss marks across his tanned skin.

Tech wasn't focused on his drink anymore, his hand being the only thing that suggested he still knew about it. He watched Echo's eyes sparkle as he talked about the two people he loved most; though only one was still with him.

With a smirk, indicating Tech wanted to lose some of the legitimacy of how he usually spoke, he stated, "Of all the memories you've talked about, he's never come off as the smart type."

"He never did."

"We're gonna get in trouble," Echo spoke softly into your ear, making you smirk and turn to capture his lips in a mischievous kiss. When you broke from it, you still had that stupid look on your face; it made his heart flip every time he saw it.

"My sweet Echo, we'll be fine, you were the one that said you were hungry," you whispered back, giggling sweetly as you snuck through the kitchen on Kamino. Fives had found a back entrance that was always locked - lucky for the Domino Twins, Echo had a hot girlfriend that could lock pick. Fives' words exactly.

Echo grumbled, "I don't want you in trouble cause I was hungry."

"Can you guys stop initiating a reproductive ritual right now, I'm hungry as fuck!" Fives whisper-yelled.

"Watch your mouth vod."

"'Watch your mouth vod.'" Fives mocked back, holding up his hand like it was a sock puppet to make the pretend Echo talk in a high-pitched voice. That earned a slap to the arm by your Arc Trooper boyfriend.

"What did you mean by she 'has a feeling of home to her'? I do not understand what that entails."

Echo looked back at the girl he had loved for years and years. She'd always been there, by his side, telling him how much she loved him, how she felt about him, what he meant to her. For someone that looked like the most basic clone ever made, she loved Echo more than she had loved anyone. All those rotations, alone with only the men that had always been around her. She'd lost a lot but she still waited for him, even when Fives died, her hope almost gone, she waited.

"Echo, can we talk?" you sweet voice rung through his head as he turned around. You invited him over, cooked dinner for the two of you and laughed with him the entire night. The absence of Fives was weird, Echo wasn't used to Y/n completely leaving Fives out of a hangout night, but he didn't question anything.

Echo saw you, hair blowing in the wind, covered in a hoodie that was way too large for you with shorts he had to strangle himself not to admire. The clone got up, walking over to you and looking at you with curious eyes. You looked so tiny and nervous with your bottom lip quivering as you looked at him. You didn't look upset though, you just looked like you were about to explode if you didn't see him.

"I- I think that I love you," you whispered, reaching up to rest your hand on his cheek. He'd know you for months, laughed with you forever, been your partner in crime since the day you had met. The feeling of your soft skin resting on his face, breeze blowing against him.

Echo moved his hands to your waist, holding you in his hands like you were made of glass, "Mesh'la, I've.. I believe I've always loved you."

The kiss he was sucked into killed him. Destroyed him. If Echo ever left you, he'd never love again and he believed that with all of his heart. The moment you two shared completely ruined him, he didn't believe there was love other than this. He'd be destined to live out life with you till he died.

"It means that I love her. You'll understand, trust me. Everyone deserves to understand."

You dropped your datapad on the floor, making a loud sound across the hangar. You looked at Echo with a sadness he had never seen you wear. You were so happy all that time ago. But then Fives had left you, the only person who soothed the pain to numbness.

Tears rose, turning your eyes into glossy marbles. You ran at him, maybe with the armor on it would be a heavy hit, but you gave up all sense of logic. Hitting him hard, you clung to him, arms around his neck. But he did what he knew best; Echo caught you in his arms, your feet barley touching the ground as he hid his face in your neck.

You were real. He felt Hunter staring at him but he didn't care. His girl was alive. When Echo let you back on your feet, you held his arms with soft fingers. You were crying, the skin around your eyes red and damp and your nose also red and irritated.

"Echo, my Echo, I knew you'd be alive."

"I did promise you that I wouldn't go anywhere," Echo joked, smiling so wide, tears threatening his own eyes. He felt safe, the least tense he'd been in forever.

"So uhhhh, are we getting a new teammate?" Wrecker asked, voice booming from behind the two of you.

"I hope so," Tech responded, taking a sip out of his glass, "Though it's not likely."

Echo only laughed, shaking his head at the stubborn nerd. 'You also thought it was,' Fives teased before fading into the background as he always did when Echo's thoughts stopped rushing around. They'd stopped a lot recently, ever since the day you first referred to the Havoc as home.

•--•

Masterlist

Ima be real. My heart breaks for Tech. I always felt like Echo and him were besties, now all I can see is Tech in the pilot's seat turning about to ask Echo something only for Tech to go quiet cause the co pilots seat is empty.

☆ sleepover saturday ☆

i wanna talk to you guys a little, so come at me:

rant/vent/complain about something that bothers you

have you ever..?

confess something/tell me a secret

would you rather..?

unpopular opinions

ask for advice (and i’ll do my best to be helpful lol)

tell me about your crush or best friend (or both)

ask me personal questions

tell me what you like most about yourself

make me choose between..

tell me about your dreams

send me headcanons

my top 5 of whatever

send me puns, jokes, and memes

your favourite fictional character and why you love them

send me recs (movies, books, anime, fics, music etc.)

ask me for recs (…)

fuck, marry, kill

tell me about your pet (or post pics of them and tag me :D)

…… 

these are just some suggestions that came to my mind right now, so feel free to send me whatever! and feel free to reblog if you want to have a sleepover too ☆

HELLO FRIEND!!! Big congrats on the milestone, well deserved and such a fun idea!

I am humbly requesting…

Just the Way You Are by Billy Joel with Echo! You can choose whether he’s TCW or TBB. Hopefully this song can inspire some mushy gushy romance!

🌝❤️

Thank you so much! Okay soo...this got mushy, gushy, romancy and just a titty bit depressy.

I blame the hormones

Also Echo now has the longest fic 🤣 he beat Jesse

good news! you get both Echos!!!

warning: not feeling well bout self-image

Just the Way You Are

Echo x Reader

Echo huffed as you blubbered on and on. You were barely making coherent words at this point and had stopped making sense hours ago. Your beloved trooper had long since stopped trying to stop you from crying and had decided to just comfort you as you worked through what was bothering you.

In hindsight, he could have seen this coming. You'd been more critical of your appearance, more unsure of yourself and your thoughts, opinions and decisions. You'd been talking about changing your hair and you'd been more watchful of other ladies and how they were.

