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spilledkauffie · 2 years
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🤍 Nurse of the 501st — Suit Up
Pairing: Captain Rex x FemaleNurse!Reader (ft. the 501st) Word Count: 6.0k T/W: fluffy (a little steamy?)☁️✨ mentions of battle scars A/N: this is the part of the series where Kauffie indulges in the "one-bed" trope. Not super confident about this one, but I'm very excited for the next!!
For a stealthy mission, you’re required to suit up with the 501st, until you're in the safe house. Arriving, you and Rex find there's only one bed to share for the night.
Preface / Injured / 79's / Orphanage / Suit Up / Taken (pt.1)
↳ m a i n m a s t e r l i s t
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The briefing went smoothly, or as smoothly as it could go between General Skywalker and Master Mundi. Given that they frequently varied in strategical opinions, especially when the mission was sensitive as this one was, the meeting quickly turned into a strategy debate. With the two Jedi taking their time to actually come to a conclusion, the 501st, including yourself, laid back and relaxed a bit; whispering amongst themselves while some tried to conceal smiles as they observed the Jedi going back and forth. 
You and Rex had come in at the same time, you reporting from the hospital wing and him coming straight from the barracks, so you opted to sit together, near the back. Having placed your medic bag between you and Rex on the wide bench, you leaned your weight back against the hand you’d placed behind the bag. Rex had remained in his usual to-attention position until he recognized the Jedi beginning to ignore the clones in the room and truly debate amongst themselves, then he relaxed. You shook your head, smile on your lips, as General Skywalker placed a hand on his hips while addressing Master Mundi. It wasn’t long before you felt Rex gently touch the top of your hand behind the bag, his fingers outlining the shape of your hand as he settled it softly underneath yours, in a way letting you rest against him now; another smile came to your lips.
“How are you feeling?” Rex subtly shifted closer to whisper.
Turning your head, you met his eyes, pausing for a moment to admire the beautiful golden colour before answering with a soft voice and timid smile, “I’m okay, why?”
He flustered a little, making you tilt your head, “I was just wondering…on our last mission, I never got the chance to ask you, in the aftermath of- and with all the-”
“Ask me what?” you smiled a little wider at his nervousness, you always felt like the nervous one, seeing him a little flustered gave you an odd comfort and confidence that this was most certainly a two-way street. Rex paused, pursing his lips together, looking away as if he didn’t know how to word it perfectly.
With a deep sigh, Rex began, “about using the force again. How did it…feel?” He ventures, not entirely understanding how the force worked, but since it took a pretty heavy toll on you, he wanted to know. He wanted any information on it, so he could know how to respond better should it happen again. In truth, Rex found himself getting more and more protective of you, even if you’d just been bruised a bit, he wanted to be the one to help, even when Kix was already on it. There was always a tinge when he asked if he could help and you answered, ‘no, Kix will know,’ or ‘Kix is on his way.’ But he knew the incident with the force was something you wanted to keep undercover from most people and now he was testing to see if that included him.
“It felt,” you tilt your head again this time in the opposite direction from Rex, giving him a view of your profile, shrugging your shoulder up as you thought, “odd. It felt like I was just a small piece in a puzzle, but yet it felt so close and so personal,” dropping your shoulders you pressed your lips together, avoiding Rex’s eyes for a moment more, “I felt…you.”
Rex blinked, uncertain of what exactly you meant, well aware that he was not force sensitive, “m-me?”
“Mhmm,” you hummed, meeting his eyes this time, “I felt your force, your heartbeat, your emotions. It was so…strong.”
Rex half smirked, trying to relax a little bit, “I’m gonna take that as a compliment.”
You softly giggled, “you should.”
Turning your hand over to hold his you were a moment too late AS Master Mundi’s voice suddenly boomed through the room with a “Captain?” As both the Jedi scoured the room for Rex.
You and Rex separated faster than Younglings being scolded for talking during meditation.
“S-sir?” Rex answered, gaining his straight posture and grabbing his helmet tightly to his side.
“We’re ready to head out,” Anakin continued, “I wanted to talk you through it a little more personally if you’d come to the front; everyone else: dismissed.”
Rex sighed, relieved. You stood, already looking around for Kix, identifying him easily by the red medic symbol painted on his shoulder you waved, to which Fives frantically waved back before Echo nudged him explaining that you were not looking for them. As Kix approached, with Fives trailing him, and Echo trailing Fives, you turned back to Rex with a smile, “I’ll see you in the hangar, R- Captain.”
With a smirk, Rex gave a nod, watching you hoist your medic bag over your head and side hug Kix, before Rex made his way to the front of the room, joining the Jedi.
The hangar bay was fairly calm, only a few other platoons were being dispatched here and there and of course, mechanics were hard at work with repairs and ship maintenance. You and Kix had spent the majority of the day making sure the ship was well supplied as well as your mobile bags and equipment packed properly and efficiently. When the two of you came to the hangar for departure the general was already lining everyone up, so you fell in line too. The ship was smaller than your usual departing vessel, but then again had you paid attention in the briefing you would have known it was a stealth mission. Rex waited atop the ramp’s opening, making sure he saw every single troop who boarded. You patiently waited for the line to move, adjusting your bag’s strap as your name was called.
“Hang on there, A.,” General Skywalker gently reached out a hand for your shoulder just as you had taken no more than two steps onto the ship’s boarding ramp, “there’s something we need to talk about.”
“Sir?” You and Anakin turned your heads to the uneasy voice, a rare sound coming from Rex, who had spoken up, “she’s been cleared, by medical and by-“
“I know that Rex,” Anakin answered with a chuckle at how defensive his captain was being, and while he wanted to laugh more obviously, knowing the feeling all too well, he quickly turned back to his duty of being a general, which sometimes meant reminding his troops of his position, “but I would like a word with one of my medics.” 
Anakin tilted his head kindly as if to say ‘I’m not a threat here,’ which made Rex flush under his helmet, realising just how protective he’d come across. 
Bristling for a moment in a state of fluster, Rex staggered for words, looking between you and his general, before deciding on a simple, “Sir, yes, sir.” 
As Rex made his way on board, your attention was drawn back to Anakin’s hand on your shoulder, you looked down in thought and then back up again, “have I done something wrong, General?”
“Contrary to Rex’s belief, no,” Anakin had to break a smile, amused that just because he wanted a word alone everyone thought it was negative. Removing his hand from you, he took his signature pose, “this mission is meant to be very very routine, nothing new or out of the ordinary, we’re going into a safe house,” Anakin paused seeing you nod in response, “all our contact knows is that myself, Ahsoka, and troops are headed in, as we always do when we stop. We’re on thin ice with the Thisspiasians as is, and I don’t want anyone to stand out.”
You dropped your shoulders dejected, assuming that meant you were off the mission considering you stood out like a Bantha trying to hide in a desert compared to the rest of the 501st.
“So, I managed to get you some modifications,” Anakin started again, crossing his arms, “visit storage barrack nine and then report back, and don’t worry, we’ll wait for you.”
“Sir?” You perked an eyebrow utterly confused. 
“Just trust me,” Anakin said over his shoulder already taking confident steps up the ramp. He stood next to Rex, sensing his mild anxiety, Anakin felt the need to explain himself at least a little, “I’ve just sent her to get some specific gear for this mission, we’ll be waiting for her.”
Clearing his throat and placing his hands behind his back, Rex nodded still trying to make up for his hastiness earlier, “Sir.”
“Com me when she’s on board, I’m headed to the cockpit to join Ahsoka,” General Skywalker explained, receiving another ‘yes’ in the form of ‘sir’ from Rex. Anakin had to smirk, he could still sense Rex was mildly embarrassed, and he remembered feeling that way when he had swiftly promised Padmé he’d find whoever was trying to assassinate her right in front of Obi-Wan.
Rex looked down, waiting, not wanting to give away his emotions to his troops. At times he wondered how Anakin ever managed to care so deeply for someone in situations like this, but he reminded himself it was only rarely and usually by her own will that Padmé was in the direct line of fire; you, on the other hand, Rex had to bring you into every mission and battle the 501st engaged in. It was hard not to show just how much he cared, beyond just having you under his watch as another soldier, you had managed to make your way to his heart.
“Wait- is that- is she?” Fives suddenly stood up from his seat, a wide smile on his face as he hung against one of the support rails descending from the top of the carrier.
“No way, I didn’t think I’d ever see this,” Kix began to smile, reaching for his datapad.
