Unexpected

chapter six: blossom

It's been about two weeks since Elara snuck into the barracks. Since then, she's made visits in that sector quite often to spend some quality time with her favorite soldier—and usually some of his brothers. She's come to feel like a part of their little family in a way.

Elara is extremely grateful for the friendship she's found in Jesse especially, because now she at least has a worthy sabaac opponent. Kix is clearly the most mature of them all and Dogma seems like the annoying little brother, but she loves them all nonetheless. Well, almost all.

"You're here again?" Fives groans as he returns from the shooting range.

"Of course I am, I live here." Jesse responds to a question that very clearly wasn't aimed towards him, causing Fives to roll his eyes.

Elara ignores him as he walks by, keeping her attention on Echo as he reads to her.

"Hey man what's your deal? A hot babe wants to slum it in our bunks and you're cranky about it?" Hardcase asks Fives.

"Hardcase." Echo glares at him.

Hardcase chuckles. "Just being honest."

Echo shakes his head as he glances at Elara, who also seems to be chuckling.

"Yeah Echo, if you're not gonna take your chance with her at least let Hardcase." Tup speaks up.

Elara turns to look at her group of friends with a raised eyebrow. "Please, I'd eat Hardcase alive." She joins in on the banter.

Moments like this aren't rare with these boys, they find amusement in the harmless teasing—though Echo isn't too fond of when Elara gets involved.

"I like the sound of that." Hardcase smirks as he jumps off of his bunk.

As he steps closer to Elara, Echo stands from his bunk to block him. "Wanna get something to eat?" He asks Elara, who smiles.

She stands and he wraps an arm around her shoulder as he leads her out of the room.

"Ah Echo you're no fun." Hardcase yells. Echo just flips him off, earning a hearty laugh from the others.

The two friends arrive in the mess hall shortly after leaving the barracks. Not having to sneak around anymore makes this a whole lot easier. Elara spoke to Padmé of the situation and she was able to assign her there to observe the training of the clones. At least that's what the Senate thinks is going on.

"What's up with you lately?" Elara asks as they sit to eat their tasteless food.

It hasn't gone unnoticed that Echo's been extremely possessive of her these past few days.

"Hmm?" Echo hums, avoiding her gaze.

"Echo." She puts her fork down. "Talk to me."

He sighs and looks up at her, once again meeting those icy blue eyes. "My legion.." Echo trails. "We ship out for Ryloth tonight."

Elara's eyes widen. She knew they'd have to get back into the action sooner or later, she just hoped it was later... Much later. "Tonight?" She asks and he looks down. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I'm sorry, I just.." Echo sighs. "I didn't want to upset you."

She shakes her head as she looks away from him.

"And I'm sorry if I've been acting strange, I just wanted some time with my best friend until running into the unknowns of war." He places his hand on hers.

Echo would admit he feels something stronger than purely friendship towards his friend, but he has no urge to act on it. If anything, it feels to Echo that she's more family than anything else.