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Eclipsed by the Stars

Hey there @orbitalmirror Happy exchange day !!! I really hope that you like what I've written, I've had some trouble with it but I think the result was worth it. I hadn't written for Fives before so that was a new one, I always loved his character. I used a lyric from both of your songs, I hope you'll like the way they are used. @ghostofskywalker thanks again for always coming up with these exchanges, they are always a treat for everyone involved. Can't wait for the next @cloneficgiftexchange

Fives blinked awake, the cold metal of the wall biting into his back as he tried to make sense of the throbbing pain behind his eyes. His shoulders ached from the awkward position, shackled to the wall by heavy cuffs that chafed against his skin. The dim light flickering from the ceiling cast long shadows across the small cell, revealing the grim, metallic interior typical of a Separatist ship. He grimaced, his senses gradually returning, bringing with them the familiar scents of oil and burnt metal that lingered in the stale air.

He shifted slightly, trying to relieve some of the pressure on his shoulders, when a soft rustling sound caught his attention. Fives turned his head slowly, his eyes narrowing as they adjusted to the dim light. Across from him, slumped against the opposite wall, was a woman. She was unconscious, her head tilted to the side, with dark hair cascading over her face. The gentle rise and fall of her chest was the only sign of life.

For a moment, Fives just stared, his mind sluggishly processing the scene. She wasn’t dressed like any soldier he’d ever seen—more like a civilian, but not quite. Her clothes were practical, fitted for movement and utility, though now torn and stained from what must have been a rough capture. Even in the low light, he could make out the bruises marring her skin and a small cut on her lip, dried blood crusting its edge. Despite the circumstances, there was something striking about her—a kind of fierce beauty, even in unconsciousness, like a caged wild animal.

He let out a low whistle, more to break the silence than anything. “Well, this just keeps getting better,” he muttered under his breath, the sarcasm a reflex against the creeping sense of dread. He tugged at the cuffs, testing their strength, but they held firm, the cold metal biting into his wrists.

The woman stirred, a soft groan escaping her lips. Her eyelids fluttered, and after a few moments, she opened her eyes, revealing a pair of sharp, stormy-gray eyes. She blinked, disoriented, her gaze sweeping the room before landing on him. For a heartbeat, they just stared at each other, both assessing, both guarded.

“Well, this is cozy,” she said, her voice rough but laced with a dry wit. She shifted slightly, wincing as the movement pulled at her bruises. “Didn’t realize I’d be getting a roommate.”

Fives smirked, leaning back against the wall as best he could. “Yeah, they really pulled out all the stops with the accommodations. Separatists are known for their hospitality, right?”

She snorted, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “Hospitality. Right. You know, I was just thinking how much I could use a nap when they knocked me out and threw me in here. So, really, it’s kind of them.”

“Glad you’re keeping it all in perspective,” Fives replied, his tone matching hers. “How’s the head? You took a pretty hard hit there, looks like.”

(Y/n) grimaced, lifting her hand to gingerly touch the side of her face, wincing as her fingers brushed over a tender bruise. “I’ve had worse. What about you? Looks like they didn’t exactly roll out the welcome mat for you, either.”

“Just another day in the office,” Fives shrugged, though the movement sent a fresh wave of pain through his shoulders. He studied her for a moment, curiosity mingling with caution. “So, what’s a... friendly face like yours doing in a place like this?”

(Y/n)’s eyes narrowed slightly, though there was a spark of humor in them. “Oh, you know, just taking a little sightseeing tour of the galaxy, and I got lost. Figured I’d check out the local Separatist décor. Not really my style, though.”

“Can’t say I’m a fan either,” Fives agreed, a chuckle escaping him despite the situation. He glanced around the cell again, his mind already working on their next move. “Fives,” he offered after a beat, his voice steady.

“(Y/n),” she replied, her tone softening just a fraction. “And before you ask, no, I’m not with the Republic. Independent contractor, let’s say.”

