#rexdogma

(Oooooh, an interesting AU. I hope you like what I wrote for it!)

Rex and Dogma have never interacted outside the detention center, but they still consider each other friends, if anything because of how much time Rex spends in there. No, it’s not for him that he goes there, but to retrieve his most rowdy boys who are unable to understand that being on leave doesn’t mean that they get to “fuck shit up” at their will.

Oh well, he still loves them, even though one day they’ll give him an ulcer.

“Good evening, Dogma,” he greets the guard as he approaches him. He would’ve put a hand on his shoulder, if not for the transparisteel that separates them.

“Hello, Captain-- Rex,” Dogma greets him back. Rex has told him countless times that he doesn’t need to call him Captain - they don’t even belong to the same battalion after all - but old habits die hard, though he’s certainly improving. “I suppose you’re for… your men.”

“Yeah…” Rex sighs. “I’m so sorry they’re like this,” he can’t help but to apologize as he watches Dogma joining him on his side.

“It’s not your fault,” Dogma replies once he’s reached him, moving then to conduct him to the cell where his men are detained. “If everyone acted like you, we wouldn’t have any of these problems.”

Rex smiles at the compliment, lowering his gaze in quite the bashful manner. Thankfully for him Dogma’s staring in front of him, so he doesn’t notice a thing.

When they arrive to the cell, he knows that their time together will soon be over, just like it happened every other time they’ve met, but this time…

“Hey, Dogma.”

Dogma turns towards him before opening the cell. “What is it?”

“Well…” Rex begins, scratching the back of his neck as he speaks. He miscalculated how bad he is about this kind of stuff. “How about we go somewhere, after your shift…”

In a first moment, Dogma doesn’t react, but he keeps staring at Rex, and staring, and staring, until… “Oh!” He clears his throat. “I mean, sure,” he corrects himself then. “I know a nice place where we could go this evening, if you don’t have anything else to do…”

“N-No, I don’t…” Rex replies. “Wouldn’t have asked you otherwise.”

“Yeah, right…” Dogma mutters.

Silence falls. For a moment, it’s quite awkward, but then Dogma decides to put an end to this and opens the cell, letting out Rex’s men.

Before the 501st guys can leave, though, he turns to the Captain again, hopeful. “So… Meet me at the barracks?”

“Yeah. See you there…”

This seems like a stupid problem to have, but Rex doesn’t know how to get dressed for this… outing? Date? He doesn’t even know how to call it.

These are his options: he can wear his armor, his dress greys, or the civvies that General Skywalker has decided to bestow to all his troops. The first two might make the appointment seem more formal than it should be, but on the other hand what if he gets there in civvies, but Dogma doesn’t? He doesn’t know if he’s in possession of them!

He knows that, at the end of the day, there is no such thing as a proper dress code, and that frankly this is a very dumb problem to have, but he doesn’t want to make Dogma uneasy!

In the end, he goes for his armor, figuring that it’s the easiest answer. If he’s lucky and this goes well, he could always ask Dogma to go out another time, and reach an agreement on the clothing choices immediately so that everything’s clear.

Turns out, he’s made the right choice: when he meets Dogma at the barracks, he’s wearing his armor as well.

Rex can’t help but to chuckle at the way he almost straightens his back at his approach, and he’s quick to stop him before he can formally salute him. “Relax, Dogma, this isn’t a formal meeting. Think of it as a friendly outing.”

“Yes, s-- Yeah, you’re right,” Dogma replies, managing to stop himself before he could address Rex as sir.

“So, you wanted to show me a place?” Rex asks. He can see immediately the way Dogma’s eyes light up at that question.

“Yes! Follow me!”

“Are you sure we’re allowed to be here?” Rex can’t help but to ask. After all, one would imagine that the senatorial building would be guarded more closely, so to speak; okay that Dogma’s part of the Guard, but surely someone would wonder why he’s there despite this not being his shift, right?

“I mean, we have to endure senators all day, so it’s more than fair that we take advantage of the facility, don’t you agree?” Dogma replies. “As long as nobody orders us to stop doing it it’s free reign, though I don’t think they care enough about us for that.”

That either reassuring and disheartening at the same time, but oh well, so is life for them, so Rex doesn’t mention anything about it. After all, he’s not one to throw away such a perfect occasion to have a good time.

He thought that Dogma was going to bring him to some particular room, not to the rooftop, but he can’t say that he minds the surprise.

