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Patience

Summary:

The door to the training room hisses open, and all eyes immediately divert to the disturbance. Cassian barely suppresses a frown of frustration as he turns to see the newcomer… and then he almost chokes on his own breath.

Jyn.

She walks in, late and unapologetic, with a steaming tumbler of what smells like caf, wearing form-fitting thermal trousers and an oversized long-sleeve. The same one Cassian almost ripped off her last night, right before he fucked her against the cold metal wall of her quarters.

And just like that, his frustration takes on a very different flavour.

Notes:

Aaaand that's a wrap! (Shh, I know I'm almost a week late, but hey, it's still the same month.)

I had SO MUCH fun this Smut Month. Thank you for all of your amazing comments, and special thanks to wintersend for organising the whole thing!

Work Text:

Overseeing combat training for new recruits is definitely one of Cassian’s least favourite duties. He can do undercover missions, he can make impossible decisions under fire, he can go on insane suicide missions; but something about having a dozen pairs of eyes staring at him expectantly as he pretends that he has any authority in the area of hand-to-hand combat makes him want to throw himself out of the nearest airlock.

Except he’s not on a ship, and therefore, there are no airlocks to throw himself out of. He is on Hoth, standing in the centre of the training room, watching the recruits gather one by one and wondering why the hell he agreed to do this.

Well, agree is a strong word; it implies at least some level of choice, and the reality is that he had very little say in the matter. He tried arguing, of course - but it turned out that he was apparently the only available option. Between the losses they have sustained in the recent battles and the numerous missions that are currently ongoing, it seems like Cassian is one of the few people on the base with some experience in combat.

And so here he is, pretending to be a teacher.

Fortunately for Cassian, the group consists entirely of fresh recruits, most possessing little to no field experience, so even his basic demonstrations will likely suffice. In the fifteen minutes since he agreed to this, he has been mentally preparing himself by recalling his own training session when he first joined. He decides to draw from that material and begin with something simple.

It’s going to be fine. He just needs to look like he knows what he’s doing. That’s one advantage he has - he might not be the best fighter on the base, but he sure knows how to feign confidence.

He steps forward slowly, very slowly, his footsteps echoing in the vast room as he approaches the group gathered beneath the flickering lights. He makes an effort to make his posture firm and his gaze steady - and his efforts pay off. As he comes to a stop before them, the room seems to fall into an anticipatory hush, every pair of eyes fixed intently on him.

So far so good.

‘Alright, let’s get started.’ His voice cuts through the heavy silence. He surveys the group one more time, making a point to make eye contact with each of them. Nine, he counts. There were supposed to be ten, but he’ll be damned if he’s going to wait for one latecomer.

He takes a slow breath. The students look back at him in anticipation.

‘Today,’ he begins, his tone serious and measured, ‘we will focus on basic combat techniques. Before we dive into anything advanced, we will first ensure that your foundations are solid. This means learning to defend yourself, disarm your opponent, and developing an understanding of your own boundaries and limitations.’ He allows his words to hang in the air for a moment, absorbing the eager looks directed towards him. ‘We’ll begin with--’

The door to the training room hisses open, and all eyes immediately divert to the disturbance. Cassian barely suppresses a frown of frustration as he turns to see the newcomer… and then he almost chokes on his own breath.

Jyn.

She walks in, late and unapologetic, with a steaming tumbler of what smells like caf, wearing form-fitting thermal trousers and an oversized long-sleeve. The same one Cassian almost ripped off her last night, right before he fucked her against the cold metal wall of her quarters.

And just like that, his frustration takes on a very different flavour.

Their eyes meet momentarily; Jyn greets him with an impish grin, the corners of her lips curling up in amusement. Seemingly unbothered by all the attention she’s attracting, she finds her place in the room.

‘Sorry for being late, Captain Andor.’