“Independent contractor, huh?” Fives echoed, raising an eyebrow. “You must have one hell of a boss to end up in a place like this.”

“You could say that,” (Y/n) replied dryly, her gaze flicking down to the cuffs around her wrists. She gave them a testing pull, then sighed. “These things really don’t give, do they?”

“Not unless you’ve got a fusion cutter in your pocket,” Fives said, though his tone was light, there was a sharp edge of seriousness beneath it. “I don’t suppose you brought any tools with you?”

(Y/n) shook her head, wincing slightly as the movement pulled at a sore muscle. “Afraid not. I left my toolkit in my other pants.”

“Figures,” Fives muttered, though there was a hint of a grin on his lips. He shifted slightly, trying to get more comfortable, and then looked back at her. “So, (Y/n), got any brilliant ideas for getting us out of here?”

She leaned her head back against the wall, her eyes closing briefly as she thought. When she opened them again, they were sharper, more focused. “Well, for starters, I’m not really in the mood to stick around and see what they have planned for us. And second, I don’t like leaving loose ends.”

Fives raised an eyebrow. “Loose ends?”

(Y/n)’s smile was small but full of intent. “The droid control center I was trying to disable before they got the jump on me. It’s still operational, and if I can get back to it, I can make sure it goes offline permanently.”

“Well, that’s definitely a start,” Fives said, impressed despite himself. “But we’re still locked up like a couple of Womp Rats. Any ideas on how we get from here to there?”

She looked at him, her expression serious but tinged with that same dry humor. “Oh, I’ve got a few. But first, we need to get these cuffs off.”

“And how do you plan to do that?” Fives asked, genuinely curious.

(Y/n)’s smile widened, her eyes flashing with a mix of determination and mischief. “We improvise.”

Fives couldn’t help the grin that spread across his face. This woman was something else, all right. “Improvisation, huh? I like your style.”

“Good,” she said, already scanning the cell for anything they could use. “Because we’re going to need all the luck we can get. And maybe a little bit of that famous clone ingenuity.”

Fives chuckled, the sound low and genuine. “You’ve got it, (Y/n). Let’s see what we can do.”

As they began to work together, Fives felt a flicker of something unexpected—hope. This situation was bad, no doubt about it, but with (Y/n) by his side, he had a feeling they might just pull it off. She was like a wild card, unpredictable and full of surprises. And as she started to outline her plan, he found himself thinking that maybe, just maybe, they’d come out of this alive.

Fives shifted his weight, the cold bite of the cuffs digging into his wrists as he watched (Y/n) with a mix of curiosity and growing respect. She was still scanning the cell, her mind clearly working at full speed, but now her focus had shifted to the immediate problem—the restraints that bound them both.

“First things first,” she muttered, her voice low and thoughtful. “We need to get these off.” She tugged at her own cuffs, testing their strength, then glanced over at Fives, her eyes narrowing in concentration. “Any bright ideas?”

Fives glanced down at the cuffs, then up at the wall where they were anchored. He’d been in tight spots before, but this was a whole new level of difficulty. Still, he wasn’t one to back down from a challenge. “I’m guessing you didn’t happen to stash any tools before they grabbed you?” he asked, a hint of sarcasm in his tone, though his eyes were sharp and focused.

(Y/n) shot him a look that was half-amused, half-annoyed. “Left my toolkit in my other pants, remember? But we’re not completely out of luck.” She nodded towards the overhead light. “If we can get that casing off, there might be something inside we can use. Wires, maybe, or a power cell.”

Fives followed her gaze, the flickering light casting long shadows across the cell. It was a long shot, but it was the only shot they had. “Alright,” he said, shifting again to get a better look at the fixture. “Think you can reach it?”

(Y/n) eyed the distance, then nodded slowly. “If I can get enough leverage... maybe.” She adjusted her position, sliding her legs underneath her and pushing herself up as far as the cuffs would allow. The movement wasn’t graceful—her muscles protested, still sore from whatever beating she’d taken—but she managed to get one foot on the wall, using it to push herself up.

