Hello there my guys, you know the drill. Dumb fluff oneshot, as usual. I'm working on an actual story right now, which I will post soon! But for now you're stuck with this. Some sidenotes, the song I used in this fic is by Conan Gray in the album Kid Krow, called 'Comfort Crowd', hence the title. Go check it out, it's really good! Also this story is kinda like my twin, Melwa Rat's, chapter 18 of Anakin and Ahsoka Drabbles, so go look at that! And my grandma is gonna read this so offtopic thing but HELLO MEMAW okay anyways...back to the story! Hope y'all enjoy and have a great day!
Captain Rex was on watch duty. He stood at attention with a rifle by his side and blasters at the ready for any incoming threat. On the opposite side of base was Jesse, protecting their flank.
It was a cold night, whichever planet they were on. They'd crash landed onto the forested surface after just barely escaping General Grievous's fleet in the Tashtor sector. Their crashed venator cruiser was half a mile away, and they had set up a camp for survivors. The makeshift base was made out of military tents they'd found in the wreckage, a few for clones and one for Anakin and Ahsoka. They found a handful of blankets, and were able to easily make a fire with the natural supplies the forest supplied. But it was dying down, only a few leaping embers and a tiny flame every now and then. The stars had come out, visible through cracks in the canopy. There were millions upon millions visible, something the light pollution on Coruscant prevented. But Rex couldn't bring himself to appreciate the scenery. There had been no sign that they were followed, but it was a possibility nonetheless. And there was always the threat of natives or animals, especially in a forest like this.
He didn't like it. He switched on his night vision lights on his helmet, but he could see nothing hiding in the dense trees.
He felt something on his shoulder, and he spun around with the rifle raised.
ARC trooper Jesse held up his hands in defense, stepping away from him with nervous laughter. "Sorry, Sir, didn't mean to scare ya."
Rex lowered it quickly, sighing and trying to slow his rapid heartbeat. "It's fine, brother. You see something?" He glanced over his shoulder at the clearing, squinting to see better. It seemed normal, but he kept his guard up.
"No, but it's time for someone to take our place." He said.
"Oh." He turned back to the forest. "You find someone. I'm staying here."
"Sir, with all due respect, you need to rest." Jesse argued, looking over at the Jedi's tent. Their flickering lantern was still on and he could see their moving silhouettes. He got a rather immature idea.
"I'll tell the Commander you're refusing to stand down and sleep." He threatened with a devilish smirk. Blackmail.
Rex frowned. If he knew Ahsoka she'd be out in second ordering him to get in the tent and sleep like the rest of the men. There was really no arguing with her. He groaned, getting up. "Fine." He said with obvious annoyance.
Jesse smiled victoriously, walking in front of him and entering the tent first. "G'night, sir." He whispered once inside. He then nudged whoever it was who was going next, followed by a tired groan and Jesse explaining the rude interruption of the man's short-lasted sleep.
Rex took off his helmet and started to climb in himself, then stopped, foot already inside.
What was that?
It was a sound, it took him a moment to register that it was coming from the General and Commander's tent. A low, humming sound.
He stepped aside to let the next watch replacement for Jesse out, mentally noting it was Kix before thinking back to the mystery sound. He shook his head, telling himself that it wasn't his place. Which it wasn't, of course, but he found himself dragging his feet closer and closer to them out of curiosity.
It was a song, sung in that low, gravelly voice he recognized as Anakin's. He drew back in surprise and peeked in through the raggedy tent door.
The two Jedi were sitting in the middle of the floor, (if you could even call it that), a ripped up, too-small emergency blanket spread out on their laps. Ahsoka had her head on the man's shoulder. Her eyes were closed and her features peaceful. Anakin had an arm draped loosely around her waist and was gently swaying her back and forth. He was quietly singing a song the Captain didn't recognize.
She moved closer to him and he beamed down at her. Rex found that he was smiling too at the wholesome scene. His voice was hushed, but Rex could somewhat make out the words.
"I just needed company now…" His voice carried out the 'now'. It was hauntingly beautiful, even at a whisper. His voice was breathy and modulated and silvery and perfect. He sang the words with such grace Rex felt like he'd known the song his whole life. "I just needed someone around, I don't care what song that we play,"
He was in utter awe. He'd never guess that Anakin Skywalker of all people was that good of a singer.
"Or mess that we make," The man drew in a tired breath. "Just company now...comfort crowd…" He finished the lyrics and went back to humming the tune of the song. Ahsoka was slowly starting to fall asleep to the comforting sound of his voice. Even Rex found himself getting gradually more and more tired.
Anakin suddenly looked up, and Rex hurriedly tried to duck out of the way. He fell loudly onto the ground, making a much bigger scene than necessary.
Anakin's eyes went round and his cheeks red with embarrassment. He was uneasy about anyone hearing his singing, but as Rex's head slowly popped back up, his face laced with shame and embarrassment as well, he gave him a smile.
