Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars or any of its associated characters; they all belong to their respective owners. I only own any characters or plotlines that you do not recognize.


32. Philophobia

A fluttering hum carried across the training yard, accompanied by the sound of shifting feet against stone. A singular form flitted across the exterior courtyard, moving with a swiftness that many didn't obtain so early in the day. Mid-morning light had just started to creep across the paving stones, and cool, sleepy shadows still stretched across the ground, cast by the Temple walls. The figure held two lightsabers in each hand, dual blue blades flashing and twirling through the air. The wielder was none other than Elara Skywalker. She carried herself with a focused grace and a wicked efficiency; each movement was concise, as though she were facing a flesh and blood opponent, and not the temperate morning air.

A respectable sheen of sweat had gathered at the nape of Elara's neck, and the muscles in her arms and thighs had started to quiver in a dull ache. It wasn't but two days prior that the Battle of Christophsis had conceded. Her body still required a hefty amount of rest, but this was her routine, and it had been for many years. Wake up, eat, train; even the early morning debrief of both the Battle of Christophsis and the retrieval of the Hutlet stopped her. Not even a war could interrupt it; it helped her maintain some sense of normalcy. That, and it was helping her work off the lingering stress and anxiety that Tatooine had given her as a parting gift. She'd managed to keep her cool while in the cells, but it hadn't stopped the torrent of memories from assaulting her. While meditation was an excellent way to work through things––she found that sometimes swinging a lightsaber around helped even more.

With a little huff, Elara took a short running start from one end of the courtyard, then with a slight bend of her knees, she propelled herself off the ground into a forward flip. Her body somersaulted forward, legs kicking through the air, arms extended to keep the saber blades away from her body. Her knees tucked up into her chest, and as her feet hit the ground––she stumbled. One of her feet shot backwards to steady her position, but the landing was shaky at best. Elara thrust one blade in front of herself in a defensive, horizontal position, and held the other one aloft as she wobbled.

"Wow," a voice breathed. Elara calmly turned her head to see that she'd gained an audience. Standing at the top of the three shallow steps above the yard was Ahsoka, whose eyes were wide at the display she'd just witnessed. "I've never seen anyone fight like that."

Elara smiled over at her, breathing heavily. She gestured to her subpar footing. "Well, you can say that you still haven't." She pushed herself up into standing and arched a curious brow at the padawan. "I thought younglings were taught jar'kai."

"We were! It's just… that's training, that's basic movements. It's not… that." Ahsoka gestured to the yard space, like what she'd seen Elara do was the perfect display of jar'kai."

"I'm afraid I'm not a regular practitioner of the style. But it's handy to know, should a situation arise where you can use it. I'd need two lightsabers if I wanted to practice this form regularly. But, alas, I only have one."

"But… you've got two," Ahsoka pointed out with a smirk.

Elara strode towards the steps, on which her robe had been discarded. The morning air, which still had a chill to it, washed over her face refreshingly as she moved. She lifted the lightsaber in her right hand, and rotated her wrist so it twirled. "This one is mine." Elara then lifted the left saber and let the hilt tilt backwards over her hand, which then shot out to grab it in a backwards grip. "This one is Anakin's. He sometimes lets me borrow it whenever I want to practice jar'kai."

There was the tell-tale zapping sound of the lightsabers deactivating, and Elara hooked her hilt to its spot on her belt, and tucked Anakin's between her belt and her waist. She bent down to snag her robe, and hoisted it up to use its sleeve as a sweat-rag. She dragged its roughspun fabric over her forehead and the back of her neck thoroughly.

"Master Skywalker lets you use his lightsaber?" Ahsoka asked, sounding a little surprised.

"He sure does. He's usually compliant when I ask, but he's even more so when I promise to train with him afterwards," Elara revealed. She sat down on the middle step and tapped the spot beside her invitingly. Ahsoka quietly plod down the steps before sitting in the spot that had been designated.

"Does it… get confusing that both you and Master Skywalker are… Master Skywalker?" Ahsoka asked curiously.

With a laugh, Elara beamed up at the pleasant blue morning sky. She turned that smile to the young woman next to her and nodded.

"Oh, yes. Though, usually if it's mentioned that 'Skywalker is going to be reprimanded,' I assume it's Anakin." Both of them shared a gentle laugh. "Our poor captains, though. Whenever we're in mission briefs, they stumble over figuring out how to designate which General Skywalker they're talking to. The Council will sometimes call us 'Skywalker the elder' and 'Skywalker the younger,' but I don't take too kindly to being called an elder. I'm not that old, no matter what my brother may tease."

Ahsoka was quiet for a moment before, with a cheeky smile, she said, "I… did call him Skyguy the other day."

"Skyguy?" Elara stressed, a steady grin creeping across her face. She laughed delightedly, which seemed to please Ahsoka, who giggled to herself. "Oh, I'll have to tell Acks… the boys would absolutely love to call him General Skyguy."

The smile that had split across Ahsoka's face faltered a little. Her arms folded and tucked in towards her chest, her hands cradling either elbow. The previous twinkle in her eyes faded and her gaze dropped to her feet. Elara's own amusement faded some, a pinch forming between her brows at the young woman's sudden shift in attitude.

"I… I don't know if he'd like that," Ahsoka admitted quietly. "He didn't really… like that I called him that."

"Did this… happen on Christophsis?"

"Yeah."

"Well… Christophsis was a bit tricky. We were in a tough spot when you showed up, and we were all a bit on edge. Anakin's got a… bit of a temper to him. He might've snapped at you, but he's not a deathly serious person; between the two of us, I'm the one that got the serious predisposition. Give him a little time, get to know him. He'll grow on you," Elara promised gently. When Ahsoka remained quiet, Elara gently nudged her arm with her elbow. Once the padawan looked up, she smiled encouragingly. "You're becoming a padawan during a tough time, Ahsoka. Anakin and I got to train in a time of relative peace. I learned battle tactics through hologram simulators. You're learning them through first-hand experience. Give it all time. The pieces will start to fall into place. Remember that Anakin is only a few months fresh out of padawan training himself. He's still a little…" She pulled a face trying to look for the right word.

"Impulsive?" supplied Ahsoka.

"Yeah––he's still a little impulsive," she agreed.

