Chapter Title: Solace

Series Title: Unlikely Brothers

Author: Obi the Kid

POV: Dashen (Tannerlin is 9, Dashen is 15)

Chapter Summary: Takes place four months into their lives together (4 months after the Jedi purge), Tanner has trouble overcoming grief for what he's lost.

Summary: A series of non-chronological stories taking place in the world of my OC's Dashen and Tannerlin.

Rating: PG

Characters: Dashen Lesedi and Tannerlin Vai (Jedi), Virgil Colton


"You know where your kid is, right?"

"My kid? He's a kid, not my kid. I can't qualify as a parent until I'm long past fifteen."

"Shut up, Dash. You know what I mean."

I did and I was just being a smartass. It's one of the things I did best, especially when it came to exchanging barbs with my boss/friend/landlord/fake uncle/etc, Virgil Colton. He knew my game too and didn't play along. So I decided I'd better behave.

"Tanner said he was staying late after school to get a catch-up assignment from his teacher. Not home yet?"

"No sign of him. You know he's been a bit off lately."

It wasn't a question and yeah, I knew. He'd gotten hooked on watching the late evening news and the crooked Emperor Palpatine's lie-a-minute speeches. The old crud had been not-so-subtly taking shots at the Jedi Order (the one he'd had slaughtered) now that they were down for the count and reiterating the reward for capture of any escaped Jedi and possible punishment for any Jedi found. Tanner, the boy without a hateful bone in his nine-year-old body, worked hard to not feel those same and unhealthy emotions that had obliterated his kind. So instead of hate, there was misery. Better yet, the kid was just flat out sad.

"It's all that news crap he's been watching. I'll find him."

I ended the call, grabbed my backpack from under the nearby tree where I'd been lounging after finishing my last run of the day, and broke into a jog towards Tanner's school.

He was there, as I suspected; outside in the school park sitting alone on a bench. Several pesky orange feathered sea birds kept him company as they cried about, begging for food. I saw that their efforts were being rewarded with a tiny morsels of bread tossed in their direction. They hurried off (angrily screaming at me as they did) when I intruded into their feasting space. I sat down next to my little brother (we weren't really related, but it was our story and we used it), put an arm around his shoulders and gave a squeeze.

"Everything okay, Mouse?"

No quick argument with the nickname – definitely a sign. Another sign, that he didn't verbally respond to my question, but rather just leaned his head toward me to settle against my shoulder. My arm lowered a bit and I hugged him easily.

Tannerlin wasn't long removed from the whole 'Slaughter of the entire Jedi Order' thing. Just a few months really. Almost four, I guess it was now. But he held secure to all that they had taught him and was determined to stay that path. But being so recently removed from such a thing, his emotional wounds were quite fresh and painful. Nightmares were more common than not. Yet despite it all, he was a good kid; smart, fun and hard not to like. I found myself pretty damned attached to him and at this point, our 'story' about being brothers, was becoming more than just a story. He was becoming (or already had become?) my family. And he hurt. Lately, he hurt a lot as ole Palpy ranted his daily hot air yap fests full of potshots at the former Jedi Order.

Thinking back, I probably should have nosed into Tanner's mood before now. A week ago was when I'd first noticed the change. I should have jumped in then, but I expect too much of me. Hell, I'm a kid myself. What do I know about parenting? Not a lot and I was having to learn on the fly with this one.

As we sat, the birds returned, pecking a few times at Tanner's boots. He tossed another few crumbs to them then slumped back against me.

"No more evening news, Tanner. It's only making you miserable."

No battle there, he nodded a slow yes.

"Good. You can't listen to the crap that comes out of that old creep's mouth anyway. He's evil, pure and simple and he took out the only people that could have prevented his reign. He didn't get all of you though (I assumed…the kid had lived, there had to be others, right?) and you never know, that could mean something for the future, huh?"

I got a shrug out of that one.

"So, no more news, it's agreed."

"How can he hate us so much, Dash?" He asked without looking up. "How can anyone be so evil as to kill so many people? I don't understand."

