Obi-Wan watched Anakin walk to his room, part of him wanted to go and talk to the other Jedi, but he wasn't sure there was much he could say to help at the moment. His own head was too wrapped up in everything that had happened to be of much use. With a useless shrug he turned back towards Ahsoka. "Well, he's home safe now."
Ahsoka frowned, eyes worried as she looked down the hall her Master had disappeared. She looked at Obi-Wan, opening her mouth to speak, but a glance at Quinlan had her closing her mouth and just shaking her head. "I'm sorry to have worried you, Master. I should be heading to my quarters, I'll see you in the morning."
Once Ahsoka had left the ship and Quinlan and Obi-Wan were alone, the other Jedi turned an arched an eyebrow at Obi-Wan. "Just what is going on here?"
"It's like you said, it can be hard at times for Anakin." He shrugged, trying his best to look unconcerned. "We do what we can to make things easier for him."
Quinlan shook his head ruefully. "You always were a saint, weren't you Obi-Wan?"
"Hardly." Scoffed the other Jedi as he poured himself a glass of tea.
"It's true though." Quinlan insisted, stepping besides Obi-Wan and helping himself to some tea. "You were always an exceptional friend, you were a rarity inside the temple. Having such compassion for others, for caring about those of us who struggled."
Noticing the seriousness of his friends tone, Obi-Wan looked over at the other Jedi with surprise. "Quinlan, you seem to have forgotten just what an impact you had on my life. You were basically my only friend, and you didn't care that I could be awkward or painfully shy, you were always there for me."
"How could I not?" Quinlan whispered back, eyes full of unspoken emotion. "You were, are, my best friend."
Obi-Wan opened his mouth to speak, but instead a curse slipped out as he saw blood coming through one of the bandages on Quinlan's arm. "Come with me." he said briskly. "We need to change that bandage, I think I have a few patches left in my room."
Despite working himself to the bone, nightmares plagued Anakin's dreams until he awoke in a panic. Chest heaving, he looked frantically around the room, certain that someone would be standing in the darkened corners. Eventually his senses kicked in and he tried to calm his breathing, to reassure himself that nobody was in the room with him. Dragging a hand through his hair, Anakin swung his legs off the bed, pulled on some sleep pants, and then walked shakily to the door. He was partway to the kitchen when a noise sounded from Obi-Wan's room. Concerned for his former Master, Anakin switched direction. He was almost in the doorway when he heard Obi-Wan and Quinlan speaking quietly.
"Obi-Wan, why is there a pair of trousers in here that are clearly too long for you?" Came Quinlan's suspicious question.
"Pardon? Oh, those must be Anakins." Obi-Wan replied, his voice deceptively calm. Quinlan must have given him a look because Obi-Wan let out an exasperated sigh. "Really Vos, must your mind always be so lewd? I'm better at patching up clothing than my former Padawan, I was simply helping him."
"I didn't see any holes." Quinlan said skeptically.
"Of course you didn't." Obi-Wan said irritably, "I just said I'm quite good at patching up clothing."
"Well hopefully your as good with wounds as you are with clothing, because I'm pretty sure this cut is going to need some help with a needle and thread."
As Obi-Wan muttered something about Quinlan always needing help with a needle and thread, Anakin slowly backed down the hallway and into his room, his quest for water long forgotten. Instead he sat on his bed in the dark, going over Obi-Wan's words in his mind. Despite his earlier assurances that Anakin was everything to him, the other Jedi was clearly not comfortable telling those close to him about their relationship. Of course, Anakin couldn't be surprised if Obi-Wan no longer wished for any sort of relationship. Being with him had caused the older Jedi nothing but pain and suffering. Naturally he would want to distance himself from something that was defective.
It wasn't until rays of sunlight hit his face that Anakin realized that he hadn't gotten more than an hour or two of sleep the previous night. Exhausted, but knowing sleep would continue to be elusive, Anakin got up and dressed for another harsh day of training. It was still early, so he wasn't surprised that he was the only one up and moving. His stomach grumbled, so he grabbed an apple from the counter. For a moment he contemplated grabbing something more to eat, but decided against it. The goal was to make himself weaker, not stronger. He wrote a quick note, letting Obi-Wan know where he was going so the other Jedi wouldn't worry, and then he headed back out to the training center.
