Special thanks to: @chopper-base @staycalmandhugaclone and @sabaccsniper for this idea a month ago
Plot: Hunter isn't sure if he can be more than a soldier.
Warnings: Hunter's self-doubt
Word Count: 916
He was used to having to deal with dirty clothes, being a clone in the GAR. But, now, being around you, it was something new. He wanted to be clean, not smell like… well, like a soldier.
It didn’t help that they had been soaked in lake water. The feeling was bad enough as it crept into every crevice, but death of microorganisms permeated it. It would be fouler later, so that was his excuse. He still hadn’t thought about that in depth, so those feelings were still at the back of his mind. They’d stay there, too, if he had his way with it. He wasn’t made for feelings. He was made for fighting.
But, it lingered. He didn’t want to smell like rotten, slimy lake around you, no matter what his beginnings were. You made him feel like he could breathe without the possibility of panic stealing it from him. The least he could do was keep you breathing easily around him, too.
Carefully, he removed his armor, then started in on his gloves slowly, feeling slightly self-conscious about it. As the gloves came off, his scars were easily visible from his early days of knife twirling and first missions. It wasn’t common for him to be aware of things at such a level as he was. The longer he was around you, got to know you, laughed with you, the more it itched at his consciousness.
In fact, he wasn’t oblivious to any of it. He always felt things like this around you. There had even been some small signs at the beginning. This little feeling – warmth in his chest, a second thought at possible embarrassment, even a lingering desire to improve the Marauder’s living space when you were around – wasn’t expected, but that space existed behind his sternum. The space that expanded with your smile or when your lips were parted when you slept. It caused his nerves to awaken whenever your head tilted –
No, no, he was a soldier.
Or, well, he had been. Now… now was different. Away from the GAR, away from the Empire as much as they could be, he was… Hunter. Sergeant – no. Brother. Protector. If ever there was any time to figure out what more he could be, it was now.
Somehow, he still couldn’t willingly bring forth the consideration of doing things just for you because of that warmth that bloomed forth when you smiled. Each time he tried, his training kicked in.
Growing up, warmth wasn’t taught. It wasn’t earned. Each clone knew of duty, withstanding excruciating pain, treating brothers until they couldn’t work anymore. Dedicate themselves to the Republic. The Republic owned them and that was their duty.
No. No, that wasn’t their duty anymore. They were people. You had been trying to convince them of that whenever you could. Don’t get him wrong, he appreciated the efforts and it was good for Omega to learn as a young clone – as a kid. As a little girl.
Besides, even if he could start to believe that his existence was worth more than a few measly credits, he had nothing to offer you. His scars proved that he was only good for fighting.
“Hunter?” you asked softly. He jolted, having thoroughly lost himself in his thoughts. It was not something he found himself capable of until he had been around you more. Was that what safety was? Being able to get lost in his thoughts? Finding your scent to be something he could be grounded in at the same time as his mind flew away with himself?
“Yes?” he asked, then cleared his throat from the slight tickle that threatened to take his voice. His breath was already gone when you smiled gently.
“Is everything alright?” Your eyes were closer. You were closer. When had you gotten closer? No, this was fine.
He shook his head slightly. “Yeah, all good.”
Your brow rose. Clearly, he hadn’t convinced you, and you both knew it. Slowly, your eyes went down to his half-removed lake-soaked gloves. Too late, he couldn’t force the wet things back on to hide the scarring. Your gaze trailed over them and silently, your hands rose. Fingers met fingers in a cautious offer and he didn’t stop you as you started to remove them just as he had. They landed on the floor with a soft splot, but your fingers didn’t move from his skin. Nerves tingle from fingertips and up his arms. Each breath of his was filled with you over the lake smell and he had to fight to not pull away from you as your fingers began to trail down some of the more prominent scars.
“How old are these?” you asked in no louder than a breath.
“Old,” he replied truthfully, his own breath not staying. “My fault. Been fidgeting with knives ever since I could hold one. It’s normal.”
