Hey so remember how I said my blog was Star Wars tooâŚwell hereâs that Star Wars đ enjoy this one shot with my OC Adelaide Corrand, and Captain Rex. Also this fanart by me featuring them both.
Star Wars The Clone Wars one shot.
TW: hurt kinda comfort. Mostly mutual pining. There is romance but nothing hugs and snuggles bc I always love giving the clones some much needed love, oc x cannon, arranged marriage, some swearing. Mandoâa words used. If ya donât know em definitely google em!
Coruscantâs weather patterns had always been suspiciously consistent. With no need for water to grow plant life, the weather control systems ensure that the forecast, more often than not, would call for clear skies.
A heavy rain poured down from the thick billowing clouds above, soaking the landing platform as Rex watched a small diplomatic shuttle land. Its boosters kicking back as it lurched in the wind and rain went skittering across the durasteel deck like so many tiny shards of glass.
There was a fitting misery in the air. Reflecting his mood perfectly. Jedi General Anakin Skywalker, along with twelve of the best men from the valient 501st clone battalion, stood patiently awaiting the arrival of the dignitary they were to safely escort through a dangerous and poorly charted part of space.
When the 501st had first been assigned this task, there were many grumblings among the men. Mumbling that they could be out fighting real battles on war torn worlds that needed their help. Not playing babysitter to yet another politician.
Rex had been quick to assure his men that even though this seemed like it was a waste of time, it would get the republic closer to winning the war. Every task assigned to them was vital.
This time though, it felt different. He stood rigidly at attention, visor focused on the settling vessel as its engines powered down to a low whine. He was glad that his helmet hid the tense expression on his face. In vain he hoped that General Skywalker wasnât focused on him enough to notice the discourse running through his mind. Though heâd been around the Jedi enough to know Anakin could feel his thoughts.
The way his mind strayed to her.
In an instant he was back on Paruun IV. The planet had been under Separatist occupation and was one of the first worlds to be liberated by the Republic. The battle was bloody and lasted almost an entire month. During that time, Rex and Anakin had thwarted the constant assassination attempts on the royalty of that world.
He remembered a woman grabbing his paldron and pulling hard, wrenching him out of the way as several droids crashed through a window. Heâd turned surprised to find a young woman with a determined expression, holding a rifle much too big for her.
Princess Adelaide Corrand didnât hide behind her armies or cower in her palace. She was on the battlefield at triage stations dressing wounded troops and helping her people evacuate. Even after the battle ended, his respect for her grew as he watched her give her people hope for a future. Slowly readjusting to reality, Rex felt a tinge of something he wanted to ignore when he thought of her again.
He thought heâd never see her again after the republic pulled the 501st out of Paruun IV and quickly put his feelings out of his mind. Heâd chalked it up to it being his first encounter with a female outside of the Jedi he served under. Brushing away the emotion so as to not dwell too much on it.
But the very next time he had shore leave, there she was. The many colorful lights of Coruscant shimmering in her silvery blonde hair as she caught up to him. Her child-like laugh ringing in his ears as she handed him a glowing candy of some sort. She was regally dressed this time. Her deep red gown had a plunging neckline that was more than distracting to the normally modest captain.
It was more than enough to distract him the entire length of his leave. Thinking of the way her slender fingers felt when she touched his upper arm as she was leaving. Running fast to catch up to the group of women she was with. Apparently they were attending a Moncal opera. For the first time in his very short life, Rex wanted desperately to hear the lucid tones from the water world.
Then there was the shore leave after that. Though it wasnât much of a leave so much as it was a time set aside for him to catch up on paperwork and other monotonous tasks. Sheâd snuck into the Courascant offices and brought a cup of wonderfully fragrant caff to him. How she knew where he was or that he was even there, he didnât know.
That night she was a sight. Heavily adorned with ornaments and dripping in silk. Her face painted with white makeup and a few ceremonial red markings. Ethereal fell short of the actual thing. It was as if she had just come from an important sacred ritual. Yet here she was bringing a clone captain some caff in the middle of the night. Sneaking around a clone base of all places. She said sheâd do it again if it meant getting to speak to him when heâd reprimanded her for being out so late.
