Work Text:
It had been several years since the two had set foot on this all too familiar planet.
Looking still pretty much as it had been all those years ago despite the Empire having a strong hold on the place. But the knowing well enough, that if the Empire would have its way, this too, would become a wasteland.
The planet they called Ryloth.
It felt familiar, nostalgic even. But mostly, like coming back home in so many ways. Waxer and Boil having spent some time while stationed there during the Clone War. The duo making friends with the locals as well.
They were there undercover this time though as part of Captain Rex’s Rebellion.
The clones working to free not just their own kind but others too from the imperial choke hold. And Ryloth, was one of the hotspots for rebel activity. With the Syndulla family leading the underground on the planet.
Waxer and Boil were here on a mission. Which as to find the resistance and deliver them the intel they needed. What they had not expected or rather whom, the one who had become a part of the rebels on Ryloth as well. All grown up now, well, a teenager at least, the duo’s favourite Twi’lek.
The wee girl they had rescued from a stampede during their first time on Ryloth. The one having called them her brothers. Numa.
“Nerra!” Numa greeted the duo with a smile followed by a tight hug. Hugging them both at the same time, Numa never having forgotten the duo.
“Yes, brothers.” Waxer chuckled while hugging Numa back, being reminded of the word Numa had repeated back then.
Smiling Numa replied in broken basic “It is good to see you both again.”
“I see you have learnt a new language.” Boil commented, remembering the girl speaking Twi’lekian only back in the day.
“Of course. We all have.” Numa simply replied. “We had great teachers.”
“So, you grew up.” Waxer noted then, a stupid comment really, but he was still remembering the small child they had come to contact with.
“Had to happen sometime. Besides the war will make one grow up pretty fast too.”
“Yeah, it does.” They could both relate easily enough, having been the pawns in the previous war for sure and now fighting for their own survival becuase of the Empire.
“To be honest, we did not expect to find you here, with the rebels I mean.” Waxer told Numa as much, seeing the girl all grown up and fighting the good fight neither of them having seen coming either.
“Ryloth needs anyone able to resist the Empire. Just like you clones all turned against them too.” Numa wasn’t wrong, as most clones now liberated from the Empire were with the rebel cause, among them Waxer and Boil.
“Yeah, we agree with ya, Numa. That’s why we joined with Captain Rex as soon as he started gathering free clones around the galaxy, some of us having settled elsewhere as soon as the war ended.” Boil told her.
“Those of us whose chips did not activate. Fortunately, we two were among the ones whose did not.” Waxer added clarifying the situation for Numa.
“The chips? What chips?” Yeah, not everyone was aware of those controlling pesky chips input to the clones from birth.
“Well, it’s a long story for sure, but if you have some time, perhaps we could share it with you?”
“I always have time for old friends.” Numa laughed. “Come with me. My girlfriend should have some food prepared by now.”
“Girlfriend eh?” Waxer and Boil exchanged knowing glances, happy their wee girl had found someone to love.
“Yes, I am all grown up as you said.” Numa smirked. “Finding my soulmate as I reached the age was something I had dreamed of.” Numa explained like it was a given thing. Their little girl certainly having frown up.
“Well. We too are certainly looking forward in meeting your significant other.”
Numa gave the duo a glance, something occurring to her just then.
“You two, are together, no?”
“Yes, Numa, we’re a couple.” Boil laughed something not everyone could see right away, but Numa clearly could. Well, most friends of theirs could.
“Well, then, I am glad you are. You both deserve love.” Numa simply smiled, leading the duo towards the rebel camp, a tent where she and her girlfriend resided at the moment.
*
“Hello, I am Dera.”
Boil and Waxer both greeted the one Numa had introduced as her soulmate to them.
“Waxer, and this is Boil.”
“Great to meet you both. Numa has told the story of how she met you two.” “Well, it was some time ago.” The duo had kept tabs on Numa but ever since the Empire and all, it had been a tad difficult to follow up on the goings on around the galaxy, old friends left behind even if never forgotten.
“It does not matter. True friendships, family, never really go away no matter the time.” Dera sounded wise beyond her years, even if she was clearly similar to age as Numa. And yet her words sounded, well, more mature somehow.
As if realising what the two were thinking, Numa wanted to explain.
“Dera, is a Force wielder.”
“Oh.” Waxer’s was reaction.
“Well, that would explain some things.” Boil said as much.
“It was difficult at first, the Empire hunting my kind. But here, I am safe. With Numa and the rebels.” Dera sounded wistful. “And we try to help those Force users in trouble.”
“The Path. We’ve heard of it.” Waxer nodded, having had a few former Jedi passed through their hands.
“We have a few Force sensitives as allies too. I am glad some of you survived Order 66.” Boil told Dera, feeling a certain sadness as the clones had been a part of the destruction of the Jedi Order. Those controlled by the Empire.
“There are more of us than the Empire realises.” Dera reviled much to the two clones surprise.
“Well, that is a surprise.”
“And great to hear as well.”
The four of them seated themselves at the table, the meal prepped and ready. The odours certainly mouth watering.
The four of them then chatting of what had happened since Waxer and Boil's first time on Ryloth. About the Clone War ending, the Empire taking over, the Rebellion and all. And just like Dera had noted before, friends and family bonds exceeded time and space. The four of them having come together after a long while, but that did not really matter.