#cassianxreader

It had been the hardest thing he had ever done. To not claim you, to not pull you close and tell you that you belonged to him as much as he belonged to you. He had been a warrior for years already, had known pain intimately, but nothing had compared to the agony of watching you laugh with other males, of knowing that he could not have you yet.

You had fought him on it. Gods, you had fought him.

You had called him a coward, had screamed at him that you knew something was different, that you felt it too. He had only stared at you, swallowing the words that burned in his throat, forcing himself to turn away.

Two years. Two unbearable, soul-crushing years.

And then, when you were eighteen, when the world had shaped you a little more, when you had learned what it meant to make your own choices—you had come back to him. And Azriel had finally, finally allowed himself to touch you.

But your father had seen the bond as an advantage. He had never cared for what it meant to either of you, only for the political leverage it provided. And so he had taken you to Velaris during the war, dragging Azriel along, believing he could control what blossomed between you.

He had been wrong.

Because being near you had been intoxicating.

The relationship had not been allowed to progress beyond lingering touches and heated kisses stolen in the dark. But even that had been too much. The number of times you had to mask your scent at dinner, biting your lip to suppress a laugh as one of Azriel’s shadows curled beneath your skirts, playing at the sensitive skin of your thigh, was almost comical. He had smirked at you across the table, golden eyes darkened with something dangerous, something hungry, and you had nearly lost all self-control right there.

Then, the war had stolen you from him.

Dying had been agony—for you, for him. He had felt the bond snap, had felt something inside him shatter. And yet, even in death, you had heard him.

His voice had come to you in the quiet, a whisper in the darkness. When he was lost, when he was alone, he had spoken to you, had called for you.

And then Amren had ripped you from the Cauldron.

The first thing you had seen was Rhysand’s face. He had been the one to hold you as you sobbed, confused and aching, your mind sluggish from the transition. Then Mor, whispering that it was okay, that you were safe. Then Amren, explaining why you had been brought back. Cassian had collapsed before you, weeping as he gripped your hands.

And Azriel had waited.

He had walked beside you, silent, unwavering, his presence steady even as you trembled. He had not touched you, not spoken, not until you were inside his tent at the war camp.

And then all restraint had shattered.

Neither of you knew who had moved first, only that the moment your bodies collided, it had been raw and desperate, lips clashing with too much force, hands gripping, tearing at clothes, gasping against each other as tears mixed between ragged breaths. He had held you like a man starved, like he had been dying and you were the only thing keeping him tethered to this world.

When the war ended, when peace settled, Azriel had worshipped you in earnest.

Years passed, and still, Azriel was utterly, devastatingly devoted to you.

Like now.

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You were drunk, swaying slightly as Azriel guided you through your home, his hand firm at your lower back. He had only left you alone for one night out with Mor and Feyre.

The door had barely swung open before Azriel was there, stepping inside with the kind of quiet precision that made him nearly undetectable—except to you. Even in your tipsy haze, your body recognized him, responded to the shift in the air, the sudden weight of his presence filling the space.

You had barely managed a wobbly smile before his shadows surged forward, curling around your wrists, gliding up your arms, slipping around your waist like invisible ribbons of night. They pulsed, an extension of him, seeking, checking, brushing over the soft skin of your neck before twining through your hair. It was not just a greeting. They were inspecting you.

Azriel’s golden eyes darkened, scanning you from head to toe as his shadows flicked back to him with quiet murmurs only he could hear. His jaw ticked.

“Are you hurt?” His voice was soft, but there was a sharpness to it, an edge of tension laced between his words.

You blinked, feeling the way his shadows coiled tighter, the way they hovered at your pulse points as if to reassure themselves. One of them wrapped gently around your wrist, another ghosted across your cheek, cool and soothing, a stark contrast to the heat blooming beneath your skin.

You laughed lightly, leaning against the doorframe. “Az, I just had a few drinks with Mor and Feyre. I didn’t go to war.”

His wings flared slightly behind him before tucking back in. “You smell like too much wine,” he muttered, but his hands had already found your waist, steadying you, grounding you.

One of his shadows twisted around your ankle, winding up your calf as if confirming your words. It wasn’t unusual—his shadows had always been possessive when it came to you, but tonight, they seemed almost frantic, unable to settle.

“I’m fine,” you assured, voice softer now as you reached for him. Your fingers traced the calloused skin of his knuckles, guiding one of his hands to your cheek. “I promise.”

Azriel exhaled slowly, his thumb brushing over your lips, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then, as if making a decision, he scooped you up effortlessly, his arms locking you against his chest before you could even pretend to protest.

Your giggle was muffled against his throat as he pressed a lingering kiss to your temple, his wings shifting around you slightly, cocooning you from the rest of the world. His scent—night-chilled mist and cedar—wrapped around you, grounding and familiar.

