Work Text:
“What are you doing?”
You’d recognize that voice anywhere, challenging and firm but always with a soft-edge. For you. Even when you exasperate him. As you’re sure you’re doing right now.
You close the container of blaster power cells you were double checking, tuck it into the weave of the storage shelf. You pick up your pack, sling it over your shoulder and glance at him as you turn. He looks strange in the shiny white armor, without his neural interface. He’s staring at you; it’s too soft to be a glare, but he’s not pleased.
He’ll get over it.
“What’s it look like?” you say, heading toward the cockpit. “Coming with you.”
He sighs. His footsteps are heavy behind you. You feel his stare as you tuck your bag under the console, settle into the copilot seat.
He says your name and the way he says it, softly, like you’re something precious and fragile, makes your heart clench.
You take a breath, spin the chair to face him, looking up at his face, pale and stern. You remember the first time you met him.
The job Cid had arranged had gone sideways; you’d gotten the intel but the client had decided you wouldn’t live to possibly share it with Cid (which, admittedly, had been the plan). The Batch was sent to extract you.
Even now, what stands out isn’t the fear for your life amidst the ear splitting ring of blaster fire but Echo’s weight bearing you to the ground, his eyes, dark and serious and concerned, as he asked if you were injured; the warmth and breadth of his hands as he’d checked for himself before you’d caught his hands, assured him you were okay and watched the sweet blush spread over his nose.
“No, Echo. I stayed with the others when you decided to leave with Rex. I understood what you needed to do and that you needed peace of mind. And then I waited on Pabu because you were concerned about the coming dangers. But you realize danger came here?” You can still smell the ozone of blaster fire, the choking smoke of burned down homes and livelihoods. You can still hear the screams.
Echo looks guilty and that’s not what you’re after.
You stand, go to him, put your hand on his face, palm cupping the edge of his jaw, fingers tracing the shell of his ear. He leans into your hand. A reflex. His arm slips around you.
“I just want to protect you.”
“I know. But the galaxy isn’t a safe place. You can’t protect me. And I can’t protect you. But we can work together. We can be together. You wanted to do more? So do I. And we can do more. And look out for each other while we are. For as long as the Force or the universe or whatever will let us. And isn’t that something?”
“Sweetheart…” With a sigh, Echo closes his eyes, presses his forehead to yours. “You always make too much sense.”
“You think you’d listen to me more often, then.”
“I’m afraid I’m not very logical when it comes to you.”
“Well,” you murmur, “we can work on that.” And you kiss him, softly, almost tentative. It’s been a while and it almost feels new. His lips are warm, surprisingly soft. And he makes a noise that, if you were somewhere more private, would have you shoving him up against the wall.
Someone clears their throat and you both start, turn to the doorway where Emerie stands. You’d met her briefly when she first arrived, before getting lost in the logistics of getting the children she’d brought with her what they needed and preparing for the imminent arrival of the rescued clones.
She’s looking at the two of you—your hand still on Echo’s face, his right arm around you, scomp pressing into your lower back—with surprise but seems to catch herself, schooling her features into a neutral expression. “All of the clones who are coming to Pantora are on board,” she says and disappears back into the ship.
You glance at Echo. “Time to go.”
“You said your goodbyes?”
“I have the hug-bruises from Wrecker to prove it. Omega has my comm code. I promised to visit.”
He smiles, small, a little nervous. Genuine. “All right.”
You settle into your seats and mere moments later you’re passing through the atmosphere of the planet and into the blackness of space.
Once you get the clones settled on Pantora, with Senator Chuchi, he says, you’ll rendezvous with Rex and his remaining men and start talking plans, from rebuilding what was lost on Teth to the next blows you’ll strike against the Empire.
Echo gets the ship into hyperspace, reaches over and takes your hand. He raises it to his lips, places a warm kiss on the back of it. As he looks out at the starlight, he weaves his fingers with yours, giving your hand a squeeze.
You know what that is. A silent promise.
Everything you’ll do from here on out, you’ll do together.