Executive Cucumber's Thoughts On The Bad Batch 03x09!

OH MY GOSH. OH MY GOSH!!!! THIS IS AMAZING!!! Thank you @apparentlyautistick for sharing your awesome art!!! (You've done Commander Jr's ears so perfectly!!!)

fanart of ExecutaveCucumber’s Across the Stars fic on Ao3 (absolutely you need to read it!!)

Rexsoka Week 2021 Day 1: Boredom

I finally worked up the courage to post my fics on Tumblr for Rexsoka week. I’ll be posting every day for each prompt. These will all be SFW, but I’ll let you know if there’s anything I think might be a problem.

Today’s is just a drabble. Some will be longer, but I don’t think any are shorter than this.

Here we go!

Day 1: Boredom

Rex had imagined the end of the war countless times. He had imagined cheering and shouts of joy. He'd imagined new lives for his brothers and change. He'd imagined rest.

It hadn't been any of that. Instead of cheering, his brothers had been silenced. Instead of new lives, the clones were worked until their usefulness ran out. Instead of rest, they had been given pain.

Rex tried not to dwell on any of that. He tried to focus on his life with the few brothers he had left on Seelos.

Unfortunately, that left him with another unexpected result of the end of the war: boredom.

"What's the matter, Rex?" Gregor asked cheerfully.

Rex looked up from his work on upgrading the cooling system; Seelos could get hot.

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"You keep sighing over there." Wolffe said.

"I guess I'm a bit bored." Rex confessed.

"Bored?" Gregor asked. "How're you bored? You've been busy all day!"

"You manage to find the most to do out of the three of us." Wolffe said. "Just today you've recalibrated the steering, checked the legs, and now this."

Rex shrugged and refocused on his work. He was bored, there was no other way to describe it.

He had never been bored in the GAR, especially with Commander Tano around. She had made writing and reading reports enjoyable.

No, that was a lie. He had been bored, when she wasn't there. The time after she had left the Order had been wrought with boredom, but not at the level Rex felt now.

He wished being bored wasn't so painful. It was a gnawing at his heart, making him lie awake at night. He tried to relieve the symptoms by thinking of the Commander, but it always seemed to make it worse. Probably because he knew if she were here, things wouldn't be so dull. 

If the Galaxy were free and he didn't have his brothers to look after, Rex would take a ship and just go. He'd probably go wherever Commander Tano was. Yes, that felt right.

But as it were, he had to learn to live with his boredom. That aching, tormenting boredom that felt like a piece of his heart was missing.

Yes, that was the word.

Boredom.

Check it out and my other on going Rexsoka fics on my A03!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/34125910/chapters/84903028

https://archiveofourown.org/users/ExecutiveCucumber/works

Me, going over some older chapters that I’ve already posted: oh man, I did a great job with this OC! I really like them! What was I going to do with this character again?

Also me, remembering that I’m going to kill them: oh yeah

A thought or two about our current Fandom discussion

*spoilers under the cut*

I have been a Tech lives believer since about an hour after I saw him fall. I also very strongly believe that Tech is CX-2 (I am aware of what Jennifer Corbett said today about CX-2 being a new character, but Tech being presented as CX-2 can be considered as a new character)

I've seen people say they don't want him to be Tech because they don't want to see Tech like that. Totally valid. Not everyone wants to bathe in angst like I do.

But I believe that Tech being CX-2 is going to create the most compelling story and create the most conflict.

I could go on about the reasons, and maybe I will one day. But I want to share the most devastating one that came to me today.

If Tech is CX-2, that means Echo left his brother behind, left for dead, to be tortured and used against their brothers.

Just like he was.

Anyone else completely normal about the scene with Omega and Tech in The Crossing and Omega says 'we're a family, aren't we?' and the writers could have 100 percent could have had Tech say 'technically, we do not fall under the traditional family structure' or something like that and we would have been mildly disappointed but unsurprised but instead they had him acknowledge that they are a family and even saying 'of course' they're a family which just was such a beautiful moment in which he breaks autism stereotypes and is just a beautiful person that I love?

