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rivulet027 Apr. 29th, 2022 11:04 pm)
rivulet027 Apr. 29th, 2022 11:04 pm)Title: In Time It Always Mends Chapter 4
Fandom: Star Wars
Characters/Pairings: Kallus/Zeb, Rex/Rau
Disclaimer: I own nothing to do with Star Wars. It's not my toy box and I'm merely playing.
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Alex manages to get aboard the Ghost before Jacen takes off. They go to Scarif where a ten year old Chirrut is calling for help. The planet is whole and everyone who died there is suddenly alive, but they're also children. The Rebellion's just won at Endor, how will they handle this new crisis? Kid Fic.
A/N: Written for the Kalluzeb Mini Bang. Thank you to MapleOwl18 for the beta and for coming up with Zeb's pet name for Alex. Thank you to mistr3ssquickly, it's been great working with you!
Warning: Crosshair is written as having some disordered eating habits. This is quickly recognized and watched out for by the adults in the group.
Chapter 4:
The next few days are busy. Plourr shows up with supplies and several people looking to adopt family members they thought were dead. She stops in the office Alex has set aside for himself briefly. She drops off a gift box with the marriage crowns she commissioned for him and Zeb. Of course she then demands wedding holos. Their wedding had been quick and Alex only has one he can share with her. She tells him to get more when he renews his vows. Her visit is a much needed distraction, but she and her people don't stay long. Pau goes with them, as his family is living on a moon near Eiattu Six. Luke leaves on a mission and takes Bey with him. When they come back Bey and her husband ask Stordan if he'd like to come with them to Yavin IV. Stordan doesn't have any living family and both Shara and Kes plan to retire and finally get time to raise their son. Stordan likes the idea of being an older brother and agrees.
Alex’s office somehow turns into a hub for some of the children. Out of habit he puts a cot in one corner and it becomes a nap spot for Jyn, Cassian, Sinker, Bodhi, and Crosshair. They work out a schedule between themselves.
It’s a relief when Omega shows up in the doorway to let him know that Hunter’s group is here. Crosshair is taking a nap and she wakes him up while Alex steps into the hallway to use his comm to locate Trace. It doesn’t take long to determine where she is. When Alex steps back into the room Crosshair is telling Omega, "Whenever I try to reach out for Banks I get cold."
"Do you want to try again with me?" Omega offers. Neither one of them points out to Crosshair that Banks is likely dead.
Crosshair glances at him, then looks at Omega. "You said Hunter is here, and Wrecker, and Tech."
"They are," she agrees. "Do you want to meet them?"
Crosshair considers this as he hugs his knees and leans into Omega. "I don't have to if I don't want to?"
"Not if you don't want to," Omega reassures.
"Are you sure they want to meet me?" Crosshair asks. "Do you think they're upset? I hid behind Luke when they called earlier."
"You got shy, they'll understand," Alex tries.
"I hurt them when I was an adult," Crosshair protests. "I saw the reports."
Omega rubs his back. "Crosshair, you had an activated chip and you were brainwashed. They're going to understand that."
"I lied and told them I didn't have a chip," Crosshair reasons.
“They know,” Omega informs him.
“Yeah?”
“Yes.”
Crosshair nods. “I’ll go.”
The four of them head towards the landing platform.
“Do you want us to comm Luke? I’m sure he’d meet us there,” Omega asks Crosshair. Crosshair is either usually with Omega, Luke, or Chewbacca.
Crosshair shakes his head and grips her hand tightly. “I’ve got you.”
Once they find her Trace skips ahead and then comes back as they head towards the platform. By the time they’ve made it Hunter’s group is starting off the ship.
“Rafa!” Trace yells running forward to hug her sister. She stops just short of her. “You’re pregnant! I’m going to be an aunt?”
“You're already an aunt,” Rafa laughs as she hugs Trace.
Trace hugs her back, then stills as she takes in the teenagers that are coming down the ramp. Her eyes widen. "They're older than me!"
"Yeah," Rafa agrees. "No one could predict you'd come back to life as a ten year old."
"You thought I died?" Trace boggles.
"You kinda did die," Rafa points out.
Trace considers this for a moment, then asks, “Did I die helping people?”
Rafa's voice goes soft, "You helped so many people."
Trace nods, then gives her sister another hug.
"Want to meet my kids?" Rafa asks. Trace nods. Alex hasn’t met Rafael or Elyana yet, though he’s heard about them from Rex. Alex knows Rafael is only sixteen, but he’s nearly as tall as Alex and Elyana looks as if she’s well on her way to being as tall. The two teenagers stand awkwardly at the bottom of the ramp. Tech is talking to them. Rafael smiles and Elyana laughs.
Alex steps away and turns to check on Crosshair. He's leaning into Omega and talking with Hunter who's crouched down to be eye level at him. Wrecker laughs loudly, stating, "Yeah, I am."
Then he scoops Crosshair up and settles him on his shoulders. Crosshair immediately relaxes.
"I'll walk over with you," Tech offers as he steps away from Rafa and the children.
Alex nods, then asks, “How are Echo and Meorti?”
“Enjoying their honeymoon,” Tech answers. “I think. They were happy the last time I saw them.”
“That’s good.”
“Crosshair!” Trace yells as she goes running past them. She skids to a stop next to Wrecker and hugs him. She leans back and grins up at him. “Hi! You’re my brother-in-law!”
“I am,” Wrecker agrees, grinning back.
Trace hooks her fingers into the belt loops of Wrecker’s pants and leans back to look up at Crosshair. “Rafa says they’re going to ask you to come live with us!”
“Do you want me to put you down?” Wrecker asks.
Crosshair shakes his head. “I like being high up. Chewbaca made me a sling and Zeb would let me be on his shoulders like you are.”
Wrecker pats Crosshair’s calf. “You got it.”
“Well okay, Rafa said you might decide to go with Hunter or come with us, but I think you should come with us!” Trace continues.
“I haven’t decided yet,” Crosshair tells her softly.
“If you come with us you can be my little brother and I could get to be an older sister,” Trace wheedles.
“Trace,” Rafa sighs as she joins them. “Don’t pressure him.”
“I think I want down,” Crosshair sighs. Wrecker lifts him up carefully and then sets him on his feet. Trace grins at him. Crosshair smiles back tentatively, then whispers, “Okay.”
“Yeah?” Trace asks.
Crosshair nods his head.
Laughing Trace throws her arms around him and hugs him tightly. Crosshair tentatively hugs her back. Then Trace promises, “If you need me to yell at Cody I will.”