Fives watched her, ready to assist if she needed it. Her determination was something to behold, a fiery resolve that seemed to burn brighter with every passing second. She strained against the cuffs, her fingers just barely brushing the edge of the light fixture, and with a grunt of effort, she managed to hook her fingers around it.

“There,” she muttered, her voice strained but triumphant. “Now, just a little...”

With a sharp twist, the casing popped off, and (Y/n) let out a breath of relief. She tugged it free, pulling down the small bundle of wires and components that had been hidden behind it. “Got it,” she said, her voice tinged with satisfaction.

Fives couldn’t help the grin that spread across his face. “Not bad. Now, what can we do with it?”

(Y/n) dropped back down, landing with a soft thud as she examined the small cache of parts she’d just liberated. She pulled at the wires, carefully separating them, her fingers moving with practiced ease. “If we can strip these down, we might be able to short-circuit the cuffs. Or at the very least, fry the locking mechanism.”

Fives watched her work, his respect for her growing with each precise movement of her hands. She wasn’t just talking—she knew exactly what she was doing, and she was doing it with a level of confidence that told him this wasn’t her first time improvising her way out of a bad situation.

As she stripped the wires with a small, sharp piece of metal she’d pried loose from the casing, Fives couldn’t help but marvel at her ingenuity. She was quick, efficient, and didn’t waste a single motion. It was like watching a seasoned mechanic work, or a demolitions expert defuse a bomb—every action was deliberate, calculated.

“Where’d you learn to do this?” he asked, genuinely curious. Most civilians he’d met didn’t have this kind of skill set, let alone the nerve to put it into practice in a situation like this.

(Y/n) didn’t look up, her focus still on the wires in her hands. “Here and there,” she replied cryptically. “When you spend enough time dodging trouble, you pick up a few tricks.”

Fives raised an eyebrow, sensing there was more to the story than she was letting on. But he didn’t press her. They had more immediate concerns. “Looks like you’ve dodged more than your fair share.”

She gave a small, almost self-deprecating smile. “You could say that.” She glanced up at him then, her eyes meeting his with a flicker of something—maybe recognition, maybe understanding. “And you? I’m guessing you’ve been in a few tight spots yourself.”

Fives chuckled, the sound low and full of dry humor. “You could say that too. I’ve had to get creative more times than I can count.” He paused, his expression turning serious. “But this? This is something else. If we pull this off...”

“When we pull this off,” (Y/n) corrected, her tone firm. “We don’t have any other options, Fives.”

He nodded, impressed by her resolve. “Right. When we pull this off, I’ll buy you a drink. Wherever we end up.”

She smirked, her eyes gleaming with that same wild spark that had caught his attention earlier. “I’ll hold you to that.”

With the wires stripped and ready, (Y/n) turned her attention to the locking mechanism on her cuffs. She twisted the wires together, forming a makeshift circuit, and carefully inserted the ends into the small gap where the lock met the wall. She glanced over at Fives, her expression a mix of concentration and anticipation. “Here goes nothing.”

There was a brief spark, a hiss of electrical discharge, and then a click as the lock released, the cuffs springing open with a soft metallic clang. (Y/n) let out a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding, a triumphant grin spreading across her face.

“Nice work,” Fives said, genuinely impressed. He shifted his arms, bringing his own cuffs into view. “Think you can do the same over here?”

“Watch and learn,” she replied with a wink, already moving over to his side. She worked quickly, her fingers deftly manipulating the wires, and within moments, Fives felt the familiar release of the cuffs as they sprang open.

He rubbed his wrists, feeling the ache where the metal had bitten into his skin, and gave her a nod of appreciation. “You really are something, (Y/n).”

She shrugged, a small smile playing on her lips. “Just another day in the life of a ‘contractor.’ Now, let’s get out of here before they realize we’ve gone.”

Fives watched her for a moment longer, a thought crossing his mind as she moved with that same quick, efficient grace, already dismantling the rest of the light fixture to gather more components. She was a force of nature, and as he followed her lead, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was witnessing something extraordinary.

