I read too much Phantom Menace fic.

[rsadelle]

"Orlando!" Henry's face split into a wide grin. "I didn't know you were on Coruscant."

Orlando hugged his friend tightly and followed him into the common room. "We've only been here three days. I'm sorry I haven't had time to come visit.

Henry waved away his concern and found a second teacup. He poured tea for Orlando and sat beside him on the couch. "You're glowing," he said after a long moment of scrutiny.

Orlando gripped his teacup tightly, then, realizing it might be in danger, he set it down on the table. "I'm bonded," he said heavily.

Henry snorted. "Of course you're bonded. You're a padawan."

Orlando shook his head miserably. "Not that. Newly bonded. It was the will of the Force." His last words were hardly more than a whisper.

Henry's eyes widened. "A Force-bond," he breathed. "No wonder you're glowing."

"Yes." Orlando shivered. "It's not as great as they say. I can't-- Right now, I just want to be with him. I don't even know him." Even now he could feel it. Viggo was responding to his distress, sending waves of comfort and reassurance through their bond.

Orlando raised his shields as high and as thick as he could against it. Any more and it would hurt him. More importantly, any more and it would hurt Viggo. The bond wouldn't let him do that.

"Henry, it's your father."

"Oh." Henry set his own teacup down. "Mom isn't going to like this," he predicted.

"I'm sorry," Orlando said miserably. "I didn't mean for it to happen." The waves of comfort coming from Viggo were tinged with the thread of a question.

Henry came across the couch and wrapped his arms around Orlando. "I know. It'll be alright. You'll see."

"I--" Orlando didn't know what he wanted to say, and fell silent.

"You'll never be alone again," Henry offered. "Oh," he said when Orlando stiffened. "Is that the problem?"

***

Viggo found him in one of the gardens trying to meditate.

"Master Mortensen," he began, starting to stand.

Viggo waved him back down. "Under the circumstances, I think you can call me Viggo."

Orlando flushed. "Yes, Ma-- Viggo."

Viggo knelt down before Orlando, mirroring his posture. "You're afraid," he said softly.

"Yes, Ma-- Yes."

Viggo reached out and brushed his fingers over Orlando's cheek. Orlando sighed and leaned into the touch despite himself.

"What are you afraid of?"

Orlando frowned and concentrated. "I'm not sure."

Viggo's thumb stroked Orlando's cheek. "I would not have saddled you with an old man."

Orlando could feel the bond tugging at him, insisting that he do something, say something. "You are not that old."

Viggo smiled softly at him. "You had no choice."

"Neither did you."

"No," Viggo agreed. "But I am an old man, and used to following the will of the Force. You are young, and should have choices."

"As Jedi, we must all follow the will of the Force."

"What do you fear?" Viggo asked again.

Orlando relaxed into the Force and let it bring him the answer. "This," he said, waving between them to indicate the bond. "Never being able to leave you." His voice dropped to a whisper. "Your death."

"The thought of leaving you terrifies me," Viggo admitted. Orlando could feel Viggo letting his shields thin and drift away. He started to let his own shields thin, and Viggo leaned in to kiss him. The bond shivered with their shared desire and need.

"No!" Orlando jumped up. "I'm sorry. I can't. I'm not ready." He hurried out of the gardens, feeling Viggo's hurt, feeling the bond try to pull him back to comfort him. He tightened his shields as much as possible and kept going.