“Cody’s helping me,” Crosshair protests.
“He made you get a blaster and you don’t like blasters or shooting things. You hurt yourself,” Trace reasons.
“You’re hurt?” Wrecker asks.
“I had bruises,” Crosshair admits. “They’re gone now. And we didn’t know if that ship was friendly or full of bad people. I had to be the sniper.”
“It made your face all sad,” Trace reasons.
“I’m good at shooting things,” Crosshair says as his shoulders hunch and he stares at the ground.
“But you don’t have to,” Trace counters. “And if anyone tries to make you then you tell me and I’ll yell at them for you.”
Crosshair looks up at her slowly, then asks cautiously, “I don’t have to?”
“No,” Hunter answers firmly as he squats down and touches Crosshair’s back. “You don’t have to unless you want to. And even then I think Wrecker and Rafa would make you keep it to a shooting range.”
“Really?” Crosshair frowns as he glances first at Wrecker, then Rafa, then back at Hunter.
“I’d yell at them for you,” Trace insists.
Crosshair stares at her, then bites his lip and looks back at Omega. “Will you still be my sister if she is too?”
“I will always be your sister,” Omega promises.
Crosshair nods, then swipes at his eyes which are starting to tear up. He turns his head into Hunter’s shoulder. Hunter wraps him in a hug and then picks him up. Crosshair sniffles and clings to Hunter. Rubbing his back Hunter reassures, “I’ve got you.”
“Did I do something wrong?” Trace asks.
“No,” Rafa answers as she leans in to reassure Trace.
“You can take him to my office,” Alex offers after he checks the time. Hunter nods and Alex is about to show him where it is when he gets a comm from Zeb. He’s just landed on a different platform near the Ghost.
“Go,” Omega encourages. “I’ve got them.”
“Thanks,” Alex tells her before he rushes off to find his husband. It’s only been a few days, but he misses Zeb.
Sabine is standing near the end of the ramp. Alex notes her presence, but then he sees Zeb and he’s wrapping his arms around his husband and holding him close. Then they’re kissing.
“Ah yes, you’ll do nicely for Garazeb.”
Alex stills. Zeb sighs against his lips, then kisses his forehead, before stepping back and saying, “Let me introduce you to Chava the Wise.”
Alex attempts to smile warmly, wanting to make whoever Zeb is introducing him to feel welcome. He manages a greeting as he takes in the diminutive Lasat as he realizes just who he’s being introduced to. She leans towards him, using her staff for balance as she studies him.
“Yes, you’ll do nicely,” she decides. “I can see how happy you and Garazeb make each other.”
“Was it the enthusiastic making out that clued you in?” Sabine asks.
Zeb looks up, but doesn’t roll his eyes, as he is clearly trying not to bait Sabine in front of a respected elder. Alex feels his cheeks heat and he swallows his own protest. Chava ignores Sabine’s comment and starts down the landing pad.
“Where are these Guardians?” Chava inquires. “I have to let them know that we can share a Temple and you need to gather your wedding guests and your children and your friends that will stay with us need to gather their children.”
“They’ve agreed,” Alex reassures Zeb.
Zeb smiles at him. “All of them?”
“All of them,” Alex confirms, then amends. “Well, Crosshair is going with Wrecker and Rafa. He just agreed to be Trace’s younger brother. Should we stop her before she gets all the way down the landing platform?”
“Probably,” Zeb sighs. Zeb makes his way over to Chava quickly. “You could wait here. We could find a nice place for you to sit in the shade and we can bring everyone here.”
“If they are meant to find me they will,” Chava tells him with a teasing tone.
Alex moves to greet Sabine. She smiles at him, then comments, “Married life seems to suit you. Five kids.”
“Yeah,” Alex agrees. “I’ve got Zeb. We’ll figure it out together.”
Sabine makes a non-committal noise, before checking her comm. She grins. “I got a hold of Luke. He’s going to get Baze and Chirrut, those are the Guardians right?”
“Those are the Guardians,” Alex confirms.
“He’s going to get them and then head here.”
“Good plan,” Alex nods.
“She’ll love having someone who is eager for her stories,” Sabine reasons.
“What did she mean by a Temple?” Alex asks.
“She lives at a Temple?” Sabine clearly guesses. Then she shrugs. “Zeb picked me up after he got her. Apparently the Temple where she lives has a few Guardians of the Whills living there as well.”
Alex nods. Will Baze and Chirrut want to live with other Guardians instead of him and Zeb? The thought makes him sadder than he expects it too. Baze is a curious, but serious child, while Chirrut is constantly trying to learn about the world by asking both the questions he and Baze have.
“What did she mean by wedding guests?” Alex asks.
“Zeb and I tried to convince her it’d be easier for her to marry you two here, but apparently there is a sacred grove of trees where she conducts wedding and we need to get you, Rex, Rau, all the kids that are going, and anyone that needs to witness you two married, and get back there,” Sabine tells him.
“Chava’s going to marry us,” Alex realizes. “Zeb said he knew someone who’d want to marry us and he meant Chava.”
Sabine raises an eyebrow.
“She’s very important to his people,” Alex tries to explain. “She’s…”
“Do you need to sit down?” Sabine asks.
Alex shakes his head, then covers his mouth with his hand in an attempt to keep from laughing when takes in the scene part way up the landing platform. Chava is gesturing with her staff as she explains something to Zeb, who looks contrite.
“She and Chirrut are going to get along so well,” Alex realizes. Then he smiles as he sees Luke, Baze, and Chirrut making their way towards Chava.
After that it’s not difficult to gather everyone and decide on a departure time. Sana Starros shows up. She leaves her ship on the med frigate and offers to be the wedding guest that is only there for Alex.
“I’m not sure General Syndulla has forgiven me for that time my ex tied her up,” Sana confesses. “But Plourr can’t be there, she’s got a whole planet to run, Tolvan is keeping our exit off Endor organized, so clearly this falls to me. ”
“I don’t think Plourr’s people would handle her disappearing again well,” Alex agrees. “They get upset with her every time she takes off in an X-wing to help Rogue Squadron. Tolvan isn’t a fan of weddings. I don’t think Hera would hold a grudge against something your ex did.”
Sana rolls her eyes. “Have you met Aphra?”
“Thankfully no.”
Alex still isn’t sure how he and Sana have worked out a friendship, but the conversation between them is easy. He also likes the idea of a friend at his wedding that is only there to support him. He finds Draven next. A part of him is feeling guilty about leaving when there is still so much to do.
