Chapter Text
Kleya cracked her eyes open, and she saw no more than when they were shut. The light immediately seared her retinas, boring into her skull. Hazy blobs littered her vision, floating up and down. Some momentarily stilled before scattering to her peripherals like fireworks- the sort when you rub your eyes too hard. She sighed and closed her eyes again, left with a dull ache behind her eyes
She knew where she was- for that she was grateful. As far as wakeups go, this wasn’t the worst she’d had considering the circumstances. Even with her eyes closed and throbbing she could make stock of her surroundings. She was in Vel’s hut. Her head was killing her. It was disgustingly humid. She could hear the pattering of rain on the roof. The place smelt floral, probably the foraged flowers Vel had everywhere. Talismans, or an attempt to liven the place up.
Other than the rain, the place was silent. Kleya wondered if Vel was around, or if she’d had to rush off on urgent rebellion business.
As if in answer, she heard shuffling from the next room. Footsteps. A drawer being opened and closed, a cupboard being slammed shut. The rustling of bedding being rearranged.
There was a swishing sound as Vel came through the beaded partition which separated the main room and her own bedroom. She was intentionally trying to be light on her feet, and Kleya realised she probably looked asleep.
“I’m awake, I just can’t open my eyes.” Her voice came out thick, her tongue felt clumsy and too big for her mouth. Her jaw protested as she opened her mouth, forcing the hinges open with a painful pop. The words were nearly unintelligible.
“Too bright?” Vel offered in a hushed tone. She tried to nod, but her head and neck were completely locked. She made a noise of agreement, a strangled vocalisation which Vel must have understood because next thing there was a rustle of fabric and the room became significantly darker.
Kleya released a breath she didn’t know she was holding as the pain in her eyes slowly dissipated. She lay as she was for a moment, not venturing to open her eyes quite yet. Vel kept rustling around the kitchenette, and Kleya heard her take something out of a drawer and set it down on the side. A clink and a tinkling sound, like lots of small hard things being poured into a vessel. Then the crunch of a match striking, the smell of gas, and the gentle hiss of a cooker being ignited. The smell of coffee hit her nose immediately after.
“Want a cup?” Vel must have noticed her smelling the air. It probably wasn’t the best on a completely empty stomach, but she was past caring.
“Yeah please.” It was getting easier for Kleya to speak.
“It will take a while- the burners here aren’t that powerful.” The water started bubbling, a gentle sound.
Feeling safe enough to do so, Kleya cautiously cracked open her eyes. Still hazy, but the bursts of coloured light had turned into soft clouds. The light spilling through the windows was obscured with heavy red cloths- makeshift curtains. It cast the room in a dark red hue. She looked over to where Vel was leaning against the counter. She could discern her outline- Vel’s red hair, her khaki jacket against the light counter, but she couldn’t bring both her eyes together to look at her.
Vel’s outline shifted and her face came into view.
“Concussion has probably kicked in, that’s why you can’t see. You were in shock yesterday, that’s why you didn’t feel it”
Shock. Oddly enough, Kleya had forgotten about that one. The number one killer after the injury itself. The thing that leaves soldiers wondering around deserted battlefields for days, circling mindless loops which morphed into death marches. The odd feeling that everything was fine even when the ashes of your reality rained down, sticking to you like flakes of snow.
Another instance of how out of sorts she was. She didn’t know her way in, let alone out of this damned jungle. She’d lost her touch. What would Luthen say? He’d tell her to move. Make something of this place- find a weakness and use it. Fight. Climb. Run. Walk. Anything other than this lethargic stasis.
But he wasn’t here. And all she had was Vel, sympathetic Vel, with her endless stream of patience and tea. Those same blue eyes from years ago when she’d broken into Vel’s flat expecting to find a body.
Kleya brought her hands to her temples. The throbbing in her head had returned. She couldn’t move in this state, not in the way she was used to. Hands flying over radios, listening out for static, a thousand plates and knives in a delicate symphony which she conducted in the back rooms.
Vel appeared above her with a steaming mug, temporarily pausing her spiral.
Muttering a silent prayer, Kleya eased herself up. Her neck was completely locked, but she managed to arm herself up to a sitting position, fighting with every atom in her body to not hiss at the pain smattering in her skull. When she raised her hand to accept the mug from Vel, her whole arm was shaking. If she noticed, she didn’t comment. Instead, Vel handed the mug over, guiding it into Kleya’s lap.
Kleya tried not to notice that when she raised the mug to her lips she saw two of them. She also tried not to notice how Vel’s body brushed against hers when she sat down next to her on the bed, thighs nearly touching as Vel crossed her legs.
“I have to oversee training today, but I’ll be back in a few hours.” Vel began gently, keeping her voice hushed.
Kleya felt herself deflate slightly. She didn’t mind being alone, but it made her feel pathetic that Vel was rushing off, leaving her behind like an invalid. The way Vel deliberately whispered as if to avoid startling her and sending her running back into the forest.
“What can I do?”
“Today you should rest, but when you can sit up straight, Mon would probably like to talk to you. We could really use your help”
The offer of action, even if for the near future perked Kleya up slightly.
“I’d like that” Kleya cracked a small smile. The muscles across her face felt stiff.
“Then, when you can bear daylight I can give you a tour. Show you what you made.”
“It’s not me that made it,” considering how hard it was for Kleya to speak, the retort practically fell from her lips. It was true. Luthen burned his life for this, his body probably cold in Imperial storage. Meanwhile she was sat in Vel Sartha’s hut in Yavin being instructed to spend the day in bed. Fate was cruel.
Vel obviously knew this was a fight she couldn’t win, so she kept quiet. Instead, she drained her mug and made to get up from the bed.
But Kleya couldn’t let her go, not yet.
“Wait”
Vel looked back. Her face was almost too much to concentrate on, so Kleya’s gaze fell a few inches short.
“Thank you” It came out as a whisper. It was a small peace offering, a singed olive branch salvaged from a forest fire.
“You’re here with friends. This is what friends do.” Vel affectionately placed a hand on her arm. “Consider this as me returning the favour. You lifted me from the gutter all those years ago, I’m doing the same now.” Vel slightly squeezed Kleya’s arm before heading towards the door.