Unexpected

chapter eighteen: secrets

"How long does it take to get a mop?" Dogma asks, annoyed with all of his brothers at this point. He hadn't even known about their trip to Mandalore, yet here he is suffering the same punishment just because they're his squad.

"Do you think Ellie killed him?" Jesse laughs.

Hardcase tosses his rag into the bucket of warm water and soap. "I don't know.. Those two seemed pretty cozy in the medbay. Right Kix?"

Kix ignores Hardcase, still angry about what he'd started in the medbay.

"Cozy?" Tup asks, wringing out his rag. "Those two are always at one another's throats."

The doors of the mess hall swing open and Elara walks in with the mop as Fives holds a broom.

"There's no way Zak just gave it to you." Elara laughs.

"Okay, maybe he didn't give it to me." Fives chuckles as they discuss his borrowed officer uniform.

The others exchange a few confused looks at the sight of Elara and Fives laughing together.

"Finally!" Dogma groans. "Captain Rex will be here in an hour, if the floors aren't shining he'll-"

"They'll be so clean you could eat off of them." Elara assures Dogma, who huffs in response as he continues cleaning tables.

She grabs the broom from Fives as she sets the mop down and quickly starts sweeping the floor for any loose crumbs or dirt. Fives wheels the mop over to the line to fill the bucket with soap and water.

"Hey." Echo stands beside his brother.

"Hey Ec." Fives smiles.

"I never realized how much time it takes to actually clean up." Echo stifles a laugh. "99 sure was the strongest of us to be able to do this all on his own."

Fives sighs. "99 really was the best of us."

After a brief silence, Echo speaks again. "You and Ellie seem... Friendly." He points. "When did that happen? Last night she seemed like she hated you."

Fives shrugs. "Her and I talked after Rex calmed her down. We worked it all out."

"So you guys are really friends?" Echo asks excitedly and Fives nods. "I knew it! I knew you two would like eachother if you just tried."

Fives spills some of the water as Echo's last sentence reaches his ears. "Like eachother?" He laughs nervously. "I'd hardly say I see her like that."

"What?" Echo furrows his eyebrows. A moment passes and Echo's eyes widen as he laughs. "No! No, no. Not like that." He continues to laugh. "I meant as friends."

Fives swallows his nerves as he wheels the mop bucket back over to where the others are.

"But really, you don't think she's cute?" Echo nudges his brother.

Fives glances across the room, at the girl he was just kissing in the supply closet. He watches the way Elara's hips move as she maneuvers the broom in her hands while she sweeps.

"FINALLY." Hardcase groans, interrupting the conversation before Fives has the chance to respond. "All the tables are done." He throws his rag down.

"Well the floor still isn't even halfway done." Tup sighs.

Fives rolls his eyes and begins mopping the areas that Elara already swept. The six brothers take a seat at one of the tables to wait, not having anything else to do.

"Break time?" Elara teases the group of them as she finishes sweeping.

"Just waiting on you, Princess." Hardcase winks.