It bothered him. Why did it bother him so much? Her smile, the way sheâd excitedly greet him when heâd been away for months. It seemed like something not meant for him. It made his thoughts dangerously careless. Alone at night, imagining her lithe hands caressing his cheek as she laid beside him. Lulling him to sleep after a particularly rough battle. Reassuring him that he was still a man and not just a soldier. Not just another cog in the machine.
When heâd been briefed on this mission, theyâd told him that this dignitary was getting married off. She was to be a political Dejarik piece used by her father to obtain safe trade routes through pirate controlled space. She was engaged to some pompous royal Diâkut as payment. It was a practice that was frowned upon in the inner rim, but common in the outer rim.
Then he read her name in the report.
The metallic whoosh of the ramp descending shook Rex out of his thoughts. He watched as what looked like a funeral procession of somber young female attendants in dark robes lined up in silence. Rain hit their heavy garments and dripped from the hoods that covered their faces. It added to the gloomy shroud that descended over the platform.
Behind the assembled caretakers, a ghostly figure emerged. She was flanked on both sides by two male guards. In unison, the female attendants held up small wands that pushed the rain aside, providing a dry pathway for the figure.
She looked so small, swathed in flowing white robes this time, beautifully embroidered with botanical patterns in a pale blue. An elaborate matching veil covered her face. Her pale blonde hair was pulled into an intricate updo with not a single curl out of place. She seemed to float over the platform, her glass shoes made an eerie clicking noise that could barely be heard over the downpour.
The princess only stopped once to comfort a bereft attendant. She knelt beside the girl and spoke to her in hushed tones while the servant clutched at her robes as if trying to keep her there. It was a pitiful sight. She was patient and waited until the girl finally let her go. She stood and stepped soundlessly past the last of her attendants, with the two guards posted on either side matching her every step.
She approached the General and nodded a silent greeting. Anakin stepped forward and extended his hand to her which she took. He spoke first, gesturing first to himself and then to Rex.
âWelcome princess. I trust you remember me. The 501st and I were chosen to escort you through the Outer Rim due to our familiarity with you and your father. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help you.â Anakinâs words seemed far away to Rex. Unreal. As if someone else entirely were speaking.
If he closed his eyes, Rex could almost imagine it was any one of hundreds of senators or princesses that stood before him. Anyone else but her. There was a veil covering her face. Maybe it was a typo in the briefing. He felt his mind begin to beg. But as she whisked past him and onto the waiting transport, a familiar scent filtered through the rebreathers in his helmet. Jasmine, and something warm like sun baked stone.
He was immediately taken right back to Paruun IV. His heart sunk to his boots and he stiffened as she passed him. For a moment he was bathed in the scent. Back when they were stuck together on Paruun IV it was faint, faded by days of being on the run and on the battlefield. But she still smelled unmistakably like that warm perfume. Unconsciously he took in a deep inhale. Trying to commit the scent to memory.
âUdesii brother. Whatâs got you so tense.â Rex almost jumped when Fivesâ voice came through the private internal comm on his helmet. Cursing the way his thoughts had wandered, he mentally shook himself.
âKeep your thoughts on the task at hand.â If Rexâs voice came through a little bit rougher than usual, Fives didnât comment on it. He knew better.
The group entered the ship and followed behind the procession. He couldnât help but strain to catch one more glimpse of her walking ahead. While several of the clone troopers had stationed themselves at the entrance to the hallway, Rex hung back.
Princess Adelaide was led to her room where she disappeared from his sight. Her white robes blending almost seamlessly with the fluorescently lit hallways. Shortly after everything was sorted, Rex and Anakin headed towards the bridge.
Rex nearly startled again as Anakin nudged him with an elbow. âYou remember her?â His tone laced with amusement as if he already knew the answer.
