#ct-9966

He couldn’t believe it, he refused to believe it!

The chancellor, the man he’d received his orders from for the past three years was exposed as a traitor to the Republic, the mastermind behind the war itself… he just couldn’t wrap his head around it, how could the chancellor do it? How…? The buzzer on his door went off and he hissed a sigh, swearing that if it was someone trying to get him out of his office he would court marshal them so fast… it buzzed again and he felt anger bubbling up his throat, standing quickly he marched to the door and opened it but where he expected a person in front of him there was no one, at least until he looked down and saw the cadet, “Cadet?”

“Hi bah!” The cadet waved to him before pausing to smell the air, wincing and waving his hand in front of his mask, “Ew!”

“Yeah… it does smell bad in here…” He sighed, he hadn’t left it in a while, he hadn’t done anything except letting his mind run wild to be honest, trying to get the Galaxy to make sense again, with his men being the only reason he didn’t starve or dehydrate by supplying him with food and fluids, “What are you doing here cadet? I wasn’t expecting you for another week…”

“You lost time again bah!” 66 bounced, “Bah Hound says you’ve been in there for two weeks!”

“I… I have?” He hadn’t thought it that long, he was sure it was only a week.

“Yeah, I heard what happened and I’m sorry you feel so sad.” He smiled a little as 66 shuffled shyly, “If someone I trusted turned out to be a bad person… well I’d be sad too.”

“There’s nothing to apologize for cadet, it’s not your fault.” He sighed.

“I know but I feel bad…” 66 sighed a little too.

“Cadet…” He felt bad that Fox was sad and now Fox felt bad for making 66 feel bad, “Hey, can you look at me?” He asked as he knelt down, carefully putting his hand on the cadet’s bald head, smiling gently as 66 looked to him, “It’s not your fault, so you don’t have to feel bad I feel sad, okay?”

“Okay.” 66 nodded with a small smile.

“Good cadet.” He removed his hand, 66 bounced and squeaked happily, “You squeak a lot don’t you?”

“It’s a good way of telling people I’m happy!” 66 replied.

“You remind me of one of the mouse droids, all small and squeaky.” He said, “Should call you Mouse.”

“You…?” 66 started bouncing excitedly, “You’re giving me a name bah?!”

“Only if you want it.” He smiled at the pure excitement in the cadet, “I won’t force you.”

“Yay! I have a name!” The newly named Mouse clapped his hands happily before wrapping his small arms around Fox’s frame, “Thank you bah!”

“N… no problem cadet.” He carefully wrapped his arms around the cadet’s small body, trying to protect it from the Galaxy.

“Bah?” Mouse’s small voice asked.

“Yeah?” He asked in return.

“You really need a shower.” He chuckled when Mouse giggled.

“Yeah… I suppose I do.” He sighed, “How about, while you go tell your family of your newly adopted name, I go get a shower?”

“Okay!” Mouse looked up at him with such big, grey eyes full of love and kindness, “I love you bah, never, ever forget that!”

“I love you too cadet.” He smiled gently, “Now go on, I’m stinking up the hallway.”

“Okay!” Mouse waved to him and he waved back.

He had just left the shower when the Announcer’s voice came over the speakers, “Alert, alert, Little 66 would like to make an announcement.”

“I have a name!” Mouse’s voice joined in, “Bah Fox gave me a name!”

“He has told me his new name is Mouse and would like everyone to call him Mouse from now on.” The Announcer continued, he noticed that a lot of the men he passed were looking at him and he felt a little exposed, why were they looking at him? Maybe it was because he was finally moving around the base again? Or that he’d just left the showers?

“So the fox leaves its den?” Hound grinned at him when he entered the mess, “Was worried about you.”

“A small mouse came in and ushered the fox out.” He replied as he filled his caf mug, the one Mouse had made him for Home Day, they would have to celebrate that again this year, it was a fun time.

