AUTHORS NOTE: This is for the guest who commented asking for an update less than an hour ago :) Enjoy the two new chapters!
It was a couple hours later when Anakin knocked softly onto Obi-Wan's door, entering only when the other Jedi called for him to come in. Despite his best efforts, Anakin could still see the flash of fear in Obi-Wan's eyes before he was able to conceal it. Looking down in shame, Anakin spoke. "I just wanted you to know that Vos should be here soon."
"Oh, of course." Responded Obi-Wan, dragging a hand down his face. "I'll be out shortly."
Anakin wanted to say something, anything, to get them back on track, but unable to find the words he merely nodded and closed the door. He ran a hand through his hair as he made his way to the kitchen and started to boil some water, certain that Obi-Wan would want tea when he was up. If only Quinlan wasn't coming today, the pair of them might have a chance at talking through their more current problems.
A frown appeared on Anakin's face at the thought of the other Jedi. In all honesty, he never really cared for Vos, something that Obi-Wan had always found amusing since he would often times say Anakin acted just like his old friend. In truth, Anakin might have liked the other Jedi more, had he not noticed how Quinlan took to looking at his Master. Even if Obi-Wan was blind to it, Anakin was certain that Quinlan harbored feelings for the other Jedi.
A knock at the door interrupted Anakin's wayward thoughts, but before he had a chance to move, Obi-Wan was sweeping past him and opening the door with a grin. "Well if it isn't Quinlan Vos." He drawled as he looked over his friends bandaged arm and bruised face, shaking his head ruefully at the injuries.
"I don't need any attitude from you, Kenobi!" Vos barked, gaze intimidating, before a shit eating grin split his face and he laughed and swept Obi-Wan into a hug. "Damn I've missed you!" he said with a chuckle when the two separated.
"It's been far too long, Vos." Obi-Wan agreed, ushering his old friend into the ship and towards the couch, but upon seeing Anakin, Quinlan stopped short, his gaze suddenly somber.
"Skywalker." He said, his voice full of respect as he stopped in front of the younger Jedi. "I heard what happened to you." Anakin immediately froze, his face losing all color as he stared at Quinlan. "Being held captive for such a long time must have been terrible, especially for such a strong willed Jedi such as yourself." Obi-Wan watched as Anakin's color came back and his breathing went back to normal as he realized that Vos was only aware of his capture and not all the horrible details.
"Um, yes. It wasn't pleasant." He managed to mutter, eyes briefly flickering to Obi-Wan's.
Quinlan stepped forward and clasped a hand on Anakin's shoulder, unaware of how tense that action made the younger Jedi. "Thank you for your sacrifice, Anakin. Truly." When another knock sounded at the door, Anakin was beyond grateful when Ahsoka came bounding into the room, her presence giving him a reason to shrug out of Quinlan's hold.
Eying the new Jedi, Ahsoka cocked her head at Anakin. "Are we still training today, Master?"
For a moment Anakin paused, glancing over at Obi-Wan, but when the other Jedi avoided his gaze Anakin simply nodded at Ahsoka. "Of course, Snips. Let's go."
When the door closed firmly behind the pair, Obi-Wan let out a sigh of relief, happy to have some time alone with his friend. He studiously ignored what that meant for he and Anakin. When he saw Vos looking at him with a raised eyebrow, he rolled his eyes and busied himself with making them snacks, trying to ward off the questions that were about to be asked.
Of course, Vos knew him too well to pay any mind to his diversion tactics."Is Skywalker recovering well?"
"As well as can be expected." Obi-Wan replied, voice bright. Vos stepped in front of Obi-Wan, forcing the other Jedi to meet his gaze.
"And how are you doing?"
Obi-Wan scoffed at the question, "I'm just fine, thank you."
"Than why are there bacta patches on your arms?" He asked, voice quiet with concern,
Obi-Wan let out a curse as he realized his robes had dropped down when he reached in an upper cabinet, exposing the patches. "It's nothing, just an accident."
"Just an accident?"
"Yes, Quinlan. An accident."
"Normal accidents don't require bacta patches."
"Honestly, why are we even talking about this?" Obi-Wan sighed with exasperation.
"Because I'm worried about you." Quinlan confessed, continuing when Obi-Wan opened his mouth to object. "You spent the last year searching for Anakin, despite it being against the Jedi way, then you find him and discover he's been tortured." Quinlan took a step forward, gently touching Obi-Wan's arm as he spoke. "That is hard on any former Master, but you and Skywalker have always had a, unique, bond. I just worry that dealing with someone who is overcoming torture might at times put you yourself in danger."
"I appreciate the concern, Quinlan, but I assure you, Anakin and I are doing just fine." Replied Obi-Wan, doing his best to appear sincere.
Quinlan shook his head ruefully at his friends stubbornness. "All the same, I'd like to be here with you."
Anakin trained harder than ever that day, even with his force inhibitor working, he wanted to make himself as tired and worn down as possible. He still didn't trust himself not to hurt Obi-Wan, and he decided his best course of action was making himself so exhausted that even is he wanted to hurt Obi-Wan, he would be incapable of inflicting much damage. He was so determined in his efforts, that when Ahsoka finally called it quits after several hours of training, he merely shrugged and teamed up with another Jedi that was training. By the end of the day he could barely stand, that knowledge put a smile on his face even as sweat covered his entire body, his muscles shaking from fatigue. Without the help of the Force, everything had been more challenging than usual, and even by his standards, today had been excessive.
Every muscle ached, his body was trembling from the strain he had demanded of it, and now that the adrenaline caused by sparring was leaving he found that walking back to the ship was more difficult than he might have imagined. The walk back took longer than normal, the sun had been down already for some time, and a light breeze was in the air, chilling Anakin's sweat soaked skin and causing him to shiver. He felt extreme relief when he finally made it to the ship and managed to get inside, so much so that he didn't realize that the many voices that were talking and stopped mid-sentence and he was being stared at.
"Anakin." The worried tone was what finally got his attention, he looked up, surprised to see Obi-Wan, Quinlan, and Ahsoka all looking at him with their eyes wide.
"What?" He asked, confused by their stares.
"What happened to you?" Ahsoka snapped, causing Anakin to glare at her.
"Nothing happened. I just decided to train later."
"You've been training all this time?" Obi-Wan said softly, a look of worry on his face as he looked over his friend.
"Yes." Anakin found himself snapping at Obi-Wan. He didn't understand what the big deal was, so he trained longer than usual, who cares? "So if you don't mind, I'm gonna shower." Without waiting for an answer he went down the hall to his room, letting out a sigh of relief when he stripped his sweat soaked clothing from his body and stepped into the steaming shower. He washed quickly, aware that his muscles were ready to give up on him, and then dried himself quickly before crawling under the covers, knowing without a doubt, that Obi-Wan wouldn't accept his presence in his room, or bed, tonight.
To be continued...