#even when obi is finally able to walk away

[neonmoonster]

“Of course I didn’t want you!”

Anakin recoiled like he had been slapped.

The anger he had felt only moments before towards the man in front of him dissipated and reformed into the keenest hurt he had ever experienced.

He had known this, of course—had known it forever, and he had prepared himself for the day the truth finally came out, building walls around his heart and forcing distance between himself and Obi-Wan for this very inevitability—but actually hearing it, actually hearing Obi-Wan say those words aloud? 

Nothing could have prepared Anakin for this moment.

I didn’t want you. 

Obi-Wan was still talking, ranting, but his words seemed far away, distant, like he was standing at the end of a tunnel, miles away from Anakin, who felt lightheaded, unsteady on his feet.

“—ster had just died, the Sith were back, and here was this boy,” Obi-Wan’s voice, tight and forceful, floated in and out of the air, “This boy for whom my master discarded me without a second thought, this boy, who was now my responsibility to raise and train.”

Anakin couldn’t look at him. Didn’t want to see the resentment in the set of his mouth, the long-buried hatred in the furrow of his brow. 

“My responsibility—me, a barely knighted Jedi, practically a padawan myself.”

Obi-Wan let out a bark of disbelieving laughter, a sharp edge to it that sliced Anakin to his core.

“I could barely take care of myself in the days after Qui-Gon died, let alone another human being. And now I had the duty to fulfill my master’s dying wish to train this boy on the off-chance that he would save the galaxy.” 

Do not cry.

Anakin willed himself to keep looking down, to stay impassive, to not raise Obi-Wan’s ire higher than it already was. If he betrayed how much these words cut him, how deep a wound they inflicted on his heart, then the magnitude of his attachment would be revealed, and that would only make Obi-Wan hate him more. 

And Anakin didn’t think he could take any more of Obi-Wan’s hate.

Do not cry.

He heard Obi-Wan take a steadying breath, audibly reigning himself in. When he spoke next, his voice was softer, yet reverberated through Anakin's mind as if he had screamed them.

“So, no. I did not want you.” 

He sensed Obi-Wan, his accursed, beloved former master, take a step towards him. Anakin stilled, a horrible thought overtaking him.

Would he strike him? Obi-Wan had never—would never—but he had also never said anything like this out loud to Anakin before. He had finally crossed the line.

Done the un-take-back-able.

Anakin had always walked a thin line with Obi-Wan, pushing and prodding, bringing out Obi-Wan’s frustration, his rolled eyes, dry jabs, and sometimes disappointed frown, but he had somehow avoided tipping the scales all the way over—at least, not until now.

Now, when he had finally pushed too far. 

Fuck. 

Do not cry. Do not cry—

A hand fell on his shoulder. It took everything in Anakin not to flinch.

“But don’t you ever think,” Obi-Wan said, the fierce passion back in his voice and Anakin’s stomach sank, sank sank. “Not even for one second, that you were not the best thing to ever happen to me.” 

Anakin’s head snapped up in shock. The very thing he had wanted to avoid doing at all costs, but surely he had misheard, surely Obi-Wan had not just said what he just said—

“You are the best friend I have ever had,” Obi-Wan said, and there was still that hard edge to his words, but now that Anakin was looking at him, he saw that his master's eyes were not filled with anger-hate-bitterness like he had feared, but simple determination.

A serious expression, but one that was interlaced with a gentleness that Anakin could only describe as fond.

“It has been… the honor and delight of my life to teach you,” Obi-Wan said, and Anakin couldn’t move because the truth of it was ringing in the Force, unmistakable and passionate and firm. “And now to fight and live beside you as equals.”

Was Anakin dreaming?

A flicker of a smile crossed Obi-Wan’s face, like he was lost in remembrance and, oh, Anakin’s heart couldn’t take it, couldn’t handle this emotional whiplash, his greatest fear and most secret hope come to life over the course of a single conversation.

“It only took you about a day and a half to win me over. I was petrified every day that I would mess you up, leave you worse than I found you, let you down, Qui-Gon down, the galaxy down—but not once did I regret you. Not once would I have traded you away from anything.”

Obi-Wan squeezed Anakin’s shoulder and Anakin shuddered, letting out a choked whimper that he immediately wished he could take back, but Obi-Wan’s eyes softened, and through their bond Anakin could only feel kindness, affection, maybe even—

Obi-Wan's expression shifted once more, for the first time his steadiness in the force wavering, and he swallowed, appearing nervous, if Anakin didn't know any better.

"I do not always find it easy to express myself with words, like this. It is... difficult for me. But it appears that it is necessary today."

Anakin stared at him helplessly.

“I am unbearably sorry that I have ever made you believe otherwise. That you could ever think that you are not my favorite person in the world.”

Anakin could not stop the tear from falling down his cheek. And Obi-Wan Kenobi, high general of the Republic Army, one of the strongest, most respected masters in the Jedi Order, and Anakin's former teacher, gently caught it with the pad of his thumb and wiped it away.

"You are," Obi-Wan's voice came out rough and tinged with something that made Anakin's breath catch in his throat. But then just as quickly, Obi-Wan gave him a small smile, his voice clear once more, even dry and teasing.

“I hope that's alright with you.”

Anakin's answering smile was watery, but it could have lit up the entire galaxy anyhow.

[paracosm-draw]

omg PLEASE do "a surprise kiss during laughter, when one just can’t help it anymore and finally caves", i need silly fluff in my life

I'm back from my 48h of hell (night shifts at the hospital) and I finally slept enough to be able to answer all the asks !

I've got two asks for this prompt, so here we go nonnies ☀️ It starts with a little bit of angst but don't worry it has a very happy ending 😌 Hope you'll like it 💕

---

The weeks after the death of the Duchess Kryze had been the longest ones Anakin had had to endure in a while. Time seemed to stretch on and on until he was feeling worn out even though he wasn't the one in mourning. In the short time he had met Satine, he had appreciated her for her sense of duty, her wit rivaling Obi-Wan’s and the fact that she wasn’t afraid to take controversial but necessary decisions in order to act for her people instead of getting bogged down in endless, pointless debates. He appreciated her but he didn't know her. Not like Obi-Wan did. 

Anakin knew that he was grieving. In his own way and at his own pace. He wouldn't admit it and he wouldn’t talk about it - not that Anakin knew how to approach the delicate subject - but he was grieving. He was grieving a long-time friend and a confidant in the eyes of the majority of people. For Anakin, he was also grieving a more secret, more intimate thing he kept carefully locked inside of his heart, a thing Anakin could only guess from rare and meager clues, since he didn’t have the key to said heart. 

At first, he had tried to deal with the situation like he had when he had lost his mother. Mourning was an universal experience, after all. People probably grieved all the same, he thought. He remembered how angry he’d been at the time. How it had led to one of the worst decisions of his life. How the anger hadn’t subsided after that, but seeped deeper inside of his bones, left to rot, dormant but never gone. He had thought then, that Obi-Wan might be angry too.

It turned out Obi-Wan wasn't angry. He was sad and nostalgic, which was worse. Worse because Anakin had no clue about how to deal with that, with something other than anger, with something that didn’t push him to action but rather kept him still. He had no idea about what Obi-Wan needed. Was it comfort ? Was it loneliness ? Was it something else ? Someone else ? Someone who knew exactly what words to say, what level of physical touch to use, when to take him out and when to leave him in peace ? Someone who knew how to bring back to life the beloved spark that had quietly died down in Obi-Wan's eyes ?

Someone who was not Anakin. Anakin who didn’t know what to say and how to comfort and when to let go. Anakin who was too much or never enough, and who wanted nothing more than to take his pain away and to make it his own, to curl up around Obi-Wan like a loyal tooka and stay there until his heart unbroke on its own. 

So that's what he decided to do. He stayed there, by his side. Awkwardly, most of the time. Refusing mission after mission to keep an eye on him and inventing excuses after excuses when Obi-Wan asked him about it. He stayed and watched, willing to continue doing so until Obi-Wan got annoyed and sent him off. It hadn’t happened yet so Anakin kept watching. Maybe a little too much- 

“Anakin, be caref-” 

Obi-Wan's exclamation got lost in the impact that rattled through Anakin’s skull as he walked straight into a pole, in the middle of Coruscant’s crowded streets. The shock sent him down on his butt as an acute wave of pain traveled from his forehead to the back of his neck, making his vision blur and his ears ring for a second. 

“Oh dear, are you alright ?!” 

Obi-Wan had crouched next to him, a supporting hand on his shoulder. Anakin blinked and turned his head to him, his forehead pounding unpleasantly.

“Uh…” 

He didn't know what was the most humiliating, to be honest. The fact that he didn’t see that pole because he was - once again - too busy staring at Obi-Wan, the obvious bump slowly starting to grow on his forehead or the fact that Obi-Wan was… laughing ? Or trying not to, at least. But the way his eyes crinkled on the corners and the effort he put on biting his lips betrayed him. Not the reaction Anakin expected. He tilted his head on the side, confused and clearly dumbstruck, and that exact thing was what seemed to be the last straw for Obi-Wan Kenobi, poised and respectable Master Jedi in mourning. 

He burst out laughing. Not the polite and discrete laugh he gave politicians with his hand above his mouth, not the occasional chuckles he graced Anakin when he did or said something funny, but a true, bright laugh that came right from his chest, head thrown back and teeth in display. His whole body shook with the strength of it, tears gathering at the corner of his eyes before spilling along his cheeks, a blush spreading from the tip of his ears to the collar of his tabard. He laughed like he was unable to stop and Anakin stared, bewildered, all pain and humiliation forgotten in favor of absolute awe. 

He didn’t remember when he’d seen Obi-Wan laugh like that for the last time. If  he even had. But from now on it would be his number one priority. Obi-Wan looked… free, like that. Younger, unburdened, happy. Gorgeous. Something violent stirred in Anakin's chest, something he had spent years trying to tame and bury. To forget. Something which now ferociously clawed at the inside of his ribcage to get out, drawn by that laugh that sounded like a miracle.  

"I'm- I'm sorry, A- Anakin. It's just-" Obi-Wan hiccupped, then doubled over with laughter, teeth flashing and tears spilling.

The beast in Anakin's chest roared. He leaned forward, his hands finding the strong lines of Obi-Wan’s shoulders, and stole the marvelous sound directly from his source. He wasn’t thinking, not really, rather acting on instinct. Obi-Wan stopped laughing with a surprised gasp, which was the opposite of what Anakin was trying to achieve, really. He froze but didn’t try to push him away, so Anakin pressed his lips tighter against his mouth and squeezed his eyes shut, heart beating wildly in his chest. 

A lifetime might have passed, or probably just the blink of an eye, when Obi-Wan moved again, a gentle hand cupping Anakin’s jaw. His mouth moved against his own, not to kiss back but to pronounce a little word that meant everything for Anakin when it came from Obi-Wan. His name. Uncertain. Questioning.

“Anakin…” 

The warmth of his breath tingled Anakin’s lips, who opened his mouth to let out his own, short and shaky. Their mouths brushed, soft and parted, and Anakin pushed forward to fit them together again. The fingers on his jaw strengthened, not to stop him but to pull him closer, he realized in wonder when lips pressed back against his own. The hand on his face traveled to the back of his neck, curling around the base of his hair and holding him tight. Anakin sighed softly against the touch, moving his own hand to cup the side of Obi-Wan’s face, fingers grazing against the edge of his beard as their mouths tentatively discovered each other. 

It feels right, was the first thought crossing Anakin’s mind. The way they fitted together, the taste of his own spit on Obi-Wan’s lips, the gentle burn of his mustache against his mouth, the sweet noises they drew from each other. More than that, the way their dormant bond had ignited alive at the faintest brush of their lips, the way their Force signatures had curled up against each other, so tightly entangled they couldn't tell where Anakin’s was starting and where Obi-Wan's was ending. The synchronization of their pulse. The light trembling of their bodies. The fact that they stayed intertwined after breaking the kiss, breathing in each other’s space like it was the only source of oxygen. 

Anakin slipped his fingers behind Obi-Wan’s ears, pressing his forehead against his as his thumb gently caressed his cheekbone. 

“I want to hear you laugh like that again.” He murmured. 

Obi-Wan let out a chopped breath which sounded suspiciously like a disbelieving chuckle. 

“Even at the expense of your pretty head ?” 

“I would gladly hit my head on every pole I see, if it’s what it takes.” Anakin answered fiercely, maybe a little too much, but he was rewarded with a laugh. Another. He preciously bottled it in a corner of his mind.

“Ridiculous boy.” Obi-Wan shook his head fondly and brushed the tip of his fingers around the bump ornating his forehead. “You didn’t have to go to such extremes, you know ? I’d rather you keep that lovely face of yours unharmed.” 

Anakin shrugged, but before he got the chance to think about a clever answer, Obi-Wan leaned in and pressed a kiss on the corner of his mouth, making his mind go blank. Again. 

“We should pay a visit to the Halls of Healing, just to make sure you don't have a concussion.” Obi-Wan decided. 

“Uh- Yeah, sure.” Anakin answered dumbly, feeling strangely dizzy and rather hot all of the sudden. 

“Great.” Obi-Wan grinned. He gently placed another kiss on his temple before grabbing his arm to help him get up. “Let’s go, before you realize.” 

Realize what, Anakin didn’t really know. But he would gladly follow Obi-Wan to the depths of Hell if he kept kissing him like that. 

[renlyslittlerose]

i love the prompts you have written and i don't know if you still take them, so no pressure to write this <3 but anakin finds out about obi-wan's early apprenticeship (that he was sent away to agricorps, bandomeer mess, melida/daan when he left the order etc) and he realises that he doesn't know obi-wan as well as he thought he did.

Thanks, anon!!! Loved the premise of this one - rife for lots of classic obikin repression, deflection, and ignoring of the real trauma they've both experienced! Yay!

---

‘I heard that Padwans who have yet to place with a Master are sent to the AgriCorps. Is that true?’

‘Indeed, I’d heard the same. Why, Master Kenobi, weren’t you part of the AgriCorps?’

‘Ah, technically, yes. Thankfully, Master Qui-Gon and I found our purpose together, and I was able to complete my training.’

Staring out the cockpit of the starship, Anakin focused on the black space between the stars. Within it lay a tranquility mixed with the overwhelming sense of insignificance that Anakin was craving. Stuck in the blackness of that space, Anakin could maintain a careful distance, void from himself and his churning thoughts.

But try as he might to lose himself into that familiar abyss, something kept tugging him back.

Obi-Wan.

He’d been in the AgriCorp, a fact that he’d never told Anakin. Anakin had to find out at a dinner party with some third-rate politicians on a backwater planet. The thought of it stung and twisted, like a thorn beneath his nail. Try as he might to overcome the source of his discomfort, he couldn’t help but push into it.

Anakin thought he knew everything about Obi-Wan. He was supposed to. They were friends, brothers, father and son. Lovers, when Obi-Wan let himself give in. They were bound by blood, sweat, and seed. Their spirits coexisted within the Force, fused together through it all - despite and because of it. Yet Anakin didn’t know about the AgriCorp, didn’t know about how he met Master Qui-Gon, or what types of mission they’d undergone before Obi-Wan had walked into Anakin’s life on the shores of an ocean of desert.

It was unfair. Years - over a decade - of spending every waking moment with Obi-Wan, and he didn’t even know about the damned AgriCorp.

What else didn’t he know?

“You’ve been quiet ever since we dropped out of hyperspace,” Obi-Wan said.

Blinking back the darkness, Anakin looked down at the console. They were still a fair distance from Coruscant, the ship effectively bobbing out in the middle of nowhere, but Anakin had wanted to take manual control in hopes it would soothe the tremor in his heart. All he’d managed to do, however, was delay their return and lengthen the time they had to spend together - alone, and trapped in a small spacecraft.

Fucking perfect.

“I’m just tired,” Anakin lied. He kept his gaze elsewhere, but could see Obi-Wan’s sleeve out of the corner of his eye.

“You’re a poor liar, Anakin.”

“I’m focused on what I’m supposed to be doing - flying the ship. So unless you want us to crash…”

“What would we crash into? We're in the middle of nowhere.”

“Fuck off.”

Obi-Wan let out a small sigh, one that made Anakin even angrier. He had no right to be annoyed. No right at all. Gripping the steering column harder, Anakin pushed them forward at a faster pace. The motion of the ship soothed Anakin, but when Obi-Wan complained about the sudden velocity change, Anakin’s anger came back.

Pulling the columb back, Anakin brought the ship to an immediate stop.

“Anakin, what are—”

���Why didn’t you tell me about the AgriCorp?” he asked as he finally looked at Obi-Wan.

For his part, Obi-Wan’s expression softened almost immediately. Hesitation fluttered through their bond, and Obi-Wan let out a soft sigh from between gently parted lips. “Is that what’s been eating you up this whole time?”

“What else could it be?”

Obi-Wan shrugged and ran a hand through his hair. “Any number of things, really. You’re not known for your continuous sunny disposition, darling.”

He was trying to deflect. Anakin had dealt with it enough. Hope to make Anakin angry so they could refocus their attention to that, rather than to Obi-Wan’s faults and flaws. The fact that he was trying to do it now - here - made Anakin’s stomach twist and his cheeks grow hot with anger.

“Don’t twist this, Obi-Wan. You know everything about me - everything. You know my past, my fears, my trauma. I’ve both told it to you, and you’ve seen it. I didn’t get the chance to hide it from you, even if I wanted to. Which I don’t.”

“But you were my Padawan, Anakin. A child doesn’t know about their parents trauma, nor should they.”

“We’re beyond father and son at this point,” Anakin said. The anger was building. This wasn’t fair, and Obi-Wan knew as such. He was just too stubborn to admit to it. He always had to be so faultless. “We rely on each other, Obi-Wan, in every capacity. You hiding your past from me only shows that it still effects you. And that can be used against you by our enemies. And in turn, used against us.”

Anakin knew he was onto something. Their bond quivered slightly with shame. But just when Anakin thought he was getting somewhere, Obi-Wan shifted in his seat and locked Anakin with a stern look.

“My past is my past, Anakin. Whatever may have happened is settled. I’ve long since come to terms with it, and it will not be used against myself nor you. I promise you this.”

Anakin rolled his eyes and turned away from Obi-Wan. “Yeah, sure. Always so confident, aren’t you.”

He was done. Done with all of it.

“Anakin.”

Or maybe he wasn’t.

“This isn’t just about our missions,” Anakin spat out. He turned back to Obi-Wan. “We’re… we’re more than just warriors, or Generals, or Jedi. We’re… we’re lovers, Obi-Wan. I trust you to be with me when I’m at my most vulnerable. I give you everything. And you can’t even tell me about the shit that went down when you were a kid.”

Obi-Wan’s brows furrowed, and his eyes softened. Eventually he nodded, and looked away. “I… I understand your frustrations, Anakin. I just thought… I thought perhaps that if I didn’t tell you, I could be free from those memories when I was around you. That through your not knowing of these… these past traumas, as you like to put it, I could be free of them as well. You were my safe space from those memories…”

Anakin wasn’t going to fall for it. It wasn’t going to work.

Obi-Wan looked back at Anakin. “I am sorry for keeping parts of my past from you, darling. It was never my intention to hurt you.”

It wasn’t going to work…

Rising from his seat, Obi-Wan took the few steps between the chairs before kneeling down beside Anakin’s. Laying his hand over Anakin’s mechno-hand on the armrest, Obi-Wan warmed the leather glove with the touch of his palm. Looking down at Obi-Wan, Anakin couldn’t help but relax, even as he desperately tried to hold on to his rage. But it slipped away the moment Obi-Wan tucked his chin on top of their joined hands.

“Forgive me for being selfish?” Obi-Wan asked.

Anakin knew this wouldn’t change anything. Obi-Wan could continue to hide, because it was easier than laying himself bare to Anakin. And Anakin would always give in despite his righteous irritation, because he didn’t like being mad at Obi-Wan.

It was easier pretending there was no discord.

“You’re an ass.”

“A very sorry ass.”

Anakin rolled his eyes but accepted Obi-Wan’s kiss all the same.

[starrdream]

Sundress

Anakin Skywalker x f!reader summary: Anakin takes you to a summer party the Jedi are hosting. includes: fluff, pervy Ani

Anakin was ecstatic when you agreed to go to the annual summer party that the Jedi were hosting. 

Just hearing about what the place looked like brought you joy. The thing was, it was 5 weeks away. You simply couldn’t wait and spent any free time fussing about your outfit and hair.

It was safe to say you were excited. Not just for the party itself, you wanted to meet Anakin’s colleagues and friends-people he talked about more often than not.

It even got to the point where you bought a beautiful sundress in advance. The flowers on it were a beautiful blue and they partially reminded you of Anakin’s eyes.

The big day has come and the look on Anakin’s face was priceless.

“Baby you-” He stammers, not knowing what to say as you walk out of the bathroom. Stepping closer, his hands find your waist, squeezing your sides appreciatively.

“You look absolutely gorgeous!” He finally finishes, chuckling slightly as he looks you up and down.

“Thank you Ani” You smile sweetly at him.