"I guess… I feel like I have to prove myself, y'know? People keep thinking I'm a youngling, but––" she cut herself off and reached up to pinch at her silka beads, which denoted her padawan learner status. "They think I'm too young. Keep calling me kid…"

Elara hummed, turning to gaze out across the training yard. She tucked some hair behind her ear thoughtfully, fingertips skimming over the spot behind her ear where her own padawan braid had been. The strand of hair there was still too-short, still growing out. It often curled around her ear, tickling it at inopportune moments.

"My guess is you haven't spoken to Anakin about this?" Elara inquired. Ahsoka adamantly shook her head, silka beads trembling. "I think you should. He went through something similar. I mean, so did I, but he is your Master, and it's something that would do you both some good to talk about. While you're struggling with people thinking you're too young, Anakin and I were perceived to be too old. He understands more than you think."

"Who understands what?" chimed in the voice of the man in question.

Elara twisted around from her seat on the steps and found her brother entering the training yard from the door behind them. There was a softly pleasant look on his face, which indicated he hadn't heard much, or any, of their conversation. In fact, the mussed nature of his hair suggested that he'd probably gone back to bed after their mission debrief earlier that morning. He must've just pulled himself out of his room to keep good on his promise to spar with her.

With an innocent shrug of her shoulders, Elara smiled over at Ahsoka. "I was telling Ahsoka that you understand how insufferable you can be sometimes."

"Trying to poison my padawan's mind against me already, Elara?" he bantered. He rolled his shoulders back to shuck off his robe, which he caught in his elbows before pulling off. A smirk pulled wide across his face. "If you want a padawan, all you have to do is ask the Council."

"You see?" she drawled wryly to Ahsoka. "Insufferable cheek."

The young woman smiled, glancing back at her Master. That smile grew a little when Anakin met her gaze and rolled his eyes. "She says that like she's not the same way." He tossed his robe down beside his sister's and then leapt from the top step, over the next two, and landed in the training area. He held a hand out and waggled his fingers in a 'gimme' motion. "My saber, if you'd please."

Elara rose to her feet and pulled his lightsaber hilt from where it was tucked in her belt. "Sure thing, Skyguy." With a wink down at Ahsoka, she hucked the lightsaber Anakin's way. The padawan hid her smile by ducking her head.

Anakin's hand shot out to catch the lightsaber, but his eyes were trained on his sister incredulously. He clucked his tongue and shook his head––but the starts of a smile twinged at the corner of his mouth.

"That's gonna stick, isn't it?" he asked, chuckling gently. The chuckling caused Ahsoka's head to shoot up. Elara smiled at the surprised widening of her eyes, at the realization that the nickname she'd gifted him wasn't causing him to huff and puff.

"I dare say it will."

"Well, now we've gotta find something for you." Anakin activated his saber and gave it a few warm-up twirls, maneuvering his way to the middle of the yard.

Elara hummed and pulled a face. "I don't think 'Skygal' sounds nearly as good." She reached down to gently squeeze Ahsoka's shoulder encouragingly, and then stepped into the yard after her brother. "I think 'Lari' will suit just fine."

"Hey, no one gets to call you that except me," he warned, playfully pointing his lightsaber at her.

"Then be sure to inform me when you find a suitable alternative."

"I'll let Ahsoka take care of that. You hear that, Snips?" Anakin called over to his padawan with a cheeky look. "You've gotta find something I can call my sister, since she's gonna be so insufferable."

Elara clucked her tongue with a mischievous gleam in her eye.

Ahsoka's laughter filled the steadily warming air of the training yard. "I'll be sure to think of something, Master. Promise."

OOOO

Warm afternoon light spilled across the faces of the Skywalkers as they moved through the Jedi Temple. Their footsteps were the only ones echoed through the spacious corridors, a quiet testament to just how much the war had taken from the Jedi. Though never necessarily bustling, there used to be more life. More masters instructing their padawans as they walked, younglings sneaking in a quick round of hide-and-seek before someone caught them. There were no more swishing robes disappearing around corners. One was more likely, now, to see Jedi trodding through the halls in battle regalia. It was only half-past noon, but Anakin and Elara were the only ones moving through their chosen corridors. It was strange. It was sad.

"Do you have any idea why we've been summoned?" Anakin asked. He spoke quietly, but his voice still echoed.

"Unless they were displeased by something we did on Christophsis, Teth, or Tatooine, I see no reason why we'd be called forward," Elara admitted. After a tasteful pause, she arched an eyebrow. "That is, unless you've done something and then proceeded to implicate me in the matter…"

Anakin snorted, threw his eyes into a roll, and shook his head at the playful accusation.

Shortly after they'd concluded their daily sparring session, they had been summoned to the Council Chamber. Masters Windu and Yoda, apparently, had something that they wished to discuss with the Skywalkers. The last time they'd been called forth in such a manner, it had been years ago, just prior to the Battle of Naboo, when they discussed whether or not they were to be trained. But, truthfully, Elara couldn't think of what they might've done that would have earned a private audience.

"Perhaps we've been assigned a new mission," Elara suggested.

"I hope not," sighed Anakin.

She hummed quietly in agreement. Not only did she need rest, the men of the 442nd needed to recuperate, too. They were all exhausted, many of them were injured, many of them mourned the loss of their brothers––and through all of that, there were new recruits to welcome and incorporate. They all deserved their rest, just as much as any Jedi did. In fact, they probably deserved it more. It took a lot of will power to continue fighting in a war where almost every Republic casualty was a family member. It was more for their sake than for her own that Elara hoped this meeting wouldn't result in new marching orders. War waited for no one, but it could at least allow them a day to rest.

The doors to the Council Chamber were open upon their arrival. The room, which had once seemed impossibly intimidating, had now become familiar. They'd stood in the middle of the marble floor to address the Council after missions, to answer reprimands, or accept congratulations. But the sight that greeted them would always hold a certain air of intimidation. Both Mace Windu and Yoda sat in their respective chairs in the circle of seats provided for the Council. Their eyes, cool from years of experience, watched as the siblings entered the room, and neither greeted or spoke to them. Once they stood in the center of the room, Yoda waved a hand, and the doors shut to make the space private.

"Masters," Elara greeted, head inclined. Anakin followed suit in the action, and then both raised their heads simultaneously.

"Thank you for coming, Master Skywalker," Windu began, eyes on Elara; he then turned his gaze to Anakin and nodded his head, "and Master Skywalker. There is something that we wish to discuss with you both. We've been waiting for the opportune moment to address it, as it has been mentioned before in passing."

