Chapter Text
Anakin’s screams were barely above a whisper now. He had been tortured for hours, and his only solace was that Obi-Wan couldn’t feel it through their bond. As long as he didn’t feel, then he was safe. He almost slipped his hold on the shield when the intensity of the Force Lightning increased, but he slammed it back close. If Obi-Wan felt the excruciating pain Anakin was in, then he would rush over here, and Anakin would lose him. The Force lightning stopped, and Anakin heard Palpatine talking to someone else.
“I have to deal with Count Dooku at this moment,” said Palpatine, “Don’t forget what I told you do.”
Anakin laid on the floor panting for a few minutes before he had the strength to move. He almost fell when he stood, but this was his chance to leave. To escape the pain for a while. He might be in more trouble for this later, but right now, he just wanted everything to stop. He wanted his Master. He stumbled out the Senate building, and he collapsed. He knew he should call for a cab, but the thought of waiting outside this building for even a minute spooked Anakin. He panicked and ran as fast as he could. Until he was far enough away to feel safe, he ran stumbling and falling the entire way. After he was a few blocks away, he stopped, caught his breath, and allowed his pain to flow through the Force. Then he kept running.
He finally reached the safety of his Master’s room, and when he entered the room, he saw Master Windu and his Master sleeping on the couch. He didn’t think about why both of them were there instead of in their respective beds. He jumped in the space between them, and he buried his head into his Master’s chest. He didn’t notice he was crying until Obi-Wan’s shirt started getting soaked, but he did nothing to stop crying when he did notice. He needed Obi-Wan’s comfort right now, especially since he won’t get it anymore. Obi-Wan and Mace Windu jolted awake when the couch suddenly shifted. They looked at Anakin in confusion, but after a moment, Obi-Wan wrapped his arms around him. Anakin felt relief flow through him when Obi-Wan hugged him tightly.
“Anakin, what’s wrong?” asked Obi-Wan, confused and concerned. Anakin was supposed to be with the Chancellor. Did he have a nightmare? Obi-Wan felt through the Force for a moment, but all he got was a vague sense of warning and fear.
“Please?” Anakin begged.
“Please what?” Obi-Wan asked focusing back on his shaking Padawan.
“Don’t make me talk about it,” Anakin said quietly.
Obi-Wan and Mace shared a concerned look. Windu didn’t know what to think. This was new for Anakin. Besides, last time he checked, Anakin was mad at them. They deserved it, because Mace Windu sent Obi-Wan on a mission in the middle of the night. He disappeared, and nobody knew what happened to him. Anakin couldn’t feel him through the Force, and everyone had to run on the assumption that he was gone. Mace Windu had to take Anakin in since no one else was available. Anakin was distraught, and he was refusing to eat or sleep. Windu did his best to comfort him. He was relatively unsuccessful, but their relationship had improved. Although, they still snarked at each other in public. However, it had changed to a more playful snarking.
Anakin let out a loud sob, and Obi-Wan’s attention shifted back to him. Obi-Wan pulled him in tighter and started to whisper calming words in his ear. Anakin was not calming down. He was shaking, like he was cold, but Obi-Wan knew it wasn’t cold. Anakin clutched Obi-Wan, as if he was afraid something would take Obi-Wan away from him. Eventually, Anakin fell asleep, and Obi-Wan tried to move him. Anakin’s face furled, and his fists clenched around Obi-Wan’s shirt.
“Doesn’t look like he’s going to move,” Windu said. Obi-Wan sighed, and he moved until he was comfortable. Mace used the Force to bring a blanket, and he put it over Obi-Wan and Anakin. Obi-Wan nodded his thanks. “Have he ever done this before?”
“Not in a long time,” Obi-Wan said, “Not since he first came here. After Qui-Gon died.”