Hickies and Help

-

(Slightly smut, if the cover didn't give a subtle hint-)
( Satan_Incarnate_666)

Tatooine. Anakin's worst, worst nightmare. He swore to himself that he would NEVER come back, and yet, here he is! The Separatists had brought the war to Tatooine, and the 501st with it. Rex was aware how Anakin felt towards the planet, approaching the other with the normal respectful, proper mannerism, but concern written on the captain's face. Anakin was shaking. Not lightly, no. He was shaking like a kriffing leaf. Rex knit his eyebrows under his bucket, worried for his general. The captain had heard stories about General Skywalker's childhood on Tatooine, and Rex wouldn't wish that sheer torture on anyone. Carefully, Rex gently placed a hand on Anakin's shoulder, staying silent out of not knowing how to address the general. But he wanted to comfort him still, biting his lip behind the bucket. Anakin flinched at the sudden, albeit gentle, touch. Memories flickered behind his eyes, bad, bad memories. Rex noticed Anakin's attention fading.

"General?" The captain spoke tentatively, as not to alarm the obviously terrified man.
Anakin cleared his throat, blinking away tears.

"Yes, Rex?"

"Just checking on you, sir," Rex quietly said, pretending he didn't notice the tears. The captain desperately just wanted to hold the other, but held himself back from doing so. "After all, it's been a long day," he added as a reason for his concern.

"Rex?"

"Yes sir?"

"Do you blame me for all of your brothers that you've lost?" Anakin speaks with a quivering note of guilt in his voice, desperate for an answer.
Rex's breath caught in his throat, tear pricking at his eyes.

"No sir. I don't blame you, at all. I blame the Seppies, the Sith, kriff, even the Republic. But not you. Never you . . . Anikan." Rex spoke with raw conviction, the truth hanging in the air like a heavy fog.
The captain's heart felt almost broken at question, his gaze casting downwards after answering. He didn't want to leave Anakin with any feeling of guilt, offering a hand to the general. "I could never blame you, sir," he added in a much more quieter tone, shaking his head slightly. Anakin took Rex's hand, before pulling the captain into a hug. Rex hugged back almost immediately, heart thumping in his chest. The captain had fallen in love with Anakin long ago. Rex trusted his general with every inch of his being, and would die before letting any harm come to the Jedi Knight. Rex wrapped his arms tightly around Anakin, the captain gently  rubbing his general's back to soothe him, carefully resting his chin on the Jedi's shoulder. He silently wondered if Anakin could feel his racing heartbeat. Anakin tucked his face into the crook of Rex's neck, trying not to cry. Rex smelled of ash, of standard regulation shampoo and the coppery scent of blood.
"Anakin?" Rex spoke quietly, all formalities out the window.

"Hm?"

"Do you want to go inside? I can see a sandstorm starting up. We can go to your room, and I'll stay with you. If- If you want, that is." The captain's heart pounded even harder at the question he'd asked and the formalities he'd given up for this moment, nearly gasping at the small nod he felt Anakin against his neck, starting to slowly pull away. The general pulled away, giving Rex the tiniest of smiles.

"Let's go in then, shall we?"

Rex nodded, still a little flustered. He pulled his helmet off and tucked it under his arm, taking Anakin's hand in his own. Anakin laughed ever so slightly, and dropped Rex's hand, only to wrap his arm around the captain's waist. Rex felt his heart jump at the touch, glancing at the arm around his waist before focusing back on Anakin and getting inside. The captain desperately tried to push away his feelings at the moment, only wanting to focus on making sure Anakin would be okay.