#recho5

Literally anything Rex/Echo/Fives would be the best. They deserve to be together!!!

(They sure do!!!!)

Rex knew already that Fives and Echo were going to do great as ARCs - that’s why he enlisted them in the program - but to see them now, in front of him, with their ARC getup and a wisdom in their eyes brought by experience is another thing entirely.

They did it, they’ve really become ARCs.

“Look at you, all grown up,” he can’t help but to say, dragging them both into a tight hug. “You are my pride and joy.”

As soon as he utters those words, a small, embarrassed laugh escapes Echo’s lips. “Thank you, sir.”

Fives doesn’t say anything, instead, but that’s just because he doesn’t trust his voice not to crack if he does. It means a lot to him to have Rex’s approval; after all, even though he and Echo might be ARCs now, he’ll always be their captain!

It’s been just a coincidence that they’ve been assigned to the 501st for a mission, but nobody can’t complain: Fives and Echo get to see their old companions, have a laugh with Skywalker again and, most importantly, they get to be with Rex, while the captain finally has the occasion to see how much they have grown, to see the fine warriors they’ve become. He knew they had the potential for greatness and it’s incredibly gratifying to have proof that he was right.

There’s something else too, however, something that for a very long time has gone unsaid, but it’s the right time to let it out, as none of them can hold back anymore.

The first ones to kiss are Rex and Echo. It’s brief and almost shy, but it still sends a shiver down both their spines.

When they pull away, a gentle hand turns Rex’s head around, and before he can realize what’s happening, Fives presses their lips together. He’s bolder than Echo, sliding his tongue inside Rex’s mouth, while Echo’s kiss was more chaste, but it doesn’t matter: Rex wasn’t expecting them to behave the same after all, because they’re not the same.

This has been a long time coming, and maybe that’s why it almost doesn’t feel real, but it is real. Yes, this is no dream; it’s truly happening. They’re here, they’re still alive, and they’re kissing like they never had the courage to do before.

Thankfully they’ve had the foresight to have a small private meeting before the official one, because they can’t stop this, they truly cannot: as soon as he and Fives pull away, Rex goes back to Echo, closing one arm around his waist to drag him closer, hips flush against each other, while Fives begins to leave a trail of kisses that goes up from the back of his hand to his shoulder, and despite the fact that Rex is wearing his armor, he can feel each peck just as well as if Fives were kissing him naked.

Soon they will have to leave, though, because it would be unprofessional of them to arrive late to the briefing because they were too busy with their love affairs, but they still have time, and they intend not to waste it, because that would truly be a shame, and not something they want to happen; after all, who knows when they’ll get another chance to indulge?

That’s another problem they’ll have to think about: Fives and Echo aren’t bound to the 501st anymore, being ARCs and all, so there will be fewer chances to spend time with Rex than they would’ve otherwise, but oh well, so is life, but it’s not like they can shrink they duties to the Republic either.

This is how things are, but on the other hand, doesn’t this make every single moment they get to spend together even more precious? Doesn’t this make them unforgettable?

Even if it’s for a short amount of time, they get to be Rex, Echo and Fives, and not captain or ARC troopers; just them.

Just because he wants to relax, to not think like a leader for a little bit and just be an object for others to use. 

Summary: Rex just wants to nap, okay?

Rating: Gen

Words: 883

Ah yes, the fic you are referring to is “Morale, Welfare, and Recreation” by the ever lovely @kaasknot. 

(Cuuuuute!)

“Maybe 79’s?” Fives suggests.

“I don’t think Rex’s the kind of guy for that…” Echo points out. Well, he’s right: they’ve known Rex for a short amount of time, that’s true, but they’ve never seen him at 79’s enjoying the night with his fellow clones. No, he mustn’t be too fond of that at all…

“That’s true,” Five mutters, scratching his chin, still deep in thought.

