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─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.───

A boy with red hair, their padawan braid trailing behind them, was running with me through the Jedi Temple. I feared for his life but knew I had to protect him at all costs. It changes to a platform, rain pouring down on myself and some other Jedi, soaking us through, fighting a man wearing a jetpack. The Jedi falls off the edge with the man, and I yell after them. It changes again to that of a young blonde man who seemed familiar to me fighting a figure shrouded in black only to get hurled aside and unconscious.

"The Force is strong within you, Skywalker, like your brother," a man spoke from the dark as I rotated in the air with purple electric chains tethered to my wrists and ankles, "Join me and let me complete your training, and you could become stronger. So, there's no point fighting it, young padawan."

I speak, but my words can't be heard.

"Join the dark side, and we can destroy the Je..."

I speak again in silence, offering an incorrect response. The man sighed with disappointment at me, hanging his head, "If you don't, Master Kenobi will die. I know you care for him dearly."

He piqued my interest instantly hearing his name again, and worry courses through me.

"Join me."

Still mute, I glared back at the faceless man for a long time in response, firmly sealing my eyes shut. I tried not to let my tears escape me, "I will never join you."

It changes again for a final time. I'm fighting a Sith pressing their red lightsaber down against my blue. We struggled against each other until the Sith won the fight, running me through.

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It had been a few days before the attack on Padmé in that on Naboo, I had woken up in cold sweat, my inner robes sticking to me in the early hours of the morning, along with a yell that never left my mouth it hadn't been the first time these dreams, or should I say visions had awoken me sometimes I wasn't entirely sure what to call them because they had felt so surreal, like I had been there but wasn't there and what could be the future. I wasn't sure at the time if what I had seen would soon become true to that reality.

I must have drifted off to sleep when I should have been watching Padmé as my heavy breaths and the silent humming of my R6 unit filled the room. But, of course, my Master knew of my dreams and had told me to meditate whenever after it had happened to clear my mind, which was easier said than done when it was probably what had caused me to fall asleep in the first place.

But I cannot dwell on these dreams, let alone my other thoughts, to cause me any more distraction than necessary. Yet, as I stood gazing out at the never-ending cityscape of Coruscant from the window of Padmé's apartment, I was buzzing with anticipation and nervously rearranging my robes. No matter how hard I tried to reign myself back, I couldn't fight my feelings. After ten long years, even a Jedi can be excited to see loved ones again, especially one's baby brother. We weren't emotionless beings, but we had to tread lightly and not let our feelings affect us in any way.

"Are you okay, Ambrose?" a small, gentle, comforting hand rests on my shoulder, "You seem a little, I don't know, agitated."

"Well, wouldn't you be if you haven't seen your brother in ten years, Padmé," I chuckled nervously, looking across Coruscant as we stood.

"I'm sure everything will be fine," my dear friend tried to reassure me when I was still an absolute bundle of nerves.

Yet as to why, I found no harm in the sudden rapid beating of my heart when the lift announced their arrival. Taking a deep breath, a pleasant grin spread across my face from underneath my hood. As the doors slide open, I sense two presences I've not felt in almost ten years.

"Mesa here. Lookie lookie, Senator. Desa Jedi arriven," I heard the Gungan state as I chuckled silently. He was still the clumsy creature I remembered all those years ago but was now a representative of his species wearing the official dress of his people.

Feeling Padmé leave my side, I join her, Dormé and Captain Typho to greet my brother and Obi-Wan.

As soon as I clamped my eyes on them, even though they couldn't see my face from underneath my brown hood, mouth a little ajar and in awe at how much Anakin had changed and grown. The boy who had once been no higher than my waist ten years ago wasn't so little anymore. My brother had grown into a handsome young man, which made me realise how much I had missed. His hair was now a darker shade of blonde, and he had grown taller, having at least an inch or more on me.

I now take Obi-Wan in, scanning over his form that had since grown out of his padawan phase of life, hair still a hue of strawberry blonde but a little more red, barely touching his shoulders. Eyes still a mesmerising sky-blue with a hint of grey. He now had a beard adorning his strong jawline, the epitome of a Jedi Knight. I had never thought the man could get more attractive after all this time apart, but I was so wrong.

"It's a pleasure to see you again, M'Lady," hearing that familiar yet distinct lit Coruscant accent again after all this time sent that pleasant warmth through me as it had done all those years ago.

"It has been far too long, Master Kenobi," Padmé returned to Obi-Wan politely yet informally, "I'm so glad our paths have crossed again... but I must warn you that I think your presence here is unnecessary."

