Chapter Text
"Listen! I'm telling you you're completely wrong about this." Fives's exasperation was more than evident but he punctuated the sentiment with a loud sigh and roll of his eyes to drive his point home.
"I don't care!" You do. You care a lot actually but you don't feel like being shy or embarrassed about it at the moment. It’s a gorgeous day, veering on being too hot as the sun reaches the apex of its path across the sky. Street vendors of all kinds are out in full swing. Delicious smells waft out over the crowd from the many food stalls. Sweet, savory, salty, spicy, your mouth waters as you and Fives walk by. Sellers call out in different languages all trying to beckon the crowds of the upper levels of Coruscant to buy their goods. A small sunglasses stand catches your eye and you make your way over with Fives following close behind.
"You're a worse liar than he is." Fives accuses you with a pointed finger as you turn around sporting a neon green pair of shades with large triangle lenses. Ignoring him you tilt your head in a silent question. "Horrible," Fives answers without missing a beat before continuing on as you turn to continue browsing. "Just because he hasn't said it in so many words doesn't mean that he's not completely crazy about you!" Fives tells you with all the conviction he can muster before stepping in beside you. Your hum of disagreement does nothing to convince Fives of your point of view. He slaps your hands away from a pair of sunglasses in a violent shade of pink and takes a pair from the top of the rack in blue. Turning to face Fives he slides the shades on your face before positioning you in front of the tiny mirror on the side of the stall. “It’s not like you’ve told him explicitly how you feel either.” And kriff it, he’s correct on more than just the pair of sunglasses.
Swiping your wrist-comm along the payment pad, the vendor droid beeps it's thank you as you head back into the bustling crowd. Feeling a little safer with your eyes hidden under the stylish pair of glasses in 501st blue. "I just– I don't know."
"What don't you know? Aren't you completely in love–"
"Yes!" You cut him off with a sharp glare over the rim of your glasses before your face can grow any warmer in the heat. The dense crowd already makes the air slightly suffocating and Fives’ s line of conversation isn’t helping.
"Great. Then there's no issue because I know first-hand that Echo is completely head over heels for you." He says this so matter-of-factly that you're hard pressed to keep being stubborn. So you change the subject to hopefully distract Fives long enough that he’ll drop it.
A flash of red and white along the border of the rotunda inspires you. "Aren't you technically on call?" The question starts out as rhetorical and Fives shrugs it off before you point out the Coruscant Guard patrol a few yards away. "What if you get reported for that ridiculous outfit?"
Fives looks down at himself. The crop top and cut-offs that you swear started out as GAR issued sweats was definitely something he shouldn't be wearing if he got called in. He plucks at the fabric clinging to his chest. "You don't like it?" The hurt in his voice is put-on but you can’t help the way it tugs at your heartstrings.
"You look very sexy, Fives." You placate him and he smiles, jutting his chin out. The goatee frames his jawline perfectly and he knows it. Insufferable. "Still a ridiculous outfit."
Time slips by as you spend the day with Fives. It's fun. Really it is. Fives knows how to have a good time. He brings you to food stalls without flashy neon signs. Run by people who've been perfecting their craft for decades, hidden away between towering skyscrapers. They're small but busy and only accept physical credits for payment. It's the best food you've ever had. You browse kitschy souvenir stalls for keychains that say "Welcome to Coruscant" in looping aurebesh script even though you were born here and Fives doesn't have any keys. You pay the droid the extra fee to program your names to flash in atrocious colors on the opposite side. There's a community fountain that's a popular spot on warm days like this. Children run in and out of the jets of water. Screaming and laughing when they get caught in the spray. The cool water feels good on your feet while the two of you stop and rest. It's been a great day.
The sun begins to set, painting the sky in a litany of oranges and pinks. Decorative street lights that line the roads begin to turn on while the headlights of speeders overhead streak glowing patterns as the sky continues to darken, but the city is still full of life. There is no universal signal that sends the planet to sleep. No quiet, restful hour on the planet wide city. Bright, artificial light is arguably much more Coruscanti.