He didn’t know much about her yet, but one thing was clear: she wasn’t just any ordinary civilian. She was brilliant, fiery, and bold—a woman who seemed to come out of nowhere, bringing with her a spark of life and a determination that could light up even the darkest cell.

As they moved to execute the rest of their plan, Fives felt a strange mix of excitement and anticipation, his mind racing with the possibilities. This was going to be one hell of a story to tell when they got out of here.

With their cuffs off, (Y/n) wasted no time. She gathered the loose components from the dismantled light fixture, her fingers moving quickly as she bundled the wires and small power cells into a makeshift tool. Fives watched her with growing respect, impressed by her ability to turn scraps into something useful.

“So, what’s next?” Fives asked, stretching his arms and rolling his shoulders to work out the stiffness. “We just waltz out of here, or do you have something a little more dramatic in mind?”

(Y/n) shot him a quick grin, her eyes gleaming with that now-familiar spark. “Waltzing’s not really my style. I was thinking more along the lines of causing some chaos and slipping out in the confusion.”

Fives chuckled, shaking his head. “Of course you were. I should have known you’d have a flair for the dramatic.”

“Hey, when you’re outnumbered and outgunned, you have to get creative,” she replied, her tone light but her focus sharp as she finalized their plan. She glanced at the door, then back at Fives. “You ready?”

“Born ready,” Fives said, flashing her a confident grin. He moved closer to the door, positioning himself just out of sight of the small window. “So, how exactly are we going to cause this chaos of yours?”

(Y/n) held up the bundle of wires and the small power cell she’d extracted. “I’m going to overload the panel here. It’ll cause a short-circuit, and if I’m right, it should trigger a temporary shutdown of the security systems in this section. That’ll give us a window to make our move.”

“And if you’re wrong?” Fives asked, a teasing lilt to his voice.

She gave him a sideways look, one eyebrow raised. “Then we’ll have to improvise, won’t we?”

Fives grinned, his admiration for her growing with every passing second. “I like the way you think, (Y/n). Let’s do this.”

(Y/n) nodded, then quickly set to work, her fingers deftly connecting the wires to the control panel beside the door. There was a brief, tense silence as she worked, both of them listening for any sounds that might indicate the guards were coming. But the only noise was the soft hum of the ship’s engines vibrating through the walls.

Finally, (Y/n) stepped back, a satisfied smile on her face. “Alright, here goes nothing.”

She pressed a final connection, and the panel sparked, sending a shower of bright, hot sparks cascading down. There was a loud crack, followed by a flickering of the lights, and then the soft hum of the security systems powering down.

Fives glanced at the door, waiting for the inevitable alarm or countermeasure, but nothing happened. Instead, the door clicked open with a soft hiss, revealing a dimly lit corridor beyond. He turned to (Y/n), an impressed look on his face. “I’ll admit it—I’m impressed.”

“Save the flattery for later,” she said, though her tone was playful. “We’re not out of this yet.”

They slipped out into the corridor, moving quickly but cautiously. (Y/n) took the lead, her eyes sharp and focused as she guided them through the ship’s labyrinthine passages. Fives followed close behind, keeping an eye out for any signs of trouble.

“How do you know your way around this place?” Fives asked as they ducked into a side passage, avoiding a pair of patrolling battle droids.

“I managed to swipe a datapad before they locked me up,” (Y/n) explained, holding up the slim device she’d tucked into her belt. “Got a good look at the ship’s layout before they figured out what I was up to.”

Fives shook his head, a grin tugging at his lips. “Of course you did. You’re just full of surprises, aren’t you?”

“You have no idea,” she replied with a wink, her pace quickening as they neared their destination. “The hangar bay should be just up ahead. We get there, grab a ship, and we’re out of here.”

“And here I thought today was going to be boring,” Fives said, his voice low but laced with amusement. “Thanks for keeping things interesting.”

