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.

Comments

[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.

[middleoftheforce]

"No, no, hey, it's gonna be fine," Solo spoke quickly. "They just want you to be okay. That's all they want. They'll do anything for you to be okay."

[jedi_librettist]

Ben shook his head, closing his eyes. He felt faint. He couldn't breathe right. His chest hurt. They wanted to know he was okay now. Once they knew what kind of disappointment he was, that would change.

[middleoftheforce]

"Fine is a relative term," he added dryly. "So, y'know, it's got broad meaning."

[jedi_librettist]

Ben's hands tingles badly. The meaning of fine didn't matter. He shook his head mo re firmly. It wasn't about that. He was every parent's worst nightmare and he knew it. Everything would be over once they knew.

[middleoftheforce]

"They just want you home. Nothing else matters," Solo stressed. Through the Bond, he tired to send the memories of Han and Leia's constant worries and constant, constant searching.

[jedi_librettist]

Ben shook his head again, more vigorously than before. Tears leaked from his eyes. They cared about the boy he'd been. They'd be disgusted with what he'd become.

[middleoftheforce]

No, they wouldn't. But Solo didn't know how to make his brother see it.

"Come on," he said. "We need to wash up Then we can go wander Naboo."

[jedi_librettist]

Ben hid his face. He still could barely breathe. Everything was black except right in front of him. How was he supposed to wash up and go anywhere like this?

[middleoftheforce]

"So we throw water on the face and we move, okay?"

Simply, Solo would tell him. One step at a time.

[jedi_librettist]

Splash water on his face. That wouldn't be so hard but the sink seemed so far away. He couldn't stop shaking and he didn't think he could stand without falling. So, no, it wasn't okay. He shook his head.

[middleoftheforce]

"Yes." It was firm, offering no resistance. Beyond anything, they both needed the water to help clear their thoughts.

[jedi_librettist]

Ben opened his end of the bond just a little. He was suffocating. He couldn't breathe. His lips had turned blue.

[middleoftheforce]

"Kriff - breathe!" It was spoken and pushed through the bond at the same time. It was okay. It was gonna be fine. They'd wander around Naboo, and enjoy some decent weather for a chance. Get some good food.