#i focused more on the 501st whoops

[ahkmenrahdaley]

How did the 501st/Ahsoka/Rex react to finding out the gender of Aheshla ? ( And I guess Shaaka and Duraa too)

They made bets several months before the baby was born. Half of them put credits towards it being a girl, and the other half were convinced it would be a boy. It passed the time that the lack of war gave them. The Jedi said they should be appreciating the time off with more meaningful pastimes but to the 501st and a certain Commander from the 212th, the gender of their brother’s child was more important than investing in a talent they’d never be able to pursue once another war happened - and with this ‘democracy’’, that was bound to happen.

Cody, Fives, Echo and Hardcase bet on the first baby being a boy. They hadn’t a reason for it, simply picking a side when asked, but Hardcase came up with the crazy logic that because of where it was conceived it had to be a boy. The other clones weren’t sure if that factored, but they didn’t question it. They found it was better not to ask..

That left Dogma, Tup, Kix and Jesse, who said it would be a girl. Again, they had little reason, but when there was a chance at winning credits they didn’t want to let a bet go to waste.

When the baby is born, Cody, Fives and Hardcase are the first ones to find out since they made it their job to go and check. Ahsoka was relaxing in bed when they came in. Rex was cuddled up beside her, looking down lovingly at the small togruta child that was sleeping in Ahsoka’s arms.

“She’s beautiful,” Rex said, completely unaware of his brothers standing at the doorway..

Cody sighed. “Too bad we betted on a boy.”

“Yeah, you’re after losing me a load of credits!”

Rex barely turned away from his new daughter - how could he? He still could believe that she was there, right in his hands reach.

“I can’t believe you made credits from betting on my daughter. She’s your niece.”

“Make credits?” Fives asked. “None of us made any credits, that’s the problem.”

Rex rolled his eyes but he didn’t bother saying anything else. He was too afraid it would turn into a fight and he didn’t want that on today of all days. But Ahsoka seemed eager to keep it going. She smiled up at them weakly and said, “So, what did the others win?”

“A few hundred credits and a drink on us at 79s.” Hardcase turned to Fives and whispered angrily, “I told you we shouldn’t have added that free drink.”

“Don’t put this on me. It was Echo’s idea.”

“Yeah, ‘Echo’s idea’.”

***

When the other clones were introduced to their niece, Dogma, Tup, Kix and Jesse were given the credits and the free drink that they were owed. Rex still wasn’t happy with them betting on their child, but that didn’t stop them from doing it the next time and the time after that.

After Ahsoka announced her second pregnancy, the boys sat around a table at the cantina and lay out their cards.

“Right,” Fives said and counted who was there. “Whatcha all think? Girl or boy?”

For a girl, it was Fives, Hardcase, Echo, Jesse and Tup. For a boy, it was Kix, Dogma, Cody and Appo, who joined in last minute.

The prize the second time around was a lot of credits, obviously enough, as well as another free drink at 79s and the satisfaction of getting to come up with the kid’s ‘clone name’.

Of course, when the birth of Shaaka was announced the boys who won got their fair share of prizes. Dynamite, Hardcase called her as he hustled through his newly won credits, he had plans for this kid that Rex probably wouldn’t be too agreeing of.

The last bet was cancelled when Ahsoka went into early labour and nearly lost their child as well as her own life. They knew that it wasn’t fair to do that to her, or make a celebration out of a near tragic event despite the birth of a child supposedly being a happy occasion.

Rex has never been so grateful to them for being considerate.

[wild-karrde]

I have been thinking, before the empire Howzer must have had a Jedi General no? So could we perhaps have a drabble for the 200 followers celebration with "You're lucky your General has an extremely pretty face"

HOWZER, MY BELOVED. I HOPE HE'S ALRIGHT. Anyway, I've got you anon!

Rating - G

“THREE CHEERS FOR THE NEW CAPTAIN!”

Howzer ducked his head shyly as Chuckles ruffled his hair, nearly sloshing his ale over Howzer’s new kit. The rowdy group in teal and white plastoid whooped and cheered for their newly promoted brother. A few like Chuckles had shown up from other battalions to cheer him on as well, some 501st blue and 212th yellow interspersed in the group along with a few other battalions Howzer couldn’t identify. Commander Wolffe had even bought a round before heading to his usual seat at the end of the bar.

