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morganas-pendragons · 4 years

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take us back | obi-wan

as soon as i got this ask, i couldn’t pass it up. i also woke up in a mood to write obi-wan because i actually wrote this exact prompt into a oneshot for my oc last night while listening to this song and yeah.. this happened. have fun!

requested by: @kaminobiwan + connecting to his fake death in the rako hardeen arc

the song used is the night we met by lord huron and the reader is the jedi!reader from the other obi fics i’ve written, so this is for a female reader :) screw canon

tag: @dressed-up-heartbreak // @obiorbenkenobi // @anakinsahsoka

obi-wan tag is open! if this angst sucks, blame (SPOILER) jesse for dying because i haven’t been able to angst well since tcw finale

***

You only have one thought in your mind whenever you watch - in indescribably slow motion - the body fall from the rooftop in which Obi-Wan had chased the owner of the rogue bullet that had broken your quiet camaraderie with Anakin and Ahsoka. You’re almost naive and oblivious enough to miss the flash of auburn hair.

I’m not fast enough, I’m not-

“Master!” Your grandpadawan cries your name from the shadows as you sharply turn the corner and come to an abrupt stop at the sight in front of you. Ahsoka Tano - your grandpadawan who is so close to your heart - has collapsed in the alleyway with Obi-Wan Kenobi cradled in her arms. He’s not moving. Not breathing.

Your heart stops in your chest and you lose all ability to breathe. This isn’t the first time you’ve lost Obi-Wan Kenobi, oh no. Jabiim left a scar on both you and Anakin.

“No, no.. you cannot leave. Not yet! Not yet! She-She needs you.”

I am not the only traveler

who has not repaid his debt

This isn’t the first time you’ve felt helpless around him either. You’d long surrendered to the idea of loving him despite The Jedi Code years ago. That was why the wedding band hanging on the chain around your neck feels like it now carries the weight of the world.

Your shoulders sag in defeat.

i’ve been searching for a trail to follow again

“I need you.”

You do need him, but you don’t have that luxury now. You lost him. He’s gone.

Take me back to the night we met

***

You and Obi-Wan Kenobi met at the tender age of ten and twelve. Even though you’d grown up in the same créche as him and Aayla Secura, somehow The Force had kept the two of you apart until the most convenient moment where he’d been in the midst of fighting Bruck of all people, and you’d been the one who’d pulled him out of it. The calm to his storm.

He had stuck close to you ever since. Your Force - the very essence of your soul that exuded light - was the thing that kept him grounded in the midst of all the suffering he’d endured since he was a child. Even after Siri and Xanatos and Naboo and all the death he faced.. Obi-Wan always came back to you.

And years later, you were always waiting.

***

You weren’t waiting anymore.

The funeral is as all Jedi funerals are. There is no mourning, no grieving, only expressionless masks of Jedi Masters and Knights as you and Anakin watch your husband and brother be put into the ground. You hate it. Despise it. Just the sight alone is enough to make her leave The Order and never look back.

But then Anakin would be alone, and Ahsoka would be helpless to look after him. You couldn’t do that.

He died and you weren’t there to save him.

Not to them.

His Padawan braid weighs heavily in your hand. One of the bands that had been attached to your own had been for kriffing force healing, for Makers sake, and you could’ve saved him from this had you just been faster. He’s dead. He’s dead, and you can’t mourn him because you have to focus on Anakin and Ahsoka, and Maker- Satine will not stop sobbing-

And then it hits you full force just as his body is lowered into the ground. Cody and the 212th are not aware that their father has just been buried. That their jettise is dead.

Your son will never forgive himself for it. Cody is just that type. Loyal to a fault, and guilty beyond comprehension when he feels as if he hasn’t performed his duty.

And his duty is always going to be to his jetti-buir.

“Where are you going?” Anakin has the audacity to yell after the funeral is over, unaware of how closely he’s being watched, as his Former Master flees the room and moves towards the hangar where their speeder is waiting for you. “We need you here!”

A monster, born of repressed grief and rage over the circumstances in which you and Obi-Wan were in when he was lost to you again, flashes in your eyes and it’s enough to make Anakin wince and slowly back in the opposite direction.

“i have a company of clones-“ You meanssons, and he knows that. “Who need my attention more then you do right now, Anakin. Go home.”

The Hero With No Fear has one fear in that moment as he watches his former Master walk away: It’s that he will lose you too.

***

“Why didn’t you save me? You were right there, we were together and happy and you were just.. useless.”

I had all and then most of you

Something that I never knew

Your dreams are haunted by him. He’s everywhere. And the cruel thing is? He looks exactly the same as he has since you were both knighted. He looks like Obi-Wan - the very soul that yours was drawn to - and that stings because there’s nothing you want more in this world at the moment then the ability to just... hold him. Kiss him. Have him.

Take me back to the night we met

If you dwell on him any more then you already have, you will succumb to your desire to just slip away and be with him in the peace of eternity forever. The Cosmic Force sounds like bliss compared to the hell you endure every time you open your eyes and find yourself met with a cold bed and an even colder home.

That doesn’t even begin to cover the broken force bond. Your skull thrums with the ache of the emptiness inside your mind - the spot where Obi-Wan used to occupy - and there comes a point where you’re in so much pain that you cannot move from your bed.

He hovers over you while you sleep. Your dreams are not kind to you. They’re taunting. All the what-could’ve-beens that the two of you had not had the time to experience together.

I don’t know what I’m supposed to do

Haunted by the ghost of you

“Take me back to the night we met.” You whisper. To who, no one knows, but you like to imagine that even in death, he’s waiting for you the way you spent so many years waiting for him.

Your grief turns into an irrevocable numbness. You go for so long without social contact from anybody for fear they’ll unravel you. So long without feeling the love of your family in the Order that you start hallucinating him. He looks real, he feels real-

“Kark you, Obi-Wan Kenobi! For dying and for leaving me alone and for not telling me you love me before you go!” You yell in the dead of night until your voice is hoarse and your fingers are clenched so tightly that they’ve begun going white, and part of you wonders if you stopped living and started existing when you watched his body fall from that rooftop. “Stop haunting me!”

when the night was full of terror

and your eyes were filled with tears

You almost wish you hadn’t said it because as soon as you do, the apparition dissipates and you are alone.

when you had not touched me yet

The sound of your heart breaking in your hands is what lulls you to sleep.

oh take me back to the night we met

***

When you meet Rako Hardeen and he has Obi-Wan Kenobi’s eyes, you’re not sure if you want to kill him or kiss him.

So while Anakin Skywalker goes supernova in his anger against his former Master for lying about his whereabouts and his mission for the Council, you bask in your silence by the cruiser that transported you and the clones to Naboo’s surface. You’re not sure what to say, if anything. You just want to look at him.

