Heart To Heart
Coming back to his senses, the first thing Kallus registered was the cold. It gnawed at his fingertips as he longingly wished for warmth. He tried to think back, and that's when it all came to him. The not-so daring escape. Crashing down onto an unknown moon. And (presumably the worst bit), Garazeb Orrelios had been with him. So, I'm stuck on an ice cold planet with my arch nemesis? Lucky me, he thought sarcastically. He reached out to grab his Bo-Rifle, when he remembered one last thing. That sickening crunch. For a split second, his leg remained fine, and then it hit him. A stab of pain sliced his leg so violently, he crashed into what was left of the wall. He bit back a cry as the invisible knife continued to cut into him, slashing across his leg mercilessly. Waves of nausea hit him, causing him to fall helplessly against the sharp, metal wall. Kallus tried to reposition himself, but in the process, put weight on his bad leg. He bit his tongue so hard, he could make out the foul taste of blood. Falling against the wall, the pain that had been elegantly dancing stabbed heartlessly at him. As his vision turned back, he felt a scream for help part his mouth, before the alluring thought of sleep pulled him in.
.oOo.
"Hurry up Alex! I bet you can't catch me!" Natcali shouted, sprinting ahead. Alex laughed, it had been a common thing then. Her blonde braids feathered out behind her, becoming clearer as Alex ran to catch up to her. He was starting to make out the stormtrooper helmet she was carrying under her arm.
"Wait up Cali!" He shouted, sprinting faster. His young face was brimming with happiness. He had successfully finished his first patrol alone with Cali around Iziz's border. With Natcali, or Cali, of course. He and Cali were best friends, and inseparable. They did everything together, and when they were older, planned to become medics for the Elderly that had taught them so much. In six months, Alex had no idea how attached he could become to the Elderly. They were like his second family. After the Empire, of course. Cali had become an ISB, but when she found out it meant she would be separated from him, she had opted to stay a stormtrooper. Alex was so lucky to have a friend like her. Cali suddenly turned around, and cupped her hands over her mouth.
"ALEX, BEHIND YOU!" She screamed. He didn't have time to move before he saw a large log, and it went black.
.oOo.
Kallus groaned, tentatively opening his eyes. He felt warmer, but the cold was undeniably lingering. His fingertips felt frosted to the tips, and he was shivering and unable to move. He looked around, and saw Garazeb staring back at him. Kallus gasped. He tried to run away, but remembered his leg. But he was desperate. He needed to get away from the bloody Lasat. He scuttled backwards. Every movement was agony, but all his mind was focused on was getting away from Garazeb. Unfortunately, Garazeb himself had ideas of his own. He stepped towards Kallus, who was frantic. Zeb pinned Kallus down to the ground, his body looming over his fragile one.
"Kallus, stop. You'll injure yourself." He was completely taken aback by those words. Why on Coruscant would Garazeb say that to me? He thrashed his legs, trying to irritate the Lasat, causing more pain. Instead of irritation, it was concern that was on the Lasat's face.
"I said stop." He growled. Kallus put one leg down, but kept the bad one flailing.
"FOR FUCK'S SAKE STOP!" Kallus stopped immediately, feeling his leg drop onto a pile of cold. The adreadline had started to wear off, and Kallus felt beyond exhausted. Garazeb didn't have an angry face on, but was more or less fearful.
"Oh shit, this is bad." Kallus tried to ask what's bad, but he found no noise. Zeb rolled up his trouser, making him grimace. "This is so bad." Kallus didn't even try to say anything. He felt nothing as his rival carried him bridal style to the ruins of their escape pod, only thinking one thing. Why is he helping me? Then he succumbed to the darkness.
.oOo.
Waking up, Alex knew he had a concussion. It wasn't from all the medical training, he could feel it. Which was why he wasn't sure if it was just a hallucination if his whole platoon was sitting in front of him, hands tied behind their backs. But when he heard Cali cry for help, he knew this was reality. "Cali!" He shouted, but it only came out as muffled screams, as there was a gag over his mouth. Then he saw it. It was a Lasat, about two heads taller than him, and coated in rich purple fur. He carried a large sword, covered in embellishments of ancient script. He made eye contact with him. Then he spoke.
"Oh, look who it is boys. Oh, and girls." He drawled. The others didn't look up at their captor, who was grinning maniacally. "He's come just in time to see our show. And with a swipe of his sword, Trevdie lost a head. Kallus screamed. He looked at him again.
"Let's get on with it, shall we?" Kallus was forced to see all of his friends loose their lives. One, by one. Until, only Cali was left.
"I saved the prettiest for last." He grinned, taking a swing with his blade.
"ALEX!" She hollered. Then there was blood.
.oOo.
Kallus gasped for breath, panting. He was feeling hysterical. Just remembering Natcali's face made him extremely upset. He felt tears roll down his face, almost freezing the instant they left his eyes. He suddenly felt eyes on him. He turned, and sitting beside him was Garazeb. He tried to move, but remembered last time. He continued to stare.
"So, are you going to tell me what's wrong?" The Lasat asked, breaking the silence. He shook his head. He sighed.
"If I tell you why I'm saving your life, will you tell me what's wrong?" This struck Kallus as interesting. Why would he tell him anything? Reluctantly, he nodded. Garazeb smiled, before starting to tell his story.