TechPhee Weekend: Day 2

(almost 2 weeks after the actual event)

Title: Where Your Treasure Is, There Your Heart Will Be Also

Rating: T

Summary:

TechPhee Weekend Day 2: Treasure

A year after the fall of Tantiss, Tech is recovering well from his time as CX-2. The more he feels like himself, the more he is ready for a taste of freedom. Phee, with one of her treasure hunts, seems just the opportunity he needs. And if the mission gives him time more time to spend with her alone, all the better.

And here is the TechPhee Weekend Day 2!

1.5 weeks after it was supposed to be done…

Oh well, the flu and just life in general got in the way. I do like to think this one was worth the wait. I started out with a basic plot idea…and it kinda devolved into fluff.

This takes place in the same timeline as the first day: Tech was CX-2 and was saved during the fall of Tantiss. I wanted some more normal Tech, so it’s been a while and he’s recovered a fair amount. 

Anyway, let’s get going!

DAY 2: Treasure

For the first Galactic year after Tech had come home with his family, he had been content to stay on Pabu. He had needed peace to heal and to forgive himself. But the anniversary of the destruction of Tantiss had come and gone, and he found himself growing increasingly agitated with the sedate lifestyle.

As a result, when Phee asked him to accompany her on a short retrieval mission, or ‘treasure hunt’ as she liked to call it, he was eager to accept.

His brothers were not.

“Are you insane?” Crosshair spat. “We finally have a safe place, no one’s looking for us, and you want to galavant off to who knows here on one of Genoa’s laser brained schemes?”

Tech frowned. He felt rather like he was standing before a tribunal rather than in front of his brothers in their modest home’s living room. At least Omega was in bed and was not adding to the conflict. 

“Phee’s plans are well thought out and prepared for.” He said tersely. “You did not experience Cid’s missions. Phee is far more competent and trustworthy.”

Wrecker chuckled at that.

“Gotta point there.”

“I wouldn’t be comfortable sending you if it was a plan by Rex and Echo.” Hunter said. “Tech, we don’t need to risk ourselves anymore. And let’s be honest, you’re not at your best.”

“I am well enough to go to an uninhabited planet.” Tech said. “To explore the ruins of a village.”

“I don’t like it.” Crosshair said, folding his arms.

“Neither do I.” Hunter said.

“Unfortunate.” Tech said. “I was not asking for permission. I was merely giving you the courtesy of informing you of my plans.” 

Crosshair’s expression immediately darkened. 

“Fine.” He snapped. “Go risk your life, I don’t care. But you get to tell Omega what you’re doing.”

Tech quietly thought that Omega may be the most accepting of the plan. But a part of him did twinge with guilt as Crosshair got up and stalked from the room. Silence followed.

“Tech.” Hunter said finally. “I guess we can’t stop you. But I need to know you’ve thought this through. You’re okay here- but what if you run into the Empire? We don’t know how you’ll react.”

“The planet is uninhabited.” Tech repeated.

“Daro was supposed to be too.” Hunter said.

Tech tightened his lips to a line. As much as he disliked it, Hunter was correct. The Empire had a habit of appearing where it was not expected. And he could not guarantee that he would remain calm when faced with them.

“If we find an Imperial presence, we will retreat.” He found himself saying. 

Hunter frowned, as if he did not believe Tech.

“I could come with ya, too.” Wrecker piped up.

Tech paused, considering. It would likely assuage Hunter’s worry, but Tech found that he wanted to go with Phee alone. It was likely due to their mutual attraction and budding relationship.

“While appreciated, it is not necessary. Either the mission will be as we expect, without danger, or we will retreat.” Tech said.

Wrecker’s brow furrowed, but he shrugged.

“I guess you’re going.” Hunter said. Tech could tell that he was still displeased. “But don’t expect help getting Crosshair to talk to you again.”

He got up and followed Crosshair. Wrecker just shrugged before retreating as well. Tech sighed. His brothers were not happy. But it would be well worth it to leave the planet, if only for a short while. 

As Tech expected, Omega took it well the next morning, telling him to be safe. Perhaps her hug lingered longer than normal, but she seemed in relatively high spirits when he left. 

Phee was waiting for him at her ship. Her face lit up into a smile when she saw him and Tech could not resist smiling back. 

“How’d they take it?” She asked, turning to board the Providence.

Tech grimaced. 

“They were- resistant. I had to inform them that I was not asking permission.”

“Ooh.” Phee said with a wince. “I bet Crosshair wasn’t happy.”

“He was not.”

