Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“You want to do what?” Obi-Wan asked incredulously. 

“Develop secret hand signals.” Anakin said as if it was obvious. 

Obi-Wan gave his apprentice a dubious look. Anakin on the other hand gave him a confidante look. Obi-Wan sighed and shook his head. “And why would we need to develop secret hand signals?”

“We are at war master,” Anakin said. “What if we get captured and we need to communicate?”

“There is always the Force.” Obi-Wan pointed out.

“Well what if they give us Force suppressors?” Anakin asked.

“Then we speak.”

“They could be eavesdropping on our conversation!” Anakin said exasperatedly.

“Well then I guess they will find out our plan.”

Anakin glared at Obi-Wan for a moment before speaking again. “Okay, what if we are on a stealth mission or being interrogated and we need to make a quick plan without anyone knowing.”

“Do we have the Force?” Obi-Wan asked dryly.

“Depends what the situation is.” Anakin said. “Please master, this could really help us and plus it will give us something to do.”

Anakin had a point there. They have been stranded and waiting for a rescue for almost five hours and Anakin was going crazy. Obi-Wan hated to admit it, but so was he. Obi-Wan sighed again, he hated when Anakin was right. It’s not like the hand signal thing was even a bad idea, they were at war after all, they needed to be prepared.

“Fine,” Obi-Wan said.

Anakin cheered and immediately set to work on the hand signals. 

A few months later…

“What was that,” Ahsoka demanded as she approached Anakin and Obi-Wan who were discussing the latest battle.

Anakin blinked at his apprentice in confusion. “What was what?” 

“The thing you and master Obi-Wan were doing when we were captured.” Ahsoka said exasperatedly.

“And what were we doing?” Obi-Wan asked, equally as confused by the padawan as Anakin was.

“You know,” Ahsoka said and waved her hands. “The weird hand gestures you used.”

Then it dawned on Anakin. “Oh you mean mine and Obi-Wan’s secret hand signals.”

“You have secret hand signals,” Ahsoka exclaimed. 

“Yeah,” Anakin said. “We started developing it at the beginning of the war to help us communicate better.”

“Why not just use the Force?” Ahsoka asked.

“Exactly what I said when he told me his idea.” Obi-Wan said.

Anakin shot a glare at Obi-Wan. “You weren’t complaining today when we were able to get out of that prison with no problem.”

Obi-Wan shrugged. “I have to admit it was a good idea, but at the time I had my doubts.”

Anakin was about to retort when Ahsoka interrupted him. “So how many of these hand signals do you have?”

“Oh, just simple hand signals for small directions, but we want to advance it and have go to plans in case we are in tight spots.” Anakin told her.

“It has been quite helpful,” Obi-Wan added.

Ahsoka frowned and then asked hesitantly, “Can I help?”

Anakin beamed at her. “Of course snips! We can teach you all our hand signals so we can communicate better and maybe you can help us come up with more quick escape plans.”

Ahsoka grinned at him. “That’s awesome, master. I have a bunch of ideas already. Like one way we could do it is make a hole around us with our sabers if we were on a ship or a building.”

“That’s a great idea snips, but what would the signals be?” Anakin asked.

“Does it have to be limited to hands, because maybe we could have ears or eyebrows or something.” Ahsoka said.

“Good idea. How about we do this for that plan and then this…”

Obi-Wan rolled his eyes amusedly at his two padawans. Their hand signals were definitely going to develop a lot quicker now that Ahsoka was helping them. He wondered how far they would get. It seemed they were going to be here a while so maybe he should get some tea.

Chapter Text

Anakin was bored. Extremely, incredibly bored. He had been in this tactical meeting for the past three hours and there seemed to be no end in sight. Anakin glanced longingly toward the door. He wondered briefly if he could sneak away without anyone noticing. Anakin shook the idea from his head. It would never work.

Ugh, curse Ahsoka for leaving him to face this by himself. Oh she has classes and study’s to attend to, what about keeping her master from throwing himself off a cliff because he was so bored. Anakin was pretty sure that was just an excuse so she could get out of going to the meeting.

The last time they were in a meeting like this she fell asleep. Not that Anakin could blame her, he was on the brink of falling asleep himself, still. Anakin brought himself out of his miserable thoughts for a moment to see if they were talking about anything important but found they were only talking about supply runs.

How does Pdamé do this all day! Anakin could barely sit through an hour of this stuff and she sat through it everyday all day. If her session’s were anything like this Anakin was surprised she hasn’t died of boredom yet.

Anakin looked around the room briefly to see if he could find something to do when his eyes landed on Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan sat there with a serene expression on his face, leaning slightly back in his chair with a hand on his beard. To anyone else he would look like he was listening intently and was in deep thought, but Anakin could see the glazed look in his eyes. Obi-Wan was partially asleep.

No matter how good a Jedi Obi-Wan was, no one could survive a meeting like this without being incredibly bored. Except maybe Windu. 

He gazed at Obi-Wan for a moment when an idea struck him. Slowly a small grin formed on his face. If Obi-Wan was this bored, Anakin doubted he would mind a wake up call, it was an important meeting after all.

Carefully Ankin reached out to the force and poked Obi-Wan. He didn’t so much as stir. Anakin’s grin grew wider as he poked him harder and harder. Obi-Wan didn’t move an inch and the glazed look in his eyes didn’t waver. Finally Anakin gave one good hard shove at Obi-Wan that sent him flying off his chair. 

He noticed.

All eyes turned to the Jedi Master that sat startled on the floor. He looked up and saw everyone looking at him in confusion. Obi-Wan’s face turned tomato red and Anakin had to resist the urge to laugh. 

“Sorry masters,” Obi-Wan apologized. “We seem to have been sitting here so long that my leg must have fallen asleep.”

The other masters gave him a doubtful look but nodded and turned their attention back to the meeting. Obi-Wan got up from the floor and sat back on his seat, face completely red. Anakin had to bite his tongue to keep himself from laughing. He was pretty sure he made an odd sounding noise because a few of the Jedi in the room gave him an odd glance.

Almost as soon as Obi-Wan recovered from his embarrassment Anakin felt a sharp tug on their bond. 

What was that, Obi-Wan mentally shouted at him

What was what master, Anakin asked him innocently.

Oh you know very well what I am talking about, said Obi-Wan’s voice in a furious tone.

Well I may have given you a light shove, Anakin admitted.

A light shove? Obi-Wan said incredulously. You pushed me off my chair.

What makes you think that?

Who else would do that?

I don’t know, Anakin responded. Windu is looking pretty suspicious right now.

Said person looked like he was about to fall asleep.

Anakin. Obi-Wan said in a warning tone.

I’m sorry master, I'm just so bored.

These meetings aren't meant to be fun.

It’s been going on for three hours, almost four.

This is why you practice patience, Obi-Wan said.

Say’s the man who was about to fall asleep, Anakin said dryly.

Obi-Wan didn't respond. Anakin looked around to see if there were any other victims he could use to amuse himself. He looked at Yoda who looked like he was about to fall off his chair and sleep. He smirked to himself.

What are you planning, Obi-Wan demanded through the bond.

Nothing, Anakin said quickly.

Don’t play innocent with me, Obi-Wan said. I know you are planning something, so what is it?

If you must know, I am planning to see if I can push Master Yoda out of his seat as well. Anakin told his former master.

That will never work.

Why is that?

Yoda would sense it right away.

Then what do you suggest my oh wise master? Anakin asked with a smirk.

Watch and learn , Obi-Wan said mysteriously.

Anakin watched in amazement as he saw the chair Yoda was sitting on ever so slowly start moving away from the table. At first no one noticed, that was until the chair tipped over. Yoda fell off and hit the floor with a thump, everyone looked at Yoda in alarm but to their amazement Yoda was still asleep.

It took all of Anakin’s willpower not to start laughing right there. He glanced at Obi-Wan whose face was completely serene as he watched Yoda lay on the ground asleep. Obi-Wan glanced momentarily at Anakin and Anakin got the hint of a grin on his lips. Oh this was going to be fun.

The rest of the meeting Anakin and Obi-Wan just pulled pranks on the other master’s. By the time they got out of it everyone was either soaked, bruised or had paper stuck to them. Anakin could probably safely say that this was the best war meeting ever.

Chapter Text

“Master, are you sure you know how to cook?” Young Anakin Skywalker asked for the tenth time that evening.

“Of course padawan,” Obi-Wan assured. “Why do you doubt?”

“Mainly because I’ve seen you burn water,” Anakin said dryly.

Obi-Wan made a tisking noise and shook his head. “You have been spending too much time with Garen.”

“Garen said that you can’t cook to save your life,” Anakin said.

“Garen likes to exaggerate things, my young padawan. “

“And you don’t,” Ankin muttered under his breath.

“What was that?” Obi-Wan said from where he stood over a pot.

“Nothing master.”

Obi-Wan rolled his eyes and turned his attention to what he was cooking. It had been a little more than a year since that fateful night on Naboo. All in a few days Obi-Wan killed a sith, lost his master, became a Jedi Knight, and took on a padawan. It was truly crazy how fast things happened in a matter of days.

Even though the last year had been quite hard, Obi-Wan had to admit that while he wished his master was alive, he didn’t regret taking on Anakin. The child tested Obi-Wan in more ways than one, but it also helped him move on from Qui-Gon. He brought a joy and light into his life when he thought there would be only darkness. 

It was quite awkward the first few days they were master and padawan but it didn’t take long for them to warm up to each other. Obi-Wan taught Anakin to read and write, how to swim and a hundred different things he never thought he would need to teach his padawan. Obi-Wan, with Anakin’s help, was able to grieve. 

It was an eventful year to be sure, but with everything happening it was only recently Obi-Wan realized he needed to learn to cook. Obi-Wan had never been a very good cook himself, that was more Qui-Gon’s area, but he thought it wasn’t quite healthy for Anakin to be switching back and forth between the temple refractory and Dex’s. 

Obi-Wan shook himself out of his musing and looked back to the recipe Bant gave him. It was a fairly simple recipe, nothing Obi-Wan could mess up even if he tried. Hopefully he could become better so he and Anakin wouldn’t be stuck with temple food for the rest of their lives. 

Obi-Wan frowned as he looked between the recipe and the meal. He was pretty sure he put in the cheese and salt but how much cheese and salt did he put in?

Anakin stood from where he was sitting down messing with a droid and wandered over to him. As soon as he reached the pot Obi-Wan was cooking in he wrinkled his nose in disgust.

“Master, that looks like bantha poodoo,” Anakin stated.

Obi-Wan rolled his eyes. “Well how about you make the meal next time my padawan.”

“Because you are the master so that means you feed me,” Anakin responded cheekily.

“And you are an ungrateful menace who does not know how to use his manners,” Obi-Wan said.

“I have manners,” Anakin said. “I just don’t see the point of using forks when your hands are perfectly fine.”

“It’s called personal hygiene.”

“Just saying,” Anakin said as he walked away and continued messing with a droid.

Obi-Wan rolled his eyes fondly. Who knew he actually cared for this little menace. He glanced over at the ingredients again when he smelled something odd.

Lifting his head up he sniffed the air. He was about to say something to Anakin when he shouted in alarm.

“Master the food!”

Obi-Wan spun around and saw the food on fire. He let out a loud curse and rushed over and tried putting it out. Anakin ran over to the windows and opened them up to let out the smoke then tried to help Obi-Wan. After a few painstaking moments the fire went out.

Obi-Wan coughed and waved his hand at the smoke filled kitchen and glanced at the food he was making, it was burnt to a crisp. Guess it was temple food or Dex’s again tonight.

“Well master,” Anakin said with a cough. “I think we learned a valuable lesson today.”

“What is that?”

“Never let you near a stove again.”

Chapter Text

Obi-Wan was thoroughly exhausted to say the least. He had just gotten back from a two week long diplomatic mission with grumpy senators as his companion. His boundless patience was reaching the end of its rope.

It took all of Obi-Wan’s willpower not to cry as he landed the ship he was in, in the temple hangar bay.  He was home, he was finally home. No more stuffy senators and no more endless debating about useless things, no more chaos.

Obi-Wan grabbed his bag and exited his ship immediately. He scanned the hanger bay briefly to see if he could spot a familiar hyper ball of energy, to his disappointment he was not there. Not that he expected it to be. It was nearly lunch, Anakin would be in class, Obi-Wan would be a little worried if he was waiting for him.

Giving a large yawn Obi-Wan started for his quarters. He didn’t have to give his report to the council until later today. Maybe after Anakin finished his classes they could go to Dex’s for dinner before he went to give his report.

Any thoughts of a peaceful afternoon were immediately erased when he reached his quarters. His eyes widened comically at the state his quarters were in. Furniture was overturned, blankets and pillows were torn to shreds leaving their material scattered everywhere. Bowls of food and water were on the ground along with a destroyed droid that was sparking. 

Obi-Wan stared at the mess in shock. Anakin was messy he knew, but not this messy. Obi-Wan felt his heart stutter as a thought entered his mind. What if someone broke in and took Anakin? Though as irrational as it was considering he was in a temple filled with Jedi that would have sensed something wrong, Obi-Wan rushed to Anakin’s room and called out his name.

Anakin’s room was even more messy than the rest of the apartment. Sheets and blankets everywhere either ripped up or stained with oil. Droid parts lay destroyed and school assignments scattered. 

Obi-Wan's heart beated loudly in his ears as he tried to come up with a rational explanation their quarters would be like this other than kidnapping. That’s when he heard a rustle behind him.

Obi-Wan spun around igniting his lightsaber at the noise only to find a small tooka with its back arched, hissing at him. Obi-Wan stared at the hissing tooka for a long moment as everything finally fell into place. He deactivated his lightsaber and held his hand out to the tooka to calm with the Force. Almost instantly the tooka came to him and started purring.

Obi-Wan let out a long tired sigh, this time it was not from fatigue of a mission. “Anakin,” Obi-Wan muttered, “what am I going to do with you?”

The tooka purred in response.

