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The fall breeze slips through the open window, rustles the curtain, and nips at his cheeks and nose. It wouldn’t be difficult for Echo to reach over and shut it from where he lays shivering in the hammock, but his hands are tucked tightly into his armpits seeking the little warmth found there.
On one hand, the chill reminds him he’s alive and breathing. His light hasn’t quite burned out despite how the galaxy has desperately tried to extinguish it. On the mechanical other, he might as well be frozen in containment on Skako Minor again.
Echo isn’t sure what in the galaxy he was thinking when he sought out this planet which was once a home. He’s been here three rotations now, and thus far it’s done nothing but dredge up every nightmare and horror he thought healed long ago. This place was once a safe harbor, somewhere he sought refuge, but now…
Now?
Sighing, he tucks his hands tighter against him and wonders how Rex manages. If Echo struggles with this planet no doubt his vod does because of all the memories this farm holds. Walls once lined with holophotos and filled with laughter would sit in silence if it wasn’t for the foundling Rex now raises.
A foundling so familiar Echo swears—
No.
It can’t be.
Shivering, Echo contemplates the fact the Marshal Commander isn’t exactly a source of joy. Cody may carry a pleasant smile and eased shoulders, but the war has taken a toll on him as well. There’s an ever-present exhaustion beneath his eyes and his temples are flecked with grey hair.
Not that Echo’s in a much better state.
Flexing his mechanical hand, the gears and joints grind—an ugly reminder that he’s nothing more than a monster pieced together with faulty parts these days. Starved and malnourished, he’s seen his reflection in the mirror.
He looks even worse than he did on Skako Minor.
I should just leave, he thinks. It’s the middle of the night. Who would notice? After all, he’s been nothing but a nuisance since he showed up. Rex doesn’t need that. His vod didn’t sign up for this. Rex didn’t agree to the dark and heavy cloud Echo’s brought with him. Rex doesn’t need a worthless soldier, a failed ARC trooper—
THUMP!
Echo jolts. Wonders when he drifted off. Blinking his blurred eyes, he rubs them before sniffing and looking over.
“Nightmares?”
Teeth chattering, he gives Rex a nod. “I… I suppose so.”
Shifting from the window, Rex moves to tuck Echo’s blanket around him. “Weather’s dropping. Might be best to keep the window closed at night.”
Echo chuckles as he sniffs again. “You sound like a dad.”
He shrugs and chuckles. “I’ll get you the lavender.”
Brow furrowing, Echo senses there’s something not quite right as he waits for Rex’s return. A note in his laughter is off as if it’s forced. No. Maybe it’s the tone of his voice. Or the subjects on which he speaks. Or the dead look in his eyes. Or maybe…
Maybe…
Maybe it’s nothing.
Shifting slightly, Echo feels his stomach churn as his head spins. It’s been so long since he’s slept, and he questions if there was ever a moment in his life when all his old wounds had healed. He swore they did. He thought the nightmares faded from existence but being on this planet—
Echo jolts and blinks.
Taking a deep breath, he realizes Rex has a comforting hand on his shoulder. “You all right, Kid?”
The floral scent wafting through the air settles his tangled and turbulent thoughts as it eases the tension from his muscles. Flexing his mechanical hand again, Echo relaxes into the fabric suspending him in mid-air.
Stepping closer, Rex gently takes the hand and inspects it. “We’ll go to the barn tomorrow and get this cleaned out. Or at least in workin’ order until I can find the parts for a new one.”
“Oh, um. That’s a kind offer, Sir, but—”
“Wasn’t offering,” he replies with a genuine smirk. “It’s an order, Corporeal. As is rest right now.”
A tired smile settles on his face as his eyes flutter close. Shifting slightly, Echo feels the peace of sleep drift over him as he wonders if Rex needs rest as well.