#but anakin is just as possessive that all Satine has to do is call him her husband (a fact) and anakin wants to fight | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

katierosefun · 3 years

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well, even though literally no one asked, am i going to do a whole analysis on how the red album is also lowkey about tcw? sure. sh, let me indulge 12/13 year old me.

state of grace:

our wonderful opening track. the lyrics “just twin fire signs / four blue eyes”—from this line alone, i think a lot about anakin and ahsoka and obi-wan, just because what color are their eyes? blue. check and mate.

but on a more serious level: “and i never saw you coming / and i’ll never be the same” speaks to how each of these characters’ lives were interrupted by the presence of the other. obi-wan certainly didn’t expect anakin to come into his life, and i doubted anakin ever expected ahsoka to come into his life.

“love is a ruthless game unless you play it good and right” and “these are the hands of fate / you’re my Achilles heel” speaks to how this whole theme of love and how both raw and burning and ruthless love can shine in this specific universe. specifically anakin’s kind of love. additionally, the idea of Achilles heel...i’ve already discussed the parallels between Achilles and anakin and don’t feel like rehashing, but it’s def. worth noting.

“this is the golden age of something good and right and real”...golden age. the war was messy and terrible and shouldn’t have ever happened, but also, i think for that brief moment, disaster lineage was at least together.

red

look me in the eye and lie to me about how this song doesn’t sum up the exhilarating rush that must have been being around someone like anakin skywalker.

“losing him was blue like i’ve ever known / missing him was dark grey all alone / forgetting him was like trying to know somebody you never met / but loving him was red”: this entire refrain is about that kind of ruthless, very fiery-seeing-red-everywhere kind of sensation that comes with love. (or, as the song alludes, a kind of dangerous love.)

and if we’re talking about dangerous kind of love—“fighting with him was like trying to solve a crossword and realizing there’s no right answer / regretting him was like wishing you never found out love could be that strong”...thinking thoughts about how there must have been all these times for the people around anakin to clash heads. bro. what even is that.

“remembering him comes in flashbacks, in echoes / told myself it’s time now, gotta let go”. ha ha. you ever think about the people who live after order 66 and wonder what the hell happened to the person they loved. ha.

treacherous

alright, time to put on the anidala hat. this song is supposed to be all about loving someone and constantly feeling like you’re sliding down a slippery slope. a treacherous path—a reckless path—and yet, and yet, “i like it”.

the whole concept of these two being put in a whirlwind romance matches perfectly with these lyrics: “i can’t decide if it’s a choice / getting swept away / i hear the sound of my own voice / asking you to stay”. this mess of a relationship that probably shouldn’t have happened, but it happened, and now the only choice for these two is to hold on...bro.

i knew you were trouble.

ohhhh god, do i need to explain how this is an anidala song or—

“i was in your sights / you got me alone / you found me”,,,the fact that anakin skywalker really looked at padmé amidala after ten years and automatically went “i love her”. a part of me will always sigh and want to pat anakin’s head that please, please, please control yourself, but what am i supposed to do anyways—

but also, the way this song also addresses all the dangerous things that come with a love that probably shouldn’t have started / shouldn’t have been born with so many secrets. the damning / basically self-loathing lyrics like “the joke is on me” and “shame on me now” is honestly kind of sad, and while i don’t think padmé ever regretted loving anakin (and i’ve covered this so many times, but i think anakin and padmé genuinely loved each other), there was def. a sense of constant danger and fear that one day, all the secrets will come tumbling out / something’s going to happen. and all that ultimately bubbles over in revenge of the sith, right when padmé looks at anakin and just doesn’t see him anymore.

all too well

tbh, this song deserves a whole long post on its own, but i’ll try to be concise. i genuinely think this could be about any of the tcw characters / tcw pairings, but because it’s my post and my obsession, i’ll discuss the disaster lineage. there’s something so quietly sad about the line “but you still got [my scarf] in your drawer, even now” and how that speaks to how obi-wan has anakin’s lightsaber / how anakin has ahsoka’s lightsaber both as himself and as ahsoka after ahsoka left the order / after order 66. the fact that you still have a piece of someone you love(d), long after they’re gone...

the fact that this song is so full of memories and longing and aching and grief over a loved relationship. thinking about the lyrics “you tell me about your past, thinking your future was me” is especially sad because while i don’t think anakin was ever completely open about his childhood / past, i like to think he must have told some stories to obi-wan and padmé and ahsoka about happier moments—and you have to wonder what kind of future anakin saw for himself with his loved ones.

“maybe this thing was a masterpiece until you tore it all up” speaks to how for a rare, rare moment, we see anakin skywalker as the hero we’re all supposed to like—and we see how it all crumbles apart so fast.

“but you keep my old scarf from that very first week / because it reminds you of innocence and it smells like me” hits especially hard when you think about how vader still has ahsoka’s lightsabers, or the fact that everything goes “back to when i loved you so / back before you lost the one real thing you’ve ever known”...thinking. a lot about anakin and how the love he felt / received from his friends were real, realer than anything that palpacreep could ever give him. it was all real, and now they’re all memories.

okay, this is just a fun song so i can’t really apply it anywhere, but i like to think there must have been a birthday somewhere along the line / some kind of happy event where there’s some chaotic tcw fam shenanigans. ditching the whole scene and “end[ing] up dreaming instead of sleeping”...i like to think they must have had some kind of happy moment like that.

i almost do

this song honestly reminds me the most of anakin and ahsoka. do you ever think that ahsoka might have wanted to reach out to anakin at some point? how “it takes everything in me not to call you”—how she might wish that she could talk to him again but every time she doesn’t, she almost does. (and ha. this makes their S7 reunion even more painful.)

the whole “i bet you think i either moved on or hate you” and “i bet it never ever occurred to you that i can’t say hello to you and risk another goodbye” speaks mostly to that very same reunion. the fact that ahsoka and anakin leave so many things unsaid—the fact that ahsoka restrains herself, cites that reason for the fact that they’ll just catch up another time...when that another time never happens.

we are never ever getting back together

hahaa, i can’t quite laugh about this but also i can because i kinda made a crack edit of disaster lineage + this song over the summer, and it really is just a joke but also...lol vader + ahsoka + obi-wan, but more specifically ahsoka and vader in their reunion in rebels lol. they’re never getting back together, geddit? they “used to think [they] were forever” and “[sigh] he calls me up again and is like i still love you and like,,,this is exhausting, you know?” yeah, me too sis. 🙄

stay stay stay

okay, okay, okay, maybe going a little bit into crack-y happy tcw feelings, but all i’m saying is that i love the image of these dorks staying for each other, you know? the whole “you took the time to memorize me” and “all those times that you didn’t leave / it’s been occurring to me i’d like to hang out with you for my whole life” and “no one else is gonna love me when i get mad” makes me kinda soft but also sad knowing that one of the tragedies of tcw fam is that no one really stays.

the last time

highkey the whole clovis arc in season 6. but anyways, especially the lines about “this is the last time i’m asking you this / put my name at the top of your list” speaks a lot to me about this hunger (yeah, this is @ anakin) to be someone’s first choice. it’s about the anger and jealousy and dull pain of knowing that everyone else’s priorities are elsewhere (and that’s not their fault, but you still feel like it is).

but if we’re thinking about the clovis arc especially, i think a whole lot about anakin + padmé, as well as anakin and obi-wan, esp. in these lyrics: “you wear your best apology / but i was there to watch you leave” and “all those times i let you in / just for you to go again”. we know anakin and padmé were...going through it in this arc, but specially anakin and obi-wan’s conversation—the one where obi-wan’s trying to reach anakin? we see obi-wan briefly open up (ie. about satine!) and anakin quickly shuts it down, and when obi-wan leaves, we see the pain on both of their faces because this wasn’t how the conversation was supposed to go.

but also, if we’re circling back to anakin and padmé’s relationship in this arc especially: the really, really painful lyrics about “this is the last time you tell me i’ve got it wrong” and “this is the last time i say it’s been you all along” and “this is the last time i let you in my door” and “this is the last time / i won’t hurt you anymore”...this arc truly explores just how deep the hurt can run when you have a secret relationship. how quickly love can blur into possession and jealousy and anger, and we see that in how anakin and padmé just...both crumble apart, especially in that one bit when padmé basically says she doesn’t want to see anakin for a little while. like. idk. it’s just sad, because this arc really showed just all the issues and problems within a relationship built on lies.

holy ground

oh god, what a fun song. but anyways, just to kick things off: “and darling, it was good / never looking down / and right there where we stood / was holy ground” speaks to a relationship that was good, even if it was wild and brief. which. disaster lineage.

the whole “i guess we fall apart in the usual way / and the story’s got dust on every page” and “i see your face in every crowd” vibe too—these idiots miss each other, and they probably see each other where they’re not supposed to. there was nothing unusual about their falling apart, of course, but something about this song compels me to think about how even in the grief and pain that ultimately drags ahsoka and obi-wan down especially, i think they still are fond of their happier memories with anakin.

also, “tonight i’m gonna dance for all we’ve been through” and “but i don’t wanna dance if i’m not dancing you” makes me a little sad because i think a lot about the fall of the empire and how the whole galaxy is out celebrating, but there’s a certain togruta woman who can’t completely celebrate because now she knows that. her whole family. really is gone.

sad beautiful tragic

this whole song is so tragic, but. anyways. more tragic disaster lineage vibes. the words “words, how little they mean / when you’re a little too late” makes me want to scream because i think a lot about how in rebels, ahsoka tells vader that she won’t leave him—not this time—and obi-wan crying that he loved anakin—the real tragedy here is that these were all words that anakin should have known deep down, but he didn’t, and they all felt late. their timing is terrible.

and “in dreams, i meet you in warm conversation” screams to me this one passage about how obi-wan dreams about anakin, although those dreams are anything but warm. but the idea of how obi-wan still dreams and how “time is taking its sweet time erasing you”—because in the kenobi novel especially, obi-wan explicitly struggles...a lot with anakin’s loss. he definitely gets...sad and tries to remember how the hell it all happened. he keeps pulling out anakin’s lightsaber and just. forcibly puts it away because he knows looking at it would cause just more grief and oh yikes.

the lucky one

ngl i forgot how fuckign good this song is,,,bro. anyways, i think this def. speaks to the og prequel trilogy trio especially, because i think they were all seriously going through with the whole...reputation thing. thinking mostly about how anakin, padmé, and obi-wan are all supposed to be these heroic / cool / beautiful figures who everyone’s supposed to look up to when in reality, they were all struggling with something. also lol the fact that obi-wan and anakin were both propped up as war propaganda figures in-universe because of palpacreep def. speaks to that whole “they’ll tell you now you’re the lucky one”.

and “they tell you that you’re lucky / but you’re so confused because you don’t feel pretty, you just feel used” and “you wonder if you’ll make it out alive” hurts the most, i think, just because how they apply to all those in prequel trilogy. anakin, obi-wan, and padmé—not to mention all the other jedi and the clones, oh god, the clones—were all fighting a war that ultimately didn’t matter, and they were all fighting a war that didn’t leave them as heroes. it just left them as pawns.

but i think if there’s any hope—any hope at all in this song, i think it’s in the last lyrics: “and they still tell the legend of how you disappeared / how you took the money and your dignity and got the hell out” reminds me the most of probably ahsoka and rex, or the people who survived the mess that was the clone wars. granted, rex didn’t exactly have the choice that ahsoka had, because she was the one who really made the big decision to look around herself and say “nope, i can’t be a part of this order”. she got the hell out.

everything has changed

hear me out, but i just think this makes for a cute anakin and ahsoka song, esp. their very cute beginnings. just like. as soon as they meet each other, both of them are ultimately changed. the fact that ahsoka has been noted to be the key to understanding who anakin is—the fact that it’s ahsoka’s relationship / interactions with anakin that ultimately makes him a better person because they’re siblings, your honor—yeah. very much the cute “all i know is we said hello”...the lyrics going on about “i just wanna know you better” and “your eyes look like coming home” makes me soft because. i think that while yes, they had their own rocky beginning, the difference between anakin and ahsoka’s relationship vs. anakin and obi-wan’s (rip i love anakin and obi-wan and i genuinely believe that obi-wan was the best teacher for anakin, and i think their bond is incredibly special, but.......boys please communicate better) is that i think anakin makes a really explicit effort to make sure ahsoka knows that like. he wants her around.

idk—i’m not saying obi-wan didn’t want anakin around! but i think one of the greatest tragedies of their relationship is that anakin always seemed to just. not click with obi-wan’s own demonstrations of love / i want you to be here messages. (the gambit duology goes a little more into this—only in those books, anakin and obi-wan actually talk a little about their feelings! which is nice!) but anyways, point being: anakin and ahsoka really looked at each other and were like “oh yeah. you’re my idiot now.” and i think that’s really cool of them.

starlight

oh god, this is kind of an anidala song but i also am tempted to say obitine song just because of that one line about “pretending to be a duchess and a prince” because,,,lol duchess geddit? and overall just think it’s really cute because. summer love!!!

but also, i do see this as an anidala song because “he was trying to skip rocks on the ocean, saying to me / don’t you dream impossible things?” because i see anakin as most certainly that dreamy-eyed boy who looks at padmé and is just. like that. (and we see a whole ton of that, esp. in aotc and how padmé initially is like “this is a terrible idea” and eventually winds up falling in love anyways, as one does.)

begin again

this song is odd because it doesn’t really give me overwhelming star wars feelings, but it does remind me a little bit of how ahsoka must have felt getting with the rebels crew. because i think ahsoka must have “watched it begin again” when she noted kanan and ezra’s interactions with each other, and i feel like when she’s with ezra, she sees a lot of the young padawan she used to be, and i think there must have been a point where she recognizes that “what’s past is past”. she’s watching everything begin again.

the moment i knew

this is another one of those songs that makes me sad about anidala because it seems like they’re always getting interrupted? the idea of being told that someone’s going to show but it might not happen because life (ie. war! there’s a war!),,,and still not being able to be really that sad about it in public makes me sad. just. i’m reminded of this one moment in tcw where anakin has to leave early because of something and just. the lyrics “what do you do when the one who means the most to you is the one who didn’t show”—like, of course, we see anakin sneaking off, but i def. think in that one tcw episode, we get a glimpse of. how lonely life might be if you’re just. waiting for someone to come home, only to realize that they might not show.

come back...be here

ha....hahahahaa weirdly both anakin and ahsoka and obitine feelings? give me a second.

okay, so as for anakin and ahsoka first: “i can’t help but wish you took me with you” hits hard just because of the time anakin tells ahsoka that he knows what it feels like to want to leave the order. just. oh god.

and then there’s this bit of “this is when the feeling sinks in / i don’t wanna miss you like this” hits hard, esp. considering the whole utapau arc where anakin accidentally slips in ahsoka’s name. he misses her, and i don’t think he really wanted to show that—but it sinks in so hard and fast for him, and it hurts so much oh god

also, the “right when i was just about to fall”: i know that in this context, fall is supposed to mean falling in love, but. the fact that anakin is literally about to fall like,,,a few days after his reunion with ahsoka. i cry now!

as for obitine: ahahahaha. pain, esp. considering how they probably separated after their year on the run? thinking about how that goodbye must have been like—mostly thinking about how there’s so much history between the two. how strange it is that they “didn’t know each other at all”, and how they might have had “the feeling they could know so much without knowing anything at all”, and now i think about how both of them could have “stumbled through the long goodbye”. i think a lot about those years of separation and how satine confesses how she had been in love with obi-wan for a long time—and how that in itself...wondering how or when satine knew for certain that she had fallen in love with the young jedi who came to her aid. thinking about how her “falling in love in the cruelest way” is how that whole falling in love—and realizing just how in love she was—is so cruel, because like. you know. when you’ve been in love / are loving someone for like...ten years....that’s kinda intense ngl

girl at home

lol this song doesn’t really fit with anything star wars related because i don’t think anyone in tcw would actually cheat on their loved ones? still 100000/10 a bop of a song though, and i still think it’s one of swift’s more mature songs, 10000/10 recommend.

#caroline talks #my essay #can you believe i spent 2.5 hours writing this

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zelenacat · 3 years

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When We Were Young- Chapter 27- An Obitine Story

The first place Satine checked was her bedroom, it was empty save for a note. The Duchess fell to her knees and wailed. She pulled at her hair, threw chairs across the room, paced, Obi-Wan found her in her quarters an hour later.

“Satine!”

“Maul took them,” the Duchess’ throat was raw, “he took our four eldest.”

Obi-Wan froze for half a second.

“Mandalore was attacked, we should get you out of here.”

“I’m not leaving until my people are safe,” Satine stood, “I have speeches to make.”

“Satine-”

“Come with me,” the Duchess ordered, “some things will leave with you.”

Servants moved out of her way when she passed, but Satine didn’t care how terrible she looked. Stalking over to the safe, Satine opened it and pulled out her children’s birth certificates, a bag of kyber crystals, and a tiara from King Zagreus the Second of Zygerria.

“These should be brought back to coruscant,” Satine swallowed, “guard them as you would guard Jynn and Lyra.”

The Jedi opened his mouth to speak, but Satine hushed him with a kiss.

“Jynn and Lyra may one day be all you have left.”

And with that, Satine left, walking briskly and then running once she rounded a corner. First she found Parna, who led her to where the servants were hiding. Satine freed them.

“Go home to your families,” she announced, “they will want to know you’re safe.”

Parna organized the guards to help escort people home, while Satine looked for the Prime Minister. Jaru Djarin was sitting up against the wall, locked in her office, with her eyes closed.

“Jaru,” Satine whispered, growing louder, “Jaru are you alive?”

“Satine,” the Prime Minister mumbled, “come.”

The door opened and the Duchess stepped inside, it smelled awful, like the kind of place rats lived.

“I need you to help me broadcast a speech.”

Jaru sighed, “Help me up.”

The Duchess and her Prime Minister limped through the empty castle, every move of theirs was as loud as thunder rumbling.

“What will we say?” Jaru’s garbled voice questioned.

Satine groaned, she hadn’t thought much about that.

“Mandalore has been used and deliberately attacked with no provocation,” the Duchess found herself saying into the camera, “we have no choice but to join with the Republic and defend ourselves. Please stay in your homes until we are able to address you again, thank you.”

After the camera cut off, Satine made her way to the landing, where a battalion of clones were stationed under Ahsoka, who felt her presence immediately.

“Momdalore!”

Satine collapsed into the Padawan’s arms.

“I heard,” Ahsoka whispered, “I’m so sorry.”

“Why are you here?” Jaru asked a clone.

“Protection,” he answered.

Satine straightened, “The Prime Minister and I are grateful for your help, please make sure our curfew is enforced.”

“You heard the Duchess,” Ahsoka commanded, “go keep Mandalore’s citizens safe, I will stay with the Duchess and her Prime Minister.”

Ahsoka helped Satine and Jaru to a conference room and then retrieved the Duchess’ comm device.

“Call Countess Wren,” Satine sighed, “we should start with her.”

Ursa was stone faced until she was informed that Tristan had been taken, then, she broke down into tears.

“We’ll keep our district safe, Satine,” Alrich Wren promised, “just make sure he’s alright.”

“I will.” the Duchess promised.

Then the Counts and Countesses of Mandalore were called, all of whom had heard the news and prepared for the defensive.

“Satine?”

Bo-Katan, who stood in the doorway, grimaced when the Duchess looked up. Ventress behind her made a disgusted sound.

“They were taken by your replacement,” Satine growled, “you should help get them back.”

“Who?” Jaru asked.

A beat of silence followed.

“Korkie and his friends.” Bo answered.

The Prime Minister put her face in her hands, “Dear God.”

“The pirates and bounty hunters need to be paid.” Ventress added.

Satine stood, “Sloppy business not paying them in advance.”

Bo-Katan’s eyes narrowed.

“We don’t have any money in the budget for this.” Jaru mumbled.

“Palace defense?” Ventress suggested.

The Prime Minister shook her head.

“I’ll pay them,” the Duchess decided, “out of pocket. I need to call the bank.”

The bank began converting the required amount of credits into cash, and after a quick signature, Bo-Katan and Ventress took over the distribution.

“Your Grace?”

“She was taken,” Satine frowned, without looking up, “Mara and the others were taken. I’m sorry, Boba.”

“Well,” the bounty hunter’s voice changed, “what’s being done to bring her back?”

Satine swallowed, “I’ll ask the Jedi Council for help, now that we’ve officially joined their side it shouldn’t be too hard.”

“I want to help.”

“I want everyone to help.” Satine countered.

Boba Fett knelt down.

“Your Grace,” he whispered, “we’ll get your children back.”

“Of course we will,” Satine agreed, “help me stand, Boba.”

He did and the Duchess sent him to find Khaami and Parna.

“Hello, Duchess.”

“Master Yoda,” Satine sobbed, “Darth Maul has taken my children.”

“Hm,” the Jedi stroked his beard, “bad this is.”

“Please help me get them back.” Satine begged.

“Do you know where he’s taken them?” Master Windu asked.

“No, he just said in his note that this was retribution.”

“He left a note?” Master Mundi inquired.

Satine nodded.

“Why didn’t you leave with the Jedi transport?” Master Windu questioned.

“I can’t leave my people.” Satine responded.

Master Yoda thought.

“Obi-Wan has our most important possessions,” Satine offered, “and the kyber crystals from Concordia.”

“Study those, we shall,” Master Yoda stated, “but meditate on this problem, I must.”

“Master Yoda?”

The Jedi looked to the Duchess.

Satine’s voice broke, “My children are all I have.”

Master Yoda nodded and the comm line went quiet.

“Satine?”

The Duchess turned her head as Parna entered.

“Let’s get you ready to face the public.”

Parna was gentle and kind, helping her lady shower and dress. Then she brushed her hair and braided it.

“Your locks are growing out again.” Parna observed.

“Really, I hadn’t noticed.”

Parna tilted Satine’s head upward.

“I know it’s hard without the children, but the Jedi will help.”

“If Master Yoda consents to.” the Duchess countered.

“He has a soft spot for you, I’m sure.”

Ahsoka poked her head in.

“Momdalore,” Ahsoka began, “there are cameras here to see you.”

“It figures,” Satine mumbled, “they need to know.”

“There,” Parna announced, “finished.”

Satine looked at the braid in her hair, it came down to her shoulders. Her face was pallard and her eyes gaunt.

“Momdalore?”

“Escort me.”

The walls were lined with servants all whispering, none of them stopped when Satine passed, and that was what worried the Duchess most. At least some of them had the sense to curtsey.

“Her Grace, the Duchess of Mandalore.”

Satine stepped out onto the foyer and took a seat at the place that had been set up for her. Ahoska stood at her side.

It took a second for Satine to remember why she was there, “Questions?”

One brave reporter stood.

“We know the Count betrayed us and we have allied with the Republic, but what happened in the chaos of the palace last night, and what happened to the weather monitor?”

Satine almost spilled all her secrets at that moment, but fortunately Ahsoka spoke.

“Count Dooku tried to frame the Duchess and kill her, the audio recordings have been released.”

In the stunned silence, Satine cleared her throat.

“My nephew and his friends, including Tristan Wren, were taken as prisoners by the count’s apprentice,” she swallowed, “we have asked for assistance from the Jedi.”

The room burst into noise but Satine couldn’t hear anything.

“Let’s get you out.” Ahsoka whispered.

Parna helped Satine stand while Ahoska quieted the room for a couple minutes more.

“You need sleep,” Parna whispered, “rest.”

Up in her room, Padme commed Satine.

“We saw your broadcast,” she smiled sadly, “Master Yoda has agreed to send a rescue party.”

Satine burst into tears.

“Jynn and Lyra want to see you.”

Wiping her eyes, Satine saw her daughters in Padme’s arms, asleep.

Satine swallowed, “They’ve gotten so big.”

“Five months.” Padme commented.

“Five whole months.” the Duchess nodded.

Lyra sighed, Jynn gurgled.

“Your Lady Mother misses you.” Satine whispered.

“They miss their mother too,” Obi-Wan frowned, coming into view, “some days they won’t sleep at all.”

“Who is in the rescue party?” Satine found the courage to ask.

“Multiple of Tyra’s Padawan friends,” Obi-Wan answered, “Quinlan, Master Mundi, and Anakin.”

“Not you?”

Obi-Wan sighed, “Maul hates me, if I go, it would give him an excuse to kill the children in front of me.”

Satine gave a shaky breath.

“Don’t worry, Darling,” Obi-Wan braced a smile, “we’ll get them.”

Satine nodded, hoping with her whole heart that was true.

“You just rest,” Padme commented, after a silence, “you look like you need it.”

“I do.” Satine agreed.

The Duchess slept till evening when the comm call finished. By the time Parna woke her, she was informed that the heads of the eight clans were all here requesting a meeting.

“And Khaami is going to stay with her family,” Parna added.

“Good,” Satine sat up, “help me with my hair.”

In front of the throne sat a circle of chairs. Count Awuad, Countess Bralor, Countess Eldar, Count Mudhorn, Count Rook, and Countess Saxon were all present. Count Vizsla’s father, Tarrei, had joined Death Watch a month ago, Satine had almost forgotten. What Satine was not expecting to see was Alrich Wren leading his clan.

“My wife is unwell with the news of our son,” he explained at Satine’s question, “she’s miserable.”

“This is a terrible crime,” Count Mudhorn growled, “you would think Tarrei-”

“Death Watch assisted us last night.” Satine frowned, unable to hear anything negative about Bo-Katan.

“Yes,” Countess Bralor nodded, “because they wanted the Count, when the Jedi took him they were upset they didn’t get shots at him.”

“However, Asajj Ventress spat in his face.” Countess Saxon remarked.

“The Count, Dooku, I mean,” Satine began, “said he had friends in Death Watch, my guess is it would be Vizsla.”

“That would make sense,” Count Awuad agreed, “my spies just told me that your sister might face mutiny.”

Satine sighed, “That would be unfortunate.”

“It would, but there is more news,” Count Awuad straightened, “the Vizslas now believe that the children taken belong to you.”

The Duchess went stoic as stone.

“A dangerous rhetoric if true,” Countess Eldar prodded.

“But there is no need to worry about that then,” Satine forced a smile, “I have no children.”

“No,” Count Rook agreed, “but he did take Mandalore’s heir.”

Satine’s comm rang, it was the Jedi Council.

“We have decided upon our rescue party.” Master Windu announced to the room, “three Jedi Masters, will accompany five padawans to save the children.”

“That seems like a large group.” Countess Eldar observed.

“It is needed,” Master Mundi responded, “I will be leading the effort, which will take place on Mustafar.”

Satine grew cold.

“Mustafar?” Alrich Wren asked.

“Yes,” Master Secura nodded, “that is where the children have been taken.”

The room silenced, a fire planet known for cruelty.

“Is the Count proving useful?” Countess Saxon asked.

“He is.” Master Windu did not elaborate.

“Padawan Tyra, the one you sent here for protection who has now been captured,” Satine began, “informed me that Count Dooku’s Master has a son. His name is Je’er, and his mother is Oana Shields of Harran, from Naboo.”

“Interesting this is,” Master Yoda spoke, “good spy, Padawan Tyra is.”

That brought Satine some comfort at least, knowing that the Jedi had faith in her daughter's skills.

“The rescue party will leave tomorrow,” Master Secura offered, “you may rest easy on that.”

“Thank you,” the Duchess swallowed, “Mandalore looks forward to helping you more in the future.”

“Now,” Count Awad sighed, “for our Death Watch problem.”

It was decided that if Sabine Wren had any connections left to Death Watch, she should use them. Ursa loathed to let another child leave her, and therefore made her husband go with their daughter.

Satine spent the next few days organizing an optional armed force regiment, with incentives to join, of course. She also met with food experts to talk about rationing and spoke with the Head of Mandalorian Trade.

The Duchess was in a meeting with her seamstresses about reducing fabric consumption when Parna burst in.

“Satine!”

The Duchess stood, sensing important news.

“Padawan Tyra is in the med bay.”

Satine ran to the make-shift hospital in the palace, she was glad to see both Hera and Doctor Quial present, but gasped when she saw their patient.

“Your Grace,” Khaami whispered, appearing at her side, “please sit down.”

Shaking violently, Satine fell into a chair and began to sob.

“Your Highness?”

Satine swallowed and looked at the boy standing in front of her, “You must be Je’er.”

He nodded and knelt before Satine.

“Your Grace, I’m sorry I couldn't free the rest of your children,” he began, his voice low, “but they are all kept separate, and I couldn't let harm come to Tyra.”

Satine glanced over at her daughter, “What happened?”

“My father electrocuted her,” Je’er did not lower his eyes, “she has second degree burns, but she will live.”

Satine fell forward and hugged the boy.

“Thank you, Je’er, thank you so very much.”

Je’er breathed a sigh of relief.

“If it’s alright to ask, will you help me get to Coruscant, I need to testify in front of the Jedi Council?”

“Of course,” Satine stood, “do you need food, water?”

Je’er winced, “Sleep, first.”

“Khaami,” the Duchess turned, “give this young man a nice room.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Satine then stepped into a quiet conference room and called her favorite Jedi.

“Obi?”

“Satine, I-”

“I have the Sith Lord’s son, he rescued Tyra,” Satine blurbed, “he wants to testify in front of the Council.”

“Good, this is,” Master Yoda spoke, “collect him tonight, Master Kenobi will.”

Satine blushed, realizing that Obi-Wan was likely in a meeting, “Thank you, Master Jedi.”

Once she hung up, the Duchess came back to her seamstresses, whom Parna was entertaining.

“Good news, Your Grace?” Waldie asked.

Satine finally allowed herself to smile, “Wonderful news.”

“That’s needed in these times.” a seamstress ventured.

“I agree,” the Duchess nodded, “Parna, I think we can repurpose some of my old gowns.”

