Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Just one more minute. That was all he needed. He had all the necessary parts of the vehicle in his worn sack. The eyes of the young man had narrowed, as he was focusing closely on the main power cables to get access to the small, but most important gadget he needed. He forced his thin fingers through the gaps of the cables, his pale complexion a great contrast to the black wires. Another stretch of his fingers and YES! He had it!

“And what do we have here?” The way too familiar blaster’s end pressed against the back of his skull. It made the hooded male let go of the important piece of the generator, a deep frown ran across his face under the shadow of his cloak. The question was only rhetorical because the man holding the handgun was very well aware of the identity of the crouching man, but now as he lifted his blaster with its end he yanked the hood off of the other’s head with its help. The fiery ginger locks’ tone under the merciless Sun of the Geonosis even looked more vivid than they normally would. “If it isn’t my favourite, dirty little thief. Tucker.”

“Higgins.” The redhead muttered with clear annoyance in his thin voice. Under occasions like this he hated that he naturally had a very soft, smooth voice so he couldn’t much enhance the actual anger he had inside him. The grimace was still deeply burned into his young features once the blaster was now rested under his chin and was forced to look up to his right where the Risen Order officer was standing.

“Same old misdemeanors, huh?”

“I’m surprised you know what that means.” Upon hearing that, the two guards - accompanying Higgins - cackled but stopped as soon as Henry sneered at them.

“You know what’s coming now, so get to it.” Henry lightly kicked onto the worn sack where some parts of the Flash Speeder’s engine clank together.

With a tired sigh Tucker reached down to his bag and picked up the first part of what he had nicked. He briefly glanced up at Henry, his own long, milky eyelashes somewhat covered his view. The Risen Order officer leaned against the Speeder’s front, his blue eyes scanning the crowd for now. To put it lightly, it wasn’t a challenge to outsmart Henry and get away from him he’s learned that throughout the years, but the street was overflowing with other officers, guards and members of the Order. Tucker had a rough night so the last thing he was in the mood for was to be chased for long minutes. His mild headache was now also enhancing thanks to the officer’s presence. Although Henry wasn’t a sadist nor unnecessarily cruel like the other officers or generals of the Risen Order, it didn’t mean he was any way less annoying than them.

“What can you tell me about the disturbances or of the people who sympathize with the Geonosians?” Henry asked without looking down at Tucker. His peace was irritating, that he wasn’t alert at all, it was as if he thought he knew Tucker well enough to know that he won’t run away this time.

“Nothing.” Tucker spat it out once he turned his look away from the older man.

“Still an outcast? Even amongst your own?” The mockery was easy to pick up on and the redhead was having none of it.

“Shut up. Do you want me to fix your piece of junk or prefer to have a chat with me?”

“I thought you're capable of doing both…” Higgins crouched down beside Tucker and lifted an eyebrow. “Or is it beyond your capabilities?”

Tucker glared back at Henry, his aventurine irises barely visible from his dilated pupils. But after taking in a couple of deep breaths he turned back to the engine and continued unscrewing a couple of bolts. “You know very well I don’t give a damn about nor your cruel Order nor about the rebels’ righteous little actions. Hypocrisy on both sides, the only difference is your goals.”

Even if it was a harsh criticism Henry couldn’t help but smile. “It’s quite a luxury to be neutral these days.”

Henry clearly lacked the leg muscles of the redhead so eventually he sat down beside the other and now just rested his arms on his knees, not caring much about making his dark blue uniform dirty on the ground. “I am not neutral. I hate your lot as much as I hate theirs.”

“What of the natives?” Now Henry’s facial features turned into an intense grimace with abhor.

“The insectoids…what's left of them? Slaves..what to think of them?” Tucker muttered quickly as he began to tightly screw a loose piece to its place in the throttle controls, but Henry was quick to pick up that there was more to his opinion or knowledge of those hideous beings.

“What else? I know you, Tucker.” Henry now rested his head back against the vehicle’s side, a faint breeze refreshing his sweaty face, but it wasn’t strong enough to lift his slicked down dark locks.

“You know shab about me, Higgins.” Tucker was quick to snap back before he pulled a wrench out of his bag. “They’re workers, either at the hives or in the new factory, so I don’t know what else you want me to tell you.” Despite the past, those insects were now rumored to be conspiring against the invader Risen Order with the help of some humans, however Tucker saw no reason why to tell anything about it to the officer. Not because he was protecting the rebels but because he couldn’t be bothered to help anyone.

Henry observed the younger man’s profile but as it seemed Tucker wouldn’t look at him he just heavily exhaled. “I hate them.”

“Then why are you stationed here? Ask to be put on another planet. You keep banging your chest that you’re a first class officer, so then what’s stopping you?” Forrest put the wrench down for a moment on the vehicle’s top and theatrically made a shocked face at Higgins. “Oh wait! Is it because of me?! If you’d be sent away then you couldn’t enjoy my company anymore.” Tucker snorted as Henry snarled at him. “Well, rest assured they hate you just as much.”

Higgins ignored Tucker’s brattiness and rather focused on his last sentence. “And why is that? This place was a wasteland, their species on the brink of extinction. Now look at all the cities, streets, markets we’ve built and the factory is in its glory. Trade is blooming. Neither side cared about them in the past like we do.”

“Pfff…save yourself from that propaganda, who are you trying to impress? But if you want my opinion I think they might be a tad upset about the whole sterilization, genocide…oh and now they’re slaves. I don’t know about you Higgins, but I’d not be overly fond of your people either, if I were in their shoes.”

No answer came from the officer as there was an incoming call on his comlink. Even if Tucker wasn’t supposed to hear the conversation, the unbearable heat of the planet made Higgins lazy enough to rather stay on his bum and answer the call there. While Tucker was taking his time with the speeder’s heat exchanger he listened to the conversation. Although at first he couldn’t really contain his laughter and had some failed attempts at muffling it. General Choi surely was outspoken. Even if the exchange was amusing, once the General asked if anything out of the ordinary had happened he watched as Henry glanced aside at him with saddened eyes but eventually said that there was nothing to report. He could have told him that he caught this dirty brat who caused nothing but trouble for him from the first day he was stationed on Geonosis, yet he failed to do so. He could have sworn that Henry couldn’t stand him, but now he began to wonder whether it wasn’t so. Now as he was keeping his eyes on the officer who was only a couple of years older than him, being told off harshly through the comlink, he only saw a man in his early twenties, hurt and failing to meet the expectations of his superior.Tucker wasn’t laughing anymore, instead he turned back to the speeder and now attended to the power cell which would be the last piece he had to fix before it’d have been ready.

As the call ended there was some silence between them, Tucker finished fixing the engine but he was still crouching there beside the officer, now feeling his blue pair of eyes resting on him. After some hesitation he looked aside at him. He meant to say thank you, for not ratting out on him, but instead he just made a slow nod with his head for which Henry had a tight smile on his face. Higgins parted his lips but just before any word could have left it a huge explosion had stirred the ground. Tucker was quick to stand up, and soon realized that a pack of insectoids and some humans started an attack on the patrolling officers.
He was quick to snatch up his sack and like it took him no effort at all, he climbed up on top of the stone building’s top on their right, ready to flee to get as far as possible from the comotion. But just then for some inexplicable reason he stopped and looked back down, wishing that he didn’t do so. He witnessed Henry being shot at, and the short man collapsed injured on the ground. Higgins still had those two guards with him to protect him. Why did he even care for one sycophant of the Risen Order?! However as both guards were killed the redhead huffed and leaped off of the building. “Useless piece of junks….Kriff…” He huffed as he hovered above Higgins, who was still alive but his injuries were serious. There was no time to think anything through rationally, therefore next thing Tucker knew was that he lifted Henry’s body and once he put him on the backseat he got on the front of the Flash Speeder and rode off. He hasn’t driven a vehicle like that before so on his way out of the big chaos he hit a couple of officers, insectoids but not as if he could care too much, he never was the type.

Once they were out of the city center Tucker glanced back and nervously cussed upon the view of Henry’s pale face and moveless body. “Just hold on…What am I doing…? Why do I even care about this idiot…?!” He muttered to himself as in no time he arrived at the familiar abandoned hive where his cave home was at. Even if he was agile it took him a great effort to lift Henry’s numb body out of the speeder. There was a great shock on his face as soon as he saw that the entire front of Henry’s suit was damp from all the blood. “Hold on Higgins…” He said it quietly as he slipped his hands under Henry’s arms and began to pull him after himself along the dusty ground of the abandoned hive.

A glowing creature buzzed and landed on Tucker’s shoulder as soon as he entered the lower corridors of the stone hive. It wasn’t bigger than one’s fist and for now it flew off and as a beacon, providing light for the tall male. It was used to Tucker’s voice, the way he always spoke to him but now the redhead was way too stressed to do so.

