Chapter Text
**************
Here and Now
**************
Hondo Ohnaka was not the person Obi-Wan expected to be the first to chip at his disguise, but that was typical of the infuriating man. Obi-Wan only trusted him in that Hondo was self-serving. There was no greater master behind him unless he was under duress. Whatever was best for him he would do. Whatever pleased him he would do.
Unfortunately, Obi-Wan didn’t have a very good counter as to why Hondo should not sell him to the Mandalorians or the Empire.
The only other card Obi-Wan had was that Hondo enjoyed him and had declared them the best of friends. Obi-Wan did not doubt that he really thought this, turning Obi-Wan over for a large pile of gold was exactly what Hondo would do to his best friends if they were not on guard around him.
And now he had Xanatos.
Obi-Wan felt a headache coming on imagining the two of them in the same room together. He might wonder how Xanatos had been bested, except he could already guess. Xanatos underestimated Hondo and Hondo gladly let him while piecing together that Obi-Wan was connected to him.
Another worry, but one he would have to dwell on later. First, he had to get Xanatos out of this mess.
“Kenobi! My old friend! How good it is to see you again.”
Obi-Wan sighed his headache growing sharper. “Hondo.”
“Or is it Farmer Ben?” Hondo grinned with all his teeth threatening and jovial all at once.
“Kenobi will do,” Obi-Wan said, not admitting anything. “You said you had something that was mine.”
“Your brother,” Hondo told him. “You never told me you had a brother before! After all our time together on ship.”
Obi-Wan crossed his arms. “Is he well?”
“Oh he’s fine, just couldn’t hold his liquor. He’s on the ship if you want to see for yourself.”
“Here is fine for now.”
The docks were cold and windy and a light rain was about to fall, but Obi-Wan would rather be sodden than in Hondo’s boat at the moment.
“Suit yourself,” Hondo shrugged casually. “I’m glad to see that you trust my word.”
“You wouldn’t have anything to barter with if you threw him in the water already,” Obi-Wan said blandly.
“You know, he said you wouldn’t come for him, and here I thought, look! Here is Kenobi, obviously he does care! But you’re acting rather cold. Was I mistaken about how worthwhile my bargaining chip is? Should I test it?”
“I’m here, aren’t I?” Obi-Wan said carefully. The last thing he needed was Xanatos wounded. He needed him uninjured if they were going to get out of this.
“Yes, you are here,” Hondo grinned. “Just like I knew you would be. You have to admit it Kenobi, I am good, aren’t I?”
“Oh, the best,” Obi-Wan said keeping a casual stance eyes scanning the shadows for the sailors undoubtedly lying in wait to attack.
Hondo preened despite the sarcasm. “It’s pretty regrettable, you know. You could have joined me. Joined the crew.”
“You had a buyer lined up as soon as you knew who I was. You only regret the missed payout.”
“It was a big pay out!” Hondo agreed, enjoying the banter. “Nothing personal. Just business.”
“I know your family motto, Hondo. So, what is it you propose?”
“You come here willingly and I let your brother, or friend, or whatever he is go. Boyfriend? No? Oh come now, you can tell me! Fine fine. I’ll let your ‘friend’ go.”
“And who are you selling me to?”
“Haven’t decided that yet. Big money for stray Jedi in the Empire, Magicians go for a pretty penny in the markets in the Rim, and of course, there is the Mand’alor. He’ll be tough to barter with, but he would be the biggest payout.”
“The Mand’alor?” Obi-Wan mused. “I suppose he would be the easiest to get to distance-wise, but Jango doesn’t like to barter for what he views as something that already belongs to him, and as I remember it, you were the one that took me out of his territories in the first place. If he catches wind of that, well…”
“Ah, because you are a liar Kenobi, and I was a fool to trust you! And don’t get me wrong, it was all beautiful lies. Big fan, but I nearly lost my head because of you, a head that I am very attached to.”
Obi-Wan hummed. “Yes, I see that. I wouldn’t suggest Alor Fett then if you really are so attached. That would leave the slave markets and the Empire.”