Yoda hummed and nodded. He shifted forward in his seat and clasped his hands atop his walking stick. "Heard you on Christophsis, I did, young Skywalker," he said, staring at Anakin. "Mention feeling your sister's pain, you did."

It was quite a moment, and Anakin briefly darted his eyes at Elara before meeting Yoda's gaze head-on. He bobbed his head in affirmation. "Yes, Master, I did."

"How did you feel it?" Windu asked.

He had leaned forward in his seat, and had poised two fingers over his lips. Both of them were watching and listening intently; it reminded Elara of how they'd watched when she'd taken her trials. Whatever they were trying to get at was important, then.

"It… was as though her pain was my own. I could feel her apprehension and her grief in my heart, aching as hers did," he explained. "It felt like a Force disturbance only more… personal. Stronger."

"And felt this before you have, have you not, Elara?" Yoda's head swiveled to focus on his former apprentice.

"Yes, Master. The day our mother died, I… felt my brother's anguish. It was nearly overwhelming, it felt as though my very being was being torn asunder. Everything that he experienced in that moment, I did too, though we were entire star systems away," Elara confirmed. She felt her chest tighten at the memory of how the agony of Shmi's death had sent her to her knees.

"And knew you did, he was on Tatooine, and not Naboo, on instinct only," Yoda recalled. He hummed to himself before he let his eyes slide between the two curiously. "And felt this, you have, before your training?"

"To a degree, yes," Anakin said. The flicker of a smile creeped up at the corners of his mouth. "Though, as children, we thought it was sibling intuition. We've always been very close. I can't count the times that Elara used to rush to my rescue after sensing I was in trouble half-way across Mos Espa."

Both Windu and Yoda shared a quiet look. Elara watched as a subtle, wordless conversation passed between them. Then, Yoda gave a slow nod, which was echoed by Windu in a shorter, more curt manner. Both Masters turned their eyes back to the waiting siblings, who'd remained dutifully silent through the whole exchange.

"This is the tell-tale evidence of a Force Bond. A strong one, at that," Windu explained. "It's likely you've had one all your lives, but that it only became more pronounced once you were trained in the way of the Force. With your Midichlorian counts being so high, it's also incredibly likely that it has strengthened this bond, as well."

"Much you have suffered through in your lives. Sought comfort and assurance in one another, you have. Strong this bond is. Powerful." Yoda lifted and tapped the floor pointedly, eyes dancing between the Skywalkers.

Simultaneously, Elara and Anakin turned to look at one another. It was as though something clicked. Now that there was a name to it, it made sense. All those nights where one found the other, just knowing that they needed company. How they knew when the other had returned to the Temple, or were in a distressing position on a battlefield, or when the other got injured. The Force had connected them in such a way, that their very life essences were knit together impossibly tight. Elara had a feeling deep in her gut that this was something that, no matter what happened, no matter the outcome of this war or whatever happened beyond it––it would tie them together forever.

"This bond is something you two will have to learn to master. Being able to sense one another's distress could be a pitfall more than advantage. It could distract you in inopportune moments. The strength of this bond between you will make you invaluable partners. It will serve you well in the war," Windu said sagely. Then something in his eyes hardened a little. His gaze lingered first on Anakin, and then on Elara before a warning dropped from his lips. "But always remember that the closest partners can become the most wicked of betrayers. It matters not if you are siblings. If one of you should fall, this bond could prove to be the undoing of the other."

The warning had something hot and acidic twisting in Elara's gut. It was such an outlandish idea to her, being betrayed by Anakin. The mere thought of it felt wrong, like it was drawn from a nightmare. Of all the people in the galaxy, the only one she implicitly trusted was her brother. They had always been very forthcoming with one another. It was a special kind of trust, being so open with one another like that. So the idea that one––or both––of them would betray that trust… it sat wrong. It felt wrong. It simply just couldn't happen. It wouldn't happen.

"Explore this bond, you should. Come to know it, you must. Prove to be one of your greatest tools, it will, in this war. Need each other, you do, to survive it. But right Master Windu is. This bond, to your advantage it will be; but wary of its strength you must remain," Yoda agreed.

It wasn't long after that they were dismissed, and they departed with the promise that this was something they'd carefully explore. Force Bonds weren't unheard of––they all had to sit through a required lecture from Master Jocasta on them as younglings––they weren't commonplace. No sooner did the Council Chamber doors close behind the Skywalkers, than Anakin grabbed Elara in a tight, joyous hug. He lifted her off her feet and spun in in a half-circle; she could feel his smile pressed into her shoulder.

"Anakin!" she laughed as he set her back down. She was grinning in amusement, but her brows furrowed curiously. "What was that for?"

With an impossibly bright grin, Anakin laughed softly. "I knew it," was all he said.

"Knew what?"

"That we were special to one another," he clarified. His voice was quiet and sweet. "I always knew that there was something that made our connection different."

Elara chuckled a warm, fond sound under her breath. She reached up and placed a hand on his cheek, thumb sweeping across it. There was a slight interruption in the smoothness of his skin, a silky depression that was the bottom of his scar. "Well, there was no doubt that you're special to me."

"I know," he admitted with a boyish quirk of his brows. "But it's like what I said… we're different. We're powerful. Not everyone has a bond like this, but we do."

For a flash of a moment, Elara didn't recall when he'd said such things before––and then, suddenly, she did. He'd said something similar the day Shmi had died. When they'd both sat crumpled on the floor of the Lars' workshop, he'd insisted that their powerful connection to the Force must make them special. That it must lend them special abilities or powers that they didn't even know of yet. The suggestion had thrown Elara in that moment, and it proceeded to do the same thing again. Because there hadn't really been much discussion of their being 'the Chosen Ones.' Just that they were, and that, some day, they would bring balance to the Force. But this––the confirmation of the Force Bond proved that Anakin had been right. There was something different about them.

Elara's hand thoughtfully slid along his face, and then dropped to rest on his shoulder. "Yes, I suppose you did say that," she murmured.

"I think, if we both dedicate ourselves to the practice of it, we might be able to learn how to control it," Anakin suggested eagerly. He took her hand off his shoulder, but kept it clasped in hers as he urged her along the corridor. "I've heard that in some instances of these kinds of bonds, both parties can communicate with one another through it. That'd sure be a big help when our coms go down."