Another couple of meters and in one of the cave like entrances he pulled the injured officer after himself. He was cautiously but quickly undoing the buttons of the suit and as soon as he stripped him off of all his upper clothes he knew that there was no medication, no possible surgical procedure to save the man. The first shot caused damage to one of his lungs, while the other one pierced through his heart. The redhead lowered his head above Henry’s face. There was still a shaky but very faint breathing although he was aware it’d not last too long. “I can’t save him…” Forrest clutched tightly onto the sides of the blood soaked suit of Henry as he was kneeling above him with a defeated posture. Henry’s pale face was lit by the bug’s golden light and now its buzzing wasn’t the only noise in the cave but also the uneven breathing of the young redhead. He shot his tearful eyes at the Phidna. “He’s…he’s just like the rest of the officers of the Order…Why did I even bring him here? Why did you get shot, you idiot?!” Tucker yelled although his voice broke mid sentence as he wasn’t used to raising his tone like that. “If…if I save him…he’ll know…” The buzzing Phidna now flew away and landed on Tucker’s shoulder again, but this time staying there. -The glowing insectoid was believed to have gone entirely extinct but Tucker found a single healthy egg in the destroyed hive years ago.- It gently nudged its horns against Tucker’s neck without causing him any harm, as if to urge him to do something. Higgins had minutes if not seconds left from his life, then after Forrest muttered some vulgarities under his freckled nose he slowly extended his palms a couple of inches above the lethal injuries. He tightly closed his eyes and began to concentrate. It was a curse and a gift he had from a young age, something he hasn’t revealed to anyone. He didn’t want to become a weapon of either side. He just wanted to be left alone, to live his own free life. But now something in him stirred and he couldn’t let this man die. He flinched as a golden glow now appeared under his palms. It seemed even if one wanted to put their head in the sand they couldn’t run away forever from the responsibility of making certain choices in life. That’s what he’s been trying to avoid. Making choices. He couldn’t let the dark memories of the past cloud his ability, therefore he concentrated back on the Force flowing through his body and into the officer’s, whose deep wounds slowly but steadily began to heal. Even if he tried his best to avoid it, images of the past flashed in his mind. More tears ran down his reddened cheeks, but he kept focusing back on the injured officer.

He slowly opened his glassy eyes and lowered his hand upon seeing the other’s chest, intact, as if he was never even attacked. Tucker felt the healing taking its toll on him and in the next moment he fell onto his side, having a blurry view of his surroundings. It was the Phidna which buzzed and for now was hovering mid air, shining its golden light onto Tucker’s face, covered by tears. The redhead wrapped his long arms around his lean torso and broke out into a quiet sobbing. The sudden weakness in his body tore off the emotional wall he’s built around his memories in no time. He saw it all so clear as if it had happened yesterday.

The little boy who was no more than five years old, climbed up onto the very top of the hives, foolishly thinking that he could touch the stars, if he stretched out far enough. The rising wind was quick to blow off his hood, revealing a bundle of curly red locks thanks to which, his parents were quick to spot him under the last rays of the sun before dusk. While their son saw no danger in climbing a nearly 900 meter high hive’s top, his parents were terrified. Tucker soon gave up on stretching and for now he just sat there on the top resting his big doe-like green eyes on the deserted land with some mountains in the distance, already scheming his next adventure on those mighty peaks. Then he was suddenly startled by a loud cracking noise, and the tremble of the hive. As the wind was turning into a heavy storm the abandoned old hive tower began to shake and crack under him. He was quick to grab hold of its top however he stared in surprise as he spotted his parents only a couple of meters lower from him on the high tower. At that moment the top part of the tower was torn off of its remaining part and smashed into another tower. The little boy squealed but he was still alive, hanging from the collapsed tower. For his parents’ encouraging words he climbed over to the sturdier tower and once he did he looked over with panic at his mother and father. The remaining part of the tower cracked more and was about to fall down but just then the two adults began to levitate mid air. The little boy was holding tightly onto the steady tower with one arm, the other one was extended, his shaky little fingers aimed at his parents. He made a choice. A choice which has changed him for good. A proud, foolish choice, believing that a little kid like him could use the Force as he pleased. Tears were prickling down on his heavily freckled cheeks, he already felt it that he couldn’t hold onto them for much longer. He still remembered his mother and father's last words: ‘We love you’. Then with a painful scream the little boy’s arm dropped, sobbing on top of the tower as he witnessed his parents falling into the great depths.

Tucker gasped as he was woken from his deep sleep by someone’s scream, he was quick to sit up although he just tiredly rolled his eyes as Henry was backed away to the corner of his cave home clearly being startled by the glowing creature who was just idly flying around in the room. Deep down Tucker was glad to see him healthy and well but it was stupid and unnecessary to be scared like that of a small bug.

“For star’s sake, that’s just a Phidna. It’s just saying ‘hi’ to you.” On purpose he didn’t give any name to the buzzing creature, to not get too attached to it emotionally, however it obviously didn’t work too well. He pushed himself up from the ground, hissing as it was definitely a bad idea to fall asleep on the stone floor, he now lumbered towards his straw bed, where he sat down with relief. Meanwhile he watched as Henry’s fear now somewhat subsided although he still approached a chair without taking his eyes off of the flying bug, who decided to turn around and landed on Tucker’s bed. Silence fell on the room till Tucker reached over to a wooden basket by his bed from where he picked up two apples, and tossed one towards Henry who managed to catch it.

“Why did you save me?” Tucker scrunched his nose for a moment but instead of giving an answer he bit onto his apple. “Either way…thank you.” Henry said it but now looked down with confusion at his exposed chest and the dried blood all over his skin and clothes, which suddenly hit him with the realization of what had happened. “I was shot.”

He hoped that Henry didn’t remember, that the shock had messed with his memory but apparently he wasn’t in luck. “No you weren’t.”

“Twice.”

“Can’t you just shut your cakehole?” Forrest muttered with annoyance then with that being said he pushed himself up from his bed and in a rush left his home. He sat down at the edge of the narrow corridor in front of it, his legs hanging above the great depth as he continued chewing on the red apple. The Phidna was quick to join him and flew in certain shapes above him, providing some source of light.
This is why he didn’t want to save Henry. He feared that his secret would no longer be his only. His body tensed the moment he heard the oncoming footsteps then sighed with annoyance as the officer sat down right next to him. “I could just push you down, you know…” He had another bite from his apple which he then tossed down into the dark depth.

“After saving me from the attack and using your Force healing on me? I doubt it.”

“You’re talking a lot of Bantha piss.” Now his voice wasn’t only filled with anger or annoyance but fear. He felt way too exposed that Higgins was aware of his Force sensitivity. Tucker now shifted and pulled his long legs to his chest, and wrapped his arms around them. “Now comes the part where you’ll report to your General about the good news that you found a Force sensitive scum who you can use for your own benefit?”

“No.”

“And why not?”

“I won’t ruin your freedom just so I can get a badge and a pat on the shoulder. But don’t you ever feel like you’re wasting your potential here?”

“No.”

“Oh…okay, well. That was a brief but direct answer.” Henry chuckled and his face brightened as he spotted a small smile curling at the edge of Tucker’s lips. “Although, I better go back now and see how the attack has ended…if it ended.”

Leaving the cave of the hive felt blinding and a little painful on one’s eyes, especially for Henry, who wasn’t used to it.
Tucker furrowed his brow as Henry seemed to be hesitating about getting into the vehicle and for now he was just resting his hand against its dusty side. The redhead’s frown grew even bigger as Henry hurried back to him. Although his eyes widened in surprise and he awkwardly held his arms in the air as the officer hugged him. “Wh–w-what is this for?” He asked in his usual soft voice.

“For saving my sorry life. You could have just left me behind, leave me to bleed out. I doubt anyone would have taken the risk in the entire Order to do something like that for me.” Henry’s words made him smile and after some hesitation he dropped his lanky arms and wrapped them around the shorter man.

“Take care, Higgins.” Forrest whispered which was barely any louder than the breeze around them. Once Henry took a step back he cast his eyes up at Tucker’s face. The freckles dominantly covered it, especially along his nose. Something stirred inside him as those green eyes were now cast down at him. There has always been an unexplainable feeling sweeping through him in the other’s company but now for a moment it was stronger than ever. His eyes dropped onto those full ajar lips, sprinkled by several more freckles, and the other’s front two teeth bright white even in the shadow of his mouth.

“You too, Tucker.” Henry took a couple of steps backwards without turning his eyes away from the hooded man before he eventually turned around and got inside his vehicle.

Only a couple of minutes passed when the familiar Flash Speeder appeared on the horizon and stopped by the abandoned hives. Tucker was still outside, and while his eyes rested on the setting sun his attention was now on the young officer who was running towards him.

“Higgins…?” He muttered it quietly once he pushed himself up from the rough ground.

