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Sunlight stung Fives’ eyes as it shone through the window of the small bedroom he found himself in on Coruscant. Blearily, he turned to peek at the colorful cityscape outside. A smile spread across his face as he caught sight of the man curled up next to him, still fast asleep: Echo, his cyare. Fives sighed contentedly at the sight and spent a few moments just watching the rise and fall of the other man’s chest as he slept, silhouetted against the world outside.
The peace and quiet was a pleasant change of pace. After a stressful series of missions, the 501st had been granted five days of shore leave, which they were grateful to accept—especially the pair of ARC troopers, who had only recently been reunited. The two had spent their first evening off at 79’s, enjoying good drinks and better company. Fives had even managed to pull Echo onto the dance floor late in the night once the lights were low and the alcohol had sufficiently washed his inhibitions away. The two laughed and gossiped like cadets the entire way back to the GAR-provided lodging, and rattled off a list of plans for the remainder of their leave ahead. Though they’d both spent their share of time on Coruscant before, most of it was for military purposes, and the sprawling city had an endless number of places they hoped to explore when time finally allowed.
As more light began to fill the room, Fives rolled out of bed. Echo hummed softly at the movement and repositioned himself ever so slightly, pulling the thick blanket closer to his face and snuggling into his pillow.
Fives chuckled a small laugh and rubbed Echo’s shoulder gently. “Mornin,’ sunshine. Still feelin’ those drinks from last night?”
“Morning… I’m good. Feelin’ the dancing more than the drinks, I think,” Echo mumbled with a crooked smile.
“Well, there’s no more dancing on the agenda for today, I promise.” Fives leaned in to lay a quick kiss on Echo’s forehead. “For now though, we should get ready if we still wanna check out that café for breakfast. Join me for a shower?”
Echo hummed in consideration for a moment. Showering with his new cybernetic prostheses was a slight hassle, but it was one he was quickly getting used to managing on his own. Although a shower with Fives did sound nice…
“Why don’t you go ahead, I’m still a little tired. Ten more minutes?”
“Alright, sleepyhead. Sounds like a plan.” Fives pulled out fresh sets of civvies for both of them, laid Echo’s clothes at the foot of the bed, and left for the ‘fresher with a quick wave. Once Fives exited, Echo buried his head back into the pillow, where the smile slowly melted from his face.
...
Fives savored the opportunity to enjoy a hot shower for longer than usual, not having to share the ‘fresher with an entire company of troops for once. When he was finished, he wrapped himself in a robe and headed back to the bedroom. Echo still lay in the same spot, curled up under the blanket. Fives sighed and smiled—sleeping in had never been Echo’s style in the past. Back when they were cadets stationed on Rishi Moon, Echo was usually the first one awake, already reading reg manuals and sipping a mug of caf whenever Fives, Hevy, and the rest of Domino Squad slumped out of bed. He’d glare and lightly admonish them for their laziness: a good soldier was always prepared, he said. But times had changed, and so had Echo. Fives’ eyes traced over him, gazing at the small metal ports on his head and the alterations to his arm and legs, souvenirs of everything he’d been through.
Fives sat at the edge of the bed and gave Echo a gentle poke. “Shower’s all yours. I’m gonna get dressed so we can head out as soon as you’re ready. Sound like a plan?”
Echo mumbled something indecipherable into the pillow in reply. Fives squinted and tried again. “What was that?”
Echo sighed and turned his head to look at Fives, but made no move to get up. “… I said yeah, that would be nice.”
Fives nodded. “Alright then. I’ll be ready in a few.”
He crossed the room and got dressed, and readied himself in the mirror for a few moments, tidying his goatee and tousling his hair. Fives smirked at his own reflection—the civvies looked good on him, if he said so himself. Still, he couldn’t help but look over his shoulder, where Echo still lay in place. Fives’ initial amusement at his boyfriend’s reluctance to get up began to give way to concern. Straightening his collar, Fives turned and walked back over. He could swear he heard a small groan from Echo as he got closer. Something was… definitely not right.
“Ey’ika, what’s the matter? You can tell me.”
Echo sighed and rolled over to lay on his back. “It’s not you. It’s just… My legs are achy. I feel it in my ankles,” he replied.