A chuckle slipped past Elara's lips as she listened to Anakin's excited rambling. It ignited a spark in his eyes, which glimmered boyishly. In that moment, he seemed younger. His scar seemed less pronounced, and the worried pinch between his brows disappeared. It was as though there was no war. She quietly delighted in his moment of unexpected innocence. She bathed in the blitheness of it, because they didn't often have the luxury to forget just how far into chaos the galaxy had descended. But, underneath it all, Windu's words threatened to ruin it all. For despite her assuredness that there'd be no betrayal, she knew she'd never forget it––just as she'd never be able to forget that her dear younger brother had murdered all those Tuskens.

OOOO

It was well into the afternoon when Elara found herself summoned to the Senate Building. And though she had her reservations about the Chancellor, it wasn't very considerate to deny a personal summons from the man. Especially since it was wartime, especially because it could be a matter of importance. So she'd taken the tram to the Senate Building, quietly resting her eyes the whole way there. And once she'd arrived at his office, she found Palpatine at the window, gazing out at the cityscape below.

"Chancellor," she greeted.

Palpatine was quick to turn around, his face twisting into a look of undeniable relief. "Oh, my dear girl," he murmured. He started to glide towards her, his hands extended before him, palms up. Elara took this gesture as a sort of beckoning, so she moved towards him. They met half-way through the room, and stopped as Palpatine scooped up her hands in his own. Weathered, wrinkled fingers curled around her own and squeezed; he shook her hands gently, and held her gaze with a frightening strength. "I heard what misfortunes befell you on Tatooine. I am so sorry you had to suffer through such pain again."

Elara cleared her throat and managed to tear her gaze from his. It dropped to their hands. While he clung to hers tightly, her fingers were noticeably more loose. They were ready to pull away at the first given opportunity. "Uh… thank you, Chancellor." She forced her eyes back up, and she flashed a smile. "It was unexpected, but not out of character for the Hutts."

"Still, it was such a terrible happenstance, the likes of which you should not have had to endure. I'm so sorry, my dear girl."

Her lips thinned out a little at the endearment. It didn't settle well in her stomach. She cleared her throat and pushed down the nauseated roll in her gut. Both her eyebrows arched, and she cleared her throat. "Your concern is much appreciated, Chancellor. Is there something you wished to discuss with me?"

Palpatine released one of her hands, and then tucked the other into the crook of his arm. He folded his other hand over hers and led her towards the dais on which his desk sat. "I'm afraid this is more of a… social call, than it is business. You and your brother are always so busy, I wanted to check on your welfare."

"That is very kind of you." And Elara did have to admit that, for all his smarminess, it was quite kind of him.

Palpatine escorted her to one of the chairs sat opposite his desk, and continued to hold her hand as she seated herself. It was then, and only then, that he relinquished his grasp. Elara folded her hands into her lap, and subtly flexed her fingers away from his prying eyes. But instead of moving behind his desk, Palpatine settled himself in the chair beside hers.

"I have made this offer to Anakin, and I feel as though I should offer you the same. When the two of you arrived on Coruscant, I was immediately stricken by your unique situation. Most Jedi never know their birth families, but you and your brother did. I cannot imagine the loneliness that must have caused; and with the passing of your mother––which I again express my condolences for––I imagine that only worsened. The bond you share with Anakin is profound. And I know you both confide in one another. But I wondered… perhaps you are missing a more… mature presence. Someone you might talk to when you find you cannot speak to your sibling," Palpatine suggested. His tone was light and slow, like he was carefully dancing across stones jutting out of a raging river.

Elara started, brows furrowing and head rearing back a little. "You mean… as a paternal figure?" Her voice was a surprised squeak, bordering on quietly offended.

"No! Oh, no, no, no, dear girl. I wouldn't dare to presume I could ever assume such a role. And if there was anyone who was to be… paternal to either of you, I would imagine that… Master Kenobi would fulfil that role." His gaze was suddenly quite intent, eyes gleaming with something upon the mention of Obi-Wan. "For your brother, at least. I imagine that your relationship with Kenobi is rather different."

"Yes, they have grown quite close. And… Master Kenobi and I have found a particular comradery, yes. Anakin and I are both very lucky to have him as a friend," she agreed. But her guard had shot up sharply, confused as to where this conversation would go.

"And for that reason, I would not dare to call myself parental. Nor would I call myself a mentor, as you already receive that while in the Order. I am offering to be a… confidante. You may be a Jedi, but you need not carry the worries of the galaxy on your shoulders. I offer you my humble services, my dear girl. For what you are giving to keep us all safe, allow me to give back. My door is always open to you, and your brother."

The offer was genuine. This was something that he wanted to do for her, and for Anakin. And in any other given situation, with any other person, it would have been remarkably sweet. But Elara's apprehension surrounding the Chancellor prevented her from thinking it was anything of the sort. His flattery had always been suspicious to her, as had his interest in herself and Anakin. And this offer––it struck her as strange, too. Like all things revolving around Palpatine, it felt as though it came at a perfectly opportune moment. She had just returned from a terribly emotionally taxing mission, and here he was, offering to lend her an ear whenever she needed it. It felt… neatly tied up, orchestrated just so in the hopes of obtaining the best outcome.

Aware that she had to give an answer, Elara drew a smile across her face.

"That is a most generous offer, Chancellor. Should I ever find myself needing to talk to someone, I shall keep you in mind. There are few people who offer such things; so it is remarkably kind of you to propose something like this." Never before had Elara been so happy she'd found a talent for diplomacy. Whether it had lent her the ability to act or lie, she didn't know; but it made situations like this easier. For there were a dozen other people she'd rather lend her concerns to. But it was probably best, she figured, that he not know that.

Her words seemed to satiate the Chancellor. Palpatine smiled wide, the corners of his eyes crinkling. "It's the least that I can do. You have done so much for this ailing galaxy…" He reached out and touched her forearm. The touch felt heavier than it was, weighed down by unspoken intent. The smile on his face waned some, and a peculiar sparkle entered his eyes. "And you are going to do so much more. It is your destiny––I just know it."

