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Omega wakes with a deep gasp, drops of sweat formed above her brows and tears waiting to fall from her eyes. She can feel her heart pounding aggressively in her chest, trying to escape.
A nightmare.
It seems that the months and months of traveling, of running, have finally caught up to the child.
She takes a moment to try and steady her breathing, just as Hunter and Tech had instructed her after her first nightmare all those months ago after their run-in with the bounty hunters.
This nightmare, however, was different. It was one Omega hasn’t had before. One filled with salt water and sea monsters and explosions and death.
Omega feels the cold night air nip at her sweat-coated skin as she maneuvers out of her bunk, bare feet quietly tip-toeing past her snoring brothers on her way to the only person she wants comfort from right now.
You’ve always been a light sleeper. It comes with the role of Medic, having ears trained to listen for when the wounded regain consciousness so you could continue your assessment and treatment.
It only takes a light touch to your shoulder and a whisper of your code-name — Nova? — for you to wake up.
Cracking your eyes open, you see Omega standing next to your bunk, one hand resting on your shoulder while the other holds her blanket around her small form.
“Hmm?” You can’t help but yawn as you begin to blink the sleep away from your tired eyes. “Are you alright, Omega?” you whisper, being mindful of the men slumbering nearby.
“I…” Omega begins to whisper her reply, but trails off. She removes her hand from your shoulder and breaks eye contact from your sleepy gaze. You can tell she’s embarrassed for needing to ask for help.
“Did you have a nightmare?” you gently ask her. Omega sheepishly nods her head, her body beginning to tremble as her mind recalls the realistic images that haunted her sleep tonight.
You shift your body over on your cot to make room for another body, then lift up your blanket as an invitation for the girl. “Come here, my little cricket.”
Cricket. The affectionate name you gave to Omega because of her endless curiosity and questions.
Omega wastes no time crawling into your bunk and under your blanket, curling up against you with her head resting against your chest. In return, you instinctively curl your body around her small form, cuddling her further into your embrace and nuzzling your nose into her hair on the crown of her head.
“No Lula tonight?” you ask, and you feel Omega shake her head against your chest before she replies, “No, Wrecker wanted Lula tonight.”
You hum in acknowledgement, before responding, “I guess that means I’ll have to get you your own Lula next time we find a marketplace.”
You pause for a moment and take an inhale through your nose, then ask, “Was it about Kamino?”
You feel Omega tense against you before you reassure her, “You don’t need to tell me. You don’t need to talk about it.” You rub a comforting hand up and down her back. “You’re safe now. You’re not hurt. The Empire isn’t here. It’s just you and me. You and me.”
The motions of your hand soothe the trembling girl, and soon enough she’s calm enough to speak.
“It felt so real. Like I was there. Like I was drowning in Tipoca City,” Omega whispers into your chest, nuzzling further into the warmth of your embrace.
“Shh…” you shush her racing thoughts, continuing your motions on her back, beginning to use your other hand to rake your fingers through her short locks to get her to relax. “Rest, now. You’re here, safe with me, and with your brothers nearby. You’re safe, Omega.”
When Omega doesn’t reply, you begin humming a tune from your childhood — one from a memory that seems so distant yet so near at the same time.
You feel Omega’s breathing even out after a few minutes of humming, signaling that the girl has finally fallen back asleep, but you don’t dare move.
You allow yourself to enjoy the comfort that Omega’s presence brings you, the same way that your presence has soothed the girl back to sleep. You close your eyes, and breathe.
As usual, you return to consciousness thanks to Clone Force 99’s movement within the Marauder, however, today you pay little attention to it. Your attention is focused on the slumbering girl still resting against your chest. Her brows are not creased, and her breaths are still slow and even, which leads you to believe that she had a restful night without any more nightmares.
You close your eyes, attempting to enjoy these last few moments of peace before you need to start your day. Approaching footsteps causes you to open your eyes.
The footsteps, you learn, belong to Echo as he walks into the bunk area, eyes meeting yours. He opens his mouth to speak, but you quickly silence him with a finger to your lips.
“You slept in today,” Echo whispers as he approaches your bunk. His eyes fall to Omega sleeping in your arms. “Everything alright?”
You nod, a content smile on your lips. “Give us a few more minutes,” you whisper back, “She had a long night.”
Echo nods before turning to leave. “Fresh caf should be ready in a little bit. I’ll pour you some.”
You nod again and he leaves the bunks.
You glance down at Omega’s face again. She shows no signs of waking up any time soon, and you’ll be damned if you allow yourself to pull her from this moment of peace.
Caf can wait, you think to yourself as you protectively curl back around Omega.