Captain Andor. That’s not what she called him last night. Although Cassian has to admit that hearing her address him like that awakens something in him, something that definitely should not be awakened while he’s standing in front of a room full of cadets who, though currently focused on Jyn, will soon turn their attention back to him.

Suddenly, the room doesn’t feel that cold at all. In fact, Cassian feels dangerously close to bursting into flames.

Jyn Erso tends to have that effect on him.

Mustering all the self-control he has at his disposal, Cassian clears his throat and turns back to the group. ‘As I was saying,’ he resumes, his voice steady despite the sudden warmth spreading across his chest, ‘we’ll start with some basic defence techniques. Pair up.’

His words are met with a quick shuffle of feet as the recruits hastily form pairs, casting nervous glances at their new partners. The smell of burnt caf fills his nostrils, stronger now that Jyn has moved closer to him and set the cup down on one of the benches. It’s distracting – she’s distracting. But he won’t allow her to unsettle him. Not here, not now.

‘Let’s begin with the basics,’ he says to the group, refocusing his mind on the class. ‘One partner will grip the other’s wrist firmly. The goal for the one being held is to escape using any effective technique you can think of, while the holder tries to maintain their grip. Experiment with different methods and see what works best. We’ll then discuss your approaches. Go ahead and start.’

There’s an excited buzz as the recruits spring into action. Cassian takes a couple of steps back and leans against the wall, observing. He makes an effort to focus on everyone but Jyn - he observes as the Twi’lek woman on the far end of the room struggles to break free of his partner’s grip while the two Rodians on her left have somehow managed to both end up on the ground. Cassian notes their technique (or lack thereof), planning to provide constructive feedback later.

He is careful to avoid Jyn’s gaze, not trusting himself to remain composed if he looks her way. But as he scans the room, his eyes inevitably land on her. She is paired up with one of the human men, and currently, she is the one being held. Or was, because it takes her seconds to react - as soon as the man grips her wrist, she takes a quick step towards him to diminish his leverage, then immediately twists her wrist and smoothly manoeuvres herself free with a roll of her forearm.

Jyn gives her partner a satisfied grin, and Cassian suddenly finds that he would love to choose that guy for his next demonstration, ideally the kind of demonstration that would involve something really painful… but he buries the unprofessional thought as quickly as it comes up.

Against his better judgement, he continues watching Jyn as she goes through the exercise again - her focused eyes, the slight furrow of her brows whenever she’s concentrating, the fluidity in her movements. He’d seen it all last night. Up close. Intimately.

Cassian closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, trying to clear his mind of the vivid images.

‘That’s enough,’ he says to the group, and they immediately cease their movements, turning their attentions back to him. ‘Some good attempts there.’ He pushes off the wall and walks back into the centre of the room. ‘But remember, your goal is to incapacitate quickly and with as little effort as possible. It’s about technique and speed, not showing off physical strength.’

He pauses, taking a quick survey of the room. His gaze lands on Jyn. She returns his look with an inscrutable expression, her eyes bright with something he recognises all too well. But then she breaks eye contact and looks away, leaving him feeling oddly disappointed.

‘Let’s demonstrate,’ he says, forcing himself to sound casual. ‘Who would like to volunteer?’

He realises it was a bad idea as soon as he hears his own question. Because of course…

‘I do,’ Jyn immediately says, stepping forward.

Of course.

Everyone’s attention shifts to Jyn again, a collective intake of breath echoing around as she walks towards Cassian.

It’s fine. He is a professional. He can do this.

‘Sergeant Erso,’ he acknowledges, trying to make his voice sound unaffected. ‘Very well. Come over here, please.’

The room now goes completely silent as Jyn walks up to him. Cassian swallows, steadying himself as he takes in her determined expression and challenging glint in her eyes. This close, he can see the light sheen of sweat on her skin and feel the heat radiating from her body. Her hair is tied back in a loose ponytail, exposing her neck, and he can see the exact spot where he had pressed his lips the night before, right when she was--

No, shut up. Shut up, shut up, shut up.