“Ah,” you answered even more quietly. You didn’t back away. Maybe he didn’t smell as bad as he worried. Maybe, with your fingers on his, you were willing to stay as close to him as he cautiously wanted you.
When your eyes met his, he could see it – and he knew it wasn’t something he was imagining, either, between the mere centimeters between you two and your shared breaths.
No. No, he could deserve this. He was more than a soldier. He could see that, now, as it reflected in your eyes and sounded whenever you said his name.
[Story break marker for screen readers.]
Knife twirl for everyone's convenience:
[Description: Hunter spins his orange glowing vibroblade between his fingers. The gif is zoomed in on his hand movements.]
Plot: Echo gives you an item and you blurt out your feelings for him.
Warnings: some swearing
Word Count: 1063
Author’s Note: This is for @manofworm, for @cloneficgiftexchange’s April 2024 Bad Batch exchange! Thank you for hosting, @ghostofskywalker! I had fun exploring what this prompt could be, and I really hope you like it!
Prompt: “I’d rather be hurt and be with you than be okay without you” || “This isn’t just a(n) [object], it’s a promise”: GN!Reader
Having travelled with the boys for a while, you were pretty familiar with each one’s particular mannerisms. Hunter got quiet when in thought, whereas Tech continued to talk out a problem most of the time. Wrecker was a gentle man who would do everything he could until he decided to step in and protect his family with his strength. Omega was curious, intuitive, and determined, always searching for ways to help. From what you remember about Crosshair, he was silent and observant like a cat until he pounced.
And then, there was Echo.
Echo… you could talk about him for hours. His determination to find justice. His desire to do the right thing. How he wanted to pay forward the kindness shown to him.
You had seen him trying to hide his phantom pains and his nightmares, and it took him a long time to warm up to letting you help. The strength inside him also doubled as his stubbornness, but you were determined. And he had finally let you in.
That was where the problem began.
You fell for him – hard.
His tendency to be vulnerable with you, to be near you and gently nudge you in the direction you needed if you got stuck, or to balance you out when something was bothering you.
But you weren’t going to tell him that. You felt he didn’t need that added stress, so you began to pull back a bit. And he either didn’t notice, or he let you do your thing. You weren’t certain which one was better in this case.
Now, something else going on. It bothered you.
The Marauder had just landed on Ord Mantell and were accepting a new mission.
But, you had noticed that despite your little bit of space between you and Echo, Echo had been acting a bit… off all day. It wasn’t like he was avoiding you, he was just not spending as much time talking or working around you as he usually did, withholding a bit of himself. It was very unusual. So obviously, something was on his mind.
You vowed to find out what it was.
After the briefing, you planned to talk to him, but he found you first and pulled you aside to a back corner of Cid’s bar. You felt both a thrill at being alone with him in the darker area, and nervousness at what he was up to. You both sat down, and you silently admire his facial features in the dim blue light from the bar.
“Echo, what’s going on?” you asked softly, glancing around to see if anyone else was watching you. No one was.
“I have something for you,” he said quietly, and curiosity bloomed in your chest. Echo held out a small cylindrical item that would fit in the palm of your hand, but you didn’t take it.
“This is a commlink, Echo,” you say quietly, raising an eyebrow.
“This isn’t just a commlink, it’s a promise. I’ll see you again.” Echo tried to hand you the device again, but you moved away slightly.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“We’re heading out shortly.”
A scoff leaves your mouth. “And I’m supposed to be coming with you.”
He shook his head. “Not this time.”
Your heart skipped a beat and your stomach soured, causing your brow to furrow and your lips to purse. You moved to stand up. “You’re leaving me behind?! What the hell is wrong with you?!”
Echo’s hand set the commlink on the table, then touched your forearm. You stopped just enough to listen. “You will only end up getting hurt if you come with us.”
“That’s bullshit! I’d rather be hurt and be with you than be okay without you! Don’t you understand that by now?!” you yelled, then clapped a hand over your mouth.
