Author's Note: I wrote this chapter ages ago, so here it is! This chapter is soo chaotic and would never happen in real life but it turned out pretty funny, so I guess I'll post it. 501st shenanigans. Rex is a little less careful about the rules in this one, and honestly that's prob why it's so chaotic.
TWO WEEKS AFTER THE LAST CHAPTER
INT. HALLWAYS - NIGHT
Kix stands in front of the barracks door with his arms crossed. All his fellow brothers stand in front listening.
KIX
Tomorrow night is holo film night! Bring a date instead of going to 79's!
(mumbles)
I'm sick of giving out meds for hangovers.
All the clones look super excited, especially Hardcase and Fives. Echo shifts around nervously. Rex places his bucket on his head to hide his pink face.
INT. BARRACKS - NIGHT
Rex walks into the barracks to see every bunk mattress lying in the center of the room, creating one giant mattress. Plethoras of blankets and pillows lie on each mattress. A holo screen projects the loading screen of a film on the wall.
Many of his fellow brothers sit with dates on mattresses. In the back of the room, Kix fidgets with the holo system with a smug look on his face. Rex approaches him.
REX
You did all this?
KIX
Jesse helped, but I was motivated.
Fives walks up to them and punches Rex on the shoulder.
FIVES
He's sick of you not making a move on the Commander.
Rex blushes.
KIX
That is not- I did this to keep you guys indoors while on leave!
Echo walks in.
ECHO
Rex has no problem staying indoors.
FIVES
Is the Commander coming?
REX
No, I didn't tell her about this.
KIX
I did.
REX
WHAT!
KIX
I invited her for you.
Rex covers his face with his hands and walks off. Fives follows him.
FIVES
Ooooh, Rexie has a crush!
Echo and Kix watch them walk away.
ECHO
Kix?
KIX
Yeah?
ECHO
Is Aleyna going to be here?
KIX
(smirks)
Why do you ask?
ECHO
(shifts in place)
Um... I'd like to ask her out.
KIX
Ask her yourself.
Aleyna nervously walks in. She spots Kix and lets out a breath of relief. Echo puts his hands behind his back and blushes.
ALEYNA
Kix, I finished up in the Med Bay like you requested.
KIX
Thanks, Aleyna. Have you met Echo?
ALEYNA
Oh yes! Nice to see you again.
She holds out a hand. Echo awkwardly takes her hand into his sweaty palm and lightly shakes it. She looks down at his wet hand. Echo's eyes widen.
ECHO
Hi. Um... do you want to be my date for tonight?
ALEYNA
Sure!
ECHO
Okay.
Echo takes a deep breath and lets go of her hand. She walks in front of him to find a mattress. Echo nervously looks over at Kix, who grins and gives Echo and thumbs up. Echo melts into a heartwarming smile. He follows Aleyna to a mattress.
Ahsoka and Barriss enter the barracks. Kix freezes and looks over at Rex and Fives. Rex sits on a mattress staring at a pillow as Fives towers over him pretending to be in love.
KIX
Hello, Commanders.
AHSOKA
Hi Kix! I didn't tell Anakin, but I did invite Barriss. I figured there's no harm in that.
Kix bites back a laugh thinking about how Fives will react.
KIX
Yeah, find a mattress... unless... you have... dates.
Ahsoka and Barriss grin and walk past Kix. They approach Rex and Fives.
Fives, too busy taunting Rex, doesn't notice Barriss' presence until she grabs his arm. He jumps a mile.
BARRISS
Fives, I'm here for our date.
FIVES
I never-
BARRISS
-Ahsoka said you were my date.
Fives glares at Ahsoka and then at Rex.
FIVES
(through gritted teeth)
How wonderful.
AHSOKA
(smiles)
No need to thank us, Fives.
Fives rolls his eyes and walks off to another mattress.
Ahsoka crashes down onto Rex's mattress, stealing a pillow out from under him.
REX
(playfully)
Hey!
Ahsoka smiles and props up some pillows behind them. Kix dims the lights.
KIX
Enjoy the holo film!
Kix starts the holo film.
Ahsoka grabs a blanket. Rex leans against the propped up pillows. She throws the blanket over both their legs.