"Don't try. He's not worth the thought. No one understands evil. I don't even know if those who commit it understand why they do it. They might say they do, but deep down, it's hard to imagine. Don't let him change who you are, Mouse. You survived for a reason. Maybe your Master Ayden knew that and it's why he was so insistent that you stay hidden when he knew he would die."

"He died for me."

A simple statement. Untainted and true. The kid knew it. The more I learned about him and his master, the more I probably knew it too. His master had died to allow Tanner to live.

"I know he did," I agreed. "But I'm sure that he didn't die to save you so that you could let some old creepy guy with crazy hair and a shriveled face change who you are, right?"

There was a laugh that puffed out. It was small, but definitely a laugh. I pulled him tighter against me.

"Did you finish your extra school work?"

"Yes. Two hours ago. I'm sorry I didn't come home."

"It's okay. Colton told me and I figured this is where you'd be."

"How did you know?"

"Because unlike normal kids your age, or any age really, you actually love school. You love your teacher. You love learning. It's a safe place for you."

"Master Ayden always told me I would be a great Master Jedi one day. He said I had all the qualities to become a teacher and that I was a natural." There was a deep breath, a long pause and a determined statement that followed. "I know that I can't be a Master Jedi, but I can be a teacher. I can. And I know I'll be a teacher one day, Dash."

"No doubt about it, kid."

A female voice from behind startled us both. Tanner immediately was upright at the distinct sound of his instructor's voice. Instantly to attention. Old Jedi habit perhaps.

"Tannerlin, are you well?"

Tanner stood and bowed slightly before remembering. Students weren't required to bow for their teachers on Terra, but again it seemed that old Jedi habits die hard.

"Miss Sanya. I'm fine now, thank you. My brother is here."

Miss? Now that was interesting. While there was no bowing, it was common for students here to refer to their teachers as Master or Professor so-and-so. Tanner hadn't done that and his teacher hadn't flinched at the title of 'Miss.' For him, there was only one person he'd ever call Master, and it wasn't the woman in front of him, despite how fond he was of her. She'd permitted it though which interested me. I knew that the Dean of the school was aware of Tanner's Jedi background. She'd never come right out and said it, but she hinted it hard and right in my face. My assumption was that the knowledge had stopped there.

As usual, I probably assume things I shouldn't.

Miss Sanya was tall. Taller than Colton even, but exceedingly thin, brown-skinned with two large unblinking green eyes that marked her face as kind. Tanner had told me that she reminded him of the beings of a water-world called Kamino, but with different skin and eye color, more fingers and affinity for the color blue.

She knelt in front of her student and looked over at me. Even kneeling, her head was just above Tanner's height.

"I see that he is. Dashen Lesedi, isn't it?"

"Yes, ma'am." See? Even I can remember my manners at times.

"You have a fine boy here, Dashen.

I took the opportunity to embarrass Tanner just a smidge and reached over to ruffle his growing hair. "He's okay for a little brother," I winked.

Miss Sanya then reached along finger to touch Tanner on the nose. "Listen to your brother now, Tannerlin and know that although I can feel what you are, that you should worry not. Your school will be a venue of safety."

And, well you know what they say about when you assume… But seriously, did everyone in this school know he was a Jedi? Was it that obvious? I suppose the Dean had told her. Either that or he was giving off some kind of weirdo Force vibes or something. I figured it was the former and it was the theory that made the most sense. I mean as a school, it's better to not be surprised that you are housing one of the Galaxy's most wanted during the day…when the Empire shows up on your doorstep.

But still…

Surprisingly, Tanner didn't show one bit of concern that she knew. It was almost as if he was already aware. He did feel my lingering question though and before I could fumble it out, he touched my arm and said, "It's okay, Dash. I could feel it the first day I was in her class. Miss Sanya is Force sensitive."

Oooooooooh, right. That whole bit about Force sensitive people being able to sense another of the same nearby, depending on their abilities, proximity, etc, etc, etc. He'd told me that before. I just tend to forget things that don't involve me.

"She can feel only."

Meaning she was Force sensitive, not a user and not a Jedi. I guess that was okay, not that I had any say in the matter. And for some reason, I felt a slight sigh of relief at the fact. I think I trusted her, which was odd. I had a hard time with trust as a rule, but in just these few minutes of time, she had that way that made it okay.