“What do you mean by that?” he whispered, his eyes widening in surprise, but his grip tightening a bit.
“I….” you trailed off, then sighed and looked away, sitting down again. He let go of your arm, then moved his hand to your face. His forefinger curled under your chin and he placed his thumb under your lip, gently guiding your face to look at him again. Your heart began to race, warmth flooding your cheeks at his touch. His gloves were a bit rough, but his touch was so gentle.
“Please tell me,” he said, his voice quiet. His eyes scanned your face, eyebrows upturning. Was it concern? Was it hope?
“What is it you hope to hear?” you whispered.
“What is it you want to say?” he whispered back.
Your breath hitched, gaze flickering to his lips. A small smile grew as you watched and your gaze went back to his eyes. His touch on your chin didn’t falter and relief flooded your body.
“You want this as much as I do,” you say softly, a smile growing on your lips, too.
“I do. And it would kill me if you got hurt coming along with us.”
“And it would kill me to not be with you. I want to be with you, Echo. I didn’t stay behind when the squad went AWOL by leaving Kamino, I will not stay behind now.”
His lips parted, and then he smiled again. “I want to be with you, too.”
“Then don’t ask me to leave you.”
Your fingers slipped into the gaps between his armor pieces and you pulled him closer. His eyes widened slightly, then relaxed to match the sly look in his smile. Your left hand gently touched his prosthetic arm, then you slid your fingers down to his scomplink. His breath hitched as you gently brought his arm around the middle of your back.
“I’m staying, Echo. For better or worse.”
He chuckled. “I’ve heard that phrase before.”
You grin. “It’s a little early to get to that level, but I wouldn’t mind it with you.”
He breathed in sharply. “Really?”
“Really.”
He grinned back and leaned forward a little. “I’ve been wanting to kiss you for a while, now. May I?”
You leaned in, too. “I would love that.”
As your lips met and your eyes closed, you hear a whoop from across the room. Whomever it was could wait. You had been waiting on this for too long. And it seemed like Echo agreed as his lips moved softly over yours.
Plot: When Grizzer gets injured on a patrol, Hound has no idea he would end up falling for someone in the same night.
Request: Hound and Grizzer are on patrol one evening when they see a burglary in progress. Hound and Grizzer both get shot but Hound is more worried about Grizzer. Takes Grizzer to nearest vet clinic as she’s closing up for the night but can’t turn him away when she hears Hound’s voice crack as he’s begging her to please save his best friend.
Tag: @trixie2023
Warnings: I’m not a veterinarian, first and foremost. Animal injury from blaster wound, anxiety and panic described, description of Hound’s injury, blood, swearing, Hound gets to be shirtless briefly, I think that’s it
Word Count: 2576
Author’s Note: Fem!reader, as requested. I’m sorry this took so long, I hope you like it!
Hound had to find somewhere – and fast. Grizzer had lost a quite a bit of blood and his whines had grown softer. That makeshift bandage wasn’t going to last long. As Hound ran down the street, he prayed to the Force that he would find somewhere fast. This little district just had to have one.
And there, three more doors down, was a clinic. He put on a burst of speed as he tried to simultaneously assure Grizzer they would find help, silently thanking the Force for this miracle. Suddenly, as he got close, some of the lights inside the building began to go out.
His gratefulness to the Force had been premature. They were closing up. He was going to lose his best friend.
Hound came to a stop in front of the building just as the light for the sign went out. But there was still a light on inside, and he hurried up the couple steps to the door, momentarily panicking while he tried to figure out how to knock on the door with his best friend in his arms and whimpering. His heart ached and he began to knock on the door with the toe of his boot. Later, he would lament about how it was harder than he meant, and even about the scuff on the door his plastoid boot left, but this was an emergency and all his worries were tied up in his massiff.
A shadow began to move behind the door and he stepped back slightly. The door opened cautiously and behind it stood someone holding a blaster. He moved back a little more and Grizzer whined again.