Ahsoka glances at Rex with a smug smile. He stares back with the same look. She slides closer to him and leans against his shoulder.
Rex smiles and pulls her close. Ahsoka snakes her arms around his waist and holds him tight. Rex closes his eyes, breathing in and out. Sitting in her presence feels nice. He doesn't even care about the holo film. This is probably a one in a lifetime chance he'll get to spend with her in public.
Rex looks down to see Ahsoka peacefully sleeping on his shoulder. He slides down so he's lying on the mattress. He pulls Ahsoka close to his chest and wraps his arms snug around her. He draws circles on her back. She hums lightly in her sleep.
On the mattress beside Rex, Echo sits staring at Aleyna. Aleyna watches the film. Echo doesn't notice Hardcase, Jesse, and Kix sitting on the mattress behind him, whispering to each other.
HARDCASE
(whispers)
I bet two weeks of clean-up duty that he kisses her tonight.
JESSE
(whispers)
No way! He'll panic and not do a thing.
KIX
(rolls eyes)
He'll obviously end up one, kissing her. Two, spending the rest of the film in her arms. And three, walking her back to her room afterwards.
HARDCASE
Oooooh.
JESSE
I'll bet a week of watch duty that he doesn't kiss her at all.
HARDCASE
I agree with Kix. I wanna see all of it.
Jesse rolls his eyes. Echo leans into Aleyna's ear and whispers.
ECHO
Can I put my arm around you?
Aleyna turns to look at Echo as he's whispering. Their lips almost touch. She doesn't back away.
ALEYNA
Sure. You are my date.
Echo smiles feeling her breath against his face. He wraps an arm around Aleyna. She leans into him. Kix and Hardcase high five each other.
JESSE
That doesn't mean anything yet.
Echo reaches for her hand with his available hand. Their fingers slowly intertwine. Echo leans his head against hers.
KIX
Hardcase, how much you wanna bet they kiss in the next minute?
HARDCASE
All of my ration bars. He's gonna kiss her in the next TWO minutes.
Kix, Hardcase, and Jesse are fixated on Echo and Aleyna. Nobody seems to be caring about the holo film.
Next to them, Rex hugs Ahsoka as they both lie on the mattress. She's fast asleep. Rex closes his eyes and moves his hand up to her montrals. He drags his fingers up and down in long slow motions. She doesn't wake up. He smiles feeling her steady breath against his chest.
HARDCASE
(whispers)
I win! It's been more than a minute!
KIX
(whispers)
No it hasn't!
Echo holds Aleyna close, their fingers still entwined.
ECHO
(whispers)
You're beautiful.
Aleyna pulls back to look Echo in the eyes. Echo stares back with a determined look on his face.
ECHO
From the moment I first saw you, I knew...
Echo's heart rate increases. What is he saying? They've only known each other for what? A week?
ECHO
I knew...
Aleyna squeezes his hand, encouraging him on. Echo nearly gasps, but squeezes back.
ECHO
I knew you were meant to... have a man who...
Aleyna waits in expectation. Echo keeps fumbling on his words. Sweat starts to come out of his palms.
Echo leans forward, his lips hovering a centimeter from Aleyna's lips.
ECHO
...loves you.
Echo brushes his lips against Aleyna's. She catches his lips in hers and melts into his mouth.
HARDCASE
(whispers)
I told you!
KIX
(whispers)
It's been three minutes.
JESSE
(whispers)
Dang, I lost.
KIX
We all lost.
HARDCASE
(tilts head)
Wow.
Echo puts his hands on her back as she places her hands in his hair. She rubs his head and Echo moans into her mouth. He quickly breaks away.
ECHO
(whispers)
I'm so sorry.
Aleyna smiles and slides close to him. They lean up against some pillows. Echo wraps his arms around her. She places a hand on his chest and one on his cheek. She brings his face closer to hers. Echo meets her with another gentle kiss.
JESSE
Can we bet on someone else?
HARDCASE
Yeah, where's Rex?
Jesse, Hardcase, and Kix look over to the side to see Ahsoka lying on top of Rex. Rex's arms snake around to her montrals. He's still stroking her gently.
JESSE
Awww.
HARDCASE
Wow. I never thought I'd see Rex doing that.
