Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Anakin swallows as he follows the guards into the prison.

There were two in front of him and two behind him.

He stares straight forward as he tries to compose himself.

The ringing sound of the judge a couple of days ago makes it almost impossible.

A life sentence.

Which means at least twenty five years in prison.

Twenty five years.

The exact age he was at the moment, which meant that he would've lived half of his life in this place before getting out.

The guards come to a stop inside a large room.

Anakin knows the room well enough to know what's going on.

There's a camera standing in front of a brick wall, a shower stall without a door and a pair of clothes were already laid out on a bench.

One of the guards remove his handcuffs and gestures for Anakin to stand in front of the camera.

They take his pictures, guides him to the shower before handing him the clothes.

A pair of grey joggers along with a white t-shirt and a grey sweatshirt.

They're comfortable.

He's led into the actual part of the prison, carrying a towel, a pair of slippers and a toothbrush as they walk into the large room that must be the cafeteria.

He hears loud whistles but he keeps his eyes on the floor.

"Looks like we've got some fresh meat!"

"Some pretty meat."

"A real pretty face too."

He ignores the shouts, but something inside of him forces him to look up.

He almost feels like a pull and his eyes land on a Man.

The Man.

The Man had light blonde hair with a beard, Anakin could see sunspots on his face. He was sitting by a round table with others around him.

There was a chess table in front of him but the game was clearly over.

The Man was well-built, Anakin could see his muscles under the white t-shirt.

The man must feel Anakin's gaze on him because he looks up.

His eyes were dangerous, calculating.

Like he was picking Anakin apart.

The Man breaks their eye contact, returning his gaze on the people surrounding him.

"Keep up." The guard forces Anakin's eyes away from the Man.

He follows the guard up a couple of stairs before they come to a stop outside a cell.

"Your cellmate is in here, your bunk is the top one." The guard states before opening the door.

Anakin walks inside, met by grey brick walls.

There's a bunkbed to his left, a toilet in the corner to his right along with a sink next to it.

He spots a guy, seemingly a bit older than Anakin, in the lower bunk.

"Dameron, you've got a cellmate." The guard says before closing the door behind Anakin.

The guy gets up from the bed, hand outstretched.

"Poe Dameron." He says, voice strong without any edge to it.

Anakin doesn't reach for it, only turns and lays his stuff down on his bunk.

"Alright then." Poe huffs before laying back down in his bunk.

Anakin hoists himself up, immediately reminded of his broken ribs.

He grits his teeth as he manages to finally get up into his bunk.

He lets out a deep breath, laying down on his back.

He stares up at the ceiling, reaching out his hand as he touches it.

He could definitely hit his head in it if he woke up too fast.

Anakin closes his eyes, letting his hand fall back on the bed.

Memories hits him, unwanted and unannounced.

His mother's face, looking up at him with tears in her eyes as he held her body in his arms.

The rage inside of him, promising her dead body that he would avenge her.

Kicking down the door, forcing the man who murdered his mom down on his knees.

The only thing he doesn't remember is the gun.

He doesn't remember pulling the trigger.

He doesn't remember aiming for the man's friends, killing them too.

The first thing he remembered once it was over was the interrogation room.

The detective sitting in front of him, her dark hair in a high ponytail.

He hands clasped in front of her and mouth closed.

Anakin had confessed, without any try to appear innocent or even remorseful.

He didn't tell her anything about how the man had killed his mother, didn't tell her the months of planning it took for him to finally find the man.

Anakin only confessed and watched as the judge slammed his club down, sentencing him to life in prison.

"How long are you in here for?"

Anakin almost jumps, already forgotten about the guy.

He doesn't answer, only stares up at the ceiling.

"I've only got two weeks left, been here for almost five years. A street race gone wrong." Poe continues, lighting something inside of Anakin.

He remembers street racing, the way he would end every race with a full wallet.

Racing was as easy as breathing for him, the only place where he didn't have to think about his shitty life.

The only good thing he had was his mother and street racing.

And both were taken from him.

There's a bell ringing and Anakin hears Poe getting up from his bunk.

"It's dinner." Poe informs, his eyes now on Anakin.

Anakin doesn't meet them, only waits for the guy to leave.

Poe does, without having to be told.

Anakin stays, letting his eyes drift from the ceiling to the wall.

There's a loud bang on the cell door.

"Dinner!" A guard shouts and Anakin sighs.

He gets down from the bunk, gritting his teeth as his ribs protest.

He walks with his head down, not looking at anyone as he enters the dining hall.

He hears the same comments, but ignores them by fisting his hands.

The food looks like prison food, the state sparing no money for the place where they put killers.

He sits down with his tray by an empty table, ignoring Poe who's looking at him by a table with two others.

One dark guy with a buzz cut, and another pale guy with black shoulder-length hair.

Almost the same length as Anakin's dirty blonde.

They're chatting to each other, the darker guy and Poe clearly being close friends.

Friends.

That's not something that Anakin feels a need for.

He's never felt a need for friends, he's never been any good as getting any.

He was socially awkward and often came off rude or aggressive.

Anakin didn't necessarily mind.

Suddenly, the same pull as earlier forces his eyes up.

It doesn't take long to find the Man.

He was surrounded by five other men, his mouth closed as the others chatted.

Anakin doesn't know why his eyes were stuck on the Man but it almost felt like the Man held all of the power in the room, including over Anakin.