His shadows coiled beneath your legs, ghosting up your thighs, curling protectively around your shoulders as if to say, ours, safe, whole.

“You’re impossible,” you murmured, tilting your head to nuzzle against his jaw.

Azriel only hummed, carrying you with quiet ease, his grip firm but gentle. “And you,” he murmured against your hair, voice dipping into that reverent, low tone that always made your breath hitch, “are mine.”

As if in agreement, his shadows curled around your intertwined fingers, sealing the vow in whispers only the night could hear.

───────────────────────────────

“Az, I’m fine,” you said as he led you to the bedroom, but he only hummed in response, his grip tightening slightly.

“You smell like wine,” he mused, amused. “And poor decisions.”

You pouted, leaning against him heavily. “I make great decisions.”

Azriel chuckled, settling you onto the edge of the bed before kneeling in front of you. His hands were warm as they brushed up your thighs, slow and deliberate. You barely had time to register the touch before he was reaching for a cloth and a bowl of water he had already set aside.

“Close your eyes, love,” he murmured, his voice dipping into that low, reverent tone that always sent shivers down your spine.

You sighed, obeying, as he gently wiped the makeup from your face. His touch was featherlight, unbearably tender, as if he were handling something fragile and precious. You felt his fingers brush against your cheek, his thumb tracing your lower lip before pulling away.

When you opened your eyes, he was watching you with a look that sent warmth blooming in your chest.

“Better?” he asked softly.

You nodded, reaching for him, but he only chuckled again, catching your hands in his.

“Bath first,” he said, lifting you effortlessly into his arms. You let your head rest against his shoulder, inhaling his scent—night-chilled mist and cedar, home.

The bath was already drawn, the water steaming as he lowered you in, slipping in behind you. His hands moved over your skin, slow and careful, working through your hair, washing away the remnants of the night.

You melted into him, sighing as he pressed a kiss to your temple.

“Thank you,” you whispered.

His arms tightened around you. “I’d do anything for you.”

And you knew he meant it.

Because Azriel was the sweetest kind of devoted.

He never asked for recognition, never made grand declarations. His love was in the way he noticed everything—the way he bought you little trinkets when he caught you glancing at them for a second too long, the way he always had dinner ready after you’d had a long day, the way he read to you at night, his voice a steady, soothing cadence as you curled against him.

It was in the way he wrote you letters, even when you were just in another room.

Because to Azriel, you were not just his mate.

You were his goddess. And he would worship you until the end of time.

Taglist: @kathren1sky_blog, @willowpains, masbt1218, antonia002, bookishcait, fuckingsimp4azriel, @fanficscuziranout, buttermilktea11, @lilah-asteria, @lreadsstuff, @flintthegoodboyo, @saltedcoffeescotch

@steveslevis

🔞 full control after an extremely unfortunate miscommunication, your mates decide to punish you. but then everything takes a turn for the worst when they refuse to hear you out.

@slytherin-pen

🔞 Three-Three-Three After a night out at Rita’s, the three of you tumble into bed together.

@azrielbrainrot

🔞 Spoiled Rotten You've had Rhysand and Azriel one after the other multiple times, but you can only imagine how much better it will feel to have them at the same time. 🔞 A Little Piece of Heaven Eris shows you how much he's missed you.

@azsazz

🔞 Double Duty They don't know if they both can fit.

Cassian was winnowed by Mor to the human village in the early afternoon the day after his conversation with Rhys. The village was small and quaint for the most part. As Cassian took stock of the structures, he cringed at the sight of multiple smoldering buildings, and glass out in the streets.

“You really did it this time,” Mor teased, before winnowing away, leaving Cassian scowling at the empty space where she’d been standing.

“Are you Cassian?” A gruff voice called from behind him. Cassian spun around to find a human male, who looked to be as old as time itself, but was probably centuries younger than the Illyrian himself. He had deepest wrinkles and sunspots, and a shock of bright white hair.

“I am.” Cassian confirmed, and the male curled up his lip in a slight grimace.

“They said some Fae were comin’ to help. Didn’t believe it.” He said, as if he were hoping it wouldn’t have been true.

Cassian, heading his brother’s strict order to play nice, smiled at the man. “I’m here, and I’m happy to help.”

The man scoffed, “As happy as you were to destroy it all to begin with?”

Cassian’s smile faltered, and before he could choke out an apology, the man rolled his eyes and waved his hand dismissively,

“Nevermind. Don’t answer that. We got work to do. My barn is in cinders.”

The man motioned for Cassian to follow him, and began leading him down the road to the farm. The Illyrian followed, and tried to make small talk along the way to break the tension.

“What’s your name?” He asked.

The white-haired man didn’t glance in his direction, “Elmer. Elm to my friends.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Elm.”

“You’re not one of my friends.” He said, pausing to eye the Illyrian.

“Right. Sorry.” Cassian said, wondering how the man had any friends at all.