“There’s always going to be more work,” Draven reassures him. “Your priority is to keep those kids safe. I don’t think Andor ever had a childhood. I know we try with the kids that stay with our groups, but I don’t think Andor ever had one. It’ll be good for him to go to a place where there’s not this war to pressure him into contributing.”
“No pressure on me or Zeb?” Alex teases.
Draven considers him a moment, then huffs out a laugh and agrees, “No pressure.”
Alex shakes his head. "If you manage to get Kaytoo running Cassian should know."
"Considering the damage he sustained, that could take awhile," Draven counters. Then he sighs. "If we manage it, I'll ask Ahsoka to inform Cassian."
"He'd like that."
When they leave they take the Ghost and Ahsoka’s ship. It takes a moment to decide how to split up their groups. Cassian wants to spend as much time with Ahsoka as possible and they don’t want to separate Sinker and Bodhi. Eventually they decide that Alex, Zeb, and Rogue One minus Cassian will be on the Ghost with Chava, Sinker, Hera, Chopper, Jacen and Sana. Sabine, Rex, Rau, Cody, Bly, Stone, Cassian, and Wolffe will be traveling with Ahsoka. Only Hera, Chava, and Zeb are allowed in the cockpit. Jacen is pouting about it, but then he realizes he can show off the toys in his room to his new friends. Chopper is avoiding the cockpit unless he’s needed: he wants to avoid the need for a memory wipe. The grumpy astromech sets about cataloging the repairs he wants to do after this mission. They keep Sabine’s room locked. They don’t want to chance anyone accidently playing with her exploding paint. Jyn decides to sit in Sana’s lap, she’s got questions about Sana’s ship. Chirrut and Baze find Chava and the increasingly elaborate stories she’s weaving captivating. Bodhi snuggles up to Alex with Sinker and Alex wraps an arm around both of them. Zeb leans into him on his other side and Alex wraps an arm around him too.
The trip doesn’t take too long, but just long enough that each of the kids gets plenty of time playing in Jacen’s room and then a nap. Once they drop off to sleep Alex finds himself answering several pointed questions from Chava about his people’s wedding traditions.
Eventually Chava goes to the cockpit with Zeb. Zeb comes back several minutes later and rubs their cheeks together. “I almost can’t believe I finally get to show you this.”
Alex squeezes Zeb’s hand and then pulls him in for a brief kiss.
And then he’s trying to focus on keeping the kids together, as they walk to the vehicles that will take them to where they’re staying, so he doesn’t become overwhelmed. There are so many Lasats! Everywhere! Every time he glances at Zeb with wide eyes Zeb is just grinning at him. He’s helped Zeb find groups of Lasats in hiding so Zeb can offer them a safe place to be and this planet must be that place, but this is far more Lasats than they’ve found and the city they’ve landed on is established, old.
Jyn takes his hand. “Are you okay?”
“A little overwhelmed,” Alex admits.
“Good overwhelmed or bad overwhelmed?” Jyn attempts to clarify.
“Definitely good,” Alex smiles.
Jyn nods.
“Are you okay?” Alex asks.
Jyn frowns as she considers this, then she glances at Bodhi and Sinker. Alex squeezes Zeb’s hand and then indicates he’s going to step to the side with Jyn. Zeb nods and continues on with their group. Alex and Jyn step into a small alcove and he bends down so he can be at her level while they talk. She frowns and twists her necklace around fingers. Alex smiles at her, but doesn’t push. If she needs a moment to gather her thoughts he’s going to give it to her.
“I can understand the importance of hiding,” Jyn tells him. “My parents and Saw taught me that.”
Alex suddenly realizes he doesn’t know if any of them have talked to her about her father. She knows her mother is dead, but does she know about her father and Saw?
“Are we really not going to have to fight?” Jyn asks. “I know I’m supposed to be an adult, but I don’t remember. I do remember Saw teaching me to fight.”
“Part of the reason we’ve brought you here is to keep you safe in the hopes that you won’t have to fight,” Alex tells her. A busy concourse when they need to get to the vehicles that will take them to their new home isn’t the place to talk to her about her father.
“My parents didn’t want to fight. I don’t think they wanted me to have to either. And then Krennic came and I wanted to learn,” Jyn says. “I know my father is dead. I talked to Leia about him. I know Saw is dead too. He treated me like I was his daughter and I want to know…did he really hurt Bodhi?”
“It’s likely, we don’t know for sure.”
Jyn frowns, then nods. “Bodhi has bad nightmares about what happened to him.”
“He does,” Alex agrees. “What about you? Any nightmares?”
“Mostly my mom dying,” she confesses. Then she stares at her feet, twisting her necklace around and around her fingers, before she continues in a whisper. “Sometimes it’s that Saw doesn’t come for me and I’m stuck in my hiding place and no one comes and I’m all alone.”
“That sounds scary,” Alex comments, hoping he’s saying the right thing.
Jyn nods. “It is. I keep reminding myself that Saw did come and he kept me safe and he taught me to fight and that I ended up on Scarif and now I’m here and I’m hidden again and I’m safe. It’s just I don’t always feel safe.”
She looks up at him with worry on her face. Her fingers still. She huffs as if letting about a breath after holding onto this fear tightly.
Alex would suddenly like another conversation with Draven about the pressure of raising children. Instead he attempts to look reassuring as he tries to comfort her, “Sometimes the things we’ve been through leave scars and sometimes those scars aren’t always physical. There are mind healers here. Chava mostly knows the ones at the Temple, but there are others, and if you want we can take our time finding one you’re comfortable working with. Zeb and I want you to feel safe here. Yes, part of being here is to make sure you’re hidden, but this is also our new home and we want you to feel comfortable here, so if something is making you feel uncomfortable or unsafe we’re going to want you to let us know. Sound like a plan?”
Jyn nods. “Yes.”
Alex gives her another moment, in case there’s anything more that she wants to talk about, but she leans into him. He gives her a hug.
“I’m ready to go back with the others,” she tells him.
“Did you want to walk or do you want me to carry you?” Alex offers. His back won’t like him later, but he wants her to feel safe.
“I want to walk.”
He takes her hand and they find their way to where their group is piling into two vehicles. It’s a short drive through the city and then the next town over that’s near the Temple. They make their way down a secluded side street that’s on the edge of town. It’s lined with a few houses and they stop in front of two at the end. Alex almost wants to just stare, but he helps gather up the kids as they make their way to the side of the street. Zeb grins at him and wraps an arm around his waist.