The Man seems to feel Anakin's eyes on him again.

He turns, looking at Anakin with those calculating blue eyes.

Anakin swallows.

"Hey newbie."

The contact breaks and Anakin is forced to look up.

There's a shaved man in front of him, tattoos covering the half of his face.

Anakin doesn't feel moved, even though he's pretty sure that the man was a hunter and Anakin was the prey.

"Not interested." Anakin says coldly before turning back to his food.

"Aw don't be like that, don't you know who I am?" The man asks sweetly.

Anakin doesn't answer.

"Rako Hardeen, and I believe that we are going to be very good friends."

There's a hand in Anakin's periphery.

He turns just as the man is about to touch his cheek.

Anakin's hand is suddenly around the man's outstretched arm.

"Don't touch me."

Anakin shows his teeth, glaring up at the man.

"Come on now, you're a pretty one - you're going to need some protection." Hardeen smirks, seemingly unworried about Anakin's hand around his arm.

Anakin stands.

He's not a prey.

"Try touching me again and I'll fucking break your arm." Anakin warns, the rage swirling in his stomach.

Hardeen pulls his arm out of Anakin's hold.

He lets out a huff but turns, leaving Anakin alone with "not worth my time."

Anakin exhales, sitting back down.

He can feel eyes on him but he turns back to his food.

Anakin wasn't dumb.

He knows that he's always had good looks: a strong jawline, muscles and good hair.

And apparently young in this setting.

It's something he's heard before, but he hadn't thought about how it would be in prison.

Stuck with killers, rapists and other scumbags.

He waits until dinner is over, throwing his uneaten food in the trash.

The rest of the prisoners enter the same cafeteria that Anakin saw earlier.

Anakin decides to stand against the wall, scanning the crowd.

Everyone were in groups, probably running in the same circles outside.

Rako Hardeen was sitting with two others, looking both sour and angry.

Anakin smirks to himself.

There was a large group by the tv.

One of them had his whole face tattooed in red and black patterns, another without any tattoos, looking around the same age as the previous, probably around thirty-thirty five. There was one that seemed to be the oldest, looking around sixty years old and then two younger ones around thirty.

Anakin turns his gaze, seeing Poe and his two friends playing some type of board games.

There are a few more scattered prisoners, sitting two- and two.

And then there was the Man's group.

They were at the opposite side of the other big group, the Man sitting in the middle of the group.

They were chatting lightly, a chess board being in the middle.

Anakin knows nothing of chess or board games, he's never been the type.

Or rather, never had time.

He stays by the wall, analysing the rest of the inmates.

He wouldn't budge if someone tried anything, he'd fight back.

But he needed to know exactly how to do it against those who looked bigger than him.

Anakin had always been fast, spent most of his adult days on the street without his mother's knowing.

He knows how to fight, having handled enough pain to not be afraid of it.

But so had probably most of the men in here.

Anakin bites his bottom lip, clenching his hands as he tries to think.

Tries to imagine spending twenty five years in here.

He had no one on the outside, not even Ashoka.

There would be no one to send him things, no one that would come and visit him.

He would be alone.

But that's how he liked it, how he's always lived.

He stays by the wall until it's time to go back into the cell.

The bunk squeaks when he moves, but it's something that he'll have to get used to.

"I saw Hardeen on you during dinner." Poe states into the dark.

"You need to be careful, it doesn't help you to talk back." Poe continues, experienced by his five years.

Anakin stays quiet, hearing Poe sigh.

"Just be careful." He repeats.

-----

Anakin manages to stay out of trouble for the first few days.

He keeps to himself and Poe seems to be done with him.

He's standing by his usual spot in the cafeteria when the man with the red and black tattoos over his face walks over to him.

"Boss wants to see you." He states, gesturing towards his group.

Anakin huffs.

"Too bad, I don't want to see him."

The man doesn't take no for an answer, he stays in front of Anakin.

They have a stare-off until Anakin realises that he won't be able to stay by his spot forever.

He can't stay there for twenty five years.

"Fine, show me your boss." Anakin answers and the man nods.

Anakin follows him to the group sitting on the couches.

"Ah, Anakin Skywalker." The oldest one of them says, gesturing for Anakin to sit.

Anakin remains standing.

He ignores the surprise, of course people would know who he was.

They had people on the outside, probably telling them everything that went on outside.

The man had white hair even though he didn't look older than sixty.

"Sheev Palpatine." The man continues, stretching out his hand.

Anakin doesn't take it.

"What do you want?" He asks instead, crossing his arms over his chest.

"I simply want to talk." Palpatine says, his voice calm but Anakin could hear the underlying edge.

The man was dangerous, clearly holding enough power to feel comfortable in this place.

Anakin waits for the man to continue.

"Such a fire inside of you, the power of being young and reckless." Palpatine continues with a smile.

"I've gotten quite interested in you, so I offer you a place here." Palpatine states with the same smile.

Anakin huffs.

"I'm not interested." He answers, turning to leave the group.

"Rako Hardeen seems to be interested in you too, at least I've heard."

Anakin immediately whirls around, glaring at him.

"Is that a threat?" Anakin snarls, stepping closer to the man.

The one with tattoos along with another steps in front of him.

"Oh no, it's a warning. Along with an opportunity for you, you'll be safe by my side." Palpatine answers with a laugh.

