As their T-6 shuttle sank below the dusty atmosphere of Er'Kit, Rex was filled with a strange sense of something. He instantly recognized the auburn, brown, and peach mountains that stood tall against the desert valley. The river system that snaked along the planet seemed to have eroded slightly but its teal waters still glimmered brightly. When they reached Luun Heights, however, the settlement was practically unrecognizable.
"Are you sure we have the right coordinates?" Ahsoka leaned over his chair to peer out the viewport.
He nodded. "They're the same ones we used back in the day. Plus, Denn confirmed them when we told him we were coming."
She let out an impressed hum as the town fully came into view. "Looks like time has been good to this place."
Luun Heights was no longer just a quaint desert settlement. It was a bona fide city. Its perimeter had expanded all the way out to the cliffs, which were painted an array of colors. As they got closer, Rex realized each color was a different dwelling carved directly into the stone. The main street had nearly quadrupled in size, with cozy storefronts replacing the line of merchant stands. Gundark's Pass was safely secured behind a fortified wall, although the large corral filled with what Rex assumed were domesticated gundarks was slightly concerning. Every part of the town had flourished in the time since they left. It even had a proper docking bay, which is where he landed their ship.
As Rex and Ahsoka stepped off the ramp together, they spotted a figure by the hangar entrance. His thin, lanky frame was slightly hunched, leaning heavy on the cane he carried. Denn Gundall looked up at them with his old, friendly eyes. His ears, which were more gray than blue now, twitched happily as the couple trotted towards him.
"Ashla and Rocky," he said, his voice a little more warbly and tired that Rex remembered but still full of warmth. "Took y'all long enough to come back for a visit."
Ahsoka smiled and wrapped her arms around him. "Denn, it's so good to see you again. And you can call me Ahsoka. That's my real name."
"Beautiful name," he replied. "Look at you! So mature now." He turned next to Rex, who offered his hand to shake, but Denn yanked him into a tight hug.
Rex let out a startled "oof!" as the old Er'Kit squeezed him with an alarming amount of strength for someone his age. "T-The name's Rex!" he squeaked out.
"Rex, huh?" Denn repeated as he pulled back. His brow furrowed in contemplation, then he shook his head. "Nope. I ain't calling you that. I like Rocky better." Jabbing a thumb over his shoulder, he motioned for the soon-to-be-married couple to follow him. "We should head back to the saloon. Fanny and I have a few things we want to go over with you two to make sure everything is perfect for your big day tomorrow."
They followed Denn through town towards Gunnie's Sip. Although the streets were now paved and the buildings rose higher than even the tallest cacti, the little café was exactly as Rex remembered. Vibrant lanterns adorned the surrounding lampposts. Through the window, he could see the warm cozy atmosphere inside, where patrons sipped their drinks while relaxing on colorful pillows or at one of the hand painted tables. Fanny was at the counter conversing with another Er'Kit woman. Upon seeing Denn and his companions, they both lit up and hurried towards the door to greet them.
"There's the bride and groom to-be!" Fanny gushed as she pulled them both into an embrace. "Goodness, it's been too long." She was just as gray as her husband and seemed to have shrunk in her twilight years.
"We're so happy to be back," Ahsoka replied warmly. "This place has always been special to us."
"We hope you didn't go through too much trouble with all this wedding stuff," Rex said
Fanny waved away the notion. "It's no trouble at all. Our town owes a lot to you two." She patted the arm of her friend. "When Rainee and I heard that y'all were coming back here to get hitched, we were so excited!"
Rex and Ahsoka both did a double take to the Er'Kit woman who was standing next to Fanny. "Rainee?!" they exclaimed together.
"You're all grown up!" Rex added. She was still small, not that much taller than Fanny, but her face had matured, her ears were longer, and her blue complexion had darkened. She carried herself differently now too, the shyness from when she was a little girl long gone.
Rainee laughed. "I'd say you've gotten older too but you really haven't! You look almost the same as you did the last time we saw you."
"Been wondering that myself," Denn chimed in.
Rex rubbed the back of his head. "Heh, that's a long story."
With warm cups of Fanny's fancy caf brew in their hands, Rex and Ahsoka shared stories during their times together and apart, from Rex's adventures with his brothers, to Ahsoka's missions with the rebellion, to the tumultuous journey they endured before finding each other again. Despite hearing all this, Denn still teased Rex about taking nearly twenty years to finally propose to Ahsoka. Rex was pleased to hear that Dogma's promise from all those years ago remained unbroken – the Empire never came back to Er'Kit. In that time, Luun Heights grew, prospered, and cherished their little slice of peace in the galaxy. As they transitioned to talk about the wedding, Rainee kept shifting her gaze between the couple, like she was burning to saying something. Rex raised an eyebrow at her and she finally spoke up.
"So what are you two going to wear tomorrow?" she asked, trying to sound casual but her voice wavered with excitement.
Rex looked down at his attire. His rebel uniform was a bit ill-fitted. Ahsoka had attempted to alter it, since he trimmed down after the age-reversal procedure. The jumpsuit didn't quite fit him right anymore, so he just tied it around his waist. He glanced at Ahsoka, who was thumbing the frayed hem of her skirt. They both shrugged. "Err… what we have on?" he offered.
Rainee eyed up his appearance with a look of disdain. "Really? Don't you have anything nicer?"
"This is the nicest outfit I own," Rex defended. Truthfully, it was the ONLY outfit he owned.
Rainee tutted her tongue. "No no, that won't do." She leaned in towards Fanny and whispered something to her. The two conversed for a few moments, then Rainee hopped off her stool and tugged on Ahsoka's arm. "Come with me!"
Rex slid off his seat to follow them, but Fanny put out her arm to stop him. "You're staying with me, honey."
Rex cocked his head at his image in the mirror. He wasn't used to looking this fancy. During the war, the GAR had a ceremonial dress uniform reserved for special occasions. He had only worn it once and it was not a pleasant occasion. It was when Senator Amidala asked him to testify on behalf of Ahsoka's character during her trial. He was been eager to do so, but after several hours of pacing back and forth in the waiting room, he received a call from General Skywalker gruffly telling him to go back to the barracks because the trial was over. Those fancy clothes then got buried at the bottom of his footlocker, a painful reminder of how he was powerless to help his dear friend in her time of need.
This occasion, though, would be much more enjoyable.
"I'm getting married tomorrow," he said faintly, mostly to his reflection.
Fanny chuckled as she finished securing his cufflinks. "Yes, you are."
Rex ran his hands down his lapel to smooth out the fabric. The black suit that Fanny had tailored for him fit perfectly. It was as contoured to his body as his blacks had been while still being loose and comfortable. The jacket's coattail flared out like his old kama and it was cinched with a navy-blue embroidered belt. The dress shirt was in a matching color with asymmetrical pleats and a high collar. He had to admit, he looked pretty sharp. Although he could have done without the several hours of having to keep perfectly still while being poked and prodded with needles.
