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“You can open your eyes now.”
Kanan, who had trusted his partner to lead him off the Mantis, now opened his eyes as the new planet’s energy wrapped around him, warm and inviting. He took in all the pinks and whites of the flora dotting the landscape, and, above them, the ever-bright glow of the Abyss.
“It’s…beautiful,” Kanan noted, finally turning to face Cal, who watched him with a soft smile.
“Still got a long way to go to make it a home, but I’m glad you think so,” Cal said. “The Hidden Path is already settling in here.”
“It’s perfect,” Kanan said, taking his partner’s hand and squeezing it reassuringly. “And… Wait, did you say ‘the Hidden Path?’”
“You’ve heard of it?” Cal questioned.
“Yeah.” Kanan nodded. “They helped me hide from the Empire. Got me my new credentials and everything. They’re the reason the Empire only knows me as Kanan.”
“Well, you can be whatever you want, now,” Cal promised. “Tanalorr is safe.”
“I know what I want to be.” Kanan smiled.
“And what’s that?” Cal questioned.
Kanan’s lip twitched up in a playful half-grin.
“Yours.”
“Smooth,” Cal complimented, before planting a quick kiss on Kanan’s cheek.
Unsatisfied with the short contact, Kanan pulled Cal back in by the front of his shirt, their lips clashing in a messy kiss that elicited a surprised grunt from the younger Jedi.
Kanan knew he had been in love with the redhead since Cal had come to rescue him on Gorse almost a year ago, but only now did he know how to show it, as he carded his fingers through Cal’s soft locks.
“Kay…” Cal groaned as they separated for a breath.
Spurred on by Cal’s breathlessness, Kanan deepened the kiss once more, his tongue pressing into Cal’s mouth as he opened up invitingly. The older Jedi let out an involuntary moan as Cal’s tongue met his, the younger Jedi sucking gently.
“When you two are done devouring each other, Greez could use some help in the kitchen.”
Kanan and Cal sprang apart, turning to Merrin, who had a smug smile on her face. Out of the corner of his eye, Kanan noticed that Cal was nearly as red as his hair.
“I, uh, yeah, yeah, we’re coming,” Cal sputtered.
“Are you?” Merrin questioned, raising her eyebrows, her smoky presence in the Force flaring with amusement.
It was Kanan’s turn to wither with embarrassment.
“Do not be long,” Merrin said, a knowing smile on her face as she started off towards the newly-built saloon.
Neither Jedi broke the silence until Merrin had disappeared into the distant building.
“Later?” Kanan questioned, his gaze sweeping over Cal as he smirked teasingly.
“Later,” Cal said, the blush now only a faint pink in his cheeks as he grinned mischievously. “Definitely.”
Bumping Cal’s shoulder with his own, Kanan followed the younger Jedi towards the saloon.