Author Note - If you missed the summary, this is Kanan/Ezra/Zeb in an established polyamorous gay relationship.
AU-ish where Twilight of the Apprentice never happened. Purely an excuse for sickfic domestic fluff.
Kanan put down the tool he was holding, glancing up at Zeb with a small frown. "Where's Ezra?"
They'd gotten their hands a junker speeder with the intention of getting it up and running and he'd thought Ezra would enjoy working on it with him, but he was late. He usually didn't run late for things he actually enjoyed and Kanan had been halfway considering going look for him. He's sent a questioning feeling down their Force bond, but he couldn't really feel any response, Ezra was either preoccupied or sleeping.
"Good to see you too." Zeb chuckled, leaning over to give an affectionate nuzzle to the top of Kanan's head. "He sent me to tell you he wasn't feeling up to it. Think he managed to catch that bug that's been going around. Want my help instead?"
"How bad is it?" Kanan straightened up at that, debating on if he should check on the younger man. Ezra had seemed fine at breakfast, a little tired maybe, but that wasn't anything unusual.
"He's pretty whiny, so can't be too bad if he's got the energy to complain." Zeb pointed out, crouching down to look at the speeder engine parts. "Need someone to hand you tools?"
"No, yeah, I mean." Kanan ran a hand over his hair. "Sorry, just thinking."
"That this wasn't the date you expected?" Zeb chuckled low and Kanan reached out to rub over the back of Zeb's head, running fingertips through the short plush fur.
"You laugh, it's hard to think of things that aren't training that we can do with just the two of us." Kanan pointed out.
If he'd been told a year ago if he'd be in this situation he'd have laughed at the very idea. Past relationships hadn't exactly worked out all that well, and dating someone in close quarters like the Ghost sounded like courting disaster. He hadn't planned on the close Force bond that formed between Ezra and himself, emotion bleeding into it despite their best efforts to stay unattached. A touch here, lingering a little too long there, and before he knew what happened they were both fully infatuated with each other. That would have fallen into slightly unusual but not unheard of, but Ezra was still rooming with Zeb.
Ezra struggled sometimes to keep himself blocked off from other people's emotions sometimes, and while Zeb had good control of himself he wasn't able to entirely hide the longing and loneliness when confronted with their relationship. Kanan had his initial misgivings about turning their pair into a trio but it worked out surprisingly well. Zeb was steady and affectionate, able to switch between roughhousing with Ezra to playing Sabbac with Kanan without blinking and without any hint of jealousy. Kanan wasn't sure if that was something inherently Zeb or if his Honor Guard training was closer to Jedi training than he initially thought. Either way so far things had been good.
"When he's feeling better I'm sure you'll think of something, or make him pick." Zeb stood back up.
"This can wait until then." Kanan stood up as well, stretching. "I'll go see if Hera needs me to cover anything for him."
"Good plan. I'll let him know you asked about him." Zeb gave him a lazy grin and headed back out of the cargo hold.
Kanan was finishing the minor repairs that Ezra had been scheduled to do when he felt Ezra starting to wake up. He put the tools away and then swung by the galley to fix some instant soup. It was hot and should be easy to eat if his throat was sore.
Zeb met him at the door, perking up when he saw the soup. "Good idea, I'll see if he's up for eating."
Kanan peered, able to make out a hunkered up blanket lump on Zeb's bunk with messy blue hair sticking out. "I can sit with him." He was a little hesitant, not exactly sure what was expected when someone was sick. He wanted to help, but he'd never really been in the sort of relationship where you held someone's hand at their bedside when they weren't feeling well.
"Nah, I've got it, thanks." Zeb reached for the soup and Kanan let him take it with a small feeling of relief. Zeb was better at easy physical contact and if he was willing to take care of Ezra while he was sick that was one thing he didn't have to worry about.
Kanan still lingered at the door, not sure if he felt vaguely guilty at the way Zeb didn't seem to have any problem figuring out what to do when someone was sick, before heading back to see what still needed doing.