Echo shook his head and pulled you in close, tucking your head under his chin and rocking you gently back and forth. The two of you were on your shared bed and you were currently in just your undergarments. Your sorrow-burned flesh pressed up against his comforting bronze one. The two of you had just taken turns in the shower and were about to go to bed when this came about. When Echo caught you hatefully looking at your reflection.

"Mesh'la..." he cooed only to get a weak slap

"I am not" you grouched through your cries

"You are" he echoed stubbornly "I have never seen anything as beautiful as you."

He nuzzled his cheek against your crown as you squirmed spitefully. But your weak spiteful lashing out was less frightening to the ARC trooper than a tooka was. So with a soft scoff he held onto you tighter

"Who told you that you weren't? You're my beautiful Cyare...I'll fuck them up"

The words made a small smile sneak onto your lips for a moment before you willed yourself to stay upset. You didn't want to giggle at how silly he sounded saying such profanity, you wanted to wallow until you felt better

Echo let his body drop to the side onto the mattress, taking yours with him as a squeak erupting from your lips, and crawled above you.

You shrunk into the matress as he caged you between his beautiful bare torso and the soft sheets

"Hmm...?" he hummed as his hand smoothed over your thigh "Who said these thighs were anything but heaven?"

Your face burned and you shied away from the intensity in his gaze as his hand continued up.

"This soft belly? Who told you it wasn't comfortable and adorable?" his hand ghosted across your stomach eliciting your flesh to pebble "Or these perfect  breasts? I will not stand for my favourite spot to lay against being talked about poorly"

You squirmed as his hand caressed the swells of flesh on your chest before his touch danced across your collar

"Here? Are you sure they weren't complaining about all the marks I leave instead? Mmm?"

"I-I..." you glanced away feeling small and flustered as the blush coated your ears and reached the top of your breasts

"It couldn't be this face. The face that is nothing short of artwork" he whispered with a tender gaze. As if the very idea someone thought ill of you would cause him to shatter and turn to dust.

You began to cry anew under his praise and adoration. But your boyfriend only wrapped his arms around you and peppered you with sweet, gentle kisses

"I love every tiny inch of you..." he murmured against your lips before he pressed a kiss there "Don't wish to be anything than what you are...I love you just as you are. I'll prove it, and I'll prove it to you over and over until you can't even think a single inkling of a thought like those ever again" he swore as he lowered hinself against you and pulled the blankets up to cover yourselves for the events to come.

You yawned as you felt the lack of presence beside you in bed. You blinked your bleary eyes about the room in confusion.

Everyone else was still asleep and in their beds...so where was Echo?

"Cockpit" Hunter mumbled turning over.

He must've been woken up when Echo left and noticed your sleepy confusion.

You nodded and, with wobbly legs, stumbled across the room to the door but not before patting the sergeant on the shoulder in thanks as you passed him.

You yawned again and shuffled into the cockpit to find your lover huddled in the pilot's seat. Legs drawn up and face turned towards the sky.

It had been a long time since Echo and you had been first reunited, after the incident with the techno union that left him altered and strange. You were so happy to see him, you hadn't even looked at him past your mind registering 'Echo's alive' until much later that evening when he kept shying way from your touch.

You had begged Hunter to let you go with them, even if all you did was stay on the ship until they were done their missions, until the poor man was ready to combust from frustration. He'd reluctantly agreed at the time, but since had become a good friend like the rest of his brothers.

It took a long time for Echo to let you back near him and while things were as close to normal as they probably ever would be...situations like this would arise.

With a frown, you softly padded your way to Echo being careful not to spook him either. You neared the chair and hummed to announce yourself before draping yourself across his back

"Echo, honey...this isn't the bed" you whispered teasingly

He chuckled and reached up with his hand to pat the arm wrapped around his shoulders

"I know"

You both fell into silence as he continued to look out the front window. You leaned over and kissed his temple, mindful of the machinery that crawled across the back of his skull and over his ears.

"Talk to me" you implored with a hushed tone

"You know" he answered, his voice matching your own

Tears welled up as you clung tighter to him. Of course you knew what bothered him.

How could you not??

"I...I can't take care of you the same..." he began glancing down at the scomp that replaced his right hand "I can't hold you like I used to...I can't love you like I could bef-"

"Now that's utter nonsense" you hushed him kissing his cheek

"Mesh'la plea-"

"No, you listen to me" you rushed out letting go and spinning around to kneel before him.

Amber eyes watched you with caution, shifting about your face and stance, unsure of what you were going to say and looking absolutely terrified to find out.

Your hands delicately settled on his thighs as your teary eyes stared up at him lovingly. Your heart broke seeing his distress, your thumbs rubbing circles into the flesh that laid hidden and scarred underneath the fabric of his bottoms

"Who told yo-you...-" you choaked out

"What...?" his eyebrow cocked at your words, confused by them but concerned by your tears

"Who told y-you these perfect, strong, thighs were anything but that...?" you managed out with a sad smile.

You let your hands drag up his thighs slowly and delicately, your body leaning forward into his lap as you did.

"Who tol-told you that this skin was anything but flawless...?" your fingers trailed up his now pale stomach to his chest where you placed a gentle peck.

You could see his own eyes begin to water as recognition crossed his face

"Hmmm? Who told you that?" you whispered reaching for his hand and turning it over in your grasp.

You kissed his palm then each knuckle while looking sadly yet lovingly at him

"Who told you that this beautiful hand wasn't capable of doing anything and everything that most men couldn't even do with two?"

You gently let go of his hand and traced your left hand up over his collar and down his left arm. You took his robotic forearm and placed a tender kiss to the scomp that was now his hand

"Who said this wasn't the most amazing thing I've ever seen?" you leaned forward to press kisses across the scarred skin that connected the metal to flesh.

He hiccupped out your name as the tenderness in your words began to do him in.

You pulled yourself up into his lap trailing kisses up his neck, jaw and to his temple.

"Wh-who told you that these pretty little lights weren't my favourite spot to stare at? Hm...?"

You voice wavered as a couple tears slipped past your defenses, your lips pressing feather light kisses to the machinery and each little circle nearby

"Who told my Echo that...? Who? Who am I hurting...?" you murmured, lips just a hair away from his own.

The two of you stared at one another, both with bleary vision, before Echo surged forward. Arms wrapped around you and pulled you close as lips feverishly engulfed your own. The two of you sharing a kiss that held so many complex emotions all at once

"You're perfect...just, just the way you are. I love you so much" you whimpered into your kisses as he pulled you impossibly closer. Your fingers tugged at his frame.