“A mouse making a fox do anything?” Hound’s grin turned to a soft smile, “The fox must cherish the mouse.”

It was always too early for this…

First it was a little rancor on the counter, then a nexu, then a bantha and now it was a karking tauntaun!

He was wasting too much caf for this, “Why is there a tauntaun?” He grumbled as he wiped his mug but smiled a little when Mouse made an attempted recreation of the tauntaun noise, he usually made approximate animal noises when Fox got confused, like making ‘rarr’ noises for the scary creatures, “Well at least it wasn’t anything scary this time.” He smiled fully at Mouse, who giggled.

“Didn’t want to scare you this morning sir.” Cracker said with a grin, “Isn’t that right Mouse?” Mouse nodded happily with a squeak and a bounce.

“Thank you for that cadet.” They all knew he wasn’t scared, confused as heck but never scared, “I see you are acquiring more and more onesies.” Mouse nodded again with a goofy smile, the ones Fox would never admit to love seeing, he kept that to himself, “Well, I must get to work but I’ll be down later for food.”

“Great to hear sir.” Cracker said and Mouse waved to him as he walked away.

He loved these interactions.

-

Okay this morning he was so confused, the thing sitting on the counter had six limbs and he was wondering if he was going completely crazy from overworking himself but after a few confused blinks he realized it was Mouse in a new footie onesie, “What… what are you this morning?”

“An acklay sir.” Beans explained for Mouse, who made a ‘rarr’ noise and showed off the second pair of arms attached to his sides.

“Right.” He said, that would explain the boy’s hands and feet being covered if it was mimicking an acklay’s legs, “Well… that was unexpected.”

“Could tell just by looking at you sir.” Beans chuckled, “Looked like a brain fart.” Mouse blew a raspberry to add to the point.

“Where did you get an acklay onesie and how is it not uncomfortable to sleep with those extra arms?” He wiped his caf mug, Mouse giggled but made a shush noise, “A secret?” He asked with a small smile which made Mouse nod happily, “Keeping secrets from your commanding officer cadet?” Mouse giggled and bounced, “Do you keep these secrets from Sticker and Grim as well?” More nodding and giggles.

“A kid has to have some secrets sir.” Beans grinned.

“So it would seem.” He smiled, “I’ll be down later for food.”

“Good to hear sir.” Beans said, Fox didn’t know what his morning would be like anymore without these interactions.

He wondered what it would be tomorrow?

-

Fox wondered how comfortable it was sleeping in these onesies, especially the ones with addons like tails and ears, this one was no different and it confused him as to what the kark the cadet was dressed as, he’d never seen an animal like it in his life, “Morning sir.” Cracker said to him breaking his confused stare at the cadet.

“What are you dressed as cadet?” He asked in confusion as he wiped his mug.

“A raccoon.” Cracker explained with a frown.

“A what?” He blinked.

“That’s what I asked but it’s one of these.” Mouse held out his tablet and showed Fox the picture of a strange animal.

“I have never heard of one of these in my entire life.” He frowned, “But I’ve learned something new.”

“Learn something new everyday sir.” Cracker smiled.

“How do you sleep comfortably in those onesies, don’t the attachments get in the way?” He asked but from what he had been told Mouse tended to sleep on people so he wasn’t on his back at any point so the tail didn’t get in the way.

“I wonder about that too, can’t be comfortable at all.” Cracker looked to Mouse who giggled and hopped down off the counter to show the plush tail was low enough that it didn’t bunch under his back, said tail was almost as long as he was tall, “That makes sense.”

“I hope you store that tail in your pocket when you run around?” He asked with a smile and Mouse nodded happily with a bounce, then put his tail in his pocket so he wouldn’t trip and fall, “Good cadet.”

He liked learning new things.

-

Fox was upset when he realized Mouse wasn’t in the mess, sitting in his usual spot, he wasn’t here because he was nursing a broken arm, if he had his way Sticker would be up for disciplinary but they realized that the pain he felt at having caused Mouse so much pain that it was punishment enough, he had to work on regaining Mouse’s trust even though the small cadet probably forgave him really easily.

