#anakin left. obi-wan asked him to stay. and anakin made his decision

[tennessoui]

Hey I hope you're having a good day! I'm sure you've already got a handful of prompts but how about *shakes magic 8-ball* number 17, meeting at a party whilst drunk au!

hello thank you for sending this in!! i'm still working down my list of prompts, and this one is: meeting at a party whilst drunk

i took some liberties with the prompt here though, so really this is meeting (again after a long time) at a party whilst drunk

(2.8k) (gffa, anakin leaves the order after the war au)

Usually, Obi-Wan is better about this sort of thing. It is, after all, a matter of utmost importance. It’s a matter of survival. 

Usually, when he receives an invitation to an event, he does not commit himself to going until he can complete some reconnaissance about the other guests invited. Until he knows beyond a reasonable doubt that Anakin Skywalker, ex-Jedi and current husband to Senator Amidala, will not be in attendance.

It is much better this way. For everyone involved, really, but especially for Obi-Wan and his poor fool’s heart. It is much better if they keep an entire planet between themselves these days—preferably multiple planets. Preferably half a galaxy.

But this is a retirement party for Bail, and Obi-Wan cannot miss it. His old friend deserves better than that, better than Obi-Wan’s cowardice getting in the way of a celebration of his decades-long career in the Senate.

So he accepts the invitation without researching the guest list. He thinks—he hopes—that in the past nine years, Anakin Skywalker’s intense dislike of Bail Organa has not waned. Anakin, when Obi-Wan knew him, when he was Obi-Wan’s—Obi-Wan’s padawan—had a tendency to make a snap judgement about someone and never change his opinion. 

His hatred had been like an impenetrable wall, unchanging and immovable.

His love had ebbed and flowed, drowned out by his anger or his irritation, coming in great waves when he was in a fine mood and resembling a desert’s drought when he was upset.

But his hatred had always been unshakable once assigned. The very first time Obi-Wan saw it in Anakin’s eyes when he looked at him, a year after he left the Order and the last time they'd seen each other, he’d known for a fact that he’d lost him. That the love had dried up and gone and that it would never return. It’d felt like watching Anakin leave the Temple all over again, like a hand clenched around his heart squeezing and squeezing and squeezing.

So he hopes that Anakin has chosen not to attend Bail’s retirement party. Oh, he knows that Anakin’s wife is here, and he has already downed two flutes of sparkling wine to prepare himself for the sight of her looking resplendent across the ballroom, but he hopes that Anakin has chosen to stay home instead of wasting an evening fawning over a man he never liked in the first place.

Besides, someone should look after the children. They’re nine now, Obi-Wan knows. If they are anything like Anakin was at that age, they must need constant supervision. And he has already seen Senator Amidala once tonight from afar, knows that she is here amongst the party-goers.

He tightens his grip on his fourth flute of wine and turns his attention back to his conversation partner. 

It is rather rude to be so preoccupied in the midst of a conversation with another, but Obi-Wan is an old man now and a war hero. He’s allowed to get away with much more these days than he could in the past.

“Yes, I admit the Jedi Order still has far to go in order to rebuild itself,” he says, mind torn between the small talk and the drink in his hand. These sorts of conversations are easy to have. Yes, the war took a lot out of the Jedi Order. Yes, we are still working through the damages and the trauma. Yes, it’s been ten years since, but sometimes it feels as if it was only yesterday. Yes, sometimes it feels as if I am still fighting.

And then—

Then the woman he is talking to grows bold. She rests her hand on his forearm, the one that is holding the flute of wine, and steps closer.

And in the Force, there is a rumbling of pure, visceral hatred, the sort Obi-Wan has only ever felt in the air a few times.

The sort that is achingly, distressingly familiar.

He turns his head, even though he knows he should not look. He knows looking will take him out at the knees. He knows he may never recover if he looks.

He turns his head and he looks anyway. There, across the room, standing to the left of a load bearing pillar is the drawn and furious face of Anakin Skywalker, ex-Jedi, ex-padawan.

Obi-Wan’s first thought is that he looks older, though he realizes a moment later how absolutely inane that is. Of course he looks older. It has been nine years since he really talked to him, eight years since he last saw him, and he has tried to avoid any news or photos about the man at all. In his mind, he is still as he was in those days and months following the end of the war. But logically, he knows that the time has passed, that not even the Chosen One is immune to aging.

Anakin’s hair is streaked with shoots of silver. It’s short now, cropped close to his head though still curling as much as he lets it. His face is worn, wrinkled in different, unfamiliar places. He is wearing finery befitting that of a senator’s husband, the color of a midnight sky.

It is strangely comforting to see him dressed in the same colors he has worn since he was a youngling in Obi-Wan’s care. If he were wearing white or, or green or pink, then Obi-Wan isn’t sure he’d be able to recognize him at all.

“Are you quite alright, Master Kenobi?” the woman asks, words filtering in through the static noise in Obi-Wan’s head. 

No. Of course he is not alright.

Yes. He is better than alright. He feels as if his head has broken the surface of the water he’s been trapped under for the past nine years. He feels as if the sight of Anakin Skywalker is a sip of water when he’s on the brink of dehydration.

“You know actually I am not sure,” he tells her, which is overly personal and not at all what he’d meant to say. But that is what the sight of Anakin Skywalker does these days. It throws him off, makes him loose-tongued and off-centered.

Fuck, he thinks once, viciously. 

“If you’ll excuse me,” he tells her, carefully separating himself from her touch and taking a step away. She looks disappointed almost immediately, and Obi-Wan should care about the image he’s making, how impolite he is being, but he has bigger concerns right now. 

Anakin Skywalker is here. 

“Enjoy your evening,” he adds as he raises his flute of wine to his lips and drains it in one go. “Unfortunately, I’m going to go get incredibly drunk.”

“Uh,” the woman says, but Obi-Wan is already gone. He can’t—he can’t stay. Not in this room, not under the weight of Anakin Skywalker’s stare.

Thank the Force he started the night by giving his congratulations and warm regard to Bail. If things turn sour, he’ll be able to slip away with only minimal rudeness.

And, if he’s being quite honest, things have already soured beyond the point of salvation.

But instead of leaving—instead of slipping out the room and running back to the Temple, tail between his legs, he stays. Inexplicably, he grabs another flute of wine from a passing server and retreats to a balcony.

Fresh air will sober him up, he thinks, even as he downs half the flute. 

He should leave, he thinks, even as he stays.

He should leave—but he cannot bring himself to. Anakin is here and it’s Obi-Wan’s worst nightmare and it’s the only thing he’s desired for the past nine years.

Barely a minute passes before the balcony door opens behind him. Obi-Wan keeps his eyes pinned to the city-scape around them.

“Occupied,” he says, even though he knows who it is. Even though he knows the word is useless. Anakin will not leave until he wants to.

“Obi-Wan,” Anakin says. Just his name, just three syllables.

Obi-Wan downs the rest of the flute. “Anakin,” he says, closing his eyes for a moment to gather himself before he turns to look at him.

Oh, he wishes he could blame the alcohol for how beautiful he finds him, but he knows that’s just some dark and twisted part of himself, some sinful and perverted aspect of his soul he has never been able to scrub clean.

“How are you?” He says, because he cannot let Anakin speak first. If he lets Anakin speak first, there will be a diplomatic incident, surely. If he lets Anakin speak first, Anakin will control the conversation—Anakin will tear through all of his shields and land on his sorest, most vulnerable spots. “How are the children?” “Do you even know their names?” Anakin spits back, eyebrows drawn dark and heavy over his expression. His face is flushed. He must have been drinking as well. “How old they are? Do not ask after my children as if you care about them at all, Obi-Wan—I know you don’t!”

“Luke,” Obi-Wan says. “Leia.”

Oh, he wishes Anakin were right. He wishes he didn’t know a damn thing about them, about him, about the life he lives now. One completely separate and void of Obi-Wan. 

Anakin probably does not notice his absence. After all, he has a wife, two children. A part-time job, if Bail can be believed. He wonders if he still meditates facing the wrong way, back to the sun, and suddenly his heart feels so tight he can hardly breathe through the pain.

Anakin sneers. “Whatever,” he says and reaches into the folds of his robes to pull out a silver flask. He raises it to his lips and takes a swig, rubbing a hand over his mouth when he’s done, capping it and sliding back into his robes.

It is the alcohol that loosens his tongue, Obi-Wan knows it. Obi-Wan understands that he has had too much to drink tonight to be standing before Anakin Skywalker now, that anything that comes out of his mouth will be something he regrets in the morning.

But does it really matter? How could it matter? Anakin Skywalker was his whole life for a decade and a few years, and then he left. And now a decade has passed. In five years, he will have spent longer missing him than he spent loving him. What does a few words matter now?

Obi-Wan has already lost everything. He is already made of regret.

“I don’t know why you insist on acting so hatefully,” he says. “You left.”

He means, of course, that if anyone should hate anyone here, it is Obi-Wan’s right to hate Anakin.

Impossible, as it were, but his right. Anakin left.

Obi-Wan asked him to stay.

“You kissed me,” Anakin spits back.

And yes, alright. He kissed him as well.

His fingers itch for another flute of wine. Perhaps a swallow of the flask in Anakin’s robes. Anything. Anything to dull the white-hot ache of this conversation. Anything to escape these consequences.

“Nine years ago,” he says, quietly. “It’s been nine years, Anakin.”

Let it go.

He hadn’t—he really hadn’t meant to kiss him. It had been—a foolish mistake, something that had happened late at night, a few months after the end of the war, and they had been in Obi-Wan’s quarters, drinking and talking and Anakin had said something about leaving the Order, and Obi-Wan had said something about him staying, and Anakin had said, Padmé is pregnant, and Obi-Wan—Obi-Wan had kissed him.

A foolish mistake, made only survivable by the way that, for a handful of precious seconds, Anakin had kissed him back.

Before the yelling, the hatred, the anger. The leaving. Before all of that, Anakin had kissed him back.

“I have already apologized, Anakin,” Obi-Wan whispers, exhausted, and his eyes cut away from Anakin, turn back to the city. “I have thought of that moment countless times–-and I cannot begin to explain what came over me, what I was thinking at the time.”

He just—he hadn’t wanted Anakin to leave. Had thought that perhaps if he could—if he could give Anakin himself in all the ways one person could devote themselves to another, then maybe it would be enough. Maybe he would stay.

A foolish hope, one that Obi-Wan should have known better than to entertain even for a moment.

“I have thought of it too,” Anakin says. He clears his throat. He lurches forward, unsteady on his feet. His hand comes into contact with Obi-Wan’s arm, glove on sleeve. Thank the Force for the layers still in between them.

“I’m sorry,” Obi-Wan murmurs, and the truth is that he means it as much as he does not. He is sorry for taking the brotherhood and friendship between them and shattering it. He is sorry that he kissed Anakin, that he hastened his leave.

But he is not sorry for knowing how his lips felt against his own. How he tasted.

Obi-Wan is a lonely old man, despite the family he has surrounded himself with at the Temple. Despite his new padawan that he has been training for the past eight years. Despite the trips he takes to see his retired men, Cody and the 212th scattered across the galaxy. Despite all the ways he fills his days, all the people he meets and talks to and trains with, he is still lonely. There is still a hole in his heart, a space that Anakin used to occupy.

“I have thought of it every day since,” Anakin says, repeating himself in that way drunkards do when they have forgotten they already started the same sentence a moment before.

“I’m—”

“It has haunted me,” Anakin says. His voice is sharp and angry and Obi-Wan wants to close his eyes and shy away from it. Obi-Wan, who has faced down Separatists and sith lords and blaster fire, wants to turn tail and hide. Retreat. Retreat.

Anakin’s voice turns—darker, wilder. His hand tightens and he tugs, just hard enough that it overbalances Obi-Wan. “I am haunted by the kiss you never should have given me.”

“Had I known you were married, I never would have—”

“You ruined it,” Anakin snaps. “You ruined my marriage!”

“I…” Obi-Wan’s throat clicks, words drying out. “What?”

“We filed for separation months ago,” Anakin says. His eyes are dark; he is holding his arm so tightly that it hurts. “Joint custody of the children, but a formal divorce. Amicable.”

Obi-Wan…Obi-Wan doesn’t know what to say. Doesn’t know if he can speak at all.

“It wouldn’t have been amicable if she knew though,” Anakin says. He takes a step forward. Obi-Wan gives ground. He does not know how else to fight Anakin. “If she knew what I thought about when I retreated from her touch. If she knew what—who—drove me from our bed every night to walk through our house like a ghost wandering the halls.”

“If your marriage ended over a kiss I gave you nine years ago, then it is hardly my fault,” Obi-Wan says, putting his hand on Anakin’s chest to keep distance between them. When did they become so close? This is much too close. Obi-Wan can smell Anakin’s soap, his sweat. The alcohol on his breath.

“But it is,” Anakin insists, unable still it seems to take his share of the blame and make his peace with it. “It is, because I spent half my life in love with you, then I finally commit to someone else—allow myself to look and love and appreciate someone else’s beauty—and then you kiss me, as if I have not already sworn loyalty to another! As if I could be yours to kiss! As if I still was!”

Obi-Wan shakes his head, unable to do more. “It was a kiss, Anakin, it was—I assure you, I am not such a good kisser that I can be blamed for your failed marriage when it was nine years ago!”

“Then you do not remember it as well as I do,” Anakin murmurs, and now—now the rage has turned darker, heady. His eyes catch and hold onto Obi-Wan’s lips. His eyes are more black than blue. His face is flushed. He is—so handsome. So beautiful still, after all of these years. “Let me refresh your memory,” he says, and Obi-Wan—

Obi-Wan is weak when it comes to Anakin. He always has been. He is so weak. And he needs—he needs so much. He makes a sound, something embarrassingly small and desperate, and then Anakin is kissing him and it feels like being sliced open and like coming home, all at the same time. 

Like how it felt when he returned to the quarters he shared with Qui-Gon after his master had died—a homecoming, but at what cost? A death and a birth, all at the same time. He had lingered in the doorway that first time, unable to push himself across and into quarters that felt both strange and familiar. 

It had been Anakin, a small boy still, who had grabbed him by the hand and pulled him inside.

Still now, even all these years later, Obi-Wan closes his eyes and allows himself to follow Anakin’s lead. 

[jetii]

Event Horizon

Chapter Five: From the Ashes

Chapter WC: 7,131

Chapter Warnings: None

A/N: me: i'm not writing a love triangle. also me: writes this chapter.

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They made you a General.

After the battle on Geonosis, the Senate and the Jedi Council came to an agreement. With the Separatist threat looming larger than ever, and the Clone Wars officially begun, the Senate agreed that the Jedi would lead the Grand Army of the Republic, and that the Council would appoint the Jedi Generals to command the troops.

And they chose you.

The Council believed that your skill and experience was more than enough to merit the title, but you didn't believe that for a moment. You were one of the few left standing, and the fact that you'd been there on the front lines, fighting against Dooku and his droids, likely had more of a role to play in the decision than any supposed skill of yours.

You were one of the youngest to be given such a rank, and even Obi-Wan was shocked when they informed you. You’d tried not to let your bitterness at his lack of confidence show, but it was difficult. After everything, after what had happened, you weren’t sure you were up to the task, and Obi-Wan seemed to agree.

But it was more than that.

You were among the many who suddenly found themselves elevated above their station in the aftermath. There was a whole score of Padawans who were now Knights as well as Generals with their own command, and Anakin was among them. You agreed that it was well-deserved, but you also knew, deep down, that it was the Council's attempt to keep him under their control. To give Anakin the responsibility, and the power, that he craved without giving him too much freedom. 

You can't help but wonder if it was the same with you, or if the Council saw something different in you. They hadn't always been particularly supportive of your skills, but now, they were quick to put their faith in you. You don't know what to think, or how to feel. You're honored, of course, but there's a part of you that can't help but feel as if they're just using you. That you're nothing more than a pawn to move about the board as they please.

It's a feeling that you've been struggling with ever since you were named a Knight, and now, as a Master, the doubt has only grown.

The other Knights are congratulating each other, some even embracing, but you stay on the outskirts, your hands clasped behind your back and your head bowed. You can't bring yourself to celebrate, not with so many having lost their lives, and the weight of your new responsibilities settling heavily upon your shoulders.

The loss of life is a staggering number. Of the two hundred and twelve Jedi who had arrived on Geonosis with you, only thirty had made it out alive, and those survivors were scarred and battered, many not even fully healed from their ordeals. That wasn’t even considering the death toll of the clone ranks, numbering in the thousands.

You were lucky to have had that clone, Rex, save you, and you were grateful for his assistance, but you still feel the guilt gnawing at you. You wonder if he went back to the fight, if he perished like so many of his brothers, or if he too is nursing the pain of survival that you are.

There's a tap on your shoulder, pulling you suddenly from your thoughts, and you glance up to see Anakin standing next to you, a grin on his face.

“Well, are you going to congratulate me?” he asks.

You roll your eyes before you step forward and embrace him. He lets out a chuckle, wrapping his arms around your shoulders and squeezing gently. His new metal hand is a strange weight against your back, and a cold reminder of how much things have changed.

"Congratulations," you tell him as you pull away. "I'm happy for you."

"You don't sound very happy," he replies, his brow furrowing.

"I think you deserve it, Anakin," you say truthfully. "It's about time the Council realized how skilled you are."

“But…?”

"But nothing," you reply.

"Come on," he insists, his tone light, "tell me what's bothering you."

No one around is listening, but you can’t help but cast a glance around the chamber. You lower your voice, stepping closer to him. "I'm worried about what this all means.”

“It means you and I are finally getting the recognition we deserve," Anakin says, as if it were obvious. "Why are you so against that?"

You sigh, running a hand through your hair. It catches on the tangled strands, and you grimace, forcing your hand down.

"It's just not how I imagined things going," you tell him with a sigh. "I was always taught that a Jedi is supposed to serve, and now, we're leading soldiers into battle."

"We're fighting for a good cause, and we'll be helping people," he replies easily. "That's what we've always wanted to do."

You frown, your lips pressing into a thin line. Anakin is right, and you know it. But the thought of leading an army, and the idea of all the lives that will be lost, makes your stomach turn.

"You don't agree," he says in the face of your silence, a note of disappointment in his voice. You can see him deflating, and you quickly rush to reassure him.

"No, I do," you insist, forcing a smile. "It's just...a lot to take in, that's all."

"It's because of Master Yaddle, isn't it?"

The mention of her name makes your heart ache. You haven't spoken to anyone about her death in years, and you've never discussed it with Anakin. It's easy to forget, sometimes, just how much you two have in common. How many losses and tragedies the both of you have had to endure.

"Partly," you admit, the words sticking in your throat.

"You don't think she'd approve," Anakin says, his gaze softening.

"It doesn't matter what she would've thought," you say sharply. At the look on his face, you sigh and force yourself to calm down. "Sorry, Anakin. I'm just...I'm not sure if we're really ready for this."

"Well, I know I am," he replies, and his grin is back, and as always, it’s infectious. He gives you a nudge, and you can't help but smile back, some of the weight lifting from your shoulders. “And I know you are, too."

His confidence in you is overwhelming, and you have to fight the urge to scoff. You wish you had even half of his conviction, his sense of certainty.

You look at the others, the joyful conversations and laughter filling the room. And for a moment, you allow yourself to relax, to bask in the celebration and the relief that comes with it. But you can't forget the reason for it, and the weight returns, a heavy pressure against your chest.

"It's going to be okay," Anakin says, resting a hand on your shoulder. "This whole thing will be over before we know it, and we'll go back to doing what we were meant to."

"Thanks, Anakin," you say, softly. "You always know how to make me feel better."

You smile at him, and he smiles back. He gives your shoulder a squeeze, and then he's gone, lost in the crowd of Knights and Padawans and Masters. Your shoulders slump as you watch him go, and you're struck by how much he's changed.

The Anakin you knew would have scoffed at the idea of leadership, of being the head of an army. But now, he's embraced it, and his passion, his eagerness, is almost frightening. It’s hard to reconcile the boy who was so reluctant to grow up with the man standing before you. You're not sure what's changed, or what's made him so determined to accept the title, but it worries you.

The celebration is still ongoing, but you slip out unnoticed, the voices of the other Jedi fading into the background. You have a lot to think about, and a lot to consider, and you need some time alone.

You make your way through the halls of the Temple, the marble walls and floors reflecting the light from the windows. It's quiet, and peaceful, and for a moment, you can almost forget the chaos that's raging outside. Of the battles already being fought across the galaxy in the name of the Republic.