Rex closed his eyes behind his visor. Glad once again that it hid his expression from view. If not his actual thoughts from the Jedi knight.
âNot well. I remember her some from Paruun IV,â Rex muttered.
âHuh.â Anakin smirked knowingly. Silence stretched between them and Anakin dropped the subject. The look on his face gave the impression that he was searching. Probing with the force to find out more. Rex concentrated as hard as he could on remembering strategic patterns.
The beat of rain still pattered against the shipâs hull breaking the tense silence before Rex cleared his throat and fell back into the safety of professionalism.
âWe should run a security sweep before we hit hyperspace. Make sure no one slipped anything unpleasant onboard with her entourage.â Rex rumbled, turning on his heel to carry out the task and pointedly avoiding Anakinâs knowing stare. The general didnât press the issue and let Rex get on with what he needed to do. Before he was too far down the hallway, Anakin called after Rex.
âEverything will be fine. Iâve installed a panic button in her room that is directly linked to your helmet and my comm. Weâll be the first to know if sheâs in danger. I had her guards discuss it with her.â
That did little to relax the muscles in Rexâs tense jaw. Lingering in the back of the ship, he busied himself with making a thorough sweep of the cargo hold. Careful to avoid the hallway that seemed to get longer and longer. Separating them further.
Takeoff was smooth. All the men were in their place. The upper atmosphere was clear as opposed to the storm near the surface. Not a sound came from the ship other than the distant whine of the engines. There were scheduled troop rotations every half hour. General Skywalker had opted to stay up in the cockpit with the pilot, presumably to oversee the navigation and talk his ear off about flying.
All in all the journey itself to the Outer Rim would take around three days, as they would have to travel through parts of space without safe hyper-lanes. Hints the Jedi escort. It should be uneventful if they didnât run into any pirates. This was a routine mission.
Keep AdelaideâŚ.the princess, safe. So why couldnât he just think of anything else other than the way the corner of her eyes would crinkle when she laughed. The small details that made her face hers, details lost by the shroud she wore on the platform.
Hours later, Rex found himself in the hallway leading to her room before he knew what he was doing. The two Paruunian guards gave him a look as he walked past them. Silently cursing himself, he turned and made to walk away.
âSir?â One of the troopers outside the hallway to her door stood a little taller at attention.
âAt ease Vod.â Rex assured the trooper. âEverything quiet here?â
The door behind the two guards swished open before they could reply. There was the sound of soft silvery chimes, a whisper of fabric, and the scent of jasmine and sun warmed stone as it drifted through his rebreather once more.
His helmet snapped toward the noise just as Adelaide stepped out, now free of her heavy veils and no longer wrapped in those ghostly white robes. Instead she wore a colorful, knitted shawl over a silk tunic. Her hair was down and in soft waves that cascaded over her shoulders. Dark circles under her eyes served as a tell. She had recently spent a good amount of time in tears. Her small hands held a data-pad with what appeared to be a letter on it. She looked up and froze mid-step, her usually bright grey eyes somehow found his behind the visor. They had a deep sadness to them and it made him swallow involuntarily in the steel grip of her gaze.
âCaptain.â Her voice was quiet and formal. Unfamiliar. As if they hadnât previously been friends.
âPrincess. Are you in need of any assistance?â Rex asked, matching her formality even though it stung.
She shook her head and replied politely. Stepping back as if to retreat back into her room. âNo, thank you Captain.â The door swished shut once more.
The foreign guards exchanged a glance but said nothing as the Captain stood staring for a lingering moment at the closed door.
In the chaos of his mind, he tried to make sense of why he was feeling this way. No. There wasnât room for that. Duty above all else. Thatâs what heâd told Cut Lawquane when heâd had that conversation about not wanting a family, back on Saleucami. His thoughts had drifted to her even then. Cursing himself yet again he turned on his heel and marched away. Nothing to do now but continue his route around the ship.