He sighed and poured his caf, casting a brief look to the counter top that Mouse usually sat on, maybe he was in medical getting a check-up? Maybe an update on Stitches? Whatever it was he missed the small cadet’s presence in the mess, he didn’t have to wipe his mug this morning and that hurt a little, with one last look he went back to his office.

He didn’t realize he’d miss something so much until it wasn’t there anymore.

-

Mouse wasn’t there again the next morning and Fox felt his chest squeeze at the emptiness, he would have been told if something had happened with Mouse, right? He was brought out of his head by the frantic squeaks of a newly arriving Mouse, obviously he wasn’t in trouble and was just running late, “Cadet?” He asked then smiled a little at the small cadet’s new onesie, “Dressed as your name I see.” The cadet’s onesie even had mouse ears and a tail which was tucked into the pocket so he didn’t trip over it.

“Mouse!” Cracker said as he appeared, “Was worried about you! Running late are we?” Mouse bounced happily and held up his arms to the cook, “Up you get.”

Mouse looked to Fox and pointed to his chest, “I was a little worried when you weren’t there to greet me yesterday and this morning, cadet.” He said, “Are you feeling better?” Mouse nodded again with his signature goofy smile, the ones that always made Fox feel warm, “That’s great to hear.” Mouse bounced happily, “I like your outfit, suits you.”

“Just like your name.” Cracker smiled gently.

“I hope you aren’t doing anything strenuous with that arm.” He motioned to the cast hidden under the fabric of his onesie.

“He’s being very good and only doing easy things.” Cracker explained, “Well, that’s when he’s with us so I have no idea about the rest of the time.”

“Are you being good?” He asked with a raised eyebrow and Mouse nodded, the action made his ears flap and Fox couldn’t help the soft smile that made it’s way onto his face, “That is great to hear, I wouldn’t want to pull rank on you.”

“That would be mean sir.” Cracker chuckled.

“That it would, I’m glad you’re back cadet, I hope to see you here for many more mornings.” He said and Mouse brightened and held out his arms so he could hug Fox, which he only hesitated briefly in accepting.

“What’s the matter Fox? Don’t like our tiny cadet?” Cody asked with a grin, “Even Wolffe likes our tiny cadet.” He frowned more because why was that a question?

“It’s not that I don’t like him…” He had had little actual contact with the tiny cadet and therefore had no baseline to form any type of relationship with the toddler.

He froze when Cody approached him and 66 reach out and pat Fox’s nose with a big smile on his small face, “Boop.” Cody smiled as 66 giggled.

“Hm.” He frowned at the look on the others’ faces but felt something when 66 patted his nose again.

“Boo!” The toddler said excitedly.

“New word!” Sawbones said and Fox felt that something get bigger at the thought of 66 learning a new word just for him… wait… why was he thinking that? He was a battle-hardened soldier, a member of the GAR and the Commanding Officer for the entire base! He should not be experiencing that kind of thing when faced with a cadet not even of age to begin training!

He knew he shouldn’t but he couldn’t stop that something from growing at the sight of the Wolfpack members gifting the tiny cadet a onesie emblazoned with their symbol, “We’ll have to get you one for the 212th then.” Cody said and Fox had to wonder how the two Commanders had relaxed when in the presence of this cadet, when they were normally like him but the sound of the cadet’s attempt at an ‘awoo’ did make the transition a little more understandable.

“Knowing how much the massiff handlers like him, I imagine they’ll get him something with their symbol.” He was getting pestered by Hound to put dibs on getting 66 assigned to the handler’s division, doubled by Tusk putting his dibs in also.

“You could get him a Corrie one Fox.” Stitches had a crap-eating grin on his face as he chuckled, “He can have one from everyone.”

