WELP. Things seem to have taken a turn for the worse. At least they got to celebrate a little bit?

CW: Mild sexual content, wartime retrospection, heavy war-related content, mentions of death, mentions of feelings of hopelessness

Being sidelined was honestly one of the many fates worse than death in Tech's eyes. He hated sitting things out. He wanted to be out there fighting!

It took everything he had and then some to not complain in front of Shadow. The Realm Walker clearly felt bad enough already, shame spreading across their face every time they laid eyes on him. But kark was it boring to just observe the battle and not actually partake.

At least he had plenty of footage to cross reference now.

And his leg would soon be healed.

He tilted his head as Sarah knelt across from him in the grass, her eyes closed as she took deep even breaths. "Did you learn Force Healing at the Jedi Temple?"

Sarah chuckled. "Hardly."

Tech frowned. "If you did not learn it from a Jedi, where did you learn it from?"

A Sith? They were really the only other Force users Tech knew of. But they were all supposed to be dead and gone. Except for the Chancellor, apparently.

Should he tell Sarah?

No, they all promised Shadow they would not tell anyone.

"Learned it on the street," Sarah was saying as Tech tuned back in. "Got into a bad scuffle on Level Thirteen-Thirteen on Coruscant during my youth."

Level 1313? The notorious underworld level? What had Sarah been doing there of all places? And how did one shift from such high-stakes missions there to a farm on a city-less planet in the Outer Rim?

"Why were you on Level Thirteen-Thirteen?"

"Crime ring investigation. Came out on top, but that win came at a price." Eyes still closed, Sarah held her hand out for his arm. "Opened myself to the Force, and it healed me. Found it interesting, and decided to pursue it.

"So the Jedi do not teach it?" Tech asked, giving her his arm.

"No mainstream Jedi. Too many would argue that to heal would disrupt the will of the Force or whatever."

A sharp, cooling sensation spread through his arm and Tech had to grit his teeth against the pain. It was a good pain, like removing a deep splinter, but it was still unpleasant. "But the Force healed you?"

"Mhm." Sarah's brow furrowed in concentration.

His bones shifted again. "Then wouldn't that be the will of the Force?" he asked through clenched teeth.

"You'd think. Guess what the Council really means is the will of the light side of the Force. Some see Force healing as unnatural and therefore it shouldn't be taught."

Tech frowned, pain forgotten at this new information. "They would refuse possibly life-saving knowledge because of its affiliation?"

"Mhm."

His frown deepened. He never understood the whole "forbidden knowledge" thing. Knowledge should be free to all, why prevent someone from learning because of beliefs? That seemed both corrupt and hypocritical. If knowledge was truly "forbidden", then no one should know it. For someone to know something, and refuse to share on the grounds it was "forbidden"?

"That does not seem right."

A soft laugh from the ex-Jedi. "It's not. Another reason I dropped out."

Tech sighed in relief as his arm finished healing. Slowly stretching it, he felt along where the break had been.

Nothing. His arm was good as new.

Finally!

"Shadow clearly does not like the Council either," he remarked.

A fact the Realm Walker had made clear numerous times. And a fact he was glad for. If they were like orthodox Jedi, they would never have been able to adapt to his squad. Additionally, while their unpredictable nature irked him at times, he would not have been as captivated by them had they not been so unusual.

His squadmates certainly would not have accepted them so quickly either.

Takes a misfit to know a misfit, I suppose.

"I at least respect them," Sarah said. "Shadow doesn't, aside from one or two members. But I certainly agree with them that the Council is hypocritical, even if I don't think they're 'bastards', as Shadow calls them."

"They do have a rather coarse vocabulary," Tech agreed.

"Think you're the first of your team to voice something you dislike about them," Sarah said, then chuckled. "Aside from that sniper. Guess he took my words to heart."

Tech straightened. "Your words?"

Sarah said something to him? Well, logically that made sense. She had called him back when they were about to leave the farm a few days ago. However, Tech had not considered their conversation pivotal to the mission so he had disregarded the memory. But if Sarah had said something vital enough to change the usually cold marksman's attitude towards Shadow, who at that point was still an outsider of sorts, then the information had turned from non-important to vital.

"Just told him that you don't find someone like Shadow on every planet." Sarah helped him to his feet.

"Shadow is a Realm Walker," Tech countered. "So it would be more on the order of every lifetime."

Tech was still in awe that, of all the partners in all the galaxy, they had collectively snagged a Realm Walker. They basically courted and recruited a goddess, or were they a god? Deity? That was the gender-neutral term, right?

Whatever they were, the team had really lucked out with them.

Sarah nodded. "That's true. How did the pair overcome their differences? Or, I guess, who confessed first?"

