#week9

The sun dipped low over Pabu’s horizon, creating soft streaks of gold and pink that reflected across the planet's ocean. The faint sound of laughter drifted through the wind from all over the island, blending with the soft crashing of waves and the sounds of everyday island life.

Omega, who was still unaccustomed to staying stationary for long periods of time, decided that the evening was too perfect to waste indoors. She guided Gonky, who was creaking beneath a high pile of blankets and pillows stacked on his metal chassis, down the stone steps leading to the shore.

Hunter and Echo were waiting for them, having already claimed a spot beneath a stone overhang, with their collection of comfort items arranged in haphazard but welcoming piles. Rugs had been unrolled, and extra sheets were threatening to flutter away in the breeze. Wrecker stood near them, arms stuffed with cushions and enough snacks to feed half the island.

A short distance away, Crosshair leaned against a sun-warmed boulder, toothpick tucked between his teeth. He was watching the scene before him with his usual guarded expression, but the slight tilt of his head toward the others revealed quiet attentiveness. He was listening in on a conversation with Rex and two clones Omega had only met once before: Howzer and Gregor.

After Echo returned from his last mission, Omega suggested the squad stay, giving them a much-needed break from their rebel lifestyle: something different. Something normal.

"Just one night," she'd insisted. It didn't take much convincing, but it wasn't until they reached an agreement that she asked the crew to join her in building the best pillow fort Pabu had ever seen.

The structure was supported by long-forgotten driftwood logs and weighed down with large stones scavenged from the beach. Woven rugs and tufted blankets lay scattered on the uneven ground in an overlapping mess of textures and colors. Pillows of all sizes and shapes were scattered around in a jumbled heap, abandoned in the middle of their adjustment. Fairy lights and candles borrowed from the island's communal storage provided a warm yellow glow throughout the interior.

The entire structure sagged slightly here and there, swayed in the breeze, and nearly collapsed when too many people shifted at once. But, like their group, it was thrown together, familiar, and stronger than it seemed.

Inside, the space was small and intimate. Shoulders brushed, knees bumped, and no one had more than a few inches of personal space, but no one seemed to care. For a fleeting moment, the edges of hardened faces had softened. Her brothers, scarred, worn out, and constantly bracing for the next battle, were smiling.

Gonky had settled in near the back, humming quietly beneath a stack of snacks and drinks. Gregor had ceremoniously placed a bowl of Mantell Mix on top of the droid.

Gregor and Wrecker got along quickly, settling next to each other and immediately engaging in jovial and teasing conversation.

"Did you eat all the sushi on the way?" Gregor asked, teasingly.

Wrecker, mouth stuffed with a handful of Mantell Mix, appeared to have just been caught. "Might've. I was inspecting the cargo...for morale."

"Mine or yours?"

"Morale is morale!"

It didn't take long for him and Wrecker to break out laughing, tossing pieces of the snack into the air and attempting to catch them with their mouths. This quickly turned into a full-fledged battle, with Howzer caught in the crossfire, protesting halfheartedly between fits of laughter.

"Keep that mess on your side of the fort," Rex murmured, closing his eyes and smiling lazily.

On one side of Omega, Rex hummed contentedly while reclining between Echo's legs, as if being around his siblings had relieved some of his usual tension. Hunter sat on Omega's other side, leaning on one elbow and stretching his legs out toward the entrance to the fort. He looked truly relaxed in a way he rarely allowed himself to be. The only one missing was Crosshair, but Omega knew he was just outside, standing sentry beneath the stars, listening. He still needed a lot of adjustment time, but she was grateful that he showed up at all.

As the group piled on top of each other, the gentle ocean churned against the shoreline, and thunder rumbled somewhere low and distant. The air had changed, becoming warm and thick, just like it does before summer rain. Still, everything was light inside their fortress.

“Does anyone know a good bedtime story?”

The question made the group pause, a moment of silence in which no one knew how to respond. Most of them blinked at her like she’d spoken a word they hadn’t heard since a childhood they barely remembered. Before Omega could elaborate, Hunter quietly answered. “It’s been some time since any of us heard a bedtime story, Omega. Is there…one you have in mind?”

Omega gave a tired smile and shrugged. "It doesn't have to be a good story," she said, her voice heavy with the weight of the evening. "I just want to hear about the good times." 

Another low rumble echoed outside. This one was closer. The wind shifted, causing the fortress's fabric walls to flutter. Omega moved closer to Hunter, nuzzling her way against his chest to get comfortable, but didn’t say anything. He shifted to accommodate her and grabbed one of the blankets at their feet, pulling it over both of them to shield them from the strong breeze blowing from the entrance to their temporary shelter.

Howzer was the first to break the silence by clearing his throat. “I’ve got one,” he said, smiling thoughtfully. "Just remember—you asked for it."

He leaned in slightly and lowered his voice for emphasis. “There was once a squad made up of the most daring, chaotic, and, frankly, criminally underpaid clones in the galaxy.”

“Here we go,” Echo murmured, already smiling.

