Chapter Text
“I request that Anakin stay at the temple,” says Obi-wan. The council looks stern. Obi-wan looks steadily back.
If it were a few weeks ago, Anakin wouldn’t believe Obi-wan would be the one to fight for him. However, after Obi-wan brought back Qui-gon’s half dead body and he and Anakin had stayed up all night by Qui-gon’s side, he’s learned that Obi-wan is much kinder than he initially thought. He is a fierce friend once his loyalty has been earned. Anakin has not a clue for what made Obi-wan apply that loyalty to him.
“The boy is too old. We have already deliberated on this,” says Master Windu.
“It was Qui-gon’s last wish. He was dreadfully injured after taking on a Sith,” Obi-wan says stubbornly, cutting Windu off. Obi-wan glares at the Council. Guilty looks are passed around.
“Kenobi — ”
“No,” says Obi-wan, “You cannot make any concrete decision about Anakin’s future until Qui-gon is awake. If you do, I will train the boy myself.”
“Leave the Temple, you would?” asks Master Yoda.
Anakin had worked hard to learn all the names of the Council members on the way back from Naboo. Obi-wan told him he needed to make the best impression he could.
“I left the Temple before, when the Force guided me to.” Obi-wan pauses. His gaze sweeps the Masters. Somehow, Anakin thinks, Obi-wan is the one looking down on them.
“The Force brought me back too, when I was fourteen and still more emotional than your average padawan. Yet, you took me back then. Have you regretted this decision, Masters?” Obi-wan asks. Master Windu looks kind of funny, like he swallowed a lemon.
“Anakin is brave and kind. He has all of the qualities a Jedi initiate should have. It is natural that a child of his upbringing would behave differently than a child brought up at the Temple. Given the chance, I believe he would be the best of us,” says Obi-wan.
“Furthermore,” Plo Koon adds, “There is the matter of the Sith to consider.”
Anakin doesn’t know what that has to do with him, but apparently this was a controversial statement.
“We don’t even know if that was a Sith!” someone calls.
The Council devolves into mutterings that Anakin doesn’t really follow.
The air is thick with something Anakin can’t identify. He gazes out past the Jedi Masters to the skyline of Coruscant. That could be his future, he thinks. Maybe if the Jedi don’t accept him, he could be a pilot. Then he could fly all the way back to Tatooine and free all the slaves (starting with his mother), like he promised. He’s not sure what else he could be. A mechanic? Those are the only real jobs Anakin knows.
Finally Master Yoda speaks, whacking his stick on the ground. The Council quiets down.
“True it is, that a decision we made. Obtained new information, we have. Deliberate again, we will,” he says.
“Thank you Masters,” Obi-wan says. He bows low. Anakin hastily copies him. Disbelief rises within him. Despite all of Obi-wan’s reassurances, he can’t believe it. Would they let him — ? He could hardly dare to hope.
“Impudent, you are, young Kenobi,” Yoda says.
Obi-wan flushes.
“Wise, you are,” Yoda adds, “A fresh perspective, you bring. Needs that, this Council does.”
“Anakin can stay in the créche for now. Regardless of the decision the council makes, it will be good for him,” Plo Koon says. His voice is low. Anakin finds it comforting. He’s not very familiar with Kel-dor expressions, but Master Koon’s seems warm.
“This isn’t over yet Kenobi,” Windu warns. “We may not come to the decision you want.”
“I will take him to the créche then,” says Obi-wan, unruffled. He turns to look at Anakin, eyes kind. Anakin is completely overjoyed.
“Thank you so much Masters! Thank you thank you thank you! I won’t cause trouble, I promise!”
Obi-wan takes Anakin’s hand and turns to walk out.
Behind Anakin, Master Windu sighs.
“He is just like Qui-gon. Your whole damned lineage — ” are the last words Anakin can hear before the doors shut behind him.
Anakin practically skips hand in hand with Obi-wan. He feels like he’s won the best podrace ever.
“Am I really gonna be a Jedi?” he asks breathlessly.
“Didn’t I tell you you would be?” Obi-wan says mischievously.
“I know, but they seemed so umm unhappy before. But now I get to stay!”
---
Obi-wan has not once in his life been so daring before the Council. He supposed Qui-gon had rubbed off on him.
It also helped that the fate of Anakin, who Obi-wan had genuinely come to adore, was at stake. Anakin’s nervous figure had cut quite a sight. Even Master Windu seemed moved, compared to his earlier opinion of the whole Anakin matter.
Now, Obi-wan was holding the hand of a bright, sunny child who had infinite questions, as he attempted to steer them towards the Halls of Healing.
“Whoaa, where are we now?” Anakin asks.
“We’re still in a hallway,” Obi-wan replies.
Anakin is not convinced.
“But there’s a RIVER.”
---
Finally Obi-wan and Anakin arrive at a huge room, lined with bacta tanks and odd equipment. People in brown robes bustle through the room, mostly in pairs. A bawling Togrutan child interrupts her crying to stare curiously.
Anakin sits on a pristine white hospital bed.
“I am Master Vokara Che. And who do we have here?” asks a Twi-lek, crouching down to his level.
“I’m Anakin Skywalker!” Anakin gives her a big smile. He’s used to Twi-leks in Mos Espa.
Master Che beams back.
“We’re here for his vaccines,” Obi-wan says. “He’s from Tatooine and we don’t have any of his medical records. Anakin, do you remember ever getting a vaccine?”
“Ummm I don’t remember actually getting the vaccines, but I know I have some. We used to be owned by Gardulla the Hutt and she makes sure everyone is vaccinated against the Tatooine Rat Flu and the Red Death. And some other ones I can’t remember.”
Anakin can’t quite read Obi-wan’s face. It looks like he’s in pain, but that’s not right. Anakin reaches out in the Force and feels the unidentifiable emotion wrap around his heart. It’s sadness?
“Obi-wan?” Anakin asks tentatively.
“I didn’t realize you had been enslaved, Anakin,” Obi-wan says quietly. “There is so much we need to - so many things that I thought would make sense to you, but oh they probably were so confusing. I’m sorry Anakin.”
“You’ll definitely be back youngling,” Master Che says briskly. “For now, let’s get you a blood panel. We can see what vaccines are missing and if you have any allergies.”
Obi-wan talks to him about medical stuff and the créche in his calm way. Anakin is definitely paying attention but he’s mostly trying to figure out what Obi-wan was feeling before.
Oh. Obi-wan’s hurting, but for Anakin. It fills Anakin with a warm glow.