It’s not until you’re safely ensconced in your quarters that you can act on touching him.

“Darling, I-”

You hesitantly approach him, hand outstretched and eyes shining because you are so close to breaking - and then your fingers graze the skin of his collarbone and his knees buckle.

“You’re-” You swallow the knot in your throat as he winds his arm around your waist and presses your back to his front so he can bury your face in his hair. “You’re real.”

You waited for him.

“I’m real.” He whispers in your ear. “And I’m never leaving you. Never again.”

And he’d come back to you.

#Obi-Wan Kenobi x Reader #Obi-Wan x Reader #Star Wars imagines #Star Wars oneshots

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starstwinkleplanetsshine · 3 years

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Here’s a short little Anakin & Obi-Wan fic I wrote while avoiding my homework! Big thanks to my Space Girls :)

Read on AO3

It was late, too late, and Obi-Wan had just closed his curtains to block out the never-ending glow of the night lights of Coruscant. He wished he could do the same for the incessant noise, but he would just have to rely on the Force for that. As usual, he had spent longer than he thought he had meditating, and had just finished making some tea with the hopes of settling into bed as soon as possible. The days had been so exhausting lately, the Jedi were becoming increasingly more involved in the war against the Separatists, and these moments of peace and solitude were becoming a rarity for one of the most trusted and relied-upon Generals of the Republic. He could feel his eyelids drooping and was just about to enter his room when he heard a knock at the door. He let out a sigh, wondering who it could possibly be this late, and hoping to The Force it wasn’t something concerning the war. He opened it anyway, his tea just beginning to go cold in his hand, and was surprised at the sight. It was a welcome sight, of course, he always had time for his old padawan.

“Anakin, what brings you here? Of course it’s always a pleasure to see you, but why so late?”

“I, um...” he was glancing down, nervous. Obi-Wan thought he hadn’t seen him fidget like this since he was a young boy, but he recognized the old habit.

“Come in, my old Padwan” Anakin noticeably relaxed, dropping his hands and letting out a breath as the force calmed around him. As the two settled on the plain couch, Anakin spoke again.

“I guess I just wanted to say thank you. And...I’m sorry.” Obi-Wan's eyebrows shot up at this.

“Sorry? For what?”

“I get it now. I finally understand” Anakin wasn’t being too descriptive, but suddenly it clicked.

Their force bond, not as radiant or golden as it was when Anakin was his padawan, was still very much there and, when tapped into, was flowing with life. Obi-Wan lovingly sent a pressure, much like his hand on Anakin’s shoulder, through that bond just as he used to on particularly overwhelming assignments when Anakin was younger.

It had only been a few weeks since Anakin had been assigned a Padawan of his own, and Obi-Wan had loved watching Anakin settle into his new role. Gaining Anakin as a padawan changed him forever, and it opened up new areas of his heart that he never knew existed before. It was unlike anything Obi-Wan had ever experienced before, and he wouldn't trade it for the world.

But watching his old padawan get one of his own, and gaining an incredible, intelligent, powerful, and sassy grandpadawan was a whole new feeling entirely. Obi-Wan had felt that familiar feeling as if his heart were expanding, that terrifying connection he knew the name of but shuddered to label, that was forbidden, that he fought so hard against, but that he could never manage to deny or turn away.

Attachment.

Everyone who looked at Obi-Wan said he was a perfect Jedi, the younglings told stories about him, the padawans were jealous of Anakin, the other masters called him the best among them, and the Council respected and valued him. But only Obi-Wan knew the truth, that he would throw it all away for the now-young man sitting beside him and a young, spunky, wonderful Togruta girl.

“Is this about Ahsoka?” Obi-Wan asked gently, tearing himself away from his thoughts and out of his head.

“Yes,” Anakin responded quickly, as if he was relieved Obi-Wan said the words instead of him. “I never knew having a padawan would feel like this.”

“Like what?” Obi-Wan knew exactly what Anakin was talking about.

“Like…” Anakin struggled to find the words. He was being careful and vague, but Obi-Wan could pick up on his disturbance. Anakin’s shields had always been incredibly well guarded, they had to be, since he felt the force in a way that no other being ever had. He had to learn at a young age to keep himself contained, and keep the universe out.

But those shields didn’t include their bond.

Anakin continued speaking, “Like, if anything happened to her, I would feel responsible. I want to keep her safe and protect her and be a good master for her. I’m so worried I’m going to fail her, I feel like I’m not ready to teach since I’m still learning so much myself, and I don’t want to do it wrong.” The words were spilling out now, like a dam that had broken, and Obi-Wan let the waters rush over him. “And when she does something amazing, I’m so proud of her. She’s already such a better Jedi than I was at her age, and I’m constantly surprised and amazed by her. I feel so much pressure to do everything right, for her.”

Anakin took a shaky breath, looking into his lap. He was too embarrassed to meet his master's eyes. He knew what was coming next, chastisements of ‘be careful of attachment, padawan’ and ‘be mindful of your emotions.’ He knew he had said too much. When he spoke again, his voice was small and unsure.

“I didn’t know who else to come to. Is this how it's supposed to feel? Having a padawan?

The tea was now cold in Obi-Wan's hands, but he barely even remembered it was there. It took all of the years of diligent training to keep the tears from forming in his eyes. He didn’t care if it was indulgent, now instead of placing a hand on Anakin's shoulder through their bond, Obi-Wan reached up and comforted his old padawan, his friend, his brother, just as he would when Ani was just a lost, scared, and confused 10 year old boy curling up next to him after a bad nightmare.

“I don’t know how it's supposed to feel, my dear friend. All I know is, everything you said, all of your worry, fear, hopes, and wonder...that is exactly how I felt.” At this, Anakin finally looked up to meet his old master’s eyes. Hand still on his shoulder, Obi-Wan continued,

“And it's how I still feel.”

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inkognito97 · 7 years

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Yoda sees Phoenix!Obi-wan again, does this reincarnation remembers some of his past lives? Could Mace have some suspicion about this?

Yoda was overjoyed upon seeing the small baby in his Grandpadawan’s arms. Of course he hid his euphoria behind a carefully crafted mask of neutrality and serenity. As the Grandmaster of the Jedi Order, he was not allowed to have any favorites, especially not among the children, but in this case he could not help himself. After all, his greatest friend and comrade had been found again and even though the boy was so small, his Force aura was unmistakable. In fact, it was nearly the same as before, which was quite curious and Yoda wondered, if someone else would pick it up. His wise eyes rested on the tall Jedi Knight, holding the small bundle protectively. For the briefest of moments, his ears twitched. Was that a bond in the making? Curious, curious indeed and he would need to do anything, to ensure that his friend would get his wish.