The commotion was becoming bigger and stronger as several others of the 501st joined in. Rex was soon to see exactly what his troopers were all getting out of their seats for. You were walking up the ramp in your very own fitted clone armour, a helmet identical to theirs under your arm, the medic logo on your shoulder; the only thing still signature of yours was the medic bag you always carried, swung across your body. You timidly stepped aboard to be met with jaws dropped and stares. From the moment you saw the uniform laid out on the barrack, you knew it was going to draw attention, which made you wonder what General Skywalker was thinking, but if anything, you’d learned to trust him.
“She’s a real shiny now, isn’t she?” Echo nudged your shoulder with his arm playfully, hoping to bring about some comments from the others, he could tell you were a little nervous and needed the encouragement.
“She’s got to be the cutest little trooper I’ve ever seen,” Fives added.
“Yeah, cause the rest of us just look like you,” Hardcase shoved him teasingly.
“Well, maybe I look like you,” Fives came back, and you were glad the attention was off you.
“Alright, alright,” Rex intervened, and the group parted, Echo giving you a wink as he stepped aside.
Rex stood looking down at you, with the helmet on you could hardly read his emotion and you weren’t sure what to do, so you just tried a smile, eyebrows furrowing. You observed Rex’s chest rise and fall once, before he lifted the comlink to his helmet, “all aboard, General.”
“Thank you, Rex,” Anakin replied, an obvious smile coming through in his tone, “everyone hold on.”
You looked up to Rex one more time, hoping he’d say something, anything.
“You’d better find your seat,” he answered, turning to return to his own.
You joined Kix, a little discouraged.
“Where- How did you get this?” Kix asked, still amazed.
“General Skywalker! He said no one is supposed to stand out, so I guess he got me this,” you shrugged, wide eyes; it was quite the surprise for you too. Entering barrack nine and finding the armour completely shocked you. Both excitement and anxiety ran through your mind; you were going to feel even closer to the troops you worked alongside, but you weren’t sure how Rex would take it. Would it be a disgrace to the armour since you weren’t a clone? You’d wished he’d said something, anything. You two were finally on mutual ground regarding your feelings for each other, or so it seemed, but now you weren’t sure.
Rex swallowed harshly, grateful for the helmet because despite keeping his head forward his gaze was glued on you. The uniform did well at hiding your appearance, obviously, but it failed to make up the difference in your height compared to them. Rex could still see the subtleties that exposed your figure. Your curves couldn’t be entirely suppressed, after all the armour was meant to fit you perfectly and it did. You looked like a shorter, female, version of them, particularly when you put the helmet on. It was amazing how well it suited you, but Rex couldn’t help wondering what you looked like in just the black bodysuit underneath. Shaking his head he tried to focus on the plan General Skywalker had gone over with him.
“Wait,” you pressed a hand to Echo’s arm, “you’re telling me that you guys can communicate on different signals, without anyone else hearing you?”
Echo had to laugh at your jaw, which was practically gaping, when Fives answered with a ‘yes,’ before he added, “here try channel 8, that’s just me and Fives.”
You set the helmet over your head as if it was a sacred ritual that you were being allowed to participate in. Once it was on, the domino twins explained how you could change channels, using Kix’s medic channel as a test run. They also let you in on a little secret that there was a way to talk inside the helmet without anyone outside of it hearing, instantly a million thoughts and ideas came to mind, but you only had time enough to acquaint yourself with the basic working before General Skywalker’s voice came over the carrier’s com telling everyone to prepare for a departure.
“Alright, listen up,” Rex took on his commanding voice, standing at the front of the carrier, drawing everyone to attention without any trouble, “the General doesn’t want anything to be out of line, that means not even a footstep, understood?”
“Yes, sir!” The clones resounded around you in response, and you did likewise, sounding signature out of key from them.
Pulling up a holomap, Rex continued, “the base isn’t far from our landing, we’ve been there before, you know it, but we need to be cautious, the separatists know this planet too; the General will be leading us single file along an outer ridge, once we’re in the safe house, bunks will be provided as the Generals work out supply negotiations with the Queen,” Rex explained thoroughly, but you felt he was specifically talking to you, that’s certainly how it felt with him staring your direction so much, thus when he finished you made sure to nod obviously for him.
There was a brief moment of pause before Anakin and Ahsoka came to the hull and sectioned the platoon into two, you gave a sigh of relief when your name was called to go with Rex, Echo, and Fives. It was a little hard to part with Kix, as they sent him with Ahsoka, that way each Jedi had a medic. It was the first time since the orphanage incident that you’d parted from him on a mission, but he gave a nod and said “I’ll see you at the rendezvous.”
As the ship’s ramp fell to the planet’s surface, you noted how dark it was. You didn’t think you’d be landing at night, how were you possibly supposed to see? Usually, you’d be able to use your flashlight, but now with the helmet on it was even darker and they hadn’t given the okay to any lights. As you worried, Rex and Anakin were walking up to the front, making sure everything was as usual. When they came to you, Anakin chuckled and then turned to his captain, “you want to help her with that, Rex?”
“Yes, sir,” Rex responded.
“Did- did I do something wrong?” you asked in a quiet voice, coming through the helmet it had a slight hum that you weren’t used to, and neither was Rex.
“No,” Rex answered voice staggering for a moment, before putting his hands on either side of your helmet softly and clicking a familiar button, “you just needed your night vision on.”
“Wow,” you mused, as everything became clearer and Rex’s Jaig eyes came into view, but it didn’t take long before you felt silly, “thanks,” you shrugged up your shoulders, and Rex could picture the exact expression you were making underneath the helmet, he’d seen it a million times. He’d seen it every time he helped you off a transport, or you nearly slipped, or he had to explain something one more time for you. It was an expression that made him smile, even if you couldn’t see it.
“Everyone, let’s move,” General Skywalker called out, not in a yell, but in a soft commanding voice as he waved his right hand forward.
You fell in line with the others, Echo right behind you and Rex directly in front. It wasn’t long before you were all halting, waiting, and then moving again and repeating the cycle. Anakin was in constant communication with Ahsoka and waited for her response before moving, this needed to be at perfect timing or the safe house would become suspicious. So you waited.
“How you doing?” you suddenly heard Fives in your head, making you startle, nearly nudging Rex.
“Um, getting used to it, they’re a lot heavier than I thought,” you admitted, “is this channel…”
“Eight? Yep, I’m here too,” Echo joined in, tipping his chin when you turned back to look over your shoulder at him.
“And no one-”
“Nope, no one else can hear us,” Fives was smiling in his response.
“This is so incredible,” you said, “well, while it’s just us, I wanted to thank you guys for being so kind, and for catching me up to speed. I know I’m not a clone-”
“You’re not a clone, but you are family,” Echo stated and Fives agreed.
Rex’s voice came in over the general channel in everyone’s helmet, “General is scouting ahead, we move on my command.”
You immediately snapped to attention, you didn’t want to get distracted, so you tried to switch your channel to the open and generic one. Moving only when Rex gave the sign, you got pretty good at mimicking the clones and were feeling confident. At the next stop, you felt Echo place his hand on your shoulder from behind, you assumed it was intended to be a chain reaction and wanted to continue it in an attempt to appear as normal as possible. Given your height, you opted to place your hand to the small of Rex’s back, just where there was a break between the armour plates. Rex straightened, not used to the sensation. Still, he tried to act normal, which was considerably harder than he thought it would be, the feeling of your hand softly, but firmly pressing against the small of his back was one of the worst distractions he’d come up against.
With the wait for the next move appearing to go on forever, you tried to remember Rex’s channel. You wanted to try something, something bold. Swallowing harshly you gave it a go, “I gotta say, it’s a nice view from back here, Rex,” you still partially whispered, despite being on a private channel within the helmet.
“That’s just me, ma’am,” Echo came through your channel.
“Oh!” you looked over your shoulder, and tilted your head apologetically, “sorry, Echo.”
“S’alright,” he chuckled, shaking his head, letting you know there was no need for an apology, before clearing his throat and pointing to the inside of your wrist with the channel numbers they’d given you since you weren’t accustomed to them whatsoever, “Captain is channel 10.”
“Just…Rex, right?” you asked, mildly embarrassed, but happy that Echo was the one helping you, knowing he had such a soft heart.
Another chuckle came through before a confident, “Yes, just Rex.” Echo emphasized the middle of his sentence for you just to be as clear as possible.
Before you managed to actually talk to Rex, you were on the move again and approaching the safe house, so you closed the channel. Little did you know, Rex was holding his breath when he heard a tin click indicating that someone had joined the private channel, he had hoped it was you. Meeting Ahsoka, Anakin, Kix and the others at the front door, the Jedi met with the guard and the large grey bunker-like doors opened with heavy groans as they drug across the rocky surface. Everyone began entering single file in two rows past the Thisspiasian guards, who watched very carefully. You nearly ran into the back of Rex when passing them, for some reason they scared you just a little bit. Perhaps it was because they tracked you so much, or because they questioned the Generals repeatedly. You didn’t want to ruin the plan, but everything inside of you felt like they knew you were the odd one out.