‘What do you want me to do, Captain?’

Oh, you have no idea...

Cassian clears his throat. ‘Sergeant Erso,’ he addresses the group, ‘will be demonstrating an offensive move. I’ll take the defensive role.’

Jyn raises an eyebrow at him, her mouth curving into a smirk that does nothing to extinguish the heat flaring in his stomach. He extends his arm and gestures to her. ‘Please, proceed.’

Her eyes narrow slightly as she steps closer, her hand reaching out to grasp his wrist. The contact sends a shock through Cassian’s system, but he forces himself to stay composed.

‘Now, this is a very basic grip, and you can approach this in several ways - but we’ll be focusing on the most efficient one today,’ Cassian manages, his voice steady. ‘Watch closely.’

He shifts his weight onto his back foot and rotates his captured wrist in a smooth, quick motion to align with Jyn’s thumb - the weakest part of her hold. As he twists his wrist free, he steps in closer to her, using his free hand to gently but firmly grasp her upper arm.

‘Once you’re free,’ he continues, ‘you gain control by redirecting your opponent’s momentum. This allows you to potentially initiate a counterattack.’ Demonstrating, Cassian pulls slightly on Jyn’s arm, subtly guiding her past him, mimicking a move that would set her off balance if performed with full force. ‘This way, you have the upper hand and can immediately go on the offensive.’

He is now standing close behind Jyn, and he can feel her back against his chest. He’s acutely aware of her steady breathing and the light scent of her sweat - a smell that sends him spiralling back into last night’s memory.

And that, as it quickly turns out, is his mistake.

In his distracted state, he realises a beat too late that Jyn isn’t done. Just as he is about to take a step back and start the next exercise, she ducks under his extended arm and steps behind him. Then, using a well-timed hook of her leg around his, she pulls sharply while simultaneously pushing against his back with her hands and causing him to stumble forward, off-balance.

Before Cassian can recover, Jyn manoeuvres him down onto the mat. Following him to the ground, she swiftly straddles his waist, pinning his wrists above his head with a triumphant smile and a spark of mischief in her eyes.

And just like that, the room full of soldiers vanishes in Cassian’s peripheral, replaced by the green of Jyn’s eyes, the playful grin of her slightly parted lips, and the feel of her body pressing down on his.

Especially that last part. Cassian can feel the back of her thighs brushing against his waist, creating a maddening friction just inches away from where he most desperately craves her contact. And her breasts… Force, her breasts are almost at his eye level, perfectly outlined by the fabric of her sweat-soaked top.

If he lowered his head just a bit, he could lean forward and...

No.

Swallowing hard, he returns his gaze to her eyes, now twinkling with suppressed laughter, and fights to keep his voice steady. ‘Very well executed, Sergeant,’ he manages to say, his voice coming out slightly strangled. ‘An excellent demonstration of how to leverage your opponent’s force to your advantage.’

‘You’re welcome, Captain,’ Jyn replies innocently. For a split second, her gaze drops, focusing on something just below his line of vision before flicking up to meet his eyes again. It happens so quickly that it’s barely noticeable, but Cassian catches it, and he knows. He knows she’s noticed his response to her proximity, the hard evidence of his arousal pressing into her thigh.

Well, that’s just great.

‘Alright,’ he says, quickly freeing his hands and sitting up, while gently moving Jyn off his chest and onto the mat beside him. ‘Back to the exercise.’

To his left, Jyn pushes herself up and offers him a hand - an offer they both know he has to refuse, unless he wants the entire class to see the obvious bulge in his pants. He shakes his head and just pulls his knees up to his chest, resting his forearms on them in an attempt to look nonchalant. That’s it; he’s just sitting there to watch the class comfortably. There is no other reason why he’s not standing up.

Jyn shoots him a knowing grin as she stands, brushing off any dirt from her trousers with a casual air of victory. She gives him a quick salute before marching off, leaving him sitting on the cold, hard mat.