“Tucker! They cornered us…Those damn bugs, they are all roaming freely, and the rebels they’re outnumbering us…I have to get back to my station, to Station 4. These Geonosians will kill me if they catch me..or use me for their own will.”

“Kriff! Were you followed?”

“I—I think so, but I think I got rid of them?”

“Holy Sith, Henry…” Tucker huffed then as he heard the buzzing around his head, he gently reached out and held onto the Phidna. “Don’t worry about me, okay? I’ll be back soon.” The bug nuzzled to his thumb before it flew back inside the hive. “I can’t believe you, Higgins…how did you even end up being a first class officer?!” He climbed into the Speeder and began to navigate the other once they were off. “The new factory…huh, I bet the rebels and insectoids have full control over that now…but we will go there.”

Henry now turned to face the redhead, and if it wasn’t for Tucker reaching over and yanking the control wheel then they’d have collided into a huge rock. “What…why?!”

“Keep your eyes ahead…” Tucker murmured with annoyance before he’d have answered. “Well, hate to break it down to you but I’m not as powerful as the legends said about Princess Leia that I can just fly across the galaxy, so unless you want to stay we need to get inside the factory and get ourselves a working starfighter.”

“Uh…right…can you fly one?”

Tucker side eyed Henry with a look of disbelief. “Don’t tell me you can’t.”

“I–I sort of know how to, but I was stationed on patrols on this damn planet from the beginning of my serving. I’m not a pilot officer! Which is quite convenient since I have a fear of heights. But you seem to know quite a lot about engines and the technology of vehicles…”

“Don’t even dream about it! I won’t get inside a crikking starfighter. And fear of heights? That’s just wonderful…” Tucker didn’t like it one bit what Higgins was implying at. He was eager to help the other, but not at the cost of leaving his planet behind!

“Huh, well, don’t bother taking me there because I can’t fly on my own. I don’t even know how to turn one on.” Tucker couldn’t believe that Henry was capable of chuckling in such a serious situation, and with that his frustration just grew.

“Oh….!” Tucker was on the verge of flooding every possible swear word he knew at the other but he tried to remain calm. He was aware that lashing out wouldn’t be the right time nor place right then. He was never one who maintained his anger quite well, but this time he managed to suppress it. Now as he looked aside he gripped hold of Henry’s upper arm. “Stop…We shan’t go too close…and put this on.” With that he took his sand colored cloak off and helped Henry inside it. Considering the current situation, he felt like Henry’s outfit wouldn’t have done them any good. “Fine, I’m going with you, but as soon as I drop you off I’m coming back here.”

Stealing the TIE fighter went way too smoothly. It most definitely required more stealth and cunning than stealing engine parts or an apple from the market, although Tucker seemed to be more than a skilled thief. It was way too early for any kind of celebration because just like Henry earlier stated, he wasn’t the best pilot, to put it lightly. It was a miracle on its own that they managed to ascend and leave Geonosis, which was already a bumpy ride, but the moment they exited the planet’s atmosphere it went downwards from there.

“Stop spinning it!” Tucker yelled over at Henry while he was gripping onto his seat for dear life. Naturally he had the restraints securely tying him to the seat, but it was becoming unbearable after a while.

“I told you, you should be the one driving it!” Henry muttered with tightly closed eyes as he was fighting his nausea and the fear of height.

“I was busy taking care of the control panel and to exit Geonosis, preferably in one piece! Just move the damn wheel controls, what’s so kriffing difficult about it?! If I die here my Force ghost will haunt you for good, I hope you know that.”

“If you die, then it’s pretty likely that I will as well.”

Tucker took in a deep breath and tried his best to ignore the constant beeping sounds of the panel, Henry’s blabbering and the incredibly intense G which was pressing him into his seat. It took all his focus and wits but he sighed relieved once he gripped hold of his own wheel controls and the spinning came to an end. A relieved sigh left both their mouths. They were convinced that it was a matter of minutes until their deaths would come but now they were smoothly flying through the pitch black galaxy, surrounded by millions of stars. Tucker took a glance back at the Geonosis. It was the first time he left his homeland behind, seeing it from afar like that, as if it was nothing but a button, resulted in a strange pain at the top of his stomach. Apart from the little bug he had no one else there waiting for him but all the memories he had bound him to that place and he never wished to leave it behind. It wasn’t the most thrilling life but he appreciated the simpleness of it. The homesickness was so far an unfamiliar feeling for him, but it was almost as intense as grief. It couldn’t be compared to the day he lost both his parents but it was similarly disturbing and in a way painful. It was an oppressed society long before he was born but his parents still tried to make the best out of it. Even if now the planet’s status was in question, whether the rebels and insectoids could take back full control or not, he still already craved to be back, back in that modest cave of his in the hives.

Chapter Text

He should have been on his way back to Geonosis. But instead he was in shackles, two guards firmly holding onto his upper arms as they were dragging him along the corridor of the Station.

“How could you?” He spoke in a hushed tone to Henry who was walking ahead of him, not seeing the pure confusion on the shorter man’s face.

“Tucker, I swear I didn’t…” Henry turned back and spoke in a quiet voice so that the guards wouldn’t necessarily hear him.

“I trusted you!” Tucker could feel that they weren’t ordinary shackles. He was trying his best to pry them open with the Force, but it was all gone, as if he’s never even had it, ever.

“You still can!” Henry now stopped and looked into the younger man’s green eyes, which were filled with sheer panic and fear.

“Then uncuff me!” The pleading voice almost made Henry act something stupid, like attacking the two guards, but just then he looked back due to the oncoming steps of the Station’s General.

“I can’t…I—I’m sorry…” Henry whispered once he looked back at the cuffed man.

“I thought…huh…I thought that we were friends.” Those glassy, big innocent eyes were breaking Henry’s heart. He honestly had no idea what was going on. He was certain that Tucker could have just left the Station as easily as they arrived. No one knew who he actually was. But the several armed guards welcoming them, then putting those special shackles onto the redhead made no sense to him! For all they knew Tucker was just an insignificant young man from Geonosis who saved an officer! If anything they should have thanked him, but the circumstance made Henry realize that was most unlikely to happen.

“I…” Now there were four guards and the Allegiant General. Henry knew that he stood no chance in attacking them, therefore he turned his back at Tucker, before he crossed his arms behind his back.

General Choi had a content smirk under his moustache. “Officer. I don’t remember ordering you to accompany the prisoner.” Henry repeated the term ‘prisoner’ with more confusion, but Choi has ignored it. “You failed to report to your Grand Marshall, did you not?”

“Yes, Sir.”

Henry tilted his head, before he rushed along the corridor but at the first opportunity he turned left at a corner and hid there. He peeked out and witnessed as the guards were dismissed and Choi entered a room, which made Henry’s stomach turn. He was aware of that room way too well. A room where even the strongest or most loyal people broke, or if they did not, then their torturing went on till the poor souls died. The Risen Order was said to be better than the Empire, different from the First Order, or any other predecessors. They did not claim to belong to the Dark Side, they openly condemned anything that Darth Vader ever did. They didn’t have any force sensitive members, as they saw the victory and thriving of their power in the development of technology, and the strictest most disciplined methods even if they were of the cruelest ones, what probably not even Palpatine could have ever dreamed of. Of course this wasn’t why Higgins had worked for them. No. They were smart enough to make themselves seem like a brand new system, which would bring a flourishing utopia for all the galaxies, and it took years for Higgins to slowly see behind the curtains.

The room had a most disturbing atmosphere. The blinding white walls, ceiling and floor were the only elements of the interrogation chamber, except for one special chair, where the freckled boy was tied out. The General was calmly resting his eyes behind his glasses, on the redhead, like a predator who was now confident that his prey was trapped and could never get out. Meanwhile Forrest was shifting as much as the metal restraints let him, now and then having several failed attempts at using the Force. It was the similar numb feeling like with those shackles that were on him a couple of minutes ago.

Choi eventually shortened the distance between them and began to observe the other as if he’d be a most peculiar specimen in his captivity. “Where are your parents?”

Tucker’s stare burned with hatred as he heard the bearded man’s question. “Go to hell.”

“Hmmm…” With the calmest posture Choi pressed a button on the side of the chair for which an eerie scream had left Tucker’s mouth, his entire body tensing from the unbearable pain that ran along every single nerve in his system. “Hah…A clever little thing isn’t it? All credits of course goes to our Grand Marshal. He invents the most useful devices.” Choi said in an amused, even endearing tone as if he wasn’t just torturing that poor boy right in front of him. Even the corridor outside was echoing from the torture, what Henry happened to hear as he failed to obey the order he previously got from the Allegiant General. The moment he heard the painful shriek he ran to the room and pressed his key card against the digital screen, but the access was denied. He was doing it again and again with no use. However what he didn’t know was that General Choi heard the failed beeping of the lock, and he gasped once the General had addressed him through the locked door. “Do you need any assistance in finding Grand Marshal Murdoch, Officer?”