Anakin looks at the two men in front of him.

"You need these guard dogs to protect you?" Anakin asks, uncrossing his arms.

"Maul, Dooku, there is no need to be hostile. Anakin and I are simply discussing his well-being." Palpatine says smoothly, forcing the two to stand down.

"I told you, I'm not interested." Anakin says flatly, but doesn't turn.

He waits, wants to study Palpatine's next move.

"I will give you some time to think it over of course." Palpatine states, ignoring Anakin's rejection.

Anakin rolls his eyes, crossing his arms again.

"I'll join you when your hairline returns." He decides, turning away.

Hands immediately grab him.

"What did you just say!?"

The tattooed man, Maul, was definitely stronger than he looked.

Anakin fights him, pushing him away.

They stop by the sound of Palpatine laughing.

"Oh, such spirit in him." Palpatine says once he's done laughing at Anakin's comment.

Anakin snarls before leaving, finally succeeding.

He can see eyes on him once more, eyeing his second interaction.

Anakin only grits his teeth, feeling his nails dig into his palms.

Keep it together.

His eyes are pulled once more and he sees the man looking at him with the same calculating blue eyes.

Anakin sends him a glare, communicating just what would happen if the man tried to do the same.

The man doesn't seem moved by Anakin's glare, his blue eyes still on Anakin's face.

Anakin spits on the ground in front of him whilst remaining eye contact.

The man raises his right eyebrow.

It only make Anakin want to spit again.

One of the guys by the man stands, but is gestured back in his seat by the man.

Finally someone that doesn't let his dogs fight his battles.

Their stare continues until the bell rings, signaling for yard time.

Anakin stomps outside, arms crossed as he finds a spot in the sun by the fence.

The sun warms his skin, helping him relax.

His golden skin was proof of his liking of the sun.

He watches some of the inmates playing basketball, others lifting weights.

Palpatine and his group sits in the shade, Palpatine's eyes never leaving him.

It makes Anakin want to punch him.

The other Man seems to have stopped looking at him though, but Anakin isn't sure if he feels pleased by it.

There was something about the Man.

Something dangerous.

Something intriguing.

Anakin finds him by a bench in the sun along with his group.

Anakin had twenty five years to try and figure the Man out.

Chapter Text

Anakin knows when he's being watched.

The only problem is that he's not used to being watched by so many people.

Palpatine was watching him.

Maul and Dooku were watching him.

Rako Hardeen was watching him.

Other inmates were watching him, eager to see how everything would play out.

Anakin was too, maybe not eager, but he was waiting for it.

Something would happen.

He just didn't know from which angle.

Maybe this was price for being stupid enough to not keep his head down, for mouthing off, for being rude.

His mother had always told him that rudeness would lead to bad things.

Anakin wishes his mother would have told him exactly what bad things.

It would've helped him out.

It takes two days.

Poe's worried, despite Anakin's harshness.

Anakin actually believes Poe's reason for being in here, he didn't seem like the killing type.

He didn't seem like any type of bad.

Anakin sighs, laying in his bunk as he continues to count the bricks in the ceiling.

Not actual bricks, but firm enough that no one could break out.

Then he hears a shout.

It's a quick, low yell that's muffled.

It's stupid.

Anakin didn't need any more targets on his back.

But he's never been the one to back away from a fight.

He jumps off of his bunk, walking out into the corridor.

He sees one guy, a guy from the Man's table, being dragged by two others.

The guy had blonde short cut hair, his skin light brown and he was trashing in the men's hold.

"Hey!" Anakin shouts, steeling himself as he takes a step forward.

"Go back to your cell." One of the men orders.

He had light white skin, an almost neutral face despite snarling at Anakin.

The other one looked almost completely like the first man, the only difference was that the one snarling at Anakin had completely white hair whilst the other one had dark black.

Anakin wants to laugh in their face.

He takes another step forward.

"I said go back!" The white haired one repeats.

Anakin quickens his pace until he's in front of them.

"Let him go."

The white haired man lets go of the guy, walking up to Anakin.

His body was pumping from adrenaline.

It had been too long since he'd been in a fight.

Street fights didn't earn him as much money as street racing, but it was still something he dabbled in.

The man raises his fist.

Anakin's faster.

He ducks, raising his own fist.

The satisfying feeling of flesh being hit makes his whole body tremble.

The man groans, stumbling back.

Anakin continues.

He tackles him to the ground, throwing another punch.

The man manages to hit Anakin's left cheekbone but Anakin barely feels it.

The guy being held seems to understand because he fights himself out of the black haired's grip.

Anakin leaves the man on the ground, throwing a punch at the other.

His fist makes contact, breaking the man's nose.

A good hit.

The man roars, throwing a punch back.

The fist hits Anakin right on his eye socket.

Anakin shakes the pain off, ducking away from the second punch.

The other guy throws himself at the inmate, tackling him to the ground.

He's got the other inmate groaning on the floor after two hits.

Anakin helps him up, spotting his bruised temple.

"You good?" Anakin asks, breathing heavily.

His fist was hurting.

"Yeah, thanks." The guy answers.

"Rex." He adds, stretching out his hand.

It's the first hand that Anakin shakes.

"Anakin."

Rex nods, clapping him on his shoulder.

"We should get out of here before the guards show up."

Anakin nods, scurrying back into his cell as Rex turns and leaves the other way.