‘Alright, everyone. Let’s try that again, but this time try to use your wrists to break free and then leverage your opponent’s force to gain control,’ Cassian instructs the rest of the team, his voice only a touch more hoarse than usual.

As the soldiers pair up and begin practising, Cassian lets out a slow breath, willing his body to settle and the stifling heat to stop crawling up his neck. It takes a good couple of minutes for him to be able to regain control, and when he finally stands up again, he’s grateful to see that the evidence of his desire is no longer noticeable.

The rest of the training session goes without a hitch, Cassian carefully avoiding Jyn as he walks the recruits through a series of exercises and scenarios. It’s not easy - every time he hears her voice or catches a glimpse of her out of the corner of his eye, his mind replays the moment when she had him pinned down.

But he makes it through.

When the training finally comes to an end, Cassian gives the soldiers a final debrief and sends them on their way. The room is soon empty, save for him and Jyn, who is still on the far side of the room, gathering up her gear. Very slowly gathering her gear.

‘Good class today, Captain,’ she finally calls out, throwing a glance in his direction. There’s a lilt to her tone, a slightly teasing edge that has his stomach knotting up all over again.

‘Thank you.’

Cassian is frozen where he is, watching as Jyn picks up her gear and starts slowly walking towards him. The way she moves, the playful smile, the glint in her eyes; it’s all deliberate, calculated to affect him, and it is working.

Maker, it’s really working.

She stops just an arm’s reach away from him, her eyes locking with his. She tilts her head ever so slightly, the playful smile never leaving her lips - but then she stops there, waiting.

‘May I help you?’ Cassian asks.

‘You may,’ she says casually, her eyes dancing with the same teasing light. She steps even closer to him, and before Cassian registers what’s happening, he feels her hand on his chest, right over his pounding heart.

He doesn’t move. He doesn’t breathe. All he can do is stare, rooted to the spot as Jyn’s smile widens, her gaze dropping to where her hand rests on his chest. For a long moment, she stays like that, her hand warm against him. The contact sends a ripple of heat through Cassian’s body, his heart pounding even harder beneath her touch. He waits for her next move.

And soon, slowly, almost painfully so, Jyn begins to trace a line down his chest, then across his stomach, and then Cassian’s entire being is alight as her fingers trail lower and lower and…

She stops when she reaches the pocket of his trousers, and then, never breaking eye contact, she pulls out the code cylinder he keeps there. The glint of mischief in her eyes deepens as she twirls it around her finger like a prized possession before taking a step back, then another, and one more before she turns around and starts walking away.

‘What the--’

Cassian is interrupted by a loud whoosh of the door closing, then a click announcing that the code cylinder (his code cylinder) has been inserted, and two more beeps that mean the door has been locked.

‘I was thinking, Captain,’ Jyn says, slowly returning back to where he stands, ‘that I could use some additional training… I’m not sure I quite got today’s lesson.’

Cassian blinks, his gaze shifting from the locked door to Jyn standing before him. ‘Is that so?’

‘Yes.’ She steps closer, her fingers still clutching the stolen code cylinder, brushing against his chest once more.

Cassian almost rips her clothes off then and there. But somehow, he manages to reign himself in, swallowing the primal urge that threatens to take over. Instead, he raises a brow, meeting her playful challenge with a smirk of his own.

‘I don’t usually offer extra classes to students who show up late.’

‘I see. In this case: is there anything I can do to make up for my lateness?’ she says, her voice low and husky as she steps closer, close enough that he can feel the warmth radiating off her.

‘Well…There might be something.’

Her smile widens as she gently takes his hand and guides it to her waist. He can feel the heat of her body against his fingertips, the slight curves of her lean frame underneath the fabric. Cassian’s breath hitches in his throat as Jyn leans closer, so close he can breathe in her scent - a mix of fresh sweat and the earthy smell that clung to her after training. It’s intoxicating.

