Rex put a hand to his brow to block the sun as he watched the rebel starship land in the clearing up ahead. The coral trees of Atollon rattled as the wind kicked up, causing a family of dokma to scurry out to safety. It was a bit generous to call the area a hanger, even a makeshift one at that. The rebels had established a base of operations on this planet not that long ago and it was still a work in progress.
The crew piled out of the ship, Ahsoka among them. She stopped at the bottom of the ramp, deep in conversation with a few others while she passed off several datasticks, presumably filled with the intel she was sent to gather on the mission. Rex was tucked under the shade of a large coral tree, an adoring smile on his face as he enjoyed watching her in her element. She must have sensed his presence because she looked up at him and her expression instantly brightened. She politely excused herself from the group and headed towards him. As soon as she stepped out of view of the other rebels, he opened his arms and she jogged the last few feet to throw herself into his embrace.
"You're here!" she exclaimed, gripping his face to kiss him firmly on the cheek. "I wasn't expecting to see you for a few days. I thought you were off on a supply run with the Ghost crew?"
"We leave in about an hour. The scanners said your ship was coming in a bit earlier than scheduled." He pulled his hands out from behind her back lekku and trailed them down to cup her elbows. "So I wanted to come see you before I left."
Ahsoka smiled and stroked her fingers through his beard a few times. "You promise to behave yourself with Kanan this time?"
"Hey! He and I have come a long way," Rex defended. "I'd even go so far as to call us friends."
"Considering he saved your life, I would hope so," she quipped back.
He rolled his eyes. "That whole mess on the Imperial Interdictor when we rescued Ezra and Commander Sato? I had everything under control. Would have gotten out of there myself even without Kanan's help."
"Sure, Rex." She scrunched her nose at him. "Whatever you say." They both whipped their heads around at the sound of a loud crash. One of the transport vehicles had accidentally backed into a coral tree, causing a large branch to crack off and land on top of the rebel starship. The maintenance crew that was refueling the ship had jump out of the way and now jet fuel was steadily pouring out onto the ground. Ahsoka looked back at Rex. "So umm, how goes setting up the new base?"
He pinched the bridge of his nose with an exasperated sigh. "It's… going. Commanding a group of rebels is a lot harder than it looks."
She nodded sympathetically. "They're no clone troopers."
"That's for sure." He gestured towards the spectacle before them, where the maintenance crew was now slipping around in the slick oil as they tried to turn off the fuel pump. "If this was during the war, my men would have this place in tip-top shape and ready for operations in less than a day." The crew members finally got the jet fuel hose under control. They high-fived, then promptly slipped and fell on their backsides. Rex sighed. "They're trying though, I'll give them that."
"If you need some more military expertise, you could always ask Gregor and Wolffe to help you out," she suggested.
He chuckled. "Maybe someday. Though last I talked to Gregor, it sounded like the two of them were pretty content with retired life on Seelos."
She hummed in acknowledge then looked out at the quaint, but very busy settlement they've established on Atollon. "Have we at least upgraded our sleeping arrangements to something more than a tent?"
"I happen to like sleeping in a tent," he said with a playful nudge to her shoulder. "Reminds me of our early days on the run together."
"I suppose." She smiled fondly at the memory but then something mischievous glinted in her eyes. With a quick glance over her shoulder to make sure no one was watching, she pulled him further towards the stalk of the coral tree so they were completely obscured by its long shadow. "Though I don't like having to keep so quiet at night," she said lowly as she slinked her arms around his neck.
A growl of agreement rumbled deep in his chest. "Fair point." He locked his hands behind her waist, pulled her flush against him, and kissed her with an enthusiasm that was usually reversed for when they were alone.
Rex had been with the rebellion for nearly six months now. During that time, he's established himself as a revered military commander, provided intel that has gotten them ships, supplies, allies and numerous other resources, planned and led several dozen successful missions, and far exceeded his reputation as Ahsoka's loyal and trusted friend from during the Clone Wars.
What's more, Ahsoka was with him nearly every step of the way. They were Agent Tano and Captain Rex during official meetings. Fulcrum and her old clone captain to folks who didn't know them that well. And simply Ahsoka and Rex to those that did. They were a package deal. An inseparable team. An effective one too, given the success rate of their missions together. And despite how he was sure the rumor mill was wildly spinning throughout the rebellion about the true nature of their relationship, very few people confronted them about it. Maybe they were being respectful of their privacy. Or maybe it was such an obvious thing that everyone just KNEW.
They were professionals. Despite some charged moments of eye contact, lingering hands on shoulders, and embraces that might last a bit too long, they kept their more intimate displays of affections for when they were alone. But Rex had to admit, it was fun to push the boundaries a little bit. Forget about the rebellion, their duties, and everything else. Pretend like they were young again and let themselves be a little reckless. Although their love had never faltered over the years, the past months have been like a second chance for them. They could experience all the things that their fleeting time together after the war and many years apart never afforded them.
There was one time during one of their long, boring meetings that droned on forever when Ahsoka discreetly kept her hand on his thigh under the table, lightly grazing her fingers up and down the fly of his pants. Rex was so out of his mind by the end of the meeting, that he could barely wait for the room to clear out before yanking Ahsoka into the supply closet and bending her over a crate of medical supplies.
Another time she spent an entire trip through hyperspace in his lap as they ravaged each other's mouths so fiercely it was like they were stealing air from each other's lungs to survive. By the time they landed, her lips were so chapped from his beard that she had to make up an excuse about an allergic reaction to some bad rations.
Most recently, there was the night in their tent when she failed spectacularly at keeping quiet. She was a writhing mess on their bedroll while his mouth was busy at work between her thighs. The pillow she had smashed over her face did little to muffle the cries and moans of pleasure that erupted out of her.
Perhaps it was a bit irresponsible of them. Perhaps one day someone might catch them. Perhaps the two of them should realize they're grown adults now and they shouldn't act like frisky teenagers. But Rex didn't care about that. All he cared about was making sure that Ahsoka knew every day how much he loved her. In his words, in his actions, in the reassuring way he'd touch her in public and the very different ways he'd touch her when they were alone.
She would do the same for him. And although her words, actions, and touches left no doubt in his mind about how much she loved him, it was the way she looked at him that would pump his heart with enough vigor to last ten clone lifetimes. Despite the life of excitement and adventure she's led, despite how her Force powers have shown her mysteries and wonders that Rex couldn't even begin to comprehend, she still looked at him with so much love and adoration like he was the greatest thing she would ever lay eyes on in the entire galaxy.
