The training room was empty, just as Steve liked it. All the other initiates were still at supper, but he had eaten quickly and slipped away to come here. He needed the practice.

A training lightsaber in hand, he activated several droids and set the difficulty as high as possible. There was no point in making it easy on himself. He would never improve without a challenge. He dropped into a crouch as the droids circled, his blade held up before himself, its soft blue glow reassuring.

They all rushed him at once, from all sides, and he spun wildly, his saber sweeping out around him. A satisfying shiver ran up his arms as he connected with one, but his elation was short-lived as the rest converged on him, knocking him to the mat face first. His right arm and saber had gotten trapped beneath him, so he used that arm to push himself and roll over onto his back. Saber arm now free, he grimly defended himself.

He managed to keep them back at first, but it took all his concentration, not sparing any for getting back up to his feet. So he stayed down, struggling to breathe. His lungs always felt compressed when he lay flat on his back. The healers were working on it, but he still needed to be propped up on several pillows before he could sleep at night.

Lack of oxygen slowed his movements and the droids moved in as if sensing his distress. Panic closed in, and he tried to remind himself that this was merely a training session, but his stupid lungs wouldn't listen. Darkness crept in from the edges of his vision and spots danced erratically before his eyes.

He now held the training saber in both hands, yet one of the droids reached out a metal arm and easily knocked it out of his grip. He heard it clatter on the floor somewhere to his right and he raised his fists, determined to go down fighting.

The blue blade reappeared above him, sweeping through the droids, sending them flying. Then a figure loomed over him, a familiar expression of long-suffering gracing his face. Bucky reached a hand out to pull Steve to his feet. "Sometimes I think you like getting hit."

Steve accepted the help, gasping for air as he got his feet under him again. "I had them on the run," he wheezed.

Bucky rolled his eyes. "Sure you did." He threw his arm around Steve's shoulders companiably, but Steve didn't miss that he was also helping him walk. Torn between gratitude and injured pride, Steve almost pushed away, insisting he could walk on his own… but he couldn't. Perhaps such a high difficulty setting on the droids hadn't been a good idea after all. Bucky eyed him with worry. "If you keep this up, you're gonna undo all the healers have done for you."

Steve rolled his eyes. "I know. I know. No knight will take me on as padawan if I can't breathe." He shook his head. "The thing is, no knight will take me on as padawan if I can't fight either."

Bucky squeezed his shoulder. "Speaking of…" He trailed off, but his excitement glowed through the Force, nearly blinding.

Steve stopped and jerked around to face him. "Did you get chosen?" Bucky nodded, and Steve grabbed his shoulders, a grin spreading across his face. "That's wonderful! Who?"

An answering grin spread across Bucky's face, his eyes lighting up. "Master Phillips." He sobered. "We leave for Chandrila tomorrow."

Steve stepped back, his hands falling to his sides. He nodded, unable to maintain his smile. He was happy for his friend, but selfishly wished he was going with him. Maybe this was good, though. Their teachers had never approved of the close friendship between the two boys; attachment, after all, was forbidden for Jedi. Time apart would allow them to learn how to let go of that attachment.

Bucky threw his arm around Steve's shoulders again, propelling him along the vaulted hallway. "By the time I get back, you'll have a master too. You'll see."

Steve shrugged, his eyes on his booted toes. "'Course I will." He didn't really believe it, though. "Or, the Service Corps isn't so bad."

"Hey, Steve." Bucky stopped and turned the smaller boy to face him. With his hands on Steve's shoulders, he looked him in the eye. "The knights and masters who don't want you—they're idiots. And there are many important jobs in the Service Corps. You'll be okay."

Steve nodding, looking down at his boots again. "Yeah."

Bucky shook him gently. "Don't anything else stupid until I get back."

Steve couldn't help grinning, raising his eyes again to Bucky's. "How can I? You're taking all the stupid with you."

Bucky snorted. "Peedunkey."

"Koochoo." Steve shook his head, tears stinging the backs of his eyes. "Be careful."

A/N: Peedunkey is Huttese for punk, and koochoo is Huttese for idiot.