Regardless of your suspicions, they ushered you deeper into the barracks with the rest, and you gladly followed. Rex moved to the side of the open room as everyone began filing in to investigate the barracks. It was just as you were tilting your head back to look up at the ceiling when Rex grabbed your wrist gently and pulled you to his side seamlessly. 
“I usually keep Kix by my side so he can spot any injuries on the way in, but your medic badge should be enough to appease the Thisspiasians for consistency’s sake,” he explained.
You nodded, understandingly and fiddled with your medic bag, occasionally looking up to him. Whenever the Thisspiasians began to stare in your direction, Rex moved himself in front of you a little bit, blocking their perfect view of you. Glancing at your wrist briefly, but not so subtly, you clicked into channel 10.
“Rex, can I ask you something?” your voice came through the helmet com.
“Hmm?” he responded, watching the barracks get filled and awaiting further instruction, standing with his hands behind his back, giving his posture a beautiful curve as he rested his weight on one leg.
“Does it bother you that I was allowed to wear the armour since I’m…not a clone?” You hated saying “clone” since you knew them all by name and winced when you said it, but Rex knew exactly what you were getting at.
He chuckled a little, and you looked over to him immediately, taking a moment before answering you heard the click of the com in your helmet, “on the contrary, I’ve never seen the uniform look so good. I don’t know how I got the boys through with such a distraction out there; shame I was leading, I’m sure it was a great view from behind.”
Blushing like a Tattooine sunset under your helmet, you couldn’t believe that Rex would risk saying something while others were around, even if the channels were completely private and inaudible to anyone outside of them; you began to wonder if Rex had heard what you said, “distraction- I didn’t, I wasn’t-” you began, but heard Rex chuckle again before looking down to you at his side.
“I meant it as a compliment,” Rex stated confidently.
You stared up for a good while, wishing you could see his eyes. They always looked brighter when he was being flirty and you adores the smile he gave, lips pressed together, only the slightest hint of it in the corner of his mouth, but you could always tell what he meant by his eyes.
“We’ve arranged everything in accordance to the usual order of you troopers, with your Captain being provided a private quarter,” a Thisspiasian explained slowly as they pressed their fingertips together, all four hands smushing, “but…” they looked beyond Anakin to you; Rex caught their glare from the corner of his eyes and casually took a step forward, blocking you more from their vision, “there seems to be…an extra?”
Anakin bristled at the tone, his eyebrows came together tightly as he was beginning to feel protective to the degree of anger, that is before Ahsoka jumped in, “Oh, you’ve noticed the cadet,” she commented cheerfully.
“The…cadet?” the Thisspiasian questioned.
Ahsoka quickly looked up to her master, begging him to come up with something more.
“Yes, that’s right,” Anakin crossed his arms, holding his head up confidently, “they’re- they’re on a special training mission to- to shadow a Captain of the army for a while to get some experience, and Rex volunteered to be observed.”
The Thisspiasian tilted its head, “ah, well then, they will share I see, all provisions are in the cabinet inside…we will regroup in the morning with you, Jedi. Until then the doors are sealed and guarded.”
The Jedi gave a bow and said thank you in unison, before exhaling and glancing at each other after the Thisspiasians were just out of earshot. 
“You wanna tell them or me?” Ahsoka smirked nudging her head towards you and Rex while mimicking her master in positioning her arms across her chest.
“Tell them what?” Anakin shrugged.
“Didn’t you hear them? ‘They will share’... they get to bunk together,” Ahsoka perked an eyebrow.
Anakin almost blushed at the idea, but opted for maturity, clearing his throat, he nodded, “I’ll break it to them.”
Approaching Rex, Anakin had to repress a smile. You were still at his side, hands wrapped around your medical bag’s strap. Something was satisfying to Anakin about seeing you next to Rex, Padmé was right, you two looked good together, he just wondered when you would both realise it and how in the galaxy he was going to manage you two once you did.
“Rex,” Anakin called out, braking his captain away from whatever secret conversation he was having with you, “I have some news.”
“Sir,” Rex responded, “awaiting orders.” Anakin tried to approach the situation with his usual overconfidence that it’d all work out just fine, even if a wrench had been thrown into the hyperdrive, “you and Angel are going to be sharing a barrack tonight.”
That caught not only Rex’s attention, but yours as well; you leaned over to see around Rex, with the helmet on Anakin couldn’t see your blushing shock, but he could sure feel it through the force.
“And may I ask why sir?” Rex tried his best to tread lightly, he never wanted to come across as questioning his General’s tactics, but this felt more personal.
“Well, because,” Anakin stuttered, looking everywhere but at the two of you, “we may have explained her presence here by claiming she was a…cadet, who’s shadowing you for training.”
“A cadet?” Rex broke his stoic position, to lean closer to his general.
“Yeah, we had to think of something,” Anakin tried, but Rex still gave a sigh as he leaned back, “just make it work,” Anakin said in a finalizing manner, beginning to stride off, pausing to turn back with one more comment, “or shall I say make it count, Captain?”
Anakin’s smirk was clearly visible, as you and Rex immediately tensed and glanced to each other, both very grateful for the helmets once again.
It wasn’t long before everyone was settled, except you and Rex. You two stood in the open barrack, a private space, behind closed doors from anyone and everyone else. Helmets off, you stared towards an object at the side of the room, you swallowed: one bed.
“Ah?” Rex began, tightening his gloved hand into a nervous fist, unsure of what to say in the moment, but when he looked to you for an answer, all he met was your gaze doing the exact same thing, waiting for an answer from your captain, “how about you just take the quarters, I’m sure there’s room in the-“
“Or we both could?” You blurted out the suggestion faster and louder than you intended. Shrugging up your shoulders when Rex paused to stare at you, until you diverted your gaze to the floor, rubbing your hand up and down your opposite arm, “it’d be following the General’s orders, and…I just- I think I’d feel a lot safer if you were. . .here.”
Lifting your gaze, his golden-brown eyes met yours, a soft smile playing on his lips as he turned to face you again, helmet still under his arm. 
“Alright,” Rex agreed, “if that’s what you-“ he had to chuckle at how fast you began to nod, “then that’s what shall be.”
It didn’t take long for you to acquaint yourself with the room; Rex was quick to remove his armour, leaving him in just the bottom half of the black bodysuit, the top half rolled and tied neatly together at his waist. Soon he found the cabinet with extra supplies and began making a makeshift bed on the floor next to the bed, while you struggled to get your own armour off. You’d decided to face the wall, giving him any privacy he should need, but now you were a little stuck. The armour was certainly easier to put on than it was to remove and you were struggling to reach the back pieces, wondering how you actually managed to get it on in the first place.
“Need some help over there?” you heard Rex ask from behind you, clearly he was still facing the opposite direction, but you were too twisted at the moment to turn around, so you accepted defeat. 
“Yes, please, sorry,” you winced, “I only learned how to take it off of soldiers, not myself.”
Rex chuckled to himself, lifting a piece off of you, “I remember; and you’re fast too.”
“You were injured, I needed to move quickly,” you recounted, remembering the exact situation. He was your first in-action patient. 
“Wasn’t complaining,” you noticed that his voice got deeper and softer. 
As you began getting pieces off together, Rex thought you’d finished once you were down to the black undershirt, but when you reached for the hem of the shirt, he clenched his jaw, not sure where this was going. You lifted off the black shirt to reveal a white tank top, ‘of course the general let her keep that part of her uniform,’ he thought to himself before commenting, “you know that offer is still on the table.”
Your eyes widened remembering. ‘If you ever need more practice’ he had said with a wink, regarding removing armour. 
“Well,” you began feeling more confident, preparing a good comeback, before turning on your heel to face him, “oh-” you paused, observing the proximity. 
Only inches apart, you were nearly chest to chest with Rex. For a moment you admire his physique, finally seeing him without an emergency wound. Not wanting to stare at his chest for too long, you looked up but found that to be no easier. His golden eyes had a softness, a tenderness, a longing, you’d never seen before, it made you feel calm, yet your heart was racing. Rex just stared down at you in complete adoration. Feeling your lips part, you quickly looked down to the wound you’d tended the last time you saw him in this position.
“I see that’s healed up nicely,” you swallowed harshly, hearing Rex take a deep breath.
“Are we going to talk about this?” Rex asked, softly reaching a hand to brush against yours.