You'd prove it.

You'd prove to him just how perfect he was. And then you'd prove it everyday, every hour if you had to. Until he never thought this way again.

You silently promised it as your bodies melded tight to one another.

Tags: @blueink-bluesoul @starrylothcat @wolffegirlsunite @sinfulsalutations @idontgetanysleep @sunshinesdaydream @clonemedickix @anxiouspineapple99 @deejadabbles @dystopicjumpsuit

99 -> 100 Celebration

Senate Party - Echo Ending

Warnings: Reader gets hit on by a rich asshole. Said asshole tries to insult Echo. You’re not having it.

Link to Part 1

You reached out for the dress you’d gravitated to most. Compared to the others it may have seemed a bit plain, but you just loved the color and the feel of the fabric. 

After putting it on you began to notice some of the more subtle embellishments and beautiful craftsmanship. The neckline that you liked so much was all you thought it would be. You twirled a bit, watching as the flowing fabric twirled just above the ground. You couldn’t stop the smile that spread across your face. 

This one felt right to you. You could move freely, and yet you still felt beautiful. 

With a jolt you realized that the dress was the same color Echo had chosen to embellish his outfit. You found yourself thinking of him more and more lately. You tried to shake any further thoughts from your head. 

With a calming breath and one last look in the mirror, you opened the door.

Keep reading

Echo - Bad Batch Conflict

Was thinking about the J. Corbett interview about Echo's conflict with The Batch (pic below) and it made me realise something.

It's clear that the Regs are more pro-rebellion that the rest of CF 99 and I think it has to do with how "protected" The Batch were in comparison to other clones.

Because of their enhanced abilities, Nala Se and the rest of the Kamimoans wanted to make sure that they stayed in good condition so they didn't lose important work. When The Batch had the training assessment and Tarkin used live rounds, they were worried about the clones being damaged, and while Echo is there, I think they were more concerned about the other four.

But that means that CF 99 grew up knowing that they were important (and this is probably where Crosshair's supremacist viewpoints came from) while the rest of the clones were told that they were expendable. It doesn't matter if you lose a reg because there are millions of them, but you can't lose an enhanced clone.

Rex and Echo are regs. They had to endure this "you're just a number" mindset and I think that's why they're more willing to put themselves in situations like the Rebellion.

Hunter wants to make sure that his men are protected and looked after (and so does Rex) but for Hunter that means moving away from his problems. Putting themselves in situations where they're are not hunted in order to protect themselves because they are important. They know they are because they've been told it their entire lives.

Echo and Rex on the other hand grew up without that mindset. They probably think more along the lines of "well it doesn't matter if I die, so I might as well die protecting other people" because if they go, they'll just be replaced with another reg.

It makes sense that CF 99 are more likely to put their safety above helping other people because they've been told that they're needed and special. But Echo and Rex were raised to be expendable and so are less worried about getting hurt. They're just going to do their job.

I'm really interested to see what they do with this conflict and see where it goes.

I’m glad I’m not the only person who took a screenshot this clip 😂

I recorded it and played it in slow motion because Echo getting on has me going like “🤔🤪💕”

I already love this <3

For some reason the three of them perched on a box just really makes me happy. 😊

Source: Screenshot from the new Bad Batch teaser dropped by Disney

S02 E16 vs S01 E08

Transparency

A Bad Batch one shot

Pairing: Tech x GN!Reader

Warnings: SFW, mildly-descriptive injury, jealous reader, “I thought it was obvious” Tech, ex-Jedi reader, mutual pining

Summary: Y/n has had feelings for Tech for a long time, but they refuse to tell him. One day, the Bad Batch enlists the help of a bounty hunter for a mission for Cid. This bounty hunter is quite the flirt with Tech, and that really messes with y/n. Eventually y/n confides in Echo, who convinces them to speak with Tech.

Word count: 7.2k

Disclaimer: this was originally posted on my other blog @thereforepizza

"For as sketchy as this planet is, these fries are phenomenal."

Wrecker hums in agreement, his mouth full of them. Omega giggles and eats another fry. A gesture for silence from you causes Omega to focus as you grin devilishly. You wait until Wrecker shoves more of the food into his face hole. In a blink, you send a tickle attack at his side. He spits out the fries and falls out of his chair. The crash, heard by everyone, turns all eyes to your group of three. Omega roars with laughter, breaking the tense silence.

"Ha ha, very funny.” The gentle giant rolls his eyes. "I'll getcha back,"

“You declaring war, big man?"

Wrecker stands his chair up slowly and takes a long sip from his drink. You nearly miss the twinkle in his eye before he shoots out an ice cube that hits you square in the face. Gawking, you stand straight up.

“Oh, it's on—"

Not long later, the three of you stand in front of Hunter. Though he isn't technically the sergeant anymore, no one dares disappoint him. That's why none of you can look him in the eye, food and drink staining your civvie clothes.

"Someone wanna explain this to me?"

"Hunta, I gotta tell ya.” Wrecker puts both hands on his hips and puffs his chest out. "The owner was wayyyy too sensitive."

"We didn't break anything." You add this while picking a fry off of Omega's shirt and tossing it aside.

The kid laughs. "You shoulda seen Wricka's face when y/n threw a whole dish 'a ice cream on him!"

You and Wrecker simultaneously shush her. She smiles sheepishly. Hunter's look of disappointed hits harder than a well-planned punishment could, but behind him stands Echo, whose tight lips and glistening eyes fail to hide his amusement.

Hunter sighs. "You got kicked out of the diner, we'll have to pay for any damages caused," He hushes you with a look before you can argue, "and you're going to delay the briefing. Echo," He calls without looking back, "How dirty is the cargo bay?"

"Filthy,"

Wrecker and Omega groan, but you hold your composure, having learned a lesson long ago about complaining to a senior officer.

“I think Wrecker has some free time this weekend for that after this mission is finished.” He turns to Omega. "Tech has more to teach you about the ship's schematics. And y/n.” He raises his brow at you. “Cid has a few too many chores around here that might need attended to this weekend."

That's enough to make you show disgust on your face. It's not that you don't like to be around Cid... but you really hate being around her. Her force signature is laced with dodgy energy. Not to mention her gripey attitude about every little thing. Hunter seems satisfied with this and relaxes his stern expression.