The evening was just as you imagined. Beautiful, with lots of new people to meet.

Though, the party wouldn’t be complete if Anakin and you didn’t share some lingering glances and touches.

As the night went on, Anakin simply couldn’t contain himself. You were talking to another Jedi, looking effortlessly beautiful

Obi-Wan, whom Anakin was talking to, noticed his former padawan fawning over his own girlfriend. With a firm pat on the shoulder Obi-Wan ended their conversation short.

“You know what I’ve realized? You’re not a Jedi, Anakin. You’re a simp with a lightsaber.” Obi-Wan joked.

Damn right he was.

Anakin tried to protest but Obi-Wan cut him off with a simple:

“Enjoy your night kid.” Before walking away.

Anakin simply couldn’t tear his eyes away from you..nor your chest.

The dress made your tits pop up so deliciously. Oh the things he’d do to just hold, squeeze or even just touch-stop. He warned himself internally.

 He was convinced every male present was drooling over you and he didn’t like it one bit. He let you socialise for a little while longer before officially calling it a night.

He couldn’t stand looking at you but not being able to touch you. It made him all hot and bothered and he wasn’t having any of it.

Walking over to you, he made up some half-assed excuse as to why you have to leave. Never in his life has Anakin Skywalker been so excited to leave a party. He basically dragged you towards his speeder, not answering any of your questions.

“But I was having fun Ani!”

“Why’re you in such a rush?”

“We don’t even have a cat, why'd you lie about that?”

“Could’ve just asked to talk to me.”

“Where are we even going?”

He opened the back door of his speeder before pulling you inside with him, positioning you so that you were straddling his lap.

“Ani what’s all this about?”

“I couldn’t keep my hands off of you..you’re so gorgeous.” He admits rather boldly.

“So you dragged me out of the party instead of asking to dance like a normal person?” You half joke.

“Well I’m not exactly ‘normal’..” He teases. “I hope you’ll forgive me baby.” He places a kiss on your cheek.

“I just wanted you really close to me” He adds as he kisses your jaw next.

Probably gonna make a pt. 2

[221bshrlocked]

Broken and Grazed, Loved and Saved

Pairing: Crosshair x Jedi AFAB!Reader

Words: 4724

Warnings: Mutual Pining. Mentions of violence and blood. Touching Confessions! Angst to fluff because you know it. Crosshair being a tiny bit soft...just a tiny bit.

Summary: You get shot while trying to save Crosshair. He's shocked and confused as to why you would do such a thing. You both slowly reveal your feelings for each other as he patches you up.

A/N: I crawled back from my writer's block hell hole to post this. This is during The Clone Wars series folks, hence the Jedi insert. Once again, thank you so much to @cloneficgiftexchange for holding this event and single-handedly getting me to write every once in a while. This is for the lovely @arctrooper69 who inadvertently gave me a challenge with Crosshair. I hope you enjoy it babes and I hope I got his character down correctly. This is the first time I write for him. As always, let me know how I am doing in the comments please and thank you.

When Obi-Wan informed you that you’d be accompanying Clone Force 99 on another mission, you tried your best to not let your excitement come through. But one look at your old friend and the smirk on his face made you realize you may not have been as subtle as you originally thought. 

“Shut it Kenobi,” you walk past him, shaking your head when you briefly glanced to the side and saw him raising an eyebrow at you. He chuckles at your embarrassment, and you’re torn between making fun of him and letting him be. It was rare to see him display such an elated emotion, and you couldn’t help but laugh along with him when finally caught up with you and patted you on the back. 

“In all seriousness, do be careful out there.” A worried expression breaks through the smile and you nod at him, knowing that the sentiment wasn’t one of warning but deep concern for your safety. 

“As weird as it is to admit this, I feel like I might potentially be safest with them.” You come to a stop once you reach the door of the Temple, looking around the awfully quiet space before returning your attention to Obi-Wan once more. 

“I would have to disagree with you there. The rate at which they use explosives is severely higher than any other force I have fought alongside. Nevertheless, I trust your judgment. Do keep me updated, yes?” When you don’t respond right away, Obi-Wan follows your line of sight and notices where your attention suddenly lies. He groans to himself and wishes he wasn’t the keeper of so many secrets. 

“Young one!?” You snap out of your momentary haze when Obi-Wan quite literally yells at you, his voice carrying across the grounds and catching the curiosity of none other than the man you found yourself barely able to stop thinking of. 

“Sorry, yes?” You feign ignorance, giggling like a young padawan when Obi-Wan rubs his temples and swears beneath his breath.

“I’m only joking. Yes I will be careful, sure I’ll try my best not to get into trouble, and of course I won’t partake in Wrecker’s booming tactics. Satisfied?” You don’t wait for him to respond, already walking towards the Marauder and praying to the Force that the introvert of the group is less hostile towards you this time around. When you grow near to the clones standing at the foot of the ramp, you turn around one last time and wave goodbye to Obi-Wan, laughing when he rolls his eyes at you and heads back into the Temple. As soon as you turn around, you’re met with an incredibly energetic Wrecker, your shock turning into hysterical laughter as soon as he wraps his arms around you and picks you up. 

“Heyyy, it’s our favorite Jedi!” His grip on you remains gentle even though he’s lifted you off of the ground a good bit. 

“Hey Wrecker, I see you missed me as much as I missed you.” You gently tap him on his shoulder, hoping he’d put you down before any other Jedi sees how familiar you are with him. 

“Wreck, put the General down.” You glance to the side and see Hunter standing with his hands on his hips, his facial expression a bit unreadable. You laugh nervously at the leader of the Bad Batch, hoping Wrecker wouldn’t get in trouble because of your friendliness. 

To his chagrin, Wrecker puts you down and backs away, whispering a few apologies before returning to stand next to Tech.

“Sorry, I know I shouldn’t encourage it.” You tell Hunter as the two of you walk away from the rest of the Batch, your eyes unintentionally remaining on your favorite member of the group. If Hunter notices how you pay more attention to Crosshair, he says nothing of it and pretends you weren’t watching him like a hawk. 

“No need for any apologies, General. I don’t particularly care but I know how things are on Coruscant. Wouldn’t want him to be misunderstood.” Hunter points towards the Clones standing around the Temple with other Jedi Masters, smiling nervously at you when you sigh anxiously at the prospect of being the reason behind Wrecker potentially getting in trouble. 

“I promise to talk to him. And I’ll make sure to only be friendly when we’re not surrounded by…you know.” You try to laugh off the circumstances you find yourself in, only for Hunter’s body language to shift at the implications behind your words. 

“I’d be careful if I were you. Even if they aren’t around, others tend to misunderstand and- well, let’s just say that things get a little heated when we finish a mission and you aren’t on-board anymore.” You furrow your eyebrows at Hunter’s response, only to follow his line of sight and see who he’s staring at. When you’re met with Crosshair’s narrowed, irritated eyes shifting between you and Wrecker, you realize that Hunter may know more than he let on. 

“I- I don’t think you-” You trip over your words, unsure of how to respond now that Hunter knew of your inclinations as well. 

“Save it, I’m not judging…just giving you a heads up.” He excuses himself, saying something or other to Tech as the two of them ascend the Marauder. You look to the ground as you make your way to the ship, afraid of making eye contact with any of the others out of fear of making things more awkward. Even as you walk past Crosshair, you ignore him completely, pretending to fix the lightsaber hanging from your belt so you don’t have to deal with him now. As soon as you go to the cockpit, you throw a quick hello to Echo and walk back, pushing through the supplies scattered around so you can sit in the small space at the end of the ship. 

Even though you want to sit near Crosshair, you decide against it, knowing that you don’t have the capacity to deal with his passive aggressive comments now. You haven’t seen him in a long while, and there’s nothing you wish to do more than be near him, even if the two of you were to remain silent. But if the conversation with Hunter proved anything, it’s the fact that Crosshair was begging to pick a fight right now. You just didn’t want it to be with you. 

Taking a deep breath, you do your best to center yourself and ignore the whispers and murmurs traveling from the cockpit. You manage a fair job for most of the flight, but the closer you get to the Outer Rim planet, you vaguely hear your name thrown around between Hunter, Tech and Wrecker. You know better than to listen to what they’re saying, and before you can decide on whether or not you should ignore them, Wrecker stands up and grumbles something louder than the others would have preferred. 

“She doesn’t mind! You’re just telling me what to do because Crosshair won’t listen to you and talk to her.” Your eyes shoot wide open at his words, and as you turn around to face them, you see all of their expressions turn blank. Wrecker only recognizes just how loud he is when he faces you and sees a quizzical look on your features. He chuckles nervously and sits down as Echo makes his way towards you. 

“Sorry about that, we know how much you like to meditate.” He sits down beside you, glaring quickly at Wrecker so he doesn’t accidentally give anything else away. 

“It’s okay, it’s not like I was getting much meditation done anyway. You guys whisper pretty loudly.” 

“You mean you- could you hear us this whole time?” Echo asks, the direct gaze you offer him letting him know that yes, you could certainly hear what they were going on about this whole time. 

“You know then.” It was more of a comment than a question, but you shrug your shoulders at him regardless, unsure of whether they were telling the truth or just reading into the interactions between you and Crosshair. Before you can respond however, you feel the ship drop out of hyperspace and into the atmosphere of the planet.

“Another time Echo,” you ignore the pleading look on Echo’s face, not wanting to continue this conversation now that the mission officially commenced. Making your way to the front of the ship, you look across the yellow planet below you and sigh in irritation when you notice the storms forming just above the surface. 

“Did you know that Eshil is one of three desert planets that receives frequent rain? Rain storms are often violent here, delivering up to seven millimeters per minute. It is more likely for one to drown down there than to die of thirst.” The ease with which Tech spoke made you giggle, and you couldn’t help but thank him politely for the unsolicited knowledge when you saw Wrecker and Echo glare at him worryingly. 

“Don’t worry big guy, nothing will happen to you on my watch.” You pat Wrecker on the back as you begin your descent onto Eshil, and before you can attempt to calm him down a little, the Marauder begins to shake violently due to the rain and thunderstorms. In a moment of distraction, you lose your balance and fly backward, suddenly feeling a pair of slim fingers grab onto your waist to prevent you from falling. Thinking it’s Hunter who just saved you, you turn around to thank him, only to find a pair of steel, hazel eyes staring dead at you. 

The faint gasp doesn’t go unnoticed by Crosshair, nor does the disappointed look you throw at him when he lets go so he can push you into one of the seats. 

“Don’t hurt yourself, Jedi.” His tone is mocking in a way, but you don’t dwell too much on it and instead look around to see if anyone noticed the little interaction. Everyone is blissfully unaware of the tense moment you shared with Crosshair, and even though you can feel his eyes on you, you choose to avoid his gaze, afraid he would see how much of an effect he has on you. 

It takes too long to your liking to land, not because you didn’t like the turbulence, but because you couldn’t stand being in close proximity with Crosshair any longer. An hour ago, you were excited to join the team, wanting nothing more than to try and get closer to Crosshair, or at the very least, figure out why he’s always more passive aggressive with you than with anyone else. But after the not-so-subtle comment from Hunter, and the rather awkward conversation you overheard, you couldn’t finish this mission and be back on Coruscant fast enough. Somehow, knowing that the animosity was a product of mutual feelings made things worse.

No, not worse. That wasn’t the right word. 

Real. It made things real. It made things more accessible, which meant that the probability of anything happening was simultaneously high and low. 

“We’re here,” Hunter’s announcement is a welcomed distraction, and you wait until everyone stands aside to review the plan before jumping out of the Marauder. The rain comes down harsher than you’ve anticipated but you take a few seconds to appreciate it regardless, knowing that it wasn’t everyday you experienced rain caused by clean, natural clouds. It was so much different than Coruscant, strangely soothing as it seeped through your clothes and kissed your cheeks. 

The cool sensation suddenly shifts into a warmer breeze, causing your eye muscles to clench tightly in confusion. The feeling engulfs you almost like a hug, and you’re not sure how or why it becomes hotter with each passing second. It’s only when you open your eyes and glance to the side that you finally understand why you were being flooded with such intensity. You quickly avert your gaze as soon as you notice Crosshair’s embarrassment when he realizes that you’ve caught him staring at you. 

“Alright fellas, listen up. Our mission is simple: infiltrate the base undetected, retrieve the classified intel from their innermost vaults, exfiltrate before they even know we’re there. Stay sharp and Wrecker…no explosives unless I say so.” Hunter points firmly at the bigger clone, and you almost giggle when you see the hint of a grin appearing on his face. 

“Awww man!” Wrecker throws his hands up in the air, walking away and crossing his arms when he sees you approaching him. 

“Don’t worry big guy, there’s always a next time.” You pat him on the back, laughing to yourself when he retorts at you like a child.

“That’s what you said last time.”

“But I really mean it this time,” you twist your head down until you can get a better look at him, and when you meet his eyes, you watch as he tries his best to not crack a smile in return. When he does, you walk past him and stay behind Hunter as he slowly moves through the barren land. The closer you get to the compound though, the more you become uneasy at your lack of cover, but before you can say anything, the rain begins to come down harder than you thought it possible, making you squint to try and see where everyone is. 

“I guess that should do the trick!” You hear Echo scream from behind you, but the sentiment makes you uncomfortable. The idea of losing the rest of them before you even make it to the enemy line is disconcerting, and you make your way towards Hunter quickly. When he sees you approaching him, he stops and waits for you to catch up. 

“Follow my lead and make sure everyone keeps their helmets on so they can see.” You throw the hood of your cloak over your head a little further, the action not helping one bit as the water continues to crash down on you like a waterfall. 

“When we get there-” 

“I’ll signal for Echo so he can unlock the doors.” Waiting until he nods in agreement, you continue your journey towards the compound, praying to the maker that the enemy’s visibility is as bad as yours. The trek to the compound takes longer than you like, but when you finally have it in sight, you turn around and wait for the others to reach you. Hunter and Tech are ahead of everyone, and you squint hard until you can see Echo and Wrecker behind them. When Crosshair doesn’t show right away, you begin to worry, afraid that the rain became less of an inconvenience and more of a trigger to him. You’re about to run past the guys when you finally see him walking through the heavy downfall, no longer holding his firearm in his hands and instead taking his time as he walks towards the rest of the team. Even though you can’t see his expression, you know for a fact that Hunter is smirking beneath his mask, and you choose to ignore him as you go back to the front of the Batch and walk closer to the compound.

“There aren’t any guards posted outside. The storm must have sent everyone back inside.” You make a note, signaling for Echo to move ahead of you while the others wait a little farther away in case things don’t go according to plan. Anxiety washes over you all of a sudden, and you glance at the only member of the Batch you know dislikes the rain more than anyone. If Crosshair notices the way you’re staring at him worryingly, he says nothing and keeps his attention on your surroundings, ready to fire at anyone who comes in the way. 

When Echo unlocks the door, Tech follows after and heads straight towards the secured vaults at the heart of the compound. It’s quieter than you expect, but you figure it’s only because the storm continues to rage outside and grow louder by the second. As you move towards the vault however, you find the silence nearly deafening, and you wonder briefly if this entire mission could be a set-up. Before you can voice your concerns to Hunter, Tech gains access to the room with ease, already getting to work for the intel with Echo. You stand guard outside while Hunter and Wrecker scout the hallways and ensure you don’t have any visitors. 

Using the distraction to your advantage, you slowly make your way to Crosshair and stand beside him, waiting until he acknowledges your presence with a glance before attempting to break the awkward air around the two of you. 

“I hope the rain isn’t too much of a bother.” You’re not sure what else to say, and as you realize he won’t be responding any time soon, you figure it’s best to not try and fix whatever it is between the two of you now. Knowing that it will be even more uncomfortable if you walk away from him, you remain standing where you are, turning your attention to Tech and Echo to see if they’re almost done. 

The abrupt sound of guns firing pushes you forward immediately, and you watch as several weapons descend from the ceiling and the walls, instantly firing at everyone in the room. You make your way to the nearest wall and burn through the small firearms with your lightsaber, watching as Crosshair hits several more on the opposite side of the wall while Tech and Echo extract the intel. 

“I knew it was too quiet.” You mutter to yourself, running as fast as you can across the space to get as many of the little suckers as possible. When there aren’t any left, you sheath your weapon again and move towards the door. 

“Time to head out,” Hunter screams across the hallway and as you file out, you sense movement at one of the corners of the room. It’s instinctive the way you run towards Crosshair and shield him with your body, and your curse at yourself for not ensuring that all of them were taken down. Anger seeps through your mind at what could have been a fatal mistake and you ignite your saber instantly, propelling it towards the small object and bringing it back into the palm of your hand as more smoke fills the room. 

“We need to leave, now.” Your voice is stern, and even though you can see Crosshair staring at where you’ve just been shot, you don’t pay him any mind as you run through the winding hallways and make your way out of the compound. It’s somehow raining even harder than earlier, and you feel your body grow more faint with each step you take. The faster you try to run, the more unbearable the pain becomes, and it occurs to you that you would be no good to any of them if you slowed them down. 

You come to a stop and haunch over, applying pressure against your stomach and wincing in pain when more blood oozes through your fingers. Thinking that they’re all ahead of you, you kneel down and allow the rain to become less of an inconvenience and more of a calming presence. 

“What are you doing?” Crosshair hisses as he comes up behind you, and when you lock contact with his eyes, you regret not pushing yourself harder. 

“I’m fine…go!” You hope your voice isn’t as wavering to his ears as it is to your own, and when he shakes his head, you attempt to stand to confront him, only to fall back to the ground again. 

“Tech, bring the ship to my position.” You cruse yet again as Crosshair pushes a button on the side of his helmet while speaking to Tech. 

“Why have you stopped?” You can hear Hunter ask through the comms, and you look at Crosshair again, silently begging him to leave so he doesn’t get hurt. 

“The General’s been compromised.” He leans down and pushes your hands aside to inspect the wound, and if you didn’t know any better, you’d think that he was angry at you for getting shot…for saving him. 

“You need to go to the Marauder. That’s an order.” You hiss in pain when you feel him bring your hand back to your stomach and push on it harder than before. 

“You’re currently bleeding all over the floor. You’re in no shape to give me orders…General.” He’s pushing your buttons, but unlike before, when he smirked at every snarky comment he threw your way and chuckled when you retorted in likeness, his voice is laced with unspoken feelings now, as if he was silently thanking you for what you did for him. 

Before you can dwell too much on the change in his behavior, the Marauder lands right beside you, allowing you a moment of respite before Wrecker comes down the ramp and takes you in his arms. The jolting movements make you cough as your stomach throbs in pain, and you take one last look at Crosshair, finding his expression as irritated as when you were on your way here. 

To his credit, Wrecker does try to be more slow and soft with his movements, but when he lays you down, you can’t help but scream in agony at the wound tearing through your skin. 

“S-sorry.” You shake your head at Wrecker and assure him with a smile, only to drop it when Tech comes with a medkit and asks his brother to give you some privacy. 

“I do apologize General but I must cut your robe to administer the bacta spray and patches properly.” Ever the gentleman, Tech waits for your consent before taking out a pair of scissors. He’s about to cut through your robes when Crosshair walks in and stands behind him.

“If you can wait out-”

“I’ll do it.” Crosshair doesn’t give Tech a chance to finish his request, and when he stands up to argue with him, you reach for Tech’s hand and nod at him, waiting until he places everything down before moving towards the front of the ship. 

You’re sure Crosshair didn’t think this far ahead because he remains standing and doesn’t once turn his sight away from your wound. 

“Take a picture, it’ll last longer.” You break the silence and push your head back as the wound continues to burn. It must be all Crosshair needs to hear because he gets right to business, not once saying anything to you as he rips through your robes and begins to disinfect the flesh around the gash. You hiss and instantly slam your hand against his thigh, digging your nails into the plastoid covering him as he sterilizes the laceration to prevent any infection. 

“What were you thinking?” It’s the first time he’s ever spoken to you so softly, and you figure it’s because you’re hurt and can’t respond in likeness. But when you open your eyes and look at him, you’re shocked to find worry and fear swimming in his hazel brown orbs. It throws you off a little, and you shake the thoughts aside, knowing that you may just be reading too much into his behavior.

“At the time, I thought it was a great idea!” You chuckle only to curse out loud when he begins to apply the bacta spray on top of the wound. You think he’ll smile at catching you off guard, but when you look at him again, he’s as somber as a few seconds ago.

“And now?” Crosshair growls at you, actually growls, the sound coming as a shock to you. It occurs to you that maybe, just maybe, he was attempting to show you that he cares, but wasn’t sure how to go about it. When he stops what he’s doing and continues to keep his gaze on you, you lay your head back down and allow the subsiding pain to calm you a little. 

“Maybe…maybe not so much.” He narrows his eyes at you then, the expression becoming a little too intense for you and making you turn away to face the wall. Not another word is exchanged between you and him, and as he finally places the bacta patches on your stomach, you turn to face him again, no longer able to keep playing whatever game he started. 

“Thank you, for not leaving…for staying with me.” Crosshair continues to remain silent, his focus completely on the wound he was dressing. 