The Lady nodded, “Should I bring some of the older ones down?”

“Please.”

Khaami came in as Parna left.

“A word, Satine?”

They made their way halfway towards the landing pad before Khaami spoke.

“I posted Gorg outside his room.”

“Protection?”

“Or in case of aggression.” Khaami answered.

“My Ben is coming to collect him,” Satine bounced on her heels, “he’ll be here tonight.”

Khaami grinned, eyeing her lady evilly, “You’re so giddy around him, you always have been.

The Duchess blushed, “Sometimes I still feel like we’re seventeen.”

Khaami snorted, “Yes, with six children.”

Satine sighed, “If Master Qui-Gon would’ve known we would have six children, he would’ve made our lives hell.”

“In a loving way, I’m sure.”

“Most definitely.” the Duchess agreed.

When Obi-Wan finally arrived, Satine was with Tyra in the med bay. She had woken up and was talking, but she had painful-looking white bulbs all over her arms and legs.

“At least I still have my hair.” Tyra joked with a wince.

“I’m just glad you’re safe, baby girl.” Satine smiled, “you know, it was a wonderful surprise when you were born.”

Tyra’s eyes watered, “Really?”

“Oh yes,” Satine placed her hand in Tyra’s, “I joked that I made such a mess I would need two towels.”

“But you really did need two.”

“What a lovely story.”

Satine turned and threw herself into Ben’s arms.

“It’s good to see you too, Darling.”

The Duchess kissed her Jedi until Tyra groaned.

“Uh, Dad, Lady Mother, I’m right here?”

Obi-Wan came to inspect his daughter, frowning at her injuries.

“Be nice to Je’er, Daddy,” Tyra warned, “he’s my boyfriend.”

Ben blanched, “A Sith-spawn?”

“Obi, he saved her life.”

The Jedi sighed, “Alright, Tyra, for you.”

Satine led Obi-Wan to where Je’er was sleeping. The poor child was thrashing in his sleep.

“Je’er!”

Obi-Wan gently shook the boy awake.

“You’re Master Kenobi.”

“I am.”

Je’er swallowed, “My father’s name is Sheev Palpatine.”

The room grew heavy with silence, and boils appeared on Je’er’s skin.

“Stay calm,” Obi-Wan ordered, “stay calm and they’ll go away.”

It worked.

Satine’s head spun, “Sheev? The Chancellor of the Galactic Senate, a Sith Lord?”

“We’ve been suspicious for a long time,” Obi-Wan explained, “but we’ll need this boy’s testimony, and his blood.”

“Take him then,” Satine urged, “quickly.”

Once Obi-Wan left, the Duchess stood staring at the sky for a minute longer. Her children were out there somewhere, three of them imprisoned. That Sith Lord was terrible, keeping them separate from one another. What did he want from them?

“Satine,” Khaami appeared, “I have the Prime Minister on the phone.”

Jaru Djarin suggested that Satine go to parliament and speak to the lords, because, as usual, they were very disgruntled and consumed by nonsense.

“I’ll go tomorrow,” Satine assured, “will you come with me?”

“Unfortunately,” the Prime Minister sighed, “I’m giving a press conference just as parliament begins.”

Satine nodded, “Good luck.”

“Thank you.”

Satine was in a fitting for tomorrow’s event, an old court dress reminiscent of Queen Mara’s style, only in Kryze colors, when she asked Waldie what time it was.

“Six in the evening.”

Satine said nothing, but her stomach rumbled.

“Your Grace?”

The Duchess lowered her eyes, “I forgot to eat today.”

“Forgive me, Satine,” Waldie began, “put you’ve lost much weight since the Count’s first visit.”

“Stress.” the Duchess sighed.

Waldie swallowed, accepting the answer even though she didn’t want to.

“Should I have Parna bring food to your room?” a seamstress questioned.

Satine hesitated, “A light dinner please, it would be good for me.”

Khaami came to retrieve Satine when her fitting was over.

“I just talked to Gorg,” she whispered, “he’s filing for retirement.”

“Now,” Satine gasped, “but-”

“I know he knows,” Khaami’s voice was low and understanding, “but he has been unwell even though he’s physically healthy.”

“PTSD?” Satine asked.

“He’s been having nightmares in the barracks,” Khaami frowned, “he’s terribly embarrassed.”

The Duchess balled her fists, “That God-awful Count and his apprentice!”

Khaami agreed, “I just wanted you to know.”

“I’d love to honor him somehow, a pension perhaps,” Satine decided, “seeing as he doesn’t like big events.”

The lady smiled, “That’s a good idea.”

“Come with me,” Satine hooked her arm through Khaami’s, “I need someone to make sure I eat.”

Parna was laughing with Jaym outside Satine’s door when the Duchess and her lady arrived.

“What’s this?” Khaami grinned.

Parna snorted, “Jaym has a strange sense of humor.”

“Does he?”

“Apparently,” Jaym shrugged, “most people don’t think I’m funny.”

Parna grinned, “You’re hilarious, Jaym.”

Satine turned to Khaami and raised her eyebrows.

“If you like, Your Grace,” she began, “I could make preparations for what we discussed and Parna could eat with you.”

“I would love that.” the Duchess replied.

Satine ate cheese and bread that night, the whole platter that was offered to her.

Parna patted the Duchess’ head, “Good girl, Satine.”

“Thank you.” Satine replied with a giggle.

“Should I help you dress for bed?”

“Please, Parna.”

As Satine lay in bed that night, she had no idea what was going on somewhere else in the galaxy, on Mustafar. Obi-Wan had commed her saying he and Je’er had made it, but when the Jedi Council come out of a meeting to find Mara Supreis and Tristan Wren in the med wing, along with three of the five padawans.

#fanfiction #fanfic #the clone wars #Duchess Satine #satine kryze #satine x obiwan #obi wan x satine #obi wan kenobi #obitine #korkie kryze #korkie kenobi

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underworldobsessed · 3 years

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Burn the World for You ll An Obitine Fanfic

Title: Burn the World for You Rating: T Ship: Obi-Wan Kenobi/Satine Kryze, Anakin Skywalker/Padme Amidala Characters: Obi-Wan Kenobi, Satine Kryze, Padme Amidala, Anakin Skywalker, Bo-Katan Kryze Series: ABO Obitine (Part 8 out of ???), TAS Week (Omegaverse week) (Part 5 out of 7) Summary: Temples and Sabers Week: Day 5 Omega Auction ll Satine and Padmè are enjoying an afternoon together when a surprise visitor tells them of an Omega Auction ring, and when they try to comm their respective Jedi, they find that they had already gone to investigate and hadn't been heard from in a few days, since they were supposed to check in. Those running the ring quickly learn what happens when someone harms their omegas, as they will burn everything down to ensure they're safe. Author’s Note: This quickly spiraled out of control, but in a good way! I hope you all enjoy! Mando’a translations: Cyar'ika - Beloved Vod - Sister K'oyacyi - Come Back Safely, or Survive.

Read here or under the cut

Having Padmé over for tea was always such a treat. Satine and her both had been so busy lately that the time to just see friends and relax seemed far in the past, but they did always try to make time to see one another. It was sort of fun to engage in just idle gossip and spend time with those who didn’t have ulterior motives.

“So Obi still has no idea about you and his padawan, does he?” Satine laughed, shaking her head. She adored her jedi, but she absolutely knew that he wasn’t going to notice the obvious. After Obi-Wan had faked his death, Satine had grown closer to Padmé and confessed to her one night that she had been mated to Obi-Wan for years, after which Padmé had confessed to being married and mated to Anakin, which had only caused the two of them to grow closer.

“Not at all, it’s almost funny. Obi-Wan is smart, but he can’t see what’s in front of him. I love Ani, but he really has no idea how to be subtle about our relationship.” Padmé laughed and sipped at her drink, spiked with a little something that Satine had lying around. Neither woman was drunk, they both had high tolerances, but they were relaxed.

A knock on the chamber door tore their attention from their conversation and Satine stood, putting on the familiar mask of Duchess as one of her guards entered the room.

“Forgive the intrusion, Duchess,” She sounded apologetic “But there is someone here to see you. I wouldn’t have given permission but you said that this is one of the few people to allow access…”

The guard moved out of the way and in walked a woman in full Beskar’gam.

“Death Watch!” Padmé moved to stand in front of her friend with her blaster raised. “I won’t let you hurt the Duchess!” Satine reached and lowered her friend’s arm as the woman removed her helmet, revealing a young face with red hair, chopped almost sloppily above her shoulders.

“Bo!” Satine moved forward, but stopped not far in front of her estranged sister. “What are you doing here?” She glanced behind her momentarily to make sure no other Death Watch members were waiting for her to let her guard down, before she looked, truly looked at her. She had never seen such fear on her face before, not even when Satine had to flee their home after their parents had been assassinated. She knew Bo-Katan to be a hardened warrior, to wear her emotions under the surface so no one would see how she truly felt, but whatever this was, really terrified her.

Bo-Katan glanced over at Padmé, as if she was judging whether or not she could trust her, but she ended up just moving to lean against the wall. She tried to school her expression, but Satine could still see the fear in her face. She knew her sister well, even after all these years.

“You know I wouldn’t come to you unless I was desperate.” Bo’s voice was even as she looked over at her sister. “But something has come to light that Death Watch is doing that I can’t stand to see. I’ve tried to convince them to stop, but they refuse to listen to me. I think they suspect that I’m not an alpha like them, because why else would they not listen to me on this?”

“Bo, you’re rambling.” Satine gently told her, moving closer to her to squeeze her hand. “What is Death Watch doing?”

“...Omega auctions..” Bo’s face turned white as a sheet as she told her this, and for a moment, Satine thought her sister was going to be sick. “They’re taking Omegas from their homes and auctioning them off to either other Death Watch members or just to the highest bidder. I know I’m on blockers; both Pheromone and Heat blockers, but Satine, what if they discover me? These poor Omegas… They don’t deserve what they’re going through.”

Satine felt ice run through her veins. Omega auctions were illegal in all parts of the galaxy as far as she was aware. So the fact that Death Watch was running one was enough to get the attention of the Jedi Order, and get them to put a stop to it. But the question remained, why was Bo telling her this?

“Bo, why are you telling me this? I can’t do much here. I only handle the neutral systems.” She didn’t understand where her sister was coming from.

“I couldn’t go to Pre. He doesn’t know about my presentation, and I didn’t want him to find out and… send me to auction with the rest of them, and I know about your mate being jetii. I know that you have connections that I don’t, and that you could maybe help. Please, Sat’ika..” The childhood nickname caused a lump to form in Satine’s throat. She hadn’t heard her sister call that in so long, and knew she had to help her if she was that desperate.

“Of course, Bo’ika.” She promised, moving to her commlink to try and connect to Obi-Wan, noticing how Padmé had gone to reach out to Anakin at the same time. When neither of their communications were answered, they shared a worried glance. “Did Master Skywalker tell you he was going on a mission where he wouldn’t be able to be reached?”

“No, did Master Kenobi?” Padmé asked, which only got a shake of Satine’s head in turn. “Do you have Ahsoka’s frequency?”

“I do,” Satine let her worry slip through as she went to reach out to Ahsoka, who picked up really quickly.

“Duchess, thank the force you called,” Ahsoka sounded worried “I may need your assistance.”

“Padawan Tano, what’s going on? Where’s Obi-Wan and Anakin?” Satine didn’t need the force to know that something was off, that her mate may be in danger again.

“They… they went on a mission to stop what was rumored to be an Omega Slave Ring but that was days ago and they haven’t returned to Coruscant yet. Master Yoda won’t let me go after them, but I think they’re in danger.” Ahsoka glanced at her lap. “I’m not an Omega though, but the two of them both are… What if they were found out?”

Possessiveness flared in Satine, turning her skin hot and one hand clenched in a fist. “I’ll make sure they’re alright, Ahsoka.” She didn’t even recognize her own voice as she spoke, the tone unnaturally angry for her. It wasn’t even like the anger she felt towards Obi-Wan when he had faked his death, no this was primal and she knew she would raze down the entire galaxy if it meant bringing her Omega home to her. From the look in Padmé’s eyes, she knew that it would be the same for her as well. “Everything will be alright, I’ll contact you when I get them.”

“Do you know where you’re going?” Ahsoka asked, ready to tell Satine the details if it came down to it.

“Don’t worry, I have a source.” She hung up the commlink, before looking to her sister. “I suggest you tell me everything, Bo, because if Obi and Anakin have failed, we may as well be their last hopes.”

The whip was sharp against Obi-Wan’s back, and he did everything to prevent them from seeing his pain. There was a part of him that wondered why they were damaging what he knew was the merchandise. He and Anakin both had been captured as they were investigating an underground omega slave ring. He didn’t know how they knew that the two of them were omegas, but they knew.

And now, they were on the sales floor as the hottest merchandise.

“Well, look what we got here,” Obi-Wan looked up and saw a man in full Beskar’gam. So Death Watch was involved… fantastic. “A Jedi Omega… pity you’re already marked. We can’t sell a marked Omega easily. Your friend on the other hand…”

“No!” Obi-Wan thrashed against the chains that were holding him. He glanced to Anakin… poor Anakin. The poor man had been through so much in terms of slavery, and to use his secondary gender as another excuse to put him in chains. Even now, his head was down, looking so lost and broken. “Remove my mark, make me unmarked, just let Anakin go!” He didn’t want Anakin to go through that again. He didn’t deserve that to happen to him. At the revelation that Obi-Wan was marked, Anakin’s head shot up and he looked over at Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan tried to remember if he had ever told Anakin about his mate, but he was drawing a blank. Now was not the time to consider that.

“Hmm… too bad, not going to happen, though we can remove that mark and fetch both of you for a fitting price. And how ironic, that the mate of the Duchess Satine will help us fund our efforts to dethrone her.” The whip came sharp against his back once more, and he didn’t make a sound, though he could feel the blood drip down his back. He had been taking every strike, and thankfully, because he had been vocal about it, they were diverting their attention to him. Anakin had been receiving minimal blows, but nothing compared to what Obi-Wan had been dealing with.

“Now let’s see our other prize,” The Death Watch member walked over to Anakin, and sliced off his shirt, armor long since being removed. “You’re marked too? What happened to the Jedi not taking mates.”

Obi-Wan’s eyes widened, shocked that Anakin had also taken a mate. But judging by the look of defiance on his face, Anakin’s had been done on purpose. He had knowingly taken a mate. Part of him wanted to scold Anakin for his blatant disrespect for the Jedi Code, but this was not the time for that, and it would sound incredibly hollow with what he knew was his own disregard for it when it came to Satine.

“No matter, we can sell you both and after you’re purchased, just remove that mating mark of yours. You’ll both still be worth plenty of credits now that I think about it. A jedi omega. If your new alphas can break you, you will be a fine pet for them. Now, it’s your time on the sales floor.” Even behind the helmet, Obi-Wan could hear the smirk in his voice. He thrashed against the chains, wanting to do anything to wipe that smirk off his face but the chains were designed with holding a Jedi in mind, unwilling to bend with the use of the Force. The whip hit his back one last time, and Obi-Wan felt his body just go slack. He couldn’t take anymore pain.

“Obi-Wan,” Anakin called, wanting him to respond but his fighting spirit had just… snapped. Or rather, his energy had faded. He had lost a lot of blood because of this, and the last whip against his skin, tearing at the flesh, was enough to cause him to give him. “Obi-Wan! You need to keep fighting, please.”

Obi-Wan didn’t respond, not wanting to let Anakin down, but he felt himself giving up. The Jedi Council didn’t know they had been taken. Their commlinks had been confiscated and he knew they had lost. At least they didn’t die at the hands of the war. For a moment, his mind flickered to Satine, his beloved. He didn’t want them to remove his mating mark, but because of what he knew it would do to her. Their bond had already been severed once before, but a purposeful removal of a mark was different. A heat and a rut would trigger in each of them, and nobody would be there to help her. He wished it had been different, they had been more careful. They should have been more careful.

“I’m sorry, Anakin.” Obi-Wan finally spoke, lifting his head to look at his former apprentice. “I failed you. I should have protected you from this, and I failed.”

“You didn’t fail me, we’ll find a way out of this. We always do.” Normally, Obi-Wan would agree with his optimism, but something like this wasn’t going to be easy, and with the chains preventing him from using the force, he knew there was nothing he could do. “... I suppose my secret’s out in the open now.”

“Is it Senator Amidala?” Obi-Wan asked, and watched as the color filled Anakin’s cheeks, turning him a bright red. Ah, so he was right in his suspicions that they were closer than they let on. “I’m not a moron, Anakin, I can see how you feel for her, feel it in the force. And honestly, who am I to scold you with the fact that you’re mated when I am too. You deserve to be happy, my friend.”

“When did you and the duchess…?” Anakin was almost afraid to ask, but they were being open with each other, laying their cards on the table. Anakin knew that it was because Obi-Wan thought they wouldn’t get out of this situation, but he hoped that Ahsoka would come, bringing their clone troopers and make a daring getaway.

“When I was still Qui-Gon’s padawan, when we were protecting the Duchess from bounty hunters. My blockers had been left at our previous camp and I went into a heat, a terrible thing at the most inconvenient time. During one of the times I was lucid, I asked Satine to… to…” His voice quieted, now it was his turn to blush “And she did, but we both got lost in the passion, and she marked me. She apologized but I was okay with it. I thought maybe it would make things easier, and I… honestly had become tired of denying how I felt. It did, until I had to leave. Leaving the other half of you is not easy, and I didn’t see her again until the council asked me to investigate Death Watch on Mandalore and then we became her protection detail on the Coronet.”

Before either of them could speak again, the platform they were on began to rise, and they found themselves in front of a small audience of, from the smell alone, Obi-Wan knew to be exclusively Alphas, many of which wearing Mandalorian armor.

“Alphas!” A voice boomed around them “I present to you two new options for sale, and they are not just any options, but they are Jedi as well!” A murmur rippled through the crowd, especially upon seeing both of their mating marks. “No worries, when you purchase these two find specimens, we will be more than happy to pay for their mark removal.”

A chill ran down Obi-Wan’s spine, and he wanted to fight against the chains, but he couldn’t. He was trapped in there, and his body was still aching from the whips. He didn’t want another alpha. He wanted Satine. No other.

He didn’t hear how much either of them were going for, focusing on the fear on Anakin’s face, the stress, and the smell of that stress in the air. He tried to use the force to calm Anakin down, knowing this was incredibly traumatic for him.

As the crowd started to bid on him, there was suddenly an explosion from behind the crowd. Emerging from the rubble was Satine, Padmé and a woman in full Mandalorian armor… another member of Death Watch? Then why was she fighting alongside Satine.

Alpha ! Obi-Wan’s inner Omega sang, and instead of being as excited as that part of him was, his body grew more limp. The blood loss was getting to him more and more each second. The last thing he remembered was Anakin calling out his name, and Satine pulling out a small trigger from somewhere before his consciousness finally faded.

Satine knew that she would regret what she was doing once she really thought about it, but seeing Obi-Wan and Anakin there, with Obi-Wan losing consciousness, chained up as they were about to be auctioned off… Well, rationality left her mind.

“You really thought two Jedi could go missing and no one would come looking for them?” Satine’s voice was angry, the calm and collected Duchess taking a back seat to the angry alpha in her mind. “You really thought you could take the mates of a Duchess and a Senator and not assume we would burn the world down looking for them?”

“You? The weak willed, pacifist duchess wouldn’t raise a finger,” A member of Death Watch spoke up as they landed in front of her “And you, Bo-Katan, I should have known you would betray us. You were always so weak when it came to your sister. Besides, you think you’re so good at hiding your weak nature, but nothing could keep the stench of Omega off of you. You’re lucky Pre is in the dark, otherwise you would be on that stand as well” Satine could feel her sister preparing to launch herself at the warrior, so she raised an arm to keep her where she was.

“I won’t raise a finger to hurt you, you’re right, but the same cannot be said for this place. And you act like I came without preparing for every circumstance. You see, you harmed my mate, and I won’t let that sit.” She passed the trigger over to Padmé with a smirk. “You know Senator Amidala, yes? That man right there is Anakin Skywalker, her mate, and unlike me, she doesn’t have a problem with violence. If I say the word, she will press that trigger, and a bomb will go off underneath your feet. The fall and the explosion won’t kill you, and we have members of their Clone Troopers on their way to arrest you all for your crimes. However, my darling sister,” She glanced at Bo, who had her blasters in her hand. “Is entirely willing to blast your heads off if any of you try anything. And well, if I don’t see her do it, who’s to say what she did.”

“You don’t have the guts to try.” The Death Watch member sneered as he pulled his weapon on Satine.

“You forget, I may be a pacifist, but I am also a Mandalorian, just as much as any of you are.” She turned her head away as Bo fired off a single shot, knocking them down. Many of the crowd quickly moved out of her way, and she stalked forward, her gaze on the unconscious form of her mate. Not long after they had made their way forward, the sound of Clone Troopers boots rang out and they came in to arrest many of the Alphas there.

Both she and Padmé came to a stop in front of their chained up Omega’s. Padmé moved first, moving to hug Anakin and pulled out a vibroblade to cut the chain that was holding him.

“Angel..” Anakin mumbled as he wrapped his arms around her, burying his face in her neck, breathing in her scent and allowing it to surround him. It took a moment for him to remember, and he pulled back. “Obi-Wan, we need to help him.”

But he didn’t need to say anything, because Satine was already trying to get him out of the chains, taking the blade from Padmé to cut them and catching Obi-wan as he fell forward. Her heart broke at the sight of the whip marks lining up and down his back. “Oh cyar’ika..” She mumbled, looking up as Bo moved forward.

“The clones have arrested many of them here. I… need to go before they think I’m involved too..” She glanced around for a moment before she looked down at Satine. “Thank you, vod, for helping me.”

Satine set Obi-Wan down for a moment before she got up and hugged her sister. “You are always welcome with me, Bo-Katan, if you ever choose to return to Mandalore, you will be welcome. You are my sister, and I will never turn you away.”

She felt Bo shudder in her arms before she wrapped her arms around Satine briefly, but then pulled back. “Not while you're the leader of Mandalore, Satine. We are not a peaceful people… and I can’t bear to see us like that…” She took a few steps back before she got her jetpack going and she flew off and out of there.

“K’oyacyi, Bo-Katan…” Satine mumbled, before her attention immediately went back to her mate. He was definitely looking worse for wear and she didn’t know how long he had been bleeding. She wasn’t strong enough to carry him back to the ship, but she looked over at Anakin. “Help me carry him.” He nodded and moved to lift up Obi-Wan, both him and Satine flinching at the pained moan he let out.

The four of them went back to the ship, in silence. As soon as they were back on the ship, Anakin sent Obi-Wan down on a bed, and went to aid Padmé in the take off. After grabbing some bacta to put on his wounds, Satine moved to brush a strand of hair out of his face, relieved as his eyes finally opened.

“Cyar’ika… thank the stars you’re okay.” Satine smiled and pressed a kiss to his forehead “You scared me.”

“Hello, my darling.” Obi-Wan gave her a pained smile “If you are not the most beautiful sight I could have laid my eyes on.” Satine wanted to roll her eyes, deflect his attention, but she felt her skin heat and she smiled. She was hopelessly in love with this man.

She didn’t say anything at first, moving to start applying the bacta to his bare back. Even with it, it was going to take some time for him to heal. She glanced towards Anakin and Padmé for a moment, but realized that their secret was out in the open now. Anakin knew, truly knew, and they didn’t have to hide their relationship from him anymore.

“I want you to stay at my apartment on Coruscant with me for a few days,” She said, knowing that the fire that burned within her when she learned of Obi-Wan’s predicament still burned. She wanted to keep him close at least until she needed to return to Mandalore. “I need you by my side.”

“Satine, I…” He moved to sit up but quickly fell back to laying on his stomach at the pain. “I need to be at the temple. We can’t…”

“Please, Obi,” Her voice became slightly pleading. “I cannot begin to describe the way I felt when I heard that you went to investigate an Omega Auction ring, and seeing you chained up, unconscious, turned me into a woman I never wanted to be. The reason I want you by my side is entirely selfish, but I need to be sure you’re alright, that I haven’t lost you..”

There was a moment’s hesitation, and Satine was certain that he was going to say no again. She wouldn’t hold it against him. She knew just how important this was for him, to keep up the facade of the two of them not being together. If he said no again, she would understand, but she would still stay on Coruscant until she was certain he was okay. However, after a moment, she saw him nod.

“Okay, Satine, I’ll stay with you.”

She had to contain her emotions, but she moved to kiss his cheek. She would care for him there as an alpha should, help him heal before he would go back to his jedi duties.

It was the least she could do as she thought that she failed to protect him before.

#TASweek2021 #Obi-Wan Kenobi #Satine Kryze #Obitine #Jen writes #Anakin Skywalker #Padme Amidala #Anidala #I wrote a ship I haven't before :D #Bo-Katan Kryze

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wonderlandleighleigh · 4 years

Text

(Another followup to this, this and this)

Mothers of Jedi do not frequently visit the Jedi Temple of Coruscant.

Not that Satine Kryze cares very much. There are only two Jedi she eve n cares for, and the rest can wally in their detachment and apathy until they whither and die as far as she’s concerned.

That’s harsh.

Maybe not die.

Perhaps just wither.

“Are you sure this is alright?” Shmi Skywalker asks nervous as they step inside the temple. The older woman’s hand trembles against Satine’s elbow, as she looks around with wide eyes.

As much as Shmi has gotten used to the Sundari palace on Mandalore, the Jedi Temple really is a sight to behold.

A place that feels so ancient and prestigious is intimidating even to Satine herself, though she’s been here before.

Not that any of High Council know about that...

“It is fine,” Satine soothes her. “You have a right to visit your son and see how he is doing.”

Shmi smiles, though still nervously. “I am excited to see him.”

It’s been a full year since Obi-Wan and Anakin visited Mandalore; all parties had agreed that sparse visits would be best if Anakin still wanted to become a Jedi.

“As well you should be,” Satine grins at her, patting her hand gently. “He’s doing well.”

It’s not a lie. The times she’s seen Anakin and Obi-Wan when she’s been on Coruscant have been completely different since she’d set Shmi up on Mandalore. Anakin is upbeat and helpful, and Obi-Wan says his ability to concentrate and meditate has improved ten-fold.

“Duchess.”

Satine takes a breath and turns, finding Yoda and Mace Windu standing behind the two women, both Jedi looking confused.

“A surprise it is, to see you here at the Temple,” Yoda tells Satine. “Brought a friend, you have.”

“Actually, this is Shmi Skywalker,” Satine grins at them. “She is here to visit with her son. Shmi, this is Master Yoda, Grand Master of the Jedi High Council, and Master Mace Windu, also on the Council.”

Windu stiffens visibly. “We weren’t notified of this visit.”

“I wasn’t aware a harmless lunch between one of your Padawans and his mother warranted disrupting your busy schedules,” Satine comments. “It isn’t as if we’re here to take young Anakin away with us.”

“I’m not sure I’d put it past you,” Mace says, clearly only half-joking. “Padawan Skywalker is in lightsaber training right now, though unless he decides to ware Obi-Wan out again, that should be ending soon.”

“Thank you,” Shmi says, bowing her head, obviously still nervous.

Yoda tilts his head, taking the woman in. Her clothes are simple and warm (even though it’s summer - a habit Anakin also has...), and her dark hair pulled back into a tight bun. She smiles hesitantly at them, as if she may be thrown out of the temple at any moment.

“Take you to you Anakin, we will,” Yoda says, offering her his hand. “This way.”

Shmi smiles gratefully and takes the offered hand, leaving Satine and Mace to fall back.

“I don’t know what you’re playing at, Duchess,” Mace says quietly. “Attachment is-”

“If I have to hear yet another speech about how terrible attachment is for Jedi, I am going to vomit all over your tunic, Master Windu,” Satine tells him. “Shmi Skywalker only wishes to see how her son - the only family she has, after a lifetime of a slavery - is doing. There is now harm in it.”

“It is distracting, and attachment can lead to possessiveness for Jedi, which can lead to anger, which can lead to the Dark Side,” Mace explains. “Is that what you want for Skywalker?”

“They haven’t seen each other in a year,” Satine argues. “She’ll be here on Coruscant for a few days, and then I will take her back to Mandalore.”

“And if Skywalker makes an enemy who goes after his mother?” Mace asks.

Satine rolls her eyes. “Then she’ll be much better protected on Mandalore, working in the palace than she would have been on Tatooine, where her only value is how much work that awful Toydarian could get out of her.”

“You have an answer for everything,” Mace grumbles.

“Because I have, indeed, thought all of this out,” Satine tells him. “Freeing Shmi Skywalker was not done on a whim, Master Windu. I saw a situation that needed correcting, I made a plan, and I followed through, and now she is here to spend a little time with her son. After which, she will go back to a life where she has a nice job, friends, and a safe place to live. Why do you seem so against this?”

“Because it feeds into Skywalker’s attachment.”

“If I may interject,” Shmi sees, as they stop in front of the training chamber that Obi-Wan and Anakin are using. She turns to Mace and takes a breath. “I know that this is not how Jedi normally do things. And I was prepared to never see Anakin again when I let him go with Master Qui-Gon...I know that I can see my son very little. But it is enough for me. And I believe it is enough for him. It’s enough for him that I am no longer a slave.”

“A good point this is,” Yoda says gently. “Never has young Skywalker snuck away to see his mother. Rarely does he mention her anymore, now that she is safe.” He looks up at Mace. “Dangerous attachments can be. But tempered with control this seems to be. Allow it we should.” He glances at Shmi briefly. “Though not too often.”

The door to the training chamber slides up and Obi-Wan steps out, looking terribly winded; sweat dotting his forehead. He freezes when he sees the four of them. “Hello, there.”