Back in the present, Rex slowly crept his kisses across Ahsoka's cheek and down her neck, earning him a long, contented sigh from her. Just as he was about to make his way across her throat, his comlink starting blinking. He pulled away with a disappointed grumble. "That must be Hera. I should get going." Before he could step away, she pulled him back towards her.
"Rex, I need you to know something," she said as she took his hands in hers.
"What is it?" he asked softly, puzzled by the seriousness of her tone.
"I'm just… really happy." Her thumbs rubbed lazy circles on his wrist guards. "I never though this kind of happiness was possible. I know the galaxy is still a very dangerous place and there is a lot of work to be done to change that, but being here with you, fighting together in this rebellion, getting to be a team again-" When she lifted her gaze to him, the look in her eyes hit him like a rush of Force energy. "It's everything I've ever wanted."
He smiled and pulled her into one last embrace, holding her tightly against his chest and placing his lips firmly in the space between her montrals where he could feel the faintest trace of her pulse beating. "Me too."
Truthfully, there was one more thing Rex wanted. Something he was planning to ask Ahsoka about very soon…
The supply run was simple enough and Rex had been on dozens of them by this point. At first, he was pretty sure that Hera's offers and Ahsoka's encouragements for him to assist the Ghost crew was to give him and Kanan a chance to warm up to each other. Now that he and Kanan were on good terms – well, most of the time – he wasn't really sure why he was still asked to tag along. Maybe they appreciated his bartering skills with a swindling merchant. He could be pretty persuasive. Especially with his fists.
He was sitting in the galley of the Ghost with Zeb, double checking the list of agreed upon prices at the space station bazaar they were headed to, when Kanan entered the room. He gave the Jedi a curt nod to acknowledge his presence.
"We'll be dropping out of hyperspace in twenty minutes or so," Kanan said as he leaned against the counter. Rex mumbled a response, concentrating on the task at hand. He could feel Kanan's eyes still on him. "I'm surprised your girlfriend didn't tag along," he continued. "She usually makes up some excuse to join us on these supply runs when she's back on base."
"She just got back from a weeklong mission herself," Rex remarked casually, only half paying attention. He could sense a sudden shift in Kanan's demeanor and glanced up to see the Jedi frozen in place, eyes wide and a finger pointed at him.
"I knew it!" he exclaimed. "I knew you and Ahsoka were a THING!"
Rex cocked an eyebrow and looked over at Zeb, who shrugged. "Err, yeah? We weren't exactly hiding it." A playful half grin crept on his face. "Are you just realizing this now, Kanan?"
"Yeah, I've known for a while," commented Zeb.
Consumed with his own spiraling thoughts, Kanan was pacing back and forth in the galley. "I had my suspicions since that first debrief after we brought you back. The way you two were all-" He wrinkled his nose in disdain. "Cozy with each other. And you shared a bunk, then a tent, and always sitting together everywhere-" He stopped and looked at Zeb. "Wait, did you just say you've known for a while?"
"Yup," Zeb replied. "Since that same debrief. You do remember how they showed up together covered in hickeys, right?"
Kanan's eyes went wide again. He jerked his head to Rex, who confirmed his suspicions with a cocky grin. "And you didn't think to TELL me?!" he shot at Zeb.
"Not my business to tell." Zeb said nonchalantly before leaning back in his chair.
"Zeb, I think the numbers are off on this- oof!" Sabine stepped into the room with a datapad in her hand. Before she could finish her sentence, Kanan grasped her roughly by the shoulders.
"Sabine! Did you know that Rex and Ahsoka are a couple?"
She pushed away from Kanan and tossed the datapad on the table. "Duh. Anyone with half a brain could have figured that out."
"And when did you?!"
"Pretty clear after I found the thousands of messages she tried to send him over the years. I also might have read some of them." She gave an apologetic shrug to Rex. "Sorry, Rex." He waved it off with his hand.
Kanan blinked hard a few times. "Hera!" he suddenly shouted. He swung his head out the door to yell down to the cockpit. "HERA!" There was the sound of shuffling and some angry beeping from Chopper, then Hera appeared in the doorway a moment later.
"What is it?" she panted. "What's wrong?"
Kanan pointed an accusing finger at Rex. "Did you know that Rex and Ahsoka are fu- OW!"
Sabine gave Kanan a swift kick to his shins. "Kanan's upset that he's the last person finding out about Rex and Ahsoka."
Hera shared a patient look with him, like a parent about to explain something very obvious to their child. "Oh love, that's been going on for years."
"YEARS?!" Kanan repeated.
"Not consecutively," Rex chimed in.
A series of distressed, unintelligible noises came out of Kanan's mouth. He gestured wildly to Hera. "How did YOU find out?"
"I ASKED them," she stated with annoyance as she headed out the door and back to the cockpit.
"I didn't know." Ezra stepped into the doorway, clearly having been eavesdropping. A serious, dejected expression was painted on his face. He caught Rex's stare, who narrowed his eyes at the teenage boy. Ezra's bottom lip quivered and he suddenly burst into laughter. "I'm just kidding. I totally knew. Asked Rex about it a few days after he joined us. He gets this dopey look on his face whenever he's around Ahsoka. Was pretty easy to figure out."
"Hey!" Rex interjected. "It's not… it's not THAT dopey."
"Ah, don't worry about it, Rex. It's the same one Kanan gets when he looks at Hera." He turned back to Kanan. "You really didn't know, Kanan? Some Jedi intuition you have."
"Well excuse me if a Jedi and a clone-" Kanan looked extremely uncomfortable as he mulled over his next words. "FRATERNIZING isn't something I thought was even possible."
"Heh heh, Rex and Ahsoka do plenty of fraternizing from what it sounds like some nights on the base," Zeb commented with a snide grin.
"Alright, and that's our signal to leave." Sabine grabbed Zeb's arm and pushed him and Ezra out the door.
Kanan stood there mouth gape and Rex swore he saw one of his eyes twitching. He raised a finger like he was about to ask something but Rex put up his hand.
"No. It happened after the war," he said, anticipating Kanan's first question. "When we were on the run together." Kanan closed his mouth, then opened it again to speak but Rex put up his hand again. "And yes, I can PERFORM just fine. I'm not a droid, Kanan. I'm a man, just like you. My blaster just… shoots a little different, that's all."
