Chapter Text
The cell was a little too cold for her liking.
The man across from her didn’t seem to care, leaning against the wall with a relaxed posture, already given his one phone call and seemingly just waiting to be released.
“Sit down,” He urged, not looking in her direction. “Standing there eyeing a cop won’t get you anywhere.”
“I’m not trying to get anywhere, I’m stressed.”
The man scoffed. “Well then, why don’t you sit down and be stressed. And besides, you’ll be fine, it was a mass arrest anyway. They’re gonna let all of us out eventually.”
With a huff, Ahsoka sat. “And what makes you so sure?”
“This isn’t my first time in a holding cell. They give you your phone call, the charges don’t stand, and you’re released.”
She let silence take over, avoiding staring in his direction at all. If she had to be stuck in a cell with a college dude arrested at a protest, at the very least she’d do it with no fuss. It didn’t last long, however, when the man decided conversation was a better option. “How old are you, kid?”
She didn’t answer.
“Okay, what’s your name?”
“Ahsoka.”
“Anakin.”
She sincerely hoped he didn’t go any further, but that hope was crushed fairly quickly. “Who’s coming to get you out of here?” Silence. “Did you even make a phone call?”
“No.”
“You’re a minor,” He stated.
“Yes, I’m aware.”
“You need to make a phone call. You’re never getting out of here without one.”
The bitter feelings towards this stranger had just gotten more powerful. “And who am I gonna call, laser brain?”
He laughed off the insult. “I don’t know, your parents?”
“Pick again.” His face fell, and she could feel his gaze digging into her, studying her, figuring out her story. “Do you think I smell like a dumpster by choice?”
Anakin leaned back against the wall, seemingly contemplating something, his brow furrowed. It was welcome for Ahsoka, who simply wanted some peace and quiet to figure out how she was getting out of here.
Before she could figure it out, the cell opened. “Anakin,” Another man began with his spitfire accent. “I do believe this is the third time this year.”
“And it’s only May, I’ve still got time.” He stood, cracking his back. “Come on Ahsoka, we’re free.” She didn’t get a chance to object before he was ushering her out, the second man just as confused as her, although letting Anakin go ahead anyway.
An officer stopped them. This is why she needed a better plan than ‘walk out like nothing’s wrong’. “Sorry, ma’am,” He began.
Anakin blocked him before he could lay a hand on her. “This is my sister, Ahsoka. We were together when we were arrested.”
A subtle look to the man picking up Anakin and an agreement from him, and the three walked out, the officer none the wiser.
“How did-”
“They just want everyone out,” He replied, cutting her off. “Now come on, let’s get you home.”
“Were you not listening, or can you just not take a hint?” She joked, no humor in her tone. “I don’t have a home to go back to, before you ask.” She pushed in front of the two as they exited the station. “Thanks for breaking me out!” Ahsoka threw over her shoulder, already turning towards an alley a few blocks down.
A hand grabbed her shoulder. “Wait,” The older man said. “Come have a meal with us.”
“I don’t take charity.”
She tried to pull away, but to no avail. “It’s not charity. It’s thanks. For making sure my brother didn’t do anything stupid in there,” He assured her.
Ahsoka said nothing, Anakin finally popping in. “Obi-Wan’s right. It’s a celebratory meal, after the protest, you know?”
One meal wouldn’t do anything, she told herself. She could do one meal, even if it was with strangers, one of whom was just in a holding cell with her.
She sighed and released her grip on Obi-Wan’s wrist.
“Fine.”