“Sorry I’m late!” Howzer turned his head to see the general strolling towards them, a teal tunic that matched the paint on their armor hugging her curves, her lightsaber dangling from her hip. “Another round on me for these fine gentlemen,” she teased, slapping a palmful of credits on the counter. Her men cheered loudly and Chuckles threw an arm around her neck. Reaching up, she gripped his vambrace, leaning into him as they both burst into laughter.

“I see you’re way ahead of the group, Chuck,” she teased, and the clone shrugged.

“You know me, General. Efficient with my time.”

“That’s another way of saying he’s bad in bed,” teased a trooper with an Aurebesh five tattooed on his temple, and Chuckles playfully swiped at him.

“So, you ready for this, Captain?” the general asked, leaning against Howzer’s shoulder. He felt heat creep up the back of his neck. He’d spent the entire war serving under her, and now, with the promotion, he’d be at her side even more. Not an unwelcome change.

“You’ll have to put up with me more now,” he teased, and she rolled her eyes, taking a sip of the drink the bartender had placed in front of her.

“I could stand to see you around more, Howzer.”

He didn’t know how to respond to that, so he took another sip of ale. The general didn’t appear to notice his hesitation, swinging around on her barstool and resting her elbows on the bartop as she nudged Chuckles with her foot.

“What would General Rancisis say if he saw you in this state, Chuck?”

Chuckles rolled his eyes, running his hand over his mohawk. “He’s not exactly one for words. Or looks.”

Howzer rolled his eyes at that, and Chuckles noted it, tossing an arm across his shoulders as he leaned down, whispering loudly. “You’re lucky your general has an extremely pretty face. You don’t have to look at what I look at every day.”

Howzer felt the heat rush to his face once more, but the general cackled.

“Aw, Chuckles, do you think I’m pretty?”

The clone straightened, attempting to compose himself as a hiccup erupted out of him. “Absolutely, I do. And Howzer agrees, don’t you Howie?”

Howzer prayed to any god that was listening that the building would collapse on top of him in that very moment as he felt the general’s eyes turn towards him. “Is that so, Captain?” He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye before opening his mouth to try and say something, fumbling for words. Unfortunately, words were not a thing Chuckles was short of.

“Oh yeah, he talks about you all the time. He likes how your eyes look in hyperspace. Something about the way they light up. He-OOOOOF.”

Howzer’s elbow found its mark, impacting hard against Chuckles’s codpiece. The clone clutched at his groin, doubling over and dumping half of his ale on the ground. A clone with the Republic gear on his face grumbled as he stepped back, yanking Chuckles back up.

“Alright, that’s enough for you, Chuck. Time for you to get back to the barracks.”

“Dawww come on, Jesse. I was just getting started.”

“Enough. Let’s go.”

The two of them departed, and Howzer breathed a sigh of relief as he turned back to his drink, his eyes focusing on the way the bubbles in the glass floated upwards. He could feel her eyes on him still, and he had no idea what to do. Finally, she leaned over, her breath warm against his ear.

“You know, as my captain, you’ll be on the bridge with me while we’re flying.”

He glanced at her, an eyebrow raised in confusion. She winked at him.

“That means you’ll get to see my eyes while we’re in hyperspace a lot more often.”

She rested her fingers on his arm, a touch that would seem innocent to anyone but the two of them. He glanced down at them for a second before subtly resting his hand on hers.

“I think I can get used to that.”

Participate in my 200 Follower Celebration! :)

[greaterawarness]

Brothers CH. 3 Contactless And Poor

(Thanks to Fives new job he learns where Rex and the other Mandalorian clones hangout.)

After two weeks of living on Coruscant Fives and his brothers were starting to settle in. They made it top priority to find jobs considering how fast they were blowing through 99’s trust fund for just buying normal everyday things. They hadn’t expected how hard that would be in such a large city. They imagined there would be plenty of jobs out there. And there were. Just not for clones. The first week was spent hearing possible employers explain how they didn’t want violent clones working in their businesses. This gave them no choice but to take whatever job that would hire them. For now, they would stay in their dingy apartment and make the most of it.