"Hey, Rex." He whispered, trying his best not to disturb the little Togruta pressed to his side.
He shouldn't have intruded like that, he should've just gone in the tent and minded his own business.
"I'm sorry, sir, I-" He started.
"It's okay." He reassured him and gave a little salute with his free hand. "Sleep good, Rex. We're gonna need you at your best tomorrow."
Ahsoka grunted a sleepy protest to Anakin stopping singing.
Rex saluted him back. "Of course, sir." He didn't want to take his eyes away from them. The pleasant picture was soothing, and gave him hope that everything would turn out okay. But Anakin continued his humming, and Rex knew it was time for him to go. He ripped his eyes away from them, walking away and ducking into the 501st's nearby tent. He was careful to avoid stepping on his sleeping brothers. He made his way to the back of the packed tent where there was a little bit of free space. He nudged Fives awake.
"Huh?" He groaned after a few gentle shoves, slowly opening his eyes.
"Hate to wake you, Fives. But you're up for watch duty." He handed him a rifle.
Fives nodded with a yawn, standing up and zig-zagging his way out of the tent and into the cold night air.
Rex laid down uneasily on the cold, hard ground. He stripped off the armor on one of his arms so he could use it as a pillow.
He could still hear Anakin's low humming, and he had to admit, it was comforting.
Earlier…
Ahsoka stared at her master Anakin's back. He was sitting up next to her and tinkering with his robotic arm out of boredom and most likely stress. He was usually the last person to fall asleep between the two of them, especially in situations like this. If he wasn't paying attention he'd probably stay up all night, anxious that he wouldn't be up to protect her and the men if he didn't. She sighed, propping herself up on an elbow from where she was laying on the ground of the tent. "Are you ever gonna sleep, Master?"
He shrugged, craning his neck backwards to look at her. "Maybe. Why?"
"You're stressing me out."
He turned around fully, laying a gloved hand on her shoulder, his face contorting in concern. "Don't worry about me, Snips." He said, trying to be comforting.
She rolled her eyes. "If you don't want me to be worried maybe get some sleep." She gestured to the ground. "We have a lovely cold ground."
He laughed. "Tempting."
She sat up next to him. "I'm stressed enough without having to worry about you." Her humor was gone, and her brow markings were furrowed.
Anakin picked up on her change in attitude. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, just-" She shivered after leaving the blanket, hugging her arms over herself. She let out a heavy sigh. "I'm worried about us being stranded, I'm worried about the Separatists finding us and I'm really, really cold." She got out quickly.
He found a solution to at least one of those, picking up the emergency blanket and draping it over her shoulders. She took it gratefully. "Thanks." She muttered.
He pulled back. "The rest of the fleet is looking for us." He tried.
"Yeah, I guess it's just a matter of who finds us first. The Republic or the Seppies."
Now that she was mentioning it he could sense her clouded Force presence. It was beginning to overwhelm his own, and he knew he had to do something about it.
He scooted closer to her.
"Oh, sorry." She gave him a bit of blanket, which proved difficult with his broad shoulders. She moved it to their laps.
"Jesse and Rex will tell us if anything happens. Plus you have me!" He smiled.
She scoffed. "Wow, I feel so safe!"
He frowned, purposefully deciding to ignore her obvious sarcasm. "Thank you."
He looked down suddenly as he felt a weight on his shoulder, seeing the top of her montrals as she leaned against him.
"You like to sing, right?" She asked quietly.
He blushed. He did. Shmi had always sung to him as a kid, after Watto would beat him, after long, scary days on Tatooine, to put him to sleep, to calm him down... as he grew up at the Temple and after she was gone he'd sing himself to sleep, finding comfort in it. He wasn't like Shmi, no one would ever be like her, but it had helped him relax on his worst days. But he'd never, ever sung to someone. It was pathetic, and weak. A General of war, the strong Jedi he'd planned to be shouldn't be singing himself to sleep.
Ahsoka read his thoughts unintentionally. "I can hear you in your quarters sometimes. You're really good."
"I-" He hung his head. "It's stupid."
"No it's not." She looked up at him. "I draw sometimes. I'm not very good, but it's something. It's good to have something else to focus on than the war." She snuggled closer to him, telling herself it was for warmth but knowing that wasn't true.
"Sing me something."
Anakin's stomach dropped. "I..can't."
"Why not?"
"I've never done it in front of anyone." He could feel his nervousness build inside him just sitting there.
"I've already heard you." She argued.
He sighed, looking down at the shaky, stressed out girl. Maybe it would help calm her down, like Shmi's singing. He tried to think of something, clearing his throat and unsurely putting an arm around her.
Rex closed his eyes, listening to the calming sound of Anakin's humming, finding himself, like Ahsoka, falling into a troubled sleep, the best they could get.