Anakin's Fortress - Book II (temporary cover)

One - Riposte

The dark can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the light.
Year 7

——————

Kat

Three months have passed since I saw this man last, and now he has the audacity to make me board his ship rather than him walking his kriffing ass to me before getting on his knees.

I wait almost a minute after the ship shuts down and the ramp opens before releasing my frustrated sigh and marching up it. In the cockpit, he's sitting in the pilot's chair, turned to face me—bleeding. He wears his suit but not his mask, even though the way his right arm clutches his abdomen tells me the injuries must be beneath the suit. His face is clean, at least, but his hair is disheveled—and only a few inches long—but it is his hands that have blood on them, apparently haphazardly wiped on the cloth discarded by his feet. It's dark, probably dry.

"Of course you'd come home like this," I snap the moment I register what I'm looking at. "How the fuck am I supposed to yell at you when you're bleeding out on the damn floor, Anakin?"

He gives me a lopsided grin that almost distracts me. "You're doing a decent job of it, Kitten."

I huff and move to call for the med team, but he tugs the comm out of my hand and smashes it with the Force, the crunch loud in the silent ship.

"Are you fucking—" I'm cut off by his calm voice.

"I want you to do it."

When I realize what he means, a delirious laugh pops out of me. "I am not trained for medical care, Anakin."

"You did fine last time." I see his patience beginning to slip away, but I'm not backing down.

"No. Give me your comm." I'm not even positive he carries one when he wears that suit.

He points to the floor in front of him. When I just stare at him, he says, "Now, Kitten," his voice undeniably a command that is to be followed or be punished.

My heart pounding, I step forward and get to my knees, slowly meeting his eyes. His yellow eyes. Despite a few months of overthinking, I'm no closer to understanding our boundaries.

"I have a lot to unpack here for you, so listen closely, little one." I swallow and catch his eyes dart down to my throat.

Alright, so not much has changed.

"For starters, if I have to repeat myself again during my recovery, I will take you to the edge of life until you beg for forgiveness." Oh gods. I've never asked for his forgiveness. "I find it unusual that I have to say that so often to you."

His voice drops. "Now. I have spent months deep in the dark. I've done unimaginable things. I did not think of you, before you ask, and it took everything in me not to so keep your thoughts about it to yourself." Ouch.

"And now, I need you to nurse me back to health Kitten, so I can feel again." His chest is moving fast and hard, and I think I might melt to the floor. His words hurt and honestly don't make much sense to me, but he thinks he needs me, so I'll do as he asks.

But when he's healed? That's a different story.

I nod. He reaches out and trails a finger down my jaw. Tingles follow his touch. "Good girl. Now take a deep breath." Gods. Even injured, the man can bring me to my knees without effort.

I pull the air into my lungs until they feel like they'll burst, and hold his stare for the count of four. As my breath pours out of my lungs, I close my eyes and feel myself grounding to the situation at hand, releasing myself to only what is necessary.