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It felt like you’d been with the Wolfpack forever. And for the most part, you couldn’t see yourself running with any other squad.
Plo Koon was an excellent general: calm, generous, ferocious in his quiet defence of his clones. You always felt safe in his presence, and he always had a lesson or a well spoken quip to give. The father figure of the group.
Sinker was constant in his jokes and humour. No matter the situation, he always managed to bring a smile to your face or make you laugh. You had no chance to be down around him.
Boost, he was more serious than his brother, strong and stalwart, though he was just as funny as Sinker when he started.
Comet was a sweetheart. He was someone you could talk to whenever you needed to, even about the most stupid things.
You loved your boys, and they made it clear that they loved you. You’d never considered, of all the squads you could have been deployed with, that these men would be your best friends.
But there was one who, no matter how you tried, didn't seem to warm up to you.
Commander Wolffe.
He was…well. Intimidating was putting it lightly. He was closed off, stern. There was always a barrier up, and you always felt….wary of him. You knew that it wasn’t just you. You saw his reaction to others, the dramatic roll of the eyes, the shake of the head, the outright scowl.
He was all work, rarely coming out with the rest of you on the small amount of downtime you got.
You guessed that came with being a Commander.
But, every now and then, you would be surprised….
...........................................
Finally, after too-long months on campaign, the 104th had been granted Shore leave. It felt like it had been forever since you and the guys had had the chance to relax and unwind. You’d laughed as they’d practically fallen over themselves to get to the bar once they’d been dismissed, promising to meet them there. You shut off your datapad and stood, looking back at Wolffe. You found yourself hoping that, this time, he’d accompany you all. Thst maybe you would get to see him loosened up. It was that thought that spurred you into doing something you normally wouldn't.
You approached him.
“Commander Wolffe, sir? Are you coming with us?” At first, you thought he wasn't going to respond. That he was just going to shake his head and walk away. Instead, he looked up and popped a brow, seemingly in consideration.
“Maybe. Guess I could use the downtime, too.” You stood in shock for a moment. You’d half expected the usual rebuttal.
“Is there a problem Stripe?” Stripe...it wasn't often he called you by the nickname the rest had given you. All because you'd leaned against a freshly painted surface and had a stripe of paint down your back when they'd first met you.
It seemed today was full of surprises.
“No, no problem sir.” He looked you over, those eyes penetrating down to your very soul. You fancied that he could read your mind with that stare. He folded his arms, corner of his mouth kicking up infinitesimally.
“Good. You’re dismissed.”
“Thank you sir! See you later!”
See you later? Like he was one of the guys? Really? You kicked yourself as you ran to your quarters to get ready.
....................
The bar was thrumming with activity as you finally stepped through the door, chatter and laughter and cheering banter cacophonous. There was a feeling of excitement in the air, anticipation thickening with every step you took. You looked good, you felt good, and you were confident tonight was going to be a good night.
You held your head high and grinned as Troopers from other factions whistled and catcalled, knowing that they meant it in good fun.
After all, you’d heard the rumours. You were the Wolfpack’s girl, and no one touched what belonged to the wolves.
“Stripe! Over here! Saved ya a seat!” You grin as Comet waves to you, quickly going over.
“Hey guys!” Sinker whistled.
“Don’cha scrub up well, mesh’la? Lookin’ good!” You laughed as he slurred a little. Sinker, ever the flirt when he'd had a skin full.
“Not too bad yourself, Silver!”
“Ahh, comes wi’bein’ the pretty one, Sweet Cheeks!”
“Nah, vod, that’s just because you finally bathed!”
“Tha’s you, Boost! Was startin’ t’smell a bit ripe there!”
Boost didn’t reply, opting to flip his brother off. Comet giggled madly, sloshing his pint in his merriment.
“Not to mention the carpet strips you call hair!”
“Et tu, Comet? Really?”
“Hey, you chose the hairstyle!” You laughed loudly at the banter. You loved this side of the pack, taking pot shots at each other and generally being di’kuts.
“So, boss man not joinin’ us?” You shrugged.
“He said he might.”
“He always says that, then he doesn’t.”
“Ahh, lay off. Can’t be easy being a Commander with us lot running around.”
“Ain’ easy anyway, vod. But we do what we do.”
“And we’re the best at it!” They whoop and cheer and hammer the table, causing a ruckus and drawing attention to themselves. Across the way, another group of clones whooped and cheered louder, as if in competition.
You recognised the bold blue of the 501st, and snorted. Of course.
“Ok ok, before you lot start, I’m going to the bar! Another round guys?”