Behind the door Adelaide covered her mouth with her hand and squeezed her eyes shut. Her back to the cold durasteel, she slid to the floor. She thought sheâd be prepared to see him, that it would be easy to forget how happy their little talks made her. But instead she was choking on tears that stung her eyes and threatened to burst through her lashes. It took every ounce of her strength not to scream. It was so unfair. A cruel joke that out of all the guardians she could have had, it had to be him.
More time. Thatâs all she wanted. More time to prepare, to find the words, to voice exactly how she felt. But that too was stolen from her. It was her duty to do this. Her people were starving and trade routes around her planet were controlled by ruthless crime syndicates. After their liberation at the beginning of the war, Adelaideâs home world had declared its allegiance to the Republic. Thus several of the so called âunalignedâ syndicates cut trade ties with them. This left the planet without vital supplies.
She swallowed hard as she thought of the man she was to marry. Apparently, he was a noble who controlled a vast number of trading companies. He had twelve wives already, Adelaide would be his thirteenth. Perhaps heâd forget about her and focus on the othersâŚshe could only hope. After several steadying breaths she moved to get to her feet. Sheâd started a letter to Rex. One sheâd send when she was delivered to her new husband. Thanking the kind clone soldier for everything heâd done for her and her world. Telling him how much he meant to her. Things she couldnât bear to say to him herself.
She swallowed hard and braced herself on the door only to suddenly fall backwards as it slid open with a metallic whoosh. The world spun and she was looking up into the face of a very amused Jedi as he stepped inside over her startled figure.
âPrincess Corrand, I apologize for interrupting you. I was sent to give my report on our progress.â Anakin reached out a hand to help her up. Which she took, looking a bit embarrassed and ruffled. He had an infuriating smirk on his face but with the scare she just had words wouldnât come. She adjusted her shawl with as much dignity as she could muster.
âAh yes master Jedi. I apologize for my appearance. Thank you, please come in.â She gestured for him to follow her inside, as if he hadnât already invited himself in.
The room was lavishly furnished, a stark contrast to the rest of the militarily sterile feel of the rest of the vessel. A bed sat to the right, covered in colorful velvet pillows and at least three enormous blankets. A giant wardrobe and a wooden trunk rested opposite the bed, next to a nearly floor to ceiling viewing window. Out of which one could watch the stars rush past. On the other end of the room was a fireplace with holographically realistic fire. You could even feel the heat from it. In front of that was a woven rug and a small table in front of two small couches opposite each other.
The princess moved to perch on one and gestured for Anakin to sit on the other. She folded herself neatly, much more composed and regal now that she had something other than her anguish to focus on. âNow, are we making good progress?â She asked formally.
Anakin nodded. âWe will arrive with time to spare my lady. The hyperdrive is working with surprising efficiency. Weâve been traveling about a half rotation. That puts us arriving at the halfway mark in about one rotation.â
The princess went pale. Half way already? It couldnât be. Where was the time going? She hadnât realized sheâd had a visible reaction until her eyes met the Jediâs concerned expression. âNot to worry my lady. We still have plenty of time to go.â He must sense her dread for arriving at the destination.
She only nodded. Clearing her throat and mumbling a small âyes plenty of time.â Before looking back up at him. âWas that all General Skywalker?â She was eager to get back to writing her letter.
Anakin paused as if he were weighing his words carefully before continuing. Heâd almost refused this assignment. Arranged marriage was dangerously close to slavery and he despised anyone whoâd engage in such archaic practice. But when heâd felt the warm pull of the force and the anxiety basically radiating off of his CaptainâŚthis would be more entertaining than he could have anticipated. He sighed and came right out with it. âYou need to talk to him.â
The princess stiffened as if shot. âExcuse me?â She squeaked out. Her eyes staring daggers at him.
âMy Captain. Heâs been pacing the ship. His thoughts are so loudly of you. Itâs hard to focus on anything else.â Anakin raised an eyebrow, half amusement and half an unspoken question. Rexâs loyalty and ability to keep his most precious secret had meant everything to Anakin. Heâd do anything for his Captain.