The pain starts coming back to him.

He presses his fingers against his eye socket.

He would definitely have a black eye tomorrow.

He turns to see blood running from his split knuckles, but nothing was broken.

The punch to his jawline hurt but it would only be a light bruise.

The real problem was that Anakin didn't know exactly which group the two men were a part of.

He would have to watch out from all sides now.

The regret comes more as a question than an actual emotion.

No.

He doesn't regret it, maybe he will, but not now.

The guy, Rex, seemed like an okay guy.

Not that Anakin knew enough about him to actually have any proof, but Anakin was usually good at reading people.

"What did you do?"

Anakin turns to see Poe staring at him.

"Nothing." Anakin answers, washing his hands in the sink.

Poe groans.

"I thought I told you to be careful." Poe says as he lays down in his bunk.

"I'm not a good listener." Anakin answers, causing Poe to laugh.

"Yeah I've noticed."

Anakin stretches his neck, deeming his hands clean enough.

"Was it Palpatine's guys?" Poe asks as Anakin dries his hands on his joggers.

Anakin shrugs.

It makes Poe groan again.

"It's fine." Anakin says as he lays down in his own bunk.

It was fine.

He would deal with the consequences some other day.

He closes his eyes, the adrenaline gone and replaced with exhaustion.

"If you say so."

-----

Half of his face was covered in bruises.

Anakin only grits his teeth as he walks into the dining hall.

He grabs his breakfast tray and sits down by his usual table.

He doesn't see the two men from yesterday, but he does see Rex.

Rex sends him a short nod before returning to his breakfast.

Anakin lets out a slow breath.

He still didn't regret it.

He picks apart his bread, still not hungry enough to eat the prison food.

There's a sound of footsteps and Anakin looks up.

The two men from yesterday walk inside along with two others.

Their eyes meet and Anakin juts out his chin, a silent threat.

The black haired one fists his hands, walking towards him.

Anakin stands, ready for whatever the man was going to try.

"Grievous."

Anakin turns, seeing those calculating blue eyes now on the man standing behind the other inmates in front of Anakin.

The Man hasn't stood up yet, but he beckons Grievous over to his table.

"This isn't over." The black haired man, following Grievous to the Man's table.

Anakin isn't sure exactly what was happening.

The Man held a calm expression despite the tension in the dining hall.

"I heard that you jumped one of my men yesterday." The Man says loudly, still not getting up.

Grievous stands a couple of steps away from him, face less angry and more apologetic.

"Kenobi, it was a misunderstanding-" Grievous starts, but the Man only raises his hand in silence.

The Man-

Kenobi.

The name didn't sound familiar, but it fit the Man.

"You know as well as I do that it's irrelevant if it was a misunderstanding or not." Kenobi continues, having everyone's eyes on him.

Or no.

Everyone's eyes were on Grievous, Anakin realises.

"We won't do this again Kenobi, we won't-"

"Oh I know. You won't touch one of my men again and I believe that I will send you a message just in case you forget." Kenobi interrupts calmly.

Calm.

Kenobi's whole body mirrored calm, laid back on the bench.

A dangerous sort of calm, like when a lion waits to pounce on its prey.

Grievous looks like he's about to say something, but Kenobi turns away from him and goes back to his breakfast.

Anakin can see Grievous swallow before he leaves Kenobi's table.

Anakin dares to send the two men from yesterday a smug smirk.

Fuckers.

They leave the dining hall without the guards protesting.

Anakin turns, feeling eyes on him.

Kenobi looks at him.

Anakin raises his eyebrow, half in defiance and half in waiting.

He knows what his face looks like.

Rex probably told Kenobi about what happened, but even if he didn't Anakin's bruises told the story.

Or maybe the opposite.

There was a risk that Kenobi thought that Anakin had been one of them.

That would mean that Kenobi would set his sights on Anakin next.

Fuck.

Anakin turns away from Kenobi's eyes, swearing to himself.

How many more enemies could he get in this place?

The bell rings and Anakin slowly gets up.

He throws the tray by the others, walking into the cafeteria.

He swallows, biting the inside of his mouth as he stands by his usual spot.

The room fills and Anakin steels himself.

Something was about to happen.

He wasn't sure what, but something was coming.

He spots Maul standing, eyes on Anakin as he takes a step forward.

"Anakin."

Anakin turns away from Maul, seeing Rex beckon him over.

It was either Maul or Kenobi.

It was hardly a choice.

Anakin walks over, nodding his head to Rex.

"You still good?" Anakin asks, seeing Rex' own injuries.

Rex nods, turning his eyes on Kenobi.

Right.

Anakin meets Kenobi's eyes, waiting.

Kenobi nods his head to the seat in front of him.

Anakin crosses his arms.

Kenobi rolls his eyes, but doesn't seem too annoyed by Anakin's antics.

"I heard about the incident yesterday. Rex told me what happened." Kenobi starts and Anakin waits.

"What do you want?" Kenobi asks, tone surprisingly light.

"Funny, I was going to ask you the same thing." Anakin answers humourlessly.

Kenobi's eyes glint.

"I believe that I am in debt to you for your actions yesterday." Kenobi reveals but Anakin frowns.

"I didn't do it because I wanted something from you."

Kenobi smiles.

"I guessed that was the case, however, I still am in your debt. That's how things work around here." Kenobi explains but it only makes Anakin angrier.

