for middleoftheforce

[jedi_librettist]

Ben picked a seat in the corner of the galley. There was something homey and comforting about watching his brother cook. The last of the tension he'd carried melted away.

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[jedi_librettist]

Ben swung forward as the ship lurched into hyperspace. His head struck the toilet. He didn't even notice. He'd pulled too far into his head. All he could feel was the tightness in his chest, the heat of his body, and the nausea.

[middleoftheforce]

Solo kept a tight grip on the controls, heart pounding in his chest.

Just to the nearest place where they'd enforce it, then they had a chance.

[jedi_librettist]

Ben didn't react when they dropped out of hyperspace a half-hour later, either. Nothing was real. Nothing needed to be real. It was better that way.

[middleoftheforce]

As they neared the planet, Solo allowed himself a sigh of relief. He clicked back on to the speaker system.

"Alright, people, we're beginning to make our descent on Naboo, local time will be 0800. The outlaw on slavery is enforced here, so the government should be able to help you all find you homes."

He clicked off, and prepared for the descent and landing - he always had a few more bumps than he should

[jedi_librettist]

The landing knocked Ben around a bit. He stayed where he landed, still lost in his head. The jolting of the ship wasn't real anyway. He wasn't real. Not being was a very good thing.

[middleoftheforce]

Solo breathed out after the landing, hands still tight around the controls. Now what? What did he need to do next to make sure that things would work? Think. He needed to think.

[jedi_librettist]

Ben leaned against the wall where he'd landed as the ship stopped moving. The heat he'd felt earlier had turned to cold and he was sweating. He couldn't go back. Not now that he'd been free for less than a day. He hadn't even gotten to see his parents yet.

[middleoftheforce]

He's not sure how long he's been sitting, but he eventually pulled himself from the seat, a plan somewhat fixed in his mind. He needed to go talk to the officials. A grimace crossed his face as he realised he'd ... probably need to go dig out something a bit less covered in gunk that what he was wearing.

He made his way back down to the fresher, looking to try to clean up his face a bit.

"Ben?"

[jedi_librettist]

Ben didn't move from where he'd curled on the floor. His breath still came in short, quick, gasps. His eyes stared out at nothing. It was as if he didn't hear his twin.

[middleoftheforce]

There was a frown and Solo pushed at the door.

And then swore loudly.

"Ben!"

[jedi_librettist]

There was still no reaction. Ben had pulled so far into his head, he couldn't hear Solo.

[middleoftheforce]

"Ben!" He yelled again, kneeling down so he was level with his brother. He reached out and shook him by the shoulder. "Come on, snap out of this."

[jedi_librettist]

The movement didn't rouse Ben anymore than the shout did. He still stared blankly. His hands began to move, apparently unintentionally. He pushed lightly against Bail.

[middleoftheforce]

Solo stepped back, frown giving way to concern. He reopened his side of the Bond.

Ben! Snap out of it!

[jedi_librettist]

With the reopening of the bond, just a bit of Ben's emotions filtered through. Mostly terror with some guilt and resignation. His end of the bond remained closed.

[middleoftheforce]

Solo gave an irritated sigh.

"I'm sorry I punched you, but you were pissing me off." He looked around. "We're on Naboo. If we talk to the official, we'll be able to get a lot of the people here going back to their homes."

[jedi_librettist]

Ben gave no reaction to the apology. His brother's presence registered at the fringe of his awareness. It wasn't any more real than anything else but it was nice. His fingers curled around Bail's shirt.

[middleoftheforce]

"I kinda need to get clean up," he said in a ramble. "Doesn't look too good to the official if you show up wearing a shirt you just shot down a bunch of slavers in."

[jedi_librettist]

Ben didn't let go. If anything, he held on tighter. He wanted more time with his brother before the reality of his life came back.

[middleoftheforce]

"We talk to the officials and then people get to go home." He said, just trying to fill the silence. "Han and Leia'll be glad to see you."

[jedi_librettist]

Ben leaned forward as his stomach heaved. His head bumped against his twin's chest.

[middleoftheforce]

"Just this one more thing," Solo said, more to himself than anyone else. "And then we get you home."

[jedi_librettist]

The world began to filter back in. Ben would have cried if he could have. Everything flooded in with harsh reality. Bail had left. His brother was angry with him and rightfully so. His brother would give him back to keep the bounty hunters from everyone else. His twin was... here.

[middleoftheforce]

"Han and Leia, they're gonna be pleased to have you back."

Pleased was a major understatement, Solo knew it. But he tried to channel the calming thought to his twin

You're going to come home, Ben. Home.

[jedi_librettist]

Home. It's what he'd wanted since he'd been taken. He'd all but given up on it ever happening. But now that his own brother had promised to bring him home, it terrified him. His breathing got even shallower. Mom would know everything. She always did eventually. And she'd tell Dad and Bail. Suddenly, he found himself wishing he'd been left at the auction. It would be better than seeing the looks on everyone's faces.