“About…what?” you said, staring at the wound’s scar until Rex hooked a finger under your chin and tilted your gaze to meet his, you parted your lips again, looking up through your eyelashes.
“Us,” Rex finally said.
There it was, finally out in the open. You wanted to completely give him your emotions, you wanted to give him your heart, but you stopped to think. 
“I- we- I-,” you stuttered, feeling his thumb stroke your bottom lip smoothly in a back and forth gesture, “what will people say? If I’m…with…a Captain.”
“I know what people will say, and I don’t care,” Rex said, voice growing quieter, “the people who know you will know you’ve gotten here on pure talent. That’s not how this army is run, and I certainly won’t let anyone think less than you deserve.”
You smiled, closing your eyes, a million thoughts rushing through your mind, you tried to hear yourself think over the sound of your heartbeat pounding in your ears. Taking a bit longer than expected, you felt Rex’s hand fall away as he stepped back, and you opened your eyes.
“Nothing you don’t wish,” he said, giving you a respectful nod you’d seen him do a million times to fellow soldiers.
Your heart sank, did you miss your one moment? Squeezing your eyes shut, you looked down, now you wanted to do nothing more than cry.
“We’d better try and get some rest,” Rex remarked, avoiding your eyes as he made his way over to the edge of the bed. 
You came over to the other side, but instead of seeing him join you in the bed, he sank down to the floor. Realizing he’d found supplied, you felt a letdown and knew it was all your fault. Settling in, Rex waited for you to click the light off, but you hesitated thinking things over. This was your chance, and you weren’t going to miss it.
“Hey…Rex?” you spoke timidly.
Rex turned just enough to look up at the edge of the bed, where he found you, peeking over. 
“Yes?” He tried not to laugh at how timid you were.
“You…you can sleep up here,” you furrowed your brows, almost pleading for him to say yes.
“Alright,” he nodded, getting up as you moved over to your side of the bed once again. 
He joined you, staying very clearly on his side when you clicked off the light. There was still a flush of dim light coming in from a high window, but it was largely blocked by rocks, leaving the room streaked with moonlight. Rex took a deep breath, running through how he possibly could have read your signs and hints wrong. He was just beginning to feel stupid over even imaging you had feelings for him when he felt you shift and then shift again until eventually, your body came into contact with his. You’d pressed yourself against him, your chest touching his back, your forehead pressed softly between his shoulder blades. Rex smiled to himself, feeling the shape of your frame in comparison to his, but he tried to convince himself it was only because you wanted to feel safe. That mindset soon shifted when he felt you press your lips to his shoulder blade, your hand sliding up along his side, feeling every battle scar he had from his ribs to his chest.
Softly, and gently, he turned over to face you. Keeping your hand against his side, you tried not to separate too far away from him. Your heart was beating faster than ever before as you met his gaze, you could see his dilated pupils from the darkness and the emotion so strongly running between the two of you. You were near shaking with anticipation for what he was going to say when he dipped to kiss you. Relaxing completely, you closed your eyes and melted into his touch. Rex caresses your jawline with one hand. You didn’t want to part, and only at the last minute did you break apart. Chest heaving, you felt a smile come to your lips as you caught your breath, Rex pressing his forehead to yours.
“Good thing we have a medic,” Rex sighed, catching his breath.
“That’s a terrible line,” you giggled as he pressed his lips to yours again, his arms coming around to support you; you wrapped your arms around his neck as he turned you onto your back, sheets slipping down to your waists.
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waterlilyspad · 1 year
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I-
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Man don’t even talk to me.
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one-real-imonkey · 2 years
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The joy it brings me every time I see fan art and fan vids and posts and fics about the Corries and Fox now, you guys have no idea.
When I started doing Fox and Corrie stuff it felt like a fight, there was so little I could find and so much I was having to build up for my fics and HC posts without much popular fanon to go from. And I got hate for liking Fox, quite a lot of it.
And now there’s so much and so many people and it really hasn’t been that long, 2 years maybe, but Fox isn’t hated anymore, the Corries aren’t being ignored anymore, they get content now, and it’s so weird but so amazing I love it.
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teaospin · 1 year
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Any Clone Battalion: Exists
Battalion Clone Commander: OK LADS, Listen up!
Battalion Clones: SIR!
Clone Commander: We are going to link up with the 327th after the next rotation, they need help dealing with another exotic planet! So get yourself a set by then men!
Battalion Clones: Sir Yes Sir!
Clone Commander: …
Battalion Clones: …
Battalion CT 01: Sir?
Clone Commander: You know what that means troopers…
Battalion CT 02: Oh…
Battalion CT 01: Oh yeah, THAT…
Battalion CT 03: Awww, we just painted them!
Clone Commander: Do you troopers want the 327th to launch you all out of an airlock?
Battalion Clones: No sir!
Clone Commander: THEN GET TO SCRUBBING THOSE SECURA PAINTINGS OFF THE GUNSHIPS.
Battalion Clones: *dejectedly* Sir Yes Sir…
Clone Commander: I leave for one week and you all regress to degenerates… I swear, I’m glad we have a old geezer for a General.
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ospins-sweet-tea · 1 year
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Behold- MY CLONE WARS MOBILE SUIT CONCEPTS/IDEAS (in 501st colors)
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Not sure if these are in super high quality- so might either repost or edit later (if I can) but here we go! The art itself is not mine of course- these are kitbashes/customs done using lineart sourced from official gundam source books on Imgur and Pixiv
So to preface this- I have always had a crossover idea in my head of “what if mecha was in the Star Wars universe?” And while I’ve dabbled with direct crossovers in my time a lot… the idea of INCORPORATING the said elements I enjoy about both, or trying to include another franchise into a larger one’s “portfolio” is something I WHOLEHEARTEDLY enjoy a lot.
With that in mind, awhile ago, I went about customizing and kitbashing some Universal Century Federation Suits to have a more “Star Warsy” feel to them and fit in with the GAR and clone elements/sorta “homage” to them. Also for this, I had gone in with how Gundam tends to treats Mobile suits, as the standard form of to fight MOST ground battles and such- with space having their type of MS for that. (This is a very simple way to explain it)
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OFC, since I’m doing 501st colored MS- I had to do Rex’s as well, that’s why his P2 still retains that more shaper P1 visor look- and has additional Stark Armor to help make his “Pauldron” stand out- and the two head mounted Vulcan pods sorta stand in for his pistols, plus his rangefinder.
These Republic Mobile Suits use mostly GM and Jegan elements- with the “Phase 01” borrowing more of the wonky design of the Jegan and G-Line head (plus GM II legs for base units and officers have GM III for a sense of higher performance and skill) due how I felt it fit with the way Phase 01 armor was supposed to be “awkward and uncomfortable” while the Phase 02 leans more into the GM III and Type D Jegan, going more for a SOLID and “rugged” sort of look with how more streamlined it looks, plus with how GM III and Jegan Type D’s are more than often easier to customize (at least in the way clone armor is) it made it easier to give some more “references” to the clone armor with things like “pauldrons” and skirt armor in place of the “Kama.
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mothask · 2 years
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@blitzythefanvergentpitsterthings asked: Why
The plot, that’s always why. Also, everyone say thank you Bly.
I’ll be screenshotting asks from the old account and posting them here, please feel free to send in more asks to this account :) as I’ll be answering them here from now on.
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morgan-rubenis · 1 year
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I've just watched the final episodes of the clone wars and I cant get over it. (SPOILERS AHEAD)
The way Rex tries to fight order 66 and even mentions fives bc he now knows fives was telling the truth about all of it. Also Ahsoka finding the information to take out Rex's chip ahhhhhhhh murder.
The ending makes you feel so sad with the fact you know all thoes clones have been buried by people who loved them (Rex and Ahsoka) and the fact Vader picks up Ahsoka's lightsaber.
What upsets me more is the fact I've heard that the clones have a really rough time under the empire and that they weren't as happy as when they were serving under the jedi.
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thatonegenzbitch · 1 year
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Those episodes of clone wars where anakin Ahsoka and Obi-Wan are stuck on that weird ass spirit world type shit planet are cool and all but like- the whole premise of those episodes are that they’re trapped there because the old guy’s two children bring balance to the force together or whatever and can’t be split up but like one of them is a beautiful Galadriel type princess who’s power is beauty grace and being elegant in space and then there’s the motherfucking rat bastard son of a bitch who literally craves violence like yeah ok they’re supposed to be symbolic and parallels to anakin and ahsoka but like- just kill the fucking son
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waterlily707 · 2 years
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So currently me and a friend of mine have been playing Portal 2 together :)
The game is so much fun and a huge part of my childhood 😢
So uh since i have an unquenchable obsession here's the portal clone wars au.