Yoda watched the ginger haired boy closely over the years. Since the boy had not been named before he was taken away by the Jedi, it was left to them, to find a suitable name. Actually, it had been Qui-Gon’s right to name the boy and it surprised Yoda, when the ginger haired boy was named Obi-Wan Kenobi, just like he was called in his very first life. And even though the green Jedi Master found that very curious already, did he not think much more about this. Not until the boy had reached a certain age that is.

There was just no denying it. Obi-Wan had a strangely close relationship to Master Yoda. Under normal circumstances, Qui-Gon might not even have protested, but the fact that his own Padawan rather went to the green troll for support and guidance than to him, spoke volumes. The long haired Jedi irritated bit his lip to bring his ire back under control. He knew he shouldn’t have taken the boy back as his Padawan. Their relationship had been bad enough before Melida/Daan, now it was even worse. Qui-Gon turned away from the scene bitterly, he did not notice the pair dark brown eyes that watched his retreat.

Mace Windu was a suspicious man by nature, it came with the job description. After all, he was responsible for every single Jedi, no matter if said Jedi was in the temple or on missions. And even though he was technically not allowed to practice favoritism, he was still only human. And Qui-Gon had been his friend since their early years in creche, so he would be excused for looking out for the man, who had already suffered through so much.

He looked from the tense retreating back, to the pair that was kneeling nearby, under one of the tree. Yoda and Obi-Wan spent an awful lot of time together, always had. it was unusual for the green Jedi to do so and Mace was absolutely sure that it did not have anything to do with the fact that the ginger haired boy belonged to his lineage. Even before he had belonged there, Yoda had often meddled in Obi-Wan’s life. Perhaps it was the fact that the boy was named Obi-Wan, after a close friend of the green Master’s. Of course Mace knew all about that. Obi-Wan Kenobi, the original, was a legend. He gave his life to save the Jedi and the whole Order against the evil Sith, the ultimate sacrifice. But it did not give Yoda the right to interfere with another Master’s training.

Mace was sure that something was going on. He would need to keep an eye on things, just to be sure.

Obi-Wan blue-green eyes followed the form of the man, who was supposed to be his Master. It was strange, their bonds was one of the strongest to have existed - he would know, he already had a lot of those in his past lives - but somehow their partnership was failing.

“Troubled you are,” Yoda observed.

“I am,” acknowledged Obi-Wan. “And I don’t know what to do. This is the first time that I remember, that I am BEGINNING to remember.” He sighed, “And I am hurting the man, who gave his all to train me.”

Yoda hummed, “Stubborn, Qui-Gon Jinn is.”

Despite the dire situation, Obi-Wan’s mouth quirked. “Not as stubborn as you, old friend,” he said. Another sigh escaped him and with closed eyes, did he rise to his feet. “I should go and find him.”

“Speak to him, will you?” asked the smaller male.

“Yes… I will tell him that you warned me not to overstep my boundaries again,” his tone was teasing, but his eyes were serious. Yoda nodded his head in acceptance. Where Obi-Wan truly a mere Padawan, he definitely would have overstepped his boundaries, but in truth, Obi-Wan was a seasoned Jedi Master, who just needed to get to know and train his current body.

“May the Force be with you,” said Yoda.

“And with you, old friend,” Obi-Wan grinned and finally turned away to follow the tall male he called Master. of course he was very much aware of the presence of a certain Korun Master, but he pretended not to notice the dark skinned man, as he passed him. Hiss cover needed to remain, just for a little longer at least.

#star wars #obi wan kenobi #yoda #qui gon jinn #padawan obi-wan #phoenix au #phoenix obi-wan #remembering past lives #past lives #poor qui-gon #mace windu #meddling green troll #prompt #anonymous

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sanerontheinside · 7 years

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Stained glass above radicals, for the title prompt

@obaewankenope, @kyberpunk, @meabhair, @lilyrose225writes, @maawi, @eclipsemidnight So remember when I said I was working on title prompts, and one got away from me? That was this one. Honestly, this title is so beautiful, I just – !!! So the first piece, the one that I’ve linked, it hit the Stained Glass part of the title, but not the Radicals, so now - here, have the Radicals.(honestly I added like… 4 paragraphs in maybe 10 minutes? just now? and all the rest had been written before??? I’d just realised I didn’t have enough of crèchemaster Anakin and for some odd reason it took me A MONTH??! to add that in, sorry!, brain funnies)More from the Tahl Lives AU (aka the Blind!Obi-Wan AU also):

One day, not long into Qui-Gon’s newest nightmare of running the Alderaanian Temple, Tahl arrives in a whirlwind of activity and roughly jabs a finger into Qui-Gon’s sternum.

“You,” she declares, “need an Archivist. Your record-keeping is horrid.”

Qui-Gon raises his hands and backs away, shamelessly placing his Padawan between them. Obi-Wan takes this in good humour, but he also takes every opportunity to tease his Master afterwards. Qui-Gon does not mind. His Padawan can tease as much as he likes, but he’ll always protect his poor old Master.

Tahl’s appearance does make things much easier. And it’s not really Qui-Gon’s record-keeping that’s appalling, as it turns out. It’s that the systems in place in this Temple are outdated. Tahl tucks Obi-Wan under her arm and vanishes for three days straight, living on nothing but tea and biscuits – a programmer’s lifestyle that Qui-Gon, frankly, does not approve of.

“You’re very attached to your Padawan, Qui,” Tahl teases him.

“Don’t you start,” he grumbles, curling around the same sleeping Padawan protectively on her couch.

But by then things are already running more smoothly. At least now when they send out messages, there’s a chance someone will hear them.

They start to take missions again. Once, Qui-Gon had taken missions for Finis, sometimes by personal request. These days, he occasionally does so by request of Bail Antilles.

Some of the missions do, in fact, go to pieces.

Obi-Wan does not. Qui-Gon Jinn’s Padawan, his pride, is Knighted at the age of nineteen. He would have been ready a year ago, it just takes them that long to get to Coruscant because – ‘predictably,’ Obi-Wan says, ‘Qui-Gon found a way to get into trouble.’

‘Such cheek,’ Qui-Gon sniffs, while hiding a chuckle and tugging at his Padawan’s braid. He’ll cut that soon, he’ll take every chance to tug it affectionately now. (He gets in another soft tug at the ceremony.)

Years later, there’s talk of uneasy rumblings in the Senate, a gradual reshuffling. Two Jedi just barely save the Queen of Naboo from an assassination – or worse, internment in one of the camps – and bring her to Coruscant. They bring a child with them to Coruscant, a boy who burns bright as the stars.

The boy will not be trained, the Council says. Quinlan, sighing and shaking his head, paces down to the balcony to watch the Coruscant sunset while he sulks. Aayla says nothing, wanders off to find Master Tholme for a spar, and, maybe, advice on how to work around the Council. He’s only been doing it for years.