The men walked in silence for the rest of the way, until a sprawling farmhouse came into view. It was massive, but a little decrepit, made of simple wood planks that had the paint chipping off of it. Elmer led Cassian around the back and pointed to a far off barn house off into the distance.

“That’s the barn. Or what’s left of it. I expect it to be lookin’ brand new by sunset with those ‘powers’ of yours,” he said, before turning on his heel and walking back towards the main house.

Cassian rolled his eye, before stretching his wings and taking off into the sky. The barn was a good acre away and he’d be damned if he wasted any time walking.

The Illyrian General set to work as soon as he landed. There was a stack of wood out behind the remnants of the barn, with a bucket of nails, and a single hammer on top waiting for him.

Cassian used his strength— and his wings— to piece back together the barn that he destroyed. He hammered away at the nails for a few hours, until the heat made it nearly unmanageable to keep up at his pace.

Cassian landed back on the ground and peeled off his sweat-drenched shirt. He wiped it across his forehead, soaking up the beads of sweat from his forehead, before discarding the spiked material to the side. He was about to launch back to the sky, bucked of nails in hand, when a voice called out to him.

“Need some water, hun?” The voice asked sweetly. Too feminine and soft to be Elmer.

Cassian turn towards the Barn door, and saw the most beautiful female he’d ever laid eyes on leaning up against the door frame. Cassian took in the sight of her yellow sundress, clinging to her every curve, and quirked up a brow.

Definitely not Elmer.

Cassian sauntered over to the female and shot her a charming smile.

“Well, hello there,” he said, eyeing her up and down, making her lips curl up in a smirk, “What’s your name?”

“(Y/N),” She said, her eyes wandering his muscular, tattooed chest.

“Beautiful name for a beautiful girl.” He said. Despite the cheesiness of the line, she grinned anyway, looking up at him with sparkling eyes. He watched as those eyes of hers made their way across his wings.

“When my daddy said a Fae was comin’ to fix our barn, I didn’t expect someone like you,” she told him.

“I’m Illyrian,” Cassian told her, smiling at the way her nose crumpled up with confusion. “We’re a little different than regular Fae.”

She shot him a mischievous look, “Different how?”

“Maybe I could just show you.” He offered suggestively.

(Y/N) laughed, “Are you flirting with me? My daddy warned me that Fae males are not to be trusted.”

Cassian smirked, “Your father,” he said, “was right to warn you.”

The beautiful female stepped closer to him. A challenge.

“Oh yeah?” She asked, “Prove it.”

Cassian took a step towards her, growing serious for a moment, “You sure?”

She nodded, “Positive.”

(Y/N) took Cassian’s hand and led the large male into the barn that he rebuilt.

She spun around and pressed a heated kiss to his lips, wrapping her arm around his neck. He eagerly returned the kiss, and placed his large hands on waist, before letting them slide down her body to grip her hips.

(Y/N) groaned softly against his lips, and Cassian took the opportunity to slip his tongue into her mouth. She allowed his access, and he explored every inch available to him.

She slide her hands down his muscled chest and defined abs appreciatively. The Illyrian Warrior pulled away and laughed, swatting her hands away playfully.

“That tickles!” He exclaimed, making her grin.

“Oh? So I shouldn’t do this?” She said, dragging a finger down the planes of his stomach, making him jump slightly.

He scowled playfully, “Never do that.”

(Y/N) couldn’t help the laughter that bubbled up from her chest, “Make me stop then.”

Cassian’s eyes darkened, “Maybe I will.” He breathed out, and then his lips were in hers again.

She tugged at his pants as she returned the kiss, and Cassian quickly kicked off the offending garment. Her hand found it’s way into his boxers, and she gripped his already hard length, and stroked it slowly. He moaned into her mouth, and bucked his hips.

She broke the kiss and grinned playfully, “Easy, cowboy.” After a couple more strokes, she fell to her knees in front of him. She helped Cassian out of his boxers, and smirked as his cock sprung out, finally free from the oppressive clothing.

(Y/N) hummed appreciatively, before pressing a soft kiss to the tip. The Illyrian watched as the beautiful female before him licked a long strip from the base to tip, before taking the tip into her mouth. Cassian’s eyes rolled skywards and he groaned softly.

She slowly worked nearly the whole length into her mouth, the tip hitting the back of her throat. She hollowed out her cheeks, and bobbed her head slowly.

Cassian’s hands tangled in her hair, and he moaned loudly. (Y/N) picked up the pace, bobbing her head faster at his encouraging noises.

“Fuck, (Y/N), that’s so good,” he breathed, tugging on her hair slightly. She moved her head faster, and sucked harder, groaning around his cock.

Cassian felt his orgasm pooling in his lower stomach, and he pulled her head away from him.

She looked up at him, her brows furrowed. He wrapped his large hands around her biceps and helped her up, before spinning her around and bending her over a bale of hay. (Y/N) gasped softly, and propped herself up on her forearms.

