Work Text:
Commander Fox hated his life and everyone in this damn building.
He couldn’t see a way out anymore, feeling like he was drowning under the constant pressure and the looming presence of Chancellor Palpatine.
He remembered his brother’s excitement when they learned that he’d earned this position in the Coruscant Guard, knowing that their youngest brother wouldn’t be on the front lines.
That he’d be safe here.
Fighting in the war would be better than this.
He was falling apart more and more each day, trying to regain lost footing and survive another day.
Survival, that was his goal at the end of the day.
Maybe one day, he would enjoy this life he was given.
He hadn’t technically been alive long, but he still felt trapped in this life, not knowing which way was up any longer. He thought he might make a difference, even here in the guards, but that changed very quickly.
Did any of the other guards feel like this?
Did any of them cry behind their helmets when they knew no-one could see or hear them?
He was not the same person he once was, and it was that fact that made him feel truly hopeless.
He could never go back to being the man he used to be, that man died within the first month of being here.
His future was bleak.
There was no more optimism left in him.
He just had to accept it once and for all.
…Or so he thought
……………………………………………….
“Fox… you’re not okay, are you?”
Fox raised his head, and Quinlan felt his chest ache at the sight of the dark rings under the other man’s eyes, combined with three days’ worth of stubble.
He remembered that Fox had once confessed that he only slept for around ninety minutes a night, but looking at him now, it looked more like he hadn’t slept in days.
“Why wouldn’t I be okay?” There was heavy sarcasm in the response.
“… Is there anything I can get you?” Quinlan didn’t give up, “Maybe I can help with some of this paperwork? I’m sure I can forge your signature where needed.”
“Can you forge the Chancellor’s signature?” Fox raised one eyebrow, “Because that’s what I can do.”
“Seriously?”
“Seriously.” Fox’s eyes were dull, not as lively as Quinlan remembered them being when they first met, watching him slump over, almost in defeat, “Go home Quinlan. I can manage just fine without you.”
Quinlan snorted; he couldn’t help it.
Fox stiffened in response, glaring at him.
“When are you going to get it Fox?” Quinlan knew his voice was a little sharp, “You have friends and family outside of your brothers. People who love you and want to help when you need it. I’m not going to let you push me away.”
Silence.
“Do you want me to call Cody? Or Wolffe?”
“Please don’t.” Fox said automatically, “Please.”
“Then tell me how I can help?”
A further silence stretched between them. Quinlan could see Fox thinking about it, running through scenarios in his mind.
“Just… be here.” Fox whispered, somehow looking more exhausted, “That’s all I need… just be here.”
Quinlan was silent for a moment, waiting patiently until Fox sighed.
“I-I’ve been having black-outs and nightmares. I need sleep, but I have too much to do because the shift patterns for the Guard suck and I never get any time off.” He shrugged, “I feel like I can’t function without caff sometimes… can you be addicted to caff?”
“If you’ve ever listened to Obi-Wan’s lectures, yes.”
Fox allowed him a little chuckle, before the smile fell from his face, “I need you to stay with me.” He whispered, “Distract me from what’s going on.”
“… Even at night? To help you with the nightmares?”
Fox had no response for that, as Quinlan continued, “Maybe if you know that I’m there, it’ll quiet down things in your head.” He reached out and took Fox’s hand into his own, “Whatever you need, you’re not going through this alone, okay?”
“… Do you promise?”
“I swear.”