Here’s the thing: they’ve noticed that Rex is quite stressed, and they want to do something for him, but what? They don’t even know him that well, and Rex really isn’t one to talk about himself that much, so they’re quite stumped.

Sure, they could ask for someone else’s help, preferably someone who knows him better, but… as dumb as it may sound, they want to do this themselves.

After all, they still haven’t found a meaningful way to thank Rex for what he’s done for them after Rishi; they had nobody left, and Rex decided to take them with him, give them a new home, a new family. They’ll never forget it.

Not that they haven’t said thank you so many times, and not that they don’t do their best every day to repay him for the faith he’s expressed in them, but they still feel like it’s not enough. They need to do more.

So no, they can’t ask anybody else for help. They need to do it.

“Anything at all?” Fives asks, then, exasperated. It seems like everything they come up with would end up only causing Rex more stress, which is the exact opposite of what they want to do.

“Maybe we should just talk to him,” Echo suggests. It’s their only hope.

“Isn’t that cheap?” Fives counters, however. After all, they wanted to make it a surprise, something nice and special that could please their captain; asking him would quite defeat the purpose of this.

“Would you rather we do something and only stress him further?”

Well, when he puts it like that…

Fives sighs. “Fine. Let’s ask him.”

To say Rex is surprised when Fives and Echo barge into his office would be an understatement. He really was hoping to be left alone that day.

Then they open their mouths, and Rex doesn’t have it in himself to be mad anymore.

“Rex, we’ve noticed that you’ve been quite stressed these days, and…” Echo begins, but it doesn’t take long for Fives to take over.

“Well, we wanted to do something nice for you, something to unwind, but we were afraid if we did something, it would only end up stressing you out more, so…” he shrugs, and in the silence, Echo continues.

“Is there anything we can do for you? You’re very important to us, and we want to help.”

For a moment, Rex is speechless, surprised by their initiative.

“I… Thank you,” he says, truly touched, only for his expression then to sour. “But still, I need to finish reporting our losses…”

Figures that the captain would be too busy for… oh. This is why he’s so stressed!

It’s never easy having to deal with the loss of a brother, imagine having to report hundreds of them. No wonder Rex has been this weird recently.

Fives and Echo look at each other. It takes them only a brief gaze to understand that they’re both thinking the same thing.

They turn back to Rex.

“Would you like us to stay?”

“Huh?”

This is the second time they’ve surprised Rex in such a short amount of time. He was expecting them to tuck tail and leave, but instead…

“You know what? Yeah, I’d like that.”

It helps.

Sure, it’s not exactly a magic cure for everything bad, but it’s easier for Rex to file every report with the very tangible presences at his side. It’s grounding, it’s relaxing of sort.

He definitely feels less alone now.

Eventually, they move to the couch, which is tricky because it makes Rex want to drop his datapad and just take a nap, but he can’t, not when there’s still work to do.

To Echo and Fives’ credit, they’re well-behaved enough not to disturb him, even though at some point they begin talking to each other in hushed voices. Since Rex’s attention is elsewhere, he can’t really make out what they’re saying, but their voices create a nice background noise that helps him focus even more, and so he goes on, registering every designation, every name of the lives they have been lost during their last battle.

He’s so taken by his work that he notices that the voices have stopped only when he’s finished; as he rests the datapad on his lap, sighing of relief because it’s finally over, he looks at Fives first, then at Echo, and he realizes that they have fallen asleep, with their faces resting against his shoulders - it truly is a miracle that he hasn’t noticed anything.

What should’ve been a time of grief becomes something else, as a tenderness Rex hasn’t felt in a very long time resurfaces inside him, and he can’t help but to smile.

(In which Rex wakes up and hears a terrible news. Luckily for him, though, he’s not alone)

The first thing Rex feels once he wakes up is pain.

He groans, gritting then his teeth to keep the noise inside, as he tries to move his body and gather his bearings. Before he can even open his eyes, however, he feels two sets of hands gently stopping him.