Zeb ruffled Ezra's hair as he sat down with him, waiting until a coughing fit eased up before he put the food on his lap.
"Think you can handle some soup?" Zeb sat beside him, rubbing gently over the blanket tucked up over his back. Ezra sniffed pitifully.
"I think so." Ezra's voice was rough and quiet and he took a tentative spoonful of soup, leaning against Zeb's side.
Zeb nuzzled the top of Ezra's head with his cheek, not really caring about the sick-smell. He'd hoped the nap would help, but it seemed like this was the sort of thing that needed to get worse before it could get better. He'd heard as much from others on board some of the main ships, even people who normally tried to push through illness and keep working had been forced to take some time off.
"Thank you for taking care of me like this." Ezra sniffled, reaching to try and find a tissue to blow his nose. Zeb moved the pack of tissues closer.
"Where else am I going to go? You're stuck with me." Zeb hugged him carefully.
"Yeah, but I'm gross right now." Ezra blew his nose and then sniffled, as if to prove his point.
"Don't really care." Zeb waited until Ezra had finished most of the soup and looked to be done before he set the bowl aside and held Ezra against his chest, slowly stretching out on the bunk.
Ezra sighed, snuggling down against him and then curling up a little in another harsh coughing fit before he groaned and went limp, resting his cheek against Zeb's chest over his heart.
Zeb rubbed over his back sympathetically. "You'll be able to take more medicine soon."
Ezra made a soft agreeing sound. "Are you sure you have time to stay with me like this?"
"I'm sure, just relax." Zeb kept touching, rubbing slowly and feeling Ezra relax under the close contact. Ezra had taken time to get used to being touched, he used to startle when Zeb would ruffle his hair or otherwise just casually touch him. The rejection had hurt a little at first, until he learned that Ezra had gone nearly half his life without any sort of friendly physical contact. Then Zeb had been far more patient and gentle until Ezra started leaning into the contact instead of flinching away. Ezra still didn't initiate it often, unless he was really in a bad state and then he tended to fling himself into it as if terrified the other person was going to vanish on him. Even if it was partially because Ezra felt bad, Zeb still treasured the time like this where he could feel how happy Ezra was just to be held.
Kanan wasn't much better, Zeb mused. He didn't startle at being touched but most things there was still some slight confusion. Like he liked being hugged and all, but why was the other person doing it? Was he expected to touch others? That meant Zeb was usually the one to wrangle his lovers into all cramming together into one bunk to watch holos or otherwise spend quality time together, but he didn't mind. It was worth it
"How were you the only one to catch this anyway?" Zeb asked. He'd been curious about that, as far as he knew none of them had spent a lot of time off ship.
"When you and Kanan went out on a supply run together Rex invited me to play Sabbac with him and Wolffe. I blame one of them, or both of them." Ezra sniffed.
"Oh? Let me guess. 'Gee Mr. Rex I don't think I've ever heard of your fancy card games way out in the outer rim. But I'd sure love to learn.'" Zeb tried to pitch his voice higher, then chuckled.
"I don't sound like that, jerk. But yeah." Ezra grinned, muffling a cough.
"How many games before they figured out you're a lying little lothrat?" Zeb nipped gently at his hair, tugging on it affectionately.
"Three. Almost convinced Wolffe to bet his helmet too." Ezra chuckled a little breathlessly, trying not to cough.
"And here we thought you spent the whole time here alone without us." Zeb smiled.
"Yeah, well if I had maybe I wouldn't be sick." Ezra made a face and Zeb gently ruffled his hair.
"It happens. Now just rest." Zeb stroked the back of his fingers against Ezra's cheek, loving the way he nuzzled into the affectionate touch before resting his head back down on his chest. This wasn't going to be too bad.