“The slave markets,” Hondo made a face. “If I wanted that I could just sell your surly friend in the bilge. He’s a wizard too, right? He had lots of interesting things in his pockets.”
Hondo waved Xanato’s belt that held his magic pouch at him.
Hm.
Hondo continued: “I’m not going to sell you to slavers only for them to turn around and sell you to a higher bidder. What kind of businessman would I be if I did that?”
“I suppose it would be selling me short,” Obi-Wan said easily. “So the Empire then?”
“Well… it would be the best option,” Hondo shrugged.
“Except you’d have to get there,” Obi-Wan finished for him.
“Except I’d have to get there!” Hondo said in exasperation. “Kenobi, do you know, despite all the things the Empire does, they don’t like pirates? Imagine that. They open up slave mines, they kill a bunch of people, but when I want to sell my goods and services, suddenly it’s all magic lightning at my sails.”
“Such a shame,” Obi-Wan said obsequiously. “It’s obvious they don’t like competition.”
Hondo slammed his fist into his hand. “That’s what I said! Kenobi, it really is good to talk to a man that understands these things. You make yourself known to me, a huge bounty like you, at the most inconvenient of times! Who am I supposed to sell you to? My friend, you have a knack for putting me in difficult positions. After all, I can’t just let you go.”
“Of course not,” Obi-Wan agreed.
“But the Empire while happy to accept Jedi bounties, is also happy to flash fry pirates without proper payment for said bounties.”
Obi-Wan crossed his arms and stroked his chin. “A terrible conundrum. You see, I’m more than happy to trade myself for my friend’s freedom, but I’m a bit uncomfortable with the idea that you have nowhere to put me. It’s pretty unprofessional if you ask me.”
“Unprofessional?! Kenobi! You wound me!”
Obi-Wan shrugged nonchalantly. He had spotted most of Hondo’s pirates. Less than expected, perhaps he had been having hard times.
“The thing is Kenobi, much as you don’t like to admit it, I know you,” Hondo said, and his smile took a sharper edge to it.
Obi-Wan subtly shifted his stance. “Oh? Now you wound me, Hondo. I thought we were the best of friends.”
“We are,” Hondo laughed, “We are, and so I know a Kenobi stalling tactic when I hear it, friend.”
Obi-Wan smiled. “Well, you can’t blame me for trying.”
“Of course not. Of course not, Kenobi. I only celebrate your craft. I am always in awe of your grift. I continue to regret our parting. You would make a very good pirate. The best first mate.”
“But Hondo, dear, I would burn a hole in your pocket every time you came into port.”
“I liked it better when you were a broody asshole that kept his mouth shut, Kenobi,” a slow drawling voice said from behind him.
Obi-Wan kept still. He felt the metal press against his back. He raised his hands, but his casual tone didn’t drop.
“Bane,” he said pleasantly. “If I remember correctly, you still thought I talked too much back then.”
“Heh, filling you with holes would be worth the amount of gold I would lose, Kenobi.”
“But not the gold I would lose!” Hondo said quickly. “We have a deal, Bane.”
“And I stick to my deals,” Bane agreed. The press of the revolver didn’t ease though.
Making an enemy of Bane had been as wise as making a friend of Hondo.
“Now Kenobi,” Hondo sung. “I know as we speak you probably have some sort of rescue going on for your friend.”
“Me? Behind your back?” Obi-Wan said innocently. He felt the metal press harder against his spine. Bane really was angry about his deception. Hondo might be the only thing stopping him from pulling the trigger.
It was not a comforting thought.
“Do you think he’ll come and save you in return?”
“Not really. I just don’t like others paying my debts.”
“That’s really where we differ, isn’t it? You’re an honourable man Kenobi.”
Bane snorted. “Are we done yet?”
He reached into Obi-Wan’s coat to disarm him.
“You have no sense of drama, Bane,” Hondo rolled his eyes. “Fine, fine,” he twirled his finger at his crew to move things along. “Let’s pack it up then.”
“His sword is missing,” Bane said. He was going to have a bruise where the barrel pushed against him.