As you walk, the doubts start to creep back in. Are you really ready for this? You're barely older than the other Knights, and your experience as a Jedi is limited, compared to the others. You've had a few successes, but more failures. Your track record is hardly exemplary, and your relationship with the Council has always been strained.

They hadn't even offered you your own batallion, not that you wanted one. Not that you were ready for it. Instead, they'd simply told you that your place on the battlefield, whenever it was needed, would be alongside Obi-Wan. You were still expected to carry out your usual duties as an investigator and a peacekeeper, but the war took precedence, and your assignments had been scaled back significantly.

You were glad that you were able to remain a part of the investigative branch of the Jedi, and that you weren't being pulled entirely away from your normal duties. But it still didn't sit well with you, and the thought of being placed at the forefront of the conflict made you uneasy. It didn't help that the entire time the Council had spoken to you of it, Obi-Wan sat quietly, his hands folded in his lap, and his expression carefully neutral.

You still weren't sure how to feel about that.

The two of you have been at odds for a long time, and his refusal to support you had always been a sore spot. It was the main reason you'd pushed him away, and you'd both kept your distance ever since. But now, you would have to work together. There would be no choice, no alternative.

He'd accepted the decision with no hesitation, though as a member of the Council himself, he likely could've declined. But he'd remained silent, his gaze fixed firmly ahead, and his voice carefully controlled. You'd felt his eyes on you, the frayed remnants of your bond in the Force tugging at the edge of your awareness. But he'd said nothing, and his silence was as damning as his disapproval.

It had stung, and you'd spent the rest of the meeting glaring at him, and trying not to let your frustration show. It was petty, and you knew it, but it was also easier than letting your feelings out in the open. Years had passed since the two of you had had any sort of meaningful conversation, and the last thing either of you needed was to have it out in front of the Council.

You let out a frustrated sigh and turn down another corridor, your steps echoing against the marble floor. The sun is starting to set, and the shadows are growing longer, the light slowly fading. It's peaceful, and quiet, and for a moment, you let yourself relax.

You stop when you reach the training rooms, and the doors slide open with a hiss. There's no better place to burn off your nervous energy than here, and a few rounds with the training droids should do the trick.

You're halfway across the room when a voice rings out.

"What are you doing here?"

Your eyes widen, and your steps falter. You'd been so focused on your destination that you hadn't noticed that the room wasn't empty. Standing by the far wall, his back to you, is Obi-Wan. His arms are folded across his chest, and his gaze is fixed on the window, the skyline of Coruscant stretched out below.

You curse yourself for being so careless, and for not sensing him sooner. You're normally more alert, more aware of your surroundings, and Obi-Wan's presence is easily distinguishable. But the shock of the day, and the chaos of the celebration, must have left you distracted.

You steel yourself, and then continue forward, keeping your pace even and steady.

"I should ask you the same question," you reply, a hint of annoyance in your voice.

He glances over his shoulder at you, and his eyes narrow. You can't help but notice the faint lines around them, the evidence of his years of stress.

"I came here to clear my head," he says, his voice tight. "And you?"

"Same," you reply, your tone clipped.

"Ah, so the promotion is weighing on you, then," he says, turning to face you. "I wondered if it might."

You glare at him, the tension between you mounting. His tone is condescending, and it sets your teeth on edge.

"And what's that supposed to mean?" you snap.

"Nothing," he replies evenly. "Only that this will be a challenging new position for the both of us."

You shake your head, and then turn away from him. The anger is boiling in your chest, and you have to take a deep breath before you speak.

"If you have something to say, just say it," you tell him, trying to keep your voice level. "You've never had a problem telling me exactly how you feel before."

Obi-Wan lets out a frustrated sigh, and then turns, crossing the distance between you. You tense, but he stops several feet away, his hands clasped behind his back. He's always been the epitome of restraint, but you can see the anger in his eyes, and it's clear he's struggling to maintain his composure. You feel a flash of satisfaction at the fact that you've managed to get under his skin.

"Spar with me," he says suddenly. "Perhaps we can get this out of our systems."

"You want to fight me?" you ask, incredulous.

"Why not?" he retorts. "It's worked for us in the past."

You snort, but he has a point. The two of you have often sparred together over the years, and it has always been cathartic. The familiarity of the activity, the way it brings out the competitiveness in both of you, has always helped ease the tension between you. And after the events of the past few days, you could use the release.

"You and I may be remembering the outcome of those matches differently," you reply archly.

He raises an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at his lips. You're reminded of the countless times you've seen him use the same expression, the smugness and self-assurance infuriating and endearing in equal measure.

"Is that so?" Obi-Wan asks, his voice teasing. "Because I seem to recall winning a majority of those."

"A majority, not all.”

You push your robes off your shoulders and let them fall to the floor, leaving you in your leggings and tunic.

"And those that you did win were hardly decisive," he replies. "If memory serves, you had the upper hand on occasion, but never enough to guarantee victory."

"I'm fairly certain there were several instances where I was on top," you shoot back. You immediately wince at the words, the innuendo hitting you a moment too late.

"Yes, you certainly were," he murmurs, his voice low enough that you're not sure if you were meant to hear.

You feel a flush rising on your cheeks, and you quickly avert your eyes. It had been a mistake to provoke him, and now, the tension in the room is suffocating you. You can't even look at him, but Obi-Wan seems immune to the awkwardness, the very picture of stoicism.

"Well?" he asks, his tone businesslike once again. "Do we have an agreement, or not?"

You let out a sigh, and then nod. He takes a step back, and then removes his robe, his movements deliberate and careful. He folds it neatly and sets it on a nearby bench, and then he returns to the center of the room, his eyes never leaving yours.

You roll your shoulders, stretching your arms, and then move to meet him. You're not sure if this is the right thing to do, but it's a chance to finally get some of the frustrations and tensions out of your system. And if it gets too heated, well, that's a risk you're willing to take.

Obi-Wan draws his lightsaber from his belt and activates it, the blue blade humming as it springs to life. You can't help but notice that it's different from the one he had when the two of you were younger, different from the one he built after Naboo. The hilt is more slender, the emitter guard wider, and the color darker. There’s a twinge of regret building in your chest, the memory of the two of you making your first lightsabers together suddenly fresh in your mind.

He seems to notice the change in your demeanor, and he tilts his head.

"Problem?" he asks.

"No," you say, drawing your own weapon. The yellow blade hums as you ignite it, and Obi-Wan nods, seemingly satisfied. "First blood?"

"Or surrender," he counters. "Either will suffice."

"Very well.”

You nod, and then settle into a defensive stance, your lightsaber held at the ready. You don't want to fight him, not really. Not with everything else that's happening, and the emotions that are still bubbling to the surface. But if he wants a match, he'll get one.

Obi-Wan steps forward, his weapon raised, and then launches himself into a flurry of strikes. He's fast, and precise, and his technique is flawless. Back in your Padawan days, Obi-Wan had always been the better fighter, the better everything. And even now, with your skills more closely matched, his superior strength and experience are a challenge to overcome.

But he's not as quick as you are, and he doesn't have your stamina. After the day the two of you have had, you have the advantage, and you press it, your lightsaber flashing through the air as you counter his blows. He's taken aback by your ferocity, and it doesn't take long for him to realize that you're not holding back. 

The two of you dance around the room, the sounds of clashing blades echoing off the walls. It's been so long since the two of you have sparred, and you'd forgotten how much you missed it. The rush of adrenaline, the thrill of the fight, the closeness of his presence, the way the Force hums between you. It's almost like the old days, before things went bad, before Yaddle died, before everything.

Back when things were simpler.

Back when you had a family.

Your blades collide with a shower of sparks, and the two of you hold there for a moment, his eyes boring into yours. Your breathing is heavy, and you can see the sweat beading on his brow.

"Not bad," he says, his tone casual.

You grunt, pushing him away, and then swing again, your lightsaber flashing through the air.

"Not bad, yourself," you reply grudgingly.

Obi-Wan smirks, and then ducks under your blade, bringing his own up and around. You jump back, barely avoiding the blow, and then spin, the tip of your blade slicing through the air. 

He blocks, and the two of you stand, locked together again. Your arms tremble with the strain, and his gaze locks onto yours. 

"You know, I think this is the first time we've spoken in months."

You scoff, pushing him back, and then launch into another attack. "And whose fault is that?"

His blade deflects your blow, and the two of you go back and forth, trading strike for parry, block for counterattack.

"You've been avoiding me," he replies, his tone accusing.

"I'm not," you insist, deflecting a blow and dodging to the side.

"You are," he says, and he strikes at your back. You duck under the swing, and come up behind him, your blade singing as you strike. He darts out of the way, narrowly avoiding the blow, and then turns, bringing his lightsaber up to block. "Ever since Yaddle, you've done nothing but avoid me."

You growl, and the anger flares. "Don't."

He presses his advantage, his blows coming faster, harder, and you're forced on the defensive. You backpedal, trying to put space between the two of you, but his blade is relentless.

"Tell me I'm wrong," he challenges.

"You're wrong," you retort, blocking a particularly vicious blow.

"Then why have you been avoiding me?" he demands. "Why won't you talk to me?"

"And say what?" you say, your voice rising. "We have nothing to say to each other, Obi-Wan!"

He grits his teeth, and then swings again, and the two of you dance across the floor, lightsabers flashing as they clash. The sound echoes off the walls, and the heat from the blades makes the air around you shimmer. You're sweating, and your muscles are burning, but you're not willing to concede. You're not willing to lose.

The anger, the frustration, and the years of hurt and pain boil to the surface, and you lose yourself in the rhythm of the fight. Your limbs are moving of their own accord, your body acting on instinct, and you give in to the emotions, letting them fuel you.

You're not sure how long the two of you fight, but the fatigue is starting to take its toll. Your attacks are slower, your blocks sloppier, and you can tell that Obi-Wan is flagging, as well.

"We used to talk," he says, his voice strained. "What happened?"

"Nothing," you retort. "Everything is fine."

"Nothing is fine!" he yells.

His blade comes down hard, and you block, the impact sending you reeling. He follows up with a series of fast, short strikes, and you're on the back foot, barely keeping up. He's angry, and that makes him reckless, and you can see the opening. You feint left, and then swing low, your lightsaber cutting a path through the air. He ducks, the blade missing him by inches, and then stumbles, his back hitting the wall.

"You're not the only one who lost someone, you know," he pants, his eyes blazing. "You said you would be there for me, and then you shut me out. Why?"

You're seething, and the words pour out before you can stop them.

"Because you didn't understand!" you snap. "You didn't understand how I was feeling, and you didn't try to. You just kept pushing, and pushing, and you never listened!"

"And you were so busy wallowing in your own self-pity that you didn't realize I was hurting, too," he shoots back. "All you could think about was yourself, and what you were going through, and you couldn't even see what was right in front of you!"

You shake your head, and the anger is boiling in your chest, the words spilling out before you can stop them.

"I needed you, Obi-Wan, and you weren't there," you say, the anger making your voice quiver. "I needed you, and you chose the Council, you chose the Jedi, over me. You abandoned me."

He shakes his head, his eyes filled with sadness. "That's not fair."

"Isn't it?" you ask. "You were my best friend, and you let me down."

"So did you," he says softly.

His words hit you like a punch to the gut, and you step back, your breath leaving you in a rush. He's right. You did let him down, and you have no excuse. You'd been so wrapped up in your own grief, your own pain, that you'd completely missed his, and you've been paying for it ever since.

You're not sure how long the two of you have stood there, the room falling into silence. The anger and the hurt are still there, simmering just below the surface, but it's been tempered by a different kind of pain.

You look at him, and the memories come flooding back. Of the two of you as children, running through the halls of the Temple, getting into trouble, causing mischief. Of the countless hours spent sparring and meditating, working together to hone your skills. Of the late night conversations and whispered secrets, the friendship and the closeness. Of the love.

You'd been so close, once. So inseparable. But now, the chasm between the two of you feels wider than ever, and the bridge is crumbling beneath your feet.

"I felt the darkness in you, that day," Obi-Wan says, his voice low. “And again on Geonosis.”

You look away, unable to meet his eyes.

"I was upset," you reply. "And I let my emotions get the best of me."

"It's more than that," he insists. "You've changed. You've become angry, and resentful, and those are dangerous emotions to carry with you. Especially now."

You grit your teeth, the frustration building. "You don't know what you're talking about."

"I know what I've seen," he counters. "I've been watching, and I know there's something going on with you. Something I haven't been able to figure out."

You glare at him, the tension mounting between the two of you. You don't want to argue with him, not anymore, but the way he's looking at you makes your skin crawl. It's almost as if he can see right through you, and it unnerves you.

Your blade raises, the yellow glow casting strange shadows across his face, and you take a deep breath.

"This conversation is over," you say, your tone clipped.

You turn, but he's faster. Obi-Wan’s blade slashes out, catching yours, and you're forced back. You block, and then counter, your lightsabers colliding in a shower of sparks. He pushes you further, his blows coming faster, stronger, and you struggle to keep up.

"You can't run away from this," he says, his tone sharp.

"Watch me," you retort.

He's angry, and frustrated, and it shows in his fighting style. His movements are rough, and he's sloppy, and you're able to keep pace with him, pushing him further and further as he struggles to regain control.

"Just stop!" he shouts.

"No!"

The two of you dance across the floor, your blades flashing in the dim light. You're both tired, and it shows, your movements slowing, and the fatigue wearing at your defenses. You're not sure how much longer you can keep this up, but you can't let him win, and you won't.

Your blade slices through the air, and his lightsaber flashes, deflecting the blow. You lunge, and his blade arcs up, meeting yours.

"Yaddle would want you to move on," he says. "She wouldn't want you to carry this anger with you, this resentment."

"Shut up," you snap, your lightsaber striking his, the sound ringing out through the room. "You don't get to talk about her. You didn't even believe me."

He grits his teeth, his jaw clenched. "I know."

His blade flashes, and you dodge, narrowly avoiding the strike.

"You said she was murdered, and I didn't listen," he continues. "And for that, I'm sorry."

"Sorry isn't good enough," you say.

"I know," he replies sadly. "But we have a chance to make a difference, now. To do what Yaddle would have wanted."

Your blade clashes with his, the impact sending a shiver down your spine. You're tired, and sore, and you can feel the ache settling into your muscles, but something inside you compels you to keep going.

"She would want me to find her killer, and bring them to justice," you say, the words coming out in a rush. 

You launch into a series of rapid-fire attacks, pouring every bit of your energy into the assault. You're desperate, and furious, and the emotions are boiling inside you, threatening to overwhelm.

Obi-Wan blocks, and counters, but he's tiring, and he's not quick enough. He stumbles, and you seize the opportunity, your blade coming down in a powerful swing that sends him sprawling. He hits the ground, hard, and his lightsaber clatters to the floor, the blade deactivating. You stand over him, your blade humming and his eyes wide with shock.

You’ve never been able to best him before, and the knowledge is satisfying. You raise your lightsaber, the blade poised to strike, and then stop, your hand trembling. You could do it. You could end this, right here, right now. You could end the conflict, and the fighting, and the tension.

You could end it all.

"And then what?" Obi-Wan asks, his voice hoarse.

You look down at him, and his gaze locks onto yours. He's not afraid, but there's a flicker of something else in his eyes. Sadness? Resignation?

You hesitate, your blade poised inches from his chest. "What?"

"Then what?" he repeats. "Once you find her killer, what will you do? Kill them?"

You recoil, as if struck. The realization of what you're about to do, of what you've almost done, hits you, and the anger is replaced by a fear so deep and so primal that it makes your bones ache.

You're horrified, and ashamed.

"No," you whisper. "No, of course not."

"Really?" he asks. He's looking at you with a mix of surprise and disappointment, and you know that he doesn't believe you. 

"No, I..." You shake your head, and the blade wavers, your grip faltering. You're not sure what's worse: the idea that he thinks you're capable of such a thing, or the fact that part of you actually considered it. "You know me better than that."

"I thought I did," he replies, softly.

"I would never do that," you say, and the words come out as a plea. "You know that."

"How can I believe that, when I don't even know who you are anymore?" he asks, his eyes never leaving yours, and the words are like a dagger to your heart. "When you've hidden so much from me?"

You flinch, the truth of his words cutting you to the bone.

You've shut him out, and pushed him away, and it's not just the anger and the resentment. It's because you've been afraid, and ashamed, and you couldn't bear the thought of him seeing you for who you really are. For who you've become.

But now, the mask is slipping, and the façade is cracking, and you can't hide any longer.

You lower your blade, the anger draining from you, and the weight of everything crashes down on you.

"I don't know," you admit. "I...I don't know." 

"I can feel it now, the darkness in you, your anger," he says. "The others may be blind to it, but I'm not. It's like a shadow around you, and it's growing stronger by the day."

You look away, the shame and the guilt washing over you. You don't know what's wrong with you, or why you're so angry all the time. All you know is that it's getting harder and harder to control, and you're terrified of what it might mean.

Your lightsaber falls from your hand, the blade deactivating as it hits the floor. It rolls away and then comes to a stop, the hilt resting against the wall. You can feel the tears pricking at the corners of your eyes, and you fight them back, willing yourself not to cry.

“What if you're wrong? What if it's not darkness, what if it's just me?" You turn and look at him, the emotions bubbling to the surface, and your voice breaks. "What if it's always been me?"

He sits up, his brow furrowed, and his gaze is soft, but intent.

"Why would you say that?" he asks quietly.

"I've always been different," you say, the words coming out in a rush. “You said so yourself. I was never able to meditate properly, or to find balance. I've always had trouble with my emotions, and now, I can't seem to control them, no matter how hard I try."

You feel the tears spilling down your cheeks, and you wipe them away, angrily. “What if this is who I really am, Obi-Wan? What if I’m not meant to be a Jedi?"

You're afraid to look at him, to see the disappointment and the disgust in his eyes as he rises to his feet. But his arms wrap around you, his hand stroking your hair, and the warmth of his body seeps into your bones, soothing the ache that has taken root. You rest your head on his shoulder, your eyes closed, and the tears finally fall, hot and heavy. 

"Don't say that," he murmurs. "There's nothing wrong with you. You're just...different. Unique. It's one of the things I've always loved about you."

You snort, but his words strike a chord, and the tension starts to bleed from your body.

"I mean it," he says. "You have a strength, a passion, that most Jedi lack. And that's not a bad thing. It's just something to be mindful of, to be careful with."

You nod, and he pulls back, his hands resting on your shoulders. He searches your face, his gaze lingering on your cheeks, and his thumb brushes the tear tracks, wiping them away.

"You're a good person," Obi-Wan says, his voice gentle. "No matter what happens, or what you may feel, I will always believe that. But I think it's important for you to understand, and to acknowledge, that the path you're on isn't one that's easily walked."

He reaches down, and his fingers brush the hilt of your lightsaber. He picks it up, his eyes never leaving yours, and then slowly, deliberately, offers it to you.

"The choice is yours in the end. But no matter what you choose, I will be here. I will always be here."

You take the lightsaber, and then his hand, and the two of you hold there for a moment, the air still and silent around you. The tears are drying, and the ache in your chest is starting to fade, the anger and the hurt slowly melting away.

"Thank you," you whisper.

"Of course," he says. He offers you a small smile. “And truth be told, I’m not sure I could bear it if you left. I...I think I would miss you, terribly."

"I would, too," you admit.

You squeeze his hand, and he returns the gesture. The bond between the two of you, the frayed remnants of a connection long since lost, stirs to life. The emotions that swirl through it are complicated, the tangled threads of years of pain and loss and longing weaving together into something new, something deeper.

And for the first time, the idea of rebuilding it, of trying again, doesn't seem so impossible.

You wrap your arms around him, and he does the same, the two of you standing there, your foreheads touching. You can feel the exhaustion in him, the fatigue from the sparring match, and you can tell he's feeling the same from you. The feedback loop of emotions is confusing, but it's also reassuring, and you find yourself leaning into it.

"I'm sorry," you whisper.

"I know," he replies.

"I shouldn't have said the things I did," you continue. "I don't want to be angry. I just...I miss her. I miss her so much."

"I know," he repeats. "We all do. She was a great woman, a great Jedi, and her loss was a tragedy."

You nod, and he pulls back, his eyes searching yours.

"You know, she always believed in you," he says, softly. "She knew you would make a difference. That you would be one of the best."

"That's a lot to live up to," you murmur.

"Yes, it is," he agrees. "But I think she knew you would be able to handle it."

"I hope so," you say. "I really, really hope so."

Obi-Wan smiles, and the expression is so genuine, so kind, that it takes your breath away.

"I know so," he says, his voice firm.

You look away, your cheeks flushing, and you can't help the smile that tugs at your lips. It's the first time he's smiled at you in years, and the familiarity, the comfort, of it warms you to your core.

