A returning Echo

Chapter Twenty Five

You got there just as the 501st was returning, and you immediately jumped off your speeder. When you saw Echo, you immediately ran over to him. He still had his helmet on, so when you reached him, you quickly removed it, tossing it to the floor, and crashed your lips onto his. He was slightly startled, but quickly melted into the kiss. His arms wrapped tightly around your waist as you held the sides of his face. When you broke away, you didn't pull back, instead just resting your forehead against his.

"I know," he mumbled, holding you tighter as he spoke, responding to the unsaid words from you. "I forgive you."

"You came back," you said, smiling softly to yourself, running your thumb over his cheek. You could feel the short facial hairs that hadn't been tended to, and you hoped he at least had gotten enough food and rest.

"I told you, I always will."

"I know, I know you did. I just..."

"Did you not believe me?" he asked, pulling back to meet your gaze.

"No, I always believe you, Echo. I was just worried." He smiled down at you and placed another gentle kiss on your lips, basking in the comforting feelings you were pushing at him through the force.

"Wish my girl would greet me like that," Fives mumbled to himself as he walked by. You pulled back from Echo slightly to glare at Fives.

"Shaak is very busy, and you know that," you countered in her defense.

"No no, I know," he said quickly. "I just...haven't seen her in a while."

"Neither have I, actually," you said as you tried to think of the last time you saw her. It had been before your injury, and it had only been a fleeting talk before you rushed off to battle.

"I'll just comm her tonight, hopefully she isn't busy and can talk," Fives said.

"That sounds smart," Echo commented. "I don't think I'll be at the barracks tonight, so don't worry about me interrupting."

"Where are you going to be?" you questioned.

"With you," he replied, slight confusion on his face.

"I never agreed to letting you stay over tonight," you said playfully.

"Well, I guess you don't have a choice then," he chuckled, earning an eye roll from you.

"I'm going to start charging you rent," you said, waving bye to Fives as he headed inside while you walked over to your speeder.

"What if I cook for you as payment?"

"Cook for me, with my food?"

"You're not making this easy, darling," he chuckled.

"Who said I was supposed to?" you countered, getting on the speeder behind him. You wrapped your arms around him and kissed his cheek. Unfortunately for Echo, Jesse, Hardcase, and Kix had seen it, and they all started whistling at him and making kissing sounds from across the hangar.

"Oooooh, Echooooo!" Jesse said.

"Yeah you get it, Echo!" Hardcase called. Kix just laughed, not bothering to stop his brothers from picking on the poor ARC Trooper.

"I hate them," Echo mumbled, his cheeks heating at the comments. You just giggled, kissing him again before he shot you a look and sped off to the temple. He did end up cooking for you that night, using another Dohbarian recipe you had chosen for him. It turned out better than you expected, and you ended up eating all of it, leaving almost no room for dessert, which you had prepared to be chips and whipped cream.