"I'm sure the Jedi Council has their reasons," I hear Obi-Wan simply respond to her.

"Ani?" Padmé asked, pausing for breath, assuming she had come to stand before my brother, "My goodness, you've grown."

"So have you...grown more beautiful, I mean... and much shorter...for a Senator, I mean," he tried to be smooth in his delivery but had failed. Miserably, it almost made me cringe and chuckle to myself from underneath my hood.

"Oh, Ani, you'll always be that little boy I knew on Tatooine," Padmé laughs brightly. I could feel the embarrassment coming off my brother in waves after she had said this to him.

I now follow after Padmé, Captain Typho and Dormé, lowering my hood as I make myself known.

"Master Kenobi, Ani, it's been a long time," my voice tried to be as formal as possible, but I couldn't rein in the joy I felt that it was impossible to contain the laugh coming out of me.

"Ambrose!"

A boyish grin split across his face before he launched himself at me, and we embraced one another with welcoming arms, laughing. Anakin winding his arms around my middle and mine his shoulders as he laughed into my shoulder.

Pulling back slightly, we take on another in, "Look at you, Ani. I never thought I'd see the day when my little brother would be taller than me," we now let go of one another, and I reach up a hand to tussle his hair playfully.

"Well, you look different too," he grinned happily at me, "But now I can get you back for all the times you carried me over your shoulders."

"You wouldn't do that to your brother, would you, Ani," I playfully warn my brother, pointing my finger at him.

"Dunno, I'll have to think about it," he joked with a smile.

I now turn to Obi-Wan, catching one another's eyes with a welcoming smile on his face that made my heart skip a beat and suddenly knock the wind out of me, but I don't show it.

"Hello, Ambrose, it's good to see you again," he greets me with a slight nod.

"You too, Obi-Wan," I return professionally, "Shall we?" I now gestured towards the sofa.

"Of course, as I was about to say, our presence will be invisible, M'Lady, I can assure you," Obi-Wan stated as we all moved towards the sofa and sat down, but I remained standing beside Captain Typho.

"I'm very grateful you're here, Master Kenobi. I'm Captain Typho, head of Her Majesty's security service," the Captain introduced himself to Obi-Wan, "Queen Jamillia has informed you of your assignment. The situation is more dangerous than the Senator will admit."

"I don't need more security; I need answers," Padmé says, "I want to know who is trying to kill me."

I noticed Obi-Wan frowning slightly at her statement before he spoke, "We're here to protect you, Senator, not to start an investigation."

"We will find out who's trying to kill you, Padmé, I promise you," my brother voiced with intent had stepped out of line again clearly after all this time, he still spoke before he thought, now realising what he'd done he shrank back like a child wrapping his robe around himself a little in frustration biting his lip and see Obi-Wan throw him a dirty look.

"We will not exceed our mandate, my young Padawan learner!" but my brother went on to imply it was only in the interest of protecting Padmé, "We will not go through this exercise again, Anakin. And you will pay attention to my lead."

"Something tells me this isn't going to end well," I bent down and muttered to Padme, who subtly nodded in agreement to my statement.

"Why?" he defied, challenging him with a stony eye, which only gained aggravated questioning in return from Obi-Wan as we both threw him looks of bewilderment, "Why else do you think we were assigned to protect her, if not to find the killer? Protection is a job for local security... not Jedi. It's overkill, Master. Investigation is implied in our mandate."

The arguing felt familiar, like when we were younger, I used to be able to control Anakin when it came to speaking out of terms or his little outbursts, but Obi-Wan obviously had been dealing with it for the last ten years, and I haven't been around to reign him in. Honestly, he's a little out of control, which worries me about his future.

Anakin looks my way briefly and then back to Obi-Wan. I still feel that our bond as brothers hasn't completely gone, even after all this time apart.

"We will do exactly as the Council has instructed, and you will learn your place, young one," Obi-Wan reprimands my brother more gently. In response, my brother lowers his head, uttering nothing.

"Perhaps with merely your presence, the mysteries surrounding this threat will be revealed. Now, if you will excuse me, I will retire," we all now bow slightly as Padmé rose to her feet and left the room with Dorme. Yet, simultaneously, I couldn't help but notice the look my brother had given her as she departed.

"Well, I know I feel a lot better having you here," Captain Thypho offered with a sigh of relief, "I'll have an officer situated on every floor, and I'll be at the control centre downstairs," after that, he leaves the room.

"Mesa busten wit happiness seein yousa again, Ani," Jar Jar expressed joy to my brother.