There are two houses with a covered walkway connecting them. He can see a large yard behind them. Alex lets himself lean into Zeb as he stares. “I wasn’t expecting two houses.”
“I wasn’t either,” Zeb confesses. “Ours was nearly done. I’ve worked on it when I’ve made it out here, but then we needed room for the kids and I asked for help building an addition with rooms for them onto the back. We started that house for Rex and Rau. I did not expect it to be done.”
“The Temple got help,” Chava confesses. “It’s not every day an honor guardsman comes home.”
“Thank you,” Zeb says.
“You’re welcome,” Chava laughs. “I’m going to get a ride to the Temple. I’ll be here tomorrow so we can finish planning your wedding.”
Alex waits until Chava is walking away to draw Zeb into a kiss. Then he says, “This is the house we planned. I, thank you. I thought we were just…I didn’t expect to actually live to see it, so…”
He’s got tears in his eyes and he knows he needs to concentrate on getting the kids settled, but he needs this moment with his husband. Zeb cups his cheek and kisses him again. “I’m grateful we’re both here to see this. It wouldn’t be our home otherwise.”
“Are you going to get married?” Cody asks suddenly.
Rau makes a noise of surprise. Rex groans. Alex laughs. Zeb snorts and presses his forehead against Alex’s shoulder as he laughs too.
“They’re married and they’re getting married again,” Cody points out. “Why aren’t you getting married?”
“Cody,” Rex admonishes.
“What?” Cody demands as he glares at Rau. “Don’t you want to marry Rex?”
“Alex and Zeb getting remarried is so that they can include their customs into their ceremony,” Rex tries. “You can’t just demand that someone marry me. That’s something for Fenn and I to discuss privately.”
“He’s here,” Cody points out. “Helping you keep us safe.”
“I am,” Rau agrees. “So why don’t we table discussions of marriage and go pick out rooms. It’ll let us catalog what we’ve been gifted and what we might need.”
“I guess,” Cody grumbles.
They’re all tired and it’s starting to get dark. They decide on rooms for the night, several of the children are sharing until all their guests can clear out. It takes Alex a moment to convince Sinker and Bodhi that even though they’ll have their own rooms and their own beds no one minds if they want to bunk together during the night. They all understand that it makes both boys feel safer. Alex knows why it makes Bodhi feel safer and he’s hopeful they’ll find out if anything is troubling Sinker as well.
When he gets to his room Zeb is sitting on their berth. He’s unpacked most of their bags. The box that Plourr gave him is sitting on their dresser.
“I haven’t opened it yet,” Alex confesses as he changes into sleep clothes. “I wanted to wait until we could both look at them.”
“Do you want to look at them now?” Zeb asks.
He’d really like some alone time with his husband, but it’s going to be awhile before they manage that. Alex nods, then picks up the box and brings it to the bed. They sit next to each other as Alex opens the lid.
Zeb laughs, smiling widely as he lifts the larger one clearly meant for his head out. He turns it over in his hand, smiling softly. “This was really kind of her.”
Alex nods, leaning against Zeb as he takes in their marriage crowns. The silvery metal they’re made from has been shaped to look like interweaving branches, which given how scared trees are to Lasats make sense. There’s a teardrop shaped amethyst at the center of each crown. The purple doesn’t quite match Zeb’s and it will stand out nicely.
“The region I was born in is known for their work with amethyst,” Alex tells Zeb. He picks up his own crown, testing the weight of it and smiles down at the gemstone. “I haven’t thought about that in years.”
“Plourr put a lot of thought into these,” Zeb comments.
“She did.”
Zeb presses a kiss to the side of his head, then sets his crown back into the case, before taking Alex’s and putting it away too. He closes the case and sets it back on the dresser, then Zeb kisses him, straddling Alex’s hips and pushing him back against the bed.
“Kids,” Alex reminds between kisses. “Guests.”
“That’s why we’re just making out,” Zeb counters.
Alex snorts. He doesn’t believe they’ll stop at kissing, but he pulls Zeb closer. They’ve got a long day tomorrow, but for now he can enjoy his husband.
Chava shows up mid-morning with breakfast and two Guardians who knew both Baze and Chirrut. The Guardians take Baze and Chirrut out into the yard to talk while Chava discusses their ceremony with them. Alex keeps catching sight of them outside the window. He tries to pay attention to Chava even as he finds himself wondering if Baze and Chirrut will decide to stay with them or go live at the Temple.
“They’ll stay here,” Chava reassures. “Better to keep the group together and it gives us an excuse to visit.”
“That might not be what they want,” Alex points out.
“We’ll see,” Chava smiles. “Now, we’ll marry you this afternoon and then go back to the Temple for refreshments. Then your guests can spend one more night or choose to leave after their bellies are full, up to them.”
Once she’s reassured that they’re expecting an informal ceremony she gets ready to leave. The Guardians leave with her. Baze watches where Chirrut is standing by the door, then looks at them, then looks at Chirrut.
“We want to stay with you,” Baze says.
“They said we can take lessons at the Temple, but stay here or we could live there, but we want to stay here,” Chirrut agrees. “It’s where we’re supposed to be.”
“We’d love for you to stay,” Alex tells them as Zeb agrees.
“Great,” Chirrut enthuses. “Let's get you married.”
“Ah, we’re already married,” Zeb points out.
“Remarried,” Baze amends.
Sana is standing nearby. She covers her face with her hand. She shakes her head, obviously trying not to laugh, before saying, “Lets get everyone ready.”
It takes time to get everyone ready. Thankfully the Temple is providing transport. He’s going to have to start thinking about work and how they’re going to live here, Alex realizes, beyond just keeping the kids safe and providing a safe environment for them. They’ve got so much planning to do. He squeezes Zeb’s hand and smiles at his husband. Zeb’s wearing a dress uniform for the honor guardsman. He’s already been welcomed into their ranks. He looks good in the creamy white with silver trim uniform. Hera and Sabine had put Zeb’s crown on for him. Alex slides one hand over his suit. It’s the best outfit he has. The weight of the crown Ahsoka and Sana had put on his head is reassuring.
When they get to the park they take a short path to the tree grove where most marriages take place. Chava is already waiting for them, a large grin on her face. He and Zeb stop in front of Chava and take each other's hands. Their friends and children form a circle around them framed by the large trees at their back. Chava raises her staff and begins the ceremony, talking about how marriage and love bring light to the universe.
Alex smiles at Zeb. There’s so many responsibilities to think about and to plan for, but here in this moment he’s grateful that he gets to do so with his husband.
