Same damn rocky bits [late evening]

[sith_happened]

Anakin hadn't really moved from the spot where he'd been sitting for the last two days, except to pull out his comlink after his children had left to stare at it for a good two hours, debating whether to call or not.

As the minutes ticked by, Anakin finally picked up the comlink one final time and called Rory.

[OOC: For Rory, plz. Conversation NFB, people involved totally up for grabs.]

Comments

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"No sleepies," Vladdie said, leaning against Anakin's shoulder.

"Of course not," Rory said softly, scooting a little closer. "But no one would mind if you just sat with us for a little." Maybe he would finally go to sleep.

[sith_happened]

Anakin stroked Vladdie's back, humming something tuneless and soothing as he reached into the Force to calm the toddler down just a bit.

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

Apparently the rule of puppies playing hard and then sleeping hard held true even when they were small children. Vladdie? Out like a light, taking advantage of both Anakin and Rory's laps.

"Swear to god, never having kids," Rory whispered, looking down at the child stretched over their laps.

[sith_happened]

Anakin frowned. "But Lorelai was adorable," he said softly, running his hand over Vladdie's back.

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"I don't have the energy," Rory said quietly, looking up at him. "Lorelai was, but what about Brantley?"

[sith_happened]

"Brantley clearly looked up to his father," Anakin said. "You'd just have to make sure that didn't happen in this version of the world." He gave her a tentative smile. "Maybe by never, ever talking to his father."

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"Ha, not a problem. The idea of me and Logan Huntzberger...ew," Rory said, wrinkling her nose.

[sith_happened]

Something like hope sparked in Anakin's eyes. "Good to know," he murmured.

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"He has the worst timing," Rory remarked, looking at Vladdie.

[sith_happened]

"On a few occasions," Anakin agreed softly, thinking back to their coffee non-date after graduation.

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

She bit her lip, looking at him. I miss you, echoed softly through his head without her really meaning it to.

[sith_happened]

"I miss you, too," Anakin said aloud, looking directly at her.

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"I'm right here," she whispered.

[sith_happened]

Anakin leaned in a little closer, stroking her cheek with a finger. "Really?" he whispered back.

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

Rory nodded, her eyes wide. "I didn't go anywhere. Haven't. Won't."

[sith_happened]

Anakin leaned his forehead against hers and sighed. "I really needed to hear that today."

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

Rory froze, the whole older-formerly evil-widower thing rushing back at once.

"...right," she said weakly, and pressed a chaste kiss to his cheek before moving away. "I should get this guy home."

[sith_happened]

Anakin's eyes flew open, the hurt and confusion obvious even before the "Huh?" escaped his lips.

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"I...Vladdie should sleep in a bed," she said, chewing her lip.

[sith_happened]

"Oh," Anakin said in a small voice. "Of course. I shouldn't have kept you out this late."

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"Anakin...." She looked at him, quiet and small and so, so young. "I'm...if you don't want me to go, you can say so. It's just that I thought you might want time to yourself tonight."

[sith_happened]

Most of him was crying out for him to kiss her and fix this day.

But that wouldn't do anyone any good.

He gave her an unconvincing smile, but his voice was steady when he told her, "I'll be fine. See you on Monday?"

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

She nodded, picking up Vladdie. "Take care of yourself. You're still important to some people."

[sith_happened]

Just clearly not in the way he'd been hoping for.

He nodded. "Sweet dreams, Rory," he said softly, flipping the hood of his cloak up to hide his eyes again.