#casecreates

for your consideration: disheveled, slightly bloody, with a sword under their chin, while smiling lasciviously, and kneeling

via @gayarsonist

Obi-Wan isn't sure what he expected by attempting to talk to Anakin now. His assignment to the mission regarding Senator Amidala and Rush Clovis was... a poor choice, in his opinion. If it had been up to him, he would have assigned someone, anyone, else.

Anakin is too close to it, too close to Padmé. He thinks that Obi-Wan doesn't know it, but his padawan has never been very good at hiding secrets.

He doesn't know the full extent of their relationship, but he knows enough to come see how his friend is doing; he knows that something happened and Anakin is hurting, and could use someone to talk to.

Evidently, Anakin doesn't want that person to be him.

Obi-Wan doesn't know what he expected, he really doesn't. If Anakin hasn't spoken of it to him this long, why would that change now? Why did he think-- hope-- that something had changed, that reaching out to Anakin would be met with anything other than the usual closed-off annoyance.

When did Anakin stop talking to him? How did Obi-Wan fail so badly as his Master?

He stands, covering his own inner hurt with squared shoulders and a tight voice. "Then we should have no problems, should we." He knows when his help isn't welcome.

Obi-Wan gives his former student one last look before turning to leave, knowing he's been dismissed.

He knows Anakin wants him to go, and yet, through the clouded force on Coruscant, Obi-Wan thinks he feels a tug; a call to stay, to make one more effort.

Obi-Wan turns back, looking up just in time to catch the hint of regret on Anakin's face, and it steels his resolve. "You only push me away," he says, searching his friend's face. "... let me help."

This is really, really dumb and really late so I am sorry but it is all I could think of 😭

PART 1 | PART 2 | KING KENOBI | JEDI PADMÉ

°| PART 3 ●.*•

longish post, hit J to skip on desktop

[Rating: Teen] | funeral, reverse au, pre-obikin, death/murder mention, imposter syndrome

°|●.*•

Qui-Gon Jinn’s funeral is a solemn event.

As a former initiate, Obi-Wan is allowed to attend. And though he would rather not go, it would be suspicious for him to avoid it; so he goes, and Anakin sticks close to him the whole time.

He finds himself gravitating towards Padmé. She has a calming presence in the force, even so soon after the loss of her Master.

Obi-Wan feels like an imposter here. He is no Jedi. He killed the man every person here is mourning. He would rather crawl out of his own skin than stay here a moment longer.

When it's drawing to an end, a tug at his funeral cloak gets his attention, and his gaze falls downward to where Anakin is looking at him, eyes full of worry.

"Obi-Wan... what happens to me now?" The child asks, and Obi-Wan instantly regrets his self-centered worries. He bought Anakin's freedom, and with Jinn gone, Anakin is looking at him for guidance in his new future.

Weighing the politeness of it and deciding that no one will think him rude for comforting a child, Obi-Wan kneels to speak to Anakin. "You can do whatever you want now, Anakin. Your Mother has found enjoyable work as a handmaiden to Queen Sabé, you could go with her if you'd like. You said you want to be a pilot; we have schools on Stewjon if you'd like to come with me and learn there. Whatever you want to do, Anakin, I will help you to do it."

The boy nods, keeping his voice hushed. "... Master Qui-Gon said I could be a Jedi... but, the other Jedi didn't want me to be trained..."

Obi-Wan wishes he could help with that... but of all the things he can do, forcing the jedi to take on an initiate so old, when he himself was rejected...

That's not within his power.

He is about to say as much when another body joins them, Padmé taking a knee by Anakin's side.

"Ani," she starts, tone kind and strong. "My Master promised you could be a Jedi, and if that's what you want, you can be. I've seen what a good heart you have; I will train you myself whether the Council allows it or not."

Obi-Wan smiles, half out of relief and half in admiration. He realizes he was silly to ever hold resentment for Padawan-- no, Knight Naberrié, now. She is kind and good, and has let Anakin and Obi-Wan into her heart without question.

Anakin lights up as she offers, looking truly hopeful for the first time since he woke up and found out Qui-Gon Jinn was dead. "You would?" He asks, as if he can't quite believe it.

"I will," she promises. "If you will accept me as your teacher, I would be happy to train you as my padawan learner."

Anakin looks as if he wants to give a happy shout, but seems to remember his surroundings, and simply nods. "Yes, I want you to teach me."

Obi-Wan lets them be, staying kneeling but turning his eyes back to Qui-Gon's pyre.

He shouldn't be here. He felt sick even thinking of being here, and it's a wonder he hasn't revisited his breakfast yet.

When he can leave, return to Jango and his ship and get off of Coruscant, he'll feel better. Hopefully.

That won't be for some time yet, of course-- Palpatine requested to see him. He will likely need to explain why it's going around that he killed Maul... not a conversation he's looking forward too.

His heart is heavy still when arms wrap around him, surprising him out of his thoughts.

It's Anakin, leaning awkwardly over his knee to hug him.