"After all of this.” Hunter finally lets his shoulders slouch a bit. "Who won?" You smirk.

"Oh, it was definitely me, Sarge,"

Wrecker tuffed. “Nuh-uh! I got the last hit in!"

"But who ended up with more food on them? Not me,"

"Alright, you three. That's enough. Get cleaned up so Cid can brief us on the next mission, and make it quick."

On your way out, you shove Wrecker and dodge his rejoiner to irritate him. It works, and he chases you to the door before Hunter calls both of your names and tells you to straighten up. Like little kids, you saunter outside and return to the banter once out of sight.

"Another food fight?" Tech says as you approach the shuttle. It looks like he is completing the pre-mission systems check.

"Y/n started it!” Wrecker points at you, quickly followed by Omega's agreement.

Tech nods. “I assume you finished it then, Wrecker?"

You chortle, climbing up the steps of the Marauder. "The owner of the restaurant finished it."

After cleaning up, you wait in Cid's parlor for the final arrival to show face before the briefing can begin. It turns out, Hunter's prediction is wrong. The one holding up the briefing isn't a part of your main crew. You seat yourself next to Tech at the bar and ask him about the ship's status. Simple small talk, which neither of you are phenomenal at, but you had made an agreement a while back to practice on each other to improve the skill. Today's subject is simple, so it doesn't take long to cover.

He turns to you after the previous topic is exhausted. "Y/n, I've had the intention of speaking with you about something rather serious,"

"Oh, no--did I break something?"

He smiles at the attempted humor, then opens his mouth to reply just as a tall figure enters the room. You both turn to watch the rugged woman stride to Hunter and offer her hand in greeting. The corners of Tech's lips turn down just a little bit, but you notice the wheels turning behind his eyes.

"What were you gonna say? You probably have time before the briefing..."

"No—it can wait," He says, getting up. "We do need to begin the meeting. This is a time sensitive operation." You stand and follow him to the rest of the group.

"This is Hunter, your team leader," Offers Cid. "I'm sure you know everything about everyone here, but you might wanna act like you don't so ya don't scare 'em away. They're like scared little bugs when someone knows a little more than they want them to. Trust me."

The newcomer chuckles and scans everyone. Her eyes linger on Tech as she smirks. "How's the weather up there, brown eyes?"

He tilts his head at her. "Seeing as I am only a few centimeters taller than the average height in the room, I would presume it is the same as at your level. On a different note, my mutations objectively are aimed at my brain. Iris pigmentation was not affected in any way when I was..."

"Explain it later, Goggles. We've got a briefing to get through. Go ahead and explain your brilliant plan." Tech eyes Cid for her accentuation of the word, but gives no further attention to her.

It's a standard product retrieval aside from the bounty hunter, whom you come to learn is named Portia, that is paid to help out for her experience dealing with this sect of pirates. She is impressive to look at, even making you feel meager, though you yourself are relatively tall. Her eyes are piercing and her lips thin. You notice her insanely intensive expressions as Tech speaks about the details of the mission and that her eyes rarely leave him. She doesn't take the time to observe the others—only Tech. For some reason that you don't understand, she strikes some kind of nerve in you.

"A recap," Tech says, looking up from the hologram blueprints of the ship. "Wrecker and y/n will quietly go to the bridge so that they can make a distraction and set the charges. From there while Echo and I disable the alarm systems. Once we are finished, Hunter and Portia will retrieve the item. We will all meet back at the Marauder in the hangar afterwards. It should take only an hour at most, and we'll be off their ship before the pirates have realized what happened.

"Unfortunately for you, Omega," Tech continues. "this mission is too high risk, and your bounty too high. You will stay on the shuttle for the entirety of the time and keep it ready for a quick takeoff."

Omega's disappointed is evident, but she keeps quiet and stoic, mimicking Hunter's stance per usual. After the briefing, you follow Tech to leave, feeling the cold look from Portia as you do, but something in you needs to guard him from her prying eyes. Is it the way she looks at him? Is the Force trying to warn you of something? Regardless, you don't waver, and instead, strike up a conversation with Tech. It appears that Tech missed the movement, but Hunter didn't. He meets your eyes with a frown but you don't respond.

The ride out to open space is awkward. No one knows what to say with the tension between the crew and Portia, who is oblivious to the dynamic change. Eventually, everyone but the pilot heads out of the cockpit to make an attempt at striking conversation over the blueprints of the ship. When Tech enters the room after the jump to hyperspace, you eye Portia, who greets the genius with a nod. He pauses and returns a similar gesture before turning his attention to his datapad.

"Well," says Portia. Her silky voice makes you tense. "Seeing that we have so much time to spend, why don't we use it to get to know each other? After all, you wouldn't be able to have a workable team if you didn't trust everyone, right? You'd fear betrayal."

The air goes cold. Each Batcher's eyes tell the same story: Crosshair. You recall the hatred in his heart even as you parted on the platform on Kamino. Before this, you might have considered it, but now you have no desire in getting to know Portia, nor do you want her to know you. But a part of you is curious about how she ticks. You want to understand where her interest in Tech comes from, and you want to know if it's her personality that dissuades you or something unseen. Your chest grows heavy at the thought of betrayal, so you shake your head and look her in the eye.

"Didn't work very well last time I tried to understand a shady individual, so I'm not interested. I'm sure the boys would love to get to know you though."

Portia's eyes widen, suddenly aware that she has struck the wrong chord. "Oh, I worded that horribly. I uh... read about him when learning about your team. I'm so very sorry that that happened. The horrors of war..."

You nod, jaw clenched. You can still sense Crosshair's pain from somewhere in the galaxy if you focus enough. The one whom you all called brother. You look at Wrecker, whose eyes are downcast. Out of everyone, Crosshair's demise hurt him the most. His sadness cries out for reconciliation in the force.

Hunter clears his throat. "We would appreciate it if you didn't mention him again."

"Not a problem. I'm sorry it went there,"

Everyone sits in silence, Portia now fidgeting awkwardly. After what seemed a lifetime, Hunter speaks up again. "Tech, why don't you teach Portia the mods you've made to the shuttle in case things go south? Omega, go listen in. You might get something out of it."

The genius nods and leaves with the bounty hunter and child in tow. Once the door hisses closed, Hunter straightens and looks directly at you. It doesn't take special senses to know he is confused. Echo and Wrecker exchange a glance behind him, Wrecker shrugging.