KIX
How can she sleep like that? I thought montrals were sensitive to touch.
JESSE
Maybe she's used to it.
Jesse realizes what he said and his eyes go wide. Hardcase's jaw drops.
HARDCASE
No. No, they've never done anything serious, right?
JESSE
No, I didn't mean that. Rex would never.
HARDCASE
Yeah, he would never.
KIX
(leans over)
What'd he just do?
Rex rolls over on his side and leans his forehead against Ahsoka's. She's awake now, but very groggy.
AHSOKA
(whispers)
Rex.
REX
Shh.
Rex rubs his thumb against her cheek. Ahsoka smiles at his touch.
HARDCASE
(whispers)
I bet that they kiss in the next minute.
JESSE
(whispers)
I'll join you on that.
KIX
(whispers)
Fine. The next two minutes.
Rex drags his thumb from Ahsoka's cheek to her lips. She smiles as he feels her lips beneath his fingers.
REX
(mouths)
I love you.
AHSOKA
(mouths)
I love you more.
Jesse sits up straight, trying to peer over at their lips.
JESSE
(whispers)
What'd they say?
KIX
(pulls him down)
Get down.
Rex presses his nose against Ahsoka's. She closes her eyes.
HARDCASE
(excited)
Here it comes!
Rex drags his hand up to Ahsoka's montrals. She shivers at his touch. Rex looks confused.
AHSOKA
(whispers)
Were you doing this while I was sleeping?
REX
(whispers)
Yes. Why?
AHSOKA
(chuckles)
Montrals are very sensitive. No wonder I was having weird dreams.
Rex's face flushes pink. Ahsoka catches him by surprise and closes the gap between their lips. Rex presses in closer, not just with his mouth, but with his whole body.
Jesse gasps. Hardcase looks dumbstruck. Kix peeks out at them from the gaps between his fingers.
KIX
This feels illegal to watch.
JESSE
It is illegal.
HARDCASE
Fives needs to see this.
JESSE
Where is he?
Jesse looks around to see Fives on the other side of Echo and Aleyna. Barriss sits next to him, clutching his arm. Fives has a fake smile on his face.
BARRISS
(whispers)
This holo film is so romantic.
FIVES
I guess.
BARRISS
Do you believe in love at first sight?
FIVES
Um... no?
BARRISS
Me neither.
FIVES
Then yes. Yes, I do.
BARRISS
Oh. Fives, sometimes I get the feeling you don't like me.
Fives nervously laughs. Everyone stares at him because the holo film shows two people crying with each other.
Fives doesn't notice Jesse, Hardcase, and Kix sneak over to the mattress behind them. Fives stares into Barriss' face. She stares back.
FIVES
No, that's not it at all.
BARRISS
Then you love me?
Jesse and Hardcase mouth at each other, standing behind Barriss and Fives.
HARDCASE
(mouths)
Now!
Jesse pushes Fives head as Hardcase pushes Barriss' head forward. Their heads smash into each other, including their lips.
Fives feels a wack on the head. His face goes flying into Barriss'. He closes his eyes, bracing for impact as he feels her soft lips hit his. Barriss crashes into his lips. Fives puts his hands around her head and continues kissing her. Barriss pulls his face closer to hers.
Hardcase and Jesse high five each other.
HARDCASE
OHHHHHHH!
KIX
Shhh!
Everyone looks over to see Fives slowly leaning over backwards onto his hands, Barriss locking lips with him.
Rex and Ahsoka sit up, distracted by the yell.
REX
Wow. Fives.
AHSOKA
Finally! She's been waiting for that!
Everyone hears Ahsoka and looks over at Ahsoka and Rex. Jesse and Hardcase tip toe over to Rex and Ahsoka, clearly bored of Fives and Barriss. Kix follows them.
HARDCASE
(wiggles eyebrows)
We saw you two together.
Rex blushes and hides his face in his hands.
REX
That NEVER leaves this room.
JESSE
(unconvincingly)
Oh, it won't.
Jesse, Hardcase, and Kix sit down behind Rex and Ahsoka. Rex turns to watch the holo film. He doesn't even know what this film is about.
AHSOKA
You boys could go bother Echo.