Anakin ran home as fast as his feet could carry him, ignoring the angry cries from the Jedi he ran into. He had no time to be polite, Obi-Wan was going to get back this evening and their quarters looked like a battle took place in it. He also needed to hide Meiloorun, the pet tooka he found in the lower levels of Coruscant.

Anakin spotted the door to his quarters and raced, dropping his bag and immediately starting to pick up the first thing he saw. He continued this frantic pick up until he heard a voice clear his throat. Anakin froze.

“Hello Anakin,” said the voice of his master. “Would you mind telling me why are quarters are a complete disaster?”

Anakin slowly dropped what he was carrying and straightened up to see his master standing in front of him with a displeased look on his face.

Anakin forced a bright smile. “Master your back early, I thought you said your ship had some damage and it wouldn't get back till tonight.”

“I did say that,” Obi-Wan said. “But the mechanics were able to fix the problem quite quickly and I got home sooner.”

“That’s great,” Anakin said with fake enthusiasm.

“Imagine my surprise that when I got back, the apartment looked like a war zone, would you happen to know how that happened,” Obi-Wan asked.

Anakin gulped. “Of course not master, I am just as surprised as you are.”

Obi-Wan rose an eyebrow at him. “So you have no idea where this came from.”

To Anakin’s horror Obi-Wan pulled Meiloorun out of nowhere and showed him to Anakin. Once the tooka saw him he struggled to get out of Obi-Wan’s grip and once he did he ran over to Anakin and nuzzled him. In any other situation Anakin would immediately bend down and pick up the tooka, but now he just feigned surprise.

“Master, where did this tooka come from,” he said, trying to sound shocked.

“I don’t know, I was hoping you could tell me.”

“Master,” Anakin said with fake disbelief in his voice. “You think I brought this tooka back here, why would you ever think that?”

Obi-Wan looked very close to rolling his eyes. “Because you have done this before.”

“When have I ever done this before?”

“The Hawk-bat incident.” Obi-Wan stated.

Okay he got him there. 

“That was different,” Anakin tried. “That was for an assignment.”

Obi-Wan squeezed the bridge of his nose and let out a long sigh. “Anakin do really expect me to believe that a tooka just happened to wander all the way up to the temple, enter our apartment, and get bowls for food and water out all by itself.”

“Yes,” Anakin said meekly.

“Anakin we can’t keep the tooka,” Obi-Wan stated.

“Why not?” Anakin whined. 

“He destroyed our apartment.”

“We can train him.”

“And when exactly will you have time to train him between your own training, studying, and punishment?” Obi-Wan asked.

“Please master,” Anakin begged. “He’s all alone, he has no one but me, don’t send him away.”

“Anakin we can’t keep a tooka here, it's just too much work and we're already busy enough as it is.” Obi-Wan said a little more gently.

“But what will happen to Meiloorun?” Anakin asked quietly.

Obi-Wan gave him a questioning look. “Meiloorun?”

“That’s his name,” Anakin said.

“Oh, well I promise we will find a good home for Meiloorun,” Obi-Wan said.

Anakin looked up at Obi-Wan with large wide eye’s doing his best to give his best puppy dog eyes. “You promise master?”

“Of course,” Obi-Wan said with a smile.

“And we can keep him here until we find him a home?”

“Well, I'm not sure about that…” Obi-Wan started.

“Please master,” Anakin begged, reinforcing the puppy eyes. “I want to spend as much time with Meiloorun as I can.”

Obi-Wan still looked on the fence so Anakin stepped up a notch.

“He’s one of my very best friends,” Anakin said. “Don’t make me say goodbye to him right now.”

Obi-Wan broke.

“Of course we can keep him until we find a family for him,” Obi-Wan said.

Anakin grinned then launched himself at Obi-Wan. “Thank you master, thank you! You are the very best master ever!”

Anakin felt Obi-Wan’s chest rumble with laughter. “Of course padawan, now help me clean up.”

Anakin nodded happily and immediately started to pick up. Now that he had convinced Obi-Wan to keep Meiloorun for a time he now needed to find a way to hid Meiloorun until he could get to him without making Obi-Wan suspicious. Maybe even get him a girlfriend.

Suddenly he heard a yell from Obi-Wan. “Anakin you let the tooka poop in my bed!”

Anakin ran.

Chapter Text

Anakin groaned miserably from where he was on the couch. His head ached, his stomach was in knots, and the freaking temperature was freezing. Anakin swears Obi-Wan was trying to kill him with the cold.

Anakin pulled the mound of blankets which he was under closer to his head and tucked his cold nose into it. If Obi-Wan didn’t turn up the temperature soon he was going to murder him. If only he never fell into that lake on the mission a few days ago then he wouldn’t be feeling crappy. 

Stupid lakes.

Anakin heard a rustling beside him then the couch dip. He glanced up to see Obi-Wan sitting there with a steaming mug of tea.  

“Here you are, some nice tea,” Obi-Wan said cheerfully.

“I don’t like tea,” Anakin muttered pitifully.

Obi-Wan rolled his eyes. “Come now, the tea will help your sore throat and unclog your nose.”

“But I don’t like tea,” Anakin whined.

“Then you can stay sick,” Obi-Wan stated.

Anakin shot him a glare before heaving himself up into a sitting position. He stuck his hands out and gestured for the tea. Obi-Wan smirked, then handed it to him. Anakin held the warm cup in his hands before carefully lifting it up and sniffing it.

“Anakin,” Obi-Wan said, sounding slightly exasperated. “I didn’t poison it.”

Anakin had his doubts. He’s tasted Obi-Wan’s cooking, but nonetheless he took a sip of the tea. It honestly wasn’t half bad. It was very sugary and creamy and smoothed his irritated throat. Anakin let out an involuntary sigh of relief and took another sip.

“Not so bad is it,” Obi-Wan said smugly.

Anakin just grumbled to himself, not willing to admit it out loud. It seemed Obi-Wan occasionally had the right idea, not that he needed to know that. After he finished drinking the tea Anakin honestly was feeling quite tired. He set the cup down and laid his head down in Obi-Wan’s lap.

“How about you go to your bed to sleep,” Obi-Wan suggested.

“But you're closer,” Anakin told him with his eyes closed.

“I bet it’s more comfortable.”

“You're pretty comfy.”

“Glad to know I make a good pillow,” Obi-Wan said dryly.

Anakin settled himself more firmly on Obi-Wan’s lap and pulled his blankets around him. He hears Obi-Wan sigh fondly before starting to run his hand through Anakin’s short hair. Anakin let out a content sigh and leaned into him. His master wasn’t as bad as a pillow.

“You sure you don’t want your bed?” Obi-Wan asked.

Anakin answered by snuggling himself closer to Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan huffed but continued to run his hand through Anakin’s hair. Anakin soon drifted to sleep with the feeling of warmth and peace all around him.

Chapter Text

“Obi-Wan, you have to go to the medbay,” Anakin said in an exasperated tone.

“Anakin, I am perfectly well thank you very much,” Obi-Wan said stubbornly.

“Then why do you refuse to get up?”

“I happen to quite like it here.”

“You're sitting on the ground,” Anakin said dryly.

“I find you lying under a starfighter all the time but I don’t call for a medic,” Obi-Wan retorted.

“You're impossible,” Anakin said, throwing his hands up in the air. “I saw you limping and that gash in your head isn’t looking too good.”

“You worry too much,” Obi-Wan said. “I was not limping, I was simply… exercising my other leg.”

Anakin gave Obi-Wan a disbelieving look. “Exercising your leg? So why don’t you stand up and go to the bridge with me.”

“Because I quite happen to like the floor.”

Anakin stared at him for a moment before holding up his fingers. “1… 2…”

“Anakin, what are you doing?” Obi-Wan asked in a bewildered tone.”

“You have the count five before I call a medic and have him bring you to the medbay on a stretcher.” Anakin said.

“That is absurd.”

“Then get up.” When he didn't, Anakin resumed his counting. “3… 4 … 4½…”

“Anakin, I can take care of myself fine.” Obi-Wan said.

“And that’s why you are on the floor of course,” Anakin said. “4 and 3 quarters.”

“Fine, fine,” Obi-Wan said, hastily getting to his feet. “See I am on my feet. Will you leave me alone now?”

Anakin merely raised an eyebrow. “Step away from the wall.”

“And why Anakin do I have to do that,” Obi-Wan said in a frustrated tone.

“Just do it.”

Rolling his eyes, Obi-Wan stepped away from the wall and promptly collapsed. The only thing that kept his face from meeting the ground was Anakin catching him. Obi-Wan grunted in pain.

“Is this what fine looks like,” Anakin asked innocently.

“Oh shut up,” Obi-Wan muttered sulkily. 

“To the medbay with you old man,” Anakin declared.

“I am not that old,” Obi-Wan said in exasperation.

“Tell that to your white hairs,” Anakin replied.

“The ones I got from you.”

“Ah, details.”

And with that they headed off to the medbay where Kix both forced them into a bed and checked them out much to both of their displeasure which they made widely known.

Chapter Text

“Again,” Obi-Wan called out.

Anakin was barely able to restrain a moan. They had been going through the same movements for the last 30 minutes and Anakin was about ready to collapse. His face felt hot and his limbs felt weak while his head felt light. He was breathing heavier than he probably should be.

Ever since last night Anakin has been feeling completely miserable. He’s nor sure what hit him, but one moment he was building droids the next he was by the toilet afraid he was going to vomit. He sat by the toilet most of the night leaving him exhausted when he finally had to get up.

Obi-Wan expressed his concern for him earlier but Anakin was able to play it off as stress for his upcoming test in math which is probably a lame excuse since Anakin was quite good at math. Obi-wan must have known that and let it slide, which Anakin was grateful for.

Anakin has been pushing himself especially hard as of late. He knew he didn’t need to, he was already the best in his year and outshined many kids that were older than him. It was just something the Chancellor said to him the last time he met with him. It was something about how since Obi-Wan had killed the first Sith seen in thousands of years that people would expect only the best from him.

Anakin didn’t want to embarrass Obi-Wan in front of everyone and he definitely didn’t want to let him down. Obi-Wan was the best Jedi in the temple and in Anakin's completely unbiased opinion he didn’t want to let him down, especially after what the Chancellor said.

After that meeting Anakin realized a lot of things. He realized that Anakin was definitely not doing the best he could do in anything really. His kata forms were sloppy and his mechanics were taking up valuable time he could use to get better at things he wasn’t as good at like politics or diplomacy. 

He’s pretty sure Obi-Wan’s noticed this but hasn’t said anything, which Anakin was grateful for. He needed to get better on his own, he needed to make Obi-Wan proud which was one the reasons he’s been pushing himself so hard. Though his stupid body seemed to have betrayed him last night, but Anakin wound’t let his bodies limitations hold him back, though right now he was sort of regretting getting out of bed this morning.

“Anakin,” came Obi-Wan’s annoyed voice. “What is going on today? Your form is sloppy and you are completely unfocused.”

Anakin took an unsteady breath trying to clear the fog from his head. “I had trouble sleeping last night,” he said, which wasn’t necessarily a lie, he did not sleep.

Obi-Wan’s expression twisted into one of concern. “Are you alright, you have been pushing yourself pretty hard lately, do you want to stop for the day?”

Anakin shook his head. “No, I'm fine, just a little tired. I’m sure as soon as we get more into our training I will be fine. Let's go again.”

Obi-Wan was still looking at him in concern but nodded and turned on the training droid he was practicing against.

Anakin adjusted his stance and stretched out into the Force to give him strength. His touch on the Force was wobbly and it slipped through his fingers too easily. He took another few breaths and gripped the Force harder, willing it to give him strength. It flowed through his muscles, softening his aches but it sent his head spinning. 

Willing the spinning away he nodded to Obi-Wan who started the training droid. Anakin probably got in a few good blocks before the training droid switched directions, making Anakin stumble. He swung his blade widely around him trying to deflect the bolts coming at him, but achieved very little.

A bolt made contact making him hiss in pain and swing his lightsaber again. Another bolt hit him then another and another. His head spun and his thoughts were jumbled, finally he collapsed on the ground.

Anakin could hear Obi-Wan’s alarmed voice and the training droid shut. It wasn’t long until Anakin felt familiar hands grab him and lay him in his masters lap. Obi-Wan put a hand on Anakin’s forehead which was a relief because Obi-Wan’s hands were nice and cool against Anakin’s clammy skin. All too soon Obi-Wan's hand went away.

“Anakin you're burning up,” Obi-Wan said in alarm. “We need to get you to the Halls of Healing.”

Anakin shook his head which he immediately regretted. “No, we got to finish training.”

 “Anakin, you are sick, you are in no condition to train,” Obi-Wan said sternly. “We are getting you to the Halls of Healing now.”

Anakin would very much like to argue but really did not have the strength to, plus talking was making his head hurt so instead he nodded and closed his eyes letting sleep take him.

When Anakin woke up next he was feeling very comfortable. He was warm and any earlier pain or nauseous was gone, it felt nice. He stayed like that for a long time just enjoying the peace and quiet. Everything has been so busy he was glad to get some sleep.

As awareness began creeping in on him he was suddenly aware that he was not in his bed and that Obi-Wan was sitting right next to him. Then his memories began to flood his brain. He was training and then he collapsed. 

Shame mixed with embarrassment filled him. He was so weak, he couldn’t even finish a training session before he collapsed. He would never be good enough to be Obi-Wan’s padawan. He should just get rid of him right now before he causes him to be any more embarrassed.

He suddenly felt Obi-Wan’s hand on his shoulder causing him to open his eyes and immediately regretting it. Light flooded his eyes causing a pounding to start in his head. He let out an involuntary groan of pain and the lights dimmed. Anakin sighed in relief and relaxed before opening his eyes again to look at Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan looked very sad.

Concerned Anakin spoke. “What’s wrong, master.”

Obi-Wan shook his head sadly. “Anakin, you are not an embarrassment.”

Anakin blinked in confusion then he remembered what he had thought moments earlier. With sudden realization Anakin realized his shields were down. Obi-Wan had heard all of his thoughts. 