Fives rolls onto his side to watch Cutup hit their holovid projector to try and make the image clear. When the two boxers finally appear, his brother sits back against the caf table they bought for a sad excuse for a table.

“Who’s winning?” Fives yawns as he sits up.

“Well… looks like Thrasher has the upper hand but Wolffe always finds a way to turn the tables.” Cutup says. Hevy sits next to him before handing Cutup a cup of instant noodles. They slurp loudly with their eyes glued to the fight. Fives slips his slippers on, still not comfortable touching his bare skin to the floor yet, and shuffles to the small kitchen. Droidbait is knelt down attempting to fix their oven.

“Any luck?” Fives reaches for an instant noodle cup and pours some hot water into it. Droidbait sits back with an aggravated sigh.

“Nah, hey Echo! Come give me a hand!” Droidbait calls. Echo jumps down from his bunk to help Droidbait out. Fives starts to slurp down his own noodles when Cutup and Hevy start cheering loudly. Echo, Fives, and Droidbait all walk closer to the holovid to see the famous boxer, Wolffe, take down the other man. When the bell dings the clone throws his hands up in victory along with Cutup and Hevy.

“I told you!” Cutup says. He and Hevy start roughhousing.

“We should try and make it to one of his fights.” Hevy says as he throws a punch. Cutup easily dodges.

“Yeah, it’ll just take all of our rent money but sure!” Cutup says. Droidbait and Echo return to fixing the oven while Fives watches his two idiot brothers play fight. When his watch begins to beep, he lets out a groan. Hevy and Cutup stop for a moment to give him a sad grin.

“Back to work?” Hevy asks. Fives lets out a long sigh before pulling his work close on.

“Back to work.” He says while putting the Greasy Bolts cap on his head. The only job that would hire Fives was a fast-food joint. Despite the name it happened to be quite popular, so they hired Fives as their delivery guy. They only paid him two credits a day but told him he could keep all the tips. It didn’t sound to bad until he realized that no one tips clones. It was incredibly frustrating to see nonclone delivery guys get tipped sometimes 20% and then to have the door shut in his face once the food was delivered. The only upside to this job that Fives could find was that they lent him a speeder to deliver food with. It wasn’t great and was decorated in neon red and yellow colors with the Greasy Bolts logo plastered boldly for everyone to see but it was still a speeder. Another positive if he was being honest was it was also letting him learn the city as much as anyone could.

When Fives parks the speeder outside of Greasy Bolts, he walks inside to see the manager already piling orders on the counter.

“Here,” He says not even meeting Fives eye. “We have three orders. The addresses are already in the datapad.”

“Sure thing.” Fives sighs while taking the bags of food. He takes a company datapad and walks back out to his speeder. Two women walk by making Fives blush and pull his cap down lower. They glance at him before giggling and whispering to themselves. His ears burn with embarrassment. He shoves the food into the cooler on the back of the speeder before taking off.

The first order was to an apartment building Fives knew well. He’s delivered here so many times the doorman barely acknowledges him. He also knew he wouldn’t be getting any tips. After finding the apartment and handing over the food the man inside closes the door before Fives can utter a word.

“That’s what I thought.” He sighs before heading back to the speeder. The second order was to a much nicer neighborhood closer to the surface. The people inside the nice apartment were all drunk and tried to hug him when he handed them their food. This time Fives closes the door before they could touch him. He makes it back to his speeder already exhausted. He didn’t fully understand why he was so tired. He worked harder on the farm and for longer hours, but this job drained him. He misses the farm. He misses 99. They all do but no one wants to be the first to say it. That meant being the first to admitting defeat of figuring out who they are. Fives guessed it wasn’t so bad being a normal civilian, but he still felt like there was something more out there for him. He shakes his thoughts away and focuses on finding the last address.

The third address is in a much seedier part of town. Fives wishes he could afford a blaster. He made a mental note to start saving up for one. He passes the address a few times before realizing he wasn’t delivering to an apartment but to a bar. He parks his speeder next to a long row of speeder bikes. They were all customized by their owners and looked a hell of lot better then Fives company one. The name of the bar shines bright in big neon blue lights. Fives takes the last order from the cooler and cautiously walks up the steps before entering The Resolute.