Looking around you realize that you've ended up not far from base. Neither you nor Fives had any destination in mind currently so you're not sure who led who to this part of the city. Was it Fives because he needed a rest? Or was it entirely your subconscious leading you to where you might run into Echo? You weren't sure but Fives doesn't look tired at all. Actually, he seems a bit frustrated again.
"What?" You ask defensively before taking a sip of the jogan fruit slushy Fives had treated you to. The cold, tangy sweet ice is tasty and refreshing but it hasn't done much to distract you from your swirling thoughts.
"Stop sighing." Had you been? You hadn't realized.
"Ah, sorry about that," you apologize, thoroughly chagrined. Fives just laughs. He doesn't look offended at all. He just wears a huge shit-eating grin plastered across his face.
"Don't apologize." Fives glances down at his wrist-comm before continuing. "We're going to meet up with your boyfriend and some of the others here in a few hours so just calm down.
"Fives–" you start to threaten your friend. An empty threat, true. It's not like there was much you could do to get back at him except find something to embarrass him about maybe. But you're not sure if that's even possible to do.
You're saved from planning your revenge by Fives's comm. It beeps loudly and Fives immediately checks it. You can see the swiftness and accuracy of the military in the way he answers it. For a split second he's a soldier before his wide smile reappears, his posture relaxing.
"Speak of the devil–" Fives mumbles before stopping and turning around. "HEY! ECHO!" He bellows, waving both arms obnoxiously over his head.
The instinct to turn around is immediate and you’d be embarrassed, or rather you should be embarrassed at your blatant display of eagerness if you weren’t so completely distracted by searching for Echo through the crowd. There's a few dozen identical faces in the direction Fives is looking but you spot him almost instantly running your way.
You didn't need Fives's shout to know it was Echo or the boldly embroidered name on his GAR hoodie. You can tell simply from his smile, kind and just slightly lopsided. The way he moves, graceful with long graceful strides that nobody else seems to be capable of emulating. It's him that sends your heart fluttering and ties your stomach into knots. It's Echo.
Echo catches up to you two in a flash and immediately grabs your hand as he calls your name in greeting. His smile reaches his golden brown eyes, lighting up his face and you know your smile must match his because your cheeks hurt from the joy you feel bubbling up inside. You want to keep looking at him. To never look away or let go of his hand. Stars you hope he doesn't notice how breathless you are. Or how sweaty your hand is. Maybe he'll think it's the condensation from your drink?
You're not allowed to dwell on your awkwardness for too long because Echo uses your hand to turn you to face the direction you and Fives had just been walking, falling easily in step. He doesn't drop your hand either. Instead, he laces his fingers with yours, resting his arm along the back of your shoulders as your trio continues on.
"Perfect timing, vod." Fives comments while sporting a truly terrifying grin. "Your girl here was starting to get pretty impatient."
Fives's words hit you like a speeder crash. To Echo's credit, he doesn't immediately brush off his brother's words and you're too stunned to speak. So you're left in awkward silence as Echo dips his face, the tops of his ears turning a deeper shade of bronze and an embarrassed smile on his lips. If Fives could just leave you alone for two seconds then maybe Echo wouldn't be so embarrassed to be around you all the time.
The moment blessedly passes as Echo motions for Fives to lean in. "Rex let me go early. Get this–" He whispers conspiratorially, brushing his cheek against yours as he leans in to tell his story. Echo's skin is soft and smooth against your own. Like he just shaved before coming to find his brother and it takes all of your effort to tamp down the image of Echo your brain conjures. Fresh out of the shower, towel wrapped around his waist as he shaves his jaw clean. Stars, you can practically feel your heart pounding in your throat. "We were on our way to the Administrative Building when we stopped to drop off some datapads in the storage room. Rex closed the door faster than he could shoot a blaster so I couldn't get a great look at who exactly was inside, but I swear I saw General Skywalker with a lady."