He was thinking hard, so hard to come up with something, anything to save Tucker from all the suffering, but he had no idea. If only George would have been there, but he started to realize he should have done exactly what his ex colleague did a couple of months ago, to leave the Risen Order for good. “Ah…No Sir…I—I just meant to ask…if you need anything else from me.”

“No, Officer Higgins. This will be all for now.”

“Yes, Sir.” With a defeated movement he slipped his card back into his suit’s pocket, then with a heavy sigh walked on along the brightly lit corridor, his stomach turning at the penetrated oncoming screams of the redhead. The Risen Order preached that they were better than everyone but Higgins felt like his eyes were finally open now and he saw them all as merciless dictators, who were worse than anyone in the history of the galaxy. Suddenly he felt sickened by them, he couldn’t believe that he was working for these people. How could he have been so blind to follow them, to stand for their views, and even protect them?! They weren’t keepers of order and peace, they were the ones who brought terror and violence to every galaxy!

“Officer Higgins! Where have you been? I’ve been trying to call you for hours!” Upon hearing Officer Roberts’ voice, an annoyed frown crossed Henry’s face which he didn’t even try to hide. He couldn’t stand his newly appointed colleague. It nauseated him how obsequious the other was, no matter the circumstances.

“My comlink is on, so I don’t know what…” As Henry pulled the small device out of his pocket his face distorted with the newfound knowledge. It was still active on an ongoing call, with no other than General Choi. This is how he knew about everything! This is how he found out about Tucker’s force sensitivity! This damn comlink somehow called him and they stayed in line since God knows when. He heard everything they talked about!

“Grand Marshal Murdoch wants to see you.” Roberts said with an immaculate posture, ignoring Higgins’ dawdling.

Henry cut the call with pure rage on his face, but for now he followed the Officer, however he already began to ponder about a plan, no matter the cost, nor the consequences he would have moved mountains to save Tucker.

As the button was pressed again, the shockwave stopped but for a couple of seconds Tucker had the feeling as if he’s gone absolutely immobile, not being able to move his legs, arms nor his head. Upon seeing the discomfort on his face Choi opened his mouth. “A matter of minutes and you’ll be capable of moving again. You see, one thing I cannot stand is disobedience.” Tucker hated it once he felt the wetness running down on his face. Tears. The last thing he wanted was to give this man the joy of seeing him cry but he couldn’t control it. “So. Where were we? Ah yes, your parents.”

“You don’t get to speak of them!” Tucker intended to snap back with anger on a raised tone, but shamefully only a weak voice has left his dried out lips.

“Were they force sensitive too?” Choi didn’t wait for an answer and just pressed that certain button again.

The pain wasn’t like anything he’s experienced before. Forrest’s body now kept shaking under the heavy restraints. It was as if every single nerve along his spine was continuously stabbed at, pulled apart, into pieces. He bit down on his lower lip, to muffle back the screams which craved to burst out of him. The ceiling of the room was blurry in his sight because of the tears that kept streaming down his reddened face. He sniffled the moment he felt his mind wasn’t in control of his body anymore, and with an embarrassed and painful whimper he let go. The growing dampness at the front of his pants was hidden thanks to the dark color of his pants, but soon the liquid dribbled down onto the crystal clear white floor, leaving a shameful yellow puddle behind. It didn’t pass the General’s attention and so in a minute or so, he pressed the button, although this time instead of a question he unattached a glass container from his belt, which hung around his wide frame. He didn’t switch the button off out of sympathy as he had none for Tucker, but now he meant to move on with his plan.

“No…no…please no…” Tucker’s voice couldn’t even be called a whisper any longer, not as if his pleading would have mattered. Living on Geonosis, he was well aware of brain worms, and one heard enough gossip about the Risen Order’s experiments with them. They turned them into an even worse weapon than they originally were. He clenched his tied down fists, trying his best to use the Force, with no success, again. “Please…” He pleaded as his green eyes now witnessed as the black lid popped open and Choi firmly held onto one end of the heinous worm, which was twirling and twisting in the air.

“There’s nothing to fear. Our Grand Marshal perfected this little monster so that you’d be more than eager to serve us with all your might. There’s no option for betrayal or lies. The First Order and every other empire before us made the mistake of putting trust into people. The fact is, you cannot. And you will be the first to experience this newest, most magnificent invention of our dear Grand Marshal. I don’t think highly of Force sensitive people, more like deformed errors in our world, henceforth we don’t have a single one in our Order. But you will do as a lab rat, you’ll fight for us and as soon as you’re no longer any use to us we’ll gladly end your life…it will be a most delightful experience I should say.”

Tucker kept fighting till the very last moment, to find a way to free himself, but the moment the worm forced its way inside one of his nostrils he blacked out within a blink of an eye.

After reporting everything, exactly as it happened Henry left the main deck. There was no point in denying anything, since Choi already heard it all through that damn comlink. Henry felt so stupid, so useless and he greatly agreed with Tucker when the younger man exclaimed earlier on that he had no idea how he became a first class officer. Honestly he was convinced he’d have even been able to cause damage by doing such a simple job as swiping up bantha turd. On his way to his quarter his eyes widened in shock the moment he saw two officers holding each side of Tucker’s upper arms as they were pulling the redhead’s moveless body, his boots scraping across the floor. He was terrified of seeing that lively mischievous man in a defeated and numb state like he was in right then. He tried to push his biggest fear away and was relieved the moment he saw the clear signs of the young man’s breathing and his eyes’ slight movements behind his closed eyelids.

While everyone else looked most excitedly at the abandoned old hangar, from the top open corridors, some even leaned against the metal railings to have a better view on the upcoming demonstration, Higgins was most confused as to what was about to happen. For now the hangar was entirely empty, however it soon changed as a young man entered with a confident strive, holding a long staff in his right hand. It was Tucker, Henry could tell from his red hair even from that distance, although he was wearing an identical suit to the ones worn by the members of the Order. A tight dark blue pair of pants and a suit with matching colored boots. Unease filled Henry the moment a low alarm sound filled the hangar and a group of freshly caught Geonosian rebels along with a couple of different species of half-insectoids were pushed inside the vast hall. Henry furrowed his brows as Tucker turned around with an unfamiliar graceful movement to face the enemies of the Order. The two ends of the -now turned on- electrostaff flashed with a navy blue color. While the rebels retreated the insectoids pushed forward. For now Henry feared for Tucker’s life, but his eyes widened the moment Tucker burnt two sentients then with the second function of a switch on the staff, he decapitated them with the sharp blade on its end. “No…” Henry muttered and watched in disbelief as Tucker did a somersault in the air then struck down with the same inhuman execution of two other Geonosians. While Tucker was fighting the last remaining insectoids with the staff he reached his other arm out as a woman was about to attack him but she gasped and was soon levitated a couple of inches above the ground choking for air. She died within seconds and her corpse hit the floor right next to the last Geonosian. Henry cussed as Tucker now advanced towards the group of humans, twirling the staff skilled in one hand. He had no idea what they had done to him but he couldn’t watch any more of this. He pushed Roberts out of his way who was watching the ‘show’ with great enthusiasm, not as if he would have particularly enjoyed it himself, but Henry was sickened that the other was only doing so just to please his superiors…what a bootlicker!

He was running along the corridor then to the staircase. He had to put an end to this, although his approach was reckless, he just wanted to do something, anything to stop Tucker. However he was in no luck, because by the time he arrived at the ground floor he looked at the wide open hangar doors, no sign of the guards, and as he stepped into the vast area, he could see that the thrilled spectators were gone as well. And then there he was. Tucker. Standing straight, facing the other way in the middle of the vast puddle of blood, corpses lying all around him.

“Tucker…” Henry flinched once the staff was dropped on the ground. Even against the warning signs Henry waded across the piles of bodies and blood till there was barely any distance left between them. Once the redhead turned back Henry furrowed his brows. Even if it was the same man he knew for years, his eyes lacked everything that once glinted in them. “Tucker…” Henry repeated in a veiled and quiet voice. The tilted eyebrow and the half smirk on the other’s pale face was incredibly eerie and it caused an intense goosebump to run along Henry’s spine.

“Came to clear up the mess?” The smile only grew bigger so that now Henry could see the other’s pearly whites.

“What are you talking about? Forrest…” Henry grabbed hold of the front of the other’s suit ignoring the great height difference they had. “...this isn’t you. What did they do to you?” Henry briefly ran his eyes on the darkened skin under his eyes before he looked back into the cold aventurine irises.

“What’s wrong, Higgins? Hate to see me outranking you?” Henry huffed upon hearing that. “Look around you, all I did was what was supposed to be your job. So…either thank me or step aside.”

“Do you hear yourself?! You….you slaughtered innocent people…Geonosians…Since when do you care about the Risen Order?!” Henry began to back away as Tucker was advancing towards him and he yelped as he tripped in a corpse then his body fell onto the blood smeared floor. Before he could have pushed himself up Tucker pressed the bottom of his boots against his chest.