“Mom?” Anakin nearly runs Obi-Wan over to get to her, stepping past everyone and hugging her tightly. “Hi!”

Shmi laughs and pats his back gently. “You are a mess, Ani.”

“I just ran Obi-Wan ragged. You should have seen it. I thought he was going to have a stroke!”

Obi-Wan huffs and pushes his hair back, giving Yoda, Mace and Satine a confused, nervous smile. “Quite the motley crew”

“A surprise, the Duchess has brought Padawan Skywalker,” Yoda chuckles. “guided them to you we have.”

“Yes, they were most helpful,” Satine grins. “Even has Master Windu grumbled along the way.”

“I wouldn’t call my voicing my concerns grumbling,” Mace points out.

Satine looks up thoughtfully. ‘And yet...”

“Now, Duchess Satine, it isn’t fair to argue with Master Windu when he hasn’t had enough time to prepare his side,” Obi-Wan teases. “Give him a week’s notice next time, and I’m certain he’ll be ready.”

“Well, that isn’t any fun at all,” Satine tells them. “Now, I thought the four of us might go back to my apartment and have some lunch together.”

“Ani will help me cook for us,” Shmi says.

“No, Mom, you cook all the time, I’ll cook today,” Anakin tells her.

Mace clears his throat softly. “Perhaps you could all eat here, and we could join you. It’s lunchtime for us as well. And...perhaps...” he glances at Yoda before looking bat at Anakin and Shmi. “Perhaps we could get to know your mother a little better, Skywalker.”

“That’s a nice idea,” Obi-Wan says. “As long as Anakin doesn’t make the food too spicy.”

“What’s ‘too spicy’ anyway?” Anakin jokes, earning himself a nudge from his mother.

#Satine Kryze #Shmi Skywalker #Mace Windu #Yoda #Anakin Skywalker #Obi-Wan Kenobi #fic #au #Satine saves the Galaxy

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shierak-inavva · 4 years

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please ma'am i would like to know more about this 'obi wan gets sent to protect padme' au pls 👀

ok so like, i’ve talked about this on twitter and i am gonna bring it here:

basically, my biggest gripe with the AOTC plot is why in the heck did a PADAWAN get sent on a high profile mission like protecting former queen and senator from naboo Padmé Amidala? even palpatine, at the beginning of the movie, mentions ‘master kenobi’ by name as a suggestion for a guard for padmé (and yes we know why, but still) so i went ahead and imagined a ‘what if’ for obi-wan getting sent instead of anakin—since on top of being a ‘familiar’ face that padmé AND her handmaidens trust and who already is a known name on naboo, obi-wan also already has bodyguarding experience under his belt.

now, factoring in that anakin stays at the temple for a bit and obi-wan DOES get like 3 days of vacation for the first time in....his life....then he gets a few days of just actually RESTING--in varykino, of all places, and with padme, who would literally let him rest anyway. so obi-wan gets a mini vacay. he gets to relax in one of the most beautiful places in the galaxy and padmé does, too--they talk about the battle of theed, about the senate, the jedi, about qui-gon, and for a little while obi-wan and padmé both get to just...breathe, and be...people. which is nice, and which tbqfh they both deserve.

there might not be a floating pear at dinner but there would be padmé watching him go through lightsaber forms in the early morning sun (either shirtless or yknow in some light clothes because fuck you i said so)

there's no balcony kiss, but there are some very lingering glances and smiles when the other isn't looking and some 'accidental' hand brushing...because they would ABSOLUTELY be slow-burn. obi-wan and padmé are both adults at this point, and both of them have obligations, obi-wan even moreso. but he's already known what attraction (physical and emotional) is like, what romantic emotions are like--he's not incapable of these things, he’s just reserved about them because he understands them, but his jedi teachings dictate restraint, and release. satine was still a figure in his life--he just made a choice, in the end, and do i think he regrets it? i think here and there he thinks about it, but i don’t think he fully feels regret over it by the time AOTC takes place. i think that comes later, when he sees her again during the clone wars.

now on naboo with padmé, he's faced with the same sort of emotions blooming up, and he would for sure think to himself about the choice with satine, about the jedi order, and about the repercussions there. so he might let himself get a little closer than he ought to, but ultimately nothing really WILD AND OVERT would come of it in AOTC, even if they'd been alone on naboo. there would be some very close calls, i think, for sure, but both of them are very good at keeping themselves guarded and very good at abstaining when necessary. again, these are two grown adults that have lived both of their lives with expectations weighing on them, and a certain behavior and standard expected of them. they aren’t two horny teenagers with nothing to lose and obi-wan would 100% respect padmé’s boundaries without hesitation while she would offer him the same respect, if maybe not so staunchly. padmé is for sure more flexible with her boundaries, but pair the two of them together flirting....i mean that’s a dangerous amount of chemistry right off the bat 👀

meanwhile anakin would be on coruscant and FRUSTRATED. not because he didn't get the assignment, though that would be part of it--the responsibility aspect—no, because they chose someone else to go protect padmé instead of him. hell, they could have sent mace windu and he'd still be frustrated and jealous as all fuck. but he still does as he's told. he just...looks into the dart. checks in more on the bounty hunter aspect of things because he’s SURE that’s a good lead after the zam situation. he's determined to prove himself, and if he can figure out who's trying to hurt padmé then she'll be impressed too, of course. and he wants that. a lot. obi-wan might have been sent to naboo but at this point anakin:

> is still VERY infatuated with padmé

> does not know about obi-wan’s romantic history and likely would assume he’s just boring her to death/that nothing would happen anyways

but instead of just consulting the council or the archives, anakin goes to palpatine.

palpatine offers NO help with the bounty hunter stuff.

but he DOES sow more seeds of jealousy in anakin's horny teen brain, and in the end anakin ends up jetting off of coruscant on his own. the movies just downplayed the everloving heck out of this but you KNOW palps was in anakin’s ear CONSTANTLY about obi-wan and padmé, stirring the pot.

now, anakin doesn't have the contacts that obi-wan does, but he's determined. i'm thinking he probably susses a few things out about the dart via the force; possibly with help from another master. kit? someone would help him focus if he asked. likely kit, or ki-adi, or plo, imo—he gets enough to at least send him looking for a bounty hunter and possibly towards kamino--but then the stuff with his mother comes up.

and he ends up on tattooine, with the lars family.

and shortly after the Sand People Incident™ is when he gets in contact with obi-wan--and padmé insists on seeing what's going on because she senses something is wrong and obi-wan agrees. (you can pry force sensitive!padmé from my cold dead hands) so anakin meets them at the lars homestead, tells them about his visions with the dart, about the bounty hunter and the feelings he got

and what better place than mos eisley to look for someone Seedy?

mos eisley has them run right into jango.

jango leads them to geonosis.

geonosis gets them all caught.

padmé is the one who sends a message to the jedi council about the geonosians and jango fett before she gets captured too--because you know they told her to stay with the ship while they investigate but then they took too long and she was like 'oh boy i better call the cops'.

the arena plays out like it did in AOTC, minus the secret kiss & love declaration. there’s a lot of ‘how did we get into this mess’ and ‘well you two took too long’ and ‘i told you i should have come in as a senator first’ and anakin trying to be very convincingly brave about ‘i’ll get us out of this’ which is aimed directly at padmé. honestly the rest of the movie would be VERY similar; i think whoever assisted anakin with the dart would wind up on kamino when anakin went to tattooine, and from there things progressed with the clones and the army gets to the republic.

but there's no clandestine wedding.

anakin returns to coruscant with the other masters, commended for his work helping the senator and with the dart. obi-wan and padmé likely have a small 'meeting' scene where she thanks him and he tells her he barely did anything—but there's some hand-touching, and some very meaningful looks, and they do kiss, just once. it's soft and quiet and not under the pressure of possibly dying or anything rushed by adrenaline or hormones, it's just a gentle kiss between two people who've had this building up for weeks; and in the end neither one of them apologize, but there's A LOT of body language that says they're into it and would kiss again--but obi-wan steps back, and padmé just smiles, and there's a shared understanding between them even if it's clear there's some amount of wistfulness.

“i hope your trip back to coruscant is safe, master kenobi," she smiles like nothing's just happened, nothing's different.

"and yours, senator amidala. may the force be with you." and he bows, smiling back.

but they do look back at each other again, and everything is different.

and then you get into TCW—and PLEASE imagine all of the tension there because these two AREN’T married, they ARE sneaking around but only a little; obi-wan isn’t near as brazen with things as anakin and he and padmé get enough time together in the first few seasons to really build some THICK tension between them. like i’m talking dangerous rescue missions, them having to fight their way out together, getting smooshed in tight spaces together, S O M U C H accidental touching, SO MANY almost-kisses....and then there’s the clovis stuff, which would play out way differently because obi-wan isn’t the jealous type at all and would absolutely trust padmé; and then satine shows up again and we get a whole arc of obi-wan dealing with these conflicting emotions and padmé coming very close on multiple occasions to just telling him she loves him but! supporting his decision no matter what and respecting his emotions, because she understands, and because she knows love is selfless and not possessive and she wants to be with him...if that’s what he wants, too.

but then satine dies—and she worries about him once he's back from mandalore, and there is possibly some very gentle and sweet comforting for the audience to enjoy 👀 the big season finale after that is maul holding padmé and another senator or two hostage and it's an ultra close call but maul dips out, bc it was just bait—and the season ends with him admitting as clearly as he can in Obi-Wan Terms™ that he loves her and padmé reciprocating. they kiss and it's very sweeping and dramatic, but now maul knows kenobi has yet another weakness uh oh...

anyways honestly all of this leads to ROTS being about anakin dealing with the jealousy that palpatine’s been feeding into: jealousy towards obi-wan about padmé, and about being overshadowed. it’s about anakin feeling like he can never have enough, about wanting more and more, about obsessive love and doubt—and when it turns out padmé is pregnant, anakin’s suspicions get confirmed and he turns to palpatine yet again.

IDEALLY padmé survives this movie and she and obi-wan go into hiding together with the twins, (or their child? i mean this is for sure up to interpretation for this specific au) and anakin/vader combs the galaxy for them, resulting eventually in padmé’s death and the separation of the twins, and giving some actual meaning to leia remembering her mother in ROTJ.

so yeah i just. have a lot of feelings about things and at any given moment i can and will talk your ear off about ‘what if’ scenarios like this hdkdjdk 😭💦

#obidala #padmé x obi-wan #padme x obi wan #padme amidala #obi-wan kenobi #some ‘what if’ snackies for yall #i know i’ve seen some folks talk about this before and here is. my 2 cents #like i have way more thoughts about all this but #for the sake of time and all ur dashboards djdkshsk #also i am so sorry about the spacing and lack of readmore YET AGAIN i’m on mobile please forgive me

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tessiete · 4 years

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“Perhaps, I killed a Jedi and took it from him.” Clumsy fingers beneath sleek synth leather gloves close over the hilt, the silver of it glinting merrily in the grasp of a cold fist. “Impossible,” Lord Vader says. “I am growing tired of your games, boy. I shall only ask once more: who gave it to you?” “I cannot say,” he replies. “Cannot?” says Vader. “Or will not?” “I will not.” His voice is firm, and does not shake. He reaches again for that serenity: a flash of copper hair, [...] of blue eyes.

This is for the writer’s ask where you ask about 500 characters of one of my fics, and I do a deep dive analysis! <3 Thank you for indulging me.

Alright! Better late than never but I’ve been overthinking this because I DO SO LOVE process and meta! So let’s dive in. The commentary.

First of all, let me say that I am a huge proponent of Korkie Kenobi - and yeah, I’d love to see it canonised - but I think my relationship with this character is a bit more nuanced than people give me credit for.

I was all for arospec/acespec Obi-Wan. That’s the canon I loved. And I was very much not interested in Satine when she first appeared in TCW. But the thing was, once it happened, once they introduced a love interest who played a significant enough role in the story, I felt I could either ignore it...or roll with it. See what it changed. See what it created.

Obviously, the relationship - on a surface level (and tbh probably the only level which the writers considered) is meant to mirror Anakin and Padme. They are the road not taken. Where Anakin and Padme chose each other, Obi-Wan and Satine chose their duties.

This is a...I don’t like this take as an exclusive one, and here’s why: it implies that Padme was also selfish, and made the wrong choice. And yet everything in canon tells us the opposite. She continued working. She jeopardised her career and her reputation to fight against the rise of the Empire. She gave her life trying to prevent it. To put her as a direct mirror of Satine is messy, and to me, cannot justify the creation of Satine enough to convince me.

But I also don’t want to throw away such a huge chunk of TCW narrative. So the other option is to reaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaally lean in.

At which point, you have to examine not just the immediate symbolism of the relationship, but what each character individually brings. You have to give Satine her own agency. She has to become her own person. Suddenly, all the little bits of information that would normally be overlooked become important. We get so little of her, that everything becomes significant.

And Korkie - who hangs around for a couple episodes, but otherwise has no real importance, suddenly becomes significant.

And that, for me, is the crux of the issue. I hate, hate, hate wasted story elements, and if Korkie is so superfluous as to be negligible, then why did we waste not just money, and time, but story on him. And if he is unimportant, then his relationship to Satine is unimportant. And if that relationship is insignificant, then we lose something integral and revealing about Satine, and now suddenly there is less of her to relate to Obi-Wan, and so anything revealed about him becomes less important, too.

Maybe this feels like a stretch, and maybe it is, but to me, Korkie feels very much like Chekhov’s gun.

And it would drive me CRAZY if he were to go unexamined, and unused.

So this whole story was an examination of “What does Korkie tell us about Obi-Wan that we didn’t know before? And what can Korkie tell us about Vader?”

Because what is Vader if not Obi-Wan’s Fallen son?

This was essentially the thesis for this piece: despite the fact that Vader/Anakin had all of Obi-Wan’s attention, love, and time it is Korkie who truly embodies the legacy of his father.

And while I know that “found family” is a massively important part in the SW universe, I think there’s a larger discussion to be had about other aspects of family. The answer isn’t always that Blood is Bad, and that heritage is shameful or unimportant. Sometimes, where you came from does matter. Some people do find strength, and pride, and hope, and motivation, and support in their origins - even if it’s something they’re divorced from in a physical or temporal way.

For me, Korkie is an opportunity to examine a father/son relationship where neither of the two people have an attachment beyond blood, but -

There is still one of love.

But instead of Anakin’s selfish, possessive love for his family, both Obi-Wan and Korkie relate to each other, and treat each other with empathy, compassion, and respect. Their love is noble. Selfless. They put entire worlds before each other. And Korkie learned that from his dad.

A personal pet peeve is this constant depiction of kids whose parents are in high stakes jobs feeling neglected or abandoned. How many cop shows have bratty kids acting out because their dad is never home to share dinner? How many medical dramas show the children of doctors lashing out because mom spends more time at work than at ballet class?

It drives me crazy.

As the child of a medical worker with an on-call schedule, I can say that neither I, nor my siblings, nor any of the other children of my mum’s coworkers have EVER felt neglected. We have never felt unfairly or selfishly entitled to our parents’ time. Because we knew - because someone (another parent? A grandparent? A teacher?) explained to us, and taught us at a young age that what our parents were doing was important. We understood that there were life or death stakes, and that we were very loved, and very much the priority - just not every second. Because sometimes, a life was on the line.

And Obi-Wan Kenobi was fighting to save a galaxy.

I just cannot in any way believe that a child whose mother was a ruler of a planet plagued with civil unrest and a significant terrorist group, and whose father was a Jedi Master, and in charge of securing peace and freedom across the stars would ever be so selfish, and so uncompassionate as to begrudge the sacrifice of his parents.

Korkie Kenobi is an abject example of selfless love. The kind of love the Jedi aspire to. The kind of love that Anakin absolutely does not understand, and fails to embrace.

And it’s not because Qui-Gon died (Korkie never had that kind of paternal relationship), and it’s not because Shmi was killed (Korkie’s mother also dies tragically), but because of the maturity of the person, and the quality of Korkie’s character.

So to pit a Korkie just coming into his own as an adult, aware of his father, and recently bereaved of his mother against a Vader just coming into his own as a Sith…

That, to me, evoked very interesting narrative avenues to explore.

In this universe, Korkie and Obi-Wan have recently reconnected (Korkie having helped Boil retrieve Obi-Wan from an ill-advised trip to Mandalore where Obi-Wan learned that Anakin had become Vader for the first time), and they both know what they are to each other. Obi-Wan has begged for forgiveness, and given Korkie his lineage, and his legacy in the form of Qui-Gon’s lightsaber - something that Anakin never got. Vader wants it.

So let’s get into it:

“Perhaps, I killed a Jedi and took it from him.”

This first line - it’s like poetry, it rhymes.

Vader asks where Korkie got the blade, and Korkie replies...in Qui-Gon’s words. He doesn’t know this, of course. It’s just a coincidence. But the remains of Anakin hear it. Anakin recognises it, and it galls him that this boy - Obi-Wan’s replacement of him - seems to be able to claim the lineage he wishes he had. Korkie is stealing his family. And he doesn’t know them. He doesn’t deserve them. He’s not entitled to them the way Anakin is.

And this is also one of the first things Anakin ever heard a Jedi say. This was the beginning of Qui-Gon’s promise. This is a moment in which Anakin first thought he might find salvation. It was the start of his life, in some ways. This was pure, good, and trusting Anakin Skywalker.

It’s an absolute anathema to him, now. Now, when he’s lost everything. When he’s filled with doubt, and hate, and fear, and suffering. It makes him angry. Because he doesn’t want to see that he was Korkie. He doesn’t want to see that he had this chance, and blew it. And Korkie - who never had Qui-Gon, who never had Obi-Wan - can speak the words without even (in Anakin’s mind) earning them.

Also, and most obviously, Anakin killed the Jedi. And yet...he didn’t kill Obi-Wan. He did not kill that Jedi, and take this blade.

Korkie is alive. Obi-Wan is alive. Anakin resents it. Obi-Wan should not exist without him. Obi-Wan should have no legacy but Vader. Because Anakin doesn’t.

Clumsy fingers beneath sleek synth leather gloves close over the hilt, the silver of it glinting merrily in the grasp of a cold fist.

To me, it was important that we see the weakness of Vader. His hands are not his own. The flesh of Anakin Skywalker is gone, and beneath the serenity of the mask, and the shadow of black, he’s fumbling. Korkie’s wrong-footed him, and he feels young, and insufficient in the face of this boy. This is all about Anakin’s insecurity.

Korkie speaking words he shouldn’t know - speaking in the voice of a literal Jedi - so calm, and so collected (negotiating with the serenity of his father) scares Anakin. He’s hearing and seeing the ghosts of the people he betrayed.

And the blade itself is merry because it belongs in the hand of Korkie. It knows (and the narrative knows) that it won’t be long in Vader’s grasp. It transcends the dark. It glints, and is optimistic. It’s a symbol of faith. It’s delight in being claimed by Korkie is symbolic of Qui-Gon’s own approval of his legacy. Qui-Gon Jinn chooses Korkie Kenobi.

But the thing is, it’s not because he’s a Kenobi. It’s because he chooses to act, and speak like a Jedi. Anakin fears - and knows - he never received this blade because Qui-Gon Jinn would not approve of what he’s done. This is Qui-Gon’s repudiation of Anakin Skywalker. The blade is laughing at Anakin.

“Impossible,” Lord Vader says. “I am growing tired of your games, boy. I shall only ask once more: who gave it to you?”

And then Anakin answers the same way he did as a child. He is still a selfish, defiant, fearful child. He denies the possibility that Korkie could have killed a Jedi.

Now, of course, he knows that the Jedi are dead, he knows that Korkie is not a Jedi, and he’s also denying the possibility that Korkie could have done it.

And, more than that, he’s denying the very possibility that Korkie could speak - could somehow know - Qui-Gon’s words. There is no way that this boy should be speaking with that voice. It’s impossible.

It’s a three-fold denial.

As a more technical thing, Vader’s voice was really hard for me to do, because this Vader still had to be recognisable as Anakin. He’s only been Vader for about a year at this point, maybe a little longer, and he’s just been thrown back into his childhood by memory, so the voice had to hit this balance point between Anakin and Vader.

This is an Anakin who uses language to build himself up. He doesn’t quite buy his own authority - it is so easily undercut by an unarmed boy, here, after all - so he makes himself sound like the seat of power...Obi-Wan. He mimics the slightly elevated phrasing of his former master, and condescends, calling him “boy”. He speaks to Korkie in the voice of Korkie’s father. But it’s distorted, and clunky because it is not Anakin’s voice to claim. And he hasn’t had all the practice that the next 18 years will provide him with, yet.

So theoretically, if I did it right, the motivation - the drive of the sentence - is Anakin, but the pattern is an echo of Obi-Wan.

I also think this is probably the third time Vader’s asked Korkie (iirc), and that’s just a classic storytelling technique - things, especially questions, lessons, or events, happen three times.

Korkie replies differently every time.

“I cannot say,” he replies.

So, at first, Korkie answered a question with a question. He was brash, young, and openly defiant. He replied in the way that Anakin or Obi-Wan may have if they’d been captured. He asked who Vader was. He didn’t know him - he doesn’t know him.

Vader is his brother, and yet Vader - Anakin - has been erased. His own family doesn’t know him. Has no reason to. He isn’t a person anymore. He’s a monster with no face, no name, no history, and no future. He has no claim to his own past.

Then, when Vader asks again, Korkie asks why it matters.

It’s a slight change of tactic, but one that Korkie thinks might put him on a more even playing field. If he knows why it’s important, then maybe they can work out a deal. Maybe he can...negotiate. Again, Vader hears shades of Obi-Wan’s cunning in this kid’s voice.

It also forces Vader to confront the reason he wants this blade - but that reason is intimately connected to Anakin. So Korkie is humanising him. He’s offering Vader a piece of himself. But Vader won’t take it.

Then, after Korkie’s spoken like Qui-Gon, Vader asks again, and Korkie denies him utterly. He cannot say. It’s impossible. It’s something beyond his control.

“Cannot?” says Vader. “Or will not?”

“I will not.” His voice is firm, and does not shake.

Or is it? Because then, Korkie does what Vader does not. He takes responsibility for his choice. It’s not out of his hands. He’s choosing - deliberately, and decisively - to deny Vader. And he does not flinch. He does not hide. He looks into Vader’s face, knowing he might condemn himself to suffering, and death, and chooses that.

This is Korkie as a Jedi. He makes the same sacrifice the Jedi make - he looks into the Dark and chooses the Light.

And in this instance, he has replaced Anakin because he’s protecting Obi-Wan. Korkie is at Obi-Wan’s back. Korkie is making a choice to shield the person he loves - though he hardly knows him - because it is right. He loves freely, and selflessly. He loves Obi-Wan in a way that Anakin betrayed, but Korkie will not betray Obi-Wan here.

He reaches again for that serenity: a flash of copper hair, of soft robes, of blue eyes.

Korkie Kenobi is Force sensitive. Of course, he is. He is the culmination of a series of Light choices, and selfless sacrifice. He, at the end of the Clone Wars, comes out as the very thing they were fighting for. It’s not lost. Obi-Wan isn’t lost - he still shaped Korkie. He still saved something - something of the Force, something of the Light, and something of himself. He saved Satine. He saved the Jedi. He’s not fought and sacrificed in vain.

And so, though it is still rough, and untrained, though, like his relationship with his father, it’s still new, Korkie instinctively seeks to soothe himself, to find peace, so stay calm. In this moment where he is confronted with a Sith Lord, alone, and unarmed he chooses to reach for peace…

And his peace, his hope, is Obi-Wan Kenobi.

He reaches for his dad.

Just like Obi-Wan reaches out for Qui-Gon’s ghost. Just like Anakin reaches out for Obi-Wan (seriously can’t have one conversation without mentioning him). Just like Luke reaches out for Anakin.

Korkie seeks comfort in the Force through the person he most finds solace in. And it doesn’t matter that he and Obi-Wan are nearly strangers, because they choose not to be. And because Obi-Wan is the ideal that Korkie strives for.

Obi-Wan has taught him something about serenity, and bravery, and hope. So when Korkie thinks of calm, and thinks of making his father proud, he sees Obi-Wan. Just flashes in his memory.

And the colours of Obi-Wan are symbolic - the fire of his hair, the chaos of the galaxy and war, the colour of the sand on Tatooine, the heat of its suns, and the shared blood between them. The blue of his eyes like water in the desert, an oasis, a salvation, an open sea, the clear sky, something vast and all encompassing and cool. The soft robes are an embrace. Obi-Wan is a home in the Force.

(Ironically, this is also what Anakin as Vader thinks of, and is thinking of because he also knows Obi-Wan, and so the next beat of this scene shows Vader and Korkie accidentally sharing thoughts. An easy mistake, as they’re essentially running into each other at the same restaurant!)

ANYWAY -

A, um, brief analysis of this passage from Or Else I Shall Be Lost

I hope you enjoyed it!!! And thank you so much @tree-scapes for tagging me!!!!!

#korkie kenobi #meta #sw fic #obi-wan kenobi #korkie #darth vader #writers #gffa #anakin skywalker #qui-gon jinn

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dettiot · 4 years

Text

Fic: late-night interruption 11/11

late-night interruption Author: dettiot Rating: G Summary: When Obi-Wan receives a late-night comm from Sabé, he’s not sure what to expect. But what he learns will change many lives . . . and the fate of the Republic.

Also available on AO3.

XXX

How many times had she been here? How many times had she risen to her feet and looked out over the hundreds of pods, seeing thousands of beings from across the galaxy? And had she ever been as tired as she was now, only a day removed from childbirth?

Padmé wasn’t sure of the answers. And her reserves of hope were nearly exhausted. Yet as she looked out at her fellow Senators, she found herself hoping once again.

The Senate Building was home to the galaxy’s legislators, reflecting a diversity that was breath-taking. Not just simply in the variety of species, but in their mindsets, their cultures, their attitudes. Yet they were all united in leading the galaxy. Many for humanitarian reasons, some for selfish ones--but all gathered together, striving to benefit their planets, their systems, their galaxy according to their own instincts and opinions.

Striving to settle her nerves and gather all her strength, Padmé wondered what the future would hold for her. Soon, her marriage to Anakin and the birth of the twins would be public knowledge. She didn’t know how Queen Apailana would react. It was quite possible Padmé would have to step down. After eight years as Naboo’s queen and five as its senator, how would she handle being a private citizen again?

Padmé didn’t know. Yet she felt like she was ready to find out. Because at least she would have Anakin and the twins by her side.

But before she could answer that question, there was the matter at hand. Bo-Katan was sitting with Bail and the rest of Alderaan’s delegation, ready to speak to the full Senate. After that, Bail would be making the proposal for an investigation into the clone army. But Padmé would open the debate.

This might be the most important speech of her career. If it was to be the last one, she wanted it to matter.

Looking around, she couldn’t help searching for the Kaminoans. Her heart sank slightly when she saw their pod sitting empty. She had hoped they would be here today. But perhaps Senator Burtoni had needed to return home or simply wasn’t attending today’s session.

A soft chime rang out through the chambers, announcing the arrival of the Vice-Chancellor. Mas Amedda stepped into his pod and used the controls to move into the center of the arena. A deeper chime sounded before Mas Amedda spoke.

“Welcome, Senators. Let us begin.”

Without any hesitation, Padmé stood up and punched the button on her control pad to untether her pod. “Vice-Chancellor!”

“The chair recognizes the Senator from Naboo,” Amedda said, sounding resigned.

“Thank you. Senators, aides, guests: I come before you with news that is critical to the safety and future of the Republic,” Padmé began, having no need to look at the notes on her datapad. “It concerns our clone army, and how we have all been misled--the Jedi, the Senate, the very clones themselves--about their nature.”

She paused, letting her eyes sweep around the Senate. So far, everyone was giving the appearance of listening. She knew, all too well, that appearances were deceiving in the Senate. But she knew her next words would make everyone start paying attention.

“Intelligence has been shared with myself and a select group of Senators and Jedi, indicating that all clones have a control chip implanted in their brains. A chip, created for an unknown purpose and ordered to be implanted by an unknown individual, designed to force our loyal clone troopers to act against their own instincts and desires.”

A stir went through the entire Senate, the rumbling of several quiet conversations breaking out.

Orn Free Ta of Ryloth was the first to call out, “You must have proof for your accusations!”

“I do,” Padmé said, staring with disdain at the Senator from Ryloth. “Here to present that proof is Lady Bo-Katan of House Kryze, the rightful ruler of Mandalore.”

As she sat down, Padmé looked towards the Alderaan pod and noticed a hooded figure there. She couldn’t help smiling: of course Satine wouldn’t stay away in this moment.

After the Vice-Chancellor called for quiet, overriding objections to Bo-Katan speaking when her position had not been recognized by even her own people, Bo-Katan looked around the Senate Chamber. With her helmet tucked under her arm as usual, she stood out among the thousands of beings present.

In a ringing voice, Bo-Katan laid out the information she had presented earlier today in Padmé’s apartment. Since she already knew the details, Padmé watched the Senators as Bo-Katan spoke, gauging their reactions and observing who might support Bail’s proposal and who would be against it.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a stirring in one pod and turned her head slightly. Her mouth nearly dropped open when she saw the Kaminoan senator enter her pod, her normally milky white skin marked by red blotches on her neck.

What could have caused those marks? And had the Kaminoan senator appeared in order to join the debate? And would she refute or support Bo-Katan’s information?

As soon as Bo-Katan finished, several senators called for recognition from the chair. As Padmé expected, Amedda made sure to call mostly on those senators who were either hawks on the war or who supported the Chancellor no matter what.

The amount of not-so-polite scoffing, the lack of balance, made Padmé’s heart sink. Would Bail even be allowed to make his proposal?