Tahl, who happens to be on Coruscant to set Micah’s brain back in order for getting himself injured on a mission, takes the opportunity to report on the progress of Alderaan’s Temple to the Council in person. She finds Quin on her way out of the chambers. Anger almost visibly colours the air around him, so Tahl stops to ask what’s wrong.

I have to send a slave-child back to Tatooine, apparently, Quin tells her, cynicism cutting sharply into his tone.

Banthashit, Tahl snaps, to his intense surprise, and offers to give the boy another option.

When Tahl returns to Alderaan with Quin and Aayla in tow and a boy who burns like a star going nova, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon exchange incredulous glances – or, well, Qui-Gon glances. Obi-Wan’s jaw fell open the moment he sensed this flare in the Force, and he hasn’t been looking anywhere so much as he’s been looking everywhere else. In the last eight years he’s been so acutely sensitised to the merest brush-strokes of Force signatures, traces of hands left hours or years ago – Anakin is almost blinding to him, he burns.

It takes some time to get used to. Obi-Wan is unsurprisingly skittish at first, but when Anakin finally asks why Obi-Wan has been avoiding him, a hurt note in his voice, Obi-Wan sighs and sinks to his knees and does his best to explain. Qui-Gon watches, and thinks he’ll finally see a Grandpadawan trained.

Obi-Wan, however, is the same cunning imp as he always was. Qui-Gon isn’t quite sure how, but somehow they both end up Anakin’s Masters. With so few Jedi at the Temple, and effectively only two Padawans (three, before Bant’s Knighting) the rules and the Code sometimes seem a bit – arbitrary. Besides, having two Masters was never, strictly speaking, against any rules.

But there is a growing unease in the galaxy. Sometimes, when Bail comes to the Temple with a request, it’s not one that guarantees safety during the mission. But Alderaan has always organised relief efforts for planets in need of them, and Naboo is currently very much in need.

Naboo’s Queen had taken one look at the Senate, and regally taken her leave. This haughty dismissiveness held in the face of the Senate’s haughty bickering, where they passed over her claims and concerns and selfishly dredged up their own – completely misplaced – insult. Queen Amidala returned to her planet, made peace with the Gungans, and led her attack. She didn’t regain control, and for a long dirty year she’s been fighting a war from the brush, taking camps when possible, saving resources.

Against his far better judgement, Qui-Gon agrees to help Bail Antilles, and accompanies Bail to Naboo with his Knight partner and their Padawan. They are there to protect the cargo, to distribute supplies to those in need, but Amidala asks them for help.

Anakin seems ready to promise her anything, but his Masters wisely forestall him. The Jedi are peacekeepers, Qui-Gon tells her. But, Obi-Wan argues, they keep peace among people – not droids programmed to kill. Qui-Gon turns his sighted eyes heavenward, draws on his hard-won serenity, and does not Force-swat his former Padawan.

They help the Queen retake her city. Anakin tangles with a starfighter while trying to figure out how it works, and Artoo takes him on a wild ride – during which he takes out the Trade Federation’s blockade. (His Masters are not entirely pleased.)

The Alderaanian Temple seems less empty after that, somehow. Some of the refugees, the survivors of the Naboo camps, chose to leave with the Alderaanian ships, and the Jedi welcomed them in the Temple. Suddenly they have younglings in the crèche, their Healer’s Halls are near full to capacity, and there’s even Temple staff. Many of them are not Force Sensitive, and yet they bring with them a sense of warmth and family that no one on Alderaan had ever realised they’d been missing.

Of course, with that warmth comes the demand of supplying, outfitting, and supporting so many new people. Qui-Gon’s migraines have returned full-force. “We’re not equipped for this,” he grumbles, complaining to Tahl. Tahl is busy laughing at the younglings, who are crawling over Obi-Wan and Anakin like they’re the best playthings they’ve seen in months.

But then Tahl turns around and comms the Council, simply drops the problem in their lap. Just to inform you, the Temple on Alderaan has taken twenty Force-Sensitive children from Naboo into the crèche, and one hundred refugees – what’s that? You’re breaking up – yes – connection’s a bit rough, I’m afraid.

The Coruscant Temple reroutes a few Healers and Knights, and even a few of the Masters. They also eventually send a swearing Mace Windu, but by then the Temple at least looks presentable, if covered in green paint in the oddest places.

Mace spends the next month meditating in the gardens. With Skywalker laughing at him as children use him for climbing practice. Not the Skywalker can laugh, when he’s rather in the same situation, toddlers clinging to his tunic sleeves and hugging his knees wherever he goes. He’s quite tall already, and the taller he gets, the happier the crèchelings are – the more of them fit on their favourite Padawan. But, as the saying goes, misery loves company, and Skywalker is only too happy to have the Head of the Order share in his lot in life.

Mace is quite content, even so. Now that Qui-Gon has the migraines, his seem to have mysteriously left him, fluttered off into the ether, while he’s on this well-deserved vacation from being pompous Head of the Order with a stick up his –

Master Windu’s return to Coruscant is closely followed by an influx of still more Knights and Masters, most of whom had been running difficult missions almost without reprieve for the last few years.

“We’re, apparently, being considered a resort,” Obi-Wan remarks at that.

Qui-Gon snorts. “Not if they all help.”

The Coruscant Temple has rotations for teaching classes and taking missions. The Alderaanian Temple requires everyone, mission roster or no, to take part in Temple life. He puts their guests to work. Mace made a wonderful crèchemaster, even left with a new Padawan of his own. The more Knights and Masters take children with them when they leave, the greater the number of victories Qui-Gon will tally for himself.

(The less mouths to feed on overstretched funds. Generous as Bail Antilles and Padmé Amidala have been, the reality of their situation is still quite harsh. Jedi aren’t ascetic entirely by choice.)

If, the first time Qui-Gon had set foot in this Temple, it had been quiet and content, now it is bursting, teeming with life. He insists that he cannot say which version he favours, the peace and quiet or this bustling wildness. But Obi-Wan, pressed against his former Master’s side like he’d never left it, knows this to be the slight unruly spark of lingering annoyance at the noise. His Master thrives on the bustle around him, on the close-knit, familial affection, like a plant reaching out for the sun.

When the war comes, when the Confederacy forms, when the Jedi are called upon to fight by the Senate, it’s easier for Alderaan to refuse that it would be for Coruscant. Largely because some overzealous reporter asked Alderaanian Jedi first, and Qui-Gon answered as any logical person would.

The Coruscant Temple lives by the whims of the Senate, and not by logic.

That, unfortunately, throws hurtful words into the air – ‘Mavericks’, ‘Schism’, ‘Radicals’. Master Plo Koon, by virtue of being on Alderaan while the rest of the Council was not, becomes one of the ‘Radical Jedi Sect hiding out in the Alderaanian mountains’.

