Prompt: A hello/good-bye kiss that is given without thinking -- where neither person thinks twice about it. 

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It wasn't okay and every second you spent looking at him, you prayed you wouldn't fall deeper in love. This didn't work. 

You wiped the beads of sweat off your forehead with your arm and turned your head. On the equipment behind you, Echo had his eyes shut, his arms lifting the heavy weights off his chest. The ARC was wearing the Republic supplied work out shorts and tank, exposing his toned biceps. 

You were one of the Jedi that didn't see the clones as clones, but individual men, and something about Echo that made him stand out was his well earned biceps. Every now and then when you caught a glimpse of him, you would think about how his strength could dominate you any day. But, you always let those thoughts quickly escape you mind. It wasn't the Jedi way.

Before getting too deep in thought, you left the on cruiser gym and went into you quarters to freshen up before the next mission.

*******

"You're troubled," your master informed you as you walked into the briefing room, "Your mind is clouded."

As much as you agreed, you weren't willing to tell him much, "I'm a Jedi Knight now. It's okay." This was your go to excuse, and he never liked that. Though your rank did change, it didn't take away the fact that you would always be his padawan. Ever since you said that, he gave you a stern look. You had to change the topic, "can I go with the 501st?" 

"The 501st is on leave at 1300," he informed you, putting up a holopad, "but I could give you a break as well. You've gone well beyond your expectations lately."

You nodded and asked him if he needed anything else before you left.  There was nothing to be done so you back to your quarters to back a few things before you got in your personal ship to fly down to Coruscant. When you finished packing your essentials, you made you way to the hangar. The 501st was gathered in the hangar discussing their plans for leave together. 

"General!" Fives called, motioning you over to the group, earning him an elbow to the side from Echo.  Though you were their general, you tired to avoid situations involving Echo at all costs. You let out a soft sigh and walked over to them. 

"What's up?" you asked, putting yourself in between Rex and Fives to limit eye contact, or contact at all with Echo. Ignorance is bliss, right?

Kix shot a look at Echo before addressing you, "Would you like to go to 79's with us tonight?"

"Oh, I'm not much fo a drinker," you quickly responded, oblivious to what the boys have planned. 

"There's food there, it's not just drinking," Kix reassured you, making sure he was a being a good wingman for his brother. 

You shrugged, "I guess I'll meet you there at 2100."

Kix winked at Echo as you turned away, going unnoticed by you. The fact that you agreed to go to that place disgusted you, and you have no idea why you said yes. You hopped in your ship as you regretted your decision and flew off the cruiser, setting a course for Coruscant. 

*******

You slowly walked up the stairs of the Jedi Temple, and stared at it in its glory. It was the closest thing to home you had. Jedi were never supposed to keep possessions, but the few you did have were hours here, where it would be safe. As soon as you entered your quarters, you dropped your backpack to the ground and laid on your bed, wrapping you up in a cozy blanket. You were home. Meeting the boy's at 79's was still a few hours away so you decided to take the time to meditate your feelings away. 

You were in love with Echo. 

Through the force, you tried to channel your feelings elsewhere. You were attached. You were knifing attached. Since the moment you were a youngling, the one thing that was drilled into your head was that attachment is forbidden.

"Great. I commit Jedi sin, number one," you groaned, getting up off the ground and opening your closet. Your outfit options were limited but you chose a royal blue tube top with ribbons that flowed down your arms with ripped black jeans. There was a new pair of black combat boots in your closet so you went with those as well. After putting on your outfit you looked at yourself in the mirror and sighed. Something wasn't right, and you HAD to look perfect since Echo would be there. You played around with your hair and makeup until you felt satisfied with how you looked. To finish it off, you clipped your lightsaber to you waist.

To be honest, you weren't even sure if Jedi were allowed to go to 79's but that didn't stop you.  The temple was quiet, which allowed you to leave undetected. Trying to find the 501st would be near impossible without comming one of them so you figured you would just meet them at 79's. It wasn't too long of a speeder trip away.

Once there, you parked your speeder and approached the entrance. Kix was standing outside the entrance waiting for you. 

"General!" he called, motioning you over. 

You laughed, "Kix, we are off duty. Call me (Y/N)!"

"It's just so natural to call you General," he smiled, "but let's get inside, everyone's waiting!"

You and Kix walked inside and over to the table where the 501st was sitting. The seat saved for you was next to Echo. Great, you thought to yourself, taking the seat next to him. 

"Hey boys!" you smiled. 

They all greeted you then continued their conversations and ordered drinks. While you were talking to Rex, Fives kicked Echo under the table and cleared his throat. 

"Gen-(Y/N)," Echo corrected himself. 

You turned your head to look at him, "What's up Echo?"

"Uh-I," he stuttered, "You look wonderful."

You froze inside. There is no WAY he just said that. The longer you waited to reply, the more anxious Echo got about the situation, thinking he blew it. 

"You as well," you nodded, taking a sip of your drink. 