Anakin’s face heated up and he looked away from Obi-Wan. “I’m sorry master.”

“For what?” he asked.

“For being so weak, for not being good enough.”

“Who ever said you weren't good enough,” Obi-Was said in shock.

“No one, but they didn’t need to,” Anakin said. “I’m not good enough to be your padawan and I never was.”

“Anakin,” Obi-Wan said softly. “Don’t you ever think that you aren't good enough. Of course you're good enough you're better than good enough.”

“Then why am I in the Halls of Healing?” Anakin asked.

“You were pushing yourself way too hard my padawan,” Obi-Wan said kindly. “Anyone who has been working so hard would collapse as well.”

“But I'm supposed to be better,” Anakin said.

“You are still a padawan, you don’t need to be the best and you definitely don’t need to work so hard in order to feel good enough to be a padawan. Even if you were the worst ever, I would never want to have any other padawan.”

Anakin looked at his master, hope to filling him. “Really,” he said, hating the vulnerability in his voice.

“Of course Anakin,” Obi-Wan said with a smile. 

Anakin smiled back at him and sagged suddenly feeling very tired.

“You should sleep. You have been working yourself so hard you gave yourself a fever,” Obi-Wan said.

“I did?”

Obi-Wan nodded and smiled. “Go to sleep, padawan, I will be here when you wake up.”

Anakin nodded to his master and closed his eyes letting all the fear and worry of not being good enough fade away. His master was not going to get rid of him, he would stay by his side no matter what. With these thoughts in mind Anakin fell asleep.

Chapter Text

Obi-Wan blocked another strike from his padawan and countered with his own strike that was blocked. 16 year old Anakin Skywalker grinned up at him and Obi-Wan gave his own smile as Anakin launched another strike at Obi-Wan, which he blocked.

“You're getting slow old man,” Anakin teased.

Obi-Wan rolled his eyes fondly. “Hardly slow, just lowering my skill level so you might have a chance to beat me.”

Anakin smirked. “You just don’t want to admit that I am better than you.”

“Not yet my padawan,” Obi-Wan said as he saw his chance.

With a quick flurry of movements Obi-Wan quickly disarmed Anakin and had him held at the tip of his lightsaber. Anakin looked a little shocked at the sudden change of events then immediately pouted.

“Hey no fair, I haven't learned that yet.” Anakin cried.

“There’s no fair play in the midst of a heated battle my young padawan,” Obi-Wan replied with a grin.

Anakin pouted for a moment longer before accepting his defeat. “I still think it's unfair,” Anakin muttered.

“All in a matter of time,” Obi-Wan said. “Let's get some water and then we can have one last spar then move onto some kata’s.”

Anakin nodded happily and they headed to where they had left their stuff. They grabbed their bottles of water and sucked on them thirstily. Obi-Wan looked at Anakin in the corner of his eye studying his padawan.

Anakin had grown much in the years they had been master and apprentice, not just physically, but skillwise. Though Obi-Wan would not admit out loud, especially to Anakin, there were a few times in their spar in which Obi-Wan had thought he might lose. Obi-Wan wouldn’t be surprised that in the next few months Anakin would win a spar against him and not just him letting him win.

Anakin quickly drained his bottle of water and stood quickly guestering towards Obi-Wan to stand as well. “Come on, let's spar.”

Obi-Wan made a tisking noise. “So impatient.”

He took another few moments to sip on his bottle of water while pointedly staring at Anakin before deciding Anakin’s had enough torment for one night. Wiping his mouth he set his water bottle down and stood up guestering for Anakin to head toward the middle of the room.

Once in the middle and positioned Anakin gave him a ponited look. “Don’t hold back, I want to see how good I am.”

Obi-Wan smiled and nodded. “I promise I will not hold back too much of my incredible skill.”

“I thought pride was unbefitting of a Jedi,” Anakin said cheekily.

“It’s not pride, it’s pointing out the obvious,” Obi-Wan stated.

“I'm using that the next time you say I am being prideful,” Anakin said.

“I would be disappointed if you wouldn’t.”

The two stood there for a moment waiting for the other to move. Anakin struck first which Obi-Wan predicted would happen and blocked and struck with his own move. Back and forth the two Jedi went each anticipating the others move and delivering a contour strike. 

The two stayed locked in their usual dance before Anakin suddenly switched his form catching Obi-Wan off guard. While Anakin who usually preferred the acrobatic movements of Atar, suddenly switched to Djem So. 

Obi-Wan blinked in surprise at the sudden change in form and had to quickly adjust his own form in order to prevent Anakin from beating him. Anakin took advantage of his surprise and pressed his attack. 

Obi-Wan gritted his teeth at the strength of attack and stepped back to perform more careful precise movements in order to gain the advantage again. The two struggled for a moment before Obi-Wan got the advantage again, pushing Anakin back. Anakin struggled to keep up and Obi-Wan just a bit to allow them to get back into the flow of their spar.

Anakin seemed very determined not to go back to how it was before and started on Djem So again. Obi-Wan narrowed his eyes and increased his attacks forcing Anakin back. Just as Obi-Wan was about to give the finishing blow Anakin flipped over him and stabbed at him from behind. Obi-Wan had stretched far in order to block the blow and as he did he felt a sudden tare in his arm. Sharp pain lanced through his arm making him grunt.

Anakin, oblivious to Obi-Wan’s pain, used his momentum and knocked Obi-Wan’s lightsaber on the ground. Anakin stared at Obi-Wan for a moment before a grin broke out onto his face.

“I beat you,” He cried excitedly. “I finally beat you.”

Obi-Wan, still in shock himself over what happened nodded before reaching out for his lightsaber with his arm. As soon as he moved his arm a sharp pain tore through it making Obi-Wan gasp sharply.

Anakin stopped his celebration at the gasp and gave Obi-Wan a concerned look. “Are you alright master?”

Obi-Wan nodded as he straightened, gritting his teeth in pain. “Perfectly fine, just strained my shoulder a bit, lets start on your kata’s” 

The teen gave him a doubtful look. “Come on master, I'm not an idiot, I can tell you are in pain.”

Obi-Wan shook his head. “I am perfectly fine, now start on your forms.”

Anakin stared at him for a moment longer before grumbling something and starting his run through on his kata’s.

As he did Obi-Wan carefully sat down making sure not to jar his shoulder while watching Anakin run through his forms. Nodding at him once he completed a round.

“How about you start on the new set of forms,” Obi-Wan suggested.

Anakin nodded and started but Obi-Wan quickly stopped him and corrected his stance. After a few more times of Obi-Wan stopping him and correcting his stance, Anakin gave a frustrated growl.

“How about you show me then if you're so good,” Anakin demanded. Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow at the outburst making Anakin immediately deflate. “Just saying, you could show me rather than lecture me.”

Obi-Wan softened and nodded. “Of course padawan.”

Ignoring the pain in his shoulder Obi-Wan moved into the stance Anakin had just been ready to start, while pushing the pain away. He swiftly did the kata for Anakin and gestured for him to do it again.

When Anakin still was not able to get it, Obi-Wan suggested they do it together slowly a few times. Anakin agreed and the two started together and slowly gained momentum, going faster and faster. It stopped abruptly when Obi-Wan stumbled.

Obi-Wan gripped his injured shoulder tightly and let out a slow breath. He felt a hand on his shoulder then heard Anakin's voice.

“Master, are you alright?”

Obi-Wan nodded, “I’m fine.”

“Clearly not, I'm taking you to the healers,” Anakin said.

“No, I'm going to finish teaching you this kata.”

“I can finish learning the kata later, right now you need a healer,” Anakin insisted.

“I am fine, Anakin,” Obi-Wan said. As if trying to prove his point he straightened and took his hand off his aching shoulder. 

Anakin gave him a doubtful look. “Master, I'm not a kid anymore, you can tell me if you're hurt.”

“I’m not hurt.”

“Fine if you're too stubborn to admit it then I'm calling Bant,” Anakin said.

“Why would you call Bant, I am fine,” Obi-Wan said with slight irritation.

“Master, you need a healer, I don’t care what you say.”

Anakin glared at Obi-Wan and Obi-Wan gave a stubborn look.

“I will knock you out if I have to,” Anakin threatened.

“Anakin,” Obi-Wan said in exasperation.

“If you're really not injured then there should be no problem with going to the healers,” Anaki pointed out.

Obi-Wan frowned but finally relented. “Fine, I will go to the healers, but I promise you I am fine.”

“Are you so sure you would put money on it?” Anakin asked.

Obi-Wan shot a glare at his apprentice who just shrugged and the two headed off to the Halls of Healing.

“I can’t believe you tore your shoulder muscle,” Anakin said.

Obi-Wan gave his padawan a grumpy look. “I can’t believe the healers have confided me to no training.”

“You hurt yourself,” Anakin pointed out.

“Healers like to exaggerate,” Obi-Wan said stubbornly.

 Anakin rolled his eyes. “I’ll be  fine without a few weeks of you training me.”

“As your master I am supposed to train you,” Obi-Wan said. “Plus it is a bonding experience.”

“We could bond by going to Dex’s,” Anakin said hopefully.

“Or we could bond by you making me tea.”

“Make it yourself.”

“But you see my padawan, I am injured and as instructed by the healers I must not use my shoulder,” Obi-Wan said with a smirk.

“You just said you were fine,” Anakin cired.

“Well I would have kept saying that but unfortunately you turned me into the healer’s.”

“So this is revenge?”

“Revenge is not the Jedi way,” Obi-Wan said in a wise voice. “But pay back what you deserve, well you can’t go wrong with that.”

“I hate you,” Anakin grumbled as he headed for the kitchen to make his master tea.

“Neither is hate,” Obi-Wan called out after him before settling down. Maybe this injury is not such a bad thing, he can order his padawan around more. And maybe relax. Yes, maybe this would turn out just fine. That’s when he heard a crash in the kitchen followed by Anakin's shout.

Or maybe not.

Chapter Text

Rex was honestly not sure how he would describe his commanding officers. On the one hand they were absolute strategic geniuses. They could make some of his instructors run for their money. 

On the other hand he recognized that they were probably the craziest Jedi he would ever meet. Not that that's saying much, he has not met many Jedi, heck he hadn’t met any Jedi before a month ago at the battle of Geonosis.

He has learned his whole life that the Jedi were these amazing warriors that were supposed to lead the clone army to battle then eventually, victory. All of that was true, but it seemed the Kaminoians left out the small details of  their insanity.

Next to him stood Commander Cody. Even with his helmet on Rex could tell his thoughts were on a similar track to his. The plan the Jedi were suggesting was absolutely crazy, crazy enough that it might just work.

“What do you think, commander,” the Jedi —Kenobi— asked.

Next to him Cody cleared his throat. “It’s an interesting plan to say the least, sir.”

That’s how Rex knew he hated it.

“I think it may include a few more risks than necessary,” Cody said.

General Kenobi nodded before turning to his student who stood next to Kenobi. “Anakin, your thoughts?”

Commander Skywalker’s brow creased. “I think we could add a few more troops to the southern side of our attack group so they can cover our flank as we scale the wall.”

Rex blinked in confusion. Since when were the Jedi planning to climb the wall? That would be suicide, they would absolutely have no cover and there’s no way the clones could climb that wall without a massive loss of life.

Rex cleared his throat, gaining the attention of the Jedi immediately. Not for the first time Rex was glad he had a helmet, as it covered the redness his face was bound to have at their attention.

“Don’t you think it’s a little risky to scale the wall sir. There would be little to no cover as you climb and there are very few troops who would be able to climb with you.”

The Jedi exchanged glances with each other. Rex noted that they did that a lot. He wondered briefly if they could read each other's minds.

“You're right,” Keonbi said. “It will be too risky.”

Rex sagged with relief and he could tell Cody wanted to do the same thing.

“Well, master it could just be us scaling the wall,” Skywalker said. “We could cover each other with ease and take out the objective there.”

“Yes, but with so much blaster fire should we try, it would be very easy to hit us,” Kenobi asked.

Skywalker frowned and nodded before his face lit up with an idea and he turned to Rex and Cody. “How many of your men have used jetpacks?”

Now it was Rex and Cody’s turn to share a glance. “Not many sir, why?” Cody answered.

Skywalker’s face lit up with a grin that Rex would soon learn to fear.

The plan the Jedi came up with was absolutely insane. Rex could not think of any plan in a simulator on Kamino more insane than this, which was saying something.  Rex knew a few brothers whose plans bordered on insanity. And from the looks of the other troops it was clear they were thinking the same thing when the Jedi debriefed them.

Surprisingly though the plan didn’t fall apart as soon as they got to the planet. It went pretty well all things considered. Though it wasn’t till they reached the wall when Rex realized the Jedi were absolutely insane. As they started to scale the wall the plan started to fall apart.

Troops and droids were scattered everywhere and the Jedi seemed to have disappeared, though Rex could see troopers with jetpacks along the wall blasting droids. Rex probably would be more worried if he wasn’t running for his life. He ducked behind a barricade where he saw Cody.

“Where’s the Jedi?” Rex shouted over the noise of the battle.

“How should I know,” Cody yelled. “I haven’t seen them once since we got to the wall and the plan is falling apart very quickly.”

“What should we do?”

Cody was silent for a moment before he grimly replied. “We keep fighting.”

Rex nodded to him before running out from behind the barricade and started shooting the droids. It was an absolute mess and Rex couldn’t remember a time he was more scared in his life. He had just taken down another droid when he turned around to see a droid about to shoot him.

Rex had one clear thought as he saw the droid. So this is how I die , before a lightsaber slashed cleanly through the droid. There stood Commander Skywalker, braid and all.

“Commander Skywalker,” Rex shouted.

The commander grinned. “How’s it going Rex?”

“Where’s the general?”

Skywalker made a pouting face. “Am I not enough for you?” He said as he sliced through another droid. “He’s just finished putting the bombs in place.”

“What bombs? There were no bombs in the plan?”

Skywalker just grinned before leaping away into another fray of droids leaving Rex very confused. It wasn’t long before he figured it out though.