"What's with you today, y/n? You were fine till she showed up." He comes closer, talking quietly. "You sensing something we need to be worried about?"

You hum, shaking your head. Then with pause, you say, "It's something about her... I dunno. It probably isn't a threat." You gaze briefly shifts to Echo, whose eyes seem to be looking through your skull and directly into your brain. An involuntary nose-scrunch registers on your face before you can stop it.

"If anything, and I mean anything makes you think we need to abort the mission, I expect you to tell me. Until then, you'd better put what ever this is," He gestures to all of you, "away so your attitude doesn't affect this op."

"Yes, sir," you say. Hunter sighs and returns to his brothers.

To pass the time, and hopefully to sway your mood, you decide to to to the cockpit and join the three. Omega is listening intently as Tech explains certain controls to Portia, who stands by, making an occasional reply to prove she is paying attention. She acknowledges your presence and Tech turns, doing the same.

All of what the nerd is telling Portia is complete nonsense to you. You fly through experience and hours of training. Not once have you wished you knew the name of every instrument and toggle. Tech, of course, hates this, and takes every opportunity he can to get you to learn alongside Omega, but you have one advantage that the kid doesn't: you know how to distract the man.

Smiling, you sit in one of the chairs, spinning it back and forth a little as you recall one of the many instances you've gotten out of a specs lesson. This one happened by your asking Tech to tell you about the most prominent worldview of the planet you were fixing to visit. It took him a full hour to realize that you were no longer discussing the Havoc Marauder, but by then it was far too late to circle back.

You tune back into reality as Portia leans against Tech to adjust one of the controls, and your brows furrow. Was that necessary? No, you realize as she takes a little too long to leave his space, making eye contact with him the whole time. Definitely not necessary. She smiles. His cheeks flush as he mutters an apology. Your stomach turns.

Frustrated, you turn to a datapad to read up on the news, watching for certain names or anything that might be of interest. Your eyes are glued to the screen but you take in none of the information. After a few minutes, you glance back up at the two. It seems like they've finished talking about the shuttle.

They're speaking casually now about some of the planets they've both visited. Small talk. You taught him that. You tear your eyes from the sight and back to the datapad, replaying Hunter's instruction in your mind. The longer you sit there hearing them talk so freely, the hotter your temper becomes. You have to do a check of yourself, wondering where the sudden mood has come from. Crosshair doesn't hold a light to the way you're brooding.

The best course of action, you realize, is to leave. They don't need this negativity before a mission. You bid them farewell and leave. As you're passing through the main compartment of the shuttle, Hunter gives you a questioning look, but you shake your head as if to say, "Not now," and go to the back of the ship.

As you lie in your bunk, staring at the wall, one thing keeps drifting to your mind: the way Tech was looking at Portia. His eyes followed her, studying her. Like she is a masterpiece. You force your mind back to the plan. Back to the mission. The one that might earn your team enough credits to repay the debt to Cid. It is imperative that you don't let your focus wane even for a moment, but a strange fear keeps you on edge. One that says that you might lose your place on the team. One that says you might lose Tech. It doesn't make sense. One can't lose someone that they don't have, and one can't have someone that they don't first take a risk to become vulnerable with. You have never done such a thing, so you don't deserve to be jealous. That doesn’t change the fact that you are.

You get up an hour later, having somehow fallen asleep. As you mosey to the cockpit you pass by a napping Wrecker and Portia, who has her nose buried in a datapad. She smiles as you walk past, but you give no rejoin. You sit in the cockpit with Hunter, Omega, and Tech, listening to the hum of the shuttle. Every once and a while one of them will talk, but it's pretty rare. You keep your eyes on the stars until the object of the op comes into view.

With everyone suited up, Tech stealthily lands the shuttle in the hangar of the pirate ship. You split up into your groups and Tech gives one final rundown of the plan. You and Wrecker are the first to head out, and you do so with caution, bidding the rest good luck.

You and Wrecker make your way to the bridge swiftly, dodging bad guys. You lead the way because Wrecker mysteriously forgot to memorize the path on the schematics you were given days ago. Distractions come easy to the big guy, but your job is to get him to his soap box with utmost discretion. There are a few times you bump into a straggler and have to silence him with a wave of your hand, but by some miracle, you and Wrecker remain unnoticed. Once at the bridge, you pause on either side of the door, recomposing yourselves. You count down from three with one hand and hold your blaster at the ready in the other.

At zero, you cover Wrecker as he blasts through the door with an excited shout. In an instant, the ship is ablaze with fire and lights. Once Wrecker brings his part of the plan to full fruition, Echo announces his move on the comms.

You take out a few more pirates before ushering Wrecker to take over so you can set the charges. "Watch my back,"

"Don't have ta ask me twice!"

You rush into the bridge and unshoulder your pack which is stock full of charges, placing them on the panels. At this point in the plan, Hunter and Portia will have already arrived at the package's location, and Echo and Tech should be close to reaching the bridge.

You and Wrecker hold the bridge, which takes a lot of firepower and banter. The rank for who gets the most impressive kills is constantly wavering and the both of you stay tied for the majority of the time. You know you would win if Wrecker and you hadn't agreed that you couldn't use the force to throw people around in circles anymore. Soon Tech and Echo arrive, and the former sends Echo to work at the control panel to steal information to sell to Cid.

Tech turns to you in a moment of relative silence. "Has everything gone according to plan?"

"Y/n keeps cheating.” Wrecker grumbles.

"I do not!" You call to the big man whose back is to you now. "Anyway... yes. Everything's gone suspiciously well. Your preparation has paid off."

"As I expected," Tech nods, looking down at his datapad. "We should return soon. Hunter and Portia will be needing our help to reach the Marauder."

Echo jogs over to your group with a nod. "Alright, Tech. That's everything,"

"Good!" Wrecker comments. "I was gettin' bored. These pirates aren't as fun as the seppies,"

"You're always bored unless you have something to blow up," you nudge the big guy on your way out the door.

"Hahaha, I knew you understood me!"

"Let's return to the Marauder," Tech orders, cutting short your conversation. "Echo, take the lead. I'll cover the rear,"

Your group heads out far less discretely than you'd arrived. Tech informs everyone that a few of the doors are rigged by the pirates to close and lock up after sensing someone pass through. That feature is an unexpected consequence of the intruder alert sounding before Tech could disable it. This could either split the group or take out a couple of you. You follow Wrecker closely, ready for anything, feeling for any of these contraptions on the doors you pass through.

