Zinea

Part 6 - The Snowdrift

Please note: This part switches perspectives about halfway through.
When we woke up, the wind had died down and sun was peeking out over the horizon. My head was on Kallus' chest and my leg was wrapped around his good one, and I quickly bolted away when I realized.
"Sorry! I'm so sorry. This is really awkward." I could pretty much feel my face turning orange with embarrassment. I could tell he was embarrassed, too.
Kallus rubbed the back of his neck. "No, it's all right. I didn't... really... mind all that much." He wouldn't make eye contact with me. I shivered again. Even though it was light out and the wind had stopped, it was cold. The meteorite had crusted over and was losing heat. I felt something drape over me and turned.
Kallus had taken off his armor and placed his outer jacket on me, leaving him in just his long sleeved shirt. He quickly put his armor back on and pulled me close to him, again.
"What-" I started, before he cut me off.
"I'm repaying the favor and keeping you warm. Don't read too much into it." He still wouldn't look at me, and his emotions were in so many different places that I stopped trying to understand them.
The sound of an engine approached us, though we could see nothing, yet.
"That's a ship," Kallus remarked.
"Yeah, but whose?"
A shadow flew over the ground in front of us before we looked up and saw the Ghost land a bit in the distance.
"Ah. Looks like your friends did find you."
"Like I said they would. You know, we will treat you fairly. You did help save my life."
Kallus chuckled. "I'll take my chances with the Empire."
"Then I suppose you'll be needing this back." I took off his jacket, then mine underneath. "And take this, too. I have others."
"Thank you, Nea." He took the jackets and layered them on. Before I knew what I was doing, I stood on my tip toes and kissed him on the cheek.
"Thank you, Alexandr." I turned and ran to the Ghost before I could blush orange in front of him.
-Kallus-
"Thank you, Nea." I put on the jackets, layering hers underneath. I was so focused on clasping them shut that I didn't notice her lean in until I felt a kiss on my cheek. I froze, my eyes wide.
"Thank you, Alexandr." She turned and ran to the Ghost with a little bit of orange creeping onto her face. I felt myself turn red, then quickly gathered my wits and hid behind the edge of the snow wall.
"Nea!" I could hear a chorus of her name called out as she ran to the ramp of the ship.
"Told you she'd be fine! That's my girl," Kanan Jarris exclaimed before rubbing his hand against her lekku, like he was messing up her hair.
"Knock it off!" She slapped his hand away, laughing.
"We picked up your beacon. We were so worried!" Hera Sindula said from behind him.
"It wasn't so bad," she glanced back at me. "I had some unexpected help. I knew you'd find me eventually."
"Yeah, all right, come on, Nea. It's uh- It's pretty cold out here," Ezra Bridger complained, already heading back into the ship. "Hey, what happened to your jacket?"
"Long story. Uh, Zeb? Mind if we talk in private?" I could hear Nea say as the hatch closed behind her.
I stepped out from hiding to watch the Ghost leave, then hunkered back down with the meteorite.
A while later, an imperial shuttle flew down to collect me. It was just a pilot and one trooper on board, and I quickly took a seat in from the cold. On the trip back to the destroyer, I untaped the bo-rifle from my leg. Any show of weakness would be exploited.
The shuttle landed and I limped through the halls to drop off my belongings and freshen up in my quarters before summoning the med droid. On the way, I ran into a familiar face.
"Admiral Konstantine," I greeted him.
The man didn't even glance up from his tablet. "Agent Kallus." He turned and walked down a different corridor. My face scrunched up. I hadn't even realized how cold everyone was here. That was just the way things were.
When I entered my empty chambers, I limped over to my bunk and sat down upon it. Nothing in here showed signs of life. The meteorite in my hand grew warmer for a moment, drawing my attention to it. Raising my hand, I placed it on the ledge next to my bunk. My first meaningful momento.
I pulled off the jackets, carefully folding Nea's and placing it in the bottom of my chest. A second.