A scowl wrinkled the engineer's nose. "There was no true confession. Crosshair was an imbecile and tried to hide his obvious affection for Shadow by suggesting we leave them behind."

Sarah's eyes widened. "He suggested what?"

"He suggested ghosting them." Anger rippled through him. "They overheard, and proceeded to have a catastrophic nightmare that we turned against them. When they awoke, they didn't know and thought we were still after them." He indicated his arm. "That is how I sustained this injury."

Sarah blinked in disbelief. "I knew he was in denial of his feelings but… I'm surprised Shadow forgave him."

"They love him," he said simply. "I believe it may have blinded them to his shortcomings." He frowned. "Or at least made them more willing to excuse his transgressions. They are rather stubborn too, and refuse to give up on him."

"Do you think they should?"

"Should what?"

"Give up."

What did he think?

"I am… divided on the matter." Tech thought for a moment. "Their constant willingness to give him another try if he at least attempts to fix his mistakes has made a positive difference. Even I can see that. But it was only after it seemed like they wouldn't forgive him that Crosshair really changed."

"Do you have faith in him?"

"Being blunt and pragmatic is his nature," he said with a shrug. "For some beings, strategy can often come across as callous and severe."

"But do you believe he can change?"

"It is not particularly in his nature."

"Change is nature," Sarah replied. "The universe is always changing. If the universe can do so, don't you believe that he can as well?"

Tech stared at her for a long moment, stunned by her words. "I… do not know what to believe anymore," he admitted. "This mission has… shaken my faith in many things."

"And rebuilt it in other areas, I hope."

"I am unsure yet."

"Well, that's alright," Sarah said with a gentle smile. "It's ok to not have all the answers."

His nose scrunched in another scowl. "I don't like it."

"Most people don't," Sarah chuckled. "But, as Shadow says, it is what it is."

Even if Tech didn't care for their coarse language, he still found all the different phrases and references that Shadow made quite funny and they always lifted his spirit.

Sarah's smile suddenly vanished, concern knitting her brow, before she abruptly stood and looked back towards the battlefield.

Tech jumped up too, hands going to his pistols.

Oh, it was just Trevor. But the godling barely paid them any mind, sailing straight over their heads towards the homestead.

Why was he flying so fast?

Why was he in such a rush?

Then he saw the smoke over the mountains.

That is… not good.

-Shadow PoV-

"You really didn't have to do this."

"I know."

"I'm not that injured."

"Noted."

"You're exhausted too."

"I'll live."

Hunter, you're about as stubborn as a mule, I swear.

Crossing my arms atop the man's helmet as he carried me up the stairs, I grumbled incoherently.

We'd hardly made it off the field before Hunter scooped me into a bridal carry, protests be damned. Despite me being his size plus one inch of height and an additional five feet of tail, Hunter had no issues carrying me even after the battle. Not even the stairs to the loft could phase him.

"Showoff," I said under my breath, rolling my eyes.

"What was that, Icy?" Hunter teased, heading for the couch.

I grumbled some more, raising my voice but declining to give him any actual words.

"Ah, I see."

I flicked his forehead.

"Ah ah ah, not smart to upset the man carryin' you," he playfully warned.

"All bark to bite, Sarge. You wouldn't dare drop me," I said smugly.

"Willin' to wager that?"

I smirked. "If I offered the promise of a kiss in return, I most certainly would wager that."

A dark brow raised. "A kiss, eh?" he asked, using his boot to push the coffee table out of his way.

"Perrrrrrhaps," I purred.

Hunter hummed in thought, setting me on the couch. "Suppose you'd win the bet, then."

"Of course I would," I replied breezily, placing his helmet beside me

"Don't get cocky," he said, prodding my side as he knelt in front of me.

Rubbing the spot, I stuck my tongue out at him.

"You're lucky I've got gloves on," he remarked with a sly smile, pulling off his pack.

"Oh?"

"Otherwise I would have grabbed that tongue."

My ears pricked. "Oh really?"

That sly smile grew. Leaning in close, he poked my nose. "Really."

"That a threat?"

He squeezed my knee. "How many times do I have to tell you? I don't make threats."

"Always once more, Shaggy," I laughed. "Always once more."

Laughing along with me, he pulled off his gloves and set to work bandaging my leg. "I see why you have such strong kicks," he mused, lightly prodding my calf muscle.

"Why thank you."

"You said you did animal riding prior to martial arts?" he asked, eyes shifting from my leg to me. Head still angled downward, dark curls hung in his face.

"I did indeed," I replied, eyeing the stray locks.

Should I caress his cheek again? He really seemed to like it a few days ago. And I'd be a liar if I said I hadn't noticed the gradual darkening of his cheeks and chin as the shaveless days progressed.

