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501st blue matched the pace of vibrant 212th armor as the seasoned commanders walked in stride along the halls of the GAR's Armory Procurement Unit. The white walls of this sector always chilled Rex, it was too Kamino-like for his tastes. It was the type of place that looked like a long-neck could be just around any corner; he hated it.
A subtle cough from Cody pulled his attention toward the older clone.
“So. You and General Tano, huh?” The Marshall Commander smirked coyly.
Despite what his brother had just witnessed over the comms, the direct question jolted Rex. With his steadiest Commander’s tone, he retorted. “And you and yours, Cody? If General Kenobi’s glow is anything to go by.”
Cody chuckled. “Ahh, don’t believe everything you hear vod. And most importantly don’t deflect. I taught you better than that.”
“Listen, I know what it sounded like…” Rex began.
“Sounded like you were gett’se deep inside your General, if I heard correctly.”
Rex’s cheeks burned with the heat of Tatooine’s suns but he held his composure. “Like you said. Don’t believe everything you hear vod.”
At that Cody laughed and clapped his shoulder. “You’ve got jokes Rex. I wonder if General Skywalker finds them as hilarious.” He probed.
“He can’t speak on what he doesn’t know Cody. And the boys know to keep it that way.”
Cody nodded. “I can see that.”
A beat of silence passed between them as they covered the last lap of their journey to Procurement, and Rex thought the conversation over until Cody spoke up again.
“Do you love her?”
The weight of his brother's words knocked the wind clear out of his scarred and plated chest. Of course he loved her, with every fiber of his fabricated being, he was, without any doubt, in love with Ahsoka Tano. But his heart in all its glory, had never dare confess that truth to another being.
His legs, unable to move while his mind processed the brazen inquiry, came to a sharp halt in the middle of the lifeless hallway. His mouth grew impossibly dry, and his heart raced like a fleet of star fighters breaking through enemy lines.
Slowly, he brought himself to exhale, centering himself the best he could. “Cody…I..”
“Never thought I’d see the day little brother...” replied Cody, as a soft smile broke across his lips. “...listen, General Tano is a catch. You’re lucky to have her. But for her sake and yours, I’d keep in my codpiece mid-campaign if I were you.”
Rex nodded, unable to meet Cody’s eyes as his cheeks burned even warmer. “Can’t argue with you there vod.”
“Now c’mon. I don’t have all day.” Cody prodded.
As Rex watched him resume his pace to their destination, the gears and cogs in his body seemed to slowly grind to life again, as he willed himself to follow his brother.