Today is my birthday, so have a birthday special! Fair warning, Kanan's a bit OOC, but honestly, it's fluffy so I don't think you'll mind. Also, beware the wild Vartoc lurking at the beginning.
Edit: Fixed the first sixteen. Thank you to those who alerted me to it. :)
Summary: Ezra's seventeenth birthday is fast approaching. Vartoc has no plans to crash Empire Day so to lighten the mood, the crew sneaks away and throws a surprise party for Ezra. A BreadThief98 Birthday Special!
"No," Vartoc snapped. "Absolutely not. We have our hands full fighting the Empire. We are not throwing some party for a traitorous brat who, by the way, I still feel should be placed in front of a firing squad. Anything else?"
Hera nodded politely although it took every bit of restraint she had not to strangle the Nautolon.
Empire Day was just a week away, meaning Ezra's seventeenth birthday was coming up. Hera wanted to throw a party aboard the Liberator, but of course, General Ser Vartoc had to ruin it.
"I trust you Senator Organa, but why him?"
Hera knew she had to follow Vartoc's orders but she couldn't bring herself to follow this one. Hera had tried to make the party make tactical sense, saying it would boost morale, but Vartoc and happiness seemed to mix like oil and water. Therefore, Hera did the next best thing.
"While I'm here General," Hera began. "I am requesting permission to take my crew and go on a supply run. We will be gone for a few days at most. The Ghost is short on supplies and we certainly need them."
Vartoc sighed. "Fine. Get your blasted supplies."
Hera smiled. "Thank you, sir."
A week later...
"So what's the plan?" Kanan whispered. He knew Ezra was asleep, but did not want to take any chances.
"You and Chopper are going to take him on the supply run," Hera began. "I got supplies and presents from the last supply run we went on, like you asked. I'll bake the cake and Zeb and Sabine can decorate the Ghost."
"Okay. Comm me when you're done."
"Will do," Hera replied.
Early the next morning, Kanan climbed out of bed and with Hera's help, got ready. Immediately after, he sensed his way to the top bunk and lightly shook Ezra. "Ezra," he whispered. "Ezra."
Ezra woke with a small start. When his little scare subsided, his signature began to go stagnant again. "Come on, Ezra," Kanan said. "We have the supply run, remember?"
Ezra moaned, remembering what day it was. He wasn't really feeling up to anything, but they needed supplies while the Imperial patrols were out celebrating.
Ezra hopped out of bed and was met with Kanan's arm around his shoulder. "Happy birthday," he said softly. Ezra didn't answer. He only looked down.
As Chopper piloted the Phantom towards a trade station that, believe it or not, was actually open, Kanan was quiet, thinking of ways to help his padawan. After a long silence, Kanan wrapped his arm around his padawan and pulled him close. Ezra didn't respond, out of it for obvious reasons. His blue signature didn't even relax. "I'm sorry," Kanan muttered. "I wish this could be a happy day. It's your birthday and thanks to the Empire..." his voice trailed off.
"There's nothing to apologize for," Ezra replied. "My birthday never felt real to me anyway. When you share a birthday with the Empire and the tenth anniversary of your parents' being arrested, it's hard to feel happy."
"Today's the seventeenth anniversary of my master being killed and the Jedi Order falling," Kanan replied. "I know what it's like to not feel happy on a today like today. Think of it this way though. You gave us a reason to celebrate today. We need to look at the good things and not just focus on the bad. Ever since you came into my life, you've brought back a part of me that I thought I had lost long ago. You gave my life even more purpose than before. I owe you for that."
Suddenly, Kanan felt Ezra's signature brighten with emotion. "Thank you..." Ezra whispered. "You changed my life too... Without you, I'd still be on the streets if I wasn't dead. You saved my life. If anyone is in debt, it's me. Thank you so much Kanan..." Kanan pulled Ezra closer and smiled.
"Happy birthday, kid. I love you."
Ezra's eyes widened, not expecting his master's answer. He smiled, closing his eyes, feeling safer than he had been in months. "I love you too..."
A few hours later, Kanan and Chopper led Ezra into the common room. The second Ezra entered, his jaw dropped. In front of him, the other crew members were smiling.
The common room was completely decorated with streamers and balloons. There was a cake on the table with seventeen fake candles* and there were a few presents nearby.
"Surprise!" Sabine said with a smile.
Kanan pushed his mask back into place and smiled, waiting to hear Ezra's reaction.
Ezra's eyes watered and he began to do a combination of sobbing and laughing. Hera came over and led him to the wooden chair. "You alright?" Zeb asked.
Ezra nodded. "I'm fine. I'm awesome actually. You did this for me?"
"Well, we figured you could use something to lighten up your day," Hera said with a smile.
Ezra felt tears of joy stream down his face. "Thank you... Thank you..."
It was late at night. Zeb, Sabine, and Hera had just cleaned up before landing on Atollon. Ezra was already in bed, having eaten his cake and opened his gifts. The poor kid was exhausted and Kanan couldn't blame him. Sabine and Zeb had both turned in as well and Chopper was who-knows-where, so it was just Kanan and Hera. They were on the sofa, sitting in pleasant silence, Hera's head resting on Kanan's shoulder. "I think we did good, love," Hera said softly.
"I think so too," Kanan replied.
"Is something wrong?" Hera asked. She couldn't read his expression properly because of the mask covering his eyes, but she had known him long enough to know her partner was lost in thought.
"Nothing's wrong. I'm just thinking."
"About what?"
Kanan sighed. "I told the kid I loved him today." Hera looked at Kanan, her eyes softening. Kanan continued. "I mean, I have been basically raising him for two years now and he was having a pretty rough day. I just thought he needed to hear it."
"You meant it, right?"
"Of course I did. I guess I just haven't had to courage to tell him until today."
"And what did he say?"
"He said he loved me too. I have no intention of replacing Ezra's father but I feel like I've raised him. He's grown a lot these past couple of years."
"And he's improved a lot since Malachor," Hera replied. "You had a hand in that you know."
Kanan nodded. "Hera, do you think I still would have met Ezra if the Empire hadn't fallen?"
Hera smiled. "I don't doubt it for a second."
*I don't think fire and space mix so I went ahead and made the candles fake.
I wrote this before I found out Ezra was seventeen so I hope I fixed them all. If not, please tell me and I'll fix it as soon as I'm able.
How did you like that? The next chapter will be up tomorrow like normal. I just wanted to do a little celebratory chapter for my birthday and Ezra's birthday!
See you tomorrow!