OOOO

The warm steam of freshly brewed tea wafted over Obi-Wan's face. It smelled pleasingly floral, with a bitterness so slight it promised to compliment the bright, herbal flavors. Just the vapors alone promised relaxation, promised to wash away the aches and stresses of the last several days. The steam was dissipated upon his placing a lid atop its matching pot. He carefully moved it by way of its delicate wooden handle, slowly lifting it so nothing would spill from its spout. It was placed on a small tray, which was carefully arranged with other accoutrements required for a tranquil evening tea service.

Obi-Wan lifted the tray from the desk it had been prepared on, and crossed the small room towards the woman at the window. The day had been long––debriefing battles was tenuous at best, even in his opinion––and indulging in a pot of warm tea seemed to be the best way to end it. He'd shared the offer with Elara, who'd agreed to it with a most delighted sigh. She'd offered her Gleannish tea set for the event, and he'd popped over to her room once nighttime swept over the sky. It wasn't often they were gifted the chance to really, truly unwind after a taxing time on the frontlines. Typically, once one mission ended, another rose in its place. But they were being allowed a few days rest this time. Obi-Wan suspected it had something to do with how long the Battle of Christophsis had raged; and because of how many casualties they'd sustained. But rest was rest. They'd all take it whenever they could.

The room was bathed in the sleepy warmth of a single lamp. Elara had confessed that, at night, she preferred to keep the room as dark as functionally possible, because she enjoyed the lights outside. She liked to watch the brilliant flickering, flashing, shining display of Coruscant's nightlife. This night was no different. As Obi-Wan prepared the tea, at his insistence, she'd settled herself on the floor next to the window. They'd been quiet as the tea brewed, but it had been an easy, gentle quiet.

"Here we are," Obi-Wan said, softly breaking that quiet.

Elara pulled her gaze away from the window, and angled it up at him. A smile danced along her lips in a way that could only be described as enchanting. Her face was half cast in the warm low-light of the room, while the other was bathed in the cool night glow from the window. Her hair was still a damp from her trip to the refresher; some it had dried in gentle waves, and some still hung a little wet around her face. Obi-Wan caught himself staring, and promptly redirected his gaze to the tray in his hands. He set it down on the floor beside Elara, and then lowered himself down to sit across from her.

"Mm, smells wonderful," she hummed, drawing her legs into a criss-crossed position. She dragged the tray to sit between them, and reached for the teapot. The pot, as well as its matching cups, were made of cool grey stone, and painted with thin black designs, reminiscent of the traditional tattoos of Gleanneans. The set had been a gift from Senator North following the saving of his life, by way of Elara killing his would-be assassin. "Thank you for making the tea."

"It's the least I could do."

While she let tea pour into one of the handleless cups, Elara looked up and arched an eyebrow at him. It was a pointed look, a meaningful one. She knew what he'd meant, and she was challenging it.

"It wasn't your fault." She looked back down, elegantly stopped the pour of amber liquid, and moved to fill the second cup. "It was Dooku's doing. If he'd not had a hand in the kidnapping, and it had been orchestrated by another, I likely would have just sat in that alcove unbothered."

The way that Obi-Wan's lips thinned out was subconscious. Ever since they'd arrived back from Tatooine, since he'd heard that morning, at the debrief, that Elara had been imprisoned––a bubble of guilt had started to grow in his stomach. And not only had she been imprisoned, she'd very nearly been sold back into slavery. He had been hesitant, incredibly so, to leave her on a planet that gave her so much grief. For years he had watched both Skywalker siblings quietly struggle with the lingering effects of their early life. The idea of abandoning either one of them to it was difficult, even if it was what the Council and the Code desired. Even with Elara's insistence she was alright with it, he'd hesitated upon his departure. And to know that she'd almost immediately been swept into what had surely been a living nightmare for her––it didn't let his stomach settle right.

"It's not as though you sold me out, Obi-Wan. I chose to stay, and I handled the consequences of it. Had you stayed, you'd have been in the same position. It only seems more poignant because of my past," Elara continued.

He watched as she scooped up half a small spoon of sugar, which she then dropped and stirred into one of the cups. She tapped the spoon gingerly on the edge, and then slid it towards Obi-Wan. The corner of his mouth twitched upwards; there was something… lovely about the fact she knew how he took his tea.

"You still should not have had to endure such things," Obi-Wan replied. He took the cup into his hands and cradled it between his palms, letting the warmth leech into his skin.

"Nor should Anakin and I have had to endure what we did as children. But we did. And yet, regardless of my reunion with the Hutts… here I sit; and I have come back, perhaps, better for it," Elara murmured quietly. She stirred a spoonful and then some of sugar into her own tea, and vaulted her brows. "I'm quite proud of myself, really; I exercised quite a bit of restraint."

A small, self-satisfied smile turned her lips up. It was quietly confident, a look that he'd noted she often allowed herself to have when she was proud. It was enough to start quelling that bubble of guilt in his stomach. She had, afterall, made it out of the situation physically unscathed. And she had exercised a marvelous amount of restraint. Though he still wished circumstances had been different; he wished that he'd known sooner, so he might've gone back and spared her from having to have experienced it at all. For behind her satisfaction, there was a guardedness to her eyes that hadn't been there prior. A guardedness he had once seen in Anakin's eyes, a look that would still slam up over his face anytime someone mentioned the past. What she had experienced on Tatooine had affected her more than she was letting on; but it wasn't his place to pry into it.

Obi-Wan smiled, albeit a little crookedly. "Yes––the restraint both yourself and your brother displayed was quite a feat. It should be taught to younglings in their lessons," he said. He made a toasting motion with his cup, and then brought it to his lips. A smirk pulled at his mouth against the rim, enjoying the hefty eye-roll he earned for his comment. She'd never particularly enjoyed the idea of being touted as 'special.'

They both quietly enjoyed their first sips of tea, which Obi-Wan noted did have the perfect slightly bitter aspect to it. It melded well with its floral bouquet and the sweetness lent by the sugar. It was in that quiet that he realized that Elara had been looking at him, while he'd turned to appreciate her favorite view. He tore his eyes away from the Coruscanti night sky, and found that his companion was eyeing him peculiarly. Elara's expression was soft, though there was a slight pinch between her brows. One of her thumbs was slipping along the side of her cup contemplatively. Then came the question.

"Are you comfortable?"

"Beg pardon?"

Elara laughed sweetly, and the sound had Obi-Wan's heart stuttering for a moment. She pulled a finger away from her cup to point at him. "You're still wearing your boots."

