We're Different Than the Rest

Chapter 17: Safe At Last

21 BBY
9 Months After Geonosis

.oOo.

It had been 2 days since Sid and Bly had talked. Bly and Aayla had been awake the entire time, and were both absolutely exhausted. Bly was sitting up against the front of the cave, cradling an almost asleep Aayla in his arms.

"Hey, stay awake please."

"Bly, no. I just wanna go to bed." Her words slurred together.

"I know. I know."

"It makes the hurt go away."

"I know. What hurts now?"

"My head hurts."

"I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do?"

"Let me sleep."

"Besides that."

"No."

"I'm sorry, Aayla. If I would have checked outside for bombs you wouldn't be hurt or have to stay awake. It's my fault."

"It's not, but I do blame you for keeping me awake."

Bly laughed and rested his head on the rock behind him. The pair sat in silence until Bly looked down at Aayla.

"Haar'chak. Aayla, wake up." No response. "Kriff. It's only been a few minutes, please wake up." No response. "Aayla, cyar'ika, wake up." Nothing. "Aayla, please wake up."

After thinking for a minute, Bly decided there was only one way to not get killed by the sleep-deprived Jedi Knight.

Bly gently ran his hand down Aayla's left lek, which made Aayla wake up immediately. He knew Aayla was awake when he got an elbow punch to the stomach, with a small "ow" following it.

"Oh, it's just you. Sorry for elbowing you." Aayla said sleepily.

"You're fine. Sorry for um.... that. I had to get you awake."

"It's fine. I just thought you were some creep. But it's you." Bly could hear Aayla's small content sigh after she finished talking. The only thing Bly could hear for a minute was Aayla breathing, until she talked. "It felt good."

"Really?"

Aayla gave a small reassuring hum and closed her eyes.

"Aayla, don't fall asleep again."

"Too late. Halfway there."

Bly ran his hand down Aayla's lekku again.

"Now I'm awake."

"So that's all it took to keep you awake?"

"Yep."

"Okay then. Good to know. You sure it's okay?"

"Yes, Bly."

"Okay."

"When is Sid gonna get here? I want to sleep."