Clutching My Cure

Disclaimer: They belong to Lucas and Watson.

Chapter Thirty-Four


Bruck walked briskly through the hallways of the Temple, his robe tossed carelessly over a shoulder. Eyes fixed straight ahead, his thoughts were consumed with the confrontation he’d had with Garen the day before. His tongue unconsciously ran along his bottom lip as if drinking in any lingering trace of the other Jedi’s kiss. The heated embrace had blindsided him, causing him to toss and turn most of the night as his body ached for release. The fact that he was imagining Muln and not Obi-Wan had only served to unsettle him even more. They couldn’t stand one another so why did his body still burn from their frenzied foreplay?

“Bruck!”

The familiar voice halted his wayward thoughts and had him spinning around. A genuine smile of affection lit up his features as he watched the figure jog toward him. The smaller man pulled Bruck close for a quick hug before stepping back to study him intently. Nearly squirming under the piercing regard, he checked to make sure his shields were up and air tight.

“I’m glad to see you home and in one piece. We were all so worried when news spread that you and Master Jinn had vanished into thin air.” Aalto paused as the Force warned him to be observant.

“It’s good to be home,” Bruck admitted with a rueful grin. “Being kidnapped and held hostage isn’t something I care to experience again.”

Aalto’s eyes seemed to slowly dissecting his friend’s face while he spoke. “So who was behind it and what were their reasons?”

For once, Bruck was grateful to have the Council to hide behind. “I really can’t talk about it yet, Aalt. The Council was very adamant about that.”

Hurt disappointment flashed in the younger man’s eyes at the evasive answer from his best friend. It wasn’t like Bruck to keep secrets from him, especially if the rumors he’d heard had any truth to them. “Bruck, word has spread around the Temple that deCrion and Kenobi are now in league with one another and were behind your abduction.”

He hesitated when Bruck’s nostrils flared in surprise. “There are also whispers that the two may have done something to you. To get back at Master Jinn.”

Bruck looked down at the ground as he fought to hold onto his temper. The legendary temper that had almost gotten him shipped off to Agri-Corps when he was thirteen. Even now, after all the years of meditation and training from two Jedi Master’s, he still struggled with this weakness on a daily basis. Knowing that rumors about him were already flying set his teeth to grinding, hands clenching at his sides.

“Is any of it true, Bruck?” Aalto’s query was voiced in a gentle voice, a hand resting on his friend’s tense shoulder.

If it had been anyone else asking the question, Bruck would have taken great delight in knocking their teeth down the back of their throat before telling them to fuck off. But this was Aalto. His best friend and the only person who’d stood behind him, believing in him when things got rough. Expelling a calming breath, Bruck met his friend’s eyes directly.

“It was Xanatos and Obi-Wan who captured me.” He paused briefly as Aalto inhaled sharply in surprise. “They plotted to use me as bait to draw Master Qui-Gon in so they could get revenge for the past. Somewhere along the way things changed, and in the end, Xanatos let us walk away, Obi-Wan accompanying us here to Coruscant.”

Not surprisingly, Aalto wasn’t fooled by the censored explanation. He knew Bruck nearly as well as he knew himself and could see that something had changed in his friend. There was a different look in pale blue eyes, a knowledge of things that hadn’t been there before. Bruck was also carrying himself differently, his movements showing an unconscious sensuality.

“What did they do to you?”

A blush became visible even beneath tanned skin, Bruck’s gaze shifting to a spot over Aaltos’ shoulder as he waited for an older Knight to pass before replying. “Let’s just say that Obi-Wan and I became very …close during the time I spent with them and leave it at that.”

Aalto was unsure how to respond to the admission, knowing what he did of Bruck’s feelings for the former Jedi. He could only guess what having sexual relations with Kenobi had meant to his friend and he couldn’t help but feel sad, as something told him, that Bruck was setting himself up for a painful fall. There was no doubt in his mind that Bruck had given himself heart, body and soul to Kenobi, making love, not just joining in casual sex.

“And now he’s here, on Coruscant? What does that mean?”

A dry bark of laughter greeted his question, Bruck’s eyes suddenly shining with cynicism. “Not what you’re thinking. Obi-Wan and I have developed a friendship that I hope will last the rest of our lives.”

“Bruck, this is me you’re talking to. I know how you feel about him so you can’t stand here and tell me that having sex with him didn’t affect you on a deeply emotional level.” Aalto gestured toward his friend’s robe. “I bet you were on your way to see him, weren’t you?”

Fire burned in pale blue orbs as they bored into him. “He’s in love with deCrion, okay?”

“Oh, Bruck,” Aalto whispered achingly. “I’m so sorry.”

Bruck’s nonchalant shrug fell way short of being believable. “Like I said, we’re friends now. If he chooses to engage in some energetic and pleasurable recreational sex with me from time-to-time, I’ll welcome it. Now I need to go.”

A hand shot out to grab a hold of his arm and keep him from leaving. Aalto was noticeably agitated and concerned as he pleaded with his friend. “Don’t go. This can only end badly for you Bruck and I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“I know what I’m doing Aalt so don’t worry.” Bruck broke off as he spotted a thin figure watching him from the end of the hallway.

His soft groan had Aalto turning to see what had inspired it, his grip tightening on the arm he still held captive as he sensed his friend’s desire to turn and run the opposite direction. The look he turned on his fellow Jedi was a warning one.

“Talk to her. I’m sure she’s heard the rumors also and is desperate to know if it’s true.”

Shoulder’s slumping in resignation, Bruck nodded and moved to meet the new arrival halfway. Large, bulbous, silver eyes shone with hope as Bant Eerin nervously twisted her finned hands. Bruck felt a sting of pain as he recognized her reaction to having to come to him. She was terrified that he’d mock her, or refuse to talk with her about the rumors.

Obi-Wan wasn’t the only one still dealing with old scars.

Offering her what he hoped was a friendly smile, Bruck immediately addressed her reason for seeking him out. “I assume you’ve heard the rumors also?”

A hesitant nod as her gaze took in Aalto’s reassuring presence nearby before she spoke. “I wanted to ask your Master, but he’s with the Council again.”

Uncertain how to break the news, Bruck placed a tentative hand on her thin shoulder in support. Relief flooded him when she accepted it without pulling away in fear or distaste. He knew how much she’d meant to Obi-Wan growing up and wanted to do whatever he could to bring the two creche mates together once again.

“Obi-Wan is here, on Coruscant.”

Tears of joy welled up in her eyes and brought a lump to his throat when a strangled sob caught in her chest. He waited patiently as she gathered herself enough to question him further.

“How is he? Can I see him?”

“He’s not the same Obi-Wan we grew up with,” he warned her. “He’s been through some difficult times and they’ve formed him into someone you might not recognize. I’m working on getting him to agree to come here. Master Qui-Gon and I both feel being here can help him heal and move on.”

Nodding in acceptance, Bant reached up to grasp one of his hands. “Please, when you see him next, tell him…. Tell him I love him and hope to have a chance to speak with him soon.”

Bruck smiled warmly. “I’m on my way to see him now and I promise to tell him.”

Visibly comforted by his words, Bant bobbed her head in thanks before hurrying away. Aalto clapped his friend on the back before issuing a last warning.

“Please be careful, Bruck? And remember what I’ve said.”

Bruck gave him a curt nod and turned to stride toward the front doors. As he slipped into the hectic crowds of people he was unaware of the hooded figure who trailed close behind him.