“Wow…” he can help but to mutter, looking at the view. He can see all of Coruscant from here, all its vibrant colors, lights that shine so bright against the darkness of the sky…

It’s like he can feel how alive the city is, but without getting directly involved in it: a pleasant spot for observation, where he can enjoy the calm without having to be involved in something that would inevitably disrupt it.

He notices Dogma by his side only when he speaks - which makes him jump a little, but thankfully neither of them says anything about it. “Do you like it?”

“It’s beautiful,” Rex replies then, only to turn towards the other. “Do you come here often?”

“When I can,” Dogma replies. “I like it here… It’s quiet.”

Yeah, Rex has gathered that already, and he understands Dogma completely.

In a moment of bravado, Rex circles Dogma’s waist with his arm, pulling him closer. Dogma looks surprised for a moment, but he doesn’t seem to mind Rex’s initiative, if anything because he actually leans into him, instead of pushing him away.

“Thanks for showing this to me,” Rex says then, truly meaning each and every word.

“It’s nothing,” Dogma replies. “We never get to spend much time together, so I wanted to take you somewhere special.”

“That you did, that you did…”

Neither of them says anything else, focusing instead on the view all around them, the lights, the muffled noises.

It’s a special kind of sensation sharing this with someone who you have an interest towards, something that neither Rex nor Dogma ever though they’d get to feel, but life is funny like that.

… They could get used to this.

(Ooooh nice! You’ve probably wanted something fluffy, so I apologize in advance for what you’re about to get)

(Part of this AU)

Rex can’t stop thinking that he should be with his men, that he should be offering them support, but how can he do that when even he doesn’t know how to feel?

This mess with Commander Tano has ended in the worst way; well, no, it could’ve been way worse, but it could’ve been better as well, and now the Commander has left the Jedi, has left them.

It hurts, he’s not going to lie. The same can be said for the rest of the 501st, especially the ones who were closer to her. So why isn’t he with them? Why isn’t he supporting his men?

He tried, he really did, but he found himself unable to do it. What a poor excuse of a commander he is.

 He’s run to Dogma.

Yes, he just tucked tail and ran, but at the moment he’s the only one Rex can bear be in the presence of. He’s been close enough to Commander Tano to be saddened by the news, but not close enough to be completely crushed.

“I’m so sorry,” he says, truly meaning it. He wasn’t involved in the case, which makes him feel guilty because if he had, maybe he would’ve been able to do something, but he doesn’t think about that now; now all that matters it to offer Rex as much comfort as he can.

He closes his arms around the Captain, pulling him closer into a hug. It’s a relief how easily Rex goes along with it, burying his head against Dogma’s shoulder, letting himself being held with no protest whatsoever.

 When Dogma opened the door to his room - having risen the ranks brings some privileges - and saw Rex standing in front of him, looking like osik, he knew immediately that something was wrong.

He let him inside without hesitating, and here Rex was, spilling out everything. It was overwhelming at first - Rex has never been this open ever - but Dogma knew he had to hold on, for him.

It was quite unexpected that Rex would seek him out of all people, but he wasn’t going to let him down, not at all.

 He has no idea how much time passes. They’re still here, on Dogma’s couch, with Rex still being held; Dogma can’t help but to think of how small the Captain looks like this, how vulnerable he is. He can understand why he doesn’t want to be seen like this by his men: the morale is already low, seeing him like this would only make things worse.

In a way it’s good that Dogma isn’t his direct subordinate anymore, because he gets to see Rex in a way that he doubts any of the 501st troopers have - maybe a few, but it would be a very small amount of people - just like now.

For him, it’s an honor that Rex trusts him enough to allow him to see him vulnerable. He truly is an extraordinary man, even though he doesn’t see it himself.

 Dogma caresses Rex’s hair, keeping whispering sweet words. He knows for experience that, although all the “it’s going to be alright” promises cannot entirely cancel the damage that has been dealt, they still help a bit.

At some point Rex raises his head, looking Dogma straight in the eyes with an indecipherable expression, at least to Dogma, who can’t understand what’s going on inside his head.

Then, without any kind of warning, Rex surges forward, slamming his lips against Dogma, taking the other by surprise so much that his entire body jolts like it’s being electrocuted.

It’s that reaction that prompts Rex to pull away immediately, looking ashamed of his actions.

 “Oh, Dogma, I’m so sorry, I--”

Dogma knows that, if he lets him, he’s going to ramble until he has no voice, so he puts a finger over his lips, shushing him.

