A/N:
Hogwarts Auction
Day 17, Auction 2: Star Wars
Word count: 559
Kaydel had been keeping an eye on her as she slept and trying not to feel creepy about it. Everyone else was too busy rehashing what had happened on Crait to notice Kaydel. Finn had sat with Rose for a while, but even he had gotten up to speak with Rey eventually, leaving the sleeping Rose alone.
After what felt like ages, Rose stirred, and Kaydel weaved around a few Resistance members to get closer. Rose's eyes blinked open just as Kaydel reached her. She looked even more exhausted up close. They all were. Kaydel couldn't believe everything that had happened since the last time she'd properly slept. She'd lost all sense of time.
"Feeling okay?" Kaydel asked once Rose could keep her eyes open for more than a few seconds at a time.
Rose blinked up at her and then looked around the Millenium Falcon, her brain playing catch up with what she'd missed. She took it relatively well considering the state the Resistance had been left in. She sat up, looking self-conscious about being unconscious while most of the others were awake. Kaydel perched herself nearby, careful to still give her space. It was strange to know they'd been existing within the same space for a while yet hadn't had a proper conversation before.
"Poe told me what you and Finn got up to when you left," she said. "That was very brave, especially when you'd been doing maintenance work for most of the war."
Rose shrugged, her face blank. "I did what needed to be done to help the Resistance. Maintenance worker or not, I joined because I wanted to make a difference like everyone else. I'm going to do what needs to be done."
Kaydel smiled, trying to ignore the sharpness in Rose's tone over being called a maintenance worker. Perhaps Kaydel hadn't worded her sentiment in the best way. "I know," she said. "Everyone here joined for the same reason, whether they're a maintenance worker or the general herself. Either way, what you did was impressive."
Rose laughed darkly. "Did you not hear the full story? We horrifically failed. How else do you think we wound up here?"
"I know," Kaydel said with a sympathetic smile. "But you were still brave. You were still trying to do what you thought was in the best interest of the Resistance, and that means a lot. Trust me. You're not alone anyway. Poe and I messed up while you were gone too."
She felt proud when that got a small smile out of Rose.
"Really," she continued, nudging Rose on the arm. "The Resistance could use a lot more people like you."
Rose's smile turned teasing. "I think we could use a lot more people, period."
She motioned around the ship at what little remained of the Resistance, and Kaydel really laughed for the first time in ages. Rose joined her. They earned a few looks from the others, but no one wanted to interrupt their happiness after the devastating day they'd all had. When their laughter died down, Kaydel leaned back, really taking Rose in again.
"I like you," she decided. "You're definitely someone I'd like to get to know better."
Rose blushed, a small smile on her lips. "I'd like that," she said quietly, her smile growing as they continued to look at each other.