JESSE
We already did that. He's been kissing Aleyna all night.
HARDCASE
Just like Rex and the Commander.
Ahsoka stands up and towers over the brothers.
AHSOKA
Just leave.
Jesse, Hardcase, and Kix wander back over to Fives and Barriss, but they continue to watch Rex and Ahsoka from a distance.
REX
I wish we were the only ones here.
AHSOKA
You and me both.
Rex lies down and so does Ahsoka. Rex drapes an arm over her and pulls her in closer.
Kix stands up and grabs a macrobinocular from a shelf. He walks back over and sits down, staring at Rex and Ahsoka through it.
Kix sees Ahsoka lean close to Rex's face and whisper something. He can't read lips. Rex mouths back.
HARDCASE
I wanna see.
KIX
Here. I can't read lips.
Hardcase takes the macrobinoculars and sees Ahsoka give Rex a peck on the nose. Rex plants a kiss on her forehead as Ahsoka leans up and kisses under his chin. Rex pulls back, giggling.
HARDCASE
Awwww.
JESSE
What's happening?
HARDCASE
Cute.
JESSE AND KIX
Hardcase!
HARDCASE
Feathery kisses.
JESSE
Aww.
Rex brushes his lips past Ahsoka's and kisses her cheek. Ahsoka frowns and pulls back, then dives in for his lips.
The music swells and holo film credits roll. Fives pushes Barriss off of him, sitting a safe distance away. He acts as if nothing happened. Echo has his arm around Aleyna. They whisper to each other in a deep conversation. Rex and Ahsoka are still lying down, kissing.
Kix turns off the holo film. Everyone's attention turns to Rex and Ahsoka.
Rex freezes, his lips still locked with Ahsoka's. It's oddly quiet. Oh no. Rex breaks away, his facing turning a deep red, and sits up with dread. Ahsoka sits up and puts a hand over her mouth.
FIVES
Do it again. I missed the first part!
Rex lies down on his stomach and stuffs his face into a pillow. Kix walks past him and pats him proudly on the back.
KIX
Fives you missed our entire bet.
Ahsoka's eyes go wide.
HARDCASE
Yeah, I practically won them all.
JESSE
You did not!
AHSOKA
(stands up)
This does NOT leave this room. EVER. Got it?
All the clones nod yes.
AHSOKA
That goes for Barriss and Fives, too.
FIVES
(quickly stands up)
You didn't see anything!
Hardcase and Jesse roar with laughter.
JESSE
Best night on leave ever.
HARDCASE
Most entertaining holo film ever!
Rex whines into the pillow. Fives walks over and sits down next to Rex, his head hanging low.
FIVES
(to himself)
Of all people...
REX
(muffled)
Ahsoka, get me out of here.
Rex pounds a fist into the pillow, his head still to the floor.
FIVES
Oooh.
REX
(lifts up head)
Look who's talking. Mr.-I-kissed-Barriss.
Fives glares at Rex. Kix opens the barrack's door as clones begin to walk out with their dates.
FIVES
That was a one time thing.
REX
(smugly)
Oh, really? That's what I said about Ahsoka.
FIVES
(grips own face)
I hate you.
REX
Just like you hate Barriss?
Barriss walks over.
BARRISS
Ahsoka, let's leave.
AHSOKA
(embarrassed)
Good idea. See you boys later.
REX
Bye.
AHSOKA
Bye.
Barriss and Ahsoka nearly run out the door.
REX
What a disaster.
FIVES
You're telling me. I don't even know what I've got going on with Barriss.
REX
(sits up)
It's called a crush, Fives.
Fives punches Rex a little too hard in the shoulder.
KIX
Get out. We need sleep.
FIVES
Echo, let's go...
Fives sees Echo leaning up against Aleyna in deep conversation.
REX
Now that's a cute crush.
FIVES
Ugh. My life is ruined.
Fives storms out of the barracks. He's supposed to be good with the ladies, not... whatever this is.
Rex smiles to himself thinking about Ahsoka. He doesn't really mind that he kissed her in front of everyone. He exits the barracks with a warm, fuzzy feeling lingering.
Author's Note: This chapter feels so out of character to me. I don't really know where the story is going :(