Having met minimal conflict and none of these traps by the time you reach the hangar doors, Echo turns to Tech and says, "I guess we've been pretty lucky, huh?"

“Please don't jinx us, Echo.” You pout. "We're so close."

"Jinx us? That would require luck—which doesn't exist, according to the likes of you." Though you can't see him, you know that he's winking at you. You stick out your tongue, knowing, of course, that he won't see it, but the intention is the important part.

A crash sounds from just ahead followed by a loud curse and the boys freeze but you instinctively move to action. The door ahead is slammed closed on Wrecker. He groans beneath the weight. With an outstretched arm, you usher the force to wedge the doors open and Wrecker lurches free on the other side. Your mind isn't as strong as it once was—with having little opportunity to practice these skills. You shout at the other two to get through as you hold the huge doors ajar, and Echo rushes through. Tech is shooting at more pirates.

Portia's forceful voice calls from the hangar, "You two need to get in here!" You huff and shoot her a glare. Your arms begin to shake from exertion, the doors weighing more heavily on you each second.

"We cannot leave anyone alive who has seen y/n's abilities, Portia. This wave is almost complete," Tech says, firing several more rounds.

"Use the force against them, then!"

"That would seem--rather difficult at the moment.” You strain, keeping every last bit of mindfulness on those blasted doors.

"Tech, fall back so y/n can shut the door. We'll cover you--" From nowhere, Portia rushes forward, cutting Echo off, to grab the backs of both Tech's and your armor. You try to hold your ground but lose your footing and exhaustion hits you in a wave.

"Portia, don't break her..." In a burst of weariness, you fall to your knees, giant doors slamming shut. "Concentration," Tech finishes, voice low. The annoyance in his eyes flashes before he refocuses and continues firing on the opposition. "We need to regroup three corridors to the left, where another entrance to the hangar is, but that seems to be where most of the pirates are coming from. Follow me--this way."

Tech takes off, informing the others of his plan over the comms. You gather your strength as quickly as possible, head beginning a torrent of pain. As you reflect while jogging directly behind Tech, you make a mental note to quit ignoring opportunities to meditate. Your group meets few pirates along the route Tech is taking you, but the issue is that his directions are leading you in the exact opposite way you need to be going. Years of experience in the Bad Batch gives you trust in the genius clone, but you worry Portia will be feeling uneasy with this path. Predictably, she speaks up.

“Sweet Techie, what the kriff are we doing? Do you know where you’re taking us?”

"I have studied this ship's schematics rigorously. If I am wrong, this path will lead us directly to the cargo bay which might easily be opened to jettison us into the vacuum of space, should the pirates locate us." Tech pauses to spare a glance at the bounty hunter and concludes. "But I'm rarely wrong."

After a few turns and a lot of stray pirates, your group reaches an empty hallway. Tech stops and turns to you, saying, "Now that your secret is out, would you please remove the cover for the air intake?"

"As you wish." You nod, grimacing at the exhaustion in your own voice. You gently set the vent cover against the wall and then launch those two up and into the ceiling, following them shortly after.

The maze of air ducts is large enough for you all to crawl through, but as evidenced by her hesitation, it takes a special kind of faith for Portia to follow Tech through the confines. "Hey Tech, I realize that this is a sound plan and all, but how much of this are we going to have to go through?"

“About the same distance as the halls we just traversed,"

"I suppose it's alright, Techie," says Portia. "The more time spent with you, the better."

He takes a moment to respond with a simple "thank you."

After an eternity, you arrive at the hangar. The heavy sounds of blaster fire lights up the ducts and you quickly open the air vent to allow Tech to go through it. Before he does, he refers to you. "There's no possible outcome that will offer a safe retreat if they discover who you are, y/n. You know what will happen,"

"I know.” You watch as Tech leaps out of the air duct.

Portia's voice fills in the silence. "So you are a Jedi, huh?"

"A common misconception," You counter. "No, Portia. I'm no Jedi. This is not a time for the Jedi, nor will there likely be again."

“No need to get all philosophical on me there, space wizard. 'No' would've worked just as well."

You squint at her as she descends from the vent but decide to soften her fall, following after. As it happens, Tech had led you to the other side of the hangar away from the firefight. He waits behind a few crates so that you and Portia can catch up. Blaster at the ready, you interpret his hand signals telling you to watch his back as he makes his way to the ship. You tell Portia to go with him and he agrees, though it takes a moment for the bounty hunter to catch on.

Once ready, they take off and you stay behind to cover them with blaster fire. Hunter comms, "Nice of you all to finally join the party."

"Thanks for having us," you reply, taking out a couple of stray pirates.

All is well until you feel a presence creep up behind you. You turn just as a very ugly pirate slams something blunt across your helmet. World spinning, you struggle to get to your feet, wondering where time went. He steps on you and kicks your blaster away, then he kneels and removes your helmet, saying, "What do we 'ave here? A nice little pet got seperated from the pack, 'ey?"

You laugh, spitting a bit of blood on his face, "You chose the wrong description there, buddy."

His nose breaks easily under your fist and you throw him to the ground. Without a second thought, you shoot him in the head and move on. The world is still a little hazy as you run to the shuttle so you take a second to focus and locate the rest of the boys. Tech says the shuttle is ready for dispatch, so those two have made it. Hunter is at the front of the line against the pirates and Echo and Wrecker are flanking him. Easy.

The boys begin to retreat and you stand near the Marauder to cover them as they arrive. Echo and Hunter make it aboard and are waiting on a trigger happy Wrecker to follow. You turn to the big man just as someone shouts.

"Detonator!"

Instantly you turn and catch the explosive as it flies at you. To your horror, it beeps its last. With all the strength you can muster, you hold it up with the force and contain the explosion. The energy from the blast is immaculate. What feels like years follow as you try to move the bomb away from the ship while still holding in the ball of fire. The pressure like a dying star threatens to break you as you strain.

"Throw it! Throw it, y/n, I'll cover you!"

Your resolve snaps and you throw the growing flame just as Wrecker tackles you.

. . .

Tech's distinct, comforting voice echoes through the room, waking you from darkness. Immediately you feel the throbbing pain of life return to you and you reject it. Blood rushes from your head as you sit up and reach for your blaster, the need to protect your team your first priority. Your vision is spotted but you can see a stranger hovering over you, trying to still you. You leap at them but something strong forces you back down. You don't have the energy to fight it.