“And thank you for patching me up.” Again, he doesn’t acknowledge any of your words, waiting until he’s sure the wound is perfectly protected before throwing everything back into the medkit. You think he’s about to leave but when he finally looks up, you notice his eyebrows relax as he lets out a deep breath. 

“Why would you do that?”

The question catches you off guard, and you figure you may as well tell him how you feel because you’re not sure what will happen tomorrow. 

“You know why.” The simple whisper holds a thousand confessions, and Crosshair clenches his jaw tightly as he reaches for your hand. You gasp at the warmth of his skin, and swallow the lump in your throat when he grabs a wet towel and begins to clean the dried blood. You’re not sure how long you hold your breath, but when he’s done, he doesn’t let go. In fact, he does the opposite, bringing both of his rough palms around your own and keeping it as close to him as possible. 

“I- I’m not worth your-” The sentiment breaks your heart and you furrow your eyebrows at him as you attempt to sit up, not wanting him to finish whatever he was about to say. The stinging returns a thousandfold but you ignore the shooting pain and pull Crosshair towards you.

“Don’t ever say that.” You want to say more. You want to tell him that you’d gladly do it again to ensure his safety, that you wouldn’t give it a second thought because you care for him more than you’re allowed, more than he’ll ever know. But the way he looks at you makes it difficult to say anything else, and you lay back down again when your muscles beg you for some respite. Crosshair doesn’t let go of your hand. If anything, his hold on you tightens as he moves to sit closer to you. 

“It was annoying.” Whatever you thought he was going to say is certainly not those three words, and the confusion etched on your face makes him crack a smile before finally looking from your hand to you. 

“The rain.” You look at him for what feels like hours before you finally register what he was trying to tell you. 

“Wow, it took me getting shot at for you to finally answer my question…an hour later?” The joke doesn’t sit too well with him and you apologize quickly, afraid he’d get up and leave you all alone. 

“I- I didn’t think you’d…” The words die in his throat, and you look down at where your hands are intertwined, wanting to give him some privacy as he comes to terms with what he was feeling, what he was oversharing with you. 

“Remember?” You finish for him, smiling when he nods quietly and begins to trace the lines across the back of your hand.

“I remember everything you tell me, Crosshair.” Once again, the simple response is laced with too many revelations to your liking, but you know you’d never forgive yourself if you didn’t use this moment to show him how much you care. 

How much you love him.

He looks at you then, about to say something when he sees your face twist at the returning stinging sensations. 

“You need to rest.” His voice is firm, making you wish you weren’t hurt and could actually make whatever this is last longer. 

“Will you be here when I wake up?” Before, you would have been annoyed with yourself for being so vulnerable in front of him, but the question must be the one thing he needed to hear because he smiles softly at you before nodding in silence, bringing his chair a little closer to you can rest your arm better as you keep holding his hands.

“Sleep, cyare. I’ll protect you.”

[thegingerwrites]

i'm safe behind the parts you haven't touched

by thegingerwrites

obikin, E, 18k oneshot

Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Post-Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, Top Obi-Wan Kenobi/Bottom Anakin Skywalker, Angst and Hurt/Comfort, Weight Gain, Anakin Skywalker Leaves the Jedi Order, Background Anidala divorce, Mutual Pining, Frottage, Coming In Pants, Multiple Orgasms

Summary:

Obi-Wan opens the door and there he is. Anakin. Like no time has passed at all. Anakin could have just come back from a training session with Ahsoka, here to ask if Obi-Wan wants to join him for dinner in the refectory. But then Obi-Wan takes in Anakin’s set of civilian clothes, his brown jacket and dark blue tunic, the tight-fitting brown pants with multiple sets of pockets along his thighs, and thick-soled boots. No, things aren’t so familiar after all. Anakin left. The war was over. Palpatine was dead. And so he left in order to be a husband to his wife and a father to his children. Obi-Wan has had four years to come to terms with that fact. To heal from the war and move on as a good Jedi should. But when they run into each other by pure coincidence, is it any wonder neither of them can let go?

I posted a snippet of this fic a little while ago when I was really deep in my feelings about Obi-Wan and Anakin in an AU where they avert the end of RotS but Anakin leaves the order. I also wanted to explore a bit of weight gain as a sign of healing here and the intersection of those two ideas became this fic!

Here's another excerpt from when they finally meet again after four years apart:

“Obi-Wan.”

He would know that voice anywhere. He hasn’t heard it in four years.

It comes from behind him. Meaning that he could keep going, pretend he hasn’t heard and walk away. That would certainly be the smart choice, if cowardly, but Obi-Wan has nothing to do with this man anymore. And wouldn’t it be justice of a sort, to leave him the way he left Obi-Wan?

But Obi-Wan has never been able to walk away from Anakin Skywalker.

He turns and sees Anakin. For the first time in four years. His hair glints golden in the mid-day sunlight and the lines on his face are a little deeper. Everything and nothing at all has changed since they last met.

Almost in unison, the way they used to match each other step for step, they inhale and open their mouths as if to say something. But what do you say to someone you used to speak to every day? When time and distance couldn’t give you the words you needed to say, how do you find them in an instant, out of the blue?

Then someone shrieks, runs into his leg and grabs on, followed by another person on his opposite leg. Two children, the same height, one with blond hair and the other brunette, cling giggling to his legs.

“Luke,” Obi-Wan murmurs. “And Leia.”

Obi-Wan only knows of the twins in the abstract. He knew they existed, knew they were part of the reason Anakin left the Order, but he has never met them, never even seen a holo. At the sound of their names, they both look up at him with wide grins on their faces. Leia is missing one of the teeth at the front of her smile. When Obi-Wan notices them in the Force, the sensation of them nearly takes his breath away. Together, they are a match for Anakin, his brightness, his ferocity. They glow. And it is a wonder Obi-Wan didn’t see them sooner.

He kneels down to get a better look at them. Now he sees it, the pieces of their mother and father, glimpses in their eyes or the set of their mouths, the way that they move. Too many and too familiar to Obi-Wan for him to count.

“I told you he knew us, Daddy!” Leia tells her father. She wraps her arms around Obi-Wan possessively, like someone might try to take him away.

“I knew him too!” Luke insists, mirroring his sister’s embrace on Obi-Wan’s other side. “He felt…he felt fum—f—”

“Familiar,” Obi-Wan offers, feeling a little breathless.

Luke’s face brightens like the sun coming out from behind a cloud. “Yeah! You felt familiar in the Force.”

Obi-Wan blinks. Because of course Luke could sense him. Of course he can sense the bond that used to exist between him and Anakin or perhaps he can envision what Obi-Wan must look like in the Force based on stories Anakin has told or stars, maybe he has a memory of Obi-Wan’s Force signature from before he was born. There is no telling what impossible feat of Force connection Anakin’s children might be capable of.

Leia crosses her arms. “I felt it too.”

“Of course you did,” Obi-Wan says. The two of them are entirely untrained or at least they feel that way in the Force. They are bright and powerful, undoubtedly, but there is no control there. Anakin has given them the vocabulary for what he knew as fact from the moment he was born but none of the tools Obi-Wan tried to teach him make sure that he was guided by his power rather than carried away by it.

“Daddy just picked us up from school,” Luke tells him. “We were on our way to get milkshakes!”

“Were you now?” Obi-Wan pulls back to get a better look at them without extricating himself fully from their grasp. He gets to his feet once again but the two of them refuse to oblige him by letting go completely. Luke has the edge of his tabards clutched in one of his small fists. And Obi-Wan finds he has no real desire to leave them so soon now that he has them.

“Mmhmm,” Leia hums. “I’m going to get chocolate!”

“An excellent choice.”

“You could come,” Anakin suggests, his voice unreadable. Four years and Obi-Wan has lost the ability to read him. To know his emotions better than his own. But then again, perhaps he was always kidding himself if he ever believed that was true.

It isn’t that Obi-Wan forgot that Anakin was standing there, watching them. That isn’t possible. But having this many Skywalkers in front of him after so long without is too much. Overwhelming. Obi-Wan doesn’t like to think of himself as a coward but he desperately wants to run.

“I can’t,” he manages.

“We’re on our way to Dex’s,” Anakin tries again. “The twins have never been.”

“I’m afraid I was just there for lunch.” Obi-Wan palms the side of his belly and it is a reminder that he has a body, that he still inhabits it, despite the way his head is swimming.

“You could sit with us while the kids have their shakes—”

“—I said, no.” The sharpness of Obi-Wan’s voice surprises even himself. “I have responsibilities to attend to back at the Temple. I went to Dex’s more for business rather than pleasure.” None of which is strictly true but Anakin does not need to know that.

But Anakin has never been one to settle for less than he wants. And the word ‘no’ always seemed to hit his ear like a challenge instead of a refusal. Or perhaps he did manage to learn one lesson from Obi-Wan after all of those years together. He has all of the negotiating prowess of a blaster bolt.

“We should talk,” Anakin says. “Get drinks or have dinner some time.”

“I’m not on Coruscant very often these days.”

“Some time soon, then.”

Obi-Wan takes a breath, long and slow. He keeps his expression utterly neutral but he knows despite his best efforts at hiding just how much Anakin can read his exasperation. His lips lift a little, still pink and expressive though they are not quite as plush as they once were. There is a smugness there in his expression. Anakin knows he has worn him down.

He can’t keep fighting while maintaining his composure. They are in public. Anakin’s children are still standing there at his feet. He can’t take Anakin apart the way he might if they were alone. He can’t say all of the things he has wrestled with and thought about saying since Anakin left.

Perhaps they should meet.

“You know where to find me,” Obi-Wan says instead. Because while his missions take him away from Coruscant much of the time, his address at the Temple has never changed. His comm code is the same. Anakin is the one who walked away and never looked back.

Anakin nods. “I do.”

He gathers up the twins, bending down a little to take both of their hands. Luke rushes over to give Obi-Wan’s leg another hug before they go. Leia waves at him furiously as they head off to Dex’s.

“He’s so round, Daddy,” Obi-Wan hears Luke say to Anakin. “I bet he gives really good hugs.”

“Better than my hugs?” Anakin asks.

Luke hums considering. “I don’t know. I’ll have to do a test!”

“Are we going to see Obi-Wan again?” asks Leia.

They round the corner and are out of sight before Obi-Wan hears the answer.

[barnes-n-howlett-lit]

Between Two Suns

Prologue

Story Description: A timid good girl meets her match when a brutish gentleman interrupts the day she had planned. A succinct meeting with a crypto mogul leaves her to swoon. Which side will she pick?  

Chapter Summary: When a shy Y/N bumps into a charming man at the coffee shop, an unexpected yet intriguing relationship begins.

Pairing: Obi-Wan x F!Reader ~ Anakin x F!Reader

Word Count: 1,403

Warnings: None

Authors: Barnes and Howlett 

It was a sunny afternoon, the sound of Coruscant traffic in the air. As you neared the coffee shop, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee graced your nostrils. You enter the quaint shop and couldn't help but feel a dark presence lingering somewhere in the room. Your eyes scan around as you wait in line to order your drink. 

Your gaze meets only for a split second, his green eyes sending a shiver up your back.

He must have been the presence you were sensing. A blush rose onto your cheeks as you looked away, it was your turn to order a drink. After placing the order you wait patiently for your name to be called. He walks beside you, standing just a mere arm’s length away. He smelled of a strong cologne, mixed with a burned smell you couldn't quite place, like ash. 

You dared not look up at him for fear you wouldn't be able to keep your sights reserved.

“Obi-Wan!” The barista calls out.  

‘Obi-Wan? What a unique and fascinating name.’

He walks up to the counter retrieving his beverage. A rogue thought pops into your head as your gaze lay fixed on the way his hands grip the coffee mug. How the veins rippled in his arms, a perfectly flexed pinky causing the hypothenar muscle to flex in tandem. It was captivating.

He heads back towards you, presumably aiming for the cafe. Your eyes meet once more, a subtle smirk on the rugged man's face. He even seemed to chuckle a bit as you crossed paths. You knew you looked like a deer caught in headlights, you had never been graced with such presence before. You had only felt such power from your professors and men in high positions of authority. You were very keen on authority figures, never once committed a crime, no hair out of place. You were as pure as the day you were born. He was very obviously…not. 

“Y/N!” The barista calls, sending a wave of shock and surprise through your body. You gasped, this man had entranced you so much that you had forgotten where you were, and why you were there in the first place. Never before had you been so enthralled. 

“Yup!” You call out, immediately feeling the embarrassment creeping up your neck. 

You rush over to the counter retrieving your cup. A feeling of relief washes through you as you can finally enjoy a warm cup of joe. Now the next thing to do, find a table with the least amount of crumbs and an outlet. You had an introduction to continue proofreading for your meeting later. To your surprise, instead of looking into a packed cafe with many impatient customers, you were instead stopped abruptly by a barrel of a chest. Unfortunately, your coffee had also become acquainted with the front of your blouse.

“What the hell?” You exclaimed, surprised, angry even. That something, or someone rather, had caused you to spill your overpriced coffee straight onto your freshly ironed blouse. 

“Ah, well hello there!” A male voice exclaimed. 

Albeit, you were surprised to say the least, this man had such a charming and seductive voice. One that pulled you straight out of reality, one that made you forget the accident he had just caused. Quickly going back to your senses, you realize that you must respond and apologize for the mess. 

“Oh gosh I'm sorry, I uh-” You stuttered, feeling the hot liquid burning your skin.

“No, I'm sorry, please let me.” He begins to grab napkins, patting away at the front of your blouse with a somewhat reckless abandon. 

The previously gruff and rugged exterior of this man had lessened as he helped clean up.

“Please, I'll get you another.” He states waiting for you to say something, anything.

“No, it's fine, all good.” You manage to croak out, too embarrassed at the feeling of his hands wandering your torso with the napkins as he attempts to soak up the spill. 

You go to order your coffee, him in tow. After you order he quickly taps his card on the machine paying for it himself. You look at him, annoyed and surprised that he would do that. Hurriedly you retrieve your new drink. There was no line, like before. Unluckily, your beverage was served in an open cup, you had to finish your drink there. Taking refuge in a corner booth to hide your soiled blouse in shame. He sits down across from you, eyes apologetic yet dark. 

“Hey, listen I'm sorry. I didn't see you there.” He smirks, as he talks to you. His caring facade faltering. Suspicion rises in your gut, it almost seemed as if the spill was intentional. You narrow your eyes at the man before you.

“Wait, did- did you do that on purpose?” You ask, perplexed by his audacity.

“Well” he drawls out, giving you a mischievous look.

“The only way I could get a nice girl, such as yourself, to give me attention, would be to make a grand entry.” He smirked, almost looking as if he had just done you a favor. 

Blessing your morning with a wasted coffee and stained blouse, as a means for you to share a few words with a man such as he. You did not enjoy how smug and egotistical this man seemed. You decided to ignore the compliment and do something you hadn’t done before, question authority.

With a deep breath, she faces the man ready to give him what for. 

“A simple hello couldnt work for you? You had to go and ruin a nice cup of coffee and my new blouse, I just had it pressed! I have somewhere very important to be later today, and this isn't gonna cut it!” You were seething, the audacity of this man was astonishing. It’s bad enough today was the day to prove yourself worthy to your boss, but now this; this was a major setback.

“Well I’m sorry, doll. I don't do simple hellos.” He leans in a bit, your breath catching in your throat. There it was again, that feeling of being caught in a tractor beam. It makes your brain foggy.

“Anyways, giving you a reason to think of me later is really what I wanted, in the first place. People forget a passing hello, but no one forgets…” He trails off. “Someone who made them soaking wet.”

You were once again sucked into him, his voice, his demeanor, everything about him. You took a deep breath, ‘made you soaking wet?’ You had never been spoken to like this before, let alone from such a brute. You didn’t get much male attention, being in this situation it made it hard to hide your feelings, and hard to figure out what to say next. 

“Seriously?!” You scoff, rolling your eyes. “If you think for a second I would give you my attention after a stunt like that, you are sorely mistaken!” You slide out of the booth, taking your coffee, walking towards the door after returning your porcelain cup. You feel a hand snake around the flesh of your forearm.

“C’mon, feel lucky. I chose you today.” His grip on your arm is rough but warm, his good looks almost clouding the words coming out of his mouth.

“I am not an object to be chosen, please leave me alone.” His grip loosened as you pulled away from him.

“Fine sweetheart, but if you uh...change your mind. Come find me.” He slides a dark card into your hand and walks away as if he hadn't just held your captive with his advances. You can feel tears prick in your eyes as you walk down the street back to your apartment, you can feel people’s judging eyes at the large dark stain adorning your blouse. 

Entering your apartment, you are met with the gentle ‘purr’ of your cat Miles, you sigh, giving him a little pat before setting your course to the bedroom closet. You had laid this outfit out the night before for your meeting before the big lecture. You had to be quick, the lecture was in an hour and the university's auditorium was 30 minutes away. You quickly search for a blouse of similar color to keep your outfit cohesive. Looking at your watch, you had to leave now, you didn't want to keep your colleagues waiting. 

Masterlist | Chapter 1

[translucent-sun]

Over the next five years, they’d build themselves a comfortable life. Not an easy one, but comfortable enough. Taking on jobs had come to be only necessary when the desert’s dryness became particularly dry, when the heat became so unbearable that only the richest, biggest moisture farms with the most modern equipment were ableto harvest the precious liquid. When their reservoir was empty, their vaporator unable to keep up, and they were forced to buy their water. Only then did their life become a little more stressful. But even that was temporary. 

Obi-Wan’s only worry these days was Cody’s health. Or the decline of it. The training and connection to the Force they’d kept up with at least twice a week, be it playful swordfight or simple meditation, certainly had kept both of them fit, but Obi-Wan couldn’t help but notice that Cody needed breaks much more often, even skipping some days entirely, saying he was too tired, or simply not in the mood. 

Cody denied that anything was wrong, of course, and Obi-Wan couldn’t do much but accept his stubbornness. But accepting it didn’t stop him from worrying. 

Often, the fact that he might one day have to take care of Cody occupied his every thought. It wasn’t the taking care part that worried him – he would gladly do so, of course. It was the fact that he was getting old himself that worried him. That he won’t be able to care for him one day. It was a haunting thought. But nonetheless, it was interrupted. 

“What are you doing?” Cody’s voice came from a strange direction. Only when Obi-Wan opened his eyes, turning to follow the familiar sound did he remember where he was. 

Calling back down from the edge of the roof, his back resting against its dome, he replied, “I thought I heard a Bantha and wanted to track it. Then I must have fallen asleep.” 

The first part was entirely true. Where Banthas roam, sand people won’t be far, so making sure they’re not heading in your direction is not a bad idea. Cody shook his head in apparent amusement. 

“You’ll get burnt. Come down, dinner is almost ready.”

“Come up. When it’s only almost ready it won’t hurt to spend five more minutes out here.”

Cody sighed, punctuated by an exaggerated roll of his eyes. “Fine.” 

Slowly walking up the makeshift stairs they’d put up a few years ago, every step took visible effort, and Obi-Wan caught himself worrying again. 

With a groan, Cody settled next to him, shoulder pressed to shoulder. They sat for a minute that felt like an eternity, seconds stretched into a lifetime. Obi-Wan wished it could go on like this forever. Though when Cody finally spoke, time retracted back like a spring.

“If we don’t get back in our dinner will burn.” His shoulder bumped into Obi-Wan’s gently. Obi-Wan’s head tipped back, his eyes falling shut. 

“Just a second,” he whispered, almost a plea. 

His eyes opened, turning to watch Cody when he felt a hand in his hair. He’d started to wear it shorter again, and it had turned almost entirely gray by now, even growing white in some places. And he knew Cody loved it. As did he love Cody’s own. In general, Cody was just growing more gorgeous with age. His hair was graying too, the white streak in his once black hair almost invisible now, blending in with the gray that was slowly growing in. Only the back of his head had kept its color, bound at the back of his head in a loose knot. A few loose strands fell over Cody’s forehead, making him look a little unkept.

It was beautiful. And a constant reminder of the passing of time. He forced himself to look away, blinking, struggling against the light. He pushed the thought as far away as he could

“Alright,” he said, already rising. “Let’s go.”

[echantedtoon]

A Lovers' Circle (Poly Haishira x Reader) Ch5 Date Weekend: Friday

(Warnings for some innuendos. 

If anyone is confused by Sanemi's surprised behavior, it's because I'm Kimetsu Gauken it's cannon that while Sanemi is kind to women and children, everyone is afraid of him due to his scary appearance. So Yn being genuinely kind to him despite his appearance is surprising to him.)

The day was bright and beautiful as the morning light fell through the window and grazed over the few patrons still in the small cafe she worked at. The murmuring hums of light talk, generic elevator like music, and the occasional bike passing by outside. It combined with the sounds from the kitchen. Clinking dishes, utilities, and the occasional shout of an order ready to be served. Relatively peaceful and normal day for those whom worked the cafe life.