The night went on and before you knew it, half of the 501st couldn't stand up. Kix groaned and rested his head on the table, knowing he would have to deal with all their complaints tomorrow morning. You kept yourself composed, only having a few drinks. Echo on the other hand, not so much. It didn't take long for the drinks to make him lose his nervousness around you. You didn't mind him leeching onto you, but you wished he was actually in his right mind. 

"Echo, let's bring you home," you suggested, his arm tightening around your shoulder. 

"But this is fun!" he whined, trying to grab another drink. 

You took it out of his hand and replaced it with water, "Let's leave, Echo."

He finally agreed with you. You let Kix know he was taking him back before leaving. 

"You're pretty," he slurred as you strapped him into the speeder. 

Sober Echo saying this would make your heart jump, but maybe the drinks were just making him say things he was afraid to say. Once he was strapped in, you started the speeder. Without thinking, you started to ride towards the Temple. 

Should I bring him here or should I drive around to find his barracks. Should I let him stay with me?

You decided on bringing him to the temple. When you parked at the Temple, you helped a semi-conscious Echo out of the back of the speeder. 

"You're going to have to be quiet," you told him, throwing his arm over you. Carefully, you brought him up to your room and sat him on your bed. You got him a cup of water and gave him a fever killer pill, "This will help you tomorrow, I promise."

He took it with ease then made a funky look. 

"What's wrong?" you asked, concerned. 

"I can't sleep like this," he slurred, taking his armor off. You watched him strip from his armor, exposing his toned body in his tight blacks. You turned to your closet, biting your lip and grabbed some oversized sweatpants. There is no way he is doing this in front of me. A loud thud made you quickly turn around, seeing Echo now sitting on the floor. 

"Let's get you back up," you laughed, sitting him on the bed. You handed him the sweats, "I'm sure you don't want to sleep in those dirty blacks, they may be a bit short on you but these may do."

He smiled as he took them, cupping his hand around your cheek, "Thank you, mesh'la."

You only knew a few words in Mando'a and that wasn't one of them, but you assumed it wasn't anything terrible. He started to take his blacks off and as bad as you wanted to watch, you turned away to give privacy. As soon as you turned, you felt a hand on your shoulder. 

"Echo," you laughed, "finish changing."

He made a pout face, "Can you please help me."

He sounded like a child. 

You got up and put your hands on his back, grabbing the zipper and pulling it down slowly. All you could ever ask for is a moment this intimate with Echo. Kriff, he was the love of your life, and he didn't even know. As you pulled down his zipper, you noticed the small scars. His battle scars. It took all of your impulse control to not kiss them to try to take the trauma away. 

"You're a handsome man, Echo," you let slip, immediately regretting it. You quickly unzipped the rest of his top blacks and got up, praying he didn't hear that. Echo didn't acknowledge it, he just continued to undress, putting your sweatpants on. They weren't a perfect fit, but they worked. 

Echo instantly fell asleep the second he put them on. Before you fell asleep, you poured him another glass of water and put it on the night stand. 

"Goodnight Echo," you whispered, falling asleep on the floor. 

*********

You woke up the next morning to a coughing Echo.

"Are you okay?!" you asked, shooting up from you sleep.

He rubbed his eyes, "Yeah, just have a headache."

You laughed, "Yeah, I can imagine!"

"Thank you for watching me," he smiled, making your heart melt. It was at this moment you realized, he spent the night in YOUR quarters and now he was sober. All your nervousness around him quickly came back. 

You turned red and looked away, "It was my pleasure. But unfortunately I have some Jedi things to attend soon." This was a lie, but you were just too worried you would say something stupid in front of him if he stayed much longer. 

"Well, I guess I'll be going then," he sighed, "but again, thank you so much for taking care of me." 

You gave him a soft smile and turned around as he changed back into his armor. When he was done gearing up, you turned again to face him, awe striking your face. Something about his ARC armor always made you internally swoon. 

"See you later, (Y/N)!" he said as he walked towards your door. You followed him to the door and stood in the door frame as he exited. 

Before he walked away he cupped his hand on your cheek and crashed his lips into yours. You couldn't even being to describe the shock, but it all felt so right. It wasn't a long kiss, but the passion felt as if it was building up forever, on both sides. 

"Oh Kriff I just kissed my General!"

"Oh Kriff I just kissed my ARC!" 

You both gasped simultaneously, followed by a speechless look. 

"I am so sorry," Echo exclaimed, "I don't know what I was-"

"No no," you cut him off, "I'm sorry it was me who did it." 

"So you wanted to kiss me?" he questioned. 

You opened your mouth to respond and then closed it, then opened again, but you couldn't get any words out.

"I think we may feel the same way about each other," he whispered, biting his lower lip softly. 

"What makes you think that?"

"Someone said, you're a handsome man Echo, last night. And quite honestly I think you're a gorgeous girl."

You stood there speechless yet again.

Echo shrugged his shoulders, "But you have 'Jedi Stuff' to attend so I best be going now."

"Wait!" you stopped him, "Can we do that again?"

"Kiss?"

"Yeah," you smiled, grabbing both his hands and pulling him back into your room. 

"I'd like that," he laughed, kissing your nose. 

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YIKES she was long but hi I hope you liked this! I have been hella depressed lately but I'm going to be more active this week for sure :)