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“Are you free tonight, handsome?” Rex suddenly blurted out as he slid into the seat across from Cody, tray clattering on the table as he set it down with a little too much vigour.
The brazen, open flirtation caught Cody off-guard, and his eyes widened comically with disbelief. Quick to recover, Cody merely shrugged a shoulder as he reached for his mug of caf.
“Well, there was this hot blond that I was hoping to make some plans with,” Cody said, watching Rex try not to squirm with embarrassment over the rim of the mug as he paused to take a sip. “But what are you offering?”
It was Rex’s turn to be flustered, the tips of his ears reddening as he bent his head and shoved at the nutritional mash on his tray with his spoon as if it had personally wronged him. Before Rex could get too into his head, Cody stretched out a leg under the table and tapped the toe of his boot against the inside of Rex’s ankle. Rex’s head snapped up, mouth slack with surprise, and the fond smile Cody wore broadened when their eyes met.
“C’mon, hotshot, what have you got?”
Encouraged, Rex sat up straighter, squared his shoulders, and cleared his throat before launching into it.
“There is a nighttime phenomenon on this planet in which the sky is illuminated with lights of various colours. With tonight being our last night before going back up to the cruisers, I thought I would give it one final go at seeing it, and I was hoping you would want to join me.”
Cody had set his mug down while Rex spoke, leaning forward on his elbows and resting his chin against his hands. The two looked at each other expectantly for a long moment until Cody raised a brow and hummed inquisitively, while Rex clenched and unclenched his fists anxiously.
“So,” Rex asked as the silence stretched out between them, “What do you say?”
“You haven’t asked me anything,” Cody replied, fond look turned smug.
Rex swore under his breath and rolled his eyes, earning an amused snort from Cody.
“Would you - Cody - like to accompany me - Rex - to look at the sky tonight in hopes of seeing a show of lights?” He asked in one hurried, exasperated breath.
Cody was grinning so hard his cheeks hurt and while Rex attempted to look sour and put-out, Cody’s amusement was contagious, and Rex was forced to hide his smile behind his hand and look down at his tray again. When their laughter calmed down, Rex still had his gaze adverted and Cody again slid his foot across the divide between them and nudged his foot against Rex’s. There was a pause then Rex looked up through fluttering lashes and Cody’s words caught in his throat, and his extended silence had Rex’s expression turning desperate.
The mess was almost empty so early – only a handful of troopers spread across the tables – and Cody chanced to reach over and lay his hand atop Rex’s. Both men enjoyed their privacy, and they did their best to keep their relationship quiet, so the clear display of affection had Rex’s brows shooting up his forehead and he stared at Cody, dumbfounded.
“I would love to, handsome,” Cody said softly, giving his hand a firm squeeze when Rex sucked in a sharp, startled breath, “nothing else I’d rather do this last night planetside.”
A delighted grin split across Rex’s face, and he flipped his hand over to grasp Cody’s wrist to pull his arm closer. He punched a series of buttons on Cody’s vambrace before he relinquished his hold and Cody reluctantly took his arm back.
“I pinged the spot I picked out. It’s on a hill just north, quiet and secluded. Shouldn’t have to worry about anyone sneaking up,” Rex explained. “Meet there at sundown?”
Cody hummed in acknowledgement. “Sounds good to me, I like the initiative.”
Rex preened under the praise – though he tried to hide it by shoving a large spoon of mash into his mouth – and they fell into companionable silence as they finished eating. They rose and returned their trays, walking to the exit of the mess where they gently knocked the backs of their gloved hands together before they parted ways. Cody took a moment to watch Rex’s retreating form before he headed towards the Command Centre, thankful for his helmet to hide his smile.
There was an hour until sundown when Cody finished his duties, and he hustled his way through a meal then stopped by his tent to quickly remove his armour before he hit the showers. Back in his tent, scrubbed clean and having donned a fresh undersuit, Cody strapped his armour back on and holstered a blaster at his side. A quick dig through his supplies uncovered a carafe, which he clipped onto the back of his belt before leaving. He stopped a few tents down and was called inside before needing to make his presence known.
“Cody,” Kenobi greeted him warmly, “how can I help you?”
The Jedi stood despite Cody gesturing for him to remain seated and he pulled up a second chair, which Cody declined with a shake of his head.
“I have a trade to propose, sir,” Cody said, setting his helmet down on an empty corner of the table between them. “A datapad of reports for some tea.”
Kenobi took the container that Cody procured from his belt and stepped over to the camp stove to fill the kettle with water. Cody took that as agreement but when he went to grab one of the datapads, the stack moved out of his reach. He looked mildly vexed as he turned to Kenobi, who was flicking through the small box of teas he had with him.