Cassian lifted up the sundress and smirked when he saw that she had no panties on. His eyes raked over her exposed flesh appreciatively.

“Mm, dirty girl.” He teased, circling her clit with his finger, “Already so wet and ready for me.”

(Y/N) moaned and shook her hips impatiently, “I’ve been ready for you since the moment you took your shirt off.”

Cassian gave a couple of more light touches to her clit, before lining himself to up to her entrance. He pushed in slowly, groaning at the tightness around him. She moaned softly and bit her lip as he filled her.

“Gods, (Y/N), you’re so fucking tight,” he said, as he paused to give her time to adjust.

(Y/N) arched her back, and shifted her hips against his, practically begging for more.

At her encouragement, Cassian gripped her hips, and began thrusting at a slow, steady pace. Her delicate fingers dug into the hay, ignoring the way the dry forage clipped at her skin. She relinquished control to the muscular male and allowed her eyes to slip shut.

Cassian groaned as he pick up his pace and sank his fingertips into the soft flesh of her hips, relishing at the way her skin felt in his callused hands. (Y/N) couldn’t help but sign blissfully at the sensation. She pushed up on her forearms to meet his thrusts, greedily taking in all the he gave her.

Her name slipped from his lips in a hoarse, throaty moan as she circled her hips in cadence with each thrust. (Y/N) felt beads of sweat rising up on her neck and she knew she was almost at her limit. He was too big, she was too full, it was too much.

She gasped as Cassian’s thick fingers wrapped around her braid- one hand twisted in her hair, and the other gripping her hips as he fucked into her tight heat mercilessly. The pure animalistic l nature of the maneuver had her head spinning. Her jaw went slack and all she could manage to do is cry out desperately, needing him to take her over the edge.

“P-please…” she whined, “Cassian…”

“Are you gonna cum for me, sweet girl?” He taunted, “Are you gonna cum all over his cock?”

“Yes! Fuck, I’m gonna cum,” she gasped out.

“Good, me too,” he told her, “I’m gonna fill you all the way up.” The promise had her toes curling. Her vision went blurry and she dropped her forehead against the hay bale and felt the coil in her belly about to break loose.

With two more thrusts of Cassian’s skilled hips, it was all over for both of them. She cried out his name and she came undone beneath his ministrations. He followed soon after, gritting his teeth and spilling into her, just as he had sworn to do. His movements shuttered to a stop, and neither dared to move as they came down from their highs, panting harshly.

Once their breathing returned to normal, Cassian pulled out and surveyed the state of the mortal beauty in front of him. She was splayed out over the hay bale, braid coming undone, with her legs shaking. Cassian huffed out a laugh and helped her up, steadying her as she wobbled on her feet. Her cheeks were twinged pink and her eyes were glassy as she came back down to reality and smiled at the Illyrian male lazily. The two dressed quickly, suddenly aware that Elmer could be back any second to check on the progress of construction.

“That was fun,” she croaked out, breaking into a full blown grin at Cassian’s chuckle.

“Let’s do it again sometime.” He said.

“Absolutely. But next time, how about we destroy your house.” She quipped. At his confused expression, she gestured for him to look around. When he did, his eyebrows shot up in surprise.

The barn that he’d spent all day repairing was in absolute shambles again. Somewhere in the haze of the pleasure, his fae abilities were more than the human structure could handle.

“(Y/N)… how did the barn fall apart last time?” He asked, meeting her amused gaze.

She smirked, “Well, cowboy,” she began, “Let’s just say this wasn’t our first rodeo.”

Ignoring his incredulous stare, she clapped him on his bicep and laughed, “Tell ya what,” she said, “Get me some more of that funny plant you gave me last time you came around, and I’ll help ya clean up this mess.” She said, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

Cassian barked out a laugh, “Sounds like a deal, sweetheart.”

With blank eyes the Doctor hung her lab coat upon a hook by the door. She removed the medical mask that covered her face and exhaled feeling exhausted. She looked at the clock above her head which hung on the dull wall of the medical ward 

“Time of death?” One of the other doctors asked.

“10:17 she read.” She began removing her surgical gloves. Her eyes briefly lingered on the soldier who had just passed. She didn’t make it. She had simply become another number, a toll from the war.

Lya had become accustomed to it. Death was a part of the world in which she lived in. It wasn’t rare to lose a soul on an odd day, sometimes even illness was beyond medical skill.

She left the room and returned to her small office Lux and Adair, her apprentices, followed behind her with somber expressions.

“Another goner,” the doctor mumbled, her features collapsed in an upsetting frown. “Got anything else for me tonight?” She ran an anxious hand through her permanently messy hair.

This had been the 3rd loss of the day, it had been a particularly harsh day. An X-Wing caught on fire barely managed to crash back on Yavin 4, four where injured, three didn’t make it.