"I told you, I don't want anything. Can I go now?" Anakin asks without thinking.

Kenobi raises his eyebrow.

Anakin wants to slap himself.

He doesn't need permission to leave.

"I meant, is there anything else you want to say?" He corrects himself, tightening his arms.

Kenobi's smile returns.

"I can give you protection, or perhaps a book, a tattoo?" Kenobi suggests but Anakin shakes his head.

"I'm not stupid, there's always a price."

Kenobi hums.

"I am in your debt, the price has already been paid."

Anakin swallows.

A small part of him wants Kenobi to protect him from the rest.

To let Anakin breathe.

To let Anakin relax.

"I'm good." Anakin rejects, letting his arms fall down his sides.

"That's not what I've heard." Kenobi says with a raised eye brow.

Always the same eye brow.

"I can handle it." Anakin answers sharply.

Kenobi does something strange.

He nods.

And then he stands.

His hand is suddenly on the back of Anakin's neck, guiding him forward.

Anakin feels his heart stop when the warmth from Kenobi's breath touches his ear.

Anakin feels his heart stop.

"I know, but you don't have to." Kenobi says quietly.

Anakin swallows, Kenobi could probably feel Anakin's pulse racing.

"All you have to do is ask." Kenobi finishes before letting him go.

Anakin tries to even his breathing, watching as Kenobi sits back down like nothing happened.

All Anakin can do is send him a quick nod before his feet takes him away from Kenobi's table.

His first interaction with Kenobi.

"Anakin."

Palpatine.

Nope.

Anakin didn't need any more drama today.

He ignores Palpatine, walking out of the cafeteria and towards the staircase to his cell.

Hands grab him.

"He told you to come boy." Maul's voice hisses in his ear.

It's not nearly as nice as it was when Kenobi did it.

Anakin pushes Maul off of him.

"I don't listen to him." Anakin spits, causing Maul to glare.

"Consider yourself a target then." Maul snaps before walking back to the cafeteria.

Anakin breathes, closing his eyes for a quick second.

A debt and a threat, all in one day.

He walks to the cell, splashing some water over his face.

He hears Poe walking inside, his footsteps familiar enough for Anakin not to turn around.

Poe doesn't say anything, only lays down on his bunk.

Anakin does the same, mindful of his head.

He hasn't hit it yet and he would like to keep it that way.

He pulls his blanket over himself.

"You definitely ignored my advice." Poe states, making Anakin roll his eyes.

They lay in silence.

The guard shuts their door, the lights go off as Anakin keeps his eyes on the ceiling.

"I'm getting out tomorrow."

Anakin hums, remembering that Poe had said that he only had two weeks left.

"Anakin." Poe says, voice suddenly serious.

"If it comes to a choice: choose Kenobi." Poe continues, making Anakin tense.

"Why?" He hears himself asking.

"Because, he is the better man between the two." Poe answers in the darkness.

Anakin inhales.

"But is he a good man?" He asks, waiting for Poe's response.

Poe lets out a breath.

"Is anyone in here?" He answers, making Anakin hum.

"Thanks Poe, for looking out for me." Anakin forces himself to say.

There hadn't been many people that had looked out for him.

His mother.

One of his teachers.

Ashoka, even though Anakin had been the one to look out for her more.

Poe doesn't get to answer.

Their cell door opens.

None of them manage to react fast enough.

People rush inside, hauling both of them down onto the floor.

"Hey!" Anakin shouts, but a hand over his mouth silences him.

A low light lets him see the men inside.

Fuck.

"Oh Anakin, how utterly devastated I was to hear that you continue to refuse my offer." Palpatine says smoothly.

Anakin trashes, but the one holding him was too strong.

"Palpatine, he hasn't done anything against you." Poe tries, trashing against the man holding him.

"Well, he refused my offer. I believe that is enough of a wrongness." Palpatine answers lightly.

"Dooku?" Palpatine asks, turning towards the brown-haired scumbag.

Dooku hands him something, something that glistens in the low light.

"Palpatine, he's a kid." Poe continues as Palpatine holds the knife out towards Anakin.

Real fear hits Anakin.

This wasn't how he was supposed to die, by the hands of a fucking sixty-something year old man.

Anakin bites the hand that's muffling him.

He hears Maul growling from pain.

Good.

"Let me go and I'll fucking show you-"

"Hush Anakin, there is no need to get worked up. I am simply here for you to see what happens when someone rejects me." Palpatine interrupts.

"Hold him down." Palpatine orders and Maul forces Anakin down on his stomach, a knee in his back and hands wrenching his face up.

Anakin glares up at Palpatine.

Palpatine only smiles back, the dark dangerous smile that Anakin's seen before.

"No! Don't do this! Let him go Palpatine!" Poe shouts, fighting against the man holding him.

Anakin wants to tell him to shut up, but he's also touched that Poe is fighting for him.

"Oh do not worry. I have no intention to hurt Anakin." Palpatine answers, eyes suddenly on Poe.

None of them have time to react.

Palpatine slits Poe's throat.

Anakin screams, trashes against Maul as he sees Poe's face turn into confusion as blood starts running from the cut.

The man holding Poe lets him go.

Poe's eyes are wide open.

It doesn't even take two minutes.

Poe stops breathing, stops, moving.

His eyes still open, but empty.

Anakin sobs against the floor.

He had done this.