Alderaan is considered a precedent for Coruscant’s refusal, and Jedi on Coruscant are suddenly openly despised. Feared, but despised nonetheless.

Qui-Gon eyes the headlines with patient bemusement at first, expecting them to stop. To his consternation, they do not stop.

“This may be for the best,” Mace tells them later.

“Best?” Qui-Gon’s jaw drops. “No,” he says, “don’t you dare – don’t you even think of making me Head of my own Order, Mace! Mace, do not –”

Mace chuckles, but it’s thin humour in times like these. There are bruises under his eyes that the holostream fails to hide. Within months, more Knights, more Masters, more children arrive. If they didn’t have help, they’d be overwhelmed and overrun. This is not a welcome thought.

Much like Alderaan, Naboo has declared its neutrality. Under pressure from Padmé, Mina Bonteri of Onderon does the same, and then Rodia and Corellia follow suit. It’s a trend that picks up momentum quickly, and soon, unable to hold together a Temple bursting with life, Qui-Gon begins to encourage them to split up and choose other planets to move to. Understandably, his suggestion is met with uproar at first. For all that they cannot handle the Temple’s current volume, splitting up is dangerous. What if their planets choose to pick sides, ended up against each other?

Qui-Gon refuses to think of those possibilities. He refused the very idea of Jedi having any part in the war, because the Jedi had settled disputes on Republic worlds for years, and that includes the Confederate Systems. Neutrality was the only logical response.

Qui-Gon pointedly tells the Knights and Masters not to make enemies of each other, throwing them a quelling look much like one he might shoot at the crèche children. They quiet instantly, make arrangements and choose their new homes.

The headlines continue to call it a ‘Schism’, they still call the Alderaanian Temple a Temple of ‘Radicals’. The ‘Rebel Jedi’ are stationed there, and yet, they are the furthest thing from active warriors. It seems to escape everyone’s notice that Alderaan is perhaps the safest Temple, that it has the greatest number of children in its crèche. Anakin isn’t very happy about it – he insists that he can only just barely keep up with the demands of being a crèchemaster! And only just Knighted, too!

But secretly, Qui-Gon couldn’t be happier that the media downplays this fact. Over the last few years, he’s taken pains to follow the windings of the Temple deeper into the Mountains, discovered yet more Archives and rooms, training salles. With funds enough to expand the livable space in the Temple, he’s equally grateful that they have a place to retreat, if the worst should happen. The children, he thinks, will be safe.

The clones, though – the army that the Jedi supposedly commissioned the Kaminoans for – are decidedly not inactive. They act in the defence of their chosen Temples, at least, and not in the defence of the Republic.

The Coruscant Temple is nearly empty, all but for a skeleton crew.

The Force is with them, for better or for worse. The Jedi on Naboo and Onderon have already been forced to rise in defense of their homes, yet Alderaan, thanks in no small part to the efforts of Bail and Breha, remains quiet.

Qui-Gon can feel that quiet itching under Obi-Wan’s skin, and he can’t help but want to do the same. This whole war feels drawn-out, artificial, like a lure. But he holds his former Padawan close to him as they sit outside on the steps at night, staring up at the stars.

“Where do you think this path will lead?” Obi-Wan asks him.

Qui-Gon sighs and presses his lips to the Knight’s temple. “I cannot say,” he answers truthfully. He sends a prayer to the Force, to the night sky, to whatever gods might be listening, that their path will be a safe one, in the end.

#Alderaan #Stained Glass Above Radicals #beautiful image #fic title meme #wild ficcage and au spawn #Anonymous #Tahl Lives AU #Crechemaster Anakin #ask me things

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inkognito97 · 7 years

Text

Youngster VIII

Sequel to Youngster VII

First Part can be found here.

Summary: A Sith Knight battles his emotions... and challenges his old Master...

“We have been contacted by the Jedi Council,” Dooku stated without any emotions in his voice. Yet he stood tense on the small bridge in the garden Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon had build so long ago. His wrinkled hands rested on the railing and he was looking at the clear water.

Obi-Wan hummed in acknowledgement. He was standing right next to his Grandmaster, his grandfather. His posture was relatively relaxed, except the arms he had crossed over his chest. He too looked at the water below them.

“I had expected them to react sooner or later. Anakin, Ahsoka and I never arrived on our intended goal after all… and we did not contact them, like we were supposed to.”

“You do not sound worried,” the older male observed.

“No, why should I? As far as they know, we have done nothing wrong, they cannot even prove that we lied to them. We could just say that we encountered you during our trip and decided to pursue you and somehow, all connections failed. And even if they suspect anything, what can they do? Throw us out of the Order? At this point not even Anakin and Ahsoka would care, they told me after I ordered them to leave. They refused, of course.”

“They share this lineage’s stubbornness,” he said fondly.

A smirk appeared on freckled features, but he did not explain why he smiled. Instead he said, “What did they sent? What were their words?” Dooku tilted his head in thought. “They demanded to know what you are up to. The Council explicitly ordered you three to return and they threatened with certain sanctions, should you refuse.” He did not need to elaborate.

“I see. Perhaps I SHOULD order Anakin and his Padawan to leave. We should pretend to need them to spy for us, otherwise they would just continue to refuse.” “What about you though? Are you ready to throw away the only life you have known until now? You are aware that Qui-Gon is on the best way of rehabilitation, he does not need you to be around the whole time, not anymore.”

“I am aware…” he hesitated, “but my place is no longer with the Jedi. I… I cannot forgive what they have done, I cannot forgive and I will never forget.” “Revenge is not our way,” his voice sounded warning and he finally turned to the younger man. When he did not immediately receive an answer, he stepped closer to the red haired Sith. “Obi-Wan…”

“I know,” he snapped and briefly turned his head to the older male, before gazing back into the blue river that reminded him so much of his father in all but blood. “I know,” he repeated in a calmer tone, “and I am not planning to take my revenge. But… but I cannot sit back and watch how the Jedi Order threatens and destroys everything I care about. I am not just talking about Qui-Gon, or you for that matter.”

“Obi-Wan, I am not sure I understand.”

The young Sith turned around and leaned against the railing leaning his head back, so that he could look up at the sky. “The galaxy is changing and it is clear the Jedi won’t adapt, won’t change their ancient ways. Let us not make the same mistake as them. We have a duty, to us and to the Force. We cannot leave the galaxy in darkness, not in the darkness Sidious wants it to fall.”

A sigh escaped the grey haired man and he suddenly looked his age. Also, sadness clouded his eyes. “I am not sure that we are able to do what you say. I am not the youngest, neither is my old apprentice… You… you and Ventress are our only future and the two of you cannot fight a whole war, it is not possible.”