It was a demanding job sometimes if you had to handle multiple orders by yourself especially if you were by yourself or happened to be short-staffed that day or if there just so happened to be a large crowd. But it wasn't a bad job. The Patrons were mostly friendly aside from the occasional Karen or grumpy person in the morning who demanded their caffeine high for the morning. It always smelt nice with the lingering scents of coffee, chocolate, and various hand made baked goods in the glass display nearby.

After a while one would even start to recognize the frequent customers visiting the shoppe's doors. The guy who always hugged down at least three cups of coffee in the morning before classes. The couple always coming in Thursday afternoon for the college students discount on the sandwiches. That one girl always stumbling in with a mountain of papers always quickly buying a quick donut before scurrying away. There was the frequent college students or bookworms that just liked to sit in the cafe and do their own things. Sometimes they'd order snacks sometimes they didn't but that was life. But such was life on campus.

It was a slow day this morning in particular.

The smells of glass cleaner mixed in with the scents of coffee and sweet vanilla as a cloth ran across the shiny glass of the display case. Inside it beheld the delicious sights within it's hold. A few cupcakes and cakes ready to be bought and eaten. Tempted to take one herself. But it'd have to come out of his pockets if she did so. Not many people had come in today either. A few in the morning for a quick coffee run before classes but for now it was just her alone here. She didn't mind, it was peaceful and quiet other than the distant sounds of the generic elevator like music that constantly played around the area.

She couldn't wait for the end of the week. There was going to be a girls night with all her girlfriends and then they were going to spend the entire weekend together going to the spa, and the amusement park, and then there was going to be a cute little movie marathon!! Oh it was gonna be so much fun! And it's been so long since they all got to spend time together! She was so excited, she barely heard the door open. Only being aware of the fact when the door opened and the bell above rang a cute little jingle causing her bright green eyes to snap around.

She gasped. "Obi!"

The slightly smaller black haired that walked in barely reacted to her. Maybe it was because he didn't get a chance to before she squealed excitedly and rushed him. Pulling him into a nearly bone crushing hug and literally lifting the man off his feet.

"I missed you so much!"

"Ish omly beem a few hours," he replied to the best of his abilities half muffled by the fact she was crushing him into herself.

She squeezed him just a bit tighter for a second or two. "Mm mm!" Before finally releasing him back onto his feet allowing him to wheeze for air, but by now he was used to it after being together for so long. "You're always so sweet coming to see me at work!" She gushed grasping her cheeks.

It took him a few seconds to collect himself but he was able to recover from his girlfriend's usual greeting and looked at her evenly. "I'm happy you seem to be in better spirits." Mitch matched eyes glanced partially past her and made contact with a wiping cloth and a bottle of glass cleaner abandoned on top of the display case of delicious pastries. "Is your shift over with yet?"

"Almost! I'm just cleaning up and getting ready to clean out the display case. You know what that means!" She gushed brightly at the thought. "Which means lots of free leftovers for us tonight! It's gonna be so yummy!"

"Just be sure you don't eat all of it before we get it to the others. Don't want a repeat of last time." Last time she unknowingly snacked on everything before they could reach Kyojuro's house and they ended up having to drive out last minute and get take out and frozen pizzas. Poor Mitsuri nearly cried for an hour after trying to pay for everything.

Her face lit up an embarrassed pink as she pouted. "I won't! Besides everyone's supposed to bring something! What are you bringing everyone?"

His answer was to raise a box of canned Moonbucks coffee. "This."

"Obanai, coffee isn't a good choice for a potluck! We're supposed to bring something everyone can enjoy!"

"They do. Especially Shiny and Sanemi. They're always tired as fuck."

"And no cussing! We're trying to make a good first impression for Gyomei! What's his new girlfriend gonna think if you do that?"

"Didn't he just say they just went on like two dates? That's not a girlfriend." Her eyes narrowed at him. "*sigh* Fine. But I'm not the one you should be worried about."

"Sanemi promised everyone he won't say anything mean."

"It's not Sanemi I'm worried about." Knowing Tengen and his 'flamboyant' (innuendy) way of talking a lot of the time you couldn't tell if he was flirting, teasing, both, or just talking. Not always the best thing for a great first impression.

"Oh Tengen's gonna be fine! You'll see!" She patted his shoulder before bubbly bouncing towards the counter again. "I'm gonna finish up cleaning now so we can grab the goodies and go!"

"M'kay. I'll just wait for you to get done then." He went right ahead and made himself comfortable in a nearby chair as she happily went back. "Are Hinatsuru and Makio still here too?"

She nodded wiping at the remaining glass. "Yep! They're cleaning up the back! We should be done real soon!"

"Good. I can't stand Tengen making anymore jokes about me trying to steal his wives again. The sooner we leave the better."

"Oh you don't really mind that!,"she sang from where she was finishing up cleaning the display case. "He's just teasing you."

"Yeah. Well I wish he'd do it in a different way." He rolled his eyes at her insistence. "How much longer until they're done?"

"Just now actually." 

A new voice echoed out of no where and both pairs of eyes looked up at who had just walked in. Pink eyes crinkled up in a smile as two women appeared both had black haired tied up in ponytails but but only one had orange bangs and was carrying a broom. Immediately the orange eyed one just went to sweeping up the front where he was sitting as Hinatsuru held up two large boxes, the kind you'd buy a dozen donuts in. 

"Hi, Obinai," she greeted him with a cute smile. "Come to give us a ride there?"

He nodded eyeing Makio starting to thoroughly sweep the floors, moving tables and chairs and reaching under booths connected to the wall. "Yes. Are you all ready to go?"

She shook her head. "We have to clean up before closing for the weekend, but we haven't gotten the front yet. Besides-" She held the boxes higher. "We still need to box up the goods." 

He nodded. "Right.." before slowly standing up and grabbing the canned coffee he just quickly bought from the local convenience store. "I'll just wait for you guys in the car then. Parked right out front."

He left them to it he supposed walking out with the sound of the bell above and back to a beaten up old hand me down van. It wasn't the prettiest car, but it worked, it got him places, and it's what he can afford so he treated it with care.  From the inside he boredly watch his girlfriend and their partners sweeping and mopping up the front. Mitsuri was quick to wipe down the large windows inside and out before disappearing back in and a moment later the three emerged back out. Mitsuri first holding the door open for Hinatusu to walk out carrying the two boxes with Makio right behind them. He patiently waited still for them to get inside the van with him with Mitsuri leaning over to give a large kiss to his cheek leaving behind a giant kiss mark no doubt the others will tease him for it later. 

"Hey. So you girls finally ready now?" Regardless of asking he was already reaching out for the key and starting the engine.

"Yep! But they wouldn't let me hold the boxes."

"Last time you ate it all before we even got to Kyojuro's 

His girlfriend whined as he was already shifting to reverse. "I didn't mean to! They were just so yummy!"

"Yeah? Well this time we're holding onto them."

"I'm assuming we're going to Kyojuro's then."

The car slowly turned to the right and began it's long journey down the roads. From all of the places they lived, Kyojuro lived the farthest away from the University. Nearly an hour's drive worth of traveling by car. It was a wonder that Kyojuro wasn't more late to classes, but then again it was easier for him to blink with Tengen during school days and just go home on the weekends and holidays. The drive there was mostly silent other than the happy hums of Mitsuri who once and a while gave the boxes in the back a look but they were firmly sat in Makio's lap and he doubted that she'd let her go anywhere near them. 

The roads continued to get a bit crowded from the weekend rush for everyone to go to the beach or wherever the rowdy crowds took them. For them it was a long well deserved weekend planned out a whole month in advance and meeting a really special guest. He wasn't too thrilled about having to help play host to a newcomer but he'd be nice for Gyomei and meet this girl. With a sigh, he turned a corner and went up a street only to slow down to a stop and park right in front of a large home. They were here. He just wondered how many of them were here already. 

The first one there was Mitsuri excitedly just running up the driveway and without even bothering to knock, threw the front door open beaming wildly. "HI GUYS!!"

"Hey, Peaches n Cream is here with her dashing night in shining armor! And of course my two beautiful princesses.~"

"Shut up, Tengen!," he shouted as he finally got inside behind the girls.

Most everyone was there. Tengen had taken up most of the small sofa laid across it with his head in Suma's lap getting it massaged by the looks of it. Sanemi looked bored off to the side only looking up when the four of them came walking in. Knowing Kyojuro he was somewhere else in his house. 

"Where's everyone?"

Tengen waved a hand too invested by the soothing hands of his wife. "Kyo's ordering some more pizza. Giyuu said he'd be grabbing the others and Gyomei said he's gonna be late and to start the movie without him." He finally seemed to perk up slightly eyeing the boxes Hinatusu was carrying. "What do we have here though?"

"Everyone's bringing something to eat, Tengen. Which reminds me." He slapped down the box of canned coffee on the coffee table between all of them before plopping himself down on the second couch with a sigh. "A little gift from me to you."

"Oh finally. I need something to keep me awake during this bore fest."

Sanemi was already tearing up the box to get to the delicious taste of coffee. The girls filed into the kitchen presumably to put away the food minus Mitsuri who must've found Kyojuro because everyone heard him give a loud grunt from the kitchen area before loud laughter echoed out from both of them. No doubt she must've given him a surprise glomp- CLICK! The sounds of a a can being opened filled the small house as the white haired man threw his head back to just start chugging it down. 

"Hey, Obanai. Did you bring the movie?"

"Yep. A horror one. Nothing like the one Tengen picked out last time."

"Hey! What was wrong with what I picked?!"

"You picked a documentary on Katsushika Hokusai."

"And what's wrong with that?! He was a very talented artist!"

"When you said you brought 'the most flamboyant movie ever' I thought it'd at least be about something cool like swords or wrestling! This is why we take turns picking movies instead of letting you in charge."

"YOU TWO JUST DON'T GET ARTISTS!!"

Both Sanemi and Obanai exchanged looks- Sanemi took a louder drag of his coffee can as Obanai just got up to start the movie. The others started filing in sooner than they expected. Kyojuro finished up ordering them pizza for the big dinner and came back to rejoin everyone as the movie started. Five minutes in the door opened again and in walked Kochos and Giyuu with a bag of chicken wings from a nearby fast food place and a couple six packs of different sodas like Peppi and Coda. It was all placed in the kitchen as they awaited the arrival of pizza and Gyomei bringing along their mystery guest. Shinobu helped herself to some of the canned coffee as well before flopping herself across Sanemi to casually cuddle not that anyone minded. 

The movie was just about near the end when Tengen abruptly sat up and nearly knocked over Kanae sitting on the armrest of said sofa, eyes alert and looking right at the door.

"Oi. Watch it, Uzui. You nearly knocked my girl off-"

"Someone's here!"

His announcement had everyone going silent for a long moment. Someone eventually paused the movie, not sure who, but the newfound quietness of the home made it easier to hear things. A small cough or two from everyone turning to stare at the door. Obanai exchanged looks with Suma the latter shrugging her shoulders. Sanemi was the only one who broke the silence taking a sip of his drink. Until they heard it. The heavy footfalls of a familiar heavyset person making their way to the door.

THUNK. THUNK. THUNK. THUNK.

They came up the porch steps and slowly towards the door getting closer and closer. 

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.

Heavy and loud but gentle knocks reverberated from the doorway and echoed out into the large living room. No one made a move to get up stunned and after a moment, they came again a little louder this time.

"Maybe we have the wrong address?"

"No. I've been here plenty of times. This is the correct house."

Two voices came from behind the door one familiar one not but it was enough to get Kyojuro to place down his bottle of water and get off the couch. 

"It's strange that no one answered by now though."

"Maybe we're the first ones here? But we did say we'd be running late..Did they go to a movie theater or something?"

Any voices quieted when his footfalls approached the door and he stood there a moment, taking a second to look back to everyone else who still stared silently, before reaching out to grab the doorknob, twist it, and slowly opened the door up. Red-orange eyes blinked widely at who was on the other side.. before his usual bright grin dawned his handsome features.

"GYOMEI!," Kyojuro greeted loudly holding out his arms, "SO HAPPY YOU'RE FINALLY HERE! WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU!!" No else could see from their sitting spots, but Kyojuro's head tilted downwards to the right instead of up to the tall man in the doorway. "AH! You must be the guest he told us about! A pleasure!"

A deep sigh was given outside of the doorway followed by a tiny woman's chuckle. "Y/n, this is Kyojuro Rengoku. I'm going to be spending the weekend with him here. Kyojuro Y/n. Do try not to shout her ears off."

"GLADLY!!"

A few eyes blinked when a woman's small hand appeared sticking into the doorway. "It's so nice to meet you! Gyomei's told me so much about everyone."

Kyojuro gladly shook her hand. "A pleasure! Please come in!" Before stepping aside for them both to come in. "We were just in the middle of watching a movie!"

"Sounds lovely."

Everyone watched as in walked Gyomei who had to duck in order to get inside behind him followed a girl, with long f/c hair and a smile on her face as she gave a look around before her eyes caught onto the other ten pairs of eyes looking at her. F/c orbs blinked in surprise seeing so many people blinking but she still smiled widely at them. 

"Oh my. There certainly is a lot of people here. Hello."

"HI!!," Suma yelled out breaking the awkward silence as she waved a full arm at her. "Oh my gosh! You're so pretty!"

"She is pretty cute. Dam, Gyomei. You didn't tell us she was a cutie.~" Tengen smiled widely at her. "Where were you when I got married?~ OW!!"

A smack went off as Kanae's hand met the back of Tengen's head as her polite smile never wavered. "Tengen, control yourself. That's not a polite way to greet someone."

Said man hissed rubbing his head as Gyomei's hands met his face in embarrassment already. Although surprisingly the woman's face while slightly surprised, didn't really change from her smile. Gyomei sucked in a deep breath and eventually pulled his head out from his hands and gestured to the white haired man whom just spoke. 

"Y/n, allow me to introduce you to Tengen Uzui. The women next to him are his wives," how he knew all three of his gorgeous wives were all laid on him Tengen would never know but he was right. "That Suma, Makio, and the one to the far left is Hinatusu. The lady on his left is Kanae Kocho."

"Wives?" She glanced over them. "Wow. I wasn't expecting anyone to be married. Usually everyone I know is really busy trying to get through college."

Tengen didn't take any offense to that laughing loudly. "Well family arranged marriages would do that." He waved at her anyways. "Nice to meet ya! Hope the big lug hasn't been too much to handle.~"

"T-Tengen!" Gyomei's face frowned at him harder but the girl only giggled more.

"Thank you. He's actually been really sweet.~ " Her eyes glanced over everyone else in curiosity. "But I don't think I've met everyone yet."

"O-Oh. Of course. *ahem*"

Ignoring Tengen's smirk boring into him, he gestured to the others. Introducing them as Mitsuri Kanroji. Iguro Obanai. Sanemi Shinazugawa. And Shinobu Kocho. And explaining who exactly was who's girlfriend or boyfriend to you and making it easier to understand what dynamics were which. Nervously awaiting her response and hoping she wouldn't change her mind and think it was weird after all. Instead everyone was surprised by the gentle and kind smile on her face making her look so adorable as she bowed. 

"I'm happy to meet you all! It's so nice to meet Gyomei's friends! Uh- Boyfriends and girlfriends. Or..." She slowly stood straight again with a confused scrunch to her face. "...What do you all refer to each other as?" 

"We call our significant other by the regular boyfriend or girlfriend title otherwise we just call each other out partners," Shinobu explained with a smile, "Other than Tengen since he's really the only one married." She gestured referring to his wives. 

"Oh! I'll keep that in mind then."

"What do you have in that box?"

It was the first time someone mentioned the box she was carrying and pointed it out. It was just a plain bakery like box, the kind Hinatsuru was carrying earlier. She smiled wider at them all. 

"Y/n remembered me mentioning that Sanemi liked ohagi." Sanemi's eyes snapped up at the mention of his favorite food. Hand paused mid sip as he glanced up at Gyomei's smiling face. "She brought along some to share-"

"Ohagi?" She nodded and opened her mouth but Sanemi was already standing up and descended upon her. Blinking as he was leaning over her suddenly and his hands roughly pushed the box open. His smile widening as the delicious scent of red bean ohagi hot him. "Fuck yeah! Thanks, Mei! I didn't think they sold 'em this late."

That's right. Gyomei mentioned that the cafe he took you too sold his friend's favorite ohagi. She blinked as he just roughly grabbed one of the ohagis and took a massive bite nearly swallowing it whole. A pleased noise left his mouth as the sweet taste hit him and he continued devouring onto a second one pulled up from the box with a third in the other hand. 

"So good!," he managed to get out between bites as he continued eating.  "Mei, I owe you one."

"I-..Well thank you but I didn't buy them." His large hand patted the new woman on the back. "Y/n here made them herself." Sanemi paused comically mid bite. "That's why we were late. I'm afraid it took a little longer than expected for her to get off work and make them all."

She nodded smiling. "I'm glad you like them though. I've only made them a handful of times."

"Did I miss something?," a new voice asked from the kitchen just as Giyuu appeared from the kitchen carrying a drink and what looked like a donut swiped from what the girls brought 

"Ah. Giyuu, right on time." Gyomei gestured with a smile. "Y/n this is Giyuu Tomioka. He's taking the same health course you are so you both might know each other."

You stared at him for a second before nodding. "I vaguely remember you but I don't think we actually talked before. You're taking the health course too."

He nodded. "Working on a bachelor's degree in physical education, and the health classes will help me improve my skills as a p.e. teacher."

"Oh! So you're studying to become a teacher too?"

He nodded. "All of us are. Why are you taking the same classes?" The blunt way he asked could've been rude to anyone and got a concerned look from Gyomei but she didn't bat an eye.

"I'm studying a degree in baking and pastry arts and the health classes help me understand people's health better. You never know if someone has special dietary needs or allergies."

"Huh... That's very observant. Would you like something to drink? Coda alright?"

She nodded. "That'd be fine."

"In the meantime why don't you two come join us for the rest of the movie?" Kyojuro motioned for Tengen and the girls to move over making room for the you and Gyomei on one of the sofas. "It's a good movie and pizza should be arriving any moment now."

"I'd love to!"

Giyuu was nice enough to take the box of ohagi to the kitchen before Sanemi- ate it all, and the both of you were settled down to watch the rest of the movie or in Gyomei's case listen. Pizza arrived a little bit later and it too was taken to the kitchen before Giyuu handed you a cup of soda with a thanks from you. The movie was alright but it didn't make much sense since you didn't see the entire story however judging by everyone's else's reaction it must've been at least a compelling story. Afterwards Obanai and who you remembered was called Makio offered to get up to get pizza for everyone. 

"Oh finally. At least something worthwhile."

Kanae shot her boyfriend a glare. "Sanemi, don't be mean! It was Obi's turn to pick the movie and we have a guest here!" She scolded him.

"Tch! Whatever!" Sanemi grumbled in annoyed defeat leaning back where he sat, crossing his scar littered arms and throwing one leg over the over. "The whole day's been boring."

"Sanemi."

"Well it's true," he countered at Kanae when she frowned at him. Directing a hand towards the big screen. "When Obanai said he'd be bringing the movie, I was expecting something actually scary like The Exorcism or Night of the Living Corpse! Both of those are scary. But no. Instead he brings a documentary on Pythons."

"It is not a documentary!" Mitch-matched green and yellow eyes narrowed at Sanemi from the doorway to the kitchen. An accusing hand pointing at the bored looking white haired man. "Mutant Boss is an excellent horror flick that you just don't appreciate the complex storytelling behind."

"It's about a mad scientist that mutates a couple lizards and they eat people until the hero tricks them into going inside a junkyard incinerator that burns them to death. What complex story is there?! It's not even scary!"

"Excuse me!? Being swallowed whole by a giant snake IS terrifying! And the story is only half about the snakes! How about the deformed doctor who lost everything and sacrificed himself for his best friend who he secretly loved?!"

"Just admit you have a fetish!"

"WHAT?!"

"OK!! SUBJECT CHANGE!" Rengoku yelled out holding up his hands before anymore arguing could be done between the two of them and to their credit both of them didn't say anything but still glared at each other. With a sigh his hand reached up to rub at his face. "Sorry about that." Eyes glanced towards the newest woman who didn't look the least bit bothered. "They're like this a lot but I promise they're not usually this ..rude."

A sound pierced the air. One that had Sanemi pausing in his motion of bringing the canned coffee to his lips and just about made everyone else freeze as multiple eyes blinked at the woman giggling and smiling at them all.

"It's alright. I don't really mind a bit. Please don't feel like you have to act differently on my account. I really want to know everyone."

"Oh good. At least I don't have to worry about walking on eggshells anymore." The man known as Tengen sighed before just throwing an arms around both Sanemi and one of his wives, Suma if she remembered right. "Y'know...If you guys are bored n' really want something to do, I got-"

"Hell. No " Eyes scowled up to Tengen's bored face as Sanemi simultaneously leaned out of his arm and firmly placed the can back down in the coffee table in front of them. "For the last time we are NOT doing your stupid push up game!"

F/c blinked at him. Curiosity peeking out with the blink of lashes. "Push up game?"