“Vice-Chancellor, I demand to speak.”

“The chair recognizes the Senator from Kamino,” Amedda said, causing a wave of movement as all heads turned towards the Kamino pod, drifting into the center of the chamber. All eyes focused on Senator Burtoni as she slowly stood up in her pod.

“Gentlebeings, I have heard much today,” the senator began. “I wish to offer evidence that is missing from the account provided by Lady Kryze.”

The senator paused and Padmé wondered what she was going to say. Normally, Kamino was a solid supporter of the Chancellor and the war. It was natural, as their planet’s fortunes had been made by creating the clone army. Yet Padmé had a feeling that something unusual was about to happen.

“I regret to inform you that Kamino has long been aware of the control chip residing in the clones. And what is more, I have been instructed by my government to reveal who ordered the control chips to be implanted and can trigger the clones to follow only his orders.”

It was like the entire Senate drew in its breath, hanging on every word Senator Burtoni said. She paused and lifted her hand to her neck, strong emotion visible on her face.

“We offer this evidence in order to show that Kamino desires neutrality. We only wish to continue our business operations, improving our techniques to create beings to specification,” the Senator insisted. “Whatever rights the Senate wishes to grant clones is a purely Republic matter, but Kamino supports such efforts. This is why we are rejecting the attempts at control made by he who ordered the control chips, he who has control of the clones: the Supreme Chancellor.”

Padmé stared at Senator Burtoni, not sure she had heard her correctly. Had she said the Supreme Chancellor was the one to order the chips to be implanted? The one who was in control of the clones?

After a long moment of silence, the chamber erupted, senators rising to their feet and yelling and shaking their fists.

Mas Amedda shouted for quiet, but it was no good. Everyone was too shocked to listen--until Bail maneuvered his pod into the center of the chamber.

“Senators! Senators!” he said, his voice booming. “I have a motion!”

Faintly, Amedda tried to order the session adjourned, but Bail ignored him. “Alderaan moves that the Chancellor’s powers are removed until he is questioned about these allegations!”

At that, the Senators seemed to unite, in a way Padmé had never seen before. For once, shock had mobilized the Senate’s members, instead of paralyzing them. As awful as the circumstances, she felt a rush of hope.

Was it so simple that the Chancellor, the man she had grown to distrust so thoroughly, was the one responsible for the Republic spiraling into darkness over the last ten years? And could it be that the Senate was finally breaking free of his darkness?

Whether this was a permanent change, one that she would get to enjoy for years to come or only for this moment, Padme felt an immense swelling of relief. Especially when the Galactic Senate moved to strip Sheev Palpatine of his powers as Supreme Chancellor and for him to be placed under arrest.

XXX

Ever since he had begun training with his master, Darth Sidious had never been surprised or faced unexpected situations. He possessed a particular strength in the Force, a special ability allowing him to see the sequence of events from every action. This talent was how he had created his grand plan to control the entire galaxy. And over the last twenty years, nothing happened that he had not accounted for.

Yet . . . something was happening. Something that threatened all his designs. Something that could throw his perfect schedule in doubt.

Closing his eyes, Sidious stretched out his senses. There was a whirlpool of anger and shock from the Senate, but he brushed that aside--it wasn’t strong enough for the turmoil he felt.

No . . . it was the Jedi Temple. That was where the swirling currents of the Force were centered.

He had always planned on the Jedi realizing his true identity, finally seeing past his mask as the kindly Chancellor and beholding Darth Sidious. It would seem that time had come--not when he had planned for it, but it was close enough. Which meant it was time for one of the last steps before he gained control.

At the thought, he allowed himself a quiet chuckle of satisfaction. Really, the Jedi were nothing for him to be concerned about. They were weak, hidebound, fearful. Soon, they would be wiped out.

They were approaching--he could feel them.

Smoothing down his robes, Darth Sidious assumed his Chancellor Palpatine mask to greet the Jedi.

First to enter his office was Mace Windu, all prickly with suspicion and doubt. He was followed by a handful of other Jedi, beneath his notice. Palpatine had never bothered to learn their names.

And then, bringing up the rear, just as he expected, was his future apprentice, the one who was key to his plans. It was all he could do not to show his glee at the presence of Anakin Skywalker.

“Master Jedi, what an unexpected pleasure,” Palpatine said, his voice silky and reassuring. “To what do I owe this honor?”

Windu plucked his lightsaber from his belt. “Sheev Palpatine, you are hereby removed from the office of Chancellor until such time as allegations which have been lodged against you have been fully investigated.”

“Oh, my,” Palpatine said. He paused, wondering if that was laying it on rather too thick, but ah, well. “I don’t understand--what allegations?”

“That you ordered control chips to be implanted in every member of the Grand Army of the Republic.”

The voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi nearly made him snarl. No! He could not be here! For Skywalker to become his apprentice, Kenobi had to be far away at the other end of the galaxy--or else Skywalker, the weak-willed boy that he was, would not be ready to turn his back on his master.

He needed to stall. Palpatine sank down into his office chair, putting his hand over his heart and acting for all the world like a man utterly shocked.

“But I had nothing to do with the clone army,” Palpatine said, looking at the Jedi around him. He shouldn’t have sat down--now they were looming over him--he must put them on the defensive. “Surely, if there was anything done to the clones, it was on the orders of Master Sifo-Dyas, when he first dealt with the Kaminoans--”

“No, Chancellor,” Windu said. “There is evidence against you: clone schematics from the Kaminoans, courtesy of Mandalore. And the testimony of Kamino’s Senator. You are under arrest; you will come with us and no harm will come to you.”

If he was arrested--with the knowledge the Jedi and the Senate now had about the control chips--there was no way he would be able to spring his trap. Palpatine felt the smallest flicker of concern. For it was time for him to put his plan into action, to install Skywalker as his apprentice and launch his Empire, but everything was not ready. Kenobi’s presence, the Senate realizing its power--they would be problems.

But with Skywalker by his side, their power would be too great for anything to stand in his way.

Rising to his feet, Palpatine met Anakin’s eyes. He almost frowned as he took in the boy’s presence. There was a calmness to him, one Palpatine had never felt before. The churning anger and fear, the darkness barely held at bay only by the boy’s light and power--they were gone, leaving only purity and hope and sunshine.

It was disgusting.

“No--please, Master Jedi, this is all a misunderstanding,” he said, hoping this was the last time he had to act like such a weak, inconsequential fool. “I know nothing of these allegations--it is a plot by Kamino and Mandalore to weaken the Republic--they must be in league with the Separatists!”

“Chancellor,” Windu said, his lightsaber igniting. “I am duly charged by the Senate to remove you from this place. By force if necessary.”

“Or by the Force,” one of the other Jedi said, his lip curling at his witticism.

And with that insult from a weak, arrogant fool, it was time.

Palpatine was no longer of any use to Darth Sidious. With a flick of his wrist, Sidious brought his lightsaber from the sleeve of his robe and ignited it, allowing the blade to impale the Jedi who thought he was so amusing.

At once, the two remaining Jedi, as well as Kenobi and Skywalker, brought their lightsabers to the ready, the hum of the blades filling the office.

“No, I do not think you will remove me,” Sidious said. “Or, more correctly, you will not be able to. Not with the aid of my new apprentice.”

The tension ratcheted up and Windu pressed forward, his ridiculous purple blade rising towards Sidious.

“Anakin Skywalker. You will join me, and I will share with you all my knowledge,” Sidious said. “Only I can show you how to defeat death. To save your beloved Padmé.”

The words hung in the air and Sidious waited.

And waited.

And waited some more.

What was happening? Why did he sense no shock from the Jedi? Why was Anakin not falling apart even as he Fell to the Dark Side?

Sidious thrust forward with his lightsaber, pushing back one of the Jedi who was attempting to get behind him. “Anakin! Don’t let your wife die as your mother did! Save your child!” he snapped, throwing down his trump card.

Surely, with the Jedi being aware of his marriage and upcoming offspring, even a dull-witted boy like Anakin would realize joining him was the only way.

But the Anakin that walked towards him . . . he wasn’t . . . scared?

Tall, imposing, and powerful, Anakin Skywalker paused in front of him and lifted his lightsaber, the blade hovering a hair’s breadth from his neck. “My wife is alive. My children have been born. And the Jedi know all about them.”

But--no! This was not the way it was supposed to happen!

Anakin gave him a long look. “You’ve failed, Darth Sidious. I’ll never turn to the Dark Side.” He paused, then flashed a cocky, arrogant, amused smirk. “In fact, go kriff yourself.”

Time seemed to stretch like an elastic cord, the moment lengthening as he took in the strength of Anakin Skywalker. The strength and power and control . . . all lost to him.

Sidious felt his face twist. He gripped his lightsaber as he drew the Dark Side of the Force to him, arming him. But for once, his control was not up to the challenge he faced.

Because Anakin was still smirking at him. And he was going to wipe that smirk from his face, he would kill all these Jedi--saving Kenobi for last, making Anakin kill his old master as his first act as Darth Vader.

And it would be glorious!

“Nooooooo!” Sidious howled as he swung his lightsaber at Anakin’s face while flinging his hand out and sending a Force push against the other Jedi.

The battle began, minds and bodies matched in a conflict for the galaxy. The clashing of blades and grunts of effort rang out through the office as Sidious pressed, feeding off the fear and greed of the entire galaxy.

And yet, in the back of his mind, Sidious found himself asking if that would be enough against these Jedi. Against a united Kenobi and Skywalker, strong in the Force and in their connection. Against Mace Windu, the best duellist in the Jedi Order.

It had to be! He would not fail now--not when he was so close!

Windu was down--but only injured. The nameless Jedi were dead. That left Kenobi and Anakin, and he could match them--he could--he had already landed blows on each of them--Anakin was favoring his side, blood running down his face--

But Sidious knew he was growing weak, sloppy. He was pushed to his limits, and--and there wasn’t any more darkness to draw more power from. The light was winning!

And with that, Sidious used his only remaining weapon. He gathered the power within himself and sent a spray of Force-powered lightning towards his opponents.

He would destroy the Jedi, one way or another!

XXX

She had her duty: to protect Satine and the twins. But right now, as she watched the holonet melt down from the galaxy-shaking news, Ahsoka wished that she could do more.

Holding the remote, she flipped through the various channels. Even the non-news networks were covering the biggest story ever to hit the galaxy.

Chancellor Palpatine, revealed as a Sith Lord and killed while resisting arrest and attacking a group of Jedi. General Anakin Skywalker, the Hero with No Fear, seriously wounded during the battle. Bail Organa elected as interim Chancellor, his first action to open diplomatic negotiations with the Separatists.

It was like waking up one day to find the galaxy had turned itself inside-out. And all Ahsoka could do was sit here and watch it happen.

As soon as Padmé had received word about Anakin being injured, she had left for the Temple, insisting that Ahsoka stay behind to protect the twins and Satine. It had been one of the hardest decisions she had ever made, letting Padmé go with only her Nabooian guards.

But Padmé--and Anakin--needed to know that the twins were safe. Protected. And Ahsoka knew she would protect Luke and Leia with her life.

“Ahsoka, please.”

“Huh?” Ahsoka said, turning to look at Satine.

The Duchess was pale and drawn, the exhaustion of the past few days heavily weighing on her. She gestured towards the holoscreen. “Please--just pick a channel and stay there.”

“I’m sorry,” Ahsoka said weakly, putting down the remote. “I’m just . . .”

Ahsoka didn’t need to finish her sentence, because Satine understood. She gave Ahsoka a small smile and patted her shoulder. “I’m sure Anakin will be fine.”

“I’m sure he will, too--but that doesn’t make waiting any easier,” Ahsoka said. She gave her head a rueful shake and rose to her feet, pacing slowly around the room. “I should meditate, but I don’t want to lose my awareness. Not with you and the twins depending on me.”

“There is also Bo,” Satine said with a soft chuckle. “My sister is quite a protector.”

“I know she is,” Ahsoka said. “But the twins--”

Before Ahsoka could go on, her comm chimed. She snatched it up and answered the call. “Hello?!?”

The tired, bruised face of Obi-Wan looked absolutely beautiful to her. “Obi-Wan! Is Anakin--is he--”

“He’s going to be all right,” Obi-Wan said. “He’s in bacta now, and he’ll have some long-term issues, but--but he’s going to survive.”

Her legs gave out underneath her from the relief. “Obi-Wan,” Ahsoka said, swallowing hard.

He seemed to understand what she was feeling, because he gave her a soft smile. “It’s going to be okay, Ahsoka.”

She nodded, turning her head and quickly wiping a tear from her eyes. “Y-yeah. Yeah, okay. Here, talk to the Duchess. I--I’m gonna go check on the twins.”

With that, Ahsoka shoved her comm into Satine’s hand and left the room, heading for the twins’ nursery.

But first, she took a moment in the hallway to close her eyes and breathe. To center herself and reach out to the Force, feeling how much lighter it was now. Not clouded and dim, but bright and alive, like she hadn’t felt since she was a youngling in the Temple.

Ahsoka opened her eyes and breathed out slowly. “Thank you,” she said. She wasn’t sure why, only that it felt like the Force deserved thanks for protecting them all from a greater darkness than anyone could have conceived of.

With her emotions in order, Ahsoka stepped into the nursery and smiled at Sabé, who was rocking in a chair with Leia in her arms.

“Late-night feeding?” Ahsoka asked, keeping her voice low.

Sabé nodded. “She’s a hungry one.”

“I just received word from Master Obi-Wan. Anakin is going to be all right.”

The former handmaiden looked just as relieved as Ahsoka felt. “Oh, I’m so glad for Padmé. Not to mention for the twins’ sake.”

Nodding, Ahsoka found herself walking over to the crib and looking down at Luke. He was asleep, one chubby fist in his mouth as he drooled. Ahsoka smiled and looked back at Sabé. “They’re pretty cute.”

With a soft chuckle, Sabé nodded. “They are. Even in the middle of the night.”

Ahsoka watched as Sabé stood up, gently cradling Leia, before setting her down in the crib next to her brother. She gently passed her fingers over Leia’s forehead in the shape of a crescent, then did the same for Luke.

“To think, with everything that’s happened, these two arrived at just the right time,” Ahsoka said. She had seen how much stronger Anakin was with having his babies healthy and alive, with seeing Padme safe and strong.

Could that have been the difference in his fight with Chancellor Palpatine--with Darth Sidious? Or was it having Obi-Wan by his side?

They would probably never know, Ahsoka thought as her eyes fell on Luke again. Feeling the bond between them, the promise of a relationship like what she used to have with Anakin. The bond between a Master and a Padawan.

“I’m not religious at all, but--but it does make you feel like there is something greater at work,” Sabé said quietly.

“I know,” Ahsoka said, reaching out again and feeling that thrum from the Force, so alive and bright.

Sabé looked at Ahsoka and smiled. “Come, I’ll make you some caff. I think we’re all going to be up for a while. I feel like a nocturnal creature lately, being awake at night and sleeping during the day.”

“Thanks to the twins?” Ahsoka asked as she followed Sabé.

“Yes. But really, I should have known. Because this all started with one late-night holo call,” Sabé said, beginning to tell Ahsoka the story as they walked to the kitchen.

End.

Notes: Thank you so much to everyone who's read this story, commenting and leaving kudos and bookmarking it! I had a lot of fun allowing the story to unfold in unexpected ways and I hope you've enjoyed it!

I do have thoughts about an epilogue, focusing on Obi-Wan and Anakin reacting to the events of this last chapter, but it might be a little while before I'm able to get that out. So for now, this story is complete--I was so glad to have all of you along on the journey!

#anidala #obitine #skywalker family #padme amidala #darth sidious #ahsoka tano #star wars #late-night interruption

48 notes · View notes

xcertaindarkthingsx · 3 years

Text

chapter 1 - reunion

a/n: hi everyone :) this is my first time posting my writing on here and writing for star wars in general, i hope you like it! it’s going to be a series. feel free to leave any comments or constructive criticism, it’s greatly appreciated. if you’d prefer to read on ao3 you can do so here

pairing: obi-wan kenobi x oc (you can learn more about her here)

warnings: none for this chapter, i think. just some fluff and two people checking each other out haha

word count: 4.162k

tag list: @a-dorin if you’d like to be tagged, feel free to message me :)

Fingers fidgeted, twisting a lock of hair over and over again. Nerves began to creep up on the Jedi, but the steady rumble and thrum of the Republic cruiser helped keep them at bay.

“You’re nervous,” her companion, Cordé, stated. Seraphine turned to face her; their faces bathed in the soft, blue light of hyperspace. She was right of course, but there was no way in hell Seraphine was going to admit it.

“Am I?” she tried to play cheeky but the waver in her voice betrayed her. Kriff, she thought.

“I can’t imagine why; you haven’t any bad blood with anyone there. Unless,” Cordé paused, “this has something to do with a certain Jedi Master you left behind,” adding an arched brow and a smirk. Seraphine shot her best murderous glare towards her friend before wrapping herself tighter in her robes. An old habit from when she was a youngling.

“Oh, please,” she enunciated with an eyeroll. “It’s not that it’s just… I wonder how different ‘home’ will be now.” Home being the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, where she grew up.

For the past 4, almost 5 years, Seraphine had been on a long-term undercover mission on Kessel, a lawless planet in the outer rim territories. There, she met Cordé, and together they worked with locals and other Jedi stationed in nearby outposts to uncover and destroy an extensive trafficking ring. It was difficult, and they suffered great losses, but within 2 and a half years their mission was a success. Seraphine longed to return home, but instead decided to stay and deal with the fallout of their mission and further assist the victims.

That quickly came to an end after the events on Geonosis. When word broke out of the battle and upcoming war, a distress call was sent out to the far reaches of every system, warning every Jedi Temple of what was to come. Those who were able, or those originally from Coruscant, were to come as soon as possible to aid in the war effort.

Just a few days ago, Seraphine received her own transmission from Master Yoda and her old Master, Plo Koon. They urged her to come back home and bring any extra hands if possible. So, there they were, aboard a cruiser en route to Coruscant.

Seraphine’s mind wandered to what she had left behind all those years ago. Her friends— Aayla, Quinlan, Kit, Nejaa, Bant; her master and mentors. Not to mention little Anakin training as a Padawan, and his master— Obi-Wan Kenobi. Her closest friend, her partner in crime, and the most honorable man she knew. His old master, Qui-Gon, had been partially responsible for bringing her to the Temple as a child. They had grown up together on Coruscant; trained as Padawans, became Knighted within a few years of each other, and carried out plenty of adventurous missions before she left.

Her heart skipped at the thought of him. They had grown so close over time, and she realized too late that her feelings for him had turned into something forbidden, something they were sworn to deny.

It was no secret to Obi-Wan that Seraphine didn’t fully agree with the way the Jedi Code was conducted, especially when it came to casting aside emotions and preventing attachments. Her abilities within the Force made doing so very difficult. They had many spirited discussions with each other and their masters when they were younger. Obi-Wan did not find it amusing how much Qui-Gon and her agreed on such sentiments at the time.

Nevertheless, Seraphine never revealed how she felt about him. How could she? There was that whole situation with Satine, and more importantly— she knew what kind of man he was. While he had his disagreements with the Council at times, he was fiercely loyal to the Order. The probability of him reciprocating such intimate feelings for her just seemed impossible.

However, she knew how much he cared. Obi-Wan had always done well in preventing emotions from clouding his actions in important situations, but that didn’t mean he was callous. He was compassionate and cared deeply, and always made sure, in his own little way, to show it. They entrusted each other with their lives.

But Seraphine had grown weak and tired of burying herself away, so she did what she thought best: she ran away.

Confessing that she was leaving was difficult. While he tried to mask it, there was no denying the wave of hurt and disappointment that radiated from Obi-Wan. There was no doubt that if he knew how big a part he really played in her departure that it would hurt him even more. So when asked why, Seraphine held back, and he could tell. Her failure to tell the whole truth had left a bit of a ridge in their relationship.

They tried to keep in touch, but it became difficult when she went deep undercover, so their communications died out. Something sat heavy in Seraphine’s gut and chest, like a boulder, whenever she thought of him for too long. Guilt, her mind told her. What you’re feeling is guilt. It felt like she was losing a part of herself.

Being so far away, she worried constantly for his wellbeing. Regardless of how capable she knew he was. But something ensured that if anything were to happen, she would feel it.

By some twisted form of fate, a Force Bond had developed between them during a mission they had carried out just before she was Knighted. If one of them was in trouble, the other would know. Seraphine wouldn’t trade it for the world, but it wasn’t the most convenient thing to possess when trying to hide her true feelings. However, Master Plo’s teachings and training made reigning in her emotions doable. To her, the pros outweighed the cons. It was nice being able to reach out and feel Obi-Wan’s presence in the Force when she was missing him.

She always wondered if he did the same.

Foolishly, she thought time would subdue her feelings. She was wrong. All the kriffing training in the world couldn’t prepare her for being forced to face the very thing she’d been avoiding for years.

It’s not that Seraphine didn’t want to see him, but she didn’t know if she could handle his reaction to her return. Resentment? Would he even be on the platform when they landed? Insecurity seeded itself back into her mind, making her feel like the ugly duckling she always saw herself as when they were Padawans. Seraphine buried her body deeper into her robes, painfully conscious of herself. Doubts continued in her mind in a torturous cycle until Cordé interrupted.

“We’re about to make the drop out of hyperspace. We’re here, Seraphine.

︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵

Obi-Wan’s hands fidgeted with his forearm armor while he stood, waiting in the landing bay of the Jedi Temple. His heartbeat thrummed in his ears as he began to pace, one hand absentmindedly stroking his beard.

“You’re nervous,” Anakin pointed out to his former Master, amused. He’d never seen him act like this.

“I most certainly am not,” Obi-Wan insisted. He most certainly was, but there was no way in hell he was going to admit that to Anakin.

“Really, Master? Cause’ I haven’t felt you this tense since—”

“Oh, don’t start.”

Obi-Wan believed he had every right to be nervous. In a few moments he’d be seeing his oldest friend, his closest friend— Seraphine. They had grown up together, here at the Temple. And while she was 6 years his junior, they had trained closely as Initiates and Padawans together, and she became Knighted just a few years after him. She had been there for him during one of the most difficult times of their lives, when Qui-Gon had died.

They had been inseparable since they were younglings, so when she decided all those years ago to leave so abruptly, he couldn’t help but feel like he was losing a part of himself. But he couldn’t, and wouldn’t, let it show. He was aware there was more to why she left— their Force Bond had told him that much— but when he pressed her, she refused to disclose.

She had been his rock in taking care of Anakin, and he’d been fearful of what would happen when she left. It was difficult the first few months, and it didn’t help that his heart had suffered a blow as well. Obi-Wan recognized his hurt reaction as indication of feelings he was not supposed to have, so he told himself it was truly for the best. Though, it was hard to get his heart on board with his head.

They had tried to stay in touch when she had first left, but it quickly became difficult with their differing schedules, and almost impossible when she went deep undercover. He worried for her but knew that if something bad happened he would feel it. Once in a while, he would reach out in the Force just to feel a touch of her presence and make sure she was still there.

He wondered if she ever did the same.

News came around the Temple of her successful mission a few years later, and he remembered being incredibly proud. As quiet as she was, Seraphine was also the fiercest person he knew, and it showed in all her actions. Not only was he proud, he was excited. A successful mission meant she’d be coming home soon.

However, he was disappointed to find out she’d be staying out there for who knows how long, to clean up the fallout of the mission. Somehow that news hurt more than watching her leave, but he couldn’t be angry with her. Most people go in, get the job done, and leave without any regard for the long-term consequences of their actions. But Seraphine always took responsibility for her actions, good or bad. It was just the kind of person she was, and one of the many qualities he admired in her.

And now, he was finally getting what he’d been looking forward to all these years. With the war looming over them, they were in dire need of assistance from any Jedi they could spare. Not only that, he knew that her incredible skills would transfer over well to becoming a General for the Republic, and the Council knew it too. Just a few days ago, Master Yoda and Plo Koon had reached out to her directly to come home. He couldn’t bring himself to be in the briefing room when they called.

“Why is he nervous?” Ahsoka whispered loudly to Anakin, interrupting Obi-Wan’s reminiscing.

“Oh, for the last time, I’m not nervous,” Obi-Wan insisted. “It’s simply been a long time since I’ve seen her, she’s a dear friend.” He reminded himself to keep a reign on his emotions.

“I have some memories of her, but they’re a bit fuzzy. In bits and pieces,” Anakin murmured.

“You knew her too?” Ahsoka questioned, trying to get as much information about this mystery woman that seemed to have Obi-Wan on edge. Anakin nodded.

“She helped Obi-Wan take care of me when I first came to the Temple. We’d always train out in the back courtyards, under that big blossom tree,” Anakin paused and chuckled. “I’d sit and watch her sketch in her notebook, or she’d tell me all these crazy stories.”

The memory caused a burst of warmth in Obi-Wan’s chest; those days seemed so far away now. He’d already heard all her crazy myths, legends she had buried her nose in or remembered from her homeworld and recited as a child, but he loved to listen to her retell them to his young Padawan. His thoughts went to those very sketchbooks Anakin had mentioned, which were hidden away under his mattress, along with a small box of her belongings. She had given them to him as a sort of parting gift. A promise; something for him to hold onto until she came back.

“So, why did she leave?” Ahsoka probed further.

“She left for that Kessel trafficking mission a few years ago,” the older Jedi responded. The younger furrowed her brows, realizing it was something she’d learned in her classes.

“That was her?” Ahsoka was stunned. “We’ve talked about her in our studies, she’s amazing.”

Obi-Wan smiled to himself. “Yes, she is.”

Something about that mission sparked a faint memory in Ahsoka, something she’d read in an Archive file. “Wait, didn’t the same girl destroy that sect of Black Knights that emerged a long time ago?”

The memory of that mission left a sour taste in Obi-Wan’s mouth. He’d almost lost her that day. He opened his mouth to respond but was quickly interrupted by Commander Cody’s voice crackling on his commlink.

“General Kenobi, we’ve got an incoming ship from the east. Looks like they’re here.” Obi-Wan nodded at his Commander from across the platform, steeling his nerves as he watched the ship land.

He held his breath as the hatch opened, watching two figures emerge. Seraphine. He picked her out immediately as the one in front, knapsack hanging off her slight figure. The one trailing behind must have been her friend that Master Yoda mentioned. Obi-Wan urged himself to calm his emotions; stay cool and collected.

That silly notion completely disappeared upon seeing her walk down the platform.

Oh, Maker, she was beautiful, he thought. Just like she had been the day she left, but things were a bit different now. Her face had matured and while she always had a hardened demeanor, there was something else she wore on her face now. A sort of defiance in her brow that wasn’t there before.

Back then, Seraphine had buried herself in her Jedi robes like a security blanket. Always trying to make herself smaller, quieter. But now? Obi-Wan was in awe at how much taller she stood on that platform. Without even thinking, his eyes roved up and down her body. Her robes kept her somewhat obscured, but he could make out the new fabric underneath. It was still modest, but he never remembered seeing so much of her skin before, especially her legs. The thought made his face blaze and he quickly tried to think about anything else. She mirrored Anakin in her dark colored wardrobe— not a traditional Jedi look but then again, she was not a traditional Jedi.

He willed his eyes to shift their focus back to her face, noting how long her hair had grown. When she had left, it was still short and choppy from her Knighting, when she had impulsively cut it along with her Padawan braid. Now, it was long and flowing, like when they were younglings. A silver circlet sat at the top of her head, attached to a chain that weaved into her violet locks and made her look like an angel, her namesake.

Obi-Wan’s chest tightened as they got closer, and realized it was because he hadn’t taken a single breath since she stepped off the ship. Reminding himself to breathe, his eyes fell on the familiar swirl of tattoos on the edges of her face and down her neck. Others often found her markings too striking, too stark of a contrast on her skin and features, but Obi-Wan always thought it suited her perfectly.

He desperately tried to make out her expression, but her head was tilted towards Cody as she walked and talked. Her presence was immediately soothing to him, a pulse of comfort in the Force, but there was a cloud of uncertainty that hung in the air. Whether it was hers, or his own, he couldn’t tell. Would she even be happy to see him?

Those thoughts dissipated when Seraphine finally looked away from Cody. Obi-Wan watched as those golden brown eyes lit up and she broke into that wide, toothy smile of hers that always made him melt. It was a smile that rivaled even Master Fisto’s trademark grin.

His heart was in his throat, but he managed to smile back. In the blink of an eye, the space between them was erased and her arms had enveloped him in a hug that was too big for someone of her size. He stiffened on reflex, but quickly relaxed. Obi-Wan was never one for public displays of affection but for her he would make an exception.

“Obi-Wan,” she breathed into his ear, clutching him tight. Disbelief tinged her voice and the air around them, like she wasn’t sure if any of this was real. He clutched her just as hard, assuring her that it was. Her touch had stoked something in him, and he realized how long it’d been since he hugged another human being.

“Seraphine, my darling,” the term of endearment slipping out. Obi-Wan rarely called her that with so many people around, but frankly he was too happy to care. Gone were the days of having to reach out into the Force just to feel a taste of her presence. Now, he was almost overwhelmed by it. Their Bond seemed to swirl in harmony, sending waves of bliss and relief over them.

He didn’t mind. All that mattered to him was the fact that she was finally back home with him, where she belonged.

︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵

Seraphine’s stomach somersaulted as the ship dropped out of hyperspace and made its descent onto the landing platform. The nerves were overwhelming, but a tiny ball of excitement sat in her chest as well. She’d be seeing her best friend again.

The hatch of the ship opened with a hiss and she willed her legs to move forward, half aware of Cordé trailing behind. The two were greeted by a Commander Cody at the bottom before making their way towards the Temple entrance.