“Perhaps not… perhaps it is. We will never know if we become cowards and hide… like them.” There was a gleam in his suddenly golden eyes that Dooku had only seen ones in his long life.

He had seen that look just one time, and it had been in Qui-Gon’s eyes, when he had brought a dirty ginger haired boy back home. When he, looking bad and dirty himself, had brought a small but determined child with him, which had given him a new purpose in life. Dooku had been skeptical about the lively boy at first, but he had also known that Qui-Gon would not abandon him at this point. The older Sith had soon discovered what the boy truly meant for his former apprentice and he had soon realized that he had saved the stubborn long haired male, in more ways than one, but mostly from himself. Obi-Wan had truly been a great addition in their small family, he had become their dark star, their hope and their strength.

A sigh escaped the older Sith and he slightly shook his head, but when he looked up again and locked his yellow eyes with Obi-Wan’s golden ones, everything was said. He would follow Obi-Wan, to the end of the galaxy and beyond.

“Thank you,” the accented voice was soft and with a last nod, Obi-Wan pushed himself away from the wooden railing and walked the way towards the sleeping area. He needed to talk to a certain blonde and a certain Togruta. He would not be responsible for their downfall, he had made a promise after all.

“But Obi-Wan,” the ginger haired Sith had expected his former Padawan to argue, but that he was THIS stubborn…

“Enough!” he bellowed and therefore surprised both him and Ahsoka. Even though they had got to know the more passionate side of him, they had not seen everything just yet. And perhaps this was even for the best. He took a deep breath. “Anakin, we need you back in the Order, I need you back in the Order. You and Ahsoka are the only ones that I can trust.”

Obi-Wan knew that he was playing dirty. He was toying with their guilt and their connection to him, but so were the ways of the Sith.

The young Knight was obviously battling with himself. Behind his eyes, raged a storm of emotions. He would have made an excellent Sith Warrior, but he had not been destined to become one, the Force had decided for a different fate and of course, Obi-Wan had followed its will.

“Are you sure that there is no other way?” he sounded almost broken, but the Sith could not let his attachment overrule his sense of duty and the Force, not now.

“I wish there were, believe me. I would rather have you at my side, both of you.” He pointedly gazed to the troubled female, before stepping over to the two sitting Jedi and putting a comforting hand on their shoulders.

“Will you be alright?” these were the first words the young Padawan spoke since Obi-Wan had called them into his private sleeping rooms.

He gave her an encouraging smile. “Of course I will, I won|t be alone after all.”

“I still don’t like it,” Anakin protested, but it was only half heartedly.

“I know,” he looked sad for a moment, before he shook his head and before he took a few determined steps towards his former Padawan. He kneeled down in front of the younger male and leaned up, until both their foreheads were resting together. This simple gesture alone, said more than a thousand words could and the Sith could feel the other’s inner turmoil start to calm. It was a beginning, even though it was a hard one.

“May the Force be with you, Master.” Anakin mumbled.

“And with you two,” Obi-Wan whispered right back.

“I had not expected them to leave so soon,” a sad baritone voice sounded behind the ginger haired Sith, who had felt the other’s presence a while ago.

“They do what the Force wills them to do,” he simply answered. What else was he to say? The truth? No, Qui-Gon would not understand it, or perhaps he would. But he would not approve of Obi-Wan’s choices.

“And what about you?”

“I too, am following the will of the Force,” he simply answered, without turning his eyes from the slowly shrinking transport ship on the horizon. He would miss them, Anakin, Ahsoka, as well as the clones and he made himself no false illusions in denying it. He would not hear from his former Padawan and his Grandpadawan anytime soon, they would be under supervision from now on, even when the Council believed their lie. They would be searched for any sign of darkness and it was to be expected. They would tell the Council that they had encountered Dooku and had been captured by them. Anakin and Ahsoka had escaped, while Obi-Wan’s status was… unclear. They would not say that he had abandoned the Jedi, Obi-Wan knew they wouldn’t. They would most likely tell them that Dooku was manipulating him. He mentally scoffed, as if he would allow that.

“Are you? Following the will of the Force, I mean,” there was a lot of doubt in his voice and Obi-Wan barely kept his temper in check.

Had he not been doubted enough in his life? The man had been imprisoned for years and despite their talks and the information and news they had provided him with, he did not really understand what had happened, what they had suffered through. And Obi-Wan would not allow him, even though Qui-Gon was technically his Master, to question his decisions, not know, when the future of the galaxy was threatened.

“Yes,” he finally turned around and locked his fiery golden eyes with Qui-Gon’s surprised blue ones, “Believe it or not, you are not the only one, following the Force’s guidance.” “I never said that,” the older male in the hoverchair protested.

“You did not have to,” he walked past the weakened Sith, not saying another word. In silence, did Obi-Wan cross the threshold and entered the palace like building, fully intending to meditate in his private rooms, where nobody would disturb OR question him.

“What is that supposed to mean?” Obi-Wan should have expected the other’s stubbornness and persistence.

“I’m tired,” he said instead, avoiding actually answering the question. He could feel Qui-Gon’s irritation in the Force. It had steadily grown these last few days and it would be only a matter of time until the long haired Sith exploded. Until then, Obi-Wan would continue with his little games, like nothing was happening.

“I am too, yet you do not hear me making false assumptions,” his tone held a certain edge to it, that made Obi-Wan stop dead in his tracks and whirl around to face the stubborn man.

“You are right, I don’t hear any assumptions from you. But that is not because of your so great control, but because you never share your thoughts to begin with. You never did when I was your apprentice and you still don’t now, when I am technical your equal.” He hesitated. “Though we both know, who would win in a fight…” he let the words trail off.

Qui-Gon seemed shocked by the sudden outburst and the unexpected hostility from the younger man. He was searching and fighting for words, until he opened his mouth again.

“How… how DARE you speak to me like this? I am your Master,” Qui-Gon said slightly irritated.

“Are you?” he questioned, completely emotionless.

Midnight blue eyes blinked. “What do you mean? Or course I am. What has gotten into you all of a sudden?”

Obi-Wan hummed, “I wonder… are you still the same man that the Jedi took all those years ago, or have you changed?”

“I have changed of course, but so have you and…” he did not come further.

“Then how do I know that you are still my Master? How can I be sure of that, how can I be sure of anything? Everything around me is falling apart, everything is changing so quickly. The unifying Force is in uproar and yet…” he abruptly stopped talking.

“Child?”

“Never mind,” he vehemently shook his head to clear his thoughts, “I need to meditate.”

“Very well,” he was clearly not happy with the way Obi-Wan had ended their conversation. The younger Sith could actually see the hurt and betrayal in the other’s eyes, but right now, he could not bring himself to care.

He needed time, he needed rest. He was losing his mind, his sanity and Obi-Wan knew it. When he didn’t find a solution or at least some serenity soon, then Dooku would have another mental case under his roof. And who would protect the innocent and the galaxy then?