"I once met a man. He was selfish, cocky, and I really disliked him. Unfortunately for me, he lived nearby. I was drinking a lot at the time, so I saw him frequently at the bar." Kallus nodded absentmindedly, listening intently. "One night though, I was really drunk. I started a fight with him in an alleyway, and at some point, we both lost consciousness. When I woke up, he was bleeding really badly, and I thought he might die. I didn't want to be responsible for his death. So I stopped the flow, and stayed there with him." Kallus almost tumbled backwards. He helped his enemy?! "I couldn't call the authorities, or they would have us both. So I stayed with him until he came around. He then actually thanked me, and I saw the nicer side to him. And that's the side of him I've seen ever since." Kallus had his jaw hanging out at this point. He cleared his throat.
"And who was the stranger?" Kallus cautiously asked. He smiled softly.
"Kanan Jarrus." Now he did tumble backwards. Garazeb laughed, before offering a hand to help him up. Kallus gladly took it. Then they were both laughing. And in that moment, Kallus allowed himself to remember such moments with his friends. Before, he didn't want to think about it.
"Now it's your turn." He said, straightening up. Kallus inhaled deeply. He had never told anyone this story.
"When I was little, I had a friend. Surprised, aren't you." He smirked, before continuing. "Her name was Natcali, but I called her Cali. We did everything together when we were little. And, well, then we were enrolled to serve the Empire. We were so proud, and we became top ISB students at the academy. But when we were separated, she moved herself down to a stormtrooper, just to be with me and with my platoon."
"Wow, dedication," Garazeb marvelled. Kallus nodded in agreement.
"We did everything together. We travelled to hundreds of planets, and patrolled the areas. Then there was Alderaan. Our platoon had a holiday there, and that's when I asked her if she wanted to go on a date. I was so worried that she would say no, but it went so differently. I'll never forget what she said. She squealed, and said "Alex… What the hell have you been waiting for!" That was the best day of my life."
"So you had a date. Then what?"
"After the next few assignments, we became boyfriend and girlfriend. Then there was Onderon. After the patrol, I got knocked out. Then I woke up, unable to move. Then I saw my whole Platoon, hands behind their backs in front of me. I saw them all die. Eighteen of my friends killed, each in a different way…" He could hear his voice quiver. He ignored it. "And then, there was Cali, hers was the worst to watch. It was just brutal." And then he couldn't do it anymore. And he hunched his legs, and let the tears fall freely.
.oOo.
"Alex! Alex guess what!" He stood up, and walked over to her.
"What, I'm the most amazing boyfriend ever?" He answered, in a way that was sassy, but also let her know it was a joke.
"Yes that, and well, how do I say this?"
"Say what?" He asked, concerned for his girlfriend.
"We're gonna have a kid!" She said happily. Alex stood there, rooted to the spot. Then, the biggest smile ever appeared on his face.
"We are- wha- how?" He said, hugging Cali tightly. She grinned.
"On Murkhana silly!" A blush crept across his face.
*Platoon 2345 is on patrol of Iziz borders.*
"That's us Cali. Let's go.
.oOo.
Never in a million years did Kallus ever think he would be sitting here, on an ice moon, sobbing his lungs out, while being hugged by a Lasat, who just so happened to be his greatest enemy. Well, fuck Garazeb. He had broken all of his mental shielding, and had found a way into his heart. When he had dried his eyes, Kallus finished the story.
"When the other platoon found me, they told me to suck it up, and be thankful I was alive. And then there was the Lasan Massacre. And I took the blame."
"Why? You did nothing wrong?"
"Oh yes I did. If he killed me, I never would have opened my loudmouth and said that a Lasat killed the platoon." Garazeb's face dropped. Then he snarled.
"It was one with rich purple fur, wasn't it?" Kallus only nodded.
"It must've been Leran Linaki. He's a rebel extremist. Look, it's not your fault, and it never will be-"
"Shut up and look here," He ordered, before softly adding "please." Garazeb's gaze fixated on Kallus, who pulled something out of his pocket. It was rounded, and carried an air of sophistication.
"This was the ring she should have worn. I was supposed to propose to her, but she, well, you know.." His voice trailed somewhere off into the distance. He stared there for a while.
"My name is Zeb to my friends. And so, I think you're worthy of calling me Zeb." Kallus turned to see Zeb smiling. He smiled back.
*Three Years Later*
A man dressed in black trudged along a path, his shoes crunching the fallen leaves. He carried a bouquet of flowers, and a half opened box with a ring inside. With, of course, security. He approached a grey stone, decorated with gifts from his past visits.
'Hi Cali. I have some news for you. My boyfriend just proposed to me! We're getting married on Lira San. His friends Kanan and Hera are coming, along with their adopted child Ezra, and his girlfriend, Sabine. You know, Ezra and Sabine are like us in lots of ways. They're close like siblings, but they are perfect for each other in the love aspect. And, I'm moving on. Like you said that one time, "if I die, find someone else, and don't waste away on those memories." That's what I've done. Zeb and I are finally doing it. Oh, and on your, uh, death day, I was going to propose to you. Here's the ring." He placed the trinket gently on the grass, alongside the flowers. "Even if I'm with Zeb, I will always love you. Always." A star in the starry heaven twinkled just a little brighter that night.
*Word Count: 2,117*
Compared to my other One Shot, this is just completely different. This is literally the most angst I have ever written. I hope you enjoyed, and if you would be so kind to review, it would be much appreciated. Thanks for reading!