A sweet secret

Clone Trooper Shen sat on his bunk and cleaned his blaster. He had undressed his armor and was only wearing his undersuit. Shen had had a long shift and his stomach was growling. He was in the city guard of Coruscant and today his squad had accompanied a demonstration. Some civvies were against the war. But they didn't offer a real solution. Not that Shen could see it. For him this was all a waste of time and resources. But his opinion didn't count. The whole business took longer than expected. There was a short riot, but they could calm that down. A Sargent got a stone against his neck, where the armor didn't protect him properly. But it was just a good contusion. Most clones didn`t have a high opinion about civvies. Shen saw them like nerfs, who needed to be taken care of for they own good.

Shen let his hand stroke through his short hair. He would shave himself today. The Clone Trooper with the Aurebesh Letter tattooed over his left eye, that symbolized his name, liked himself completely shaved. He felt neater and cleaner that way.

His stomach growled again loudly. Before he would eat, he took care of his equipment. His trainer on Kamino always said: "You take care of your equipment, then it will take care of you." It had become his daily ritual: after his shift, he controlled and cleaned his equipment, and then took care about himself.

Shen was rebuilding his weapon when his brother-among-brothers Easy approached. Easy was still wearing his armor and threw his helmet on the bunk over Shen. Easy could barely suppress a grin. Something was up. Shen put his blaster aside and looked his brother up and down. His armor was screaming for some water. Easy had a short beart and a redish haircut, which was far too long again. His hair was messy. Shen war sure, he did that on purpose. And the color was growing out. What kept the two of them together again?

„What's up?"

„Nothing. Everything is alright." Easy tried to sound relaxed und sat down next to Shen on his bunk.

Shen suspiciously eyed the soldier sitting next to him. Easy grinned wider. He put his hand over his mouth and looked around.

„Fine, come with me!" he jumped off the bunk, took Shen by his arm and pulled him up. Shen was directed into the freshers. Easy made sure, they were alone, then took a chocolate bar in blue and white wrapping out of his belt pouch and shoved it triumphantly under Shen's nose. This time he didn't try to mask his excitement. "With nuts." Explained Easy.

Yep, that was Easy. Shen couldn't suppress an eye roll. He crossed his arms and asked: "Where did you get that?"

„Calm down. I share with you."

„That was not the question."

"It is a gift!"

Shen had his doubts. "Really?"

"A boy starred at me, while I was on guard. Then he walked up to me and starred from close up. I was alone, because Mecky was showing a civvie the way. I didn't know, what to do. So I went down on one knee and asked him, if he was lost. I couldn't see any of his parents. And, mind you, he didn't say a word, but grinned and took a chocolate bar off his pocket und offered it to me. I didn't know, of he was serious, so I offered my hand and he put the chocolate bar in my hand. Then he ran off."

Shen shook his head. „Easy, you can`t take things from Civvies. That might be poisoned. Maybe he`s with some Seppies."

„A little boy? Here on Corrusant?"

„I don't know." Mumbled Shen a little angry. „It's against the rules."

„There are nuts in it" As if that would make it right.

Shen looked unbelieving at Easy.

„You are not going to report me in! I am your brother! Come on! When do we get something so good? I told you, I share with you!" whined Easy and shoved the chocolate bar again under Shen's nose.
The packing was damaged and the content looked warm and mushy. But it was still a little treasure for a clone.

Shen gave in. „Fine, but we eat it after dinner." He really wanted to try that chocolate bar.

Easy wrapped him into a tight hug. "You are the best!"

"I am aware." Growled Shen half amused.

"This is our sweet secret, okay?" Easy put his arm around Shen's shoulders.

"You and your puns." Sometimes Shen could only shook his head. This time he directed Easy out of the freshers, after the chocolate bar was safe tugged away. Eventually Easy would get himself into real trouble. But without him, Shen wouldn't have not that much fun. He would take care of Easy and look after his back. That's what brothers did for each other after all.