Fanny took a step back to admire her handiwork. "Look. At. You. Ahsoka's gonna be as blushed as a freshly bloomed desert flower when she sees you."
"I can't thank you all enough for everything you're doing for us. We were planning on just keeping things simple. Have the ceremony, grab a bite here at the café, and call it a day." He grinned as he thumbed his lapel again, feeling his stomach flutter as he imagined how beautiful Ahsoka would surely look tomorrow in whatever dress Rainee designed for her. "The idea of making it a bit more fancy is definitely growing on me."
Fanny patted his cheek affectionately. "So who all have you invited to the wedding?" she asked.
"Just my brother," he replied. A twinge of sadness hit him, for all the loved ones he and Ahsoka wished could celebrate with them. "He's the only family we have left."
Fanny peered up at him. "This the same brother who shot her and stole one of our supply ships?"
Rex scratched nervously at his beard. "Yeah."
"And the one who kept you two apart for twelve years?"
"Yup… that's him," he said sheepishly. "Things are… better now. We actually asked him to be our officiant." Looking at the chrono on the wall, he realizes it was past midday. "Come to think of it, Wolffe should have gotten here by now."
Rex thanked Fanny again, and after putting on his regular clothes, set out into town to find Wolffe. An hour later, he had made half a dozen rounds of the hanger, scoured every street and storefront, and commed his brother more times that he could count. As panic and worry started nagging at his brain, he hurried to Rainee's house to find Ahsoka. The young seamstress immediately shooed him away.
"Hey!" Rainee yelled as she practically shut the door in his face. "You're not supposed to see her dress before the wedding!" He overheard some exasperated words from Ahsoka and a moment later she stepped outside, hastily half-clothed in just her dress and unzipped boots.
She gave him a grateful look, like he had rescued her from some kind of prolonged torture. "If I would have known how long it took to tailor a wedding dress, I wouldn't have let Rainee drag me back here," she muttered quietly. "I'm wearing the thing for one day! How many layers and handsewn beads does it need?!" Upon seeing Rex's distraught face, she frowned and put a hand on his arm. "What's wrong?"
"Wolffe's not here," he replied grimly. "His ship's not in the hanger, he's nowhere in town, and he's not answering my comms."
"Have you reached out to anyone back on base?"
He nodded. "They said he's not there."
"Did you asked Hera and Sabine if they know where he is?"
"Couldn't reach them either. They're off on some last-minute assignment, apparently."
Ahsoka looked worried. "You don't think something happened to him, do you?"
"I don't know." Rex rubbed the back of his neck. "Ahsoka, what if he's not okay with this? I know he's happy for us but what if being a part of our wedding is too much for him?" He sighed. "I thought we were past all this."
She took both his hands. "Whatever the reason, don't let it put a damper on things. This is OUR day, Rex. The only two people who matter tomorrow are you and me."
He nodded and leaned in to kiss her forehead. "You're right."
Rainee loudly cleared her throat behind them and they turned to see her impatiently tapping her foot. "Unless you want your bride wearing half a dress tomorrow, you need to leave so I can finish working."
Ahsoka kissed Rex's cheek and mouthed "help me" before reluctantly disappearing back inside with Rainee.
A whirlwind of rust-colored dust kicked up as the rebel shuttle descended into Luun Height's docking bay. The debris whipped Rex in the face but he was unphased by it. Arms crossed and a deep scowl on his face, he watched as the ship settled onto the ground.
He was trying not to get angry. He was getting married tomorrow, this was supposed to be the happiest time of his life. But as Wolffe strolled down the ramp like he hadn't ignored Rex's comms all day and showed up over ten hours late, it was difficult to keep the annoyance simmering in his gut from bubbling into rage.
"You're late," Rex stated flatly.
"I know." Wolffe put up his hands defensively as he hopped to the ground. "I have a good excuse."
"Oh really?" Rex's death glare bore into him. "Honestly, Wolffe, after everything we've be through, you could at least have the decency to-" He stopped abruptly when three more figures descended the ramp.
"Hey Rex!" greeted Havil. "We heard you were getting hitched." On either side of him, Man and Guy both gave informal salutes.
"It's been a long time," said Man.
"We're so happy to see you!" added Guy.
Rex blinked hard several times. "Wha- How- You're-?!" He looked at Wolffe, then at the three clones, then back at Wolffe, unable to get any words out.
"I've been looking for Man and Guy for a while," Wolffe explained. "Anytime I was out on a mission for the rebellion, I'd drop a few beacons. Thought maybe if they were close by, they'd recognize the frequency. Didn't have much luck until recently." He let out a gruff laugh. "When I found them, they already had Havil with them."
Rex shook his head in disbelief. "Why didn't you tell me? I would have helped you."
"I disappointed you so much already, Rex," Wolffe muttered. "I couldn't stand to disappoint you one more time if I never found them."
Rex put a hand on Wolffe's shoulder. His chest felt heavy with emotion. "Thank you, Wolffe. You brought our squad back together." Wolffe gave a small nod, squeezing Rex's forearm as a sign of brotherly affection.
Rex turned back to the three long-lost clones. "B-Boys, I-" He swallowed hard against the lump in his throat. "I'm s-so glad you're all alive…" Tears welled in the corner of his eyes as happiness and relief threaten to overwhelm him.
"Don't cry, Captain," Havil teased.
A husky chuckle was all it took for the tears to start falling. Rex pulled Havil into a rough hug and buried his head in the clone's shoulder. "I-It's Commander now. I was promoted," he mumbled, his voice barely intelligible. A moment later, he felt Man and Guy wrap their arms around him too. With a hard yank, Havil tugged Wolffe into the middle of the group hug. The grumpy clone let out a defeated sight but nonetheless hugged his brothers tightly.
When they pulled away, Rex beamed at his fellow clones, grateful that it felt like no time had passed at all since they were last together. In fact, it LOOKED like no time had passed at all. "Hang on, how do you all look so young?" he inquired.
Havil jabbed his thumb over his shoulder towards their ship. "Wolffe picked up that doctor friend of yours to do some light genetic restructuring on the ride over here."
"What?!" Rex hurried up the ramp inside the ship to find Doctor Pershing sitting in the back of the cockpit with his hands in binders.
Pershing gave a weak wave. "Hello Rex! It's nice to see you again."
"Err… yeah. You too, doc."
"Your brothers kidnapped me."
"I can see that."
"Nice fellows, though. Happy to help them."
"How exactly were you able to do the age-reversal procedure so quickly for all three of them?" Rex asked. "And without all your medical equipment?"
"I automated the process," Pershing replied casually. "Much easier to do it on-the-go. I just needed to upload the schematics into a standard surgical pod and the medical droid took care of the rest."
