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Black ice was a menace.
Or maybe gray ice, since it was blending in with a sidewalk instead of asphalt? Whatever.
Anakin had been on his way to his usual lunch spot when he took a bad step. His muscles locked automatically as he felt the slip but it did him no good. Or at least, it didn’t prevent him from falling. His descent may have been unstoppable but it was also bafflingly slow, giving him the time to take note of every changing view as he went from standing to lying flat on his back. At least it was a gentle landing.
The peal of laughter that came from somewhere to his right was less gentle.
Despite the instant flush of embarrassment, Anakin couldn’t blame the stranger—he could picture the moment in his head and knew how ridiculous it must’ve looked. A barely audible laugh escaped him with the puff of his breath into the air. “If you’re close enough to laugh, you could give me a hand, you know,” he called, still staring up at the sky.
“Yes!” Anakin heard the steady crunching of snow moving toward him. “Yes,” the voice was practically at his side now, “I’m so sorry, truly.” He sounded contrite, if still obviously amused. And then a face to go with the voice filled his vision—chill-pinked cheeks and a coppery beard, a friendly smile that reached the stranger’s eyes. “Are you alright?”
“Better now,” he said before he could stop himself, “I’ve been worse, I mean.”
The widening of his grin said the stranger definitely caught the verbal slip. “Yes,” he agreed again, “it really didn’t look that bad.” He managed to swallow down his laughter this time, as he assessed the area. “You didn’t hurt your back, did you?”
“No, it really was as low-impact as it looked.” Anakin shook his head, sending a rueful sigh heavenward. “Only thing I hurt was my pride.”
The other man hummed thoughtfully as he flicked an errant lock of hair out of his eyes. “That might take another blow.” He disappeared from view, then earned a surprised squawk as Anakin felt hands close around his ankles. “I’m just going to drag you a little,” he assured over the noise, “get you off the ice.”
A feeling of bemused resignation settled over Anakin at the first tug and he threw his arms over his head as he was pulled down the sidewalk, his long coat bunching awkwardly beneath his back. “Sure, this might as well happen.”
“That’s the spirit,” his helper chuckled, dropping his legs to grasp one of his hands in a strong grip. “Now brace yourself, and up you get.”
Anakin barely had time to follow the instructions before that strong grip hauled him back up onto his feet; the hold deftly shifted into a handshake while he was still trying to get his bearings. “I’m Ben, by the way,” the man smiled brightly, “and usually much more polite about making introductions.”
“It’s—it’s fine,” he told him distractedly. Especially since Ben seemed intent on brushing the snow from his coat for him, hands stroking brusquely down his chest and then his back. “Anakin.” A beat, and he rolled his eyes at himself, “That’s me, I mean.”
Another bright smile, and Ben paused with his hand at the small of Anakin’s back. “A pleasure to meet you.” He gave another cursory brush to snow that may or may not have still been clinging to Anakin’s coat before parking his hand there again, remaining thoroughly within his personal space. “Can I buy you a coffee?” Both his expression and tone warmed into something more playful. “It’s the least I can do to thank you for the entertainment.”
Anakin’s eyes narrowed, but he felt himself smiling back. “Make it a hot cider from the place up the street and all’s forgiven. I was on my way to lunch when the ice had other ideas.”
Ben patted his back encouragingly, then shifted to his side. “We’ll have to make sure it doesn’t get its way again,” he teased, looping an arm through Anakin’s. “I’ll do you one better, get your whole meal.” Repeating, with another smile, “It’s the least I can do.”
He adjusted his sleeve, letting his arm rest more comfortably through Ben’s as they started—more cautiously—down the sidewalk. “Careful with that,” he warned lightly, “you might charm me off my feet.” Offering a lopsided grin, “Again.”
It provoked another peal of laughter, and Anakin decided he enjoyed the sound.