Chapters: [1] [2] [3] [4]
Fandom: Star Wars
Characters/Pairings: Kallus/Zeb, Rex/Rau
Disclaimer: I own nothing to do with Star Wars. It's not my toy box and I'm merely playing.
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Alex manages to get aboard the Ghost before Jacen takes off. They go to Scarif where a ten year old Chirrut is calling for help. The planet is whole and everyone who died there is suddenly alive, but they're also children. The Rebellion's just won at Endor, how will they handle this new crisis? Kid Fic.
A/N: Written for the Kalluzeb Mini Bang. Thank you to MapleOwl18 for the beta and for coming up with Zeb's pet name for Alex. Thank you to mistr3ssquickly, it's been great working with you!
Warning: Crosshair is written as having some disordered eating habits. This is quickly recognized and watched out for by the adults in the group.
Chapter 4:
The next few days are busy. Plourr shows up with supplies and several people looking to adopt family members they thought were dead. She stops in the office Alex has set aside for himself briefly. She drops off a gift box with the marriage crowns she commissioned for him and Zeb. Of course she then demands wedding holos. Their wedding had been quick and Alex only has one he can share with her. She tells him to get more when he renews his vows. Her visit is a much needed distraction, but she and her people don't stay long. Pau goes with them, as his family is living on a moon near Eiattu Six. Luke leaves on a mission and takes Bey with him. When they come back Bey and her husband ask Stordan if he'd like to come with them to Yavin IV. Stordan doesn't have any living family and both Shara and Kes plan to retire and finally get time to raise their son. Stordan likes the idea of being an older brother and agrees.
Alex’s office somehow turns into a hub for some of the children. Out of habit he puts a cot in one corner and it becomes a nap spot for Jyn, Cassian, Sinker, Bodhi, and Crosshair. They work out a schedule between themselves.
It’s a relief when Omega shows up in the doorway to let him know that Hunter’s group is here. Crosshair is taking a nap and she wakes him up while Alex steps into the hallway to use his comm to locate Trace. It doesn’t take long to determine where she is. When Alex steps back into the room Crosshair is telling Omega, "Whenever I try to reach out for Banks I get cold."
"Do you want to try again with me?" Omega offers. Neither one of them points out to Crosshair that Banks is likely dead.
Crosshair glances at him, then looks at Omega. "You said Hunter is here, and Wrecker, and Tech."
"They are," she agrees. "Do you want to meet them?"
Crosshair considers this as he hugs his knees and leans into Omega. "I don't have to if I don't want to?"
"Not if you don't want to," Omega reassures.
"Are you sure they want to meet me?" Crosshair asks. "Do you think they're upset? I hid behind Luke when they called earlier."
"You got shy, they'll understand," Alex tries.
"I hurt them when I was an adult," Crosshair protests. "I saw the reports."
Omega rubs his back. "Crosshair, you had an activated chip and you were brainwashed. They're going to understand that."
"I lied and told them I didn't have a chip," Crosshair reasons.
“They know,” Omega informs him.
“Yeah?”
“Yes.”
Crosshair nods. “I’ll go.”
The four of them head towards the landing platform.
“Do you want us to comm Luke? I’m sure he’d meet us there,” Omega asks Crosshair. Crosshair is either usually with Omega, Luke, or Chewbacca.
Crosshair shakes his head and grips her hand tightly. “I’ve got you.”
Once they find her Trace skips ahead and then comes back as they head towards the platform. By the time they’ve made it Hunter’s group is starting off the ship.
“Rafa!” Trace yells running forward to hug her sister. She stops just short of her. “You’re pregnant! I’m going to be an aunt?”
“You're already an aunt,” Rafa laughs as she hugs Trace.
Trace hugs her back, then stills as she takes in the teenagers that are coming down the ramp. Her eyes widen. "They're older than me!"
"Yeah," Rafa agrees. "No one could predict you'd come back to life as a ten year old."
"You thought I died?" Trace boggles.
"You kinda did die," Rafa points out.
Trace considers this for a moment, then asks, “Did I die helping people?”
Rafa's voice goes soft, "You helped so many people."
Trace nods, then gives her sister another hug.
"Want to meet my kids?" Rafa asks. Trace nods. Alex hasn’t met Rafael or Elyana yet, though he’s heard about them from Rex. Alex knows Rafael is only sixteen, but he’s nearly as tall as Alex and Elyana looks as if she’s well on her way to being as tall. The two teenagers stand awkwardly at the bottom of the ramp. Tech is talking to them. Rafael smiles and Elyana laughs.
Alex steps away and turns to check on Crosshair. He's leaning into Omega and talking with Hunter who's crouched down to be eye level at him. Wrecker laughs loudly, stating, "Yeah, I am."
Then he scoops Crosshair up and settles him on his shoulders. Crosshair immediately relaxes.
"I'll walk over with you," Tech offers as he steps away from Rafa and the children.
Alex nods, then asks, “How are Echo and Meorti?”
“Enjoying their honeymoon,” Tech answers. “I think. They were happy the last time I saw them.”
“That’s good.”
“Crosshair!” Trace yells as she goes running past them. She skids to a stop next to Wrecker and hugs him. She leans back and grins up at him. “Hi! You’re my brother-in-law!”
“I am,” Wrecker agrees, grinning back.
Trace hooks her fingers into the belt loops of Wrecker’s pants and leans back to look up at Crosshair. “Rafa says they’re going to ask you to come live with us!”
“Do you want me to put you down?” Wrecker asks.
Crosshair shakes his head. “I like being high up. Chewbaca made me a sling and Zeb would let me be on his shoulders like you are.”
Wrecker pats Crosshair’s calf. “You got it.”
“Well okay, Rafa said you might decide to go with Hunter or come with us, but I think you should come with us!” Trace continues.
“I haven’t decided yet,” Crosshair tells her softly.
“If you come with us you can be my little brother and I could get to be an older sister,” Trace wheedles.
“Trace,” Rafa sighs as she joins them. “Don’t pressure him.”
“I think I want down,” Crosshair sighs. Wrecker lifts him up carefully and then sets him on his feet. Trace grins at him. Crosshair smiles back tentatively, then whispers, “Okay.”
“Yeah?” Trace asks.
Crosshair nods his head.
Laughing Trace throws her arms around him and hugs him tightly. Crosshair tentatively hugs her back. Then Trace promises, “If you need me to yell at Cody I will.”
“Cody’s helping me,” Crosshair protests.