From afar, Seraphine could see a small group of people gathered that seemed to be waiting. She squinted, trying to make out any faces while making small talk with Cody. Her heart caught in her throat when she was close enough to see him. Obi-Wan.

Oh, still as handsome as the day I left him, she thought. He looked a bit different, but that familiar twinkle in his eyes let Seraphine know that it was still her best friend standing before her. Not to mention the signature smirk he so often wore. Smug bastard.

He had grown older, but not in a bad way. The smile lines that crinkled around his eyes made him look even more distinguished. His hair had grown out, accompanied by a well-groomed beard that suited him perfectly. Maker, that beard, she thought. Seraphine willed her mind to keep itself in check, but that kriffing beard was raising all sorts of sinful thoughts in her head. Thoughts she quickly shook away as her face began to heat up.

The traditional Jedi attire he usually wore included additions of battle armor that broadened his shoulders and heightened his build. Seraphine never thought she’d live to see the day where Obi-Wan Kenobi, the ever “peaceful negotiator”, donned an outfit for war but he looked good. It should be a damn crime to look that good.

The excitement in her chest was crushing and her feet surged forward on their own. A huge grin was plastered on her face as she threw her arms around him, whispering his name. She felt Obi-Wan stiffen for a split second, but his arms dropped and encircled her just as quick.

“Seraphine, my darling,” he whispered softly in her hair. A stronger flush rose on her cheeks at the sound of his nickname for her, and she was thankful he couldn’t see her face. She breathed in his scent and smiled. Still the same as before: warm, clean, with a hint of oak. Seraphine squeezed tighter, wanting to make sure it was really him standing in front of her. No more reaching out into the Force just to feel a faint taste of his presence. Now his signature shined brightly, blazing through their Bond. He was really here, and she was finally home.

The grin never left her face as she took a step back to look at him. Stormy blue eyes meeting hers and making her heart melt. A wave of relief washed over them, and neither was able to tell whose it was.

There was so much Seraphine wanted to say, but the right words just wouldn’t seem to form. Instead, she resorted to what she knew best with him— teasing. She playfully tapped the end of his beard with a small smirk.

“You look… different,” she said with a laugh, and thankfully he did too. “In a good way.” A smile spread across Obi-Wan’s face, along with that twinkle in his eye.

“I could say the same about you,” he countered, and Seraphine’s face betrayed her with another blush. The older Jedi thought it was endearing how easily flustered she was, even if she found it mortifying. He watched in amusement as she tried to force it down and cover it up with an eyeroll.

Remembering they weren’t alone, Seraphine turned to the man standing next to Obi-Wan. Her brows furrowed, trying to identify him. He seemed to enjoy watching her try and figure it out, judging from the mischievous smile on his face. Something about it made him look so familiar, almost like…

“Anakin?” Seraphine asked, dumbfounded. Anakin responded with an even bigger grin than hers before reaching out for his own hug. “Gods, I can’t believe it. You’re not a little kid anymore,” she mumbled, feeling bittersweet. He had completely grown up in her absence, his figure towering over hers. The thought was sobering. Seraphine felt like it was just yesterday she was wrapping him in blankets, acclimating him to the cold of Coruscant.

“It’s good to see you again, Seraphine,” he punctuated with a tight squeeze. As she looked over his shoulder, she met the eyes of a young Togruta girl. She wondered why a Padawan would be here, but still gave a polite smile as she pulled back from Anakin.

“I don’t believe we’ve met yet, what’s your name?” Seraphine inquired, extending an arm out as a greeting. The girl seemed to be skeptical at first, but with a small nod from Anakin she took Seraphine’s hand.

“I’m Ahsoka Tano. I’m Master Skywalker’s Padawan,” she answered, pride clear in her voice. Seraphine tried to hide her surprise as she let go of her hand. While Anakin had been a very skilled and powerful student when she left, he was still wild and headstrong. The fact that he’d been Knighted, let alone given a Padwan, shocked her. I supposed if anyone could get a Padawan so early, it’d be the Chosen One, she thought.

“Seraphine Kharis, it’s nice to meet you.”

“Oh, I know,” Ahsoka replied, much to Seraphine’s confusion. “We’ve talked about the Kessel mission in our studies. Your work is looked up to by a lot of us.”

Seraphine tilted her head at her, a look of puzzlement on her face. They talked about us in their classes? “Well, it certainly wasn’t just me, I had a lot of help. Especially from her,” she assured, putting a hand on Cordé’s shoulder.

After everyone was introduced, the group made their way towards the inside of the Temple. Falling into stride with Obi-Wan, Seraphine leaned to his side to whisper.

“They gave him a Padawan already?”

“Hey!” Anakin interjected, shooting a glare my way. Obi-Wan chuckled.

“Oh, trust me. I expressed the same sentiment at first, but he seems to be doing alright so far,” Obi-Wan assured. Seraphine could only imagine his initial reaction but knew that he trusted Anakin. That didn’t stop her from teasing though.

“Right, I can tell from the number of new grays you’re sporting.”

Ahsoka’s mouth fell open in shock and laughter while Anakin snickered. Obi-Wan simply glared back, but Seraphine knew there was a small smile threatening to take over.

“It’s nice to know you haven’t lost your sense of humor while you were gone,” he countered.

“Never,” she smirked. Obi-Wan shook his head at her.

“Now, you two can drop your bags off in your rooms, but I’m afraid we’ll have to go straight into the briefing after. The Council is waiting, and you’ll be introduced to your clone divisions.”

Anakin and Ahsoka announced they’d be going ahead while Obi-Wan led the remaining duo to the main sleeping quarters. Seraphine was surprised to see that they had decided to give her old room back, with Cordé being given the one right across.

Seraphine peered into the old room, not sure what to expect. The quaint space she had spent almost her entire life in was void of any artifacts or trinkets that once branded it her own, but strangely still felt like home.

Some things never change.

They dropped off their things and made their way towards the briefing rooms.

#literally so nervous bc i've never posted my writing before but HERE WE GO #obi wan kenobi #obi wan kenobi x oc #obi wan kenobi fic #star wars #star wars oc #my oc #seraphine kharis #star wars fic #certaindark writing #my writing #always holding on to stars #star wars fanfiction

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tennessoui · 3 years

Note

50 but its Obi-Wan tired and stressed going through a messy divorce who mets ray of sunshine Anakin ❤

This is basically the Prologue to the story of how Homeowner Obi-Wan Adopts Two Children and A Husband Without Realizing It

50. Going Through a Divorce (Divorced!Obi-Wan)

Buy a house, they had said. You have a wife. You should have a house, they had said. The market is in your favor right now, they had said. This area is nice. Good for kids if that’s something you’re thinking about. Buy a house.

No one ever told Obi-Wan what to do if your wife divorces you and moves out, but the house is legally in your name and the weight of the mortgage is slowly killing you because while you’re a great English professor, you don’t exactly get paid a commission for how many kids decide to take your class after looking at your chili pepper score on Rate My Professor.

Obi-Wan sits in his study with the windows shut and the door closed. It’s the only room in the house that doesn’t feel like something’s glaringly missing. Every other place held at least a few of Satine’s possessions, and if he leaves the shelter of this one final safe haven, he knows himself well enough to know that he’ll prod at all those little absences the way a tongue ghosts over the pit left by a lost tooth.

But this study has always been his, and it still feels like it now. And while the house is, arguably, also still his and has always been, it feels too big now. Too empty.

He is not enough for the house either, it seems.

Obi-Wan snorts at the thought and pours himself a drink. He’s getting maudlin in his old age. Sentimental. What he should be doing is thinking of the logistics going forward, although he knows few. How To Get Divorced was never something they taught in schools, nor something he had thought to be in his future.

How To Pick Up The Pieces of Your Shattered Heart had been a tough lesson to learn a year ago when his wife--ex-wife now--had broached the topic of separation. Separation, as if that wasn’t simply a long-drawn out end. She hadn’t taken that criticism lightly, nor should she have. Their ensuing fight had only ended when she had gasped wetly through her tears and told him, “See? Who are we anymore? I don’t want to fight anymore, Obi.”

To which Obi-Wan had said, of course, “Don’t call me that.” and Satine had left without another word. Given enough time to reflect upon her argument, he did find the logic in it. They’d married young and then changed in ways that couldn’t click together. Obi-Wan would have been fine with continuing to try to force them to work, but Satine had never been one to hate herself in that way.

The papers had come on a rainy day in October. The love had stayed on, unwelcome and bitter and agonizing in turn, well into April. Now it’s autumn again, and Obi-Wan has a house that’s too big for just him and no wife or partner or lover to fill its gaps.

There’s a loud ping of his phone that brings him out of his thoughts. It’s a message from Quinlan, just a link. Obi-Wan almost doesn’t click it, not in the mood for a funny video or in-depth but frightfully out-of-touch opinion on a recent movie. Then Quinlan texts again. I know you like your blondes fiery is all he says, and now Obi-Wan has to know.

He touches the link and it takes him to a posting on a website dedicated to finding roommates. The text loads slowly, probably because there’s a lot of it.

IN NEED OF ROOMMATE ASAP the title screams. Reflexively, Obi-Wan checks the time-stamp, but this was posted only a day ago. His heart warms at the idea of Quinlan checking this website trying to solve Obi-Wan’s problem of the mortgage for him.

Then he keeps reading.

Hi, I’m Anakin, 26, it reads. Working in tech right now--should make any sort of income required. Recently and unexpectedly kicked out of my place. Parent of two toddlers, but they’re angels (separately)! They are past the point of drawing on walls and they are potty-trained. Would be willing to put down a pet deposit but no pets, just the twins. Being evicted in the next five days so desperately need place. Twins’ mom could take twins while I move out and then move in but she can’t have them longer than a couple of weeks because of her job.

Also full disclosure, I have to move out because I “assaulted” my landlord! He was being a creep about my friend and touched her without her consent. I’m not actually a violent person and will not hit you! Just if you call my landlord for a tenant reference, he won’t be nice. He’ll be very, very biased.

Before twins can move in, I will need to run a background check on you as well just to make sure you’re not a creep (creeps DNI)

Let me know if you’re interested!

(Please give me a chance.)

There’s a couple of pictures at the bottom, just after the man’s phone number and email. One depicts a smiling, attractive man, dressed in a t-shirt and jeans with a young child on each hip. The next is a close-up of the kids in fancy clothing, probably to prove that they’re not messy. The girl is scowling at the camera while the boy is crying though, so the overall effect is ruined. Still, Obi-Wan finds iit endearing. The last picture is Anakin’s mugshot, the man in question looking decidedly which makes Obi-Wan snort. He appreciates the level of honesty and loyalty Anakin’s clearly showing.

But this is a lot.

Obi-Wan hasn’t started to look into the option of finding a roommate to lessen the burden of his mortgage payments. And to jump straight to a man with a violent past and his two small children?

His house would be absolute chaos. He and Satine had always kept an orderly space, one that featured long bouts of quietly enjoying the other’s company from opposite ends of the living room, but there would be no quiet with two children and what he’s positive is a very lively man.

But hadn’t he just been thinking that the house was too silent now? Too empty? It would be--

Well. It wouldn’t feel like his and Satine’s house anymore. It would be unrecognizable.

Somehow he’s jotting down the number before he even realizes what he’s doing. And then he’s putting it into his phone. And then it’s ringing.

“Hello?” A distinctly masculine voice says on the other side. Obi-Wan clears his throat, suddenly unsure of what to say.

“Hi, hello yes. I’m calling about the ad you posted online yesterday?”

“What about it?” Anakin asks slowly, sounding suspicious. Obi-Wan has to fight to roll his eyes. If he hadn’t already committed himself to following through on the worst idea he’s had in years, he’d hang up at the other man’s clear distrust. He wants to berate him that this is not how you sell yourself to potential homeowners, but that isn’t his place.

“My name is Obi-Wan Kenobi,” he says instead. “And I fear I may be your only hope.”

#asks #my fics #narrators voice: it was not actually the worst idea he's had in years #but he was truly anakins only hope #this was self-indulgent fun to write not serious at all #obikin #KUWSK #prompt fill

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aces-to-apples · 4 years

Text

Applefic Masterlist

Sorted by wordcount within fandom, with summaries, chapters, ratings, and notable tags included, all under the cut. Bundled by series when applicable.

AO3: TheAceApples

Ko-Fi: acestoapples

Up-to-date as of January 2, 2021

Red vs. Blue

“Haat Verd”, Rating: Teen, Crossover: Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Words: 5980, Chapters: 2/?

Notable Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Background Trooper/Trooper Relationships

- Work Summary -

Barriss Offee took a right turn when before she might have taken a left, everything changes, and six years into the Clone Wars, the 501st and the 212th find themselves in a strange temple with no way out.

At the end of "Test Your Might", Caboose isn't the only one to step back out of the Testing Grounds.

“Unfortunate Luck”, Rating: Explicit, Words: 3614, Chapters: 1/1

Notable Tags: Locus | Samuel Ortez/Lavernius Tucker, Post-Season 13, Not Season 15 Compliant, Sex-Pollen, Temple of Procreation, Oral Sex, Blow Jobs, Hand Jobs, Unsafe Sex

- Work Summary -

Somebody accidentally activates the Temple of Procreation.

Tucker and Locus reap the benefits.

“swap meet” series, Highest Rating: Teen, Words: 5130, Works: 3, Latest Work Chapters: 1/3

Notable Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Role-Swap, Simulation Trooper!Sam, Mercenary!Tucker

- Series Summary -

Prompt by Norcumi: Role swap! Locus ended up a sim soldier, and Tucker somehow ended up a merc

“Lost Relic”, Fusion AU: Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Rating: Teen, Words: 1636, Chapters: 1/1

Notable Tags: Non-Graphic Violence, Implied Sexual Assault

- Work Summary -

The aftermath of a quest for a hammer and two groups of very interesting people.

“A Planet Named After A Song”, Rating: Teen, Words: 1593, Chapters: 1/1

Notable Tags: Alternate Season 11, No Chorus, Background Relationship Agent Ohio/Sherry

- Work Summary -

"Colorful Space Marines Convicted of Corruption"

It takes Carolina considerably longer than ten seconds to calm down after she sees it.

“Where Sleepy Dragons Lie”, Fusion AU: Sword Art Online, Rating: Teen, Words: 1428, Chapters: 1/1

Notable Tags: Locus | Samuel Ortez/Lavernius Tucker, dragon!Tucker

- Work Summary -

Blood Gulch Online has glitched—yet a-fucking-gain—and now Tucker is a motherfucking dragon. He's not exactly upset by this development.

“where there’s poison, there’s a remedy” series, Highest Rating: Teen, Words: 2615, Works: 2, Latest Work Chapters: 1/5

Notable Tags: Time-Travel, Alternate Season 15 Ending

- Series Summary -

Nobody notices a shimmer in the air when there’s a portal to the past and a dead man staring them in the face.

“Attentive Listening”, Rating: Teen, Words: 1237, Chapters: 1/1

Notable Tags: Locus | Samuel Ortez/Lavernius Tucker, Slice of Life, Miscommunication, Post-Season 13, Not Season 15 Compliant

- Work Summary -

@izzybutt prompted: “And that’s how I ended up standing naked on the Brooklyn Bridge on Christmas Eve.”

“simmons says”, Rating: Teen, Words: 1183, Chapters: 1/1

Notable Tags: Dick Simmons/Agent Washington, Genderbending, fem!Agent Washington, Post-Season 13, Pre-Season 15, Fluff

- Work Summary -

Two nerds doing nerd things.

“Cognitive Dissonance”, Rating: Teen, Words: 724, Chapters: 1/1

Notable Tags: Humor, Original Characters, Genderqueer Character(s)

- Work Summary -

Some Federal soldiers discover what Locus looks like under his helmet and have a hard time coping.

“Deux Décimales Zéro”, Rating: Teen, Words: 665, Chapters: 1/1

Notable Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Bilingual Tucker

- Work Summary -

Lopez Dos.0 doesn't speak Spanish, and neither does Tucker.

“fluffy and sweet”, Rating: General, Words: 598, Chapters: 1/1

Notable Tags: Franklin Delano Donut/Lavernius Tucker, Post-Season 13, Pre-Season 15, Coping Mechanisms, Off-Screen Character Death

- Work Summary -

Some things you don’t just get over, and people have a lot of different ways of dealing with trauma.

“Are you drunk?”, Rating: Teen, Words: 561, Chapters: 1/1

Notable Tags: Slice of Life, Freelancer Shenanigans, Pranks and Practical Jokes

- Work Summary -

@randomalfonso asked: “if you’re still up for the short fics, how about York and Wyoming with the drunk one?”

“missed connections (and other tragedies)”, Rating: Teen, Words: 285, Chapters: 1/1

Notable Tags: Agent Carolina/Agent York, Time-Travel, Alternate Universe - Soulmates, Soulmate-Identifying Marks, Bittersweet

- Work Summary -

Sometimes the universe gets things out of order.

“burning love”, Rating: Teen, Words: 231, Chapters: 1/1

Notable Tags: Locus | Samuel Ortez/Lavernius Tucker, Alternate Universe - Magical Realism, Self-Harm

Star Wars

“king of the damned” series, Highest Rating: Mature, Words: 15,710, Works: 3, Latest Chapters: 3/?

Notable Tags: CT-5597 | Jesse/Kix, CT-5597 | Jesse/Darth Maul, CT-7567 | Rex & Ahsoka Tano, Dead Dove: Do Not Eat, Mind Rape, Memory Manipulation, Implied Sexual Roleplay, Mind Control, Order 66, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Untranslated Mando’a, Fix-It Of Sorts, CT-5597 | Jesse Lives, Obsessive Behavior, Possessive Behavior, Weird Power Dynamics, Twisted and Fluffy Feelings, Trauma Bonding, That’s Not How The Force Works, Force-Sensitive Jesse, Dark Side Jesse, Enemies To Reluctant Allies, POV Outsider, Grief/Mourning, Obi-Wan’s Final Message, Mentioned Alpha-17/CT-5597 | Jesse, Tumblr Ask Box Fic

- Series Summary -

Sometimes, bad guys make the best good guys...

“Codywan Week 2020″ series, Highest Rating: Mature, Words: 10,115, Works: 7

Notable Tags: Hurt/Comfort, Blood and Injury, Concussions, Mandalorian Culture, Fix-It of Sorts, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Dehumanization, Alternate Universe - Role Reversal, clone culture, time-travel, Canon-Typical Awful Treatment of Clones, Discussions of Murder, Ambiguous/Open Ending, Implied/Referenced Future Rexsoka, Fae & Fairies, Changeling Cody, Discussions of Child Murder, Emperor Cody, Sith Cody, force-sensitive cody

“A Non-Comprehensive Guide To Force-Sensitivity” series, Highest Rating: Teen, Words: 9074, Works: 2

Notable Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Not A Jedi!Obi-Wan, Not A Sith!Maul, Families of Choice, Found Family, Mandalorian!Maul, Skywalker Family Shenanigans, canon timeline what canon timeline, Force Shenanigans, Tatooine Slave Culture, Referenced Satine Kryze/Darth Maul, Referenced Satine Kryze/Obi-Wan Kenobi, george lucas is a hack, dooku takes qui-gon’s place in the narrative because i like him better

- Series Summary -

Even the Force has its favorites, and sometimes it takes care of them, too.

“got me all beguiled”, Rating: Explicit, Words: 5241, Chapters: 1/1

Notable Tags: CC-2224 | Cody/Anakin Skywalker, CC-2224 | Cody/Obi-Wan Kenobi/Anakin Skywalker, Minor Padmé Amidala/Anakin Skywalker, Established Relationship, Fuckbuddies, Interrupted Sex, Safe Word Use, Safer Sex, Anal Sex, Threesome - M/M/M, Getting Together, Orgasm Delay/Denial, Polyamory, Dom/sub Undertones, Light Dirty Talk, Oral Sex, Spitroasting, Face-Fucking, Finger Sucking, Plot What Plot/Porn Without Plot, Overstimulation

- Work Summary -

Commander Cody and General Skywalker don't have a relationship so much as an agreement. They're both willing to amend it for General Kenobi, though.

“wilderness”, Crossover: Stargate SG-1, Rating: Teen, Words: 5240, Chapters: 1/1

Notable Tags: A Star To Steer By ‘verse, Star Fever, Feral & Savage Opress, Darth Maul & Vala Mal Doran, Goa’uld Atrocities, Sith Atrocities, Referenced Mind Control, Long Author’s Notes

- Work Summary -

Vala is eight years old when she meets her daddy for the very first time; his new wife glares daggers at her when he isn't looking.

She’s thirty when the leaders of the local rebellion drag her from Qetesh’s throne and spend a week beating her to within an inch of even a Goa’uld host’s life.

“Renegade”, Rating: Teen, Words: 4983, Chapters: 1/1

Notable Tags: Time-Travel, Original Clone Trooper(s), Post-Umbara, PTSD

- Work Summary -

Noun: a person who deserts a party or cause for another.

“Family Before Honor”, Rating: Teen, Words: 3505, Chapters: 2/3

Notable Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, The Deserter AU, Character Death

- Work Summary -

Desertion: an act of leaving military service or duty without the intention of returning.

“half-dozen of the other”, Highest Rating: Mature, Words: 3199, Chapters: 21/21

Notable Tags: Tumblr Ask Box Fic, Canon-Typical Violence, Clone Trooper Reconditioning, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, LARPing, Pre-Canon, Misunderstandings, Miscommunication, Kinks, Hijinks & Shenanigans, Drunken Shenanigans, Morning After, Fae & Fairies, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Strip Poker

- Work Summary -

Six sentence (and a little bit longer) stories prompted over on tumblr. Index inside.

“on your mark”, Rating: Teen, Words: 2118, Chapters: 1/1

Notable Tags: Dogma/Darth Maul, Pre-Relationship, Relationship Negotiation, Alternate Universe - Vampire, Vampire!Maul, Past Abuse, Past Dogma/Pong Krell, Discussions of abuse, Anxiety, Autistic Dogma, Stealth Sugar Daddy AU, Non-Graphic Discussions of Blood Drinking, Contracts, Magical Realism, Star Wars Rarepair Exchange Treat

- Work Summary -

Nobody calls them "thralls" anymore.

“omne trium perfectum”, Rating: General, Words: 1903, Chapters: 2/2

Notable Tags: CC-2224 | Cody/Obi-Wan Kenobi/CT-7567 | Rex, CC-5052 | Bly/Kit Fisto/Aayla Secura, Polyamory, Original Clone Trooper(s), Alternate Universe - Soulmates, Non-Traditional Soulmates, Happy Feet AU, Background Trooper/Trooper Relationships

- Work Summary -

The song becomes love.

“war stories”, Rating: Teen, Words: 1569, Chapters: 3/?

Notable Tags: Obi-Wan Kenobi/CT-7567 | Rex, CC-2224 | Cody/Obi-Wan Kenobi/CT-7567 | Rex, Snapchat AU, Snapchat Format, Tag As I Go, Time-Travel, Bickering

- Work Summary -

A series of stories, sometimes ongoing and sometimes self-contained, caught on holocamera by ARC Trooper Fives throughout the war.

“new romantics”, Rating: Teen, Words: 1430, Chapters: 2/?

Notable Tags: CT-5597 | Jesse/Darth Maul, Tumblr Ask Box Fic, Alternate Universe - Soulmates, Soulmate-Identifying Marks

- Work Summary -

The many AUs of ARC Trooper Jesse and Darth Maul.

“through victory, my chains are broken”, Rating: Teen, Words: 862, Chapters: 1/1

Notable Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Hardcase Lives, Darth Maul & Hardcase

- Work Summary -

The Death Watch aren’t the ones who find the escape pod.

“Dab’ika Vaar’kara”, Rating: Teen, Words: 810, Chapters: 1/1

Notable Tags: Alternate Universe - Camp Half-Blood, half-baked worldbuilding, Ficlet

- Work Summary -

anonymous asked: “19 [Summer Camp AU] and 99 [Magical Accidents] with Cody and Rex for the mashup tropes please!” @ anon, I saw your very clever request for a Camp Half-Blood AU and, obviously, I greatly approve.

“cheese and chocolate”, Rating: General, Words: 547, Chapters: 1/1

Notable Tags: CC-2224 | Cody/Obi-Wan Kenobi, Fluff, Sick Character, Tumblr Ask Box Fic

- Work Summary -

Cody has the sniffles and Obi-Wan's cooking abilities are limited, but limited to comfort food.

“blue was my favorite color (until i saw you”, Rating: Teen, Words: 401, Chapters: 1/1

Notable Tags: Dogma/Hardcase, Force Sensitivity, Force Ghost(s)

- Work Summary -

The aftermath of Umbara.

“it don’t run in our blood”, Rating: General, Words: 383, Chapters: 1/1

Notable Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Jedi!Satine, Duke!Obi-Wan, Mandalorian!Maul

- Work Summary -

Some things change while others stay the same.

“tentatively abandoned AUs”, Rating: Teen, Words: 4653, Chapters: 4/?

Notable Tags: Alternate Universe - Skyrim Fusion, Inspired by Anastasia (1997 & Broadway), Time Travel, Alternate Universe - Treasure Planet Fusion, Original Clone Trooper Character(s)

- Work Summary -

WIPs that are pretty much guaranteed to go unfinished at this point.

The Magnificent Seven 2016

“she wore it wonderfully well”, Rating: Mature, Words: 5836, Chapters: 1/1

Notable Tags: Emma Cullen/Vasquez, Post-Canon, Wall Sex, Anachronisms

- Work Summary -

The Unconventional And Wholly Unintentional Courtship Of Emma Cullen And Diego Manuel García de Vasquez.

“flux capacity”, Rating: Teen, Words: 3998, Chapters: 5/5

Notable Tags: Joshua Faraday/Vasquez, Alternate Universe - Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies, Genderqueer Character(s), Bigender Faraday, Genderfuck, shifting pronouns

- Work Summary -

One time Vasquez decided Joanna Faraday wasn’t someone to fuck with, one time Vasquez decided Joshua Faraday might in fact be someone to fuck with, one time Vasquez decided to see if Joshua Faraday had enough room in life for another love, one time Vasquez decided that Joanna Faraday was the craziest person he’d ever met, and one time Vasquez said to Hell with it all.

Or: One introduction, three kisses that weren’t, and the start of a beautiful relationship... of some kind.

“honey, we got your disease”, Fusion AU: Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle Movies, Rating: Teen, Words: 3392, Chapters: 1/4

Notable Tags: Joshua Faraday/Vasquez, Goodnight Robicheaux/Billy Rocks, Original Character(s) Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Genderqueer Character(s), Bigender Faraday, Genderqueer Red Harvest, shifting pronouns

- Work Summary -

Jumanji is the bane of Joshua Faraday's fucking existence.

“taste the bright lights”, Rating: Explicit, Words: 2903, Chapters: 1/1

Notable Tags: Red Harvest/Vasquez, Post-Canon, Drunk Sex, Plot What Plot/Porn Without Plot, Unsafe Sex

- Work Summary -

Red Harvest and Vasquez, after Rose Creek.

“gunpowder and a spark”, Rating: Explicit, Words: 1633, Chapters: 1/1

Notable Tags: Teddy Q/Vasquez, Hand Jobs, Plot What Plot/Porn Without Plot

- Work Summary -

Shooting guns out by yourself is a dangerous business when you're not very good and your crush is visible from space.

“strangers in the dark”, Rating: General, Words: 994, Chapters: 1/1

Notable Tags: Red Harvest/Vasquez, Time-Travel, Outsider POV

- Work Summary -

The desert has a strange magic to it, make no mistake.

“melting point”, Rating: General, Words: 952, Chapters: 1/?

Notable Tags: Alternate Universe - Leverage Fusion

- Work Summary -

A collection of fusion ficlets and one-shots that otherwise won't leave my brain.

“The Ice Man”, Rating: Teen, Words: 856, Chapters: 1/1

Notable Tags - Red Harvest/Billy Rocks/Vasquez, Alternate Universe - Leverage Fusion

- Work Summary -

A hitter playing grifter is a bad joke.

A Song of Ice and Fire & Related Fandoms

“The Sun, The Moon, And All The Stars”, Fusion AU: Winx Club, Rating: Teen, Words: 9465, Chapters: 3/3

Notable Tags: Crack Treated Seriously, Background Relationships, Pre-Brienne of Tarth/Jaime Lannister, Lannister Family Shenanigans, No Incest, Female Friendships, Genderqueer Character(s), screw canon timeline and screw canon genealogy

- Work Summary -

When the twin heirs of Queen Joanna of the Westerlands are born, the capital planet of Solaris celebrates for nine days and nine nights: three for the princess, three for the prince, and three for each Solarian sun. Soothsayers and sibyls, fortune-tellers and prophets, all agree that the children of the Sun and Moon carry great magical power within them—one shall assuredly become a Guardian Faery of the Western Realm, and the other a great hero like those of old to bring peace to all the Magical Dimension.

On the morning that Queen Joanna’s death is announced, every light and fire in Casterly Rock is extinguished in honor of their beloved queen. It is regarded as the darkest day in the history of the Realm of the Sun. Few revelries are thrown when word spreads that their queen’s last child survives, but some brave souls whisper about the Prince of Stars, whose gentle light echoes that of his mother’s.

“canis lupus familiaris”, Rating: Teen, Words: 987, Chapters: 1/1

Notable Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Outsider POV, Ambiguous Time-Travel, Ambiguous Greenseeing

- Work Summary -

“Get her a dog, she’ll be happier for it.”

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

“concupisces”, Fusion AU: Fright Night, Rating: Teen, Words: 1347, Chapters: 1/1

Notable Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Implied Pedophile!Grindelwald

- Work Summary -

For the kinkmeme prompt:

After a new neighbor moved into the house next door, Credence discovers that he is an ancient vampire.