They reached the final corridor leading to the hangar, but as they rounded the corner, they came face to face with a squad of battle droids. Fives cursed under his breath, his hand instinctively reaching for a weapon that wasn’t there. The droids whirred to life, their blasters trained on the pair.

“Stop right there!” one of the droids barked, its voice metallic and grating.

(Y/n)’s mind worked quickly, her eyes darting around the corridor as she searched for an escape. Without hesitation, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a small device—a leftover component from the cell’s light fixture. She tossed it down the corridor, and it exploded in a flash of bright light and smoke, momentarily blinding the droids.

“Run!” she shouted, grabbing Fives by the arm and pulling him down the side passage.

They sprinted down the corridor, the sound of droid blasters firing wildly behind them. Fives couldn’t help but laugh, the adrenaline coursing through him making everything feel sharper, more alive. “You really do know how to make an entrance, don’t you?”

“Not just an entrance,” (Y/n) shot back, her eyes alight with that wild energy. “I’m all about the exits too.”

They burst into the hangar bay, the vast space filled with rows of ships and scattered crates. The bay was mostly deserted, save for a few droids patrolling the far end. (Y/n) didn’t hesitate, her eyes zeroing in on a small, sleek shuttle parked near the entrance.

“There!” she pointed, already moving towards it. “That’s our ride.”

Fives followed, his heart pounding in his chest as they sprinted across the hangar. As they reached the shuttle, (Y/n) quickly hacked the access panel, the door hissing open just as the droids from the corridor burst into the hangar.

“Get us airborne, now!” Fives shouted as he jumped into the pilot’s seat, his hands moving over the controls with practiced ease.

(Y/n) slid into the co-pilot’s seat, her fingers flying across the console as she activated the shuttle’s systems. The engines roared to life, and the ship lifted off the deck just as blaster fire rained down on them from the droids below.

“Punch it!” (Y/n) yelled, her voice filled with excitement and urgency.

Fives didn’t need to be told twice. He slammed the throttle forward, and the shuttle shot out of the hangar, rocketing into the void of space. They dodged and weaved through the ship’s defensive fire, the stars blurring around them as they pushed the shuttle to its limits.

As the ship finally broke free of the Separatist blockade and jumped to hyperspace, (Y/n) let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. She leaned back in her seat, a satisfied smile on her face as the swirling blue vortex of hyperspace enveloped them.

“Well, that was fun,” Fives said, his tone dripping with sarcasm, though there was a genuine smile on his face. He glanced over at her, shaking his head in disbelief. “You really do blow outta nowhere, don’t you? Like some kind of wild, unpredictable force of nature.”

(Y/n) laughed, a sound full of relief and exhilaration. “I’ve been called worse.”

Fives chuckled, leaning back in his seat as the tension of the escape finally began to fade. “Remind me to never underestimate you again.”

“Don’t worry,” (Y/n) replied, her smile widening. “I’ll be sure to remind you if you do.”

As the shuttle sped through hyperspace, the two of them finally allowed themselves a moment of calm. They had made it out, against all odds, and as they sat there, side by side in the cockpit, Fives couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of connection to this wild, unpredictable woman who had come out of nowhere and turned his world upside down.

He glanced over at her, catching the way the soft light of the console played across her features. She was still focused on the readouts, but there was a lightness in her expression now, a quiet confidence that hadn’t been there before. She was something else, all right—a force to be reckoned with, and as they sped towards whatever lay ahead, Fives knew one thing for certain: he was damn glad she was on his side.

The shuttle hummed with the soft, steady rhythm of hyperspace, the stars outside blurring into streaks of light as they hurtled through the galaxy at impossible speeds. For a moment, the cockpit was filled with a heavy, exhausted silence, both Fives and (Y/n) soaking in the brief respite from the chaos they had just escaped.

Fives leaned back in his seat, letting out a long breath he didn’t realize he had been holding. “Well, that was... something,” he muttered, glancing over at (Y/n) with a mix of admiration and disbelief.