“Hm.” He glared at the man when he chuckled but froze, blinked and looked down at the small cadet who was now wrapped around his legs.

“Bah!” 66 wasn’t scared of him apparently, which was confusing… but if he wasn’t scared of Stitches then Fox had no hope.

He wasn’t sure about being the cadet’s ba’vodu but the cadet was apparently adamant that he would become one, this was corroborated by everyone else, “Fine.” He grumbled and with a sigh he picked up the cadet, “Up you get.”

“You have to say it correctly, it’s upsie daisy.” He glared at Stitches again, whoever this man was it was not the Stitches he’d come to know.

“Don’t worry Fox, took me a while too.” Wolffe said and Fox grumbled again because not only had 66 taken control of Cody but he had taken control of Wolffe… which was a bigger thing than Cody, Cody was a lot more friendly than the two of them but now Wolffe was able to joke with people and be something softer than before.

“Boo!” He blinked and looked to 66 again when the cadet patted his nose before wrapping his tiny arms around his neck, he wasn’t sure he was able to stop the something in his chest, not when such a small cadet wasn’t afraid of him.

“Love the look vod!” He managed to squash it down when Cody grinned at him.

“Hm.” He frowned and placed 66 down on the ground carefully, he wasn’t going to show his affection but he wasn’t going to be needlessly rough with the toddler, it wasn’t his fault the adults were enjoying taking the piss out of him, “We should head to my office, brief you before your General’s arrive.”

“Sure thing.” Wolffe nodded, then they all looked at 66 when the toddler bounced happily and giggled, “You ready to keep up with the pack?” 66 giggled again before making his ‘awoo’ which his men returned immediately and Wolffe only briefly hesitated on returning.

Fox tried with all his might to keep some distance between the group and himself but 66 was trailing him at the fastest speed his little legs could carry him and almost keeping pace with him despite those little legs, all the while he saw that the cadet was trying to mimic how Fox walked but wasn’t succeeding, he frowned more when he noticed the amount of people who were staring at them, obviously confused as to why he was being chased by a tiny, giggling cadet, “Just to my office.” He whispered under his breath, he just had to get to his office and hope that Stitches and Sawbones would take 66 somewhere away from him before he allowed himself to accept that something in his chest.

-

“Vod.” He was taken away from his reports by Thorn suddenly appearing in front of him and suddenly there was a cadet in his lap, “Hold him, I need to use the refresher.”

“Thorn I must pro…” He didn’t get the rest of his sentence out before Thorn left in a hurry, “Hm… he did that on purpose didn’t he?” He asked 66 who giggled with a big goofy grin on his face, “I heard from Grim how you came to be under the protection of Stitches and Sawbones… do you feel safe now? With them and your new family?”

“Bah?” 66 looked a little confused and Fox could hear him smelling the air.

“Don’t tell anyone else… but yes, you can call me bah.” He smiled a little, earning happy giggles and bounces from the small cadet before those small arms attempted to hug him tight but were too small to do it successfully, “I’m sure Stitches and all you medic bavodu’e are keeping you safe from Se but know that if you need somewhere to go… then you can always come here and we’ll keep you safe too.”

“Boo!” He smiled more when 66 patted his nose again.

“Boop.” He tapped 66’s mask, earning more giggles before 66 yawned sleepily and wiped his eyes, “Oh dear, are you tired now?”

“Bah…” 66 nodded and without hesitation lay against Fox and snuggled up with a small sigh.

“Running after me must have been very tiring for your little legs.” He carefully put his hand on 66’s small back, “I’ll keep you safe while you sleep.”

“Bah.” 66 nodded before sighing again and after a moment of silence, soft snores left the small clone.

“Hm.” He huffed a small laugh before returning to his reports.

“Bah?” He hadn’t realised he’d fallen asleep until he was awoken by 66’s voice and a small hand tapping his cheek.