"She hardly recognised me, Jar Jar. I've thought about her every day since we parted... and she's forgotten me completely," my brother laments, looking down on his luck.

"Good to know I'm not on the top of your list after all these years, Ani," I tease him half-heartedly before continuing, "Also, FYI, that's the happiest she's been since the last time I saw her, so don't beat yourself up about it," I come over to him and place my hand on his shoulder getting him to look at me.

I see the tension now fade away as Anakin looks at me, a smile threatening to grace his lips; I now offer him a tiny smile, letting out a bit of a small chuckle as his hand comes to rest upon mine, squeezing it before letting it go, and my hand slips off his shoulder.

"Yousa brother, right shesa happy...happier den seein her in a longo time," Jar Jar comes towards us, cutting in on our moment, and I nod in agreement, mouth tipping up in a one-sided smile.

Obi-Wan approaches us, his manner much more intense than ours as he advises my brother, "Anakin, you're focusing on the negative. Be mindful of your thoughts," before stopping to change his tone to a quieter yet near cheeky one, "She was pleased to see us. Now, please check the security Anakin."

"Yes, master," my brother bowed to him and walked away, doing what was told of him.

"Now, Ambrose, I believe you have some information for me?" Obi-Wan asked; now, turning to me, I nodded and silently gestured towards the balcony bathed in golden rays of light that had no separation from the inside. A calm, gentle breeze tousled the strands of hair framing my face that had broken free from my bun once we stepped outside, hands resting atop the railing warm from the sun's touch, noticing the sky fading more into a subtle shade of pink.

"Everything Captain Thypho said is far more from the truth. The situation is much more dire than Padmé is willing to admit no matter how much I've tried to convince her," I start to explain as Obi-Wan leant with his arms crossed against the railing opposite me.

"What do you mean?"

I held his gaze momentarily, peering over my shoulder back into the apartment, ensuring my brother was nowhere in sight. Turning back to Obi-Wan, I let out a sigh. I pinched the bridge of my nose, "Master Windu believes the assassination attempt was orchestrated by Naboo spice miners who have it out for the government ignoring them. But something tells me that they wouldn't go so far as to attempt to take the life of their senator," I uttered quietly in concern, "Yes, Padmé is the most outspoken person I know when it comes to putting her views across to the Republic and many that wish to silence her."

"Have you voiced your concerns to the council?"

"Yes, they have taken my view into account and are going to look into the matter further," I verified, "Other than that, there is little to report on the matter you don't already know about. The attack was unexpected. I had felt a slight disturbance in the Force before the blast but was too late to act. Whoever was behind this knew what they were doing, so we must remain cautious. We are entering dangerous times," I offered with a faint yet bold smile, "So you better be up to the job."

Obi-Wan returned the smile, and his posture changed from a professional to a more relaxed demeanour, all tension fading from his limbs. Smile becoming more crooked.

"I see that your confidence in me hasn't lost its integrity since I last saw you," Obi-Wan mocks.

"Not much you can do, but I do have my complete trust in you," I offered, truthfully teasing him.

"So do I. I've heard great things about your training from Master Yoda," Obi-Wan admits to me, and I nod in response.

There is now a drawn-out yet pleasant silence between us, our eyes locked briefly. It was just as the rays of golden sunlight hit the plains of his face; I still can't get over how handsome he looks. I quickly tear my eyes away before he catches me staring, and he lets out a throaty chuckle; Obi-Wan unexpectedly rests his hand over mine.

"It's really good to see you again, Ambrose," he smiles at me, eyes thoughtful.

"It's really good to see you as well, Obi-Wan," a cheeky yet almost mischievous smirk now graced my lips, "But I have to say the beard rather suits you."

He scoffed at my remark, now moving his hand away, which for some reason left me feeling cold as he went to touch his beard before resting his hand on his hip, eyes scanning me head to toe, "Yet I can see your hair has gone back to how you had it before."

My hand goes to check my bun is still in place. Only a couple of years ago, I started growing my hair out again, just enough that it was easy to manage. My padawan braid had grown as well, now just brushing my ribs.

"And is it acceptable enough for you?" I gesture around my head.

"More than acceptable, yes," he returned with a slight grin, tilting his head slightly to one side.

"So, does my brother let you cut his hair?"

"He used to when he was younger but now insists on doing it himself now he's older," Obi-Wan replied before adding, "He can be rather stubborn to a fault at times."

"Tell me something I don't already know about that boy. I helped my mother raise him from the moment he was born," I shake my head and smile fondly, "He's always been like that from the get-go and always insisted he could fight his own battles, build a droid by himself. But it got him into trouble, as you have figured out already."