“He made you get a blaster and you don’t like blasters or shooting things. You hurt yourself,” Trace reasons.
“You’re hurt?” Wrecker asks.
“I had bruises,” Crosshair admits. “They’re gone now. And we didn’t know if that ship was friendly or full of bad people. I had to be the sniper.”
“It made your face all sad,” Trace reasons.
“I’m good at shooting things,” Crosshair says as his shoulders hunch and he stares at the ground.
“But you don’t have to,” Trace counters. “And if anyone tries to make you then you tell me and I’ll yell at them for you.”
Crosshair looks up at her slowly, then asks cautiously, “I don’t have to?”
“No,” Hunter answers firmly as he squats down and touches Crosshair’s back. “You don’t have to unless you want to. And even then I think Wrecker and Rafa would make you keep it to a shooting range.”
“Really?” Crosshair frowns as he glances first at Wrecker, then Rafa, then back at Hunter.
“I’d yell at them for you,” Trace insists.
Crosshair stares at her, then bites his lip and looks back at Omega. “Will you still be my sister if she is too?”
“I will always be your sister,” Omega promises.
Crosshair nods, then swipes at his eyes which are starting to tear up. He turns his head into Hunter’s shoulder. Hunter wraps him in a hug and then picks him up. Crosshair sniffles and clings to Hunter. Rubbing his back Hunter reassures, “I’ve got you.”
“Did I do something wrong?” Trace asks.
“No,” Rafa answers as she leans in to reassure Trace.
“You can take him to my office,” Alex offers after he checks the time. Hunter nods and Alex is about to show him where it is when he gets a comm from Zeb. He’s just landed on a different platform near the Ghost.
“Go,” Omega encourages. “I’ve got them.”
“Thanks,” Alex tells her before he rushes off to find his husband. It’s only been a few days, but he misses Zeb.
Sabine is standing near the end of the ramp. Alex notes her presence, but then he sees Zeb and he’s wrapping his arms around his husband and holding him close. Then they’re kissing.
“Ah yes, you’ll do nicely for Garazeb.”
Alex stills. Zeb sighs against his lips, then kisses his forehead, before stepping back and saying, “Let me introduce you to Chava the Wise.”
Alex attempts to smile warmly, wanting to make whoever Zeb is introducing him to feel welcome. He manages a greeting as he takes in the diminutive Lasat as he realizes just who he’s being introduced to. She leans towards him, using her staff for balance as she studies him.
“Yes, you’ll do nicely,” she decides. “I can see how happy you and Garazeb make each other.”
“Was it the enthusiastic making out that clued you in?” Sabine asks.
Zeb looks up, but doesn’t roll his eyes, as he is clearly trying not to bait Sabine in front of a respected elder. Alex feels his cheeks heat and he swallows his own protest. Chava ignores Sabine’s comment and starts down the landing pad.
“Where are these Guardians?” Chava inquires. “I have to let them know that we can share a Temple and you need to gather your wedding guests and your children and your friends that will stay with us need to gather their children.”
“They’ve agreed,” Alex reassures Zeb.
Zeb smiles at him. “All of them?”
“All of them,” Alex confirms, then amends. “Well, Crosshair is going with Wrecker and Rafa. He just agreed to be Trace’s younger brother. Should we stop her before she gets all the way down the landing platform?”
“Probably,” Zeb sighs. Zeb makes his way over to Chava quickly. “You could wait here. We could find a nice place for you to sit in the shade and we can bring everyone here.”
“If they are meant to find me they will,” Chava tells him with a teasing tone.
Alex moves to greet Sabine. She smiles at him, then comments, “Married life seems to suit you. Five kids.”
“Yeah,” Alex agrees. “I’ve got Zeb. We’ll figure it out together.”
Sabine makes a non-committal noise, before checking her comm. She grins. “I got a hold of Luke. He’s going to get Baze and Chirrut, those are the Guardians right?”
“Those are the Guardians,” Alex confirms.
“He’s going to get them and then head here.”
“Good plan,” Alex nods.
“She’ll love having someone who is eager for her stories,” Sabine reasons.
“What did she mean by a Temple?” Alex asks.
“She lives at a Temple?” Sabine clearly guesses. Then she shrugs. “Zeb picked me up after he got her. Apparently the Temple where she lives has a few Guardians of the Whills living there as well.”
Alex nods. Will Baze and Chirrut want to live with other Guardians instead of him and Zeb? The thought makes him sadder than he expects it too. Baze is a curious, but serious child, while Chirrut is constantly trying to learn about the world by asking both the questions he and Baze have.
“What did she mean by wedding guests?” Alex asks.
“Zeb and I tried to convince her it’d be easier for her to marry you two here, but apparently there is a sacred grove of trees where she conducts wedding and we need to get you, Rex, Rau, all the kids that are going, and anyone that needs to witness you two married, and get back there,” Sabine tells him.
“Chava’s going to marry us,” Alex realizes. “Zeb said he knew someone who’d want to marry us and he meant Chava.”
Sabine raises an eyebrow.
“She’s very important to his people,” Alex tries to explain. “She’s…”
“Do you need to sit down?” Sabine asks.
Alex shakes his head, then covers his mouth with his hand in an attempt to keep from laughing when takes in the scene part way up the landing platform. Chava is gesturing with her staff as she explains something to Zeb, who looks contrite.
“She and Chirrut are going to get along so well,” Alex realizes. Then he smiles as he sees Luke, Baze, and Chirrut making their way towards Chava.
After that it’s not difficult to gather everyone and decide on a departure time. Sana Starros shows up. She leaves her ship on the med frigate and offers to be the wedding guest that is only there for Alex.
“I’m not sure General Syndulla has forgiven me for that time my ex tied her up,” Sana confesses. “But Plourr can’t be there, she’s got a whole planet to run, Tolvan is keeping our exit off Endor organized, so clearly this falls to me. ”
“I don’t think Plourr’s people would handle her disappearing again well,” Alex agrees. “They get upset with her every time she takes off in an X-wing to help Rogue Squadron. Tolvan isn’t a fan of weddings. I don’t think Hera would hold a grudge against something your ex did.”
Sana rolls her eyes. “Have you met Aphra?”
“Thankfully no.”
Alex still isn’t sure how he and Sana have worked out a friendship, but the conversation between them is easy. He also likes the idea of a friend at his wedding that is only there to support him. He finds Draven next. A part of him is feeling guilty about leaving when there is still so much to do.