Fives bursts out laughing. "No kriffing way! There's no way–"
"I'm telling you! It had to be him because as soon as Rex shuts the door, he takes my stack of datapads and tells me–" Echo sets his face in a stern expression before impersonating the Captain that you've only met once. "You were never here, Echo. Do you understand?"
"Wait–" you interject, laughing along with Fives who seems to be having a difficult time catching his breath. "So you just immediately come and tell us?"
Echo winks at you and a new round of butterflies bursts in your chest. "He never ordered me to not say anything." His smile turns into a slight frown before continuing. "Just ah– please don't say anything to anyone?"
"Like I would snitch on you? Or even know who that General is-" you reassure Echo who beams at you and squeezes your hand. You're hot again. Too hot as Echo's eyes catch yours. Looking at you with an expression that makes you miss a step while walking on the flat walkway. He catches you easily, already wrapped in his arm. Oh kriff, stars above this crush you have on Echo is going to be the end of you. Rest in peace, your tombstone will read, this girl died from constantly embarrassing herself in front of the guy she loves.
The inferno your face had just become is excruciating. A huge gulp from your jogan fruit slushie is a perfect excuse to stop staring at Echo and the resulting brain freeze a means to hopefully forget most of every single second you've embarrassed yourself in front of him. A tall order, true. Especially since most of the ice had melted to water-down your drink but it's still cold enough to send a shiver down your spine.
"Hold on a second, Fives," Echo stops, pulling away from you and separating the bottom of his hoodie from his undershirt before pulling it over his head. While Echo is busy wrestling with his clothing, Fives gives you a pointed look, raising his eyebrows in a very telling way. You make to smack his shoulder but Fives easily dodges out of the way and you miss him by a mile. Your second attempt is abandoned as Echo reemerges from the depths of his pullover and offers it to you. "Here, put this on. I don't want you to be cold."
"Oh I–" You're not given the time to respond as Fives steals your drink and plucks your sunglasses hanging off the collar of your shirt. Echo places his hoodie in your hands and your thanks is uttered in a shy mumble of gratitude. The hoodie smells like him as you pull it on over your head. Like soap and a mild aftershave that's a bit woody and citrusy. Clean and crisp and everything about it screams Echo to you. It makes you feel dizzy without you actually being so.
"Better?" Echo asks as he pulls you back to his side, arm easily sliding back around your shoulders. His hand gently grips your bicep, keeping you close.
"Yes, thank you." He doesn't need to know you're still slightly too warm.
Fives finishes off your drink in two loud slurps before tossing the cup in a nearby bin. "I've gotta bounce," he announces while putting on the sunglasses you had purchased. "Kix just sent me a message asking if I can help him with his hair before we all meet up at 79's." Echo laughs, commenting on how that sounds about right for Kix but you're skeptical. His comm hadn't made a sound nor has he looked at it since Echo's message. You narrow your eyes but Fives's has a perfect sabacc face. That piece of bantha fodder. Thinking he can get away with anything he wants. But he's already turned to go, disappearing from view and Echo leads you on.
Echo seems completely unconcerned that Fives had just ditched the two of you minutes after showing up. "Did you two have fun today?" He asks with genuine curiosity.
"It was nice!" The answer comes out automatically before you're able to stop yourself. "I really wish you could have been with me, though." Kriff. Oh kriff, you can feel the heat rushing up your neck and through to the tops of your ears. At least Echo is smiling at that and not pushing you away. So you move on quickly to tell him about the different stalls you and Fives visited together.
"Good. I'm glad you had a fun day today. I wish I could have shared it with you too." Echo's golden brown eyes melt through you completely.
He leads you over to a bench that looks out over a small garden. You're not completely sure where you are right now but seeing as how it's mostly empty with only a few well-dressed occupants walking past without giving the expensive looking landscape a second glance, you assume you're somewhere in or around the Legislative District. The sun is fully set now and decorative lights, hidden between the flowers, light the garden path. Echo's arm rests on the back of the bench as you sit down together. You feel like a couple. Like you're on a date, sitting there together, Echo's arm around you– an excuse to sit close enough you're touching.
