#ahhh i live and die by parm at italian places

[amukmuk]

From the cliche prompt list - I'm going to save you from the terrible date. (I think that one jumped out at me thanks to the most recent chapter of One Day lol)

Ahhh! I love this prompt!!

Based in the One Day AU :3

From this prompt list

Ahsoka nods along to Derek's seemingly never ending monologue. It's honestly impressive, she doesn't know if it is nerves or what, but she swears he hasn't taken a breath since they've sat down. She's trying so hard to be an attentive listener, but even then she can't help but wonder what Rex would think of the place. The ambiance is expensive in a cheap sort of way--like the owners are trying to pass off subpar Italian as the best in town.

"Here is the veggie lasagna," the waitress says politely handing Ahsoka her plate, "and the chicken parm. Anything else I can get you folks?"

"No, I think we're okay," Ahsoka smiles.

"Actually can I get some ketchup? Whenever you have a moment," Derek smiles. He has a nice smile, Ahsoka can say that much about him, but even then she can't help her own grimace. Ketchup? Really?

The waitress sweeps away and Derek offers Ahsoka a bashful smile. "I just really love chicken tenders and chicken parm the best way to get that at an Italian restaurant."

"We could have gone somewhere else," Ahsoka says and cuts into her rather small portion of vegetable lasagna. She will definitely be hitting up a drive through after this. If she does, she'll call Rex on her way home and asks what he wants from the burger joint. She checks the time on her phone carefully balanced in her lap. He should just be getting off work. "I'm sorry," Ahsoka says, cutting Derek off mid-excuse for his 'youthful palate'. "Can you excuse me for just a moment?"

"Of course. Take your time."

She gets up from the table and makes her way to the ladies room. As soon as she is locked away in a stall, she pulls up her chat with Rex.

SOS

Everything okay? His response is instant and it makes chest warm.

I'm having an awful time

... I would like to take this moment to remind you that it was your idea that we 'get back out there'

But this guy is an actual man child. He still lives with his mom.

Nothing wrong with living with your mom

Rex. He ordered the chicken parm because there weren't any chicken nuggets on the menu. Save me. Please.

What do you need?

Call me on my signal? Pretend to be my sick brother.

Copy

With a smile curving her lips for the first time this evening, Ahsoka maneuvers her way back to the table. As she sits she sends a quick message to Rex.

"Anyway, so I was saying," Derek continues, dabbing sweat from his mile-long forehead.

Ahsoka's phone rings. "Oh. I'm so sorry, I need to take this. It's my brother." She swipes 'accept' on the phone and puts it up to her ear. "Hey, everything okay?"

Rex coughs dramatically into the receiver and she has to hold her phone away a little. "Ahsoka. Help. I'm dying."

"Rex, I'm kinda on a date right now," she says and mouths an apology to Derek.

"But I'm dying. Don't let me die alone. I can see my ancestors in the light beyond." The sarcasm is dripping from his tone and she has to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing out right.

"Are you sure you need me?"

"More than anything," he murmurs, tone as warm as honey.

"Okay. I'll be there as soon as I can," she pauses. "I love you."

"Love you, too. See you soon."

She puts her phone in her purse and gives Derek a small smile. "I'm so sorry, my brother."

"Sounds serious. Is he okay?"

"I'm sure he's just being dramatic, but it's best that I go and check it out." She tosses a few bills on the table. "Thanks again. It was lovely meeting you."

"Likewise," he says around a big bite of chicken.

Ahsoka doesn't look back.

~

She lets herself into Rex's house balancing a tray of drinks and two fast-food bags. Lucky, his golden retriever, bounces up to greet her. "Hey Lucky," she smiles. "Rexy home?"

"I better never hear you call me that ever again," Rex says, standing in the doorway to his kitchen, dish towel in his hands.

Ahsoka smiles at the sight of him. He's still in his uniform, a navy CFD t-shirt and navy cargo pants, but instead of his boots he wears grey knit socks. "I come baring gifts," she smiles holding up the bags.

Rex tosses the towel over his shoulder and moves to help her. "Date was really that bad, huh?"

"He wasn't a creep, thank god, but I just... I don't know, I guess I'm just looking for someone who can keep up with me." They sit on his couch and Lucky curls up on her feet.

"Sorry it didn't work out. If it's any consolation, you look great."

She smiles and tosses a braid of her shoulder. "I know."

They eat in silence and Ahsoka relishes in it. After a night of being talked at, the peaceful quiet that settles between her and Rex is like a balm. She knows no one else with whom she can share silence. In fact, she knows few people who can do anything that Rex does. He knows everything about her. He anticipates her moves before she acts. He always knows--

"Something on your mind?" he asks, balling up his napkin and tossing it in the box that held his burger.

He always knows when something is bothering her.

"Just thinking," she sighs and tosses a fry to Lucky.

"Anything I can help with?"

She looks up and over at him and it's like seeing him for the first time. His warm, honey gaze. The scar on his chin, the way his lips are held ever so slightly in a frown. His broad shoulders and narrow waist. The way his hands are folded neatly on his knees.

"I love you," she whispers.

His eyes widen and he sits back a little, no longer bending to catch her downward gaze. "I love you, too," he says. "You know that."

"No, I mean." She huffs and looks down. This is stupid. There's no way he loves her like that. She was his CO. They've been friends since they were children. He probably still sees the little girl on the playground. He probably--

"Hey, 'Soka, what's going on?" he shuffles closer and grabs her hand.

"Remember how I said we should 'get out there'?" she croaks and rubs her fingers across his knuckles, warm and rough.

"Yeah?"

"I... I don't really want to do that."

He's silent for a second and rasps. "Good... yeah, uh, that's good."

She looks up at him. "Why?"

"Because... I... Fuck I'm not good at this." And he surges forward. Her cheeks are held in his hands and his lips are on hers. He's kissing her. He's kissing her and it's amazing and she's so shocked that she's not kissing him back. He starts to pull away and she chases his embrace. She pushes forward and kisses him in earnest, eager and wanting.

They break apart when breathing becomes necessary and even then, they keep their foreheads pressed together.

"I don't want to date anyone else," Ahsoka confesses. Rex runs his hand over her braids and cups her chin. "I want you."

"Good," he whispers and presses a chaste kiss to her lips. "Because I don't want anyone else, either. Just you. Always you."

She kisses him again and again and again.