You turn to him, the words coming out before you can stop them. "Do you think we can still fix this? Us, I mean?"

"I don't know," he admits. "But I'm willing to try, if you are."

You nod, and he pulls you closer, the two of you standing there, holding each other, as the shadows lengthen and the evening draws in. It's been a long time since the two of you have been so close, and the ache in your heart is tempered by the joy, the happiness, of having him back. Of knowing that there's still a chance, a glimmer of hope, that things might be okay, in the end.

"I nearly forgot," Obi-Wan begins as he pulls away, his lips curling into a mischievous grin. "I have something for you."

You tilt your head, confused.

"For me?" you ask. "What is it?"

He chuckles, and then he turns to unfold the bundle of his robes. A familiar, glinting metal catches your eye, and your gaze is drawn to the hilt of a lightsaber, the gold and chrome finish gleaming in the dim light.

You beam at the sight of your shoto, the one you loaned to Obi-Wan on Geonosis. You'd completely forgotten about it.

"I thought you might want this back," he says, his eyes dancing with amusement. "I was going to return it sooner, but, well..."

"Thank you," you say, and you can't keep the giddiness out of your voice.

You take the hilt from his hands, and the weight of it is comforting, the metal cool against your palm. It feels like home, like coming full circle, and you can't help the rush of gratitude and affection that flows through you.

"It's a good blade," Obi-Wan continues, watching you closely. “Perhaps not one worth nearly dying over, but good all the same.”

You scoff as you clip the weapon to your belt, the familiarity of it making you smile.

"You’re never going to let that go, are you?"

"I'm afraid not," he says, grinning. "That was a rather dramatic stunt you pulled, after all. You were lucky I was there to catch you before you fell."

You roll your eyes, but you can’t help the warmth that spreads through you at his words. They feel truer now than they’d ever been.

“Yes, I suppose I was,” you admit, your voice soft.

Obi-Wan nods, and you look away, the emotion in his eyes suddenly too much.

"In any case, thank you," you say. "For keeping it safe, and for giving it back. It means a lot."

He tilts his head, his expression thoughtful.

"You're welcome," he says, quietly.

He pauses, and you can tell there's something he wants to say, but he hesitates, the words catching in his throat.

You wait, patiently, and then, after a moment, he speaks.

"I want you to know, that if there is anything you need, anything at all, you can come to me," he says. His tone is earnest, and his gaze is steady. "I know we have a lot to work through, a lot of old wounds to heal, but I am here for you, always. No matter what."

The words hit you square in the chest, and the tears are threatening again. You take a deep breath, and then look up, your eyes locking with his.

"I know," you say, your voice thick with emotion. "And I want you to know, the same goes for you. Whatever happens, whatever you need, I'm here for you. Always."

He smiles, and the relief is clear on his face.

"Thank you," he says, the words carrying a weight that you understand all too well. He moves back to collect his robes and yours, helping you slip them back on.

Once they're settled on your shoulders, the warmth and comfort of the fabric easing the last bit of tension, the two of you stand facing each other. The moment hangs in the still air, neither of you willing to move, to break the spell. It's not the awkward, uncomfortable silence that has plagued your relationship these past few years, but a peaceful one. It's a start.

"Come,” he says after a moment, placing a hand on your shoulder and steering you toward the door. “I’ll walk you back to your quarters.”

“That’s not necessary—“

"It is," he says, firmly. "I have no intention of letting you out of my sight, at least not tonight."

You glance at him, your eyebrow raised, and his cheeks flush, the words registering a beat too late.

"Oh, I mean—"

You burst out laughing, and the sound fills the room. He looks at you, bewildered, and then, to your surprise, starts to laugh, as well. The two of you stand there, giggling like a pair of children, and it feels like the weight that's been pressing down on you, on both of you, has finally lifted.

It's a good start, and the hope of more to come is enough to warm you from the inside

"Well, I wouldn't mind the company," you say at last, still smiling.

"Good," he replies, and the two of you walk side-by-side, your shoulders brushing. "Someone needs to make sure you actually get some rest, and you don't go wandering off again. You look dreadful."

"Hey," you say, swatting his arm. "That's not very nice."

"Only speaking the truth," he teases.

"Well, if you're going to be like that," you say, trying, and failing, to hide your smile as you cross your arms over your chest, "then I'm not sure I want to go anywhere with you."

"Too late," he says, and his hand slips to your back, pushing you gently forward. "You're stuck with me."

The two of you walk the hallways of the Temple, the silence between you comfortable, and familiar. As you walk, you feel the heaviness in your heart lifting, and the darkness in the Force retreating. For the first time in a long time, you feel at peace.

You glance over at Obi-Wan, his profile bathed in the dim light, his hair glowing in the soft radiance. He smiles down at you, and your heart swells with warmth.

"Thank you," you say. The words aren't enough, but they're all you can say.

"Anytime," he says, and his arm slips around your shoulders, pulling you into his side.

You lean into his warmth, and as the two of you walk, the halls of the Temple a familiar, comforting sight, you realize that, no matter what happens, no matter what trials and tribulations await, you're not alone.

You have a family.

And nothing will ever change that.

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[marvelstars]

Fate and Choice in Star Wars

I believe Star Wars tackles the whole issue of fate and choice in an interesting way because it allowed for destiny to exist while also allowing for free will.

Fandom often considers this to be a reason to condemn Anakin´s choices but imo, If we take this pov at face value, Anakin definitely wasnt the only one who made bad choices in the story, he is simply condemned because he became Vader but while Lucas certainly wrote Vader as a character suffering for the consequences of his actions, he also wrote him as a victim of circunstance but also a hero who in the end had to come back from the darkside not for his own sake or for his Son but because this was the neccesary element for the Galaxy to be freed from the Sith.

Anakin wasn´t the only one who made bad choices and if we don´t understand Palpatine´s role on all this then we don´t understand Anakin´s story because just like the Jedi would not have taken a slave army to go from peace keepers to soldiers and fight in the clone wars if given the chance, Anakin would not have turned to the darkside without Palpatine´s involvement.

The reason why George Lucas insisted on showing Anakin as a kid on Tatooine, was to show he wasn´t just a nice kid, he was an awesome kid who already had many Jedi virtues and given the chance he would have become Tatooine´s champion even if he stayed a slave, simply because he was powerful but this power he used instinctively to help those less fortunate than him, to protect and love his mother and to help his friends or even strangers in need like Qui-Gon and Padme were, even if that meant him risking his life for them. Anakin was all those things already and while he probably could have need at some point a guide to learn how to use his force powers, just like Luke did, Anakin was well on his way to become on his own one of the greastest force users ever simply because he cared, he was kind and wanted to help make the universe better.

Qui-Gon didn´t need to force the issue about Anakin being trained on the Jedi Order or even become a Jedi, he could have asked for Anakin simply being given a force guide and to free his mother but he didn´t, because he was more interested at the time in fulfulling a prophecy than on Anakin´s personal best interests, he did a good thing freeing Anakin but made a mistake leaving Anakin´s mother a slave. The fact Anakin was indeed the chosen one didn´t mean he had to be trained at the temple, the prophecy talks about a strong "force user" who would balance the force and defeat the sith not a strong "Jedi" and it´s told like this because at no point this force user could not fall to the darkside in his free will, he could but he still would be the chosen one,Vader was still the chosen one even if he was fallen.

Yoda should have keep his first decision of not allowing Anakin to be trained as a Jedi because he already knew a family and would hardly adapt to the Temple, he should have keep Obi-Wan from training Anakin because Obi-Wan wasn´t insisting on training Anakin for Anakin´s sake or even for the Order, he was doing it because he was mourning Qui-Gon and wanted to fulfill his last petition, Yoda sympathized with Obi-Wan but at no point Anakin´s best interests were taken in consideration when it was decided he had to be trained as a traditional Jedi. This Obi-Wan addmited and understood in the OT when he said he made a mistake believing he could train Anakin as well as Yoda did but the issue was even deeper than that.

The reason why Palpatine, who was hellbent on turning Anakin to the darkside, allowed him to be trained as a Jedi were clearly stated on the Darth Plagueis novel: Being taken from his mother and her left to suffer on slavery with her Son knowing this, while training in an Order of people who could not understand "missing his mother" as a natural emotional response, were the first tools Palpatine used agaisn´t Anakin to turn him to the darkside, this was way better than any kidnapping or torturing scenario Palpatine could come up to turn the kid and he used this very fact to become his father figure. All this because Palpatine understood way better than the Jedi of his time, how absolutely damaging this was going to be for Anakin´s psyche and so a benefice for his plans.

All of this happens beyond Anakin´s control or decision making, in the rest of the movies he is mostly reacting to those events without actively making a stance on it and that´s such a tragedy, because as a kid he had such a strong force of will to do the right thing and love those around him and in the second movie he is so used to be given orders he almost doesn´t complain or argue even in the face of losing his mother or Obi-Wan, his other father figure.

So yes Anakin did made bad choices he regretted, he planned on just rescuing his mother from the tusken raiders even after being told they had actively tortured her for no reason for months, he had enough strenght of mind to keep himself from hurting them even knowing that, what he could not forgive was them killing her and while he was horrified by his actions after the fact, this original hurt, to know for a fact that had he stayed on Tatooine, a decision that was taken from him as a child, could have as well save his mother´s life and actually made a difference for the slaves on Tatooine given all of them were ignored at the center of the republic, this was the beggining of Anakin´s fall, there´s a reason why Qui-Gon ghost reacts the most at Anakin´s fall on ATOC than at his actions on EP III, the fact of the matter is that he already had partially fallen in AOTC but we would be kidding ourselves if we believe this decision was something Anakin made just on his own free will and wasn´t the result of other people caring more for what he could do for them or what he represented to them than about Anakin the person.

Despite this fact Anakin still went on to become one of the greastest and more caring soldiers and generals in the clone wars, who cared not just for victories but also of giving people under his protection a chance, be it by helping them learn how to take care of themselves in the face of violence, something that later would help sustain the rebel alliance, or because he wanted to show the clone soldiers it was perfectly ok to have their own individual thoughts and express themselves with freedom. So even a half fallen Anakin that Count Dooku could detect, had still so much of himself to genuinely care for the fate of those unders his authority but with time this also eat at his own psyche.

Everything else was a consequence of this, Anakin understood the nature of death as a child, he understood and tried to do his best to keep people from dying but after losing his mother the way he did, he developed a fixation of keeping those close to him alive, something that only made him fall further because then he was send to the middle of a war in which he could feel every soldier die, his master was thought dead twice and even his padawan was in constant danger, so being given the idea of losing his one constant after his mother in his life, Padme and their future family, was enough to permanently break him.

This doesn´t mean he wasn´t given a choice but it was a choice affected by the circunstances around him and especially by the emotional and force traps put on by Palpatine and of his will taking a beating every time he tried to make individual decisions bassically since he was an infant.

This is also why ROTJ feels so liberating as the climax of the story, because in this movie, while Luke certainly cared about Vader and wanted to give him an out from the dark out of compassion for his father, knowing his story, Luke also realized that to save his father also meant to save himself, because for him killing his father meant falling to the darkside, what he didn´t realize until the end was that his father´s fate was to save the galaxy, even from himself and his master, so Luke saved his father, his father saved him and then Anakin decided to save the galaxy out of compassion for his Son and what he believed in.

I believe Star Wars as a story is richer when we consider all those circunstances as well as the characters choices.

[grumfield]

watching your slow slide into star wars has got me thinking: what do you think are the main differences in characterization between obi-wan and chu wanning??

Not to get all meta-y but like. This ask. head explodes. The ask to end all asks i'm gonna go crazy. The obi-wan information is informed by the books and movies, not the cartoon show.

I legitimately believe that Obi-Wan is like, the polar opposite of Chu Wanning in almost every possible way, and I believe that Chu Wanning would view Obi-Wan as legitimately banally evil on the same level as the upper cultivation guys he hates. On an aesthetic "emotionally stunted shizun, doomed disciple" level they're similar, but that's where it ends. Their differences primarily lie with their different opposite to the world around them and levels of complacency with corrupt systems.

It all boils down to the fact that Obi-Wan is orthodox and Chu Wanning is revolutionary.

Obi-Wan is a good Jedi, it's his entire identity, but being a good Jedi does not necessarily make a good person (ie. Jedi have noble motives but centuries of systematic complacency have led them to be passive towards institutional problems like slavery, which they allow to continue) and as a result lacks actual overarching moral conviction to be anything else but good at what his order requires of him. He has been trained by complacent people and raised in an environment where anything else outside of his own insular group is considered uncivilized and must be tamed (if we're using religious metaphors, he's like a bishop raised at the Vatican). His conception of morality is passive and he never questions it as he follows the tenets of his Order but little else. Breaking from the rules is seen as problematic or a deficiency of character because of this (which is brought up a lot in Jedi quest and other books), not as a potential vehicle to question why things are the way they are. To him, things are the way they are for a reason, and everyone must abide by them, because that is the way they are. Upon the destruction of the order, without the rules in place that he's always followed, he falls back on complacency and indecision: for example, when he's faced with having to kill or save his disciple, he chooses to do nothing and Darth Vader is made because of that. He doesn't join the subsequent resistance, and he also eventually just trains Luke to go do the job he still doesn't want to do (kill Anakin/Vader). You can argue that this is a love thing and while yeah that has stuff to do it I'm a bit uncharitable about it given everything, because if love had everything to do with it he could have done the merciful thing and killed Anakin or saved him, but he did neither. He's a warning against inaction.

Chu Wanning on the other hand is a cultivator but an incredibly strong moral backbone to the point where he is actively willing to destroy himself to save people less fortunate than him. He'll break rules to dole out justice or punishment even if it's in anger. I call him Homura from Madoka if she was a socialist because that's kind of what he is lol. The cultivation world and sects exists to support his own moral goals (making armor for the poor, etc.) and he doesn't rely on them for guidance (as proven with how he left his previous master, then the Nangongs, and why he stays at Sisheng Peak). He is willing to defy everyone and everything to save people. And like when his own disciple is 'bad' and being punished by the institution, he makes proactive decisions to go against them in a spectacular display to get him back and take him away. His understanding of morality is informed by the actions of people themselves, uninformed by institutional rules. It's what makes him beloved to me...

Anyways.

Chu Wanning is so precious and i want to wrap him in a blanket while Obi-Wan the coward stands outside in the rain and just gets wetter and wetter and comes down with the flu. I love them both a wholeeeeeee lot. I just realize now that comparing Chu Wanning to him or thinking they're similar is like comparing idk. Ancient china Jesus and…I wouldn’t go so far as to say Judas, but maybe Peter or Thomas

[fromasgardandback]

Our Routine on Tatooine

Obi-Wan Kenobi x Reader

description: Obi-Wan and Y/N moved to Tatooine after Order 66 to protect Luke.

word count: 1.0k

warning: illusions to a fun night ;) , pure fluff (our boy needs it)

masterlist | oneshots

After Order 66 was set in place by the Imperial Army. One by one the Sith and Storm Troopers killed every last Jedi. They tried but failed to kill a few strong members. All the Jedi left went into hiding and with the birth of Padme’s children, Obi-Wan took her son to Tatooine. His father, Anakin, was born on Tatooine and had family there. Y/N went along with Obi-Wan vowing with Yoda and Senator Organa to protect Luke when the time came. She also promised to protect Leia as well as Obi-Wan. It was safer for them to reside on Tatooine knowing the terrain would keep them hidden versus being on a planet that resembles Coruscant. Y/N would have loved to be with Leia on Alderaan, but the chances of her being seen and killed were far too great. She did promise the Senator that she would try to visit as least once a year if she could. 

Obi-Wan and Y/N headed to their hut home after giving Luke over to Ben and Beru. They knew a little of the backstory but understood and took Luke without hesitation. They told the couple that they were staying in Tatooine to help take care of Luke and protect him when the time came. Although a few times they think they could take care of Luke, it was a conscious decision that he belonged with his family. Obi-Wan opened the door and Y/N walked through. It was a nice-sized home for them to share. It had the essentials they needed and was hidden from any kind of danger. His new alias would be Ben Kenobi, which she thought was a little odd because they all knew him as Kenobi and knew what he looked like. It wouldn’t be hard to put the two and two together. Y/N opted for a total name change to Ryland Mercia. 

“Hey, Obi-Wan, why’d you change your name to Ben? It’s such a common name and you didn’t change your last name.” She asked setting down their food.

“I wanted to settle on something simple. Something that if I was in danger, I could remember easily. If you get hit in the head somewhere and are in need of identity, how will you remember a name like Ryland Mercia?” He asked back looking up at her.

“It was my grandmother’s name.” She said quietly. He quickly took notice of her demeanor change. She got quiet and refused to eat after, heading directly to bed. 

Although the home was an open concept, there was a curtain to give privacy in their shared bed. Obi-Wan didn’t mean to upset her, and she would testify that it wasn’t him. He didn’t do anything but the realization set into her quickly that he is all she has now. Her family was murdered by a Sith Lord on her way to the Jedi Temple as a child. And all the family she had in the Jedi’s are all gone. She grew to fight alongside Obi-Wan, being in the same class of younglings growing up. Attachments aren’t allowed in the Jedi Code, so she hid her fantasy of being with him, but now that there are no Jedi, that door is open.

The routine that Y/N and Obi-Wan had was getting up before dawn. Sitting together in solitude and meditating. After that, they would tap into the Force to train, physically and mentally. After that, they found themselves a few jobs to keep up with their bills and themselves fed. For a few years, food was scarce and hard to find. It got harder and worse when famine swept the area, but they made do. At night they would talk, enjoy the company, and read to one another. After about a year of living on Tatooine and a drunken night, Obi-Wan was the first to make a move. She didn’t stop him, she didn’t want him to stop. Without the other's knowledge, the fantasy has been there for a while. The temptation when they moved in became greater. It shocked them both that they lasted a year without this kind of mishap happening. Obi-Wan woke up before Y/N did and noticed the position they were in. The blanket loosely lay over their naked bodies that were entangled together. He didn’t dare to move, too engrossed in her beauty. A slight ray of sunshine came through, giving her a golden hue. She stirred awake, looking up to find him looking down at her.

“Morning.” She blushed as she saw his smile.

“Morning, darling.” He chuckled.

“We uh…” She chuckled hiding her face in his neck. “We had fun last night.” He smiled, rubbing his hand gently down her back and up again.

“Yeah, we did. Felt good to be affectionate again. I haven’t told you this before, but I’ve had an undying love for you since we were teenagers. You came into the training room one day, and I was sold.” Obi-Wan confessed with a slight blush coming over his face.

“What? I’ve had a crush on you since we were kids too. I guess it was in the Force that we were meant to be.” Y/N smiled, leaving a few kisses on his jawline.

“I love you, Y/N.” He held her closer.

“I love you, Obi-Wan.” She leaned into him.

Quietly they got married a few years after with the help of Ben and Beru doing the wedding and Senator Organa arranging a sweet honeymoon. They kept it quiet as possible so no Sith or Imperial Army came after anyone. It was very kind of them to do that and with every change Obi-Wan or Y/N got they thanked them. As soon as they landed home, the call came in that Leia was in trouble and they were off to save her. A Jedi’s work is never finished, but it makes it easier knowing they could be together forever. Protecting the children of Anakin and Padme.

[luvvewan]

Good Enough

Written for the QuiObi Discord’s Reclaim the Tag challenge. My angst prompt from @firondoiel was “Am I not good enough?” (AO3 link to story)

For the first time, Obi-Wan doesn’t wait for Qui-Gon before stalking out of the Jedi Council chambers, cloak whipping behind. He disappears before Qui-Gon can catch up to him.

Qui-Gon hesitates outside the ornate doors. Anakin stands beside him, the boy’s confusion and fear and hope burning brightly in the Force.

“Where’d he go?” Anakin asks after a moment.

Qui-Gon knows Obi-Wan hasn’t gone anywhere. The mission takes priority. There isn’t time to wait out the shock, nor space to allow for distance. Qui-Gon blinks and looks down at Anakin, places a reassuring hand on his small shoulder. “To the ship. And so are we. Come on.”

—

Obi-Wan is indeed at the platform when they arrive, standing like a stoic column. Unlike Anakin, his mental shields are immaculate.

But as soon as he glances at Qui-Gon, his eyes give it all away.

Qui-Gon must ignore the sharp twinge in his chest. Beyond his Padawan, he sees the Queen and her entourage, preparing to return to Naboo, where the only certainty seems to be bloodshed.

The last few days have contained a lifetime. The Force is speaking to him, a thousand voices as one, yet Qui-Gon cannot be sure of what he’s being told.