I looked at his teacher. "You knew when he first came to your class?"

She nodded, still kneeling to keep us from having to look up. "I did. I can sense much. And you," she looked back at Tanner, "are a very conflicted child. Torn between your past and what is to come and yet despite that confliction, you are wise for one so young. Stay true to yourself and to your…brother, Tannerlin, and the conflict will become easier."

I caught the slight pause before she'd said 'brother'. Crap. Was it that impossible to keep a secret around this place? I should just save everyone thought and time and plaster it in bold letters on the front of Tanner's tunic. Hey! The kid's a Jedi and I'm not his real brother! Spread the word! Target practice anyone?

Tanner, no longer leaning, gave me a look. He couldn't read my mind, thankfully, but I suspect he had a feeling of what I was thinking. Sorta. I wasn't the most complex person on the planet, so it didn't take an ion engine scientist to dig into my brain. Still, he was figuring me out and knew that I'd have flinched at his teacher at we assumed was secret information. Could there be certain things that she just knew? Or did she feel everything through the Force? I didn't know how it worked and I didn't exactly know what I believed when it came to all that magic stuff, but clearly there was something to it. Sanya had just proven that.

I shrugged at the look and locked my green eyes with hers of a similar color. Her thin lips pursed in a half smile and she nodded once before saying, "As I said, school will be a venue of safety. My ambition is to assist my students in learning to prepare them for the life in our galaxy. Nothing more. Fret no more, young Dashen Lesedi."

My head bobbed up and down in a fast nod and I muttered out a thank you, while also thinking that this seemed a good time to part ways. It was after all way beyond time to get the kid home. "It's late, we should go, Tanner. Miss Sanya, it was good to meet you."

"Indeed. You must not be a stranger, Dashen. The school has a parent's gathering once every few months. The next one comes in several weeks. I would expect you to attend."

Uh. Ah. Um. Hmm. Why? Did I look like a parent? Did I look old enough to be a parent? Was she insane? I should vocalize part of this, huh?

"Miss Sanya, I am not a parent."

"In the exact sense, no. However, you provide shelter, meals, clothing, and comfort to your brother." (No hesitation this time). "Therefore you fulfill the definition of parent without actually being one. Guardian would be more suited. We would welcome you there, Dashen. Please consider the invitation."

I suppose I could figure a way out of it later, but for now I was a bit trapped. And Tanner throwing those hopeful pale eyes at me didn't help. I couldn't say no to that. Impossible anyone?

I accepted finally as Sanya bowed gracefully and left us. Tanner and I went home. Colton was there when we arrived. He quickly switched off the news channel when we wandered into the common area. I'd already made the decision for tonight. No holo-anything. No news, no vids, no local programs, nothing. Just us.

It was late after we'd finished dinner. Tanner excused himself to our upstairs apartment and to his bedroom. He was tired. A long week of painful memories and of seeing way too much of the man that had caused them. A long week…especially for a nine year old.

Colton grabbed my attention before I followed upstairs.

"The kid okay?"

"Not sure really. I keep trying to remember that he's not long removed from all of this. A lot has happened since and most of it was really out of his control. Stress and emotions, I know they'll get the best of anyone. I'm the poster-boy for it after all, but seeing that evil man's face on the news every night, knowing what he was responsible for…everything? I'm no killer, Colt, but put that man in front of me right now, and I'd become one…if only for a minute. I'll see you tomorrow."

Upstairs I found Tanner in the bathroom, sitting on the edge of the quickly-filling tub and holding the small trinket that I knew he carried with him every day; a piece of blue crystal. He'd told me before what it was called. I couldn't remember the name exactly, something about merging of a bond. But basically it was result of melting two pieces of crystal together. One from the light saber of the apprentice. One from the light saber of the master. Both he and his teacher had held blue blades, so you couldn't see where the two crystals came together, but it represented the hard work and dedication he had put into his time as a young Jedi. More importantly, it represented the Force bond that he and his Master Ayden had shared. This intricate piece of sparkling rock gave him comfort now when nothing else could.

"Why are you in the bathroom, Mouse?" Reaching past him, I turned off the water. The suds had reached high tide level.