“Well,” Phee said, taking the pilot’s seat. “Hopefully this will go well, we'll grab our treasure, and they can get a little used to the idea of you leaving every once in a while.”

Tech sat down in the copilot’s chair, which still felt a little odd to him. 

“I did tell them that if we ran into the Empire, we would retreat.” He told her as she started the ship.

“Probably a good idea.” Phee admitted. She paused, hands hovering over the controls before turning to him. “Is this a good idea, Browneyes?”

Tech blinked at her. 

“This was your plan.” He reminded her. 

“I know, but-” Phee trailed off, but reached out to take his hands. She ran her thumb over the knotted scars on the back of one, brushing the thin cybernetics implanted there. “We can't lose you again.”

Tech squeezed her hands.

“We will be cautious.” He said. “I trust your intel and I trust you. I would very much like to go on this mission with you.”

Phee gave him a crooked smile. 

“You're such a charmer when you want to be, Browneyes.” 

“I was merely being sincere.” Tech said. 

“And you know what that does to me.” 

Phee turned back to the controls and guided the ship into the sky. 

“It'll be a couple of hours.” She said once they were in hyperspace. “How do you want to pass the time?”

“You have not told me about the artifact we are seeking.” Tech said.

Phee grinned at him.

“Well, we might as well get comfortable.” She said, getting up.

Tech followed her to her bunk. Hers was far more pleasant than the Batch’s had been on the Marauder. Phee grabbed her datapad and plopped down on the edge of the bunk. She patted the spot next to her. Tech sat and hesitantly brushed his shoulder against hers. She, in return, leaned fully against him. He ended up with an arm around her waist, her head on his shoulder.

It was- nice.

“For once we’re looking at something worth a fair bit of cash.” Phee said, pulling up a sketch of a crystalline figurine. “Depiction of a goddess of wind, Sylphrena. It’s carved from wind-crystal, which is why it’s worth so much.”

“And how did you discover its location?” Tech asked. 

“I’ve got a friend who doesn’t like the ‘hands on’ part of collecting artifacts.” Phee said. “He contacted me with the details.”

Tech glanced at her.

“You trust him not to send competing ‘liberators?’” He asked.

“Yeah, Luthen’s good at not setting up races.” Phee said. “And he pays well.”

Tech nodded. Phee took jobs like these occasionally to keep her other operations funded.

He relaxed slowly as Phee explained the history and mythology behind the figurine. They did this often on Pabu, but it was even more pleasant here in the quiet of hyperspace.

The hours passed quickly and soon the ship’s console beeped. Phee sighed as if annoyed.

“Time to get ready, huh?” She said.

As she went to guide them down to the planet, Tech kitted up. He had wanted to dispose of his CX armor, but Echo had insisted that it would be better to keep and repurpose it. He had been correct. The armor was near unrecognizable now due to Tech and Echo’s work, but he sometimes still had a hard time looking at it.

He joined Phee in the cockpit and surveyed the jungle landscape. Most of it was shrouded by a layer of clouds. Kaladin IV was known for its rain. 

“There are not many landing areas.” Tech commented.

“Nope.” Phee said. “I’m thinking the ruins will be overgrown too. But lucky for us, the site is near some mountains. Might be easier to find a place there.”

Tech nodded and found what he assumed to be the mountains in question on the horizon. They quickly approached the range: great stone wedges devoid of the green below.

“There we are.” Phee said, pointing.

Tech raised an eyebrow at the small ledge she indicated. Possible, yes, but difficult.

“Would you like me to-”

Phee cut him off by sending the ship into a sharp dive. With a smooth jerk, she twisted the ship and settled it neatly on the surface. The ship did not even shift as she turned the engines off.

Tech stared at Phee. Had he ever flown with her as the pilot before? How had he not known how exceptional she was? He knew that he was attracted to her, but he felt that her beauty was more apparent at this moment.

“Hey, you okay?” Phee asked.

Tech blinked.

“I am fine.” He told her.

Her brow was furrowed.

“You were staring.”

Oh. 

“I am well.” He assured her. “It was not like before.”

She nodded slowly, but she watched him as she got up and grabbed her vibroblade and blaster.

“I was not having a flashback episode.” He told her. “I was merely- appreciating your talents.”

She raised an eyebrow, but to his relief, she smiled.

“You charmer.” 