“It’s ok, Rex. I don’t mind,” Dogma replies. He’s not lying: he’s harbored feelings for Rex for who knows how long that this feels like a dream. Still… “But this is something we’ll have to talk about when you’ll be feeling alright again.”

“What do you mean?” Rex asks, confused.

“I won’t take advantage of you while you’re in such a state,” Dogma replies, firm. As much as he wants Rex to reciprocate his feelings, he doesn’t want it to be because of his emotional distress; it would really feel like taking advantage of him, something that Dogma would never forgive himself for doing.

Rex is quiet, though Dogma can almost hear the gears turning in his brain.

“How about this,” he suggests then. “You can stay here for the night, if it makes you more comfortable. We’ll talk in the morning.”

“I… Fine,” Rex says. “I don’t know what o say… Thank you, Dogma.”

“It’s nothing,” he immediately replies. Not to be dramatic, but he’d do anything for him.

 They settle with Rex sleeping on Dogma’s bed, while he stays in the couch. They had to fight to get to this since neither of them wanted the other to sleep uncomfortably, but eventually Dogma won; Rex was too worn out by what happened to keep arguing.

He’s fallen asleep almost immediately, while Dogma is still awake. He can’t stop thinking about the feeling of Rex’s lips against his.

Eventually, however, he shakes his head. He shouldn’t think about it because then he’ll begin thinking about what will inevitably happen the next day; he doesn’t want to make expectations because he fears it would only result on him getting disappointed by the turn things take.

He’ll get some sleep, even if he needs to force himself in order to do it. As to what will happen in the future… He’ll see.

(Don’t worry, I don’t mind the double prompts! I’m going to post the Rex/Dogma one today and the Hardcase/Hound one tomorrow, I hope that’s okay with you!)

(This fic is part of this series)

(Fic under the cut)

(Yes, more Dogma love! This is more pre-relationship, since I think they would get together post Umbara but that it would also take some time, but I hope you like it anyway!)

Even though Umbara has become but a distant memory, it has left some scars on all the troopers who have lived through it. Rex might act like he’s gotten over it, but in truth he hasn’t, no matter how much he tries to convince himself of the contrary.

He can’t help but to think about how much they all lost, about how much he could’ve done, how it could’ve changed everything; if he hadn’t been so gullible, maybe they’d still have Hardcase, they’d still have Waxer, they’d still have… Dogma.

No matter how hard he tries, Rex can’t stop thinking about him. He can’t help but to feel guilty, because Dogma took responsibility for something he should’ve done, for something he didn’t have the courage to do at the time.

 When Dogma first joined them, Rex saw himself in him a lot. He was very similar to how he used to be, back in the day, and he hoped that, with time, Dogma would soften as well, but now he’ll never have the occasion to do so, and it’s all Rex’s fault.

 He shakes his head.

Now it’s not the time to think about that. He should focus on something else.

Dogma will always be remembered. He’s been a lesson for all of them, just like Umbara has been.

No matter how hard it’ll be, Rex needs to move on.

 A sigh breaks free from his lips as he approaches Coruscant’s prison district.

Why did he hope to spend his time on leave without being involved in shenanigans? Of course something was going to happen, he should’ve known.

He hasn’t even understood exactly what happened; from what he got, Jesse and some shinies got in trouble at 79’s, which honestly isn’t that surprising. He should forbid Jesse from speaking to the shinies, he’s always a bad influence on them.

At least he’s going to enjoy assigning them to latrine duty for a time that will depend on how much trouble they’ve caused. That will teach them.

 Thankfully, it doesn’t take him long to bail his boys out, so maybe he can still make something of that morning, which will probably mean that he’ll go back to sleep because he’s still tired.

As he sends the others head, telling them to wait for it at the entrance so that he can first say hi to Fox - they weren’t as close and he and Cody on Kamino but he’s still his ori’vod and he wants to check on him - he hears the sound of stumbling feet, and a trooper with red armor appears in his field of vision.

“C-Captain Rex!” the trooper exclaims, clearly taken by surprise, but before Rex can ask him who he is and how he knows who he is, the trooper removes his helmet and… He can’t believe it.

 Before Rex can say anything, he’s immediately engulfed into a hug.

“I never thought I’d see you again, Captain!”

It’s… It’s Dogma.

