they should have known better. all of them should have. they had pushed their luck with trying to acquire supplies from this sector, with imperial forces barely a few parsecs away. those who remained alive past the first wave of ground assault are scattered around the old base - rex should be leading their escape plan, but panic spikes white-hot through already burning lungs and adrenaline-seared veins as he searches instead for cassian. knowing the kid, he’s probably playing desperado somewhere, facing off against the empire and insurmountable odds, and that only serves to make rex’s leaden heart sink further. he won’t make it if he tries to play hero.
lanky frame comes into view and rex skids to a halt ( his lungs will thank him! not as young as you used to be, eh captain? ) in front of him, ducking them both into a small covert doorway as blaster fire from the approaching stormtroopers sears past, “ cassian! are you with me? ” the expression on cass’s face makes rex’s chest ache in a familiar way. shock, in it’s most evident form. wherever he is, it’s not in this hallway. “ cass, look at me, ” heavy hands rest upon the boy’s narrow shoulders, “ eyes on me, son. we’re going to get out of this, okay? i need you here with me, ” words echo a similar sentiment that kanan had told rex so long ago now. there will be time for softness later, when they are safe. “ i won’t let anything happen to you, cassian, but we have to go now. ” / @cruenulum THE STARTER WE DISCUSSED!