“No exchange needed, Commander, you can have some tea and I will keep my reports.”
Cody was inclined to insist but ultimately decided it would be a fruitless endeavour and remained silent, holding his hands up as if in surrender, which earned a pleased little smirk from the Jedi.
“Do you have a request?” Kenobi asked.
Cody shook his head. “Whatever you recommend for sitting outside watching the skies.”
The rustling from Kenobi stopped and Cody looked up to see him with a packet in each hand, held between his pointer and middle fingers as if he were holding a cigarette, and an intrigued look on his face.
“I see,” the Jedi hummed, and Cody’s face grew hotter the longer they held gazes. “And is this a solo endeavour?”
The faint bubbling of water from the kettle filled the silence between them. A concerned look flashed across Kenobi’s face and Cody realized that his lack of response had come across badly. Kenobi opened his mouth to apologize but Cody cut him off.
“No, I’ll be with Captain Rex.” Cody’s throat tightened with nerves.
There was another pause before Kenobi grinned roguishly and dropped one of the envelopes back into the box. “Well then, something special for the captain.”
“Sir?”
Kenobi plucked a second of the same packet from the box and ripped both open at once before dumping them into the waiting carafe. It didn’t look like any of the tea Kenobi had offered him before, which had come in bags instead of the powder Cody saw now. He stepped closer as Kenobi poured the water in and mixed the brown liquid with a wooden stir stick.
“Hot chocolate,” Kenobi said in explanation, taking the carafe in hand and turning to face him. “A bit different than tea, but will warm you just the same.”
Cody got a whiff of the drink then and his face must have shown his curious delight, judging by the burst of laughter from Kenobi.
“It smells good,” Cody said sheepishly.
The Jedi only smiled warmly at him and twisted the lid back onto the container before pressing it into Cody’s hands. “I hope you both enjoy it.”
Cody returned the smile and nodded in thanks before turning to leave, grabbing his helmet on his way out. He donned his helmet and set a brisk pace across the camp, clipping the carafe onto his belt along the way.
Having already chosen a route to the meeting point, Cody walked through a wooded area until he reached the base of the hill Rex mentioned. While not steep, the terrain was covered in loose dirt and rocks, and Cody had to step with care as he made the hike up. Once at the top, Cody followed the grassy ridge for some time until the path eventually curved. When he rounded the bend, he stopped short to take in the sight.
The sun was beginning to set in the distance, and it cast everything in hues of yellow, orange, and pink. Rex sat with his back to Cody on a blanket he’d had the foresight to bring, legs stretched out in front as he leaned back on his hands. His head turned as he heard Cody’s approach, profile silhouetted in the sunlight and his blond hair turned to gold in the evening light. Never had Cody wanted to take a holo more and he did precisely that, snapping several still shots through his helmet.
Rex had removed the upper pieces of his armour and they were laid out neatly in the grass behind him, his pistols kept close by his side. He turned as Cody approached, going up onto his knees with the intent to rise and greet him. Cody had his helmet off in a moment, clearing the distance between them in three long strides as Rex beamed up at him.
“Hey Codes,” He breathed, eyes widening slightly as Cody bent at the waist and got that much closer.
Rex made a soft sound of surprise when Cody took him by the jaw but made no protest as his head was tilted back and his mouth claimed in a kiss. He sighed into it, hands coming to brace against Cody’s thighs for support as he was kissed breathless. Cody withdrew just enough to take in Rex’s dazed expression, thumb stroking gently over his jaw as he bumped their noses together and revelled in the way Rex’s lashes fluttered against his cheek.
“What was that about?” Rex asked, barely above a whisper.
Because it’s just you and I out here. Because I want to. Because I can.
Instead, Cody let out a soft hum and shrugged, stepping away to set his helmet down beside its blue counterpart and remove his armour. He started by shucking off the arm pieces and then his blaster and the carafe were set down by the blanket to be kept in reach. By the time Cody had removed and put down his chest piece, Rex was already reaching over to snoop at the container.
Cody intercepted by throwing himself down onto his side between them.
“No ruining the surprise.” He said, albeit with a slight wheeze.
Rex’s laughter filled the air as they rearranged themselves until they sat side by side, shoulders bumping as they stretched their legs out.
“So, what do you have?”
Cody picked up the container and handed it to Rex. “See for yourself.”
Rex spun the top off with a flick of his wrist, balancing it on his thigh before removing the insulated cap. He raised the carafe and took a sniff, eyes going wide when the smell hit him. “That smells so good.”
“It’s hot chocolate.”
“How did you get it?”
Cody picked up the lid from atop Rex’s thigh, prying the carafe from Rex’s eager grip to pour some into the lid. He passed the cup to Rex and steam rose between them.