An idea began to take form in Rex's mind but he tucked it away to think about later. "Hmm. Good to know." He cocked his head at the doctor, who seemed perfectly content with sitting on the floor with his hands in binders. "You uhh… want me to take those off?"
"No, no. I'm fine. The young one… Guy, is it? Insisted I wear them and I don't want to make him angry." He leaned in so only Rex could hear him. "He… he terrifies me."
Rex shrugged. "Suit yourself, doc." He spun on his heels to leave, then stopped and turned back towards Pershing. "Ahsoka and I are getting married tomorrow. Want to come to the wedding? There'll be cake."
The doctor perked up. "Oh yes, that sounds delightful."
Back at Gunnie's Sip, Rex introduced his brothers to Denn and Fanny, who were amazed to see that five men who were genetically identical could have such unique personalities. Fanny seemed to fawn over Wolffe especially and Rex enjoyed seeing the grump, no-nonsense clone get a little pink in the cheeks from all the special attention. Ahsoka was still being held captive by Rainee, so while they waited for her, the boys had a few drinks and swapped stories. Rex heard all about Man and Guy's adventures since they left the squad and how they rescued Havil.
"We busted him out of Imperial prison," Man explained. "It was… mostly an accident. We were actually there to steal some power cells for a smuggling job we took on."
"I overheard the guards saying that some old clones had broken into the facility," Havil continued. "These two maniacs hacked into the security system and unlocked all the cells to create some chaos." He whistled appreciatively. "You should've seen the carnage. I'd recognize that perfectly unhinged work of a Death Trooper anywhere. Figured I'd stick around and watch the show for a bit before escaping. Then it turned out to be these two! Small galaxy, huh?"
Rex chuckled and took a sip from his drink. Dank farrik, he had missed these boys.
"What about you, Rex?" Havil asked. "Wolffe gave us the rundown on your whole-" He waved his hand in the air. "Love story or whatever, but I still can't believe you're actually getting married! I always suspected there was something going on between you and Ahsoka but never thought it was this serious."
"I knew since our old squad invaded this planet," Guy said offhandedly. "I hacked into your communications systems and overhead you two talking."
Havil slapped him in the chest. "And you never said anything?! Do you have any idea how long Gregor and I obsessed over whether or not the two of them were hooking up?!" Next to him, Man was silent, a look of deep hurt on his face from not being in on the secret either.
Guy crossed his arms, his expression dead serious. "Snitches end up in ditches," he stated firmly. Man gave a solemn nod of respect.
Their friendly banter was cut short when Ahsoka walked into the café. She pushed the door open with her hip, her hands busy with a very large garment bag that Rex assumed contained her wedding dress. She smiled at Rex, next at Wolffe, and then her eyes drifted to their companions. Despite the heighten senses that her Force powers gifted her, it took her a moment to register who she was looking at. Her eyes went wide when several realizations hit her at once and the garment bag fell out of her limp hands.
"Holy karking Sith spit!" she blurted out.
"LANGUAGE, Miss Ahsoka!" Guy scolded, a wide smile on his face. He jumped off his stool. Man and Havil followed and the three of them scooped her up in their arms.
"Kriffing hell, look at you! No wonder Rex wants to wife you so bad!" Havil squeezed her tightly.
"W-We really missed you," Man chimed in, his voice cracking.
The three bulky clones engulfed her but Ahsoka still managed to wrap her slender arms around all three of them. There were happy tears in her eyes and when she looked up at Rex, he gave her a soft smile. Warmth blossomed in his chest. That cozy, comforting feeling of being surrounded by those you love. He had lost so many people he considered family over the years, each one taking a piece of him with them. For the first time in he didn't even know how long, he felt whole.
The boys – that is, mostly Havil – insisted on celebrating Rex's last night as an unmarried man. He wasn't sure WHY that was something that needed celebrating. He was actually quite excited to NOT be an unmarried man anymore. Rex told Havil exactly this, who only rolled his eyes and put a shot of some very strong-smelling alcohol in his hands. Ahsoka was happy to oblige them, saying she was in desperate need of some meditation after the wedding dress torture Rainee put her through that day.
"This is your night, Rex!" Havil gushed. "What do you want to do first?"
"Actually, there's something I want to show you boys," Rex replied. He took them to the outskirts of town, where a meticulously maintained garden sat inside a gated perimeter. Rows of stone slabs lined the walkway and several polished obelisks were erected in the center of the garden.
"A cemetery?" Man asked as they walked through the gates.
Rex nodded. "And a memorial. It's for everyone who was lost in this planet's fight against the Empire." He looked between Man and Guy and motioned towards one of the obelisks. "Everyone. On both sides."
Guy put his hand on the stone and traced down the list of names. Most of them read "Unknown Clone Trooper," but what was important was that each clone, whether or not their designation number was known, was still memorialized on the stone. "Our old squad…" he murmured faintly. Man put a hand on Guy's shoulder and stood silently next to him.
"Feels weird being the only clones left," muttered Havil.
"We've lost a lot of brothers," Wolffe said quietly.
"We have," Rex agreed. "But not all of them. We're still here. Others are out there too. I can feel it."
Man suddenly bent down and picked up a piece of jagged stone that had broken off from the obelisk. He handed it to Guy, who nodded in understanding. He began carving something into the memorial. Havil motioned for the piece of stone and etched something as well, then passed it to Wolffe. When they finished, the stone obelisk had three additional names carved into it.
Dogma
Greenie
Gregor
Havil pulled out the bottle of Transdoshan ale that he had brought along, originally with the intention of giving them all a good buzz on Rex's little field trip. "For our brothers," he stated before taking a swig and passing it to Wolffe. Wolffe did the same and the bottle got passed around the group, each clone repeating Havil's words. After Rex took a drink, he poured the rest of the ale onto the ground in front of the stone memorial.
The rest of the evening was much more upbeat. They headed back to Gunnie's Sip, where the inebriated locals were more than happy to share in Rex's special night. Some of them Rex remembered from the anti-Imperial taskforce, some of them had heard stories about him and Ahsoka and were honored to finally meet him, and others were just looking for any excuse to drink. Denn was making his rounds and insisted that the clones' drinks were on the house, despite Rex's warning that his brothers' booze habits might very well bankrupt the saloon.
The second Rex would finish his drink, Havil would put a fresh one in his hand. Man was determined to sample every bottle on the shelf while Guy was trying to coerce one of the locals into throwing a vibroblade at him and watch as he caught it with his teeth. Wolffe was tucked in the corner of the saloon, nursing the same drink he had all night.
Wanting to get away from the chaos, Rex joined Wolffe, letting out an audible sigh as he leaned back against the wall. Wolffe shot him a knowing look. "What?" Rex asked.
"You really don't want to be here, do you?"
He laughed. "It's not that. I'm happy to see the boys again. But this party's more for them than me. I'd rather-"
"Be with Ahsoka?" Wolffe finished for him.