Fives freezes once he’s fully inside the bar. He holds the food order tight in his hands. Every patron inside is a clone. Not only that but they all wear a black leather jacket with 501stin blue writing on the back with odd white markings below it. They also had unique drawings and symbols drawn on the back that differed for each clone. Some clones play pool off to the side while others drink in large groups at tables. Some play cards with others watching a rerun of a Wolffe boxing match. Fives stands completely still unable to move or speak. When the doors open behind him, he leaps out of the way. He almost drops the food in his hands when Kix shuffles through the bar. He doesn’t wear his Mandalorian armor though, instead he’s dressed in scrubs.

“Denal!” He calls out tiredly while taking a seat at the bar. The clone behind the bar gives him a grin. “Give me the usual.”

The barkeeper Denal slides Kix a shot glass and then places an entire bottle of whiskey on the counter. Fives watches in the corner of the bar as Jesse and Hardcase appear from a group of clones playing cards.

“Another rough day?” Jesse chuckles before trying to reach behind the bar for a drink just for his hand to get slapped by Denal.

“You try explaining to a helicopter mom that her kid’s cough isn’t deadly it’s just a cold! Just for her to insult me, the nurse, and all clones for being incompetent.” Kix says before taking a shot of his whiskey. Jesse and Hardcase aren’t wearing Mandalorian armor either. They wear normal street clothes under their black leather jackets. Both of their jackets reflect their face tattoos on their back. While Fives watches and ease drops, he doesn’t notice someone walking up to him.

“You lost?” a female voice asks. Fives flinches before realizing a Tortuga girl is staring at him. He arches a brow at the only nonclone in the bar.

“Uh…” Is all he can say. She gives a smile before taking the datapad from his hand.

“Oh, I can help you find this guy.” She says. She walks out from the corner of the bar. She clears he throat before yelling “Hey! Kano! You’re foods here!”

The room is silent for a moment before a clone’s head pops up from the couch facing the holovid of the boxing match. He leaps over the back of the sofa before walking up to Fives.

“Great, I’m starving!” the clone Kano says. Fives hands him his food now feeling all eyes on him. He’s never felt more embarrassed about his job before. This was somehow worse than the girls laughing at him. The clone reaches into his pocket and holds his fist out. Fives stares at it for a moment confused. The clone arches a brow. “You want a tip, don’t you?”

“Oh!” Fives holds his hand out and feels a large number of credits fall in it. He stares down at the twenty credits in disbelief. “But… your food was only six credits.”

Kano takes a bite of the fried dough and shrugs.

“You’re a clone. Clones look after other clones.” He says before walking back to the couch. Fives puts the credits in his pocket before looking to the girl.

“What is this place? A clone bar?” Fives asks. The girl crosses her arms and tilts her head with a chuckle.

“Kinda. This is a bar for the 501stclone battalion. Most of these guys fought in the war with some being brought in afterwards. It’s a safe place for them to unwind.” She explains. Fives stares at Kix, Jesse, and Hardcase. He wants to ask about their Mandalorian armor but didn’t know how. He swallows trying to think of a way to bring it up when he notices the markings on her face. When she sees him staring, she frowns. “What?”

“Sorry, I just realized the white markings on their jackets match the ones on your face.” He says feeling his face grow hot. She lets out a laugh.

“Yeah, they were jealous of all the other clone groups having mascots and decided that my face would be the 501st.” She laughs to herself.

“Other clone groups?” Fives now stares in curiosity. She arches a brow at him.

“Why? You wanna join one?” She asks.

“Absolutely.” He says making the girl’s expression soften. She opens her mouth to say something when a door to the back room opens. Fives tenses when Rex walks out. Most people in the bar acknowledge him in some way. Some give little whoops while others do polite nods or gestures. He doesn’t wear Mandalorian armor either. Today he wears black pants and a dark shirt under his own leather jacket. When he turns showing his back, he doesn’t have the girl’s face markings but the jaig eyes from his helmet. His gaze falls on Fives and the girl.