This time Kanan's eye did give a vigorous twitch. He whacked his hand against his head and leaned back against the galley counter. "Please don't ever talk about your blaster again."
Rex chuckled. "Sorry. Bad joke."
A few hours later, Rex was heading back to the Ghost with a portion of their supplies in tow, a satisfied grin on his face from being able to talk down the merchant's price with just a few intimidating stares. Along the chaotic streets of the space station bazaar, many sellers were aggressively peddling their wares, shoving everything from food, to weapons, to live animals, to expensive jewelry in his face as he passed by. It was when a rogue pearl necklace whipped Rex in the eye that he finally stopped to give a threatening glare to the merchant selling it. But before he could give the man a piece of his mind, his attention was pulled towards the jewelry stand behind him.
On display was a simple headband, made of smooth, brown leather with a simple diamond-cut stone at the center and a set of smaller triangle-cut ones on either side of the main stone. The pearlesque stones were plain compared to the other pieces of jewelry for sale, but the way their surface gave off a translucent glow under the right catch of light reminded Rex of Ahsoka's white lightsabers.
It was absolutely perfect.
He quickly paid the merchant, barely registering how much the headband cost or how much money he actually handed the man. Clutching the package closely to his chest, he hurried back to the Ghost.
With their mission a success and the ship stuffed to capacity with fresh supplies, the crew set course back to Atollon. After finishing the inventory, Rex settling into a quiet spot in the storage area, hidden by the towering supply crates. He carefully unwrapped the package and held the leather headband in his hand, tracing the scored patterns on its surface.
It was the last thing he needed for his plan. He felt a little silly that it had taken him nearly six months to finalize it, but this piece was most important. It's what he would give to Ahsoka, as a symbol of his love and commitment, when he took her hands in his and asked her to be his wife. He knew it was unconventional. He was far from being an expert on love, even farther from being an expert on marriage proposals. But he understood the significance of a ring, tattoo, shroud, or the thousands of other things that cultures all throughout the galaxy used in their proposals. It was a constant reminder of that promise you made to other another. One you could wear proudly, like how Rex wore the Jaig eyes on his helmet. And the second he saw this headband, he knew he wanted to see Ahsoka – his wife – in it every day.
"What are you researching?"
Upon returning to Atollon, Rex entered their tent to find Ahsoka seated at her makeshift desk, an upturned crate with a folding stool. She was deeply immersed in what looked to be some kind of medical file. There was a star chart on display next to it, which he immediately recognized.
"Is that Kamino?" he asked, stepping closer to get a better look.
She swiped the files off the screen. "It's just some research for a side project."
"Don't know what use Kamino will be to the rebellion, considering it's nothing but oceans now," he remarked as he slung his knapsack off his shoulder. "Anything I can help with?"
"Nope," she said, suspiciously quick. "Not yet, anyways."
He narrowed his eyes, realizing whatever it was, she obviously wasn't going to tell him about it. "Alright then. Keep your secrets, Fulcrum," he teased.
"It's nothing, really," she replied in earnest. "Just a bit of… scientific curiosity." He raised an eyebrow, having no clue what she meant. She waved her hand to dismiss the thought. "Anyways, how was your mission? Did those space station swindlers give you any trouble?"
"Nope." Rex glanced over to his bag, where he knew his gift for her was nestled at the bottom. "Got everything we need." He stepped behind her chair, placing his hands on her shoulders and planting a light kiss between her montrals. "Say, are you doing anything for dinner tonight?"
She laughed, presumably amused that he was suggesting they had any other options besides ration bars or whatever slop they were serving in the mess tent that day. "I don't. Why do you ask?"
"I've been thinking about how I still owe you that romantic candlelit dinner," he responded. "And considering I'm a man of my word, I figured it's about time I gave it to you."
She beamed at him. "That sounds wonderful."
Rex got straight to work, commandeering a crate full of cooking equipment from the mess hall and insisting that Ahsoka stay far away from the dinner site as to not spoil the surprise. He had picked up everything he needed during the supply run – ingredients for the dishes, a few candles for added ambiance, and of course the leather headband he was planning on giving her when he proposed. All that truth serum and Hutt nonsense on Nar Kaaga at least afforded him some extra credits to splurge with.
He set up on the outskirts of the rebel base beyond a cluster of coral trees, where they would have some privacy and be able to enjoy the sunset. That had always been Ahsoka's favorite thing to do on every planet they visited and Atollon had pretty decent ones. He set up a low table with pillows and blankets on the ground for seating. A candle was placed in its center, and since the planet didn't have much diversity among its flora, he opted to surround it in colorful rocks and chunks of coral. As he continued the setup, he kept glancing back to the table, unable to decide if the centerpiece was attractive or just looked plain silly. The other candles were scattered among the low branches of the coral trees, twinkling faintly like glow bugs against the pink and orange sky.
Rex was a bit rusty at cooking, he'll admit that. There's only so many ways you could prepare joopa and he was grateful that the rebels had a designated meal area, otherwise he'd be living off ration bars. Although he hadn't attempted the recipe in years, it came back to him instantly as he starting making Fanny's stew. He chuckled to himself at the memory of the time he practiced it over and over, much to the chagrin of his brothers and their exhausted tastebuds. If the aromatic smell that lingered from where it bubbled over the campfire was any indication, he thought it came out pretty good. He was also proud of the jogan fruit pie he made too. It only had taken him five attempts. The rejects were at least a hefty snack for the dokma hiding out in the coral trees.
He was currently staring down the slabs of nerf steak, challenging it, like it was a live creature about to run him down. It was Ahsoka's favorite meal. Even after all this time, whenever they were out on a mission together, she never passed an opportunity to splurge on some if they passed even the sketchiest of food stalls that served it. It had to be completely charred, yet somehow barely past the point of raw on the inside. He knew he was in over his head, thinking he had the skill to cook it with that kind of expertise.
Wolffe definitely could.
Back when everyone was still around, Wolffe really was the best cook out of all of their brothers. And even when it was just Rex, Gregor, and him on Seelos, he was the only one who could cook joopa and make it not taste like the same thing they ate every day for nearly a decade. Ahsoka had even remarked once that the steak he made during that silly clone cook off on Vena was the best she's ever had.
He could call Wolffe. Ask him about it.