“Hm?” He blinked and looked to the small, confused face of 66, obviously the small clone hadn’t anticipated Fox falling asleep either, “I do apologise, can’t really keep you safe if I fall asleep can I?” He smiled and tapped the front of 66’s mask.

“Bah!” 66 gave a goofy grin as he bounced.

“I…” He started but caught the flash of a camera, “Thorn!”

“Oh no!” Thorn yelped as Fox tore after him but still his brother took photos.

66 was giggling happily from his arms as he chased Thorn down, he paused the chase only briefly to hand 66 off to his parents, “You two, take him and prepare a funeral.”

“Yes sir.” Sawbones smiled as he began the chase again.

“Thorn! You better not have shared those with anyone!” He yelled after his brother, “Stop running that’s an order!”

He saw Thorn run straight to Stitches and Sawbones in the atrium and was now using Stitches as a grumpy human shield, “I’m not getting involved.” Stitches hissed

He stopped when 66 ran to him and hugged his leg, bouncing and giggling up at him, “Saving him cadet?” He asked with a raised eyebrow, earning more giggles and bounces, obviously the cadet knew he wasn’t going to actually kill Thorn, merely beat him up, “Fine, you get to live another day Thorn.”

“Phew! Thanks tiny trooper!” Thorn grinned.

“Hm.” He frowned, he didn’t know exactly why this cadet was having such a profound effect on him, he’d never had this happen with cadets before, maybe if was because normal cadets were generally nowhere near as affectionate as 66 was? Maybe because he wasn’t afraid of Fox or his temperament, that he just went straight in for hugs and affection? Regardless, it had an effect on not only Fox himself but two Generals of high standing, with 66 calling General Plo his bah buh… it had an effect on Stitches too, it was weird seeing someone as sarcastically formidable as Stitches make jokes and playful jabs at people, putting it mildly it was weird seeing him being normal because even when Fox saw him with Sawbones it was a different kind of gentleness than what he was seeing with 66, which was also having an effect on how Stitches interacted with Sawbones.

Weird.

-

Fox hated when everyone had to leave, when his batchmates had to leave again for some stupid diplomatic mission, he wouldn’t be caught dead saying those things out loud because karked if he would be perceived as weak, someone who needed people to stay with him every day and every night but he did miss having people in the bunkroom with him… having people sounds in the bunkroom, even though Thire snored like someone was strangling a rancor, it was the sound of his brothers, his family. Which was probably why he’d fallen asleep with 66 on him, he was safe and not alone, he could catch some sleep, he wondered if 66 realised that when he decided to use Fox as an impromptu bed or was the small cadet so tired from his exciting day that he would sleep just about anywhere?

He sighed because he had to deliver the pack with everyone’s decanting day gifts for 66’s first decanting day, Thorn decided to bully him out of his office so they could go get 66 something also, from command to the small trooper that Hound was still pestering him about recruiting. He looked at the wrapped gifts and frowned, he looked at them and realised something… they would keep 66 loved and warm but he needed protection too, without hesitating he took his shoulder piece off and hastily wrote a note, “For when he’s older” and placed both items on his desk so he could wrap them up. He couldn’t physically be with 66 to keep him safe from Se and the witch’s minions but he could give the small clone armour to keep him safe, even if said piece was basically the size of 66’s head, would 66 grow into full trooper armour or would he require modified armour similar to his older brothers’? The long necks were experimenting with everything it seemed… he moved quickly to reach Stitches and 66 before they boarded the transport, hopefully it was late again because even though it annoyed Stitches so Maker damned much, it would give Fox ample time to give the pack over, he didn’t sign his package but hopefully 66 would catch his smell from it and know it was from him.

“Keep him safe Stitches.” He looked the medic dead in the eyes, “That’s an order.”

“Of course Commander.”

Good… protect that boy when I can’t.

Little 66 was running to see if his brothers and friends were okay but he tripped over his tiny legs and can’t get up!

When you’re already having a bad day and something small happens so you just sit down and cry.