âAnd what do you want me to do about that?â Adelaide sputtered, thinly veiled exasperation in her voice.
Anakin stood and walked towards the door without being dismissed. When he reached it, his hand hovered over the control panel and he threw one last comment over his shoulder. âyouâll regret it if you donât at least talk to him.â
And with that he was gone. Leaving Adelaide sitting and staring after him. Heâd left her with permission to speak to the Captain. Shocked and terrified because she knew he was right. She had to summon him. Immediately.
Rex had checked the same cargo compartment a dozen times but one could never be too careful. Finally, his rotation was over. His mind was a million miles away as he made his way on autopilot to the small room that served as a place for the men to go between their rotations. It was dimly lit by a vending machine in the corner that filled the room with an eerie almost green glow. There were a couple of tables with benches attached to them for the men to sit and eat. Heâd hoped the room would be empty so he could think. But a certain meddling ARC trooper lounged casually near what looked to be a drink station.
âThis isnât like anything weâre used to eh Captain?â The trooper smiled, holding a very fancy looking cup of caff. Rex knew he was in for more uncomfortable questions the moment he saw the look on the young troopers face.
âWanna tell me who that woman is? Sheâs a real looker I hear. Didnât you and the General have one of your very first missions as Captain on the planet she comes from?â He drawled lazily. Acting as if prying the information out of Rex wasnât important at all to him.
Rex shot him a look as he decided that eating something right now would only make his stomach more sour than it was already. âArenât you supposed to be on level B patrolling?â He said sternly, having to remind himself that Fives was probably just looking out for him. That the ARC wouldnât benefit from a stern reminder that talking so casually to your superior officers wasnât acceptable.
The young trooper threw up his hands. âFine fine. But Iâve never seen you shaken like that. Not even when the general threw you over that fortress wall on Geonosis. If you want to talk about it Iâm here Vod. But if youâd rather be a stubborn DiâkutâŚthen I wonât pry.â
âHaarâchakâŚâ Rex mumbled as he sat down at the table Fives was reclining at. He rubbed at his face and fixed fives with a severe gaze. âWhen will you learn to leave well enough alone.â
Fives smiled. It was clear to Rex, he wasnât asking for gossip. Rex knew he was distracted and distraction meant death. This simple fact worried him more than heâd like to admit.
Fives gestured with his hand encouraging him to go on and Rex gave a heavy sigh before he spoke. âIt doesnât matter who she is Fives. Sheâs got a very important part to play. Millions of lives hinge on this arrangement. I cannot interfere with what she has to do.â
His words hung heavy in the air and Fives gave a grave nod. âBut would it be interferingâŚif you just spoke with her? Sheâs probably terrified. Might be good to make sure sheâs ok.â He said, watching for a reaction.
Rex shook his head. Even if he wanted to speak with her how could he? What would he even say? Silence stretched between the two men. This was unlike any problem theyâd ever faced. Or ever imagined theyâd face. They had one job. To fight and die for the Republic. But this was what it was to imagine living for it. Living after the war was over. What could that be like if things worked out?
The chime of Rexâs comm drug him back to reality. Fives shot him a curious look as he donned his helmet to listen to the urgent communiquĂŠ. It seemed the decision was made for him. The princess had requested his presence specifically. Rex looked over at Fives and the ARC knew a panicked look even with the helmet covering his brotherâs face.
Rex hesitated outside the durasteel door before activating the control panel. Time seemed to slow as he stepped into the cozy looking room. The only light came from the flickering holo projected fire and it danced eerily around the space.
âCaptain.â A small voice called. Rex turned his head and there she was. Perched on that cushioned sofa. Shawl around her shoulders and eyes trained on him.
He swallowed hard and nodded to her respectfully. âMaâam, you wanted to see me?â
âYes I did. Would you sit?â She beckoned him with a sweeping gesture. Silence stretched between them and he stood fast, just on the edge of the light in the room.