"Heh." Rex rubbed the back of his neck. "I haven't really seen her all day. Between the wedding preparations and you guys showing up."
Wolffe motioned to the door with the cup in his hand. "Go on, then. Go find her."
"Wolffe, I'm not going to leave my own party."
"It's fine. I'll cover for you. The boys are too drunk, anyways. They won't even realize you left." He gestured again. "Go."
Rex grinned and patted Wolffe appreciatively on the back. "Thanks, brother."
Maybe it was the pull of their Force bond, or his own intuition, or just because he knew her so well, that Rex discerned exactly where to find Ahsoka. There was now a turbolift that traveled to the top of the cliffs, but for old times' sake, he decided to take the footpath. The town's expansion had not yet reached the clifftops, aside from a lookout station used to monitor the skies. Ahsoka was sitting cross-legged on the ground near the edge of the cliffs, her cloak billowing in the cool evening wind that gusted around them. There was just a sliver of light left in the sky, the sun's rays shooting out over the tip of the mountains like a series of plasma beams. They casted a golden haze on the horizon and glittered like diamonds along the river. Rex leaned against the lookout station to appreciate the sight of her for a few moments. Calm, warm, and beautiful – just like the sunset that illuminated her cloaked figure.
"I thought you were off partying with your brothers," she called out without turning around, sensing his presence before he could make himself known.
"I was but I'd rather spend time with you." As he approached, she lowered her hood and patted the ground next to her. He sat down and she leaned against him, prompting him to put an arm around her.
"You know, I've been thinking about my Jedi training a lot lately," she mused. "There are so many things I still carry with me, so many teachings that still guide my life." She chuckled lightly. "Then there are others that I've always struggled with."
He pulled her close. "I'm guessing the whole no attachments thing is a big one."
She nodded. "A Jedi can have love and compassion but must remain untethered to the world around them. Only by being completely free of attachments can one find true harmony within the Force. That's what they taught us but I don't think that's true."
"Why's that?" he asked.
She cupped his cheek, caressing her thumb over the coarse whiskers there. "Because I've never felt more connected to the Force then when I'm with you." She kissed him tenderly on the lips. "My attachment to you has never been a hindrance. From the moment I met you, it's made me stronger."
"Us clones were taught something similar growing up," Rex replied. "Love your brothers. Be loyal to your brothers. Keep them alive. That's how you win the battle. That's how you be a good soldier. But if they die, let them go because you still have a mission to complete." He shook his head. "I've always been good at the love and loyalty part. Never been good at the letting go part. Especially not once you showed up." He took her hand in his. "Ahsoka, I already told you that I've loved you since I met you. I love you in every way one person can love another person. You made me a better soldier. And a better man."
Ahsoka smiled softly at him, the deep blue of her eyes shimmering with emotion. Rex could feel their connection in the Force pulsing around them, a bond stronger than any marriage vows could convey. "I'm really glad Master Yoda assigned me to Anakin and not Obi-Wan."
He laughed. "Else you'd be marrying Cody tomorrow."
She scrunched her nose at that and snuggled against his shoulder. Rex rested his head against her montrals as they watched the sun finish setting and the stars start to peek out in the darkened sky. He smiled to himself. He loved his brothers, but this is how he much preferred to spend the night.
"You look fine. Quit messing with it," Wolffe grumbled.
Rex dropped his hands from his collar, which he had just been adjusting for the umpteenth time that day. Dressed in the tailored suit Fanny had sewn for him, he was currently standing on the cliffs above Luun Heights. As much as he appreciated the elegant attire and was excited for the celebration that would follow, he was grateful that they were keeping the ceremony small and intimate, with just Rex's brothers in attendance. He glanced down the line of clones and smiled appreciatively at them.
Any moment now, the turbolift would arrive, Ahsoka would step out, and they would make promises to love and devote themselves to each other for the rest of their lives. As the mechanical whirring of the ascending turbolift got louder and louder, he began rolling back and forth on the balls of his feet.
Wolffe placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Relax, Rex. You've got nothing to-" He suddenly cut off very abruptly. "Wow," he muttered faintly, eyes wide.
Rex followed Wolffe's gaze to see Ahsoka step off the turbolift and it felt like all the air had been knocked out of him. She looked so incredibly beautiful, he could do nothing but stare at her, eyes wide and mouth agape, as she walked towards him. Her wedding dress was a creamy white color, which brought out the warm tones of her orange skin. It had a bodice made of delicate lace and handsewn beads and was backless except for a thin strip of lace that ran down the length of her spine. The skirt reached the ground and was comprised of layers upon layers of translucent fabric. The wild stripes of her lekku were a vivid blue against her dress, their tips curled slightly against her ribcage.
He never had eyes for any other women. Never even entertained the idea, not even during their many years apart. But even without anyone to compare her to, there was no doubt in his mind that Ahsoka was the most beautiful woman in the entire galaxy.
Wolffe elbowed him hard in the ribs, bringing him back to reality. "Pick your jaw off the ground," he mumbled.
Rex grinned broadly at Ahsoka and reached out his hands for her to take as she approached him. When she did, he let out the breath he realized he had been holding. "You look…" Overcome with emotion, he struggled to find words. "Just… wow."
She smiled shyly at him. "You too."
Finding his courage, he squeezed her hands. "You ready to get married?"
She nodded eagerly. "I've been ready for the last twenty years."
They both looked expectantly at Wolffe, who took a step back, bewildered. "What?" he asked gruffly.
"The ceremony?" Rex muttered under his breath.
"Err… what about it?"
"You're running it, aren't you?"
"I… what?!" Wolffe replied in a panic.
"You agreed to be our officiant," Rex explain, slightly annoyed. "That's what the officiant does! They OFFICIATE the wedding!"
"The hell am I supposed to know that?!" Wolffe defended. "You just told me you needed a witness to make it official so I thought I just had to sign off on some documents that I watched you two kiss and make dopey faces at each other!"
Rex groaned loudly and pinched the bridge of his nose. There was quiet chuckling and he whipped his head around to glare at the three other clones behind Wolffe. But all of them were silent, shuffling awkwardly on their feet from the tension in the air.
It was Ahsoka who was laughing, a hand over her mouth to hide her smirk. When their eyes met, she smiled at him and shrugged, as if to say "Did we really expect things to go smoothly?"
Rex immediately softened and grinned back. "Eh, I don't really need any fancy words to tell you how I feel anyways." Pulling her close to him, he ran his hands down her arms and cupped her elbows. "I love you, Ahsoka. Be my wife."
"I love you, Rex," she returned. "Be my husband."
He kissed her, gently and tenderly at first. Ahsoka clung to the lapel of his jacket and wrapped an arm around his neck. He kissed her again. Then again and again until his enthusiasm got the best of him and he lifted her off the ground. She laughed and gripped his face, pushing deeper into their kiss. His brothers cheered and jeered around them but Rex ignored them. All he cared about was the woman – now his wife – in his arms and her sweet lips curled up in a smile against his own. For a fleeting moment, he could feel the Force so strong and bright around them that he wondered if this is what Ahsoka meant about achieving true harmony with it. The two of them now shared an eternal bond, not only in Force but in the promise they just made to each other.