“There’s always going to be more work,” Draven reassures him. “Your priority is to keep those kids safe. I don’t think Andor ever had a childhood. I know we try with the kids that stay with our groups, but I don’t think Andor ever had one. It’ll be good for him to go to a place where there’s not this war to pressure him into contributing.”
“No pressure on me or Zeb?” Alex teases.
Draven considers him a moment, then huffs out a laugh and agrees, “No pressure.”
Alex shakes his head. "If you manage to get Kaytoo running Cassian should know."
"Considering the damage he sustained, that could take awhile," Draven counters. Then he sighs. "If we manage it, I'll ask Ahsoka to inform Cassian."
"He'd like that."
When they leave they take the Ghost and Ahsoka’s ship. It takes a moment to decide how to split up their groups. Cassian wants to spend as much time with Ahsoka as possible and they don’t want to separate Sinker and Bodhi. Eventually they decide that Alex, Zeb, and Rogue One minus Cassian will be on the Ghost with Chava, Sinker, Hera, Chopper, Jacen and Sana. Sabine, Rex, Rau, Cody, Bly, Stone, Cassian, and Wolffe will be traveling with Ahsoka. Only Hera, Chava, and Zeb are allowed in the cockpit. Jacen is pouting about it, but then he realizes he can show off the toys in his room to his new friends. Chopper is avoiding the cockpit unless he’s needed: he wants to avoid the need for a memory wipe. The grumpy astromech sets about cataloging the repairs he wants to do after this mission. They keep Sabine’s room locked. They don’t want to chance anyone accidently playing with her exploding paint. Jyn decides to sit in Sana’s lap, she’s got questions about Sana’s ship. Chirrut and Baze find Chava and the increasingly elaborate stories she’s weaving captivating. Bodhi snuggles up to Alex with Sinker and Alex wraps an arm around both of them. Zeb leans into him on his other side and Alex wraps an arm around him too.
The trip doesn’t take too long, but just long enough that each of the kids gets plenty of time playing in Jacen’s room and then a nap. Once they drop off to sleep Alex finds himself answering several pointed questions from Chava about his people’s wedding traditions.
Eventually Chava goes to the cockpit with Zeb. Zeb comes back several minutes later and rubs their cheeks together. “I almost can’t believe I finally get to show you this.”
Alex squeezes Zeb’s hand and then pulls him in for a brief kiss.
And then he’s trying to focus on keeping the kids together, as they walk to the vehicles that will take them to where they’re staying, so he doesn’t become overwhelmed. There are so many Lasats! Everywhere! Every time he glances at Zeb with wide eyes Zeb is just grinning at him. He’s helped Zeb find groups of Lasats in hiding so Zeb can offer them a safe place to be and this planet must be that place, but this is far more Lasats than they’ve found and the city they’ve landed on is established, old.
Jyn takes his hand. “Are you okay?”
“A little overwhelmed,” Alex admits.
“Good overwhelmed or bad overwhelmed?” Jyn attempts to clarify.
“Definitely good,” Alex smiles.
Jyn nods.
“Are you okay?” Alex asks.
Jyn frowns as she considers this, then she glances at Bodhi and Sinker. Alex squeezes Zeb’s hand and then indicates he’s going to step to the side with Jyn. Zeb nods and continues on with their group. Alex and Jyn step into a small alcove and he bends down so he can be at her level while they talk. She frowns and twists her necklace around fingers. Alex smiles at her, but doesn’t push. If she needs a moment to gather her thoughts he’s going to give it to her.
“I can understand the importance of hiding,” Jyn tells him. “My parents and Saw taught me that.”
Alex suddenly realizes he doesn’t know if any of them have talked to her about her father. She knows her mother is dead, but does she know about her father and Saw?
“Are we really not going to have to fight?” Jyn asks. “I know I’m supposed to be an adult, but I don’t remember. I do remember Saw teaching me to fight.”
“Part of the reason we’ve brought you here is to keep you safe in the hopes that you won’t have to fight,” Alex tells her. A busy concourse when they need to get to the vehicles that will take them to their new home isn’t the place to talk to her about her father.
“My parents didn’t want to fight. I don’t think they wanted me to have to either. And then Krennic came and I wanted to learn,” Jyn says. “I know my father is dead. I talked to Leia about him. I know Saw is dead too. He treated me like I was his daughter and I want to know…did he really hurt Bodhi?”
“It’s likely, we don’t know for sure.”
Jyn frowns, then nods. “Bodhi has bad nightmares about what happened to him.”
“He does,” Alex agrees. “What about you? Any nightmares?”
“Mostly my mom dying,” she confesses. Then she stares at her feet, twisting her necklace around and around her fingers, before she continues in a whisper. “Sometimes it’s that Saw doesn’t come for me and I’m stuck in my hiding place and no one comes and I’m all alone.”
“That sounds scary,” Alex comments, hoping he’s saying the right thing.
Jyn nods. “It is. I keep reminding myself that Saw did come and he kept me safe and he taught me to fight and that I ended up on Scarif and now I’m here and I’m hidden again and I’m safe. It’s just I don’t always feel safe.”
She looks up at him with worry on her face. Her fingers still. She huffs as if letting about a breath after holding onto this fear tightly.
Alex would suddenly like another conversation with Draven about the pressure of raising children. Instead he attempts to look reassuring as he tries to comfort her, “Sometimes the things we’ve been through leave scars and sometimes those scars aren’t always physical. There are mind healers here. Chava mostly knows the ones at the Temple, but there are others, and if you want we can take our time finding one you’re comfortable working with. Zeb and I want you to feel safe here. Yes, part of being here is to make sure you’re hidden, but this is also our new home and we want you to feel comfortable here, so if something is making you feel uncomfortable or unsafe we’re going to want you to let us know. Sound like a plan?”
Jyn nods. “Yes.”
Alex gives her another moment, in case there’s anything more that she wants to talk about, but she leans into him. He gives her a hug.
“I’m ready to go back with the others,” she tells him.
“Did you want to walk or do you want me to carry you?” Alex offers. His back won’t like him later, but he wants her to feel safe.
“I want to walk.”
He takes her hand and they find their way to where their group is piling into two vehicles. It’s a short drive through the city and then the next town over that’s near the Temple. They make their way down a secluded side street that’s on the edge of town. It’s lined with a few houses and they stop in front of two at the end. Alex almost wants to just stare, but he helps gather up the kids as they make their way to the side of the street. Zeb grins at him and wraps an arm around his waist.
There are two houses with a covered walkway connecting them. He can see a large yard behind them. Alex lets himself lean into Zeb as he stares. “I wasn’t expecting two houses.”