“They had it coming…There’s no place for disorder, where would that lead us, Higgins?” The tip of the boots slipped further till the shiny leather brushed along Henry’s jawline.

“Don’t do this…Don’t you know who you are?! You were never one to choose sides, especially not the radical ones. You wouldn’t have hurt a fly, Tucker!” Henry almost thought that Tucker would leave as he lifted his foot off of his chest, although he watched with dilated pupils as in the next moment the redhead lowered down and firmly gripped onto his cheek. “You crossed the law now and then but … at the end of the day you did the right thing.”

“I finally know who I am, who I was always supposed to be, and tomorrow, when I go back to that treacherous planet, everyone will learn my name. A new era will begin…” Henry flinched as Tucker ran his thumb coated by blood along his lower lip. “You can either witness it or stand in my way…but I’d not suggest the latter.”

Henry gulped loudly and watched as Tucker eventually straightened back up and strutted out of the hangar, leaving bloody footsteps behind him on the floor. The shock stunned the young officer and he needed a couple of minutes to finally be able to get up on his feet.

Instead of lingering around and raising any suspicion Higgins rushed to his quarter, and once he arrived he securely locked the door so that no-one could enter. He crouched down to his bed and once he reached out his fingers soon bumped against the round device which was attached to the bottom of the bed. As the holocomm was securely in his palm Henry pulled his arm out and as soon as he took a seat on his bed he turned it on. The device was connected to a certain person on Theed, and Henry could only hope that he could reach him. He’s been waiting for some time then his eyes lit up, filled with hope the moment he saw the hologram of the slim male.

“I hope it’s something urgent, because I’m in the middle of working on my newest chronicle.” He said as he was hovering above his table, ignoring all the technology, he had a simple quill in between his scrawny fingers.

“It is! George, you have to help me! I made a huge mistake when I didn’t leave the Order with you…but that’s for another time. George, because of me, they caught an innocent man, he’s Force sensitive. Choi is torturing him, and I have no idea what he’s done to him but now Tucker isn’t himself anymore. It’s like they’re moving him on strings…he’s like a puppet. He’s changed…everything about him did.”

“Tucker…hold on, that Tucker from Geonosis? That little thief?! The one who tossed apples at us?” Now the quill was dropped and the other finally faced him through the holo call.

“George! We don’t have time for this! I…I have to save him! He’s innocent! I can’t let them do this to him…if only Brackenreid would still be here…but he isn’t and I’m on my own. George, I’m begging you.” The fear and panic was audible in his voice.

“Fine…fine…alright…” There was silence for some time, and Henry could just see the cogs turning in George’s head. He always admired the other’s brain and he hoped it’d not fail them this time either. “A brain worm. It has to be. I remember Murdoch already started experimenting on them around the time I resigned…Henry, listen to me carefully. I’ll tell you exactly what to do, but Henry…There’s no return back from there. You have to leave the order for good…are you ready for that?”

“I am. I’d do anything to save Tucker…he doesn’t deserve this.”

The plan was excellent, and Henry would have certainly not come up with it on his own, however he still felt like that he’ll mess it up. It was extremely difficult that he didn’t have a single ally on board which made the entire mission near to impossible. However for once he kept repeating it to himself to believe in it and that he was capable of big things! This was about much more than just saving an innocent man, he also had to save the galaxy from unleashing someone worse than any Dark Lord ever was before. As far as he’s read about it and heard of the history of Darth Vader, Kylo Ren and many others…they were conflicted, had some good in them, but what the modified brain worm did to Tucker made it an entirely different case.

Henry breathed out shakily after taking care of a couple of things, and he was now standing in front of Tucker’s quarter, he’s newly moved into. Tricking anyone else at the Order wouldn’t have been too much of a challenge, but to do the same with a Force sensitive person? Henry highly doubted that he would be capable of doing it. His worries were further proven as the door slid open before he’d have even stepped to it, and he was faced with the taller male looking at him in a most unsettling manner.

“What do you want?” Tucker asked in a calm and smooth voice as if he was expecting his arrival.

Henry kept an intense gaze while he was inhaling slowly, as a method to calm himself and prevent from having any shakiness in his voice. “Earlier on…I was wrong. You’re right…those vermin need to learn a lesson..and I would feel most gratuitous if I could accompany you. I was hoping that you’d ask our General to permit me to join you on your mission.”

“Hmmm…” Tucker tilted his head and leaned down closer till the tip of his nose brushed against Henry’s sweaty temple. “Why do I smell so much fear in you, Higgins? Could it be that you’re lying through that dirty mouth of yours?” Henry glanced aside, his panting now audible as their eyes met, and their faces were so alarming close. He had to focus on the plan, but to be that near like he was never before to Tucker was doing something to him. His pupils dilated as Tucker kept the eye contact, and he could feel the other’s hot breath against his face. “It’s more than just fear…”

“Maybe…” Henry gasped quietly as one of Tucker’s hands wrapped around the front of his neck. “Won’t you use both your hands?” A small smirk tugged at the edge of Tucker’s lips and then the moment his other slim hand wrapped around his neck as well, Henry pushed away all the emotions he may have had right then, because he wasn’t about to betray his beliefs and bring nothing but destruction to the galaxy just because of a pair of mesmerizing green eyes. The special handcuffs clicked immediately as soon as Henry put them onto the redhead’s wrists, and while it certainly suppressed the other’s Force he still had his mundane strength with which he pinned Henry against the wall and began to strangle him. Henry huffed as Tucker easily lifted him up to be in eye level with him. Henry’s legs were hanging in the air. He was gasping for air and kicking against the other, but it was as if he was immune to the pain. There was no chance of reaching down for his blaster, however he didn’t come unprepared. It was becoming more and more difficult as the younger man’s fingers were pressing down harder against his windpipe, but just when Henry thought he was about to black out he gripped the handle of his dagger, which he hid under the front of his belt and with his last strength he stabbed it onto the other’s right upper arm. Higgins finally breathed up as Tucker let go of him and growled from the pain. Henry fell onto the ground but was quick to push himself up. He took a couple of steps back, witnessing as the blood now dripped onto the floor from Tucker’s injured arm.

“I will kill them all, but you won’t live to see it.” The redhead spat the words out through his gritted teeth. At first he was prowling at Henry but it already gave enough reason for Henry to make a run for it. The plan was working as Tucker was running after him. Injuring the other wasn’t part of the plan, but he had to do something to free himself. Thanks to the shackles binding the redhead’s hands together in front of him somewhat slowed him down but Henry still had to push himself over his limits to be able to outrun him. The only problem was that the cryo pods were at the very other end of the Station, on the east wing. Henry was leading the other towards certain paths and corridors where he knew they wouldn’t bump into anyone. Even if it was the middle of the night, there were guards everywhere and the last thing he wanted was to bump into one. At many occasions he could almost feel Tucker breathing down his neck but he was trying his best to run faster, so fast that by the time he arrived at the cryo pods, he harshly bumped into the door, which then thankfully opened up the moment he pressed his card against the digital lock. “Hah…oh I see what you’re trying to do. Do you think I’ll just willingly step inside the pod?” Tucker snorted as Henry suddenly aimed his blaster at him.

“You will. Unless you want me to shoot you.”

“Henry, don’t be ridiculous. I know you wouldn’t hurt him…he’s too important to you isn’t he?” It gave Henry the creeps when he heard Tucker talking about himself in third person. “You like this boy, don’t you?”

Henry put his finger on the trigger, ready to shoot, although his hands were shaking. “Don’t come any closer.”

“We both know what I smelt on you earlier…unadulterated lust. But did you feel it for him, or for me?” He widened his eyes at Henry but as he took one more step closer Henry shot at him, for which the other right away collapsed on the floor.

The shorter man quickly rushed to Tucker just to make sure that he was alright, even though he had his blaster set to stun only. Once he made sure of the other’s healthy pulse and took the cuffs off of him, he opened one of the pods and as quickly as possible put Tucker in there. He quickly pulled out a crumpled piece of paper and thanks to George’s instructions he managed to turn it on. He wouldn’t have known what to do against the brain worm, it was all George’s knowledge, that it couldn’t stand the cold, and he was the one who knew about the serum which was created to clear the worm’s effect out of one’s system even after the creature’s death. Five minutes would be sufficient enough, and even though it normally wasn’t a long amount of time, right then and there it felt like eternity for Higgins, fearing that someone could enter in any minute. But to his luck, no one has come. He had the serum in one hand while with the other one he pressed the right buttons, waiting for the pod’s door to open. As soon as it did he was quick to press the special tube’s sharp edge against Tucker’s neck and then wait till all the green substance entered his system. He took some steps back and now waited.

