[Video]

[k2so]

[When K-2SO show in the screen he's holding a giant white egg, head tilted. He has no proper features to show concern or confusion but his body language should be enough to give that away. In his shoulders, where the Empire emblem used to be, a bright orange Starbird can be seen instead.]

This thing showed up in the living-room, next to my recharge station. It also had a card with my name on it. I put it in the fridge but a few minutes later it when back to the living room, somehow.

Is this is how storks and babies work for humans? Because I think there's been a grave misunderstanding.

Comments

[captain_by_the_book]

[Cassian gives a little shake of his head and lifts Fest from his lap, depositing her next to him on the couch.]

Don't worry about it, I've got leftovers to warm up. I was just...

[He shrugs, trailing off awkwardly. So he is kind of bad at taking proper care of himself.]

If you promise you won't set my kitchen on fire you may help me.

[k2so]

[Kay fights the urge to roll his optics. Typical Cassian, why was he expecting anything different.]

Oh right, when you have to cook is your kitchen but when strange maybe-bombs-maybe-dragons-eggs show up then it's my weird flat. I see how it is.

[He sounds amused rather than annoyed, so that would be a yes. He wants to help.]

[captain_by_the_book]

[Cassian gives him a little grin, more a friendly crinkle of his eyes than movement of his lips.]

It's my kitchen and your bombs... or dragons. Seems like we have got it split up well.

[He moves to the kitchen, grabbing yesterday's pot of soup from the fridge. With that on the stove he starts to get more vegetables from the fridge.]

You can help me with the salad. You get to play with knives.

[k2so]

[Kay snorts but nods in agreement. His fingers brush Fest in a light petting when he walks past the couch and into the kitchen.]

Ohhhh...nice. [Handling weapons he enjoys, even if they're short knives. Combat programming and all. Kay moves to the kitchen's sink first to clean his hands and it's only then when he realizes how much dirt there is in his whole frame.

Before they arrived at the city they were always on missions and he didn't play it too much mind. The Yavin IV's temples were also covered in sand or mud but here in the clean flat his stained and battered frame seems even more obvious.] Hm.

[captain_by_the_book]

[Cassian watches him wash his hands from the corner of his eyes, then looks at his arms and chest.]

You're pretty dirty, aren't you? I feel like a good scrubbing all over might do you good.

[And he's just going to pretend that this shouldn't have been his duty. But hey, he doesn't see Kay like that, so while droid maintenance is the duty of a droid owner, it's not his duty, right?]

[k2so]

I don't even remember the last time I got one. Actually, did we ever do that? [The water is running clear now, unlike a few minutes ago, but Kay's arms and whole chest still could use some cleaning.]

I don't think there are any places in the city that offer oil baths, though.

[captain_by_the_book]

I suppose not. [He swipes a still-wet finger over Kay's back just below the antennas and holds it up for inspection. His finger pad comes away grimy.] But you do need a proper bath, and more than water at that. We'll figure out where, there are no droid spas as far as I know but maybe we can arrange something in Nova City. They should be more familiar with the needs of droids over there.

[He gives the soup a quick glance, it's not cooking yet, so he gets started on cleaning the salad.]

I don't think I've ever helped you with proper in-depth cleaning. I should have, huh?

[k2so]

It looks that bad? [Kay turns his head to watch Cassian by the corner of his optics, a little bit more than a human neck would be able to twist.] It's worth going to the city and asking around.

[A moment later the droid shifts his shoulders, which is Kay's version of a small shrug.]

I did not help you shower either. But if you want to start now...[He waves a hand towards Cassian's face, and since Kay was washing them, the gesture throws droplets of water towards him.

Don't you start feeling guilty for such thing, Cassian. He can see you feeling blue from a mile away.]

[captain_by_the_book]

[Cassian closes his eyes against the water droplets coming his way. They sprinkle on his face, and his dark eyes soften in faint amusement.]

No, you didn't help me shower... and I'd really appreciate if you keep not doing that. I like some measure of privacy.

[And Kay might as well, though there's no getting naked involved for him. So... He takes the cleaned vegetables to the counter and holds up a knife for Kay.]

Chop the tomatoes for me? I'll help you clean up, but only if you want me to. If you'd rather do it on your own or stick to the spa people that's fine as well.

[k2so]

I don't think the refresher is big enough for the both of us, you can bathe in peace.

[Now that Cassian isn't showing signs of possible distress, Kay relaxes as well and grabs the knife.]

That I can do. [He's very careful as he grab the red fruit, trying not to apply enough pressure and ruin it before he can cut it.] I don't want any stranger going near my circuits.

[He's sure the spa staff are professionals but he's wary of people accidentally messing with his frame or programming in some way. It's Cassian or no one. ] But I'll appreciate your help, there's some parts I can not reach on my own.

[captain_by_the_book]

[He keeps his hands busy with mixing the salad dressing, but while he does that his eyes keep returning to Kay's frame.]

That's decided then, I'll help you clean up. I'm sure the people at the spa won't mind.

[There's a hard undertone to his voice, the one that implies they won't mind anymore once he's done arguing with them.]

I wouldn't want any stranger near your circuits either, if that makes you feel any better. Your programming's just fine as it is... let's not let any adventurous hobby programmers near it.

[He places the bowl in front of Kay.]

Squeeze me some lemon juice into the dressing while I check on the soup.

[k2so]

[It's not only dirty but pretty battered from years of fighting, if he were human he would be covered in scars. A bath and some relaxing time would do them both wonders.]