“From Kenobi. I asked for some tea and told him I was going to be outside, but he gave me this when I mentioned you would be with me.”
“Do you think he knows?” Rex looked leery.
“Well, it is Kenobi, I’m sure he figures something is going on,” Cody replied, “He didn’t seem bothered though, so I don’t think we have anything to worry about.”
That made Rex smile and the tension drained from his shoulders. The drink in his hand had cooled enough that he now ventured a taste. Cody watched as Rex’s face lit up brighter than the stars beginning to dot the sky above them, and he made a pleased sound before tilting his head back and downing the rest of the drink.
“That’s amazing,” Rex exclaimed. “Try it.”
Taking the carafe, he refilled the cup and then pressed it into Cody’s waiting hands. While Rex grinned excitedly at him, Cody eagerly blew on the hot chocolate to cool it, waiting until the steam dissipated before he took a sip. The drink was sweet – so much so that it made Cody’s jaw ache and his toes tingle – but it was good, like Rex had said. He preferred the spiced tea that Kenobi had taken to serving when they did reports together, but he still tilted his head back to finish it.
“Not bad,” he said and passed the cup back to Rex, who refilled it.
The container was returned to Cody, who twisted the insulating cap back on and set it down between them. Rex shifted and Cody took the hint, draping his arm over Rex’s shoulder and pulling him closer to his side. With a pleased hum, Rex leaned his head back to brace against Cody’s shoulder and Cody gently nestled his cheek against the top of Rex’s head, closing his eyes to enjoy the intimacy.
Not long later, Rex jolted against his side, smacking his hand against Cody’s armoured thigh with a loud slap. “Cody, look!”
Cody opened his eyes to see the sky full of colour, plumes of greens and purples flickering like flames across the sky. He opened his mouth to speak, but words failed him and all he managed was, “Whoa.”
“Yeah, whoa.” came Rex’s equally brilliant reply.
It took several long minutes of staring before Cody could look away but when his gaze fell to Rex’s face, he found an even better sight. Rex’s face was lit in glimmering washes of colour and the stars were dotted in the darkness of his iris’. His mouth was slack with awe and his entire face softened with youthful joy, and at that moment Cody felt so blissfully happy his chest ached with it.
They sat together for some time, holding each other in the quiet of the night. At one point, Rex brushed his hand against Cody’s and entwined their fingers, and Cody pressed a kiss to the top of Rex’s head. When they got cold, they shared the remaining hot chocolate, passing the cup between them – though it lingered far longer in Rex’s hands. It was perfect and Cody struggled to think of a better moment in his life.
That moment ended far too quickly however and as it got late, they reluctantly parted; standing to reattach their armour in silence, passing pieces to each other and helping to fasten them in place. They gathered their blasters and the blanket, and Cody took Rex by the hand, leading him back the way they came with the light on his helmet. When they made it to the rocky incline, they began their descent carefully, but it quickly turned into them skittering down the hill on the loose rocks, grabbing onto each other to keep their balance and trying to keep their laughter at an acceptable volume.
By the time they made it to the edge of the camp they had quieted down, and Cody pulled Rex to a stop next to him. He removed his helmet and Rex did the same, giving Cody a questioning look.
“Would you want to stay the night?” Cody asked quietly, eyes downcast. He felt guilty asking – it seemed selfish to trouble Rex with sneaking out in the morning so that they would not get caught.
When Rex smiled at the request, however, he looked far from burdened. “Okay.”
“You sure?” Cody let out the breath he had been holding and returned Rex’s smile.
“I’m sure. Just let me hit the ‘fresher to clean up and I’ll be over.”
Rex was gone before he could say anything, retreating towards the opposite side of the camp. Cody went back to his tent where he grabbed his hygiene kit and made a quick trip to the refresher to brush his teeth and relieve himself. When he returned, the tent was still empty, so he took the time to remove his armour, and wipe the pieces clean of dust and dirt with a cloth before they were put to the side.
Figuring Rex would not be much longer, Cody crawled into his cot, choosing to lay with his back to the opening of the tent. Sure enough, he heard the flap open a few minutes later, followed by the quiet sounds of Rex removing and setting down his armour before he stepped over to the cot. There was a chuckle and then Rex was sliding in behind him, tucking himself snuggly against Cody’s back from shoulders to knees.
Cody tangled their legs together with a contended sigh and Rex held him tighter with an arm around his middle and his palm on Cody’s chest. His hand came to lay over Rex’s and he threaded their fingers together. It was a comfort to feel Rex’s slow, steady breaths at his back and the last thing Cody remembered before falling asleep was Rex pressing a kiss behind his ear.