Masters Yoda and Windu left, while Ahsoka approached the awakened children and, turning away from everyone, began to feed them. Anakin, who usually tried not to look at her in such situations, now turned to Tano and said menacingly, barely containing the emotions boiling inside him:
"I told you I didn't want to sleep on this bed, I told you, but you dragged me onto it anyway! So now, look what your kindness has led to!
"Mine? Asoka looked at him indignantly. They were speaking quietly, so only their eyes could express what they were both really feeling at that moment. "Yes, I did offer you a place to sleep in the house because it was cold and damp in the hallway and you might catch a cold. However, I did not ask you to drag me into your bed by force. You'll say that didn't happen, won't you? But I remember very well how I scraped my knees and elbows while you dragged me across the room to that bed.
Asoka immediately turned back to the children and began rocking the cradle, while Anakin clenched his fist fiercely:
"Yeah, right, don't make things up! Ever since you came back, you've been a thorn in my side.
Asoka wasn't going to take this lying down and didn't hesitate with her response:
"You'd think you're some kind of innocent angel from the moon, but no one can stand your terrible temper, your constant malice and your sidelong glances, not even someone who loves you sincerely, because all love will fade if it is constantly burned by coldness.
Anakin listened to her and didn't seem to catch the hidden meaning in her response, which even Ahsoka herself didn't seem to notice, because he replied with something completely unrelated:
"You should have woken up earlier and woken me up, then none of this would have happened.
Tano certainly couldn't let such insolence go unanswered and didn't miss the opportunity to tell this cheeky Jedi what he deserved:
"Try waking me up, you snored like a herd of banes, and you were leaning on me, almost crushing me with your hundred kilos!
"Only ninety," Anakin excused himself weakly. "And I wasn't snoring.
"You did! And then you screamed when Yoda came in, you almost deafened me, and when you got up, you crushed the tips of my lekku, and if they swell up now, I'll kill you!"
"Maybe I just thought it suited you better," Skywalker didn't give in. "If you puff out your cheeks too, then...
Their budding argument was interrupted by the ringing laughter of Shaak Ti:
"Well, that's what I wanted to prove. You haven't even been together for five minutes, and you're already fighting like lovers.
Anakin snapped the buckle on the tabard he had managed to throw on but not fasten, then stared intently at the older Togruta and said as politely as he could:
"Master Ti, I respect you very much and love you sincerely, and I am also very grateful to you for your kindness to me and Padmé, but now I ask you kindly not to get involved in this matter.
"Very well," the woman did not argue with him, "but first I will express my opinion on all this. And no one will leave this house until I have done so.
With that, she stood by the door, digging her boot heels into the floor and making it clear that no one would be able to move her from there. Anakin sighed heavily and fell into a chair, resting his head on his arms, which were bent at the elbows. Ahsoka noticed that this was the same position she had seen him in when she first arrived at the camp.
"Now listen to what I have to say," Shaak began in an uncompromising tone. "Are you going to let that senile old woman Joka just take you away and leave you to your fate?
"No, of course not," Anakin replied. "If I've decided to leave, it's not because of her. I should have done this a long time ago, as soon as Padmé died. I can survive on my own and maybe even do better than you.
"Perhaps," Shaak agreed, "especially since you've shown such a knack for survival in difficult circumstances before. but there's just one catch: back then you were alone and only responsible for yourself, but now you have two children to take care of, and I'm not sure you can handle them while you're trying to survive, unless you take Asoka with you. But in that case, wouldn't it be easier to stay in the camp, where it's much calmer and safer?
"I can't," Anakin shook his head stubbornly. "Then I'll be forced to marry her, and that's completely impossible.
"And why is that?" the Master raised his white eyebrows.
"Don't you understand?" Skywalker asked, genuinely surprised. "Because she's promiscuous, that's why!
Ahsoka stood up resolutely, put her hands on her hips, and declared to him in a loud voice:
"How tired I am of listening to all this filth about me, especially when you don't know the whole story.
"Of course I don't," Anakin agreed meekly. "I don't even know what you've been up to since you ran away from the Order, although your appearance has long since spoken for you.