Thank you, Cassian. [Yes, he gets the implications of Cassian's tone, which is why he's thanking him for it.] It does. Make me feel better, I mean.

[He grabs a fresh lemon to cut it and squeeze it as Cassian's asked, It keep Kay from looking at the camptain.] Back in our world a lot of people looked at me expecting my programming to screw up or reset to Imperial directives. No one does it here, like you never seemed on edge back home because of it. I like it.

[He knows Cassian might have worried and wondered about it still but he still showed trust in him. It mattered a lot to Kay.]

[captain_by_the_book]

[Cassian puts the soup ladle down again and looks thoughtfully at Kay. This is turning a little bit more solemn again than he had been braced for.]

My superiors had good reason to be worried, and deny you the right to bear arms. But I'm not them. I don't have to be concerned with the safety of the Rebel Alliance as a whole.

[He moves from the stove back to the counter, and takes the salad bowl back from Kay, starts scooping the chopped food into it. It's easier to talk when your hands are busy.]

I only concerned myself with my safety... and I decided that for me, having you at my side was worth the risk.

[k2so]

[Kay disposes of the expend lemon, tilting his head at Cassian. The solemnity it's not intentional, Kay as always blurt out what was on his mind.]

They do but I am more efficient when I am armed. [Since Cassian isn't looking, Kay can steal a few glances at him without being too obvious. He let's the word sink in. While he always knew that Cassian might worry about his programming rebooting, it's touching to have proofs that he stays with Kay despise of it. ]

That's...unwise. And I thank you for it.

[captain_by_the_book]

I often do unwise things... somehow they keep piling up when we are together.

[But he has absolutely no regrets. Trusting Kay is one of the best choices he's made in his life. He only wishes that he didn't feel too awkward, and could say so to Kay. As it is, he just has to hope that he knows.

He stuffs a forkful of salad into his mouth and chews thoughtfully, nods. Yes, it's good.]

You know, you could carry a blaster here. There are no rebel generals around.

[k2so]

You drag me to do them with you too.

[Not a complain, mind you, if the light tone in Kay's voice is any indication. He finds a nearby seat so he's not towering over Cassian as he eats. His optics glance at the eggs and the cat, they all look peaceful, and quickly return to his friend.]

There's also no war here and so far no one had tried to shoot me. It's fine if I don't have one.

[captain_by_the_book]

But if you want to... I won't oppose it.

[The danger of it remains, but... He stabs his salad with a little bit more force than is strictly necessary.]

I'm not frightened of the consequences. So... it's your choice. If you choose to, go ahead. No saying what comes out of these eggs, or what the next thing this place throws at us is... and if you don't want a blaster, you could figure out what kind of weapon deals with the creatures from here. These magic... things.

[k2so]

[Kay is silent for a moment, pondering about it while he stares at the general direction of Cassian's salad.] Perhaps a small one? In case you get in trouble and need back up.

Funny that you mentioned magic...I wanted to bring up an issue, uhm...[Okay how to say this without making Cassian freak out?] I think we could implement the security of our flat with magic wards.

[Yes, that came out great. Better than 'there's magic people who can get into our safe place at any moment, we gotta do something.]

[captain_by_the_book]

[ Better, yes, and he appreciates the discretion, but... He's also very aware of how defenseless they are against magic, and doesn't need it spelled out. ]

So that what? That we aren't sitting ducks anymore for people who won't be stopped by technology?

[ Cassian busies himself with the soup and salad for a moment, but food can't comfort here. ]

We have to do it. Whatever we can do. I don't... I don't even know where to start.

[k2so]

[This is why Kay is worrying enough for both of them.]

Oh but I DO know what to do about it. Tanussen's partner has a magic show and I talked to him. There's different way to make out home as safe as it can get with magic and the safeguards could only be deactivated by our voices or touch. I wanted to ask you first if you would like that.

[Kay tilts his head, staring at the salad.] I think it's already dead, Cassian.

[captain_by_the_book]

Oh.

[He looks down at his mauled dinner, and gives Kay a chagrined look.]

Right. I... [He fakes a cough.] If you think his magic protections are worth their money, then yes. Of course. Whatever makes us safer is welcome to me. I trust you to take care of that. You've been here longer than me, and have a better grasp on this place's magic.

[k2so]

[Kay waves a hand upon seeing the look, as if to say it's ok.]

They can't hurt, that for sure, and I trust the man who can sell them to us by association to someone I know better than him. They're partners too, although some more close than you and I.

[The dating sort of partners, he means.]

[captain_by_the_book]

More close than...? [Cassian slowly lowers his spoon as realization sinks in.] Oh. That kind of partners.

[Heh. Yes. He doesn't quite know what to say to that, so he goes back to his soup and salad.]

But yes, get the protections. We can afford it, it's not like we buy a lot of luxuries. [Or any, ever.]

[k2so]

[He doesn't have to say anything, Kay was only pointing out to reassure Cassian that they were trustworthy. But the man's reaction, or lack of it, makes him wonder about Cassian's personal life.]

Tomorrow in the morning I'll go get them. [Kay taps his fingers on the table for a moment, absently, before he ask;] Do you miss that other kind of partnership?

[captain_by_the_book]

[Cassian looks up, peering at Kay from underneath his eyelashes. He finally sits down, this is turning into the kind of conversation that you need to sit for.]

Kay... you can't miss anything you didn't get to have.

[Except he's seeing all kinds of people move on to have normal lives in this place, regardless what lives they'd had before. He really doesn't know how to feel about that.]

That kind of partnership... that didn't have a place in my life. You know that.