"Yeah! It's this real fun idea Tengen came up with!," Suma gushed waving an arm excitedly. "It's a challenge! All the guys do push ups with one of us sitting on their backs and whoever lasts the longest wins!"

"Yeah but Sanemi and Obanai never wanna do it." Tengen chastised rolling his eyes boredly and slinging one arm behind his head. "Killjoys. They never want to do anything fun."

If anger had a picture in the dictionary, Sanemi would be it with the way he snapped at his friend and partner. "Yeah! Fun things! I actually do those! Your idea isn't fun, it's fucking stupid as shit!" Obanai made a noise of agreement from the kitchen. "A push up contest? That's middle school crap!"

"You won't let me paint you or do any of my ideas. I swear it's like you hate my stuff." ...a smirk appeared on his face then. "But I know you don't really hate the idea. It's something else.~"

"Oh sure." He rolled his eyes hard grabbing his drink again to occupy himself. "And what do tell is this 'something else'?"

"You're fucking weaker than I am with your wussy muscles."

CRINKLE!

F/x eyes blinked as a weak can had no chance and was cushed by a stiffened hand around it's weak metal body. The soft metal crinkle sound of a can being crushed was enough to signify the situation to Gyomei, whom only sighed and reached up to rub his face something like 'goodness here we go' leaving his mouth. Silence stilled as Sanemi went unusually silent, veins popping up along his arms and his forehead as black pupils went small. Ever so slowly, one white haired man looked at the other.

"What did you fucking say to me?," Sanemi asked slowly almost inhumanly so. His left eyelid twitching twice.

"You heard me,~" Tengen sing songed out with a smirk, showing not an ounce of fear towards the admittedly scary face. "You're weak compared to me. A mouse. Miniscule-"

"You fucking take that back right the fuck now, Uzui."

"No." His face fully turned that smirk to him now leaning closer to be in Sanemi's face. "You can just prove it instead."

"FINE!" A thudding was heard as the can was thrown on the coffee table and a hand was pointed straight to Tengen's Cheshire cat grin. "But you're going to fucking eat those words when I fucking beat you at your stupid game!!"

"Finally!" Tengen leaned back up with a smile. "We can have everyone participate!"

"Yeah. No. Count me out."

"C'mon, Obi. It's all in good fun," Mitsuri gently tugged on her boyfriend's shirt where it held onto his shoulder. "You can lift me up on your back."

Those different eyes widened at her in an instant. ".....Oh alright. But just this once." Eyes narrowed at Tengen who barked a laugh at him. Predictable. It made the man narrow his eyes and cross his arms. "And only if the prize is worth the effort. What does the winner get anyways?"

"That's a good point," Shinobu pointed out, "You never told us what the winners get. So cough it up."

Tengen hummed. "How about a free painting? Ill draw anything you want."

"I'm not doing any manual labor for a painting!"

"We'll bet a hundred dollars each!", Sanemi declared giving a devious smile. "Whoever wins gets the money!"

"Fifty bucks each! Some of us are broker than others!," Giyuu butted in.

"Deal!"

"Deal! But on one condition," Tengen quickly agreed with a bright smile, "The money can only be used for the winner's girlfriend for their date night. After all it's nearly Christmas. We need to spoil our darlings.~"

"FINE!! Oh I'm going to use your face to wipe the floors when I'm done!" Sanemi grinned deviously wider as he abruptly stood up still clenching his fists.

"HA! We'll see about that! I'm already thinking about how I'm going to be giving my wives' the most romantic night of their lives.~

He too stood up as Rengoku turned to Giyuu. "I think I'll join! Sounds like fun! What about you?"

Giyuu didn't answer him at first, calmly finishing whatever it was he was drinking and looking at Shinobu. "I would like to treat you to a nice dinner." He bluntly told her as her ever smiling face looked at him. "Should we try?"

"Why not? It'll be a fun challenge, and I'd like to run it into everyone's faces."

"Oi! Babe, get over here and sit on my back!"

"Kyojuro can borrow Makio-"

"Count me out," Makio stated bluntly from where she stood still leaning against the wall. "Someone has to be the ref anyways, so I'll do it."

"Ok! Kyo can borrow Hinatsuru then and I'll take Suma!"

F/c eyes still blinked watching with an amused smile. Quite a lively bunch. Weren't they? Gyomei sighed next to you tiredly but smiled despite himself as the sounds of scraping furniture being moved around to make room for the lot of them all shuffling around into place. Murmuring about how fun this was going to be of how stupid it was or that they were going to kick Tengen's ass. Good thing Rengoku's home happened to have a very large living room.

"Hey, Gyomei!," Rengoku called making the man blink. "Come join us! It'll be fun!"

Gyomei blinked surprised his way before holding up a hand. "No. I better not. Makio said she did not want to participate."

"Have your girlfriend there sit on your back then!"

A choke sound escaped Gyomei's throat as he blinked Tengen's way. "I beg your pardon?!"

"You know what I mean. C'mon. She can sit on your back and act as weights. The rest of us are doing it too and I'm sure she doesn't mind."

"Now Y-You see here, Tengen," he sternly said brows furrowing, "I am not about to ask her to subject herself to that just for a silly game. Especially something so...I-Intimate."

"Gyomei, you're the kind of person who thinks hand holding is scandalous."

Gyomei frowned harder but a woman's voice next to him surprised him. "Actually I don't mind." Gyomei paused, blinked, and then turned his head shocked to her. "It's ok. Actually it sounds fun, and I've never been invited to be a part of a game before."

"I-...I do not know."

"C'mon, Mei! Relax and have some fun with us! Your girl's cool with it, and besides think of the nice date you can take it on if you win!"

"Yeah, Gyomei it'll be fun!" "Come join us!" "Live a little will you?"

"Oh alright." He sighed hearing the bout of everyone else's voices encouraging him to come join their game and have fun with them. "But only this once. I happen to think this is entirely out of the question for a third date."

Despite his words he ended up slowly standing off of the nice soft sofa, it let out a squeak from his shifting weight. A much smaller hand grabbed his in fun anticipation pulling him further into the space they cleared away, footsteps sounding as everyone else shifted to make room for the other two of them. Once everyone else was settled Makio downed her soda and let out a small sigh before leaning herself off the wall.

"Ok. Let's keep this fair," she stated firmly hands on her hips. "Here's the rules. Each guy has one of us weighing him down, if anyone gets off your back for any reason you're out. If anyone of you fall or something you're also out. There's no time limits, but the last one remaining wins. Lastly, you can do the push ups as fast or as slow as you want. Again there's not really a number limit. It isn't about how many you can do.. It's about how LONG you can do the push ups with the weight." She seemed to remember something. "Oh. One last thing. You have to do a full push up every time. All the way down and then all the way back up. No half assing it. If I see anyone trying to cheat, then you're out."

"We get it! Let's just get this over with!" Sanemi rubbed his hands together. "I got three hundred bucks with my name on it!"

"HA! If your weak muscles can handle that!"

Sanemi just growled at Tengen before just dropping to his hands and feet. "Let's just get it over with already!"

Makio watched and waited as everyone else got into the push up position, and the girls gently sit down on each respective boy's backs (or in Suma's case throw herself into Tengen's back although their husband was barely affected by her giddy enthusiasm). Gyomei seemed very reluctant to be doing this but stiffened as he felt someone suddenly sit down on his back.

"Here you go!," Kyojuro's voice sounded helping Y/n hoist herself into his frame.

"Thank you. ..I'm not too heavy am I?"

"Haha! Not at all! You were as light as a feather and with Gyomei's strength you'd weigh nothing to him!" Kyojuro have a small amused smile to the pink rising to his friend's face.

"Alright, alright." Makio's voice once again cut through the air as FINALLY EVERYONE was settled. "Ready? ..START!!"

Immediately the air was filled with cheering and giggling from the girls either encouraging the boys on in their endeavors or giggling loudly at the sudden motion of being lifted up and down. Mostly that last one applying to Suma giggling her head off as she lovingly wrapped her arms around Tengen's neck. In the meantime Makio watched with narrowed eyes like a hawk, grazing back and forth constantly at everyone else in front of her the same way a drill Sargent would watch his troops train.

For the first ten minutes nothing really changed other than a couple of the guys starting to sweat under the weight and physical activity they were pushing themselves to do, in Sanemi's case with incredible determination and gritted teeth. It was only around the fifteen minute mark that the first of them began to struggle. Makio zeroing her eyes in on Obanai's shaking arms and excessive sweating seeming to struggle pushing himself back all the way up with Mitsuri on his back.

"Obanai, you about to drop there?" Her brow rose as a head of black hair shook no

"N-No..I can...make it," he struggled to get out between gasps of air making Mitsuri look concerned.

"Maybe we should stop, Obi. I don't want you to get hurt." Her concerned puppy dog eyes gazed over his shaking arms before she shot Tengen a frown when another round of laughter left his mouth.

"To be honest I bet that's how he'd like to die. You crushing him under you!"

"That's not funny!" "S-Shut..UP!!"

Obanai lasted another three minutes. The shaking in his arms becoming more and more worse than before with each passing second- Before out of nowhere he collapsed. Falling face first onto the floor with a loud thud, and a surprised squeak from Mitsuri as she fell backwards off of him. Makio quickly checked on the wheezing man and thankfully he was alright just tired and was dragged into a chair by both ladies to catch his breath and get a cold drink of whatever liquids was placed on the snack tables.

"C'mon guys. Let's go!" Makio ordered clapping her hands together as Mitsuri fanned her poor exhausted boyfriend behind her. "Up. Down. Up. Down. Keep those push ups coming! You want that money don't you?!"

"Is she a ref or coach?," Sanemi gritted through his teeth but felt a gentle hand ruffle his hair.

"Relax your muscles, Nemi. It'll be easier to do if you weren't tense," Kanae suggested from where she sat between his shoulder blades.

"I would if I could."

Another bout of annoyance was added to him seeing the others barely breaking a sweat, especially Giyuu. The guy was still going on without a problem with Shinobu even having the audacity to be laying on his back looking so relaxed. Her purple eyes caught Sanemi's..And a cheeky smile and wave was sent his way making him growl again. Like he'll be was loosing! HE. WAS. NOT. LOOSING!!

"Looking a little hot under the collar there, Sanemi.~"

He snapped turning to the other white haired man with gritted teeth bared. "SHUT UP YOU DUMB-!!"

"Ah!?"

A loud squeak sound echoed out as Kanae wobbled from the sudden movement Sanemi made, holding her arms out to regain balance but falling over anyways-

"SHIT!!"

It was quick thinking of instinctively reaction, but Sanemi completely stopped what and was doing and flipped. Landing hard on his back and catching Kanae on top of himself before she could hit the hard floor.

"Sanemi, you're out!"

"WHAT?!" He shot Makio a raged look from where he laid. Kanae looking up from his chest. "THAT'S NOT FAIR! HE DISTRACTED ME!!"

"There's no rules against talking. You made her fall off yourself," Makio sternly said pointed behind her. "Now move it!"

Sanemi looked absolutely mad especially when Tengen chuckled at them. Oh he was definitely getting him back later for this but for now Kanae got up ushering her angry boyfriend up with her before he could get the idea to kick Tengen's arms from under himself. Two out only four left and it had only been about twenty five minutes. Rengoku was next, not because he slipped or got super tired but because he said he didn't want to get super sweaty and ruin his shirt with sweat stains, so he stopped, politely waited for Hinatsuru to safely get off him, before leaving really quick to go clean himself off and grab a new shirt. He returned later to everyone cheering one of the three guys left except for Sanemi who continued to sulk on a chair.

It was Gyomei, Tengen, and Giyuu left. Suma continued to giggle loudly, Y/n still smiled, and Shinobu continued to lay along Giyuu's back without a care in the world. It was surprising that Giyuu had so much stamina but then again he mentioned wanting to be a physical education teacher, it made sense he'd be able to pace himself accordingly to keep up with the other two.

"UGH!! C'MON!! ONE OF YOU TWO BEAT HIM!!," Sanemi eventually yelled at the both of the men who weren't the smug Tengen. "I DON'T CARE WHICH ONE JUST DON'T LET HIM WIN!"

Almost forty minutes in now when another one of them dropped out. Giyuu did. His heavy breathing and fatigue eventually getting the better of him and he slowly stopped. Resting onto his knees and hands as Shinobu perked up at the sudden stop in motion.

"Giyuu's out!," Makio announced firmly as the two slowly stood back up. "Only two people left! C'mon you two! Let's go!"

"C'MON, MEI! PUT SOME MUSCLE INTO IT!! MY DIGNITY'S RIDING ON YOUR WIN!" "GO, TENGEN! GO!" "Put your backs into it!"

Everyone cheered and laughed at the two still going. It was a toss up between Gyomei and Tengen! The two tallest people in the group and possibly the strongest in this kept going. Lungs breathed in panting breaths as muscles burnt and sweat ran off their foreheads as it continued past the forty five minutes mark and to the fifty minute checkpoint. Everyone watching in wait for whoever would give in first, especially Sanemi. Tengen must've felt his eyes because he looked up briefly and smirked smugly again at him only aging on the man's anger more before he glanced from Tengen to Suma still giggling on his back...Sanemi paused. Gaze slowly looking at Makio and then the other girls. Gears turning in his head until an idea hit him and a devious smile again crossed his mind.

"There's not gonna be a winner at this rate!", he suddenly shouted getting most everyone's attention. "Y'know what this needs?" He waited two seconds making sure most everyone had eyes on him. "More weight! ... C'mon guys. More weight! More weight!"

"More weight!," Obanai unsurprisingly joined Sanemi in his cheering. "More weight! More weight!"

"That's not fair!"

"Actually, Makio. There's no rules saying there couldn't be more weight added." Tengen looked almost horrified as Sanemi chuckled and Makio hummed in thought.

"... Alright. More weight!" A loud 'YES' erupted from Sanemi. "But there has to be an equal amount for each of them."

"Right! Babe, get on Mei!"

"Now hold on a minute!"

"What's wrong, Tengen?" Sanemi grinned widely at him condescendingly. "Too weak to do it?"

"Of course not!," he panted out between breaths eyes darting around. "But-..It's just...N-No one asked Gyomei if he was alright with it!"

"I. Do not. Mind," Gyomei managed to say between pushed upward and making Tengen look at him wide eyed.

"That settles it! Shinobu and Hinatsuru join Suma. Kanau and Mitsuri up with Y/n. Let's go!" Makio ordered.

Tengen looked more pale but didn't fight it when both girls came on over. Both men slowing down as the four girls climbed onto each of them adding more weight to the mix. Tengen gritted his teeth with a grunt but pushed onwards. Mitsuri joining Suma in giggling as Shinobu simply leaned back smiling. Hinatsuru and Kanae held similar smiles as they continued to push through more seconds passing...But Sanemi wasn't done getting even. He just waited a few minutes to watch Tengen struggle before opening his mouth.

"Hey, Makio. That's not fair to Gyomei."

Makio looked over her shoulder at him with a raised brow. "What?"

He shrugged. "It's not fair to Gyomei. That's all."

"What isn't fair?"

"You said there has to be an equal amount of weight right?" He shrugged casually again. "Mitsuri and Kanae weigh more on him than Hina and Shino does on Tengen." Immediately Tengen's face snapped up wide eyed.

"What are you talking about? Are you calling them fat or something?!"

"Actually statistically speaking-", Giyuu butted in literally and genuinely thinking while holding his chin in thought, "-Mitsuri and Kanae's muscle density is much greater than either Hinatusu or Shinobu...So they'd genuinely weigh about one person more combined when added with Y/n. So legitimately speaking..." He looked at Sanemi. "Sanemi calculated it right. Tengen is genuinely carrying less weight than Gyomei is. About a whole person worth."

Tengen couldn't go anymore pale as Sanemi smirked. "Of course I'm right! Everyone knows my math is always on point!" He whipped back to Makio. "You should join Tengen."

"What?"

"Yeah, Makio! Come join us! It's fun!"

"I don't want to."

"C'mon Makio. You said so yourself. Equal weight."

"Oh alright!" She rolled her eyes and made her way towards Tengen much to his horror. "But only because you all won't stop bugging me!"

Tengen didn't argue. Couldn't argue as Makio just walked over and just sat down on his back when he dipped down again making him give off a grunt and Sanemi laughed loudly.

"C'mon, Tengen! You can do it!" "Crush him like a grape, Gyomei!"

More cheers. More laughter. More their muscles burnt pushing the weight up and down. And up and down. And up and ..Down. He could feel his arms shaking. Swear dripping down his face as he struggled to push back up. Come on! He can do it! Hecandoithecandoithecandoit! He..can..do.. The girls amongst Tengen squealed out as he suddenly shifted. No one fell off or got hurt thank goodness but his left hand slipped, and in order to save his balance, his forearms made contact with the floor effectively stopping everyone else from falling.

"THAT'S IT! TENGEN LOST!!"

An uproar of typical college boy cheers came from mostly Sanemi and Obanai as they taunted the honestly tired and heavily gasping man, whom looked annoyed but too tired to say anything about it for now.

"You did your best, Tengen!," Rengoku consoled his boyfriend going to help him stand back up as the ladies slipped off his back. "How do you feel?"

Despite his current state, Tengen laughed. "I ju-just *ha* almost got crushed to-to *gasp* death by a hoard of the most beautiful women in-n the world." He gasped out between breaths. "If I-I had to d-die that *gasp* way....I would've died happy.~"

Despite himself most everyone gave a few giggles including Sanemi whom was nice enough to start helping you three off Gyomei by lifting you up and setting you back down on your feet. You thanked him with a smile which caught him off guard and made him blink surprised but you were already turning to Gyomei slowly standing up and being careful not to accidentally knock anyone over.

"That was so fun! I didn't know you were so strong!," she gushed in delight and it made the larger man go a deeper pink and rub at his neck.

"I-...Well it's healthy to keep in shape. *Ahem*"

"In your face, Asshole! You couldn't even win at your own game! Fork up the money!," Sanemi shouted somewhere to right.

"Hey! I'll win next time, and the money goes to Gyomei. Remember? The winner? Honestly he's gonna be able to buy his girlfriend one hell of a Christmas present."

"LET'S NOT WORRY ABOUT THAT NOW!," Kyojuro's booming voice cut off everyone else and gained attention quickly. "All of us are disgustingly sweaty and not very clean. Let's go clean up and let the girls have some time to eat! You all can borrow my washer and dryer for your clothes since I doubt anyone but I have access to extra clothing."

"Actually we packed all of you guys some extra clothes, Mei included." Kanae interrupted gesturing to the giant extra black duffle bag in the corner. Oh was that what that was?

"...You girls just conveniently packed everyone an extra pair of clothes? Why?"

"You're guys. We knew you'd do something weird or stupid and get yourselves dirty." Makio bluntly stated before making a shooing motions at them. "But Kyo's right. You all smell like a sweaty gym locker room. Go take a shower and wash those clothes! We're not lugging dirty sweat soaked clothes home with us!" 

"It is getting late." You glanced out the closest window and saw the lights starting to wane in the sky. "I'd better head home."

"No! Stay!" Mitsuri suddenly grabbed your hands and pulled them up. "At least wait to say goodbye to Gyomei first and have dinner with us! It'd be unfair if you didn't get to eat anything after cooking something for us and coming all the way out here to see us!" She insisted making you blink.

"Really? I don't want to be a bother."

"If course not." Shinobu tugged you towards the kitchen with a smile. "Come on and eat while we wait for the boys to finish cleaning up."

"Well.. alright then."

[astheforcewillsit]

Title: Rest Stop (ao3 link)

Summary:

Five years after the Clone Wars, the Jedi are being hunted. Obi-Wan and Cody try to navigate what that means for them. or Quinlan Vos goes missing, and Obi-Wan rescues him with some difficulty. They recover in a clone colony, and uncomfortable conversations are had.

"What do you mean there are people after you. Who is after you? Who did this to you."

Cody interrogates him in rapid succession. Without pause, words flow freely from his mouth as if he is commanding a platoon on the battlefield.

His voice rising at every syllable as anxiety seizes him.

It is uncharacteristic of the former commander's usual collected approach to disaster. Especially when that disaster is Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Though Obi-Wan cannot blame him. It has been two months since he last made contact with Cody, and even longer since he visited the clone colony.

Now he's returned looking worse than a walking bruise.

And in that time he had missed much.

New buildings have been added to this particular colony. Spring has settled upon it, and new life sings in the Force. The tension that engulfed the clones during the war has all but dissipated.

Cody's home has grown too. Both physically and in the Force.

The kitchen--now a temporary medbay-colorful and large. There are more dishes than there were last time. Baking trays, cookie sheets. Colorful utensils. The cabinets are the burnt yellow of the 212th, and there is an apron hanging on a door hook. The faint smell of spice hangs in the air. And the Force shows him a memory of laughing children, eagerly eating away at sweets that must have been put out on this very table hours ago. A table that Obi-Wan now sits at. A table his blood has stained.

He tries not to think about what the Republic says about the Jedi, now. How they ruin everything they touch.

He's brought back to present as a bacta patch is applied to his arms. His sleeves have been sliced off (he'll have to make a new tunic when he's able to), and the cool air burns at his open wounds.