"Y/n! Y/n, it's us. It's Echo, Portia, and Tech--relax. Fighting us will only waste your energy!"

Desperation overtakes you and you look around in a panic, "Where's... Where's Wreck..? There 's an explosion.” Your voice slurs as you grasp onto one of the arms that holds you down. "Where was an explosion! He ok? Where--'s he?"

"He is okay," says Tech, getting in your face. Your vision begins to clear and you trace his goggles with your eyes, finally focusing on his worried ones. "You need to breathe for me. Slowly. Big breaths... yes. Just like that."

"Where is he?"

"He's with Hunter getting a burn treated. By the looks of it, it is only second degree and over a very small area on his shoulder. He will be fine."

"Got lucky," Says Portia who stands nearby. "That was one hell of a blast."

"Alright, y/n," Tech says, a hand on your shoulder. The look he gives you is soft, but his voice is firm. "You've sustained injuries. You need to rest now,"

You huff with a little smile, trying not to seem too eager as you flop back down on the bunk. "Don't 'ave to tell me twice."

. . .

"How you doing, n/n?"

You sigh, setting your helmet on the bar. "As well as I probably should be. Took one hell of a nap on the way back here."

Echo chuckles. “You probably needed it."

You arrived back on Ord Mantell only an hour ago and everyone is off doing their own thing. Omega and Wrecker are getting their traditional after-mission treat of Mantell mix, Tech is working on the Marauder, and Portia and Hunter are talking payment for the mission. That leaves you, Echo, and Cid at the bar.

"Cid," you call. "Can I have that one drink you made me the other night? It was the one that wasn't super strong but was kinda fruity,"

She raises a brow at you from across the bar. "Alright kid, I know what you're askin' me for, but it seems like you need a lot more kick than that."

You shake your head. "No, ma'am. My body needs a break from my shenanigans."

"You could say that again. I heard your recklessness nearly cost me more credits than you're worth,"

"One," You counter, giving her a tired look, "I had nothing to do with rigging the doors. Actually, if the intel you gave Tech was complete, we could have avoided the situation entirely." You search for a sign that your words are affecting her, but there is none. She carries on fixing up your order. "And two: there's no way that little box was worth that much."

She squints at you. "D'you not get the briefing through your thick skull? That 'little box' is called a holocron. When I say it's worth more than you, I mean it's worth five--bounty included."

"A holocron?"

"It's what the Jedi used for--"

"Yeah, I know what it is,” you mutter, dumbfounded as Cid sets your drink in front of you. "I just... I'm surprised. I should've known."

"Well," Echo smirks. "You were pretty distracted the whole time."

"Googly eyes for Mr. Goggles again?" Says Cid.

"Yep," he takes a sip of his own drink. "And a bit jealous of a certain bounty hunter."

The lady looks at him with a little grin. "Is that right?"

You stare at them both in turn. Once they finally turn their eyes to you, you voice your confusion. "What?"

"Oh, so you think we're blind now too."

Echo laughs and sets a hand on your shoulder. "You've got as bad a poker face as my old Captain."

"Rex?"

"Mm. Man can't tell a lie to save his life," He smiles, then looks closely at you. For a moment you wonder if he's about to make a funny jab at your bruised face, but then he says, "When you're done with that drink, you wanna walk with me?"

"You askin' her out, Cyborg?"

He shakes his head. "No, Cid. I'm not that brave."

You chuckle and lean with your elbows on the countertop. "I'm not quite your speed, bud."

Soon you set the empty glass within reaching distance of Cid and get up, moseying along with Echo quietly until you have left the parlor. In the street, you stroll for a while before either of you speak. It is getting dark out, but lights illuminate the area. Echo glances over his shoulder before finally addressing you.

"Y/n, I have to know something," He pauses and rests his hand on his hip. "Please don't let me be wrong because if I am, things might get really awkward."

You stare openly at him, praying in your mind, Please don't confess feelings for me, please don't confess feelings for me... All the while wondering where this might have come from. In your time of fighting alongside Echo, your chemistry has been strictly friendly. There is no romance. No, all of those cursed emotions have been directed at--

“Tech,"

"What?"

"You have the hots for him, right?"

"Thank the Force!" You breathe, bending over dramatically with hands on your knees. "I thought you were going to confess some deeply intimate feelings you've been harboring or some shit."

"Maker, no! Ew--well, not ew. You're not gross. I don't--" Echo stumbles. "No, y/n. I don't have secret feelings for you."

"Whew--" you huff and straighten to look him in the eye. "No, yeah. Tech. He's uh... yeah. I do like him."

Echo nods with a grin on his face.

"But he's definitely pining for Portia,"

His face turns sour and he squints at you. “You're not serious,"

"Why wouldn't I be?"

He steps closer and looks you up and down. "Damn, that blast really did get to you, huh?”

"Echo, what the kriff are you on about?"

"Tech is in love with you--and even if he didn't tell me every day, I'd still know. Have you seen him?"

Your eyes are wide as you search Echo's for any sign of a prank. No, Echo wouldn't make light of this. Breathless, face burning, you reply, "What?"

"Always looking at you. Every time you leave the room, he has something to say about you. He's constantly working on things to make your life easier." Echo shrugs. "He's liked you for a long time, but he's convinced you'd never date a clone. Thinks you're not willing to break that Jedi code that's been hounded into you. Obviously he was wrong."

"Obviously,"

"You gonna tell him?"

You glance at him, then down the street where you know Tech is repairing the shuttle. In a moment of fear, your head shakes. Then hope passes through and you think, Why not? Truly, what would the harm be?

Distraction, you realize, would be the deciding flaw. His focus will be taken away from important duties which could result someone getting hurt or killed. Your attachment will strip you of self control and you could become susceptible to the Dark Side's wily temptations. That is why you refuse to take action. In the end, with the lifestyle you live, romance could prove fatal.

A ping of pain hits your chest as you see just how close you are to that temporary happiness. Something in you has known all along that it is possible, but with reality... could you ever fully love him? What about his rapid aging? And if you ever want to start a family--that would be absolutely reckless. Omega is barely an exception to your morals. Children will never belong in this way of life.

"You know," Echo says, drawing your attention. "I'm sure Tech has thought about everything you're thinking about. Unless you're devising a plan to secure more Mantell mix. Go talk to him instead of moping around."

You let out a shaky breath. “Be my wing man?"

He gives you a smile. "I thought you'd never ask."