Obi-Wan slightly bowed his head to the sitting man, who made no move to copy the small sign of respect. The young Sith was not surprised. Qui-Gon felt insulted, his pride was deeply hurt and he would undoubtedly continue to be offended for a little while. Obi-Wan could not care less. He was not the one, who had nightmares almost every night and needed soothing. No, he had Force visions, but during the time without his Master, his father, he had learned how to deal with them, alone.

Without another word, the ginger haired male turned around and left the man in the hoverchair behind him, without looking back and without noticing the longing look in midnight blue orbs.

“I don’t know what to do anymore,” his voice was quivering, but Obi-Wan didn’t care. If there was one person in the whole galaxy that he could trust with his feelings and fears, then it was his soon to be wife.

“I wish I could help you,” Satine replied. Her eyes were sad, he could see that even through the holo transmission.

“I know… and you have no idea how much that means to me.” That was the truth.

A gentle smile appeared in the female’s features and her eyes were suddenly full of love. Oh, how the young Sith wished Satine were here, but he could not, would not, threaten her life just to see her.

Obi-Wan sighed. “It feels like I am reaching the end of the rope. I know that Sidious is closing in and that his darkness threatens to take over… and now I have the Jedi to worry about. And Qui-Gon… he… he doesn’t see that he still needs time to recover. He doesn’t realize that so much time has passed, that both Dooku and I have changed. He treats me like his apprentice, like I was just knighted…”

“It is hard for him,” she said gently. “What would you do, beloved? Imagine your places were switched. Imagine that you spent years in captivity, cut from the Force and from everything you know and care about.” She shook her head, “Obi-Wan, you don’t know what they told him. He could have believed you dead for all we know. It is a normal human reaction of him. His mind cannot, does not want things to have changed and therefore he treats you like this.” Obi-Wan understood what his almost wife was saying, he understood it perhaps better than anybody else. “He has to adapt,” he said lamely.

“And he will, I am sure of it. He just needs time beloved… and he has to see and experience his limits on his own.”

“You are right,” there was a sad smile on his bearded features. “As always you are absolutely right. Why haven’t I contacted you sooner?”

The blonde shrugged, “Probably because you are a very stubborn man.”

“I got that from him, no doubt.” He was actually able to chuckle at this. With another sigh he leaned back into the comfortable chair again, snuggling into the soft cushions. His Grandmaster did not only have style, he knew how to make his home comforting and cozy as well. “Yet… I still don’t know what to do about the rising threat.” “What does the Force tell you?”

Obi-Wan smiled at her pretense to understand the ways of the Force. In all reality, she had no idea how it worked, just like all the other non-Force users, but at least she tried her hardest. “It is silent on the whole matter.” Satine made a humming sound and seemed to ponder about it. “Perhaps… perhaps it just wants you to continue what you are doing. What is the last… order, the Force has given you?”

The young Sith closed his eyes and searched his memory. It was a tedious task and usually he would have entered a light meditation for it, but this time, he refrained from doing so. He didn’t want to lose himself in the chaos that the Force currently was, it always gave him a headache and he did not need that now, not on top everything else.

“The last time it spoke clearly… it wanted me to safe and take care of Qui-Gon,” he eventually replied hesitantly.

She nodded. “Perhaps this is still what you are supposed to do. You know, people who have suffered through such traumatic experiences, tend to have a relapse more often than not. This might be the Force’s way of telling you to stay put.” Obi-Wan nodded in thought. “I will think about it, thank you. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

Satine shrugged and wore a challenging smile on her features, “I think it is better that we don’t have to find out,” she winked and Obi-Wan could not help but join her merry laughter.

After they had exchanged their goodbyes and promises for a better future together, especially on Obi-Wan’s part, the ginger haired Sith shut down the connection. His almost wife was right, as usual. He should be patient and wait for the Force to tell him more. Forcing the issue would not help him at all, he should know better, he did know better, but sometimes… sometimes it needed somebody with a clear head to look through the fog. A sudden thought hit him. Neither Qui-Gon, nor Dooku knew about his engagement yet, he had forgotten to tell them during the whole commotion. A mistake, he had to rectify immediately. And who knew, it might cheer them all up again. The Force knew they could need it.

Dinner was a dull affair. Dooku was deep in thoughts and staring a hole in the table, Qui-Gon was sulking and not in a good mood and Asajj had caught the mood and reacted by keeping silent. The tension was heavy, even when Obi-Wan entered. Dooku briefly nodded at him, Asajj sent him a genuine smile and a brief shrug of her shoulders and Qui-Gon did not even look his way.

Midway during dinner, the ginger haired Sith couldn’t take the depressing silence anymore. “I ehm…eh… I am engaged,” he had absolutely no idea how to say this, it was not like he got engaged every day.

Dooku spoke first, his brow furrowed in confusion. “Engaged Obi-Wan? Engaged in what?”

Even Qui-Gon looked up in interest. Obi-Wan put away his flatware and leaned back in the chair he was sitting on, across from Dooku, who was seating the head of the table. Thankfully the table was small enough to hold a normal conversation, without screaming and yelling.

The young Sith groaned and he dropped his forehead in his hand, because of his stupid choice of words. “No, not…” he sighed, “I am engaged… like in a marriage.” A cluttering sound could be heard and it sounded like flatware that hit an empty plate. “Wait what?” this was Asajj’s voice.

He looked up and regretted ever saying anything. This was highly embarrassing. “I am going to be married.”

Dooku and Qui-Gon exchanged looks and Asajj simply stared at him, mouth gaping and in utter disbelief. “You, I mean you of all people, are getting married?”

“Asajj,” Dooku’s tone was scolding and he glared at her. The white haired man sat straighter and he too put his flatware away. He leaned forward and braced his chin atop his clasped hands, while his elbows came to rest on the table. “And who might this lucky woman be?”

“Or man,” Qui-Gon added and he shrugged at the disgusted look Dooku was sending his way. The long haired man had always been more open to same-sex relationships, than Dooku. Hell, he had even told Obi-Wan in private that, if he truly preferred the same gender, he would still love him very much and also support him in any way possible. Obi-Wan had not needed the reassurance, but it had still been a nice gesture.

“You know her,” he sent a significant look towards his Grandmaster, who seemed more at ease now that the gender was clear. Always those tradition loving people, Obi-Wan thought amused. “She is the duchess of Mandalore.” “Satine Kryze,” Qui-Gon interrupted in awe. His eyes were suspiciously bright and his lively spirit seemed to return to him.

“Oh great,” Asajj groaned, “more royalty…” She was ignored by everyone.

“And when will the festivities take place?” Obi-Wan wondered why Dooku always fell into formal speech as soon as others were present or when – in his eyes – important things needed to be discussed.