Rex shook his head, disagreeing with himself. That was a bad idea. He wasn't ready for that yet. He still had so much anger, conflict, and guilt directed towards Wolffe and he didn't want to reopen that wound and let all of those intense emotions out. Not when life was so good right now. He had a purpose. He was fighting for something he believed in. And most importantly, he had Ahsoka.
But even with all that, there was a lingering ache in his chest. Not from anger. Or conflict. Or guilt. It was sadder and softer than that.
He missed Wolffe.
Despite everything, he missed his brother. He knew he couldn't ignore Wolffe forever. He didn't WANT to either. Eventually they would need to talk through these issues and make peace with each other. Rex took a deep breath and reached into his pocket for his holopad. Now was as good a time as any to take the first step.
"Yeah, what do you want?" came a gruff voice. Wolffe's face flickered into view. Upon seeing who it was, his eyes went wide, distorting the light that reflected off his cybernetic one. "Uhh, R-Rex! Let me grab Gregor-"
"Wolffe!" Rex exclaimed, also taken aback. He was expecting Gregor to answer, giving him some time to ease into a conversation with Wolffe. "I, err, actually called to talk to you."
There was a beat of silence. "You did?"
"Yeah," Rex replied awkwardly, rubbing a hand on his neck. "How… umm… have you been?"
"Fine." Another awkward pause. Wolffe scratched at the whiskers on his cheek. "You?"
"Fine."
"How's the rebellion treating you?"
"It's good," Rex replied. "Hard work. But I like it."
Wolffe let out a small, gruff chuckle. "I'm sure they're working you like a dog but you've always been the type to enjoy that."
Rex returned a half-grin. "I guess I do. I like to keep busy. And it feels good to be fighting for a cause I believe in."
Wolffe nodded in agreement. "How's Ah-" He paused and clamped his mouth shut. Rex watched the line of tension ripple down Wolffe's throat as he swallowed down the sentence. His own stomach churned unpleasantly and the two clones stare blankly at each other. The tension between them was thick and uncomfortable.
Rex gave a slow exhale out his nose, trying to ebb his own uneasiness. "So I called to ask about how you cook your nerf steak."
Wolffe blinked hard a few times. "Really?"
"Yeah." Rex was beginning to think this was a mistake. "You were always the… what did Gregor call you? Meat wizard of the group."
Wolffe grinned and some of the tension eased off their conversation. "I prefer that to Wolffey. Hate when he calls me that."
Rex nodded in understanding. "I know what you mean. That's how I felt when he calls me Rexy."
"Just takes adding one letter to make a name awful, huh?"
Rex chuckled. "Sure does."
"Anyways," Wolffe continued on, his voice much lighter. "The nerf steak. Rub some spice on it. Salt, whatever else you got laying around. Stick it directly into the fire. Don't worry about the ash, it adds to the flavor. Pull it out after a few minutes. Done."
"That's it?" Rex asked in an amused tone.
"That's it," Wolffe repeated. "What's the occasion?"
"I-" Rex suddenly froze. I'm going to ask Ahsoka to marry me. Those were the words he was trying to get out. He wanted to tell Wolffe. He wanted to share in this excitement with him. He wanted to know that Wolffe was happy for him. He wanted to tell Wolffe all about his plan and get his reassurance that Ahsoka would say yes without hesitation. He wanted to just FORGIVE Wolffe.
But he couldn't.
It was like there was this invisible, unbreakable barrier between them, prohibiting them from reaching each other. Rex thought when enough time had passed, it would get easier. But he was beginning to fear that it never would. Perhaps these short, awkward conversations would be the extent of their relationship from now on.
"I was just in the mood for it," Rex answered flatly. Wolffe grunted in acknowledgement and a tense silence fell between them again. "Anyways, I should get going. Thanks for the recipe." He was at a loss for what else to say. "Well… bye."
"Hey Rex-" Wolffe looked like he wanted to say more. "I… err…" He ran a hand through his hair. "Was good to talk to you."
Rex's expression softened. "You too, Wolffe."
Rex paced anxiously in front of the table setting, stopping occasionally to readjust the rocks in the centerpiece for the umpteenth time. Deciding that they DID look too silly, he scooped them up and tossed them out beyond the clearing. A second later he dove to the ground in a frantic search to find them again, having changed his mind.
He had told Ahsoka to meet him out here at eighteen hundred hours. It was now thirty minutes past that and she still had not arrived. Even though he knew she probably got caught up in her lightsaber training session with Ezra, paranoia was setting in and he was beginning to think that maybe she knew about his plan and was avoiding the awkward moment when she declined his proposal.
Rex shook the intrusive thought from his mind. No, she loved him. He wasn't as dense as he used to be when it came to romance. He liked to think he'd learned a lot during their time together. At the very least, he understood her. He knew in his heart that she wanted this too.
He spotted Ahsoka in the distance and jogged out to meet her, a different type of anxiety bubbling in his stomach. She looked a little frazzled but smiled when she saw him. "Sorry I'm late," she apologized, giving him a quick hug and peck on the cheek. "I had some things to discuss with Kanan and Ezra. Completely lost track of time."
"Everything okay? Anything I can help with?" he asked.
She rubbed her temple and shook her head. "I'll tell you about it later. Right now is about YOU and whatever you've got planned for us tonight." She patted his chest. "I've been waiting over a decade for this romantic candlelit dinner. I have quite high expectations, you know."
Rex took note of how she didn't quite answer his question but he shook it off. "I have a feeling it will," he said, taking her hand as he led her back to the dinner site.
"Did you get all cleaned up for this?" she asked with amusement. She ran her fingers lightly at the ends of his beard, which he had, in fact, trimmed up for this occasion. His armor was freshly polished too, something she noticed as she rested her hand on his chest plate, the old plastoid whiter than it had been in years.
"I did," he replied a bit sheepishly.
"You look very handsome," she flirted. "More so than usual. You should have said something. I would have at least splashed some water on my face to look more presentable."
He squeezed her hand as they kept walking. "You could be caked head-to-toe in bantha fodder and you'd still be beautiful."
When they reached their destination, Ahsoka stopped abruptly in her tracks and sucked in a sharp breath of air.
"Oh, Rex…"
She was awestruck, eyes wide and mouth parted slightly as she took in her surroundings. She walked slowly along the perimeter of the setup, ghosting her hands over the candles that flickered among the coral trees. She approached the table to admire the meticulous placement of the plates, bowls, and cutlery, nose scrunching at Rex's attempt to fold the napkins into a fancy shape.