"Distracted?" he chuckled.

"Wee bit," I said, ears twitching as I grinned.

"By what, might I ask?" he asked innocently.

"Tryin to tell if you're flirting with me or not."

His lips twitched as he fought to withhold his smile. "Now, why would you think something like that?"

I crossed my arms. "You know how intimate it is for you to be bandagin my leg like you are, sir?"

"Hmm. Perhaps."

"Cheeky fucker." I then yelped as he tickled the underside of my knee. "Hey!"

Another chuckle and charismatic grin from the sergeant before he tightened his hand around my lower leg. When my eyes widened and ears flattened, his grin grew almost sadistic.

Oh.

Oh no.

"Hunter…"

His tone matched mine. "Shadow…"

I jabbed a finger in his direction. "You better not."

His fingers twitched against my leg. "Better not what?"

"C'mon man, I'm a cripple here!" I laughed nervously.

Though nervousness didn't really begin to describe the terror I felt. I'd been attacked by those fingers more than once, and when it came to tickling…

Sergeant Hunter was a merciless bastard.

"Less likelihood of me getting kicked," he teased, grip tightening.

"Tickle me, I tickle your neck with a damn chainsaw," I warned, tugging my leg in an effort to free myself from his grip.

"Could be worth it," he sang in a low tone, coming closer.

"Trust me, boy, it ain't."

He hovered above me, backlit by the ceiling fan light and looking positively menacing with that dark tattoo as he braced his free hand behind me on the couch. His voice barely reached a whisper. "I think I'll find out."

I braced a foot against his stomach. "I think you won't."

A truly mischievous grin. "Hmmm." Ruffling my hair, he retreated and laughed, "Fine, you're spared for now."

Frowning as my hair hung over my face, I indignantly pawed it out of my eyes before glaring at him. "I oughta tear that bandana off your head, see how you like messy hair."

That grin on his tattooed face grew. "You can try."

"Challenge accepted," I said with a mischievous grin of my own, tackling him to the floor with the intent of pulling that damn bandana off his head and giving him a taste of his own medicine.

"Mutiny!" he cried as he fell back, yet his grin stretched ear to ear.

He tried rolling me under him, but I threw my weight to the side and sent him flying off me. The commando quickly recovered and came at me again, going for a headlock. Kneeing him in the side, driving the breath from him despite his armor, I swung my upper body around. Shoulder colliding with his chest, the force sent him tumbling away. Quick as ever, a hand snatched my arm and drug me with him. I jumped forward, using his blunder to my advantage and crashing down on top of him. Rolling myself atop his hips, I braced my hand on his chest plate and reached up to yank off his bandana.

"Ha!" I exclaimed as some dark curls sprang free while others remained in place after being tied back for so long. I held the bandana high above my head. "Victory!"

"Don't gloat too soon." Flipping us around, he grinned as he now sat atop me, straddling my waist. His hands gripped my wrists and pinned them above my head before plucking the bandana from my fingers. Winding it around my wrists and keeping them pinned above my head, he lifted my chin with a finger and leaned down, nose inches from mine.

Oh me oh my there was a man on my hips with his very handsome face very close to mine. A rather embarrassing squeak slipped out, turning my cheeks red and thoroughly infuriating me.

Hunter chuckled, sitting heavier on my hips. "Guess Wrecker is onto somethin' with that nickname."

My cheeks burned hotter. "Shut up."

"And who's goin' to make me?"

"Lean down here and I'll show you."

Another laughed before he obliged and leaned down before pressing his lips against mine.

I lifted my head, deepening the kiss. I was really beginning to like kissing. Even if the man tasted like sweat, dirt, and smoke. I did not expect his tongue to lightly brush my lips, but I was not gonna complain either.

To my immense disappointment, he pulled away, leaving me stuck to the floor when his hand pressed harder into my wrists. I glared at him. "Hey…"

"Oh, did you like that, sweetheart?" he teased, voice lowering a few octaves as his teeth bared in a smirk.

Heat spread across my cheeks yet again. "Kinda?"

The smug sergeant hummed in thought, the deep sound resonating within my chest. "Then I suppose you would kinda like it if I did it again?"

I couldn't help the grin that spread over my own lips. "I suppose I kinda would."

"Not unless you ask nicely, Icy," he teased, gripping my wrists with one hand while his other slipped down to cup my chin with calloused fingers.

"You got an officer kink or something?" I snorted, fire pooling in my gut at his firm grip.

Not sure why I asked, your scent tells me all I need to know.

"From what I've overheard," he mused, running his thumb over my lips. "You like it kinky."

"Now you're just torturin' me," I grumbled, but there was a smile on my face.

