PANIC CORD ━━━ l.skywalker ¹

15

"Size matters not. Look at me." Luke does. "Judge me by my size, do you?"

Luke shakes his head.

"And well you should not," Yoda continues. "For my ally in the Force, and a powerful ally it is. Life creates it, makes it grow. Its energy surrounds us and binds us. Luminous beings are we." He steps forward, grabbing Luke's shoulder and pinching him sharply, causing him to jump in alarm. "Not this crude matter. You must feel the Force around you." He gestures widely. "Here between you...me...the tree...the rock...everywhere! Yes, even between this land and that ship!" He adds, noticing Luke's hesitation.

Luke says, obviously disheartened, "You want the impossible."

Yoda doesn't reply. Clary watches with wide, interested eyes as he turns towards the X-wing fighter, eyes closed, bowing his head, and raising his arm, pointing at the ship. Soon, the fighter rises above the water and moves forward as R2-D2 lets out a shriek, quickly wheeling out of the way and into Clary. She moves back, watching as the entire X-wing lifts into the air, trembling slightly, before landing on the shore as Yoda guides it carefully.

Clary glances back at Luke, eyes still wide in amazement to see that he shares the same look of astonishment as the fighter rests on the shore beside Clary's. He rises to his feet, still staring at the ship, eyes wide with disbelief.

"I...I don't believe it."

"That is why you fail," Yoda replies.

Luke shakes his head, glancing back at Clary. She avoids his gaze, however, stepping towards the X-wing. She feels distracted. Yoda watches her and she meets his large gaze, and suddenly a huge wave of guilt seems to consume her. She's reminded of what he's told her—she's reminded of the darkness, how it suffocates her—and she's reminded of Han, of her nightmare. She looks back at the X-wings and adrenaline pulses through her veins.

"I couldn't be more proud of you, Clary."

"I have to leave," she says suddenly, voice urgent and on the verge of breaking. Yoda merely blinks while Luke stares at her, completely baffled at her sudden statement. She doesn't wait for him to say anything, although he steps forward, her name barely leaving his lips, as she starts past the clearing and further into Dagobah. She hears R2-D2 beep faintly behind her but she continues forward, barely noticing the cave until she passes it.

The wave of darkness hits her so harshly she's almost forced off her feet. She gasps at the sudden rush, stifling and smothering. She manages to keep her footing, however, as she continues forward. She doesn't know where she's going, but the forest of Dagobah is never ending, just like the thoughts that race in her mind. She never stops thinking; she feels as if her mind is spinning into overdrive, overwhelmed from it all.

She reaches up to touch her face to discover it's wet. Her brows furrow in confusion as she wipes at her eyes. Footsteps sound from behind her and she's half-worried it's the familiar Jedi Master, about to once again scold her on her indescribable tie to the dark side, a connection she never knew existed until her arrival on Dagobah. But something about their presence is different, the way they carry themself, that Clary recognizes who it is immediately.

"Luke," she says without needing to turn around.

He stays silent for a moment before stepping closer to her; she feels him rest his hand against her shoulder and his touch is comforting, but Clary still finds herself trembling. She doesn't want him to see her crying but her vision blurs.

"Clary, tell me what's wrong." There's something significant in the way he says it that Clary can't help but turn to face him. His eyes, more intoxicating and suffocating than the impending darkness that seems to follow her like a threatening shadow about to swallow her—consume her—at any moment, scans her face; they soften at the sight of her expression but Clary ignores it.

"I have to go," is all she can find herself saying. She feels monotonous and mechanical, however, Luke's kind gaze doesn't falter.

"Why?" Something sad flashes in his eyes briefly but Clary disregards that as well.

She takes a breath. "Han...and my nightmare...I just—" She cuts herself off, not knowing what else she can say. The more she remembers the nightmare the more she worries. She feels her eyes sting as they water but before the tears can burn and stream down her cheeks, Luke's hand touches her face, wiping them away.

"It's going to be okay," he murmurs. Before Clary can think, he pulls her closer, holding her tightly. Clary feels her eyes water again but ignores her tears as she grasps him just as tightly. Just from his touch her mind stops thinking; she doesn't know what to do, but the sudden peace that's been forced upon her is comforting. She can't think and can't stop thinking when Luke is around; he really never does cease to amaze her. He is the warmth and comfort that's been absent in her few days of being separated from Han. She's finally given the relief she's been needing of her nightmare.

She pulls away from Luke to meet his blue gaze, his eyes so intoxicating they're stronger than anything else Clary could ever imagine. She remembers how she feels looking at Luke and her chest is heavy, but not like the way it was before. It's weighed down with something warm and comforting, something elating and complex and everything Clary should be scared of, yet she remains valorous.

Clary holds onto Luke tighter, resting her head against his shoulder. She feels his hand reach up from her waist to touch her hair, holding her head in a soothing way; he does it so easily it's as if he's been made to comfort Clary, as if the bane of their existences were made for each other. She doesn't feel odd hugging Luke so closely, having him so near, with no one around. He feels natural. He feels like home.

...

Instead of training again, Luke helps Clary prepare her X-wing fighter. He hasn't questioned her further on leaving, something that slightly surprises Clary. She still remembers how just a few years ago he had tried stopping Han and Clary from leaving at all before the battle with the Death Star. It feels so long ago, Clary almost finds herself reminiscing for that time, for those few short months at the Rebel base before the transport to Hoth where everything seemed okay.

R2-D2 rolls after the two as they work, beeping insistently. Clary glances back at the droid and smiles, but as her gaze travels, it lands on Yoda. He remains silent and it's unsettling to Clary, making her feel uncomfortable. She hesitates, unsure of how to treat the Jedi Master, and finally decides to turn away. Her mind is racing again but she pushes most of her thoughts aside as she opens the hood of the X-wing fighter. Luke stands beside her, rocking on his heels, a look of impatience crossing his face as if he has something to say but can't find the words to say it. Clary glances at him, hesitating as well. He meets her gaze yet remains silent; Clary's mind blanks.

R2-D2 beeps again and Clary's gaze flickers to the small droid as he rolls back and forth, not wanting her to leave. She smiles again, patting the droid on his head.

"I'll see you around, R2." The droid chirps loudly and Clary's smile grows. She glances back at Luke but he's already looking at her, a small smile on his lips. Clary holds his gaze for a moment and he scans her face once again before lingering on her lips longer than they should.

A familiar feeling rushes through Clary and she considers multiple outcomes. She's never been the type to act impulsively, but she it's not like she hasn't before. Before she can think, she touches Luke's face, leaning closer as she gently presses her lips against his. They're soft against hers and she can feel the blush on her cheeks. He is warm and kind and the definition of comfort: he is natural and he is her home.

Clary pulls away sooner than she would've liked to, cheeks burning. She meets Luke's gaze and he's beaming, causing a feeling of adrenaline to rush through Clary's chest.

"And I'll see you around, pretty boy," Clary says, a smile tugging at her lips as her entire body warms.

Luke is still beaming. "Definitely."

Clary turns, completely elated, as she climbs into her X-wing; she adjusts the controls and glances back at Luke, who is still grinning—Clary can see his eyes flash with a considerable look of smugness and she refrains from rolling her eyes. Her gaze rests on Yoda standing farther away from Luke and her expression falters slightly. The Jedi Master lifts his head, however, his large eyes kinder than they've ever been as he nods farewell.

Taking a deep breath, Clary flips the switch on the X-wing fighter and the canopy hood closes. Her thoughts have returned to Han; she's going to make sure he's finally safe.