Not eating was surprisingly not one of the worst ideas that Anakin had, but it was most certainly one of the hardest to carry out through. He was kriffing staving. All the time. It had only been two days and already he was begging Obi-Wan to eat something. He felt like his stomach was collapsing. He had no idea how Obi-Wan had done it for this long. Anakin just wanted something to eat.
"Obi-Wan, please. Eat something."
"Anakin, you can get something to eat, you hardly need my approval."
"I won't eat until you eat. But I'm hungry…." Anakin whined. There was no way he was going back on his promise, of course, but he wasn't going to let Obi-Wan think he was happy about it.
Obi-Wan's sighed. "Anakin, I – I am trying. I just….what if I get sick again?"
"You ate an entire chocolate cake, I would have been sick. You aren't going to be sick eating something smaller."
"Perhaps later, Anakin." Anakin looked disappointed but didn't push it.
Obi-Wan felt miserable. There was no reason that Anakin should suffer over his choices. "Anakin, please, you do not have to do this."
"Neither do you."
"Anakin, I hate to see you like this."
"You mean seeing me the same way I see you?"
"You don't have the extra weight to lose."
"Neither do you!"
"I'm overweight, Anakin."
Anakin grabbed Obi-Wan roughly by the shoulders. "No you aren't! You haven't been in months! Look," he wrapped his fingers around Obi-Wan's wrist, "you know this isn't healthy. You wrist is like a child's! Obi-Wan, tell me you can see why this is scaring me?"
"If it scares you, why inflict it upon yourself?"
"To show you how dangerous it is! If you want to starve yourself to death, fine. But I'm not going to let you die alone."
Obi-Wan looked incredulously at him. "You're willing to die for me?"
"It wouldn't be the first time."
"But that's on missions, Anakin. This is different."
"I would die protecting you on missions, why not die to protect you from yourself?"
Obi-Wan was speechless. He had no words for that amount of loyalty. He had no idea what he did to deserve that amount of loyalty. There was nothing that special about him that would lead Anakin to so blindly tie his life with Obi-Wan's. Obi-Wan might be reckless with his own life, but he was not going to jeopardize Anakin's. He tried to imagine Anakin in another few weeks, looking as Obi-Wan did now. Anakin's already thin frame looking gaunt and sickly…he would be watching Anakin wither away because hewas too stubborn to simply eat something?
Obi-Wan felt his vision start to blur and he started slowly sinking to the ground. Anakin caught him easily. He hoisted Obi-Wan carefully into his arms and despite his weak protests, walked him down to the Healer's Ward.
As soon as Obi-Wan was situated, Anakin expected Vokara Che's tirade against him. After all, he had promised to help Obi-Wan and clearly that hadn't worked out if he was once again carrying a still dreadfully light Jedi Master through the halls.
Vokara Che, however, seemed extremely pleased. "You seem to be doing well, Skywalker."
"I – what? Really?"
She eyed him. "You have gotten him to eat more, haven't you?"
"Well, yes, but not…not the past few days. I mean, I've been forcing more protein cubes on him, but not much solid food."
"That is to be expected. He has all the symptoms of the beginning of acute viral nasopharyngitis. It would not have helped his appetite."
Anakin started freaking out. "Is that dangerous? I did my best to clean…is there something I can do? Is he going to be okay? Can – "
"– Skywalker!"
" – does he need medicine or anything? What do I have to do? Can I take him back to our quarters? He hates being in the Healer's Ward and I promised him I wouldn't bring him back, but – "
Vokara Che slapped him on the back of the head. "Skywalker! He has the common cold."
"Oh."
"You may take him back to his quarters. I have told the Council to continue to keep you both out of the field. Master Kenobi is still in no condition and I believe you are still his best chance at recovery. The cold should only last a week or so. Make sure he stays hydrated. He is not going to want solid foods with his sore throat. The nasal congestion is going to prevent him from tasting anything, so I am going to recommend some nutrient shakes. They taste awful, but should help him."
Anakin nodded.
"He is still in danger, Skywalker. Once he recovers from this virus, he needs to start eating. We should be thankful it is only a cold. Anything more severe and I do not think he would recover."
Obi-Wan hobbled into the room. "I am not as near to my death bed as you may think."
"I would disagree with you, Master Kenobi."
He raised an eyebrow. "Did Master Skywalker inform you of his plan to also stop eating?"
Vokara Che turned angrily around to face Anakin, arm raised. Anakin jumped back. "No need to hit me again."
"Are you an idiot? What are you thinking?!"
"I told him that I would eat anything he did. If I don't eat, that isn't my choice any longer."
Vokara Che paused to think about that one. It was stupid and reckless…but that was the typical style of Anakin Skywalker. He knew Obi-Wan Kenobi the best and was the best hope to pull him back from the dangerous ledge he was teetering on.
"Then I expect you to drink the nutrient shakes as well. And I hope both of you know what you are doing. It would be a shame to lose two of the finest Jedi in the Temple."
Anakin grinned. "I knew you secretly loved me."
She glared at him. Obi-Wan did as well. Anakin raised his hands in defeat and walked out. "Fine, fine. I'll be back in my room."
"Master Che, I will do my best to take care of Anakin."
"Yes, well see that you also let him watch out for you. He is going to sink or swim with you. I suggest you just let him keep you afloat."
Obi-Wan merely nodded.
