He saw her the blue of her back disappear into the depth of the forest away from the camp.
Satisfied that all his brothers were settled for the night, he decided to follow her, unsure of what he would find.
Whatever he was expecting, it wasn't to find her leant agaist a tree with her figure facing away from him and her posture slumped forward. It was a startling contrast to the companding stance she usually displayed.
"General Secura?" He asked, unsure of what else to do. At the sound of his voice she turned to face him to reveal that her large brown eyes were glazed with unshed tears.
"I'm sorry." She said, trying to keep her voice steady as she looked away in shame. "I... I don't want them to see me like this. We... we lost a lot of men today and..."
"I know." Bly sighed because he did. He knew how it hurt to be the pillar of strength the men needed to see him as whilst inside he was braking. "We lost Zell and Greenie and Cog and Drew..."
He voice cracked as he failed to hold back tears and he felt his posture melt out of controlled stance with every name. "And Xander and Wire-"
"And Shadow and Tapper." Aayla finished, her tone as heavy as his. Instinctively he reached out to place a comforting hand in her shoulder. But was saddened and confused when she turned away from his gesture.
"This is why the Council discourage attachment." She continued, avoiding his gaze as she tryied to control the brokenness inside her. "Because it makes it harder for one to focus on doing what is right."
Knowing the pain she was feeling and hating that she was trying to convince herself to think like that, he spoke.
"If I may speak freely General, but mourning the loss of your men isn't about attachment. It's caring about people because you value their lives."
He couldn't read the expression that came across her face at his words. He felt his heart quicken with anxiety as she counties to stare at him for a long time.
"I'm sorry. I overstepped, I-"
"No. No you didn't." Aayla reassured him, her tone firm. "And you were right. As a Jedi it is my duty to be compassionate, and it is an honour to show compassion to these men who have sacrificed so much for the good of others."
"General, if you ever need..."
He trailed off, not needing to explain what he was taking about. The gentle smile she sent him in return spread a warmth inside him.
"Likewise."
They started to head Back to camp when she suddenly and turned to lock him with a kind yet hard look.
"And Bly, you always have permission to speak freely."
As before he continued to protect her back.
But now instead of just doing so out of his duty to his general and the victory of the Republic, he did it because he wanted to.
Because he respected her.
Because she deserved to be protected.
Because she was his friend.
To Akira Hayama: I really like these characters so yeah it sucks that there aren't a lot of stories about them. It would be cool if we got to see them in the new season of clone wars but I doubt it. It makes me so happy to hear you're enjoying the chapters!! Sorry they're kinda short! To make up for it I hope to upload two chapters a day until I've finished. Xxxxxxxxx