Tech shrugged.

“I was unaware of your flying skills.”

“You always insisted on taking the controls before.” Phee said. She made her way to the ramp. “And I didn’t want to deal with any man pride you had.”

“Man pride?” Tech asked. 

“A lot of men, in my experience, don’t react well when you’re as good- or even almost as good, as they are in certain areas.” 

Tech frowned. 

“I do not think I would react poorly.” He said.

The rain pattered on his helmet as he followed her.

“Well obviously now I know that.” Phee said. “But at the time, I didn’t know you as well. This way.”

The trek down the mountain was more straining than Tech would like to admit. He had still not returned to the physical prowess he had had in the past. He did not know if he ever would.

Phee, observant as ever, proffered him her arm about halfway down. Tech took it. He was long past the point of pride.

“Sorry.” She said. “I should have realized we would have had to climb down.”

“It is my own fault for not considering it.” Tech replied. “I will manage.”

And he did, if not slightly out of breath and slower than he would have liked. The rain fell on his helmet less frequently as they moved into the verdant cover of the jungle. Tech winced at the swishing of wet ferns as they moved forward. Too much sound. But there should not be any enemies here. Kaladin IV was abandoned. 

Which was why, after thirty minutes of hiking, Tech froze at the sound of voices not their own. Phee stopped as he did, cocking her head and listening. Tech signalled the direction the voices were coming from and quickly began a scan on his datapad. 

Several lifeforms, specifically eleven, within a klick. Most were in the same area. He showed Phee the datapad and she grimaced. Tech nodded. The coordinates the intruders were at were likely the village.

Tech signalled again and they backed away, until the voices faded to nothing.

“I guess there goes that paycheck.” Phee muttered.

“We have no indication that they are the Empire yet.” Tech pointed out. “I doubt they will be friendly, but I only promised to retreat if we ran into Imperial forces.”

Phee sighed and rolled her eyes.

“You and your semantics.” She mumbled. “Tech, part of the problem is that we don’t know how you’ll react to combat situations.”

“You have expressed fondness for my interpretation of definitions and the like in the past.” Tech said. “And I am a trained soldier, genetically designed to be resistant to PTSD that would affect my performance in battle.”

“I know, but-” Phee shook her head. “I’m going to scout. If I see that stupid cog, we’re leaving.”

“Agreed.” Tech said.

Normally he would have volunteered, but she was likely the better choice. He could not guarantee his ability to be stealthy. She gave him a lazy salute before forging back into the brush.

He watched her go. He trusted Phee in all things and her skills were not near the bottom of that list. Still, he could not help but worry. His anxieties had risen significantly since his return to them. He could not prevent the images of Phee being caught and mercilessly slaughtered from coming to his mind. Or worse, her being captured and being given to Hemlock- 

No. He thought forcefully. Hemlock was dead. Even if he wasn’t, the Empire had no reason to take Phee to their scientists. 

He still found himself inching closer, straining his ears for any sound. 

This anxiety was not what he had been anticipating for his escape from Pabu. He had imagined freedom and relief. He was feeling quite the opposite.

After fifteen long minutes, he clicked his comm on. It stuttered with static and his heart rate rose to meet it. Why would these individuals block comms if they did not suspect enemies? Or worse, had captured an enemy and now were keeping watch for her allies?

Tech plunged into the brush. He slowed after a moment and forced a deep breath. He could not run down there, blasters blazing. He was outnumbered. Perhaps once there was a time where he could defeat eleven enemies, but that time was past. 

He kept low in the ferns, thankful for the wind that made them wave and the rain pounding the leaves overhead. He finally picked up voices. As he came close enough to make them out, he realized they were speaking Pyke. 

Not the Empire. Part of his fear melted away. Still, the Pykes were a formidable and often cruel faction. 

He sorely missed his old helmet. He didn’t know much of the Pyke language and while his datapad could translate, it would not be advisable to just stand there and read what they were saying, even if his datapad could clearly record their voices from this distance. He needed to keep moving.

They laughed, a harsh sound, and a shiver ran down Tech’s spine. Were they rejoicing in the fact that they now had a captive to torture? That thought caused him to hurry faster. 

