Chapter Text
The Ghost hummed a deep, ambient sound as the vents and other machines worked. Kallus felt uncomfortable just standing in the ship much less sleeping in it and staying in it and making coffee in it. Yet here he was. Kallus forced himself to push the discomfort aside. He was close enough with each “Spectre” that they’d invited him to stay in their home, he shouldn’t feel bad about this. Kallus only rolled his shoulders and went back to focusing all his attention on his datapad. He leaned on the counter, keeping an ear out for the coffee machine, waiting for his drink to finish.
There was a bump ahead of him. Kallus’ gaze quickly flickered up towards the open door and the darkness past him. Nothing. It was just the Ghost working, nothing more to it. He should probably go back to bed- but he already had the coffee going- and he knew he wouldn’t get any good sleep anyway. He was reminded of the datapad in his hand after he was suddenly aware that it was the only light in the room. Kallus quickly went back to work. He didn’t have time for distractions.
A creak. This wasn’t the normal sound of a ship’s parts settling. This was a creak made by something (unless the Ghost’s floors made creak themselves (Kallus didn’t disqualify that assumption)). He was quickly put on edge, his body tensing. Right now, the only people on the ship were Zeb, Hera and Sabine (and that astromech). He was safe- or… relatively safe. Sabine didn’t entirely trust him. Or Hera. Or Zeb, really. Oddly enough, Kallus felt he was closest with Kanan.
Right, the coffee, the datapad, the reports. He needed to focus. He has deadlines. Focus. He could do reports in his old office just fine. Nothing had changed other than the location. He was still doing the same type of paperwork-
Focus.
Kallus was overthinking things. He went back to his reports. Paperwork for people who’ve never had a job in intelligence. It was easy, simple work. A little tedious, yes, but easy work nonetheless. Kallus worked silently (not like he would be working anything but it)-
Kallus was quickly pulled out of his work at the feeling of something on his shoulder. He didn’t care what it was- his fight or flight response quickly kicked in. His left hand shot down to his hip, grasping his imaginary blaster as he snapped around in an instant. He was met with purple. Oh. His gaze traveled upwards as he relaxed ever so slightly. “Stravno, Garazeb!” Kallus cursed probably a little too loud. He sighed and placed the datapad on the countertop without another word.
—
Zeb woke up to the sound of footsteps. He didn’t care enough to actually get up. It was probably just Sabine or something. He’d caught her getting a snack in the middle of the night more than once. He drifted back to sleep without a problem. And then there was a problem. Zeb had gotten probably about a minute of sleep before something else woke him up. The smell of caf. It was faint but Zeb knew he wasn’t imagining it because he could hear the machine whirring. It was the middle of the night. Hera certainly wasn’t up, there was no way Chopper was making caf and Sabine didn’t even drink caf. Kanan and Ezra were out doing “Jedi” stuff… unless they’d come back for the night, but Zeb would’ve heard them. It didn’t take a genius to know it was Kallus. Zeb laid in his bunk for a few more seconds, enjoying the comfort of the mattress before standing up with a sigh. He slowly and quietly made his way to the door.
As surprising as it sounds, Zeb doesn’t hate Kallus. Sure he still holds a little bit of resentment for everything that happened on Lasan but they’ve talked before. About everything. He’s not all that bad. Both of them are terrible people who’ve done terrible things. They’ve both killed, they’ve both stolen, they’ve both done things they regret and they’ve both risked their lives for the Rebellion. Zeb has come to… forgive him, in a way.
Zeb stepped into the main room, his gaze flickering towards the open door leading to the kitchen. He could see Kallus’ figure leaning on the counter. Lasats walked nearly silently. Something about a soft padding on their feet and an even spread of pressure- Zeb learned it all in school thirty-something years ago. This seemed to be something Kallus didn’t know. In his three years of hunting Zeb- his time on Lasan and after facing Saw Gerrera’s mercenary he never noticed. Granted, he’d always been surrounded by the sound of blasterfire when near a Lasat so perhaps he couldn’t notice. Instead of just talking to Kallus to make his presence known, Zeb’s brain made the decision to grab his shoulder. Kallus jumped the second Zeb laid his hand on him and spun around like his life depended on it.
Zeb paused- a mental stutter. Kallus swore in a language he didn’t recognize. At all. Zeb had always just assumed that Kallus only spoke Basic. Why wouldn’t he? Kallus has a high Coruscanti accent. Sabine learned a few languages while she was in the Empire. Why was Zeb thinking so hard about this? It didn’t even matter. He quickly snapped back to reality.
“Garazeb!” Kallus hissed sharply and Zeb released his shoulder, taking a small step back. A beat of silence passed before Zeb spoke up, his voice tinged with slight amusement. “Sorry.” And then there was more silence. Zeb crossed his arms and looked down at Kallus. “You're up early.” He commented, keeping his voice neutral. Kallus only shifted a little and awkwardly leaned on the counter. “I couldn't sleep.” Zeb only let out a quiet hum of acknowledgement before nodding towards the caf machine. “So you put on some caf.” Zeb stated, a hint of curiosity in his voice. Kallus glanced over towards the machine before turning towards Zeb, his movements a little slower. “...yes.”
—
Kallus couldn't help being embarrassed about getting startled so easily. He was a military trained agent yet here he was- jumping like a startled tooka when he knew he was safe. Kallus looked up at Zeb briefly before averting his gaze once again. Every single time he spoke to Zeb was left feeling guilty, embarrassed and shameful and yet it seemed like the Lasat was insistent on engaging in conversation with him and being friends with him.
Zeb spoke again. “You're up early.” Was Kallus standing too straight? The Empire had taught him to keep a good posture but nobody else stood like that. He needed to relax a little. Kallus tried to shift his posture as naturally as he could just to lean on the counter. “I couldn't sleep.” Kallus muttered in reply. Out of everything he could've said, he told the truth? What could've possibly compelled him to say that?
It was too late now. What's said is said. Kallus hesitantly looked back at Zeb’s face- trying to get a grasp on how he would react to that. Of course, like a normal person, Zeb gave no reaction. What was Kallus expecting? For Zeb to tuck him into bed? For Zeb to pity him? To get a hug from him? He could hardly imagine the stench, the loose fur… the warmth, his hands, his strength,
Kallus is a grown man. He shouldn't be thinking this. He doesn't need a hug- he doesn't want a hug, much less one from Zeb.
It's been a few seconds. Should Kallus say something? It was very quiet. And then Zeb spoke. “So you put on some caf.” Kallus looked back over at the caf. Right. The caf and his reports. He needs to do those reports soon. Zeb was still waiting for an answer. Kallus tried to come up with a smart response but instead, all he could say was, “...yes.” The word came out with a hint of uncertainty. He didn’t intend for that.
Zeb rolled his right shoulder then gave a sigh. He reached forward, just past Kallus’ shoulder. Kallus heard the beep of the coffee machine shut off. Kallus was about to protest but he held his tongue. He wasn’t in any position to argue about this. Zeb’s hand moved from the coffee machine to Kallus’ shoulder. “Come on.” Zeb crooned, his hand sliding off of Kallus’ shoulder and to his own side. “I can sit in your room with you and we could…” He gave a small shrug. “...talk. Til’ you fall asleep.” He offered, his voice quiet. Kallus didn’t find himself hating the idea of that. He should’ve dismissed the idea immediately and ran off to bed. But he didn't, he gave a hesitant nod and a whispered ‘Sounds good.’
Kallus could only hope that one day he and Zeb could be real friends. He could have conversations with Zeb without them feeling like they’re forced. Maybe he would like a hug from Zeb.