His ankles that he lost at the Citadel, Fives thought to himself with confusion. Echo’s cybernetic legs were advanced, but not so much that he could feel them. “Wait. Is it from the dancing last night? I’m really sorry—”
“Mm, no. Phantom pain. It just… happens every now and then. My brain’s still not caught up with what’s missing sometimes,” he replied with a wry smile. “Not that I don’t want to go out, but I think I should rest for a bit. How ‘bout you go grab breakfast, have a nice morning out on the town, and fill me in when you get back? It looks like fun out there.”
Fives frowned. He wanted to see the sights, but exploring without Echo wasn’t part of the plan. “You sure? Can I help?”
Echo shook his head. “Just bring back some caf for me. And I want you to have a good time out there. I’ll be up and dressed by the time you’re back. Deal?”
“Alright. If you say so,” Fives replied, giving him a peck on the cheek. “Rest up. I’ll be back soon.”
...
Fives had an amazing time. First, he went to a café that served clones and he got caf for himself: straight black with sugar that tasted strangely like pumpkin. He also got scrambled eggs and toast to go with the amazing drink. After he ate, Fives called a taxi and went into the city to find some things to do. He ended up doing some casual sightseeing: first, he found a makeshift garden filled with plants and flowers that thrived even in the lower levels of the city, which amazed him. He also did some window shopping, peeking into shops filled with luxurious clothes and advanced high-tech gadgets that he knew he could never afford, but enjoyed admiring nonetheless. He chatted with various clones he passed by, and he stopped back at 79’s to check on his favorite bartender, Yuri. Yuri was a 30-year-old human woman with brunette hair tied back into a tight bun, and smooth, dainty hands grabbing cups and plates off the counters from the drunk clones who were just trying to have fun.
Fives stopped at the counter and leaned against it. "Hey-hey!" he greeted, waving cutely.
Yuri looked in his direction from the sink, washing dishes. "Hey, Fives! What's going on?"
"Nothing much. Just walking around the city, finding things to do," Fives said, watching Yuri walk over to stand in front of him. Yuri dried the inside of a cup with a towel. "How are you?"
Yuri hummed. "Business is business. Always busy…"
"Always tidy," Fives finished the quote that he and Echo knew so well. He said, "Heh heh. Yeah."
Yuri stopped drying the cup and looked around, and asked, "Where's your boy?"
Fives reached for the cup and silently asked for it, wiggling his fingers. Yuri rolled her eyes and handed it over. Fives began to dry the cup. "He's back at our quarters. Not feeling well. He told me to enjoy my day, so here I am."
Yuri's eyes drooped. "Oh no!" She exclaimed, placing a hand over her heart. "I'm sorry ‘bout that. I hope he feels better. Honestly, I was hoping to see you both. My amazing star-crossed lovebirds... Mmmmm..."
Fives blinked, then started laughing. "Oh force, you never get any weirder, huh?"
Yuri chuckled and crossed her slightly muscular arms over her blue shirt. "What do you expect, kid? I'm surrounded by you men every day and all night. You guys make out with anything that has fucking legs."
Fives nodded in agreement. Yeah, some of them had issues.
"But…" Yuri added, "You and Echo are my favorites. You two are adorable! You remind me of myself and my May."
Fives smirked, moving to rest his elbow on the counter. "Your May? Who's that?"
"My girlfriend," Yuri said without hesitation, smiling to herself. "She is an archivist at one of the city's local libraries, and she's got this amazing internship at the Jedi Temple with the archivist there. Force, I am proud of my baby!"
Fives smiled at the warmth in Yuri's voice. The woman's eyes sparkled with joy. "Well, you seem to be very in love too, Yuri."
Yuri nodded. "Yessss." Yuri saw something over Fives' shoulder, and she started squealing, "Oh my god! Speak of the devil! Hey baby!"
Fives perked up and looked over his shoulder. And there she was, the woman of the hour: May's hair was a light blonde color and flowed down her back seamlessly. Her cheeks were rosy, a gentle complement to her pale skin. And she looked so modest, smiling when she saw Yuri.
May stopped at the counter and said, "Hi!"
"Hey~ Oh! Fives, this is May. The love of my life! And May, this is Fives. The love of his life is sadly not here. I wish you could've met him! Gosh, Echo is a smart cookie like you. He loves researching and following rules, is in love with numbers, and all that!"
May leaned forward on her toes and said, "Oooh! I'd love to meet your boyfriend one day, Fives." May sat down in the seat next to Fives.