The young medic--a kid really, Threads, curses loudly. He's doing what he can, but he never served under a general or in the war. He hangs around Cody because he looks up to him, but stopped his training when the clones got their rights.

He just happened to be the closest Cody could grab while the other went to flag down an actual doctor.

"I apologize, Threads. I'm sure you believed you escaped the horrors of war." "How on Earth did you get metal shards in your arm, Master?" He mutters, gaze focused in morbid curiosity. He pulls out sharp pieces of metal, and lets them clatter on the ground beside him, "And no worries. This kinda makes me want to actually go back to my studies as a doctor. But it would help to know what happened."

The past few days have absolutely horrendous, that's what.

Though now beside Cody, the adrenaline begins it's exit from Obi-Wan's system as it registers he is safe. Finally safe.

And with the adrenaline gone, the pain begins to collect its toll. He aches. Badly. Though for now he can use the Force to will the pain to numbness. His head is full of lead, his eyes carrying the weight of the world. He just wants to sleep. And strangely, Cody is the perfect pillow. He leans forward in his chair, and let's his head fall onto clone's stomach. Force, he could stay here in this chair for ever, face buried in the soft fabric of Cody's clothing.

"Obi-Wan, what the kriff happened?" It's more of an exasperated sigh, a breathless question as Cody runs his finger's through the Jedi's hair.

With great effort, Obi-Wan turns his head to the side, gaze landing on the cause of his current predicament.

Quinlan Vos has managed to push himself into a corner, avoiding Fox's touch like it's Force Lightening.

Quinlan, who is his own trembling mess of bloodied robes. Kiffar blood is so bright, disturbingly bright.

Sometimes Obi-Wan forgets Quinlan isn't human.

They'll need to clean the kitchen floor after this. Fox hovers over him, hands hesitantly raised above his Jedi, as if touching him will do more damage than has already been done to him. Contrary to his brother though, Fox has managed to keep himself relatively collected.

He only jumped when Quinlan used to Force to push himself into the corner.

It scared all of them, even Obi-Wan.

The adrenaline has finally run it's course. His body reminds him of the full extent of his injuries, relays the injuries to him as the medic continues to tend to him.

Obi-Wan's head throbs. Ribs ache. His arms burn from where molten metal painted his skin as he tried to deflect solid shrapnel.

And now, recognizing it's own bloodless state, his body begins to shake.

He needs to tell them what happened, at least as much as he's allowed. They've let him bleed all over their pretty floor. They've dealt with Quinlan who's fallen--again.

He closes he's eyes and speaks.

"There are people after the entire Order, Cody. Jedi...they've--we've been disappearing since the war ended. We thought it was the normal disappearance--" Waxer snorts. Clearly, he's frustrated. Obi-Wan didn't even know he was there. His control of the Force is wanning.

"What are normal disappearances? When is that a normal thing?" Cody articulates what Waxer couldn't. Because what the kriff? Normal disappearances?

"We thought they may have been bounty hunters. It wasn't uncommon for us to be targeted before the Clone Wars. " He grimaces in pain, turning his head back into Cody's stomach.

He stays there for a moment, and breathes in all that Cody is. Feels his solid muscles past his shirt, feels the warmth radiating off of his body.

It's grounding.

"But when Jedi Master's started disappearing," he continues, muffled, "powerful ones, we started taking notice. We started realizing we were being picked off. One by one. And with each one of them gone, there'd be a Dark Side user--who used their same skills, same fighting style. It didn't take us long to put together what was happening." Unease reverberates throughout the small kitchen. The light shines above them, dim as it buzzes. It doesn't reach Vos, who is shrouded in darkness that was not there before.

Those who know Jedi personally no doubt recount the last line of communication had with them. Wolffe leans against the wall, index finger nervously tapping his inner arm.

Threads lifts his head from where he kneels beside Obi-Wan, fingers red with blood.

It doesn't take a lot of brain power to guess who the strongest amongst the Jedi are. And what the implications of this means.

"Quinlan went missing a month ago, I volunteered myself to go after him. And when I found him--he attacked me, not of his own doing." Obi-Wan assures, "And whoever did this to him attacked me as well. But not with blasters, with bullets. They knew how to kill us."

That tastes like bile on his mouth.

Confirming it amongst the Jedi had been one thing, but admitting it to the clones? That they were being kidnapped and turned against one another? That is another thing. That makes it real.

Fox has managed to close the space between he and Quinlan, who looks worse off than they've ever seen. In the small moment that he and Obi-Wan looked at each other, he could have sworn Quin's eyes were gold. What corner was he pushed against to lean into the Dark Side? What agony did these monsters put him through for him to fall and attack Obi-Wan.

Not that it matters now. His face is mostly obscured from view by the tangle of his locs, eyes screwed shut as his fingers twist into his roots. They all watch watch as Fox's fingers unweave Quinlan's own from his hair, cooing him gently.

"Quinlan, you're going to hurt yourself." He seems to calm when his finger's find Fox's. Cody knows a bit about what Quinlan can do. And well, Fox has spent the past three hours baking cakes for the little ones--clones and natborns alike--singing with them in ways that Palpatine's toy solider never would have five years ago.

Cody hopes those hands give Quinlan some peace. And with the way Fox hauls him to his feet, he thinks that maybe they have. The shaking stops, at least. Though he's hunched over like he's in pain.

His hair still obscures most of his body.

"Why didn't you tell us?"

Obi-Wan hisses as Threads resumes his treatment.

It's a question that the Order grappled with.

"Because we are not your responsibility. Because we will not drag you all into another fight." The conviction is not as strong as Obi-Wan would have liked it to be, but he means it.

The decision was unanimous. They would not involve the clones.

"Obi-Wan, where is Master Plo?" Wolffe cuts through the bullshit, his voice is on edge in a way that means he's concerned. Very concerned. Obi-wan hadn't noticed him either. He wonders how many clones are filtering into this small rest stop.

"I--Commander Wolffe, it has been some time since I have--"

He doesn't get to finish explaining to him what has transpired. Wolffe peels himself off of the wall, and walks out of the kitchen.

"Cody, I'm taking Quinlan with me upstairs." Cody's eyes follow the retreating form of his brother, and with effort he pulls Quinlan close to him. Quinlan trips over his feet, making a considerable effort to keep up with Fox, " Somethings...not right. I've commed our medic. Sorry Threads, but I need an expert."

Cody nods curtly, turning his attention back to Obi-Wan. "Fox," Obi-wan calls out, weakly as the commander hauls Quinlan away, "he fought so very hard." "I know," now Fox's voice breaks. He sounds small, like he's struggling to hold himself together, "I know he did."

Still, Obi-Wan paints a clear picture, "It was not like last time, he did not want to hurt me. It was like--" "Like the inhibitor chips?" Rex has made his way into the kitchen, Obi-Wan's arrival gaining more attention. He moves to let Fox and Quinlan leave, placing a comforting hand on Fox as he does so.

"Yes, but when I managed to draw him away from the place he was at, whatever influence was on him released him. But clearly, it is still tormenting his mind. It was unfortunately almost impossible to reason with him when he was in that place."

The Jedi are being hunted. And they were are being turned against each other.

Part of Cody's world ripples at that realization. Happiness seems to be eternally just out of reach, it's sweet embracing kissing the tips of his fingers.

Teasing him. Weren't they supposed to live together? Didn't Obi-Wan talk about taking on a clone padawan? If Obi-Wan, who Cody surmises is concussed, wasn't burrowing his head into the clone's stomach, Cody would be sitting right beside him.

But somehow he always ends up holding Obi-Wan up. Today, he wishes he didn't have to. He hardly has the strength.

"You know, we get to chose when to fight too, Obi-Wan. If you're all being killed, we deserve to know. Our brothers didn't die so you could all die five years later." He manages, "Believe it or not, some of us will choose to stand with you."

For Obi-Wan's part, he's unsure of how to take the statement.

He's not sure how much of Cody wants to fight for him, or how much a decade of conditioning by the Kaminoans has told him--all of them that they have to.

"The Republic has people that will protect us--" Cody's temper flairs in the Force. Obi-Wan groans.

"You think natborns give a kriff about the Jedi? The Republic still doesn't trust you after the disaster of the Clone Wars. We're the only ones who can keep you all safe. We were made for you."

Cody catches himself too late. And collective, the clones hold their breaths. The silence is louder than it should be. Cody finger's still in Obi-Wan's hair.

When Obi-Wan was a young Jedi, newly made master to an even younger Anakin Skywalker, he enjoyed watching as his way with words often tripped Anakin up.

How the boy's head first personality would almost always end up a lesson of how not to approach the Jedi Way.

It was as if their entire apprenticeship consisted of Anakin proving Obi-Wan right, walking into a trap--be it physical or verbal.

I told you this would happen, Anakin.

If only you'd listen to me.

And now, Anakin, you have proven my point. Again.

He remembered the satisfaction that would fill him as he watched Anakin fulfill his own prophecy. Watch him enact the irony that Obi-Wan had warned him of.

Yet, He feels numbness as Cody does the same.

"And that is the problem, Cody." Obi-Wan smiles sadly through the fabric, slowly lifting his head to captures the clone's eyes, "you never should have been.

And yet, like Anakin, Cody continues to talk--argue. To reason.

Let us help you, it won't be like last time. Please.

Though at a point Obi-Wan stops listening, and simply feels Cody's presence.

Threads says something about a concussion, and suddenly, Obi-Wan's world gets a bit darker. Still, he loses himself in Cody's presence.

It's enough to eventually put him to sleep. He will worry about the world attacking his Order--his family--later. For now, he allows himself to succumb to the rest that Cody's very being has provided.

[imabeautifulbutterfly]

hiiii! congratulations on your milestone!! i love your blog <3

for jukebox roulette, the song kiss & tell by idkhow is one of my favorites of all time and gives me major obi-wan feelings. maybe a lil fic for him? :) thank you, love u

Hiiiiii! my lovely @creatureoftheunderworldd

Thank you so much for loving the blog.

I hope I did your song justice. I have never heard of this song or this group, and thank you so much for introducing them! I LOVE THEM!

I hope you love this. It's a prequel to How Long Will I Love You?

Love oo

Kiss & Tell

Warnings: heartbreak, unrequited love, dealing with feelings, sneaking out, I think that's it, if I miss anything please let me know.

Main Master List   | Star Wars Jukebox Roulette |   AO3 Link

Qui-gon spent all morning looking for you, and when he finally found you in the archives, your nose buried in a book, he sat in front of you, pulling the book away as he locked eyes with you.

“I didn’t do it, I swear Master. It was already broken.”

“No, that’s not … wait, what was already broken?” Qui-gon furrowed his eyebrows.

“Whatever was broken before I touched it … Master Qui-gon!” I realized who it was once I actually focused on his face. “Master, you’re back! I heard you were helping out Mandalore!”

Qui-gon simply chuckled as he shook his head, “Yes, my dear. You’re right, but…”

“How was it? Tell me everything? Are Mandalorians really as strong as they say? I heard that they have jet packs, live in their armour all the time, and they even sleep in it. Is that true? Did you get to try one?”

“Padawan!”

You clammed up, he’d only shout padawan when you were in trouble.

“Please, listen.”

“Sorry, Master”

He let out a sigh, slowly his smile etched back on his face, “You’re always a special one, my dear.”

You shrugged, “It’s called being young.”

“Don’t get too comfortable, age has a way of creeping up on you. Today, you’re 19, tomorrow you’re nearing 50.”

“Well that’s a bright and cheery thought. How can I help you, Master Qui-gon?”

“It’s Obi-wan.”

Your smile faltered as you thought about your best friend, “Is he okay? 

“No. He had his first lesson in heartbreak.”

For a reason you would rather choose to ignore, there was a pain in your heart, as it wrapped around and squeezed tight. You took in a sharp breath, “I’m sorry to hear that.” Your voice sounded flat even to you. 

“As his oldest friend, I am hoping you can be a shoulder to cry for him, as he will not talk to me.”

You rubbed your forehead nodding, “Alright, Master Qui-gon, where is he?”

“Where else, but the reflecting pool.”

“But, of course.” You smiled and stood heading towards the reflecting pool. It wasn’t the first time Obi-wan hid himself in the reflecting pool. It usually happened when something significant affected his life, or when he got in trouble after he rebelled. You smiled as you found him underneath his favourite tree, his eyes closed as he meditated.

You gently lowered yourself, fluttering your robe out behind you, as you sat beside him. 

Silence filled the space between you two as you simply stared ahead, watching the ripples in the pool. 

“You really not going to say anything?” Obi finally uttered.

“You wanna talk about it?”

“No.”

“Then why should I say anything?”

He let out a sigh, as he opened his eyes, “It’s not fair!”

“No, it’s not.”

“She could’ve asked me to stay.”

You nodded in agreement.

“I should’ve offered to stay.”

“That was another path you could’ve taken.”

“Why didn’t she say anything!”

You turned to look at him, locking eyes with you, “Why didn’t you say anything?”

He groaned as he flopped back against the grass beneath the both of you.

“Come on, you can answer it. Why did you say anything?” You shifted lying beside him as you looked up at the overgrowth from the tree.

“Because I didn’t want to walk away from the Jedi.”

“So … why do you think she didn’t say anything?”

“Probably because she knew I wouldn’t have been able to make the decision”

You nodded in agreement, “Yup, she probably did.” You let out a sigh as you stretched, placing your hands underneath your head, this wasn’t a conversation you really wanted to have with him. You didn’t want to know about him falling in love with someone else. You didn’t want to be the one that had to sit here and help his broken heart, knowing he’d never look at you the same way. 

“Obi, falling in love is not horrendous,” you shifted your head so you could look at him, “Having emotions isn’t the worst thing to happen. Just know that you’ll be able to help your own padawan someday when they’re head over heels in love.”

“I don’t know about that.”

“I do. You have an exceptional mind, and when you’re not being a rebellious idiot, you’re quite mature. Take this time to heal from the pain, knowing I’ll be here to help.” You shifted sitting up as you turned to glance at him, “Any time you wanna talk about her, I’ll be here to listen. Okay?”

There was a soft smile on his face as he sat up too, looking at you, “Thanks, my dear,” he pressed a kiss to your cheek, “for being there for me.”

“You’re welcome. Now do you wanna mope some more or …” you smiled, with mischief glinting in your eyes. 

“Or?”

“Or do you wanna sneak out of the temple for old times sake, hit Dex’s Diner, and then hop the transport ships heading down to the lower levels? See how many jumps we can do from one transport to the next without having to stop for more than five minutes?”

“You’re on.”

You chuckled as you stood heading towards the lower level entrance that no one ever used. Even though it’s not what you would’ve hoped for, any time you got to spend with Obi-wan was a lot better than spending time by yourself in the Archives.

Main Master List   | Star Wars Jukebox Roulette |   AO3 Link

Tag list:

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[tinyskyguy]

River of Light (Little! Anakin, Cg! Obi-Wan)

Synopsis: Regression was one of the main things Anakin liked to avoid. Usually his main reason would be the fact that slipping into the headspace of a small child was inconvenient when he was actively fighting in a war. Still, it wasn’t something he could so easily fight off.

Tags: hurt/comfort, Anakin is bad at feelings, Clone Wars era

Words: 2,038

Anakin was a master when it came to avoiding things he considered redundant. Unfortunately, he often included his self-care within this. As a child living on Tatooine, he didn’t have much time to focus on his needs. Most of his time was spent appeasing Watto, working from dawn to dusk most days. Exhaustion would settle deep within his bones as he walked the short way back to the home he shared with his mother. Even then he didn’t take time to rest. First, he needed to check in on his mom and after that, he would spend the remainder of his time working on one of the many projects he had at any given moment.

It wasn’t as if the Order provided good tools for self-care either. Anakin came to the conclusion, through what others told him and his own experience, that shoving down all his bad feelings and stress was better than rolling into it. However, this often resulted in all of those feelings exploding out of him anyway.

Regression was one of the main things Anakin liked to avoid. He could list off multiple reasons, excuses, as to why he would put it off for as long as possible. Usually, his main reason would be the fact that slipping into the headspace of a small child was inconvenient when he was actively fighting in a war. Still, it wasn’t something he could so easily fight off. Regression always found a way and he would become all too aware of that soon.

Anakin and Obi-Wan stepped inside the Republic ship. Anakin felt the urge to slip begin to tug at the back of his mind. He and his former master had spent the past week trying to delegate a conflict on a snowy planet. Anakin had despised every minute of it. The freezing temperatures always kept Anakin feeling slightly overstimulated and unable to sleep in the planet’s lodgings. There was less of a physical threat than initially predicted so Anakin spent most of his time standing next to Obi-Wan and biting his tongue. All of these conditions left his mind a few paces away from regressing. He pushed it down the entire time. Needless to say, Anakin was relieved when Obi-Wan finally closed the deal with the leader of the planet.

“I would be fine with never coming back here,” Anakin said as he took off his parka, he refused to acknowledge how far away his voice sounded along with the haziness of his surroundings.

Obi-Wan chuckled, “You never have been a fan of the cold. I remember I had to give you the blankets off my bed when you first became my padawan. Otherwise, you would’ve shivered all night,”

Normally Anakin would’ve rolled his eyes or replied with a snark comment but instead, he just thought about how nice it was to be bundled and taken care of by his master. He remembered when he and Obi-Wan used those blankets to build a fort in Obi-Wan’s room back when Anakin was still sleeping on his floor. It made him want to reach out to the man in front of him and- Anakin shook his head as if to physically remove that line of thought. He was not going to regress. Not here, not now.

“Anakin?”

Anakin blinked his eyes and turned his head. Obi-Wan was staring at him with his usual neutral face, although Anakin was able to notice the veiled concern in his expression. He also noticed that they were no longer in the room they had begun this conversation in. At some point, they must’ve walked down the hallway toward their rooms. Anakin mentally chastised himself for losing focus.

“Yes, Master?” Anakin cringed at the way his voice sounded smaller than it should have.

Something in Obi-Wan’s face softened but that did little to comfort Anakin. The last thing he wanted was for Obi-Wan to be aware of his burgeoning problem because then he’d take care of the boy, which was to be avoided.

“Are you alright?” Obi-Wan asked casually.

Anakin pretended to think about the question for a moment before nodding, “I’m great now that we’re inside,” He took a step closer to his room, “In fact, I think I’m gonna spend a few hours… meditating,”

Obi-Wan scoffed, “You’re willingly choosing to meditate? Now I’m sure there’s something off,”

Anakin kept inching closer to his room. He tried to come up with a response that would both include the appropriate level of snark and would satisfy Obi-Wan. Unfortunately, his mind felt too fuzzy; trying to think just made it worse. His master raised an eyebrow at Anakin’s lack of a reply. Part of Anakin just wanted to run over to Obi-Wan and allow himself to regress. His presence always made it difficult for Anakin to stay big. But he let the defiant part of him force his hand to tap the pad that opened the door to his room. He backed into his room, trying not to imagine how pathetic he looked, and the door shuddered closed.

Anakin stood in front of the door for a few moments until he could hear the other man walk away. Instead of feeling relieved that he had successfully evaded Obi-Wan, he just felt like falling apart. He wanted his master. He wanted Obi-Wan to comfort him and run his fingers through his hair. He wanted to hear the nicknames that, while not being all too special, would make Anakin feel so loved. He wanted to be next to him and feel the comforting embrace that Obi-Wan put out into their Force bond. He wanted to feel his warmth and be reminded that his master was still there with him.

Anakin fiddled with his right sleeve and tried to keep his breathing stable. Each shuddering inhale pushed him closer to crying. He forced himself to move from where he was stuck standing. Anakin sat down against the wall by the door. He just needed to calm down and keep his mind clear. It shouldn’t be this hard. Frustration bubbled up within him. Why couldn’t he do something so simple? Anakin pulled his knees up to his chest and buried his face. The week’s lack of sleep, uncomfortable conditions, and need to regress were hitting him full force now. He reached up and grabbed fistfuls of his hair. Touch was one of the easiest ways to soothe Anakin but, now alone, he had to provide it for himself. With each passing moment, he felt the facade of bigness starts to crumble around him.

Anakin’s vision became blurry as a result of the tears forming in his eyes. He needed Obi-Wan but he had just walked away from the man. He stood in front of him and proclaimed that he was fine before leaving in the middle of their conversation. He pushed away the one person on the ship who knew about Anakin’s regression and how to help him. Guilt and regret stirred uneasily in Anakin’s stomach, causing him to let out a quiet cry. Soon another emotion entered the fray, anger. Though perhaps misplaced, he couldn’t help but feel angry at Obi-Wan. He removed his right hand from its place in his hair and used his sleeve to wipe away the tears that were now steadily rolling down his cheeks.

“Stupid Obi-Wan,” Anakin grumbled, “why’d he go away?”

Anakin had to pause as the words left his mouth. There was no denying the obvious now; he had failed at staying big. He should’ve mustered up more fight but he already felt so exhausted. Trying to think big only made him feel like he was going to zone out again. Anakin finally conceded to what his mind needed. He had been so tired and everything was so much.