Late into the second day Kanan was starting to suspect the rest of the crew was conspiring to keep him away from Ezra. Hera always seemed to have something else for him to do and every time he started to drop by the room to check in on Ezra he was intercepted at the door by Zeb to take whatever food he had and to update him on Ezra without letting him in. True most of the time Ezra was just sleeping, but he still wanted to see him for himself.
Kanan felt strange eating in the galley with just Hera and Sabine. No Ezra and Zeb stealing food off the other's plates in playful flirting, or Zeb and Sabine teasing each other, just quiet talk and eating. He finished up early, walking back towards his room. He lingered outside the door to Ezra and Zeb's room before going on to his and settling in to meditate. It was almost second nature at this point to reach out mentally. Ezra was awake, sending back a mix of discomfort and contentment. It was about what he expected with him being taken care of while he was still sick. He sent back reassurance and then eased out of the connection, trying not to think of much before he made his way to his bed, alone.
It wasn't that he was jealous, it was more… he didn't realize how much he missed both of them. They were right there, and at first he'd been glad Zeb was handling all of it, but he missed their attention. Did either of them miss him or were they content with each other? He would have thought Ezra would have wanted him to at least check in on him personally.
Early afternoon on the third day and Kanan was fed up. He spotted Zeb out and took the opportunity to make his move. He opened the door to their room, stepping inside. Ezra glanced up from where he was reading from a data pad, then did a double take.
"Kanan?" Ezra covered his mouth to cough. He looked rough, sweaty and his hair greasy and in his face.
"Yeah, how are you feeling?" Kanan came closer to cup his hand against Ezra's cheek and rubbing his thumb against a couple days of scruff growth. Ezra tilted his head into the touch.
"Little better." Ezra sniffed. "I know I still sound awful, but I don't feel as bad as before."
"Want to get a shower?" Kanan hadn't thought of it until then, but that was something he could do for him that Zeb couldn't. The showers were a slight squeeze for one full grown lasat, trying to get a second person in there would be impossible. For him and Ezra though, they didn't have a ton of room but it was entirely possible.
"Yeah, but… are you sure? I mean..." Ezra started.
"I'm sure." Kanan didn't even give him a chance to walk, just scooping him up into his arms. He wasn't sure what Ezra was going to follow with, but he didn't want to hear that Zeb was already going to give him a spongebath or something.
It was a short trip to the 'fresher and he helped Ezra strip down, dropping his sleep clothes in to be cleaned while they washed up. Kanan shed his own clothes, stepping into the shower with him. Ezra shivered, clinging to him when the water hit and Kanan felt a pang of sympathy, cranking up the heat until Ezra stopped trembling.
"I've got you." Kanan rubbed slowly over his back before reaching to get the soap and starting to wash his back.
"I know, feels good." Ezra seemed content to just lean against him and let him scrub. Kanan got the shampoo, starting to work it through Ezra's thick dark blue hair. It had gotten long enough to mostly pull back into a ponytail when he gathered it back, and he loved stroking through it.
Ezra jerked away suddenly and Kanan froze, not sure what he'd done wrong. Ezra leaned away and coughed, harsh barks that shook his whole body. Kanan sighed softly, half in relief and half in sympathy. He patted his back as Ezra spit, groaning softly.
"Sorry, know that's not sexy." Ezra spoke hoarsely, clearing his throat.
"Don't worry about it." Kanan rubbed over his back, then tugged him up to kiss the bridge of his nose. "This is all about you. I just want you feeling better."
Ezra smiled at that, then leaned forward to rest his cheek against Kanan's chest. "Alright. Still not going to cough all over you if I can help it."
Kanan pressed a quick kiss to his forehead and then went back to washing over him. He didn't want to exhaust Ezra so he couldn't linger too long, but just being able to be close was soothing.
"I think that's about got it, ready to head back to bed?" Kanan asked. At Ezra's nod he turned off the shower, stepping out with him and grabbing a towel, drying over him briskly and mussing his hair. It was kind of adorable the way Ezra clumsily wrestled with his shirt the way he only did when he was exhausted. Kanan helped him get his clothes straightened.
