(Clone Wars) Commander Wolffe x Jedi!Reader: Don’t Let Me Go
Author’s Note: Hello!! This is a fic written especially for @ladysongmaster for the fic exchange that I am participating in- @cloneficgiftexchange - run by @ghostofskywalker
I really hope you enjoy!!!!
Word Count: 1,862
Warnings: Fluff
The gardens presented an array of vibrant blossoms, greeting its visitors with a pleasant, sweet scent. It was hard to feel gloomy when walking the stone path that wound its way through the maze of hedges and arches.
Winged insects buzzed around, harvesting nectars from the plants peaceably. The sound faded in and out as you passed by.
Yet the steps you took were slow, unmotivated. A contrast to the lighter, glad ones that you took whenever he was your destination. Since being assigned to the protection detail of this young senator, you’d wandered these paths many times. Memorized them. Each turn, each slope, and each bench were ingrained into your mind. It was where you’d spent much time sorting through forbidden thoughts and desires, after all.
That was what brought you there once more.
Though the atmosphere was bright and airy at the senator’s palace, you could not completely enjoy it. The dreaded silence that had weighed heavily over everyone when you’d first arrived gave way to whispers of gossip amongst the staff and lively conversation as they flitted about the halls.
All you could think about were his eyes. His voice. How capable he was on the battlefield. How strong his arms were. How he started out as a complete and utter mystery to you, and now you could tell his mood simply by the tone of his grunt.
A chuckle escaped your lips. You’d been walking in silence for so long that your own voice sounded foreign to you.
Footsteps approached from behind, carrying the familiar thud of trooper armor. You knew who it was without him having to make himself known, having sensed his presence as he grew nearer.
“Commander Wolffe.”
He stopped a few feet away, letting out a huff at your greeting. That was the sound he made whenever he witnessed you or Plo Koon’s jedi abilities. It was the closest to bewilderment that you’d ever get out of him.
“General,” he addressed you. “Thought I’d find you here.”
That piqued your interest. You turned around to face him. “What can I do for you?”
Wolffe stood there with bucket tucked under one arm in a semi-formal stance.
He cleared his throat. “Just checking in. There’s been talk about transfers.”
You nodded. “It looks like our time here is coming to an end,” you said wistfully. “The senator is safe. The danger has passed. I appreciate the measures you’ve taken when it comes to this mission, Commander.”
“Just doing my duty,” he replied gruffly. Typical. The man would not take credit the entire time you’d known him. Not even after a job well done. “Any word on where we’ll be going?”
Your eyes fell from his. “Nothing is certain. All I know is I am to return to Coruscant. You and your men will be transferred elsewhere.”
Were you imagining it? The shift in his expression? His lips pressed together in a firm line as he took the news, but the look vanished as quickly as it appeared. Perhaps it was hopeful thinking on your part… to think the time spent working together meant something to him. It meant a great deal to you. The realization that you would part ways until who-knows-when weighed heavily on your heart.
Wolffe gave a curt nod. He sighed, hesitating. “For what it’s worth, General-”
“There she is!” an all-too-familiar voice interrupted. “My favorite jedi! My, I was beginning to wonder where you’d run off to.”
You bit your tongue and turned to see the approaching senator. He was wearing a particularly elaborate tunic and cloak set that shone with shimmering stones sewn into it.
“Senator Gil Illel,” you greeted in the most courteous tone you could muster. “How may I be of service?”
“You may do so by accompanying me to a dinner I am hosting in your honor.” He reached forward, taking your hand in both of his in one of his eccentric gestures of regard. “You have been a great help to me and my people.”
Wolffe let out a quiet huff, restraining himself from an eyeroll. You had to hold back your amusement as you politely retracted your hand and gave a nod. “The Council was alarmed to hear of any possible danger to you. I am glad that I could be of help, but with all due respect, Senator, we jedi are not ones for formal gatherings.”
“Nonsense! This is your last evening here. I would have it no other way.” Senator Illel’s tone grew more insistent, as did the glimmer in his eye. He leaned in, lowering his voice. “I want to fully express my gratitude.”
It wasn’t a secret that the senator you were assigned to developed a little crush. He’d dropped plenty of unsubtle hints here and there in hopes of you reciprocating. However, you did not feel the same. Not only that, but your affections already belonged to another.
Meanwhile, Wolffe looked as if he was barely holding in a comment. His glare was fixated on some distant fountain or hedge, refusing to meet yours. You weren’t sure what you were expecting… some sort of help? The best thing to do would be to accept Illel’s invitation, get through the evening, and be glad that you wouldn’t have to see the senator again.
You would still miss Wolffe. Your heart already ached at the thought.