Anakin needed Obi-Wan to be with him. Regressing alone tended to end poorly for the little. He knew that he had to get up and ask for his master but mustering up the energy to move from his spot was proving difficult. More tears emerged at this revelation and, again, more unwarranted angry feelings. He wanted Obi-Wan to just come in even though entering when Anakin wanted to be alone crossed one of the boundaries Anakin had set in place earlier. He couldn’t physically get to Obi-Wan and the man wouldn’t enter unprompted. Anakin sniffled and tried to tap into their Force bond. It wasn’t as strong as it used to but Anakin hoped that simply connecting to Obi-Wan would be enough.

Anakin sat for what felt like a few seconds before there was a gentle knock on his door. He recognized the pattern but more so he recognized the Force signature from the other side.

“Anakin, may I come in?” Obi-Wan’s voice was calm and level but Anakin could feel his worry as it entered the Force.

Anakin wiped his face free from tears again and murmured a small, “Yeah,”

The door moved open and Anakin lifted his head to see his master enter. He kneeled down once the door was shut and he was confident that they’d have privacy. Obi-Wan looked at Anakin with soft and kind eyes, something so rare these days when most of their interactions were bickering. Anakin almost felt guilty for making Obi-Wan show any level of affection.

“What seems to be the matter, dear one?” Obi-Wan spoke gently.

Anakin tried to find the words but they kept slipping through his grasp. He wanted to tell Obi-Wan everything he was feeling but he just couldn’t articulate any of it. The most he was able to do was quietly whine and let out a small, “I’m so tired, master,” Anakin no longer cared how small he sounded or how obvious it was that he was regressed.

Obi-Wan placed a comforting hand on Anakin’s cheek and the boy leaned into the touch just as he had when he was a young padawan. Obi-Wan’s hand was warm, a pleasant change compared to the harsh cold he’d felt all week. After a moment Obi-Wan retracted his hand and Anakin felt as if he might cry again.

“Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere,” Obi-Wan stood up and outstretched a hand to Anakin, “Let’s get you to bed, shall we?”

Ever the defiant one, Anakin shook his head but allowed himself to be helped up and led over to his bed. Obi-Wan sat on the bed, back against the wall, and gently coerced Anakin to do the same. The little positioned himself so that his legs were perpendicular to his master’s and he could lay his head on his shoulder. Obi-Wan wrapped his arm around Anakin, hand moving up to pet his hair. Finally, Anakin could feel himself begin to calm down. He could tell that Obi-Wan was feeling relieved as well.

“Anakin, did something to cause you to slip?” Obi-Wan asked lightly.

Anakin shook his head as best he could from his position, “All week,” he mumbled out, too tired to add anything else.

Obi-Wan hummed in response. “You’ve been putting it off,” he didn’t say it as a question, but as a fact. “You know you shouldn’t do that, little one,”

Even after all these years Obi-Wan still felt the need to comment and correct Anakin’s behavior. Anakin pouted, “Too busy,”

“I’d rather you take care of yourself. Ignoring your needs has gotten you in tricky situations before,”

Anakin knew what Obi-Wan was saying was true but he still wanted to argue. However, the need to combat was far less than the need to just be comforted. Anakin settled for a disapproving frown and nothing else.

The two sat that way until Anakin eventually fell asleep in his master’s arms. He knew that attachments were not the Jedi way, Obi-Wan had said as much in the past. A relationship between the former master and padawan such as this would be looked down upon. However, moments like these proved to Anakin that someone did care for him. With all the stress and distance the war had driven between them, Anakin sometimes forgot and Obi-Wan sometimes struggled to show it.

When Anakin awoke a few hours later he noticed an extra blanket laid over him and a sleeping Obi-Wan on the other end of the bed. Anakin fell back to sleep, lulled by the radiance of love coming from their Force bond.

[edgeofn1ght]

all you conceal, let out: ch. 5

story summary: After the death of Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, in his grief, takes off on a mission half-cocked to find a lost holocron on Jedha. The next thing he knows, he's waking up injured on a planet he's never seen before, surrounded by calm and an unsettling quiet. Then, after passing out again, he wakes up in a strange home, patched, clean, and safe. And his savior is someone he loved who he didn't think he'd ever see again. Will he be able to get back to his own universe, and does he even want to?

ch. 5: Despite the overwhelming desire to stay with Ben, Anakin must travel to Coruscant to find out if there's any way he can return to his own home. While waiting for the ship, he learns one more thing about Ben that changes everything.

↳ ch. 1, ch. 2, ch. 3, ch. 4

alternate universe travel • obikin • read on ao3 instead

Anakin dragged his feet long enough and eventually gathered his things — meager as they were — after spending the rest of the morning in bed with Ben. Anakin had to employ every trick he knew to get him to stay in bed longer than he was used to. Ben was much too dedicated to his work, and Anakin needed to spend every last minute he could together with him. All good things must end, or whatever that phrase was that people used sometimes. Though Anakin never really believed it. Why did they have to end?

After eating a late breakfast, which actually could have been considered mid-meal, they got into Ben's ancient speeder and headed into town. Neither of them spoke, neither knew what to say, but Ben held Anakin's hand the entire way, their fingers laced together and resting in his lap. It was supposed to be comforting and reassuring, but it wasn't. As they got closer, Anakin thought that maybe asking Ben to the hangar had been a mistake. It would have been much easier to say their goodbyes on his front porch then take his time walking into town, than to have to walk away from him in the hangar and board the transport alone. The temptation to force him onto the transport was still very strong. And obviously he knew he shouldn't do that, but the thought kept crossing his mind anyway. He had decided he really wasn't above kidnapping Obi-Wan. 

Then they finally arrived. Anakin's future without Obi-Wan awaited. 

In the hangar sat a Consular-class cruiser in the largest — and maybe only — docking bay. Despite no galactic war in this universe, the transport looked exactly the same as the rough and beat-up ones Anakin had seen used by the Republic back home. 

After they stepped out of the speeder, Ben quickly gave Anakin a peck on the cheek when no one was looking, then excused himself to find his friend who had secured the passage. Anakin was left standing alone, staring at the ship. Typically he'd feel excitement, the rush of leaving the planet and hitting atmo, or even his own enjoyment of watching the pit droids work… but he felt nothing. 

His eyes tracked the worker droids as they checked the outside of the ship and loaded cargo. It was clearly not only a transport for living beings. Stewjon most likely sold their crops to other regions or planets, and now Anakin would be part of the Core Worlds’ cargo, too. Ben eventually returned, a man in tow. But not just any man – the man Anakin had remembered seeing in the cantina the first time Ben took him there for drinks. 

“Anakin, this is Naar Kret,” Ben said and the other man held out his hand. Anakin looked down at extended hand but didn't move. Naar pulled his hand back when it was clear Anakin wasn't going to take it. 

Ben cleared his throat, a momentary look of confusion crossed his features. “Yes, well… Naar is an old friend of mine and the captain of this cruiser. He's happy to take you to Coruscant.” Anakin wanted to know how Ben paid his way on the cruiser. It probably wasn't cheap, even if this Naar was a ‘friend.’ 

Anakin pursed his lips. “If this is your cruiser, how were you here a week ago but the ship wasn't?” He crossed his arms over his chest. Naar looked at Ben quickly then back at Anakin. He wasn't sure what that look meant, but he didn't like it. 

Naar's face eventually softened into a knowing grin. “I let a friend borrow it for a run. Any other burning questions you might have… Markl? Was it?” He looked to Ben again then Anakin. He clearly didn't believe that was his real name. 

“Don't you want to know how long I've been a pilot? Or perhaps how long I've known Kenobi? Or maybe you'd like to know that we met –”

“That's enough,” Ben clapped his hand on Naar's shoulder and chuckled weakly. “Don't you have a ship to load, Kret?”

Naar grinned at him, too. “The droids are very good at their jobs, but I suppose you're right. They probably need some supervision.” 

Anakin's curiosity was more than piqued now. He supposed he could ask Naar about that particular story on their voyage, but then he'd have to talk to him. And it probably wasn't something he wanted to actually hear. He sighed, attempting to release some of his jealousy and annoyance into the Force. 

“Why didn't you tell me your friend from the cantina was the pilot?” He asked in a more biting tone than he intended.

Ben furrowed his brow. “I don't really see how it was relevant. Naar is a good pilot and—”

“Not relevant!?” Anakin threw up his hands. He didn't even really know exactly what he was mad at, and if Obi-Wan had been here… “Wait, last night when you were coming to look for me? Why were you looking for me?”

Ben's brow furrowed and he remained quiet for a moment before answering. “Well, I was going to tell you they had moved up the departure of the transport, but then I found you—”

“From your pilot friend?” Anakin interrupted, crossing his arms across his chest again. 

Ben huffed a laugh. “Well, yes, as it is his spacecraft.” He stepped closer, reaching out for the younger man but not touching him. “Anakin, what's this—”

“YOU!” Anakin and Ben whipped their heads in the direction of the very angry voice nearby. The Devaronian vendor, Juhk, was stalking towards them, blaster drawn, the sound of his steps echoing off the hangar walls. 

Ben looked at Anakin quickly then back to Juhk. “Now, Juhk, what's this all about, surely there's—” Ben tried to talk his way out of danger… again. 

“Shut up!” Juhk yelled as he waved the blaster towards them. “Your cousin, Markl, is a dirty thief, is what he is!” 

The statement shocked Ben. Anakin didn't have to do anything at all in this world to keep him safe and yet he had still failed at that, too, instead putting him right in the crossfire. 

The next moments happened so fast, that even much later, when Again tried to recall them, he couldn't ever quite remember the correct sequence of events.  As Juhk got within seven feet of the pair, Anakin's hand quickly moved to his waist where he drew his lightsaber hilt, but he never got to ignite it. The pew! of the blaster rang out, and being in such close range, Anakin had no time to react, even with as good as his reflexes were. But the bolt never hit its mark. The concentrated burst of fire whipped past the right side of his face, leaving a trail of heat on his cheek in its wake, then singed a few rogue curls at his temple. The blaster flew out of Juhk’s hand and skidded across the dirty hangar floor. Anakin's brain caught up just in time to look over at Ben who stood there, arm outstretched and fingers spread wide. Then he was on top of Juhk like lightning, pinning him to the side of the ship. 

“He stole from me!” Juhk shouted again even as Ben held one arm behind his back and the other pressed against the man's neck. Juhk struggled against the hold, but Ben was strong and not so easily cast aside. “He tricked me!”

Ben pressed him harder against the ship as the two of them struggled against each other. “What are you—! Hey!” Ben's arm slipped slightly. “What are you even talking about!?” Ben growled in his ear. 

“He cheats! He lies!” Juhk yelled again. 

Ben turned towards Anakin, confusion coloring his entire face. “Anakin?” Juhk continued to push back against him. Anakin didn't know what to do but stand there, rooted to the spot, frozen, his whole world once again crashing down around him. 

Ben was Force sensitive. 

Ben was Force sensitive. 

He moved quickly to where Ben and Juhk struggled, and gripped the back of the Devaronian’s neck. “You will sleep for a rotation then forget this ever happened,” he pushed the suggestion as strongly as he knew how, anger and confusion lacing his voice. “You will forget about Markl.” Anakin hesitated a moment then added, “And Ben Kenobi. Now sleep.”

Juhk went limp in their hold and they nearly dropped him, but Ben somehow managed to hold on. He stepped back, laying the Devaronian on the ground. Anakin backed away from the ship, from Juhk, from Ben. 

"You lied to me!" Anakin shouted suddenly. 

“Keep your voice down!” Ben said in a harsh whisper as he looked around nervously. He closed his eyes and ran a hand through his hair. "I never lied… just…" he said between deep breaths. 

Anakin scoffed, "What would you call it then?? You've been Force sensitive this entire time and never once even hinted at it!"

"You never asked!" He shouted back. His voice returned to a low growl and he continued. "You said I was a Jedi in your world, but I'm not that here! I don't even know what that is, I've only been honest about that. And even then, what difference would it have made if you'd known I had these abilities this whole time?"

"It would—" Anakin started then stopped. He didn't actually know.  Why would it have mattered? What would have changed between them if he'd known? Well that was beside the point now. "You concealed this rather significant piece of you! You know that we can be dangerous. If I'd known you possessed similar powers—"

"You'd what?" Ben said, stepping closer to Anakin, his voice lowering again to a harsh whisper. "Ratted me out? Turned me in to be sold into slavery? I know for a fact that Force sensitives turn a pretty credit out there." 

Anakin growled and turned away. He was upset because he'd fallen in love with this man he thought he knew. And it turned out he didn't know him at all. He merely loved the Ben — no, the Obi-Wan — he thought he knew, the man he had known, his master and friend who was gone. Anakin was a fool. Not for not knowing, but for falling in love with someone he couldn't have and shouldn't even want. For a life he couldn't have. 

"Look," Ben spoke again behind him. It was so quiet he almost didn't hear him. "I'm sorry I didn't mention it. I didn't think it was important quite honestly."

"Not important?" Anakin scoffed. "It's like I've been staying with a ticking time bomb."

"Oh, come now, Anakin, don't be ridiculous," Ben threw his hands up exasperatedly. "I've never had, nor will I ever have, any intention of hurting you, or anyone else for that matter. I've learned to control my powers. I had to. And I also had to learn how to hide them. 

"You clearly know what can happen to the likes of us. I've been essentially on my own since I was FIVE, Anakin. I had no one to protect me — no parents, no other family, no community of peers and friends like me who could take me in and guide me. I've had to hide what I was for fear of hurting someone or them hurting me. You're the only person who's ever, ever seen me for who I truly am!" Ben sighed and turned away. “I felt safe with you. Even though you had your weapon, your lightsaber. Even when you pulled the butter knife on me.” He huffed a small laugh. 

Anakin watched Ben’s back as he stood there. He wanted to be angry, but now he just felt rotten. Somehow, within a week, he had managed to let Ben down, too. 

“Alright, then, she's ready for boarding,” the pilot appeared at the door of the ship, then started down the ramp. He stopped halfway when he saw the motionless Devaronian on the ground, and Anakin and Ben standing far apart from each other. “What just uh…. what happened here?” Naar's hand slowly drifted towards his own blaster hanging at his side.

“Nothing, Naar,” Ben started quickly. “But I may need the use of one of these loader droids to get our friend, Juhk, here back to his home, or his ship, if it's docked here.” He was always so quick on his feet to handle the situation. Anakin stood idly by while Naar and Ben lifted Juhk onto a pallet for the loader droids to carry away. 

“He can sleep it off on his ship,” Ben said, brushing off his hands. Naar seemed to be none the wiser of what might have really happened. Perhaps Juhk’s reputation was Ben's saving grace.

I felt safe with you echoed in Anakin's head as he stood and watched Ben assist with the final preparations. For a transport that Anakin was supposed to be on. He thought about Ben being on his own since he was a small child. He hadn't even mentioned that, he'd only said his parents were dead. At least Anakin had had his mother, then he had the Jedi. So much of Ben's life must have been lived in fear. But none of that was obvious now. Though he was still angry at Ben for keeping this a secret, now he wanted more than ever for him to come with him to Coruscant and the Jedi Temple. He could be trained, he could live amongst others like him, get a new family! If Anakin couldn't return to his world, they would take them both in. Of course they would. Of course. They could stay together and never be separated by war again. 

“Alright, we take off in five,” Naar said as he slapped Ben on the back. “Thanks for your help, Kenobi.”

Ben just smiled, but then turned his attention to Anakin. His smile faded and he looked serious again. 

“Don't miss your flight, Anakin,” Ben said. “I've paid dearly for that.” Anakin still didn't know what that meant, but any way he looked at it, Ben had made some sacrifice to get Anakin — a man he didn't actually know — back home. Just like he'd made a sacrifice allowing a strong, potentially-dangerous Force sensitive stranger to stay in his home. Just like he'd sacrificed his great secret to save Anakin's life. 

Ben gave up his bed, his time, resources, food, his home, his very limited money even… all for Anakin. And Anakin had only fixed his speeder and put him in danger in the process. And despite all of that, Ben still came to care for him. 

Ben was still watching him expectantly, waiting for him to board. 

“I'm not going,” Anakin finally said after an eternity passed. 

Ben frowned and took a step closer. “What do you mean you're not going, of course you are,” he said. “You said yourself, you don't belong here. You have friends and family waiting for you there. Think of Obi-Wan.” 

“He's dead!” Anakin shouted as he squeezed his eyes shut then rubbed his face. His chest rose and fell several times in rapid succession. “He's dead, Ben,” he sighed and added more quietly. 

Ben took another soft step closer, maybe three feet away now. “You said he left.”

“I lied,” Anakin replied, opening his eyes again, blue eyes shining with tears.

Ben looked troubled, but still kind. He crossed his arms over his chest. “So then we both lied to each other.” Anakin looked down and away, clenching his jaw. “Though I do not consider such omissions ‘lies,’ more like… half truths.”

Anakin huffed. “To be fair, yours is a bit more relevant to the situation at hand than mine,” he said, a slight edge to his voice.

“Are you coming or what?” Naar's head appeared again at the ship’s entrance. “I have schedules to keep!” 

“One moment, Kret,” Ben said, turning to his friend. “If you please.” Naar rolled his eyes then disappeared back inside. 

“Anakin,” Ben started and surprisingly, reached out for Anakin's hands. “I'm not Obi-Wan. Yes, I suppose technically, I am…being that it is my given name and all, but I am not the man you lost. I don't have his skills, experience, history, past, and most importantly, his relationship with you. He presumably knew everything about you and I know next to nothing.”

“Not everything,” Anakin said quietly. 

Ben frowned but he didn't press. “I know you want to stay because you think you'll get him back, but I'm not him.” Anakin blinked back more tears. “And frankly, it seems like I might be a great disapp—”

“Don't you dare say that,” Anakin said, finally looking Ben directly in the eyes again. Ben looked like he wanted to do or say more but he just squeezed Anakin's hands then let them go.

“You have to go, Anakin. Others are waiting for you.” 

“But what about you?” Anakin asked.

Ben smiled softly, “Well now you know I can protect myself.”

“No, I mean… You out there all alone all the time, with no help? Driving a death trap of a landspeeder? Who's going to worry about you?”

Ben huffed a small laugh. “I have a feeling you will no matter what I say and no matter where you are.”

Anakin knew he couldn't kiss him now, not here in the hangar, but the need to was overwhelming. So he pulled Ben into his arms for a crushing hug. Ben in turn wrapped his arms around Anakin and held him tightly. It was so very easy to pretend it was Obi-Wan. But that really wasn't fair to Ben. 

“May the Force be with you, Obi-Wan,” Anakin said quietly into Ben's ear then kissed him where no one could see. Ben squeezed him even tighter. He finally pulled away and looked away. Anakin couldn't be sure but he thought Ben's eyes were glistening. 

“Now go on,” he said, pushing Anakin towards the transport. “Kret will be giving you hell AND me when he returns.” Ben chuckled, but it sounded empty. 

Anakin walked backwards slowly towards the cruiser, eyes locked with Ben the whole time. Ben smiled even as Anakin walked up the ramp backwards, too, for comedic effect. And when the door finally closed, both of them stopped smiling, missing the other too much already.

[starilicious]

mere haath mein (echo x gn!reader)

》 summary: reader and echo's love story from strangers to friends to lovers throughout the clone wars (a 4+1 type of story)

》 series masterlist: (please read the masterlist before continuing on!)

part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4 | part 4.5.1 | part 4.5.2 📍 (you are here!) | part +1

click here to read on AO3

》 part 4.5.2 word count: ~1.9k

》 part 4.5.2 warnings: none

》 part 4.5.2 spoilers: bad batch citadel episode

》 a/n: so sorry i disappeared! college took over my life like a storm but the semester is over now which means back to posting! i hope you all enjoyed the last season of our favs... it was such a bittersweet ending and i'm going to miss watching the show. :(( but in other news, here is the original a/n i had of this part of the fic sitting in my drafts: i lied, 4.5.2 is a longer part than i thought it would originally be LOL but enjoy!!! also, instead of fives dying, i had him disappear off the face of the galaxy. he tells anakin and rex about the chips, but he’s able to get out of that warehouse place alive because i truly despise the fact that echo is the only one left of domino squad… it makes me sad ksdfhgksdf

४.५.१ (4.5.2)

Your personal commlink crackles to life. A staticky voice comes through as you struggle to hear the message. You swiftly link it to your monitor, boosting the long-range signal the best you can.

“–stro? It’s Rex. Can you hear me? We… –und him. Come to dock...–bay six at 1600.”

The channel closes, and the static disappears into silence. You furrow your eyebrows in confusion as you glance at your chronometer. 0900, it reads.

After Fives disappeared, you became especially close with Rex, often accompanying him on missions where your skills as an engineer were needed. Times were getting rough and the GAR needed all the help they could get out in the field. You were first to volunteer.

For the rest of the day, you’re distracted. Even Arjun, one of the newest engineers on your team as a replacement for Prauf and Sonia, notices it. Dropping tools, tripping over supplies, forgetting your train of thought. You’re just so baffled. Rex has never done this before. And what in the galaxy could he possibly need you for right after a mission?