“Chief! Don’t strain yourself!”

Oh, he recognizes this voice.

“… Echo?”

 He finally manages to find enough strength to open his eyes, and the first thing he sees are his right-hand men, Fives and Echo, staring at him, worried.

“Ah, so you are fine after all,” Fives comments, relieved to see Rex awake.

Oh, now he remembers what happened: they’ve been ambushed, and Rex has been knocked out before he could do anything about it! Shameful…

 He should’ve known that something like this was going to happen since a few factions have decided to separate themselves from the Council’s guidance, hence the name Separatists.

Rex has been suspicious of them from the start, despite the fact that they’ve claimed that they want the process to be as peaceful as possible. Eh, peaceful his ass: haven’t they just been ambushed by merfolk with the Separatists banners? This is a good as a declaration of war as they’re going to get.

 “Echo… How many have…”

He needs to know.

Echo leans in, brows furrowed. “How many what?”

Rex swallows. He hopes he wouldn’t have had to say it. “How many have we lost?”

Echo exchanges a glance with Fives, neither of them looking that happy about replying. Oh no, that bad?

“Rex… It’s just us.”

No, that can’t be…

“We barely managed to escape with you,” Fives adds, confirming what Echo has just stated. “The boys… They didn’t want you to die. Said you’re our hope and all…”

 It’s a lot to take in, too much.

That couldn’t have happened, couldn’t it? They didn’t really say that, they didn’t really do that.

Rex, their hope? He has to laugh. As if they didn’t all have a life outside him, as if he’s anything better than a mediocre chief of the army.

 He says nothing, but his silence must speak louder than any word could. That, or Fives and Echo know him far better than they should, because they understand immediately.

“You know the army would be nothing without you. If you die… It would’ve been bad for morale.”

“I don’t…” Rex tries, but he has to wait a moment in order to be able to speak without his voice breaking. “I don’t think that’s true…”

Echo reaches down with his hand, gently cupping Rex’s cheek. “But it is. We all depend on you.”

Rex wants to argue again, but he has no energy for that. What he does, instead, is to lean against the other two, basking in their warmth. Nobody speaks.

 Only now Rex begins to look around, curious as to where exactly they are.

“Where did you take me?” he asks, curious.

“We dragged you as far as we could,” Fives begins, “but it was obvious that you needed rest, so we found the nearest cave and… here we are now.”

Rex nods, then his eyes catch something on his tail, a gash that starts from his side and goes down, only to stop at the midsection, ruining the set of deep blue scales that Rex has always been proud of. He can’t help but to brush his hand against the wound, but he hisses at the pain he causes himself.

“Don’t touch that,” Fives immediately scolds him, worrying that his and Echo’s work will go to waste. Not that they did such an amazing job, with neither of them having any kind of experience as healers, but they did their best.

“It’s the best we could do…” Echo murmurs apologetically.

“You saved my life,” Rex replies, meaning every single word of it. “This will just be the proof that it’ll take more than that to put me down.”

“Damn right,” Fives agrees. “And we’ll make sure it’ll stay that way!”

“Guys…”

Rex is tired, and the news of their loss doesn’t help his state of mind, but he’s also relieved about the fact that at least Fives and Echo are still here with him. If they hadn’t made it… He doesn’t know what he would’ve done.

 “We should go back,” he says then, because he’d rather focus on anything else than those thoughts. “We should report to the Council.”

“Rex, you can’t swim right now,” Fives observes, “not when the wound is still fresh.”

“I know, but--”

“If the Separatists find us, we’re as good as dead,” Echo intervenes, before Rex can further object. “I’m sure the Council must already know about this. Actually, they probably know more than we do at the moment.”

That doesn’t sound that farfetched. After all the Council has eyes and ears everywhere.

 “Rest, Rex. We’ll watch over you.”