“Alright,” you said finally. “I suppose I can drop in for a little while.”
Senator Illel grinned. “Splendid. I will have the maids deliver an extra special gown.”
“Actually, I’m afraid I have to refuse. I do have more formal robes that will do nicely.”
He conceded with a reluctant nod. “Very well. I shall see you tonight.” With an exaggerated bow, he bid you farewell.
No sooner when you looked at Wolffe did he finally scoff and roll his eyes. You couldn’t resist a chuckle. But before you could make a joke on the matter, he excused himself rather abruptly.
“I have some business to attend to with the men,” he said, turning and following the path until he was out of sight. Your parted lips closed with the loss of words, and instead, a sigh escaped you.
. . . .
The party was over-the-top. Not one for such gatherings, you made a point to only stay long enough to satisfy Senator Illel. The event was in your honor, but he seemed rather preoccupied with his other guests for a time. You took the opportunity to step out for a few minutes, embracing the cool night air with gladness.
You found yourself in the place you always went to.
It was the same garden, and yet it felt entirely different in the evening. Everything was quiet. The buzzing of insects was replaced with the chirping of their nocturnal counterparts. Eye-catching hues were washed away by the light of a silver moon.
Only a few minutes had passed before you sensed a familiar presence. The unsettled feelings that the evening’s events brought on were gone almost instantaneously as footsteps approached on the path behind you.
“General.” This time he greeted you first.
“Hello, Commander.” You turned around and offered a smile, letting him know that his presence was most welcome.
“Enjoying the festivities?” he asked, though there was no mistaking the sarcasm in his tone. He knew you well enough to understand how you truly felt about the whole thing.
“Oh yes. Most certainly,” you replied with a similar sharpness in your tone. “If I’m honest, I prefer your company significantly more.”
He didn’t respond right away, and you wondered if it had been the right thing to say. Before you had the chance to comment further, Wolffe huffed a sigh.
“I think you know by now I prefer yours.”
You stole a glance at him in surprise. You hadn’t expected such an admission from him. He continued to gaze up at the moon that shone down over the estate. You felt your resolve breaking. If you were honest, it was being chipped away slowly as the days went by that you worked with Wolffe. But standing there, with Wolffe, under the light of the moon… It was finally gone.
“Wolffe,” you addressed him informally, and he turned to meet your gaze. “You should know, I-”
“Well, here you are!” Illel exclaimed. You jumped, realizing you were so focused on the handsome commander that you hadn’t sensed the senator’s approach. “Why, oh why, is the guest of honor all the way out here?”
You chuckled nervously. “Apologies, senator. I was getting some fresh air. It is quite the shindig you have going on in there-”
Senator Illel held up a hand to silence you before turning to Wolffe. “Commander- Wolffe, was it? You are dismissed. I have no need for your service.”
You didn’t miss the way Wolffe tightened his jaw. The irritation that flashed in his expression. The way his shoulder flexed as he excused himself and walked away. Once he was out of earshot, Illel turned to you.
“Every time I find you, you’re with that one...”
Aaaand that was it. That was the last straw.
“With all due respect,” you said sharply. “He is my Commander, and a very important part in your protection detail. He is deserving of your respect. If you will excuse me…” You turned, your robes flowing out behind you, and followed after Wolffe.
You saw him farther up the path, picking up your pace to catch up. “Wolffe! Wait, please!”
He froze, though he didn’t turn around to face you. You were more than fine with that. Considering the things you had to say, you weren’t sure you could look him in the eye while you bared your heart to him. Throwing your arms around his form from behind, you pressed your cheek to the back of his armor. Uncomfortable as it was, it was rather freeing to finally do so.
“Wolffe.”
“General…” The surprise was evident in his tone. You weren’t sure you’d ever heard that before.
“I’m sorry, I…I just need to tell you that I care for you. I have since the day we started working together to protect that pompous senator.”
“_______,” he rumbled lowly.
“And I know that it won’t be long before we’re separated…I don’t expect you to feel the same, but I had to at least let you know.”
He tried to twist around toward you, though restricted due to your hold on his torso. “Can you-?”
“Oh, right.”
Wolffe turned around fully to face you, his expression more tender than you ever expected it to be. “I…” he paused, struggling to find the right words. He seemed to give up with a huff and simply pull you into an embrace against his chest with both arms.
Your eyes widened, though you found yourself relaxing into it. For a few moments, neither of you said a thing.
“Please, don’t let me go,” you murmured. You knew right away that he felt the same for you. He didn’t need to say it, but even so, the next word he spoke meant the world to you.
“Never,” he grunted.
To prove it, he held you even tighter.