"Hello there," he says gently, putting a smile back on his face as he returns the hug easily. "What's this for?"

"You're sad," Anakin says, "I can feel it. And... Master Naberrié is gonna train me, so I have to say goodbye to you... I wanted to give you a hug. And this," he says, pulling away to pull a carved wooden charm out and hand it to the king. "You freed me and my mom... I wanted to thank you... I know it isn't much, but I want you to remember me and my mom when you see it, and remember you're a good person, one of the best I've ever known, really." The young boy is so earnest and kind, it makes Obi-Wan's chest tight, knowing that Anakin believes in him without even knowing what he's done. "And I'm gonna be a jedi, so maybe someday, I can help you, too."

The boy feels so light and good in the force, Obi-Wan can't help but smile, even with all his self doubts. "I don't think I'll need this to remember you, Anakin Skywalker," he starts, tone fond. "You or your mother. But thank you, I will keep it close and safe... and maybe we will cross paths again. You have a good heart, you will be a great jedi, I know it."

"I wish you could be a jedi too," Anakin responds, a little petulant. "You killed a Sith, you'd think they would knight you just for that."

The young royal shakes his head, eyes crinkling with fondness. "The Force has other plans for me, Anakin. I am right where I'm supposed to be." In any case, he has other responsibilities, now. Even if they would offer him knighthood, he has an entire planetary system to look after. He can't run off to be a jedi now, no matter how much he would like to.

Anakin pouts, but nods his understanding. The funeral is over now, and most of the attendees have left. Padmé waits patiently off to the side, letting Anakin say his goodbyes.

"I best not keep you from your Teacher any longer," the young king says, taking the wooden charm and carefully pulling the leather cord over his head, minding his jewelry so it doesn't get caught. "And I have my own duties to get to." He takes Anakin's forearm, gripping it in a traditional Stewjoni sign of kinship-- used as both a greeting and a farewell. Anakin catches on, gripping his forearm as well. "Next time I see you, I want to hear all about your Jedi training. Be good for Master Naberrié, and I'm sure you'll do fine."

Anakin looks pleased at the assurance, nodding happily. "Okay, Obi-Wan! I'll see you again soon, I hope!"

Hope is a dangerous thing, Obi-Wan thinks but does not say.

"I hope so too, Anakin," he answers, standing and ruffling the kid's hair. He looks over at Padmé. "He's all yours now, sorry for keeping you."

"It's alright," she tells him warmly. "It's good form to thank people for their kindness, and to say goodbye to friends. I wish you well, Your Majesty. May the Force be with you."

"Please," he states, deciding he rather likes Padmé now, despite his initial introduction to her. "Call me Obi-Wan, Master Naberrié. I apologize for my previous rudeness, you have been nothing but kind, and I would like to consider you a friend as well."

This seems to cheer her up, and she gives him a pleased smile. "Of course, Obi-Wan. I would like to consider you a friend as well, please, call me Padmé."

"Thank you, Padmé, he responds, bowing his head. "And may the Force be with you both. Until we meet again, my friends."

He waves, and both Anakin and Padmé return the gesture as they part ways, Anakin following dutifully by Padmé's side.

Obi-Wan barely gets out of the funeral chamber before he's stopped, another jedi in his path.

And not just any jedi, either...

"Hello, Master Yoda," he greets.

The diminutive Grandmaster of the Order eyes him carefully. "Walk with me, you will."

"I must be getting to the Senate, I have a summons from the Chancellor, perhaps after--"

"Know this, I do." The green creature tells him, giving him a curious sort of look. "Not long will this take."

Obi-Wan feels like a youngling again, following Master Yoda as he did many times in the crèche. They continue to march towards the senate, so he can't really complain. "I don't understand, Master," he says after a moment of silence. "Am I in trouble for something?"

Yoda hums pensively. "Hope not, I do." He doesn't bother to elaborate, as cryptic and frustrating as he remembers.

[Rating: Mature] || Violence/Gore, hurt no comfort

°|●.*•

Of all the things Anakin hates about the war, reports have to be the worst.

Especially when he has to do them alone.

Thankfully, this is not one of those times. Obi-Wan has some downtime at the Temple at the same time he does for once, so they’re doing their reports together in Obi-Wan’s apartment.

He would go to Padme’s, but, well, she’s too distracting from his reports.

Anakin wants to lay on his back, so he does, paying no mind to the fact that Obi-Wan’s lap is where his head needs to go.

The other man makes a small noise of surprise, but doesn’t protest it, just lifting his datapad out of the way so Anakin can rest his head on his thigh.

... An hour or so passes like that, the two of them quietly working on their reports in comfortable company.

Then, Obi-Wan shifts, groaning a tiny bit. “Kark, my leg’s asleep.” He glares playfully down as Anakin. “Padawan, please sit up.”

Anakin just snorts. “Nah, don’t wanna.”

His friend looks mildly annoyed, but his eyes shine with mirth and fondness as he rolls them --