Work Text:
Jedi are supposed to train themselves to let go of everything they are afraid to lose.
But how could she ever imagine that she would lose the only person that she was allowed to form a bond with?
The only person she was never meant to lose. Her Master.
Anakin.
He left the Order without warning. And that was the most painful part for her... because she thought he trusted her enough to at least mention something about his decision.
Was it that hard to at least leave a letter?
Three weeks had already passed since his departure, and she still couldn't stop feeling an enormous void in her chest. Pain, deception, betrayal. Emotions she was supposed to deny, suppress and control... yet she couldn't. It just hurt too much to accept that he had left her behind.
The anger and humiliation when hearing people joke about it did not help either: "Maybe he left because he couldn't stand his Padawan anymore," she had overheard someone say while laughing, just three days ago. She hadn't left her quarters since then.
Maybe he would come back if he knew how I feel. Maybe he would call, he would explain, he would apologize.
But no. Anakin wasn't there anymore. He wouldn't come knocking at her door to scold her for skipping meals, for missing classes, for isolating herself.
Who can blame me, though?
An abandoned Padawan sinking in her bed. That's who she was now.
Suddenly, she heard a knock on her door. She knew it wasn't him.
Why should I get up anyway?
She stayed in bed, pulling the blankets over her face, trying to ignore the sound.
"Ahsoka." A very familiar voice called. "Ahsoka, I know you're there, dear." He kept knocking on the door. "Please?"
Alright, alright. Obi-Wan had nothing to do with this, and although she didn't want to talk to anyone right now, she couldn't possibly ignore his attempts to reach out to her. He doesn't deserve that. I bet he's hurting too.
She walked to the door and slowly opened it.
"Hello there," he said softly, looking at her with a hint of sorrow. "I've brought something for you." He lifted a brown paper bag. "May I come in?" She moved to the side to let him in.
Obi-Wan placed the paper bag on the counter and turned to look at her. "I presume you've been skipping meals, so I went to Dex's, and he sent you something you most certainly won't be able to decline." He opened the bag and revealed a big nerfburger with fritzle fries.
She mumbled a weak "Thank you," and to her dismay, she felt her chest tighten and tears begin to form in her eyes. She hadn't wanted to cry as soon as he arrived, but what he had done meant more to her than Obi-Wan could probably imagine. It reminded her that someone still cared enough about her to try and cheer her up despite everything.
"I-I'm sorry. I didn't want you to see me like this."
"Oh, Ahsoka." He gave her a sympathetic look and stepped closer, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You have nothing to be sorry for. You can be vulnerable in front of me. I'll never judge you for it. It's nothing to be ashamed of."
"I know," she muttered, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. "Thank you for caring." She offered him a small smile, which he returned.
"Now, we shouldn't let the best nerfburger on this side of Coruscant get cold."
Ahsoka let out a chuckle, and followed him to the table. He placed the food on a plate in front of her.
"But what about you?" she asked, noticing there was only one nerfburger.
"Ah, don't worry. I've already eaten. I just wanted to make sure that you eat something. And what better than something tasty made by one of our dearest friends?"
After her first bite, she asked, "How's Dex doing?"
"He's doing fine. He was worried about you and told me to promise you'd visit him whenever you want."
She was glad to have met Dex. He was such a good listener; she probably would go see him when she felt less like a wreck.
"And... how are you feeling?" She asked hesitantly.
He sighed. "Ahsoka, I've known Anakin for more than a decade. I sensed something troubling him, and I sometimes imagined this was one of the scenarios that could happen. Naturally, I feel hurt, but not as much as I would if I hadn't seen this coming. And I'm truly sorry that I didn't warn you, dear, but I never expected him to actually do it." He looked remorseful.
"I wish he would've told us. I wish..." She breathed out. "I don't know, I thought he would never do something like this."
Obi-Wan placed his hand over hers, pressing his lips into a thin line.
"I know, dear. He must've had his reasons."
"Sometimes I wonder if I thought he cared more about me than he actually did... and that's what hurts the most. I would have given my life for him. And he couldn't even say goodbye?" Her voice began to break, tears welling in her eyes.
"There's nothing that I can say that will take your pain away, dearest... but I want you to know that I'm here for you, and I don't plan on ever leaving."
She couldn't stop herself from getting up and hugging him tightly. She also couldn't stop crying, but he held her patiently in his arms, caressing her back and assuring her that everything would be alright, that they would get through this.
When her sobs subsided, she slowly let go and looked up at him.
"I know it's probably too soon to say this but..." She sighed, trying to find the right words. "I wouldn't want anyone other than you to be my new Master. You've always been more of a Master to me than a Grandmaster. I've learned so much from you just by listening to you, observing you, and fighting by your side. I don't think it would be possible for me to trust anyone else to help me complete my training. So, Master Kenobi, would you please welcome me as your Padawan?"
She looked at him with eyes full of expectation, full of hope.
"Ahsoka, dear one, it will be my greatest honor to call you my Padawan. Of course I'll be your Master." He embraced her again. "I wouldn't let anyone take that place from me."
She laughed, the sound muffled by his robe.
"I'm very glad to hear you already saw me as a Master because I've always cared for you as if you were my own Padawan," he confessed, placing his hands on her shoulders and giving her one of the sincerest smiles she had ever seen.
And for the first time in 21 days, Ahsoka found herself genuinely smiling too.