"I wasn't going to be honest with you," Tano continued calmly, "but I can say one thing for sure: I'm not a prostitute and I never have been. Besides, you yourself were not always a worthy member of the Order and clearly have something you don't want others to know about.
"That's not the same thing," Anakin objected mechanically, but there was no escaping the truth.
"Oh, come on," Asoka said mockingly. "You didn't tell us everything, and besides, you were the first to break the Jedi Code when you defended it, and it doesn't matter who became your wife when, according to the rules, you weren't supposed to have one.
Anakin's face was covered with an even tan, so none of the women saw how pale he had turned at these words. Only his burning gaze allowed them to understand his feelings at that moment.
"I already had a wife, Padmé Amidala Naberrie," he began in an even voice. "My one and only love. Not even a month has passed since her death, and you dare offer me another.
"Before I agree to you, I will shoot myself," Tano replied, looking him boldly in the eye.
"Well, that's great," Shaaq Ti summed up. "We've already figured out one problem. Anakin doesn't need another woman, and Asoka doesn't need another man. However, nothing will prevent you from continuing to live and work side by side because it's convenient and suits you both. In short, everything will be the same as before, and marriage is a mere formality, necessary only to shut up people like Jocasta. Well, what do you say to that?"
Anakin looked from one woman to the other, then thoughtfully twirled a strand of his hair around his finger, after which he stood up and said, "I'm going to check out the speeders," and left the house. Shak didn't try to stop him, understanding that he wanted to be alone to think things over and make a decision without prying eyes. So she looked questioningly at Asoka.
"I will never marry him," she said quietly but firmly, answering her older friend's unspoken question. "Nor will I marry anyone else. I detest the very idea of marriage."
Asoka said this without thinking, the torment of her mother's suffering coming back to her too vividly. Her stepfather had never spared her and treated her like a thing, squeezing every last drop out of her. Tano was afraid to even imagine that her life could turn out the same way. Shaak Ti seemed to understand everything her younger friend had left unsaid, otherwise why would she have asked:
"Was it really that bad?"
"What exactly?" Asoka asked, although she understood perfectly well what she meant.
"Your first time, Ahsoka," Shaak explained. "Your child was the son of your first man, wasn't he? Your first and only?
"Yes, it was awful. Since then, I've been disgusted by any thought of sex," Tano managed to squeeze out of her suddenly constricted throat.
"Well, that's what I thought," Torguta shook her head. "But you know, Anakin, he...
"First and foremost, he's a man, and that speaks for itself," Asoka interrupted her. "And I don't need him any more than he needs me."
"I would argue with that," Shaak continued softly. "But let me ask you this: do you love his children? Because if Anakin leaves, they'll go with him and you'll never see them again. It's unlikely he'll let you see them or come to visit. Think about what will happen to you in that situation. I'm afraid that after today's scandal, you won't be able to live peacefully in the camp. Jokasta will peck at you, and so will some of the others...
Ahsoka listened to her and with every word felt her eyes fill with tears. She had become so attached to Luke and Leia that even a moment's separation from them caused her pain. For example, she had just realised that their cot would soon be too small and they would need another one in a month's time, and the thought that she wouldn't see them for a month made her press her hand to her chest, fighting the feeling that a blunt knife was cutting a piece out of her heart. Shaak saw her reaction and silently praised herself; this was exactly what she had been aiming for. However, Asoka managed to control herself and replied more or less calmly:
"I can handle any difficulties; I'm used to fighting alone.
"I saw how you did it," said the Master, slightly mockingly. "And the others still remember the state you were in when they found you. You know, I think it would be better for you to stay with us, especially since loners always attract attention, especially when they don't want it... And then, things could have been much worse, and Anakin, yes, I agree, he has quite a temper, and the Force didn't skimp on that, but that's not important. What's important is that he's learned to control it. He's quick-tempered, that's true, but he's also forgiving, so he's unlikely to ever hurt you seriously. You've had the opportunity to see that for yourself before. Think about it and let me know what you decide.