As he fought he felt a low rumble in the ground and looked around in alarm. Not long after the rumble the wall started to crumble down as explosives went off. On top of the wall was General Kenobi. He leapt off the wall and neatly landed before stabbing a droid.

“Well that was fun,” he said as he came up to his padawan.

Said padawan grinned. “Let's finish this up.”

Kenobi nodded and the two Jedi ran forward to the base without a moment's hesitation. Cody came up to Rex as they watched the Jedi fight like absolute demons, cutting down droids and switching back and forth between each other with ease.

Cody let out a long sigh. “I thought General Kenobi would have at least some sense in him.”

Rex shook his head. “These two are going to end up dead without us aren't they.” It wasn’t a question.

“It’s a wonder they survived so long,” Cody mused. “Well let's get in there.”

Rex nodded and chased after the two disasters that called themselves Jedi. He had a feeling he would be doing that a lot in the years to come.

Chapter Text

Ahsoka was starting to have her doubts about doing this. The 501st and 212th stopped briefly to restock their supplies on a planet Ahsoka couldn't even remember the name of. They were barely there an hour before her master came running up to her shouting about a podrace.

Next thing she knew she, Rex, and Anakin were on their way to the podracing track while leaving Fives in charge of making sure Master Obi-Wan didn’t find out about their outing. She probably should've realized it was a mistake before, but all she really wanted to do was get out of the ship, her master presented a golden opportunity.

“Master, are you sure we should be doing this,” Ahsoka asked for the tenth time.

“Snips it’s fine we won't be caught, Fives will make sure of that,” Anakin said easily.

“General, I'm with the commander on this one. While I trust Fives I don’t think he’s the man for the job,” Rex said.

Anakin shook his head. “Do you guys have any faith in my plans?”

“No,” they both replied.

Anakin pouted before instantly cheering, as he saw the racing track. “There it is! Ashoka Rex, go find some seats, I'll buy food.”

Then he dashed off.

Rex let out a long sigh. “Let's find some seats.”

“How long do you think it will take Master Obi-Wan to find out?” Ahsoka asked.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if he already has,” Rex said.

Ahsoka nodded. Knowing Master Kenobi he would already be here. The two sat down and waited for Anakin. 

They waited for about 30 minutes before Ahsoka started to get annoyed and looked around for him. “Where is he? I’m hungry.”

“I’m sure he’ll be back soon, he probably got distracted,” Rex said.

“Well, true, but I want food and that nuna on a stick looks really good.” Ahsoka moaned “I say we look for him.”

“The general will be back soon. He'll be annoyed if he finds we're not here.”

“He’s always annoyed,” Ahsoka grumbled

“Who is always annoyed?” Came a voice from behind.

The two spun around to see an unhappy Obi-Wan standing there with his arms folded across his chest.

“Master Kenobi,” Ahsoka squeaked.

Rex stood and saluted him. “General.”

Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow at them. “And where is Anakin?”

Ahsoka and Rex exchanged glances. “I’m not sure, Master Obi-Wan. He went to buy food about 30 minutes ago and never came back.”

Obi-Wan let out a sigh and rubbed his head. “First rule of podracing, never leave Anakin alone.”

“What?” Ahsoka asked.

Obi-Wan waved off the question and sat next to them. “I am sure Anakin is bound to show up soon, the least we can do is enjoy ourselves.”

Ahsoka and Rex exchanged glances and sat next to Obi-Wan.

“You're not upset sir,” Rex asked.

“Captain when it comes to my former padawan I am usually upset with something he did. This time I'm more annoyed that he didn't tell me where he was going.”

“Wouldn’t you have stopped him?” Ahsoka asked.

Obi-Wan shook his head and gave Ahsoka a kind smile. “Far be it for me to stop him.  He would have just done it anyway. Plus we are in a war, it’s fine to sit back for a while and relax.”

Ahsoka frowned and opened her mouth to ask something when the announcer came on. 

“And welcome to the 15th annual podrace! We see a lot of familiar faces here today, including last year's champion! We also see a lot of new faces including a substitute for Basil Baros, Anakin Skywalker!”

And sure enough there he was Anakin standing next to a pod waving to the crowd with a smile on his face. Ahsoka could hear Obi-Wan’s palm smack against his forehead and Rex sigh tiredly.

“Of course he’s racing,” Obi-Wan muttered.

“Now all racers to your pods the race begins in five minutes,” the announcer said.

 “At least we found him,” Ahsoka said with a smile.

“From your reaction, general, I'm betting this is not the first time he's done this,” Rex said.

“Unfortunately no, this is not the first time he’s done this,” Obi-Wan said, sounding incredibly tired. “He’s done it so much that I have constructed a list for what to do when we are at a podracing track.”

“When did he do it last?” Ahsoka asked.

“When the war just barely started.”

“Seriously,” Ahsoka said incredulously.

Obi-Wan nodded.

All racers start your engine,” came the announcer's voice.

The sound of pods came to life throughout the stadium. The lights blinked three times and then the racers were off. 

Ahsoka immediately sat forward in anticipation as she saw the podracers zoom off. Her eyes widened at the incredible speed they were going at and she immediately looked for Anakin's pod. It didn’t take long.

Anakin was steadily making his way towards the front, swerving around other racers and making daring moves you would be called insane to use.

Beside her Rex let out a low whistle. “The general always told us about his podracing days, I didn't realize how fast or dangerous it was.”

Ahsoka raised her eyebrow at her friend. “This is Skyguy we're talking about. Since when has he ever done anything that’s not dangerous.”

Rex smiled and nodded. “It seems his dangerous acts started while he was young.”

Obi-Wan snorted. “You have no idea. The amount of times I have had to save him while he was swoop racing in the lower levels is ridiculous, and those were the times I caught him.”

“Talk about how Skyguy is stupid later, i’m watching,” Ahsoka hissed at Obi-Wan.

Ahsoka heard Obi-Wan huff and mutter something about insolent padawan’s under his breath making her grin. Like he was any better at her age.

Ahsoka watched as the racers dodged the obstacles and winced when they crashed. She gripped Rex’s arm when Anakin nearly crashed and ignored his chuckle. Ahsoka knew he was just as worried as she was.

The race continued on faster than Ahsoka thought it could go and she could see Anakin as he made his way into second place.

“He’s going to win,” Ahsoka shouted excitedly.

Sure enough Anakin soon pulled ahead of the lead racer with a bunch  of flashy moves that made Master Obi-Wan roll his eyes. Ahsoka watched intently as he came closer and closer to the finish line, still far in the lead. Ahsoka was pretty much off his seat as Anakin neared the finish line.

Once Anakin crossed, Ahsoka jumped to her feet and started to cheer widely, ignoring the moans of disappointment from other fans. She grabbed Rex and shook him cheering widely before running towards the track towards her master.

Ahsoka came running at Anakin full speed. Anakin turned to her and grinned widely. As soon as she was close enough to him she punched him hard in the arm.

“Ow, what was that for!” He exclaimed while rubbing his arms.

“That was for not telling me you entered the podrace,” Ahsoka said with her arms crossed.

“Well there wasn’t too much time,” he weakly defended.

Ahsoka rolled her eyes and grinned at him. “That was awesome, Skyguy.”

Anakin grinned. “Glad you think so, now let's head back before Obi-Wan realizes we're gone.”

“When who realizes you're gone,” came Obi-Wan's voice.

Anakin winced and the two slowly turned around to see Obi-Wan and Rex striding toward them.

“Oh hey master, how long have you been here,” Anakin says trying to sound casual.

Ahsoka rolled her eyes. Even years of being a knight and he still acted like a fresh behind the ears padawan when it came to Obi-Wan. She really hoped she wouldn't be like that when she became a knight.

Obi-Wan sighs and shakes his head. “Should I even ask why you were in a podrace?”

“I’ve learned it’s better that way in general,” Rex said.

Ahsoka saw Anakin shoot Rex a betrayed look who in return shrugged. 

“I was just helping out, someone,” Anakin said.

“And of course that means entering a podrace,” Obi-Wan says sarcastically.

“No it means using my amazing skill to help others,” Anakin said.

Obi-Wan closed his eyes briefly and muttered something under his breath before looking at Ankin. “Well at least you didn’t break your nose again.”

Anakin’s face broke out into a grin. “Nope, not one scratch.”

“Let's head back to the ship before you actually do manage to hurt yourself.” Obi-Wan said tiredly.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means you're a magnet for trouble.”

“I wonder who I learned it from.”

Ahsoka rolled her eyes at her master's antics then looked at Rex who was shaking his head tiredly. “Let's catch up before both of them get into trouble,” she said.

Rex nodded in agreement and they headed after the two Jedi as they bantered all the way back to the ship.

Chapter Text

Anakin shuffled around the kitchen as quietly as he could using all the skills he learned since coming to the temple to help. Not that there were many skills he has learned since he’s only been at the temple for a year.

Moving quietly he dragged a chair to the counter where he clambered on top of it so he could reach the cupboard where all the cups were. Grabbing his master's favorite one he carefully climbed down and started making tea.

It was very simple in his opinion. Even though he has never made tea, he has seen Obi-Wan do it plenty of times. He started boiling the water and put the tea package in. While he waited for the tea to be done he opened other cabinets to make breakfast.

He pulled out fruit and crackers and pretty much anything he didn’t have to make. He has made very few things in his life and didn’t want to mess up his master’s breakfast. He winced as the teapot went off and quickly turned off the stove. Anakin lifted the lid off to smell it and see if it was how his master liked it. It smelled slightly off, but it seemed good enough.

Nodding confidently he poured it into a cup and  put plenty of sugar and cream into it, though paused when he saw the salt. He knew his master liked salt on his food, would he like it with his tea? Thinking it wouldn't hurt, Anakin added the salt and placed it with the tray of food. 

Anakin walked slowly towards his masters room, making sure to shield himself so he didn’t wake him up. Cracking the door open slowly Anakin checked to see if he was awake. All he heard was soft breathing.

Letting out a relieved breath, Anakin snuck in. Carefully moving things on Obi-Wan’s nightstand he put the tray of food on it and stilled as Obi-Wan shifted around. Once he settled back down again Anakin grinned as he slowly climbed onto the bed.

Once on the bed Anakin took a deep breath and started jumping and shouting. “Wake up master, wake up!”

Obi-Wan nearly rolled off the bed. “Anakin what? What are you doing here? What time is it?”

“It’s time for your birthday?” Anakin shouted excitedly.

Obi-Wan blinked in confusion. “My birthday?”

Anakin collapsed on him and grinned widely. “Yup your birthday, and I made you breakfast.” 

Obi-Wan glanced to see the plate of food. Confusion melted off his face as a warm smile lit up his features. “Oh Ani, thank you.”

Anakin grinned and got off of Obi-Wan as he sat to take the food. “Did you make this all by yourself?”

Anakin nodded proudly. “Yup, I even made the tea.”

Obi-Wan nodded as he lifted up the tea to drink. He froze as it touched his lips, an odd expression coming over his face before smiling. “It’s good,” he said in a slightly forced tone.

The tone went over Anakin’s head. “Really, do you really like it?”

Obi-Wan nodded as he took another sip. “It tastes really good.”

“Oh good,put all your favorites into your tea including salt because I know you like it in your food.”

“You put salt and sugar?” Obi-Wan asked.

“Yup,” Anakin said brightly.

Putting the tea down Obi-Wan smiled at Anakin. “Well it is very good tea, thank you Anakin.”

“Happy birthday master,” he said with a grin before quickly ducking his face. “I know it’s probably not the same as when Qui-Gon was here, but I hope I can make up for it.”

Obi-Wan’s face flashed with grief as it always does when his old master was mentioned, but it was gone as soon as it came. He carefully lifted Anakin’s chin and smiled at him.

“No, it's not the same,” he said slowly. “But I’m glad it’s different, I’m glad you're here for it.

Anakin launched himself at Obi-Wan, hugging him tightly. “I’m glad I can celebrate it with you too.”

Obi-Wan’s chest rumbled slightly as he patted Anakin’s back. “How about we go to Dex for this special occasion.”

“Really?” Anakin asked excitedly.

“Really.”

Anakin whooped and jumped off the bed. “Race you to the door.”

“How about you get dressed first,” he heard Obi-Wan call after him.

Anakin grinned. He was going to make this the best birthday ever for his master.

Chapter Text

Obi-Wan sat on a chair drinking some tea quietly enjoying life when he heard a scream. The scream was the familiar scream of his former padawan. Now he probably should be quite worried about him, but honestly, he’s too tired to care.

It wasn’t too long after he heard the scream when he saw Anakin run past him at full speed, following closely behind was Kix with what looked to be a syringe in his hand. Obi-Wan idly sipped his tea briefly wondering if he should stop this from happening then dismissed the notion. Anakin was finally going to learn his lesson.

Taking another sip he heard footsteps approaching him. He looked up from his tea to see Ahsoka walking toward him with a confused expression on her face. Obi-Wan smiled at his grand padawan and gestured to the seat next to him.

“Hello Ahsoka,” he greeted kindly. “And how are you today?”

“I’m fine, I was just wondering why Kix was chasing Anakin with a syringe? Was he refusing to sleep again?” The padawan asked.

Obi-Wan shook his head. “Fortunately, no. Unfortunately your master tried the arm trick again with a group of shinies.”

Ahsoka groaned. “Didn’t Kix warn him if he did that again he would sedate him for a week.”

Obi-Wan nodded gravely. “I do not think we will be seeing him anytime soon. Would you like some tea?”

Ahsoka nodded happily and Obi-Wan stood up to poor Ahsoka tea. After handing her the cup the two sat down and sipped her tea in comfortable silence. A few times Obi-Wan is quite sure he heard Anakin but ignored it.

 About 15 minutes after Anakin had run past him he heard something being dragged. It didn’t take long to find out what it was. Kix walked past them dragging an unconscious Anakin behind him. Now that Obi-Wan could see him better he could also see he was missing his arm. Obi-Wan shook his head tiredly.

