Work Text:
Anakin's quarter doors closed behind him with a soft noise when he spotted his padawan sleeping on the end of his bed, curled up tightly and with a light grey blanket messily wrapped around her slim shoulders. He smiled softly and put his lightsaber down on the shelf over the head side of his bed.
He sat down on the thin mattress and gently touched Ahsoka's shoulder, the white sleeve cloth covering her tawny skin. "Hey Snips," he whispered. Ahsoka grumbled and pushed her arms forward like a loth-cat, stirring softly.
"Ugh, what?" she grumbled as she sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes and pushing away the silka beads that were hanging down into her face.
She looked up at Anakin drowsily. "Hey," he gave her a smug smile. "Didn't manage to find your own bed, huh?" Ahsoka huffed and rolled her eyes before she let herself fall back onto the bed dramatically.
Anakin chuckled and sat down on the edge of the bed to take off his boots and the hard parts of his armor. "Come on, what's up? Normally you are more difficult to get to bed," Anakin said with a smile as Ahsoka just kept starring at the ceiling of the bed above her.
"I wanted to ask you something but I fell asleep. It's your fault, you always smuggle in the soft blankets that actually keep you warm. I couldn't resist," she argued and brushed her hand over the thick wool blanket.
Anakin laid back down next to his padawan who scooted to the side a little to make some space for him. He laid down on his back and Ahsoka moved down on the mattress to rest her head on Anakin's biceps, her montrals gently nudging the side of his head.
"Of course, my fault," Anakin chuckled. "So, for what did you come around?" Ahsoka hesitated for a second. She bit her lips and Anakin frowned. "Hey, did something happen?" he asked concerned as he gently started stroking Ahsoka's lekku.
She shrugged. "I was just wondering... Rex said Master Luminara would have let Barriss go. Would she really just let her die?" she asked while looking up at Anakin with an insecure glimmer in her eyes. Anakin sighed and stopped his movement.
"Yes, that's what she said. I fear," he finally answered in a low tone. Ahsoka moved a barely noticeable bit closer to him, as if she suddenly grew anxious. Anakin wrapped his free arm around her and pulled her a little closer.
"Does Barriss know?" Ahsoka asked. Anakin shook his head. "No, she is unaware, as far as I am concerned. Although, I believe she can sense it. The regret was lingering around Master Unduli for a while," he explained. Ahsoka nodded slowly.
"But is Barriss not disappointed?" Ahsoka asked with a certain urgency in her voice. How could Barriss not be at least the tiniest bit disappointed? Anakin sighed, lowering his gaze a little and starring at the grey wall between Ahsoka's lekku.
"Do you feel disappointment around her?" he finally asked. Ahsoka paused for a moment and thought about it. "Not... not really," she said finally. "But why?"
Anakin shrugged. "I guess Barriss got used to it. After all, it is how we are supposed to treat our padawans. You know the rules, don't get attached. Master Luminara is very strongly off the opinion that you should be ready to let your padawan go... when the time has come."
Ahsoka could feel the disdain lingering around Anakin through the force. His mimic looked torn. He could feel the distress around the younger girl. Finally, he sighed and pulled his padawan into a hug, her montrals fitting under his chin as she rested her face against his chest.
Ahsoka clung to her master, holding onto him for comfort. Anakin tried to shake off his anger and instead sending her security through the force. The girl drank it up like she needed his comfort to survive. "It's okay," he whispered.
Ahsoka pulled back a little and looked up at Anakin like a kicked baby loth-cat. "Would you let me go?" she asked whispering. Anakin pulled her into a tight hug and squeezed the air out of her lungs. "Absolutly not, never will I ever even consider doing that," he answered unambiguous.
Ahsoka exhaled a breath she didn't know she was holding and gently nudged her head back under Anakin's chest. He continued to stroke her back and gently twirling Ahsoka's headbeads around his fingers.
"You are worth more than some stupid rules." Ahsoka could hear her master whisper. "I will always come find you, no matter where you manage to get stuck." Anakin smiled softly and Ahsoka chuckled.
"Who comes to save us when we get stuck together?" she asked, relaxing a little. Anakin contemplated his answer for a brief moment. "I'm sure Obi-Wan would come, he would miss us. He just doesn't want to admit it." Anakin laughed softly, Ahsoka could feel the noise vibrating in her montrals.
She pulled back a little and glanced up at Anakin. "After the battle he looked like he wanted to throw a rock at you," she said with a smirk. Anakin rolled his eyes and nudged Ahsoka playfully. "I'm sure that was because of all the dust and his gunboat crash. Nothing to do with us."
Ahsoka nodded sarcastically. "Of course, nothing to do with us. As always."
"As always," Anakin answered solemnly and pulled Ahsoka back closer to him. Ahsoka laughed but quickly sighed in her master's embrace. "Can I stay here?" she asked. "You stay here at least once every standard week and I'm sure you share a bed with Fives and Echo even more," he mocked gently.
"Of course you can stay."