Obi-Wan avoided everyone’s gazes and instead focused on the half empty plate in front of him. “We decided to postpone the actually wedding to a time, when the war is over.”

“Bullshit,” exclaimed the female Sith.

“Asajj Ventress, guard your tongue. I do not want such fool language at my table or anywhere else in my home,” Dooku sounded everything but amused.

“She is right though,” Qui-Gon again, “Why wait? Especially in war you should act. You cannot be sure that you survive, neither can Satine for that matter. Who knows, afterwards it might be too late.” Had Obi-Wan mentioned that he hated to talk about his personal feelings? “I don’t want to make a rash decision,” he mumbled.

“Obi-Wan, sometimes…” the bald Sith assassin sighed in annoyance and leaned on her elbows, closer towards the ginger haired man, “The fact that you are this cautious and that you want it to work, should be reason enough to just do it.”

“Indeed, why postpone?” asked Dooku. Obi-Wan did not say anything. He didn’t know what he was supposed to reply. Suddenly a large hand landed on his thigh and squeezed in a comforting manner. Startled, he looked up, only to find himself gazing into compassionate blue eyes.

“Don’t listen to them, do what you think is right,” his smile was gentle and reassuring and Obi-Wan could not help but smile back. He took the larger hand in his own and squeezed right back. And once again, Qui-Gon was reassuring him, telling him he was his own man. It was as if nothing had changed.

A sudden realization hit him. A lot of time has passed and some things have changed, but not everything. Qui-Gon would always come to his aid and tell him to be his own man, he would always assure him that his decisions – especially concerning personal matters – were his own and therefore always right, at least as long as he was satisfied with them. Perhaps this was exactly what Satine had meant...

“Congratulations, little one,” Qui-Gon said.

It was an impulsive decision on Obi-Wan’s part, when he stood up and took the few steps towards the long haired man, just to hug him tightly. “Thank you,” he mumbled against the long haired man’s neck, “father.”

He felt Qui-Gon release a shaky breath, but before he could comment on it, did the older Sith tighten his own embrace. When he pulled back, midnight blue eyes sparkled with mirth.

“Make no mistake child, I fully expect to properly meet my daughter in law as soon as possible.”

“Of course,” he said.

“Qui-Gon,” Dooku demanded attention, “I hope you understand the responsibility you will have then. Not only as father, but as grandfather. It will be your duty to attend to the little ones’ needs and it won’t be done with spoiling them, let me assure you.”

“Little ones? As in more than one?” Asajj grinned, “A good thing that I am just the aunt, who can spoil them rotten!”

“Excuse me?” Obi-Wan stood facing both his sister and grandfather in all but blood.

“I agree with Obi-Wan, no children!” Qui-Gon said.

“Hah, you only fear being called ‘old’,” the female Sith boldly replied.

“Careful Asajj, you are not only insulting me with that statement.”

The female in question furrowed her brows, not quite sure what he meant. Dooku decided to ‘help’ her, by clearing his throat and raising an eyebrow in his typical manner. Sudden realization hit the female and a sheepish grin appeared on her features.

“I speak only the truth,” she said, though she shouldn’t have, for it was the start of a heated bickering between Asajj and her Master.

Obi-Wan allowed himself to sigh. When the two were at it, it could take hours until they had calmed down again. He sent a brief glance towards Qui-Gon, who was shaking his head and wore a suffering look on his bearded features. He looked like Obi-Wan felt.

Deciding that he could only succumb to his fate, did the ginger haired Sith put his hands on the backrest of his former Master’s chair and leaned on it. Qui-Gon did not seem to him, he actually leaned his head back to gaze up at him. He gave in to his brief desire and leaned down, circling the older Sith’s neck with his arms so that his left cheek was still pressed against Qui-Gon’s right one. Almost immediately did a hand rise to cover the free side of Obi-Wan’s face and a single thumb made soothing motions.

There was a brief hesitation, before Obi-Wan uttered his next, carefully chosen words. “I am sorry for what I said earlier. You will always be my Master and more, it’s just…” he sighed, “I guess I am under a lot of stress…” he trailed off.

“I know,” Qui-Gon whispered right back. They did not have to talk so loud, they were right next to each other after all. “You have become your own man, Obi-Wan. You learned to be independent. You had to look out for yourself and for your Padawan after all. And you did an amazing job.”

A small smile found its way on Obi-Wan’s features and he allowed himself to just enjoy the moment for a few seconds. Dooku and Asajj were still bickering in the background and therefore completely oblivious to the important dialogue between former Master and former apprentice, between father and son.

“I missed you,” the blue-green eyed Sith eventually said.

“I missed you too.” Obi-Wan felt the other’s movements and he knew that Qui-Gon had closed his eyes. The taller man took a deep breath, “I wanted to give up so many times, but… but every time I was on the verge of, you know, death… you sprung to the front of my mind and I was reminded that there is still something, someone out there, for whom I had to fight.” This revelation hurt and the younger male was battling against unbidden tears. He had to press his eyes tightly shut to keep them from falling and he pressed his lips together to keep from sobbing. The hand on his head, tightened its hold and pressed him even closer.

Only when Obi-Wan had more or less gained control over his emotions again, did he speak up once more, “I am glad you did.”

“So am I, my son, so am I.” His voice was suspiciously shaky and when the younger man pulled back, just enough so that he could look into the other’s face, he saw wet and glistening midnight blue eyes.

Without thinking about it, Obi-Wan leaned forward and pressed a loving kiss against a bearded cheek. It was just as lovingly returned.

“I am glad to have you back.”

“I am glad to be back… though a lot has changed.” A sigh, “Perhaps you are right. I need to step up from my high podium. It is about time that I realize that things are not like I want them to be anymore. I simply have to be patient to find my place again.”

“I will gladly help you,” it was vow and promise.

“I know you will,” he smiled.

“But,” Obi-Wan briefly looked in the direction of the bickering pair, “for now I suggest that we make a hasty retreat and leave them to their bickering. Perhaps we can find a more pleasurable activity to waste our time.”

“Yes, please,” Qui-Gon replied laughing.

The ginger haired Sith stood up and helped his elder do the same. They did say nothing else, just walked out of the dining room, it was not like Asajj and Dooku would have noticed anyway.

“So…” Qui-Gon began when they were in the hallway and he had a tone in his voice that caused all alarm bells to spring to life in Obi-Wan’s head, “Satine Kryze…”

Obi-Wan groaned.

#youngster au #part 8 #sith!dooku #sith!qui-gon #sith!obi-wan #obi wan kenobi #qui gon jinn #dooku #asajj ventress #anakin skywalker #ahsoka tano #sith family #hurt/comfort #stress #satine kryze #obitine #my fics #ao3

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