Those couple of minutes again felt like hours, however once Tucker opened his eyes and stumbled out of the pod Henry wasn’t quite sure what to expect. George warned him that it wasn’t a hundred percent guarantee that it’d work on Tucker. It could be a failure.
Henry frowned as Tucker suddenly headed his way and hissed as he was slapped hard across the face. Then he watched as Tucker rushed to the door and desperately tried to open it. “Tucker! Calm down!” He quickly stepped up to him and made him turn back at him.

“You betrayed me! Don’t talk to me! I just want to get out of this damn place!”

“By the stars, it’s you…!” Henry was quick to hug the other just to be shoved off him in the next moment, but then it was Tucker who hissed from the sudden pain running through his right arm.

“Did you do this? Or…or that lunatic general of yours did it? He tortured me! Because of you!”

“I stabbed you, yes…but you weren’t yourself…and I did not betray you! I swear!”

“I don’t believe you!”

“Mind probe me then.”

“What…?”

“Mind probe me and see for yourself that I have not betrayed you!” It was again George’s idea, and Henry honestly hoped that it’d work.

“I…I won’t…I…I could hurt you, you dolt. And…and I—I haven—haven’t even done it before! Alright maybe once with those smugglers you were after, a year ago but…”

“Just crinking do it!”

“Fine!”

Henry grunted once Tucker gripped onto his suit and pinned him against the wall while he held his right hand only an inch away from his head. At first nothing was happening, but then Henry muffled back any voice which craved to leave his mouth. He wasn’t resisting at all, his mind, his memories, his feelings were an open book to the Force user. He looked into Tucker’s eyes, seeing the surge of emotions running through the younger man’s face as he was getting every information that he could find then he breathed up relieved as the pressuring feeling stopped and Tucker tightly hugged him to himself.

“We don’t have time for this. We really have to hurry…alright?” Henry whispered as he gently patted the other’s back before he stepped away from him. He gently wiped the other’s damp cheek and by the devastated look in his eyes, he could tell that he didn’t only find out about the comlink but most likely about the short period of time when Tucker wasn’t himself, but he was strong enough to follow Henry and not waste the time any more. “We can’t go back to Geonosis, with or without you they will attack them.” Henry said it while he was running ahead, showing the way towards the active hangar. He knew that it probably won’t be easy to speak Tucker out of going home but as he looked back at the taller man he just gave him a quick and defeated nod.

The moment they made it to the hangar’s entrance Henry cussed as Roberts blocked their way. “No one has informed me that you or Tucker would leave Station 4.” With that he pressed a red button for which a deafening alarm began to echo within the base’s walls. “It’s the protocol, Officer Higgins.”

“You kriffing…!” Henry was speechless. He couldn’t believe how someone's only personality was to be a sycophant of his superiors and nothing else! But right then he turned to Tucker so that they’d finally get out of the base. “Do your Jedi trick!”

“What? I’m not a Jedi and it doesn’t work like that. I–I don’t know how to use it properly! It’s a miracle the probing didn’t kill you!”

“Just do some trick for stars’ sake!”

Henry’s eyes widened as in the next moment Tucker punched Roberts in the face for which the officer collapsed on the ground, unconscious. “How is that for a Jedi trick?”

An amused chuckle left Henry’s mouth as he looked up at the redhead flabbergasted. “Huh, pretty darn impressive.”

“Thanks…”

Henry found it sweet as Tucker’s pale face now reddened at his cheeks and even the tip of his ears, but he was quick to snap out of gazing and once he gripped hold of Tucker’s hand he quickly pulled him after him, and got inside the same TIE Fighter they arrived with. He honestly blessed George’s brain that he even counted with the possibility of the alarms and thanks to Henry’s earlier assistance he had temporary access to the security system from afar. Therefore the hangar’s door couldn’t be closed for a couple of more minutes which gave Tucker and Henry enough time to leave the base behind.

The silence was deafening except for Tucker’s quiet unsuccessful attempts at suppressing his crying.

“I…killed all those innocent…”

“Don’t.” Henry was quick to interrupt him, then after some hesitation he reached back and sighed as Tucker eventually held onto his hand. “It wasn’t you. Anyone, even if it’d have been used on me it’d have enslaved my mind as well. Never blame yourself for it.”

Henry sighed as Tucker gripped tightly onto his hand then once he pulled it away, the TIE switched to its maximum speed, and headed to Theed.

Chapter Text

Tucker smiled fondly as he watched the two close friends talking to each other with big gestures, lots of laughter and loud exclamations a floor below him on the open terrace. The fresh air and pleasant temperature was nothing like the dry and unbearable hot planet of his. The wind flowing through the tree branches, birds chirping and the stridulation of certain insects were most idyllic. He still missed Geonosis, but as he was sitting there at the ledge of the mighty building, looking around at the gorgeous view it somewhat eased his homesickness.

“Should I be jealous? I haven’t seen him this happy in such a long time.” Tucker mildly smiled about the slim woman’s rhetorical question in connection with George, then briefly looked at her as she sat down beside him, but he was quick to rest his eyes on the picturesque view again.

“It's a beautiful planet. The greenery, the waterfalls…none can compare to the most important thing…that it’s a free land, where the Risen Order’s claws haven’t reached yet.”

“We won’t let them.” Tucker’s expression greatly changed the moment Grace reached out and soon levitated a golden brush which she elegantly held onto mid air. “You’re not alone. Force sensitive ones from all across the galaxy have been coming here for months now. Training, preparing. We will bring an end to the madness of the Risen Order.” Tucker idly watched as Emily brushed her waist length dark locks before she eventually hopped off from the ledge and as he followed her example he took a seat by her on the comfortable sofa of her room. “We gather every morning at the Ancient Temple…” Tucker watched as she reached over to the glass table and picked up a thin brush and small brass. He hesitated as she gestured at him but eventually closed his eyes down and for now just enjoyed as the soft brush slid along his left eyelid. “We have new members almost every day.”

“So…you’re Jedis?” Tucker asked and slightly flinched as now she moved a different brush along his long white eyelashes.

“Yes…that too. You’ll see it for yourself…tomorrow. If you decide to come. Don’t feel pressured at all. Everyone comes on their free will.” She said it while she continued finishing the black mascara.”There…you may open your eyes now. Not as if your eyelashes’ original color wouldn’t be beautiful but it’s almost a crime not to enhance such long lashes as yours.” Tucker awkwardly smiled at her not being accustomed to compliments at all, nor to kindness from strangers. “Now you may go as I hear they finished their heart-to-heart. And Tucker…if you come tomorrow, don’t think of the light side, the dark side, or anything you’ve heard before, just let your heart guide you.”

“Thank you, Grace…till tomorrow.” Tucker lightly bowed his head before he left her living room and now approached the north wing of the mighty building where he and Henry were quartered.

Their room was large. His modest cave home could have fit inside it several times. Two beautifully carved four poster beds at two different sides of the room, a grand sofa, and other beautifully made furniture made the room look as spectacular as if it was a museum. Even if there were paintings and tapestries hanging on the walls, the young male still preferred to look at the setting Sun, painting the sky in a dark orange color. He did not flinch once the door had opened, because he could sense who it was. He remained there standing by the arched window, when Higgins eventually stepped beside him, who briefly ran his eyes on Tucker’s black robe before he cast his eyes ahead as well at the magnificent sight.

“Are you alright?” Henry asked as he adjusted his own newly received black cloak, and now he cast his eyes up at the taller man.

There was a short pause, then after a one sided smirk appeared on Tucker’s face he looked down at the other. “Never better.”

“Something that I always say too…when things are far from alright.” Tucker quietly huffed while his eyes now wandered onto Henry’s left hand in which he was holding something. “It’s so peaceful here…I don’t think I’ve ever felt at ease like this, yet…I can’t help but have a feeling that this is just the calm before the storm.”

“I fear that too, Henry…What do you have in your hand?” For once he didn’t want to dwell in all the danger and the what ifs, moreover he became quite curious so he hoped Higgins wouldn’t mind changing the subject for now.

“Oh yes…I found it at the dining hall.”

Tucker cocked an eyebrow as Henry held the neat little jar in front of him. Once he read the label, a small smile appeared on his face. “From the Geonosian hives…” He said it in his soft voice then as he reached over he observed it for a couple of more seconds, then unscrewed the lid. He inhaled before he looked over at Henry, holding it out for him as well to get a good whiff. “Thank you, Henry.” He sat down onto the colorful cushions at the window’s nook and handed the lid to Higgins who took a seat as well. After a little hesitation, as they had no cutlery, Tucker carefully dipped his thin pointing finger into the sticky but soft texture, and once he scooped up some honey with it he quickly sucked on the tip of his finger. There was a hum as a form of appreciation for the delicious delicacy. Although as he looked back at Henry he blinked a bit nervously to have the officer gawking at him as if he had two heads. “What?”

“You have some…um…” Henry paused as his eyes were now on the glinting line of honey drawn from Tucker’s lower lip till the bottom of his chin.

