Chapter Text
"Shame Zeb couldn't join us for the night." Hera mused as the Ghost crew - minus said person - ambled their way back to the Ghost ship. Yavin 4 may not boast about its vibrant nightlife, but the rebels really do know how to party, especially with a crate full of stolen Imperial-certified alcohol.
Really, it was too bad Zeb decided to skip it altogether and head back to the Ghost for a well earned nap. Not that Ezra thought he could sleep with the buzzing underneath his skin. The impromptu party was a good send-off before the mission in the morning, and Ezra found it hard to fight off the good mood as he raced up the ramp.
"Hey, don't wake up Zeb." Kanan called out behind him, missing the point. He followed Ezra at a more leisurely pace, just in time to bump into his frozen back. "What's the hold-up Ezra-?"
"Um," Kallus said, cheeks pinking. "Hello?"
No-one greeted him back - they were probably too busy gaping at him and his half-dressed states, including hastily combed back hair and a shirt that was a few sizes too big. It didn't help that Zeb followed a moment later, who froze behind him. "Karabast." He muttered.
Ezra was the first one to break the silence. "Seriously? In my room?"
"It's my room too kid." Zeb growled at him, then sheepishly scratched the back of his had. "We weren't expectin' you guys to be back for a while."
"We decided to cut drinking night early, get a good rest for the mission tomorrow." Sabine answered lightly.
Kallus took in the stunned faces and sighed. "Well, don't let me keep you from your beds. Sabine. Captain Hera." And then because his politeness deemed it so and most likely because he might as well keep going, "Kanan. Chopper. Jabba. I'll see you in the morning Garazeb."
Keeping his head held up, he tried to make his way out but Hera stopped him with a light touch on his elbow. "We're not kicking you out, Kallus."
"We're not?" Ezra said, followed by an 'Ow!' when Chopper rolled over his foot menacingly, beeping all the while.
Hera continued like she hadn't heard that comment. "Zeb clearly invited you here so, I'm going to go on with my business, and by my business, I mean I'm going to bed. That applies for the rest of you lot."
"But Kallus is in my room!" Ezra protested.
"Then you can room with me for now Ezra." Kanan replied, laying a firm hand on Ezra's shoulder. "C'mon, let's get some sleep."
Ezra muttered "As long as we don't have to meditate." as he let himself be pushed by Kanan. When they passed by Zeb and Kallus, Esra punched Zeb's arm lightly, then, after a moment of hesitation, he nudged Kallus' arm too. "Nighto guys."
Kallus stared, wide-eyed, as they left. Sabine passed by as well, nodding at the two, before Hera and Chopper walked up to them. "Welcome aboard Kallus." She said warmly. "And by the way? It's just Hera.” Then she left without waiting for a reply.
At long last, Kallus turned to a still stunned Zeb. “I feel as if I’ve been introduced to your family all over again.”
“Yeah,” Zeb said, “Better get used to it.”
Besides, he had a feeling they were all going to grill him at a later time, but that’s for future Zeb.