The newly married couple walked hand-in-hand back to Gunnie's Sip where their wedding celebration would take place. Music and laughter poured out of the café and the delicious smell of spice and sweets wafted in the air, making Rex's stomach grumble. He was expecting a small gathering – his brothers, Denn and Fanny, Rainee, and maybe a few of their old comrades from the anti-Imperial taskforce. It seemed like all of Luun Heights had come out to celebration their marriage, along with a few familiar faces neither of them were expecting to see.
"Is that Hera?!" Ahsoka exclaimed.
A pair of green lekku bopped along the crowd of people as a heavily pregnant Hera waddled towards them. With her was Sabine, her hair in vivid streaks of green and purple.
"Congratulations," Hera greeted warmly, giving the couple a hug. Or as much of one as she could give, considering her large belly.
Sabine punched Rex in the arm. "We're a bit offended we weren't invited in the first place."
Rex ran a hand over his head. "We were originally intending to keep things small. Glad you're here, though."
"Did Wolffe invite you?" Ahsoka inquired.
"Yeah, he pretty much asked the entire rebellion to crash your wedding party," Sabine joked.
"Unfortunately, we can't stay for long. Senator Organa needs us back soon for some important briefing." Hera said. "Speaking of which, he sends his congratulations and apologizes for not being able to make it himself. He also wanted me to give you this." She took something out of her pocket and handed it to Ahsoka.
Ahsoka eyed up the datastick. "What is it?"
"All the information Bail has on wild space. He said to consider it a wedding gift."
Rex and Ahsoka looked at each other excitedly. Even between finding a cure for Rex's advanced aging and making plans for their wedding, Ezra was always at the forefront of their minds. Now they would have the time and the intel to begin their search for him.
"Can you believe this old geezer got married?!" Zeb's voice boomed over the festivities. He patted Rex hard on the back, making the clone's knees nearly buckle under his strength.
"I'm honestly more surprised at a Jedi getting married." Kallus was behind him, swirling the glass of wine in his hand and looking only slightly less judgmental than usual. "Then again, two of the three Jedi I've known had torrid love affairs. So perhaps it's not that unusual."
"So when are you two getting hitched?" Rex asked, fighting the smirk that wanted to creep on his face when Zeb's fur stood up on end and Kallus sputtered into his drink.
"Heh. Err, well…" Zeb's ears drooped sheepishly. Next to him, Kallus downed his wine in one gulp, his face redder than the alcohol he was consuming.
The energy in Gunnie's Sip was infectious and Rex couldn't remember the last time he had seen people filled with so much happiness and hope. It gave him a warm and fuzzy feeling, knowing that everyone he cared about was here to celebrate his and Ahsoka's union. Near the food table – which was stocked with smoked kaadu ribs, Luun kabobs, savory rice balls, and many of Rex's other favorite dishes, along with every type of pastry and cake that Fanny had ever made – was Wolffe. He was smiling politely, albeit a bit awkwardly, as Fanny piled a mountain of sweets on his plates.
Ahsoka suddenly started patting Rex's arms frantically, then yanked him towards whatever it was she needed him to see. Sitting at the counter was Rainee, one hand nervously flicking her twitching blue ear while the other squeezed the arm of Guy, who was seated next to her. She was leaning so close to him, she was practically off her own stool. He was fully engaged in whatever she was laughing about, the pink tinge on his face from far more than the abandoned drink next to him.
"Nope." Rex shook his head sternly. "I don't like that." He didn't know who to be mad at and who to feel protective of.
"I think it's kind of sweet," Ahsoka mused. She linked her arm with his and rested her head against his shoulder as they watched the flirty display. "They are the same age, you know. Now both chronologically AND biologically."
"Hmph," Rex grumbled. "I still don't like it."
"I don't care that this is your wedding," slurred a voice behind them, thick and inebriated. "I'll break your legs if you mess this up for Guy." Bewildered, Rex and Ahsoka both turned to see Man standing next to them, hunched over and swaying slightly, but still with the intimidating swagger of a Death Trooper. Before he could say another word, someone slapped their hands on his shoulders.
"C'mon, Man! Wolffe only gave us two rules for tonight." Havil pull Man away from the newly married couple. "Don't get drunk and don't threaten anyone."
"I-I love Guy so much," Man sobbed into his drink. "He's my baby brother. I-I just want him to be happy."
Havil patted Man's back comfortingly as he led him away. "I know, buddy."
The hours flew by and eventually Rex found himself seated at the counter, nursing the fifth or sixth or maybe tenth drink in his hand. Doctor Pershing was next to him, happily tapping his foot to the music as he enjoyed a rather large slice of cake.
"Hey doc, those schematics you told me about for the age-reversal procedure," Rex began. "Could I get a copy of them?"
"I suppose so," Pershing agreed. "May I ask what for?"
Rex shrugged. "I figured it'd be good to have. Never know who you might run into out in the galaxy."
"Indeed." Pershing took another bite of his cake. He paused with the fork in his mouth, an expression of pure longing on his face as he stared across the room. The object of his affection was Havil, who along with Man was trying to drag Wolffe out onto the dance floor.
The doctor really did seem to have a type. Rex cleared his throat. "I have this brother who I think you'd get along great with, doc. He's pretty smart. Maybe a little creepy but he means well. I haven't seen him in a while, but if I cross paths with him again, I'll tell him to give you a call."
Pershing pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "T-That would be quite nice. Thank you, Rex."
Rex polished off his drink and set off into the crowd in search of his wife. He spotted her chatting with Denn and Fanny. When he caught her eye, she smiled wide and hurried toward him, nearly tripping over her dress in the process.
"Rex!" She grabbed his hands and pulled him towards the open floor of the café, where people were dancing to the live band playing. "Dance with me!"
"Ahsoka, I don't really kn-" Before he could warn her that he had no idea how to dance, she had already wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him close. Her head flopped heavily against his chest and she seemed to just be using him as a kickstand so she didn't fall over. "You know, we're not really dancing," he noted with amusement. "You're just… holding me… and swaying. You're not even in sync with the music." He laughed. "You're drunk, aren't you?"
"Just a little," she slurred. "Also I ate too much cake and this dress is a bit tight. I think it's cutting off blood flow to my brain. I can't wait to take this thing off."
He chuckled lowly and leaned in to press his lips against her montrals as they continued to rock back and forth. "We can do something about that a little later," he whispered smoothly.
In her imbibed fog, it took a moment for his insinuation to sink in. She blushed and buried her head in his chest. "You only get this bold when you're buzzed too."
