[ON HIATUS] Follow Your Heart | An Alternate Star Wars Story

Truth

You stood in silence as the elevator to the Council Chamber rose. When you had returned to the Unyielding from your skirmish, Lock had reported that the Council wanted a formal report. You didn't want to have to face the Council, but you knew denying them would only lead to more problems. You hadn't spoken much since stepping off that shuttle. Spec's sacrifice was difficult to process and you were still a bit shaken by it. But you tried to focus your mind as best you could, steadying your breaths. You felt the Force around you, the energy and power that radiated off of the members of the Council. To your surprise, you also felt familiar presence. One of serenity and warmth.

You entered the chamber to see Anakin, Ahsoka and Master Fisto giving a report about the Mon Cala Civil War. You remained at the door in silence. "...and now the Quarren and Mon Calamari all serve under the banner of King Lee-Char," Fisto finished, a relaxed smile on his face.
"Very good, this is for the Republic," Yoda said, his eyes soft and calm. "A great victory over Dooku, this is." The three Jedi in the centre of the room bowed, with Kit Fisto taking his seat on the Council and Anakin and Ahsoka moving to stand next to you. Ahsoka gave you a smile. You did your best to return it, but it was obvious that your mind was elsewhere. She looked at you with gentle concern as you stepped forward to face the Masters, bowing to them in respect.
"Padawan (L/N)," Ki-Adi-Mundi, the Cerean Master said, "it's good to see you have returned safely. How went your search in the Ottega System?"
"Things didn't go as planned, Master," you said with restraint. "The ship in question had been raided by droids. General Grievous planned to use it as a cover to invade Ithor." The Council members looked at one another in concern. Master Windu turned to you, eyes stern and focused on your presence.

"What of the ship?" You took a breath, averting your gaze downward slightly.
"Destroyed," you said softly. "We sent it into the local star's gravity well."
"Destroyed?" Windu exclaimed. "We sent you to recover the ship, not destroy it. The resources on that ship-"
"The resources on that ship were already lost," you interrupted sharply. Everyone in the room looked around at one another in shocked confusion. All except Windu, who continued to stare you down. "A conventional fight to take back the ship with the resources we had at hand would've resulted in more losses than gains. And the choice was not made lightly. Sergeant Spec of Horn Company sacrificed his life in order to assure the Ithorian homeworld was safe."
"Clones are replaceable, Padawan," Mace said, his expression harsh. But you stood your ground, your gazes locking.
"Not my clones." A moment of silence passed, the tension high.
"Dismissed you are, Padawan. Rest," Yoda said, defusing the situation. You turned to him, bowed, then turned on your heel and left. Whilst you didn't make eye contact, you could feel as everyone watched you, their eyes like lasers as the door shut behind you.

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You stood alone in the courtyard, practising whilst blindfolded. You had been training ever since the meeting with the Council and had been left undisturbed ever since. You didn't want to have fought with Master Windu, but you refused to let Spec's sacrifice be seen as just another death. He'd earned more than that. As the sun shone over you, you swung your lightsaber from left to right in concise slashes, following it with a series of parry and block moves. Your fight with Grievous had left you with a deep desire to improve your sword skills. If not for your attuned sense of the Force, you would have been killed in your duel. You flourished your blade, spinning before taking two steps forward as you practised some offensive strikes, quickly switching between flanks.

As you continued you train, you hadn't heard as Ahsoka entered the courtyard. You were so focused on honing your attacks and defences that you hadn't sensed her presence. Your sequence of moves became faster and faster, each swing more precise than the last. The sequence ended with a downward strike and you heard the tip of your blade graze the floor. You panted heavily as you stood there, the grip on your hilt firm. You felt a drop of sweat roll down the side of your face as you sheathed the golden blade and removed your blindfold. Dropping to sit on the ground, you ran your palm over your brow, trying to steady your breaths. You had a few short seconds of this before you felt a gentle hand on your shoulder. Looking up, you were met with Ahsoka. Whilst she smiled, you could sense her concern. "I figured you could use some company," said Ahsoka, crouching down and sitting next to you. "I was worried about you." You sighed, your breathing more relaxed and your hands fidgeting with your lightsaber hilt.
"Thanks Soka. I'm sorry I worried you," you replied, your tone obviously tired.
"I heard about what happened at Ottega. I'm sorry about Spec." The sound of his name made you look down. Wanting to help you, Ahsoka pulled you into a hug, the embrace warm and comforting. You hugged her back, your arms intertwined. As you hugged, flashes of your dreams ran through your mind. Your chest felt warm, your stresses melting away.

You felt Ahsoka shift to face you, the two of you pulling away from the hug. "(Y/N)?"
"Yes, Ahsoka?"
"That feeling we shared when we were at the Peak...you feel it again too, don't you?" she asked, almost a taste of hope in her voice. You looked to the side for a moment, before meeting her gaze once again and nodding.
"Yeah, I do." She gave off a small smile. It was then you both looked down and noticed your fingers locked together. You both blushed softly, but didn't break the contact. "Ahsoka..." you started, mustering up the courage to speak. "...we both know what this could mean. If you want to stop this, I understand." She looked at you with an expression of soft concern.
"You don't want this to happen?" she asked. You stuttered, unsure of what to say. Ahsoka moves her free hand to your face, her thumb tracing across your cheek. "You can be honest with me," she reassured you, smiling. You returned a weak smile.
"Ahsoka, when I've been around you recently, I've had..feelings. I care for you, but I know you want nothing more than to be a Jedi. I don't want you to throw that away just because of me." Ahsoka sighed with a smile, bringing your interlocked hands closer. You looked at them for a moment before returning your gaze to hers.
"(Y/N), I think we've felt similar things. My time around you has been something I wouldn't give up. People are worth more to me than a title or role, especially those close to me." She embraced you once again, with you immediately returning it. The two of you stayed sat there, attached to one another, in a comfortable silence. "I care about you too, a lot," she whispered. "I believe there's a reason this is happening to us. The Force keeps bringing us together and that's all the proof I need to know this is right." You smiled, breaking the embrace.
"Then that settles it," you said, the two of you looking at each other with bright smiles. "I'm yours, Ahsoka Tano."

"And I yours, (Y/N) (L/N). Whatever happens, we're in it together."

There it is, officially! I apologise if this was a bit cringe to read, I've never written a "confession" before so I'm completely improvising. I want this all to feel genuine and organic so I don't want to go rushing into stuff with the new couple. But I hope it was worth the wait!