“Oh, a shame, Jedi swords are worth a lot,” Hondo said gesturing towards the boat.
“Where is it, Kenobi?”
“Lost it during my escape from the Empire. Simulacrums have it now.”
Bane sneered. He leaned in close to Obi-Wan’s ear his cold breath hitting his jaw.
“Don’t think this is the end of our disagreement, Kenobi. You still owe me.”
Obi-Wan allowed himself to be shoved forward by Bane towards Hondo’s boat.
Well, not the best situation. He had hoped the second location would be on dry land, and Bane was a surprise.
Still, surely that would have given Alpha enough time.
********************
A Long Time Ago
********************
After Obi-Wan’s fate was decided, he and the Count were dismissed. The older man took him by the shoulder.
“Well done,” Dooku said, his dark eyes shining. “You have made the right choice Obi-Wan. I feared when we lost you during the banquet we might not find you again.”
“Qui-Gon found me. We tried to hide Satine and have her speak with the clans, but we were separated from him. Is he alright? Is Anakin? Have you any word on Satine?”
“All are unharmed, the Duchess is with allies in Republic space,” Dooku promised. “I was worried we might have to offer Skywalker when we couldn’t locate you.”
“He’s just a boy,” but no, that wasn’t true, he would have hit his eighteenth spring while Obi-Wan was on the run. Still so young, but able to marry and fulfill a contract.
“He certainly acts like one,” Dooku said dismissively. “It’s all politics at this point anyway, my boy. Honestly, I’m surprised Fett agreed. It was a last resort on my part. I’ve been pushing at him for weeks. I didn’t think he would be willing to join hands with a Jedi.”
“Maybe he wants peace as well,” Obi-Wan didn’t quite believe it even as he said it.
“He needs it. Death Watch skulks from shadows. He needs to sort out his internals before he can deal with externals.”
“I’m out of the loop,” Obi-Wan muttered.
“You won’t be anymore, you’re his fiancé now. Jango is … harsh, but he’s a man of his word. His honour code demands it. He would never harm his spouse.”
“Of course,” Obi-Wan said faintly.
“It’s a different person, but it’s the same agreement, Obi-Wan,” Dooku said, perhaps noticing him flagging. “You are doing your part for the Republic and for Mandalore.”
He wasn’t sure how. Bringing children into the world had been upsetting, but at least it had made sense. Now, he was just to be married. What was to stop Jango from killing him when he had stabilised the realm? What was his purpose? Mixing blood of the Republic and Mandalore tied them, but now there was nothing to protect him or the treaty.
“Don't worry,” Dooku said, sensing his anxieties. “I have a plan. I must go now. Here. Letters from your Master and--oh I seem to have lost your lineage brother’s. Forgive me. It was rough getting in. You should see him soon enough. I promise you will not be alone for long. Jango will have to make allowances now that he’s agreed to the marriage.”
“Of course, thank you, Count.”
Dooku patted his shoulder. He had the same look in his eye that he had during the banquet. A regret of some kind.
And with that Obi-Wan’s only link to the outside world was marched away.
He clutched the letter in his hand and breathed.
Dooku was right. Nothing was different.
He felt him approach.
“We should talk.”
Jango stood behind him. No helmet now. He had it casually under his arm.
Obi-Wan quickly put the letter into his cloak for fear it might be taken.
“Alright,” he said.
“I’ll show you the gardens. It’s been a while since you’ve been allowed to see the sun.”
“All by your design.”
“I saw you fall from the top of a castle into a little pond and survive,” Jango shrugged. “I’m practical.”
“What were you planning to do to me?”
“You were one of the few chips I had that belonged to the Republic. It was important to keep you close.”
“And break me down with solitary confinement?”
“You don’t look broken to me,” Jango said, “Quite the opposite in fact.”
Obi-Wan looked away unsure how to take that.
When they stepped outside Obi-Wan was almost overwhelmed by the heat of the sun pressed against his skin. The magic and light that it radiated. He held a hand to his mouth, his eyes wet. He blinked away the tears.
He had thought he’d never see it again. A sunless cage was still a cage no matter how pretty it had been made up, no matter how resilient the prisoner had been.