"You know me so well," he said with a grin. He linked his arms around her back and rested his head in between her montrals as he continued swaying with her. What better time to learn to dance than at his own wedding?
Rex swept Ahsoka up in his arms, spinning on his heels as he strode out the door of Gunnie's Sip and rounded the corner to the stairs. The festivities had lasted late into the night and as the last few stragglers cleared out of the saloon, he was eager to finally be alone with his wife. He was bringing her to their old room, which Denn and Fanny had offered to them for their wedding night.
It had been nearly two decades since they visited Er'Kit and they had only stayed for a few months, but in his thirty-two years of life, it was the place Rex had felt the most at home. Not because of the beautiful desert landscape, the welcoming people, or even the endless supply of good food, booze, and laughter at Gunnie's Sip. It was because of Ahsoka. This was the place she made him realize his life could be so much more than the one he was genetically engineered for. She showed him that he DESERVED to have a life that was more than that.
Ahsoka flicked her hand to open the door with her powers, then leaned in to kiss Rex as he carried her over the threshold. They broke away suddenly, both needing a moment to take in the familiar surroundings.
"I forgot how much I missed this place," she commented softly.
"Me too," he murmured.
The room looked almost exactly like it did the last time they were here. The modest double bed, the small kitchenette with the two-person high table, and of course the floor-to-ceiling window that overlooked the town and sprawling mountains in the distance. It was fitting, how the room seemed to welcome them as if they had never left. It was here that they took the first steps in their relationship all those years ago. Now they were here again to start their journey as husband and wife.
Rex gently tossed Ahsoka on the bed. She laughed and pull him down with her. He flopped beside her, getting lost in the flowing layers of her dress. They lay next to each other, the excitement of the day… and maybe a bit too much wine… finally catching up with them.
After a moment, Ahsoka started snickering to herself. Rex turned on his side, an amused smile on his face. "What's so funny?" he asked.
She scrunched her nose. "I'm thinking about how all our friends know EXACTLY what we'll be doing tonight."
He snorted. "Well, not EXACTLY what we'll be doing. Though I'm sure Havil will be torturing Wolffe with plenty of his assumptions on the matter." He sat up and leaned over her, gripping her waist as he leaned in to kiss her. "Let them think whatever they want," he whispered against her lips. "All I care about is spending the night alone with my wife."
He heard her breath hitch in her throat before she pressed her lips more firmly against his. Her kiss was slow and careful, and when they pulled away to catch their breaths, she looked at him almost timidly. The years had melted off her face and her eyes were soft and vulnerable.
"What's wrong?" Rex implored.
"It's nothing." Ahsoka bit her lip. "I just feel… nervous for some reason." She slapped a hand on her face in embarrassment. "It's silly, I know."
He smiled sheepishly. "It's not. I'm nervous too."
"This shouldn't feel any different, right?" she reasoned, gathering up the many folds of her dress so she could scoot back against the headboard. "We're still… us."
Rex sat back as well and draped an arm around her. "You know, Cut once told me that marriage changes nothing but also everything."
"What does that mean?" she asked.
He shook his head. "Honestly, I'm still not exactly sure. But how I see it is that marriage isn't a new path we take. It's the same path, we're just…" He paused, searching for the right analogy. "Getting a sturdier pair of boots to walk it. It makes the journey easier. Lets us walk the path a lot longer."
She leaned her head against his shoulder. "I like to think that this long and difficult journey we've had - all the tragedy, all the heartache, the times not knowing where the other person was or if they were even still alive – we survived all of that so that we could be here now."
He hugged her close and planted his lips against her forehead. "I'd do it all again if it meant getting to call you my wife at the end of it."
"I would too." She gazed up at him, that familiar glint in her eyes. Even after all this time, it make his knees weak when she looked at him like that, with so much love, want, and a million other things that made him feel like the biggest man in the galaxy. Her eyes fell down to his mouth and she brushed her fingers through his beard before kissing him. "I love you, Rex."
"I love you too, Ahsoka." He enthusiastically returned her kiss, running his hands up her bare back as he traced the seam of her lips with his tongue. She parted them for him and let him explore inside her mouth. His tongue tingled from the sweet wine she had earlier in the evening. Rex never had much of a sweet tooth but the taste of her was one glaring exception.
Breaking from their deepened kiss, Ahsoka's mouth trailed along his cheek before giving him a few tender love bites on his neck. She grazed her teeth lightly against his ear, sending a shiver down his spine. "Do you want to make love to your wife for the first time?" she whispered, low and alluring.
Another shiver passed through Rex, this time so intense it rushed all the way down to his toes. "Yes," he groaned. "Kriffing hell, yes I do." He scooped her up into his lap, the layers of her dress fluttering out over both of them. Immediately he smashed his lips against hers again and let his hands roam all over her body - her back, her arms, her lekku, any part of her bare skin he could reach. There wasn't much, considering she was still in her wedding dress and it concealed most of her beautiful orange curves. He didn't mind, for now at least. He hadn't been able to tear his eyes away from her since the moment he saw her in it.
"This dress is really nice." Rex thumbed the delicate lace pattern, tracing the contours of her breasts. "You look beautiful." His fingers followed the hem behind her back and traced up the line of lace along her spine. Ahsoka shivered. Maybe from his touch or maybe in anticipation for what was to come. Snaking his hand under her back lekku, he found the clasp of her bodice at the base of her neck and carefully undid it. The fabric fell from her chest and pooled around her waist on top of the silky layers of her dress. He cupped one of her breasts, grazing his thumb over her already-pebbled nipple. "Beautiful," he repeated.
Ahsoka let out a content sigh. She placed her hand over his, squeezing to encourage his attention on her breast. Her other hand guided his underneath her dress to the velvety smoothness of her bare skin.
"Can I tell you what I want?" she asked as she teased herself with his hand, grazing it against her inner thigh. His fingers twitched, eager to sink into her soft flesh.
"Yes," Rex rasped, his voice thick and eager.
"I want my husband to touch me," she said, just as she brought his hand to the growing heat between her legs.
Although it had only been a few hours since they became husband and wife, Rex knew he would never, EVER get tired of hearing her call him that. It made his heart feel impossibly full. And right now, it was making his rapidly swelling manhood throb with desire for her. He obeyed, circling his thumb around her sensitive peak while his fingers dipped shallowly into her folds. Ahsoka gasped and arched into him, lifting herself up slightly so he had better access. He sunk his fingers in a little more, curling them to find that sweet spot inside her. When he did, an intense shudder coursed through her. She began grinding slowly against his hand, eager for him to hit that spot again.
He planted wet kisses along her cheek, following her white markings to where her jawline met her lekku. As he sucked on her neck, he squeezed her breast, enjoying the little noises she made and the way her core clenched around his fingers every time he pinched her nipple. Ahsoka's own hand went to her other breast to mimic his actions. Her pulse quickened, her breath puffed erratically against his shoulder, and her thrusts against his hand became desperate.
