No. 15—Emotional Damage

Lies | New Scars | Breathing Through the Pain

"How bad is it?" Anakin asked. When the building had collapsed, he had found himself flung around. He woke up unable to move. His head was trapped by debris and a blow had made his vision blurry so he couldn't see what was wrong. All he knew was that his stomach hurt bad.

"It's not bad," Obi-Wan said. His face was one of the few things Anakin could see. He hovered over the tiny gap in the debris that trapped Anakin and smiled. "You're going to be fine."

Anakin squinted. Was his vision just blurry or were tears glinting in Obi-Wan's eyes. "Are you lying?"

"No," Obi-Wan said hurriedly. He grabbed Anakin's flesh hand and wrapped it in both of his warm, callused hands. "Why would I lie to you?"

"I don't know." Anakin flopped his head down, sighing. "Because you don't want me to freak out."

"You're fine," Obi-Wan said. "Just fine."

Something was wrong. Something bad. But, perhaps, the lie wasn't for Anakin, but for Obi-Wan. Anakin sighed, letting his eyes drift closed. Obi-Wan could have his lie. "So when we get out of here, you want to go to Dex's and get milkshakes?"

"Of course," Obi-Wan said, a choked laugh escaping from him, the kind of laugh people make when they'd rather cry. "Should we invite Padmé?"

Anakin stilled, his skin flushing cold. "Why would we invite Padmé? I…I don't even like Padmé. I've never even…kissed her. Why would we…?" He trailed off into a nervous laugh.

"Oh, so you have to have kissed someone to have milkshakes with them? I'm afraid Padmé is the only one you can invite, then," Obi-Wan said.

"No, that's not what I…" Anakin sighed. "I just meant that I'm not in love with her and I've never married her."

Obi-Wan laughed, a genuine one this time. "Subtlety really isn't your strong suit, is it, Anakin? Why don't we be honest with each other?"

"Why, because I'm dying so we might as well?" Anakin challenged.

"You're not dying." Obi-Wan's voice was flat.

"I think you're lying." Anakin shifted, almost sitting up before he remembered the rock right above his head. Excruciating pain tore through his stomach. His vision went white and he slumped against the ground.

"…Anakin. Anakin!" Obi-Wan called. He squeezed Anakin's hand tight.

"'M here," Anakin mumbled. "Stop shouting." The volume was hurting his head.

"Don't move," Obi-Wan said.

"Why? What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Obi-Wan said too quickly. "Just don't move. You don't want anything coming down on top of you."

"Obi-Wan, my stomach hurts." Anakin's vision was even more blurry than before. He could barely see anything at all.

"I know, padawan." Obi-Wan patted his hand. "Cody and Rex are almost to us. You just need to hold on."

"Not your…padawan," Anakin managed. He wasn't a child anymore. He was an independent Jedi knight that didn't need to be talked down to. "Please tell me what's wrong."

"No," Obi-Wan said. "You might go into shock, and I need you with me. I can't help shock right now with you buried. Just hold on a little longer. Help is almost here."

"Lying…again," Anakin rasped. "Obi-Wan, can you promise me something?"

"Anything," Obi-Wan said.

"Tell Padmé…tell Padmé that I love her…and I don't regret marrying her…and that…I'm sorry," Anakin said. "I know she wanted kids, but we were going to wait until after the war, and…"

"I'll tell her," Obi-Wan said. "And congratulations, my old friend. She's a wonderful woman."

"Thanks," Anakin said.

He drifted for a while, his limbs going cold. He forced himself to resurface. "Please tell me what's wrong. I don't want to die not knowing why."

Obi-Wan squeezed his hand. "You have a pipe through your stomach."

"Oh." Anakin blinked. Odd. He didn't feel that much pain. "Obi-Wan, I'm sorry." His master had been right. This was sending him into shock. Darkness descended on him, and he welcomed it.

STAR WARS

Warmth enveloped Anakin. Dryness spread through his mouth. He opened his heavy eyes.

He was in the Halls of Healing. Obi-Wan hovered over him, smiling.

"Hello, Anakin. Welcome back."

Anakin smiled back. He honestly hadn't thought he'd wake up again.

Wait. He was awake. He was alive. He was awake and alive and Obi-Wan knew he was married to Padmé Amidala.

"Well, shavit."