 Both apprentices exchanged a look before shaking their heads.

“Don’t look so glum now,” Lya began as she walked around her desk and began leafing through some loose papers on her desk. “Death is a part of life. A part of our cause. As dark as it is, it is important that we respect it and those whom she calls.” Adair’s thin lips stretched into a frown and he looked down at the ground.

“How do you do it?” asked Lux, both of her eyebrows furrowed in concern.

 Lya wondered if it had been too much for them. It was important to desensitize them to death. Lya shook her head slowly, “Not much one can do, just remember and honor our passed ones and get ahead. Life goes on with and without them, without us.”

Both apprentices remained grim to the tender subject. She knew they had both lost loved ones to the cause. It was rare for an anyone not to have suffered a casualty in this war. The Doctor looked at her medical agenda and realized that her other patients of the day were all in observation. Other doctors were on call tonight.

She actually had some time off.

“How about this?” Lya suggested as she began removing her white lab coat. “How about we go to the Cantina? Lighten up a bit?” She offered with a small smile.

It wasn’t returned by either.

It was late in the evening by the time that they arrived to the Cantina. Both Lux and Adair weren’t looking any more cheerier. Lux’s gray eyes were glued to the table, she had barely touched her drink. Adair remained stoic his elbows resting on the table, his eyes blank.

Lya looked down at the water she was drinking before allowing an exhausted sigh to escape her lips. The loud music wasn’t helping either.

“Oi!” She stood and snapped her fingers rudely catching the attention of one of the irked bartenders. “Brandy?” She said raising both of her arched eyebrows. Demanding for the strong beverage to be served to them. 

A few moments later…

Almost collapsing over the table the Doctor leant over and attempted to be louder than the band’s lively music. There were two empty bottles of Jogan Fruit Brandy.

“Listen!” She raised her voice “Do you feel better now?” She drunkenly slurred. Her violet eyes were filled with concern for her students.

Adair held on to his head he toyed with his thick curls as he attempted to keep his head leveled. Lux, however, remained in her dazed state. Her eyes showed only sadness despite the many drinks the Doctor had forced on her.

“Lux you need-“ The doctor suddenly lost her voice.

She was about to suggest she needed yet- another drink.

From across the room a tall figure caught her attention. It was an imperial droid. There were few around Yavin4, it was K-2SO. Alongside him was Captain Cassian Andor. He wore a brown leather jacket and his beige civilian clothes underneath. 

“Fuck!” She exclaimed slamming her hand on the table accidentally spilling whatever was left in the bottle of brandy on the table. She caught the attention of several wandering eyes in the Cantina. The spilled mess quickly consumed the small space. They all looked at the usually composed doctor oddly. Her behavior was extremely out of character.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck!” She cursed as the panic surged through her. She nervously ran a hand through her messy hair which was held in her typical hairstyle a low hair bun. 

Despite the fact that her elbows and arms were now soaked with the strong smelling liquid Lux didn’t move, she didn’t even flinch. The distracted Doctor didn’t even notice. Adair however looked at her with concern. She attempted to clean the spilled drink with the few napkins which were lying around the table. “I’m going to get more napkins,-” Lya announced.

“Are you OK?” Adair touched Lux’s arm gently.

“-If anybody asks you’re my boyfriend.” The Doctor tossed over her shoulder.

Adair looked at the Doctor who had already ran off confused. In a split of a second his attention returned to the pixie haired woman sulking next to him.

Lya almost leapt over the bar counter. “Napkins please!” She called out again slapping her hand against the counter. The busy bartender only flashed her an annoyed glance before nodding his head and heading out to the back to conveniently take his cigarette break. The Doctor tapped her fingers anxiously on the wooden counter. It was then that she felt a presence stand next to her. She fought the strong urge to turn, remaining rigid and faced the many bottles that were lined up before her. She held her breath. She knew this would happen.

Cassian had seen her from a far, his heart had stopped. There was no way he could miss her. She was being obnoxiously loud in an attempt to speak louder than the band that was playing. The Cantina was a dark place, everyone minded their own business. It was moist and the wood creaked with every given step. It was rare, but often times couples would stand up and dance.

Cassian noted how nervous she became and how she spilled a bottle of who knows what. He saw her standing at the bar looking particularly stiff. 

“Cass?” K-2S0 questioned his distraught partner. The droid saw were his friend’s eyes lay and if the droid could’ve held a disappointed expression he would’ve. “I’ve got a bad feeling about th-“ Before the droid finished speaking his friend had made a run a for it. “Oh dear.” He had no choice but to follow.

"Fancy seeing you here," he said with his thick accent. He wore a casual façade. Playing it casual he reached over the counter pulled a bottle with golden liquor and poured himself a drink in a small shot glass from the bar. His eyes momentarily darted towards her in order to attempt and read her stern expression. 