 “Dogma… How…” Rex mutters, unable to find the words to speak. In a moment, he returns the hug, exhaling at the feeling of Dogma so close to him.

He doesn’t know how it happened, but he’s so glad that he’s alive, so glad that he’s fine.

“I got transferred,” Dogma says then, as he pulls away from the hug. He gives Rex a sheepish smile. “Technically, nobody should know I’m here, but it’s not like they check.”

Rex can’t believe what he’s hearing: Dogma, doing something illegal? Well, he would’ve never initiated a hug before, so clearly things have changed.

Despite everything, Rex can’t help but to smile, ruffling Dogma’s now longer hair.

“Of course, I haven’t seen anything,” he reassures him. Of course he isn’t going to betray him.

There are so many other things he wants to tell him, he doesn’t even know where to start.

 “Captain.”

“Dogma.”

They both stop, chuckling at the way they spoke at the same time.

“You first,” Dogma says then.

“First of all, I’m not your Captain anymore, so call me Rex,” the others says, “Also… You first.”

Dogma huffs a laugh, shaking his head, but he takes the invitation.

“Well, I was thinking…” he begins, immediately looking away. What is it? “That I’m free this afternoon and, well… If you want…”

Ah, Rex understands what he’s trying to say. He nods then.

“If you want to see each other, I’d love to,” he replies, “It’s not like we have the chance to get here much.”

“I know,” Dogma says. Yeah, he knows well that the 501st is always in the thick of the battle, which makes these rare moments of leave even more precious.

 “I can take you to Dex.”

“Dex?” This isn’t the first time Rex hears this name. If he remembers correctly, General Skywalker mentioned it once.

“Commander Fox took me there, but I believe Commander Cody took him there first, and that he had been taken by General Kenobi.”

Oh, so that’s why Rex knows about this. Dogma clears his throat.

“So, if you’d like… We could go there.”

 Dogma has changed so much, that’s all Rex can think about: he looks way more relaxed than how he used to, and clearly he doesn’t regard orders as highly as he once did.

Just how much as he changed, however? Rex can’t wait to find out.

(Oh yes more of this AU! Dogma taking highly sugared coffee is so precious I love it. For the people who didn’t read the first part, you can find it here)

Rex has been looking forward to this maybe a tad too much, but he tries not to think about it.

He’s only told Kix where he’s going - just in case something bad happens and they have to look for him - but he knows that telling one trooper means that, eventually, everyone else will know.

“Tell him I said hi,” the medics says before Rex can actually leave, “And tell him… Nevermind.”

Rex thinks he understands what Kix wanted him to say. That’s a discussion they all have to have eventually, but not this time because it would certainly ruin the mood and he doesn’t want that. When and if Dogma will feel comfortable enough, he’s sure he’ll be the first one to talk.

He still nods, and with that he leaves for the detention center.

 “So, this Dex…”

“You’ll like it there, trust me.”

Of course Rex trusts Dogma judgement. If he of all people says something’s fine, then he must believe him. Some things might’ve changed, but Rex doubts this is one of them.

Eventually Dogma notices his staring, and he asks, almost self-conscious:

“Something’s wrong?”

“Oh, no,” Rex replies immediately, shaking his head, “It’s just that you seem… happier.”

Dogma suddenly stops, and Rex is afraid of having made a huge mistake.

“I didn’t mean--”

“I think it’s because I am.”

At those words, Rex stops what he was saying, letting Dogma, who has begun walking again, continue.

“I think I’m more fit to be here rather than the 501st,” he begins. His eyes go suddenly wide, however, and Dogma turns to Rex. “I don’t mean that I wasn’t happy with you, it’s just…”

“I understand, Dogma. I really do,” Rex replies, “There’s no need for further explanations.”

At those words, Dogma visibly relaxes. Even a smile appears on his lips.

“Thank you, Capt-- Rex, it means a lot to me,” he says, then he looks around. “It should be… here.”

 He begins taking a completely different direction from the one they’ve been going towards, and in doing so he grabs Rex’s hand in order to guide him.

Despite the initial surprise at this initiative, Rex doesn’t let go.

 “This is really a nice place.”

It’s a bit small, but Rex is used to cramped spaces, so it doesn’t bother him. Anyway, he likes this place: it’s very warm and colorful and the owner is a delight. Maybe his standards are too low, but the fact that he addressed them politely is a lot already - though he expected no less from a friend of General Kenobi.

“I’m glad you think so,” Dogma says, smiling relieved, “And the food is even better!”