You lowered your blaster, gasping. “Trooper! Goodness, I’m sorry. We’re closed.” Your panic was replaced by apology, eyebrows softening and turning up before catching sight of Grizzer.
“Please. You have to save my best friend.” His voice was quiet through his modulator, and then he spoke again, his voice cracking. “Please save him.”
Your mouth opened slightly, then you nodded and hurried him in. Hound’s arms began to ache as some of the adrenaline subsided. You locked the door, then ushered him to an exam room in the back.
“What happened?” you asked, your voice with a slight tremble as you washed your hands and put on gloves, the attempt at being calm and collected not being lost on Hound.
“We were responding to a burglary and… Grizzer got shot. The bastard got away.” He tried not to let his voice shake, but between worry for his massiff and anger at the criminal getting away, that was a challenge.
“Well, you made it here. Let’s get him examined. What kind of blaster was it?”
He mumbled an answer as he watched as you readjust his best friend to look at the injury on Grizzer’s side. Grizzer whimpered and you gently cooed at him, telling him you knew it hurt. That made something soft stir in Hound’s chest. Not many treated massiffs as a regular animal. You examined the bandage on Grizzer’s side and then looked up to Hound.
“It’s a good thing you have first aid training.”
You looked back down and gently started to undo the bandage. Hound took his bucket off his head, then set it on the chair against the wall. When you glanced back up at him, he knew your eyes are taking in the grey tattoo of massiff teeth along his lower jaw, the old scars on his right cheek from Grizzer’s claws when they both were younger, and his goatee. He was also examining your face in the space of a second, for the first time taking in your appearance before you looked back down at his massiff. Your eyes were beautiful.
As you refocused on Grizzer, you explained to Hound the large, scaley pup needed stitches. Hound quickly gave his approval and gently touched Grizzer’s head to comfort both the pup and himself. Grizzer whined softly, but a little less like he was in pain and more in acknowledgement of the gentle touch. You carefully gave the massiff a sedative while he was distracted. Grizzer’s breathing steadied a bit and his eyes fluttered shut. You readied the stitching, then cleaned the injury and got started.
“You both are lucky massiffs are such thick-skinned and scaled animals with armor. If this were something with fur and skin like ours, he wouldn’t have survived. Grizzer will have to wear a cone of shame for a few weeks, even potentially being off-duty or on light duty until his stitches are ready to come out.”
“Okay,” he said quietly. “We’ll see how well Commander Fox takes that.”
You glanced up. “I can send you with a vet note if you’d rather.”
Hound chuckled at that, finally feeling some more tension leaving his body.
You went back to the task at hand, using the reptilian-rated stitches to close up the wound as best as the skin and scales would allow. In the meantime, you started to make some conversation, a distraction for which he was grateful.
“Have you two been bonded since he was a hatchling?” you asked gently.
“Just about. He was only about a month when I met him.”
“Three good years, huh?”
He tilted his head in confusion. “How could you possibly know that?”
You chuckled. “His spine length.” You gestured briefly to the spines on the massiff’s back before covering the stitching with a medicated patch.
His cheeks warmed a bit in embarrassment, then he sat in a chair. “Oh. Right.”
You finished up a moment after, then started to clean up, eventually even removing your gloves. “He should wake here soon enough. Can I get you some coffee?”
Hound smiled then shook his head, suddenly feeling a bit dizzy. He grunted, moving his arm, and then touched where the shoulder bell didn’t cover. He hissed in pain, his gloves coming back slick. Oh. That explained the mild dizziness.
“Trooper?” you asked quietly, then hurried over. “Trooper, why didn’t you say anything?!”
“Too worried about my best friend,” he said tiredly.
You bit your lower lip, then sighed. “Let me see your shoulder. I can do something until you can get proper medical care.”
He chuckled and started to get his upper armor off as you grabbed new gloves. “You mean you aren’t proper medical care?”
You scoffed. “I’m proper medical for animals and you are not an animal.”
“I’m technically not even considered a person.”