Obi-Wan argues with him about Anakin, and Qui-Gon dismisses him, borrowing the authority of Obi-Wan’s Master when he’s just told the Council he will train a different apprentice.

Obi-Wan obeys, and leaves Qui-Gon again.

—

Hours pass, plans are made. Qui-Gon settles Anakin in a berth, then makes his way to the room he and Obi-Wan have been given. A part of him is tempted to stay with Anakin and avoid another altercation. He palms open the door and walks in, shedding his robe and boots.

The room is dark. Obi-Wan is already laying on his cot. His eyes are closed, yet Qui-Gon can easily sense his wakefulness.

Qui-Gon goes to the fresher and rinses his face with water at the sink. When he emerges, he notices his boots remain where he left them, rather than neatly arranged at the foot of his cot, something Obi-Wan has always done for him.

The Naboo mission has brought with it a sense of unreality: the Sith Lord, the miraculous boy in the desert. But it is this omitted task, a Padawan’s gesture of duty and respect, that strikes Qui-Gon with bewildering force. He sits heavily on his cot. He sighs under his breath, a small noise that is nevertheless jarring in the silence. He thinks this might make Obi-Wan acknowledge him. It does not.

Exhaustion crawls over him. He sinks into the mattress and laces his fingers across his chest. He breathes in deeply.

He is nearly asleep when a whisper comes: “Am I not good enough?”

The vulnerability in Obi-Wan’s voice takes him by surprise, so different from the bitterly controlled tone he used earlier on the platform. Qui-Gon doesn’t turn to him; it would be more than he can take, just now. “I have recommended you for your Trials, Obi-Wan,” he answers softly. “A decision not made lightly.”

He hears the click of Obi-Wan swallowing. “But perhaps, out of necessity?”

Qui-Gon clasps his fingers closer together. “You’ve trained well over a decade. You are older than most Padawans.” He does not mean for the words to come across harshly, yet they do.

“I know that,” Obi-Wan murmurs. “I’ve never understood why. Whenever someone is knighted, my friends tell me I’ll be next. But Bant, Quinlan, Reeft, Garen…all of them have advanced. It was only me these past two years. Why now, if not to make room for the boy?”

Qui-Gon allows himself to feel the mounting pain in his chest. Guilt, or sadness, or a mixture of many things. He fixes his eyes on the ceiling. “You cannot compare yourself to others. And you should not question my evaluation of your skills.”

He hears Obi-Wan shift in the covers. He glances across at the other cot and sees that Obi-Wan has turned away from him.

Whatever he might want to say never quite leaves his tongue.

He stays awake until he hears Obi-Wan’s breathing settle into the rhythm of sleep, then much longer after that.

—

Qui-Gon screams as Obi-Wan is run through by the Sith blade. The young face freezes in shock, mouth open, and then his Padawan crumples to the ground.

His vision briefly blurs from searing anguish. The Zabrak warrior grins at him, a smug flash of pointed teeth.

The battle is over quickly.

—

He runs to Obi-Wan, still sprawled where he fell. His tunics are singed black around the saber wound.

Qui-Gon drops to his knees and gently gathers Obi-Wan in his arms. “Obi-Wan, Obi-Wan…!”

Obi-Wan struggles to open his eyes. He clutches Qui-Gon’s sleeve. “‘m sorry…”

“No no no,” Qui-Gon shakes his head. He wipes the tears sliding down Obi-Wan’s cheek with his thumb. “Nothing like that.” His eyes dart around, searching for help. One of the guards, anyone to help.

“Failed…”

Qui-Gon snaps his head back down. “No, no. Listen to me,” his voice shakes, “You haven’t failed, you haven’t..” he watches as his Padawan’s eyelids droop. His lips are too pale. It feels like his entire body is trembling. “Obi-Wan, here with me, alright? Keep your eyes open with me.”

It’s an obvious struggle, but Obi-Wan manages to look at Qui-Gon again, his eyes gray and watery.

Someone will come. Someone must come. Qui-Gon pushes aside his panic and offers an encouraging smile, dashing more tears away, combing the sweaty hair from Obi-Wan’s brow. “That’s it. Look at me. Stay right here with me.”

He hears distant voices, whoops and cheers.

Obi-Wan moans and twitches in his arms, but his eyes are dutifully focused on Qui-Gon.

Qui-Gon uses his free hand to stroke Obi-Wan’s cheek. He empties every bit of his Force strength into his connection with his apprentice, desperate to buy time.

“Ah…” Obi-Wan cries out weakly.

Qui-Gon leans in and touches their foreheads together. “The pain is somewhere else, Padawan. Stay here with me. Here with me.”

Obi-Wan fists more of Qui-Gon’s tunic, groaning. “I…it’s too…”

Whatever he was trying to say is stolen by another wave of agony.

Qui-Gon huddles closer, bent over him, cradling his Padawan against his chest. This isn’t the end. It can’t be. Not Obi-Wan.

“Listen to me, young one,” he whispers fiercely against Obi-Wan’s ear. “You have always been good. Every day of your life. That’s why I couldn’t let you go. It was your Light, Obi-Wan. I wanted you with me, to keep you as long as I could, even when I knew you were ready.”

Footsteps pound somewhere behind them.

Qui-Gon rocks Obi-Wan and kisses his temple, his cheek. “So you must stay with me. You belong with me. Alright? Alright?”

😇

[thechaoticfanartist]

hi! i got you for OC Bingo, so i thought i'd ask you some questions about your oc grim! 1. what is the biggest change coming from grim ending up in the star wars universe, given she knows how things originally play out?

2. what does grim miss most about her universe? does she ever regret staying in the star wars universe?

3. did you think about giving her any monikers besides The Oracle?

4. how has grim character changed the most since you first came up with her?

5. if she meets them, what is her relationship with rey, finn, and poe like?

-bibaybe

Hi!!

1) The biggest change that Grim caused was likely saving Echo during the Citadel Arc as it would prevent him from joining the Bad Batch. Now I haven't watched that show due to the whitewashing and my support for the #unwhitewashtbb movement so I don't know exactly how much Grim affected with this change but I believe it was probably a lot from what I have gathered about the show.

2) Grim probably misses her family the most. Although when it comes to regrets about staying in Star Wars she doesn't regret that choice. It's something that's brought up in The Clone Wars Gets A New Victim:

"I saw my family again, I saw them, master. When I first decided to become a Jedi, I was awestruck, and yes, I was certain then when I made that decision, the fact that I may never return, I didn't consider that. Don't get me wrong, I don't regret it for an instant…but I can't help but wonder about everything I left behind in favor of this life."

- Grim Kennet in Chapter 14 of TCWGANV

3) Grim actually does go by another name while in hiding. She goes by Rue Kenobi. Especially because she spends 3 of those years hiding with Obi-Wan. Because they look related and have had people assume that they actually are during The Clone Wars they end up embracing it as their cover story on Tatooine.

4) Oh boy. Grim has changed a lot. At first she wasn't as pro-Jedi as she is now, and she was far more willing to kill Anakin. She also originally left the Jedi Order with Ahsoka. However now she is an avid defender of the Jedi, once almost starting a fight with someone for implying that The Clone Wars was the fault of the Jedi. She hesitates at the thought of killing Anakin all the way up until she sees the Jedi Temple after Order 66. She stays with Obi-Wan all the way through The Clone Wars and then for another 3 years. Also her fighting Sidious is no longer a joke. And she has a lot more trauma 😅

5) Unfortunately Grim is killed before The Sequel Trilogy takes place. However, if she did survive she would definitely end up adopting them and training both Finn and Rey.

Thank you so much for asking!

[astrajinn]

Duel of the Fates part 1

N/A: Okay, I will only narrate the fight from Astra's, Obi-Wan's, and Anakin's perspectives, okay? Jar Jar's perspective will not be included.

The three entered the room and positioned themselves behind Anakin, except for Astra, who stood by his side due to being the shortest.

—The Force is strong in him—declared one of the masters, causing Astra to smile at the boy.

—Will he be trained?—asked Qui-Gon.

—He won't be trained—declared Windu—. He's too old—assured.

—Even if you add up the age of everyone here, Master Yoda is still the oldest—whispered the girl, eliciting a laugh from the boy.

—He is the chosen one; you must feel it. Just like Astra, there can't be one without the other.

—Hmm, uncertain future, the boy has, and with her, I can't see it—mused Yoda.

—I will train him. Anakin will be my Padawan from now on.

—An apprentice already has, Qui-Gon. Impossible to have a second if the girl depends on you.

—The code forbids it.

—Another master could train me. Master Dooku, who trained Master Qui-Gon, has no Padawan under his care.

—I am ready for initiation—Obi-Wan hurried to say.

—The council will decide when someone is ready.

—He's stubborn and has much to learn from the Force, but he's capable. He won't learn anything more from me.

—Skywalker's destiny will be decided later.

—This is not the right time. The Senate will choose another chancellor, and Queen Amidala will return home, putting pressure on the Federation and possibly escalating the confrontation.

—It would make the attacker of the queen reveal himself.

—Go to Naboo with the queen and discover the identity of this dark warrior. That's what we need to solve the mystery of the Sith.

—You must be joking; she can't go—yelled the youngest.

—Young Starling—you were called.

—Jedi shouldn't even get involved in government affairs. If it will be—she knelt in front of the council and pleaded—Please, I implore you, send someone else.

—The decision has already been made. Either accept it and accompany them or stay in the temple waiting for their return—Windu pronounced as Qui-Gon carried her.

—May the Force be with you.

With this, the four left, and the masters looked at each other.

—Her attachment to him is too great—commented Master Mundi.

—She is still young, has much to learn—Yoda reminded.

—Respect for elders is one of those things—Windu mocked.

—You see disrespect; I see a frightened girl who wants to save her father—said Master Yaddle.

—She acts as if she were going to die—pointed out Master Shak Ti.

—Perhaps not to that extent, but none can deny that Astra has shown the ability to perceive certain things unconsciously—Yaddle recalled—. Perhaps we were wrong not to listen to her.

Meanwhile, the group reached the hangar, where Naboo's entourage awaited them to go to the planet and resolve what was happening.

—Do you think they will train me?

—Sure they will, and if they say no, Qui-Gon will do it. He promised.

—But no one will train you.

—I am already part of the order; they won't leave me without training. In the worst case, I know someone who would teach me without hesitation. Alone, I don't think it's a good idea to go on this mission.

—Everything will be fine.

—How do you know?

—Because the best Jedi in the galaxy accompanies me.

—Astra, please get on the ship.

—Yes, Qui-Gon—she nodded, getting on her speeder and entering the ship.

Once underway, Anakin was left in the care of the pilot while the Jedi, the captain, the queen, and her handmaidens were in another room talking.

—Upon landing, the Federation will arrest her and force her to sign the treaty.

—I agree. I don't know what she hopes to achieve with this—Qui-Gon emphasized.

—Reclaim what is ours.

—More like putting a blaster to everyone's head. Should we wait for them to pull the trigger and find out which one is loaded? This is suicide—said the girl, twirling her lightsaber in her palm and stopping it repeatedly.

—The girl is right; we don't have an army, and there are not enough men.

—I can only protect her, not fight a war for you.

—You wouldn't even have to protect her if she had stayed still in Coruscant as she was asked to—she complained, restraining the urge to punch her.

—Jar Jar Binks—the monarch called.

—Misa, Your Highness?

—Yes, you have to help me.

The queen explained her plan, and somehow Astra had hope that they could get help from the Gungans, who, according to Jar Jar, were a warrior people with a good strategy despite their strange way of speaking. When they landed, Jar Jar went to talk to his people, Obi-Wan went with Qui-Gon, and Astra stayed with Anakin and Padmé.

—Do you think the plan will work?—the boy asked.

—I couldn't tell you. I have a pretty clear idea of how stubborn this supposed queen is. But as for the king, I can't say if he hates everyone on the surface or just dislikes Jar Jar.

—You're still on the same thing—Padmé sighed resignedly.

—I'll keep on it until you open your mouth to tell the truth—she declared, walking toward her father—. Take care of him, Padmé; he still doesn't know how to fight.

—Sometimes I don't know if he loves me or sees me as a helpless animal—the boy asserted with some regret.

—Jar Jar is taking too long—pointed out the padawan.

—Do you think he abandoned us?—the girl questioned.

—No, you saw how they treated him last time. I doubt he'll stay in a place like this.

—Even if it's the place where he was born?

—Even if it is. Here he comes.

Jar Jar emerged from the water, shook himself off before reaching them with not very pleasant news.

—No one there, the city is deserted. Maybe a fight, perhaps.

—Have they taken them to the fields?

—I think they eliminated them—suggested the captain.

—Misa, don't cry.

—They live in the water—reminded the girl—. The droids would take a while to find them. Maybe they managed to escape.

—Do you know where they are, Jar Jar?

—In these cases, the Gungan sanctuaries are always. Misa will take you; let's go. Misa will take you.

Everyone began to walk through the forest towards the sanctuary. Jar Jar led the way, followed by the supposed queen. Then came the four Force users along with the captain, the queen's handmaidens, and some soldiers. There weren't many, to be honest, but there were enough to attract the attention of the Gungans when they arrived at the sanctuary.

Jar Jar spoke with one of the guards whom he apparently knew, and he led them in front of the king, announcing only the queen.

—Your Excellency, Queen Amidala of Naboo.

—Hello, Great Chief, Your Excellency.

—Jar Jar Binks. Tell me, who are the others?—he asked, annoyed.

—I am Queen Amidala of Naboo; I have come in peace—the "queen" spoke.

—Ah, an important Naboo. You bring the chattedroids; you are very naughty.

—I've looked for them because I want to form an alliance.

—Your Excellency—Padmé spoke, stepping in front of the supposed queen, causing a smile in the youngest present.

—Who is she?

—I am Queen Amidala, she is my decoy. My bodyguard, my loyal protector. I apologize for deceiving you, but it was necessary to protect myself. Although we may not always agree, Your Excellency, our two societies have always been at peace. Now, the Federation is destroying what it cost us so much to build. If we do not act, we will lose everything, forever you must support us—she knelt before the king— I beg you to support us. We are your humble servants.

With these words, everyone in the entourage knelt to demonstrate the honesty in the words of the young queen, much to Astra's annoyance, who had to get off her speeder to do so. The king thought for a moment, leaving the attendees expectant, and out of nowhere, to their dismay, he burst into laughter as if he had heard the best joke.

—You guys don't think you're better than us Gungans— he exclaimed while still laughing—. I love hearing that. Being friends would be fabulous— he shook his head in a strange way, amusing the Force users and confusing the others.

The Gungans planned their strategy with the members of the guard who knew the terrain better. Obi-Wan spoke with Qui-Gon, and Astra tried to see what would happen with the battle, although it was almost impossible for her to notice anything. In her mind, there was torment; she saw the destroyed temple, saw a woman crying in the arms of another, and then nothing. No matter what the Force showed her, she saw nothing that gave her peace, nothing that indicated that everything would be fine. At some point, it became evident since she was floating almost half a meter off the ground, and the grass around her sometimes seemed to wither and quickly grow back. She felt a liquid run down her nose before falling to the ground when someone touched her shoulder.

—Are you okay?—Padmé asked, handing her a handkerchief.

—I would be better if you hadn't distracted me—she reproached, cleaning the blood without any care.

—What are you trying to do?

—Find out if your suicidal plan will end up killing us all.

—I'm pretty sure everything will be fine—Padmé reassured her.

—What if it's not? The Force is capable of many things, but there is still no way to bring back life without taking another in return.

—Astra, Anakin, come here—Qui-Gon called.

Qui-Gon asked Anakin to watch and come to warn when the Gungans were on their way, and Astra asked to stay with Padmé temporarily.

—They're here already—Anakin announced when he arrived.

—They did it.

—You did well, Jar Jar Binks, you have united us with the Naboo—congratulated the king—. So, I will appoint you Bomboso general.

—General—exclaimed the Gungan before fainting.

—What is the situation?

—Almost everyone is in camps; some police and guards formed an underground resistance. I brought as many leaders as I could. The Federation's army is larger and stronger than we thought. It's a battle that I doubt we can win.

—Not without the right strategy—acknowledged the girl.

—It's impossible.

—Difficult, not impossible, and we have a small surprise factor.

—At this point, they must have discovered the ship.

—And they know how many of us were on it, and they know the strength of the Naboo army, but they don't know the strength of the Gungans. It's an opportunity we must take advantage of.

—It's true. The battle will be a distraction; the Gungans will make the droids leave the city. R2—the droid projected a hologram with the plans of Naboo—We'll enter the city through the secret passage behind the waterfall. When we reach the main entrance, Captain Panaka will create a distraction. After that, we'll be at the palace and capture the Viceroy. Without the Viceroy, they will be lost and confused. What do you suggest, Jedi Master?

—The Viceroy will have many guards.

—It will be difficult to reach the throne room, but once there, it won't be a problem.

—Although it's a good idea, there is a possibility with this distraction that many Gungans will die.

—We are ready to continue—assured the chief.

—We have a plan that will immobilize the army of droids. I'll send any pilots I have to neutralize the droid control ship.

—It's a clever plan, with a lot of risk; their ship's weapons may not penetrate the shield.

—And there is an even greater danger. If the Viceroy manages to escape, he will return with another army of droids, Your Majesty.

—Intelligence is not your strong suit, right, Obi-Wan—mocked the girl—The third step of the plan is to capture the Viceroy; he said it right after the part where we infiltrate the palace through the secret passages.

—It's the most important, everything depends on it.

The Gungan troops took their positions and began to march toward the battlefield. Meanwhile, the Jedi and several soldiers entered the city in small groups to go unnoticed. They positioned themselves against the wall, and Padmé used a flashlight to signal the captain, who responded indicating that they could pass. Qui-Gon crouched in front of the children and first addressed Anakin.

—Ani entrar busca donde puedas ocultarte y quédate ahí.

—Si—acepto.

—No salgas—volteo a ver a la niña—. Cuidarás de Padme quédate con ella y no la dejes atrás.

—Si Qui-Gon—confirmo al tiempo que los soldados disparaba distrayendo a los droides que quedaban en la ciudad.

Los Jedi encendieron sus sables y desviaron algunos disparos y Obi-Wan se quedó atrás de la fila decapitando a un droide que se acercó demasiado. Entraron por puerta hacia el interior del palacio y avanzaron cubriendo a Anakin a Padme y algunos soldados que se les unieron hasta llegar al hangar. El fuego de los blasters los recibió, los jedi iban delante repeliendo el fuego.

—Anakin cúbrete—exclamo Qui-Gon.

—Todos a sus naves—ordeno Padme a los pilotos.

Estos corrieron a sus transportes intentando que no les dieran. R2 llego a una de las naves y un juego de ganchos lo subió; seguidamente empezó a emitir pitidos para atraer a Anakin. Las naves despegaban tan pronto Los pilotos subían a ellas

—Estas latas ya me están cansando—se quejo la más pequeña decapitando otra.

—¿Qué pasa princesa? ¿Te quejas de tu plan?—se mofó Obi-Wan.

—Mi plan era quedarnos en Coruscant ¿Quieres seguirlo?

—¿Siempre son así?—Padme disparo.

—Creo que moriré antes de que esos dos se lleven bien.

Anakin subió a la nave con R2 y vio a las dos más jóvenes luchando junto con los mayores, intentando deshacerse de todos los droides. Astra apago su sable y uso la fuerza para sujetar al último grupo de droides y lanzarlos afuera del hangar.

—Hubieras empezado por ahí—se rio Padme.

—Mis habilidades tiene un límite—informo repitiendo la acción de girar el sable en su mano—. Debemos seguir.

—El virrey debe estar en la sala del trono—

—¡Grupo rojo! ¡Grupo azul! Síganme por aquí—ordeno el capitán a lo que todos se dirigieron a la puerta.

—Oigan, espérenme—pidió Anakin intentando bajarse de la nave.

—Anakin, quédate ahí. Estarás seguro—informo Qui-Gon

—Pero—trato de protestar

—Quédate en esa nave.

—Quiero ayudar.

—Ani obedece, volveremos por ti, lo prometo—desplegó su deslizador y subió a él.

Las puestas se abrieron y estaban por salir, vieron a una figura encapuchada con la cabeza baja que los estaba esperando. Cuando se enderezó revelo sus ojos, entre amarillos y rojos, con una furia maldad que la pequeña no supo descifrar.

—Déjenos con él—pidió el maestro caminando entre los soldados.

—Todos, la ruta larga—ordeno Padme caminando hacia el otro lado con los soldados y doncellas detrás.

