39. Bliss (1/1)

rila: fluff likes to pounce on me, it seems. prolly doesn't help that i usually listen to songs that steer the fluff towards bittersweet, but it's fluff none the less.

disclaimer: haha, i'd never be able to do that. i need my space.

word count: 563

chapter description: cold reality laid just outside that door - but for now, there was some semblance of peace.

if there was one word that ahsoka thought she'd never use in the fall of the republic and rise of the empire, it was comfortable. she hadn't used the word often before, but after being on the run and being in less than hospitable conditions, being comfortable was the furthest thing from her mind.

even now, in the shabby hotel room with a rickety bed and poor lighting, it wasn't the best of conditions. but that didn't matter. arms tightened around her waist, one sliding up her back to pull her closer to a pleasantly warm body. instead of pulling away, she sighed softly and curled closer.

being in such proximity to him was something that had come about in the aftermath - before, though she had thought about it, she had never done anything like this with him. they were both warriors, and being in close quarters to one another - at least, in the way that she was now - made it difficult to move around properly. but inhibitions had been cast aside, as jedi code was the least of her worries - and she had found herself closer to him, both physically and emotionally.

it was a sentiment that he returned, if the arm looped around her waist and hand on her back was any indicator. there was still a certain, wary tension to his muscles, one that her own mirrored - it was a reflex, an answer to an instinct that was hardwired and unlikely to change. still, like this, she could relax for what felt like the first time in a long time.

the hand that had been on her back moved upward, fingers gentle as they slid across her lekku. her eyelids lowered in response, contented sigh escaping as the beginnings of sleep began to claim her. rex shifted, and her attention was

ought back to him as he spoke.

"have you found anyone?" it was a quiet, hesitant question - she could feel his apprehension at asking her, but it was a neccessary inquiry. he wanted to know just as much as she did - because certainly, he could not have been the only one to disobey the order. perhaps, just as fives and echo had done - there had been those who had allowed jedi to escape.

ahsoka's eyes closed. for days, in careful increments, she had been searching for survivors through the force only to get the same result, each time. just a chilling, lonely emptiness that had once been teeming with life. "no," she murmured, and his lips touched the top of her left montral. ahsoka's fingers splayed on rex's chest, just above his heart - she could feel it, pulsing in a steady rhythm. "we can't be the only ones. we can't."

he exhaled before he spoke, voice warm and drowsy with sleep. "we aren't, ashoka."

in response, she tucked herself closer, closed her eyes - and fell asleep to the sound of his heartbeat.