In his drowsy state, Echo’s words sound the sweetest, despite the fact that he feels bad about forcing him and Fives to guard him like he’s someone important. Still, he is tired, very tired, and he wouldn’t mind getting some sleep and recover, so that later they’ll all be able to leave and rejoin with what remains of their army.

He nods then, allowing himself to close his eyes.

There are still many things that trouble him, and he hates not knowing the answers to the many questions he has in his head, but at least he can feel the weight of Fives and Echo’s bodies against his.

(Hell yeah I love this prompt!)

(Fic under the cut)

(I’ll admit I’m not an expert on the subject but I tried. I hope you like it! Also oof this might’ve been the hardest prompt to fit in 1000 words or less...)

“Captain-- Holy shit!”

A harsh slap.

“I told you to be quiet, trooper.”

Rex voice is hard, vicious and sharp. It makes Fives shiver as he weakly nods, earning himself another slap.

“I said quiet.”

 Rex remembers the first time Fives and Echo came to him for this.

He didn’t have much experience in this - he was usually on the other side of things, shall we say - but he’s grown more confident time after time. After all practice makes perfect, doesn’t it?

 He looks down through his visor, enjoying the sight of Fives fucking Echo while Rex’s cock is buried deep inside him. They both have their hands tied behind their backs and, unlike Rex, they’re completely naked.

At first he wasn’t sure about wearing his full armor, but he’s grown fond of the practice: it helps to separate himself from the scene, and also taking if off is a good indicator of when things go back to normal. Besides, he’d lie if he said that hearing Echo and Fives call him Captain during these moments doesn’t do things to him.

Mmmh, Fives is truly giving his all, despite how hard it is for him to move. He’s earned himself some help: Rex grabs him by the hips, grip solid and ironlike, and after a moment of stillness, begins pounding into him, putting enough strength behind his thrusts that he manages to push Fives into Echo. This time, however, Fives has no power for himself, no way to dictate the rhythm anymore.

“Captain!” Echo moans, causing Rex to slap Fives’ ass.

“I said quiet!” he exclaims, trying not to soften his voice at the way Echo flinches. There will be time for softness later. “Or do you want me to keep punishing Fives for your mistakes?”

Echo shakes his head without making a sound. Smart boy.

“Now be good if you want to come.”

 Once they’re all done, every single one of them is incredibly spent. Still, Rex is aware of his responsibilities, and he would never shrink them: he helps both Fives and Echo get cleaned, he looks them up for any injury, he treats their bruises, kisses them, praises them and, after taking his armor off, lets them cuddle close to him and holds them as they recover.

“Are you sure you’re both ok?” he asks, because he’d never want to be - even indirectly - cause of discomfort. “Anything you need.”

“We’re fine…” Fives chuckles, burying his head against Rex’s chest.

“Just keep holding us?” Echo helpfully suggests.

Well, this is something Rex can absolutely do.

 Something’s weird with Fives: during missions, he’s always focused and on the job, but today it feels different. Since Rex has stepped into the barracks, armor just polished and bucket already on his head to tell them men to get ready, he’s gotten weird vibes from him.

He barely reacted, first of all, and he kept staring at Rex with such an empty gaze that after he was done Rex even asked him if he was alright; that seemed to shake him a bit and he says yes, that he was just a bit tired, but nothing he wouldn’t have been able to handle.

Turns out, that was a lie.

 “Do you know why I summoned you to my office?”

Fives just stares at Rex, impassive. “Yes, sir.”

“You almost blew up this entire mission, don’t you realize that?!” Rex exclaims, unnerved by Fives’ demeanor; he slams his palms against his desk, not missing the way Fives flinches at the sound. Ok, maybe it’s too much, but Fives needs to understand! “Look, we’re not always up to the challenge, I know. There are days in which we simply don’t feel good, it happens to all of us. Part of being a good soldier is also realizing when you’re not at your best and stepping out! You realize that we could’ve died if the General wasn’t there? Fives, I expected better from you…”

“I know…” Fives immediately mutters, swallowing, but then hardening his gaze. “I know this, Captain, but I…”

What?