“This gal, I tell ya! She knows what’s good fer us!” You laughed and rolled your eyes at Sinker, making your way over to the bar to order the next round of drinks.
It was then that things took a turn.
It started with the uncomfortable feeling of eyes on you. At first you’d shrugged it off as being one of the other troopers, but you couldn’t shake the bad feeling clawing and twisting in your gut.
You kept your eyes forward, leaning against the bar when you got there and placed your order to the attending droid. As you waited, the source of your discomfort finally appeared, in the form of a familiar sounding voice.
“Thought it was you.” You sighed as he approached. Of all the evenings to bump into him….
“What do you want?” He leaned on the bar next to you, casual as anything, and making it clear that he wasn't not going anywhere.
“That’s not a nice way to talk to your boyfriend.”
“Ex.” He sighed, like he always did. As if you'd disappointed him.
“And who’s fault is that?” You gritted your teeth but kept your voice calm.
“Yours, for fooling around behind my back.”
“Yeah well, you’re the one that ran off with walking meat sacks. What was I supposed to do? Wait?” Oh the selfish, self-centred....
“You were my boyfriend. Of course you were supposed to wait! Just like I did you, every fucking night!” you hissed, low and venomous, and scoffed. “What are you doing here? If you don’t like these guys, why come to a Clone Bar?” He sighed, as if you'd missed something important.
“To give you a second chance, obviously.” Was this guy serious? You turned to look at him with an incredulous expression.
“You came to give me a second chance?! Are you for real?”
“I'm ready to forgive you for running off on me. Unless....Don’t tell me you’re shacking up with one of these test tube rejects?”
“So what if I am? It’s none of your fucking business!” His hand whipped out and grabbed your wrist tight, pulling you close enough to smell the alcohol on his breath.
“That was always your maker-damned problem. Too fucking mouthy. Now come on. We’re going home and you can forget all about this nonsense.” You raised your fist, and struck him hard in the cheek.
"Get...the fuck...off me!" You were aware that your boys had been keeping an eye on you, and the moment your fist flew, they were up.
"You fucking little bitch!" His hand raised to slap you, squeezing your wrist.
The slapping hand never made contact.
“You wanna think through your next course of action.” The rough, hardened edge to the familiar voice made you freeze, then relax.
“Stay the fuck out of our business, Clone. This has nothing to do with yo…ow ow ow!” You watched as his arm was twisted up his back and he was slammed face first into the bar, recognising the dark grey and white armour and the wolf emblem on the pauldron. The scarred face, the milky white cybernetic eye…
It was Wolffe.
He leaned forward and snarled into your ex’s ear.
“She’s a member of my squad. That makes it my business.” He struggled against Wolffe's strong hold.
“Get the fuck off me! Call off your attack dog!” You smirked.
“He’s not my attack dog. He’s my Commander. You mess with the pack, you get the Wolffe. Right Commander?” Wolffe grinned a devious smirk, one that you’d seen only a handful of times.
“And if you mess with the wolf, you get the Pack.” There was a collective woop, and possibly a howl as the others backed up the Commander. He shoved your ex, causing him to stumble right into them.
“Get him outta here, boys.” You almost laughed as Comet cracked his knuckles and your ex’s face paled. You knew it was just for show, that it was against regs for them to hurt a civvie, but you took some gratification in the thought that he wouldn't be bothering you here again.
You turned back to Wolffe, and were met with his eyes focused on you.
“ Are you alright? Are you hurt?” You shook your head.
“No sir. I’m ok, other than a bit of a bruised ego.”
“Wolffe.”
“I’m sorry, sir?” He huffed.
“Out here, on downtime, it’s Wolffe.”
“Wolffe. Thank you. I’m sorry you had to see that.” He waved it off.
“Natborn drama, I get it.” You bit out a laugh, made worse by his grin. So he does have a sense of humour.
“I would say I disagree with you, but I don’t."
"I meant what I said. You're one of us, and we protect our own." You smiled, and allowed yourself to bask in that feeling of belonging.
"Do you want a drink, Wolffe?” His grin returned.
“That’s usually the reason someone visits a bar.” You laughed again. So this was your Commander out of the office, so to speak. Still stern and stalwart, but with a softer, more relaxed edge. And a fair bit of sarcasm and sass to round it off.
You liked it.
For too long you’d wondered what the Commander thought of you, whether he’d actually accepted you as one of the squad, or simply tolerated you out of necessity.
Now, as the others rejoined you after handling your ex (they left it suspiciously vague), you realise that he’d more than accepted you as a squad mate.
You were Pack.
You were a Wolf.
And if, after the night was over and they were walking home, you decided to join in on a Sinker-instigated howl?
Well, that was just what pack did, right?