That night Anakin felt even more exhausted than the day before. The fruit bar he had eaten halfway through the day was not nearly enough to sustain the energy he was expending, that combined with the intense workout he had forced himself through the day before had a sever impact on his abilities. Even so, Anakin had a small smile on his face as he struggled home. Ahsoka had come by to train, and when she had to leave, Anakin took a break and made it seem like he too was done for the day. Once she was safely gone, however, he went straight back to training, content that she wouldn't tell on him. Obi-Wan would be safe, and hopefully tonight Anakin could get some actual sleep.
When he walked through the door, he was greeted by the smell of one of Obi-Wan's stews, the sounds of silverware clinking filled the air. "Hey." He greeted the other Jedi's casually, heading to his room.
"I saved a plate for you, Anakin." Obi-Wan called out.
"I actually just grabbed something before heading home, but thanks anyways." He lied smoothly. "I'm exhausted, so I think I'm just going to shower and get some sleep."
"Well, okay then." Obi-Wan replied, tone worried.
Anakin was grateful that his stomach waited until he was safely in his room to let out a rumble. He didn't need to hear another one of Obi-Wan's lectures while he was doing his best to keep the other man safe. Like the night before, he showered quickly before getting under the covers and falling into a deep sleep.
He stood before Obi-Wan, a manic grin on his face as he stared at the tied up Jedi. The fear and pain in the other man's face caused him to laugh and pace back and forth. He backhanded the older man, glee filling him when it caused his lip to split and blood dripped down. Taking a step closer, he reached out and caressed Obi-Wan's neck, gaze almost loving as he slowly tightened his grip and blocked off the other man's air. His lips turned down in a snarl as he increased the pressure and watched as the man he once loved struggled to live.
"Anakin! Wake up!" Obi-Wan's shout had the younger Jedi waking from his dream in a panic. When his eyes locked on Obi-Wan he let out a noise of desperation and struggled to get as far away from the other Jedi as possible.
"Did I hurt you?" He managed to ask the other man.
"What?" Asked Obi-Wan in confusion. "No you didn't hurt me, I could feel your panic through our bond, I came in here and you were having a nightmare."
"Thank the force." Anakin whispered.
"Anakin." Said Obi-Wan gently, reaching a hand out to the other Jedi. "Are you okay, dear one?"
"I'm fine." he lied automatically.
"You don't seem fine."
"I just need more sleep, that's all."
Obi-Wan was quiet for a moment before gingerly sitting on the bed, his voice quiet in the dark room. "Anakin, you know I don't blame you, right?"
The nightmare still fresh in his mind had Anakin shaking his head. "How could you not, Master?"
"Whatever is going on, it isn't you. I know that, but I'm not sure you do."
"It is still me, Obi-Wan. I was the one who wrapped my hands around your throat. I am the one who nearly killed you the first time. It's because of my actions that you even remotely believed that imposter." He took a shuddering breath before continuing. "I can't believe I hurt you, and it's something that I refuse to let happen again."
Obi-Wan's voice was determined when he spoke next. "Anakin, we will find out what happened to you. Wewill fix it, you just have to trust me."
"Of course, Master." Anakin agreed quietly, not wanting to argue with the other Jedi and upset him. When nothing but silence filled the room, Obi-Wan stood and headed back to the doorway. "Obi-Wan."
Anakin's voice had him turning back around. "Yes, dear one?"
"Next time, don't come into my room." Anakin hated the sadness he felt from Obi-Wan through their bond, but not enough to take back his words.
As the older Jedi silently closed the door behind him, Anakin looked at the force inhibitor on his wrist and upped the setting. He could feel his connection to the force lessening, but with it came the lessening of his and Obi-Wan's bond. If he had another dream, the last thing he wanted was for his panic to come through their bond and bring Obi-Wan to his side. Who knows what would happen if he didn't wake up, but instead acted on his dreams?
To be continued...