"How long did it take you to collect all these?" she asked as she picked up one of the stones in the centerpiece and turned it over in her hand.
"A few months," he said, trying to sound casual and not like it was something he spent an ample amount of time on. "Just picked up a rock here and there while we were setting up the base."
"They're beautiful," she murmured, placing the stone carefully back in its spot and picking up another. He breathed out a tiny sigh of relief that she appreciated his decorations. When she looked up at him, her eyes were watery. "You did all this for me?"
Rex smiled softly and nodded. She turned towards the campfire, discreetly wiping at her eyes. He felt his stomach churn nervously again. "I-Is it too much?"
"No!" She turned back and took a few hurried steps towards it. "It's wonderful." Gently cupping his face with both hands, she kissed him tenderly on the lips. "YOU'RE wonderful."
He took her hands in his and guided her towards the table, where he fluffed a few pillows on the ground and assisted her in sitting down. "I hope you're hungry," he said as he gathered up their plates and bowls, then headed to the pot of stew bubbling over the fire.
"Starving, actually," she commented as she twisted around to watch him. She saw the slabs of seasoned nerk steaks waiting to be cooked and the jogan fruit pie cooling on the table next to him. "You cooked all this yourself?"
"I did." He placed down her bowl of soup, then returned to the fire to tend to the steaks. "Couldn't exactly take you to a fancy restaurant here on Atollon so I figured this was the next best option." After heeding Wolffe's advice to only leave the meat in the flames for a few minutes, he plated them and placed them on the table. "Oh! One last thing." He reached under the table to grab two bottles of wine. Taking his knife, he flashed her a flirty grin before flicking it against the bottle to pop off the cork. She rolled her eyes at his little spectacle but happily accepted the glass he poured for her. With everything finally in place, he sat down across from her so they could enjoy their meal.
"Rex, you really outdid yourself," Ahsoka gushed after taking a long sip of her drink and closing her eyes to savor the taste. She grabbed the bottle to inspect the label. "Alderaanian wine? How in the galaxy did you get your hands on this?"
"Called in a few favors from some of our rebel friends," Rex responded, tipping his glass to her before raising it to his lips.
"This stew-" She spooned a serving into her mouth, the handle sticking out as she cocked her head in thought. She pulled it out with a POP. "It's Fanny's recipe, isn't it?!"
He grinned. "It is. Took a while to get it just right."
"And the nerf steak is-" She had taken several bites and then paused, hesitant to finish her sentence.
"Wolffe's recipe?" he completed for her. Whether it was her infectious enthusiasm or his earlier conversation with his brother, Rex didn't feel as weird mentioning him. "Well, if you can even call it a recipe. More like a set of very blunt instructions. Yeah, it is."
Ahsoka smiled broadly, sensing his slight improvement on the matter. "Yours is better that his."
He laughed. "C'mon, you're just saying that because you love me."
"Well, I do but it's true," she insisted. "This is by far the best nerf steak I've ever tasted. You can tell Wolffe that the next time you talk to him." She gave him a knowing wink.
They laughed and talked as they enjoyed their meals, reminiscing about everything from the day they met, to their favorite memories from during the war, to how clueless Rex had been to Ahsoka's advances during their early days on the run together, to all of the firsts they experienced when their relationship blossomed, to all the things they wished they could have shared with the other during their many years part. By the time their meals were finished, they were cuddled together among the pillows and blankets on the ground, a fourth or fifth glass of wine in their hands. Rex had lost count but they were almost done with the second bottle. He knew he shouldn't have drunk that much. Even though the night was going perfect so far, nervous energy buzzed through him as he waited for the perfect opportunity to finally pop the question that he's been dying to ask her for years.
Ahsoka leaned heavily against him, one arm wrapped around him while she finished her drink with the other. She let out a long sigh, a slight wrinkle to her forehead as she stared out at the desert landscape in front of them.
"What's on your mind?" he asked softly, hoping he hadn't dampened the mood.
"Hmm?" She looked up at him and her expression quickly brighten. "Oh nothing, just feeling a little buzzed from the alcohol." He hummed in agreement, feel a bit foggy himself. She snuggled comfortably against his shoulder. "This night was amazing, Rex. Thank you."
"The night's not over yet," he said smoothly as he took their empty glasses and placed them on the table.
"Oh?" She looked up at him through heavily lidded eyes. Rex swayed in his spot, less from the alcohol and more from how kriffing attractive she was. Her cheeks and lekku were flushed with color, her alluring smile and beckoning eyes drawing him in like a tractor beam. He could have the lifespan of a Wookiee and it still wouldn't be enough time to fully appreciate how beautiful she was.
He ran a hand down her outer thigh and pulled her into his lap. "I made dessert. Jogan fruit pie."
"Sounds delicious." Her fingers slid down his chest plate to untuck his shirt from his pants, then slipped underneath to trace teasing circles right under his navel. "But is that my only option?"
Perhaps the combination of excitement, nervousness, and alcohol burning inside him was making him dangerously embolden. "Is there something else you want?" he asked in a thick, low voice. This wasn't part of his plan per se, but if being a soldier had taught him anything, it was that even the most perfect plans needed room for flexibility.
"There is," she answered, dipping her fingers a little lower.
He gripped her waist and pulled her into a deep, passionate kiss. Her mouth parted in a sigh and he took the opportunity to explore it, pushing his tongue inside to intertwine with hers and take in the sharp, citrusy aftertaste of the wine she drank. He could feel the light, staggered puffs of air out her nose. Silent giggles from his mustache and beard tickling her skin. She always did that for the first few moments whenever they kissed, like his facial hair surprised her each time. He'd never get sick of it.
Rising to his knees, he lifted her up and spun them around so he could place her back on the pillows and blankets that covered the ground. While probing his tongue further into her mouth, he swung a leg over her to keep her underneath him and let his hands roam. One trailed up to her chest plate, squeezing underneath to swiftly unclick it and toss it haphazardly somewhere behind them. The other crept under her dress and teased along the hem of her leggings, where the heat from her center was already radiating fiercely. His mouth went down her chin and throat, then following the hem of her battledress to where her breasts were still confined by her chest wrappings. He placed several kisses along the soft, plump skin there, then shifted down so he could rest his chin on her stomach. He looked up at her, his eyes asking a silent question while his hand between her legs gave the gentlest tug of her leggings.