(Y/n) smirked, her eyes still fixed on the console as she checked their trajectory. “You don’t seem the type to get rattled easily, Fives. Don’t tell me I’ve finally met a clone who can’t handle a little excitement.”

“Excitement?” Fives echoed, raising an eyebrow. “Is that what you call nearly getting blasted to bits by a bunch of tin cans?”

She turned to him, her smirk widening into a full grin. “What can I say? I’ve always had a thing for close calls.”

Fives couldn’t help but chuckle, shaking his head. “You must have nerves of steel, (Y/n). Most people would be losing it right about now.”

“Maybe I’m just good at pretending,” she replied with a wink, her tone light but her eyes carrying a depth that hinted at much more beneath the surface.

Fives studied her for a moment, his curiosity piqued even further. (Y/n) was unlike anyone he’d ever met—fearless, quick on her feet, and full of surprises. She had an energy about her that was infectious, a spark that seemed to light up even the darkest moments. He found himself drawn to her in a way he hadn’t expected, and it made him wonder just what kind of life she had led before their paths crossed.

Just as he was about to ask her more, a sharp beep from the console interrupted his thoughts. (Y/n)’s smile faded as she glanced at the readout, her expression tightening. “Looks like we’ve got company.”

Fives leaned forward, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the incoming data. “I was hoping we’d get a bit more of a head start.”

(Y/n)’s fingers flew over the controls, pulling up a sensor display. A single blip appeared on the screen, growing closer with each passing second. “Looks like one of their fighters made it out of the hangar before we did,” she said, her tone suddenly all business. “And they’re gaining on us fast.”

Fives swore under his breath, his mind already racing with strategies. “What kind of firepower are we looking at?”

(Y/n) glanced at the display, her jaw tightening. “Hard to say, but they’re definitely armed. And unless I’m mistaken, they’re trying to lock onto us with a missile.”

“Of course they are,” Fives muttered, a dry sarcasm coloring his voice. He tapped a few controls, diverting more power to the shields. “Alright, looks like we’re not out of the woods yet. You any good in a dogfight?”

(Y/n) shot him a quick, confident look. “I’ve held my own a few times. How about you?”

“I’ve logged a few hours behind the stick,” Fives replied, his tone equally confident. “But let’s see if we can’t avoid a straight-up fight. We’re not exactly flying a starfighter here.”

“Agreed,” (Y/n) said, her hands moving deftly over the controls as she plotted a series of evasive maneuvers. “Hold on tight. This might get bumpy.”

The shuttle lurched as (Y/n) veered sharply to the right, skimming the edge of a nearby asteroid field. The pursuing ship closed in, its weapons systems locking on with an ominous beep. Fives glanced at the display, noting the distance rapidly decreasing between them and the enemy fighter.

“They’re not letting up,” he remarked, his voice tight with concentration. “Can we outrun them?”

“Not likely,” (Y/n) said, her eyes narrowing as she made another sharp turn, dodging a cluster of asteroids. “We’re going to have to outsmart them.”

Fives felt a surge of adrenaline as the first shots from the pursuing fighter streaked past their shuttle, narrowly missing the hull. He reached for the weapons controls, arming the shuttle’s rear-mounted blasters. “I’ll keep them off our tail as best I can. Just get us somewhere with more cover.”

“On it,” (Y/n) replied, her voice steady despite the tension in the cockpit. She pushed the shuttle’s engines to full power, weaving through the asteroid field with the skill of a seasoned pilot. “Let’s see how good they are at dodging rocks.”

Fives fired off a few shots, forcing the enemy fighter to break off its attack run and dodge the incoming fire. “Nice flying,” he said, glancing over at (Y/n) with a grin.

She flashed him a quick smile, her eyes alight with that same wild energy he’d seen before. “Thanks. Now let’s see if we can lose them for good.”

As they dove deeper into the asteroid field, the pursuing fighter struggled to keep up, its pilot forced to maneuver carefully to avoid the massive rocks tumbling through space. But the enemy was persistent, staying just close enough to keep the pressure on.