"R-Rex," she moaned shakily. "I need more… I'm so close…"
He plunged another digit into her wet heat. "Come for me," he rumbled against her neck before sinking his teeth into it. "Please, Ahsoka. Let me feel it."
She moaned her approval as he started to pump his fingers inside her fast and hard. He couldn't see what he was doing - his hand was still lost among the many layers of her dress - but he didn't need to. The pulsing of her swollen folds and sound of his fingers squelching in her arousal was evidence enough of how close she was.
The tension finally snapped inside her. Rex felt her muscles spasm violently around his fingers and a new gush of arousal coated his hand. Ahsoka threw her head back, mouthing his name but no sound coming out. She grinded furiously against his hand as she rode the waves of her orgasm. Only when she flopped her head against his shoulder in utter exhaustion did he finally pull his hand out from underneath her dress.
He inspected the slick mess on his hand, and with a mischievous grin, locked eyes with her as he popped his fingers into his mouth to taste her essence. Ahsoka bit her lip as she watched him, face and lekku still flushed with arousal. The second he was finished, she smashed her mouth against his in a sloppy kiss. Her hands quickly trailed down his chest and disappeared under the folds of her dress onto his thighs.
Rex spread his legs wider to invite her hand between them. A gravely groan reverberated in his throat when she cupped his neglected erection, straining painfully against his tailored pants and already leaking profusely in anticipation. Her fingers rubbed up and down his shaft several times before her thumb swirled over the damp fabric covering his tip.
She hummed amusedly to herself. "You're almost as wet as you are hard," she teased.
"You know how worked up you can get me," he grunted, shutting his eyes as his entire body seemed to pulse under her touch. "And seeing how beautiful you look in that dress had me feeling a certain way all night."
"You clean up quite nicely yourself, you know." Her hand slid up to unbutton his pants. "I never got to see you in your dress uniform during the war." She pulled his zipper down inch by agonizing inch. "I could have never imagined you'd look so handsome."
Rex let out a hiss of relief as his erection sprung out eagerly from its confinements. It was so stiff and prominent that it tented out the many layers of Ahsoka's dress. He couldn't see what she was doing but he could certainly FEEL it. It was almost embarrassing how loud his moan was when she took him in hand, like it was the very first time she was touching him.
She pumped him slowly at first, twisting her wrist and tightening her grip when she reached his tip, then sinking back down to his base where she'd give him a tight squeeze. By the time she built to a moderate pace, he was panting heavy and trembling underneath her. Despite never wanting their wedding celebration to end, he'd been desperate for her touch all day. Her soft, skilled hands around his aching length were making him fall apart faster than a janky freighter with loose bolts traveling through hyperspace. The heat of his orgasm was building rapidly in his gut and he made some unintelligible warning noises.
With a wicked smile, Ahsoka snaked her other hand under her dress and gripped him firmly around the base. The hand around his shaft began vigorously jerking him off, so fast he could hear the lewd sound of flesh-against-flesh as her fist slapped against his pelvis with each stroke. Rex barely had time to appreciate the glorious sight of her bare breasts bouncing from the motion of her arms before the intense pleasure made his eyes roll back in his head. His jaw went slack and Ahsoka captured his open mouth in a kiss, swallowing down his strangled moan.
"A-Ahsoka," he groaned. "I'm gonna… oh kriff, I'm gonna…" He suddenly gripped both of her arms to stop her. "H-Hold on."
"What's wrong?" she asked, as out of breath as he was.
"Your… your dress," he stammered. "I don't w-want… to ruin it."
She let out a loud laugh and loosened her grip on him. "I appreciate your concern," she joked with a quick kiss to his nose. "It is getting in the way a bit. Why don't you do something about that?"
Rex let out a small whine of frustration at being seconds away from relief. He started fumbling with the fabric of her dress as he searched for the zipper or clasp or WHATEVER was keeping the damn thing on her. With a defeated grumble, he threw his hands back down. "You know, you could help me out here."
There was a wicked grin on her face as she scooted up his lap, slinking her arms around his neck. "Sorry, no can do. It's the husband's job to remove his wife's dress on their wedding night." She gave the slightest roll of her hips, ghosting her folds against his tip. He stared up at her with pleading eyes, his erection aching and throbbing in the heat that was radiating from her womanhood.
"Kriff it," he said gruffly. "Leave the dress on." He gripped her waist and thrusted against her, sliding his stiff length against her wet folds. The friction was absolute bliss and he did it a few more times before pushing gently against her entrance. Ahsoka wriggled her hips to align him properly, letting out a soft moan as she sank down fully on his erection.
Ahsoka gripped tightly to the fabric of his shirt as he began lightly thrusting up into her, trying to pace himself and savor this moment for as long as possible. She began popping loose the buttons of his shirt, kissing along his neck as she exposed more of his skin. When she succeeded in getting his shirt off, she pressed gently on his chest, encouraging him to lay back. Rex obeyed, eyes glued to her as she intertwined their fingers, kissed both his knuckles, then brought his hands to either side of his head and pinned them there. She trailed her mouth along his collarbone and onto the thick muscle of his chest, licking his nipple into a tiny stiff peak. Rex groaned some colorful words as she bit down, making him buck his hips hard against her as his erection pulsed with need inside her. She soothed the bite with her plush lips, then kissed along to his other pec and gave it the same attention. As she continued her ministrations, she began rolling her hips against him, slowly but firmly.
"A-Ahsoka," he moaned, totally lost in the hot bliss of her womanhood. It was so slick and tight around his hard length and the weight of her on top of him was the only thing keeping him anchored to reality. He met her thrusts with his own, each one bringing him closer to the release he was beyond desperate for.
"R-Rex," she returned in an equally wrecked voice. She let go of his hands so she could sit up and quicken her pace. Her fingers sank into the silvery hairs on his chest as she began lifting up and spearing herself down on him over and over. Tiny gasps of pleasure escaped her each time she bottomed out.
The power this woman – his wife – had over him. Rex was completely at her mercy. He could do nothing but stare up in absolute awe at her as she began grinding faster and faster against him. The desire burning in his gut was nothing compared to the love and adoration that blossomed from his chest. There was a bit of disbelief in there too – that a simple man like himself was not only loved by but now MARRIED to someone as incredible as her.
The light of the lanterns from outside surrounded Ahsoka in a soft glow. It outlined the shape of her full breasts and long lekku as they bounced freely with her movements. Her blue eyes glittered brightly, a sharp contrast against the orange and white angles of her face. The light shone through the translucent layers of her dress to illuminate her like she was some kind of ethereal being.
"Stars almighty, you're so beautiful," Rex murmured. So mesmerized by her, he was only half aware that he had voiced the thought out loud.
She let out a breathy laugh and gave his pecs an appreciative squeeze. "So are you, Rex."