Qui-Gon Obi-Wan y Astra se colocaron firmes frente al hombre, quien retiro la capucha de su cabeza, revelando a un Zabrak de piel roja y tatuajes negros. Los jedi por su parte, retiraron sus capas y las tiraron al suelo para tener mayor libertad de movimiento. El sith encendió su arma, un sable de doble empuñadura, al mismo tiempo que los Jedi encendían los suyos y se colocaban en guardia.

—Astra quédate con Padme, tu deber ahora es protegerla—sentencio Qui-Gon.

—Papá—susurro asustada apretando la empuñadura del sable.

—Todo estará bien, Rani ve.

En contra de sus deseos, Astra paso detrás de su padre y su alumno para llegar hasta Padme que lidiaba con unos droideka con campos de energía.

El zabrak avanzo hacia los jedi y el primero en atacar fue Obi-Wan que salto sobre él para quedar a su espalda e intento darle un golpe de esta forma antes de ser bloqueado. La destreza del Sith era innegable, ya que podía repeler los ataques de los dos Jedi al mismo tiempo usando un arma bastante compleja.

Por otra parte, Astra no la estaba pasando mejor, los droideka no les permitían avanzar y ella sola no tenía la habilidad suficiente como para repeler todos los disparos. Aun así hacia su mejor esfuerzo mientras que los soldados y las mujeres disparaban intentando darles, pero el campo de fuerza que estos poseían lo hacía casi imposible.

On the other side of the hangar, Anakin was checking the buttons on his ship, trying to find the trigger to help Astra and Padme with the droids. R2 emitted a complaining beep, and he responded.

"That's what I'm trying to do; I don't know where the trigger is." He pressed a button that made the ship move forward. "Oops, not this one. Maybe it's this." He pulled a lever, and the hatch closed. "Wait, here it is." He took control and maneuvered the ship before pressing the trigger to shoot the droids.

"Let's go," indicated the queen, running into the palace with the soldiers behind her.

"It's on autopilot," he yelled when he saw it was about to take off. "R2, deactivate it." He put on a helmet.

"Padme, was that Anakin?" asked the girl, floating by her side.

"He'll be fine; it's safer than here."

"If you say so."

While the Jedi continued to battle the Sith, the blows went back and forth without rest. They couldn't hit him, but they also didn't give him a chance to attack. Until a moment when the Zabrak jumped while blocking a low blow from Obi-Wan and kicked Qui-Gon in the abdomen, throwing him to the ground. This gave the Sith the opportunity to move away towards one of the hangar doors leading to an auxiliary power plant. There, he used the Force to lift a cut piece of a droid and damage the circuit to allow him to pass. However, he couldn't afford to be distracted, as the Padawan was right behind him and didn't miss the chance to attack him again. The master ran to his aid, and before entering, the Sith hit Obi-Wan in the same way he had done with his master, throwing him far from the entrance, leaving only the master with enough time to step back. The series of bridges and generators supplying power were over a deep pit that, from where they were, seemed to have no bottom. The battle continued in this place, with the Sith retreating to a control panel from where he did a backflip to reach one of the bridges, followed by the Jedi.

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

Chut Chut PateesaHow are you?

Once again here with you, I want to let you know that all the chapters of this first season will be published before or at the latest by December 31st, that is, before this year's Festival of Lights.

-Astra, run, I think he's finally going to do it. -Obi-Wan, is he going to shave his beard? -What? No, silly, Anakin challenged Jar Jar to a game of Sabacc, and Jar Jar is winning. -Are you kidding? I have to see this.

Well, my beloved Padawans, as always, I ask you to like, comment, follow me, beware of the Sith, and remember that "your focus determines your reality." And May the Force be with you.

[rollinginthestars]

Grim being Obi-Wan's daughter (and other characters thinking she is), a compilation:

At some point while the two were reading, nearly finished with the story as well Grim had drifted off to sleep. When Obi-Wan noticed his padawan had fallen into a peaceful rest he chuckled slightly, “I guess all of today’s learning tired you out.” He picked her up and carried her to her bed, tucking his padawan in, “goodnight Grim,” he said. “‘Night dad,” she mumbled sleepily.

- The Clone Wars Gets A New Victim, Part I: The Calm, Chapter 2: A Lesson In Belonging

"Tell them how far back we go, Kenobi!"

"Too far I'm afraid."

Hondo laughed and placed a hand on the Jedi Master's shoulder. "And here I thought we were friends!"

"If I recall correctly y’all met after you tricked them and captured them," remarked Grim. "I dunno about you, but that doesn't sound much like friendship."

"Ha ha! So you must be Kenobi's padawan, eh?"

"What gave it away?" she asked, crossing her arms. Standing in a similar pose as Obi-Wan.

- The Clone Wars Gets A New Victim, Part I: The Calm, Chapter 7: Bounty Hunters

As the two headed to the hanger Grim stayed a pace behind Obi-Wan. She wasn't sure if she was ready to face what this battle had in store. Obi-Wan could tell Grim was nervous. "It'll be okay, Padawan," he told her.

She smiled at him and nodded. Then awkwardly she asked, "can, can I hold your hand?"

Obi-Wan gave her a gentle smile. "If you want to."

Grim grabbed Obi-Wan's hand and walked beside him.

- The Clone Wars Gets A New Victim, Part I: The Calm, Chapter 9: The Reality

As they flew through the planet's sky, blaster fire rocked the air around the gunship. Grim, who already struggled to hold onto the bar to keep her steady, lost her grip and she ended up letting go of it. Instinctively, Grim grabbed onto Obi-Wan to catch her balance again.

Obi-Wan wrapped his free arm around her to help keep her steady. "I've got you, Grim," he told her.

Grim smiled shyly. "Thanks," she mumbled, embarrassed about her clumsiness.

- The Clone Wars Gets A New Victim, Part I: The Calm, Chapter 9: The Reality

She was just barely suppressing a laugh. Obi-Wan shook his head, but Grim caught his smile.

- The Clone Wars Gets A New Victim, Part I: The Calm, Chapter 12: The Duchess Of Mandalore

Grim covered her mouth as she chuckled a little at the sight. She was not going to let Master Kenobi live this down.

Satine pushed past Obi-Wan and left the room. Obi-Wan came back and stood by his two padawans, ignoring the smirks they gave him. "Not a word."

"You're in love with her, aren't you Master?" Grim asked.

"I said not a word."

"Come on Grim, you have to be more subtle than that," Anakin told her, playfully.

"Ah yes, I forget you're the master of subtly, how's Senator Amidala?" Grim teased.

Anakin blushed a little. "I agree with Obi-Wan. Not a word."

- The Clone Wars Gets A New Victim, Part I: The Calm, Chapter 12: The Duchess Of Mandalore (ft. Grim also being an annoying little sister to Anakin)

"What else is bothering you, then?"

Grim sighed. "Father gave me a chance to go back to my universe. To leave this one and return, but as you can clearly see, I refused. They won't remember me now. I told Father I'd rather stay here, to help the Jedi, I still want to change the ending, I still will change the ending," she told him. "I saw my family again, I saw them, master. When I first decided to become a Jedi, I was awestruck, and yes, I was certain then when I made that decision, the fact that I may never return, I didn't consider that. Don't get me wrong, I don't regret it for an instant…but I can't help but wonder about everything I left behind in favor of this life."

Obi-Wan placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, as she looked up into his eyes. When Obi-Wan spoke, his words were gentle, genuine, and kind. "Grim, I want you to listen to me," he said. She nodded and he went on. "I am proud of you, and even if you had accepted the offer, I still would be. You always have the choice to stay or leave."

"Not this universe, I won't get that chance again," she told him. "...did I make the right choice?"

"Do you think you made the right choice?" he asked her.

Grim was quiet as she thought about it for a moment. "Yes. I do believe I made the right choice. This place is my home now, and you're my family just as much. My universe, it can survive, and they will move on with time. Here, there are things I can do to help. I made a promise to save as many lives as possible and change the ending, even if I never had to, and I won't go back on that promise."

Obi-Wan patted her shoulder and smiled at her. "Then you already know the answer."

She wrapped her arms around him. Hugging the Jedi Master. "Thank you, Master."

He hugged her as well. "You're welcome, my dear Padawan."

Grim let go, and smiled. She was glad to have Obi-Wan as her Master. Grim made the right choice deciding to stay. "

- The Clone Wars Gets A New Victim, Part II: The Clouds, Chapter 14: A Secret Kept And A Secret Told

She looked to Obi-Wan, “Master, are you mad at me?” Grim asked him. She felt like a young child. Ha! Imagine that, you kill a man and feel like a young child. She was afraid and felt so small. Even in the Temple she had long since considered her home.

Obi-Wan looked at his Padawan. He was quiet for a moment, and in that moment Grim worried that he would never forgive her for the crime she had committed. “No,” he said at last. Grim felt as if the weight of the world had been lifted off her shoulders. Although when she carried the weight of the entire galaxy, one world did so little. Obi-Wan spoke again and Grim felt as if that world crashed right back down on her shoulders. “I am very disappointed with you. What you did-”

Grim bowed her head and clenched her hands into fists. “I know what I did!” She snapped. The Padawan looked up at him with tears filling her eyes, threatening to spill from them. “I know exactly what I did! I know what I did wrong! I know-” She choked up, unable to finish. “I know,” she repeated quietly, her voice shaking.

Grim’s outburst turned some heads of the younger padawans who were curious about what was happening. Their Masters led them away, gently reminding them how it was rude to listen in on another’s conversation.

Obi-Wan looked at Grim, and any anger or disappointment he had worn on his face evaporated. He put a hand on her shoulder, looking at her with a gentle expression and speaking with such warmth that it soothed the Padawan and calmed her. “Grim, I know you’re aware of what you did, but we both know this won’t go away without consequences. What you did-”

- The Clone Wars Gets A New Victim, Part II: The Clouds, Chapter 17: Haunted By Darkness

Grim hated that it had to be done, but she wasn’t going to complain when she knew this would help the togrutan colony. The two padawans wore dresses, as disguises for slaves. While it stopped there for Ahsoka, something had to be done about Grim’s hair. It was harder to hide a human’s padawan braid than a togruta’s.

To fix this problem, Obi-Wan had helped to do Grim’s hair. As he delicately wove her padawan braid around her hair making it a part of a larger hairstyle. While Obi-Wan did so Grim let out a heavy sigh. “I’m afraid,” she admitted.

“Of what?” Obi-Wan asked her.

“This mission. It doesn’t go so well in the show, and I highly doubt it’ll go any better in real life.”

“The future is always in motion,” he reminded her. “Worrying about what could possibly happen does nothing good.”

“I know that of course, Obi-Wan,” she replied. “But when I know the future clearer than anyone else, it’s hard not to worry.”

“Yes, I understand that little one, but remember that you only know one possible outcome, and be mindful of your emotions.”

“I know, Master.”

Obi-Wan smiled. “Well, your hair for your disguise has been completed. We should go to the others.”

Grim and Obi-Wan stood up. “Wait, Master, how do I look?” Grim asked him, before twirling around.

Obi-Wan let out a gentle laugh. “You look fine, Grim.” She grinned in response.

- The Clone Wars Gets A New Victim, Part II: The Clouds, Chapter 18: Compassion Breaks

Grim didn’t even notice when her shackles were undone and she was dragged back to Obi-Wan. She didn’t notice the slavers leave the cell, and the two Jedi alone in the dark.

Not until she felt Obi-Wan’s warmth, how he was holding her, careful about her back.

“M-master?” she asked weakly.

“I’m so sorry, little one,” he whispered.

It was too dark to see, but she could hear the tears.

She closed her eyes and moved closer to him, resting her head on his shoulder. “It’s alright, Obi-Wan, it’s not your fault,” she told him. “I’m here.”

“You shouldn’t be,” he said quietly.

“I chose to be. I choose every time."

Obi-Wan smiled, although the padawan didn’t see. “This was never your war.”

“Maybe not, but I made it my war.”

“I’m sorry this happened to you, Grim.”

“I made the choice.”

“I meant the torture.”

“Oh, well I knew that was bound to happen at some point. I still made the choice didn’t I?”

Obi-Wan made a gentle sound that turned pained. Both of them suffering from their injuries of the torture they had gone through.

- The Clone Wars Gets A New Victim, Part II: The Clouds, Chapter 18: Compassion Breaks

On first instinct she went and found Obi-Wan, and when she found her Master she wrapped him in a hug. “Obi-Wan!” She cried.

Obi-Wan held her back. “Grim,” he breathed, both relieved and broken. “I’m so sorry.”

“For what? My own choices?” she asked him. “I make every choice knowing.”

- The Clone Wars Gets A New Victim, Part II: The Clouds, Chapter 18: Compassion Breaks

Grim reached Obi-Wan's bunk and settled herself next to him, wrapping her arms around him and snuggling her head into his shoulder, careful to avoid the shock collar on his neck, and being wary of the one around her own.

Obi-Wan's eyes fluttered open, as he woke up to the feeling of his Padawan. He turned his head slightly and saw the fluffy reddish-blonde hair that could only belong to Grim. "You shouldn't have snuck in here," he whispered to her quietly.

She hugged him tighter and looked up at him through her messy hair, emerald eyes shining with tears. "I know, Obi-Wan. I just…I can't be alone," she whispered back.

"If you're caught-"

"I've seen enough today to know what will happen," she whispered quietly. Her voice shook slightly. "Please Obi-Wan, don't make me go back. I don't think I can sleep alone tonight."

He sighed. "You have to, little one."

"I already took the risk of coming here, didn't I? You won't know I'm here."

"It was an unnecessary risk and this is one further, you should go to your own bed."

"Go to my own bed," she said, laughing quietly. "Reminds me of when I had just become your padawan."

Obi-Wan smiled at the memory. "Yes that's right, you snuck into my bed every so often. Although for a little while you just kept falling back asleep."

"What can I say? You're comfortable, and so I'm not leaving."

"This isn't the Temple, Grim."

"Then let's pretend it is, just for tonight."

Obi-Wan sighed with a soft smile. He shook his head and closed his eyes. "Goodnight Grim, but you have to return to your bed before you're caught."

Grim smiled and closed her eyes, snuggling next to him. "Goodnight Dad, and don't worry I will."

- The Clone Wars Gets A New Victim, Part II: The Clouds, Chapter 18: Compassion Breaks

Obi-Wan’s voice came from beside her, “are you doing okay Grim?” He asked her.

“What do you mean?” Grim asked.

“What happened on the mission. Are you doing okay after all of that?”

“Are you?” Grim asked him.

“Not completely,” Obi-Wan admitted. “I may not be for a while.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?” she asked softly.

Obi-Wan chuckled softly and almost sadly. “I’m afraid not Grim, nothing more than you already do.”

“And what is it I do already?”

“You’re here. As I am for you.”

“Of course I’m here, I wouldn’t leave you alone.”

“One day you may have to.”

“I would hate for that day to ever arrive.”

- The Clone Wars Gets A New Victim, Part II: The Clouds, Chapter 19: The Fixer

She found herself resting her head on his shoulder.

Obi-Wan opened his eyes. “Are you falling asleep?” He asked her.

“And if I am?”

“Then you might just trap me,” he joked.

“Good,” she joked back. She then wrapped her arms around him, hugging him and trapping him.

Obi-Wan laughed. “Now you’re just doing it on purpose.”

Grim laughed as well. “And what’re you going to do about it, Master?”

Obi-Wan laughed again and so did Grim. “Hmm, how would I get you to free me?”

“Oh negotiation, really? I should’ve suspected as much,” she joked laughing.

“Does that really surprise you, my young padawan?”

“I suppose not,” she replied.

- The Clone Wars Gets A New Victim, Part II: The Clouds, Chapter 19: The Fixer

She grabbed Obi-Wan's wrist and stared up at him. "Master, please don't do this," she whispered.

Obi-Wan gave Grim a sad smile. They both knew what was going to happen. What was happening at this very moment.

There was a small moment of silent understanding between the Master and his Padawan. "I have to. You're brave, little one. You can handle this," he replied. His voice was just low enough so only Grim could hear.

Tears shimmered in her eyes. How was she supposed to play along with this? How was she supposed to let him do this, knowing the reasons why? She already kept so many secrets and told so many lies.

How many more?

"Please," she said again.

"I have to," he said again. "It's going to be alright, little one. We both know it."

She let go. "Okay."

- The Clone Wars Gets A New Victim, Part III: The Rain, Chapter 20: The Moment Of Truth And The Moment To Lie

“I’m sorry that you got caught up with Maul,” said Obi-Wan, looking back at his padawan.

“Don’t be,” she told him. “As always I chose to go along. It was my choice.

He smiled at her, a gentle one, with a hint of sadness that it was a choice Grim ever had to make.

She then hugged Obi-Wan, surprising him. A moment later he was hugging her back.

“Don’t think for a minute I’ll ever regret these choices I’ve made. Becoming a Jedi was the best choice of my life,” she told him.

They stayed like that for a long moment, and for a while she could pretend it was early in the war again. When times were easier. Before Grim had these scars.

- The Clone Wars Gets A New Victim, Part III: The Rain, Chapter 23: Scars Of A Burden

The Jedi Master noticed even more how big the cloak she wore was on her. “Grim, are you sure you got the right cloak?” he asked, amused.

Grim quickly blushed a little, embarrassed that her Master had caught her. “Uh-”

Obi-Wan laughed quietly and gently. “It’s alright, Grim. I already knew you were stealing my cloaks.”

She covered her face in her hands. “How long have you known?”

“Since I found you sleeping in one,” he replied.

- The Clone Wars Gets A New Victim, Part III: The Rain, Chapter 24: Stolen Moments

“Hondo, what are you doing here?” Ahsoka demanded.

Hondo clicked his tongue. “Oh, no,no,no, you should thank me, child. I have brought you a gift from Skywalker and Kenobi.”

“Skywalker sure has his moments sometimes,” commented Grim. “The Republic couldn’t assist us, so he got you to do so.”

Hondo laughed. “You got it on the mark, Little Kenobi.”

“Little Kenobi?” Grim echoed confused. “No, no, I am not Obi-Wan’s daughter. You misunderstand-”

Ahsoka stifled a small chuckle from beside her. Grim shot her girlfriend a look.

“Really? You two really look like you could be Little Kenobi. Anyways back to this business. These rocket launchers were very expensive, you know.”

- The Clone Wars Gets A New Victim, Part III: The Rain, Chapter 24: Stolen Moments

“Greetings Hondo.”

“Greetings?” Hondo asked. “What kind of menace have you brought to my planet now?”

“It wasn’t our doing,” Grim told Hondo.

“Ah! Little Kenobi is here as well!” Hondo exclaimed happily. Grim sighed at the name.

“Little Kenobi?” Obi-Wan asked, confused.

“She’s your padawan isn’t she? And she acts like you sometimes too Kenobi,” Hondo explained. “But that isn’t the point, the point is the trouble you brought to my planet this time.”

- The Clone Wars Gets A New Victim, Part III: The Rain, Chapter 25: Regrets

At the palace Grim and Satine had been forced to their knees at either side of the throne in which Maul sat with Obi-Wan in front of them. It was in this position they were at now as Maul looked between Kenobi, his padawan, and the duchess, a smile creeping upon his lips.

Then he let out a laugh. "Oh this is too good. Kenobi's padawan is his daughter, and his precious duchess is the mother."

The three shared a confused glance. Why would Maul think that?

The Sith noted the confusion on Obi-Wan's face and laughed some more. "Oh, did you not realize?" Using the force Maul lifted Grim and Satine by their necks and had them hover over the ground side by side before the Jedi Master. "How about you take a closer look?"

- The Clone Wars Gets A New Victim, Part III: The Rain, Chapter 26: Death In The Night

Grim sat next to Obi-Wan, resting a head on his shoulder. Obi-Wan smiled at her. “Tired already?” he teased.

“Saving the day when you’ve seen it can be tiring,” replied Grim. Her eyes were half closed and she seemed ready to fall asleep.

“You can take a nap after we’ve made our report to the Council,” Obi-Wan told her.

- The Clone Wars Gets A New Victim, Part IV: The Storm, Chapter 34: Check

“You have allowed this dark lord to twist your mind, until now- until now you have become the very thing you swore to destroy,” Obi-Wan went on.

“Don’t lecture me, Obi-Wan. I see through the lies of the Jedi. I do not fear the dark side as you do,” said Anakin. “I have brought peace, freedom, justice, and security to my new Empire!”

“Your new Empire?”

“Don’t make me kill you like I did your padawan.”

Obi-Wan’s heart dropped.

Grim was dead.

Anakin had killed her.

He had warned Grim not to fight Anakin.