Kix passed Rex who was walking by who simply glanced up at them then walked away muttering something about stupid arms. It was when Kix walked past Echo and Fives that he gained concerned glances. Seeing the two Jedi the clones walked up to them 

“Um sir, why is Kix dragging our unconscious general,” Echo asked.

“He did the arm trick again,” Ashoka supplied.

“Ah,” both troopers said.

“That makes sense, how long is he out?” Fives questioned.

“I estimate a week,” Obi-Wan said.

“Um why is the general being dragged by Kix,” Jesse asked, coming up to the little group with another clone by his side.

“He did the arm trick again,” Fives supplied.

Jesse nodded in understanding. “Oh, I thought he was slaking on sleep again.”

“What’s the arm trick?” The trooper beside Jesse asked.

“What’s your name, kid,” Echo asked.

The trooper straightened. “Top.”

“Well you see Top, General Skywalker has a prosthetic arm, and sometimes he plays a trick on you shinies by casually talking it off in front of them, freaking them out.” Echo explained.

“I heard someone talking about that,” Top said.

“Every time this happens the shinies run to the medbay to get Kix,” Jesse said. “Everytime Kix gets really mad at the general and threatens to sedate him.”

“He’s finally followed through,” Ahsoka said.

Top nodded. “That makes sense.”

“Would you all like some tea,” Obi-Wan asked.

They all nodded eagerly so Obi-Wan got them all tea while they sat around gossiping about random things. Obi-Wan smiled at them all. After so many battles it felt nice to sit with the troops, and Anakin was finally getting the rest he needed. Kix really should get a raise.

Chapter Text

Obi-Wan jerked his starfighter to dodge yet another barrage of blaster bolts silently cursing whoever invented space travel. Spinning his fighter around he fired on fast approaching vulture droids then dove to avoid a spinning droid.

“Blast it!” he cursed.

Anakin’s teasing voice came over the comm’s. “Language master, those are some very unbefitting words for a Jedi master.”

Obi-Wan rolled his eyes. “Will you please get over here, I need a little help here.”

“I’ll be right there.”

Sighing Obi-Wan blasted another droid and helped one of his pilots escape a vulture droid, that’s when he realized he had multiple enemy droids on his tail. “Anakin, where are you,” he muttered as he tried to shake the droids.

As if summoned by his thoughts a familiar gold starfighter flew past him at an incredible speed doing ridiculous maneuvers that made Obi-Wan sick to watch, including shooting down the droids on Obi-Wan's tail.

“What was that Obi-Wan,” Anakin called in a joyful tone.

“Well thank you Anakin, now how about you be useful and take out these vulture droids,” Obi-Wan said a little irritably.

“Roger, roger,” Anakin said then spun his starfighter in a path of droids shooting them all at once.

“Anakin you're going to get yourself killed,” Obi-Wan exclaimed.

“Not unless you know what you're doing,” he replied while blasting droids.

Obi-Wan resisted the urge to rub his head at the incoming headache he felt coming his way. Why did he always have to be so reckless?

On cue Anakin came from nowhere blasting through droids without pause and swerving in between ships and doing maneuvers only Anakin could do. Obi-Wan ignored his former padawan’s recklessness and focused on not dying.

It’s when Anakin flew between his fighter and a droid while dodging blaster fire that Obi-Wan snapped. 

“Anakin, calm yourself with your maneuvers,” Obi-Wan yelled over the comms.

“I’m getting the droids,” Anakin said in a defensive tone.

“Your reckless moves are endangering not just yourself but the troops as well.”

“I know what i’m doing.”

“You nearly hit me!”

“I would have stopped before hitting you.”

“Anakin, you need to stop.” When he received no reply he called his name again. “Anakin, Anakin come in.”

He saw Anakin’s fighter do another death defying move.

“Great,” Obi-Wan muttered. “He turned his comm off.

He watched in both horror and slight aw as Anakin moved around the droids effortlessly with his suicidal moves. He saved his clones while simultaneously destroying droids. Each stunt he pulled was more reckless than the last.

That’s when he saw proton torpedoes being shot at his former padawan. Fear shot through Obi-Wan and he quickly spoke through the comms.

“Anakin, there are proton torpedoes heading after you, come my way and I will shoot them down.”

No response.

“Anakin, answer me. You are in grave danger.” Again no response. “Anakin. Anakin!”

Obi-Wan watched in horror as the torpedoes got closer and closer to Anakin. Just as they were about to hit him, Anakin jerked up, leading the torpedoes into one of the Separatist ships making it explode.

It didn’t take long for the Separatist warship to fall apart and for the rest of the ships to jump into hyperspace. Obi-Wan couldn't believe his eyes, his padawn’s stupid reckless maneuvers just saved them all. Obi-Wan internally winced at the ear full he was going to get on the ship and turned his fighter around.

Obi-Wan smoothly landed his ship and jumped out to see Anakin standing there with his arms folded across his chest.

“Well,” Anakin said.

“Well what,” Obi-Wan said in an evasive tone.

“I am waiting for my thank you,” Anakin said.

“For saving my life or the battle,” Obi-Wan said.

Anakin smirked triumphantly. “Both.”

That’s when Ahsoka came running at them with a large grin on her face.

“Skyguy, that was insane, can you teach me how to do that,” Ahsoka asked excitedly.

Anakin shot Obi-Wan a smug smile. “Of course I will teach you that snips. You’ll be the best pilot in no time.”

Obi-Wan let out a long sigh and started rubbing his eyes. Anakin really is going to be the death of him.

Chapter Text

They were a legend throughout the galaxy. The team in the shadows. No one knew who they were, no one ever saw them, and no one could stop them.

They came out of nowhere. The war had just started, the Jedi were scrambling to get a grip when they hit. The shadows, the Sith team that no one saw. When they had a target no one could stop them, and no Jedi could escape.

It was Qui-Gon’s job to figure out who they were, well he and his friend Mace Windu. They were sent to an outer rim planet where the two Sith were last rumored to be. Qui-Gon carefully set the ship down the rocky surface and looked over at his friend.

“Do you think we’ll find them,” Qui-Gon asked.

Mace frowned. “I’m not sure. These two Sith have been able to avoid us for some time, hopefully we can finally bring them to justice.”

Qui-Gon nodded. “Hopefully.”

Mace gave him a sideways glance. “You seem doubtful.”

Qui-Gon let out a long sigh. Mace knew him too well, they have been friends for too many years for him not to know when something was wrong. “I don't know what is Mace, but there’s something about these two Sith that seem familiar. I don’t know why.”

Mace gave him a sharp look. “You don’t think they could know anything that happened to Obi-Wan and the boy.”

Qui-Gon shrugged. “I don’t know.”

Mace was frowning deeply before he sighed. “We can’t dwell on it now, now we have to find these Sith.”

Qui-Gon nodded and the two walked off the ship and started searching for the Sith. 

It was nearly 11 years ago since that battle of Naboo. 11 years since the Sith took Qui-Gon’s apprentice and the young boy he found from Tatooine, Anakin Skywalker. Qui-Gon knew why the Sith would want Anakin, his strength on the Force was unparalleled, but Obi-Wan, he didn’t have a clue.

While Obi-Wan was quite strong in the ways of the Force, he definitely wasn’t the strongest. There was no reason for the Sith to take him. Ever since that fateful day there has been no trace of his apprentice or the young boy, the Jedi had to assume them dead, but Qui-Gon had his doubts.

If anyone could survive the Sith’s clutches, it would be Obi-Wan and he would keep the boy safe. Even though everyone told him he was foolish to believe they were alive, Qui-Gon had hope.

The two Jedi continued to where the Sith were seen last. The farther they walked, the darker it seemed to become. All the houses they walked past were empty, there was no sign of any life.

“The Dark Side is strong here,” Mace commented.

“You think we're in the right place?” Qui-Gon asked

Mace nodded.

“Well let's find these Sith.”

“Qui-Gon, remember our mission,” Mace said. “This isn’t about finding them, this about catching the Sith.”

“But they could know where they are,” Qui-Gon insisted.

“Qui-Gon, this attachment you have to them is not healthy. They have been gone for nearly 11 years, there either dead, or as good as dead.”

“I know, I just need to know.” Qui-Gon could feel the weight of Mace’s gaze on his back. “If these Sith don’t know where they are, I will stop.”

Mace raised his eyebrows. “You will?”

It hurt to nod. “I will, it's time to start healing.”

Mace smiled and patted Qui-Gon on the back. “After this we will go out and get some real food my friend.”

Qui-Gon forced a smile and they continued on.

It was eerily quiet. Every sound they made sounded like a horn being blown. The farther they went, the more on edge they became. There was something familiar here, Qui-Gon just couldn’t put his finger on it.

Qui-Gon stilled as a sudden chill washed over him, glancing over at Mace he could tell he felt it too. They were close.

The two Jedi drew their saber’s but kept them unlit, slowly approaching the town square. Just as they reached the middle of it something dark darted between the buildings, moving faster than could be seen. Another figure appeared out of the corner of Qui-Gon’s eye and when he tried to look it was gone.

Mace and Qui-Gon exchanged glances. “Show yourself Sith,” Mace shouted.

The movement stilled.

Nothing moved for a long time. Qui-Gon almost believed it was their imagination, almost. The Dark Side hung heavy in the Force. There was no about it, the Sith were here.

Then faster than either of them could comprehend, a figure jumped out of nowhere and knocked Mace over and disappeared.

Qui-Gon ignited his green saber. Mace grunted as he got up and ignited his own saber.

“You alright,” Qui-Gon whispered.

Mace grunted again. “I’ll live.”

A sudden flash of movement then a large speeder came hurtling at them. Qui-Gon and Mace jumped aside and a figure appeared out of nowhere behind them and knocked Qui-Gon down harshly. Qui-Gon let out a harsh gasp and tried to get up when the sudden humming of a saber was by his ear.

Qui-Gon dared to look up. Next to him was a tall cloaked figure, face hidden in the shadows of his hood holding a blood red lightsaber.

“Now look what we have here,” said the cloaked figure. “A pair of Jedi.”

“Yes it does look that way,” said a cultured voice from nearby.

“Let him go,” Mace demanded as he stood from the ground.

The cloaked figure looked at Mace. “Now why would I do that?”

“In the name of the Republic, I order you to let him go and come peacefully,” Mace said in a cold tone.

Qui-Gon felt dark amusement curl in the Force and abruptly realized it came from the Sith.

“I don’t exactly recognize your authority here,” the Sith said.

“If you do not submit, then I will be forced to make you submit,” Mace said darkly.

“Forced? Is that a pun,” the Sith asked in an amused voice then his voice hardened. “I don't take threats well.”

Qui-Gon suddenly saw an opening. While the Sith was still distracted Qui-Gon kicked out his feet, the Sith jumped back and Qui-Gon grabbed his lightsaber and ran over to Mace. Side by side again they got into a fighting formation and looked at the Sith.

“Where is the other Sith,” Qui-Gon asked. 

From under the hood, the Sith’s head tilted. “Around.”

Without any warning Sith attacked. Sith was fast, Qui-Gon had to admit that, and well trained. He was light on his feet and very easily dueled the both of them which was quite impressive. He switched back and forth between the two Jedi with ease and screamed power in the Force. He was like a massive black hole, draining any and all light.

Even though the Sith was good, it didn’t take long for him and Mace to start to gain the upper hand. Slowly the two started to force the Sith back, as he got tired. The Sith let out a growl and started to get more aggressive with his attacks.

Qui-Gon and Mace made sure to keep enough distance so the Sith couldn't strike as he was being put on the defensive. Finally Mace made his move. Using the Sith’s defensive technique against him he stepped in swiftly to disarm him while Qui-Gon knocked him down causing his hood to be knocked off his head. 

Qui-Gon blinked in shock at what he saw. The Sith was a young man with youthful features who couldn’t be more than 20, maybe even younger. If he was a Jedi he would still be a padawan. He  had short dirty blond hair that curled slightly and a scar over his right eye. His eyes were a sickly yellow but held a slight fear in them. Strangely enough, he looked familiar.

A sudden noise from behind them grabbed Qui-Gon’s attention. Another cloaked figure jumped down from out of nowhere a red lightsaber held in his hand.

“Let him go,” the voice demanded. “If you do, I might let you live.”

“You are in no place to make demands,” Mace said in a hard voice. “Surrender.”

“What will you do if I don’t surrender,” the Sith said in a slightly taunting voice. “I know you Jedi, you wouldn’t kill a disarmed person.”

“You know nothing about the Jedi,” Mace snapped.

Qui-Gon stared at the Sith that appeared. Just like the Sith on the ground he seemed familiar, even more so. The way he walked and held himself, his accent so pris and pristine, there was something about him.

“Who are you?” Qui-Gon asked. 

The Sith turned his attention to Qui-Gon. Qui-Gon resisted the urge to shudder. What was it about him? Who was this Sith?

“I am someone long thought dead,” the Sith said.

Suddenly the Sith on the ground let out an exasperated groan. “Don’t tell them your name.”

To his surprise the other Sith gave a fond smile from under his hood which struck Qui-Gon as quite odd. Sith weren't friends with each other, they used each other for their own plots and plans, yet these two seemed to be friends.

“It is time to reveal ourselves my friend,” the Sith said.

Qui-Gon narrowed his eyes. The way he said my friend rang a bell in his head. He had heard this person say that before in that exact same tone. Who was he? 

“Who are you?” Qui-Gon said again. “How do I know you?”

“I’m surprised you haven’t figured it out yet,” the Sith paused. “Master.”

Qui-Gon felt all blood drain from his face as the sudden horrible realization washed over him. “Obi-Wan,” he whispered.

Obi-Wan smirked and pulled down his hood. Sure enough, who stood there was his once padawan. He looked older, his hair was longer and features more mature, but it was Obi-Wan. That meant that the man on the ground was…

“Anakin,” Qui-Gon said, looking at the Sith on the ground.

Anakin narrowed his eyes but said nothing.

“Now, I will ask you again,” Obi-Wan said. “Let him go.”