‘I knew we’d come to an agreement… So,’ she pauses, her voice dropping to a low whisper as she leans in even closer, her lips hovering dangerously close to his. ‘How do you want me?’

Cassian’s brain immediately short-circuits. All of his remaining restraint evaporates, replaced by a surge of desire that leaves him dizzy. For several heartbeats, he just looks at her, studying her face, the way her eyes shine and the playful smirk on her lips.

Luckily, he doesn’t need to think long about that question. He knows exactly how he wants her.

‘On your knees, Sergeant.’

Jyn’s eyes widen for a moment, her smile faltering before flooding back in full force as she slides her hands down his chest, over his stomach, and to his belt. She unbuckles it with slow deliberation, never breaking eye contact.

And then, finally, she slips down onto the hard floor at Cassian’s feet. His hands itch to touch her, to tangle in her hair, but he forces himself to stay still.

He takes a moment to drink in the sight, relishing the raw desire that sparkles in her eyes. She looks breathtaking - confident and ready on her knees before him, a wicked smirk curling at the corners of her mouth that somehow makes her look both innocent and sinful at the same time.

He feels a slight tremble in his fingers as he unbuttons his trousers, letting them fall away. Jyn’s gaze immediately drops, taking in the sight of him standing there exposed. Her eyes noticeably darken, and a faint flush spreads across her cheeks.

And then, she takes over.

Her hands glide up his thighs, fingers tracing the muscles underneath as she gets closer and closer to him. The touch sends waves of anticipation crashing through him, so powerful that he has to bite back a moan. Her delicate fingers finally reach their destination, brushing against him with a lightness that makes his breath hitch.

‘Jyn,’ he manages to gasp out - a desperate plea and a warning all at once.

‘Patience, Captain,’ she murmurs back, the corners of her lips lifting.

Her fingers lightly graze him again, her touch featherlight and maddeningly slow. It’s a coaxing exploration that has Cassian digging his fingers into the cold wall behind him for support. He watches as she leans in, her breath ghosting over him before he finally feels the warmth of her mouth envelop him.

The temperature difference alone is almost enough to send him over the edge then and there, but when she starts to move, her mouth working around him in slow, deliberate motions, he feels his knees buckle.

Jyn’s eyes meet his, full of teasing delight and a kind of fierce determination that’s as equally disarming as it is arousing. The sight of her lips, the feel of her tongue against him - it’s too much and not enough all at once, and it almost has his head spinning.

A strangled groan escapes his throat before he manages to stop it, and Jyn’s response is a low hum that vibrates around him, sending a shudder of pleasure rocketing up his spine.

‘Jyn,’ he manages to choke out, and based on the sound of his own voice, he knows he’s getting close, too close-- ‘Get up. Now.’

She only gives him a momentarily defiant look before sliding back, pulling away slowly. The sudden loss of warmth has him almost hissing in frustration, but the sight of her rising to her feet again, lips slightly swollen and glistening, distracts him enough to forget all about the cold.

‘Something wrong?’

Cassian can hardly trust himself to speak. His body aches with the need for release, yet there’s a part of him that revels in this torturous game of theirs. He wants to see her unravel just as he is coming undone.

‘Turn around,’ he finally manages in a husky, strained voice.

Jyn blinks at him, her eyes wide and calculating for a moment before they soften with understanding. Without a word, she does as asked, turning around so her back is to him. He takes a moment to admire her, the curve of her shoulders and the way her shirt clings to the small of her back. His fingers itch to touch her, to feel the warmth of her skin against his own.

With a soft intake of breath, he steps forward until his chest is pressed against her back, and then he places his hands on her hips, pulling her closer until there’s not a breath of space between them. He hears her soft gasp as he nuzzles against her neck, inhaling the scent of her hair. It encourages his hands to wander, slide up, and trace along her ribcage before cautiously coming to rest on her breasts. She shivers under his touch, a low sigh escaping her lips as he teases her through the fabric of her shirt. He can feel her heartbeat drumming against his fingers, matching the unsteady rhythm of his own pulse.