Jango watched impassively letting Obi-Wan calm down.
“Yeah, that’s how I felt too,” he murmured. There was an odd gentleness to him that felt familiar.
Obi-Wan was led to a bench and was sat down. He let himself feel the breeze and the sun and smell the air. He looked over at his capture.
“You were the guard. The one that laughed.” He realised it in a rush of insight.
Jango straightened in surprise. “The armour should block your magic osik.”
“You had other tells,” Obi-Wan said, staring at him. He didn’t know what this meant. Jango had been watching him all along. Watching his antics. Seeing the paper art. Listening to his bad Mandalorian puns. He had even laughed at one. He had given him the book.
He felt cold in the warm sunny day. And a little afraid.
“I was interested in you.”
“So you spied on me instead of having a conversation?” Obi-Wan asked. He put his hands in his sleeves, realising that the white cloak was big enough for it. He felt so exposed and off-kilter. This was the man he was to marry. But he couldn’t be surprised by that. He knew that he was marrying an enemy. He knew that he was a sacrifice. Did he expect Jango to treat him well before they were even betrothed? Did he really believe he would treat him well after?
“I wanted to know that you were strong. I like that you’re funny too,” Jango said. He stared off in the distance.
“Beating you wasn’t enough?”
“That’s a different kind of strength,” Jango replied. “Being locked in a box shows me what kind of man you really are.”
“Glad to be of service,” Obi-Wan said bitterly.
“I won’t apologise,” Jango told him. “I needed to see."
“You should,” Obi-Wan said. “It was a terrible thing to do to me and until you kill me you’ll be stuck with me. At least pretend that I’ll have a few years before you clean up Death Watch and no longer need me as a safeguard against the Republic.” At least pretend that the little room wasn’t going to be the rest of his life once the wedding was over and the wedding guests left.
“I’m not going to kill you,” Jango said. “I won’t kill my spouse.”
“Not even if your spouse is a Jedi?”
Jango paused. “I’m not going to kill you,” he repeated. It almost sounded like he was making a decision. That didn’t comfort Obi-Wan in the slightest.
“I didn’t expect this either… I never expected you.”
Obi-Wan stayed quiet. He watched as a bee landed on a flower. He supposed Jango hadn’t expected his sudden engagement to his prisoner, but he had been the one that decided it.
“How will this go?” Obi-Wan asked. “I’d rather know than to be kept in the dark again. I thought you were going to kill me today.”
Jango actually seemed surprised. “That was not my intention.”
“Your intention doesn’t matter,” Obi-Wan pronounced. “So, tell me. Do you really intend to marry me and keep the peace? Or am I a sacrificial pawn you plan to rid yourself of later? What kind of marriage will this be?”
Jango stared at him. Searching for something. It went on too long and then finally Jango turned his gaze to the sky.
“I never planned to be married,” Jango told him. “I have never wanted that. The idea of children was a temptation when I was young, but that wish left me. They call it dar’hettyc.”
“No burning,” Obi-Wan translated slowly.
“No desire,” Jango corrected. “It’s an old phrase that assumes a lot, but people know what I mean when I say it.”
“I might be like that,” Obi-Wan admitted still too slow with holding his tongue now that he had someone to talk with.
“I thought you loved the Duchess.”
“I do,” Obi-Wan replied honestly. It had been so long since he had a proper conversation. Any stray thought poured out of him. “But I loved her as a partner. A friend. Something strong and important. I didn’t want to give her heirs.”
“So there was romance?”
“Is there a difference?”
“Sex is sex. Romance is romance. You don’t need one to have the other.”
Obi-Wan considered that. It seemed so simple when he put it like that. It cleared up a lot in his heart. A shame that it was Jango clarifying it minutes after declaring that they would be wed.
“It might work out if we’re similar,” Jango said. If Obi-Wan didn't know better it was almost gentle.
“We aren’t similar.”
“You don’t know me yet.”
“Because you kept me locked up in a room and watched as I did anything I could to stave off madness!” Obi-Wan burst.
“I was once locked in a little room. Yours was nicer.”
