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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[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.

[jedi_librettist]

Ben tried to breathe. He really did. Maybe a little more air reached his lungs. It felt like something was wrapped around his chest.

[middleoftheforce]

Solo tried to push forward more thoughts of just breathing easily, at the same time trying to pull his twin towards the sink.

[jedi_librettist]

It helped. The tightness in his chest eased little by little. His eyesight went back to normal. He let his brother pull him to his feet.

[middleoftheforce]

"Water on the face, fresh top, and then we can hit the planet." Solo said, with a decisive nod.

[jedi_librettist]

Ben nodded, still panting slightly. He turned on the water and quickly splashed his face.

"Mama!" a little voice outside the door demanded. "Where Mama?"

Ben turned around. It was the dark-haired, Force sensitive boy he'd noticed earlier. "I..."

[middleoftheforce]

Solo turned, frowning down at the kid. There was something... that Force signature was familiar somehow, but it wasn't exactly something he could place.

"Uh, what?"