‘Shall we move on to the second exercise?’ he murmurs into her ear.

Jyn’s response is a quick nod and an enthusiastic whimper.

Slowly, Cassian’s fingers begin to move, finding their way under her top and tracing patterns over her bare stomach before moving upwards to cup her breasts, gently kneading the soft flesh and teasing the sensitive peak.

She gasps softly, her head tipping back against his shoulder, and her hands clutch at his where they hold her. He can feel the tremors racing down her spine, can hear each hitch in her breath as he continues to tease and taunt her with his touch.

Encouraged by her reaction, Cassian’s other hand trails down, slipping under the waistband of her trousers, seeking warmth and softness beneath. Her hips immediately jerk against him, grinding into him in response, and Cassian has to pause for a moment to steady himself, his own arousal becoming almost unbearable.

‘More,’ she groans out quietly. ‘Please.’

He doesn’t need to be told twice. Without hesitation, he wraps his arm across her waist and turns them both around towards the wall he was previously leaning on. Jyn’s surprised gasp echoes through the room as she instinctively presses her hands against the cold wall for support, while Cassian pulls down both her trousers and underwear to her knees with one fluid motion.

He takes a moment to admire her, all exposed and vulnerable before him. The sight sends a jolt of possession and desire coursing through him. He catches his breath and then presses against her, his erection sliding between her bare thighs - the sensation is electric, causing him to hiss out a curse under his breath. Then, he sucks gently on her neck, tasting the salty sweat on her skin as he explores her, one hand sliding up the length of her torso to cup her breast again while his other hand dips lower, reaching between her legs, finding her already wet and ready for him.

Jyn instinctively rocks back into him, bending a bit forward and bracing her hands against the wall. That gives Cassian even better access, and he intends to make good use of it; he pushes his cock against her, sliding it up and down her wet folds. She tilts her head back, resting it on his shoulder, and the sight of her - vulnerable and desperate – almost unravels him.

‘Cassian,’ she whispers, her voice ragged with need. ‘For fuck’s sake, stop teasing and take me already.’

‘Shhh,’ he murmurs against her neck. ‘Patience, Jyn.’

Jyn’s answer comes as a low, frustrated growl. Her hips move instinctively against him, urging him to continue - but he has no intention of giving her what she wants, not yet, not that fast. So he takes his time, sliding his cock up and down her folds, teasing her opening, but never quite entering her.

She squirms beneath his touch, and he loves the way she seems to come apart under him, the way her breath hitches, the small noises she makes - half groans, half cries. Desperate, she tries to rock back onto him, but he only tightens his hold on her hips, keeping her still.

With his free hand, he maintains his agonising rhythm, switching between the pressure of his fingers teasing her from the front and the sensation of his cock gliding against her from behind.

‘Cassian, I swear…’

He chuckles at her frustrated groan. But Jyn isn’t one to be easily denied; she squirms in his arms, trying to push herself back onto him. And this time, he lets her, rewarding her persistence with a sharp thrust of his hips that finally pierces her.

Jyn cries out at the sudden intrusion, her body tensing before relaxing into him.

‘Good?’ he asks.

‘Yes. Fucking finally. Yes,’ she moans out through gritted teeth. Her hands are white-knuckled against the wall, her back arching as he starts to move inside her.

Her curses fill the room, amplifying Cassian's already desperate state. His hands are rough but careful on her body, gripping her hips to guide his thrusts, fingertips digging into the soft skin. The sweet agony of the friction is almost unbearable, pushing him closer to the brink with each thrust. He clenches his jaw, trying to maintain some semblance of control, but it’s so damn difficult when every rational thought is quickly being obliterated by the pleasurable haze clouding his mind.