Qui-Gon just stared at Obi-Wan, not being able to utter a word.

“Obi-Wan,” Mace said. “We will let him go if you come with us peacefully.”

“Ah, Master Windu, It’s been a while. How are you these days with looking after my old master and all,” Obi-Wan said in a conversational tone.

“Don’t make this harder than it has to be,” Mace said in a warning tone.

Obi-Wan narrowed his eyes. “I assure you, I’m not.”

Obi-Wan then thrust out his hands, sending Mace and Qui-Gon flying back. Anakin leapt to his feet and ran over to Obi-Wan, grabbing his lightsaber on the way. The two Sith instantly fell into a fighting stance.

Mace and Qui-Gon glanced at each other.

“Last chance, come now and this won't end with fighting” Mace warned.

Anakin snorted. “If we surrender to you, you will just lock us up.”

“You have hurt a lot of people,” Mace said.

Anakin raised an eyebrow and gave a look that looked very reminiscent to how Obi-Wan looked when questioning something. “And the Jedi haven’t?”

“We are at war,” Mace stated.

“There’s always a reason,” Obi-Wan said. “Always a reason for violence.”

“Obi-Wan, what happened to you?” Qui-Gon finally broke in. “Why did you become like this?”

Obi-Wan looked at Qui-Gon, something crossing his features. “You wouldn't understand.”

“Then make me understand,” Qui-Gon begged.

Obi-Wan gave him a steady look. “I’m sorry master, I truly am.” And then the two attacked.

Very quickly Qui-Gon could see why no one who faced these two came back alive. The two Sith were a masterful team, the best he has ever seen. Obi-Wan and Anakin were completely in sync with each other, switching back and forth easily. While one attacked the other defended, they always had each other's back no matter what.

Qui-Gon hated to admit it, but he and Mace were out matched. The two Jedi struggled to keep up with the Sith vicious and ruthless attacks all the while Qui-Gon couldn’t help but think about what happened? What happened to his apprentice, to both of them?

Obi-Wan was such a kind soul who wanted to help others and do what's right. He was obedient to the Jedi, and a role model for the younglings. What made him turn so dark. And Anakin, the sweet child who had such hopes for the future was now this evil being intent to destroy the Jedi. What happened?

Mace interrupted his musing by suddenly launching himself at Anakin. The Sith not expecting it didn’t have time to react in time. Mace swung his lightsaber at Anakin’s wrist and sliced through it cleanly.

The scream that followed would haunt Qui-Gon for the rest of his life. Mace and him were suddenly blown back by a powerful Force push as Anakin collapsed on the ground clutching his arm.

Obi-Wan looked beyond furious. If Anakin wasn’t hurt so badly Qui-Gon was sure he would have killed Mace right there and then with no hesitation. Qui-Gon’s not sure if he would have been able to stop him.

Obi-Wan reached down and scooped Anakin up in his arms before standing and using the Force to leap to the top of a house. He looked at them with absolute hatred.

“You way pay for what you have done to him,” Obi-Wan growled. “Goodbye master,” and with that he leapt away with Anakin in his arms leaving Mace and Qui-Gon alone.

Chapter Text

Obi-Wan watched and waited for the ray shields to lift anxiously. He saw his master Qui-Gon kneeling in a mediation pose, Force calm and serene around him as if he was simply waiting for his pot of tea to boil. The Sith prowled around the ray shield like an animal ready to pounce on its prey.

Obi-Wan tensed as he heard the hiss of the rey shield, readying himself to run. As soon as the ray shield disappeared Obi-Wan was sprinting as fast as he could toward his master who was now fighting the Sith. Just as he was about to reach them, the rey shield activated, stopping him in his tracks.

Obi-Wan cursed himself for not being faster as he watched his master and the Sith duel viciously. He begged for the rey shield to be lifted, for his master to hold on a little longer, just a bit longer. The Sith and Qui-Gon moved quickly and swiftly, but Obi-Wan could tell Qui-Gon was tiring. 

Hold on master, Obi-Wan thought desperately.

Then the Sith smashed his lightsaber hilt into his master head. Obi-Wan’s eyes widened in horror as he the Sith drove his lightsaber into Qui-Gon’s stomach as he was stunned.

His scream rang out.

Obi-Wan sat up gasping for air. His body riddled with aches and he collapsed back on the couch, breathing hard. He really should have gone to the Halls of Healing, but after reporting to the council he really just needed to be alone for a while.

Closing his eyes Obi-Wan forced his breath to slow and wiped away the wetness of his checks. It has been many years since he’s had a dream like that, since right at the beginning of his apprenticeship with Anakin. He’ll have an occasional dream of that night, but never so vivid.

This whole encounter with Maul has shaken him up badly. Every time he closes his eyes, he sees Maul’s golden eyes boring into him. He hears Maul’s taunts about his master over and over again in his mind. Then there was the guilt.

After he killed Maul, (or thought he killed Maul) he felt immense guilt for what he had done. He killed the Sith out of anger, that was not the Jedi way, it took him a long time to get past it. Now he finds out he wasn’t even successful killing him the first time, and condemned him to so much suffering. Now that he was alive, what if he went after the people he cared about, he couldn’t let that happen.

Obi-Wan’s stomach growled loudly. Sighing he carefully got up from his bed and made his way to his small kitchen where he started making tea. After making the tea he sat down and smelled the soothing scent of the tea before carefully sipping it.

He was just about to let himself relax when the door banged open. Obi-Wan jumped as he looked to see Anakin striding in without a care in the world and started looking for something.

“Anakin, have you ever heard about something called knocking,” Obi-Wan called to him.

“Nope, never heard of it,” Anakin said without pausing his search.

“What are you looking for?”

“I think I left one of my tools in here and I promised Artoo a toon up,” Anakin answered.

“Why don’t you check in your room?”

“I already did, I couldn’t find it.”

“No wonder, with that mess you call a room,” Obi-Wan muttered while taking a sip of tea.

“I heard that,” Anakin told him. “Ah, there it is! Well see you late Obi-Wan I got to— holy crap master what the heck happened to you!” Anakin exclaimed as he turned to Obi-Wan.

Obi-Wan blanked in confusion before realizing what he was talking about. “Oh, I just got a little bruised during a workout.”

“Who did you work out with, a Zillo Beast,” Anakin asked while approaching him.

Obi-Wan rolled his eyes. “I did not work out with a Zillo Beast, I just pushed myself a little harder than usual.”

“Sure you did,” Anakin said while inspecting Obi-Wan’s injuries. “These bruises look pretty bad, master, maybe you should go to the Halls of Healing.”

“I am perfectly fine, Anakin.”

“Fine, if you are going to be difficult I will put bacta on them myself,” Anakin declared.

“Anakin, I am not a youngling, I do not need you to put bacta on my injuries,” Obi-Wan said, slightly exasperated.

“Sometimes I wonder if you are a youngling since you never take care of yourself,” Anakin said while going to the bathroom and retrieving a tube of bacta.

Once back he grabbed Obi-Wan’s arm and started rubbing bacta on the worst of the bruises. Obi-Wan grumbled slightly, but slowly relaxed as Anakin continued to rub bacta gently on his wounds and bruises.

“Lift your shirt up,” Anakin commanded.

“I can do it myself,” Obi-Wan said, but complied.

Anakin let out a sharp gasp as he saw Obi-Wan’s chest. It was a mass of black and blue with several cuts and scrapes. Obi-Wan winced at the sight of it, he did not think it was this bad.

“Obi-Wan, what happened,” Anakin asked while gently putting Bacta on some of the bruises.

Obi-Wan winced at his touch, but stayed still for the most part. “I told you, I was working out.” 

Anakin gave him a dubious look. “This was clearly not from a workout.”

Obi-Wan sighed. “I would rather not talk about it, Anakin.”

This time it was Anakin’s turn to sigh. “Master, would you please just tell me. I will find out one way or another, just tell me now, I’m not a youngling anymore.”

Obi-Wan closed his eyes and willed the images of Maul to disappear. He didn’t want to tell Anakin what happened. He didn’t want to tell him that he failed to kill Maul all those years ago and he’s alive now, murdering innocence's. He knew that once he did Anakin would want to hunt him down, and Obi-Wan wouldn't allow that to happen. Maul couldn’t take Anakin from him as well.

Obi-Wan stayed silent for a long time as Anakin finished up putting bacta in his wounds. “I think you may have broken ribs so you should check that out.”

Obi-Wan smiled at Anakin. “Thank you Anakin.”

“Now will you tell me what happened,” Anakin asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

“I am actually feeling rather tired right now, I would like to rest,” Obi-Wan told him.

Anakin narrowed his eyes. “That is the largest piece of Bantha poodoo I have ever heard from you Obi-Wan. Why wont you tell me what’s going on?”

“I don’t want to talk about it, Anakin, so please just leave it.”

Anakin gave him a hard look. Obi-Wan expected Anakin to start arguing any moment, to his surprise Anakin expression melted into one of acceptance mingled with concern.

“Alright, I won't ask right now, but I will later,” Anakin said, giving him a pointed look.

Obi-Wan gave him a relieved smile. “Thank you Anakin. I promise I will tell you later on.”

“I’m holding you to that,” he warned. “Now since that workout was clearly very hard, get some rest. I’ll be coming back to check on you and to get you some food, you need it.”

Obi-Wan nodded and slowly stood up. “Thank you Anakin, really.”

Anakin nodded to him. “Just know, you can tell me. I’m here for you master.”

Obi-Wan’s heart warmed. What did he ever do to get such a loving and kind padawan. He always looked out for others including Obi-Wan, and though he grumbled about the help, he always appreciated it.

“I know. Stop by anytime you’d like,” Obi-Wan said.

Anakin glanced back at him from where he was at the door and gave him a pointed look. “Rest.”

Obi-Wan held up his hands. “Alright warden, I'll rest.”

Giving him one last nod Anakin left, leaving Obi-Wan alone. Obi-Wan sat down heavily on the couch, letting his aching limbs rest. He glanced at a small holo picture he kept of him and Anakin when he first became his padawan near the couch. He would do everything in his power to keep Maul away from him.

Chapter Text

Anakin will swear up and down that he did not mean to touch the weird ancient artifact. He was running on adrenaline when he grabbed it, he didn’t know it was special. He and Obi-Wan had been sent on a mission to some weird planet the Separatist were interested in and as soon as they landed they were in battle.

Anakin had gotten separated from his battalion and then a horde of droids showed up and started chasing him. Now Anakin is not one to run from a fight, but he was still adjusting to his new prosthetic arm and because of that they shot his lightsaber out of his hand. So he ran, ran straight into some weird building he only later realized was a temple of some sort.

Anakin let out a harsh breath as he dodged blaster bolt after blaster bolt as he ran through the odd looking rooms. He really wished he had his lightsaber with him right now. He could hear Obi-Wan’s voice in his head right now lecturing him on how his lightsaber was his life. Well if he survived this he is definitely in for a I told you so by Obi-Wan.

Stumbling over a piece of rumble Anakin ran into another room only to find it was a dead end. Letting out a string of curses, Anakin turned around to leave when he saw commando droids standing at the entrance. 

Anakin looked around desperately for a weapon of any sorts, but found nothing. He used the Force and threw his hands out to push the droids back. The droids were blown back then quickly got up again. Anakin cursed whoever designed these droids.

Backing up toward the wall Anakin reached for anything to throw at the approaching droids. His hand wrapped around a pointy object, he got ready to throw it when a rush of warmth rushed through his body. Looking at the object he saw it start to glow, Force warped around him in an odd way it's never had before everything went black.

Anakin awoke to the sound of rushing water. Opening his eyes he squinted around him to see he was in a beautiful green garden he immediately recognized. He was in The Room of a Thousand Fountains, which was in the Jedi Temple, on Coruscant, which he was quite sure he did not fallen asleep in.

Still contemplating how he got here he heard a voice. “Are you okay?”

Anakin was instantly on his feet and reaching toward his lightsaber when he realized he didn’t have it. Turning around  toward the voice he saw a young padawan in cream colored robes with auburn hair with blue-gray eyes.

The padawan looked very startled. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you,” he said in a courisanti accent.

Anakin relaxed. “It's alright, you just startled me.”

The padawan nodded then his eyes widened and he let out a small gasp. “You're hurt.”

Anakin looked to where the padawan was looking and saw he was indeed hurt. His arm had apparently been shot and was now bleeding. Anakin winced when he moved it and tore off a piece of his robe and wrapped it around the wound.

“I’m okay,” Anakin said. “I’ve had worse injuries than this.”

The padawan frowned in a familiar way. “If you say so,” he says in a doubtful tone.

Anakin stared at the padawan. He’s met this kid before, but he’s not sure where. Of course he’s met plenty of padawan’s in his lifetime, but there was just something about him he couldn’t place his finger on.

“Do I know you,” Anakin finally asked.

The kid shrugged. “I don’t think so. I have never seen you.”

Anakin continued studying him. “What’s your name?”

“Obi-Wan Kenobi,” the kid said.

Anakin raised an eyebrow at him and snorted. “If you're going to lie about who you are, maybe you should make it more believable.”

The kids' faces clouded over into confusion. “But my name is Obi-Wan.”

“And I’m Mace Windu.”

“But my name is Obi-Wan,” the kid said in a frustrated tone.

“Look, I know Obi-Wan and you are not him,” Anakin told him.

Now the kid looked very confused. “I don’t know you.”

Anakin sighed heavily. Clearly the kid was not that bright. Anakin always thought it was cute and funny when little kids pretended to be his master, but this kid was taking it too far. Didn’t he recognize Anakin as Obi-Wan’s padawan. It seemed the kid didn’t recognize him at all, which was a little surprising. He and Obi-Wan were probably the two most popular Jedi in the temple.

Anakin was about to open his mouth to tell the kid to knock it off when he heard a voice that made his blood freeze cold.

“Obi-Wan,” came the voice of Qui-Gon Jinn.

“I’m over here,” the kid called out.

There was a rustle of leaves and then a familiar figure stepped out of the bushes. Qui-Gon stood there tall and proud as ever with a kind smile on his lips.