“Hey,” He calls making Fives freeze. “Wanna be a part of this or not?”

Fives stares at Rex feeling like his heart might beat out of his chest. His mouth felt dry as he tries to form words. This is it.

“Yeah,” The girl next to him calls. Fives feels his heart drops. “Tell them I’ll be there in a minute.”

Rex nods before disappearing back into the backroom. Fives pulls his cap down lower while heading for the door. He can’t seem to leave fast enough. When he reaches his speeder, he notices the girl running after him.

“Hold up!” She calls. Fives can’t look her in the eye without his face growing a deeper shade of red. “You wanna join, don’t you?”

Fives takes a deep breath and turns to face her. He gives a nod.

“You think they’d actually let me in?” He asks after crossing his arms.

“Well… they don’t just let anyclone in. You have to prove to either Rex or Anakin that you can keep up.” The girl explains. “There are conditions and… well they don’t just sit around a bar you know.”

“I know.” Fives says meeting her eyes.

“Good.” The girl gives a curious grin. “Then you know that if you’re going to be a part of any clone clan that you’re going to need a blaster. More than that, they need to know that if you go out on a job that you aren’t going to freeze up and get killed or get any of the others killed.”

“Well… how do I do that?” Fives asks uncrossing his arms. The girl lifts a hand to her chin while thinking.

“Well for starters I would look into purchasing a blaster. Then I would try and find a contact that will hire you for jobs. Build up your resume and prove to a clan leader that you can keep up then you’re in.” She gives a shrug. Fives sighs while leaning against his speeder.

“Easier said then done.” He snorts. The girl gives another smile.

“If this is what you want then that’s what you have to do.” She says. he nods while staring at the ground before lifting his eyes to her again.

“Then names Fives by the way.” He says standing up straight so he can hold his hand out.

“Ahsoka Tano.” The girl says shaking his hand. When they release Fives gets on his speeder.

“Thank you,” he says, starting up the bike. “But I have to ask, why are you here? You’re not a clone.”

She gives grin while walking back towards the bar.

“Why don’t you join and find out?” She calls. He watches her disappear inside before taking off.

***

“I found them!” Fives yells while bursting through their front door. His brothers slowly look up from what they were doing.

“Found what?” Echo asks. Fives throws his cap on his bed while walking to the center of the room.

“I found Rex and the other clone Mandos!” he says. This makes his brothers sit up intrigued. Fives tells him about The Resolute and everything Ahsoka told him. When he’s done, they sit in relative silence in deep thought.

“So how are we supposed to build our resume?” Droidbait asks.

“We pretty much have to become bounty hunters.” Hevy sighs making Echo and Droidbait exchange a look.

“Don’t bounty hunters usually work on multiple different planets?” Echo asks. “We don’t have a ship and we can barely afford the subway here.”

“Not to mention we don’t have a contact that will hire us for jobs. I wouldn’t even know where to begin to look for that.” Fives adds. They all sit back feeling discouraged before Cutup sits up.

“I… actually might know someone who can help.” He says slowly.

They end up following Cutup out of their apartment and through the streets of their level. Echo and Fives stay close to each other when they turn down a dimly lit street. Cutup stops in front of a laundromat.

“Cutup,” Hevy starts when they step inside. “What are we doing here?”

“Just wait.” Cutup says before walking to a girl sitting on a stool in the back. She lifts her eyes from her magazine and frowns at him.

“Hey, don’t make me throw you out again!” The woman warns. Cutup holds his hands up in defense while Fives and his brothers roll their eyes.

“Only Cutup would find a way to get thrown out of a laundromat…” Echo mutters.

“Hey, Rafa come on!” he says only making the woman, Rafa, frown deeper. “You know me!”

“No, I don’t!” She says crossing her arms.

“Okay, so you don’t really know me, butyou know I’m not a snitch.” He says making everyone’s eyes land on Rafa. Her eyes go wide and then narrow back down with a frown.

“What do you want, clone?” she asks finally.

“I know you work with contacts. We need one.” Cutup says getting serious. Rafa rolls her eyes and shakes her head.