“You were a prisoner.”
“A slave.”
Obi-Wan’s stomach twisted. Thinking of Anakin, thinking of his own short experiences.
“The Jedi put me in that position," Jango went on.
“What?” Obi-Wan looked at him in disbelief. “That is not our way. Whoever told you it was Jedi–”
Jango shook his head. “They handed me over to a corrupt governor who stole my armor and sold me to a spice caravan.”
“They couldn’t have known–”
“That doesn’t matter.”
Obi-Wan opened his mouth and closed it. “No, you’re right. It doesn’t. Is that also supposed to explain your cruelty?” He thought of Anakin again. Who was generous and kind. Who would never lock someone in a room to see if they would break, not even his worst enemy.
“You were an enemy. Was it really so cruel?” Jango crossed his arms.
“You—” He wasn’t wrong. It had always been clear they were enemies. Jango had only just agreed to their marriage, and Obi-Wan wasn’t tortured, humiliated, or disrespected. So why was it hitting him so hard?
“You laughed,” Obi-Wan said softly. “You called me beautiful.” It was the betrayal of the guard, not Jango that was hurting him. The guard that he had never really known. That he made stories about. That he held on to, to remind himself of the outside world.
Jango’s posture stiffened a little. He looked away now, embarrassed.
“You are,” he admitted. “You’re so full of fire. You fight against everything. You fight for your life in everything you do. Even with your words. With your little jokes. With your folded paper. All you are is survival and I find that extremely beautiful.”
“Oh,” Obi-Wan said for want of words now. Jango continued to keep him off balance, at least this time it didn’t seem on purpose.
“I don’t plan to make your life hell if you are willing to live as my spouse with all that it entails.”
“What does that mean to a True Mandalorian?” Obi-Wan asked.
“We are one when we’re together, we are one when we’re apart, we share everything, we raise warriors,” Jango said. “That is your promise to me, and mine to you.
“That sounds like partners,” Obi-Wan said. “Of equal standing.”
“It is,” Jango said roughly.
“Are you really so honourable, Jango Fett?” Obi-Wan asked. He wasn’t looking away anymore.
“No,” Jango answered. “If it was anyone else, I don’t think I would be, but I like you.”
“The feeling isn’t mutual,” Obi-Wan grumbled.
“That’s fair. But you will marry me.”
“Marriage is inevitable. We’ll both do our duty in that respect, but you are promising me life after that marriage, which at the moment seems a dubious promise. I don’t see a need to play games. You don’t need to placate me. If you are going to kill me, tell me. I’ll still marry you.” I just don’t want to be fooled by your laugh again.
“You’re a strange one,” Jango huffed in amusement. “Everything about you yearns for life, and yet you throw yourself to the wolves time and time again.”
“I’m a man of duty, not of survival. You haven’t seen me clearly at all.”
Jango nodded, but didn’t look convinced. He stood up and offered his hand to Obi-Wan. “No games. I won’t hurt you. As long as you don’t betray me you will be my spouse with all that comes with that title. You don’t have to believe it now, I’ll prove it to you.”
Obi-Wan took his hand and stood as well. “Fine, then the same to you. If you become my spouse we will be one when together, and one when apart. We will raise warriors.”
There was a little hitch in Jango’s breath when he said this, not realizing he had just recited the traditional vows.
“As long as you don’t betray me,” Obi-Wan added.
***************
Here and Now
***************
Xanatos had expected many things. First that Obi-Wan would run, it’s what he would have done. It’s a good strategy that had always served him well in the past. Barring that, he would sneak in, break Xanatos out and they would both run. If he couldn’t sneak then he would force his way in. A trained Jedi knight should be able to make it through some pirates with ease.
He didn’t expect Obi-Wan to get thrown in with him and the two of them handcuffed together.
Xanatos stared at him, enraged.
Obi-Wan kept a calm and neutral face.
“Bane, are you coming?” Ohnaka called.
“I think it’s best we watch him,” Bane said, his gaze locked on Obi-Wan, who’s neutral expression broke into a smile and a wink.