"Percy is a terrible name for a vampire"

“You Play (But Never Games)”, Rating: Unrated, Words: 483, Chapters: 1/?

Notable Tags: Original Percival Graves/Credence Barebone, Vampire!Graves, Dead Dove: Do Not Eat

- Work Summary -

Percival catches a scent.

The Umbrella Academy TV

“look at the way (we gotta hide what we’re doing)”, Rating: Explicit, Words: 3129, Chapters: 1/2

Notable Tags: Diego Hargreeves/Vanya Hargreeves, Pseudo-Incest, Referenced Child Abuse, Post-Canon, Mentioned Ben/Klaus, Mentioned Allison/Luther, Netflix/Comic Fusion

- Work Summary -

Nothing is the same when they get back.

(One thing is the same when they get back.)

BBC’s The Musketeers 2014

“lives not lived”, Rating: Teen, Words: 926, Chapters: 2/?

Notable Tags: Ana de Austria | Anne d’Autriche/Porthos du Vallon, Original Character(s), Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence

- Work Summary -

Various AU ficlets.

Ch. 1: 1x02, "Sleight of Hand", canon divergence Ch. 2: pre-show canon divergence

Kingdoms of Amalur

“calcified hearts”, Rating: Teen, Words: 655, Chapters: 1/1

Notable Tags: Fateless One & Famor | Bloody Bones, Genderqueer Character(s), Neopronouns

- Work Summary -

Why struggle against Fate when it is so easily shifted?

#by apples #fic bits #applefic masterlist #rvb fic #sw fic #mag7 fic #okay to reblog

53 notes · View notes

evabellasworld · 3 years

Text

By the Stream

March Madness Challenge for @starwarsfandomfests

What happened, what’s wrong?

You’re sitting alone by the stream

The green grass is sprouting up

And the water splashes with the spring wind

I’m sure there was a promise

That even if you go, you won’t be gone forever

But every day you come to the stream

What are you thinking about?

Even if you go, you won’t be gone forever

Is that asking me not to forget you?

——————————————————————————————

Summary: Obi-Wan and Vanya were sitting beside the stream, not knowing what will become of the long-standing friendship that they built together.

——————————————————————————————

AO3 Link

Staring at the crystal-clear stream in front of her, Vanya was seated on a large rock, with stalks of yellow-orange daisies in her hands, with a smile on her face. Her surroundings were filled with wildflowers and polka-dotted mushrooms grown across the emerald field, along with the refreshing breeze in the air. The sun was shining on the blue sky as the puffy cloud above her glided, giving a sense of serenity inside her.

For months, the battles across the Outer Rims were bloodthirsty. Many of her troops were sacrificed in the battlefield as a price to pay for the Republic's victory. The fields that she was admiring were once soaked in blood and rotting corpses that painted across the bare valleys.

Trenches were dug deep and barbed wires were set up, marking each territory for both the Republic and the Separatists forces. Anyone who trespasses was either shot on sight or disappeared, never to be seen again. Vanya recalled assigning 35 clone troopers to gather intel from their enemies and so far, only 5 had survived.

Her heart aches as she laid on her bunk every single night, wondering whether the rest of her soldiers were still out there. It would be easier to think that the remaining 28 men and women were all dead, probably buried somewhere in the area. On the other hand, Vanya could not help but think that maybe, just maybe, they would return home to their brother’s and sister’s embrace.

Why did I even bother fighting this war in the first place? she thought, sniffing through the sweet scent of the flower. It’s not like we were protecting innocent people of the Republic in the first place.

She glanced at the stream again, only to notice the fishes that were swimming along together. For three years, she had been fighting a war that doesn’t seem to end anytime soon. Though her friends informed her that the Separatist were losing their grip on the Outer Rim, Vanya cannot be too sure about their statement.

In truth, nobody, including herself, had any idea when the Clone Wars would end. She was sure that the war would be over in a few months, but that few months became a year, before it turned into three excruciating years. If another year has passed, then she would be a forty-year-old woman, along with her longtime friends, Cinta Kaarim and Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Her former apprentice, on the other hand, would be a fourteen-year-old girl, the same age that Ahsoka became a commander of the 501st Legion. How time flies so fast, she laughed to herself. Just yesterday, Lira was the little girl who was always asking a lot of questions and talking endlessly and now, she’s blossoming into a teenager and soon, she’ll grow into a strong and brave woman.

The thought of her Padawan growing up made her shiver, realising the uncertain future for her and her twin sister, Eva. Will the girls have to grow up to finish the war for us? Vanya bit her fingernails. Will they survive, or will they die young?

That was the question that bounced around her head the moment they were assigned as Jedi Generals for the 101st Battalion, much to both her and Obi-Wan’s distress. As she watches an Eden green butterfly land on top of the flower, her lips curve downwards when it flees in fright, prompting her to turn around and figure out what startled the fragile creature.

Rather, she found Obi-Wan pacing towards her the entire time, making her cross her arms and gave him an icy glare. “You know, your tactics of scaring other people is starting to bore me,” Vanya remarked, as he let out an amusing chuckle.

“Well, in that case, I’ll have to find another way to grab your attention,” he teased, as he sat beside her and grinned, hoping to crack his stone-faced friend. “Besides, you seem to always be in your head all the time. Should I be worried or should I stay out of your internal conflicts?”

“What do you want?” she breathed, her lips stiffened.

“Well, you’ve been sitting alone by the stream,” he answered, his voice laced with concern. “What’s happened? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing really,” Vanya shook her head. “It’s just the thought of us not seeing each other again just pains me too much.”

“But even if you go, you won’t be gone forever,” Obi-Wan assured, placing his hands on her shoulder. “Besides, we promised that we would always have each other’s back, no matter what.”

“But what if I didn’t make it alive?” she pined. “The Outer Rim is currently in siege and right now, I can’t even guarantee if I’m able to make it back to the Jedi Temple.”

“Vanya, don’t say that. You will come back to the Temple once everything is over, and you will see Lira and Eva again, I promise.”

“How can you even be optimistic right now, when you’ve been seeing your own men die under your command? You’ve even lost Satine on Mandalore, and you lose sleep worrying about Anakin and Eva’s strained relationship with each other.”

Obi-Wan bobbed his head, his eyebrows drooped. “You’re right. It’s difficult to think positively, especially when both your apprentices are fighting with each other too frequently. It’s hard when Eva kept crying on how Anakin was saying nasty things to her and how he felt unfair when I called him out on his behaviour. But what can I do? Eva has been depressed for years, and I have to stay strong just for her sake. I can’t afford to break down in front of her, since she’s already been through a lot.”

“I’m sorry, Obi-Wan,” Vanya apologised profusely, her head hung low. “I didn’t mean to provoke you like that.”

“No, Vanya, there’s nothing to apologise for,” he let out a weak smile. “It’s just that I’ve been keeping to myself for too long, and I thought that it would be better if I just let it all out, you know.”

She nodded as she squeezed her nose and wiped her hands on her dress, shifting her focus to the gentle stream. “So, how’s Anakin?”

“The usual,” shrugged Obi-Wan. “You know, flying recklessly, almost getting himself for a billion times, yeah, those are the things that I have to deal with for more than ten years.”

“That bad, eh?” her nose crinkled.

“Well, he had a rough upbringing when he was around Eva’s age. He was enslaved until my master, Eva’s father, rescued him and made me his master as his death wish. Then, he had to watch his own mother die a decade later, and even till today, he blamed himself for not being able to save her from those Tusken Raiders.”

“That was sad,” Vanya sympathised. “But that doesn’t excuse him for hurting other people’s feelings, especially Eva. The girl’s only thirteen, and she’s already in a fragile state of mind.”

“That is true,” he acknowledged. “Ever since Ahsoka left, Anakin is back to his destructive behaviour. His possessiveness towards Padmé, his anger issues, says it all. I’ve tried talking to him, but you know him. He’s as stubborn as a mule.”

“The apple doesn’t seem to fall far from the tree,” she commented. “You were just as stubborn as him when you were still an apprentice to Master Qui-Gon Jinn.”

He snorted, before clearing his throat. “I could say the same for you and Master Plo Koon. You always insisted on flying, even if it was too dangerous.”

“Yup, and now, the cycle repeats with Lira. I have to admit, as jumpy as Lira is, she is one hell of a pilot.”

“It’s like you said, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” Obi-Wan repeated her words. “Master Plo was a pilot, you are a pilot, and now, Lira is following your footsteps into becoming a star pilot like the both of you.”

“And Anakin and Eva also have your piloting skills, though you hated flying so much.”

“Yeah, I had a bad experience with them,” he rubbed behind his neck, plucking a small, white daisy beside him. “You know the incident on Pijal. Even to this day, it still haunts me in my dreams.”

“I know, and I’m sorry that you had to go through that, really. No child should experience these kinds of horrors.”

“And we let a fourteen-year-old and two 10-year-olds fight in a barbaric war,” he exhaled. “I just hope that this war will end sooner. I miss the days when the only thing we had to worry about was maintaining peace in the Galactic Republic.”

She groaned in frustration. “God, I hate politics so much. It’s just too many red strings that prevent us from taking further action, you know. I don’t even know why the Jedi Council had to get involved in the first place.”

“I see where you’re coming from. Too many politicians, with a few exceptions, are corrupted. They would rather fill their pockets with credits than caring about the citizens instead. Honestly, I have a feeling that the Republic will crumble eventually. It’s too fragile to maintain its pillars.”

“True,” she relented as she got up from her seat, holding a bouquet with both hands. “Well, I should get going. The Council assigned me to another battle and I have to depart as soon as possible.”

He nodded and bowed. “Is that asking me not to forget you?”

“I guess so,” Vanya lifted her shoulders. “But like you said, I won’t be gone forever, and so will you.”

“Goodbye Vanya,” Obi-Wan gave his last wave at her. “I hope we’ll see each other again once the war is over.”

“I will, Obi-Wan,” she promised, before leaving him by the stream, where the grasses were sprouting up and the water splashes with the spring wind. Little did they know, this was their last conversation with each other before the end of the era.

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magicalforcesau · 3 years

Text

Dancing With Ghosts in Your Garden~ Chapter 8- Year 1: March

(ao3 link)

Anakin was the talk of the castle, though he didn’t want to be. Being talked about for his Quidditch plays or even his transfiguration mistakes was more preferable to the gossip flooding the halls. Word wasn’t even supposed to have gotten out, though he couldn’t be too surprised; word of such things always traveled fast.

He’d tried to convince a few of his fellow students that he hadn’t done anything, but they turned away from him rather quickly. It was much like how he’d lost friends in muggle schools and he certainly had been lured into a false sense of security by such a fanciful place. It had made him feel too safe evidently.

“I could have told you it was a Gryffindor,” Sebulba was bragging loudly to a few of his friends, “A Slytherin certainly wouldn’t need to cheat,” He smirked at Anakin as he was passing by and Anakin gripped the strap of his bag tighter.

“Come on mate, don’t listen to him. He was probably the first to buy one,” Rex muttered. Rex had believed Anakin easily when he’d explained the accusations. He had his own proof though, seeing as how he had often traveled the tunnels with Anakin.

“If I had been behind this stupid scandal,” Anakin growled, “I’d never have sold anything to that prick.”

“He’d have turned you in on the spot,” Rex agreed as they turned the corner, leaving Sebulba out of sight.

“It’s not fair,” Anakin complained as they passed a group of third years who’s whispering ceased as they passed by, “I didn’t even do anything, no one will listen.”

“The Zillo Beast situation didn’t do you any favors,” Rex shrugged as they entered their next class, “You’re probably lucky they didn’t give you a harsher punishment.”

“A harsher punishment?” Anakin glared towards the chalkboard, “I have detention for the next forever, and I don’t even get to play Quidditch!”

“It’ll work out, mate,” Rex placed a hand on his shoulder and Anakin sighed, putting his head down on the desk.

“It doesn’t feel like it.”

***

“You wanted to see me Qui-Gon?” Anakin hesitated at the doorway. He normally wouldn’t have, but he felt particularly beat down today and did not want another lecture.

“Yes come inside Anakin,” Qui-Gon waved him in with a small smile and took his own position at his desk. Anakin dropped his bag by the door with a thunk before sitting across from Qui-Gon. His toes barely brushed the floor and it didn’t help him feel any bigger as Qui-Gon stared down at him rather intensely.

“Am I... in trouble?” Anakin asked, no longer having any sort of idea what sorts of things he could be accused of.

“Curious, because that’s what I wanted to know,” Qui-Gon mused and Anakin wilted a little in relief, “I wanted to ask you to be completely honest with me,” He instructed, grey eyes searching his own, “Can you do that?”

“Er, ok?” Anakin figured it was safest to agree. Qui-Gon nodded at his answer before leaning forward, a strand of hair falling over his shoulder and onto the desk.

“Did you orchestrate or were you involved in any way, with the cheating scandal?”

“No!” Anakin answered, a spark of anger driving his outburst, “No I didn’t do it! I didn’t even buy a key! Someone finds out that I happen to have found a magical map of the school and suddenly I’m a criminal!” Qui-Gon leaned back as if mulling over his words.

“I believe you,” He said finally and Anakin perked up.

“Then you can tell Yoda! Tell him I’m innocent and that I can play Quidditch and not have detentions!” Anakin jumped up to lean on Qui-Gon’s desk, hope was glimmering in his eyes, but it faded when he caught the apologetic look.

“I’m afraid my own opinions cannot counteract Headmaster Yoda’s nor the factual evidence,” Qui-Gon admitted and Anakin bristled.

“Why even call me in here then? I don’t have that much free time anymore, in case you missed the memo!” Anakin kicked the base of his chair in a weak attempt to banish the anger that rose to greet him.

“My own curiosity,” Qui-Gon answered for him anyways, “I had to know for myself,” Anakin just glared at the floor.

“If that’s all then professor, can I go?” He asked through gritted teeth.

“Of course, Anakin, I’m sorry to keep you from your studies,” Though he was out the door before Qui-Gon could finish.

***

Ben had been quiet all day and it was making Satine antsy. For once, she knew what was bothering him, what was keeping him locked in his head, but she didn’t quite know how to bring up the situation. Still, he was glumly eating the most sugar-filled piece of cake at the dinner table and she had enough of the silence.

“We did what we had to do Ben,” She pushed her fork through her own flaky desert ignoring the way he flinched and looked around like he’d just realized they were in the great hall. She continued, “That map, gone unchecked, could have led the Zillo Beast captor right to Anakin. It’s safer this way.”

“I know that,” He snapped, turning to meet her gaze finally, “For Anakin to have such a tool is dangerous, and makes his involvement in finding the Zillo Beast tunnel much more suspect.”

“But?” She prodded.

“But something doesn’t feel right,” He admitted finally and Satine sighed.

“Anakin doesn’t tell you everything,” Satine pointed out, “Just because you trust him does not mean he’s truthful,” She frowned and he swept through the whipped cream on his cake with his fork.

“Anakin’s found himself in plenty of trouble,” He admitted begrudgingly, “And I know how the evidence stacks up,” He paused a moment, “Still this doesn’t seem like Anakin, it’s not his brand of trouble.”

“Ben, you’ve only known him for a year,” She frowned, “Truthfully do you really know what he’s capable of?” She gazed into his eyes and he met hers easily.

“I thought I did.”

***

Although word had sufficiently spread through the castle regarding the alleged culprit of the cheating scandal, Obi-Wan still felt something heavy twist in his gut over the whole ordeal. He didn’t have the evidence- the proof- that he so typically fell back on when it came to mysteries, but he had a feeling. He’d always been taught to listen to logic, never feelings, because feelings held bias in even the most rational wizard.

So, he decided to seek out the one person who he knew seemed to have a perfect balance between logic and emotions.

Qui-Gon was sipping on tea and reading the Daily Prophet, clearly not pleased with whatever commentary was being relayed as he had a hard line drawn where a kind smile was usually set. He didn’t seem to even notice Obi-Wan’s intrusion and despite having spent a good deal in his office over the years, it still felt weird to barge in unannounced.

He raised his hand and knocked on the doorframe, eliciting an alert response from his mentor and then a nod.

“I’m assuming you’re not here to inquire about the next trip to Hogsmeade?” He asked before looking back down to his newspaper.

“No, sir.”

He took his normal seat across from him and noticed upon closer inspection that he looked stiff and exhausted- almost cold. Rain pittered on the window on the opposite side of the room, dripping rapidly to the windowsill, which was undoubtedly soaked. Obi-Wan’s fingers itched to close it, but he knew Qui-Gon liked the smell of the rain. The fact that the window was open at all indicated a need for a soothing presence.

“I’m here about Anakin.” He broke the silence again and his mentor did not look up at him.

“I figured as much.” He sighed wearily, but gave no signs of intending to stop him.

“They’ve been pulling him into questioning for days and he still refuses to give them anything useful.” Obi-Wan said, unsure why this was the direction he was taking this conversation. He knew what he wanted to ask, but couldn’t find the strength to do it yet. He needed to build up some momentum first.

“I can’t say I’m surprised.” He said as he flipped the page, turning to the advice column, “He does not trust them. Particularly Windu.”

“But-”, Obi-Wan bit his lip, “Have they thought to have you question him?”

“I will not.” Qui-Gon said simply.

“Why?” He frowned.

“Because it is nothing more than a distraction from the real issue at hand.” He said, “Whether or not Anakin Skywalker has been leading this cheating scandal does not negate the fact that someone is after his life.”

“So, you don’t think he-”

“-It matters little what I think, apparently, Obi-Wan.” Qui-Gon said a bit sharply and finally looked up at him, “I was not the one to turn him in without thinking to come to me first.”

And there it was.

Obi-Wan gasped, never having been on the other end of such purposeful anger from Qui-Gon before. A part of him felt like he was staring at his own reflection. Guilt immediately ebbed at him, but he shoved it down and away, forcing himself to try and focus on the surrounding facts.

“I was trying to protect him.” He offered lamely.

“I fear all it’s done is possibly remove him a tool that could have kept him safe.” He said.

“I- I hadn’t thought of it that way.”

“That’s obvious.” Qui-Gon said, this time not as curtly, but still firm.

He stood, unsure what else to say, because he knew he wouldn’t win the mental battle that Qui-Gon had clearly been stewing over since Anakin had received his punishment. It was painfully clear in that moment that Qui-Gon had taken Anakin’s side of the matter anyway and even if Obi-Wan, himself, wasn’t positively sure of his mentee’s guilt, it still stung.

He swiftly turned on his feet and left, trying to banish that disappointed look from his memory. He didn’t get a single meter out of his office before bumping straight into Anakin, who fixed him with an expression even worse than disappointment: betrayal.

“Anakin, I-”

“You turned me in?” He took a step back from Obi-Wan as though he’d caught on fire.

“I turned the map in.” He admitted, realizing now that he had no choice but to face the music on this, “As prefect-”

“-And what about as my mentor?” He spat, “That’s supposed to be your first priority!”

“You were in possession of highly sensitive material.” Obi-Wan countered, “And do not deny that you’ve been using it.”

“So what if I have?” He asked, “That doesn’t mean I would ever cheat!”

“But would you lie?” Obi-Wan asked, before reaching out a hand. “Let me see your wand.”

“What?” He shrieked, “Why?”

“Anakin.” He leveled him with a fiery stare that he was unsure where it came from. He hadn’t allowed himself to acknowledge how simply this could be answered for his own preservation, but it needed to be done.

The younger student’s glare intensified, but he reluctantly handed him his wand.

Obi-Wan raised his own wand to the core and uttered, “Priori Incanto!”

His eyes flickered along a list of spells before landing on what he’d been searching for.

“You’re supposed to trust me.” Anakin said in a low voice.

“I did.” Obi-Wan said pointedly before turning the wand back to him, “That’s quite an impressive swamp charm you’ve performed.”

His bright blue eyes widened in enough shock to confirm what Obi-Wan had truly been dreading. He was a bright boy, though, and snapped back onto the defense.

“Obi-Wan, you have to believe me!”

“Do I?” Obi-Wan asked, hurt mixing into his voice in a way he did not appreciate.

“I did the Sebulba prank.” He admitted without blinking, “But I did not cheat.”

Obi-Wan considered him for a moment, disappointment giving way as he thought back to all the times he defended Anakin to everyone. Even now, as sadness weighed on his heart to see he’d been so flagrantly deceived, did he want to believe him.

“I don’t know.” Was all he could say, because he really did not. “I don’t believe I am the best person to investigate this matter any longer.”

“Now you’re against me too?” He called after him as he started to move past the first year and Obi-Wan stopped dead in his tracks before turning around and walked right up to him.

“And how much longer will you continue to blame everyone else?” He asked, earning another bewildered expression from the boy, “Because regardless if you are guilty of cheating or not, you have still been laying your life on the line every single day for tomfoolery.”

Anakin opened his mouth to answer and Obi-Wan pointed a finger at him, “You used the tunnels and the map to pull pranks, to get ahead. I’ve spent all term losing sleep over how scared I was for you and you continue to dangle yourself as bait.”

He tried to speak again, but Obi-Wan shut it down, “And you’ve been lying so much that it’s no wonder nobody believes you!”

It felt too far, but Obi-Wan’s heart was pounding in his ears.

“So, please excuse me if I find it hard to feel sorry that you’ve gotten detention and sacked from the Quidditch team for the time being. Because you’ve been careless and… And I’m exhausted.”

For once, Anakin Skywalker had nothing to say as Obi-Wan finally turned and left.

***

“Are you here to tell me you told me so?” Obi-Wan asked, voice muffled by the sleeves of his jumper as he rested his chin on his knees.

“Is it not enough to want to enjoy such a beautiful view?” Satine snarked as she dropped to his right side.

It was a beautiful view atop the astronomy tower- even paired with the thunderstorm that rolled in from over the horizon. The lake looked tumultuous in such a state as black clouds swirled above. An occasional mist-coated wind whipped him after a flash of lightning.

The cold chill didn’t stop him from dangling his legs over the edge nor did it prevent Satine from doing the same.

“Do you think I’m a fool?” He asked quietly and the unsureness of his voice reminded Satine of when they were naive first years.

“Of course not.” She answered instantly, “It’s not foolish to have faith.”

“Depending where that faith lies.” He countered.

“Would you like me to think you’re a fool?” She said archly.

“No, but… I think I might be.” He said slowly, “And Qui-Gon might too.”

She’d spoken to Qui-Gon not long before and noticed that the man had seemed lower in spirit than usual. He’d still shown concern when she explained that Obi-Wan had missed dinner and hadn’t been seen for a few hours. He did mention that they hadn’t left on the best terms, though not on what.

“Just because you disagree does not mean he thinks so low of you.” She said, “We disagree constantly yet that doesn’t mean you think I’m foolish, do you?”

“It wasn’t like that though, Satine.” He sighed in frustration, “He’s angry with me for turning the map into Headmaster Yoda without seeking him out first.”

Satine frowned, “We were following protocol.”

“We both know Qui-Gon isn’t always keen on following the rules verbatim.” He retorted, “Which does make him a funny fit as a mentor to me.”

Satine was thinking the same thing, but didn’t voice her agreement. Instead she shook her head, “And what would he have us do? Allow Anakin to continue frollicking through the castle in unknown tunnels where he could get hurt without anyone being any the wiser?”

“That’s what I was trying to say.” Obi-Wan ran a hand through his hair, which was damp from the rain and slicked backwards a bit. “Neither he nor Anakin saw much of that logic.”

“Ah, so Anakin knows now.” She said.

“Yes,” He said bitterly, “And I do too.”

She furrowed her brow, “What do you mean?”

“He did the Sebulba prank. He admitted it.” He said, though he didn’t share how he’d come to get that information from the boy. Satine had heard that the Headmaster wasn’t having much luck getting Anakin to admit what he’d done during detention.

“I’m sorry, Ben.” She said quietly.

He shrugged and looked down, following the trail of a rain droplet that slowly drifted down his leg before releasing and dripping all the way to the ground beneath them.

“You were right.” He said stiffly and looked at her with a carefully shielded expression.

“It doesn’t matter.” She said. “I didn’t want to be.”

“About Anakin and-” He swallowed, “A good Auror wouldn’t let his feelings cloud his judgment so.”

***

Satine knew she wouldn’t necessarily feel good when the answer key culprit was brought in, but she at least imagined she’d feel a great deal less on edge. There was no longer any reason to be judging every aimless student with extra scrutiny or to keep her head craned to the ground in search for more discarded answers. Really, her job became easier and she should be grateful for it. OWL’s were readily approaching and would require her full focus.

That being said, it was impossible to feel any relief when nothing but dolefulness had really come from the news- particularly with Obi-Wan walking around the way he was. Few could probably tell, but if you knew him, it was obvious he was hung-up over Anakin’s admission. She knew this was coming, but she wasn’t prepared for him to appear so sad, like he was the one who failed.

He’d argued on multiple occasions that he did fail and would not see reason on this stance. Satine and Cody insisted otherwise, but Obi-Wan was nothing if not stubborn on his own misgivings.

Really, it wasn’t a surprise that he was taking it hard.

What did surprise Satine, was how witnessing Anakin’s melancholy worried her so. The boy completely lacked any semblance of his previous charm or positivity. She supposed consistent detention could do that to a person, but what bothered her most was how he lacked any of the usual embarrassment that came with the territory of having been caught and punished. Anakin didn’t seem guilty in the slightest. Just… Sad.

Whenever she found herself getting too sorry for the boy, she tried to remind herself that he did perform that elaborate prank on Sebulba and did admit to having used the tunnels to accomplish such a feat.

Of course, the small voice inside her head couldn’t deny that Sebulba was a total prat who deserved a taste of his own medicine for how he’d allegedly been treating Padmé and other girls. It wasn’t as though Anakin performed a prank that hurt the Dug physically and truthfully (she would never admit this out loud), it was impressive that he’d been able to pull it off.

But it was within reason.

In fact, the very prank could be found in a joke book that came out the year before, so the source of such an idea made sense. What wasn’t in the book or any other piece of material that could be found on Hogwarts, was how to finesse test papers for exams as intricate as the OWL’s. The other tests could be likely found in a professor’s office, but the OWL’s were still months away and in a preliminary phase. Who had that level of contact?

Not Anakin, right?

She shook her head. They didn’t know that for certain. Plus, he was the only student to know the tunnels that well. Hell, he might have been the only person to do that with such proficiency. Even Yoda seemed a bit alluded by the prospect of the secret tunnels.

And they found him with the OWL’s, so that should be the end of it, right? It should be, but it didn’t stop her from questioning herself. She knew bringing this to Obi-Wan’s attention was hopeless, since he’d been harping over it for the better part of a month and was incredibly dejected.

“Have you seen much of Anakin lately?” Satine asked her own mentee, who was busily writing an essay for Charms. Poor Viz had sprained his wrist a couple of weeks ago by slipping on one of the vanishing frozen patches and had been reduced to writing with his left hand instead for a little while. This meant his homework took a little longer these days, but Satine didn’t mind waiting him out.

He frowned and shook his head, “Some of my Gryffindor friends say he mostly keeps to himself in the common room. I know what he did was wrong, but I’m starting to feel bad for him.”

She sighed through her nose. Trouble was, her resolve in believing he had done it was wearing down.

It was Cody she turned to, because she trusted his opinion just as much as Obi-Wan’s.

“Do you think Anakin did it?” She broke the silence of their study session much to Cody’s surprise and confusion. He reached across the table and laid a hand on her forehead.

“What are you-” She began.

“-Just checking for a fever.” He quipped and she batted his hand away and rolled her eyes.

“I’m not ill!”

“Are you sure? Because it’s not like you to doubt your convictions.” He offered with a shrug.

“Who said I was doubting myself?” She countered, “I’m merely asking for your opinion.”

“And you wouldn’t be doing that if you were positive you were right.”

“I’m not that closed-minded.” She grumbled.

Cody looked pensive for a moment before shaking his head, “Rex doesn’t think he did it.”

“What do you think, though?”

He smiled a little, “I trust Rex. That’s what I think.”

Satine had considered that too. She wasn’t quick to be immediately blinded by that trust, but Rex would know if Anakin had been spending all semester cheating. He knew about the tunnels, Sebulba’s prank, and what happened on Halloween. Surely, he’d know about a cheating ring. It didn’t seem Anakin kept much from the boy.

But, Anakin did help Rex with his Krell situation. Wouldn’t that risk some level of blind allegiance? She was unsure, but guilt nagged at her stomach in a way that didn’t sit well with her.

“I can see your brain moving at the speed of light.” Cody commented. “What are you thinking?”

Satine sighed, “I don’t know.”

“Wow, that’s a first.” He smirked and leaned on his forearms, “I know you and Kenobi are all about logic and proof and it makes sense. It’s why I couldn’t do what you do. But you know what else matters?”

“What’s that?” She asked.

“Guts.” He said and patted on his stomach for emphasis, “My gut rarely steers me wrong.”

“Except when it came to that burrito you had last summer and you-” She teased.

“-You know what I mean!” He groaned, “Besides, I still don’t regret eating that. It was delicious.”

The amount of time he spent in the bathroom after was not.

“I don’t want to say anything to Ben. I’d hate to get his hopes up or twisted even further,” She sighed, “But my intuition tells me something isn’t right here. Like all of this is falling into place too easily.”

“I know the feeling.” Cody agreed, “It’s been quiet around here.”

***

The great hall was buzzing with excitement over the prospect of today's Quidditch match. Though it was nearly a given that Gryffindor would win, Hufflepuff’s table was still chatting excitedly to keep their energy up. Rex hadn’t seen Anakin yet this morning, though he knew that likely his friend was off sulking before the match. He understood the disappointment of not getting to play, Rex desperately missed weekend matches with his brothers. He really hoped he wasn’t becoming rusty.

“Whatcha thinking about, Rexy?” Echo poked Rex in the cheek with his fork.