It had been the last thing he said to her.

Obi-Wan had to focus on the current moment.

He couldn’t mourn the loss of his daughter, not yet.

- The Clone Wars Gets A New Victim, Part IV: The Storm, Chapter 39: The Deaths Of Heroes

She seemed so small now as she slept on his shoulder, and she looked as young as she was, but tired too.

This wasn't the same girl he had taken in as his padawan when the war had only recently begun.

Over the years she had changed and grown.

In the course of three years Grim had become a great Jedi, and if their lives had not been taken, Obi-Wan had no doubt she would only become an even greater Jedi.

But their lives had been stolen, taken away by the Sith.

"Rest now, little one," he told his sleeping padawan. "You did all you could, I am proud of you." In her sleep she smiled, and despite the grief in his heart, Obi-Wan smiled as well.

- The Clone Wars Gets A New Victim, Part IV: The Storm, Chapter 40: A Spark Of Light

Grim hugged Yoda. "Thank you for having let me join your family." Yoda hugged her back, and then Obi-Wan joined the hug.

"Thank you for being a part of it," Obi-Wan replied.

- The Clone Wars Gets A New Victim, Part IV: The Storm, Chapter 40: A Spark Of Light (ft. Yoda being Grim's frog grandpa)

And Grim literally goes by Rue Kenobi in hiding pretending to be Obi-Wan's daughter.

This is so long, thank you. I was losing it while playing Fallen Order (Dathomir is horrible). This has made me very happy

[certified-anakinfucker]

oh prepare to be SICK OF ME. i can just throw the obikaisa relationship timeline wip here then

no pressure tags <3 @d3epfriedangels @kkrazy256 @kaiotic15 @gruvu @reluctant-mandalore @hyrohkaah @spaceydragons @ermakeys @tusken-apologist @avari-legacy @subduction-induction

Something something in 21 BBY Obi-Wan is chosen by Uncle Grandmaster Windu to be apart of the delegation on the newly-minted luxury cruiser Coronet. Obi-Wan did not sign up for this, but he should be fine because he’s not going to Adaa, right? Even if it’s nagging in his mind that Adaa is all but famous for their luxury cruisers. And everything’s gonna be fine, right? Until he first of all runs into the Adaan Senator (Cerel Alyth) in order to ask why she wasn’t invited to the Coronet, who just looks the Jedi up and down and “I know better than to get between.. [looks him up and down again]” and leaves???? Which puts him at getting to the cruiser with Anakin Skywalker and Usokya’Omura Vane at his heels as his own version of a bodyguard. Only then is informed of new rule under Mand’alor the Diligent.. despite having been keeping tabs on Mandalorian politics ever since she left. Y’know, the same Mand’alor the Diligent who makes a surprise request to not only personally clear Obi-Wan’s team but privately meet with him in the ballroom. Turns out the Mand’alor is Definitely Khakaisa! And wow it’s really been like, fifteen years since they last saw or heard a peep from each other. They get their conversation in the ballroom. It mostly consists of Khakaisa immediately threatening him, shoving at his chest and pushing him around the room - she hasn’t removed her helm at all and her emotions are steeled beyond his reach. She tells him she could strike him now, or at any moment. But Obi-Wan simply smiles at her and dips his head, he missed her too. He missed her so much. He gets down on one knee, leans on his hands, and says “ni ceta” - he kneels, he grovels at her feet. He is so, so fucking sorry and there is no possible overstatement. Khakaisa kneels before him, having taken off her helmet and slipped off her gloves. She takes his face in her hands and guides his eyes up to hers, watching as Obi-Wan tries to hold back the tears that rush down his cheeks regardless. When he asks why she left, she tells him it’s because he loves her. He loves her so much that he couldn’t have made the decision to return to his people had she stayed a moment longer. And she loves him so much, she was willing to endure fifteen years without him just so that one day they could reunite. Had Obi-Wan asked her to leave the Mandalorians to be with him, she would have refused. It wouldn’t have been fair to ask him to leave the Jedi for her if she wouldn’t have done the same. No matter how much Obi-Wan argued that he would have left the Jedi as soon as she said the word. Khakaisa also apologizes because .. well, Obi-Wan’s widened gaze shows that he knows what she’s about to say. The young Mandalorian that greeted them at the ballroom door, who didn’t wear his helmet.. yes. Dakaej is Obi-Wan’s son. And he knows his father was one of the greatest warriors that Khakaisa had ever had the privilege and honor of not only meeting, but fighting alongside in such pivotal times. At least between the madness that Tal Merrik brings to the Coronet, Dakaej will be able to meet his father and get to know him. He also gains an older brother and sibling, who share a ripe love for chaos.

I was tagged by @brother-genitivi for WIP Wednesday back on... July 14th.

I've been a little busy, so oops.

My WIPs are less... drawing-related and more word related. I've been working on some world building. Here's a snapshot:

Tuviri are bipedal vertebrate with an iridescent enamel dermis arranged in soft, fine scales that shed regularly. They range in color from a midnight or denim blue to teal to baby blue to purple to gold to copper to a salmon or coral pink, all with a luminous sheen. Color is largely dependent on ancestry and region with young inheriting their coloration, or a combination, from their parents.

Tuviri are covered in bristles about as noticeable as human arm hair, but far coarser. A burrowing species, these bristles help prevent dirt from sticking to them, getting under their dermis, and they also help with traction. These bristles additionally help Tuviri notice subtle changes in the earth and air, like soil acidity, wind speed, and temperature.

No pressure tags: @laz-laz-ace-pilot, @certified-anakinfucker, @purgetrooperfox, @thecodyagenda, @puirell, @clone-bar-79s, @jedi-valjean, @thefact0rygirl, @twistedstitcher27, @baba-fett, @thebitchformerlyknownaskenobi

Feel free to create a new post to highlight any painting, chapter, sketch, or idea that is a work in progress.

[just-dreaming-marvel]

The Bond Between Us ~ 6

THE BOND BETWEEN US MASTERLIST

< previous chapter

Word Count: 2,790ish

Summary: You and Obi-Wan try to figure out where the dart is from.

Notes: Honestly have really enjoyed writing these chapters! Any reblogs, asks, and comments are welcome and appreciated!!

You stayed in the apartment, going over the security measures again and again. When Obi-Wan and Anakin finally returned, they had news that it had been a bounty hunter that had paid off another bounty hunter to kill the Senator. They had retrieved a toxic dart after the decoy bounty hunter had been killed. You went with Obi-Wan and Anakin to inform the Jedi Council about what had happened.

“Track down this bounty hunter you must, Obi-Wan,” Yoda ordered.

“Most importantly, find out who he’s working for,” Mace Windu added.

“What about Senator Amidala?” Obi-Wan asked. “She will still need protecting.”

“Handle that your Padawan will,” Yoda answered.

“Anakin, escort the Senator back to her home planet of Naboo,” Windu directed. “She’ll be safer there. And don’t use registered transport. Travel as refugees.”

“As the leader of the opposition, it will be very difficult to get Senator Amidala to leave the capital,” Anakin replied.

“Until caught this killer is, our judgment she must respect,” Yoda said.

“Anakin, go to the Senate and ask Chancellor Palpatine to speak with her about this matter.”

Obi-Wan and Anakin bowed to the Council, preparing to leave the meeting. You stood there confused.

“Pardon me, Masters,” you spoke up, “but where do I fit into all of this?”

“Join Master Kenobi, you will,” Yoda answered.

Excitement bloomed in your chest. Besides the recent assignment, you were only paired with members of the Jedi Council. A change, especially a friendly one, would be very nice.

“Thank you, Master,” you bowed. “I will not disappoint.”

~~~

After Anakin left to talk to the Chancellor, you found yourself walking the Temple hall with Yoda, Obi-Wan, and Mace Windu. You were behind the Masters, giving them their space.

“I am concerned for my Padawan,” Obi-Wan expressed. “He is not ready to be given this assignment on his own yet.”

“The council is confident in its decision, Obi-Wan,” Yoda replied.

“The boy has exceptional skills,” Windu commented.

“But he still has much to learn, Master,” Obi-Wan retorted. “His abilities have made him, well, arrogant.” The group stopped.

“Yes, yes. A flaw more and more common among Jedi,” Yoda said. “Hmm. Too sure of themselves they are. Even the older, more experienced ones.”

“Remember, Obi-Wan, if the prophecy is true, your apprentice might be the only one who can bring the Force back into balance,” Windu said. “If you are worried, perhaps we send Y/N along with Anakin.”

“If I may, Masters,” you interrupted, “I fear that my presence will only make Master Kenobi’s concerns worsen.”

“Yet, may be able to balance the young Skywalker, you might,” Yoda said, thinking about Windu’s suggestion. 

Obi-Wan could feel the slight sting that still happened in your chest when you weren’t referred to as a Skywalker. He hadn’t yet asked you how you really had been holding up all these years, practically alone.

“Having heard a great deal about Y/N’s power in the Force,” Obi-Wan said, “I would be interested in seeing it myself. Perhaps I can learn a thing or two from her.”

“Our Padawan is very strong in the ways of the Force,” Windu agreed. It was honestly the closest thing you had ever had to a compliment from the Jedi Master.

“Hmm, yes,” Yoda agreed. “Soon, the trials she will face.”

“Really?” You breathed out. They had never brought the trails up before. 

“After this assignment with Obi-Wan, about your trails we will discuss.”

“Thank you, Master.” You bowed. “It is a great honor to be deemed worthy of the trials by the Council.”

“Learned much, you have. Yet, still have learning to do.”

“Of course, Master.”

~~~

You and Obi-Wan went with Anakin, Padme, Padme’s Handmaiden, and Captain Typho to deliver Anakin and Padme to the port.

“Be safe milady,” Captain Typho said.

“Thank you, Captain,” Padme responded. “Take good care of Dorme. The threat’s on you two now.”

“He’ll be safe with me,” Dorme said, smiling at the Captain. She then looked down, getting emotional.

“You’ll be fine.”

“It’s not me, milady. I worry about you. What if they realize you’ve left the capital?”

“Well, then my Jedi protector will have to prove how good he is.” Anakin smirked at that.

“Anakin,” Obi-Wan called for his Padawan’s attention. “Don’t do anything without first consulting either myself or the Council.”

“Yes, Master,” Anakin replied.

Obi-Wan moved to speak with Padme, you by his side. “Y/N and myself will get to the bottom of this plot quickly, milady. You’ll be back here in no time.”

“I’ll be most grateful for your speed, Master Jedi,” Padme said.

“It’s time to go,” Anakin said, heading out of the ship.

“Ani,” you called. He turned around. “May the Force be with you.”

“May the Force be with you, Y/N/N.”

You watched as Anakin picked up some of the luggage and headed out with Padme and R2. It was strange. Though the two of you were twins, you felt like strangers. The two of you had grown up so much in the last time years while being separated. You couldn’t let yourself dwell on it too much, for it would be proof of you having an attachment.

“I do hope he doesn’t try anything foolish,” Obi-Wan commented.

“I’d be more concerned about her doing something than him,” Captain Typho retorted.

“Right.” Obi-Wan turned to face you. “Are you ready, little star?”

“Ready for what?” You began to follow Obi-Wan as he headed over to another ship. “Where are we going?”

“To see an old friend of mine.”

~~~

You never had the opportunity to really explore and enjoy Coruscant since you were trained by the Jedi Council themselves. They were too business teaching you the Code, how to fight and pilot, and how to be one with the Force. You had been to places around the planet and around other systems, but only for missions and assignments. You never got to fully enjoy any of them. So standing in a diner next to Obi-Wan was a completely different experience. You were curiously glancing around the place. Obi-Wan could sense your excitement and curiosity. He was slightly confused as to why.

“Have you never been to a diner before?” He finally asked.

“No,” you answered, feeling embarrassed. “The Council is not about enjoying the little things. Besides, they kept me busy with my training.”

Obi-Wan then realized that you were treated differently than any other Jedi that had ever been trained. They were ensuring that at least you or Anakin would be a successful Chosen One. You had basically been separated from all the Jedi besides the Council until now, trying to make you the perfect Jedi. Guilt and sadness filled him, leaking out into your bond, at the thought of how hard these past years really might have been for you. Feeling his leaking emotions, you placed a gentle hand on his arm as you pushed some comfort his way.

“It’s okay, Obi,” you said softly, a small smile playing on your lips. “It wasn’t too bad.”

“Why are you so good, little star?” Obi-Wan asked. “How have you been able to keep it?”

“How can I help you two?” A robot rolled over, interrupting the small conversation.

“We’re here to talk to Dex.”

“People to see ya, honey!” The robot shouted, turning to the kitchen. “Jedi, by the looks of them.”

“Obi-Wan!” Dex shouted.

“Hello, Dex,” Obi-Wan smiled.

“Take a seat. I’ll be right with ya.”

“You wanna cup o’jawa juice?” The robot asked as Obi-Wan guided you to a booth.

“Oh, yes,” Obi-Wan replied. “Two, thank you.” You slid into the booth, Obi-Wan following beside you. He barely sat down before he was back up again to greet Dex.

“Hey, old buddy!” Dex greeted, his four arms up to hug Obi-Wan. The two laughed. Pulling apart, Obi-Wan sat back down and Dex sat across from the two of you. “And who is this? A new Padawan perhaps.”

“Y/N L/N,” you replied. “I’m a Padawan that Obi-Wan is currently borrowing.”

Dex laughed. “Borrowing, huh?” He coughed. “So, my friend, what can I do for ya?”

“You can tell me what this is,” Obi-Wan responded, pulling out the dart from his Jedi robe and setting it in front of Dex.

“Well, whattaya know!” Dex picked the dart up. “I ain’t seen one of these since I was prospectin’ on Subterrel, beyond the Outer Rim.”

“Can you tell us where it came from?” The robot from before set down three cups of juice on the table. “Thank you.”

“This baby belongs to them cloners. What you got here is a Kamino saber dart.”

“I wonder why it didn’t show up in the analysis archives.”

“It’s these funny little cuts on the side that give it away. Those analysis droids only focus on symbols. Huh! I should think that you Jedi would have more respect for the difference between knowledge and…” Dex laughed, “wisdom.”

“Well, if droids could think, there’d be none of us here, would there?” Obi-Wan picked the dart back up, studying it some more.

“Kamino,” you repeated, trying to think of where it might be. “I’m not familiar with it.”

“Neither am I. Is it in the Republic?”

“No, no. It’s beyond the Outer Rim,” Dex answered. “I’d say about, uh, 12 parsecs outside the Rishi Maze. Should be easy to find, even for those droids in your archives.” Dex chuckled as he paused to take a drink. “These, uh, Kaminoans keep to themselves. They’re cloners. Damn good ones too.”

“Cloners. Are they friendly?”

“Oh, depends.”

“Depends on what, Dex?”

“On how good your manners are… how big your, uh… pocketbook is.” Dex chucked.

“Hmm,” Obi-Wan hummed as he studied the dart further. “Thank you for your assistance Dex.” Obi-Wan stood up, slipping the dart away. “We best be going.”

“Thank you for your help, Dex,” you responded, following Obi-Wan.

“Don’t be a stranger, either of you,” Dex said as you headed out.

“So, how did you feel about your first visit to a diner, little star?” Obi-Wan asked.

“It was… new,” you replied.

Obi-Wan laughed. “And?”

“And it wasn’t too terrible.”

“That’s good. I’ll have to take you more often.”

“Where are we headed now, Obi?”

“Back to the archives.”

~~~

“Did you two call for assistance?” Madame Jocasta asked, coming up to the two of you.

“Yes, yes, we did,” Obi-Wan responded.

“Are you having a problem, Master Kenobi? With Padawan Y/N here, you should be able to find what you need. She knows the archives almost as well as I do.”

“Unfortunately, I am unable to find what we need, Madame Jocasta,” you replied.

“We are looking for a planetary system called Kamino,” Obi-Wan explained, leading the one to one of the archive desks. He sat down and pulled up the information he had gathered.

“Kamino,” Madame Jocasta repeated.

“It doesn’t show up on the archive charts.”

“Kamino. It’s not a system I’m familiar with. Are you sure you have the right coordinates?”

“According to our information, it should appear in this quadrant here,” you said, pointing to where it should be on the map, “just south of the Rishi Maze.”

Madame Jocasta pressed some buttons, causing the screen to zoom in and beep. “I hate to say it, but it looks like the system you’re searching for doesn’t exist.”

“Impossible,” Obi-Wan argued. “Perhaps the archives are incomplete.”

“If an item does not appear in our records, it does not exist.”

You could feel Obi-Wan’s disappointment. “Thank you, Madame Jocasta,” you said kindly. 

“My apologies that I couldn’t be any more help.” She walked away.

“What are we going to do, Master?”

Obi-Wan stayed silent for a few moments. You could feel him thinking, exploring the options. You observed him closely as he lost himself in thought. He held his chin, brushing his fingers along his beard. His eyes looked like they were focused on the screen but you could tell that they were just focusing on finding answers. He slouched down in his seat.

“We will find answers, Obi-Wan,” you tried to comfort. “I can sense it.”