Soon he could see two guards, chatting to each other as they peered into the jungle. He glanced down at his datapad, but it seemed they were discussing their next job after this one. Tech pulled out a thermal detonator and connected it to his datapad. He gauged the distance and when the wind rippled through the ferns again, he rolled it along the ground. He let out a breath as it came to a rest not far from the Pykes’ feet, but still out of sight. 

He crept away. If the Pykes were competent, they would have formed a perimeter. If Tech could find each pair and set up a thermal for each, he would be able to eliminate all of them in one fell swoop. 

He found the next set of guards easily. They seemed more alert than the last pair, silent as they searched the jungle. It was much more difficult to get close enough to roll the grenade. Tech brought the thermal out and then paused as both guards straightened as a comm chirped. As usual, they had a free frequency unaffected by the blocking device. Tech quickly engaged his datapad as one responded to their comm.

The words ran across the datapad screen as their ally spoke: We’ve found the figurine. It’s undamaged.

Finally. Where did it end up being?

In the largest building.

Tech raised an eyebrow. They were speaking as if in a casual conversation with a friend, rather than giving a report. He was so used to dealing with militaries, he had forgotten than some were not as well trained as he and his brothers.

We searched that one three times.

I know, it was-

A blaster shot shattered the air. The Pykes jerked their heads around, searching. Tech’s breath caught, and he took an involuntary step forward. A branch cracked under his foot.

The Pykes stopped their frantic hunt and turned to look straight at him.

Old instincts moved him. With one hand he hurled his thermal towards the Pykes. With the other, delayed a few seconds, he detonated both this one and the original left by the first set of guards.

The explosion threw him backward. He saw a flash of red and orange, heard screams of pain, and then something hit his head, and he knew no more.

“Tech!”

Tech groaned at the noise. He tried to open his eyes, but when he did, the light made his head throb. 

“Tech!” 

He knew that voice. He tried to speak, but he could only cough. He then tried to move, which went just as well due to his heavy, aching limbs. He couldn’t quite feel his legs. 

“Tech!” 

The tone in the voice made him force himself to speak.

“Phee?” He croaked.

Footsteps thudded nearby and then someone jerked his helmet off. He blinked his eyes open to get a flash of her worried face, but once again, the light hurt. He felt her feel at his body, searching for breaks or injuries.

“Possible concussion.” He managed to tell her. “And- possible damage to cybernetics.”

He was very confused when he felt her lips press to his face. Then again. And again.

“What happened?” She asked between the quick kisses. “I was on my way back- they’d blocked the comms and cut off my escape route. I just had to distract them. I was coming.”

“I-” Tech tried to speak. It was very distracting to have her caress his face with her hands while all the while pressing kisses to every part of it. “I was concerned for your safety.”

Phee let out a breathless laugh.

“So you got yourself blown up?” She asked. “Kriff- When I heard the explosion and you weren’t answering, I thought-”

She took a deep, shuddering breath before kissing his forehead. 

“We’ve got to get you back to the ship.”

“The Pykes-” Tech said.

“I took care of them. Do you think I’d be kissing you silly if we still had hostiles around?” She asked.

Tech shrugged.

“Perhaps.”

Phee laughed again.

“Come on, Browneyes.”

“The figurine-”

“Nuh uh.” Phee said. “We don’t have time for me to search the whole village. They called for backup before I finished them off.”

Tech frowned.

“But-”

“No buts.” Phee said. She rested her forehead against his. “I’m not risking you again, not for any treasure.”

Tech’s hazy mind took pleasure in her closeness, but he needed to let her know.

“I know where it is.” He said.

Phee froze in the act of trying to get him to his feet.

“Why didn’t you lead with that?” 

Tech tapped vaguely at his head.

“Possible concussion.” He reminded her. “They said- the largest house. If you go now, you can retrieve the figurine before more Pykes arrive.”

Phee didn’t say anything for quite some time. Then he felt her lips on his.

“I’ll be right back.” 

A few hours later, Tech lay on the bunk on Phee's ship as she jumped them to hyperspace. He glanced to the side to the shadowed figurine. He was glad they had been able to retrieve it, though he couldn’t quite remember how they had.

Phee came back into the darkened hold a few moments later. 

“Hey.” She said, sitting by the bunk. “How are you feeling?”

“As well as can be expected.” Tech said. 

His head throbbed and his stomach churned, but the symptoms would likely fade now that they were no longer dodging enemy fire.

