[ If he comes looking for me, so be it, says Anakin.
Claude almost reaches for his hand again, but refrains because. Time. Always time, of the essence. ]
I'm gonna make sure he doesn't come for you, you know that, right? I'm gonna talk some sense into him.
[ There's a pause in which Claude could say a million things he doesn't say, not because they're secret og unspeakable or wrong, but because there are more important things, like putting a smile back on Anakin's face. He's had enough to deal with and because he has, he's made sure the world has as well. It's a self-feeding, never-ending loop and Claude is tired of cycles like that, wheels that go on and on with no one to stop them, because everyone's keeping it spinning.
Stop.
Smile, Anakin. Smile. ]
If anyone's able to do that, it's probably me.
[ He doesn't sound more cocky than he feels. Claude knows himself, he knows he's got oral talents that beat most people's. If Rainier hadn't told him, he'd still have known. He can make people listen. He made Anakin listen, he made Anakin listen even in death. Obi-Wan Kenobi doesn't stand a chance, sorry, old man.
Meeting Anakin's eyes, he takes the first step, smiling wide and unabashed. Teeth and the wide curve of lips. It's not because he isn't acknowledging how hard this is for the other man, how huge the leaps he's taking.
It's because he acknowledges it, yeah. This is the reward. This moment. This pride Claude is showing him, his. ]
[ Claude tells him that he's going to talk some sense into Obi-Wan, the Negotiator himself and even without the smile Claude shoots him afterwards, certain and sure without a trace of overconfidence, Anakin would have believed him. Who wouldn't want to understand Claude's perspective, that unique gentleness he brings to the world just by being who he is and doing what he does? Crazy, evil people, sure, but no matter how he perceives Obi-Wan now, no matter what they have left, the man has never been either of those. Indeed, if anyone could do it...
Anakin looks at him for a long moment, his skin feeling paper-thin all over, like something might just give without him even moving an inch from where he sits. In a moment, Claude will end the call and they'll be back to their respective missions. Anakin will join Rex in the cockpit, probably, and they'll continue trying to find their way back to each other along bridges burned. Claude will talk to Obi-Wan. Claude will believe in himself and in Anakin, both, and it'll be enough for them because there's really not much else left to grasp.
They have each other.
They do.
Anakin swallows and clicks his mask off his face. Then, he looks at Claude and smiles back, the expression shaky around the edges for half a second before it settles there, his eyes crinkling. Beautiful Claude, whom he'll never match for looks, but he can give back what he's granted, that, at least, he hasn't lost. ]
History shows.
[ His voice is frailer without the mask but warmer, too.
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Claude almost reaches for his hand again, but refrains because. Time. Always time, of the essence. ]
I'm gonna make sure he doesn't come for you, you know that, right? I'm gonna talk some sense into him.
[ There's a pause in which Claude could say a million things he doesn't say, not because they're secret og unspeakable or wrong, but because there are more important things, like putting a smile back on Anakin's face. He's had enough to deal with and because he has, he's made sure the world has as well. It's a self-feeding, never-ending loop and Claude is tired of cycles like that, wheels that go on and on with no one to stop them, because everyone's keeping it spinning.
Stop.
Smile, Anakin. Smile. ]
If anyone's able to do that, it's probably me.
[ He doesn't sound more cocky than he feels. Claude knows himself, he knows he's got oral talents that beat most people's. If Rainier hadn't told him, he'd still have known. He can make people listen. He made Anakin listen, he made Anakin listen even in death. Obi-Wan Kenobi doesn't stand a chance, sorry, old man.
Meeting Anakin's eyes, he takes the first step, smiling wide and unabashed. Teeth and the wide curve of lips. It's not because he isn't acknowledging how hard this is for the other man, how huge the leaps he's taking.
It's because he acknowledges it, yeah. This is the reward. This moment. This pride Claude is showing him, his. ]
no subject
Anakin looks at him for a long moment, his skin feeling paper-thin all over, like something might just give without him even moving an inch from where he sits. In a moment, Claude will end the call and they'll be back to their respective missions. Anakin will join Rex in the cockpit, probably, and they'll continue trying to find their way back to each other along bridges burned. Claude will talk to Obi-Wan. Claude will believe in himself and in Anakin, both, and it'll be enough for them because there's really not much else left to grasp.
They have each other.
They do.
Anakin swallows and clicks his mask off his face. Then, he looks at Claude and smiles back, the expression shaky around the edges for half a second before it settles there, his eyes crinkling. Beautiful Claude, whom he'll never match for looks, but he can give back what he's granted, that, at least, he hasn't lost. ]
History shows.
[ His voice is frailer without the mask but warmer, too.
He looks at Claude and believes in him. ]