Bane reached for his revolver.
“No, no, no, I think it’s best you not spend any more time with Kenobi than you need to. You’re like oil and fire and my ship is made of wood! Besides, it stinks down here. We’re setting out to sea. I don’t expect them to be able to swim to shore handcuffed with balls and chains on the ankles. They don't have their swords, and they don't have their fancy magic components, they're not a lot they can do out at sea against all of us.”
Bane stared at Obi-Wan his hand still on the grip of his revolver.
“Come on,” Ohnaka said, urging him up the stairs. “Think of the money Bane. Think of the money!”
The door closed.
Xanatos doubled his efforts in glaring.
“Well, that went well,” Obi-Wan said.
“Well?” Xanatos hissed. “What in the sith hells are you doing here?”
“Saving you,” Obi-Wan said.
“Good job!” Xanatos hissed rattling cuff of their connected hands.
“I thought you might be happy to see me,” Obi-Wan said sarcastically. He pulled a pin out of the messy tail he had his hair in and began to poke at the lock.
“When did you learn that?” Xanatos demanded.
“From my ex,” Obi-Wan said continuing his work.
“Which one is your ex?” Xanatos growled, unamused. “The bounty hunter, the pirate, or the Mand’alor?”
“The Duchess actually,” Obi-Wan smirked as the lock clicked open. “You know about Jango then.”
“It came up.”
“No wonder you were so eager to stay. You were going to try and sell me to him.”
“Of course I was!” Xanatos whisper-shouted as Obi-Wan worked on his own cuff.
“You’re lucky you didn’t try it. Jango hates mages. He would thank you, give you a big sack of gold, and then gut you.”
“Well, that’s good to know,” Xanatos rubbed his wrist and glared at his brother, far too calm about all of this. It wasn’t a side of Obi-Wan he had seen much of. He was cheerful! Actually cheerful! The entire time they had been in acquaintance he had been annoyed and bitter, and morose. Before that, as an apprentice, he had been a ball of anxiety.
But now, he was at ease. Like being in the bilge of a pirate ship was a relaxing vacation from the day to day. The banter was snappish, but it was always like that between them.
“You have a plan,” Xanatos finally said.
“Hm?”
“You have a plan,” Xanatos repeated with narrowed eyes.
“Do I?”
“I wasn’t going to give you to the Mand’alor,” Xanatos lied.
Obi-Wan rolled his eyes at him. The absolute cheek! He remembered teaching him manners.
“I’m sure,” Obi-Wan said shortly.
“What, are you hurt? What did you expect?”
“Exactly this,” Obi-Wan said in annoyance, finally getting the cuff off his hand. He started working on their shackled ankles.
“And yet you came to save me.”
“I did.”
“Why?”
“You’re complaining? I can leave you.”
“Apparently not, otherwise you would be a long way away by now,” Xanatos countered. “You shouldn’t have come back. It was stupid. Illogical! I thought you grew out of your foolishness after Melida/Daan.”
“I came for you on Bandomeer too, you know,” Obi-Wan said and it was like a hammer to his chest.
“Did you?” When had that happened?
Obi-Wan gave him a cold look and snapped off his shackle.
“I really don’t remember,” Xanatos protested. Bandomeer was a blur. The height of his power. He had been glutted on the darkside. The Son sung war songs in his veins.
He tried to remember.
“Shall I show you?” The Son whispered in his ear. A chill sped down his spine. The voice so clear. He felt breath on his skin, a hand on his shoulder.
I don’t have time for this, don’t you dare, “Don’t you–” he began.
Bright white light took his vision.
– – —- —- — -
--Ago
– – —- —- — -
“--tos!”
"Xanatos!!"
Xanatos turned swiftly. A boy stood behind him in the fields. The boy that had stood behind Qui-Gon. Where he used to stand.
Obi-Wan, he reminded himself. A year older, not much taller, more spots on his face. Qui-Gon’s Apprentice.
Xanatos felt his mouth pull into a smile and an odd excitement boil inside him.
Sibling, the Son whispered. Good. Bright. Weak.
Flashes of green hair, green eyes. A pleading face.
