"Cody?" Rex called. It wasn't too dark to see him. Cody's four-year-old brother looked like he'd been crying. Cody opened up his arms.
"I'm here, Rex'ika." Cody said. There was a slight pressure against his side as Rex snuggled up close. Cody ran his hand across Rex's back, rubbing his shoulders in a soothing way.
"It's okay, vod'ika." He murmured. Cody wondered if Rex had had another nightmare, or if the kids in his squad had been teasing him again. Despite being a year older than Rex, Cody was more of a squad-mate to the cadet than those who shared his quarters. He didn't ask any questions, just kept rubbing Rex's back. Rex buried his face in Cody's side.
"They said they were gonna terminate me." He whispered. Cody held Rex tighter. They never should have said that.
"I'm not gonna let anyone hurt you, little brother." Cody soothed, making sure his irritation didn't sound in his voice. Rex sniffed.
"They said you can't stop them. They said that the Kaminoans didn't like me 'cause I was disrespectful and defective and that they would take you away." The words made Cody's anger boil. How dare they? He glared off into the dark. Rex shifted, and the movement brought Cody back to the moment.
"Hey, don't be scared." Cody said. "Who do you trust: me, or them?" Rex looked up at him.
"You're my ori'vod. Of course I trust you." Warmth filled Cody's chest.
"Then you know that I won't let anything happen to you." Cody said, hoping he could keep the promise. Rex nodded slowly.
"Okay." He replied. He let his head rest on Cody's shoulder. Cody shifted slightly, lying back against the wall.
"Get some sleep, vod'ika." He said. Rex yawned.
"You gonna stay, Cody?" He asked.
"Do you want me to?" Cody replied. Rex nodded.
"Don' ever leave me." He said. Cody smiled into the darkness.
"I won't." He promised.
Six Years Later
Cody stared at Rex. "What happened to you?" He asked. Rex looked like he'd been caught in a rockslide. Rex tried to grin, but just winced.
"It's nothing, Cody." He said. Fives snorted from where he stood at Rex's side.
"There's a reason we called you, commander. Kix is too busy to watch all the patients, and Rex is hurt."
"M'fine." Rex said. His words were slightly slurred. Cody looked at Fives. The ARC trooper looked at Rex.
"Broken ribs, bruised everywhere, minor cuts and scrapes. He was caught in an explosion. A ship landed on him."
"He wouldn't have survived that." Cody said. Fives shrugged.
"It was a speeder." Rex muttered. "Half a BARC speeder."
"That's part of what caused the broken ribs." Fives said. "Kix said something about the force of the explosion throwing him across the battlefield."
"So…why did you call me?" Cody asked. "Can't you watch him by yourself?"
"Thank, vod." Rex snorted.
"What is so seriously wrong with him that you needed me?" Cody rephrased the question. Fives looked down.
"He was really hurt, commander. He called for you." Rex went red.
"I did—don't lie about me, Fives." He said. Fives shrugged helplessly.
"He was coughing and bleeding and in a lot of pain. Kix was looking at him. When he was done, he said he needed you. So, I called you." Cody rested a hand on Fives' shoulder.
"Good job, brother." He said. Fives smiled proudly. Rex winced as he tried to move.
"Cody, I'll be fine. You don't need to stay here." He said. Cody looked down at his battered vod'ika.
"Do you want me to stay here?" He asked. Rex glared.
"Of course." He said shortly. Cody sat down next to Rex's bed.
"Then I stay." Rex sighed.
"Fine." But he seemed relieved.
Later that night, Rex whimpered in his sleep. He was having another of his frequent nightmares. Cody jumped up and leaned close to his brother. He touched Rex's shoulder gently. Rex struggled. Cody grabbed both of Rex's shoulders and held him still.
"Rex! Wake up!" He whispered loudly. Rex slumped. His breathing slowed slightly and he opened his eyes. Cody sank back into his chair.
"Sorry to wake you, Codes." Rex muttered. "Nightmare."
"It's all right, Rex." Cody said, scooting his chair closer. Rex tilted his head towards Cody and reached out his hand. It was something he hadn't done since childhood, something he never would have done if someone else had been watching. Cody took Rex's hand and held it tight. Rex sighed slightly.
"I feel ridiculous." He muttered. "I'm not a kid. I shouldn't need someone to hold my hand after a nightmare." He started to pull away. Cody held his hand tighter.
"If anyone saw the things we saw, they would have nightmares too." He murmured. Rex laughed softly and then coughed.
"Ow." He said. Cody winced.
"You'll get better." He said. Rex nodded.
"Eventually." He replied. There was silence. "Cody?"
"Yes?" Cody replied.
"You're gonna stay with me?"
"Of course." Cody replied. He squeezed Rex's hand tighter. "Always."
Author's Note: So, Cody's like ten in the first part and Rex is eight (five and four years old).
Mando'a Translations:
Vod'ika is little brother
Vod is brother
Ori'vod is big brother
Rex'ika means "little Rex"