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deewithani · 3 months
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Well, this year was a little rough (understatement for a lot of people/reasons, ngl), and I didn't get any irl presents this year, but the fandom here has just been wonderful with all the holiday gifts that were lovingly created for us all, and I just want to send out a big thank you to everyone who made this holiday a bit brighter for all of us!
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It has come to my attention that a 3000 word fanfiction can bring me to tears faster than watching a movie specifically curated to promote emotional catharsis
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spilledkauffie · 2 years
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🤍 Nurse of the 501st — “Orphanage”
Pairing: Captain Rex x FemaleNurse!Reader (ft. the 501st) Word Count: 6.4k T/W: fluffy ☁️ A/N: I was so happy with this one tbh, so I hope you enjoy it too!
On a mercy mission with Rex, you find a crumbling orphanage and wind up stuck with the children underground while attempting to find a way back to the surface.
Preface / Injured / 79's / Orphanage / Suit Up / Taken (pt.1)
↳ m a i n m a s t e r l i s t
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Rex offered his hand to you as you stepped off the supplies ship, it had a bit more of a drop compared to the usual assault transports. Shifting your medic bag to your hip, you placed your hand in Rex’s and took the big step, which was more like a jump for you; Rex stabilised you as your feet met the planet’s surface. 
“Thanks,” you smile, Rex meeting you with a smirk and a nod, before heading to unload the cargo.
You and Rex had been assigned to deliver supplies cargo to an orphanage on a planet the Republic was occupying for ease of passage through the system. General Skywalker opted to send just the two of you in order to avoid appearing as if the Republic was establishing forces on the planet. Rex only agreed since there was no sign of Separatists in the system and it was a mercy mission. You on the other hand were excited that you and Rex would get a mission alone and that the General trusted you.
When you landed, you had set down away from the orphanage, as to not stir up attention around the area, but there was quickly a plethora of children swarming towards your ship, predominantly interested in the fancy transport as well as Rex in his shiny armour and signature clone helmet. They gathered around him and stared.
“Are you a clone?” A bright-eyed child craned their neck to look up at Rex’s helmet.
“Do you have a face? Or are you all actually droids?” Another questions him, crossing their little arms over their chest.
“I wanna be a soldier,” a little Ithorian said, his translator humming as he spoke. 
“You can’t be one, stupid, they’re manufactured,” a Weequay nudged his friend.
“Alright, settle down now, younglings,” Rex began, “yes, I’m a clone, yes I have a face, no I’m not a droid,” Rex methodically took off his helmet and held it at his side, between his forearm and his torso, “see? And it’s not being a clone that makes a good soldier, it’s the spirit. Now, where’s the orphanage supervisor?”
The children were stunned and star-struck with Rex, you weren’t certain any of them were going to move, but soon after he asked a question, they all rushed to be the first one to answer, bouncing up and down, some waving their arms for him to follow them, one Duro girl even tugging at his uniform.
“He left before you got here when he- when he,” The Duro girl bounced, tugging at Rex to make sure she had his attention, “when he saw your ship enter the atmosphere he left but said he’d be back soon!!” 
“Alright, alright,” Rex spread his hands out, “Angel?” He looked back to find you simply waiting, enjoying just observing him interact with the kids. For once he was the one feeling out of his league and you were feeling a bit more at home; a lot of kids came through the hospital wing and you were nurturing by nature, so they didn’t scare you; as for Rex his tone was practically a plea for you not to leave him alone with the knee-highs.
“Right behind you, Captain,” you lifted the hand you’d been using to cover your growing smile, signalling where you were for him. 
All the kids instantly stopped, turning back to stare at you for the first time, until one finally asked, “wait- you’re a clone too?” 
“Oh, no, I’m just the medic,” you admit with a kind smile, “but I am a part of the 501st Legion,” you said proudly, glancing over to Rex who was absolutely beaming with pride as you spoke those words. Once again, the children stared up in silence, glancing between you and Rex, back and forth, no doubt formulating their own ideas.
“Can I carry your helmet?” A young Torgruta asked breaking the silence, pointing with her whole arm extended towards where it rested in Rex’s possession.
“Ah. . .,” Rex hesitated, but at least he’d had some experience with her species, so he felt a little more at ease, “sure.”
Handing over the helmet the kids all ran towards the orphanage, some trying to take it from the Togruta, but when she hissed and showed her teeth, still some missing, they backed off. Rex shook his head with a furrowed brow, placed his hands on his hips and let out a deep exhale as if he’d just made it out of a near-death experience. Turning his head when he heard you giggle, he dropped his hands, before crossing them over his chest.
“Did I miss something?” He asks, knowing fully well you’re most likely laughing at him.
“No,” you press your lips together, looking over at him, disposition shifting from amused to a subtlety longing, “it’s nothing. . ., it’s just nice to see you get a taste of normalcy amidst the war. I’ve never seen you with kids before, and I think it’s sweet.”
Your gaze lingers on each other, but soon you’re drawn to a child waving you both down under the archway of the orphanage. Flashing Rex a genuine smile, eyes soft, you squeeze your shoulder up and tilt your head, “you think you’ll survive this one, Captain?”
Rex hesitates to answer, still caught in your previous comment, but he soon returns to his normal self, “not without you, and I still have a feeling this might be the hardest mercy mission yet.” 
You laugh at his sarcasm, before taking steps in stride with Rex towards the orphanage. When you arrive, Rex has to duck to enter the small archway. It’s surprisingly small for a whole orphanage, but the children seem to be perfectly comfortable, each having their own part of the open room to themselves. There are drawings taped to the wall, each from a torn piece of paper that the kids had to share. All the toys looked generations older than them, and their stuffed animals had multiple patches. Glancing at Rex, you knit your eyebrows together; they needed this more than either of you imagined. Their spirits were so joyful, you would have never guessed.
“My-my name’s Luka,” a small Tholothian boy tugs at your uniform sleeve.
“Why hello, Luka,” you kneel down.
“You’re- you’re very pretty,” he stutters and you hear Rex chuckle behind you, “would you like to see my drawings?”
“Of course I would,” you answer with a smile, standing and letting him take your hand, pulling you towards his makeshift room, which is really a bed against a wall between two others just like it, but his space is filled with drawings, chalk, and crayons.
Rex makes himself busy with stacking the supply boxes from the ship to the centre of the orphanage. Every time he leaves the orphanage there’s a trail of little ones right on his heel, the Togruta with his helmet never far behind in the crowd of children asking him questions.
“Have you fought in lots of battles?” a child asks, skipping to keep up with Rex’s stride.
“Um, yes, I’ve fought in a good amount,” Rex admits, not wanting to get into too much detail of what he’s seen in them.
“Did you even kill somebody?” the Duro girl questions.
“Of course he has!” the Weequay answers for Rex, who’s busy shaking his head and picking up another box, carefully turning around, watching his step to avoid stepping on any toes with how close the kids were to him.
“Well, how would you know?” The Duro raised her voice.
“Because-” the Weequay began, raising his tone to match hers.
Although Rex could hear them, his attention was immediately drawn elsewhere; he set the cargo back on the transport.
“Wait, wait,” Rex bent down, placing his arms in front of the children; he paused, glancing around like a Nexu hunting, “let me see that, lil’ one.”
Rex carefully reached out for his helmet, staying hunkered down as he flipped his scope down with two fingers, surveying the horizon. It was too quiet, except for a very distinct distant buzzing; it sounded like a pack of hornets. Immediately, Rex collected the little ones behind him and started telling them to head back towards the orphanage, luckily they all obeyed and managed to keep a pretty good pace. Rex could have easily passed them when he turned to run himself, but he kept his pace slower in order to cover their six from the oncoming danger.
Meanwhile, you and Luka were busy admiring his artworks; Luka proudly set them all in your lap as he stood on his bed and unpinned them from the wall. Soon all you could hear was Rex in the distance yelling something inaudible from so far away. Luka perked up at the sound, causing you to speak a response, in order to put him at ease. 
“Now what do you imagine Captain Rex has gotten himself into this-“
Your gentle tone was paused when you saw the look of terrified children running your way, followed by Rex with one blaster in hand, coming towards the orphanage at full speed. You furrowed your brows and tried to listen harder for the order coming from your captain.
“Cover- take cover- bombs!” Rex yelled and you managed to hear from across the large room. Turning to Luka, you shielded him, grabbing him as gently as you could in such as rush. taking him completely in your arms and hunkering down. 
You looked up to see where the rest of the children were, but they hadn’t even made it into the orphanage yet. Rex was yelling out your location into his comlink. Your heart raced so fast, you were certain Luka could feel it with how tightly you were holding him. A near panic came over you when you felt the first bomb hit, thankfully a miss. But no matter, it was enough force to shake the planet’s surface and start to disrupt the stability. 