She felt her blood begin to boil, her stomach churning uneasily. "Listen-" She snapped turning to face him with one single accusing finger. She regarded him, his beard had been trimmed neat, his hair was shaggy and reached just above his shoulders, his dark eyes were like two new moons resting upon her. He wore his civilian clothes and a brown leather jacket.  

"The Cantina is big enough for both of us, so why don't you take your drink-" She said raising up the shot glass with golden liquid in her hand. "Take it!" She tossed her head back and downed it in one large gulp. She hissed as the foreign liquid burned her throat and coughed. The stirrings inside of her made her feel nauseous.

"And get out of here?" She placed the shot glass on the table clumsily as she attempted to hold herself with grace. He looked at her and noticed her attempt to maintain her usual distant poise. He couldn’t help it, the smallest of grins grew on his face.

"I would love nothing more than that, but you just finished my drink-“ he paused for a moment debating if it would be fun to push her buttons. “-fea." He said with a broad smile while pouring two shots on two different glasses this time.

 Lya narrowed her eyes, she had heard that word before.

 "Did you just call me..?" She said taking one of the drinks in her hand, she was unsure of the word’s meaning. She looked at K-2S0 expecting an answer.

"In Captain Andor's native tongue the word fea translates to the equivalent of ugly," Kaytoo provided insightfully without shame.

Cassian chuckled at the incredulous expression on the Doctor's face. "How dare you-" She said inching closing to him. She threateningly raised a hand, inebriated, ready to strike- He caught it midair and brought it to his chest holding it close. The other casually sipped his drink.

Lya could feel her cheeks burning from the embarrassment. Her face resembled a frowning tomato.

"Quit hitting on me!" She protested not moving an inch. With a cool smirk Cassian took a sip from his drink. "It seems like you're the one trying to hit me, fea."

She knew he didn’t mean it by his playful expression. Still it was irksome, he was irksome.

"-Stop calling me that!" She fumed attempting to fruitlessly slap his chest with the hand he was holding on to. His grip only became tighter around it. 

"Just so you know- I have a boyfriend. A very serious one at that and if you don’t let my hand go--" She tugged at her hand. Wearing a sly grin he brought it to his lips and placed a kiss on her knuckles.

"He-He- He is going to turn you into Ewok shit!" Her head cocked to the side as she looked at him with her wide azure eyes. "Really?" He pretended to be surprised nodding apprehensively. He took another sip of his drink.

"Looks like he's busy," He said looking over her shoulder. She turned her head and saw that Adair and Lux were engaged in full lip lock. 

'REALLY? NOW?'

With pursued lips she turned to face him. She hadn’t realized how close they were standing to each other. With her free hand she took the free shot and clinked her glass against his before they both downed it.

"What is this anyway?" She grimaced at the awful taste.

"Tequila, a delicacy from where I'm from." She could feel his free hand snaking around her waist. Now, he was getting too close for comfort. "I'll teach you how to properly appreciate it one day."

"As if!" She exclaimed. "I'm-I'm-" She was interrupted by K-2S0.

"Your behavior, Dr. Stryker, is continually unexpected.” It spoke.

"I'm out of here!" She finally pulled away, ignoring the droid’s statement. Bending over the bar she reached the first towel she could get her hands on and scrambled away. "Hey!" The bartender caught sight of this just in time.

Lya could feel her heart hammering in her chest as she rushed to the table where she had been sitting with Lux and Adair.

"Peachy timing to get together you two," She grumbled sarcastically as she began a fruitless attempt at drying the table. The younger woman bit her lip bashfully and slightly shrugged. The other held a lazy grin on his face as he rubbed his thumb over her freckled hand.

"I mean- it's about time!" Her mood suddenly shifted as she beamed happy for the new couple. Lya suddenly felt an arm drape around her shoulders. “Yeah- tell me about it,” Cassian added in his husky voice.

“Who the hell invited you?” She glared at him, not flinching under his touch. The Captain took a sip from his second tequila and pointed at the Doctor's male assistant.

 “You invited me over here when you said that that child was your boyfriend."

"Hey!" Lux protested with her whinny voice on behalf of her young partner.

 "-Poor judgement, impaired motor function, glassy eyes,  slurred speech, Dr. Stryker's BAC is 0.08%."

"Judgy aren’t we Kaytoo?" Lya turned and slapped her hand over what would be the robot's mechanical thorax. 

"Be nice," She felt a pair of arms wrap around and hold hers from behind. "I can’t compute why the Captain is so infatuated with you," K-2S0 replied.

"K!” Cassian growled out. The Doctor couldn’t help but snigger. The sniggering made her feel nauseous, she swayed slightly bending over.

"Alright-" Cassian said taking away the wet rag that she held on her hand. "-I think we should."

 She had the most odd feeling aching in her stomach, rising to her burning throat.

"Ma'am, I'm going to have to ask you to leave," The bartender stood before the group with both of his hands on his hips. His half lidded, tired eyes bored into the Doctor. He dragged the stench of cigarettes with him.