“I wasn’t either,” Zeb confesses. “Ours was nearly done. I’ve worked on it when I’ve made it out here, but then we needed room for the kids and I asked for help building an addition with rooms for them onto the back. We started that house for Rex and Rau. I did not expect it to be done.”
“The Temple got help,” Chava confesses. “It’s not every day an honor guardsman comes home.”
“Thank you,” Zeb says.
“You’re welcome,” Chava laughs. “I’m going to get a ride to the Temple. I’ll be here tomorrow so we can finish planning your wedding.”
Alex waits until Chava is walking away to draw Zeb into a kiss. Then he says, “This is the house we planned. I, thank you. I thought we were just…I didn’t expect to actually live to see it, so…”
He’s got tears in his eyes and he knows he needs to concentrate on getting the kids settled, but he needs this moment with his husband. Zeb cups his cheek and kisses him again. “I’m grateful we’re both here to see this. It wouldn’t be our home otherwise.”
“Are you going to get married?” Cody asks suddenly.
Rau makes a noise of surprise. Rex groans. Alex laughs. Zeb snorts and presses his forehead against Alex’s shoulder as he laughs too.
“They’re married and they’re getting married again,” Cody points out. “Why aren’t you getting married?”
“Cody,” Rex admonishes.
“What?” Cody demands as he glares at Rau. “Don’t you want to marry Rex?”
“Alex and Zeb getting remarried is so that they can include their customs into their ceremony,” Rex tries. “You can’t just demand that someone marry me. That’s something for Fenn and I to discuss privately.”
“He’s here,” Cody points out. “Helping you keep us safe.”
“I am,” Rau agrees. “So why don’t we table discussions of marriage and go pick out rooms. It’ll let us catalog what we’ve been gifted and what we might need.”
“I guess,” Cody grumbles.
They’re all tired and it’s starting to get dark. They decide on rooms for the night, several of the children are sharing until all their guests can clear out. It takes Alex a moment to convince Sinker and Bodhi that even though they’ll have their own rooms and their own beds no one minds if they want to bunk together during the night. They all understand that it makes both boys feel safer. Alex knows why it makes Bodhi feel safer and he’s hopeful they’ll find out if anything is troubling Sinker as well.
When he gets to his room Zeb is sitting on their berth. He’s unpacked most of their bags. The box that Plourr gave him is sitting on their dresser.
“I haven’t opened it yet,” Alex confesses as he changes into sleep clothes. “I wanted to wait until we could both look at them.”
“Do you want to look at them now?” Zeb asks.
He’d really like some alone time with his husband, but it’s going to be awhile before they manage that. Alex nods, then picks up the box and brings it to the bed. They sit next to each other as Alex opens the lid.
Zeb laughs, smiling widely as he lifts the larger one clearly meant for his head out. He turns it over in his hand, smiling softly. “This was really kind of her.”
Alex nods, leaning against Zeb as he takes in their marriage crowns. The silvery metal they’re made from has been shaped to look like interweaving branches, which given how scared trees are to Lasats make sense. There’s a teardrop shaped amethyst at the center of each crown. The purple doesn’t quite match Zeb’s and it will stand out nicely.
“The region I was born in is known for their work with amethyst,” Alex tells Zeb. He picks up his own crown, testing the weight of it and smiles down at the gemstone. “I haven’t thought about that in years.”
“Plourr put a lot of thought into these,” Zeb comments.
“She did.”
Zeb presses a kiss to the side of his head, then sets his crown back into the case, before taking Alex’s and putting it away too. He closes the case and sets it back on the dresser, then Zeb kisses him, straddling Alex’s hips and pushing him back against the bed.
“Kids,” Alex reminds between kisses. “Guests.”
“That’s why we’re just making out,” Zeb counters.
Alex snorts. He doesn’t believe they’ll stop at kissing, but he pulls Zeb closer. They’ve got a long day tomorrow, but for now he can enjoy his husband.
Chava shows up mid-morning with breakfast and two Guardians who knew both Baze and Chirrut. The Guardians take Baze and Chirrut out into the yard to talk while Chava discusses their ceremony with them. Alex keeps catching sight of them outside the window. He tries to pay attention to Chava even as he finds himself wondering if Baze and Chirrut will decide to stay with them or go live at the Temple.
“They’ll stay here,” Chava reassures. “Better to keep the group together and it gives us an excuse to visit.”
“That might not be what they want,” Alex points out.
“We’ll see,” Chava smiles. “Now, we’ll marry you this afternoon and then go back to the Temple for refreshments. Then your guests can spend one more night or choose to leave after their bellies are full, up to them.”
Once she’s reassured that they’re expecting an informal ceremony she gets ready to leave. The Guardians leave with her. Baze watches where Chirrut is standing by the door, then looks at them, then looks at Chirrut.
“We want to stay with you,” Baze says.
“They said we can take lessons at the Temple, but stay here or we could live there, but we want to stay here,” Chirrut agrees. “It’s where we’re supposed to be.”
“We’d love for you to stay,” Alex tells them as Zeb agrees.
“Great,” Chirrut enthuses. “Let's get you married.”
“Ah, we’re already married,” Zeb points out.
“Remarried,” Baze amends.
Sana is standing nearby. She covers her face with her hand. She shakes her head, obviously trying not to laugh, before saying, “Lets get everyone ready.”
It takes time to get everyone ready. Thankfully the Temple is providing transport. He’s going to have to start thinking about work and how they’re going to live here, Alex realizes, beyond just keeping the kids safe and providing a safe environment for them. They’ve got so much planning to do. He squeezes Zeb’s hand and smiles at his husband. Zeb’s wearing a dress uniform for the honor guardsman. He’s already been welcomed into their ranks. He looks good in the creamy white with silver trim uniform. Hera and Sabine had put Zeb’s crown on for him. Alex slides one hand over his suit. It’s the best outfit he has. The weight of the crown Ahsoka and Sana had put on his head is reassuring.
When they get to the park they take a short path to the tree grove where most marriages take place. Chava is already waiting for them, a large grin on her face. He and Zeb stop in front of Chava and take each other's hands. Their friends and children form a circle around them framed by the large trees at their back. Chava raises her staff and begins the ceremony, talking about how marriage and love bring light to the universe.
Alex smiles at Zeb. There’s so many responsibilities to think about and to plan for, but here in this moment he’s grateful that he gets to do so with his husband.
Chapters: [1] [2] [3] [4]