“They’re stubborn, I’ll give them that,” Fives muttered, glancing at the sensor display as the fighter drew closer once more. “But so are we.”

(Y/n)’s fingers danced over the controls, her mind working at lightning speed as she plotted their next move. “Alright, here’s the plan,” she said, her voice quick and determined. “We’re going to lure them into a tight spot, then double back and hit them with everything we’ve got. If we time it right, we can catch them off guard.”

Fives couldn’t help but marvel at her audacity. This woman was full of surprises, always a step ahead, always ready to take the fight to the enemy. She had a fire in her that was impossible to ignore, a boldness that blazed brightly even in the face of danger. She blows outta nowhere, like a roman candle of the wild, he thought, the image fitting her perfectly as she guided them through the chaos with a steady hand.

“Alright,” Fives said, his voice filled with a mix of admiration and determination. “Let’s do it.”

(Y/n) nodded, her focus razor-sharp as she executed a series of quick maneuvers, drawing the enemy fighter deeper into the asteroid field. The ship behind them struggled to keep up, its pilot clearly more accustomed to open space battles than navigating through a minefield of floating rocks.

“Now!” (Y/n) shouted, yanking the controls and sending the shuttle into a tight loop. Fives braced himself as the shuttle spun around, bringing them face-to-face with the pursuing fighter.

“Gotcha,” Fives muttered under his breath as he fired the shuttle’s blasters, the shots tearing through the enemy ship’s shields and punching holes in its hull.

The fighter wobbled, its pilot caught off guard by the sudden reversal. Before they could recover, Fives fired again, this time hitting something critical. The fighter erupted in a ball of fire, the explosion briefly illuminating the asteroid field before fading into the void.

Fives let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding, a grin spreading across his face. “That’s what I’m talking about.”

(Y/n) exhaled slowly, her grip on the controls relaxing as the immediate danger passed. “Nice shooting,” she said, her voice carrying a note of relief. “That was a close one.”

“Yeah,” Fives agreed, still riding the adrenaline high. He glanced over at her, shaking his head in disbelief. “You’re something else, you know that? I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who can think on their feet as fast as you.”

(Y/n) smiled, a small, satisfied smile that spoke of a job well done. “I could say the same about you. You’re not just any clone, are you?”

Fives shrugged, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Let’s just say I’ve had a lot of practice getting out of tight spots. But I couldn’t have done it without you.”

She looked at him, her eyes softening slightly as the tension of the moment finally began to fade. “Well, it was a team effort,” she said, her voice warm. “And for the record, you’re not so bad yourself.”

They shared a brief moment of mutual respect, the kind that only comes from surviving something intense together. But the moment was fleeting, as the reality of their situation quickly set back in.

“So,” Fives said, breaking the silence with a wry grin, “any more surprises up your sleeve? Or is it smooth sailing from here?”

(Y/n) laughed, the sound light and genuine. “I think we’ve had enough excitement for one day. But then again, with our luck...”

“Yeah,” Fives agreed, chuckling softly. “With our luck, who knows what’s around the next corner.”

As they settled back into their seats, the stars of hyperspace streaking past them once more, Fives found himself looking at (Y/n) with a sense of awe. She was a force of nature, unpredictable and brilliant, like a roman candle flaring to life in the dark. And as they sped away from the chaos they’d left behind, he knew one thing for certain: this was just the beginning of their story, and he was damn glad to be a part of it.

****

Epilogue

The sun was beginning its slow descent, casting long shadows across the rolling hills that stretched out towards the horizon. The sky was painted in hues of orange and pink, the last remnants of the day’s warmth lingering in the air. It was peaceful here, a world away from the chaos and violence that had once dominated their lives. The war was over, and the galaxy had finally begun to heal. But for Fives, the most significant battle of his life was just beginning.

He stood on the porch of their small house, his hands resting on the wooden railing as he gazed out at the landscape. The breeze was gentle, carrying the scent of fresh grass and the distant sound of waves crashing against the shore. It was a place of serenity, of quiet moments and simple joys. A place where he could almost forget the scars of the past—almost.