"Now Anakin, perhaps you will come to understand what will happen if you refuse me again. I expect an answer in three days." Palpatine says, handing Dooku the knife.

Anakin can't move, can't make his tongue form the words that he wants to scream.

Maul lets him go as they leave the cell just as quickly as they had entered it.

Anakin spends a good time sobbing, crawling over to Poe's body.

He pulls Poe into his lap, rocking forwards and backwards.

He doesn't know what he's saying, sentences and words mixed together.

I'm sorry.

Please come back.

I'm sorry.

Poe.

I'm sorry.

Chapter Text

The interview only takes a few minutes.

Did he see who it was?

No.

Where is the weapon?

Don't know.

Did Anakin himself do it?

No.

They believe him.

Not that he didn't see, but almost no one snitches in prison.

They probably believed him right from the start when they opened the cell door, seeing Anakin's sobbing form over Poe's body.

They let Anakin shower, handing him new clothes.

Because his were covered in Poe's blood.

Poe.

Who was supposed to go home today.

After five years.

Only here because he got caught street racing.

Dead because he shared the same cell as Anakin.

The redness from his crying stays on his face despite the shower.

Anakin's guided into the dining hall, hearing murmurs around himself.

He stares straight ahead, a guard brings him his tray and sits him down by his usual table.

They leave, deeming him ready to fend for himself.

Anakin continues to stare straight ahead.

He can't even look at Poe's friends.

They know, everyone does.

That much is clear from the whispers around him.

Anakin stops himself from sniffling.

Not here.

Not now.

Later, when he's alone in the cell.

Not now.

Not here.

Anakin turns when he feels the familiar eyes on him.

Kenobi looks at him, a frown on his face.

Like he's trying to figure something out without succeeding.

Like he's trying to solve an unsolvable puzzle.

Anakin turns away, but something makes him stop.

They're sitting there.

Like nothing happened.

Like they didn't just kill Anakin's only friend here.

Anakin feels himself standing, the sorrow being replaced by uncontrollable rage.

He fists his hands, stomping forward.

Palpatine looks at him like he's a child about to have a tantrum.

He looks amused.

Anakin is almost by their table, almost close enough to strangle Palpatine.

Hands grab him from behind.

Familiar hands.

One behind his neck, the other on his shoulder.

Anakin snarls, trying to trash out of the grip as he's hauled out into the corridor and then up to his cell.

The hands finally disappear and Anakin whirls around.

"What are you thinking?" Kenobi's voice makes Anakin somewhat even more angry.

"I'm going to fucking strangle him!" Anakin snarls, trying to push past Kenobi.

Kenobi only forces him back.

"He's already killed your cellmate, who do you think he'll kill next huh?" Kenobi asks, a slight strain in his voice.

"I don't fucking care! I'm going to-"

"Anakin!"

His name rolls off Kenobi's lips, making his body tingle.

"Why are you here? Why did you stop me?!" Anakin asks hotly, glaring up at Kenobi.

Kenobi sighs.

"Why?!" Anakin urges, pushing at Kenobi.

"Why?!" He continues, pushing harder.

"I don't know." Kenobi admits.

Both come to a stop.

"I don't know Anakin but I can't let you kill yourself." Kenobi continues, arms at his side.

"Why? I'm not anything to you, we didn't make a deal." Anakin asks, the anger slowly leaving him.

Kenobi sighs, sitting down on Poe's bunk.

Anakin refrains from attacking him.

"I know, but there is something with you Anakin. I cannot explain it." Kenobi says, eyes on the floor.

"I've tried to get passed it, but there is no use." Kenobi continues, finally looking up at Anakin.

Anakin frowns.

He sits down next to Kenobi, resting his face in his hands.

His hands over his eyes as his lips quiver.

"It's my fault." He says quietly, swallowing as he forces back his tears.

Kenobi doesn't answer.

"He told me that he wanted me to see what happens if I reject him." Anakin continues, shakily exhaling.

It was hopeless now.

It was die or follow a man like Palpatine.

He'd rather die.

"I am in your debt." Kenobi says and Anakin looks up.

"You can't protect me from this." He says, eyes stuck in the waves of blue.

"Let me worry about that." Kenobi answers calmly, placing a hand on Anakin's back.

Anakin breaks.

He can't stop himself.

He throws himself into Kenobi's chest, sobbing into the crook of his neck.

His whole body is shaking: from the fear, the pain, the sheer exhaustion.

Kenobi stiffens but doesn't push him away.

Anakin finds his hands fisting Kenobi's shirt, his sobs loud and ugly.

Warm hands suddenly go around him, shielding him from everything.

"It's okay." Kenobi hums but Anakin shakes his head against Kenobi.

Nothing was okay.

Poe was dead.

Anakin had made enemies everywhere.

His mother was dead.

His fucking mother was dead.

Poe had laid in his arms just like she had.

"It will be, I will protect you." Kenobi promises and Anakin naively decides to believe him.

In this moment, when everything was falling apart.

"Kenobi-"

There are voices in the cell, but Anakin can't make himself stop, only grabbing Kenobi's shirt tighter in fear of Kenobi leaving.

Kenobi doesn't move, but he seems to be able to relay an unsaid message because Anakin hears footsteps leaving the cell.

A hand returns to the back of his neck, comforting and protective.

"Please- please just help me." Anakin sobs, leaving Kenobi's throat to look into his eyes.