Cassian’s thrusts become erratic in their intensity, spurred on by her ragged gasps. The sensation of her warmth and wetness around him nearly shatters his resolve, the urge to lose himself in her overpowering. Yet he fights it, wanting to hold on a bit longer, wanting to stretch this beautiful torture into oblivion.

‘Cassian,’ Jyn sobs out his name, her voice strained and on the edge. It is a plea, a command, an invitation all at once. His name on her lips sounds like sweet surrender - and it breaks him.

He slams into her once, twice more before his control snaps. His body tenses, and the depraved pleasure of his release surges through him in a series of powerful, uncontrolled spasms. He muffles his groans into the crook of her neck, gripping her tight against him as he shudders and empties himself into her.

Somewhere on the periphery of his consciousness, he hears Jyn’s moans rising in pitch as her own climax overtakes her, and she tightens around him, hot and pulsing, riding out the wave of pleasure alongside him.

He doesn’t know how long they stay like that, pressed together, their ragged breaths echoing off the cold walls. Eventually, when his legs feel like they can support him again, he pulls away from her gently, sliding out of her with a sigh. He watches as she looks over her shoulder at him, her green eyes bright and dazed with pleasure. A proud grin tugs at his lips as he pushes a stray lock of hair from her face.

‘Was it worth the wait?’

‘You can be a real asshole, you know?’ she scoffs, but the expression on her face betrays satisfaction.

Cassian just chuckles, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her back against his chest. He presses a kiss to the corner of her mouth, basking in the warmth of her body and the quiet intimacy of the moment. He can feel her relaxing against him, her harsh breaths now softening to steady rhythmic puffs.

‘We should probably clean up and go before someone kicks in the door.’

Jyn grunts in disagreement, turning around in his arms to face him and capturing his lips in a soft, lingering kiss. It feels so different from the raw and desperate desire from moments ago - this kiss feels gentler, more intimate. It’s gratitude, comfort, understanding. A hopeful promise of more moments like this.

‘Okay,’ she pulls away with a sigh. ‘Now we can go.’

They clean up in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Jyn is the first to dress; she pulls on her clothing, rolling her eyes playfully when she catches his lingering gaze. Cassian's own clothes now feel heavy and uncomfortable around him, reminding him of the reality he’s really not ready to go back to. But they have to. In fact, thinking back, they probably should have never done this here…

But it was worth it. So, so worth it.

‘Ready?’ he hears her ask, and when he looks up, he can see her already standing by the door, the code cylinder she stole from him earlier in her outstretched hand.

‘Let’s go.’

The door opens with three short beeps and a loud whoosh, revealing the sterile white light of the hallway beyond… and around a dozen faces staring right at them, some with annoyance, most - with curiosity.

Well, shit.

To his left, Cassian can hear Jyn letting out a muffled sound that sounds like something between a sneeze and a bad attempt at covering laughter. Himself, he is much closer to spontaneously combusting into flames out of embarrassment - but somehow, he manages to keep his expression neutral.

‘Evening,’ he greets their audience nonchalantly as he steps out into the corridor with squared shoulders. He nods briskly to the onlookers, keeping his gaze steady as he walks past them. His fake confidence seems to intimidate some of them enough to stop the obvious staring, but he can still feel their eyes burning holes in his back as soon as he passes the group.

Behind him, he hears Jyn’s energetic footsteps as she catches up to him, releasing a hushed laugh as soon as they round a corner and are out of sight. ‘Look at the bright side, Captain’, she says quietly, failing to contain the hint of amusement in her tone. ‘At least they will think twice before asking you to conduct any training again.’

Cassian rolls his eyes, a grin pulling at his mouth despite his embarrassment. ‘You’re not doing much to help my reputation, Sergeant.’

‘Oh, I am so, so sorry, Captain,’ she replies with an exaggerated pout. ‘Truly. Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?’

‘Well,’ he says, unable to hide the smile growing on his lips. ‘I can think of a few things.’