You’re at the hanger ten minutes early, the anxiety of just wanting to know eating away at your sanity. You tap your foot incessantly when you stand still and pace frequently from one side of the bay to another when you’re in motion, still attempting to decipher Rex’s cryptic message.

And finally (right on time, you vaguely register), two ships dock and disembark. One of them you don’t recognize as being a standard GAR ship–rather, it’s an Omicron-class attack shuttle. Is that what Rex wanted you here for? Some starship? A flash of irritation crosses through your mind as you strain to see the people getting off.

You recognize the Generals facing away from you: Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Windu. But they’re blocking your view of anyone else. You drop your gaze and see Rex’s legs in their classic blue armor as well as someone standing next to him, but you can’t tell who.

The Jedi turn to walk away and finally you can see who they were talking to. You make your way to them quickly. You don’t recognize any of the men but Rex, making you even more confused as to why he called you here.

“Rex?” you call tentatively and he turns around from his conversation to acknowledge you.

Your jaw drops as you take in the sight. The cybernetic legs instead of skin and bone, the scomp link as a replacement for a right hand, the red skull on his armor, the implants dotting his head, his face tired and haggard. His face is exactly like the clones you see everyday, but something about the recognition that lights up in his sunken eyes tells you that it’s still him.

“It’s you,” you whisper in shock, staring blatantly at the man you fell in love with during the midst of a galactic war. The man who found you, the man you lost.

The man you couldn’t save.

Echo gapes at you in surprise, clearly not expecting you to have turned up. He glances behind you at Rex in question before meeting your eyes, seemingly finding his answer.

“Hi, Astro,” he murmurs, voice deep and unused as if he just awoke from a restful night of sleep. For a moment, everything is at a standstill. No one dares to even say a word as you stand in front of each other, unsaid conversations hanging in the air. The wind breezes across your face, a gentle caress as if to say it’s okay. He’s real.

“Echo,” you breathe and throw your arms around him tightly, the shellshocked tears finally streaming down your face. You don’t give a damn about who’s watching, too wrapped in the fact that he’s home, Echo’s home, with me, in my arms.

I will never let you go again.

Echo curls his arms around your waist in a tight embrace, burying his face into your neck as he mumbles your name in what sounds like relief. You hear a choking sob, but whether it’s ripped out of you or out of Echo, you don't care.

“I’m back, I’m here. I’m here,” Echo chants it religiously, pressing his quiet promises into your searing skin and engraving it within. Whether he’s reassuring you or himself, you can’t tell. The plastoid armor cuts uncomfortably into your arms as you hug him, but the pain grounds you from cloud nine.

When Echo died, you and Fives became inseparable, always accompanying each other in quiet support. Both of you were your closest connection to Echo. And then when Fives disappeared, you felt like you lost your fragile tether completely, just floating along like broken space debris. No purpose, no happiness. Just existing within a vacuum void with no life, no resolve, no motivation.

You gently push him away then, taking his gaunt face into your hands to examine him. Your fingers hesitantly touch the implants in his head, and you let out a pained sigh at the slight frown his mouth curves into. Echo’s eyes are sullen, exhausted, but you see his determination as clear as day.

“What have they done to you, Echo?”

He doesn’t respond, instead observing you himself, noticing the darkness under your eyes and your slightly unkempt look, very unlike the prim and proper person he left behind. The brightness in your eyes has dulled, and he sees his own fatigue mirrored in your soul. Echo’s heart aches at the thought.

You take a step back from him, and he loosens his hold on you. You look behind him to see four men–clones, you realize in surprise as you peer closer.

“This is Clone Force 99,” Rex introduces you to them as Echo steps to your right to let you see them fully. “They helped rescue Echo.”

You study each one of them in curiosity as they introduce themselves to you. Clearly, there’s something different about them–you can see it in the way they carry themselves. You shake each one of their hands, reiterating your gratitude again and again.

“Thank you, all of you. I wish I could repay you in some way for rescuing him. You really don’t know how much this means to me,” you say, genuine appreciation coloring your voice. Hunter gives you a knowing smile.

“Anytime! Busting those clankers up is our speciality,” he grins and you can’t help but laugh at his happy demeanor. It kind of reminded you of Fives. A shadow of sadness passes over you, but you push it away quickly.

“Actually, there is something you may be able to do for us,” Tech pipes up. Your eyebrows raise and you gesture for him to continue, noticing Crosshair’s smirk that he makes no effort in suppressing. You weren’t exactly expecting a request at this very moment, but you don’t mind fulfilling it. It’s the least I can do. You hear Rex and Echo quietly laugh behind you.

“You’re an engineer, yes?” Tech inquires, adjusting his goggles to study you. You nod in affirmation.

“Good. I am in need of your services. We seem to be having a slight problem with the suspension support system…” he moves towards the Omicron-class attack shuttle and you follow in his footsteps, leaving the rest of Clone Force 99 and Echo and Rex slightly behind to talk amongst themselves.

You examine the blueprints on the datapad he hands you as he talks at what feels like breakneck speed. “When I pilot the Marauder–” ah, so that’s what it’s called. “–the steering feels quite sluggish and is difficult to handle when we’re in the midst of battle. I deduced it’s due to the suspension, but I can’t seem to pinpoint the exact location nor the nature of the problem even after looking over these schematics for a few hours.”

You hum in response as you scan the diagnostics before finding the issue easily in a matter of a few moments.

“Ah! Don’t worry Tech, this is a very simple fix. You need to realign the thrusters and make sure they’re properly connected to the steering shaft. I suggest taking a look at the control arms too–the thruster hinges that connect to the frame look like they’ve been through a lot, so maybe consider replacing them? I think I’ve got a couple of spare ones in my shop if you want,” you advise, handing the datapad back to him. Tech stares at you, mouth agape as he absentmindedly accepts the datapad.

You simply smile and turn around to see everyone else losing it after watching the exchange. Even Crosshair has cracked a smile, something clearly rare based on his aloof attitude. Puzzled, you ask, “What’s so funny?”

Hunter, bless him, takes mercy on you and explains dutifully. “Tech has been trying to fix that for at least two hours and you figured out the problem in thirty seconds. No one has ever been able to beat Tech at something he knows practically everything about.”

You huff out a light laugh of surprise. “Well, it is my job to fix and repair starships. It would be pretty bad if I wasn’t able to diagnose issues as soon as I got them,” you point out. Hunter nods in agreement as the laughter slowly begins to die down.

“So, I’m assuming you all are getting medals, right? I mean you’ve clearly pulled off an amazing and incredibly difficult mission,” you ask, glancing from one clone to the next, your gaze landing on Echo.

“Not… really our thing,” Tech shrugs.

“Accolades,” Crosshair concurs, mouth moving around the toothpick that seems to be permanently present.

"Yeah, we're just in it for the thrill. Yo!" Wrecker grins, pumping his fist into the air.

Hunter turns to Echo. "You sure it's… your thing?"

You steal a glance at Echo as the confusion dances across his face. "What do you mean?"

"Your path is different," Hunter elaborates before letting out a chuckle. "Like ours."

You can practically see the gears turning in Echo's head as he processes Hunter's underlying message. You stay silent.

"If you ever feel like you don't fit in with them, well… find us.” Hunter inclines his head to the team, and Tech, Crosshair, and Wrecker give you all a nod of goodbye. And with that, you watch Clone Force 99 retire back to their ship, leaving you, Echo, and Rex behind to watch.

“Those are some of the finest troopers I’ve ever fought alongside,” Rex states. He pauses for a moment before placing his hand on Echo’s shoulder, shaking him out of his train of thought.

“Echo.”

He turns to look at him.

“You and I go way back. If that’s where you feel your place is… then that’s where you belong,” Rex asserts, eyes roaming Echo’s conflicted face. You can’t fight the sad smile that appears on your lips. Even through all the pain he’s gone through, Rex always puts his friends–his brothers–first.

Rex rotates slightly to face you. “And if you would like to accompany him, Astro… I can make it happen.”

Your eyes widen in surprise, not believing your ears. Is he serious? You and Echo glance at each other then, an instantaneous unspoken agreement settling into the space between you. Rex pats both of your shoulders and departs.

You and Echo follow Clone Force 99’s path, each step of yours carrying you closer and closer to the unknown. You’re about to leave behind everything.

Your right hand brushes against Echo’s left one.

Well, not quite everything.

And when you all turn around to see Rex one last time and salute to him, you know that no matter what, it will be okay because Echo’s beside you. Right where he should be.

---

part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4 | part 4.5.1 | part 4.5.2 📍 (you are here!) | part +1

please consider reblogging! it really helps me and is super encouraging ^_^

[halfagonyandhope]

when the skies catch fire │ch. 38

first chapter (x); previous chapter (x)

They spend many more happy moments rediscovering each other, basking in afterglow even as the dark descends upon them. Obi-Wan can barely see Satine, so soft is the light at dusk, but he knows she is smiling.

Eventually, she pulls back slightly. “Each day you return to me, little by little,” she whispers. “And every day I think I couldn’t be more grateful than the day before, but I’m proven wrong again and again.”

Obi-Wan grins. “I do like proving you wrong.”

She lightly bites his lip in response and then shifts to begin packing up their picnic. Obi-Wan assists her, and then she helps him to his feet, slinging the pack over one of her shoulders. She offers him her arm again, and Obi-Wan reaches for his belt to grab a glowrod, activating it so that they can navigate back to the entrance of the Temple.

Their first stop is to pick up Léa from Ahsoka, who’d been watching her in their stead.

“Thank you,” Obi-Wan tells her, leaning against his cane, tired from the walk back from the fields, as Ahsoka hands Léa to Satine.

Ahsoka tickles Léa and grins. “Think nothing of it, Obi-Wan,” she says in response. “Whenever you need me, I’ll be there.”

Obi-Wan nods, his throat tight, and Ahsoka excuses herself. Satine nudges his shoulder. “What do you say about going back to the Archives?” she says. “Not to work,” she explains when he gives her a look. “It’s warmer than anywhere else in the Temple, and sometimes I tire of our small quarters.”

So he allows her to lead them there, knowing full well he’d follow her anywhere - to the end of the galaxy, if she ventures that far.

Satine guides them to an old couch, and Obi-Wan sits first, Satine settling in beside him. “Tell us a story,” she murmurs. “You said you were missing Qui-Gon. Tell Léa about him.”

Obi-Wan has to laugh at this. “Where to possibly begin?” He reaches over to brush a finger against Léa’s small hands, and Léa reaches out instinctively to wrap her fingers around his own. “You, my darling girl, are very fortunate to have both my parents and my master, Qui-Gon, as your grandparents. Everything I learned from Qui-Gon, even the lessons I’m sure he didn’t want me to learn, I will teach you.”

Léa suddenly looks away from Obi-Wan, her gaze focused elsewhere.

Obi-Wan glances at Satine. “Isn’t she a bit young to be working on depth perception?”

Satine arches a brow at him. “I see you’ve been spending time of your own in the Archives,” she says with a laugh. Then she shrugs. “Léa is not a normal child,” she admits. “I wouldn’t expect - ”

Then she cuts herself off, staring at the same spot that Léa is watching.

“Satine?” asks Obi-Wan, now concerned. He looks over his shoulder but sees nothing, so he turns his attention back to his wife. He watches as she seems to track the movement of something, and, astonished, he looks down to find Léa doing the same.

Satine swallows. “It’s okay, Obi-Wan,” she says, but she’s still looking off into space, seemingly transfixed.

Now thoroughly worried, Obi-Wan reaches for her, but she rests a hand on his thigh.

“This is going to sound strange,” Satine says, “but can you take my necklace off?”

Obi-Wan dutifully reaches for the leather cord that holds the kyber crystal against her heart. After he unties it, Satine presses the kyber crystal - the crystal formerly of the Darksaber - into his hand.

The room brightens, and Obi-Wan nearly faints.

Before him is an image of Qui-Gon Jinn.

Qui-Gon is translucent and glowing slightly, but beyond that, he appears as he had the day he’d died: tall, with graying hair, wrinkles on his face that suggest he’d lived long but not long enough.

Obi-Wan swallows, looking from Qui-Gon to Satine and then to Léa.

“What lessons, exactly, Obi-Wan, did I not want you to learn?”

Obi-Wan, still holding the kyber crystal tightly, glances back at Qui-Gon. It takes a few tries before he's able to get words out. Finally, though, he manages to say, “How is this possible?”

Qui-Gon chuckles. “You still have much to learn, my young padawan. In a sense, we are all padawans forever.” He moves to sit on the nearest armchair and looks at Léa. “Well,” he says pointedly at Obi-Wan. “Are you going to introduce me?”

Obi-Wan clears his throat. “I imagine you know precisely who this is,” he says. “But, Master, this is my daughter, Soléa Kryze Kenobi. Léa.”

“She will be forthright and formidable,” says Qui-Gon, smiling broadly and glancing between Obi-Wan and Satine. “Congratulations. She's not it all what I expected given the way you two quarreled when you first met, but the Force works in mysterious ways.”

“Speaking of,” says Obi-Wan, and he rests his hand on the couch so that he can hide the way it shakes. “I haven’t been able to use the Force in months,” he admits. “So why can I see you now?”

Satine leans into him. “The crystal,” she whispers. “When Qui-Gon appeared, he told me to tell you to touch it. It’s somehow facilitating the connection you can’t make.”

Qui-Gon nods.

Obi-Wan shifts, leaning forward. “And why can’t I connect with the Force?” he asks. He’s expecting the way his voice will break as he asks, but that doesn’t make it less painful.

“I’m not entirely sure,” admits Qui-Gon. “There are limits to what I know, even as part of the cosmic Force. But I know this: You severed your connection to the Force to prevent yourself from turning to the Dark Side. It saved your life, Obi-Wan. Do not regret that choice.”

Obi-Wan nods. “I don’t,” he says. “At one point, I think I did. But no longer. I know it was the only option.” He breathes in. “But will I be separate from the Force forever? From this point forward?”

Qui-Gon shakes his head. “I don’t believe so,” he says. “My feelings tell me that you’ll connect to it again.”

“I don’t suppose you can provide any tips?”

Qui-Gon laughs. “I wish I could,” he says. “But the Force feels different for everyone. For you, it once felt like turning on a light. For me, it is like the ocean’s waves and depths. For Satine, it’s different still. However you eventually forge that connection, it won’t likely be anything you’ve encountered before.”

Satine speaks up at this. “We spent a year together and neither of you ever had any inclination that I was capable of connecting to the Force?”

“As I said, there are limits to what I know - clearly,” says Qui-Gon, and he appears amused. “But it’s much as your friend Neha has told you: Obi-Wan and I were looking for Jedi traits. We didn’t know the power of Mandalorian Force-users; we didn’t know it was possible to make one’s mind impenetrable.” He shrugs. “Maybe we should have expected to be uninformed, given how little our lineages interacted and how fiercely we each guarded our own secrets.”

There's a heavy silence between them then, but it's not uncomfortable. Obi-Wan weighs Qui-Gon's words, all of them, and then finds words of his own.

“Can that be taught?” asks Obi-Wan. “Can we teach Léa, for example, to hide her thoughts? To hide her Force signature?”

Qui-Gon smiles. “Now, that I can help you with,” he says. “I’ve spent the better part of a standard decade studying the Force beyond how the Jedi could use it. I will teach you what I know.”

Obi-Wan glances down at Léa, and then back at Qui-Gon. “Why now?” he asks. “Were you here all along? All those years?”

Qui-Gon stands and moves to kneel in front of Obi-Wan. “I presented myself to you as soon as I mastered how to do so,” he says. “I wouldn’t have kept you waiting, Obi-Wan. I saw you struggle. I would not have let you do so alone if I could have helped.”

Satine reaches out with her hand to rest her fingers over Obi-Wan's, and he's glad for the warmth.

He holds Qui-Gon’s gaze. “I tried to train the boy, Master,” he whispers, needing Qui-Gon to understand, needing him to know.

Qui-Gon gives him a sad smile. “You did train him, Obi-Wan,” he corrects softly. “And you did better than I could have. You did better than any other Jedi could have.” He pauses. “His failure is not yours, Obi-Wan. It is his own, and no one else’s. I know Satine has told you this, and I know you understand it on some level, but you must believe it.”

Satine’s thumb brushes over the back of Obi-Wan’s hand.

Obi-Wan glances back at her, and he finally nods.

[thechaoticfanartist]

POV — something that’s already happened, retold from another character’s perspective

no excuses writing meme

Hi okay so this got away from me. Anyway enjoy some Grim & Obi-Wan angst from the new version of As Long As There's Light:

"You know between his howling and your blasting it's a wonder the whole station doesn't know we're here!" Luke snapped at Han as he took off his stolen helmet.

"It really is. What if someone had spotted you? I mean you are harboring two wanted droids, a wookie, and an infamous Jedi Master," remarked a stormtrooper who had apparently followed them. She crossed her arms in an almost familiar manner.

Han and Luke immediately turned around and pointed their blasters at her. Although Obi-Wan was reluctant to draw his weapon. Even though the helmet covered her face the comment she had made, alongside her behavior instantly gave her away. As if her Force signature didn't already. Even if it had been sixteen years since they had last seen each other.

With two weapons pointed directly at her she calmly raised her hands in surrender, taking off her helmet as she did so. There was zero doubt about who she was now. "Grim," Obi-Wan sighed.

Luke and Solo shared a confused glance. "You know her?" Han demanded.

"I do," he replied calmly. "It's alright, she's an old friend."

She smiled at him warmly. An expression he hadn't seen on her for longer than they had been apart. "Thank you, Master," she replied. Her face then fell as her brows furrowed together. There was a concerned glint in her eye that he was far too familiar with. "What happened to you?"

It took Obi-Wan a moment to understand what she was talking about. He noticed that she was looking at the right side of his face. This only confused him, surely it would have been something she had seen. He touched his burn scars lightly, frowning at his former Padawan. "You mean you don't know?" He lowered his hand, bringing it back to rest at his side. It didn't make sense to him how Grim didn't know about his encounter with Vader. "Nevermind, that's in the past." They had more pressing matters anyway. "What are you doing here, little one?"

Before she could answer Threepio spoke up. "I don't mean to interrupt, however we found the computer outlet."

It was back to the mission then. Obi-Wan turned around and instructed the droids. "Plug in. He should be able to interpret the entire Imperial network."

Artoo followed his directions as Threepio translated for him. “He says he’s found the controls to the power beam that’s holding your ships here. He’ll try to make the precise location appear on the monitor." Just as he said that the images appeared on screen. "The tractor beam is coupled to the main reactor in seven locations. A power loss at one of the terminals will allow your ships to leave.”

He nodded. "Well, I don't think you boys can help me," Obi-Wan informed the two. His attention then turned towards his daughter. He saw the look in her eyes, he had seen it before when she knew death was coming. Now she looked at him with this same expression. "Grim, we both know I have to do this on my own."

She bowed her head. "I don't care. I want to go with you."

"I do too!" Luke proclaimed.

He looked at the two of them and smiled sadly. For a small moment it was as if he was with his Padawans in The Clone Wars again, before the war had taken its turn for the worst. But that had been a long time ago. "Be patient, the both of you. I need you to watch over the droids — and each other. These droids must be delivered safely or other star systems will suffer the same fate as Alderaan. Both your destines lie along different paths than mine." He knew in that moment that it would be Grim who would complete Luke's training. He turned to him and gave his last Padawan a final reminder. "The Force will be with you, always."

With those words he began to leave to disable the tractor beams. However as he was walking away Grim shouted behind him. "No!" He paused and turned around to see his daughter barely able to keep herself composed. "No!" She snapped. "You don't get to do this, dad! You want to know what I'm doing here? I came here for you! Don't tell me I get to see you again after sixteen years only to lose you again…." She trailed off as a choked sob escaped.

His face softened and he walked back over to her. "I'm sorry, my dear. I think we both know what's going to happen. You can't save me. But…there are others who need you. Luke is going to need you."

She looked up at him with teary eyes. A sight he wished he wasn't so familiar with. "But I need you," she told him. She nearly sounded like the child he found on that battlefield all those years ago.

He placed his hand on her shoulder. "No, you don't. You haven't needed me for a long time."

With those words she suddenly pulled him into a hug. Her hands gripped onto his cloak tightly as she began to cry into his shoulder. Obi-Wan's heart ached, they hadn't hugged in so long, and he knew it would be their last. They both knew it. He moved his arms and embraced her. He held her as her whole body shook with the weight of a grief she had let burden her for too long. There was no need for words. He simply held her as if they were back in The Clone Wars. And for a small moment it didn't matter that it had been sixteen years since they had last seen each other. It didn't even matter that they were on an Imperial space station.

"I'm sorry," she whispered at last as she let go of him and stepped away. Obi-Wan did the same.

"I'm sorry, too," he replied. Neither of them had to say what they were apologizing for. "Goodbye Grim."

"Goodbye dad."

With that he turned away. He had a mission — a mission he knew he would not survive.