Prompt from Tumblr by adribug: best things about the childhood best friends/friends to lovers trope

casual displays of affection
sharing a bed because "we've been doing it since we were kids"
platonic cuddling 12/10 times that a bed is shared… totally platonic…
that thing where they lay down and one person is lying perpendicular to the other with their head on the other's stomach u feel
casual displays of affection
late night deep talks (a rooftop setting optional)
"i know you better than i know myself"
saying i love you to each other thinking the other person means "only as a friend/sibling" when no they mean romantically
calling the other person "home"
laying their head on the other person's shoulder
forehead/cheek/temple/top of head kisses
super tight hugs where one or both "feels safe"
pet names/nicknames/referring to the other as "my (person's name)"
CASUAL DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION
missing the other person whenever they're not around more than best friends probs should
trusting each other so easily so effortlessly bc it's second nature
literally just? the fact that they're best friends?
"i've always loved you" / "i have loved you all my life"
basically pretending everything is casual and totally platonic when really they love each other so much i'm trash bye

It feels like you've known him forever. His presence is on the edge or at the centre of every memory. When you'd met, the two of you had just been orphans of the Rebellion. Both of you had lost everything but decided almost immediately that you would have each others' backs, no matter what. Now, well… now, Cassian was home.

"Don't be a dumbass, I'm totally beating you. I'm on 11 and you're on 8, Cassian."

"I think you're just a sore loser, hotshot. I'm definitely past 15."

"My ASS you've hit 15. You're ok but you're not that good. I, of all people, know this."

"Oh yes, because I try to shoot you so often."

"Well, no, but I've been next to you to see you miss plenty of times."

Cassian looks to you, deadpan, and your response is an exaggerated wink. He smirks back at you before returning his gaze to the rifle sight. The troopers are sweeping towards you in waves but this feels comfortably familiar. You have been in situations just like this a hundred times before. Sure, it had started out with throwing rocks at patrols and running away until you were both breathless with laughter and fear. Some would think that defending a rebel outpost with assault blasters should feel different, but not you. It has always been you and Cassian, and as long as it stays that way, you will happily deal with whatever life throws at you.

"On your left!"

"Shit! Yeah, yeah, I got it."

A shot carries through the air.

"Told ya."

"You need to focus, Y/N. This isn't a game."

"Aw, don't be like that. You're just upset that my lead's growing."

Where is he?

The X-wings have landed in formation and their pilots are streaming out to the adoring crowd awaiting.

It's fine. If something had happened to him, someone would have told me. I would be the first person to know if the mission went south. It's fine, it's fine, he's fine.

You hated it when Cassian went on missions without you. Yeah, you weren't officially partners but everyone on the base knew the truth; with the two of you, when there was one the other was no more than 5 feet behind (while probably swearing like a smuggler). Naturally the rumours that tailed this fact were provocative to say the least, but you shrugged them off. You had known him all your life so of course you loved him, just not like that (at least that's what you tell yourself).

You catch an older woman by the upper arm, "Have you seen Andor yet?"

She narrows her eyes slightly, "Which one?"

Resisting the urge to roll your own at what seems like an obvious question, you say "Captain Andor?… Cassian Andor?… My Andor?"

She shrugs her shoulders in ignorance. You nod and continue on your way. You are not particularly tall, so scanning the throng is proving very difficult. Occasionally you stop to ask, but no one has seen him. The metal taste of worry is beginning to settle on your tongue when strong arms encircle you from behind. Anxiety drops from your shoulders.

"Miss me?"

"Of course not."

You spin to greet him. Cassian is smiling and the world is righting itself.

"Good to see you, Cass."

"Right back at you, hotshot."

He pulls you in and you let out a quiet sigh of relief. Your first and favourite safe place has always been Cassian. A hand on the small of your back, your fingers brushing his under the table, or a crushing embrace after time apart are enough to ground you; if you're honest, sometimes he's the only thing that can. After a couple of breaths, Cassian leans back and places a soft kiss on the top of your head. You smile into his chest before you draw back.

He places his arm around your waist, "So, what've you been doing with yourself while I was away?"

You both walk for a moment, and then you answer, "Oh nothing, you know. I can't function without you, I just spend all my time pining. I sit on my bed and you know, weep."

"Is it possible to have a serious conversation with you?"

"You of all people should know the answer to that."

"So, no."

"Smart man. I knew I kept you around for some reason, Cass."

"Don't give me that bullshit, Y/L/N. What's wrong?"

"Get the hell out of my face, Andor!"

"Something's wrong, now tell me what it is!"

"Fuck off, Cassian!"

Cassian snatches your wrist and tugs so that you're forced to stop walking. He takes your other hand and now you're properly caught. He has an iron grip and you can tell from his voice that he's not going to let this one go. He bends over a bit so he can look up at you despite the fact that you're avoiding him.

"Tell me, Y/N."

"Get lost!"

"Tell me."

"I said get lost!"

"Tell me."

His voice is uncharacteristically gentle. Your defences are melting and you are furious at yourself. You thought that you could bury this; you thought that you could cope (evidently not).

"I'm fine, Cass."

Well fuck. That was a weak attempt at lying, even for you. Cassian's hands move to cup your chin and his gaze itches on the skin of your face. Mutinous, you slowly raise your eyes.

"Y/N, I know you better than I know myself. Tell me the truth."

Tears suddenly prick at your eyes. You want to look away but you can't- everything feels too close. The words are waiting at the back of your mouth, but your tongue is heavy and not cooperating. It takes awhile for the grief to free your throat but Cassian just waits, his study of your face careful. Eventually, the words escape in a whisper.

"We lost the whole crew."

With a deep exhale, Cassian lets go. He rubs his eyes in sudden exhaustion. Then, without saying anything else, he pulls you into an embrace. The tears run down your cheeks onto his shoulder.

"All of them, Cass."

"Alright, Y/N, shh."

"Anderson, Halai, Dunji, Kawuh, Phelix."

"…I know."

"They had families."

You feel his body rock with a muffled sob. You answer by wrapping your hands around him and running your hands over his shoulder-blades. The sorrow is shared now, which you almost regret, but you realise that Cassian would have found out soon enough. Anyway, you are selfish in your grief; in times of struggle, you always want him with you. After all this was not the first time that you had shared loss, and you were sure it would not be the last either. So, unhurried but safe, you stand together in a quiet corridor, listening to the sound of each other's breathing.