"Your hands are shaking,"

"Thanks, Echo. Real comforting," You glare at him as he enters the code to the bay door. You hear him chuckle before the door hisses open and you are blinded by the lights illuminating the Marauder. The person of interest looks up, light reflecting off his goggles just wrong. You squint, hardly able to see his small wave.

"Go," Echo whispers impatiently. You shoot him a look.

"You should be resting, y/n," Tech says, wiping his hands on a rag. "After your recent injuries, your body needs apt time to recover."

Clearing your throat, you reply, "I'll be fine. Had worse," You cover the distance to the shuttle with Echo close by. "How is she?"

"The Marauder did not receive much damage beyond cosmetics. I did, however, discover a hydrolic leak in this left compartment that has been seriously depleting her potential for a more efficient..." He goes on with terms that make your head spin. As much as you want to listen, all you can think about is your reason for meeting him. Your eyes drift to his lips far too many times, flitting to the grime on the forearms of his sleeves where he'd changed into something more disposable for the dirty job. You've never seen that shirt before and wonder how long he'd had it. Surely he didn't just purchase it for today. It hugs him very nicely though--that you don't miss.

"Tech, y/n," Echo begins. You snap your eyes back up. "It's been nice, but I'm gonna head back to Cid's and let you two talk about... important things." He emphasizes the last two words with a look aimed at you, which makes Tech pause. In an instant, and before you can find the voice to protest, he's gone.

"I suspect he is implying that--right. Small talk," He frowns after noticing a tired look from you. "I struggle remembering to use common 'lingo,' for conversational purposes."

"It's a learned skill," you offer, suddenly nervous. He nods.

"What did Echo mean by 'important things?'"

The gravity of the situation hits you and you hum, "It's uh... something about--" You regain yourself and stare at the ground a moment before warning, "I need you to realize that I might cry. Don't freak out."

His eyes shoot wide and he reaches for you, "What do you mean? Is everything okay?" You let him take your shoulders in his strong hands. What if Echo is wrong and Tech only sees you as a good friend? Worse yet--what if he is right? Your confession can mean you have to walk away from them forever.

"Yes and no?" Your breaths are shaky and throat tight as you whisper. "How do I say it? Kriff, Tech. I don't think I can."

"Did someone hurt you? Come here," He takes your hand and leads you to a few crates and you sit. He kneels before you.

"No," you finally answer. "I'm not hurt."

"If you cannot tell me, simply your assurance that I am not the cause of any of this pain will suffice... And if I am, I hope there is some way I can mend it." He hums, gently rubbing your knuckles with his thumb. You catch a glimpse of his concern just before your vision becomes completely clouded.

And in this moment, there isn't a single doubt in your mind as to why you feel what you do. His heart aches--you can sense it through the force.

With the last ounce of bravery in your chest, you say, "You are--but that's okay." Your head drops, tears rolling down your face. Finally, you mutter, "I love you, Tech."

His hand stills.

"I'm so sorry if you don't feel the same," You sputter, not daring to look at him. "And I'm sorry if you're interested in someone else--"

"Oh, y/n," he breathes. "That couldn't be further from the truth,"

Large arms wrap around your trembling form and you lean into him, feeling his warmth envelope you. Face buried in his shoulder, you breathe him in. He smells of dirt and a mechanic's shop tainted with a hint of new clothing. The weight from your shoulders falls to your chest but you ignore it for the time being. For now, you can be happy, finally in his arms, even if it's the last time. It takes a moment, but eventually, Tech speaks up, voice rumbling through his chest.

"I love you, y/n," He whispers as if speaking too loudly might scare you away. "And it's all I can do every day to not say something--about how your hair frames your face just right, or... or the way your voice can sooth even my most troubling thoughts. It grounds me some days. You are my everything. My stars, my happiness... my pain. I often wonder what life would be like if I were transparent, but I fear that we wouldn't be happy. Your spirit was meant to be free, but would it be if we are always in hiding? Always running?"

"I don't care," you say, pulling away to look him in the eye. The defiance is evident in your mind now. "I don't care about any of that. I've thought about the reality, but kriff it. We make our own destiny." You stand, and he follows.

His brows furrow for a moment of thought as his hand comes up to wipe the tears from your cheeks. Then his eyes light up, quickly followed by the corners of his mouth. His smile is contagious even if you didn't understand its origin. You look at him quizzically and open your mouth to talk just as he draws you into a tight embrace. You chuckle at his forwardness, returning the motion.

"You know what this means?" He asks breathlessly.

"What's that?"

He lets go just enough that you can see the soft smile on his face. "We've leveled up from friends to best friends."

"Best friends, huh?" You scrunch your face up and study his. "Do best friends kiss each other?"

He pauses, face turning a shade darker as he hums, "I don't know." He leans in close, breath fanning your face. "Shall we find out?"

With that, he kisses you with such a tender passion that you wonder if you’re dreaming. All your years avoiding love... it was worth it for this moment. You melt into the kiss, arms finding their way to drape around his neck. None of the stars can shine as bright as you feel.

“Yeah," you mutter catching your breath, lips brushing his. "I think they must."

You capture his lips again, and there you both stand, worries forgotten. It takes a while before you return to life again. When Tech reaches a decent stopping point on the shuttle's repairs, he cleans up a little bit and you stroll back to the parlor hand-in-hand. Hunter notices your approach from his place at the front door and a small, rare smile lights up his face.

"Finally spill your guts, Tech?"

The genius flushes and replies. “You knew?"

"I thought it was obvious," the man smirks. Then he claps his shoulder and says. "You'd better get some dinner before Wrecker eats it all."

So you join them inside and conclude the evening eating with everyone. Before long, you and Omega are stuffing food down Wrecker's chestplate when he isn't looking. You feel light as you laugh. Afterwards, the whole group sits in the parlor, talking about life. Portia finally gets to know everyone, just as she'd tried to on the shuttle earlier. As you veg, Cid strolls in and takes a seat nearby. She eyes you suspiciously, then mutters something to Echo who chuckles and nods. You don't need to hear them to know what they're talking about.

By now you can tell that even Wrecker has caught on, but it's probably better that way. As the evening grows later and the voices softer, you find yourself leaning against Tech, hardly fighting off the sleep. He finally convinces you to go to bed, and walks you to your room, stopping at the door. Just before you go in, he kisses your forehead and bids you goodnight.

// ~ // ~ //

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