 "I don't need to-" The Doctor began.

 Lux cringed at the sudden stench. Adair only face palmed bringing a shameful hand to his face. For a moment he couldn’t believe that this woman was his mentor. Cassian's fingers danced as his grip tightened on the Doctor's shoulders. Her head lolled over and she wiped the left over bile from the edge of her wet lips. The Captain pursued his lips in an attempt to choke down a frustrated chuckle, he could feel the warm puke coating his military rebel boots.

"Lovely. Left over Gorak." Kaytoo added commenting on the Doctor’s previous meal.

"What am I now? A packing Eopie mule?" K-2SO complained as he carried Lya's lab coat, her barf covered boots and a massive bottle of water that they had picked up on the way.

"No," Lya muttered. "Cassian is my Eopie mule," she laughed as she wrapped her arms around his neck tighter. Cassian looked back with a smirk and bounced her on his back even higher. Lya felt her stomach churn. "Quit doing that or I'll throw up on you."

"You already did." He said with a humorous huff.

Considering she had already thrown up on him, he was in good spirits. Then again he had rolled through worse substances in the past.

"Then I'll do it again," She jokingly threatened as she leant forward and whispered into his ear. He held her legs from under her knees steadily.

"I think I'm the one that's going to be sick," K-2S0 droned sarcastic as ever.

The trio suddenly stopped before the small home that Dr. Stryker called home. It had once been part of a massive tree. Parts of the tree still had lived and held masses of bountiful branches at its top. It was close enough to the medical ward that one would be there in minutes, yet far away enough to be able to disconnect yourself from ugly truth of the rebellion. Around these areas, it was just the rainforest and your soul.

"Key is on top of the door frame," the doctor mumbled intoxicated. "Really?" Cassian tossed back as he reached for the key. He couldn’t believe how careless she was.

"Would you like to know the odds of an enemy breaking in?” The droid offered.

“Did you program him to be as unbelievable annoying as you?” The Doctor poked at Cassian. “They are unbelievably high." K-2S0 announced.

"Shut up," she mumbled. "You know I can look after myself K-2."

"Right. Just like right now," the droid finished with a. jab at her obvious intoxication.

She simply narrowed her eyes at him. She didn’t drink alcohol often. She should’ve watched over her low alcohol tolerance more cautiously. 

As soon as the door opened both humans were hit by the strong scent of herbs and flora. Cassian didn't expect her home to be so- homey?

He wanted to take off his boots and just sink into the pyramid of pillows that sat on top of a sofa chair in the corner of the room.

It was definitely better than the military quarters which he inhabited.

There were countless of pillows, blankets and throws all around the small living room. Several couches, fit into the small room. Her kitchen was just as small with several teapots and tea cups on the sides. The living room had a large shelf which weighted with the knowledge of dozens of medical books and scrolls. He found it odd that there was only a low table in the kitchen and instead of dining chairs, pillows surrounded it. Vases and jars with some dried and living flowers and herbs also decorated the room. A part of Cassian felt pride when he saw the flowers he had given her dried up and shriveled in one of the vases. Regardless of it all she had kept them.

There was a large door like cave carved into the woods of the tree which he figured was her bedroom. Cassian gave K-2S0 a knowing look. "I'll wait here," the droid tossed all of the doctor's belongings by the door.

Cassian stepped into the bedroom which consisted on a messy mattress on the floor. Just like the rest of the home the room was cozy, filled with pillows, blankets and throws to spare. The walls were decorated with dried herbs and flowers which hung upside down. The Captain couldn't decide if she kept all these plants for aesthetic or for actual medical purposes. He didn’t bother in turning the lights on. They wouldn’t be here long.

"Alright off-" he said. She simply starred at him remaining unresponsive."-because you're heavy." He added with a hint of humor.

She smiled and clumsily hopped off his back. She didn’t remove her arms from his neck, she tugged at his leather jacket and pulled him back to sit on the mattress. She stood on her knees and fully embraced him from behind. She would’ve let go, however, she hadn’t felt this much comfort in a long time.

"You're very, very drunk-" He noted, not complaining about the embrace.

"And you're very, very lucky. I won't be this friendly next time you see me."

"This is what you call friendly?" He chuckled. "Can I be your friend then?"

"No," she scoffed with a small laugh. "You're my Eopie mule," she added with a good hearted laugh before placing a small kiss on his cheek. Turning to her with a lazy smile he grabbed her face in his rough hands.

"I'll be whatever you want me to." His dark eyes flickered to her odd purple ones.  "Friend, mule-" they landed on her lips. "Lover." His voice trailed into a whisper.

"Are you going to kiss me again?" She asked holding her breath. He brought her face inches closer to hers. Their noses barely brushing. 

