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"So, then, we bring the other half of Torrent around the back and take them by surprise. Using this method, we will minimise casualties, increase our chance of success and…General?"
Anakin blinks, smiling at Rex. The Captain stands in front of a projector, helmet under his arm as he explains the newest strategy he's come up with. 'My Captain is so smart,' Anakin thinks, unable to stop the no doubt dopey smile spreading across his face.
"Sorry, Rex, can you say that again, please?"
Rex's brow furrows.
"Yes, sir. Were…you not listening?"
"No, no," Anakin rushes to explain, feeling his face flush. Why does he even try to flirt? Padmé was right, he's hopeless. "Sorry, I…just like hearing you talk."
"O-oh."
Rex looks down at his helmet, a dusty red blush colouring his cheeks. Anakin smiles as Rex's hand comes up to cover his face. "I…well now I can't remember what I was saying." The Captain mumbles, but Anakin can hear the smile in his voice.
"That's fine."
Rex laughs from behind his hand, completely giving up on being professional. "You're so sappy. This is supposed to be an official briefing."
"And? It's just us, you can brief me later." Anakin stands up, gently prying Rex's hand from his face. A pretty crimson glow colouring the Captain's cheeks. "Aww, look at you."
"Stop, I've got a reputation."
"With who? It's just us."
Rex mumbles something about 'fraternisation' but Anakin just laughs. "I think we're way past that, shar-ay."
Rex grimaces, leaning back and pushing Anakin's face away. "Ugh, at least try to pronounce it correctly." The Jedi gasps in mock offence and clings to his Captain stubbornly, grinning.
"What? That was close!"
"Cyare, not 'shar-ay'. Manda." Rex chastises, rolling his eyes. But he doesn't try to shove Anakin away again, so he takes it as a win. "You speak 2 languages, at least try to get mine right."
"3, Rex, 4 if you count binary."
"Which I don't."
"Ugh," Anakin releases Rex, shaking his head dramatically. "Honestly, you're always downplaying my achievements. Shame on you."
Rex just clicks his tongue teasingly. "Di'kut."
"Hey!"
The Captain stares at him for a moment, his eyes so intense that Anakin starts to fidget a little under the amber gaze. Then, Rex laughs. A soft, rich sound that makes Anakin's heart melt.
"You really like hearing me talk?"
"Of course," Anakin replies, smiling back. "I like your voice."
Rex huffs softly, disbelief rippling around him in the Force. "It's nothing special. Every other clone has the same voice."
"No they don't."
Rex looks up, brow furrowed a little in confusion, like Anakin's said something absurd. But Anakin continues.
"Sure, you have similar sounding voices, but…not one of your brothers sounds like you. You're more soft with your authority, more…I dunno, protective? And…it's not just the way you talk either. The Force, it…" Anakin pauses, closing his eyes to focus on the ringing choir radiating from Rex, trying to place a word to it. But there's no one singular word to describe how Rex sounds in the Force. "It sings around you. It's all…you know that Mandalorian flute?"
"The bes'bev?" Rex asks, his voice quiet. Anakin opens his eyes, smiling at his Captain.
"Yeah, that. That's how you sound in the Force."
Rex doesn't say anything. He doesn't need to. His astonishment, his warmth, his choir screaming his brilliance into the Force for all to hear. 'Oh Captain, my Captain.' The bes'beve play, echoing Anakin's constant consciousness.
Oh, how blessed he is for his Captain.