Right then under the dim light of the sunset, Tucker’s face looked flawless. Henry felt like his heart was beating in his throat and nothing, not even Theed’s scenery could have competed with it. He was in awe as he admired the dozens of sun kissed dots on the porcelain skin. While he found the other’s milky eyelashes unique, now with the black paint and the thin black eye mascara it enhanced the beauty of those aventurine irises, and the pretty shape of Forrest’s eyes. Apart from the bickering, the frustration he felt towards the redhead from the very beginning, there was always something else too. Waking up on that wretched planet, patrolling would have been dull and way too uneventful if it wasn’t for this cheeky troublemaker. At first it was friendship, it still was but as Tucker had almost reached his early twenties Henry couldn’t overlook his features anymore, how he captivated his eyes, and his heart as well. Even if that vile worm was of the lowest creatures, it was right, for a long time now that one feeling he tried to suppress the most in connection with the Force sensitive male, was lust.

Tucker heaved the moment Higgins leaned in and gently ran his tongue and lips along the line of the honey which stuck to the younger man’s skin. “I–I don’t know what’s gotten…mhhmm…” Henry was just about to apologize when Tucker grabbed hold of the front of his cloak and his plush lips slammed against his. The jar clinked against the windowsill as it was put down and right after the redhead’s fingers slipped along Henry’s slicked down dark locks. The kiss tasted like honey, but Henry was convinced Tucker’s kiss would taste sweet without the delicious substance too. Clumsily but with neediness, Tucker was quick to get out of his cloak and take Henry’s off of him as well. While they deepened their kiss, their tongues rubbing and twirling against each others’, they were undressing each other with impatience, not even noticing as the sky was now painted black covered by the stars like a beguiling painting. However, thanks to the lanterns in the bedchamber the two young men saw each other clearly.

“Oh stars…” Henry stopped for a moment just to have some time to admire the nude beauty of the other. His eyes lingered at many parts of the young man’s body. He felt guilty about the stitched up wound on Tucker’s right arm. For now he leaned in and spoiled each shoulder of his where the white skin was barely even visible due to the dense freckles spread all over it then he carefully kissed the wounded area. “You’re ravishing.” Henry muttered against the delicate skin. His lips brushed lower, and it made his length throb once the right perky nipple bumped against his lips. He pressed his tongue against it, again and again. While the most gorgeous moans left Tucker’s luscious lips. “Lean back.” Henry instructed the younger male on a quiet voice, not as if he was in any way experienced. If he was right about Tucker then this was the first time for the both of them. Henry stroked his own erect penis, the dark red, head glistening from the transparent liquid which was running out through the narrow slit at the tip of it. “It’s almost like the sky…your skin…but your freckles are way more beautiful than the stars.” Tucker’s cheek and even shoulders turned crimson, from the sweet compliment. It was almost odd to see how quiet the redhead was but in a way it was endearing how nervous yet eager he looked. Henry’s eyes now ran across the middle of Tucker’s chest, his flat stomach, then at the light orange curly hair of his happy trail, which then ended in a bushier pubic hair.

Henry positioned himself in between Tucker’s thighs and for now rested his head against one of his thighs while he just took his time to admire the lean man’s body. “Have you do–”

“No.” Tucker was quick to reply in a shaky voice. Even if he was tense, his body was clearly craving this. His long cock was rigidly still in the air, while the pre-cum was already forming a puddle on his lap. He bit down on his full lower lip the moment Higgins reached out and pulled on his pale, freckle covered foreskin. His breathtaking body arched the moment Higgins' lips got in contact with his cock. His green eyes now rested on the starry sky while Henry was greedily taking more and more of his length inside his mouth, sucking ever so eagerly on it. Forrest never thought that it’d come to this, he didn’t think that he’d find someone who’d yearn to be with him. Were they destined to end up together from the very beginning? Was it written in the stars? He tried his best not to form any deep connection with anyone after losing his parents but he couldn’t do anything against this bond he had with Henry from the start of their acquaintance. “Ahhh…” Tucker whimpered and now looked back down at Henry, as he was bobbing his head up and down, using his mouth and tongue so skilled on him. The moment his length slipped out of Henry’s mouth he hissed from the sudden loss of any contact but he whimpered in a thin voice as Henry gripped onto his legs and now kissed him between his butt cheeks. His eyes rolled back once Henry’s tongue was rubbing against his pucker hole. For some time all he could do was moan with need but eventually he managed to mutter a couple of words. “I want to do this on the bed.”

Henry stopped immediately and once Tucker gripped onto his wrist and pulled him after him, the shorter man was soon pushed back onto the soft duvet. “I want you so badly.” Henry caressed the other’s hipbone with his thumbs in a circling motion, once the younger man straddled his lap.

“Me too, Henry.”

Tucker reached back and uncertainly tugged on Henry’s cock before he lined its end against his hole. He didn’t fear that it’d hurt him, nothing could ever compare to the torture he’s been through. As the warm head slipped inside him it was a bit strange at first but as Henry lifted his lap and the massive erection was pushed inside him as deep as possible, a good kind of goosebumps ran along the redhead's back. Henry was gazing hypnotized at the beauty and grace of the Force sensitive man.Tucker began to take over the control and he was riding up and down on Higgins’ throbbing length. His right hand was busy rubbing the sensitive head of his cock in a circling motion, while his left hand was busy with pulling on his foreskin, revealing the equally freckled shaft of his just like any other part of his skin. Henry enjoyed it to just admire Tucker as the boy was eagerly bouncing up and down on his length, but he soon sat up and gripped onto the other’s lean body, his fingers running along Tucker’s back, as he drew him tightly to himself. Henry ran his tongue slowly along the middle of Tucker’s neck, gently brushing his teeth along the bumpy line of his Adam’s apple before he moved more to the side where he bit down on the delicate skin and began to suck and lick at that soft spot. The chamber was filled with Tucker’s needy moans and groans. As Henry’s lips pulled away there was a dark red bite mark left behind however now as his eyes trailed off of the redhead his eyes widened as every object in the room around them were floating in the air. He doubted that Tucker was doing it deliberately but he felt chuffed to know that he had such a great effect on him.

Making love to Tucker couldn’t compare to anything but it was becoming incredibly difficult to restrain himself from coming, although as he felt the muscles narrowing around his shaft, and upon hearing Tucker’s hitched breath. He finally let go almost at the same time as the redhead did. It was overwhelmingly satisfying for the both of them, as the intense orgasm ran across their bodies. The room was suddenly filled with thudding and clanking sounds as all the objects now hit the floor, but neither of them paid attention to it, they were way too lost in their pleasures. Henry was holding onto him tightly even after he had emptied his seed inside him.

Henry’s blue eyes ran onto Tucker’s face as he gently held onto his chin and pulled him in for a tender kiss.

Instead of staying in bed they walked back to the nook with the silk blanket wrapped around their heated bodies. They both enjoyed the beautiful view of the sky. For a while they were in silence, Henry spooned up behind Tucker, his fingertips fondling his shoulder blades, and he only stopped once Tucker’s thin voice broke the silence.

“Will you stay with me?”

“Yes.” There was not a single second of hesitation in his answer.

“No matter what happens?”

“Tucker…even if I couldn’t have gotten rid of the worm I’d have stayed by your side.”

“I was ready to kill innocents…Why would you have stayed with me?”

“Because…I think I’m in love with you…and I wouldn’t be able to leave you.”

“I feel like sooner or later I’ll disappoint you or let you down…Henry, I never wanted to belong anywhere nor use the Force unless it was necessary because deep down I have this rage buried deep inside me ever since I lost my parents…What if I’ll fail you? If I fail everyone?”

“You could never fail me…Are you nervous because of the temple? George told me about it…but it doesn’t matter. Wherever your path will lead you I’ll be right there by your side. I swear on my life.”

Tucker hummed and a faint smile appeared on his face as Henry pressed a kiss onto the middle of his back, then as the shorter man’s strong arms were wrapped around him, he slowly let himself fall asleep, even if he was nervous about their future, to be so close to the other comforted him greatly.

Tucker looked back once more at Henry before he followed Grace inside the ancient temple which was filled with hundreds of humans, force-sensitivities, insectoids, and many other species.

“What do you call yourselves?” Tucker asked as his steps were echoing in the vast hall. Upon their arrival everyone turned silent.

“We have no name, no labels, old Siths, Jedis, light and dark side. What matters is that we will end the Risen Order and we will bring a long awaited harmony to the galaxy where sides no longer exist. The question is…do you want to be a part of this?” Tucker ran his eyes on all the ancient weapons and relics in the sacred temple. He knew what he was supposed to do as the day before Grace had thoroughly told him about the entering ceremony. He closed his eyes down then once he exhaled he extended his right arm, focusing yet not too hard. It was going on for quite a long time. Nothing happened, but everyone was still in silence, witnessing with anticipation, till he felt the cold metal surface of a lightsaber landing in his palm, his fingers comfortably wrapping around it as if it was meant for him.