And he was, in fact, still wearing his boots. They were quite a juxtaposition, sat across from one another. Elara looked cozy, wearing a simple under-tunic, and soft linen pants. No shoes, no socks, no other layers. Obi-Wan, on the other hand, was a little more wrapped up. With two tunics and a belt, he wore what was a dressed-down version of their usual robes and a dressed-up version of their battle-wear. And as Elara had pointed out, his boots had not been removed. While she sat with a comfortable slouch to her shoulders, he sat with them squared.

Obi-Wan settled a hand over his ankle, his fingertips brushing against worn leather. He wasn't necessarily used to relaxing with another person. Until relatively recently, when he set aside time to unwind, it was alone in his room. And no one had seen him in fewer than two layers of clothing since he was a youngling. He'd always been very adamant on wearing his Jedi robes as they were meant to be worn. There had never been a desire to be dressed in less in another person's presence. Obi-Wan preferred to appear put together; his robes were always laid perfectly, each layer wrapped just as it should be.

And yet––he felt like he'd reached such a point of comfortability with this woman that it didn't matter. Elara trusted him enough to invite her into her room while dressed down. She, who also had an impressive respect for the robes she wore, let him see her when they were in a disarray. When the layers were so askew, it allowed him to see the vulnerability that they, as Jedi, so often tucked behind each scrap of linen. There was a quiet, deep-seated urge in Obi-Wan's chest to reciprocate that trust.

The hand that rested on his ankle shifted to his heel, and his other hand went to grab the toe. Obi-Wan twisted, as not to accidentally hit the beautiful tea set, and went about pulling off both his boots. He then removed the belt around his middle, and upon its removal his tunics slouched away from his body just slightly. Quite suddenly, he felt exposed. Just the removal of the belt left him feeling something akin to naked. The beating of his heart picked up into a strangely nervous thrum. The belt was set aside, just next to his boots, with the utmost care. When he twisted back to face Elara, he found that she looked surprised. But it wasn't a judgemental sort of surprise––it was pleasant. A faint flush had washed over her cheeks, too––though he suspected that might've been from the heat of the tea.

Elara held out her cup, and let it hover in the space between them. "Well, here's to finally having some respite."

Obi-Wan lifted his own cup. "And to good company," he added. He became captivated by the smile that stretched across her face––it was absolutely lovely.

"To good company," she agreed.

They both tipped their respective cups forward, and let the edges of them tap together. Without breaking their shared gaze, both drank to their toast. There was silence between them, but it wasn't unpleasant. It was a unique kind of quiet that Obi-Wan found only happened between them. It was filled with words that he dared not vocalize, for fear of realizing how real they were. These silences reminded him how far he'd fallen off that precipice he'd felt himself approaching. His hands had scrabbled for hand holds to stop himself, and he did find them––but not as frequently as he'd once been able to. Any time he managed to find one of those holds, it would crumble quickly, and he'd be falling again.

The war had thrown something into sharp relief––Obi-Wan cared for Elara deeply. Too deeply, he'd started to fear.

For in these moments, he couldn't help be captivated by her beauty. Her smiles were intoxicating. Her laughter made his chest feel warm. Her unadulterated kindness left him in awe. Oftentimes, he felt like he was drowning in her, even when she wasn't there. There were things, innocuous things, that reminded him of her. The golden light of sunset, the color of newly budded leaves, the way light shone through colored glass, the smell of flowers. Flowers. They, perhaps, reminded him the most of Elara. She'd once told him that she was captivated by their delicate beauty; no natural plant life grew on Tatooine, so to see something so gentle be so resilient was fascinating. And from that moment on, whenever he saw a single, lonely flower in the rubble of a combat zone, he'd pick it. Obi-Wan would then deliver it to her, when next they met, under the guise that the both of them shared an interest in botany. But there had always been something more to it. It always had him twirling the stem nervously, had his heart beating harder than was typical. And it had warmed his heart immensely when he saw how many of those flowers now grew on her desk.

Obi-Wan turned to gaze out the window, a hand rising to cover the lower half of his face. His stroked slow fingers across his jaw, and his brows came to a quiet furrow. Outwardly, it looked as though he was gazing across the dazzling light show of nighttime traffic. But he didn't really see much of anything. It all blurred in a haze of thought. And that line of thought led him to something that he reminded himself of often: this affection was dangerous. And, above all else, it was forbidden. He wasn't supposed to worry for her well-being to the degree with which he did. He wasn't supposed to feel an aching need to feel the warmth of her cheek in his palm. He wasn't supposed to find her as positively radiant as he did. And he certainly shouldn't be longing for things he was longing for, longing to do.

It was becoming overwhelming. It was torturous to desire something he knew he couldn't have, and shouldn't want. As someone who was duty-bound to the Code, who had always been such, Obi-Wan found himself at war with himself. He'd unintentionally allowed himself to indulge in these wants––to let his eyes linger a moment too long, to brush his fingers across her back, and even allow his words to become temptingly playful. It was a selfish indulgence, because he knew it couldn't be more than that, yet he still allowed it to happen. Nothing good could come from leaving it unaddressed and just allowing it to happen. There was a part of him that sat deeply buried, and it so desperately wanted him to give in. That part of him screamed that he'd been through this before. That he'd let honor and duty destroy what could have been; and that, this time, things could be different if he allowed it.

It was in those silences, in the uniquely quiet moments meant only for Obi-Wan and Elara, that he sensed something building. It was crawling towards a crescendo of some kind. Its nature was unknown to him, and he didn't know when it was going to arise, but one thing was very clear to him––whenever it did, it was going to be devastating.


Philophobia––a fear of love/becoming emotionally attached


Afterword: Did a little bit of housekeeping this chapter––wrote some Ahsoka and Elara to introduce their friendship, finally officially addressed the Force Bond, let Palps have his moment in the sun to remind us all he is not gone, and finally dove into Obi-Wan's POV again. And Obi-Wan's POV… what fun that was to write! I know the chapter kinda jumped around, but I hope it didn't read too badly!

And for anyone interested––I have created a Tumblr page (seasidewriter1-writes) as a place to dump things like songs that inspire my stories, pictures that serve as inspiration, and do some thought dumps. And for y'all to ask questions between chapters! I really love talking to y'all about this story, and I'd love to do it more! If any of you are interested, I've updated the Tumblr link in my account bio!

Review Replies!