“Just thinking about the game, which maybe you should too,” Rex knocked the fork out of his brother’s grasp and it fell to the floor, causing Echo to swear softly, “Keep eating like that and you’ll see it again,” Echo just scoffed and stole Rex’s fork out of his hands.

“With our chasers? I never get a chance to really play,” Echo reminded him, “It’s Fives you should worry about. You know Cody’s having him start today.”

“Where are they anyways?” Rex asked, glancing down the table. He’d noticed the general lack of loudness that his brothers usually provided, but hadn’t thought much of it, “Cody’s not one for skipping breakfast.”

“On the field of course, last minute training,” Echo rolled his eyes, “Cody’s been running extra drills with him ever since he got word of-”

“-Anakin!” Rex cut his brother off as he waved over Anakin who’d just slunk in through the doors, “Where’ve you been mate? Breakfast’s almost over,” Anakin just shrugged as he dropped onto the bench.

“I wasn’t hungry, but I ran into Professor Palpatine,” He shrugged as if that was much of an answer and stabbed a couple pieces of bacon.

“You’re coming to the game right?” Rex asked as he pushed his own plate away, “You can sit with me in the stands. It’d be nice to have some company,” but Anakin shook his head.

“Cody said he wants me on the bench,” Anakin grumbled, “Although I’m not sure if he’s behind it or if it was from the headmaster.”

“I can talk to him if you want,” Rex suggested, “If it is Cody all you really have to do is ask,” And Echo nodded in agreement.

“Yeah mate, Cody won’t mind since he can’t play you anyways,” Echo added, but Anakin just scowled.

“No one listens to me, so I doubt it,” Anakin stood up, “I’ll just sit on the stupid bench and pretend I’m actually part of the team,” He shoved his hands deep into his robe pocket and kept his eyes on the floor as he walked back out of the great hall, doing very little to dodge the whispers and glances thrown towards him.

“He’s certainly got bees in his bonnet,” Echo scoffed, swiping a piece of bacon from Rex’s plate.

“Well the whole school thinks he’s some criminal mastermind,” Rex frowned, turning away from the door and back at his brother.

“And you don’t?” Rex hardly had to consider such a notion, just shook his head.

“Of course not,” He answered, “Anakin’s told me practically every hairbrained scheme that’s crossed his mind since we met. He really gives us Fett’s a run for our money, you know,” Rex cracked a smile, “But nah, the cheating things not his style.”

“Well,” Echo finally pushed his plate away and rested an elbow in its place, “I believe you, but the rest of the school would need much more convincing.”

“I hope it doesn’t take too long,” Rex admitted, “He’s been quiet lately,” The clock tower rang out and Echo’s eyes widened rather comically.

“Crap I’m late! Cody’ll have my head,” He practically jumped up, but was blocked by the wall of other students heading towards the field, “Shame the kid already left, I could’ve used a freaking tunnel right about now.”

“If it makes you feel better,” Rex smirked at his brother's misfortune, “There aren’t any that would save you.”

***

Satine tried not to act concerned by the way Ben sat with his head cushioned by his arms. He’d barely been reacting to the actual game, more concerned with the small blonde boy on the bench.

“Completely barbaric!” Satine gasped as a bludger whizzed past Fives, who had narrowly avoided a concussion.

“He wouldn’t have it any other way,” Ben murmured, “You saw him before the game,” and she had. Fives had marched on the field fist pumping, so proud to be starting his first game. The only person possibly prouder was Cody, who she’d seen heading out to the fields ungodly early and grinning like a fool.

“Why anyone elects to put themselves in the position to have their brain scrambled is beyond me,” Satine returned her gaze to the skies just in time to see Fives launch the bludger knocking Breha off her broom. She managed to pull herself up, but not before Cody scored a goal, “How you’ve managed thus far is beyond me,” Satine muttered as she tried not to picture Ben in Breha’s place, though he’d certainly had a worse time last game.

“I believe you’ve told me before that I have a thick skull,” That drew a smile from Ben no matter how small, and Satine couldn’t help but smile back.

“At least you get to wear a helmet,” She commented, her eyes drifting back to where Cody practically headbutted the Quaffle in order to intercept a pass, “I can’t believe Cody hasn’t gotten a concussion yet. I’m nearly sure he hits his head more than an American football player,” Ben’s eyes gained a spark of intrigue as he slowly sat up and looked at her curiously.

“Is that a muggle sport?” He asked and Satine had to push down the butterflies at the way his eyes met hers.

“Yes, but don’t tell Cody,” She trained her prefect glare on him, “He’ll get no school work done if he realizes there are more sports in the world,”

“I’d never dream of it,” Ben smirked, turning his attention back on the field. She hated how it faded as he eyed the bench once more.

“He’s okay, Ben,” Satine finally broached the subject. Ben looked so concerned at her words that he’d surely have wrinkles sooner than he should, “He hasn’t been banned from the team forever.”

“I know,” He said, but winced at the obvious lie, “And it’s clearly a deserved punishment, but he loves flying.”

“And he’ll fly again,” Satine placed a hand on his back, the need to provide him some sort of comfort outweighing his usual need for space. She wanted to add how such a thing made for a good punishment, but it would have felt like kicking the both of them while they were down and despite her thoughts about Anakin, it was clear he’d been struggling lately.

“Perhaps I was too harsh with him,” Ben looked at her eyes full of guilt, “He’s only eleven,” Satine slid her hand up to rest on his shoulder.

“The headmaster decided the punishment,” She reminded him softly, “It was his call, not your own.”

“It feels like it is,” He turned his eyes back on the field, “Qui-Gon thinks so.”

“Qui-Gon puts too much pressure on you,” Satine argued. Both of them jumped however when there was a rather loud snap. Red and Gold confetti raining down on them in the stands. They looked to the skies where Cody was zipping around in victory. He caught their eye and pumped his fist in the air. Satine gave him a thumbs up and Ben a wave. Cody grinned back before he zoomed over to knock his brother out of the air.

“That boy, truly,” Satine shook her head, but she was smiling.

“I’m glad I know he’ll give us a play by play, because he’d be offended if we told him we missed the win,” Ben took the change of subject happily, but Satine had marked the conversation for later. She would not let him drown himself in guilt.

***

The library always brought a level of comfort to Obi-Wan. No one ever dared to take his seat, there were more books in here than he would ever be able to read during his time in school, and so often it was the meeting ground for his best friends. However such an attachment made him quite predictable: if anyone wanted to find him, he was rather easy to track. Typically he didn’t mind, it helped him be more available to the younger students now that he was prefect and it had helped Anakin know where to find him. Now however, as he stared down at the bored looking Lasat sitting in his chair, feet propped up on the table, and leaning so far back he was in danger of falling backwards, he wondered if perhaps he should have went back to the common room.

“Finally! Took ya long enough,” Garazeb Orrelios moved his feet off the table, letting the chair hit the stone floor hard enough that Obi-Wan thought it might have broken.

“You were looking for me?” Obi-Wan couldn’t really fathom a reason, even as the prefect badge shone from the sunlight drifting in from the window. Zeb wouldn’t have been Obi-Wan’s first bet on who would replace Krell as 5th year Gryffindor Prefect, but he was who had won out in the end. The Lasat had decent grades and he was about as Gryffindor as they came, but he didn’t care much for rules and had shown that when in their third year he’d been caught running a rival smuggling business to Hondo’s. Apparently all it took to get Zeb to break the rules was to challenge him.

“I needed another prefect and you’re probably the best choice,” Zeb stood.

“Surely it would be easier to find Lyra or one of the other Gryffindor Prefects?” Obi-Wan frowned, “Of course that’s not to say I won’t help you out,” Zeb rolled his eyes and started walking so Obi-Wan followed.

“We all figured it would be best for you to be there,” Zeb explained, “Seeing how you’re Anakin’s mentor.”

“Anakin?” Obi-Wan nearly stopped dead in the hallway, but hurried to keep pace, concern coating his features, “Is everything alright?”

“What?” Zeb blinked, taking one look at Obi-Wan before laughing and waving him off, “Nah mate it’s nothing like that. We’ve been given instruction to search the kid’s room.”

“On whose authority?” Obi-Wan brought them to a halt in the middle of a staircase, “Anakin’s already being punished. What more could we possibly find?” The staircase moved suddenly. It would have knocked them both off balance if they weren’t quite used to the shenanigans of the school.

“Oh come on,” Zeb complained as he returned to climbing the stairs, “You made us miss our stop,” He rerouted them easily though before turning back towards Obi-Wan, “Orders come from Windu, though I heard Qui-Gon was with him,” That gave him pause. What could Qui-Gon want from this? He was already quite against the whole thing, Obi-Wan really didn’t want to fail him again.

“Was- Did Professor Windu request me specifically?” He asked and Zeb rolled his eyes.

“Not everything’s about you,” Zeb scoffed and Obi-Wan felt his cheeks warm and he purposely averted his eyes, “We’re going into the boy’s dormitory so it’s better I don’t take Lyra,” He hesitated before adding, “Skywalker’s been off lately. Not causing any mischief, don’t even see him in the common room these days. We thought having you there might, I dunno, make him feel less like we’re invading his privacy,” He shrugged, “It’s convenient that you’re both a prefect and his mentor.”

“Hate to break it to you, but Anakin will feel like we’re invading his privacy whether or not I’m there,” Obi-Wan admitted and Zeb just gave him another shrug and they stopped in front of the portrait that guarded the Gryffindor common room.

“Too late now, Kenobi.”

“Are you going to stand there all day or did you want to come in?” The portrait of the fat lady berated them.

“Yeah, yeah, Flibbertigibbet,” Zeb told her and Obi-Wan followed him inside.

He’d been in the Gryffindor common room only once before. Prefects were shown where each common room was and how to enter them at the very beginning of the year. It was not expected that you would ever actually access the other common rooms, but for safety reasons, it was best to be prepared. The Gryffindor common room was plush with many too-soft couches, drapes of long heavy fabric hanging all along the walls, and their massive fireplace. Although they too were in a tower, their windows were narrow and often covered, which made the room feel smaller than it was. Obi-Wan much preferred Ravenclaw tower. During his scan of the room, he caught Cody’s eye, who was looking at him with confusion, clearly in the middle of schooling his brothers in some sort of card game. He gave him a nod before turning back to Zeb, who was speaking with Lyra Prime near the staircase to the boys dormitory.

“He’s already in his dorm,” Lyra let them know, waving a hand towards the staircase.

“He’s been warned we’re coming,” Zeb told him as they made their way to what must be Anakin’s dorm.

***

Anakin really had thought that things were not going to get any worse than they already were. He was already in endless detentions, had already missed a Quidditch game and several practices, and now he was being subjected to a search. He’d been a bit rude to Lyra when she’d caught him in the common room to let him know. She’d been as nice as she possibly could he supposed, but he was sick of continuously being accused. He couldn’t admit to something he didn’t do, but at this point he figured they had given up and decided to continue with punishment. He didn’t think they’d still be searching him for information that he didn’t have.

There was a knock on his door, but he didn’t bother to open it. Soon enough, Zeb Orrelios poked his head in the room before pushing his way inside followed by-

Anakin shook his head, trying to clear it, he must be seeing things from stress. However, when he opened his eyes, it was his mentor standing in his doorway, eyes flicking around the room and landing on him.

“You’re not a Gryffindor!” Anakin accused, “What are you doing here?”

“Zeb asked me to assist him,” Obi-Wan spoke, his voice a little too placating for Anakin to feel like more than some petulant child, “We’ve been instructed to search your belongings.”

“Yeah, so I heard,” Anakin crossed his arms and turned away from them, “As if there’s anything to find, since I didn’t do it,” He emphasized.

“Either way kid, orders are orders,” Zeb tried to put a hand on his shoulder and Anakin stood suddenly, pushing rudely passed them both to sit on the window seat across the room.

“Whatever! Just get it over with already,” Anakin pressed his forehead to the glass, watching the rain patter gently on the pane. He heard shuffling as the two prefects moved to open his trunk. He wiped away a tear that threatened to fall with the sleeve of his shirt. There was no need to bother the stupid prefects with emotions, seeing as he was starting to wonder if they even had any to begin with. Maybe the making of a good prefect was to be an emotionless prick; it would stand to reason how Krell got on in the first place.

The window on this side of the tower showcased the grand gate of Hogwarts. Although he hadn’t come in that way, as first years crossed the lake, he still knew that was the only real way out of hogwarts. Well the only way that wouldn’t get you eaten by some beast in the forbidden forest. He’d been wondering lately, how tall the gates were. Certainly they were iron, probably enchanted to be stronger if someone wanted to attack them. They seemed to be left open most times however, whether it was because the teachers came and went or because it was easiest he wasn’t sure.

“Anakin?” Obi-Wan caught his attention and he looked over at the prefects with a scowl, “We’ve finished with your trunk. We’ll just check your bed and then we’ll be out of your hair, okay?”

“Yeah because people so often keep their prized possessions under their pillow,” He wrapped his arms tighter around his legs and turned back to the castle grounds. Anakin tended to keep practically everything, but his wand in his trunk. They were completely wasting their time searching through his bed. As if he’d be stupid enough to leave anything sensitive out in the open.

“What’s that?” Zeb’s voice wasn’t enough to turn his head, but Obi-Wan’s hesitation was. He looked over and saw them holding a quill. It was blue and green and seemed to twitch on it’s own. Anakin hadn’t seen a quill quite like it before.

“I believe it’s a Copy-Quotes-Quill,” Obi-Wan’s eyes darted to Anakin briefly, but it was enough for him to see the disappointment reflected in his eyes.

“That’s not mine!” Anakin let his feet fall back on the floor, “I don’t even know what a Quote Quill is!” Obi-Wan’s eyes shifted from Anakin to Zeb and back to Anakin, but the Ravenclaw couldn’t help explaining.

“It’s a quill that copies what people say, exactly,” He pulled a roll of parchment from his robe pocket and set the quill on it. The quill seemed to twitch as if it wanted to write, but couldn’t, “It’s from the same makers of the Quick-Quotes-Quill that’s been recently banned for sensationalizing the news.”

“Then why’s it not writing?” Anakin threw his hands towards it, “So somebody left their broken quill under my bed. How does that prove anything,” Obi-Wan inspected the twitching Quill quietly before grabbing one of Anakin’s homework essay’s off his bedside table and presenting it like a gift. The quill fluttered a moment before writing with great speed.

“It’s been enchanted,” Obi-Wan pointed out, “It’s been forced to copy from print rather than from speech,” He snatched the parchment from the quill and held it out for Zeb to see. Anakin stood and crossed the room, snatching the two papers out of his mentor’s hands. It was true, the papers looked nearly identical.

“That’s pretty damning evidence,” Zeb finally spoke up as Anakin tossed the essays forcefully at his bed.

“It’s not mine!” Anakin’s frustration leaked into his voice, “How is it evidence if it doesn’t even belong to me?”

“We found it in your room, mate, under your bed,” Zeb crossed his arms, “Plus that fancy map I’ve been hearing about. You may as well just admit to it,” Anakin felt tears threatening to escape, but he turned away before they could have the satisfaction of seeing him cry.

“Fine! Don’t believe me, no one in this whole stupid school believes me so why should you be any different!” Zeb didn’t say a word just marched past him out of the room, quill in hand.

“Anakin-” Obi-Wan started.

“Just leave me alone,” Anakin growled, “Go find yourself someone else to lecture,” He expected another word from his mentor, but after a moment of silence Obi-Wan swept passed him, closing the door to the dorm with a soft click.

***

Detention with Anakin Skywalker and Pong Krell had been essentially characterizing Mace Windu’s Monday’s and Thursday’s, which were his shifts to supervise the two boys as they paid for their crimes with time. Profesor Dooku had suggested they take a walk through the forbidden forest, but such a practice felt dated and dangerous to Mace, especially when Skywalker was not a walking good luck charm.

It was just as boring for him as it was for them, but he wouldn’t let them know that. Tonight, they were doing handwritten essays on the values of honesty, including citations on when honesty proved most effective in history.

Mace had not been the one to draw up the assignments.

Krell’s was exquisitely written and eloquent, as fudging academics was not his personal sin. He was always a wonderful student until the reveal of his tyranny had come to light. Deceit, cruelty, and gluttony had truly been his downfall in the end. Even more so now that it was revealed he was the reason Kenobi was sent to the hospital wing.

The purpose of Skywalker’s detentions, whether the boy understood this or not, was essentially to protect him and keep him safe. He countlessly denied ever having any assistance or accompaniment in the secret tunnels, and while Mace highly doubted that, almost respected his loyalty to Rex, who they had no evidence was actually alongside him.

The spirit that Mace usually found irritating about Skywalker was all but gone this evening. Instead, the boy sat slumped and slowly moved his quill across the page as he tried to answer the prompt. It seemed he would be using the entirety of detention tonight, which while allowed, did give him pause.

Krell kept to himself, mostly to avoid being expelled at this point, still rolled his eyes when Anakin stopped to think for a long moment yet again.

“Eyes on your own paper, Mr. Krell.” Mace said and the Besalisk snapped back into place without question.

Anakin didn’t look up to even address this and just kept writing.

When the large clock in the back of the room gonged exactly three times, announcing that it was 8 o’clock, he stood to dismiss them. Krell did not hesitate to grab his things and scurry out of the room. While doing so, Windu had the presence of mind to check and make sure the Gryffindor wasn’t stirring any trouble for his peers again. Anakin, however, didn’t move and just remained staring straight ahead.

“Skywalker, did you hear me?” He stood, “Time’s up.”

He didn’t say anything and just collected his belongings and placed the parchment on Windu’s desk without so much as giving him another glance. His shoulders slumped forward as he took a deep breath and walked out of the classroom.

Curiosity getting the better of him, Windu picked up the parchment and squinted to decipher the familiar handwriting across the page.

“What’s the point of honesty, if no one believes you? Adults say it’s supposed to be freeing, but I’ve never been more trapped. I’ve already admitted to everything I’ve done and it’s not enough until I say I’ve cheated or used the copycat quill. That, though, would be a lie, which is what everyone wants me to tell!

That’s literally the opposite of the assignment!

In the spirit of honesty, here’s 2 truths and 1 lie:

I pranked Sebulba.

I used the tunnels.

I cheated.

If I ran some cheating ring, wouldn’t I be strutting around with new stuff? I’m still wearing somebody I don’t even know’s hand-me-down’s. But! Nobody believes me anyway, so take this as my admission if you want. I don’t care anymore. I used to think Hogwarts was a place where I could feel at home. Finally.

But really, I’ve never been more alone.

Honesty is important. Except when everyone likes lies more.”

Windu placed the parchment down and pinched his chin in thought. Despite his thick exterior and years of experience handling tough cases, Windu felt something akin to guilt flicker across his chest.

***

These days, Anakin felt like he was simply drifting through the Hogwarts halls like a downtrodden ghost. He hadn’t yet heard what would become of him after Obi-Wan and Zeb found the Copy Quotes Quill under his bed, but he really couldn’t bring himself to care. He’d thought going to a magic school would solve a lot of his problems. He knew he’d still end up getting himself caught up in mischief, but not accused for what could be considered a real crime. He’d first walked through these halls with good company, excitement, hope, and passion. It looked like he’d be leaving these halls with none of those, whether it be from expulsion or simply the end of the school year.

“It’s not your fault, Ben,” Anakin ducked behind one of the knights lining the hallway just in time to avoid being caught as Obi-Wan and Satine rounded the corner. It was after hours and though Anakin supposed it didn’t matter if he’d be caught, he wasn’t keen on speaking to his mentor.

“Of course it is! Qui-Gon said-” Obi-Wan hissed, but Satine spun around poking him in the chest with her finger.

“It was Qui-Gon’s fault for placing you in this situation in the first place,” She took a step towards him. They were practically breathing each other's air, neither wanting to back down.

“It was my decision, I thought we’d finished this argument,” Obi-Wan matched her heated glare easily, “Qui-Gon knows what I can handle!”

“You’re 16, Ben!” She reminded him, “Clearly he’s forgotten!” She took a deep breath before taking one step back, “You know I admire Qui-Gon.”

“I do,” Obi-Wan agreed, sighing.

“Sometimes he forgets, because you make it so easy to forget,” Satine’s hands hovered in the air for a minute like she wanted to hold him or shake sense into him. It was always hard to predict which, “You already have a world of responsibility on your shoulders. Just because Qui-Gon suggested it, doesn't mean you had to say yes,” She finally let her hands fall on his shoulders sliding just a little down his arms.

“Qui-Gon wanted a close eye on Anakin. I was naturally the best choice,” Anakin’s brain screeched to a halt as he gasped. Satine’s sharp blue eyes met his through the darkness at the noise, and Obi-Wan’s followed.

“Qui-Gon asked you to mentor me?” Anakin’s voice shook, but he stood strong as he stepped back into the moonlight.

“I do believe you’re out of bed past curfew,” Satine crossed her arms.

“Anakin,” Obi-Wan let his name trail, but Anakin was getting sick of mysteries.

“Well? Did he?” Anakin shouted, fists clenching.

“Yes, he did, but-” Obi-Wan tried.

“I thought you liked me,” Anakin accused, “I thought you chose me! Out of everyone in the school I thought you saw something in me!”

“I did-”

“-You didn’t! They just needed you to babysit me!” Rejection filled Anakin and he felt magic swirl inside of him, wanting him to lash out with more than just words.

“Anakin, that was never my intention!” Obi-Wan was looking at him with guilt and it was all the confirmation Anakin needed.

“Well, there’s nothing stopping you now!” Anakin yelled, “Go get the real student you wanted to mentor! I’m sure they’ll be a perfect kiss-up!”

“Anakin!” Satine tried to input, but Obi-Wan threw an arm in front of her.

“I don’t want another mentee,” He took a step towards Anakin, who stood his ground.

“You’re right, you’ve got too much on your plate turning me in for something I didn’t do!” Anakin felt the threat of tears and ran his arm across his eyes roughly, banishing them. When he looked back Obi-Wan was right in front of him, kneeled down.

“I-”

“Save it!” Anakin took a step back, “I don’t need you,” He turned and sprinted into a dim hall, racing frantically for the Gryffindor common room.

***

Obi-Wan got to his feet swiftly, ready to run after the boy. To catch him, to sit down and explain to him how he was always his first choice, how it didn’t matter that Qui-Gon had asked him. Satine snatched him by the hood and he whirled around freeing himself from her hold.

“I have to go after him!” He told her, but she caught his arm this time.

“You have to give him time, Ben!” She warned him.

“You don’t understand,” Obi-Wan shook her off and started blindly running in the direction he’d gone and Satine chased after him.

“I do!” She caught up with him while he was looking left and right trying to figure out which way to go, “When you fight with siblings you have to let them cool off!”

“He’s not my sibling, Satine, he’s my mentee!” Obi-Wan whirled on her, no longer able to tell where to go, “He looks up to me! I can’t fail him!”

“You haven’t failed him and you won’t!” Satine matched his ferocity easily, “He’s upset, but you’re only 4 years older than him! If you were in Anakin’s shoes, how would you feel? What would Qui-Gon have done?” He felt a fizzly sort of numb spread through him.

“I would be upset,” He took a deep breath,letting himself calm down as he looked Satine in the eye and considered a more logical solution, “Qui-Gon would give me some space.”

“See?” Satine smiled at him, “Not all is lost. You can talk to him in the morning,” Obi-Wan frowned, but nodded in consideration.

“That’s probably for the best,” He admitted slowly, “I fear if I go to him now I wouldn’t be able to get a word in anyways.”

“Plus, I think you could use some sleep,” Satine was looking at him with a gentle look she’d been fixing him with it more lately and he couldn’t really gather much from it other than it made his heart jump oddly in his chest, “You need to take care of yourself if you’re going to expect yourself to also take care of Anakin.”

“I suppose you’re right,” He smiled softly at her, “Once again.”

***

So, he really hadn’t been wanted here. He had thought on that day when Qui-Gon had given him his letter that someone had actually wanted something to do with him. Rex was a good friend, but it was only a matter of time before he left him too, just like everyone always did. He pushed the door to his dormitory open with a little more force than necessary. No one stirred.

The thought occurred to him then- the only person who had always stuck by him was his mum.

He felt his heart pick up pace as he considered his actions. Yes, he could leave, it would be a little tricky getting all the way back without the help of the Hogwarts express, but he couldn’t stay here, not for one second more. He took his school bag and dumped all his books out on the floor. Where he was going, he wouldn’t need them. He instead flipped his trunk open, shoveling the essentials into the little bag. He’d keep his wand of course, he’d need it to defend himself. His hand brushed the wire spirals of his Christmas present from Obi-Wan. He picked it up, eyes swimming before dropping it back in his trunk. He didn’t want any reminders.

He squeezed behind his bed and whispered to the wall. The passageway opened up and he took it. He took every tunnel he knew until he hit the castle grounds, not wanting to run into a single soul that would make an attempt to stop him, or worse, trap him in the castle like a prisoner.

He walked swiftly down the path towards those big iron gates, still left open. He paused a moment, taking a deep breath. He couldn’t help, but look back. Hogwarts was his home, or it had been. It was still breathtakingly large and intimidating. It held mysteries that he would never solve, and adventures he would never have. Padmé and Rex would still be there- he wondered if they’d miss him at all.

He turned away from it, away from the heartbreak that made it a little harder to breathe and took his first step outside the castle grounds.

***

“We haven’t uncovered any of the money Anakin should have received in the cheating ring.” Windu said bluntly, not bothering to waste any time with greetings or platitudes and going right for the juggler.

“No.” Yoda confirmed and placed his quill down, “Information, you have?”

He showed Yoda what Anakin had written during their latest detention and watched as the little green professor’s expression grew grim and riddled with concern.

“I don’t want to be wrong about another student and see someone get hurt, Headmaster.” He said thickly, “I’ve already made that mistake once this year.”

“Assumptions, we should not make.” Yoda confirmed, “Proof, however…”

“It’s almost too concrete.” Windu added, “As I’ve said before, I don’t believe Skywalker is responsible for the cheating. He’s admitted to using the swamp charm on Sebulba and utilizing the tunnels. Why admit to those two things and not the last if he’d done it? We’ve already punished him. He’s got nothing left to lose.”

“Who, then?” Yoda asked, not in denial of what Windu was saying, but out of genuine curiosity. “Framed, you think he is?”

“I think it’s at least a possibility.” Windu said, “I’m not sure if I believe all the foo-foo stuff that Qui-Gon has been spewing, but someone is definitely out for the boy.”

“Agreed.” He said, “But guilty of some things, he is.”

Windu nodded, “He’s risked his life by wandering the school and that’s foolish and I’ve warned him against it, but I fear that punishing the wrong student again could lead to negative effects.”

“Sad, this letter is.” Yoda said with a nod, “Talk to him, we must. Responsible, we are, for his safety.”

Windu nodded and then glanced back at the map that sprawled across Yoda’s desk, double-taking when he noticed that Anakin’s name was completely absent from the Gryffindor common room or the dorms.

“Where is he?” He leaned over the table suddenly.

Yoda, following his movements, scanned the entire map in full and low and behold: Anakin was nowhere to be found on school property- tunnels or not.

***

When Tyranus had been lurking around the school grounds near the Forbidden Forest, he didn’t have any particular conquest or goal in mind for the evening. While an apprentice to his master, that did not stop Tyranus from conducting his own biddings in private. He would benefit greatly from a Sith uprising, yes, but he had his own motives that were exclusively known to only him. Such weaknesses would otherwise be twisted into his gut like a knife by the hand of his own master.

His typical rituals and responsibilities often drew him so tantalizingly close to the enemy and a weaker man might have seized them or stepped out of line, but now was not the time for such foolishness. Always the type to believe in both fate and practicality, Tyranus understood the measures of necessary steps more than anyone.

He would not have to play his part for much longer.

Or at least, that’s what his master had told him during the last meeting. Soon, they would be moving into the next phase of the Sith takeover. He was assured that his next position would be positively critical and necessary for the prophecy to be fulfilled. It certainly suited Tyranus for all of his years of servitude, but he didn’t dare become cockshire over such a claim.

After all, there was so much he did not know. Necessary or not, that did not always sit well with him.

Tyranus may have not been privy to the full vision, but he knew there must be a reason his master hesitated on killing the boy. He’d seen and personally experienced Sidious’ limitless cruelty and knew it was anything but compassion. He had a plan for the boy. His death was more than feasible. They certainly had ample opportunity to do so, but it had to be the right moment.

Sometimes, the right moment strikes without plans or warning. This was especially true that evening at the darkest point of the night. It was late and he’d returned from speaking to his master in private. He didn’t understand how, but a sign would approach him soon to signal that it would be time to move. If he knew his master like he did, which still wasn’t saying much, he knew he would receive no warnings.

He didn’t expect it to happen immediately, of course, with young Anakin Skywalker trudging across the green grass and towards Hogsmeade. Tyranus froze, looking around to ensure with confidence that the boy was absolutely alone. After all, why would he be? It was well past curfew and he had no business being out of his room let alone off property.

He moved closer, channeling his master’s training in being perceptively silent. He utilized the darkness as his friend and ally, blending in and allowing it to swallow him whole so as to not be seen by the boy.

Even if he’d been less subtle, he doubted Skywalker would have noticed. He was clearly in dismay over something or other. Even with only the soft glow of his wand casting off of his face, Tyranus could make out tears streaking the boy’s cheeks.

Oh, so his isolation was going just as well as his master had insisted. Tyranus, while practical and astute, had a difficult time noticing the social patterns of the youth, given how sporadic and ever-changing that could be. His master was much slicker in that way, but he’d never formally admit that.