He saw the glint of her teeth in the low light as she smiled. 

“Sorry about the crazy flying.” She said. “The Pyke ships showed up right as I broke atmosphere.”

“I like your flying.” Tech said. “I find it very attractive.”

He had not meant to say that aloud. Phee stared at him and then grinned broadly.

“Oh yeah?” She said, leaning against the bunk frame.

“Yes.” Tech said. “I must add it to the list of appealing traits you possess.” He had not meant to say that either. Phee glanced at his datapad, placed out of reach lest he be tempted to use it.

“You actually have that list, don’t you?”

“Perhaps.”

Phee smiled again and ran her hand through his hair.

“You going to let me take a peek one day?” She asked.

“I will give you an answer when I am not concussed.” Tech’s head gave a particularly strong throb and he winced. “While I am glad that we retrieved the artifact, I do not believe this was conducive for my health: mental or physical.”

Phee chuckled, but it turned into a sigh.

“Your brothers are going to kill me when we get back.” She said. “And they’ll be right to. We shouldn’t have done this.” 

“I was the one to insist on coming.” Tech said. “Perhaps we were foolhardy, but we survived and we retrieved the target. The mission was a success.”

He paused.

“Though I am not eager to experience Crosshair’s ire when we return.”

“You’re not looking forward to it?” Phee asked. She continued stroking his head. “You’ve got a concussion. He won’t be able to yell at you. I’m free game.”

“Then stay close to me.” Tech said. “He will not be able to lecture you if I am in close proximity.”

Phee pressed a kiss to his head.

“I was planning on that anyway, Browneyes.” She murmured. “Gotta make sure my treasure ends up somewhere safe.” 

Confused, Tech looked at the blue-white figurine strapped to one of the crash chairs.

“It will be safe in the Archium until you can deliver it.” He said.

“Not that treasure.” Phee said. “I don't plan on ever giving this one up again.”

It took his hazy mind a moment to interpret what she meant. But when it clicked, he hesitantly took her hand and pressed it to his cheek. 

“And I do not plan on leaving again.” He said.

Phee let out a long sigh as she laid her head next to his. 

“That a promise, Browneyes?” 

Tech thought of Pabu, of his brothers and sister, of Phee, of home.

“It is.”

I can imagine that Tech would get bored after a while. And even in this case, I don’t know if he’s bored exactly. It’s more like after being CX-2 and having no freedom, he needs to be able to make a few choices in his life. 

Crosshair does not like this idea.

Wrecker: I could come with you on your date!

Tech: please do not

Phee and Tech are very much aware of their feelings for each other at this point and are, in Tech’s case especially, learning how to let themselves act on it. They haven’t used the word couple yet, but yeah, they’re a couple. Just a budding relationship.

If you’ve read my other fic, Across the Stars, you might recognize Kaladin IV as the planet Gek lives on. He may or may not still be running around the planet. Several Imperial patrols looking for Jedi have certainly disappeared. And of course, it’s a reference to one of my favorite book series, and the figurine they find is an expansion of that.

I grieve every day that Tech did not witness the insane stunt Phee pulls in season 3. He would ONE HUNDRED PERCENT think it was super hot that she can fly like that. I feel like Phee has dealt with her fair share of toxic masculinity and is kind of over it. Luckily, Tech is not that.

…can you guess that I got a little impatient and just wanted to get to the scene where Phee finds Tech? I just had the image of her just kissing him over and over out of relief and I got excited lol. 

Frick the Pykes. They deserve to get blown up.

And then it devolves into fluff. Oh well. I liked writing it. 

My idea for the next day is much shorter and will hopefully only take a few days.

Stay safe, remember to review, and have a great day!

12 Days of Rexsoka Day 1: Clueless/It’s just a crush

I’m back with my Rexsoka nonsense! I don’t know if I’ll be doing every day this time, as I’ve had trouble getting inspired for some of the prompts. I’ll do my best though! 

Day 1: Clueless/It’s just a crush (both)

Rex leaned back in his chair, glaring at the report he still had to finish. He hated the kriffing things, especially ones pertaining to defeats. It didn’t help that Fives was lounging on Rex’s desk, blathering about his latest ARC mission and complaining thoroughly about the ARCs he’d had to work with. Rex tried to tune him out, but Fives was rather loud. He wished Echo was here to temper his brother, but Echo was actually doing the job Rex had given him.