The way her arms pressed her breasts together was much too tantalizing and Rex couldn't help himself. He sprung up and buried his face between them, kissing as much of her soft skin as he could before taking her nipple in his mouth. Ahsoka whimpered as he lavished her breasts with his tongue. He hooked an arm behind her back and began drilling relentlessly into her, practically lifting them both off the bed with how desperately he was pumping into her swollen core. Her walls fluttered intensely around him and he knew she was close. He was closer, and despite his best efforts, his resolve was about to completely crumble.
"Let go, Rex," she murmured soothingly, obviously sensing he was seconds from bursting. "Please, I want to feel my husband fill me up."
"O-Oh kriff, Ahsoka!" he sobbed, her words alone being enough to make him wholly fall apart. He buried his face between her breasts as he emptied himself inside of her. His grip on her waist was bruising as he clung to her for dear life, needing something to hold onto as his pleasure erupted out of him.
She followed him over the edge a moment later, clinging to his back as her muscles spasmed around him. He craned his neck to look up at her and they stared into each other's eyes, matching expressions of complete ecstasy on their faces as their rode out their climaxes together. As their pleasure ebbed away, Rex collapsed against the bed and took Ahsoka with him. They stayed that way for a while, tangled together in a mess of limbs, blankets, and the layers of her wedding dress.
As Rex began to get his second wind, he tugged on the waistband of Ahsoka's dress. "This needs to come off NOW," he muttered. He found a row of buttons concealed by a layer of lace and let out a triumphant "HA!", to which Ahsoka rolled her eyes with a smirk. After shimmying the dress down her waist, he hopped off the bed and chucked it over one of the stools, then hurriedly began shrugging off the remainder of his own clothes. He could hear her snickering behind him, presumably at his eagerness.
When he turned back around, Ahsoka was laying back against the pillows, completely bare except for the leather headband she wore as a symbol of their devotion to each other. The tips of her lekku curled under her perfect breasts and her endless orange curves were still illuminated by the lantern glow from outside. She smiled coyly at him and spread her legs, beckoning him with a curl of her finger. "Come back to bed, husband."
Rex grinned and jumped back on the mattress, eager to rejoin his wife. Their lips met in a passionate kiss and they melted into each other's arms, ready to make the most of their first night together as husband and wife.
"Y'all have been newlyweds for all of three days and you're already getting back to work? No honeymoon or nothing?" Denn shook his head. "Honestly, I don't think I'll ever fully understand you two."
Rex laughed. "Vacations really aren't our style."
Although the last few days of marital bliss had been incredible, he and Ahsoka both knew it was time to move on. They've been away from the rebellion long enough and were eager to get back into the action. With the intel from Bail Organa, they had a good place to start in their search for Ezra. The time with his brothers had also sparked something inside Rex, reigniting his passion for a purpose he felt he had abandoned a long time ago.
Fanny wrapped her frail arms around him and Ahsoka. "Promise it won't take another twenty years to come back for a visit?"
"We promise," Ahsoka assured her.
The newly married couple headed towards the docking bay, where Wolffe and the others were working on their ship. Rex grasped his forearm in a brotherly greeting.
"We're going to be gone a while. And when we're out in wild space, our comms might go dead for weeks at a time." With his free hand, Rex squeezed Wolffe's shoulder. "Are you sure you'll be okay on your own?"
"I'll be fine, Rex. You really don't need to worry about me anymore."
"I know I don't NEED to," Rex quipped back. "But I want you. You're my brother, Wolffe. I love you."
Wolffe grumbled and rolled his eyes. "Loveyoutoo," he mumbled lowly.
Rex smirked and leaned in closer. "What was that?"
Wolffe gave Rex a sharp look, his good eye pleading to not have to repeat himself. Deterring from his moment of softness, he turned towards Ahsoka. "Keep this idiot from getting himself into trouble, yeah?"
She laughed. "You know that even I'm not capable of doing that." She wrapped her arms around him and planted a light kiss on his cheek. Wolffe grumbled again, but the pink tinge on his face betrayed his true feelings.
"Don't worry, Rex. I'll keep an eye on this old sourpuss." Havil slung an arm around Wolffe's shoulder. "After we drop off the doctor with his Imp buddies, I was thinking of checking out this rebellion of yours. Been a while since I knocked some stormtrooper skulls around."
Rex beamed. "The rebellion would be lucky to have you boys."
"Actually," Man chimed in. "Guy and I were thinking about staying here on Er'Kit for a while. Help the locals with their city expansion."
Guy rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "The nice lady who made Miss Ahsoka's dress said she could use some help setting up her storefront in the business district."
A knowing smile curled on Ahsoka's face. "I'm sure Rainee will be VERY happy to hear that you're sticking around."
After a final round of goodbyes to the clones, Rex and Ahsoka headed towards their own ship. As they got close, she noticed the peculiar-looking antennae that stuck off of one of the T-6 shuttle's wings. It blinked a steady blue light.
"I might have asked the boys to make a few modifications to our ship," he explained, noticing her perturbed look.
"What for?"
He motioned up the ramp. "Come inside and I'll show you." Rex took Ahsoka to the command console, where he brought up the transmission log and showed her what had been broadcasting.
She looked even more confused. "Is that the coded message you used back in the day when you were looking for rogue clones?"
He nodded. "Seeing my brothers again gave me hope that maybe there are more of us out there. We're going to be traveling all across the galaxy looking for Ezra. If any other clones are still alive, maybe they'll pick up our signal and reach out for help."
"You want to offer them the age-reversal procedure." She tapped her chin. "That explains why you've been talking to Doctor Pershing so much the past few days."
Rex removed a datastick from one of his belt pouches. "The doc gave me a copy of his schematics. All I need is a surgical pod and a medical droid, which we have right here on our ship." He pointed out the viewport, to where the faint shadows of nearby planets were starting to appear in the sky as it darkened. "Cut is out there somewhere. He deserves to have more time with his family. Echo and the rest of the Bad Batch are too, I'm sure of it. If any more of my brothers are out there, they deserve a chance at a full life like I've been given." He took her hands in his. "Finding Ezra is still my top priority. You made a promise to him and I intend to help you keep it. I just thought-"
Ahsoka grinned. "We could kill two porgs with one stone?"
He breathed a sigh of relief. "Exactly."
"We're married now, Rex. What's mine is yours, what's yours is mine. Every struggle, every victory, every mission." She squeezed his hands. "Let's go find Ezra. Let's go help whatever remaining clones are out there. And let's do it together."
Rex smiled broadly. "Together," he repeated. He leaned in and so did Ahsoka, their lips meeting in a sweet and tender kiss. After everything they've been through – the battles, the missions, the run-ins with the Empire, the brushes with death, the heartbreak over losing those close to them, the joy of being reunited with long-lost friends – Rex was certain of one thing. No matter where the next adventure took him, so long as he had his wife by his side, he was more than ready for it.
~THE END~