It's leather for leisure and a Velcro for sport

[jedi_librettist]

Ben stared at his brother for a full minute before he said anything. He couldn't believe what he'd just heard.

"No! You promised, Bail! You said I could just be Ben still. What do you call walking around with you and an honor guard? Do you really think no one will figure it out? I'm not doing it!"

Comments

[jedi_librettist]

Ben found himself frowning at the menu, trying to remember what some of the options were. He finally picked the cheapest thing on it. It was a small appetizer. Then he ordered the same thing for Ani, figuring his brother would insist the kid needed to eat, too.

[middleoftheforce]

He glanced at the food option. "Are you sure you don't want anything more?"

[jedi_librettist]

Ben shrugged and nodded. It was one of the many items he only vaguely recognized.

[middleoftheforce]

Solo nodded, getting something of similar size for himself and water for all of them. It was better, he thought, to stick to something simple.

[jedi_librettist]

Ben let out a small sigh as he sat down and waited for the food. The toddler was heavier than he looked.

[middleoftheforce]

He couldn't help but frowned as he brought the water over, sitting at the other side of the small table - there were a few sat out to encourage diners. He gave a shrug.

"I could try carrying him if you want?"

[jedi_librettist]

Ben smiled at the offer but hesitated. He pulled his water closer.

"Won't you need to carry things?"

[middleoftheforce]

"I've carried a lot of stuff before," he pointed out. "You can take some of this stuff. Anything needed for the ship I'll get sent there."

[jedi_librettist]

Ben sighed, nodding. He could do that.

"Thank you."

He looked up as the food arrived. He gently shook Ani awake, interrupting a whimper by quickly pointing to the food.

[middleoftheforce]

Solo said nothing, just began eating his own food. He could offer to take the kid, but it might be a bit of a thing to try to get the kid to go with him.

[jedi_librettist]

Ani grabbed one of the fried... whatever they were and shoved it into his mouth. He smiled at the twins and reached for another one.

Ben put one in his mouth and chewed it slowly. It seemed like some kind of vegetable. Unlike the toddler, he ate slowly and seemed to be more picking at his food than actually eating. His eyelids dropped. The only thing that kept him awake was the child in his lap.

[middleoftheforce]

"Ben, we can take the food with us," he said, watching his brother carefully. "We can go back to the ship now and you can rest."

[jedi_librettist]

"But you need to get some more things," Ben objected. "I can make it."

[middleoftheforce]

"You don't have to be with me when I get the stuff." It's not pointedly out unfairly, but in a matter of fact manner. "If you're tired, go back to the ship and rest."

[jedi_librettist]

"But I..." Ben sighed. "Someone has to watch Ani. I can't do that if I'm sleeping."

[middleoftheforce]

"The kid can stay with me." Simple solutions: often the best.

[jedi_librettist]

Ben smiled and squeezed Ani's hand. The kid had finished his own food and reached for Ben's. "As long as he doesn't give you too much trouble."

[middleoftheforce]

Solo glanced at the kid. "Think we'll be okay."

[jedi_librettist]

Ben ruffled the toddler's hair. "Be good for Bail."

He gave his brother a tired smile and stood. "Thanks."

[middleoftheforce]

"No problem."

[jedi_librettist]

Ben walked away, focused entirely on getting back to the ship without getting lost. He didn't know how much he'd be able to sleep this time but even a little bit would help.