Rex was about to tell Fives to shut up or get out when the door chimed. Rex and Fives both glanced at the door, a little confused. They weren’t expecting anyone.

“Come in.” Rex called.

Commander Tano stood in the doorway, grinning broadly. Her eyes met Rex’s and her smile broadened. Rex smiled back, surprised at the sight of his fourteen-year old commander.

“Commander!” Fives said. “We weren’t expecting you back for another week!”

“I finished my studies early.” Commander Tano said. She was still holding eye contact with Rex as she walked forward and took a seat in front of the desk. “I decided to surprise you all!”

“It’s good to see you.” Rex said warmly. “We’ve missed you.”

At that, Commander Tano finally looked away, an odd dark color spreading across her face and lekku. 

“Commander?” Rex asked, concerned. “Are you all right?”

“Um-” The Commander said. She took a deep breath, but looked up at Rex with a smile. “I’m fine!”

Her face and lekku were still oddly colored, but she was meeting his eyes and grinning. Fives was giving him a strange look.

“Anyway, I’ve missed you guys too!” Commander Tano on. “Let me tell you, Temple life is boring!”

“What would you do if we weren’t in the middle of a war?” Fives asked. “Wouldn’t you be stuck there all the time?”

“Ugh, don’t remind me.” Ahsoka said.

She was quiet for a moment, staring somewhere between Fives and Rex’s heads. 

“Something on your mind?” Rex asked.

“Just- it’s weird.” She said. “The war is so much of my life. Everyone I care about are either Jedi or people I’ve met because of the war. It’s weird to consider how things would be without it.”

She furrowed her brow, troubled. Fives and Rex exchanged a glance. Rex knew those thoughts weren’t too far from what the men thought. Rex leaned forward and put his hand on her shoulder.

“There’s no point in wondering what could have been.” He said. “Let’s focus on what we can influence.”

Her face turned an even darker orange and she looked down. Rex blinked.

“Um,” She mumbled. “Thanks, Rex.”

Her comm beeped and she jumped. 

“Snips! Why did I have to hear from Kix that you’re back?” The General’s voice came through. 

“I’m sorry, Master!” Ahsoka said with a wince. “I’ll be right there!”

Ahsoka put her comm away and looked back up.

“I better go!” She said. “It’s great to see you guys!”

She scampered off. Rex watched her go fondly.

“Well.” Fives said. “That was telling.”

Rex looked at Fives. 

“Telling?” He asked.

“I suspected it before, but now I know.” Fives said. “Commander Tano has a major crush on you.” 

Rex stared at Fives. 

“What?” He said. “That’s ridiculous!” 

Fives raised an eyebrow at him.

“Did you not just see what just happened?” He asked. “The blushing, the staring, the fact that she came and saw you before the General?”

“Fives, how would you know?” Rex asked.

Fives snorted.

“You wouldn’t know this, since you never come to 79’s, but I am quite good with the ladies.”

“The ladies that are paid to be interested in clones?” Rex asked dryly.

Fives’ face turned red but he kept his arms folded and leaned towards Rex.

“You’ve always been her favorite, Captain.” Fives said. “And she’s acting like Commander Bly does around General Secura.” 

It hit Rex like a sack of duracrete bricks. The Commander? Have a crush? On him? He loved his commander, sure, but she was still a child! 

“Kriff.” Rex said. 

“Ah, don’t worry about it, Captain.” Fives said, patting Rex on the arm. “I mean, it’s just a crush. She’ll get over it.”

It’s not my best work, but I hope you enjoyed! I’ve always loved the concept of Ahsoka crushing on Rex when she was younger because holy crap how do you not have a crush on Rex when you are in close proximity.

Check it out on my A03 and my other ongoing Rexsoka fics!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/35449621/chapters/88363480

https://archiveofourown.org/users/ExecutiveCucumber/works

Guys. I was going back and reading my first fic (not Star Wars related at all) and I have:

A brother of a six man found family sacrifices himself by falling from a vehicle to his presumed death. The leader of the group then has to tell the blonde smallest member of the group, and I QUOTE, "*name*, *other name* didn't make it." And all of this happened in an attempt to save another brother.

I keep somehow predicting the Bad Batch BEFORE I EVEN LIKED CLONES.