"Thanks." Ezra covered his mouth, coughing harshly and leaning against the sink tiredly while Kanan got dressed himself. This time they both walked back, Ezra leaning against his side.
"Are you talking something for that cough?" Kanan rubbed over his back slowly, feeling that he was trembling again.
"Yeah, but can't stop it completely, have to be able to cough up gunk if I need to." Ezra made a face as he settled back onto the bottom bunk.
Kanan sat down on the bed with him, tugging the blanket up around his shoulders and then hugging him close.
"Missed you, and this." Ezra said quietly, leaning his head against Kanan's chest again, relaxing.
"I did too." Kanan admitted. He kissed Ezra's forehead again, brushing back his hair.
Kanan looked up at an amused chuckle from the doorway as Zeb looked in on them, letting himself in.
"Decided you couldn't handle the quarantine any longer, huh?" Zeb asked, making his way over.
"Quarantine?" Kanan glanced down at Ezra, confused.
"Yeah? Why you and Hera and Sabine have been staying away. Zeb shouldn't be able to catch this, but all of you can." Ezra pointed out, groaning softly as he pulled away to cough harshly again.
Kanan felt like he'd been smacked. Of course. They'd just discussed what to do if someone got sick months ago, to try and keep it from spreading through the whole ship. Lasat biology was different enough from human that Zeb was immune to most of the standard colds and flus that made their way through the human side of the Rebellion. Zeb and Ezra hadn't been avoiding him, they'd been following the plan.
"I think someone forgot about the quarantine." Zeb spoke up, taking in Kanan's expression.
"I… I didn't, I, ah. Fine." Kanan grumbled.
"You thought we didn't want you around?" Ezra managed a small smile, reaching for a fresh tissue.
"Something like that." Kanan admitted. "Alright, I should have remembered. But I'm here now and if I catch it I catch it."
"Hope not, but if you do we'll be here for you." Zeb assured him, settling down on the bed with them both. "Ezra smells better, that your doing?"
"Yeah, we got a shower. The steam's good for loosening everything up." Kanan was relaxing again, even if he still felt foolish for forgetting.
"Such a plus." Ezra grumbled, coughing into his tissue.
"Here," Zeb reached to rummage through some of the nearby stuff, coming up with a jar. "This stuff gunks up my fur something awful, but you should have an easier time getting it on him.
Kanan took the jar, opening it to examine the herbal smelling cream inside. Ezra was already tugging his shirt up.
"It kind of stinks, but it helps." Ezra said, slightly muffled by the cloth,
Kanan leaned in to kiss his chest and then got a dollop of the chest rub, starting to rub it over Ezra's chest and neck. The chest rub felt warm against his hand and he made sure to rub it in as well as he could before he tugged Ezra's shirt back down.
"How's that?" Kanan tugged him back against his side, holding him before leaning against Zeb. Zeb was always a reassuring solid presence and the lasat didn't hesitate to wrap an arm around them both, nuzzling at the top of Kanan's head.
"Better." Ezra took a slow deep breath. "It's kind of nice having you both here to take care of me."
"Saying I wasn't doing a good enough job on my own?" Zeb teased, resting his hand against Ezra's chest to help keep him warm.
"You know that's not what I mean." Ezra put his hand over top of Zeb's, rubbing it lazily.
"I know." Zeb said lazily. "Was going to get some dinner, if you've already got Ezra germs all over you, want to help me with it?"
"In just a minute." Kanan knew they wouldn't be able to stay like this all night. The bunk was a tight fit for two, there wasn't any way all three of them would be able to sleep together. They'd tried before, it was uncomfortable and there were far too many knees and elbows. But for the moment he'd missed this and he didn't even have to close his eyes to feel the soft warmth of love in the Force presence at his back and echoing through the bond he had with Ezra. There was no other place he'd rather be.