He took a deep breath, trusting in your senses. He suddenly stood up. “Come, little star,” he beckoned as headed away from the desk. “We must speak to Master Yoda.”

~~~

The two of you found Yoda teaching a group of younglings. They had the training helmets with their training sabers, working on blindly avoiding shots. 

“Reach out. Sense the Force around you,” Yoda guided the young Jedi. “Use your feelings you must.”

You smiled as you entered the room, stopping beside Obi-Wan to watch. Yoda began tapping his cane on the ground.

“Younglings. Younglings!” He called for their attention. “Visitors we have.”

“Hello, Master Obi-Wan and Padawan Y/N,” the younglings greeted together.

“Hello,” Obi-Wan replied with a smile. “We are sorry to disturb you, Master.”

“What help can I be?” Yoda asked. “Hmm?”

“We’re looking for a planet described to us by an old friend. I trust him, but the systems don’t show on the archive maps.”

“Mmm. Lost a planet Master Obi-Wan has. How embarrassing.” The children and yourself giggled. Obi-Wan shot you a look, causing you to bite your lip to stop from giggling. “How embarrassing. Liam, the shades.” 

The youngling, Liam, used the Force to darken the room with the shades. Obi-Wan took the information orb from his pocket and put it in the center room map reader, the map showing in the room.

“Gather round the map reader,” Yoda encouraged the younglings. “Clear your minds and find Obi-Wan’s wayward planet we will.”

“It ought to be, here,” Obi-Wan pointed out the blank space in the map, “but it isn’t.”

“Gravity is pulling all the stars in the area towards this spot,” you explained, pointing to the spot as well. “So something has to be there, right?”

“Gravity’s silhouette remains but the. Star and all the planets disappeared they have,” Yoda repeated the information. “How can this be? Hmm? A thought? Anyone.”

“Master?” One of the younglings called. “Because someone erased it from the archive memory.”

Yoda chuckled. “Truly wonderful the mind of a child is. The Padawan is right. Go to the center of gravity’s pull and find your planet, you will.”

Yoda began leading you and Obi-Wan out of the room. You paused, using the Force to turn off the map reader and bring the orb to your hand.

“Hmm. The data must have been erased,” Yoda concluded.

“But, Master Yoda, who could empty information from the archives?” Obi-Wan asked. “That’s impossible, isn’t it?”

“Dangerous and disturbing this puzzle is. Only a Jedi could have erased those files. But who and why, harder to answer. Meditate on this, I will.”

“Padawan Y/N,” a youngling called, You turned your attention to the group standing in the room. “Could you show us the trick again?”

You laughed lightly as you went back into the room. “One of these days, you all will be able to do this without me,” you responded. 

Obi-Wan and Yoda watched as you closed your eyes and all the Padawans lifted into the air, including yourself. Laughter leaked out of the room, yours hitting Obi-Wan with so much happiness.

“Good this assignment with you is for Y/N,” Yoda said. “Afraid I have been for her. Alone she is. I fear that the Council could have done better.”

“Better at what, Master?” Obi-Wan asked. He was curious as to where Yoda’s doubts lay with you.

“Separated from most, she was. Light spills from her and yet the Council kept her to train by herself. Friendships, she does not have. One of the reasons we sent her with you, Obi-Wan. An old friend, she needs. Take care of her, you will.”

Obi-Wan looked back at you. Yoda’s concerns did bring up a question in Obi-Wan’s mind: why had the Council chosen to keep you so separated from the rest of the Order? As he thought and observed you, he could feel your happiness swell up through the Force bond. A bond that was created without either of you involved like it was fate. He knew, even deep down, that he would never try to do anything to hurt that bond. He would protect it with his life.

“I will, Master,” Obi-Wan promised. “I will.”

next chapter >

TAGLIST IS CLOSED - Taglist Information

[tennessoui]

For the prompt list, nanny/single parent obikin would be amazing!!

(from this prompt list)

(the first time I answered this prompt two years ago, the nanny anakin au was born)

so to do something different, here's some gffa widowed anakin, nanny (sort of) obi-wan!

(2.5k)

It is hard to find time to grieve. There are too many things to do. Too many appointments to make, too many decisions Anakin isn’t sure he’s qualified for. Some decisions are easier than others. For example, the funeral will be on Naboo. There will be two services: a public one to honor Padmé’s public service, and a private one to honor who she was as a person. The casket will be closed, because his wife died when her cruiser exploded. There isn’t much left to bury anyway.

But some decisions are harder. Which flowers should go on her casket. What songs would she want sung and who should sing them? Would she prefer her grave closer to her ancestral home or the home she created in her adulthood?

If she told anyone the answers to these questions, it wasn’t Anakin. But then, the people who knew her best, who loved her most, died with her. Sabé, Rabé, Saché, Yané, all of her handmaidens—an assassination such broad strokes that it was impossible for it to fail.

So Anakin chooses Yali lilies, because Leia’s eyes linger on them the longest. He chooses a small Nabooian folk band to play after her service because their music is the first thing to make Luke lift his head from his coloring books in days. He formally requests that her body be buried among her ancestors, and the Nabierres agree immediately.

And he keeps telling himself that he will grieve, but there is so much to do. 

And then—then there’s after the funeral. Then there’s the rest of his life, sprawling out before him in a long, hazy road. 

There are more decisions to be made.

There are people who have opinions on them now, people who sat back and let Anakin muddle through flower arrangements and kriffing seating charts, who now step in to peer over his shoulder, monitor his every breath.

Should he really move the children back to Coruscant? Does he truly plan to continue to work as a mechanic in the Mid-Levels? Should he not think of the children, their needs? How can he support them on the thin amount of credits he makes? Would it not be better for the children to live on Naboo in the care of their grandparents and their extended family?

It would be what Padmé would have wanted.

Anakin cannot care about what Padmé would have wanted, because she isn’t here. Not to argue with him, not to make her wants known. She is dead. She doesn’t get to haunt him in the waking world too.

“What do you want?” he asks plainly, sitting down across the table from his two children. The twins blink back at him. Leia has finished her cereal. Luke has barely touched his.

“Bacon,” Luke says.

Anakin hadn’t meant for breakfast, but he figures it’s as good of a start as any. “Alright,” he agrees.

He stands once more and goes to the kitchen. It’s not exactly his domain. It was never Padmé’s either. The way Padmé grew up, food was made once you requested it—by droid, by cooking staff. Not by the hand of a Nabierre.

The way Anakin grew up, food was cobbled together carefully, sparingly no matter how much you requested it. And no matter how you cooked it, it always tasted a little like dust, which took the joy out of experimentation.

But the serving staff have been dismissed for the past two weeks to give the family time and space to grieve in private. 

(Padmé’s parents have been given a schedule for visiting hours for that exact reason.)

Anakin locates the pan; then, he locates the package of bacon strips.

When he glances up, both twins are watching him over the edge of their barstools, tiny faces showing both skepticism and incredulity.

“I want to know what you want to do,” Anakin says, raising his voice as he places the pot over the heating plate, the meat in a moment later. “Do you want to stay here with your grandmother and grandfather? Do you want to go back to Coruscant?”

The twins are quiet. Anakin twists his neck to look at them again, and they’re looking at each other, silently communicating the way only twins can.

“Where will you be?” Leia finally asks, looking at him with narrowed, suspicious eyes, bottom lip already jutting out.

Anakin blinks. “Wherever you are,” he answers.

“You won’t leave too?” Luke asks rather tremulously.

Anakin takes the pan off the heated plate and turns it off with a decisive flick of his wrist. “Of course not,” he says. “Come here.” He crouches down and barely has enough time to open his arms before the twins are there, pressing in as close as they can get to him. He holds them back just as tightly in return.

“I’m not going anywhere,” he promises into Leia’s hair. “Not without you two.”

—-----------------

It becomes apparent fairly quickly that this is, by necessity, a lie.

The twins don’t want to stay on Naboo, which Anakin is secretly incredibly grateful for. He doesn’t want to either, but he knows he’d just be called selfish should he express the opinion.

But the twins don’t want to go back to Coruscant either. This makes sense as well. It would be incredibly jarring for them to go back to living in the quarters they shared with their mother, her Upper Coruscanti apartments in the nicest district of the planet, without her there.

Anakin wishes it were as simple as sticking a pin on a planet and deciding to uproot the entirety of his family to live there. 

But it’s not.

Perhaps if he were still young, nineteen, newly free and in love with the taste of that freedom, it would be.

But he’s a widower now. He has his children to think about, their futures. Any planet he chooses must have what they need as well. 

And they are four year olds who have just lost their mother. Their needs are numerous.

What makes the decision for him in the end is that his boss knows a man from Stewjon, who is willing to hire him. Who is willing to pay a premium for his expertise with mechanics.

Anakin doesn’t know the first thing about Stewjon, other than that it’s an ocean planet in the Inner Core and his dead wife always said the Senators from Stewjon were so frigid and tight-lipped because they spent the first few days of each visit trying not to be seasick on the Senate floor.

Anakin isn’t sure why this is the very first thing he tells the man—his potential boss—he meets behind the counter in the mech-shop on Stewjon.

He’s left the children with their grandparents for the week—long enough to fly from Naboo to Stewjon, meet with his potential employer, interview, apply his work practically, and fly back out.

He’d explained to both twins why they had to stay on Naboo. He’d explained many times. That hadn’t changed the betrayed look Leia had worn as she saw him off. It hadn’t wiped the tears from Luke’s eyes.

“Ah, well, I can’t say I’ve heard that one before,” the mechanic says. He sounds amused, and Anakin is incredibly shocked to hear a Coruscanti accent. Everyone he’s spoken to since arriving planetside has had such a heavy brogue that he’d honestly struggled to understand their directions to the shop—Kenobi & Sons.

Anakin lets himself look again at the man behind the counter. He’s rather clean for a mechanic, he decides. His beard is red, a common factor around these parts apparently, but his beard is short and neat, trimmed to accentuate the strong lines of his jaw. His eyes are a stormy blue, the kind of blue that matches the Stewjoni ocean.

“Between you and me though,” the man smirks and leans onto the counter with his elbow. His tunic is dark gray, white starchy fabric peeking out beneath the v-necked collar. “I’ve never been a fan of Stewjoni politicians anyway.”

“Oh?” Anakin asks, sidling a step closer to the counter. The man has the beginnings of gray at his temples, and his eyes are lined with wrinkles. They don’t make him look old though, Anakin decides. They make him look…well-lived.

“I’ve not a head for politics much at all,” his future employer shakes his head slightly with a small smile. His eyes flick up and down Anakin’s face, lingering on his lips and then lingering longer on the scar over his brow. Anakin feels rather flushed under the inspection, and he shifts his weight forward until he’s leaning up against the counter too.

There’s something about this man that’s rather…magnetic. It pulls him in. It makes him want to linger.

Good characteristic for a shopkeeper to have, though Anakin privately decides that the man before him has a face that’s wasted on mechanics, buried under some ship’s underbelly in a backroom.

“Me neither,” he admits, a moment too late to sound anything but highly distracted. It makes the man smile again though, a flash of straight white teeth.

“Is there anything you do have a head for then?” he asks. His tone is light, airy, rather teasing.

This is the strangest interview Anakin has ever had.

“Um,” he says. “Well. There’s mechanics.”

“Oh?” The man’s eyebrow lifts at an elegant angle. He props his chin on the palm of his hand and looks up at Anakin through his eyelashes. “Then why come here to us then?”

“Um,” Anakin says, and not because the man looks rather unfairly flattering like this, amber eyelashes in sharp relief against the blue of his eyes.

They’re interrupted by the sounds of clattering in the backroom, stomping and cursing. The man before him straightens with a slight sigh and picks up the closest flimsipad. “And what brings you in here today, sir?” he asks rather loudly, pitching his voice back to the other room of the shop pointedly. “Problem with your speeder? Serving droid? Cruiser? If it’s your astromech droid, I regret to inform you that I’ll have to refuse you service on account of the fact that I don’t particularly care for them.”

Anakin thinks he splutters, but whatever noise he makes is definitely drowned out by the rather irritated shout of Obi-Wan! that comes from the back.

A moment later, a man storms through the door, looking annoyed. "We will service an astomech if that's what's broken, Obi-Wan."

Now this is a man that Anakin can believe is a mechanic. His nails are blackened with oil, and his bare, burly arms carry smudges of the stuff. He’s much broader than the man—Obi-Wan—that Anakin had been talking to. He’s bald with a reddened scalp and a rather large red beard that’s the antithesis of the other man’s in every way. His clothes are dirty, loose, and the color of ash. He looks older too—whereas Obi-Wan could easily be in his thirties, this man must be pushing fifty.

He snaps at Obi-Wan in a language that Anakin doesn’t understand. Obi-Wan shrugs and hands over the flimsi pad without argument.

“Um, actually,” Anakin says, feeling incredibly wrong-footed. “Which one of you is Kenobi?”

“I am,” both of them say. Obi-Wan’s smirking slightly. The other man’s voice is louder, carrying that Stewjoni accent so obviously lacking in Obi-Wan’s speech.

The older man closes his eyes as if he’s praying for patience. “We both are,” he says. “Though if your ship’s malfunctioned, sir, I’m the Kenobi you want to see. This one’s good for naught but magic tricks.”

“I have been told I’m rather good at other things,” Obi-Wan turns his smirk full-force at Anakin, dropping his eyes to Anakin’s lips once more.

“My name is Anakin Skywalker,” he says very quickly in a very normal tone of voice that is most definitely not a squeak. “I’m here to interview for a position. As another mechanic.”

“Oh,” the older Kenobi says.

“Oh,” the younger Kenobi says in a much different tone.

The older Kenobi pinches at his nose for a moment before turning around the counter and offering his hand. “Ben,” he says. “Ben Kenobi.”

Anakin takes his hand and shakes it, eyes traveling back to Obi-Wan. Is he supposed to shake his hand too?

“I’m the Son in the sign,” Ben says gruffly as if that answers his question.

“I’m the reason it’s plural,” Obi-Wan adds, busying himself with the contents of the counter. From what Anakin can tell, the man is just messing up the carefully organized piles of receipts. 

He decides that he would rather not get the job than point this out to Ben.

Ben huffs out something in Stewjoni that sounds downright insulting, but that doesn’t stop Obi-Wan from smiling sunnily up at Anakin. “My brother enjoys bitching and moaning that I came back home when I was seventeen, but he’s awfully quick to foist his children off on me when he’s called to shift at the rig offshore and Marci’s off-planet too.”

Anakin blinks. He feels like that’s the safest answer.

“Only thing good that blasted Jedi Order ever taught you was how to handle younglings,” Ben says, and then spits on the ground as if the words themselves have left a bad taste in his mouth.

Anakin blinks and wonders if he should say something to remind the brothers that he’s here. For an interview. “And my magic tricks,” Obi-Wan rolls his eyes slightly before catching Anakin’s eye and winking. With a wave of his hand, a flimsi-sheet flies over the counter and into Anakin’s chest. He catches it unthinkingly. “Would you like to sign in, sir?” “Get out of here,” Ben barks, snatching the flimsi from Anakin’s hand and pushing it back to the counter. “Like I said, the only one’s impressed with that is the younglings.”

“I don’t know, your man looks impressed,” Obi-Wan says slyly, even as he pushes himself away from the counter and around the edge of it.

Anakin isn’t sure what he looks like. He doesn’t think impressed is the word he’d use though.

When Obi-Wan brushes past him, the static electricity in the air jumps between their shoulders. Anakin feels as if he’s been shocked.

Obi-Wan must feel it too because he stops only a few inches away and looks at Anakin. For the first time, his expression is open. Curious. Considering.

“Get!” His brother insists, and Obi-Wan obeys, throwing one last look over his shoulder at Anakin before he slips out the door.

The shop feels somehow much bigger now that the other man has left. Ben sighs and rubs a hand down his face. He looks older now. More worn. “So that was my brother,” he tells Anakin wearily. “Who you would most likely see frequently if you were to take this job. I would understand completely if you would like to start by talking compensation.”

[rainyamidala]

authors note : hii!! i was listening to my playlist and then hoax by Taylor Swift played. I couldn't help but think about what happened on Mustafa and decided to act out on it - in fan fiction. this MIGHT also count as part two ? also, i started writing this right after publishing my first story but never got around to finising it. I hope its alright!

might be some grammar errors, seeing as i am not american or an english day-to-day speaker!!

im also writing a story with Sam Monroe rn, hoping to have it done by friday. I'm hoping the gifs don't look odd, never used them before.

-

"I haven't seen him since he left."

Obi-Wan was desperate to know where Anakin was, but y/n didn't understand why. He had come here to ask her when the last time she saw him, and it didn't take much small talk before the questions came pouring like lemonade on a hot summer day in the middle of June.

"Do you know where he is right now?"

"No, I don't." but she desperately wanted to know, too. She knew he wasn't at Naboo - Obi-Wan wouldn't have asked for her help if he was. But if we are here to confess, she had gone to look for him there multiple times. But she never saw him again after he left.

"Please, y/n. I need your help." y/n walked over to the couch right by the duo. The same couch she and Ani had been sitting in only a couple of days before.

"he's in grave danger."

"from the sith?"

"From himself. He has turned to the dark side." Obi-Wan put his hand on her shoulder, trying to comfort her while delivering these news. Not even she can bring him to his senses now, only Anakin himself can.

"you're wrong." y/n started, shaking her head.

"it cannot be, he would never."

"I know why he left, and i know you went to visit him before he did. you shouldn't have." Obi-Wan knew that Anakin had strong feelings and were attached. It was ultimately Obi-Wan's decision to send Anakin away to Naboo - but he had returned just a couple of days ago. The killings of the younglings were his fault - among the other things that had happened the last couple of hours / days. And Obi-Wan explained everything.

,

a couple of days later, y/n was on her way to mustafar. She'd gotten information from C-3PO that Anakin was enjoying his stay here. Said reason was because he needed some time alone - y/n also had to promise not to tell anyone, because he had promised Anakin that he wouldn't say anything to anyone. If he did, he would be destroyed.

Anakin needed time alone, so it might not be the best thing to bother him – but it had been 2 days since he'd been seen last.

On the way, y/n was stressed out. She was scared that everything Obi-Wan had said was true - that the true Anakin was lost and long gone. But at the same time, Anakin had been on edge every time y/n would do so much as mention Obi-Wan lately. Maybe they turned against each other? It can't be. There is no way. They are like father and son - though neither would admit to it, their love and loyalty to each other goes too deep to ever turn against each other. But why would Obi-Wan put out such rumours? Anakin killing younglings and turning to the dark side? Thats not the Anakin she knows .. That anyone knows.

.

Anakin saw y/n ship and ran over, happy to see her more than anything or anyone. He wanted to see her and he wanted to talk to her .. But after recent events, he cannot return to Coruscant. Not yet.

y/n saw Anakin, she opened the hatch before getting up. She ran out of the ship, leaving C-3PO inside.

The couple ran to each other, hugging as soon as they got close enough to do so. While in the hug, Anakin broke the short lived silence.

"I saw your ship. What are you doing here?"

"Obi-Wan told me terrible things.. You've turned to the dark side – killed younglings?" Y/n was out of breath, and that plus the huge lump in her throat made it hard to speak. It was almost like the lump was filled with tears and sorrow, waiting to burst any minute.

Speaking, Anakin couldn't look her in the eyes. Look in her face as he was forced to lie to her. He knew she would never be able to look at him the same - love him if she knew the truth. Because the truth is that he is trying to save her: cost what it may. If a few lives has to go lost in order for his love to have hers? So be it.

"He is trying to turn you against me."

"He cares about us, Anakin. He wouldn't-"

"Us?" Anakin barely let y/n finish speaking before he did. His voice was soft but also confused, in a way.

"He knows.. He has known ever since you returned. Anakin, he wants to help you."

He almost had to laugh. To detain the laugh, he had to smile. Let the laugh out in a different way than noise. He looked down and shook his head, but the smile was short lived. The thought of Obi-Wan wanting to 'help' him after what he did was almost laughable. The fact that y/n believed him *was* laughable.

"All I want is your love. So please, just-"

"Love won't save you, y/n. But I can. So please, just trust me." Their eyecontact was not to be broken. They looked each other right in the eye - doing so, y/n realised something was definitely off with him. Was he turning into someone else? Something else?

"You're a good person. Don't do this. I'm begging you."

"I won't lose you the way I lost my mother. I'm becoming more powerful than any Jedi has ever dreamed of. I'm doing it for you, to save your life."

Losing his mother was tough. It was always them against the world - and then he left to become something better. Bigger. But when he returned again, she was dying in his arms before he could do anything about it. A part of him joined the dark side right there and then when he killed them all. Men, women .. Children. He can see things before they happen and had had a repeating dream that y/n would be killed by a lightsaber - but never saw a face except hers. She was going to die if he didn't do something.

no matter the cost.

"No life is worth more lives. To be hurt is to be human, Ani. But I'm not going to die. Not now. So it you truly want to protect me - if you don't want to lose me: come away with me. Lets leave everything else behind while we still can." She was holding his face with her hands, trying to lure him with comfort. But it wasn't working. Anakin wasn't Anakin anymore.

"Don't you see it? We don't have to run away and hide anymore. I've brought peace to the Republic. I am more powerful than the chancellor. Together, you and I can rule the galaxy. Be together without worrying about what rules we are breaking."

hearing this, y/n backed away a few steps. Anakin was long gone, and Obi-wan was right. The lump of tears and sorrow was closer to breaking than it ever was before.

"Obi-Wan was right. You've changed - become something else." y/n furrowed her brows, face scrunching up as she attempted to battle the tears filling her eyes to the point where everything was a blur. It was like she needed glasses, but wasn't wearing them. A simple blink would make the tears overflow and quickly let go - and it was a matter of seconds before it would happen.

"I don't want to hear more about him. He turned against me - everyone did. I can't take you turning against me too." Even Anakin was on the verge of tears. Watching his one, true love hurt like this really got him some type of way.

"I don't know you anymore."

"I'm still me, my love."

"But you're breaking my heart." One or two tears ran a marathon down each one of y/n cheeks. It was getting hearder to talk now too. Harder the breathe. The lump had fractured but instead of dissolving? It just got bigger. Harder to swallow down and ignore.

"You are going down a path I cannot follow." She was taking sharp, needed breathes between sentences - staying backed off from the man in front of herself.

"Because of Obi-Wan?"

"Because of what you've done. What you plan to do. Stop. Stop this now and come back. It's not too late to come back."

While y/n was giving her speech, Anakin saw a figure moving behind her. He saw Obi-Wan.

"I love you." y/n didn't know what she could possibly say to bring Anakin back to her and to his real, good self. All she knew was her own feelings for him, which was pure and clean love. She was hoping reminding him of this could help, but it didn't.

"Liar!" Anakin yelled.