“They were sent on a 'serious' mission. They were supposed to rendezvous with a contact who claimed they had intel on something big. Should’ve been simple, right? One quick meeting, in and out. Except the drop point turned out to be in a swamp. A swamp that, and I swear I’m not exaggerating here, was home to thirty-seven screaming Nunas.”

Howzer laughed warmly and quietly. “Each one the size of a starship—or at least, they felt that big when they started charging us.”

“That number gets bigger every time you tell this,” Rex said dryly.

Outside, the first drops of rain hit the driftwood beams. Soft at first, like fingers drumming. A flash of lightning lit up the fabric walls for a split second, and no one moved except Omega and Echo, who flinched slightly. Howzer paused for a moment before continuing, his voice slightly raised due to the approaching weather.

“Rex was still trying to keep things quiet. So Gregor, being Gregor, comes up with this brilliant idea—we try to make ourselves look bigger. Apparently, eight clones stacked on each other's shoulders would be enough to 'outsize angry Nunas.' I don’t know which manual that idea came from, but we were desperate.”

Echo interjected, “It isn’t in any manual.”

"And then, Fireball. Maker, bless that man; he goes and kicks over some metal scrap stuck in the mud. The loudest crash you've ever heard. Thing goes flying, and suddenly it’s chaos. Nunas screaming, clones shouting—next thing I know, I’m face down in swamp water, Samson’s wrestling what I swear was a flying lizard, and Greer’s still yelling ‘hold the formation!’ like we’re in a parade.”

“Ha! That sounds about right. Greer would hold the formation in a sandstorm on fire!” Gregor joked with Wrecker, clapping his hand on the larger clone's shoulder. Hunter let out an amused huff, while Omega giggled sleepily beside him.

Howzer elbowed his brother playfully, the corner of his mouth curling into a half-smile as he continued, “Somehow, we made it out. No idea how. But you don’t forget a mission like that. Or the smell.” The clone leaned back into the pillows with a satisfied grin on his face. “Alright, who’s got the next story?”

After a moment, Rex’s voice rose gently from where he sat.

“There was one night,” he began quietly, steady but distant. "I was on a ship away from the front lines. Ahsoka and I ended up on the observation deck. Just the two of us.”

He paused, as if he were reliving the memory. “We didn’t say much. Didn’t have to. Just sat there… watched the stars go by.” He looked at his brothers, his expression softening.

"It hit me then how loud the war had become. Constant noise, orders, and chaos. But space? Space was quiet. I told her I wouldn’t have existed without the war. She told me there was one good thing that came from it all.”

The group fell silent, the kind of silence that says a lot. Despite its heartwarming nature, the story lacked the same jovial tone as its predecessor. This caused a weight in the air to shift, which Omega couldn't quite identify. The clones were aware of what had happened immediately following this memory, particularly Echo, whom Rex had confided in. Omega was the only person unaware of the entire situation, although she could infer what happened next from her team's historical retelling.

Outside, the rain became heavier and more consistent; the sound of it on hand-woven fabric and sand evolved into its own performance. Some of it began to leak through the ceiling, but someone quickly positioned a sandcastle bucket beneath the intrusion. Crosshair stepped through a gap in the blanket wall and crawled over Hunter and Omega to the opposite corner, quietly settling in beneath some blankets to escape the storm. Thunder clapped, louder and more abruptly, directly overhead. Omega flinched and Hunter wrapped his arm around her back in an instant, and she leaned closer to him, her heart pounding.

The wind blowing in through the opening caused the lanterns inside to flicker, casting golden shadows on their faces. Omega looked around at the group; some were still smiling, others were quiet, but everyone was there. Together. And Rex was right. Without the war, none of them would have existed, including Omega. "I think she was right," she said quietly, to no one in particular, but to everyone at once. "Please stay here…with me."

Hunter spoke softly, looking down at her. "We're not going anywhere."

And for the first time in a long while, with the storm pressing in and the fortress wrapped around them, Omega believed it.

Bonus Prompt: Pillow Fort || “Stay with me.” || Alternate Prompt: Bedtime Story

24/39 || 25/39 || 26/39

Tonight is a special night.

You've heard it all over the news: There will be shooting stars all over the night sky!

The last time you've seen some of them was several years ago, but you remember it as clearly as it was just yesterday: You and your best friend at that time, sitting in your garden. Blankets around you, keeping you warm from the cold night. You're joking around and talking, while looking up into the sky. And then, here and there, you see some bright lines across the sky.

It was such a beautiful event, and every time you think back to it, you just think about how lovely it was.

It was the first and last time you saw any shooting stars.

Until today.

Tonight is a community night on Pabu, and a few villagers and you decided to settle down at the beach and look at the sky.

Of course, the Batch, and especially Wrecker, are with you.

Since the execution of Order 66 you are practically inseparable. You went through thick and thin: lost Crosshair, met Cid, fought against Cross, made friends, thought you lost Tech, lost Omega, got Tech back, got Crosshair and Omega back, lost Omega another time, and then, finally, got her back for the final last time. And then you settled down on Pabu. Together.

In that time, you also grew closer with Wrecker. Much closer.

So close, that you finally confessed your feelings to him, and he returned them. Still does.

So close, that you indeed are together now, even some years after the fall of Tantiss.