Kenobi.

A man he had only talked to one time before today.

A man he knew nothing about.

A man that had no reason to protect him.

Kenobi looks into his eyes, his other hand gently wiping away Anakin's tears.

"I will."

-----

Anakin wakes slowly.

He lets out a quiet groan, trying to rearrange himself on his pillow.

It was harder than it usually was.

And it was moving, rising and falling.

Anakin immediately opens his eyes, sitting up fast enough to slam his head into something hard.

Not the ceiling, but the bottom of the bunk over him.

"Ow!"

A light chuckle causes him to look down.

Kenobi.

He was laying on top of Kenobi.

Anakin scrambles off, managing to fall onto the ground.

"Ow!"

Another chuckle.

"You're quite the cuddler when you're asleep." Kenobi says, pushing himself up on his elbows.

Anakin feels his face redden.

"I'm sorry- I- I didn't-" He stumbles over his words, unsure of where he was going with them.

"It is quite alright, I would've moved you if I didn't wish to become your pillow." Kenobi says, sitting up.

"I- uh- thank you?" Anakin manages, earning a warm smile from Kenobi.

"I switched your cell, you're sharing with Rex now. He's in the dining hall." Kenobi explains as Anakin awkwardly stands.

"It's already lunch?" Anakin asks, scrunching his face up in confusion.

Had he slept until lunch?

"Try dinner." Kenobi chuckles, standing up himself.

Anakin's eyes widen.

"Don't worry, I wasn't particularly hungry." Kenobi shrugs, stretching his neck.

Anakin's eyes widen even more.

"You stayed the entire time?!"

Kenobi hums, before nodding towards the door.

"Would you like to get something to eat or for me to show you to your new cell?" He asks, looking unbothered by Anakin's discoveries.

"I haven't been hungry lately." Anakin answers.

Kenobi nods to Anakin's surprise.

"I've realised, so it is probably best for us to get some dinner." Kenobi states, hand on the door.

"What's your name?" Anakin suddenly asks.

Stupid.

Kenobi stops.

"What?" He asks, a smile on his lips.

"I mean- you know mine, it's Anakin. I don't know yours, only your last name." Anakin hurriedly explains.

Kenobi's eyes glint.

"It's Obi-Wan."

"Obi-Wan." Anakin repeats, testing out the name.

It fits, strangely enough.

"It's uncommon." Anakin states.

Stupid.

He's not sure why he's suddenly talking or asking Kenobi, Obi-Wan, so many questions.

He's barely talked for two weeks, it's almost as if his body is pleading for him to finally say whatever he's thinking.

"So is Anakin." Obi-Wan answers before opening the door, gesturing for Anakin to follow.

The corridor is empty, and so is the cafeteria.

Anakin takes a deep breath before they enter the dining room.

Eyes immediately fall on the two, but it doesn't feel as bad as when he's alone with the eyes.

Obi-Wan doesn't seem bothered.

He guides Anakin to his table, sitting him down next to Rex.

Obi-Wan sits down next to him, which makes people around them whisper.

It's not Obi-Wan's usual place.

Anakin doesn't realise why Obi-Wan chose to sit next to Anakin until his hand lets go of Obi-Wan's shirt.

Fuck.

He had held onto Obi-Wan's shirt like some lost child.

Anakin feels himself turning bright red, immediately staring right down at his feet.

"Sorry." Anakin mutters out.

"It's quite alright Anakin." Obi-Wan chuckles.

Two trays are put in front of them, the regular prison food that makes Anakin's stomach turn before he's even eaten any.

Obi-Wan starts eating, letting the others chatter around them.

Anakin only prods at the food with his fork.

"Eat your food Anakin." Obi-Wan says without looking at him.

Anakin grows even redder.

"It looks like shit, of course he's not going to eat it." One man states, clearly agreeing with Anakin on the food.

"Quinlan." He introduces himself.

He had long messy black hair, a yellow tattooed line horizontal on his face and dark brown eyes.

"Anakin." Anakin answers dumbly.

Quinlan laughs, a loud rowdy laugh.

"Kid's got humour." Quinlan laughs, slapping his hand down onto the table.

He had torn the sleeves of the t-shirt, wearing it as a tank top instead.

"Cody's the one who offered you his bunk." Obi-Wan explains, gesturing towards a man with short dark brown hair and olive-gold skin.

He had a scar over his forehead and around his right eye.

"Thanks." Anakin smiles weakly.

"No worries, Rex is my brother, I'm thankful." Cody says and Anakin perks up.

He turns towards Rex, starting to see the resemblance, except for Rex having blonde hair.

Rex nods with a smirk.

"I got the better looks obviously."

Cody rolls his eyes, going back to the last of his dinner.

"Mace Windu." A bald dark man introduces himself before sipping on his water.

Anakin nods, dazed by all of the names.

"Plo, Plo Koon." The last one says and Anakin nods again.

He was wearing blonde dreadlocks tied into two messy buns on either side of his pale face. his eyes almost completely black.

"Anakin." Obi-Wan gestures for Anakin's still untouched plate.

Anakin puts some of the rice on his fork, taking a slow bite.

It was a little undercooked, the grains crunching under his teeth.

"Good." Obi-Wan praises and the tingle returns.

Anakin wants to feel the tingle again so he takes another bite.

Obi-Wan doesn't praise him again.