You scoffed again. “Pardon my language, but fuck that. You are a human being. You are a person.”
His heart swelled with something at that, warming his chest. Was it affection? He wasn’t sure, but what he was sure about was how nervous he was as you brought supplies over to him. You were about to see him shirtless and besides the Kaminoans and his brothers, no one else had seen him this way. Carefully, he peeled off his upper blacks, hissing in pain as he did so. The wound on his shoulder wasn’t nearly as bad as he had anticipated, but it wasn’t pretty. Some of it was already scabbing up at the top, but it was still bleeding.
You looked at his face and he nodded before you started to treat the wound. He did his best to keep the pain quiet as it shocked through his nerves, but he still hissed a couple times. Was it the wound? Or was it because you were caring for him as gently as you could? And he hadn’t even given you his name. That had to be fixed.
“Hound,” he said quietly.
“Hm?” you hummed and glanced at his face.
“My name is Hound. Sergeant Hound.” He offered you a soft smile.
You smiled back and gave him your name. He liked it and your smile.
You didn’t stitch him up, but you bandaged him and made him promise to seek proper medical attention. You were a woman who wasn’t afraid to boss around a man. Or maybe just him, even though he was a trooper. He liked that about you, too.
You went back to check how Grizzer was doing, trashing your dirty gloves as you went. The massif took a larger breath, starting to wake.
Hound said your name softly and a small smile crossed his face as you gave him your full attention.
You’re so pretty, he thought for a second before clearing his throat to speak.
“I’ll get it cleared with my commander to get you paid for this. You’ve done something above and beyond, and for that I – we – are truly grateful.” He said gently.
“Sergeant –”
“Please. Just Hound.”
You smiled. “Alright. Hound. You don’t have to do that. I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but I’m a sucker for hard-luck cases and I couldn’t bear to let you lose each other. Not to mention, you’re a trooper.”
That warmth in his chest was back and his breath hitched slightly, a brief thought about your kindness running through his mind. “I want to make sure you’re repaid for your work, though. And, well, I –”
Before he could say any more, his radio crackled inside his helmet and through the comm on his wrist. It was Commander Fox, asking him to check in and thankfully interrupting his potentially rushed confession. He cleared his throat again, then turned and brought his comm to his mouth to fill in Commander Fox. When he finished, he turned back to you. You were gently rubbing the top of Grizzer’s head as he woke up.
Grizzer caught Hound’s gaze and he heaved a large massiff sigh, causing Hound to chuckle.
“I’ve got a ride back to base, so he’ll be able to rest.” Hound’s voice was quiet as he watched you with Grizzer.
“You’re lucky your wound is mild in comparison to what it could have been with how long you’re taking to get it treated.” You raised an eyebrow at him.
Hound shrugged with his uninjured shoulder. “You could just stitch me up.”
“Legally, I can’t. You’re not an animal.”
“I’m just a clone.”
“You’re not an animal, you are a person.” Your arms crossed over your chest, that small scowl on your face again as the topic came back up.
A small flutter in his chest happened at the same time warmth filled his cheeks. “I guess so.”
You went to the cabinet and grabbed a large cone for the massiff so Grizzer wouldn’t try to worry at his injury. “Who told you that clones don’t matter?”
“Everyone,” he said quietly. “I’m just expendable. The Kaminoans, the senate, the civvies all agree.”
“You’re not expendable. I’m a civvie and I don’t agree. You’re important, Hound.”
You handed him the cone for Grizzer and his lips part, surprised by what you said. He hesitantly grabbed the cone.
“I’m important?”
You nodded. “Of course you are.”
He glanced at Grizzer, then smiled a little, whispering, “Thanks.”
Before he could say anything else, a vehicle pulled up outside. His ride. He turned back to look at you, suddenly wishing he could have more time with you.
You started to help Grizzer off the exam table and Hound jumped right in to participate. He wasn’t sure what to say besides another expression of gratitude, and he would later look back that night in his memory to see your eyes as you offered him a gentle smile before letting in one of his Corrie Guard brothers at the door.