And you love each other like it's the first day.

Surrounded by your loved ones, under the sea of stars, in Wrecker's warm and loving arms, waiting for the shooting stars, it should be the perfect evening.

You've been excited about this day for weeks.

But it just isn't.

You can't believe that a small incident like your period seems to ruin this whole, lovely evening. But it does.

You are uncomfortable, your stomach is aching, you actually feel kind of nauseous and you could run to the toilet every few minutes. Except there isn't a toilet nearby.

In short - you feel horrible and could start crying just at this moment.

"Hey, what's up?" Wrecker asks in this second. Oh, your sweet, attentive boyfriend. Always there when you needed him.

"I don't feel good," you say to him, leaning in a little closer.

"Is there anything I can do?" he asks, but you just shake your head.

"No, it's just my period. I think I need to go home, take a hot shower and just sleep until tomorrow. I think it'll be better then," you whisper, and Wrecker nods.

"Just let me say goodbye to anyone, then we can go, alright?"

"What? No, no worries. I want you to have fun with your brothers tonight," you say, not wanting him to pass out on that.

"You really think you're going without me? Not going to happen," he says playfully and grins at you.

"But I know you were excited about this evening, so you should enjoy it as planned," you try to convince him, but at the same time you're quite relieved that he doesn't want to leave you alone.

"Well, yes! But I was just so excited because you made me excited. I wanted to spend this evening with you, and I still want to," he explains and gets up, taking you with him. You feel like your heart just melts away at his sweet words.

The two of you say goodbye to his brothers and his sister, he packs your small picnic blanket and together you start your slow walk to your shared home.

You put your hand in Wrecker's, start to lean into his side, and put your head onto his shoulder, cumbersome.

"Do you really want to take a nap or would you still like to spend the evening together?" Wrecker asks after some minutes.

There's just the sound of the waves, some animals that are rustling in the bushes, your breathing, and the sound of your steps that echo through the quiet night. You already feel better. It's a lot less input for your exhausted body, and the walking does some good for your abdominal pain.

"If you want to, we can cuddle up on the couch and watch a movie," you suggest and the smile that appears on his face instantly makes you beam back.

"I think I know something better!"

He doesn't elaborate his idea further, but the smug grin that paints his face makes an anticipating, happy shiver run down your spine.

When you finally arrive at home, Wrecker ushers you into the bathroom, and on the way he grabs your pajama, stuffing it into your arms. "I'll come get you, yeah? Don't peek!" he calls after you before stepping out of the room, already making his way downstairs again.

You shake your head and try to make yourself feel better and more comfortable in the bathroom, cleaning your face, brushing your hair and putting on your sleeping clothes.

It takes some time in which you hear him stumbling and rumbling around downstairs. Oh dear, you hoped he wouldn't organize a big chaos down there. But then he finally comes back and knocks on the door.

"Are you ready?" he asks and you can hear his smile through the door.

"Yes!" you say and push down the door handle, revealing Wrecker, also just in his pajama.

"Come with me!" he says and gently takes your hand again, to pull you towards him. 

He guides you through the halls and down the stairs. You expect him to have prepared something in the living room, but it's completely dark inside when you cross it.

But then you take a look outside and you feel how your mouth falls open.

In the trees are small fairy lights, which illuminate the hammock hanging beneath them.

There's a small table pulled up next to said hammock, with bowls with fresh fruit and some not as healthy snacks, and some mugs. You know Wrecker very well, so you're very sure it's hot chocolate.

"Wrecker- What?" you ask, a little overwhelmed by the little cozy corner he created within minutes.

"I know you've been excited about that event. And I hope you're comfortable enough for to still enjoy it like this. Just executed a little... differently," he says, scratching his head a little.

"Oh, Wrecker!" you finally gasp and lay your arms around him, pulling him down to you.

"You're so sweet, Wrecker. You have no idea how much this means to me, thank you so much!" you whisper and kiss his cheek a few times. His scars are a little uneven under your lips, but so, so familiar.

Wrecker laughs and puts his arms around your hips, pulling you against him. "Aww, Mesh'la. Of course!" he exclaims and you feel like loving him just a little more.

The leads you over to the hammock and takes place. There are some soft pillows and even softer blankets, and he wraps one around himself. Then he pulls you onto him and wraps you up just like himself.

He reaches over and carefully grabs one mug to give it to you. You're honestly amazed he doesn't spill anything. When he safely holds his own mug, too, you clink them together, looking into each other's eyes that shine just like the stars above you.

You finally lay down together, his warm body a unique comfort for you. Wrecker turns off the fairy lights, and the stars above you that aren't hid behind the leaves of the tree start to appear in your field of vision.

And suddenly, everything is fine again.

You're here with Wrecker, the love of your life. He's comforting you because sometimes your own body seems to hate you. The stars above you are so pretty, the warm hands around you so loving and assuring, and sometimes that is everything you need to make you feel better.

When you see the first shooting star on this evening, you make a wish for the two of you.

That you will never lose each other.

That you will always be there for each other.

That you will always love each other.

At that moment you feel like it doesn't matter how wonderful the shooting stars are, when the love between you and Wrecker shines even brighter.

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