So if Tech comes back with a missing arm and PTSD, I officially am a witch and likely should be burned.

Executive Cucumber's Thoughts on the Bad Batch Season 3, Episode 5, The Return!

(And I'm doing this instead of sleeping)

Spoilers after the break

Notes may not be in order

At first I was a little disappointed that we didn't start immediately after the end of the last episode, but I think I prefer it. We can have the reunion any way we want now. It's possible that the writers thought that they would all just awkwardly and quietly get on the Marauder and fly off and they knew we would be disappointed by that. So they left it to us to imagine what happened next. I think that's also why they didn't show Crosshair finding out about Tech. For them, Crosshair might just stay silent, or disassociate or something and we wouldn't be satisfied. But now we get to imagine all kinds of angst for when that happened.

Oh, the contrast between Omega waking up on Pabu and on Tantiss. SHE DESERVES THIS SO MUCH.

Aww AZ really loves Omega.

Okay, but how did Crosshair accept the fruit? Did he say thank you? I NEED TO SEE CROSSHAIR BE AWKWARD AROUND NORMAL PEOPLE.

I honestly think Crosshair wants to train Omega as his replacement if he can't get over his hands.

Wrecker and Hunter just blatantly watching them is amazing.

MOM'S HOME

Crosshair's sass is everything to me in this episode.

I honestly think that Echo is the only one who really talks about Tech out loud because he's the only one of them who has experienced loss before. He knows how to handle it. The others...do not.

STOP MAKING CROSSHAIR GO TO COLD PLACES, ESPECIALLY WHEN THAT COLD PLACE TRAUMATIZED HIM

'Little brother' oh my gosh they are my everything.

I expected Crosshair to love Omega, but he ADORES her and I am here for it. I'm also here for the fury for when she is inevitably captured again.

Hunter, you are a butt. I still love you.

HIS ARMOR. YES. YES. YES.

'It still fits' it might not have because he was so skinny and that is devastating.

Oh my gosh Hunter and Crosshair's arguing is everything I could have wanted.

'Kill each other later' Echo I love you.

I love that Batcher is just a member of the Batch now. Also, Hunter, get your senses in order the dog is doing your job.

THE HELMETS. AAAAAAAAAGH.

Hunter: sees Crosshair tenderly arranging helmets

Also Hunter: this is unreasonably suspicious

TOOTHPICKS YES

HIS TREMBLING HAAAANDS

Ugh I love Crosshair and Hunter's fight so much. Crosshair isn't just pushing Hunter's buttons, he's legitimately angry that Hunter let Omega get captured and go through what she did. And then there's the beautiful subtext of 'you let Tech die.'

Crosshair and Batcher are best duo.

THE SNOW IS SO GORGEOUS

CROSSHAIR SOUNDS SO MUCH LIKE TECH HE EVEN SAYS 'OMEGA' THE SAME WAY.

This is their get-along-worm.

Wrecker hugging Crosshair and Hunter may be one of my favorite things ever.

'There's no blood.' I am requesting all fic writers to provide me with a plethora of fics featuring Hunter and Crosshair fighting to bloodshed, ranging from angst to the stupidest argument ever.

CROSSHAIR YOU BEAUTIFUL PERSON YOU OPENED UP.

Okay after Hunter said he did things he regretted too I'm now convinced that he has committed so many war crimes in trying to find Omega. Wrecker has nightmares about it.

I can't remember where, but Crosshair's theme was played in the major key!!! LET HIM BE HAPPY

Crosshair is such a joy to watch this episode. This is who he is and it really contrasts with chipped Crosshair.

I miss Tech so much. I want to see him in this dynamic. I also want to see Crosshair and Phee's dynamic.

I mean this in the most complimentary way possible: this episode felt like a fanfiction. The focus on their interactions and emotions feels like something we'd get from a fic rather than Canon. And I love every moment of it.

I adore seasons 1 and 2, but there were definitely episodes I preferred over another. This season has been 10/10 for me so far. And once more I have to wait a FREAKING week for more.

I know the finale has left us feeling things (and I one day might share my thoughts on them, but honestly staying off of most social media platforms around this time has been really good for my mental), so let's go back to an episode many of us loved: The Crossing. Here's an excellent analysis of the episode looking at it through the 'Tech is autistic' lens.