Hunter leaned down again, dark curls tickling my face. "Maybe I like it kinky too."

"Aw, then it must suck that you can't really do anythin'," I snarked.

The grip on my chin tightened. "Careful, sweetheart, before I toss you onto the counter and deal with you for... insubordination."

I narrowed my eyes. "Promise?"

"Oh, darlin'." He leaned in close, hand slipping from my chin to gently squeeze my throat. "You know what I say about threats."

FWUMP.

We both jumped as something large slammed into the window. Staring outside, anger flooded Hunter's face. "Not you again!"

I twisted around under the sergeant. "Trevor?!"

Really?! You damn cockblocker! I outta…

My blood ran cold at the panic on his face.

True, authentic panic.

Scrambling out from beneath Hunter, all hornieness forgotten, I dashed over and threw open the window. "What-"

"The Outpost!" he yelled. "It's been destroyed!"

-Hunter PoV-

He'd been so close.

So karkin' close!

A few more seconds and they could have had another wonderful moment like they had back at the trail shelter. Perhaps, even, one that went further.

With no one else around for at least fifteen minutes or more, Hunter knew they could have gotten something in.

But then Trevor showed up.

Of course he did, he had an uncanny ability to appear at just the wrong moment.

Yet, this time…

This time it was serious.

The Outpost. Hells, Hunter hadn't even thought about it. It wasn't like he forgot it, though. He'd reminisced often about their first encounter with Shadow, which he'd come to love even though it'd been mildly frustrating in the moment. But he hadn't thought about the place itself.

And, now, it was gone, with the news of its destruction shattering the joy from their victory over the tinnies.

"What?!" Shadow screamed, tail twice its normal size. "What do you mean it's destroyed?! How?!"

"Before they landed here, they must have destroyed it!" Trevor panted. "Hurry!"

Shadow looked back at him, blue eyes full of horror and fear. "Hunter! Let's go!"

The pain in their face and voice knocked the breath from his lungs. Snatching his helmet and shoving all the loose equipment into his pack, he then scrambled to reach Shadow before they could fling themselves straight out the window after Trevor.

"Shadow!" he yelled, grabbing the Realm Walker around the middle and dragging them off the windowsill. "Your leg!"

We should have bandaged it before we got sidetracked!

"Fuck my leg!" Shadow snapped. "I gotta go!"

"It's already gone!" He hated being blunt, but in scenarios like these… "Charging ahead won't bring it back!"

Shadow still fought against him, although their struggles were slowly dying. "But… I can…"

"You can't," Hunter stressed, his grip transitioning from restraint to a hug. "There's nothing you can do."

"But… the… it can't be gone. I have to go see-!"

"We will," he promised, turning them around while maintaining his grip. "But we can't rush ahead."

Various emotions flashed across Shadow's face. Horror, pain, fear, anger. At the Outpost. At Trevor. At the tinnies. At him. "You don't get it-"

"I do get it. I know it was important to you! But you're a soldier now, Ice." His voice softened. "And you need to learn that you can't save everything."

One of the hardest lessons. The Kaminoans and their hired trainers always said Hunter and the other clones would do great things. Said they'd help people. Protect them. Keep them safe.

They never once thought to prepare you for the first time you failed and people paid for it with their lives. They never prepared you for the carnage that followed a battle. Never prepared you for when the smoke cleared and the sounds of blaster fire were replaced with sobs and dying gasps.

They never prepared you for the fact that you could give it your all, put your soul into it, do everything right…

And still lose.

Tears welled in Shadow's eyes before spilling out and streaming down their cheeks. "It's my fault…"

"Shadow-"

"No, it is." They looked down. "I antagonized James. I caused him to contact the droids." Their voice broke. "I did this."

"He did this, not you." Hunter cradled their cheek, using his thumb to wipe away a tear. "We'll make him pay. I promise."

Anger and what Hunter easily recognized as bloodlust flared in those blue eyes, burning with the intensity of a thousand suns. The sergeant felt concern trickle through him. He'd seen Shadow when they got vengeful. Saw what happened when they perceived betrayal.

They'd nearly killed Hunter and his brothers, and that was even after everything that went down. Sure, they thought they were asleep, but…

If he was completely honest, vengeful Shadow actually scared him. Because their unpredictability increased tenfold.

While their self control plummeted.

"You promise?" they asked, voice cold.

Did he? Did he really?

He thought back to all the trouble that piece of rankweed caused.

"Yes," he swore, resting his forehead against Shadow's. "Promise."

A shaky breath and a slow exhale, their eyes sliding closed. When their eyes snapped back open, they were glowing. "Then let's go."

Special thanks to Patrons Jesse and Lil!