"You're with him. He's here to kill me and you brought him." Anakin was hurt, scared. But his true emotions didn't come through: didn't matter. The dark side had taken over his body and he had no choice but to obey. It was natural now.

Anakin brought up his hand, using the force to choke y/n as Obi-Wan came walking out of the ship. Y/n tried to say no - tried to explain how she didn't know Obi-Wan was on the ship and how she would never betray him like that. But it didn't matter. No words made sense and it was getting harder and harder to make a single sound. Imagine what its like breathing.

"Let her go, Anakin."

"Give me a reason." Anakin responded, seeing nothing but red.

"Let her go."

he did.

Anakin let her go.

Y/n fell onto the ground, unconscious.

Anakin quickly realized what he had done, but it didn't matter. He might be the most powerful sith out there, but he couldn't reverse time.

"You turned her against me."

anakin yelled, looking from her to Obi-Wan.

"You have done that all by yourself.

"You will not take her from me."

"Your anger, foolishness and lust for power has done that already. You have no one to blame but yourself."

.

a few days later, Anakin had fought Obi-Wan and lost. He wasn't dead but he was closer than ever. Until he was found and saved.

Obi-Wan had brought y/n away from mustafar, and they were now having a conversation about the events.

"He's a good person." y/n started, breaking the empty silence in the air.

"I know."

“His love was the only hoax I believed in,” she spit, redirecting her sadness into anger. How could he do what he did out of love? 

"He loved you deeply, y/n. You must know that."

"He didn't do it for love. He did it for power, like you said."

"I said that when i was angry. Angry at myself for not seeing the signs that he was becoming something else. I needed to blame someone else than myself for only a minute, so I blamed Anakin."

"It has frozen my ground. I'm not able to move without seeing him everywhere. Even now, when you came - i thought and I hoped that it would be him." Obi-Wan, fighting his own despair, nodded sympathetically, grabbing hold of her hand for comfort.

"It's said he's alive, you know?" y/n said, before the silence was born once again.

[marvelstars]

I think there´s not enough talk about the relationship between Anakin and Obi-Wan and Anakin relationship with Padmé.

In the fandom there´s a take that Anakin didn´t trust Obi-Wan and that´s why he didn´t tell him about his relationship but I don´t think this case is so simple, the problem wasn´t just Obi-Wan´s reaction, it was also the council of the Order and the fact that not marriage is an actual rule in the order nobody is supposed to break, a rule they definitely were not going to change just to accomodate Anakin.

The truth of the matter is that while Obi-Wan tried to be a supporting teacher he usually takes the council side when they and Anakin have a disagreetment, this happens in the movies and in the clone wars series so my guess is that this is usual behavoir with Obi-Wan in relation to Anakin, in this both Anakin and Qui-Gon are very similar. Obi -Wan often disagreed with Qui-Gon for fighting the council and told him that he already would have been part of the Council if he didn´t fight them so much.

Anakin is aware of this, he also knows Obi-Wan has worked for years towards getting a place in the council, it´s important for Obi-Wan in a way it never was for Anakin or Qui-Gon. So part of the reason Anakin didn´t told him was because he thought Obi-Wan would not approve but also to not put him in the ankward place of knowing about Anakin´s marriage and not tell the council to which he belongs.

It´s fun because Obi-Wan knows, Anakin knows and Padmé knows but they never, ever talk openly about it because it would be making it a reality.

Still even if Obi-Wan is supporting that doesn´t mean Anakin can stay a Jedi once it´s discovered and this was something Anakin knew. In the ROTS novel he talks about becoming one of the new "lost ones" because he can´t keep being a Jedi once Padmé gives birth.

From Anakin´s pov, the main reason that linked him to the Jedi Order was Obi-Wan, he wasnt happy in the order, he didn´t agree with some of their principles and he very much wanted to be Padme´s husband so his main interest in the clone wars was to help the Order during the war, make sure Obi-Wan was safe and once the war was done he was planning to leave the Order to live with Padmé on Naboo.

It´s pretty clear in ROTS he just wants the war to end, he doesn´t care if it´s Obi-Wan or him the one who defeats grievous, when Palpatine brings the matter to make Anakin mad at Obi-Wan, Anakin just shurgs, as long as the war ends everything would be ok and he mostly just wanted to follow Obi-Wan because he was feeling worse day by day on, Coruscant, he wasn´t sleeping and he was worried for Obi-Wan and Padme.

Obi-Wan knew in a way it was a matter of time for Anakin to leave the Order, his words very much sound like a goodbye before he left to fight grievous so I believe one of the reasons he didn´t want to talk about this with Anakin is because he didn´t want to make it real and make Anakin leave sooner. This is also why Anakin´s main conflict in the movie is to make sure Padme survives the birth, not wether he remains a Jedi or not, his decision was already made in that area.

In a world where Anakin doesn´t fall to the darkside and there´s no Empire I believe he still would have left the Order to be with his family but not because he could not tell Obi-Wan but because it´s simply the way the Order manages itself and Anakin wasn´t in a possition or had the wish, to ask them to change their rules.

Curiously enough it was Padme the one who insisted to Anakin to stay in the Order after their marriage and during the war, she only had a different oppinion once it was clear they were going to have a child and had to plan towards the event of Anakin being left outside the Order and her to lose her position in the Senate but in the end, both of them wanted to have a family on Naboo.

Anakin is making me all sad for all the trust he had in Palpatine here, he had confidence that everything would be ok once the war ended. Of course Palpatine told him he was going to bring peace, he just didn´t tell him how he was going to do it.

[passable-talent]

anakin skywalker x gn!reader

redeemer: part 7

new chapters every two days at 10 am EST :) until all eight parts are posted

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He takes you to the lounge, and both of you settle down onto the floor, knees just about brushing. He’s discarded his cape, now, too, and even the armored chest plate and belt. With only the flight suit, he looks much less sinister. How old is he, anyway? If he’s a few years older than you, that would make him almost thirty, wouldn’t it?

“I haven’t done this in a long time,” he says quietly, “letting someone in.”

“I’ve never tried.”

He looks up at you again, that look back on his face, that one that makes him look scared, and alone. 

“I can- I can teach you,” he says, the words choked out of his chest. You roll your hand, which had been resting on your knee, forward onto his knee to offer him the slightest comfort for whatever made him feel so terrible. 

“What is it?” you ask him softly, quietly, not wanting your voice to carry across the metal ship, wanting to drown in the soft humming of its motion through space. 

“Just. . . thinking about my padawan,” Anakin answers, closing his eyes. He’s so young, even now; older than you, maybe, but he’s no old man. And to think that all of this happened a decade ago. . . he was too young, then. Too young to have a padawan. Too young to fall.

He shakes himself off, but you know it’s still there, in the back of his head as he speaks. You can’t get a clear picture, the bond between you too new and too weak, but you can see white sabers. 

“I’m going to open my mind to you, and you’ll be able to explore any memory you want. You’ll feel as I did during them. I’m sorry if it’s overwhelming.” 

Your heart hurts that he would apologize for his own emotions. 

“You have to enter my mind. It’ll be easier if we’re closer together- it’s not quite a mind probe, but similar.”

He tugs on your calves slightly, as though trying to prompt you closer, but it’s hard to be closer with your knees already touching. You lift your legs and pull them both to the left side of his hips, scooting close enough that your thigh presses against his. 

“Give me your hand,” he adds, and you slip your palm into his. “It’ll help.”

You close your eyes once settled and reach out to the force. 

He’s blinding, even with your eyes closed. He still glows, solar flares exploding from him and washing over you. It’s not burning as it once was, it’s warm, and it’s too easy to be drawn into it. 

An image starts to take form. At first, all you can feel is sensation: hot, scratchy clothes; hot, dry air. There are goggles on your forehead and you’ve scraped your elbow; you can feel the wet spot in your tunic where it’s bleeding. You’re climbing down from something, some sort of vehicle, and you cry out for your mom as you walk through the threshold of a white cement door. 

She hugs you and kisses your forehead. She helps you take off the bloody shirt and bandages you up. When you still have watery eyes, she kisses the bandage and pulls you into her arms again. You feel safe; you feel loved. 

It blurs like a dream, skipping through time unnoticeably, intangibly. You’re older now, you don’t hurt yourself nearly as often, even though you’re doing much more dangerous things with your podracer. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of podracing: the speed, the adrenaline of making fast, deadly decisions. You hear whispers that you cheat, but nothing sticks, because their only evidence is this: you’re too young to be this good. You think it’s just that you’re better.

Jedi come to town, two of them. You look up at Qui-Gon Jinn and he smiles, encouraging your risk-taking behavior. He gambles with you. He shows you his saber. You shake hands with Obi-Wan Kenobi, and he makes you laugh. They come at the sides of Padme Amidala, the most beautiful woman that you’ve ever seen. 

They take you away from your mother, and some part of you stays with her, some part that you’re afraid you’ll never find again. You cry against her, and you cry on the ship, and you cry at the Jedi temple. They teach you that you aren’t supposed to, but it hurts too much not to. 

The pain stays as you grow, but you grow around it, holding it carefully but living in spite of it. You grow to be a padawan, not to Qui-Gon Jinn, the warm and fatherly old man, but to the young and serious Obi-Wan Kenobi. You love him dearly, and you remind yourself that his sharp yet caring criticisms prove that he loves you, too. You try not to think about what Qui-Gon would have been like. You try not to let yourself cry over him, too. You hadn’t known him long enough. It’s not fair.

Padme. . . she’s fiery and beautiful, just like she was. She’s a senator, now, breaking rules at your side, laughing on Naboo with you, framed by meadows and waterfalls. 

She’s there when the memory grows hot and dry again. She’s there when the piece of you left behind with your mother dies, leaving you broken, a hole forever within you missing its final piece. You try to fill it with revenge, with the death of those responsible and more, but it doesn’t work. 

So you try to fill it with love, instead, the love that your mother would’ve wanted you to have. Padme wears a white lace veil, and she looks like an angel. 

It’s wartime, so you don’t see her as much as you’d like. The longer you go without seeing her, the more you’re tortured by visions of her death, and it’s just like your mother, it’s the same thing all over again, you can’t let it happen again. You try to find help, but your masters don’t offer any. She’s going to die, and they won’t help. 

Palpatine offers to help. 

He’s always sort of. . . been there, like a shadow following you around. It’s a little bit unsettling, but you’ll accept that if it means that she lives. Especially now that. . . 

You smile when you think of the child she’s carrying for you. It’s hope, and love, and you discuss their name in hushed whispers in late nights in Padme’s apartment, illuminated by the glittering Coruscant skyline. Padme always smells like flowers on nights like that, as terribly holonet-romance it sounds. Leia, if a girl, the name meaning lioness or flower, depending on who you ask. Padme’s idea, but you love it. Your idea: Luke. 

The thought of them dying along with your wife tears you apart, attacking the piece of you already missing and making the hole bigger and bigger and bigger until it feels like there’s nothing of you left, and it’s terrible, it’s eating you alive, and your saber is cleaving through Mace Windu, a master you trusted and confided in, and you’re given a new name as tears run down your face. It’s swallowing you in darkness as you kill children, and the pit of black you’ve fallen into rips at you, filled with spikes and blades and the screams of the same children you once hoped to raise your own beside. 

You’re jarred. You’d gotten lost in Anakin’s mind, but a tactile sensation on your actual body pulls you out. You have to readjust, for a moment, still swallowed by his memory but on your own, just enough, to realize that he’s slipped his fingers between your knuckles, and he’s holding tightly. 

You fall back into his mind with no trouble, because this is familiar. Dreams of scorching lava and stone, and the overwhelming feeling of falling, but not physically- falling deep into depths of betrayal and loneliness and grief. 

He’s alone on a planet of lava, and just for a moment he feels like it might be alright, because he ends the war and sees his wife. But even then, things fall apart. You feel something a bit different, because you feel how Anakin thinks about the memory instead of feeling it on its own. You feel his rage, not at Obi-Wan, who stands in front of him, but at himself. His wife was dying, and he just stood there, focused on someone else. 

Their sabers came to clash, rage at an old friend, hatred where love used to be, and still there are tears on his face. You watch it like an observer, Anakin’s darkness in his every movement, up until the instant that Obi-Wan proclaims his victory. Anakin thinks about jumping, yells about it with his yellow eyes, but he doesn’t get the chance- a superstructure whose heat shields had failed crashes down between them. Anakin flips back onto a piece of debris in the lava to avoid it, and looks up at the melting structure and through its heatwave to see Obi-Wan struggling up the black sand banks. 

There’s no victory here, he can see that now that they’re separated by more than a few feet. He’s tired, and angry, and his master needs him to return. 

Once again, you feel his rage at his choices. His wife was dying, and he left. 

The memory blurs, after that. Ten long years of the hatred and rage and, overall, profound loss that he forces the rest of the galaxy to feel rather than feel it within himself. You start pulling from the memory, seeming to have caught up to everything you needed to know, but he pulls you back, like he needs you to see more. And surprisingly, you see yourself through his eyes, the kindness that he hadn’t felt in ten years, acceptance, hope. The promise of a son, the child of Padme, but someone who would help him. . . he shows you Arusieum, a forest of light and life that made him feel the way that Padme’s waterfalls and meadows once had. 

It all fades away slowly, until you’re only aware of yourself. Your hips are a little tired of sitting on the hard metal floor, and your right thigh is cold, as the left is pressed to him. He grips your left hand tightly, fingers intertwined, and your right hand has found its way to them both, clasping his palm between yours. The climate controlled air of the ship cools tracks of tears over your cheekbones. 

Your eyes open slowly, and only then do you realize that you both had leaned in closer, foreheads only inches from each other. He hasn’t opened his eyes yet, and so you get to take him in as you could never have before now. Not as a former Jedi, or a Sith, or a Republic General, or an Imperial Commander, but only as him. Anakin Skywalker, Darth Vader. He showed you the path that he had walked so that you could understand him, and now, you do. 

He had lost so much. Including himself.

You don’t much think about it, just lean forward more and throw your arms around him, hugging him tightly. Why you did it, you didn’t even know, it just. . . it just felt right. And when his arms come around you as well, clutching onto you and pressing his fingertips into the muscle of your back as though he fears he is going to fall right from your grip, you let him. 

You can’t even fathom a man who had suffered more than Anakin Skywalker. 

“I trust you,” you breathe, turning down your head to press your face into his shoulder. “I’m sorry.” 

He says nothing, but you think you feel him sob. 

***

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[imagineyourworld]

Hi! Would you do e. “Please don’t tell me that’s what I think it is.” With the pronouns she/her for obi wan? Thank you so much (sorry for having to resend, I misread it the first time) 💓

Hi,

No problem at all! Thanks for the request, it seems perfect for Obi-Wan (the poor man just needs a break, doesn't he?)

Hope you'll enjoy.

Love, Charlie

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Obi-Wan Kenobi x Fem!Reader

Warnings:

e. "Please don't tell me that's what I think it is."

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The thought that this might be a bad idea never even crossed your mind. All you could think of were three pairs of eyes staring up at you, asking you not to tell anyone and to keep the secret. But the logical part of your brain somewhat won over. "Guys, you can't keep a tooka in a supply closet." Those were the first words that left your mouth, and the ones that lead you down this road. Waxer and Boil let out a sigh of relief. They then hurried to make you promise not to tell anyone and reassured you that they would tell Cody when the timing was right. "You know what, I don't really think the timing will be right any time soon. Cody's busy and stressed at the moment, if we make him take care of one more living thing I'm quite sure he'll explode or faint and the med bay is quite full as it is. I'll take it to my room instead and keep it safe." The two clones looked at each other, then down at the tooka in Boil's lap before turning back to you. "You're not gonna tell the General?" Now that was a tough question. You and Obi-Wan were... close. He often came by your quarters in the evening to talk, had done so ever since you joined the 212nd as a civilian medic, though recently you had done a bit more kissing and a bit less talking. Maybe you could manage to keep the talking to a minimum and the kissing to a maximum. You nodded while asking a follow up question at the same time. "What are you gonna do with it once we land on Coruscant?" Waxer shrugged, the expression on his face telling you that they hadn't thought that far ahead yet. "We might give her to Senator Organa. When we escorted him a couple of weeks ago he mentioned wanting a daughter and-" You interrupted him before he could even finish his sentence. "I don't think he was referring to tooka, but rather a human." The tooka in Boil’s lap made a sound that almost sounded offended. You sighed as you bent down to pet the small animal, while the two clones glanced at each other with matching grins on their faces. Maybe you were right about Senator Organa, but the way you treated the tooka with such affection and the feline in return jumped from Boil’s lap to sit down on top of your feet gave them a new idea.  “You know, a supply closet might really not be the best place for a tooka”, Waxer started, referring back to your earlier statement. “Maybe she’d be more comfortable in your room, it’s bigger at least.”  He didn’t even need to ask directly, the thought of taking her back to your room, at least until you could find a permanent home, had crossed your mind as well.  “Alright”, you sighed, trying to keep up a reluctant act. 

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At first having the little tooka in your room wasn’t so bad. She slept in the little nest of pillows and blankets you had made for her while you finished your reports, but after she woke up the chaos began.  “No, no, no. Get away from there, that’s”, you started, trying to chase her away from her spot on your nightstand where her paw was just centimeters away from the glass of water you kept there. “- breakable...”  In tone with your last word she pushed the full glass down, making it break upon contact with the floor and water flooding the room.  “You really are a lot of trouble, aren’t you? And you never listen, kinda reminds me of someone...”, you mumbled more to yourself than to the tooka as you began mopping the floor with the nearest available item, which happened to be a sock from your laundry basket.  “Don’t we have cleaning droids for that?”, a voice interrupted you.  You sat up immediately, barely avoiding your forehead hitting the night stand.  Obi-Wan had shown up in your room, as he did most nights. His robes were casually thrown across his arm while he looked at you with amusement in his eyes.  The instant you heard his voice you remembered your promise to Waxer and Boil, but that had been before you had agreed to take the tooka back to your room, and way before you had found out how much of a trouble maker she actually was. Just a second later it turned out that you didn’t have to say anything, about why you were drying water off your floor and how it had gotten there, because the feline jumped out of her nest and headed straight for Obi-Wan.  “Please don’t tell me that’s what I think it is”, the Jedi sighed. He tried his best to put on a stern expression, but as soon as he looked at the small tooka you could see affection in his eyes.  “You weren’t supposed to see her”, you mumbled in reply, because even though you knew Obi-Wan didn’t have the heart to throw the tooka out you also knew that he would insist that a spaceship was no place to keep a pet.  As he picked up the small animal and she got settled in his arms he raised an eyebrow at you.  “I wasn’t supposed to see her? How long did you think you could keep this a secret?”  You shrugged. Realistically you should have known it would come out sooner rather than later, but if Waxer and Boil had managed to keep her in a small supply closet anyone could walk into at any given moment for who knew how long, you should have been able to hide the tooka in your room until you reached Coruscant.  “A couple more days, maybe a week.”  Obi-Wan sighed as he sat down on your bed, the tooka still in his arms, He looked at her with the same expression he often had when looking at Anakin or Ahsoka, something you knew was love and the desire to protect those he loved.  “Or maybe she could stay here”, you said, more to yourself than to Obi-Wan.  His attention shifted from the tooka to you as you sat down next to him and began to pet the feline that was beginning to fall asleep again.  “You’ve mentioned that you might want to take on another Padawan, how different could a tooka really be?”  Obi-Wan looked from the tooka to you and back again. He had began to talk about getting another Padawan recently and he had to admit that he longer he held the feline in his arms the fonder he grew of her.  “But a tooka is nothing like a Padawan”, he argued.  You raised your eyebrow at him, a gesture Obi-Wan loved when it was directed at someone else, because it usually meant you would destroy them in an argument, but hated in that moment.  “A tooka, especially this tooka, is no different than your former Padawan, or his Padawan for that matter. She probably listens to you as good as Anakin, gets into as much trouble as him as well, and she’s just as understanding and snippy as Ahsoka. We could even name her Padawan!”  It was the last sentence that caught Obi-Wan’s attention. We. You had never used that word before, at least not when referring to the two of you. Did that mean you wanted there to be a we?  “We could take shifts in caring for her, and I’m sure most of the clones would help as well. She’d have a good life with us.”  You could see that Obi-Wan was still a bit unsure, so you decided to use your charm to your advantage.  “Please, think about it”, you whispered as you leaned closer. So close that your lips were touching his, just a soft and gentle touch, but it made Obi-Wan want more.  “Visiting Padawan would even give you a reason to continue to come to my room late at night”, you said, now pressing a soft kiss against his lips before you continued down to his jaw and then his neck, peppering kisses on every inch of skin you could reach.  “Fine”, he sighed just as your lips met the sweet spot beneath his ear. He could feel your bright smile against his skin, which instantly made him realize that he had made the right decision.  “But we’re not naming her Padawan”, he tried to reason with you. But you just shrugged, that was an argument for another day. 

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“We’re keeping the tooka”, Boil, a few rooms over, told Waxer.  His brother looked at him, confusion written clearly on his face.  “What makes you say that?”  Boil, with a shit eating grin, sat down next to him on his bed before confessing that he had been listening to the conversation between you and Obi-Wan.  “How did you even know the General would visit her room tonight?”, Waxer asked.  Boil just shrugged. “He’s in there every night. But what’s more important, we’re keeping the tooka. (Y/N) even gave her a name, she’s called Padawan.”  Before Waxer could voice his excitement another voice interrupted their conversation.  “What tooka?”, Cody asked, arms crossed across his chest.  Waxer and Boil looked at each other. Now that General Kenobi knew, surely they could tell Cody as well, right?  “What tooka?”, he repeated, suddenly less sure he even wanted to know the answer to his question.  But before he got an answer Padawan ran into the room and stopped right in front of Cody with a small “meow”.  Apparently you and Obi-Wan had been a bit too busy with each other to notice her escaping your room.

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I don’t know why, but this request just screams for a small animal to be included. And can you imagine Obi-Wan with a cat??