A hard lump in your back pocket makes the metal bench uncomfortable. Shifting slightly, you pull out the "Welcome to Coruscant" keychain. "Oh my stars," you laugh. The touristy souvenir had been completely wiped from your mind. "I forgot I got this stupid thing."
Echo grabs your hand in his before you can stash the keychain away again. "Do you mind?" You shake your head and he takes it from you, swiping his thumb over the raised letters before turning it around to see your name flashing on and off in a different color each time.
"It was an impulse buy. Fives got one too."
"Does his have your name too?" There's something about the way he asks the question that has your stomach tying in knots.
"No. Of course not!" You laugh. "He got his own name."
Echo hums, satisfied. Another knot in your stomach. His eyes grow soft as he looks at your name. Flip. "Welcome to Coruscant". Flip. Your name flashing in the dark.
"Were you going to use this?" Echo gestures with the keychain.
"No. I was probably going to put it on a shelf and forget about it or something. No real plans."
"Can I have it?"
"I–" Why are you so nervous? "Yeah, it's yours." You answer weakly.
Echo smiles and pockets the keychain. It's so easy and difficult at the same time to be around Echo. On the one hand, you feel like you can really be yourself around him. No expectations. No need to carry the conversation or to try and be someone you're not. It feels like you can sit back and relax in being yourself with him. But then he does things like this that are so stupidly romantic but you're not sure if he means them that way or not. It leaves you floundering. Trying to catch your footing as your heart wildly beats out of your chest.
"Hey," Echo gently takes your chin in his freehand, turning you to face him on the bench. "Thank you." He says slowly and deliberately. Like he's asking you something instead of just thanking you for the silly keychain. And maybe he is because his face is getting closer the longer you look. The color of his cheeks deepens as he searches your face for something. Anything.
You close your eyes and tilt your head until you feel Echo's lips pressing against your own. Soft and careful and chaste. Leaning in, you grip Echo's leg to keep from falling into his lap. His large hands move to cradle your face as your lips slowly move together. Tentative at first, but growing more eager as neither one of you pull away.
A few long minutes pass by in moments.
"Oh wow," For a second you think you've let your inner thoughts become verbal again as you bask in the glow of resting your forehead against Echo's. Noses bumping as your lips still press together before you or he begins to smile too widely to be of any use before getting swept back up in the moment. But it's Echo. It's Echo who's just as delighted and elated as you are. It's Echo who's grinning like a fool that can't believe he just won the lottery when you know for a fact it's the other way around.
"I know what you mean," you agree. A laugh of giddiness, of pure relief and revelation bubbles up from inside of you. Echo likes you. Well, he more than likes you. He's kissing you and holding you and he likes you!
Echo finally pulls back just enough to look you in the eye. His lips are slightly swollen and your immediate instinct is to lean back in to kiss them but Echo's fingers are tracing the curves of your face keeping you in line– for now. He lets out a shaky breath, still clearly reeling from the situation.
"I should have told you this ages ago," Echo confesses. "I love you. I've loved you since–" He pauses. Smiling as he remembers something fondly before focusing back on you. "Well, for almost as long as we've known each other. I just– sometimes keeping things the same seems like a good idea when you're afraid of losing or chasing off what you already have."
Your words get stuck in your throat. Trying desperately, you make to swallow the lump, to force yourself to speak around it, but it's too stuck to dislodge. There's no use crying over spilled milk. Over lost time because you were both too shy and too dumb to be honest about your feelings. Right now is what matters. Now and tomorrow and however much more time you're gifted with him.
Echo wipes away your treacherous tears with his thumb. A look of concern on his face. You shake your head and manage to feebly say "I'm happy! I'm so happy, Echo. I love you too."
He kisses you. Happy tears and all.