One day, maybe, Anakin would learn to put a lid on those feelings that he broadcasted out into the Force like a loudspeaker. Goodness knows Obi-Wan has tried to teach it, but tonight was not that night. It was the reason, he knew, that Master Yoda was so reluctant about the boy, but it wasn't the boy's fault, and it was completely understandable.

He stepped past the ball on the floor to his bed, putting his sleepiness aside and moving in the dark like the lamps were on full. Sitting on the edge of his bed, he pulled off just his boots and reached out to feel Anakin through the Force. He wished he knew what to do with this. How do you teach a Padawan how to be a Jedi and manage the trauma of a former slave?

"Well I'm not going to sleep if you're going to threaten to stub my toes," he said, matter of fact. "Get up and come here."

There was space to sit next to him on the bed, and if Anakin needed to talk, he was there.