Ben did not understand the sudden increase in Padawans, nor did he enjoy it. In the last two weeks, there had been nearly ten more teens to join the ranks. They annoyed Ben. For they were loud and overconfident, which led to getting in a few disagreements with Ben during some of the literary training sessions over the materials taught. With each passing day, Ben was growing far more irritated as he struggled to keep his cool on a regular day. He was getting the minimal amount of sleep, since his mind was tormented with each vision. His body was exhausted to the point as he nearly passed out a few times during the days.

During the lunchtime, Ben sat against the building with his eyes closed as he avoided lunch with the rest of the Padawans. He was trying to think about why he was here in the first place. Everyone was annoying the living hell out of him as Ben almost wished to be back home with his mother and the quiet house. Although, Ben would admit to be away from his father and the arguments though. Not that his fathers were ever around anyways, since he was gone on many jobs.

Just thinking about Han irritated Ben to no end. The Padawans here and other people glorified his parents. They talked about how romantic the pair was and had Han seem to be this greater person when he was really just a smuggler that happened to charm his mother in a time of strife. Their life experiences created the relationships. A headache was forming as he felt it in the front of his head.

He groaned as a thud interrupted his thoughts. Lirri was sitting beside him as she held out a wrapped sandwich for him. He hesitated before taking the sandwich. Ben had not seen anyone or told anyone he was here, yet Lirri found him. He decided to not question it as Lirri drummed her fingers against her knees. Her eyes stared at her fingers as she spoke.

"Ben you seem distant and exhausted lately. As well as restless in class. I want to ask if you are okay, but clearly you aren't. This last week alone you've fallen asleep three times in lessons." Her eyes glanced over at him before shooting back down. "Why don't you have some chamomile tea tonight with me and I can monitor you."

He looked at the sandwich, as he brought it down to his lap as he looked over at Lirri. His hand went to rest on one of her hands to stop her drumming fingers. "I guess I could. If you are concerned for me." He smiled a bit, as he noticed that she had a flush on her cheeks, but he was sure that he had his own matching blush.

"Why are you so concerned for me?" Ben prodded as Lirri visibly stiffened before her eyes darted around as she stumbled over words, the face.

"I – uh- uhm," Lirri began before breathing out slowly as she waved her hands in front of her to pace herself. "I just care for you is all…" she explained while her cheeks changed to bright red as her hands went back to her knees. Ben tried his best to smother his chuckle as his thumb tenderly rubbed Lirri's hand. The chuckle still came out though as he thought about some reasons why she cared for him.

It was sweet. He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze before he moved it away to start eating the sandwich. After the first bite, he leaned over. "Thank you for the sandwich, by the way."

Lirri let them fall back into a comfortable silence as Ben ate his sandwich.

Ben's sleep that night was terrible as he tossed and turned in his bed. Lirri's words repeated in his head as Ben pushed the sheets away from himself. He hoped that Lirri may be still awake so he didn't wake her and he could take her offer on the chamomile tea. He decided it was worth the shot as he walked barefoot down the hall, ignoring the slight chill from the night time. Ben immediately noticed the door for the medical room was propped open with the light on. Lirri sat inside as she was reading a book. Her hair pushed back by a hair band. Ben watched for a moment before he knocked.

Lirri glanced over to him as Lirri tilted her head and set her book down. "Are you okay, Ben?" Lirri asked carefully as she eyed him up and down.

He nodded a bit as he awkwardly held his hands to the side as he walked in. "I was hoping I could take you up on the offer of that tea?" Ben's tone was curious, giving her room to say no if needed.

She immediately nodded as Lirri jumped out of her chair, and went past Ben.

"Yeah, I'll just go get the tea made." Lirri smoothed her shirt out before she walked out of the room.

After a few minutes, Ben decided to venture to the kitchen so he did not have to be bored in the medical room himself. Ben watched as she was rustling to get the tea made. She bent over to the lower cupboard to grab the tea leaves. Lirri then leaned up to try and grab one of the teapots that were on the top shelf of the cupboard. Off to the far corner was a stepstool, but Lirri seemed to ignore it. Her fingers were grazing the edge of the shelf as Ben stepped in. In a few strides, Ben leaned over Lirri as his fingers carefully wrapped around the teapot down onto the counter beside Lirri. She was pressed between Ben and the counter now as he stared down at her.

Lirri stuck her tongue out as she was trying to grab the teapot without the stupid stool. She disliked being short. A warm body pressed against her back as fingers wrapped around the teapot handle and set down beside her. She turned as best as she could without pressing too much against the other body. Lirri eyes were directly in contact with the shirtless torso of Ben. Her back was firmly against the counter as her cheeks were on fire just from thinking of the shirtless man in front of her. Ben's head hovered over hers as Lirri looked up to connect with his eyes.

His brown eyes were easy to get lost in as if they held great stories behind them. Even with the dark circles and heavy bags under Ben's eyes. Lirri barely thought as her hand went to gently run along Ben's jawline as if she was afraid of breaking him. Her eyes closed for a moment before lifting herself on her toes. On instinct, Lirri pressed her lips against Ben's. The lips were considerably softer than Lirri could have predicted. She pulled away almost immediately in shock as she began to ramble.

"I'm so sorry, Ben. I shouldn't have done that-" Lirri rambled as she ducked under Ben's arm as he stayed still. She ran a hand through her hair, cursing as she walked to the exit. Lirri wanted to get away but was stopped with arms encircled her own body as it turned her around so she faced him. Her body froze as she kept her eyes away from Ben's.

"Lirri," Ben commanded with a slightly deeper voice. "Look up at him."

Lirri barely glanced up to see his eyes as Ben kissed her this time. Her hands rested against his chest carefully. His kiss was demanding compared to the peck of a kiss she had given to him. She melted in his touch instantly, tilting her head and responding to his actions with a sense of eagerness.

Large hands grasped at Lirri's body, one on her waist and one on her hip as she was pulled firmly against his body. Lirri's mind spun from the kiss as she finally pulled away when the need to oxygen became apparent. Her eyes were closed as she caught her breath again. The kettle was whistling beside them as she looked up to Ben. He pressed her lips softly against hers again as she breathed out.

"So, chamomile tea?"

Hands grasped at Lirri's body, moving to grasps at her waist and hip while pulling her tinier body firmly against his own. Her mind was spinning in the kiss as her need for oxygen began to consume Lirri as she pulled away. Panting, she stared at Ben with a smile on Lirri's face as Ben pressed his lips on hers again as Lirri breathed out. "So, chamomile tea?"