Once he turned on the lightsaber he opened his eyes, the saber’s dark red color shone on his young features. “I do.”

“I won’t go..I won’t go because I know the moment I’ll face that General I’ll lose all control and I’ll kill him. Ever since I began to train with the others, and Grace is teaching me for the Force…I….oh why didn’t I just stay on Geonosis…?!” Tucker said on a raised voice from under his hooded cloak.

Henry flinched as the other’s lightsaber was tossed against the wall but unlike him, he tried to keep a calm composure, even though he had his fair share of pressure on him as well. True, he wasn’t Force sensitive but he’s been helping with the plan on how to attack every single Station. “Tucker…You don’t have to go. If you don’t feel ready for it, then don’t. Grace will understand it…kriff…” Henry turned away as Tucker broke the poles of their bed in half with the Force but his initial startlement was gone soon enough. He wasn’t afraid, not even when he faced the other and firmly held onto his cloak. “I don’t understand you! Honestly. There’s no pressure on you, it’s not like you’re a chosen one, hundreds of Force sensitive people and beings are on our side. It’ll be a team work! What’s wrong with you?!” Henry huffed as Tucker pinned him against a column in their room with the Force but he was soon there, pressing him against it with his own hand. He wasn’t blind, he noticed that during the last couple of days Tucker was going through a change. Bad and dark memories of his past resurfaced, forming him, changing him. Instead of an answer Tucker kissed him in the next moment, being incredibly unpredictable, especially as of late. “I will be there for you. I’ll be fighting by your side.” Henry said without being able to look into the other's eyes as the cloak hid them for now.

“I’ve been thinking…what if…what if what I’ve done back at Station 4 wasn’t even the brain worm? What if I have all that deep inside me? Grace wants prisoners, but what if I snap and kill them all?”

“You won’t!”

“What makes you so sure of it? I…I killed my own parents!”

Henry furrowed his brows and coughed as for a moment he felt an unpleasant pressure against his windpipe, which was gone in a couple of seconds and he dismissed Tucker’s sudden approach. “It’s fine…I’m fine…Listen…uh..” Henry watched as Tucker stormed out to the balcony of their quarter then after composing himself he slowly followed him. He found Tucker sitting on the ledge and although he had quite a big fear of heights he gathered all his courage and sat down beside him. “You didn’t kill them. You told me about it, it was a horrible accident, which wasn’t your fault at all. You were just a little boy.”

“If I’d not have tried to use my Force on them maybe they could have …they could have safely climbed down from the hive tower.”

“That’s not true. And stop it with that damn brain worm. It’d have had the same effect on anyone else. You’re good at heart.”

“Yeah? Then what’s this?!” Henry watched as the cloak’s hood was now pulled off and as Tucker looked down at him his iris changed, it wasn’t green but it had a yellow color to it.

“This…” Henry held a short pause thinking it through more before he’d have spoken. “This doesn’t mean what it meant in the past, decades ago. These are different times. Don’t you see all the others who are on our side? There are Siths, Jedis, so many species I cannot even name them all.”

“But it scares me…maybe it’s the old stigma of it but— Henry…does this mean I’m evil?”

“No.” Tucker hummed the moment Henry’s hands slipped along his sweaty cheeks. “Don’t fear it…let it flow through you. Just let it happen, if it’s the Dark Side which is calling you then let yourself fall into it. All of us are still fighting for the same reason, to end the regime of the Risen Order. I’m not sure how it’d go on from then on, whether this harmony can last, but no matter what happens I’m by your side. Even if it means that the man I love belongs to the Dark Side.” Henry leaned in and brushed his nose against Tucker’s. His parted lips gently sucked on the other’s upper one.

“I love you, Henry.”

“Huh, first time I heard you say it…” Tucker had his yellow iris resting on Henry. His movements were cautious till he finally got off the ledge and began to back off towards their room. “We still have some time till we leave…it’s up to you whether you want to spend it with destroying more furniture or getting rid of your pent up rage otherwise.” Henry huffed as he watched the younger man doing a backward flip from the balcony. “Show off… “ He muttered but was soon silenced by Tucker’s greedy lips, his yellow eyes piercing through his soul through the painted black eyelashes. Tucker pushed Henry against the sofa and his hand impatiently cupped the front of Higgins’ pants.

“What do you want?”

“Oh you know very well what I want.”

The menacing smirk of the younger man made his cock throb and Tucker could feel it under the pressure of his palm. Henry groaned the moment Tucker’s right hand was extended a couple of inches above his neck. The familiar choking sensation made his length fully hard within seconds. Tucker could have just used his hand on him, but there was something different about this. The danger and thrill of being Force choked wasn’t like anything else. “I am well aware of all your dirty desires…I probed your mind in case you have forgotten…and I know you weren’t only intimidated by me at the Station…but something else.” Tucker leaned in as he kept staring into the other’s blue eyes while his grip grew harder against his bulge and with that the pressure of the choking has grown as well. Without any effort he undid the other’s pants without actually touching it. In the next moment Henry was forced to kneel on the sofa while he gripped onto its arm, and felt Tucker climbing right behind him. The choking stopped for now, giving enough time for Henry to catch his breath but soon one of Tucker’s hands slipped around his neck, while his right one ran under the rough texture of his pants, purring into Higgins’ ear, as his thin fingers brushed through the other’s dark pubic hair before he teasingly caressed the other’s cock. Higgins grunted from the touches but especially once he felt Tucker’s bulge pressing down against his buttocks. “I have my own doubts about that idealistic harmony Grace has been talking about. You can try to tame a monster, but in the end of the day it is a monster…not my words…one of the old Siths told me the other day. We may unite to defeat the Order, but I think that is as long as this little alliance will last.” Tucker’s veiled whisper gave Henry the creeps but in a twisted positive way which only made him crave the other more.

Henry’s heartbeat sped up once Tucker pushed on his pants and as the younger male lifted his cloak the wet head of his cock pressed against his hole, the other has claimed as his so many times during their stay at Theed. Tucker’s fingers deepened into his flesh while he was forcing his cock deep inside his hole, which was aching to be filled. Henry leaned against the sofa’s back, feeling Tucker’s pubic hair tickling his skin as he was buried deep inside him and kept circling his pelvis like that, as his fingers wrapped tighter around his neck.

“So…you’re not afraid of me?” Henry looked back at Tucker once he heard his voice.

“Of you? I think you were a bigger menace in your mid teen years when me and George were stationed on Geonosis. I think I can deal with your darkness just fine.” He teasingly bit onto Tucker’s lush lower lip, then hummed as the redhead began to pound hard inside him.

It felt like every single thrust was becoming wilder and rougher, just the way they both liked it. Henry watched as Tucker reached out already knowing what he was about to do. The lightsaber landed in his hand the next moment and was right away turned on, horizontally glowing in red only a couple of inches away from Henry’s face. “You’re playing with fire, Higgins.”

“I’ve always liked to play with fire.” Tucker rolled his eyes as Henry looked back at him behind his shoulder and winked at him. He kept the lightsaber still, alarmingly close to Henry while he began to fuck him with all his strength, using his other hand to keep strangling the older man. The sensation and power play were intoxicating and at Tucker’s next animalistic thrust the sofa’s back broke off but it did not stop either of them from continuing their intense love making. Now that Henry was buried against the remnants of the sofa Tucker swiftly cut his shirt’s back in half with the lightsaber leaving a red mark along the other’s skin without seriously harming him, then as the saber was put aside he pulled Henry up tightly against his chest and with a last deep thrust he came inside him. A shaky groan left his lips while Henry began to quickly wank his length, the lewd sound of his hand slapping against his lap echoed in the room till the fat loads of white substance sprayed all over on the rich red carpet. Tucker brushed the tip of his nose against the back of his skull, planting a trail of kisses along his neck.

Upon hearing the bells they knew that they had to get ready to leave even if the warmth of each other’s embrace was way more tempting than going to war. Tucker adjusted his own pants and cloak, then once he picked up his lightsaber he straightened up and waited for Henry to make himself more presentable. As soon as their lovemaking ended the same pressure and nervousness crept back on the redhead and Henry was quick to pick up on that. Before they’d have left the room, Henry stood in front of the door and waited till Tucker looked down at him, his eyes now having their normal green color again. “If you have to join the Dark Side then I want to join it with you.”

Tucker was looking down into Henry’s eyes, looking for any sign of a lie, pretense, but he saw none, then instead of saying anything he kissed him, before he’d have entwined his fingers with Henry’s. “Whatever happens in this war, just stay by my side and keep your mouth shut.”

“I can’t guarantee the latter.” Henry said with an amused little chuckle but hummed as Tucker kissed him again, and he gazed into his cold green pair of eyes with the dominant black mascara making it more beautiful than it already was. “But I can try.”