âIâd prefer to stand.â His voice was tight like he wanted to be anywhere else but in that room. Adelaideâs eyes searched over his form and he swore she could see right through his armor to the heart trying to beat its way out of his chest.
Then she did something that made Rexâs heart jump into his throat. She stood, padding over on silk slippers that muffled the sound of her footsteps. He had forgotten how small she was as he loomed over her. Her voice was clear and rang sweetly throughout the room when she finally spoke.
âI apologize for making you come here. I wanted to thank you. I had hoped to have more time...â He stared at her. The ache in his chest only growing as she smiled softly, reaching a hand out to him. âIf you couldâŚwould you stay and talk with meâŚuntil-â
âDonât.â The word forced its way out of the vocalizer in his helmet. He grabbed her outstretched wrist in a firm grip, stopping her from touching his arm. She flinched visibly, pulling against his grip as she tried to distance herself.
âS..sorry I didnât mean to-â She started to apologize but he only pulled her closer, leaning down so his helmet was beside her head, barely resting on her shoulder.
Heâd interrupted her again. This time his voice audibly ragged. âDonât you dare finish that sentence. Donât remind me that youâll-â he paused and Adelaide swore she heard the vocalizer in his helmet pick up the hitch in his voice as emotion threatened to overwhelm him.
He just stood there, leaning over her. His chest rising and falling but she couldnât hear the sound of his breathing. Slowly, as if dealing with a dangerous animal, she reached her free hand up and rested it on the side of his helmet. Brushing against where his cheek would be and feeling the cold hard plastoid beneath her fingertips. Beneath the helmet, Rex closed his eyes. Imagining the feel of her fingertips against his skin.
âItâs alright Captain. Iâll be fine.â She murmured. Just quiet enough that the audial sensors in Rexâs helmet almost didnât pick it up. The sound of the honorific on her lips only made his chest tighten more.
He knelt down in front of her, his helmet still resting on her shoulder. His hand was still firmly locked around her wrist as if letting go meant losing her forever. He mumbled low next to her ear, in Mandoâa, phrases he couldnât bare to say to her in basic. âTionâjor garâŚgedetâye naasad gar.â Why youâŚPlease not you.
She closed her eyes and let his voice ground her before slipping the fingers of her free hand under the lip of his helmet and gently lifting until the seal hissed as it was broken. He lifted his head from her shoulder a bit so she could slip it off easier. After setting the helmet aside, she put a gentle palm on his chest plate. A gentle push from her hand guided him back so she could look at his face. He let go of her wrist and let her push him back to rest on his heels. She tried to catch his gaze but his amber eyes avoided hers.
âYou know as well as I do Captain, this is something I have to do. I have no choice. You of all people know what itâs like to give everything of yourself to something you believe in.â Her words stung but Rex knew they were true. His hands balled into fists where they sat in his lap. Still he avoided her gaze. Opting instead to watch the stars rush past through the viewport.
âIâll always remember how you helped me and my people Captain. Iâll always be thankful for that.â With that, she moved to hand him back his helmet. Picking it back up carefully as if it were something precious. Rex wanted nothing more than to put it on again. To hide once more behind the anonymity and safety of it.
These feelingsâŚheâd been shot, fallen from great heights, shocked, stabbed. But thisâŚit was agony. As she held the helmet out to him she spoke again. âSo thank you. For everything. I needed to say that before I go. Our friendship has meant everything to me.â
That did it. Something in him snapped. Instead of reaching for the helmet he reached forward past it and pulled her to him in one sweeping motion. She let out a startled squeak as he slipped his arms beneath hers and cradled her head from behind.
âCyarâikaâŚdonât you dare thank me for doing something so selfish as keeping your companyâŚâ he buried his head in the crook of her neck. His armor dug uncomfortably into her ribs but she wasted no time in wrapping her arms around him. He breathed deeply and without the rebreathers in his helmet blocking the scent he was nearly overwhelmed with the soft jasmine, sun warmed stone, and now a hint of vanilla.