“There you are Obi-Wan, you're going to be late for your lessons,” Qui-Gon said to the boy who was apparently Obi-Wan.

“Sorry master, I got side tracked,” the small, apparently Obi-Wan said.

Qui-Gon turned his attention to Anakin. Anakin stiffened under his gaze and looked into his familiar blue eyes. His eyes were kind, but held none of the familiar warmth they had for him when he was young. It hurt more than he was willing to admit that he didn’t recognize him.

“Hello padawan, and who might you be,” Qui-gon asked kindly.

It took several moments to jump start his brain back up. “Um, Anakin.”

“Hello Anakin, I am sorry, but I am going to have to steal my padawan,” Qui-Gon said.

Anakin stared at him for a moment. “It’s alright.”

Qui-Gon nodded to him then put his shoulder on the little Obi-Wan and steered him away. Obi-Wan glanced back at him, a concerned look on his face before looking away leaving Anakin alone.

Anakin wandered around for a little while, trying to get his thoughts straight. He’s not sure how, but he seemed to have time traveled back to when Obi-Wan was still a padawan and when Qui-Gon was alive.

He tugged on his padawan braid anxiously wishing that Obi-Wan was here, his Obi-Wan not the little one. How the heck did he get to the past and how was he going to get back? He could go to Master Yoda, that seemed like the most logical thing to do, but then he remembered his Time and Relativity theory class he took a few years ago.

At the time it seemed very pointless. Like if they could discover time travel with the Force, shouldn’t they have done that already. In the class it said that the Force connected everything including time and space, one small decision could affect the future drastically. He had to be careful with what he did here. One small move and he could change galactic history, or was it future since he was in the past.

Anakin tugged and tugged at his braid till it hurt. Finally Anakin let out a frustrated groan and sat on the ground. What was he going to do? He could steal a ship and go back to the planet he had been on and find out what made him time travel. Of course that could make things worse very easily. What should he do?

Images of the Clone Wars flashed through his mind. The war, the deaths, the darkness. It was so light in the Force here, it was so clear and pure, the war destroyed that light in his time. Anakin couldn't help but think that maybe he could do something about it. Of course that would be incredibly stupid and reckless. He was years in the past, he couldn't be sure that anything he did would be able to help the future until it was too late, it was better to do nothing.

Of course, his master always said the Force had a purpose, a will, it did nothing by mistake. If Anakin was going by that logic then he was supposed to be here, and if he was supposed to be here, he could fix things. Maybe he could prevent the war, maybe even Qui-Gon’s death, of course he couldn’t be sure, but when has the unknown ever stopped him.

Anakin let out a long sigh and glanced to the side to see Obi-Wan walking by. Anakin probably did the most stupid thing he could have done, he grabbed Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan, startled instantly, tried to twist out of Anakin’s grip, but couldn't.

“Let me go,” Obi-Wan said while struggling.

Anakin pulled Obi-Wan into a secluded area where he finally let Obi-Wan go. Obi-Wan scrambled away from him and gave him an angry glare.

“What are you doing?” Obi-Wan demanded.

“Something really stupid,” Anakin said.

Obi-Wan narrowed his eyes. “What kind of stupid thing?”

“The kind that could change the fate of the entire galaxy,” Anakin told him in an easy tone.

Obi-Wan raised his eyebrows. “Now that’s stupid.”

“Look Obi-Wan—”

“So now I'm Obi-Wan.”

“Yes, you are Obi-Wan, just not my Obi-Wan.”

“Your Obi-Wan?”

“Yes. What I am about to tell you could very well change the fate of the galaxy, so please just listen to me,” Anakin begged.

Obi-Wan gave him a steady look that looked very much like the one he gave Anakin whenever he was being ridiculous. Anakin waited.

“Fine, I’ll listen,” Obi-Wan finally said.

Anakin smiled at him. Wow his master really is so small and little. His Obi-Wan would never agree to Anakin this easily.

“This is going to sound crazy, but just bear with me.” Anakin took a breath and closed his eyes briefly and searched through the Force. The Force hummed happily and Anakin took that for a good thing. Anakin opened his eyes and looked at Obi-Wan.

“My name is Anakin Skywalker. I was born in 41 BBY.”

Obi-Wan's face turned very confused. “But that’s two years away.”

Anakin nodded. “I am from the future, and I need your help.”

Chapter Text

Vader looked at the lightsaber in his hand. The familiar hilt with golden colors on it, the humm of the crystal inside that reminded so much of his former master it almost hurt. Ever since that fateful day on the Death Star he has looked at this lightsaber to help fuel his rage, now as he looked at it he felt a sort of emptiness.

He remembers the day he and Obi-Wan went to Ilum after the Battle of Geonosis. They had both lost their lightsabers while they were captured and were teasing each other back and forth about it. At the time it seemed so simple, neither really realized what the war was going to be like, what it was going to do to them.

In his mind's eye he saw Luke's look of horror when he killed his mentor, his own lightsaber strapped to the kids belt while Obi-Wan’s saber lay on the ground. Obi-Wan took his saber and gave it to his son, Luke. The very saber he used to kill all those Jedi with and yet still gave it to his son. The son he looked after for years.

Sometimes at his darkest moments he wondered how different it would have been if things had gone differently on that fateful day. Would Padmé still be alive? Would Anakin have raised his son in peace? Would he and Obi-Wan be friends?

The question’s were useless to ask of course, it was all in the past, what's done is done, yet there was always the regret. Regret that things went so wrong, regret that things could have been different, better then they were. Only in the privacy of his own mind would he allow himself to acknowledge that regret.

When Vader thought of Obi-Wan Kenobi, he didn’t feel the rage he used to, he felt an emptiness and if he looked hard enough, sadness.

He could still feel the burns from the punishments Sidious has given him, to teach him a lesson he says, yet Vader has his doubts. There was a time when his punishment was more meditating or being sent to his room without dessert. He remembers a master who didn’t raise his hand to hurt him, but to comfort.

Yes, Obi-Wan may have betrayed him in the end, left him on the banks to die, but he also kept his son safe, gave him his lightsaber and taught him. There was a time in his life where he would have given his life to save the man he called master, would have trusted him with not just his life but his son’s as well. 

That time in his life was over.

The one he called master now, he would never care to save, would never want his son to get near him, would never trust his life to him. Sidious has shown him many times that he would kill Vader if he needed to, that he was replaceable. He wonders if he were ever replaceable to Obi-Wan as well?

Vader flicked his wrist finally turning on the holo video. A familiar face of a child appeared in the middle of it, behind him, his room.

“It’s Master Obi-Wan’s birthday today, I am going to wake him up,” said the voice of Anakin Skywalker.

Vader had found this buried in Kenobi’s hut, long forgotten. While most of the footage was destroyed, there were a few that he was able to recover. Why he felt the need to save it from the wastelands of Tatooine, he has no idea, but he took it anyway.

The video showed the small child sneaking through the apartment and carefully opening the door to reveal a sleeping man. The child giggled as he carefully lifted a cup full of water over the head of his master. He was about to dump it when the man spoke.

“Anakin, don’t you dare dump that water on me,” Obi-Wan grumbled.

The child froze. “What water?”

Obi-Wan lifted his head up and gave Anakin a tired look. “The one above my head.”

Anakin gave him a sheepish look and lowered the water. “Well happy birthday master!”

Obi-Wan smiled. “Thank you padawan.”

That was where the video ended, but he didn’t need to see the video to know what happened next. Next the two Jedi had gotten up and went for breakfast then had a fun day messing around. Life was so much simpler back then.

But would he trade the power he’s gained for a simple thing like happiness. The Sith answer would be no, nothing is worth trading your power for, but just like how he was never a normal Jedi, he was never a normal Sith. 

Before he knew his son lived the answer might be a no, nothing is worth more to him then his power, now, now, he’s not so sure. He turned to the dark side so he could save his wife from death, it didn’t work, and with the darkness came the loss of everyone he dared to care for.

Vader looked at the lightsaber in his hand. No, he didn’t hate Kenobi as he once did. Maybe in another life he and Kenobi could have made up and been friends again, this was not that life. Kenobi was now dead, killed by his own hand.

As he looked at the lightsaber in his hand, what filled his soul was many, many regrets. One regret went by the name of Obi-Wan Kenobi. When anger faded all he was ever left with was memories of the faces of people who once loved him and regrets that he could not bring that back.

Chapter Text

Obi-Wan was feeling very anxious as he sat in the cargo ship. He bounced his leg up and down nervously and glanced at the rebels around him. They all looked very weary and tired, but none were injured.

It felt like being back on a gunship in the Clone Wars. Tired exhausted men all around him, all the seriously injured already back on the main ship, now all there was, was tired silence. A sharp pain jabbed at his heart at the thought of the old days, the days when he still had men he trusted, back when he had friends.

Not for the first time, Obi-Wan started to second guess his actions. Not his actions that led him to save the rebels, no, it was the action in agreeing to go and join the Rebel Alliance. He has been wandering around the galaxy for nearly six years consumed by grief. Now here he was, on his way to the rebel base planning to join them.

He was too old to be fighting, he wanted to be done fighting, yet he couldn't stand by anymore and ignore the suffering. Obi-Wan was tired of being so filled with such grief he was incapable of doing something, he wanted to help people again. Maybe he could even start healing.

The ship shuttered in a way that signaled they had exited hyperspace. The rebels instantly started to get up and move around to start getting ready for landing. Obi-Wan just sat there. He didn’t know the routine, he didn’t want to get in their way.

The ship landed gently and the ramp started to lower revealing a hanger bay filled with activity. Obi-Wan was harshly reminded of the hanger bay on the Resolute . All the flurry of activity, the sound of shouting and engines, it was like stepping into the past.

Obi-Wan was momentarily stunned before he got his feet moving and walked down the ramp and into the hanger bay. He stood there to the side not really knowing what to do, that is until he heard some pounding footsteps coming near him. He turned around just in time to see two small blurs running into him.

Obi-Wan stumbled back at the impact and narrowly avoided falling down. He looked down to see what nearly caused his fall, two small children stood there staring at him. The boy had a mop of sandy blond hair on his head and blue eyes, while the girl had long braided brunette hair and brown eyes, they both looked to be around six. What they were doing on a rebel ship, Obi-Wan had no idea.

“Hi,” the little boy said brightly.

“Hi,” Obi-Wan said a little awkwardly.

“Who are you,” the little girl asked in a slightly suspicious voice.

“I’m Ben,” Obi-Wan said.

“I’m Luke and this is my sister Leia,” Luke said happily. “Are you a new rebel?”

Obi-Wan opened his mouth to say yes when he hesitated. He honestly wasn't sure what he was anymore. He wasn’t really a Jedi anymore, the Jedi were all gone, and he hasn’t officially joined the rebellion.

He was saved from having to answer when a voice called out. “Luke, Leia, what are you doing here?”

They all turned to see a familiar rebel. It was one of the rebels who Obi-Wan saved. He’s quite sure his name was Rowan. Rowan was looking down at the small children with a frown.

“You're not supposed to be in the hangar bay without supervision. Where’s your dad?”  Rowan asked.

Leia gave a dramatic sigh. “He’s in a really long boring meeting.”

Rowan nodded then smiled. “Well I need you to get him for me.”

The two kids titled their heads in unison. “Why,” Leia asked.

“Your friend Ben here should meet him, plus it gives you a chance to annoy him.”

The kids faces lit up and they eagerly nodded before taking off. Rowan laughed and shook his head fondly at the two kids.

Obi-Wan frowned at Rowan. “Why do I need to meet their dad?”

“He’s one of the heads of the rebellion. He likes to meet all the new recruits and make sure they aren't imperial spies.” Rowan said.

Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow. “How would he know if you're an imperial spy?”

Rowan laughed. “I have no clue, but he has a way.”

Obi-Wan frowned at that. The way he said it made it sound like he had some sort of power, which was impossible if you didn’t have the Force. Obi-Wan thoughts came to an abrupt halt. Jedi have a very keen ability to detect if someone was lying, maybe this rebel leader was a— no, Obi-Wan would not get his hopes up. It could very well just be a Force sensitive the Jedi never discovered.

Obi-Wan waited anxiously with Rowan. Rowan was cheerfully talking to Obi-Wan, not seeming to notice him not listening. He was talking about some new ship the rebellion captured when something pricked at the edge of Obi-Wan’s senses.

Obi-Wan straightened and tilted his head as if listening to something. The Force was whispering something, on instinct Obi-Wan followed. He dimly heard Rowan’s affronted voice but he ignored it in favor of following the whisper.

It didn’t take long for Obi-Wan to hear the familiar voice of Luke and Leia, but there was someone with them. Obi-Wan continued following the Force which led to the children's voices. Obi-Wan briefly pondered why this was when he stopped in his tracks.

There standing with the two children was a man he never thought he would ever see again. He looked almost exactly how he remembered him, older, more weary, but was him in every way.

“Anakin,” Obi-Wan whispered.

There was no way Anakin could have heard Obi-Wan’s whisper above all the noise and yet, he looked up. Obi-Wan and Anakin’s eyes locked for a moment that felt like eternity. He saw Anakin mouth his name, and then he was running.

Before he even realized it, Obi-Wan was running as well, a burning welled up in his eyes. It didn’t take long for the two friends to tackle each other in a close embrace, holding each other in death's grip as if something was going to tear them apart.

“Obi-Wan,” came Anakin’s choked whisper.

“Anakin,” Obi-Wan whispered as well.

The two hugged for a moment longer before separating and looking at each other.

“You're alive,” Anakin said in a joyous tone.

“So are you. I can’t believe it, I thought you were dead!”

“I thought you were dead!”

“Have you been here the whole time?”

“Yes, where have you been?”

“I’ve been everywhere—”

“Daddy,” came Leia’s voice. “Why are you hugging Ben?”

Anakin glanced at Luke and Leia who were watching the entire thing, then glanced back at Obi-Wan. “Ben, really?”

Obi-Wan shrugged.