As he and Grizzer left the clinic with a medication for the massiff to be on for a week to prevent infection, he looked back at you, a soft smile on his face. You smiled back, then closed the door. As the door closed, a small ache settled in his heart. He already missed you.
He and the massiff got into the speeder with his brother and all he wanted was see your eyes again.
A week passed, your smile in his dreams. He had made sure you had safely made it to your vehicle through the help of his brothers, but he knew his want to see you was deeper than concern for your safety.
Finally, he decided to go see you. A patrol in the neighborhood where your clinic was? Sure. And possibly using Grizzer as an excuse to check on you? Yeah, he could do this.
He wanted to bring flowers. Did the kind matter? He wasn’t sure what to choose, but he remembered that he had heard somewhere that pollen was bad to have around animals. Roses would be good. He snagged a bicolor bouquet, not thinking about the colors. After all, the color didn’t matter, right?
His arrival at the clinic caused a bit of a stir, and he wasn’t sure if it was because of his armor, or Grizzer, or the flowers.
The reception staff all lit up with mischievous grins, glancing at each other, and a vet tech perked up.
“You here to see the Doc today?”
Hound nodded, removing his bucket and shaking out his hair a bit. His other hand was full with Grizzer’s leash and the bouquet of flowers.
He waited in the reception area as one of the vet techs went to get you. Grizzer sat beside him and his tongue lolled out in excitement despite Hound’s anxiety, the massiff looking even cuter with his cone still on.
When you walked out, your eyes met his and you smiled. His cheeks warmed and he raised the flowers a bit, causing your eyes to widen a bit in surprise.
As you got closer, his cheeks felt like they were on fire. Your eyes met and everything felt right again. He had missed those eyes.
“Good morning, Hound,” you said with a softness in your tone.
“Hi. I, uh… wanted to see how you were doing. And, uh, I brought you flowers to… to thank you for everything.” He silently cursed the slight quiver in his tone.
You giggled as you accepted the bouquet. “Pink usually means gratitude, right? I don’t know what clown roses stand for with… pink and peach.”
Hound rubbed the back of his neck. “I have no idea. They were pretty and you’re pretty, so….”
He clapped a hand over his mouth as he realized he said too much, but Grizzer almost looked proud. That was, if a massiff was capable of such a thing.
A smile grew on your face. “You think I’m pretty?”
“Yeah,” he said, sighing. He absent-mindedly scratched at his goatee in shyness. “I might as well admit to it. You saved Grizzer and he likes you and I like you. But I didn’t want to say anything just in case you aren’t interested….”
Behind him, one of the ladies at the front desk shouted, “She is!”
A small blush grew in your cheeks and his heart warmed a bit. This was happening. He wasn’t imagining it. You actually did have an interest in him.
“So… maybe it would be okay for me to ask you to dinner some time?” he asked quietly, his heart thundering wildly.
You smiled and the anxiety that was tumbling in his gut settled.
“I’d love to. I even know a place Grizzer would be welcome to, if you’d like.”
Warmth overtook his chest and he beamed. He knew in that moment, it wouldn’t take long at all to be head over heels for you.
So, yesterday was my birthday (but, I haven't really celebrated in a while), but my goal this year is to write more, including getting that Wrecker one out finally. I've been tweaking it for so long....
Last month, I had two weeks where I was sick and then I lost a family member. I know I don't owe an explanation, but I wanted you to know I haven't forgotten. I will be getting back on track and I'll post the Echo fic this week. ❤
I'm going to start reblogging stuff I like instead of saving them for later for a roundup type post since I can never remember to get those done. Maybe I'll do a roundup of them at the end of each month.
Still working on Rex Bingo (this one proves to be a challenge) but all the Kinktober posts remind me I have a couple NSFW drafts (sex pollen with Echo and period sex with Tech) in my drafts. Anyone interested in seeing those this month? I have also been considering another, but I don't want to get ahead of myself.