“And why pray tell would I ever tell you?” She asks holding her hands out. Fives and his brothers look back and forth from Rafa and Cutup. It almost felt like watching a boxing match. Who would win? The idiot or the laundromat lady?

“Because I’m charming?” Cutup says with a big grin.

“Yeah, as charming as a bantha maybe.” Rafa snorts.

“Ooo good hit.” Echo whispers making Fives chuckle.

“Counter?” Fives whispers.

“Right because you’re just oozingcharm and I can’t help but notice the coat you’re wearing was the same one I saw a lady bring in a few days ago!”

Rafa’s mouth drops for a second before she stands toe to toe with Cutup.

“Well, at least I mind my own business and don’t harass business owners because I’m too dumb to find my own contact!” Rafa shouts.

“That was a tough one. Can he turn the tides?” Echo whispers while Fives, Droidbait, and Hevy hold in laughter. Cutup and Rafa both stare at them.

“Shut up!” they yell only making them want to laugh more. Rafa and Cutup stare at each other for a moment before Cutup reaches into his pocket and holds out some credits. Rafa’s eyes stare at the money.

“This could be it…” Fives says before Rafa takes the credits. This prompts Fives and his brothers to burst out laughing earning death glares from Rafa.

“Fine. You know what? I do have a contact for you.” She says turning to write something down. She hands Cutup a sheet of paper. “Go to that address. Knock on the door. The password is gedetir.”

“Thank you.” Cutup smiles.

“Now get out of my laundromat!” She yells with a finger pointed at the door. They don’t waste any time as they run out of the shop. They each reach over to either pat Cutups back, punch his arm, or give him a noogie.

“Cutup, how do you already have a reputation at places?” Fives asks as they walk down the street.

“Because unlike all of you self-isolating weirdos I go out and actually talk to people.” He explains. Hevy gives him a playful shove.

“Those poor people.” Hevy chuckles prompting Cutup to try and get him in a headlock. When Echo, Fives, and Droidbait keep walking they eventually stop their roughhousing and catch up. Fives notices Echo in deep thought.

“What’s wrong?” He asks him. Echo doesn’t answer at first.

“It’s the password,” he says when they all crowd into a lift. “It’s Mando’a. it means beg or to plead.”

“You know… what are we supposed to do when we get there anyway? Tell them that we have no weapons or a ship, but you should totally give us a job because I really want it?” Droidbait asks. It was true. They hadn’t exactly thought this through. But it seemed like no one wanted to back out from it.

“We’ll… figure it out when we get there.” Hevy eventually says. They say very little once they get to the right level. This level is the lowest they’ve been on since being in Coruscant. The only light is from the flickering street lamps. They stay close to each other as the feeling of being watched intensifies the further they go. Hevy stops at the top of some stairs leading down to a red door.

“I’ve got a bad feeling about this.” Echo says before Hevy takes a deep breath and walks down to knock on the door. A gatekeeper droid pokes its eye at them.

“Gedetir.” Hevy says with way more confidence than he probably had. The droid pops its eyes back in before the door slides open. A female Mandalorian stands on the other side. They stand frozen until she motions for them to follow. They walk-through single file. They walk down a dark hallway with walls covered in graffiti. At first, they can only hear the loud music playing from the speakers overhead but eventually make out screams coming from a distant room. Fives feels Echo’s anxiety building up. Fives looks over his shoulder at his brother and gives a reassuring smile, but it does little to help him. The female Mandalorian takes them into a larger room. Another female Mandalorian stands behind a desk talking to someone on a holovid. Her armor is jet black with tally marks covering most areas. A black tapestry hangs on the wall behind the desk with giant blue jaig eyes staring down at them.

“… you’ll get me those codes. Unless you want your precious empire to burn down with you?” the Mandalorian says to the man on the holovid. The man drops his head before looking back up at the woman.

“As you wish…” the holovid shuts off after that. The Mandalorian turns to face them. She lets out a low laugh before slowly walking around the desk taking in the sight of Fives and his brothers. Fives feels trapped in the Mandalorian’s gaze. She leans against the desk.

“What do we have here?”

Read full story HERE on AO3.