She bit her lip and nodded furiously. "Yes," she breathed shallowly.
Rex grinned, his heart beating madly in his chest at the anticipated thrill of making love to her out in the open like this. "Try to keep it down this time?"
Color instantly flooded to Ahsoka's face and lekku. She pursed her lips at him but didn't reply, instead putting a hand on his head to push him down towards his destination. He scooted down further and snuck his other hand under her dress so he could peel her leggings past her knees. Her breath hitched sharply as the cool air hit the bare skin between her legs. He kissed up her inner thigh, and when his head disappeared under her skirt, he gave a long, slow lick of her womanhood from bottom to top. When he reached its peak, he swirled his tongue around her sensitive mound before sucking it into his mouth.
"R-Rex!" she cried out, instantly smacking a hand over her mouth at how loud her outburst was.
He chuckled as he continued sucking, focusing his attention on her tiny spot of pleasure while his fingers crept up to tease out the arousal that was already started to seep out of her. He flicked his tongue rapidly against her womanhood and her entire body convulsed. Glancing up, he saw she was watching him, face contorted in pleasure and a hand still clamped over her mouth. Keeping his eyes locked with hers, he bit down gently on her sensitive mound while plunging his fingers inside her. Her hips bucked violently against his face and she threw her head back, practically screaming into her hand.
He removed his fingers and dragged his mouth down her womanhood to replace them with his tongue. She writhed and whimpered underneath him, overwhelmed by the feeling of his mouth, tongue, and facial hair between her thighs.
"You need to keep quiet," he teased, knowing that she couldn't and also not really caring if she did.
"I-I'm trying," she stammered. "But your b-beard…"
He responded by rubbing his face even more deliberately against her womanhood, letting any of her arousal that he couldn't lap up with his tongue sink into the whiskers on his cheeks.
"D-Don't you dare…" she started, struggling to form words. "E-Ever shave it!"
"I won't," he assured her with a deep chuckle into her folds that made her hips buck up again. He continued his ministrations, getting as much pleasure from making her keen and tremble underneath him as she was from having his mouth work her up into a frenzy. He reveled in the sweet taste of her, the way her arousal seemed to pour endlessly out of her and his thirst for it seemed to be unquenchable. His own arousal was woefully neglected inside his pants, painfully stiff and throbbing in time to Ahsoka's labored breathing. She was the focus right now but he was pretty sure it would only take a gust of wind to make him pop off and unload all his pent-up need.
"Reximgonna-" Her words came out in a rushed whispered and then got stuck in her throat as she tumbled over the edge. "Ahh!" she finished.
He looked up to see an expression of pure bliss wash over her face and her lekku curl ever so slightly at the tips as her orgasm coursed through her. Kriffing hell, was she beautiful like this. So perfectly raw and unraveled, just for him. He continued to watch her as his tongue worked her through wave after wave of pleasure. He tenderly kissed her sensitive mound, sucking lightly as his tongue swirled around it. Ahsoka shifted underneath him, giving a light push to his shoulder to signal that she was starting to get overstimulated. He gripped tightly to her thigh and placed a hand on her stomach, keeping her firmly in place.
"I'm not done with you yet," Rex growled into her wet folds.
His words sent an intense shiver through her. "Oh kriff," she breathed out in anticipation.
He sucked, licked, and nipped at her swollen nub while she squirmed and whimpered underneath him. She gripped tightly to his shoulders, and despite how her hips were involuntarily jerking away from the overstimulation, she almost seemed to be pulling him in closer to encourage his tongue against her.
"Reeeex," she moaned, in a desperate and whiney tone that shot straight to his core. He got impossibly harder, his hips bucking up against nothing in search of the tiniest bit of relief. "It's too much!"
He ran his tongue along the length of her womanhood. Slow and firm at first, then fast and frantic. Her sounds became a garbled mess of protests and encouragements, then completely unintelligible as she started rutting up against his face. Her second orgasm was silent and intense. Her mouth fell open but no sound came out as her body convulsed underneath him. He didn't stop, devouring every last drop of her essence as he worked her through it. She was far past the point of oversensitivity now. Her muscles spasmed at his faintest touch like she was struck with an electrostaff. She trashed wildly against his hold of her, this time pushing hard on his shoulders.
Rex pulled away, fearing that perhaps it WAS too much and she was no longer enjoying herself. The second he did, Ahsoka seized the opportunity to regain control. She snapped up and shoved Rex onto his back, scrambling on top of him. In one swift motion she unzipped his pants, pulled out his erection, and slammed herself down on it all the way to the hilt.
"Kriffing hell, Ahsoka!" Rex groaned, overcome by the sudden sensation of her quivering muscles around his hard length. He nearly fell apart right there, tightly clenching his ab muscles to keep himself from exploding the second she took him inside her.
She wasted no time, immediately grinding against him at a furious pace and spearing herself down on him over and over. It felt so good, but it was so much, and Rex's vision was starting to go spotty from the intense stimulation. They were both still mostly clothed, and her hands were sliding around on his back armor as they failed to find a grip on the slippery plastoid. He snaked his hands up her waist towards her chest. After pulling aside the deep V-cut of her battledress, he yanked down her chest wrappings underneath to fully expose her breasts. When he cupped them in his hands, rolling both her darkened nipples between his thumb and forefinger until they were stiff and pebbled, she threw her head back and moaned. The long line of her slender orange neck was too tempting and he lunged forward to sink his teeth into it.
"Oh, Rex!" she cried, in a thick voice that poured out of her as viscous as her arousal that coated his throbbing erection. Her thrusts were unrhythmic and relentless as her core began clenching intensely around him, signaling that she was ready to come undone again. He was too and it was taking the strength of an entire battalion to keep himself from succumbing to the tight, hot bliss of her womanhood.
"Reeeeeeex!" she moaned again, loud and unabashed. Every fall of his name from her lips made his aching length pulse and dribble inside her.
"Mmm, I love to hear you say my name like that." His voice was a deep rumble against her throat and it make her entire body shake in response. "Never stop."
Her unraveled moans of his name in his ear combined with her core's tightening vice grip of him was finally too much for Rex and he abruptly came inside her. "Ah… so… ka!" he groaned raggedly, in time with the three solid thrusts of his hips up towards her as his release jetted out in heavy spurts.