He allowed a wide grin to pull at the edges of his mouth. He couldn’t help it. While he never typically leaned into emotionally-charged whims, this tickled him so. Did this small boy truly not see the error in his ways? Did he not care that someone was out there trying to kill him? And if his master was right and nobody did believe in him, well, they certainly wouldn’t care that much to look for him.

Was it possible that their savior wouldn’t see his teenage years? He nearly laughed at the thought.

He shuddered, forcing himself to exist in the present. As tantalizing as those feelings of pure resentment and hatred were, they were a fine line to walk and he knew the dangers of them. He hated the ministry and what they’d done to the wizarding community. He hated how the Sith were cast to the shadows and their graves. He hated what this boy would grow to mean to them if they learned of his capabilities or what he could be.

But… Tyranus was only “necessary”, which he’d learned was not to say he was irreplaceable or permanent. It meant he was a component to a bigger plan and needed to see his own ends through.

Perhaps, killing the boy would be foolish. Why kill him? When he could use him for all he was worth.

And then, he’d kill him.

He allowed his prey to get ahead just a little bit. He’d taken to kicking clumps of dirt in some attempt to get his frustration out. There was much anger in him. It soothed Tyranus to a camouflaging silence and he’d taken to lending himself visible if the boy would only turn around. He lifted his hood, still taking the proper precautions set forth by Sidious and himself when they’d penetrated the boy’s dreams.

While Tyranus yearned to see a day where he no longer had to pretend, he understood that hiding could be seen as a skill and a tool when properly implemented.

“Stupid Obi-Wan… Stupid Windu… Stupid Yoda…” He sniffled and aggressively ran his arm across his eyes in a weak attempt to stop his tears. “They’re all better off without me.”

“I couldn’t agree more.” Tyranus allowed his shadow to cast over the boy, drowning him in the same darkness that filled and breathed through the former Sith temple’s walls. The very same temple that this putrid child had carelessly destroyed. He never let his anger come to a boiling point, because the thought of that night only reminded Tyranus of the endless possibilities before him.

Power over the wizarding and muggle world.

Knowledge of the future and how to retrieve the past.

Insurance over his master.

It was all right there within the fear-stricken eyes of Anakin Skywalker as he turned around and realized what he had done.

“There’s no Zillo Beast to save you this time.” He hissed before raising his wand dramatically against the night sky before flashing a beam of scarlet on the unsuspecting victim, “Stupefy!”

He hadn’t even noticed that Skywalker dropped his wand in the grass.

#obitine #anidala #obi-wan kenobi #anakin skywalker #satine kryze #tcw #the clone wars #star wars #magical forces au

8 notes · View notes

twilightofthe · 5 years

Note

In celebration of Mutual Acquaintances.. Satine: 5, 6, 7, 8, 28, 31, 42, 47, 48; Obi-Wan: 7, 8, 12, 14, 27, 31, 33, 47, 48; Padmé: 4, 6, 7, 8, 12, 18, 19, 28, 33, 34, 39, 42; The Disaster Boi: 10, 12, 14, 18, 20, 22, 28, 29, 31, 33 and bc we all need more sexuality headcanons, 13 for ALL of them

Whooo-WEE here we go, thank you! Get ready for VERY VERY LONG Rambling!

SATINE

(5) Cleanliness habits: Oh, she’s a total neat freak. Everything in her office is minimalist style and organized to a T. If someone moved something even an inch, she’ll be hounding everyone about who was messing with her stuff. Constantly washing hands, very clean, doesn’t like dust on stuff at all (has a bit of a dust allergy, actually. Lily pollen getting everywhere is a Problem for her). She’s practical, however, and if she HAS to get down and dirty, she will-- of course not without a suitable amount of icky faces made plus a side of complaints xD

(6) Eating habits and sample daily menu: Ok so we’ve got canon showing her eating meat, but don’t tell me Super Pacifism Lady wouldn’t IRL be that one ubervegan friend of yours on Facebook who’s constantly posting weird things about it and you gotta be like “aight Katie chill”. ANYWAY, so I’d say Satine in canon eats healthy-ish? She’s not the biggest fan of breakfast foods and is always up in the morning doing stuff, so she sometimes forgets to have anything besides black coffee. She’s not a particularly picky eater so she’ll eat whatever the cook is serving that day, but she prefers simpler meals, and can cook for herself (which came in handy during the Year On The Run because neither Obi Wan nor Qui Gon can cook for shit (my canon is no one in that line besides Anakin can cook and I’ll die with it) and eventually Satine was like “guys, I’m sorry, but no, u can’t try and protect me and then poison me at dinnertime. I’ll cook”). She does like to pair her evening meals with whatever drink she’s having that night. I also h/c her as a functioning alcoholic, so she’s always got SOMETHING to drink, but she is trying to work on restraint and control because when she was younger it got... Not Good at one point. She also has a sweet tooth though, and she really likes chocolate!

(7) Fave way to waste time and feelings surrounding wasting time: Satine is a... twitchy.... individual with a stressful job, so she is kinda conditioned into stressing the heck out if she’s got too much free time. Therefore, a lot of her free time is spent trying to relax. Cleaning is theraputic for her, so she does clean (yes, there is a cleaning droid but it is nOT GOOD ENOUGH) when she can. She likes that Mando sword box game we saw Sabine and Fenn Rau playing in Rebels, it clears her head and lets her practice problem solving. She likes going for walks too. She’ll sneak down to the kitchens and just make a bunch of sandwiches. She does enjoy beautiful things, so I’d say shopping for dresses or browsing art galleries is good too. I also think she’d be the type to read and write poetry, then save bits she likes.

(8) Indulgences: Look, Satine likes Nice Things, ok? She does consider fancy wardrobe and buying nice paintings a bit of an indulgence, but she adores color so she excuses that as promoting happiness for the people. As so she does a fancy ship and other fancy trinkets around the house. She’s not a huge fan of most people touching her, but she allowed a massage once... she would be amendable to perhaps another in the future......... Scented candles are nice too, clears the head. She refuses to consider chocolate an indulgence because it is obviously the gods’ gift to humanity, excuse you. Are we calling lusting over her secret forbidden boyfriend an indulgence????

(28) Who is their best friend? Their worst enemy? The sad thing about Satine Kryze is that canon wise, she is extremely lonely. Literally everyone she trusts betrays her at some point-- which also makes worst enemy pretty hard too. In my verse, this has led to her kind of shutting away from friends because people always leave her-- though I’d say she’s always been close with Padmé; she sent aid to Naboo after the Federation Blockade and got to know and became extremely impressed with the young Queen, and they kept in touch afterwards. Whether they could be together or not, I’d always say Obi Wan was her best friend too because that’s ALWAYS necessary in a relationship, and they clearly stayed in contact and knew each other like the back of their hands. I’d honestly say her worst enemy is herself, cliché as it is, because girlie makes a LOT of mistakes-- and then never learns from them or even acknowledges they exist besides an “oh whoops, that happened, we fixed it, everyone as you were”. I get it wasn’t meant that way, but she legit committed ethnic cleansing against her political opponents. I hate to say it, but there are very valid reasons for a lot of people to Not Like Her (none of the guys who attack her on the show count because they’re literally all douchecanoes fuck them), and she kind of shoots herself in the foot trying to fix the problem but making it worse. I h/c her as having a lot of self-loathing problems because she is trying to fix things but nothing ever works and that must be her problem so she must try harder without ever confronting what exactly her problem is.

(31) Most prized possession: Woah, never really thought of that. As much as I want to say “pressed flower from Obi Wan”, that’s a little too sappy. I’m going to go with this. There is a famous Mandalore version of The Art of War, and Satine has an uber-extremely-rare first edition copy given to her from her father, who was a master strategist and had the wealth and power to collect nice things like that. Satine may be a pacifist, but she has her family’s warrior’s spirit, and she enjoys adapting the book’s battle strategies to her own political fights and how she shapes her own life. It’s an actual old paper book, so she keeps it in a locked box under her bed and only ever reads it by candlelight with special gloves on to protect the pages.

(42) Hobbies: Like I said before, cleaning, writing poetry, the occasional cooking. Oh! Whenever she has Korkie over, she lets them pick the activity they do. This may or may not lead to Duchess Satine Kryze of Mandalore getting very invested in Space Mario Kart. She’s good at it too! So yes, gamer girl, and she also likes looking at art and she’s also also pretty good at dancing and yoga, which she does a bit of both for exercise. She also enjoys watching shows at the theater, but she’s weird in the way where she refuses to watch TV or movies because they’re “not as good”.

(47) If they were to fall in love, who or what is their ideal: I’d say trust is the most important thing for her, given how many things go wrong in her life. Someone she can trust to be herself around instead of The Duchess and can both support her when she’s falling but also call her on her bullshit (or try to, anyway) when needed. Again, she likes nice things, so she tends to fall for super attractive people lol. Another thing is, she likes to feel safe. She goes for the protectors, those who fight for everyone and can come back and hold her tight in a hug if she feels like she’ll fall apart because she sometimes needs someone to protect her too. They also have to be as smart as she is (only smarter if they’re not a dick about it) so she can have intellectual conversations (indignant yelling matches), and she needs someone who can match the firecracker she can tend to be, someone who can jump right in after her. Not a weakling, basically xD

(48) How do they express love: She just says it (”I love you”), if they’ll let her. If they don’t let her or she can’t for some reason (*coughOBIcoughcough*), she becomes frustrated because she isn’t always the best, emotion-wise, and she worries she’ll make the wrong gesture or do something to mess up, so frustration can build towards the other person so she can also be very snappy at them. In general though, familial or romantic or platonic, it’s just lots of soft smiles that no one else sees, letting them see her in casual clothing, teasing them or telling jokes, trusting them enough to tell them about the confusion and stress inside her head.

OBI WAN

(7) Fave way to waste time and feelings surrounding wasting time: Obi Wan is of the opinion that time enjoyed is never wasted, so he only views wasted time as exactly that: time that could be spent doing something but is instead being wasted not doing anything or doing something he doesn’t like. His favorite things to do when he has time to himself are read (he’s not picky, he’ll read most things with an interesting plot, though he does enjoy a good mystery or historical nonfiction), watch trashy tv shows (he’s only watching them to judge how bad they are, it’s Anakin’s fault, really, he watched them first, and Obi Wan just needs to know what happens next--), sketch random objects (he’s a pretty good artist, and it’s relaxing), do research on stuff because he is a NERD, go bug Anakin and/or Ahsoka because he honestly delights just sitting in their company and hear them talk about their day, drink with friends, spar (with Anakin, preferably, he’s the most of a challenge because he knows him so well, and he’s the only one who doesn’t hold back at all), sit in the Temple gardens and check on Qui Gon’s favorite flowers he planted there and bask in the serenity of it all.

(8) Indulgences: Ooooohhhh this is hard because Obi Wan is so Obi Wan about that sort of stuff, it can be difficult to read what he would do xD I’ll say he indulges in food? That while Jedi probs have a pretty strict health food diet, on the weekends or once a weekday he indulges in getting nice stuff for breakfast, ice cream for dessert, fried food at Dex’s because why not, it tastes good and Anakin did a good job today or he did a good job today and that deserves something, so oh well, he’ll just work out harder tomorrow. He’s also has some very nice old teas he saved from Qui Gon The Absolute Tea Snob he’ll have when he feels he needs it, and he’s got a cabinet with like four bottles of different really good, expensive alcohols that he’ll drink when he REALLY feels he needs it. I’ll also say this, boi is vain about his hair. Will never admit it in a million years, but he is, so he’s probs got at least some sort of haircare products that aren’t exactly necessary, ya know xD. He also does like his creature comforts when available, so I’d say he’s got a couple super fluffy blankets and maybe the thread count in his sheets are a bit higher than average cuz hey, soft things are nice. He also indulges in being lovey and mushy to the people he cares about

(12) Favorite book genre: Hey, I kinda talked about that! So yeah, I’d say he’ll probs try anything, but he likes mysteries and thrillers since with a book the Force can’t give you any Bad Feelings about anyone, so the surprises are genuine surprises. He also likes historical nonfiction because he is a NERD, but he’ll absolutely pick up whatever’s at the top of the Galactic Times Bestseller’s List if it’s there and give it a chance

(14) Physical abnormalities (including injuries/disabilities, illnesses, allergies): His right hip acts up in the cold from an old slug wound there (Anakin does indeed tease him about being an old man), over half of his teeth are fake or replaced because come on, have y’all seen how often he’s been hit in the face? Scars literally everywhere because everyone and everything has tried to murder him at some point or another. I h/c him with ADD, depression, anxiety, and dyscalcula (he had to really work to be good with numbers) as well as PTSD because basically all of the Jedi do at some point (someone HELP THEM). He also has TMJ, which I also have and I project my issues. It gets worse when you’re stressed and grind teeth, so it’s valid. Idk whether it’s canon or fanon that he has some food allergies, but I am ALL FOR IT with him just... forgetting about them??? And then eating some food and be like “hwoops I’m dying lol” while Anakin is like seriously Master again? and legit ends up the Mom friend with a list of foods like “is there gonna be this food in it? Cuz he can’t eat it” and then he’ll eat it anyway cuz it looks good and Anakin is all “what do you have in your MOUTH” and he’ll be like “uh” and yeah, that sounds funny

(27) Biggest regret: WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS. ok so we all know how literally everything about Obi Wan’s life is a mcfreaking nightmare. We ALSO know he blames himself for literally everything. So yea, he’s got a looooot of regrets. I’d say his biggest though is not being a good enough Jedi (in his opinion) to save those he cared about (Qui, Satine, Anakin, Pads, the entire dang Jedi Order, etc.). Maybe just not a good enough person, in his eyes. If he hadn’t screwed up somehow, everyone would still be here and fine and omg someone help him

(31) Most prized possession: Luke Skywalker. Ok, not actually, but y’all can’t deny Luke was Obi Wan’s greatest treasure. I’d say actually tho it’s holos, of people he loves and cares about, in a kind of album he keeps to himself. He hates having his own picture taken, but he loves seeing the smiling, laughing faces of everyone he knows (and is reminded of them when they’re no longer here).

(33) Concept of home and family: He always feels like other people overcomplicate this. Home is where you feel safe to always return, where you belong, and family is those you love and wish to spend your life with. Now, the fact that he only really allows himself to acknowledge the Jedi as a whole as his family and doesn’t exactly allow himself to dwell on specifics like what Anakin means exactly to him, what Ahsoka means, what Qui Gon meant, because he does love everyone as a family, why does he have to define it? That’s a whole ‘nother basket of his issues lol

(47) If they were to fall in love, who or what is their ideal: Obi Wan Kenobi has always been attracted to chaos and danger like a moth to a flame, so anyone he loves is gonna be a whirlwind of an individual. He likes someone who can challenge him, who can test him. He likes someone who’s loud and bright, the stars at the center of solar systems that everyone else can’t resist orbiting around and Obi Wan is no different. He likes snappy humor and the amusement he can get from playfully bugging them into hissing at him. They have to match him as a team, they have to be able to work with him (and he knows he’s not always the easiest to work with) and have his back. He likes passion, he likes dramatics, he likes the kind of strange ones that other people find a bit hard to get along with, but he couldn’t love them any different from themselves.

(48) How do they express love:

PADMÉ

(4) What would they do if they needed to make dinner but the kitchen was busy: Assuming the people in the kitchen were not making food, Padmé would fix them with a firm Senatorial Scolding Face and ask them politely if they could move it somewhere else. She can easily outargue any protests; the kitchen is for cooking and she needs to make dinner! If ppl were making food in the kitchen, Pads would roll up her sleeves and ask what she could do to help so it would be done faster and she could get started. She grew up with her mother insisting her and Sola help out with all the household chores, kitchen duty included, so she’s a fine cook. Anakin learned to cook from his mother too, so sometimes their husband/wife bonding time will include just making dinner together and enjoying each others’ company. In an OT4 situation with Obes and Satine, Obi Wan is the only one out of the four of them who Cannot Cook and is legit banished from the kitchen except for making drinks/certain desserts, so it ends up with Anakin, Padmé, and Satine all talking and laughing while preparing food while Obi Wan pouts sits in the doorway and talks from there

(6) Eating habits and sample daily menu: Ok, so you know how I said Satine can sometimes get distracted by work and skip breakfast? Well Padmé is like that but worse. She gets so busy with duties, she just forgets to eat for very long periods of time, and then she’ll be doing something and be like “woah, I’m hungry, I don’t think I’ve eaten today,” and Sabé/Anakin/Bail/whoever she’s with will just be like padmé nO. When she does eat, however, she is one of those crazy people who Does Not Like Sweets. Like, at all, they just don’t agree with her. Anakin is scandalized. Satine is scandalized. Everyone is. She just doesn’t like them. She’ll eat fruit, but that’s as sweet as it gets. So when she does remember to eat, or if she’s going out for a dinner, it’s usually something pretty healthy-- though Pads will confess to a weakness for nice cheeses. There’s also this one really greasy bad fried chip thing that she’s got a secret weakness for. Padmé’s also not a huge alcohol person; like, she’ll drink when others do, she’s not a lightweight or anything, but she won’t seek it out herself, just, something about the taste, and she doesn’t like not being in control of her head.

(7) Fave way to waste time and feelings surrounding wasting time: Honey, Padmé is from Naboo. The luxury planet. They know how to lazily waste time in style. She loves long baths and listening to classical music, walking in nature (she loves flowers), practicing new hair styles, facials and manicures. She also reads the gossip columns (no she doesn’t, you never heard that) because she needs the tea. She just do. She likes to read and study new languages (because she is Queen Overachiever) or just add to her bucket list of Ways To Improve The Galaxy. Padmé totally has a Space Pinterest. In reality, she trained herself from a young age how to relax so being a teenager in planetary politics didn’t literally kill her.

(12) Favorite book genre: ROMANCE! It’s canon that Pads is just such an ushy, gushy romantic of a person, so she likes stuff like Space Jane Austen and all the other romantic books. She refuses to associate with Anakin’s trashy dollar romances, she thinks they’re bad writing. He does not agree. He also called one of her faves boring once. They do not discuss books. But also Padmé likes political history and civilization books cuz politician, and she’s pretty into the mysteries like Obi Wan is. She likes religious texts too, learning about different ones, she finds it interesting. Reading can be hard for her because I h/c her as dyslexic, but she loves it too much.

(18) Favorite beverage: Spiced cider. She could get it homemade back on Naboo; cool and refreshing when iced but warm and tangy and perfect when heated.

(19) What do they think about before falling asleep at night: If Anakin’s not with her, she always thinks about him not being there. She can’t help it. If he is with her, she thinks about how much she loves him. She also tends to do a mental to do list every night of what she needed to do before bed and if she’s gonna allow herself to sleep now or not. She also has another mental to do list so she knows what she’s gonna do when she wakes up in the morning. With the damned war dragging on, more and more nights are spent going to bed troubled and worried for the future. She also daydreams, though, of what she can do after. Her happily ever after.

(28) Who is their best friend? Their worst enemy?: This is hard because Pads is so friendly with everyone!!! Queen’s Shadow really made me fall in love with Padmé and Sabé, but I’ll always be a sucker for the canon and fanon where Padmé’s best friend is Bail Organa. I’m sorry, but Bail is just a cinnamon roll of a human being, and he’s such a calm, levelheaded friend for Pads where she can be a bit overeager and chomping at the bit sometimes, but he’s also ALWAYS got her back and she can talk to him about stuff and ahhhhh and he literally raises her daughter as his own and gahhhhhh. Is it messed up if I almost want to say Padmé’s worst enemy is Anakin? I mean to be more general: her worst enemy is the Sith, as they destroyed the Republic and her entire life’s work and corrupted her husband and depending on if you believe the “draining life forces” theory (which I do) they killed her. But Anakin was the one who got past her defences, took her by surprise, and unknowingly ended up playing the most active role in her destruction, which is immensely tragic for both of them because all he ever wanted to do was love her (*crying*).

(33) Concept of home and family: For Padmé, home isn’t so much a place, but an idea of where you can feel closest and most at one with those you’ve decided to share your life with. Yeah, she’ll always love Naboo, but you saw how choked up she got in that TCW episode where Anakin called her Coruscant apartment “home”; for her, home is a state of mind. Family is a bit different; she’ll always have a bit of an idealization towards her own parents’ marriage and how she’s seen Sola’s, and how families developed from that. Canon shows she’s envious because she can’t have that, the 2.5 kids and a dog with a white picket fence outside and a large backyard mentality. She has issues over being separated from family; she had to drop the Naberrie name to go into politics, so I’m guessing there’s some distance felt there, and she can’t even publicly acknowledge her own husband as her husband, so she’ll cling to the idea of a “perfect” family as a someday, as a maybe, and working towards that someday and the long goal she can forget just how complicated and messy her real family-- her parents and sister, her husband, her husband’s new adoptive sister, her husband’s boyfriend, his weird side of the family --is. It’s even more pronounced when everything is falling apart in Revenge of the Sith and it’s obviously falling apart and Anakin is obviously Not Fine, she tries to retreat and take her comfort in “oh but when the baby comes and we can be a Family, things will all work out perfect! It’ll be okay!!!”

(34) Thoughts on privacy (are they a private person, or are they prone to TMI): Padmé is an extremely private person. She’s been in the public spotlight since she was thirteen years old. Everyone’s always staring at her, what she’s wearing, what her opinions are, how she acts, who she’s with. Padmé has nearly nothing she doesn’t have to share with the public eye, so what she does have to herself she tends to hoard and not show anyone except for those she implicitly trusts. Now, whether she’s any good at keeping secrets is a whole other story, but she certainly tries!!! xD

(39) What recharges them when they’re feeling drained: Anakin can make things better or worse for her depending on the mood he’s in and the mood she’s in, but he usually makes her feel better just by showing up and being a dork. She likes her greasy chip snacks and a good book, but she’s a sucker for a good spa day complete with fluffy, comfortable clothing. Also, Padmé loves cat naps, and is the queen of setting an alarm and taking short power naps that actually have her waking up refreshed.

(42) Hobbies: Is creating new outfit designs via Space Pinterest a hobby? Because Padmé does that. Padmé is also the type of person to have a Space Candy Crush problem, and I completely believe that Satine got her into Space Mario Kart (Satine’s actually pretty good at it and Pads isn’t good at it at all, so it’s in no way fair, but they have fun xD). Padmé loves creating flower arrangements too, just creating beautiful things makes her happy. She loves calling one of her handmaidens over and having martial arts practices because she needs to stay ready to defend herself, but also it’s just fun and she’s a good fighter. Padmé’s also into scrapbooking, she makes a bunch of adorable books she puts together, and she gave one to Anakin on their first anniversary and he cried (she hides them, don’t worry).

AHHHNAKIN...

(10) Neuroses: Hooo boy, there’s a lot! Okay, so Anakin is a very handsy person. When he’s nervous or uncomfortable or stressed, he’ll always need something to do with his hands, whether that be fiddling with his clothes, tugging at his hair, messing with the digits on his mechanohand, poking at the wall patterns or other objects. In general, he hates sitting still and has a tendency to fidget if he has to for too long. He will also either stare you directly in the eye or dislike making eye contact at all, depending on his mood. Fiddling with machine parts gives him something to focus his mind and his hands on, so that’s a real big help for him if they’re available, often times he just keeps scraps in his pockets for specifically this purpose. He’s sort of aware he does this, but he doesn’t like to think about it much because that would mean thinking why, and if you try and point any of them out to him he’ll get embarrassed and probs just snap at you.

(12) Favorite book genre: Anakin really isn’t much of a book person. It has to do with his focus issues (I h/c him as ADHD), they just aren’t really able to draw him in enough to keep his attention. It frustrates him because that’s another reason why ppl imply he isn’t smart, which is dumb, he can read just fine, he just doesn’t like to. He does like the trashy penny romances I mentioned before. What can he say? He’s a sucker for the drama and swooning and Epic Proclamations of Love. He’ll read books about the latest ships and speeder models too, because he’s interested in that. He’ll also read tactical strategy books too, because of the war and all. It’s just not his go-to form of entertainment.

(14) Physical abnormalities (including injuries/disabilities, illnesses, allergies): Metal hand. Eye scar. At one point is one big giant asthmatic burn scar who’s like 80% robot. But we’ll focus on Anakin as of now. When he was a child, some brute in the market cracked him hard across the back with something heavy. It damaged his spine, and Shmi was terrified for a while he’d never walk. Thankfully, he recovered, but now his spine is funny as in it is super flexible. Like backbends where it looks like he’s snapped in half, that flexible. It gives him fantastic advantages in acrobatics and combat, but it also means he can do that creepy walk the girl from The Ring can do. He has managed to successfully scare the living piss out of Obi Wan, Padmé, Ahsoka, Rex, and multiple others on different occasions by emerging from the shadows in the middle of the night doing the Ring walk. No one was pleased. Yoda thinks it’s hilarious though. Anakin gets hit in the face just as much Obi Wan does, so he also only has like less than half of his real teeth still in his mouth. Is also covered in various scars from people trying to kill him dead. In total, I project many mental illnesses onto him, so I say he has anxiety, ADHD, BPD, and PTSD. His super strongness in the Force means he is a complete lightweight, so alcohol is an uh oh for him; the only positive is that he never gets hangovers. It also means that Force sensitive objects may suddenly go flying at his head when he’s just trying to casually stroll through a creepy old temple. I also h/c that Anakin is allergic to tookas/lothcats. No other animals, just them. And it’s hilarious when on one occasion some kittens made their way into a briefing room and he just bursts into a sneezing fit, which, why are you all laughing at me? and then Rex points out the little kitten just perched on the top of his head. Poor baby actually does chafe pretty badly from sand too, so his hatred isn’t completely unwarranted.

(18) Favorite beverage: Coffee with a gazillion lumps of sugar in it, protein powder because he’s all about the grind, a hint of space chili pepper, and like a dozen other ingredients that should Not Go In Coffee (one of the ingredients Is Bugs). Obi Wan claims he tasted the concoction once and had hallucinations. Ahsoka says she saw a drop melt the edge of the tabletop. Padmé won’t go anywhere near it. Anakin says they’re all cowards; it’s the only thing that can get him up and focused in the morning.

(20) Childhood illnesses? Any interesting stories behind them?: I h/c that amongst the slaves, Shmi was the local medicine woman. Therefore, Anakin as a child was constantly getting first exposure to all the local sicknesses and building up immunity, so besides one bout of food poisoning, he never got sick as a kid. Once he got to the Temple... well, he was past the age where all the other kids had gotten vaccinations, Obi Wan, bless him, hates dealing with medical and was distracted by everything else and kind of forgot to make sure Anakin was up to date with everything, so he caught EVERYTHING. EVERY LITTLE THING WOULD MAKE HIM SICK. HE HATED IT. OBI WAN HATED IT BECAUSE THE ONLY SICK PATIENT WORSE THAN ANAKIN IS HIMSELF. IT NEVER ENDS. ANAKIN IS TWENTY TWO YEARS OLD AND STILL CATCHING SHIT LIKE THE SPACE CHICKEN POX. THIS ISN’T FAIR.

(22) Given a blank piece of paper, a pencil, and nothing to do, what would happen?: Lots of writings of stuff like “Padmé Skywalker” or “Anakin Kenobi” cuz Ani is at heart a 12 year old girl. Ok ok ok, but actually, there would be lots of different stuff on the page. Mathematical calculations for ships and designs because he is a canon engineering nerd and I h/c he’s a whiz at math. Also little doodles. Anakin’s not a bad artist himself; his style is much more cartoonish than Obi Wan’s, but it means he can do cool little actions scenes of different ships or pods, him being a badass, Yoda getting attacked by space seagulls, etc. Maybe designs for another japoor carving (I h/c he keeps the hobby). Or, the page might be folded up as Anakin turned it into either a boat or a hat or an airplane that actually flies, or just a ball of paper he set on fire because he was bored.

(28) Who is their best friend? Their worst enemy?: OBI WAN KENOBI FOR BOTH OF THEM DAMMIT ANAKIN WHY ARE YOU LIKE THIS. Alright, alright, in reality, his worst enemy is probably more of a combination of himself and his own fears, Sidious for being an evil, manipulative asshole, and society for creating his fears and traumatizing him (though mostly it’s himself because he absolutely had the choice to do the right thing, but he didn’t). Obi Wan is absolutely his best friend though. No competition.

(29) Reaction to extrapersonal disaster (eg Oh no, the house is on fire! What do we do?): For Anakin “I burned down the Republic because you left for an afternoon and I panicked” Skywalker? “Ok, no problem, I got this. I’ve got this. No, wait, I don’t got this. I defiNITELY DO NOT GOT THIS, I MADE IT WORSE, HOLY SHIT, NO ONE PANIC, I NEED AN ADULT-- (Ahsoka: You are an adult) --I NEED AN ADULTIER ADULT.”

(31) Most prized possession: His loved ones ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ And we’ve got at least six movies and a tv show telling us exactly how that did Not Go Well For Anyone

(33) Concept of home and family: Hmmm. I’d say where he feels safe and comfortable. Again, it’s stated in the show he feels at home at Padmé’s, but honestly? He refuses to acknowledge Tatooine cuz ya know, the slavery, so he never really had a strong childhood home, and while I want to say he considered the Temple home at one point, , I’m not sure he does because I feel he’s always on red alert for things to get worse so he never really lets himself get comfortable anywhere-- not even Padmé’s. Family is a bit easier for him; a group of people who love each other-- and for Anakin, it doesn’t have to be blood relations but if you ARE related by blood, you’re a family member by default and he will be Very Offended by blood relations who cut away from their families because he feels if you’re connected like that, you should love each other.

#that took a WHILE but i had fun!#hope y’all agree or at least thought ‘hey that makes sense’#feel free to tell me your own!#one (1) hot mess #our only ho #queen of my heart #peace out #team hot mess #star-crossed lovers #when we were young #political wives #the big 4

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