Day 2, Narrow Escape. Kallus and Zeb almost don't make it back from a mission.
Kallus' hand begins to shake. His shoulder throbs from holding a grown Lasat's weight and his eyes start to sting from the dirt and filthy they kicked up during their escape plan.
The escape plan that didn't work. That same plan that sent both Kallus and Zeb to the cliff's edge. The plan that led to this moment, where Kallus is sprawled across the edge of the ragged cliff, his one arm acting as the rope for Zeb to hold onto. The only thing keeping the Lasat alive.
As all feeling leaves Kallus' arm, as adrenaline begins to clear his mind in a way he never thought possible when blaster fire echoes all around them, even as they're hanging in this balance of life and death; Kallus realizes one simple thing.
"I love you." He confesses. He isn't sure exactly when this all started, but he knows now that he loves Zeb, more than anything.
And he's terrified of losing him.
"W-what?!" Zeb calls up, fear ringing in his face too. He's the one dangling over darkness. He's the one who may never come back from this.
Kallus adjusts his grip, his fingers turning white with how hard he holds Zeb's wrist just to keep him from falling.
"I said I love you, you idiot!" He shouts it this time. "I love you!"
Zeb's eyes widen, then turn soft. "Ya could've said that earlier!" He laughs, even as their hands begin to slip. "I coulda kissed you."
Kallus bows his head, unable to meet Zeb's gaze. He should've said this a long time ago. They wasted so much time over guilt and anger. Things that seemed so important at the time.
Now, Kallus has to make another decision. When Zeb falls, will he let go or fall with him?
"Kal, don't!" Zeb swings slightly and his hand slips another centimeter. Kallus finally looks at him again, meeting that hard stare. He understands. Of course he does.
"I can't go back without you!" Kallus pleads. "I can't…"
"We'll make it, the both of us! Just hold on, okay! Hold on!"
They won't. Kallus knows the stormtroopers will break through their defenses within the minute. Kallus' grip will give out before that.
There is no getting out this time.
As Zeb continues to slip past the point where Kallus can stop him, the ex-agent steels himself for the fall. His grip on the cliff begins to loosen and he lets his chest lean forward.
Of all ways to go out, this is the best he could hope for. Dying beside the man he's come to love.
Before Kallu can fully let go, however, the sound of jet packs reaches his ears. A second later, five Mandalorians fly over the side of the cliff, their weapons already hot And firing.
"Zeb! I got you!" Sabine calls as she and her brother move through the air to scoop him up. Kallus lets him go with a sob of relief, watching as they place Zeb down far from the cliff's edge.
They made it. Today won't be their last.