“I-I…”

 His body begins shaking, which causes Rex to immediately drop the angry act as he rushes to the trooper’s side.

“Fives, are you ok?” he asks, worried.

“I don’t know,” comes the reply, before Fives breaks down crying. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry…”

Rex doesn’t think about it not even for a moment as he gathers Fives in a hug.

“Are you feeling sick? Should I call Kix?”

Fives shakes his head. “No, I’m not sick.”

“What is it then, Fives? Please, talk to me.” Rex can’t intervene if he doesn’t know what’s wrong with him.

 He helps Fives sit on his desk - the man could barely stand - and he stays there, in front of him, keeping his face gently in his hands, knowing that even the smallest touch will ground him.

“It’s just… After, you know, we did the thing…” he begins explaining. Alright, they’re getting somewhere.

“Did something happen there?” Rex doesn’t remember anything particular happening, but maybe from Fives’ point of view it did.

“No, it was great,” the other replies, shaking his head. “It was after: I don’t know, I was just feeling down, then you came in, strolling in your armor, and I thought back to that and I…”

Oh, now Rex thinks he understands. He should’ve thought about it sooner.

“You should’ve told me that you were feeling like this,” he says, mindful to keep his voice gentle.

“But I never felt like this after we fuck, Rex! I was so afraid that I hadn’t been good enough…”

“No, Fives. You’ve been good,” Rex immediately cuts him off, figuring that it’s best not to let that train of thought continue. “You were amazing actually, and I’m so very proud of you.”

He slowly leans in to kiss his lips.

“What you’re feeling is completely normal. It happens sometimes, even after a session, so there’s nothing wrong with you, alright?”

Fives weakly nods. Rex kisses him again.

“Do you want me to call Echo?”

Fives nods again, this time with more conviction. It takes very little for Rex to comm Echo, asking him to join them in his office, only to then turn towards Fives.

“Alright, what else do you need?”

Fives hesitates just for a moment.

“Could you take your armor off? It makes me think about… You know…”

Rex nods, already unclasping his bracers. If it makes Fives feel more comfortable, so be it.

 By the time Echo arrives, both Rex and Fives have gotten rid of their armors.

It doesn’t take them long to explain what’s happening, which prompts Echo to immediately tell Fives: “You could’ve told me you were feeling like this.”

“I know, it was dumb… Sorry.”

“Oh well, at least we know now,” Echo immediately backtracks, unable to resist with Fives looking so down.

After Echo gets rid of his armor as well, they all cuddle on Rex’s couch. It’s not too comfortable - it’s an old thing that couch - but as long as they’re close, it’s good.

 At least Fives has calmed down, Rex thinks, mindlessly caressing his hair; he always melts when he’s pressed between him and Echo, though this time there’s nothing sexual behind this contact.

In less that Rex could’ve ever predicted, Fives falls asleep, with his head on Rex’s shoulder, hands intertwined with Echo’s, who’s caressing his palms. The two look at each other just for a moment, then their gaze turns immediately towards Fives.

Rex can’t help but to feel guilty about this - he should’ve sensed it from the start. The least he can do now is to offer him all the support he needs, and hope that the next time he’ll actually talk to him instead of keeping everything inside.

 “Rex…”

“What is it, Echo?”

“Mind if I take a nap too?”

“Go ahead,” Rex chuckles. Of course Echo would ask permission even for something like this.

After getting comfortable leaning against Fives, resting his head on his shoulder, even for Echo it doesn’t take long to fall asleep.

Rex can’t stop looking at them, his men, his lovers, and the more he looks the harder it is for him to fight the dumb smile off his face.

Actually, now that he thinks about it, Echo’s idea isn’t so bad. After all, this mission has been tiring.

Following his men’s example, then, Rex relaxes his body and closes his eyes; soon, he falls asleep too.