That won't happen to you

Chapter 96

"Snips," she quietly repeated the unfamiliar word as a hand settled on her shoulder.

She turned around to face Luca.

"What are you doing out here? You're freezing, just in your nightgown."

"I needed some fresh air." she replied softly. Luca realized she was having one of those moments. One of those moments when she couldn't go on alone.

Carefully, he took her in his arms.

Ahsoka pressed close to him as tears leaked from her eyes.

"Someone is calling for me. I can hear it. They're calling for me. They're looking for me. And something is pulling me there. Something wants me to go there. Something inside me," she sobbed.

Luca tried to calm her down.

And himself at the same time. He had known for a long time that her longing was for the distance.

But he didn't want to lose her.

This wondrous orange creature that had become so important to him.

The wild girl from the forest with supernatural powers.

He was afraid. Afraid of losing her as soon as she found who she belonged to again. As soon as she found herself again.

But he also didn't want to stand in her way. He wanted her to be happy and not cry like that.

He swallowed.

She lifted her head.

"I feel your fear," she whispered, wiping the tears from her face.

He nodded. Then he hesitated for a moment. Should he tell her?

He came to the conclusion that he could tell her. He could tell her anything.

"I'm afraid you're going. To answer those calls. That you'll leave me here alone." he swallowed briefly.

"You're the first being my age to accept me. That doesn't look down on much from above. Except for my parents, you're even the only being."

He looked down at the ground.

"I've never been as happy as I've been in the time you've been here. I've never had anyone I can really tell everything to like I can tell you now. And if you left me now.... I don't know how I'd manage on my own."

Now it was he who had tears streaming from his eyes. In large numbers.

Ahsoka smiled weakly. Then she took him in her arms.

It was the first time such a gesture had ever come from her. Luca froze for a moment, then returned it, letting the tears flow freely.

He pressed himself tightly against her, as if she could disappear at any moment. Just dissolve in his arms.

"Shh... Shh." she murmured, holding him in her arms.

They were both so alone in such a vast galaxy.

But they were alone together. And safe. And they would make it. Of that she was sure.

"I'll stay with you Luca. I promise you"

Ahsoka said. Emptiness or not, when he had his arms around her, the emptiness was gone anyway.

"I will not follow the voices. And I will not abandon you. High and holy promise."

Luca raised his head.

"Thank you..." he brought forth. That was all he could manage. Only 'thank you'