They returned to the Coruscant stronghold, where Theron was there waiting for them. They entered through the glass doors, it made a soft hiss as they entered the large atrium. Theron sat on the couch in front of the floor to ceiling window. Jobrey perched comfortably on his lap, one small hand tangled in Theron's collar. The city lights stretched endlessly beyond them, a living tapestry of motion and promise. Jonas slowed without realizing it. For a heartbeat, time folded in on itself. Then he smiled. "Hey, Grandpa," Jonas teased as he approached. Theron snorted, adjusting Jobrey more securely. "Careful," he shot back. "T'll start charging you for babysitting." Jobrey giggled, utterly delighted by the exchange, and Jonas reached out to tap the child's nose with one finger. "Miss me?" Jonas asked lightly, eyes never leaving Theron's. Theron met his gazesteady, familiar, unmistakably warm. "Always, "

Brey'enne watched them from a few steps back, a quiet smile curving her lips. Whatever history had once tangled them together now lay settled and resolved, not erased-but at peace. Jonas eased down onto the couch beside Theron, close but unforced, as if he'd simply stepped back into a place that had been waiting for him all along. His knees creaked as he sat next to Theron. "Ugh. enjoy your youth while you have it kids, cause it sure ain't fun getting old." Theron chuckled. "hey, I'm right there behind you. Remember, we're only 12 years apart." Jonas waved a hand dismissively, though the corner of his mouth twitched. "Twelve years," he repeated. "That's nothing when you're young. It's a lifetime when your knees start announcing every decision you make." Theron laughed softly, shifting Jobrey to his other hip. "Oh please. You've been complaining about your joints since I met you." "Because I was already right," Jonas shot back, then glanced down at Jobrey, who was studying him with solemn curiosity. His voice softened without him meaning it to.

"See this?" he said, gently poking at the toddler in Theron's lap. "This is what happens when you live long enough to love a lot of people." Theron stilled at that—not outwardly, just enough to notice. "And you'd do it again," he said. Jonas didn't answer right away. He leaned back into the couch, letting the city's glow wash over them both. "In a heartbeat," he said finally. "Even knowing how it ends." Jobrey chose that moment to reach out, grabbing one of Jonas' fingers with surprising strength. Jonas blinked, then hutted a quiet laugh. "Well," he murmured, allowing the grip, "seems I've been claimed." Theron watched the exchange, something warm and settled blooming behind his ribs. "Looks like you still have good hands," Jonas met his eyes then—older, yes, but unmistakably the same man. "For the things that matter," They sat there like that for a while: knees creaking, city humming, a child between them who knew nothing of the years they'd lost—and nothing at all of the fact that they'd finally found their way back.

Jonas and Theron settle into domestic life

-Calm-peace-
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