Rex doesn’t doubt it. He did silently judge Dogma’s choice to accompany his caf with a burger rather than something sweet - he said he “needs his energy back” to justify it - but in the end he ordered the same thing. There was just so much on the menu that he didn’t know what to choose!

 “Ah!” he exclaims, remembering something, “Kix told me to say hi.”

“Did you tell him?”

“Just him,” Rex is quickly to reassure him. “As backup in case something happens. I hope it doesn’t but… you know…”

“I understand,” Dogma nods. “That was actually smart…”

“You’re implying that I’m usually not?” Rex asks, a teasing grin on his face.

“N-No! Of course not!” Dogma immediately stutters, which makes Rex burst into laughter. So he still gets flustered easily, that hasn’t changed.

 They finally get their orders brought to them and well, it all looks appetizing. First things first, however, Rex needs his dose of caf; it’s becoming an addiction but he doesn’t know how to stop. He takes the cup immediately, taking a sip from it and… Ew! Why is it so sweet?!

“I think they got our orders mixed up,” Dogma immediately realizes, though he can’t help but to laugh at Rex’s disgusted face.

“You’re gonna send yourself to an early grave if you drink this much sugar,” his former captain says then, giving Dogma his caf.

“Maybe, but this is the only way I drink it,” the other defends himself.

Rex wonder if this was always how things were, of it he developed this taste during his times as a Corrie. He wishes he knew the answer from the beginning: he’s not a good captain if he doesn’t know his men well. Dogma has been with the 501st for a very short time but that’s not an excuse. He should do better…

 “… Rex?”

“Oh?” He’s spaced out. “It’s nothing.”

He sends a reassuring smile Dogma’s way, then he changes subject.

“So… How’s life as a Corrie?”

“Oh, you have no idea what I have to put up with…”

 In the end, the Guard isn’t much different from the 501st, in the sense that they are a chaotic bunch as well. Rex doesn’t know if this is a good thing or not for Dogma, but he doesn’t seem bothered by it. Actually, he seems to have loosened up quite a bit, which is good to see.

Personally, he would’ve loved to stay there all day, listening to Dogma’s retelling of some really crazy shit that has happened to him, but unfortunately he still hasn’t some duties to attend to, so eventually the time to leave arrives even for him.

 “I’m so happy you’re alright, Dogma,” he says, hesitating only a moment before adding, “And… I wouldn’t mind seeing each other again, when I come back to Coruscant.”

The smile Dogma’s sends his way is bright, so bright that it warms Rex’s heart.

“Of course, Rex! I… I’d love to.”

He really does.

 “Did the Separatist replace you with a droid?” Cody asks, incredulous, staring at Rex.

“What?”

“Since when do you drink caf with sugar?”

Oh, that’s what it is. Rex could tell him the truth, but if he says that he does it because it reminds him of Dogma he won’t hear the end of it and he’d rather avoid that. No, he’d better be vague.

Rex5

Ship It

What made you ship it?

Just watching the show, frankly. It’s clear that there’s a deep bond between them, whether it’s romantic or platonic. There’s admiration, trust, but then there’s also tragedy. It’s so good.

What are your favorite things about the ship?

The fact that, at least to me, with Fives being an ARC, he and Rex feel more on the same level than any other ship with Rex and someone else from the 501st.

Is there an unpopular opinion you have on your ship?

Not really, because my biggest problem is how people treat Fives in general, but I don’t recall having seen any of that when it comes to Rex5 content.

Dogma/Rex

Don’t Ship It

Why don’t you ship it?

I know this comes as a surprise seeing that I even have a storyline for them in the Assorted Clonecest Fics, but still I’m more on a neutral ground towards them. There are other ships for them that I prefer. Also I’ve always thought of Dogma feeling admiration towards Rex and even having a bit of a crush, but after Umbara I think he’d have many other things to think about for that.

What would have made you like it?

Having them interact after Umbara, admitting that Dogma is alive, helps, and that’s why my favorite kind of content for them is the one where Dogma has been transferred in the Coruscant Guard. What matters most in this ship for making it work for me is that Dogma undergoes some much needed character development.

Despite not shipping it, do you have anything positive to say about it?

It’s a ship with a great potential and it can be a good way to develop Dogma as a character. Apart from the strictly shippy content, it’s also good because, by making them remember or reflect upon Umbara, it also brings some very interesting points that would be fun to explore.