hadriel | [Video]

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[Anakin is nursing a burned leg - thanks, fire - looking like his usual peppy, happy self.]

Eclipse, leave it alone. [He shows a curious cat sniffing said leg and coaxes it into his lap. Another cat, one that is smaller, with a face that is almost too adorable for words follows in Eclipse's dainty footsteps, laying over Anakin's leg. There. That's better, right?]

Thank you, Ravager. [No, really. This is the terrifying Darth Vader. With a pair of sweet cats.]

I swear this is the last I do for you, Hadriel. Unless there is a burning building filled with cats, you are on your own.

[Cats > People. Obviously.]

Hux? Are you alive? [That's a nice way of checking on someone, right?] Maedhros? Fingon? What about you?

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[Once he is satisfied with the progress and Maedhros's range of motion, he settles into the seat properly.]

He must be. Everyone is speaking highly of him.

[Anakin gazes at his friend for a long moment.]

Even if you have to play the villain?

{Maedhros reaches to tug Anakin close, though keeps an eye on the leg he knows is burned.}

He is. {He answers, firm.

A hint of sorrow touches pale eyes.}

If I must.

[He doesn't resist; he merely shifts to avoid Maedhros's shoulder and to make his leg more comfortable.]

You would be a good father.

[He smiles slowly.]

That makes two of us.

{So obliging! There is time for Elrond to look Anakin over later.}

Those I have raised would seem to agree with you.

{Maedhros rests his cheek on the top of the Man's head.}

You should not have to be alone, Anakin.

[After all the fires, it's nice to know they're in one piece. The contact just confirms it and Anakin feels a sense of relief.]

You don't agree?

[He frowns and closes his eyes.]

I don't want to be a villain. I don't want my kids to hate me. I don't want to lose Padmé and...myself. But if I have to, I'll try to remember to do some good. Somewhere.

{Such a reminder is needed on both ends.}

I helped raise my brothers, and we have all done wicked deeds. Kano and I stole Elrond and his brother from their parents when they were too young to really defend their emotions, so came to love us regardless of what we had done. {A slight shrug.} They should hate us.

{Maedhros tightens his hold on Anakin, offering comfort.}

If it comes to that, I believe you will retain enough of your self to do what good you can do. Even if it is disguised in darkness. But, selfishly, I hope you do not fall that far.

They came to love you because you're you. Wicked deeds are mistakes, I guess, depending on the outcome, but you're not wicked yourself. They probably felt safe with you.

[Twins. Why do twins feature so importantly in their lives?]

I'll be honest with you...

I think I'm going back to my death. Who I am now...

He'll be gone.

[Palpatine will resurrect a monster in his place.]

We fought hard to keep them safe. I would have killed them when I first saw them at that battle, had Kano not stayed my hand. {Maedhros isn't proud of the admission, but he won't lie to Anakin.

Because twins are precious!

He runs a gentle hand through Anakin's hair, heart aching at the certainty in his friend's voice.}

...Then we both go to our deaths once we leave here. We should make the most of what time we have left.

Your blood was hot. It has happened to me too. You get into the swing of taking down enemies and you forget who they are or how old they might be. [You just keep going like a machine. He won't hold that against Maedhros.

They are. He just wants his twins to know that he loved them from the beginning.

Reaching up, he smoothes over Maedhros's bright hair in return, smiling sadly.]

I'm up for it. I only ask...

If my future self ever comes here...

Try to find me. Try to wake me the hell up if you can... If I'm in there.

It has happened far too often to me. I should have done better, having so much experience with it's cost. {But Maglor had stopped Maedhros, and he has never forgotten that kindness.

He finds a smile with the gentle touch and presses a kiss to Anakin's forehead before pulling back to give him a steady look.}

If you can be found, Anakin, I will find you. If you are buried deep, I will dig you out and tend your wounds.

You don't know until you're in the situation. I'm glad your brother was there with you. [In extreme situations, almost everyone reacts without thought. Only a select few can keep their head.

Both he and Maedhros are too fiery to hold onto their sanity in battle, though Anakin has stopped himself a few times. He can do it; he just doesn't like the conflict within him when he does.

The happy warmth fills his chest again. Hux's whiskey can't compare to what it feels like to be shown genuine affection.]

Mm that might be asking too much. Based on what I've seen...

I probably won't have legs or arms. Who knows what my face looks like. The suit is the only thing keeping me alive.

When did you grow so wise? {Maedhros musters enough to tease, affection touching voice and eyes.

They've come to know each other rather well. They understand the need for affection and touch that doesn't involve pain.

He shrugs.}

I know what you feel like. Appearance will not hide you from me. Still, would you describe this suit to me?

It's just something I've experienced too. [He's not wise; he won't pretend to be. Not this time, at least.

Anakin runs his fingers through Maedhros's hair thoughtfully, eyes unfocused as he recalls his dreams.]

It's all black. You might seen lights or buttons on the chest and I will be wearing a helmet over the mask.

[He searches for a piece of paper and a pen or pencil. Upon finding the items, he draws a sketch.]

You'll know if you see him...me.

{Maedhros leans into his hand, soaking up affection.

The description doesn't push him away, and when Anakin sketches the suit, he leans in to study it.}

You will be in a cage. Cages are meant to be opened. If I have to break the lock to free you, I will.

[Anakin is happy to give him small gestures of affection. They can really make a difference after a tough day and he knows Maedhros keeps a lot to himself. His thumb brushes against a pale cheek before he sets himself the task of sketching the figure from his nightmares.]

Open the cage and I will physically die. But maybe that's a mercy?

{Brushing and braiding hair, embraces, spending quiet time together, all help in their own special ways. Maedhros is grateful to know Anakin, and to know he can lean on him when he needs to to avoid shattering. He doesn't need to be strong around this Man.

He frowns at the harsh lines of the suit. So much was machine, even his inexperienced eyes could see it.}

Then keep the physical cage and open the mental. What you choose to do once that is done is up to you.

[He is terrible at braids - poor Leia would have missed out or he would have learned for her - but the rest he enjoys giving and receiving. Maedhros can shatter and Anakin won't run. They both have ugly parts to them and they can't be avoided: they need to be faced head-on and understood without judgement.

Case in point: Darth Vader and his suit. Suit isn't even a totally correct word. He lives in a machine.]

I guess I'd kill the Emperor, seek out my kids and try to make things right. Eventually this set-up - [He motions at the life-support suit.] would be tiring. I'd be sick of it. At least I could say goodbye to Luke and Leia.

{Maedhros doesn't mind messy braids! Any playing with his hair is soothing, especially when it's from someone he trusts.

He shifts until he can rest his chin on Anakin's shoulder, curling an arm around his waist.}

But, you would have time with them that you would not have if you did not break free of this cage. They would get the chance to know you, not just the Emperor's pet.

[He can try? All talents surely have some use and so they should be honed, right? Anakin likes that he can give Maedhros some peace. He notices how the Elf is very rarely in a poor mood when they speak. It's contagious, really.

The last description could rile him. His muscles tense, yet the solid, kind weight of Maedhros quiets his offense.]

He has a lot against me. [He touches the sketch, brow furrowing.] You're right. I'd rather die sooner having known them.

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