She didn't slow down, whimpering as his climax edged her close to her own. She was gripping hard to his shoulders now, forehead pressed against his and eyes screwed shut as she chased her bliss with an almost delirious determination. "Rex," she gasped. "I-I love you so much."
"Karking… Sith spit… Ahsoka…" he groaned back. He fell back against the bedroll, squirming underneath her from oversensitivity. He gripped tightly to her waist in an attempt to anchor himself through the intense pain and pleasure. "I-I… I love you too…" It was way too much. He felt like he was going to pass out. But it was so, so worth it to have Ahsoka on top of him, riding him faster than a rookie on a wayward speeder bike, while every inch of her quaking around him in devastating pleasure. "S-So DAMN much!"
"FUCK, REX!" Her climax hit her in one colossal, unending wave. The last cry of his name was so loud that there was no way the entire planet didn't hear them. He could feel it rock through her entire body, from her fingers trembling on his shoulders, to the quivering of her breasts against his chest plate, to the twitching of her thighs on top of his, to the desperate, violent clenching of her womanhood around his overstimulated length. Her bliss was his and he cried out with her, clutching her tightly as she coaxed another eruption out of his still throbbing length. She collapsed spent on top of him and he rubbed her back as the aftershocks passed through them both. They stayed that way for a while, limbs intertwined and bodies locked intimately together until her core stopped pulsing and his manhood softened. She nuzzled against his chest, her light breath tickling his neck. Their pulses beat in sync, discernable even through their layers of clothing. Rex was content to fall asleep out here with her but there was still something he needed to do. Noticing that the sun was starting to set, and with his heart feeling impossibly full, he was ready for the last part of his plan.
"Ahsoka," he whispered. "There's one last thing I have planned for tonight."
After cleaning themselves up, he took her hand and brought her to the edge of the clearing, where nothing obstructed their view of the vast stretch of desert valley and the endless colors of the sunset in front of them. Ahsoka beamed up at him, slinking her arms around his waist and rested her head against his chest. He lifted his chin to plant it in between her montrals. They stood silently together for a few moments to enjoy the view.
"The sunsets are beautiful here," she murmured. "I've never really taken the time to enjoy them. Thank you, Rex. This was the perfect end to the night."
"That's not the only thing." Rex pulled back from their embrace, keeping his hands on her shoulders and running them down to cup her elbows. He took a deep, settling breath, gathering all the courage that his old clone body contained. He had rehearsed these words numerous times. In his head, to his reflection in the refresher's mirror, earlier to the dokma as they munched happily on his reject pies. Any chance he had gotten during the last six months.
"Ahsoka," he began. "I've loved you from the moment I met you."
"You have?" she asked softly.
He nodded. "It was different back then, of course. You were the first person outside of my brothers, my own flesh and blood, that I considered family. And you made me realize that there was more to my existence than just loyalty and servitude. I fought in the war because it's what I was created to do. I thought my greatest achievement in life would be to die in the glory of battle." His fingertips trembled on her skin. She gripped his forearms, encouraging him to continue. "Then the war ended and I was convinced my life did too. It would have, if not for you. And I don't just mean when you removed my inhibitor chip. You were always there, supporting me. No matter how stubborn or naïve I got, or when I was overconfident or unsure of myself. You made me feel like I could have a life and find a purpose beyond the one implanted in my brain."
"You were always more than just a soldier or a clone to me, Rex," she said fondly. "You were my friend. Then you were family. And now you're… well, you're so much more than that."
"So are you." He let out a low chuckle. "Honestly, kid, it was so easy to fall in love with you. I could kick myself for not letting it happen sooner."
"I think everything happen exactly how it was meant to," she replied. Her eyes glistened, tender and sentimental as she listened to him.
"I think so too," he agreed. "Even when we were separated. I'd give anything to get that time back to spent with you. But if that time taught me anything, it's that this love I feel for you-" He paused. He was going off script, but in this moment, it felt right. "It's the greatest damn thing I've ever experienced in my life. YOU'RE the great damn thing I've ever experienced in my life, Ahsoka."
"Oh Rex," her voice warbled with emotion.
His hands slid further down to grasp hers. "Anyways, I'm telling you all this because there's something I've been wanting to ask you for a very, very long time."
When he met her gaze, his stomach suddenly plummeted to his feet. Tears pooled in the corners of her eyes and streaked down her cheeks. But they weren't happy tears. She looked to be in complete anguish.
"What's wrong?!" he asked frantically, pulling back from her. "Did I say something that upset you?!"
"N-No!" she wiped quickly at the wetness on her face. "Nothing's wrong. Keep going, Rex." She grasped his hands again and squeezed them. "Please."
He studied her face. She blinked away her last few tears and smiled earnestly at him. Something wasn't right. He felt it from the moment she arrived for dinner. As much as he wanted to pick up right where he left off, to ask her the question that's been burning in his brain for years now, he knew he couldn't.
"Ahsoka, I know you too well to not know when something's bothering you," he stated. "And we've been through too much together for you not to tell me what's going on." He shook his head. "Everything we do, we do together now. No more secrets."
She shook her head. "It's not a secret. More like an intrusive thought that I'm starting to fear might be true."
Rex could practically feel the leather headband searing a hole through the compartment on his belt. But his proposal was the farthest thing from his mind when he could see how much pain Ahsoka was in right now. "Whatever it is, you don't have to bear it alone. Tell me, Ahsoka. Please," he pleaded.
She closed her eyes tightly and gave a solemn nod. "Okay. Let's go back to the tent. There's a lot to tell you."
When they entered the tent, Ahsoka took a seat on the folding stool at her desk while Rex sat across from her on his storage trunk. "When Kanan, Ezra, and I went to the Jedi temple on Lothal, I had a vision." She swallowed hard. "Of Anakin."
Rex stiffened in his seat. "I see. What happened in your vision?"
"I couldn't really make sense of it. There was so much pain. So much anger." She looked up at him, fresh tears in her eyes. "Rex, I think he's still alive."
"What?!" he shook his head in disbelief. "How- No, that's- The order that went out-" He exhaled out his nose to gather his thoughts. "Ahsoka, General Skywalker is gone. Has been for a long time. You sensed it yourself, didn't you?"
"I did." She looked down at her hands in her lap, clenching and unclenching them. "And I think he IS gone. But there's something… else in his place."