Copper hair, shades of blue. A pleading face.
Xanatos approached. This boy belonged to Qui-Gon.
The boy looked hopeful as he came closer. “Master said you were dead. Now he says you betrayed us. I… I don’t believe that.”
Xanatos laughed. The boy startled.
“You would be right,” Xanatos told him. “It was Jinn that betrayed me, and I intend to settle that score.”
“You can’t be serious,” the boy shook his head. “There must be a misunderstanding.”
“You don’t have to do this!”
“Then stand aside!”
“I can’t, I won’t!”
“Please, this isn’t–”
Xanatos casually raised his hand and the boy’s words cut out. His eyes went wide with terror and Xanatos came closer still. The boy, sibling clutched at his neck, hands shaking.
“X–tos?”
“What shall I do with you?” Xanatos mused. It was no effort to continue cutting off the boy’s air. He could dig out those Stewjoni eyes and send them in a box. That might be fun.
“You belong to Qui-Gon. He really should better keep track of his things.”
SNAP HIS NECK.
Xanatos startled and released his grip.
The boy fell, gasping for air.
Xanatos recovered himself. He snapped his fingers and his men moved forward grabbing the boy and dragging him towards the docks.
“If he doesn’t want you, I’m sure I can find some use for you,” Xanatos sneered.
– – —- —- — -
“--contacts in the Rim. They would pay a fine price for him. A flesh house would be eager for stock like this.”
The boy was forced to his knees trying to keep a brave face as his assistant looked him over.
Make her suffer. Make her suffer for taking his side. For falling. For--
“Him in a flesh house?” Xanatos was pulled out of his thoughts. He looked down at the pathetic child at his feet. All he could remember was dirt on his face from being pushed into mud, flour in his hair when he was cooking, flowers in his braid in the garden, smiling like an idiot, a mess. And look at him now. Spots all over his face, tears and snot, bruised from being dragged.
"I’d never make any money off that,” he snorted, but there was a roll of anger deep inside him.
His assistant dared move closer, taking Obi-Wan by the chin, wiping his face with his sleeve, and making Obi-Wan’s neck strain as he was inspected once again.
“He’s young, with fine features, sir,” his assistant simpered.
Interest. Lust rolled off the little toad. But Obi-Wan belonged to Qui-Gon Jinn and to him and no one was touching him like that.
He brought out his fiery red blade and pushed it through the fool’s gut.
“I won’t suffer those that would argue with my wisdom,” he declared. His attention turned back to Obi-Wan, who was shaking now.
He just needed to be out of the way. The blow would be for Qui-Gon.
Green hair, a sharp cry–
“Take him to the Deep Sea mine. We’ll see how long he lasts,” he ordered his remaining men.
He turned back to Obi-Wan, the boy, looking at him with pleading eyes, almost green in this light.
“This is your punishment for standing in my way,” he felt his lips curve into a grin. “And remember, it isn’t my fault. It’s Qui-Gon’s. You will suffer because of Qui-Gon.”
– – —- —- — -
"-Let you do this!" Qui-Gon bellowed.
“Die!” Xanatos yelled his sword moving towards Qui-Gon’s chest.
The boy shouted. Freed from the deepsea mine. Pale, a collar still around his neck. Qui-Gon had saved him. Qui-Gon had brought him here!
"No!" Obi-Wan cried.
"No!" h is sister cried.
She took the blow meant for HIM! WHY!!?!?!?!
The boy gasped as the blade struck the side of his back.
Xanatos stumbled away, sloppily parrying an attack from the surging green blade.
He had gotten in his way.
She had gotten in his way!
“The runes will go off and the mine will come down, I’m afraid you won’t get out of this one," he forced out. Have a backup plan. Alway have a backup. Qui-Gon knows there are miners still inside. He won't leave them.
He moved backward. Qui-Gon clung to the bleeding boy.
He had gotten in his way.
Revenge. Revenge. Revenge.
Obi-Wan’s eyes caught his, for just a moment.
“You got in my way,” he told him cruelly before fleeing from the mine.
– – —- —- — -