Episode 3
*Eight years later*
You woke up, sweat dried to your forehead from group training the day before. You'd gotten to your room last night and been too exhausted to shower. Getting up from your round bed, you went to wash yourself off and get ready for training with Ben. After trying for so long, you'd only just recently gained the control to be able to touch people again without having an incident. Ben was an amazing teacher, and he understood what you were going through better than Master Luke, even though he wasn't as professional or as wise.
He'd recently turned nineteen, and he's changed much since you'd met him. His dark curls had grown longer, his face had become handsome to the point that it appeared almost chiseled, and his voice had deepened. You tried your best to hide the fact that you had romantic feelings for him, but you weren't sure that you had Master Luke fooled. As the hot water hit your back and steam started to fill the room, you tried to remember what you were dreaming about. After focusing while lathering soap into your hair and onto your skin, it finally came back to you. You'd been dreaming of the day you met Ben.
Smiling nostalgically, you rinsed your body off and shut off the water. You grabbed a towel and wrapped it around your body. You turned on the sink and began washing your face. Looking at your own reflection, you sighed at the sight of the bruise just below your lip. As you grew, your lips had become fuller, and your (e/c) eyes, that had already been beautiful as a child, became even more mesmerizing. Your body had become fuller, and your voice matured quite a bit, to the point that you could sing fairly well. Quickly covering up the bruise, which you'd received while training with Ben, with some makeup, you pulled your tan Padawan clothing on as quickly as you could.
It was impossible to be late for training with Ben, as you had to wake him up every morning. Getting Ben out of bed wasn't exactly the most enjoyable of tasks.
Exiting your room and giving a polite knock to Ben's door, you opened it, knowing he was asleep still. He was spread out on his bed, which looked like a carbon copy of yours, save from the fact that his blanket, which he had kicked off of him at some point during the night, was dark burgundy. The pained expression on his face was a dead giveaway that he was having a nightmare, as per usual.
You sighed wistfully, hurrying over to save him from the demons that haunted his mind. As you gently shook his shoulder, he still remained asleep. His face scrunched up into a pained grimace, and a whimper escaped his lips. You were crestfallen after all of your attempts to wake him failed.
Just as you wondered what tragedy could captivate him in such a petrifying nightmare, he said something else. It was quiet, but he said it desperately, as if he were about to cry.
"(y/n)..."
You were taken aback. Were you the monster that plagued his dreams? You rushed over, shaking him more insistently. Suddenly, he flung up, panting, as if he'd been running. His eyes, wide with fear, frantically roamed the room until they rested in your gaze. Without warning, he reached out and pulled you close. You wrapped your arms around him protectively. He'd never shown his emotions around anyone but you, but even in front of you, it was a rare event.
"I'm so glad you're safe," he whispered, burying his face into your neck. You felt a crimson blush creeping into your cheeks.
After sitting like this for a few more moments, he pulled away, as if he's only just realized what he'd done. Coughing uncomfortably, he said, "So, training..."
"Are we headed out to the ruin again today?" You asked, trying to help the change in subject.
"Yeah, we have to practice mind reading and thought protection again. Until you perfect it, Master Luke says you can't learn how to move objects."
You groaned. The other kids had learned how to lift small objects first, but for you, the priority had been learning to control your telepathy.
"I know, it's boring as shit," Ben chuckled, his normal confidence building back up, "but if you get it over with quickly, maybe I can start showing you how to lift small rocks later."
You knew that if you ever brought up the embrace that happened only minutes ago, you might as well say goodbye to your friendship. You wanted nothing more than to ask him about his dream, but it would do more harm than good. So you flashed a grin, to show that you would move past what had happened with no questions.
"Sounds like a plan."
You couldn't tell, but relief flooded through his body when you said those words. He was so grateful that you didn't ask about the nightmare. He couldn't let on at the voice, calling him to the dark side. He couldn't let you know that his nightmares were of your reaction to him joining the voice, becoming a Sith Lord. You couldn't know how he felt towards you, and neither could the voice. His mind was constantly strained by keeping up a wall that would keep the voice, you, and Master Luke from reading his emotions. He was exhausted, but he never let it show.
***
After the long hike (which was full of happy chatter and lighthearted jokes) to the ruins, a decrepit stone building into the middle of the forest, Ben and you sat crosslegged, facing each other. The exercise was simple in theory; keep Ben out of your head, while trying to penetrate his mind. Due to his mastery of telekinesis, however, it was nearly impossible to keep him out of your thoughts, let alone read his. You were only able to keep a few, precious secrets from his powerful grasp, such as your feelings for him and the planet you were from.
You both shut your eyes, and you began focusing on building up a mental wall between yourself and Ben. You felt him breaking through it with ease, so you took time to fortify the wall surrounding your innermost secrets. It was a race, and with Ben's ever growing power, it became increasingly difficult to build up a wall in time. Today proved a fatal failure for you. He broke through your outer wall before you were prepared, sifting quickly through what he'd already seen, getting to where he knew he'd find the best kept secrets. You weren't prepared. The weak, unfinished barrier collapsed, and he only had just been able to see the the sensitive information for a moment before you lashed out with your powers.
Shouting and standing up, you violently severed his connection to your mind. The dirt and leaves around you were harshly blown away in all directions, and even Ben was almost pushed over.
Shocked at your sudden outburst, and what he'd seen, Ben remained silent.
You took a few, deep breaths, and sat down again calmly to face your peer and teacher. Taking advantage of his shock, you furiously dug into Ben's mind, going straight for the secrets. His guard was down. You saw pain. Sorrow. Anger. Most importantly, you saw his affection towards you. You were forcefully shoved out of his mind and back to reality, to see Ben, face red with fury, sitting silently in front of you.
"So, what now?" He said harshly, voice shaking. "You've finally done it, congratulations. You managed to-"
"Shut up," you muttered, annoyed. You cut him off by putting your lips on his.
It only lasted a moment before you pulled away.
You saw him, even more confused and shocked than before. You also sensed something else, more deeply hidden. You felt his pain.
"I think both of us are done for today. I'll be in my room if you need anything else." You stated emotionlessly.
"(Y/n), wait," Ben reached out for you, but you had already run off.
***
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