Anakin frowns, pushing the plate away.

The rest of them were finished, including Obi-Wan.

"I'm finished." He states, about to get up.

Obi-Wan's hand grabs onto the back of his neck again.

"No you're not." Obi-Wan states, pushing the plate back to Anakin.

"I am!" Anakin argues, pushing it away again.

The hand on the back of his neck tightens.

"Anakin, be good and eat your dinner." Obi-Wan forces and the tingling returns.

Anakin relaxes in his grip, scooping up some more rice on his fork.

"Good." Obi-Wan praises again.

Anakin's soul sings.

He doesn't question his bodily reaction. There was something comforting with Obi-Wan. Like Obi-Wan knows him inside and out. There is a part of Anakin that craves Obi-Wan's affection, craves Obi-Wan's acceptance.

"Damn, the kid is whipped." Quinlan cackles and Anakin feels his cheeks burn.

Was it that obvious?

"Quit it." Obi-Wan orders and Quinlan rolls his eyes.

Anakin finishes his dinner, earning a smile from Obi-Wan.

"Alright lets go." Quinlan forces and they stand.

Anakin forces himself to not grab ahold of Obi-Wan's shirt.

They sit down at the gang's usual table, Anakin sitting next to Obi-Wan once more.

"Do you play card kid?" Cody asks and Anakin shrugs.

"Not much."

"We'll teach you sabacc." Rex says and Anakin nods.

Sabacc was a game of strategy. Anakin smiles when he wins the first time, causing Quinlan to groan.

"You're a quick learner." Obi-Wan comments and Anakin smiles to himself.

He's always liked strategic games, where nothing was up to chance.

Anakin manages to win three games in a row before it happens.

Quinlan had left the table after the first round.

Anakin hears a scream, a blood-curling scream.

He immediately grab ahold of Obi-Wan, finding the sound coming from a man now on the ground with something sticking out of his chest.

A blade.

Quinlan was nowhere to be seen and Anakin recognises the man on the ground, he was one of the guys who jumped Rex.

Obi-Wan doesn't look up, doesn't even seem surprised.

"Obi-Wan?" Anakin whispers and Obi-Wan turns towards him.

Anakin sends him a look.

"Did you-" Anakin stops, grimacing as he hears guards rushing inside.

"I protect my own." Obi-Wan states, calm radiating from him.

Anakin bites the inside of his cheek.

Right.

Obi-Wan was dangerous, maybe one of the most dangerous people here.

"What if they decide to get back at you?" Anakin whispers, causing Windu to let out a quiet chuckle.

"They won't start a gang war over some some runt." Windu explains and Anakin nods slowly.

He looks over to Palpatine's table. They don't seem very surprised either, in fact, no one looks surprised.

Palpatine seems to feel Anakin's gaze, meeting his eyes.

Palpatine sends him a smile but he doesn't beckon Anakin over. Maul looks over as well with a smug face.

Anakin remembers Poe's body in his arms. The look of surprise and pain filling Poe's face.

He tightens his fist underneath the table.

He'd love nothing more than storm up to them and punch that smug face.

He pictures his hands going around Maul's neck, squeezing and seeing Maul's face turn red from the lack of oxygen. He pictures Maul's eyes rolling back in his head, hearing the way that Maul's heart stop beating.

"Anakin."

Obi-Wan's voice brings Anakin back to the present.

Anakin turns to him, Obi-Wan holding a knowing look.

"Do not fret." Obi-Wan orders but the rage in Anakin's stomach doesn't lessen.

"I want to kill him, kill all of them." Anakin snarls and Obi-Wan only nods.

"I know."

Anakin finds no comfort in Obi-Wan's calm demeanour.

"I want to squeeze his throat until I hear his head pop." Anakin snarls, feeling more like a feral animal than human.

It wasn't the same level of rage as he felt when he found the men who killed his mother, but it was still enough to make him tremble.

Obi-Wan grabs ahold of Anakin's neck, immediately quelling Anakin's rage.

Anakin almost sags, his eyes closing.

No one comments on it, no one dares to tease Anakin for his instant reaction to Obi-Wan's touch.

"Calm yourself." Obi-Wan murmurs and Anakin nods against his hand.

Anakin's never felt something remotely close to this. The way someone could calm his anger, the way someone's touch was all it took for him to relax.

"Good." Obi-Wan praises when he feels Anakin stop trembling.

"You will not fight them, let me take care of it." Obi-Wan continues and Anakin sags further.

The calm wash over him, like a gentle wave that helps him stay afloat.

"Still want to kill them." Anakin mutters quietly.

Obi-Wan chuckles fondly.

"I know, but you won't because I'm telling you not to." Obi-Wan answers confidently.

Anakin snorts.

"Does everyone always do what you want?"

Obi-Wan smiles.

"Pretty much."

Anakin huffs, but he doesn't move away from Obi-Wan's hand.

The hand feels- safe, grounding, almost protective.

That couldn't be true, Obi-Wan had no reason to be protective over Anakin.

They don't even know each other.

But a part of Anakin feels as though he's known Obi-Wan all of his life, like he's been waiting for him to enter his sad pathetic life.

"Come, it's almost sleep time." Obi-Wan beckons, his hand leaving Anakin's neck.

Anakin wishes that Obi-Wan's hand would be glued to his neck, a silent promise of never letting him go.