Fives smiled and nodded. "Yes, I think that can be arranged for something we'll do on our leave." Fives looked at Yuri and handed the cup back. "Actually, now that you are here, it reminded me that I have to get back to Echo."
Yuri sighed. "Awww, okay. But do come visit."
Fives stood up, nodding. "Of course. See ya!"
May and Yuri waved goodbye. Fives waved back into the sea of dancing clones once again. On the way back to the shipyard, Fives stopped by the café to grab a pastry and some caf for Echo, as he remembered the clone had requested it.
Fives stepped out into the brisk afternoon air, looking straight ahead. This’ll make him feel much better, he thought with a smile as he got back into the speeder taxi.
…
Fives walked back into the bedroom fifteen minutes after leaving 79’s. Echo was still in the bed, it seemed. Fives was about to ask if he was okay when he heard Echo cry and whimper in pain. The blankets were no longer on the other clone’s legs, which were shaking terribly. Fives froze. Shit.
Fives hurried to Echo's side and sat next to his hip. Echo had his face buried deep in the pillow which he clutched in his pale hands. "Cyar'ika, what's wrong?"
Echo whimpered and sniffled. His face and eyes were so puffy and red. "It hurts, Fives." Echo clenched his jaw and breathed deeply.
Fives scanned Echo's body, watching as each muscle and limb twitched and tensed up. Fives met Echo's eyes again and asked, "What hurts? Your... ankles? Is it still the phantom pain?"
Echo groaned gutturally. "Yes. Yes. It got—ah. It got w- worse. Tried to sit up and… and take a shower... B-but it…" Echo looked down at his legs and shrugged. "It just seized up like a charley horse, but worse."
Fives nodded and reached out to wipe away a few of Echo's tears. "Alright. I'll see if I can find any painkillers in the bathroom. Okay?"
Echo nodded and leaned into the gentle touch before he tensed up again and buried his face into his pillow.
Fives walked into the bathroom and opened the top cabinet. Inside were a few caps and bottles. He grabbed a cup, filled it with water, and returned to Echo's side.
"Alright, pill and water," he said, putting the cup on the floor. "I'll help you sit up."
Echo nodded.
Fives reached a hand behind Echo’s back and helped ease him into a sitting position, with pillows behind his back. He took the painkiller gratefully.
“Thanks, Fives. I wanted to do that myself but… force, I couldn’t even stand up. Usually the pain goes away on its own, but,” he sighed heavily, “no luck today.” He sniffled, trying to stave off tears, but his eyes lit up slightly as he smelled the sweet aroma of the caf that Fives had brought back. “Hey. What’d you get me?” he asked, hoping to distract himself from the pain until the pill kicked in.
“Oh—right,” Fives replied, pacing back to the doorway where he’d left the bag with Echo’s breakfast on the floor. He grabbed it and placed it carefully on a bedside table. “Got you your favorite: vanilla flavored with cream and sugar. And a snack, too.”
“Mmm, smells delicious. Sure beats mess hall caf,” Echo said. He took a sip, slowly and carefully with a slightly trembling hand, hoping it’d help give him some energy. Meanwhile, Fives settled onto the other side of the bed and wrapped a comforting arm over Echo’s shoulder. Fives knew there was little more he could do to help at the moment—the 501st medics were on leave too, and Echo never liked to bother them anyway unless it was an emergency. Despite his teary eyes, a small smile crossed Echo’s face as he took a few more sips of the warm drink.
“Gods, that’s good. I can’t remember the last time I had one of these.” He nibbled at the pastry as well, which was flaky and filled with a jogan fruit jam. “Thank you. So… did you have yourself a fun morning? You promised,” Echo nudged, curling closer to Fives. “I wanna hear about it!”
Fives chuckled. It wasn’t the most riveting tale, but he tried to keep some excitement as he filled Echo in. “Well. I got my pumpkin caf, as one does, and some eggs and toast. Sat at the window seat at the café and just watched everything outside. You would not believe how many tooka cats are just roaming around down there, little pests…”
“They’re cute though,” Echo interrupted.
“Until they want your food, they are! The owner kept having to shoo this blue one away from the door with a broom. Little beast looked like he’d already eaten two breakfasts that morning. He wasn’t gettin’ mine, that’s for sure.”