Staring to where Rex was, he was now headed into the orphanage, children gathered in one place, and he was on his way to you, arm extended to the full length, Rex spread his fingers, reaching for your extended arm, but you had to pull it back to shield Luka as you felt the ground beneath you give way, the planet had split right between the two of you, and the last things you heard was Rex calling your name as you closed your eyes, cradled Luka, and then— it all went black–
Opening your eyes in quick blinks, there was complete darkness surrounding you. Your lungs stung and your whole body ached, but instinctively you were feeling what was last in your arms. Exhaling no matter how much it hurt, you were beyond thankful Luka was still near you. You felt his hands curled into fists at the collar of your uniform, he had clung to you for dear life. Hearing his little cough was one of the best sounds at the moment, and you rested your head back down on the rock underneath you. The planet’s surface broke and you assumed you were underneath the orphanage, but your mind wondered what happened to the other kids, to Rex. 
“Angel!” Rex’s voice called, it sounded muffled and distant. 
“Rex?” You groaned, not wanting to move, but knowing you needed to. It wasn’t as easy as you thought it was going to be. There were rocks toppled onto you. Once you shovelled enough off of you to stand hunched over, then you gently pulled Luka out of the rubble. Reaching into your medic bag still strapped to your side, you clicked on a flashlight. Surveying your surroundings you weren’t met with much diversity. Just rock, rock, and a little more rock.
“Rex?” You yelled tapping again on a random rock that seemed to be acting as a barrier. A few moments passed, and doubt crept into your mind, before hearing his voice call your name again, “yeah,” you sighed, before swallowing, trying to remain calm, “I’m okay- I’m with Luka.”
“My arm really hurts,” you heard Luka begin to sniffle behind you. 
Directing your attention to him, you knelt to get down on his level, examining the injury, “we’ve got a broken arm, definitely broken,” you admitted, “so I’ll need you to stay very still while I place it and give you something for the pain, Luka, can you do that?”
Your voice was gentle and encouraging, never doubting. Luka nods bravely, despite his scared eyes telling you a whole different story, “this is really scary,” he suddenly speaks, eyes brimming with tears. 
“I know, but we’re gonna be okay, I promise” you place a soft hand on his shoulder, “c’mon, we’re going to find Captain Rex.”
Luka nods, wiping away his few tears with the back of his curled up hands as you pick him up, carrying him on your hip. You look around with the flashlight guiding and notice there’s a distinct path parallelling the wall that Rex was calling at you from behind. You announced that you were following the path, and waited to see if Rex would respond, but you didn’t want to linger too long.
Thankfully he answered, “Okay, I’ll find you,” he responded, “stay safe.”
Relaxing from his proximity to the wall, he closed his eyes, sending a prayer up to the stars that you’d be okay after all.
“Mr. Rex?” A small voice called out, “what should we do now?”
Turning around, he surveyed the rest of the kids, they were terrified. They didn’t deserve this.
“Okay…well, if we stay in one place, we might…,” Rex looked down at all the little faces staring back up at him, and opted to choose his words more carefully, “we might find the air getting a little more stuffy.”
“They’re stealing our air?” one little girl gasped, horrified, “why would they steal our air?”
“Stop taking so much of it then,” the Weequay corrected, genuinely upset.
Rex held out his hands to ward off any infighting, but as he stepped between the two, the little Duro, with bright ruby eyes met him. For a moment Rex just stared down, luckily the child could only see the helmet, not the eye roll Rex gave behind it as he anticipated more talking and less silence, despite his oxygen comment.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Rex, sir,” the little one chimed in cheerfully, “I can hold my breath for three whole minutes.”
Sighing, Rex watched the Duro take a deep breath and close their eyes tightly as if somehow that would help their lungs; they lasted all of about thirty seconds, at best. But when they glanced up, Rex couldn’t help but feel he should be encouraging, especially in a time like this. These kids had no idea what their futures would be, half of them didn’t even know where they came from, and now it was up to him to make sure they had a future, no matter what.
“That’s…great, kid, really great,” Rex’s tone was almost believable, but there was mild sarcasm, “keep it up.”
The Duro smiled and kept repeatedly holding her breath for a few seconds and letting it go, taking a deep breath, and repeating the process. 
“Alright, cadets,” Rex said by a habit, “I need everyone to follow me, single file and no fighting; we’re going to reconnect with Luka and Agnel and-”
“Do you love her?” the Togruta blinked widely.
“Yeah, do you?” the Ithorian boy seconded excitedly.
Rex tensed, there was a light feeling in his stomach, as if someone had turned off the gravity inside. 
“Ah, well, she’s-” Rex started, squeezing his gloved hand closed while he tried to think of an answer quick, he didn’t trust kids, he knew that they repeated everything no matter who it was in front of, so he gave the truth in a different way, “I love that she’s my medic.” He even winced under his helmet at the pathetic attempt, when the kids all stared at him, not entirely satisfied with his answer, Rex just cleared his throat and changed the topic, “now let’s move out.”
Luckily there was a path on their side as well and it seemed to parallel yours. It wasn’t terribly long, but to Rex, it felt like forever, between his worry over you and the children’s constant chatter and voice fluctuations. As for you and Luka, the pain had subsided after the medicine you gave him and it was relatively quiet. Until the kid’s voices became clearer and clearer.
“Aura?” Luka spoke quietly, a smile growing on his face, “that’s Aura, she’s my best friend!” He bounced in your arms, pointing toward the wall.
You smiled back and went up to the wall, “Rex?” You tapped hard, “Rex? Can you hear us?”
“We hear you!” A choir of little voices chimed.
“I think the rubble is thinner here,” you called out, but were met with silence.
“Stand back, at least a few feet,” Rex instructed.
You did as he said, taking extra pacing just in case. You set Luka down and covered him; your back facing towards the sudden, but small blast that caused the wall to scatter into smaller rubble. Looking over your shoulder, you blinked rapidly at the smoke and Luka coughed. Standing, you went towards the explosion cautiously, trying to see if it had worked.
A familiar figure stepped through the division.
“Rex,” you exhaled his name, the relief of actually seeing him alive and okay washed over you; closing your eyes as he brought you into the tightest hug he’d given you yet. You reached your arms around his neck, slipping your hand just high enough to actually touch his skin where the helmet made a gap as he dipped down.
“We’re all okay,” Rex answered your silent question.
“Okay, good, okay,” you stayed in his arms, all the worry hitting you at once, what if you’d lost him, what if Luka hadn’t made it, what if you never found him?
“How’s the lil’ one?” Rex asked quietly, hoping to keep it between you and him.
“He’s doing good, but I can’t heal it completely down here,” you admit, pulling away from him, keeping your hands against his biceps, “who could have done this?”
“I have my ideas,” Rex says confidently, “but I think we should probably hold off that conversation.”
“Do you love Mr. Rex?” a familiar voice piped up, making Rex sigh; you looked around him to see inquiring eyes.
You met Rex’s eyes, or at least you looked to the slit in his helmet, before getting distracted, “wait-what is she doing?”
“She’s holding her breath, I told her to keep it up,” Rex shrugged, not entirely sure why he’d kept encouraging it other than to get some silence from one of them.
“You keep encouraging that, and I think we might see a Duro turn a whole new shade of blue,” you perked an eyebrow, silently commenting on his encouragement tactics, before turning serious, “do you think the tunnels go somewhere safe? Is it worth the risk?”
“I can’t be certain of anything right now, I tried to get our location back up to the General, but I think it’s worth a shot to try and get out on our own,” Rex said, “I’ve still got blasters and you’ve got the first aid kit, I think it’s our best chance…with cooperation,” Rex groaned, hearing another match startup behind him.
Shaking your head, it amazed you how Rex could command legions amidst battle, but a handful of kids completely took him down. You agreed and picked Luka back up, carrying him as the medicine made him feel weak. Rex lead the group and you brought up the back, making sure everyone was accounted for at each turn and tunnel change. You weren’t sure how long you walked, but you tried to keep everyone’s spirits up when they questioned anything. The last thing you wanted was for the kids to begin worrying.
“Mr. Rex, sir,” the little Rodian girl, named Aura, called out, waiting until Rex turned to face her to continue, “sir, I’m so tired, sir.”
Rex sighed, shoulders falling, but quickly reminded himself they were not troopers, they were children. He looked around as if to find any sign of the time, but it was pitch black save the handheld flashlight you had and his helmet’s light. You, in the meantime, made your way to the front, Luka still settled on your hip. Rex automatically raised a hand, offering it to you, and leaving it as something to hold onto just in case the ground was rocky or the planet had another aftershock wave.