"No-" He said in a serious tone, she looked at him with a strange look. "Because you smell like throw up," he grinned. She couldn't help but smile at him. Regardless he leant forward and planted a brave kiss on her temple. He sat there for a brief moment. Holding her close his lips rested against her temple as they both sat with each other in the darkness.

"I can't promise you I'll keep you safe," Cassian began.

"I can't promise you I'll be there,

I can't promise you a future together,

I can't even promise you I'll come back…" Lya held her breath. She felt something in her chest clench. Regardless, she didn't fear from his touch. Instead eased into it resting her head against his. She couldn't pinpoint the root of the emotions that were beginning to consumer her. Perhaps it was the alcohol. "-But…"

"What I can promise you is that-" He reached for her cold hands bringing them to his lips. "Out of the many lovers you will have and have had, I can promise you that none of them will even come close to loving you like I will."

He looked at her eyes with longing. She felt breathless.

 "You don't even know me," she huffed as her mind processed what Cassian Andor had just declared. This was madness, it was absolute insanity. They didn't know anything about each other.

He wasn't lying to her. Cassian was a tool for the Rebellion, a high ranking officer, a threat to his enemies, a spy, a weapon. He had more  than a handful of targets on his head.

His enemies would not hesitate in hurting him or anyone within close affiliation to the Captain. Both had already had a brush with that problem.

The life they had both chosen in devotion to the Rebellion, was a lonely one. Death, fear and the uncertainty of tomorrow clouded their subconscious fears and plagued their lives.

Cassian wouldn't always be here. He'd be out, in a distant galaxy, working for the cause they both believed in, risking his life on the line for a better future. Pretending to live a double life. He would have to act stone cold in the face of fear and pretend as if his the Doctor was just some other medic.

Her inebriated state allowed for a small laugh to escape her lips, "Cassian, you don't even know me," She breathed, her head slumping to the sides from the alcohol she had consumed.

"Then let me." He didn't waste a breath in pleading. His fingers stroked her face and she leaned into his tender caress.

She paused for a moment, looking at the looking of longing in his deep eyes, they pleaded for her. She knew he wouldn't give up. She didn’t know if he was truly infatuated with her, if he would change his mind next week or if anyone else would ever care for her the way he claimed to do. She decided that the odds were that they would both die young martyrs. She made her decision.

 "Fine then." She said filled with pride. "I'll give you a chance to disappoint you," she said with a stunning smile.

"I look forward to it," he returned the smile, his hand ran through her messy hair tucking a lost strand of chestnut hair behind her ear.

Even with all hands on deck, an effort from the top down to make much-needed, long-overdue tweaks to a host of base hardware - from fighters to communications equipment - would take at least a week, maybe more. But for the rebellion to operate more efficiently, the majority of the fixes finally needed to happen. And that meant you, as an operations coordinator, would be in the thick of it all. The good news was that Cassian, intelligence officer, pilot, your husband and source of your goofy smiles and muffled giggles throughout your hectic schedule, didn’t have another mission for several days, although he was still busy orienting new sympathizers to the cause and orchestrating some of the fighter upgrades. Sooner than you wanted to think about, he would be off again. That was the life; you both knew it long before you wed, so you cherished all your moments together and the myriad times your eyes met across the base.   

On this particular day, though, Cassian started something new - something that made your soul leap from every moon in the galaxy. In the midst of a chat with a senior officer,  Cassian’s face went from all-business to all-play as he pointed in your direction with stars in his eyes, and said, “That’s my wife.” You couldn’t hear him, but you picked up on every syllable. “Sorry, did I pronounce something incorrectly?” The tech standing beside you snapped you back to your work. She stared at your expression as she pointed to the manifest in your hands that you’d been diligently scrolling through just a few seconds before. 

Ripping your eyes from Cassian, you turned to her, then your screen, and back to her again.   

“What…no…why do you ask?”

“You’re laughing.”

You glanced over the words in front of you, which suddenly looked as if they were written in an unfamiliar tongue. “I’m sorry. I was just thinking of something funny.”

“Hmm.” Your answer didn’t seem to clear up matters to the tech in the least.

After wrapping up your discussion with her, you looked for Cassian again. And he was still gesturing your way, this time with a mechanic friend beside him as K-2SO strode by.

“That’s my wife.” Cassian’s sweet smile would be the death of you.  

Still reading lips, you were pretty sure your mutual friend answered, “We know. Everyone knows.” 

“Consider that a polite way of saying don’t say it again.” You could hear K-2SO loud and clear. “I will be much more straightforward: don’t say it again.”

But Cassian did, to anyone who would listen. Few did. He didn’t care. It went on this way throughout the afternoon. You could hardly wait until the day was over, so you could steal him away for a quiet dinner, playfully chide him for his antics, and plant a few kisses, too.

For the moment, though, you had to find someone to assess a satellite glitch.

“Excuse me.” A machinist approached you, asking about his next assignment.

You referred to your list.