"A bath always makes me feel better." His light brown eyes didn't leave the crystal as he spoke. "I shouldn't have let things get so bad, Dash. Everything has happened so fast and changed so much in a short time, I think I needed time to remember and I didn't do it. I didn't know…if it was okay to still be sad so long after losing someone. Then he started showing up and talking about us like we were nothing but garbage and…I had to get mad at him so it would be okay to still be sad. It's okay, right?"

I sat cross-legged on the small mat in front of the tub. "I still get sad, Tanner. For Kossi. For my parents. And it's been years. There's no timeline for this stuff. And for you, it's all fresh. Life has flipped upside down and inside out. I get it, I do. But next time, just let it happen. Even if you have to tell me to bugger off for a while, just say the word."

Finally looking at me, he glanced downward where I was sitting and handed me the crystal for a minute. "See the merge? It's hard because both crystals were the same color, but right in the middle…" A finger traced the thinnest of lines until I saw it. Right there, sure enough. Where they met, there was the trace of an even lighter, brighter blue than that of the crystal itself. "To become a Jedi apprentice, it was everything to me. Then it was all taken away. This," he accepted the crystal back, "will always remind me of that and of Master Ayden. I miss him, Dashen. I do. Like you miss your brother. But I want to get past this hardest part. I want to move past the sad that still hurt so much."

This kid was testing my depths. I didn't really have depths to speak of, but I seemed to be digging them for myself in these last four months. Keep this up and someone would accuse me of having emotional layers and crap like that. Or maybe I already had those and I was in denial. I mean, first, my parents. Dead. Then Kossi. Dead. Now this kid. Hell, if he died on me, I'd be an emotional wreck for the rest of my life.

Damn Jedi.

I sighed.

Decision time.

I stood, took the crystal from Tanner and set it on the sink, then pushed him backwards, fully clothed, into the soapy, overflowed tub. He landed in and under with a kerplunk and sloppy splash. Soap in his hair and eyes and tunneling from his mouth. It was great. I grinned devilishly at him.

"There," I snorted, "no more sad. At least for now."

"Dashen!"

More suds came sputtering out of his mouth. Then more as he started laughing. Clouds of soap flew in my direction, mostly missing me. Let's be honest, soap doesn't travel very far when it's nothing but sudsy bubbles. When that didn't work though, Tanner began with the splashing, then pulled off his soaked socks, water logged them even further and flung them in my direction. Before long, water and soap were everywhere and the two of us were rolling in laughter. Huh. Now you talk about a good feeling. There wasn't much that beat a soapy tub fight with your little brother. Relation or not, we were brothers. If the disaster of soap and suds covering the entire bathroom didn't prove that, nothing did.

And of course when Colton barged his way upstairs to see what the hell was going on, we laughed even harder and barraged him with soapy water socks.

By the time, he'd dragged us out of the bathroom, soaking wet and still fully clothed (we'll, other than the socks), there was no stopping us. I laughed so hard, I snorted. Tanner snorted so hard, hysterical giggles weren't far away.

Sure enough, this wouldn't take the sad away forever, but it was damned good start. And if nothing else, it was a momentary diversion.

Not to mention, a hell of a lot of fun.

We'd certainly regret it in the morning when we'd have to clean up the mess we'd produced, but sometimes the clean up was worth it, if in the end, the actual creation of the mess did the intended job.

I think this one had.

I fired one last soapy sock at Colton as he vanished out of the room. Tanner and I lay there on our backs on the wet carpet holding our stomachs until our hysterics became less hysterical.

I slapped a sloppy hand toward him and landed it on his shoulder, squeezing slightly.

"No more sad, Mouse. Not today, anyway."

"No more sad. Thanks to my big brother."

Big brother.

Yeah, that felt good. It had been a long time since anyone had called me that. I forgot how much I missed it.

I grinned at the ceiling then frowned at the soap stalactites pointing down at us from above.

"Hey, Tanner, how'd the soap get all the way up there? And in the common room no less?"

"Only one way! The flinging of the soapy socks!"

And that single statement sent us headlong into hysterical laughter once again and that was all she wrote.


The End.