“Sleeping on the job,” Rex commented in a soft tone, clicking off his helmet light, seeing the child you were holding fast asleep, his little head resting on your shoulder, and arms clasped, now more loosely than before, around your neck, “and I’m not even sure if we should be sleeping.”
“I know it’s hard to tell what time it is,” you agreed, “but I’d guess it’s night, or about to be,” Rex gave a familiar head tilt that told you to go on, “well, these kids have been raised here, which means their internal clocks are probably our best sign of the time at the moment. When they’re tired, hungry, everything.”
Looking back to the group, Rex saw a few rubbing their eyes, while others gave yawns, some even leaning against the walls.
“You’re right,” Rex nodded, “I’ll scout a little further, you head back to the cove we passed, it’s probably the safest bet; start finding places soft enough to sleep, with what we’ve got that is.”
Rex’s tone sank into a pessimistic tone at the end of his sentence as he looked around once more; you placed your free hand on his chest plate, bringing his attention back to you “we’ve got each other, that’ll be enough.”
You smiled your best, and Rex nodded again, before gently tapping the small of your back and clicking his helmet light back on while he scouted.
“Okay everybody,” you announced, “we’re headed back to the cove to get some sleep!”
A very tired “yay” could be heard by Rex as he made his way further ahead. When he came back to the cove himself, he found all the kids asleep, sprawled out on the ground. Rex looked over to your body, which you had taken to making as small as you could in a corner. He knew you were trying to put the kids first, giving them as much comfortable space as possible in the close quarters, but this was different. After all the kids had fallen asleep you had gone silent, near radio silent. Rex practically tiptoed around the sleeping little ones, which wasn’t an easy task since he could hardly stand upright in the small space. Meanwhile, huddled into a little ball your knees were tucked into your chest, arms wrapped around them, chin resting against your forearm.
Rex turned his blaster to stun before holstering it and joining you on the floor, “how you holding up?”
You took a deep breath, shakily; you wanted to answer, but no words came. A little disappointed in yourself, you turned to Rex with tear lined eyes, hoping he’d understand simply by that. 
“I know,” Rex’s tone immediately shifted from a commander asking his soldier how they were to someone who cared deeply. 
He scootched a little closer, and naturally, you leaned into him, letting go of your knees you brought your hands up to hug yourself, resting your head against his shoulder. It was a comfort having Rex so close, you finally felt safe. It was hard to keep a front up, given that this was your first experience like this since leaving Coruscant and if you were honest you were pretty scared. But at the same time, you didn’t want to scare the kids— the emotions were pulling you two ways, and being near Rex seemed to calm the mental tug-of-war for now. It no longer made you nervous or timid to be close to Rex, after your long night at 79’s talking through your emotions a bit more, you felt at home when you were with him.
Taking a deep breath in, you spoke in a low voice just in case the kids could hear despite being asleep, “we’re gonna be okay,” you tilted your head back to look up at Rex, eyebrows knit together, “right?”
Seeing two stray tears chase each other down your cheek simultaneously, Rex met your eyes. He didn’t want to lie to you, but he wasn’t entirely certain of anything either. 
Using the back of his hand to wipe away your tears, he began, “we’ll get through this together; I promise..” 
You nod slowly, taking a deep breath and exhaling again, in an attempt to calm yourself, “who do you think did this?”
Rex took a deep inhale, thinking over his hypothesis, “well, I wouldn’t put it past Dooku to bomb an orphanage.”
“But why?” you asked absolutely appalled and filled with emotion, another tear running down your skin, “they’re just kids.”
“My best guess is the Separatists heard that the 501st was coming, Dooku assumed General Skywalker would be on the grounds along with three battalions at least, so he paid off the orphanage director to give up the location and time of our arrival, that’s why he left the orphanage when he was our ships enter the atmosphere,” Rex concluded, looking over to you, who hadn’t stopped staring while listening, Rex managed a smirk, “unfortunately for him, he only got us, and he missed at that.”
You shook your head, “they’ve been through so much,” you look to the kids, “they lost a place they thought could be home, they were betrayed by someone they looked up to, it’s just not fair.”
“No,” Rex began, not looking to the kids, but still at you, “it’s not fair. But it’s my job to make sure every single person gets out, and that’s exactly what I plan on doing.”
“Let me help, just tell me how- tell me what to do,” you glance back to your Captain.
“For now, I want you to rest, as much as you can,” he tells you in a soft tone, “I need you sharp and healthy, more than you know, Ang’.” Rex runs a finger along your jawline, before pressing his forehead to yours.
“Sir, yes, sir,” you close your eyes, exhaling.
That was the last thing you remember, before turning onto your side and falling asleep. You woke up to the gentle shoving of Aura at your shoulder. Waking up swiftly, slightly startled, thinking the worst had happened, you looked over your shoulder to find Rex at your back and the rest of the kids all starting to stir. It must be morning, you thought to yourself going off their clocks. 
“Aura,” you took her hand in yours, “what is it?”
“Luka’s not feeling well,” she sounded in a near panic. “Okay,” you nodded picking up your medic bag and following her to where you had settled Luka the night before. She was right, he looked much worse. He had a running fever and was still tired, his arm turning to terrible bruising. You began digging for more medicine when Rex appeared at your side.
“We’re not looking too good, we really need to get to the surface,” you spoke without looking up from Luka, “he needs higher doses; doses that I don’t have on me.”
“Alright, everybody up?” Rex turned and called; for the most part, he was met with enthusiastic spirits again, except for Luka and Aura, and a few who didn’t want to keep walking. Their little feet were tired and the constant darkness of being underground scared them, but they tried their best. 
It didn’t take long for everyone to get on their feet and moving again. Once more you held the back of the line, now with Aura holding tightly onto your medic bag that rested at your hip while you carried Luka carefully. Rex led the group.
 “Are you married?” the Togruta asked him cheerfully.
“No,” Rex responded shortly, looking right and left at a split in the tunnels, deciding which path looked safer.
“Do you want to be?” she pushed innocently.
“Maybe, someday,” Rex took the middle ground again.
“Would you marry Angel?” she continued.
Rex sighed deeply, hating how blunt children could be.
“I’d marry her, she’s nice,” the Ithorian twiddled his fingers.
“I’d marry you,” the Togruta said to Rex a little louder than expected, causing it to echo through the tunnel.
“Thanks,” Rex shook his head, not sure what to say to that information, “any other questions?” He asked more sarcastically and rhetorically.
“I have a question,” the Weequay raised his hand, “are we actually going somewhere? I think we’re lost.”
You instantly felt sad, knowing that Rex was doing everything he could, you also knew that neither of you really knew where to go; you’d never been to the planet before and you didn’t exactly plan on getting stuck under the surface of it. Otherwise, you absolutely would have asked Echo for all the maps he could find for research.
“I don’t think we’ll ever see sunlight again,” the Duro girl panicked.
“Can’t we just force our way out?” the Weequay punched the air repeatedly with a determined look.
“That’d cave us in, dummy,” the Duro corrected, putting her little hands on her hip.
“Force- wait…wait,” Rex pauses, halting all the kids, and you follow suit, looking to the front of the line. Rex makes his way back to you, “I need to talk to you, I have an idea.”
“Okay?” you furrow your eyebrows, wondering what kind of plan he had in mind since it was obvious he wanted to talk to you alone.
Setting Luka onto the floor gently, Aura right by his side, Rex instructed them to stay put as he took your hand suddenly, leading you only a few paces away. He removed his helmet, letting you know it was serious.
“I have a plan, but it all depends on you,” he started and you grew wary, but you let him continue, “you are- you’re force sensitive-”
“Rex-” you dropped your arms, looking away.
“Hear me out, hear me out,” he gently placed his hand on your side, keeping you in front of him; taking a deep breath you looked back to him, “I think that you could use the force to get us out of here.”
“Rex…that was a long time ago,” you hugged yourself, looking to the ground away from him for a moment, before continuing, new anxiety to your tone, “and I failed. I failed those kinds of tests that require moving things. I couldn’t do it for the council-”
“I know, I know,” Rex says softly, sliding his hands down your arms, comfortingly, seeing that you were beginning to feel the past pressing down on you, “but…that was for the Jedi council, doesn’t the force thrive in all things?” he gives you a look of encouragement, like a captain assuring his soldier that they can make it, but so much more intimate, “your force didn’t intend you to be a general, or a Jedi, your force is for healing, helping, and saving lives, this is your calling, if this works it could save all their lives. And I know you can do this.”
