Rex leaned against the doorway in the Coruscant compound medbay with his helmet tucked under one arm. His gaze was fixed on the kid seated awkwardly on the exam table- legs swinging, expression tight but trying to play it cool for their first checkup. Typical.

Kix was gentle and patient with them, as always. But Rex could see the tension in the kid’s shoulders, the way they winced ever so slightly when the scanner passed too close to a bruise that hadn't quite faded yet. He didn’t say anything about it. The streets of Coruscant certainly left their mark, and Rex knew better than to push.

The kid didn’t belong here- not officially by any standards. Civilians weren’t supposed to be anywhere near GAR installations, let alone running around the heart of one of the Republic’s most active legions. And yet, here they were. Sitting on a 501st medical cot, eating ration bars with Hardcase, joking with Jesse, nodding off next to Tup during downtime. Somehow, against better judgment and every reg manual in existence, they’d become a part of them. A stray the entire battalion had quietly adopted. Even if it meant watching his brothers smuggle a street kid past security checkpoints like contraband.

It had started with Fives, of course. It always did. He had a way of finding trouble and making it feel like the right thing. He'd met the kid on some operation to the lower-levels. Next thing Rex knew, the men were smuggling extra rations and supplies, and someone was carving out a space in the barracks that definitely wasn’t regulation.

Rex had every reason to shut it down. They were soldiers, not a daycare. But... well, he hadn’t stopped it either. And now, they were here, and the men would lay down their lives for them without hesitation.

"You said they were feeling dizzy last week," Kix said over his shoulder. "Could be dehydration. Malnutrition’s still in the red, but it’s improving."

Rex gave a short nod. "They’re eating more. Echo’s been sneaking them his dessert too."

Kix snorted. "Of course he has."

The boys treated them like a little sibling most of the time. The commander definitely knew. She had caught the kid sneaking around twice but hadn’t said a word. Just raised an eyebrow, smirked, and let it go. The General… well, he also hadn’t mentioned it. But the 501st weren’t exactly known for subtlety, and Rex had a strong suspicion that the silence was very intentional. Though, he figured if the General had an issue, they’d already know.

As Kix got ready to take a blood sample, Rex pushed off the wall and walked over, standing beside them. "You're doing well."