"Yes, I figured that out quite some time ago."

I glance sideways, raising my eyebrow at him, and he raises his own at me before we both start laughing.

"What are you both so cheery about?"

Obi-Wan and I turn to see Anakin standing before us as our laughter dies down to giggles that I can't control as I reply, "Oh, you know, just exchanging pleasantries about how stubborn you are."

My brother's face was scrunched up like a crumpled piece of paper, and he dropped his shoulders before throwing myself and Obi-Wan a rather unamused stare, "Well, you are both acting like you are up to no good."

"If you say so, Anakin," Obi-Wan smirks, only for Ani to roll his eyes at him and land on me.

"Are you going to be staying with us to protect Padmé?" Anakin asked with some hope, which earned a smile from me, but I could tell from Obi-Wan he wasn't best pleased with his question.

"It's not in your brother's mandate to stay here with us, Anakin," Obi-Wan reminds my brother, pushing himself off the balcony railing and crossing his arms in front of him.

"Yes, I know..." my brother trailed off, becoming frustrated, clutching his sleeves and face becoming pinched. I knew he used to do it when he didn't know how to express himself.

I go to lovingly rest my hands upon his shoulders, "He's right, Ani. As much as I'd love to stay with you tonight, I can't impede the progress of your mission. As much I have missed you, we will talk again soon, okay, but you must put your duty as a Jedi first."

There's an internal struggle I can see in his eyes. That of duty and family. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, then opened them again and nodded, wrapping his arms around me, and I returned it.

"Love you, Ambs," he uttered to me.

Love was a dangerous word to that of a Jedi, even when it's your brother. It was harmful on all accounts and bordered on attachment. But it was impossible to hold it back on not saying it. Not to even feel it. We need to be careful about when and how we say it.

"Love you too, Ani," I whispered before kissing Anakin's temple, then stepping away, holding him at arm's length and smiling lovingly at him. Now I turn to Obi-Wan and my brother, "Well, I should get going and leave you to your duties."

Obi-Wan gestures towards the lift, "I'll show you out."

In one last gesture, I take my brother's hand and squeeze it, "May the Force be with you, Ani," I now glance over to the Gungan, who was poking at a rather expensive-looking vase, "It was nice to see you again Jar Jar have a pleasant evening."

"Itsa was gooden to seesa again Ambrose!" almost startling him, nearly knocking over the vase but managing to catch it and wave back at me.

"Good luck on your mission, Obi-Wan and my brother's bad temper. You're gonna need it," I joke as he chucked in return.

"Well, I'll call you if I need any advice."

"You're doing a good job with him, I assure you."

There's a moment of us just smiling at one another and can't help but get lost in those eyes like I had years ago that reminded me of the crystal-clear lakes on Naboo. I then realised I wanted to drown in those eyes. Now, he let out a small laugh and smiled. Obi-Wan opened his arms to me in the invitation of a hug, now raising my own that slid back a little.

As we embrace, I'm filled with relief, but at the same time, it feels right for me to be in his arms and have mine wrapped around his neck. But I can't help my hands wander fingers ever so gently, carding into his hair that it takes my breath away. Obi-Wan's face turns into my neck, beard scratching my skin. A hand moved to the centre of my back and the other between my shoulders.

Breaking apart after too long, hands brushing shoulders and eyes taking one last look at one another. Of course, the hug had felt innocent enough, or at least I think it was my heart tripping over itself, and my face felt warm. Glancing back at Obi-Wan, his cheeks were a little flustered and an undeniable softness to his eyes. The lift now announces its arrival, doors sliding open quickly, breaking away from Obi-Wan and bowing slightly.

"May the Force be with you, Obi-Wan."

"May the Force be with you, Ambrose."

I roll my eyes at him good-naturedly and step inside the lift, and we wave each other farewell until the doors shut. At that very moment, those doors closed, and my hand dropped with a slap on my thigh. All those feelings that I had told myself were nothing more than a silly little crush I had started to develop on him when we had first met.

We hadn't seen one another for ten years, and now all those memories have come rushing back, the gentle touches, how we used to stare at one another. I suddenly couldn't breathe and felt light-headed, like I had just gone three rounds on a training course with Master Yoda. All because of Obi-Wan.

Attachment was and has always been inevitable for me, now that I'm a Jedi. The Order had always encouraged friendships, which was easier said than done, and not becoming attached to that other person. I believe when Anakin and I entered the Jedi Order as late as we did. Our attachment issues would only cause one of us more harm than good.