MalirBly: I just have a feeling that writing Ahsoka and Elara bits is gonna be a lot of fun; I had a blast getting to write the start of this chapter! I hope you enjoyed the chapter; thanks again!

MotherAiya: Dooku… can get fully wrecked. He's a fun villain to write for because he's so proper but… so despicable. And, yes, their jaunt back to Tatooine is gonna be difficult for Elara––and for Anakin. To be thrown back into that position after ten years of having escaped it is tough. She may have made it out physically unscathed, but there might be some mental gymnastics to fully put what happened to rest. And Elara finding out about Padmé and Anakin… that's gonna be somethin'. 'Cause she's definitely going to feel conflicted on multiple levels; what with the Code, her own penchant for falling in love… it's definitely gonna spark some character development for her. I already have an idea how she's going to become wise to the whole deal; and it really will be interesting to see how it affects her relationship with Obi-Wan… and how her relationship with Obi-Wan affects her knowledge of Anakin and Padmé's. I hope you enjoyed the chapter; thanks again!

Princess Jaquline Chess: I'm so happy you've enjoyed watching Elara grow as a character! I've had a lot of fun developing her character from being a teenager/young adult to adulthood; there's something very satisfying about writing something with that big of an arc. And I'm so happy that Obi-Wan's consistently been in character! He's the one I worry about the most. Because his dialogue is so specific. But what I've found helps is sort of… viewing the way he speaks as its own dialect. There are certain cadences and phrases that are unique to him, and noting what kinds of words he uses and how he uses them… it's the Obi-Wan Dialect! I've dissected it… probably too much.

And I absolutely had to keep Satine in. I started writing this story prior to watching TCWs, and I was having a tough time parsing out the nitty-gritty details of a romance with Obi-Wan. And then… I watched the show and was like 'oh, my god, he's been in love before,' and it all fell into place. Satine is such an important part of Obi-Wan's character history and development. I'd be remiss if I wrote Satine out. And don't you worry… Elara and Satine will absolutely be interacting with one another.

And truly, thank you so much! I don't usually get chapters out this quick; the last time I updated so rapidly, I think I was in high school and churning out subpar chapters every day. But this story… has ignited something in my creative soul recently. Being able to find the time to get these chapters written is the highlight of my day (especially since the world at large seems to be on fire so often). I hope you enjoyed the chapter; again, thank you so much! I hope your day is lovely!

Pinnney: I hope you liked the chunk of Obi-Wan POV at the end of the chapter! I had a lot of fun getting to dive into some stuff I've been building behind the scenes. 'Cause though I don't write his POV often (but would like more of his POV in the future), I do try and map out his inner-thoughts as I go forward. And, yes! The future Poe story! It was, originally, going to be the first Star Wars story I posted. But then I became ambitious and decided a whole ass trilogy was needed. And then I saw the Mandalorian and thought 'could I?' I'm very excited for future stories; I've got… documents filled with ideas and plotlines. Also, I'm incredibly flattered you have a list of chapters you go back and read! I'd love to know what they are! I hope you enjoyed the chapter; thanks again!

Duchess of Lantern Waste: I want to do more with other characters' POV; it adds so much to the story. 'Cause for as much as this is, at its heart, and primarily a story about Elara, it's also a lot about Obi-Wan. And Anakin. The parts that they play in this story are incredibly integral. Not to mention so many other characters that lend important opinions and points of view about it all… so I'm endeavoring to venture more into other characters––as is made evident by the massive chunk of Obi-Wan's POV in this chapter.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter; thanks again!

RJNorth: I'm incredibly impressed you typed out that review on your phone––you are stronger than I, I can barely write a paragraph on my phone without fifty typos because of my big thumbs.

Anakin's killing of the Tuskens has always stood out to me; I've always pegged that as his first misstep that sends him spiralling towards the Darkness. And I have to keep reminding myself that Elara knows about it. And that she has willingly decided to keep that information from the Council. And I really love writing Anakin's POV. 'Cause I often forget that he's just nineteen. That he's literally so young when he becomes Darth Vader. And writing from his perspective helps me keep that in check; he's a young man that was forced to grow up very, very fast. But now that he's actually becoming an adult, it's fun to see how to bring out that boyishness that defines him.

And that is absolutely one of the biggest differences between Elara and Anakin––she has an easier time taking a step back to evaluate the situation, while Anakin's more prone to rushing in guns blazing. As you said, she internalizes a lot, Anakin lashes out. The time that she spent as not only an older sister, but as a slave, and as a provider for her family has lent her that peace-keeping attitude. They are certainly both different sides of the same coin.

I've had a Poe story planned for… almost six years. When I first toyed with the idea of writing a Star Wars story, it was just after I'd seen Force Awakens, and it was going to be a Poe story. Since then, as I've mentioned before, I became more ambitious. And the Poe story has evolved into something much better than what it originally was going to be. And your hope for the love interest to be related to Elara in some way is not… terribly off base. I did say I wanted to connect all my SW stories :)

Can you tell this is the start of the turmoil? That chunk of Obi-Wan's POV is the start of the turmoil. 'Cause, boy howdy, things are gonna start escalating… Tatooine was a marvelous shove-off point to get things going. And not only do we have Yoda's words to go off of––we must remember that Qui-Gon had a very different view of attachment, too. There's also this amazing chunk of an interview with Dave Filoni that I came across regarding Jedi and attachments that I always think about. Poor Obi-Wan is suffering through this whole thing with, like… several different philosophies on attachment in his head. And, pretty soon, we're gonna get some heavy contemplation from Elara's side of things regarding attachment.

And in regards to the Tumblr… I decided to make it! I realized I have too many thoughts in my head for this story, and nowhere to really put them; and I love getting to share though processes and inspirations, so I'm hoping that'll be the place for it! I updated the link on my bio to the new page if you're interested!

Again, thank you for your review, it was lovely as always, and thank you for reading the chapter! I hope you enjoyed the newest installment; and may the Force be with you!

PrettyRecklessLaura: I'm glad you were excited; and I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Thanks again!
MsRosePetal: I've viewed Anakin's keeping his marriage a secret, and Elara's hiding of her feelings for Obi-Wan the first changing point in their relationship. 'Cause they usually tell each other most everything… but now they're not. Their open communications that have done them well, are starting to get clogged. And at an integral point in both their lives. And Elara finding out is certainly gonna be a time… I hope you enjoyed the chapter; thanks again!

highwayblues: I'm really happy you're enjoying the chapters so much! I've been having a lot of fun writing them and getting them posted so fast. This story means a whole lot to me, so I'm glad that you've been enjoying it so much. I hope you enjoyed the chapter; thanks again!