Anakin took a deep breath and smiled. “Obi-Wan, I want you to meet Luke and Leia, my kids.”

Obi-Wan looked between Anakin and the kids for a long time before approaching the two siblings. Slowly he knelt in front of them and examined them. He smiled gently.

“You look like your mom and dad,” Obi-Wan said.

The twin’s eyes widened. “Are you really the Obi-Wan from dad’s stories?” Luke asked in an awed tone.

Obi-Wan turned to Anakin. “Stories?”

Anakin smirked. “How else will they get to know their uncle.”

Obi-Wan let out a wet chuckle and hugged the children close then stood up and hugged Anakin. “I am so glad you're okay.”

Anakin shifted uncomfortably. “You're not mad I broke the code.”

Obi-Wan snorted. “I’ve known you and Padmé were together since the beginning of the war, of course I’m not mad.”

Anakin’s eyes widened. “You did, how?”

“You were never the most subtle person, especially when it came to your emotions,” Obi-Wan said fondly.

Anakin grinned and slung his arm around Obi-Wan. “I’m glad you're here.”

Obi-Wan nodded. “So am I.”

Chapter Text

Anakin stared at the flaming lava of Mustafar feeling very nauseous. His stomach was rolling with disgust and took almost all his will power not to throw up. After all he’s seen and done today, he really wanted to just go back to Coruscant and sleep with Padmé at his side, but he couldn’t.

Anakin closed his eyes and imagined his wife’s face, calm, beautiful, and filled with so much love. He needed her with him right now, to give him strength. Padmé had always been his strength, what he needed to live, that’s why she was able to convince him that this was the only way.

Anakin was pulled from his thoughts by the familiar sound of engine’s. Turning around, Anakin’s heart dropped into his stomach. Heading toward the landing pad was the Soulless One, Grievous's ship. But that was impossible, Windu said that Obi-Wan defeated Grievous, that he was dead, if so, why was his ship here.

Before Anakin really consciously knew what he was doing, he was running toward the ship, lightsaber in hand, ready to be activated at any moment. To his shock and joy, instead of Grievous jumping out of the ship it was Obi-Wan.

Relief so strong his knees nearly buckled he ran toward Obi-Wan with a wide grin on his face. He was alive, the clones weren't able to kill him. Of course they weren’t, this is Obi-Wan Kenobi, the greatest Jedi master ever.

“Obi-Wan,” Anakin cried happily.

Obi-Wan looked at him with a grim face. “Anakin what have you done?”

Anakin stopped short. “What do you mean, what have I done? I didn’t do anything.”

Confusion crossed Obi-Wan’s face before it quickly went blank again. “Anakin, you turned to the dark side and killed the Jedi. You’ve helped bring the end of the Republic.”

Anakin raised his eyebrows. “No I haven’t.”

“Yes you have. I saw the security holograms, you were killing Jedi.”

“No I wasn’t. If you look carefully enough you can see I wasn’t, only faking it,” Anakin told him.

Obi-Wan raised his eyebrows then sighed wearily. “What’s going on Anakin?”

“A lot of things, let's go inside and talk,” Anakin said then started walking toward the base.

Anakin could feel Obi-Wan’s obvious bewilderment but he followed Anakin. They passed the closed doors where Anakin locked up the Separatists leaders and sat down at the conference room. Obi-Wan paused when he saw the room and frowned.

“It looks like there was a battle here,” Obi-Wan noted.

“Oh there was. All the Separatist leaders were gathered here and I was sent here to execute them,” Anakin said casually.

“You executed the Separatist leaders!” Obi-Wan exclaimed in shock.

“No! I locked them up until I could figure out what to do with them. Why would I kill them?”

“Because you turned to the dark side and swore yourself to Palpatine,” Obi-Wan said.

“That was a ruse, I didn’t actually swear myself to Palpatine,” Anakin said, waving off Obi-Wan's comment.

“But there was a hologram?”

“Well that hologram was real but I didn’t mean it.” Anakin paused and looked at Obi-Wan, hurt filling him. “Did you actually think I had turned to the dark side?”

Obi-Wan looked away. “All the proof was there. I didn’t want to believe it.”

“I guess that should be a comfort. If I could convince my best friend I was evil I should be able to convince Palpatine.” Anakin muttered.

Obi-Wan instantly went up to him and pulled him into an embrace. “Thank the Force this was all a trick. I’m not sure what I would have done.”

Anakin quickly returned the hug. “I’m sorry for worrying you master.”

“I’m just really glad you're not really a Sith,” Obi-Wan said in a relieved voice. “For a brief time I was broken with the thought of you turning to the dark side. How could my amazing padawan turn?”

Anakin pulled away and gave him a smile before it quickly faded. “I still failed though. I wasn’t able to prevent all this from happening.”

“Anakin, it is not your fault,” Obi-Wan said instantly. “We didn’t realize he was a Sith until too late.”

Anakin shrugged, still looking doubtful. “Maybe, but I still feel like I could have done something.” 

Obi-Wan pulled Anakin into another hug. “I am just really glad you're okay.”

Anakin shook his head. “Not really.”

Obi-Wan frowned. “Tell me, what’s going on. What are you doing?”

Anakin closed his eyes briefly. He would need Obi-Wan’s help to pull this off, there was no one he trusted more.

Anakin opened his eyes and turned to Obi-Wan. “First thing you need to know is that Padmé and I are married and are about to have a baby.”

Obi-Wan blinked in shock before frowning and stroking his beard. “I knew you and Padmé were together and were going to have a baby, but I never realized you were married.”

Now it was Anakin’s turn to be shocked. “You knew, and you didn’t tell the council.”

“Please, we all knew. I am quite sure the clones have bets placed on what your relationship is,” Obi-Wan then frowned. “Ahsoka win’s that bet.”

“You placed bets,” Anakin asked incredulously. “How did you all know?”

“You and Padmé were not very subtle, it was quite obvious. You were so obvious that I was running around all the time covering for you so the council wouldn’t find out. Though I do think Plo knew.”

Tears sprang to Anakin’s eyes. “You knew, and you protected me from the council.”

Obi-Wan gave Anakin a sad smile. “Anakin, all I want is for you to be happy. I knew that you wanted to be with Padmé, but I also knew the war needed you. After this war was over I was going to talk to you about it all and see if we could change the rule on attachment.”

“You were, why?”

“Well my dear padawan, I have my fair share of attachments as well, including you. It would be quite hypocritical of me to tell you  to choose when I have the same problem.”

Anakin’s mind was spinning so fast he was sure it was going to explode. Obi-Wan said he was attached as well, he was saying he knew and would have turned him in. Padmé was right, as always, Obi-Wan truly did care.

“I’m sorry for not trusting you master, but i’m trusting you now.” Anakin took a breath. “I need your help.”

Obi-Wan nodded. “Whatever you need my friend.”

Anakin grinned then frowned. “Okay so basically I found out Palpatine was a Sith and told Padmé and we realized it was too late to do anything so we decided the best thing we could do was join Palpatine in order to undermine him and take down his Empire from the inside.”

“What about the baby?”

“That’s where you come in.”

Obi-Wan raised his eyebrows. “Me? What does it have to do with me?”

“I don’t want my baby being raised under Palpatine’s nose. He will try to poison them against us. When the baby is born we will say we had a miscarrige, but actually you took the baby.”

“You want me to take your baby? What will I do?”

Anakin blinked back sudden tears. “Raise them for me and Padmé.”

Obi-Wan’s eyes widened and he immediately shook his head. “Anakin no, I can’t raise your baby.”

“Yes you can. You will raise them and train them.”

“There must be someone else who can do it?”

“There probably is, but there is no one I trust more than you Obi-Wan,” Anakin said earnestly. “Padmé already has agreed to it. Obi-Wan I don’t want anyone other than you, my best friend, my brother, to raise my baby while I can’t.”

Tears sprang to Obi-Wan’s eyes. “Anakin,” he whispered softly.

“Please Obi-Wan, I only trust you to do it.”

Obi-Wan was silent for a long moment. Anakin could see the wheels in his brain turning rapidly. Anakin waited anxiously.

Finally Obi-Wan sighed and nodded. “I will for you Anakin.”

Anakin instantly sagged in relief. “Thank you Obi-Wan, for everything.”

“Well how can I say no to my best friend and brother,” Obi-Wan said.

It took a moment for what Obi-Wan said to register in his brain. When it did, Anakin felt happiness bloom in his stomach, a wide smile coming to his face. Anakin pulled Obi-Wan into a hug.
“Thank you master, thank you for everything,” Anakin whispered.

“No thank you padawan, thank you for not turning to the dark side and being such a kind person. If anyone can do this you can.” Obi-Wan told him.

Anakin leaned away and searched Obi-Wan’s face for any sign of a lie. There weren't any. “You think so.”

Obi-Wan smiled and wiped a tear from Anakin’s face. “I know so dear one, and I will help you every step of the way.”

Anakin grinned and nodded. “Every step.”

And that’s what they did.

Chapter Text

Obi-Wan stared at the ceiling for a long time. It had been hours since he decided he was going to bed and he still couldn’t sleep. Every time he closed his eyes he could see the Sith’s yellow eyes boring into him, so he stared at the ceiling.

Obi-Wan closed his eyes briefly to squeeze back the tears that came to his eyes. He could see Qui-Gon lying lifelessly on the floor and feel his hand on his cheeks, words echoing in his mind. 

“Promise me you will train the boy.”

“Yes master.”

Even now after a few months of him being gone he dreamed of him every night, dreamed of the words, the promise he made. Even during the day he could never truly escape the shadow of what happened on Naboo. Never.

Whispers followed him constantly. Whispers of The Sith Killer, the Chosen One’s master and more. He could never escape what happened, he doubted he ever would.

Flashes of the funeral pyre filled his mind's eye. Before he knew what he was doing he was getting up and moving out of Qu— his room and heading toward the kitchen. Mindlessly, he started making tea. 

This has been a nightly routine of his of late. He would go to bed, stare up at the ceiling for hours at a time, get up and make tea then fall into an uneasy sleep. It seemed it would be no different tonight.

Suddenly, Obi-Wan heard a shuffling behind him. Obi-Wan’s head snapped up and he turned around to see Anakin standing there wrapped in a huge blanket shivering.

“Anakin, what are you doing awake,” Obi-Wan asked.

Anakin shuffled awkwardly and stared at his feet. “I had a bad dream,” he said quietly. 

Oh. What was he supposed to do now? When younglings had gotten nightmares, the créche masters always meditated with them until they were calm enough to go back to sleep, he didn’t think that would help Anakin much.

Slowly approaching the child Obi-Wan knelt down in front of him. “Do you want to talk about it?”

Anakin shook his head.

“Okay, do you want some tea?”

Anakin hesitated before nodding. Relieved that there was something he could do, Obi-Wan started making Anakin a cup of tea. Once finished he handed the child the cup and grabbed his own cup. The two stood there awkwardly.

What now?

Obi-Wan subtly glanced at the room around him to see if he could find anything to help when he remembered something Anakin had said to him once about loving the stars.

“Follow me,” Obi-Wan said to Anakin.

Anakin gave Obi-Wan a curious look but followed. Obi-Wan walked out to the terrace and felt a cold breeze pass him. Anakin followed and immediately shuddered at the cold air. Obi-Wan opened his arms and Anakin ran into them. Obi-Wan slowly sat down and Anakin cuddled up to his chest.

“Why are we out here?” Anakin asked quietly.

“I wanted to show you the stars,” Obi-Wan said.

Anakin frowned at him. “But there aren't any stars.”

“Yes there are, you just have to look for them.”

Anakin turned away from Obi-Wan’s chest and looked toward the sky. He was quiet for a long time, just searching the night sky. Then he gasped excitedly.

“I see them master, I see them!”

Obi-Wan smiled faintly at his excitement. “Do you know how to use the stars to navigate?”

Anakin shook his head. “Do you?”

Obi-Wan nodded.

Anakin opened his mouth to say something then hesitated. “Can you show me where Tatooine is?”

Obi-Wan paused then nodded. It took him a moment before he found it and pointed it out to Anakin. “There it is, do you see it?”

Anakin nodded. “It’s so small.”

“We are quite far away from it.”

Anakin suddenly lowered his head. “I wonder what my mom’s doing.”

With sudden clarity, Obi-Wan knew what Anakin’s bad dream was about. “I’m sure she’s okay Anakin.”

Anakin looked at him, vulnerability in his eyes. “How do you know?”

Obi-Wan didn’t know what to say to that. He wanted to reassure Anakin, but how could he tell him his mom was going to be okay when he didn’t know. Obi-Wan bit his lip. What would Qui-Gon say?

“Well, if your mom is anything like you, then she will be fine,” Obi-Wan finally said. “You are very smart and strong, I bet you get that from your mom.”

Anakin nodded but stayed quiet, looking at where Obi-Wan said Tatooine was.

“You know when I was your age the créche masters used to teach us how to use the stars to navigate,” Obi-Wan said, then felt his heart constrict as a memory came to his mind. “Qui-Gon used to teach me as well.” 

He could feel Anakin’s immediate attention.

“When we went on a mission he would always take me outside to see the stars,” Obi-Wan took a breath. “He would teach me how to navigate using their positions. He always wanted to make sure I knew a way home.”

Anakin was silent for a long moment before timidly asking. “Can you teach me?”

Obi-Wan looked down into Anakin’s hopeful blue eyes. The stars seemed to reflect in them. Obi-Wan smiled softly. 

“Of course.”

The way Anakin’s face lit up, it made Obi-Wan’s heart swell with happiness. His Force presence shone brightly making any darkness retreat. He was like a star himself. Obi-Wan wanted to keep that happiness on Anakin’s face.

Obi-Wan pulled Anakin closer to his chest and gently started teaching him about the stars and how to use them to navigate. Anakin listened intently. As they sat out there in the cool Coruscant air Obi-Wan felt a small piece of his heart put back together. Maybe, just maybe teaching this little boy in his arms would help him heal, help them both heal.

That night, the Force sang with happiness as the two began to heal together.