"What do you mean?"
"Do you remember what Maul told me about Anakin? Back on Mandalore before the war ended?"
Rex nodded. "That he was being groomed for the dark side. That's how you put it."
"Yes, by the Chancellor. Though I guess he goes by Emperor now. And who we also know is a dark lord of the Sith." She grimaced. "There are rumors of another. Someone with terrifying strength, power, and a connection to the dark side. No one has ever seen his face and some don't even know if he's even a man."
"Ahsoka…" He knew where her train of thought was leading and he refused to accept it.
"I think it's him, Rex." Her voice broke as she looked up to meet his eyes. "I-I think it's Anakin."
"No." It was the only word he could get out. He kept shaking his head, numbness overtaking his body. "Listen to me, Ahsoka. I don't know how this Force magic stuff works. Especially not when it comes to the dark side. But I do know that whoever that man… or thing… is, it's not General Skywalker. Not the General Skywalker we knew." He didn't believe his own words as they came out of his mouth. Something in his gut told him that she was right.
"In my vision, he told me I abandoned him." Her shoulders were now shaking as she cried. "A-And he's right. If I hadn't left, maybe he wouldn't have-"
"No," Rex said again, this time with conviction. He leaned forward to wrap his arms around her and yanked her towards him. She slumped against his shoulder and cried, her tears wetting his skin and the collar of his shirt. "Don't think like that. You know that's not true."
He held her tightly as she wept. His own suffering bubbled at the surface of him as he struggled to remain strong for her. He forced it back down. He needed to be her anchor right now. She felt small and vulnerable in his arms, so unlike the brave, resilient woman he knew she was. He pressed his face into her montrals, willing any bit of strength he had to pass into her.
"It's be okay, Ahsoka," he comforted. "Whatever comes of this, we'll deal with it together."
When her tears eventually subsided, Ahsoka grasped his face and pressed her forehead against his in a wordless expression of thanks. "If Anakin did fall to the dark side, do you think there is any chance of saving him?"
Rex thought for a moment. "I do. There were so many of my brothers who we thought were beyond saving. Like Dogma and his boys. Or Wolffe. But all of them were. There was still a piece of them left, no matter how far gone they were. I like to believe that no one is every truly lost forever."
She nodded reverently. "I hope you're right." She collapsed into his arms again. Not knowing what else to say, Rex simply held her, hoping it would be enough.
"Rex," she murmured after a moment. "I have to leave tomorrow."
"To go where?"
"Malachor. With Kanan and Ezra. It's what I was talking with them about earlier."
"Malachor," he repeated, wracking his brain for why that planet sounded so familiar. A deep frown fell on his face when he remembered. "That planet was off limits during the war. Weren't you Jedi told to stay away from it?"
"We were," she replied. "But Ezra had a vision that told him we'd find knowledge there."
"What kind of knowledge could you possibly need from a place like that?"
"The kind that can help us against the Inquisitors. And whatever other dark-sided power is out there in the galaxy."
"Then I'll come with you," he offered. "To watch your back. Just in case."
She shook her head. "Rex, you're shipping out in a few days to help with the refugee efforts. Sato's counting on you for that. The entire rebellion is. Your place is here. Let me deal with this Jedi business."
"You're not even a Jedi anymore!" He let out an exasperated sigh. "And I know I have my duties but you come first now, Ahsoka. Always."
"I'll be okay." She squeezed his arm reassuringly. "And I'll be back before that jogan fruit pie you made goes stale."
Despite her words, when they settled onto their bedroll for the night, Ahsoka clung tighter to Rex than she ever had before. He wrapped himself protectively around her and hoped she couldn't sense the deep heartache he was feeling.
The night had gone a lot differently that he expected. He thought they'd spent it cuddled together in their tent, smiling, laughing, and maybe drinking some more wine as they excitedly discussed their future together. He imagined catching her touching the new headband that adorned her montrals and smiling to herself. And he thought they'd laugh about how calling someone your "betrothed" sounded just as silly as calling them your "boyfriend" or "girlfriend", and maybe they should just skip right to using "husband" and "wife".
He shook off the selfish disappointment he felt. Ahsoka needed his strength and comfort right now. He could rework his plan for another time. Closing his eyes, he pressed his lips against her forehead and gently stroked her back as they drifted off to sleep.
"I'm sorry I put a damper on your fancy dinner," she murmured.
"You didn't," he assured her. "Don't worry about it."
"It really was wonderful," she replied, voice thick from exhaustion. She lifted her head to rest her chin on his chest. "What was the thing you were going to ask me while we were watching the sunset?"
He stroked her cheek. "Something important. But it can wait until you get back from your mission."
She looked sad, almost disappointed, and laid her head against his heart. "Hold me, Rex. Like how you used to on Er'Kit. Back when we didn't have the entire kriffing galaxy on our shoulders and the only thing we had to worry about was keeping a few squads of clone troopers out of a little desert town."
He did, letting go of all the thoughts in his mind to focus on nothing but how wonderful it felt to have her in his arms. "I love you, Ahsoka."
"I love you, Rex."
"Once we drop out of hyperspace, we'll be going dark."
"Are you sure about this?"
"Yes."
"Ahsoka, you don't have to go to Malachor alone. I can be there in two rotations."
Rex sat on the trunk in their tent, illuminated by the soft glow from his holopad. Ahsoka's image was displayed, looking slightly annoyed at his relentless insistence to help her. He still wasn't keen on her going to Malachor without him, even more so because she'd have no way of communicating with him while she was there.
"I'm not alone, Rex," she reminded him.
He pointed a finger at her. "You know, I could have ordered you to take me along."
She rolled her eyes. "You don't exactly outrank me anymore."
"In my book, experience outranks everything," he quipped back, placing his hands on his hips.
"Hmph," she laughed. "Then I definitely outrank you."
He chuckled, then his expression suddenly became serious. There was so much he wanted to say to her. Only one phrase felt appropriate to encompass it all. "Maybe the Force be with you."
She gave him a solemn nod, her eyes saying a million things that she couldn't voice out loud in front of Kanan and Ezra. The transmission ended and Rex was once again alone in his tent. The hair on the back of his neck prickled, filling him with an overwhelming sense of dread. He tried to shake it off, but it lingered like a phantom hand, scraping its nails down the length of his spine.
He'd feel better when Ahsoka got back in a few days, he assured himself.