WaywardandWanderlust: We're reaching the part of the story where toying with emotions is certainly becoming the norm. I'm a big ol' sucker for small touches, and I will have Elara and Obi-Wan convey their touches that way till the day I die. It's just… it's so them. And Dooku's sneering little comment in the last chapter about slaves… I figured, if he's gonna be an asshole to Elara, he's really gonna go all the way. And I'm back at it again with another character POV! I'm enjoying switching perspectives every now and again, so I want to make it more of a habit. I hope you enjoyed the chapter; thanks again!

bigfootsmall: The Hutts confound me because, like… we all know who they are and what they do and what role they play in the universe… but we know so little about them. They're like the Star Wars version of the Boston Mob. So I'm just running with 'big crime family' till we're given more specifics (which I'd honestly love). I hope you enjoyed the chapter; thanks again!

PhAnToM 1212: I hope you liked Obi-Wan's POV! Writing from his perspective always takes a little more time because… it's him. His thoughts are so structured and poetic, almost. I found myself rewriting things when I was like 'that's really not the right word, he wouldn't think that.' I hope you enjoyed the chapter; thanks again!

09sasha: Obi-Wan's gonna get plenty more chances to swoop in to the rescue… and Elara's gonna get those chances, too. I'm a big sucker for badass ladies stepping in to save their man. It makes me grin. I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Lot's of Obi-Lara bits! Thanks again!

XxXxMuseXxXx: For everything that I've got figured out for this story, I'm still parsing through Elara's whole reaction to the marriage issue. 'Cause between herself and Anakin, she's the one that's more likely to adhere to the Code; but she's also allowed her heart to guide her decisions more, and there's no one she loves more in the galaxy than her brother. And she'd definitely worry about what might happen to them, because she cares for both Ani and Padmé very much. I hope you enjoyed the chapter; thanks again!

camelotprincess1: In the three interactions I've written between Dooku and Elara, it's been interesting to figure out their dynamic. Because they do have the shared experience of being Yoda's padawan; and they're both examples of the two paths that a Force Sensitive being can go down. And it's absolutely one of the reasons why Dooku was intrigued by Elara––one of the reasons he asked her (and not Anakin) to join him. For the handful more encounters they will have with one another, it'll be interesting to see how their dynamic grows and changes.

I'm happy you enjoyed Anakin's POV! I thought it was the perfect opportunity to dip a toe into how deeply tied the love he holds for those he cares about is to his pull between Light and Dark. He will certainly do anything to keep them safe, even if that means he's got to do something a little (or a lot) iffy. And Elara definitely sees that; and, in her love for him, hasn't really told anyone about it (we'll see how that works out). And Palpatine has certainly got his work cut out for him. I have a whole section in my planning document for this story about how he goes about his attempts to sway either of them to the Dark Side. Anakin and Elara's relationship is strong; and he's either going to have to play into it, or try to destroy it. Episode III is gonna… be a lot. I'm not even ready for it and I have it all planned out already.

We didn't get drinking games this chapter, but we might have it next chapter! And if not then, then at some point; but in the next chapter, we do have a lot of clone content. We're starting to enter an episode arc (ish) where clones are the main focus. They all really do deserve a break. They deserve more than a break, they deserve a furlough. But I'm ready for more clone content, I missed writing them the last few chapters.

I'm so happy you've had Jane Austen thoughts while reading Obi-Lara stuff! Until I really identified it as being heavily influenced by JA, I must've just been writing a subconsciously Regency era romance. I just keep thinking about that one scene in the 2005 film where Darcy helps Elizabeth into the carriage––both of them gloveless––and then flexes his hand as he walks away… ugh, it's a wholly Obi-Lara mood. I'm also a permanent pile of goo when it comes to these two. I hope you enjoyed the chapter; thanks again!

DCD Gojira: Ahh, thank you so much! I hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Guest 1: I did actually, at one point a while ago, play around with an idea for a Hux story. I genuinely wish that more had been done with his character, I think there were a lot of missed opportunities. And Domhnall Gleeson was marvelous in the role. There are actually a lot of Star Wars based stories that I've thought of, though I've only committed myself to 3 (maybe 4) of them.

JennyElephant: Ahhh, thank you so much! I'm so glad that you've enjoyed the story so much so far! It's always a joy to write for this story, and it means a lot to know that y'all enjoy reading it! I hope you enjoyed the chapter; thanks again!

Guest 2: There's gonna be a lot of conflict over whether or not Elara should be told about the marriage. As I sort of jokingly alluded to, he does need to talk to Padmé about it, and Padmé's gonna have some feelings on what they should do. I hope you enjoyed the chapter; thanks again!

Eomy: (I hope that this finds you, I rely on the website to read the reviews for the last chapter so I can reply to them, and yours popped up late, just after I posted this chapter, so I'm editing this in!) We'll get fun drinking games with the boys next chapter! Which means that I have to invent Outer Rim drinking games (yikes). What these boys (and our Jedi) really deserve is a furlough, but, unfortunately, that's… it won't happen. But they deserve it! They so deserve it!

I hope you enjoyed the Ani and Lari bits in this chapter! I love getting to write cheeky banter between them, so them sparring was a great opportunity to add it. And finally unraveling the fact they have a Force Bond… I've been waiting for it!

I saw all the Star Wars news from Disney, and I am… so gd excited. I've been waiting for them to wholly confirm that they were making a Kenobi series––because that means that there's more Obi-Wan and Elara content to come! Even if I have to stray from them for a little bit and jump back. 'Cause I will… always look for an excuse to write about them. I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Thank you so much for your review, and I'm sorry that it popped up late for me! Thanks again!

And thank you to those that added this to their follows/favorites; it means a lot!

And that's that for now! Up next we'll get some good clone content, which I'm very excited for. We'll get to see some more of the lads just being themselves, and not just being soldiers. We're entering the 'Rookies' arc of Clone Wars… and lemme tell you… the emotions are gonna be running high. Nothing like exhaustion and stress to really push you towards the edge. Anyways, thank you all again! You're all amazing, and as always––y'all rock!

~Mary