You opened your mouth to protest but closed your lips. “There is…one thing I remember,” you meet his eyes, “ I’m not familiar with his force, but maybe, maybe, I could reach the General.”
“A maybe from you is more than enough for me,” Rex said, nodding until you joined him and gave a soft ‘okay.’
You returned to the children, checking on Luka first; you felt his pain heightening through the force. Stroking his forehead, you took a deep breath and moved to the front of the line, Rex right behind you.
“What do you need me to do?” Rex asked.
“Just…,” you rubbed your arms as you hugged yourself again, feeling just as nervous as you had been before the Jedi Council, “keep the kids back, I don’t know if this will work or what will happen so…”
“I’m right behind you in you need me,” Rex assured you, taking steps back, “kids, gather up behind me.”
Looking around you found a wall of rock straight ahead, placing a hand on it you closed your eyes and began what you remembered.
“I am one with the force,...and the force is with me,” you whispered, softly repeating the phrase, until your voice faded and you were only mouthing the words, speaking them through your thoughts–
“You’re certain this was the final location Rex gave you, General?” Admiral Yularen questioned through the comlink.
“I’m positive,” Anakin knelt down to touch the surface of the ruined orphanage.
“How did this happen?” Fives exclaimed.
“Separatists,” Anakin answered.
“There’s little chance anyone could have survived this,” Kix admitted, voice sounding broken; he believed he’d lost his captain and his best friend in the same day, “I suggest…we start looking through the rubble since they’re probably–.”
Anakin stood to his full height, waving a handout, indicating a request for silence, “Fives, Kix, Echo, follow me,” he suddenly spoke, taking off into a sprint.
The troops gave a confused look to each other as they were sprinting away from the orphanage site and into the bleak dusty desert. Still, they trusted their General and followed. Finally, Anakin stopped.
“I don’t- this, it’s-,” he stuttered, looking around, lightsaber still swinging at his side, he looked just as confused as his men.
“Sir?” Echo questioned.
“It’s- I can’t explain it, but stand back, all of you,” he then spoke to himself, “here’s hoping this works…”
“What is she doing?” Aura asked Rex, “is she okay?”
“Shh, we must be very quiet,” Rex gently whispered, noticing how hard you were concentrating. It almost appeared painful, your hand began shaking, and so did the pebbles around you; taking a few steps forward, he called your name questioningly, but there was no reply. When he tried again it seemed to jolt you out of a trance.
“I am one with the….with me,” you whispered, eyes rolling backwards, as you stumbled back from the wall, “force with me.”
Rex rushed forward by instinct, catching you as you fell back into his arms. A collective cry from the children came about, but Rex most distinctly heard Luka call your name through his tears. The kids gathered around Rex, who held you across his arms. Looking to the ceiling, Rex spotted a cave in.
“Back- back-” was all he could manage, moving back to where he had previously been waiting while you tried to centre yourself with the force. His body covered yours for protection and the kids were ducked down into little curled figures while the roof came down. When Rex opened his eyes all he could see was dust. “Captain!” Anakin Skywalker’s voice finally broke through, before he turned to a member of the 501st, “Kix, get my Captain out of there!”
Kix dropped and propelled line down and immediately made his way down with an even bigger medic bag in hand. Taking strides to get to Rex as quickly as he could, Kix brought out a harness clip, indicating that he was going to take Rex up with him.
“No, no,” Rex groaned, still holding you in his arms, “her first, that’s an order, Kix.”
“Yes, sir,” Kix didn’t hesitate to listen, happy to see you even though you weren’t looking your best. 
Rex gently supports your head as you’re exchanged into Kix’s arms. Rex’s touch lingers as Kix begins to attach the harness for support. Despite being unconscious, Rex swore he saw your fingers pry apart in an attempt to reach out for him.
“The kids!” You jolt awake, heart racing. Your wide eyes quickly closing at the bright light of the room you found yourself in. Two days underground really did a number on your eye adjustment. Putting your hands over your eyes, you breathe heavily,  a little startled at the sensation, you wondered if there was something wrong with you.
“Easy, you can rest now,” General Skywalker placed a hand compassionately on your shoulder as he comes into focus, your eyes adjust to the bright light.
Swallowing, you glance down at your hands, before snapping back to attention, “Rex- the kids-”
Anakin smiles to himself, “they’re all safe; the kids are at a temporary orphanage right here on Coruscant, in fact Luka can’t wait for you to visit; as for Rex…” Anakin’s gaze went beyond you and you followed, turning to find Rex standing at attention beside your bed, still in armour and all, “he hasn’t left your side.”
A quiet pause falls across the room, before Anakin cleared his throat, “Rex, I’ll see you as soon as you feel fit again,” Anakin nodded, turning to you again, “good work soldier.”
“Thank you,” you smile widely, having never heard those words before now.
Watching Anakin leave, you bit your bottom lip, slowly turning your head to look up at Rex.
“Well, you were right, we made it,” you tried to laugh a little, as he sat at the edge of the hospital bed.
“No, you were right,” Rex sets his helmet aside, before facing you completely. You tilt your head with a questioning look, it was his idea for you to use the force to connect with Anakin. Rex looks down at your slightly bruised hands, taking them both in his gently, “we had each other, and that was enough.”
You feel a familiar blush creep up your neck, turns out you weren't totally past getting flustered around him, “yeah, but you’re the one who hasn’t left my side.”
Rex chuckled, seeing your smile and eye brighten a little, but made sure you knew he was heartfeltly serious when he said, “and I don’t plan to.”
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ct-arc-echo · 2 years
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Dreaming had become a warped coping mechanism over the past several rotations. At first, it had started in attempt to put an end to the endless thoughts that whirled through his brain, a computer truly in overdrive, out of control and heading for a crash when sleep finally overtook Echo's exhausted body... and then came the nightmares.
Maybe that was too kind of a word for what they were, recalling terror, pain, and streams of numbers spilling through the forced connections anchored in his psyche... Brothers dead because of him. Fives was dead now, too. Echo didn't know too much about how his twin had passed, though it made bile stain his throat thinking he could have had a hand in that, as well.
When it all began, Echo would force his eyes shut, willing phantom limbs to unclench and relent in their aches, imagining a better location, a better time that didn't seem very long ago, curled up in Torrent's barracks with Fives' snoring keeping his mind just awake enough to find it annoying. If he pretended hard enough, the nightmare could be the one Echo had found himself in presently.
Visions of his brothers, laughter and easy banter guided his steps to sleep, easing the way into slumber as gently as one would coax a scared cadet from a broom closet on Kamino. In his dreams, Fives' arm never left his shoulders, Hardcase effortlessly evoked laughter even in the worst of moments, and even Kix would find himself pulled into their collective nonsense through Jesse's involvement. In those imaginary moments, he was alive again. In his dreams, the good ones, Echo could remember who he was, who he strived to be, what he liked, who he loved, and how to just exist. Eventually, falling into the fantasy of what reality once was became easier, and Echo could find himself drifting into a world he wanted to be a part of...
Until the night came when the dreams turned dark. His brother's faces warped, cold durasteel and wiring etching over their bodies, stripping his vode of their humanity, until all that was left were hardened, twisted forms that slunk towards his own tortured form, fixed in place on the operating table back with the Techno Union. The one place they had allowed a semblance of consciousness - needing their subject to be cognizant enough for intricate probing and delicate surgical interfacing to show the desired results, forming the connection between the biological anatomy and technological alterations.
Screams fell on deaf ears. Thrashing against the restraints did nothing but bruise and break his already weak body. Pain flooded through neurons, sparked every sense, wrapped around his soul like fire and burned until there couldn't possibly be anything left of whoever CT-1409, ARC trooper Echo, was. Drenched in sweat, lungs heaving as if Alpha 17 had been drilling troopers in PT, Echo would wake. And wake. And wake.
The nightmare truly was never over. The endless dream, the one they all seemed to have before things fell apart, had been replaced with a cruel punishment of reality.
Brothers dead, and Echo left behind. Brothers dead, and Echo's fault. Brothers dead, and maybe whoever Echo used to be, had died too, somewhere along the way. Brothers dead. Fives, dead.
Sometimes, Echo felt dead too.
Echo wished he was.
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cassandras-nest · 1 year
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...well, i guess it's time to come back to writing again then 😅😬
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teaospin · 1 year
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You cannot tell me that the ARF Troopers aren’t insane- you just can’t.
You don’t just CHARGE INTO THE ENEMY while riding a walking laser cannon or try to throw hands with a Commando Droid that just knocked your buddy into the air with a SINLGE PUNCH and then grabbed them mid-air to throw them into the ground like a empty bottle of water without being totally insane
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