Chapter Text
As much as Obi-Wan likes being a Jedi, he really, really dislikes being a general in an active war zone. When he was a child and dreamed of growing up and becoming a Master, he never expected a future like this. Sometimes, it’s enough to make him wonder if he made the right decision, all those years ago with Satine. Perhaps, if he’d taken a chance...
But what’s done is done. There’s no use wasting energy on could-have-been’s, not when he’s already so drained from the constant battles he’s sent out on. What starts out as one turns into two, then three, until it’s been standard months since he’s seen Coruscant and gotten something good to eat.
The only silver lining in all this mess is the fact that, more often than not, Anakin is right there with him.
Normally, Masters and former Padawans drift apart after the Knighting, since they have different duties and expectations put upon them, so if Obi-Wan is grateful for anything out here it’s that, most of the time, he at least still has Anakin, and therefore Ahsoka, fighting right by his side. It’s comforting, knowing that his...friends, are here, and that if anything happened to them he’d be the first to know.
But, of course, this has to be the rare battle where he’s found himself all on his own, with Anakin and Ahsoka no doubt halfway across the galaxy with troubles of their own. Hopefully with better luck than he’d been having over the past week.
That being said - he’d still much prefer it if the biggest problem the Jedi had to worry about were trade disagreements. At least those rarely end in violence.
At least the ones where Anakin isn’t invited, says a voice in his head that sounds suspiciously like Ahsoka, or perhaps Senator Amidala. He can only imagine the look Anakin would have on his face at that. He thinks it would be hilarious.
“General?” Obi-Wan snaps back into consciousness and glances over at Commander Cody, standing a few feet away. There’s been a relative cease-fire over the last few hours as both he and the Separatists regrouped, and he’s a little ashamed to admit that he may have been lacking in his duty to “keep an eye on things.”
“Yes, my apologies, Commander. I’m afraid I was lost in thought.”
Cody, thankfully, says nothing. Perhaps he, too, is tired of the back-and-forth they’ve been stuck in for the last several days against a line of Separatist forces.
“General,” he says again, a strange relief set into his shoulders, “I’ve got good news and bad news. Which do you want first?”
Obi-Wan closes his eyes tiredly, for just a moment. How he wishes he could get just one day off. “Bad news first, please. I’d like to have something to look forward to.”
Cody’s lips twitched as a smile- ever the responsible one out on the battlefield, “Bad news: looks like the Seps are gearing up for another round.” Obi-Wan manages to avoid a sigh of defeat, but just barely. “Good news, though? Backup has arrived and is already preparing a counterattack.”
Obi-Wan blinks, “Backup? I wasn’t aware we were expectin-“
“C’mon, Master! You know you can’t get rid of us that easily!” A gleeful voice crows, and Obi-Wan finds himself smiling before he even turns around.
“You two,” he says, playing up an austere mask despite the smile on his face, as he glances back to see Anakin and Ahsoka sitting casually on a couple munitions crates a few feet behind him. Even further back, a fresh-looking squad of troopers prepares the heavy guns for battle. “This isn’t even a surprise anymore. I was almost expecting you.”
Ahsoka grins at him, easily seeing through his facade, “Well, we’ll just have to try harder next time.”
“Please don’t put any thoughts in Anakin’s head. He doesn’t know what to do with them.”
“First of all, ouch,” Anakin scowls at him as Ahsoka bursts into laughter next to him. “Secondly, you’re too late. I already have big plans for next time. You and the Separatists won’t know what hit you.”
Obi-Wan rolls his eyes before turning back to Cody, “I’m assuming the new troops have been brought up to date?”
“Yes, sir. Everyone is aware of what needs to be done.”
“Good. Make sure we have an open link to the ships above. If we need a quick exit they’re the only way we’re getting out.” Cody gives a quick but sharp salute and spins off on his heel to spread the word.
“Don’t take this the wrong way,” Anakin starts from behind him, “but you don’t look too good, Master.”
Obi-Wan eyes him with a pointed look, but otherwise doesn’t comment on how else he was supposed to take that statement. “Yes, well, if you’d been here as long as I have you probably wouldn’t look any better yourself.”
“You been sleeping enough?”
“That depends on what your definition of ‘enough’ is,” Obi-Wan sighs, “I’m currently conscious, so the answer must be yes.”
Ahsoka and Anakin share a weighted look at that, and Obi-Wan has to make an effort not to roll his eyes at their obvious concern. That is, until Anakin takes it upon himself to open his mouth:
“Maybe you should sit this one out, Master.” He doesn’t even get the chance to refuse before Anakin continues, “Snips and I can take care of the Seps while you get some rest. We’ll wake you if there’s an emergency. Promise.”
Anakin not-so-subtly elbows Ahsoka from where they’re sitting, causing her to jolt and let out her own “Yeah, we promise,” before elbowing him back twice as hard.
Honestly, maybe he should get some rest, simply because he’s feeling much more affection than the caring exasperation he usually expresses at their antics. He doesn’t want to encourage them, after all.
As always, Anakin ends up making the choice for him.
“Here,” he says, standing up to guide Obi-Wan to the highly dangerous munitions box he was using as a chair, “Take my seat. We’ll take care of this and then you can take the next round.”
Obi-Wan scoffs as he takes the seat, only a little bit reluctant, “I’ll tell you what. If you two can finish this fight in the next day or two, I’ll sleep for a week on our way back to Coruscant.”
They share another look at that, before turning back to him with matching smirks, “Shouldn’t be a problem, Master.” Ahsoka says, patting him on the shoulder before nudging Anakin in an affectionate shove and running off behind him to help prepare the troops in order to finally end this campaign.
Obi-Wan watches her for a moment with a smile before turning back to Anakin, schooling his face into a dubious expression at the sight of the smirk still on his Padawan’s face. “And what about you?” He asks, “You aren’t going to let her take all the glory, are you?”
Anakin just laughs, “Absolutely not. You know me, Master.”
Obi-Wan hums in response, bracing to lift his tired bones off the relative comfort of the crate. At Anakin’s disappointed look, he finally gives in and rolls his eyes, “If I’m resting it’ll be in the comfort of my own bedroll, not on top of live ammunition. Don’t look at me like that.”
A ground-shaking boom echoes in the distance, and they both look away for a moment to feel in the Force. Rex calls from behind them, something about cannons and firing back, but Anakin hesitates just a moment longer before joining his men.
“Alright?” He asks quietly, more subdued now that it’s just them. Obi-Wan responds with a smile and a nod, encouraging him to rejoin his team and prepare for attack. Anakin clasps his arm for one long, silent moment before stepping away.
He barely makes it a lightsaber’s length away before Obi-Wan grabs his shoulder, “Be careful, Anakin. No amount of sleep is worth your life.”
Anakin doesn’t turn, but he does look over his shoulder, expectant smirk back on his face but a softness in his eyes that Obi-Wan knows is just for him, “See you in a few hours, Master.”
This time, Obi-Wan lets him walk away. He watches for a moment more as his former Padawan joins Ahsoka and his men, barking orders about moving out for the oncoming fight, before turning and making his way back to their camp.
He’ll sleep, just this once. After all, he will undoubtedly see Anakin in a few hours anyway. And who knows, next time, maybe he’ll be the one offering a seat.