“The massiff guards must have a field day dealing with that,” Echo replied with a laugh as he swigged more of his caf. His legs still trembled, but it had begun to slow down.
“I’m sure.” Fives reached a hand to lightly massage one of Echo’s thighs. Echo leaned into the touch with a sigh of relief.
“Alright. So you had a nice breakfast. Anything else?”
Fives filled him in on his walk through the garden, which they decided to visit the next day so Echo could see all of the strange and beautiful plants for himself. Fives then began to describe his trip to the shopping district and all the extravagant clothing he saw in the store windows, which made Echo roll his eyes and start paying more attention to his food than the conversation: fashion was not his area of interest, and he was slightly grateful Fives hadn’t dragged him along for that part of his adventure. His ears did perk up as Fives told him about the latest high-end datapads that were out for sale, though they both knew the GAR likely wouldn’t get them for years.
“Okay. Then what?”
“I swung back to 79’s for a little bit, actually…”
“Having a drink without me? Come on!”
“Ey’ika, please, it was early afternoon. Not that that stopped some people, but no. Just thought I’d say hi to Yuri while I was in the neighborhood since she was so busy last night. Such a sweetheart. She was sad not to see you, y’know. Met her girlfriend too, May. Sounds like she’s your type. All studious and… nerdy,” Fives said with a wiggle of his eyebrows.
“Pfft… I am not a nerd. She sounds sweet though. Love to meet her sometime.” Echo swallowed the last of his caf and leaned in to nuzzle his face against Fives’ chest. “And then?”
Fives shrugged. “Picked up your food and came back here. Glad I did, too. I wasn’t gonna have too much fun without you, y’know.”
“I know, I know. Well, thank you.” Echo peered out the window at the speeders buzzing through the afternoon sky, and Fives ruffled a hand through his short, curly hair. “I still wanna go out. We’ve got so much on our list.”
“Yeah? Feelin’ better already?”
Echo hummed, his eyes closed. “Getting there. Left leg doesn’t hurt so much… right’s still cramping. Maybe gimme another half an hour?”
Fives pulled him into a hug. “As long as you need, cyare.”
“Half an hour. That’s it.”
“Alright. Rest up,” Fives replied before leaning down to give him another quick kiss. A few moments later, Fives heard a soft snore against his chest. He huffed a laugh and slipped his datapad out from the bedside table with one hand while holding Echo with the other.
…
Echo woke up hours later to see Fives tinkering away on his datapad next to him. Echo felt the beginnings of a smile play on lips until he caught a glance at the time on Fives’ screen. He gasped softly and sat up. “Fives!”
Fives jerked and looked at him. “What?! What?”
Echo looked out the window with wide eyes. The sky was painted in majestic purple and dark blue. Echo looked back at Fives with a glare. “You were supposed to wake me up!”
Fives blinked, then started laughing.
Echo frowned. “It’s not funny.” His eyes were downcast sadly. “I feel bad now, wasting one of your days off. It’s so rare that you get free time like this.”
Fives clicked his tongue and moved closer. “ Eyayah, you didn’t ruin it.” Fives lifted his chin and rubbed their noses together. Echo pouted, though warmth filled his chest at the endearing gesture. Fives stopped and looked deeply into his eyes. “There was a time I thought you were gone forever, my love. But now I get to be with you and hold you. Think of it as making up for lost time. As far as I’m concerned, that’s one of the best ways I could spend a day.”
Echo’s lips pulled up into a smile. He sighed, leaning close to tap his forehead against Fives’. Fives pushed his face into the side of Echo’s neck and trailed his fingers up his sides, tickling him.
“Stop. Stop! That tickles!” Echo squealed, twitching away from Fives’ invading fingers. “Ahh! Get your sausage fingers away from me!”
Fives smirked, gradually stopping. “Ohhh, but you love it!” Fives hopped out of the bed with the grace of an ARC trooper and said, “And hey, we can still go out, if you’re feeling better. The night is still young.” Fives offered a helping hand.
Echo looked down at his hand, back up to his eyes, then to his hand again. He smiled and sighed. “Fiiiine.”
Fives gently helped him scoot out of the bed and stand. They smiled at one another and started to put their boots on. Fives grabbed his credits on the way over to the door and waited patiently as Echo got ready. Echo walked over to him and gasped when Fives put a hand on his hip and pulled him closer. Echo chuckled and stepped through the door with him.