Shak Ti silently left the room, and Asoka, left alone, really thought about it. Much of what she had just been told made sense. After all, by becoming Anakin's lawful wife, Tano would, first of all, be able to stay with his children, whom she had grown to love, and they loved her too, at least Luke and Leia already recognised Asoka, smiled when she approached, and reached out their hands to her as soon as they heard Tano's voice. Secondly, she would gain status and the opportunity to stay here more legally. And thirdly, in that case, she would feel more protected. Shaak was right, Asoka had had many opportunities to see what Anakin was really like. Yes, he was conceited, proud, sometimes arrogant, but at the same time kind, responsive, always ready to help. He was also strong and reliable, in short, everything a real man should be. Yes, he had been angry with Asoka before, both in the Order and now, and he could shout at her, reproach her, and scold her, but he had never raised a hand to her. Although he had had plenty of opportunities to do so. And that spoke volumes. After all, if he hadn't done it so far, he probably wouldn't do it later. On top of that, Skywalker was attractive and did not cause Asoka any physical antagonism. They lay next to each other all night, and she didn't find it unpleasant at all. And if that was the case, then she had every chance of becoming Lady Skywalker, which would give her the opportunity to gain many things she had never had before: status, position, and most importantly, a family, a real one, just like she wanted. But if he said no, she wouldn't insist; she didn't want a family happiness that was forced on her. Better nothing at all than this.
***
Anakin put down the wrench and wiped his hands on his trousers, staring up at the sky. What a mess he was in, even though his whole life had been one long action movie. The only happy moment in it was his marriage to Padmé. On the day they met, the Force must have been asleep, and then it woke up and decided to put things in order, and among other things, it took her away from Skywalker. What was he supposed to do now? Or rather, what would he do without Ahsoka? Shaak Ti was right about everything she said to him. Anakin could easily, even right now, get up, take the first ship he could find, and fly away without even stopping at home. After all, as everyone knows, a Jedi's possessions are always with him. But now he really couldn't do that, because he was responsible for two other beings, tiny and completely dependent on him. And he certainly couldn't take care of them himself; he needed Ahsoka for that. It seemed that no one else could help him with that. Padmé's family is unlikely to even want to look at the children, considering who their father is, and with Padmé's death, he has completely severed all ties with her and may never hear from the Naberri family again. This means that if you put aside emotions and personal feelings, marrying Ahsoka is beneficial to him in every way. Anakin would have looked for someone to look after Luke and Leia in his absence anyway, but it would have been a difficult task, as this person would have had to live in his house permanently and be ready to leave at a moment's notice and follow the Skywalkers to who knows where. Ahsoka is the perfect candidate. And besides, she doesn't just take good care of the children, she genuinely loves them, and that means a lot. Besides, he knows her well and remembers that Tano, for all her sharpness and wit, which are no less than his own, is a responsible and reliable person, someone you can trust not only with your children, but also with your own life. Anakin has been convinced of this more than once. And she herself, what's there to hide, is very beautiful, although her beauty does not fit into classical standards. But none of that matters. He loves Padmé and will always love only her. What happened last night was only because he was cold in his sleep and involuntarily snuggled up to her. That's all there is to it. Although, I wonder what her lovers were like? After all, despite the fact that Skywalker experienced a fierce call of instinct last night when he dragged her to bed, he did not see a hint of desire in the Togrutta's eyes. They showed only desperate, almost animal fear, the kind that comes before pain or punishment. And if before Anakin could have thought the worst about Ahsoka's recent past, after this incident his confidence on the matter was significantly shaken. Perhaps she hadn't had a hundred men at all, but only one, and he had done something to her that she was still afraid of to death. He had to think. Afraid. Who? Ahsoka Tano, who had always laughed in the face of danger. Although, doubt crept into his mind again. What if this behaviour was just a well-thought-out and calculated ploy to lure him into her experienced trap, as had almost happened once before? No, that would never happen. Even if she was the only woman left in the galaxy. Anyone but Ahsoka. However, he could live next to her, but not touch her. Just don't get too close, that's all. The decision had been made, all that remained was to discuss it.
***
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