Chapter Text
Mace Windu really did not get paid enough to put up with everything that went on in the order, and in the war. Honestly, between the Kenobi-Skywalker duo, and the general mess that was the Jedi Order, it’s remarkable that he hasn’t had a stress filled breakdown yet. Actually he’s pretty sure certain people in the order have started placing bets on which council member will be the first to snap. Mace’s bets are on Obi-Wan; lord knows that kid is way overdue for a breakdown. Between having Qui-Gon as a master, and Skywalker as a padawan, it's honestly surprising that Obi-Wan hasn't snapped yet.
That stress-filled breakdown starts creeping whenever he seems to spend more than five minutes in the presence of Skywalker, honestly the man was an absolute lunatic, and had a profoundly large ego. As someone tied so heavily in the unifying force, and Skywalker so bright in the living force; being around Skywalker for too long started to overwhelm him. Mace honestly isn’t sure how Obi-Wan can handle it.
Speaking of Obi-Wan, the younger man was being completely hypocritical in his lecturing towards Skywalker and Tano, no matter how hilarious it was; his desire to tease Obi-Wan was even greater than the humour of the situation.
“-ly reckless and stupid! You both could have been killed.”
“I know Master! But we had it perfectly under control! We had a plan!”
“Yes and your plans usually involve crashing a ship and nearly dying!”
“Obi-Wan, wasn't one of the plans you and Qui-Gon came up with literally just ‘scatter throw bombs and hope you escape.” Mace cuts in dryly, raising an eyebrow at the betrayed look Obi-Wan shoots him.
“That was part of the plan! Not the whole plan!”
“It still involved bombs and terrible escape methods. Besides, that's not even to mention the amount trouble you and Vos get in in whenever you two are together on missions.”
Obi-Wan just sputters at him, obviously mildly offended and Mace’s blatant exposure; honestly if Obi-Wan didn't want to be teased, he shouldn't make it so easy. Honestly, it was half the council’s favourite pass-time to embarrass Obi-Wan; and trust him, they all have plenty of stuff to bring up. The joys of knowing someone since they were in the cradle.
Mace is very much ignoring the way Tano is looking like she's just been handed solid gold, or like.. Some actual downtime, and the way Skywalker is just looking between them confused, obviously not expecting Mace to have an actual sense of humour. Sometimes it was really fun being the one nobody expected to actually be able to hold a conversation.
“Seriously Obi-Wan, bombs?” Anakin questions, raising one eyebrow in amusement
“Be quiet Anakin. You’ve done worse.”
“Oh I know, but I never expected this from you of all people.”
“Are you kidding Skywalker, Obi-Wan has been a disaster since before he even left the creche.” Mace once again interrupts, the fact that he's bone-dead tired is probably the only reason he's even saying this much. He really was not looking forward to whatever revenge tactic Obi-Wan was going to pull in return.
“What are some other times, Master Windu?” Tano questions, Mace doesn't know her well but Plo has spent many drunken nights crying about how proud he is.
“Well, there was that one time when he was 16? And he was on a mission with Qui-Gon and I, and he got distracted by a bug and tripped over a rock and landed in a pond,” Mace ignores how Obi-Wan is trying to kick his ankles without being noticed. Judging by the amused glances of the Captain and Commander; he wasn't being very subtle, “Or the time him and Vos got themselves locked in a hidden door in the temple while trying to ditch class.”
He gets twin scandalised gasps from Tano and Skywalker, and a displeased pout from Obi-Wan; he really couldn't wait to tell the council that he was pouting, turns out Plo’s declaration that Obi-Wan was baby was absolutely correct.
God the council was going to have a field day at the next council meeting, this was definitely worth having to interact with Skywalker today.