Behind him, he heard the soft creak of the door opening, followed by the familiar sound of footsteps approaching. He didn’t need to turn around to know it was her. He could feel her presence as surely as he felt the sun’s warmth on his skin. (Y/n). His (Y/n).

She came to stand beside him, her hand slipping into his, fingers intertwining with a familiarity that spoke of years spent together, surviving together. Fives turned his head slightly, his gaze finding hers, and for a moment, they just stood there, letting the silence speak for them.

Her eyes, those stormy gray eyes that had first caught his attention in that dark, cold cell, were filled with a mixture of emotions—joy, fear, anticipation. Her other hand rested gently on the slight swell of her belly, a subconscious gesture that made Fives’ heart clench with a fierce protectiveness.

“Are you alright?” he asked, his voice soft, almost hesitant. It was a question he’d been asking her a lot lately, ever since they’d discovered the news that had changed everything.

(Y/n) smiled, a small, tender smile that made his chest ache with a love so deep it sometimes scared him. “I’m alright,” she replied, her voice steady. But there was a hint of something else there, a trace of uncertainty that she couldn’t quite hide.

Fives squeezed her hand, his thumb brushing lightly over her knuckles. “You’re sure?” he pressed gently, his eyes searching hers. “Because I know this is... a lot.”

She nodded, turning her gaze out towards the horizon, the setting sun casting a golden glow across her features. “It is a lot,” she admitted, her voice quieter now. “But it’s also... everything. Everything I never thought I could have.”

Fives felt a lump form in his throat, his heart swelling with emotions he could barely put into words. When they had escaped together all those years ago, when they had fought side by side and survived against all odds, he never could have imagined this. He never imagined they would find a place like this, find peace, find each other. And now, they were facing something even more unimaginable.

He looked down at her, at the way she rested her hand on her belly, and a thousand thoughts raced through his mind. Memories of their battles, of their laughter, of the way she had always been the one to push forward, to keep fighting, even when things seemed impossible. She had always been the one to light up the darkness, to bring hope when there was none. And now, here they were, about to bring new life into a world that had once seemed so full of death.

He turned fully towards her, reaching up to brush a strand of hair behind her ear, his touch gentle, reverent. “I can’t believe this is happening,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “I can’t believe... we’re going to be parents.”

(Y/n) laughed softly, a sound that was both joyful and a little nervous. “Believe it, Fives. Because it’s real. It’s happening.”

He nodded, but there was a part of him that still struggled to grasp it, to accept that after everything they had been through, they were now standing on the brink of something so new, so different. He thought back to that moment, not so long ago, when she had told him the news, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and excitement.

“When you stood up, walked away, barefoot,” he recalled in his thoughts, remembering how she had needed a moment to process it all, to let the reality of their future sink in. He had watched her from the doorway, feeling a whirlwind of emotions he hadn’t known he was capable of—joy, terror, love. So much love.

And now, as they stood here together, he couldn’t help but marvel at how far they had come, how much they had endured, and how this woman—this wild, fiery woman who had once blown into his life like a force of nature—had become the center of his world. She had given him everything he had never dared to hope for, and now she was giving him something even more precious.

“We’ll get through this,” Fives said, his voice full of quiet determination. “Just like we’ve gotten through everything else. Together.”

(Y/n) looked up at him, her eyes softening, the love in them so clear, so unwavering. “Together,” she echoed, squeezing his hand. “Always.”

Fives leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead, his lips lingering against her skin as he closed his eyes and let the moment wash over him. It was a new kind of battle they were about to face, a new challenge unlike any they had encountered before. But for the first time in a long time, Fives wasn’t afraid.

Because he had her. And that was all he needed.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the world in a dusky twilight, they stood there, hand in hand, ready to face whatever came next. The future was uncertain, but it was theirs, and as long as they had each other, Fives knew they could face anything.

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